by Wayne Lee – Reporter/Photographer
The Eagle Point City Council held their regular meeting, which was dominated by a discussion on the possible prohibition of whippets (nitrous oxide canisters) in the city. The canisters are meant for whipped cream dispensers, but people have been inhaling the gas for a quick high.
Councilor Brad Hewitt started off the conversation by stating he felt, “We can’t stop it, but we can make it more difficult to get.” He also asked about the substance Kratom which is being sold over the counter. Eagle Point Police Chief Jim Hamilton explained Kratom is an herbal substance with opioid effects. It is sold as an herbal supplement and is therefore not regulated by the FDA.
Note: In 2019, the FDA stated that there is no evidence that kratom is safe or effective for treating any condition. Kratom has been used for managing chronic pain, for treating opioid withdrawal symptoms or for recreational purposes. It is under preliminary research for possible antipsychotic and antidepressant properties. Kratom use has not been shown to positively affect mental health.
Mayor Kathy Sell stated she had recently attended a student leadership meeting at the local high school where she felt the consensus was an outright ban of whippets would be hard to enforce. Instead, requiring them to be kept behind the counter where a person would have to request them and show ID would make them more difficult to acquire. Councilor Lena Beach commented, “the only reason they keep it on the counter is so people can steal it.”
Council President Kevin Walruff noted even with a ban, people would just travel down the road to White City which is what happened when Eagle Point banned cannabis dispensaries, adding, “It’s had to ban something that is legal.”
Hamilton noted Eagle Point School District 9 this school year reported seven incidents at the middle school and 16 incidents at the high school regarding the use of “intoxicants” which can cover a wide variety of things. He noted that a ban is easier to enforce but not necessarily the right solution. The item was for discussion only and will come back before the council at a later date.
In other business, the council passed a pair of resolutions. The first was to authorize a $5,000 donation to the community association to help with expenses for the upcoming visit from our sister city Showa, Japan. According to Bob Pinnell, our counterparts from the Land of the Rising Sun were originally scheduled to visit in 2027 but wanted to be a part of our 250th anniversary celebration. The mayor noted the city had already budgeted money for the visit and it was listed as one of the goals adopted by the council at the beginning of the budget year.
The other resolution was approving an agreement with Snyder Creek Properties, LLC to develop the Old Fire House property on Main St. The agreement is that in return for the property, the developer agrees to build a 5,600 square-foot restaurant, 2,800 feet of office/commercial space, 22 apartments and 41 parking spaces. Once the transfer closes and the permits are issued, Snyder is required to complete all vertical construction and have certificates of occupancy no later the 730 days after closing.
Both resolutions passed 5-0 with Stacy Fields and Jessica Welch both absent from the meeting.
In other business, Public Works Director Bret Marshall informed the council that Jackson County will be providing a chip seal on three miles of roads in Eagle Point. This happens regularly every three years and this last occurred in 2023. Additionally, the city is ready to finally put the final surface coat on the pickleball courts but were delayed by rain. The courts must be dry for a minimum of 24 hours before the process can take place.
