GRANTS PASS – The second quarter of 2020 saw major progress in accomplishing Strategic Plan goals set at the beginning of the year by the Grants Pass City Council, said City Manager Aaron Cubic at the council’s Monday workshop session Aug. 10. Cubic outlined several accomplishments related to council goals and updated the council on the progress of other items.
Among the details, Cubic provided a report on the council’s objective to enhance a safe and secure environment through increasing proficiency and proactive time at the patrol level in the Department of Public Safety.
To that end, online police reporting went live with the Police Division initially offering a small number of reporting options while the program is developed, said Cubic.
Further improvements to the city’s online systems include the council’s adoption of Resolution 20-6917 to enter into a contract with Selectron Technologies for Interactive Voice and Web Response services to implement a new online city utility customer service platform and communication system.
“Implementation is currently under way,” Cubic said.
Keeping citizens safe was a top priority identified by the council during this year’s strategic planning sessions. Among the actions given top priority by the council is the passing of a new Public Safety Levy in November. The council conducted numerous workshops on the topic and agreed to a proposed levy rate of $1.89 per $1,000 of assessed value to be sent to the voters.
The council also directed DPS to implement additional prevention-focused community policing to help reduce crime and build public trust. Chief Warren Hensman and top public safety officials met with organizers and community activists to assist with managing peaceful demonstrations regarding equality.
“That was a great leadership role that the Chief took, and I think it really paid dividends in the long run because we had a very clean and violence-free protest that was very respectful to everyone involved. That should be attributed to the Chief and his leadership on that,” said Cubic.
The DPS also implemented a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) project with the Grants Pass Warming Shelter.
Cubic said the council will soon receive a final presentation regarding the completion of a comprehensive Geographic Information System needs assessment to ensure community and department GIS expectations are met.
“GIS is extremely important in this community,” said Cubic.
Cubic presented a separate presentation updating the council on the completed removal of blighted buildings located at the corner of 6th and ‘A’ streets. The council has asked for a City Hall parking needs assessment to be completed prior to making a decision on the future of the property.
Enhancement of the city’s Central Business District continues with the installation of ornamental streetlights, said Cubic. Additional security cameras have been ordered for installation in city parks, multiple park playgrounds have been repaired and/or replaced, and the Major Site Plan for Beacon Hill Park has been approved, he said.
Several projects have been delayed due to COVID-19 issues and restrictions, Cubic said. Among those areas most effected are alley activation and beautification, landscape amendments, development of a parking/restroom management plan, and decisions regarding the future of Caveman Pool, he said.
Further updates included details about the council’s objective of encouraging an environment which provides for the growth of affordable housing opportunities, including the consideration of various potential incentives for developing multi-family units, development of template plans for auxiliary units, the creation of a pilot housing project for city-owned surplus property, and ongoing housing needs analysis.
The city’s Housing Advisory Committee has resumed regular meetings and continues to work on these important facets of the council’s strategic plan, said Cubic.
Additional details regarding the 2020 City of Grants Pass Strategic Plan are available at the city’s website: https://www.grantspassoregon.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3852/City-of-Grants-Pass-Work-Plan-2020-PDF
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