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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-0626 Adjourned Mtg PACKET Important: Any citizen attending Council meetings may speak on any item on the agenda, unless it is the subject of a public hearing which has been closed. If you wish to speak, please rise and after you have been recognized by the Chair, give your name and address. The Chair will then allow you to speak and also inform you as to the amount of time allotted to you. The time granted will be dependent to some extent on the nature of the item under discussion, the number of people who wish to be heard, and the length of the agenda. 7L~ AGENDA"FOR THE ADJOURNED MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL JUNE 26, 1990 I. CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 P.M., Civic Center Council Chambers II. STUDY SESSION: Joint meeting requested by Jackson County Fire District No. 5 to discuss feasibility of merger, consolidation, or functional cooperation with the Ashland Fire Department. III. PUBLIC HEARING:. 8:00 P.M., civic Center Council Chambers. Consideration of calling a special election for August 14, 1990 by mail ballot to submit to the voters, the following proposals: I I ~ 1;1 qD 1. An amendment to the Charter to provide for voter approval of funding measures for the Open Space Parks Program, ending the funding measures in 20 years, and prohibiting the use of condemnation to acquire property. ' 2. An ordinance for voter approval increasing the hotel/motel tax on guests from 6% to 8%, and increasing the business tax from an'annual base fee of $40 to $80 and supplemental fees based on the number of employees in each business. IV. ORDINANCES. RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS: ~:L/1. o ra-'>'Y .........2. e~ ~~ '1-4. ~ ~O, ~\1}1o \~ w ~. ADJOURNMENT Second reading by title only of an ordinance amending Chapter 6.28.020 F of the Ashland Municipal Code relating to taxicabs. 'f- 3. Second reading by title only of an ordinance amending Section 10.68.090 of the Municipal Code with respect to alcoholic beverages on Calle Guanajuato. Resolution calling a special election regarding Charter amendment requiring voter approval of funding for Open Space Park Program and prohibiting condemnation. Resolution calling a special election regarding proposed ordinance to be referred to voters increasing hotel/motel taxes and business license taxes for Open Space Park Program. ::;, ,~:::;t~' ~emnra:ttdum June 26, 1990 mo: Honorable Mayor & city Council Brian L. Almquist, City Administra~ JIf rom: ~ubjed: Indexing of Hotel/Motel Tax In connection with the proposed ballot proposal to increase the tax rate from 6 to 8 percent for the Open Space Park Program, Councilor Acklin requested that the Staff investigate the concept of indexing the tax for the smaller B&B's. The' following table indicates the impact on total revenues if the tax ~ere indexed beginning at 4 percent. Present 6% Proposed 8% Hotels/Motels B&B's' : Totall " 414,240 (86.3%) 67.760 (13.7%) 480,000 I, 552,320 (+138,080) 87.680 (+21.920) 640,000 (+160,000) Proposed 8% with Index 552,320 (+138,080) 76,680 (+10.920) 629,000 (+149,000) The proposed indexing brackets for the smaller B&B's would be as follows: GROSS RECEIPTS B&B'S TAX RATE NO. OF BUSINESSES $0-7 ,500 $7;500-15,croO $15,000~,25,000 $25,000-50,000 Over $50,000 4 5 6 7 8 Total 4 5 11 10 J. 33 The following is a breakdown of the gross receipts of the various Hotels and Motels: HOTELS/MOTELS $50,000-150,000 $150,000-250,000 $250,000 and over 8 8 8 Total ~: :~,'~~ ~~~t'~,': :. ;.. r'It. i .~ 4 4 2 15 ~., r I. . Indexing of Hotel/Motel Tax June 26, 1990 Page Two The indexing would be implemented by establishing the tax rate on July 1 of each year by using the gross receipts for the preceding 12 month period which ended on March 31. Secondly, the amounts in each gross receipts category would increase on July 1 of each subsequent year by the consumer price index. Every 5 years the entire structure could be reviewed and adjusted as appropriate, taking into account the fact that room 'rental rates do not necessarily track the rate of inflation (the C.P.I.) SUMMARY: From the above, it is apparent that indexing would have a minor impact on total revenues. If the normal split is used for the $11,000 in lost revenues due to indexing, the result in 1991-92 would be as follows: Open Space Program City General Fund V&CB OSFA Arts Grants Total 2 , 750' 4,400 2,502 1,073 275 $11,000 However, ~t is expect7d that with normal growth there will be a net increase 1n revenues 1n 1991-92 for all funded programs, in spite of the index~Ii9 loss. The adjustedl, total revenue available f<:>r t~e Open Space Progl;."am would be reduced from $261,000 to $258,250, wh1ch 1S not a significant" loss. '1~, .... .." r- '. . . .~/);~);:.t.... . ,'. ~{]~ 7~~., ~tmnrandum June 26, 1990 ij[ 0: ~'uhjett; Honorable Mayor & City Council Brian L. Almquist, City Administra~ Business Tax Increase for Open Space Park Program JJf rom: The City Council on June 12, 1990, selected a package funding proposal for the Open Space Parks Program which initially included the following elements: 2% Increase in Hotel/Motel Tax 50% Increase in Business License Tax A 50Q monthly fee on Residential utile Bills Systems Development Charges Total $160,000 35,000 36,000 30.000 $261,000 After further discussion, it was decided to drop the 50Q utility charge and instead increase the business tax to replace this element. , I :, I, At the June 19 Council meeting, Councilor Acklin suggested that we should also consider a new formula that would be less regressive. It is apparent from the following schedule of existing fees, that small business bears a disproportionate share of the business tax: PRESENT SCHEDULE: - $40.00 Base fee (includes up to 2 employees and/or owners) $1~~00 Per employee for next 3-5 employees $5.00 Per employee for the next 6-10 employees $2.00 Per employee for the next 11-20 employees $1.00 Per employee for the next 21-30 employees $.50 Per employee for all employees in excess of 30 employees It is also readily apparent that if the per employee fees were to be doubled', the presently unfair burdens would be compounded. In determining how to structure a new fee schedule, it is important to keep two goals in mind: 1. The amount of revenue possible from an increase in the base fee versus the amount from additional employees. ,:'~f 2. A system that raises the desired amount of additional revenue ($71,000) . .. ' ''".\' '~;'l Business Tax Increase June 26, 1990 Page Two PROPOSED SCHEDULE: $80.00 Base fee (includes up to 2 employees and/or owners) $12.50 Per employee for next 3 or more employees. The above schedule would result in the following percentage of increase for businesses with these employee counts: NO. EMPLOYEES NO. BUSINESSES ~ OF BUSINESSES ~ INCREASE 0 0 4-8 181 13.0 68-82 3 and 9-11 186 13.4 85-98 2 or less (Base) 966 69.3 100 12 - 24 45 3.2 107-1S2 ' 25 plus J2 --1..J. 206 plus Total 1393 100.0 The above schedule would increase revenues by $71,039 from the present total of $68,682. The staff also looked at several other schedules whiqh included a reduced basic;~ee and an increased.per em~loyee fee. The foregoing, however, appe~rs' to be the most equltable ln that: a) c) Over 81% of the business tax revenue presently is raised by the basic fee; The corresponding need to place a substantially higher fee on additional employees would discourage new businesses from locating in Ashland; and A.flat employee fee'is the easiest to administer, and treats all businesses in a non-disciminatory manner. b) 1~, .. .." r I. . ':'\: ,If .~ . ;'. ; t' .'-I' : ',' 'i. ~.,~ ~l;:;JK~'l.' .' '.:, ',."','f'<' ':: :'ti.,i .:". ..;;.... 1}&j>.J'f1.flJ"t ',' .~: .,' ,,' I .'" '....'. I RESOLUTION NO. 90-~~ A RESOLUTION CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION FOR THE 14TH DAY OF AUGUST 1990 IN THE CITY OF ASHLAND FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUBMITTING TO THE LEGAL VOTERS OF THE CITY A MEASURE CALLING FOR THE AMENDMENT OF THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF ASHLAND RELATIVE TO FUNDING Q~THE OPEN SPACE PARK PROGRAM AND PROHIBITING THE USE OF CONDEMNATION TO ACQUIRE FEE SIMPLE OWNERSHIP OF ANY REAL PROPERTY FOR OPEN SPACE PURPOSES. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF ASHLAND AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. A special election is hereby called to be held in the City of Ashland, Oregon the 14th day of August, 1990 by mail ballot, at which election there shall be submitted to the legal voters for their adoption or rejection the following proposed measure, to-wit: CHARTER AMENDMENT PROPOSED BY THE ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL AN ACT That there shall be added to Article XIX A - Open Space Park Program, a new sentence to Section 2, Land and Easement Acquisition Procedures, and that the Charter, as' amended, be, and the same is hereby amended to add thereto the following sentence: "The City Council shall not use the poweX:...?L.S9!1demnation to acquire fee simple ownership of any land~n Space purposes .~ bJ7'77z.-~ , r/ , ll-!, /1 .. That there shall be added to Article. XIX A - Open Space Park Program, a new paragraph to section 3, Resources, and that the Charter, as amended, be, and the same is hereby am,ended to add the~eto the fonowing paragraph: V J<iY~ - '-~ "The tax measures for funding C b-;he Open Space Park Program shall be approved by the voters, and the tax rates approved tRerein by the voters shall not be i for Open Space '. 1., purposes by the City Council without further approval by the electorate. Said tax measures for funding of the Open Space Park Program shall expire on December 31, 2010, unless extended by a vote of the electorate." SECTION 2. The ballot title is as set forth on Exhibit "A", which is attached hereto and incorporated herein. SECTION 3. The City Recorder is hereby requested and directed to give due notice of such special election hereby called as provided in the laws of the State of Oregon and the Charter and Ordinances of the City of Ashland, Oregon. ..., (' I, . SECTION 4. For the purpose of this election, a mail ballot ~ay be used as directed by the Jackson County Clerk. \/~/~~3> , ':,' " ft:li! " "::.;~:; The foregoing Resolution was READ and DULY ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the ____ day of 1990. Nan E. Franklin City Recorder SIGNED and APPROVED this day of , 1990. Catherine M. Golden Mayor '1~, - ..-, r I. . EXHIBIT "A" No. 15-1 CHARTER AMENDMENT PROVIDING OPEN SPACE PARK PROGRAM FUNDING; PROHIBITING CONDEMNATION. Question: Shall Ashland Charter be amended to YES provide Open Space Park Program funding and prohibit condemnation. NO EXPLANATION Funding fsr _tpe Open Space Park Program will be only by methods~~p~ed by the voters of Ashland and the funding process will end on December 31, 2010, unless extended by a vote of the people of Ashland. Further, the measure will provide for the prohibition of the use of condemnation with respect to the acquisition of fee simple ownership of any real property connected with th,e Open Space Park Program~ ft-ih~i<J; I, 1~, .. ",'\ (' I. . I ; . i-i,.. ,.. t ~. .' r.: ~ ..~~ ...... . .. ;CI ~ . . ::. , ~~~ '\':J . ,..' ",'~~"":~~.~;:"',j'.~.:' .', "'. RESOLUTION NO. 90- A RESOLUTION CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION FOR THE 14TH DAY OF AUGUST, 1990 IN THE CITY OF ASHLAND FOR THE PURPOSE OF REFERRING TO THE LEGAL VOTERS OF THE CITY A MEASURE APPROVING AN ORDINANCE INCREASING TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY AND BUSINESS LICENSE TAXES FOR THE OPEN SPACE PARK PROGRAM. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF ASHLAND AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. A special election is hereby called to be held in the City of Ashland, Oregon on the 14th day of August, 1990 by mail ballot, at which election 'there shall be referred to the legal voters for their adoption or rejection, the following proposed ordinance, to-wit: ORDINANCE REFERRED BY THE ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL AN ACT To refer to the electors of the City of Ashland an ordinance as follows: BE IT ORDAINED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF ASHLAND, OREGON: SECTION 1. Section 4.24.020 of the Ashland Municipal Code, pertaining to the tax imposed on transient occupancy within the city of Ashland, shall be amended to read as follows: I I :. rj~, "4.24.020 Tax Imposed. For the privilege of occupancy in any hotel, each transient is subject to and shall pay a tax in the amount of six percent (6%), plus two percent (2%) dedicated for the Open Space Park Program, of the rent charged by the operator. The city Council may, by ordinance, provide for an indexing of the tax rates for small establishments at lesser tax rates. Said tax constitutes a debt owed by the transient to the city which is extinguished only by payment to the operator or to the City. The transient shall pay the tax to the operator of the hotel at the time the rent is paid. If the rent is paid in installments, a proportionate share of the tax shall be paid with each installment. The unpaid tax shall be due upon the transient's ceasing to occupy space in the hotel. If for any reason the tax due is not paid to the operator of the hotel, the Tax Administrator may require that such tax shall be paid directly to the Tax Administrator. II SECTION 2. Section 6.04.080 of the Ashland Municipal Code pertaining to th~business license tax schedule, shall be amended to read as follows: "6.04,.080 License Tax Schedule. A person licensed under this chapter shall pay an annual license tax in the follow{~~ amounts: A. If the business is carried on by not more than two (2) individuals, the license fee is $40.00, plus'$40.00 dedicated for the Open Space Park Program. ..',;"'Vft;' .:~\~'I ...~~ B. For each individual in excess of two (2), add $6.00 per individual, plus $6.50 per individual dedicated for the Open Space Park Program." SECTION 3. The foregoing ordinance shall be effective upon its passage by the electorate at a special election to be held on'August 14, 1990. The portion of the tax rates dedicated to the Open Space Park Program shall expire on December 31, 2010. SECTION 4. The ballot title is as set forth on Exhibit "A", which is attached'hereto and' incorporated herein. SECTION 5. The City Recorder is hereby requested and directed to give due notice of such special election hereby called as provided in the laws of the State of Oregon and the Charter and Ordinances of the City of Ashland, Oregon. SECTION 6. For the purpose of this election, a mail ballot may be used as directed by the Jackson County Clerk. The foregoing Resolution was duly passed at a regular meeting of the City Council on the day of , 1990~ --: , I Nan E. Franklin City Recorder I, - SIGNED and APPROVED this day of , 1990. 'l~t Catherine M. Golden Mayor .." ,. I. " EXHIBIT "A" No. 15-2 ORDINANCE PROVIDING FUNDING FOR THE OPEN SPACE PARK PROGRAM. Question: Shall the Transient Occupancy tax and Business License tax be increased for the Open Space Park Program. YES , I I NO EXPLANATION The Transient Occupancy (Hotel/Motel) tax would be increased by 2 percent, and the average Business License Tax would double from the present annual base rate of $40 plus employee fees. Tax rates for Open Space could not be increased without voter approval, and would expire in 20 years on December 31, 2010. I ~, I, . 'l~, - .."\ ,. I. . .-~_,-,__~__.L~~~L-': ..' . ... ~ r , ." ~"1.~:t. ';'L'. ,;;, ' t f ...~7;~j i; ,t