Local News

The Grants Pass City Council approved a special use permit for OnTrack, Inc., to operate an emergency lodging and outpatient clinic facility at 688 and 690 Rogue River Highway.

OnTrack secured Measure 110 funding to operate the six-bed emergency facility for pregnant IV-drug abusers and 10-bed emergency lodging for those wait-listed for residential treatment.

The City Council also approved an ordinance to extend 362 lineal feet of water main on Shady Lane north to Molly Lane, and 345 of lineal feet of water main on Molly Lane to the end of the street. The developer requested this reimbursement district to recover a portion of their installation costs. Costs for improvements have been allocated using a per-dwelling unit basis for properties zoned residential. There are no non-residential properties within this district.

The Council approved an ordinance to the municipal code on a split vote, adding a chapter to regulate humanitarian service events on publicly-owned property. The ordinance creates a registration process for individuals, non-profits and other charitable organizations to operate in City parks and public places that normally prohibit individuals or organizations of the dissemination of drug paraphernalia and compressed combustible materials. Because the vote was not unanimous, a second reading will be voted on at the Council's next meeting.

Wednesday night's business meeting began with a Lifetime Achievement Award for Historic Preservation presented to Historical Buildings & Sites Commission Chairman Ward Warren and a Lifesaving Award to Firefighter Manny Sharp.

(Special Thanks to Chuck Benson for covering this meeting)