MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING
ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
Held Electronically; View on Channel 9 or Channels 180 and 181 (for Charter Communications customers) or live stream via rvtv.sou.edu select RVTV Prime.
Note: As the August 18 Council meeting will be held electronically, written testimony will be accepted via email to public-testimony@ashland.or.us both general public forum items and agenda items as long as they are submitted with the subject line: August 18 Council Meeting Testimony before Monday, August 17 at 10 a.m. Written testimonies submitted by the deadline will be available to the City Council before the meeting and will be included in the meetings minutes.
The Public Hearing will take oral testimony from those who have submitted written arguments to Planning prior to August 10 at 4:30 p.m. per AMC 18.5.1.060.I.5.a.
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.]
6:00 p.m. Regular Meeting
- CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Stromberg called the Business Meeting to order at 6:03 PM
- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
- ROLL CALL
Councilors’ Slattery, Graham, Akins, Rosenthal and Jensen were present. Discussion: None. All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.
- MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Stromberg announced the current Commission and Committee vacancies.
- APPROVAL OF MINUTES
- Business Meeting of August 4, 2020
Rosenthal/Slattery moved to approve the Minutes. Discussion: None. All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.
- SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS
- COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Extension
Interim City Administrator Adam Hanks gave a brief Staff report (see attached).
Jensen/Rosenthal moved to continue the emergency declaration. Discussion: Jensen spoke in support of the motion. Rosenthal spoke that he looks forward to the day that the City does not have to discuss this anymore. Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.
- 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] See note above for how to submit written testimony for Public Forum.
- CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Interim City Administrator Adam Hanks gave the Administrator report (see attached).
Items discussed were:
- Council Testimony.
- City and Regional Utility Assistance.
- Evacuation Study.
- Look Ahead.
CONSENT AGENDA
- Zero Emission Vehicle Innovation Fund Grant Acceptance
Hanks gave a brief Staff report.
Graham/Slattery moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Discussion. None. 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.)
The Public Hearing will take oral testimony from those who have submitted written arguments to the Community Development Department prior to August 10 at 4:30 p.m. per AMC 18.5.1.060.I.5.a.
- Land Use Appeal of 210 Alicia Avenue
Bill Molnar – gave a brief Staff report.
Mayor Stromberg read a statement into the record (see attached).
City Recorder Melissa Huhtala read the Grounds for appeal.
Senior Planner Derek Severson went over a PowerPoint Presentation (see attached).
Items discussed were:
- Grounds for appeal.
- On the record hearings.
- Cottage Housing proposal.
- Vicinity Map.
- Cottage Housing Survey.
- Existing Driveway Separation.
- Outline Plan.
- Landscape Plan.
- Carport Structure.
- Solar Compliance.
- Utility Plan.
- Sewer Capacity.
- Grading Plan.
- Erosion Control Plan.
- Sylvia Street Perspective.
- Alicia Avenue Perspective.
- Outline Plan- Fire Marshal’s Comments.
- 1-5 Ground of appeal.
- Staff Recommendation.
- Cottage Housing Proposal.
Severson spoke that Staff recommends to reject each appeal and for Staff to prepare findings for the September 1st Council Business Meeting.
Council discussed parking.
Council discussed the wording regarding “capacity”.
Council discussed Cottage Housing.
Council discussed what would happen if there were issues with the pipes and what risk there would be on the land owner.
Applicant – Amy Gunter – Gunter announced her address. She spoke regarding the driveway separation. She spoke regarding Cottage Housings and its limits. She spoke regarding unit size. Gunter spoke regarding parking and sanitary services.
Dan Van Dyke – Appellant - Spoke that citizens will be mad and there should have been discussion. He spoke that the City already had been mapping the development in May. He spoke that the public should be able to listen to and attend the meetings. He spoke to all 5 listed points.
Public Testimony
Michael Goldman– Spoke in objection of the proposed 12-house development at 210 Alicia Street. (see attached).
Sue Jaffe –Spoke in objection of the proposal (see attached).
Kent Riley– Spoke in objection of the proposal.
Rosenthal/Graham moved to extend the Public Hearing. Discussion: None. All ayes. Motion passed unanimously.
Rebuttal:
Gunter – Spoke regarding minimum standard verses maximum standard. Gunter spoke regarding Fire apparatus access. Gunter spoke regarding Storm Water Standards.
Council discussed the flow test.
City Attorney David Lohman asked Gunter to clarify if the applicant could provide a flow test or not. Gunter spoke that is difficult to say how it would be conducted in the neighborhood.
Mayor Stromberg closed the Public Hearing 8:20 PM
Lohman explained to the Council that this item voted on for the findings and not the personal feelings on this issue. He spoke that Council should look at substantial evidence.
Mayor Stromberg questioned what would happen if someone appeals a decision by planning. Lohman explained that it becomes an appeal and would have to follow the proper steps.
Council discussed the appeal process.
Jensen/Slattery moved to affirm the decision of the Planning Commission, on appeal point number 1 reject the appeal and direct staff to prepare written findings for approval reflecting the original Planning Commission decision from July 14, 2020 for adoption by Council. Discussion: None. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Graham, Seffinger, Rosenthal and Jensen: YES. Akins: NO. Motion passed 5-1.
Slattery/Graham moved to affirm the decision of the Planning Commission, on appeal point number 2 reject the appeal and direct staff to prepare written findings for approval reflecting the original Planning Commission decision from July 14, 2020 for adoption by Council. With the condition to place a yield or stop sign at entrance exit of the parking lot. Discussion: Slattery spoke in support of the motion. Graham spoke that this is appropriate and necessary. Akins agreed with Slattery and Graham. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Graham, Seffinger, Rosenthal, Jensen and Akins: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
Jensen/Slattery moved to affirm the decision of the Planning Commission, on appeal point number 3 reject the appeal and direct staff to prepare written findings for approval reflecting the original Planning Commission decision from July 14, 2020 for adoption by Council. Discussion: Jensen spoke that this item is straight forward. Graham spoke regarding the response from Planning and suggested a procedure to respond to requests. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Graham, Seffinger, Rosenthal, Jensen and Akins: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
Jensen/Rosenthal moved to affirm the decision of the Planning Commission, on appeal point number 4 reject the appeal and direct staff to prepare written findings for approval reflecting the original Planning Commission decision from July 14, 2020 for adoption by Council. Discussion: Jensen spoke in support of the motion. Rosenthal spoke that the facts are that the Planning Commission did not make technical or procedural errors. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Graham, Akins, Seffinger, Rosenthal and Jensen: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
Jensen/Rosenthal moved to affirm the decision of the Planning Commission, on appeal point number 5 reject the appeal and direct staff to prepare written findings for approval reflecting the original Planning Commission decision from July 14, 2020 for adoption by Council. Discussion: Jensen spoke that he will vote against would like to see the City to be more decisive in their language in infrastructure particularly when involving neighbors and neighborhoods. Rosenthal appreciates Jensen statement but he spoke that he would be voting yes. Slattery asked for a point of clarification from the City Attorney to restate what the City’s responsibility is on this subject. City Attorney David Lohman gave an overview. Slattery clarified that the Council is considering whether or not the Planning Commission made a reasonable decision. Jensen questioned if the was rejected what would be the implication. Lohman explained it would need to go back to the Planning Commission. However due to the time constraints does not see how that can happen. Council discussed the appeal process. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Graham, Akins, Seffinger, Rosenthal and Jensen: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
Graham/Slattery moved to include the condition that the 9 smaller units be less than 800 sq. ft. to comply with parking requirement. Discussion: None. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Graham, Seffinger, Jensen and Rosenthal: YES. Akins NO. Motion passed 5-1.
- UNFINISHED BUSINESS
- NEW AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
- City Manager Recruitment Process and Job Description Discussion
Hanks gave a Staff report.
Hanks introduced Human Services Director Tina Gray. Gray gave a brief Staff report.
Slattery/Akins moved to approve the job description and authorize staff to proceed with recruitment option #1 and to begin the recruitment process on January 15th and the starts date yet to be determined. Discussion: Slattery spoke in support to start recruitment process January 15th. Akins spoke in support of the idea. Rosenthal spoke that he would vote no and it is not a good idea to rush this issue. Graham questioned the recruitment process. Slattery spoke to the importance of going through the process of a job description.
Rosenthal/Slattery moved to postpone this item until next council meeting. Discussion: None. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Graham, Akins, Seffinger, Rosenthal and Jensen: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
- Approval of Awarding $80,000 in Tourism Grants
Rosenthal/Seffinger moved to approve the allocations recommended by the Tourism Grants Ad Hoc Committee. Discussion: Rosenthal thanked Staff for their work. Seffinger spoke regarding the process. Graham explained that this money is restricted to this purpose. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Graham, Seffinger, Akins, Rosenthal and Jensen: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
- Oregon Worker Relief Fund Discussion
Due to time constraints this item was moved to the next Council Meeting.
- Update on Pioneer Hall and the Community Center
Due to time constraints this item was moved to the next Council Meeting.
- ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRACTS
- Review of Ordinance 3176 and Possible First Reading of Ordinance 3189 Relating to Public Safety; Adding New AMC Chapter 10.58
Due to time constraints this item was moved to the next Council Meeting.
- OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS/REPORTS FROM COUNCIL LIAISONS
- ADJOURNMENT OF BUSINESS MEETING
The Business Meeting was adjourned at 9:30 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).
