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 that helped make the Forest Park trail system a reality, including the City of Jacksonville, the Boosters Club and Foundation, the Jacksonville Woodlands Association, the Motorcycle Riders Association, and 13 Eagle Scout shelter, trail, bridge, and infrastructure projects. Tony also thanked volunteer Gary Sprague for his years of assistance as well as his wife, Joan, for allowing him to spend so much time creating the park!
Thanks Tom Glover—After 11 years of service to the city, Tom Glover, Building Maintenance Supervisor, will be retiring on September 15. Tom’s legacy includes taking on construction management of the New City Hall conversion when the city converted the county museum to city offices. Administrator Jeff Alvis has promoted Jorge Valles to the Building Maintenance Supervisor position. Jorge has been working part time in buildings and part time in public works since 2016.
City Council Work Session, August 15, 2023—City Finance Director Stacey Bray briefed council on the status of the Chamber of Commerce’s existing management agreement, noting that the organization has hired a bookkeeper and as such, working relations have improved.
City Administrator Jeff Alvis reported that $2000 matching grant applications for homeowners wishing to do blackberry abatement will be available in early September. Retroactive grants are also available, and all interested parties should contact the city for more information on this program.
Police Chief Dave Towe’s update included comments that a draft contract with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department to provide police protection is under review and will be presented to council in September. Towe also commented on a recent “drag racing” event in early August on N. 5th Street, noting that although he had suspects on video, “nobody is going to jail.” Due to witnesses unwilling to file formal complaints, Towe didn’t think a prosecution would occur. He also noted that license plate information provided by witnesses didn’t match any registered vehicles.
The council reached a consensus on forming a Citizens Advisory Committee to review if the city will proceed with amending its Urban Growth Boundary. Planning Director Ian Foster will move forward with establishing a CAC for technical review of the two UGB applications currently before the city. The action simply formalizes the process for consideration of a UGB amendment in the future.
Featured image: Mayor Donna Bowen presenting Tony Hess with 2022 Doug Newman Memorial Award.