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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1970-1228 ADJOURNED MINMINUTES FOR ADJOURNED MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL DECEMBER 28, 1970 An adjourned meeting of the City Council was held in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, on the above date. The meeting was called to order by Mayor McKeen at approximately 3:00 p.m. Councilmen present: Dodge, Jones, Roble, Willstatter. Councilmen absent: Bailer, Roberts It was decided to defer discussion of annexation charges until City Attorney Scannell arrived at the meeting. New & Miscellaneous Business: Willstatter, Chairman of the Streets & Traffic Committee, reported that it was his committee's recommendation that two loading zones be established on the Plaza--one to serve the Dahlia Restaurant and the other to serve Lithia Grocery. He pointed out that the merchants have had considerable difficulty receiving their deliveries because the delivery trucks could not find parking places near the locatim~s. Willstatter indicated that he had discussed the matter with Police Chief Hays and City Administrator Alm~uist. Mr. Alm~uist said he would make a s~rvey of the needs of tho b~s~nesses in ~uestion and perhaps establish restrictive hours for the loading ZOneS. Willstatter also reported that the Streets & Traffic Committee had been concerned with the traffic hazard created by the construction on Pioneer Street. It was pointed out that the contractor could not proceed as planmed due to the bad weather and something should be done in the interim to alleviate the traffic problem. It was the committee's recominendation that Mr. Alm~uist confer with the contractor to try to work out a temporary solution to the problem. WillstUtter suggested that, whenever feasible, staff should look into the possibility of perhaps working with the County to improve the condition of Oak Street. He suggested that maybe the City could get the County to scrape the street and the City then put an oil mat on the area. Considerable discussion followed. It was moved by Roble~ seconded by DoHge that the Streets & Traffic Committee recommendation concerning loading zones on the Plaza be adopted. On roll call, csrried unanimously. It was moved by Roble, seconded by Dodge that staff be instructed to come up with some temporary easement on Pioneer Street so the ljght can be operstive and the traffic hazard alleviated until the contractor can proceed with construction. On roll call, carried nil ~ ~1 ~ mou s ] y. There was some dicussion regarding the City audit. City Administrator Almquist indicated that the audit should be ready for presentation this wee~. Jones recommended that the City require the auditors to submit the audit three months after the end of the fiscal year. Finance Director Nelson pointed out that the present auditors were not a~are that the Council wanted the audit that soon; however, he felt three months was a reasonable length of time and the staff will write a letter to that effect if the Council desires. Considerable discussion followed. Although City Attorney Scannell was not present at the meeting, it was decided to go ahead with discussion of annexation assessments at the request of Mr. Jones. Mr. Jones first expressed concern that the City would be liable for over one million dollars if someone wanted to re-initiate plans for a program drawn up in 1965 for expansion of the Oak Knoll Golf Course and the building of a ~ew club house and other improvements, as well as sewer, water and an access road to serve the facilities. It was pointed out that this program is no longer valid and the commission wBich originally establisBed the plan has been dissolved. Some discussion followed. City Administrator Almquist read a letter and report from the League of Oregon Cities concerning annexation fees. Jones felt that all properties annexed to the City since 1956 should be assessed, with interest being charged on the unpaid balance. It was pointed out by staff that the original policy of the City was to m~ke assessments when the property was sold, not when it was annexed. Considerable discussion followed. Jones suggested that an ordinance be drawn up establishing a firm policy and charging interest on unpaid balances. There was also some discussion concerning outstanding utility bills a~d the City's policy for collection. It was moved by Jones, seconded by Willstatter that staff be instructed to present to the new Council the annexation assessment matter at an early meeting for whatever action they wish to take. On roll call, carried unanimously. ]'here being no further business, the meeting was adjourned subject to the call of the Mayor. lcr City Rdcorder'