City Council Regular Sessions February 7 & 21, 2012

Mayor Paul Becker welcomed Jackson County Commissioner Don Skundrick to the 2/7 meeting to announce a series of 15 County-wide town hall meetings. The Jacksonville meeting will be held on Thursday, May 10 at 6:30 pm. See article on page  of the March Review.

Council approved the appointment of Planning Commissioner Owen Jurling as the liaison to HARC – the Historic Architectural Control Commission. Council was notified that Trish Murdoch will serve as HARC Chair with Donna Bowen as Vice Chair in 2012.

Council enthusiastically supported an update to the City’s EOP – Emergency Operations Plan that will utilize the First Presbyterian Church and the Calvary Church as emergency shelters in the event of natural disaster. See article on page 7.

Due to the resignations of Hubert Smith (Public Safety Committee), Art Krueger (Planning Commission) Sally Melgard (HARC) and Tom Fischer (Parks), there are several vacancies to fill. All parties interested in serving the city in these volunteer posts are encouraged to apply at City Hall.

After a recommendation of candidates by Fire Chief Hull, Council approved a hiring list of ten potential firefighters to fill the current full time vacancy. All ten applicants who passed exams in late January are in good standing for 18 months.

Council agreed to expend $40,000 to employ Seattle Northwest to assist the city in refinancing upwards of $2.73M in outstanding general obligation water bonds which will cut 11 years off the repayment cycle, saving taxpayers more than $1.5M in interest expenses.

Parks Committee February 8

 

Sandy Metwally, a representative of the Jacksonville Elementary School PTO gave a presentation about the “Playground Project,” started to replace the majority of playground equipment at the school. Equipment removal occurred in January after being deemed “unsafe and unsuitable” for students by local and state agencies. The Medford 549-C School District lacks replacement funds but has offered to re-mulch the playground area in the future. A PTO drive to raise upwards of  money has been launched to purchase new equipment from “Playcraft,” a Grants Pass firm. Playcraft has replaced/installed playgrounds at Jacksonville’s Doc Griffin Park, Nunan Square Park and Pheasant Meadows Park and several Jackson County Parks. After the presentation, Parks Committee member Joyce Coleman moved to forward a recommendation to the City Council to approve a $10,000 expenditure for replacement purposes from city money already set-aside in the Parks SDC fund. The entire committee backed the motion. At its 2/21 meeting, the City Council approved the $10,000 recommendation by a 5-2 vote. However, Councilors Paul Hayes and Dan Winterburn objected to the funding request and voted “no” on the matter. Councilor Hayes objected based upon past and unrelated disagreements he has with the 549-C District and Councilor Winterburn provided no explanation for his vote. Later, the funding request was formalized by passage of Resolution 1087. (See “Project Playground” on page 8 for more on how the community can help.)

In other Parks Committee business, a recommendation was sent to council to rename the Britt Gardens the “Peter Britt Park,” following a presentation by Boosters Club President Steve Casaleggio and Boosters Foundation President Rob Buerk. At its 2/21 meeting, the Council denied the request, opting to rename the area “The Peter Britt Gardens.”

Lastly, Tom Fischer resigned from the Parks Committee, citing a heavy work load and family commitments, thereby leaving a vacancy on the committee. At its 2/21, the Council accepted the resignation after expressing its sincere thanks to Mr. Fischer for years of community service.

HARC – February 22

Construction of a detached, single car garage was approved at 180 N. Oregon Street (Plymale Cottage) to be built on an existing gravel drive and parking area.

Britt Festivals was granted relief from setback standards, allowing for the long-desired replacement of aging and unsightly chain-link fencing along Fir Street on the south side of the grounds. The new 6’ fence will follow the existing chain link fence line and be constructed of cedar.