July 14, 1998
WORK SESSION-BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
9:00 a.m. Commissioners' Conference Room
Commissioner Steve Cornacchia presided with Commissioners Ellie Dumdi, Peter Sorenson
and Cindy Weeldreyer present. Commissioner Bobby Green, Sr. was absent. County
Administrator Bill Van Vactor, County Counsel Teresa Wilson and Recording Secretary
Melissa Zimmer were also present.
1. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA
None.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Michael Maddick, Water Resources Department, State of Oregon, reported that the
Water Resource Department has 19 Water Masters around the State of Oregon that perform a
variety of duties enforcing Oregon Water Law, and assisting the public in obtaining the
water uses needed. He added that he is the new Water Master that will be serving Lane and
Linn Counties. He said his duty is to distribute water in times of shortage, settle water
disputes between neighbors, measure stream flows and monitor water levels in streams. He
also said that the State has dam safety programs for private dams, regulates the well
drilling to ensure that the wells are built to the proper construction standards, provides
assistance to the water rights research for real estate brokers and technical assistance
to watershed council. He passed out a handout (see copy on file).
3. COMMISSIONERS' ANNOUNCEMENTS
Weeldreyer announced that she will be attending the NACo Conference in Portland on Friday,
will be in a planning meeting in Salem on Thursday and attending the District Attorney
Conference in Bend. She said she will also be attending a two day economic development
conference on telecommunications in The Dalles.
Dumdi stated she had heard nothing negative about the Oregon Country Fair. She said she
will also be attending the NACo Conference and is the President of the Women Officials of
NACo. She said a Presidential Scholarship award will be given out to a local woman,
Alexandra Ralph, who will be attending Oregon State University. She added that she will be
out of the office until July 27.
Sorenson announced on Thursday he will be going to Roseburg to talk with the Douglas
County Chamber of Commerce about the United Front. He said that he will also be attending
the NACo Conference. He said he attended the Oregon Country Fair and received positive
feedback on the anti-drug and alcohol policy. He said he was told the numbers are down in
attendance but the sales are up. He also said that he would be attending the Health
Advisory Committee (formerly Lane County Community Health) meeting.
Cornacchia said that Governor Kitzhaber will be here on July 30 to take part in
groundbreaking for the two substance abuse facilities going in on the youth campus. He
said that Kitzhaber was not able to attend the groundbreaking of the main facility. He
said that Kitzhaber needs more exposure in Eugene and he can use this opportunity for his
initiative on the budget for kids. He said the groundbreaking will take place at 10:00
a.m. on July 30.
Weeldreyer said that she wanted to call the Board's attention to the Heritage Tree in
the City of Coburg that is on the north side of town. She said that it is now totally
within the County's right-of-way and was the actual landmark when the City of Coburg was
laid out in terms of surveying. She said that two weeks ago the Coburg City Council met
and the property owner whose house is adjacent to the tree said it was a dangerous tree
and wanted it removed. She said that a number of other people in the audience at the City
Council meeting also wanted it removed. She said that an arborist testified that with
cabling and care by a landscape person, that the tree had many years left of life. She
said Lane County has an arborist that is offering a different opinion that the tree is not
safe even with cabling. She said that Public Works has taken the position that even though
the tree is in the County's right-of-way that if the City wants the County to not remove
the tree, then it would be up to the City Council to find the funds to do the necessary
preservation of the tree. She said that Coburg City Council could only wait one week to
decide on the outcome of the tree.
Cornacchia stated he was also contacted about this matter and said that on this
particular project, the County made it very clear that Lane County is not going to make
the decision, that it was a local City issue for Coburg.
Sorenson stated that whatever could be done to help facilitate saving the tree, should
be done.
4. COMMISSIONERS' BUSINESS
a. PRESENTATION/Ferry Street Bridge Project.
Tom Larsen, Project Manager, presented information on the Ferry Street Bridge. He
reported that the citizens advisory group and staff in conjunction with the State,
developed a project that would make the best use of Federal and County funding, to
preserve and protect the Ferry Street Bridge. He said that due to the traffic getting onto
the Ferry Street Bridge from Broadway a new merge lane is being built which is less steep
and 1200 feet longer that will go across the EWEB parking lot. He said the original bridge
was built in 1951 and the engineering community has learned a lot about how structures are
damaged in earthquakes, and this was the most cost effective way to structurally and
seismically upgrade the viaduct. He said the most cost effective way was to actually build
two new bridge columns outside of the existing ones, which gave the opportunity for a 12
foot wide merge lane on one side and move both of the sidewalks over the other side of the
bridge, which balanced the structured. He said pedestrian safety, traffic, merging and
seismic issues were all dealt with together. He said the seismic repairs will take place
next summer on the west side of the bridge. He said the Eastwood neighbors have been upset
about cars using their neighborhood and the solution is a new connecting road, behind the
Honda dealer. He said there will be a new traffic signal and it will also stop the flyover
traffic off of I-105 and will allow traffic from County Club Road and I-105 to turn left
directly onto Coburg Road going northbound. He said that two lanes will be used to get the
best use out of the available green time and get as much traffic through the corridor as
possible.
Cornacchia discussed the current traffic problems on Olympic Boulevard in Springfield
during rush hour traffic, with cars backing up onto the freeway because one car flips the
computer switch. He asked about the priority of the intersection of Country Club Road and
the Ferry Street Bridge, so the problems will not be the same, where one car coming off of
Country Club Road will trigger the light switch and stop traffic on the Ferry Street
Bridge.
Dave Reinhart, City of Eugene Public Works, responded to Cornacchia's question by
explaining that all three traffic signals through the Ferry Street Bridge corridor will be
timed off of the same computer controller and the program will be adjusted for traffic
inbound in the morning and outbound in the afternoon. He also added that with the
construction, utility wires are also being cleaned up by going in conduits and the
westside sidewalk. Sidewalk work has been held up due to relocation of the wires. He said
improvement will start to show in about 18 months. He also said that there will be a
traffic-actuated sign on I-105 at the merge point of I-105 and the Ferry Street Bridge to
advise drivers that the flyover ramp is filling up. He said they can use the service ramp
off at Coburg as an alternative.
Cornacchia said the County supported this project from a regional standpoint and he
said that he would be disappointed if all of his constituents coming down from I-105 are
of secondary importance to the person coming off of Country Club Road. He said he was
assured by the City of Springfield that if a light were put at Olympic Street it would not
have any impact and he said traffic is backing up to I-105. He said he is comparing that
intersection to this intersection. He said that the car coming off Country Club Road
should have a low priority.
Larsen, in response to Weeldreyer's question about the time it takes to go through the
Ferry Street Bridge corridor, stated that because of the new signals, people are being
stopped more often so it will be slower going across the bridge than if there were no
traffic signals. He added that at Coburg and Oakway there will be two lanes that will turn
left at I-105. He said that a bicycle under crossing is being constructed to eliminate
crossing in traffic, and a new suspension bridge will connect the paths from the north
side to the south side. He added that the State is paying for this portion and there is no
County money involved on the bridge.
Sorenson asked about the cost of construction for the Ferry Street Bridge.
Reinhart said that the total was $29,000,000, with $23,000,00 Federal monies,
$5,000,000 from the County and $1,000,000 from the City of Eugene. He said the State has
no money in this, but is the conduit for Federal funding.
Reinhart said the Eugene City staff said the bridge has been designed to work
efficiently and safely but will not be free-flow due to the increase of the population in
Eugene.
Dumdi said that she was interested in a bicycle licensing program with the City of
Eugene Public Works Department.
5. EXECUTIVE SESSION as per ORS 192.660
None.
6. COUNTY ADMINISTRATION
a. Announcements
Van Vactor passed out a memorandum from Jeff Turk, Property Management Officer (copy on
file) regarding the use of the upper PSB lot from Centennial Bank Eugene Celebration for
the ability to provide "Hoopmania" (a youth basketball opportunity). He added
the County will possibly lose $2,000 in revenue and inconvenience patrons by making them
clear the parking lot on Friday afternoon early. He said that it appears to have a
significant focus on Youth.
Cornacchia said Hoopmania was over at the Gateway Mall and he was wondering if the
Gateway Mall offered them free space. He said they were a commercial enterprise and if
they were getting the space free, the County should be able to offer the same. He said if
they were charging rent for the use of the space, then the County should be in the same
position by charging for the space.
Sorenson said that he would be in favor of this but would like to hear the response to
Cornacchia's question and wondered if there was an additional opportunity to charge for
parking in the PSB parking lot for the celebration.
Weeldreyer said she would be supportive of this idea but wants to know the answers
regarding the costs to Hoopmania and Centennial Bank wants to donate spaces, so she would
be willing to do the same.
Van Vactor announced that he will be attending the District Attorney's Association
Conference on Thursday and Friday and will be attending the NACo Conference in Portland,
and after that he will be taking a week and a half off. He said he will be back the first
week in August and Acting County Administrator duties will be split between David Suchart
and David Garnick. He said Terry Wilson will be in charge of Board Orders with regard to
the levy on the voters pamphlet.
b. ORDER 98-7-14-1/In the Matter of Amending Board Order 98-06-24-33,
which Adopted the FY 98-99 Budget, to Reduce the Amount of Taxes that will be Levied
Beginning July 1, 1998.
David Garnick, Budget Analysis, stated the Budget that was adopted included $1.00 per
$1,000 as a placeholder for a local option levy, in the event the decision was to go
forward with a September election. He said since the County will not be having a September
election, this action will take the $1.00 per $1,000 off and will amend the previous
order.
MOTION: to approve ORDER 98-7-14-1.
Weeldreyer MOVED, Dumdi SECONDED.
VOTE: 4-0.
7. YOUTH SERVICES
a. ORDER 98-7-14-2/In the Matter of Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement
Between Lane County and the State of Oregon for a Youth Highway Cleanup Program,
Delegating to the County Administrator Authority to Execute the Agreement, Appropriating
to the Budget of the Department of Youth Services $150,000 in Additional Revenue and
Expense in the Fiscal Year 1998-1999, and Establishing Within the Department of Youth
Services a 1.0 FTE Community Service Worker 2 Position.
Steve Carmichael, Youth Services, presented a proposal which he said had multiple
winners. He said it is a good plan for the Department of Transportation to get their
highways cleaned up by the kids. He said these were kids who violated the law. He said the
Judge or intake workers had directed these kids to pay victims back for the damage that
they had done. He said the kids will be credited at minimum wage for the hours that they
spend cleaning the roads. He said that the dollars will go toward their victims. He said
the kids learn job skills, they pay back the victims, they are held accountable for their
crime and the highways get cleaned up. He said that he has expressed some concern with
County Counsel about safety factors with kids being along the highways.
Cornacchia asked if the new person hired will be with the kids on the project and what
the total budget in Lane County was for ODOT highway cleanup.
Ron Carper, Community Service Program, indicated that the person hired will be out on
the project working with the kids, making sure that all safety precautions are taken. He
said in regard to highway cleanup, the budget is $200,000. He said the money would take
care of what is traditionally spent on crews in the metro area. He said that a crew is
hired year round, one leader paid $7.00 per hour and 4 or 5 litter pickers at $6.19 per
hour on a year-round basis in the metro area.
Cornacchia said that he was concerned about kids being killed and that this program
will be done in such a way that the County is not placed in a position of a family losing
a child and have the legislature limit their recovery. He said that answers are not needed
today, but the County is putting everyone on notice that there are concerns with the
expectation that the County Administrator execute the agreement, that comes on the advice
of counsel, that it is ready to be executed with these considerations in mind.
Cornacchia asked for an oral report back once the agreement is in the form that Counsel
feels it needs to be.
MOTION: to approve ORDER 98-7-14-2.
Dumdi MOVED, Sorenson SECONDED.
VOTE: 4-0.
Commissioner Cornacchia recessed the meeting to return at 10:50 a.m.
8. PUBLIC WORKS
a. ORDER 98-7-14-3/In the Matter of Appointing One Member to the Roads Advisory
Committee.
Dumdi announced that there was a position to the Roads Advisory Committee expiring and
there are two applicants, one is from a current member of the Committee, Sky Chamard, the
other is Jason Reed. She said that she would like to recommend that Sky Chamard be
reappointed because of the projects that he has been working on. She said that he has a
good handle on what has been going on. She said that Jason was an excellent candidate and
she would like to see his name kept on file.
Cornacchia said that Chamard had been on the committee for 12 years and it was time for
new blood. He said that Mr. Reed has been applying for years for this position and gets
bumped by incumbents. He said that he wanted to see a new person on the committee and
would not support the recommendation.
Weeldreyer said that she has worked with both Sky and Jason and said they bring a
prospective to road policy issues that she values. She said that it is a difficult choice
for her.
Cornacchia said there is a policy for people to serve two terms on advisory committees
and it is there for a reason, because the County wants more participation.
Goodson added that Chamard is semi-retired and has been able to attend daytime
meetings, and this gives him the advantage.
Dumdi said that the general rule has been two terms on advisory committees, blanket
across the County. She said there are three committees where the County has more
discretion, and those are Roads Advisory, Budget and Fair Board.
MOTION to approve ORDER 98-7-14-3.
Dumdi MOVED, Sorenson SECONDED.
VOTE: 3-1, Cornacchia dissenting.
b. FIRST READING AND SETTING SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING/Ordinance PA 1118/In
the Matter of Amending the Rural Comprehensive Plan to Redesignate Land From
"Agriculture" to "Marginal Land" and Rezoning That Land From
"E-40/Exclusive Farm Use" to "ML/Marginal Land"; and Adopting Savings
and Severability Clauses (file PA 0026-98; Myers/Rudinsky) (Second Reading & Public
Hearing: July 29, 1998, 1:30 p.m., Harris Hall Main Floor).
MOTION: to approve First Reading and Setting Second Reading and Public Hearing/Ordinance
PA 1118.
Dumdi MOVED, Weeldreyer SECONDED.
VOTE: 4-0.
c. THIRD READING AND SETTING FOURTH READING AND DELIBERATION/Ordinance PA 1111/In
the Matter of Amending the Rural Comprehensive Plan to Redesignate Land from
"Forest" to "Rural" and Rezoning that Land from "F-2/Impacted
Forest Land" to "RR-5/SR ("Rural Residential 5 with Site Review"),
Adopting Exceptions to Statewide Planning Goals 3 And 4; and Adopting Savings and
Severability Clauses (File PA 2418-97; Jewett) (Fourth Reading: August 5, 1998).
MOTION: to approve Third Reading and Setting Fourth Reading and Deliberation/Ordinance
PA 1111.
Dumdi MOVED, Weeldreyer SECONDED.
VOTE: 4-0.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Approval of Minutes
B. Health and Human Services
1) RESOLUTION AND ORDER 98-7-14-4/In the Matter of Delegating Authority to the
County Administrator to Sign Contract Extensions with the Federal Government, and
Subsequent Contract Amendments with Catholic Community Services and Lane ShelterCare.
2) RESOLUTION AND ORDER 98-7-14-5/In the Matter of Accepting Revenues from the
City of Eugene, Meyer Memorial Trust, State of Oregon Housing and Community Services,
State of Oregon Adult and Family Services in the Amount of $245,355; to Increase
Appropriations in the Amount of $27,355; to Delegate Authority to the County Administrator
to Sign the Agreements, Amendments, and Subsequent Subcontracts as Listed in Exhibit A.
C. Management Services
1) ORDER 98-7-14-6/In the Matter of Authorizing the County Administrator to
Execute a Purchase Option Agreement with Fred Meyer Stores, Inc. for County Owned Real
Property Identified as Map No. 18-12-26-12 Tax Lots 100, 200, 300 and 400 (East of
Creekside Pines Subdivision, Florence)
2) ORDER 98-7-14-7/In the Matter of Approval of a Stipulated Order Regarding the
Workers' Compensation Claim of John Davila.
D. Public Works
1) ORDER 98-7-14-8/In the Matter of Setting a Public Hearing for the Purpose of
Hearing Objections to Final Assessments for 2nd Street South from Springfield City Limits
to Dorris Ranch (Public Hearing: August 5, 1998, 1:30 p.m., Harris Hall Main Floor).
2) ORDER 98-7-14-9/In the Matter of Setting a Public Hearing for the Purpose of
Hearing Objections to Final Assessments for South 57th Street and Mount Vernon Cemetery
Road from Springfield City Limits to Jasper Road (Public Hearing: August 5, 1998, 1:30
p.m., Harris Hall Main Floor).
3) ORDER 98-7-14-10/In the Matter of Setting a Public Hearing for the Purpose of
Hearing Objections to the Transfer of Tax Foreclosed County-Owned Property to the City of
Eugene (Public Hearing: August 5, 1998, 1:30 p.m., Harris Hall Main Floor).
4) ORDER 98-7-14-11/In the Matter of Designating Certain County-Owned Lands as
Public Parkland, Approving the Conveyance of County-Owned Lands to the City of Eugene and
the Willamalane Park and Recreation District and Executing the Conveyance Documents.
D. Public Works
5) ORDER 98-7-14-12/In the Matter of Relinquishing Certain Properties Along
Beltline Road West to the State of Oregon.
6) ORDER 98-7-14-13/In the Matter of Awarding a Contract to Johnson Instrument
Company in the Amount of $43,000 to Purchase Real Time GPS Equipment, Bid No. LCSO-02 FY
97/98.
E. Youth Services
1) ORDER 98-7-14-14/In the Matter of Approving a Contract for Services with Ikon
Technology Services, and Delegating to the County Administrator Authority to Execute the
Contract.
MOTION: to approve the Consent Calendar.
Weeldreyer MOVED, Sorenson SECONDED.
VOTE: 4-0.
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1998 - WORK SESSION (Continued)
10. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
a. RESOLUTION AND ORDER 98-7-14-15/In the Matter of Appointing Three Members to
Fill Three Vacancies to the Mental Health Advisory Committee. (Rob Rockstroh) (2 min.)
Cornacchia stated the Mental Health Advisory Committee recommends Donald Leslie, Carol
Copely and Shannon Thinnes.
MOTION: to approve RESOLUTION and ORDER 98-7-14-15 as recommended.
Weeldreyer MOVED, Sorenson SECONDED.
VOTE: 4-0.
11. EMERGENCY BUSINESS
None.
REVIEW ASSIGNMENTS:
Cornacchia said Youth Services will come back and give a report back on the status of
the
Intergovernmental Agreement with ODOT and there will be a report back regarding the rental
for Hoopmania. He added that Hoopmania wants to rent the parking lot from Friday through
Sunday.
Cornacchia said that the next meeting will be on July 29, 1998 at 9:00 a.m.
There being no further business, Commissioner Cornacchia adjourned the meeting at 11:35
a.m.
Melissa Zimmer
Recording Secretary
