Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-03-08 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 MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2010 ___________________________ Present were Commissioners Dennis R. Luke, Alan Unger and Tammy Baney. Also present were Erik Kropp, Deputy County Administrator; and Tom Anderson, Community Development. Chair Luke opened the meeting at 1:35 p.m. 1. Consideration of Signature of a Letter of Support for EDCO (Economic Development for Central Oregon) Enterprise Zone Application. Erik Kropp said that EDCO indicated the City of Bend is doing a resolution in this regard later in the month. Commissioner Unger stated that this costs property taxes for three to five years plus some additional taxes. Commissioner Luke said that enterprise zones do not apply where there are urban renewal funds in place. Commissioner Unger noted that these apply towards different things so both can be utilized. This letter is to be held until such time as the application is further into the process. BANEY: Move approval of the letter, pending Bend’s successful application. UNGER: Second. VOTE: BANEY: Yes. UNGER: Yes. LUKE: Chair votes yes. 2. Update on Sunriver Sewer Feasibility Study. Tom Anderson said that the study is done, but there were a couple of changes. They were trying to set it up as if there is no alternative, but removed that. The engineering document shows it is physically feasible for everything between Sunriver and State Recreation Road, and the cost for the larger area versus a smaller area is about the same for the facility itself. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Monday, March 8, 2010 Page 1 of 5 Pages Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Monday, March 8, 2010 Page 2 of 5 Pages The first area is in Deschutes River Recreation Homesites; and the second goes to State Recreation Road bypassing those that are already sewered (such as Oregon Water Wonderland). It is about $19,000 cost per lot in any case. Monthly costs to build with no grant support are very expensive, $130 to $160 per month. The current cost to Sunriver properties is less than $60 per month. He asked that some modeling be done if funding can be obtained from the State. This is a valuable piece of information that gives hard costs to a sewer solution. Once the south County advisory committee forms, this will give them information they need. There has to be an exception to Goal 11 or DEQ would have to mandate this as no practical alternative. They did this at DEQ’s request because their current permit is expiring. Another option is to see if the Board wants to meet with DEQ to discuss the study. Commissioner Luke suggested that DEQ host the meeting but they should be considering the study. Commissioner Unger stated that he thinks DEQ will take a long time to do anything in this regard. He was cautioned that the County should not be the one presenting this since the issue is in the hands of the DEQ. Mr. Anderson said that the Sunriver facility is a private utility. Commissioner Luke said it is up to the public to decide which way they want to go, and the County stands ready to support that decision in whatever ay possible. The Bulletin will do a feature article on this soon, and Mr. Anderson would like to know what to say about it. Commissioner Unger stated that a bunch of ideas should be thrown out there, but to let the DEQ present it as an option. They should start getting feedback and put together some options. Commissioner Unger said that $25 million is quoted for the work. He asked if any of the older equipment needs to be upgraded, or if there was any kind of peer review. Mr. Anderson said this is a feasibility analysis done by an engineer but is not a design. There would have to be some infrastructure out to Cottonwood Road. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Monday, March 8, 2010 Page 3 of 5 Pages Commissioner Unger asked about red lots, and about those who are already in the program and whether they might support a sewer district. Commissioner Luke said that they would all have to support the bonds, but the usage fee would be applied if there were improvements. Commissioner Luke stated that the red lots might become buildable with a sewer. Mr. Anderson said that the rural subdivision already exists; some are mopped wetlands and cannot be developed. There has to be a way to balance the windfall to those who have currently unbuildable lots that become worth much more with a sewer district. If a lot is not unbuildable, maybe the County can trade them for other land. Mr. Anderson noted that they may not have been buildable when purchased and the people knew it then. ____________________________ SB 195, local review board for levying fines. Legislation indicates an independent review body is needed. He recommends this not be done as there is an effective code enforcement process now and none of the inspectors wants to be in a position to have to hand out tickets. Commissioner Unger said that there always seems to be neighbor-to-neighbor problems, and he asked if there are ways to deal with this. Mr. Anderson stated that the County pays toward Community Dispute Resolution and there has been limited success. ____________________________ In regard to the Forest Service and County agreements, the Forest Service will do some road improvements. They are supposed to work cooperatively with local entities and build according to Code. They do not have to pay local government, but local government does not have to do the work, either. Mr. Anderson stated that discussions are ongoing. ____________________________ There was another round of layoffs and staff coverage is thin. They can usually help the public quickly, but there are times when phone calls cannot be answered or returned right away. Suggestions were made to let the public know that there is a problem with coverage at this time, asking them to be patient. ____________________________ Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Monday, March 8, 2010 Page 4 of 5 Pages Regarding the Frazier Code enforcement complaint, Mr. Anderson said that everyone is aware of the issue, and it is in Code enforcement now. He explained that a contractor built a two-story structure that was red-tagged because he built too far into the setback area. A lot line adjustment is needed. 3. Other Items. BANEY: Move approval of a letter to ODOT regarding access to Lafayette Avenue and signage. UNGER: Second. VOTE: BANEY: Yes. UNGER: Yes. LUKE: Chair votes yes. ____________________________ UNGER: Move approval of a letter supporting BendBroadband’s efforts to put service to the La Pine area. BANEY: Second. VOTE: BANEY: Yes. UNGER: Yes. LUKE: Chair votes yes. ____________________________ The Board went into executive session at 2:40 p.m. No action was taken. Being no further items addressed, the meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m.