City Council Meeting April 3
Newly-hired Firefighter Alan deVries was sworn-in by City Recorder Jan Garcia and fellow firefighter Valdez filling-in for Chief Hull who was out of town. Mr. deVries is an EMT with several years of firefighting and medical response experience.
The Council approved the following Transient Lodging Tax grants: $1700 to the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce to attend tourism-related conferences; $1400 in matching funds to the Jacksonville Woodlands Association to print updated trail maps; a $2000 Chamber of Commerce grant to relocate the Jacksonville diorama in the Medford Airport to a more prominent baggage claim wall position; $2100 to Britt Festivals June 9 Taste of Summer celebration; $3000 to the Jacksonville Heritage Society as part of an $8000 Beekman House porch repair/replacement effort. Lodging Tax grants are awarded twice-yearly and comprise ½ of the “bed tax” funds collected by the Jacksonville lodging owners per city ordinance. The remaining funds are allocated for operation of the Visitors Information Center.
A recommendation presented by City Forester Paul Kangas from the Parks Committee was approved for fuel reduction (fire) work in the Forest Park. Council approved allocating $400 to replace the plaque at the base of the Peter Britt statue in the Britt Pavilion.
Council appointed Alycia Kersey to fill a vacancy on the Planning Commission. Kersey has a law degree with a focus on land use planning and was chosen in part to assist the department and commission with its upcoming municipal code revisions. Joyce Coleman was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Historic Architectural Review Commission (HARC).
City Administrator Jeff Alvis was formally selected as the City Budget Officer in advance of the upcoming spring Budget Committee meetings – the first is at 4:00 pm on May 3 at the Naversen Room at the Library, followed by a meeting on May 17, if deemed necessary.
Parks Committee April 5
A special meeting of the Parks Committee was called to discuss “A Presentation of alternative proposals for land exchange/sale with MRA.” After Parks Chair/City Councilor Donna Schatz’ brief opening statement, committee members including Larry Smith and Tony Hess addressed a 1 ½ page list of “concerns.” Concerns presented by Jack Duggan included easements, water, mineral and timber rights, traffic and stewardship plans. Presenters wanted the City Council to consider each before entering into an agreement for the proposed land swap. Each of the concerns, it was later pointed-out by MRA representative Steve McIntyre and Parks member Hess, had already been addressed in detail and already in the record.
Planning Commission April 11
More Room at the Inn?
A proposal to increase outside seasonal patio seating at the Jacksonville Inn received unanimous approval. When completed, an expanded 490 square feet of patio will adjoin the existing patio to accommodate 20 more guests with 4 to 5 additional tables. The new patio, it was noted, will beautify an unsightly back portion of the alleyway, an effort which received praise from the commission.
During a two hour public hearing, the commission heard expert testimony and public comment regarding proposed changes and compliance matters for the Frau Kemmling Schoolhaus Brewhaus on the Bigham Knoll campus. Commissioners examined four staff findings for landscaping, truck delivery ingress and egress and fencing. Bigham Knoll co-owner Mel Ashland was represented at the hearing by Daryl Witmore and Mike Thornton. The public hearing was closed without a ruling and continued to the May meeting.
City Council April 17
Council elected David Jesser as Urban Renewal Chair. Next, an annual report on the status of the city’s Urban Renewal program was delivered by Portland consultant Jeff Tashman. Mr. Tashman reported that the UR fund and program was “healthy,” and has potential to fund future city projects including expanded storm drains, sewer and transportation infrastructure. Of particular interest was his suggestion that Jacksonville consider a public/private partnership to tap UR funds for historic preservation for properties which comprise the backbone of the city’s National Historic status and bolster the city’s economic vitality.
Mayor Becker and Fire Chief Hull formally recognized and thanked firefighter Jessica Stanfield for an outstanding performance at the Seattle Firefighter Stair Climb. The 2012 event raised $5m for lymphoma and other blood cancer research, a cause Stanfield supports.
Council approved a contract extension for the Chamber of Commerce to operate the Visitors Center until June 30, 2013.