GP City Council Favors Adding 12 New Positions to Police and Fire Departments
The Grants Pass City Council is in favor of adding 12 positions to the police and fire departments as soon as possible. During its workshop on Monday, the City Council informally voted unanimously to create six new positions for both agencies at an estimated cost of $1.83 million. City Manager Aaron Cubic presented two options to the Council. The first would add seven full-time public safety positions -- four for GPPD and three for GP Fire & Rescue. But Council members agreed that public safety is their first priority and budget cuts may have to be made in order to fund the 12 additional positions. Another consideration was improving the city fire department's ISO rating to "1," which could significantly lower fire insurance premiums for residents and business owners. A final vote on the public safety staffing increase is set for September 3rd. In other business, the City Council tabled a request from Main Street Grants Pass to provide $100,000 in funding for its staffing and operations. The organization currently has only 11 members and the panel wants to see more participation. The Council approved a $3,000 funding request for the painting of murals in the Redwood Alley. The Committee on Public Art previously requested $15,000 for a mural, but the committee came back with a proposal to take three murals that will have to be removed due to the Owl Parking Lot Project and put them in the alley. The artist is willing to repaint them for a total of $6,000, with private donations picking up half of the cost. ...Read more

BCC Forced to Hold Public Hearing on Lease Application from Mineral Research Firm
The Josephine County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to hold a public hearing on a lease application from a locally-owned mineral research property development company during its weekly business session this week. American Mineral Research (AMR) last week published a 14-page story about their 5-1/2-year journey researching a Josephine County Forestry property east of Wolf Creek which contains a storied gold mine. AMR previously filed a lawsuit against Josephine County due to the Board of Commissioners not acting on the company's lawful mining lease application submitted in May 2023. In June, the lawsuit was settled in AMR's favor, requiring the Commissioners to hold a public hearing and make a decision on the application before the end of this month. The hearing was set for this Thursday at 10 a.m.. AMR officials believe Josephine County can earn over $400,000 in royalties each year to help fund law enforcement. While most revenues will come from gold production, the company also seeks to produce rare minerals such as Tellurium, which is used in building high-efficiency solar panels and other technology. ...Read more

Applications Being Accepted for Open Seat on Joint Bikeways & Walkways Committee
Applications are being accepted for a position on the Grants Pass and Josephine County Joint Bikeways & Walkways Committee due to an expiring term. This is a three-year appointment. The purpose of the Bikeways & Walkways Committee is to seek input from the community, coordinate and disseminate information for public education about biking and walking routes and rules, and serve as a resource and advisory group regarding bicycle and pedestrian trails for the City and County. Applicants for this open position must be residents of the City of Grants Pass who represent the interests of bikers and walkers. Applications are available at the City Administration Office at 101 NW A Street or online at "grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application." Completed applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, October 3rd. Applications will be reviewed by the Committee on Tuesday, October 14th. The Grants Pass City Council will make the appointment at its regular meeting on Wednesday, November 5th. ...Read more