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 Council Meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.

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.

V. CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
City Administrator Kelly Madding gave an update on the Winter Shelter.

VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Study Session of November 4, 2019
2. Business Meeting of November 5, 2019

Rosenthal/Slattery moved to approve the Minutes. Discussion: None. All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.

VII. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS
1. Engage Ashland Fall 2019 Presentation

City Administrator Kelly Madding went over a PowerPoint presentation (see attached).

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]

Louise Shawkat – Ashland – Spoke regarding climate change. She spoke to the importance of
getting the community engaged on this issue.

Marion Moore – Ashland – Spoke regarding climate change and GHG emissions. She urged Council to focus on reducing emissions.

Huelz Gutcheon- Ashland – Spoke regarding climate change.

Erin Muck – Ashland – Spoke regarding climate change and the importance for Council to take action on this topic.

Bruno Marcatulli – Ashland – Spoke regarding dangers 5G and encouraged Council to take action now to protect the citizens.

Joseph Kauth- Ashland – Spoke regarding bag bans and the importance of science.

X. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Request for Sanitary Sewer Service Connection at 1156 Oak Street
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.)

1. Public Hearing and Resolution 2019-26 amending a Miscellaneous Fees and Charges Schedule and repealing Resolution No. 2019-16

Madding gave a brief staff report.

Community Development Director Bill Molnar gave a brief Staff report regarding Building Fees. It was noted that the Building Fees and Lien Search Fees would not take effect until January 1, 2020.

Mayor Stromberg opened the Public Hearing at 6:45 PM
Mayor Stromberg closed the Public Hearing at 6:45 PM

Rosenthal/Graham moved to approve Resolution 2019-26, a Resolution amending a Miscellaneous Fees and Charges Schedule and repealing Resolution No. 2019-16. Discussion: Rosenthal in spoke in support of the motion. Graham agreed with Rosenthal. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Graham, Akins, Jensen, Rosenthal and Seffinger: YES. Motion passed unanimously.

XII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Water Treatment Plant Solar Allowance

Madding gave a staff report.

Graham/Slattery moved to direct staff to Investigate the total realistic solar potential, both rooftop and ground base arrays, battery storage requirements, operations and maintenance, life cycle and associated cost estimates for the 7.5 MGD Water Treatment Plant site, and to develop potential strategies and cost estimates in development of the 60 percent design phase to move the new 7.5 MGD Water Treatment Plant design from Envision Silver to Envision Platinum with the primary focus being electrical energy conservation and renewable energy production. Discussion: Graham spoke that the City is in early design phase for the project and it is important to look at the energy component and be sure the City is making the best investment. Slattery agreed with Graham. Council discussed the budget and how this would be a one-time thing. Council discussed the importance of looking into all options for such a big investment. Roll Call Vote: Rosenthal, Jensen, Seffinger, Slattery, Akins and Graham: YES. Motion passed unanimously.

2. Ashland Canal Piping Project Direction
City Attorney David Lohman spoke to possible potential ethics issue. He sent out a memo to Council (see attached).

Madding spoke regarding inaccuracies that have been in the local paper. She spoke in support of Public Works Director Paula Brown and the Public Works Staff. Madding explained that it is the job for the Public Works Director to present recommendations that best serves the Community, use money efficiently and minimizes liability.

Public Works Director Paula Brown thanked Mayor and Council and gave a brief Staff report.
Council discussed the use of shotcrete.

Council discussed how many trees will be lost. Brown explained up to 100 trees could be removed but the goal is not to rid of trees the goal is to keep water.

Council discussed the impact this project would have on residents.

Council discussed the options.

Public Input:
Julie Bonney-Shanor – Ashland – Spoke urging Council to not pipe the canal and read a statement into the record (see attached).

William Shanor – Ashland – Spoke urging Council to not pipe the canal and read a statement into the record (see attached).

Bryan Holley – Ashland – Spoke for the trees and the beauty of the canal. He suggested that Staff start from scratch on this project. He spoke to the importance of the citizens and democracy.

Dennis Araft – Ashland – Spoke in opposition of Option 3. He explained it would affect his property.

Craig Harper- Ashland – Spoke in favor of piping the canal. He explained that he was on the advisory group and after a lot of research agreed that to pipe the canal is the most logical choice and the best for the community.

Kathleen Hoffman – Ashland – Thanked Council and Staff for listening. She urged Council to choose a smart, economical and environmentally conscience alternative before piping the canal.

Dr. Carol Voisin-Ashland – Spoke to vote no to piping the canal and read a statement into the record (see attached).

Dr. Max Lowen- Ashland – Spoke against piping the canal. She spoke of the destruction a pipe can cause and urged Council to vote no.

John Hauschild – Ashland – Spoke regarding the affect piping the canal would have on residents. He spoke for Council to look at those homes affected as if they were their own.

Allen Bosma – Ashland – He spoke that he lives on the canal and has half of it piped and half opened. He spoke that he was on the Advisory Committee and did a lot of research. He spoke to the beauty of the canal but also to the importance of water security and conservation.

Lesley Adams – Ashland – Spoke that she hikes the trails. She spoke that she was on the Water Advisory Committee and did a lot of research. She spoke regarding climate change. She explained that the most important issue is to look at the greater good and the best interest of the constituents.

Jensen/Graham moved to direct staff to proceed with final design on Alternative #1. Discussion: Jensen spoke that this has been studied in great detail and spoke in support of the motion. Graham spoke that this is a hard decision; she explained that she always likes to find a win/win situation but sometimes you can’t get to that point. She explained that she has done a lot of research on this topic. Seffinger spoke that this is a difficult issue and spoke to the importance of trees and wildlife. She spoke in concern for the loss of biodiversity. Akins thanked all of the public speakers. She spoke that she would be voting no and would have for all 3 options. Rosenthal thanked all for participating in this subject. He spoke in support of the motion and the importance of water security and water conservation. Slattery spoke that this is a tough decision. He spoke that he did a lot of research on this topic and was disappointed on how some people behaved during this discussion. He spoke that it is not ok to treat people badly and the importance of respecting one another even if in disagreement. He spoke questioning the urgency of this project and if there should be more discussion. He spoke that he would be voting no to the motion. Mayor Stromberg spoke to the importance of balance. He spoke in regarding water quality and in concern for the people who would be affected with the piping. He spoke regarding looking researching more into using shotcrete. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Akins and Seffinger: NO. Rosenthal, Jensen and Graham: YES. Mayor: NO. Motion failed 3-4.

XIII. NEW AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS

XIV. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRACTS

1. Resolution 2019-31 and 2019-32 to join the Jail Service District

Chief O’Meara introduced Sheriff Sickler and Community Justice Director Eric Guyer.
Sheriff Sickler explained that he has presented to Council numerous times. He spoke to the concerns the public has had regarding mental health and that the County is committed to provide the best they can.

Mr. Guyer discussed the programs that Jackson County provides. He spoke that with the new jail they will be able to provide more services to facilitate mental health and addiction recovery.

Public Input –
Caren Caldwell – Ashland – Spoke regarding the needs of mental health care and read a statement into the record (see attached).

Meesha Blair – Ashland – Spoke regarding the importance of mental health care and read a statement into the record (see attached).

David Hyde –Ashland – Spoke that he is part of the Rogue Action Center and works with homeless and people in recovery. He spoke that there is enough data for this decision and urged Council to look into this further before voting.

Kevin Brewer - Ashland – Spoke in concerns of this vote. He spoke to look at all possible options before making a vote.

Pauline Black- Ashland – Spoke that we don’t need a jail so large until there is a comprehensive plan. She urged to do more research before making a decision.

Dr. Voisin – Ashland – Urged Council to vote no to this item and read a statement into the record (see attached).

Betsy Shanafelt – Ashland – Spoke how high her property taxes have gone up since 2002. She spoke that her property taxes in 2002 were $2600.00 and in this year they were $8200.00. She urged Council to not put a burden on Ashland residents and to do more research before voting on this item.

Sarah Westover – Phoenix –Spoke that she is a City Councilor in Phoenix and spoke to her concerns on this issue. She urged Council to research more before putting this on the ballot. She spoke regarding funding priorities and mental health.

Michael Bianca – Ashlnad – Spoke that more research needs to be done before a decision is made.

Margie Mee – Ashland – Spoke to the importance of addressing mental health and homelessness. She encouraged Council to get more information before making a decision.

Eric Navickas – Ashland – Spoke that we live in Country with the highest rate of incarceration in the world. He spoke that he believes this bond proposal will not pass. He spoke in respect of the voice of the citizens and appreciated Councils decision regarding City Hall. He spoke to the importance of listening to the constituents.

Council discussed the future budget and operational costs if this item passed.

Graham/Seffinger moved to table this item until December. Discussion: Graham spoke that she has attended the meetings the Sheriff has held regarding this issue and appreciates their work. She explained that there is a need for a new facility but also needs to know more about the upstream pieces of the funding mechanisms to accommodate this project. She spoke in support but would like more time to get some questions answered. Seffinger agreed with Graham. Akins spoke that in support of the motion and spoke that this idea is too expensive and too big. She explained it needs to be right sized to fit the community’s needs.
Slattery/Rosenthal moved to extend the meeting until 9:45 p.m. Discussion: None. All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.
Slattery spoke that he will not support the motion. He spoke that this item should go to the voters. Rosenthal spoke in support of the motion. He spoke that it is important to get all questions answered before making a decision. Mayor Stromberg spoke that he would be in favor of the motion and he spoke to the importance of programs for homeless and mental illness. Council discussed deadlines for this process.
Jensen suggested meeting with County Commissioners to ask more questions. Madding suggested that a couple Councilors (less than a quorum) and Staff meet with a County Commissioner and bring this discussion back at the December 3rd Business Meeting. Slattery/Akins called the question. All Ayes.
Roll Call Vote on main motion: Graham, Akins, Seffinger, Rosenthal and Jensen: YES. Slattery: NO. Motion passed 5-1.

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

XVI. ADJOURNMENT OF BUSINESS MEETING

The Business Meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.

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).