MINUTES FOR CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
Monday, December 1, 2008
Council Chambers, 1175 East Main Street
Mayor Morrison called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Councilors Navickas, Hartzell, Jackson and Chapman were present. Councilor Hardesty arrived at 6:04 p.m. Councilor Silbiger was absent.
1. Look Ahead Review
City Administrator Martha Bennett reviewed the items on the Council Look Ahead.
2. Review of regular meeting agenda for December 2, 2008
City Administrator Martha Bennett reviewed the upcoming Regular meeting agenda with Council.
3. Will Council consider amending Ashland Municipal Code (AMC) 13.20 Local Improvement and Special Assessments and Amending Resolution 1999-09?
Public Works Director Mike Faught presented the staff report, the current subsidy, the proposed subsidy and the rationale of the sub-categories. He noted the current cap artificially inflated the City's amount from $4,000 to $5,426.
Improvement | Current Subsidy | Proposed Categories | Staff Subsidy Recommendation |
Council Recommendation |
Sidewalk | 60% | Arterial Collector Safe Route To School General |
50% 50% 50% 50% |
|
Storm Drain | 75% | Regional Facility Stream Restoration 18" Diameter or Equivalent Stormwater Conveyance System General |
60% 60% 60% 0% |
|
Street Surface | 20% | Arterial Collector Residential |
20% 10% 0% |
|
Engineering and Administrative | 50% | These costs are included in the total project cost estimates | 0% |
The General sub-categories were set at 0% because the primary investment benefited the homeowner the most and it was decided they should pay for the cost of the project. Council increased the subsidy for sub-category General under Sidewalk to 10% and suggested readdressing sub-category subsidies in five years.
The subsidy for the Safe Route to School sub-category under Sidewalk increased from 50% to 60%.
Concern was expressed that 0% subsidy for the General sub-category under Storm Drain was too low and did not benefit the environment. The City had subsidized the category in the past because of the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) discharge and reducing sediment. Council increased the subsidy amount to 40%.
Council agreed to eliminate the cap with a suggestion to re-evaluate in five years. Concern was voiced that it was unfair to make the owner pay for something that benefited the whole community.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:19 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Dana Smith
Assistant to the City Recorder