The Grants Pass City Council last night voted in favor of a 3% food and beverage tax combined with a $9 utility fee to fill the funding void for public safety. The non-binding vote was 5-3, with DJ Faszer, Dwayne Yunker and Valerie Lovelace casting the dissenting votes.
City staff will now create ordinances to institute the proposed new revenue streams to maintain current funding levels and add three police officers, a crime analyst, three firemen and an administrator. Councilors are expected to cast a final vote on the ordinances at the February 21st regular meeting.
Prior to Council's discussion and vote, they heard over an hour of public testimony related to the public safety funding discussion. Citizens voiced different opinions both for and against a sales tax, for and against a utility fee, and against the food and beverage tax.
The City Council started the meeting by unanimously approving an ordinance that amends the Development Code to relax some residential development standards. The amendments reduce the requirement of 30% open space for multi-family housing developments, streamlining requirements while maintaining high-value recreation areas. The setback standards for multi-family developments next to single-family residences were retained.
The Council approved an ordinance correcting solar standards for development while making minor, non-substantive corrections to the rules.
A property at 630 Lincoln Road was annexed into the city limits via ordinance at the request of the owner to facilitate the connection to the municipal sewer system.
Councilors approved the sale of a 1/10th-acre residential property on SE 8th Street for a cash offer of $70,000 to the Sabrina Gaunce Trust. According to the Assessor's Office, the value of the property is $68,000.
Danielle Glarum was appointed to the Historical Building and Sites Commission. Tripp Androy, Robert Brosius, Sandy Novak and Adrianna Reinhart were tapped to serve on the Budget Committee. Allison Cavaner was appointed to the Parks Advisory Committee.
