News Flash

In our latest e-News, check out details about Outdoor Burning, the latest on City Hall and more!

City Councilors are available to meet with their constituents. In addition to impromptu meetings, some hold regular meetings or office hours, currently hosted at The Grove in Ashland.

1. Councilor Jeff Dahle: 3rd Monday of each month from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
2. Councilor Bob Kaplan: 1st Monday of each month from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
3. Councilor Gina DuQuenne: 1st Thursday of each month from Noon to 1:30 p.m.

At this time, office hours for City Manager Sabrina Cotta is by appointment only. Please email the City Manager's Office  to make an appointment. 

These office hours provide an additional opportunity for residents to voice concerns, ask questions and engage with their City Councilors or the City Manager on important issues. The Grove is located at 1195 East Main Street. 

Office hours exclude holidays. 

Questions or Comments:

• Email the City Manager's Office 
• Contact City Council

City Hall administrative staff have temporarily vacated the building following findings from a January Commercial Building Code inspection report  and the Fire Marshal’s General Fire Inspection (PDF) conducted this week. While the facility had previously been closed to the public, except for limited City Manager and Council office hours, it has now been deemed unsafe for employee occupancy until an evaluation can be completed by a licensed structural engineer.

As of February 17, 2026, administrative staff are working remotely while the City’s Leadership Team identifies temporary office locations. 

City Manager and Council office hours have been canceled this week. Updated location information will be posted on the City website as it becomes available. 

To learn more about City Hall and to stay up-to-date, visit ashlandoregon.gov/CityHall. We are Better Together! 

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Learn about City Hall’s history, costs, building conditions & legal constraints, then take the survey and share your vision to help shape our future together. This and more in the latest edition.

Thank you to everyone who joined Town Hall 2026, in person or via livestream, we appreciate your participation. If you missed it or want a rewatch, here’s our 2023–2025 Accomplishments short film.

We are pleased to share an update for local business owners: the Pilot Program for Portable Business Signs, such as sandwich boards placed in the public right-of-way, has been officially extended through August 31, 2026.

Originally launched following a Council resolution in October 2024, the pilot program began in November 2024 as a way to explore whether portable signage could support commercial districts. In early December 2025, the Ashland City Council voted to extend the program, giving businesses additional flexibility and visibility while the City evaluates potential long-term code changes.

Over the next six months, we will review the pilot’s performance and consider permanent updates to Ashland’s sign regulations. Business owners can expect ongoing communication, including a post-holiday survey, to share feedback on how portable signs have impacted foot traffic, sales and overall visibility.

Portable signs have proven to offer economic value by helping customers discover local shops, restaurants and services. We encourage all eligible businesses to take part.

How to ParticipateSmall business owners who are not yet enrolled are invited to join the pilot program by completing the online Participation Agreement: Portable Business Sign Program. Approved participants will receive guidelines outlining allowable sign sizes, materials and placement locations. View the guidelines (PDF). 

If you own a small business in Ashland and haven’t yet taken advantage of this opportunity, sign up today! It’s a simple way to increase visibility and attract more customers while helping shape the future of signage in Ashland. We are Better Together! 

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Looking for quick updates from City Hall? City Manager Sabrina Cotta shares what’s happening in Ashland through two engaging video series.

Minute with the Manager 

Don’t miss Minute with the Manager! Each month, City Manager Sabrina Cotta shares quick updates on key City news, projects and upcoming events to keep Ashland residents informed.

• Video No. 2. November 10, 2025. Nominate someone for the annual James M. Ragland "Volunteer Spirit" Community Service Award. Nominations are due by November 16, 2025 and will be presented at the 2026 Town Hall gathering on January 21, 2026. 
• Video No. 1. September 25, 2025. How to Engage with the City.  

3 Things to Know 

Stay connected with 3 Things to Know! Every other month, City Manager Sabrina Cotta highlights the top three things happening in Ashland, from Council actions to community projects.

• Video No. 2. October 24, 2025 
  1. Clean Title for City Hall Building
  2. BPA (Bonneville Power Administration) Contract
  3. CEAP (Climate and Energy Action Plan) Incentives for Residential Homes
• Video No. 1. October 10, 2025
  1. City Council Retreat on December 1, 2025
  2. Public Art on Traffic Signal Boxes
  3. Regional Fire Service Planning and Capacity Study

We are so thrilled for the opportunity to present to OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Southern Oregon University).

Below is our "Better Together" series that covers City Operations. Dubbed by OLLI participants as “Civics 101,” these presentations highlight the operations of City departments.

Following the "Better Together" series is our "Show Me the Money" series. This is your chance to learn about the finances of local government - The City's fund structure, revenue streams, major expenses and what the City can and cannot spend money on. 

In the spring of 2025, the City was honored with the League of Oregon Cities' 2025 Good Governance Award for innovative Lifelong Learning Courses, recognizing efforts to engage and educate residents - Learn more.

FALL 2025: Better Together, The Work of the City of Ashland

• September 17, City Manager's Office (includes Human Resources and Finance) 
• October 1, Community Development 
• October 8, Ashland Fire & Rescue 
• October 15, Ashland Police 
• October 22, Ashland Parks & Recreation 
• October 29, Electric 
• Nov 5, Public Works 

No recording on September 24 

SPRING 2025: Show Me the Money!*

• April 2 Introduction and Fund Structure   
• April 9, Major Revenue and Expenses   
• April 23, Budget Process
• April 30, Property Taxes
• May 7, Economic Development
• May 14, Debt

 No class on April 16 

FALL 2024: The "Better Together"*

• September 19  Introduction to Course and City Manager’s Office: Recorder, Emergency Management, Communications and Economic Development 
• September 26  GIS (Geographic Information System) & AFN (Ashland Fiber Network): Mapping, data & Fiber Network
• October 3  Fire & Wildfire 
• October 10  “Show me the Money,” City Finances and Budget
• October 17  Police 
• October 24  Public Works
• October 31  Electric & Conservation
• November 7  Parks & Recreation
• November 14  Community Development, Affordable Housing & course wrap-up

*The Q&A portions were not recorded in these series. 

More on OLLI at sou.edu/olli. 

"We are Better Together!" 

Learn more about your local government with the Civic Education Toolkit provided by OCCMA (Oregon City/County Management Association), ashlandoregon.gov/Civics101. 

As part of Ashland City Council’s Economic Development vision, the City has relaunched our Event Partnership Grant program to help support local events that help boost overnight travel, increase spending at local businesses and promote Ashland as a premier tourist destination. Last year, we were able to support 22 events with $100,000 in grants. This fiscal year, we have $150,000 to award.

If you know of any event organizers or have your own communication channels, please point folks to our website to apply ashlandoregon.gov/EconomicDevelopmentGrants.

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