HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-0616 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL
June 16, 1987
ROLL CALL
Mayor L. Gordon Medaris led the Pledge of Allegiance
and called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. on the
above date in the Council Chambers. Elerath, Bennett,
Acklin, Laws and Arnold were present. Reid was absent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Arnold moved to approve the minutes of the regular
meeting of June 2, 1987; Bennett seconded the motion
which passed unanimously on voice vote.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Appeal - Planning
Action 87-058
Planning Director John Fregonese reviewed the
ordinance concerning requirements for the width of
access to a flag lot, which include a 15' drive with
12' paving for one unit; 20' drive with 15' paving
for two units and 20'paving for three or more units.
The appeal involves using a storage shed for a studio
cottage to be rented out. The Planning Commission
approved Planning Action ~87-058 on the condition that
four parking spaces be provided, the development be
limited to one single-family unit on each parcel of
the proposed land partition, and the access be paved
to the maximum width feasible and screened. Morjig
said the subject cottage is 13 x 18 feet and would
only have one occupant. On question from Arnold,
Morjig said he agreed with the conditions of not
expanding the cottage and developing only one unit on
the partitioned lot. Laws moved to grant the appeal
with the conditions of the Planning Commission, that
the cottage not be expanded and only one unit be
developed on the partitioned lot; and adopt the
findings and conditions of the Planning Commission.
Elerath seconded the motion which passed unanimously
on voice vote.
COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & REMONSTRANCES:
Future Plans - Ken Mickelsen, Director of Parks and Recreation, gave
Greenway Property a short history of the Greenway property and the plans
for developing these properties which include the
Bryant-Jones Property, the Senior Investment Property
and the Wade Property. The key elements in the Green-
way Plan are to provide an area along Bear Creek which
people can enjoy, while also protecting and enhancing
the natural habitat; and to put in a trail system
which would connect the cities along Bear Creek.
Mickelsen briefly explained the proposed plans for
each of these properties and felt the developments
would be a major asset to the City of Ashland. Karen
Smith, Greenway Coordinator, noted there are only two
small properties left to acquire, and thanked the
Parks and Recreation Commission for their enthusiasm
in the Greenway project.
6/16/87 P. 1
R~ular Meeting Ashland City Council 6/16/87 P. 2
COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & REMONSTRANCES:
A.B. Wilson Land
Donation, Ditch Rd.
(Continued)
Director of Public Works Alsing remarked on the
location and size of the property and explained the
City's interest in it as a future right of way for a
water line to the Strawberry Lane area. On a question
from Laws, Alsing said a small cabin would have to be
removed. Laws moved to accept the deeded property,
Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on
voice vote.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Hersey Street
F.A.U.S. Proj.
Public Works Director Alsing explained that Mr. & Mrs.
Vogel have signed in favor of the project on Hersey
between Water and Oak Streets. Their portion of the
project is 56%, and signing in favor would be 57% with
the City's 1% included. He suggested a public hearing
be held on this section only and that it be a local
improvement district separate from the rest of Hersey.
Bennett moved to set a public hearing for the next
meeting of July 7, Acklin seconded the motion which
passed unanimously on voice vote.
Sidewalk Seating
for Restaurants
Planning Director Fregonese explained the research
which had been done and the desire of the ad-hoc
committee, comprised of the Planning Commission and
the Ashland Downtown Association, to implement an
experimental program this summer using guidelines they
have established. The program would be terminated on
October 1st and evaluated at that time; or the City
Administrator could revoke a permit if problems arose.
Bennett moved to permit an experimental program until
October 15, 1987, and Laws seconded the motion.
Arnold expressed concern about the lack of guidelines
and that the program be controlled and not done in an
arbitrary way. On voice vote, the motion passed
unanimously.
NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS:
Mt. Ashland Ski Public Works Director Alsing noted the comments from
Area Expansion our Consultant on the E.I.S. had not yet been received
but he had discussed it with same, who agreed with
Alsing that issues such as erosion, parking lots and
the proposed septic tank had not been fully addressed
in the draft E.I.S. Arnold noted deadline for
comments to Forest Service was June 29th, and
requested a chance to read the consultant's comments
prior to that deadline.
Fred Bennewies, 1009 Oneida Circle, member of the
Natural Resources Committee of the League of Women
Voters, expressed concern regarding the impact of the
expansion on the watershed, and requested Council to
ask the Forest Service to delay approval until a
proper E.I.S. had been prepared.
6/16/87 P. 2
R~ular Meeting Ashland City Council 6/16/87 P. 3
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Mt. Ashland Ski
Area Expansion
(Continued)
Award of FBO Lease
Dick Nesbitt, 809 Garden Way, was concerned with the
procedure which would be followed and who would
monitor the project.
Glenn Menzie, Area Manager of Ski Ashland, said the
E.I.S. is only an outline and Ski Ashland wants to
work with the City and Forest Service on this project.
He further explained that the facilities in existence
at Mt. Ashland were not adequate for the operation to
be financially sound without the expansion.
Richard Goff, 1974 Mohawk, also spoke of concern for
the watershed and the impact of the proposed projects.
Laws said the City cannot tell the Forest Service what
to do with the land, and the difficulty of voicing
concerns without benefit of knowing exactly what was
planned. Acklin explained that the National Environ-
mental Policy Act sets up the process of distributing
draft E.I.S.'s to agencies, which does not provide for
a public hearing.
Arnold expressed appreciation to the citizens who
spoke on the matter, and said the City cannot make
mistakes where the watershed is concerned and needs a
better procedure in place to comment on individual
matters.
Sue Rolle, 311 High Street, an employee of the Forest
Service, said the E.I.S. is conceptual not site
specific and there would still be an opportunity for
site specific reviews. She said NEPA would do an
environmental analysis or E.I.S. for each specific
project.
Acklin moved to contract with an attorney for comments
or future problems with the E.I.S., and to authorize
Staff to submit comments to the Forest Service. Laws
seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice
vote.
Dir. of Public Works Alsing explained the recruiting
process for a Fixed Base Operator, noting that the
present lease expires on August 8th of this year.
Bill Knowles, Chairman of the Airport Commission,
submitted a memo reviewing the qualifications and
experience of Laura Smith and Jeremy Scott dba Ashland
Air, Inc. Bennett moved to accept the recommendation
of the Airport Commission; Elerath seconded the motion
which passed unanimously on voice vote.
6/16/87 P. 3
R~qular Meeting Ashland City Council 6/16/87 P. 4
PUBLIC FORUM:
Chip-Sealing on
Barbara & Diane
Streets
High Street Hedge
Mountain Ave.
Hazards
Mark Ahalt, 2970 Diane Street, said he felt the City
made a gross error by chip-sealing Diane and Barbara
Street; that the property owners paid for improvement
of these streets in 1979-80, and he would like Council
to investigate this new process being used on streets
which had been smooth and nice prior to the chip-
sealing. A petition was signed by 23 of the 32 people
living on these streets requesting they be returned to
their prior, smooth condition. Peter Messenger, 2959
Diane Street, expressed concern about the loose stones
in the street and felt the project was a waste of tax
money. Rick Cottle, 2958 Diane Street, would like
streets returned to prior condition.
Alsing explained the chip-sealing process, said it was
a learning process and finer rocks would be used in
the future except on steep streets. He said the loose
rock would come up in a very short time. On question
from Acklin as to what could be done, he said perhaps
a sand finish could be used. Arnold moved to postpone
action on the matter until the next meeting; Bennett
seconded the motion, which passed as follows:
Elerath, Bennett, Laws and Arnold, YES, Acklin, NO.
Robert Sposato, 334 High Street, said he cut the hedge
from 6 1/2 feet to 4 feet, which was maximum he could
trim it without ruining it, and felt it was now safer
than before. He wants to vacate the alley for safety
of children going to school. Laws pointed out that
the City could be liable for an accident because we
knew about the hedge but did not enforce our own
ordinance. City Attorney Salter pointed out that the
Council could close the alley for the next few months
until the question of vacation was settled. On
question from Arnold as to if he represented all the
property owners involved, Sposato said all of the
adjacent property owners had signed the petition.
Arnold moved to close the alley temporarily after
confirming that the property owners had signed the
petition. Bennett seconded the motion, which on voice
vote, passed unanimously.
Marie Morehead, 310 N. Mountain Ave., spoke of her
concerns about the condition and safety hazards of
Mountain Avenue. A discussion was held concerning the
new formula for distribution of gas taxes between
cities, counties and the State. The public forum was
closed.
6/16/87 P. 4
P~ular Meeting Ashland City Council 6/16/87 P. 5
ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS:
Transfer of Juris- A resolution was read accepting the transfer of juris-
diction, County diction over certain County Roads with the City Limits
Roads in exchange for certain County properties. Laws moved
to accept the resolution, Arnold seconded the motion.
On question from Elerath, Dir. of Public Works Alsing
explained that the City would not be accepting any
substandard streets. On roll call vote all AYES.
(Ref. Reso. #87-26)
Hersey Street Impr.
Water to Oak Sts.
A resolution providing for the installation of curbs,
gutter and asphaltic paving on Hersey Street between
Water and Oak Streets was read. Acklin moved to adopt
the resolution, Bennett seconded the motion which
passed unanimously on roll call vote. (Ref. Reso.
#87-27)
Interfund Loan
A resolution authorizing an interfund loan to the
Street Fund was read. Arnold made a motion to adopt
the resolution, Acklin seconded the motion which
passed unanimously on roll call vote. (Ref. Reso.
~87-28)
OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Council Vacancy A discussion was held concerning the Notice of Public
Hearing for Council Vacancy which had been prepared.
The Council agreed to hold oral interviews for
position #3 on July 28th, and an election on August
4th, to replace Beverley Bennett who is resigning from
the Council effective July 25, 1987.
Selection of FBO
Elerath complimented the Airport Commission on their
handing of the selection of the new Fixed Based
Operator at the Ashland Municipal Airport, and felt no
operator would be making money but they chose someone
who would be able to bring some action to the area.
Resident Notifi-
cation of City Work
Acklin suggested the City should have a policy of
notifying citizens when work would be done which would
affect them. Alsing said each department notifies
residence with door hangars. Acklin feel each
department should have a written policy.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:45 P.M.
Nan E. FrAnklin
City Recorder
Gordon Medaris
Mayor
6/16/87 P. 5