City Council Meeting, January 3:
As customary, the first order of business for the New Year was to choose a new Council President. After Jim Lewis was nominated by David Jesser and Donna Schatz was nominated by Dan Winterburn, the council elected Jim Lewis to the post by a 5-2 vote. The Council President acts on behalf of the mayor in case of absence.
An OLCC license application was approved enabling the Stage Lodge (aka The Wine Country Inn) to sell beer and wine onsite and to allow guests to consume beverages in a fenced-off outside area.
A request by Planning Director Amy Stevenson to approve $35,000 to be drawn from the Historic Preservation Fund for 2012 grants was approved. Due to the nature of the economy, the Planning Department anticipates higher than normal response to applications open until February 3, 2012. Applications are available in the Planning Department office.
Council adopted a new email and internet use policy effecting members of the Council, Planning Commission, HARC and Budget Committee. Please see list on our website.
Resolution 1081 was adopted, naming the following residents to the following committees and commissions:
David Jesser–Personnel Committee
Paul Hayes–Personnel Committee
Larry Smith–Budget Committee
John Roberts–Budget Committee
Jerry Evans–Transient Lodging Tax Committee
Tim Balfour–Transient Lodging Tax Committee
Robert Roos–Transient Lodging Tax Committee
Mike ThorntonTransient Lodging Tax Committee
Whitman Parker–Transient Lodging Tax Committee
Steve Casaleggio–Transient Lodging Tax Committee
Sally Melgard–HARC
Penni Viets–HARC
Devin Hull–ESCO
Larry Smith–Parks, Rec & Visitors
David Works–Parking Commission
Jo Parker–Parking Commission
Fred Zerull–Parking Commission
City Council Meeting, January 17:
Council discussed a previously-adopted Intergovernmental agreement involving imposition and collection of Construction Excise Taxes for the benefit of the Medford School District. During discussion, Council recognized it had no choice but to collect the excise tax charged on new construction and remodels but that it did not necessarily agree with the tax. As such, Councilors Becker, Winterburn, Hayes and Winterburn voted to send a letter to the state voicing their opposition.
An OLCC application for the Boom Town Saloon (former Lode Star Bar) at the corner of 3rd and California Street was approved.
Updated cell phone policies were enacted in the Policies and Procedures Manual along with restructuring of cell phone bill reimbursement policies for certain department heads and other city staffers.