Creation of parks department instead of commission, update on Pioneer Hall also on Tuesday agenda
By Morgan Rothborne, Ashland.news
Ashland City Council will vote on the second reading of an Enhanced Law Enforcement Area ordinance for the south side of town at its business meeting Tuesday. A majority vote would make the ordinance law.
The addition of a second Enhanced Law Enforcement Area in Ashland was passed in its first reading on a 5-1 vote, as previously reported by Ashland.news. The ordinance before council Tuesday includes an amendment requested by Councilor Bob Kaplan specifying the ELEA proposed for the south side of Ashland would be distinctly separate from its counterpart in downtown Ashland.
The ordinance, as made available with meeting materials, states that council wishes to protect areas of the city experiencing “increased unlawful activity against becoming an attraction for more such activity and to protect the public against health and welfare hazards.” The ordinance describes a method of expulsion to apply to a designated area in the south side akin to the existing ELEA downtown for those deemed to be “persistent violators.”
In other council business Tuesday, the management advisory committee created to study future action for Pioneer Hall will present their recommendations to council, according to an agenda item.
Council will consider acceptance of the 2200 Ashland St. Master Plan Ad Hoc Committee’s final plan after tabling the plan for further edits at the previous council meeting, as previously reported by Ashland.news. Council will also review a proposal to create an additional ad hoc committee concerning the building’s future, according to meeting materials.
Council will also consider approving a potential new staff position, a social services coordinator who would endeavor to increase regional cooperation, improve communication and support planning surrounding homelessness, mental health and addiction, according to an agenda item.
Council will hear the first reading of an ordinance creating a Parks and Recreation Department as opposed to the previous Parks and Recreation Commission. The ordinance will create a unified governance framework, the staff report stated.
“The ordinance delineates the APRC’s strategic authority over park lands, consistent with the City Charter, and assigns the City Manager oversight of operational and administrative activities to reduce legal risks associated with overlapping responsibilities,” the staff report says.
Council will be asked to approve or deny entrance into agreements for a pair of grants supporting the Hunter Park tennis courts and East Main Park, according to meeting materials. Council will also be asked to approve or deny an “apparatus contract purchase” for a 107’ “aerial fire apparatus,” according to meeting materials.
The Monday Dec. 16 study session will be a review of work plans and updates from committees and commissions such as the Housing and Human Services Advisory Committee and Climate &
Environment Policy Advisory Committee, according to meeting materials.
The meetings will be held at Council Chamber, 1175 E Main St. The study session Monday will begin at 5:30 p.m., while the Tuesday business meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Both meetings can be attended in person or watched remotely through Channel 9 or Channels 180 and 181 (Charter Communications) or live streamed via rvtv.sou.edu select RVTV Prime. Public testimony will be accepted and can be delivered either via Zoom, in person, or as written comment. To sign up for public comment, fill out the public testimony form.
Email Ashland.news reporter Morgan Rothborne at morganr@ashland.news.
