CJ City Council hikes plan fees; takes Ehrman resignation; hears citizenry pleas
Several unusual occurrences of applause punctuated the Cave Junction City Council meeting in city hall Monday night, Sept. 10.
Besides the incidents of hand-clapping in appreciation and support for comments on various matters by citizens -- and for outgoing Councilman Russell Ehrman -- the council voted 5-0 in favor of new land-use planning fees.
Resolution 703 authorizes fee increases for city planning applications, and rescinds Resolution 661 adopted on June 13, 2005. The new fee schedule is effective immediately.
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City Recorder Jim Polk said after the two-hour meeting, which included some 40 minutes of comments by citizens, that there is no average increase.
He noted that besides the new fee schedule, additional fees will be charged to applicants for “actions and reviews by professional planners and/or engineers if their assistance is required for the processing of the submitted application.
“The fees charged shall be at the amount charged to the city plus a 15 percent administrative fee.” Other fees can be levied if noticing and hearings are required for some applications, the resolution notes.
A list of the new land-use planning and application fees is available for viewing at city hall. Regarding the revised resolution, Polk read favorable written testimony submitted by Holger Sommer, a Merlin resident and land-use watchdog. He complimented the city on the increased fees, writing that he hopes it will serve to deter rampant construction projects.
Ehrman Service Cited
Polk also read a letter from Ehrman, who resigned effective at the end of the meeting. Mayor Tony Paulson presented Ehrman a certificate of appreciation, and the audience and his fellow councilmen applauded him for his service.
Applications for his seat, which will run through December 2008, are available at city hall.
Ehrman said that his moving to Grants Pass is somewhat unexpected, but that life events dictate the relocation.
In impassioned comments near the end of the meeting, Ehrman touched on a number of areas, noting somewhat tongue-in-cheek that he is “a flaming liberal.” Besides stating that he has been “pleased and privileged” to serve on the council, and that he has learned much, he urged careful planning for the city’s future.
Additionally, he advocated preserving old-growth timber in the area, especially in Cave Junction. He contends that such preservation of the last-remaining old growth is incumbent on the community if it is to “avoid becoming a strip mall.”
Feds Not Liked
Ehrman also castigated current federal officials, saying he believes that those in power are out to “destroy the country and make the majority of the population serfs to the money people.” He underscored that he is a patriot, but is disgusted with current federal leadership.
Shortly afterward, he drew another round of applause after more heartfelt remarks in connection with defending the mayor, and explaining that citizens can effect change by seeking revised ordinances, as long as they don’t conflict with state and federal laws.
His defense of Paulson occurred after commentary by city resident Victor Arias on several issues. He criticized the lack of police protection and the fact that there is only one city park. Young children need places to play, he said.
He questioned Paulson on why the city doesn’t have adequate law enforcement, challenging him on whether options have been examined.
Ehrman told Arias that Paulson has spent considerable time studying the problem. He stated flatly that there are “no easy solutions” to matters such as a police force. It comes down to a matter of money; being able to pay for what people want, he noted. Perhaps developers can help, he said.
Paulson reported that a private security firm has written that it could provide two employees eight hours a day, seven days a week. They would have no powers of arrest, and the cost would be $98,000 per year.
After outlining that situation, and noting his past efforts, the mayor was applauded by the approximately 16 persons in the audience, most of whom stayed for the entire meeting.
Open Space Sought
Others receiving applause included city residents Olivia Taylor-Young and her husband, Kirk Young. They pleaded with the council to be extremely conscious of good planning. “Unbridled growth and development” must be avoided, they stated.
She begged the council to retain open spaces, and to not make the city “a ghost town with many homes unoccupied.” The couple said that there are way too many homes being built in the city, and that, as nationwide, many are either unoccupied or occupied and for sale.
Young suggested a five-year comprehensive plan with annual updates, rather than the current 20-year comprehensive plan.
City resident Andrea Thomas, who operates Nacho Mama’s, received applause in agreeing with the position taken by the couple.
CJ resident and I.V. High School teacher Sam Steverson also gained an ovation for his comments about the difference one person can make. He was referring to a remark by Arias that he is only one man in connection with wanting to change laws.
Steverson said that the citizenry perhaps should begin a concerted program of phone calls, letters and emails to legislators to get matters changed the way they want them. He cited his own efforts, which resulted in repairs to his road by a contractor.
And City Councilman Dan Fiske also was applauded for his comments at the conclusion of the meeting. He referred to how citizens can improve their lot by positive efforts, and noted that the city is doing the best it can with limited funding.
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