[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6080794,"mediaKeyId","2945602-a8a679395a2ea25cdf470113a99eab6a","parentId",2945602,"title","Jackson County Library District highlights circulation growth, expanded hours and programs","audioSeconds",140,"startMs",928000,"endMs",1068000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2945602-a8a679395a2ea25cdf470113a99eab6a&start=928&end=1068","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2945602-a8a679395a2ea25cdf470113a99eab6a/thumbnail_928000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6080794/Medford/Jackson-County/Oregon/Jackson-County-Library-District-highlights-circulation-growth-expanded-hours-and-programs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080794-8bac2619fe89404f34ec1170a96a132e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771132829&Signature=IVmpv2WHOf3-4fBn3Y9UmY1GsgejtKCXAo9gAphDXPxzZNLIigPvGvjsBnR83sARJm8TH2lAVl8IHKeDOcPYFvz7IapaFt5YKj2emjj0lZOA3-2ORlZ54HABLLjF-RapMzZeaYG8rGee9wi-b~DGIxBuucyIYUgaaZNXySfiI90Ys6fxplTYMkEHzR8l2lWC2vM4Vv0SCANqXqEvxoNcrKLJ981dg07-zdMuW2O1cXGgpM1apbt1LaQFat8nJ~nLg2oLMfI1pqTWSo1O8frMJ8wlm~g~c45g381QUX39L8TJVvQyAbg3gUtcjq15KUXyk2wbUxfsSEZz01MsrHgWRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Medford, OR ","date","2025-03-19T00:00:00Z","article","Marta Terrance, a Jackson County Library District board member, and Carrie May, the library director, briefed the council on systemwide activity and strategic goals during the March 19 meeting.

Key metrics: May said that for June 2023–June 2024 the district circulated 1,310,000 physical items and over 460,000 digital items; branches reported 720,000 visits and programs had 46,000 attendees across 2,150 offerings. Terrance noted the district is funded by a dedicated mill levy collected at $0.60 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Service improvements: May said the district expanded hours in April 2023 — systemwide hours increased by nearly 40 percent — and Medford branches are now open seven days a week with evening hours until 7 p.m. on Thursdays. The district has added nontraditional collection items (a “library of things” and video games) and installed holds‑pickup lockers in Shady Cove and Ashland (YMCA) to improve access.

Community outreach and safety: May said the district has a data specialist to produce branch‑specific metrics for jurisdictions and described outreach programs including home delivery, mobile hotspots and partnerships with local daycares and K‑12 services. She also said the downtown Medford library added security staff roughly two years ago and that relations with Medford Police Department have improved.

Why it matters: the district is a major local employer and community hub; councilors and residents praised programs such as Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which places free books in the hands of young children.

Next steps: the library will provide branch‑level performance charts to the city and said it is pursuing visibility and outreach to municipal jurisdictions and residents.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Medford City Council Meeting March 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Library board member Marta Terrance and Library Director Carrie May told the council the district circulated 1.31 million physical items and more than 460,000 digital items in the most recent year, expanded hours systemwide and saw rising digital use in Medford.","taxTitle","Medford, Jackson County, Oregon","taxId",2888,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6080799,"Rogue Disposal reports route consolidation, household hazardous waste event and site tours",169,632000,801000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2945602-a8a679395a2ea25cdf470113a99eab6a&start=632&end=801","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2945602-a8a679395a2ea25cdf470113a99eab6a/thumbnail_632000.jpg","/articles/6080799/Medford/Jackson-County/Oregon/Rogue-Disposal-reports-route-consolidation-household-hazardous-waste-event-and-site-tours","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080799-ec0cbf3b018429650ae89a369019c490/orig.mp4?Expires=1771132829&Signature=E6hqRIbkdydsYA0aJac1TQ8g50geZayvIrFPzchab~VfJTY2wbVGuz3XpjciitRNloSugZREXnFMefatzwpZMMCDurziU7hgS0lVlnRDHGbMWC9KC2r63HNo~9GsY8jMpob2WzAtA2jtPelTminwacN-R1BAlzkGYoiWxshVea2elQkK36fmgGSzE7McKrROYApEC5F0qZpHHunEARKjLkLKdLQL7e~1kBUkOHTdRQ3ztUBmvkHYTV3AeWNDQaQHYHfG~0ucqHI8xWOz5ePv0yzru9z8APxikfKWK7itBHkTsQzu6x0ncfh5gzN-IL2IaeXDziduU6ssns9n9udWqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kyle Halliday, representing Rogue Disposal & Recycling, gave a community report at the March 19 Medford City Council meeting describing operational changes and local public events.

Halliday said route consolidation — the first major redesign in about 30 years — aimed to optimize drivers’ routes and reduce overtime; he reported an early decrease in driver overtime and improved efficiency but said it was “a little too early to give hard numbers.” He also credited the company’s crews for robust snow‑event response earlier in the season.

Upcoming public services: Rogue Disposal will host household hazardous waste events on May 2 for businesses (reservations required) and May 3 for the public (no reservation required). Halliday urged residents to check the company website for the list of accepted items and cautioned that some items (including certain paints) may need to be dropped off at paint‑supply take‑back bins instead; he referenced the PaintCare program.

Halliday invited council and the public to facility tours planned for late spring/early summer to showcase landfill engineering and the full waste stream process.

Why it matters: changes to collection routes can affect service reliability, pickup times and costs; the hazardous waste events provide a once‑a‑year opportunity to legally dispose of regulated materials and keep them out of the waste stream.","Rogue Disposal told the Medford City Council it completed a major route consolidation (first in ~30 years), has seen reduced driver overtime, and announced household hazardous waste collection events on May 2 (businesses, reservation required) and May 3 (residents, no reservation).",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6080804,"Council actions at a glance: asphalt contract, MUPTE, navigation center and annexations",4964,1976000,6940000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2945602-a8a679395a2ea25cdf470113a99eab6a&start=1976&end=6940","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2945602-a8a679395a2ea25cdf470113a99eab6a/thumbnail_1976000.jpg","/articles/6080804/Medford/Jackson-County/Oregon/Council-actions-at-a-glance-asphalt-contract-MUPTE-navigation-center-and-annexations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080804-a554c77e733caff0f3282a6b3ac89324/orig.mp4?Expires=1771132829&Signature=gVyuLjuAkKfpmmCG04c2Yx2izTmIk3WkXwVIOfpPYa89DtXlc~hi0zQcoT2KooqNZBKC63Tefz2Ko8rJg3LPfgjWR92Z7BioqurcKa~V~dYWeQy3v856esrduqtK3tpDGRMmfuuryDN0BK22vENgwQJncWSGdcTdcJ2sYNj-25~DQgrb5cdBZjnIJytnj7gYSckI59KOCc~FeP0GuaiBTsPwvUtvu6700T9f9hqwbJxGk03DUH9hHjQmbsTeeVoR3XMFAEHjzJhagqhDDKRa1BHbGU7xQBwFXmmNbI0SKa5ELvfk6uAuzlGG-ucR5~BuocBC2Yx7lExlan-qzJ21Gw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Here are the key formal actions the Medford City Council took on March 19, 2025.

Asphalt overlays contract (consent calendar)
- Council Bill 2025‑18: Approved a contract in the amount of $3,746,344.46 with Knife River Materials Inc. to perform asphalt pavement overlays on various city streets. The contract was part of the consent calendar and passed on roll call (7–0).

Right‑of‑way vacation initiation (consent calendar)
- Council Bill 2025‑20: Adopted a resolution setting a public hearing and initiating vacation proceedings for Newbridge Way (approx. 23.5‑foot width by ~567 foot length) running east from North Ross Lane. Passed as part of the consent calendar.

City council rules update (consent calendar)
- Council Bill 2025‑21: Adopted an ordinance updating city council rules of procedure. Passed as part of the consent calendar.

Multiple Unit Property Tax Exemption (consent calendar; item removed for recusal)
- Council Bill 2025‑22: A certification for a multiple unit property tax exemption for phase one of Northgate Apartments (first phase at NE corner of West McAndrews and North Central). Council President removed the item from the consent calendar to recuse; the council later acted and certified the exemption with a recorded vote of 6 yes and 1 abstention (Councilor Garrett West recused).

Navigation Center change order (ordinance/resolution)
- Council Bill 2025‑19: Approved a $70,578 change order for Outlier Construction on the Medford Navigation Center renovation (see separate article for detail). Vote: 7 yes.

Annexations (quasi‑judicial)
- Council Bill 2025‑25: Annexation of three parcels totaling approximately 24.65 acres north of South Stage Road (contiguous via a cherry‑stem right of way). The council approved the annexation unanimously (7–0).
- Council Bill 2025‑26: Annexation of one lot totaling approximately 4.75 acres on the east side of Springbrook Road at the terminus of Hollyhock Drive. Approved unanimously (7–0).

Procedure and notes
- The council removed consent item 60.4 to permit a recusal; that item (the Northgate Apartments MUPTE certification) was later approved with six votes in favor and one abstention.
- Several items that require regulatory follow‑up (for example, urbanization plan MD‑6C) will return to council for second reading and further action as more technical information is submitted.

Votes and roll calls
- Votes listed above reflect the roll‑call votes taken in the March 19 meeting. Any ordinance requiring a second reading will return to council per charter rules.","On March 19 the Medford City Council approved an asphalt contract worth $3.75 million, certified several tax exemptions, authorized a navigation center change order and approved two annexations; one consent item was removed and handled separately with one recusal noted.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":92,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6080809,"Council adopts MD‑6C urbanization plan after debate over wetlands, traffic and street reservation",3999,2941000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2945602-a8a679395a2ea25cdf470113a99eab6a&start=2941&end=6940","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2945602-a8a679395a2ea25cdf470113a99eab6a/thumbnail_2941000.jpg","/articles/6080809/Medford/Jackson-County/Oregon/Council-adopts-MD6C-urbanization-plan-after-debate-over-wetlands-traffic-and-street-reservation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080809-91704206a26f2e10be83ffb3b32a7b04/orig.mp4?Expires=1771132829&Signature=a~e3LGmaX6bOiu9wrd69hUsNT2lPNK60emhrMxVN6fUJVZMH~VLY7a8sB1Ycf0l4AvtZ~-uDQWFImiLeSM1Z5C3-OIOIfFr~RTrzICuz8vn9unV2l8PxNOWpKUJpDNMJDcrD1jC3DQyhTVh-RJIyQMB5RWOzM2W6A141pUyTHW2BiB5MY5iJxcEgJ36sw92c5dn7ojC9yKIjrlxzIq7nFW5L1qEReBLHQsv~AF-EfIoQplCfdZyyEOeoEZhg5jOFyFJVvLJTN7sC1fwU1q0pkeBeeLVPWii~Za4NgB9U91S-7K7S3-q6f~6FJPQuduQiIHJXbNtBJ0MQce3qktni0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Medford City Council on March 19 approved an urbanization plan amendment for the MD‑6C planning unit, a 25.99‑acre area north of South Stage Road, in a 5‑2 roll‑call vote after extended public testimony and council debate about wetlands, traffic and future right‑of‑way impacts.

Carla Palladino, senior planner, presented the staff report and described the urbanization plan as a high‑level framework that establishes a commercial general land use designation, conceptual circulation, and protections for mapped wetlands on the site. The project area is within the city’s 2018 urban growth boundary expansion.

Clark Stevens, agent for the applicant South Stage Road LLC, told the council the applicant had delineated wetlands, obtained Department of State Lands concurrence on the delineation and intends to preserve wetland areas on site with buffers and enhancements. Stevens confirmed the plan now extends Reed (Bridal) Lane to the northern property line after staff requested the alignment be revised.

Residents and stakeholders urged caution. Jay Harlan, representing Harry & David, asked the council to add a caveat preventing an automatic dedication or build‑out of the north‑end right of way and recommended a “no‑build” reservation or easement short of an immediate right‑of‑way dedication. Multiple neighbors from Starlight Lane — including Courtney Westfall, Liana Sorensen, Laurie Barnes and Aaron Olsen — testified that the site is saturated this year, contains wetlands and irrigation ditches, and that increased impervious surface and multi‑family development could worsen drainage, affect wells and be incompatible with the rural character.

Council debate touched on several issues: the plan’s commercial general land use designation (which permits multifamily at 20–30 units per acre in future zones), the reliability and timing of wetland delineations, and whether city policy and regional planning processes required the area’s designation.

Councilor Nick Card moved to approve the urbanization plan with amendments to Exhibit A: correct a clerical reference to MD‑6C and add a 100‑foot street reservation at the north end of future Reed/Bridal Lane, with a negotiated compensation agreement for that reservation to be worked out later. Councilor Garrett West seconded. After a failed motion to continue the item to May 7, the council voted to adopt the plan, 5 yes and 2 no (Councilors John Quinn and Jessica Ayers voted no).

Why it matters: the urbanization plan is a legislative policy action that adds the MD‑6C plan to the comprehensive plan’s neighborhood element; it sets the framework for future annexation, zoning and development decisions in southwest Medford. Palladino told council the plan does not itself approve detailed development; future zone changes, traffic studies and site plans would be required before construction.

Clarifications and next steps: staff and the applicant said follow‑up technical work remains, including a wetlands follow‑up delineation completed by the applicant’s consultant shortly before the hearing and forthcoming traffic impact analysis during later zone change review. The council directed staff to include the 100‑foot reservation language in Exhibit A and to draft compensation terms for future right‑of‑way acquisition. The ordinance is scheduled for a second reading at the next council meeting.

Public record: the Planning Commission had forwarded a favorable recommendation by a 4‑2 vote; minutes show some commissioners were concerned about the commercial designation and potential residential use. Several neighbors asked the council to deny or continue the matter so additional hydrology and drainage information could be submitted and considered.","The council voted 5‑2 to adopt an urbanization plan for 25.99 acres north of South Stage Road (MD‑6C) after public testimony raised concerns about wetlands, wells and traffic; council added a 100‑foot reservation at the north end of the future Reed/Bridal Lane and directed staff to draft compensation language.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6080814,"Council approves $70,578 change order for Medford Navigation Center renovation",581,2199000,2780000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2945602-a8a679395a2ea25cdf470113a99eab6a&start=2199&end=2780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2945602-a8a679395a2ea25cdf470113a99eab6a/thumbnail_2199000.jpg","/articles/6080814/Medford/Jackson-County/Oregon/Council-approves-70578-change-order-for-Medford-Navigation-Center-renovation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080814-7496284f5e36610dc851442e81ee6fbf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771132829&Signature=iGCdGbPDgd9-uI2qNmd1WVQSIxXtPCdrIzNK1TAdOqbT~7VrLSflhYeTadFhVZownaRNiOa2D0oYcVobqqBlInjCVrRshxHCQtAdbTpc0hCI-7MQHaIinwtcuP62FbaQg~G-aVphW4tE427FwamaGxMNYDzEdC4FPTUKvXjZ8Wni0vaaP7jroLJqIkq0fK1fBqd8iDmU98YaSB8KdbEuvvR3INl~xrGNenlpcL2GMGGylk9TNey596WFNe2a6q~oJ5TtnaFv3OKgarlRoOMMpHMscIYSbazLpAzd6MDkRz7oB5kdQjkycjy8sZ-IoRH9VRDAK3MVstbIJBzQBb-yuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Medford City Council on March 19 approved a $70,578 change order for renovation work at the Medford Navigation Center, 685 Market Street, bringing the project total to about $585,000.

Michelle King, the city’s funding director, told the council the additional cost mainly stems from increased steel needs for a bike shelter, an exterior staircase and a storage area. King said a prior change order of $196,241 had already been issued after contractors found 5,000 square feet of asbestos in the building and other unforeseen material increases.

The change order will be charged to a mix of dedicated grant and recovery funds available for the project. “These are CDBG dollars that we’re obligated to spend,” the city attorney, Eric Minton, said during the staff presentation, noting that the federal Community Development Block Grant program encourages timely expenditure. Minton and King said staff concluded the contractor did not err in its bid and that the overages were unforeseen.

Why it matters: the renovation will convert about 5,100 square feet in the front portion of the facility to space nonprofit partners will use to deliver social and navigation services to people experiencing homelessness. King told council the shelter portion of the building was placed in service in summer 2022 and the current work will complete the front portion used for services.

Councilors pressed staff for procurement clarity. Councilor Kevin Keating asked whether the original contract was “silent or ambiguous” about cost increases; King said the contract did not allocate responsibility for escalation. Minton said the contract’s scope had ambiguous language at the interface between the city form and the contractor’s scope, and that city staff will tighten contracting language in similar projects going forward.

Motion and vote: Councilor Nick Card moved to approve Resolution 2025-19 authorizing the change order; Councilor Garrett West seconded. The roll call showed seven yes votes and the measure passed.

Project background and funding: King said the property was purchased in summer 2021; renovations for the shelter portion completed in February 2023. Funding for the Navigation Center renovation has included CDBG, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money and OHC funds. Staff said the CDBG allocation is sufficient to cover the additional $70,578. King estimated no further change orders are expected and that the project is near completion.

Council members said they will seek clearer contract language and more explicit escalation clauses in future professional services and construction solicitations.

Votes and next steps: Resolution 2025-19 passed on a 7-0 roll-call vote. Staff will proceed to close out work and monitor remaining scope items.","The Medford City Council approved a $70,578 change order for renovation work at the Navigation Center, citing unforeseen steel and material cost increases; project funding includes CDBG and ARPA funds and the total project is now about $585,000.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Jackson County Library District highlights circulation growth, expanded hours and programs

Rogue Disposal reports route consolidation, household hazardous waste event and site tours

Council actions at a glance: asphalt contract, MUPTE, navigation center and annexations

Council adopts MD‑6C urbanization plan after debate over wetlands, traffic and street reservation

Council approves $70,578 change order for Medford Navigation Center renovation