2023-178-Minutes for Meeting June 09,2023 Recorded 6/22/2023vi ES co
BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS
1300 NW Wall Street, Bend, Oregon
(541) 388-6571
Recorded in Deschutes County CJ2023-178
Steve Dennison, County Clerk
Commissioners' Journal 06/22/2023 4:45:27 PM
2023 178
FOR RECORDING STAMP ONLY
DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
8:00 AM
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 2023
VIA ZOOM CONFERENCE CALL
A virtual legislative update meeting was held on Friday, June 9, 2023 at 8:00 a.m, via the Zoom
meeting platform to discuss matters pertaining to the 2023 Legislative Session.
Deschutes County Attendance:
x
Commissioner Anthonv DeBone
x
Nick Lelack; Countv Administrator
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Commissioner Patti Adair
x
Erik Kropp, Deputy County Administrator
Commissioner Phil Chang
x
Whitney Hale, Deputy County
Administrator
x
Dave Doyle, Legal Counsel
Kim Riley, Assistant Legal Counsel
David Givans, Internal Auditor
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Robert Tintle, Chief Financial Officer
x
Chris Doty, Road Department Director
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Janice Garceau, Health Services Director
Kristie Bollinger, Property Manager
Stephen Gunnels, District Attorney
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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
Chad Centola, Solid Waste Director
Tim Brownell, Incoming Solid Waste
Director
Shane Nelson, Sheriff
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Sara Crosswhite, 9-1-1 Director
Steve Dennison, Clerk
Heather Kaisner, Health Services Deputy
Director (Public Health)
Geoff Hinds, Fair & Expo Director
Scot Langton, Assessor
Charles Fadeley, Justice of the Peace
x
Tania Mahood, IT Director
Holly Harris, Health Services Deputy
Director (Behavioral Health)
Will Groves, Planning Manager
2023 DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE JUNE 9, 2023 PAGE 1 OF 3
x
Tom Kuhn, Public Health Program !
Manager
Bill Kuhn, Treasurer
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Jen Patterson, Strategic Initiatives Manager x
Brenda Fritsvold, BOCC Executive Assistant
Others Present:
x
I Doug Riggs, NW Policy Advocates President
1. Introductions
Commissioner DeBone called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
2. Updates from NW Policy Advocates
Doug Riggs offered a synopsis of the current situation in the State legislature, saying
that while most legislation is stalled due to a walkout of numerous legislators,
discussions are taking place and attempts being made to try to reach agreement on
important issues such as health care funding and the Oregon Health Authority's
budget. Saying that another item yet to be determined is the status of the County's
request for a State contribution to the courthouse expansion project, Riggs assured
that Senator Knopp's office is well aware of the County's top priority items.
Responding to Commissioner Adair, Riggs confirmed that one of the pending
packages is the drought package, which may be funded at an amount as high as
$2.8 million. He did not expect to see final numbers until just before the work
session and mentioned the possibility of a special legislative session at the end of
June.
Continuing, Riggs announced that HB 3414—which would limit the conditions under
which local governments could deny variances for housing development within their
urban growth boundary —now has 19 amendments. Noting this bill is Governor
Kotek's top priority, he described the substance of the 19th amendment and
predicted this bill will ultimately be passed as amended.
In response to Commissioner DeBone, Riggs said although local governments are
divided on SB 3414, Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler testified in support of this bill.
With respect to legislation affecting public safety, Riggs referred to a letter sent by
AOC and others which stipulated critical items for inclusion in the final budget such
as parole release programs.
Discussion ensued regarding the State seeking a pledge of significant financial
commitment from the County towards a rural managed camp or safe parking
program which might be sited outside of the urban growth boundary. Nick Lelack
shared that the State has asked if Deschutes County has considered declaring a
2023 DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE JUNE 9, 2023 PAGE 2 OF 3
state of emergency with respect to homelessness. Lelack said it is not clear what
would be gained from such a declaration as the County cannot override state land
use laws.
Riggs said the Governor's office likewise urged Yamhill County to do the same in
order to enable the governor to direct certain line items of funding for
homelessness response. Riggs believed that Yamhill County declined to issue the
declaration because it came with certain strings tied to federal funding.
Lelack emphasized that the County must be able to decide how any funding is
allocated. He said both are needed: the ability to determine how funding is used,
and land use flexibility for siting managed camps or similar programs.
Janice Garceau asked if an emergency order would allow for a more diverse set of
options which the County could utilize, including sanctioned encampments.
Commissioner DeBone wanted more clarity on what is being offered and on what
terms.
3. Department Updates on Priority Bills
Lee Randall reported that SB 1047 has passed and been signed into law. This bill
raises the small procurement dollar threshold from $10,000 to $25,000 and the
intermediate procurement dollar threshold from to $150,000 to $250,000. These
changes will return efficiencies as small and intermediate procurements are simpler
and faster to process. Randall said the County will revise its Code to align with the
updated thresholds.
Dave Doyle added that in the interim, the County will be able to direct apply the
revised State law before the changes to DCC take effect.
4. Other Items: None
Next Meeting: The next legislative update meeting is scheduled for Friday, June 16, 2023
at 8:00 a.m.
Adjourn: Commissioner DeBone adjourned the meeting at 8:24 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted by.•
Brenda Fritsvold, BOCC Executive Assistant
2023 DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE JUNE 9, 2023 PAGE 3 OF 3