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.]
 
6:30 p.m. Executive Session*
*Purpose of Executive Session Item - Conduct deliberations with persons designated by the governing body to negotiate real property transactions, pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(e).
 
The Executive Session was adjourned at 6:45 PM.
 
7:00 p.m.  Regular Meeting
 

1. CALL TO ORDER

 
Mayor Stromberg called the Business Meeting to order at 7:00 PM
 

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

3. ROLL CALL

 
Councilors Slattery, Graham, Akins, Seffinger, Rosenthal and Jensen were present.
 

4. MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

 
Mayor Stromberg announced the current Commission and Committee vacancies.
 
He also announced that item XIII.#1 Citizens’ Budget Committee Appointment will be moved to the February 5^th Business Meeting.
 

5. CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT

 
City Administrator Kelly Madding announced that there will be a Goal Setting Meeting on Friday, January 18^th from 9am-3pm and another Session on Friday, February 1^st from 9 AM- 11 AM. Slattery noted that the Goal Setting Meeting has been noticed to the public and it will be held in the Siskiyou Room. 
 
Ms. Madding announced she attended 2 Meetings where Oregon Shakespeare Festival representatives came forward and talked about the summer schedule and economic development issues regarding the smoke.  She asked that they come and discuss this with Council.  Council gave consensus to have this information be brought to a future Study Session or Business Meeting.
 

6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
   1. Study Session of December 17, 2018
   2. Business Meeting of December 18, 2018

 
Slattery/Rosenthal moved to recuse Akins and Graham from this vote.  Discussion:  None.  All Ayes.  Motion passed unanimously.
 
Rosenthal/Jensen moved to approve the Minutes.  Discussion:  None.  All Ayes.  Motion passed unanimously.
 

7. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS

 

8. MINUTES OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES

Airport	Conservation	Forest Lands
Historic	Housing and Human Srvs.	Parks & Recreation
Planning	Public Arts	Transportation
Tree	Wildfire Mitigation

9. 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]
 
Lynn Georgens-Ashland-Spoke regarding 5G in Ashland (see attached).
 
Kelly Marcotulli-Ashland-Read a statement for the record regarding 5G (see attached). 
 
Bruno Marcotulli-Ashland-Continued discussing 5G in Ashland.  He spoke to petition to bring 1996 telecommunications into line with current times.
 
Ralph Thomas-Ashland-Spoke regarding 5G in Ashland and read a statement into the record (see attached).
 
Julia Sommer –Ashland-Spoke regarding the listening session.  She expressed concern with downtown parking.  She spoke regarding Public Transit and that RVTD is inadequate to help with tourist’s elders and students. 
 
Denise Krause-Ashland-Spoke regarding potential water and air pollution and food safety issues. 
 
Suzanne Witucki-Ashland – Spoke regarding concerns about TID pollution and health issues.  She read a statement into the record (see attached).
 
William Phillips-Ashland-Spoke regarding hillside depletion and read a statement into the record (see attached).
 
Huelz Gutcheon– Ashland:HWY 99-Spoke regarding global energy transformation and renewable energy. 
 
Rick Harris – Talent – Spoke in concern regarding Waterline Road LID #79.  He submitted documents into the record (see attached). 
 
 

10. CONSENT AGENDA
    1. Liquor License Approval for Kick Stand Café, LLC
    2. Liquor License Approval for Plaza Hospitality
    3. Appointment of Marion Moore to the Conservation Commission

 
Seffinger pulled this item. She spoke in support of Ms. Moore.  
 

4. Appointment of Jeffrey Phillips to the Public Arts Commission
5. Appointment of Cat Gould to the Tree Commission
6. Rogue Valley Transportation District Grant Letter of Support

 
Rosenthal pulled this item.
 
Deputy Planning Director Scott Fleury gave a Staff report.  He spoke that Staff recommends approval of the application.
 
Jensen/Graham moved to approve the Consent Agenda.  Discussion:  None.  All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.  
 
 

11. 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.)

 

12. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

13. NEW AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
    1. Citizens’ Budget Committee Silent Ballot Results

This item was moved to the next Council Business Meeting.
 

2. Election of Council Chair

 
Seffinger/Rosenthal moved to appoint Councilor Slattery as Councilor Chair.  Discussion:  None. All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.
 

14. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRACTS
    1. Findings for 188 Garfield Street Appeal

 
Ms. Madding gave a brief Staff report.. 
 
Rosenthal/Slattery moved to recuse Akins and Graham from this Council Item.  Discussion:  None.  All Ayes.  Motion passed unanimously.
 
Council unanimously expressed there were no exparte or conflicts of interest. 
 
Seffinger/Jensen moved to adopt the findings for the appeal PA-APPEAL-2018-00005 as presented. Discussion: None.  Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Seffinger, Rosenthal and Jensen: YES.   Motion passed unanimously.
 

2. First Reading of an Ordinance to Amend the Ashland Fire Prevention Code AMC Chapter 15.28

 
Division Chief Fire and Life Safety Ralph Sartain gave a Staff report.
 
Jensen/Graham moved to approve the 1st reading of Ordinance No. 3156 to amend the Ashland Fire Prevention Code AMC Chapter 15.28 and to send Ordinance No. 3156 to a 2nd reading on February 5, 2019.  Discussion:  Jensen spoke to the importance of this and complimented Staff. Roll Call Vote:  Slattery, Graham, Akins, Seffinger, Rosenthal and Jensen: YES.  Motion passed unanimously.   
 

3. First Reading of an Ordinance Modifying a Franchise Agreement for Solid Waste Management and Collection within the City of Ashland and Repealing Ordinance 3090.

 
Ms. Madding gave a Staff report.
 
Seffinger/Rosenthal moved to approve the First Reading of an Ordinance Modifying a Franchise Agreement for Solid Waste Management and Collection within the City of Ashland and Repealing Ordinance 3090.  Disucssion:  Seffinger and Rosenthal spoke in support of the Ordinance.  Roll Call Vote:  Slattery, Graham, Akins, Seffinger, Rosenthal and Jensen:  YES.  All Ayes.  Motion passed unanimously.
 

1. First Reading of an Ordinance Relating to Vehicles for Hire; Amending AMC 6.28.170

 
Ms. Madding gave a Staff report.
 
Barbara Massey- Ashland – Spoke to the importance of approving this Ordinance.  
 
Slattery/Jensen. Approve First Reading of Ordinance No. 3165 and advance it to Second Reading for enactment. Discussion: Slattery spoke in support of the Ordinance. Rosenthal spoke to resistance in approving this Ordinance. Graham spoke that she would like to keep the wheelchair accessible vehicles option until Staff has an opportunity to negotiate with the companies.
 
Graham/Slattery moved to amend the existing motion to keep provisions for wheelchair accessible vehicles until staff has an opportunity to negotiate with companies.  Discussion: Graham spoke in support of the motion.  Slattery spoke that he appreciates the motion but will not vote in favor. He spoke in support of moving forward with the service. Akins spoke in appreciation of the motion but would like to move forward with the service.  Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Akins, Seffinger, Rosenthal, Jensen: NO.  Graham: YES. Motion failed 5-1.
 
Discussion on the main motion continued.  Rosenthal spoke that he is not in favor.  He explained that Council has not been the issue holding up the process as there have been issues getting Uber and Lyft on board. He spoke to their poor business tactics in this process. Roll Call Vote:  Slattery, Akins, Seffinger, Jensen: YES.  Rosenthal and Graham: NO.  Motion passed 4-2. 
 

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

 

16. ADJOURNMENT OF BUSINESS MEETING

 
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 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).