BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS'

STATE OF THE COUNTY

January 2, 2008

10:00 a.m.

Harris Hall Main Floor

Commissioner Faye Stewart presided with Commissioners Bill Dwyer, Bill Fleenor, Bobby Green, Sr., and Peter Sorenson present.  County Administrator Jeff Spartz; County Counsel Teresa Wilson and Recording Secretary Melissa Zimmer were also present.

            MUSIC - Tom McVey 

            WELCOME - Commissioner Stewart

            PRESENTATION OF COLORS - Boy Scout Troop No. 260

            CALL TO ORDER - Commissioner Stewart

            INTRODUCTIONS - Commissioner Stewart

            STATE OF THE COUNTY ADDRESS - Commissioner Stewart

            PRESENTATION OF AWARDS - Commissioner Stewart

            RECOGNITION OF OUTGOING CHAIR - New Chair

            MUSIC - Tom McVey

            ELECTION OF CHAIR - Commissioner Stewart

MOTION: to re-elect Faye Stewart as Chair.

Green MOVED, Dwyer SECONDED.

MOTION: to nominate Pete Sorenson as Chair.

Fleenor MOVED, Sorenson SECONDED.

MOTION: to fix the method of voting by voice, hand or paper ballot.

Fleenor MOVED.

Stewart understood that they could do a hand or voice ballot as it needed to be recorded for the Open Meetings Law.

Fleenor stated the result of the paper ballot would be recorded.

Wilson explained that the results of a vote could be by name.  She said they could do a paper ballot if each commissioner wrote their name on it.  She said the minutes need to reflect how each commissioner voted.

Fleenor asked if that was reflected in their charter or a practice that they have adopted without an ordinance or policy within their by-laws.

Wilson responded it was as a result of ORS 192.650 (1)(c), state law.

Sorenson commented that in the past they have been well served by the idea that the person that becomes the Chair is the Vice Chair.  He said they have done that every year for the past 11 years.  He said they did it because it is a way to bring the leadership forward to the next year.  He said by having the rotation system in place and by having the non-partisan system, they have been able to have some continuity.  He added the continuity is in keeping with the Lane County Charter that made the office non-partisan and took some of the partisanship and divisions that exist on the Board because of geography and politics.  He thought if they listened to what he said two years ago, he thought it was good they were bringing Stewart into the rotation to be Vice Chair and he became Chair.  He spoke in favor of the rotation system even when people elected didn’t always agree with him in the way things should be done.  He thought the Board would be on the right path if they followed the system and to change the system without an explanation does a disservice to the stability the rotation system has given them.

Dwyer stated there wasn’t a rotation.  He recalled Congressman DeFazio was Board Chair twice, Green was Vice Chair and then Sorenson was elected Chair.  He said Jerry Rust was Vice Chair three or four times and he didn’t become Chair.  He said it was not about rotation, but about three votes and confidence.  With regard to the record, he would vote in any way but his vote would be for Faye Stewart.

Fleenor said when Stewart was elected Chair and Sorenson Vice Chair there was every expectation that Sorenson was assumed to take the position of Chair and he would assume the position of Vice Chair.  He thought Stewart wanted to give up the position as Chair.  He commented that one particular commissioner on the Board has lack of confidence in another commissioner and it is having an impact on the entire Board.  He hoped one commissioner would not create a dynasty with the chair.  He thought it was a bad precedent and he didn’t support Stewart’s nomination.

Dwyer commented that it was not a precedent.

(Vote of first motion).

Fleenor stated he made a motion to fix the method of voting and it comes first.

(Fleenor’s motion to fix the voting recommendation).

VOTE: 5-0.

Fleenor said according to Roberts Rules of Order, it is unusual for a Board of this nature to have a roll call vote.  He said they should have a paper ballot and they should mark their names on it. He thought it would be a more legitimate process.  He had already prepared a paper ballot.  He recommended also nominating Vice Chair at the same time.

PAPER VOTE:

Stewart received three votes, Sorenson received two votes.

Stewart announced the Chair for 2008 will be Faye Stewart.

ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIR 

MOTION: to nominate Bobby Green, Sr., as Vice Chair.

Dwyer MOVED, Stewart SECONDED.

PAPER VOTE: 

Green received four votes.

There being no further business,  Commissioner Stewart recessed the meeting at 11:20 a.m.

Melissa Zimmer

Recording Secretary