A Few Minutes with the Mayor – February 2022

As we start the New Year, I’m reflecting back on what we have all gone through the last two years. The months have been both agonizingly slow and surprisingly fast. Slow when I think of the things we cannot easily do, that we used to take for granted, and fast when I look at what we have accomplished. Slow in feeling uncomfortable in any group setting and worrying who is shedding COVID-19 in any of its variants. Time seems slow with life in general and how easy it used to be to see friends and family, go to a restaurant or the movies, or travel. Slow when I think of everything we could never have imagined, relating to a pandemic, and how it affects all our lives. Slow because we all want to put this new way of life behind us and move forward while at the same time reclaiming some of our old freedoms.

The months have seemed to go fast when I think of what we have accomplished as individuals and as part of the City of Jacksonville. We have made great strides in adapting to everything thrown our way, in following new rules and regulations to keep us safe, trying to figure out personal ways to navigate this new way of living. As individuals; members of organizations; city staff; commission or committee members; city councilors and mayor; we have all discovered ways to adapt, attend meetings and just get things done. As we move through what is hopefully the third and last year of COVID-19 being more common than the common cold, I would like to acknowledge all of you and what you have done. I encourage you all to take a look at how you have handled minor and major crises and give yourselves a big hand. I am constantly encouraged by what I see happening here in town and thank you all.

Every city has a face it presents to visitors. Jacksonville is described often as a historic, bucolic town with a nostalgic atmosphere. We have the Britt Music Festival, safe living and outdoor activities in a simply stunning setting. Underneath, even though we are small, it is much more complex. Safety, housing shortages, traffic, forest and wildfires, the normal amount of funding necessary to operate a city are just a few of the issues we deal with on a day-to-day basis. A lot of what City Administer Jeff Alvis and I do, our real jobs, are building community, solving problems, dealing with the reality of grunt work, and making tough choices. We are dedicated to providing you with protection, a center of government and a base for progress as we, as citizens, continue to determine how we want to live. Jeff and I met recently to discuss what has been accomplished here in Jacksonville the past year and what may be in store for us in 2022. This month I am reporting on events relative to our city’s inner offices and departments. Next month I’ll report on what to expect from City Council, and attached Commissions and Committees.

We recently completed the multi-year project of renovating the Historic Jacksonville Courthouse. The city started this project in 2015, restoring, remodeling and earthquake-proofing the first floor. We added ADA features and installed a new outside elevator. We were then able to move City Hall from the Miller House to the Courthouse, now known as New City Hall, in 2016. 2021 saw the completion of the second story assembly room, with more historic preservation and restoration; remodeling; ADA features and a new inside elevator. We added furniture and equipment to house Council Chambers, electronics to bring us into this century, and a catering kitchen. This project was a long time coming and was paid for with Urban Renewal funds and private donations from many individuals and organizations. The first function held was the spring conference of the League of Oregon Cities (LOC). The first social event held was the Jacksonville Boosters annual Christmas party. The building could now easily last for another 100 plus years. This was a dream and goal of many of us, particularly former Mayor Paul Becker, and we thank everyone who helped achieve our vision.

The Fire Department has been extremely busy this year. We were able to upgrade Vehicle Extrication Cutters, purchase a generator and an SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) Compressor. We conducted a lengthy hiring process and hired a new fireman. Some of our training interns are finishing their two-year college degrees as part of an education program the city is reimbursed for. We partnered with Medford on responses and with Ashland, Medford and Fire District Three for regional training protocols. These projects occurred all while we were going about our regular business and beginning the Fire Station renovation project that has been decades in the making. This year we were able to utilize Urban Renewal Funds to begin the retrofit and remodel of the current Fire Station. Our old Fire Station did not have separate women’s and men’s bathrooms. We could not get our large engine in a truck bay while fully loaded, and the old facility did not meet current safety standards. Fire Department Service requests are at the second highest of all times, so the timing is imperative. Our new fire station will serve male and female fire personnel and have new, safe equipment. Our Emergency Operations Center will have a permanent home in this facility, with the up-to-date apparatus and communications necessary for saving lives. Chief Wayne Painter and his staff have provided untold savings in the grants they received.

The Jacksonville Police Department has continued to do what they do best: quietly and professionally taken care of our citizens in a timely manner. We have some new hires coming on this year to replace officers who are moving or retiring. Under Chief David Towe, our police officers have continued to further their education and participated in multiple trainings this year. A friendly wave to them while they are about their business is always appreciated.

Our Planning Department, under Ian Foster, has hit record numbers of permit applications a few times over the last several years. This year there were fewer new residential permits and more remodels. Our Planning Director and staff have been active, along with the CAC, working on development code revision. A recent creation of a website to follow the code revision process on is now online. The site address is www.jacksonvillecodeupdate.com. The Historic Preservation Grant Fund is still active and the 2022 process will be announced as usual, through public notice and a mailing.

Another workhorse department, Public Works, has been put through their paces this year. We hired Tony Thompson to replace Max Woody. Max left to be closer to his family in Washington. Tony hit the ground running and has not stopped. Public Works are the folks you saw out mitigating the unusual Christmas snow event. They are constantly monitoring our culverts and ditches in case of flooding. They re-opened streets and trails closed by falling trees and snags. Public Works keeps a supply of cinders, sand, sand bags, and de-icer liquid on hand to keep traffic open and moving. Upcoming projects include work on the Peter Britt Gardens fountain and Veteran’s Park, partnering with the Jacksonville Boosters. Capital improvement projects continue on the reservoir roof, an SCA grant for Carriage Lane and regular maintenance. In conjunction with these projects, the city has completed multiple water line projects and we now have a generator at all pump stations. We are online with current paving projects including Shafer Lane, Applegate Street and 4th Street. We worked with ODOT on bringing the city curb ramps into compliance with new ADA regulations. It was a long, drawn-out process with multiple organizations working together. ODOT was fiscally responsible for the project and paid for these improvements. Some project issues included the correct angle of the slopes to each curb corner and the level of approach to each curb corner. Raised bumps for the sight impaired were replaced and curbs were widened. Smoke issues and tourist season further complicated the project. We are now ADA compliant and the new curbs are safer for everyone. Thank you ODOT for a successful job completion.

The Cemetery Department continued grounds maintenance, especially after recent wind and rain storms. This year should see the start of surveying the new addition of eleven acres. This acreage is earmarked for additional burial grounds and scattering grounds.

The Finance Department recently completed the annual audit of the city finances. We have once again received a perfect audit. Thank you to the Budget Committee, along with Jeff Alvis and Stacey Bray. You may have noticed this year we initiated online management and bill payment for your city services bill. Check it out at www. jacksonvilleor.merchanttransact.com.

City employees participated in online job trainings via Zoom this year. Due to regulations at Federal, State, County and departmental levels, our staff works diligently to maintain the highest level of professionalism and competence. CPR training is currently an online focus.

In partnership with the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, we enjoyed a partial return of some of the celebration activities of Jacksonville’s Victorian Christmas. Two record-breaking outside activities included the Tree Lighting Ceremony and our Christmas parade. At the tree lighting we enjoyed music, singing Christmas carols, and the arrival of Santa on the trolley. The parade was actively enjoyed with more floats, bands and groups than we have seen for a long time. This year we were able to share warm cider with visitors, but alas, no chestnuts. Being able to be outside with family and friends, just before Omicron hit, was a meaningful, normal type of memory we can cherish, as we wait out the rest of winter. Thank you, Jacksonville Chamber and Jacksonville Boosters for all your efforts.

All in all, a very busy year for Jacksonville. In retrospect, I am astounded at all that has been accomplished. Again, I thank you all and I’m honored to work with you. Next month I will give an inside look at the work of our Council, Commissions, and Committees.

Please take a look at the write-up on page 5 in this issue of the Review on the City Awards given at the January 4th City Council meeting. Three individuals were honored for their contributions to the City of Jacksonville. I was pleased to name the 2020 Person of The Year: Carolyn Kingsnorth; 2021 Person of The Year: Kandee McClain; and to Tony Hess, a Lifetime Achievement Award. All three individuals have contributed countless hours and expertise to our city over the years to the benefit of us all. A heartfelt thank you to all three!