The Grants Pass City Council last night passed a resolution and an ordinance amendment that are aimed at halting the preliminary injunction the city is under that currently prohibits it from restricting resting in most public spaces.
The City Council first dealt with the ordinance amendment that was passed twice. It unanimously declared a state of emergency and consolidated the restrictions on prohibiting camping in all city parks as well as sleeping on sidewalks, streets or in doorways. The amendment will go into effect as soon as the injunction is lifted.
The Council followed that with the resolution that delineated portions of 712 NE 7th Street, 704 NW 6th Street, 711 NW 5th Street and 714 NW 6th Street where a person may live, sleep, or leave personal property overnight within those locations for up to 96 hours before they must relocate. Those sites bring the total number of resting spaces available to more than 150.
In other business, an ordinance was approved to annex property at 535 Lincoln Road for development of a five-lot residential subdivision. The property is zoned for medium-density development.
Councilors also approved an ordinance amending the Urban Growth Boundary and the Comprehensive Plan Map. The ordinance affects approximately 40 acres. It is basically a land swap with some property being added to the UGB and an equal amount taken out. The transactions increase the feasibility of accommodating the city's housing needs for the next 20 years. The land swap must also be approved by the Josephine County Board of Commissioners who are set to hear the same presentation on May 19th.
The Council voted to readopt the City's investment policy that has been in effect since 2022 and keeps at least $3 million in local banks in the form of certificates of deposit. The reservation fees of $425.75 charged for the use of Riverside Park for the upcoming Frog O’Faire children's event were waived. A resolution adopting the City’s Strategic Plan for two years that includes Public Safety, Fiscal Stability, Economic Growth, Housing and Homelessness, and Infrastructure was passed. Eric Wade was appointed to the Solid Waste Agency.
