GP City Council Favors Gradual Increase in Public Safety Staffing Without Raising Taxes

The Grants Pass Committee on Public Art learned Monday that the City Council is prioritizing all spending decisions -- especially when it comes to paying for public safety services. During its workshop session yesterday, the Grants Pass City Council voted to table a motion by the committee to spend $15,000 to activate the Redwood Alley mural. A lengthy staff presentation followed on Public Safety Service and Funding. City Manager Aaron Cubic started and ended the presentation that included Public Safety Advisory Committee Chair Alan Hart, Police Chief Warren Hensman, Fire Chief Jimmy Sanchez and Finance Director JC Rowley. The Grants Pass Police Department currently has 57 sworn officers and Hensman wants to increase his staffing to 62 full-time officers. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue currently has 27 full-time firefighters and Sanchez wants to increase his staffing to 33 firefighters. Hart said the public safety committee believes both agencies are understaffed, but the question is how to pay for more personnel. Rowley pointed out that 73% of the cost of public safety is personnel and there are "no easy options" to find additional funding. He shared several possible.options. After deliberations, the majority of the Council was adamant about not raising taxes while incrementally increasing police and fire staffing. They directed staff to present those options at a future workshop session. ...Read more

DEQ Fines Medford Water Commission for Discharging Chlorinated Liquid into Creeks

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued 12 penalties totaling nearly $757,000 in June for various environmental violations. Fines ranged from $2,250 to $464,678. Alleged violations included a construction company filling in a stream and wetland without the required stormwater permit, a pulp and paper mill violating its air permit, and a vessel owner not immediately collecting and removing spilled diesel fuel. Locally, the Medford Water Commission was fined $6,000 for a wastewater violation in Central Point. The agency allegedly discharged chlorinated water into Bear Creek and Lazy Creek without a permit. Recipients of DEQ civil penalties must either pay the fines to the state treasury or file an appeal within 20 days of receiving notice of the penalty. They may be able to offset a portion of the penalty by funding a supplemental environmental project that improves the environment. DEQ works with thousands of organizations and individuals to help them comply with laws that protect Oregon's air, land and water. The state agency uses education, technical assistance, warnings and penalties to change behavior and deter future violations. ...Read more

City of Grants Pass and ODOT Issue Call for Vinyl Wrap Utility Box Art Project

The City of Grants Pass -- in partnership with the Oregon Department of Transportation -- has an agreement to wrap utility boxes with vinyl artwork. This project will further the City's goal of creating vibrant art throughout the city to be enjoyed by all citizens and visitors. All art must be original and proposals will be recommended by the Grants Pass Committee on Public Art, with final approval from the City Council and ODOT. An artist stipend will be awarded each box, depending on the method used. Local artists, artist teams and students are encouraged to apply. The Art Box Project is a public art program intended to transform traffic control boxes into distinctive works of art. The art should be whimsical, fun, family-friendly and highlight nature. The program celebrates local artwork, deters graffiti and involves residents contributing to the beautification of the city. All applications must be received by 5 p.m. on August 15th. Please submit all required application materials by emailing "dpearce@grantspassoregon.gov," with the subject line "Art Box Project." ...Read more