2023-90-Minutes for Meeting March 17,2023 Recorded 3/30/2023:•''D OF
COMMISSIONERS
1300 NW Wall Street, Bend, Oregon
(541) 388-6571
Recorded in Deschutes County CJ2023-90
Steve Dennison, County Clerk
Commissioners' Journal 03/30/2023 2:30:01 PM
Q'\yvSF.$ COGS II' I I "I'I"I II' I� I'I'I'I'fI
2023-90
FOR RECORDING STAMP ONLY
FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 2023 VIA ZOOM CONFERENCE CALL
A virtual legislative update meeting was held on Friday, March 17, 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
Nick Lelack, County Administrator
X
Commissioner Patti Adair
Erik Kropp, Deputy County Administrator
X
Commissioner Phil Chang
X
Whitney Hale, Deputy County
Administrator
X
Dave Doyle, Legal Counsel
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
I Kristie Bollinger, Property Manager
I Stephen Gunnels, District Attorney
X
Peter Gutowsky, Community Development
Director
X
Kathleen Hinman, Human Resources
Director
Keith MacNamara, Veterans' Services
Manager
Deevy Holcomb, Community Justice
Director
X
Lee Randall, Facilities Director
X
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
Holly Harris, Behavioral Health Director
Tania Mahood, IT Director
2023 DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE MARCH 17, 2023 PAGE 1 OF 5
X
Tom Kuhn, Public Health Program
Manager
X
Brenda Fritsvold, BOCC Executive Assistant
X
Jen Patterson, Strategic Initiatives Manager
X
Sarah Key, Loss Prevention Coordinator
Others Present:
X
Doug Riggs, NW Policy Advocates President
X
Gabriel Velasquez, NW Policy Advocates
Legislative Coordinator
1. Introductions
Commissioner DeBone called the meeting to order at 8:01 a.m.
2. Updates from NW Policy Advocates
Doug Riggs reported that SB 644, which would allow ADUs to be built in high -risk
wildfire zones, passed out of committee this week with tremendous bipartisan
support. Commissioner DeBone asked if other counties have been as focused on
this as Deschutes County. Riggs responded that Lane County has been most
engaged, and he expected that other rural counties will also be interested.
Commissioner Chang shared that he is in touch with Commissioner Buck from Lane
County on this bill.
Continuing, Riggs said HB 2001 regarding housing needs passed on the House floor
on Wednesday and now goes to the Senate. Commissioner DeBone shared
information from Cheyenne Purrington that Central Oregon, via its designated
Multi -Agency Coordination (MAC) group, is slated to receive approximately $14
million for shelter and rehousing, in addition to $1.37 million for homelessness
prevention.
Riggs said SB 4 was passed by the Semiconductor Committee on Wednesday. This
bill involves the establishment of a grant and loan program to support businesses
which produce semiconductors. Riggs noted the disappointment of some observers
that this bill does not do everything necessary, such as offer a tax credit which the
industry deems vital. Commissioner DeBone shared that he provided testimony
advocating for the industrial -zoned land within Redmond's Urban Growth Boundary
to further economic development efforts in response to the State's proposal to
allow this use next to Washington County under an emergency order.
3. Department Updates on Priority Bills
Chris Doty summarized SB 850, which would require retention of certain contractors
for any public project over $750,000. At a minimum, the agreement would require
prevailing wage rates, that apprentices perform a certain amount of the work, and
that the agency establish and execute a plan for the recruitment and retention of
2023 DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE MARCH 17, 2023 PAGE 2 OF 5
women, minority individuals and veterans to work on the project. Doty reported he
has been asked to testify against this on behalf of AOC and Oasis.
Commissioner DeBone said while he is supportive of programs which train the next
generation, he was hesitant to impose specific requirements. Riggs said this bill is
opposed by many individual counties and cities in addition to the AOC, primarily
due to concerns that conformance would be difficult to achieve in rural areas.
Commissioner Chang favored inviting further engagement and discussion not by
opposing this bill outright, but instead by expressing alignment with its intention
and suggesting that its sponsors take a different approach. Commissioner Adair
shared her support for apprentice programs, and Commissioner DeBone agreed
with advocating for the trade industries.
The Board was in consensus to authorize Doty to testify in opposition, unless the bill
is amended. Doty summarized he will testify in support of the concept but state that
this proposal is not workable for communities that lack the requisite level of
apprenticeship programs.
Cheyenne Purrington elucidated on HB 2001 and the role of the MAC group in
distributing the funding that will be provided by the State. Commissioner Chang said
the Coordinated Houseless Response Office should take a more active role in
helping to coordinate and lead these efforts. Purrington said CHRO is working with
MAC leader COIC, group members, and nonprofits to refine projects and develop a
cohesive regional strategy. She offered to provide an update and coordinate a work
session for the Board, CHRO and staff.
Sarah Key introduced the subject of HB 3471, which proposes to prohibit employers
from entering into settlements or agreements that dispose of worker compensation
claims which bar a person from seeking further employment with the employer
unless such a provision is first requested by the former employee. Key said this
change would open up the County to ongoing exposure from claims that had been
brought by former employees. The Board was in consensus to place this bill on
watch status.
Tom Kuhn referred to a draft letter of support for HIS 3090, which would ban
flavored tobacco and vaping products. He believed this legislation is needed to
prevent these products from reaching underage persons. The Board was in
consensus to issue a letter of support.
Kuhn further reported on HB 2574 and HB 2773, and asked for authorization to
testify in favor of SB 5525. The Board was in agreement to authorize this testimony.
2023 DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE MARCH 17, 2023 PAGE 3 OF 5
Whitney Hale referenced SB 872, which would instruct the State Forestry
Department to coordinate fire prevention activities with federal agencies. Chair
DeBone noted the concurrence of the Board to place this bill on watch status.
Commissioner Adair asked about the status of HB 3549, which would restore
criminal penalties for possession of controlled substance offenses to the level prior
to the enactment of Ballot Measure 110 when the person has been previously cited
for Class E violation for possession of controlled substance. Commissioner DeBone
supported placing this on the watch list.
Commissioner Chang hoped the County is tracking and will advocate for HB 2544
which would fund behavioral health treatment beds as well as HB 3126 which would
establish at least three regional centers for pediatric mental health crisis resources
and units. Riggs agreed with placing this on the support list, especially as the State
has underfunded psychiatric treatment for youth, imposed too many regulations,
and authorized paying providers at rates which hinder their recruitment and
retention. Riggs also urged support of HB 3009 which is a partner bill to create a
community level system to address the needs of youth as they transition from
treatment back to the community. Chair DeBone agreed to add these bills to next
week's report and discuss taking positions at that time.
Kevin Moriarty inquired about the status of HB 3142 which would allocate funds to
soil and water conservation districts for juniper removal. Riggs explained the -2
(dash 2) amendment to this bill which adds clear sideboards and stipulations on
how efforts would be undertaken, and said feedback thus far is either neutral or
positive. He added that he expects companion bill HB 3103 to move through the
process over the next few weeks.
4. Other Items:
• Commissioner Chang raised the need for funding to obtain more industrial air
scrubbers and HEPA filters to guard against smoke inhalation and said public
education is also needed to instruct homeowners on the proper use and
replacement of these filters. Riggs offered to work with Sarah Worthington on
this and report back next week.
• Noting that the County is in the process of appointing members to its Wolf
Depredation Compensation and Finance Assistance Committee, Jen Patterson
reported that the deadline to apply for Wolf Depredation Conservation funding
is the day after tomorrow. Chair DeBone noted the concurrence of the Board to
not submit a grant application this year.
• Commissioner Adair asked if HB 3087 which relates to establishing a task force
on elk and deer damage compensation funding is moving forward.
2023 DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE MARCH 17, 2023 PAGE 4 OF 5
Commissioner DeBone supported adding this to the report for discussion next
week.
Next Meeting: The next legislative update meeting is scheduled for Friday, March 24, 2023
at 8:00 a.m.
Adjourn: Chair DeBone adjourned the meeting at 8:59 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted by:
r
Brenda Fritsvold, BOCC Executive Assistant
2023 DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE MARCH 17, 2023 PAGE 5 OF 5