La Grande boards weighed downtown grants, fuel tax referral, and camping ordinance in recent sessions
La Grande's city boards and commissions had a full agenda over the past two weeks, with the Urban Renewal Agency scheduled to consider up to $350,000 in downtown grant funding and the City Council set to weigh a local fuel tax referral for the November ballot. Because minutes have not yet been published for any of these meetings, the roundup below reports what was on each agenda; confirmed outcomes and vote tallies are not yet available.
Urban Renewal Agency: Downtown Grant Awards
The Urban Renewal Agency held a joint special session with its Advisory Commission on June 29, 2026, devoted solely to funding decisions under the 2026 Call for Projects program. Three applicants requested a total of $160,129 against an available budget of $350,000:
- **Flying M Designs** — 1423 Adams Avenue: $67,477 requested for renovation of a former auto parts building into retail/manufacturing space.
- **Mountain West Plaza Phase 3** — 2510 Cove Avenue: project details not specified in the agenda.
- **Northwest Furniture** — 215 Elm Street: project details not specified in the agenda.
No public comments were scheduled for the special session. Minutes have not been published, so the award amounts and any vote tallies are not yet confirmed.
On July 1, 2026, the Urban Renewal Agency was also scheduled to consider a motion determining the role of the Urban Renewal Advisory Commission in the district sunset planning process, including whether to hold joint work sessions. The agency also planned to approve regular session minutes from June 3, 2026.
City Council: Fuel Tax, Camping Ordinance, and Contracts
The La Grande City Council's July 1, 2026 regular session included several consequential items:
- **Local fuel tax option**: Selecting a local fuel tax option for referral to the November 2026 ballot.
- **Camping ordinance**: Second reading of an ordinance amending City Code Chapter 24, which would establish exclusion zones and enforcement procedures for camping on public property.
- **Road and sewer contracts**: Awarding contracts for sanitary sewer rehabilitation and concrete work on the 2nd Street roadway project.
- **Residential Service Line Protection Program**: Approving an agreement for the program.
- **Eastern Oregon University water main**: Reviewing a water main relocation request from EOU.
- **Liquor license**: Approving an OLCC liquor license application for The Rail Yard Bar, LLC.
Minutes have not been published, so it is not yet confirmed which items were approved, amended, or postponed, and no vote tallies are available.
Landmarks Commission: Roof Patio Hearing
On July 9, 2026, the La Grande Landmarks Commission held a public hearing on the historical appropriateness of a proposed roof patio at 1415 Jefferson Avenue (File 489-26-000070 HLA, applicant Sam Jacobson). Routine items on the agenda included approval of March 12, 2026 minutes, public comments, and staff and commission comments. The outcome of the hearing is not yet available.
Coming Up
City Council work session — July 13, 2026 (today): The council will hold a work session to discuss service fees with City Manager John O'Brien and department staff. No formal decisions or votes will occur; any action on the topic would be placed on a future regular session agenda.
Residents who want confirmed outcomes from the June 29, July 1, and July 9 meetings should watch for published minutes from the Urban Renewal Agency, City Council, and Landmarks Commission.