City Council, March 5—City Recorder Angela Watson opened the meeting by swearing in our newest Firefighter, Kellen Kerrigan. Kellen, 21, is a Rogue Valley native, who boasts deep roots in the area alongside his twin brother and older sister. He graduated from Crater High School in […]
DURING PUBLIC COMMENT at the February 6 City Council meeting, Belita Palu-ay announced that she had been appointed as the Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce and will be working with Julie Baker who will run the Visitor Information Center. Belita will also continue in her role as Associate Editor […]
THE RESULTS OF THE CITY’S annual budget audit were presented, (see city website jacksonvilleor.us for a full-length copy) revealing a healthy financial status. As summed up at the meeting, the city received the highest ranking available for fiscal management.
The report also stated, FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS:
The assets of the City […]
Police Contract Halted—Staff reported that the hoped-for contract with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department to provide deputy coverage for nights/weekends, has been “halted.” Sighting unforeseen financial implications due to JCSO’s negotiations with its union that will result in an estimated 14% increase in costs for PERS and salaries, Jacksonville finds […]
Tree Code Updated—The monthly City Council work session on 10/17/23 dealt with changes in the code for the removal of trees in the city. After code changes suggested by a Citizens Advisory Committee and refining by the Planning Commission, Council is set to codify the code on November 7. As such, it will become easier […]
City Council, August 1, 2023—Tony Hess Awarded—Mayor Bowen presented Tony Hess with the 2022 Doug Newman Memorial Award on behalf of the Oregon Recreation Trails Advisory Council and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. The award recognized Tony as having significantly contributed to improving recreational trail opportunities. During his comments, Tony acknowledged the partners and projects […]
City Council 7/18/23—Council held a brief Urban Renewal Agency meeting and reviewed its 2023 Urban Renewal Plan Amendment, the maximum indebtedness of which has been increased by $2,167,333. In the FY 2023-24 budget, the city may spend up to $600,000 on capital improvements and was presented with a list of possible uses for the money […]
June 2023—At its June 6 meeting, the City Council voted to increase the Police Surcharge from $20 to $35 a month. As per projections, the council agreed to hold the fee at $35 for 5 years. The $15 increase will be used to fund a full-time department or a hybrid model that includes hiring two […]
City Council May 2—During Public Comment, Britt Festivals CEO Abby McKee announced the arts organization was holding a free concert for the community and that it had been working closely with neighbors to mitigate impacts from concertgoers for the 2023 season that kicks off in June.
Representatives of “Stop the Speeders” were on-hand to inform Council […]
Courts in a Pickle—At the April work session, staff reported on the condition of the Pheasant Meadows tennis/pickleball courts, saying that because of swamp-like conditions, water has undermined the condition of the courts for years, resulting in large cracks and unsettled surfaces. Staff will revisit the topic after bids to resurface with a rubberized sport […]
Council Work Session 2/21/23—More Housing?—The main event at the work session was a proposal from Freel & Associates on expanding Jacksonville’s Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) into a 30-acre parcel of land known as JK-1. The parcel runs alongside the northwest side of Highway 238 near Royal Mobile Estates and runs west, connecting to North Oregon […]
City Council President Mike McClain presided over the February 7 meeting with Mayor Donna Bowen attending via Zoom. The meeting opened with a moment of silence for Dirk Siedlecki who had passed away the week before.
During Public Comment, two residents asked that the Council work with the police to help slow traffic down on 5th […]
City Council Meeting 1-3-23—Councilors Ken Gregg, Andy Hellenthal and Talon Reed were sworn into office by City Recorder Angela Watson. Soon after, council elected Mike McClain as Council President to serve in the absence of Mayor Donna Bowen.
Council approved Police Chief David Towe’s request to hire Jessica Woodward as a new police officer. She is […]
City Council Work Session 10/18/22—Council heard two presentations during the session:
City Council Meeting 10/4/22—Prior to the official start of the meeting, City Recorder Angela Watson swore-in Andy Hellenthal, who was selected to fill the remaining term of Councilor Jim Lewis. Hellenthal, a current candidate for City Council, will fill Lewis’ seat until the 2023 council is sworn-in in early January.
Mayor Bowen introduced Jullie Flenner, the […]
Over the past couple of years, your Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) tasked with reviewing and updating the City’s Development Code has been hard at work carefully reviewing and revising the draft document. The project is a city initiative to clarify and improve regulations for development within the […]
City Council Meeting 9/6/2022-—Council welcomed its newest Police Officer, Scott Marical, at a swearing-in ceremony that kicked-off the meeting. Police Chief Dave Towe noted that hiring Officer Marical was very fortunate for the city, due in part to Scott’s many years of prior service and the shortage of officers available in the valley.
The City and […]
City Council Meeting, August 2, Staff Update—Police Chief Dave Towe introduced Crystal Lewis as the department’s new Clerk. She replaces Kathy Tiller who went to work in the Jackson County court system as an assistant for Judge Joe Charter. Lewis has 27 years of experience including positions as a records clerk, communications & dispatch officer. […]
August 15, 2022— Jacksonville Mayor Donna Bowen sent the following statement out today regarding funding cuts to the Chamber of Commerce. It reads as follows:
What Went Into The Jacksonville City Council’s Decision To Change The Amount Of Funding We Give For The Visitors Information Center?
After looking at the amount of money paid to the Visitors Information […]
City Council Meeting, July 5
Slow it Down in Town!—During Public Comment, homeowners on East California Street were on-hand to tell Council that traffic volume and speed has increased significantly in their area. Accounts of wildlife being killed and injured by speeders was discussed. Residents noted that although the “Your Speed Is” signs have been effective, […]
City Council 6/7/22—During Public Comment, accessibility advocate, Kim Evans voiced her opinion that the city did not seem motivated to make changes to its current policy regarding access to buildings for the disabled and that answers are needed. In recent years, there have been calls for the city to mandate installation of ADA-approved ramps to […]
City Council Meeting, May 3, 2022—During public comment, Stacey Powers read a statement wherein she suggested that the civil rights of the disabled are being violated by the city and by business owners who ignore their obligations to comply with ADA requirements and that the city is using its historic registry status as an excuse […]
City Council April 5, 2022—City Administrator Jeff Alvis reported that a Memorandum of Understanding between the Jacksonville Woodlands Association and the Forest Park Volunteers to link the groups is moving forward…see article by Parks Committee member Kandee McClain on page 28.
Mr. Alvis then informed Council that a draft Intergovernmental Agreement between Jacksonville and surrounding cities […]
The focus of the March 15 City Council Study Session was revisiting a possible expansion of Jacksonville’s Urban Growth Boundary. After several years of no discussion, the UGB is back on the council’s radar due to the filing of a UGB expansion application and the possibility of another application being filed. To date, the developer […]
The Jacksonville City Council has identified emergency preparedness for wildfire as a key focus this year. The Council is working on several steps including revision of the Emergency Operations Plan, a review of the Britt Evacuation Plan and the development of a set of emergency protocols including exit routes, warning […]
At the June 1 City Council meeting, the 2021-2022 fiscal year city budget was adopted. The following summation was excerpted from the Budget Message provided by staff to council prior to budget deliberations.
We have had some budgetary impacts from the COVID-19 Pandemic; however, the City’s fiscal prudence of previous years has prepared us for impacts […]
Due to extreme wildfire risks, fireworks are now banned on private and public property in Jacksonville.
Please see the below resolution passed on 6/29 by the City Council.
RESOLUTION NO. 2021-007
A RESOLUTION DECLARING CRITICAL FIRE DANGER AND PROHIBITING ANY FIREWORKS DURING 2021 JULY FOURTH HOLIDAY IN THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
WHEREAS, the City Council of the […]
City Council Meeting, March 2—Michael Cavallaro, the Executive Director of the Rogue Valley Council of Governments, presented his annual year-end review, a copy of which may be found on the city website.
Jacksonville Presbyterian Church submitted a small event packet for an outdoor Easter service with amplification on Sunday, April 4, 2021. It came before Council […]
Before the official start of the first meeting of the new year, Mayor Donna Bowen, Councilor Steve Casaleggio, Councilor Mike McClain and Councilor Andrea Thompson were sworn into office by City Recorder Angela Watson.
After taking the gavel, Mayor Donna Bowen called the meeting to order, which was held virtually on Zoom for the public. The […]
City Council, October 6—Council held a public hearing on an Approval of the Findings of Fact and the Exemption to Competitive Bidding Process for the seismic upgrade and updating of the fire house. The positive outcome of the hearing now enables the to city to bypass certain competitive bidding procedures and allows it to act […]
City Council Elections Approaching—As a reminder, the City Council adopted a temporary ordinance aimed at maintaining social distancing and reducing the spread of the corona virus disease. Ordinance 2020-02 enables City Council and Mayoral candidates in the upcoming General Election to skip the process of obtaining 20 signatures from registered voters to be placed on […]
City Council Meeting 6/2/20—In staff reports, City Administrator Jeff Alvis provided an update on several city projects: 1) the Bybee Drive overlay/ paving project was completed ahead of schedule and under-budget. 2) The city received word that a $1.4 million “seismic” grant had been approved to upgrade the current Fire Hall and that a report […]
May 1, 2020
BUDGET MESSAGE
2020-2021
Welcome to the Budget Committee meetings for the fiscal year 2020-2021. It is our privilege to present the proposed budget for the next fiscal year.
We understand there are potential budgetary impacts from the COVID-19 Pandemic. […]
In its effort to protect public health in the age of the corona virus, the City Council adopted a temporary ordinance aimed at maintaining social distancing and reducing the spread of the disease. Ordinance 2020-02 will now enable City Council and Mayoral candidates in the upcoming General Election to skip the process of obtaining 20 […]
At the March 3 meeting, the City Council appointed 5 applicants to a Citizens Advisory Committee that will work on updating Jacksonville’s Development Code. The members who were appointed are Don Reordan, Mike Thornton, Scott Selbe, Beverly Smith, and Diane Helmer. The committee is expected to begin work soon on the code update.
Pending approval by […]
City Council, February 4, 2020—Council held a study session on its regional water rights strategy led by City Administrator Jeff Alvis with assistance from Ed Olson from Varius Engineering (former Medford Water Commission Manager). Mr. Alvis discussed the history of Jacksonville’s water supply and related water rights, the current status of water rights, a proposed […]
City Council Meeting, December 3, 2019—Mayor Becker announced his Person of The Year selection for 2019 was Rob Buerk. Noting that Rob’s “Footprint is all over the City,” the mayor listed many of Rob’s achievements and volunteer positions including having served on the Buildings and Lands Committee, the Boosters Club and […]
City Council, November 5—Mayor Becker opened the meeting by thanking City Councilor Ken Gregg and Donna Bowen for their work in curating and installing a new photo display in Old City Hall. The new permanent photographic exhibit includes dozens of historic photos of Jacksonville’s pioneering citizens, buildings and scenes.
During staff reports, Planner Ian Foster updated […]
Lodging Tax Grants Going to Good Use—At its October 1 meeting, the City Council unanimously approved a recommendation from the Transient Lodging Tax Committee for grant awards to non-profit organizations. The committee had $44,563.31 in available funds and awarded $28,167 as follows:
[…]
City Council 9/3/19—Administrator Jeff Alvis informed Council that the City had received two bids for the construction of the New City Hall Interior Elevator and other building alterations. The scope of work will include installation of a 2-stop commercial elevator with a machine room in the basement, alterations to the existing first floor restrooms and […]
Making Mike Official—Mayor Becker opened the 8/6 meeting with the swearing-in of Mike McClain who was appointed to fill the remainder of Councilor David Jesser’s term. After taking the Oath of Office, administered by City Recorder Angela Watson, Mr. McClain was officially seated.
Bring on Britt—On 8/6, City Administrator Jeff Alvis disclosed that the […]
July 2 & 16 City Council Meetings
At the 7/2 meeting, Mayor Paul Becker opened the meeting by thanking the community for their outpouring of support following his recent heart attack. Please read his commentary on the matter in his August 2019 “A Few Minutes with the Mayor” column. The Mayor […]
The City Council has selected Mike McClain to fill a vacancy on the City Council following the resignation of David Jesser. McClain has been actively involved in Jacksonville civic matters for several years and is the current Chair of the Budget Committee. He will be sworn into office at the next meeting and […]
City Council Meeting 5/7/19—Mayor Becker opened the meeting with a moment of silence for Terri Gieg, a longtime member of the Jacksonville community who passed away in early May. Terri will be remembered fondly for creating the annual Victorian Christmas celebration and for decades of service with the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. (Please see page 15 for information […]
City Council, February 19—Prior to the regular meeting, council met in Executive Session to discuss the details of a new Union contract between the city and its employees. That contract was later approved.
In regular session, Mayor Paul Becker presented his annual “Citizen of the Year Award” to Whitman Parker. In his remarks, the mayor commended […]
At its brief February 5 meeting, the City Council discussed and approved the hiring of Max Woody as the new Public Works Operations Manager. As noted by Administrator Alvis, the post is a Department Head position for the Public Works Department, a post Mr. Alvis has held in conjunction with his role as City Administrator. […]
City Council 1/8/19—The first action of the New Year for the City Council was welcoming and swearing-in Donna Bowen who won a seat in the November General Election! Bowen, who served as Chair of the Historical Architectural Review Commission and on the Budget Committee, brings a wide-array of professional and personal experience to the post. […]
November General Election Results—Once again, Jacksonville voters turned out in higher numbers than the Jackson County average and elected incumbent City Councilors Ken Gregg and Jim Lewis to new, 4-year terms. Donna Bowen, a first-time council candidate, was also elected to a 4-year seat. Bowen comes to the post after serving the city as the […]
The City Council recently held two public hearings on land-use issues.
Big Foot…print—A hearing was held on August 30 to consider granting an allowable lot coverage variance for the vacant lot next to the fire station at 150 E. “C” Street. Through their agent, the lot owner/applicant requested a variance to construct a 2-story building covering […]
I am Donna Bowen, native Oregonian and resident of Jacksonville since 2008. I was a Vice President of Operations for various Brokerage firms including A.G. Edwards and Shearson, Lehman, Hutton, and American Express before retirement. I have also been a small business owner and until a few years ago, raised […]