1 00:08:07,025 --> 00:08:08,065 I call the meeting to order. 2 00:08:08,735 --> 00:08:09,745 Good evening and welcome 3 00:08:09,805 --> 00:08:12,825 to the July 21st, 2026 business meeting 4 00:08:12,845 --> 00:08:14,105 of your Ashland City Council. 5 00:08:14,475 --> 00:08:17,025 Councillor Kaplan will offer the land acknowledgement. 6 00:08:22,165 --> 00:08:24,825 We acknowledge and honor the aboriginal people on whose 7 00:08:24,825 --> 00:08:25,985 ancestral homelands. 8 00:08:26,145 --> 00:08:30,345 We work the I K*m Band of the Shasta Nation, as well 9 00:08:30,345 --> 00:08:32,585 as the diverse and vibrant native communities 10 00:08:32,645 --> 00:08:33,905 who make their home here today. 11 00:08:34,565 --> 00:08:36,545 We honor the first stewards in the rogue valley 12 00:08:37,005 --> 00:08:38,745 and the lands we love and depend on. 13 00:08:39,205 --> 00:08:41,545 Tribes with ancestral lands in and surrounding. 14 00:08:41,545 --> 00:08:45,065 The geography of the Ashland Watershed include the original, 15 00:08:45,135 --> 00:08:47,625 past, present, and future indigenous inhabitants 16 00:08:47,845 --> 00:08:50,305 of the Shasta, Tema, and Athabascan people. 17 00:08:50,925 --> 00:08:53,225 We also recognize and acknowledge the Shasta Village 18 00:08:53,245 --> 00:08:55,445 of Akaka, where the crow lights 19 00:08:55,675 --> 00:08:57,205 that is now the Ashton City Plaza. 20 00:08:58,215 --> 00:08:59,565 Councillor Hansen will lead 21 00:08:59,565 --> 00:09:00,645 us in the Pledge of Allegiance, 22 00:09:06,465 --> 00:09:08,365 The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag 23 00:09:08,625 --> 00:09:10,045 of the United States of America, 24 00:09:10,785 --> 00:09:14,485 and to the republic for which it stands, one nation 25 00:09:15,015 --> 00:09:19,045 under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 26 00:09:21,595 --> 00:09:22,645 Roll call please. Alyssa 27 00:09:25,765 --> 00:09:26,765 Sharelle. 28 00:09:26,765 --> 00:09:30,605 Here, Dale. Here. Bloom Here. Graham. Here. 29 00:09:31,145 --> 00:09:34,565 Kaplan. Here. Duquesne. Here. Hansen Here. 30 00:09:36,095 --> 00:09:40,885 Thank you. So under Mayor's announcements, couple things. 31 00:09:41,015 --> 00:09:43,245 First, thank you to everyone who came out 32 00:09:43,265 --> 00:09:47,565 to the informational meeting to learn how to evacuate 33 00:09:47,565 --> 00:09:48,725 and prepare for fire season. 34 00:09:49,185 --> 00:09:51,605 We know we are in it with the smoke that has happened 35 00:09:51,605 --> 00:09:53,365 and it was great to see what, 36 00:09:53,715 --> 00:09:55,325 what incredible attendance we had 37 00:09:55,325 --> 00:09:57,925 and to see how many people are taking the, the steps 38 00:09:57,925 --> 00:10:00,765 that they need to around their home being prepared in case 39 00:10:00,765 --> 00:10:02,845 fire comes to Ashland this fire season. 40 00:10:02,985 --> 00:10:04,485 So thank you for that. 41 00:10:04,845 --> 00:10:06,485 I also want to just make sure that everyone 42 00:10:06,485 --> 00:10:09,525 who is here understands how to sign up to speak 43 00:10:09,525 --> 00:10:10,565 with a council this evening. 44 00:10:10,865 --> 00:10:14,205 So you'll see on the back wall there is a signup sheet, 45 00:10:14,925 --> 00:10:16,245 a speaker request form. 46 00:10:16,545 --> 00:10:17,685 Please fill that out. 47 00:10:17,685 --> 00:10:19,325 Make sure that you write legibly 48 00:10:19,325 --> 00:10:22,205 that will help me Call your name, call your name correctly, 49 00:10:22,385 --> 00:10:23,925 but also make sure that you indicate 50 00:10:23,995 --> 00:10:25,765 what you are here to speak to us about. 51 00:10:26,305 --> 00:10:28,965 If you are here to speak about a specific agenda item, 52 00:10:28,985 --> 00:10:30,685 please put that on the forum. 53 00:10:30,945 --> 00:10:32,605 If you have come here this evening to speak 54 00:10:32,605 --> 00:10:35,405 to us about something that is not on the agenda, please 55 00:10:36,165 --> 00:10:38,365 indicate that you are here to speak during public forum 56 00:10:39,025 --> 00:10:41,685 and then put the your forum in this tray 57 00:10:41,685 --> 00:10:42,805 by the city recorder's office. 58 00:10:43,465 --> 00:10:46,165 Please make sure that you have your forum in 59 00:10:46,245 --> 00:10:48,485 by the beginning of the agenda item that you're planning 60 00:10:48,505 --> 00:10:51,165 to speak on, as that will help us manage our time. 61 00:10:52,085 --> 00:10:55,165 I also want to just note that we have a, a packed agenda. 62 00:10:55,225 --> 00:10:57,165 We have a lot that we're trying to get through this evening, 63 00:10:58,065 --> 00:11:00,765 and so we are going to do everything we can to get 64 00:11:00,765 --> 00:11:01,965 through the entire agenda 65 00:11:02,505 --> 00:11:04,805 and we just ask for everyone's cooperation in 66 00:11:04,805 --> 00:11:05,925 helping us keep moving. 67 00:11:07,235 --> 00:11:11,245 With that, the minutes are the next item on our agenda. 68 00:11:11,625 --> 00:11:15,725 Are there any changes to the minutes? Okay. 69 00:11:15,725 --> 00:11:16,845 The floor is open for a motion 70 00:11:16,905 --> 00:11:18,805 to accept the minutes. Councillor Dale. 71 00:11:19,055 --> 00:11:21,885 Thank you Mayor. Approved to I move to accept the minutes 72 00:11:22,345 --> 00:11:23,565 of July or correct. 73 00:11:23,565 --> 00:11:25,245 Correction. June 15th and June 16th. 74 00:11:26,115 --> 00:11:28,685 Okay. Okay. Roll call please. Alyssa 75 00:11:29,855 --> 00:11:30,855 Bloom. 76 00:11:33,065 --> 00:11:37,725 Yes. Dale? Yes. Sharelle? Yes. Hansen? 77 00:11:38,865 --> 00:11:42,645 Yes. Duquesne? Yes. Kaplan? 78 00:11:42,825 --> 00:11:44,165 Yes. Motion passed. 79 00:11:44,615 --> 00:11:47,645 Thank you. We are now to the consent agenda. 80 00:11:47,775 --> 00:11:48,885 Would any counselor like 81 00:11:48,885 --> 00:11:50,725 to remove any item from the consent agenda? 82 00:11:51,665 --> 00:11:54,765 I'm sorry. Comment on a expense agenda item. 83 00:11:55,225 --> 00:11:57,925 On an agenda item. Okay. 84 00:11:58,585 --> 00:12:02,605 So the question then is would the counselor like to 85 00:12:02,835 --> 00:12:04,125 with pull it or 86 00:12:04,565 --> 00:12:05,565 Automate that? 87 00:12:05,565 --> 00:12:05,605 You can hear the public comment first 88 00:12:05,625 --> 00:12:06,845 and then decide if you wanna pull it. 89 00:12:07,035 --> 00:12:08,965 Okay, very good. So let's go ahead and do that. 90 00:12:09,205 --> 00:12:13,005 I wanna pull up Dan Manir. 91 00:12:14,055 --> 00:12:16,525 Mayar. Oh, there we go. Mair may wear. 92 00:12:17,225 --> 00:12:21,005 You'll have three minutes 93 00:12:21,545 --> 00:12:23,445 and please speak into the microphone. 94 00:12:23,625 --> 00:12:25,565 And for everyone who's going to speak this evening, 95 00:12:25,785 --> 00:12:27,645 you have a display on the podium 96 00:12:27,715 --> 00:12:31,085 that will be green while you are still in the allotted time, 97 00:12:31,465 --> 00:12:32,485 it will turn to yellow 98 00:12:32,545 --> 00:12:35,165 and you'll hear a buzzer when you have 20 seconds left. 99 00:12:35,465 --> 00:12:37,165 And then when you hear the second buzzer 100 00:12:37,165 --> 00:12:39,085 and it goes to red, that means your time is finished 101 00:12:39,105 --> 00:12:40,685 and we need you to complete your testimony. 102 00:12:40,945 --> 00:12:43,245 Please tell us your name and the city in which you reside 103 00:12:43,585 --> 00:12:44,805 before starting your testimony. 104 00:12:45,185 --> 00:12:46,485 My name is Dan Maar. 105 00:12:46,725 --> 00:12:48,125 I live in Ashland, Oregon 106 00:12:48,745 --> 00:12:52,605 and I am a realtor as well as a forester. 107 00:12:52,985 --> 00:12:57,365 And I'm here to encourage the council 108 00:12:57,545 --> 00:13:01,485 to place the Fremont Cottonwood at three 80 Clay Street 109 00:13:02,075 --> 00:13:04,085 into the heritage tree list. 110 00:13:04,995 --> 00:13:07,765 Fremont Cottonwood is pretty unique. 111 00:13:08,485 --> 00:13:12,445 Usually it grows in riparian areas from Mexico 112 00:13:13,905 --> 00:13:16,245 and we're looking at probably close 113 00:13:16,245 --> 00:13:19,685 to the northernmost boundary of the Fremont Cottonwood. 114 00:13:20,555 --> 00:13:22,005 It's usually a fast growing tree. 115 00:13:22,465 --> 00:13:24,645 It needs a lot of water to thrive 116 00:13:25,185 --> 00:13:27,725 and this particular specimen of this tree 117 00:13:28,345 --> 00:13:29,725 is relatively large. 118 00:13:30,475 --> 00:13:33,605 It's one of the biggest that I've been able to find 119 00:13:34,225 --> 00:13:39,125 in the record and I would just encourage the council to 120 00:13:39,835 --> 00:13:41,045 protect preserve 121 00:13:41,585 --> 00:13:45,925 and just this, this has been a tree that has 122 00:13:46,565 --> 00:13:49,205 been around for at least 200 years, 123 00:13:50,935 --> 00:13:55,165 given the size of it, it is growing in an ideal situation 124 00:13:55,745 --> 00:13:58,965 for it and it has seen the passive time 125 00:13:59,795 --> 00:14:04,085 from the native tribes to the early white settlement 126 00:14:04,905 --> 00:14:07,325 to this day and it's seen a lot going on. 127 00:14:07,945 --> 00:14:10,085 So anyway, that's my comments. Thank you very much. 128 00:14:10,775 --> 00:14:14,245 Thank you. Would any counselor like 129 00:14:14,245 --> 00:14:16,245 to pull any item from the consent agenda? 130 00:14:17,595 --> 00:14:19,005 Okay. The floor is open for a motion 131 00:14:19,005 --> 00:14:21,085 to approve the consent agenda. Councillor Blue. I 132 00:14:21,085 --> 00:14:22,485 Move approval of the consent agenda. 133 00:14:23,105 --> 00:14:24,285 Second. Oh, 134 00:14:25,235 --> 00:14:26,235 Roll call please. 135 00:14:26,235 --> 00:14:26,925 Alyssa 136 00:14:27,445 --> 00:14:28,445 Sharelle. 137 00:14:28,545 --> 00:14:33,445 Yes. Hansen? Yes. Duquesne? Yes. Kaplan? Yes. 138 00:14:33,615 --> 00:14:36,125 Bloom? Yes. Dale? Yes. Motion pass. 139 00:14:36,615 --> 00:14:39,045 Thank you. We are now to public forum. 140 00:14:39,045 --> 00:14:41,245 Alyssa, has anyone signed up for public forum? 141 00:14:42,225 --> 00:14:42,445 Yes. 142 00:14:56,835 --> 00:14:59,405 Okay. Public forum is 15 minutes 143 00:14:59,465 --> 00:15:02,085 and we have five PE people who have signed up to speak. 144 00:15:02,145 --> 00:15:03,605 So each person will have three minutes. 145 00:15:04,055 --> 00:15:06,605 Again, the first buzzer will buzz at 20 seconds. 146 00:15:06,945 --> 00:15:09,285 The second one will buzz when your time is up. 147 00:15:09,705 --> 00:15:10,845 We will go in this order. 148 00:15:11,305 --> 00:15:13,685 Denise Gerke, Nancy Boyer, 149 00:15:16,605 --> 00:15:20,685 blaze, Debo, REM Sachs, and Chris McGee. 150 00:15:24,225 --> 00:15:26,925 And feel free to adjust the microphone and, and also 151 00:15:26,945 --> 00:15:29,245 before we get started here, if you need us 152 00:15:29,245 --> 00:15:30,565 to bring a microphone to you 153 00:15:30,565 --> 00:15:31,845 because of mobility issues, 154 00:15:31,845 --> 00:15:33,765 please just raise your hand when I call your name 155 00:15:34,065 --> 00:15:35,245 and we will bring that to you. 156 00:15:35,505 --> 00:15:37,725 Go ahead ma'am. Thank you Denise. 157 00:15:37,915 --> 00:15:40,805 Kiki, I would like to offer suggestions 158 00:15:40,805 --> 00:15:44,725 regarding the proposed management to facilitate 159 00:15:45,435 --> 00:15:48,365 facilitator for the night lawn, particularly the possibility 160 00:15:48,385 --> 00:15:49,805 of aura taking on that role. 161 00:15:50,675 --> 00:15:52,805 I've lived on the night lawn for nearly a year 162 00:15:52,905 --> 00:15:55,285 and have experienced homelessness for three years. 163 00:15:55,425 --> 00:15:58,605 Before that, I worked as a radiology technician for 20 years 164 00:15:59,185 --> 00:16:00,765 and later had a successful career 165 00:16:00,825 --> 00:16:02,365 as a realtor in Southern Oregon. 166 00:16:03,075 --> 00:16:06,245 Like many residents here, I have skills, experience, 167 00:16:06,305 --> 00:16:08,125 and a desire to rebuild my life. 168 00:16:08,865 --> 00:16:13,245 My goal has been to regain my financial stability 169 00:16:14,625 --> 00:16:18,925 and unfortunately I have experienced rep repeat repeated 170 00:16:18,925 --> 00:16:20,925 mistreatment from organizations funded 171 00:16:20,945 --> 00:16:22,085 to provide assistance. 172 00:16:22,645 --> 00:16:25,565 I have documented incidences including photographs 173 00:16:25,625 --> 00:16:28,325 and reports filed with the Ashlyn Police Department. 174 00:16:29,125 --> 00:16:31,045 I believe the night lawn should consider a 175 00:16:31,045 --> 00:16:32,405 different approach to management. 176 00:16:32,955 --> 00:16:35,925 Many residents are homeless due to economic hardship, 177 00:16:36,545 --> 00:16:37,885 not just substance abuse. 178 00:16:38,035 --> 00:16:40,485 They have professional backgrounds, leadership skills, 179 00:16:40,905 --> 00:16:43,805 and the ability to organize, resolve conflicts 180 00:16:43,805 --> 00:16:44,805 and support one another. 181 00:16:45,345 --> 00:16:48,485 Rather than relying only on outside organizations, 182 00:16:49,045 --> 00:16:50,565 residents should have a direct role 183 00:16:50,625 --> 00:16:51,965 in managing their community. 184 00:16:52,885 --> 00:16:54,325 A resident advisory committee 185 00:16:54,505 --> 00:16:57,525 or compensated resident facilitator program would recognize 186 00:16:57,525 --> 00:17:01,125 the work people are already doing to maintain order, 187 00:17:01,565 --> 00:17:02,965 communicate, and resolve issues. 188 00:17:03,675 --> 00:17:04,685 Over the past year, 189 00:17:04,925 --> 00:17:08,045 I have seen frequent rule changes create confusion 190 00:17:08,045 --> 00:17:11,645 and conflict Effective management requires consistency, 191 00:17:11,645 --> 00:17:13,565 transparency, collaboration 192 00:17:14,675 --> 00:17:16,645 with those most affected people. 193 00:17:16,645 --> 00:17:21,005 Experiencing homelessness do not lose their constitutional 194 00:17:21,105 --> 00:17:23,325 rights or their voice, 195 00:17:23,915 --> 00:17:26,645 including residents in decision making would improve 196 00:17:26,645 --> 00:17:29,805 accountability, cooperation and respect. 197 00:17:30,415 --> 00:17:33,645 Every resident I have met wants stability, safety, 198 00:17:33,825 --> 00:17:35,365 and a chance to move forward. 199 00:17:35,395 --> 00:17:40,045 Forward. Addressing homelessness requires not only services 200 00:17:40,385 --> 00:17:41,805 but also the experience 201 00:17:41,865 --> 00:17:45,285 and leadership of those living through it. 202 00:17:46,325 --> 00:17:47,565 I respectfully ask 203 00:17:47,565 --> 00:17:50,965 that any decision about the night lawn management include 204 00:17:50,965 --> 00:17:52,685 meaningful resident representation 205 00:17:53,505 --> 00:17:56,365 and consideration of a resident led 206 00:17:56,425 --> 00:17:58,325 or resident supported model. 207 00:17:58,665 --> 00:18:02,205 The people who live here understand what's working 208 00:18:02,865 --> 00:18:04,845 and what does not and how 209 00:18:04,845 --> 00:18:07,605 to build a safer community for all of us. 210 00:18:08,055 --> 00:18:09,765 Thank you. Thank you. 211 00:18:15,065 --> 00:18:17,605 Hi, can you hear me? Yes. Okay. 212 00:18:17,735 --> 00:18:21,645 Nancy Boyer Ashland, I'm just here wanting 213 00:18:21,645 --> 00:18:23,125 to involve the community 214 00:18:23,125 --> 00:18:26,565 with an announcement I think we all should be aware of 215 00:18:27,335 --> 00:18:29,325 concerning our beautiful Lithia Park. 216 00:18:29,745 --> 00:18:33,765 And we are all owners of Lithia Park recently, 217 00:18:33,965 --> 00:18:37,645 R-V-M-B-A Rogue Valley Mountain Bike Association, 218 00:18:37,825 --> 00:18:41,965 and a park commissioner Justin Adams has proposed 219 00:18:43,105 --> 00:18:44,725 two bike trails through our park. 220 00:18:45,385 --> 00:18:46,965 And I'm afraid that the people 221 00:18:47,435 --> 00:18:50,045 that don't watch park meetings are not aware of it. 222 00:18:50,105 --> 00:18:51,725 And I don't know how to get this out 223 00:18:51,725 --> 00:18:54,965 to the community since we all own Lithia Park. 224 00:18:55,905 --> 00:18:58,485 So I'm hoping possibly 225 00:19:00,105 --> 00:19:04,485 our city manager could put this in her e-news 226 00:19:04,825 --> 00:19:07,885 or somewhere we could get the the word out to people 227 00:19:08,545 --> 00:19:11,605 who will not know what is happening 228 00:19:11,625 --> 00:19:14,045 or wait till something does happen 229 00:19:14,625 --> 00:19:16,925 and then say why weren't we told? 230 00:19:17,385 --> 00:19:18,525 How can we get this out? 231 00:19:19,065 --> 00:19:21,125 The two involve the whole community unity. 232 00:19:22,575 --> 00:19:24,165 We're all better together. 233 00:19:24,785 --> 00:19:27,125 We, we support our parks, 234 00:19:27,705 --> 00:19:29,925 we love all the bikers and the trails. 235 00:19:30,265 --> 00:19:32,125 We give them $5 a month 236 00:19:32,585 --> 00:19:35,845 and all of us citizens pay that 237 00:19:36,345 --> 00:19:40,845 and a large portion of the general budget goes to the parks. 238 00:19:41,505 --> 00:19:44,605 So I'm hoping that we can get this out 239 00:19:46,305 --> 00:19:49,125 and I'm hoping everybody spreads a word 240 00:19:49,195 --> 00:19:50,685 that this is a proposal. 241 00:19:52,025 --> 00:19:53,565 That's all I have to say. Thank you. 242 00:19:54,015 --> 00:19:58,085 Thank you, Thank you. I'm so excited for it. 243 00:19:59,945 --> 00:20:02,925 All right, let's see how this thing works. Hey there. 244 00:20:03,905 --> 00:20:05,485 My name is Blaze Debu. 245 00:20:05,965 --> 00:20:07,565 I am new to your beautiful city 246 00:20:08,145 --> 00:20:10,965 and I just had 247 00:20:10,965 --> 00:20:13,605 to move from a rather difficult living 248 00:20:14,045 --> 00:20:15,445 situation, hence why I'm here. 249 00:20:16,145 --> 00:20:19,725 And I have to say being homeless 250 00:20:19,725 --> 00:20:22,845 for the first time has been rather difficult even though 251 00:20:22,995 --> 00:20:27,605 this small town has a very nice demeanor, 252 00:20:27,805 --> 00:20:28,805 I guess you could say about it. 253 00:20:29,625 --> 00:20:33,125 But my biggest frustration is, I suppose 254 00:20:34,935 --> 00:20:38,165 being dependent on various services 255 00:20:38,305 --> 00:20:42,525 and having my time be dictated by 256 00:20:43,075 --> 00:20:46,645 what other people's schedules are available 257 00:20:47,225 --> 00:20:49,245 for resources and 258 00:20:51,525 --> 00:20:55,525 independence feels quite difficult in this situation 259 00:20:55,525 --> 00:20:56,565 that I find myself in. 260 00:20:57,545 --> 00:21:01,645 And I feel like my best proposition I can offer 261 00:21:02,385 --> 00:21:06,325 is granting the people 262 00:21:06,435 --> 00:21:08,885 that are currently on the streets 263 00:21:08,985 --> 00:21:13,605 and could possibly get into a worse situation to 264 00:21:15,065 --> 00:21:17,285 be thrown out onto the streets, 265 00:21:18,585 --> 00:21:23,325 is allowing them the resources that they need to fend 266 00:21:23,325 --> 00:21:25,965 for themselves to grow themselves. 267 00:21:25,965 --> 00:21:30,165 Because I find myself working very hard every day 268 00:21:31,005 --> 00:21:34,525 because I have a job, I don't have any history 269 00:21:34,525 --> 00:21:38,165 of substance abuse and I think of myself 270 00:21:38,165 --> 00:21:39,205 as a very healthy individual. 271 00:21:39,905 --> 00:21:43,565 And I am walking 12 272 00:21:43,625 --> 00:21:46,605 to 14 hours a day in order to meet my needs 273 00:21:46,825 --> 00:21:47,845 to support myself. 274 00:21:48,265 --> 00:21:50,885 And now I have a chosen family out on these streets 275 00:21:51,115 --> 00:21:54,965 that I'm trying to help keep alive. 276 00:21:55,825 --> 00:21:58,445 And that is, again, quite difficult 277 00:21:58,445 --> 00:22:02,245 with our circum blah cur, excuse me, 278 00:22:02,435 --> 00:22:03,765 current circumstances. 279 00:22:04,745 --> 00:22:07,005 And it is frustrating, 280 00:22:07,665 --> 00:22:12,565 but I will put every resource 281 00:22:12,795 --> 00:22:17,365 that I have, body, money, mind, everything into 282 00:22:19,515 --> 00:22:24,205 finding some kind of solution. 283 00:22:25,145 --> 00:22:29,205 And if there's anything that I want to plead to fund, 284 00:22:29,875 --> 00:22:34,685 it's a space to do so to get these people food, water 285 00:22:34,755 --> 00:22:35,845 that they can grow 286 00:22:36,105 --> 00:22:40,525 and create for themselves instead of having 287 00:22:40,545 --> 00:22:43,725 to rely on a finite amount of resources given to them 288 00:22:43,985 --> 00:22:47,005 by other people who have their own schedules, own troubles 289 00:22:47,465 --> 00:22:52,045 and own struggles to deal with. 290 00:22:54,555 --> 00:22:56,525 Forgive me a little bit shaken, 291 00:22:56,525 --> 00:22:59,165 but I think that's all that I have to say for today. 292 00:22:59,935 --> 00:23:01,005 Thank You. Thank you. 293 00:23:04,825 --> 00:23:07,325 We have Arum Sachs and Chris McGee. 294 00:23:11,105 --> 00:23:15,005 Hi, good evening. So just two simple topics I 295 00:23:15,005 --> 00:23:16,165 want, wanted to address. 296 00:23:17,185 --> 00:23:19,525 The first has to do with the fire situation 297 00:23:19,525 --> 00:23:21,245 that you just referred to. 298 00:23:24,185 --> 00:23:26,965 Two years ago when I contracted with the city 299 00:23:27,025 --> 00:23:29,685 to do the extreme weather shelter, I was asked 300 00:23:29,685 --> 00:23:31,845 to be prepared to do overnight smoke shelter. 301 00:23:32,825 --> 00:23:36,885 So I don't understand why we haven't been getting people out 302 00:23:36,885 --> 00:23:38,645 of the smoke when it was really bad 303 00:23:38,665 --> 00:23:39,965 and it was only during the day. 304 00:23:41,665 --> 00:23:45,165 I'm sure there's an answer, but I, nobody's that I've talked 305 00:23:45,165 --> 00:23:49,245 to has been able to tell me I have 306 00:23:50,245 --> 00:23:52,965 a gentleman I'm supporting is on the nightline 307 00:23:52,965 --> 00:23:54,245 with memory issues. 308 00:23:54,425 --> 00:23:57,565 And, and during the time of the smoke, his memory 309 00:23:58,705 --> 00:24:00,965 got really extremely worse. 310 00:24:01,025 --> 00:24:03,765 Now, I can't say the smoke in the heat was the cause of 311 00:24:03,765 --> 00:24:06,845 that, but none of us wanna be sleeping out in the smoke. 312 00:24:07,585 --> 00:24:10,765 So I, I don't understand why we're not doing a overnight 313 00:24:10,765 --> 00:24:12,285 shelter when the smoke is bad. 314 00:24:13,385 --> 00:24:15,045 The second issue has to do with 315 00:24:15,835 --> 00:24:18,965 when there's an extreme weather shelter called this winter. 316 00:24:19,185 --> 00:24:21,805 We were told that when the extreme weather shelter was 317 00:24:21,965 --> 00:24:23,725 called the people on the Nightline 318 00:24:23,725 --> 00:24:24,965 could keep their tents up. 319 00:24:26,025 --> 00:24:27,325 And that was very helpful 320 00:24:27,355 --> 00:24:32,085 because there wasn't enough room at 2200 in Aura 321 00:24:32,085 --> 00:24:33,485 for all the people on the night lunch. 322 00:24:33,625 --> 00:24:36,165 If they would've chosen to want to get out of the cold 323 00:24:36,865 --> 00:24:40,485 by having their tents up, they could st stay there all day. 324 00:24:40,485 --> 00:24:42,565 They certainly weren't gonna walk all the way 325 00:24:42,565 --> 00:24:44,565 to the other end of town and back in the cold. 326 00:24:45,385 --> 00:24:48,125 But now in the heat, when we had June 22nd, 327 00:24:48,225 --> 00:24:49,805 the extreme weather shelter called, 328 00:24:50,585 --> 00:24:53,205 we told the people they could keep their tents up, 329 00:24:53,205 --> 00:24:54,645 but we were overruled by the police 330 00:24:54,705 --> 00:24:55,925 who told them to take them down. 331 00:24:56,835 --> 00:24:59,805 Problem is it means you're setting up at four 30 in the 332 00:24:59,805 --> 00:25:02,205 afternoon when it could be still over 90 degrees. 333 00:25:03,355 --> 00:25:04,925 I've been out there a few days ago 334 00:25:04,925 --> 00:25:07,925 and it was 92 degrees helping somebody set up their tent. 335 00:25:08,585 --> 00:25:10,005 It was baking out there. 336 00:25:11,085 --> 00:25:13,525 I don't think it's safe that, you know, the danger 337 00:25:13,525 --> 00:25:15,485 of heat stroke is a very real thing. 338 00:25:16,865 --> 00:25:19,925 So I think we need to address the issue. 339 00:25:20,125 --> 00:25:22,885 I, I understand that people could wait till the heat is over 340 00:25:22,945 --> 00:25:24,645 and come at seven or eight, 341 00:25:24,705 --> 00:25:26,925 but the problem is the volunteers only there 342 00:25:26,925 --> 00:25:29,205 with the shed open for an hour. 343 00:25:30,025 --> 00:25:33,525 And also the the tent, the Nightline is completely full 344 00:25:34,345 --> 00:25:36,845 so people try to get there right at four 30 345 00:25:37,025 --> 00:25:39,205 so they can get their spot and 346 00:25:39,665 --> 00:25:42,045 and be assured of having a place for their tent. 347 00:25:42,945 --> 00:25:44,765 But it's definitely, I mean, 348 00:25:44,965 --> 00:25:47,405 I think even when it's 90 degrees it's too hot. 349 00:25:47,465 --> 00:25:50,925 But certainly when it's a extreme weather shelter is cold, 350 00:25:51,725 --> 00:25:54,245 I think it would be wise for people to be able 351 00:25:54,245 --> 00:25:55,325 to keep their tents up. 352 00:25:55,855 --> 00:25:56,855 Thank you. 353 00:25:57,415 --> 00:26:00,885 Thank you. Chris McGee. 354 00:26:06,625 --> 00:26:08,605 Hi, good afternoon. My name is Chris McGee. 355 00:26:08,665 --> 00:26:11,085 I'm a representative for the North Coast States Carpenters 356 00:26:11,085 --> 00:26:14,005 Union and I am out of southern Oregon. 357 00:26:14,345 --> 00:26:16,525 So I just wanted, mainly, I just wanted to come here 358 00:26:16,525 --> 00:26:19,365 and introduce myself, but, 359 00:26:19,745 --> 00:26:21,325 and I wanted to talk about, you know, 360 00:26:21,325 --> 00:26:23,125 the carpenter's Union apprenticeship program, 361 00:26:23,855 --> 00:26:25,725 state accredited, you know, 362 00:26:25,725 --> 00:26:27,685 which means skilled workforce along 363 00:26:27,685 --> 00:26:28,965 with high safety standards. 364 00:26:29,545 --> 00:26:32,325 You know, union apprenticeships turned into mo turned 365 00:26:32,325 --> 00:26:35,725 motivat people into skilled trades workers, you know, 366 00:26:35,725 --> 00:26:40,485 without the college debt apprentices earn while they learn 367 00:26:40,575 --> 00:26:42,365 these are family wage jobs that 368 00:26:42,395 --> 00:26:44,565 that means keep workers off the safety net 369 00:26:44,785 --> 00:26:47,285 and all, you know, all US taxpayers pay into 370 00:26:49,105 --> 00:26:51,765 and keep our taxpayer dollars circling in 371 00:26:51,765 --> 00:26:53,045 our, in our community. 372 00:26:53,265 --> 00:26:56,045 That's what's great about the, the apprenticeship program. 373 00:26:56,425 --> 00:27:00,005 You know, it keeps local workers in the community, you know, 374 00:27:00,365 --> 00:27:02,445 spending money in the community with your family, 375 00:27:03,105 --> 00:27:06,405 taking your daughter to dance recitals instead of spending 376 00:27:06,405 --> 00:27:09,365 that money at the gas pump traveling to, to work. 377 00:27:11,185 --> 00:27:13,885 But I just mainly, like I said, I just wanted 378 00:27:13,885 --> 00:27:15,285 to come introduce myself 379 00:27:15,305 --> 00:27:17,485 and hopefully we can create a relationship. 380 00:27:17,585 --> 00:27:19,885 But if I can leave my card with somebody 381 00:27:20,835 --> 00:27:22,365 With our city recorder, that'd 382 00:27:22,365 --> 00:27:23,365 Be great. 383 00:27:23,365 --> 00:27:23,925 That's all I have. Thank you. 384 00:27:24,375 --> 00:27:29,245 Thank you. So just 385 00:27:29,245 --> 00:27:31,645 so everyone knows, when we have people come 386 00:27:31,645 --> 00:27:33,845 and speak, the council is not able 387 00:27:33,905 --> 00:27:35,245 by our rules to interact with them. 388 00:27:35,245 --> 00:27:39,805 But I did want to just point out that, that there is a place 389 00:27:39,905 --> 00:27:43,925 to put in your comments around the proposed trails. 390 00:27:43,955 --> 00:27:45,085 It's in the, the current, 391 00:27:46,105 --> 00:27:48,525 so there the city is actively taking 392 00:27:49,485 --> 00:27:50,965 comments about that particular project. 393 00:27:51,705 --> 00:27:55,645 So we move on now to ordinances resolution 394 00:27:55,705 --> 00:27:59,245 or public hearing, excuse me, the continued public hearing 395 00:27:59,265 --> 00:28:02,925 and first reading of Ordinance 33 0 6, establishing notice 396 00:28:02,985 --> 00:28:05,205 of sale opportunity to purchase 397 00:28:05,345 --> 00:28:08,085 and tenant protect protections from manufactured 398 00:28:08,085 --> 00:28:09,245 home park residents. 399 00:28:09,755 --> 00:28:10,755 Sabrina? 400 00:28:12,595 --> 00:28:14,085 Yeah, this is a follow up from our 401 00:28:14,155 --> 00:28:15,925 last council meeting I believe. 402 00:28:16,005 --> 00:28:17,365 So I'm gonna go ahead and hand it on over 403 00:28:17,365 --> 00:28:19,725 to Brandon Goldman, our Community Development Director. 404 00:28:20,075 --> 00:28:23,965 Good evening Council. Thank you for having me tonight. 405 00:28:24,065 --> 00:28:25,085 As you know what's coming 406 00:28:25,105 --> 00:28:28,205 before you is a continuation of the first reading 407 00:28:28,385 --> 00:28:30,125 for Ordinance 33 0 6, 408 00:28:30,735 --> 00:28:34,965 which which adds chapter 10.116 to our municipal code 409 00:28:35,845 --> 00:28:39,125 establishing notice of sale requirements 410 00:28:39,225 --> 00:28:41,045 and opportunity to purchase process 411 00:28:41,785 --> 00:28:44,925 and tenant protections for manufactured home park residence. 412 00:28:45,915 --> 00:28:50,005 Ordinance 3 3 0 6 is the tenant protection portion 413 00:28:50,265 --> 00:28:53,685 of the manufactured home park zone project. 414 00:28:54,625 --> 00:28:56,965 You did see three companion ordinances 415 00:28:56,985 --> 00:29:00,965 and past first reading on, I believe it was June 9th, 416 00:29:02,385 --> 00:29:03,965 I'm sorry, it was on June 16th. 417 00:29:04,505 --> 00:29:06,725 So at that meeting, the council approved first reading 418 00:29:06,725 --> 00:29:07,765 of those three ordinances 419 00:29:08,025 --> 00:29:12,765 and further continued consideration of Ordinance 33 0 6 420 00:29:13,425 --> 00:29:15,965 to a date certain July 21st this evening 421 00:29:16,385 --> 00:29:18,085 to allow additional legal review. 422 00:29:18,945 --> 00:29:22,245 So at that meeting, counsel directed staff to 423 00:29:23,275 --> 00:29:26,205 look at four areas, essentially the relationship 424 00:29:26,205 --> 00:29:30,245 between the local requirements and Oregon revised statutes. 425 00:29:31,965 --> 00:29:35,125 Specifically Chapter 90, the state landlord tenant statute 426 00:29:35,635 --> 00:29:39,365 opportunities to streamline the draft ordinance 427 00:29:39,385 --> 00:29:40,805 by incorporating state law 428 00:29:40,805 --> 00:29:43,525 by reference rather than restating it where appropriate 429 00:29:44,485 --> 00:29:46,805 clarification of enforcement mechanisms 430 00:29:47,385 --> 00:29:51,125 and looking at the extent that the city has authority 431 00:29:51,625 --> 00:29:54,965 to impose requirements that exceed, exceed state law. 432 00:29:55,705 --> 00:29:57,845 So staff and the legal department thank you 433 00:29:58,545 --> 00:30:01,285 to the legal department have completed that review 434 00:30:01,345 --> 00:30:03,285 and revised the draft that's presented 435 00:30:03,285 --> 00:30:05,725 before you tonight for consideration. 436 00:30:06,665 --> 00:30:09,405 The core objectives of the prior draft are unchanged, 437 00:30:09,405 --> 00:30:10,885 essentially meaningful notice 438 00:30:11,185 --> 00:30:14,725 and a general opportunity for residents of a manufacturer 439 00:30:15,235 --> 00:30:17,565 home park to have an opportunity to purchase 440 00:30:18,225 --> 00:30:21,165 the property if it is offered for sale. 441 00:30:21,945 --> 00:30:23,285 The overall approach 442 00:30:23,305 --> 00:30:27,725 and the revised ordinance uses chapter ORS 443 00:30:27,905 --> 00:30:30,645 or Oregon revised statutes chapter 90 444 00:30:31,225 --> 00:30:34,725 as the minimum standard, either by quoting that statute 445 00:30:35,325 --> 00:30:37,925 directly or incorporating it by reference 446 00:30:38,605 --> 00:30:41,485 with limited local enhancements layered on top. 447 00:30:42,465 --> 00:30:44,845 So in addition to the direct alignment 448 00:30:44,915 --> 00:30:48,285 with state's statutes, I did wanna note that 449 00:30:49,105 --> 00:30:52,885 the opportunity to purchase process in our draft ordinance 450 00:30:53,425 --> 00:30:56,245 now follows the same model 451 00:30:56,505 --> 00:31:00,445 of the Oregon revised statutes using that framework. 452 00:31:01,105 --> 00:31:04,285 So it, this is a replacement of the prior draft, 453 00:31:05,005 --> 00:31:08,365 having a parallel process to one 454 00:31:08,365 --> 00:31:09,805 that works within the state framework. 455 00:31:10,445 --> 00:31:11,885 I do need to be clear though 456 00:31:11,885 --> 00:31:16,165 that the revised draft establishes different timelines than 457 00:31:16,185 --> 00:31:17,805 the state allowances. 458 00:31:18,345 --> 00:31:22,485 So it's really a three step process that if a property, 459 00:31:22,605 --> 00:31:25,485 a manufactured home park owner offers the park for sale, 460 00:31:25,955 --> 00:31:27,725 they have to provide notice to the tenants 461 00:31:27,745 --> 00:31:31,405 and the tenants then have a 60 day response period, 462 00:31:31,975 --> 00:31:35,285 which is an expansion from the state 15 day period, 463 00:31:35,285 --> 00:31:39,005 which is currently in place within those 60 days, 464 00:31:39,005 --> 00:31:42,005 should the tenants indicate to the park owner 465 00:31:42,035 --> 00:31:44,525 that they would be interested in pursuing a purchase, 466 00:31:45,065 --> 00:31:46,285 not actually providing an offer, 467 00:31:46,385 --> 00:31:49,285 but demonstrating that they are moving forward with 468 00:31:51,195 --> 00:31:52,205 preparing an offer. 469 00:31:52,905 --> 00:31:57,685 The property owner has a 15 day financial disclosure period, 470 00:31:58,425 --> 00:32:01,365 and that's structured as an affirmative owner obligation. 471 00:32:03,065 --> 00:32:05,325 And it's then following that 472 00:32:05,985 --> 00:32:09,405 the tenants have a 45 day period to form an entity 473 00:32:09,545 --> 00:32:10,565 and submit an offer. 474 00:32:11,425 --> 00:32:15,725 And so taken together that provides residents up to 120 days 475 00:32:16,435 --> 00:32:19,165 from the notice of sale to ex exercise. 476 00:32:19,165 --> 00:32:20,725 Their opportunity to purchase 477 00:32:21,635 --> 00:32:24,085 this centerpiece is the 60 day response period, 478 00:32:25,455 --> 00:32:27,965 which is four times the state baseline. 479 00:32:28,545 --> 00:32:31,365 It gives residents real time to absorb the information 480 00:32:31,365 --> 00:32:35,005 that the park is for sale, meet with their neighbors, 481 00:32:35,305 --> 00:32:37,125 and organize a committee 482 00:32:38,425 --> 00:32:42,925 and potentially work with a, a nonprofit 483 00:32:42,955 --> 00:32:45,325 that forms resident owned communities to 484 00:32:45,905 --> 00:32:47,045 put together a proposal. 485 00:32:47,625 --> 00:32:49,565 And that's often an outcome that is out 486 00:32:49,565 --> 00:32:52,445 of reach within the 15 day state timeframe. 487 00:32:53,145 --> 00:32:57,205 So that is again, the bulk of changes that you'll see 488 00:32:58,065 --> 00:32:59,325 in terms of revisions. 489 00:32:59,325 --> 00:33:01,485 You'll see that the ordinance is quite streamlined. 490 00:33:01,485 --> 00:33:04,405 It's reduced from eight sections to four sections. 491 00:33:05,225 --> 00:33:08,445 The standalone relocation assistance, relocation plan 492 00:33:09,015 --> 00:33:11,605 harassment and declaration policy sections 493 00:33:11,605 --> 00:33:14,405 that were largely redundant with state law have been removed 494 00:33:16,145 --> 00:33:19,885 and the they are go still governed by chapter 495 00:33:20,185 --> 00:33:23,485 or the ORS chapter 90, which addresses one 496 00:33:23,485 --> 00:33:26,085 of the legal concerns about local requirements 497 00:33:26,115 --> 00:33:29,125 that may exceed state standards in those areas. 498 00:33:30,745 --> 00:33:35,365 So also the notice of sale also would have to include a copy 499 00:33:35,465 --> 00:33:40,245 of the City of Ashland chapter 10.116 to residents so 500 00:33:40,245 --> 00:33:42,685 that tenants receive their local rights with 501 00:33:42,685 --> 00:33:44,565 that initial notice of sale. 502 00:33:45,425 --> 00:33:48,285 And any notice owner must give tenants 503 00:33:49,785 --> 00:33:52,805 or the state housing and community services department 504 00:33:53,395 --> 00:33:55,525 must also go to the community development 505 00:33:55,525 --> 00:33:57,605 department by the same method. 506 00:33:57,745 --> 00:33:59,445 So the intention there is that 507 00:34:00,105 --> 00:34:03,605 the city is made aware at the same time that the state 508 00:34:03,665 --> 00:34:05,045 and the residents are made aware 509 00:34:05,315 --> 00:34:07,605 that a profit property is being offered to sale 510 00:34:08,445 --> 00:34:11,165 and that gives our housing program the ability 511 00:34:11,425 --> 00:34:13,405 to be responsive as opposed 512 00:34:13,405 --> 00:34:15,125 to hearing about it late in the process. 513 00:34:16,705 --> 00:34:21,245 We also clarified the violations for failure 514 00:34:21,385 --> 00:34:25,285 to provide notice are now considered a class A violation 515 00:34:25,495 --> 00:34:29,685 under Ashland Municipal Code 1.08020 516 00:34:31,065 --> 00:34:33,405 and it would apply to each affected household 517 00:34:34,685 --> 00:34:36,085 constituting a separate violation. 518 00:34:36,145 --> 00:34:38,365 So that clarity has been added 519 00:34:38,425 --> 00:34:41,005 to the ordinance replacing the prior drafts general 520 00:34:41,695 --> 00:34:43,205 civil violation language. 521 00:34:44,705 --> 00:34:47,725 So one of the primary questions that came out of the 522 00:34:48,715 --> 00:34:52,205 council's prior review had to do with where the 523 00:34:53,985 --> 00:34:58,165 city's requirements exceeded state limits. 524 00:34:58,945 --> 00:35:01,725 And so the legal department did review this question 525 00:35:02,085 --> 00:35:04,845 directly and noted that the expanded timeline 526 00:35:05,465 --> 00:35:08,645 is a substantive housing policy change 527 00:35:09,145 --> 00:35:11,965 and that is generally retained authority 528 00:35:12,665 --> 00:35:14,045 to local adopted rules. 529 00:35:14,925 --> 00:35:19,845 Specifically the ORS contain no language expressly 530 00:35:20,485 --> 00:35:22,245 prohibiting local requirements 531 00:35:22,245 --> 00:35:23,725 that exceed the state baseline. 532 00:35:24,225 --> 00:35:26,725 And Oregon courts further have upheld that 533 00:35:27,355 --> 00:35:29,965 manu local manufactured home park regulations 534 00:35:29,965 --> 00:35:34,725 that go further than state law have been upheld. 535 00:35:34,725 --> 00:35:35,765 And there are citations 536 00:35:36,005 --> 00:35:38,245 provided in the staff report that was presented. 537 00:35:39,145 --> 00:35:41,645 So the revised draft was structured specifically 538 00:35:41,645 --> 00:35:44,845 to work within the framework of the state law rather than 539 00:35:44,845 --> 00:35:47,565 around it, which also strengthens its legal footing. 540 00:35:48,785 --> 00:35:51,925 So with that, that essentially was much of 541 00:35:51,925 --> 00:35:53,205 what I wanted to cover. 542 00:35:54,605 --> 00:35:58,045 I did want to note that there is a trade-off 543 00:35:58,045 --> 00:36:00,565 that was done in terms of removing 544 00:36:01,365 --> 00:36:03,445 redundant state language from local ordinance 545 00:36:03,785 --> 00:36:06,325 and replacing it with reference In the case 546 00:36:06,395 --> 00:36:09,045 that the state changes state law, 547 00:36:09,065 --> 00:36:12,005 the city may be in a position to reevaluate 548 00:36:12,145 --> 00:36:14,565 and look at potential potentially 549 00:36:15,675 --> 00:36:19,245 statutory changes at the local level if those changes at the 550 00:36:19,245 --> 00:36:21,525 state law don't correspond with what 551 00:36:22,345 --> 00:36:23,605 was intended at this point. 552 00:36:24,465 --> 00:36:26,445 So at this point it's at first reading 553 00:36:26,505 --> 00:36:27,525 it is a public hearing. 554 00:36:28,555 --> 00:36:31,085 Counsel, after hearing any public testimony 555 00:36:32,025 --> 00:36:34,965 may approve first reading as presented or as amended 556 00:36:36,105 --> 00:36:39,325 and with subsequent second reading scheduled 557 00:36:39,325 --> 00:36:41,365 to a subsequent business meeting. 558 00:36:42,305 --> 00:36:45,885 Or lastly con, continue consideration if further 559 00:36:46,245 --> 00:36:48,885 res revisions are required. 560 00:36:49,305 --> 00:36:50,845 So with that, if you have 561 00:36:50,845 --> 00:36:52,285 any questions, happy to answer them 562 00:36:53,045 --> 00:36:54,045 Questions. 563 00:36:54,045 --> 00:36:54,285 Councillor Dale. 564 00:36:55,095 --> 00:36:56,685 Thank you Mayor. Thank you Brandon. 565 00:36:56,755 --> 00:36:59,405 This is phenomenal work. Thanks. Legal. 566 00:36:59,765 --> 00:37:01,245 I know you've played a role in this 567 00:37:01,245 --> 00:37:04,165 and I think this makes it much more simple and streamlined 568 00:37:04,185 --> 00:37:06,365 and, and an objective. 569 00:37:06,485 --> 00:37:09,005 I did have a one quick question that I, just speaking 570 00:37:09,065 --> 00:37:12,365 of a little bit of ambiguity I was hoping either one 571 00:37:12,365 --> 00:37:15,125 of you might be able to address is in section, 572 00:37:17,615 --> 00:37:19,645 let's move one window over here. 573 00:37:19,865 --> 00:37:23,085 The, it's on 10.11, 16.020. 574 00:37:23,085 --> 00:37:26,485 The opportunity to purchase A 1D, the in section one, 575 00:37:27,155 --> 00:37:30,565 it's the 60 day tenant response period and it, 576 00:37:30,565 --> 00:37:32,285 and it lists a, a handful of things 577 00:37:32,285 --> 00:37:34,565 that the tenants will notify the owner in writing of. 578 00:37:35,385 --> 00:37:39,245 And and the last 1D says, any financial information 579 00:37:39,245 --> 00:37:40,645 that would customarily be 580 00:37:40,925 --> 00:37:44,285 provided to a prospective purchaser agree with that. 581 00:37:45,345 --> 00:37:47,565 And then right below that, you, 582 00:37:47,785 --> 00:37:51,365 you clearly referenced the OS 90.84 relative 583 00:37:51,365 --> 00:37:52,365 to the 15 day period. 584 00:37:52,395 --> 00:37:54,045 What I wanna ensure, 585 00:37:54,145 --> 00:37:56,165 and I believe, I wanna clarify first 586 00:37:56,165 --> 00:38:00,645 that I believe the intent of A 1D was to be in alignment 587 00:38:00,795 --> 00:38:05,285 with the words of OS 90.844, however, 588 00:38:05,705 --> 00:38:07,765 and I'm being, I'm, I'm picking a little bit, 589 00:38:07,785 --> 00:38:09,565 so I just wanna make sure that we're okay that 590 00:38:09,565 --> 00:38:13,565 that doesn't leave the city open to any kind of 591 00:38:15,015 --> 00:38:19,125 subjective determination of 592 00:38:19,125 --> 00:38:20,885 what the financial information might be. 593 00:38:21,065 --> 00:38:22,165 Can we clearly state 594 00:38:22,385 --> 00:38:25,285 or is maybe that's a question for you on that. 595 00:38:25,285 --> 00:38:28,085 We would say something like any financial in information 596 00:38:28,085 --> 00:38:29,085 that would be customarily 597 00:38:29,405 --> 00:38:31,645 provided to a perspec, a prospective purchaser 598 00:38:32,785 --> 00:38:35,005 as outlined in OS 90 98 44. 599 00:38:35,085 --> 00:38:36,405 You see how those are two different sections. 600 00:38:36,455 --> 00:38:38,845 One's the 60 day stuff that needs to be done, 601 00:38:38,865 --> 00:38:42,165 the other one's the 50 15 day things that need to be done, 602 00:38:42,465 --> 00:38:45,245 one clearly indicates 603 00:38:45,245 --> 00:38:48,005 that you're following state law, one does not. 604 00:38:48,165 --> 00:38:49,685 I think the intent was to have those the same. 605 00:38:50,205 --> 00:38:52,165 I just wanted your guys' opinion on if that needs 606 00:38:52,165 --> 00:38:55,165 to be touched up just to get it right. 607 00:38:55,705 --> 00:38:56,805 And I will look 608 00:38:56,825 --> 00:38:59,885 to Johann if you have any legal opinion on that. 609 00:39:00,275 --> 00:39:01,565 Yeah, I think the language matches, 610 00:39:01,625 --> 00:39:03,045 but we can certainly throw a 611 00:39:03,205 --> 00:39:04,125 Reference that wouldn't be a problem 612 00:39:04,125 --> 00:39:05,045 if you just amended that. 613 00:39:05,275 --> 00:39:09,765 Okay. That's that's all I have. Okay. That's all I mayor. 614 00:39:10,135 --> 00:39:11,405 Other questions? Councillor 615 00:39:11,605 --> 00:39:12,605 Rell. 616 00:39:12,605 --> 00:39:13,565 Thank you Mayor. Thank you Brandon. 617 00:39:13,765 --> 00:39:14,845 I appreciate that and it's good 618 00:39:14,845 --> 00:39:16,805 to see our citizens out in force for this. 619 00:39:16,815 --> 00:39:21,485 Again, my question is about the, the timeframe, 620 00:39:22,505 --> 00:39:25,045 the sum being approximately 120 days. 621 00:39:25,125 --> 00:39:26,965 I know the planning commission had asked some questions 622 00:39:26,965 --> 00:39:28,845 about the length of that. 623 00:39:29,005 --> 00:39:31,285 I read some public, 624 00:39:31,465 --> 00:39:33,485 or excuse me, some, some comments on the record 625 00:39:34,005 --> 00:39:37,085 potentially from residents and stakeholders 626 00:39:37,865 --> 00:39:42,045 and also some i I believe to be property owners about 627 00:39:42,155 --> 00:39:43,765 that length of time. 628 00:39:43,925 --> 00:39:46,205 I know you had mentioned that speaking 629 00:39:46,265 --> 00:39:47,805 to some industry professionals, 630 00:39:47,805 --> 00:39:51,565 maybe Casa 90 days seems sufficient or 60 days. 631 00:39:52,145 --> 00:39:54,725 What's the, what's the data that you use to come up with 632 00:39:54,725 --> 00:39:58,005 that and am I seeing the total right for the 120 days? 633 00:39:58,395 --> 00:40:02,285 Yeah, the total is 120 days by mirroring it 634 00:40:02,285 --> 00:40:03,765 to the state program. 635 00:40:04,025 --> 00:40:06,885 The legal department's review found that that was something 636 00:40:06,885 --> 00:40:08,885 that property owners would be familiar 637 00:40:08,885 --> 00:40:10,405 with if they were selling a park. 638 00:40:10,465 --> 00:40:13,125 And so would be going through that multi-step process. 639 00:40:14,145 --> 00:40:18,285 In terms of data, we did talk to Casa of, 640 00:40:18,815 --> 00:40:21,565 which is a resident owned community facilitator, 641 00:40:21,585 --> 00:40:23,005 for lack of a better term. 642 00:40:23,315 --> 00:40:27,525 They did indicate that a 90 day period would be sufficient 643 00:40:27,585 --> 00:40:31,845 for them to gauge interest from the properties residents 644 00:40:31,985 --> 00:40:33,685 and develop an offer. 645 00:40:34,345 --> 00:40:35,525 So again, that is still 646 00:40:35,845 --> 00:40:40,365 provided with a 60 day period for them to provide initial 647 00:40:41,045 --> 00:40:42,485 interest in pursuing with an offer 648 00:40:42,905 --> 00:40:45,765 and getting information back from the owner so that they can 649 00:40:46,355 --> 00:40:47,525 formulate an offer. 650 00:40:48,865 --> 00:40:50,845 And again, that additional 45 days 651 00:40:50,945 --> 00:40:52,605 to formulate an offer and submit. 652 00:40:52,605 --> 00:40:54,485 It would also be the period of time 653 00:40:54,485 --> 00:40:57,605 where they would form a resident owned community 654 00:40:57,985 --> 00:40:59,165 and have that established. 655 00:40:59,705 --> 00:41:02,285 So I think that also in speaking 656 00:41:02,285 --> 00:41:06,165 with Casa more time is always appreciated. 657 00:41:06,265 --> 00:41:09,085 But we also heard testimony in terms of wanting 658 00:41:09,085 --> 00:41:12,285 to have a clear path for manufactured home park owners 659 00:41:12,905 --> 00:41:16,285 to not have the full period go to the full extent 660 00:41:16,345 --> 00:41:17,685 before they know whether the park 661 00:41:18,445 --> 00:41:19,845 residents are gonna provide an offer. 662 00:41:20,385 --> 00:41:22,685 So in this circumstance, if 663 00:41:22,685 --> 00:41:27,405 after 60 days the park residents do not indicate 664 00:41:27,405 --> 00:41:30,245 that they want to move forward, the the, 665 00:41:30,395 --> 00:41:32,005 that process would be concluded. 666 00:41:32,545 --> 00:41:37,125 So I I think you could go to a longer period than 180 days 667 00:41:37,225 --> 00:41:40,005 by lengthening that 60 if council felt 668 00:41:40,005 --> 00:41:41,165 that there was an advantage 669 00:41:41,345 --> 00:41:43,605 for the park residents to have more time. 670 00:41:44,695 --> 00:41:48,365 Again, I don't know that there's data out there to reference 671 00:41:48,365 --> 00:41:52,405 because Ashland is relatively unique in putting forth these 672 00:41:52,545 --> 00:41:53,765 mod modified terms. 673 00:41:53,865 --> 00:41:55,405 So we don't have good models 674 00:41:55,545 --> 00:41:57,325 to look at other than hearing from 675 00:41:57,485 --> 00:41:58,525 resident owned communities. 676 00:41:59,225 --> 00:42:04,045 And we also heard from park owners asking to just go 677 00:42:04,045 --> 00:42:06,205 with state law in terms of the 15 day period. 678 00:42:07,655 --> 00:42:12,285 Thank you. Great questions. Any further questions? 679 00:42:13,425 --> 00:42:15,245 Hey, I open, I open the public hearing. 680 00:42:15,305 --> 00:42:18,885 Alyssa, do I have all of the signup sheets? Okay, great. 681 00:42:19,905 --> 00:42:21,645 We have two people who've signed up to speak 682 00:42:21,645 --> 00:42:22,925 to us on this issue this evening. 683 00:42:22,995 --> 00:42:25,325 Each of you will have three minutes at the podium following 684 00:42:25,325 --> 00:42:28,845 the same structure that we had earlier for public forum. 685 00:42:29,185 --> 00:42:30,565 Please again state your name 686 00:42:30,585 --> 00:42:32,205 and the city in which you reside when 687 00:42:32,205 --> 00:42:33,285 you begin your testimony. 688 00:42:33,745 --> 00:42:36,565 We have two people who have signed up to speak with us, 689 00:42:36,815 --> 00:42:38,885 Dylan, Dale and Dolores Nims. 690 00:42:39,505 --> 00:42:40,885 Please go in that order 691 00:42:41,065 --> 00:42:43,405 and again, you'll, you'll hear the first buzzer 692 00:42:43,405 --> 00:42:45,485 and your light display will change when you 693 00:42:45,485 --> 00:42:46,525 have 20 seconds left. 694 00:42:46,975 --> 00:42:47,975 Thank you. 695 00:42:50,455 --> 00:42:52,405 Hello Mayor and council. My name is Dylan Dale 696 00:42:52,405 --> 00:42:53,485 and I live in Ashland. 697 00:42:54,205 --> 00:42:57,205 Tonight I'm here as a member of the Rogue Valley Association 698 00:42:57,205 --> 00:42:59,885 of Realtors, the local Realtor association representing 699 00:42:59,885 --> 00:43:01,165 Jackson and Josephine Counties. 700 00:43:01,665 --> 00:43:04,645 Our members work with homeowners, tenants, buyers, sellers, 701 00:43:04,905 --> 00:43:06,725 and housing providers across the region, 702 00:43:06,725 --> 00:43:08,085 including many residents 703 00:43:08,085 --> 00:43:10,285 and owners of manufactured home parks here in Ashland. 704 00:43:10,865 --> 00:43:12,365 I'd like to start by thanking the council 705 00:43:12,425 --> 00:43:13,805 and staff for the extensive work 706 00:43:13,805 --> 00:43:15,445 that they've put into this ordinance since 707 00:43:15,465 --> 00:43:16,525 its previous iteration. 708 00:43:17,185 --> 00:43:19,405 We see this as a much less ambiguous proposal 709 00:43:19,425 --> 00:43:20,685 and appreciate the time that has gone 710 00:43:20,685 --> 00:43:21,805 into getting it to this point. 711 00:43:22,885 --> 00:43:25,805 I won't spend much time on tonight on the technical details 712 00:43:25,865 --> 00:43:27,925 as we've submitted written testimony covering those 713 00:43:27,925 --> 00:43:29,045 points that should be in your packet. 714 00:43:29,595 --> 00:43:31,565 Instead, I'd like to focus on a couple of areas 715 00:43:31,565 --> 00:43:33,645 where a few small refinements could help the ordinance 716 00:43:33,645 --> 00:43:36,525 better accomplish its intended purpose 717 00:43:36,745 --> 00:43:37,845 and we believe they're worth the 718 00:43:37,845 --> 00:43:39,165 council's attention and review. 719 00:43:39,945 --> 00:43:41,645 The first is the notice of sale provision. 720 00:43:41,865 --> 00:43:43,765 We absolutely understand the city's goal 721 00:43:43,765 --> 00:43:45,605 of providing transparency and building trust 722 00:43:46,145 --> 00:43:48,525 and residents deserve meaningful information about a 723 00:43:48,525 --> 00:43:49,645 potential change in ownership. 724 00:43:49,945 --> 00:43:52,525 At the same time, real estate transactions often involve 725 00:43:52,525 --> 00:43:54,565 confidential financial and legal information 726 00:43:55,385 --> 00:43:57,325 and my apologies. 727 00:43:57,825 --> 00:44:00,285 And as written, the provision would require a seller 728 00:44:00,285 --> 00:44:02,205 to hand over the full purchase and sale agreement. 729 00:44:02,985 --> 00:44:05,325 In practice when information needs to be shared, 730 00:44:05,395 --> 00:44:07,765 it's standard to provide a copy of the purchase agreement 731 00:44:07,765 --> 00:44:08,805 with sensitive details. 732 00:44:08,805 --> 00:44:11,485 Redacted tenants will learn the buyer's identity 733 00:44:11,505 --> 00:44:12,805 before escrow closes. 734 00:44:12,945 --> 00:44:15,245 So we'd suggest a redacted copy rather than the entire 735 00:44:15,525 --> 00:44:18,165 document that protects confidential information still gives 736 00:44:18,165 --> 00:44:21,085 tenants the 10, the transparency the city is after. 737 00:44:21,705 --> 00:44:24,245 The second point is one I hope receives careful 738 00:44:24,605 --> 00:44:26,445 consideration before the ordinance is finalized. 739 00:44:26,835 --> 00:44:29,325 Many manufactured home parks are sold as part 740 00:44:29,325 --> 00:44:31,165 of a what's called a 10 31 exchange. 741 00:44:31,825 --> 00:44:34,045 In simple terms, that's part of the federal tax code 742 00:44:34,045 --> 00:44:35,565 that lets an owner sell one property 743 00:44:35,565 --> 00:44:38,045 and roll the money into another one without getting hit 744 00:44:38,045 --> 00:44:40,845 with a big capital gains tax bill as long as they abide 745 00:44:40,845 --> 00:44:42,685 by very strict federal deadlines. 746 00:44:43,155 --> 00:44:45,045 Once the first sale closes, the clock starts, 747 00:44:45,195 --> 00:44:47,805 they have 45 days to identify their replacement property 748 00:44:48,105 --> 00:44:51,165 and 100, 180 days to close thereafter, 749 00:44:51,535 --> 00:44:53,765 those deadlines are federal and they do not move. 750 00:44:54,825 --> 00:44:57,565 The challenge lies in the tenant opportunity process in this 751 00:44:57,565 --> 00:44:59,525 draft, which can take up to 120 days. 752 00:45:00,665 --> 00:45:02,885 If a seller is in the middle of a 10 31 exchange, 753 00:45:03,555 --> 00:45:06,925 that 120 days can eat up the the entirety of their window. 754 00:45:07,585 --> 00:45:10,405 If there's any dispute over the financial disclosure, 755 00:45:10,625 --> 00:45:13,125 the ordinance pauses the clock with no set endpoint. 756 00:45:13,225 --> 00:45:14,485 So a seller can't even predict 757 00:45:14,505 --> 00:45:15,885 how long this process will take. 758 00:45:16,465 --> 00:45:19,045 If that federal deadline passes, the exchange fails 759 00:45:19,185 --> 00:45:21,205 and the seller gets an unexpected tax bill 760 00:45:21,205 --> 00:45:22,285 that they were never planning for. 761 00:45:22,965 --> 00:45:26,005 A seller in that spot may be forced to into a rushed 762 00:45:26,005 --> 00:45:27,045 or distressed sale. 763 00:45:27,265 --> 00:45:29,085 And that sort of instability rarely works 764 00:45:29,105 --> 00:45:30,205 out well for the tenants. 765 00:45:30,205 --> 00:45:31,845 This ordinance is designed to protect. 766 00:45:32,575 --> 00:45:35,205 Given this, we respectfully encourage the city to con 767 00:45:35,725 --> 00:45:37,165 consider a narrow accommodation 768 00:45:37,165 --> 00:45:39,245 for these time sensitive exchange transactions. 769 00:45:39,435 --> 00:45:41,485 Something that adds a little bit of flexibility for 770 00:45:41,485 --> 00:45:44,045 what is a very standard practice while keeping tenant 771 00:45:44,045 --> 00:45:46,765 protections well above what current Oregon law requires. 772 00:45:47,345 --> 00:45:48,485 We appreciate council's 773 00:45:48,485 --> 00:45:50,725 and staff's time for the continued work on this ordinance 774 00:45:51,305 --> 00:45:53,565 and I'm happy to answer any questions. Thank you. 775 00:45:53,975 --> 00:45:56,405 Thank you Dolores Nims, 776 00:46:02,155 --> 00:46:03,155 Good evening. 777 00:46:03,905 --> 00:46:07,445 I'm a resident of Ashland and Wing Spread Mobile Home Park. 778 00:46:08,305 --> 00:46:12,245 We have been working on this ordinance for over two years 779 00:46:13,585 --> 00:46:16,925 and I know it's taken a lot of staff time, a lot 780 00:46:16,925 --> 00:46:20,285 of the council's time, and we are so appreciative. 781 00:46:21,345 --> 00:46:23,685 We want those 120 days. 782 00:46:24,705 --> 00:46:27,405 We have 116 families 783 00:46:28,105 --> 00:46:31,365 and it's going to take us time to get organized, 784 00:46:31,465 --> 00:46:34,405 so please don't reduce the 120 days. 785 00:46:35,405 --> 00:46:38,885 I just want to tell you that on behalf of Wing Spread, 786 00:46:39,745 --> 00:46:42,925 we really appreciate all your hard work on this 787 00:46:43,385 --> 00:46:47,045 and we're going to invite you all over for a celebration 788 00:46:47,265 --> 00:46:49,525 and a party when it's done. 789 00:46:49,705 --> 00:46:51,005 So thank you. Thank you, 790 00:46:51,895 --> 00:46:52,895 Thank you. 791 00:46:53,525 --> 00:46:57,245 I close the public hearing. Any further questions of staff? 792 00:46:58,135 --> 00:46:59,245 Councillor Chave. 793 00:47:00,055 --> 00:47:03,125 Thank you, mayor. I didn't see this anywhere in the 794 00:47:03,125 --> 00:47:06,125 ordinance and I don't believe it could potentially be in 795 00:47:06,125 --> 00:47:09,365 state law, but maybe just for clarification, if, if both you 796 00:47:09,365 --> 00:47:12,005 and the city attorney would respond, is there anything 797 00:47:12,785 --> 00:47:14,085 in this draft 798 00:47:14,595 --> 00:47:16,605 that we're looking at in the first reading tonight that 799 00:47:17,365 --> 00:47:21,765 prohibits park owners from organizing currently 800 00:47:22,345 --> 00:47:26,725 and proposing an offer to purchase a property 801 00:47:26,725 --> 00:47:28,365 that may or may not be on the market? 802 00:47:29,735 --> 00:47:31,725 There is not this, or ordinance only deals 803 00:47:31,725 --> 00:47:34,325 with the circumstance in which the manufactured home park 804 00:47:34,375 --> 00:47:37,005 owner indicates that they're looking at selling. 805 00:47:37,185 --> 00:47:40,885 But like any property transaction, if the residents were 806 00:47:40,885 --> 00:47:42,845 to form a resident owned community 807 00:47:42,865 --> 00:47:44,965 or determined to make an offer on the property, 808 00:47:45,635 --> 00:47:46,645 they could do so 809 00:47:46,825 --> 00:47:50,565 and at that point the park owner would 810 00:47:51,435 --> 00:47:52,485 make notice of sale 811 00:47:52,545 --> 00:47:54,085 and move forward with an application 812 00:47:54,555 --> 00:47:55,885 that they receive from the park 813 00:47:55,885 --> 00:47:57,725 residence as one of the offers. 814 00:47:58,075 --> 00:47:59,725 There's also nothing in this ordinance 815 00:48:00,075 --> 00:48:01,565 that compels a park owner 816 00:48:01,905 --> 00:48:05,405 to accept an offer from the park residence. 817 00:48:06,105 --> 00:48:07,805 And so in that sense, 818 00:48:07,985 --> 00:48:09,965 the park residents would be well advised 819 00:48:10,065 --> 00:48:12,245 to form a resident owned community 820 00:48:12,385 --> 00:48:17,085 and develop an offer that is competitive with offers 821 00:48:17,115 --> 00:48:19,125 that they might receive from other players. 822 00:48:19,505 --> 00:48:21,525 So to clarify, there's no language that ties this 823 00:48:21,525 --> 00:48:24,485 to being listed on the open market for sale. 824 00:48:24,485 --> 00:48:25,605 They, they could organize 825 00:48:25,625 --> 00:48:26,645 and make an offer on the 826 00:48:26,805 --> 00:48:28,165 property tomorrow if, if they wanted, 827 00:48:29,675 --> 00:48:30,765 They could make an offer. 828 00:48:30,925 --> 00:48:33,045 I believe that the park owner would at 829 00:48:33,045 --> 00:48:35,845 that point be compelled to provide notice of sale 830 00:48:36,065 --> 00:48:37,165 to all the residents. 831 00:48:37,185 --> 00:48:39,445 They'd be well aware 'cause they've made an offer, 832 00:48:39,865 --> 00:48:42,925 but those provisions would still apply for them 833 00:48:42,925 --> 00:48:46,325 to get the disclosures and move forward with acquisition. 834 00:48:46,555 --> 00:48:49,165 Okay. And thank you. And you agree with that? Okay. 835 00:48:49,165 --> 00:48:50,165 Thank you very much. 836 00:48:52,065 --> 00:48:53,125 Any other questions, councilor 837 00:48:53,205 --> 00:48:54,205 Dale? 838 00:48:54,205 --> 00:48:54,885 Yeah, just a quick one, and it was something 839 00:48:54,885 --> 00:48:56,245 that was brought up in public forum and, 840 00:48:56,345 --> 00:48:58,325 and about the, that I hadn't thought about about the 841 00:48:58,365 --> 00:48:59,445 redacted information. 842 00:48:59,585 --> 00:49:01,445 Is there anything, and just because, 843 00:49:01,945 --> 00:49:03,245 and I have, I'll have to kind 844 00:49:03,245 --> 00:49:05,365 of personally just chew on this for a little bit 845 00:49:05,365 --> 00:49:08,085 and maybe it's a second reading, quick little added word, 846 00:49:08,105 --> 00:49:11,245 but is there any reason that we can think of why we wouldn't 847 00:49:11,405 --> 00:49:13,485 'cause it is customary to make sure that those are, 848 00:49:13,985 --> 00:49:15,085 you know, certain information. 849 00:49:15,085 --> 00:49:17,005 Is there, was there an intent to make sure 850 00:49:17,005 --> 00:49:21,085 that there was a full unredacted purchase agreement or or 851 00:49:21,305 --> 00:49:23,045 So one thing I would note is there's, 852 00:49:23,665 --> 00:49:26,445 and Johann can chime in, 853 00:49:26,845 --> 00:49:28,725 I don't believe there's any requirement in our ordinance 854 00:49:28,745 --> 00:49:30,085 to provide a purchase agreement. 855 00:49:30,265 --> 00:49:31,645 Oh, okay. To the residents. 856 00:49:31,985 --> 00:49:34,245 What's required is they provide the customarily 857 00:49:35,315 --> 00:49:39,565 purchaser information, which could be the, if they, 858 00:49:39,625 --> 00:49:42,885 if the owner knew of any defects in the property, in terms 859 00:49:42,945 --> 00:49:46,645 of the public infrastructure that would have to be repaired, 860 00:49:46,645 --> 00:49:47,925 they'd provide that information. 861 00:49:48,545 --> 00:49:53,045 But ideally there is no purchase agreement in place 862 00:49:53,655 --> 00:49:55,005 prior to notice of sale 863 00:49:56,275 --> 00:49:59,685 because they cannot make that purchase agreement 864 00:49:59,905 --> 00:50:02,805 to sell the park without going through either state 865 00:50:02,825 --> 00:50:05,485 or local notice of sale provisions. 866 00:50:05,825 --> 00:50:09,365 The purchase agreement would come at the end of the 120 days 867 00:50:09,795 --> 00:50:13,765 with either a private party or a resident owned community. 868 00:50:14,105 --> 00:50:16,965 And I believe the 10 31 exchange would also be similar 869 00:50:17,025 --> 00:50:18,205 in that regard. 870 00:50:18,205 --> 00:50:19,925 That at that point 871 00:50:19,925 --> 00:50:22,565 that a purchase agreement is executed in the property 872 00:50:22,925 --> 00:50:25,525 transfers is when the federal clock 873 00:50:25,525 --> 00:50:27,485 for a 10 31 exchange begins. 874 00:50:27,905 --> 00:50:30,565 And again, that would not happen until the conclusion 875 00:50:30,585 --> 00:50:32,805 of the process not at the beginning. 876 00:50:33,265 --> 00:50:37,005 So that wouldn't occur until after the 120 days has expired. 877 00:50:37,385 --> 00:50:40,325 And so just to, just, if I'm hearing you correctly, the, 878 00:50:40,345 --> 00:50:41,845 the, the city would really have 879 00:50:42,595 --> 00:50:45,445 basically zero interest in the purchase agreement, correct? 880 00:50:46,865 --> 00:50:48,485 Is that what I'm understanding relative to? 881 00:50:48,545 --> 00:50:50,885 We just don't, we would not really oversee that 882 00:50:50,885 --> 00:50:52,765 or administer it or, correct, correct. 883 00:50:52,765 --> 00:50:53,765 Thank you. 884 00:50:56,315 --> 00:50:59,285 Okay. If there are no additional questions, 885 00:51:00,405 --> 00:51:01,765 the floor is open for a motion. 886 00:51:03,815 --> 00:51:04,815 Councillor Blue, 887 00:51:06,805 --> 00:51:08,005 I move to approve first reading 888 00:51:08,005 --> 00:51:11,645 of ordinance number 33 0 6, adding chapter 10.116 889 00:51:11,645 --> 00:51:13,685 to the Ashley municipal code establishing notice 890 00:51:13,705 --> 00:51:15,525 of sale opportunity to purchase 891 00:51:15,525 --> 00:51:16,805 and tenant protections to man 892 00:51:16,865 --> 00:51:19,405 for manufactured home park residence as presented. 893 00:51:20,545 --> 00:51:23,325 Sec, just a quick question. 894 00:51:24,055 --> 00:51:27,525 Councillor Dale had made a recommended a recommendation 895 00:51:27,525 --> 00:51:28,805 for a slight adjustment. 896 00:51:30,185 --> 00:51:32,445 Yes. And I apologize I didn't have the language up here. 897 00:51:32,585 --> 00:51:33,845 Do you wanna just throw an amendment on 898 00:51:33,845 --> 00:51:34,845 After? 899 00:51:35,195 --> 00:51:38,045 Yeah, I can, I can move to, I, i, mayor I could move 900 00:51:38,045 --> 00:51:41,285 to just amend this to, to add that language if you're okay. 901 00:51:41,555 --> 00:51:43,045 Okay. Yeah, I would go ahead. 902 00:51:43,445 --> 00:51:47,325 I I would amend it to, I would amend the motion to say 903 00:51:48,785 --> 00:51:52,525 to reword section 10 16 1, 904 00:51:52,615 --> 00:51:55,805 correction ten one sixteen zero one zero 905 00:51:56,685 --> 00:52:01,565 BI am sorry, mayor, 906 00:52:01,565 --> 00:52:05,885 I need to start 1 1 0 0.16, 907 00:52:05,935 --> 00:52:10,165 0.02, zero A 1D 908 00:52:10,705 --> 00:52:14,645 to read any financial information that would customarily be 909 00:52:15,005 --> 00:52:17,605 provided to a prospective purchaser as 910 00:52:18,245 --> 00:52:21,645 outlined in ORS 90.8443. 911 00:52:22,825 --> 00:52:26,365 Is there a second on the amendment? Councillor Duque. 912 00:52:26,715 --> 00:52:28,085 Okay, so we're speaking 913 00:52:28,105 --> 00:52:30,565 to the amendment first. Councillor Dale. 914 00:52:30,745 --> 00:52:32,765 No, thank you Mayor Councillor Duque. 915 00:52:33,945 --> 00:52:35,405 Any further discussion on the amendment? 916 00:52:36,595 --> 00:52:37,765 Okay, roll call please. 917 00:52:37,765 --> 00:52:39,165 On the amendment. A question, mayor. Oh, go 918 00:52:39,165 --> 00:52:40,165 Ahead. 919 00:52:40,165 --> 00:52:41,245 Maybe a question to the amend. Yes. 920 00:52:41,625 --> 00:52:44,365 Is that just to redact the, the, the, 921 00:52:44,365 --> 00:52:46,325 the potential buyer's information 922 00:52:47,005 --> 00:52:48,005 Counselor? 923 00:52:48,005 --> 00:52:49,245 This has nothing to do with the redaction part. 924 00:52:49,245 --> 00:52:51,045 This was actually to my earlier question prior 925 00:52:51,045 --> 00:52:52,125 to public forum 926 00:52:52,225 --> 00:52:55,045 or public testimony, which was just to make sure that 927 00:52:55,745 --> 00:52:59,445 the information provided, the financial information 928 00:52:59,445 --> 00:53:00,605 that would be customarily 929 00:53:00,965 --> 00:53:03,805 provided is clearly in line with state statute so 930 00:53:03,805 --> 00:53:06,525 that there's no ambiguity relative to the city's role. 931 00:53:06,775 --> 00:53:10,165 Thank you. Okay, roll call please. Alyssa 932 00:53:11,515 --> 00:53:12,515 Sherell? 933 00:53:12,515 --> 00:53:17,125 Yes. Dale? Yes. Bloom? Yes. Kaplan? Yes. Duquesne? 934 00:53:17,585 --> 00:53:20,205 Yes. Hansen? Yes. Amendment Pass. 935 00:53:20,635 --> 00:53:22,205 Okay, now we're back to the main motion. 936 00:53:22,375 --> 00:53:24,285 Councillor Bloom, would you care to speak your motion? 937 00:53:24,825 --> 00:53:27,805 No, just that it, we kind of discussed a lot 938 00:53:27,805 --> 00:53:29,365 of the other elements of this at the last meeting, 939 00:53:29,365 --> 00:53:30,565 so I'd refer back to those comments. 940 00:53:31,865 --> 00:53:34,325 And the second was Councillor Kaplan. 941 00:53:34,325 --> 00:53:35,805 Right. Go ahead, Councillor. 942 00:53:36,035 --> 00:53:37,925 Yeah, I I I don't have much to add either. 943 00:53:37,945 --> 00:53:39,285 I'm just appreciative to the staff 944 00:53:39,305 --> 00:53:41,845 and all of the, the folks that have been really with this 945 00:53:41,845 --> 00:53:44,125 for many, many years now. 946 00:53:44,465 --> 00:53:46,605 I'm thrilled to see this come, come to fruition. Thank you. 947 00:53:47,335 --> 00:53:48,405 Councillor Duque. 948 00:53:49,885 --> 00:53:52,405 I would like to thank the community that brought it 949 00:53:52,405 --> 00:53:55,165 to our attention and it's in alignment 950 00:53:55,355 --> 00:53:57,605 with the housing strategic plan. 951 00:53:58,265 --> 00:54:02,325 So I love to see things happen. 952 00:54:02,795 --> 00:54:05,765 Good things happen. So I'm happy for Wing spread 953 00:54:06,345 --> 00:54:08,765 and I'm so glad to see this moving forward. 954 00:54:09,445 --> 00:54:13,925 I wish Councilor Hyatt was here to celebrate this 955 00:54:13,925 --> 00:54:14,925 with us also. 956 00:54:15,305 --> 00:54:17,085 So thank you. Good work. Community 957 00:54:18,075 --> 00:54:19,075 Councilor Shero. 958 00:54:20,055 --> 00:54:21,925 Thank you Mayor. Thanks for all the hard work 959 00:54:21,925 --> 00:54:23,525 and again, for the community for showing up. 960 00:54:23,525 --> 00:54:25,165 And I, I just can't help myself but say this, 961 00:54:25,165 --> 00:54:27,325 but it would be so awesome to see you guys organize 962 00:54:27,745 --> 00:54:29,005 and buy that park. 963 00:54:29,155 --> 00:54:31,045 That would be the party that I want to come to. 964 00:54:31,855 --> 00:54:34,085 Don't wait for the property to hit the market. 965 00:54:34,155 --> 00:54:35,925 Like craft your own terms. 966 00:54:35,925 --> 00:54:38,805 Look for seller financing, buy the park. Set a good example. 967 00:54:38,945 --> 00:54:41,325 Be the first in town to do it. So the other few follow 968 00:54:42,155 --> 00:54:43,155 Councilor Dale. 969 00:54:43,255 --> 00:54:45,725 Thank you Mayor. I, this is just a, 970 00:54:46,005 --> 00:54:48,205 a wonderfully collaborative effort with staff, 971 00:54:48,235 --> 00:54:49,805 with council, with the community. 972 00:54:50,605 --> 00:54:53,525 Absolutely appreciate this. And I would just add that I, 973 00:54:53,605 --> 00:54:54,645 I would like to go to both parties. 974 00:54:58,385 --> 00:55:01,165 The only thing that I would add to this is that sometimes 975 00:55:02,055 --> 00:55:05,085 government can take longer than any of us want it to, 976 00:55:05,545 --> 00:55:08,125 but it's complicated and it has to be done right. 977 00:55:08,145 --> 00:55:11,525 And I think what we saw here this evening is the work 978 00:55:11,525 --> 00:55:14,045 that happens to make sure that we come out the gates 979 00:55:14,235 --> 00:55:17,525 with something as close to right as we can get it so 980 00:55:17,525 --> 00:55:20,125 that we don't have more corrective action later than 981 00:55:20,125 --> 00:55:21,325 what we need to have. 982 00:55:21,465 --> 00:55:24,485 And so I appreciate the, all of the people 983 00:55:24,505 --> 00:55:27,165 who have commented to us about places 984 00:55:27,175 --> 00:55:29,765 where they saw might we might be able to improve this. 985 00:55:29,985 --> 00:55:31,205 And also to staff 986 00:55:31,345 --> 00:55:34,325 and your willingness to go down those pathways 987 00:55:34,425 --> 00:55:37,005 and figure out to what extent we need 988 00:55:37,005 --> 00:55:38,445 to make changes in order to align 989 00:55:38,445 --> 00:55:39,765 with the values of this community. 990 00:55:39,825 --> 00:55:41,205 So I think it's a, it, 991 00:55:41,785 --> 00:55:44,005 it always feels like it's a long time coming 992 00:55:44,105 --> 00:55:46,525 and sometimes it is, but we do get 993 00:55:46,525 --> 00:55:47,765 there when we keep working. 994 00:55:47,945 --> 00:55:50,285 So thank you everyone. Any further comments? 995 00:55:52,675 --> 00:55:53,685 Roll call please. Alyssa 996 00:55:55,465 --> 00:55:56,465 Kaplan? 997 00:55:56,465 --> 00:55:57,445 Yes. Duquesne? 998 00:55:58,065 --> 00:56:02,845 Yes. Hanson? Yes. Sharelle? Yes. Dale? Yes. Bloom? 999 00:56:03,225 --> 00:56:05,165 Yes. Motion passed. Okay. 1000 00:56:06,545 --> 00:56:09,605 All right. We move on now to ordinances, 1001 00:56:09,805 --> 00:56:10,845 resolutions and contracts. 1002 00:56:10,865 --> 00:56:14,125 The first one is Ashland Police Department, ECSO, 1003 00:56:14,405 --> 00:56:17,125 contract extension Sabrina. 1004 00:56:18,365 --> 00:56:20,405 So the chief is here to answer any questions, 1005 00:56:20,465 --> 00:56:22,525 but we are part of the emergency communications 1006 00:56:22,545 --> 00:56:24,765 of Southern Oregon, so we contract with them 1007 00:56:24,785 --> 00:56:26,685 for our 9 1 1 Dispatch dispatch. 1008 00:56:27,185 --> 00:56:31,405 So this is our annual ask to approve that contract. Chief, 1009 00:56:32,515 --> 00:56:34,845 Good evening mayor and counselors Police chief. 1010 00:56:34,925 --> 00:56:35,925 I don't have anything to add. 1011 00:56:36,465 --> 00:56:37,525 The current contract 1012 00:56:37,665 --> 00:56:42,365 for 26 27 is $553,466 1013 00:56:42,365 --> 00:56:45,605 99 cents and is accounted for in our budget. 1014 00:56:46,465 --> 00:56:47,885 And we've had this relationship 1015 00:56:47,885 --> 00:56:51,925 with ECSO since approximately 2009, 2010. 1016 00:56:52,225 --> 00:56:55,365 And it is the best practice, 1017 00:56:55,515 --> 00:56:57,565 best option for us. 1018 00:56:58,155 --> 00:57:00,805 It's worked very well and it, there's every reason 1019 00:57:00,805 --> 00:57:02,365 to believe it'll work well going forward. 1020 00:57:03,715 --> 00:57:05,245 Okay. Questions? 1021 00:57:08,095 --> 00:57:09,125 Councillor. Shell. 1022 00:57:09,125 --> 00:57:10,205 Thank you Mayor. Thanks Chief. 1023 00:57:10,485 --> 00:57:12,885 Just real quick, you know, we're always asking for data 1024 00:57:12,945 --> 00:57:15,445 to support decisions we make and I know that you 1025 00:57:15,705 --> 00:57:19,045 and your staff are tasked with a lot, a lot of things. 1026 00:57:20,075 --> 00:57:24,445 Does this service that we buy from our partners across the 1027 00:57:24,445 --> 00:57:26,565 way, does it come with any tracking mechanism 1028 00:57:26,705 --> 00:57:29,925 so we can at least get like ditch dispatch calls, times 1029 00:57:30,495 --> 00:57:34,085 title, potentially outcomes? 1030 00:57:34,195 --> 00:57:37,525 Like is, is there a mechanism to tap into that database 1031 00:57:38,065 --> 00:57:40,725 for some of the requests that we make throughout the year? 1032 00:57:41,285 --> 00:57:42,485 A hundred percent. And a lot of 1033 00:57:42,485 --> 00:57:45,405 that data is covered in the annual report, 1034 00:57:45,405 --> 00:57:47,045 which unfortunately has been delayed 1035 00:57:47,045 --> 00:57:48,645 because of more pressing business, 1036 00:57:48,785 --> 00:57:51,085 but it's still forthcoming at some point this year 1037 00:57:51,885 --> 00:57:55,765 we handled approximately 25,000 calls for service last year. 1038 00:57:57,145 --> 00:57:58,925 So that's roughly about 70 1039 00:57:58,985 --> 00:58:03,605 or 80 calls through service per day, 365 days a year. 1040 00:58:04,185 --> 00:58:06,325 All of those calls through service are categorized, 1041 00:58:06,345 --> 00:58:08,725 broken down, sliced and diced. 1042 00:58:08,725 --> 00:58:09,965 And we can look at it so many 1043 00:58:09,965 --> 00:58:11,205 different ways what the outcomes are. 1044 00:58:11,865 --> 00:58:15,605 One of the things that we also have that goes along with a 1045 00:58:16,115 --> 00:58:21,005 request for service to ECSO is the Spider Tech platform. 1046 00:58:21,005 --> 00:58:24,245 90% of calls made to dispatch or through cell phones. 1047 00:58:24,265 --> 00:58:27,045 So when you generate a call to nine one one 1048 00:58:27,045 --> 00:58:28,325 or to the non-emergency number, 1049 00:58:28,865 --> 00:58:31,005 it automatically generates a link back 1050 00:58:31,025 --> 00:58:35,565 to your cell phone 90% of the time saying, you know, 1051 00:58:35,565 --> 00:58:36,805 officer Oir is on the way, 1052 00:58:36,825 --> 00:58:38,885 his ET is in 10 minutes, he's been delayed. 1053 00:58:39,385 --> 00:58:40,725 Can you give us some feedback? 1054 00:58:40,865 --> 00:58:42,885 Can you provide some voluntary demographics? 1055 00:58:44,105 --> 00:58:46,165 And we've got just a whole bunch of data 1056 00:58:46,555 --> 00:58:48,885 that we can bring back and I'm planning on bringing back 1057 00:58:48,985 --> 00:58:51,845 as soon as we can wiggle it into the schedule. 1058 00:58:52,235 --> 00:58:54,525 It's just been pushed back and pushed back 1059 00:58:54,525 --> 00:58:56,045 because of more pressing business 1060 00:58:56,045 --> 00:58:57,285 that has to be accomplished. 1061 00:58:58,675 --> 00:59:00,085 Okay, Thank you. Yep. 1062 00:59:00,975 --> 00:59:03,125 Other questions? Okay. 1063 00:59:03,305 --> 00:59:05,125 The floor is open for a motion. Councillor Dale. 1064 00:59:05,415 --> 00:59:08,205 Thank you Mayor. I move to approve contract extensions 1065 00:59:08,205 --> 00:59:10,365 between a PD and ECSO. 1066 00:59:11,825 --> 00:59:13,965 Second Matt, councilor Dale. 1067 00:59:14,495 --> 00:59:17,725 Thank you Mary. I, councilor Decay brought up former 1068 00:59:17,725 --> 00:59:19,365 Counselor Hyatt. 1069 00:59:19,465 --> 00:59:22,285 And I remember one of the first times on council when I 1070 00:59:22,905 --> 00:59:24,765 was sitting here and she was sitting there 1071 00:59:24,765 --> 00:59:26,845 and we were talking about this and she said, just imagine 1072 00:59:26,875 --> 00:59:29,005 what happens when you dial 9 1 1 and no one answers. 1073 00:59:29,905 --> 00:59:32,085 And that is a very, very sobering thought. 1074 00:59:32,585 --> 00:59:34,125 And I do a little bit of work with this in, 1075 00:59:34,125 --> 00:59:35,365 in my private life 1076 00:59:35,425 --> 00:59:37,245 and there's an incredible amount of coordination 1077 00:59:37,245 --> 00:59:38,885 and technology that goes into this. 1078 00:59:39,025 --> 00:59:40,925 And so this is extremely valuable. 1079 00:59:40,925 --> 00:59:42,005 Thank you for bringing it to us. 1080 00:59:42,415 --> 00:59:44,085 Clear, very happy to support this 1081 00:59:45,195 --> 00:59:46,285 Council Hanson. 1082 00:59:46,535 --> 00:59:48,085 Thank you Mayor. Yeah, thank you Chief. 1083 00:59:48,515 --> 00:59:51,925 I've been that person out in the woods trying 1084 00:59:51,925 --> 00:59:54,125 to resuscitate somebody with a group of people and it's, 1085 00:59:54,145 --> 00:59:56,405 and it's my cell phone that they're, they're finding 1086 00:59:56,945 --> 00:59:59,325 so very grateful to all you first responders 1087 00:59:59,345 --> 01:00:00,365 and this technology. 1088 01:00:00,995 --> 01:00:03,005 It's, it's amazing and happy to support. 1089 01:00:03,125 --> 01:00:05,725 I mean this is, this is our tax dollars at work, right? 1090 01:00:05,875 --> 01:00:08,245 This is, this is the, the social contract 1091 01:00:08,625 --> 01:00:10,165 and, and I appreciate that. 1092 01:00:10,165 --> 01:00:11,565 It, it all works so well and you all 1093 01:00:11,565 --> 01:00:12,645 are so on it with your training. 1094 01:00:12,825 --> 01:00:14,165 So gratitude. Thanks. 1095 01:00:15,055 --> 01:00:19,635 Thank You. Any further comment? Okay. 1096 01:00:19,905 --> 01:00:20,905 Roll call please. Alyssa 1097 01:00:22,595 --> 01:00:23,595 Hanson. 1098 01:00:23,815 --> 01:00:26,595 Yes. Du Kane? 1099 01:00:27,735 --> 01:00:31,315 Yes. Kaplan? Yes. Bloom? Yes. Dale? 1100 01:00:31,775 --> 01:00:33,235 Yes. Cheryll? Yes. 1101 01:00:33,975 --> 01:00:35,955 Yes. Thank you. Thank you Chief. 1102 01:00:37,895 --> 01:00:39,515 We are now to the contract award 1103 01:00:39,515 --> 01:00:41,915 for chemicals acquisition Cascade Columbia 1104 01:00:42,435 --> 01:00:44,035 Distribution company, Sabrina. 1105 01:00:44,415 --> 01:00:47,315 So the Trinity City treats both water and wastewater 1106 01:00:47,335 --> 01:00:48,795 and we would like to continue doing that. 1107 01:00:49,435 --> 01:00:51,795 So tonight we have a chemical contract before you 1108 01:00:52,655 --> 01:00:55,075 and I will let Scott Flury take it from here. 1109 01:00:58,975 --> 01:01:01,315 Can I mimic the chief and say nothing else to add? 1110 01:01:08,335 --> 01:01:11,675 So as the city manager said, we procure chemicals 1111 01:01:11,675 --> 01:01:15,115 for wastewater and water treatment processes annually. 1112 01:01:15,735 --> 01:01:17,995 And we do that through a invitation 1113 01:01:18,015 --> 01:01:20,315 to bid a formal sealed invitation to bid. 1114 01:01:21,075 --> 01:01:22,955 A majority of the chemicals are under the 1115 01:01:22,955 --> 01:01:24,355 council award threshold. 1116 01:01:24,965 --> 01:01:27,035 There are, there is one company 1117 01:01:27,035 --> 01:01:29,555 that's providing two chemicals through the city, one 1118 01:01:29,555 --> 01:01:31,995 for wastewater treatment and one for water treatment. 1119 01:01:32,335 --> 01:01:35,795 And the volume and the cost of those chemicals for alum 1120 01:01:36,495 --> 01:01:40,755 and citric acid exceed the $250,000 threshold. 1121 01:01:40,755 --> 01:01:43,475 So that's why we're before the council asking for approval 1122 01:01:44,415 --> 01:01:49,075 for Cascade Columbia for aluminum sulfate and citric acid. 1123 01:01:49,535 --> 01:01:52,355 One of the things that I will note, if you look in the 1124 01:01:53,175 --> 01:01:56,955 bid tab, the chemicals for those for Cascade Columbia 1125 01:01:57,495 --> 01:02:00,515 and the bid for those two are higher than another provider. 1126 01:02:01,055 --> 01:02:04,075 And the reason for that is the one provider was excluded 1127 01:02:04,075 --> 01:02:08,675 from bidding on aluminum sulfate per the bid documents. 1128 01:02:08,895 --> 01:02:13,235 And for the other chemical citric acid, it was determined 1129 01:02:13,235 --> 01:02:17,155 that the function of the Columbia cascade product was better 1130 01:02:17,375 --> 01:02:20,085 and more usable for the wastewater treatment plant process. 1131 01:02:20,305 --> 01:02:22,725 And so our supervisor would rather have 1132 01:02:22,725 --> 01:02:26,365 that citric acid chemical relative to the Univar chemical. 1133 01:02:26,425 --> 01:02:28,365 And so that's why there's a subtle change 1134 01:02:28,515 --> 01:02:30,725 that you see based on low responsive bid 1135 01:02:31,305 --> 01:02:33,645 versus accepting the bids themselves. 1136 01:02:34,025 --> 01:02:37,205 And so with that, I'll try to answer any questions, 1137 01:02:39,485 --> 01:02:40,485 Questions. 1138 01:02:41,575 --> 01:02:42,645 Councillor Sherell. 1139 01:02:42,645 --> 01:02:43,765 Thanks Mayor. I saw some 1140 01:02:43,765 --> 01:02:44,925 traffic from one of my colleagues. 1141 01:02:45,005 --> 01:02:46,685 I I appreciated that. And I'm just assuming, 1142 01:02:46,745 --> 01:02:49,565 and I I I think the public would assume that we're shopping 1143 01:02:49,585 --> 01:02:51,045 around those bids every year 1144 01:02:51,065 --> 01:02:52,445 and we're looking at bulk purchasing 1145 01:02:52,445 --> 01:02:53,925 and we're looking at ways to keep costs down. 1146 01:02:53,965 --> 01:02:55,205 I would just assume that always. 1147 01:02:55,785 --> 01:02:57,965 Yes. So from an operational standpoint, 1148 01:02:57,965 --> 01:03:00,685 they're always looking at chemical efficiency, you know, 1149 01:03:00,685 --> 01:03:01,685 on the operation side. 1150 01:03:01,705 --> 01:03:03,525 And then we bid this project out, 1151 01:03:03,795 --> 01:03:05,605 this acquisition every year. 1152 01:03:06,305 --> 01:03:07,645 So we get updated pricing. 1153 01:03:08,525 --> 01:03:10,445 Previously they used to do it on a two year cycle 1154 01:03:10,545 --> 01:03:12,965 and the chemical companies could hold their pricing 1155 01:03:12,985 --> 01:03:15,765 for two years, but based on economic changes 1156 01:03:15,905 --> 01:03:18,965 and conditions, they're no longer willing to really hold 1157 01:03:18,965 --> 01:03:21,005 that chemical price for a two year period. 1158 01:03:21,225 --> 01:03:22,965 And so that is switched us over 1159 01:03:23,025 --> 01:03:24,645 to doing it for a one year period. 1160 01:03:26,855 --> 01:03:29,285 Other questions? Councillor Hansen. 1161 01:03:30,455 --> 01:03:33,365 Thank you Mayor Scott, if we didn't do this right, 1162 01:03:33,635 --> 01:03:35,005 what would be the repercussions 1163 01:03:37,115 --> 01:03:39,325 Your treated water would suffer? 1164 01:03:39,965 --> 01:03:43,565 Severely alum is a coagulant that's used in the process 1165 01:03:43,825 --> 01:03:46,965 to filter out organics and the turbidity in the water. 1166 01:03:47,465 --> 01:03:50,925 And so we would be looking at violating organ health 1167 01:03:51,045 --> 01:03:53,765 authority regulatory requirements for potable water. 1168 01:03:54,695 --> 01:03:57,325 Thank you. For the citric acid, it's a little less 1169 01:03:57,325 --> 01:04:00,005 of an issue, but it's cleaning the membrane filtration 1170 01:04:00,005 --> 01:04:01,685 system at the wastewater treatment plant 1171 01:04:01,755 --> 01:04:03,125 that removes phosphorus. 1172 01:04:03,625 --> 01:04:06,245 So you could potentially also have a national pollution 1173 01:04:06,245 --> 01:04:10,405 discharge elimination system permit violation from DEQ if 1174 01:04:10,405 --> 01:04:12,645 you don't adequately remove phosphorus 1175 01:04:12,645 --> 01:04:13,685 from your wastewater stream. 1176 01:04:14,015 --> 01:04:16,245 Right. And that's, I don't know if that's exactly 1177 01:04:16,275 --> 01:04:18,045 what Rogue Valley Sewer service had 1178 01:04:18,065 --> 01:04:22,125 for their EPA violations, but they had to pay a big fine 1179 01:04:22,145 --> 01:04:23,325 and their rate payers had 1180 01:04:23,325 --> 01:04:25,005 to pay a big fine because they didn't do it right. 1181 01:04:25,635 --> 01:04:28,365 Yeah, they're doing massive system upgrades to 1182 01:04:29,045 --> 01:04:30,925 improve their effluent for the wastewater system. 1183 01:04:30,925 --> 01:04:32,005 Well, thank you for doing it. Right. 1184 01:04:35,105 --> 01:04:38,565 Any other questions? The floor is open for a motion. 1185 01:04:38,655 --> 01:04:39,655 Councillor Bloom. 1186 01:04:40,845 --> 01:04:42,605 I move to approve the public contract award 1187 01:04:42,605 --> 01:04:43,765 for chemicals acquisition with 1188 01:04:43,765 --> 01:04:45,405 Cascade Columbia Distribution Company. 1189 01:04:46,685 --> 01:04:48,165 A second. Okay. Councilor Blum? 1190 01:04:48,905 --> 01:04:52,125 No, I, this is the night of Councilor Hyatt, 1191 01:04:52,125 --> 01:04:55,005 former Councillor Hyatt, but I think she told me once when I 1192 01:04:55,005 --> 01:04:57,005 started that the chemicals are always going 1193 01:04:57,005 --> 01:04:58,685 to be the easiest votes for everybody. 1194 01:04:59,875 --> 01:05:02,565 Councilor Dale. I think clean water is a phenomenal idea. 1195 01:05:03,795 --> 01:05:06,125 Yeah. Other comments? 1196 01:05:07,685 --> 01:05:10,325 I know I don't get to vote, but I, I approve of continuing 1197 01:05:10,325 --> 01:05:15,005 to clean our water and our wastewater, all kinds of water. 1198 01:05:16,195 --> 01:05:17,205 Roll call please. Alyssa? 1199 01:05:18,485 --> 01:05:22,285 Duane? Yes. Hanson? 1200 01:05:23,505 --> 01:05:28,005 Yes. Rell? Yes. Dale? Yes. Bloom? Yes. 1201 01:05:28,385 --> 01:05:30,325 Kaplan? Yes. Motion pass. 1202 01:05:31,015 --> 01:05:34,805 Thank you. We now have a a, 1203 01:05:35,145 --> 01:05:36,525 the next item is approval 1204 01:05:36,585 --> 01:05:38,765 of a resolution authorizing refunding 1205 01:05:38,765 --> 01:05:41,645 of an interim loan from the Special Public Works fund 1206 01:05:41,875 --> 01:05:44,365 with the Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority. 1207 01:05:44,795 --> 01:05:45,795 Sabrina. 1208 01:05:46,665 --> 01:05:47,925 So as council may remember, 1209 01:05:47,925 --> 01:05:49,365 you've already approved resolution, 1210 01:05:49,425 --> 01:05:51,125 the authorized interim financing 1211 01:05:51,265 --> 01:05:52,485 for the Ashland Street project. 1212 01:05:54,065 --> 01:05:56,405 The Infrastructure finance Authority is moving forward 1213 01:05:56,435 --> 01:05:57,725 with the bond sale 1214 01:05:58,145 --> 01:06:01,485 and so we need a new resolution to align with that direction 1215 01:06:01,745 --> 01:06:02,965 and I'll hand it over to Scott. 1216 01:06:04,535 --> 01:06:07,965 Ditto. So this is one of the weirder things 1217 01:06:07,965 --> 01:06:11,005 that I've been involved in from a process standpoint. 1218 01:06:12,345 --> 01:06:15,285 So what I will say is, you know, in 2023, 1219 01:06:15,305 --> 01:06:17,725 the council authorized relu a resolution 1220 01:06:18,595 --> 01:06:21,445 utilizing the Special Public Works fund that allowed 1221 01:06:21,965 --> 01:06:23,925 the city to borrow for the Ashland Street 1222 01:06:23,925 --> 01:06:25,165 Rehabilitation Project. 1223 01:06:26,205 --> 01:06:29,565 In that interim loan agreement, it was made clear 1224 01:06:29,565 --> 01:06:33,685 to the city that at some point the Oregon business, Oregon 1225 01:06:34,415 --> 01:06:37,325 would take all of their debt that they've loaned out 1226 01:06:37,325 --> 01:06:39,965 to other communities and do a massive bond sale. 1227 01:06:40,345 --> 01:06:43,325 And at that time you would essentially be tied 1228 01:06:43,875 --> 01:06:45,045 from a funding standpoint 1229 01:06:45,065 --> 01:06:46,965 to your debt payback to that bond sale. 1230 01:06:47,625 --> 01:06:51,605 So three years later, business Oregon is moving forward with 1231 01:06:51,605 --> 01:06:54,765 that bond sale and they are requiring us 1232 01:06:54,825 --> 01:06:58,205 to essentially eliminate the previous resolution 1233 01:06:58,385 --> 01:07:00,845 and install a new resolution that aligns 1234 01:07:00,845 --> 01:07:01,925 with that bond sale. 1235 01:07:02,905 --> 01:07:05,005 In your packet there was the contract 1236 01:07:05,025 --> 01:07:08,605 and the, the anticipated promissory note 1237 01:07:08,665 --> 01:07:11,565 and amortization schedule payback, that's, 1238 01:07:12,115 --> 01:07:14,045 that schedule is draft until 1239 01:07:14,045 --> 01:07:15,445 after the bond sale goes through 1240 01:07:15,445 --> 01:07:17,605 where we actually get the final rate 1241 01:07:17,745 --> 01:07:20,165 and amortization schedule from Business Oregon, 1242 01:07:20,655 --> 01:07:23,165 which should occur in late August, early September. 1243 01:07:23,305 --> 01:07:25,125 I'm suspecting based on 1244 01:07:25,125 --> 01:07:27,645 what they proposed from a schedule standpoint. 1245 01:07:28,185 --> 01:07:30,925 So as a reminder, the food 1246 01:07:30,925 --> 01:07:32,925 and beverage tax covers the cost 1247 01:07:32,925 --> 01:07:34,485 of these rehabilitation projects 1248 01:07:34,485 --> 01:07:37,445 or the debt service as per the municipal code. 1249 01:07:38,185 --> 01:07:40,285 So that debt will be paid back over time, 1250 01:07:40,285 --> 01:07:42,645 that 15 year schedule by the food and beverage tax. 1251 01:07:43,605 --> 01:07:45,365 And we will get the new rate structure 1252 01:07:46,105 --> 01:07:48,165 and schedule in another month or so 1253 01:07:48,625 --> 01:07:50,765 and then the finance department will, 1254 01:07:50,905 --> 01:07:53,285 and I'll coordinate with them on the biennium budgets moving 1255 01:07:53,285 --> 01:07:57,165 forward on ensuring that that debt payment is allocated in, 1256 01:07:57,585 --> 01:07:58,925 you know, the debt service account 1257 01:07:58,945 --> 01:08:00,365 for the street fund moving forward. 1258 01:08:04,405 --> 01:08:08,845 Questions ca, Councillor Kaplan? 1259 01:08:09,475 --> 01:08:10,965 Yeah, thanks. Thanks Scott. 1260 01:08:11,205 --> 01:08:14,245 I thanks for answering my, my questions on this 1261 01:08:14,405 --> 01:08:17,805 'cause it, as you said, it's kind of a weird animal here 1262 01:08:17,805 --> 01:08:21,845 where we we're actually refinancing a lower interest rate 1263 01:08:21,845 --> 01:08:22,925 with a higher interest rate, 1264 01:08:22,925 --> 01:08:24,245 anticipated higher interest rate, 1265 01:08:24,505 --> 01:08:26,885 but that was actually already anticipated 1266 01:08:26,885 --> 01:08:28,125 because this matures in three years. 1267 01:08:28,265 --> 01:08:29,725 So we would have to pay it one way 1268 01:08:29,725 --> 01:08:32,405 or the other by January as I, as I understand it. 1269 01:08:34,505 --> 01:08:35,805 So, and, 1270 01:08:35,865 --> 01:08:40,165 and thanks also for clarifying that the, the 1271 01:08:41,325 --> 01:08:43,405 notional 5% could probably, 1272 01:08:43,405 --> 01:08:44,645 could possibly be less than that. 1273 01:08:44,645 --> 01:08:46,485 In any case, we would be getting the state's 1274 01:08:47,245 --> 01:08:49,285 higher credit rating. 1275 01:08:49,425 --> 01:08:51,765 The, the pricing, better pricing from the state's higher 1276 01:08:51,885 --> 01:08:53,685 credit rating than are excellent 1277 01:08:53,685 --> 01:08:55,205 but not as high as the the, the 1278 01:08:56,285 --> 01:08:58,365 business Oregon's credit rating for this sort of thing. 1279 01:08:58,705 --> 01:09:01,325 My question is, we've built, 1280 01:09:01,385 --> 01:09:02,885 and maybe it's a question for Brynn. 1281 01:09:02,885 --> 01:09:05,205 Sorry Brynn, I should have thought to ask this earlier. 1282 01:09:06,255 --> 01:09:09,405 We've loaded the budget with debt service for this 1283 01:09:10,435 --> 01:09:12,565 with a slightly lower interest rate. 1284 01:09:12,855 --> 01:09:16,405 We're not talking about a lot of difference I suppose, 1285 01:09:16,945 --> 01:09:19,845 but what's, what are gonna be the changes that we anticipate 1286 01:09:19,945 --> 01:09:22,165 as we get the actual pricing on this 1287 01:09:22,625 --> 01:09:25,445 and have to execute on a slightly different interest rate 1288 01:09:25,445 --> 01:09:26,605 than we had loaded it before? 1289 01:09:27,315 --> 01:09:28,805 Well, the buoy c be seeing a budget 1290 01:09:28,805 --> 01:09:30,165 supplemental or something. 1291 01:09:30,165 --> 01:09:31,165 What, what do we see? 1292 01:09:32,545 --> 01:09:35,325 So the debt wouldn't start till the next budget cycle. 1293 01:09:36,105 --> 01:09:39,245 So we would load up the new debt starting in the next budget 1294 01:09:39,255 --> 01:09:41,365 cycle and that would go through the budget process, 1295 01:09:41,425 --> 01:09:43,285 budget committee, see the council for approval. 1296 01:09:43,885 --> 01:09:47,405 So you would see that as part of that process since 1297 01:09:48,105 --> 01:09:52,605 we didn't really anticipate any current debt based on them 1298 01:09:52,835 --> 01:09:54,685 refinancing or refunding 1299 01:09:54,825 --> 01:09:55,965 and going through this process, 1300 01:09:56,665 --> 01:09:59,925 we did make an interest payment towards it in this 1301 01:09:59,925 --> 01:10:01,365 by any amusing food and beverage tax. 1302 01:10:01,605 --> 01:10:04,085 'cause we did have a little bit of allocation towards debt. 1303 01:10:04,585 --> 01:10:08,245 We just weren't sure from a timing standpoint when Business 1304 01:10:08,245 --> 01:10:09,485 Oregon would sell the bonds 1305 01:10:09,785 --> 01:10:12,005 and we would have a refinance structure. 1306 01:10:12,185 --> 01:10:15,925 So it'll be fully anticipated in the 27 29 1307 01:10:16,025 --> 01:10:17,245 by and and moving forward. 1308 01:10:18,235 --> 01:10:21,245 Okay, thanks. And, and it's also not going to, 1309 01:10:21,245 --> 01:10:23,645 it's gonna be a fairly small difference than 1310 01:10:23,645 --> 01:10:25,565 what we currently have is what I, what I understand 1311 01:10:25,725 --> 01:10:28,605 'cause we're talking about a, a few million dollars and, 1312 01:10:28,705 --> 01:10:30,605 and amortization over 15 years still 1313 01:10:30,955 --> 01:10:31,955 Correct. 1314 01:10:32,025 --> 01:10:35,085 Thanks. Other questions? Councillor 1315 01:10:35,205 --> 01:10:36,205 Dale? 1316 01:10:36,205 --> 01:10:37,045 Yeah, just a actually a very quick 1317 01:10:37,285 --> 01:10:38,765 procedural question that is for Alyssa. 1318 01:10:39,965 --> 01:10:44,325 I saw in a previous slide that you had had at 20 20 26 dash 1319 01:10:44,885 --> 01:10:46,885 17 if the council moves, do you want that added? 1320 01:10:47,025 --> 01:10:48,885 Is that the correct resolution number? 1321 01:10:49,045 --> 01:10:51,565 I know Scott has probably before it was assigned, 1322 01:10:51,705 --> 01:10:53,565 but do you want it read like this 1323 01:10:53,665 --> 01:10:56,045 or do you want, what, what did, what Scott had? 1324 01:10:56,045 --> 01:10:57,765 Correct. Just so we get this right the first time, 1325 01:11:01,615 --> 01:11:02,615 I don't think it matters 1326 01:11:04,205 --> 01:11:06,975 because this one will automatically thinking out loud, 1327 01:11:07,645 --> 01:11:11,535 this one will automatically replace the existing one. 1328 01:11:12,385 --> 01:11:13,385 Makes sense. 1329 01:11:13,915 --> 01:11:15,365 Okay. Do we need, I just wanted to be 1330 01:11:15,765 --> 01:11:16,765 Language that door. 1331 01:11:16,875 --> 01:11:18,045 Yeah, I think we're fine. Okay. 1332 01:11:21,225 --> 01:11:24,605 Any further questions? The floor is open 1333 01:11:24,625 --> 01:11:27,925 for a motion. Councillor Dale? 1334 01:11:28,475 --> 01:11:32,445 Sure. I move to approve a resolution authorizing refunding 1335 01:11:32,445 --> 01:11:35,125 of an interim loan from the Special Public Works fund in the 1336 01:11:35,125 --> 01:11:36,885 Oregon State Infrastructure Finance Authority. 1337 01:11:37,475 --> 01:11:39,565 I'll second that. Councillor Dale. 1338 01:11:39,935 --> 01:11:41,565 Thank you Councillor Ka for the questions. 1339 01:11:41,605 --> 01:11:42,765 I have the same ones and I, 1340 01:11:42,805 --> 01:11:44,165 I appreciate you calling those out and, 1341 01:11:44,185 --> 01:11:45,445 and stating 'em in public so 1342 01:11:45,445 --> 01:11:46,685 that we know everybody is 1343 01:11:46,685 --> 01:11:47,965 as informed as possible. Thank you. 1344 01:11:48,375 --> 01:11:49,485 Councillor Hansen? 1345 01:11:50,475 --> 01:11:54,485 Yeah, I, I briefly remember this coming down the road here 1346 01:11:54,905 --> 01:11:57,565 and way to pivot and totally support it. 1347 01:11:57,715 --> 01:11:58,965 It's gotta be done. Thank you. 1348 01:12:00,425 --> 01:12:04,965 Any further discussion? Roll call please. Alyssa 1349 01:12:05,985 --> 01:12:06,985 Kaplan? 1350 01:12:07,785 --> 01:12:09,125 Yes. Duquesne? 1351 01:12:10,665 --> 01:12:15,485 Yes. Hanson? Yes. LL Yes. Yes. 1352 01:12:17,045 --> 01:12:20,325 Dale? Yes. Bloom? Yes. Motion pass. 1353 01:12:20,615 --> 01:12:22,365 Thank you. Thank you Brynn. 1354 01:12:23,345 --> 01:12:27,765 The last, the next one is 1355 01:12:28,325 --> 01:12:30,365 approval of resolutions for wastewater 1356 01:12:30,365 --> 01:12:33,045 and storm drain rate increases, Sabrina. 1357 01:12:34,425 --> 01:12:35,805 So we would also like 1358 01:12:35,805 --> 01:12:38,125 to support the wastewater system in which we put the 1359 01:12:38,285 --> 01:12:40,685 chemicals and our storm drain enterprise. 1360 01:12:40,705 --> 01:12:43,605 So before you tonight are the rate increases, 1361 01:12:43,605 --> 01:12:46,685 which are developed through our master planning process. 1362 01:12:47,385 --> 01:12:49,125 And I'll hand it over to Scott. 1363 01:12:51,385 --> 01:12:54,725 So as a reminder, we went through a process 1364 01:12:55,105 --> 01:12:58,725 and H City staff coordinated with HDR Engineering 1365 01:12:58,725 --> 01:13:02,205 to do a cost of service rate analysis for the wastewater 1366 01:13:02,945 --> 01:13:04,645 and storm drain enterprises. 1367 01:13:05,405 --> 01:13:07,085 I believe that HDR 1368 01:13:07,085 --> 01:13:10,085 and I were here with the final draft in May 1369 01:13:10,985 --> 01:13:12,125 for the cost of service. 1370 01:13:13,025 --> 01:13:15,485 The council accepted that kind of package 1371 01:13:15,675 --> 01:13:17,965 that analyzed rates over the six year period. 1372 01:13:18,665 --> 01:13:21,685 And so before you tonight are two resolutions. 1373 01:13:21,985 --> 01:13:25,245 One associated with rate increases for the wastewater system 1374 01:13:25,905 --> 01:13:28,365 and one associated with rate increases 1375 01:13:28,385 --> 01:13:29,645 for the storm drain system. 1376 01:13:30,625 --> 01:13:32,925 As you see on the table, E ES four here, 1377 01:13:33,385 --> 01:13:36,925 per the presentation, we're looking at a little over a $3 a 1378 01:13:36,925 --> 01:13:40,605 month service charge increase to the primary account basis, 1379 01:13:40,605 --> 01:13:42,725 single family residential throughout the city. 1380 01:13:44,145 --> 01:13:46,565 One of the policy frameworks that we followed 1381 01:13:47,125 --> 01:13:48,565 with the water cost of service 1382 01:13:48,825 --> 01:13:52,245 and this wastewater storm drain was to try 1383 01:13:52,245 --> 01:13:54,445 to minimize any sort of initial shock 1384 01:13:54,445 --> 01:13:56,365 or impacts to the multi-family. 1385 01:13:56,865 --> 01:13:58,565 And so you notice the multi-family 1386 01:13:59,475 --> 01:14:01,725 monthly service charge remains the same, 1387 01:14:02,085 --> 01:14:05,485 although the commodity charge does get a partial increase. 1388 01:14:06,545 --> 01:14:09,005 And that was all kind of feathered out in the cost 1389 01:14:09,005 --> 01:14:11,805 of service analysis performed by HDR. 1390 01:14:12,585 --> 01:14:17,005 So this structure takes into account the people materials, 1391 01:14:17,405 --> 01:14:20,885 services, and capital program that we have in place 1392 01:14:21,025 --> 01:14:23,565 for the wastewater system moving forward. 1393 01:14:24,465 --> 01:14:26,885 And just a reminder, the last rate increase for 1394 01:14:27,705 --> 01:14:31,365 the wastewater system enterprise itself was 2019. 1395 01:14:32,065 --> 01:14:34,805 So even if you apply just a general two 1396 01:14:34,805 --> 01:14:39,245 to 3% inflationary metric, you would be looking at 14 to 21% 1397 01:14:40,105 --> 01:14:43,205 and we're looking at a 7% increase overall. 1398 01:14:44,145 --> 01:14:47,045 So I think that that kind of bodes to kind 1399 01:14:47,045 --> 01:14:49,085 of good fiscal management of the system 1400 01:14:49,145 --> 01:14:51,885 and making sure we're delivering capital projects at the 1401 01:14:51,885 --> 01:14:54,045 right time and at the right need. 1402 01:14:54,095 --> 01:14:55,605 We've shifted some things around 1403 01:14:55,665 --> 01:14:57,325 and some things have got postponed 1404 01:14:57,325 --> 01:15:00,285 because they have not been needed for the system. 1405 01:15:01,165 --> 01:15:03,765 And moving forward, the one big project kind of remaining 1406 01:15:03,765 --> 01:15:05,885 for the wastewater treatment plan is the Head Works project, 1407 01:15:07,285 --> 01:15:10,405 which you will see a funding resolution come through 1408 01:15:10,405 --> 01:15:11,925 to council in August for, 1409 01:15:12,565 --> 01:15:13,605 and that's really one 1410 01:15:13,605 --> 01:15:15,805 of the bigger projects we have left on the system. 1411 01:15:15,905 --> 01:15:18,645 And this increase this year 1412 01:15:18,745 --> 01:15:20,365 and potentially in the next couple 1413 01:15:20,365 --> 01:15:23,405 of years helps really support that moving forward, 1414 01:15:26,155 --> 01:15:30,605 Much smaller scale system with the storm drain enterprise. 1415 01:15:31,125 --> 01:15:33,085 The storm drain's only been its own fund 1416 01:15:33,145 --> 01:15:34,805 for the last couple budget cycles 1417 01:15:34,855 --> 01:15:37,925 after it was broken apart from the street fund. 1418 01:15:38,945 --> 01:15:41,805 The storm drain master plan in 2020 1419 01:15:42,745 --> 01:15:45,125 had a financial plan associated with it 1420 01:15:45,125 --> 01:15:47,885 and the last storm drain rate increase associated with 1421 01:15:47,885 --> 01:15:50,325 that financial plan was in 2021. 1422 01:15:51,705 --> 01:15:54,925 So the cost of service updated based on our current 1423 01:15:56,525 --> 01:15:58,605 existing conditions with people, materials and services 1424 01:15:58,945 --> 01:16:01,685 and service, and also the future projections 1425 01:16:02,865 --> 01:16:04,005 and our capital program. 1426 01:16:04,745 --> 01:16:07,645 And for the single family you're looking at, 1427 01:16:07,705 --> 01:16:11,925 at a a dollar a month increase for the rate itself, 1428 01:16:13,085 --> 01:16:16,605 a multifamily, again, is pretty 1429 01:16:17,285 --> 01:16:19,445 marginalized from a rate increase standpoint. 1430 01:16:19,665 --> 01:16:21,845 You know, we're talking 43 cents, 1431 01:16:21,965 --> 01:16:23,685 I think increase on a monthly basis. 1432 01:16:24,545 --> 01:16:26,565 And for both these rate increases, 1433 01:16:26,615 --> 01:16:29,085 we're talking about a period of August 1st 1434 01:16:29,115 --> 01:16:32,285 through June 30th, 2027, 1435 01:16:33,265 --> 01:16:36,285 at which time potentially staff would be bringing forward 1436 01:16:36,585 --> 01:16:39,005 new rate increases associated with the 27th 1437 01:16:39,125 --> 01:16:40,845 through 29 budget biennium. 1438 01:16:41,585 --> 01:16:43,565 And again, this funds the fund 1439 01:16:43,985 --> 01:16:45,765 and ensures 1440 01:16:45,765 --> 01:16:49,525 that we meet our MS four municipally separated storm drain 1441 01:16:49,525 --> 01:16:52,565 conveyance system regulatory requirements that are issued 1442 01:16:52,985 --> 01:16:54,845 and controlled by DEQ. 1443 01:16:57,105 --> 01:16:59,365 And with that, I will try to answer any questions. 1444 01:17:01,685 --> 01:17:04,245 Questions. Councilor Sherell. Thanks Mayor. 1445 01:17:04,325 --> 01:17:05,725 I know it's a little bit late to this party, 1446 01:17:05,785 --> 01:17:09,285 but maybe just speak briefly on why we didn't do modeling 1447 01:17:09,535 --> 01:17:12,205 based on impervious surface or drain fixture units. 1448 01:17:12,505 --> 01:17:15,765 And it's based on the actual title of the dwelling itself. 1449 01:17:16,785 --> 01:17:20,085 So it is, it, it's based on an estimated impervious 1450 01:17:20,085 --> 01:17:22,245 of 3000 square feet per surface lot. 1451 01:17:23,265 --> 01:17:25,365 And so that's been kind of a standard of metrics 1452 01:17:25,505 --> 01:17:29,845 that's been used over the years since this, 1453 01:17:31,535 --> 01:17:34,525 since this utility created that enterprise 1454 01:17:34,525 --> 01:17:35,805 and that storm drain fee. 1455 01:17:36,585 --> 01:17:40,045 And speaking with HDR about that, they still felt 1456 01:17:40,395 --> 01:17:41,965 that based on lot size 1457 01:17:42,145 --> 01:17:45,885 and development that that 3000 square foot of impervious 1458 01:17:46,425 --> 01:17:50,005 was still a good metric to use in their calculations as far 1459 01:17:50,005 --> 01:17:52,685 as the cost of service and then the application to the rate. 1460 01:17:53,115 --> 01:17:56,005 Okay. I, I would just provide the, the opinion that if, 1461 01:17:56,065 --> 01:17:58,645 if we look at that again, that we, we look at the, the fact 1462 01:17:58,645 --> 01:18:00,005 that we've removed parking standards, 1463 01:18:00,005 --> 01:18:03,365 therefore a lot of impervious parking spots, access 1464 01:18:03,385 --> 01:18:05,045 and circulation to get to the spots. 1465 01:18:05,725 --> 01:18:08,085 There's a downward trend in the, the housing types 1466 01:18:08,085 --> 01:18:09,445 that we're building that are smaller. 1467 01:18:10,305 --> 01:18:13,005 So it's also an incentive to build, to build smaller, 1468 01:18:13,065 --> 01:18:16,485 it would be a, a, a system to, to, 1469 01:18:16,705 --> 01:18:18,965 to at least explore in future conversations. 1470 01:18:19,305 --> 01:18:21,205 And I think we did kind of talk about 1471 01:18:21,225 --> 01:18:24,885 how you would analyze that moving forward using LIDAR data 1472 01:18:24,945 --> 01:18:29,525 and GIS to kind of calculate existing impervious area 1473 01:18:30,165 --> 01:18:31,965 versus what is bare ground 1474 01:18:32,105 --> 01:18:33,725 and could potentially be developed 1475 01:18:33,785 --> 01:18:36,885 and trying to come up with a calculation 1476 01:18:36,885 --> 01:18:39,645 that would either change that positively or negatively. 1477 01:18:39,945 --> 01:18:42,325 So that's something we did talk about 1478 01:18:42,985 --> 01:18:45,845 and we know that, you know, based on this conversation 1479 01:18:45,845 --> 01:18:48,205 that could potentially come up in the future based on 1480 01:18:48,365 --> 01:18:49,485 changing development standards 1481 01:18:49,665 --> 01:18:50,665 To Totally. 1482 01:18:50,665 --> 01:18:51,725 And just one thing to add, if I may, mayor, 1483 01:18:51,725 --> 01:18:54,085 that there's a pretty good model already out with how we, 1484 01:18:55,145 --> 01:18:58,925 how we put s SDCs on project based on like 500 square 1485 01:18:58,925 --> 01:18:59,965 foot increments and such. 1486 01:19:00,065 --> 01:19:01,925 So there's some good industry practice 1487 01:19:01,925 --> 01:19:04,285 that incentivizes people to use less impervious surface, 1488 01:19:04,505 --> 01:19:06,205 put less hot water into our streams 1489 01:19:06,425 --> 01:19:08,405 and build smother housing that's more affordable. 1490 01:19:09,225 --> 01:19:11,605 And the regulatory requirements for self-management 1491 01:19:11,605 --> 01:19:12,885 of storm drain are increasing. 1492 01:19:13,505 --> 01:19:16,765 So there is less burden on city utility, you know, 1493 01:19:16,875 --> 01:19:19,245 from new development because the retention 1494 01:19:20,145 --> 01:19:21,925 and treatment standards that we follow 1495 01:19:21,925 --> 01:19:24,445 through Rogue Valley Sanitary Services 1496 01:19:25,185 --> 01:19:27,605 who manages the storm drain design manual 1497 01:19:27,745 --> 01:19:29,165 for all municipalities here. 1498 01:19:29,395 --> 01:19:30,805 Yeah, I think I brought that up in a, 1499 01:19:30,805 --> 01:19:32,205 in a previous conversation of like, 1500 01:19:32,405 --> 01:19:34,485 I think it's new state law says if you have more than 5,000 1501 01:19:34,485 --> 01:19:36,045 square feet of impervious surface, you have 1502 01:19:36,045 --> 01:19:38,405 to contain it on site and percolate it into your own ground, 1503 01:19:38,425 --> 01:19:39,965 so therefore it wouldn't even go into the system. 1504 01:19:39,965 --> 01:19:42,125 Yeah. So I appreciate you acknowledging that 1505 01:19:42,185 --> 01:19:43,405 and like knowing 1506 01:19:43,405 --> 01:19:46,005 that it's on your radar makes me feel better. Thanks. 1507 01:19:46,345 --> 01:19:47,885 And it just as another reminder, 1508 01:19:48,145 --> 01:19:51,205 if you do not connect at all existing 1509 01:19:51,225 --> 01:19:53,445 or in the future to a storm drain conveyance 1510 01:19:53,445 --> 01:19:55,765 and you outfall on your property to a stream 1511 01:19:56,065 --> 01:20:00,205 and e femoral stream Ashland Creek, you are not obligated 1512 01:20:00,205 --> 01:20:01,565 to pay the storm drain fee 1513 01:20:01,565 --> 01:20:03,845 because you are not impacting that conveyance. 1514 01:20:06,475 --> 01:20:10,485 Okay. Other questions? Okay. 1515 01:20:10,485 --> 01:20:11,565 The floor is open for a 1516 01:20:11,565 --> 01:20:15,845 motion. Councillor Dale? 1517 01:20:16,675 --> 01:20:19,645 Sure. Thank you Mayor. I'll start 1518 01:20:19,645 --> 01:20:21,565 with the first one I move to approve resolution, 1519 01:20:22,245 --> 01:20:26,245 resolution number 2026 dash 15 a resolution, revising rates 1520 01:20:26,305 --> 01:20:28,685 for wastewater sewer service pursuant 1521 01:20:28,685 --> 01:20:32,725 to ton municipal code section 14.08035 1522 01:20:32,745 --> 01:20:35,885 and repealing resolution 2019 dash 10. 1523 01:20:37,755 --> 01:20:40,645 Councilor Dale. Yeah, thank you Mayor. 1524 01:20:43,235 --> 01:20:44,805 It's never fun to raise rates. 1525 01:20:46,265 --> 01:20:47,685 It, it's, although I, 1526 01:20:47,865 --> 01:20:50,085 as we've talked about almost ad nauseum 1527 01:20:50,085 --> 01:20:53,285 that we're repealing a, a resolution from seven years ago, 1528 01:20:53,865 --> 01:20:55,845 but every time you're standing in front of your sanker 1529 01:20:55,845 --> 01:20:57,725 and you're drain and you're putting something down it 1530 01:20:57,785 --> 01:21:01,925 and you just, you, you're paying for the, for the value 1531 01:21:01,945 --> 01:21:03,325 of saying, I don't ha I don't 1532 01:21:03,325 --> 01:21:04,405 even have to worry about anything. 1533 01:21:04,665 --> 01:21:07,525 And I just wanna say I I appreciate that 1534 01:21:07,525 --> 01:21:08,725 and all that goes into that. 1535 01:21:09,525 --> 01:21:13,085 I do also have a, as, as an aside, I I do want to 1536 01:21:13,915 --> 01:21:17,285 note I have our staffing report here for, 1537 01:21:17,425 --> 01:21:21,805 for the various departments for the past several years. 1538 01:21:22,225 --> 01:21:24,925 And as I was just, I thought about adding these up 1539 01:21:24,925 --> 01:21:26,765 and specifically looking at the wastewater 1540 01:21:26,765 --> 01:21:29,405 and the storm rider FTEs. 1541 01:21:29,805 --> 01:21:33,485 We, we've gone from 2019 when you sum both of those together 1542 01:21:34,315 --> 01:21:38,005 from about almost 21 FTE down to about 17.7. 1543 01:21:38,105 --> 01:21:40,605 So we are actually doing more with less humans. 1544 01:21:41,185 --> 01:21:43,405 So as we see the cost go up, a lot of 1545 01:21:43,405 --> 01:21:44,765 that is materials and service. 1546 01:21:44,865 --> 01:21:46,885 So I just want to say I appreciate the department 1547 01:21:46,885 --> 01:21:48,965 and the labor watching costs that way 1548 01:21:48,965 --> 01:21:50,005 and doing the best they can, 1549 01:21:50,065 --> 01:21:51,525 but this is just the cost of, 1550 01:21:52,105 --> 01:21:53,805 of maintaining these utilities. 1551 01:21:53,975 --> 01:21:54,975 Thank you 1552 01:21:55,455 --> 01:21:56,565 Councillor Kaplan. 1553 01:21:57,195 --> 01:21:59,205 Yeah, very, very similarly. Thank you. 1554 01:21:59,205 --> 01:22:00,605 Thanks for bringing this Scott. 1555 01:22:00,605 --> 01:22:03,245 And also thanks for exercising a lot of care 1556 01:22:03,505 --> 01:22:06,005 to keep our costs low for our wastewater service. 1557 01:22:06,145 --> 01:22:08,885 You talked to, to us earlier, we, we, we approved some 1558 01:22:09,565 --> 01:22:11,485 chemical procurement and you said we used 1559 01:22:11,485 --> 01:22:13,205 to procure it on every two years, 1560 01:22:13,265 --> 01:22:16,765 but now the, the chain prices have gone up so fast that 1561 01:22:17,385 --> 01:22:20,045 the offers won't even give us two year pricing. 1562 01:22:20,065 --> 01:22:22,045 The we have to price it every year. 1563 01:22:22,345 --> 01:22:26,805 So that shows that, that those, those those supplies are, 1564 01:22:26,865 --> 01:22:28,445 are infected by, by inflation. 1565 01:22:28,705 --> 01:22:30,645 So the fact that we haven't raised it for seven years is, 1566 01:22:30,645 --> 01:22:34,645 is, is something thanks waste waters 1567 01:22:35,285 --> 01:22:37,125 treating our, our wastewater is super important 1568 01:22:37,665 --> 01:22:40,765 and we have to pay for it. So thank you 1569 01:22:41,535 --> 01:22:42,565 Councillor Duque. 1570 01:22:46,185 --> 01:22:48,485 I'm glad that I can flush my toilet too. 1571 01:22:49,005 --> 01:22:50,485 Everything goes down the drain. 1572 01:22:52,025 --> 01:22:56,005 And looking at going from 21 1573 01:22:57,195 --> 01:23:00,285 FTEs to 17, the city 1574 01:23:00,305 --> 01:23:03,085 of Ashland hasn't grown in population either. 1575 01:23:03,745 --> 01:23:06,525 And the last time I, I sat in a business meeting, 1576 01:23:07,485 --> 01:23:10,765 Recology went up 8.75%. 1577 01:23:11,785 --> 01:23:14,805 And when I look at the rate increases 1578 01:23:14,805 --> 01:23:17,485 that we've had in such a short time, 1579 01:23:18,925 --> 01:23:22,765 I cannot support this going up at this time. 1580 01:23:25,395 --> 01:23:29,125 Councilor Blue. Thank you. Yeah, appreciate it Scott. 1581 01:23:29,185 --> 01:23:32,045 And, and you know, I think that 1582 01:23:32,555 --> 01:23:34,445 what Councilor Dale brought up is, you know, 1583 01:23:34,445 --> 01:23:37,085 the drop in FTEs is demonstrating that, you know, 1584 01:23:37,085 --> 01:23:39,805 that department is certainly tightening its belt, 1585 01:23:40,985 --> 01:23:43,445 but for me, I'm looking forward 1586 01:23:43,545 --> 01:23:46,205 and I'm looking, you know, at the next budget 1587 01:23:46,465 --> 01:23:47,885 and I'm looking at citywide. 1588 01:23:48,385 --> 01:23:51,605 And for me, going forward, until I see cuts 1589 01:23:51,605 --> 01:23:53,085 and efficiencies in the next budget, 1590 01:23:53,845 --> 01:23:57,405 I can't in good conscious ask voter 1591 01:23:57,545 --> 01:24:01,285 or rate payers to, to continue to pay more given just like 1592 01:24:01,285 --> 01:24:02,325 what Councilor DEA said. 1593 01:24:02,385 --> 01:24:05,005 So for me, going forward until, until the next budget, 1594 01:24:05,325 --> 01:24:07,405 I won't be supporting any rate increases 1595 01:24:10,665 --> 01:24:15,365 Any further discussion, I would just add that 1596 01:24:16,585 --> 01:24:18,645 we pass master plans 1597 01:24:18,945 --> 01:24:23,085 and rate studies that look out as far as we can look 1598 01:24:23,115 --> 01:24:24,885 with some reasonable confidence about 1599 01:24:24,885 --> 01:24:26,405 what these systems are going to need. 1600 01:24:26,865 --> 01:24:30,925 But then as we get closer, we refine those needs, we look 1601 01:24:30,925 --> 01:24:32,445 to see if something really does need 1602 01:24:32,445 --> 01:24:33,965 to be replaced on that timescale. 1603 01:24:34,425 --> 01:24:36,365 And I think what we're seeing here is 1604 01:24:36,365 --> 01:24:40,005 that even though we haven't raised rates since 2019, 1605 01:24:41,225 --> 01:24:42,885 we have been able to manage through that 1606 01:24:42,885 --> 01:24:45,765 because of that careful looking at what actually needs 1607 01:24:45,765 --> 01:24:48,925 to be done up against the plans that this body has passed. 1608 01:24:49,745 --> 01:24:53,845 And it's, those kind of details can sometimes get lost 1609 01:24:54,545 --> 01:24:56,405 in these processes that we have. 1610 01:24:56,755 --> 01:24:58,085 That that there is care. 1611 01:24:58,275 --> 01:25:00,525 It's not just once the council passes something, 1612 01:25:00,735 --> 01:25:02,125 we're on a train and, 1613 01:25:02,185 --> 01:25:04,325 and we do these things, whether they need to be done or not, 1614 01:25:04,505 --> 01:25:06,765 or whether they need to be done on that timescale or not. 1615 01:25:06,985 --> 01:25:08,725 And so I just want to appreciate staff 1616 01:25:08,745 --> 01:25:10,125 for controlling these costs 1617 01:25:11,145 --> 01:25:13,725 and for putting us in a position where we could go 1618 01:25:13,945 --> 01:25:16,605 for seven years without raising any rates. 1619 01:25:16,745 --> 01:25:18,485 That's, that's a remarkable space. 1620 01:25:19,465 --> 01:25:22,365 It is always a difficult time when we have 1621 01:25:22,365 --> 01:25:23,485 to make those increases, 1622 01:25:23,505 --> 01:25:26,485 but we also have to cover the cost of this infrastructure. 1623 01:25:26,545 --> 01:25:27,885 So I appreciate that care 1624 01:25:28,425 --> 01:25:31,725 and appreciate all of the, the hard work 1625 01:25:31,725 --> 01:25:33,485 that goes into making those plans 1626 01:25:33,545 --> 01:25:35,485 and then refining them as the time comes 1627 01:25:35,485 --> 01:25:36,685 near for the big projects. 1628 01:25:37,585 --> 01:25:40,845 If there are no further comments, roll call please. 1629 01:25:40,845 --> 01:25:43,445 Alyssa? Bloom? 1630 01:25:44,225 --> 01:25:48,125 No. Dale? Yes. Shell. Yes. Kaplan? 1631 01:25:48,585 --> 01:25:49,685 Yes. Duquesne? 1632 01:25:50,625 --> 01:25:53,845 No. Hansen? Yes. Motion pass. 1633 01:25:54,695 --> 01:25:59,045 Thank you Scott. Next up we One more. 1634 01:25:59,145 --> 01:26:00,165 Oh, you have one more? That's right. 1635 01:26:00,165 --> 01:26:02,525 There's a second resolution. The floor is open for a motion. 1636 01:26:03,475 --> 01:26:04,565 Councilor Kaplan, 1637 01:26:05,205 --> 01:26:09,045 I move to approve resolution number 2026 dash 16 a 1638 01:26:09,205 --> 01:26:11,645 resolution adopting storm drainage utility fee schedule 1639 01:26:11,685 --> 01:26:16,365 pursuant to the Aston Municipal code section 4.2 7.050 1640 01:26:16,785 --> 01:26:20,805 and repealing resolution 2021 dash zero nine. Okay, 1641 01:26:20,845 --> 01:26:21,845 I I'll second that. 1642 01:26:22,475 --> 01:26:23,805 Okay. Councilor Catherine? 1643 01:26:25,755 --> 01:26:28,485 Yeah, I mean this is a similar, similar situation, 1644 01:26:29,765 --> 01:26:31,245 although this goes directly, 1645 01:26:31,315 --> 01:26:33,765 this storm drain collection goes directly 1646 01:26:33,795 --> 01:26:35,045 into our, our streams. 1647 01:26:35,065 --> 01:26:38,285 So this is, you know, this, this is super important 1648 01:26:38,285 --> 01:26:41,645 to make sure that we're taking care of our, our environment. 1649 01:26:42,895 --> 01:26:46,445 Again, we haven't raised rates for five years on this 1650 01:26:46,505 --> 01:26:48,605 and I appreciate staff's diligence about 1651 01:26:50,275 --> 01:26:51,965 keeping rates as low as possible. 1652 01:26:52,855 --> 01:26:53,925 Councillor Hanson, 1653 01:26:54,775 --> 01:26:55,775 Thank you. 1654 01:26:55,775 --> 01:26:56,245 Yeah, I appreciate staff 1655 01:26:56,265 --> 01:26:58,725 and I also know that we're reacting to 1656 01:26:59,485 --> 01:27:01,205 a different environment with climate change. 1657 01:27:01,495 --> 01:27:04,525 We're getting, you know, less water perhaps, 1658 01:27:04,585 --> 01:27:06,125 but we're getting it at different times 1659 01:27:06,265 --> 01:27:07,365 and different quantities 1660 01:27:07,945 --> 01:27:11,445 and keeping up with, with all that is something 1661 01:27:11,555 --> 01:27:12,805 that I can appreciate. 1662 01:27:12,965 --> 01:27:16,405 I can appreciate that that staff's ahead of it 1663 01:27:16,425 --> 01:27:19,685 and we don't have erosion problems and sinkhole and roads 1664 01:27:19,685 --> 01:27:21,565 and things that other communities that are ignoring 1665 01:27:21,625 --> 01:27:22,845 and kicking this down the road. 1666 01:27:23,345 --> 01:27:27,325 So I, again, I I also don't like raising rates on things 1667 01:27:27,385 --> 01:27:29,405 and I understand the economics of it. 1668 01:27:29,465 --> 01:27:31,405 So it's part of that social contract. 1669 01:27:31,705 --> 01:27:34,205 You know, we expect this stuff to work. Thank you. 1670 01:27:36,715 --> 01:27:41,125 Further comments? Roll call please. Alyssa 1671 01:27:43,245 --> 01:27:44,245 Hanson? 1672 01:27:44,385 --> 01:27:49,165 Yes. Duane No. Kaplan? Yes. Bloom? No. 1673 01:27:49,765 --> 01:27:52,925 Dale? Yes. Sherell? Yes. Motion pass. 1674 01:27:53,615 --> 01:27:57,685 Thank you Scott. We now are onto second reading 1675 01:27:57,745 --> 01:28:02,525 of ordinances 20 or 32 96, 32 97 1676 01:28:02,625 --> 01:28:06,165 and 32 98 manufactured home park zone 1677 01:28:06,685 --> 01:28:09,165 MHPZ amending the manufactured 1678 01:28:09,915 --> 01:28:11,965 housing development standards, 1679 01:28:12,365 --> 01:28:14,205 adopting related comprehensive plan 1680 01:28:14,225 --> 01:28:17,085 and zoning map amendments and adopting findings 1681 01:28:17,105 --> 01:28:18,485 and conclusions of law. 1682 01:28:19,555 --> 01:28:20,555 Sabrina? 1683 01:28:21,395 --> 01:28:23,605 Well with that title, I'm not sure I have much left 1684 01:28:23,605 --> 01:28:26,565 to say other than I'll let Brandon here walk you through it. 1685 01:28:26,565 --> 01:28:27,765 This is the second reading so it was 1686 01:28:28,005 --> 01:28:29,165 approved for the first reading. 1687 01:28:29,215 --> 01:28:31,005 Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. 1688 01:28:31,305 --> 01:28:33,005 So council held a public hearing 1689 01:28:33,185 --> 01:28:35,805 and approved first reading on all three ordinances presented 1690 01:28:35,805 --> 01:28:37,845 this evening as amended. 1691 01:28:37,845 --> 01:28:40,605 Your prior public hearing was on June 16th. 1692 01:28:41,195 --> 01:28:43,365 Tonight these come back for a second Reading 1693 01:28:43,365 --> 01:28:44,445 with no amendments. 1694 01:28:45,245 --> 01:28:48,045 A quick reminder for those at home what these ordinances do. 1695 01:28:48,555 --> 01:28:51,605 Ordinance 32 96 establishes 1696 01:28:52,185 --> 01:28:53,925 the manufactured home park zone 1697 01:28:54,105 --> 01:28:57,165 and updates the related land use standards. 1698 01:28:57,665 --> 01:29:01,645 It also addresses manufactured homes on individual lots 1699 01:29:03,025 --> 01:29:06,605 and it also provides allowances for childcare 1700 01:29:06,625 --> 01:29:08,285 and residential care facilities. 1701 01:29:08,285 --> 01:29:12,125 Citywide ordinance 32 97 applies 1702 01:29:12,755 --> 01:29:15,965 that new manufactured home park zone designation on the 1703 01:29:15,965 --> 01:29:19,965 zoning map to the eligible parks within the city limits. 1704 01:29:20,625 --> 01:29:25,365 And ordinance 32 98 makes the matching change 1705 01:29:25,425 --> 01:29:27,125 to the comprehensive plan map. 1706 01:29:27,585 --> 01:29:31,725 So alongside these ordinances, staff is also asking counsel 1707 01:29:31,865 --> 01:29:33,245 to adopt findings of fact 1708 01:29:33,245 --> 01:29:36,285 and conclusions of law, which are included in your packet. 1709 01:29:36,795 --> 01:29:39,685 This is a requirement of land use actions such as 1710 01:29:40,355 --> 01:29:42,325 legislative planning actions. 1711 01:29:43,185 --> 01:29:45,725 The findings were updated since you first saw them 1712 01:29:46,265 --> 01:29:48,365 at first reading to reflect the amendments 1713 01:29:48,365 --> 01:29:51,565 that council made on June 16th, including the removal 1714 01:29:51,625 --> 01:29:54,685 of Upper Pines Mobile Home Park, Ashland RV Park, 1715 01:29:55,185 --> 01:29:59,205 and Jackson Wells Wellsprings property from the maps 1716 01:29:59,265 --> 01:30:02,525 as I mentioned, the findings further document 1717 01:30:02,545 --> 01:30:03,965 how the amendments satisfy 1718 01:30:04,745 --> 01:30:09,285 the applicable comprehensive plan, municipal code 1719 01:30:09,345 --> 01:30:11,725 and statewide planning goal criteria. 1720 01:30:12,705 --> 01:30:16,205 And they support tonight's decision on all three ordinances. 1721 01:30:17,095 --> 01:30:19,725 Staff does recommend council approve second reading 1722 01:30:20,225 --> 01:30:24,405 by title on only of ordinance 32 9 6 32 9 7 1723 01:30:24,905 --> 01:30:28,485 and 32 9 8 and adopt the accompanying findings. 1724 01:30:28,905 --> 01:30:32,605 And so four separate motions were included in your packet so 1725 01:30:32,605 --> 01:30:34,845 that you can act on each of those independently. 1726 01:30:35,745 --> 01:30:37,285 And I'm happy to take any questions. 1727 01:30:37,885 --> 01:30:39,165 Questions. Councillor Bloom? Yeah, 1728 01:30:39,485 --> 01:30:42,485 parliamentary question for city attorney over there. 1729 01:30:43,045 --> 01:30:45,925 Since this is second reading, we can do it by, 1730 01:30:46,305 --> 01:30:48,405 we can just move the ordinance number. 1731 01:30:48,405 --> 01:30:50,525 We don't need to read the entire title. 1732 01:30:51,505 --> 01:30:53,525 You should read the title but you don't have to read it. 1733 01:30:53,525 --> 01:30:54,525 Well there are no amends. Right? 1734 01:30:54,525 --> 01:30:55,245 You can read it by the number. 1735 01:30:55,415 --> 01:30:57,205 Right? Okay. Just wanted to check 1736 01:30:59,185 --> 01:31:00,185 Any further questions. 1737 01:31:02,315 --> 01:31:05,285 Okay, the floor is open for a motion. Councillor Blum. 1738 01:31:05,955 --> 01:31:07,205 Yeah, I move. 1739 01:31:07,445 --> 01:31:11,805 Approval of ordinance number 32 96, ordinance number 32 97, 1740 01:31:11,955 --> 01:31:13,885 ordinance number 32 98. 1741 01:31:14,745 --> 01:31:18,845 Second Councilor Blum. 1742 01:31:20,145 --> 01:31:21,805 You know city council meetings are fun. 1743 01:31:21,885 --> 01:31:22,965 I encourage everybody to go back 1744 01:31:22,965 --> 01:31:24,445 and watch the last one where we talked about this. 1745 01:31:27,175 --> 01:31:30,245 Ditto. Yeah, Duane. So a quick question. 1746 01:31:30,585 --> 01:31:33,605 Johann, do we, does the motion need to identify 1747 01:31:33,605 --> 01:31:34,685 that this is second reading? 1748 01:31:37,185 --> 01:31:38,645 No, I don't think so. Okay. 1749 01:31:39,235 --> 01:31:41,005 Just, yeah, just wanted that clarification. 1750 01:31:41,225 --> 01:31:46,205 Any other discussion? Roll call please. 1751 01:31:46,205 --> 01:31:47,205 Alyssa 1752 01:31:49,285 --> 01:31:50,285 Dale? 1753 01:31:50,285 --> 01:31:54,925 Yes. Sherell? Yes. Hansen? Yes. Duquesne? Yes. 1754 01:31:55,305 --> 01:31:56,885 Kaplan? Yes. Bloom? 1755 01:31:57,305 --> 01:31:58,445 Yes. Motion pass. 1756 01:31:58,775 --> 01:32:01,205 Mayor? Yes. May I make the following motion? 1757 01:32:01,305 --> 01:32:04,245 Yes. Councillor Blum. I move to adopt the findings 1758 01:32:04,245 --> 01:32:05,965 of fact and conclusions of law and planning. 1759 01:32:05,985 --> 01:32:10,405 Action. PA L 2026 dash 0 0 0 1 8 1760 01:32:10,465 --> 01:32:14,725 as presented in support of ordinances number 32 96, 32 97 1761 01:32:14,985 --> 01:32:16,125 and 32 98. 1762 01:32:16,545 --> 01:32:18,445 Second Councillor 1763 01:32:18,445 --> 01:32:19,205 Blum. No comment. 1764 01:32:19,495 --> 01:32:22,725 Councillor Kaplan. Oh, did du Kain. 1765 01:32:23,065 --> 01:32:25,685 You guys went at the same time? Go ahead Councilor Duque. No 1766 01:32:25,685 --> 01:32:26,685 I didn't. 1767 01:32:28,755 --> 01:32:30,805 Okay. Any further discussion? 1768 01:32:30,825 --> 01:32:32,365 So we have Councillor du Kain as the second. 1769 01:32:33,405 --> 01:32:34,645 Is there for any further discussion. 1770 01:32:37,675 --> 01:32:38,925 Roll call please. Alyssa 1771 01:32:40,965 --> 01:32:41,965 Duquesne. 1772 01:32:42,345 --> 01:32:45,405 Yes. Kaplan? Yes. Bloom? 1773 01:32:46,465 --> 01:32:49,805 Yes. Dale? Yes. Sharelle? Yes. Hansen? 1774 01:32:52,025 --> 01:32:53,025 Yes. 1775 01:32:55,265 --> 01:32:56,805 Yes. Motion pass. 1776 01:32:58,735 --> 01:33:01,805 Great, thank you. The second reading 1777 01:33:01,985 --> 01:33:04,005 of Ordinance 33 0 5, 1778 01:33:04,105 --> 01:33:07,605 an ordinance amending 6.04 business licenses. 1779 01:33:07,605 --> 01:33:10,405 Section 6.0 4.105. 1780 01:33:10,835 --> 01:33:14,325 Duplicate license 6.0, 4.20. 1781 01:33:14,885 --> 01:33:19,485 Temporary license and 6 0 4 delinquent penalty. 1782 01:33:20,115 --> 01:33:21,115 Sabrina. 1783 01:33:22,145 --> 01:33:24,285 So as a reminder, this is a second reading 1784 01:33:24,305 --> 01:33:27,925 of these ordinances and what this will do is remove fees out 1785 01:33:27,925 --> 01:33:31,005 of EMC and put them in our miscellaneous fees 1786 01:33:31,105 --> 01:33:33,605 and charges resolution where they belong. 1787 01:33:33,745 --> 01:33:35,125 And Bryn can answer any questions. 1788 01:33:37,765 --> 01:33:42,725 Questions? Okay, 1789 01:33:42,725 --> 01:33:43,885 the floor is open for a motion. 1790 01:33:43,885 --> 01:33:44,885 Councilor Hansen, 1791 01:33:46,205 --> 01:33:49,245 I move to approve the second reading of ordinance 33 0 5 1792 01:33:49,245 --> 01:33:52,805 and ordinance amending 6.04 business licenses, 1793 01:33:52,805 --> 01:33:57,605 sections 6.0 4.105, duplicate licenses, 1794 01:33:58,065 --> 01:34:01,405 6.0 4.120 temporary license 1795 01:34:01,745 --> 01:34:06,125 and 6.0 4.130 delinquent penalty. 1796 01:34:07,225 --> 01:34:11,045 Is there a second? Okay. 1797 01:34:11,215 --> 01:34:12,285 Councillor Hansen? 1798 01:34:12,425 --> 01:34:14,925 Yep. Again, just thank you staff for house cleaning 1799 01:34:15,065 --> 01:34:17,485 and this is all in the miscellaneous fees book now. 1800 01:34:17,735 --> 01:34:18,965 It'll be evergreen. Thank you. 1801 01:34:19,815 --> 01:34:23,725 Councillor Kaplan. Okay, any further discussion? 1802 01:34:24,675 --> 01:34:25,765 Roll call please. Alyssa 1803 01:34:28,505 --> 01:34:29,505 Kaplan? 1804 01:34:29,505 --> 01:34:33,445 Yes. Excuse me. Duquesne? Yes. Hanson? Yes. 1805 01:34:34,085 --> 01:34:37,485 Rell? Yes. Dale? Yes. Bloom? 1806 01:34:38,025 --> 01:34:39,605 Yes. Motion pass. Right. 1807 01:34:39,775 --> 01:34:42,165 Thank you Mayor, I have a request 1808 01:34:42,785 --> 01:34:46,645 if you would consider moving up Agenda item 13 B, 1809 01:34:46,645 --> 01:34:49,245 given the timeliness, I believe that there's a timeline on 1810 01:34:49,245 --> 01:34:52,525 that in order to, if we do potentially decide 1811 01:34:52,525 --> 01:34:54,885 to put on the ballot, it needs to be decided tonight. 1812 01:34:55,265 --> 01:34:57,080 So I'm just concerned about the the time. Time. 1813 01:34:57,185 --> 01:34:59,645 So it's my understanding that it could be decided at this 1814 01:34:59,645 --> 01:35:02,165 meeting or at the first meeting of August, is that correct? 1815 01:35:02,505 --> 01:35:03,685 So we do still have one more. 1816 01:35:04,125 --> 01:35:05,205 I think we can still get to it. 1817 01:35:05,225 --> 01:35:07,285 It is new business again this evening 1818 01:35:07,285 --> 01:35:08,445 because it was dis, 1819 01:35:08,545 --> 01:35:10,965 the council dispatched it when it came before in a study session. 1820 01:35:11,105 --> 01:35:13,645 So we're gonna going to keep it where it is for now, 1821 01:35:13,665 --> 01:35:14,725 but we'll, we'll pay attention 1822 01:35:14,825 --> 01:35:15,965 as we move forward. Yeah, as long 1823 01:35:15,965 --> 01:35:17,125 As there's another meeting that's, that's 1824 01:35:17,125 --> 01:35:18,125 Fine. 1825 01:35:18,125 --> 01:35:18,605 Yes, counselor. 1826 01:35:18,905 --> 01:35:21,605 So we will, we are going to take a short recess. 1827 01:35:21,605 --> 01:35:24,605 Please be back in your seats at seven 40 1828 01:35:24,705 --> 01:35:26,125 by this clock to the right. 1829 01:35:26,295 --> 01:35:27,295 Thank you. 1830 01:35:33,155 --> 01:35:33,645 Another 1831 01:42:31,945 --> 01:42:33,225 I call the meeting back to order. 1832 01:42:38,005 --> 01:42:41,425 So we are now to unfinished 1833 01:42:41,785 --> 01:42:43,305 businesses, unfinished business. 1834 01:42:43,365 --> 01:42:46,305 We start with the internal services director item. 1835 01:42:47,615 --> 01:42:51,785 Just as a note, just as a note, 1836 01:42:52,565 --> 01:42:55,305 we are having a discussion this evening about the internal 1837 01:42:55,665 --> 01:42:59,825 services director as a way of helping the council 1838 01:42:59,925 --> 01:43:02,265 and the public understand the administrative changes 1839 01:43:02,265 --> 01:43:03,465 that are underway at the city. 1840 01:43:04,105 --> 01:43:05,945 I note that this is an operational decision, 1841 01:43:05,975 --> 01:43:08,225 it's fully within the purview of the city manager, 1842 01:43:08,525 --> 01:43:11,905 but we also recognize that it's important that we understand 1843 01:43:11,905 --> 01:43:14,305 what major changes are a afoot 1844 01:43:14,305 --> 01:43:16,385 and to give us a chance to ask questions about 1845 01:43:16,485 --> 01:43:19,225 how this will help to improve the servicing 1846 01:43:19,605 --> 01:43:21,145 of the residents through the city. 1847 01:43:21,325 --> 01:43:23,745 So with that introduction, I'll turn it over to Sabrina. 1848 01:43:24,595 --> 01:43:26,985 Thank you Mayor. So part of 1849 01:43:26,985 --> 01:43:29,905 what we've been doing over the last year is looking 1850 01:43:29,965 --> 01:43:32,465 for operational efficiencies as well as cost savings. 1851 01:43:32,845 --> 01:43:37,545 So one of the areas we've been evaluating is our it, HR 1852 01:43:37,545 --> 01:43:38,545 and finance departments. 1853 01:43:38,565 --> 01:43:42,745 So you may remember finance and IT work combined a while ago 1854 01:43:43,685 --> 01:43:45,265 and HR was a standalone department. 1855 01:43:45,965 --> 01:43:48,945 We have several kind of technology upgrades going on. 1856 01:43:49,845 --> 01:43:52,525 One is our new payroll HR software. 1857 01:43:53,225 --> 01:43:55,605 We still have paper for everything. 1858 01:43:55,605 --> 01:44:00,405 So this will be a big time saver and process improvement. 1859 01:44:01,185 --> 01:44:03,645 And there's a lot of crossover in our HR 1860 01:44:03,665 --> 01:44:05,565 and finance functions, particularly around payroll, 1861 01:44:06,805 --> 01:44:10,805 benefits, risk, even our union negotiations with costing. 1862 01:44:11,305 --> 01:44:15,605 And so looking at that and looking at our budget overall 1863 01:44:16,665 --> 01:44:18,765 and kind of what's being done in the field, 1864 01:44:19,365 --> 01:44:22,285 having an internal services director makes sense moving 1865 01:44:22,285 --> 01:44:25,525 forward at least trying to recruit for one that will help 1866 01:44:26,355 --> 01:44:28,925 oversee all of these functions as well as continue 1867 01:44:29,145 --> 01:44:30,925 to streamline the processes between them. 1868 01:44:31,545 --> 01:44:33,845 And so in your packet tonight, you have some bullet points 1869 01:44:33,845 --> 01:44:36,285 around that as well as the job description 1870 01:44:36,285 --> 01:44:37,565 that we will be advertising for. 1871 01:44:38,235 --> 01:44:39,885 With that, I'm happy to answer any questions. 1872 01:44:40,555 --> 01:44:44,165 Council bloom. Yeah, so see, looking at this, 1873 01:44:44,165 --> 01:44:46,405 so it's finance IT and human resources. 1874 01:44:46,545 --> 01:44:49,045 I'm just curious if you know a decision is made 1875 01:44:49,225 --> 01:44:52,045 hypothetically, whether it's it's this year going into the 1876 01:44:52,045 --> 01:44:55,565 next biennium to outsource IT 1877 01:44:55,865 --> 01:44:58,845 and hr, would you eliminate this position given 1878 01:44:58,845 --> 01:45:01,965 that it would only be overseeing the finance department? 1879 01:45:02,965 --> 01:45:05,565 I think we'd have to assess if we have, 1880 01:45:07,395 --> 01:45:08,805 that would be a significant change 1881 01:45:08,805 --> 01:45:10,205 to the organization and what we do. 1882 01:45:10,205 --> 01:45:11,685 So we'd have to assess it at that time 1883 01:45:12,065 --> 01:45:13,165 and potentially make changes. 1884 01:45:14,615 --> 01:45:17,405 Quick follow up and then follow up on that kind of 1885 01:45:17,405 --> 01:45:18,885 around going into the next biennium. 1886 01:45:18,985 --> 01:45:20,645 I'm just curious that if, if council 1887 01:45:20,745 --> 01:45:22,645 and the, the budget committee decided to 1888 01:45:23,715 --> 01:45:26,245 effectively not fund this position, 1889 01:45:27,055 --> 01:45:28,845 would the responsive administration be 1890 01:45:28,865 --> 01:45:31,845 to just find savings in other places in order to fund, 1891 01:45:31,865 --> 01:45:33,165 to continue to fund that position? 1892 01:45:33,905 --> 01:45:35,645 So to not have a department head 1893 01:45:36,225 --> 01:45:39,805 at the level over the internal services, we'd have to kind 1894 01:45:39,805 --> 01:45:42,645 of do an assessment of the organization to see 1895 01:45:42,665 --> 01:45:43,805 how to make it work. 1896 01:45:44,945 --> 01:45:47,805 You know, we have kind of drawn down what were three 1897 01:45:48,565 --> 01:45:50,045 director roles and two, one, 1898 01:45:50,095 --> 01:45:53,325 which is fairly significant cost savings over time. 1899 01:45:53,585 --> 01:45:57,325 So, you know, I think this position has a potential 1900 01:45:57,325 --> 01:45:59,165 to be a very good strategic partner 1901 01:45:59,355 --> 01:46:02,325 with the administrative team in terms of dealing 1902 01:46:02,355 --> 01:46:03,885 with processes and infrastructure 1903 01:46:03,885 --> 01:46:05,325 that affect all of our staff. 1904 01:46:06,065 --> 01:46:09,325 And so I don't think I would recommend, you know, 1905 01:46:09,565 --> 01:46:11,245 removing this position if we still have all 1906 01:46:11,245 --> 01:46:12,245 of these functions in house. 1907 01:46:13,145 --> 01:46:15,085 But that would be up for discussion. 1908 01:46:15,355 --> 01:46:17,725 Okay. Thank you Councillor Hansen. 1909 01:46:18,895 --> 01:46:23,525 Thank you. These are three very different jobs. 1910 01:46:24,025 --> 01:46:28,045 And I'm curious just I I, I've never, 1911 01:46:28,525 --> 01:46:29,685 I I've never heard of this before. 1912 01:46:29,745 --> 01:46:31,725 Is this, is this done in other municipalities? 1913 01:46:33,365 --> 01:46:36,685 'cause you know, HR is its own little island 1914 01:46:36,825 --> 01:46:39,405 and it, you know, you know, come on. 1915 01:46:39,405 --> 01:46:41,365 Those people are really weird. And in finance, 1916 01:46:41,645 --> 01:46:43,725 I mean those people speak a totally different language 1917 01:46:44,145 --> 01:46:46,325 and I'm, I'm joking, but in all seriousness, 1918 01:46:46,325 --> 01:46:48,285 they have specialties and a real strong strength. 1919 01:46:48,345 --> 01:46:50,605 So I'm just curious, like 1920 01:46:50,995 --> 01:46:52,085 I've just never heard of this before. 1921 01:46:52,085 --> 01:46:53,645 Could you help us understand? 1922 01:46:54,195 --> 01:46:57,605 Yeah, so you know, I've seen this in multiple other 1923 01:46:58,485 --> 01:47:01,525 municipalities most recently, one in Livermore, California 1924 01:47:01,705 --> 01:47:04,325 and one in the city of Florida I just saw come up. 1925 01:47:05,105 --> 01:47:08,725 So I think as municipalities are looking at their operations 1926 01:47:09,545 --> 01:47:13,405 and seeing, so while they have distinct responsibilities 1927 01:47:13,425 --> 01:47:15,165 and functions, they often overlap. 1928 01:47:15,265 --> 01:47:18,405 So one of our biggest technology users is finance with Muni. 1929 01:47:18,505 --> 01:47:19,605 So there is a lot 1930 01:47:19,605 --> 01:47:22,645 of cross department collaboration dependency already. 1931 01:47:22,985 --> 01:47:24,285 So I think having leadership 1932 01:47:24,285 --> 01:47:26,685 that can help foster those relationships 1933 01:47:26,785 --> 01:47:28,205 and kind of align priorities 1934 01:47:28,225 --> 01:47:30,125 and make sure that we're functioning a 1935 01:47:30,125 --> 01:47:31,165 hundred percent will be helpful. 1936 01:47:31,835 --> 01:47:33,485 Okay. And is, 1937 01:47:33,625 --> 01:47:36,445 and the second part of that question is, is what kind of, 1938 01:47:37,645 --> 01:47:40,525 I know like in, in HR certification, 1939 01:47:40,555 --> 01:47:42,325 very different from a finance certification. 1940 01:47:42,475 --> 01:47:46,885 Like how does one, you know Yeah. Find this person or 1941 01:47:47,635 --> 01:47:48,635 Advertise for it. 1942 01:47:49,555 --> 01:47:52,285 Okay. Yeah, so I think, I think, you know, it's, 1943 01:47:52,825 --> 01:47:55,805 you want someone who has experience in both 1944 01:47:55,815 --> 01:47:57,485 areas does exist. 1945 01:47:58,565 --> 01:48:00,485 I think also, you know, what you have in each 1946 01:48:00,485 --> 01:48:03,725 of these departments are very strong deputy roles 1947 01:48:03,755 --> 01:48:06,125 that will help with, you know, oh, 1948 01:48:06,125 --> 01:48:07,845 right within each department. 1949 01:48:08,055 --> 01:48:09,645 Right. Bren included, 1950 01:48:09,695 --> 01:48:10,695 She's Brendan included. 1951 01:48:10,785 --> 01:48:12,365 If she's not, she fled. So, okay. 1952 01:48:12,395 --> 01:48:14,005 Okay. All right. Well thank you. 1953 01:48:14,075 --> 01:48:15,245 Yeah, that makes, that makes sense. 1954 01:48:15,365 --> 01:48:16,925 I appreciate shedding a little bit more light on that. 1955 01:48:17,695 --> 01:48:19,605 Councillor Dale. Thank you mayor. 1956 01:48:20,505 --> 01:48:24,045 So Sabrina, I I just heard you use the word deputy and, 1957 01:48:24,105 --> 01:48:27,605 and real quick counselor, it guys we're okay. 1958 01:48:29,305 --> 01:48:33,965 Anyway, the, the I I help me understand, 1959 01:48:33,965 --> 01:48:37,525 these wouldn't be department heads anymore then the, the HR 1960 01:48:37,585 --> 01:48:39,965 and finance and it, they would, they would report 1961 01:48:40,225 --> 01:48:42,005 to a department head if I understand it. 1962 01:48:42,065 --> 01:48:44,405 So then in similar organizations, 1963 01:48:44,405 --> 01:48:45,485 and I understand they're trying this, 1964 01:48:45,485 --> 01:48:48,405 but I'm, I'm, I, I am struggling to understand 1965 01:48:50,425 --> 01:48:53,245 how we wouldn't want a finance director just kind 1966 01:48:53,245 --> 01:48:54,445 of being the right hand person. 1967 01:48:54,475 --> 01:48:56,605 Like that's in that room as like a CFO. 1968 01:48:56,625 --> 01:49:00,885 So how do, how would we manage that chain 1969 01:49:00,885 --> 01:49:03,525 of communication, not having that direct alignment with 1970 01:49:04,115 --> 01:49:06,885 what is fundamentally the probably one 1971 01:49:06,885 --> 01:49:08,365 of our most critical departments there. 1972 01:49:08,785 --> 01:49:11,325 You help me understand how that would work relative 1973 01:49:11,325 --> 01:49:12,965 to this, this new structure. So 1974 01:49:12,965 --> 01:49:14,605 I need clarification on your question. 1975 01:49:14,905 --> 01:49:16,285 Not in alignment with, well saying 1976 01:49:16,285 --> 01:49:18,845 that like a finance director is a department head 1977 01:49:18,845 --> 01:49:20,765 that would report directly to the city manager. 1978 01:49:21,235 --> 01:49:22,325 Yeah. I understand 1979 01:49:22,325 --> 01:49:25,485 that this internal services director would have some finance 1980 01:49:25,965 --> 01:49:27,445 functionality and it would go through that. 1981 01:49:28,345 --> 01:49:31,045 But it, it is something that I just want to understand 1982 01:49:31,045 --> 01:49:32,285 because as we go through this, 1983 01:49:32,285 --> 01:49:34,325 that finance director is like, we, we don't 1984 01:49:35,715 --> 01:49:38,205 like another organiz, you have a CFO, 1985 01:49:38,265 --> 01:49:40,085 you don't have a someone that has, 1986 01:49:40,085 --> 01:49:42,165 and then a finance person reports to person 1987 01:49:42,165 --> 01:49:43,405 that reports to the CEO. 1988 01:49:43,425 --> 01:49:45,365 So that, that, that just seems like a critical, 1989 01:49:46,125 --> 01:49:47,805 critical role that needs to to be a department head. 1990 01:49:47,865 --> 01:49:49,685 But happy to hear why. 1991 01:49:49,785 --> 01:49:52,045 So the internal services director effectively will 1992 01:49:52,045 --> 01:49:53,285 be the CFO, right? 1993 01:49:53,355 --> 01:49:54,565 It's just a different title. 1994 01:49:56,095 --> 01:49:58,985 Okay. So they'll still answer to the city manager 1995 01:49:59,365 --> 01:50:02,265 and they'll have three divisions essentially 1996 01:50:02,265 --> 01:50:03,865 with deputies to support. 1997 01:50:05,335 --> 01:50:08,065 Okay. Councillor sre, 1998 01:50:08,195 --> 01:50:11,025 Thank you mayor and thank you for putting this together. 1999 01:50:11,125 --> 01:50:12,985 I'm going through the, the job description here 2000 01:50:12,985 --> 01:50:15,105 and like the essential functions I, I can't help 2001 01:50:15,105 --> 01:50:18,105 but kind of just echo what Counselor Hanson said that like, 2002 01:50:18,105 --> 01:50:19,825 these are very unique skill sets 2003 01:50:19,825 --> 01:50:22,905 and to, to find somebody that would have, you know, 2004 01:50:23,005 --> 01:50:25,545 be a potentially a certified CPA 2005 01:50:26,205 --> 01:50:29,145 and also be up to date and bully and, 2006 01:50:29,205 --> 01:50:31,105 and I know that there are some, 2007 01:50:32,095 --> 01:50:33,145 some special people out there 2008 01:50:33,145 --> 01:50:35,105 and I think maybe your skill's, one of 'em, 2009 01:50:35,105 --> 01:50:36,745 you've been in a, at least two of the three 2010 01:50:36,745 --> 01:50:37,905 of these departments, at least here. 2011 01:50:38,505 --> 01:50:40,585 And I would assume, and don't take this the wrong way 2012 01:50:40,585 --> 01:50:42,745 please, but like you're currently doing 2013 01:50:43,505 --> 01:50:44,585 a lot of these functions. 2014 01:50:44,925 --> 01:50:47,825 So I guess my question is, if this were 2015 01:50:48,165 --> 01:50:50,185 to be a filled position, it, 2016 01:50:50,305 --> 01:50:51,905 I would assume it would free you up to do, 2017 01:50:52,285 --> 01:50:55,545 to do other things, focus more on the day-to-day 2018 01:50:55,565 --> 01:50:59,305 or the more long-term 40,000 foot view be the visionary. 2019 01:50:59,435 --> 01:51:02,505 Could you just kind of describe how this would take work off 2020 01:51:02,505 --> 01:51:04,265 of your plate today and what you would do? 2021 01:51:04,855 --> 01:51:08,505 Yeah, so I think, you know, not having a finance director, 2022 01:51:10,005 --> 01:51:12,625 you know, we've had those responsibilities spread out 2023 01:51:12,625 --> 01:51:15,185 between the deputy Jordan and I working with that. 2024 01:51:16,485 --> 01:51:18,265 But we have been continually kind 2025 01:51:18,265 --> 01:51:21,745 of pairing down our operations because we are smaller 2026 01:51:21,805 --> 01:51:23,745 and smaller in kind of what we're doing 2027 01:51:23,925 --> 01:51:25,785 as we have outsourced some of our items. 2028 01:51:26,725 --> 01:51:29,505 And so I think generally this will allow 2029 01:51:30,455 --> 01:51:32,785 more strategic thinking in the city manager's office 2030 01:51:33,005 --> 01:51:35,745 and more day-to-day operational to rely 2031 01:51:35,895 --> 01:51:37,505 with the internal services director. 2032 01:51:38,465 --> 01:51:41,065 I think, you know, like I said, there's a lot of crossover 2033 01:51:41,625 --> 01:51:45,385 particularly, you know, payroll personnel actions, 2034 01:51:46,305 --> 01:51:49,465 investigations, risk between HR and finance. 2035 01:51:49,645 --> 01:51:53,265 And then same with it, there's a lot of analysis 2036 01:51:53,775 --> 01:51:57,785 cost studies, business models with, excuse me, A FN. 2037 01:51:57,965 --> 01:52:01,425 So there's a lot of like synergy between these roles. 2038 01:52:03,595 --> 01:52:04,625 Chancellor dk, 2039 01:52:07,205 --> 01:52:11,465 So Sabrina I heard, heard you mention 2040 01:52:11,495 --> 01:52:15,705 that you have outsourced some things 2041 01:52:16,685 --> 01:52:18,945 and when I, so my question 2042 01:52:19,125 --> 01:52:23,745 before that's answered is when I look at these three 2043 01:52:24,265 --> 01:52:27,825 positions and kind of like what Counselor Hanson said, 2044 01:52:27,825 --> 01:52:29,505 they all speak different languages. 2045 01:52:30,045 --> 01:52:32,265 We don't have a finance director. 2046 01:52:32,805 --> 01:52:35,865 Our finances are in a precarious situation. 2047 01:52:36,565 --> 01:52:40,225 The finance director is a very definite role. 2048 01:52:41,325 --> 01:52:44,505 So I don't understand how, 2049 01:52:45,265 --> 01:52:48,365 and then I heard mention this person would be in a 2050 01:52:48,365 --> 01:52:50,885 deputy position? 2051 01:52:51,905 --> 01:52:52,965 No, they're department head. 2052 01:52:53,245 --> 01:52:54,645 A department head. Okay. 2053 01:52:55,245 --> 01:52:57,325 I, to me I just, when I look at that, 2054 01:52:57,325 --> 01:52:58,965 we don't have a finance director. 2055 01:52:59,825 --> 01:53:04,565 And what made sense to me is something that was brought up 2056 01:53:04,585 --> 01:53:08,565 as we move towards this biennium looking at outsourcing 2057 01:53:09,785 --> 01:53:11,565 hr, IT perhaps, 2058 01:53:12,505 --> 01:53:14,645 but to me it would make more sense 2059 01:53:14,705 --> 01:53:17,005 to spend the money on the defined role 2060 01:53:17,025 --> 01:53:18,245 of a finance director. 2061 01:53:18,465 --> 01:53:21,245 And can you tell me what you've outsourced 2062 01:53:21,785 --> 01:53:23,365 you, you mentioned that. So 2063 01:53:23,365 --> 01:53:24,645 We moved a lot of our software 2064 01:53:24,665 --> 01:53:27,725 to a third party provider instead of hosting it in-house. 2065 01:53:28,465 --> 01:53:31,445 So we are kind of consolidating some of our IT functions 2066 01:53:31,505 --> 01:53:33,885 and we have a lot of cross training going on between a FN 2067 01:53:33,885 --> 01:53:36,565 and our internal IT to kind of optimize our employees. 2068 01:53:37,535 --> 01:53:42,045 We've also relied more on our auditors for assistance 2069 01:53:42,045 --> 01:53:43,765 with our audit instead of doing that in-house 2070 01:53:44,305 --> 01:53:45,725 as we're looking for areas 2071 01:53:46,105 --> 01:53:48,845 to bolster our capacity without adding staff members. 2072 01:53:51,585 --> 01:53:53,405 If I'm just can put a bow on it. 2073 01:53:53,805 --> 01:53:57,445 Actually, I think outsourcing can be better 2074 01:53:57,445 --> 01:53:59,725 because we don't have, you know, 2075 01:54:00,145 --> 01:54:01,845 we have enough full-time employees 2076 01:54:01,845 --> 01:54:06,325 and pers so that makes sense to me. Council bloom. 2077 01:54:06,875 --> 01:54:10,285 Yeah, thank you. So kind of doing some some research here 2078 01:54:10,305 --> 01:54:12,725 to, to understand at least in Oregon's context, you know, 2079 01:54:12,725 --> 01:54:14,845 where this position might, might exist. 2080 01:54:14,985 --> 01:54:16,845 So we have a good comparator. 2081 01:54:18,345 --> 01:54:22,005 The closest I could find is, is Tualatin, where 2082 01:54:22,005 --> 01:54:24,125 that's something that for them it's the assistant city 2083 01:54:24,125 --> 01:54:26,405 manager, they kind of oversee that role. 2084 01:54:26,835 --> 01:54:30,765 What there is the other closer comparison in terms of 2085 01:54:31,525 --> 01:54:34,125 function would be the administrative services director, 2086 01:54:35,295 --> 01:54:37,485 which is what the city of Portland has 2087 01:54:37,485 --> 01:54:39,325 that does exactly kind of what you're proposing. 2088 01:54:39,345 --> 01:54:43,045 So I'm just trying to understand how a town of Ashland 2089 01:54:43,825 --> 01:54:46,525 can have a similar position to the city of Portland. 2090 01:54:47,065 --> 01:54:49,965 And where I'm going with this is that given the salary 2091 01:54:50,035 --> 01:54:53,325 that is kind of proposed for this position, I'm wondering if 2092 01:54:53,355 --> 01:54:56,805 that salary level is competitive enough to attract somebody 2093 01:54:56,805 --> 01:55:00,285 with a specialized skillset to be able to oversee all three 2094 01:55:00,465 --> 01:55:01,565 of these departments. 2095 01:55:01,985 --> 01:55:05,085 And furthermore, since finance director is no longer gonna 2096 01:55:05,085 --> 01:55:06,605 be a director, I'm imagining 2097 01:55:06,605 --> 01:55:08,125 that they're gonna be at a lower pay scale. 2098 01:55:08,305 --> 01:55:10,125 So then how do we find the kind of person that, 2099 01:55:10,155 --> 01:55:14,485 that this city really desperately needs to fulfill that kind 2100 01:55:14,485 --> 01:55:15,685 of finance position. 2101 01:55:15,985 --> 01:55:18,005 So I'm, I'm, I'm worried that 2102 01:55:18,725 --> 01:55:22,005 creating this position is basically going to price us out 2103 01:55:22,005 --> 01:55:23,725 of a qualified, essentially finance 2104 01:55:24,245 --> 01:55:25,325 director, we'll call it like a deputy. 2105 01:55:25,985 --> 01:55:28,885 And what actually is going to cost us more than, than 2106 01:55:28,885 --> 01:55:32,005 what is proposed, given how specialized that field is. 2107 01:55:32,185 --> 01:55:34,085 And the closest comparator to it is Portland, 2108 01:55:34,095 --> 01:55:37,205 which I'm sure offers significantly more money for, 2109 01:55:37,265 --> 01:55:39,565 for salaries for those kind of positions than, than we do. 2110 01:55:39,745 --> 01:55:41,485 So I'm just wondering if the, the, you know, 2111 01:55:41,545 --> 01:55:43,005 that's been part of your thought process. 2112 01:55:44,155 --> 01:55:47,605 Yeah, so I think just to clarify, you know, we have 2113 01:55:48,205 --> 01:55:52,285 a finance deputy, we have a IT deputy in place, 2114 01:55:53,105 --> 01:55:54,285 HR would have a rework. 2115 01:55:55,345 --> 01:55:58,965 So you know, that isn't changing. 2116 01:56:00,185 --> 01:56:03,725 So, you know, I think we don't know until we try, 2117 01:56:03,935 --> 01:56:06,245 we've never been competitive for finance directors. 2118 01:56:07,145 --> 01:56:10,725 So this may offer us the opportunity to have someone 2119 01:56:11,185 --> 01:56:14,605 who is more broadly skilled be interested in this position. 2120 01:56:17,105 --> 01:56:19,405 Go ahead. Yeah, and I think, you know, I want 2121 01:56:19,645 --> 01:56:22,325 to also emphasize to the mayor mayor's point, you know, 2122 01:56:22,325 --> 01:56:24,445 in the beginning that this is ultimately your decision, 2123 01:56:24,625 --> 01:56:26,125 but I'm, I'm not convinced 2124 01:56:26,895 --> 01:56:27,895 Councillor Dale. 2125 01:56:28,695 --> 01:56:32,085 Thank you Mayor. Just a quick procedure 2126 01:56:32,145 --> 01:56:33,245 or a logistical question. 2127 01:56:33,305 --> 01:56:35,845 So just looking through the code, would we have 2128 01:56:35,845 --> 01:56:39,885 to rework 2.28, which in the, the finance department 2129 01:56:40,005 --> 01:56:41,965 'cause it, we have a lot of references to the director 2130 01:56:41,965 --> 01:56:44,405 of finance and they're responsible 2131 01:56:44,405 --> 01:56:46,045 for the general supervision of all that. 2132 01:56:46,165 --> 01:56:48,005 I, is that, would we have 2133 01:56:48,005 --> 01:56:49,765 to just update the code or, 2134 01:56:49,765 --> 01:56:50,845 or how does that work? No, it, no, it's 2135 01:56:50,845 --> 01:56:51,845 Responsible. 2136 01:56:51,845 --> 01:56:53,765 So I think for example, we had an IT department for many, 2137 01:56:53,765 --> 01:56:55,325 many years and it was never in the code. 2138 01:56:55,785 --> 01:56:59,965 So the code outlines the responsibilities of, you know, 2139 01:56:59,965 --> 01:57:01,085 what we're responsible for. 2140 01:57:01,305 --> 01:57:03,445 So we could look to do that eventually, 2141 01:57:03,505 --> 01:57:05,285 but it's not necessary at this point. 2142 01:57:05,675 --> 01:57:07,485 Okay. Council Hansen, 2143 01:57:07,745 --> 01:57:08,745 Thanks. 2144 01:57:08,995 --> 01:57:10,165 Yeah, I can Google too. 2145 01:57:10,785 --> 01:57:14,605 And I see similar positions in Portland, Eugene, Salem, 2146 01:57:14,795 --> 01:57:17,925 Corvallis, and Tualatin just at a, just at a glance here. 2147 01:57:18,465 --> 01:57:23,005 But what what is interesting to me is that we can get 2148 01:57:23,535 --> 01:57:27,485 leadership under one umbrella for three departments 2149 01:57:27,665 --> 01:57:28,805 for one price. 2150 01:57:29,665 --> 01:57:33,885 And ultimately if it's the right person that can 2151 01:57:34,535 --> 01:57:36,685 bring out the strengths of those deputies 2152 01:57:37,155 --> 01:57:39,005 that are already, you know, crushing it. 2153 01:57:39,085 --> 01:57:42,405 I mean arguably Bryn is, is crushing it. 2154 01:57:42,785 --> 01:57:46,445 And, and I would love to see her personally as a finance 2155 01:57:46,965 --> 01:57:50,965 director, but if she's, she's doing her thing as 2156 01:57:51,745 --> 01:57:52,885 the, the deputy 2157 01:57:53,585 --> 01:57:56,205 and we have somebody to pull these resources together, 2158 01:57:57,265 --> 01:57:58,965 you know, I can, I can totally support it. 2159 01:57:59,085 --> 01:58:00,725 I can totally get her on board with it. 2160 01:58:03,315 --> 01:58:06,645 Councilor Dale? Oh no, thank you mayor. Oh, 2161 01:58:06,645 --> 01:58:07,645 You're done. 2162 01:58:08,765 --> 01:58:12,085 I think it's interesting when I, when I talk with other 2163 01:58:13,025 --> 01:58:14,965 mayors across the state, I realize 2164 01:58:15,145 --> 01:58:17,965 how similar we are in complexity 2165 01:58:18,225 --> 01:58:21,125 to bigger cities like Portland and Salem and Eugene. 2166 01:58:21,585 --> 01:58:23,365 We have so many of our own utilities. 2167 01:58:23,785 --> 01:58:26,925 We have a, an airport, we have a federally regulated dam, 2168 01:58:26,925 --> 01:58:28,365 we have all sorts of things. 2169 01:58:28,425 --> 01:58:29,965 We have our own fiber network. 2170 01:58:30,795 --> 01:58:34,285 There's a lot of, of those elements that make us almost 2171 01:58:34,345 --> 01:58:37,045 as complicated or complex in terms of management. 2172 01:58:37,385 --> 01:58:38,605 So it doesn't surprise me 2173 01:58:38,795 --> 01:58:40,405 that we would be looking at a structure 2174 01:58:40,405 --> 01:58:42,405 that might be typically seen to be 2175 01:58:43,445 --> 01:58:44,485 designed for a bigger city. 2176 01:58:45,425 --> 01:58:48,205 One of the things that is interesting to me about this is, 2177 01:58:48,705 --> 01:58:51,605 is the idea of being able to break down silos. 2178 01:58:51,905 --> 01:58:54,565 So one of the difficulties that governments have 2179 01:58:54,565 --> 01:58:58,445 that organizations have is when they have enterprise, 2180 01:58:58,745 --> 01:58:59,885 or not enterprises, 2181 01:58:59,885 --> 01:59:02,805 but departments that have their own specialty 2182 01:59:02,805 --> 01:59:04,725 but are very much closely linked to others, 2183 01:59:05,265 --> 01:59:07,845 but they become so siloed that they, they don't realize 2184 01:59:07,915 --> 01:59:10,765 that they're causing inefficiencies between them 2185 01:59:10,765 --> 01:59:12,205 because there isn't anybody keeping 2186 01:59:12,825 --> 01:59:14,005 the whole picture in mind. 2187 01:59:14,105 --> 01:59:15,925 And so I'm, I'm intrigued by this idea. 2188 01:59:16,285 --> 01:59:18,525 I think the fact that it's happening by, 2189 01:59:18,805 --> 01:59:20,525 or it's being done by larger cities 2190 01:59:21,035 --> 01:59:23,725 with very sophisticated systems tells me 2191 01:59:23,725 --> 01:59:24,765 it's a reasonable bet. 2192 01:59:25,265 --> 01:59:28,325 And we have been looking for ways to be more efficient, 2193 01:59:28,345 --> 01:59:32,085 to save costs, to be more integrated across our departments. 2194 01:59:32,505 --> 01:59:35,245 And, and I think it's, I think, you know, this makes, 2195 01:59:35,315 --> 01:59:38,165 this makes sense and appreciate the the thought 2196 01:59:38,165 --> 01:59:39,165 that has gone into this. 2197 01:59:39,465 --> 01:59:42,205 So I, I'll be interested to see how it, how it works out. 2198 01:59:42,525 --> 01:59:46,485 I do have one question, and that is for us, 2199 01:59:46,585 --> 01:59:49,605 for the engagement with the council, I would imagine 2200 01:59:49,605 --> 01:59:53,005 that when we had mostly it'll be finance questions, 2201 01:59:53,425 --> 01:59:55,565 we would take those to the, 2202 01:59:55,995 --> 01:59:57,845 this new internal services person 2203 01:59:58,385 --> 02:00:02,085 and then when we had in-depth financial reports here, 2204 02:00:02,715 --> 02:00:05,285 they would come and if they felt like they needed 2205 02:00:05,305 --> 02:00:08,685 to have their deputy here to answer sort 2206 02:00:08,685 --> 02:00:11,445 of more detailed questions, they would bring their deputy, 2207 02:00:11,705 --> 02:00:14,525 we would be able to have access to that full length of, 2208 02:00:14,745 --> 02:00:16,405 of expertise in the department. 2209 02:00:16,405 --> 02:00:17,445 Is that correct? Yeah, 2210 02:00:17,585 --> 02:00:19,805 So if you're a member, the former finance director often 2211 02:00:19,805 --> 02:00:21,525 brought her deputy and finance manager. 2212 02:00:21,745 --> 02:00:22,925 So I think it's pretty common. 2213 02:00:23,265 --> 02:00:25,765 So we, we wouldn't see anything different in terms 2214 02:00:25,765 --> 02:00:27,725 of the level of service to this body? 2215 02:00:27,945 --> 02:00:32,005 No. No. Okay. Any further thought questions or thoughts? 2216 02:00:33,115 --> 02:00:36,885 Okay, thank you. We will move on next to the development 2217 02:00:36,885 --> 02:00:37,885 of the concept plan 2218 02:00:37,885 --> 02:00:41,645 and management plan for the Madone Ridge property. Sabrina. 2219 02:00:42,585 --> 02:00:44,085 All right. So we have been kind 2220 02:00:44,085 --> 02:00:45,685 of conversing about the Madone Ridge 2221 02:00:46,125 --> 02:00:47,285 property for several years now. 2222 02:00:47,885 --> 02:00:50,205 So we are at the point where we're seeking counsel approval 2223 02:00:50,465 --> 02:00:53,005 for initiating the development of a concept 2224 02:00:53,185 --> 02:00:55,125 and management plan for this property. 2225 02:00:56,145 --> 02:00:57,125 And thank you to Deputy 2226 02:00:57,485 --> 02:00:58,525 Brooklyn who's been championing this. 2227 02:00:58,525 --> 02:01:00,085 So I'm gonna go ahead and turn it on over to you. 2228 02:01:00,875 --> 02:01:04,165 Yeah, great. Thank you Sabrina. Good evening Counsel. 2229 02:01:04,885 --> 02:01:06,725 As a brief reminder for all our viewers out there, 2230 02:01:07,025 --> 02:01:10,605 the Madone Ridge is a 1900 plus acre property 2231 02:01:11,325 --> 02:01:13,085 that the city has been working as a partner on 2232 02:01:13,085 --> 02:01:14,765 for many years for forest management. 2233 02:01:15,115 --> 02:01:17,645 There's the opportunity for the city to acquire this 2234 02:01:18,005 --> 02:01:19,965 through a Western Rivers Conservancy 2235 02:01:20,385 --> 02:01:22,125 who is currently applying for grants 2236 02:01:22,145 --> 02:01:23,765 and fundraising to purchase the property. 2237 02:01:24,305 --> 02:01:25,885 And we are in discussions 2238 02:01:25,885 --> 02:01:29,405 with them about city then taking ownership after purchase. 2239 02:01:30,665 --> 02:01:32,325 We have the city as well 2240 02:01:32,325 --> 02:01:35,005 as Boston Rivers Conservancy has been doing due diligence 2241 02:01:35,005 --> 02:01:37,365 about what can and cannot be done on that property. 2242 02:01:38,175 --> 02:01:41,005 Which brings us to the next phase of the property, which is 2243 02:01:41,005 --> 02:01:43,565 after doing that due diligence, actually detailing out 2244 02:01:43,835 --> 02:01:45,445 what can be done with that property 2245 02:01:45,465 --> 02:01:47,565 and where the purpose for this is, 2246 02:01:47,565 --> 02:01:49,725 it helps us better understand the maintenance 2247 02:01:49,725 --> 02:01:52,805 and management of that property, as well as apply for grants 2248 02:01:54,105 --> 02:01:57,925 to reach that full purchase price 2249 02:01:58,725 --> 02:02:01,765 that Western Rivers Conservancy is aiming for 2250 02:02:03,235 --> 02:02:04,325 this asset for you all. 2251 02:02:04,325 --> 02:02:06,565 Western Rivers Conservancy would use their funds 2252 02:02:06,565 --> 02:02:07,685 to hire a facilitator. 2253 02:02:08,065 --> 02:02:10,485 So it would be city staff participating as part 2254 02:02:10,485 --> 02:02:12,645 of a larger stakeholder group to discuss 2255 02:02:12,965 --> 02:02:14,125 what can be done on the property 2256 02:02:14,125 --> 02:02:17,685 and where to make a recommendation for a general concept, 2257 02:02:17,945 --> 02:02:19,365 an eventual management plan. 2258 02:02:20,465 --> 02:02:23,845 And I'm happy to take any questions. Councillor Hansen. 2259 02:02:25,015 --> 02:02:26,645 Thank you Mary. Thank you, 2260 02:02:26,645 --> 02:02:29,005 Jordan, this is really exciting. 2261 02:02:29,875 --> 02:02:34,085 Curious, before we get into the, the, the, the planning 2262 02:02:34,725 --> 02:02:36,805 approach and stakeholders 2263 02:02:36,825 --> 02:02:40,365 and whatnot, could you just highlight some of the community 2264 02:02:41,655 --> 02:02:45,965 objectives and values that this project hits, touches on? 2265 02:02:46,915 --> 02:02:50,525 Yeah, absolutely. You know, one of the primary purposes 2266 02:02:50,525 --> 02:02:53,885 of this property is as a fire mitigation property. 2267 02:02:54,105 --> 02:02:56,965 It is directly west of our city, west of downtown. 2268 02:02:57,345 --> 02:02:59,565 And it has been earmarked as one of the major properties 2269 02:02:59,565 --> 02:03:02,645 where historically winds have blown fires through. 2270 02:03:03,265 --> 02:03:05,565 It is also a large network of trails. 2271 02:03:05,565 --> 02:03:07,285 Those trails are not sanctioned trails, 2272 02:03:07,285 --> 02:03:10,445 but it has potential for trail connectivity, particularly 2273 02:03:10,445 --> 02:03:12,725 between our watershed and the forest land. 2274 02:03:12,725 --> 02:03:13,885 That is on the other side. 2275 02:03:14,875 --> 02:03:16,405 It's also a big conservation parcel 2276 02:03:16,515 --> 02:03:18,365 that is Western River's Conservancy. 2277 02:03:18,765 --> 02:03:20,605 Guiding value is conservation 2278 02:03:22,665 --> 02:03:25,765 and what we're discussing through this concept plan process, 2279 02:03:25,825 --> 02:03:27,685 if council gives a thumbs up to move forward with it, 2280 02:03:27,685 --> 02:03:29,165 is looking for potential partners 2281 02:03:29,225 --> 02:03:32,845 who could be the folks managing that land for us 2282 02:03:34,185 --> 02:03:35,645 at a reduced cost to the city. 2283 02:03:37,705 --> 02:03:40,925 So yeah, hope that hit all the, hit all the, the dots 2284 02:03:41,275 --> 02:03:42,605 That hit, that hits a bunch of 'em. 2285 02:03:42,805 --> 02:03:45,725 The only one I would add would be equity. 2286 02:03:46,245 --> 02:03:50,165 I mean this is 1900 acres that was locked up as private land 2287 02:03:50,435 --> 02:03:52,405 that would now be public land 2288 02:03:52,705 --> 02:03:54,805 and would be a connector between, 2289 02:03:55,715 --> 02:03:57,405 between the trails we already have 2290 02:03:57,625 --> 02:03:58,885 and the greater forest service. 2291 02:03:59,425 --> 02:04:02,285 And we would be remiss if we didn't also hit on economic 2292 02:04:02,285 --> 02:04:06,605 development because have you seen this flyer 2293 02:04:06,605 --> 02:04:08,245 that Western Rivers put out? 2294 02:04:09,315 --> 02:04:11,005 This is one of their marketing pieces 2295 02:04:11,065 --> 02:04:14,325 and I'm not sure if they're going to further distribute this 2296 02:04:14,325 --> 02:04:16,085 or whatnot, but when, 2297 02:04:16,545 --> 02:04:19,325 but when we talked to Western Rivers, you know, in addition 2298 02:04:19,345 --> 02:04:20,565 to fire mitigation 2299 02:04:20,905 --> 02:04:23,405 and conservation of the land, they were, 2300 02:04:23,405 --> 02:04:27,405 they were looking at the, the heat mapping 2301 02:04:27,945 --> 02:04:30,565 of Strava and, and Strava trail use. 2302 02:04:31,225 --> 02:04:35,045 And they saw so much activity on the east side 2303 02:04:35,045 --> 02:04:36,725 of the watershed with our established 2304 02:04:36,725 --> 02:04:37,765 trail system over there. 2305 02:04:37,985 --> 02:04:40,485 But there's actually quite a bit of running 2306 02:04:40,545 --> 02:04:44,485 and biking that happens over there on the west side trails 2307 02:04:44,515 --> 02:04:47,525 that are forest service trails that abut this property. 2308 02:04:47,865 --> 02:04:50,525 And then on this property there's a half dozen already 2309 02:04:50,825 --> 02:04:53,725 trails that were used for different races 2310 02:04:53,785 --> 02:04:55,885 and different things under special permission 2311 02:04:56,195 --> 02:04:57,525 that are already established. 2312 02:04:57,945 --> 02:05:01,805 So they were really excited about all the things. Right. 2313 02:05:02,105 --> 02:05:05,165 And, but one of the things that I hear people talking about 2314 02:05:05,905 --> 02:05:08,365 in livability terms is like, you know, why would, 2315 02:05:08,425 --> 02:05:11,285 why are new people moving to Ashland? 2316 02:05:11,785 --> 02:05:14,285 Why are young families moving to Ashland? 2317 02:05:14,385 --> 02:05:15,965 And, and trails is one of 'em. 2318 02:05:16,185 --> 02:05:19,205 And another thing I hear from a livability standpoint is 2319 02:05:19,205 --> 02:05:22,085 people are, you know, feeling the pressure of more 2320 02:05:22,085 --> 02:05:24,805 and more biking and hiking on our existing trails. 2321 02:05:25,385 --> 02:05:28,765 And this would give Ashland an opportunity to segregate 2322 02:05:29,145 --> 02:05:33,205 and have more space, more trail designation. 2323 02:05:33,505 --> 02:05:36,245 You know, this is just for e-bikes, this is just for 2324 02:05:37,255 --> 02:05:39,245 trail running, this is just for dog walking. 2325 02:05:39,865 --> 02:05:42,525 So, you know, that was, that was a great highlight, 2326 02:05:42,525 --> 02:05:43,845 but I just wanted to add those things. 2327 02:05:44,605 --> 02:05:46,325 I have another question, which is 2328 02:05:46,985 --> 02:05:49,565 the identified stakeholder representatives on 2329 02:05:49,565 --> 02:05:51,405 there are vast. 2330 02:05:51,655 --> 02:05:52,965 Could you tell us a little bit about 2331 02:05:53,185 --> 02:05:54,605 who they are and why you chose them? 2332 02:05:57,285 --> 02:06:00,445 Absolutely. So, and this is also subject to addition. 2333 02:06:00,445 --> 02:06:02,365 So if you all have recommendations of other folks 2334 02:06:02,385 --> 02:06:03,885 who are important, please email me. 2335 02:06:04,885 --> 02:06:07,005 I know Chris Chambers, a forestry officer has also had 2336 02:06:07,005 --> 02:06:08,485 some ideas come forward. 2337 02:06:09,525 --> 02:06:11,645 I have to admit, I probably won't remember them right now, 2338 02:06:11,745 --> 02:06:14,285 so I will update you all when I get updated. 2339 02:06:14,825 --> 02:06:16,165 But a trail representative, exactly 2340 02:06:16,165 --> 02:06:17,965 that there are already existing trails. 2341 02:06:18,085 --> 02:06:21,045 A huge potential use of a portion of this property is 2342 02:06:21,045 --> 02:06:22,445 to expand our trail system. 2343 02:06:23,715 --> 02:06:27,005 Loma Cozi Loma Cozi is very interested in using the site 2344 02:06:27,005 --> 02:06:30,045 as an education program to help train workforce 2345 02:06:32,025 --> 02:06:34,045 for fire mitigation, 2346 02:06:34,405 --> 02:06:36,365 wildfire reduction in natural resource protection, 2347 02:06:37,365 --> 02:06:38,565 a conservation specialist, 2348 02:06:38,565 --> 02:06:41,085 because this, you know, primary, the primary goals 2349 02:06:41,085 --> 02:06:42,325 of this land would be conservation. 2350 02:06:43,355 --> 02:06:45,605 That is one of the purchases reasons for purchasing, 2351 02:06:45,825 --> 02:06:48,525 you know, a fire mitigation specialist that'll likely be our 2352 02:06:48,525 --> 02:06:50,845 forestry officer who knows the land well 2353 02:06:50,845 --> 02:06:52,965 and knows what kind of fire mitigation work would need 2354 02:06:52,965 --> 02:06:55,245 to happen to maintain that property into the future. 2355 02:06:55,715 --> 02:06:58,485 Jackson County, because this is in Jackson County 2356 02:06:58,945 --> 02:07:01,005 and if the city ever decided to do something more with it, 2357 02:07:01,005 --> 02:07:03,285 like make it a use park, et cetera, we would go 2358 02:07:03,285 --> 02:07:04,805 through a county process for that 2359 02:07:05,855 --> 02:07:07,965 rogue workforce partnership once again for 2360 02:07:07,965 --> 02:07:09,325 that workforce connection. 2361 02:07:09,325 --> 02:07:11,685 Particularly as we're working towards more environmental 2362 02:07:11,685 --> 02:07:14,765 stewardship SOU environmental Science department. 2363 02:07:14,885 --> 02:07:17,085 'cause there's high interest in using that site 2364 02:07:17,305 --> 02:07:20,885 for outdoor based education, both 'cause of its biodiversity 2365 02:07:21,345 --> 02:07:24,965 and it's through that fire mitigation education program. 2366 02:07:26,235 --> 02:07:28,645 Same with the K 12. You know, I think one 2367 02:07:28,645 --> 02:07:30,445 of the concepts being passed around that we'd like to vet 2368 02:07:30,445 --> 02:07:31,685 with this group is the development 2369 02:07:31,685 --> 02:07:34,365 of an outdoor classroom on this site for that. 2370 02:07:34,705 --> 02:07:37,765 And then, then of course the tribal liaison since this land 2371 02:07:39,225 --> 02:07:43,525 was held by some of the local tribes here in Oregon. 2372 02:07:44,505 --> 02:07:47,205 Yep. Thank you for that since your invitation. 2373 02:07:47,885 --> 02:07:49,245 I I would, I would love to add, 2374 02:07:49,805 --> 02:07:51,805 I think it would be incumbent under the trail 2375 02:07:51,805 --> 02:07:53,925 representatives, the, the two major groups that 2376 02:07:54,725 --> 02:07:58,125 maintain our trails in the city of Ashland, free of charge. 2377 02:07:58,365 --> 02:08:01,445 I mean they're, they're, you know, member based user groups, 2378 02:08:01,465 --> 02:08:02,605 myself included, go out 2379 02:08:02,605 --> 02:08:04,605 and volunteer to maintain our mountain biking 2380 02:08:04,625 --> 02:08:08,525 and hiking trails oftentimes on city land. 2381 02:08:09,225 --> 02:08:12,885 You know, we, we, we donate thousands of hours every year 2382 02:08:12,885 --> 02:08:14,285 to maintain the trails around here. 2383 02:08:15,125 --> 02:08:17,725 I would add that we would specify the R-B-N-B-A 2384 02:08:18,145 --> 02:08:21,125 and the A WTA, which have, have built 2385 02:08:21,145 --> 02:08:23,885 and maintained the trails in and around Ashland, 2386 02:08:24,345 --> 02:08:27,725 but then also a couple liaisons, one from city council and, 2387 02:08:27,745 --> 02:08:28,765 and one from parks. 2388 02:08:29,545 --> 02:08:33,765 And, and I would also be remiss that, that there's a road 2389 02:08:33,955 --> 02:08:37,565 that goes from Ashland Mine Road all the way 2390 02:08:37,565 --> 02:08:40,005 through the property to Wagner. 2391 02:08:40,545 --> 02:08:43,365 And I would think a neighborhood association 2392 02:08:43,365 --> 02:08:44,925 or a neighborhood group, 'cause 2393 02:08:44,925 --> 02:08:46,845 that those folks aren't in the city of Ashland, 2394 02:08:46,845 --> 02:08:50,005 they're county folks would also want to be a part of that. 2395 02:08:50,005 --> 02:08:53,245 Because another thing that this property does is unlock, 2396 02:08:53,995 --> 02:08:57,365 regress and egress for those people in the event 2397 02:08:57,365 --> 02:08:59,085 of a wildfire, any kind of disaster. 2398 02:08:59,645 --> 02:09:02,085 I mean, there's a large number of people 2399 02:09:02,085 --> 02:09:03,805 that live up Ashland Mine Road 2400 02:09:04,075 --> 02:09:06,205 that are very concerned about their, 2401 02:09:07,415 --> 02:09:10,445 their fire emergency plans. 2402 02:09:10,905 --> 02:09:13,565 And this road goes all the way through there and out. 2403 02:09:13,905 --> 02:09:15,325 So it's, this is very exciting 2404 02:09:15,585 --> 02:09:19,285 and I'm, I hope that I'm on council long enough 2405 02:09:19,285 --> 02:09:21,205 to see this start and, and be a part of it. 2406 02:09:21,265 --> 02:09:24,325 But I trust that, you know, whoever's sitting in this seat 2407 02:09:26,395 --> 02:09:30,885 will, you know, theoretically whoever's on council will, 2408 02:09:30,885 --> 02:09:32,085 will be able to be a part of this. 2409 02:09:32,085 --> 02:09:35,005 And this is one of those like legacy projects. 2410 02:09:35,035 --> 02:09:37,125 Like we're not making any more land. Right. 2411 02:09:37,225 --> 02:09:41,245 And this is falling into our lap Western Rivers Council. 2412 02:09:41,285 --> 02:09:42,605 I, I wish him the, the best of luck. 2413 02:09:43,255 --> 02:09:44,685 Thank you Councillor 2414 02:09:44,805 --> 02:09:45,805 Dale. 2415 02:09:45,805 --> 02:09:49,285 Thank you. So couple questions, 2416 02:09:49,905 --> 02:09:53,485 Jordan is, is there, the first quick question is, 2417 02:09:53,485 --> 02:09:54,525 in those number of meetings 2418 02:09:54,525 --> 02:09:56,245 with at least one public meeting, would it, 2419 02:09:56,245 --> 02:09:57,725 would it be possible or considered 2420 02:09:57,725 --> 02:10:00,365 to have probably two or up to three? 2421 02:10:00,395 --> 02:10:02,245 Just because I think one, I mean this is, 2422 02:10:02,245 --> 02:10:04,005 this is a huge thing and I think we should get his 2423 02:10:04,005 --> 02:10:05,205 maximum public engagement. 2424 02:10:05,205 --> 02:10:08,685 Of course. So then the, the, the question I have is 2425 02:10:10,055 --> 02:10:13,085 understand that the capital is being taken care of relative 2426 02:10:13,085 --> 02:10:14,805 to grants and so forth and everyth think it's handled 2427 02:10:14,805 --> 02:10:17,285 by Western River and phenomenal organization. 2428 02:10:18,185 --> 02:10:21,245 My question is, is relative to the concept 2429 02:10:21,385 --> 02:10:24,325 of management plan, is it, is it going to, is 2430 02:10:24,325 --> 02:10:27,485 that plan going to include just a really strong, 2431 02:10:27,485 --> 02:10:31,245 really robust financial operating model 2432 02:10:31,355 --> 02:10:33,685 that shows exactly how this is gonna cost? 2433 02:10:33,805 --> 02:10:35,925 I just don't want to, there's all kinds of things, 2434 02:10:35,925 --> 02:10:37,085 as Councilor Hanson said, 2435 02:10:37,085 --> 02:10:38,565 that are opportunities to be able to do this. 2436 02:10:38,625 --> 02:10:40,005 We just wanna make sure that we're not, 2437 02:10:40,515 --> 02:10:42,965 that we can actually run it correctly. 2438 02:10:43,185 --> 02:10:46,525 And sometimes we, we, we make 2439 02:10:46,525 --> 02:10:47,925 that mistake sometimes as we're doing that. 2440 02:10:47,925 --> 02:10:50,125 So I just wanna make sure to buy that community trust 2441 02:10:50,185 --> 02:10:51,205 and get the buy-in 2442 02:10:51,205 --> 02:10:53,925 because this is for the community, for the larger community 2443 02:10:54,435 --> 02:10:55,885 that is maximum number 2444 02:10:55,885 --> 02:10:58,125 of people you can decide whether you want to do it or not. 2445 02:10:58,125 --> 02:11:00,405 That's a different story is actually like, 2446 02:11:00,475 --> 02:11:03,925 does the community understand how we're funding it, 2447 02:11:04,105 --> 02:11:06,245 how we can keep it, how we can keep it moving. 2448 02:11:06,305 --> 02:11:07,845 So will that be part of this, this plan? 2449 02:11:09,505 --> 02:11:12,005 Yes, I'll, I'll speak to your first question is yes, 2450 02:11:12,005 --> 02:11:14,485 we can absolutely add more public input meetings. 2451 02:11:14,505 --> 02:11:17,725 You know, part of the goal of a concept plan is it is a tool 2452 02:11:17,725 --> 02:11:21,525 that we can then have much more public input gathering with. 2453 02:11:21,985 --> 02:11:24,085 So even with the development of a concept plan, you know, 2454 02:11:24,085 --> 02:11:26,205 that's the start of the public engagement process 2455 02:11:26,745 --> 02:11:28,005 to really weigh the pros 2456 02:11:28,005 --> 02:11:30,125 and cons of do we wanna move forward as a community 2457 02:11:30,555 --> 02:11:32,365 with taking over stewardship of this land. 2458 02:11:34,145 --> 02:11:38,205 To your second point of will the management plan give us 2459 02:11:38,205 --> 02:11:40,885 that detailed understanding of how much it would cost 2460 02:11:40,885 --> 02:11:41,885 to maintain this property? 2461 02:11:42,745 --> 02:11:44,765 You know, I think what this management plan will give us is 2462 02:11:44,765 --> 02:11:47,725 it'll give us a bottom line of if we weren't able 2463 02:11:47,725 --> 02:11:49,485 to find any partners, if we were having 2464 02:11:49,485 --> 02:11:51,965 to do everything ourself, what would the cost be? 2465 02:11:52,465 --> 02:11:54,485 But it would also build the relationships 2466 02:11:54,485 --> 02:11:57,445 to understand if there's partners willing to partner with us 2467 02:11:57,545 --> 02:11:59,165 to find cost saving measures 2468 02:11:59,185 --> 02:12:01,885 to still get the work done in a beneficial community way. 2469 02:12:03,705 --> 02:12:05,445 So that is the, the hope for outcome 2470 02:12:06,035 --> 02:12:07,045 part, part of this process. 2471 02:12:07,415 --> 02:12:08,965 Thank you Councillor Kaplan. 2472 02:12:10,195 --> 02:12:11,405 Yeah, thanks. Thanks Jordan. 2473 02:12:11,525 --> 02:12:14,205 I have a similar, I'm on a similar line 2474 02:12:14,205 --> 02:12:15,525 of thinking is Councilor Dale. 2475 02:12:15,585 --> 02:12:16,725 So that, that, that's helpful 2476 02:12:17,585 --> 02:12:19,245 and I think that certainly the concept plan, 2477 02:12:19,245 --> 02:12:21,965 having broad stakeholder input is, is really, 2478 02:12:21,985 --> 02:12:24,445 really important and I appreciate that 2479 02:12:24,785 --> 02:12:27,165 and taking the time necessary to do it right 2480 02:12:27,305 --> 02:12:30,165 and get broad stakeholder input, including 2481 02:12:31,045 --> 02:12:32,725 suggestions from Councilor Hansen. 2482 02:12:33,565 --> 02:12:36,045 I guess I worry a little bit more about the management plan, 2483 02:12:36,045 --> 02:12:37,725 the process for developing the management plan 2484 02:12:37,915 --> 02:12:40,805 because in my experience developing a management plan for 2485 02:12:42,065 --> 02:12:45,285 par, a large parcel like this, I'm familiar, 2486 02:12:45,345 --> 02:12:49,445 I'm not familiar with this exact kind of thing, 2487 02:12:49,505 --> 02:12:52,805 but in, I know that in preparing management plans 2488 02:12:52,825 --> 02:12:54,805 for like a national park, which is a much bigger 2489 02:12:54,805 --> 02:12:57,965 and a little different thing, but it's a, it's, it's kind 2490 02:12:57,965 --> 02:13:01,245 of a technical, it's more of a technical 2491 02:13:02,045 --> 02:13:04,125 exercise than it is a stakeholder exercise. 2492 02:13:04,505 --> 02:13:06,925 Now I appreciate getting input from stakeholders 2493 02:13:06,955 --> 02:13:09,045 that might wanna take a piece of it co-management 2494 02:13:09,045 --> 02:13:10,165 with, with us or whatever. 2495 02:13:10,465 --> 02:13:12,605 But that's your, that I I would think that 2496 02:13:12,605 --> 02:13:16,245 that would be subsequent to really deciding, you know, 2497 02:13:16,355 --> 02:13:17,365 what needs to be managed 2498 02:13:17,365 --> 02:13:20,125 and what are the actual actions that are gonna have 2499 02:13:20,125 --> 02:13:22,965 to happen month after month, season after season, year 2500 02:13:22,965 --> 02:13:25,965 after year on this piece of property to to, to, 2501 02:13:26,025 --> 02:13:28,405 to manage it according to our, our, our standards. 2502 02:13:28,745 --> 02:13:31,685 So I appreciate that they're sequential here, 2503 02:13:32,105 --> 02:13:34,165 but I think i, I worry a little bit 2504 02:13:34,235 --> 02:13:36,805 that there's too little time that's maybe allocated 2505 02:13:37,265 --> 02:13:40,045 to really do a thorough job on the management plan 2506 02:13:40,045 --> 02:13:43,885 to yield the kind of cost and capacity. 2507 02:13:44,635 --> 02:13:46,205 It's not just how much it costs, it's 2508 02:13:46,665 --> 02:13:49,485 how do we do we have the capacity to do, it's gonna do it, 2509 02:13:49,835 --> 02:13:51,605 what, what specific agreements we're gonna have. 2510 02:13:51,625 --> 02:13:54,245 So can you reassure me a bit on, on some of those things? 2511 02:13:54,635 --> 02:13:56,445 Yeah, absolutely. And, and I would be 2512 02:13:57,365 --> 02:13:59,685 remiss if I didn't mention if Chris Chambers would've called 2513 02:13:59,685 --> 02:14:00,965 me out if you hadn't brought this question up. 2514 02:14:00,965 --> 02:14:03,805 So thank you. So there are technical documents 2515 02:14:03,805 --> 02:14:05,285 that we are gonna be required to have 2516 02:14:05,285 --> 02:14:07,285 with this land if we choose to take it 2517 02:14:08,125 --> 02:14:10,325 'cause it's under certain federal grant programs. 2518 02:14:10,745 --> 02:14:13,285 And that'll be a management plan that is highly technical, 2519 02:14:13,635 --> 02:14:16,405 that details much like the forest management plan 2520 02:14:16,405 --> 02:14:17,605 that we have for our watershed, 2521 02:14:18,235 --> 02:14:20,685 exactly the technical maintenance of this piece of property. 2522 02:14:21,185 --> 02:14:23,445 At this point in the process, we are not gonna develop that. 2523 02:14:24,085 --> 02:14:27,405 What we'll be developing is we know the acreage in the areas 2524 02:14:27,475 --> 02:14:30,285 that will require specific types of fire mitigation work. 2525 02:14:31,505 --> 02:14:33,005 We know the specific acreage 2526 02:14:33,005 --> 02:14:35,085 after the concept plan of how many trails 2527 02:14:35,085 --> 02:14:36,405 and miles of trails there will be 2528 02:14:36,785 --> 02:14:38,805 and what our level of maintenance would likely be on those. 2529 02:14:39,445 --> 02:14:41,005 Similar for our watershed, you know, 2530 02:14:41,005 --> 02:14:43,045 there's roughly a third quarter to a third 2531 02:14:43,045 --> 02:14:44,365 of the property is our watershed. 2532 02:14:45,385 --> 02:14:49,565 So, so when I say management plan in this context, it is 2533 02:14:49,565 --> 02:14:52,885 to get us that basic understanding of A, 2534 02:14:52,915 --> 02:14:56,125 what would the cost be and b what is the capacity needs. 2535 02:14:57,385 --> 02:14:59,645 The next phase after that, if we decide to continue 2536 02:14:59,645 --> 02:15:01,045 to move forward, will be starting 2537 02:15:01,045 --> 02:15:03,085 to create those highly technical documents 2538 02:15:03,195 --> 02:15:05,645 that get into those nuanced details. 2539 02:15:09,175 --> 02:15:12,265 This is con sequential. So start with the concept plan. 2540 02:15:12,265 --> 02:15:15,105 Once we know what goes where, there'll then be a subgroup 2541 02:15:15,105 --> 02:15:17,545 of folks that work on that basic management plan 2542 02:15:18,345 --> 02:15:20,465 and then ultimately that technical management plan will be 2543 02:15:20,465 --> 02:15:23,865 taken up by our technical experts to, to craft 2544 02:15:24,045 --> 02:15:28,745 and timeline wise, you know, the hope is 2545 02:15:28,765 --> 02:15:30,905 by this fall to have a clear understanding of 2546 02:15:30,905 --> 02:15:32,345 what we'd wanna do with the property 2547 02:15:32,765 --> 02:15:36,945 and what the cost estimate would be from there. 2548 02:15:37,005 --> 02:15:39,225 We have until September, 2027 currently 2549 02:15:39,605 --> 02:15:41,585 to make the final decision in that process. 2550 02:15:41,795 --> 02:15:43,865 After that, between the end of this year 2551 02:15:44,085 --> 02:15:45,825 and September, 2027 would be those 2552 02:15:45,825 --> 02:15:49,185 technical plan assessments. Does that make sense? 2553 02:15:49,845 --> 02:15:52,665 That's actually some, it's somewhat reas reassuring 2554 02:15:52,985 --> 02:15:54,665 because I think we'll get the kind 2555 02:15:54,665 --> 02:15:55,705 of depth that I was looking for. 2556 02:15:56,965 --> 02:16:00,425 The more technical management is, is much more costly than, 2557 02:16:00,495 --> 02:16:05,385 than this more preliminary planning approach. 2558 02:16:07,965 --> 02:16:10,745 Who would, is there financing for that management plan? 2559 02:16:10,765 --> 02:16:13,705 Is that, what's the cost of doing that, that technical work 2560 02:16:13,705 --> 02:16:15,265 and when does it have to be completed in order 2561 02:16:15,265 --> 02:16:19,265 to satisfy federal regulations to to to to use money? 2562 02:16:19,895 --> 02:16:23,825 Yeah, so when it would have to be, so, you know, 2563 02:16:23,965 --> 02:16:26,185 if we move forward with the acquisition of the property, 2564 02:16:26,245 --> 02:16:28,305 we would accept the federal grant funding. 2565 02:16:29,435 --> 02:16:31,445 That'll be through resolution via the council. 2566 02:16:31,945 --> 02:16:33,485 And then we will have a set time period, 2567 02:16:33,565 --> 02:16:35,845 I believe it's two years for us to then develop 2568 02:16:35,845 --> 02:16:36,885 that technical document. 2569 02:16:41,105 --> 02:16:42,325 Yes, and I apologize, I 2570 02:16:42,325 --> 02:16:43,405 forget the first half of your question, 2571 02:16:44,225 --> 02:16:47,605 But that, but that's two years that would extend past the, 2572 02:16:47,745 --> 02:16:49,685 the, the deadline for actually purchasing it. 2573 02:16:49,785 --> 02:16:52,045 So it sounds like we wouldn't have the technical level 2574 02:16:52,145 --> 02:16:56,045 detail for the management plan by the time we would be, 2575 02:16:56,785 --> 02:16:57,885 you know, we'd need to purchase it. 2576 02:16:57,885 --> 02:16:59,805 Yeah. Or we purchase it Western 2577 02:16:59,805 --> 02:17:01,805 Western Rivers purchasing it. Yeah. Us accepting it. 2578 02:17:02,205 --> 02:17:03,925 Lemme do a quick clarification. I think we'd have a pretty 2579 02:17:03,925 --> 02:17:07,245 good idea before that because since we currently all already 2580 02:17:07,245 --> 02:17:09,405 have a technical plan document for our watershed, 2581 02:17:09,715 --> 02:17:11,645 this would be an extension of that plan. 2582 02:17:13,705 --> 02:17:16,285 You know, the other thing that Western Rivers has offered is 2583 02:17:16,285 --> 02:17:18,005 through this process of concept planning 2584 02:17:18,065 --> 02:17:20,645 and management planning to hire technical experts, 2585 02:17:20,865 --> 02:17:23,325 for example, we will likely have to do a biodiversity study 2586 02:17:23,325 --> 02:17:28,005 of the site to be able to receive conservation based awards. 2587 02:17:28,705 --> 02:17:30,765 So that's the kind of technical work that would be done 2588 02:17:30,765 --> 02:17:33,485 by Western Rivers during this three 2589 02:17:33,485 --> 02:17:35,085 to six month period of planning. 2590 02:17:36,375 --> 02:17:37,485 Councillor Sherell, 2591 02:17:38,055 --> 02:17:39,055 Thank you mayor. 2592 02:17:39,055 --> 02:17:40,045 Two things real quick, Jordan, thank you. 2593 02:17:40,505 --> 02:17:42,165 The, just to get the public 2594 02:17:42,265 --> 02:17:43,565 and myself included, 2595 02:17:43,565 --> 02:17:46,125 caught up on are we in a delayed purchase agreement 2596 02:17:46,545 --> 02:17:49,405 and we already have figured out most of the terms, 2597 02:17:49,505 --> 02:17:51,205 the way I understand it, looking at your timeline. 2598 02:17:52,395 --> 02:17:55,165 Yeah. So Western Rivers Conservancy is in a delayed 2599 02:17:55,405 --> 02:17:56,965 purchase agreement with the private property owner 2600 02:17:57,305 --> 02:17:59,565 and they're currently working with us as the most likely 2601 02:18:00,675 --> 02:18:01,925 steward of that land. 2602 02:18:02,275 --> 02:18:03,765 Okay. And we have, I'm just looking at 2603 02:18:03,765 --> 02:18:04,925 total cost to the citizens. 2604 02:18:04,925 --> 02:18:06,005 So like we have some earnest, 2605 02:18:06,005 --> 02:18:08,285 the the research I did said we had some potentially some 2606 02:18:08,285 --> 02:18:10,125 hard earnest money down that we won't get back. 2607 02:18:10,665 --> 02:18:14,565 And then the, the, the main question is if we decide to go 2608 02:18:14,835 --> 02:18:16,765 with this motion and direct staff to look at 2609 02:18:17,325 --> 02:18:20,885 a conceptual plan, preliminary conceptual plan 2610 02:18:21,835 --> 02:18:23,165 that is just staff cost. 2611 02:18:23,265 --> 02:18:25,685 I'm assuming there's not a dollar amount, it would be you 2612 02:18:25,865 --> 02:18:28,525 and consulting with Western Rivers, I'm assuming 2613 02:18:28,665 --> 02:18:29,805 to, to put together that. 2614 02:18:29,825 --> 02:18:31,885 So we're not, we're not bleeding, 2615 02:18:31,935 --> 02:18:33,925 we're not putting any more money out Correct. 2616 02:18:34,065 --> 02:18:35,525 To get to the next step. Yeah. 2617 02:18:35,525 --> 02:18:38,245 So we have a contract with Western Rivers, 2618 02:18:38,355 --> 02:18:40,325 that is the money that the city has put in 2619 02:18:40,345 --> 02:18:42,165 to consider acquisition of this property. 2620 02:18:42,485 --> 02:18:47,165 It's 25,000 a year for three years for this stage 2621 02:18:47,165 --> 02:18:49,485 of the process, there is no additional money the city would 2622 02:18:49,485 --> 02:18:51,685 put in beyond the staff time of the staff 2623 02:18:51,705 --> 02:18:55,285 who are participating to help develop the concept plan. 2624 02:18:55,705 --> 02:18:57,605 And the basic management plan is 2625 02:18:57,605 --> 02:18:58,725 what I'm gonna rephrase it as. 2626 02:19:00,585 --> 02:19:03,005 And you have the hours available in your schedule to, 2627 02:19:03,005 --> 02:19:06,005 to devote to this really interesting project, I'm assuming. 2628 02:19:06,905 --> 02:19:10,845 Yes. And I would put most likely Chris Chambers as a city 2629 02:19:10,845 --> 02:19:12,605 of representative on this committee 2630 02:19:12,605 --> 02:19:15,405 because he is the one most knowledgeable about 2631 02:19:15,515 --> 02:19:17,685 what we would need to do on that property as well 2632 02:19:17,685 --> 02:19:19,725 as the other stakeholders he has the relationships with. 2633 02:19:20,405 --> 02:19:23,085 I would be there in a support role most strongly. Thank you. 2634 02:19:24,585 --> 02:19:27,085 So I have a, a a couple of questions that, 2635 02:19:27,905 --> 02:19:29,445 and I appreciate the, the questions 2636 02:19:29,445 --> 02:19:31,125 around the management plan, getting 2637 02:19:31,185 --> 02:19:32,525 to the financial reality. 2638 02:19:32,615 --> 02:19:34,685 We've had, you know, months 2639 02:19:34,705 --> 02:19:35,805 and months if not years 2640 02:19:35,805 --> 02:19:38,405 of conversations about the squeeze on the general fund 2641 02:19:38,985 --> 02:19:40,445 and what this means. 2642 02:19:40,505 --> 02:19:42,285 And so to me, and I think 2643 02:19:43,465 --> 02:19:46,325 the council would at some point have deeper discussions 2644 02:19:46,325 --> 02:19:50,045 about this, but the need to make sure that we can pay 2645 02:19:50,045 --> 02:19:51,965 for this property with revenue 2646 02:19:52,075 --> 02:19:56,885 that is generated in some fashion by this property, knowing 2647 02:19:56,885 --> 02:19:58,725 that there are restrictions on the property, 2648 02:19:58,725 --> 02:20:00,125 but also knowing that it is likely 2649 02:20:00,145 --> 02:20:01,525 to draw more people into town. 2650 02:20:01,525 --> 02:20:05,285 There's likely to be a economic benefit, specifically if we 2651 02:20:06,915 --> 02:20:08,765 plan it in a, in the right way. 2652 02:20:08,935 --> 02:20:12,245 Right? So, so when I, when I see this, 2653 02:20:12,265 --> 02:20:13,965 we have the concept plan first 2654 02:20:13,965 --> 02:20:15,925 and then it rolls into a management plan. 2655 02:20:16,985 --> 02:20:18,965 But I, and let me know if I, 2656 02:20:18,965 --> 02:20:20,725 if I've not seeing this correctly, 2657 02:20:21,385 --> 02:20:24,045 but I don't see the time 2658 02:20:26,595 --> 02:20:28,325 when it comes back to council. 2659 02:20:28,465 --> 02:20:32,165 So I see that there's one public meeting to, to, you know, 2660 02:20:32,165 --> 02:20:33,685 look at the concept plan, 2661 02:20:33,985 --> 02:20:36,365 but I don't see it coming back to this council 2662 02:20:36,545 --> 02:20:39,205 for the council to say, yes, that looks right. 2663 02:20:39,865 --> 02:20:43,445 The, the priorities are balanced correctly across the 2664 02:20:43,445 --> 02:20:45,085 various things that could be in this place. 2665 02:20:45,705 --> 02:20:49,285 And so I'm wondering about how do we make sure that it, 2666 02:20:49,355 --> 02:20:52,565 that we're nodding and saying concept plan looks right 2667 02:20:52,565 --> 02:20:55,485 before it, the next management plan piece happens. 2668 02:20:55,675 --> 02:20:56,725 That'll be my first question. 2669 02:20:57,785 --> 02:21:01,165 Yes, absolutely. So in the final part of the report, 2670 02:21:01,165 --> 02:21:05,645 next steps fall 2026 is when for sure the concept plan 2671 02:21:05,745 --> 02:21:08,085 and the basic management plan would come before council. 2672 02:21:09,385 --> 02:21:11,845 We are a month delayed since this agenda item got pushed. 2673 02:21:11,905 --> 02:21:13,565 So I would put that more in the November 2674 02:21:13,595 --> 02:21:14,765 timeframe. Right. But 2675 02:21:14,785 --> 02:21:18,245 I'm suggesting this council should see the concept plan 2676 02:21:19,305 --> 02:21:20,605 and have that discussion 2677 02:21:20,625 --> 02:21:22,525 before the management plan is developed. 2678 02:21:22,525 --> 02:21:24,845 Because it, it says that the concept plan is the 2679 02:21:24,845 --> 02:21:26,285 precursor to the management plan. 2680 02:21:26,545 --> 02:21:29,165 But that's a natural point of checking back in 2681 02:21:29,165 --> 02:21:31,245 with this council, making sure we're in agreement 2682 02:21:31,245 --> 02:21:32,685 that it's in the right direction 2683 02:21:33,385 --> 02:21:35,165 and then going into that deeper dive 2684 02:21:35,165 --> 02:21:38,005 because that management plan will then set the stage 2685 02:21:38,065 --> 02:21:39,485 for future planning efforts. 2686 02:21:39,505 --> 02:21:42,125 And so if it's off course in some fashion, 2687 02:21:42,665 --> 02:21:43,925 that's the correction point. 2688 02:21:44,565 --> 02:21:46,365 I am, yeah. More than happy to do it in that order. 2689 02:21:46,715 --> 02:21:51,445 Okay. I also would support the idea of getting 2690 02:21:52,605 --> 02:21:54,725 somebody, and it, it's likely to be you if you're, 2691 02:21:54,725 --> 02:21:56,165 if you're already planning to serve on it, 2692 02:21:56,165 --> 02:21:59,445 but to have that economic development, recreation, 2693 02:22:00,385 --> 02:22:01,845 not just recreation, but the, the, 2694 02:22:01,915 --> 02:22:04,005 what is the likely economic impact to this? 2695 02:22:04,795 --> 02:22:05,965 Make sure that we are covering that. 2696 02:22:05,985 --> 02:22:07,325 So it sounds like that is happening. 2697 02:22:08,505 --> 02:22:13,325 And then the, the last piece of this is that this is one 2698 02:22:13,325 --> 02:22:15,805 of the steps that we always knew was in this process. 2699 02:22:16,065 --> 02:22:18,885 So we still are not at the place where we're saying, yes, 2700 02:22:18,885 --> 02:22:21,005 we're accepting this, but we're taking the next step 2701 02:22:21,005 --> 02:22:23,085 that we've, we said we would take 2702 02:22:23,585 --> 02:22:25,765 to do our due diligence on this. 2703 02:22:25,765 --> 02:22:28,045 So I'm just confirming that for the folks who are 2704 02:22:28,565 --> 02:22:31,205 watching from home, we're getting messages about people I 2705 02:22:31,205 --> 02:22:32,925 think who might be, have some confusion about 2706 02:22:32,925 --> 02:22:34,005 where we're at in the process. 2707 02:22:34,265 --> 02:22:36,445 So we are still doing due diligence. 2708 02:22:36,445 --> 02:22:38,925 We're still investigating this potential opportunity. 2709 02:22:39,185 --> 02:22:41,005 The council's not on the edge at this point 2710 02:22:41,005 --> 02:22:42,245 of accepting the property, 2711 02:22:42,425 --> 02:22:44,525 nor is it, you know, fully funded yet. 2712 02:22:44,675 --> 02:22:47,605 Correct. Correct. This is part of the due diligence process. 2713 02:22:47,955 --> 02:22:50,565 Okay. Thank you. Is there any further questions 2714 02:22:50,825 --> 02:22:53,325 or, yeah, any further questions of staff? 2715 02:22:54,035 --> 02:22:56,525 Okay. The floor is open for a motion. Councillor Hansen. 2716 02:22:57,055 --> 02:22:59,365 Thank you, mayor. I move to direct staff 2717 02:22:59,365 --> 02:23:02,165 to initiate the process for developing a concept plan 2718 02:23:02,185 --> 02:23:04,485 and management plan for the Madone Ridge property. 2719 02:23:06,545 --> 02:23:08,325 Second Councillor Hansen. 2720 02:23:09,675 --> 02:23:11,485 Yeah, I mean, we've said a lot 2721 02:23:11,945 --> 02:23:15,725 and we're not there in terms of funding 2722 02:23:15,795 --> 02:23:17,165 with Western Rivers, 2723 02:23:17,465 --> 02:23:19,805 and we have a lot of stakeholders in this list 2724 02:23:20,145 --> 02:23:23,165 and a lot of public engagement that needs to happen. 2725 02:23:23,425 --> 02:23:25,805 So I'm, I'm really excited to get the ball rolling. 2726 02:23:26,465 --> 02:23:29,325 And again, you know, this is something 2727 02:23:29,325 --> 02:23:32,165 that I think every Ashland will benefit from in fire 2728 02:23:32,165 --> 02:23:36,085 mitigation and a, a public land and equity standpoint 2729 02:23:36,105 --> 02:23:38,925 and economic development and educational opportunities. 2730 02:23:38,995 --> 02:23:41,445 Just, I think they're so exciting for Ashland. 2731 02:23:41,955 --> 02:23:45,725 It's, it's something I'm, I'm very, very hopeful for. 2732 02:23:45,825 --> 02:23:47,565 So it's with that, that I support this 2733 02:23:48,375 --> 02:23:49,445 Councillor Kaplan. 2734 02:23:51,275 --> 02:23:52,765 Yeah, I think I, I, 2735 02:23:52,835 --> 02:23:55,045 this is just another step in the decision making process 2736 02:23:55,305 --> 02:23:57,045 and to really do, as 2737 02:23:57,605 --> 02:24:00,085 somebody described the due due diligence to figure out, 2738 02:24:00,145 --> 02:24:02,565 you know, what, what exactly we'll be, we'll be able 2739 02:24:02,565 --> 02:24:04,005 to use this property for how, 2740 02:24:04,425 --> 02:24:06,165 and how we'll manage it and what's your all cost. 2741 02:24:06,185 --> 02:24:08,325 So I'm, we need this information 2742 02:24:08,325 --> 02:24:11,485 and I'm, I'm happy to, to, to pro proceed forward with it. 2743 02:24:13,235 --> 02:24:14,565 Councilor Bloom. 2744 02:24:15,235 --> 02:24:17,605 Yeah, abso, I mean, we've been talking about 2745 02:24:17,605 --> 02:24:19,525 that I think since the beginning about how we need 2746 02:24:19,525 --> 02:24:21,565 to have some kind of plan, we need more information. 2747 02:24:22,505 --> 02:24:24,085 For me, this is critical 2748 02:24:24,465 --> 02:24:26,605 and fundamental to deciding how I'm going 2749 02:24:26,605 --> 02:24:30,205 to vote on this property is, is understanding the numbers 2750 02:24:30,625 --> 02:24:31,925 and, and the scale of this. 2751 02:24:31,925 --> 02:24:33,965 And if this is something that, that the city can, 2752 02:24:34,225 --> 02:24:35,645 can actually take on. 2753 02:24:35,745 --> 02:24:38,845 So yeah, very grateful for, for you doing this. 2754 02:24:38,905 --> 02:24:41,445 And you know, the way I see it is that, you know, we've got 2755 02:24:41,575 --> 02:24:43,685 until, you know, December of next year. 2756 02:24:44,745 --> 02:24:47,005 So this is one of the rare times 2757 02:24:47,015 --> 02:24:49,605 where personally I'm not too worried if, 2758 02:24:49,705 --> 02:24:52,325 if you go over a few months to figure this out, like 2759 02:24:52,325 --> 02:24:55,205 to take, take the time you need to, to get it right so 2760 02:24:55,205 --> 02:24:58,085 that we're going off of the right information. So thank you 2761 02:24:58,695 --> 02:24:59,725 Councillor Duque. 2762 02:25:01,965 --> 02:25:05,325 I was looking at this and Councillor Bloom is right. 2763 02:25:05,415 --> 02:25:07,285 We've been here for how many years. 2764 02:25:07,925 --> 02:25:10,285 I think the money that we've invested in this, 2765 02:25:11,525 --> 02:25:13,125 I wish we hadn't have done that. 2766 02:25:14,765 --> 02:25:17,805 I feel like wildfire mitigation, 2767 02:25:19,435 --> 02:25:21,045 that is a nice point. 2768 02:25:21,475 --> 02:25:25,405 However, when we look at wildfires, most fires are started 2769 02:25:25,545 --> 02:25:27,165 by human, by people. 2770 02:25:27,705 --> 02:25:30,885 So we put a lot of people up there. Good luck with that. 2771 02:25:32,065 --> 02:25:34,925 And so, but I just, in, in the bigger picture of things, 2772 02:25:35,115 --> 02:25:37,325 it's a wonderful notion, a nice thought. 2773 02:25:37,665 --> 02:25:39,725 But when I look at the presentation 2774 02:25:39,835 --> 02:25:42,685 that my colleagues presented to us yesterday, 2775 02:25:43,305 --> 02:25:46,525 and when I see the state of our budget, we don't know 2776 02:25:46,525 --> 02:25:48,085 what direction we're going in. 2777 02:25:48,285 --> 02:25:50,365 I know that this isn't gonna cost any money 2778 02:25:50,425 --> 02:25:52,325 to put this together, this concept. 2779 02:25:52,875 --> 02:25:56,885 However, if staff is so thin, which I keep hearing, we are, 2780 02:25:57,645 --> 02:26:00,925 I, I feel our time would be better spent taking care 2781 02:26:00,925 --> 02:26:04,725 of what's in front of us in Ashland in town. 2782 02:26:04,905 --> 02:26:06,805 So I do not support this. 2783 02:26:06,965 --> 02:26:09,165 I have 'em from the start and I can't start now. 2784 02:26:10,345 --> 02:26:14,805 Any further discussion? Roll call please. 2785 02:26:18,145 --> 02:26:20,325 Kaplan? Yes. Duane? 2786 02:26:23,375 --> 02:26:27,755 No. Hanson? Yes. Rell? 2787 02:26:28,255 --> 02:26:31,955 Yes. Dale? Yes. Bloom? Yep. Motion pass. 2788 02:26:32,245 --> 02:26:34,875 Great, thank you. We are now to new business. 2789 02:26:34,895 --> 02:26:38,035 We have the property surplus, 2790 02:26:38,095 --> 02:26:40,875 or excuse me, we're finishing up unfinished business. 2791 02:26:40,875 --> 02:26:43,475 We have the proposed ordinance for utility bill fees. 2792 02:26:44,615 --> 02:26:47,435 So you have your council communication here, 2793 02:26:47,495 --> 02:26:51,715 and what this is, is a request for the council 2794 02:26:51,775 --> 02:26:56,675 to consider developing an ordinance that would thank you, 2795 02:26:58,025 --> 02:26:58,635 that would, 2796 02:27:02,765 --> 02:27:04,455 That would outline the process 2797 02:27:04,915 --> 02:27:06,615 by which this council would go 2798 02:27:06,615 --> 02:27:09,055 through public engagement efforts prior 2799 02:27:09,075 --> 02:27:10,455 to two particular instances. 2800 02:27:10,595 --> 02:27:13,775 One is the creation of a new fee on utility bills. 2801 02:27:14,275 --> 02:27:17,135 The other is any sort of increase that would go out 2802 02:27:17,275 --> 02:27:20,855 beyond the, the inflationary increases 2803 02:27:20,855 --> 02:27:23,055 that are already structured into those fees. 2804 02:27:23,715 --> 02:27:27,815 So in either of those cases, if the council were looking to 2805 02:27:28,325 --> 02:27:30,815 make a bigger change or make a new fee, they would have 2806 02:27:30,815 --> 02:27:33,495 to go through this process by ordinance. 2807 02:27:34,075 --> 02:27:36,775 And so what this is, it's not an ordinance yet, 2808 02:27:36,775 --> 02:27:38,735 even though it says that that's what it is, it's a, 2809 02:27:38,765 --> 02:27:40,215 it's a conversation that says, 2810 02:27:40,795 --> 02:27:44,695 is this council interested in putting in directing staff 2811 02:27:44,835 --> 02:27:46,455 to go forward and to start 2812 02:27:46,455 --> 02:27:48,215 to put this into an ordinance forum? 2813 02:27:48,315 --> 02:27:50,535 And if so, are there any elements of this 2814 02:27:50,535 --> 02:27:52,135 that we think should be changed? 2815 02:27:52,635 --> 02:27:54,535 And you'll notice that there are a couple of things 2816 02:27:54,535 --> 02:27:57,735 that are specifically designed into this process. 2817 02:27:58,475 --> 02:28:00,695 One is to make sure that it, it is a, 2818 02:28:00,715 --> 02:28:03,255 it is at least a couple of months long process so 2819 02:28:03,255 --> 02:28:05,455 that the community has plenty of time to understand it. 2820 02:28:05,625 --> 02:28:09,415 There are multiple, there structured requirements 2821 02:28:09,675 --> 02:28:10,975 for public engagement. 2822 02:28:11,745 --> 02:28:13,055 There are time limits. 2823 02:28:13,235 --> 02:28:16,055 So you, there are requirements for a certain amount of time 2824 02:28:16,115 --> 02:28:19,055 to elapse between certain points of this so 2825 02:28:19,055 --> 02:28:21,645 that the community can have adequate time to respond. 2826 02:28:22,305 --> 02:28:24,045 And, and then, 2827 02:28:24,905 --> 02:28:29,205 and then the, the i I guess the, the, the final element 2828 02:28:29,225 --> 02:28:33,525 of it is really building in that space so 2829 02:28:33,525 --> 02:28:36,365 that the council can get the full 2830 02:28:37,485 --> 02:28:39,045 response back from the community in terms 2831 02:28:39,045 --> 02:28:42,445 of whether the community supports that move or does not. 2832 02:28:43,555 --> 02:28:46,205 This came up in a conversation we had towards the end 2833 02:28:46,205 --> 02:28:50,325 of last year when I mentioned that I, I thought we needed a 2834 02:28:50,955 --> 02:28:54,125 more clear structure so that there couldn't be 2835 02:28:55,865 --> 02:28:57,325 rushed processes for this. 2836 02:28:58,425 --> 02:29:01,245 No matter what is spurring this on, it's going 2837 02:29:01,245 --> 02:29:03,565 to take several months in order to put it into place. 2838 02:29:04,025 --> 02:29:05,925 And so the community wouldn't ever have 2839 02:29:05,925 --> 02:29:09,445 to worry about something coming onto the agenda 2840 02:29:09,545 --> 02:29:10,885 and moving forward really quickly 2841 02:29:10,905 --> 02:29:12,725 before they understood what was happening. 2842 02:29:13,185 --> 02:29:16,845 So that's what it is. You have your, the, the 2843 02:29:17,555 --> 02:29:19,325 council communication in front of you. 2844 02:29:19,325 --> 02:29:20,645 So I'm not going to necessarily go 2845 02:29:20,645 --> 02:29:23,845 through the whole process, but that's what this, this is, 2846 02:29:23,905 --> 02:29:27,005 and we're very stacked up in our study sessions, 2847 02:29:27,005 --> 02:29:29,005 so we went ahead and put it on the agenda 2848 02:29:29,155 --> 02:29:30,565 last for the last meeting. 2849 02:29:30,665 --> 02:29:32,205 So it's coming up as the last item 2850 02:29:32,265 --> 02:29:33,805 of old business this time. 2851 02:29:34,185 --> 02:29:39,045 So questions Councillor Dale. 2852 02:29:39,815 --> 02:29:41,525 Thank you Mayor. Just a really quick question. 2853 02:29:41,645 --> 02:29:44,605 I just wanna make sure that, that when it says, 2854 02:29:44,605 --> 02:29:46,565 and I, I appreciate you saying it's gonna be a conversation, 2855 02:29:46,625 --> 02:29:48,325 but the last sentence in the summary there, 2856 02:29:48,325 --> 02:29:50,165 it says throughout this document, fee increases means 2857 02:29:51,025 --> 02:29:53,205 fee increases larger than the inflation index. 2858 02:29:53,265 --> 02:29:55,685 And I just wanna, I I would, I would say that 2859 02:29:56,565 --> 02:29:58,645 I would feel comfortable if it was just, if 2860 02:29:58,645 --> 02:29:59,805 that was all inclusive in that, 2861 02:29:59,805 --> 02:30:01,605 because we do have these things where sometimes 2862 02:30:02,265 --> 02:30:04,005 the inflation index just isn't do it. 2863 02:30:04,005 --> 02:30:05,005 Sometimes it's too much. 2864 02:30:05,005 --> 02:30:06,685 And so I just want to have that conver that 2865 02:30:06,715 --> 02:30:10,245 that this conversation, if this is passed includes that 2866 02:30:10,245 --> 02:30:13,045 and we just don't pass over the inflation index is kind 2867 02:30:13,045 --> 02:30:14,085 of a given because I think 2868 02:30:14,305 --> 02:30:16,045 that's a very important calculation 2869 02:30:16,045 --> 02:30:17,285 that's used in the overall thing. 2870 02:30:17,625 --> 02:30:19,765 It would be a comprehensive discussion that would include 2871 02:30:19,765 --> 02:30:21,245 that would, would you be acceptable with that? 2872 02:30:22,195 --> 02:30:23,205 Yeah. And and 2873 02:30:23,385 --> 02:30:26,085 and what I was looking at with that is that with some 2874 02:30:26,085 --> 02:30:29,885 of our fees we have now set them to ru to 2875 02:30:30,185 --> 02:30:33,805 to go up incrementally based on indexing. 2876 02:30:33,805 --> 02:30:37,205 Right? But, and so the point of this is 2877 02:30:37,205 --> 02:30:40,005 that if the council wants a fee increase that's more than 2878 02:30:40,005 --> 02:30:42,925 what the policy is allowing the increase 2879 02:30:42,925 --> 02:30:44,685 to be year over year, that 2880 02:30:44,685 --> 02:30:47,485 that would necessitate this policy in the same way 2881 02:30:47,485 --> 02:30:49,525 that building a new fee would also 2882 02:30:49,745 --> 02:30:51,285 Ah, I see. That makes sense. Okay. So 2883 02:30:51,285 --> 02:30:52,925 If we, if we think about what we, what just happened 2884 02:30:52,925 --> 02:30:56,965 with the wildfire fee where we went, we, 2885 02:30:56,965 --> 02:30:58,885 we increased it significantly. 2886 02:30:58,985 --> 02:31:00,325 We hadn't increased it for a long time, 2887 02:31:00,325 --> 02:31:02,805 but then we, we did a much more significant jump 2888 02:31:03,115 --> 02:31:04,805 that would require the same structure 2889 02:31:04,945 --> 02:31:07,965 and process as if we opened up a brand new fee. 2890 02:31:09,065 --> 02:31:11,805 Any other questions? Councillor Kaplan? 2891 02:31:12,195 --> 02:31:15,485 Yeah, so I'm just, I don't know, putting myself back, 2892 02:31:17,185 --> 02:31:19,045 was it just last year, two years ago? 2893 02:31:19,075 --> 02:31:21,645 Last year when we were last spring when we were in the, 2894 02:31:21,645 --> 02:31:25,125 in the receiving the budget, we were in the budget committee 2895 02:31:25,425 --> 02:31:29,605 and all of a sudden we were presented with the, the need 2896 02:31:29,665 --> 02:31:34,565 to raise some revenue in order to, in order not to slash 2897 02:31:35,395 --> 02:31:38,165 cost very extensively, including in our wildfire 2898 02:31:40,375 --> 02:31:42,965 staff because we lost purchasing power. 2899 02:31:43,505 --> 02:31:47,485 But if we were, if we were to be in that situation again, 2900 02:31:47,955 --> 02:31:52,485 then we, we would be in a multi-month process of 2901 02:31:53,205 --> 02:31:55,605 deciding that we need to increase, for example, our, 2902 02:31:55,605 --> 02:31:58,925 our wildfire fee in order to maintain our wildfire staff, 2903 02:32:01,045 --> 02:32:03,685 a our Aston Forest resilience staff, et cetera. 2904 02:32:05,385 --> 02:32:08,405 But I'm, I, I I think am am I right 2905 02:32:08,405 --> 02:32:10,205 that your intention here is 2906 02:32:10,205 --> 02:32:11,525 that we'd be much more deliberate 2907 02:32:11,525 --> 02:32:13,365 and bring those things much earlier 2908 02:32:13,785 --> 02:32:15,925 so we wouldn't be facing kind 2909 02:32:15,925 --> 02:32:20,085 of a last minute emergency kind of request? 2910 02:32:21,225 --> 02:32:24,565 Yes, exactly. I think alongside this requirement is also 2911 02:32:24,565 --> 02:32:28,965 the other work that we've been doing to, to do a more robust 2912 02:32:29,425 --> 02:32:33,325 and continual forecasting process with our finances. 2913 02:32:33,385 --> 02:32:36,125 So those two things together, making sure 2914 02:32:36,125 --> 02:32:38,645 that we take the time when we are presented 2915 02:32:38,645 --> 02:32:40,965 with potentially needing to do something with these fees 2916 02:32:42,035 --> 02:32:44,365 alongside our responsibility to make sure 2917 02:32:44,365 --> 02:32:47,285 that we're not doing, you know, coming to this as a rushed 2918 02:32:48,515 --> 02:32:51,445 kind of surprise to the council or to the community. 2919 02:32:51,625 --> 02:32:54,325 So I think both of those things have to exist. 2920 02:32:54,505 --> 02:32:58,965 And by putting this into ordinance, it basically says 2921 02:32:59,745 --> 02:33:04,605 we can't actually do a 2922 02:33:04,805 --> 02:33:08,165 hurried, rushed process, therefore we must bring it earlier. 2923 02:33:08,745 --> 02:33:11,085 So, so the question now to the city manager 2924 02:33:11,345 --> 02:33:13,365 and in the budget preparation process, 'cause 2925 02:33:13,645 --> 02:33:15,405 'cause last time it was a, it was a rush. 2926 02:33:15,545 --> 02:33:17,885 We were faced with a situation with our ambulance service 2927 02:33:18,195 --> 02:33:19,965 that we were losing or still losing a lot 2928 02:33:19,965 --> 02:33:21,165 of money in our ambulance service. 2929 02:33:21,305 --> 02:33:24,325 But the substantial, we were faced with a substantial 2930 02:33:24,915 --> 02:33:27,045 presented with a substantial in increase 2931 02:33:27,045 --> 02:33:31,085 to our public s public safety fee in order to try to 2932 02:33:32,105 --> 02:33:33,205 cut that gap a little bit. 2933 02:33:34,065 --> 02:33:36,285 Do you have the ca the ability, 2934 02:33:36,585 --> 02:33:39,405 or will you have the ability in this next biennium 2935 02:33:39,405 --> 02:33:42,485 to really be able to put that forecasting together earlier 2936 02:33:42,705 --> 02:33:46,165 so that we're, we've got those months if that's the choice 2937 02:33:46,195 --> 02:33:50,685 that we can consider either increase, fee increase 2938 02:33:51,865 --> 02:33:54,085 or cutting the service. 2939 02:33:54,365 --> 02:33:57,405 I mean we, we didn't have to in cover the service. 2940 02:33:57,505 --> 02:34:01,965 We could have cut our number of ambulance drivers 2941 02:34:02,875 --> 02:34:06,645 personnel do, will you be in a position to be able 2942 02:34:06,645 --> 02:34:07,805 to give us those kinds of trade offs 2943 02:34:07,805 --> 02:34:09,405 so we can make a considered judgment? 2944 02:34:09,945 --> 02:34:13,565 So we're, you know, we're forecasting more 2945 02:34:13,565 --> 02:34:16,165 and more so we're ahead of where we were last time. 2946 02:34:17,145 --> 02:34:18,645 So I think we have the processes 2947 02:34:18,665 --> 02:34:20,245 and know-how in place to be able 2948 02:34:20,245 --> 02:34:22,325 to present those items sooner. 2949 02:34:24,005 --> 02:34:27,245 I think, you know, we have some unanswered questions still 2950 02:34:27,345 --> 02:34:30,005 around the parks fee, around the ambulance service. 2951 02:34:30,505 --> 02:34:34,685 And so, you know, until we have kind 2952 02:34:34,685 --> 02:34:35,765 of the decisions 2953 02:34:35,865 --> 02:34:39,085 and which trigger kind of the financials to put into place, 2954 02:34:39,795 --> 02:34:41,485 it's hard to get an overall picture. 2955 02:34:41,785 --> 02:34:44,645 So I think what will be important is kind of 2956 02:34:45,385 --> 02:34:48,325 systematically making sure our agendas are moving at a pace 2957 02:34:48,345 --> 02:34:50,005 and we're getting the policy decisions that we need 2958 02:34:50,005 --> 02:34:51,085 to be able to forecast those things. 2959 02:34:52,345 --> 02:34:54,965 And, and I appreciate the, the inflation adjustment 2960 02:34:54,965 --> 02:34:56,525 that you added the last time 2961 02:34:56,525 --> 02:34:59,685 because we had seen the deterioration in the purchasing 2962 02:34:59,685 --> 02:35:01,805 power of those fees and that we weren't able to, 2963 02:35:01,865 --> 02:35:04,525 to cover the things that they were able to cover previously. 2964 02:35:04,885 --> 02:35:06,965 'cause we hadn't raised them in seven years, eight years. 2965 02:35:09,855 --> 02:35:10,925 Councillor Hansen. 2966 02:35:13,795 --> 02:35:18,605 Yeah. Thank you. I certainly appreciate the transparency 2967 02:35:19,025 --> 02:35:21,205 and experiencing the 2968 02:35:22,115 --> 02:35:24,125 rush of those fees. 2969 02:35:25,705 --> 02:35:29,445 It was, it was surprising and it had fallout 2970 02:35:29,785 --> 02:35:32,925 and it had unintended consequences 2971 02:35:33,305 --> 02:35:36,405 and the bottom line was, you know, 2972 02:35:36,405 --> 02:35:38,365 it was either services or revenue. 2973 02:35:39,145 --> 02:35:41,845 So my question is, at 2974 02:35:41,845 --> 02:35:44,645 what point are you thinking there's a delineation 2975 02:35:44,645 --> 02:35:47,205 between fees and other revenue sources? 2976 02:35:47,795 --> 02:35:49,325 There's, you know, other opportunities 2977 02:35:49,635 --> 02:35:52,765 that other municipalities have levered 2978 02:35:53,155 --> 02:35:56,525 that I'm just curious, you know, relative 2979 02:35:56,525 --> 02:35:58,005 to lots of different things. 2980 02:35:59,315 --> 02:36:02,365 What kind of input are we going to be, you know, seeking? 2981 02:36:02,515 --> 02:36:05,725 What kind of freedom will this, you know, council have, 2982 02:36:06,425 --> 02:36:09,405 you know, like let's say, you know, we parks wants 2983 02:36:09,405 --> 02:36:11,805 to instigate fee parking. 2984 02:36:12,995 --> 02:36:16,965 What if we wanna have trailhead fee parking, you know, 2985 02:36:17,045 --> 02:36:18,645 I mean the list goes on and on and on 2986 02:36:19,145 --> 02:36:21,925 and I'm, I'm not sure if I quite understand 2987 02:36:22,055 --> 02:36:23,925 where the delineator is between 2988 02:36:24,955 --> 02:36:26,325 know different revenue sources 2989 02:36:26,425 --> 02:36:28,645 and how they in in fact impact the people. 2990 02:36:28,985 --> 02:36:30,405 And in a representative government, 2991 02:36:30,505 --> 02:36:34,205 I'm not quite sure exactly what you're getting at with, 2992 02:36:34,385 --> 02:36:36,885 you know, what is, you know, 2993 02:36:37,035 --> 02:36:39,005 what we're trusting our electeds with and 2994 02:36:39,025 --> 02:36:40,605 and what we're, what we wanna have 2995 02:36:40,605 --> 02:36:42,285 community in involvement on. 2996 02:36:43,835 --> 02:36:45,085 Yeah, it's a great question. 2997 02:36:45,265 --> 02:36:49,765 So when we put a standard fee on our utility bill, 2998 02:36:50,125 --> 02:36:52,245 everyone has to pay for it no matter what they're doing. 2999 02:36:52,305 --> 02:36:54,965 So if we put a parking fee on something at a trailhead, 3000 02:36:55,145 --> 02:36:57,045 that's going to impact the people who are using 3001 02:36:57,045 --> 02:36:59,005 that particular service and they can choose 3002 02:36:59,005 --> 02:37:00,165 whether or not they use that service. 3003 02:37:00,955 --> 02:37:04,165 When we, when we add a utility fee, everyone has 3004 02:37:04,245 --> 02:37:06,125 to pay it regardless of, you know, 3005 02:37:06,755 --> 02:37:08,365 what their circumstances are 3006 02:37:08,425 --> 02:37:10,445 or how they interact with it, 3007 02:37:10,645 --> 02:37:11,805 whatever it is that this is paying for. 3008 02:37:12,465 --> 02:37:16,125 And so this would be restricted specifically to 3009 02:37:16,905 --> 02:37:18,605 new fees on the utility bills 3010 02:37:19,025 --> 02:37:22,405 or fees that are increasing beyond the policy cap 3011 02:37:22,755 --> 02:37:24,245 that is already built into those fees. 3012 02:37:24,265 --> 02:37:26,285 So it's only for those two circumstances. 3013 02:37:26,455 --> 02:37:28,725 Would you set this process in motion? 3014 02:37:29,465 --> 02:37:32,925 The way we sit right now, it would be a terrible idea 3015 02:37:32,925 --> 02:37:34,085 to do something like this, 3016 02:37:34,265 --> 02:37:36,205 but the council could get a packet 3017 02:37:36,435 --> 02:37:39,205 with a proposed fee increase on Thursday 3018 02:37:39,585 --> 02:37:41,005 and vote it in on Tuesday. 3019 02:37:41,985 --> 02:37:45,525 And what this is doing is saying you don't get to do that. 3020 02:37:46,025 --> 02:37:47,685 You have to plan better, you have 3021 02:37:47,685 --> 02:37:50,525 to have a deep conversation with this community. 3022 02:37:50,545 --> 02:37:52,685 And it's got a lot of specifics 3023 02:37:52,685 --> 02:37:55,445 and certainly open to any thoughts about whether you know 3024 02:37:55,445 --> 02:37:57,685 these, there are entities in here, the spec, 3025 02:37:58,025 --> 02:37:59,325 the specifics need to be changed, 3026 02:37:59,745 --> 02:38:01,405 but it requires public hearings, 3027 02:38:01,585 --> 02:38:03,005 it requires an online survey. 3028 02:38:03,465 --> 02:38:06,125 It requires that we advertise it differently than we just 3029 02:38:06,125 --> 02:38:07,365 advertise regular meetings. 3030 02:38:08,085 --> 02:38:09,285 There are time limits. 3031 02:38:09,385 --> 02:38:11,325 The survey has to be open for four weeks. 3032 02:38:11,745 --> 02:38:14,725 You can't, between the, the hearing and, and 3033 02:38:14,905 --> 02:38:16,405 and putting it forward for vote, 3034 02:38:16,405 --> 02:38:17,605 there has to be at least two weeks. 3035 02:38:17,945 --> 02:38:22,125 So there's a, there's a structure that gets put in place so 3036 02:38:22,125 --> 02:38:25,165 that the community has plenty of time to communicate 3037 02:38:25,165 --> 02:38:26,885 with their counselors who still at the end 3038 02:38:26,885 --> 02:38:29,045 of the day will be the ones who make the decision. 3039 02:38:29,815 --> 02:38:31,565 Right. But, but it requires 3040 02:38:32,115 --> 02:38:35,365 that we have a better conversation with the community 3041 02:38:35,365 --> 02:38:36,885 before we in insti 3042 02:38:37,505 --> 02:38:40,245 before we put those types of fees in place. Follow 3043 02:38:40,245 --> 02:38:41,245 Up mayor. 3044 02:38:41,245 --> 02:38:43,685 Yes. Do you have any idea how much staff time 3045 02:38:43,685 --> 02:38:44,925 and expense that's gonna cost? 3046 02:38:46,885 --> 02:38:49,245 I do not, but I, you know, we have pub, 3047 02:38:49,265 --> 02:38:50,725 we have public meetings anyway 3048 02:38:50,905 --> 02:38:52,605 and we have communication staff 3049 02:38:52,745 --> 02:38:54,565 and everything that's in here would 3050 02:38:54,565 --> 02:38:55,605 be done by those two things. 3051 02:38:55,905 --> 02:38:58,765 But Sabrina could tell us if we, if you think that there's, 3052 02:38:58,765 --> 02:39:01,605 that's an onerous, I mean, to what extent do you think that 3053 02:39:01,605 --> 02:39:04,325 that's a, a difficult expense for us to 3054 02:39:04,875 --> 02:39:07,205 integrate into our business world? 3055 02:39:08,925 --> 02:39:11,765 I think we can do it. I think, you know, the idea 3056 02:39:11,945 --> 02:39:15,285 of a survey, we'd probably wanna think about that. 3057 02:39:15,425 --> 02:39:19,925 But in terms of online materials holding a, a meeting, 3058 02:39:20,945 --> 02:39:22,245 you know, study sessions, 3059 02:39:22,245 --> 02:39:23,845 regular meetings or public meetings. 3060 02:39:24,085 --> 02:39:26,445 I know we've been cutting meetings due to, due to, 3061 02:39:26,945 --> 02:39:28,325 you know, budgetary constraints. 3062 02:39:28,905 --> 02:39:31,085 So I'm wondering what the dollar figure is. 3063 02:39:32,125 --> 02:39:34,925 I don't have a dollar figure And it should only, 3064 02:39:34,925 --> 02:39:36,005 it shouldn't happen often. 3065 02:39:36,475 --> 02:39:38,565 This process is not something that should happen 3066 02:39:39,475 --> 02:39:40,485 very often at all. 3067 02:39:40,975 --> 02:39:44,045 Right. So that's, that's the, that's the idea behind it. 3068 02:39:44,045 --> 02:39:46,285 We do have two people who have signed up to speak to. 3069 02:39:46,285 --> 02:39:49,005 Does anybody else have any questions? Councillor Sherell? 3070 02:39:49,315 --> 02:39:50,765 Just one quick question. 3071 02:39:50,765 --> 02:39:51,925 Thanks Mayor, for bringing this forward 3072 02:39:52,185 --> 02:39:54,605 and I I think we're all starting to get fee fatigue. 3073 02:39:55,595 --> 02:39:58,005 Just a kind of a direct question that's semi-related 3074 02:39:58,025 --> 02:40:02,205 to another item on the agenda tonight is the timing of this. 3075 02:40:02,205 --> 02:40:03,485 Does it have anything to do with, like, 3076 02:40:03,935 --> 02:40:05,205 we're just hearing from the citizens, 3077 02:40:05,205 --> 02:40:07,325 like we're moving too fast at raising fees 3078 02:40:07,505 --> 02:40:09,205 or in the future we wanna do better. 3079 02:40:10,105 --> 02:40:11,365 Can you talk about maybe the timing 3080 02:40:11,985 --> 02:40:15,285 and how it could potentially overlap or piggyback 3081 02:40:15,285 --> 02:40:17,845 or collaborate with another citizen driven initiative 3082 02:40:17,865 --> 02:40:19,685 that's has similar, I mean, one of them, 3083 02:40:20,065 --> 02:40:21,605 we lose a little bit of power, one of them, 3084 02:40:21,605 --> 02:40:24,565 we lose a little bit of speed in both cases. 3085 02:40:24,705 --> 02:40:27,045 We can potentially act when we need to. 3086 02:40:27,105 --> 02:40:29,005 Can you just kind of speak to like the hard details of that? 3087 02:40:29,835 --> 02:40:34,685 Sure. So I first announced that I wanted to the council 3088 02:40:34,705 --> 02:40:36,605 to take up something like this last November. 3089 02:40:36,745 --> 02:40:38,565 And I think I sent my first draft over 3090 02:40:38,565 --> 02:40:41,485 to Councilor Dale in like March of this year. 3091 02:40:41,985 --> 02:40:46,045 So, but it hasn't been a, an issue of real timeliness 3092 02:40:46,115 --> 02:40:48,325 because we've had other things on our agenda. 3093 02:40:48,705 --> 02:40:52,205 So it got bumped from the last, the last meeting. 3094 02:40:52,945 --> 02:40:56,645 But they're not, they're, we shouldn't think of these 3095 02:40:56,665 --> 02:40:57,965 as pick one or the other. 3096 02:40:58,515 --> 02:41:00,925 Even if the other one goes to the ballot in November, 3097 02:41:01,585 --> 02:41:04,045 if we put this ordinance in place ahead of that 3098 02:41:04,145 --> 02:41:06,925 and it passed, then it would just make the ordinance moot 3099 02:41:07,185 --> 02:41:08,525 and we would just take it off. 3100 02:41:09,025 --> 02:41:10,165 If it went to the ballot 3101 02:41:10,265 --> 02:41:13,005 and didn't pass, then we would have this structure in place 3102 02:41:13,005 --> 02:41:14,325 that the council would still have 3103 02:41:14,325 --> 02:41:16,445 to have a robust public engagement process. 3104 02:41:16,625 --> 02:41:19,085 So I don't, I, they may very well be trying 3105 02:41:19,085 --> 02:41:20,605 to address the same thing in different ways, 3106 02:41:20,625 --> 02:41:23,805 but I don't see them as necessarily mutually exclusive. 3107 02:41:24,475 --> 02:41:25,685 Does that help? Yeah, 3108 02:41:25,685 --> 02:41:26,685 Totally. 3109 02:41:26,685 --> 02:41:28,365 Thank you so much for the clarification. Okay. 3110 02:41:29,075 --> 02:41:30,845 Okay. So we're going to call up the two folks 3111 02:41:30,865 --> 02:41:32,685 who have signed up to speak with us this evening. 3112 02:41:32,785 --> 02:41:34,885 We have Paul Mina and George Kramer. 3113 02:41:43,215 --> 02:41:45,045 Mayor, how much time would you like to give 3114 02:41:45,045 --> 02:41:46,045 Them? 3115 02:41:46,045 --> 02:41:46,765 Three minutes. Okay. 3116 02:41:49,095 --> 02:41:50,285 Thank you for this opportunity. 3117 02:41:50,345 --> 02:41:52,125 My name is Paulina, I live in Ashland 3118 02:41:52,665 --> 02:41:54,805 and I was, I was just really surprised 3119 02:41:54,825 --> 02:41:57,725 by Councilor Kaplan's comment that and, 3120 02:41:57,825 --> 02:41:59,125 and Councilor Hansen 3121 02:41:59,125 --> 02:42:01,965 that the ambulance services losing money when, 3122 02:42:01,965 --> 02:42:04,845 when you all were, were reviewing the public safety fee 3123 02:42:05,125 --> 02:42:07,285 increase back in May of LA of 2025. 3124 02:42:08,065 --> 02:42:10,885 He had a study session with Chief sar, his last meeting 3125 02:42:10,885 --> 02:42:13,365 before you, and it was a celebration. 3126 02:42:13,605 --> 02:42:15,485 I mean the, the data he presented 3127 02:42:15,485 --> 02:42:17,885 and I included in my public comments showed a, 3128 02:42:17,905 --> 02:42:21,045 an even accounting for a $1.5 million 3129 02:42:21,935 --> 02:42:26,725 fully loaded eight staff, an estimate of 1.1 million 3130 02:42:26,935 --> 02:42:29,565 above that net position for 2024 3131 02:42:29,945 --> 02:42:32,765 and 1.3 million net position for 2025. 3132 02:42:33,035 --> 02:42:35,085 That that was on May on March 3rd. 3133 02:42:35,665 --> 02:42:38,965 On, on March 31st, the city administrator came forward 3134 02:42:38,965 --> 02:42:40,405 to y'all and said, oh, the, 3135 02:42:40,585 --> 02:42:42,845 the EMS service isn't covering its costs. 3136 02:42:43,185 --> 02:42:44,925 We we're not, we're not making enough money. 3137 02:42:46,105 --> 02:42:49,805 And so I, you know, I mean when you, when you gonna have, 3138 02:42:49,905 --> 02:42:52,725 and I, and I made many comments asking for that information. 3139 02:42:52,805 --> 02:42:55,685 I filed FOIA requests how, what was in that position 3140 02:42:55,685 --> 02:42:58,605 of the EMS when it was embedded in the fire department 3141 02:42:58,605 --> 02:43:00,605 with dual role fire personnel. 3142 02:43:00,985 --> 02:43:05,565 And then what was the deposition that Mion Barry 3143 02:43:05,825 --> 02:43:08,085 and Chief SAR presented on March 3rd, 3144 02:43:08,535 --> 02:43:11,205 which showed a tremendous success for that program. 3145 02:43:12,165 --> 02:43:16,005 I asked for that. The city administrator made the point 3146 02:43:16,005 --> 02:43:18,565 that this program wasn't covering its costs 3147 02:43:19,465 --> 02:43:21,925 and it was certainly covering its costs and, 3148 02:43:21,945 --> 02:43:23,485 and making money handled fist. 3149 02:43:24,105 --> 02:43:26,525 One of the things that's missing here is what in your, 3150 02:43:26,665 --> 02:43:30,325 in your plan is a requirement 3151 02:43:30,325 --> 02:43:31,765 to respond to public comments. 3152 02:43:32,525 --> 02:43:33,525 A serious public comments. 3153 02:43:33,685 --> 02:43:35,925 I I got no response even to a foyer request. 3154 02:43:36,745 --> 02:43:39,805 And then there there's a requirement you need to follow up 3155 02:43:40,415 --> 02:43:41,925 Colin, you guys are saying that the, 3156 02:43:41,925 --> 02:43:43,325 the ambulance service is losing money. 3157 02:43:43,445 --> 02:43:45,245 I beg to differ and you should put the 3158 02:43:45,245 --> 02:43:46,485 data on the table here. 3159 02:43:46,695 --> 02:43:48,805 Chief Fraser hasn't made a a appearance 3160 02:43:49,105 --> 02:43:50,205 in, in front of this council. 3161 02:43:50,425 --> 02:43:53,005 And except for five minutes at that budget meeting, 3162 02:43:53,305 --> 02:43:54,445 he should be in front of this council. 3163 02:43:54,545 --> 02:43:57,005 He should be reviewing the status of the MS program. 3164 02:43:57,355 --> 02:43:59,565 When you, when you increase the fee, you have 3165 02:43:59,565 --> 02:44:02,645 to pay attention to the premise for that fee increase 3166 02:44:02,665 --> 02:44:04,045 and see if it's still justified. 3167 02:44:04,345 --> 02:44:07,005 And another thing that's really important is accurate, 3168 02:44:07,005 --> 02:44:08,725 honest presentation of information. 3169 02:44:09,035 --> 02:44:12,285 When this, when this public safety fee was presented, 3170 02:44:12,505 --> 02:44:14,885 it said that the current program was a pilot program 3171 02:44:14,985 --> 02:44:17,525 and the money was to, to make it a regular program. 3172 02:44:17,635 --> 02:44:19,845 This is in March and May of 2025. 3173 02:44:20,055 --> 02:44:24,285 There had been eight full-time EMS people for all 3174 02:44:24,285 --> 02:44:27,685 of 2024 or the, the four more were hired in 2024. 3175 02:44:28,025 --> 02:44:30,405 So this program was well established way 3176 02:44:30,405 --> 02:44:31,405 beyond the pilot program. 3177 02:44:32,305 --> 02:44:36,245 And the last thing is the fiscal impact was said that the 3178 02:44:37,875 --> 02:44:41,485 time to make this last point that, oh all the, oh the money, 3179 02:44:41,705 --> 02:44:43,925 all the revenue from public safety fee was gonna be 3180 02:44:43,925 --> 02:44:45,405 dedicated to the EMS program. 3181 02:44:45,715 --> 02:44:47,045 Well it wasn't dedicated at all 3182 02:44:47,045 --> 02:44:48,845 because it was less than 1% of the, 3183 02:44:48,845 --> 02:44:50,165 of the general of the fund. 3184 02:44:50,585 --> 02:44:52,285 The money went right into the general fund. 3185 02:44:53,265 --> 02:44:55,045 So it was not an honest presentation. 3186 02:44:55,775 --> 02:44:57,605 Thank you George Kramer. 3187 02:45:04,195 --> 02:45:08,725 Good evening. In general, I am in supportive 3188 02:45:08,945 --> 02:45:13,525 of public discussion and a fulsome detailed process 3189 02:45:14,065 --> 02:45:18,765 before this council adopts new fees or increases fees. 3190 02:45:19,405 --> 02:45:20,525 I think that's a good thing to do. 3191 02:45:21,245 --> 02:45:22,765 I think if you had had something like 3192 02:45:22,765 --> 02:45:24,165 that in place a year ago, 3193 02:45:24,605 --> 02:45:27,165 I wouldn't be on your agenda later tonight. 3194 02:45:28,195 --> 02:45:31,845 However, I am on your agenda later tonight 3195 02:45:32,945 --> 02:45:36,005 and hopefully the people of Ashlyn will get a chance 3196 02:45:36,025 --> 02:45:39,205 to weigh in on the other matter as you talked about it, 3197 02:45:39,205 --> 02:45:42,125 Councillor Cheryl and I think 3198 02:45:42,125 --> 02:45:44,485 that this ordinance right now 3199 02:45:44,825 --> 02:45:49,645 or this process right now is ill-timed, let's wait 3200 02:45:49,665 --> 02:45:53,125 and see if the people want 3201 02:45:53,185 --> 02:45:54,765 to adopt a charter amendment. 3202 02:45:55,625 --> 02:45:57,165 We should work together 3203 02:45:57,945 --> 02:45:59,805 and create exactly the kind 3204 02:45:59,805 --> 02:46:03,485 of ordinance I can quibble about some of the, the survey 3205 02:46:03,745 --> 02:46:05,845 and how the public process works. 3206 02:46:05,855 --> 02:46:08,485 Those are details. But I do think 3207 02:46:09,035 --> 02:46:12,405 that the council having some sort of standard 3208 02:46:13,025 --> 02:46:14,645 before it adopts a new fee 3209 02:46:14,705 --> 02:46:16,125 and avoids these rush 3210 02:46:16,265 --> 02:46:19,485 to decisions in the budget process is a good idea. 3211 02:46:20,325 --> 02:46:22,325 I just don't think you should be wasting time 3212 02:46:22,825 --> 02:46:24,765 and staff time doing it 3213 02:46:24,765 --> 02:46:27,925 before the election in November. Thank you. 3214 02:46:28,415 --> 02:46:32,885 Thank you. Alright, so we, 3215 02:46:33,625 --> 02:46:36,165 if there are no additional questions then 3216 02:46:36,195 --> 02:46:38,445 what we are looking for is if there is 3217 02:46:39,725 --> 02:46:43,045 interest in directing staff to form to move this forward 3218 02:46:43,065 --> 02:46:44,525 to an ordinance process. 3219 02:46:45,745 --> 02:46:48,965 Are there, yeah, so we can just go around 3220 02:46:49,425 --> 02:46:51,045 and each counselor can let us know 3221 02:46:51,065 --> 02:46:54,005 and then we'll take the, the decision of the body. 3222 02:46:56,375 --> 02:46:57,445 Councillor Rell. 3223 02:46:57,795 --> 02:47:00,645 Yeah. Yeah. More process when we're going 3224 02:47:00,645 --> 02:47:04,405 to put another burden on our citizens is, has 3225 02:47:04,405 --> 02:47:05,485 to be a positive thing. 3226 02:47:06,095 --> 02:47:07,285 Councillor Dale? Yes, 3227 02:47:07,345 --> 02:47:08,445 I'm interested in the conversation. 3228 02:47:08,775 --> 02:47:10,245 Councillor Bloom. Yeah, of course. 3229 02:47:10,815 --> 02:47:12,405 Councillor Kaplan. Yeah, 3230 02:47:12,465 --> 02:47:13,465 Me too. 3231 02:47:13,465 --> 02:47:17,045 Councillor Duque. Sure. 3232 02:47:18,015 --> 02:47:19,965 Councillor Hansen. Yes. Okay. 3233 02:47:20,305 --> 02:47:22,845 So do you need anything else in terms 3234 02:47:22,845 --> 02:47:24,125 of moving this forward? 3235 02:47:26,105 --> 02:47:28,725 No, we will work to draft an ordinance and bring it back. 3236 02:47:28,955 --> 02:47:30,965 Okay, great. Thank you Councillor Blum, 3237 02:47:31,115 --> 02:47:33,045 Just so that we're, we're very clear 3238 02:47:33,045 --> 02:47:34,445 and specific with the direction 3239 02:47:34,475 --> 02:47:37,325 that it include the elements that are presented here. 3240 02:47:37,325 --> 02:47:40,285 The suggestions not, I don't want something to get left out. 3241 02:47:41,305 --> 02:47:43,605 The suggestions, The suggestions that you 3242 02:47:43,805 --> 02:47:44,885 provided in terms of the process. 3243 02:47:45,245 --> 02:47:48,045 I just wanted to be very clear in terms of the wording that 3244 02:47:48,045 --> 02:47:49,765 that's the direction that I'm assuming 3245 02:47:49,765 --> 02:47:50,805 that's the direction we're giving. 3246 02:47:51,225 --> 02:47:54,325 Yes. In accordance with the the council packet, correct? 3247 02:47:54,545 --> 02:47:55,565 Yes. Clarification. 3248 02:47:56,305 --> 02:47:57,765 Can this come back? I mean I appreciate 3249 02:47:57,995 --> 02:47:59,245 that we're doing this tonight, 3250 02:47:59,905 --> 02:48:02,365 but I really wish it had been in a study session. 3251 02:48:03,505 --> 02:48:05,365 Can we visit this in a study session 3252 02:48:05,385 --> 02:48:07,405 before it comes back in a full blown ordinance? 3253 02:48:08,625 --> 02:48:11,165 That's what we're doing tonight is is talking 3254 02:48:11,165 --> 02:48:12,965 through the concept and then 3255 02:48:14,125 --> 02:48:16,565 I hear that, but I'm curious. 3256 02:48:16,785 --> 02:48:19,805 So our study sessions have been much more stacked recently 3257 02:48:19,805 --> 02:48:21,325 than our business meetings have been. 3258 02:48:21,345 --> 02:48:23,045 And so we have, there have been a couple of things 3259 02:48:23,045 --> 02:48:25,365 that we've moved into the business meeting because 3260 02:48:25,365 --> 02:48:26,565 otherwise we don't have time 3261 02:48:26,565 --> 02:48:28,125 for them and that's what this is. 3262 02:48:28,385 --> 02:48:30,565 So if there is a structural element of this 3263 02:48:30,565 --> 02:48:32,205 that you would like to have done differently, 3264 02:48:32,555 --> 02:48:33,765 then now would be the time. 3265 02:48:33,905 --> 02:48:35,805 Or we can do it on first reading 3266 02:48:36,235 --> 02:48:39,685 because there's still time to ad adapt the elements 3267 02:48:39,685 --> 02:48:40,805 of it at first reading. 3268 02:48:41,995 --> 02:48:43,605 True. But I mean, I mean, 3269 02:48:44,085 --> 02:48:46,765 I mean here we are till nine 30 tonight or whatever. 3270 02:48:46,815 --> 02:48:49,445 Study sessions are much, I think more loose. 3271 02:48:49,505 --> 02:48:51,005 So my impression is that we have more time 3272 02:48:51,005 --> 02:48:53,245 during study sessions, so that's why I asked that we could 3273 02:48:53,915 --> 02:48:55,085 have it in a study session. 3274 02:48:55,185 --> 02:48:56,525 We could talk about it and learn more, 3275 02:48:56,625 --> 02:48:58,085 but I'll, I'll defer to the group, 3276 02:48:58,145 --> 02:49:00,445 but it seems as though we'd actually have 3277 02:49:00,445 --> 02:49:01,485 more time that way. 3278 02:49:01,585 --> 02:49:02,925 But whatever. 3279 02:49:04,985 --> 02:49:07,045 Go ahead Sabrina. We don't have an open study 3280 02:49:07,125 --> 02:49:08,405 session until November now. 3281 02:49:08,835 --> 02:49:10,565 Yeah, yeah. 3282 02:49:10,625 --> 02:49:13,725 That's, we're trying to manage around that timing issue, 3283 02:49:14,265 --> 02:49:16,725 but I appreciate the, the concern counselor. 3284 02:49:17,475 --> 02:49:19,365 Alright, so we are now to do business. 3285 02:49:19,645 --> 02:49:21,285 We've got the property surplus, a portion 3286 02:49:21,285 --> 02:49:22,645 of the Briscoe school property. 3287 02:49:23,035 --> 02:49:25,605 Sabrina if May I, councilor King 3288 02:49:26,375 --> 02:49:27,375 Mayor. 3289 02:49:27,375 --> 02:49:30,525 I am looking at the time and I, we are a new business 3290 02:49:30,545 --> 02:49:34,685 and I was hoping we could put the citizens' petition ballot 3291 02:49:34,685 --> 02:49:35,845 measure first 3292 02:49:36,355 --> 02:49:37,355 Only take a minute. 3293 02:49:37,505 --> 02:49:39,965 So we have a timeliness issue. Is there, 3294 02:49:40,825 --> 02:49:42,445 So this will only take A couple minutes. 3295 02:49:42,805 --> 02:49:45,405 I think it, yeah, it seems like it's a pretty quick item. 3296 02:49:45,885 --> 02:49:48,805 Que question. We say that and sometimes it is long. 3297 02:49:49,165 --> 02:49:51,005 I I would, I would also appreciate 3298 02:49:51,005 --> 02:49:52,845 because though I get, we have August 4th, 3299 02:49:52,955 --> 02:49:54,365 it's pretty clear here Yeah. 3300 02:49:54,395 --> 02:49:57,485 That we have to approve a resolution by August 4th. Exactly. 3301 02:49:57,485 --> 02:49:58,645 So if we don't give direction on what 3302 02:49:58,645 --> 02:50:00,205 that resolution looks like and will be, 3303 02:50:00,205 --> 02:50:01,725 we can have a conversation August 4th. 3304 02:50:01,895 --> 02:50:03,525 There is no resolution and 3305 02:50:03,525 --> 02:50:05,325 therefore whatever decision we make is 3306 02:50:05,325 --> 02:50:06,365 going to be impacted by that. 3307 02:50:06,475 --> 02:50:09,125 This is time. It, 3308 02:50:09,125 --> 02:50:10,125 It's very only. 3309 02:50:10,125 --> 02:50:12,405 So I, I will go ahead and switch the order. 3310 02:50:12,785 --> 02:50:15,765 So we'll take up the citizen's petition ballot measure 3311 02:50:15,765 --> 02:50:17,485 discussion, and then we'll move back to 3312 02:50:18,225 --> 02:50:19,565 the Brisco school property. 3313 02:50:20,305 --> 02:50:23,365 So this has been brought forward by two counselors 3314 02:50:24,025 --> 02:50:27,685 and so I just want to open that up for them to, 3315 02:50:28,225 --> 02:50:29,485 to bring it forward. 3316 02:50:29,585 --> 02:50:32,685 So I, I believe it's Councilor Duquesne and Councilor Rell. 3317 02:50:32,785 --> 02:50:36,685 Is that right or no? Councilor Bloom. So Councilor Duane, 3318 02:50:37,405 --> 02:50:38,845 Honestly for the sake of time, 3319 02:50:39,125 --> 02:50:41,365 I believe we all know what this is about. 3320 02:50:42,585 --> 02:50:47,445 We have 1500 residents of Ashland, more than 1500 residents 3321 02:50:47,445 --> 02:50:51,045 of Ashland who would like to see this on the ballot. 3322 02:50:51,225 --> 02:50:52,405 It came in front of us. 3323 02:50:53,265 --> 02:50:56,525 The chief petitioner was told to go out and get signatures. 3324 02:50:56,525 --> 02:50:59,485 That happened. There was a hiccup and now we're back again. 3325 02:51:00,025 --> 02:51:03,045 So I would like to vote on this tonight 3326 02:51:03,665 --> 02:51:05,965 and hopefully it will move forward by this body. 3327 02:51:05,975 --> 02:51:06,975 Thank you. 3328 02:51:08,785 --> 02:51:09,965 Yes. Council bloom. Yeah, 3329 02:51:09,965 --> 02:51:13,525 and I, I would just add that this is similar for me is that, 3330 02:51:13,585 --> 02:51:17,485 you know, we said, you know, democracy go out, 3331 02:51:17,585 --> 02:51:18,645 do the process and 3332 02:51:18,645 --> 02:51:20,885 and the process was done, signatures were collected. 3333 02:51:20,885 --> 02:51:22,565 The, the needed signatures were collected. 3334 02:51:22,935 --> 02:51:25,645 We're looking at, obviously there's some technicalities here 3335 02:51:26,945 --> 02:51:29,125 and I've been very open in the past that I, 3336 02:51:29,125 --> 02:51:31,445 this is not a ballot measure that I would be voting for, 3337 02:51:31,605 --> 02:51:33,485 I would support, but I do believe 3338 02:51:33,485 --> 02:51:35,885 that we have a responsibility to say, you know 3339 02:51:35,885 --> 02:51:37,885 what the democratic process was carried out. 3340 02:51:37,885 --> 02:51:40,685 Some, some mistakes were made in terms of of of 3341 02:51:41,305 --> 02:51:43,925 how the filing and everything was done and all those rules. 3342 02:51:44,225 --> 02:51:46,405 And I think the appropriate thing for us to do is 3343 02:51:46,405 --> 02:51:48,565 to say we're not trying to, you know, 3344 02:51:48,865 --> 02:51:51,845 tip the scales in terms of of, of how this process works. 3345 02:51:51,865 --> 02:51:52,885 So put on the ballot 3346 02:51:53,065 --> 02:51:55,645 and those of us that are opposed to it, we need 3347 02:51:55,645 --> 02:51:57,845 to do a good enough job, you know, explaining 3348 02:51:57,845 --> 02:52:00,925 to the citizens that this is not something that should pass. 3349 02:52:05,035 --> 02:52:06,205 Councilor Kaplan? 3350 02:52:06,515 --> 02:52:08,485 Yeah, I have some questions. Yes. Yep. 3351 02:52:10,075 --> 02:52:12,485 Yeah, I appreciate this and I appreciate that. 3352 02:52:12,485 --> 02:52:16,685 There, there was some errors in 3353 02:52:16,685 --> 02:52:17,845 collecting the signatures. 3354 02:52:18,435 --> 02:52:20,125 It's in the packet that 3355 02:52:20,125 --> 02:52:22,245 what there is actually were not so small. 3356 02:52:22,245 --> 02:52:23,725 There are quite a few of them, 3357 02:52:24,345 --> 02:52:27,565 but there's also in the packet a notion that the, 3358 02:52:27,745 --> 02:52:31,525 the 1500 number was inaccurate. 3359 02:52:32,265 --> 02:52:34,605 Can I ask Alyssa, because I think you said that you, 3360 02:52:35,185 --> 02:52:39,165 it says the actual account is thir 1,316 signatures 3361 02:52:40,365 --> 02:52:43,285 slightly more than the 1,308 signatures 3362 02:52:43,285 --> 02:52:45,045 that are required under the democratic 3363 02:52:45,045 --> 02:52:46,285 process to put this on the ballot. 3364 02:52:48,835 --> 02:52:51,485 Sure. So to clarify, when Mr. 3365 02:52:51,655 --> 02:52:55,805 Kamer dropped off the signature sheets, I counted 3366 02:52:56,385 --> 02:52:59,965 sheets, not actual number of signatures 3367 02:53:00,025 --> 02:53:04,045 and went off of the count he submitted, which 3368 02:53:04,665 --> 02:53:06,205 was 1537. 3369 02:53:07,545 --> 02:53:09,605 So the analysis, 3370 02:53:09,745 --> 02:53:12,765 the original analysis I did was based off of that number. 3371 02:53:12,985 --> 02:53:14,885 So I took 1537, 3372 02:53:15,215 --> 02:53:19,205 there were 194 electronic signature sheets. 3373 02:53:19,305 --> 02:53:21,845 And that's how I sort of did mathed out the rest. 3374 02:53:22,795 --> 02:53:27,685 When this came to council on the agenda, myself 3375 02:53:28,025 --> 02:53:32,525 and a colleague counted the actual number of signatures 3376 02:53:32,985 --> 02:53:36,165 and that's when we discovered that the actual number 3377 02:53:36,225 --> 02:53:39,765 of signatures collected was 1316, 3378 02:53:40,305 --> 02:53:41,605 not 1537. 3379 02:53:42,935 --> 02:53:46,325 Which is eight signatures more than required under 3380 02:53:46,985 --> 02:53:48,205 the democratic process 3381 02:53:48,385 --> 02:53:50,605 for measure ballot measure. Correct? Correct. 3382 02:53:50,805 --> 02:53:51,965 1,308 are required. 3383 02:53:52,185 --> 02:53:53,805 So because this, 3384 02:53:54,195 --> 02:53:56,885 because the, the, 3385 02:53:56,945 --> 02:53:59,085 the signatures were not collected properly. 3386 02:54:00,205 --> 02:54:01,365 I mean that's one thing, 3387 02:54:01,425 --> 02:54:04,045 but the implication of that is that the county clerk 3388 02:54:04,785 --> 02:54:06,765 didn't then validate the signatures. 3389 02:54:08,555 --> 02:54:11,125 I've talked with, I just collected some signatures 3390 02:54:11,125 --> 02:54:12,405 for reelection. 3391 02:54:12,405 --> 02:54:14,925 I've talked with other candidates who collected signatures 3392 02:54:15,045 --> 02:54:17,405 for reelection and had to go back out and, 3393 02:54:17,545 --> 02:54:18,965 and get more signatures 3394 02:54:18,965 --> 02:54:21,365 because a third of their signatures were invalidated 3395 02:54:21,365 --> 02:54:25,205 by the county clerk because they were not registered voters. 3396 02:54:25,545 --> 02:54:28,965 People signed, but they weren't, they didn't, it hadn't, 3397 02:54:28,965 --> 02:54:30,285 didn't happen to be a registered voter. 3398 02:54:30,305 --> 02:54:33,445 So their, their signature was not valid for the purpose 3399 02:54:33,545 --> 02:54:36,605 of putting the candidate onto on the, on the ballot. 3400 02:54:37,545 --> 02:54:39,805 Do you have information about what's the typical 3401 02:54:40,435 --> 02:54:44,165 rejection rate of the, of, of signatures? 3402 02:54:44,705 --> 02:54:46,445 Not well and it's not just the signature, 3403 02:54:46,475 --> 02:54:48,605 it's also they can't be duplicates, they can't have 3404 02:54:48,605 --> 02:54:50,085 to be registered, they can't be duplicates. 3405 02:54:50,815 --> 02:54:55,805 Right. So that question, so I did talk 3406 02:54:55,805 --> 02:54:57,605 with the county elections office. 3407 02:54:57,755 --> 02:55:01,845 They are not able to verify any amount of signatures due to 3408 02:55:02,585 --> 02:55:04,365 the legal compliance issue. 3409 02:55:04,985 --> 02:55:06,885 But I got curious about the same thing. 3410 02:55:07,505 --> 02:55:10,845 So I went back and I looked at the water bond petition 3411 02:55:11,195 --> 02:55:12,765 that we had a few years ago 3412 02:55:13,145 --> 02:55:15,685 and the county did verify those signatures 3413 02:55:15,705 --> 02:55:17,765 and the rejection rate was 13%. 3414 02:55:18,585 --> 02:55:23,125 So if you apply 13% to the amount 3415 02:55:23,825 --> 02:55:26,645 the petitioner submitted, 3416 02:55:27,955 --> 02:55:29,245 that only leaves 3417 02:55:30,625 --> 02:55:34,445 1,145 valid signatures. 3418 02:55:35,505 --> 02:55:40,085 In addition, 'cause I like numbers too, with all 3419 02:55:40,205 --> 02:55:42,765 of the candidates turning in signature sheets 3420 02:55:42,785 --> 02:55:46,645 for verification, I did a quick average 3421 02:55:46,825 --> 02:55:50,525 and it's 15% of signatures that were verified 3422 02:55:50,545 --> 02:55:51,685 by candidates in the, 3423 02:55:52,705 --> 02:55:54,565 in this election that are being rejected. 3424 02:55:55,145 --> 02:55:58,805 So there's, so there's some reason to think that 3425 02:55:58,805 --> 02:56:00,365 that 15% rejection rate 3426 02:56:00,365 --> 02:56:04,045 or even 10% rejection rate is, is, 3427 02:56:04,045 --> 02:56:05,565 would be applicable in this case as well. 3428 02:56:05,705 --> 02:56:08,325 So less than the actual number of signatures required. 3429 02:56:08,325 --> 02:56:11,925 Correct. So I've I I've, I've got another question 3430 02:56:12,045 --> 02:56:14,325 'cause it's also in the packet, it's actually for, 3431 02:56:16,305 --> 02:56:17,765 for our city attorney. 3432 02:56:19,265 --> 02:56:21,885 You have in there some concerns about the actual language. 3433 02:56:21,885 --> 02:56:24,925 When George, when you presented this back in November, 3434 02:56:25,285 --> 02:56:27,845 I said that I wasn't supporting putting this on the ballot 3435 02:56:27,985 --> 02:56:29,605 at that point without going to, 3436 02:56:30,405 --> 02:56:31,885 well I said I wasn't supportive of putting 3437 02:56:31,885 --> 02:56:33,365 that ballot ballot at that point. 3438 02:56:33,485 --> 02:56:35,885 'cause I, I didn't like the wording, 3439 02:56:35,925 --> 02:56:37,325 I thought the wording would actually 3440 02:56:38,115 --> 02:56:39,925 keep us from the inflation adjustment, 3441 02:56:39,925 --> 02:56:41,605 which I talked about earlier this evening. 3442 02:56:42,425 --> 02:56:45,165 We hadn't raised our fees 3443 02:56:46,505 --> 02:56:50,045 for seven, eight years, so they lost purchasing power 3444 02:56:50,385 --> 02:56:52,565 and I thought that this would then you, 3445 02:56:52,665 --> 02:56:55,365 the way you had worded this would require us to go back 3446 02:56:55,365 --> 02:56:58,765 and get a voter approval every time we want to adjust 3447 02:56:58,825 --> 02:57:00,845 for inflation, one of the, one of these fees. 3448 02:57:01,185 --> 02:57:02,765 And we just wouldn't do that. 3449 02:57:03,705 --> 02:57:05,205 But can, so my question 3450 02:57:05,225 --> 02:57:08,445 for the city attorney is you expressed the same thing in the 3451 02:57:08,445 --> 02:57:12,005 packet and you added an additional concern 3452 02:57:12,375 --> 02:57:16,285 about franchise fees. Could you explain that? 3453 02:57:17,275 --> 02:57:19,645 Yeah, and I haven't done a deep dive into it. 3454 02:57:19,645 --> 02:57:20,765 It actually just occurred to me 3455 02:57:20,765 --> 02:57:23,445 after we went through the stuff with the Vista. 3456 02:57:24,485 --> 02:57:28,085 I think realistically it's more of a, a practical 3457 02:57:28,085 --> 02:57:31,805 and financial question, but a franchise fee not being rated. 3458 02:57:32,225 --> 02:57:35,325 So the, the bill language itself refers to utility bill. 3459 02:57:35,505 --> 02:57:37,765 So I believe that would include non 3460 02:57:38,475 --> 02:57:41,045 municipally owned utilities to include a vista. 3461 02:57:41,705 --> 02:57:43,045 So in my reading of that, 3462 02:57:43,045 --> 02:57:45,325 then I started thinking about a franchise fee is not 3463 02:57:45,325 --> 02:57:47,605 necessarily related to operations. 3464 02:57:47,625 --> 02:57:51,405 So if we, if council wanted to then raise a franchise fee, 3465 02:57:52,715 --> 02:57:54,765 they would have to take that to a voters. 3466 02:57:55,265 --> 02:57:56,765 And then I started thinking more about that 3467 02:57:57,865 --> 02:58:01,165 and started thinking if there was an OAR 3468 02:58:01,275 --> 02:58:03,485 that required a certain level set 3469 02:58:03,505 --> 02:58:05,325 for a franchise fee like natural gas 3470 02:58:07,105 --> 02:58:08,285 and we took it to the voters 3471 02:58:08,345 --> 02:58:09,525 and they did not agree with it, 3472 02:58:09,525 --> 02:58:11,285 then we wouldn't be in compliance with that. 3473 02:58:13,145 --> 02:58:14,285 And then again, these are just kind 3474 02:58:14,285 --> 02:58:15,605 of hypotheticals I started thinking about 3475 02:58:15,965 --> 02:58:18,605 'cause this is not a, You know, 3476 02:58:19,425 --> 02:58:20,805 not brought forth by by council. 3477 02:58:20,925 --> 02:58:22,725 I haven't done a deep dive into it yet. 3478 02:58:22,725 --> 02:58:25,485 But then also looking at some of the other schemes 3479 02:58:25,485 --> 02:58:28,045 that exist with public utility commissions 3480 02:58:28,345 --> 02:58:30,565 and service territories and whether 3481 02:58:30,565 --> 02:58:33,405 or not we would have then a potential issue if 3482 02:58:35,835 --> 02:58:38,085 essentially there was a territorial agreement 3483 02:58:38,425 --> 02:58:41,205 and we couldn't comply with it based on not being able 3484 02:58:41,205 --> 02:58:44,245 to get our voters to go along with those fees. 3485 02:58:44,345 --> 02:58:47,485 So again, these just occurred to me 3486 02:58:47,935 --> 02:58:49,485 after the Vista conversation. 3487 02:58:51,625 --> 02:58:54,525 So I had some concerns if it were gonna be, you know, 3488 02:58:54,525 --> 02:58:55,845 the council putting forward the, 3489 02:58:55,965 --> 02:58:58,325 a task endorsement basically of putting it on the ballot. 3490 02:58:59,485 --> 02:59:01,845 I thought they should at least be addressed on the surface. 3491 02:59:02,525 --> 02:59:05,565 I think that the language of, you know, 3492 02:59:05,565 --> 02:59:08,085 just quote utility bill extends 3493 02:59:08,085 --> 02:59:10,565 beyond just the city's utility 3494 02:59:11,995 --> 02:59:12,995 Councilor Duque. 3495 02:59:13,825 --> 02:59:18,005 So Mayor, for the sake of time, can we extend the time 3496 02:59:18,865 --> 02:59:20,085 We have until nine 20? 3497 02:59:20,185 --> 02:59:22,885 So we still have a good period of time and at that PO 3498 02:59:22,885 --> 02:59:23,925 or until nine 30 3499 02:59:24,025 --> 02:59:25,445 and at that point we have 3500 02:59:25,445 --> 02:59:26,525 to have a motion on the floor 3501 02:59:26,525 --> 02:59:27,565 in order to get 10 more minutes. 3502 02:59:27,625 --> 02:59:29,285 But we still have a considerable amount of time. 3503 02:59:30,315 --> 02:59:31,485 Counselor Hansen, 3504 02:59:32,825 --> 02:59:37,165 Please, I can appreciate gathering signatures 3505 02:59:37,625 --> 02:59:41,725 for this seat and certainly had some hiccups 3506 02:59:42,105 --> 02:59:45,525 and I can also appreciate the efforts of citizens going 3507 02:59:45,525 --> 02:59:47,325 after something like this. 3508 02:59:47,425 --> 02:59:49,605 So I, again, I appreciate that. 3509 02:59:50,585 --> 02:59:51,805 But Johanna, 3510 02:59:51,805 --> 02:59:53,525 I was hoping you could read the 3511 02:59:53,805 --> 02:59:55,045 proposed language for us please. 3512 03:00:17,255 --> 03:00:18,845 Let's see. Just, I'll read the summary. 3513 03:00:20,125 --> 03:00:22,005 I against vote Amends absent city Charter, 3514 03:00:22,595 --> 03:00:26,045 charter Article nine Special powers of Council as follows, 3515 03:00:26,235 --> 03:00:28,285 section eight Fees and taxes. 3516 03:00:28,465 --> 03:00:31,325 The city council by majority vote, may propose new fees, 3517 03:00:31,415 --> 03:00:33,925 taxes, or increase existing fees 3518 03:00:33,925 --> 03:00:37,165 or taxes on a utility bill unrelated to the operation 3519 03:00:37,165 --> 03:00:40,285 of those, the utilities, oh, I'm sorry. 3520 03:00:40,985 --> 03:00:45,685 I'm sorry guys. So charter amendment as follows, 3521 03:00:45,685 --> 03:00:46,725 section eight, fees and taxes. 3522 03:00:47,025 --> 03:00:50,085 The city council by majority vote, may propose new fees, 3523 03:00:50,095 --> 03:00:51,965 taxes, or increase existing fees 3524 03:00:51,965 --> 03:00:54,445 or taxes on a utility bill unrelated 3525 03:00:54,445 --> 03:00:56,005 to the operation of the utilities. 3526 03:00:56,065 --> 03:00:59,245 Notwithstanding any other provision, no such fee, tax 3527 03:00:59,305 --> 03:01:01,325 or increase will be assessed, imposed 3528 03:01:01,425 --> 03:01:04,925 or collected until at least 30 days following a positive 3529 03:01:04,925 --> 03:01:07,245 vote to affirm by Ashland voters at the next 3530 03:01:07,595 --> 03:01:09,005 regularly scheduled election. 3531 03:01:10,855 --> 03:01:11,855 Thank you. 3532 03:01:13,755 --> 03:01:15,125 Okay. Councillor Blum? 3533 03:01:15,555 --> 03:01:18,765 Yeah, thank you. No, I think all, all, all good points 3534 03:01:18,905 --> 03:01:22,845 and, and I would like to point out that, you know, we 3535 03:01:23,435 --> 03:01:25,285 control this now at this point 3536 03:01:25,665 --> 03:01:26,845 and we can change the language. 3537 03:01:27,475 --> 03:01:29,245 It's, it's not a we have to go 3538 03:01:29,245 --> 03:01:31,325 with the proposed language or, or nothing. 3539 03:01:31,425 --> 03:01:33,525 We can certainly add in, you know, 3540 03:01:33,525 --> 03:01:35,405 to protections first for inflation. 3541 03:01:35,905 --> 03:01:37,925 We can exclude franchise fees 3542 03:01:38,145 --> 03:01:41,085 and, you know, exclude any, you know, pro proposed fees 3543 03:01:41,085 --> 03:01:42,885 outside of the jurisdiction of the city of Ashland. 3544 03:01:42,885 --> 03:01:45,965 So we can put protections in place in the event 3545 03:01:46,115 --> 03:01:47,965 that the voters do decide to pass it. 3546 03:01:48,265 --> 03:01:50,325 We at least, you know, have some ability 3547 03:01:50,465 --> 03:01:52,125 to put some safeguards here 3548 03:01:52,125 --> 03:01:54,965 so we're not completely causing damage or harm. 3549 03:01:55,905 --> 03:01:59,365 And so, you know, that's, that's kind of where I am is 3550 03:01:59,365 --> 03:02:01,645 that we actually have the benefit of, of, you know, 3551 03:02:01,645 --> 03:02:04,925 making some improvements here or we don't do anything 3552 03:02:05,465 --> 03:02:07,325 and more signatures are collected 3553 03:02:07,745 --> 03:02:09,005 and it still goes to the ballot, 3554 03:02:09,105 --> 03:02:12,085 but maybe with language that is problematic for the, 3555 03:02:12,085 --> 03:02:13,165 for the city down down the road. 3556 03:02:13,385 --> 03:02:15,245 So I think that this is a great opportunity to, 3557 03:02:15,585 --> 03:02:16,645 to improve the language 3558 03:02:17,225 --> 03:02:20,725 and still those of us that are opposed to, to this idea of, 3559 03:02:20,825 --> 03:02:22,605 of having to wait for an election to be able 3560 03:02:22,605 --> 03:02:24,525 to have this conversation can still 3561 03:02:24,525 --> 03:02:25,685 go out and make that case. 3562 03:02:26,425 --> 03:02:28,245 So for, for me, I think that this is kind 3563 03:02:28,245 --> 03:02:30,485 of a winning opportunity for us to, to tweak this a bit 3564 03:02:31,345 --> 03:02:32,725 and then still go to the voters 3565 03:02:32,745 --> 03:02:34,845 and make the case that, that this isn't the right 3566 03:02:34,845 --> 03:02:36,125 process that we should be using. 3567 03:02:36,975 --> 03:02:40,365 Councillor King, If I may, I'd like 3568 03:02:40,365 --> 03:02:42,685 to ask this body if we can suspend the rules 3569 03:02:42,865 --> 03:02:44,045 for about five minutes 3570 03:02:44,225 --> 03:02:46,805 and have our chief petitioner speak to this. 3571 03:02:48,885 --> 03:02:50,325 I, I would, I would second that 3572 03:02:50,625 --> 03:02:52,205 and I think that it'd be valuable for all 3573 03:02:52,205 --> 03:02:53,365 of us in case we have questions 3574 03:02:53,365 --> 03:02:54,565 of the chief petitioner as well. 3575 03:02:56,465 --> 03:02:59,285 So I'm open to having the, the 3576 03:03:01,145 --> 03:03:03,085 an you can go ahead and make that motion. 3577 03:03:03,545 --> 03:03:07,325 I'd like to move that we suspend the rules for 3578 03:03:08,105 --> 03:03:11,925 10 minutes and have our chief petitioner come up 3579 03:03:11,925 --> 03:03:13,925 and speak to us and we can ask questions. 3580 03:03:14,385 --> 03:03:17,325 Second, Are there any questions or discussion? 3581 03:03:18,715 --> 03:03:19,715 Roll call please. Alyssa 3582 03:03:22,445 --> 03:03:23,445 Sharelle. 3583 03:03:23,985 --> 03:03:28,725 Excuse me. Dale? Yes. Bloom? Yes. Kaplan? Yes. 3584 03:03:29,245 --> 03:03:32,125 Du Kane? Yes. Hanson? Nope. Motion. 3585 03:03:32,225 --> 03:03:35,045 Mr. Kramer, if you can just make sure 3586 03:03:35,045 --> 03:03:36,325 that you turn on your microphone. 3587 03:03:36,995 --> 03:03:38,285 It's the little button in the front. 3588 03:03:38,375 --> 03:03:40,765 It'll make the it go red and that's how you know it's on. 3589 03:03:41,115 --> 03:03:44,245 Okay, great. Thanks. Okay. 3590 03:03:44,245 --> 03:03:47,325 Councillor du Kane, did you have any questions 3591 03:03:48,725 --> 03:03:49,885 I wanted to ask you? 3592 03:03:49,885 --> 03:03:52,245 Thank you, George. When it comes time 3593 03:03:52,345 --> 03:03:53,805 to changing the language 3594 03:03:53,825 --> 03:03:56,405 and looking at the time, something that I know 3595 03:03:56,405 --> 03:04:01,165 that this body has the, the ability to go ahead 3596 03:04:01,225 --> 03:04:05,045 and put it on the, to move, move it forward as is. 3597 03:04:06,505 --> 03:04:10,845 And I know that everybody is talking about 1300, 3598 03:04:10,915 --> 03:04:15,565 1500, but the people have spoken to it 3599 03:04:15,625 --> 03:04:19,885 and this body has the right, the, the authority, the ability 3600 03:04:20,105 --> 03:04:21,165 to put it out there. 3601 03:04:21,715 --> 03:04:25,085 What do you think about counselors Blooms 3602 03:04:26,585 --> 03:04:28,245 ask to change the language? 3603 03:04:30,495 --> 03:04:34,845 Thank you. So certainly legally the counsel can 3604 03:04:34,845 --> 03:04:35,965 do anything it wants to do. 3605 03:04:35,985 --> 03:04:37,885 It can create an entirely different 3606 03:04:38,245 --> 03:04:39,405 proposal to change the charter. 3607 03:04:39,505 --> 03:04:44,365 It can use the language that we, we used. 3608 03:04:44,605 --> 03:04:46,365 I think some history here is appropriate. 3609 03:04:46,825 --> 03:04:50,445 The language that was put onto the petition that we went 3610 03:04:50,445 --> 03:04:54,965 and talked to 1500 voters about was language that I 3611 03:04:55,145 --> 03:04:56,965 and the city attorney agreed to. 3612 03:04:58,265 --> 03:05:01,085 And that was the language that was presented 3613 03:05:01,145 --> 03:05:03,365 to 1500 Ashland voters. 3614 03:05:04,265 --> 03:05:07,165 The information about the change in count is new to me. 3615 03:05:07,185 --> 03:05:09,325 We counted those before we submitted them. 3616 03:05:10,285 --> 03:05:12,045 I don't know if that's accurate or not. 3617 03:05:12,105 --> 03:05:16,325 It doesn't really matter. When we came before you in October 3618 03:05:16,705 --> 03:05:21,125 or November, I guess it was, we were basically told 3619 03:05:21,125 --> 03:05:24,445 to go out and show that there was interest in the public in, 3620 03:05:24,825 --> 03:05:26,645 in voting on this charter amendment. 3621 03:05:26,865 --> 03:05:29,845 And the language that we agreed to is 3622 03:05:29,845 --> 03:05:32,485 what people said they wanted to vote on. 3623 03:05:33,745 --> 03:05:36,605 The council has the ability to change whatever it wants 3624 03:05:36,605 --> 03:05:38,645 to do, but I think it is disrespectful 3625 03:05:39,345 --> 03:05:41,805 to the citizen process, to the initiative process 3626 03:05:41,945 --> 03:05:43,285 and to the 1500 voters 3627 03:05:43,715 --> 03:05:47,205 that signed a petition thinking they would have a chance in 3628 03:05:47,445 --> 03:05:48,765 November to vote. 3629 03:05:50,005 --> 03:05:52,485 I would say to Councilor Kaplan's concern 3630 03:05:53,065 --> 03:05:55,125 or yours to Councilor Bloom, 3631 03:05:57,845 --> 03:05:59,005 I answered this for you. 3632 03:05:59,065 --> 03:06:00,085 In, in November, 3633 03:06:01,075 --> 03:06:03,805 step increases were something this council created on the 3634 03:06:03,985 --> 03:06:05,165 fly when it created all 3635 03:06:05,165 --> 03:06:07,885 of these fees last June, two Junes ago. 3636 03:06:08,985 --> 03:06:11,885 If council, if this were to have be put on the ballot 3637 03:06:11,985 --> 03:06:15,885 and become law and council wants to adopt a policy 3638 03:06:16,185 --> 03:06:18,685 for step increases for utility, 3639 03:06:18,905 --> 03:06:22,085 for fees on our utility bills unrelated to the utilities, 3640 03:06:22,865 --> 03:06:25,805 you can put that on the ballot and we can vote on it. 3641 03:06:27,365 --> 03:06:28,925 I would probably vote for it. 3642 03:06:30,385 --> 03:06:31,605 But what we're talking about 3643 03:06:31,635 --> 03:06:34,005 with the mayor's proposal earlier today was 3644 03:06:34,005 --> 03:06:36,925 to have a public process about 3645 03:06:36,985 --> 03:06:41,565 how Ashland uses its utility monopoly to create revenue 3646 03:06:42,235 --> 03:06:44,125 from residents. 3647 03:06:44,705 --> 03:06:46,285 We don't have a choice about that. 3648 03:06:46,715 --> 03:06:48,045 It's not a parking fight, 3649 03:06:48,525 --> 03:06:50,565 a parking ticket like you said Madam Mayor. 3650 03:06:51,595 --> 03:06:53,005 It's something we all have to pay. 3651 03:06:53,865 --> 03:06:57,205 We should have a voice including step increases. 3652 03:06:57,965 --> 03:07:01,965 I think the thing for you to do, we made a mistake. 3653 03:07:02,235 --> 03:07:04,605 There's a lot of forms involved in trying 3654 03:07:04,605 --> 03:07:05,965 to get a petition signed, 3655 03:07:06,665 --> 03:07:09,125 but we did the work, we did what you asked us to do 3656 03:07:10,465 --> 03:07:11,525 and we demonstrated 3657 03:07:11,525 --> 03:07:14,525 that the public is interested in voting on this. 3658 03:07:15,265 --> 03:07:18,125 And I think the appropriate thing is to let them vote 3659 03:07:18,825 --> 03:07:20,605 on the petition that they signed. 3660 03:07:21,345 --> 03:07:22,685 And if it were to pass 3661 03:07:24,505 --> 03:07:28,565 and you want to adopt step increases, you can ask 3662 03:07:28,825 --> 03:07:29,885 for step increases 3663 03:07:29,885 --> 03:07:32,885 and we'll vote on it just like we would anything else. 3664 03:07:33,985 --> 03:07:37,765 And so I'm happy to answer whatever questions you have about 3665 03:07:37,825 --> 03:07:42,565 how the process went sideways about the joy 3666 03:07:42,665 --> 03:07:46,285 of trying to collect 1500 signatures in Ashland 3667 03:07:46,585 --> 03:07:47,685 and talking to people. 3668 03:07:47,965 --> 03:07:50,405 I bumped into most of you holding a clipboard. 3669 03:07:50,565 --> 03:07:51,565 A lot of us did. 3670 03:07:51,995 --> 03:07:56,335 It's not an easy thing to do, but we did it. 3671 03:07:56,555 --> 03:07:58,535 And the public is very interested in this 3672 03:07:58,555 --> 03:08:00,295 and I think it would be good for the city 3673 03:08:00,795 --> 03:08:03,535 and it would be good for the council for you 3674 03:08:03,535 --> 03:08:06,615 to honor the process that we're in the middle of 3675 03:08:06,915 --> 03:08:10,215 and not change it on the fly. 3676 03:08:11,705 --> 03:08:16,375 Thank you. Any other questions? Councillor Blum? 3677 03:08:17,155 --> 03:08:18,295 Thanks Mr. Kramer. 3678 03:08:18,815 --> 03:08:23,175 I would just kind of pause it to you that, you know, 3679 03:08:23,175 --> 03:08:25,375 you suggested that we should, we should honor the language 3680 03:08:25,485 --> 03:08:26,775 that that people decided 3681 03:08:28,675 --> 03:08:30,575 and if, if that was the case 3682 03:08:31,075 --> 03:08:32,815 and we decided to move forward with that, 3683 03:08:33,225 --> 03:08:34,655 there should also be an understanding 3684 03:08:34,655 --> 03:08:37,415 that it might not end up on the ballot in November. 3685 03:08:38,045 --> 03:08:41,215 That there is an opportunity here for this council to decide 3686 03:08:41,215 --> 03:08:43,735 to move forward with your petition, 3687 03:08:44,115 --> 03:08:47,455 but correcting some issues around franchise fees, 3688 03:08:47,835 --> 03:08:50,455 around fees that, you know, maybe the county would impose 3689 03:08:50,525 --> 03:08:52,415 that that could create legal issues 3690 03:08:52,475 --> 03:08:54,775 for us and and inflation. 3691 03:08:55,115 --> 03:08:57,175 And it's an opportunity to keep, it's the same, 3692 03:08:57,685 --> 03:08:59,815 same mechanism we still any new fees 3693 03:08:59,815 --> 03:09:01,135 because that's what this all was about. 3694 03:09:01,285 --> 03:09:02,935 This isn't necessarily about inflation. 3695 03:09:03,175 --> 03:09:06,575 I mean, my understanding is this is us deciding to come up 3696 03:09:06,575 --> 03:09:08,135 with new fees like the parks fee 3697 03:09:08,135 --> 03:09:11,775 or the wildfire fee without much public or any public input. 3698 03:09:13,035 --> 03:09:14,415 And then just kind of moving forward. 3699 03:09:14,415 --> 03:09:15,895 And I, and I agree that that's wrong 3700 03:09:15,995 --> 03:09:17,215 and that there needs to be a process 3701 03:09:17,395 --> 03:09:20,215 and you know, we can, we can debate this, you know, 3702 03:09:20,355 --> 03:09:22,975 ad nauseum about should we wait for an election 3703 03:09:22,975 --> 03:09:24,575 and pay for an election to do this 3704 03:09:24,635 --> 03:09:27,255 or should we have, you know, maybe a more condensed timeline 3705 03:09:27,755 --> 03:09:30,655 and, and I'm ready to have that debate, you know, publicly 3706 03:09:30,725 --> 03:09:31,855 with, with the electorate. 3707 03:09:32,955 --> 03:09:34,855 But I think that there needs to be an understanding that 3708 03:09:34,855 --> 03:09:36,215 that, you know, there is an opportunity 3709 03:09:36,235 --> 03:09:39,135 to get this on the ballot with some, some important changes 3710 03:09:40,205 --> 03:09:42,455 that this council could potentially get behind 3711 03:09:43,475 --> 03:09:45,495 or risk not passing this 3712 03:09:46,595 --> 03:09:49,975 and having to wait until 1500 signatures are collected. 3713 03:09:50,075 --> 03:09:52,535 So I I just, something, something to think about. 3714 03:09:52,535 --> 03:09:54,045 It was more a comment than a question. 3715 03:09:54,625 --> 03:09:56,365 And that's how I'm thinking about this is 3716 03:09:56,365 --> 03:09:59,285 that I wanna honor the people that sign those that, 3717 03:09:59,285 --> 03:10:01,765 that want this conversation to happen in the community 3718 03:10:02,105 --> 03:10:03,445 and I want to do it in a way 3719 03:10:03,445 --> 03:10:07,085 that also doesn't break the city potentially. 3720 03:10:07,185 --> 03:10:08,845 And I, and I think that there's a middle path here, 3721 03:10:08,865 --> 03:10:10,565 so just wanted to make that comment. 3722 03:10:11,035 --> 03:10:12,525 Okay. Any other questions? 3723 03:10:13,445 --> 03:10:14,725 I just wanna be mindful of time. 3724 03:10:16,445 --> 03:10:18,285 I have a question for Johann. 3725 03:10:18,945 --> 03:10:23,005 So Johann, when, when a petitioner comes forward 3726 03:10:23,155 --> 03:10:25,085 with ballot language, what is that process 3727 03:10:25,195 --> 03:10:26,845 that your department goes through? 3728 03:10:27,565 --> 03:10:31,645 'cause I I I'm hearing a language around we agreed and, 3729 03:10:31,665 --> 03:10:33,885 and I, I would like to understand better what, 3730 03:10:34,075 --> 03:10:35,245 what that process looks like. 3731 03:10:35,355 --> 03:10:36,765 Yeah, primarily I'm just looking at 3732 03:10:36,765 --> 03:10:38,245 clarity and that it makes sense. 3733 03:10:38,425 --> 03:10:40,285 I'm not looking at like the substantive impacts 3734 03:10:40,585 --> 03:10:44,165 or, you know, in this case, like I said, the Avista thing, 3735 03:10:44,165 --> 03:10:45,685 I didn't even, it didn't occur to me until 3736 03:10:46,435 --> 03:10:47,445 just a few months ago, 3737 03:10:48,265 --> 03:10:50,285 but I'm not doing a deep dive into it. 3738 03:10:50,305 --> 03:10:51,605 I'm looking, we were, we went back 3739 03:10:51,605 --> 03:10:56,205 and forth on things like having comma placement 3740 03:10:56,205 --> 03:10:58,805 and word choice, but that's what I'm looking at. 3741 03:10:59,185 --> 03:11:01,125 But it's not an assessment of the impact 3742 03:11:01,125 --> 03:11:03,205 of any particular ballot language on the city. 3743 03:11:03,475 --> 03:11:06,205 Like it's not a, it is not a guidance process that way. 3744 03:11:06,205 --> 03:11:08,325 It's a, it's a, it's a legal process 3745 03:11:08,505 --> 03:11:09,925 around a ballot initiative 3746 03:11:09,925 --> 03:11:11,845 and making sure it's got clear language and things, 3747 03:11:11,845 --> 03:11:13,325 Making sure it's the requirement, the legal requirements 3748 03:11:13,325 --> 03:11:14,725 Of legal requirements are made, met 3749 03:11:14,745 --> 03:11:16,805 Of the ballot measure, you know, process. 3750 03:11:17,145 --> 03:11:19,245 But I'm not providing legal guidance as to 3751 03:11:20,065 --> 03:11:21,245 The, the impact potentially. 3752 03:11:21,245 --> 03:11:22,565 Okay. I think that's, that's helpful 3753 03:11:22,585 --> 03:11:23,805 to have that clear clarification. 3754 03:11:23,805 --> 03:11:26,725 Thank you. Any further questions? 3755 03:11:27,145 --> 03:11:28,965 We do have someone who has signed up to speak 3756 03:11:28,965 --> 03:11:31,485 with us this evening and thank you Mr. Kramer. 3757 03:11:32,105 --> 03:11:33,245 Oh, you had one more question. 3758 03:11:33,315 --> 03:11:34,965 Hold, hold on just a moment. Councilor Cap? 3759 03:11:35,145 --> 03:11:36,565 Yep. One, one more question there. 3760 03:11:36,565 --> 03:11:38,765 There's a date of Ste of August 4th. 3761 03:11:38,895 --> 03:11:40,965 We've got a council meeting on the fourth. 3762 03:11:41,135 --> 03:11:45,085 There is a deadline for submitting ballot measures. 3763 03:11:45,305 --> 03:11:47,925 Is that August 4th or is that later than August 4th? 3764 03:11:48,345 --> 03:11:51,205 That's the last, the last council meeting 3765 03:11:51,385 --> 03:11:52,525 before the deadline. 3766 03:11:52,905 --> 03:11:56,805 You could call a special study or a special meeting. 3767 03:11:58,155 --> 03:12:00,005 What, what is, I'm sorry, what is the deadline for the, 3768 03:12:00,145 --> 03:12:01,005 for submitting a ballot 3769 03:12:01,005 --> 03:12:02,205 measure? That's, that's what probably 3770 03:12:02,825 --> 03:12:03,845 In the packet. 3771 03:12:04,075 --> 03:12:05,365 Just one second please. 3772 03:12:09,875 --> 03:12:11,205 It's the very last page. 3773 03:12:15,205 --> 03:12:17,805 I think it's August 16th. 16th 3774 03:12:18,845 --> 03:12:19,845 I think so. 3775 03:12:19,925 --> 03:12:22,645 I, okay. So we could, we could consider a 3776 03:12:22,645 --> 03:12:24,245 different ballot language. 3777 03:12:24,245 --> 03:12:26,645 We could direct staff to come back with a resolution 3778 03:12:27,835 --> 03:12:31,165 with a different ballot language on the August 4th 3779 03:12:31,315 --> 03:12:32,885 meeting. Okay. 3780 03:12:33,235 --> 03:12:36,645 Okay. Thank you. It's August 14th. 14th, 3781 03:12:36,995 --> 03:12:37,995 Okay. 3782 03:12:38,025 --> 03:12:39,285 Yes. Thank you Mr. Kramer. 3783 03:12:40,425 --> 03:12:42,245 The one person who has signed up to speak 3784 03:12:42,245 --> 03:12:43,885 with us this evening is Catherine Shaw. 3785 03:12:44,665 --> 03:12:46,325 You will have three minutes at the podium. 3786 03:12:50,185 --> 03:12:54,285 The podium and the light display will, will turn 3787 03:12:54,285 --> 03:12:56,005 to yellow when you have 20 seconds left. 3788 03:12:56,005 --> 03:12:57,765 It will go to red when your time is up 3789 03:12:57,765 --> 03:13:00,765 and you'll hear buzzers at both of those time points. Okay. 3790 03:13:00,765 --> 03:13:04,565 Appreciate it. Just a couple comments of clarification. 3791 03:13:05,225 --> 03:13:08,005 The initial process is not necessarily democratic process. 3792 03:13:08,385 --> 03:13:11,365 It is a phenomena that happened in the western states 3793 03:13:11,665 --> 03:13:12,725 of the United States. 3794 03:13:13,265 --> 03:13:17,245 It happened in the early 19 hundreds, only as far as I know, 3795 03:13:17,355 --> 03:13:21,045 only a couple states east of the hundredth meridian 3796 03:13:21,605 --> 03:13:24,285 actually allow the initiative process, except 3797 03:13:24,285 --> 03:13:25,685 with the exception of Illinois, 3798 03:13:25,685 --> 03:13:28,165 which put it in place in 1970. 3799 03:13:29,355 --> 03:13:34,005 Just so you know, also, you can't make changes 3800 03:13:34,215 --> 03:13:36,045 after the voters have voted on it. 3801 03:13:36,065 --> 03:13:37,165 You need to make those changes. 3802 03:13:37,425 --> 03:13:40,725 Now, once the voters have voted on an initiative process, 3803 03:13:41,305 --> 03:13:42,845 it is sanctioned. 3804 03:13:42,945 --> 03:13:45,405 It can't be changed in any way, shape or form 3805 03:13:45,505 --> 03:13:47,405 unless, you know, as people said, 3806 03:13:47,405 --> 03:13:48,645 it goes back out to a vote. 3807 03:13:49,225 --> 03:13:52,285 So you want to be careful about what you put on the ballot 3808 03:13:53,085 --> 03:13:55,005 because that's what voters approve. 3809 03:13:55,265 --> 03:13:57,605 And you can't just like fudge with it after, 3810 03:13:58,375 --> 03:14:00,485 after that's been approved by the voters. 3811 03:14:01,745 --> 03:14:05,485 So I, it, 3812 03:14:06,465 --> 03:14:09,085 I'm deeply opposed to this and in large part 3813 03:14:09,085 --> 03:14:12,805 because let's say for example, we have a flood this year. 3814 03:14:12,945 --> 03:14:17,085 It happens and you suddenly need a lot of money 3815 03:14:17,665 --> 03:14:21,125 to cover that flood until possibly FEMA money comes through. 3816 03:14:21,125 --> 03:14:25,805 If it ever does, and you wanna put this out 3817 03:14:25,805 --> 03:14:29,045 to a vote, well, in putting it out to a vote, it will, 3818 03:14:29,305 --> 03:14:32,365 it will cost you quite a bit of money to put 3819 03:14:32,365 --> 03:14:34,045 that on the ballot unless you put it in 3820 03:14:34,045 --> 03:14:35,205 an even year election. 3821 03:14:35,515 --> 03:14:37,605 That would be a midterm general primary 3822 03:14:38,225 --> 03:14:40,485 or a presidential general or primary. 3823 03:14:40,935 --> 03:14:42,285 Those elections are free. 3824 03:14:42,285 --> 03:14:44,445 Everything else, you're gonna pay a lot 3825 03:14:44,445 --> 03:14:45,925 of money to put it on the ballot. 3826 03:14:46,345 --> 03:14:48,725 So that means if you have a flood this fall, 3827 03:14:49,145 --> 03:14:50,525 you will wait two years 3828 03:14:51,145 --> 03:14:53,965 before you can ask voters to 3829 03:14:55,525 --> 03:14:59,325 increase some income for you to cover any flood damages, 3830 03:14:59,575 --> 03:15:01,565 earthquake, fire, whatever. 3831 03:15:02,065 --> 03:15:03,805 It takes away your power. 3832 03:15:04,705 --> 03:15:06,885 You are members, you are elected 3833 03:15:07,265 --> 03:15:10,605 by us in a representative form of government 3834 03:15:10,875 --> 03:15:14,045 because we want you to make these decisions 3835 03:15:14,065 --> 03:15:18,005 for us voters do not have the same amount of time 3836 03:15:18,105 --> 03:15:21,525 or dedication or commitment that you have by running 3837 03:15:21,625 --> 03:15:25,605 for office to study the issue and, 3838 03:15:25,745 --> 03:15:28,085 and decide whether it should or should not happen. 3839 03:15:29,225 --> 03:15:32,925 And, and by way of example, most of the voters 3840 03:15:33,065 --> 03:15:35,325 or most of the people who've commented on social media, 3841 03:15:35,325 --> 03:15:39,165 that they're in favor of this particular initiative 3842 03:15:39,705 --> 03:15:43,325 are also people who are surprised that we continue 3843 03:15:43,325 --> 03:15:44,445 to buy Parkland. 3844 03:15:44,755 --> 03:15:46,445 Even though they led the charge 3845 03:15:46,905 --> 03:15:50,685 to vote against Parkland being used, or excuse me, food 3846 03:15:50,685 --> 03:15:52,645 and beverage tax money being used 3847 03:15:53,185 --> 03:15:56,365 for park maintenance. 3848 03:15:56,635 --> 03:15:57,725 They didn't know that 3849 03:15:58,145 --> 03:16:01,405 and they, you know, were strong, strongly advocating, 3850 03:16:01,865 --> 03:16:03,085 had lawn signs, everything. 3851 03:16:03,385 --> 03:16:05,725 So when you say you want to have, 3852 03:16:08,195 --> 03:16:09,365 this is so distracting. 3853 03:16:09,365 --> 03:16:10,365 Thank you. It's so distracting. Thank 3854 03:16:10,365 --> 03:16:11,365 You. 3855 03:16:11,365 --> 03:16:12,085 Yeah, the time is up. 3856 03:16:12,395 --> 03:16:14,205 Okay. I don't get Thank you. 3857 03:16:15,065 --> 03:16:17,605 You know, I was cut off before last time I was here. 3858 03:16:17,735 --> 03:16:19,125 Thank you. Okay, 3859 03:16:21,185 --> 03:16:23,925 So we are back to the council discussion. 3860 03:16:23,945 --> 03:16:27,845 Is there anything else? Any further questions of staff? 3861 03:16:29,755 --> 03:16:33,165 Okay, so the Go ahead. You have a question? 3862 03:16:33,505 --> 03:16:35,605 No, councilor Hanson, I don't have a question. I'm ready for 3863 03:16:35,605 --> 03:16:36,605 Discussion. 3864 03:16:36,785 --> 03:16:39,725 So the, what we need to do, if they don't have, 3865 03:16:39,725 --> 03:16:41,605 if there are no more additional questions, then we move 3866 03:16:41,605 --> 03:16:42,685 to the place of motion. 3867 03:16:43,545 --> 03:16:45,885 So the floor is open for a motion. Councillor Blum. 3868 03:16:46,815 --> 03:16:48,165 Thank you mayor. Yeah. 3869 03:16:48,325 --> 03:16:50,485 I direct staff to create a resolution to bring back 3870 03:16:50,485 --> 03:16:51,965 to council at the August 4th meeting 3871 03:16:52,025 --> 03:16:54,965 to put the petition on the ballot with changes in language 3872 03:16:54,985 --> 03:16:58,725 to allow for inflationary increases no more than 3873 03:16:59,345 --> 03:17:02,645 the CPI West to exclude franchise fees 3874 03:17:03,665 --> 03:17:06,725 and to exclude any effect that it would have on 3875 03:17:06,755 --> 03:17:09,325 outside fees imposed by outside jurisdictions. 3876 03:17:10,835 --> 03:17:13,205 Obviously you're gonna have to play with how 3877 03:17:13,205 --> 03:17:15,725 that language looks and I, I trust you to do so. 3878 03:17:16,705 --> 03:17:19,445 And then I would also add that I'm open 3879 03:17:19,445 --> 03:17:21,445 to additional suggestions to language. 3880 03:17:23,065 --> 03:17:26,045 Is there a second? I'll second. 3881 03:17:26,535 --> 03:17:30,645 Councillor Blue. Yeah, I look again, I, 3882 03:17:30,765 --> 03:17:31,845 I think it's the right thing to do. 3883 03:17:31,985 --> 03:17:35,965 You know, we, when this came to us last time, it was, 3884 03:17:36,785 --> 03:17:39,365 it was, you know, four to three I think vote 3885 03:17:39,365 --> 03:17:41,525 of whether we should just go ahead and put it on the ballot. 3886 03:17:41,705 --> 03:17:44,565 And, and what I heard from, from those that were opposed 3887 03:17:44,565 --> 03:17:46,485 to just put it on the ballot was, you know, hey, 3888 03:17:46,515 --> 03:17:49,245 like you need to, to do what we require of everybody else 3889 03:17:49,345 --> 03:17:51,325 and you need to go out and you need to get signatures. 3890 03:17:51,345 --> 03:17:53,805 And, and I understand, you know, we can talk about, 3891 03:17:53,915 --> 03:17:55,965 well actually it was 1300 signatures 3892 03:17:55,965 --> 03:17:58,805 and 15% failure maybe unfortunately. 3893 03:17:58,805 --> 03:17:59,845 We'll, we'll never know. 3894 03:18:00,705 --> 03:18:04,725 To me the point is twofold, really, it's, it's one 3895 03:18:05,625 --> 03:18:07,925 at least a thousand people if we're applying, you know, 3896 03:18:07,925 --> 03:18:09,445 that, that fail rate on there. 3897 03:18:09,505 --> 03:18:11,085 And I think that that's significant enough. 3898 03:18:11,085 --> 03:18:12,645 If a thousand people showed up in this room 3899 03:18:13,065 --> 03:18:16,405 and have a council meeting and asked us to do something, we, 3900 03:18:16,425 --> 03:18:17,445 we would probably do it. 3901 03:18:17,565 --> 03:18:19,045 I mean, I've heard counselors say that 3902 03:18:19,045 --> 03:18:20,805 before of like, well these people are here asking, 3903 03:18:20,945 --> 03:18:22,485 so since they're putting in the effort, 3904 03:18:22,485 --> 03:18:23,685 then we should listen to 'em. 3905 03:18:23,965 --> 03:18:25,765 I don't think that this is any different. One. 3906 03:18:26,265 --> 03:18:29,325 Two, this is about taking accountability 3907 03:18:29,625 --> 03:18:31,125 and building confidence 3908 03:18:31,125 --> 03:18:33,845 and faith in this council and in this city. 3909 03:18:34,585 --> 03:18:37,325 You know, we have had to make some really hard choices 3910 03:18:39,155 --> 03:18:43,605 with regard to, to fees and, and cuts for that matter. 3911 03:18:43,785 --> 03:18:46,205 And I think that, you know, there's been a lot 3912 03:18:46,205 --> 03:18:48,125 of the citizenry on, on both sides 3913 03:18:48,355 --> 03:18:50,925 that have been frustrated by those decisions. 3914 03:18:50,925 --> 03:18:52,605 And I think that this is an opportunity for us 3915 03:18:52,605 --> 03:18:53,685 to go out and say, you know what? 3916 03:18:53,855 --> 03:18:55,125 We're gonna put this in front of you 3917 03:18:55,545 --> 03:18:57,525 and we'll, we're gonna let you decide and, 3918 03:18:57,585 --> 03:18:59,005 and we're all gonna kinda line up 3919 03:18:59,005 --> 03:19:00,325 and we're gonna make our arguments 3920 03:19:00,325 --> 03:19:02,445 to the people about whether this should pass or not. 3921 03:19:02,825 --> 03:19:05,885 And to me, that is very democratic. 3922 03:19:06,115 --> 03:19:10,445 That is, that is exactly, you know, what we all strive for, 3923 03:19:10,665 --> 03:19:11,965 why we're doing this is 3924 03:19:11,965 --> 03:19:13,725 to have those conversations about policy. 3925 03:19:13,825 --> 03:19:15,805 And this is an opportunity to, to do that, 3926 03:19:15,805 --> 03:19:17,205 to put a foot front and center. 3927 03:19:17,425 --> 03:19:20,165 And I look forward to going toe to toe with Mr. Kramer 3928 03:19:20,825 --> 03:19:22,685 on this and knocking on doors if I have to. 3929 03:19:23,025 --> 03:19:25,805 So it's for that reason that, that I hope 3930 03:19:25,805 --> 03:19:26,845 that we move forward with this 3931 03:19:26,865 --> 03:19:29,445 and absolutely, you know, any suggested amendments 3932 03:19:29,445 --> 03:19:30,725 or changes to, to language. 3933 03:19:30,765 --> 03:19:31,965 I would also be supportive of 3934 03:19:32,615 --> 03:19:33,685 Councillor Kaplan. 3935 03:19:35,075 --> 03:19:37,045 Well, I don't know that a whole lot to add 3936 03:19:37,105 --> 03:19:38,685 to Councillor Bloom's. 3937 03:19:38,795 --> 03:19:42,605 Lengthy justification wi much of which I agree with. 3938 03:19:43,905 --> 03:19:45,845 For me, I, as I said last November, 3939 03:19:46,045 --> 03:19:50,645 I I think it's the fiscally prudent thing to do, to adjust, 3940 03:19:50,905 --> 03:19:52,965 to allow fees to adjust for inflation. 3941 03:19:53,145 --> 03:19:56,645 We don't take raise fees lightly in this body as these, 3942 03:19:57,275 --> 03:20:01,325 that the fees that raise that we raised last year 3943 03:20:01,905 --> 03:20:03,805 was the first time in, in half a dec, 3944 03:20:03,805 --> 03:20:05,325 half a decade, more than half a decade. 3945 03:20:06,645 --> 03:20:08,765 I don't foresee that we're gonna be doing that again. 3946 03:20:09,745 --> 03:20:11,645 But purchasing power, you know, 3947 03:20:11,955 --> 03:20:14,005 does decline little by little. 3948 03:20:14,425 --> 03:20:16,725 And we find ourselves in a situation where we gotta 3949 03:20:17,845 --> 03:20:20,405 increase it just in order to, to, you know, keep up with 3950 03:20:20,405 --> 03:20:22,005 where we were five, five years ago. 3951 03:20:22,185 --> 03:20:25,645 So that takes away some of the concern that I had, 3952 03:20:26,745 --> 03:20:30,445 and I'm happy to have the conversation with, with our, 3953 03:20:30,545 --> 03:20:34,285 our constituents and our electorate about the financial 3954 03:20:35,045 --> 03:20:36,605 stability of, of our city 3955 03:20:36,825 --> 03:20:40,325 and when we need to raise revenues, what, 3956 03:20:40,325 --> 03:20:41,325 what's the best way to do it? 3957 03:20:41,545 --> 03:20:44,645 So I, that's why I seconded this and I'll be supporting it. 3958 03:20:45,335 --> 03:20:46,365 Councillor Duque. 3959 03:20:49,555 --> 03:20:53,685 Well, after all of this time here, we are 3960 03:20:57,195 --> 03:20:59,085 looking at the time, the effort. 3961 03:20:59,085 --> 03:21:02,965 First off, I appreciate every citizen, every resident 3962 03:21:03,595 --> 03:21:05,085 that signed the petition 3963 03:21:05,625 --> 03:21:09,005 and found the circulators and signed it. 3964 03:21:09,205 --> 03:21:11,205 I, I appreciate them and their time. 3965 03:21:11,665 --> 03:21:14,245 And when you're out there circulating, you get a chance 3966 03:21:14,305 --> 03:21:18,805 to talk to our constituents and our community one-on-one, 3967 03:21:18,985 --> 03:21:23,045 and you hear exactly what's on their mind, their concerns 3968 03:21:23,045 --> 03:21:24,925 and what keeps them up at night. 3969 03:21:25,465 --> 03:21:27,845 And one of them is the utilities. 3970 03:21:29,785 --> 03:21:34,765 I'm aware of inflation and I am aware of franchise fees. 3971 03:21:35,745 --> 03:21:36,925 I'm curious to see 3972 03:21:37,075 --> 03:21:40,125 what this will look like when it comes back August the 3973 03:21:40,125 --> 03:21:42,045 fourth, because there's no percent 3974 03:21:42,275 --> 03:21:44,005 that you put on this counselor. 3975 03:21:49,365 --> 03:21:52,585 And on that day, we will definitely be up against the wall. 3976 03:21:56,585 --> 03:21:59,865 I don't really know how I feel right now. 3977 03:22:00,265 --> 03:22:03,865 I want it to be on the ballot. I wanna see the language. 3978 03:22:05,005 --> 03:22:07,225 And so I guess I'll make my decision then, 3979 03:22:09,205 --> 03:22:11,825 but I'm kind of disappointed that 3980 03:22:12,895 --> 03:22:16,185 it's not moving forward as is what the people saw 3981 03:22:16,525 --> 03:22:18,665 and what they signed and what they want. 3982 03:22:21,155 --> 03:22:22,155 Councillor Dale, 3983 03:22:24,195 --> 03:22:25,195 Thank you, mayor. 3984 03:22:26,325 --> 03:22:29,385 That's one I've done a lot of reflection about. 3985 03:22:29,485 --> 03:22:34,385 And you know, I voted last November to not put this on 3986 03:22:34,385 --> 03:22:36,465 or not, not have council support this 3987 03:22:36,665 --> 03:22:37,945 'cause I, I don't believe in the language. 3988 03:22:37,985 --> 03:22:39,185 I think there's a lot more to it. 3989 03:22:40,805 --> 03:22:44,425 And we asked the petitioner to go out and get the signatures 3990 03:22:45,205 --> 03:22:47,705 and to actually show that that was something 3991 03:22:47,895 --> 03:22:49,385 that was important to this community. 3992 03:22:49,405 --> 03:22:52,145 And I, I agree that, you know, there's hypotheticals 3993 03:22:52,145 --> 03:22:54,665 around the numbers, but there's a, 3994 03:22:55,345 --> 03:22:57,065 a good faith effort out there. 3995 03:22:57,205 --> 03:23:00,985 And I think that while we've covered the fact that it is 3996 03:23:02,495 --> 03:23:04,345 extremely important to read the fine print, 3997 03:23:04,365 --> 03:23:05,465 and I say that for people, 3998 03:23:05,725 --> 03:23:07,825 and this is not a, a slight by any means, 3999 03:23:07,885 --> 03:23:11,905 but literally it, these documents are very difficult. 4000 03:23:12,045 --> 03:23:13,625 And those that are running for office 4001 03:23:13,725 --> 03:23:16,585 or anything else, you let this be a lesson that, 4002 03:23:16,585 --> 03:23:17,905 that's very important to read. 4003 03:23:17,905 --> 03:23:20,865 Those. That being said, given the effort 4004 03:23:20,865 --> 03:23:22,945 that was put into it, I think we afford 4005 03:23:23,525 --> 03:23:25,105 at least an equal amount of grace. 4006 03:23:26,285 --> 03:23:31,065 And the other thing that I would say is that we need 4007 03:23:31,065 --> 03:23:32,905 to be very cognizant, 4008 03:23:32,905 --> 03:23:35,625 or at least I am, of separating process from merit. 4009 03:23:36,565 --> 03:23:41,385 And this is going to allow the opportunity 4010 03:23:41,645 --> 03:23:44,585 for this community to really understand 4011 03:23:45,535 --> 03:23:47,545 what it takes to raise things. 4012 03:23:47,725 --> 03:23:51,745 And, and the, and as we talk a lot about here, the, the law 4013 03:23:51,745 --> 03:23:55,825 of unintended consequences this process is, is, 4014 03:23:56,045 --> 03:23:57,905 is not unique to just Oregon. 4015 03:23:58,005 --> 03:24:01,505 But it's, it's a part of the history of Oregon to be able 4016 03:24:01,505 --> 03:24:02,545 to do malon initiatives. 4017 03:24:02,605 --> 03:24:05,425 And I think that if we were to, 4018 03:24:07,525 --> 03:24:09,585 to go against what I think was a reasonable showing 4019 03:24:09,585 --> 03:24:13,145 of people that be careful what we wish 4020 03:24:13,145 --> 03:24:14,465 for, 'cause we might just get it. 4021 03:24:14,565 --> 03:24:16,065 So I will be supporting this 4022 03:24:17,835 --> 03:24:18,985 Councillor Hanson. 4023 03:24:20,535 --> 03:24:22,185 Yeah, thank you. You know, again, 4024 03:24:22,585 --> 03:24:24,505 I support the democratic process. 4025 03:24:24,805 --> 03:24:28,465 And when I voted no on this originally, 4026 03:24:29,705 --> 03:24:32,865 I, it was, you know, go forth, gather your signatures 4027 03:24:33,005 --> 03:24:34,385 and you know, go for it. 4028 03:24:35,305 --> 03:24:39,745 I find it distressing the, you know, to come back to counsel 4029 03:24:39,925 --> 03:24:42,065 and, and ask to have it put back on the ballot. 4030 03:24:43,185 --> 03:24:44,965 My vote will be to, you know, 4031 03:24:45,145 --> 03:24:47,205 as the suggested motion in the packet is 4032 03:24:47,205 --> 03:24:49,325 to allow the endemic process to continue. 4033 03:24:49,945 --> 03:24:54,045 But as a business owner, I have to manage my, my business. 4034 03:24:54,885 --> 03:24:56,605 I have to stay in the black. 4035 03:24:56,965 --> 03:24:59,485 I have 20 employees as a counselor. 4036 03:25:00,335 --> 03:25:04,085 60% of the Ashland voters voted for me. 4037 03:25:04,425 --> 03:25:08,445 And I carry a responsibility for 21,000 people to take care 4038 03:25:08,445 --> 03:25:10,645 of them and make sure that this city is in the black. 4039 03:25:11,065 --> 03:25:14,645 And with all due respect, some of my counselors won't vote 4040 03:25:14,705 --> 03:25:18,605 for modest rate increases that cover 7% that, 4041 03:25:18,795 --> 03:25:22,165 that are necessary to keep us in the black. 4042 03:25:22,805 --> 03:25:26,525 I do not trust that if we have ballot initiatives, 4043 03:25:26,525 --> 03:25:30,005 that there will be clear communication information, 4044 03:25:30,075 --> 03:25:33,005 deep dives, and the things that are necessary 4045 03:25:33,225 --> 03:25:35,445 to keep our city functioning properly. 4046 03:25:36,125 --> 03:25:40,845 I know that we have a lot of challenges coming up 4047 03:25:41,385 --> 03:25:44,965 and I want the people that I vote for in this seat 4048 03:25:45,625 --> 03:25:48,405 to have all the information to make the best decisions 4049 03:25:48,515 --> 03:25:52,445 that they can and to keep our government strong. 4050 03:25:52,865 --> 03:25:57,045 And in the mount, in the invent of emergencies 4051 03:25:57,265 --> 03:25:59,685 and disasters and all the things that we encounter. 4052 03:26:00,105 --> 03:26:04,205 We need this body to be able to rally and come together 4053 03:26:04,465 --> 03:26:06,205 and pivot and do their jobs. 4054 03:26:06,945 --> 03:26:09,885 And I do not believe that I will be voting 4055 03:26:09,905 --> 03:26:11,685 for this if it were to come to ballot. 4056 03:26:12,245 --> 03:26:15,485 I wish, I wish the democratic process the best of luck. 4057 03:26:15,585 --> 03:26:17,125 And you know, I hope 4058 03:26:17,195 --> 03:26:19,165 that I will not be supporting this motion 4059 03:26:19,945 --> 03:26:22,125 and I will look forward to 4060 03:26:22,635 --> 03:26:24,765 another motion if it, if it fails. 4061 03:26:26,955 --> 03:26:28,565 Councilor Shrill. Thanks Mayor. 4062 03:26:28,845 --> 03:26:30,765 I supported this the first time. I'll support it this time. 4063 03:26:31,005 --> 03:26:35,125 I think that the, the, the small changes are in line 4064 03:26:35,125 --> 03:26:36,525 with what's reasonable 4065 03:26:36,525 --> 03:26:38,525 and other policies that we've set as a council. 4066 03:26:39,105 --> 03:26:40,285 And I think there's a lot 4067 03:26:40,285 --> 03:26:42,205 of really educated people here in this town. 4068 03:26:42,745 --> 03:26:44,485 And I think they deserve a vote. 4069 03:26:44,485 --> 03:26:46,085 And I also think that if it passes, 4070 03:26:46,155 --> 03:26:48,485 they deserve the responsibility for the repercussions 4071 03:26:48,485 --> 03:26:51,165 that we get sometimes when we, when we pay for things 4072 03:26:51,185 --> 03:26:52,485 or we don't pay for things. 4073 03:26:55,355 --> 03:26:59,405 Yeah. Sabrina, Just curious if there's any interest in 4074 03:26:59,405 --> 03:27:02,605 putting something in the resolution to speak 4075 03:27:02,605 --> 03:27:05,285 to emergencies like that was brought up this evening. 4076 03:27:06,675 --> 03:27:08,085 I'll speak to that. Council Bloom. 4077 03:27:08,285 --> 03:27:09,925 I believe that that's why we have a reserve fund 4078 03:27:09,925 --> 03:27:11,685 that we need to continue to fund. 4079 03:27:11,785 --> 03:27:14,325 But you know, to address the point that was made is 4080 03:27:14,325 --> 03:27:16,365 that when you have a flood, you're supposed 4081 03:27:16,365 --> 03:27:17,885 to have a healthy reserve fund. 4082 03:27:18,105 --> 03:27:20,205 And we're obviously, we're talking about 4083 03:27:20,205 --> 03:27:22,085 that and that's what that's for. 4084 03:27:22,385 --> 03:27:23,645 And there's other mechanisms. 4085 03:27:23,825 --> 03:27:26,605 So yeah, I I just don't think that there's a need 4086 03:27:26,605 --> 03:27:28,205 to exclude for emergencies. 4087 03:27:28,205 --> 03:27:30,005 There's already process for that. 4088 03:27:32,825 --> 03:27:37,245 Is there any further discussion? Roll call please. 4089 03:27:37,245 --> 03:27:40,125 Alyssa Duque? 4090 03:27:44,475 --> 03:27:49,285 Sure. Yeah. Hansen? No. 4091 03:27:50,605 --> 03:27:55,165 Sharelle? Yes. Dale? Yes. Bloom? 4092 03:27:55,545 --> 03:28:00,245 Yes. Kaplan? Yes. Motion passed. 4093 03:28:00,555 --> 03:28:02,965 Okay. Thank you. We will move our 4094 03:28:03,885 --> 03:28:06,365 property surplus discussion to the next meeting. We 4095 03:28:06,365 --> 03:28:07,325 Got three minutes. Three 4096 03:28:07,325 --> 03:28:08,525 Minutes? No, I've got 4097 03:28:08,525 --> 03:28:09,525 Motion. 4098 03:28:09,525 --> 03:28:10,645 I'll make a motion. I'll suspend the 4099 03:28:10,645 --> 03:28:15,405 rules. I'll 4100 03:28:15,405 --> 03:28:16,325 Just sit here. Okay, 4101 03:28:16,975 --> 03:28:19,925 Mayor, I move, I move to spend the rules in terms 4102 03:28:19,925 --> 03:28:21,565 of time limits for council meetings so 4103 03:28:21,565 --> 03:28:22,805 that we can finish this agenda item. 4104 03:28:23,145 --> 03:28:27,365 So johan's 4105 03:28:27,365 --> 03:28:28,365 Two things. 4106 03:28:28,365 --> 03:28:28,725 One, you could just make the motion 4107 03:28:28,785 --> 03:28:31,085 to surplus the property meetings for aada a reasons. 4108 03:28:31,145 --> 03:28:32,605 And then we could just do this and 4109 03:28:32,605 --> 03:28:33,725 Then we have the extra 10 minutes. 4110 03:28:33,905 --> 03:28:35,245 Yes, I'm, that's the motion that we need. 4111 03:28:35,585 --> 03:28:37,645 I'm happy to do that. So do you withdraw your previous 4112 03:28:37,805 --> 03:28:38,805 I withdraw my previous motion. 4113 03:28:38,905 --> 03:28:40,005 Go ahead. And I would like to make another motion. 4114 03:28:40,125 --> 03:28:42,365 I moved to surplus 188 square feet 4115 03:28:42,365 --> 03:28:43,925 of Briscoe school property as outlined 4116 03:28:43,925 --> 03:28:45,365 by the Oregon Department of Transportation 4117 03:28:45,785 --> 03:28:47,605 and the acquisition summary statement dated 4118 03:28:47,615 --> 03:28:49,325 April 28th, 2026. Second. 4119 03:28:49,785 --> 03:28:52,165 Second. Now you do a motion to extend by 10 minutes. 4120 03:28:52,865 --> 03:28:55,565 Yes, I could just we're 4121 03:28:55,805 --> 03:28:56,805 I could just go. 4122 03:28:56,805 --> 03:28:58,565 Go. Okay. ODOT wants to put in a ramp. 4123 03:28:58,705 --> 03:29:00,605 We own the property, they wanna pay us for it. 4124 03:29:00,605 --> 03:29:02,565 They'll do all the work. Let's give it to 'em. Yeah. 4125 03:29:04,865 --> 03:29:06,285 Are there any questions of staff? 4126 03:29:07,265 --> 03:29:10,445 We all have the agenda, the packet material. So, okay. 4127 03:29:13,405 --> 03:29:14,685 I did Kaplan. Kaplan. 4128 03:29:15,705 --> 03:29:18,205 So did you wanna speak to your motion? No Cap. 4129 03:29:18,205 --> 03:29:22,445 Councillor Kaplan. Any further discussion? Roll call please. 4130 03:29:22,445 --> 03:29:23,445 Alyssa, 4131 03:29:24,965 --> 03:29:25,965 Dale? 4132 03:29:25,965 --> 03:29:30,165 Yes. Bloom? Yes. Kaplan? Yes. Duquesne? Yes. Hansen? 4133 03:29:30,345 --> 03:29:33,005 Yes. Sherell? Yes. Motion pass. 4134 03:29:33,455 --> 03:29:36,005 Thank you. We are at 9 29. 4135 03:29:36,225 --> 03:29:40,325 We have consistently missed having city manager reports 4136 03:29:40,465 --> 03:29:43,565 and so until we make any adjustments in the public hearing 4137 03:29:43,565 --> 03:29:46,485 time, I would like to move that up in the agenda 4138 03:29:47,465 --> 03:29:48,645 to where it comes in. 4139 03:29:48,645 --> 03:29:50,165 Right behind ordinances is 4140 03:29:51,515 --> 03:29:53,965 because that way we can make sure that we get 4141 03:29:53,965 --> 03:29:56,565 that element in it's a critical piece 4142 03:29:56,565 --> 03:29:57,645 and we keep missing it. 4143 03:29:58,665 --> 03:30:02,325 So with that, the floor is open for a motion to adjourn. 4144 03:30:02,385 --> 03:30:06,405 So moved. Second. All in favor? A meeting is adjourned.