The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2009-02-25 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, FEBRUARY 25, 2009 ___________________________ Present were Commissioners Tammy Baney, Dennis R. Luke and Alan Unger. Also present were Dave Kanner, County Administrator; Erik Kropp, Deputy County Administrator; David Givans, Auditor; David Inbody, Assistant to the Administrator; Ernie Mazorol, Court Administrator; Judge Michael Sullivan; Susan Ross, Property & Facilities; Anna Johnson, Communications; Tom Anderson, Eric Mone, Dan Haldeman and Barbara Rich, Community Development; several representatives of the media and about ten other citizens. Chair Baney opened the meeting at 1:30 p.m. 1. Update on the Jail Construction Project. This item will be discussed at a later date. 2. Discussion of Court Facilities in Jail Expansion Project. Judge Michael Sullivan discussed the Courts was originally looking at a 50% reduction in support personnel for the rest of the biennium. This could end up at 20%, but means a closure one day a week. This will be determined soon. The next biennium will experience severe cuts, but the Chief Justice has not yet directed how this will be addressed. In terms of the next biennium, it could be cuts between 16-20%, mostly in personnel. This would likely mean a closure one day a week as well. He said the last time they went through this kind of decline, it lasted for four months but took over a year to recover. It will likely to take longer to recover this time around. This could mean that there is a need for a greater number transports rather than handling them by video. This is a substantial increase in the Sheriff’s workload. Adjustments will have to be made in other ways. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, February 25, 2009 Page 1 of 6 Pages Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, February 25, 2009 Page 2 of 6 Pages He asked that the County allow the use of other County facilities to hold settlement conferences and similar meetings. The Commissioners are supportive in whatever way they can accommodate this situation. Concerning the proposed jail expansion, there will not be enough staffing to handle a courtroom at the jail at least in the near future. With the increased number of arrests or people having to be sentenced to jail due to measures passed by voters, most of these people will have to be transported to the court. This is a safety concern. Commissioner Luke said there are Court facilities where the judges move around. If there is a courtroom at the jail, perhaps a judge could handle just that, or perhaps they could rotate. Mr. Sullivan stated that the facility can be used for some things, such as arraignments or taking pleas, or sentencing, but other situations cannot be accommodated. Ernie Mazorol said that afternoons are dedicated for video conferencing, but staff would have to be there as well. They would have to be able to take filings and so on. Commissioner Luke observed that perhaps the Sheriff could help with this situation since it is in his department’s best interest to not have to transport prisoners. Judge Sullivan said that programs such as Family Court, Mental Health Court, Family Drug Court, Domestic Violence Court and DUII Court have been successful but those are in jeopardy now. Most of these programs are not mandated by statute but provide important services to the community. Mr. Mazorol said that once their budgets are cut by about 7%, they have to focus on the required services. Commissioner Baney asked whether the County should not budget for some of these services if the Courts cannot support them. If the County cannot pick up the entire cost, it is unlikely that these programs could be continued. Judge Sullivan stated that the numbers of cases are not going down, and although they can continue these for a short period of time, they are not sustainable. Dave Kanner referred to a memorandum of understanding from 2004 that discusses how a courtroom at the jail, and the possibility of getting an eighth judge. Susan Ross stated that the building design has nearly been completed and does include the courtroom. It could be used for other things, but the goal was to have it as a courtroom. Judge Sullivan said they do not see another judge being added for at least another eight years. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, February 25, 2009 Page 3 of 6 Pages In regard to video courts, Susan Ross said the equipment is covered but the County and State were to contribute to its maintenance. 3. Discussion of Temporary Rules for South County Financial Assistance. Commissioner Baney asked if someone came in and asked for assistance to upgrade a system, what would they be told. She asked if there is a process in place for this now, whether this would be a loan, a grant, on a sliding scale, or other information. Tom Anderson said that NeighborImpact is working on this. There were meetings in November and December with the Committee, and they had some good recommendations. Their formal recommendations have not yet been presented, but he will write the formal document for the Committee’s review and eventual submittal the Board. Some of the funding has been used, which impacts the amount that can go to NeighborImpact. One is the proposed Sunriver Sewer joint project and the other is the transfer development credit purchase program. Most people are in favor of the deferred payment loan. The cost is paid for externally but the owner does not have to pay it back until the property is sold or transferred. The loan does not go away but is deferred. Karen Orme of NeighborImpact said the program is 80% of the area media income, low to moderate income, for $8,000 to $28,000, and is deferred up to thirty years, at which time the amount would be due. Typically, the owner refinances or sells the property. Currently there is a list of people on the waiting list for upgrades, but the delay is the people not being prepared to go forward. (She provided an information sheet on the rehabilitation program.) Commissioner Luke said that fixing a failing system could be more expensive than adding an upgrade. Ms. Orme stated that she thinks there is about $150,000 in the fund. The typical cost is about $25,000. Commissioner Baney stated that a lot of people who own their homes and do not owe money are upset by having to get a loan. They are often on fixed income so cannot afford the cost out of pocket. Ms. Orme said that some are like that. They are tracking who is asking and their specific needs. Many people are just gathering information at this point. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, February 25, 2009 Page 4 of 6 Pages Commissioner Baney asked if other counties are using this type of program. Ms. Orme stated that they used to do this. They cannot pay for system development charges, however. Mr. Anderson said that the people generate a pollution reduction credit if they upgrade or put in a new system, which is the $3,500 set amount. Mr. Kanner asked if federal housing dollars would be made available. Ms. Orme said that she has not heard of any funding coming for rehabilitation purposes. Mr. Anderson stated that NeighborImpact’s program is in place, and it ties in with a good solution for people using these funds. In this way, the County does not have to administer the loans. An agreement is needed to augment their funds with other dollars. In terms of the amount of money that is available, the $477,000 is what is available in this fund. (He referred to a spreadsheet of the fund.) There could be more from builders when the market improves. Most is from the national demonstration project, and is supposed to be used for low interest loans. An additional $40,000 is a loan from the Department of Environmental Quality. The County has obligated $127,000 for the Sunriver Feasibility program. The program benefits about 500 properties, but it is hoped other funding will be available in the future. Commissioner Baney is supportive of the loan program, but would like to see components other than loans. Commissioner Luke said you have to look at the integrity of the program. Of course, it is nice to get money and not have to give it back. Once the money is gone, it’s gone. The loan program helps other people. Commissioner Baney that she doesn’t think the people wanting to do this are necessarily low income, but some may want to just to do the right thing. Commissioner Luke stated that some people have to put in sewer connections or other improvements that are not covered by grants or loans. They don’t necessarily have a choice and could end up with a lien against their property, plus interest. Commissioner Baney asked about the money put in the revolving fund. Mr. Kanner said that the community grant does say it can be used for other needs. Commissioner Luke said that it could be for a city hall, water systems, a school, parks or other things. In regard to the yearly cost, it was recognized that this is an issue for some. He would like to explore various funding mechanisms. Mr. Anderson said he would like to minimize the impact on his staffing as well. He hopes to have suggestions from the Committee soon. One big consideration is whether the local rule is passed in March. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, February 25, 2009 Page 5 of 6 Pages Barbara Rich spoke with DEQ person who is involved with the state clean water revolving fund. (A copy of this evaluation is attached.) She said some of the funds have to be used for clean water purposes. The DEQ is considering using zero interest loans. By statute, they cannot provide grants, only loans. They are trying to find the right kind of funding, preferably those that are grant- like. Commissioner Luke asked why this could not go through another agency; Ms. Rich said that it is for clean water programs use and must go through the DEQ. The loan term would be for ten years. This funding could not be used for centralized systems and would have to be utilized right away as part of a stimulus package. Mr. Anderson said that it is important to know the details and whether this would commit the County to something unforeseen. 4. Discussion of Temporary Food Handlers’ Permits. Eric Mone said that the County is a contractor for the State and has to follow State rules. Commissioner Baney said that she met with a representative of The Source, and had questions about new laws relating to food handlers’ permits for special events and what is referred to as temporary restaurants. The Redmond Chamber of Commerce also had questions about this. There are about 640 restaurants and ongoing food businesses. They pay one fee a year. The temporary ones are more problematic; they include farmers’ markets, fairs, open houses where the public is invited, and others. Letters were sent to all promoters and Chambers of Commerce, and the food vendors who usually attend these events. The rule applies to those who attend six or more events a year. The Oregon Department of Human Services is worried about the risk tied to outdoor restaurants. 5. Other Items. Mr. Kanner distributed information on House Bill 2429 regarding enterprise zones. __________________________________ Mr. Kanner said he polled the Audit Committee and they want to see all of the applicants for new members interviewed by the Board of Commissioners and others. __________________________________