Agendas and Minutes

City Council (View All)

Council Business Meeting

Agenda
Tuesday, April 17, 2018

MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING
ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL
April 17, 2018
Council Chambers
1175 E. Main Street
1.     CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Stromberg called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM

2.     PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

3.     ROLL CALL
Councilor Bachman, Councilor Morris, Councilor Slattery, Councilor Seffinger and Councilor Rosenthal were present.

4.     MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Stromberg announced that the Agenda Item XI. will be moved to the May 1st Business Meeting.
He also announced the Commission vacancies.

5.     APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1.  Study Session of March 19, 2018
2.  Study Session of April 2, 2018
3.  Business Meeting of April 3, 2018


Councilor Rosenthal moved to approve the minutes.  Councilor Slattery seconded.  Discussion:  None.  All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.   

6.     SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS
1.  Annual Presentation by the Historic Commission
 
Historic Commissioner, Keith Swink and Staff Liaison Fotini Kaufman presented Staff with the annual update of the Historic Commission.

2.  National Historic Preservation Month Proclamation
Councilor Bachman read the National Historic Preservation Month Proclamation (see attached).
3.  Volunteer Week Proclamation and Volunteer Recognition
 
Councilor Morris read the Volunteer Week Proclamation (see attached).  Councilor Slattery thanked all volunteers.

7.     MINUTES OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES
Airport Conservation Forest Lands
Historic Housing and Human Srvs. Parks & Recreation
Planning Public Arts Transportation
Tree Wildfire Mitigation  
 

8.     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]
 
Dennis Miller- Ashland-Spoke regarding the Golf Course.  He spoke that the Parks Department has great Staff but needs more funding.  He suggested that the City find a way to help the Parks Department.

9.     CONSENT AGENDA
1.   Appointment of Andrew Vandenberg to the Airport Commission
2.   Approval of Grant Agreement from Certified Local Government for State Historical    Preservation     
3.   Approval of Liquor License for Mix Sweet Shop Inc.
4.   Approval of a Resolution authorizing a Supplemental Budget


Councilor Slattery pulled Item #4.
 
Councilor Slattery explained that this item is a budget transfer for $24,582 for the Special Election Recall. 
 
Councilor Rosenthal questioned if the petitioners had spent any money.  City Recorder, Melissa Huhtala answered no. 
 
Councilor Slattery moved to pass the Consent Agenda.  Councilor Morris seconded.  Discussion: None.  All Ayes.  Motion passed unanimously. 

10.     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.)
1.  Public Hearing on the 2018 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Award and CDBG Action Plan Development and Affordable Housing Trust Fund Award.


Councilor Bachman read a disclosure statement into the record: “I have not prejudged this application and I am not prejudiced or biased by my prior contacts or involvement or by any personal considerations; I will make this decision based solely on the public interest and the
application of the relevant criteria and standards to the facts and evidence in the record of this
proceeding”. 
 
Councilor Slattery stated he was in attendance at the meetings but left before any decisions were made.
 
Linda Reid and Rich Rowdy gave an overview of the CDBG Block Grant.
 
Ms. Reid spoke regarding the applications received. 
 
Mr. Rowdy explained that the Housing Commission spent a great amount of time looking at each applicant.
 
Ms. Reid went over Staff’s recommendation.  She presented a slideshow to Council (see attached).
 
Mayor Stromberg opened the Public Hearing at 7:48 PM
 
CDBG Applicants
 
Mary Feuell– Executive Director of Maslow Project.  Ms. Feuell thanked Council.  She spoke regarding homeless children.  She spoke in the importance of helping children get an education. She explained that  100% of the High School seniors they serve have graduated.  She spoke that they serve 90 individuals in the community each year. 
 
Ms. Feuell spoke that this year they added a family advocate to their program.   She spoke that they have housed 4 families since February. She spoke that they are in need of more staff due to the growing program.  She explained that they didn’t ask for the higher amount that was suggested because they know others are in need. 
 
Vickie Weiss – St. Vincent De Paul.  Ms. Weiss spoke that they have served 36 individuals. She spoke that they work with individuals with financial needs that threaten their ability to maintain a home. She explained that they have created a Housing Committee which helps to get those in need housing.  Ms. Weiss explained the importance of homeless prevention, outreach and transition.
 
Duward Brown-Ashland-Ashland Housing Opportunities (AHO)-Mr. Brown thanked the Mayor and Council. He explained that they help provide housing for individuals with severe mental illnesses on a low income. He spoke that AHO has been providing for Ashland for 20 years.  He spoke that they need assistance in rehabilitation of the buildings. 
 
Housing Trust Fund Applicants:
 
Jennifer Sewetzsky- Columbia Care Services- Ms. Sewetzsky thanked Council for consideration of their proposal.  She explained that Columbia Care is non-profit mental health agency.  She explained that they focus on services available that meets individual’s needs, diagnosis and prevention. She spoke that they help individuals live as independently as possible while getting the treatment they need.
 
She explained that they are requesting funding to help to purchase land to develop a 25-unit apartment complex.  She spoke that 13 of those will be designated for the supportive housing program and the remaining units will be affordable to people at 60% of the Median Family Income level.
 
Councilor Rosenthal spoke that this is a great project but questioned the potential of the organization getting more than what is being asked for. He asked what the cost of the land is. Ms. Sewetzkey explained that the cost of the land is $420,000. 
 
Ken Gudger-Options for Homeless Residents of Ashland (OHRA)- Mr. Gudger spoke regarding OHRA options 1-3.  He gave statistics for the percentage of children, women and men they house.  He spoke to the importance of each project enhancing their program.  
 
Denise James-Rogue Valley Habitat for Humanity- Ms. James explained that this organization building houses in partnership with qualified low-income people in need. She went over the process.  
 
Councilor Bachman moved to direct staff to draft the 2018 Annual Action Plan for the use of Community Development Block Grant funds reflecting the award of CDBG funding as follows:
$16,655 to St. Vincent De Paul-Home Visitation Program, $7,143 to Maslow Project, $49,653 to Ashland Housing Opportunities, $100,000 to Columbia Care, $50,000 to Rogue Valley Habitat for Humanity contingent on environmental and planning approval after July 1. Councilor Slattery seconded.  Discussion: Councilor Bachman spoke in appreciation of the process.  Councilor Slattery spoke that he was impressed by process and grant proposal presentations. Councilor Seffinger spoke that she was impressed with the specificity and quality of the applications.  Council discussed how to utilize the remaining Housing Trust Fund money. Roll Call Vote:  Councilor Morris, Councilor Slattery, Councilor Seffinger, Councilor Bachman, Councilor Rosenthal: YES.  Motion passed unanimously. 
 
Councilor Slattery moved to award $300,000 to Columbia Care, $19,000 to Options for Homeless Residents of Ashland (OHRA) Proposal #2, $3345 to St. Vincent De Paul and $4,857 to Maslow  give the remaining balance to OHRA for proposal #1 equaling $38,798. Motion died due to no second.
 
Councilor Bachman moved to award Affordable Housing Trust Funding as follows:  $300,000 to Columbia Care, $19,000 to OHRA Proposal #2, $3,345 St. Vincent De Paul and $4,857 to the Maslow Project. Slattery seconded.  Discussion:  Councilor Bachman spoke that this is a good compromise to do what can be done to help the children and the Maslow project and St. Vincent De Paul.  She spoke that the downside is it does diminish the amount for next year.  Councilor Slattery agreed with Councilor Bachman.  He spoke that it is good to keep the programs going.   
 
Councilor Rosenthal moved to divide the motion to Part 1 to consider the allocation for Columbia Care and OHRA Proposal #2 from the St. Vincent De Paul and Maslow Project. Councilor Morris seconded. Councilor Rosenthal spoke that additional funding options should go back to the Housing Human Services Commission and other organizations before a decision is made.  Councilor Morris agreed with Councilor Rosenthal. Councilor Bachman agreed with Councilor Rosenthal.  Councilor Seffinger also agreed with the statements made.  Councilor Slattery spoke that he sees it differently and spoke in support of the Maslow Project and St. Vincent De Paul.  Mayor Stromberg spoke in support of the Maslow Project and St. Vincent De Paul. Roll Call Vote:  Councilor Morris, Councilor Seffinger, Councilor Rosenthal and Councilor Bachman: YES.  Councilor Slattery: NO.  Motion passed 4-1.
 
Council voted on the first part of the split motion to award $300,000 to Columbia Care, $19,000 to Options for Homeless Residents of Ashland (OHRA) option #2. Discussion:  Councilor Rosenthal spoke in appreciation of the work of Staff and Commission recommendations.  Councilor Morris agreed with Councilor Rosenthal. Roll Call Vote:  Councilor Bachman, Councilor Morris, Councilor Slattery, Councilor Seffinger and Councilor Rosenthal: YES. Motion passed unanimously. 
 
Council voted on the second part of the split motion to award $3,345 to St. Vincent De Paul and $4,857 to the Maslow Project.  Discussion:  Councilor Rosenthal explained he would be voting against this.  He stated would like more public process for this. Councilor Morris agreed with Councilor Rosenthal.  Councilor Slattery spoke that he would like to give more consideration for the grants.  He spoke that he would vote in favor for the motion. Roll Call Vote: Councilor Seffinger and Councilor Slattery: YES.  Councilor Rosenthal, Councilor Bachman and Councilor Morris: NO . Motion failed 2-3.
 
 
Council gave direction to bring this back to the Commission and bring back to Council.
 
Mayor Stromberg closed Public Hearing at 8:49 PM
 
11.     UNFINISHED BUSINESS

12.     NEW AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
1.  Approval of Sale of 380 Clay Street
 
Interim City Administrator, Adam Hanks gave a staff report.  
 
Councilor Slattery moved to authorize the Interim City Administrator to execute the attached contract for the sale of tax lot 391E11C2505 to the Housing Authority of Jackson County and direct net proceeds from the sale to the City’s Housing Trust Fund. Councilor Bachman seconded.  Discussion: Councilor Slattery spoke that this is a good decision.  Councilor Bachman agreed with Councilor Slattery.  Roll Call Vote: Councilor Bachman, Councilor Slattery, Councilor Morris, Councilor Rosenthal and Councilor Seffinger: YES.  Motion passed unanimously.
 

2.  Select finalists for Councilor Position #6
City Recorder, Melissa Huhtala explained the process.  Councilor Rosenthal spoke that due to such few amount of applicants would like to extend the process and do more advertising.
Councilor Rosenthal moved to re-open the process for Council Seat #6 for an additional week. Councilor Seffinger seconded. Discussion: Councilor Rosenthal spoke that the due to lack of applicants would like to advertise more.  Councilor Seffinger agreed with Councilor Rosenthal.  Councilor Slattery spoke that he would vote against this and stated the importance to stick with process.  Councilor Morris spoke in support of extending the process for a week.  Councilor Bachman spoke in agreement with Councilor Slattery to stick with the deadline.  Roll Call Vote:  Councilor Slattery, Councilor Bachman: NO.  Councilor Morris, Councilor Rosenthal and Councilor Seffinger: YES.  Motion passed 3-2.   

13.     ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRACTS
 
1.         Police Staffing Funding Options
 
Mr. Hanks gave a staff report.
 
Public Input-
 
Rick Robinson-Ashland- Spoke regarding opposition of live ticket tax.
 
Elijah Katkin-Ashland- Mr. Katkin spoke that he is the owner of the Brickroom and spoke in opposition of live ticket tax. 
 
Councilor Rosenthal moved to direct Staff to bring back at the next available meeting a resolution increasing the Transient Occupancy Tax to 10 percent and amend the corresponding Transient Occupancy Tax Allocation Resolution to reserve the tourism restricted funds for future parking supply needs.  Councilor Morris seconded.  Discussion: Councilor Rosenthal spoke that increasing the hotel motel tax is the best option.  He spoke to the importance to increasing police staff for the safety of the Community.   Councilor Morris spoke that he partially agreed with Councilor Rosenthal and that the City does need to look at some type of ticket fee. He spoke that he will support the motion.  Councilor Slattery spoke that he will support the motion but reluctantly. Councilor Seffinger spoke in agreement with the Councilors and stated she does not want the City to become a less affordable City.  Councilor Bachman spoke in agreement with the Councilors.  Mayor Stromberg spoke to the importance of the City being safe for not only the people but the officers as well.   Roll Call Vote:  Councilor Morris, Councilor Slattery, Councilor Seffinger, Councilor Bachman, and Councilor Rosenthal: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
 
Councilor Seffinger moved to approve a resolution titled, “A Resolution Setting the Public Safety Support Fee at $1.50 dedicated to General Fund Activities Relating to Public Safety Operations and Repealing Resolution 2017-19.” Councilor Rosenthal seconded.  Discussion: Councilor Rosenthal spoke in support of this motion.  He explained that this is a short term solution.   Councilor Seffinger spoke to the importance of the safety for the public and Police Officers. Councilor Morris spoke regarding the need of new Police Officers and agreed with Councilor Rosenthal that this is a short-term solution.  Councilor Slattery spoke regarding affordability.  He spoke to the importance of finding a funding mechanism. Councilor Bachman spoke that she isn’t in favor of a fee but spoke that this is a balance.  She spoke that this is a time to look at other options for the future.  Roll Call Vote: Councilor Morris, Councilor Rosenthal, Councilor Seffinger and Councilor Bachman: YES.  Councilor Slattery: NO. Motion passed 4-1.     
 
14.     OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS/REPORTS FROM COUNCIL LIAISONS

 
15.     ADJOURNMENT OF BUSINESS MEETING
The Business meeting was adjourned at 9:47 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).

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