Illinois Valley News

Monies for fencing at Illinois Valley Airport and for a mental health treatment center were among issues handled by the Josephine County Board of Commissioners during its 75-minute administrative meeting Tuesday, July 27, at the courthouse in Grants Pass.

Approved 3-0 by the board was a $475,000 grant offer from the Federal Aviation Administration for a perimeter fence at Illinois Valley Airport, located a few miles south of Cave Junction off state Hwy. 199.

Rob Brandes, county public works director and interim airport manager, informed the board that he plans to examine the Request for Proposal (RFP) process for possible installation of a fuel station at the airport.

The I.V. Airport Advisory Board voted 5-0 during a Monday, July 26 meeting to send a letter to the commissioners stating that obtaining fuel at the site is its top priority, and has been for several years.

Brandes said that he hoped to discuss the issue with representatives from WHPacific, the firm hired by the county for engineering and consulting work for the airport. He said that he would see if the company had a template for fuel RFPs.

County Commissioner Sandi Cassanelli stated that a man in Brookings is interested in providing fuel for the airport, and could have it set up in 30 to 45 days.

Brandes verified that he would contact WHPacific to begin that conversation.

The board also considered a $50,000 economic development grant request from Southern Oregon Adolescent Study and Treatment Center (SOASTC) of Grants Pass. Executive Director Bob Lieberman told the commissioners that SOASTC is constructing a five-bed residential treatment home in Grants Pass for youth and adults.

County Commissioner Dave Toler said that the project will create 15 family wage jobs. The treatment home has a “real firm“ financial commitment from the state government, Toler said.

Lieberman said that SOASTC owns the property where the treatment home would be located “free and clear.“ He added that he was “confident“ that the organization would be able to secure a loan commitment from a bank to shoulder most of the project costs.

The state will fund most operations at the facility through mental health programs, Lieberman said. It should have a budget of approximately $1 million per year, he said.

Toler said that the facility is part of a “new model“ of providing those services, as the state is looking to decentralize them to save money.

Lieberman said that there currently are two such group homes in Oregon. There is a waiting list of 40 people statewide, and the counties are covering the program costs, Lieberman said.

The facility will house persons from Josephine, Jackson, Coos, Curry and Klamath counties, Lieberman said. Local contractors will be used to construct the facility, according to Lieberman.

Characterizing it as an “exceptionally strong proposal,“ Toler said that the construction jobs could start in the fall. Health care is one of the major fields for family wage jobs in the area, Toler said, and the county is being asked to fund less than 10 percent of the project costs.

Cassanelli suggested that the board approve a $20,000 grant and $30,000 loan. She said that granting $50,000 would be “hard to swallow.“ She added that the release of county funds should be contingent on SOASTC securing its other financial commitments.

Board Chairman Dwight Ellis asked Rosemary DeLashmutt, county chief financial officer, about the logistics of monitoring a loan. She replied that the county does not have a policy or procedure to do so, but added that a Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development Inc. committee is working on establishing such guidelines.

Cassanelli moved to approve a $25,000 grant and a 10-year, zero-percent interest loan for $25,000, contingent upon SOASTC receiving its other funding streams.

Ellis seconded the motion, which passed 3-0.

Toward the end of the meeting, Cassanelli asked permission to use the Anne G. Basker Auditorium in Grants Pass for a town hall meeting on the second Friday in August.

Cassanelli said that the topic would be the recent report issued by federal officials regarding long-term natural resource plans for the region. She said that a variety of groups could be invited, including miners and preservationist groups.

Ellis said that he is opposed to holding town hall meetings until after the Nov. 2 general election.

A brief argument ensued between Cassanelli and Ellis. Toler said that he also was against allowing Cassanelli to use the auditorium for the town hall meeting.

No motions were voted on by the board regarding Cassanelli“s request.

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