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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-06-01 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, JUNE 1, 2011 ___________________________ Present were Commissioners Alan Unger and Anthony DeBone; Commissioner Tammy Baney had to leave the office. Also present were Dave Kanner, County Administrator; Erik Kropp, Deputy County Administrator; and, for a portion of the meeting, Joe Stutler, County Forester; Laurie Craghead, County Counsel; Dan Sherwin, Road Department; and Teresa Rozic, Property & Facilities. Also present were approximately 25 other citizens, including COCC Forestry students, instructors; representatives of the Oregon Department of Forestry, the BLM, the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife and the Deschutes National Forest; and a few individuals who live in the area near a property to be discussed. Vice Chair DeBone opened the meeting at 1:50 p.m. 1. Capstone Presentation. Joe Stutler gave an overview of the history of the program, which has been very beneficial to the County. The most recent project was related to County-owned property located off Rickard Road southeast of Bend. The various students gave an overview of the program. The objective was to write a management plan for this property. (A PowerPoint presentation was given, and a copy is attached for reference.) They spoke about the soils on the property. There are three types common in the region that are susceptible to erosion and drain easily. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, June 1, 2011 Page 1 of 6 Pages Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, June 1, 2011 Page 2 of 6 Pages Discussion occurred regarding the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, which helps to classify Juniper encroachment. This has happened primarily because of overgrazing and the suppression of natural fire. The area is subject to some invasive species. The students presented information on cruise methods to determine the types of vegetation in the area. It is felt that the high density of young juniper will out- compete other vegetation at some point. Discussion took place about fire ecology, which is high to extreme. The lack of fire has impacted the natural vegetation. Homeowner education is recommended so people will know how to create defensible space and deal with the high potential of wildfire. Some road closures were recommended on the north, west and south sides to protect sensitive areas. A wildlife overview was then given. Historically, pronghorn and bats have occupied the area, but not recently. Juniper uses the available groundwater, which impacts other native species of vegetation, and that affects the wildlife. There is no natural water source. Irrigation canals provide water part of the time, and so do guzzlers that hold and distribute rainwater. One of the students talked about the pathogens that impact Juniper forests. An overview was provided regarding recreation on the property. Some human activities have had a negative impact. Road closures would benefit the land and wildlife and would improve the outdoor experience for users. Designated areas are suggested for various activities. Biomass opportunities were discussed, as were the pros and cons of trying to use the vegetation for biomass. It is not likely to be viable for carbon credits because there is just not enough of it available. Five points were established for monitoring purposes. The recommended treatment options are road closures; and potentially various levels of thinning Juniper. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, June 1, 2011 Page 3 of 6 Pages Discussion occurred regarding the costs to maintain the property if uses are restricted or roads are closed. Law enforcement would be a factor. Commissioner Unger asked if the water problem is the permeability of the soil due to its origin, or if it is because Junipers can use so much. The reply was that Juniper will go a long way to get to water, so it uses what other vegetation needs as well. Ponderosa pine does not do well there due to the lack of water, competition for existing water and nutrients, and perhaps a change in weather patterns. It does not appear that there has historically been a pine forest in that area. Dave Kanner asked if it is economically viable to use some of the Juniper for biomass, in order to offset other costs. He was advised that economic viability means breaking even or making a profit, and there is not enough potential for that at this time. Mr. Kanner asked if grasses would survive beyond the first year without help. He was told that some native grasses could survive if they were not out- competed by Juniper. Discussion occurred regarding the options and the cost to reseed the area. It was pointed out that if there is no reseeding done, the native grasses may never come back. If biomass work is done or the land is disturbed in other ways, reseeding is needed to preclude invasive species from taking over. A no-tilling method is preferred. The property is zoned for winter deer range, and there is some evidence of that activity. However, there is a distinct absence of fine vegetation. At least 20% of the soil is bare. If Juniper and bitterbrush was removed, some grasses might do better. Fire could be used but the continuity of the shrubs and vegetation would preclude its spread enough to be effective. There are some slash piles in the area now, but they have been left for wildlife habitat. Fire may have not played a significant role in the past. However, there is some growth on private lands nearby and fire could spread to or from there. It was pointed out that most of the neighbors like the wildlife environment as it is now. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, June 1, 2011 Page 4 of 6 Pages 2. Discussion of Deschutes National Forest Urban Growth Boundary Expansion Application. Nick Lelack said this application has to do with the Deschutes National Forest building its new headquarters in an urban reserve area. The comprehensive plan shows the land as an urban reserve area, and the zoning is urban area reserve. This would need to change to public facilities. This is previously part of the Pine Nursery property. Work on this process has taken a couple of years. A joint management agreement with the City of Bend was adopted in 1998 relating to urban reserve areas outside the UGB. The County maintains land use control. Key issues have been transportation and effluent disposal. Transportation has been fully resolved through an agreement with the City and the National Forest. This also addresses in part the County’s transportation issues on Deschutes Market Road. Effluent disposal is another issue. The property cannot be hooked up to the current City system unless it is part of the City. Commissioner Unger said there is no tax benefit to annexing it. Laurie Craghead said that the Board has no option other than allowing annexation unless the County initiates a review before Monday. Mr. Lelack said the U.S. Forest Service is fine with the annexation, as their end goal is to hook into the City system as soon as possible. There were hearings to address these issues and others, and all have been resolved. All requests were approved. The Board can initiate review and call it up for a hearing or, per Code, let the Hearings Officer’s decision stand. Ordinances to affirm this action would be presented to the Board. No testimony from citizens has been offered. The City of Bend will consider the first reading tonight of the annexation documents. Staff requests the Board adopt the Ordinances on June 22 by emergency. The effective date would be on July 15 through the City. The building could get a certificate of occupancy and things would open as scheduled. If it is not adopted by emergency, it would be several months before this could happen. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, June 1, 2011 Page 5 of 6 Pages Commissioner Unger is supportive of this path. Commissioner DeBone asked if anything further has been developed by the Park & Rec District on their property. He was advised that they own the property separately and are not involved in this particular issue. Commissioners Unger and Debone said staff should proceed. 3. Update of Commissioners’ Meetings and Schedules. Commissioner Unger asked about attendance at the LIGI luncheon, as he has a conflicting event. Dave Kanner said in the past the Commissioners have not regularly attended these events. Commissioner Unger plans to attend the Children & Families’ Commission meeting tomorrow. Mr. Kanner said that this group is seeking County support and the Commissioners need to be cautious about making any commitments. It is possible the legislature may dissolve the Commission on Children & Families as now structured at the State level, and programs and funding would be disbursed by the Governor’s new Early Learning Council. He added that the County could continue the CFC locally, but that takes funding. He would rather see grant-funded programs continue through Health Services or Juvenile Community Justice instead, for as long as the programs are viable. He feels this is a more cost-effective approach. 4. Other Items. None were discussed. The meeting ended at 4:20 p.m.