DRAFT MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING
ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, January 7, 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.]
6:00 p.m. Regular Meeting
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Stromberg called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
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.
Mayor Stromberg read a Press Release regarding a Wildlife listening session (see attached).
V. CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
City Administrator Kelly Madding spoke regarding that Item: Review of City Assets- Land and Structure Inventory will be moved to a future agenda.
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Business Meeting of December 17, 2019
Rosenthal/Seffinger moved to approve the minutes. Discussion: None. All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.
VII. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS
1. Report on Statistical Transparency of Policing (STOP) Program
Police Chief Tighe O’Meara gave a brief report regarding Statistical Transparency of Policing (STOP). He went over a PowerPoint presentation (see attached).
Items discussed were:
- Stop Percentages by race.
- Male and Female percentages.
- Enforcement stats.
- Working on ways to better get data.
- Tourist Population.
2. Report on the First Quarter of Ordinance 3176
Chief O’Meara went over a PowerPoint presentation (see attached).
Items discussed were:
- McNally Ruling.
- Ordinance 3176 overview.
- Concerns regarding the LGBTQ community,
- Officer Best Practice training regarding the Ordinance.
Chief O’Meara spoke that this ORS has not been used one time since enacted.
Council and Chief discussed the process of when someone refuses to give a name.
VIII. MINUTES OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES
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]
Shaun Moran – Ashland – Spoke regarding the Water Master Plan.
Huelz Gutcheon – Ashland – spoke regarding climate change and that it is an emergency. He spoke regarding solar panels and the importance of electric cars.
X. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Liquor License Approval for McCall Guestbook, LLC.
Graham/Rosenthal 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 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.)
XII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
- Review of City Assets: Land and Structure Inventory
Item was pulled until a future agenda. Due to not complete data.
XIII. NEW AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
1. Housing Trust Fund – OHRA Homeless Shelter
Madding introduced Housing Program Specialist Linda Reid and gave a brief Staff report.
Reid gave a brief Staff report regarding affordable housing trust funds and the need for this request.
Reid introduced OHRA passed president Ken Gudger and OHRA Executive Director Michelle Arellano.
Reid explained the need for the funding and the funding process.
Slattery/Jensen moved to approve the award of $55,000 in Affordable Housing Trust Funds to Options for Helping Residents of Ashland, to support the 2019-2020 Ashland Winter Shelter Program, outside of the competitive grant cycle. Discussion: Slattery spoke in appreciation of the program and thanked Staff. Jensen thanked all for their work on the project. Roll Call Vote: Jensen, Graham, Akins, Rosenthal, Seffinger and Slattery: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
2. Mayor Presentation Capital Needs and Financing
Mayor Stromberg gave a brief Staff report.
Madding went over a PowerPoint presentation (see attached).
The items discussed were:
- Capital Projects Proposed.
- City Hall history and proposals.
- Funding options.
- Pioneer Hall and Community Center options.
- Taxes.
Parks Commissioner Chair Mike Gardiner spoke regarding the Perozzi Fountain and Parks priorities.
Public Input
Daniel Belenky – Ashland – Spoke against this proposal and read a statement into the record (see attached).
Ken Wilson – Ashland – Spoke against the bond and suggested for Council and Staff to get more public input before making a decision.
Rick Landt – Ashland – Mr. Landt read a statement into the record regarding the proposal (see attached).
Mark Decker – Ashland – Spoke regarding the bond proposal. He suggested to look into this more before making a decision.
Council explained that this was just an initial discussion and decided there needs to be more discussion on the topic.
Council suggested to have a Public Forum for more discussion.
3. City Council Direction to Direct Staff Resources to Develop a Work Program on 5G Telecommunications
Madding gave a brief Staff report. She explained that Council had an Executive Session regarding this topic. She explained that Staff will bring back a work program that will be outlined with tasks involved. City Attorney David Lohman explained the regulations and the process to make changes to the code.
Public Input-
Kelly Martello – Ashland – Read a statement into the record regarding 5G (see attached). She also congratulated Councilor Slattery on his acknowledgment in the paper as Professor and Councilor.
Akins/Graham moved to direct staff to prepare a work program regarding 5G technology policy for the City Council’s review. Discussion: Akins spoke in support of the motion. Graham spoke in support of the motion. Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.
XIV. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRACTS
1. First Reading of an Ordinance to Amend the Ashland Fire Prevention Code AMC Chapter 15.28
Fire and Safety Division Chief Ralph Sartain gave a brief Staff report.
Jensen/Rosenthal moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 3186 to amend the Ashland Fire Prevention Code AMC Chapter 15.28 and to send Ordinance No. 3186 to a second reading on January 21, 2020. Discussion: None. Roll Call Vote: Slattery, Graham, Akins, Seffner, Rosenthal and Jensen: YES. Motion passed unanimously.
XV. OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS/REPORTS FROM COUNCIL LIAISONS
XVI. ADJOURNMENT OF BUSINESS MEETING
The Business Meeting was adjourned at 8:46 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).
