MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING
ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, December 17, 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 Business Meeting to order at 6:02 PM
- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
- ROLL CALL
Councilors’ Graham, Akins, Rosenthal and Jensen were present. Councilors’ Slattery and Seffinger were absent.
- MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Stromberg announced the current Commission/Committee vacancies.
- CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
City Administrator Kelly Madding gave an update on the Winter Shelter.
City Attorney David Lohman gave an overview regarding the City of Boise case regarding homelessness.
- APPROVAL OF MINUTES
- Study Session of December 2, 2019
- Business Meeting of December 3, 2019
Rosenthal/Graham moved to approve the minutes. Discussion: None. All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.
- SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS
- Annual Presentation by the Planning Commission
Planning Commissioner Chair Roger Pierce presented Council with the annual Planning Commission presentation (see attached).
- 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]
Kelly Marcottuli – Ashland – Spoke regarding a moratorium on new cell tower (see attached). She spoke that there were approximately 600 people that signed a petition against the cell tower.
Pamela Joy – Ashland – Read a statement into the record regarding the safety and wellbeing of the City of Ashland and against the new cell tower (see attached).
Kristina Lafever – Ashland – Spoke regarding concerns of the proposed cell tower.
Jim Yarbrough – Ashland – Spoke in support of the previous comments regarding the cell tower. He spoke to concerns regarding the cell tower.
Cynthia Groves – Ashland – Spoke requesting Ashland do a cell phone “Right to Know Ordinance” (see attached).
Marion Moore – Ashland – Spoke regarding carbon budget and climate change.
- CONSENT AGENDA
- Appointment of Rebecca Walker to the Conservation and Climate Outreach Commission
- Approval of a Sole Source Procurement – Stryker Powered Lift Cots and Powered Loading Systems
Rosenthal pulled this item. He congratulated and thanked the Fire Department.
- Special Procurement Request for Approval for Contract to Grayback Forestry, Inc.
- Ratification of IGA with Oregon Health Authority for GEMT Reimbursement
Graham pulled this item. Council discussed the budget.
- Resolution 2019-35 amending a Miscellaneous Fees and Charges Schedule and repealing Resolution No. 2019-26
Akins pulled this item. Akins requested to move this item until after the Ad-Hoc Committee Meetings were completed with a recommendation to Council. Madding recommended to approve this item. She explained that any recommendation from the Ad-Hoc Committee would not be completed until the end of 2020.
Rosenthal/Jensen moved to approve the consent agenda. Discussion: None. Rosenthal, Jensen and Graham: YES. Akins: NO. Motion passed 3-1.
- 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 8:00 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 9:30 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
- Acceptance of Fiscal Year 2019 (FY 2018/19) Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and Component Unit Financial Report
Deputy Finance Director Cindy Hanks introduced Moss Adams Auditors Amanda McCleary-Moore and Kim Reno.
A PowerPoint Presentation was presented to Council (See attached). Items discussed were:
- Engagement team.
- Nature of services provided.
- Single Audit of federal grant programs.
- TOT/ Food & Beverage.
- Audit opinion and reports.
- Government Auditing standards.
Graham/Rosenthal moved to accept the Audit Committee Report and the FY 2018/19 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and Component Unit Financial Report. Discussion: None. Roll Call Vote: Graham, Akins, Rosenthal and Jensen: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
- APRC Revenue Bond Approval and CIP Amendment
Recreational Director Rachel Dials presented Council with a PowerPoint. Items discussed were:
- Pool Ad-Hoc Committee Recommendations. Funding requirements.
- Food and Beverage tax collected.
- Reserve accounts.
- CIP Budget.
- Future Food & Beverage encumbrances.
- Recession.
- Operational Costs.
- Fee increases.
- Next steps.
Public Input
Dr. Marc Heller – Ashland - Thanked City Council for the work they do. He spoke to the importance of keeping a pool.
Harry Ross – Ashland - Spoke on behalf of the swim team. He spoke that not being able to host meets in Ashland is an issue for competitions. He spoke in support of the new pool.
Jocelyn Sanford – Ashland – Spoke in support of the bond approval and the need for improving the pool. She read a statement into the record (see attached).
Jensen/Graham moved to approve APRC’s choice
to acquire a revenue bond for $2,900,000 and amend the DMP rebuild CIP project line item, moving $2,600,000 for the construction of the project to FY20-21. Discussion: Jensen spoke that this is wonderful opportunity for the Community Graham spoke in agreement with Jensen. She spoke that if it is that if something is not done now there will be no pool. Rosenthal thanked all who came to speak on this issue and spoke in support of the motion. Akins spoke that she agrees that there is a need for a pool but is concerned about the economy. Roll Call Vote: Jensen, Graham, Rosenthal: YES. Akins: NO. Motion passed 3-1.
- ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRACTS
- OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS/REPORTS FROM COUNCIL LIAISONS
Graham suggested staff to look into options regarding 5G. Staff spoke that this would come back to Council at a future meeting.
Council discussed the timing for putting a Charter change regarding City Administrator verses City Manager on the May ballot instead of the November Ballot.
Public Input:
Bill Heimann – Ashland – Heimann explained the reasons for the timing of submitting this item to be on the May ballot.
- ADJOURNMENT OF BUSINESS MEETING
The Business Meeting was adjourned at 8:50 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).
