MINUTES
Monday, June 17, 2019
Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main Street
Mayor Stromberg called the Study Session to order at 5:36 p.m.
Ashland Canal Project Listening Session
Councilors’ Slattery, Rosenthal, Seffinger, Graham and Jensen were present.
Mayor Stromberg gave an overview of the structure of the meeting.
Public Works Director Paula Brown gave a Staff report.
Public Input:
John Hauschild – Ashland – Spoke that he lives on a neighborhood where the canal runs. He spoke to the history of possibly piping the canal. He spoke in concern about E. coli. He spoke that the water loss and contamination can be dealt with cheaper and quicker.
Craig Martin- Ashland – Spoke regarding the concerns of the canal piping. He spoke that the new piping will require digging. He spoke that a study has not been done and can be damaging. He spoke to find ways to preserve the canal as is. For more information, go to: Ashlandtrails.com.
Dr. Carol Voisin – Ashland – Spoke proposing a 5th alternative for the canal (see attached).
Rob Robinson – Roseburg– Spoke regarding his business and explained that he has done projects like this for a long time without disturbing trees or water. He spoke that there are more cost effective ways to do this. He spoke that it is not time for a pipeline.
Seffinger question which portion Mr. Robinson has worked on. Mr. Robinson spoke that he will send the information to Council.
Michael Bielec – Ashland – Spoke in concern of the Ashland canal piping project. He spoke that Ashlanders do not want it. He spoke that in the City is in a poor position to increase taxes. He explained that this can be done at a lower cost. He spoke that there will be the liability of damage from natural causes like floods. He asked Council to vote no.
Ron Roth – Ashland – Spoke that water conservation would be an issue. He suggested to do a little more studying on other similar projects. He thanked Council for having this meeting.
Dennis Arm – Ashland – Spoke that his property is highly populated with trees. He spoke in opposition of the piping the project. He spoke this project would detrimentally affect him. He spoke regarding the 2012 TID Piping Comprehensive Water Master Plan. He spoke that there was no recommendation to replace the already piped sections. The spoke to change environment here would be detrimental.
Lee Olson – Ashland – Spoke that the canal runs through her property and she has lived at the address for 20 years. She spoke that she appreciates the canal for a variety of reasons. She spoke in concern of E. coli and explained the negative effects it has on humans and animals. Majority of E. coli strains are benign but there is one serious one which can be deadly. She spoke that there has been an decrease of E. coli she explained that that could be due to the doggy poop stations along the ditch and urged people to pick up after their dogs. She spoke that the ditch does not need to be piped.
Council discussed receiving more information on the proposed option 5. Graham suggested that if there are exceeding E. coli thresholds the City needs to have public safety notices.
Council discussed funding and timelines. Brown explained that Phase 1 could be done in October.
Assistant to the City Administrator Adam Hanks announced that there will not be a Study Session on July 1st.
The Study Session was adjourned at 7:00 PM
Respectfully submitted by:
___________________________________________ City Recorder Melissa Huhtala
Attest:
___________________________________________ Mayor Stromberg
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Administrator's office at (541) 488-6002 (TTY phone number 1-800-735-2900). Notification 72 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to the meeting (28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title I).
Attachments
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