MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING
ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, May 7, 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.]
6:30 p.m. Executive Session*
*Council will hold an executive session to consult with counsel concerning the legal rights and duties of a public body with regard to current litigation or litigation likely to be filed, pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(h).
The Executive Session was adjourned at 7:05 PM
7:00 p.m. Regular Meeting
- CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Stromberg called the Business Meeting to order at 7:11 PM
- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
- ROLL CALL
- MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Stromberg announced the current Commission and Committee vacancies.
Council gave consensus to move item XIV. #1 – Resolution 2019-05 to enter into the Jackson County Local Correctional Facility (Jail) Service District before Item VII. - Special Presentations and Awards.
Ashland Parks and Recreation Senior Services Superintendent Isleen Glatt and Ashland Parks and Recreations Senior Services Advisory Committee Chair Sandy Theis read a letter into the record (see attached).
- CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
City Administrator Kelly Madding announced that item XIV. #2 – First Reading of Ordinance No. 3176 relating to Public Safety, adding new Ashland Municipal Code Chapter 10.58 has been pulled until the next Council Business Meeting.
- APPROVAL OF MINUTES
- Study Session of April 15, 2019
- Business Meeting of April 16, 2019
Rosenthal/Jensen moved to approve the minutes. Discussion: None. All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.
- ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRACTS
- Resolution 2019-05 to Enter into the Jackson County Local Correctional Facility (Jail) Service District
Madding gave a Staff report.
Jensen clarified that by approving this Resolution it would allow Ashland to join the new service district and Ashland residents to vote on the funding for the new jail. It would not indicate endorsement by the Council of the funding for the new jail.
Public Input:
Allie Rosenbluth – Ashland – Spoke in concern regarding the Resolution. She spoke that jail is not the right place for those suffering from addiction. She spoke that there should be more focus on affordable housing, education, health care and clean energy. She urged Council to vote against the Resolution.
Syd Browning – Ashland – Urged Council to vote no on this Resolution. She spoke to the importance of working on keeping people out of jail. She spoke that no one should have to get arrested to receive mental health services. She suggested to invest in human needs and not cages.
Sam Roberts – Ashland – Spoke in concern regarding this proposal. She spoke that community resources would be better spent funding things that will bring life back into the Community, such as: education, addiction help, mental health help & employment assistance.
Caren Caldwell – Ashland – Spoke regarding mental health issues. She spoke in agreement with the above speakers.
Josephine Rawlings – Ashland – Spoke that Council should vote against this proposition. She spoke that the City needs to find a place to support people in need and to nurture them instead of put them in jail.
Casandra Kohler – Ashland – Spoke against the proposed Resolution.
Maya Jarrad – Ashland – Spoke in agreement with the above speakers.
Holly Mills – Ashland – Spoke in agreement with the above speakers.
Eric Navickas – Ashland – Spoke regarding concerns about jail. He spoke that there are people that have committed a crime 10 years ago but can’t afford to take the classes they need then end up with a warrant for their arrest. He spoke regarding having a matrix system put in place. He urged Council to not support this Resolution.
Commissioner Strosser and Officer LeCour were available for questions.
Graham questioned the process when someone who has a mental health issue is arrested. LeCour went over the process. He explained that it is a case by case situation. If a person has committed a crime they will be taken into custody. Once it is determined there is a mental health issue and the person is a danger to themselves or others, they are taken into custody and then transfered to the Psychiatric Care Unit (PCU).
Council discussed the percentage of people being brought to jail.
Commissioner Strosser explained that currently with a smaller jail they have to turn people away so fast without the opportunity to get stabilized. He explained the new jail would offer this opportunity. He spoke in agreement with the citizens’ concerns.
Council discussed the needs in improving services and having an advisory group of interested community organizations to help. Commissioner Strosser spoke in agreement.
Jensen/Rosenthal moved to approve the resolution titled “Resolution Approving a Jackson County Order to Initiate Formation of a Jackson County Law Enforcement Service District and Consenting to the Inclusion of City Territory Within the Boundaries of the District” Discussion: Jensen spoke in assurance that the concerns voiced would be considered in the formation of final proposal. He spoke to the importance of the Citizens to be able to vote on this issue. Rosenthal spoke that this issue needs to go to the voters.
Slattery spoke that he has a big problem with this issue. He spoke in appreciation for all but there needs to be a better comprehensive plan to address all the issues discussed. He spoke that he will vote no and asked that this issue comes back to Council. Seffinger spoke in agreement with Slattery. She spoke in concern of the high cost and would rather see the money spent in other ways. She spoke in respect of the County’s work. Graham spoke that she would like to see new jail but would like to see a more comprehensive plan come back to Council. Stromberg asked for clarification that if the City of Ashland does not support this then the whole plan may not make it to the ballot. Slattery asked if there is still time to bring this back to Council. Commissioner Strosser answered yes. Madding explained that the deadline is May 17th. Council discussed bringing this item back with a comprehensive plan. Rosenthal spoke to the importance of allowing the people to vote on this issue. Residents can vote it down if they perceive flaws in the plan. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Graham and Seffinger: NO. Rosenthal and Jensen: YES. Motion failed 2-3.
- SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS
- National Historic Preservation Month Proclamation
- 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]
James Stevens – Ashland – Spoke in concern with groups that are advocating for electric buses. He spoke to the importance in taking steps to move toward sustainable energy. He suggested for the city to assist RVTD to make the best and most cost effective purchase on their next fleet of buses. He explained that the last purchase in 2018 they purchased 6 diesel powered buses. He spoke that they were old, dirty diesel buses. He proposed to move toward a cleaner more sustainable economy and suggested that 2 of the 4 buses be electric.
- CONSENT AGENDA
- Approval of Liquor License for Press for Oil, LLC
- Approval of Liquor License for Synthesis Technologies
- Approval of Liquor License for Rogue Coffee Exchange, LLC
- Approval of Liquor License for BP West Coast Products
- Appointment of Katharine Danner to the Transportation Commission
Seffinger pulled this item. She spoke in appreciation of Ms. Danner for coming on this Commission and spoke that she has a lot of expertise and knowledge of what the City needs.
- Appointment of Linda Peterson Adams to the Transportation Commission
- Appointment of Sarah Spansail to the Housing and Human Services Commission
- Appointment of Joseph Tomlin to the Housing and Human Services Commission
- Approval of a Contract for Phase 2 of the Lock and Key Replacement Program
- Approval of Grant Award from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation
- Resolution 2019-04 2017/19 Supplement Budget
- Resolution 2019-06 Authorizing Signatures
- Approval of Contract Amendment #2 with Thornton Engineering, Inc.
Seffinger/Graham moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Discussion: None. All Ayes. Motion passed 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.)
- UNFINISHED BUSINESS
- NEW AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
- Adoption of Findings for 476 North Laurel Street Appeal
Community Development Director Bill Molnar gave a brief Staff report.
Mayor Stromberg read a script into the record:
“Absentions, Conflicts, Ex-Parte Contacts- This is the time for any members of the Council to declare any conflict of interest or bias and to report any ex-parte contact on this matter. If you declare a bias, conflict or ex-parte contact, you may still participate in the deliberation on the findings provided your conflict or bias is not so material or deeply held that you cannot make a decision based on the law because of that conflict, bias, or prior contract. If, however, you feel you cannot make a decision based solely on the applicable decision criteria and the facts and evidence in the record, you may choose to abstain by stating that it is your choice and stepping down from your chair. However, if your presence is required for a quorum, you should stay but not participate or vote. Do any members of the Council wish to declare a personal bias or conflict of interest or report any ex-parte contact on this matter?”
Ex-parte communications:
Slattery spoke that he read the newspaper on this topic. He read statement into the record:
“I have not prejudged this application and I am not prejudiced or biased by my prior contacts or involvement; I will make this decision based solely on the application of the relevant Code standards to the facts and evidence in the record of this proceeding.”
Graham spoke that she read the paper and read the above statement into the record.
Councilors Seffinger, Rosenthal and Jensen and no ex-parte communications.
Graham/Slattery moved to adopt the findings for the appeal PA-APPEAL-2019-00006 as presented. Discussion: Graham spoke in support of the motion. Slattery agreed with Graham. Rosenthal spoke in appreciation of all involved in this decision. Roll Call Vote: Rosenthal, Jensen, Slattery, Graham and Seffinger: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
- “Revitalize Downtown Ashland” Transportation and Growth Management Citizen and Technical Advisory Committee Appointments
Public Works Director Paula Brown gave a brief Staff report.
Jensen/Slattery moved to approve the formation of a Citizen Advisory Committee as an ad-hoc Committee and Technical Advisory Committee as part of the Revitalize Downtown Ashland TGM Grant Project. Discussion: Jensen spoke its time to vote; Getty up. Roll Call Vote: Jensen, Slattery, Graham, Seffinger and Rosenthal: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
- ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRACTS
- First Reading of Ordinance No. 3176 Relating to Public Safety, Adding New Ashland Municipal Code Chapter 10.58
This item was moved to the next Business Meeting Agenda.
- OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS/REPORTS FROM COUNCIL LIAISONS
Graham spoke that this month is time to put emergency kits together. She spoke that there is information on the City of Ashland’s website. Rosenthal explained that the reason he missed last Wednesday’s Budget Committee Meeting is due to his job in Medford having to attend their Budget Committee Meeting. Seffinger spoke that new symbols on police cars will be put on to indicate peace and connection between law and peace.
- ADJOURNMENT OF BUSINESS MEETING
The Council Business Meeting was adjourned at 8:53 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).
