City Council - Regular Meeting

Yeah, I'd like to invite Bonnie McDonald to the podium. Can you turn it up? Thank you, Bonnie.

So I don't know. Thank you, Justin. So I don't know who. It might not be for Justin because he might not know the history, but I remember us going through this before, and so are there any historical mural funds that have come to the city thus far? We've just been working towards it. I can answer that.

Gotcha. So I know we've just discussed it before, so I was thinking maybe we had the program had been This was the second year or something. So are there any local developers who have been inquiring about these funds that we know of?

So since these are just pass through funds or what seem like they're pass through funds, if that's the correct term, I'm just wondering how much staff time would be involved for like if there was one developer or three developers, how much would we have to invest of staff time in this sort of a program?

Okay, thank you. And then I think the last question is can a developer go directly to the county or the state for these? So let's say we didn't want to do it, the city didn't want to, can developers go to the state or the county if the county chose to do this?

So I just want to be clear on the flow of the money. So tonight we're just deciding on the resolution to go into the agreement to be able to do it. So does the state holds the money and the city goes to the state for the money? And is there a set amount for the city that stays or it's a first come first serve throughout the state? How does that work?

Okay. And we could do that again and again until they're out of money. And I saw that one of the acceptable were ADUs even. Is that right? Yeah.

an option under the rental side it's only the if if you for an ownership okay and um does the does the city or council have any say in what kind of housing is developed so if we want more middle income as opposed to low income subsidized housing do we have a say in that or just anyone who came and wanted to do it could do it

Thank you, Justin. I was wondering about the loans themselves. Are these reduced rate loans?

So what are these loans called? Like what type of loans are these called? Is there a name for them or are they some kind of category?

Okay. So what is then the benefit for the developer if they have to pay back money?

Okay, and then just my last question is, was this part of the infill project that we had talked about, up 6th and 7th? No? Okay.

So even if you could go back to option A and B, So I have a new question now. So under option B, it says there's no tax breaks. But does that mean just on the land, they could still receive those on the improvements? Is that what you were saying, Bradley?

But option B is the only one available for the urban renewal district. Okay, so that's a big, okay. So option A would just be everywhere. It would be more residential and you could, okay, thank you, Brad. Thank you, Justin.

So when I was reading through this, I was feeling some of the things that the gentleman who from the audience just spoke was feeling. And I suppose I do have one more question then. What other programs are available just to the general public? that you know of where you could go to a bank? Are there any programs? It seems to me like there must be other ways that people could get these sorts of loans to build the low income housing or middle income housing because they are being built. So what other programs that you can think of that are in existence currently that people are utilizing to do t

Yes, that is what I'm speaking of. Okay, and then so I think we're in discussion, so I'll just say I... I'M NOT SURE THAT I LIKE THE IDEA OF, YOU SAID IT SO WELL, SIR, THAT THE CITY MIGHT HAVE A SAY, DEVELOPMENTS MIGHT HAVE A SAY, AND THE STATE DEFINITELY HAS A SAY, AND THEY'RE TRYING TO FORCE JUST ONE KIND OF DEVELOPMENT, BUT THE PEOPLE REALLY HAVEN'T HAD A SAY. AND SO THERE ARE SO MANY GOOD THINGS POSSIBLY ABOUT THIS PROGRAM, BUT THERE ARE SO MANY better solutions to achieve what people desire to be achieved here. And if those better things happen, we wouldn't need programs like this probabl

I completely agree with the gentleman who spoke. we need to cut regulations and red tape and do that. But I think we also need a two-pronged approach because another way to bring down the cost of housing and the cost of rent for many people is more of a supply. and we have such a short supply, and that's why everything is so expensive too. So I think we need to do both things. And when you go to cities that are building, building, building, and their economies are thriving, unlike ours, they're providing incentives to build, whether it's commercial or residential. And I think we do need to pro

I'm a little worried. I'm not sure you were supposed to make the motion because you're running the meeting. I know that that has been an issue. In the past, it's just maybe a point of order to make sure it's not an invalid motion.

Do we have the ability to go through the temp agency again? And would there be, could you repeat how much more it would be for the city to create it? You said it wasn't that much more, but exactly how much?

Yeah, I was a bit surprised we had a temp agency for that many years. Why did we do we have a lot of people on through a temp agency? Why did we do that in the first place? And why usually you can buy them out if you want to and bring them on board? Why did we not ever do that?

How many hours a week was she working on this particular project through the temp agency?

So why would we bring her on for more hours? Would she be doing other work? Is that?

Well, I understand that, but if she's not even working 29 now, why wouldn't it just be 20 or 22 what she's working now?

And they would be, because it's in here, they would be dedicated just to this grant?

Another question. So often we contract out work like that. Is there a reason we couldn't contract this out?

And I guess you're not understanding, contract out like we do visit Grants Pass to do jobs, not necessarily through a temp agency. So when I say contract out, I just mean a contract through the city. Is that a possibility?

Yes, I get that it's not going to cost the city money, but I kind of don't believe that because anytime you grow government, it costs the city money and taxpayers. So I get that you're saying it's only these hours and whatever, but it could be, I mean, they'll probably go to the 29 every, I mean, I just don't trust it, honestly. I think it's much better to contract out to capable parties than to bring people in and grow government because of the inefficiencies. I'm not saying you're not doing a great job, government in general so I just for that reason I mean we're talking about the salary sch

Well, I'm reading right here that the position is 100% funded to the CDBG program and is contingent upon the city receiving funds each program year. So it sounds pretty safe to me. So I'm just going to make the motion that I move to create the position of CDBG program coordinator and amend the classification plan.

Yes, it seemed like I'd have to go back to the screen, but the differential could be it was like $4,000, $6,000 possible a year. I might be wrong on that. But I just know that the CDBG, say that three times fast, coordinator, when she comes to speak to us, she's talking about programs for elderly people to weatherize their homes. So these are real sometimes emergency repairs that need to be made for really vulnerable people. And I just always enjoy her giving us the information about the people who do utilize the funds. And it seems like they do get used. And I appreciated what Bradley said ab

It's nice and short tonight. A, resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into five-year agreement with West Coast Corporation for electrical on-call maintenance services for the water restoration and water treatment plants. B, there's a motion acknowledging the receipt of the monthly investment report for July 2026. C, motion acknowledging the receipt of the monthly water revenue bonds investment report for July 2026. d motion improving the minutes of the city council meeting of august 5th 2026 e motion acknowledging the minutes from the tourism advisory committee meeting of july 7th 2

So I guess I wanted to respond to the people that talked about prayer tonight. It's hard for me to believe that there are many against the prayer as it has been handled up till now because we've been doing it for a year and a half and there have been up to this point no complaints. And I'd like to address the discomfort by design. If it's by design then why can't you tolerate discomfort uh... also i wanted to address because uh... beautiful it's the climate and it makes me want to start a campaign campaign to encourage residents to water their lawns thank you anything else from council victori

I thank Patrick Rooney for really wise words. When he talked about fireworks, I thought it was a wonderful analogy. And it's really great. I voted, I think, I was probably the person that made the motion to make sure we kept public comment because it is important. But it's also important to remember that if you're How you give a message is probably going to determine how that message is received. But I also understand people want to just give their displeasure with government. And so that's fine. But I'm not quitting. I will be here and I will continue and I would just like to say that it isn'

Yes, well, I'll address one specific person, but just in general, I really appreciate the people that get up and speak here. And I really take what you say to heart, whether I agree or not. I listen to what you say, and it means something. And I learn. I learn every time from you, from things you say. So I know it's not easy to come. It's inconvenient. But I really appreciate it. I wish more people would come, honestly, and express their their voice on different issues, what we're doing well, what we're not doing well, because we are here to represent you. That's why we're here. And then I see

Well, if it's Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday morning, yes. Otherwise, I couldn't do it.

Yeah, I'll make a motion to reconsider that.

I just wanted to add to that that you reminded me that I've been seeing the CSO workers in the parks picking up trash. I've been seeing that for weeks now, so thank you so much for that also. It's not just Park Watch, it's also the city helping with that.

Yes, for Chief Hensman. So I know the transition's new and moving to Parker's place. Are you seeing any of the worst offenders or criminals just leaving town, or are they just still around hiding?

And I'll just add that the north end of town is so much better, like night and day difference. And so I know the people that live up there really appreciate it. I know it moved down a little, but it doesn't seem quite as bad even as it was in the north area.