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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-1016 Documents Submitted at the Meeting TO THE ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL I BELIEVE THAT IT IS TIME FOR SOME ACCOUNTABILITY AND TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR ACTIONS I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS THAT I THINK THE PEOPLE WHO ELECTED YOU ARE ENTITLED TO HAVE YOU ANSWER> Reoorted in the latest Sneak Preview that Counsilors were asked not to soeak to the oress. aooarentlv about the latest controversy about counsel dysfunction or exoenditures for counseling WHO ASKED YOU NOT TO SPEAK TO THE PRESS? WHAT WAS THE MOTIVE FOR THAT REQUEST? WHO DECIDED THAT COUNSELING WAS APPROPRIATE AND BY THIS DR KIRSCHNER IN PARTICULAR? The first explanation appeared in the Sneak Preview yesterday that Mr. Morrison talked to the counselors and each one felt ity was something you needed to do. EXCEPT FOR MS. HARDESTY WHO SUGGESTED DR. KIRSCHNER, WERE ANY OTHER COUNSELORS CONSIDERED, CONSIDERING THE HIGH COST? The Tidings states that a group of residents who seek to limit growth and undermine the planning process are working with Counsilors Hartzell, Navickas and Hardesty to undermine the city processes and overwhelm city departnents. IS THIS TRUE? Shadow Government. Cathy Shaw was quoted in the Tidings as saying that Cate Hartzell, Alice Hardesty and others got together on Sunday mornings to plan overwhelming department heads or administrators. The Tidings says the existqnce of a shadow govt is uncertain. DOES IT EXIST? The Tidings reports that Ms. Hartzell is at the heart of dysfunction in the Counsel. Alan DeBoer stated that Ms Hartzell takes over an issue, is unprepared and tries to micro manage MY QUESTION TO HER IS HOW DO YOU JUSTIFY THIS BEHAVIOR? To Mr. Navickas: MR. CHAPMAN REPORTED THAT HE SIMPLY LOST HIS TEMPER. WITHOUT EXCUSING MR. CHAPMAN'S CONDUCT, YOU HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF CONSISTENT NEGATIVE BEHAVIOR IN THE COUNSIL. HOW DO YOU JUSTIFY BEHAVIOR THAT WOULD CAUSE A FELLOW COUSELOR TO ERUPT IN PROFANITY? Discussion in the Press has talked about Insulating the City Staff from Council interference Kathy Shaw states that a strong mayor is the ChiefExective of this Municipal corporation and that the Mayor appoints dept. heads and can insulate them from the Counsel. MR MORRISON WHY HAVE YOU NOT DONE THAT? There are many other questions that can be asked that I don't have time for. But I think that it is time that it is time for accountability. A place to start is answering these questions and others raised by press reports and by citizens here. Another place to start. . . I understand that City Departments and the council itself are not required to do line item budgeting. Then this is another place to start. I suggest that no city expenditure in excess of $5000 be permitted without going to competitive bidding...that is public competitive bidding. This would have eliminated this unreasonable expenditure of $37,000 for therapy, counseling or training, whatever you call it. CAN YOU GIVE US ANY ANSWERS? Don Stone 395 Kearney St., Ashland 48'f(-~CJ7D TO THE ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL I BELIEVE THAT IT IS TIME FOR SOME ACCOUNTABILITY AND TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR ACTIONS I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS THAT I THINK THE PEOPLE WHO ELECTED YOU ARE ENTITLED TO HAVE YOU ANSWER> RepOrted in the latest Sneak Preview that Counsilors were asked not to sneak to the press. apparentlv about the latest controversv about counsel dysfunction or expenditures for counseling WHO ASKED YOU NOT TO SPEAK TO THE PRESS? WHAT WAS THE MOTIVE FOR THAT REQUEST? WHO DECIDED THAT COUNSELING WAS APPROPRIATE AND BY THIS DR KIRSCHNER IN PARTICULAR? The first explanation appeared in the Sneak Preview yesterday that Mr. Morrison talked to the counselors and each one felt ity was something you needed to do. EXCEPT FOR MS. HARDESTY WHO SUGGESTED DR. KIRSCHNER, WERE ANY OTHER COUNSELORS CONSIDERED, CONSIDERING THE HIGH COST? The Tidings states that a group of residents who seek to limit growth and undermine the planning process are working with Counsilors Hartzell, Navickas and Hardesty to undermine the city processes and overwhelm city departnents. IS THIS TRUE? Shadow Government. Cathy Shaw was quoted in the Tidings as saying that Cate Hartzell, Alice Hardesty and others got together on Sunday mornings to plan overwhelming department heads or administrators. The Tidings says the existqnce of a shadow govt is uncertain. DOES IT EXIST? The Tidings reports that Ms. Hartzell is at the heart of dysfunction in the Counsel. Alan DeBoer stated that Ms Hartzell takes over an issue, is unprepared and tries to micro manage MY QUESTION TO HER IS HOW DO YOU JUSTIFY THIS BEHAVIOR? To Mr. Navickas: MR. CHAPMAN REPORTED THAT HE SIMPLY LOST HIS TEMPER. WITHOUT EXCUSING MR. CHAPMAN'S CONDUCT, YOU HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF CONSISTENT NEGATIVE BEHAVIOR IN THE COUNSIL. HOW DO YOU JUSTIFY BEHAVIOR THAT WOULD CAUSE A FELLOW COUSELOR TO ERUPT IN PROFANITY? Discussion in the Press has talked about Insulating the City Staff from Council interference Kathy Shaw states that a strong mayor is the Chief Exective of this Municipal corporation and that the Mayor appoints dept. heads and can insulate them from the Counsel. MR MORRISON WHY HAVE YOU NOT DONE THAT? There are many other questions that can be asked that I don't have time for. But I think that it is time that it is time for accountability. A place to start is answering these questions and others raised by press reports and by citizens here. Another place to start...I understand that City Departments and the council itself are not required to do line item budgeting. Then this is another place to start. I suggest that no city expenditure in excess of $5000 be permitted without going to competitive bidding. . . that is public competitive bidding. This would have eliminated this unreasonable expenditure of$37,000 for therapy, counseling or training, whatever you call it. CAN YOU GIVE US ANY ANSWERS? Don Stone 395 Kearney St., Ashland INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR LIBRARY SERVICES City of Ashland and Jackson County This Agreement is entered into this _ day of , 2007 by and between THE CITY OF ASHLAND, Oregon, and JACKSON COUNTY, Oregon. The EFFECTIVE DATE of this Agreement is November I, 2007. RECITALS A. ORS 190.010 permits units of local government to enter into intergovenunental agreements for the performance of any or all functions and activities that a party to the agreement has authority to perform; and B. ORS 357.410(3) permits units of local government to provide jointly a public library or public library services or share in the use of facilities, under such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon. C. Jackson County has entered into a contract with Library Systems & Services, LLC (LSSI) to provide inter alia library services at the City of Ashland Branch at a level of service more fully described in the Professional Services Agreement Between Jackson County and Library Systems & Services, LLC. dated September 18, 2007; and D. The City of Ashland desires to supplement the level of service provided by LSSI to Ashland residents by providing funding to Jackson County to contract for additional services via an amendment to the Professional Services Agreement Between Jackson County and Library Systems & Services, LLC; and E. The City and County entered into an Agreement conceming the Ashland Branch of the Jackson County Library on February I, 2000. The provisions of that agreement remain in full force and effect and any actions, claims or proceedings arising out of or pursuant to that Agreement are expressly not waived, amended or altered by this Agreement; NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration for the mutual covenants contained herein the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows: I. RECITALS. The recitals set forth above are true and correct and are incorporated herein by this reference. 2. DURATION AND OPTION TO EXTEND. [ORS 190.020(1)(e)]. The term of this Agreement shall be after approval and execution by both parties and shall expire on June 30, 2009. The Ashland City Administrator has the option to extend this Agreement once, by twelve (12) months, by indicating in writing to Jackson County that an extension of the Agreement is sought under the same terms and conditions of this Agreement and that the City has secured funding for the extension. Approval of the extension option is the sole discretion of Jackson County Administrator. Intergovernmental Agreement Library Services - City of Ashland and Jackson County Page 1 of7 3. FUNCTIONS OR ACTIVITIES. [ORS 190.020(1)] A. A detailed scope of services to be provided to the Ashland Branch of the Jackson County Library pursuant to the September 18, 2007, Professional Services Agreement Between Jackson County and Library Systems & Services, LLC. (Operations Agreement) is fully set forth in the Agreement, (including Table A) and includes generally the full compliment of Jackson County Library Services, with 24 hours of Ashland Branch Library operation and six (6) full time employees (FTE) at the Ashland Branch, said Operations Agreement being incorporated herein by this reference. The additional services requested by the City of Ashland pursuant to this Intergovernmental Agreement shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of services provided by Jackson County to the Ashland Branch Library pursuant to the September 18, 2007, Operations Agreement. The City of Ashland recognizes and acknowledges that technological innovation, professional development, and maximum staff effectiveness in library operations, among many other factors, determines the total number of staff located at each particular library branch, and that the number has the potential likelihood to change. B. A detailed scope of services to be added by the proposed Amendment to the Operation Agreement (Enhanced Services) and the itemization of costs for such services, and required contract amendment provisions as contemplated in this Intergovernmental Agreement, including generally an additional 16 hours of Library operation per week, and up to three (3) full time employees (FTE) or the equivalent, is more fully set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto ~d made a part hereof by this reference. 4. PAYMENT. [ORS 190.020(1)(a)]. The City of Ashland shall promptly pay monthly to Jackson County for the cost of the additional services provided to the Ashland Branch of the Jackson County Library as contemplated in Exhibit A. Payment shall be made to Jackson County on or before the 5th day of each month in advance of the service due to the contractual payment obligations of Jackson County with the Contractor. Jackson County shall retain responsibility to make payment to Contractor in accordance with the Operations Agreement. 5. REVENUE. [ORS 190.020(I)(b)]. There are no revenues expected to be derived pursuant to this Agreement that need to be apportioned between the parties. All fees, fines and charges, collected by Jackson County's contractor, LSSI, as a result of the work performed by LSSI pursuant to the Amendment contemplated by this Agreement to provide enhanced services to the City of Ashland shall be the sole property of Jackson County and LSSI, and Ashland shall have no claim or entitlement to such revenues. 6. PERSONNEL. [ORS 190.020(I)(c)]. No employees will be formally transferred between County and City pursuant to this Agreement and this Agreement does not change the status of any employee, contractor or officer of the respective parties.. Jackson County has an existing contractual relationship with LSSl and neither this Intergovernmental Agreement nor the Amendment contemplated herein shall change the contractor status of LSSI, its officers or employees or make any personnel of LSSI or Jackson County an employee or contractor of the City of Ashland. Intergovernmental Agreement Library Services - City of Ashland and Jackson County Page 2 of7 7. REAL OR PERSONAL PROPERTY. [ORS 190.020(l)(d)] There shall be no transfer of title or possession to any real or personal property pursuant to this Agreement. At the time this agreement is entered into by the City of Ashland and Jackson County, the City is the owner of the building and of all materials in the Library acquired prior to 1970. Jackson County is the owner of all the equipment and materials in the building including but not limited to books, furniture, shelving and library equipment. No provision of this Agreement shall expressly or impliedly operate as a waiver or release of any of the terms, conditions or requirements of the 2000 Intergovernmental Agreement or otherwise act as a waiver or release of any demands, claims, actions or proceedings arising out of a violation or breach of the 2000 Intergovernmental Agreement, whether such breach concerns transfer or possession of real or personal property, or any other claim or action. 8. TERMINATION. A. TERMINATION by Mutual Consent: This Agreement may be terminated at any time by mutual consent of both parties. B. TERMINATION for Convenience: After the first twelve (12) months of the term hereof, this Agreement may be terminated at any time by either party upon at least 90 days' notice in writing and delivered by certified mail or in person. C. TERMINATION for Default or Breach: Either County or City may terminate this contract in the event of a breach of the contract by the other. Prior to such termination the party seeking termination shall give to the other party written notice of the breach and intent to terminate. If the party committing the breach has not entirely cured the breach within fifteen (15) days of the date of the notice, or within such other period beyond fifteen (15) days as the party giving the notice may authorize or require, then the contract may be terminated at any time thereafter by a written notice of termination by the party giving notice. The rights and remedies of the parties provided in this subsection are not exclusive and are in addition to any other rights and remedies provided by law or under this contract. D. OBLIGA TION/LIABILITY OF PARTIES: Termination or modification of this contract pursuant to subsections A, B, and C, above, shall be without prejudice to any obligations or liabilities of either party already accrued prior to such termination or modification. However, upon receiving a notice of termination (regardless whether such notice is given pursuant to subsections A, B, C, or D, of this section) County shall immediately cease all activities under this contract, unless expressly directed otherwise by City in the notice of termination. Further, upon termination, County shall deliver to City all contract documents, information, works-in-progress and other property that are or would be deliverables had the contract been completed. City shall pay County for work performed prior to the termination date if such work was performed in accordance with the Contract. Intergovernmental Agreement Library Services - City of Ashland and Jackson County Page 3 of7 E. NON-APPROPRIATION: Notwithstanding the termination provisions above, termination may occur for non-appropriation. Specifically, all City obligations to expend money under this Intergovernmental Agreement are contingent upon future appropriation as part of the City budget process and local budget law, and the failure of the Council and Budget Committee to make the appropriation shall necessarily result in termination of the Agreement. As such, in the event insufficient funds are appropriated for the payments under this Agreement and the City has no other lawfully available funds, then the City may terminate this Agreement at the end of its current fiscal year, with no further liability or penalty to the City. The City shall deliver written notice to County of such termination no later than thirty (30) days from the determination by the City of the event of non-appropriation. 9. HOLD HARMLESS. The City of AsWand is not providing services but purchasing services through Jackson County's contractor. Accordingly, to the extent permitted by Article 11, Section 7, and Article 11, Section 10 of the Oregon Constitution and the Oregon Tort Claims Act, The parties both shall hold each other harmless, defend and indemnifY the other from any and all claims, demands, damages or injuries, liability of damage, including injury resulting in death or damage to property, that anyone may have or assert by reason of any error, act or omission of the other, its officers, employees, agents and contractors pursuant to this Agreement or the Amendment contemplated herein. Such indemnification shall also cover claims brought against either party under state or federal employees' compensation laws. Provided however, Jackson County shall not be held responsible for any claims, actions, costs, judgments or other damages, directly and proximately caused by the criminal or wanton acts of the City of AsWand employees or the negligence of the City of AsWand. Similarly, the City of Ashland shall not be held responsible for any claims, actions, costs, judgments or other damages, directly and proximately caused by the criminal or wanton acts of the Jackson County employees or the negligence of Jackson County. If any aspect of this indemnity shall be found to be illegal or invalid for any reason whatsoever, such illegality or invalidity shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this indemnification. 10. MONITORING I REVIEW OF ENHANCED SERVICES. The Amendment shall provide for the right of the City to monitor and review the provision of enhanced services provided pursuant to this Agreement. County shall copy City, upon request by and at the expense of the City, with any regular reports on services and outcomes, or other ad hoc investigations that fairly include or touch on the provision of enhanced services paid for by the City of Ashland. Unless authorized in writing by the County Administrator, City shall not directly interact with Contractor or interfere with the operations of the County's contractor but shall bring all complaints and or issues regarding the provision of enhanced services to the County Administrator's attention. The County Administrator or his designee shall promptly respond to reasonable inquiries and requests for information regarding compliance and service issues received in writing from the City Administrator. As a result of such monitoring and review, needed changes, including but not limited to enhancements, modifications, (e.g. hours and days of operation), or other alterations, shall be addressed by mutual agreement by the Administrators of the County and City, with modifications to documents as necessary. Intergovernmental Agreement Library Services - City of Ashland and Jackson County Page 4 of? II. METHOD AND PLACE OF GIVING NOTICE, SUBMITTING BILLS, AND MAKING PAYMENTS. All notices, bills, and payments shall be made in writing and may be given by personal delivery or by mail. Notices, bills, and payments sent by mail should be addressed as follows: City of Ashland Attn: Martha Bennett 20 East Main Street Ashland, Oregon 97520 Phone: 541-488-6002 Jackson County Attn: Danny Jordan 10 South Oakdale, Rm. 214 Medford, Oregon 97501 Phone: 541-774-6003 and when so addressed, shall be deemed given upon deposit in the United States Mail, postage prepaid. In all other instances, notices, bills, and payments shall be deemed given at the time of actual delivery. Changes may be made to the names and addresses of the person to who notices, bills, and payments are to be given by providing notice pursuant to this paragraph. 12. MERGER. This writing is intended. both as the final expression of the Agreement between the parties with respect to the included terms and as a complete and exclusive statement of the terms of the Agreement. No modification of this Agreement shall be effective unless and until it is made in writing and signed by both parties. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed in two (2) duplicate originals, either as individuals, or by their officers, thereunto duly authorized. Dated this _ day of ,2007. City of Ashland, Oregon Jackson County, Oregon By: John Morrison, Mayor City of Ashland By: Danny Jordan, County Administrator Jackson County Approved as to Form: Approved as to Form: Senior Assistant County Counsel Intergovernmental Agreement Library Services - City of Ashland and Jackson County Page 5 of7 Exhibit A Intergovernmental Agreement for Library Services between Jackson County and the City of Ashland, Oregon Scope of "Enhanced Services" : Jackson County shall amend the Professional Services Agreement Between Jackson County and Library Systems & Services, LLC. to provide the following additional services. alkJa/ "Enhanced Services" at the specified rates and charges to the City of Ashland Branch of the Jackson County Library: . Full compliment of Jackson County Library services, as set forth in the Professional Services Agreement Between Jackson County and Library Systems & Services, LLC. providing for an additional 16 hours per week at the Ashland Branch, inclusive of all normal operations and staffing required for a total of 40 hours per week. (SEE NEW HOURS TABLE BELOW) . Three (3) additional full time employees (FTE) or the equivalent at the Branch location. Staffing preference includes two (2) FTE or the equivalent to cover the 16 additional hours of operation as well as an additional FTE or the equivalent for Library outreach activities. . NEW HOURS TABLE: MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY BASE 12-8 12-4 2-6 12-4 CLOSED 12-4 CLOSED ADDED 10-12 10-12,4-6 10-2 4-5 CLOSED 4-5 12-4 NEW 10-8 10-6 10-6 12-5 CLOSED 12-5 12-4 The City of Ashland shall pay Jackson County $20,000/month from November 2007, through June 2008, for the 16 additional hours of full library service at the Ashland Branch [inclusive of (2) FTEs or equivalent] not to exceed $160,000; and $20,600/month from July 2008, through June 2009, not to exceed $247,200. If an extension to this Agreement is granted for an additional year, the cost shall be increased by 3%. The City of Ashland shall also pay $7,083 per month from November 2007, through June 2008, not to exceed $56,664; and $7,295.49/month from July 2008, to June 2009, not to exceed $87,545.88 for the outreach activities [inclusive of I FTE or equivalent]. If an extension to this Agreement is granted for an additional year, the cost shall be increased by 3%. Scope of Additional contractual provisions: Jackson County shall amend the Professional Services Agreement Between Jackson County and Library Systems & Services, LLC. to provide for the following additional contractual provisions as they related to the provision of additional services to the City of Ashland Branch of the Jackson County Library: Intergovernmental Agreement Library Services - City of Ashland and Jackson County Page 6 of7 Duration: Notwithstanding the duration of the Operation Agreement in Section 3.0, the Amendment shall not obligate the parties to provide the additional services set forth herein beyond the June 30, 2009 termination date for additional services. The Amendment may provide for an administrative extension of the Agreement amendment for up to 12 months, upon execution of an extension to this Intergovernmental Agreement. If an extension to this Agreement is granted for an additional year, the cost shall be increased by 3%. Living Wage: The County will require that LSSI shall be subject to the City of Ashland "Living Wage" ordinance with respect to any employee providing services at the Ashland Branch Library. City has been assured that LSSI already complies with this provision requiring at least $12.43 per hour for employees working more than 1040 hours per year. Accordingly the County need not continuously monitor compliance but shall provide documentation to the City of Ashland for purposes of monitoring compliance upon written request of the City Administrator. If it is found that an LSSI employee performing services at the Ashland Branch Library is paid in violation of the provisions of the City of Ashland living wage law, LSSI shall be given an opportunity to cure prior to any enforcement action. Privacy: The Amendment shall restate and reaffirm the cornmitment Jackson County to strictly maintain the confidentiality of Library patron records as established under Oregon public records law. Meeting Rooms: The Amendment shall restate and reaffirm that public meeting rooms shall be open and available for public in accordance with the Library's Policy covering use of community meeting rooms, and City and County policies on nondiscrimination. Coordination: The Amendment shall include a requirement that the Ashland Branch Manager attend Ashland Citizen Library Ad Hoc Committee meetings at least quarterly, preferably monthly to maintain coordination with the City of Ashland and the local community on the specific needs of the City and community. Intergovernmental Agreement Library Services - City of Ashland and Jackson County Page 7 of? 1000 FRIENDS OF OREGON 534 SW Third Avenue, Suite 300, Portland, OR 97204. (503) 497-1000. fax (503) 223-0073 . www.friends.org Southern Oregon Office. P.O. Box 2442. Grants Pass, OR 97528. (541) 474-1155' fax (541) 474.9389 Willamette Valley Office' 189 Liberty Street NE, Suite 307A' Salem, OR 97301 . (503) 371-7261 . fax (503) 371-7596 Central Oregon Office' P.O. Box 1380. Bend, OR 97709' (541) 382-7557' fax (541) 317-9129 October 10, 2007 Greater Bear Creek Regional Problem Solving Policy Committee c/o Rogue Yalley Council of Governments Post Office Box 3275 Central Point, OR 97502 SUBJECT: Bear Creek Vallev Ree:ional Problem Solvinl! Process Dear Members of the Policy Committee: On behalf of 1000 Friends of Oregon, I would like to thank you for this opportunity to once again address you regarding the Bear Creek Yalley Regional Problem Solving project, and specifically to comment on the September 12,2007 "Regional Problem Solving Draft Plan." Please accept this letter into the record of the October 10,2007 public hearing. I. 1000 Friends ofOree:on SUPpOrts Ree:ional Problem Solvinl! in tbe ROI!ue Vallev 1000 Friends of Oregon congratulates the Rogue Yalley Council of Governments (RYCOG) and all of the participating jurisdictions on the progress made to date in the effort to coordinate regionally on growth management and protection of our area's valuable agriculture industry. The Bear Creek Yalley is an important region of Oregon for many reasons, and we believe that the RPS process presents the region with a unique and valuable opportunity to direct its development in the future. The September 12 "Regional Problem Solving Draft Plan"t identifies the three "problems" being addressed in this process as: I. The lack of a mechanism for coordinated regional growth planning; 2. The loss of valuable farm and forest land caused by urban expansion; and 3. The loss of community identity.2 The "Project Goals" associated with solving these problems are identified as: I. Manage future regional growth for the greater public good; I Hereinafter referred to as the "Draft Plan." 2 Draft Plan, p. 1-7. RPS Policy Committee October 10, 2007 Page 2 of 24 2. Conserve resource and open space lands for their important economic, cultural, and livability benefits; and 3. Recognize and emphasize the individual identity, unique features, and relative competitive advantages and disadvantages of each community within the Region.3 Because we fully support these project goals, 1000 Friends of Oregon has taken an active interest in the creation of a regional plan that will be both approvable when delivered to the state for review, and practical when it comes to the implementation phase. We continue to believe that it is possible to create such a plan. With these outcomes in mind, I have attended nearly every meeting of the Policy Committee and the Technical Advisory Committee (T AC) held since November 2002, most of the meetings of the Resource Lands Review Committee (RLRC) and the only meeting of the Citizen Involvement Committee (PCIC) held during that time. I have submitted several rounds of written comments4 and was a frequent participant in discussions at both the T AC and the Policy Committee meetings until the Policy Committee voted to preclude public comment on specific growth areas at their meetings. The comments that follow are based on our continued participation in the RPS process and on the most recently available information-some of which has only become available since the Draft Report was issued. After a procedural issue, we turn to the content of the Draft Plan itself. IT Sendinl! the Draft Plan to the Land Conservation and Development Commission is Premature Because Reeional Consensus Has Not Been Reached The "Timeline for RPS Regional Plan Approval and Implementation"S shows that the project intends to submit the Draft Plan to the Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) "for review" at its November 28-30 meeting. However, LCDC is precluded by state law from taking any action on the Draft Plan. Submitting it at this time would be a procedural mistake. We are concerned that this will result in unnecessary delay and costs to the jurisdictions. State law prohibits LCDC from taking any action on the plan at this time. Under the Regional Problem Solving (RPS) statute,6 LCDC may only review the amended or new comprehensive pans and regulations that arise out of a completed process that complies with the RPS statute. 3 Draft Plan, pp. 1-9 - 1-10. 'Letter from Greg Holmes to Michael Cavallero, RVCOG, May 5, 2003; Memo from Greg Holmes to the RPS T AC, August 18,2004; Written Comments submitted by Greg Holmes to the RPS Policy Committee, September 15, 2006. , http://www.rvcog.org/rpsydf/Plan_Sequence_March_LCDC.pdf 60RS 197.652 to 658. RPS Policy Comminee October 10. 2007 Page 3 of 24 (ORSI97.656(2)(a) requires, in part, that LCDC may only approve plan and regulation amendments that deviate in any way from the rules of the commission that implement the statewide planning goals they are: ".based upon agreements reached by all local participants, the commission, and other participating state agencies, in the collaborative regional problem-solving process. This plan seeks to deviate from state rules, and is thus subject to this requirement. The voting members of the Policy Committee have apparently signed off on the Draft Plan. However, it is far from clear that "all local participants," defined as the cities, the County, and special districts/ have agreed to the Draft Plan. None of the jurisdictions has reported back from their councils/commissions. What is clear is that the "participating state agencies" have not agreed to the Draft Plan, as stated in the April 4, 2007 letter from the Agencies to the Policy Committee.8 The Draft Plan has not addressed the concerns expressed by the state agencies, and as of this writing the they have not revised their position. Submitting the plan now is likely to result in additional and unnecessary costs and delays. Finally, there was extensive discussion at the Policy Committee meeting of October 9,2007, about whether or not this Draft Plan and the related Regional Problem Solving Agreement would ultimately be the mechanism used by the region to establish urban reserve areas. Until questions of this magnitude are answered and the RPS process is completed, it is premature to submit anything to LCDC. It is our hope that, whatever form it takes, the project can reach agreement on a plan that best serves the region. III. 1000 Friends ofOrll2on Supoorts the Rll2ion's Efforts at Rll2ional Planninl! But We Cannot Support the Current "Draft Plan" Although we strongly support using coordinated regional planning as a means of accomplishing the project's goals, we cannot support the current Draft Plan. As will be discussed in more detail below, the September 12 Draft Plan contains numerous technical, legal, and logical inconsistencies that have led to erroneous conclusions. At least some of these weaknesses result from flaws in the process used to generate this draft. Taken together, this has resulted in a 7 The draft "Greater Bear Creek Valley Regional Problem Solving Agreement" dated October 5, 2007, lists the local districts that must sign off on this plan as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), the Medford Water Commission, and the Rogue Valley Sewer Services. 8 Leiter from John Renz (DLCD), Darcy Strahan (OHCD), Terry Harbour (ODOT), John Becker (DEQ), Larry Holzgang (OECDD) and Jim Johnson (ODA), to the Greater Bear Creek Valley Regional Problem Solving Policy Committee, "The State of Oregon's Comments and Position on the findings in support of urbanization of commercial farm land and other matters," April 4, 2007. RPS Policy Committee October 10. 2007 Page 4 of 24 significant overstatement of both the amount ofland needed by the region to accommodate a doubling of population and in the amount of resource land needed for the same purpose. A. Introduction: On Its Face tbe Draft Plan Fails to Resolve tbe Original Problems tbe Project Set Out to Address The Draft Plan states that "Effective regional planning cannot be the sum of the planning parts.,,9 We agree. What became the RPS process began with the Our Region initiative in the 1 990s. In that initiative, concerned residents sought to protect the region's critical agricultural economy by identifying the most valuable farmland left in the valley. It was only then that they began talking about how to grow the cities in a way that would preserve those farmlands. Unfortunately, the Draft Plan is the result of a process that took a different approach and fails to achieve the original intended result. According to the Draft Report, the current plan includes about 9,200 acres of proposed Urban Reserve Areas.lo Of this total: . About 7,] 25, or approximately 77 percent, are currently zoned Exclusive Farm Use or other resource designation. · About 1,640, or approximately 18 percent, were determined by the RLRC to be critical to "the region's commercial agricultural" base ofland. During the RPS process, each city worked independently to determine the urban reserve areas it felt would bet meet its own needs. I I The leftover agricultural lands were assumed to be both available and sufficient for the continued viability of the region's commercial agriculture. Because no regional analysis has been conducted, there is no factual basis for this assumption in the record. The process and the outcome are contrary to the RPS problem statement and goals and the RPS statute. Given the sheer magnitude of commercial agriculture acres at risk, and the options that are available, it is difficult to conceive of the argument that would lead one to conclude that the draft plan, as currently written, achieves the project goal to "Conserve resource and open space lands for their important economic, cultural and livability benefits." 9 Draft Plan, p. 1-7. 10 Draft Plan, p. 1-14 lists a total of9,473. This figure does not include about ],877 acres of parkland already owned by the City of Medford. We do not object to the Medford parks being included so long as they are designated for park use only. Consistent with the treatment in Chapter 5, and with the Land Needs Calculator in the appendix of the Draft Plan, we have also subtracted 266 acres ofland that is part ofPH-3. Although we disagree with the premise that no improvements in density can be made in PH-3, we also do not object to the conditions under which this areas is presently included. These lands will not be considered in any calculations presented in this testimony. II The process each city undertook is described a pp. 2-3 - 2-7 of the Draft Plan. RPS Policy Committee October J 0, 2007 Page 5 of 24 As will be described in more detail below, the proposed urban reserve areas might do an adequate job of perpetuating the land use patterns currently on the ground in the region, but that was exactly what the RPS process was supposed to stop. The land needs are overstated to the point that the Draft Plan also fails to meet the Project Goal of managing future growth for the greater public good, In addition to failing to meet the project's own goals, the current Draft Plan also violates provisions ofORS 197.656(6) and of numerous Statewide Planning Goals, as will be discussed below, B. Issue 1: Significant Parts of the Draft Plan are Based on Erroneous Legal Interpretations The extent to which the project is hoping to modify or not comply with the Urban Reserve Rule (OAR 660-021-0000 to 0100), and the statutory interpretations justifying the project's approach and outcome, have only become apparent since the Draft Plan was made available for review. The Draft Plan bases parts of its analyses and several of its conclusions on interpretations of the RPS Statute (ORS 197.652 to 658) which we believe to be erroneous. Among those: I. The Draft Report notes that ORS I 97.656(2)(c) allows LCDC to approve amendments to comprehensive land use plans and regulations that do not fully comply with administrative rules if they". ..conform, on the whole, with the purpose of the statewide planning goals." From this, the Draft Plan jumps to the conclusion that, "Because the Goals are OARs" the project can "make findings based on the Goals' purpose statements and not their full texts.,,]2 Two pages later the Draft Plan asserts that "the RPS statute directs the process to address [the Goals] on the "purpose" level.',]3 This is a strained reading of the RPS statute. The statewide planning Goals do not contain a section identified as the "Purpose Statement"; the purpose is to be derived from the entire Goal; and any actual attempt to measure compliance of a plan or regulation amendment with the purpose of a Goal by looking at only one sentence of a Goal simply does not hold up. 2, The Urban Reserve Rule implements a statute, ORS 195.145, not a Goal. The hierarchy in the Urban Reserve Rule cannot be altered in its application. Even if a stretched reading of the Urban Reserve Rule and RPS statute allowed this, there is no evidence that altering the hierarchy, resulting in urbanization of the region's commercial agricultural lands, meets the purpose of Goals 3, 12, and 14 or the requirements of the RPS statute. In fact, urbanization of these lands would be contrary to the Goals themselves and would thus require exceptions. 3, The Draft Report asserts that the RPS statute's "differentiation between resource lands that are and are not recommended as part of the base" only requires the project to develop 12 Draft Plan, p, J -] 0, 13 Draft Plan, p, 1-] 2, RPS Policy Committee October 10. 2007 Page 6 of 24 detailed findings for that land that is determined to be part of the base.14 This does not comply with the RPS statute. The plan must meet all the requirements of the RPS statute (see, e.g., ORS ] 97.656(2) and (6)) and take an exception(s). C. Issue 2: Necessary Regional Analyses Have Not Been Conducted Since "deliberations" concluded earlier this year, the project has adopted the concept of a "regional community," with each city in the project representing the equivalent of a "neighborhood"J5 within that community. This is a useful way oflooking at the project that conforms with both the letter and the spirit of the RPS statute. Unfortunately, this concept has not been used consistently. Some examples include the following: I. One of the "Policies" adopted by the project under Project Goal 3 t6 was that "The Region will develop a strategy permitting an unequal distribution of certain land uses among its jurisdictions." We believe this is an appropriate policy, and that it has resulted in some creative and positive solutions-the South Valley Employment Center being among those. This parallels how development would occur in the normal planning for a community-some neighborhoods get some uses, others get other uses, as appropriate. But not every neighborhood gets all uses. A number of proposed urban reserve areas have been included in the Draft Plan that are, like the South Valley Employment Center, intended for industrial use. The project's own modeling shows there is a huge excess of industrial land in the proposal. 17 Adding more, based on the justification that each "neighborhood" needs its own, violates the intent and purpose of numerous Statewide Planning Goals, rules, and statutes and exacerbates the excess. Oversupplying industrial land is also problematic from a practical standpoint. Designating land as an urban reserve represents a commitment that the local governments will insure the infrastructure necessary to urbanize those lands will be provided when needed. Including excess lands could result in draining local resources to provide unnecessary services, and those lands will compete with lands already inside UGBs that are waiting for development. That this extra land included in a proposal where 75 percent of the land is resource land and 17 percent is land that is critical to the region's agricultural economy only adds to the violations. 14 Draft Plan, p. 1-14. 15 This concepl is described al p. 4-8 of the Draft Plan. 16 "Recognize and emphasize the individual identity, unique features, and relative competitive advantages and disadvantages of each community within the Region." 17 This will be discussed in more detail below. RPS Policy Committee October 10, 2007 Page 7 of 24 It also violates the intent of the "neighborhood" concept. To be consistent with the concept of a "regional community" made of up "regional neighborhoods," the region will need to address the needs of the community from a regional perspective, and not only as the sum of the neighborhood parts. 2. The above example relates to industrial land, but the same concept applies to the distribution of population within the "community" and to the resulting locations of all land uses within the "community." When a community establishes population estimates for planning, it is done at the community level rather than by having each neighborhood propose how much it would like to grow and adding up all the proposals. The method used for distributing the expected population to individual jurisdictions was not a regional exercise. Much like the process for selecting the urban reserve proposals in the Draft Plan, each city (neighborhood) came to the group with an independently generated proposal. When all of the individual proposals were added up, the total was near enough the doubling ofthe region's population that the exercise was ended. This is a sum of the parts approach that results in outcomes that may not benefit the overall community. For example, the two cities (neighborhoods) wishing for the greatest population increases are one with significant road connectivity issues (wanting to increase population by 173 percent) and one that is completely surrounded by some of the best farmland remaining in the valley (wanting to increase population by 131 percent). It is incumbent on the community to at least ask the question: Does it really makes sense, from a regional perspective, to direct such large population increases to these two areas? Is there another way the community can help those neighborhoods achieve their goals? The answer to the first question may have an impact on what urban reserve areas are finally selected by the project. Unfortunately, the question has not been asked--{)r answered. 3. The answer to the above question becomes particularly relevant when the project attempts to comply with ORS 197.656(2)(b )(B) or the requirement in OAR 660-021-0030(2) that inclusion of resource land in an urban reserve be based on "a demonstration that there are no reasonable alternatives that will require less, or have less effect upon, resource land." Compliance with applicable law requires that this requirement be at the community (regional) level and the neighborhood level. 18 The "alternatives analyses" provided in Chapter 5 of the Draft Plan are conducted neighborhood by neighborhood. Thus far, the project has not conducted this type of analysis 18 This is one point at which the concept of the region as a single community is not entirely accurate. Some needs that are specific to individual communities will be justified and alternatives considered at that level. However. thus far that is the only level at which an alternatives analysis has been conducted and, as noted above, even some of those analyses do not comply with state regulations. RPS Policy Committee October 10, 2007 Page 8 of 24 at the community (regional) leve!.'9 The provisions of both the RPS Statute and the Urban Reserve Rule require that a regional alternatives analysis be conducted. Without such a regional alternatives analysis, using the RPS process to justify regional "needs" (such as the South Valley Employment Center) that would not otherwise be possible is a violation of numerous provisions of state law. The Policy Committee did develop and adopt objective criteria for evaluating, on a regional basis, whether regional needs could be met in ways that would require less of the RLRC- identified base farmland. However, these criteria were removed from the evaluation process by the Policy Committee and were not replaced by any standard for review. Thus far the project has not conducted an alternatives analysis at the regionalleve!. We hope that when a regional analysis is conducted it will help the region find ways to support our farms and farmers. D. Issue 3: Overall Land Needs Are Over-Stated The RPS process does not exist simply to provide a new mechanism for duplicating today's land use patterns and problems in the future. The promise of the RPS process is that it provides a way to get to a new kind offuture, and the problems and goals defined by this RPS process clearly reflect this. As noted above, and as is clearly described in Chapters 2 and 5 of the Draft Plan, selecting and justifying the urban reserve areas was a neighborhood (local), rather than a regional process. While the process of determining the regional "need" for the total land to be included in the urban reserves was ostensibly a regional effort, it was based in large part on assumptions and projections that were derived at the local level and added together with little or no regional analysis.20 The step that was not taken was to ask if this collection of parts was adequate to serve the whole. It also appears that some of the inputs that were developed regionally suffer from erroneous assumptions or faulty conclusions. 19 Some of the city-specific alternatives analyses suffer from significant deficiencies as well. Several offer justifications for avoiding non-resource lands by expressing the desire for large, flat parcels, or of spreading the growth evenly around the city. These desires are not among the criteria to be addressed for compliance with Goal 14 and do not meet the project's problem statement or goals. At least one of the city-specific alternatives analyses also fails to mention non-resource land that, ifJeft out, would result in the violation of the County's Comprehensive Plan. 20 Page 4-13 lists "Regional Selection Criteria" that were adopted by the Policy Committee at the outset of the "deliberations" process. These criteria were initially adopted by the Policy Committee as a means of conducting a regional analysis of each of the proposed urban reserve areas during the process. While it is true that some jurisdictions did use them in preparing their proposed urban reserve area justifications, they were not systematically used by the process beyond that. The minutes of the deliberations process will show that these criteria were only applied to the first few urban reserve areas the Policy Committee considered during the "deliberations" process. RPS Policy Committee October 10, 2007 Page 9 of 24 For example: . The Hispanic population is the fastest growing ethnic group in Oregon's population, The study area is seeing a similar trend, As demonstrated by the RPS project's consultant, Hispanic residents tend to have larger household sizes (and more multi-generational homes) than other segments of the population,21 The fastest growing age segments of the population for the study area are projected to be those over 65, followed by those 45-64,2 Most of the people in these age groups will not live through the planning horizon, In the interim, as this group ages, they will seek out housing opportunities that involve less maintenance (i,e" smaller dwelling units with little or no yard) that are in neighborhoods that provide or are closer to the services they need, and that include transportation options that don't rely solely on the automobile, Both trends will provide a significant push in the market toward higher density neighborhoods (in the first case more people per household, and thus per acre, and in the second case more units per acre), This conclusion was not reached or incorporated into the inputs into the land needs calculations, · The project's Economic Opportunities Analysis concluded there will be a need for people to work in the jobs that provide the services that an aging population needs-and a related need for housing that those workers can afford, Among the most obvious ways to reduce the costs of new housing are to build more dwelling units per acre, and to build them in neighborhoods that will support non-automobile dependent transportation options, This conclusion is not reflected in the land needs calculations, · Providing the infrastructure to support new development is becoming increasingly expensive, In this valley, those costs are largely borne by taxpayers, As budgets get tighter, municipalities already face the choice of charging developers the true and full costs or of increasing the efficiency with which existing and new facilities are used by development This means fewer miles of roads, sewers, water lines, etc. Policies for minimizing such costs are not included in the Draft Plan or reflected in the models, · As the DEQ, the Medford Water Commission, and the Rogue Valley Sewer Services have indicated on the record, increasing population will place additional burdens on the quality of life in the region, Development patterns that work to reduce reliance on the automobile, reduce per capita water consumption, and reduce the amount of impermeable surfaces channeling stormwater runoff will temper these effects, The results of transportation modeling conducted thus far, which support this conclusion, are not reflected in the land needs analyses in the plan, Every one of these trends and realities is an argument in favor of being aggressive in implementing the project's policy of increasing the region's urban housing density, This is not a hypothetical argument Demand for housing that meets the needs outlined above is already increasing in national and state markets, and is emerging in parts of the valley as well, 21 See the Housing Needs Analysis conducted by ECO, Final Report, July 2006, pp. 3-4 to 3-5. 22 Ibid, p. 3-7. RPS Policy Committee October 10. 2007 Page 100f24 Similar points can be made for employment lands necessary to meet future needs. Specific weaknesses in the regional land needs calculations, and the impacts those deficiencies have on the amount of land needed to meet the Project Goals while complying with local and state regulations, are set forth below. 1. Residential Land Needs As one means of meeting the established Project Goals, the Policy Committee adopted a policy to increase the region's overall urban housing density. Meeting state and federally mandated transportation and air quality standards and addressing environmental concerns will require increasing densities. The cost to taxpayers of providing services, as well as market forces that are already being felt, will also dictate higher densities. To address the policy of increasing residential density, the project established a region-wide average target density of 6.20 units per acre as the region builds out the urban reserves. The Draft Plan asserts that this is an "ambitious" goal that represents a 14 percent increase over the current average density of 5.45 units per acre. Given the project's goals and other factors listed above, and the amount of critical agricultural land that is included in the urban reserve areas to accommodate residential growth, this goal should be increased. a. The goal of6.2 units per acre would result in an average lot size of 7,000 square feet. If the current trends reported in the Draft Plan23 were to continue, even without the RPS plan the region will be more dense than the 6.2 units per acre target within 25 years. An end-result density of 6.2 units per acre would actually result in lower densities than.market forces suggest might be expected with no additional policy changes. b. If residential buildout follows the pattern in the Draft Plan, the resulting overall density of the region (what is on the ground now plus what is built to accommodate the new population) wi II be about 5.9 units per acre. That is less than the current density in the city of Phoenix, which project documentation shows to be 6.0 units per acre. c. The project ran a second set of calculations called the "Low Land Needs Scenario." By changing certain assumptions in the model (including the target density, which was set at 7.02 units per acre), the need for residential land to be included in urban reserves dropped by about 1,200 acres.24 Making this one change alone could reduce the amount of critical agricultural land in the urban reserves proposal by hundreds of acres. The project has dismissed that calculation as "aspirational." We think this target helps to better address the stated problems and meet the project's goals. 23 See p. 3-2: "During the same time [1994-2004], the percentage oflots smaller than 7,000 square feet increased from 29 to 35 percent." 24 Based on the figures presented in Exhibit 3-2, p. 3-6 of the Draft Plan. The low land need total 00,007 is about 1,200 lower than the high land need total of 4,272. RPS Policy Committee October 10, 2007 Page II of24 Much more aggressive targets are already being implemented in other parts of the state. For example, while Marion County is different from Jackson County in some respects, there are also great similarities. Both face population growth pressure and both contain numerous communities that are surrounded by economically valuable resource lands and that are trying to protect their individual identities. For the planning horizon to 2050, Marion County has adopted the "Marion County Urban Growth Management Framework.,,25 Their targets are not based on an overall average, but on community size. If the density targets in that framework were adopted in the Bear Creek Valley, the result would be a goal of6 units per gross acre in Jacksonville and Phoenix (which already meets this target), 7 units per gross acre in Eagle Point and Talent, and 8 units per gross acre in Ashland, Central Point, and Medford. For comparison, if these goals were met the average built density in the urban reserve areas would be 7.78 dwelling units per acre. This result would help the region's overall livability, keep infrastructure costs to taxpayers down, and help meet the project's goal of protecting farmland and the agricultural economy. d. There are local examples already being built that exceed both the Marion County goals and the moderate targets established by the project. As an example, the Twin Creeks development in Central Point includes] ,500 dwelling units on 230 acres.26 o That represents a density of 6.52 dwelling units per acre, but o Because 4] of those acres are parks and open space (which the region's land needs calculations count in a separate category), the total being developed is only 189 acres, which results in a density of 7.94 dwelling units per acre. o This acreage comes with a bonus of 200,000 square feet of commercial and office space, which will not require additional land zoned for those uses. If that development were to be built out at the project's "ambitious" target of6.2 units per acre, the result would be fewer homes with no parks or open space and no commercial or office space. Even with these densities, Twin Creeks is being built with a mix of dwelling types (multi and single family), and a variety of lot sizes as large as 10,000 square feet (just shy of 1. acre). It is also worth noting that there is already a significant local demand for this type of development--even in an otherwise depressed real estate market homes in this development are selling as fast as they can be built. 25 This document was attached to our May 5,2003 letter to the Executive Director of the RVCOG and copied to all jurisdictions involved in this project. 26 See http://www.tndwest.com/twincreeks.html RPS Policy Committee October 10, 2007 Page 12 of24 e. In addition to under-reaching on the goals, numerous assumptions used in the model result in over-stating the amount of land needed to accommodate residential expansion. For example: o The land calculations assume vacancy rates of 5 percent for single family dwellings and 7 percent for multifamily dwellings. Census records show that in 2000 the actual rates in Medford were).8 percent and 4.9 percent, respectively. The OLCO handbook, "Planning for Residential Growth," suggests 2 percent and 5 percent, respectively.27 The rates used by the project inflate residential land needs. o The calculations also assumed that only 12 percent of future housing needs would be met by infill or redevelopment in existing neighborhoods. Projects like "The Commons," in Medford, are already adding large numbers of residences in existing developed areas. There is no evidentiary evidence that this is realistic as the project did not generate specific figures regarding current rates of infill and redevelopment. What is known is that the 12 percent figure is low compared to other regions of the state. For example, plans currently in effect in Salem assume 15 percent, McMinnville assumes 25 percent, and the Portland Metro area assumes over 28 percent. This is a policy area where cities could easily influence development patterns. This is already happening in communities that are creating ordinances and fee structures that encourage infill and redevelopment. Changing infill assumptions and policies would have a large impact on the amount ofland needed for urban reserves. Conclusion: )fthe Twin Creeks example were followed, the resulting need for new residential lands in urban reserves would be about 2,300 acres--{)r 1,700 acres less than is currently in the Draft Plan. That total is slightly more than the sum total of all of the urban reserve lands the RLRC has determined to be critical to the region's agricultural economy.28 Even if only a portion of future development were to meet this target, the result would reduce the need for parkland and commercial land, since some of each are included in the same residential acreage. Making a few reasonable and achievable changes in the assumptions regarding how future development will occur will both reduce the pressure on lands critical to the agricultural economy and help the project to meet its stated goals. Indeed, if the project made no other changes other than to adopt its own "Low Land Need Scenario," the result would show that the proposed urban reserve areas include an excess of approximately 800 acres of residential land over the justified need.29 Given the project's goals of using land more efficiently and preserving agricultural land that is critical to the region's economy, it is difficult to understand why the project would not adopt this target. 27 htto:/lwww.lcd.state.or.us/LCD/docs!publicatiolls!olanning for residelltial e:rowth.odf pp. 30-3] 28 Calculation made by changing the assumed du/acre figure and leaving all other assumptions in the project's land needs calculations unchanged. 29 Draft Plan, p. 3-5. The Draft Plan indicates a total residential acreage of about 4,000 acres in all urban reserve areas, and a low land need calculation of about 3,200 acres. RPS Policy Committee October 10. 2007 Page 13 of 24 2. Commercial and Industrial Land Needs The needs analysis for employment lands similarly overstates needs for employment lands. a. Approximately 1,500 acres of urban reserve lands that have been proposed by individual jurisdictions as industrial land. This is about 16 percent of the total proposed urban reserve area. The Tolo and South Valley Employment Center areas account for about 850 of these acres, but the rest are scattered in several of the other cities. Indeed, every city except Ashland has proposed including some land for industrial use. The models used to calculate the amount ofland needed in the region to accommodate industrial and commercial uses consistently showed that every industrial job that will be added during the study period can be accommodated on the lands currently zoned for industrial use within existing UGBs. Therefore, on a regional basis, all lands proposed for industrial use are in excess of what is needed. b. At the same time the model consistently showed that, even with the lands proposed in the urban reserve areas, there would be a deficit of land available for commercial uses. This deficit could be reduced somewhat by modifying regulations to provide parking for average rather than peak use, incorporating transit facilities, providing incentives for multi-use developments, and other strategies. Without further study it is impossible to determine what affect pursuit of these strategies might have, but the project modeling done so far shows a deficit. c. To avoid having to force changes to jurisdiction-specific proposals, the project's solution to the surplus/deficit problem was to simply combine both industrial and commercial lands into one category called "employment lands" and call the result close enough. This violates Goal 9 and the Goal 9 rule, which requires both adequate and appropriate supplies of both industrial and commercial lands. d. Over-supplying industrial lands and under-supplying commercial lands will not average out on the ground. Not all sites that are appropriate for one use will be appropriate for the other. The predictable result of this situation will be that at the end of the planning horizon there will still be a glut of industrial land in the region, some of the land that was justified in this plan as needed for industrial uses will have been converted to commercial uses, and some jurisdictions will have found it necessary find land outside of their urban reserves to add to their UGBs. We also understand that not all industrial land is created equaL Location, proximity to facilities, and planned uses all make some sites more suitable than others. If the region has a glut of the wrong kind of industrial land in the wrong places, the response is not to simply add more, but to convert the excess to other uses or, if no other uses are appropriate, to remove them from the UGB. Both of these options have been exercised in Oregon. RPS Policy Committee October 10, 2007 Page 14 of24 The region must plan for the amount of industrial land that will actually be needed. If the economy is changing and supply needs to be shifted around, that can be justified. If the amount of land cannot be justified, then the proposals need to be scaled back. Likewise, an adequate supply of commercial land should be planned in places where commercial activities are appropriate. It makes more sense to plan for realistic growth in both sectors now than adopt a plan that will cause individual jurisdictions and businesses problems later. e. Some of the assumptions in the models also result in over-stating the land needed for employment purposes. Among them: o The model does not account for the impact that the expanding agricultural and timber industries30 will have on the region and does not account for new jobs in those sectors that will be held by residents of the region. A large percentage of those jobs will be outside of the urban growth boundaries and urban reserves. o The model does not account for employment that will be absorbed in mixed-use development within the urban reserve areas-requiring no additional commercial, office, or industrial lands. 3t o The model assumes only IS percent32 of new jobs will be accommodated without additional commercial or industrial lands. This goal is very low in comparison to other jurisdictions. For example, Salem assumes 30 percent. Metro assumes 40 percent. The Bear Creek Valley is not either of these two places, but it can certainly achieve more than 15 percent. Doing so will help preserve the lands that support local jobs in the agriculture industry. o The model includes assumptions for number of employees per acre for industrial (9 to II), commercial (16 to 18), and government employees (7-9). In addition to these assumptions be unrealistically low, the model is completely missing another category: office employees. The city of McMinnville uses densities of II for industrial, 22 for commercial, 22 for office and 35 for public. Projects like The Commons in Medford will significantly out-perform even these numbers. The RPS model dramatically inflates the land need as compared to these figures. o The model assumes a "net to gross" factor of 15 percent.33 Ten percent is a typical factor used in other parts of Oregon. 30 Draft Plan, p. 3-8. 31 The same might be said of the housing needs model, which should set goals for residential units to be built in conjunction with commercial facilities. 32 The model assumes 10 percent for its ""high land needs" scenario, 15 percent for the "medium", and 20 percent for the ""low." The project is using the ""medium" model run as its "benchmark" justifying employment land needs. 33 The net to gross factor calculates how much developable land is left once public rights of way (streets) and other public facilities are built. For example, a 10 acre lot that has a 15 percent net to gross ratio would have about 1.5 RPS Policy Committee October 10, 2007 Page 15 of24 Conclusion: All the assumptions cited above inflate the projected land needs for the region, Indeed, the Draft Plan states that, even with the inflated needs generated by the assumptions above, if the cities simply meet the targets in the project's "]ow land needs" model they could shave 600 acres off of the total needed.34 Changing some of the assumptions above would reduce the total acres needed by many hundred more. 3. Parks and Institutional Land Needs The Draft Plan does not appear to include specific acreage estimates for the total park and institutional lands included in the proposal, or a description of how those estimates were derived.35 Instead, it is necessary to go to the "Land Need Calculations and Population Allocation" model generated by the project consultants. We have no objection to the inclusion of Medford's Crissy and Prescott parks in the urban reserve areas. However, the remaining need for parks and institutional lands is overstated. For example, while we applaud the thought, Medford has included severa] hundred acres of parkland in MD-5 in the southeast comer of the city. This area is very close to both Crissy and Prescott parks-which total nearly 1,900 acres. The proximity of those parks, combined with multi-use development patterns that will create additional open space in lands included in the residential lands wi II reduce the need for these additional parks. Other urban reserve areas similarly overstate the need for park and institutional lands. A similar problem exists with the amount of land being proposed for schools. At page 3-] 3 the Draft Plan states that High Schools need up to 50 acres of land. While the details of specific acreages are not provided in any of the calculations showing land needs, most of the cities have included lands for schools in their proposals. The assumptions for the amount of land needed for schools should be reviewed, as current professional guidelines do not support the designation of 50 acres for a high school. 36 Jurisdictions can also be more aggressive about combining uses-thus saving both money and land. Combining school and park facilities is an obvious example. While the goal of providing "buffers" between the cities is also laudable, the aspiration to stay off of these lands does not override the lega] hierarchy oflands to be included in urban reserves. Including some of the "buffer" lands in the urban reserves for parkland both preserves the buffer between cities and, in some cases, will reduce pressure for including lands that have been determined to be critical to the region's agricultural economy. acres of roads or other facilities, leaving about 8.5 acres for development. The model uses a range of between 10 percent for the low, 15 percent for the medium, and 20 percent for the high land needs calculations. l4 Draft Plan, p. 3-12. The Draft Plan lists the Current industrial and commercial lands within the proposed urban reserves total about 5,900 acres. The low land needs figure is given as 5,300 acres. 3S One could glean the total number of acres and some of the justifications by searching each city's justifications in Chapter 5, but there is no discussion similar to residential or employment lands in this draft. 36 See http://www .smartgrowth.org!news/article.asp?art~6262&state~52&res~ 1680 RPS Policy Committee October 10, 2007 Page ]6 of24 Conclusion: As these options have not been studied on a regional basis, it is not possible at this point to determine what affect they have on the total amount ofland needed for the project to accomplish its goals. E. The Need for Resource Lands is Over-Stated and Violates State Law The Resource Lands Review Committee (RLRC) was established by the RPS Policy Committee as required by ORS 197.656(6). The Committee was made up of experts appointed by the Policy Committee and used criteria that was approved by the Policy Committee to help guide the project in implementing Project Goal 2, also approved by the Policy Committee. Given that the total number of needed acres is overstated in the current proposal, and the fact that about 77 percent of the land in the proposal is currently zoned resource land, it is clear that the proposed urban reserves include far too many acres of resource land. This outcome directly violates the project's own goals, the purposes of the statewide planning goals, and numerous other requirements under state law. The extent to which overall land needs are over-stated is discussed above. Specific instances of how that affects resource lands, and additional violations of the ORS statute, are outlined below. I. The alternatives analyses do not meet statutory requirements. ORS I 97.656(2)(b)(B) requires that the project explore "optional techniques to achieve the goals for each regional problem that is the subject of the process." One of the regional problems being addressed in this process is the "loss of valuable farm and forest land caused by urban expansion." To evaluate optional techniques and conform with the purposes of the statewide planning goals, certain questions must be asked regionally. These questions would help the region evaluate whether, instead of nearly 1,650 acres of land designated by the RLRC as critical to the region's local economy, there any non-resource lands or less valuable resource lands that could better meet the needs of the region and achieve the project's goals. For example: o The proposal includes high-quality resource land to be designated as parks or open while avoiding lower-quality land between the cities that can serve this same purpose while maintaining community separation. This violates the purposes of the Urban Reserve Rule, the purposes of Goals 3 and 14, and the local goals of this project. o A regional approach to the problems might involve moving population away from jurisdictions that are surrounded by high quality resource land or that have connectivity issues. Is there something the region could "give" those jurisdictions in exchange? This would conform with the purposes of the URA rule, the RPS statute and the purposes of Goals 3, 12 and 14. RPS Policy Committee October 10. 2007 Page 17 of24 o The project's models show that every acre proposed for industrial use is in excess of what is needed. Much or most of this acreage is resource land and much of it is included based on a purported need for large flat parcels to serve industrial uses. Adjusting the proposal to accurately reflect commercial and industrial land needs will result in a different amount, type, and location of needed land. The proposed industrial designation offarmland that is part of the commercial agricultural base violates the RPS statue, the purpose of the URA rule, the purposes of Goals 3, 9, and 14, and the local goals set out by the RPS project o The region's housing needs can be better met by increasing density targets to at least reflect existing trends, thereby easing the pressure on resource lands. This would conform with the purposes of Goals 3, 10 and 14. o Each jurisdiction did an independent alternatives analysis for its own wishes and needs, but the region has not conducted an analysis to determine whether land rejected by a jurisdiction might better meet the needs of the region for a specific use. Such an analysis is required by the RPS statute. The jurisdiction-specific alternatives analyses that are memorialized in the Draft Plan also fail to comply with state law. As stated above, we do not believe the project can ignore the hierarchy of land that is required to be addressed for designation of urban reserves. o Chapter 5 provides very detailed descriptions as to why the included areas will work, but very cursory descriptions of why other areas were excluded and whether these alternative areas are higher or lower priority for inclusion under the hierarchy. The descriptions of excluded areas have inconsistent levels of detail regarding current zoning, whether any resource land within them was identified as part of the commercial agriculture base, and what the soil class is or how it would rank in the urban reserve hierarchy. They cite various factors but do not actually reach the conclusion that: (a) Future urban services could not reasonably be provided to the higher priority area due to topographical or other physical constraints; or (b) Maximum efficiency of land uses within a proposed urban reserve area requires inclusion of lower priority lands in order to include or to provide services to higher priority lands. Under the urban reserve rule, these are the only valid reasons for including lower- priority land in an urban reserve area instead of higher-priority land.37 37 OAR 660-02]-0030(4). RPS Policy Committee October] 0, 2007 Page 18 of24 o The analyses do not address the sometimes significant differences between the proposed urban reserves and the results of the Base Case analysis done by project consultants, 38 2, The rationalization for avoiding the Urban Reserve hierarchy of lands is flawed, The Draft Report indicates that some of the pockets of non-resource land that might otherwise have been included in urban reserves were not chosen because they might pull the city's growth out onto resource lands as well, The Draft Plan cites that project's Phase I Report and "Iong- held, regional opinion" as the basis for this assertion,39 Whether that assertion is accurate or not is impossible to tell from the evidence presented with the Draft Plan, What is certain, however, is that every acre of non-resource land that was included in these expansions would be one less acre of resource land needed, We are not aware of any analyses that have been conducted to determine the impact of including such lands, This issue was only raised as a reason for avoiding non-resource lands in the alternatives analyses for lands between Medford and Jacksonville, 3, As described in the Draft Report, the COSA strategy was the eventual outcome of one of the tasks originally assigned to the Project Citizen Involvement Committee (PCIC). Making this policy "optional" effectively neuters it and makes it meaningless as a tool for helping achieve Project Goals and the implementing policies, IV Other Issues and Additional Concerns In order to the issues identified above, we have several additional concerns, A. The Transportation Planning for the Project is Incomplete and Violates State Law and the Purpose of Goal 12 The project recognized early on that transportation and land use were intimately linked:o and has spent considerable resources to address those linkages. Although "Trends" are discussed in the Draft Plan, the "Transportation Needs" discussion consists of nothing more than a section header.'1 Based on the trends, however, we are concerned that the assumptions underlying the entire analysis violate current law and mandated state and federal regulations, and have thus resulted in a modeling paradigm that works against meeting the Project Goals. J8 The Draft Plan includes the following: "Although the Base Case was not used as fonnative input in the delineation of urban reserves, it was useful in formulating the findings and alternatives analyses, and in determining where RPS was deviating form the standard urban reserve priority criteria." (p. 4-12) The differences between the Base Case and the urban reserves are generally not addressed in the local alternatives analyses. 39 Draft Plan, p, 1-13, .0 Indeed, Goal t, Policies 5 and 6 specifically address this linkage, 41 Draft Plan, p, 3-15, RPS Policy Committee October 10, 2007 Page 190[24 According to the Draft Report, the beginning assumption for the transportation analysis is that vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in the region will increase by 135 percent by 2050:2 The transportation analyses are thus being planned as if VMT will increase faster than the population will increase. Assuming this to be the case, and not taking direct action to reverse this trend, is a direct violation of Goal 12 and the Transportation Planning Rule (TPR), which calls for reductions in per capita VMT. Planning this result is also a violation of the purpose of Goal 13, and will likely result in violation of Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) air quality standards. Even if the underlying assumption were appropriate, earlier versions of the project's transportation model indicate that modifications to proposed development patterns are appropriate. These results specifically showed that "nodal" development would be the pattern that created the least degradation to the road network:3 Nodal development would require less land in urban reserves-particularly if some of that development were accomplished as infill or redevelopment-and may allow the region to cut back on some of the proposed urban reserve areas that add to the region's transportation burden. The public has not seen these results and has seen no indication of how the Draft Plan will be modified in response. In addition to the plan not including these results, there is one element that is completely missing from any modeling that has been presented thus far: transit. We understand that transit is supposed to be included in the next model runs, but it does not appear that the results will be available until the very end of October at the earliest. Given the current proposed schedule (which does not include any public hearings after tonight) the public will not have any opportunity to review and comment on the role transportation will play in the plan prior to the proposed review by LCDC in November. This is a violation of both Goal I and ofORS 197.654. B. The Amount and Adequacy of Regional Citizen Involvement in Developing the Draft Plan is Over-Stated, and Violates State Law and the Purpose of Statewide Planning Goall The purpose of the RPS project has been to create a regional plan for addressing regional problems created by regional growth. The RPS Statute and Goal I both require the opportunity for the public to participate. Although there have been opportunities for limited public participation at various points in the project, the Draft Plan overstates the role citizens have played at the regional level in helping create this regional plan. I. The Project Citizen Involvement Committee (PCIC) was active during the very early stages of this project. They represented a good cross section of citizen concerns, and they were given a significant role in the project. One ofthe responsibilities of the PCIC was to "provide 42 Draft Plan, p, 3- 1 4. 43 "Regional Problem Solving Model Outputs III," presented by the Policy Committee September 11,2007. RPS Policy Committee October 10. 2007 Page 20 of 24 a significant opportunity for broad-based public input." While the PCIC existed, this opportunity existed. The last time this committee met was January, 2003. They disbanded without having completed at least seven of the 12 responsibilities given them." The committee was not replaced with any similar forum for ongoing citizen input into the project at the regional level. 2. As is well described in Chapter 2 of the Draft Plan, citizen input into the initial process of selecting potential urban reserve areas was largely focused at the city level. Each city held workshops and hearings at which citizens from that city were able to provide input regarding potential urban reserves for their city. Some cities allowed residents of the county that would be affected by potential urban reserves to participate. Others did not. What the project did not provide, either during that stage or after that stage but before Policy Committee "deliberations," was the opportunity for the citizens of the region to formally review and comment on these proposals from a regional perspective. Before the present set of hearings, there was no forum provided for a citizen of one jurisdiction to look at the entire regional proposal, including the proposed urban reserve areas of other jurisdictions, and formally comment, on the record. Residents of the County were never provided such a forum. 45 3. During the summer of 2006, the project held three "informational" meetings, or open houses, at which representatives of the project presented the package of city proposed urban reserves. While this was an opportunity for the public to become familiar with the project, there was no formal mechanism for collecting citizen input to the project about what they learned at those meetings. 4. After soliciting written comments from the state agencies, local agencies, and 1000 Friends of Oregon regarding the proposed package of urban reserve areas, in the late fall of 2006 the Policy Committee began what they called "deliberations" on the urban reserve proposals advanced by each city. The term "deliberations" is a mis-nomer in this context, as deliberations normally follow public hearings. In this case, there were no public hearings before the "deliberations" process began. Except to note their existence, the informational meetings held during the prior summer were not referred to during the "deliberations" process. Nor were the results of the surveys taken. 44 See http://www.rvcog.org/MN.asp?pg=rps_committees. 45 While it could be argued that citizens could have attended the endless meetings of the lAC and the Policy Committee, calling that an opportunity for meaningful citizen involvement is problematic. Many of these meetings were held during work hours and, as will be discussed below, citizens were not always allowed to speak about topics of concern. RPS Policy Committee October 10, 2007 Page 2] of24 What is worse still is that, at the beginning of the "deliberations" process the Policy Committee voted to bar citizens from speaking about specific urban reserve proposals at their meetings. That ban was enforced several times when citizens attempted to address the committee. It was not, however, uniformly enforced against everyone. On at least four separate occasions property owners or their representatives were allowed to address the Policy Committee regarding their properties. 5. Even during this hearing process, being held after the "deliberations" have been completed, the Policy Committee is directing citizens to provide their input on specific urban reserve areas back to the city that proposed the area--even if their concerns are regional in nature. C. Basic Questions of Regional Importance Have Not Been Asked Or Answered In addition to the questions of population distribution and regional alternatives to meet needs, there are several other critical questions of regional importance that have not been answered in the process that led to the Draft Plan. Among those: I. The project is planning, we think appropriately, to shift population and land uses among communities to alleviate some regional problems. The question that remains un-answered: How will new population and uses end up in the desired locations? Regardless of what areas the project designates for increases in population, there has not been a realistic discussion yet as to how the region plans to steer development to those areas. The South Valley Employment Center is a good example. As project modeling has illustrated, an excess of industrial land already exists in the region. If the project adds more in the south valley, how will businesses be encouraged to locate there rather than somewhere else? If the development of the South Valley Employment Center depends on raising funds for an over crossing at South Stage Road, or if it is tied into an urban renewal district to help fund upgrades to PH-3 or other areas within the region, will development there be competitive with sites already within other UGBs and near services? There are several questions like this that need to be answered, and those answers may affect which urban reserve areas can be justified in the end. 2. Where is affordable housing in the plan, and how is it going to be provided? Thus far, very little discussion of this issue has taken place. Goal 10 and its implementing rules require that every city provide for adequate housing at price ranges commensurate with the financial capabilities of residents. The plan that comes out of this project must meet Goal 10 requirements. That gives a partial answer to the "where. " The "how" is yet unanswered. How will the region assure that land is designated for affordable housing, and that such land is protected for that use? Will the region consider RPS Policy Committee October 10, 2007 Page 22 of 24 adoption of uniform procedures? Higher densities mean less land cost per unit-will the region consider minimum density standards? Designation of multi-family zones? Deed restrictions tying appreciation to increases in median income or some other marker? Will the region consider condominium conversion ordinances or other measures to protect existing and future rental stock? Is the region willing to push for changes in state laws to allow tools like inclusionary zoning? The answers to these questions may also have an impact on how much land is needed and where it is located, 3. Linking transportation planning to future urban development and expansion will be critical. This conversation has begun, but thus far there has been little meaningful discussion of options in addition to increasing road capacities for automobiles. 4. How will all of this be paid for? This is a huge question that has not been addressed in a comprehensive way, There has been some conversation of tying two urban reserve areas within a jurisdiction together in an Urban Renewal District, but other questions remain un- asked. For example, the viability of many urban reserve areas at the north end of the valley are going to be dependent on upgrades to state and county road facilities. Who will pay for these? If not the state or the county---or even if only partially by them-will the region set up a system to contribute? Will cities be responsible for coming up with funds to improve facilities their growth affects? Will cities be allowed to expand into new urban reserve areas before this funding is in place? How will the funds be raised? Will the cities increase System Development Charges (SDCs) to contribute to these types of projects as well as pay increasing costs for internal infrastructure? A related question is whether the region will provide financial assistance to a jurisdiction that may not get everything it thinks it needs from this project, or to one that is compelled to accept something it may not want due to existing policies, These questions are relevant to the amount of land the region will be able to afford to supply services to, and thus to the determination of what urban reserve areas can be justified. D. The Draft Plan and Draft Shareholders Agreement Fail to Comply with ORS 197.656(2)(b) Chapter 6 of the Draft Plan purports to address the I 96.656(2)(b) requirements that must be met, in addition to 2(a) and 2(c), before LCDC can acknowledge a plan that doesn't comply with Goals or their implementing rules. These are: (b) The regional problem-solving process has included agreement among the participants on: (A) Regional goals for resolution of each regional problem that is the subject of the process; (B) Optional techniques to achieve the goals for each regional problem that is the subject of the process; RPS Policy Committee October 10, 2007 Page 23 of 24 (C) Measurable indicators of performance toward achievement of the goals for each regional problem that is the subject ofthe process; (0) A system of incentives and disincentives to encourage successful implementation ofthe techniques chosen by the participants to achieve the goals; (E) A system for monitoring progress toward achievement of the goals; and (F) A process for correction of the techniques if monitoring indicates that the techniques are not achieving the goals. The current draft falls short of these requirements. For example, it identifies increasing average residential density by 14% over 50 years as an implementation strategy to provide for more efficient land utilization and thus manage regional growth. It also identifies a review process to monitor progress toward achieving this increase in density. It does not, however: . Identify optional techniques to achieve this goal, such as minimum density standards, reducing minimum lot sizes, etc. . Layout measurable indicators of perforrnance toward achievement. Can the entire increase be achieved in the final five years of the plan with no increase in previous forty? . Identify incentives and disincentives to encourage successful implementation. Will the County concur with a city expansion of its UGB if their density is decreasing (disincentive)? Will there be some sort of rewards for cities that achieve their density targets? . It doesn't identify a process for correction if density fails to increase or even decreases. Although the details vary, these general weaknesses also exist for other goals and techniques. On a larger level, once a jurisdiction receives acknowledgement of its urban reserve areas, what binds it to remaining part of the project and participating in ongoing monitoring and enforcement? The need to justify Tolo and the South Valley Employment Center will provide Central Point and Phoenix incentive to stay with the project. For the others, the major incentive to stay with the project is the potential that MPO funding priorities may be directed away from them. The MPO has not yet made such a commitment, and the extent to which they legally can do this has not been resolved. RPS Policy Committee October 10, 2007 Page 24 of 24 V. Specific Urban Reserve Areas In past correspondence we have provided comments on specific proposed urban reserve areas.46 Given the deficiencies noted above, it is not appropriate to provide specific comments at this time. VI. Conclusions According to modeling done by the project consultants, even based on current assumptions, the residential, commercial and industrial land needed to accommodate a doubling of the region's population can be reduced by over 1,400 acres from the current proposal. We believe that correcting some of the deficiencies noted above, planning for demonstrable needs for industrial and commercial lands, and incorporating the results of appropriate regional analyses, that total can be cut ever further. Such changes would likely better meet the requirements of the RPS statute, the purposes of the statewide planning Goals, and the goals and policies of the project itself. As described above, there are a number of issues that remain to be resolved before this plan and the resulting local plans and regulations can be acknowledged by LCDC. Overall, however, while the issues are significant, we believe they are not insurmountable. The project now faces what may be its most daunting challenge since agreeing to embark on this journey-that of getting all of the required parties to agree by consensus to a plan that best serves the region. We still believe that is possible, and we continue to stand ready to help in any way we can. Thank you again for this opportunity to comment, Greg Holmes Southern Oregon Planning Advocate 1000 Friends of Oregon 46 The latest set of these comments was provided in the written comments submitted by Greg Holmes to the RPS Policy Committee, September ]5,2006, and included in the Deliberations Packet provided to the members of the Policy Committee at the beginning of the "deliberations" phase. ,A w\. b Uj(,l Ros 611./5 1"iJ) [(( Fon-\ }]1 'S';pee€ J~ /O/;{o/ or) One thing we have in common act is highly pleasurable. including the human animal, with these anima13 is that the reproductive Nature wants it that way so that animals I have an incentive to ~eproduce. So the genitals of dogs, eat.s, people, sheep, cows and pigs, and ot.her mammals are filled with sensitive net:ve endil1':]s. That's why when dc'gs and cats ar~ spayed or neuter-ed ~ they get anest.hetized. But on farms and ranch8~1 it's standard practice to castrate male ~heep, co~s and pigs without painkiller. Most farmers and ranchers just slice off the Ben~itive genitals. These animals suffee eXGcuGiating pain] but appacently not enough of America cares about them enough to create laws requlrlng that they receive painkiller. TherE.~5 a doublE! ~tandard: etfl.!? for dogs and cats! and another for sheep, cows and piq3~ It's purely arbitrarYI since each suffers similarly 'When cast.rated without anesthetic. Le.t ':5 not- be like that,) and have a double st.andard for these animals when it comes to (:JUt tetherin9 ordinance. Thl2Y all ar-e socia} anirrlals whet lJOuld be lonely ti€:>d up in a corner of the yard fo~ much or all their lives. They all need exercise, and they need t.o run and play. They would feel frustrated living on a rope. They all can strangle to death, get attacked by other animals, 01: get dehydr-at:,ed if they get tangled up and can't reach water' ~ I ask that you look beyond what species they happen to be. I ask that you look into the hearts and souls of each of these animals and r-ecognize that they all need a tethering lindt, just .as much as dogs do~ I talked about a9ain~t ::Jomeone of species ism : speciesism: a prejudice that makes people discriminate ::limply because he's not human. But. there'::l anot.her kind blindly favoring one species over another. Let':3 not be like the fanners and r-ancher-s who take their- dogs and cats to th€ vet8~ina~ian to be ~paY8d and n8ute~ed with thB cQmfQ~t of anesthetic, then tur'n ar-ound and slice- off the genitals of their male sheep, cows and pigs. Let';'] not blindly favor one dom6:"JtiG'ated mammal ove~ a.nother, and. limit tethering for dogs but allow these equally needy animals [point to pictures} to live on a chain. You're the gover-nment of Ashland, one of the most. p[.ogr:essive tCH,.ms in the and not u.s. hope Just I appeal to your you ~.o'il1 deal out to dogs~ when you higher c(lnsciousnees and ethics ~ I expect. jU3tic8 to all these domesticated mammals, pass your tethering limits~ Thank you~ ~C-+(; bc~~ l C: / :;;}c c') rj)ec>-,)_ Ccut'\ t 1 i Ohj !lCLLJ (1 ~~ C L'iv. vi fkQm('~1 i','f--fra--t-c0 C)l~J Af-4-cVI1-t?l.JJ GHVK ro[{ck L)href-~' i, . We'~<Q hit,~ l y.1I1ous/W;. , i ~~ei-L 1'~ ork CL\~' LL) ~ I 'K;j If-t,iu h8:UJd~ ~ihC+ dll,n'\(tQ, <fct~rll,\Q- oJ- hOW1f fc?, (L ~"tt'flli. "0 k. I "L'f,t r c-f ,) j G) 0 " p, (S'f,Jc. tcr ~a*~ ~ 'PE:fr 1; l tu:-lelj '31 9 heJ( c, ^<-i/ll ~ b de k - S( E'- th"- I [l.si F!J~ . ~U I\l e:h lC'CLt~ ~ l~/Oi__. rr\~ilcr (KCYU I'{: Pt b {2_c~ rlJ ) C y- CL Life o-p Ill) tI\8 (l L ell (:~ c n (.'<- c.- )'\ClA It I, . ( n,... :c -t-hJ rliC f1leSt e20p[( LO C~Z f5!.-- (lLtN.r !elf beOc:t:\\ IfJ(oocQ;t c,v:C'tirl-l(J Ika.~<;lXJ~, ~'" 1'L\ , (M V)\Q f';-'i- c:\ t"A l r II 1iE~ C' h Lei VI QJ!c.Lf <1) ! ~ 0 Wn 01'\ w L'ff~ )"\.0 i~~t Yl8 n & 0 t C tERx-l~ t ju, b e~n IYJ I S '11\lL k''''~Q r cLb l tS'e-L'>' So l)0hlj is [+ i U(j(AJ -tv ,l1le-T (L &~) ) to lL~ fC~(:d0 I f'fJct.} 11) eJ'\.Q [Ie h.. L rI'-- II r r v\. :sc t. ;,t1J.\7] I!o,/ffi Vi e l)1<2iLt -fa r I ~l s Ll~ LClcC. ^ll-F-e. , . 'B c:rl,,- \~~fU LC) c~ rJl. P\Z1 VN~Jtei{i' e)'\o, [ n ii\-'1 CU~ {tJ1.)'~, CL~lzJ\? D c-t I~ ,~l'\DltU2 h ~ L L (~) eLf 0 ~ ~ ~. W11\,b G~ <;fJ;w:t^'- .At.. ~ f/( 0:u1"'-1V}J'(\ l)1yQeior- Dear Councilors and r~lava\~ :. , I'm concerned about the animals in Ashland ~,ho are tied up at their homes for e:<ce'~siYe periods. They suffer loneliness. frustration and boredom. They also run the ris~: of strangling to deattl, getting abused by ~:ids or adults, getting attacked by animals, ar dying of heatstroke. Jackson chains. ha\/e to i lle9a.1. at their County allouIs animals to be tied for their entire lives on short This is not a life that anyone in Ashland, including pets, should enciure~ PllE"~ase pa.'5S a lal.ll to make l;his kind of arfimal abuse Please heavily restrict the tethering af dogs and ather animals hames. ' do i n9 also help people. likely to bite YJ. IS. IoJ~t~ ~ uS c . e-J.,^-- "kel L" 1 (j)lY) ( /11iJ <r"4i ) .CJ"1, I. , 1. C Of'S\ ~!'d ..[( . ~ 'v,--- 0;C61-- LJ 5' SJ. (C((e~ v'j) 51 00 c::J1J:oJ i"it/)~ /<;'c) . l SA [L//3 5ANV LE ~~ ~'-^. ~& II 'J. / I c: , I h/<:?/AN[ {;Pw,-:,c..fl- .f)f4/J!t 'tJ.bw.E.J/..)if( d3t,n-r --? 1iJ.- jL- .} s ~ fIJ~hftu - 0' t//(:_LC'-- 1<2. . J6"1!*AJ&-r -vi!.6- r '1')' 4, 10/5 PC1t'I<--St, J4shbnJ- 'J J /4;<y& ~ Du.. CtJ _n__ , 5?yo. / r -' ( '/ "/ -(II/lEI /fV AJ-lJckIV!J Dear Counc i lor's and l'1a.YCJ''''1 I'm concerned about the animals in A5hl~nd who are tied UP at their homes for excessive periods. They suffer loneliness. frustration and boredom. They also run the risk of strangling to death, getting abused by kids or adults, getting attacked by animals, or dying of heatstroke. Jackson County allows animals to be tied for their entire lives on short chains. This is not a life that anyone in Ashland, including pets, should have to endure. Please pass a law to make this kind of animal abuse illegal. Please heavily restrict the tethering of dogs and other animals at their homes. By doing this, you nuisance. They're ~1:g. . also help people. Chained dogs are often a barking more likely to bite than oth r dogs are. , \7..5'1 6rcl,,,;;};+, .4-S~IA"J/'(<: 1752.e ~ 2< 0 3"3'd ~ t4-7s'--;!;/y /b;)'j cYfj8rJ:llIT:-Dr 18e+!.:fv;D !JC- .crrC)1 D" \ 0. t'\ 0 'Ho-. f ('(it. ILjt;3 5& GL A-y 5\ PcR.TLA~D( De 97'2..1i Lor-: Lv. * Ic& f.J-C {/rf..; 6 y - :( ~' tl 'I' l,\ 7q[!q (goS)J))t{ :s.0'~1 2- L{ l( q /tJjiJ CftP~~!J/), '_ ~ \J~)'\ l Se, Vv\ 11 clet /Jol ~ ~ ;, 3)0 - d. ~ 0 .> .. 1'1_ c . o 'if! df'.Iro-~ ~ . ~7'~(.{..t '6('a.\I~fW '1AYV\ ~1-;;LO()1 (j 1Oc.~Y Ft'o 505 ri" fMSr- ffJJ~o ~?<!? 22'3'1.1 f; 6r-t- ./,. ;7f);( &f? Z/'Wf \ l II '51{ ( - L(~ - I 'f'bC{ l\ q l:\ II 50J >1t.," P,I.2:-7' 'Ii VI)' I ~ .sht:rmQ;u st -A s " 'i " b:5 s~D /, Dear Councilors and Maya~c I'm concerned about the animals in Ashland who are tied up at their hemes for e~<cessive periods. They suffer loneliness, 'fru.stration and boredom. They also run the risk of strangling to death, getting abused by kids or adults, getting attacked by anilllals, 01" dying of heatstroke. Jackson County allows animals to be tied for their entire lives on short chains. This is not a life that anyone in Ashland, including pets, should have to endure. Please pass a. law to make this kind of animal abuse illeqal. Please heavily ['estrict the tethering of dogs and other animals at their homes. By doing this, you nuisance. They're ~-~~ . ~-:t:l also help people. Chained dogs are often a barking like~y to bite eORle than oth I' dogs are. ~ - 1Z~w >oU\. J/lOJ-..... '7'{?C)€-C" (--...../. {'c-.., 1\ '~0S ~n -lVVM~ ~~ ~U1 (\:0 i4: CLru On r2e~1/ ~ (~Vt ck~s*"" ')"-€'1e.l,oc-- ""'~ ~ ~ldOlo 7 "8 - zf) - ()r " '6~c) (!) o! -:J;;;L. '" t. 0 w,,,/ (! b' 'If EeL. UA I-- 4'.<- q :; 4/0 f - A 9; 'L"L\O Q,.. st..~ c\\ CC'l5el tbr'1U-<<Ol!:d@ hr~ jj'U?JI/Vl D!f.v La ~f.1? /MltfO/ ~jCfllllfJ- ()rooJrffJe ;fi) fJf:ihOD, COfYI q{~ - l..~- ~ I ..2 ~. 7 ~ 2-0 f /f'v1at/ c~ 0.~ j'J"(" t~ 51, tbh\~\A;d J (gG' t~ Jt Asttu4A1V 7'7S-2-o tflqq ~IS.K\~~&C' 7(Ja C,clV<::(' s-+ AshI4~)j or< C(/S(JeJ $[ 5 w~ INut 5~ rts~C{ wd to' cn~, r 1-t'~{lhfY' 51 (j.JJn d1) 6Z a/~d<611 ~ Kd. __ hot Ot,{,co>Y\ . *r'<.. -:s-: ~ 50..., 8 ,,~, IV\lJ. ~(\'Y)j~ 47:5' ~ po t3 0 X"} b 5 i-llt/VInfJ ;Jcd . . .>.-5'0 1576 7f6bA- ()...PI ~. c;~ tJ 111'1<- C....K INPfr - . \~ )11'") U,('ll~ , IJ<0e~L ~ ~ ~; + 7~~'1' " I' ~'51 & ra.~-k. 9::-;' JrJJ "::> . . :\ I \ I r.() '1 S;.-Q \, ')t, \ C'>.dlvv:.....j -SY rvJ'\l41\O~ 9 Dear Councilors and r~lavaf' : , r 'm conc:er'ned abol_tt the anim.3..1s i.n Ashla.nd 1.'lho a.re ti~d Llp at thE"~ir hc.1mes for e:(ce~~ive periad5. They suffer loneliness. frustration and boredom. They also run the ris~: of strarlgling to death, getting abused by ~:ids or adults, getting attack:ed by animals, or dying af heatstroke. Jackson chains. have to ille9a1. at theil' Cou~ty allouIs animals to be tied far their entire live$ on shart This is not a life that anyone in Ashland, including pets, should endu,~. PIE'~ase pass a 1 a 1,11 to make this ki.nd of ari.~imal abuse Please heavily restrict the tethering af dogs and ather animals homes. '\ By doing this, you ~uisance. Thex're ~~,:;:~ also help people. likely to bi.te :c. 7: , (lie (1\( 1'1 r I II \ A~J(~ 6. 1!>~nttlS ~,o~ 6/tuf- A:~ Dcv\ I2LL1 rt 755- 5feVWl & r-- p1~ ~'1-l-61 r ( 35 Wl 3 \"+lr-OV"' rt~ -/-07 Q'1 ~- {-,O) q ('" I i- \\ " ~~ D. ~.c. ~ wtr sf: f) '5t- c:rnC _. ,'1 /5 '3'6 U.-l'e)o::);Cj( r -q'i"l Ho.. YY11;cH'1 5-A . nst1 [Cl q- \ - 01 1\ .I' 1tf7 y,{,q l(1- G 7'( ~' , Orz- S"SM k()v,~ (tJ 9J'iZA> OM .,>>-", E r--PvJ M, L.J......-€1<... SI+II<L.€.y M1C-.Lt:J<..... ... u~~\~~~ m\ MZ1 5'4- ~ \:) q.s.o ~.r'D ') "J, 07 qeS"...O C{. ~ ~ .. / . \ ~ tC/tL ,'- l ,L../S'kd ..t1o~'~ '( # ;tts~l(\" Z 3 (I..( ~ is 5'7 p{)).r ()J? ~ ~ pP)>4 'ZInta- 100 iV f",c,'t,,<... f!cv, (,JtI1J,O ~iD ifb,lv ~33 l'1 2/( sf hJ 2. ')~ 6") 2. V '2. ojI'>v A 'vJ.1!." ~. IE IV/, L..~ (\ LI rJ(... (072- "& "Z- <r 1.-1 ~{ l1 C7~O //w7 ~0 / 1flb(7!~~(,,/ Dear Ct"Junc i lors and Mayor": I'm concerned about the animals in Ashland l.Alha ar'e ti't.~d up at their' he-'hnes for excessive periods. They suffer loneliness, frustr~tion and boredom. They also run the risk of strangling to death, getting abused by kids or .3.dults, getting attacked by animals, "'1' dying of heatstroke. Jackson County allows animals to be tied far their entire lives on short eha. i ns. Th is is not a 1 i fe that anyone in Ash land, inc Iud i ng pet.s, ';;hould have to endure. Please pass a law to make this kind of animal abuse illegal. Please heavil~ restrict the tethering of dogs and other animals ai; their- homes. also help people. Chained dogs are often a barking likely to bite eORle than oth r dogs are. ., RlCt+ RoS"bVTlt.A:L. -;:J0<vY1;& \Zo~o..l l22-'3 \loSE LANE I A-Si+t..A-YD Lj -Si-400! ?-oS"-- LG,ne.-1 f:;>.slr.lo.......cJ l.J't1i4d , \ 2-:2--8 (1'<' r /tvl~ jlio (-efv1/w! .~~ Tt-s ~ - S \ r\sl\"\V\ ~ - Po :f-c; J75J-O 0> 3~vj0 5 CQ'"V'l...-, , o~it1 f{{L&vt I IJlti V /C;t[ folk ~ ~~ . N-~Y\-- f\ Q \) tfl\.GJ-' j'~rz q1Ji) 4~'rt:::;t~rJ~~:l1.s;rm4~ .~ T / I't -r'c~ Ti 4- - 1'1 - o~ -1 -0 1 '., 01 XI W 1\ i\<.e d9- Kb WT 1<1))-11J l Q,tA,kc dtv( Awns . V {)~h'W .. <i ~l b 3D, 1f?-PJrv\/'S-j>T. _n ;f S Llf9\)[Y- 'J & If E Of)} F () 6~..J' "15b flv.y {,. ft, k lPaA df oK. i 0 (r ItY)~YJC(Vl'C Av-e 1 \ \" II l"t).-S" Sr L~b.e-v-t 1>o-r1 tOriZ-rVDL ,''''''''' . ('/ ,-' ,'1 / " ! rfiiJ l~/f/; Y )'1',-:;; IM/lc7'( 07<-{o1-- f'n;.s+ ~I Ttltivf oR 10 )r;' ;.f 5,-fJ-. Sf :J;;d OJ4vtU... ~ q 7 r; 3 () Yl,l'l e-J1<J.0 cz' (slJg -S/o,</I oJ JdM . -0 / . < \vA \ en \ b \\J \2 ? ~ ,-1JNQ \JCv~ tcVJ.,...v-e\ bR S~ f.- 1/ S ;J /11/1-1. It3 /k1f'!!0 (.2.Vf UOI2@()fOI. C01rv) o e' \\ D LtS S"iC l.v1.~l.v(c:~ (;'(2 9 y-J20 q/-':,- ~ IC.d- 57- /'25 0 's I +J I L- L IV ()-c)\2, Lv. _ J- L( L( JJ D 6gx1C\. \ e.f\{ t 12-. ;t Dear Councilors and r~la.vor : / I'm concerned about the animals in As~,land ~,ha ar'e tied up at their homes far e:<cessive periods. They suffer loneliness. frustration and boredom. They also run the ris~: of strang1ir19 to death, getting abused by ~:ids or adults, getting attacked by animals, or dying of heatstra~:e. Jackson chains. ha ',,'e to i lleqa 1. at their County allows animal.s to be tied for their entire lives on short This is not a life th.3.t anY',~ne in A':shland, includinq pets, ":si""1>:)ul.j endure. Plr:.=ase pa'::ss a 1al)/ to make this kind of ari'1mal abuse Please heavily restrict the tethering of dogs and ather animals hc>mes. likely 1:;0 By doing l"1u.isance. also l-.J,f...J ~i=i --r(,Jo () SOX 1t.1{ A s tI i--AN:D lJJ::f.- S.5t-: 00 If:,( u.( A:> 'l ~~t) 76m ~~W(J2- I~D UAc. , ~<'~. A....4:;.' "eo( / l+;~ (evO () e G 1/0- 1 c.c [..v e iftCZ ;u-. J01J.. In\H.vNb~ W3Tu),;)d.i<'/ ----,----r- ~ 'JmJtJ [ -sf. s:+- ~,~~ I 'as- h 4--~) \ ) Iblt ltl~ f ?.j~ () C~ q ( 6esLJi U( CJ HZ- (Ot( k.z C ~ ---.-. h-oYlY\e./ s ~hc)l mC\.,'l.cc i?7 f\Ot 9 LfOf't 7~1 5 Sf. 04' c \~V\. ' A-rlt~ ~ - cf2 seLl iV+O,..J 5+ ,~A^,D , 11 <+ ( l' A, S:+\LAN'Q 11 (0 -G5(~ ~--- r' p ~, '\ T'ii"'Co ..<;: ,., >. \. ,=^---..::. U I' . - ~9 c:.,.J.( cb..,l ~ , Kif 517(1 r-fovv-ct! 611 Ie j) (j / ~ /- Dear Councilors and r-1avar; , I 'lT1 conceT~ned abol_\-t th>:=-~ animats in Ashland ~~Iha ar'e tied up at thoEir r\ChHeS for e:<cessive periods. They suffer loneliness, frustra~ion and bor@dam. They also run the ris~: of stranglir1g to death, getting abused bl kids or adults, getting at~acked' by animals, or dying qf heatstroke. J';:.Lckson chains. ha ',/8 to i llega 1. at their County allauls animals to be tied for their entire lives on short This is nat a life that anyone in Ashland, including pets, should endure~ Pl'€"~a:;e pass a lal.~1 to make this kind of arfj.mal abuse Please.heavily re'5trict the tethert'ng of dogs and ather animals homes. . ' also help people. Chained dogs are often a barking likely to bite people than ath~r dOQs are. ""I , ' M....Q.../ ,.~ 't' .~ By doing this, you ...-.. fluisance. Thev're .,:~C& '. 2)eicnz.. Copple.. f, cz (0 6) b C() @[Of :$",,,,,, 'clQ " kGN\ KA PA \-JSL\;C g~ U"n ~/ s-I' . ~j.&~ h2-}! C;;tCj~' 1)4 ~6q ~~ 1) \ ( e.. ,pc,.r I( II II 1./56 B ~/5o YI~ 1\ htv ,If 0 Sl ks~~q15 z 2, 3<..[ ;[h tfN'A :J~ ftsk~ ~G ;'1" (Jilt :fIr f\dfr-~~1a" ,. "" '1"1 , tto(P ~rt-1t1.A. <;4 ,Wa.;ec,fN 1-\\ %'7CV7 (~"'i) 5<t7 -[q3'" . 8f1tf .;c,v "S,L{ I (3)- ~~( ~'~ ,.?q 4CPrt{ 140 \ 0 r; '1\ ~j, A~"'\aJ o~ lt~ S;JD ~ KArl Q rq~\.c~ ...., ~ \, \A-<) ~ D 5 @., '-\ C>~ () 0, LDt'f1 M-jt-{s A-jC\~ut..J 'i . A kx 3..hn \k, c \r<:X \ce, 'RtbcCG ~e.~1 HbV'l ~t)T"li Ihvt Kq;J\ 1-';)1-07 ~\'-.,'n'L\-,L'L. ~~<(~'4. ~ c v""'- '-\ /(' \r II (7 (; --~-,_. , ~~Q ~-~ &OJ -131~t3~) 3()?) ::<5'P -1 ~f) '{ ':5 z -Cj;c!Z <t5 (omS 5($)3/9 -~g--3 2- \ 1--;2 35?-) (3\\0) :33~- 8'~8'1 0=' C/ ') J-- 71- ,S Lt '76 t~b~) 3'-\-\ -7ns-:~ ({' c'l)G !f '" ? q;;: 6 gSZ-7271 , 5-L(( v d-f(( ~ 1::1:7 ~. Q CD .;1 Dear Councilors and t~la.var : , I'm conc8f'ned abol_tt thl.:-:! animals in A3hland 1.'lna ar'e tied Ltp at their home3 for e:<cessive periods. They suffer loneliness. frustration and boredom. They also run the ris~: of strar\gling to death, getting abused by kids or adults, getting attacked by animals, ar dying af heatstroke. Jackson chains. have to illegal. at their County allQ~'s animals to be tied for their entire lives on shart This is not a life that anyone in Ashland, including pets, should endl_lre. Please pa'5S a 1.:1!.'/ to make l:his kind of an~imal abLtSe Plea$e heavjly restrict the tethering of dogs and other animals hc)mes a By doing this, you ...n _. ~u i sa. nee. The-X" . f"e ~~~ also help people. Chained likely to bite -3Lb <6\ -u:::> I 2Cj~4~4D c ,~ 21-7 - /52/ t;(}cJ f$~ ~ \ \\J~ "\ ^ A5 Yi l (,\ {lcl- 9-tl q-S-l\ 1-"36C ^ I I (J Slj r - \ G\fJ--'~VL ft~ ~-L~'S \ D8~ ~ ~\~) 2>~ SiI-~.{~~St(\1 qS? C~. d.~ C{ or. <?"~ SO ""\ , - <5 - ~ q,d..., ~l( - S-~ So ~- ;1.\ ~ - (91-{;;? W tt7?) \ \ ~LfLt 6tJ ,- 6l\ \ lQ.\, ~qS 1 \ l, \\J \\l..Q, { ~ o~~ \,vU> ~ r( ~ "\3 S1! - II .I1sh land. :)~ 5~1' \o{o-57bc) S' ~s;:> S''''''-I"\ n..GJ-.- CC\St0&2 ~() 7~ \-Qg1,o {JV l\~l /( \\ '- <eO'3 -~e?-.c8'b8 504- ,As4L~ <I [3Dt), ~~ 1:'" Dear Councilors and r.lavar: T I'm concerned about l;he animals i.n A'shla.nd I.~,ha a.r'e tied up a.t their hCHnes for e:<cessive periods. They suff~r loneliness, frustration and boredom. They also run the rish: of strangling to death, getting abused by k:ids or adults, getting at~ach:ed by animals, or dying of heatstroh:e. Jackson chains. have to il 1 eg a 1 . at their County allauls animals to be tied for their entire liv23 on shart This is not a life that anyone in Ashland, including pets, should endure~ PIE".:-3.se pass a lal.~! to make this kind of an'11mal abuse Please heavily restrict the tethering of dogs and other animals h':)mes. , '~ By doinl~ ~.~2~isance. also help people. Chained mare likely to bite people .p -, 9--d-1 q-J-(-O i] -- iq_[)t-o {-Q \ '8-- J 1--0 (f_;){-Q __-:l_________.__. - { C;l~ -=- \~~ ld~ ~"'~ 8"f'r3 <}v\t, Jt;1t{J J;'-lM:> () Jo::rv Jwuw~ '111 s=Jb-s:l-'8:1- QlSz,O- M~ h (Stl/) ~;)..-)L ~~~6. ~ 4/- 47,-5W 6r;I-L!5~-807( /(\ ~~57?2- SV\ \ - ~Vl, {;-- gL-O-z.. "IV€.> ~t'\ B;5c~O+- ~\f\~ 7i"b. (D 1}. 'Z}I2- 41-1)1)2 --1'3 TI - G' vet I'~ ~l~ g~'fs .g _ i-'1L'-t.-. IV,,<t::r,V A- U!, Ii 3 t, I.,.,,~i, 3f~ {of.t'-1 VI. ~{Y1 St- ~/~ 2 '23 Y S, <;({l~<:..J0) G t~ ~ "T7 l 5 ! 0 '-"1 { S I Li v(. f ~ ~ q/CJ -81G -/71/ IIWJ Ih ;r.sh/~c-1- ~ (! Re.fJfredr- It 'n~ ~k-ftdt- eJ/ i/Vttdtkt 109 /)JtJ?h/rvuwJ ~ It\ f1s'~., . ".'70J /-. .L ~- ,~..... /. -= . I Cut! ~ i1If5;>;)1 I / ~.. C4--ce . CJ4s <:> l\l Z:::y;,~ if t1 () is. ')'[, tl6 h I CvV\.C-~ 3Yu, Br-ic-G Yf. k.\..-ud' .2-3 j; '0 M olZ ADA _ ks /+L;A-N.2> 2232 Me (edl DVl\'t: ~\1I~V1~,v~ Co G 5 5-' L1\9 f0 ;~,~ ~ S+ '.;1 :sa- w~ 4-61) t1-0V'/f'iSott,Jt- )M(~hc/ V , po ~o^, [ t Lf ftC?,~ 5'2/ \'SUI '::,T. Si\({ll-\ 'C. c 1;22.07 M~k eVlV\.tz . ~Vh&J;eir1 V\O\@ pO~.Jox . co Vh. Dear Councilors and r~la va f~ : / I'm concerned about the animals in Astlland ~Iho are tied up at their homes fer e:<ce~sive periods. They suffer loneliness. frustration and boredom. They also run the risk of strar\gling to death, getting abused by kids or adults, getting at~ac~:ed by animals, or dying af heatstroke. " Jackson County allou1s animals to be tied for their entire live3 on short chains. This i.s nelc a life th":!1.t anyone in A-5hland, includin'~ pets, '3h'~uld ha'"le to endu,e~ PIEla=:ie pass .at. lal.~' to make this kind af an~iiTl.a.l abuse illegal. Please heavilv restrict the teth~ri~g af dogs and ather animals , I at their homes. By doing .......-, net i sa nc'e.. ~tf' cv~V01 J':-.;;-.;2-- ()q- ~ ~ 1/?'~ o-::f q (}.~. CJI i9~Z2 ~ 7 ~ - 2.2 -o?- I ,I q~ 1-1 - t I -- q,.. 1-2- ~6;:t 07 also help people. Chained dogs likel..... to bite , ... are.. ~N\a. S., \1\.Xo ~ \ J )f 07S:z BD",\ aV'-O:tJ:iS1LiC-l-/ uJ 1 c'\ISLQ loQ'2.-S Yl.0 e>v\OJ~ql n c:2.;;;J-/ ~//ytJA/ ~~ /.s . M l \ ~ 'VOJ. S~-t t:5A VI \.-\Ovu- de VI~<A Sww \l rA.QlA.. YQ ~ r 1-, ~'r\ lfe ( kt1A.~ 1hMU-- '&r -------7/ 8~ :)~ Lcu-L5uY'--- S te-"Je- M l!A- \ V \,L ~l 2vv iY \A.). \~ ~ \CrK' cl. is,L '3 3S' --rf.AJ",y 3-j.. . 50. \ o..N9 0 K 9' 7S2.. ~ J;.J - ~r@ r(! ,~f' I Z ( DoS!")/- 115L/c., J 0<' 11- l l,u9/k?4 A?JW~ 6'?- C?15: il zO~W<{ ~?; <c.; ): IOS~6lYIa~+-,It~ 43 0/ 6k/~ (;" /A-st.! cwd ()~ 11 ~ <S /W Sf TCl--(~+- On. \~~, 0~\J /4 <to/I; ~;zf y{/d" ~~ L-l//) f dk) ~"- <fJ po(. n€+ " J)J6!if...( ""fI' " ./. q I 'L'ZI 0 ( 13 v '- "'r' . SI'L Hc.v".....; Si).-")S-t- It,;.\,-, IC'V'ld . q(~0(01 ~ 1 9 }3/07 1 (1;1~ Clj;t::, / D~ ~\ q /1./61 rJ7 1lJ3101 VV\<:;.'\/",r -; \ ~ DAV I l) itJ { C. e i,.-L l:>6t OUIt>JG'1 ..('7 AN .gD~''-L.f;';j) c.1/t'i7li , 13lYI @,Uh~ Sf>*SD ;1SI1(Cifld G7 - 37-7g30 P 'w\lli%~s ~' .~ Unl'l \f\J~~ 'V\JesTphOvleGSt\X)\.Qnts.c:,Dl)ea~ ~ cue Cl c;)\.A ' OLO@hotrlCU \ Cf;)'{' lk~ T -0 ~( q13~ \.-i Je.') 1'1'- 'hlCvt: ~Q\ te.:'f\' (l) , \3l.R1 Q{Aii"VLj St, #/B-I '] . I ~~ if- /1J'1z/q f d/- 5-01-'. CC<-su....k- GI...CA~ c,;, . tLfo\ {J.;t'Y'''' 51 1lS'll A..;.Vt\",,,,,,t I c~ Dear Councilors and t~1a.va{~ : , I'm concerned abou't the animals in Ashland ~Iha ar'e tied up at their homes far e:<ces~tve periods. They suffer loneliness~ frustration and boredom. They also run the ris~: of stranglirlg to death, getting abused by kids or adults, getting attacked by animals, or dying of heatstra~:e. Jac~:sar' County alla~'s animals to be tied for their entire lives on short chains. This is not a life that anyone in Ashland, including pets, should ha....'e to encil_Ire. PIE'.:ase pass a lal.JJ to make this kind of aril':itTtal abLlse illegal. Please heavily restrict the tethering af dogs and other animals at their :",,7~1;7 ~{j'b<;/\./\... .;w.V 7T" 51 /Jf'T e .s-~ '1fJ,?( By doing this, yau ~!ill also help people. Chained The'~'re als~ more li~:ely to bite people '. ... C1111 /09 q Ie 1/0 V {/,' :JiG! i1 I L lC So h ~ j/fJ Q.)23/a-7 A",,",~C\dc-- L ~es J / ..>-. )-07 .1J'l4t'r. ~ ...~ *.QoC f5/"d Yll {~S~~IO )Ju~~1 , -, f ./ IIJ )("1I ( cL/" \'\"01 Clr", Oil\ sf No'1:;? [,,1\0\ at ( \ -I- tt I Vbl Ore. 0,,", 5r wt~ <6 o K...-<:I"-" 5} &&-8 4 ^ 5+ :+\-. #)Y/O ::?: 5jCt k \\l .J:! :fV., ~ IL\O\O:-eW0 St~~a mk~ yj) ~ LcvJ ILVo \ 1401 Of \' \\ ( I .' I 0f'f..AAA_i.. f I q-z -07 J4 ROAJ ~E We ~~ l/! ) - ~ 7: "1'1 ~ ~- or 11.zSV 0~J'Ov--e -6'75 --.11 .~) /ls?tL-,^-d.. Wr. 50? Z~7~( '.-.- -~ 9- ")7; -07 ?-'2- :/1 5i)1C;7~'" pI,,;' - .-:(:t / '8J -0 CI'!7\ {..Qr 1- -;J../c,- II( KfT (( fl/I e clIo r j' o I~~ c..~/~"lrc:::'/~_(, ~~":o.'/l'/C' <:'-. ';23 -07 1!,1, "':::.. ~7 i <./"c::::..> 3tJ ~t {,(~AJ/J01+ A )'-{BSSA.l9C: 10 01 O<t- C-olLf' l{, LQ..0...;1 /0///01 l~la!~~fiJ'r~(~. '2:>6l~,fZ:nx.;+- ~ V!-cJ- L0 c; dt CrlSo3 , ~6t{ ~ ~ 11Wt~ 97SW Dear Cal~ncLlars and Mayor: ['111 co:1ncE-~f'n~~d 3.bol_\r; !:;rv.2 .:ani.lTt.3.l.':s i.n Ashla.nd I.Alho3.r'e tled up 3.1:; l::h.:-:ir' r\l:.lln~~.5 \;or l2:';:I=~?:5::;;i.""'e p~?f'i,:>d5. The'/ sl_l.frel- lDneLtne-3.:;;j. ff'I_I.5l::r.3.ti':Jnand bore,j':JI11. T~\ey aLso run the risk of strarlglLrlg to deatt1, getti.ng abused by ~:ida or (J"I'-";Yl' qeJ~~~ a;;A"A ~c~~'e~~'~Jr ~~i?;A~S~~;~( -ff~J/, I I~QJc",unty a(la",,, anlf",,-1.5 t;'J be tled fat' th,~ir entlre lJ.....,~" '''n5r''~ chai.ns. "fhi-s i.s nCJI:;-:3. Life th:tl:; any":>n'= tn H::ihlarv::i, i.n.=lu.din,;! pet5, '3h(~IJl.,j have to endure. Please pass a laul to mak:e thlS ~::ind of a~lmal abuEe IO/~/~~:~~~i~ ~~~~ "iti3\3'~qLrb~~ ather anl,nol~ I By dOlng th15, YOU~llflll :Lisa help pe':1ple. Chaln~==d d(EJS :are o-fl:;en a. bar'~ lng They're .3.1sl~_mcJre likely to bite pe":Jple th~n othe,r: d>:>q'5,:a.re. '17.'(11+ ^&! VII 4' <.."'n, ..h-V'42;'" .~ 'Vr"'"'-rJ7'?J h ,.. . \.. ~\\ L~ cr- - . ?tt;U\ ! . ~VO,"S~l) ~a.hOd . ('CW\ ~lD (::2 l () '1 LQ) V\.; i Ib'l LiVe CQ,Vh <3'\-, A-<v, \.C\\,\.(,-l I (0 ?- ';1 .. 10/1/~1 / .2. /2e{1/? . J I ])(W(;'1 J-, J ~J :-l1,?J-) 10 rLI D7 It) 1"\'1- \...,T s- \ ') l' L.....- J . <; j . /]--r l (.; l-- ( (,1 /L (/ -J--J-~ '-/ I . " e.2- 5'11 8'9't - 7.5'8. ')) ALdol 5t \; L{bc;J ~ L>\ \\=<"l~ I~r I Lnvy(,e IJ 7/. 00 ALtdCl ~t q~ 9' '). -~"l t ~:)5 :rl~or~ O\QIL Or 3 /p ~L /.;( U'( L D< J .'1 / . l J / 1-107 (0 (z 101' / 6-{of; ~ r<- Sc .~ C CcN~f'- ~'-f:>l-e~ i0\ ... /0/6/07 (0';) D1 17&1, nnt1 ;v\ vt1Cit5}Uy 'Dh~ ~~( -- n7 () 1l/2.q;GIL 012.;-/"1 ~ era- 97501 ,. -. lW ~5 .' -,~fZ~ bZ ,/ \ c- I 7 32-1, d~ <Yr- 't 0 c::J - '7 (J ~~ v2.. '7 '7 S-'.::>o &y'{j / !;c;IVt4~] oQ- <=)1Kl-{'f 6VU- '17 l. 5\ /'3 7 hlWldv..~ h-c 0J c CA 9t; ~ 63 b 0"~\)) t..{ ~"J. A- [/ (s tJ"t <;1 !l-dd4~ cY 17))" I ~ () i'lID" Ai! /~;J 35/ Wt (5;t- kAlku;~ Ie C1 As t-t ') l' R,6~ ~t. A sou G1 r--e..en r I r:::ii~t<r 'l( t""tt.....-ll.."..J...3 I (....4 t L.. Q.~~p<.::>!o<.. ('l..). S:Le.-K.C-u~~ ~<='. '2~\\ ~'\(<;tcclbfl V~~r }~q:r70~