Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-0401 Documents Submitted at Meeting ~M-~ Join us for a Community Discussion to promote a positive political process} to engage sustainable community participation} and to inspire collaboration. Hosted by the Community Dialogue Sub-Committee of the Ashland Coalition April 30, 2008 6:30-9:30 pm Historic Ashland Armory (Doors open at 6:00 pm) The discussion will help define community values that will guide decision-makin& vision-development, and leadership in Ashland. This event will build capacity for more effective dialogue in the future. Goals: · To promote a positive political process · To engage sustainable participation · To inspire collaboration · To redirect energy from conflict toward creative progress · To encourage leadership through listening All interested residents are encouraged to attend this free event at the Historic Ashland Armory on Wednesday, April 30, from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. The evening is hosted by the Community Dialogue Sub-committee of the Ashland Coalition. The Ashland Coalition consists of representatives from the Ashland Chamber of Commerce, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Southern Oregon University, the Ashland School District, Ashland Community Hospital, Community Works, the faith community and a representative from the community at large. 171JAtddf tJ;J ~ tItt l"Of'V It\. Transcription of Mayor of Ashland John Morrison's Testimony before Planning Commissioners on March 27, 2008 Mr. Chairman, members of the Commission, thank you for hearing me today. And while I am here, you are aware that I am the Mayor of Ashland. I am also a member of the Governor's Task Force on Transportation and Tourism. So to some extent, I wear two different hats here. Let me start with my Mayor's position and say thank you for the courtesy that you have extended the citizens of Ashland who have come here to speak to you and address their concerns, some of which may be based on facts, some are based on fear. Your role is to determine . .. are those facts true, and are those fears reasonable. Clearly we have concerns. Since as much as this is not an Ashland project, it is clearly a statewide and regional project... something that will benefit our entire state. The impacts of it, just by virtue of its location, will come home to roost in Ashland more so than in other cities. However, I have sat in your position and dealt with de novo issues and I know that there is no such thing as the perfect location. There are always impacts. The question is not: Is it a perfect location? But: Can those impacts be mitigated? Can they be minimized? Can they make progress and growth at the things that make this a great country, and particularly make this state and this region a delightful place to visit? Can they be made acceptable to those of us who live here already? That is your, your assignment, your charge to sift through the, the large volume of input that you are getting. I want to say that I think you are seeing that Ashland citizens are involved. They take time to do their homework. You are hearing a lot of very good input. I also want to say on behalf ofODOT, I think they have been responsive; they have shown that they will do that. This was not their project to begin with. There are many people urging them in the direction they have been going. Part of the location is about location itself. For a tourist, there is never a second chance to make a good first impression. The state of Oregon needs to make a good impression in many ways; not just, it's not just the almighty dollar. It happens to be, how do people regard the state? Do we put our best foot forward? We have not for a number of years. The entire state realizes the importance of this issue. So with that I will close with saying that the city of Ashland has been asked to provide water and wastewater service to this area. We are prepared, we as the city, are prepared to provide that, should it be approved. But this is your decision, and I would assume that as you look at this and realize that there are impacts, whether you approve it with conditions of approval or whether it is turned down, there will be good sound reasoning and it will the result of your hard work and efforts. So again, thank you very much for your consideration in this matter. Commissioner: I have a couple questions here. Mayor: Yeah? 1 Commissioner: So the water sewer issue has come up that Ashland does not have enough wa. . . testimony that Ashland does not have enough water to serve this, that the sewage system is in violation ofDEQ regulations. Could you speak to that a little bit? Mayor: Right. We have... we were made aware of this project some time ago and sent in the projections of what its usage levels were to our staff, to look at it. They came back with a report, which was made in a public meeting to the City Council, which said that we have adequate gallonage in both wastewater and water available through 2018, with no problem. This is not, as it is outlined to us, a heavy usage in the extent of huge numbers of gallons, and of course we have seasonal considerations. Our problem with wastewater is not so much how many gallons can we pass through, but it is a temperature issue, which we have to mitigate anyway. So that's one of the areas that we are already working on, and the concern that is when we have treated effluent and it is returned to Bear Creek, it has to be of a, at a certain temperature quality in order not to create algae problems. Commissioner: And am I correct that Ashland is not in violation of DEQ at this point? Mayor: That's correct. Commissioner: Have you also had as a Council, looked at this proposal as far as the impact? Has the Council discussed this, as far as whether it is a good thing for the city or has the Council any discussion on the merits of this proposal? Mayor: We have. We had a presentation from ODOT. I asked for that presentation so that the Council was informed, fully informed. And we haven't made a formal decision so to say, but the decision by our staff was that we could do it. The consensus of the Council has been, and I have heard nothing contrary to that from any individual Councilors, that they are not in favor of the decision that I have stated, that is, which if it is approved, we will provide that water and sewage. Now, we, that decision, or that position is based on the recognition that this is a county parceled land, and it is your decision, and your jurisdiction; however that being said, we are very concerned that just as you are doing, that you look at this very carefully in terms of minimization of impacts and mitigation possible, potential impacts so that we have a process that does not unduly pressure our citizens or impact our citizens and that is our position right now. Thank you. Commissioner: I'm confused. So are you saying that although the city is prepared in terms of its capacity to provide water and sewer service, the City Council may very well say: "No, we are not going to actually provide those services"? Mayor: No, what I said was that we our, our staff made a recommendation, and the Council accepted that recommendation. Commissioner: Accepted? Mayor: Yes. Commissioner: So, it's a decision that City has made a decision; it will provide the services?r Mayor: Right. 2 Commissioner: If the project goes ahead? Mayor: Yes. Commissioner: Thank you. Mayor: Any other questions? Chair: Thank you. 3 )VbrvuiJuL 4(ol/lJ( PH-~~ Regular City Council Meeting April 1, 2008 Public Input (via phone call to Ann Seltzer) Re: VIII #3 Ashland Sanitary Rate Increase Gloria Aker 1209 North Valley View Road Homebound senior. Does not live in the City. Pays $28 per can. She cannot bring the trash cans down the driveway so Ashland Sanitary must drive up the driveway to pick up the cans for that she pays extra.