Agendas and Minutes

City Council (View All)

Special Meeting

Agenda
Wednesday, August 01, 2001

MINUTES FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING
ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL
August 1, 2001 - 12:00 p.m.
Civic Center Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main Street

Mayor DeBoer called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Councilors Laws, Reid, Hartzell, Hanson, and Morrison were in attendance.

1. Council Discussion/Questions for Interview Process
Gary Smith submitted a letter requesting consideration for application of the vacant position. Council's general consensus was to continue with the original deadline of July 16, 2001 for submission of applications for the vacancy of council position #6.

Council clarified that the purpose of the meeting was to interview candidates, and noted that time was not set aside for public input. Council agreed to start with 3 or 4 general questions, and to expand if time allowed. Council proceeded to discuss and agree on the candidate questions:

1. How long have you lived in the community and what community activities have you been involved in?
2. What do you think is the biggest issue facing the city in the next two years, and how do you see yourself contributing to resolve the issues?
3. What personal skills and time availability do you offer the council?
4. What is your primary motivation for seeking the vacant council seat?
5. Do you see yourself representing a particular constituency or group?

II Candidate Interviews

Dennis DeBey
1. Moved to Ashland in 1968. He has worked on the recycling task force, the Neighborhood Group regarding LID in Tolman Creek, Downtown Commission, various other committees, and local school mentor and scholarship programs. He ran for City Council several years ago.
2. Managing Ashland's resources and watershed issues. Has background in biology, which could be beneficial.
3. Good communication skills and knack for understanding individual problems.
4. Felt that the City has been good to him and would like to represent the community for individuals who share his ideals.
5. Did not feel he represented a particular group. Supports neighborhood harmony. Noted his involvement in various groups where education and participation was advantageous in reaching consensus.

Jay Lininger
1. Born in Ashland in 1975, strong roots in the community, good sense of issues surrounding the community. Active in high school activities while attending, active at State level on proposed measures, youth activity levy, Ashland Watershed Stewardship Alliance and Wilderness Charter School
2. Growth and Affordable Housing. Noted need to protect economic diversity and to scrutinize projects over a 50-year look ahead.
3. Experience in negotiating political activities. Believes in high level of public participation. Recognizes need for public involvement and participation. He asks questions and is very detailed. Works 30hrs a week and feels that his schedule allows for the commitment required.
4. City is facing important issues. Would like to see the younger generation represented.
5. Sees himself representing renters and limited-income individuals. Does not feel this group is represented.

Chris Hearn
1. Has lived in Ashland for 9, almost 10, years. Computer Swap for youth activities, Board of Directors for Head Start, Ashland Planning Commission, Ashland Budget Committee, YMCA soccer coach, free legal work for Waldorf School and various other individuals and groups, civil right issues on national level.
2. Growth and Development. Deals with them on a daily basis. Felt his experience would benefit the council when dealing with these issues.
3. Will make time to do what was needed. Noted his proven time commitment with the Planning Commission. Offers his personal skills, which have been developed over time. Confident in problem solving.
4. Voiced strong desire to be involved in the community that he loves. Wants to give back to the community. Has background in working with governmental entities.
5. Did not feel he represented one particular group. Voiced his concern with "grouping or perceiving" individuals and felt that we would represent open and honest viewpoints of members who live within the community.

Philip Lang
1. Commuted to Ashland from 1982, moved here in 1993. Board of Theater, active in affordable housing issues.
2. The economy. Feels the community has become too tourist motivated. Feels there is a need to actively secure economic diversity. Noted the feeling of disenchantment within the community regarding affordable housing.
3. Has been involved in the public sector since 1963 and is very familiar with how governmental agencies are run. Is familiar with governmental relations and offers broad range of experience. Due to his recent retirement, he has a great deal of time available to offer.
4. Identified himself as a "critic" and noted his need to put himself in the forefront. Willing to participate on the inside to solve issues.
5. Did not feel he represented a single point, but a variety of points of view, notions, or commitments. Feels he is issue-focused, and noted his particular interest in economic diversity and affordable housing.

Andrew Bangsberg
1. Has lived in Ashland for 2 years, but has been coming here for longer than that. Student Taxi Service, revision of city ordinances.
2. Represents the younger generation.
3. Unemployed at this time and can offer the necessary time. Is familiar with non-profit agencies. Offers his intuitive ability, which allows him to be a good listener. Is experienced in many fields. Offered his skill for concentrating on issues.
4. Wants to unite community youth and encouraged them to participate.
5. Represents the 18-35 year-old radical group. Wants traditional structure of government to include this group.

Patrick O’Rourke
1. New resident, July 2001. Involved currently through RVTV.
2. Economic availability for housing and living wage. He offers his ability to research and communicate with individuals who have experienced these types of issues. Adequate service available to all community members. Noted transportation issues and lack of use in local transit.
3. Will be able to offer whatever time is required to meet the needs of council responsibility. Noted past participation in agencies and familiarity with time commitment and process. Noted background in profit and non-profit organizations, experienced with strategic planning process.
4. Service to the community is a prime motivation. Offered his broad experience.
5. Did not feel he represented a particular group. Has the ability to represents the community at large.

Joe Charter
1. Lived in Rogue Valley for 10 years, moved to Ashland in July 2001. Relocating practice to Ashland.
2. Capital Improvement Projects, Transportation, Financing, Affordable Housing.
3. A lawyer with ordinance and government familiarity. Understands government process. Has ability to operate under consensus. Prepared to make a time commitment, but noted his personal work time requirement.
4. Service is his motivation and to be involved in the community. Interested in what he can contribute to community and to provide a balance on the council. Wants to represent the city as a whole.
5. Did not feel he represented any one group. Would do his best to represent the whole community. Wants to provide community respect and allow everyone to be heard.

II. Council Deliberation
Council Vote: Laws, Reid, and Morrison: Chris Hearn; Hartzell: Dennis DeBey; and Hanson: Jay Lininger.

Councilors Reid/Laws m/s to appoint Chris Hearn to Council Position #6. Roll Call Vote: Laws, Reid, Hartzell, Hanson, and Morrison, YES. Motion passed.

ADJOURNMENT

Meeting was adjourned at 2:00 p.m.

Submitted by Barbara Christensen, City Recorder

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