MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING
ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, November 20, 2018
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.]
6:00 p.m. Executive Session – Police Negotiations*
*Purpose of Executive Session Item – Conduct deliberations with persons designated by the governing body to carry on labor negotiations, pursuant to ORS 190.660(2)(d).
The Executive Session was adjourned at 6:55 PM.
7:00 p.m. Regular Meeting
- CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Stromberg called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
- ROLL CALL
Councilor Slattery, Morris, Bachman, Rosenthal and Jensen were present. Councilor Seffinger was absent.
- MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Stromberg announced the current Commission/Committee vacancies.
- CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
City Administrator Kelly Madding announced that the faith community has stepped up and we now have a winter shelter 7 days a week. She thanked the Community. She also announced that Council gave Staff direction to work on a code change to allow overnight car parking in religious institution parking lots.
- APPROVAL OF MINUTES
- Business Meeting of November 5, 2018
- Business Meeting of November 6, 2018
Bachman/Morris moved to approve the minutes. Discussion: None. All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.
- SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS
- Engage Ashland Update
Ms. Madding went over a PowerPoint presentation
(see attached). She addressed citizens’ concerns of the timing of this event. She spoke regarding the areas that Staff and Council visited. She went over the results of the survey. You can find the survey at: www.ashland.or.us/outreach.
Mayor Stromberg thanked Executive Assistant Elizabeth Taylor for putting together the survey.
- 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-HWY 99-Spoke regarding climate change, solar panels and electric cars. He explained that buying electric cars keeps us safe and enables our economy.
Garrett Furuichi- Ashland-Read a letter into the record
(see attached).
Rosenthal/Slattery moved to suspend the Council Rules. Discussion: None
. All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.
Rosenthal spoke that he stands by what he said and will be happy to debate the points and merits.
- CONSENT AGENDA
- Appointment to the Band Board: Carol O’Neal
- Appointment of Budget Committee member to Municipal Audit Commission
- Approval of Liquor License for Hurley’s Last Chance, LLC.
- Diamond Parking Contract
Councilor Slattery pulled this item. He asked for an explanation why have to employ a for profit company to give tickets instead of doing it in house. Assistant City Administrator Adam Hanks explained that for cost reasons the City moved to 3rd party contract. Diamond Parking can provide at a lower cost. He spoke that Diamond Parking provides enforcement and management.
Bachman questioned how much revenue does the city receive annually from parking citations. Mr. Hanks answered it is an estimated $350,000-$370,000. Jensen questioned when the last analysis was done. Mr. Hanks answered that he was not involved but it was done in 2001 or 2002. Jensen suggested to do a 10-year review. Slattery agreed that this is something to look at. Mr. Hanks explained the RFP process. He spoke that Staff can look at 3rd party providers verses internal and bring back to Council. Council gave consensus to direct Staff to look into this and bring back at the December 18th Business Meeting.
- Miscellaneous Airport Fee Adjustment
Public Input:
Bill Skillman- Ashland- Spoke that he has been involved with the airport for long time. He spoke that he understands that the airport operates on a revenue neutral basis. He questioned why the City is considering to raise the rates.
Harold Lee- Ashland – Spoke in agreement with Mr. Skillman. He spoke that existing rates across the board of open hangers are all below what Ashland is charging. He spoke that it is wrong to raise the rates.
Alex Censor – Ashland –Spoke that he served on the Airport Commission. He spoke that there is no justification for a rate increase. He suggested for Council to send this item back to the Airport Commission. He spoke that only 6 out of 9 of the Commissioners were present for the vote to raise the rates.
Public Works Deputy Scott Fleury gave a Staff report.
Slattery/Rosenthal moved to approve the additional airport hangar rental rate tier of 25˘ (cents) per square foot for the reversionary box hangars, as recommended by the Airport Commission. Discussion: Slattery spoke that he is a liaison to the Commission and spoke in support of the motion. Rosenthal agreed with Slattery. Jensen spoke in support of the motion. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Morris, Bachman, Rosenthal and Jensen: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
Rosenthal/Jensen moved to approve items 1, 2, 3 & 5 of 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.)
- Adopting Infill Strategy/Transit Triangle Ordinance and Map Amendments
Community Development Director, Bill Molnar gave a staff report. He spoke that Staff recommends approval of First Reading.
Mayor Stromberg opened the Public Hearing at 8:15 PM
Public Input
Richard Lucas- Ashland – Spoke in concerns to approve this Ordinance. He spoke that this will cause traffic issues. He suggested to work on this in stages.
Mayor Stromberg closed the public hearing at 8:19 PM
Bachman/Jensen moved to approve first reading of an ordinance titled, “An Ordinance Amending the Ashland Land Use Ordinance to Include a new Chapter 18.3.14 Transit Triangle Overlay,” and to move the ordinance to second reading at the December 18th 2018 meeting. Discussion: Bachman and Jensen spoke in support of the motion. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Morris, Bachman, Rosenthal and Jensen: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
Bachman/Morris moved to approve first reading of an ordinance titled, “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 18.2.1, 18.2.2, 18.2.3, 18.2.5, 18.3.12, 18.3.13, 18.4.3 and 18.6.1 of the Ashland Land Use Ordinance to Implement an Infill Strategy in the Transit Triangle and Miscellaneous Edits for Clarity and Consistency,” and to move the ordinance to second reading at the December 18, 2018 meeting. Discussion: Bachman and Morris spoke in support of the motion. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Morris, Bachman, Rosenthal and Jensen: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
Bachman/Slattery moved to approve first reading of an ordinance titled, “An Ordinance Amending the City of Ashland Zoning Map to Add a Transit Triangle Overlay. Discussion: None. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Morris, Bachman, Rosenthal and Jensen: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
- UNFINISHED BUSINESS
- NEW AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
- FEMA Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Application for Fire Adapted Ashland Program.
Forest Division Chief Chris Chambers and Fire Adapted Communities Coordinator Alison Lerch gave a Staff report.
Slattery/Rosenthal moved to approve authority for the City to submit a 2018 FEMA Pre Disaster Mitigation grant proposal in the amount of $3 million with matching funds to come from existing staff salaries and participating private landowners. Discussion: Slattery spoke that they have done good work and thanked Staff. Rosenthal agreed with Slattery. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Morris, Bachman, Rosenthal and Jensen: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
- ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRACTS
- Second Reading of Vacation of a Public ROW; a portion of Terrace Street
Ms. Madding gave a brief Staff report.
Jensen/Morris moved to approve second reading of an ordinance titled: An Ordinance Vacating a Certain Portion of Terrace Street in the City of Ashland, Jackson County, Oregon. Discussion: Jensen spoke that this is a responsible decision. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Morris, Bachman, Rosenthal and Jensen: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
- OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS/REPORTS FROM COUNCIL LIAISONS
- ADJOURNMENT OF BUSINESS MEETING
The Business Meeting was adjourned at 9:05 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).
