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Votes at a glance: Grants Pass council actions on housing, parks, strategic plan and city operations
Summary
Councilors approved a package of measures including code amendments that move camping rules into the parks chapter, unanimous land-use ordinances for annexation and a targeted UGB exchange, adoption of the city strategic plan, re-adoption of the investment policy, and a fee waiver for a children’s event. One resolution authorizing temporary resting sites passed 5–2.
Grants Pass — The City Council took a series of formal votes on ordinances, resolutions and appointments. Most measures passed unanimously; the resolution establishing temporary authorized resting sites in the downtown area passed on a 5–2 vote.
Key votes (roll-call results reported in meeting):
- Ordinance amending municipal code to consolidate camping restrictions into parks code (GPMC 5.61 / 6.46) — Adopted (first and second reading; unanimous roll-call votes). Emergency clause invoked so ordinance takes immediate effect.
- Resolution identifying authorized resting sites (temporary sites near Sixth and Seventh Streets and adjacent parcels) — Adopted 5–2 (Councilors Rick and Indra voted no; five voted yes). The resolution implements site designations that staff said are temporary and subject to future change by resolution.
- Annexation ordinance (Parcel 36-06-13-DA, Tax Lot 1000; 535 Lincoln Road) — Adopted (first and second readings; unanimous roll-call votes). Developer and staff said utilities are adjacent and the proposed project would provide middle-housing lots.
- Ordinance amending the Urban Growth Boundary and Comprehensive Plan Map (UGB exchange) — Adopted (first and second readings; unanimous roll-call votes). Staff and consultants described a targeted exchange that adds about 41.5 acres for development potential with an estimated capacity of roughly 152 units; county approval is still required.
- Resolution adopting the City’s Strategic Plan and updated mission, vision and values for 2025–27 — Adopted (unanimous). The plan lists five strategic goals (public safety, fiscal stability, economic growth, housing and homelessness, infrastructure) and related outcomes.
- Resolution readopting the city’s investment policy — Adopted (unanimous). Staff said the policy edits are mostly cosmetic and align the city with market changes; the city continues to use an investment adviser under contract.
- Resolution waiving park reservation fees for the June 7, 2025 Froggle Fair (Riverside Park) — Adopted (unanimous). Organizers said the fee waiver would help cover extra restroom and sanitation costs and provide more child activities.
- Appointment to the Solid Waste Agency — Eric Wade appointed (unanimous).
Other items: the council adopted the consent agenda (with two starred items pulled for further work by staff), and several public-comment issues were raised on homelessness, parks and downtown impacts. Councilors asked staff for follow-up on security, camera coverage, temporary parking accommodations for affected residents, and additional community outreach.
Ending: Several votes were explicitly tied to court-directed timelines and the emergency ordinance; the council and staff said additional operational steps and county approvals are required to implement the land-use and parks decisions.
