by Wayne Lee – Sports Editor
The Eagle Point City Council held their regular meeting Jan. 27 for their annual review of city goals for 2026. The goals cover seven categories which include Livability, Recreation, Public Safety, Community Development, Fiscal and Administrative Stability, and Public Infrastructure.
Many of the goals are ongoing such as a gateway entrance on Linn Rd. near Hwy. 62, continuing the Sister City program with Showa, Japan, or pursuing grants for parks, sidewalks and other public improvements. One of the livability goals has been to focus on downtown’s appearance. To that end, Mayor Kathy Sell stated, “I’d like to find a way to pipe music to Main St., especially during the holidays. I don’t know what it takes but I’ve been in communities where it is wonderful.”
Councilor Lena Beach expressed a desire to see a hotel located in Eagle Point and asked about an architectural theme for downtown with Councilor Jessica Welch referring to the “atmosphere” of downtown. There was also the suggestion for more lights, benches and other improvements.
The four goals under Recreation remain unchanged with the city continuing to decide on a skate park location while applying for grants to continue local park improvements. Councilor Stacy Fields recommended a fifth category regarding improved accessibility for local parks as well.
Of the five goals under Public Safety, the council agreed they need additional emergency training on both disaster preparedness and public awareness on crime prevention. Eagle Point Police Chief Jim Hamilton added, “it wouldn’t hurt to have a discussion,” to prepare the council for media attention in case of a large-scale event, “just in case.”
Under the umbrella of Community Development, Sell noted the first goal is to, “Promote Eagle Point and the Welcome to the Neighborhood campaign” adding, “There is no use in having a Welcome to the Neighborhood campaign if you don’t promote it.” Another ongoing goal includes providing awareness and education on disaster preparedness.
Sell also stated she wants a way to stream council meetings into the Ashpole Center to accommodate overflow crowds. The last time this occurred citizens complained of volume difficulties in the center. Community Development Director Mike Upston suggested renaming the goal description as, “Public Outreach to provide infrastructure to broadcasting meetings into the community center.”
The final two categories included were left unchanged. Public Infrastructure has three goals which include pursuing projects and grants that qualify for the Safe Routes to School program as well as monitoring the update of the city’s Transportation System Plan. Meanwhile, the final category of Community Development has five goals that remain unchanged. They include things such as recognizing local volunteers and finding better ways to use technology as a means of communication and promotion. The entire list of goals can be found on the city’s website here.
The remaining agenda item was a review of the 2026 goals for City Administrator Aaron Prunty. Sell expressed the need for a volunteer handbook. “We need a list of ways people can volunteer that doesn’t impose on current labor agreements. I need a list of parameters that states what is legal and what’s not,” she added. Councilor Kira Zavala expressed the need for a volunteer/employee recognition program as well.
The council also wants to pursue developing a police department facility at the Public Works lot on S. Shasta Ave. The final goal was to research the availability of the Army Corps of Engineers to assist in the design and labor of large projects such as replacing the traffic bridge across Little Butte Creek at the end of Main St.
In other action, Councilor Brad Hewitt noted the need for a sign at Little Bute School that explains it is a city park because the school district is getting calls about the pickleball courts since it is on school property. Upston informed the council that they will be seeing two proposals for development of the Old Fire Station property which was vandalized with graffiti Jan. 26. According to Hamilton, there is video of the incident, “and we’re expecting arrests.”
