Mayor Stromberg called the Business Meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
 

 

 
Councilors Slattery, Graham, Akins, Seffinger and Jensen were present.  Councilor Rosenthal was absent.
 

 
Mayor Stromberg announced the current Commission and Committee vacancies.
 

 
City Administrator Kelly Madding announced that the finalized Budget Calendar will be on the City’s website tomorrow.
 
Police Chief O’Meara introduced the new Deputy Police Chief Art LeCours.
 

 
Graham noted that in the City Administrators report at the February 19^th Business Meeting Ms. Madding spoke to a homeless shelter option being denied not car camping.  
 
Seffinger/Graham moved to approve the minutes as amended.  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]
 
Dr. Carol Voisin – Ashland – Spoke regarding the Ashland creek study.  She spoke that a further study is recommended above the outlet and canal water.  She explained that the study was a first step not a final step upon which any project should be based.  She suggested for the City to slow down the piping of the canal and conduct an additional study.
 
Ted Hall – Ashland – Spoke that he is an engineer and took a walk around the canal facility.  He spoke that there is a need for maintenance and the City has several good options. He suggested a phased replacement and making this a maintenance project rather than a capital project.  He explained that a phased project would be more cost effective. 
 
Douglas Kay – Ashland – Spoke regarding Uproot Meats and read a statement into the record and requested that the City of Ashland send a letter of concern to Jackson County regarding water quality issues (see attached).
 
Leigh Hood -  Ashland – Spoke regarding the canal and submitted a picture into the record (see attached).  She spoke to the importance of the canal, wildlife and trees.
 
Kristen Tussey – Ashland – Spoke regarding people who live near the SOU Stadium and the summer VanGuard Band Camp noise disturbance. She suggested that Council make a motion to not allow the band camp to come back due to the noise Ordinance.  She suggested for the band to look at other venues. She spoke that she met with Assistant City Attorney Katrina Brown and she confirmed the camp activities were in violation of code as a Class 1.
 
Kristina Lafever -  Ashland – Spoke giving Council an update to Bee City USA Ashland.  She spoke that SOU is the first Bee City campus in the Country. She explained that Bee City’s mission is to encourage and support municipalities. She thanked Ashland for not using pesticides for the last 8 years.  She spoke that there will be a tour on June 30^th and invited Council to participate.
 
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Slattery pulled this item.  Slattery spoke that he wanted clarity as to what the City is doing to move forward with this item.
 
Public Works Director Paula Brown and Deputy Public Works Director Scott Fleury gave a Staff report.
 
Fleury gave a brief background of the project and explained what the consultants were tasked to do.
 
He explained that the Council wrote a letter of support to RVTD to receive a grant.  He explained that this document is important in order to receive the grant.
 
Brown explained that Staff is doing this now due to State timing of grant funds for local transportation projects. She explained that the document presented gives the City many choices. She explained that this is a planning document and is essential to have in order to do a project.   
 
Slattery suggested for future items like this to have Staff bring to Council sooner. 
 
Akins suggested a word change for this to be a Planning Document instead of a Planning and Prioritization Document.  
 
Fleury went over what the grant application would include.  He explained it would fund the purchasing of 2 hybrid vans. He explained that the transit would be available during RVTD business hours Monday – Saturday and the cost would be $2.  He explained that both vans are wheelchair accessible.
 
Graham spoke to the importance of public engagement. 
 
Council discussed whether or not they can make changes to this document in the future.  Brown answered yes.
 
 
Public Input-
 
Huelz Gutcheon - Ashland - Spoke regarding Transit.  He spoke that buses create a lot of pollution.  He suggested the City look into ways to measure the pollution. He suggested the City use electric cars.
 
Louise Shawkat – Ashland – Spoke regarding transit.  She gave an overview of what is considered a “light truck”.  She spoke regarding smog and the importance of protecting public health. She spoke regarding the recent global warming report. 
 
Slattery/Akins moved to approve the acceptance of the Transit Expansion Study as a Planning Document. Discussion:  Slattery spoke in appreciation of the process tonight. He explained that there is no plan or consideration of spending that money at this point. Akins spoke that she is in support of a planning document. Seffinger spoke in support of the motion and the importance of looking into a project that addresses CEAP goals and the disabled population.   Roll Call Vote: Graham, Slattery, Seffinger, Akins and Jensen: YES. Motion passed unanimously.   
 
Jensen/Slattery moved to amend the motion to approve acceptance as a Planning and Community Engagement document. Discussion:  Graham spoke to the importance of keeping the Community involved. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Graham, Akins, Seffinger and Jensen: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
 

 
Seffinger/Graham moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Discussion:  None.  All Ayes.  Motion passed unanimously.
 

 

 

 

 
Assistant to the City Administrator Adam Hanks gave a Staff report.
 
Recology General Manager Gary Blake gave an update of the changes being suggested.  He spoke that in order to improve efficiencies they are suggesting to introduce a front load service.  This would allow pick up of bigger containers and reduce emissions by limiting the number of visits per week.
 
Blake went over the rate and fee schedule.   
 
Jensen/Graham moved to approve a Resolution titled, “A Resolution modifying solid waste franchise rates and fees” as presented. Jensen spoke that it is necessary to make these changes and spoke in appreciation of Recology.  Graham agreed with Jensen and spoke that she appreciates the partnership Recology has with the City. Roll call Vote:  Jensen, Seffinger, Graham and Slattery: YES.  Akins: NO.  Motion passed 4-1.
 

 
Brown gave a brief Staff report. 
 
Akins questioned how the 5% was decided.  City Attorney David Lohman explained that the numbers were based on a Study that Staff conducted. Slattery questioned why the City is asking for more interest than the City has to pay.   Brown spoke that she would bring this information back at the second reading.  
 
Jensen/Graham moved to approve the first reading of an Ordinance titled: An Ordinance Amending Section 4.20 of the Ashland Municipal Code: Systems Development Charges and move to second reading.  Discussion:   Jensen spoke that this is necessary to get done. Graham spoke that she is interested in seeing the various proposals that have come from Staff in a document on this topic.  Slattery suggested to bring this back to Council at a future Study Session. Roll Call Vote:  Seffinger, Slattery, Jensen, Graham, Akins: YES.  All Ayes.  Motion passed unanimously.
 
 

 
Allison Lerch gave a brief Staff report.
 
Jensen/Seffinger moved to amend AMC Chapter 2.26 changing the name of the Commission from the Ashland Wildfire Mitigation Commission to Ashland Wildfire Safety Commission.
 
Graham/Slattery moved to amend the motion to read: “section 2.26.020 Established Membership: The Ashland Wildfire Safety Commission is established and shall consist of no less than seven (7) voting members, and certain non-voting ex officio members consisting of a member of the City Council, a representative of Ashland Fire and Rescue, and additional staff as needed. The Fire Department designee shall serve as the primary staff liaison and as Secretary of the Commission. At least five of the voting members will be community members at large, and all of the voting members shall be designated by the Mayor and confirmed by the council.”
Discussion: City Attorney David Lohman explained that this motion allows 2 members to not be in the City Limits but must have 5 members be in the City Limits.  Graham spoke that this Commission has a particular mission that reaches out beyond the City limits.  She spoke to the importance of allowing Citizens with expertise to be allowed to be on the Commission. Slattery agreed with Graham.  Roll Call Vote: Akins, Slattery, Graham, Jensen and Seffinger: YES.  Motion passed unanimously.
 
Roll Call Vote to approve the main motion: Akins, Slattery, Graham, Jensen and Seffinger:  YES.  Motion passed unanimously.
 
 
 

 

 
The Business Meeting was adjourned at 8:47 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).