MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING
ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL
August 19, 2003 - 7:00 p.m.
Civic Center Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main Street
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor DeBoer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Civic Center
Council Chambers.
ROLL CALL
Councilor Laws, Amarotico, Hartzell, Jackson, Morrison and Hearn were present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of August 5, 2003 were approved
as presented.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS (None)
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Minutes of Boards, Commissions and Committees.
2. Approval of Quitclaim Deed to remove easement on Perozzi Property.
3. Grant an Access and Utility Easement over the Street Plug on Ashland Creek
Drive.
Hartzell requested to have items #2 and #3 removed for further discussion.
Councilor Laws / Amarotico m/s to approve Consent Agenda item #1. Voice Vote: All AYES. Motion passed.
It was clarified for the council there is no relationship between the Perozzi easement and the existing trail easement.
Councilor Hartzell / Jackson m/s to approve Consent Agenda item #2. Voice Vote: All AYES. Motion passed.
Public Works Director Paula Brown clarified for the council the location of the easement in relation to the house, and assured council this was purely an access easement and would have no impact on the City's ownership or future use.
Councilor Hartzell / Amarotico m/s to approve Consent Agenda item #3. Voice Vote: All AYES. Motion passed.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Public Hearing regarding Levying of Special Benefit Assessments for
three Local Improvement Districts: 1) Central Avenue Improvements in the
amount of $60,606.29; 2) Penny Drive/Palmer Road Improvements in the amount
of $46,000.00; and, 3) Helman Street Improvements in the amount of
$36,109.50.
Public Works director Paula Brown gave a brief history of the three local improvement districts.
Central Avenue LID:
this is the oldest of the three LIDs
the two original tax lots have been combined into one
staff has not received any objections regarding this LID
Penny/Palmer LID:
no sidewalks were built and were deferred indefinitely
the $4000.00 cap was set by Resolution 99-09
some individuals were only charged for half lot assessments
this LID was completed in conjunction with the Helman LID
the cost was $534.00 per unit
Helman LID:
sidewalks were installed on only one side of the street
there has been four objections within this LID from: Brad Roupp, John
Engelhardt/Diane Williams, Susan Shulters, and Fred Roberts. Brown explained
how each objection has been acknowledged, and what is being done to resolve
the disputes.
this LID came in slightly over budget at a cost of $6.00 per unit,
but staff recommends the council retain the original $534.00 assessment.
Public Hearing OPEN: 7:18 p.m.
The mayor acknowledged the four letters of dispute received.
Public Hearing CLOSED: 7:18
PUBLIC FORUM
Jack Blackburn/805 Oak St./ Feels the council should find someone to
investigate whether the Mt. Ashland expansion would interfere with the quality
of Ashland's water and stand behind their report. He also stated the council
has the power to influence growth. If the council is unable to decide which
direction to take, Blackburn suggests taking it to the people and see what
they support.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Quarterly Financial Report - May - June, 2003.
Finance Director Lee Tuneberg explained this is a preliminary report, as
staff is continually doing reconciliations and adjustments. He noted on the
cash and investments report, the balance has decrease by 5.6 million dollars
between this year and last, with an ending fund balance up 9.6 million. Revenues
were just slightly over what was projected, and expenditures came in at about
90% of what was budgeted. The audit is scheduled to be completed and a final
report will be delivered to the council in November.
2. Ashland Fiber Network Quarterly Report.
Finance Director Lee Tuneberg reported the AFN cable television connections
and cable modems services are doing well, with the shortfall happening with
the high speed data services. He explained there is a meeting in September
to talk about the revised business plan and discuss what they can be doing
and should be doing. He also stated they will be reconveying with the Budget
Committee on September 18th at 7:00 p.m.
Council expressed their concerns for the reduction in revenue.
NEW AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
1. Report on Proposed Process - Mt. Ashland response to DEIS.
City Administrator Gino Grimaldi explained the Forest Service had granted
the council's extension request, and presented the following process for
approval:
September 24 - noon. Study Session
September 30 - 7:00 p.m. Public Input
October 7 - 7:00 p.m. Regularly scheduled Council meeting - Council
decision.
October 21 - 7:00 p.m. Regularly scheduled Council meeting (if needed)
October 23 - Comments due to Forest Service
The City Administrator suggested having the Study Session on September 22nd
instead of the 24th to resolve some scheduling conflicts.
The council discussed the pros and cons of moving the Study Session date
to September 22.
Councilor Laws / Jackson m/s to approve process with change of Sept. 22 for the Study Session. Voice Vote: Laws, Amarotico, Jackson, YES. Hartzell, Morrison, Hearn, NO. Mayor DeBoer, YES. Motion passed.
Tom Rose/430 Wimer St/ Discussed flaws within the DEIS, including: lack of historical content, no financial or operational data, forecast based solely on the number of skiers, and based on incomplete and biased data.
Eric Navickas/711 Faith/ Stated he supports the process proposed by the staff. He explained some history regarding the attempt of this project and relayed some information on the dry years Mt. Ashland has faced. He stated the expansion would drop one mile into the watershed, and believes this expansion is a very bad idea.
Marilyn Briggs/ 590 Glenview Dr/ Does not believe the expansion can be stopped, and explained her views on each of the six DEIS alternatives.
Bill Little/80 High Oak Dr/ Board member of the Mt. Ashland Association. Expressed he is comfortable with the associations' financial position and would like to assist in providing information to the city.
Jeff Hanson/13880 Hwy 66/ General Manager of the Mt. Ashland Association. Welcomed the city staff to use the association as a resource. Explained the association can be of assistance in guiding the city, especially in the area of operational construction.
Discussion developed amongst the council as to whether or not to allow public input at the September 22nd Study Session. It was established that the public was welcome to attend, but it is undeterminable whether there will be enough time for them to speak.
2. Update and Discussion on Youth Activities Levy Commission.
Bill Cobb/Committee Chair/ Presented a brief history of the commissions'
activities. He expressed the need to fill the two open positions on the
committee. He also explained how other schools in the area are cutting programs
due to funding, and is concerned that Ashland's youth athletic teams will
not have any competition to play against.
Juli DiChiro/Superintendent of Ashland School District/ Explained that she was there to answer any questions the council may have regarding the commission. She clarified the role of the committee is to over see what the district is doing, and expressed the need to find a vehicle for student voice.
Council discussed what attributes they are seeking in the new applicants for the commission, and how to stay better informed of the commissions' activities.
Mayor DeBoer extended the application deadline for the Youth Activities Levy Commission to August 29, 2003.
3. Hargadine Parking Structure Report - January - June, 2003.
Finance Director Lee Tuneberg presented the updated parking facilities revenue
report to the council. He stated this year's revenue was up from last. He
also explained the parking garage is heavily used by the Shakespeare Theatre
and usage is expected to decline slightly when the tourist season ends.
Councilor Laws / Amarotico m/s to approve report. Voice Vote: all AYES. Motion passed.
Council discussed options to keep the parking structure filled year round.
4. Report on June 2003 Water Revenue Bond Sale.
Finance Director Lee Tuneberg gave a brief summary on the Water Revenue Bond
Sale. He explained how refinancing saved the city $373,000.00.
ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRACTS
1. First reading by title only of "An Ordinance Amending Chapter 18.72
of the Ashland Municipal Code - Land Use Ordinance, Amending the Detail Site
Review Zone Standards for Large Buildings, and Amending Section II-C-3a)2)
of the Site Design and Use Standards."
Eric Navickas/711 Faith Ave/ Wants the council to strictly limit the downtown square footage to 45,000 in order to preserve the character of Ashland. He also expressed concern with some of the larger lots in the area, including the Wells Fargo and Elks Lodge sites.
Jack Hardesty/575 Dogwood Way/ Does not support the new ordinance, and asks the council to adopt an interim resolution that would limit the gross square footage.
Bryan Holley/324 Liberty St/ Suggested putting a separate height limit on the North side of Main Street. Stated he would like to preserve the look of this area for future children, and does not believe residents want to have big, commercial buildings in the downtown area.
Bill Street/180 Mead St/ Stated he felt the need for a very lengthy discussion amongst the council tonight, and would like to close the window of opportunity for someone wanting to build a huge site.
Community Development Director John McLaughlin came forward and prompted the council discussion on the first reading of the proposed ordinance, as well as answered their questions.
Councilor Hartzell / Morrison m/s to extend meeting to 10:30. Voice Vote: All AYES. Motion passed.
The council discussed which elements they wanted to keep in the Ordinance, and which ones needed to be modified. The following is a list of sections the council wants to be modified before the second reading (determined by a straw vote):
Section 1 - Item 1.B
Needs to be better defined to clarify whether parking or an interior courtyard
is part of the "footprint".
Section 1 - Item 1.C
Eliminate "rooftop parking" and better define "under-structure parking"
Section 1 - Item 1.E
Eliminate "Any building or contiguous groups of buildings which exceed these
limitations, which were in existence in 1992, may expand up to 15% in area
or length beyond their 1992 area of length."
Section 1 - Item 2
Leave footprint area at 45,000 sq.ft, but clean up the language for
clarity.
Section 1 - Item 2.A
Eliminate entire item
Section 1 - Item 2.B
Eliminate "rooftop parking" and better define "under-structure parking"
Section 2
Keep verbiage consistent with changes in Section 1
Section 3 - Item 2
Change "This entrance shall be designed..." to "The entrance shall be
designed..."
Eliminate the word "attractive"
Councilor Hartzell / Morrison m/s to approve first reading of ordinance and place on agenda for second reading. Roll Call Vote: Laws, Hearn, Hartzell, Amarotico, Jackson and Morrison. All AYES. Motion passed.
2. Reading by title only of "A Resolution Levying Special Benefit Assessments
in the amount of $36,109.50 for the Helman Street Sidewalk Improvement District
for Improvements Consisting of Sidewalks and Associated Improvements for
Helman Street, Between Van Ness Avenue and Nevada Street."
Public Works Director Paula Brown explained the sidewalk was only placed
on one side of the street, though each participant in the LID was assessed
the same amount.
Councilor Laws/Jackson m/s to approve Resolution #2003-29. Roll Call Vote: Amarotico, Morrison, Laws, Jackson, Hearn and Hartzell. All AYES. Motion passed.
3. Reading by title only of "A Resolution Levying Special Benefit Assessments in the amount of $46,000.00 for the Penny Drive and Palmer Road Local Improvement District for Improvements to Palmer Road and Penny Drive consisting of Paving, Curbs, Gutters, Storm Drains, Sidewalk and Associated Improvements."
Councilor Morrison / Laws m/s to approve Resolution #2003-30.
Discussion: Public Works Director Paula Brown reminded council they had delegated excess funds to be used for a connection to the Helman St. project, located between Oak and Helman on Nevada Street.
Roll Call Vote: Hartzell, Jackson, Hearn, Morrison, Amarotico and Laws. All AYES. Motion passed.
4. Reading by title only of "A Resolution Levying Special Benefit Assessments in the amount of $60,606.29 for the Central Avenue Local Improvement District for Improvements for Paving, Curbs, Gutters, Storm Drains and Sidewalks on Central Avenue from its existing Terminus East of Helman Street to Water Street, for the Central Avenue Local Improvement District."
Councilor Amarotico/ Morrison m/s to approve Resolution #2003-31. Roll Call Vote: Jackson, Laws, Morrison, Amarotico, Hearn and Hartzell. All AYES. Motion passed.
OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS
Mayor DeBoer announced the RVTV City television show has been moved to the
first Wednesday of the month at 6:00 p.m., starting in October. He also stated
the evaluation for the City Administrator and City Attorney has been postponed.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 10:20 p.m.
________________________________
Barbara Christensen, City Recorder Alan DeBoer, Mayor
End of Document - Back to Top