Ashland Board of Aldermen hears concerns over similar business proposals

This story was written as a shared byline alongside two younger reporters, Allison Boedges and Ava Mohror, who I helped learn how to cover the Aldermen meetings in Ashland.

The Ashland Board of Aldermen heard comments at its Feb. 17 meeting proposing limits to the number of similar businesses that can open in Ashland.

Megan Hernandez, who co-owns Jose Jalepeños with her husband, Jóse, presented a referral to the board, recommending it consider creating an ordinance adjusting the new business application process to limit how “standardized look-alike businesses.”

She said such an ordinance would protect Ashland’s economy, ensuring it “stays diverse, resilient and uniquely local.”

Hernandez said she believes these changes could remedy her concerns about the limited amount of disposable income in Ashland.

She said she is worried that the city is currently unable to support increasing numbers of similar businesses, and she said high turnover rates for new businesses would damage the city’s reputation and desirability for future businesses.

“With our growing community, we have and will continue to grow as both residents and business and our community,” Hernandez said. “But without the proper planning and ordinances to protect our current small businesses, we won’t have a strong economic development, but rather, a downfall that trickles into our schools, charitable causes and community gatherings.”

Car break-ins

Mayor Dorise Slinker said a few car break-ins occurred over the weekend, and he urged residents to lock their car doors and turn cameras on at night if they have them.

Ashland Police Chief Scott Young also asked residents to report any suspicious activity to the police immediately following an incident.

“I’m begging people, when they find people that rifle through their cars at night, to call ... report that stuff,” he said. “They love to report it on Facebook. They hate to report it to the police.”

Staffing proposals

The board heard proposals at its Feb. 17 budget workshop to add three new city positions.

The Ashland Police Department proposed adding one full-time officer position.

“Adding an officer will reduce the times we now have a solo officer working and move us closer to always having two,” according to a presentation prepared for the board.

The Parks Department also proposed adding one non-benefited, part-time employee.

The employee would allow for more daily park maintenance, eliminating the city’s contracted mowing agreement, according to the presentation.

It will be funded through the existing Public Works Department payroll and the eliminated contract. Previously, Public Works employees “spent a portion of their time on park maintenance,” according to the presentation.

The Community Development Department also proposed adding a new part-time employee to “assist in daily inspections and become trained in infrastructure inspections,” according to the presentation.

The proposed pay rate would be $28 per hour.

Pothole repairs

The board also discussed when the city will repair potholes. Ward One alderwoman Brenda Ravenscraft said she received an email from a resident asking when potholes will get filled, specifically on Pacer Drive.

Kevin Crooks, director of the Public Works Department, said large scale pothole operations have not begun yet because it is still too early in the year, and he said the city will go through each street and fill them once the weather improves.

Similar maintenance protocols are in place for dirt roads and curb and gutter projects, he said.

Updated code book

The board unanimously approved a new city code book at its meeting.

The updated book will codify and digitize city ordinances passed since 2002.

Expanded city limits

The board also approved an expansion of the Ashland city limits by annexing a tract northwest of current city limits. The two parcels are just over six acres, according to board documents.

City Administrator Kyle Michel said the annexation is “necessary and reasonable to the proper development of the city.”

The board said the property recently changed owners, who then submitted their written desire in support of the annexation. The board also approved the rezoning of the parcels from agriculture to residential.

Sewer equipment

The board also authorized the purchase of a sewer inspection camera at a cost of $11,640.

Crooks said the new camera equipment is necessary for sewer department staff to inspect damaged sewer laterals and sewer clean outs, and it would enable them to locate sewer lines from above ground.