The Work
Over the past two years, we’ve worked through major repairs, made improvements around town, and rebuilt partnerships that help Cave Junction get more done with the resources we have.
Some of that work is finished. Some is still moving forward. Here’s what we’ve done, where things stand, and what we’re working toward.
Work Completed
Water Main Repairs
We worked through a major water main break on River Street, a repair costing more than $150,000, along with two additional smaller breaks. The focus was on permanent repairs while keeping interruptions to residents as limited as possible.
Dependable water service is essential. These repairs are part of the work needed to maintain the infrastructure our community relies on every day.
Downtown Improvements
Through our partnership with Josephine County, we completed downtown improvements that included murals, wraps, painting, lighting, and security improvements.
The city paid the project expenses up front, then received approximately $153,000 in county reimbursement after submitting the required documentation. That partnership helped us make improvements around town while protecting city resources.
Photo credit: Pacifica Network
Protecting the Highway 199 Commercial Corridor
One of my first actions as mayor was working to protect the Highway 199 corridor within city limits for commercial use.
Keeping that corridor available for businesses is part of planning for Cave Junction’s economic future. It helps preserve space for the services, jobs, and local investment our community needs.
City Finances and Operations
We passed a tight budget without making massive cuts to city services and completed a new union contract for staff.
From day one, I’ve worked toward making City Hall more proactive. We added an administrative assistant, put standard operating procedures in place, and improved how everyday tasks are handled. That has helped operations run more smoothly and allowed us to address problems earlier. Surprises and emergencies still happen, but being better prepared helps staff respond when they do.
We also secured an external auditor after a lengthy search. The audits are underway, and that work continues.
Public Access and Communication
We created a Facebook page and YouTube channel for the city to make it easier for residents to follow what’s happening. Meeting agendas are posted on Facebook and the city website’s calendar. Meetings are streamed live through Zoom, with access information included on each agenda, and recordings from the last two years are available on YouTube.
I also give regular updates on KXCJ and share videos explaining city responsibilities, projects, and decisions. My goal is to make City Hall easier to follow and give residents more ways to stay informed.
Projects Underway
Junction Inn
The goal for the Junction Inn is to remove the unsafe building, then sell the property with conditions requiring it to return to hotel lodging. Affordable lodging matters for residents, visitors, and our local economy.
Before the city can receive the deed, we need to resolve the outstanding back taxes. The valuation used for those taxes appears to reflect the potential of a remodel that was never completed. We’re working with the county and legal counsel to explore a reduction or possible forgiveness, with the goal of lowering the cost to the city. This is no fault of the county or city.
A grant through RVCOG allowed us to complete an environmental study before obtaining the deed. That report is complete and helps qualify the project for further funding.
We’re working through this in phases: resolve the taxes, obtain the deed, pursue demolition grants, and prepare the property for sale with the lodging requirement. Throughout that process, the goal is to keep the city’s cost as low as possible.
Clearwell Repairs
We’ve applied for a grant to support repairs inside the clearwell, a tank used in the city’s drinking water treatment process. We’re waiting to hear whether that funding will be awarded.
Those repairs require taking the tank offline. The grant would fund a temporary solution so water treatment can continue while crews complete the internal repairs.
The goal is to maintain dependable water service during the work and protect the infrastructure residents rely on every day.
Utility Payment Options
Making utility payments more convenient has been a priority since I took office. We’re working to add debit and credit card payments within our existing billing system, avoiding the expense and staff time required for a full overhaul.
With limited staff, the solution needs to work with how payments are recorded and handled at City Hall. Very recently, we previewed and tested a potential system, and we have one more system we’d like to test before moving forward.
Our goal is to complete this soon, starting with debit and credit card payments at City Hall and by phone, followed by online payments once that process is running smoothly.
Pacific Power LED Streetlights
We’ve partnered with Pacific Power to replace 98 streetlight fixtures with energy-efficient LEDs. The agreement is signed, and installation is the next step.
The project totals $19,780, but incentives reduce the city’s cost to approximately $2,337. With estimated annual energy savings of $3,363, the city’s investment should pay for itself within the first year.
The selected fixtures use 3000K lighting and support our work with the Chamber of Commerce on the Dark Skies Initiative.
Dark Skies Initiative
We’re working with the Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce to move the Dark Skies Initiative into its next phase.
The goal is thoughtful lighting that serves residents and businesses while reducing unnecessary glare and protecting our night skies. Lighting needs to work where it’s needed, with careful consideration of how it affects neighboring properties and the surrounding community.
The Pacific Power streetlight project is one part of that effort. Our work with the Chamber continues as we develop the next steps.
River Protection and Future Wastewater Needs
Protecting the Illinois River and protecting Cave Junction’s future both matter. As proposed river designation rules are developed, I’m advocating for a path that respects both responsibilities.
My concern is how new discharge restrictions could affect our ability to serve future residents and businesses as the city grows within its urban growth boundary.
I’m drafting a letter to DEQ and state representatives requesting a 50-year planning window and a 2% margin for future wastewater discharge needs.
The goal is to give Cave Junction time to develop cleaner solutions and secure the funding to build them, while continuing to protect the river we all depend on.
FEMA Floodplain Rules
Since becoming mayor, I’ve pushed back on proposed FEMA floodplain requirements that raised questions about implementation, liability, and the impact on Cave Junction.
My concern has been asking our community to commit to a program before those questions are adequately answered. We need to understand what would be required of the city and property owners, what it would cost, and who would carry the responsibility.
Protecting residents means taking flood risks seriously and making sure the rules we’re asked to follow are clear and workable. I’ll continue asking those questions and advocating for our community.
Wastewater Lagoon Planning
Solids have already been removed from the water treatment plant and are drying.
We’re also planning ahead for future solids removal from the wastewater lagoons. These are separate projects. By considering the lagoon work in future budgets now, we have time to understand the costs, explore funding, and prepare for the work.
DEQ oversees the city’s wastewater permit requirements, and the city is meeting those requirements. We’re focused on staying ahead of maintenance and taking care of the system for the long term.
Airport and Industrial Park Infrastructure
We’re working with Josephine County on plans to extend water service to the airport and industrial park area. The city would supply the water, and the county’s extension project would bring our water line down to that area. The goal is to make that extension at minimal to no cost to the city.
The city provided a letter of support for the county’s forgivable loan application to fund an engineering study. That study would help determine what the extension would require and what it would cost.
This partnership gives us an opportunity to extend our system while supporting future economic development in the valley.
Public Safety
We continue to work with and support the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office. The city’s contracted deputy provides 40 hours of service each week within city limits. That work includes responding to calls, investigations, reports, and follow-up, along with patrol.
Our long-term goal is dependable 24/7 coverage for Cave Junction without the expense of a separate 40-hour contract. If we can achieve that, it could free roughly $200,000 a year for other city needs.
Getting there means continuing to build the partnership with the Sheriff’s Office while keeping public safety at the center of the conversation.
Building on This Work
This work is part of the plan we’ve been putting into action over the past two years. We’ll continue building on it, taking care of essential services, strengthening partnerships, and finding practical ways to support Cave Junction’s future.