MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING
ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
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.]
- CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Stromberg called the Business Meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
- ROLL CALL
Councilors’ Slattery, Graham, Seffinger, Jensen and Rosenthal were present. Councilor Akins arrived at 6:10 PM.
- MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Stromberg announced the current Commission and Committee vacancies.
- CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
City Administrator Kelly Madding discussed an encounter she witnessed with the Ashland Police Department had with an aggravated citizen. She spoke in praise and appreciation of the Police Department for conducting the incident so respectfully.
- APPROVAL OF MINUTES
- Study Session of February 3, 2020
- Business Meeting of February 4, 2020
Councilor Rosenthal/Jensen moved to approve the minutes. Discussion: None. All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.
- SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS
- Presentation by the Census Bureau
Due to no one in attendance to present this item it was removed from the Agenda.
- Presentation by Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development, Inc. (SOREDI)
Colleen Padilla went over handouts she gave to the Council (see attached documents).
Items discussed were:
- Regional Strategy Update.
- Worker destination.
- Loan Program Clients.
- Grand opening for Rogue Valley Precast Casts.
- SOREDI Quest.
- “Notes from Colleens desk”.
- Community stories.
Ms. Padilla presented Council with a Business Friendly Proclamation of Southern Oregon (see attached).
Graham questioned renewable energy focus. Padilla spoke that nothing has been specifically spelled out yet. She spoke that there is a renewable energy project going on in White City.
- Veterans Golf Club of Southern Oregon Award
President of the Golf Club of Southern Oregon Tony Yanez spoke regarding the success of the Golf Club. He spoke regarding the importance of golf. He explained that there are 4 clinics for local Veterans and gave an overview of what the clinics entail. He spoke that this has helped the Veterans with not only golf skills but enhanced their rehabilitation, brought a sense of brotherhood and stress relief. He spoke regarding the hard work that Patrick Oropallo has done. Spoke in appreciation of his heart and attitude and thanked him on behalf of Southern Oregon. Yanez presented a plaque for local veterans of Southern Oregon.
Parks Commissioner Mike Gardiner and Patrick Oropallo accepted the plaque. Rosenthal congratulated and thanked Oropallo for the outreach to the veterans.
Oropallo spoke in appreciation of the Community embracing the program.
Council thanked Oropallo and Yanez for their work. Jensen thanked Oropallo for his training and spoke that he had lessons from Oropallo since his lessons he announced he got a hole in one.
- One Year Review of the Transportation Network Companies Ordinance 3165
Police Chief Tighe O’Meara gave a brief Staff report.
- MINUTES OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES
- 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]
Jeff Sharpe – Ashland – Spoke regarding Community solar for Ashland. He spoke that clean solar power provides healthy economic development.
Huelz Gutcheon – Ashland – Spoke that he will be running for Community Development Director. He spoke regarding the importance of solar panels and clean renewable energy.
- CONSENT AGENDA
- Approval of Liquor License Request for Peerless Hotel, LLC
- Approval of Liquor License Request for Greenleaf Restaurant
- Appointment of Robert Kaplan to the Climate Policy Commission
- Award of Contract for APRC Design Services for the Daniel Meyer Pool Replacement
Slattery pulled this item.
Parks and Recreation Director Michael Black gave a staff report. He explained the pool is aging quickly. Jensen questioned to the timeline of completion. Black explained that there will be a meeting on Thursday with the consultants to discuss the timeline. Graham questioned if the Council will see the designs prior to moving forward with the project. Black explained the process and spoke that it will come back to Council.
- Approval of Personal Services Contract for Comprehensive Sanitary Sewer Collection System Master Plan
- Approval of a Ground Lease Agreement with the Land Manatee Foundation
Rosenthal pulled this item and requested a Staff report. Public Works Director Paula Brown and Renee De Launay from the Land Manatee Foundation gave a Staff report.
Public Input
Marian Spadone– Ashland – Spoke in concern of this item. She spoke that she would like more information on the process and to see how this would be implemented.
Seffinger spoke to her concerns on how to protect endangered species.
De Launay spoke that the foundation has a certification of standards that they adhere to. She spoke to educating the public and transparency.
Rosenthal thanked Staff and De Launay. He questioned methane gas, and what the emissions would be with estimated 80 cattle.
De Launay discussed grazing process, the science process of carbons and sustainability. She explained that it is a net neutral.
De Launay discussed community outreach.
Council discussed the timing of rotation and reporting.
Akins questioned if they will work with Indigenous Tribes. De Launay spoke that she has worked in the past advising Indigenous Tribes.
Akins questioned if this was a kill farm. De Launay confirmed this is not a kill farm.
Council discussed finding more information on the grazing of cattle. De Launay spoke that she would be happy to give a tour.
Akins noted that this is City land not private property and would like more information.
Graham/Akins moved to postpone this agenda item until there is more information. Discussion: Graham spoke to the importance of looking more into the trade-offs from a climate perspective. more time to look at the trade-offs from climate perspective. Rosenthal questioned if this approval is time sensitive. De Launay explained that it is time sensitive due to getting species under control. Council discussed to have this come back to Council after 2 years with a report. Slattery spoke in support of this project. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Graham, Seffinger, Rosenthal and Jensen: NO. Akins: YES. Motion failed 1-5.
Rosenthal/Seffinger moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Discussion: None. Slattery, Graham, Seffinger, Rosenthal and Jensen: YES. Akins: NO. Motion passed 5-1.
Graham/Slattery moved to bring this item back with a report in 2 years to evaluate how it is going. Discussion: None. Voice Vote: 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 8:00 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 9:30 p.m. at which time the Council shall set a date for continuance and shall proceed with the balance of the agenda.)
- UNFINISHED BUSINESS
- Capital Needs and Financing Bond Proposal
Slattery/Jensen moved to un-table the item. Discussion: None. Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.
Public Input:
Ken Wilson – Ashland – Spoke regarding the earthquake probability and that the City should not be in panic. He spoke to not increase taxes for the citizens.
Shaun Moran – Ashland – Spoke regarding $1.7 Million transfer from the facilities fund to the central fund. He spoke that the City should not ask tax payers to pay more and for the City to restore the $1.7 million. He spoke that PERS isn’t the reason why Ashland is in financial trouble. He spoke that Ashland deserves better. He spoke that before the City asks for tax payers to pay more provide them with all the facts and restore the $1.7 million.
Dr. Carol Voisin – Ashland – Spoke regarding reasons to vote no against this bond. She spoke to the importance of a second opinion. She spoke that there should be a poll asking citizens where City Hall should be located. She spoke that Council needs to table this item until more homework is done.
Eric Navickas – Ashland – Spoke that he would like to support this but can’t not support if they want to raise historic City Hall. He went over a history of the building. He spoke in support in protecting historical buildings and gave examples why.
Cathy Shaw – Ashland – Spoke regarding the previous comments. She spoke regarding Moran’s statement about PERS. She spoke to Voison’s statement about a second opinion. She spoke regarding getting a poll from the people to where the City Hall is located and that no better way to do so is by putting a vote to the people. She explained that the City is asking citizens if they want to leverage the money and it doesn’t mean we have to leverage it all.
Dale Shostrom – Ashland - Chair of the Historical Commission. Spoke regarding concerns of the City Hall proposal. He spoke that it is imperative to provide a safe structure to Employees. He spoke to his concerns and hopes the council will consider rehabilitation as an alternative. He also suggested to include professionals with historical rehabilitation experience. (see attached).
Mayor Stromberg began reading a memo.
Slattery/Akins moved for the Mayor to not read the memo due to it sounding like deliberation. Discussion: Slattery explained this is more like deliberation. Akins spoke that the information has been discussed before and it not appropriate to be read into the record at this time. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Akins, Seffinger, Rosenthal and Jensen: YES. Graham: NO. Motion passed 5-1
Madding – went over the process for the construction of a new City Hall. PowerPoint (see attached).
Items discussed were:
- Planning application.
- Demolition Permit.
- Building Permit.
Slattery does demolition include the 3 walls? Madding explained if we leave the 3 walls don’t need demolition permit; if we keep them we need a demolition permit.
- Local Review Process.
- Design standards.
- Development plan.
- Design cost.
- Building permit.
- Historic architect.
Council discussed the timeline.
Jensen/Seffinger moved to direct Staff to produce the documentation to move forward with a 20-year General Obligation Capital Bond with a tax rate of $.1790 per $1,000 of assessed value to pay for the construction of a City Hall. Discussion: Jensen spoke to the importance of the City doing due diligence before May to get the community involved. Seffinger spoke in support in the motion. Slattery spoke that the priority of this motion is to do something about City Hall. He spoke in concern of rushing this to May and spoke that he will vote no on this motion. Graham spoke that there has been a lot of research done and enough so that an informative decision can be made in May. Akins spoke in support because this isn’t a bundle. And the importance for the voters to decide. Mayor spoke to the importance of working with the Historic Commission on this project. Roll Call Vote: Graham, Akins, Seffinger, Rosenthal and Jensen: YES. Slattery: NO. Motion passed 5-1.
Council directed Staff to work with the architects and have an expert in restoration work do a preliminary design and consult with the Historic Commission on what they would support in terms of the design of City Hall.
Council discussed whether or not to add restructure repairs to Pioneer Hall and the Community Center to the Bond. Council discussed ways to pay for these buildings.
Jensen/Graham to direct staff to produce the documentation to move forward with a 20-year General Obligation Capital Bond with a tax rate of $.0300 per $1,000 of assessed value to pay for the structurally rehabilitating the Community Center and Pioneer Hall, .0300. Discussion: Jensen spoke that it is a good time to do this. He spoke in support of the motion. He spoke that the buildings are deeply valued. Graham agreed with Jensen. Akins spoke that the buildings are important to the Community but doesn’t feel confident putting this on the bond measure with City Hall. Rosenthal questioned if there was CIP money to fix these two buildings. Madding explained there was approximately $200,000 budgeted. Rosenthal questioned if that amount could be deducted in the bond. Madding spoke that the City could deduct $200,000. Slattery spoke to the importance of fixing the buildings. He suggested using the marijuana tax money to be used to fix the buildings. He spoke that he will vote not to this motion. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Akins and Seffinger: NO. Graham, Rosenthal and Jensen: YES. Mayor: YES. Motion passed.
Seffinger/Jensen moved for rehabilitating the Butler-Perozzi Fountain not be included in the bond. Discussion: Seffinger spoke that this is not an important CIP project and should not be included. Jensen spoke to look into other methods to fund the rehabilitation of the fountain. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Graham, Akins, Seffinger, Rosenthal and Jensen: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
Rosenthal/Graham moved to include the solar/micro grid project into the bond. Discussion: Rosenthal spoke that it is time to take action on this issue. He suggested that the package was an opportunity to emphasize "Action" in the Climate and Energy Action Plan, and that it represented a great investment. Graham spoke that in Ashland we are at risk of a number of natural hazards. She spoke to the importance of solar power. Slattery spoke that he appreciates the comments made but he explained that he is not in support of adding this to the bond package. He spoke that City Hall is the main priority. Seffinger spoke that City Hall is the main priority. Akins spoke that solar is her priority but putting this in the same package with City Hall will make it hard to pass. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Akins, Seffinger and Jensen: NO. Rosenthal and Graham: YES. Motion failed 2-4.
Madding suggested a motion to have one motion for all things to be added to the Levy.
Graham/Jensen moved to direct Staff to produce the documentation to move forward with a $8.2 million 20-year General Obligation Capital Bond with a tax rate of $0.2090 per $1,000 of assessed value to pay for the construction of a City Hall, and structurally rehabilitating the Community Center and Pioneer Hall, for the May 12, 2020 Jackson County election. Discussion: None. Roll Call Vote: Jensen, Rosenthal, Seffinger, Graham, Slattery: YES. Akins: NO. Motion passed 5-1.
- NEW AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
- ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRACTS
- OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS/REPORTS FROM COUNCIL LIAISONS
- ADJOURNMENT OF BUSINESS MEETING
The Business Meeting was adjourned at 9:15 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).
