BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS'
REGULAR MEETING
October 29, 2008
9:00 a.m.
Commissioners’
Conference Room
APPROVED
11/25/2008
Commissioner Faye
Stewart presided with Commissioners Bill Dwyer, Bill Fleenor, Bobby Green, Sr.
and Peter Sorenson present. County
Administrator Jeff Spartz, County Counsel Liane Richardson and Recording
Secretary Melissa Zimmer were also present.
1. ADJUSTMENTS
TO THE AGENDA
Sorenson requested item 3. B. 3) be pulled for one week from the Consent
Calendar.
2. PUBLIC
COMMENTS
Benny Anderson, Florence, stated that one of the original covenants
on the property in question is that the property should be kept in its natural
state. He said that was the way the
public has been using it. He said
the public has been using the entire property to view sunsets for decades.
He thought it was the County’s duty to come up with a settlement to
allow public to have the same access they have enjoyed all these years instead
of having a walkway between buildings.
Debra Anderson, Florence, said she was opposed to the County doing
anything to enable the present property owners to put a house or development on
their property that had been used by residents for so many years.
She said giving the Gabers an easement to build a septic field and a
house on the property would increase their property values and unfairly decrease
other property values because of accessibility and use.
She recalled the roadway and beach access have had public use for over 40
years and it is a continuation of Second Avenue.
She thought the Board would be targeting an individual for a huge
financial gain by granting access for a drain field or to connect to a property
they might give to the property owners. She
noted that Tax Lot 5300 is a beach dune. She said as neighbors they showed the
Board photographs where the majority of the tax lot is underwater during high
tide and that would require rocks to be placed in front of the property.
Bob Peters, Florence, thanked the Board for attempting to negotiate a settlement. He
said the Gabers have been in communication directly in the past few days and
they were told the Gabers did not intend to block access to the road or beach
and he takes them at their word. He
said they were told the Gabers intend to build an 800 square foot cottage where
the public has enjoyed access to the beach and ocean. He said the property in question is without value.
He recalled when the Gabers bought the property the land had pavement
over the east part that is part of Second Avenue.
He added the other part extends into the ocean.
He commented that the proposal to agree to the easements is a proposal to
add value, where there is no value at the present.
He thought there was a lawful remedy that is straightforward. He added the West Lane Planning Commission had already
addressed this and has already approved the remedy. He added that Kent Howe,
Land Management, indicated that it is currently available to them.
Russ Noah, Florence, asked the Board as they review the options, that they don’t
negotiate something that the County already has. He said they already have public access.
He hoped the Board would weigh all the options and decide the right thing
to do for the public: to maintain the access and that Second Avenue goes all the
way to the ocean as part of the original deed and the legalization process.
Carol Berg Caldwell, Eugene, discussed the October 21 meeting.
She said not one social service or crime prevention agency were there.
She asked if they were encouraged to attend.
She commented that voters recognize that effective public safety programs
must include a balance of punishment and prevention. She thought saving money in reserves also made sense.
Jan Sohlman, Florence, asked the Board to be mindful of the impact on what is being
proposed on Second Avenue and other adjoining properties.
She noted there were about 20 other people who could be impacted by
losing their beach views if Gaber were to build on his property. She said the
neighbors could possibly suffer significant reduction of value of their
property. She said the proposed
solution would allow Gaber the benefit of building another structure, (thereby
enhancing the value of his property) while diminishing the value of other
properties. She commented that the
value of beach property is in location, views and beach access.
She asked the Board to consider other alternatives in order to create a
fair and equitable solution for all parties.
Mike Gaber, Eugene, said he owns Tax Lot 5300.
He said he was willing and motivated to support a solution that solves
both road access issues and continued public access to the beach without
significant cost to the County or legal proceedings. He thought staff was dedicated to resolving the problem for
the best interest of all involved. He
was asked by staff if he would consider selling his lot to the County.
He said they declined the option as their first choice.
He believed there were other viable solutions.
He believed in property rights for private citizens.
He recalled on December 5, 2007, a spokesperson for the neighborhood
stated: “Private parties claimed in 02 that they were going to build on that
property or prevent them from going across it.” He said he nor his wife ever indicated that they would deny
access to their property to neighbors or to anyone else.
He said they have made it a point to continue the tradition of committing
public use of their property for beach and road access.
Mike Farthing, Eugene, said he represents the Gabers. He
indicated that they own the intersection of Second Avenue and Ocean Avenue, Tax
Lot 5300. He sent a letter to the Board outlining their position.
He said they have a willing property owner wanting to reach a resolution
that will maintain beach access and recognize the road as it presently exists as
a dedicated road. He said in exchange, Gaber would like ground that would join
up his two lots. He indicated the
amount could be negotiated. He
indicated that there are details that need to be worked out.
He thought it was a win-win for everyone. He indicated that access to the beach will be maintained and
it will be relocated on Gaber’s lot. He
stated the Gabers want to retain the development rights they believe they have.
He wanted to come back with a solution.
He indicated the County property is a public right-of-way so there would
be a vacation.
Jim Gillette, Eugene, recalled last week Bob testified that he actually lived in his
house, but he stayed down the property with the dogs. Gillette thought he brought up persuasive arguments on how he
has been mistreated by staff. He
recalled that Stewart personally heard from the tenants that Bob lived on the
property. Gillette said that was
said by mistake. Gillette said Bob
never spoke to anyone in the County, he spoke to a fire marshal and the fire
marshal called someone at the County. Gillette
said he is in compliance. He
announced that tomorrow night in Harris Hall there will be a property owner and
trail users meeting at 6:30. He
said these other landowners have problems with the County.
Zachary Vishinoff, Eugene, thanked Sorenson for the Civic Stadium
ceremony for landmark status. He
stated another student has challenged the City of Eugene and the University of
Oregon on the arena alley vacation. He
announced the LUBA appeal is set for November 13.
He said the student asserted this is not in the public interest for the
city.
Charles Cassey, stated that he has lived in the area for five years
and bought his property because it had access to the beach and no other place
within reasonable distance has access to the beach. He understood that there has
been beach access for 40 years. He
said there is something in the terms of real estate that says they have access
when enough people use it. He
indicated that there were enough people who use it.
He wanted to get together a number of people who were interested in this.
Gary Garrison, Florence, said he was amazed at the proposal.
He stated this area has been public beach access for many years and the
roadway has also been there. He
said for the County to aid Gaber by running a sewer line across and building on
the lot would be a major problem and a hardship to a number of people in the
community. He hoped the Board takes
this into consideration.
Dina Pavlis, Eugene, wanted to be sure the Board is listening to other people in the
community instead of just the people who live in the neighborhood.
She commented the beach access point is a Florence community access point
and there are hundreds of people who use it that don’t live in the
neighborhood and are unaware of what is happening.
She wanted to make sure the people who would be affected are going to
have a chance to hear about what is happening and weigh in on the decision being
made.
3. CONSENT
CALENDAR
A. Approval of
Minutes: None.
B. County
Administration
1) ORDER 08-10-29-1/In
the Matter of Proclaiming that Lane County is Committed to Ensuring a Full and
Accurate Census County in 2010.
2) ORDER 08-10-29-2/In
the Matter of Transferring $500 from the General Fund Operational Contingency to
Materials and Services Within General Expense to Support the 2009 Martin Luther
King Jr. Celebration.
3) ORDER 08-10-29-3/In
the Matter of Transferring $22,050 from the Service Stabilization Reserve into
Materials & Services for a Contract With Smith Dawson and Andrews to
Continue Federal Lobbying Efforts.
(PULLED)
C. Public Safety
1) ORDER 08-10-29-4/In
the Matter of Appropriating Grant Funds of 489,435 in Revenues and Expenditures
for 2008-2009 in Fund 124 and Adding a 1.0 FTE Mental Health Specialist in the
Lane County Sheriff's Office, Corrections Division.
MOTION:
to approve the balance of the Consent Calendar
Dwyer MOVED,
Fleenor SECONDED.
VOTE:
5-0.
4. HUMAN
RESOURCES
a. DISCUSSION AND ORDER
08-10-29-8 Adjusting the Compensation of Elected Officials.
Greta Utecht, Human
Resources, reported that Secure Rural Schools funding has come through that
alleviates some of the financial considerations. She said that budget staff updated the cost analysis for the
full recommendation and for just a
COLA only. She recalled that the Elected Officials Compensation Board
recommended there be a change in the Sheriff’s base as well as the
commissioners’ base salary. She
stated that if the Board were to approve the full recommendation for FY 08/09,
the cost would be $52,000. She
added that if the Board were to approve the COLA for compensation only, the full
cost would be $21,000. She said
Sorenson asked what the Social Security index increase is and it has been
provided. She added that they
provided the July 2008 increase figure of 5.8 percent.
She noted that the Social Security index is higher than the CPI.
Dwyer stated that
things cost more for people to live. He
didn’t want to adjust the base salary, he wanted to look at a small cost of
living allowance. He commented that
frugality has to start at the top. He
said they set examples by how they treat themselves. He thought the cost of
living raise would help in the upcoming labor negotiations.
Utecht explained
that Option 2 would provide the preferred compensation adjustment and a two
percent COLA for all elected officials. She
noted the raises for the Assessor, the justices, the District Attorney and the
Sheriff would be effective July 1, 2008 and for the commissioners, it would be
effective January 1, 2009. She recommended that the Board also be granted the
same total compensation or benefit adjustment as the non-representative
employees for FY 09/10, not to exceed the value of the CPI.
She explained that they get behind because of the way the charter is
written. She said that way they
don’t have to worry about the timing around the election.
She added if they only approve it for this year, it would be another two
years before they could adjust it.
Dwyer didn’t want
to get far behind again. He thought
it would strengthen the position with the bargaining unit.
Fleenor concurred
with Dwyer that leadership starts at the top.
He thought now was not a good time to consider this.
He said they should probably have a COLA.
He was concerned about public perception.
He thought they should take the sacrifice, let things level out for two
years and then come back to review this. He
said they have to show the public they are willing to make the sacrifice.
He was not in favor of doing anything.
Stewart asked if
that addressed the issue of the Sheriff.
Utecht said if the
Board wants to grant a COLA, they want to grant Options 2, 3 and 4, to return
with changes to the Lane Manual addressing the issue of pay differential in the
Sheriff’s Office. She said if the
Board approves the COLA but not the base, she has to come back and if the Board
does nothing, she has to come back because they have to make changes in the Lane
Manual.
MOTION:
to move the most diminimus recommendation offered by Utecht including Option 2,
3 and 4.
Dwyer MOVED,
Fleenor SECONDED.
Fleenor agreed with
Dwyer but he said the timing was unfortunate.
He said they don’t have a six year rolling plan they could incorporate
this into. He said there are a lot
of programs that they can’t fund. He
respected the fact that common people should be allowed to represent the people.
He said when he ran for the position he knew what his salary was going to
be and he had not anticipated that it would be more. He said as they move
forward, he hopes they address this systematically in their six year rolling
plan.
Stewart was against
large pay increases and was opposed to the recommendation of the Elected
Officials Compensation Board of an eight percent raise.
He believed the commissioners were at least ten percent underpaid
compared to their colleagues in other counties.
He believed that they needed to be fair to the justice courts and the
other elected officials. He thought this was modest and much less than what was
recommended to other employees. He
thought it was appropriate.
Utecht indicated
that if the Board passes this motion she will come back with a new board order.
VOTE:
3-2 (Fleenor, Sorenson dissenting).
5. EMERGENCY
BUSINESS
None.
6. COMMISSIONERS'
REMONSTRANCE
Sorenson explained
that one of the most important tax credits existing in Oregon tax law is the
earned income tax credit. He said
Oregonians for Working Families seeks to increase the state earned income tax
credit and is seeking support for expanding the earned income tax credit in the
state of Oregon. He recalled in the
last tax season Oregon required minimum wage workers who are employed full-time
on a year round basis and supported one child to pay $321 in state income taxes.
He noted that was equivalent to a month of food.
He said with the states having earned income tax credits, Oregon has one
of the nation’s smallest. He said there is an effort underway to expand the
earned income tax credit in the state of Oregon.
He thought Lane County should pass a resolution.
Fleenor recalled on
October 21 the Board had a public safety work session.
He said he was out of the room securing information about the nature of
the meeting. He stated that he had
no intent to offer any disrespect to the public safety officials in the room or
any professional. He said it was a matter of information and he regretted he
delayed the meeting by six minutes but he believed they ran over by 30 minutes
and everyone was able to speak.
Dwyer said he had
notified the chair that he had been booked into a school assembly. He came to
the meeting as soon as the assembly was over.
It was his belief there was not going to be a vote, it was to be
informational. He thought if he
missed anything critical, he could watch the webcast. He was sorry if he caused any inconvenience.
Stewart asked if in
the future there were questions about why an item was before the Board to let
him know. He thought the memo was
clear that this was only for discussion and for informational purposes.
He recalled at the PSCC meeting people who provide additional services
for treatment and prevention were there and they stated it was important that
the issues need to be resolved. He
indicated that was what was presented on October 21.
Sorenson had
reservations about what happened last week.
He said it was because it was labeled as a discussion item. He said there are discussion items with action and there are
discussion items without action. He
said last week after they had an opportunity to hear from the public safety
officials and an opportunity for the board to ask questions.
He said item 4. a) was a discussion about the Elected Officials’
Compensation Board and they just took a vote.
Dwyer said the
Elected Officials’ Compensation Board recommendation had to be acted on prior
to the election. He stated that
Sorenson knew it. Dwyer said this
was the last meeting prior to the election.
He commented that no one was prohibited from making a motion at any time.
He said Sorenson has made motions when things were for discussion.
7. COMMISSIONERS'
BUSINESS
a.
DISCUSSION/Internal Auditor Evaluation.
Stewart announced
that Stewart Bolinger, Internal Auditor, will retire on July 1, 2009.
Bolinger said his
plan was to achieve the audit plan when he leaves the County so there would be a
risk assessment in place. With
regard to audits, he commented that performance auditing contrasts with
financial auditing from a lack of control.
He attached a memo on the allocation plan for Information Services (Copy
in file). He said it was an example
of what they could confront from a small audit function in a complex
organization. He commented that it
takes a while to get to know the system they have. He said he was contacted by a
senior staff person about an accounting problem and that discussion showed him
there was a misperception that they were not able to allocate certain IS charges
to one of their contracts. He noted
his clear understanding of the rules from prior audits was that they could.
He gave citations on three different standards that contradict the idea
that the costs were not recoverable. He
added that they were compliance requirements. He
commented that the Board hired him to come up with solid, defensible
commentaries on whatever the problems might be.
He noted that every operational audit department in the country makes a
compromise and they prepare management recommendations instead of audits because
of the burden. He added that he
chose to do it that way this time. He
encouraged the board to point out to the next auditor, to deliver more of the
second audit that would raise the number of deliveries to the Board.
He added the other process is valid but it is more time consuming.
He said it is harder with a one person shop, as the clerical and major
tasks will be done by one person. He
noted the risk of errors and omission rises when they start doing memos.
Dwyer thought
Bolinger’s experience allowed him to look for things. He said Bolinger used the memorandum approach to allow to
recover that which didn’t require an audit.
Bolinger indicated
that this memo was the first significant opportunity he saw to eliminate his
wage as a burden on the County. He
thought there could be more audits that would show that if they had larger
budgets the efficiencies would rise, but he didn’t find any waste.
He commented that the caliber of people and the general level of
compliance are extraordinary.
Fleenor thought
there was an overlap with other departments with schedule 1, 2. 3 and 4 drugs.
He thought this served LCAS and the entire County.
Bolinger said it is
a standard he needs to observe to meet legal objections as well as simple
prudence.
Stewart stated that
he was pleased with Bolinger’s work.
Fleenor wanted to
have a work session on Bolinger’s work with LCAS.
Green enjoyed
Bolinger’s style of auditing. He
commented that they found successes around public safety, fleet and in Public
Works.
Sorenson enjoyed
Bolinger’s work.
b. REPORT/Lomakatsi
Restoration Project.
Marko Bay,
Lomakatsi Restoration Project, gave a presentation on the reforestation project
from Southern Oregon. (Copy in file).
8. COUNTY
ADMINISTRATION
a. Announcements
None.
b. ORDER 08-10-29-5/In
the Matter of Awarding a Contract for a Video Lottery Strategic Investment
Project to Monaco Coach for $150,000 and Authorizing the County Administrator to
Sign Project Contracts.
Mike McKenzie-Bahr,
Economic Development, stated this is a recommendation from the Economic
Development Standing Committee to award a contract from the video lottery
strategic investment fund of $150,000 to Monaco Coach for training of employees.
MOTION:
to approve ORDER 08-10-29-5.
Dwyer MOVED, Green
SECONDED.
VOTE:
5-0.
c. RESOLUTION AND
ORDER 08-10-29-6/In the Matter of Making the FY 2008 Elections for
O&C Land Related Safety-Net Payments.
Dave Garnick,
Budget Manager, reported that both of the orders are nearly identical.
He noted one is with National Forest dollars and the other is for O &
C dollars for the general fund. He
said the first election is to decide whether or not to opt into the program.
His recommendation is to do it because it would mean more money to the
County than if they stayed with the old 50/50 share with the BLM.
He noted the amount for 08/09 is about $46.7 million.
He said the act requires they take 15 to 20 percent off the top and put
that aside for projects. He
indicated that the way the orders are written, they will take only 15 percent
for projects, thereby maximizing the dollars to the general fund and the road
fund. He added that amounts to
about $7 million for next year, leaving $39.7 million as actual funding for the
County. He recalled that
national forest dollars come to the state and the state decides how to split it.
He noted that currently 75 percent goes to the road fund and 25 percent
to the school fund. He added out of
the 15 percent for projects, they have to decide how to split the funding
between Title II and Title II funds. He
noted what was different this year is that the act limits them to a maximum of
seven percent of the total for Title III dollars or 46.7 percent of the project
dollars. He indicated that choosing
seven percent for Title III dollars is the maximum the County can receive. He
added that it leaves the remaining eight percent for Title II funding.
He said in addition to the 85 percent, they would receive 3.269 percent
as the Title III portion for the allowable uses.
He noted there is no inflationary adjustment as the act is stepping down.
He explained that at this point since the Forest Work Camp is no longer
an allowable use and he didn’t know how they could spend the Title III money
they will have. He said once they
do the allocation for Title II funds, the money goes between all the various
ACTS. He noted that 100 percent is
allocated to the Eugene BLM District. He
said by opting into the new ACT, it covers the County through the first three
years and the fourth year has a new formula.
His recommendation is to do this as presented.
He noted another new change to Title III funding is that if they don’t
spend all the money at the end of the four year program, they have to send it
back if it is not obligated as an allowable use.
He recalled under the previous act they were allowed to keep it.
MOTION:
to approve RESOLUTION AND ORDER 08-10-29-6.
Dwyer MOVED, Green
SECONDED.
VOTE:
5-0.
d. RESOLUTION AND
ORDER 08-10-29-7/In the Matter of Making the FY 2008 Elections for
National Forest Related Safety-Net Payments.
MOTION:
to approve RESOLUTION AND ORDER 08-10-29-7.
Dwyer MOVED, Green
SECONDED.
VOTE:
5-0.
9. PUBLIC
WORKS
a. REPORT BACK
Discussion with Owner About Land Management Division 10/29/08 Second Avenue and
Ocean Avenue Purchase, Back to Board with Number and Options (NBA & PM
10/3/08).
MOTION:
to direct staff to prepare a resolution that asserts the rights to the County by
deed and prescription related to Tax Lot 5300.
Fleenor MOVED,
Dwyer SECONDED.
Mike Jackson, Land
Management, asked for a map attached showing the exact lot they discussed.
Stewart stated the
Board already believes the County has legal right for access on the road by
passing this resolution. He is
hopeful this will resolve the conflict the neighbors have with the question of
legal access and with this they are asserting that they do have legal access.
VOTE:
5-0.
b. RECOGNITION/The
Julian Prize.
Marsha Miller,
Public Works, recalled that last week at the chapter of the American Public
Works Association Conference, the chapter awarded the Julian Prize for
sustainability to Lane County, the City of Eugene and the City of Springfield,
in their efforts for the Eugene 08 Olympic Trials.
11. CORRESPONDENCE
TO THE BOARD
None.
12. COMMISSIONERS'
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sorenson reported
that he was having a listening session at the Hilyard Community
Center.
Green reported that
he went to Salem as AOC past president and presented to an interim committee on
court facilities. He indicated that
Vicki Walter, Nancy Nathanson and Floyd Prosanski were there to talk about a
task force he co-chaired with Gerry Gaydos about court facilities to be
maintained. He noted some
courthouses need to be replaced. He
indicated that they are starting a process to address needs for the Lane County
courthouse. He added further work
will be done with counties where the state could partner and better improve
services around courthouses.
13. EXECUTIVE
SESSION as per ORS 192.660
Per ORS 192.660 (2)(e) for the purpose of deliberating with property
negotiators.
14. OTHER
BUSINESS
None.
There being no
further business, Commissioner Stewart adjourned the meeting at 12:10 p.m.
Melissa Zimmer
Recording Secretary