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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1970-0303 REG MINMINUTES FOR R~GULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL MARCH 3, 1970 The regular meeting of the.City Council was held in the Council Chambers of the City Hall on the above date. The meeting was called to order by Mayor McKeen. Councilmen present: Dodge, Haines, Jones, Roberts and Willstatter. Councilmen absent: Bailer APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilman Willstatter requested that the adjourned meeting minutes of February 19, 1970, be corrected by the addition of the following sentence to paragraph 3: "Willstatter requested that staff be instructed to obtain, if possible, a common boundary agreement." It was moved by Willstatter, seconded by Jones that the minutes of the regular meeting of February 17, 1970, and the adjourned meeting of February 19, 1970, be accepted as corrected. Motion carried unanimously. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: None STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS: a. Finance & Property Committee - Roberts pointed out that, since Chairman Bailer is not present, Roberrs will give the committee's report. He reported that the committee reconmends approval of a resolution requesting Southern Oregon College to purchase an aerial ladder fire truck for the City of Ashland; and an ordinance providing for issuance of certificates of lien searches and pro- viding fees. Following reading of ordinance by City Attorney Skerry, it was moved by Haines, seconded by Dodge that the rules, be suspended and ordinance passed to second reading by title only. Following brief discussion, on roll call, carried unanimously. Following second reading by title only, it was moved by Haines, seconded by Dodge that Ordinance No. 1644 be adopted. On roll call, carried unanimously. Roberrs reported that the con~mi~tee unanimously voted to uphold the Planning Commission's decision regarding minor land partition of three lots adjacent to the Oak Court Subdivision owned by Robert Ridinger. However, the committee expressed a desire to meet with Mr. Ridinger to discuss the matter further. Roberts requested that Council defer action on the resolution requesting Southern Oregon College to purchase an aerial ladder fire truck until later in the meeting in order to give the Council an opportunity to study the resolution. b. Public Service Committee - Chairman Haines reported that the committee recommends that Council authorize the Chief of Police Council Minutes March 3, 1970 Page 2 to proceed with conversion of two cells in the Police Department to interview rooms. He explained that there is not a necessity in maintaining these cells since most of Ashland's prisoners are lodged in the county jail. Materials for this conversion would cost approximately $700 and the work would. be done by the City. carpenter. It was moved by Haines, seconded by Willstatter that the Chief of Police be directed to proceed with conversion of two cells in the main cell block to interview rooms and to use such moneys as he may find available through the transfer of funds in the department and that funds be available from the Electric Department to do the electrical work for this conversion. On roll call, carried unanimously. Chairman Haines indicated that the matter of telephone booths for Pacific Northwest Bell is still under study. He pointed out that the Planning Commission has not yet made their report on design selected by the architect nor locations selected by the telephone company. c. Streets & Traffic Committee - Chairman Willstatter reported that the committee is still studying traffic flow on First Street and is awaiting staff recommendation on overall traffic flow. He further indicated that the committee attended a meeting with college officials and City staff to discuss the peripheral road matter. There was also some discussion regarding storm sewers. SPECIAI, COMMITTEE REPORTS: Willstatter reported that he attended the last regular meeting of the Hospital Board. Hospital occupancy was up and the hospital is actively engaging in pursuit to get specialists to locate in the community. ~ Roberts indicated Council has received copies of the charter with explanations of changes on each page. Mrs. Audrey Hawk, Chairman, has requested that the Charter Revision Committee meet with Council as soon as Council has had an opportunity to study these revisions. Haines reported on a meeting held to discuss the formulation of a county-wide library system. The County Commission took the position that, prior to establishing a county library system, they would require the voters to pass a stand-by serial levy in May to support the system when O and C funds are no longer avail- able. He also indicated that Bob Root, Chairman of the County Budget Committee, proposed the possibility of the county funding all library programs for the coming year with the ballot measure presented to the people for a stand-by levy in the November General Election. Under this proposal, if the levy failed, each jurisdiction Council Minutes March 3, 1970 Page ~ would resume responsibility for Fiscal 1971-72. At the con- clusion of the meeting, there was still no indication that a county-wide system would be established and funded for the coming year. Police Chief Herb Hays was asked to comment briefly on a recent meeting of the RVCG Committee on Law Enforcement. He reported that proposals were presented regarding reserve programs and he felt that funds would be available to assist in enlarging Ashland's reserve force. Mayor McKeen indicated he artended a recent meeting regarding means of clearing the area of litter. SPECIAL AGENDA ITEMS: Unfinished Business: 1. 8 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING: Zone Change Application No. 023, William Kerr, 655 Tolman Creek Road - City Administrator Boshears indicated that the subject area is to be developed for a mobile home park and the owner has requested that it be zoned for commercial use. He also indicated that the application had been unanimously approved by the Ashland Planning Commission. At this time, Mr. Glenn Munsell, representing Mr. Kerr, presented a sketch of the subject area. Considerable discussion followed. Mr. Robert Voris expressed his enthusiasm for the proposed development, indicating that it would bring more people into Ashland. Mr. Steven Cross, a property owner on Clay Street, expressed concern that the mobile home park would result in too many people in that particular area. At this time, City Attorney Skerry read ordinance amending Ordinance No. 1361 to rezone the Kerr property from R-l-B:8 to C-1. It was moved by H~ines, seconded by Roberrs that the rules be suspended and ordinance passed to second reading by title only. On roll call, carried unanimously. Following second reading by title only, it was moved by Haines, seconded by Roberrs that Ordinance No. 1645 be adopted. On roll call, carried unanimously. At this time, Bruce Lorber and Pat Overand, members of the Ashland Chapter of Demolay, gave a presentation to Council regarding their plans for a marathon run against pollution from Ashland to Salem starting on March 13, 1970. They requested that Council adopt a resolution supporting their efforts in estaklishing a statewide clean air and water program. ~y also invited members of the Council to be present at the start of the run on March 13, 1970, on the Plaza. The Mayor indicated an adjourned session would be held following the Charter Revision study session on March 10, 1970. COMMUNICATIONS: 1. City Administrator Boshears read letter from the Ashland Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol requesting that they Council Minutes March 3, 1970 Page 4 be allowed to build a headquarters facility for their squadron at the Ashland Municipal Airport. Patrol representatives Charles Lockridge and John Cady presented a sketch of the subject area and proposed facility. Considerable discussion followed. Haines suggested that the matter be taken up in a scheduled Public Service Committee meeting. Following more discussion, the matter was referred to the Public Service Committee for study. 2. City Administrator Boshears read a letter from Mr. R. W. Voris requesting permission to curb, gutter and pave one-half of Randy Street 110 feet east of Willow Street on the north side of the street only. Mr. Boshears pointed out that, in the past, it has been Council policy to not allow paving of only one-half of a street. Mr. Voris explained that in order to sell land on any federal loan, the streets must be paved, curbed and guttered before closing the loan. A negative answer was received from the owner of Helman Baths (p~operty directly across the street) regarding the possibility of converting the site to a Y.M.C.A. building; therefore, the subject lot should be developed. Following considerable discussion, it was moved by Haines, seconded by Jones that the matter be referred to the Planning Commission for study and recommendation.. It was pointed out that this matter has been under study by the Planning Commission. Jones indicated he thought Council should establish a policy that no new streets be permitted without first being paved. On roll call on motion to refer matter to Planning Commission, carried unanimously. 3. Planning Commission Minutes of February 16, 1970, special meeting - It was pointed out that the special meeting was a study session and no minutes were recorded at that time. City Administrator Boshears indicated that the City was recently presented with a Safety Achievement Award from the State Accident Insurance Fund, recognizing a year of safety in our City crews-- it represents 250,000 man hours. It was moved by Haines, seconded by Willstatter that the City Attorney be directed to draw up a resolution of commendation for employees of the City of Ashland for their record of service to themselves and the taxpayers. Motion carried unanimously. At this time, City Administrator Boshears indicated he had received two letters for Council which have already been published in the Tidings. He read a portion of one letter from Mrs. William Weber regarding recent City Council actions. He reported the second letter was in a similar vein. City Recorder Bartelt presented a liquor application from Mr. Gregory L. Stevens for the Mark Antony Hotel lounge. He indicated the Police Department has given its approval of the application. It was moved by Roberrs, seconded by Dodge that the application be granted. On roll call, carried unanimously, Council Minutes March 3, 1970 Page 5 Mayor McKeen asked City Administrator Boshears about the progress of staff's sign ordinance revision report. Mr. Boshears indicated he did not receive the Planning Commission's recommendations until March 2, 1970, and has not yet completed his report to Council. Mr. Jim Busch, Chairman of both the Ashland Planning Commission and Ashland Development Commission pointed out that both co~nissions' recommendations concur in most instances. He pointed out that both con~issions agreed that there should be a variance procedure which could be applied, for instance, to a business connected with a national firm which has uniform advertising signs. Haines indicated that the proposed ordinance does provide for a variance procedure and does include provisions for national brand advertising. City Administrator Boshears suggested scheduling a public hearing to consider the proposed amendments. Mr. James Conklin indicated that action should be taken on the ordinance as soon as possible, w~]thout wasting more time on further study sessions and public hearings. All groups concerned have had opportunities to study the proposed amendments. Considerable discussion followed. Haines briefly reviewed the Sign Review Commj_ttee's reco~nendations for revision on the sign ordinance. He pointed out that the committee felt the amortization schedule was the "major sore spot" in the entire ordinance. Some discussion followed. City Attorney Skerry expressed concern that the matter would require more than one study session since recommendations from various commissions and committees are involved and would have to be considered. Jones indicated that he felt the Council was not acting as rapidly as it should on the matter. Willstatter pointed out tha~ he thought Council would act on the ordinance immediately following receipt of the Sign Review Committee's recommendations. City Attorney Skerry pointed out that_ Mayor then referred study of the matter to the Development Commission and Planning Commission for recommendation. Following some discussion, it was moved by Haines, seconded by Dodge that staff be directed to present at the next regular session of the Ashland City Council the recommendations of the Sign Review Committee in ordinance form for discussion and passage. On roll call, carried unanimously. At this time, City Administrator Boshears read resolution requesting Southern Oregon College to purchase an aerial ladder fire truck for the City of Ashland. It was moved by Haines, seconded by Dodge that the rules be suspended and resolution passed to second reading by title only. On roll call, carried unanimously. Council Minutes Mar~h 3, 1970 Page 6 Following second reading by title only, it was moved by Haines, seconded by Roberts that the resolution be adopted. On roll call, carried unanimously. At this time, Mr. Robert Jeter, 1077 Ashland Street, asked that City crews be directed to inspect his alley, with the possibility of leveling it to prevent mud and gravel from flooding his lawn when it rains. Public Works Director Alsing indicated he has inspected the subject property and did not recognize a problem in that area. It was indicated that more investigation would be made into the matter. It was Councii's decision to schedule a study session with the Charter Revision Committee on Tuesday, March 10, 1970, at 1 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned subject to the call of the Mayor. lcr