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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-07-19 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, JULY 19, 2010 ___________________________ Present were Commissioners Dennis R. Luke and Tammy Baney; Commissioner Alan Unger was out of the office. Also present were Dave Kanner, County Administrator; Erik Kropp, Deputy County Administrator; David Givans, Internal Auditor; Timm Schimke, Solid Waste Department; Scott Johnson, Health Services; Mark Pilliod, County Counsel; and three media representatives from KOHD TV and The Bulletin. No other citizens were present. Chair Luke opened the meeting at 1:35 p.m. 1. Consideration of Authorization of County Administrator’s Signature of a Change Order regarding the Cell 5 – Area A Landfill Closure Contract. Timm Schimke indicated that there is a significant amount of rock that was not anticipated, much of which has been crushed for Road Department uses. Commissioner Baney asked if it is possible to send it out to bid. Mr. Schimke said that the crusher is already there and there are timing issues as well. BANEY: Move County Administrator’s signature of the Change Order. LUKE: Second. VOTE: BANEY: Yes. LUKE: Chair votes yes. 2. Discussion of Upcoming Meeting with Jefferson and Crook Counties regarding a Proposed Regional Health Authority. Scott Johnson spoke about the proposal, which poses three questions, which all relate to how they plan for, fund and set policy for health care and services in the region. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Monday, July 19, 2010 Page 1 of 6 Pages Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Monday, July 19, 2010 Page 2 of 6 Pages In the simplest form, considering all that is underway on the federal level in response to federal laws, and State reform issues, the question is how the counties should prepare for this. The 2009 session brought up a single point of contact concept and some of those legislators are still working on this. Commissioner Luke said that the State is having problems funding the existing programs. He asked if this is part of the discussion – how to fund something new if you can’t fund what you already have. Mr. Johnson stated it is a difficult time to manage change but they need to look at efficient and cohesive ways to handle what is needed. More cuts might happen and no one knows for sure how that will impact health care. The challenge is there in any case. Commissioner Baney said that the hope is that ultimately it will save money. Commissioner Luke asked which other counties are doing this. Mr. Johnson stated that right now Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson are leading the way. Commissioner Luke asked if other areas will see a push-back, or whether Deschutes County will have to spend more money to get this going. Mr. Johnson stated that everyone knows change is coming, and there is some uneasiness as to what is going to be required and whether it will ultimately be beneficial. There needs to find a new way of delivering service. The question is how to get there through a transparent and public process. Much might depend on what new legislators and a new Governor hope to do. Commissioner Baney said that there should be an opt-out, re-set or hold harmless provision so that they would not be penalized in any way. Commissioner Luke suggested that certain dates be set for review in case that kind of decision needs to be made. Mr. Johnson stated that ABHA is a carve- out, and the re-set exists for those kinds of programs. If at any point it is decided it is flawed, it can be addressed that way. Commissioner Luke asked why other counties are not involved. Commissioner Baney stated that Benton has something similar already in place. No one knows at this point what will finally result. Mr. Johnson said that each county will make opening statements, and the presentation will follow with questions as to whether the group should proceed and how the program should work. The Commissioners asked what would happen if one of the counties decided to opt out at some point. Commissioner Baney asked how the dollars would flow. Commissioner Luke said that for-profit agencies like Pacific Source often do a better job of handling this kind of thing than a government entity can. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Monday, July 19, 2010 Page 3 of 6 Pages Mr. Johnson went over the proposed timeframe and the fact that legislation might need to result to help with a health authority. This would be the first time Pacific Source would be working with government agencies. Commissioner Baney feels that if this is going to work, it has the best chance of happening in this region where there is a lot of cooperation established already. Mr. Johnson said that it needs to be well-reasoned and everyone needs to be ready. Dave Kanner said if an ORS 190 is formed and Commissioners from each county are on the governing body, who will staff it – County staff or Pacific Source? These would have to be public meetings and open to the public. Mr. Johnson replied that they have done a policy option package to pursue this proposal. Mr. Kanner also asked how ABHA remains relevant in this proposal. It will not be necessary if all the funds are channeled through COAS. Mr. Johnson stated that these are mostly the same providers. Mark Pilliod said that if the shift were made, if someone decides it is not working as planned, a new ABHA would have to be started Mr. Johnson referred to the draft letter of intent, showing a number of conditions. ABHA is addressed in that document. Mr. Kanner asked that about $4 million go into health and mental health from the general fund. If a regional health authority over three counties are adhering to the same policies and others are not, does this offer more supervisory support. Commissioner Baney said that she does not want to use county funds across county lines. Mr. Johnson asked how much weight Deschutes County would have. Some thought is whether something should carry at all if the County does not cover it. There is nothing to keep them from contracting. There are major changes happening at the State level, and all kinds of options need to be examined. Mr. Johnson said there are many statutes and rules required before this is established. Mr. Pilliod said that the federal government is responsible for a lot, but most of the work comes to the State and local entities. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Monday, July 19, 2010 Page 4 of 6 Pages Commissioner Luke asked what they hope to see tomorrow. Commissioner Baney said that questions need to be asked and answered. First, it is are we in or not. If not, then nothing changes. Mr. Pilliod said that if anything the letter of intent would be desirable, at least from the State’s perspective. A good question might be, how binding the letter is. This is the only action that he can perceive. Then the question is, how much of a commitment does it present. Mr. Johnson stated they would like to have some kind of consensus or decision by July 22. Mr. Kanner stated that the Jefferson and Crook county officials cannot vote as they will be out of their jurisdictions, but they have meetings coming up where they can address this. Commissioner Baney asked that perhaps the State be available, at least by phone. Mr. Johnson will find out if this can be arranged. 3. Repeal of Administrative Policies that are No Longer Current. Erik Kropp gave a brief overview of the policies that are no longer current. Most have been replaced by other policies or incorporated within other policies, and some are no longer applicable. There will be an Order written for adoption covering this issue. 4. Update of Commissioners’ Meetings and Schedules. Commissioner Baney said she would be part of a meeting regarding the ten- year plan to end homelessness in Sisters on Thursday night. Commissioner Luke stated that on Monday he would attend a meeting regarding taking part in a new newspaper publication for the area. 5. Other Items. Commissioner Baney said that she has reason to believe that the joint meeting of the three counties tomorrow may include a discussion of solid waste management. Commissioner Luke stated that if certain non-household garbage went to Crook County with the remainder going to Deschutes County, it might extend the life of the landfill. However, flow control agreements were necessary before certain projects were begun at Knott Landfill so that there were some assurances of debt coverage. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Monday, July 19, 2010 Page 5 of 6 Pages Commissioner Baney stated that discussion may arise regarding jail beds at well. Although the only item on the agenda at this point is a proposed regional health authority, she feels that other issues of mutual concern may be brought up. Before the Board was Consideration of Approval of the Consent Agenda. Consent Agenda Items Approval of Minutes: ƒ Business Meeting of July 14 ƒ Work Session of July 14 CONVENED AS THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE 9-1-1 COUNTY SERVICE DISTRICT Before the Board was Consideration of Approval of Weekly Accounts Payable Vouchers for the 9-1-1 County Service District in the Amount of $22,436.90. BANEY: Move approval, subject to review. LUKE: Second. VOTE: BANEY: Yes. LUKE: Chair votes yes. CONVENED AS THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE EXTENSION AND 4-H COUNTY SERVICE DISTRICT Before the Board was Consideration of Approval of Weekly Accounts Payable Vouchers for the Extension/4-H County Service District in the Amount of $19,522.44. BANEY: Move approval, subject to review. LUKE: Second. VOTE: BANEY: Yes. LUKE: Chair votes yes.