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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-06-02 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 2, 2010 ___________________________ DeArmond Room Present were Commissioners Dennis R. Luke and Alan Unger, and by conference call later in the meeting, Commissioner Tammy Baney; Dave Kanner, County Administrator; Joe Stutler, County Forester; Erik Kropp, Deputy County Administrator; Mark Pilliod, County Counsel, and approximately 25 other citizens. No representatives of the media attended. Chair Luke opened the meeting at 1:30 p.m. 1. Presentation by COCC Capstone Students. Joe Stutler gave an overview of the Forest Resource Technology Capstone project, now in its fifth year. Instructor Mick Sears, and students from various Oregon towns, Michael Mann, Jon Galvin, Becky Ryan, Ian Lasslett, Kevin Johnston, Jamie Helms and Mitch Surplus gave a presentation on the work they have been doing, and their recommendation on how to address the future of the county-owned land known as the Hurtley Ranch Property. (A copy of the presentation is attached for reference.) After the presentation, Erik Kropp asked whether the smaller diameter juniper trees have any commercial value. He was advised that these trees can be chipped and used for biomass fuel, but any profit would be minimal. In regard to fencing the property, the Board was advised that this would present various problems, such as driveways, public access and wildlife corridor obstructions. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, June 2, 2010 Page 1 of 5 Pages Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, June 2, 2010 Page 2 of 5 Pages Commissioner Luke asked if any thought was given to removing the juniper because they tend to use a lot of water. He was told that some of the trees have been there for over a hundred years, and are an important part of the established ecosystem of the area. Mr. Kropp asked who the major stakeholders are in this project. He was advised that most of the adjacent property owners would like to see the land stay as it is now. The College has an interest, as it is part of the annual student project. Commissioner Unger asked about carbon credits and how that would work. He was told that the U.S. Forest Service created a baseline and computes how much carbon certain trees absorb. Carbon credits are not applied to conservation efforts, but even if this were considered, the amount in the dry parts of Oregon would be small. Commissioner Unger asked how they determined how much water is in the area. He was advised that studies have been done to figure out how much water is in the different areas. Commissioner Luke asked about removing noxious weeds and why they did so by hand. The reply was that hand removal is more efficient than spraying or using fire, as there are not that many noxious weeds on the site. Reestablishment of native grasses such as fescue would help. It is almost impossible to remove cheat grass. A better option would be to minimize its spread by favoring native vegetation and staying out of the cheat grass areas. Mr. Kropp asked about fire-resistant buffers. He was told that thinning out the smaller Western juniper would be a first step. Pruning the lower limbs of the smaller trees would reduce the ladder fuels. Limiting soil compaction by not walking or driving on the ground helps with water retention. Commissioner Unger feels that the normal process of snowfall, freezing, and so on helps to keep the soil from becoming compacted. The students advised that in some areas the soil is not that deep, but averages from 16 to 60 inches. There is also about 200 million cubic feet of cinders. Commissioner Luke asked what good it does to clean up this property when it is surrounded by properties that have had little or no treatment. He was told that it would at least create somewhat of a firebreak. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, June 2, 2010 Page 3 of 5 Pages Joe Stutler asked about the juniper to be removed, and why a specific size would be subject to removal. The answer was that there are not a lot of very small trees, so in order to make nutrients and water available, the larger sizes of around 13-19 inches would be removed. Defensible space should be at least 30 feet. Citizen George Chesley asked if they will use thirty feet for a buffer. The students replied that most of the homes in the area have landscaped yards, and therefore have eliminated much of the threat of wildfire. Ed Carollo, who lives off Hurtley Ranch Road, asked who the 14 property owners are who were contacted regarding the biomass project. He was advised that his wife was contacted by phone. He wondered why a dump was being built on the property. Mr. Stutler explained that it was thought to be a good idea to have a biomass location. It involves only vegetation, not household trash, appliances, or other materials. Citizen Dave Highbarger said that there are large junipers along the property line. He wondered which trees would be removed. He was advised that the next student group will develop a plan for the future of the site. Joe Stutler stated that the County’s Fremont Canyon property was subject to a multi-year plan for its future. The same is being done with this property. Commissioner Baney joined the meeting at this time via conference call. 2. COCC Request regarding Reversionary Interest on County-Donated Land. Central Oregon Community College representatives Matthew McCoy and Charlie Miller, and COCC attorney Miles Conway, came before the Board. Mr. McCoy said that this issue had been brought up previously. The County offered ten acres on Awbrey Butte to COCC many years ago, but it was given with a restriction that it be used only for specific college purposes. Enrollment has nearly doubled recently, and more room is needed for additional buildings. Commissioner Luke said that the County property belongs to all of the citizens. He would be in favor of donating the property for public purposes. Commissioner Baney stated that many conversations are taking place about a four-year college rather than just a community college. She wondered if this would restrict future opportunities. She would also like to see services offered to students on the site. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, June 2, 2010 Page 4 of 5 Pages Mr. McCoy said they have contracted with both the County and St. Charles Medical Center, and now have a dental clinic on site. They hope to break ground for a health services building in the near future, which would provide both student training and a location to receive health treatments. Commissioner Baney stated that opportunities to students in the area and bringing in more students should be a priority. She wants it to be profitable, but wants to be sure that there is room for expansion and new ideas. She wondered if something should be carved out specifically for this. Dave Kanner reminded the Board that the college already owns the property outright. There is no reversionary interest. The wording on the deed is a cloud on the title. Mr. McCoy planned a long time ago for the arrival of a university partner on the campus. UNGER: Move approval of issuing a new deed. BANEY: Second. VOTE: BANEY: Yes. UNGER: Yes. LUKE: Chair votes yes. 3. Update of Commissioners’ Meetings and Schedules. None were discussed. 4. Consent Agenda and Other Items. BANEY: Move approval of the Consent Agenda. UNGER: Second. VOTE: BANEY: Yes. UNGER: Yes. LUKE: Chair votes yes. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS: ƒ Approval of County Administrator’s Signature of Document No. 2010-357, a Right of Entry on County-owned Land for a U.S. Department of Agriculture Data Collection Project