BCC Passes Tobacco Retail Enforcement Resolution, Sheriff's Agreements
The Josephine County Board of Commissioners held a workshop at 1:30 p.m. in consideration of department business. The board moved 2-0 to pass a resolution affirming tobacco retail enforcement as the primary strategy to prevent youth access to tobacco and nicotine products. The resolution would also protect adult consumer choice. Commissioner Colene Martin abstained citing a conflict of interest. The board approved agreements brought by the Sheriff's Office including an Intergovernmental County and City Lease agreement, and a City of Cave Junction Contract Deputy agreement. A United States Forest Service Cooperative Law enforcement agreement, paying $50,000 annually for Sheriff's deputies to patrol national forest lands, passed 3-0. Property Management gave an update regarding the Relocation of County Departments, including Public Health, Facilities, and Planning. Available spaces within the county have been toured before any potential leases are to be considered. According to Property Management, the Dimmick sale is still progressing. July 22nd is the end of due diligence, with the closing to come on or before August 21st. Whether the sale goes through or not will be determined mid-July.
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Fire Danger Increasing to Moderate Thursday on ODF Southwest Oregon District Land
The fire danger level on Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Southwest Oregon District-protected land will increase to moderate Thursday, June 11th, at 12:01 a.m. Lands affected by this declaration include 1.8 million acres of state, private, county, city and Bureau of Land Management forestlands in Jackson and Josephine counties. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level will remain at one. Despite recent cooler days, vegetation continues to dry, and the increasing heat will accelerate that drying as temperatures climb toward the 100 degree mark. This combination of ongoing drying and rising heat is increasing fire danger and prompting the shift to moderate on Thursday. Public fire restrictions will take effect on that date. Open fires will be prohibited, and the use of chainsaws, the cutting, grinding, and welding of metal, and the mowing of dead or dried grass with power-driven equipment will not be permitted between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Motorized vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, will be allowed only on improved roads free of flammable vegetation. Any other spark-emitting internal combustion engine use is not allowed between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. during moderate fire danger.
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BCC Discussed SOS Franchise Sale, Workshop Scheduled for Tuesday
The Josephine County Board of Commissioners met to discuss the Southern Oregon Sanitation Franchise Sale this afternoon. At the start of the 1 p.m. meeting in the BCC Conference Room, Commissioner Ron Smith clarified the board had no knowledge of the sale prior to the meeting. It was stated the owners have decided to move on, with the intention of keeping things local. The sale to Waste Connections, with a slated date of August 1st, will include all stock and equipment, and the transfer of franchise agreements. All local managers and staff will remain, and current rates will not change. The same yearly rate process and transparency will be practiced. The board will wait on a resolution from Legal Counsel, then the meeting adjourned. Tuesday afternoon, the board will meet at 1:30 p.m. to consider department business. Property Management will present a monthly update about County Department relocations, and Human Resources will bring requisitions and actions to the board.
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