The Grants Pass City Council moved forward with all agenda items with some changes during yesterday’s workshop.
Main Street Funding was the major agenda topic. The council was presented with potential funding sources to benefit downtown businesses. The request would bring in a 3-year total of $270,000 from potential providers: The General Lands and Buildings Projects at $40k, Industrial & Downtown Loan Fund at $40k, and the Economic Development General Fund at $20k.
Chamber President and CEO Terry Hopkins urged the council to approve, and after much deliberation, the revised motion passed with all but one yes. The first year of funding would be granted, with the second and third to be considered later with other funding sources.
The Infill Housing Development Incentive Program was presented next, with goals to incentivize naturally occurring affordable housing developments to buy or rent long term on lots not needing new city infrastructure.
Qualifying lots would be on vacant or underdeveloped property and be within a quarter mile of 6th and 7th between the river and I-5. Funding would be sourced from the Sale of Surplus Land Fund and applications would be scored on a set rubric to be assessed by subcommittee.
A motion was made to move forward with stipulations directing staff to develop the request for proposal and deliver it to the council. The motion passed unanimously.
Lastly, City Manager Aaron Cubic presented the potential sale of the Ausland Drive property, with a real market value of $131k. Sale proceeds would be credited to the Water Fund.
The property would be open for the public to purchase. A motion to proceed with soliciting a realtor for a market analysis to bring back for council discussion was made. It passed unanimously.
