2023-103-Minutes for Meeting March 03,2023 Recorded 3/30/202301 E S CpG2
BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS
1300 NW Wall Street, Bend, Oregon
(541) 388-6571
8:00 AM
Recorded in Deschutes County
Steve Dennison, County Clerk CJ2023-103
Commissioners' Journal 03/30/2023 2:33:06 PM
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FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2023 VIA ZOOM CONFERENCE CALL
A virtual legislative update meeting was held on Friday, March 3, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. via Zoom
Virtual Meeting Platform, for a weekly scheduled event during this 2023 Legislative Session.
Deschutes County Attendance:
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Commissioner Anthony DeBone
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Nick Lelack, County Administrator
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Commissioner Patti Adair
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Erik Kropp, Deputy County Administrator
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Commissioner Phil Chang
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Whitney Hale, Deputy County
Administrator
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Dave Doyle, Legal Counsel
Kim Riley, Assistant Legal Counsel
David Givans, Internal Auditor
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Robert Tintle, Chief Financial Officer
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Chris Doty, Road Department Director
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Janice Garceau, Health Services Director
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Kristie Bollinger, Property Manager
Stephen Gunnels, District Attorney
Peter Gutowsky, Community Development
Director
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Kathleen Hinman, Human Resources
Director
Keith MacNamara, Veterans' Services
Manager
Deevy Holcomb, Community Justice
Director
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Lee Randall, Facilities Director
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Kevin Moriarty, Forester
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Chad Centola, Solid Waste Director
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Tim Brownell, Incoming Solid Waste
Director
Shane Nelson, Sheriff
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Sara Crosswhite, 9-1-1 Director
Steve Dennison, Clerk
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Cheyenne Purrington, Houseless
Strategies and Solutions Director
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Geoff Hinds, Fair & Expo Director
Scot Langton, Assessor
Charles Fadeley, Justice of the Peace
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Will Groves, Planning Manager
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Holly Harris, Behavioral Health Director
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Tania Mahood, IT Director
2023 DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE MARCH 3, 2023 PAGE 1 OF 5
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Tom Kuhn, Public Health Program
Manager
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Angie Powers, BOCC Administrative
Assistant
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Jen Patterson, Strategic Initiatives Manager
Others Present:
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Doug Riggs, NW Policy Advocates President
Gabriel Velasquez, NW Policy Advocates
Legislative Coordinator
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Sherrie Grieef, Community Member
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DW Lee, Community Member
1. Introductions
Commissioner DeBone called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
2. Updates from NW Policy Advocates
Doug Riggs provided some high level updates for today's internally -focused
meeting. SB 644 would allow ADUs to proceed in high -risk wildfire zones. A dash 3
amendment is being prepared, which will ensure that if wildfire mapping is not
completed, counties can continue to site ADUs as long as they abide by state
standards. HB 2001 is the governor's homelessness package, with an original ask for
$130 million that has been increased to $155 million, reflecting increased funding to
homeless youth programs which has been severely underfunded over the past
several years. Behavioral health discussions continue. The Ballot Measure 110 work
group meets on Thursday mornings, and to -date none of the proposals are major
changes.
3. Department Updates on Priority Bills
A brief discussion took place on a CORE3 congressionally -directed spending request
of $2 million, to cover phase I of construction of the EOC. A draft email will be
provided to the Board for increased visibility on the request. Commissioners Adair
and DeBone support signing the letter, while Commissioner Chang doesn't want this
funding request to compete with other higher -priority asks. Commissioner Adair
requesting adding a statement in the letter regarding the land the county has gifted
towards this project.
Janice Garceau spoke about a request to testify on HB 2463, along with a request to
add the Deschutes County logo onto a letter of support. This bill will reduce
administrative burden on behavioral health providers and increase system
efficiencies and accountability. This bill is critical towards streamlining processes for
legislatively -approved state funding to make it to local governments. The Board
directed staff to proceed with support.
2023 DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE MARCH 3, 2023 PAGE 2 OF 5
Tom Kuhn spoke about HB 2638, which requires schools to have properly -
functioning HVAC systems in place before January 2029. Having high functioning
ventilation systems increases indoor air quality and better health, which is especially
important during wildfire smoke events. This bill would transform schools into clean
air shelters. Commissioners DeBone and Chang were supportive of the idea but
hesitant to support the bill with funding for the upgrades missing from the bill.
Commissioner Chang added that SB 762 provided resources for HEPA air filters and
industrial air scrubbers to be provided to communities affected by wildfire smoke,
and perhaps the focus could be on getting more of these out to communities.
Commissioner Adair wished to see legislation emphasizing improving graduation
rates and academic success in schools. The Board took a neutral position on HB
2638 as priority 2.
Whitney Hale spoke about HB 2088, which relates to the Assessor's Office, and
would provide a mechanism to improve financial support for assessment and
taxation functions within counties. The Treasurer would withhold 3% of all property
tax revenues to be used by counties to administer property tax laws. It's listed as a
priority 2 watch, to add to the Board's radar for tracking. The Board would like to
hear from Scot Langton, County Assessor, at a future Monday work session.
Chad Centola wished to add HB 3229 to the Bill Tracker. This bill relates to an 80%
fee increase for counties with Title 5 air quality permits. Solid Waste proposed this
priority 2/watch bill.
Whitney Hale discussed HB 2510 (priority 2/support), which caps lottery funds that
go to county fairs. Commissioner Adair sent a letter of support for this bill.
Testimony is on March 7. Commissioner Chang emphasized that this additional
funding is not necessarily needed by our county fairgrounds, but would be highly
beneficial to other counties. This means less money for schools, parks and
economic development from lottery funds, so he recommends a neutral position on
this bill. Commissioner DeBone spoke about video lottery, and feels that it is relied
upon too heavily in the state of Oregon. Economic opportunity (41-1, FFA) and a sense
of community are important benefits gained from county fairgrounds, and he
supports additional investment in them.
4. Other Items:
• Commissioner Chang shard that he recently testified on the ODF budget bill HB
5020, in support of continued funding for the Landscape Resiliency Program.
The governor has proposed reducing its funding level from $20 million to $12
million.
2023 DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE MARCH 3, 2023 PAGE 3 OF 5
Commissioner Chang proposed the Board taking a position of support on HB
2001, as homelessness response is a priority issue. Cheyenne Purrington
summarized some of the areas of focus in this bill. Stimulation and acceleration
of housing production and loan funding is emphasized. Modular building
(shorter timelines) is another tool in the toolkit. Some tenant protections from
eviction are included, and are important in times of recession as we move out of
COVID times. The Board established a position of support/priority 2 for HB 2001.
The Board directed staff to draft a letter of support, and Ms. Purrington shared
that she was willing to provide testimony on behalf of the Board, on March 7.
o Commissioner DeBone reported recently having attended the COIC
(Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council) Board meeting. A continuum
of care approach will be taken, with multiagency coordination. The MAC
has been created. We should examine parts and pieces of HB 2001.
Where will the money go and who will manage it?
o Mr. Riggs shared that HB 2001 is the implementation of the governor's
homelessness bill; HB 5019 is the accompanying funding bill. Funding
towards homeless youth and agricultural workforce housing in rural
areas has been added to the governor's original draft. The bill passed
with fairly broad bipartisan support and is currently at Ways & Means
Committee.
Mr. Riggs added HB 3414 to the list for staff review. This is a companion bill to
HB 2001 and is a land use bill that holds cities and counties accountable for the
lack of housing.
Commissioner DeBone shared that the City of Bend systems engineer, Ned
Dempsey, is seeking clarity from DEQ on pathways to put Class A reused water
in canals for irrigation. The aim is to address barriers faced by City of Bend and
the North Unit Irrigation District, and to move water recycling forward.
Commissioner DeBone reached out to Rep. Owens and Rep. Helm to gain clarity.
Commissioner Chang shared that Rep. Helm is moving a water recycling bill this
session. Mr. Riggs will add this to the Bill Tracker.
• Commissioner DeBone asked staff to share more about HIS 3321 with the Board.
HB 3321 provides technical assistance to small water districts. He advocated for
finding a new generation of sewer and water district operators.
Commissioner Adair asked Chris Doty to address 513 801, in regards to diesel
concepts affecting agriculture in Eastern Oregon counties. This bill relates to the
modification of fleets to replace older diesel engines with newer ones. These
vehicles are already being removed as they age, so a mandate may not be
necessary.
2023 DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE MARCH 3, 2023 PAGE 4 OF 5
"Mutual Legislative Priorities" is on next week's joint: meeting agenda with the
Redmond City Council. Some topics shared were: semiconductors, housing and
homelessness, enterprise zone and industrial lands, the state land use process
to fast track development for affordable housing, the state land use appeals
process and the CORE3 project near the Redmond Airport.
Next Meeting: The next virtual legislative update meeting is scheduled for Friday, March
10, 2023 at 8:00 a.m.
Adjourn: Chair DeBone adjourned the meeting at 9:06 a.m.
Submitted by:
Administrative Assistant
2023 DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE MARCH 3, 2023 PAGE 5 OF 5