The Grants Pass City Council has scheduled a Special Workshop tomorrow in order to tackle the homeless problem and an accompanying court injunction.
The single topic on the workshop agenda is "Resting Sites for the Homeless."
The City is under a preliminary court injunction prohibiting it from enforcing rules restricting conduct of the unhoused population except at Riverside and Reinhart Volunteer parks along with city streets and sidewalks.
Josephine County Circuit Judge Sarah McGlaughlin granted the injunction at the request of Disability Rights Oregon and five homeless plaintiffs. The judge said she will drop the injunction if the City Council offers more space for homeless camping and provides paved surfaces that are accessible for disabled people.
Disability Rights Oregon sued the City of Grants Pass on January 30th while arguing the city was violating state disability rights law as well as an Oregon law that states local homeless camping regulations must be "objectively reasonable."
The 2025 City Council made the mistake of following the advice of former Councilor and current District 3 State Representative Dwayne Yunker when he told them he had researched the legal ramifications of shutting down the J Street campground and restricting the 7th Street campground to overnight stays only.
Tuesday's Special Workshop will take place in the City Council Chambers at 3 p.m.. The public may attend, but citizens input is not accepted at workshops.
