The Grants Pass City Council Wednesday night cancelled the previous request for proposal for the $1.2 million dollar grant and created a new RFP to create a 24/7 managed, low barrier shelter with a capacity of at least 150 individuals at maximum capacity. All previous applicants would be eligible to reapply.
Proposals would be initially scored by the full council instead of a task force that had two councilors for the initial round of proposals. At that point all information would be available to the public. The council extended the timeline for the RFP to five and a half weeks. Extending the process means the earliest a managed camp could be available for full capacity.
The council had been scheduled to vote on water user rates for 2026. City staff asked the vote to be tabled to the October 15th meeting. The rate increases to fund the new water treatment plant included a rate increase of 4 percent for one year, or a rate increase of 1.5% for three years, or a rate increase of 2.5% for three years. Replacement fees of from $13.50 to $16 monthly would be in addition to the first two scenarios.
The Council voted unanimously to approve the hiring of 12 additional full time public safety positions, six police officers and six fire fighters. The cost is approximately $1,803,000.
Councilors failed to approve the resolution awarding Seed Collective Catalyst L.L.C.$80,050 for the Grants Pass Nexus Incubator. Councilors voted to move the request to a workshop.
Jordan Mortenson was appointed to the citizen at large position on the public safety advisory committee. An appointment to the Historical Buildings and Sites commission was delayed and will be re-advertised for more applicants.
