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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-07-08 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, JULY 8, 2009 ___________________________ Present were Commissioners Tammy Baney, Dennis R. Luke and Alan Unger. Also present were Dave Kanner, County Administrator; David Givans, Auditor; Sheriff Larry Blanton, Sgt. Gary Decker, and Deputy Jennifer Bewley; Dave Inbody, Assistant to the Administrator; Timm Schimke, Solid Waste Department; Hillary Borrud of The Bulletin and a reporter from KOHD TV; and five other citizens, including Pat Roden of the Humane Society of Central Oregon, and Evan Getz, a Boy Scout working on his citizenship merit badge. Chair Baney opened the meeting at 1:30 p.m. 1. Large Animal Impoundment Project. Sheriff Blanton said the County owns land near Knott Landfill (about 22 acres off Rickard Road) that may be suitable to hold livestock that might be impounded due to a variety of reasons. Whenever large animals need to be held, suitable locations are needed. Bend Equine and other organizations have helped in the past. The Sheriff’s Office is working on cleaning up the acreage; the Solid Waste Department is helping with areas that need heavy equipment used. A new line item is now in the Sheriff’s budget for this purpose. He prefers not to use the funds for fencing, wiring and other improvements since it will also have to be used for feeding and animal care when the need arises. If a large number of animals are seized, he would like to have inmates participate in their care, with proper supervision. Sgt. Decker is interested in overseeing this project. Commissioner Luke said that landfill funds were used to purchase the property. He asked for input from Timm Schimke. Mr. Schimke stated that it was purchased as a buffer for the landfill. Some funds have been used for upkeep. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, July 8, 2009 Page 1 of 10 Pages Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, July 8, 2009 Page 2 of 10 Pages He does want current and potential tenants to be aware of the impacts of the landfill. At some point when the landfill is closed, the property will appreciate and the Solid Waste Department will benefit from that. Sheriff Blanton said he has spoken with the current tenant, a veterinarian who handles small animal respite in the structure, and there is no problem with the rest of the property being utilized for other things. The poor economy has impacted a lot of people and the animals are suffering as a result. Large animals, such as horses, are particularly at risk. Sgt. Decker presented a photograph of the property and went over some ideas on how to best and safely use the land. Fencing and gates that are sufficient to hold animals during offloading is important. A breezeway so that backing up vehicles would not be necessary would be very helpful. He has gotten some pricing on heavy-duty fencing that can contain large animals, as well as other necessary material to improve the property to the point where it can be properly utilized. Sheriff Blanton said that sometimes the animals are seized and have to be held for evidence. His Department does not want to be in the livestock business, but there will be times when they will be responsible for some. He put $10,000 in the budget for animal rescue in the current budget, but this was not a part of the plan at the time. He suggested that they must be ready for rescue or impound situations. All of the items noted on the handout are needed immediately except the small tractor. Commissioner Unger said he supports the project and wants to be prepared. He asked if there are alternatives, or if this is the most cost effective. Sheriff Blanton stated that his department has a good working relationship with the other departments to get it to this point. He feels this is a great opportunity to get the site ready for something he hopes they do not have to deal with but likely will have to. Commissioner Unger pointed out this likely fits in with the long-term goals of Solid Waste. Commissioner Luke feels that in the long run Solid Waste will make money on holding this property until the time is right to sell it. It has been a wise investment. Mr. Schimke stated that he had hoped to be able to lease out the property for a monthly income, but the property needed a lot of work to bring it to that level. The current tenant in the house has remodeled it for small animal rescue and treatment.