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2002-832-Minutes for Meeting April 25,2002 Recorded 5/1/2002COUNTY OFFICIAL ESC MARYHSUE SPENHOLLOW, COUNTYRCLERKS IBJ 2002-632 / %moi 05/01/2002 04:12:51 PM Board of Commissioners 1 130 N.W. Harriman St., Bend, Oregon 97701-1947 (541) 388-6570 • Fax (541) 388-4752 www.deschutes.org Tom De Wolf Dennis R. Luke MINUTES OF MEETING Mike Daly DESCHUTES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND BEND CITY COUNCIL THURSDAY, APRIL 259 2002 County Administration Building, 1130 NW Harriman St., Bend, Oregon Present were Commissioners Tom De Wolf, Michael M. Daly and Dennis R. Luke; Mike Maier, County Administrator; George Read and Catherine Morrow, County Community Development; Tom Blust, County Road Department; and Susan Mayea Ross, Commissioners' Office. Also present were David Hales, Bend City Administrator; Bill Friedman, Bend Mayor; City Councilors Kathy Eckman, John Hummel, John Schubert, Oran Teater and Kyla Merwin. Also in attendance were City Staff Deborah McMahon, James Lewis, Mike Elmore, Debra Hogan and Patty Stell; two representatives of the media, and several other citizens. Commissioner Tom DeWolf opened the meeting at 8:00 a.m. 6. The first item of business brought up for discussion was an update of the China Hat Road/Knott Road project. (This item was addressed first at the request of a citizen attending the meeting who could not stay long) Concerns about safety at this intersection was brought up by a citizen attending the meeting. Debra Hogan explained that this particular intersection does not warrant an all -way stop at this time. She said the City is prepared to proceed with intersection advisory signs to reduce speed from 45 MPH to 35 MPH. She further explained that they have to follow state law regarding warrants. Minutes of Meeting of Deschutes County Commissioners and City of Bend Councilors Page 1 of 4 Pages Thursday, April 25, 2002 Quality Services Performed with Pride Tom DeWolf observed that it does not make sense to spend money on a lot of improvements on this intersection when the warrants do not show it is necessary, especially when there are other intersections in the area that are more severely affected by traffic. Tom Blust added that there was a similar problem in Terrebonne, and it was primarily addressed by utilizing delineators, grooves in the road surface and signage. A brief discussion occurred regarding the cost of flashing lights versus calming features such as paint, road grooves and signage. Tom DeWolf emphasized that flashing lights work for a while, and then drivers become oblivious to them; and that he feels other traffic calming options would be more economical and just as effective in this instance. 2. Brought before the group was a discussion of the upcoming summit on economic development efforts and the future of industrial land in Deschutes County. Tom DeWolf explained that he met with EDCO (Economic Development for Central Oregon) representative Roger Lee, and has asked Roger and his group to take the lead in setting up this summit. He said that he feels it should include representatives of the three cities and the La Pine Industrial Group, the County, economic development and environmental groups, and some others who may have a vision as to where the County should go in this regard. He suggested that the cities and County should try to compare zoning regulations for each area they oversee to decide if they have similar or very different views of the future uses of the land within Deschutes County. He further stated that this is probably not the time to involve other counties, as they may have a very different view of how their land should be utilized. He said that although Deschutes County does want to attract family wage jobs, the citizens of the area have made it very clear that they want to see a high quality of life maintained and the environment protected. This issue is also important because of the strong influence of tourism on the area. Minutes of Meeting of Deschutes County Commissioners and City of Bend Councilors Page 2 of 4 Pages Thursday, April 25, 2002 Commissioner DeWolf explained that this is meant to primarily be a look at the basic philosophies of the various entities. He hopes this meeting will eventually result in a working committee to further refine the overall vision for the future of Deschutes County. Dennis Luke added that a general consensus would be sought, and it is hoped that each group may develop an understanding of the other groups' concerns and basic plans. Others attending today's meeting indicated they felt this is a great idea and is long overdue and badly needed, since each entity impacts the others in many ways. 3. At this time there a discussion regarding the future of the Welcome Center Building. Mike Maier said that there are no major issues to hold up the sale to ODOT (Oregon Department of Transportation), and he expects the sale will close in November or December. A conversation then occurred regarding the use of the facility. Dennis Luke indicated that perhaps a better location for the Visitors' Center would be off Roble Road, before entering the parkway from the north. He said the Mountain View Mall space vacated by K -Mart should be considered, since it has more than adequate parking for large vehicles and access would be good. A brief dialogue followed. Also discussed was that ODOT and Jackie French of the Chamber are looking at all aspects of the current lease, since ODOT eventually may want the entire building for their operations. 4. James Lewis gave some basic background on the formation of the Bend Historic District and the Historic Landmarks Commission. He said that since the District was placed on the national register, there have been new provisions put into place regarding architecture and general building criteria. Thus far eleven structures have been subjected to these provisions, and ten were approved; one was appealed. Minutes of Meeting of Deschutes County Commissioners and City of Bend Councilors Page 3 of 4 Pages Thursday, April 25, 2002 He further explained that they are considering the development of a citizen ad hoc committee to deal with issues regarding the historic district code and whether the City needs its own designated review committee. The expected timeline for this is the end of May or early June, and one or two meetings a month might be necessary at the beginning. George Read added that the process needs to be streamlined, and perhaps it is time to shift the responsibility for the Historic Landmarks Commission over to the City, since the only possible historic building in the County is Tetherow House. He suggested that perhaps they should also look at appointments being made based on the location of the historic buildings, since the number of appointments made by the County is disproportionate to the number of historic buildings and districts scattered throughout Deschutes County. Most of the historic buildings are within the city limits of Bend. 5. Debra Hogan then spoke about affordable housing issues. She said that Bruce Abernethy is attending a May 22 builders' summit to speak about strategies in the development of affordable housing programs, financing and so on. George Read said there should be a County role in this, and Deschutes County wishes to be involved. He also explained, however, that state law doesn't allow second buildings on lots within the County's jurisdiction except within the few rural service centers. Tom DeWolf added that normally the only opportunities the County has in this regard are in working with the Central Oregon Regional Housing Authority and Habitat for Humanity. Being no further items for discussion brought before the group, the meeting adjourned at 9:10 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Bonnie Baker Recording Secretary Minutes of Meeting of Deschutes County Commissioners and City of Bend Councilors Page 4 of 4 Pages Thursday, April 25, 2002