Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-10-20 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, OCTOBER 20, 2008 ___________________________ Present were Commissioners Dennis R. Luke, Michael M. Daly and Tammy Baney. Also present were Dave Kanner, County Administrator; Erik Kropp, Deputy County Administrator; Teresa Rozic and Susan Ross, Property & Facilities; Tom Anderson and Dee Van Donselaar, Community Development; Tom Blust, Road Department; Lt. Gary Decker and Capt. Marc Mills, Sheriff’s Office; David Inbody, Assistant to the Administrator; and five other citizens. No representatives of the media were present. Chair Luke opened the meeting at 1:30 p.m. 1. Property & Facilities. ƒ Firing Range Update. Susan Ross said that BLM is not going to cooperate in this regard, and if a trade or acquisition ever happens, it will take years. Therefore, the County needs to look at its own properties or other options. Commissioner Luke asked members of the Sheriff’s Office if the Millican location is too far out. They advised that if they take over the Bend Rod & Gun Club location, those people would be going out onto other lands. Ms. Ross stated there is a lease agreement between BLM and the National Guard, but the County cannot be added to this. And because of environmental concerns, they will no longer lease property for this use; it has to be acquired. Commissioner Luke asked if anything in Crook County might be possible. Teresa Rozic stated that she will look into this if the Board wants her to; or there could be EFU land rezoned into open space to site a private firing range. Minutes of Administrative Work Session Monday, October 20, 2008 Page 1 of 7 Pages Minutes of Administrative Work Session Monday, October 20, 2008 Page 2 of 7 Pages She said the County owns about 200 acres in the Millican area and 60 acres in the Horse Ridge area. Various options were discussed. All have some negative aspects. It will be hard to stay in Redmond, anticipating growth. Some of the parcels are not large enough. All would have to be rezoned. Discussion occurred as to whether the Redmond Rod & Gun Club could find property and purchase it. There could be privately owned property available to purchase, especially in the Millican and Horse Ridge areas. They advised that they don’t have the funding for something like this; Commissioner Luke suggested that the County would have to guarantee a loan. Commissioner Luke asked if an underground facility might work. He was advised that there are competitive events and tunneling and concrete would be very expensive. Ms. Rozic asked if she is supposed to pursue privately owned property. There has to be a soils analysis and would be staff time and application fees. Mr. Kanner said he is reluctant to investigate the purchase of privately owned property. He still feels that the south Redmond tract would work since it will be years before the area is developed. However, there are no utilities there. The property near the Fairgrounds will likely be brought in to the City within five years. Capt. Marc Mills said the Sheriff’s Office wants to have at least what they have now. They have already put over $200,000 into the existing site. It would be helpful to have a location for at least 25 years. Mr. Rozic stated that the sixty-acre Horse Ridge property is relatively close to Bend. It was explained that the law enforcement agencies need a separate area for urban operations training, one that is not accessible to the public. The balance of the range could be used by a variety of groups. Commissioner Luke suggested that the Sheriff’s Office and others look at the property to see if it can be properly developed. It is possible adjacent private lands could be acquired to add to the acreage. The group will also investigate properties that are near Crook County to see what is available. The entities will keep Ms. Rozic informed and she in turn will report back to the Commissioners. Minutes of Administrative Work Session Monday, October 20, 2008 Page 3 of 7 Pages ƒ Eastside Framework Plan. Ms. Ross explained that the Redmond Plan went to the Redmond Planning Commission, who had suggested changes; it goes to the City Council next. Dee Van Donselaar of CDD and Wayne Sorensen, Redmond Planner pointed out the proposed changes on an oversized map. Ms. Ross said that some areas were broadly painted as certain zones, but the City wants those more well defined. Mr. Sorensen stated that one of the ideas was to get away from the zoning designations and leave it more open, since it is a conceptual plan covering decades. One of the main issues with the Planning Commission was the location of the transfer station. They would rather have it moved. Ms. Ross stated that perhaps it would be moved to what is now BLM land. Mr. Sorensen said that the City Council has not had a problem with where it is now. Commissioner Luke feels that the zoning should be more general. Also, if the transfer station is to be moved, planning for that needs to happen now. Commissioner Baney would like to see where it might go. Ms. Ross said that the green spaces were left generic, but the Planning Department would like more designations of schools, etc. Commissioner Luke said that most of this development will occur years from now, but if the transfer station is to be relocated, work on that should start soon. There was consensus at the City Council level in the past to leave it where it is. 2. Economic Development Grant Requests: ƒ Assistance League of Bend – Operation School Bell – Commissions Luke and Baney granted $500 each; Commissioner Daly granted $1,000 ƒ Shop with a Cop Program Lt. Gary Decker gave an update on this year’s program. Commissioner Baney asked why this is not a part of community grants. Lt. Decker replied that it has always been handled in this manner. Commissioner Baney suggested that perhaps this should come from community investment dollars instead. Commissioner Luke granted $3,000; Commissioners Daly and Baney granted $1,000 each. Minutes of Administrative Work Session Monday, October 20, 2008 Page 4 of 7 Pages ƒ New Generations Early Childhood Development Center Representatives of the Center Alan Tweit, Bob Wrightson, said that they would like to remodel, per NeighborImpact plans to coordinate a Head Start pogrom. They would have to have facilities to accommodate about twenty children. Training would be provided. Commissioner Luke asked if they are ready to go if the fees were covered for them. NeighborImpact would like to start the program in January. They have applied for various grants for the balance of the funds. Funding was not granted at this time but the group was advised to come back to the County when they are closer to having the improvements done. (A fee waiver request was addressed later in the meeting.) ƒ Heart of Oregon Corps – Software – Commissioner Daly granted $2,000 and Commissioner Baney granted $1,000 3. New Generations Child Development Center – Fee Waiver Request. The use is non-conforming use and a site plan review is needed. There are also fees for mechanical and electrical inspections. Commissioner Luke pointed out that the fees are not waived but would be paid in another fashion. Commissioner Luke granted $3,395 to include all but the transportation SDC’s. Commissioner Daly granted $1,000 and Commissioner Baney granted $2,000. 4. Board Signature of Letters to Alyce Hatch Center and Rep. Chuck Burley. It was decided that copies of the letters should go to various individuals and entities. A copy of the letter to Rep. Burley should be sent to the Governor’s Office. 5. Review of Proposed Policy regarding Legal Review of Documents. Mr. Kanner stated that Departments need to know that County Counsel’s signature on an agreement indicates only that the document meets the law and form; it does not mean Legal Counsel supports the purpose of the agreement. Minutes of Administrative Work Session Monday, October 20, 2008 Page 5 of 7 Pages In some instances, documents are being presented for signature that have not had legal review at all. Some agreements with governmental agencies are fairly standard, and it is relatively easy to note the changes from year to year. The policy is one that for the most part mirrors Oregon Administrative Rule. BANEY: Move approval. DALY: Second. VOTE: BANEY: Yes. DALY: Yes. LUKE: Chair votes yes. 6. Update of Commissioners’ Meetings and Schedules. Mr. Kanner asked if the Board would like a brief meal ordered prior to the Wednesday night hearing. The consensus was yes. 7. Approval of Employment Agreement, Legal Counsel. This item was discussed briefly. BANEY: Move approval. DALY: Second. VOTE: BANEY: Yes. DALY: Yes. LUKE: Chair votes yes. 8. Other Items. Commissioner Baney stated that she had a request from someone regarding what the County is using to prevent global warming. She was advised that work is being done in regard to the use of landfill gasses, and the County also will comply with State requirements regarding remodeled or new buildings. ___________________________ Minutes of Administrative Work Session Monday, October 20, 2008 Page 6 of 7 Pages Bruce Barrett’s membership on the Budget Committee expires the end of the calendar year. Someone needs to be in place for the upcoming budget meetings. He indicated he is available on the meeting dates. The Commissioners would like his appointment extended. Commissioner Luke asked that more time be set aside for deliberations after presentations have been made. Commissioner Baney said that she felt like some of the presentations were too rushed and she would have liked to go into more detail on some of the programs and how they link with each other, instead of just going through the basics. Regarding the Little Deschutes Lodge request, Teresa Rozic said that they tried to get additional tax credits. Housing & Community Services did not give whole award. She has not heard this direct herself, only through Rob Roy. Mr. Roy stated that he asked for $490,600 additional. The award was $286,000, resulting in a shortfall of $205,000. This does not include the $160,000 granted by the County to reduce rents. He asked why it was not wholly funded. He asked for a response in writing, but was told by Mike McCann, who represented this program, that the main stumbling block was that they thought the County would fund the rest. Originally, they planned $350,000 in tax credits and $500,000 for the other. The amount approved was the amount that the project was negatively impacted by the tax credits. He asked if perhaps someone from the County could approach them and confirm. He doesn’t feel that was the understanding. Commissioner Baney stated that she heard last week that the project was not moving forward but didn’t have the details. An additional tax credit of about $25,000 annually is needed at this time. Mr. Roy said that it is his understanding that there are currently excess tax credits at the State. Commissioner Baney said that something is needed from the State clarifying the situation. She is greatly disappointed in this decision. There is a great need for this project in the area. Being no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 4:10 p.m.