Remarks by Indra Nicholas
74 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 2 of 3
“Okay, I thought staff said No, it didn't have to be. Can I get that clarified?”
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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.”
“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.”
“I don't. I'll just go with what people have so far.”
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
“I believe I was just looking at that. Yes. Okay. Stephanie, you good with that?”
“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”
“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…”
“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…”