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Votes at a glance: Ashland Council approves fee increases, zoning first readings and a Travel Ashland contract
Summary
The Ashland City Council on May 6 approved fee increases, advanced four zoning ordinances to second reading, adopted an ordinance prohibiting hazardous fire use and authorized a one‑year, $450,000 Travel Ashland contract funded from Transient Lodging Tax revenues.
The Ashland City Council on May 6 approved a slate of motions including fee increases, zoning ordinance first readings, and a one‑year contract for destination marketing funded by Transient Lodging Tax (TLT) revenue.
Council unanimously approved a motion (Bloom; second DuQuenne) to increase the Wildfire Risk Reduction Fee from $3.00 to $7.00, repeal Resolution 2019‑20, and add a provision that "to account for inflation, an annual adjustment will be applied on July 1 of each fiscal year" based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI‑U) West region, not to exceed 5% annually; the finance department must provide at least 30 days' public notice before an adjustment takes effect. Roll call: Dahle, Bloom, DuQuenne, Kaplan and Hansen — yes.
Council then approved Resolution 2025‑04 (Bloom; second Dahle) to raise the Public Safety Support Fee to $5.00, repeal Resolution 2018‑09, and add the same CPI‑U West annual adjustment language; the council received a public comment expressing concern about ambulance usage and fee justification. Roll call: Dahle, Bloom, DuQuenne, Kaplan and Hansen — yes.
Council moved Ordinances 3249, 3250, 3251 and 3263 through first reading (Bloom; second Kaplan) to implement a Climate Friendly Area (CFA) overlay, with an amendment adding a requirement that 25% of dwelling units be affordable to qualify for a bonus height allowance from 50 to 60 feet; staff were directed to prepare written findings for adoption at second reading on June 3, 2025. Roll call: Dahle, Bloom, DuQuenne, Kaplan and Hansen — yes.
On second reading, Council adopted Ordinance 3258 (Hansen; second DuQuenne), which amends AMC Chapter 10.30 to prohibit hazardous fire use. Roll call: Dahle, Bloom, DuQuenne, Kaplan and Hansen — yes.
In new business, Council directed staff to execute a one‑year contract with Travel Ashland for destination marketing services in the amount of $450,000 (Bloom; second Kaplan). The contract includes proposed allocations for destination marketing, a new business marketing pilot, Chamber programs and data analytics; staff recommended a one‑year contract with an option to renew. Roll call: Dahle, Bloom, DuQuenne, Kaplan and Hansen — yes.
Other consent agenda items approved included liquor licenses for Tlalli and Cooks Speakeasy and an appointment to the Affordable Childcare Ad Hoc Committee. The council amended and approved minutes for April 14 and April 15, 2025. The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
