Agendas and Minutes
City Council (View All)
Council Business Meeting
Agenda
Tuesday, February 02, 2021
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
Held Electronically; View on Channel 9 or Channels 180 and 181 (Charter Communications) or live stream via rvtv.sou.edu select RVTV Prime.
Written and oral testimony will be accepted for public input. For written testimony, email public-testimony@ashland.or.us using the subject line: February 2 Business Meeting Testimony.
For oral testimony, fill out a Speaker Request Form at ashland.or.us/speakerrequest and return it to the City Recorder. The deadline for submitting written testimony or speaker request forms will be on Monday, February 1 at 10 a.m. and must comply with Council Rules to be accepted.
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.(D)(3)].
6:00 PM Regular Business Meeting
Mayor Akins introduced Senator Jeff Golden. He spoke regarding Wildfire Recovery.
Council discussed Mobile Home Park options.
Council thanked Senator Golden.
Council discussed combing the General Fund to the Central Fund. Purcell explained that this is transparent and efficient.
Council approved the suggested Council Liaisons; Adding Councilor Seffinger to the Libaralive Ashland Commission.
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
Held Electronically; View on Channel 9 or Channels 180 and 181 (Charter Communications) or live stream via rvtv.sou.edu select RVTV Prime.
Written and oral testimony will be accepted for public input. For written testimony, email public-testimony@ashland.or.us using the subject line: February 2 Business Meeting Testimony.
For oral testimony, fill out a Speaker Request Form at ashland.or.us/speakerrequest and return it to the City Recorder. The deadline for submitting written testimony or speaker request forms will be on Monday, February 1 at 10 a.m. and must comply with Council Rules to be accepted.
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.(D)(3)].
6:00 PM Regular Business Meeting
- CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Akins called the meeting to Order at 6:00 PM
- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
- ROLL CALL
Councilors’ Hyatt, Graham, Moran, Seffinger, DuQuenne and Jensen were present.
- MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Akins introduced Senator Jeff Golden. He spoke regarding Wildfire Recovery.
Council discussed Mobile Home Park options.
Council thanked Senator Golden.
- APPROVAL OF MINUTES
- Business Meeting of January 19, 2021
Hyatt/Seffinger moved to approve the minutes. Discussion: None. All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.
- SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS
- Proclamation for Formal Land Acknowledgement
Mayor Akins read the Proclamation into the record (see attached).
- Proclamation for Transit Equity Day
Hyatt read the Proclamation into the record (see attached).
- Annual Presentation by the Transportation Commission.
Public Works Director Scott Fleury introduced Transportation Chair Linda Adams.
Adams presented Council with the annual update.
Adams presented Council with the annual update.
- MINUTES OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES
| Airport | Budget | Conservation |
| Historic | Housing and Human Srvs. | Parks & Recreation |
| Forest Lands | Climate Policy | Cost Review |
| Planning | Public Arts | Transportation |
| Tree | Wildfire Mitigation |
- PUBLIC FORUM
Business from the audience not included on the agenda. 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 testimony for Public Forum.
Karolina Lavagnino spoke regarding how this pandemic has impacted Neuman Hotel Group and the entire hospitality industry in Ashland.
Emily Simon spoke regarding concerns regarding the status of the Social Equity & Racial Justice Resolution and the Commission (see attached).
See note above for how to submit testimony for Public Forum.
Karolina Lavagnino spoke regarding how this pandemic has impacted Neuman Hotel Group and the entire hospitality industry in Ashland.
Emily Simon spoke regarding concerns regarding the status of the Social Equity & Racial Justice Resolution and the Commission (see attached).
- CITY MANAGER REPORT
Hanks presented Council with the Managers Report (see attached). Items discussed were:
- Management recruitments.
- City Recorder being sworn in as Region 5 Director of the Oregon Association of Municipal Recorders (OAMR).
- Look Ahead.
Council discussed supporting small businesses. Hanks explained he would like direction from Council to as to what they want to and will work on getting this added to the Look Ahead. He explained that Staff would need to know where the suggested funding sources would come from. DuQuenne suggested to direct Staff to look into possible funding sources.
Council discussed to set a date for the Goal Setting.
Jensen/Hyatt moved to add reviving the Pledge of Allegiance to the Council Business Meetings; and to rescind the direction to Staff at last night’s meeting regarding directing staff to prioritize an analysis of wastewater system. Discussion: Jensen spoke in support of the motion. Hyatt spoke that this is a parliamentary issue. She asked for clarification from Staff regarding this issue. City Attorney David Lohman gave an overview of the process. Hyatt spoke that she would be in support to have this item added to the Agenda. Roll Call Vote: Jensen, Graham, Hyatt, Seffinger, Moran and DuQuenne: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
Council discussed to set a date for the Goal Setting.
Jensen/Hyatt moved to add reviving the Pledge of Allegiance to the Council Business Meetings; and to rescind the direction to Staff at last night’s meeting regarding directing staff to prioritize an analysis of wastewater system. Discussion: Jensen spoke in support of the motion. Hyatt spoke that this is a parliamentary issue. She asked for clarification from Staff regarding this issue. City Attorney David Lohman gave an overview of the process. Hyatt spoke that she would be in support to have this item added to the Agenda. Roll Call Vote: Jensen, Graham, Hyatt, Seffinger, Moran and DuQuenne: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
- CONSENT AGENDA
- East Main Street Banner Request for the Oregon Fringe Festival
- Approval of Liquor License for Morning Glory
Graham/Seffinger 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 conclude at 8:00 p.m. and are 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
Finance Director Melanie Purcell gave a Staff report. Purcell went over a PowerPoint presentation (see attached).
Items discussed were:
Items discussed were:
- Background and schedule.
- Financial policies update.
- Significant changes to prior policies.
- Next steps.
Council discussed combing the General Fund to the Central Fund. Purcell explained that this is transparent and efficient.
- Wildfire Forum Discussion and Schedule
Hanks gave a brief Staff report.
Jensen/Graham moved to direct staff to develop a Wildfire Public Forum utilizing the agenda topics above with an event date of March 10th 2021. Discussion: None. Roll Call
Jensen/Graham moved to direct staff to develop a Wildfire Public Forum utilizing the agenda topics above with an event date of March 10th 2021. Discussion: None. Roll Call
- Council Liaison Appointments
Council approved the suggested Council Liaisons; Adding Councilor Seffinger to the Libaralive Ashland Commission.
- Update on Citizen’s Budget Committee Vacancies and Appointment Process
Hanks gave a brief Staff report.
Council discussed the process.
Council discussed the process.
- NEW AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
- Workplan Special Session Discussion and Schedule
Hyatt/Graham moved to approve a special council work plan session and request Staff to send a Doodle Poll for availability between the dates of February 17Th - March 5th
2021. All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.
Items added to the agenda Regarding Rogue Valley Sewer Service Presentation:
Jensen/Hyatt move to rescind the thumbs up direction to staff at last night’s study session to prioritize a deep dive analysis into the COA wastewater operation including the invitation for a Rogue Valley Sewer Services presentation. As part of this motion, it is further moved that such an analysis not be considered by City Council until after current city budget is approved by council.
Discussion: Council discussed the process of what was approved at the 02/01/21 Study Session. Council discussed options of bringing an RVSS presentation back to Council. Moran spoke that this subject should be brought up after the budget and before the Fall. Seffinger spoke regarding living wage for all groups. DuQuenne spoke regarding livable Ashland and that discussions need to be had. Graham spoke to the importance of these conversations. She spoke to use of City Council and Staff time. She also discussed utility rates and a comparison to others.
Roll Call Vote: Graham, Hyatt, Moran, DuQuenne, Jensen and Seffinger: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
Item added regarding the Pledge of Allegiance:
Council discussed options on how to add the Pledge of Allegiance virtually.
Jensen/Graham moved to bring back the Council Pledge of Allegiance done virtually at Council Business Meetings. Discussion: DuQuenne spoke that she would take a knee during the pledge until there is justice for all. Mayor Akins spoke that she will lead the pledge but not state “Under God”. Seffinger spoke she will also not say “Under God”. Jensen suggested that in Akins absents to have Graham have to take over. He also suggested that those who do not want to say “under god” do not have to. Roll Call Vote: Graham, Seffinger, Moran, Jensen, Hyatt: YES. DuQuenne: NO. Motion passed 5-1.
ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRACTS
2021. All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.
Items added to the agenda Regarding Rogue Valley Sewer Service Presentation:
Jensen/Hyatt move to rescind the thumbs up direction to staff at last night’s study session to prioritize a deep dive analysis into the COA wastewater operation including the invitation for a Rogue Valley Sewer Services presentation. As part of this motion, it is further moved that such an analysis not be considered by City Council until after current city budget is approved by council.
Discussion: Council discussed the process of what was approved at the 02/01/21 Study Session. Council discussed options of bringing an RVSS presentation back to Council. Moran spoke that this subject should be brought up after the budget and before the Fall. Seffinger spoke regarding living wage for all groups. DuQuenne spoke regarding livable Ashland and that discussions need to be had. Graham spoke to the importance of these conversations. She spoke to use of City Council and Staff time. She also discussed utility rates and a comparison to others.
Roll Call Vote: Graham, Hyatt, Moran, DuQuenne, Jensen and Seffinger: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
Item added regarding the Pledge of Allegiance:
Council discussed options on how to add the Pledge of Allegiance virtually.
Jensen/Graham moved to bring back the Council Pledge of Allegiance done virtually at Council Business Meetings. Discussion: DuQuenne spoke that she would take a knee during the pledge until there is justice for all. Mayor Akins spoke that she will lead the pledge but not state “Under God”. Seffinger spoke she will also not say “Under God”. Jensen suggested that in Akins absents to have Graham have to take over. He also suggested that those who do not want to say “under god” do not have to. Roll Call Vote: Graham, Seffinger, Moran, Jensen, Hyatt: YES. DuQuenne: NO. Motion passed 5-1.
ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRACTS
- OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS/REPORTS FROM COUNCIL LIAISONS
- ADJOURNMENT OF BUSINESS MEETING
The Council Business Meeting was adjourned at 9:05 PM
Respectfully submitted by:
________________________________________
City Recorder Melissa Huhtala
Attest:
________________________________________
Mayor Akins
Respectfully submitted by:
________________________________________
City Recorder Melissa Huhtala
Attest:
________________________________________
Mayor Akins
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