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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1970-0317 REG MINMINUTES FOR REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL MARCH 17, 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. All Councilmen were present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: It was moved by Roberrs, seconded by jones that the minutes of the March 3, 1970, regular meeting and March 10, 1970, adjourned meeting be approved. Motion carried unanimously. At this time, the meeting was recessed temporarily while the Council and audience moved to the Hillah Temple in order to accommodate a larger audience. The meeting reconvened at approximately 7:40 p.m. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: It was moved by Haines, seconded by Bailer that the departmental reports for the month of February 1970, be accepted and placed on file. On roll call, carried unanimously. STANDING CO~LMITTEE REPORTS: a. Finance & Property Committee - No Report b. Public Service Committee - Chairman Haines reviewed and proposed ~he following recommendations from the Public Service Committee: (1) Committee recommends that the design for public phone booths as submitted by Pacific Northwest Bell, and as approved by the architect and the Ashland Development Commissio~ be accepted as the official design for Ashland phone booths. The following locations are recommended for approval by Council: (a) C and Pioneer Streets; (b) Gresham and Hargadine; (c) front Of Siskiyou Electric on Main and Second; (d) between Fortmillers' and Chamber of Commerce office. It was moved by Haines, seconded by Bailer that Council approve the design and above listed locations. On roll call, carried unanimously. (2) The Municipal Court Judge has requested that he be provided with money to pay his secretary to perform court clerk duties following termination of the court clerk on April 1. This action would require a transfer of $775 from Personal Services Council Minutes March 17, 1970 Page 2 Account to Office Expense Account. It was moved by Haines, seconded by Dodge that the City Judge be provided with money under Office Expense Account to remunerate his secretary for acting as clerk of the City Court. On roll call, carried unanimously. (3) It was moved by Haines, seconded by Bailer that the Mayor appoint a committee to study the Uniform Building Code with the idea of possible revisions to make it more adaptabl~ to Ashland. Some discussion followed. City Administrator Boshears pointed out that the Building Appeals Board of the City is currently working on some of these codes. One particular code under consideration at this time is the Electrical Code, with the idea of possibly adopting the State Electrical Code for the City. He suggested that this body be the study committee appointed to review the Building Code. Haines thought perhaps this body, along with some interested citizens, would be appropriate. Mr. J. C. Busch, Planning Com- mission Chairman, pointed out that the Planning Commission intends to study certain aspects of the Building Code and offers its assistance to the study of this matter. On roll call on motion that Mayor appoint a committee to study the Building Code, carried unanimously. (4) ,Chairman Haines indicated that the committee wishes to express its distress that Council has not yet, nearly nine months into the fiscal year, received an audit of last fiscal year and asked about the delay. City Administrator Boshears indicated that staff has been in constant contact with the contracted firm. It was pointed out that the firm did receive a time extension to the middle of February. Some discussion followed. c. Streets & Traffic Committee- Chairman Willstatter reported that the committee met on March 7, 1970, with staff and representativ~g of Crater National Bank to discuss First Street traffic patterns. There was some concern by the committee of the business on the west side of the street having ample parking. It was pointed out that Western Oil had no particular parking problems; however, Wright Realty does not have adequate parking. The committee felt that parking on one side of the street only would be acceptable. Mr. Bill Wright was present and expressed his concern for adequate parking for his business. Willstatter recommended that a public hearing be set to further study the matter. He reported that there was also some discussion regarding changing the location of the sidewalk on the south side of Siskiyou Boulevard to the south side of the new parking lot at Southern Oregon College; however, the Council Minutes March 17, 1970 Page 3 Highway Commission should be contacted regarding their feelings on the matter. At this point, Mr. Willstatter moved that staff be instructed to paint the currently two-hour parking spaces in front of Siskiyou Electric to white and erect a sign designating "authorized vehicles only" in front of Perrine Electric. Motion seconded by Dodge. City Administrator Boshears asked for clari- fication regarding who would be "authorized." It was Council's decision that Perrine Electric vehicles be authorized in this particular area. On roll call, carried unanimously. Mr. Bill Wright pointed out that he was opposed to two-way traffic on First Street. It was moved by Willstatter, seconded by Bailer that a public hearing be set for April 7 at 8 p.m.' to discuss traffic flow on First Street. On roll call, carried unanimously. Brief discussion followed. SPECIAL CO~,~ITTEE REPORTS: 1. Coordinator Soderberg extended an invitation to members of the Council to attend an informal reception for Robert A. Podesta, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for the Economic Development AdminiStration, Washington, D.C. The reception will be held at the Mark Antony Hotel lobby at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, 1970. Coordinator Soderberg informed the Council that the Development Commission is in the process of recruiting volunteer help to assist in the program to landscape and develop the Standard Oil -property as a parking lot. The Development Commission requested that the present City ordinance on sidewalks be revised to provide for exposed aggregate and brick materials. The Development Commission requested that an ordinance be drawn up by the City Attorney and ado ted b the the issuance of warrants up to ~261,0~0 to Council authorizing pay EDA project costs. Coordinator Soderberg pointed out that there is still $281,000 outstanding from the federal government in grant payments on the project (Angus Bowmer Theatre Project). He indicated that the contractor on Phase I requested, and the architect recommended, that half of the retainage be paid to the contractor as a progress payment. It is the recommendation of the Development Commission that this payment be made subject to obtaining release of liens from all subcontractors and suppliers or verification of any payments due subcontractors and suppliers. Any amount due the subcontractors or suppliers could be withheld or checks made out jointly to the contractor and subcontractor or suppliers. Coordinator Soderberg reported that Jackson County Housing Authority has transmitted a letter to the City Administrator requesting the elimination of paragraph 2 of the adopted res01uticnrelated to the operation of Section 23 Lease Housing Program. He indicated that the Development Commission will recommend alternate wording of.that Council Minutes March 17, 1970 Page 4 particular section which will fulfill the initial wording requirement and intention of the original resolution. At this point there was considerable discussion regarding the above listed recommendations of the Development Commission. City Attorney Skerry read ordinance authorizing issuance and execution by the Mayor and City Recorder of warrants in accordance with provisions of Oregon State Statutes for the grant contract between the City and the Economic Development Administration. It was moved by Haines, seconded by Roberts that the rules be suspended and ordinance passed to second. reading by title only. On roll call, carried 5-1, with Jones dissenting. Following second reading by title only, it was moved by Haines, seconded by Bailer that Ordinance No. 1646 be adopted. On roll call, carried 5-1, with Jones dissenting. The Mayor referred the matter of the Jackson County Housing Authority's request to alter the wording of the subject resOlutbn to the Public Service Committee for study. Mr. Ralph Eaton, Executive Director of the Jackson County Housing Authority, read letter dated February 18, 1970, which was transmitted to the City Administrator, explaining the reasons for the requested change in wording. He urged the Council to take action on the matter as soon as possible. CO~4UNICATIONS: 1. It was moved by Haines, seconded by Willstatter that the Planning.Cof~nission minutes of March 9, 1970, be accepted and placed on file. .On roll call, carried unanimously. 2. It was moved by Haines, seconded by Bailer that the DeVelOpment Commission minutes of February 13, 1970, be accepted and placed on file. On roll call, carried unanimously. 3. City Administrator Boshears reported that a petition had been received, signed by 3 of the 5 property owners involved, requesting curb, gutter and paving of Elms Street from Leonard to Palmer Road. It was moved by Roberts, seconded by Bailer that the City Attorney be instructed to draw up an ordinance.setting a public hearing on April 21 for curb, gutter and paving of the subject street. On roll call, carried unanimously. 4. City Administrator Boshears presented a petition, signed by 6 of the 7 property owners involved, requesting curb, gutter and paving of Verda Street between Linda Street and Plaza. Mr. R. W. Voris expressed concern that adequate storm sewers were not constructed in the area surrounding the subject property to be paved. City Administrator Boshears indicated staff would be happy to meet with Mr. Voris to discuss the matter; however, the solution to the overall problem would be a complete storm sewer system for Ashland. It was moved by Roberts, seconded by Bailer that staff be instructed Council Minutes March 17, 1970 Page 5 to prepare an ordinance setting a public hearing on the matter of curb, gutter and paving of Verda on April 21. On roll call, carried unanimously. 5. City Administrator Boshears indicated that staff had received letters from Bards Inn, Ashland Motel, Carlton Motel and Palm Motel regarding the proposed bed tax. He pointed out that all the subject motels were opposed to the tax. Among the reasons listed for this opposition w~re the tax would be a deterrent to the motel business; the motels already carry their fair share of the tax burden; the money collected from the proposed tax would do no more than pay for costs of collecting subject tax, etc. The Ashland Motel commended the Police Department for their excellent handling of Skiesta weekend. Mr. Cliff Moran presented a letter from Valley Entrance Motel expressing the same opposition as the other four letters. City Administrator Boshears pointed out that the proposed tax has not yet been finalized. It is in the process of being drafted now and will be reviewed by the Finance & Property Committee in th~ near future. He pointed out that there will be a public hearing on the matter before Council action is taken. Mr. Moran presented a petition bearing signatures of several business people in Ashland stating they did not want any action taken that would tend to drive people away from Ashland. 6. City AdministratOr Boshears reported that a letter had been received'from the Oregon State Board of Health transmitting a certificate of merit to the Ashland water supply system in recognition of the accomplishment of the City's personnel in safeguarding the public health. Bailer commended the Water Department for its excellent work. 7. City Administrator Boshears indicated a letter had been received inviting the Mayor, Council and public officials to attend a dinner meeting of the Southern Oregon Peace Officers Association on March 18, 1970, at 7 p.m. at Kim's Restaurant. The guest speaker, Mr. Jim Dunlevy, will speak on the topic of "The Future of Law Enforcement in Oregon." 8. City Administrator Boshears reported that a letter had been received from the Ashland Garden Club requesting that Council take action to move the Sever~hSt st~ge yard to a "less conspicuous place." Following brief discussion, the'Mayor referred study of the matter to the Finance & Property Com/nittee. 9. A letter was received from William Keddie regarding various C~ty improvements. No action was taken by Council on matter. At this time, Mr. James Conklin presented a petition signed by approximately 250 businessmen in Ashland expressing their appreciation Council Minutes March 17, 1970 Page 6 for the Council's hard work on the many issues which confronted them this past year. The petition further stated that the undersigned trusts that Council's decision in the sign ordinance (as amended by the Mayor's spcial committee) will be another right decision. No action action taken on matter. City Administrator brought to Council's attention a letter from the Ashland JayCees urging the continuance of the Ashland Development Commission and praising the commissiOn's work in securing two federal grants and implementing the projects. No Council action taken on matter. SPECIAL AGENDA ITEMS: New & Miscellaneous Business: It was moved by Bailer, seconded by W~llstatter that staff be instructed to adopt specifications and call for bids on approximately 1,000 feet of pneumatically applied mortar lining for an irrigation ditch. On roll call, carried unanimously. Ordinances, Resolutions & Contracts: 1. City Attorney Skerry read resolution commending City crews for receipt of an annual safety award from the State Accident Insurance Fund. It was moved by Bailer, seconded by Haines that the resolution be adopted. On roll call, carried unanimously. 2. City-Attorney Skerry read assignment of interest in franchise from Ashland Sanitary Service Company to Ashland Sanitary Service Incorporated (Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Wenker and Mr. and Mrs. Gary Rigotti). It was pointed out in June of 1965, when the partnership known as Ashland Sanitary Service Company was changed to a cQrporation known as Ashland Sanitary Service Incorporated, there was no assignment of the franchise granted in Ordinance No. 1373. It was moved by Bailer, seconded by Haines that the assign- ment be approved and accepted by Council, thereby transferring the franchise to Ashland Sanitary Service Incorporated. On roll call, carried unanimously. 3. Ordinance amending sign ordinance - There was considerable discussion regarding a few "last-minute" changes to the ordinance amending Ordinance No. 1588. Two major points of discussion were regarding Section 2 of the amending ordinance relating to window signs; and Section 29 relating to duties of the Sign Review Board. Mr. James Ragland, Chairman, Sign Review Board, felt the board should have the power to approve and refuse permits for signs, rather than simply recommend. More discussion followed along this line. City Attorney Skerry reviewed subject changes to amending ordinance with Council. It was moved by Haines, seconded by Willstatter that the ordinance be passed to second reading~ On roll call, carried unanimously. Council Minutes March 17, 1970 Page 7 Mr. J. C. Busch, Chairman of Planning Commission and Development Commission expressed his appreciation for the calm discussion and intelligent decisionsmade by Council at this particular session. He pointed out that he was, however, disappointed that the Planning Co~mission's recommendations for changes to the sin ordinance were not considered Mr. Tommy P~rker also expressed his thanks to fo~ the Council productive meeting. 4. City Attorney Skerry indicated that he felt another meeting with Council and members of the Char~er Revision Committee was necessary before an ordinance establishing a ballot title for amend- ment of the Ashland City Charter could be presented. Mr. Skerry read the proposed ballot title and Mrs. Audrey Hawk reviewed the latest amendment to the Charter with Council. March 23 at 4 p.m. was date established for adjourned Council meeting to act on ordinance establishing ballot title. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned subject to the call of the Mayor. City Recorder ' lcr