MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING
ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
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
- CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Stromberg called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM
- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
- ROLL CALL
Bachman, Jensen, Slattery, Morris, Seffinger and Rosenthal were present.
- MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Council gave consensus to move Agenda Items XIII - 5 & 6 to Item XIII -1 & 2. The Mayor also announced that Item XIII #3- First Reading of Infill Strategy Ordinance and Map Amendments would be removed from the Agenda but there will still be a Public Hearing.
Bachman read a Proclamation for National Preparedness Month into the record (see attached).
- APPROVAL OF MINUTES
- Business Meeting of September 4, 2018
Rosenthal/Jensen m/s to approve the minutes. Discussion: None. All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.
- SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS
- Annual Presentation by Airport Commission
Public Works Deputy Scott Fleury and Airport Commission Chair David Wolske presented Council with the annual Airport Commission update. Mr. Wolske spoke regarding the importance of the future of the airport. He spoke regarding events they have had and the great attendance. He spoke regarding solar generation at the airport and increasing public awareness of the airport.
- Water Supply and Demand Update
Public Works Director Paula Brown gave a water supply and demand update. She spoke that all is balanced well this year. She spoke to the importance of water conservation.
- MINUTES OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES
- 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]
Louise Shawkat – Ashland -Read a letter into the record regarding Council and Staff using microphones correctly for the audience to hear (see attached).
Dennis Miller – Ashland – Spoke regarding fall prevention. He spoke regarding American Disabilities Act.
Huelz Gutcheon – HWY 99 – Spoke regarding vehicle carbons and climate change.
- CONSENT AGENDA
- Appointment of Daniel Dawson to Wildfire Mitigation Commission
- Appointment of Alan Harper to Planning Commission
- Award of a Professional Services Contract for Preliminary Design to Rehabilitate the East and West Forks Raw Water Transmission Line
Slattery/Morris moved approval of the Consent Agenda. Discussion: None. All Ayes. Motion passes unanimously.
- 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.)
- Infill Strategy Ordinance and Map Amendments
Community Development Director Bill Molnar and Scott Fregonese Associates Scott Fregonese presented a PowerPoint to Council (see attached).
Items discussed were:
- Project objectives.
- Recommended zoning changes.
- Proposed boundary of Transit Triangle Overlay.
- Housing needs.
- Community outreach.
- Planning Commission recommendations.
- Commercial/Employment uses.
- Stepbacks.
- Online survey results.
Planning Manager Maria Harris received 4 written comments regarding the issue and went over the highlights of the comments.
Council Discussion:
Bachman spoke in concern of traffic.
Seffinger spoke regarding the importance of age friendly housing.
Mayor Stromberg opened the Public Hearing at 8:47 PM
Slattery/Morris moved to extend the Public Hearing to 10:00 PM. Discussion: None. All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.
Public Input:
Colby Morgan- Ashland – Spoke with concerns of the impact traffic to the Community.
Trina Sanford – Ashland –Spoke in concern that the proposed transit triangle will affect their property on Tolman and the dangers associated with this change. She spoke that this will create an unsafe environment and urged Council to change the current zoning.
John Fields- Ashland – Builder/developer. Spoke regarding shortfalls with the Planning Code. He spoke regarding the footprint in Ashland. He spoke regarding development and return on investment.
Slattery/Jensen m/s to suspend the rules to allow asking questions to Public Input. Discussion: None. All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.
Jensen questioned if developers had been given significant opportunity to give input to the Transit Triangle Project. Mr. Fregonese answered yes. Jensen spoke that several developers indicated that this project would be difficult to make it work in its present form.
Council discussed the model.
Morris/Bachman moved to keep the Public Hearing open until October 16th. Discussion: None. All Ayes. Motion passes unanimously.
- UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
- NEW AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
- ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRACTS
- Second Reading of AMC CH 9 & 18 Wildfire Mitigation Ordinance
Ms. Madding gave a brief Staff report.
Division Chief-Forestry Chris Chambers went over the 3 questions asked by Council.
Jensen/Bachman moved to approve second reading of an ordinance titled, “An ordinance amending Chapters 18.3.10, 18.4.3.080, 18.4.4, 18.5.1, 18.5.3.060, 18.5.5.020, 18.5.7 and 18.6.1 of the Ashland Land Use Ordinance to amend development standards for wildfire lands. this ordinance also amends the official Physical and Environmental Constraints Map to expand the boundary of Ashland’s designated Wildfire Lands to include all properties within the city limits. Bachman and Rosenthal spoke in support of the Ordinance and thanked Staff. Rosenthal spoke to the importance of due diligence. Seffinger spoke that this was a hard decision due to making sure citizens know how to make positive changes and how they can accomplish this. Slattery thanked Staff. He spoke to the importance of the Firewise Program. He suggested to have a report in 6 months to a year to see how it is working for the people. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Morris, Bachman, Seffinger, Rosenthal and Jensen: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
Rosenthal/Jensen moved to approve second reading of an ordinance titled, “An ordinance amending Chapter 9.04 of the Ashland Municipal Code to declare prohibited flammable plants a nuisance”. Discussion: Jensen thanked Staff. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Morris, Bachman, Seffinger, Rosenthal and Jensen: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
Slattery/Morris moved to approve a Resolution titled, “A Resolution adopting the City of Ashland General Fuel Modification Area Prohibited Flammable plant list for application in Ashland’s designated Wildfire Lands”. Discussion: None. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Morris, Bachman, Seffinger, Rosenthal and Jensen: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
Morris/Slattery moved to approve the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law in the matter of amendments to Title 18 Land Use, and Title 9 Health and Sanitation, of the Ashland Municipal Code. Discussion: None. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Morris, Bachman, Seffinger, Rosenthal and Jensen: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
- Approval for a Special Procurement for OpenGov
Administrative Services Director, Mark Welch gave a Staff report and presented Council with a PowerPoint (see attached).
He explained that this is user friendly for all departments and helps to keep transparency with all Staff, Budget Committee Members and Citizens.
Morris/Slattery moved to approve a special procurement with OpenGov for the OpenGov Cloud Software. Discussion: None. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Morris, Bachman, Seffinger, Rosenthal and Jensen: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
- Second Reading of Amendment to AMC 6.28 Transportation Network Companies
Approve Second Reading of Ordinance No. 3152 for enactment.
City Attorney Assistant, Katrina Brown gave a Staff report. She went over the proposed amendments.
Public Input:
Tom Besich – Ashland – Spoke in concern of taking away profits from local businesses. Spoke in concern about insurance coverage.
Sheryl Cook- Driver of Uber/Lyft in Medford –Spoke in support of the Ordinance and urged Council to adopt it.
Mike Thomas– Ashland – Spoke that he has worked for Village Taxi for over 2 years. He spoke to the lack of business. He spoke that he has lowered prices to work with the citizen’s needs. He spoke that he has seen Medford Uber drivers working in Ashland illegally.
Nancy Buffington – Ashland – Spoke in concern of the safety for the City of Ashland. She spoke that a 7-year background check is too short. She spoke that she has seen several TNCs operating illegally. She also spoke in concern with insurance regulations.
Mark Schroer–Ashland- Works for 333-3333 Taxi company. He spoke regarding unauthorized pickups in Ashland and the background check is too short. He spoke in concern of enforcement.
Jensen/Slattery moved approve Second Reading of Ordinance 3152 for enactment. Discussion: Jensen spoke that it is time to move forward. Slattery spoke that this is a benefit for citizens. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Bachman, Seffinger and Jensen: YES. Morris and Rosenthal: NO. Motion passed 4-2.
- Award of a Professional Services Contract; Phase 1, Preliminary Engineering for a New 7.5 Million Gallon per Day Water Treatment Plant.
Due to time constraints this item was moved to the next Council Business Meeting.
- First Reading of Ordinance Amending AMC 9.08.120 & AMC 13.16.070 to Resolve Inconsistencies and Increase Vertical Clearance Height of Trees and Other Vegetation Above Public Streets and Alleys.
Due to time constraints this item was moved to the next Council Business Meeting.
- OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS/REPORTS FROM COUNCIL LIAISONS
- City Administrator Report
- ADJOURNMENT OF BUSINESS MEETING
The Business Meeting was adjourned at 10:30 PM
Respectfully submitted by:
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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).
