HomeMy WebLinkAbout1970-0827 REG MINMINUTES'FOR SPECIAL MEETING
ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 27, 1970
A special 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.
Liquor license - Acting Administrator Biegel presented an
application for a beer license from the Black Forest. It
was indicated that there was a change in ownership of one
of the partners of tlxe establishment. The application had
been reviewed by the-Police Department and given approval.
It was moved by Bailer, seconded by Willstatter that the
application be granted. On roll tall, carried unanimously.
Acting Administrator Biegel presented a letter from Gary R.
'Picard, 27 North ~lain Street, supporting the Development-
Coordinator and his efforts for a successful Plaza Project
completion.
a. Acting Administrator read ordinanc% to be kno~¢n as the sign
ordinance and repealing Ordinance No. 1541, 1588, 1599, 1607
and 1650, by title only. It was moved by 17i!lstatter, seconded
by Dodge that the rules be suspended and ordinance passed
to second reading by tit].e only. On roll call, carried
unanimously. Follo~ving second reading by title only, it was
moved by Bailer, seconded by Jones that Ordinance No. 1657 be
· adopted. On roll call, carried unanimously.
b. Acting Administrator Biegel read ordinance prescribing the
duties of the recorde~'/treasurer of the City of Ashland. It ~as
moved by Willstatter, seconded by Dodge that the rules be suspended
and ordinance passed to second reading by t~tle only. On roll
call, carried unaninlously. City Attorney Scannell suggested that
the ordinance be read by title only at the next regular meeting;
the Council xvas in agreement.
c. Acting AdmJ. nistrator Biegel read resolution concerning an
agreement ;,'iti~ Southern Pacific Transportation Company concerning
installation of a 220-volt overhead po~cer line crossing over the
Sout?~ern Pacific Transportation Company right of way at mile post
430.25 in the City o£ ~\shland (North Main St~'eet). Mr. Biege]
indicated the cest ~.:ould be appro::imately $100. It was moved
by I;aile:', seconded by Jones tt~at the rules be Suspended and
resolt~tion passed to second reading by title enl)'. On roll call,
carried unanimously. Follo~,'in~g secoxld reading by title only, it wa.s
moved by Wi]lstatter, seconded by I)odge that the resolution be
adopted. On roll call, carried unanimously.
Council Minutes
-2- August 27, 1970
d. Acting Administrator Biegel read resolution concerning an
agreement with Southern Pacific Transportation Cor. pany concerning
installation of an S-inch cast iron line beneath the SP railroad
tracks at East Main Street crossing at mile post 428.42. It ~as
moved by Bailer, seconded by Dodge that the rules be suspended
and resolution passed to second reading by title only. On roll
call, carried unanimously. Following second reading by title
only, it was moved by ~?illstatter, seconded by Bailer that the
resolution be adopted. On roll call, carried-unanimously.
e. Acting Administrator Biegel read resolution concerning an
agreement with Southern Pacific Transportation Conpany concerning
' ~ nd imp t o enn .reet crossing in C-429 9
the widen~:s a rovemen f G1 S+ .
in the-City of Ashland. It was moved by Bailer, seconded by Jones
that the rules-be suspended and resolution passed to second reading
by title only. On roll call, carried unanimousljr. Follo',?ing sec.o;~d
reading by title only, it was moved by Willstatter, seconded by
Dodge that the resolution be adotfted. On roll call, carried
unanimously.
'f. Acting Administrator.Biegel read ordinance amending Ordinance
No. 1399 concerning the administrative and operating departn~ents
of the City of Ashland and declaring an emergency. It was moved
by Bailer, seconded by Jones that the ru}es be suspended a~d
ordinance passed to second reading by title only. Follow,'lng some
discussion, City AttoTney Scannell recemme:~ded th'at ordi?.ar, ce be
passed to full reading at the next regular Council meeting. Jones
w~_thdrew his second s.r~d Bailer withdrew.' his motion. It was then
moved by Bailer, seconded by Jones that the ordin~.nce be read at
the next regular meeting of Council.
At this time, Roberts requested that Council reply in some fashion
to the resolution submitted by the Development Commission conc6rning
the retention of the position, of Deveiopmen. t Coordin~toro Bailer
pointed out that Council requested that the City Attorney meet with
members of the Development Commission, and this meeting has taken
place. City Attorney Scannell indicated that he directed a list
of questions concerning the t~'o federal projects ~o the Chairman
of the Development Commission. Considerable discussion followed
· ·
regarding the Developmer~t Commission's wish to answer the quest~o~_s
contained in Mr. Scannell's letter.
Mr. Sid Ainsv:orth quoted seve-ral sect'ions of ORS 457 concerning
the power designated to the Development Commission by the City
Council in regard to the employment of a development coordinator.
Mr. Ains~'orth poJnted out that the Development Commission has
the authority to hire and fire an employee of the Coran~ission and
the Council has no such authority, without consent of the Commission.
Foll. o~,'ing some discussion, Roble expressed concern that tl~e
Council was wil.ling to pass such an ordinance withou,t Ehe
recommendation of the'Acting City Administrator, who had been
hired by this Cou~-~cil with confidence. He pointed out that he
felt the ordinance to be premature and would vote no on its
passage at this time. He continued that he was in favor of
.consolidating the positions of city administrator and 'coordinator,
however, not on the "time schedule Council is proposing.
Jones felt that the consolidation could take place immediately
since the City h'as many other competent department heads who
could assist the ne~v administrator.
Dodge pointed out that Acting AdminiStrator Biegel told her
on several occasions that one man could handle the two positions'
satisfactorily. She pointed out that the Council is concerned
with economy and the City could make a savings if Mr. Soderberg's
$26,000 department ~vere eliminated as soon as possible. She
pointed out that she wants to get the two projects moving.
Wil!statter indicated that Mr. Almquist felt 30 days would be
adequate time to take over the position of coordinator.
Mr. Ains~vorth pointed out that he thought the Council was in
agreement with the recommendation of the Acting Administrator
in regard to giving the coordinator 90 days to work with the
new administrator on the two projects. .Dodge indicated that
this was not her understanding. Considerable discussion
followed. There was some question as to who had been recognized
'by the Mayor to speak, Mayor McKeen indicated that Mr. Ains~vorth
had the floor. Willstatter objected to the ruling of the chair.
Considerable discussion followed regarding the Mayor's ruling.
On roll call regarding the Mayor's ruling that Mr. Ains~orth
had the floor, defeated 4-2, with Robe~'ts and Roble voting in the
affirmative.
More discussion continued regarding, consolidating the two
positions. Mrs. Audrey Hawk requested a recess of the Council
while the recorder investigates the proper city ordinance which
pertains to the last vote of Codncil. · No action ~as taken.
Mr. Harry Skerry asked for clarification of the last ruling
that a citizen may not stand up and speak at a Council meeting
without first requesting permission to do so in ~riting.
Considerable discussion followed. Several. of the Council me~nbers
pointed out that the public has al~vays been given the opportunity
to speak at a Council meeting. Mayor ~,~cKeen pointed out that
as ].ong as.he is Mayor, the people will have an opportunity to
speak.
Mr. Don Cleaver asked Council if th~ projects had been stalled
by Mr. Soderberg. Bailer replied that he is aware that Mr. Soderberg
is involved in other business transactions at this time. He
referred to an issue of the Ashland I.~ai]~,, ~'idings that said
that the ~[UD Project was "read>' to roll" two years ago and it
has not been completed >'et.
Council Minutes -4- August 27, 1970
blr. Ains~,zorth indicated that the implication that ~Ir. Soderberg
is currently involved in land acquisitions and sales in this city.
is not true. He pointed out that an}' such transactions have -
taken .place in his capacity of development coordinator.
Mr. Harry Skerry. indicated that he has utilized Mr. Soderberg's
knowledge and background in the ]ocation, etc., of a firm
he is-representing privately; however, he worked with
Mr. Soderberg '~,'ith the knowledge and consent of the .Mayor.
He indicated that he is very concerned about comp].etion of
the HUD and EDA projects and the City's having adequate
personnel to complete the projects. He pointed out that we
are going to have to set aside some of these biased prejudices
soon or this community is going to be in serious trouole.
Mr. To,amy Parker recommended t'hat the Council follow Mr. Biegel's
recommendation of giving the-new administrator at lea;t 90 days
with the development coordinator before the t~o positions are
consolidated. He said that there is just too much red tape for
one man to handle without having 'the experience necessary for
completion of federal projects.
Mr. Jim C. Busch indicated that he felt it unfortunate that
the Council and Development Commission do not have a vehicle
with which to express their feelings in a ~,'ay that each could
look at the other's point of vie~v. He asked Council to allow
the Commission an opportunity to sit do~...'~f with them before the
next public meeting to discuss the Commission's reasons for
retaining the develooment coordinator. Foilo~.~-ing some discussion,
Dodge pointed out that this matter has been "thrashed out" before
and the ne~.~ administrator comes highly recommended and Council is
sure he can handle zhe two positions satisfactorily.
Mr. Skerry asked if this action had. the reccmmendstion of
Mr. Biegel. Mrs. Dodge replied that it did'not; however, the
new administrat6r has been informed that he-will be asked to
take over the two positions.
~
More discussion centinued '_regarding duties of the development
coordinator. On roll call on ~notion that ordinance be read
at the next regular Council meeting, carried 4-2, with Roberts
and Robie dissenting.
Act'ing Administrator Biegel read reso. lution adopting a policy
and program for the. deve]opmen~ of underground distribution of
electrical and other facilities in the C~ty of Ashland. It was
moved by Wiilstattcr, seconded by Dodge that the rules be
suspended and resolution passed to second reading by title only..
On roll call, carried unanimously. Fo]lo~ing second readJ~.g
by title only, it was moved by Bailer., seconded by Willstatter
that the resolution be adopted. On roll call, carried unanimously.
Council Minutes -5- August 27, 1970
At this time, Mrs. Donal Rounds requested that Ordinance #1361,
subsections 15 and 16, be amended to con£orm to the sign ordinance
in regard to billboards. Following some discussion, it was moved
by Bailer, seconded by Dodge that the matter be referred to the
City Attorney for study and recommendation. On motion, carried
~nanin~ous ly.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned
subject to the call of the Mayor.
lcr
City Recorder