2023-102-Minutes for Meeting February 24,2023 Recorded 3/30/2023WSROF0,0W
Recorded in Deschutes County CJ2023-102
Steve Dennison, County Clerk
Commissioners' ,journal 03/30/2023 2:32:52 PM
BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS c�
13'0ib t4l" WMd Street, Send, flregtin
(541) 388-6571
2023-102
FOR RECORDING STAMP ONLY
DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
8:00 AM FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2023 VIA ZOOM CONFERENCE CALL
A virtual legislative update meeting was held on Friday, February 24, 2023 at 8:00 a.m, via Zoom
Virtual Meeting Platform, for a weekly scheduled event during this 2023 Legislative Session.
Deschutes
County Attendance:
X
Commissioner Anthony DeBone
X
Nick Lelack, County Administrator
X
Commissioner Patti Adair
X
Erik Kropp, Deputy County Administrator
X
Commissioner Phil Chang
X
Whitney Hale, Deputy County
Administrator
X
Dave Doyle, Legal Counsel
X
Kim Riley, Assistant Legal Counsel
David Givans, Internal Auditor
X
Robert Tintle, Chief Financial Officer
X
Chris Doty, Road Department Director
X
Janice Garceau, Health Services Director
X
Kristie Bollinger, Property Manager
Stephen Gunnels, District Attorney
X
Peter Gutowsky, Community Development
Director
X
Kathleen Hinman, Human Resources
Director
Keith MacNamara, Veterans' Services
Manager
X
Deevy Holcomb, Community Justice
Director
X
Lee Randall, Facilities Director
Kevin Moriarty, Forester
X
Chad Centola, Solid Waste Director
X
Tim Brownell, Incoming Solid Waste
Director
Shane Nelson, Sheriff
X
Sara Crosswhite, 9-1-1 Director
Steve Dennison, Clerk
X
Cheyenne Purrington, Houseless
Strategies and Solutions Director
X
Geoff Hinds, Fair & Expo Director
Scot Langton, Assessor
Charles Fadeley, Justice of the Peace
Will Groves, Planning Manager
X
Holly Harris, Behavioral Health Director
Jen Patterson, Strategic Initiatives Manager
2023 DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FEBRUARY 24, 2023 PAGE 1 OF 4
X
Tom Kuhn, Public Health Program
Manager
X
Angie Powers, BOCC Administrative
Assistant
X
Tania Mahood, IT Director
Legislators Present:
Senator Lynn Findley
X
Representative Jason Kropf
Representative Emerson Levy
Representative Werner Reschke
Representative Vickki Breese Iverson
X
Reagan from Senator Knopp's office
X
Senator Tim Knopp
X
Senator Dennis Linthicum
Others Present:
X Doug Riggs, NW Policy Advocates President
Gabriel Velasquez, NW Policy Advocates
Legislative Coordinator
X Jennifer, community member
1. Introductions
Commissioner DeBone called the meeting to order at 8:04 a.m.
2. Updates from NW Policy Advocates
Doug Riggs reported that revenues are up, as are lottery revenues and kickers. He
acknowledged that courthouse expansion funding is an important topic for
Deschutes County, but is several months off based on the revenue forecast.
Redmond property has been added to the list of potential sites for semiconductor
infrastructure development by tapping into the federal CHIPS Act funding.
Modifications to SB 644 allowing for rural ADUs is in process. He also highlighted
behavioral health workforce issues and housing and homelessness issues as key
topics.
Rep. Kropf reported that it's still early in the session, with 3,591 bills in total. Housing
and homelessness is a top priority. Accessing federal CHIPS Act funds to grow the
semiconductor industry is another priority, with the Redmond property highlighted
as a potential site. They are awaiting the May forecast before releasing the final
budgetary numbers. The state is well -positioned with reserves. Our Stabilization
Center is receiving statewide notice.
Commissioner DeBone commented on the dynamic between property values and
the affordable housing crisis in the county. It is important for our land use system to
balance maintaining property values with green space with affordable housing.
Senator Linthicum briefly discussed bills related to water issues which would impact
Deschutes and Klamath counties. The kicker is just under $4 billion. It is important
to remember that the increase in state revenues is temporary, citing the Paycheck
Protection Program (PPP) refunds and corporate bailouts during COVID as
2023 DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FEBRUARY 24, 2023 PAGE 2 OF 4
examples. Governor Kotek's spend is $32.1 billion in general funds, most of which is
allocated. He advised cautionary spending.
Reagan from Senator Knopp's office discussed the two largest state expenditures:
housing/homelessness and the semiconductor package. Sen. Knopp highlighted
Rep. Kropfs Early Learning Program, as well as SB 853 which has bipartisan support.
SB 853 will no longer allow state workers to telecommute from other states and be
reimbursed for travel expenses when they return to Oregon for work -related
business. He commended Redmond, Deschutes County and Mr. Riggs for an
exceptional job in elevating the Redmond property as s potential infrastructure site
for the semiconductor package. He spoke of the recent heavy snowfall in Portland
and how it disrupted road travel.
Commissioner DeBone proposed a site visit and tour of the Redmond property with
EDCO, REDI, City of Redmond and Deschutes County in attendance with legislators
invited to attend, in an effort to further spotlight the site.
Commissioner DeBone, as COIC Chair, spoke briefly on a policy option package
related to rural housing capacity development similar to a previous year's HB 2345.
It's a request for rural development dollars in La Pine and northern Klamath County,
along with Crook and Jefferson counties.
The Board was not supportive adding the Deschutes County logo to a letter from
CORE3 to the legislature asking for $5.5 million in capital, due to the higher -priority
ask for courthouse expansion funding. The county has supported CORE3 in the past
through land donation.
Mr. Riggs, Mr. Gutowsky and Commissioner Chang discussed a proposed dash one
amendment to SB 644 relative to wildfire hardening and defensible space. The
amendment's goal is to allow counties to move forward with authorizing ADUs as
long as they abide by existing ORS hardening standards, Minimum defensible space
standards in the international fire code will be cited, which will likely align with the
State Fire Marshall. Sen. Golden has made a commitment to move the bill quickly
once amended.
3. Department Updates on Priority Bills
Geoff Hinds provided an overview of HB 3214, which prohibits the utilization of
animals for a variety of different activities. Tracking will be adjusted to a priority 3
and monitor, as the bill is not currently moving.
2023 DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FEBRUARY 24, 2023 PAGE 3 OF 4
Nick Lelack mentioned 1-1113 2001 with dash 8 arnendments, which provides
significant resources addressing housing and homelessness. He wished to add it to
everyone's radar as it's moving quickly. Mr. Riggs added that it includes $25 million
towards homeless youth programs and funding on new standards of housing needs
analysis for cities. A Ballot Measure 110 package is an important one to watch, and
he will forward on Rep. Nosse's list of recommendations once it's finalized.
Behavioral Health bills are beginning to move.
Janice Garceau flagged Legislative Concept 4359 which funds local Community
Based Organizations for local public health authorities and how funds are
distributed. Tom Kuhn may be asked to testify. HB 2463 relates to Admin Burden
and she may be asked to testify because she co-chaired the work group.
Chad Centola shared that HB 3229 establishes an annual fee increase for air quality
permits and establishes a cap on the fee increases. He wished to flag this bill for
watching as it moves forward.
Mr. Riggs and Chris Doty reported that an amendment to HB 2101 is being drafted
by AOC and ODOT, the ODOT Fund Exchange bill.
Tom Kuhn shared that he may be providing testimony in support of HB 3090, which
prohibits the selling and distribution of flavored inhalant delivery systems or
flavored tobacco products.
4. Other Items:
® Commissioner DeBone thanked everyone for their attendance and participation.
Next Meeting: The next virtual legislative update meeting is scheduled for Friday, March
3, 2023 at 8:00 a.m.
Adjourn: Chair DeBone adjourned the meeting at 8:54 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted by.r4—
Angie owe , BOCC A Arninistrative Assistant
2023 DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FEBRUARY 24, 2023 PAGE 4 OF 4