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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1970-0818 REG MINMINUTES FOR REGULAR MEETING AS}tLAND CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 18, 1970 The regular 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. All Councilmen were present. · APPROVAL OF blINUTES- Willstatter requested that the August 4, 1970, minutes be corrected to reflect that he was concerned that the City Attorney had not received a copy of a letter from OSFA to the Development Com- mission dated May 21, 1970 (page 2, .#6). It was moved by Bailer, seconded by Dodge that the minutes of the August 4, 1970, regular meeting be accepted as corrected and placed on file. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS' It was moved by Bailer, seconded by Roble that the departmenta! reports for the month of July be acc.epted and placed on file. Following some discussion, motion carried'unanimously. STANDING COblMITTEE REPORTS' a. Finance & Property Committee - Acting Administrator Biegel informed the Council that Coastal Dynamics Corporation agreed to the proposed property exchange and deeds are being prepared at this time. No Council action taken. b. Public-Service Committee - No Report c. Streets & Traffic Committee - No Report SPECIAL COb~IITTEE REPORTS' Acting Administrator Biegel informed the Council that curbing will be removed on Third Street near' the new service station and diagonal parking for seven cars established. CObIMUNICATIONS' 1. Acting Administrator Biegel presented a letter dated August 11, 1970, from Mr. K. W. Windbigler, 1009 Oneida Circle, appealing Planning Con, mission action on Zone Variance #109 regarding front 'setback variance. Public Works Director Alsing .explained that Mr. Windbigler is requesting that the front yard setback be reduced from 20 to 15 feet. Acting Administrator Biegel presented a map of the s~b'iect area. It was moved by Willstatter, seconded by Bailer that the City Attorney be directed to dra~..~ up-an erd~nance sett'ing apt, blic hearing on the matter. On roll call, carried unanim, ously. Council Minutes '2- o. August 18, 1970 2. Acting Administrator Biegel presented a letter dated August 15, 1970, from the Economic Development Commission requesting that Council consider a policy in which they would agree to provide municipal services to new industry locating in an acceptable location adjacent to the city limits, providing the industry will agree to annex to the City one year £rom completion of construction. The matter was referred to the Finance & Property Committee for study ahd recommendation. 3. Acting Administrator Biegel presented a letter from Lola Hendry transmitting an article from Readers' Digest concerning the community's fight against crime, etc. Mrs. Hendry also suggested that the Mayor appoint a group of concerned citizens to study the matter. I-t was moved by Bailer, seconded by Willstatter that the matter be referred to the Public Service Committee for study. On motion, carried unanimously. 4'. Acting Administrator Biegel presented a letter from Harry A. Skerry, Jr., concerning vacation of an alley running from Elm-Street to Prospec~ Avenue. The Mayor referred the letter to the Streets & Traffic Committee for study and recommendation. SPECIAL AGENDA I2n~IS a. Unfinished Business' 1. Award of bid on paving rock - Acting Administrator Biegel reporte'd that two bids were received--the lowest being from M. C. Lininger & Sons in the amount of $6,816.00. It was moved by Bailer, seconded by Willstatter that apparent low bid be accepted and awarded to Lininger & Sons in the amount specified. On roll call, carried unanimously. 2. Award of bid on transformer - Acting Administrator Biegel recommended that bid be awarded to RTE Corporation in the amount of $4,264. He pointed out that one lower bid had been received, however, material was included in the b~d which was not noted in the City specifications. It was moved by Willstatter, seconded by Bailer that bid be awarded to RTE Corporation in the amount specified. On roll call, carried unanimously. 3. Phase II OSFA bid report - Acting Administrator Biegel reported that Phase II bids are still under advisement· }{e indicated that a meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, Augusf 20, 1970, with the Oregon Shakespearean Festival 'Association and the City to discuss the matter· 4 8 O0 P ,M PU~,IC HEARING Deferred ~ntil 8 O0 p.m. Council }-linutes -3- August'18, 1970 New & Miscellaneous Business' 1 Acting Administrator Biegel requested autherity to proceed with the audit on the EDA Project. It was moved by Bailer, seconded by Jones that staff be authorized to proceed with the audit. It was estimated tha~ the audit would cost $800. On roll call, carrie~d unanimously. Ordinances, Resolutions & Contracts' 1.' "Acting Administrator Biegel requested permission to : schedule a meeting for August 27, 1970, to discuss the sign ordinance; ordinance setting duties of recorder/ treasurer; and adopting underground electrical wiring for the City. The meeting will begin at 7'30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. No objections were raised. (Special Council meeting scheduled) At this time, Councilwoman Dodge suggested that City Attorney Scannell give a brief presentation regarding the Council discussion held on Monday, August 17, 1970, concerning the possibility of combining the positions of City Administrator and Development Coordinator. Roberts suggested that a member of the Council give the presentation, since it actually was a-Council matter. Dodge pointed out that Mr. Scannell. had been in contact 'with the new administrator, Mr. Brian AlmRuist, just this morning and she felt it important that Mr. Scanne]l relate this conversation. (Discussion continued following 8'00 p.m. public hearing.') SPECIAL AGENDA iTEMS' (continued) 4. 8'00 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING' Glendower from Oxford Street to city limits - There being no objections, it was moved by Willstatter, seconded by Jones that staff be directed to prepare an ordinance ordering in subject curb, gutter and paving. On roll cai.l, carried unanimously. At this time, Roberts explained that a meeting had been called for Monday evening, August 17, 1970, at the request of certs.in members of the Council to discuss the function of the Development Coordinator as it exists in the City at the present time. He pointed out that, at the time Council was intervie;~'ing applicants for the administrator position, the applicants were asked if they had had experience in federal grant projects, etc., with the t~ought in mind that perhaps the two positions of City Administrator and De;~elopment Coordinator could be combined. At that time, Mr. Biegel recommended that the new administrator be given some time to become acquainted with Ashland before taking on the added responsibility of the coordinator's position He thou,~ht he should be included with those arriving at a decis'ion on the matter of combining the two positions. Council Minutes -4- August 18, 1970 Mrs. Dodge pointed out that Council had conferred with Mr. Biegel regarding combining the two positions knd he felt it would be a satisfactory arrangement. She added that the Council also felt it more economical to have the-administrator handle both functions. At this time, City Attorney Scannell indicated that, with Council's permission, he traveled to Seattle to meet with Dave Wallace of EDA. He pointed' out that he understood that · 'Council was mainly concerned with duplication of effort on the part of the administrator and coordinator, blt. Scannell reported that he had called Mr" Almquist in the. morning to confirm blt. Almquist's desire to take on the responsibility of the coordinator when feasible. He indicated that he was qualified to take over this function if Council' decided to combine the two positions. Mr. Scannell then gave a summary of the status of the EDA Project and portions of the Lithia Park Extension Project. He emphasized that the City of Ashland is fully committed to both projects and cannot possibly terminate the projects now. He indicated that the EDA Project has been having difficulty with bidders due to. outstanding accounts in Phase I and these matters should'be cleared up as soon as possible. Some discussion followed. Development Coordinator Soderberg indicated fhat he felt Mr. 'Scannell's remakrs were a personal attach against him; he felt it was a holdover from the recent recall election. He questioned the fact that Mr. Scannell quoted 'several people dur4ng his presentation on the status of the EDA Projecf, but failed to inform ~hose people quoted that he intended to do so. He also expressed concern that the Development Commission was not invited to attend the Council meeting. He pointed out that he personally felt the City Administrator could not possibly handle both jobs, since that of administrator is a full-time position. He then asked Council members whether or not they were serving strictly for the benefit of the community. He added that he hoped the voters would have their chance in November. Mr. Charles Lockridge indicated that he is a member of a corporation which has taken an option in the community. After t.alking with the president of the corporation this even'lng, and following the discussien held by Council tonight, he is not so sure thc corporation will want to locate in Ashland. Some discussion followed. There being no further business, 'the meeting k'as adjourned subject to the call of the blayor-. · lcr City Recorder