City Snapshot – March 2024
DURING PUBLIC COMMENT at the February 6 City Council meeting, Belita Palu-ay announced that she had been appointed as the Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce and will be working with Julie Baker who will run the Visitor Information Center. Belita will also continue in her role as Associate Editor of the Jacksonville Review.
Police Chief David Towe introduced Nick Nelson, who was then sworn-in as a new Police Officer. Towe commented that he’d known Nick for many years and thought he was an excellent addition to the department. Towe informed council that his department is now staffed with 5 ½ FTE officers and that another candidate was offered a job earlier in the day. He further updated the council saying the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office was still assisting the city for night shifts when possible.
Beverly Smith was appointed to the newly formed Cemetery Committee.
Mayor Donna Bowen presented the annual Person of the Year Award to Sue Miler and the Lifetime Achievement Award to Bob Budesa. Please read more on this in her monthly column on this page.
Council approved a series of requests for:
- Jacksonville Presbyterian Church annual yard sale, March 3-6.
- Jacksonville Presbyterian Church outdoor Easter Sunrise Service.
- OLCC permit for Somar Vineyards at 255 E. California Street in the former home of the Remotion tasting room.
- OLCC change of ownership permit for the Chevron Station.
Carolyn Kingsnorth of Historic Jacksonville, Inc. presented the non-profit’s annual report. In a related topic, the council approved acceptance of a Certified Local Government Grant for $17,000 to be used to hire Alchemy of Design, the firm that will create design plans for a new museum at Old City Hall.