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
 

 
Mayor Stromberg called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
 

 

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

 
Mayor Stromberg announced the current Commission vacancies.
 

1.   Study Session of February 5, 2018
2.   Executive Session of February 5, 2018
2.   Business Meeting of February 6, 2018
 
Councilor Slattery moved to approve the minutes.  Councilor Morris seconded.  Discussion:  None.  All Ayes.  Motion passed unanimously.  
 

1.   Annual presentation by the Transportation Commission
 
Public Works Deputy Director, Scott Fleury and Chair of the Transportation Commission, Joe Graf gave an update of the Transportation Commission.
 
Susan Hall –Ashland– Spoke regarding the Transportation Commission’s Open House.  She spoke that it is great to consolidate ideas and recommended all Commissions to do open houses to collect public input. 
 
2.   Presentation by the Ashland Watershed Trails Association
 
President of the Ashland Woodlands Trails Association, Torsten Heycke presented a PowerPoint presentation to Council (see attached).  He spoke that they work closely with the Fire Department, the Forest Service, and Pacific Trail Association. 
 
He spoke that the Association could not do what they do without the City of Ashland support. 
 
In his presentation he discussed:

 
Council thanked Mr. Heycke.
 
Councilor Slattery asked Council if they could give approval to allow him and Councilor Seffinger to move forward on an idea to create an Ad-Hoc Committee to deal with senior issues in Ashland. He explained that this has nothing to do with the Senior Center. 
 
Councilor Slattery moved to discuss creating an Ad-Hoc Committee to deal with senior issues in Ashland under other business at tonight’s meeting. Councilor Seffinger seconded.  Discussion: Councilor Rosenthal requested to add this item to a future meeting.  Councilor Slattery and Councilor Seffinger spoke that he would be ok with that.  Council decided to put this item on the next Council Meeting or Study Session. All Ayes.  Motion passed unanimously.   
 

 

(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 –Explained that she is the founder of the Ashland Tiny House Group. She spoke that they are working on the Ashland Tiny House Village Project. She spoke that they presented to Council to purchase/lease 380 Clay St. to create a tiny house village.  She spoke that she does not understand why they have not received a response yet.  She spoke that they will continue to advocate.  She spoke that they are having a meeting tomorrow to discuss the project and invited Council. She requested that the City put this item on the Agenda as soon as possible or create a study session.
 
Sansa Collins –Ashland-Spoke regarding downtown safety.  She explained that she is the manager at Paddington Station Jewel box.  She spoke regarding incidents that occurred in the back of the store by transients. She spoke that customers felt unsafe and they had to put the store on lockdown.  She explained the Police were called and handled it well.  She spoke that she would like Council to discuss ways to increase safety.   
 
Staff explained that there will be Study Session coming up on these items.
 
Councilor Slattery addressed tiny homes.  He spoke that he has an interest in tiny homes but there needs to be a plan.  He spoke that until he sees a full plan he will not support going forward with this. 
 

1.   Appointment of Rick Barth to the ad hoc Climate and Energy Plan Implementation Committee
2.   Quitclaim of an unused Public Utility Easement for 560 Fordyce Street
3.   NJPA Cooperative Procurements for fleet vehicles
 
Councilor Slattery pulled item 3 – Public Works Director, Paula Brown, Maintenance Safety Supervisor, Wes Hoagley and Public Works Superintendent, Mike Morrison explained the process of purchasing vehicles.  
 
Ms. Brown explained that this will be for purchasing 8 vehicles.  She explained that the life expectancy of the vehicles are 10-12 years. Mr. Hoagley explained that the hybrid cars selected will save money on gas and they are also quieter.
 
4.   Professional services contract for a Transit Feasibility Study
 
Councilor Seffinger pulled item 4- she asked for clarification of what the City will benefit from this Study.  
 
Deputy Public Works Director, Scott Fleury spoke that the study is to provide the strategy and focused effort on how look at transit for the future. 
 
Councilor Rosenthal moved to approve the consent agenda. Councilor Morris seconded. Discussion:  None.  All Ayes.  Motion passed unanimously.  
 
 

None
 

None
 

 
Administrative Service Director, Mark Welch and operations manager of AFN, Don Quiley presented Council with a PowerPoint presentation (see attached).
 
In his presentation he discussed:

 
Councilor Rosenthal questioned why the Council has not seen the marketing plan.  Finance Director, Mark Welch spoke that Staff will go back and look at the plan and bring it back to Council.  Councilor Slattery spoke that he would like to have had everything in front of him before a presentation like this.  He spoke that the City is a Public Entity and is not comfortable with redaction to a plan that already exists. 
 
City Attorney, David Lohman explained that the City does have the ability to keep proprietary information confidential.  Council directed Staff to bring back the legal parameters on this topic.
 
2.   Discussion of City Councilor Appointment Process of Councilor Position #3
 
Council discussed the appointment process.
 
Councilor Slattery moved to open the Council Seat #3 beginning February 21^st with a deadline of March 2^nd at 5:00 PM.  Council will decide on the applicant pool at the March 6^th Council Meeting and make the final decision at the March 20^th Council Meeting.  Councilor Seffinger seconded.  Discussion:  None.  All Ayes.  Motion passed unanimously.
 
 

 
Mr. Lohman gave a brief staff report.  He spoke that there were no changes proposed since the first reading.
 
Councilor Seffinger moved approval of second reading by title only.  Read title. Councilor Slattery seconded.  Discussion:  Seffinger explained the importance. 
 
 

 
Councilor Slattery spoke regarding the woman Raiders playoff game.
 
Councilor Seffinger spoke regarding the Resource Center open house and how great it was.
 
Councilor Darrow spoke that things are going great at the Food Bank.
 

 
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).