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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-01-26 Work Session Minutes Deschutes County Board of Commissioners 1300 NW Wall St., Suite 200, Bend, OR 97701-1960 (541) 388-6570 - Fax (541) 385-3202 - www.deschutes.org MINUTES OF WORK SESSION DESCHUTES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2011 ___________________________ Present were Commissioners Tammy Baney, Alan Unger and Tony DeBone. Also present were Dave Kanner, County Administrator; Erik Kropp, Deputy County Administrator; and, for a portion of the meeting, Tom Blust, Roger Olson and Dan Sherwin, Road Department; Anna Johnson, Communications; Dave Inbody, Assistant to the Administrator; Tom Anderson, Community Development; David Givans, Internal Auditor; Patrick Flaherty, District Attorney; Heather Richards of the City of Redmond; and eight other citizens. No representatives of the media were in attendance. Chair Baney opened the meeting at 1:30 p.m. ________________________________________ 1. Center for Economic Research & Forecasting Presentation. Bill Watkins said their forecast for last year was, unfortunately, quite accurate. Home prices are still falling in this area and are about where they were in 1989. Most trends remain negative, including domestic migration for the region. This is a reversal of a 20+ year trend. This is an indication of what people think the future will bring. He does not see an obvious source for renewed growth in the area. Oregon is bias towards big business, and people are more in debt and businesses are leveraged out. California issues are similar, with serious problems. People say they want to hear the truth, but are not happy when they do. Rose- colored glasses do not help. Chair Baney asked what the Board can do to bring about acknowledgement of reality. They live it every day. Mr. Watkins said there are always those who want to consider the glass half-full, but action needs to take place. There are a lot of groups in this area that should be working towards common goals. It will take a concerted community effort to evaluate where things are and figure out how to get out of it. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, January 26, 2011 Page 1 of 7 Pages Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, January 26, 2011 Page 3 of 7 Pages Mr. Inbody asked if the absence of higher education is a negative impact. Mr. Watkins said the growth centers in the past are often associated with universities. More interesting to him is that many people will not stay where they went to college. Small colleges often move and set up in new places, and allow for a source of new ideas and energy. Andy High of COBA (Central Oregon Builders Association) stated that the archaic land use system in Oregon is a big negative. It is a State government issue. Mr. Watkins advised that spending money to try to attract business is a waste. Whatever that can be done quickly and with little uncertainty is a big issue. Tom Anderson stated that the destination resorts in the area are a drawing board. They base much of their future market on retiring baby boomers. The recession has had an effect on the mobility of those people. Mr. Watkins stated that they will retire ten years later than they thought. It works like an export industry. Most retirees who are mobile tend to be younger. They will be working longer. Things are more affordable than they were now, for better or worse. Many are not looking for luxury or can get what they want much cheaper. Dave Kanner asked about the in-migration shows the area growing. Mr. Watkins said the total population may be growing, but domestic migration is the number of people who move to or from an area. Mr. Kanner said that there is still growth. Mr. Kanner said that the unemployment rate has decreased. Mr. Watkins stated that jobs are decreasing in number. The fall in the unemployment rate ties in with the people who are leaving the area. It is difficult to forecast an unemployment rate. Some just give up and stop looking. Mr. Kanner asked if the increase relates to temporary hiring. Mr. Watkins said that could be a factor. Mr. Kanner asked what assumptions might be made about taxable assessed value here. Mr. Watkins said he would forecast it as remaining the same o going down. Les Stiles asked about how the crime rate impacts this situation. Mr. Watkins said that safety, health care and amenities are the draw for retirees. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, January 26, 2011 Page 5 of 7 Pages Larry Pecenko said a lot of landowners are taking it seriously, but they are now complaining about their neighbors who don’t do anything about the problem. Mr. Stell added that Bend Park & Rec pays about $12,000 for staff. Education and cost-share on the one hand, and enforcement on the other, means that the first would be chosen. Brenda Pace said she did a comparison of what the budgets would have on the tax base of the County. She explained the idea behind a tax base and the cost implications. (A copy is attached for reference.) A total budget of $330,000 equals $7.42 per year per tax account. This is an important project in the County that costs very little to continue. Commissioner Unger appreciated the possible solutions, but would want to know what this means, as it is hard to ask the public for funding. To stop now would be a step backwards. Weeds are an economic issue in the entire country. Mr. Stell said they can no longer rely on grants and have to think of another way. Some of the issues that may require the Board’s help were explained. The Water Conservancy is doing a good job of getting water back in stream, but the land becomes fallow and the land needs to be taken care of. Something needs to be planted to avoid the spread of noxious weeds. Commissioner Unger stated that he is on their Board and although that is a start, there may be other entities that have more influence. Mr. Pecenka said that this could be a contract item. Land owners should be expected to address their weed issues. There is something in writing for restoration after a piping project, but nothing is done while the project is in process. The projects can cost millions and weed control would be a small amount. Commissioner DeBone asked if this is part of the proposed Road Department budget. Tom Blust explained that the status quo for the weed program has been to try to find grants. The grants don’t cover everything, so some is included in the Road Department budget, especially weeds in the road rights of way. There are no funds earmarked specifically for weed control. Mr. Stell added that the work on the comprehensive plan should include this kind of issue. Brenda said that the Planning Commission was interested but it did not get to the policymaking level. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, January 26, 2011 Page 6 of 7 Pages Mr. Stell distributed this year’s action plan, which includes a goal to get someone from south County on the Weed Board. Every year they pick up more demonstration sites, and they’d like to include the La Pine area. Brenda said the Weed Board is asking for help through the Road Department or any way to get to funding through enforcement or Code violations. It is a small amount of money, but would help a lot. Chair Baney asked that the request for funding be specifically put into writing so it will be available when budget discussions begin. Mr. Sherwin said that he is working with the Extension Program on “living on a few acres”, and he will be presenting a class on weed issues. The local Farm Bureau and Round Butte Seed are sponsors. The Volunteer of the Year for SOLV, a statewide nonprofit that works on environmental issues, is Cheryl Howard, who is retiring from the Weed Board after seven years. The Board presented Ms. Howard with a plaque and thanked her for her service. 3. Update of Commissioners’ Meetings and Schedules. The Board will be attending the Economic Forecast meeting on January 27. Commissioner Unger attended a meeting that focused on the use of public transportation to help peoples’ health. 4. Other Items. UNGER: Move approval of the minutes from today’s Business Meeting agenda. DEBONE: Second. VOTE: UNGER: Yes. DEBONE: Yes. BANEY: Chair votes yes.