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Grants Pass and Josephine County revive monthly updates to coordinate on homelessness, trails and infrastructure
Summary
City and County leaders on March 24 reinstated monthly update meetings to rebuild communication and coordinate on shared priorities including homelessness funding, a parcel eyed for the Dollar Mountain Trail, committee appointments and infrastructure follow-ups; staff were asked to return focused agenda items for future meetings.
City Council President Ralph Pell and Josephine County commissioners met in Grants Pass on March 24 to restart a regular City–County monthly update, with both sides agreeing to restore routine communication and to return several items to future agendas for staff follow-up. "The meeting was intended as an opportunity to re-establish communication and collaboration between the two governing bodies," Pell said.
The meeting recapped past missed opportunities for joint work: Pell said the City previously declared a homelessness state of emergency to access certain state funds while the County did not, a difference that prevented a joint approach to that funding round. Commissioner Ron Smith said some past Board members feared an emergency declaration "could potentially provide the State with greater authority over local affairs," which had contributed to earlier reluctance to coordinate on that issue.
Officials agreed the monthly updates should include substantive, focused agenda items going forward. Ralph Pell raised a County-owned parcel that the City had earlier identified as useful for the Dollar Mountain Trail; Commissioners asked staff to determine whether the parcel remains of interest and whether the County would consider transferring or otherwise making it available for recreational use. Commissioner Colene Martin agreed to contact County Property Manager Helene to gather additional information and the group agreed to place the parcel on a future monthly update agenda after staff follow-up.
The council president also flagged two longstanding County-side vacancies on the joint bikeways and walkways committee; participants agreed to review prior applicants and consider finalizing appointments to improve quorum and committee function. Economic development and airport-related opportunities were identified as other topics likely to appear on forthcoming agendas.
No formal votes or binding actions were taken at the meeting; participants described the outcomes as direction for staff and items to be returned for more focused consideration. The meeting adjourned at 11:38 a.m.
