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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