MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING
ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
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 meeting to order at 6:02 PM.
- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
- ROLL CALL
Councilors’ Slattery, Graham, Seffinger, Rosenthal and Jensen were present. Councilor Akins was absent.
- MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Stromberg announced the current Commission and Committee vacancies.
Slattery/Seffinger moved to add a discussion to the agenda about whether or not go forward with the Bond. Voice Vote: Rosenthal, Jensen and Graham: NO. Slattery and Seffinger: YES. Motion failed 2-3.
Jensen/Slattery moved to remove Item- City Manager Initiative Measure Endorsement. Discussion: None. Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.
Madding suggested pulling the public hearing to last meeting in May; and Adoption of Public Works Director Recruitment Item to a later date.
Rosenthal/Graham moved to pull Items below to a future Council Meeting:
- Public Hearing and First Reading of an Ordinance amending Title 18 Land Use of the Ashland Municipal Code relating to plaza space requirements for large scale buildings within the C-1-D zone and Downtown Design Standards Overlay
- Adoption of Selection Criteria for Public Works Director Recruitment – pulled item.
Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.
Graham/Slattery moved to add a discussion of the social services response in Ashland to the COVID19 outbreak to the Agenda under New and Miscellaneous Business. Discussion: None. Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.
- CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
City Administrator Kelly Madding gave a report regarding the COVID19 Emergency Declaration. Madding explained citizens can find updated information through the County and Oregon Health authority.
Parks and Recreation Director Michael Black spoke that citizens can call the Resource Center to get information. He explained they don’t provide social services but link people to social services. He gave the number to call which is: 541-488-5342. You can also find this information on the City Website: https://www.ashland.or.us/sectionindex.asp?sectionid=535.
- APPROVAL OF MINUTES
- Study Session of March 2, 2020
- Business Meeting of March 3, 2020
Slattery/Rosenthal moved to approve the minutes. Discussion: None. All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.
- SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS
- Proclamation for Arbor Week
Seffinger read the Proclamation into the record (see attached).
- Annual Presentation by the Tree Commission
This Item was pulled to a future Business Meeting.
- 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]
Huelz Gutcheon – Ashland – Spoke regarding CO2 and to not stand so close to each other during this time.
Andy Card – Ashland – Owner of Oberon’s and Co-Owner of Marsala Bistro spoke regarding the importance of keeping local businesses running and the unpredictability of the economy. He encouraged the City and Council to look for solutions to help City businesses.
- CONSENT AGENDA
- Approval of a Public Contract for Financial Advisory Services
Graham pulled this item and questioned the role that the Financial Advisory Services plays at the City. Madding gave a Staff report.
- Appointment of Christopher Mahan to the Housing and Human Services Commission
- Appointment of Jeffrey Dahle to the Airport Commission
- Approval of Liquor License for Rogue Valley Roasting Company
- Approval of Liquor License for Clementine Rose, Inc.
Graham/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 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.)
- Public Hearing and First Reading of an Ordinance amending Title 18 Land Use of the Ashland Municipal Code relating to plaza space requirements for large scale buildings within the C-1-D zone and Downtown Design Standards Overlay
This item was pulled to a future Business Meeting.
- UNFINISHED BUSINESS
- NEW AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
- Adoption of Selection Criteria for Public Works Director Recruitment
Item pulled to future Business Meeting.
- Suspension of portions of AMC relating to public meetings through April 8.
Madding gave a Staff report.
Slattery/Graham moved as a temporary measure to limit the spread of the coronavirus, pursuant to AMC 2.04.010E approval of suspension of the following Ashland Municipal Code provisions concerning Council meetings through April 30, 2020, AMC 2.04.040B, so as to allow Councilmember attendance and voting by means of electronic communication at the scheduled April Council meetings. Discussion: Seffinger spoke that she is uncomfortable with this motion and spoke that she would prefer meeting face to face. Staff spoke that these provisions are happening all over the State and that electronic meetings are not mandatory but suggested. Council discussed the importance of meeting even if electronic and to continue business. Rosenthal spoke that he too shares Seffinger’s concern but explained the importance of measures to be taken at this time. Jensen spoke in agreement with Rosenthal. Council discussed public input during Zoom Meeting broadcasts. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Graham, Jensen and Rosenthal: YES. Seffinger: NO. Motion passed-4-1.
Graham/Slattery moved as a temporary measure to limit the spread of the coronavirus, pursuant to AMC 2.04.010E approval of suspension of the following Ashland Municipal Code provisions concerning Council meetings through April 30, 2020, * AMC 2.04.050D, so as to suspend the requirement for a Public Forum agenda item at the scheduled April business meetings of the City Council. Discussion: Graham spoke in support of this motion and the importance of getting pieces together to get through this crisis. Slattery agreed with Graham. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Graham, Seffinger, Jensen and Rosenthal: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
Rosenthal/Graham as a temporary measure to limit the spread of the coronavirus, pursuant to AMC 2.04.010E moved approval of suspension of the following Ashland Municipal Code provisions concerning Council meetings through April 30, 2020, * AMC 2.04.020C.2 so as to suspend the requirement for a Public Forum agenda item at the scheduled April study session meeting of the City Council. Discussion: None. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Graham, Seffinger, Jensen and Rosenthal: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
Jensen/Slattery as a temporary measure to limit the spread of the coronavirus, pursuant to AMC 2.04.010E moved approval of suspension of the following Ashland Municipal Code provisions concerning Council meetings through April 2020, * AMC 2.04.050G, so as to suspend the requirement for public testimony on agenda items at the scheduled April meetings of the City Council. Discussion: None. All Ayes. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Graham, Seffinger, Jensen and Rosenthal: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
- City Manager Initiative Measure Endorsement
Madding went over the declaration of State of Emergency.
Jensen/Slattery moved to approve the City of Ashland State of Emergency Declaration effective March 15th, 2020 at 11 AM. Discussion: None. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Graham, Seffinger, Jensen and Rosenthal: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
Council discussed the importance of being educated on the issue and how to help the homeless.
Council directed Staff to issue funding to Options for Helping Residents of Ashland (OHRA) overnight shelter before it closes on March 31st in hopes to keep it open through April. Council also directed Staff to look into finding ways to potentially help fund Jobs with Justice Camp.
- ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRACTS
- Resolution Modifying Solid Waste Franchise Rates and Fees
Hanks gave a brief Staff report.
Seffinger/Jensen moved to approve a resolution titled, a resolution modifying solid waste franchise rates and fees as amended to July 1st. Discussion: Seffinger spoke in support of the motion. Jensen agreed with Seffinger. Roll Call Vote: Seffinger, Jensen, Slattery, Graham and Rosenthal: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
- Second Reading of Ordinance No. 3182 Relating to Checkout Bags, Repealing and Replacing Ashland Municipal Code Chapter 9.21
Lohman gave a brief Staff report.
Slattery/Rosenthal moved to approve Second Reading of Ordinance No. 3182. Discussion: Rosenthal thanked Lohman and Hanks for work on this subject. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Graham, Seffinger, Rosenthal and Jensen: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
- OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS/REPORTS FROM COUNCIL LIAISONS
Madding thanked Staff for all of their work during this time.
Rosenthal thanked Staff and spoke that there is a lot of work to be done and spoke in appreciation of what already has been done.
Graham spoke to the importance of supporting downtown businesses during this time.
- ADJOURNMENT OF BUSINESS MEETING
The Business Meeting was adjourned at 8:51
Respectfully submitted by:
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City Recorder Melissa Huhtala
Attest:
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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).
