City Council Work Session 10/18/22—Council heard two presentations during the session:
- Mike Thornton updated councilors on developing a downtown pedestrian plaza…an idea that had not been discussed publicly for a few years since the Covid-19 pandemic. Now back on the agenda, if completed, the city would close-off traffic on 3rd Street from the Beekman Bank to the Fire Station to serve as a spot for locals and visitors to gather. After expressing interest in exploring the idea further, Council is expected to revisit the concept in 2023.
- David Holick, with start-up Applegate Power, presented Council with his concept to install a renewable, hydro-electric power generation facility at Applegate Lake. If completed, it would provide power to hundreds of nearby homes, including Jacksonville. The plan, in its infancy, would need the involvement of many municipalities and governmental agencies. Look for an in-depth story on this interesting concept soon.
City Council 11/1/22:
- Administrator Jeff Alvis announced that the city has been awarded a grant for $11,979.10 from the Oregon Department of Emergency Management to purchase equipment for the new Emergency Operation Center.
- At the request of the non-profit Waggin’ Tails Dog Park, the city has assumed responsibility for care and maintenance of the park. Dog park founder, Sarah Maple, expressed that the loss of volunteers and board members made it necessary for the city to control the park, created by volunteers in 2019. Because the city operating budget already includes $2500 for maintenance of the park, there was no financial impact expected.
- Council approved an Oregon Liquor Control Commission application to operate a convenience store/liquor store at 690 N. 5th Street—formerly Gary West Meats. The new owner of the property, Karan Properties, currently operates a Crown Market convenience store.