MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING
ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, June 4, 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 Council Business Meeting to order at 7:00 PM
- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
- ROLL CALL
Councilors’ Slattery, Graham, Akins, Seffinger, Rosenthal and Jensen were present.
- MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Stromberg announced current Commission and Committee vacancies.
He also read a letter into the record from Senator Merkley asking for Council support regarding wildfire resiliency (see attached).
- CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
None.
- APPROVAL OF MINUTES
- Study Session of May 20, 2019
- Business Meeting of May 21, 2019
Rosenthal/Seffinger moved to approve the minutes. Discussion: None. All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.
- SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS
- Flag Day Proclamation
- Annual Presentation by the Band Board
Don Bieghler presented Council with the annual Band Board Presentation.
- 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]
Kristina Lafever – Ashland – Spoke regarding the Bee City USA Pollinator Garden Tour which will be on June 29th and 30th. Maps and tickets are available at North Mountain Park.
Amy Stewart – Ashland – Spoke regarding the importance of Peace Meal. She spoke to the importance of finding solutions to keep this program going.
Mori Samel -Garloff- Ashland – Spoke regarding Peace Meals and the great work. She spoke that people are depending the City to help people in need. She spoke that there are a lot of volunteers helping with this program and need the City’s help to keep it going.
Jason Houk– Ashland – Spoke that he has facilitated meals for 4 years at Pioneer He spoke that he has been proud to offer a hot meal daily in Ashland. He spoke that there is currently no space to continue this and spoke to the importance of working together with the City to find a location to offer a hot meal. Hall and proud to offer a hot meal daily in Ashland.
Vanessa Houk- Ashland – Spoke regarding Peace Meals. Ms. Houk returned the Ragland Award Plaque to the Mayor.
Nancy Ashmead- Ashland –Spoke regarding the proposed Ordinance 3176 for Police proposing citizens required to give name and date of birth. She spoke against this Ordinance.
- CONSENT AGENDA
- Approval of Liquor License Request for Bayberry Enterprises, Inc.
- Approval of Liquor License Request for Dosanjh Holding LLC
- Approval of a Contract for Electric Improvements on Mountain Avenue
Slattery/Rosenthal 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.)
- Public Hearing and First Reading of an Ordinance replacing Chapter VI [Housing Element], and amending Chapter XIII [Policies & Implementation], of the Ashland Comprehensive Plan
Senior Planner Brandon Goldman and Housing Program Specialist Linda Reid presented Council with a PowerPoint presentation (see attached).
Items discussed were:
- Comprehensive Plan Overview.
- Background on process on how to update the Housing Element.
- Open Houses.
- Goals and Policies.
- Land Use Standard Development.
- Program Development.
- Implementing Ordinances and Codes.
- Resolutions.
- 4 Goals:
- Diversity of Housing Types.
- Production and Preservation of Affordable Housing.
- Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability.
- Data, Inventories, Projections and Permitting.
- Commission Recommendations.
Rich Rohde Housing and Human Service Commission Chair spoke thanking Staff and the Planning Commission for helping them through the process.
Roger Pierce Planning Commission Chair thanked Council and spoke that the Planning Commission was in support of this document.
Mayor Stromberg opened the Public Hearing 8:02 PM
Michael Gutman – Ashland - Spoke in concern of increasing density and decreasing off street parking.
Sue Le Roy – Ashland – Spoke in concern of the proposal. She spoke in concern of the density and parking. She suggested for Council to re-evaluate the proposal before making a decision.
Dr. Carol Voisin – Ashland – Read a statement into the record (see attached).
Mayor Stromberg closed Public Hearing at 8:10 PM
Jensen/Graham moved to approve first reading of an ordinance titled, an Ordinance repealing and restating the entirety of Chapter VI [Housing Element] of the Ashland Comprehensive Plan, and amending Chapter XIII [Policies & Implementation] Sub-Chapter VI Housing of the Ashland Comprehensive Plan to incorporate new housing goals and policies”, and to move the Ordinance to second reading. Discussion: Councilor Jensen, Akins and Seffinger spoke in appreciation of this plan. Roll Call Vote: Jensen, Rosenthal, Seffinger, Slattery, Akins, and Graham: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
- Public Hearing on:
- Resolution 2019-13 to Levy Taxes for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020.
- Resolution 2019-14 Certifying City Provides Sufficient Municipal Services to Qualify for State Subventions
- Resolution 2019-15 Declaring the City’s Election to Receive State Revenues
- Resolution 2019-12 to Adopt the 2019-21 Biennial Budget and Making Appropriations
City Administrator gave a Staff report.
Graham spoke that she may have a potential conflict of interest due to her sister working for the City.
Mayor Stromberg opened the Public Hearing at 8:44 PM
Public Input:
Donna Swanson – Ashland – Read a statement into the record regarding concerns cutting fire fighters. (see attached).
Susan Hall – Ashland – Read a statement into the record regarding budget (see attached).
Dr. Carol Voisin – Ashland –Spoke regarding concerns of the budget. She suggested switching to an annual budget.
Mayor Stromberg closed the Public Hearing at 8:54 PM
Slattery/Rosenthal moved to approve Resolution 2019-12: A Resolution to Adopt the 2019-21 Biennial Budget and Marking Appropriations. Discussion: Slattery spoke that there is more work to be done and he encouraged Council to think about an annual budget. He spoke that some Citizens think the City cuts too much and others think not enough. He spoke in favor of having Ad-Hoc Committees to help the budget issues. He spoke that he will support this motion but explained it is not a pleasure to find ways to cut a 2-million-dollar deficit. Rosenthal spoke in agreement with Slattery. He spoke that this process was the most comprehensive and scrutinized that he can recall since he has been involved. He spoke that it is a democratic process and all views received respectful consideration. He spoke that he does not take pleasure voting on something that can diminish the quality of the Community. He spoke that these are tough decisions. He spoke that the process was difficult but fair and respectful. Graham spoke that budget decisions are difficult. She spoke that the process went well and everyone worked hard together. She spoke that she had faith in the commitments to assess the process. She spoke in appreciation of the Parks Department, the Police Department and the Fire Department. Akins spoke in agreement with Graham. She spoke that she respected the process. She spoke that she can’t support higher property taxes but doesn’t mean it was a bad process. Seffinger spoke that she was impressed with the process and its transparency. She spoke that the process looked at what the Community wants and ways to make it happen during the budget process. Jensen spoke that the only way he will support this motion is to ensure that there will be an urgency to move forward and continue to work on the budget. Mayor Stromberg spoke regarding the deficit and what the Budget Committee was facing in this process. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Graham, Jensen, Rosenthal, Seffinger: YES. Akins: NO. Motion passed 5-1.
Jensen/Graham moved to approve Resolution 2019-13: A Resolution Levying Taxes for the Period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020, such Taxes in the Levy rate of $4.2865/$1000 Assessed Value Upon All the Real and Personal Property Subject to Assessment and Levy Within the Corporate Limits of the City of Ashland, Jackson County, Oregon. Discussion. None. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Graham, Jensen, Rosenthal, Seffinger: YES. Akins: NO. Motion passed 5-1.
Rosenthal/Slattery moved to approve Resolution 2019-14: A Resolution Certifying City Provides Sufficient Municipal Services to Qualify for State Subventions. Discussion: None. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Graham, Jensen, Akins, Rosenthal and Seffinger: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
Jensen/Graham moved to approve Resolution 2019-15: A Resolution Declaring the City’s Election to Receive State Revenues. Discussion: None. Roll Call Vote: Seffinger, Akins, Slattery, Graham, Jensen and Rosenthal: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
Graham/Slattery moved that the City creates an ad-hoc committee to investigate revenue options specifically related to sustainability and resilience. in the City of Ashland. The Mayor will work with Staff to bring this back to the next Council Meeting to appoint an ad-hoc committee subject to Councils approval. Discussion: Slattery gave clarification on the roles of this committee. Jensen spoke regarding combining revenue enhancement and financial stability as one ad-hoc committee. Rosenthal agreed the committees should be combined. He spoke in concern of Staff time.
Rosenthal/Seffinger moved to amended motion to include financial and operational strategies for this ad-hoc committee. Discussion: Rosenthal spoke that this needs to be done right and that it would be best to combine an ad-hoc committee instead of having two. Seffinger spoke in agreement with Rosenthal. Slattery clarified that the topics are so large that would be best to be looked at separately. Jensen and Graham spoke in agreement with Slattery. Council discussed that if there are 2 committees they will be working together. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Graham, Akins and Jensen: NO. Rosenthal and Seffinger: YES. Motion failed 2-4.
Main Motion Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Akins, Jensen, Graham and Rosenthal: YES. Seffinger: NO. Motion passed 5-1.
Slattery/Jensen Moved that we ask the Mayor with the help of the Administrator to form an ad-hoc committee looking at the cost side of things to help the City be financially sustainable and to help the Community be resilient. Discussion: Slattery spoke to the importance of working on this. Jensen spoke that he hopes this can begin soon. Rosenthal spoke that he will vote against this motion and explained that the City does not need another ad-hoc committee and is not efficient. Seffinger agreed with Rosenthal. Graham spoke in support of the motion Roll Call Vote: Graham, Slattery, Akins and Jensen: YES. Rosenthal and Seffinger: NO. Motion passed 4-2
- UNFINISHED BUSINESS
- NEW AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
- Approval of Personal Services Contract for Construction Contract Services for both Hersey Street Reconstruction Engineering and the Railroad Crossing Improvements at Laurel and Hersey
Public Works Director gave a Staff report.
Jensen/Akins to approve a contract for professional engineering for phase three construction contract administration, and construction engineering and inspection services for both the Hersey Street Reconstruction and the Railroad Crossing Improvements at Laurel and Hersey with OBEC Consulting Engineers Inc. for an amount not to exceed $469,925. Discussion: Jensen and Akins spoke in support of the motion. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Akins, Graham, Rosenthal, Jensen and Seffinger: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
- Approval of a Construction Contract with LTM, Incorporated dba Knife River Materials for the Hersey Street Reconstruction (PW 2017-09) and the Laurel and Hersey Street Railroad Crossing Improvements (PW 2011-36); and Placing a Street Cut Moratorium
Public Works Director gave a Staff report.
Rosenthal/Graham moved to approve the construction contract with LTM, Incorporated dba Knife River Materials for the Hersey Street Reconstruction and Laurel and Hersey Railroad Crossing Improvements for a contract amount not to exceed $3,041,300; and further move to enact a five-year street cut moratorium to the affected street section. Discussion: Rosenthal thanked staff. Graham spoke in appreciation for the work and is pleased to see long-term protection. Roll Call Vote: Jensen, Slattery, Akins, Graham, Seffinger and Rosenthal: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
- ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRACTS
- Resolution 2019-17: TOT Final Allocation for BN2019-21
Madding gave a Staff report.
Slattery declared a conflict of interest and asked to be recused.
Council gave consent to recuse Slattery.
Jensen/ Seffinger moved approval of Resolution 2019-17 allocating the remaining anticipated TOT revenues for BN2019-21 with correction in Section E: to state 30 percent of the estimated TOT revenue generated by additional 1 percent tax rate for General Government Operations. Discussion: None. Roll Call Vote: Jensen, Akins, Slattery, Rosenthal, Seffinger and Graham: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
- Resolution 2019-16: Adoption of Miscellaneous Fees & Charges for FY 2020 and Repealing Resolution 2018-18
This item was moved to the next Council Meeting.
- Resolution 2019-18: Management Resolution/Non Represented Employee Resolution
Madding gave a brief Staff report.
Rosenthal/Slattery moved approval of a resolution clarifying certain conditions of employment for management and confidential employees of the City for fiscal year 2019-2020, repealing Resolution 2018-27. Discussion: Rosenthal spoke to the importance of this motion. Slattery spoke in agreement with Rosenthal. Roll call Vote: Slattery, Graham, Seffinger, Rosenthal and Seffinger: YES. Akins: NO. Motion Passed 5-1.
- Resolution 2019-07: Electric Rate Increases and Repeal of Resolution 2018-14
Electric Director Tom McBartlett gave a brief Staff report.
Jensen/Seffinger moved approval of Resolution 2019-07 titled a resolution revising rates for electric service pursuant to Ashland Municipal Code 14.16.030 and repealing resolution 2018-14. Discussion: Jensen thanked staff. Akins spoke that she would be voting no and explained her reasons why. Administrative Services Manager Bryn Morrison gave an overview to Council of all programs for low income households and senior citizens. Roll call Vote: Slattery, Graham, Seffinger, Rosenthal and Seffinger: YES. Akins: NO. Motion Passed 5-1.
- Resolution for Public Works Rate Increases
- Resolution 2019-08 Adopting a Storm Drainage Utility Fee Schedule and Repealing Resolution 2018-10
- Resolution 2019-09 Adopting a Transportation Utility Fee Schedule and Repealing Resolution 2018-21
- Resolution 2019-10 Revising Rates for Water Service and Repealing Resolution 2018-12
- Resolution 2019-11 Revising Rates for Wastewater/Sewer Service and Repealing Resolution 2018-13
Brown gave a Staff report.
Public Input:
Dr. Carol Voisin – Ashland – Spoke against rate increases.
Susan Hall – Ashland – Spoke against rate increases and read a statement into the record (see attached).
Rosenthal/Jensen moved to approve the Resolutions: 2019-08 (Storm Drainage), 2019-09 (Transportation), 2019-10 (Water) and 2019-11 (Waste Water/Sewer Service). Discussion: Rosenthal spoke that this was fair and there were master plans and professional rate studies. Jensen agreed with Rosenthal.
- Second Reading of Ordinance 3177 Amending AMC CH 2.18 Conservation Commission to the Conservation and Climate Outreach Commission and Ordinance No. 3178 Creating the Climate Policy Commission; Adding New AMC CH 2.27
Madding gave a Staff report.
Slattery/Graham moved to amend the purpose, membership, powers and duties of the Conservation Commission and re-name the Commission as the Conservation and Climate Outreach Commission with the approval of Second Reading of Ordinance 3177; adding that the Mayor or 1 City Councilor shall be a voting member. Discussion: None. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Graham, Akins, Seffinger, Jensen: YES. Rosenthal: NO. Motion passed 5-1.
- OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS/REPORTS FROM COUNCIL LIAISONS
- ADJOURNMENT OF BUSINESS MEETING
The Council Business Meeting adjourned at 10:05 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)
