Commissioners approve Illinois Valley Fire District fee waiver; residents press county on homelessness, notice and security at recent rallies

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners approved a request for a fee waiver from the Illinois Valley Fire District and heard a range of public comments about homelessness, agenda posting and a security incident at a May 1 rally.

Administrative action: The board approved a building-permit fee waiver for the Illinois Valley Fire District project in Selma. Cameron Smiley, representing the Illinois Valley Fire District, told the board the district "is in the process of building a building in Selma" and that the district "responds to fire, rescue, medical, and standby incidents with no cost reimbursement or fees charged. We're just asking the county to do the same." Commissioner Ron Smith moved to approve the waiver; the motion was seconded (seconder's name not specified on the record). On roll call, Smith voted yes, Commissioner Barnett was excused, and Commissioner Black voted yes. The motion carried with two affirmative votes; the waiver was approved.

Public comment highlights: Residents used the "requests and comments from citizens" portion of the agenda to press county leaders on several issues.

Homelessness and downtown safety: Multiple speakers urged the county and city to partner on homelessness and public-safety responses. Mike Pelfrey called homelessness "the overwhelming issue" affecting Grants Pass and Josephine County and urged cooperation between the county and city. Cynthia Briceno and Bob Maguire also described safety concerns downtown and called for more coordinated enforcement and funding to address crime and disorder.

Rally security and First Amendment concerns: Nicole Kiefer said she and her daughter attended a May 1 rally and were ordered off courthouse grounds by a security guard. Kiefer said the guard "yelled at us to move off the courthouse public property" and that the guard "proceeded to use vulgar language" and threatened to call police; she said the incident frightened her daughter and that attendees left early. Vicky Palmerton said she spoke with the security company's owner, who told her he was called by "one of the commissioners" and asked to keep rally attendees off the courthouse grounds and to staff extra overtime; Palmerton said she expects the board to explain which commissioner gave that direction. Victor Ziza told the board it had "conduct[ed] a clandestine and speedy reshaping of county hierarchy" and called for a town hall and for commissioners to provide organizational charts, data and explanations; he urged a commissioner to resign.

Media and transparency concerns: Commenters criticized a proposal to move a commissioners' radio show to a station outside Josephine County and questioned whether a commissioner moderating the program would be appropriate. Rebecca Anderson, Vicki Palmerton and others pressed the board to post agendas earlier and in more accessible ways; Anderson said posting agendas only on a courthouse wall was "ridiculous" and suggested a citizen committee on notice practices.

Administrative follow-up and responses: Chair Andreas Lehi confirmed budget meeting dates are on the calendar (the board referenced May 30, June 2, June 4 and a hearing on June 18) but said some agendas were not yet ready to publish. Lehi said agendas were posted online "as required by statute" and explained they are sometimes revised close to meetings because "we are business, we're fluid, it's dynamic." Lehi said posting draft agendas far in advance can be confusing if they change.

Commissioner Smith said homelessness is a serious, nationwide problem and said he has reached out to the city council and plans to meet with the city council president to discuss cooperation; he called drugs a primary driver of the county's homelessness issues.

Other items: The board approved its consent calendar (minutes and routine items) by recorded vote with one commissioner excused. Several residents announced community events and upcoming civic activities during public comment.

Record of formal action: Fee waiver for Illinois Valley Fire District approved (roll-call: Smith yes; Barnett excused; Black yes).