ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL November 21, 2017 Council Chambers 1175 E. Main Street
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.]
7:00 p.m. Regular Meeting
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Stromberg called the Council Meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Councilor Darrow, Councilor Lemhouse, Councilor Morris, Councilor Lemhouse and Councilor Slattery were present. Councilor Seffinger was absent.
MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Stromberg announced Commission and Committee vacancies.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Study Session of November 6, 2017 2. Business Meeting of November 7, 2017
Councilor Rosenthal moved to approve the minutes. Councilor Slattery seconded. Discussion: None. All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS
Annual presentation by Housing and Human Services Commission.
Sue Crater gave an update of the Housing and Human Services Commission. Social Service Grant Funds were discussed. She spoke that the Commission would like to work more closely with Council regarding the Grant Fund process. She thanked Council.
Council thanked the Commission.
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]
Sharon Ince– 515 North Mountain Ave., Ashland – Spoke regarding the deer issue in Ashland. She spoke a deer hit her car causing damage. When getting her car repaired the repairman explained that this year every other car he repairs is due to deer. She spoke on possible solutions. She spoke that this is a personal safety issue.
Dennis Miller-7125 Terra Ave., Ashland – Discussed issues regarding the homeless.
2. Appointment of Bruce Borgerson to the Transportation Commission 3. Appointment of Ollie Bucolo to the Wildfire Mitigation Commission 4. Liquor License application for Little Shop of Bagels, Inc. 5. Confirmation of Mayoral appointment of Mike D’Orazi as Fire Chief 6. Approval of a resolution titled, “A resolution creating the ‘Ashland Heritage Tree List’ and including the Southern Oregon University Spirit Tree, as silver maple located in the courtyard between Mcloughlin and Shasta residence halls, as Ashland’s first heritage tree” 7. Approval of a resolution titled, “A resolution authorizing a loan from the Safe Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund by entering into a financing contract with the Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority for contract amendment number 4 (S14005, A-04) Pump Station Replacements and TAP Intertie”
Councilor Slattery pulled item 7.
Public Works Director, Paula Brown gave a Staff report. She spoke regarding the 2 pump stations: Terrace Street Pump Station and Park Estates Pump Station. She explained the need to replace both of the Pump Stations.
8. Special procurement for Pioneer Hall rehabilitation plan development 9. Approval of sewer connection on a property within the Urban Growth Boundary but outside City limits 10. Approval of the release of interest in a portion of a Conservation/ Natural Drainage Easement and approval of a new Conservation/ Natural Drainage Easement
Councilor Morris pulled item 10.
Ms. Brown gave a Staff report. She explained that this was a correction to an easement.
Councilor Slattery moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilor Morris seconded. Discussion: None. All Ayes. 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
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Staff report on last season’s winter shelters
Interim City Administration, John Karns gave a Staff report. Council discussed ways to improve issues that were identified in the report. Councilor Lemhouse suggested getting information regarding the Winter Shelter sooner. Councilor Darrow questioned how medical assistance is dealt with. Shelter Volunteer, Sharon Harris answered that if medical help is needed 911 is called.
Council discussed the smoking issue at the shelter.
Councilor Slattery thanked all who spoke regarding the winter shelter.
Ms. Harris spoke that there was a training on November 8th provided by a grant that the Culture of Peace Commission received.
Council gave consensus to have Staff provide a report in two months regarding the winter shelter.
2. Approval of a resolution titled, “A revised resolution authorizing the City of Ashland to provide a City building for a winter shelter three nights per week through April, 2018 and repealing Resolution 2017-23”
City Attorney, David Lohman gave a background of this Resolution. He spoke regarding the suggested amendments.
Council discussed whether or not to have one volunteer host of each gender or not.
Councilor Slattery spoke regarding the safety of the shelter. He explained that it is important to avoid any possible issues that may come up without having both genders available at one time. Councilor Slattery questioned what is the risk to not have one volunteer host of each gender. Mr. Lohman spoke that the personality of a host is probably more important than the gender. He spoke that there is always a risk in every decision the City makes.
Sharon Harris – 155 First St., Ashland – Spoke to the duties of what the volunteers do and the importance of the volunteers. Read a statement into the record (see attached).
Councilor Lemhouse moved to repeal Resolution 2017-23 and approve a replacement resolution titled “A Revised Resolution Authorizing the City of Ashland to Provide a City Building for a Winter Shelter Three Nights per Week through April 2018 and Repealing Resolution 2017-23.” Councilor Slattery seconded. Discussion: Councilor Lemhouse spoke that it is the job of the City to have risk management and avoid possible issues. He spoke in support the winter shelter. He spoke that it’s offensive by assumption woman aren’t strong enough, that is not true. He explained that it is important that guests going into a City building feel comfortable. He spoke in favor of having one of each gender at the last meeting but was outvoted. He explained he will go along with the majority of the Council and doesn’t want to see the shelter shut down. Councilor Slattery agreed with Councilor Lemhouse. He spoke in appreciation of the volunteers who have worked at the shelter. He spoke in support of the shelter. Roll Call Vote: Councilor Lemhouse, Councilor Rosenthal, Councilor Morris, Councilor Darrow and Councilor Slattery: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
NEW AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
None
ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRACTS
1. Second reading by title only of an ordinance titled, “An ordinance amending Chapters 18.2.2.030, 18.2.3.090, 18.2.5.030, 18.3.4.040, 18.3.5.050, 18.3.9, 18.4.3.040, 18.4.8, and 18.5.2.050 of the Ashland Land Use Ordinance to establish standards for Cottage Housing Developments within R-1-5, R-1-7.5, and NN-1-5 Single Family Residential Zones”
Senior Planner, Brandon Goldman gave a brief Staff report. He spoke that Staff recommends the Ordinance. Councilor Lemhouse questioned the difference of a Cottage House and Trailer Park. Mr. Goldman explained that a Cottage House unit is a small single family dwelling and a trailer park is a recreation vehicle park. Different standards apply to each.
Councilor Rosenthal questioned how long this topic has been worked on. Mr. Goldman answered that this topic has been actively worked on since 2016. Councilor Lemhouse suggested to get a report on this topic a year from now. Council gave consensus to get a report on this topic from Staff in one year.
Councilor Slattery moved approval of Second Reading, by title only, and adoption of an ordinance titled, “An ordinance amending chapters 18.2.2.030, 18.2.3.090, 18.2.5.030, 18.3.4.040, 18.3.5.050, 18.3.9, 18.4.3.040, 18.4.8, and 18.5.2.050 of the Ashland Land Use Ordinance to establish standards for cottage housing developments within R-1-5, R-1-7.5, NN-1-5, NM-R-1-5, and NM-R-1-7.5 single family residential zones” Councilor Rosenthal seconded. Discussion: Councilor Slattery spoke that this is great work. Councilor Lemhouse spoke to the importance of this Ordinance. He spoke that affordable housing is not a quick fix and spoke in appreciation of the Planning Department. Roll Call Vote: Councilor Rosenthal, Councilor Lemhouse, Councilor Slattery, Councilor Darrow and Councilor Morris: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS/REPORTS FROM COUNCIL LIAISONS
Councilor Rosenthal spoke regarding the holiday gift guide piece of mail from the Chamber. He spoke in support to support local businesses.
Councilor Morris acknowledged the attendance of Commissioner Roberts.
Councilor Slattery announced that the Festival of Lights will be held on Friday, November 24th at 5 PM.
Councilor Lemhouse spoke in support of the Festival of Lights and encouraged all to come.
Councilor Darrow spoke that the Emergency Food Bank has been working hard and there will be Thanksgiving dinners given out tomorrow to over 300 families. She spoke that the generosity of the Community is amazing and appreciates all who donate.
ADJOURNMENT OF BUSINESS MEETING
The Business Meeting was adjourned at 8:34 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 1-800-735-2900). 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).
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