Ashland council to hash out competing ballot measures that affect parks

Morgan Rothborne, Mail Tribune, Medford, Ore.
·3 min read

Jun. 22—Ashland City Council is trying to find a middle ground between two competing ballot measures that would affect parks, and decided Tuesday to hash it out next week.

City Manager Joe Lessard has proposed a ballot measure that would allow the food and beverage tax to be split between the Parks and Recreation Department and fire, police and other emergency services.

Under current law, at least 25% of the tax must be dedicated to parks, and up to 73% can go to street repairs. Two percent is for the costs of collecting the tax.

In practice, the Parks and Recreation department has been receiving the lions share of the tax revenue.

Another ballot measure, drafted by a group calling itself Friends of Ashland Parks, Trails and Open Spaces, would give the entire food and beverage tax to parks and recreation. Signatures are being gathered to put the measure on the November ballot.

At the meeting, Councilor Stephen Jensen announced that he and Councilor Paula Hyatt had followed through on the idea Jensen proposed at the previous city council meeting — creating a small working group of a few members of the Parks and Recreation commission and a few members of the Ashland city council in an effort to try to find common ground and endorse one ballot measure.

Jensen said current Parks and Recreation Commissioners Rick Landt and Jim Bachman along with former commissioner Mike Gardiner attended a zoom meeting with Jensen and Hyatt the day before for what Jensen said was a productive discussion.

Jensen then asked council to endorse what he referred to as the "pure food and bev" ballot measure, the measure allocating the entire food and beverage tax to the parks department. Jensen said he and Hyatt had promised nothing during the zoom meeting.

Councilors and the mayor expressed surprise that the meeting had taken place without their knowledge, and picked up the discussion about the potential dueling ballot measures again.

The council voted Tuesday to discuss the measures again at their next business meeting on July 5.

The deadline for the city to file Lessard's proposal with the city recorder is Aug. 19.

In other council business Tuesday:

* The council approved a $435,654 janitorial services contract with Pathway Enterprises Inc. The nonprofit provides jobs for adults living with disabilities and will manage cleaning and garbage collection at public buildings and city parks.

* Michael Hersh, a longtime Ashland volunteer, was given the James M. Ragland Memorial Volunteer Service Award posthumously. It was accepted by his widow. Councilor Stefani Seffinger presented the award, remembering Hersh as a man with a sense of humor, compassion and a boldness to speak his mind.

* The Alan C. Bates Public Service Award was given to Seffinger in recognition of her many years of service to the city. Councilor Stephen Jensen presented her with the award.

"Our town is grateful and forever changed by her able and constant care," Jensen said.

As she accepted the award, Seffinger said this will be her last year on council, but she will continue to work hard for the city of Ashland.

Reach Mail Tribune reporter Morgan Rothborne at mrothborne@rosebudmedia.com or 541-776-4487. Follow her on Twitter @MRothborne.