Medford took the first step Thursday night to tap into Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek’s plan to set aside $200 million to deal with the statewide homeless crisis.

The city will ask the state for $2.2 million of the money to build a more permanent location for the homeless campground in west Medford.

In addition to the state money, the city will invest another $300,000 to prepare the new location of the urban campground, known as Rogue Retreat Crossings, at 842-860 W. McAndrews Road.

The campground, which shelters up to 125 people a night, is currently located at a temporary location off Biddle Road in north Medford.

Because of the tight deadline to spend the money, the council Thursday unanimously approved waiving its normal competitive bidding procedure.

The state money must be spent by Jan. 10, 2024, and will be used to prepare the property for the urban campground.

Kelly Madding, deputy city administrator, said she anticipated the urban campground would be ready by September or October.

“I think we’re going to get it done by the deadline,” she said.

Councilors expressed concern about not going through the more formal competitive bidding process.

“Are we saved because this is an emergency declared by the state of Oregon?” Councilor Kevin Stine asked.

“In an emergency, we can take exception to bidding to award contracts,” said Eric Mitton, city counsel. Mitton said the city would likely reach out to three companies to get bids.

Councilor Nick Card said the typical bidding process is fairly transparent, and he was concerned that transparency could be lost.

“We have to preserve as much of that transparency as possible,” he said.

This is the latest effort by the council to address the homeless crisis, which has hit Medford particularly hard.

Last year, the city provided Rogue Retreat with $1.35 million from House Bill 5202 dollars, which are required to be spent on homeless services. Rogue Retreat needed the money to continue operations of both the Navigation Center and the urban campground, which together handle almost 200 homeless people a night.

The campground is designed to be the first step for many homeless people who want to stop living on the streets. It offers meals and helps stabilize people on their way permanent housing.

Campground residents receive shelter plus help with employment, food and nutrition, substance use treatment, child care, mental health, education and other aspects of life. Many at the homeless camp sleep in tents with canopies to help keep them dry.

Rogue Retreat housing includes Rogue Retreat Crossings, the Kelly Shelter, Hope Village tiny houses, apartments and group houses.

Another shelter, which opens only in extreme weather events, located at 332 W. Sixth St., is operated by the social services organization ACCESS.

The city manager issues a declaration to open the severe event shelter when the temperature is expected to fall below 25 degrees, or 32 degrees with additional factors such as precipitation or wind.