September 16, 1998
REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Harris Hall Main Floor - 1:30 p.m.
Commissioner Ellie Dumdi presided with Commissioners Bobby Green, Sr.,
Peter Sorenson and Cindy Weeldreyer present. Steve Cornacchia was excused. County
Administrator Bill Van Vactor, Assistant County Counsel Stephen Vorhes and Recording
Secretary Melissa Zimmer were also present.
12. COMMISSIONERS' ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.
#13. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING/Ordinance PA 1114/In the Matter of Adopting
the Cottage Grove Transportation System Plan, and Adopting Savings and Severability
Clauses (NBA & PM 8/26/98).
Harvey Hoglund, Land Management, reported that the Board had a joint hearing with the
Cottage Grove City Council on June 1 to act on the recommendation of the Lane County and
Cottage Grove Planning Commissions and the Roads Advisory Committee to adopt this plan. He
said at that time there were amendments that needed to be made to the final plan,
resulting from the feedback from the public and correspondence of state agencies that had
certain requirements that were not reflected in the plan. He said those changes have been
made and are embodied in the document dated August 26, 1998 (Exhibit "A" of the
Ordinance). He added the map (located as Figure 10) showed where there had been concern by
people about the connection of an extension of "L" and "R" Streets to
the north that would have joined with Bennett Creek Road and the resolution of the issue
was to not indicate where the road would terminate. He said the County and City staff did
some preliminary work to examine topographic maps to see what options there might be for
other connections. He said the best way to resolve it for the purposes of this plan was to
cut short the line indicating that it would connect to Bennett Creek Road and any further
study where the road would join the rest of the street system would be a subject of a
future refinement plan. He added that subject has been addressed during the earlier
hearing. He said he had no further comments as far as the changes being made to the final
plan from the draft plan. He said all of the items that were spelled out from the state
agency were identified in the earlier agenda cover memo that was presented in June. He
said this ordinance would be the first of the transportation system plans that have been
prepared in Lane County between the city, LCOG and Lane County Public Works. He said they
recommend adoption of the ordinance.
Weeldreyer stated because she was a resident of Bennett Creek Road that she should make
a potential conflict of interest claim in this. She said her property does not go all the
way down to Bennett Creek, there is a shared easement with eight residences. She said
because Weeldreyer Road was part of the public record as a result of this, she wanted to
make it known that she owned no property, it belongs to her mother-in-law.
George Lavios, Director of Planning and Development, thanked the Transportation
Division of the Public Works Department for all of their assistance for the development of
the plan. He also thanked the commissioners for making a trip to Cottage Grove and meeting
in joint session with their council and Lane County's Joint Planning Commission for
meeting with their Planning Commission.
Commissioner Dumdi opened the Public Hearing.
Pat Patterson, 1140 S. 10th, Cottage Grove, City Council of Cottage Grove stated
he was supporting George Lavios for the 2 ½ years spent and all the cooperation. He said
they are pleased to be the first plan that had taken place. He said his basic purpose is
to address the Willamette River decision and his concerns regarding that issue.
There being no one further to speak, Commissioner Dumdi closed Public Hearing.
Weeldreyer echoed the thanks on all of the citizen and staff hours that have gone to
creating this document. She added overall it is a good tool for the city to use in
planning for its future and for those reasons, she recommends approval.
MOTION: to approve Ordinance PA 1114.
Weeldreyer MOVED, Sorenson SECONDED.
Weeldreyer said she wanted to reiterate the importance of the planning documents as
putting lines on paper so as things develop, there is an opportunity to design around
major roadways. She said this plan will be serving the city in the future.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 4-0. Commissioner Cornacchia was excused.
Dumdi thanked staff for the many hours that have been put into the various
transportation plan projects. She added the work is well done and is greatly appreciated.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Pat Paterson, 1140 S. 10, Cottage Grove, stated that in Cottage Grove there is a
lot of responsibility not only as a city, but as a County in protecting watershed. He said
the proposition of the Clinton proposal for governing the Willamette River, is not in the
best interest of anyone in the State of Oregon. He said there are a number of rules that
are already in existence as far as DEQ and watershed go. He said if this is
misinterpreted, it will impact every water system that draws water from the Willamette or
the underground water that comes into the aquifer. He said if you open the door where the
federal government has the jurisdiction of dictating what is done with that water,
property rights will be lost and cities will be affected. He said it is hard to comply
with the mandates that come off of fresh water for the cities. He said a resolution was
passed in Cottage Grove planning ahead to set aside monies for the sewer, water and storm
drain. He added those monies cannot be used for anything other than the designated area.
He said the city of Cottage Grove worked closely with the forestry service to find a way
to protect the watershed and do some very extensive allowable logging within that area. He
said with the Willamette situation, people should say that they don't support this
Willamette water drainage that is being promoted by the state. He said it will affect all
the cities and communities in Lane County and it will be bad when a farmer can't go and
drill a hole to harvest his crop. He said there is still the situation with Lang Creek and
Corps of Engineers drainage into the water system now. He added as the population grows,
those parts will come into play more. He said that he would hope that the Board would
continue to support Oakridge and Cottage Grove in not supporting this program.
14. OTHER BUSINESS
Weeldreyer announced that the Walterville Fair will be taking place this weekend.
Dumdi added that the Eugene Celebration will have a pet parade this Sunday.
There being no further business, Commissioner Dumdi recessed the meeting until 7:30
p.m. at the Willamalane Senior Center in Springfield.
Melissa Zimmer
Recording Secretary
