Agendas and Minutes

City Council (View All)

Council Business Meeting

Agenda
Tuesday, February 19, 2019

MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING
ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, February 19, 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.]
 
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Stromberg called the Meeting to order at 7:00 PM.


II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

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


IV. MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Jensen/Slattery moved to move XIV. Ordinances, Resolutions and Contracts Item 1- Veto of Ordinance 3165 Related to Vehicle’s for Hire to XII. Unfinished Business.  Discussion:  None.  All Ayes.  Motion passed unanimously.
 
V. CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT

City Administrator Kelly Madding spoke that there will be a Study Session in April regarding 5G.
She also announced that the 2082 East Main site application was denied for a homeless winter shelter. She explained one reason was security watch and that there weren’t adequate findings addressing potential loitering, camping or use of the property.

Slattery questioned if there is an appeal process.  Madding answered yes and that there is a 12­day appeal process that costs $250.

Madding explained that citizens had concerns as well as the County. 

VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
  1. Study Session of February 4, 2019
  2. Business Meeting of February 5, 2019
Seffinger/Graham moved to approve the minutes.  Discussion:  None. All Ayes.  Motion passed unanimously.

VII. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS

1. Climate and Energy Action Plan Implementation ad-hoc Committee Final Recommendation
Seffinger thanked the members of the Ad-Hoc Commission.

Climate and Energy Analyst Stu Green went over the activities summary.  CEAP Committee Member James McGinnis went over the development plan. He explained this plan has been in process since 2006. He thanked Council for moving forward with this plan.  He spoke to the importance of Community outreach. 

Slattery suggested Staff come back with this item to report at a future meeting to go over the progress being made.

Rosenthal/Graham moved to accept the recommendations report of the Ad-hoc Climate and Energy Action Plan Committee and direct Staff to present final draft Commission establishment and modification Ordinances for Council review at a future Council meeting. Discussion: Rosenthal spoke to the importance of the Commission structure.    He spoke in support of implementing this. Graham thanked Staff for their work. She spoke to looking at the Commission’s structure.  Seffinger spoke that the City is fortunate for having people excited about working with the Community on this. Slattery spoke in support the commission. Roll Call Vote:  Slattery, Graham, Akins, Seffinger, Rosenthal and Jensen: YES.  All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.

VIII. MINUTES OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES


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]

Brian Comns –Ashland – Spoke requesting Council to find ways to reduce the deer population. He went over his concerns to this issue.

Jim Falkenstein -Ashland-Spoke Complimenting Public Works Department and the pictures posted of the canal. He spoke that he is a member of a group called “Keep the Canal”. 

Craig Martin -Ashland – Spoke against the proposed piping of the canal.  He submitted a letter for the record from Keep the Canal Committee (see attached).

Suzanne Witucki -Ashland – Spoke that she had come to Council a month ago and came to finisher her presentation regarding the hog farm. She spoke to the harms of having a pig farm and the contamination to the water.

Kristen Tussey – Ashland – Spoke regarding the band camp that plays at the SOU Football field.  She spoke that it is a noise issue and would like it to stop. She spoke that she is looking into ways to appeal this from happening again.

Brent Thompson -Ashland – Spoke in agreement with Ms. Tussey regarding the band noise. He also spoke regarding Commission meeting decorum and how to respect each other in a meeting and not attacking one another.  
 
X. CONSENT AGENDA
  1. Appointment of Jackie Bachman to the Housing and Human Services Commission
  2. Approval of Liquor License for ABC Kitchen Catering
  3. Adoption of a Jackson County Deadly Force Plan Pursuant to SB 111
Graham pulled this item. She spoke in concern of the document.  She spoke to the importance of treating officers fairly.  Police Chief O’Meara gave clarification. He explained that the agency sets up the investigation and that the case agent will not be from the employing agency. He spoke that each case is looked at individually and the importance of transparency. 

Rosenthal questioned if Council did not approve the document how would the City comply.  Chief O’Meara spoke that if there was an incident they would still follow this documents rules even without Council approval. 

Slattery/Seffinger 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

1. Veto of Ordinance 3165 Related to Vehicles for Hire Madding gave a brief Staff report.
City Attorney David Lohman read the veto into the record (see attached).

Mark Thomas – Ashland – Spoke that he works for 333-3333 Taxi.  He spoke that there should be some updates to the proposed Ordinance.  He explained that some elderly customers do not have smart phones and that Uber/Lyft would not be the best option for them.  He thanked the Mayor for his veto recommendation. 

Michael Schroery – Ashland – Spoke regarding issues with Uber and Lyft pick up locations. He spoke to concerns of Uber/Lyft drivers violating the code and not having proper insurance.

Nancy Buffington – Ashland – Ms. Buffington spoke that she has worked at Cascade Airport Shuttle since 2007.  Thanked the Mayor for asking the Council to reconsider the Ordinance. She spoke to the importance of safety for the Citizens.

Slattery spoke in appreciation for all the public comment.  Slattery called the question.

Roll call:  Akins, Slattery, Graham, Seffinger, Jensen: YES.  Rosenthal: NO. 
Motion to approve Ordinance 3165. Slattery, Akins, Seffinger and Jensen:  YES.  Graham and Rosenthal: NO.  Motion passed 4-2.

Rosenthal/Slattery moved to direct Staff to present City Council with an update on Ordinance 3165 in one year.  Discussion: Rosenthal spoke to the importance in looking back on this to see if there are any issues and to follow up. Slattery agreed. Roll Call Vote: Jensen, Rosenthal, Slattery, Graham, Akins and Seffinger: YES.  Motion passed unanimously.

2. 10 by 20 Progress and Findings

Madding gave a brief Staff report.
 

Assistant to the City Administrator Adam Hanks and Electric Utility Director Thomas McBartlett presented Council with a PowerPoint (see attached).

Items discussed were:
  •  Draft request for proposals for large scale solar project.
  • Background information. 10x20 Ordinance accepted by Council 10% Local clean generated by 2020.
  • Timeline.
  • Key reports and analysis.
  • Solar PV generation interconnection analysis.
  • Biological assessment of imperatrice property.
  • BPA Contract.
  • Conservation Commission Recommendation.
  • Electric Utility Rate Design Study.
  •  BPA Meeting Summary. Take or Pay contract provision.
  • Potential agreement of Take or Pay. 
  •  Development of potential projects.
Madding explained the take or pay option.

Council discussed the project options and costs.

Public Input:
Dave Helmick – Ashland -Spoke regarding the 10 x 20 options.  He went over 3 suggestions. 

Louise Shawkat – Ashland – She spoke to the important of carrying out this project.  She spoke that the next steps are to come up with a business plan. She spoke that Ashland needs to achieve more renewable energy.  She spoke regarding global warming.

Jeff Sharp – Ashland – Spoke regarding the transition of solar power.  He spoke that Cities are beginning to recognize and act on the clean energy revolution.  He spoke regarding solar panels. He spoke regarding the 10 x 20 options. 

Council directed Staff to come back with more information on this issue at a future Study Session.

XIII. NEW AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
1. Pioneer Parking Lot Boundary Improvement Options

Public Works Director Paula Brown and Public Works Project Manager Kaylea Kathol gave a background.

Kathol went over the 4 options and costs:
  • Upgrading lighting only: $10,500
  • Upgrade lighting and rebuild fence: $10,500-$15,000
  • Upgrade lighting and rebuild fence and landscaping: $31,000
  • Upgrade lighting, upgrade landscaping, and build a concrete masonry unit (CMU) wall: $147,000-$154,000.
Council discussed the options.

Resident at 150 Pioneer Street Stan Potocki spoke that he would like a taller fence to avoid disturbances. He thanked Council for their time.

Roy Loird – Ashland – Owner of the Bookstore spoke in agreement with Mr. Potocki that something needs to be done to eliminate danger issues and harassment. He spoke that it is currently an unsafe location. 

Derek Pyle – Ashland – He spoke regarding the history of kids being kicked out of the park. He spoke that there should be security cameras.  He questioned how much more is the City going to do and kicking people out. He explained Ashland is a tourist community and the importance to work on building community relationships.

Rosenthal/Jensen moved to approve Option 2 to upgrade lighting and rebuild the fence.
Discussion:  Rosenthal spoke that the landscaping can be done at a later time.  Jensen asked Staff to expedite the permit for the fence.  Akins spoke that she is not too keen on the lighting. She spoke to the importance of finding solutions for homelessness and behaviors. Slattery spoke regarding the application process. Seffinger spoke regarding the landscaping.  Roll Call Vote: Jensen, Rosenthal, Slattery, Graham, Akins and Seffinger: YES.  Motion passed unanimously.

2. Replace Sidewalk – Plaza at N. Main and E. Main Streets

Brown gave a staff report. She explained that this is a replacement due to safety.

Seffinger/Rosenthal moved to approve Staff’s recommendation to replace the sidewalk as recommended. Discussion:  Seffinger spoke that this was a well thought out plan and will provide safety without having to remove trees. Rosenthal agreed. Roll Call Vote: Seffinger, Rosenthal, Slattery, Graham, Akins and Jensen: YES.  Motion passed unanimously.

3. Memorandum of Understanding with Croman South Property Owner

Community Development Director Bill Molnar and Planning Manager Maria Harris gave a Staff Report.

Ms. Harris went over the history of the property.

Council discussed the timeline of the project.

Mr. Montero -Medford – Spoke in support of this project. He explained that ground breaking can begin in 2 years.  He explained that this property can be used for mixed use development.

Seffinger/Akins moved to approve participation in a project to consider potential amendments to the Croman Mill District. Discussion: Seffinger spoke in support of the project.  Akins spoke in the need for more housing. Voice vote: Slattery, Akins, Graham, Seffinger and Rosenthal:  YES. Jensen NO. Motion passed 5-1.

XIV. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRACTS

1. First Reading of an Ordinance amending AMC CH 2.26 Ashland Wildfire Mitigation Commission to Ashland Wildfire Safety Commission

Graham/Slattery moved to approve first reading of an Ordinance amending AMC CH 2.26 Ashland Wildfire Mitigation Commission to Ashland Wildfire Safety Commission.
Discussion:  None. Roll Call Vote:  Slattery, Graham, Akins, Seffinger, Rosenthal and Jensen: YES. Motion passed unanimously. 

2. First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Ashland Municipal Code 4.20, Systems Development Charges

Council moved this item to the next Council Business Meeting.

3. Second Reading of an Ordinance Amending Ashland Municipal Code 2.13, Transportation Commission

Rosenthal/Jensen moved to approve Second Reading of an Ordinance Amending Ashland Municipal Code 2.13, Transportation Commission. Disussion:  None. Roll Call Vote:  Rosenthal, Slattery, Jensen, Graham, Akins and Seffinger: YES.  Motion passed unanimously.

4. Second Reading of an Ordinance No. 3171 an Ordinance relating to overnight sleeping in vehicles; adding new AMC Chapter 10.48

Seffinger/Jensen moved to approve Second Reading of an Ordinance No. 3171 an Ordinance relating to overnight sleeping in vehicles; adding new AMC Chapter 10.48. Discussion:  None.  Roll Call Vote:  Jensen, Rosenthal, Seffinger, Akins, Graham and Slattery: YES.  Motion passed unanimously.

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

XVI. ADJOURNMENT OF BUSINESS MEETING The Business meeting was adjourned at 10:33 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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