Jacksonville agrees to partner on Forest Park fire-mitigation project; council requires no fiscal match

The Jacksonville City Council unanimously approved a motion on May 19 to participate as a partner in potential work in Forest Park tied to a project with the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, organized under Lomakatsi, with no expectation of a fiscal match by the city.

Mayor Donna Bowen read a summary of the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWB) project. Councilor Thompson introduced Terry Fairbanks of the Southern Oregon Forest Restoration Collaborative and Tom Graco of Lomakatsi, who described continued fire-mitigation work in Forest Park and answered multiple council questions about scope and habitat considerations.

During public comment, Meadowsweet Levi urged the city to stop spraying what she described as toxic chemicals in city parks and to use non-toxic alternatives. The transcript records Tom Graco responding that "Lomakatsi is very eco-friendly," and Terry Fairbanks noting that habitat considerations are a large part of the project.

Councilor Thompson moved that the city participate as a partner with potential work in Forest Park with the OWB project, organized under Lomakatsi, "with no expectation of a fiscal match." Councilor Reed seconded; a roll-call vote recorded six ayes and the motion carried unanimously.

The approval allows partnership and possible on-the-ground work to proceed under the terms discussed by presenters; the motion as recorded specifies no city fiscal match is expected. Presenters and staff will follow up on project details and any required agreements or oversight steps.