Rob Pell was elected President of the City Council for the calendar year 2026 on a 4 to 3 vote. Rick Riker was voted in as vice-president.
The Grants Pass City Council approved an ordinance amending the city’s development code.
The amendment allows new residential developments with alley-facing garages to reduce the front setback to a minimum of 10 feet, reducing the minimum of 20 feet. The amendment was passed with the goal of encouraging developers to build more housing units.
A second ordinance was passed amending the municipal code to better address public safety risks associated with open flames and flammable materials in parks and exclusion orders.
The amendment effectively clarifies the definitions of flammable material and cooking devices, allow the seizure and destruction of flammable materials and devices plus allow officers to designate a first offense a violation and the City Attorney to designate any subsequent offenses a violation.
Judith Basker, Robyn Forbes, Amy Keller, Calvin Kenny and Eva Shaw were appointed to the committee on public art. Daniel Edwards was reappointed to the Bikeways and Walkways Committee.
Council Adjourned and immediately reconvened as the Urban Renewal Agency
and adopted a resolution designating the City Manager as the Budget Officers.
Council the officially adjourned and moved into Executive Session.
