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
 

 

 

 
Councilors Slattery, Graham, Akins, Seffinger, Rosenthal and Jensen Present. Mayor Stromberg was absent.
 

 
Slattery announced the current Commission and Committee vacancies.
 

 
City Administrator Kelly Madding announced that there will be a Study Session tomorrow with the Council and Budget Committee.
 
She also gave an update on the Avista natural gas outage.
 

 
Jensen/Graham moved to approve the minutes.  Discussion:  None.  All Ayes.  Motion passed unanimously. 
 

 
Slattery read the proclamation into the record (see attached). 
 

 
Senior Planner Derek Severson introduced Tree Commission Chair John Christopher. Mr. Christopher gave Council an update of the Tree Commission. He announced that there will be an Arbor Day celebration at Oak Knoll Golf Course on Friday, April 5^th. From 12 PM – 2PM. He also announced that on May 11^th the Tree Commission will be assisting the Parks and Recreation Department with the Southern Oregon Tree Climbing Competition.
 

 

(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]
 
William Shanor – Ashland – Spoke in concerns of the piping of the canal.  He spoke that the City needs to maintain this property and the study is a huge expense.  He suggested the City look into alternatives.
 
Mike Fitch – Ashland – Spoke in concern regarding the canal project.  He spoke in concern for the wildlife. He suggested the City look into alternative plans.
 
Kristina Lafever – Ashland – Gave an update on Bee City USA Ashland.  She suggested that in honor of the upcoming Arbor Day to plant trees for bees. She spoke that there is a Pollinator Garden Tour coming up on June 20^th from 9AM-12PM. 
 
Lynn Georgens – Ashland – Spoke in concern of 5G technology coming into the City of Ashland. She submitted a document to the record (see attached).
 
Jim Falkenstein – Ashland -  Spoke regarding the Ashland canal.  He spoke regarding “Keep the Canal” and the importance to repair and maintain the canal.   
 
Chuck Burr -  Ashland – Spoke regarding the economic impact of fires.
 
Louise Shawkat – Ashland - Spoke regarding climate change and natural disasters.
 
Huelz Gutcheon – Ashland – Spoke regarding solar panels.  He announced he will be running for Ashland Community Development Director.
 

 
Graham pulled this item and spoke in appreciation of Staff. 
 

 
Seffinger pulled this item.  She spoke that she has concerns about having non-resident members on City Commissions.
 

 
This item was pulled from the Agenda and will be added to a future Agenda.
 
Jensen/Graham moved to approve items 1, 2 & 3 of the Consent Agenda.  Discussion: None.  All Ayes.  Motion passed unanimously. 
 

 

 

 
Madding gave a brief Staff report.
 
It was noted that this is a draft and if there are any changes it will come back to Council for approval.
 
Seffinger/Akins moved to authorize the City Administrator to execute the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Ashland and Jackson County for police patrol response to 2082 E. Main Street.  Discussion: None.  Roll Call Vote:  Slattery, Akins, Graham, Seffinger, Rosenthal and Jensen: YES.  All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.
 

 
Planning Manager Maria Harris and Fregonese Associate Scott Fregonese Presented Council with a PowerPoint presentation (see attached). 
 
Item Discussed were:

 
Council gave consensus to bring this item back to a future Council Meeting and directed Staff to work with local contractors to see if they would use a vertical housing development zone if we made one.
 

 
Madding gave a brief Staff report. 
 
Rosenthal/Seffinger moved to approve Resolution No. 2019-02 adopting the City Council’s 2019-2021 biennial goals and to remove the wording to the right of the Tiers and just say “Tier 1 Tier 2 and Tier 3. Discussion: Akins spoke in concern on how these goals would affect the Citizen’s Budget Committee process. She spoke to the importance of visiting these goals yearly.
 
Seffinger/Akins moved to amend the motion to include water conservation in Tier 2 instead of Tier 3 and to remove Tier 3.  Discussion:  Seffinger explained she doesn’t want citizens to think that water conservation is a low priority.  Graham spoke that it is helpful to have 3 Tiers and everything on the list is a priority.   
 
Slattery/Graham moved to remove the 3^rd Tier moving the items under Tier 3 under Tier 2.  Discussion: Rosenthal spoke that he will vote against this and gave his reasons why. He explained that acquisition of new parks should be under the Parks and Recreation Department.
 
Motion on the amendment to the amendment: Roll Call Vote: Jensen, Rosenthal, Seffinger, Akins: NO.  Graham and Slattery: YES.  Motion failed 2-4.
 
Motion on amendment to the main motion:  Roll Call Vote: Graham, Slattery, Rosenthal: NO.  Akins, Seffinger and Jensen: YES.  Motion failed.
 
Motion to approve the main motion:  Roll Call Vote:  Graham, Akins, Seffinger, Slattery, Rosenthal and Jensen: YES.  Motion passed unanimously.
 

 
Tom McBartlett gave a Staff report.
 
Jensen/Graham moved to approve the contract with Knife River in the amount of $1,235,981 for the excavation, installation of conduits and vaults along Hersey Street. Discussion: Jensen spoke that this topic was worked on adequately. Roll Call Vote: Jensen, Rosenthal, Seffinger, Slattery and Graham: YES.  Akins: NO.  Motion Passed 5-1.
 

 
Slattery read a statement declaring a potential conflict of interest. 
 
Seffinger/Jensen moved to approve Councilor Slattery be allowed to not vote or participate in the TOT discussion. Discussion:  None.  All Ayes.  Motion passed unanimously.
 
Assistant to the City Administrator Adam Hanks gave a Staff report.
 
Public Input -
 
Denis Kendig – Mr. Kendig encouraged Council to postpone this decision.  He read a statement into the record (see attached).  
 
Bob Hackett – Spoke in support of tourism.  He spoke regarding tourism from a regional and State prospective.  He suggested Council to consider motions 2, 3 or 4. He spoke to the importance of keeping people employed and revenue coming into the City.
 
Graham/Rosenthal moved to approve a Resolution allocating the following tourism restricted revenues of the Transient Occupancy Tax: $110,000 to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) and $446,338 to the Visitor and Convention Bureau (VCB). The VCB allocation includes an $52,010 that would be allocated by reducing the future parking supply and City tourism eligible capital projects each by $26,005.  The remaining funds will be allocated at a future meeting after having a discussion on the survey results and working with local businesses that rely on tourism. Discussion: Graham spoke that after speaking with both organizations she sees they have been working very hard and now is not the time to reduce allocations for each of the organizations.  She spoke that we need to make sure we are investing the restricted money that we have in the best way possible.   Rosenthal spoke in agreement with Graham.  Seffinger spoke in agreement with Graham and Rosenthal. 
Akins spoke that she is not prepared to vote on this item. Council discussed the Grant timeline.  Roll Call Vote:  Seffinger, Graham, Rosenthal, Jensen: YES.  Akins: NO.  Motion passed 4-1.

 
Public Works Director Paula Brown gave a Staff report.
 
Jensen/Rosenthal moved to approve the second reading of an ordinance titled: An Ordinance Amending Section 4.20 of the Ashland Municipal Code: Systems Development Charges. Discussion: Jensen thanked Staff.  Rosenthal thanked Staff.  Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Graham, Rosenthal, Akins, Seffinger, and Jensen: YES.  Motion passed unanimously.
 

 

 
The Business Meeting was adjourned at
 
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).