Heavy falling snow didn’t stop the Cave Junction City Council from making decisions at City Hall and via Zoom Feb. 27.
This was the second try for this meeting since the Feb. 13 meeting was rescheduled due to illnesses. The council meeting also served as the second part of the public hearing regarding the rezoning of a property that was home to a historic monument.
Mayor Meadow Martell and city recorder Rebecca Patton were broadcasting from City Hall, while Councilors Ethan Lane, Tina Casey Jones, Jean Ann Miles and Jesse Dugas participated from their homes through Zoom.
Property owner Gary Price was in attendance at City Hall for the two public hearings surrounding the rezoning and partitioning of the land at 435 S. Junction Avenue. The council reviewed the owner’s intent to rezone the property from commercial to multi-family residential, and the matter of whether the historic monument would stand in the way.
After discussion it was agreed that the American Legion would work with the city and Price to move the plaque to a more suitable location within t city limits. Both the rezoning and partitioning were approved unanimously 5-0.
Resolution 965, which declared the property located at 120 N. Boundary a nuisance due to multiple vehicles, trailers and loose dogs was discussed. As the property owners had been given notice of this issue multiple times, Councilor Miles remarked that she was “disappointed that it’s gotten to this point.” The rest of the council agreed and unanimously passed the resolution 5-0.
Councilor Dugas reported that there is a new liaison between the Three Rivers District School Board and the city council and he has been working with the Illinois Valley High School athletic director and principal on ways that the city can commemorate the IVHS wrestlers’ state championship victory.
Two park use requests were approved for the I.V. Little League to use amplified sound on their opening and closing days in April and June, and one request was approved for the Pet Parade in May. Councilor Miles briefly reminded everyone that there is no set date for the park’s upcoming renovation, as this very much hinges on the weather being decent.
Teresa Stover was able to give her monthly update about the I.V. Library Branch renovation project, which she assured the council, was proceeding according to the desired timeline. Most notably, the board in charge of this project has been focusing on the layout of their multipurpose room, which will include, among other things, a kitchen for educational purposes and multiple television screens. It was revealed that community crowd-funding will be used to purchase the kitchen appliances in this area, as the library’s block grant does not cover the equipment.