City e-News
May 1, 2026—Issue No. 19
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Seeing changes with ODOT's construction
Local ODOT leaders met with the Chamber and the City to discuss challenges in downtown Ashland, identify solutions for current construction and phases planned for the future.
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FREE fire-ready events this weekend!
Spring is the right time to clear out, clean up and get prepared. Better Together. Better Prepared. Kick off the season with free events from the City of Ashland and Recology Ashland:
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Hazardous Waste Day — May 2
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Green Debris Day — May 3
| | Get ready for fire season: Know your responsibilities | | | | | Wildfire season is approaching and now’s the time to act. Ashland residents must clear dry vegetation and reduce fire hazards to protect homes, neighbors and our community before June 1, 2026. | | | Take our survey and share your voice for the future of Ashland! | | Additional opportunities to make Your voice heard | | | |
Oregon Mayors Association, "If I were Mayor…" student competition
Ashland students shared bold visions for their city, and Mayor Graham & City Council were listening. Meet the young leaders winning the 'If I Were Mayor…' competition.
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Water Conservation
Schedule Your Water Efficiency Test with our NEW Water Resource Specialist, Eliza Sorenson!
We offer free water efficiency checkups year-round, including a comprehensive assessment of your overall water use. Our trained staff will offer guidance on reducing water use. We can focus on the sprinkler system, indoor fixtures or both!
If you are unsure why your water bill is higher than last year, want help watering your yard efficiently or are just interested in conserving water, you should schedule a checkup!
To sign up for a water efficiency checkup use our SeeClickFix app, a citizen reporting (request) tool for non-emergency issues.
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Free Home Energy Scores
Free Home Energy Scores are now available to Ashland Electric customers, including multi-family units, helping residents understand energy use, lower utility bills, improve comfort and cut emissions. Don’t delay! This program goes away in May… Home Energy Scores must be completed by May 15, 2026.
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Building Better Together
Major Project Highlights - All project pages are updated monthly
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Update to walk-in hours at our downtown locations
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Community Development (Planning, Building & Engineering) - 51 Winburn Way, Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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City Administration (Temporarily at the Community Center) - 59 Winburn Way, Monday through Thursday, from 1 to 4 p.m.
Please stop by to see the newly renovated Community Center. A plan will be in place by May 5 to place staff in a more permanent location and reopen the Community Center to the public.
| | | Ashland Fire & Rescue Staff: Todd Stubbs, Deputy Chief of Operations (left) and Ty Haggard, Captain. Photo courtesy Bob Palermini-Palermini.com | | |
A message from Ashland Fire & Rescue on outdoor burning
Outdoor Burn Season in Ashland is under way. Before you burn:
*Know City rules
*Confirm it's a Burn Day
*For EACH day that you burn, submit an online application (no exceptions)
If dry conditions return, we may close burning. Updates will be posted at ashlandoregon.gov/OutdoorBurning.
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Railroad property cleanup near A Street has begun
Environmental cleanup of Ashland's former 16-acre Union Pacific railyard north of A Street is now underway and expected to continue through June 2026, under Oregon DEQ oversight.
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Ashland City Council, Park & Recreation Commission, Planning Commission and City Budget meetings take place in Council Chambers, 1175 East Main Street in Ashland. You can attend in person, stream live or watch on demand! More info below.
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UPCOMING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
May 4, 2026, 5:30 p.m., City Council Study Session:
- Facility Planning Study and next steps
- Review of City Council Budget
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May 5, 2026, 6 p.m., City Council Regular Business Meeting:
- Final recommendations from the 2200 Ad hoc Committee
- Consideration of a resolution to endorse Ashland's application for a federal tax incentive program that attracts private investment into a lower-income neighborhood near Southern Oregon University
- Citizens' Budget Committee appointment
- Consideration of a motion to financially support the City of Newport in its effort to prevent a federal detention center from being built there, via a formal agreement between the two cities
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Did you know RVTV (Rogue Valley Television) has an APP? Stream meetings LIVE or watch on-demand anywhere, anytime! Get the RVTV App on your desktop, mobile or TV streaming device. Enjoy fast access, captions and keyword search capability! More at ashlandoregon.gov/WatchMeeting.
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Stay Informed and Engaged with Ashland’s Local Government
Our Public Meetings page, ashlandoregon.gov/PublicMeetings, provides easy access to City Council agendas and minutes, meeting schedules, public comment options, and information about commissions and committees. Explore archived City records, learn about Oregon’s public meeting laws and more!
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Office Hours - NEW LOCATION
Meet your City Councilors during regular office hours now at The Grove. Office hours for the City Manager are by appointment. Note: Councilor Kaplan's office hours for May will take place on Tue, May 12, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
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Curious about something?
Just ask!
Let curiosity be your guide! Submit your question and see what others in the community are curious about. Check out our most recent question:
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Q: Is it okay to put out peanuts for birds and squirrels?
A: Bird feeders are allowed; however, avoid placing the feeder on the ground, hanging them is best. Do not scatter bird seed or food (such as peanuts and sunflower seeds) on the ground.
Note that feeding deer, raccoons, wild turkeys and other potentially habituated wildlife is prohibited under Ashland Municipal Code 9.08.280, with a $500 penalty for violations, ashland.municipal.codes/AMC/9.08.280.
Watch for the upcoming Save Our Wildlife campaign in May.
| | Our NEW Water Resources Specialist, Eliza Sorenson, will be tabling at the Sparking Action event this Saturday, May 2, informing on our Water Conservation programs - Be sure to stop by and say hello! Learn more at ashlandoregon.gov/WaterConservationPrograms. | | Together around Town Events | | |
Guanajuato Nights 2026 – Vivan Los Estudiantes! is almost here. On Saturday, May 9, gather at SOU’s Stevenson Union to celebrate 56 years of friendship between Ashland and Guanajuato — and the students who keep this partnership thriving. Enjoy a sumptuous buffet, local wine and beer, a lively silent auction and a joyful finale of music and dancing.
Tickets are $65 and selling quickly— reserve yours today!
Learn more about this Sister City relationship!
| | Storytown Community Calendar. Discover theatre, live music, foodie festivals, Mt. Ashland adventures and more – all for free. Visit Storytownashland.com, or download on Apple or Google Play, and start exploring or sharing Ashland events! | | |
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Stay Connected with the City
From the City Manager’s Report or videos to live streams to emergency alerts, stay connected to all things Ashland, because we’re always Better Together, ashlandoregon.gov/StayConnected.
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