Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1970-0519 REG MINMINUTES FOR REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL MAY 19, 1970 The regular meeting of the City Council was held in the City Conncil Chambers, City Hall on the above date. The meeting was called to order by Mayer McKeen. All Councilmen were present. APPROVAl, OF MINUTES: It was moved by Bailer, seconded by Dodge that May S, 1970, regular meeting and May 14, 1970, be approved. Motion tarried unanimously. the minutes of the adjourned meeting DEPARTNENTAL REPOP. TS: It was moved by Bailer, seconded by Jones that the reports for the month of April be placed on file. carried unanimously. departmental On roll call, STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS: a. Finance & Property Committee - Chairman Bailer asked Finance Director Nelson to make presentation for committee. Mr. Nelson indicated that Council had given previous authorization for the City to advertise for' bids for a surplus addressograph system. One bid was received ib. the amount of $220; that bid was turned down. The City presently has a buyer for the graph type for $250 (Cjty of Canby). The remaining addressograph combination can be sold to the Shakespearean Festival for $500. Mr. Nelson indicated that it was staff's recommendation that the addressograph system be sold to these t',vo buyers in the amounts specified. Following some discussion, it was moved by Bailer, seconded by Willstatter that Couacil give authorization for disposal of the equipment. On ro]l call, carried unanimously. At this time, the meeting was recessed Temple to accommodate a large audience. at approximate!y 7:4S p.m. and moved to the Hillah The meeting was reconvened b. Public Service Committee - No Report c. Streets & Traffic Committee - No Report SPECIAL, CObiMITThE REPORTS: None C O~[ UN I CAT I ON S: 1o Letter of resignation from City Administrator Gary L. Boshears It was moved by hqilstatter, seconOed by Bailer that, in vie~¢ of the action taken by Council on May 5, !970, the letter of rcsignation be rejected. Some discussion followed. Willstatter then amended his Council Minutes -2- May 99, 1970 motion to read in view of the previous action of the Council taken on May 5, 1970, the letter be placed on file. On roll ca.ll, carried unanimously · At this time, City Attorney Skerry asked that Ceuncil suspend the regular order of business. He then read a letter dated May 19, 1970, submitting his resignation as City Attorney effective at such time as is convenient with the Mayor and Common Council. The letter stated his reason for resigning as increased responsibility in the position of City Attorney has necessitated his sacrificing much of his private practive; and his conviction that Mr. Boshears was a very dedicated City Administrator, therefore, Mr. Skerry's vim~s on the responsibili.ties of the Council and City staff differed with those of a majority of the Council. Mr. Skerry pointed out that, during his 20+ years as City Attorney, he has always received full cooperation from the City's dedicated personnel. It was moved by Bailer, seconded by Willstatter that Mr. Skerry's resignation be accepted effective immediately following the adjournment of the meeting. On roll call, carried unanimously. Robe~ts thanked Mr. Skerry on behalf of the City Council, City staff and the citizens of Ash]an~ for his fine and dedicated service to Ashland's municipal government. Mr. Willstatter and the Mayor also expressed their gratitude for Mr. Skerry's service. 2. Planning Commission Minutes of May 11, 1970 - Willstatter, seconded by Jones that the Planning of May 11, 1970, be accepted and placed on fjle. unanimously. It was moved by Commission minutes Motion carried 3. Development Commission Minutes of April 24, 1970 - Mayor McKeen read a letter dated May 18, 1970, from James C. Busch, Chairman of the Development Commission, which indicated that the committee unanimously supports the hiring of the firm of Mitchell and McArthur to prepare drawings and contract documents on the Lithid Park Extension Project. The letter requests Council authorization to proceed with signing of an appropriate contract for these services. Willstatter asked if the firm would stay within the budgeted $9,000. Bailer replied that the firm indicated they would stay within the budgeted figure. It was moved by Bailer, seconded by DoHge that Council approve the contract with Mitchell and McArthur. On roll call, carried unanimously. SPECIAL AGENDA ITEMS: Unfinished Business: 1. Adopt specifications and call for bids - City Liability Insurance Copies of the specifications were distributed to Council. Financc Director Nelson explained that one major change was to in'crease the amount of coverage to coincide more with state law. A three-yeai~ term with annual audit was also recommendcd. Bids were confined to insurance agencies within the City of Ash]and. It was moved by Council Minutes May 19, 1970 Willstatter, seconded by Bailer that Council authorize staff to adopt specifications and call for bids for liability insurance. At this time, Mr. Leroy Hester indicated that the three-year policy requirement would eliminate many companies in town from bidding. Some discussion followed. Bailer t~en amended the motion to authorize the Finance Director to investigate the matter, using both three-year terms and one-year terms. On roll call, carried unanimously. New & Miscellaneous Business: 1. Mayor's appointment of Mr. E. C. Biegel as Acting City Administrator - It was moved by Bailer, seconded by Jones that the appointment be confirmed. On roll call, carried unanimously. 2. Mayor's appointment of Budget Committee members Mayor McKeen appointed Dr. ~illiam Ramsey and Mr. Clarence Williams to the Budget Committee to serve three-year terms which will expire on December 31, 1972. There was some discussion regarding Willstatter's concern that Dr. Ramsey was also a member of the Hospital Board and that he might not have sufficient time to devote to Budget Committee business. Mayor McKeen then suggested Mrs. Mary Alice Moore as another possible appoiml~ent. Following brief discussion, it was moved by Bsiler, seconded by Willstatter that Dr. Ramsey and Clarence Willffams be confirmed. On roll call, carried unanimously. 3. Council election of new councilman It was suggested by Bailer that each Council member contsct people who they feel may wish to serve on the Council and then report back at a special study session. Following some discussion, the study session was scheduled for Thursday, May 28, 1970, at 10 a.m. At this time, City Recorder Bartelt presented a letter dated May 17, 1970, from Mrs. George Jensen, at the request of Mr. R. H. Maxwell and ~r. R. W. Voris, containing several questions relating to the proposed amended charter. Mrs. Harry Hawk, Ct~airman, Charter Revision Committee, read a letter dated May 19, 1970, in reply to Mrs. Jensen's letter. Mrs. tlawk proceeded to answer questiotas raised in Mrs. Jensen's letter. Mrs. Hawk pointed out that the charter is a good document and recommended that it rmi~ain on the May 26 Primary ballot. Following some discussion, it was moved by ~Vi]lstatter, seconded by Bailer that the Council withdraw the resolution passed by Council on March 23, 1970, regarding the charter and that the ballot measure be declared null and void. City Recorder Bartelt pointed otlt that it is impossible to remove the ballot measure from the b8llots at this point since the b~llots have already been printed, etc. Roberrs suggested working out the apparent differences at a study session prior to May 26. He pointed out that the charter ~as not approved in haste and he felt it was a simple matter of interpreting the proposed amendments to the charter. Mrs. Dodge Council Minutes -4- May 19, 1970 pointed out that the Council had reviewed several of the questions presented in Mrs. Jensen's letter with Mrs. Hawk prior to the Council meeting and still had many reservations regard~!g the pro- posed charter. She indicated that there were some things in the charter which were not agreed to by Council ~n previous Council sessions and she would like an opportunity now to review these changes. Mrs. Hawk pointed out that the m~terial presented to Council previously had not been changed, with the exception of changes suggested by Council. She emphasized that the document the Council approved on March 23~ 1970, was the same document that will be presented to the voters for approval on May 26, 1970. Considerable disucssion followed. Jones indicated that apparently the Council had made a mistake in approving the charter on March 23, 1970, and, follmving reconsideration, has decided that more study is needed before the charter goes to the voters. At this time~ Mayor McKeen requested a five- minute recess to confer with the City Attorney. The meeting was reconvened and the City Attorney indicated that he did not know ~rhat the legal repercussions ~'ot~ld be if the Cot~ncil voted to remove the charter from the May 26 ballot. On roll on Willstatter's motion to withdraw the March 23 resolution, carried 4-1, with Roberrs d~]ssenting. New & ,Miscellaneous Business: (continued) 4. Adopt specifications and call for bids asphalt concrete p~ving - Public Works Director Alsing indicated that bids would be opened at 1 p.m. on May 29, 1970. It was moved by Willstatter, seconded by Dodge that staff be instructed to open bids on May 29, 1970. On roll cell, carried unanimously. O_J_d_j:Eances, Resolutions & Contracts: 1. City Attorney Skerry reviewed an agreement between Jackson County and the City of Ashland concerning transfer oi~ library operating costs. He jndicated that the County Commissioners would ]lke to have both agreement and ~esolution in a couple of days if possible. Following brief discussion, Mrs. Carol Al~h!rso~ re~uested that a change be made in the agreement that title of all books be transfered to the Cotmty '%~ith the exception of the Shakespeare collection presently in the Ashland Library." Mr. Glen Munse]l, Library Board member and County Library Board of Trustees member, indicated that he came to the meeting with a reccmmendation from the Ashland Library Board that the resolution approving the transfer be adopted. However, the agreement i.s not w.hat he had understood it to be and he reco~m~ended further study before action was taken. Cons~:derable discussion followed. It was decjded by Council that an adjourned meeting would be called in the immediate fixture to act on the agreemeni and resolution. Council Minutes May 19, 1970 City Attorney Skerry indicated that he and his associate counsel on the Beall Pipe and Tank matter would submit a bill for attorneys' fees in the near future. At this time, the Mayor appointed Mr. Rona]d Salter as the new City Attorney for the City of Ashla~d and a~ked for confirmation from Council. It was moved by Roberts that the appointment be confirmed. Motion died for lack of a second. The Mayor then asked the Council for suggestions regarding an alternate appointment. It was suggested by Bailer that Mr. Gerald Scannell be appointed as City Attorney. The Mayor appointed Mr. Scannel as the new City Attorney an~ it was moved by Bailer, seconded by Dodge that the appointment be confirmed. On roll call, carried 4-1, with Roberts dissenting. There being no'further business~ the meeting was adjeurned subject to the call of the Mayor. City Recorder lcr