Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-04-28 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, APRIL 28, 2010 ___________________________ Present were Commissioners Dennis R. Luke, Alan Unger and Tammy Baney. Also present were Dave Kanner, County Administrator; Laurie Craghead, County Counsel; Erik Kropp, Deputy County Administrator; and, for portions of the meeting, Nick Lelack and Paul Blikstad, Community Development; Timm Schimke, Solid Waste; Susan Ross, Property & Facilities; and Hillary Borrud of The Bulletin. No other citizens were present. Chair Luke opened the meeting at 1:30 p.m. 1. Discussion of Hearings Officer’s Denial of a Conditional Use Permit for a Wireless Telecommunications Facility. Paul Blikstad indicated he is in attendance to answer questions. The denial was based on the Hearings Officer’s opinion that two towers in a non-resource (RR- 10) zone would be as good as one in the surface mining zone. That appears to be the only issue, and the applicant needs to justify that the one in a surface mining zone is necessary for coverage. Staff would like the applicant to be able to explain what two towers versus one would do. A sixty-foot tower on a substantial butte is desired by the applicant, which would allow for co-location. The existing tower nearby cannot structurally handle more co-location. Commissioner Unger said that the color maps have not helped him determine coverage and zoning. He also will ask why the tower cannot be lower. The hearing will take place on Wednesday, May 5 at 10:00 a.m. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, April 28, 2010 Page 1 of 4 Pages Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, April 28, 2010 Page 2 of 4 Pages 2. Discussion of Demolition Landfill Framework Plan. Susan Ross stated that the County owns about 80 acres at this site, and Robinson Company and Bend Metro Park & Recreation own more. The City wanted a coordinated plan for the entire property, which did not have to be very detailed but more of a framework plan. (She then provided colored maps with the various properties detailed.) Timm Schimke said all of the purple colored area on the east end is where waste is contained. Dave Kanner noted that an aerial photograph shows the area very clearly. Ms. Ross gave an overview of the proposed zones and uses. Mr. Schimke said that a concern of the City is selling parcels off without a plan. Some of the landfill areas might need to be capped and some might need to be dug up. There is a price tag to dig up any of it. There are people who are interested in all or part, but the County cannot give away its liability. There is a notice of a DEQ NFA (no further action) required, per Timm Schimke. He said the closure permit was terminated, but whoever is interested should be aware of its history. Dave Kanner said that the assumption at the time was that the waste had no value. That has changed somewhat, and many contingencies need to be factored in. Ms. Ross aid the next step would be a traffic study, followed by land use applications. Preliminary discussions indicate that the County be responsible for a traffic study. Commissioner Baney stated that this will now be a public document, and in fairness to those who live or work nearby, they should have early knowledge of any changes. Mr. Kanner seems to think that some are worried about what will go along Mt. Washington. Mr. Lelack said that a conceptual plan will be drafted, and a traffic study and the potential use or zoning would follow. At that time, applications can be submitted. Mr. Schimke needs to report to the DEQ what progress is being made, and they will want to know if any of the waste will be removed. He said that there are hazardous areas where the waste is and the extent of the waste is not totally known. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, April 28, 2010 Page 3 of 4 Pages 3. Discussion of Attorney General’s April 29 Hearing on “Transparency in Government”. Tomorrow night there is a meeting of the Attorney General’s Office to talk about public records law, whether there should be changes, and so on. They have all signed up to speak. Some of the laws are unclear or misleading. There are some exemptions regarding disclosure for domestic violence or stalking victims. There needs to be a global discussion with all stakeholders to talk about the process and what constitutes a public record, and why some groups are excluded. Scot Langton said there could be significant impacts on users as well. Chair Luke stated that people expect government to guard their privacy, when citizens can form an LLC or another type of trust and it would be harder to find out information. People need to be more responsible for their own privacy. Nancy Blankenship added that she is not allowed to alter documents, so if there is a social security number or other sensitive information on a document, it has to remain. There are about twenty exemptions, many having to do with law enforcement personnel. Some are by name and some by address. Tax statements, subpoenas and 911 calls are all affected. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss transparency in government. There probably will be nothing on the agenda of May 12th. Dept. heads have been advised of that the Secretary of State, Kate Brown, will be at the County that morning. Ms. Blankenship will be meeting with Redmond High School students to involve them in how a general election takes place. 4. Other Items. The group went into executive session under ORS 192.660(2)(e), real estate negotiations, at 2:45 p.m. The session ended at 3:00 p.m.