1 00:00:32,140 --> 00:01:00,320 And let us know when we're ready to go. Okay. All right. Good morning, everyone. Let's call this meeting to order of Wednesday, February 18th Board of Commissioners regular meeting. First, we need to establish a quorum and Commissioner Stark, Commissioner Walter Chuck present. And myself, constitute a quorum with us here, public information, officer Kenneth Lipp and Kristen Niel County Council. 2 00:01:00,320 --> 00:01:08,320 We have no recognitions or proclamations that brings us to the adoption of the Kent scent calendar. 3 00:01:09,080 --> 00:01:14,700 These are items that have come before us before or maybe routine. 4 00:01:15,560 --> 00:01:18,480 Commissioner Chuck, do you have anything you want to highlight or? 5 00:01:19,360 --> 00:01:20,400 I have nothing else to highlight. 6 00:01:21,160 --> 00:01:25,300 Okay, I do not have any either. 7 00:01:25,300 --> 00:01:31,460 So a motion I move we accept that consent calendar is presented. 8 00:01:31,860 --> 00:01:36,420 Okay. I second that motion all in favor please say aye. 9 00:01:36,640 --> 00:01:43,900 Aye. Okay. We stand by here, mouse working. 10 00:01:44,740 --> 00:01:51,340 No public hearings and that moves us to decision in action, the community and economic development 11 00:01:51,340 --> 00:01:58,440 grant funding recommendations. And we saw this last week in decision and action. Thanks for 12 00:01:59,080 --> 00:02:02,640 pulling it over to the next meeting and how would you like to proceed? 13 00:02:07,060 --> 00:02:12,800 First, I'd like to thank Paul for showing up today. It was, it was not, it would be her in person, 14 00:02:13,020 --> 00:02:17,800 they're not changed. I just thank him for telling them that I appreciate the time that he and the staff 15 00:02:18,500 --> 00:02:23,480 took, and the scoring panel took looking at and scoring over 20 applications. 16 00:02:23,480 --> 00:02:26,660 I value their expertise and experience. 17 00:02:27,240 --> 00:02:32,260 This grant program was set up to spur economic development in our county. 18 00:02:33,080 --> 00:02:38,380 I like that this year's applications, most of them are addressing our housing needs in our county. 19 00:02:39,700 --> 00:02:44,100 I reviewed the applications and got the updates at the Edalco meetings. 20 00:02:45,080 --> 00:02:47,800 And I support you and your panel's recommendations. 21 00:02:47,800 --> 00:02:52,720 and I would move that we approve them as presented. 22 00:02:54,160 --> 00:03:05,920 Okay. Thank you. Commissioner Chuck. Yeah, just before we proceed, I would like to thank you as well for all the work that Alliance is doing to help us. 23 00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:13,620 You've done this for a number of years and we couldn't do it without you really. So thanks for your time just for the record. 24 00:03:13,620 --> 00:03:28,600 I wanted to point out that, you know, I requested that the packets include all of those past applications so we could all get a look at those things, the criteria, but, you know, I have confidence in Mr. Skidema. I know it's a good process. 25 00:03:29,340 --> 00:03:37,880 And so I would second the motion that we approve the community and economic development funding grant recommendations. 26 00:03:39,480 --> 00:03:41,560 We have an order here. 27 00:03:42,520 --> 00:03:44,400 Can you pull that up real fast? 28 00:03:44,640 --> 00:03:45,120 Just the order. 29 00:03:45,680 --> 00:03:47,600 So everybody can see it's a resolution. 30 00:03:47,920 --> 00:03:49,740 I think recall correctly. 31 00:03:52,540 --> 00:03:53,840 Maybe in the last meeting. 32 00:03:55,320 --> 00:03:56,140 One here. 33 00:03:57,200 --> 00:03:57,400 Okay. 34 00:03:57,520 --> 00:04:00,380 Just put an order number on the document. 35 00:04:00,580 --> 00:04:01,560 Put it on the document itself. 36 00:04:02,140 --> 00:04:02,380 Okay. 37 00:04:03,300 --> 00:04:06,560 Okay. So all in favor, please say aye. 38 00:04:06,800 --> 00:04:06,960 Aye. 39 00:04:07,720 --> 00:04:08,080 Okay. 40 00:04:08,080 --> 00:04:17,340 All right, next we have an order legalizing a portion of South Drift Creek Road, county 41 00:04:17,340 --> 00:04:21,480 roads, number 109, presented by county council, Kristen Yule. 42 00:04:22,040 --> 00:04:22,940 Thank you, commissioners. 43 00:04:23,680 --> 00:04:29,560 So on October 15th, the board did enter an order initiating the legalization proceedings 44 00:04:29,560 --> 00:04:33,220 for a portion of South Drift Creek Road, and this is county road 109. 45 00:04:34,000 --> 00:04:38,500 The public hearing happened on January 7th. 46 00:04:38,500 --> 00:04:46,740 We did have two individuals testify, but there was nothing filed under ORS 368211 for 47 00:04:46,740 --> 00:04:47,880 a claim for compensation. 48 00:04:50,140 --> 00:04:55,220 Mr. Blair, who is the county engineer, submitted a written report in accordance with the statute. 49 00:04:55,780 --> 00:04:59,800 This was dated November 21st, 2025, and this is included in the exhibits. 50 00:05:00,460 --> 00:05:10,560 So the next step is all the requirements have been met to proceed with the legalization, so I'm recommending approving this order. 51 00:05:10,960 --> 00:05:12,700 If you have any questions, I can answer those. 52 00:05:14,300 --> 00:05:15,640 Commissioner Chuck, anything? 53 00:05:16,420 --> 00:05:17,140 I have no questions. 54 00:05:18,440 --> 00:05:19,400 Yeah, I don't either. 55 00:05:20,480 --> 00:05:25,460 And I think we've followed the process and it's been good. 56 00:05:25,900 --> 00:05:27,780 So I would entertain a motion. 57 00:05:27,780 --> 00:05:34,440 I move that we approve the order legalizing a portion of South Drift Creek road on county road number 109 58 00:05:34,960 --> 00:05:35,380 Okay 59 00:05:36,280 --> 00:05:38,660 All in favor please say aye 60 00:05:39,560 --> 00:05:40,960 5 okay 61 00:05:41,560 --> 00:05:44,720 And we will get that order signs 62 00:05:45,560 --> 00:05:47,980 Okay, where are we next here? 63 00:05:53,600 --> 00:05:54,440 Okay 64 00:05:55,400 --> 00:05:58,180 That's the end of our 65 00:05:58,180 --> 00:06:06,820 are labeled agenda items. Commissioner Chuck, I submitted a number of requests to be discussed 66 00:06:06,820 --> 00:06:15,560 today. I'd like to highlight some of those and proceed with, you know, at least bring 67 00:06:15,560 --> 00:06:21,360 into the phrase some of the agenda requests that I've submitted and why they're not here 68 00:06:21,360 --> 00:06:24,100 and what's your take on that? 69 00:06:25,260 --> 00:06:29,840 Just for the record, none of these were submitted on the agenda and were approved. 70 00:06:30,540 --> 00:06:35,360 There is a process we have set up in order to approve things on the agenda. 71 00:06:36,940 --> 00:06:41,220 Neither you nor I have the authority to direct staff to put things on the agenda. 72 00:06:42,140 --> 00:06:47,500 Some of these items that you've asked for could have been taken care of and 73 00:06:48,400 --> 00:06:58,300 Through their meetings with other departments and let's go forward with a couple of them. 74 00:06:58,460 --> 00:07:05,280 But we will address them as we go and some that I will not entertain discussion. 75 00:07:05,520 --> 00:07:07,720 Okay, okay. Well, thank you for that. 76 00:07:08,120 --> 00:07:14,380 There is no board authorized process for determining which items on agenda. 77 00:07:14,380 --> 00:07:19,220 And what I mean by that is, you know, a policy that the board has approved. 78 00:07:21,220 --> 00:07:43,380 So that to me, when I, when I have an item such as agenda process, that's what I'm looking for us to create in the future is, you know, a list of really a process that is has multi dimensions. Right. It's got an internal one in which elected officials staff. 79 00:07:43,380 --> 00:07:48,680 staff submit items before the board, and then it's got an external piece, too, right? 80 00:07:49,340 --> 00:07:54,440 We've had people ask us over the years, well, how do I get an item on the agenda, say 81 00:07:54,440 --> 00:07:55,640 as a community group? 82 00:07:56,920 --> 00:08:04,240 So for me, moving forward by having a board authorized process would really serve us so 83 00:08:04,240 --> 00:08:08,800 that we all understand what the rules are of engagement, both internally and externally. 84 00:08:09,600 --> 00:08:17,240 What I am looking for is really for us to place this on the agenda in the future. 85 00:08:17,420 --> 00:08:22,140 I don't think we'll solve everything about that process here today. 86 00:08:22,380 --> 00:08:29,580 But I'm looking for your support to create one and that we add it to future discussion. 87 00:08:33,200 --> 00:08:38,580 So my response to that, Commissioner Miller basically is that in the past I have asked for 88 00:08:38,580 --> 00:08:46,940 items you put placed on the agenda, whether it was a request from myself or members of the community. 89 00:08:47,380 --> 00:08:49,500 Some have been placed on and some have not. 90 00:08:50,040 --> 00:08:55,620 And the reasons given to me were that these meetings that we are having today are business 91 00:08:55,620 --> 00:09:03,620 meetings that you conduct, the business of the county, approving leases, grant programs, 92 00:09:04,880 --> 00:09:10,480 approving financials as we have in the consent calendar and I am fine with the way things are being done now. 93 00:09:10,900 --> 00:09:15,560 Council reviews them and also other staff. 94 00:09:16,960 --> 00:09:26,720 If we wish to have informational meetings that can be brought up something some other time, but as far as these meetings, I am fine with the process going forward that we have right now. 95 00:09:26,720 --> 00:09:36,720 Okay. Okay. So just to make sure I'm clear at this time you're not interested in having it as a discussion item on a meeting agenda. 96 00:09:38,080 --> 00:09:41,440 I'm saying that I'm fine with the way the agendas have been prepared. 97 00:09:42,260 --> 00:09:47,020 Okay. You know, just a snapshot looking back in history. 98 00:09:47,020 --> 00:09:55,780 We had a public staff meeting, it was on Mondays before our Wednesday meeting. 99 00:09:56,600 --> 00:10:00,000 And that served us to discuss those items. 100 00:10:00,780 --> 00:10:03,020 It's been a while since we've had those meetings. 101 00:10:03,020 --> 00:10:08,380 It would certainly be an intermediary step that we could bring back. 102 00:10:08,940 --> 00:10:14,080 Now, you know, not everything we've done in the past needs to be brought back or repeated, 103 00:10:14,500 --> 00:10:16,640 but it's certainly worth taking a look at. 104 00:10:16,640 --> 00:10:23,040 see how it served us. Okay, well, let's see here. Thank you, Commissioner Chuck. 105 00:10:25,420 --> 00:10:31,200 Staff, just to be clear, am I right that we don't have a board adopted policy 106 00:10:32,220 --> 00:10:40,380 or creating the agenda? So we have a policy that's been in place for probably 20 years. 107 00:10:40,380 --> 00:10:49,140 So, again, one commissioner, Mr. Chuck is correct, one commissioner has no authority under the law to direct staff or direct a process. 108 00:10:51,080 --> 00:11:10,200 Okay. Okay. I guess for me, I think it's something that we should discuss in the future and I would move that we place the agenda process on a future agenda discussion. 109 00:11:10,200 --> 00:11:17,240 It could be a work session, it could be a special meeting, do you second that motion? 110 00:11:17,920 --> 00:11:18,540 I do not. 111 00:11:19,040 --> 00:11:19,180 Okay. 112 00:11:20,880 --> 00:11:21,440 Okay. 113 00:11:22,440 --> 00:11:26,900 The next thing, and I've just only got a couple more here, Mr. Chuck. 114 00:11:27,060 --> 00:11:27,460 Thank you. 115 00:11:29,700 --> 00:11:35,860 Board vacancy, are we going to dive into this at all today or where you stand on that? 116 00:11:35,860 --> 00:11:36,900 I 117 00:11:39,550 --> 00:11:46,350 am fine with the way the process we you and I had agreed on you and I did not have any agreements on candidates going forward. 118 00:11:46,810 --> 00:11:49,450 Okay. So what's next for you? 119 00:11:52,520 --> 00:12:01,480 We are, we I'm in the county needs to make sure that we are abiding by the statute and also seeing what other measures going forward there are. 120 00:12:01,920 --> 00:12:09,880 Okay. Okay. Well, thank you. Just so everybody's kind of clear on what I've done. I did reach out to the governor's office on Friday. 121 00:12:11,320 --> 00:12:25,760 the office of legal counsel for the governor's office to really provide us, you know, any information that we needed to know if we were not approaching this in a manner that we should have have not heard back from the governor's office yet. 122 00:12:26,480 --> 00:12:28,540 I think that would be very helpful. 123 00:12:29,240 --> 00:12:35,380 So I just want you to understand that I am ready to proceed and come up with a collaborative 124 00:12:35,380 --> 00:12:43,300 solution to keep this process moving forward. So I am at the ready to do that. And I do 125 00:12:43,300 --> 00:12:52,460 recommend that we at least have a special meeting by the end of the week anytime, really, to 126 00:12:52,460 --> 00:13:02,060 pick somebody and start interviews and keep it going. Okay. All right and then 127 00:13:02,060 --> 00:13:08,620 just the last item that I requested that we don't see here is clarification 128 00:13:08,620 --> 00:13:13,520 commissioner Chuck are you are you approving a special meeting to be scheduled? No 129 00:13:13,520 --> 00:13:22,300 I'm not okay. We've seen district attorney Wallace make agenda requests I have 130 00:13:22,300 --> 00:13:31,140 made requests as well to discuss DA staffing and just want to make sure everybody understands 131 00:13:31,140 --> 00:13:34,800 that the board is the authority, right? 132 00:13:34,940 --> 00:13:42,500 We are ultimately responsible here, commissioners chucking myself for everything under the umbrella 133 00:13:42,500 --> 00:13:51,420 of the county and what I am at least looking for at a minimum is just a professional diplomatic 134 00:13:51,420 --> 00:13:58,720 discussion with Finance, HR, Legal Commissioner Chuck, myself, DA Wallace, to just 135 00:13:58,720 --> 00:14:06,100 really talk about staffing and what district attorney Wallace is contending 136 00:14:06,100 --> 00:14:12,460 with. At a minimum, I'm just looking for that environment for us all to sit 137 00:14:12,460 --> 00:14:20,240 down together, compare notes, and make sure we're all on the same page. So I would 138 00:14:20,240 --> 00:14:31,300 move that we add a DA staffing at the soon as possible convenience to discuss what general 139 00:14:31,300 --> 00:14:32,260 office is going through. 140 00:14:34,080 --> 00:14:38,500 So I would also like to highlight that there are numerous departments in the county that 141 00:14:38,500 --> 00:14:44,780 are also facing staff shortages and I wish to send a precedent and also go over HR and finances 142 00:14:44,780 --> 00:14:52,300 ability to look at the budget-address these situations, HHS. I get their updates every 143 00:14:52,300 --> 00:14:58,060 week. They're down on staffing. I've talked with the sheriff. It's down on staffing. 144 00:14:58,060 --> 00:14:59,420 I think we have. 145 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:29,840 Multiple openings at planning. I've gotten quite a few calls the last couple weeks about backups at planning. They lost one of their main people. So as far as addressing each department's staffing shortages, I don't think that's under our preview. I think we need to leave that up to staff at HR and finance. I got my budget calendar a couple weeks ago from finance. All of those vacancies and the budget impacts on the freeze will be addressed. 146 00:15:29,840 --> 00:15:40,740 have part way through next month, and I think that we should wait until that happens because we need to make sure that we address all of the staffing shortages and also some potential budget shortfalls. 147 00:15:41,620 --> 00:15:49,100 It would be premature to make decisions on those things right now without having the budget forecast also. 148 00:15:50,060 --> 00:15:59,340 I met with Lenin a few times and one of the things that I want to make sure before we start doing anything as far as increasing. 149 00:15:59,340 --> 00:16:05,720 and the general fund budget is to make sure that when these staff increases were put in, 150 00:16:06,040 --> 00:16:08,600 they are going to solve the problem that they were supposed to solve. 151 00:16:09,080 --> 00:16:13,680 And if they haven't, we need to make sure that we address that manner and make sure that the 152 00:16:13,680 --> 00:16:21,420 departments know that too. Yeah, well, I'm glad that you are having conversations and looking at 153 00:16:21,420 --> 00:16:31,020 That's, you know, the whole array of potentialities and again, for me, when I'm interested in hearing 154 00:16:31,020 --> 00:16:36,460 from District Attorney Wallace, it's the same for every department head, right? 155 00:16:36,620 --> 00:16:38,120 What are, what is happening? 156 00:16:38,320 --> 00:16:39,580 What are the financial impacts? 157 00:16:40,300 --> 00:16:48,060 You know, I believe it is our responsibility, okay, to address these issues and nothing prohibits 158 00:16:48,060 --> 00:16:54,860 as from just having a conversation, especially with you, the community, so that you can 159 00:16:54,860 --> 00:16:55,860 see too, right? 160 00:16:56,480 --> 00:17:03,180 When I think about transparency, it's really so, again, we're all on the same page. 161 00:17:03,320 --> 00:17:07,600 We all have the same facts and data that we're working with, and that includes our department 162 00:17:07,600 --> 00:17:08,280 heads, right? 163 00:17:08,880 --> 00:17:17,480 And my sense is, at a minimum, what I see is just not a lot of open collaboration, and I think 164 00:17:17,480 --> 00:17:25,500 That is one of the things that just having Wallace or any department had come forward and talk about is are we all on the same page? 165 00:17:26,700 --> 00:17:31,700 Okay, well to Commissioner Chuck's point. 166 00:17:32,600 --> 00:17:46,980 I just like to answer that so it is my view that HR is the purview of HR and that is the date of the operations of the county of which we should be aware of but we should not be. 167 00:17:49,160 --> 00:18:01,620 getting involved in. We have quite a few things that we should be doing and we are doing that are more important, that are more important to our duties as commissioners. 168 00:18:03,000 --> 00:18:11,600 And as far as collaboration in my talks with many of the department heads and other electives, there is collaboration going on. 169 00:18:11,600 --> 00:18:18,020 and regarding their vacancies and I would not say collaboration as a problem is it's the frustration 170 00:18:18,840 --> 00:18:23,660 that the current budget situation will end and we need to be focused on that for the next six 171 00:18:23,660 --> 00:18:34,020 months. Yeah well we do I think you know ongoing anytime it's absolutely the important folks when 172 00:18:34,020 --> 00:18:40,740 you look at the board and you think about the board's authority and when you look at ORS right 173 00:18:41,600 --> 00:18:45,400 that looks at that broad authority of county commissions. 174 00:18:45,840 --> 00:18:49,360 How the commission then takes that authority 175 00:18:49,360 --> 00:18:53,500 and pushes it out potentially to a county administrator, 176 00:18:54,240 --> 00:18:55,480 to an HR director. 177 00:18:55,620 --> 00:18:57,980 The board delegates its authority, okay? 178 00:18:58,300 --> 00:19:00,600 That doesn't mean we lose responsibility, right? 179 00:19:02,180 --> 00:19:05,800 So, hearing what you're saying is I think it's important 180 00:19:05,800 --> 00:19:09,640 to understand what is happening 181 00:19:09,640 --> 00:19:18,540 underneath the authority of the board, and that is primarily the way I see how 182 00:19:18,540 --> 00:19:26,340 the authority flows out and down. You know, you could argue that the boards with 183 00:19:26,340 --> 00:19:34,180 that top-down authority, it doesn't, again, preclude us from bottom up, right? 184 00:19:34,180 --> 00:19:40,700 right? Our team, these are the subject matter experts. I don't, you know, I don't have 185 00:19:40,700 --> 00:19:47,280 that kind of training and expertise that somebody like a finance director has, but what I'm 186 00:19:47,280 --> 00:19:52,020 certainly looking for is to make sure he's pulling an upstreaming back up his knowledge 187 00:19:52,020 --> 00:19:58,640 to us and having conversations, again, as I think something that makes sure we're all in 188 00:19:58,640 --> 00:20:01,800 page, so appreciate that, okay? 189 00:20:03,920 --> 00:20:09,500 Yeah, I'm not going to dive in or advocate for executive 190 00:20:09,500 --> 00:20:16,660 session at this time and other items I've submitted. To Commissioner Chuck's point, we have 191 00:20:16,660 --> 00:20:24,680 been distributed the budget calendar, which is great, seems fairly well mapped out with 192 00:20:24,680 --> 00:20:31,760 with the types of meetings that we're going to be having, and it looks like on the 27th 193 00:20:31,760 --> 00:20:36,720 we can expect to have an online budget book narrative, and I'm going to give everybody 194 00:20:36,720 --> 00:20:43,380 a chance to look into our financial activity as well, which I think is important to really 195 00:20:43,380 --> 00:20:45,680 encourage people to come along for the ride. 196 00:20:46,940 --> 00:20:56,340 Ask questions, take a look, advocates, because as and if we are moving forward to be having 197 00:20:56,340 --> 00:21:02,620 a challenge in your financially, we're going to have to make potentially hard decisions, 198 00:21:02,640 --> 00:21:03,080 right? 199 00:21:03,400 --> 00:21:10,080 So, again, you know, what your priorities are through us is important for us to know. 200 00:21:11,680 --> 00:21:12,500 All right. 201 00:21:12,500 --> 00:21:16,300 So moving on, thank you for your patience, everyone. 202 00:21:17,940 --> 00:21:22,500 So that jumps us, that was kind of discussion, I guess. 203 00:21:24,240 --> 00:21:29,900 It doesn't look like we have any reports from staff or partners, but Commissioner Chuck, 204 00:21:29,960 --> 00:21:31,720 it looks like you have a report today. 205 00:21:33,500 --> 00:21:35,820 Yeah, so it was my activities last week. 206 00:21:35,820 --> 00:21:43,240 So on the 6th, I sat in virtually on some Association of Oregon County, some committees, 207 00:21:43,600 --> 00:21:44,740 Health and Human Services. 208 00:21:46,380 --> 00:21:52,900 Basically, what this committee does is it looks over at this time of year, over what the 209 00:21:52,900 --> 00:21:57,980 legislation is and what's going through and how that potential legislation will affect 210 00:21:57,980 --> 00:21:59,740 community. So I just highlighted a couple. 211 00:22:01,880 --> 00:22:07,980 4-0, HP 4-0, 7-0, as the work convenes that asks 212 00:22:10,090 --> 00:22:14,010 for a work group to look at improvements and updates to coordinated care organizations 213 00:22:14,010 --> 00:22:19,450 and community mental health programs. The intent is to reduce administrative burden and provide 214 00:22:19,450 --> 00:22:26,570 better services. HR1, and this was the bill passed in the U.S. Congress. 215 00:22:26,570 --> 00:22:37,610 There's the hurdle there is potential reductions in federal funds, all of our HHS departments 216 00:22:37,610 --> 00:22:45,930 here in the county, we will be striving to provide basic services and mental health 217 00:22:45,930 --> 00:22:55,010 care with potential upcoming reductions in Medicaid and other funding sources for community 218 00:22:55,010 --> 00:22:58,390 community-based health providers, most of that is from the state. 219 00:22:59,670 --> 00:23:07,450 Governor in revenue, an economic development board, HB 4148, I think I've talked about that before. 220 00:23:08,050 --> 00:23:16,510 Reapportion's transit lodging tax percentages from 70%, 70% in favor of the state to 13% in favor of 221 00:23:16,510 --> 00:23:21,950 the entities that collect those taxes, the intent is to switch that to 60% 222 00:23:21,950 --> 00:23:25,950 to the entities and 40% in favor of the entities. 223 00:23:26,490 --> 00:23:29,130 It also broadens the available uses for funds. 224 00:23:29,850 --> 00:23:34,530 We can use more for infrastructure, which we couldn't do before. 225 00:23:34,930 --> 00:23:41,070 Depot Bay is looking to replace or work on it's drinking water and wastewater treatment plant. 226 00:23:41,230 --> 00:23:44,970 This would free up those funds for them to do those improvements. 227 00:23:45,890 --> 00:23:51,650 It gets more local control over funds, and this does not mean that that 60% 228 00:23:51,650 --> 00:24:16,310 And that has to be used in the entities or for the entities they can choose to do more advertising with the state or by themselves for that it just gives more control over that there's a recreational liability bill in the Senate by been contacted by charter operators and other businesses that have a recreational businesses outside. 229 00:24:16,310 --> 00:24:23,630 This basically brings us up to the same levels of liability as all the Western states. 230 00:24:24,410 --> 00:24:28,350 They're much in favor of it, especially the chargers in the whale watching. 231 00:24:31,110 --> 00:24:37,870 Natural resources, there's a Ford 4134, it's 1.25% for wildlife. 232 00:24:38,110 --> 00:24:40,710 This is an increase on the transit lodging tax. 233 00:24:42,650 --> 00:24:44,990 This would pay for poaching enforcement and 234 00:24:44,990 --> 00:24:47,530 based on species monitoring, state-wide action plans, 235 00:24:47,770 --> 00:24:51,490 wolf depredation, compensation, and wildlife connectivity, 236 00:24:51,890 --> 00:24:53,370 and crossing and stewardship programs, 237 00:24:53,890 --> 00:24:57,050 and the Oregon Recreation Fund and the Conservation Corps. 238 00:24:58,250 --> 00:25:02,410 This one is an extra transit lodging tax. 239 00:25:03,510 --> 00:25:06,890 It's getting a good support, but I'm not sure if that's gonna be 240 00:25:07,350 --> 00:25:09,770 one of those things that the legislature at this time 241 00:25:09,770 --> 00:25:12,390 is going to impose a new tax on the people. 242 00:25:12,390 --> 00:25:15,850 So, on the 9th, we had public safety and veterans. 243 00:25:16,510 --> 00:25:21,250 There was a bill that's going through to, with improvements in emergency response 244 00:25:21,250 --> 00:25:22,570 preparedness and management. 245 00:25:23,430 --> 00:25:29,810 Another one on EMT funding and a program re-organization and modification, transportation 246 00:25:29,810 --> 00:25:31,050 and community development. 247 00:25:31,730 --> 00:25:38,490 There's something on city annexation of non-contiguous lands and that doesn't, that doesn't sound 248 00:25:38,490 --> 00:25:43,130 like an impacts a county but the county impact would require us to provide maintenance 249 00:25:43,130 --> 00:25:46,610 level and care to those roads within city limits. 250 00:25:47,790 --> 00:25:53,370 Omnibus housing bill changes existing programs to facilitate more opportunities to build 251 00:25:53,370 --> 00:25:56,990 housing, streamline that application process, and times. 252 00:25:57,950 --> 00:26:02,870 That one's pretty well supported, I think we all know that housing needs and the efficiency 253 00:26:02,870 --> 00:26:03,850 of the Lincoln County. 254 00:26:04,890 --> 00:26:21,530 Rural residential development reason allows counties with lower populations per square mile to reason on for residential use in less than 40 acres and ADU sides increase if outside the urban grow growth boundary. 255 00:26:21,790 --> 00:26:25,770 This is only for counties with less than 30 people per square mile. 256 00:26:25,770 --> 00:26:33,130 Now this not applied only in county and on House Bill 41-44 creates a collection system 257 00:26:33,130 --> 00:26:36,430 for lithium batteries for slightly purposes and fire prevention. 258 00:26:37,110 --> 00:26:41,210 Our local providers, solid waste providers are very much in favor of this. 259 00:26:42,510 --> 00:26:45,530 When a lithium battery gets crushed, it can catch fire. 260 00:26:46,250 --> 00:26:54,270 They can lose their hauling vessel and right now they're between $750, $100,000 a piece. 261 00:26:54,270 --> 00:27:03,050 and if they were to lose one that cost would get passed on to our local people who use the service. 262 00:27:04,030 --> 00:27:10,550 I also testified in favor of H148 in the House Committee on Revenue. 263 00:27:12,040 --> 00:27:18,650 And on the 10th, 30 plus commissioners from 23 different counties. 264 00:27:18,650 --> 00:27:23,450 We met in person with the Senate President and Speaker of the House over breakfast. 265 00:27:24,270 --> 00:27:28,610 We got updates on the session so far, possible outcomes, concerns and wishes. 266 00:27:30,920 --> 00:27:35,040 They were hoping to pass legislation and hoping that they could get to pass some good things. 267 00:27:35,460 --> 00:27:42,240 There's ongoing concern with ODOT, making up their $300 million shortfall. 268 00:27:43,000 --> 00:27:48,320 And the state also looking for making up some money on their budget. 269 00:27:49,260 --> 00:27:51,600 that's all going to be going through ways and means 270 00:27:51,600 --> 00:27:55,760 and you will see what happens when the session ends. 271 00:27:56,660 --> 00:27:59,140 One of the problems with the ODOT shortfall 272 00:27:59,140 --> 00:28:00,500 is they're looking at taking money 273 00:28:00,500 --> 00:28:03,440 from the Connect Oregon grants. 274 00:28:03,940 --> 00:28:07,120 That is a grant that addresses transportation issues 275 00:28:07,120 --> 00:28:08,640 in cities, counties, ports, 276 00:28:10,040 --> 00:28:14,880 and other things such as pedestrians and bicycles. 277 00:28:14,880 --> 00:28:18,800 And then also we 278 00:28:21,650 --> 00:28:24,910 also had the 120th anniversary of the Senate 279 00:28:24,910 --> 00:28:29,530 Continuing Resolution celebrating 120 years of AOC. 280 00:28:30,490 --> 00:28:33,710 And then later in the day I met with Senator Anderson and Representative 281 00:28:33,710 --> 00:28:37,550 Donberg, accompanied by a couple of county commissioners from Benton County, 282 00:28:38,290 --> 00:28:42,330 regarding 4148 and other legislation that affects counties. 283 00:28:43,230 --> 00:28:47,630 There were some other lobbying groups that I met that were also working on some 284 00:28:47,630 --> 00:28:52,690 legislation that would benefit our county and 4148 and some other ones. 285 00:28:53,010 --> 00:28:57,410 And then myself and one of the Harnie County commissioners met with Representative Owens. 286 00:28:57,930 --> 00:29:01,430 To discuss legislation beneficial to rural and frontier counties. 287 00:29:02,430 --> 00:29:08,510 One thing I've learned by going to AOC is that there are quite a few counties that have a lot in common. 288 00:29:08,510 --> 00:29:10,210 And those are the rural and frontier counties. 289 00:29:10,570 --> 00:29:15,170 We make up 28 to 29 of the counties of the 36 in the state. 290 00:29:15,170 --> 00:29:20,050 And it's better that we work together than not against each other. 291 00:29:20,150 --> 00:29:22,210 We have a lot more in common than we do have differences. 292 00:29:22,550 --> 00:29:23,670 So thank you for your time. 293 00:29:24,130 --> 00:29:26,390 Yeah, yeah. Thank you so much, Commissioner Chuck. 294 00:29:27,110 --> 00:29:38,010 And I want to put a plug in for Commissioner Chuck being at the Capitol and the county like many counties. 295 00:29:38,010 --> 00:29:59,110 It pays a pretty hefty contract and dollars to the Association of Counties to really help tie us together and that we are advocating for ourselves with our fellow counties as we look at these legislative impacts and how they might affect us. 296 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:29,460 So when Commissioner Chuck participates in, you know, a cadre of committees that are looking at these bills with fellow counties to say, wow, how is this going to impact us? And then through those committees, that advocacy is pushed back up to the legislature. So, you know, the time he's spending on our behalf to take a look at what kind of impact we might be experiencing. I think is really, 297 00:30:29,460 --> 00:30:37,540 important. I appreciate that you're doing that work Commissioner Chuck and there's a lot of great 298 00:30:38,560 --> 00:30:44,640 conversations happening at the committee level through the Association of Counties and I am glad 299 00:30:44,640 --> 00:30:49,820 Commissioner Chuck is there for us. He's taking a look at these things. I know that was a lot of 300 00:30:49,820 --> 00:30:55,960 information. I appreciate it. You have been doing quite a bit and I think that serves us. Okay, so 301 00:30:56,500 --> 00:31:01,960 appreciate your time on that. Yeah. Thank you. It looks like we're advertising for North Face 302 00:31:01,960 --> 00:31:11,700 both of us. Yes, right. Okay, so that was Commissioner Reports and that moves us into public 303 00:31:11,700 --> 00:31:12,600 comments. 304 00:31:14,700 --> 00:31:19,600 PIOLIP, you want to go with written? The written is attached. 305 00:31:22,220 --> 00:31:23,180 Okay. Chair, the written 306 00:31:23,180 --> 00:31:28,020 comment is attached to the agenda. It got on there a little bit late. There's a comment about the 307 00:31:28,020 --> 00:31:31,740 potential naming of Fillington County Commons, and then there's a comment about the Commissioner 308 00:31:31,740 --> 00:31:39,860 appointment process. Okay. Okay. So, well let's take who's in the room here. We have Christine 309 00:31:39,860 --> 00:31:46,860 Hutchins. Please come forward and remember you have three minutes to address the board. 310 00:31:50,700 --> 00:31:51,660 Make sure that 311 00:31:51,660 --> 00:32:00,120 it is red and then maybe do a check check so you can hear yourself. No. Is it red? 312 00:32:02,740 --> 00:32:09,380 Needs the button on the base. Oh yeah. Oh, but look on the base and when it turns red, 313 00:32:09,980 --> 00:32:21,060 yeah, there you go. Okay, good morning commissioners. I'd like to remind everyone that sitting on the 314 00:32:21,060 --> 00:32:26,540 the taxpayers. The first duty of government is to protect its people. 315 00:32:28,840 --> 00:32:29,480 Sadly, that does 316 00:32:29,480 --> 00:32:36,120 not seem to be happening here in Lincoln County. Just in case you are not aware, we had 317 00:32:36,120 --> 00:32:43,300 a man with a hatchet on the beach in Newport yesterday. We had an arm man that was intoxicated 318 00:32:43,300 --> 00:32:47,820 near one of our schools, and I'm just picking Newport because both commissioners live in 319 00:32:47,820 --> 00:32:54,580 report. We can go into other cities too if you'd like. A sexual assault on the 100 block 320 00:32:54,580 --> 00:33:00,780 of 71st Street in Newport happened yesterday. A sexual offender was questioned by office 321 00:33:00,780 --> 00:33:06,180 in downtown Newport, possibly not on the registry like it should have been. And we had 322 00:33:06,180 --> 00:33:10,880 a bar and a grill broken into on highway 101 in Newport. And this is all in two days. 323 00:33:11,700 --> 00:33:16,480 So you sit here and will not discuss the DA staffing. 324 00:33:19,330 --> 00:33:21,110 We are attracting the wrong people 325 00:33:21,110 --> 00:33:27,550 here because the word is out that our DA's department is understaffed and therefore 326 00:33:27,550 --> 00:33:34,110 is unable to prosecute or crime. So my question is, how long are we going to fiddle while 327 00:33:34,110 --> 00:33:39,550 roam burns with these little childish gains that are going on? Our DA's office has been 328 00:33:39,550 --> 00:33:46,690 and under start for over a year, and Commissioner Miller, NDA Wallace, have tried multiple times 329 00:33:46,690 --> 00:33:50,270 to get this on the agenda. So I am assuming that it is Council 330 00:33:50,270 --> 00:33:54,050 Ull and WaterChuck that is stopping it, because I do not think anyone else would have the 331 00:33:54,050 --> 00:34:00,450 authority. And lastly, I have a question that I have asked eight months ago that I still 332 00:34:00,450 --> 00:34:06,190 do not have an answer to, is why is Council Ull still standing on the dius when she slandered 333 00:34:06,190 --> 00:34:13,930 four county employees to two commissioners—Lincoln County residents—and she has not been 334 00:34:13,930 --> 00:34:17,870 investigated like all these other employees that the county has that you seem to be putting 335 00:34:17,870 --> 00:34:21,550 on administrative leave and leaving them home for months on full pay. 336 00:34:22,690 --> 00:34:26,410 I would like an answer to that question. I have been asking it for eight months now. 337 00:34:26,410 --> 00:34:30,030 Okay. Thank you. Okay. Thank you, Christine. 338 00:34:32,610 --> 00:34:39,730 Let's see here. Barbara Davis and Barbara. 339 00:34:46,750 --> 00:34:47,330 Good morning. 340 00:34:47,830 --> 00:34:57,210 Can you hear me? Yes. Okay. I too have questions as a tax paying citizen to 341 00:34:57,210 --> 00:35:02,530 contribution to your generous salaries, so I would like some answers, some accountability. 342 00:35:03,650 --> 00:35:08,210 On January 7th, the Board of Commissioners meeting, county council stated that the business 343 00:35:08,210 --> 00:35:14,030 of that meeting was to appoint a board chair, as a vacancy was left with Commissioner Hall's 344 00:35:14,030 --> 00:35:14,210 death. 345 00:35:15,050 --> 00:35:19,130 Council stated that past practice dictated that Commissioner Chuck would become the chair. 346 00:35:19,990 --> 00:35:27,130 However, Oregon revised statutes, 203.240 states, if two members of the board cannot agree 347 00:35:27,130 --> 00:35:32,430 on the appointment of a chairperson, the member who's longest in length of service shall act as chair. 348 00:35:33,270 --> 00:35:36,490 At that point, Commissioner Miller should have been the chair. 349 00:35:37,470 --> 00:35:41,650 It is my understanding that the Oregon revised statutes are the law of the land, 350 00:35:41,910 --> 00:35:48,790 that the Oregon statutes override past practice. So why was that legal advice not given by county council? 351 00:35:49,230 --> 00:35:54,470 First question. At the February 4th, the work session, the county council stated that the 352 00:35:54,470 --> 00:35:58,210 The commissioner of vacancy must be filled within 30 days by statute. 353 00:35:58,890 --> 00:36:01,950 There was no justification for not following the law. 354 00:36:03,150 --> 00:36:06,610 Council quoted ORS 236.210. 355 00:36:07,690 --> 00:36:13,270 But in fact, ORS 236.210 does not contain a 30-day deadline. 356 00:36:14,090 --> 00:36:18,150 This is the applicable statute for a non-partisan county. 357 00:36:18,730 --> 00:36:21,050 Lincoln County is a non-partisan county. 358 00:36:21,830 --> 00:36:26,190 Despite Council Yules repeated reminders that we are out of compliance with the law, 359 00:36:27,830 --> 00:36:32,350 according to ORS 236.2 was zero, that would be incorrect. 360 00:36:33,250 --> 00:36:36,290 She continued to express the urgency of this appointment. 361 00:36:37,070 --> 00:36:40,150 In that same meeting, Commissioner Miller repeatedly asked, as he has 362 00:36:40,150 --> 00:36:44,810 right as the elected commissioner, for a further discussion of the appointment process. 363 00:36:45,670 --> 00:36:49,930 If this appointment held such urgency as expressed by County Council, 364 00:36:49,930 --> 00:36:53,470 So why was the next board of commissioner meeting in which commissioner Miller stated 365 00:36:53,470 --> 00:36:57,790 as a desire for further discussion on the appointment process, and in which commissioner 366 00:36:57,790 --> 00:37:02,910 will have been in the chair, why was that meeting canceled without board deliberation? 367 00:37:03,830 --> 00:37:09,250 I believe commissioner Chuck denied counseling the meeting, maybe the public information officer 368 00:37:09,250 --> 00:37:09,890 canceled it. 369 00:37:10,310 --> 00:37:12,410 The question remains unanswered. 370 00:37:15,250 --> 00:37:21,630 So I would really like answers to these questions, and I would like those answers made publicly 371 00:37:21,630 --> 00:37:29,330 not in private to myself. I would like those answers and accountability publicly. Thank you. 372 00:37:30,210 --> 00:37:31,370 Thank you, Ms. Davis. 373 00:37:34,170 --> 00:37:40,130 So we've got two signed up. It looks like that's it for in-person inputs. 374 00:37:41,110 --> 00:37:46,130 Did you want to do the raise hand function online or? You didn't receive any of the forms. 375 00:37:46,130 --> 00:38:01,200 Okay. Okay. So just want to be clear, we have a process for submitting online feedback. Okay. No raised hands. 376 00:38:04,240 --> 00:38:07,340 No submissions. Okay. 377 00:38:11,660 --> 00:38:14,420 Oh, yeah. Well, let's allow her. 378 00:38:17,820 --> 00:38:19,660 Commissioner Miller, we do have a process for that. 379 00:38:21,970 --> 00:38:27,170 And no one signed up in time. Yeah, I hear you Commissioner Chuck. 380 00:38:28,710 --> 00:38:36,390 That process is not a board authorized process. We didn't take a vote. And I think 381 00:38:37,350 --> 00:38:49,530 Lola Jones is here and she might not even be aware of that, so I think we can give her a chance to talk today. Okay. So no, that's the process commissioner Miller. 382 00:38:50,370 --> 00:38:54,730 And when I've been shared, I follow that. So I would, I would hope that you would do the same. 383 00:38:55,890 --> 00:38:57,330 Okay. Which which one though? 384 00:38:58,070 --> 00:39:04,670 Because we have a, we have a, that there's an online process for rules that people have to sign up. 385 00:39:04,870 --> 00:39:08,290 Yes, online, there's one for online and you have to sign up the day before. 386 00:39:08,810 --> 00:39:15,010 Okay, I hear you today. I am waving that for this individual online. 387 00:39:15,210 --> 00:39:21,110 I would advise not because the point of doing the online is you actually sign the same rules that you sign when you come in person. 388 00:39:21,110 --> 00:39:26,790 And so that gives staff the opportunity to actually ensure that the individual has signed 389 00:39:26,790 --> 00:39:30,630 has agreed to the rules of public comment, which has been approved by the board. 390 00:39:31,270 --> 00:39:38,530 Okay. Appreciate that feedback. The the virtual process was not a process that was approved 391 00:39:38,530 --> 00:39:45,810 by this board. Okay. That is a process that was created at a different time. You know, 392 00:39:45,990 --> 00:39:50,590 for the record, I've requested that we bring all of these processes, again, under one 393 00:39:50,590 --> 00:39:58,650 and Brella, and re-look at the public comment rules, I think I will give Lola Jones the opportunity 394 00:39:58,650 --> 00:40:05,590 to speak to us. She's raising her hand, and I see no downsides to this, okay? 395 00:40:07,150 --> 00:40:12,370 I do, because we need to follow the process that was set up, Commissioner Miller, and we adhered to it 396 00:40:12,370 --> 00:40:20,090 for the last five or six meetings. So, I do not think we should vary from that. 397 00:40:26,160 --> 00:40:28,000 Would you let Hologone speak please? 398 00:40:32,280 --> 00:40:36,080 This, we're not, I'm not going to be part of that. So, no. 399 00:40:36,380 --> 00:40:39,440 Okay. Okay, everyone. Hold on. 400 00:40:40,700 --> 00:40:46,100 We need to bring this process back to the board and have a discussion about it. 401 00:40:46,100 --> 00:40:51,760 So we're all into the same page and that the rules are encompassed in one comprehensive process. 402 00:40:52,500 --> 00:40:58,200 So I'm making a motion that we add public comment rules to the next agenda. 403 00:40:58,500 --> 00:41:02,400 Would you support me on reviewing all of this then? 404 00:41:02,820 --> 00:41:03,380 No, I will not. 405 00:41:04,560 --> 00:41:04,820 Okay. 406 00:41:05,360 --> 00:41:05,960 All right. 407 00:41:06,780 --> 00:41:07,280 Okay. 408 00:41:08,800 --> 00:41:09,820 All right. 409 00:41:10,160 --> 00:41:10,460 Please. 410 00:41:10,800 --> 00:41:11,440 Hey, everyone. 411 00:41:12,140 --> 00:41:12,800 Please. 412 00:41:14,300 --> 00:41:14,980 Okay. 413 00:41:14,980 --> 00:41:15,040 Okay. 414 00:41:15,720 --> 00:41:19,540 We'll tell you what, I'm closing public comment, okay? 415 00:41:20,720 --> 00:41:22,320 We have no executive session. 416 00:41:23,640 --> 00:41:25,200 Thank you for your time. 417 00:41:26,320 --> 00:41:30,420 We'll keep working together, everyone, and trying to come to a place where we have consensus. 418 00:41:31,140 --> 00:41:32,540 Keep your input coming in. 419 00:41:33,360 --> 00:41:34,760 This is your government. 420 00:41:34,960 --> 00:41:39,460 I appreciate you being here, and unless there is anything else for the board. 421 00:41:40,820 --> 00:41:40,940 Okay. 422 00:41:43,200 --> 00:41:44,620 I'm adjourning this meeting. 423 00:41:44,620 --> 00:41:45,780 Thank you. Okay.