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2024-26-Minutes for Meeting January 12,2024 Recorded 1/29/2024BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 1300 NW Wall Street, Bend, Oregon (541) 388-6571 Recorded in Deschutes County CJ2024-26 Steve Dennison, County Clerk Commissioners' Journal 01/29/2024 8:00:00 AM 11112111111111111111111111111 FOR RECORDING STAMP ONLY DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE WORK SESSION 8:00 AM FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2024 HYBRID MEETING A legislative work session was held on Friday, January 12, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. in the Allen Room and via Zoom Virtual Meeting Platform. Deschutes County Attendance: x Commissioner Patti Adair, Chair (remote) x Nick Lelack, County Administrator x Commissioner Anthony DeBone, Vice Chair x Erik Kropp, Deputy County Administrator x Commissioner Phil Chang (remote) x Whitney Hale, Deputy County Administrator x Elizabeth Pape, Internal Auditor x Robert Tintle, Chief Financial Officer (remote) x David Doyle, Legal Counsel x Janice Garceau, Health Services Director (remote) x Chris Doty, Road Department Director (remote) x Tom Kuhn, Public Health Program Mgr. (remote) x Peter Gutowsky, Community Development Director (remote) x Kathleen Hinman, Human Resources Director (remote) Keith MacNamara, Veterans' Services Manager x Deevy Holcomb, Community Justice Director (remote) x Kristie Bollinger, Property Manager (remote) x Kevin Moriarty, Forester (remote) x Lee Randall, Facilities Director (remote) x Steve Dennison, Clerk Tim Brownell, Solid Waste Director x Geoff Hinds, Fair & Expo Director (remote) Scot Langton, Assessor x Sara Crosswhite, 9-1-1 Director (remote) 2024 DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE JANUARY 12, 2024 PAGE 1 OF 4 Shane Nelson, Sheriff Charles Fadeley, Justice of the Peace Stephen Gunnels, District Attorney x Holly Harris, Behavioral Health Director (remote) x Jen Patterson, Management Analyst x Angie Powers, BOCC Administrative Assistant x Tania Mahood, IT Director (remote) Others Present: x Doug Riggs, President NW Policy Advocates (remote) 1. Introductions Chair Adair called the meeting to order at 8:21 a.m. Technical issues with Zoom resulted in a delay in the start time. 2. Updates from NW Policy Advocates Doug Riggs, President Northwest Policy Advocates, provided a brief update. He shared that many upcoming meetings have shifted to remote format due to low forecasted temperatures and snow in the valley. He said the short session presents challenges, because submitted bills have only eight days to pass out of committee. As such, any bill that will move in February has already had a hearing. An exception is Ballot Measure (BM) 110, which represents one of the top legislative priorities, but this bill has not yet been released. The Ways and Means Committee has ongoing concerns of economic recession and decreased revenues for state funding. Doug summarized the top issues this legislative session. Housing / homelessness is a top priority. The governor has proposed a $600 million package, and there may be elements within this package to be considered. Housing infrastructure will be key. Committee Budget Bill (LC 158) includes $65 million in operational shelter funding. Ballot measure 110 reform is another top policy issue. The joint committee is co- chaired by Sen. Lieber (Washington County) and Rep. Kropf (Deschutes County). Their initial plan is to recommend modifications by creating a Class C misdemeanor for possession of certain substances and for use of controlled substances in an enclosed area in front of youth. An element includes expungement of the misdemeanor if the individual completes treatment. There is a coalition who opposes all BM110 reforms, and another wishing to repeal BM110 altogether. Doug believes legislation will fall somewhere in the middle. More robust funding for 2024 DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE JANUARY 12, 2024 PAGE 2 OF 4 sobering centers is needed, but Doug acknowledged the challenge that lies in the workforce for treatment resources. Commissioner Chang spoke about the League of Oregon Cities (LOC) and law enforcement's comprehensive package proposal for M110 reform, which reimposes criminal sanctions and provides pathways for treatment. Doug anticipates the bill from Sen. Lieber and Rep. Kropf will include several of these elements. He said it will be a thoughtful overall approach, as the committee is considering all policy proposals. Janice Garceau, Health Services Director, expressed some skepticism towards funding for LOC's BM110 policy reform proposal. She's concerned about recriminalizing without providing pathways out of addiction. She acknowledged the OHA is struggling to manage addiction treatment resources. Doug agreed that a major challenge will be in getting the money to the communities in an effective way, and that budget allocation process is broken. Janice added that tackling administrative burden will be crucial. Doug spoke about some County -specific issues. The County seeks clarity on the way in which SB 644 was drafted, as it relates to wildfire hazard mitigation for rural accessory dwelling units. Another is transportation funding, and Doug believes this will be one of next year's top priorities. Over the long-term, gas tax revenue will decrease as electrification continues. The cost of construction and maintenance is up at least 38%, so the state will have to reevaluate how to pay for projects. Tolling may not be the answer, as it rolled out in the Portland Metro area with less than desirable results. Water continues to be another important issue, and the Oregon Water Resources Department will need to listen to local voices with place -based planning. Commissioner Chang spoke about Sen. Steiner's workgroup focused on fire suppression funding for ODF which has been broadened to include resiliency and prevention measures. Sen. Golden supports legislation that is severance tax focused. This could result in Deschutes County residents paying more towards insurance and fees, and Commissioner Chang asked Doug how our County can engage. Doug will follow up with Commissioner Chang. 3. Commissioner Updates Commissioner DeBone supported prioritizing BM110 reform and housing / homelessness. He'd like the legislature to look for opportunities for housing production. Housing production leads to a vibrant economy and additional taxes for the state. Doug shared that there are efforts towards increasing workforce housing, 2024 DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE JANUARY 12, 2024 PAGE 3 OF 4 and ways in which housing infrastructure can be fast -tracked through an accelerated process. Commissioner DeBone spoke about some capital funding requests out of SE Redmond: $2.5 million for CORE3, a $6 million request for a future RV park opportunity and an unknown amount for the Heart of Oregon Corps campus. Commissioner Adair wished to advocate for behavioral health facilities for youth. Doug reported that Rep. Sanchez's bill from last session will not be reintroduced this short session. Doug said last week a $25 million package has been proposed, which also funds addiction treatment for youth. Holly Harris said that none of this funding will come to Central Oregon or Deschutes County, yet we are in dire need of a child psychiatric facility in our area. Commissioner Chang met with Rep. Sanchez in November and her bill (HB 3126) will not be reintroduced in the short session but may be reintroduced in the long session. He added that her bill called for three to four regional centers but didn't specify precise locations and she'd like to hear input. According to Doug, Rep. Sanchez is garnering a lot of support and may end up being the next Speaker. 4. Department updates on Priorities No department updates provided. Doug urged people to reach out to him via phone or email, and to please keep him updated on issues. Next Meeting: The next virtual legislative update meeting is scheduled for Friday, January 19 at 8:00 a.m. Adjourn: Chair Adair adjourned the meeting at 9:03 a.m. Respectfully Submitted by: a - Angie we , Administrative Assistant 2024 DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE JANUARY 12, 2024 PAGE 4 OF 4 O BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS LEGISLATIVE WORK SESSION 8:00 AM, FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2024 Allen Room - Deschutes Services Building - 1300 NW Wall Street - Bend (541) 388-6570 I www.deschutes.org AGENDA MEETING FORMAT: In accordance with Oregon state law, this meeting is open to the public and can be accessed and attended in person or remotely, with the exception of any executive session. Members of the public may view the meeting in real time via YouTube using this link: http://bit.Iy/3mminzy. To view the meeting via Zoom, see below. Zoom Meeting Information: This meeting may be accessed via Zoom using a phone or computer. • To join the meeting via Zoom from a computer, use this Zink: https://bit.ly/3WDZYOx. • To join by phone, call 253-205-0468 and enter webinar ID # 879 4809 6174 followed by the passcode 156736. AGENDA 1. Introductions —Patti Adair, Chair 2. Updates from Northwest Policy Advocates 3. Commissioner Updates 4. Department Updates on Priorities v Deschutes County encourages persons with disabilities to participate in all programs and activities. This event/location is accessible to people with disabilities. If you need accommodations to make participation possible, call (541) 388-6572 or email brenda.fritsvold@deschutes.org.