HomeMy WebLinkAbout1971-1005 REG MINThe rcgnlar moclin.~l of the City Couucjl ;,,'as held in the Council
Chambers, City Hall, on the above da~e at ?:30 p.m. The meeting
was called to order by Nayor NcKcon; on roll call, Councilmen
Roble and Roberrs were absent; CouncilwoBrm Soderberg arrived
late.
At this time, the Mayor deferred from the published agenda
to a]Jow a presentation of the in.formation booklet on the
City of Ash]and to bc pre.%ented to the Council by the I,cague
of Wemcn Voters. Nadin~ !'urce]l, the President, expressed
a "debt of gratitude" to me, tubers of the staff for their
cooperation and wil]jngness to assist at all times. She
noted Bob No!sen, Brian Almquist, A1 A]sjng and Bart Bartelt
jn particular. She expressed the desire that publication
of this booicier would malcc, "every voter an jnfo~ntcd Voter".
The Mayor lhanked tbc I,eaguo of l'Comen Voters on bcha]f of
the Council. Councjln3an NcCannon added that the League should
be comqlended for the4r fjnc job.
City Ad/niujsirato~ Ahnquist read a letter from l)r. Jantcs Sours
of Southern 0rcgon College, reqnosting that a member of the
City staff be appointed as representative to the Campus
i)c. vc]opment Geminitree. The purpose. of this S.0.C. Conunittee
was to plan for the physical dcvelopli!ent of the Colicgo
snd have an exchaoge of ideas and information between the
City and the College.
The Mayor then appointed the City Administrator to act as
represenl:atjvc., with the Director of Public Works (A1 Alsing)
to act as alternate, Conklin moved to confirm the appojnlment;
McCannon seconclccl. On voice vote, passed unanimously.
]i. API~RO\~AL OF/xIINU'i}LS:
On Pages 7 and 8 of the ndnutes of the regular meeting of
Scpte~ubor 2] ~ ]971, Willst:al. ter pointed oul he did not ei~t~oac
the public hearing (as rcfloctoj in the minutes according to
the voting), but he objected to the anncxrti~on~ anct theFoforc
votud "No".
Soderbcrg noted she had stated, on Pa~,,e 8 of the minutes of the
regu'lur mcc t~m2., tl,at there were "200 (lwo ]rout!veal) :fam:iJics"
ratl}c:r th~n~ "a :~oo ()[ fataL] ](,sH 81iLl l,'(;/itcd L]IC' CO~I'C'f'[,LOI] l[tidC',
II.
(continued) Cop. kljn reqncsted clarificntjon on an item in the
minutos of the Adjourned Mootring of September 28, 197]. He
first stated he was ]00 pcrc~.mt in agreement with the need for
a third freeway in~erc]Hmgc, but questioned the timing and
priority of such. tie r~scd the following pujnts for clarification:
Was it the Couhci]'s wishes to ]lave Councilwoman Soderbcrg
represent the entire Council in handling this matter?
referred to an article in the Ashland Daily Tidings in which
the Councilwom~:n "...said she would go personally 'if no one
else wi] 1' ."(Ash]and Daily Tidings , September 30) .
Is this the manner in which the Council wished to have the
request baudled? Conkiln again cited the newspaper article
which read, "She said today she (Sodorberg) had talked to
several county, state and federal legislators to gather
support for tile request." Conk]in did not feel the Council
had given her the authorization to act on their behalf.
Conk]in questioned whether a letter had been approved by
the Council as a forms] request for information or who thou'
this was an actual application for funds.
tie raised the question as to whethor the City of Ashland
was prepared to dig up the matching funds for such a freeway
interchange, should funds be allocated from the State during
the next year or two.
The Councilman felt the whole issue was too important to the City
of Ashland te rush into it. lie then raised the point that the
Councilwoman and her husband ]lad an option on ]6 ac~c,s of land
on Mountain Avenue, which was one of the suggested routes for
a possible third interchange. Conk]:in felt this created a
conflict of interest, and that Soderberg should abstain from
all voting due to this.
To all of this, Soderberg replied that she had not been appointed
by the Council, but simply stated she was willing to go as part
of the delegation. She confirmed her calls tovarious represen-
tatives on behalf of the City of Ash]and, and also as a concerned
citi zen.
Willstatter raised the question as to whether or not there was
a conflict of interest at a].] . lie was in favor of sending a
]etter, but could not see the purpose of a delegation. Mc(]annon
added he approved of requesting infermarion.
Considerable discussion ensued about the wording of the motion
made at the adjourned meeting and its ~ntcnt. The Mayor pointed
out that a letter had been approved and, if there, should be any
necessity for sending a de]egatjon, this would have to he at, proved
by the Council jn scparate action.
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I].
(continued) Conk]in reiterated be simp]y v:anted clarification
on the matter and that, until such ti~.~e, Soderberg sbou]d refrain
front researching on her oun.
Wills tatter pointed out that the action for a request on a
possible third freeway iutcrchange had been fostered by Sealerberg.
If any conflict of interest did exist, she should not vote.
Soderberg asked fin whose judg!nont it would be to determine if
such a conflict did exist. She noted the instance in which
Conklin decided for hintself the question of an easement between
the Hi]lab Temple and the City of Ash]and posed no conflict of
interest. She did not deny she and her husband had an option on
property on Mountain Avenue, but stated this would have no bearing
on any decision concerning the proposed interchange.
McCannon lnoved to approve the minutes as amended; Sodorborg
seconded; on voice vote, passed unanimously.
The City Admin~strutor presented two items not previously listed
on the agcnda:
A letter had been received from the Federal Power Commission
requesting that the City of AshHand g~ve up their license
for opera[trig a power gonefarming station. C]ty Administrator
Almqu]st stated a feasibility study was under way to determine
replacement of the generator and power plant for emergencies.
He also noted the City had water rights be]rind Healer Dam
which wonld have to be ]nvest.igated.
Willstatter felt the City should not give up its license.
tie felt, if there wore a possihle way, the City should have
an altomale generator. lie said to give it up would be wasting
a natural resotlFco.
George Jones, of ]336 Madtone fin Ashland, felt he was speaking
for 99 out of 100 residents when he said the City shou]d not
give up their license and the right to a future power p]ant.
Mr. Jones :Co]-[ there was something sinister going on, and
wondered x:hy the Commission was asking for the license.
The Mayor referrod l:he matter to the Finance & Property
Committee to look inio the implications of the letter.
City Adltlinistrntor A]mqujst presented jnforzrlation from the
Jackson County Bozlrd o:f' Commissioners that a snpplementa]
grant bad been ~'eceivod under the Emergent)' }bnployment Act.
ile 1:old the (:ottnej] ~,']~c]~ requests bad been previously a!Hu'oved
for FedcFa] funding, jnc]udj.:fg one p]annjne. technician, onu
-3-
III.
(continued) building inspector, two firemen, two policemen,
one park maintenance man, one utility worker for water & sewer,
and one junior accour~t:mt. (Reqttcsis not authorized were for
an additional park ma~jn~enance worker and a second utjlity
worker, which would be requested again.) The allocation of
funds totaled over $48,000 for these approved positions.
The City Administrator then presented his recommendations
for additions] requests under the supp]ementa] grant.
Blectric ilepairi,tsn (~:6,850 yearly). Almquist read a
letter from the ]i]ecr_ric Superintendent detailing the
need for an addit~enal ~all oi~ the crew (whose duties
would include the co]]ection of delinquent accounts
among other things, which were now abandoned due to lack
of work force).
Uti]ity Worker I ($5,736 yearly). This position would
be for tile water and sewer departmen1 (to man the sewage
treatment facility, partially manned by college students
du r i ng thc s umm e r m o n th s ) .
Park Maintenance Man I ($5,490 year]y). This would bc
a supplement to the parks staff to maintain over 134 acres
of parks land.
Administrative Intern ($5,756 year]y).
entry-level position to handle details
City Administrator of minor stud.los.
This would be an
and re]ieve the
Building Maintenance Man ($5,496 year]y). The present
employee is retiring fin January, and this position would
be a replacement to take care of City buildings and
equipment,
Conk]in asked whether there could be a change in the priority of
requests. tie feJt that, since p]annjng was of major importance
and would continue to grow in importance jn the next few months,
the Adn~jnistratjve Intern should be first request. This would
relieve the City Administralor of minor details and enable him
to utilize his planning ca?mbjlitics, training and experience
more fu]ly.
Willstatter questioned whel:ller prospective employees wouJd be
infornled of the duration o:ff their employlneni. A]mquist informed
him they would be, and that fnnds may be allocated through June
of 1975.
Soderberg wauted to know if the City could obtain a professional
planner under this progrum. A]mquist said the l~urpose o:f the
Emergency Emp]oymobt Act was to provide for entry-level positieus
with preference givcl~ to vetcr~ns, and not to ]tire persons a].rcad),
est~$tjshod in a profession.
(continued) Conkiln moved to request Adnlh~strat~ve Intern
first; McCannon seconded; on voice vote, passed unanimously.
]'here was nothing to report. }Iowever, Conkiln asked at what
stage was the study on assessment geferra] for low-income or
elderly persons. Sealerberg replied that the item was to be
discussed at thefir next meeting of the Committee. She noted
there had bccn items o~ higher priority that had taken the
Committee ' s tfime. ,
B. Public Service Committee: None
C. Streets & Traffic ConmHttee: None
V. COMMUN] CAT iONS:
Oral from the Audience
There was no discussion on new fiteros front the audience.
VI. COI, IMUNICATIONS: Written
Willstatter wanted to read a letter to the Council which contained
several misconceptions he felt should be answered. The Council
was not in favor of the reading, due to the fact the letter was
not signed. McCannon stated the staff was fin favor of communications,
but from responsible persons.
McCannon moved to accept the minutes of the Economic Develop--
meat Commission for September ]5, 1971, and place in file.
Sealerberg seconded; on voice vote, palssod unanimously.
Soderberg moved to accept the minutes of the Ash]and Develop-
ment Commission for September 10, ]971 and place on file.
Conk]in seconded; on voice vote, passed unaBilnous]y.
A letter was received from the Parks & Recreation Commission
relative to the dedication of Cemetery Trust property on
Holmes Avenue for park purposes. Willstatter moved to refer
to the Finance & Property Cemmittec for furtl~er study. Conk]jn
seconded; on voice vote, passed Ull~11lilllOllSly.
Mr. George Jones pointed out that the Little League is presently
using; the ]a~ut, and didn't fee] the Parks Cornmission should
disruth this operation. The Mayor said it would be studied.
VII. SPECIAL AGiiNDA 1TE:,iS:
A. Unfin5 shed Bus iness: None
City Administrator A]mquist read a letter from the Sign
Review Board, requesting that the Sign Ordinance be
amended to prohibit reader board and changeable copy
signs, except where exempted under Section 18(b), and
inclnding such signs in that section.
Willstatter noted that Section 18(b) deals with bulletin
boards :[or non-profit organizations.
McCannon moved to accept the recommendation and approve
the request of the Sign Review Board; Sealerberg seconded;
on voice vote, passed uuanimous]y. The Mayor instructed
the staff to draw up an amendment to tile Ordinance.
2. 8: 00 p_..n2._._i ,E_uhlj_c_II~e_a)-j.!~~
City Attorney lion Saltor briefed the Council on the
necessity for the withdrawal of certain property from the
Talent Rural Fire Protection District. He pointed out
that, should it not be withdrawn, the owner would be ljab].e
for payments on future bonds financed involving tbe ]and.
He noted that Dic Walsh, Oregon College of Art, had already
given a check to the City to cover costs of this withdrawal!
and his recent annexation.
Willstatter stated he was "unalterably opposed" to anncxa-
tion, but would not stand in the way of Mr. Wa]sh paying
his fair share for the bonded indebtedness rather than
having the City pay it.
There was no discussion from the audience.
Soderbcrg moved that the City withdraw the property from
the Talent Rural }"ire Protection D~sctrict and instruct
the staff to proceed with payments on assessments from the
money paid to the City by Mr. Walsh; Conklin seconded.
On roll ca!l~ passed unanimously.
Three applications for liquor licenses were presented
the Council for approval to the Oregon I, iqnor Control
Commission. These had been investigated by the Po]ice
Departmen1' aud recommencled for approval.
to
VII.
3. (continue'd) The City Recorder read the applications
as follows:
Application for Class A license (Retail Malt
Beverage License) by the Black Forest, 1700
Ashland Road. This is simply a change in owner--
ship from Iiarry Sharp to Robert C. Abel.
Application for a Class B license (Package Store)
from Rebecca Lynn Ha]kes, South Side Market,
]602 Highway 66, Ashland. This is also a change
in ownership from her husband's name.
Al-lplication for a Class B license (Package Store)
from the Bi-Mart Company, 2280 Ashland Street.
This 5s a new store to be opened soon.
Sodorherg moved to approve all three applications to the
Oregon Liquor Control Gemini ss ion; Wi ] lstatter seconded;
on rolJ ca]], passed unanimously.
The proposed Ordinance for fire protection in unprotected
areas, as requested to be drawn up by the Public Service
Committee, was first read by the City Administrator.
Almquist noted that letters had been sent to all affected
property ox.,ners notifying them of the proposed Ordinance.
The proposed Ordinance would provide that the Fire
Chief and his representatives would be authorized to
extinguish uncontrolled fires that are burning in
unprotected areas outside the boundaries of the City
and establish a cost schednle for this service.
Background information and a letter from the State Fire
Marshall was read for the benefit of persons in the
audience concerned with this Ordinance.
There was some question as to the total cost of a fire,
should one be out of control. Conklin recommended
that a "maximum charge" clause be incorporated. Fire
Chief Reed added this cou]d be up to $500. He had
ta]ked to w~rious insurance agencies locally, and
informed such coverage could be written into a policy
for approximately $3.00 a year extra. The Fire Chief
a]so st~tod it was unlikely that a building fire would
re~ch this maximum, while a brush fire conld involve
hours and easi]y reach tbe stated amount and over.
Willstatter pointed out tln~t, even with a formal agree-
r:tent fox' rccovc, ry of costs, the people would boneflit.
VII.
C. 1.
(continued) Soderberg stated that, in no case, should
the total cost he more than $500.
A 2ent]eman from the audience questioned whether the
Forest Service could handle the fires, and thus avoid
having C~ty of Ashland services and subsequent costs.
Reed replied that they were not equipped to fight
building fires, but brush fires. IIe also noted that
if it were a false alarm, there would be no charge.
In reply to a question from Conklin~ Reed noted that
the City of Ashlaud had been asked to respond to fires
through a "mutual aid agreement" with the Talent Rural
Fire Protection District and the U.S. Forest Service.
A lady from the audience asked what would happen should
the department be called to the scene of a fire where
there was no water source. Reed informed her thc trucks
carried their own water supply and a pmnper.
Conklin moved to include the $500 Maximum Charge for
any one property owner; McCannon seconded; on voice
vote, passed unanimously.
Conklin moved to pass to a second reading; Willstatter
seconded; on ro].l call, passed unanimously.
City Administrator Almquist gave the first reading of
an Ordinance regulating cutting or excavating streets;
requiring app]ication, permits and security therefor;
prescribing pena]ties; and repealing Ordjnance No. 308.
Director of Public Works A1 Alsing gave hackground
information. He stated the Public Works Department
was presently working under an informal agreement
with outside utilities and the City needed certain
controls for such situations.
Conklin asked whether there would be a charge for
permits, to which A]sing replied that the present
contract with the Telephone company pro]Hhits fees.
He also noted that bonds would be waived at the
present time. A]sing said that present experience
was good; there was just a need to forrealize ~l-, since
the only coverage af[orded js under an sewer ordinance
passed in 1907.
Conklin moved to pass to a second reading; Wi]]statter
seconded; on ro]l call, passed unanimously.
At this time, City Administrator Almquist made a change in the
order of the agenda.
VII. C.
Almquist gave the second reading of an Ordinance
annexing a contiguous area to the City of Ashland
(Oregon College of Art Richard Walsh, applicant).
Conk!in moved to adopt the ordinance and annex the
property; McCannon seconded. On roll call, Conklin
McCannon and Soderberg YES; Willstatter NO.
The City Administrator gave the first reading of an
Ordinance withdrawing property from the Talent Rural
Fire Protection District (Oregon College of Art -
Richard Walsh, applicant).
McCannon moved to ~ass to a second reading; Conklin
seconded. Willstatter wanted to confirm that the
money for such action (as discussed earlier) had been
deposited with the City. On roll call, passed
unanimously.
Almqnist gave the second reading of an OrdSnance
amending Ordinance No. 1674, pertaining to sewer
charges and connections and declaring an emergency.
Conklin moved for adoption; Sodcrbcrg seconded.
Willstatter brought up the point that there were
approximately 75 individuals within the City limits
that have water but no sewer services; according to
his information, only 20 will be hooked up this year.
He felt that the City had a primary obligation to
those within the City limits.
George Jones pointed out that the City had voted not
to join the Bear Creek Valley Sanitary Anthority,
and felt peop]c just wanted a free ride on the City's
systems. He felt this action (passing the Ordinance)
would be a forerunner that would cost the c~tizens of
Ashland a million dollsrs. He said the C~ty owed
ontsiders friendship but not connections.
On roll call, Soderbcrg, McCannon and Conklin * YES;
Willstatter - NO; ordinance passed.
]['he City Administrator read a resolution approving
the completed Planning I)ocuments prepared with an
advance from the U.S.A. under Public Law No. 560
(continued) re]aLive Lo tl~e Sew~Le Treatmeier Faci]]ljes
Study by Come]l, U~m'land, l~ayc~ & k!crryfie]d (CII2M).
AHn~quls~ said ~hjs ~eso!ution ~.ns neucssary iD oTdcr
to c~110~,.' CItTH t'o submi~ their applic~ion for payment,
but first tYic Ceu~ci] would h~ve to formalZly accept
the Study.
Conk]i~ m,_lvod to pass the resoJutjon to a second reading
by title on]y; Sodeyberg seconded.
Wi]]stattcr holed there were a couple of items in the
study for ~l. hjch he wanted clarification. lie declared
he was not prepared to accept the report tmtjl these
items were rectjf]ed or at least: explained:
a. Was, in fact, cue]inS water from Bagley Canning
dunlped into the sewer systertl?
Was the chart on Page 53 correct? lie noted that
an increase in non resident studc, nts was not refHected
across the table in other factors,
Als]ng pointed ont the resident and non-resident loads
are different, but volunteered to run down the inferlibation.
SodetherS questi oned
references to totals.
should he taken into
Chart 2 Oh Page 6 of the Study with
Almqujsl sugges ted the! total t~jcturc
account,
McCannon lnoved to postpone act]on nntSl such time as the
questions ]lad been answered; Conk]in seconded; on voice
vote, passed unanimously.
/nck
There be] ng no further business, Conk] in moved for adjournment;
Soderberg seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30
subject to the ca]] of the Mayor.
Respect:Fu] ]y suln~] tted,
W. E. Bartelt
City RecoTder