Illinois Valley News

For more than a month, the seat typically occupied by Cave Junction City Councilor Carl Jacobson in city hall has been empty during meetings, as he struggled through four surgeries at three hospitals.

But Jacobson made his return during the 40-minute Monday night, Aug. 9 council meeting. He appeared 48 pounds lighter, joking that doesn“t recommend the particular diet that got him there.

Jacobson“s presence enabled the council to have a quorum, as Mayor Don Moore and Councilor Dan Fiske were absent. As Mayor Pro Tem, Councilor Margaret Miller presided.

Ryan Nolan, the new city recorder, took that position at the dais as outgoing recorder Jim Polk spent some time sitting among the dozen or so members of the audience.

Councilors heard a request from Susan Chapp, of Forestry Action Committee, regarding a management and improvement plan for a park on a 40-acre parcel at the end of S. Old Stage Road.

Chapp said that the county gave the land to the city. Even though it never has been developed, Chapp stated that the parcel is popular among the public.

The city will be unable to provide money, water or electricity for a park at that location, Chapp said. But she noted that people have enjoyed it for years without any of those items.

For restrooms, Chapp said that she has been in contact with a company that manufactures a compost toilet. Such a unit would require “minimal upkeep“ and attention, she said.

Also proposed by Chapp was a 30-car parking lot.

Miller said that there are a “lot of subtle issues“ surrounding development of the property, including insurance and police protection. She suggested that a workshop on the subject be held at city hall Monday, Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. Her fellow councilors agreed on that course of action.

A second workshop is scheduled for city hall Tuesday, Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. It is requested by John Plute, chairman of the Kerby Water District Board. Plute said that it is necessary to “iron out“ KWD“s agreement with the city to provide water.

According to city documents, Plute“s particular interest is in discussing the possibility of the city generating KWD“s water bills.

In other matters, the council:

• Voted 3-0 to OK a request from Mission Possible Bikers Ministry to use the Jubilee Park pavilion Tuesdays from 5 to 8 p.m. until the end of September. The group also will use amplified sound, and said that it would be willing to work around other scheduled events.
• Heard a request from Southern Oregon Sanitation to add a recycle contamination charge to its rates in the city franchise agreement. Miller directed staff to write a resolution for future consideration by the council.
• Held a series of public hearings regarding a series of ordinances amending the municipal code. No testimony was given in support or opposition of the ordinances, which will undergo a second reading at the council“s Aug. 23 meeting.
• Heard from Polk that the state Dept. of Environmental Quality has accepted the city“s total maximum daily load plan, and that the city“s water treatment plan was given a certificate of outstanding performance following an inspection July 22 by state health officials.
• Received an update from Polk that Jacobson has filed to run for mayor, and that Daniel Dalegowksi has filed for Jacobson“s council position 3. The deadline to file for elected office in the city is Monday, Aug. 23.

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