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
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Stromberg called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
III. ROLL CALL
Councilor Darrow, Councilor Lemhouse, Councilor Morris, Councilor Slattery, Councilor Seffinger and Councilor Rosenthal were present.
IV. MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Stromberg announced Commission vacancies.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Executive Session of January 16, 2018
2. Business Meeting of January 16, 2018
Councilor Rosenthal moved to approve the minutes. Councilor Slattery seconded. Discussion: None. All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.
VI. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS
1. Presentation by OHRA on the Ashland job match report and their Strategic Plan
Options for Homeless Residents of Ashland (OHRA)
President, Ken Gudger and Secretary of the Board, Montye Male presented Council with a PowerPoint presentation
(see attached).
2. Update from the ad hoc Senior Program Advisory Committee
Chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission, Mike Gardiner and Chair of the Ad-Hoc Senior Program Advisory Committee, Jackie Bauchman presented Council with an update of the Ad-Hoc Senior Program Advisory Committee. Ms. Bauchman read a statement into the record
(see attached).
Councilor Rosenthal thanked the Committee.
Councilor Rosenthal requested to discuss the Recall Petitions of the 3 Parks Commissioners.
Council gave consensus for discussion.
Councilor Rosenthal spoke that the petitions stated that the Ashland Parks and Recreation Commissioners mismanage their $9 million annual budget and is threatening the City’s General Fund and fail to follow Oregon Public Meeting Law. He asked City Attorney, Dave Lohman if these points were true.
Mr. Lohman explained that if the Parks Department were to overspend the budget it would be up to Council to allocate additional resources or tell Parks to find funds with their budget. He explained the Parks Department has to follow Oregon Budget Law which is audited annually.
Mr. Lohman spoke regarding allegations of not following Public Meetings Law. He explained that according to the Attorneys Generals Public Records and Meetings Manual that each meeting does not require that every proposed item of business be described in the public notice. He also explained that Public Testimony is not legally required in a Public Meeting it is up to the public body. He explained that minimal requirements for minutes are attendance, motions, proposals, Resolutions, Ordinances, and results of all votes. The minutes are not required to be verbatim. He spoke that all of the minutes were transcribed for the Parks meetings and audio was also posted online.
Councilor Rosenthal clarified that there was no evidence that the budget has been mismanaged and Oregon Public Meeting Law had not been violated. He spoke that on the petition forms it states that false information could be a felony. City Recorder, Melissa Huhtala verified that this is true.
Councilor Rosenthal asked Ms. Huhtala the estimated cost of a recall election and who would be responsible for paying this cost. Ms. Huhtala explained that an estimated cost from the County Clerk was $25,000-$30,000. She explained this cost would be paid by the City.
Councilor Slattery the Committee. He spoke in appreciation for the people that get elected year after year to do work for the Community. He thanked Commissioner Lewis, Commissioner Landt and Commissioner Gardiner for their years of work on the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Councilor Seffinger questioned if petition circulators stated that the petition was to be against the Senior Center closing would that be a violation. Mr. Lohman answered yes. The petitioners sign the petition stating that all information is factual any false statements to any person who signs the petition is against the law.
VII. MINUTES OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES
Airport
Conservation
Forest Lands
Historic
Housing and Human Srvs.
Parks & Recreation
Planning
Public Arts
Transportation
Tree
Wildfire Mitigation
VIII. 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]
Karen Logan –Ashland- Spoke regarding Ashland Tiny Houses. She read a statement into the record in support of Ashland Tiny House Village Project.
(see attached).
Mark Keller- Ashland- Mr. Keller spoke regarding the Recall. He spoke to the importance of the Senior Center. He spoke that the good news about a Recall is the Recall can be defeated. He spoke in support of the Parks and Recreation Commissioners.
Rebecca Kay- Ashland- Spoke in support of the Parks and Recreation Department as well as the Parks and Recreation Commissioners. She spoke against the Recall action.
John Weston-Ashland – Teacher in the Rogue Valley for 40 years. He spoke in support of the Parks Commissioners. He spoke that the Recall is a waste of time, energy and money. He spoke that he is willing to exert time, energy and money to defeat the Recall.
Susan Hall-Ashland- Read a letter into the record regarding budget
(see attached).
Joshlyn Sanford- Ashland- Spoke in concern that the Senior Center issues led to not rebuild the Pool. She spoke that she would like to see an improved well-managed Senior Center and a user friendly swimming pool for all ages. She also spoke that she is not in support of the Recall.
Huelz Gutcheon – UGB –Spoke regarding operating a system smart grid. He also spoke regarding clean renewable energy supplies.
Louise Shawkat- Ashland – Spoke regarding social equity and the 10x20 project. Read a letter into the record
(see attached).
Ron Roth – Spoke regarding affordable housing. He gave Council a handout
(see attached).
IX. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Confirmation of Term End Dates for Recent Appointments to the Citizens’ Budget Committee
2. Approval of a resolution titled, “A resolution authorizing and approving a clean water state revolving fund loan agreement No. R11754,” and further authorizing the City Administrator to sign the loan documents for both the new loan and to amend the original loan amount
Councilor Rosenthal pulled this item. He questioned why the loan increase of 1.9 million. Public Works Director, Paula Brown explained the reasons and went over the handout given to Council
(see attached).
3. Approval of personal services contract for Hersey Street reconstruction engineering design
4. Approval of contract for professional recruitment services with Springsted Waters
Councilor Rosenthal pulled this item. He explained that he does not think good idea to
put the burden on Staff and it makes sense to hire a consultant.
5. Approval of a public contract award to Evergreen Job & Safety Training, Inc. for safety training (onsite for Public Works & Electric Utility departments)
Councilor Rosenthal moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilor Slattery Seconded. Discussion: None. All ayes. Motion passed unanimously.
X. 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
XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
XII. NEW AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
1. Support for clean energy jobs bill
Interim Assistant to the City Administrator, Adam Hanks gave a brief Staff report. Councilor Darrow spoke in appreciation of the discussion regarding conservation. She spoke in support of the Resolution and the letter to the Senate.
Louise Shawkat –Ashland- Spoke regarding the mitigating options for Climate change. She spoke in the importance of this topic. She read a letter into the record
(see attached).
Alan Journet– Ashland- Spoke in concern of climate change and would like to see Government action. He spoke regarding greenhouse gas emissions. He spoke in support of the Resolution.
Councilor Darrow moved approval of a Resolution titled “A Resolution in general support of State Legislative Action regulating greenhouse gas emissions (GHG)” and to authorize Mayor Stromberg to submit a letter of general support for State Legislative Action regulating greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) on behalf of the Mayor and Council with minor amendments. Councilor Slattery seconded. Discussion: Councilor Darrow spoke to amendments to the letter. Councilor Slattery spoke in support of the motion. Councilor Seffinger spoke to the importance of this issue. Councilor Morris spoke in support of the motion and thanked Staff. Councilor Lemhouse spoke to concerns about how this issue
was brought forward to Councilor prior. He spoke that this version is much more acceptable. He spoke that he is not sure if it is appropriate to go through this in a short session due to the importance of this bill. He spoke that he would rather avoid doing something quickly and to do it right. He spoke that he thinks it is important for this vote to be unanimous and will vote in support of the motion. Roll Call Vote: Councilor Rosenthal, Councilor Seffinger, Councilor Lemhouse, Councilor Slattery, Councilor Morris and Councilor Darrow: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
XIII. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRACTS
1. First reading by title only of an ordinance titled, “An ordinance amending AMC 6.42 to restrict retail sales of tobacco products or inhalant delivery systems to adults only,” and move onto second reading
Mr. Lohman gave a Staff report. He explained that there will be no sales to individuals under the age of 21. He spoke that Council had the option to amend the current Ordinance or repeal the Ordinance and leave it up to the State. He explained if we keep it local and amend the Ordinance the City can know who is selling tobacco products in town.
Councilor Lemhouse moved to approve on First Reading by title only the proposed Ordinance amending AMC Chapter 6.42 to restrict retail sales of tobacco products and inhalant delivery systems to persons under the age of 21, and take up Second Reading of the Ordinance at an upcoming Council meeting. Councilor Seffinger seconded. Discussion: Councilor Lemhouse spoke to the importance to keeping this Ordinance local instead of going by the State. Councilor Seffinger agreed with Councilor Lemhouse. Councilor Darrow spoke in support of the motion. Councilor Slattery spoke in support of the motion. Roll Call Vote: Councilor Darrow, Councilor Rosenthal, Councilor Seffinger, Councilor Lemhouse, Councilor Morris and Councilor Slattery: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
XIV. OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS/REPORTS FROM COUNCIL LIAISONS
Councilor Lemhouse announced he is resigning from Council effective immediately. He explained his reasons why. He thanked Council and Staff for the years he worked with them. Council thanked Councilor Lemhouse for his years of service.
XV. ADJOURNMENT OF BUSINESS MEETING
The Business Meeting was adjourned at 9:40 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).
