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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-12-02 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, DECEMBER 2, 2009 ___________________________ Present were Commissioners Tammy Baney, Dennis R. Luke and Alan Unger. Also present were Dave Kanner, County Administrator; Erik Kropp, Deputy County Administrator; Dave Inbody, Assistant to the Administrator; and two other citizens. Chair Baney opened the meeting at 1:30 p.m. 1. Before the Board was a Mid-year Update from Economic Development for Central Oregon. This item will be addressed at a future date. 2. Before the Board was a Mid-year Update from Central Oregon Visitors’ Association. Alana Audette of COVA explained that the market is still challenging, but are about 2% ahead of other parts of the Pacific Northwest and Oregon. She introduced Mike Patrone, the Vice President of Operations for the Association. Ms. Audette referred to a PowerPoint presentation that was viewed by the Budget Committee previously, updating information as appropriate. Walk-in traffic is up even though overall volume is down, and the number of international visitors is increasing, primarily from Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and France. The membership base is holding steady at about 500 businesses, with dues generating about 7% of the COVA budget annually. Approximately 65% of the members are in the lodging industry. However, transient room tax numbers are down when compared to the past two years. The booking case for 2010 is increasing gradually. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, December 2, 2009 Page 1 of 4 Pages Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, December 2, 2009 Page 2 of 4 Pages The Central Oregon Visitors Guide will become available on line soon. She then went over the current public relations efforts for the year and beyond. She detailed the fundraising events held and planned. Website development is being analyzed and resources have been invested in this regard, and it should be ready to launch by January. They continue to target group meetings and conventions to draw them to Central Oregon. A variety of advertising and promotion activities are underway, including through broadcast and print means. The COVA Board has decided to use some existing advertisements in parts of northern California. The Pacific Amateur Golf Tournament event dates will be moved to an earlier time, to the week prior to Labor Day weekend, which is expected to increase participation and visits. 3. Other Items. Before the Board was Consideration of Signature of Order No. 2009-072, relating to a Determination on a Remand Hearing on Application from David Hurtley regarding Relief under Ballot Measure 49. LUKE: Move signature of Order 2009-072. UNGER: Second. VOTE: LUKE: Yes. UNGER: Yes. BANEY: Chair votes yes. ______________________________ Commissioner Luke asked Nick Lelack about the tie between Linda Swearingen and DLCD and County staff in regard to transfer development credits in the south County area. Tom Anderson said that PRC’s would not work because of the cost of purchasing these development rights. Commissioner Luke noted that if a sewer becomes feasible, there is an opportunity to rescind the PRC. Chair Baney wants the County to stay as far away from the PRC and TDC issue as possible, when it comes to determining value. She does not want anyone to think that this is a moneymaking issue for the County. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, December 2, 2009 Page 3 of 4 Pages Commissioner Luke said that the County sold some unbuildable lots because they are too expensive to maintain in terms of wildfire mitigation, etc. Mr. Anderson said that if a PRC is paid, it might allow someone to get around the land use process. Dave Kanner stated that purchasing a TDC would allow a development right. Mr. Anderson said that development in the sending area is not allowed, although it is allowed in the destination. Commissioner Luke stated that the TDC in the south County has to be used there. Mr. Lelack said that 1,000 Friends of Oregon and Central Oregon LandWatch feel this is different. They think transferring previously determine development credits into another is not a problem (i.e. Skyline Forest). Mr. Anderson stated that these are subdivisions and not destination resorts. Mr. Lelack said that at the local level there would be a lot of hurdles; the legislative fix would be easier. ______________________________ In regard to event venues, Chair Baney asked if the County should take the lead. Commissioner Luke said that this would take a lot of Community Development staff time to address this issue. Commissioner Unger said that conversations were to take place and there have not been any. The State is just as confused as others, and it is not known who will address this situation. The County is not ready to move forward since no one knows where they are going. Mr. Kanner feels that Oregon Rush will probably force the issue, with playing fields, lights and more in Juniper Ridge. Mr. Anderson said they would not be able to justify this. Commissioner Luke stated that there has to be a master plan before the County will allow any uses; the City has control over the part in the urban growth boundary area, but not the areas within the County. Commissioner Luke stated that the land in question has never been farmed, yet is EFU zoned. Mr. Lelack asked the basic question is if there is potential for a private park on government land. Being no further items addressed, the meeting adjourned at 2:50 p.m.