Agendas and Minutes

City Council (View All)

Regular Meeting

Agenda
Tuesday, October 17, 2017

MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING 
ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL
October 17, 2017
Council Chambers
1175 E. Main Street
 
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.E.]
 
7:00 p.m.  Regular Meeting

 
  1. CALL TO ORDER
 
Mayor Stromberg called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

 
  1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
 

III.       ROLL CALL

 
Councilor Darrow, Councilor Lemhouse, Councilor Morris, Councilor Slattery, and Councilor Rosenthal were present. 
 
Councilor Seffinger was absent.
 
IV.       MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Mayor Stromberg announced the current Commission and Committee openings. 

 

V.         APPROVAL OF MINUTES 

  1. Study Session of October 2, 2017
  2. Business Meeting of October 3, 2017
Councilor Slattery moved to approve the minutes.  Councilor Morris seconded.  Discussion:  None.  All Ayes.  Motion passed unanimously. 
 

VI.       SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS

1. Annual presentation by the Public Art Commission.
 
Public Arts Commission Chair, Sandy Friend gave Council an update on current projects.  She thanked Council and Ann Seltzer for their continued support.  Councilor Rosenthal thanked the Commission and congratulated them on their accomplishments.  Councilor Lemhouse spoke to the importance of the Commissioners. He encouraged citizens to go to these meetings to hear about the projects. 
 
 
VII.      PUBLIC FORUM Business from the audience not included on the agenda.  (Total time allowed for Public Forum is 15 minutes. The Mayor will set time limits to enable all people wishing to speak to complete their testimony.)  [15 minutes maximum]
 
Gwen Davies -860 Harmony Ln., Ashland- Submitted a document to the public record regarding Public Input and qualified Staff for the Senior Center (see attached).  
 
Sue Wilson- 1056 Dead Indian Memorial Rd., Ashland- Volunteer in Food and Friends at the Senior Center for a year.  Listened to all of the audio and read all the audit report.  She also spoke regarding the hand out submitted by Gwen Stavies. She spoke to the importance of building relationships to build trust.  
 
Joseph Kauth-1 Corral Ln. #13, Ashland - Spoke regarding concerns with the environment and drying weather.
 
Huelz Gutcheon- 2250 HWY 99 – Spoke regarding the importance of solar panels. 
 
Councilor Lemhouse spoke to the Public Input regarding the Senior Center. He explained that City Council does not have the power to hire or rehire employees; this topic is something that needs to be worked out with Parks and Recreation Commission. 
 

VIII.    CONSENT AGENDA  

  1. Acceptance of minutes of boards, commissions, and committees
  2. Special procurement for dam safety engineering
  3. Establishment of the Alan C. Bates Public Service Award
Councilor Rosenthal gave a brief background about the Alan C. Bates Public Service Award. He explained this will be an award that is presented in January each year.  The Bates Award would honor Commission/Committee/Staff Committee members who make the City of Ashland a better place.
Councilor Slattery Spoke that Senator, Dr. Bates was a friend and mentor.  He introduced Laurie Bates. Ms. Bates spoke regarding her husband’s life of service. She thanked all for remembering him and honoring him. 
 
Brent Thompson-582 Allison St., Ashland- Spoke to acknowledge the differences between the James Ragland award and the Alan. C. Bates Public Service Award. 

 
  1. Approval of a resolution titled, “A resolution authorizing the City of Ashland to provide a city building for a winter shelter three nights per week through April, 2018”
 
Councilor Slattery spoke that the City Attorney, David Lohman suggested to add section number 3 (see attached). 
 
Councilor Slattery moved to approve a Resolution authorizing the City of Ashland to provide a city building for a winter shelter three nights per week through April, 2018; with addition 3.p. Councilor Lemhouse seconded. Slattery spoke to the importance of this Resolution.  Councilor Lemhouse agreed with Councilor Slattery.  He also spoke in concern of no Staff report on the status of the Winter Shelter.  He suggested a Staff report in the future. Councilor Darrow agreed with Councilor Lemhouse.   Councilor Slattery suggested for Council to receive a Staff report in January and not the end of winter. Interim City Administrator, John Karns spoke that a Staff report will be ready by the end of January.  Roll call vote:  Councilor Slattery, Morris, Lemhouse, Darrow and Rosenthal: YES.  Motion passed unanimously. 
             
IX.       PUBLIC HEARINGS (Persons wishing to speak are to submit a “speaker request form” prior to the commencement of the public hearing.  Public hearings shall conclude at 9:00 p.m. and be 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 10:30 p.m. at which time the Council shall set a date for continuance and shall proceed with the balance of the agenda.)
None
 

X.         UNFINISHED BUSINESS

1. Request for direction from Council to draft a resolution to authorize a ballot measure for a GO Bond for the Police Phase 2
 
Police Chief, Tighe O’Meara presented a PowerPoint Presentation (see attached).
 
Council discussed a GO Bond verses other options. 

 

XI.       NEW AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS

  1. City Hall options information
 
Mr. Karns suggested to have Council review this information and meet for a Study Session in December.  Council gave consensus to bring this item back to a Study Session. 
 
Public Input:
Melissa Mitchell Hooge-271 High St., Ashland – Spoke to preserve Briscoe playgrounds and property.  She spoke that there are many great opportunities to for this building and an asset to the Community.  

 
  1. Appointment of City Administrator
 
Mr. Karns left the Council Chambers for this item.  Mayor Stromberg read a memo into the record (see attached).
 
Councilor Darrow moved to confirm the appointment of John Karns to the position of City Administrator through July, 2019 and to agree to begin the process of recruitment for his replacement sooner than January 2019, so that she or he will take over once the new budget has been approved. Councilor Lemhouse seconded. Councilor Darrow spoke that Mr. Karns has done a great job and been proactive in his role.  Councilor Lemhouse spoke in appreciation of Mr. Karns job so far.  He spoke that he would have liked to have seen a 360 review prior to this decision making.  He agreed that is important to start the replacement process sooner.  Councilor Slattery spoke against the motion and read comments into the record (see attached).  Councilor Rosenthal thanked the Mayor for bringing this forward and making it so public. He spoke in the importance of fair process.   Councilor Morris spoke in his appreciation of Mr. Karns and would support having him stay until 2019 to have him finish the many things he has started.  
Mayor Stromberg spoke that he is not in disagreement in the desire to begin recruitment for a City Administrator and explained that his suggested timing for this process was based around the budget process. 
 
Councilor Lemhouse moved to amend the motion to state “Moved to confirm the appointment of John Karns to the position of City Administrator and begin the recruitment process for the position of the next City Administrator January 2018 and that the position offered to Mr. Karns would last until the next City Administrator is fully trained but in any case no later July”.  Councilor Slattery seconded.  Councilor Lemhouse explained this would allow the recruitment to start soon and if Mr. Karns agrees would give him time to help with the training and still has the option to put in for the job if he so desires. Councilor Slattery spoke in support of the motion.  He spoke in the importance of process. Council spoke that they wanted to make clear that Mr. Karns is not excluded from the recruitment.  Councilor Morris spoke that he would not support the amendment and spoke to his reasons why.  
 
Council discussed the recruitment process. City Attorney, David Lohman suggested to withdrawal the motions and have Staff discuss a proposal with Mr. Karns.  Staff would then bring back an amended contract to Council.
 
Councilor Lemhouse withdrew his amendment to the motion.  Councilor Slattery agreed.  Amendment to the motion withdrawn. 
 
Councilor Darrow withdrew the original motion.  Councilor Lemhouse agreed. Motion was withdrawn.
 
Councilor Darrow moved to confirm the appointment of John Karns through July 2019 and agree to begin the process of recruitment January 18th so that he or she will take over once the new budget process has been approved and have the City Attorney and Mayor negotiate this amended language with Mr. Karns.  Councilor Lemhouse seconded.  Councilor Darrow spoke to the importance of discussing the dates and the process with Mr. Karns.  Councilor Lemhouse spoke in concern to the motion dates. Councilor Slattery spoke in support of a search beginning in 2018 and for Staff to discuss options with Mr. Karns regarding dates and strategies to bring back to Council. Roll Call Vote:  Councilor Darrow: YES.  Councilor Slattery, Morris, Lemhouse and Rosenthal: NO.  Motion Failed
1-4. 
 
Council gave consensus to direct Staff to discuss a proposal with Mr. Karns and bring back an amended contract to Council at the November 21st Business Meeting.
 

 

XII.     ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRACTS

1. First reading by title only of an ordinance titled, “An ordinance amending AMC Section 9.30.010 to clarify the linear limitation of smoking prohibition,” and move on to second reading
 
Mr. Lohman gave a brief Staff report.  
 
Councilor Lemhouse moved to approve the first reading of an Ordinance amending AMC Section 9.30.010 to clarify the linear limitation of smoking prohibition. Councilor Rosenthal seconded.  Discussion: Councilor Lemhouse spoke in support of the motion.  Councilor Rosenthal spoke in support of the motion. Roll Call Vote:  Councilor Slattery, Morris, Lemhouse, Rosenthal and Darrow: YES.  Motion passed unanimously. 

 

XIII.    OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS/REPORTS FROM COUNCIL LIAISONS

Councilor Slattery announced that on October 9th the first Indigenous Peoples Day was celebrated and was a success. 
 
Councilor Lemhouse announced he had lunch with the 3 Commissioners in Medford and spoke that they are taking initiative on changing the Dead Indian Memorial Sign. He also spoke on reaching out to the City of Napa. 
 
Councilor Darrow announced that her and Councilor Seffinger went on affordable housing educational tour.  She spoke that it went well and the Community Development staff did a great job. 
 
Councilor Lemhouse spoke that there is an opening in the Code Enforcement Department.  He thanked Kevin Flynn for all of his work at the City. 
                         

XIV.    ADJOURNMENT OF BUSINESS MEETING

 
The Council Meeting was adjourned at 9:50 PM
 
Respectfully submitted by:
 
 
___________________________________
City Recorder, Melissa Huhtala
 
 
Attest:
 
___________________________________
Mayor Stromberg

 
 
 
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Administrator's office at (541) 488-6002 (TTY phone number 1-800-735-2900).  Notification 72 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to the meeting (28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title I). CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title I).

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