Marty Gute

The board discussed multiple ordinances and resolutions, including the approval of the 2026 Annual Action Plan for Community Development Block Grants, salary and compensation plan adjustments, and a $10 million water and sewer revenue bond ordinance for infrastructure improvements. Key agenda items featured budget adoptions for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, various public works and utility contract payments, demolition clearances, and zoning ordinance amendments regarding manufactured homes, recreational vehicles, and tiny homes. Additionally, the board approved a Safe Streets and Roads for All safety action plan and formally designated a new city representative for the conference center project.

The meeting agenda included the second reading and final adoption of various ordinances, primarily focusing on contracts for the Department of Utilities, including the removal and replacement of blower units at pump stations, and several annual chemical procurement bids for water and wastewater treatment plants. Additionally, final adjusting change orders were reviewed for the Spring Park Sanitary Sewer project and the reservoir solids removal project. The meeting also featured a comprehensive list of discussion items, including waterline replacement, homelessness issues, financial performance, public works infrastructure, city projects, and various administrative and community operational matters such as budget planning for the upcoming fiscal year.

The board addressed several ordinances regarding the demolition of properties, property tax levies, and regulatory license fees for alcoholic beverages. Key discussions included a federal grant for streetscape planning, updates to procurement regulations, and the renewal of health and vision insurance administrative services. The meeting also involved a review of payments for conference center design, the procurement of new heavy equipment for water distribution, and the ratification of an emergency declaration due to a raw water intake line failure. Additionally, the board conducted a budget worksession, approved salary chart adjustments, authorized the issuance of revenue bonds for a waterline replacement program, and reviewed the 2026-2027 fiscal budget.

The agenda includes the final adoption of several ordinances, such as an electric distribution agreement for a water booster station, a change order for the Pollard Mills infrastructure project, the purchase of property for a future farmer's market, and a contract renewal for recording and broadcasting commission meetings. Consent items cover multiple demolition contracts for unsafe structures, pay applications for fire station shower installations and roof replacements, engineering services for wastewater treatment expansion, and repairs to the Logtown tank. New business items involve first readings for demolition contracts, fixing tax levies and license fees for alcoholic beverages, a federal grant application for the Mayo Plaza streetscape project, an update to city procurement regulations, and the submission of the 2026 Annual Action Plan for HUD. Additionally, municipal orders were proposed regarding police department grants, the establishment of a finance committee, fire department training equipment, and temporary construction easements for a storm sewer project.

The meeting included the second reading and final adoption of an ordinance authorizing the submission of the FY 2026 grant application to the Federal Transit Administration for the Ashland Bus System to cover operating costs, preventative maintenance, para-transit service, payroll, and capital expenditures. The meeting also included an FY26-27 budget work session and an executive session.