One Minute Minutes September 19 and 20

September 19, 2011
The Council discussed professional recruitment services for a new City Administrator and discussed a two–year budget process.


September 20, 2011Regular Meeting

Special Announcements
Jeff and Sam Allen updated the Council on the Solar4Schools program at Helman School and thanked the Council and the community for support of the project.

Consent Agenda
Consent items were approved including:
1. Minutes of the Boards, Commissions and Committees
Councilor Silbiger noted there was not a quorum at the Planning Commission meeting of August 23.
2. Three grant applications to fund future Public Works and Parks and Recreation Department projects and programs.
3. An update on Council Goals.
4. The Mayor’s appointment of James Berge to the Forest Lands Commission.
5. The Mayor’s addition of membership to the Public Arts Commission for a student liaison.Councilor Slattery voiced support of student liaisons for all City commissions.
6. A 12 month lease of property at 5 Water Street located at the corner of ‘B’ and Water Streets
7. An agreement with the Oregon Department of Transportation to fund the Walker Avenue Safe Routes to School project.
8. An Agreement with Waters Consulting Group, Inc. for professional recruitment services.

VIII.1 Public Hearing to raise electric rates
Council approved the Resolution raising electric rates 4% effective October 20, 2011. Council directed staff to prepare a report of the existing utility assistance programs with information on the funds allocated to the programs, income level requirements to qualify for assistance, the number of households who have benefited from the programs and the number of accounts that were turned off due to lack of payments.

IX Public Forum
Emery Way announced that the group Phronesis is calling for a boycott of Mt. Ashland and their sponsors. He invited individual Councilors to join the effort.

XI.1 Voting delegate for League of Oregon Cities membership meeting
Councilor Silbiger will serve as the voting delegate and Councilor Chapman as the alternate delegate.

XII.1 Report from Councilor Silbiger on Ashland Community Hospital
Councilor Silbiger met with the Executive Committee of the Ashland Community Hospital. They are looking at consultants and are developing a Public Information campaign. Council expressed their preference the hospital seek public input prior to seeking a consultant.

XII.2 Report from Finance Director, Lee Tuneberg on recent electrical outage
Finance Director Lee Tuneberg gave an update on the recent electrical outage that occurred last Thursday as a result of a small animal coming into contact with an exposed conductor at the Mountain Avenue substation. Tuneberg explained various components of the substation are exposed and crews are gradually insulating equipment as time and funds permit. He estimates replacement of the damaged equipment will be approximately $20,000.