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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-09-08 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 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2010 ___________________________ Present were Commissioners Dennis R. Luke, Tammy Baney and Alan Unger. Also present were Dave Kanner, County Administrator; Erik Kropp, Deputy County Administrator; and, for a portion of the meeting, Judith Ure, Administration; Mark Pilliod and Laurie Craghead, County Counsel; Will Groves, Community Development; Anna Johnson, Communications; Hillary Borrud of The Bulletin, and six other citizens. Chair Luke opened the meeting at 1:30 p.m. 1. Application for Economic Development Funds. Roger Lee presented information on Rocky Mountain Products, which has requested funding. (A copy of the document is attached for reference.) Commissioner Luke noted that this company borrowed money from the County some time ago, and the County ended up forgiving much of it about five years ago. He asked if they are meeting their obligations and whether they are now more financially stable. He was advised that they appear to be in sound financial shape at this time. They have hired professional management to help them operate and expand. There is always risk no matter what, depending upon the market and management practices. This is the first request of its type. Dave Kanner said the fund for economic development contains about $303,000 total. Mr. Lee stated that the company requested $100,000, but EDCO’s recommendation is for $56,000, and the rest should be raised with matching funds. Commissioner Luke stated that he does not feel he can be objective, and will abstain from voting on this. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, September 8, 2010 Page 1 of 5 Pages Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, September 8, 2010 Page 2 of 5 Pages Commissioner Unger said that it is important to ‘grow what you have’ already in the area. However, the other funding should be arranged before the County participates. Commissioner Baney asked if they could provide a certain number of jobs if all they got was the funding from the County. Commissioner Unger said that he prefers that they handle it this way, following the plan and obtaining funding from other sources. He wants to see local businesses succeed. Mr. Kanner stated that he feels the EDCO recommendation is prudent. Mr. Lee will report back to Mr. Kanner in about a month. BANEY: Move approval of the recommendation. UNGER: Second. VOTE: BANEY: Yes. UNGER: Yes. LUKE: Abstain. 2. Discussion of CDGB Rule Changes. Judith Ure explained that the method of distribution for CDGB grants has changed; also, the funding limits have increased. Ms. Ure said the money is pass-through and if adequate instruction has been given, it will stay that way. Even if the proposal is for a regional project, the County can only request funding on a proportional basis, even if other governmental entities are involved. Many of these grants are based on population and the situation could be much different in the bigger cities. The Board thanked Ms. Ure for the update and indicated that she should proceed as required. 3. Outline of Presentation – County College. Dave Kanner said that there is an outline, but not a script. Most discussions will be free-flowing. Commissioner Luke will likely talk about the history of the County and how the various counties were formed and operate. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, September 8, 2010 Page 3 of 5 Pages Commissioner Baney will do the welcome portion and give an overview of County College. Commissioner Unger agreed to talk about organizational structure and shared services. Mr. Kanner suggested that the Board talk about role of the Commissioners in a more casual fashion, beyond what might be listed as their primary focus. Commissioner Baney will start with an overview of the Commissioners’ roles and responsibilities. The Board asked that Mr. Kanner handle the ethics overview portion. An explanation will be given as to what Ordinances, Resolutions and Orders are. The Board can have the attendees form focus groups at some point to discuss specific issues, so that they can get a better idea of the work being done by the County. 4. Update of Commissioners’ Meetings and Schedules. None were discussed. 5. Discussion of Whether to Hear an Appeal of the Hearings Officer’s Decision regarding File #MP-10-3 and MA-10-4 – a Land Partition. Will Groves gave a brief explanation of the item, which involves a minor partition into three parcels of a parcel over 1,300 acres. The Hearings Officer approved the application with conditions, but the decision was appealed to the Board by Central Oregon Landwatch. If the Board decided to allow a hearing, it would have to be held no later than September 23, 2010. The appeal addresses access, which includes flag lots and road frontage. There would be other access to the parcels, but this configuration would allow compliance with the law. Central Oregon Landwatch feels that the proposed access is not adequate. The County wants access to be reasonable and the law states simply that there needs to be frontage on the main road. Central Oregon Landwatch is asking, considering the topography and distance, whether the flag lot roads would be adequate. Commissioner Luke asked if the roads could accommodate a log truck. At this time, the group reviewed an oversized map of the tentative partition, which is part of the record. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, September 8, 2010 Page 4 of 5 Pages The public road would be off the area of Johnson Road, Bull Springs Road and the Sisters Mainline Road. Other properties in that area have been approved with a similar road configuration. The intended access would be via a Forest Service Road, whose status is not clear. The Forest Service just has an easement for the road. Ms. Craghead said that the Thomas property, which is similarly configured, was litigated at LUBA and eventually approved. Commissioner Luke stated that the owner just wants to create three lots, and has not specifically indicated this would be for residential use. It could be for management of the timberland. She does not see many differences between this decision and the Thomas decision. The Hearings Officer is basing a great deal of her decision on previous decisions of the Board and LUBA. Mr. Groves said the second concern of Central Oregon Landwatch is suitability, especially in regard to fires. Experts were brought in who stated that the roads might be natural fire breaks, but in the winter, access might be more difficult. The property is within the Fire District. Commissioner Luke feels that the Hearings Officer made a sound decision. Commissioner Unger agreed that there is no compelling reason to hear an appeal. Commissioner Baney also agreed. LUKE: Move that the Board not hear this appeal, and sign Order No. 2010- 052 accordingly. UNGER: Second. VOTE: BANEY: Yes. UNGER: Yes. LUKE: Abstain. 6. Other Items. Commissioner Baney presented an amendment to the ABHA agreement wit the Department of Human Services that has a deadline. It has been reviewed by Counsel. Since the changes are required by the State, there is not much the County can do about it. Mark Pilliod stated that some work is being expanded. The amendments are fairly simple and Commissioner Baney, as the delegate for the County on ABHA, is already authorized to approve it. No Board action is required. _____________________________________