HomeMy WebLinkAbout1971-0928 ADJOURNED MINADJOURNED MEETING OF THE
ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 28, 1971
I. ROLL CALL:
An adjourned meeting of the Common Council of the City of Ashland
was held in the Council Chambers, City Hall, on the above date at
?:30 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Mayor McKeen. On
roll call, Councilman Roberts was absent (but arrived at 8:15 p.m.);
all others were present.
II. SPECIAL AGENDA ITEMS:
1. 8:00 p.m. - Public Hearing: Improvement of Joy Avenue
City Administrator Almquist indicated that a public hearing
had been called by the Streets & Traffic Committee relative
to a request by Mr. Marion Krebs, developer of the Ashland
Shopping Center, to improve JoysAvenue. Almquist displayed
a diagram depicting the requesF% read a letter from the two
abutting property owners concurring with the request, and a
memorandum from the City Attorney relative to the rights of
the'Council to approve or deny the request. Director of
Public Works Alsing requested a Council determination on the
application of City standards to the proposed improvement.
The Council concurred that the pavement standards should be
met on all City property. On questioning, Mr. Krebs agreed
to abide by the City standards and to reimburse the City for
engineering and inspection services. Mr. Lewis Osborne and
Dr. Elliott McCracken stated that sidewalks should be required
on Joy Avenue. Councilman Roble responded that, since
sidewalks were not installed elsewhere in the adjacent tract,
the s~ort section on Joy Avenue would be of no value.
Councilman Roberts arrived at this time.
It was moved by Councilman Roble, seconded by Councilman
Conklin, and unanimously carried, that the request to pave
and open Joy Avenue be granted, subject to all paved areas
meeting City standards and that the City be reimbursed by the
applicant for engineering and inspection services.
2. Request for Freeway Interchange:
Councilman Conklin stated he believed the request for a third
freeway interchange was premature, since the BCATS study was
still in its final stages of completion. He also stated that,
although a third interchange was a real need, there were other
more pressing City needs which took priority. He cited sewage
treatment plant expansion, water system improvements, street
(continued) improvements, storm sewers, civic center and
others. He stated that a bond issue would soon be necessary
for many of these improvements, even if partial federal
funding were available, and that the interchange was not a
priority item. Considerable discussion followed.
Councilwoman Soderberg moved that a formal request from the
City Council be forwarded to the State Highway Commission,
including a formal delegation from the City if necessary,
requesting state or federal funding for a third interchange
and connecting roads as provided in the BCATS study. Motion
seconded by Councilman McCannon.
Mrs. Soderberg further stated that Ashland has a need for
this third interchange now, that the comprehensive plan and
Central Area Plan adopted by previous councils depicted such
an interchange, and that a direct route is needed to the
downtown area along the proposed Ashland Creek Parkway, and
along the Bear Creek Parkway to provide access to the college.
She stated that congestion on Siskiyou Blvd. and in the
downtown area is so heavy now as to increase the accident
potential to pedestrians and motorists alike. Also, funding
is now needed to protect our natural and historic resources
and our central area to provide a healthy environment for
business investment.
Mrj Donald Lewis, representing Southern Oregon College,
stated that the College had predicated its campus planning
on:the proposed interchange; and that, although he recognized
the City's funding problems, some kind of committment should
be obtained at this time.
Councilwoman Soderberg then read a letter from the Ashland
Economic Development Commission supporting the concept of a
third {nterchange at Mountain Avenue.
Mr. L~wis Osborne stated that he believed the request for
funding was premature, but that there was no harm in asking
for information about whether we qualify for funds. Mr. Troy
Reynolds concurred that a request for information would be
desirable.
Considerable discussion ensued concerning the widening of
Highway 66 and the overpass, and whether pressure for state
funding should be brought to bear on this project as a solution
to the college access problem.
Mr. Kirby Mills stated that he concurred with Councilman Conklin
lhat the City had other more pressing needs; and that, if the
City were to provide its share of matching funds, they should
6e spent on projects of higher priority.
-2-
(continued) The question was called by Councilman Roble;
on roll call vote, Councilmen Roble, Willstatter and
Conklin, NO; Councilmen Soderberg, McCannon and Roberts,
YES. Mayor McKeen, in voting to break a tie, stated that
he was voting YES on sending the letter, but NO on sending
a City delegation. Motion carried.
3. Approval of Amendatory Contract on H.U.D.
Lithia Park Extension Project:
City Administrator Almquist presented an amendment to the
contract on H.U.D. Project Ore-OSC-40(DL)(G), and explained
the necessity for the amendment was due to a change in the
legal description of the Project boundary.
It was moved by Councilman McCannon, seconded by Councilman
Conklin, that Resolution No. 71-37 (authorizing the Mayor
and City Recorder to execute the amendatory contract) be
approved. On roll call, carried unanimously.
There beingl no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.,
subject to the call of the Mayor.
Respectfully submitted,
n L. Al~q~~
City Adminis~raFo~
/nck