Led by Board Chair Andreas Blech, the Josephine County Commissioners have tabled consideration of a lease agreement for the Grants Pass branch library until next week.
During a public hearing held after the weekly business session on Thursday, Board Vice-Chair Chris Barnett outlined the agreement which calls for an extension of the $1 per year lease for five years, with the Josephine Community Library District assuming financial responsibility for building and grounds maintenance plus paying 1/6th of the cost of replacing the roof at the building on NW C Street.
JCLD Director Kate Lasky and the district's attorney Mark Bartholomew both championed the agreement, stating that it showed "a shared commitment for the welfare of the community" and urged the Board to approve it immediately.
Numerous library supporters also encouraged the Commissioners to act now during public comment. However, library critics including recalled Commissioner John West and former Grants Pass Budget Committee member Mike Pelfrey spoke in opposition to the agreement. Commissioner Blech appeared to be listening to them.
At what should have been the end of the hearing, Blech asked for a motion to table consideration of the lease agreement until next Thursday because of the late hour and an appointment he said he had at 1 p.m.. He stated that the Board faced lengthy deliberations to consider the pact, even though it was described as a "win-win" by Barnett, Lasky, Bartholomew and many others.
Barnett made a motion to table the agreement, but appeared to change his mind when he stated that he wanted to "end this now." However, it was too late after Ron Smith seconded the motion.
