The Cave Junction City Council convened Monday, July 8 at City Hall. During this meeting the council received updates on several different city projects, and also signed a resolution into effect that will add funds to the city’s ongoing contract with the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office.
In light of Mayor Martell’s excused absence, Council President Jean Ann Miles led the meeting. Councilors Ethan Lane, Tina Casey Jones and Jesse Dugas were all physically present.
Resolution 986, a resolution which directs the entirety of the city’s business license fees, into the law enforcement fund, was unanimously approved. Previously, only 50 percent of the fees, the total of which is estimated at around $40k, had been going to the law enforcement fund, with the other half going to other necessities like roads. Before it was approved, Councilor Dugas asked, “Can the roads take a $20k hit?” to which Alex Ponder, the public works director, responded, “Yes, the city could afford to divert the funds.”
The council also heard an update from Ponder regarding what his department has been doing around the city. Ponder explained to the council that the spray pad at Jubilee Park was close to completion, and that his department was waiting on two control ports that had not arrived yet. Two benches and shades for the new section of the park were also set to arrive July 9. Ponder also mentioned that the new bulk water station has been completed and that it is now open.
Councilor Jones mentioned that recently she thought she had seen several people using the bulk water station on South Junction Avenue; to which Ponder replied, “They shouldn’t be able to use that station.”
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Laura Mancuso thanked the council for allowing the Wednesday pop-up events at the Jubilee Park Pavilion to happen, noting that approximately 40% of the people who come to these events are over the age of 55, and that the public perception of those fighting food insecurities seems to be incorrect. Mancuso also expressed gratitude toward the Oregon Office of Resilience and Emergency Management for providing residents with a cooling center during the recent heatwave.
Mancuso also mentioned that the bids for I.V. Hope Village, the transitional housing facility begun by nonprofit organization I.V. Living Solutions, came back very high. As a result, IVLS is going to be adjusting their plans and be reaching out to local contractors for more affordable bids.
Teresa Stover, the library block grant administrator, also updated the council about the progress being made on the library renovation project. Things have been going smoothly, and the problems that have been encountered along the way have been solvable. Stover noted that the roof would be finished soon, as well as the concrete, insulation and drywall.
The next city council meeting will be held Monday, Aug. 12, at City Hall. Public attendance is allowed an encouraged.