BCC Workshop Covers County Property Business
The Josephine County Board of Commissioners began their workshop with Legal Counsel Business. A motion to adopt a policy addressing criteria for exclusion from county property and Telephonic Contact Prohibition passed 3-0, with added language for clarification of electronic communication. Legal Counsel Wally Hicks presented a policy for news media meeting attendance, particularly in executive sessions. He recommended reaching out to the community to comment on the policy for a week, then bring the results to the board for a decision. The board moved to approve the order in repealing the implementation of the clear bag policy with the exception of the language. A motion to accept a full price offer for 210 Tacoma property, after paperwork identifying no potential FAA or financial issues are located, passed 3-0. Commissioner Ron Smith dissented on a motion to approve counter offers for the Dimmick Campus, and staff was instructed to continue working until a 1798 SE N Street lease agreement is finalized regarding a Memorandum of Understanding between the county and HP Civil, Inc. ...Read more

Council Hears Staffing Change Requests and Budget Policy Section Edits at Workshop

The Grants Pass City Council began their workshop with a presentation regarding requests for staffing changes Monday morning. Changes included reallocation from Downtown Development to Police, replacing one Engineering Tech, with an increase of about $20,000 per year, and additional police and fire facilities staff, with an increase of about $112,200 billed to those departments. The changing of Urban Forester and Trail Coordinator duties with a funding change of $54,600 per year was also requested. The council agreed to decide on the changes during their Wednesday meeting, with additional information to be provided. The council was presented with a look at the budget and proposed policy edits to sections including but not limited to Revenue, Capital Improvement, Expenditures, Fund Balance and Reserves, Debt Management, and Investments. The revisions and additions were aimed to consolidate current state practices within one document, improving general understanding of local government performances. ...Read more

GP Police Arrested Residential Shooting Suspect

Grants Pass Police were alerted to a shooting in the 2400 block of Leonard Road on March 4th around 5:44 p.m. An elderly woman reported to dispatch that a man had fired a gun in her home, striking his own leg. Police officers responded to the residence. Due to limited information, one of the officers called the home, learning there was another elderly person inside being held hostage by the suspected shooter. Officers notified the Grants Pass Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) and Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) to put them on standby. Law enforcement helped the elderly woman exit the home, then continued to gather more intelligence on the situation, wanting to see a safe outcome for both the hostage and the suspect. During this planning stage, patrol officers then heard shots from within the residence and immediately feared for the safety of the hostage. Officers forced entry into the home to rescue the hostage. Once inside the home, they discovered the suspect had shot himself in the chest, and lifesaving measures were provided. The elderly male hostage was helped out of the home. ...Read more