BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS'

REGULAR MEETING

October 1, 2003

1:30 p.m.

Commissioners’ Conference Room

APPROVED 10/29/03

 

Commissioner Peter Sorenson presided with Commissioners Bill Dwyer, Bobby Green, Sr. and Anna Morrison present.  County Administrator Bill Van Vactor, County Counsel Teresa Wilson and Recording Secretary Melissa Zimmer were also present.

 

13.  COMMISSIONERS' BUSINESS

 

a.  CONTINUED DISCUSSION/Possible Meeting with Cities Regarding Transportation Funding. (NBA & PM 7/2/03, 7/30/03, 8/20/03).

 

Sorenson explained the Board wanted to have a meeting with the cities regarding transportation.  He noted that a letter was sent to the cities inviting them to bring their mayor, city councilor, administrator and public works director.  He added there was no date set for the meeting.

 

Ollie Snowden, Public Works, asked the Board what type of information they wanted from the cities at this meeting.

 

Green requested a historical look at the City of Eugene’s urban forester program, which they currently fund out of their public works budget.  He added he wanted a ten-year history to see whether or not the growth had increased.

 

Dwyer noted that the Cities of Eugene and Springfield had made budgetary changes whereby they raised the storm water tax and moved money out of the road fund into storm water to justify raising the storm water rates.  He wanted clarification on whether or not the cities think these taxes are in addition to the taxes they just instituted.  He said as a County, Lane County was willing to help.

 

Morrison hoped that each city was truthful with regard to the revenues they receive and amounts regarding road related purposes.  She also wanted to know how the cities expand the dollars or how they shifted them to free up money within their road funds.

 

Green wanted to know what the overall funding was of the road fund.  He thought Lane County was only showing how much it gave, not how much was received.

 

Dwyer wanted to ask the cities what it cost them per road mile as it relates to maintenance and construction.  He commented that was a way they could show which was the most cost effective operation.

 

Van Vactor noted that had been tried before.  He said they hadn’t gotten very far as it was comparing apples to oranges.  He didn’t think they would be successful.  He stated if the governing bodies wanted to pursue that, he thought the city councils and the Board of Commissioners need to state that. 

 

Sorenson stated the transportation meeting would take place on November 25 at 6:00 p.m. at the Goodson Room at Lane County Public Works.  He suggested that the congressional offices be invited to this meeting.

 

b.  CONTINUED DISCUSSION/East Lane Vacancy.

 

Green commented the Board was at a point where they are not in agreement with the final three candidates.  He indicated his first choice was Gary Williams.  He added since they did not have consensus or majority support, he thought it was important that the Board try to appoint someone to fill the seat that they could work with.  He said what was important was getting someone to start work.  He reviewed the pool of applicants who were not chosen and he asked if there would be board support for Don Hampton.

 

Dwyer stated that Hampton wasn’t his first choice either.  He wanted someone to closely emulate Tom Lininger.  He said they have to make sound public policy based on the common good.  His preference was that the candidate would not be a mayor.  He said he could work with Don Hampton.  He added Hampton was his second choice.

 

Morrison stated that Hampton was not her choice.  She said she could go ahead with the vote as it was for only 7½ months and then the voters of that district would choose who they really want.  She said if Don Hampton was the one chosen, then that was fine with her.

 

Sorenson wanted the board order stating the appointment was for the remainder of the first half of the term and to call the special election, so it is clear to the public that a special election will occur in May and possibly November 2004.

 

Sorenson was pleased with the direction the Board took.  He stated he worked with Hampton over the past few years and he brings to the Board a good background.  He supported Hampton.

 

MOTION:  to move that the Board appoint Don Hampton, Mayor of Oakridge, to fill the vacancy of East Lane County and to call a special election.

 

Green MOVED, Dwyer SECONDED.

 

Dwyer wanted to cast a unanimous ballot to indicate their support for Hampton.

 

Green accepted that as part of his motion.

 

VOTE: 4-0.

 

14.  EXECUTIVE SESSION as per ORS 192.660

 

None.

 

15.  OTHER BUSINESS

 

There being no further business, Commissioner Sorenson adjourned the meeting at 4:00 p.m.

 

 

Melissa Zimmer

Recording Secretary