Agendas and Minutes

City Council (View All)

Council Business Meeting

Agenda
Tuesday, February 05, 2019

 
 
   
MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING
ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2019
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.]

CALL TO ORDER
 
Mayor Stromberg called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM.

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

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

IV. MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mayor Stromberg announced the current Commission and Committee vacancies. Council gave consensus to allow Public Input on Item VII. 3.

V. CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT

City Administrator Kelly Madding spoke that the City Council has finalized their Goal Setting and that they will be on the website soon.  The Goals will be presented at the February 13th Study Session.

VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
  1. Study Session of January 14, 2019
  2. Business Meeting of January 15, 2019
 
Graham/Rosenthal moved to approve the minutes as corrected. Discussion:  None. All Ayes.  Motion passed unanimously.

VII. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS

1. Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development, Inc. (SOREDI) Proclamation Councilor Slattery read the Proclamation into the record (see attached).

2. Annual Presentation by the Transportation Commission

Deputy Public Works Director Scott Fleury introduced Transportation Commission Chair Sue Newberry. Ms. Newberry went over the annual Transportation Commission updates. She discussed the Commissions goals.

Seffinger questioned bump out sections in roads and suggested to have flashers on all of them.  Mr. Fleury explained bump outs are meant to make it safer for pedestrian crossings. Rosenthal thanked the Commissioners for their work. Jensen thanked the Commissioners and questioned when the Transportation Plan will be updated.  Mr. Fleury spoke that it will be budgeted in the next biennium.  Council discussed the importance of having public outreach for the Transportation Update Plan.
 

3. City Hall – Phase 1 Preliminary Design

Ms. Madding gave a Staff report.  She explained that City Hall is 106 years old and gave a brief background on the prior evaluations regarding City Hall.  She explained that no decision has been made on this topic and all items being discussed are for information only.  She also explained that the rumors going around that utility bills would be going up is not true.
Slattery explained that there is a City Look Ahead and this item has been on it since October 3, 2018. This can be found on the City website.

Public Works Director Paula Brown gave a brief Staff report. 

Rosenthal explained that this item was initially supposed to be discussed at a Study Session.  Since he was going to be out of town he suggested this to be moved to the Business Meeting. 
ORW Architecture AIA-Principal, Dana Crawford presented Council with a PowerPoint Presentation (see attached).

Items discussed were:
 Feasibility Study 2016.
 2018 concept design.
 Site options.
 Imagery.
 Design process.
 Cost Modeling.
 Council input.
 Final Renderings.

 Space needs.
 Rendering examples.
 City Hall Site Plan.
 Briscoe School Site Plan.
 Civic Center Site Plan.
 Cost modeling.
 Decision Criteria.

Ms. Brown spoke that Staff would like feedback from Council and to bring this back to the March 19th Business Meeting.

Council and Staff discussed the cost of retrofitting the current City Hall.
 

Council discussed the need of seismic upgrades for other City buildings. 

Rosenthal spoke to the importance of due diligence.

Akins spoke in appreciation of the presentation but spoke that she was not in favor of any of these options.

Graham thanked everyone for their work.  She suggested the City to come up with a plan to look at all City buildings. 

Council discussed this coming back with more options which include the retrofit.
Ms. Brown spoke that doing nothing is wrong.  She explained that is putting Staff and the Community at risk.
 

City Attorney David Lohman spoke to the importance of legal obligations to do something. 
Ms. Madding spoke that there will be another Study Session regarding this issue and Staff will bring back information regarding retrofitting City Hall.

Public Input

George Kramer - Ashland-Spoke regarding City Hall options.  He explained that he was part of the Ad-Hoc Committee and worked on finding an affordable solution.  He spoke that work needs to be done and he recommended Council to upgrade City Hall affordably. He spoke that the public would support an affordable option.  

Ted Hall – Ashland – Thanked Staff and Council for their work. He read a statement into the record (see attached).

Cathy Shaw - Ashland – Spoke in agreement with Mr. Kramer. She discussed the issues with the current City Hall.   She explained that the City doesn’t need a bigger City Hall and suggested shared offices.  She spoke to the importance of having City Hall in the downtown.   She spoke that all 3 suggested buildings are currently not seismically fit.

Staff advised citizens to send their comments to the City Council email address on the City website.

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

IX. 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]

Julie Norman – Ashland – Thanked Ashland Parks Commission for their work.  She read a statement into the record (see attached).

Kelly Marcotulle – Ashland – Suggested to have a Study Session to analyze 5G. She spoke to the importance of prevention on this issue.  She provided Council with an article regarding this issue (see attached).

Louise Shawkat – Ashland – Spoke regarding carbon reduction.  Set goals have climate energy action plan. She provided Council with information regarding the issue (see attached).

Ehanuela Gay -Ashland – Spoke regarding affordable housing.  She explained that she submitted a letter to Council regarding this issue a few weeks ago. She spoke in gratitude for those who responded. 

X. CONSENT AGENDA
  1. Approval of Liquor License Request for Kaarma Distribution Co., LLC.
  2. Council Liaison Appointments to Boards, Commissions, and Committees
  3. Request from the Oregon Department of Transportation for a Noise Exemption Permit for Night Work to Complete Traffic Signal Upgrades
  4. Approval of Personal Services Contract for Wastewater Treatment Plant Facilities Assessment and Major Process Component Improvements
 
Seffinger/Graham moved to approve the Consent Agenda.  Discussion:  None. All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.

XI. 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.)

XII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

XIII. NEW AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS

1. Annual Appointment to the Citizens’ Budget Committee
Slattery/Rosenthal moved to appoint Jim Bachman and Mike Morris to the Citizens’ Budget Committee.  Discussion:  None. Voice Vote:  Slattery, Graham, Seffinger, Rosenthal and Jensen: YES. Akins: NO. Motion passed 5-1.
(See attached Tally Sheet).

XIV. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRACTS

1. First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Ashland Municipal Code 2.13, Transportation Commission.

Ms. Madding gave a Staff report.

Graham/Slattery moved to approve the first reading of an ordinance titled: An Ordinance Updating Ashland Municipal Code 2.13, Transportation Commission and move to second reading. Discussion: Graham spoke to the importance of this Ordinance and appreciation of the work Staff has done. Slattery agreed with Graham. Roll Call Vote:  Slattery, Graham, Akins, Seffinger, Rosethal and Jensen: YES.  All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.

2. First Reading of an Ordinance relating to overnight sleeping in vehicles; adding new AMC Chapter 10.48.

Ms. Madding gave a Staff report.

Graham questioned if other non-profit organizations could be a part of this. She also spoke that the wording regarding hand washing should include “hand sanitizing”. Ms. Madding spoke that the language would be amended to say “hand cleaning” and the churches would be notified of the definition.  She also explained that if we allowed this on a commercial piece of property it would necessitate a land use approval.  She spoke that Staff wanted to start out small and see how it works. If it works well Staff could expand to commercial zones.

Seffinger/Slattery approved First Reading of Ordinance No. 3171 and advance it to Second Reading for enactment. Discussion:  Seffinger spoke that she thinks it is a good idea to start small. She spoke to the importance for men, woman and children to feel safe and some may not feel as safe in a shelter.  Slattery thanked Staff for their work on this and the Rogue Valley Unitarian fellowship. Akins spoke that she is happy that Staff is looking at options and spoke that she would like to see unsheltered not be ticketed.  She spoke in support of the motion. Roll Call Vote:  Slattery, Graham, Akins, Seffinger, Rosethal and Jensen: YES.  All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.

3. Second Reading of an Ordinance to Amend the Ashland Fire Prevention Code AMC Chapter 15.28. 

Rosenthal/Jensen moved to approve the second reading of an Ordinance to amend the Ashland Fire Prevention Code AMC Chapter 15.28.  Discussion: Rosenthal thanked Staff for their work on this. Roll Call Vote:  Slattery, Graham, Akins, Seffinger, Rosethal and Jensen: YES.  All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.

4. Second Reading of an Ordinance modifiying the Solid Waste Franchise Ordinance
Jensen/Seffiner moved to approve the second reading of an Ordinance modifying the Solid Waste Franchise Ordinance.  Discussion: None.  Roll Call Vote:  Akins, Graham, Seffinger, Rosenthal, Slattery and Jensen: YES.  All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.

5. Second Reading Ordinance No. 3165 Related to Vehicles For Hire, Amending Ashland Municipal Code (AMC) 6.28.080 and AMC 6.28.190 and Deleting AMC 6.28.090.
 

Slattery asked for an update as to where we are with TNC companies.  Ms. Madding explained that they are currently not on the map.  She spoke that Assistant to the City Administrator Adam Hanks spoke with a representative and they explained that once changes are made they would be interested in coming.  She explained it is not for sure but it sounds as though they will be coming.

Jensen/Slattery moved to approve the second reading of Ordinance No. 3165 related to vehicles for hire amending AMC 6.28.080 and AMC 6.28.  Discussion: Jensen spoke that this has been a long time coming and glad to revise the Ordinance.  Seffinger spoke that this will make a number of people happy.  Rosenthal explained that he is not in support of this Ordinance. He spoke that he is not comfortable sacrificing principals of safety.  He suggested to take another month to get consensus from other communities and how having these companies is working for them. Graham spoke that she will be voting against this motion.  She explained that she spoke with the Transportation Commission and what issues they were trying to solve in the initial Ordinance.  She spoke that once these companies are here in this current format we don’t get an option to change the terms.  She spoke that we are a moment in time to have some negotiating power.  Akins spoke that she thinks this is what the citizens want and spoke in favor of the motion.  Roll Call Vote:  Slattery, Akins, Seffinger and Jensen:  YES.  Graham and Rosenthal: NO.  Motion passed 4-2.
 

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

XVI. ADJOURNMENT OF BUSINESS MEETING

The Business Meeting was adjourned at 9:45 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 

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