Agendas and Minutes

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Study Session

Agenda
Monday, October 04, 2010

MINUTES FOR CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION

Monday, October 4, 2010

Siskiyou Room, 51 Winburn Way

 

Mayor Stromberg called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. in the Siskiyou Room.

 

Councilor Silbiger, Voisin, Navickas, Jackson, Chapman and Lemhouse were present.

 

1.     Look Ahead Review

City Administrator Martha Bennett reviewed the items on the Council Look Ahead.

 

2.    Does the Council have questions for the consultant team of Kittelson and Associates, Inc. regarding the implementation of the Transportation System Plan update?

Engineering Service Manager Jim Olson introduced Principal Engineer Marc Butorac from Kittelson and Associates who provided an overview of the Ashland TSP Update that included:

·Team Organization Chart

·Project Background - Previous Transportation System Plans for City of Ashland  

·Oregon TSP History Perspective Chart of 1st, 2nd and 3rd Generation TSPs

·Backcasting and Benchmarking Framework

·What does Ashland want to be in 3034?

o        This is an opportunity to define and set a course for what Ashland wants to be in the future

o        The TSP Update opens the door for Innovation, Leadership and Paradigm shifts

·Examples of Innovation, Leadership, Paradigm Shifts

o        No Net New Lane Miles

o        Establish a Bicycle Share Program

o        Construct a Funicular

·Project Background and Scope

o        Purpose of Current Update

·Scope - 11 Tasks  

·Draft Project Schedule

o        18 months to Draft TSP

o        Additional Public Process at adoption hearings in January 2012

·Draft Public Workshop Schedule/Agendas

·Public Website – ashlandtsp.com

o        Features

·Goals, Objectives and Evaluation Criteria

·Goal #1 – Create a “green” template for other communities in the state and nation to follow

·Goal #2 – Make safety a priority for all modes of travel

·Goal #3 – Maintain small-town character, support economic prosperity and accommodate future growth

·Goal #4 – Create system-wide balance for serving and facilitating pedestrian, bicycle, rail, air, transit and vehicular traffic in terms of mobility and access within and through the City of Ashland

 

Mr. Butorac confirmed that paratransit, dial-a-ride services and other components would be part of the TSP.  He explained that No New Net Lane Miles removed a lane or designated it as mixed use whenever a new lane was built. 

 

·Where do you want the City of Ashland to be in 2034?

Council and staff made the following suggestions:

o        Being resource conscious rather than pushing the envelope

o        Provide alternative transportation that connects throughout the valley

o        Have measurable, attainable goals

o        Safer roads

o        Free frequent shuttle service

o        Establish no new lane miles

o        Create a bike share program

o        Institute no cars allowed policy at SOU for freshman students

o        Improve public transportation 

o        Truck delivery service at a centralized location for purchases made outside of the city

o        Multi modal for the aging population

o        Provide alternative transit to people’s homes

o        Create high-density nodes  

o        Have train service and move freight off the road and onto the tracks

o        Commuter Rail Service throughout the valley

o        Incorporate transportation systems for commuter rail passengers to get around the town once they arrive

o        Restore passenger service 

o        Develop standards and alternative capacity that satisfies ODOT and still moves triple trailers

·Challenges Ahead

o        Myths and Biases

o        Alternative and Creative Funding Vehicles

o        Political Will

 

3.    Will the Council add code language to the Ashland Municipal Code (AMC), creating an Advanced Financing of Public Improvement section?

Public Works Director Mike Faught provided a presentation on Advanced Financing of Public Improvements that included:

·         Background

·         Why

o        Most new private developments require the upgrade of public facilities

o        Sometimes a developer has to put in larger facilities than are required as a condition

o        Future property owners get the full benefit of the new facility without paying their proportionate share of the costs

·         Croman Mill District land Use Overlays

·         What is Advanced Financing of Public Improvements

o        A financial mechanism to reimburse publicly or privately funded public improvement projects that have direct benefit to other property owners

·         How does an Advanced Financing District Work?

o        Advanced Financing is similar to the formation of a Local Improvement District (LID) in that is distributes the cost of public improvement projects based on benefited use

·         How Does an Advanced  Finance District Compare to an LID – the difference between the two financing options

o        LID assessment is due immediately

o        Advance Financing method is due when the benefited property owner hooks into the public improvement

 

Staff noted the City would collect the money and distribute it to the investor.  A general community benefit would require a specific portion of distribution that was quantifiable like having a park at the Croman Mill site.  

 

·         Examples to Potential Developer Related Advanced Financing District

·         Process

o        Development application

o        Identify Public Improvements

o        Public Improvements Proposal

o        Public Hearing

o        Council Action for Approval: Resolution, Construction

o        Council Action for Denial:  No further action

 

Staff provided examples of Advanced Financing Districts, benefits to the developer and that there was no legal remonstrance for citizens opposing a district, the City Council would represent them.

 

·         Example – Tables

 

Staff explained the proposed ordinance had investors receiving interest that increased 7% annually and clarified percentage rates needed reevaluation.  An Advanced Financing District was a useful tool that allowed the private sector to build infrastructure.  The district would expire after 10 years with two-year extensions. 

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,                                   

Dana Smith

Assistant to the City Recorder

 

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