City Council - Regular Meeting

Yes, we do. I'd like to invite Pastor Jason Smotherman from the Parkway Church to the podium. Thank you.

Yeah, I guess I just have one. So you said we're not the appropriate venue to approve this, right? I guess, what does that mean at the end of all this? If we approve it?

Shouldn't that be part of the process as they go through the whole application before they approve or deny anything? I don't know. I'm just curious.

Yes, assuming this goes back just like is recommended, How much extra is that going to cost on estimate to the private citizen, to the developer?

Well, the term time is money and money is time I think is relevant here, so thank you.

Yes. Hi, Bradley, thank you. I want to go back to the page where we talk about THE DENOVO AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT PAGE IT WAS ON YOUR PRESENTATION, JUST HOW WE'RE ABLE TO OR NOT ABLE TO MAKE THIS DECISION.

YES. So I want to make sure I understand this clearly. Does this mean that we are able to tonight be presented new evidence within the application? Is that how I can interpret that? So we could hear, if they wish to, from the applicant come up and explain the changes that were made?

Okay. And there are a few things that I would love to hear because we were given a street length, but as far as I could tell, I never saw what the new street length was, so how much it was over. And I just didn't see clearly, and maybe it's because it was such a big packet and there were so many different parts to it. I just didn't see clearly. what the new situation is with the project. So if it's, I don't know if now is the appropriate time, but I would love to be able to hear from the applicant if they wish to come up and explain that.

Okay. So the other question I had, Bradley, is what happens if we were to approve tonight, so override, and would it still go back to the Urban Area Planning Commission for the other issues that you talked about?

Oh, I just wasn't sure if that was the old or the new. Okay, thank you. Yeah. Thank you.

No questions until I hear the applicant.

Yeah, thank you, Justin. That was very informative. So if this was remanded back to the committee, how much delay would this cause?

So did I understand correctly that possibly the committee made a premature decision not having heard some of these new variances and street width and cul-de-sac and hammerhead and all of that?

Hi. Yes. I think this is the first time that I heard when you first began this project it was code compliant at the time so the rules changed. Yes. Like mid project. Aren't there any it seems like there should be some if you've already started a project. There should be some grace given for, you know, this has been in the works for this many years, like a grandfather in...

And then I also heard you say it seems to me like I was listening for it that some of the other issues like the utilities and some other things that the commission might have looked at that they're fine based on your experience and other projects and there isn't there wouldn't be any reason for it to go back to the commission because of those?

Okay, thank you. Eric, do you have any questions?

Yeah, you mentioned that the parking is going to be on one side of the street. That being said, are the driveways, are the majority of them single-car driveways, or are they... Looks like some of the ones on those cul-de-sac there are longer driveways.

I DO. THANK YOU. HI, JUSTIN. SO ALONG THOSE LINES, BRAD MENTIONED THAT PART OF THE review of the Planning Commission is looking at comments and feedback from citizens in the area. Would you agree that that's part of the process that was not done?

We went through a full hearing process So you're saying because That's not my understanding from what Brad said, that they didn't even get to that part. That people might have spoken up, but the planning commission itself didn't talk about what the people said, what the citizens said, and come to decisions on that. Did that happen? Do you know? Or was that, that was, it sounds like it was dropped because of the substantial Variances they just stopped it and didn't go through with that part. My concern really is that citizen input part Would you agree that that wasn't I'm just asking you your o

YEAH, I UNDERSTAND THAT. AND THEN HAVE YOU HAD OTHER PROJECTS? I am not an expert whatsoever in any of this planning. Have you had other projects? It seems like because you did make substantial changes but still by not going back to the planning commission you're expecting the council to just approve it and we're not experts in doing that. Have you had other projects that where you've completely let you sidestepped the planning commission and just gone to council for approval? Is that a common thing?

YOU'VE NEVER HAD TO GO BACK TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION EVER?

Yeah, I just want to clarify that everything has checked out fine with the fire chief with the hammerhead turnaround in the middle and the cul-de-sac. Maybe he could speak to that.

AND YOU WOULD SAY THAT'S SUFFICIENT TO COMPLETE THIS PROJECT?

OKAY. AND THEN WHAT I'M HEARING IS THAT THE CONCERNS OF THE COMMITTEE, YOU'VE MADE ALSO ADAPTATIONS TO THEIR CONCERNS. with the 28 feet and making it a public street and these cul-de-sac and hammerhead.

Yeah, I did. So I just want to clarify. So is the reason for the street extension and the variances, is part of that reason or is to get more units in that area? Whoever could answer that.

Right, but they both asked for variances in street length. That's why I'm asking if the cul-de-sac was, if the street was shorter, the cul-de-sac would be pulled in more, you maybe wouldn't get so many of those houses back there. That was my question. And then, I mean, what's the reason to extend the street length, I guess is what I'm asking.

Yes, thank you. It seems to me that it's very clear that the variance concerns were met. Chief has said that he can't say for certain, but it seemed that the fire issues were dealt with. And I'm just not sure what we would do by sending this back to the Planning Commission other than create an undue burden on the applicant because it would take so much time. So everything, they've met the issues. All the other issues were heard. Every concern that I have heard even brought up from counselors has been addressed in this meeting. And it would come back to us regardless. And it just seems to me li

THANK YOU, MAYOR. I JUST DID I MOTIONED THE NUMBER THREE. ABSOLUTELY.

I read number three verbatim, Rob. You might not have heard it because you were talking, but I read it directly from the book on page two. So number three on page two is my motion.

I just wanted to, for clarity though, I mean, I wasn't making my motion up. The motion clearly states that the effect will be the approval of the Eden Glen application as revised. So I'm not trying to be difficult here, but that is the motion that was made. And so it would need to either be approved as is and we're finished or someone would need to make a friendly amendment to that. But that number three is the motion that we're dealing with right now.

Yes. Way earlier in our discussion, I think Joel asked a question about the 20 units. There's nowhere in the agreement with the feds that it had to be 20 units. Is that what was the consensus?

Okay, I thought staff said No, it didn't have to be. Can I get that clarified?

Oh Okay, but Sorry, can you restate as specifically what those are?

So this isn't involving the variance. It's just involving other things that some council feel may not have been addressed because they stopped at the variance. I just want to make sure I'm really clear.

Yes, and I too appreciate the expertise of Mr. Gerlitz and the applicant. I'm very concerned that it would be skipping the site planning, that the process stopped and it wasn't a complete review. I think it would be irresponsible of council to pretend like we know how to do planning and what's right or not and make this decision. So I agree with staff that I would remand it back to the UA, the Planning Commission. And Brad, can the Planning Commission, they can allow, vote to allow for variances, can't they too?

They can also approve variances. So it's not like and there are substantial changes. And while the applicant did make some very nice correction still major variances which all in all the planning commission could decide to approve those variances should it go back to them instead of me who really doesn't know anything about this. You know, I'd have to do a lot of research to really understand it, and I would if it came back to us. But I feel like tonight I just can't make that decision to reverse the appeal and let it go forward as is. And again, a particular concern is that the process just w

Yeah, and if we want to talk about delays, I think it's been long enough since 2023 to get this project off the ground. I think that that's been delayed enough. And when I hear about the things that have been needed to be changed, Public Works had no recommendation on the 38 feet variance. That wasn't an issue for them. there the other two variances have been remedied and the fire protection or the turnaround and all of that has been remedied so I'm going to be in favor of this project to appeal the committee's decision thank you further discussion okay you currently have a motion on the table

I move to adopt the ordinance amending Grants Pass Municipal Code section 6.46.350, temporary exclusion from city park properties and declaring an emergency and have it read by title only second reading.

Yeah. I think I have questions about two of the applicants, Crash and CMAQ and the Hula Foundation. I'm not seeing that they are actually attracting that many stays from 50 miles away since they're mostly attracting people locally. Like, for example, in the first paragraph on CMAQ productions, it says the application showed over 14 events with an estimated 120 stays. 14 events, that's a lot of events with only 120 stays. So that was a question I had, and then the hula room foundation they are they have had only one year so far and not sure that they will it says that they attracted 150 to 200

One year, which isn't much to go on, as compared to some of the other applicants who've had nine years, 20-year histories of gathering people from 50 miles away.

Well, it's more addressing this whole thing, so maybe I'll wait for comments, but I can do it now.

Okay. So I really appreciated being able to sit in on this committee, and it was very well run. I HAD A GOOD TIME WITH THE COMMITTEE, AND I WOULDN'T NECESSARILY CHANGE ANYTHING NOW, I MEAN, BEFORE US TONIGHT, BUT I WOULD SAY, AND RICK'S QUESTION AND KATHLEEN'S QUESTIONS ARE REALLY ADDRESSING THIS, THAT IN THE FUTURE, I'M NOT NECESSARILY SURE IT'S FAIR TO CHANGE ANYTHING ON THE APPLICANTS RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THEY APPLIED UNDER the conditions of the grant. But to me, when I was in the committee, the only thing that mattered to me was that we were attracting people from 50 miles away. And it was nu

Well, I appreciate everyone that applied. I appreciate the review committee that went through all these applications, and I thank you for all the public comment we received tonight. You know, I trust the committees, and I trust this committee and the recommendation they make, So I'm just going to move to adopt the resolution awarding funds for the fall of 2026 cycle of the Tours and Promotion Grants Program to Seed Collective Catalysts, Crash and CMAG Productions, the Hula Room Foundation, Grants Pass Downs, and Grants Pass Fast Pitch Lady Rogues.

YES, I DO. CAN I SEE THE CHART OF THE MONIES? BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE IT HERE WITH ME. My question, I have a question. Can we award over $5,000? Is that up to the council?

Well, okay, so looking at this chart, I mean, I'm blown away with CRASH and CMAQ. And I have met Ashley and Charles Lee. They are passionate and go-getters. And I don't know why they would not get the full 5,000. I would be forgiving. And all the support they have, and they're showing numbers. I would give them the full 5,000. I don't know if council has an appetite and take 1,000 off something else or 500. I mean, if we really want to grow tourism, and this group is showing they're doing that with music and bringing people in, why would we not award them the full amount that we can? I would h

Yeah, can we pull from the existing pool? Do we have to take away from the other application?

Because there's still money, right? Oh, then I do want to address that, Seth, real quickly if I could. And that's what I was going to say after this was the reason that the committee decided not to they wanted to make sure that there was money left over for the next time. And so it's, if we give above and beyond, then the next go around, somebody's going to miss out on that one. So there's like 16,500 for next time, which is less than what we are giving this time. So just bear that in mind. I just wanted to add that to the discussion.

Yeah, Rob, would you still like to do the 250?

I mean, I don't like to take the money back, but I do agree that, you know, going into the next cycle, we don't want to, you know, lower that budget more. So I'd be in favor of that. Further just okay.

Yes, I would. Because I think there's others on there that could use the money too and are making a big contribution so to say, of visitors in our town. I mean, the fast-pitch lady rogues, they've been doing this for 20 years. They're bringing families. They're bringing their whole entourage of teams. 15 to 20 teams are coming. And during Boatnik, which is another draw to our Boatnik activity. So I think, all in all, there's several on here that deserve more money, if I may say so. the rat rod ruckus they have a nine year history great community support and I see that the committee didn't want

Yes, thank you. I kind of agree with Kathleen on that. I don't know, and I wasn't obviously part of the scoring, but fast pitch softball, I mean, that brings in That could be a huge industry here to bring in tourism. That's big. Any kind of softball tournaments and things. And it's ongoing and frequent. So I'm kind of surprised how they got less. But also the Rat Rod Ruckus, I would agree. They're expecting it's coming up this weekend. People should go. They're expecting over 5,000 people on Saturday. And that pulls in people from all over as well. So I'm not sure. I'm a little surprised that

Victoria Yeah, just to address some of those things while I was in the committee the lady rogues fast pitch were originally not going to receive anything and I pointed out the numbers to me. It's straight numbers if in the application you could prove you were bringing in This many people to my way of thinking since this is a tourism Grant that it was just straight numbers for me however as I said earlier I think that all of these applicants would have been able to show their numbers better if our application was better. And so I don't think it's fair to, I'm okay with changing it, I suppose, b

The last thing I'll say is that I think, what, six months ago, the crash feedback to my knowledge was supposed to get to 5,000, and we voted to completely remove that, right? Correct? Am I correct in saying that? Yeah. So, I mean, I have to say I'm proud of how far we've all come and you know, I think this is a good sign. I think they were poised for some growth six months ago, so we're back and we'll make it happen.

I would be in favor of leaving it as the original motion and then see how everything plays out. But I'm going to vote yes on it either way. But I'm moving towards what Rick and Kathleen were talking about. Just leave it the way the committee recommended it. So that's my standpoint. Thank you.

Yeah, I just wanted to say I do like the motion, but... I just wanted to address what Seth said. We did choose to give CRASH and CMAT zero because they were new. We really didn't know them. It wasn't proven. And so just kudos to them for going out and proving themselves and getting this following that cared enough to come and speak on their behalf. That made a big difference.

I would like to make a motion to table the item C on the council action to a date certain, and that would either be the 28th during the workshop or the 30th at our next council meeting.

Thank you so much. To those date certain, apologies.

I think given the time, it I think the agenda item won't receive the time that it needs. I know I personally have a great deal of input that would extend us to at least an hour, hour and a half from now.

well i would ask what is on the calendar for that workshop if there's going to be another hour or hour and a half discussion just from one counselor we're looking at two more hours or more is it even possible to put it on the next workshop or meeting um so our october 5th workshop is a little bit full

I guess. I don't see us getting away from a long discussion anyway. I'd almost rather just get it done and make a decision. That's just me.

okay any further discussion Kathleen well seeing how it is really late already and we have we haven't even done public comment yet we yeah we have appointments we just have a lot tonight so I would be in favor of tabling it any further discussion

Since there are two positions open and there are two candidates, I would just move to vote to accept both candidates.

I don't. I'll just go with what people have so far.

So I would go ahead and motion to once again to accept both because there are two options.

So we'll just appoint one for now, and then we can go back to discussion. OK. Or we can vote, I guess.

I move to appoint Andreas Black to the historical buildings commission.

Thank you further discussion Eric Thank You Rick that's I noticed that on the actual application there, there was no reason given of why this happened, but there was a big paragraph for the other candidate Now there was discussion about it, but if they wanted us to know exactly why the applicant was not recommended, then they should have put that down there. I think that's important to understand. And that was not provided. It just wasn't even mentioned. Nothing was mentioned. He is a very capable businessman here in Grants Pass. I just don't understand what the resistance is because he seems

Yes. During the interview process, I think Andreas Bleck addressed all of the concerns. that may have been from the committee, but I do agree with Eric that they were not expressed on the committee and I personally wouldn't have a lot of faith in a committee that just rejects someone doesn't tell us why and It would seem Like a just a blatant bias if you have an opening The opening is there. So I hope people would accept that this applicant as well because one of the criteria for this committee is that you actually own a historical building. And Andreas Bleck fits that bill. And so he would be

YES, I'D JUST LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT WE JUST HAD THREE COUNSELORS REJECT Ms. Wainwright with no explanation at all. So I don't know that an explanation is needed. There's reasons why sometimes we give explanations and sometimes we don't. But I do agree that we need a working committee. And for whatever reason, they didn't want him on there. They said so. And I would hate to see division or conflict within a committee. I don't know. I don't think we've ever I've really seen that before with committee recommendations that they weren't on there. So that would be my concern is just having a good w

Yeah, just a full disclosure. I voted for both of the applicants. I only voted no because I wanted both of them to be considered at the same time since there were two openings.

I just want to give an observation that it seems like this committee has had trouble filling its places. I mean, the last time we voted, we had to vote two in. Now we have to vote two in again. and the applicant the application was on our city website for a long long time it's almost like there's trouble getting people into this committee so i think whoever has been applied for it should be able to get in there so that we can fill this darn thing any further discussion and i would be voting yes for andreas black joel

Well, thank you, Joel. What I would say is we would have a full committee if we vote to fulfill both. So that would take care of the problem you're addressing right here.

I guess what I wanted to respond to, Joel, is that I haven't seen applicants or the request for applicants on the city website as long as the historical buildings committee. Most of them get filled maybe not as quickly as we expect, but I mean, these positions have been on there for months. for the Historical Buildings Committee.

All right, thank you. I am getting to it. So, uh, I moved to approve the consent agenda, a resolution amending membership of the grants past development code review task force B resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a five-year wastewater master services services agreement. with Carrillo Engineers Inc. for engineering services. C, motion acknowledging the receipt of the monthly investment report for August, 2026. D, motion acknowledging the receipt OF THE MONTHLY WATER REVENUE BONDS INVESTMENT REPORT FOR AUGUST 2026. E, MOTION APPROVING THE MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF S

I can't really say that it wasn't a predictable thing that we would get to where we are at, especially with the drug usage. Again, like I've always said, the Oregon laws make it so that it's a low barrier shelter. But like I was saying before, I knew this was gonna be a drug issue because the majority of the homelessness that's out there, they have some kind of mental health or drug issue going. And so, We had temporary resting sites that we moved down to Parker's Place. And I recommended that we go with another candidate. But that's a different story. So we went with another candidate. We wen

Yeah, Adele, thanks for sharing. I've kind of kept up on what's going on with everything that you went through. So, yeah, really apologize for that. And, you know, I think we're trying what we can to kind of get things under control. So I do know that's a top priority. This next bit, Stephanie, I don't know if you can kind of explain the situation, because you could probably explain it better than me, with Art Along the Road and kind of what's going on, and I can kind of finish it up, if that's okay. Okay.

YES. HISTORICALLY FOR AT LEAST ART ALONG THE ROGUE THERE'S BEEN A FEW LIKE THE HALL IS ONE OF THEM THAT HAS A LIKE A PIZZA OVEN OUTSIDE DURING ART ALONG THE ROGUE EVENT AND SELLS PIZZA BY THE SLICE OUTSIDE OUT FRONT OF THE HALL. basically what she's alluding to. And there's a couple others. So I just, there's a lot of downtown, a couple that are upset about this last minute potential change leading up to Art Along the Road. So I'd like to see if there's enough counselors interested in directing staff to create a lease agreement similar to kind of like what we did for Cruise the Road for that F

OKAY. SO I'M NOT REAL CLEAR ON WHAT'S GOING ON HERE. SO THERE'S RESTAURANTS THAT DON'T, WELL, THE HALL HAS SEATING. right outside of their restaurant. So is this trucks that want to have alcohol or?

And what are we exactly leasing? A whole street?

Well, this goes for First Friday, pretty much any event. So I just, you know, I think moving at least throughout along the road, if we can, you know, allow some of these people that have been doing this for years, this is nothing new. It's been happening ever since I've been going. So again, I'm just looking for counselors that would be interested in that. Again, we'd have to have a special meeting, but hopefully it wouldn't take a long time.

I could do the 28th. 28th? It's a Monday.

I believe I was just looking at that. Yes. Okay. Stephanie, you good with that?

Okay, so I'm sorry that that gentleman left who said we don't have enough drug rehabs here in the city. And to my knowledge, we are blessed with a lot of it. So I just want to give a rundown. We have four full drug rehabilitation programs. We have 10 plus sober living transitional housing. Two of those transitional housings wait for a treatment bed. They're put in there to wait for a treatment bed. The rest are after care for those completing treatment. We have a recovery cafe meetings all day. I mean, they're there from late morning to 8, 9 o'clock at night. We have AA meetings and NA meeting

In addition to that, the exclusion zones being extended.