HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-0511 SS MINMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL
MAY 11, 1992
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Catherine Golden called the meeting to order and
led the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:30 P.M. on the above date in the
Council Chambers. Laws, Reid, Williams, Acklin, and Winthrop were
present. Arnold was absent.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: Resolution approving Mt. Ashland Ski Area
Documents for purchase of assets, obtaining Forest Service Permit, and
leasing area and assets to Mt. Ashland Association, Inc. Stephen
Jamieson, founder of MASA, thanked the City of Ashland Staff and
especially City Administrator Almquist for their hard work in this
effort. He explained that the proposed lease fairly and adequately
addresses issues which have been presented and may come up in the
future, and the Ski Area will be run strongly in the public interest.
The purchase completion date is July 7. City Attorney Nolte presented
an amendment to the Mt. Ashland Ski Area Lease Agreement, inserted as
the second to the last sentence of Section 14 and to read as follows:
"In determining whether consent is reasonable, Lessor may consider any
and all relevant factors, including, but not limited to, the financial
stability of the proposed sublessee or assignee and the extent to
which the public interest is affected by the sublease or the
assignment" Winthrop thanked Mr. Jamieson and everyone who worked on
the campaign to save Mt. Ashland.
Jack Nicholson, 1575 Greenmeadows Way, submitted written comments for
the record. He does not feel $1.00 per year rental is reasonable, and
that the IRS ruling should be received prior to finalization of the
lease. He also requested that Council require independent audits and
publication of audit reports. He urged Council to not approve the
lease as it is currently drafted. Nolte said the Revenue Dept. ruling
has not yet been requested, but the closing of the purchase is
contingent on a favorable ruling. Jamieson said the Council-approved
documents have to be submitted with the request for ruling. Laws
thanked Mr. Nicholson for his comments and assistance, and thanked Mr.
Almquist for keeping the effort going until the corporation took over.
Winthrop noted that Section 2. of the Resolution should reflect that
the Asset Purchase Agreement is approved and accepted "on signature by
the Mayor and City Recorder". The resolution was read as amended and
Williams moved to approve same. Reid seconded the motion which passed
unanimously on roll call vote. (Reso. 92-24)
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:05 P.M.
Nan E. ~ranklin
City Recorder
~aa~herine M. Golden
Mayor
Special Meeting - Ashland City Council - May 11, 1992
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL
MAY 5, 1992
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Catherine Golden called the meeting to order and
led the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:30 P.M. on the above date in the
Council Chambers. Laws, Reid, Acklin and Winthrop were present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 21,
1992 were accepted as presented.
CONSENT AGENDA: Winthrop moved to accept the Consent Agenda as
follows: 1) Minutes of Boards, Commissions & Committees; 2) Quarterly
Financial Report for period ending March 31, 1992; and 3) Liquor
license application from Sue Jaffe, dba Primavera, 241 Hargadine St.
Reid seconded, all AYES on voice vote.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1) Hotel/Motel Tax Increase. David Shaw, 434
Courtney St., Exec. Director of Artbeat, reviewed a letter he
submitted in appreciation of the time the City Council, Budget
Committee and Staff has devoted to the issue of funding for the arts.
Bruce Halverson, 295 Idaho, presented a proposal from the Lodging
Association (included as a part of the record). A letter from Phil
Peach, Oregon Lodging Association, was also distributed encouraging
Council to work with the Ashland Lodging Association on this issue.
The public hearing was closed. On a question from Winthrop, City
Attorney Nolte said a charter amendment tying in specific allocations
would be compatible with state budget requirements. Reid supports
increase, but not mid-season, and Turner advised that some lodging
operators requested that the exception to the increase include all
existing reservations, not just the fully-paid reservations as staff
suggested. Winthrop stated he would like to work with lodging
association on budget/tax allocations, and he supports the intent of
the proposal, but not the specifics. Reid said she is uncomfortable
with the allocation to the Visitors and Convention Bureau. Golden
said that she did not like locking in a set amount allocated year to
year given the unknowns of the city's revenue. Acklin noted that the
only growth in the General Fund is hotel/motel tax, and issues such as
shrinking state funds and decreased electric revenues need to be
addressed, and she would like to pass the ordinance now and work on a
solution. Laws said that voters will make the decision on the charter
amendment and the ordinance should be passed now. He is not in favor
of locking up revenues and allocations at this time. The ordinance
was read increasing the hotel/motel tax to 7%. Winthrop moved passage
to second reading. Acklin seconded and the motion passed on roll call
vote as follows: Acklin, Winthrop, and Golden, YES. Laws and Reid,
NO. Golden explained that she had not voted for the Budget but
because the entire Budget Committee had supported this decision, she
felt it was her responsibility to support that Committee.
Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - May 5, 1992 - P. 1
2) Proposed Final Assessments for L.I.D. No .64. Public Works Dir.
Hall reviewed assessments and recommended approval based on staff's
report. The public hearing was opened, there was no comment from the
audience, and it was closed. Laws moved to approve the Lori Lane
street improvement assessments. Acklin seconded and the motion
carried on voice vote. Hall reviewed Staff's report on the
Peachey/Paradise Lane sewer construction assessments. He noted
receipt of a letter from Our Lady of the Mountain Catholic Church
requesting that their assessment be for the one existing hookup, and
recommended denial of that request. The public hearing was opened and
Don Rist, 260 Joy Drive, asked that tax lot 39 1E 15D 1102 not be
included in the assessment district as the sewer is private and was
installed independently. Hall advised that at least part of this
assessment should be made because that sewer line accesses the city
sewer and was installed as a result of the L.I.D. Winthrop would like
the Paradise Assessment District modifed and approve the request from
the Catholic Church. Nolte advised that Council has great discretion
in allowing adjustments to the assessment districts, and this would
essentially be a contribution to a religious organization. The
ordinance was read and Acklin moved to second reading. Reid seconded
and the motion passed on roll call vote with Winthrop dissenting.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1) Vacation of Grover Street. Acklin moved to
accept staff recommendation to vacate the unopened portion of Grover
Street and establish a 15-foot wide easement the full length.
Winthrop seconded, and the motion passed unanimously on roll call
vote. Hall will return with amended ordinance at the next meeting.
2) Approval of Mayor's Appointment to Hospital Board and Re-
appointment of Audit Committee Members. Golden recommended appointing
Madeline Hill to the Hospital Board for a term expiring 4-30-96; and
re-appointing the following individuals to the Audit Committee -
Pattie Acklin, A1 Alsing, Lois Wenker, Tom Reid, Harry Knight, and
Virginia Vogel. Roy Bashaw was recommended for the open citizen-at-
large position. Acklin moved to approve same, Winthrop seconded, all
AYES on voice vote.
NEW AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: 1) Request to amend Noise Ordinance.
A letter was received from Linda Morris, et. al., requesting an
amendment to the noise ordinance. City Attorney Nolte explained that
the neighbors were not aware of an amendment made in November of 1990,
and are satisfied with same. The City Attorney will review future
complaints of this nature prior to processing them.
2) Ashland Railroad District Neighborhood Association Request. The
request is that an account be established wit~ the City to receive
donations to purchase land on A Street for open space/park purposes.
Reid moved to approve same, Winthrop seconded, all ayes on voice vote.
3) Quitclaim Deed for Fully Paid Street Improvement Assessments. A
request was received from Kathryn and Donald Lewis for termination of
a street improvement agreement regarding Guthrie Street. Reid moved
Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - May 5, 1992 - P. 2
Quitclaim Deed (Continued)
to authorize the Mayor and City Recorder to sign the quitclaim deed,
Acklin seconded, all AYES on voice vote.
4) National Register Nominations. A memo was received from the
Historic Commission in support of the Peerless Rooms Building (4th
St.) nomination, but not in support of the Vallen House (Morton St.)
nomination. Winthrop moved to recommend approval of the Peerless
Rooms Bldg. nomination, and allow the Historic Commission to make a
decision on the recommendation for the Vallen House. Reid seconded
and the motion carried on voice vote.
5) Historic Commission and Street Tree Commission Appointments.
Acklin moved to approve the Mayor's appointments of David Cyphers to
the Street Tree Commission for a term ending April 30, 1995; and Dana
Johnson to the Historic Commission for a term ending April 30, 1994.
Winthrop seconded, all AYES on voice vote.
PUBLIC FORUM: No comment.
ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS: 1) Outdoor Burning Ord. Second
reading by title only of an ordinance amending Chapter 10.30 of the
A.M.C., by regulating outdoor burning. Acklin moved to approve same,
Winthrop seconded, all YES on roll call vote. (Ord. 2671)
2) Transportation Utility Fees. Second reading by title only of an
ordinance amending Chapter 4.26 of the A.M.C concerning the use of
Transportation Utility Fees. Acklin moved to adopt same, Winthrop
seconded, all YES on roll call vote. (Ord. 2672)
3) Senior Citizen Utility Discount. Second reading by title only of
an ordinance amending Chapters 14.04, 14.08, and 14.16 of the A.M.C.
providing a program of utility discounts for low income senior
citizens, and repealing Ordinances 1741, 1766, 1860, 1884, 1972, 2054
and 2062. Acklin moved to adopt same, Reid seconded, all YES on roll
call vote. (Ord. 2673)
4) L.I.D. Final Assessment Ordinance. Read previously.
5) Set Low-Income Senior Citizen Utility Discount Rates. A
resolution was read setting said rates and Acklin moved to adopt same.
Winthrop seconded, all YES on roll call vote. (Reso. 92-22)
6) Change name of Bensen Drive to Valley Way. Laws moved to deny the
name change request, Winthrop seconded, and the motion passed on roll
call vote with Acklin dissenting.
7) Reimburse Capital Expenditures. A resolution of intent to
reimburse capital expenditures was read. Laws moved to adopt same,
Acklin seconded, all YES on roll call vote. (Reso. 92-23)
Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - May 5, 1992 - P. 3
OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS: Winthrop reminded Council and
Department Heads about the Pacific Program Confence in October at Inn
at Otter Crest and spoke highly of same. Brochures are available at
City Hall. Reid noted the proposed funding cut of the position of
Coordinator of the Bear Creek Greenway and requested that the Council
and Mayor draft a letter in support of maintaining funding. Winthrop
moved to place item on the agenda, Laws seconded, all AYES on voice
vote. It was agreed to send letter. Reid noted the League of Oregon
Cities meeting being held at Ashland Hills Inn on May 6th. Acklin
noted the Study Session set for May 12 at 7:00 P.M. at the Community
Center concerning the Forest Management Plan. Reid said she was asked
by the Rogue River National Park spokesperson for our continued
support in fire prevention and control in open space lands, and
assured him this was the case. Laws requested that Hospital Board
minutes be included in agenda packets due to the unique financial
situation the city has with the hospital. Fire Chief Woodley said
fire season starts Monday, May 11 and open burning will be suspended
on that date. A press release will be prepared.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:40 P.M.
Nan E. "r/a~nklin
City Recorder
Catherine M. Golden
Mayor
Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - May 5, 1992 - P. 4