Clatsop County Board of CommissionersHighlights
Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011 regular meeting
11-09-2011 Work Session Audio Transcript
11-09-2011 Regular Meeting Audio Transcript
Official minutes available once approved by board
Sirens, generator accepted
The board voted to accept ownership of 20 emergency sirens formerly part of the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program at the Umatilla Chemical Depot in eastern Oregon. The equipment – 19 stationary sirens, one mobile siren plus spare parts – is being provided to the county by the Oregon Military Department free of charge. The county Emergency Management Division plans to install the sirens in coastal communities from Arch Cape to Warrenton, as well as Miles Crossing, to improve early warning capabilities for citizens and visitors in the event of tsunamis, floods and other disasters.
Emergency Management Director Dean Perez noted that while the meeting agenda included a map of proposed siren locations, the county will work with cities, unincorporated communities and the state parks department to select particular sites for each device with the assistance of a siren expert. The county hopes to begin erecting the sirens in April 2012.
The board also accepted a 40-kilowatt diesel generator from the chemical stockpile program. The generator, valued at $20,000, will be donated to the Elsie/Vinemaple Rural Fire Protection District to provide back-up electricity to the station during power outages.
Social gathering ordinance approved
The board approved an ordinance establishing a Social Gathering Permit. The permit will be required of certain events involving more than 1,000 people lasting more than eight hours.
County Manager Duane Cole explained that the new permit was prompted by two events, an outdoor “rave” music festival last year and an annual motorcycle gathering in Jewell. While organizers of both events cooperated with county officials and no problems were experienced with either event, it was decided that the county needed a permit for large events of less than 3,000 people; gatherings larger than that are regulated by state law.
Permit applicants will be required present plans for handling parking, traffic, waste disposal and safety measures, and to make a deposit to cover any county staff time connected with the event. Permit applications will be reviewed and approved by the board of commissioners.
The board also approved amendments to two existing permits. The Park Special Use Permit, which formerly required board approval, can now be handled by the county Park Superintendent. The ordinance for the County Road Event Permit was changed to allow the county to act as the sole permitting agency on behalf of local fire districts for the annual Hood to Coast Relay event.
Business Park CCRs approved
The board approved a set of covenants, conditions and restrictions covering future development at the county-owned North Coast Business Park in Warrenton. The CCRs, which apply to the 190-acre Phase 2 portion of the park, call for the formation of an Owners Association Board of Directors to review plans for construction and alteration of buildings and other improvements, landscaping and stormwater management. The conditions also prohibit certain businesses such as slaughterhouses and asphalt plants, and spell out requirements for preservation of natural areas.
CEDR presentation
During a work session the board heard a report from Clatsop Economic Development Resources (CEDR) director Kevin Leahy. The agency, which promotes economic development with funding from the county, cities, Clatsop Community College, private donors and the federal Small Business Administration, has created 48 jobs and retained another 19, hosted 35 training events and offered 1,090 hours of business counseling to 404 clients.
Non-profit allocations approved
The board approved the disbursement of $30,000 in county funds to local non-profit social service agencies. The allocations were made under a new policy approved by the board in September that gave the Clatsop County Commission on Children and Families the task of choosing the funding recipients. The new process allows the CCF to combine the county dollars with its own funding to better meet the county’s and commission’s goals of supporting vulnerable local populations.
The county funds allocations are:
- Clatsop Court-Appointed Special Advocates - $11,279
- Helping Hands - $11,278
- Clatsop Community Action - $7,443
The CCF’s $57,864 in funding is allocated to:
- Sunset Empire Parks and Recreation District - $4,000
- Clatsop County Juvenile Department youth programs - $25,000
- Hope House/Lutheran Community Services NW - $19,300
- Clatsop County Action - $9,564
Other Business
In other business the board:
-Approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Oregon State Radio Project for funding for the new Emergency Operations Center communications wing at Camp Rilea. The state agency will provide $83,000 of the project’s $500,000 cost; the federal government will cover $250,000 and the county will pay for the remaining $167,000.
-Approved an agreement with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for a $141,000 grant to fund improvements to the adult fish holding pond at the South Fork Klaskanine Fish Hatchery operated by the county’s Select Area Fisheries Enhancement program.
-Re-appointed Commissioner Patricia Roberts as the county’s representative on the Council of Forest Trust Land Counties. Commissioner Scott Lee was chosen as the alternate.
Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 325-1000 ext. 1312
