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