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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-12-09 Work Session Minutes Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, December 9, 2009 Page 2 of 7 Pages LUKE: Move that County Administrator be authorized to sign a document releasing the County’s reversionary clause on the legally described portion of Juniper Ridge currently within the City of Bend. UNGER: Second. VOTE: LUKE: Yes. UNGER: Yes. BANEY: Chair votes yes. 2. Comprehensive Plan Update. Terri Payne gave an overview of progress to date on the Plan. The public very active, attending a lot of open houses. The issues related to flexibility on farmlands, wind turbines, a community plan for Deschutes River Woods and south County, and other topics have been brought up. Nick Lelack said there was a lot of discussion about the issues but not so much about a plan. Commissioner Luke spoke about Deschutes Junction’s past and how much development was there. Ms. Payne said an Oregon Administrative Rule is very specific and that is why the areas are rural commercial or rural industrial. Commissioner Luke said that he is not against development; he just wants it to be orderly. Discussion occurred on when development that will take place. There are some glitches that would make businesses not profitable. Commissioner Luke said that some property owners have approached ODOT about getting a frontage road, with little success. Ms. Payne asked what to do with property that is located right against the highway. The community as a whole is mostly set on no changes. Ms. Payne said that in relation to several rural communities: ƒ Deschutes Junction has access issues. ƒ Tumalo experiences severe traffic problems. Also, citizens there would like to investigate the development of a sewer district. ƒ Terrebonne has a busy state highway running through the center of town. She added that ODOT has been an issue in many of these situations. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, December 9, 2009 Page 3 of 7 Pages She explained that some topics brought up at various public meetings were south County issues, eastern County wildlife concerns, alternatives to allow further economic development, light pollution, weed control, flexibility in use of agricultural lands; and destination resort remapping. The economic benefits of destination resorts can be tracked, including property taxes; however, it is hard to measure the negative impacts. Depending on differing opinion, the impacts can be minimal or severe. They have received no word on the A-frame shelters for homeless people. Ms. Payne said a person is interested in forming a community by choice, on a single big property. This is being done in many parts of the country. It is hard to find a way to get there in Deschutes County, especially when you have to provide water and septic systems. This person does not want necessarily to subdivide the property; it would be more like a condominium project where the people use just their dwelling but some shared areas or structures. Chair Baney asked about someone mentioning a policy to require DEQ and the County to work cooperatively on south County issues. She said the County is now in a supportive role to DEQ, if and when DEQ decides to do something. The County has been told by the voters not to do anything. The group then discussed the possibility of community plans in several locations. Additional meetings are planned. The Planning Commission will convene soon and will provide an opinion of possible changes. Chair Baney asked how the Planning Commissioners feel about progress being made. Christen Brown said that the Planning Commission is looking at future issues and not what has gone before. The matrix is due to Ms. Payne soon. They will be able to eliminate what they feel does not need to be addressed further as part of the draft Comprehensive Plan. The Board will then decide what they feel should be included or eliminated. He said that development of small resorts is an issue that needs to be incorporated. It seems appropriate to do this now, but they are not sure how to handle it. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, December 9, 2009 Page 5 of 7 Pages There are many contradictions in the Plan regarding the use of land and water. Merle Irvine said that when people testify before the Planning Commission, much of that is based on philosophy and not necessarily the land that they own. It is troubling because it appears to be unfair to those who are directly impacted, and it is hard to quantify this information. Chair Baney said that people from outside the area being impacted want a say on how the County develops, but it is hard to incorporate this information. Commissioner Unger stated that there might be a recreation component that many people are concerned about, but a land component that affects very few. Mr. Brown said he looks forward to seeing the final proposed product. One big concern is property rights and regulations, as well as economic impacts, which need to be considered. He finds the process very interesting, and much different from anything he had previously experienced. Mr. Irvine said that a south County citizen complained about the process, but after attending a meeting of the Planning Commission, decided he wanted to remain engaged after all. The next proposed Comprehensive Plan update before the Board is scheduled for December 13. 3. Discussion of Proposed Employee Leave Policy. Erik Kropp said there was a change under the unpaid leave section, on page 2, third bullet. It was moved to the top of the section. Commissioner Luke said that it appears that if someone calls in sick one day a month in seven months, they are subject to discipline, and this seems extreme to him. Chris Bell explained that there are employees who take advantage of sick leave days, who take them off when they obviously are not sick and have very few days on the books. He said there is some leeway, and the supervisor can decide if someone is a serial abuser or not. Mr. Kanner said the County cannot even ask for a doctor’s note at this point. The person could have a chronic condition that the employer has a right to know about. Commissioner Luke stated that the supervisor has to be consistent. Mr. Kropp said this has the support of the unions as well. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, December 9, 2009 Page 6 of 7 Pages LUKE: Move approval of revised Policy #HR-14. UNGER: Second. VOTE: LUKE: Yes. UNGER: Yes. BANEY: Chair votes yes. 4. Update of Commissioners’ Meetings and Schedules. All three Commissioners will speak at the Leadership Bend meeting on December 10, but at different times during the meeting. 5. Other Items. The Board went into executive session at 3:20 p.m., adjourning at 4:00 p.m. ƒ Executive Session of the Governing Body of the 911 County Service District, under ORS 192.660(2)(d), Personnel Issue ________________________________ Before the Board was Consideration of Approval of Document No. 2009-713, a U.S. Department of Energy Grant Assistance Agreement Award. LUKE: Move approval of revised Policy #HR-14. UNGER: Second. VOTE: LUKE: Yes. UNGER: Yes. BANEY: Chair votes yes. ________________________________ Before the Board was Consideration of Assisting in the Homeless Count Project. Commissioner Baney said she wanted to grant $500 towards the one-night homeless count; this will help purchase food through NeighborImpact for this event, scheduled for January 28. Commissioners Luke and Unger agreed, but would like to formally approve this grant at a future meeting after the request has been received. Being no further items addressed, the meeting adjourned at 4:25 p.m.