City Snapshot – June 2012

One of David Gibb’s Aerial Photos of Jacksonville

Local photographer David Gibb presented a slide show of aerial photographs taken during a recent Jacksonville fly-over photo shoot. The city will utilize the photos to enhance its historic record keeping and for projecting images during public meetings.

Administrator Jeff Alvis reported that union negotiations with city employees went exceptionally well and that a new three-year contract had been agreed-to. New terms include a less-than-asked-for union CPI adjustment of 2%, observance of Martin Luther King Day, increased holiday time-off after 11 years of service, and an $856 insurance allocation per employee. Mayor Becker noted the union stewards were easier to work with this round and that Councilors David Jesser, Paul Hayes, Administrator Alvis and City Recorder Stacy McNichols did very well for the citizens of Jacksonville.

May 3 Budget Committee Meeting

Committee members John McCully and David Thompson were unanimously re-elected to serve new one-year terms.
During a Public Hearing on the proposed 2012-13 Jacksonville City Budget, it became clear that the committee’s and city’s move to conserve funds had proved successful. Budget member Nancy O’Connell was first to address the committee, praising the city for, “Our excellent credit rating which is a result of great reserves and a great job!”

Other comments of note from Clara Wendt urged allocation of more than the traditional $10,000 city contribution for the Senior Nutrition Program. Due to increased operational expenses, the committee sent Council an $11,500 funding request.

Police Chief David Towe reported an expected 19% drop in parking fine revenue, due in-part to the removal of seasonal “no-parking” signs on streets near the Britt Festival grounds.

Linda Graham supported increased funding for historic preservation loans, thus enabling more building owners to access funds for historic preservation of privately-owned buildings.

Planning Commission May 9

City Planner Amy Stevenson reported an administrative approval to re-order the first three lots in the Andrew’s Place PUD so that the first three homes built in the new subdivision would all face South 3rd Street.

After a two-hour discussion, the commission ruled on two outstanding code items for the Frau Kemmling Schoolhaus Brewhaus on the Bigham Knoll Campus. Now, delivery trucks must enter the property on “E” Street and exit on “G” Street and a parking/delivery area behind the restaurant must be paved and striped.

Town Hall May 10

Jackson County Commissioner Don Skundrick held a Town Hall meeting where he fielded questions about local agricultural practices, land use, property rights, Animal Shelter policies, county finances, Southern Oregon Historical Society issues and Jackson County Library Services funding. His next is on June 19 in Talent.

City Council May 15

Ellee Celler was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Parks Committee.

The First Presbyterian Church was granted unanimous approval to display event banners on church property, despite cited code conflicts h prohibiting banners within a Single Family Residential-zoned area. In part, Council made its decision based on an argument from a councilor who stated that after all the church has done for the city, the code should be waived for the church.

During a Public Hearing, City Planner Amy Stevenson and Councilor Christina Duane led a discussion about recommendations from the Historical Architectural Review Commission (HARC) and State Historic Preservation Office to re-categorize Jacksonville’s Period of Significance into 4 categories: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary and Quaternary. Although green-lighted by Council, concerns were voiced over undue recognition and/or protection for properties built and/or moved to town (from Camp White) from 1945-1966. Plans were announced for several town hall meetings and Public Hearings on the matter.

City Administrator Jeff Alvis received approval to pursue a $260,000 grant to purchase the Elias property at 580 Applegate Street. The 1.58 acre Rich Gulch property is the site where gold was first discovered and was tagged as an “interesting” open space park in the city’s Comprehensive Plan. The Elias family has agreed to hold the property off the market, providing time to explore grant funding options.

Although it took no action, Council listened to a concept for a temporary building moratorium in the historic core district brought by Planner Amy Stevenson. Stevenson’s department in conjunction with HARC and the Planning Commission is embarking on a major re-write of Title 18 – city building codes and ordinances. She argued that a 12-month moratorium would enable resolution of conflicts in the current code and provide long-term benefits to the city, developers and property owners. The Council was mostly in agreement that the plan, although well-intended, would send the wrong message and stifle economic development. In the days following the meeting, further discussion on the subject appears unlikely.

Photo: Aerial view of Jacksonville by David Gibb Photography