City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA July 15, 2026 6:00 P.M. Medford City Hall, Council Chambers 411 W. 8 th Street, Room 300 www.medfordoregon.gov The public may view live and recorded City Council meetings through our website HERE or attend via zoom HERE. 10. Roll Call 20. City Manager Reports 30. Recognitions, Community Group Reports 30.1 Employee Recognition 30.2 Friends of Parks and Recreation Awards 30.3 Maslow Project Update 30.4 Medford Water Update 40. Oral Requests and Communications from the Audience The City Council sets aside 30 minutes for in -person public comments. Comments are limited to two minutes per individual, group or organization. Please complete a public comment form before speaking. The City Council encourages written comments. Please s ubmit your comments by regular mail to City Council, 411 W. 8th Street or by email to PublicComments@cityofmedford.org . Comments must be received by noon on the date of the meeting to be noted in the record. Please include the date of the Council meeting with your comments. 50. Approval or Correction of the July 3, 2026 Meeting Minutes 60. Consent Calendar 70. Items Removed from the Consent Calendar 80. Ordinances and Resolutions 80.1 COUNCIL BILL 2026-50 A RESOLUTION directing limited forbearance from enforcement of Medford Municipal Code Section 5.225(1)(f) for parking lot maintenance operations at the Northgate Marketplace, 55 Rossanley Drive, and delegating administration to the City Manager. Meeting locations are generally accessible to persons with disabilities. To request interpreters for hearing impaired or other accommodations for persons with disabilities, please contact the ADA Coordinator at (541) 774 -2074 or ada@cityofmedford.org at least three business days prior to the meeting to ensure ava ilability. For TTY, dial 711 or (800) 735 -1232. Page 1 City Council Meeting Agenda July 15, 2026 80.2 COUNCIL BILL 2026-51 AN ORDINANCE approving Amendment No. 1 to the naming rights agreement between Lithia Motors, Inc. and the City of Medford, and authorizing a five -year, $725,000 extension, which will end December 31, 2031. 90. Public Hearings 100. Council Business 100.1 Proclamations Issued Parks and Recreation Professionals Day 100.2 Committee Reports and Communications a. Council Officers Update b. Committee Reports 110. Staff Reports 110.1 Labor Neg otiation s Update 110.2 Parks and Recreation Capital Improvement Pro jects Update 120. Adjournment Page 2 of 2 Page 2  Item No: 80.1 medfordoregon.gov AGENDA ITEM COMMENTARY DEPARTMENT: City Manager’s Office AGENDA SECTION: Ordinances and R esolutions PHONE: (541) 774 -2000 MEETING DATE: July 15, 2026 STAFF CONTACT: John Vial, City Manager Pro Tem COUNCIL BILL 2026-50 A RESOLUTION directing the City to forbear from enforcing Medford Municipal Code Section 5.225(1)(f) against Dustin Curbs Parking Lot Maintenance for parking lot sweeping and hot -water pressure washing at the Northgate Marketplace, on up to four operating days designated by the City Manager, between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. and between 11:00 p.m. and midnight, and delegating administration of the forbearance to the City Manager. SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND Council is requested to consider adopt ing a resolution directing that the City not enforce MMC 5.225(1)(f) against Dustin Curbs Parking Lot Maintenance for parking lot sweeping and hot -water pressure washing at the Northgate Marketplace, 55 Rossanley Drive, during the early -morning and late -night hours that subsection otherwise restricts. The resolution covers up to four operating days. It delegates to the City Manager the authority to designate the days, set and adjust operating conditions, and suspend or revoke the authorization. PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTIONS On August 1, 2019, Council approved relief from MMC 5.225(1)(f) for Rogue Valley Country Club to operate powered turf -maintenance equipment outside the hours that subsection allows with Ordinance 2019 -88 ANALYSIS MMC 5.225(1) provides that no person shall make, continue, cause, or permit any noise disturbance, and lists the disturbances that violate the section. MMC 5.225(1)(f) prohibits operation of mechanically powered lawn equipment, garden tools, chainsaws, blo wers, or similar devices in any residential zone of the City or within 300 feet of any dwelling unit between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Subsection (1)(f) contains no exception mechanism. The code authorizes the City Manager to grant exceptions under subsections (1)(b), (1)(c), and (1)(e), but it provides no parallel authority for (1)(f). The City therefore has no administrative path to iss ue a stand -alone variance from (1)(f), and a resolution cannot amend or suspend the subsection. The resolution before Council does neither. It directs the City’s enforcement discretion. Council finds that enforcing (1)(f) against this operator during the specified hours does not serve the public interest, and directs the City to forbear from enforcem ent within the limits the resolution sets. Enforcement of the City’s own code is an administrative function. The resolution delegates its administration to the City Manager. Dustin Curbs Parking Lot Maintenance has provided parking lot sweeping and hot -water pressure washing at the Northgate Marketplace under contract since 2012. The pressure -washing process uses water heated to approximately 200 degrees Fahrenheit. The Market place carries active vehicle Page 3  Item No: 80.1 medfordoregon.gov AGENDA ITEM COMMENTARY and pedestrian traffic during business hours. Operating the equipment during those hours presents a safety risk to the public. The early -morning and late -night windows avoid that traffic. Priority of occupation The parking lot maintenance use predates the residential use which has been the source of a noise complaint. Dustin Curbs has serviced the Marketplace since 2012. The Reserve at Northgate apartment community, the source of the noise complaint to Code Enforcement, was constructed in 2024 and sits within 300 feet of the operations. A temporary certificate of occupancy was granted on October 15, 2024 allowing tenant s to occupy the apartments. Under the common -law doctrine of coming to the nuisance, also called priority of occupation, a party who acquires or occupies property near an existing activity may be limited in complaining of that activity as a nuisance. Oregon recognizes the doctrine. S ee East St. Johns Shingle Co. v. City of Portland, 195 Or 505, 246 P2d 554 (1952). Oregon follows the majority rule: priority of occupation is a factor a court weighs, not an automatic bar. Restatement (Second) of Torts § 840D. Two limits apply. The doctrine addresses private nuisance liability between the operator and the residents. It does not excuse compliance with the noise ordinance, and it is generally unavailable against a public nuisance claim. The point supports the equi ties of the request and bears on the operator’s private exposure. It is not a legal entitlement to relief from the code. Delegation to the City Manager The resolution delegates to the City Manager or designee the authority to designate the specific operating days, up to four; to set the hours within the windows the resolution allows; to impose, modify, and enforce conditions on equipment, operating practi ces, and points of contact; to adjust the days, hours, or conditions if circumstances make adjustment advisable; and to suspend or revoke the authorization on a finding that operations are causing unreasonable disturbance or that a condition is not being m et. The City Manager exercises this authority under the standard the code already uses for construction noise in MMC 5.225(1)(e), which permits an exception where the public interest requires it or where no persons in the area would be disturbed. COUNCIL GOALS Council Goal and Objective: Ongoing Core Service Strategy: None Deliverable: None FINANCIAL AND/OR RESOURCE CONSIDERATIONS None TIMING ISSUES Dustin Curbs Parking Lot Maintenance states that it cannot perform the service safely during business hours. The authorization is limited to four operating days and takes effect on adoption . Page 4  Item No: 80.1 medfordoregon.gov AGENDA ITEM COMMENTARY COUNCIL OPTIONS 1. Approve the resolution as presented. 2. Modify the resolution and approve. 3. Deny the resolution and provide direction to staff. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Approve the resolution as presented . SUGGESTED MOTION I move to approve the resolution directing the City to forbear from enforcing MMC 5.225(1)(f) against Dustin Curbs Parking Lot Maintenance at the Northgate Marketplace, between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. and between 11:00 p.m. and midnight, on up to four operating days designated by the City Manager and subject to conditions the City Manager may impose. Or I move to deny the resolution directing forbearance from enforcement of MMC 5.225(1)(f) for Dustin Curbs Parking Lot Maintenance at the Northgate Marketplace. EXHIBITS Resolution Map Page 5  RESOLUTION NO. 2026 -50 A RESOLUTION directing limited forbearance from enfor cement of Medford Municipal Code Section 5.225(1)(f) for parking lot maintenance operations at the Northgate Marketplace, 55 Rossanley Drive, and delegating administration to the City Manager. WHEREAS, Medford Municipal Code (“MMC”) 5.225(1)(f) prohibits the operation of mechanically powered lawn equipment, garden tools, chainsaws, blowers, or similar devices in any residential zone of the City or within 300 feet of any dwelling unit between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.; WHEREAS, MMC 5.225 authorizes the City Manager or designee to grant exceptions under subsections (1)(b), (1)(c), and (1)(e), but provides no exception authority for subsection (1)(f), and this Resolution does not purport to amend or suspend subsection (1)( f) but directs the priorities of the City’s own code enforcement; WHEREAS, Dustin Curbs Parking Lot Maintenance has provided parking lot sweeping and hot -water pressure washing services at the Northgate Marketplace, 55 Rossanley Drive, under contract since 2012; WHEREAS, The hot -water pressure -washing process uses water heated to approximately 200 degrees Fahrenheit, the Northgate Marketplace carries active vehicle and pedestrian traffic during business hours, and operating the equipment during those hours present s a safety risk to the public; WHEREAS, The parking lot maintenance use predates the nearby residential use, and the Reserve at Northgate apartment community, located within 300 feet of the operations and the source of a noise complaint received by Code Enforcement, was constructed in 2 024; WHEREAS, The Council finds that enforcement of MMC 5.225(1)(f) against Dustin Curbs Parking Lot Maintenance at the Northgate Marketplace, during defined early -morning and late - night hours, on a limited number of days, and subject to administrative conditio ns, does not serve the public interest; and WHEREAS, Enforcement of the Medford Municipal Code is an administrative function, and the Council may direct the priorities of code enforcement and delegate administration of those priorities to the City Manager; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MEDFORD, OREGON: Section 1. Enforcement Forbearance. The City shall not enforce MMC 5.225(1)(f) against Dustin Curbs Parking Lot Maintenance for parking lot sweeping and hot -water pressure washing at the Northgate Marketplace, 55 Rossanley Drive, Medford, Oregon, when thos e operations occur between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. or between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and midnight, on the operating days designated under Section 2. Section 2. Delegation to the City Manager. The City Manager or designee is authorized to administer this Resolution and may: Resolution No. 2026 -50 Page 6  (a) designate the specific operating days on which the forbearance applies, not to exceed four operating days in total; (b) set the operating hours within the windows stated in Section 1, and impose, modify, and enforce conditions on equipment, operating practices, and points of contact for noise complaints; (c) adjust the days, hours, or conditions if circumstances make adjustment advisable; and (d) suspend or revoke the authorization, in whole or in part, on a finding that operations are causing unreasonable disturbance to nearby residents or that a condition is not being met. The City Manager shall exercise this authority where the public interest requires it or where no persons in the area would be disturbed, applying the standard set forth in MMC 5.225(1)(e). Section 3. Scope. This Resolution applies only to Dustin Curbs Parking Lot Maintenance and only to operations at the Northgate Marketplace, 55 Rossanley Drive. It does not amend MMC 5.225(1)(f). It does not authorize any other operator, location, or time p eriod. It does not relieve Dustin Curbs Parking Lot Maintenance from any other provision of the Medford Municipal Code or from liability to any private party. Section 4. Effective Date. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage by the Council and approval by the Mayor. PASSED by the Council and signed by me in authentication of its passage this 15 th day of July, 2026 . ATTEST: ______________________________ _______________________________________ City Recorder Mayor Michael Zarosinski APPROVED: July 15, 2026 ________________________________________ Mayor Michael Zarosinski Resolution No. 2026 -50 Page 7 Page 8  Item No: 80.2 medfordoregon.gov AGENDA ITEM COMMENTARY DEPARTMENT : Parks, Recreation, Facilities AGENDA SECTION: Ordinances and Resolutions PHONE : (541) 774 -2483 MEETING DATE: July 15 , 202 6 STAFF CONTACT: Rich Rosenthal , Department Director COUNCIL BILL 2026-51 AN ORDINANCE approving Amendment No. 1 to the naming rights agreement between Lithia Motors, Inc. and the City of Medford, and authorizing a five -year, $725,000 extension, which will end December 31, 2031. SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND The Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department requests City Council approval of a contract amendment authorizing a five -year, $725,000 extension of Lithia Motors’ naming rights for Lithia & Driveway Fields. PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTIONS On June 15, 2006, Council approved Council Bill 2006 -140, revising the naming -rights policy for facilities or areas within parks originally adopted by Council in December 2002. On June 7, 2007, Council approved Council Bill 2007 -122, approving a $650,000 naming -rights agreement with U.S. Cellular for recognition opportunities at the Medford Sports and Community Park. On February 5, 2020, Council approved Council Bill 2020 -13, approving a one -year sports park naming rights amendment with U.S. Cellular in the amount of $75,000. On October 7, 2021, Council approved Council Bill 2021 -113, approving a five -year, $725,000 naming rights contract with Lithia Motors, Inc., to rename the Medford Sports and Community Park to “Lithia & Driveway Fields.” ANALYSIS Originally called the Medford Sports and Community Park, U.S. Cellular paid $650,000 in 2007 for park naming rights prior to the construction of 14 synthetic -turf sports fields. The five -field softball/baseball complex opened in 2008, the six -field multi -sport complex opened in 2009, and the final construction phase was completed in 2014. U.S. Cellular held naming rights through May 2021. In October 2021, t he City of Medford and Lithia Motors, Inc. entered a five -year, $725,000 agreement for naming -rights opportunities for the 15 -field, 132 -acre sports park originally known as the Medford Sports and Community Park . The park’s name changed to Lithia & Driveway Fields on January 1, 2022. Page 9  Item No: 80.2 medfordoregon.gov AGENDA ITEM COMMENTARY The City and Lithia now seek Commission and City Council approval of Amendment No. 1 authorizing a five -year extension, valued at $725,000, through December 31, 2031. The proposed amendment increases Lithia’s annual cash payment to the City from $95,000 annually to $120,000 each year for physical improvements to the facility, including artificial turf replacement . . The Department would also receive up to $25,000 annually of in -kind support from Lithia’s advertising and marketing resources to augment park signage and wayfinding. The a mend ment is the latest of multiple major collaboration s between Lithia and the City. The entities partnered on the development of Pear Blossom and Liberty parks as part of The Commons downtown Medford mixed -use urban renewal project, and Lithia has been the title sponsor of the annual downtown Winter Lights Festival since its inception in 201 4. In July 2025, Lithia provided $500,000 for 30 years of naming rights for the recently opened pickleball facility known as The Courts By Lithia & Driveway. Founded in 1946, Medford -based Lithia Motors is a Fortune 500 company operating 459 dealerships in the U.S. and Canada. In 2020, the nation’s largest auto retailer launched Driveway.com, an e-commerce platform for buying, selling, trading and financing cars. Since 2006, the City of Medford has entered into similar park facility naming -rights agreements with U.S. Cellular, Harry & David, Quality Fence, and Rogue Credit Union. From May 2008 through 2025 , 739 tournaments and 79,800 games have been played at the sports park featuring 25,982 teams, generating over $1 85 million in estimated economic impact, and establishing Medford as a West Coast hub for soccer, baseball and softball. The Medford Parks and Recreation Commission recommends Council approval. COUNCIL GOALS Council Goal and Objective: Community Planning and Neigh borhood Identity Strategy: Ongoing Core Services Deliverable: Ongoing Core Services FINANCIAL AND/OR RESOURCE CONSIDERATIONS City to receive an annual payment of $120,000 which will be deposited in the Sports Park Turf Replacement Fund, Fund 670 . TIMING ISSUES The c urrent sports park naming rights term expire s December 31, 2026 . Page 10  Item No: 80.2 medfordoregon.gov AGENDA ITEM COMMENTARY COUNCIL OPTIONS Approve the ordinance as presented. Modify the ordinance as presented. Deny the ordinance and provide direction to staff. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends approval of the ordinance. SUGGESTED MOTION I move to approve the ordinance as presented. EXHIBITS Ordinance Amendment Naming Rights Agreement Page 11  ORDINANCE NO. 20 26 -51 AN ORDINANCE approving Amendment No. 1 to the naming rights agreement between Lithia Motors, Inc. and the City of Medford, and authorizing a five -year, $725,000 extension , which will end December 31, 2031. WHEREAS, in October 2021, the City of Medford and Lithia Motors, Inc. entered a five - year, $725,000 agreement for naming -rights opportunities for the 15 -field, 132 -acre sports park originally known as the Medford Sports and Community Park. The park’s name changed to Lithia & Driveway Fields on January 1, 2022 ; and WHEREAS, the proposed amendment increases Lithia’s annual cash payment to the City’s artificial turf replacement fund from $95,000 annually to $120,000 each year. The Department will also receive up to $25,000 annually of in -kind support from Lithia’s advertising and marketing resources to augment park signage and wayfinding ; THE CITY OF MEDFORD ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS: City Council hereby approves Amendment No. 1 to the naming rights agreement between Lithia Motors, Inc. and the City of Medford, and authorizes a five -year, $725,000 extension, which will end December 31, 2031. The Agreement is on file in the City Recorder’s office. PASSED by the Council and signed by me in authentica tion of its passage this 15 th day of July , 202 6. ATTEST: ____________________________ _______________________________ City Recorder Mayor Michael Zarosinski APPROVED : July 15, 2026 ________________________________ Ma yor Michael Zarosinski Ordinance No. 2026 -51 Page 12  AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO NAMING RIGHTS AND SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT This Amendment No. 1 to the Lithia & Driveway Fields Naming Rights and Sponsorship Agreement, effective _____________, 2026, is by and among Lithia Motors, Inc., and the City of Medford (“City”). WHEREAS the parties entered into a five-year Naming Rights and Sponsorship Agreement to name the Medford Sports and Community Park “Lithia & Driveway Fields” on October 7, 2021; and WHEREAS the parties wish to exercise the mutual option to extend the Agreement term an additional five years referred to as “Renewal Term” in Section 2(b) of the Agreement. The Renewal Term begins Oct. 7, 2026 runs through Oct. 6, 2031. WHEREAS the parties desire to amend the Agreement for the Renewal Term as follows: Section 3(a) is replaced with the following: During the Renewal Term of this Agreement, Lithia shall pay to City an annual sponsorship fee of $120,000. The fee shall be due and payable each anniversary of the original October 7 Agreement effective date. Section 3(d) is replaced with the following: Subject to the mutual written agreement between the Parties as to the form and amounts, Lithia will also annually provide in-kind materials and services of up to $25,000 in value. The in-kind contribution may include graphic design and printing of mutually agreeable park-related promotional materials, park wayfinding improvements, branded ballfield signage, and light pole banners. The parties hereto have executed this Amendment as of the date first written above. Lithia Motors, Inc. By: ____________________________________ Name: _________________________________ Title: ___________________________________ Page 13 Date: ___________________________________ City of Medford By: ____________________________________ Name: _________________________________ Title: ___________________________________ Date: ___________________________________ Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26  To: John Vial, Interim City Manager From: Rich Rosenthal , Director Date: July 8 , 202 6 Subject : CIP Update for July 15 City Council Meeting The Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department is responsible for 46 capital improvement projects (CIPs) in the 2025 -27 biennial budget . Twenty projects are assigned to the Park Maintenance Division; Facilities Management has 17; Park Planning and Administration are responsible for nine. Some projects are large and public -facing; others are internal facility improvements that most people won’t see, such as electrical upgrades . The City Council presentation will focus on the following projects: • Howard Memorial Sports Park development • Jackson Park renovation • Turf replacement • Trail development • Safety improvements Here is information about public -facing projects: Project Status Sports Park Turf Replacement Fields 7 and 9 completed; Harry & David Field completed. Jackson Park Renovation City received a $780,593 Local Government Grant. Pool demolition completed; awaiting Planning Commission approval of final master plan. Estimated completion Summer 2027. Howard Memorial Sports Park Pickleball courts, sand volleyball courts Development open in June; Vietnam Wall completed. Neighborhood park Phase 1 -A in process with expected Fall 2026 completion. Sport Court Resurfacing Roosevelt resurfacing scheduled for August 2026. Fichtner -Mainwaring Cit y of Medford 701 North Columbus , Medford, OR 97501 541 -774 -2400 cityofmedford.org Page 27  resurfacing deferred to next biennium due to inadequate funds. Picnic Shelter Replacement Canvas top replacement for existing shelters planned this biennium, TBD. MD9 Addysen Park Development Agreement approved by City Council on Feb. 18. Summer 2027 estimated Phase 1 completion. Bear Creek Greenway Improvements The final 18 solar lights to be purchased and installed south of Lithia & Driveway Fields by Fall 2026. Awaiting arrival of the light fixtures. Pathway & Trail Development Twilight Trail refurbishment contract awarded; work will be completed this year. $70,487 State trails grant received for a $138,507 project. Space Needs Study In process. ORW is working on Phase 1 plan for Service Center. City Hall Electrical Upgrades Not started due to multitude of other projects underway. Timing TBD. Fire Station Exterior Paint Completed. Prescott Park Communication Facility Completed. Roof Replacement Service Center Bldg I Remodel Spring 2027 estimated completion. Service Center Water and Heating Summer 2026. RFP closed Upgrades 7/6/2026. Contract award this month . Santo Community Center Repairs and In process and ongoing. 5,800 sf of Upgrades flooring has been replaced; ORW is working on architectural renderings. $500,000 Federal grant approved Feb. 2. Parking Garage Repairs Middleford planters were repaired Fall 2025. Received fee proposal for structural and condition assessment. Downtown Parking District Lot Repairs Comserv currently seal crack filling, seal coating, and restriping all downtown parking lots. Scheduled for completion July 2026. Cit y of Medford 701 North Columbus , Medford, OR 97501 541 -774 -2400 cityofmedford.org Page 28  Lausman Annex Flooring and Paint Completed May 2026. Building Security and Access Controls All analog dialers have been replaced in upgrade s elevators and fire panels. JCI Metasys upgrade under contract and is expected to be completed August 2026 Fitchner -Mainwaring Park water m eter New 2 -inch water meter to be installed in installation and irrigation separation August 2026 . Contract in place with Medford Water Commission. Cit y of Medford 701 North Columbus , Medford, OR 97501 541 -774 -2400 cityofmedford.org Page 29