2004-648-Minutes for Meeting March 29,2004 Recorded 4/2/2004COUNTY OFFICIAL
TES
NANCYUBLANKENSHIP, COUNTY CLERKDS CJ 1004.646
COMMISSIONERS' JOURNAL
1,.1,.,, 110211011111111111111 111 MIN 04/02/2004 03:31:39 PM
2004-d48
DESCHUTES COUNTY CLERK
CERTIFICATE PAGE
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Deschutes County Board of Commissioners
1130 NW Harriman St., Bend, OR 97701-1947
(541) 388-6570 - Fax (541) 388-4752 - www.deschutes.org
MINUTES OF WORK SESSION
DESCHUTES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2004
Commissioners' Hearing Room - Administration Building
1130 NW Harriman St., Bend
Present were Commissioners Dennis R. Luke and Tom DeWolf,• Commissioner
Michael M. Daly was out of the office due to a death in the family. Also present
were Mike Maier, County Administrator; Tom Blust and Gary Judd, Road
Department; Becky Jackson, Adult Parole & Probation; George Read and Damian
Syrnyk, Community Development; Timm Schimke, Solid Waste Department;
Dennis Perkins and Damian Syrnyk, Community Development; Gary Judd, Road
Department; media representative Barney Lerten of bend. com and The Bugle; and
fifteen other citizens.
Acting Chair Dennis Luke opened the meeting at 10: 00 a.m.
1. Before the Board was Citizen Input.
Two citizens stated that they wished to speak to the Commissioners about
concerns they have with Knott landfill.
GRETCHEN GRIVEL:
My name is Gretchen Grivel, and I'm a resident of Deschutes County;
specifically the east side, near the landfill. And recently while attending a tire
pyrolysis meeting I found out that the landfill wasn't going to be closing in
2005, but they've extended their lease for twenty more years. They were
expanding the facility.
Minutes of Board of Commissioners' Work Session Monday, March 29, 2004
Page 1 of 24 Pages
And then, I can't remember the day of that meeting; it was just before I received
a notice in my mail on March 18. The notice of March 18 talked about a
proposed land use action. They included a map of a seventy -acre expansion.
And I called the planner, Catharine White, and she informed me that this
decision had already been made two years ago at a meeting in November 2002.
DENNIS LUKE:
It wasn't a one -day meeting. We had general public meetings at Bend High
School and High Desert Middle School that the public attended, and we had
them at the landfill. Timm sent letters and had neighborhood meetings himself.
GRIVEL:
Not to me.
LUKE:
How far out do you live?
GRIVEL:
I'll show you where I live. Less than a mile. (She showed the Commissioners a
map at this time.)
LUKE:
There have been extensive articles in the Bulletin —
GRIVEL:
I don't get the Bulletin.
LUKE:
Sorry.
GRIVEL:
I don't have access to the internet at home, and I can't search it at work.
Because I live where there's no cable and I can't get high speed internet access.
So this is my house, and this is the new dump. This is the proposed dump.
LUKE:
New landfill. There is no dumping here at all. And what happens in this
facility is that right now, the public goes down in the hole; that won't happen
when this is done.
Minutes of Board of Commissioners' Work Session Monday, March 29, 2004
Page 2 of 24 Pages
We're going to have a building that people will drive into, and they will put
their garbage on the slab. The garbage will have the recyclables pulled out and
the rest will be placed into a trailer. Then the trailer will go down into the hole.
So you won't have so much blowing and any other things that might happen.
GRIVEL:
Would you agree that my property is within the notification?
DEWOLF:
I don't know.
GRIVEL:
Okay, here's my question.
LUKE:
You got the notification.
GRIVEL:
I got the notification in 2004, but I didn't get one in 2002. And I went to
Catharine's office and had her provide me with the lists of who did get the
notifications in 2002 and in 2004. There are four common addresses. Four.
And you know how many people get notified? Forty on the mailing list. Six of
those are Deschutes County. In 2002, the school district didn't even get one.
You can't tell me they're not within 750 feet.
DEWOLF:
I'm not sure what you're getting at. The reality is that we, in addition to that
notification, this was reported by the Bulletin —
GRIVEL:
I don't get the Bulletin.
DEWOLF:
I understand that. And I didn't interrupt you just now, so I'd appreciate it if I
could finish what I'm saying. It was reported on radio, television, newspaper, I
believe Barney covered it in bend.com. I've been here since 1999, and we
began immediately to finalize a long-term master plan for landfill operations
that had been going by fits and starts for a ten-year period.
Minutes of Board of Commissioners' Work Session Monday, March 29, 2004
Page 3 of 24 Pages
We had spent upwards of $6 million as a County, starting a long-range master
plan, only to have an election, somebody new gets in, and they change focus
and directions. So, during the first two years that Dennis and I were here, the
last two years that Linda Swearingen was here, we completed that long-range
master plan. So before Mike Daly got here, before an election took place, we
had an adopted long-range master plan for the landfill. And we did all of that in
very public meetings. I'm sorry that you didn't hear about any of this. But —
GRIVEL:
Can I interrupt?
DEWOLF:
Sure, go right ahead. What's your goal?
GRIVEL:
My goal is to get another hearing on this, where the public is actually notified.
LUKE:
The public was extremely notified. We had people come in and testify, and
people from across the street from the landfill said that they really didn't like the
idea that the landfill was going to be there until 2030. But they said what was
being done made all the sense in the world and it needs to go there. And it has
been extremely public.
DEWOLF:
There's a land use process in place right now. Did you get notification of that?
GRIVEL:
The last one I got was March 17. And that's the only one.
DEWOLF:
And what did that one say?
GRIVEL:
The March 17 notification says - here's the October one that I went to get a
copy of because I didn't get it - "As an owner of property located within the
public notification area, this is to inform you that the Deschutes County
planning division has received a proposed land use application described below.
Proposed land use action."
Minutes of Board of Commissioners' Work Session Monday, March 29, 2004
Page 4 of 24 Pages
And when I called and said, I'd like to go to that hearing, they said, "Oh, sorry,
that was decided two years ago." So I'm not sure why they call it proposed.
It talked about where the property is located, and the proposal is, "The applicant
is requesting site plan review to locate recycling and landfill facilities at the
Knott landfill to the north development area in the exclusive farm use Tumalo-
Redmond-Bend zone; including a public receiving facility, a materials
processing facility, a public recycling center, an administrative building, a
household hazardous waste building" — a hazardous waste building? —
composting operations, a materials stockpile area, and a landfill gas co-
generation facility."
DEWOLF:
I think what might be best here is, George Read is the Director of our
Community Development Department, and Timm Schimke is the Director of
Solid Waste; it might be best if maybe you three went and spoke for a few
minutes and cleared up what's going to be happening here.
LUKE:
George, is there a public hearing for this land use action?
GEORGE READ:
It is probably an administrative review. The site plan is the specific details of
how the site is going to be used. The decision of how the site was going to be
used was done a few years ago. But this is the site plan of the specifics on the
site.
However, there are criteria like harmonious with the surrounding environment,
having a visual relationship with the site, and impact -type related criteria that
are a live issue as part of the site plan review.
IMMIX
So the public comment on those issues is still open?
READ:
Yes. But it's more the "how', not the "if'
Minutes of Board of Commissioners' Work Session Monday, March 29, 2004
Page 5 of 24 Pages
GRIVEL:
It's open until tomorrow. And I got the notice on the 18th. Cathy is not in her
office on Fridays, so she wasn't there the 191h. I called her again and after a
couple of phone tags got a hold of her. I asked for copies of these 63 pages of
information that was previously decided. Didn't have them on Thursday, called
her office back, they said they sent them out on Wednesday.
Well, when you are only giving us ten or so business days for our input, these
are complicated issues. I don't know all of the issues. I am requesting a longer
review period and another public hearing. Because I have spoken with every
neighbor on the ridge, and found one person who went to the 2002 meeting. I
showed him this new land use proposal, and he said that's not what they talked
about at the meeting. He said he'd get me copies of that meeting. That was
Saturday in my driveway; he came to my house.
I have spoken with three or four of my neighbors. Don and Cindy York, who
Timm Schimke knows very well, live right next to the dump and they didn't get
the 2002 notification. They have to shine their lights in the trucks at night to
say, hey, could you guys back off, we're trying to get to sleep now. They didn't
get the notification in 2002. I have the lists right here, and they aren't on them.
Their property is not on it.
DEWOLF:
I'm not going to extend this. A process has been set up that has been going on
for many years. I'm sorry you didn't know about this —
GRIVEL:
None of my neighbors knew about it.
DEWOLF:
I find that hard to believe.
LUKE:
I find that extremely difficult to believe, because we had meetings in Timm's
office with the neighbors as well. I sat in a meeting in Timm's office one
evening when we had quite a few people there from around the landfill. I
believe we —
Minutes of Board of Commissioners' Work Session Monday, March 29, 2004
Page 6 of 24 Pages
GRIVEL:
I have sought legal counsel, and I am asking that I have a chance, because as a
property owner who owned property in 2002 right there, I don't know what your
notification criteria is. But why I'd be on it once and not another time, I don't
know that either.
I'm not required by law to get the Bulletin, or to have internet access. I watch
Z-21 and I've never seen a single story on it. I watch every morning while I
have my coffee before I go to work. Every single morning. The only thing I've
ever seen about it is tire pyrolysis or whatever. That's a fact.
DEWOLF:
Have you called Timm?
GRIVEL:
No, I haven't called Timm.
DEWOLF:
That would be a pretty good start, I would think.
GRIVEL:
I thought you guys would be a better way to go.
DEWOLF:
He knows a lot more about the specifics of what is going on out there —
GRIVEL:
His interest is very questionable.
DEWOLF:
I see. Well, then, mine would be, too. Because I voted to support every move
that has been made out there. I'm sorry that this has gone a way that you don't
like it to, but I would suggest you talk with Timm and George and get updated
on just what is going to be taking place out there.
LAURIE CRAGHEAD:
This is an administrative decision with prior notice, and can be appealed on a
quasi-judicial basis. So it may end up coming before you if it is appealed.
Minutes of Board of Commissioners' Work Session Monday, March 29, 2004
Page 7 of 24 Pages
LUKE:
A land use decision.
CRAGHEAD:
All of this is already on public record, and you would need to declare this ex
parte contact on the public record at that time, too, if a hearing takes place.
Administrative decisions require twelve days' notice; the law allows us to turn
them around quickly. Any party to the decision may appeal. There's a $250
appeal fee to have a public hearing. If they are successful in their appeal, the
money is refunded. So there is an opportunity for a hearing available.
GRIVEL:
And I will be taking that out.
IZZY OREN:
My name is Izzy Oren, from 60660 Bobcat Road. I'm here to bring two issues
up, the landfill and the Rose pit, and enforcement of the regulations under
which those two are operating.
If you remember the Rose pit, there was supposed to be a DEQ (Department of
Environmental Quality) check for noise and dust, and I think you were there
one time to see some of the violations. Since then they have increased fewfold.
LUKE:
Have you filed —
OREN:
We called everybody.
LUKE:
Have you filed a written complaint with code enforcement?
DEWOLF:
Actually, if I could help out here. Because I got an e-mail from Izzy, I
forwarded that on to code enforcement to see what was going on. And I believe
they have already made a site visit out there, and are looking at what the criteria
were when that was established —
Minutes of Board of Commissioners' Work Session Monday, March 29, 2004
Page 8 of 24 Pages
OREN:
Since then they've cleared some more land.
DEWOLF:
Since last week?
OREN:
Continuously. First of all, they operate on windy days when they're not
supposed to. There are about fifty to sixty acres exposed, when they are
supposed to have only five. And if you come there on a windy day, you will
not believe what you are going to see there, and still the trucks are coming and
loading. So there's no enforcement.
For the landfill, too, I'm sure there's a tremendous amount of violations. So it
seems like it is very easy to approve something and just leave it there. The tires
are going on there.
DEWOLF:
The woman that I talked to, Laurie Furlong, you should give her a call and see
what's going on. I haven't heard lately and have to leave right after this meeting
for a funeral in Idaho or I'd call her myself. Laurie would be the one to talk to
about what they discovered out there and what their process is.
LUKE:
We all get e-mails about cars that are stacked on lots or people who have
garbage on lots and that sort of thing. And George's department requires a
written complaint. The complainant is anonymous unless it goes to court.
Otherwise, people would just call in and say, "this, this and this is going on".
They need it in writing for the file, which then generates a work order for his
staff. If you haven't done that, you really need to.
OREN:
I didn't check it, but I'm willing to bet that you'll find a stack of complaints from
all of the neighbors around the area. The thing is, nothing is done about it.
Because, again, if there was a complaint from way back when Tom came to
look, we didn't even greet each other and I allowed him to all the way in to see
the thing from the top.
Minutes of Board of Commissioners' Work Session Monday, March 29, 2004
Page 9 of 24 Pages
Since then, as I said, the permit allows for five acres exposed and the rest of it
reclaimed. The whole sixty or seventy acres is all exposed. There's no chance,
even if he wants to water the whole thing as he is supposed to, he can't have
fifty trucks going around with water. He's not doing it anyway.
DEWOLF:
Just last week, or the week before, when I heard from you, was the first
complaint I've personally heard about Rose pit since the last time we had
hearings —
OREN:
Because we went through regular channels. We didn't go to you. We thought
you were the last gate.
DEWOLF:
And I appreciate that. The only thing I can say is, as a result of that, I got a
hold of two people at Community Development and they are currently
following up on it. I don't know the status of it.
LUKE:
George Read can give you Laurie's phone number before you.
OREN:
There's no problem finding who to talk to. The question is, what is done after
that? Nothing. That's my complaint. It's not who to talk to. We go through
regular channels. If I come here, that means we've exhausted everything, you
are the last one.
LUKE:
Did you know about the expansion at the landfill?
OREN:
No. I did not get a notice. By the way, I'm behind that lady 100%. I very
seldom do, and I live right across. Very seldom do I get any notices about
anything.
Minutes of Board of Commissioners' Work Session Monday, March 29, 2004
Page 10 of 24 Pages
LUKE:
There were two distinct public processes. One was the expansion of the landfill
to 2029. That was a distinct process. Once that decision was made, and it was
done very publicly at Bend High and High Desert Middle School and at Timm's
shop, then the decision was how to handle things during those years. That's
what we are currently going through now.
We collect hazardous waste, so instead of having people throw it into the
landfill, it will go into a collection building and will be properly disposed of,
probably in the valley somewhere. The garbage, instead of going down into the
hole, will go inside a building, and some other things will vastly improve what
we've got going on there.
OREN:
The only hearing that I was notified of was when Matt Day proposed the new
site at Horse Ridge. That was the only one that I was notified of, and I attended
all of those meetings. But since then, I never knew about this new thing. That
new system with just one truck going down into the hole. I was never aware of
it, and I watch the news and everything.
And I'm not saying you didn't have the meetings. It's very possible that you did
and I wasn't notified. Again, for me, the landfill has been an issue. As I said, I
bought my house in 1989 and I went to the County to check before I signed the
papers, what's the story with the landfill, and I was promised that within three
years it would close. Now, fifteen years later, and plus twenty -some years to
go, I'm stuck with it.
The problem is, one of the biggest issues I'm trying to figure out is, how come
my property value is going up like I was living in Beverly Hills? How come
I'm paying more taxes?
LUKE:
George, regarding the Rose pit - and I wasn't a Commissioner when that permit
was issued - are mining permits under the County or the land board or DEQ?
This seems like a complicated thing.
Minutes of Board of Commissioners' Work Session Monday, March 29, 2004
Page 11 of 24 Pages
Rose pit has always been a very controversial pit. It is under County
jurisdiction; and there is also the State Department of Geology and Mineral
Industries' regulations for reclamation. There have been several hearings, and
there have been violations, but I haven't seen a complaint for about four or five
years until the one via e-mail about a week ago.
I know they went out there a week ago Friday, but I was gone last week so I
don't know the outcome or where it's at in the process. To my knowledge, the
only complaint we've had is within the last couple of weeks. So, we can go
look that up.
LUKE:
It needs to be in writing.
READ:
To my knowledge, I've not seen one. I'm not sure that we have a written
complaint now, because the only thing we have is your e-mail. If you had filed
a complaint, we'd have a record of it.
LUKE:
If you'd like to walk over to his office when this meeting is over, you are
welcome to fill out the complaint form right there.
OREN:
So, I'll take his word it right now. I know that we have called a number of
times.
LUKE:
Verbal doesn't do it.
OREN:
If verbal doesn't do it, my question is why doesn't it? I mean, there's an open
violation, it's not something hidden, it's right there for everybody to see. Is that
piece of paper going to make it legitimate?
DEWOLF:
That's the thing. We can go around and around, but the fact is that they have
made a site visit and are following up now. I don't know the result yet.
Minutes of Board of Commissioners' Work Session Monday, March 29, 2004
Page 12 of 24 Pages
OREN:
Two years ago you made a site visit. What happened? They exposed more.
DEWOLF:
And I didn't know that. I don't live out there, Izzy.
OREN:
While you were there, they were violating.
DEWOLF:
And the first time I know about it, it's turned over and they are following up.
don't know the result.
OREN:
By the way, my name isn't here either.
LUKE:
Their rules require that it be a written complaint. Again, it's anonymous unless
it goes to court —
OREN:
I'm not afraid to put my name on it. One more thing I'd like to say. I believe it
was your reply to one of the people about the tire pyrolysis there. The fact that
you did get a lot of information way before you made that decision.
I just want for the record to say that there are at least 300 of us who got a lot
more information than the three of you could have gotten in two years, because
we went to every little possibility, from the internet to libraries, to professionals
and chemists and stuff, and nobody could come up with anything positive so
far. Not to say too much negative, either, but the final question is, if it is so
good, how come nobody else wants it.
LUKE:
There are actually quite a few other people who are already approached the
company, and do want it.
Minutes of Board of Commissioners' Work Session Monday, March 29, 2004
Page 13 of 24 Pages
OREN:
Let them have it for a few years so we can see how it works. I'm for recycling,
but that's not recycling. That's producing something that we cannot get rid of.
LUKE:
Recycling to me is keeping something out of the ground.
OREN:
They are putting the carbon black back in the ground.
LUKE:
This happened to me in the legislature, too. There's a process where they can
take plastic and break it down into component parts. And environmentalists
and the people who were against that said it wasn't recycling because they aren't
making a new product. Anything you can keep out of the ground and the
landfill to me is recycling.
OREN:
Apparently they are going to bury that carbon black in the ground.
LUKE:
Right now they are burying tires, either on top of the ground or in the ground --
Yeah, but that's an approved thing. Burying carbon black, they don't know
where it's going to go. It's going to go right into the water aquifer.
LUKE:
Not here, because of the way they are lined. It's 90 feet deep and the aquifer is
600 feet down. We're not going anywhere with this. If you want to fill out a
written complaint, George will make sure it's processed.
Jeff Rola, who works for the Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District,
explained that there are several information meetings taking place during the
next couple of months. On April 13 and 14 the "State of the Deschutes "
conference takes place at KaNeeTa, and will include all of the stakeholders in
the Deschutes Basin with an interest in watershed restoration.
Minutes of Board of Commissioners' Work Session Monday, March 29, 2004
Page 14 of 24 Pages
He explained that this meeting provides an opportunity for stakeholders and
others to get together and talk about the Deschutes Basin. It is being held at
KaNeeTa because of the influence and senior water rights held by the Tribes.
The relicensing of the Pelton - Round Butte hydro project is integral in the
restoration of the Basin.
On April 23, the Governor is unveiling his renewable energy program in Bend
at the OSU Cascades Campus, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is hoped another
meeting will follow this presentation so that groups and individuals can talk
about renewable energy opportunities, including wind, solar, hydro,
gasificiation processes, biomass and other opportunities. He said that this area
is blessed with an inordinate amount of biomass material that can be used to
both reduce fire threat and create energy.
On May 3 and 4 there will be a facilitative discussion on natural resource
management in the Basin. This is meant to address some of the more
contentious issues in natural resource management, both in watershed in the
uplands and in land use, and the public and private management of lands in
Central Oregon. That's going to include stakeholders from all over Central
Oregon and the Basin.
He invited the Commissioners, and/or appropriate representatives of the
County, to attend all of the various meetings if they are available.
No further public testimony was offered.
2. Before the Board was a Discussion of the Reading of a Proclamation
Declaring April 5 through 11 Public Health Week in Deschutes County.
This item will be addressed at the Wednesday, March 31 Board meeting.
3. Before the Board was a Discussion of the Reading of a Proclamation
Declaring April Child Abuse Prevention Month in Deschutes County —
Judy Stiegler, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)
This item will be addressed at the Wednesday, March 31 Board meeting.
Minutes of Board of Commissioners' Work Session Monday, March 29, 2004
Page 15 of 24 Pages
4. Before the Board was a Discussion of a Presentation and Update) of the
Activities of the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council — Ryan Houston
This item will be addressed at the Wednesday, March 31 Board meeting.
5. Before the Board was a Discussion and Consideration of Signature of
Order No. 2004-025, Declaring the Intent to Create Oasis Local
Improvement District, Setting a Hearing and Authorizing Notice.
Gary Judd explained that based on the mail poll ballot, 73% of the property
owners were in favor. The public hearing is set for May 5.
DEWOLF: Move approval.
LUKE: Second.
VOTE: DEWOLF: Yes.
LUKE: Acting Chair votes yes.
6. Before the Board was a Discussion and Consideration of Signature of
Document No. 2004-132, an Intergovernmental Agreement between
Deschutes County and the Oregon Department of Revenue regarding
Corrections Collection Services.
Becky Jackson stated that when offenders move out of system but still owe
unpaid fees, this is turned over to the Department of Revenue. They collect
what they can through garnishing tax refunds, etc. They typically don't collect
much, but it is better than nothing.
DEWOLF: Move approval.
LUKE: Second.
VOTE: DEWOLF: Yes.
LUKE: Acting Chair votes yes.
7. Before the Board was a Discussion and Consideration of Approval of
Changes to the Previously Proposed Uses of the Work Center for
Transitional Housing and for the Bethlehem Inn Homeless Shelter.
Minutes of Board of Commissioners' Work Session Monday, March 29, 2004
Page 16 of 24 Pages
Becky Jackson explained that this item was on the Commissioners' March 8
agenda, at which time the tentative plan was approved. The following day, the
Bethlehem Inn board voted to move forward on the plan. The accountability
portion of the plan is being considered at this time. It is hope that
programming, treatment and training services can be provided during the day.
If a guest wishes to stay for longer than two weeks, they would be required to
participate in these services.
She added that having the center open during the day would help to solve
various problems. It could alleviate some of the issues of the guests loitering
around the library and shopping centers, and it would provide training and
treatment services to those who need this assistance. Since staff would be there
anyway, there would be very little additional cost. This is in the Bethlehem Inn
piece, not the Parole & Probation portion.
Because of the additional accountability concept, the move in date would likely
happen later, and would probably begin with limited guests, with volunteers
present at all times.
The final request is for possibly preparing food on site. If there is a year-
round program, this would impact having food available. Also, it is hoped
that guests could participate in the food preparation. Ms. Jackson has been in
touch with the appropriate departments to find out what is required in this
regard.
Scott Morgan, the President of the Bethlehem Inn Board of Directors, thanked
the Commissioners for the opportunity; he also introduced Julie Mosier and
Terry Felton, who are on the Board; and Liz Hitt, who is the interim director.
He added that their Board is united in its feelings and support for the program.
He explained that there are several issues to be addressed. One goal for the
facility is to get people out of the homeless situation. This requires
rehabilitation programs for drug and alcohol abuse, and getting people back into
the work force. It is important to have programs during the day which will keep
their guests from loitering in public places, and will help to get them pointed in
the right direction.
Minutes of Board of Commissioners' Work Session Monday, March 29, 2004
Page 17 of 24 Pages
Commissioner DeWolf said that one concern is that since this will be in a
government facility, everyone needs to remember that it is not a government
program. He expressed concern that it remains a volunteer program, since the
County is not able to provide funding if the program loses volunteers. Mr.
Morgan replied that they definitely want to keep it separate from a government
program.
Commissioner DeWolf then stated that it would be great if a couple of years
from now the program has been proven to be successful, which will enhance the
group's ability to raise funds for a permanent location.
Commissioner Luke said that the group needs to remember that if funding for
the Work Center returns, they will have to relocate again, but given the situation
with State funding, this could take a while. He expressed concern about
allowing cooking in the facility, which could create some problems. He
suggested that they approach Central Oregon Community College's culinary
school; perhaps the students could help out for class credit.
Mr. Morgan then explained that the last scenario is a change of when the
facility would open. He stated he plans to visit other shelters around the State
to see how they operate. It is better to delay the opening and get everything
properly arranged first.
The Commissioners indicated that they were okay with the draft plan, and
anticipate there might be more changes to consider at a later date.
EVIE ALLISON:
I have been affiliated with Bethlehem Inn from the beginning. That program
has my heart, from day one. But the changes that I would like to see are with
the board and the administration of it. Because if it is a twelve-month program,
we volunteers would like to have programs put in place in writing, and want to
have the community in to give their input. I know how hard Becky has worked.
But the thing is, the people are not going away. We want a program that will
last. If the money comes back for the building, then we want a place put in
there for money to maybe get some land and come back. I don't want to see it
close up early and the administration change. I don't know all the words that I
want to say, because we need this so badly.
Minutes of Board of Commissioners' Work Session Monday, March 29, 2004
Page 18 of 24 Pages
They need skills. To have a program where some can learn to write their
names. Some can learn how to cook. Maybe those programs are down the
road, but we need them. We need to have some kind of policies and procedures
set in place so we know where we're going. It may take us a little while to get
there, but we want to know that. They are great people. Not everyone is there
because they won't work. If they have the opportunity, they'll take it. Thank
you for your time.
CHRIS PEDDYCORD:
I just wanted to say, I can speak from the viewpoint of having been a guest of
the Bethlehem Inn. I was very grateful to have been there. It served its purpose
definitely as a warm place to be, with meals. But at the risk of sounding
inconsiderate or rude, unfortunately it could be an enabling process just to have
that there.
I think it would be a vital gift back to the community if people were able to be
accountable, to have life skills programs, to be taught new job skills, and with
drug and alcohol counseling. That would be a really good thing. I believe that
if a person has the opportunity to be accountable and take those programs, they
could give back to the community. I would like to see that.
For myself, I benefited from being there. I'm a recovering drug and alcohol
addict, and I have 7-1/2 months clean and sober. To be honest about seeming
overemotional, it helped me a lot knowing I had a place to go back to for meals
and support for my recovery. I would just like to ask you to consider that.
I would like to see accountability, with an informal contract for when guests
come in. If they don't meet what is expected of them, I'd like them to know and
be accountable that it is not a free ride or a cushion for them to fall back on.
And it will give them an opportunity to do something with their lives.
One of the things that was most frustrating for me was not having a phone
number or an address for employment purposes. You might have the best
resume there is but an employer for the most part is going to laugh at you and
not take you seriously. It would help to have the program open twelve months
a year, so you could at least have a phone number. I'm not suggesting that
someone abuse it like an answering service, but that would help a person get a
foot up. I'd like to see that happen. Thanks to you for your time.
Minutes of Board of Commissioners' Work Session Monday, March 29, 2004
Page 19 of 24 Pages
Commissioner Luke congratulated Ms. Peddycord on what she has been able to
do for herself.
PHYLLIS HARMS:
I was in Bethlehem Inn two years ago. I lost my job at Pozzi because of
operations I had, and Bethlehem helped me out. They put me up for three
months, but after that I slept in my truck. I have a friend here today who I met
through Bible study at church, and she helped me and gave me a roof over my
head, and I help her out. I appreciate that very much.
So I know where these homeless people are coming from. I never dreamed that
I would be in t hat situation. I'll never take anything for granted again, because
it is rough. I asked several of them, what do they do during the day if they
aren't working. I could not get an answer from any of them.
On weekends, when I wasn't working, it was rough. I have a small dog, and I
took him to the parks and did those kinds of things, but Monday through Friday,
I can see people going to the library. Since the shelter has closed I've seen a lot
of them at Juniper Park just lying on the grass, sleeping with no blankets or
sleeping bags.
I will be glad when there is a permanent shelter. I've had dreams of Bethlehem
Inn opening up a shelter, because I'd like to volunteer again. I met a lot of
wonderful homeless people there.
TERRY FELTON:
Good morning. I've been involved with the Bethlehem Inn for more than five
years, and am the former president of the Board. There are two points I'd like
to make.
A month ago, when much of this was being presented before you, as a board
member I would probably have taken a negative position at that time with the
haste we were moving forward. I'm a firm believer, as a former businessman
for seventeen years, that you have to have those ducks all lined up as much as
you can.
Minutes of Board of Commissioners' Work Session Monday, March 29, 2004
Page 20 of 24 Pages
Since that time we have had some internal changes taken place and addressed,
and I think it brought the entire board together, taking a more reasonable look at
setting up the procedures which we will need to open our part of this facility
and plan for a long-term shelter.
I think we must have that as much together as possible before we have an
official opening. Key to that will be that there will probably be more people
involved in the process and preparation. I will be much more involved myself.
We also will be involved in bridging to our church communities and other
community organizations. There needs to be a tremendous amount of
bridgework because this is an entirely new undertaking.
At the Homeless Leadership Council last week, Bruce Abernethy and a couple
of other members made a good point. We have a lot of committees and a lot of
commissions, and there is well-founded hearts and a lot of good planning and
talk. But task orientation and succeeding in that task orientation is the key. For
many organizations that takes a great deal of time. What we are trying to do in
the next few months is probably compress a year's planning that other groups
would take in putting this together.
So we'll be coming back before you, and will be refining this process, and will
need an enormous amount of community support in putting together a program
that will not just be a one or two year program. As our guests from Bethlehem
Inn here represented this morning, they want this as a long-term program. The
worst thing possible is that if it didn't float after a couple of years.
With that in mind, we're going to need an inordinate amount of support, but we
want to have our p's and q's addressed. I want to assure the Commission that
along with Scott, Becky and others, we're going to be fine-tuning this. And to
the population of Bethlehem Inn, what they want is hope, and a home. We
want to take them from that part so that w can -- not for all, but for a good
percentage of them - create a next step of life. We fail if we don't do that.
The day program that is involved here is absolutely key. There is not one other
agency or organization right now that can address this. I have contacts within
the Salvation Army and other organizations, and they would love to but cannot
do this. So our key is putting together that day program, and it will not happen
overnight. There will be an evolution to it. But, besides giving them that home
and hope, this will be the key for those individuals.
Minutes of Board of Commissioners' Work Session Monday, March 29, 2004
Page 21 of 24 Pages
A year from now I hope we come back and see progressive steps. We want you
to know that is our key consideration. The other operating aspects hopefully
will be worked out. I appreciate very much the hearts I've seen in the room
today that are behind this, and you can see from a couple of the guests that the
Lord is blessing this going forward, and we hope to make this a key pinnacle of
the community.
One day Bethlehem Inn and other agencies I think will see a greater coalition
and coalescing together. It has to be for Bend to address a number of the
problems in the community when it gets to be a 75,000 or larger community.
That's our goal. Thank you for your time.
Commissioner DeWolf added that perhaps Gary Smith or others from the
Mental Health Department should provide input on some of the aspects of
treatment programs. Ms. Jackson said that representatives of the Bethlehem Inn
will be in touch with them.
8. Before the Board was a Discussion and Consideration of Signature of
Document No. 2004-112, an Intergovernmental Agreement between
Deschutes County and Crook County for Plumbing and Mechanical
Inspection Services.
DEWOLF: Move approval.
LUKE: Second.
VOTE: DEWOLF: Yes.
LUKE: Acting Chair votes yes.
9. Before the Board was a Discussion of a Public Hearing on Ordinances No.
2004-009 and 2004-010, Proposed Amendments to the City of Sisters'
Urban Growth Boundary.
Commissioner Luke asked if there had been any public opposition. Damian
Syrnyk replied that a notice of intent to appeal has been filed with the City of
Sisters. Staff recommends holding a hearing and taking testimony, and not take
any further action until the City has resolved the appeal.
Minutes of Board of Commissioners' Work Session Monday, March 29, 2004
Page 22 of 24 Pages
Laurie Craghead added that the hearing would be continued, leaving the record
open until it comes back to the County from the City.
Neil Thompson of the City of Sisters stated his opposition to leaving the
hearing open. He asked that the Board consider taking testimony, close the
hearing and take action.
Commissioner Luke suggested that the City's Legal Counsel speak with County
Legal Counsel to try to work out something prior to Wednesday.
This item will be addressed at the Wednesday, March 31 Board meeting.
10. Before the Board was a Discussion and Consideration of Signature of
Resolution No. 2004-019, Adopting a Supplemental Budget for Fiscal Year
2003-04.
This item will be addressed at the Wednesday, March 31 Board meeting.
11. Before the Board was a Discussion and Consideration of Signature of
Letters Appointing John Ahrens, Bill Kuhn and Genevieve Waldron to the
Deschutes County 4-H/ Extension Service District Budget Committee for
Fiscal Year 2004-05.
This item will be on the Wednesday, March 31 consent agenda.
12. Before the Board were Additions to the Agenda.
A. Before the Board was Consideration of Signature of Document No 2004-
134, an Intergovernmental Agreement between Deschutes County and
Four Rivers Vector Control District for Mosquito Testing and Control
Services.
This item will be addressed at the Wednesday, March 31 Board meeting.
Minutes of Board of Commissioners' Work Session Monday, March 29, 2004
Page 23 of 24 Pages
B. Before the Board was Consideration of Signature of Document No.
2004-135, a Services Contract between Deschutes County and Sunriver
Owners Association, allowing Four Rivers Vector Control District to
Provide Mosquito Control Services in Sunriver.
This item will be addressed at the Wednesday, March 31 Board meeting.
Being no further items brought before the Board, Acting Chair Luke
adjourned the meeting at 11:40 a.m.
DATED this 29th Day of March 2004 for the Deschutes County Board of
Commissioners.
ATTEST:
Recording Secretary
_ 01,Jz1a-f _
MichaelY. Daly, Chair
Dennis R. L`u Ee,'Commissioner
I
Tom DeWolf, Commissioner
Attachment
Exhibit A: Public testimony sign -in sheet (one page)
Minutes of Board of Commissioners' Work Session Monday, March 29, 2004
Page 24 of 24 Pages
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