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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1971-0615 REG MINMINUTES FOR REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL June 15, 1971 'The regular meeting of the City Council was held in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, on the above date. The meeting was called to order by Mayor McKeen. Councilman Roberrs was absent, and Councilwoman Soderberg arrived late for roll call. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On Page 2, Paragraph 3,' Willstatter noted the vague term"realis- tic" could be replaced with "enforceable form". He moved, and Roble seconded, that the minutes be approved as amended. Motion carried unanimously. a. Jack James, commander of the VFW Post of Ashland, presented a Unit Citation for meritorious service to Chief Hays of the Ashland Police Department for "keeping law and order in a college town". b. Appointments: 1. Appointment of Mr. Trenton Douglas to Planning Commission to unexpired term of Mr. Charles Lockridge. (resigned). Willstatter stated he did not approve the confirmation of Mr. Douglas's appointment without so much as an introduct- ion of the commissioner when the appointment had already been made. He stated it was a self-sustaining, hypocriti- cal and cynical procedure and only added to the lack of communication between the council and commissions. The Mayor pointed out a letter had been sent informing Mr. Douglas of his appointment PENDING confirmation by the Council. He said Mr. Douglas was public spirited, and had worked in harmony with the Planning Commission on a volunteer basis before. Soderberg thoughtnotifying an tion was only fair, and moved McCannon seconded. appointee to accept awaiting confirma- the appointment. Much discussion ensued regarding the qualifications of Mr. Douglas. Soderberg pointed out the charter was very clear in that the Mayor appoints the commissioners, and a com- mittee may or may not make recommendations, just as a pri- vate citizen might. On roll call, the vote was: Conklin, Willstatter - No McCannon, Soderberg, Roble - Yes iAppointment confirmed. Appointment of Mrs. Marjorie Smith to Revenue Steering Committee to replace ~rs. Connie Battaile (resigned and moving away). McCannon moved to confirm the appointment. He pointed out that this was an Ad Hoc Committee and would be disbanded as soon as the function was performed. He added that Mrs. Smith had been a volunteer and was a hard worker; he would like to see someone appointed (such as Mrs. Smith) who had not previously been involved with such problems. Soderberg seconded the motion. On roll call, motion carried unanimously. Roble moved to send a letter of appreciation to the resigned members for thier services contributing to the government of Ashland; McCannon seconded; motion carried unanimously. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: Roble moved that the departmental reports for the month of May be received and placed on file. Conklin seconded; motion carried unanimo~usly. STANDING CO~MITTEE REPORTS: Finance and Property Committee: None Public Service Committee: Roble deferred to Conklin for the report relative to action taken for the Oak Knoll Golf Course. Conklin said there had been a meeting with Mr. Reed, and a letter sent request- ing certain conditions be met. Apparently, these condi- tions are being met at this time. c. Streets and Traffic Committee: Roble recommended the establishment of parking prohibitions on the west side of Hillcrest between Summit and Glenview. City Administrator Almquist said a resolution would be pre- pared. COMMUNICATIONS: (Oral from the Audience) Mr. McGuire wanted to review changes in the City Recreation Program done at the request of the Parks Commission. These changes were to enrich the playground program and benefit more children by lo- cating programs also at elementary schools as well as junior high schools. It would include such things as the baseball program being extended to the grammar schools; an expanded camping pro- gram; arts, crafts and music programs; outdoor educational programs and even an open gym program including adults. Mr. McGuire passed out copies of the program to members of the Council. McCannon asked how many children this would benefit, to which Mr. McGuire replied they would know exactly by the end of summer due to a registration form. Mrs. James Dean of the League of Women Voters requested the Council to again consider authorizing the Housing Authority to operate in the City of Ashland. She noted (1) a resolution be- tween the City and the Authority could be entered into, and (2) a separate agreement for buildin~ would be necessary. McCannon made a motion to turn the request over to the Finance and Property Committee to get their facts up to date, as the same request had been tabled by last yaar's council and a re- cent questionnaire had indicated majority approval by the citi- zens for low cost housing. Soderberg seconded the motion. Conk- lin pointed out that it had been tabled, and a discussion on Robert's Rules of Order ensued. Soderberg pointed out there should be a concern for the elderly and retired citizens and low-income people in Ashland. McCannon thought that some places now not in very good condition might be fixed up if the landlord would be assured of the rent. Soder- berg noted the Federal Government paid for 3/4 and the private property owner had an OPTION to join the Housing Authority. Willstatter said it did need more study, and, on roll call, it was carried unanimously to refer it to the Finance ~and Property ComHttee. COMMUNICATIONS: (Written) City Administrator Almquist read a letter from Harry Elmore and ~four abutting property owners requesting reconsideration of denial .of annexation request for property located west of 1-5 Freeway, south of Highway 66. Conklin noted that the property owners had agreed to annex. He pointed out (according to the results of the questionnaire) that the people of Ashland felt a trailer park was needed. He wondered how much pressure was going to be put on the ~cGrew Brothers Saw- mill, saying Ashland could not afford to lose 150 employees. McCannon had taken the liberty to talk to Mr. McGrew. They both went out to look at the property and called on the property owners. No problem ~as found with noise or dust, etc. McGrew was about to install a new screening device which would eliminate some of the pollution. Roble pointed out Elmore was aware of the mill; McCannon said trucks on the Freeway made noise too. Willstatter pointed out there were 22 acres in City limits with services already in and did not want urban sprawl or erosion of the area around Ashland. He brought up the point again of re- vising the uniform building code. Soderberg stated the people of Ashland want more industry accord- ing to the questionnaire. The Economic Development Commission opposed the annexation to a residential zone. Conklin moved to reconsider and refer it to the Planning Commission for a public hearing. City Attorney Salter pointed out that (1) Elmore would be asked to develop the land first, then annex for a higher tax base; and (2) an agreement would be worked out between the City and Elmore for a binding for consent to annex in return for services devel- oped. He suggested it be referred to staff for working out details. Conklin withdrew his original motion and changed it to "refer to staff". McCannon seconded. Soderberg asked whether this indi- cated approval by the Council. Elmore pointed out a public hearing had already been held by both the Planning Commission and the City Council. He did men- tion the four other property owners should go to the Planning Commission. It could then be referred to staff to prepare an agreement. Soderberg felt the City should not incur an expenditure unless they would benefit. On Roll Call, Soderberg and Willstatter - Conklin, McCannon and Roble - YES: ~lotion Carried. NO McCannon moved to hold a public hearing by the Planning Commission for consideration of the additonal territory; Conklin/Soderberg seconded. On Roll Call, Willstatter, NO; all others, YES. Motion carried. 'McCannon moved to accept the minutes of the Ashland Development · Commission meeting of May 28, 1971, and place on file. Conklin seconded. ~otion passed unanimously. Roble moved to send a letter of appreciation to Mr. Dom Provost for thinking of developing along main Street and make an offer to assist him if possible. McCannon seconded; Willstatter pointed out it was good to see private enterprise doing something on its own without asking for a handout from the City; motion passed unanimously. The Mayor instructed the staff to send a letter. It was moved by~IcCannon and seconded by Conklin to accept and place on file the minutes of the Planning Commission meeting of May 24, 1971. Motion passed unanimously. SPECIAL.AGENDA ITEMS: a. Unfinished Business: None b. New and Miscellaneous Business: Request from Economic Development Commission to expend budgeted funds for printing of Ashland brochure. City Administrator Almquist read a letter requesting $1100 from the budget to be spent for advertising (from the $1300 remaining in the AEDC budget). Willstatter pointed out that legally it could not be spent for advertising without the vote of the people. This was confirmed by City Attorney Salter, and he noted that the Attorney General also concurs. McCannon pointed out that the money was to be given to the Chamber of Commerce to print the brochures. Roble pointed out most cities (i.e., Portland) advertise. Soderberg moved to table the request for further consideration. Conklin seconded. On Roll call, Roble and Willstatter, NO; Conklin, McCannon & Soderberg, YES. Motion tabled. AT THIS POINT, THE ~4AYOR APPOINTED TO ACT AS CHAIP~IAN MR. McCANNON. Letter from Federal Sign Corporation appealing a decision of the Sign Review Board, denying oversize and over-height signs for Krebs Shopping Center on Highway 66. (and) Report from Sign Review Board in response to the above letter from Federal Sign Corporation. City Administrator Almquist read the letter and reports. Mr. Marion Krebs, developer of the shopping center, said the ordinance was discriminatory (i.e. , a beer parlor could have a large, free-standing sign whereas his shopping center with 7 acres of 23 shops could not). He presented an architectural drawing of the proposed sign, designed to fit in with the City's Shakespearean theme and in keeping with good taste. Mr. Byzick, the general ~anager of the project, said the sign was designed 18 months ago, and the ordinance passed later (and a telephone conversation had given him the speci- fiations worked on for the sign at the time). The disputed clause had made the Sign Review Board ask the developer to go directly to the Council, as they had no authority to grant a variance to the new ordinance. Jim Ragland,chairman of the sign review board, said it had been an honest misunderstanding, but he and Gary Afseth felt the sign ordinance as adopted by the City of Ashland should be upheld. They wanted just a small, modest identification sign SPECIAL AGENDA ITE~S, (cont.) 2. b. o~ an equal basis with the downtown businessmen. Conklin pointed out that to grant a variance would mean the ordi- nance should be amended. He then moved to uphold the Sign Review Board and not grant the variance requested. Soder- berg seconded, the motion was carried unanimously. c..Ordinances, Resolutions and Contracts First reading of Improvement Ordinance ordering curbs, gutters and paving to be installed on Willow Street, from Orange Avenue to Otis Street. Willstatter moved that the ordinance be passed to a second reading. Soderberg seconded. On roll call, motion carried unanimously. Second ~eading of Ordinance continuing parking prohibitions in the vicinity of Southern Oregon College as set forth in Ordinance No. 1670, adopted on an interim basis for 120 days. City Administrator Almquist read the proposed ordinance. Conklin moved that it be adopted, Willstatter seconded. On roll call, motion carried unanimously that Ordinance # 1681 be adopted. 3. Resolution amending a resolution dated June 16, 1970, entitled, "A Resolution concerning a Building Permit Sibarco on conditional use of property on the corner ' Siskiyou Blvd. and Beach Street". for of City Attorney Salter pointed out this was to amend the original resolution to extend the scope and cover a change of name in a la~snit (technicality resolution). Soderberg moved to a second reading by title only. Will- statter seconded. On roll call, motion carried unanimously. Salter then gave the status of various cases pending: Ashland vs. Pierson - Dec. 28 - suit to have him disconnect improper connections to the City sewer system. Ashland vs. Jim Busch - Nov. 8 Ashland vs. Sampson (Sibarco) - june 23 He also noted there was a $250/day fee for in-trial work, in additon to preparation fees. The proposed resolution was read by title only. moved to adopt, Conklin seconded. On roll call, unanimously. Resolution adopted. Willstatter carried SPECIAL AGENDA ITEF~S (Cont.) Resolution for installation of stop signs on High Street at Church Street; on Scenic Drive at Grandview Drive; and parking prohibitions on Hargadine between First and Pioneer Streets, in addiron to parking prohibitions on the west (downhill) side of Hillcrest between Summit Avenue and Glen- view Drive. Conklin moved to a second reading by title only. Soderberg seconded. On Roll Call, motion carried unanimously. The second reading was given by Almquist. Willstatter moved, and Conklin seconded, that the resolution be adopted. On roll call, motion passed unanimously. Resolution adopted. Resolution trasferring appropriations within certain funds. City Administrator Almquist indicated this was simply to transfer line items to other line items within funds in order to avoid overruns on those items. Soderberg asked for clarification, and Almquist said there were no inter-fund transfers. Willstatter moved to pass to second reading by title only. Conklin seconded. On roll call, motion carried unanimously. After a second reading, Conklin moved and Willstatter seconded that the resolution be adopted. On roll call, motion carried unanimously. Resolution adopted. ADDITIONAL MATTERS: City Administrator Almquist brought up an Ordiance pertaining to City Employees. The main purpose was to clean up the language, and make cha~ges as suggested in the "Memorandum of Understanding" issued regarding the Personnel Manual. Someitems noted were the inclusion of "sex"in the anti-discrimi- nation clause; residency requirements for employmlent by the City; changes in terms of salary increases (lengthen periods of increase-- all given on meritorious service); pay periods changed for conven- ience of processing; travel expense changed to 10¢ per mile from 8¢; holidays recognized by the State of Oregon; accrual added for vaca- tions, etc. Conklin asked, and was assured by City Administrator Almquist, that it met with City Employees approval. -8- Soderberg asked if the wording could be changed in Section I to conform with the wording of the City Charter. She also quest- ioned whether salary increases should be given for "loyal and meritorious", not just high work performance. It was a personal judgement she felt should be eliminated. Roble moved that the ordinance as amended (wording to be the same as the City Charter - "with approval of the Council") be passed to asecond reading. Conklin seconded. On roll call, motion passed unanimously. Conklin brought up a recommendation that the Shakespearean ~estival be billed for putting up banners (owned by the Festival). Roble seconded the motion. On roll call, motion carried unani- mously. Willstatter passed along the salary breakdown received from the hospital. There being no further business, to the call of the Mayor. the meeting was adjourned, Respectfully submitted, 'W. E. Bartelt Recorder subject WEB/nck