Note: Items on the Agenda not considered due to time constraints are automatically continued to the next regularly scheduled Council meeting [AMC 2.04.030.E.]
 
CALL TO ORDER
 
Mayor Stromberg called the Business Meeting to order at 7:03 PM.  
 
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
 

 
Councilor Darrow, Councilor Rosenthal, Councilor Seffinger and Councilor Morris were present.  Councilor Slattery and Councilor Lemhouse were absent. 
 

 
The Mayor announced the City of Ashland currently has vacancies on the Airport, Historic, Housing and Human Services, Tree, Transportation Commission and Wildfire Mitigation Commissions.  For more information you can go to the City website: www.ashland.or.us or contact the City Recorder, Melissa Huhtala: Melissa.huhtala@ashland.or.us.    
 

1.Study Session of July 31, 2017
2.Business Meeting of August 1, 2017
 
Councilor Rosenthal moved to approve the minutes.  Councilor Morris seconded. Discussion:  None. All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously. 
 

                1.    Annual presentation by the Conservation Commission
 
Marni Koopman and Risa Buck gave an update of the conservation Commission and discussed the CEAP Plan.
Councilor Rosenthal thanked the presenters for their service. Councilor Seffinger and Councilor Darrow spoke in appreciation and importance the importance of their work.
 
PUBLIC FORUM Business from the audience not included on the agenda.  (Total time allowed for Public Forum is 15 minutes. The Mayor will set time limits to enable all people wishing to speak to complete their testimony.)  [15 minutes maximum]
 
Claudia Ballard-170 Reiten Dr., Ashland -Requested that the Council work on proposed changes to the Senior Center. 
 
Jackie Bachman-943 B. St., Ashland - Spoke regarding a shared vision of support and services for the seniors.  Thanked Councilor Seffinger for her focus on the 55 and over age group. She suggested to add to a future agenda how to address needs of citizens 55 & older. 
 
Echo Fields-367 Glenn St., Ashland- Read a letter regarding the Ashland Senior Center (see attached).
 
Will Churchill-642 Sutton Pl. Ashland –Spoke regarding the lack of knowledge to the citizens for the last Parks Meeting regarding the Senior Center.  Suggested to look into this further before they make changes. 
 
Art Tetraugt –500 YMCA Way-Ashland - Spoke regarding the Senior Center.  Explained he has been going to the Senior Center for years for the meals.  He spoke that the Grove is not an appropriate place for this.  He explained that AARP has been contacted and will start coming to meetings. 
 
Candy Barnhill-947 Cypress Pt. Loop-Ashland- Spoke that she volunteered at Senior Program and explained all citizens need to meet basic needs regardless of age. She suggested to work with Parks to explore expansion for Senior services.  Asked council to intervene on the decision made about the Senior Program and to listen to the Citizens of Ashland.   
 
Huelz Gutcheon-2253 HWY 99-Ashland- Spoke regarding climate change and over population. Spoke regarding the need to reduce our carbons.
 

1.Approval of minutes of boards, commissions, and committees
 
Councilor Morris regarding an approved development at East Main St. & Mountain mentioning Workforce Housing in the Planning Commission Minutes. This item was suggested to bring to a Study Session.  
 
2.Ratification of a three-year labor contract with the Electrical Union, IBEW Local No. 659
3.Annual liquor license renewals
4.Appointment of Linda Reppond to the Housing and Human Services Commission
 
Councilor Seffinger spoke she would like to meet with Ms. Reppond before appointment. Council gave consensus to pull this item and add to the next Council Agenda. 
 
5.Ashland Water Advisory Committee quorum reduction
6.Liquor license application for Red Tail Inn, LLC
7.Lithia Park Master Plan award of contract
 
Councilor Darrow spoke that this was a good process and that the contract will provide the services needed; however, cannot support approving a contract while looking at cost recovery on the senior program.  Parks Director, Michael Black explained that Lithia Park has been here for 100 years and has grown in phases. He explained it is time to ensure that a plan keeps the park here for another 100 years. He explained that the funds in the CIP are only to be used for improvements.  
 
Councilor Seffinger spoke regarding evaluation of ADA regulations to help with seniors. Mr. Black spoke that the entire park will be looked at to ensure access for all.
 
Councilor Rosenthal moved approval of Parks Master Plan and award of contract.  Councilor Seffinger seconded.  Discussion:  Councilor Rosenthal spoke that the value the Community has gotten from this investment for the last 100 years and hope it continues.  Councilor Seffinger spoke that she was previously on the Parks Commission and the importance of a Master Plan. Roll Call Vote:  Councilor Rosenthal, Councilor Seffinger and Councilor Morris: YES.  Councilor Darrow: NO.  Motion passed 3-1. 
 
Councilor Rosenthal moved approval of items 1-4 and 5-6 on consent agenda.  Councilor Morris seconded.  Discussion:  None.  Motion passed unanimously. 
 
             
PUBLIC HEARINGS (Persons wishing to speak are to submit a “speaker request form” prior to the commencement of the public hearing.  Public hearings shall conclude at 9:00 p.m. and be continued to a future date to be set by the Council, unless the Council, by a two-thirds vote of those present, extends the hearing(s) until up to 10:30 p.m. at which time the Council shall set a date for continuance and shall proceed with the balance of the agenda.)
 
None
 

1. Continued discussion regarding study sessions
 
Interim City Administrator, John Karns gave an overview of the previous Study Session discussions.  
 
Council gave consensus to move meetings to Council Chambers beginning in October. 
 
Mr. Karns went over the questions provided in the Council Communication. 
 
Council discussed to have 2 hour segments and use some of the time for listening sessions with the public. 
 
Council discussed whether or not to have Public Forum at every Study Session.  Council gave consensus to keep Public Forum but possibly in a different format.   Councilor Morris suggested to have Public Forum be for each topic. Mayor Stromberg spoke that Staff would bring back other ideas for this topic. 
 
Council discussed if it was needed to re-consider what kinds of decisions are allowed to be made at Study Sessions. (Currently, Council can give “guidance to staff concerning matters to be presented to Council for decision at subsequent meetings” and, by consensus, “may direct staff to take action on other matters that do not require Council decision by ordinance or resolution.”).  It was decided for Staff to review the Meeting Ordinance to see if updates are needed. 
 
Council discussed what type of topics are good for a Study Session verses a Business Meeting.  Councilor Rosenthal suggested if there are light Business Meetings to cancel the Study Session and move it to the Business Meeting.  
 
Council discussed if they would prefer having the majority of Council decide on an agenda item.  
 
Mr. Karns went over the current list of possible Study Session items: 

 
 
 
NEW AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
None
 
ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRACTS
None
 

 
Councilor Darrow announced that on Wednesday August 23^rd from 4-7 PM there will be the Ashland Community Family Fest at the ACRC facility-570 Clover lane. 
 
                         

 
The Business Meeting was adjourned at: 8:41 PM
 
 
Respectfully submitted by:  
 
____________________________________________
City Recorder, Melissa Huhtala
 
 
Attest:
 
____________________________________________
Mayor Stromberg
 
 
 
 
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Administrator's office at (541) 488-6002 (TTY phone number 1-800735-2900).  Notification 72 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to the meeting (28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title I).