Clatsop County Housing Authority Meeting Agenda

CLATSOP COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONER’S MEETING Special Board Meeting, 3:30 pm, January 3, 2012 Agenda  AGENDA

Guy Boyington Building

857 Commercial

Astoria, OR 97103

 

1.                                                                                                                                                                                                             ROLL CALL

2.                                                                                                                                                                                                            AGENDA APPROVAL

3.                                                                                                                                                                                                            COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

4.                                                                                                                                                                                                            NEW BUSINESS

a.                                                                                                                                                                                                Consider approval of contract with Heather Reynolds for legal services.

b.                                                                                                                                                                                                Consider approval of contract with Bullard Law for legal services.

c.                                                                                                                                                                                                 Consider approval of intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Northwest Oregon Housing Authority (NOHA).

d.                                                                                                                                                                                                Summary and discussion on Bond Street project.

e.                                                                                                                                                                                                Summary and discuss on Hyak project.

 

5.                                                                                                                                                                                                            Recess Special Meeting to go into Executive Session

 

6.                                                                                                                                                                                                            Executive Session ORS 192.660.2.b. (To consider the dismissal or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent who does not request an open hearing.) 

 

7.                                                                                                                                                                                                            Reconvene Special Session to take possible action

8.                                                                                                                                                                                                            Commissioner’s Comments

9.                                                                                                                                                                                                            Adjournment

APPLICATIONS SOUGHT FOR COL-PAC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL SEATS

Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012

Clatsop County is seeking applicants for representatives on the Columbia-Pacific Economic Development District Board of Directors.

Col-Pac provides its government members and small businesses access to various development services and resources from federal, state and local agencies and private sources. The district covers Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook and western Washington counties.

Clatsop County is seeking applicants from the private sector. Vacancies are for a member and alternate.

The Col-Pac board usually meets every other month, on the second Tuesday, from 10 a.m. to noon. Meeting location rotates between member counties.

Applications will be taken through Dec. 31. Application forms are available online at www.co.clatsop.or.us under “Your County-Citizen Involvement,” from the office at 800 Exchange St., Suite 410, or by calling (503) 325-1000.

Released by: Tom Bennett

Community Relations Coordinator

(503) 338-3622

Clatsop County Commissioner, Peter Huhtala Clarifies His Position On Clatsop Housing Authority

Statement regarding Clatsop County Housing Authority agenda item

delivered by Commissioner Peter Huhtala at Clatsop County Board of

Commissioners meeting on December 12, 2012

Note: This statement expresses the views of Peter Huhtala only, and is not an

official statement of the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners. It was read

into the record on December 12, 2012.

Public meeting law compliance is the central issue here, in my opinion. The core

of this is the methods employed by the Housing Authority in conducting the

public’s business.

Concerns were initially raised about matters that the Board of County

Commissioners decided could best be discussed after more information was

available. But it became more apparent to me that the questions raised by these

matters- which in themselves could be debated- were symptomatic of processes

that were taking place outside of the public arena.

Oregon’s public meeting law applies to the governing body of a public body –

including its subcommittees. Notice must be given as to the time, place and

agenda of these meetings.

On November 28 a CCHA Board member delivered a carefully worded statement

in response a BOCC request for information. This statement had to have been

crafted somewhere, but there was no notice of a public meeting. Similarly, the

language the Chair read into the record at the Housing Authority meeting on

December 6 couldn't have just emerged from the ether, but there was no notice

of an earlier meeting. Also on December 6 the CCHA Board ratified the Finance

Committee retaining an attorney. But there was no opportunity for the public to

observe the deliberations of the Finance Committee. There was no notice of a

Finance Committee meeting to consider hiring an attorney.

Beyond Executive Session exceptions, is there any reason why the Finance

Committee or any other subcommittee of the Housing Authority Board should not

be expected to develop recommendations and make decisions in public? No,

there is not.

The IPM resignation letter certainly caught our attention because of allegations

of child endangerment and breach of contract. But what was more bizarre was

the lack of documented discussion about this matter. If the letter was provided

to the Board, why didn't the members react? Perhaps there was confidence that

a sub-set of the Board was comfortable with the matter. In the March 8, 2011

Minutes, Chair Coulombe states: "We also had a management company

overseeing our properties. The Board was unhappy with their performance, and

we requested more than they were willing to do, therefore they resigned." This

view had apparently become the accepted explanation as opposed to IPM’s

letter. But where in the public eye was IPM’s resignation letter discussed?

In the Hyak procurement matter I don't see that the full CCHA Board exercised

their contract review function. If the contract review discussion was documented,

and the RFP process described to the Board, eyebrows may not have risen.

The CCHA apparently has either explicitly or tacitly delegated contract review

authority to the Projects Committee. The Projects Committee met, again without

any public notice of which I am aware, sometime prior to the September 11,

2012 CCHA Board meeting. That evening the Projects Committee reported to

the full CCHA Board regarding the Hyak property. But the report was for

information only. The contract had already been approved by the Projects

Committee. That's why the details of the Hyak procurement process cannot be

understood by reading the minutes from the full board meeting.

And that's the central point of the procurement matter. It's not whether

procurement policies were followed, but that public moneys were committed

outside of the public's view.

Unfortunately it appears that there is a pattern within the Housing Authority that

discussion, deliberation and at times decisions about important matters occur in

non-noticed subcommittee meetings. The Board is then free to act on the

recommendations from these subcommittees unless decisions have been

delegated. I suppose that this could be an efficient system. But it is not an

acceptable system for a public agency.

Public meeting laws are about openness and transparency. The public has a

right to know what its officials are up to and how public money is being spent. If

we fail to ensure transparency, we lose the public trust.

Note: This statement expresses the views of Peter Huhtala only, and is not an

official statement of the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners. It was read

into the record on December 12, 2012.

CLATSOP COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO HOLD RALLY IN SALEM THURSDAY FOR GILLNETTERS

Monday, Dec. 3, 2012

To show support for the local commercial salmon fishing industry, the Clatsop County Commissioners are organizing a rally on the steps of the state capital in Salem, Thursday at 11:30 a.m.

The commissioners are inviting anyone in the salmon gillnet industry and their supporters to attend the event. The state capital building is located at 900 Court St. NE in Salem.

Representatives of Clatsop County and the Salmon For All commercial fishing group are scheduled to meet with Gov. John Kitzhaber prior to the rally.

The commissioners are opposing a proposal from Gov. Kitzhaber that would prohibit gillnet fishing on the mainstem of the Columbia River. Rules implementing the governor’s proposal, which would limit gillnets to off-channel fishing areas in a three-year phased process, are due to be considered by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission at a meeting Thursday and Friday, Dec. 6-7 in Portland. The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is scheduled to take up the rules at a meeting Dec. 14-15 in Olympia.

Gillnetters and supports argue that the plan would threaten the livelihoods of many area fishermen while accomplishing little toward the conservation of protected salmon runs. Commercial gillnetters harvest at least half of their overall catch in the Columbia channel, through a fishery highly regulated by state and federal agencies.

On Nov. 28 the county board of commissioners opened its regular meeting to testimony from gillnetters and supporters regarding the proposed rules. Twenty-four citizens offered input – an audio recording of the testimony is available online at www.co.clatsop.or.us.

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will take up the gillnet plan beginning at 8 a.m. Friday, Dec. 7 at the Holiday Inn-Portland Airport, Willamette Room, 8439 NE Columbia Blvd., Portland. Public testimony will be taken at the meeting. For more information go to www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/commission.

Released by: Tom Bennett

Community Relations Coordinator

(503) 338-3622

Energy Information Administration Report On Future U.S. Natural Gas Exports

(Click Here)Full Report On The Future Of Natural Gas Exports, Presented By Department Of Fossil Energy

CLATSOP COUNTY TAX DEPARTMENT OFFERS CLASS FOR BUSINESS OWNERS

Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012

The Clatsop County Assessment and Taxation Department will host a Business Personal Property training course Thursday, Dec. 13.

The training will provide business owners information on what is considered personal property in business and how to file returns, and explain tax calculations and collection laws. The course is free of charge.

All businesses are required to file a Confidential Personal Property Return with the county assessor’s office each year.

Two sessions will be offered: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Judge Guy Boyington Building, 857 Commercial St., Astoria, and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Clatsop Community College South Center, 1455 N. Roosevelt, Seaside.

Due to limited space, reservations are required. Contact Sirpa Duoos at (503) 325-8674 or by e-mail at sduoos@co.clatsop.or.us to reserve a space in one of the sessions.

Released by: Tom Bennett

Community Relations Coordinator

(503) 338-3622

Speacial Weather Statement For North Oregon Coast

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR

514 AM PST SAT NOV 17 2012

NORTH OREGON COAST-CENTRAL OREGON COAST-

COAST RANGE OF NORTHWEST OREGON-

CENTRAL COAST RANGE OF WESTERN OREGON-LOWER COLUMBIA-

GREATER PORTLAND METRO AREA-CENTRAL WILLAMETTE VALLEY-

SOUTH WILLAMETTE VALLEY-NORTHERN OREGON CASCADE FOOTHILLS-

CASCADE FOOTHILLS IN LANE COUNTY-WILLAPA HILLS-

SOUTH WASHINGTON COAST-I-5 CORRIDOR IN COWLITZ COUNTY-

GREATER VANCOUVER AREA-SOUTH WASHINGTON CASCADE FOOTHILLS-

INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ASTORIA...CANNON BEACH...TILLAMOOK...

LINCOLN CITY...NEWPORT...FLORENCE...VERNONIA...JEWELL...TRASK...

GRANDE RONDE...TIDEWATER...SWISSHOME...ST. HELENS...CLATSKANIE...

HILLSBORO...PORTLAND...OREGON CITY...GRESHAM...SALEM...

MCMINNVILLE...DALLAS...EUGENE...CORVALLIS...ALBANY...SANDY...

SILVER FALLS STATE PARK...SWEET HOME...VIDA...LOWELL...

COTTAGE GROVE...FRANCES...RYDERWOOD...RAYMOND...LONG BEACH...

CATHLAMET...LONGVIEW...KELSO...CASTLE ROCK...VANCOUVER...

BATTLE GROUND...WASHOUGAL...TOUTLE...ARIEL...COUGAR

514 AM PST SAT NOV 17 2012

...STRONG WINDS ALONG THE COAST ON SUNDAY LATER AFTERNOON AND EVENING...

...VERY STRONG AND LOCALLY DAMAGING WINDS POSSIBLE ALONG THE COAST

MONDAY...

...WINDY CONDITIONS INLAND ON MONDAY...

A SERIES OF STRONG FRONTS WILL BRING INCREASINGLY WINDY WEATHER

TO THE REGION...BEGINNING SUNDAY. THE FIRST FRONT IS EXPECTED TO

BRING LOCALLY WINDY CONDITIONS TO THE COAST...WITH THE COASTAL

HEADLANDS FAVORED FOR THE STRONGEST WINDS. CONFIDENCE IS NOT HIGH

ENOUGH WITH THIS FIRST FRONT FOR WIDESPREAD HIGH WINDS...BUT THE

POTENTIAL EXISTS. THE MOST LIKELY TIME FRAME FOR HIGH WINDS WOULD

BE IN THE MID AFTERNOON TO EARLY EVENING SUNDAY. GUSTS TO 60 MPH

OR SLIGHTLY MORE WOULD BE POSSIBLE.

A SECOND EVEN STRONGER FRONT WILL MOVE IN ON MONDAY. THIS FRONT

HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BRING DAMAGING WINDS ALONG THE COAST...

INCLUDING THE COASTAL COMMUNITIES. AT THIS TIME...GUSTS TO 70 MPH

APPEAR POSSIBLE IN THE COASTAL COMMUNITIES...WITH GUSTS TO 80 MPH OR

HIGHER ON THE BEACHES AND HEADLANDS. IT WOULD NOT BE SURPRISING TO

SEE HURRICANE FORCE WIND GUSTS WITH THIS STORM...PARTICULARLY

ALONG THE BEACHES AND EXPOSED HEADLANDS...WHERE GUSTS TO 80 MPH OR

HIGHER ARE POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY DIFFICULT ALONG

HIGHWAY 101 AND OTHER COASTAL HIGHWAYS. CONFIDENCE ON THE STRENGTH

OF THIS FRONT IS MODERATE TO HIGH.

THERE WILL ALSO BE VERY STRONG WINDS IN THE COAST RANGE...ESPECIALLY

IN THE HIGHER EXPOSED ELEVATIONS WHERE SIMILAR GUSTS TO THOSE

EXPECTED ON THE HEADLANDS MAY OCCUR. LOWER COAST RANGE ELEVATIONS

MAY SEE GUSTS TO 60 MPH.

FOR THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY AND INTERIOR LOCATIONS...MONDAY WILL

ALSO BE WINDY. AT THIS TIME...SUSTAINED WINDS UP TO 30 MPH WITH

GUSTS TO 45 MPH ARE EXPECTED...THOUGH LOCAL HIGHER GUSTS ARE A

POSSIBILITY IF THE STORM TRACK CHANGES.

RESIDENTS AND TRAVELERS ON THE BUSY HOLIDAY TRAVEL WEEK SHOULD STAY

TUNED TO THE LATEST FORECASTS...AS FUTURE WATCHES OR WARNINGS ARE

EXPECTED

FERC Calls Them "Zones of Concern", Sandia National Labs Calls Them "Hazard Zones"

The White Swath? - The 600 foot wide Main Shipping Channel passing by Astoria on The Columbia River.

The Red Lines? - Each side, 0.3(500 meters) of a mile off the center of the shipping channel.
Potential threat to Life, Health, Property, Environment and Exisitng Use that accompany LNG Tankers.
* Death by cryogenic freezing
* Death by fire or explosion
*Death by suffocation
* Cascading LNG containment failure(3 0r more of the LNG Tankers containers would likely fail)
* Destruction of the LNG Tanker and crew
* Everything within the zone would likely be destroyed
* Death to surface plankton
* Death to surface and diving birds
* Death to flying birds
* Death to fish near the surface
* Death to surfacing sea mammals(Whales, Dolphins, Sea Lions, Porpoise, Seals)
* Grass fires

The Yellow Lines? - Each side , 1 Mile(1600 meters) off the center of the main shipping channel.
Potential threat to Life, Health, Property, Environment and Existing Uses that accompany LNG Tankers. (This consumes most, if not all, of Astoria and Warrenton/Hammond won't fare much better)* Death by cryogenic freezing
* Death by suffocation
* Death or injury by fire or explosion
* 2nd degree burns within 30 seconds of exposure
* Property damaged or destroyed by fire or explosion
* Death to surface plankton
* Death to surface and diving birds
* Injury or death to flying birds
* Serious injury or death to to surfacing sea mammals
* Forest and grass fires
Further out 2.2 Miles(3500 meters) the damage and destruction continues
But, of course the Pro-LNG Pundit/Experts tell you that LNG is in no way Flamable, right?

Uncounted Ballots Tallied; Margin Grows In Gearhart Race

Friday, Nov. 9, 2012 A tally of uncounted ballots from the Nov. 6 General Election conducted Friday by the Clatsop County Elections Division resulted in a wider margin between the two candidates in the close race for Gearhart mayor. The new totals, following the count, are now 356 votes for Dianne Widdop and 350 for Bob Shortman. But the complete tally will not be finalized until after Nov. 16, the deadline to resolve some uncounted ballots. On Friday the elections division tallied 48 ballots that remained uncounted after Nov. 6. They included replacement ballots, provisional ballots given to voters whose registration status was unclear, ballots of Clatsop County voters that were dropped off in other counties, and ballots in which the voter signature on the ballot envelope did not match the voter’s registration card. In the case of ballots withheld due to discrepancies in signatures, state law directs county elections officials to notify those voters whose ballots have been set aside and allow them to come to the elections office to verify their ballot signatures. Those voters have 10 days, or until Nov. 16, to respond. If the Gearhart race ends in a margin of one or two votes between the candidates, an automatic hand-recount will conducted, under state election law requiring recounts for margins of less than one-fifth of 1 percent. If the margin is larger, one of the candidates could request a hand recount of ballots in the race, but would have to pay the cost of the recount. The latest ballot totals are available at www.co.clatsop.or.us. Released by: Tom Bennett Community Relations Coordinator (503) 338-3622

Oregon LNG/Warrenton Says They Will Buy Natural Gas From British Columbia? You Need To Read This!

Wood Mackenzie: Western Canadian LNG – Corporate Positioning will Impact the Winners and Losers

HOUSTON/EDINBURGH/SINGAPORE, 8th November 2012 – Huge gas resources, established and emerging, are increasingly focusing developer attention on western Canadian Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) exports projects according to an integrated analysis by Wood Mackenzie’s Upstream and Global Gas teams.
Wood Mackenzie notes that several LNG export projects have been proposed on the British Columbia coast, as Canada reaches for new gas markets in Asia. Primarily due to competition from US shale gas, Western Canada’s gas exports have reduced by 4 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) in the last five years. This, combined with reduced gas prices, have contributed to the decline of annual gross revenue from western Canada’s gas exports by some US$26 billion, or 80 percent, since 2008. While US export growth could yet return, Asian markets offer Canadian upstream sellers a viable and attractive new monetization opportunity which has the support of provincial and federal governments in Canada.
“The proposed Canadian LNG projects could leverage off the massive gas resource that has emerged in western Canada,” explains Hugh Hopewell, Senior Upstream Research Analyst for Wood Mackenzie. “We estimate resource potential of the Montney, Horn River, and Liard Basin at 280 trillion cubic feet (tcf). The region is also home to other plays currently at earlier stages of exploration, but with huge potential. These include the liquid-rich Duvernay shale, and the remote Cordova Embayment, which could further boost Canada’s gas resource base.”
According to Wood Mackenzie Montney and Horn River plays are the most established resource plays. Of these, Montney is the most attractive resource with breakeven costs as low as US$2.40 per million British thermal units (mmbtu), assisted by its liquids-rich content. The economics of dry Horn River shale gas are further challenged by its more remote location and carbon dioxide content. As a result, Montney gas is better positioned to be monetized for exports as LNG, to the US or the domestic market.
“Recognizing the more cost competitive nature of Montney gas, companies have been positioning themselves in this low-price gas resource,” notes Hopewell. “This includes companies with legacy positions in Horn River, and those actively pursuing LNG, as seen in the proposed acquisitions of Progress by PETRONAS and Celtic Exploration by ExxonMobil. For other operators holding gas resources but with no LNG plans, there are still opportunities - larger companies could enter into Joint Ventures (JVs), while smaller companies could prove to be attractive acquisition targets.”
Meanwhile, Wood Mackenzie underscores that developing Canadian LNG requires significant infrastructure development. Asish Mohanty, Senior Gas Supply Analyst for Wood Mackenzie explains: “Not only do you need to build a liquefaction facility and port infrastructure in a remote location, but you also have to develop a multi-billion dollar pipeline up to 800km long to link these gas resources to the liquefaction plant. That makes it expensive compared to other facilities around the world. In addition, threat of delays and cost overruns are high as there could be resource constraints and cost inflation from having to compete with oil sands projects. Also, achieving environmental and local stakeholder support, including First Nations, will be key to determining whether proposed pipeline and liquefaction facilities are approved. Some projects might have two years of engineering and permitting work ahead of them and they might still not be successful.”
Despite this, aided by its close proximity to Asian markets and its low cost gas resource, Wood Mackenzie believes that a well-managed western Canadian LNG export development could achieve costs of delivery into Asian markets similar to those from major competing options in the US and East Africa – in the US$10-12/mmbtu range.
While global LNG supply competition will restrict Canadian LNG exports Wood Mackenzie notes that Canadian LNG offers some possible advantages over competing sources. These include low political risk, value chain equity investment opportunities, potential for local market sales and the potential to offer liquids rich gas using low cost local liquefied petroleum gas, something that will appeal to specific Asian buyers. It is also possible that a combination of prolonged high-cost environment in Australia, East African delays and US regulatory uncertainty could pass the impetus to Canada. However, the ability of Canadian LNG to realize its potential will, in part, be dependent upon the attitude of the Canadian federal government to international investors.
According to Mohanty, “Some projects, notably Kitimat LNG and the smaller BC LNG, have taken the lead with regulatory approvals, local stakeholder support, site development and engineering. Yet other projects such as Shell’s LNG Canada and Petronas’ proposal with Progress are perceived to be ahead on marketing. Other developers such as BG perceive securing the pipeline route as the key determinant of project success and have made that their priority. The contrasting nature of strengths and weaknesses suggests there is room for project collaboration and consolidation, but the intensity of future corporate positioning will be influenced by the outcome of ongoing regulatory corporate acquisition approvals. While efforts and decisions taken over the next two years will determine the winners and losers in Canadian LNG, the current slate of projects and promoters suggests first western Canadian LNG is unlikely before 2019.”

Access For Attribution

Ted Thomas On China's Manipulated Currency

I could present an essay about trade war, about history and about China. I could draw up graphs and make reasoned arguments but what I cannot answer is why I am making this effort. Why wasn't this story #1 when it happened in 94? Was that the time that the baby fell down the well or the whales got stuck in the ice ? Our fourth estate failed us and why did successive regimes ... sorry ... Administrations pursue an unwavering policy that supported the interests of China resulting in the de-industrialization of the USA and reduced us to a condition of a failed state.

Of course the important thing to notice is that overall manufacturing employment collapses as the hyper exploitation collapsed demand and the unavoidable credit bubble collapsed. Classical economics has no way out of this degeneration. As a result of globalization people are living shorter, poorer and sicker lives deprived of the benefits of increased productivity through social production. And the best part is that they are deprived of the education that might enable them to conceptualize what they are being deprived of.

Just watch this. it is short.

Ted


 

 

Ocean Wave Energy Workshop Set For Wednesday, November 7th

Wednesday, November 7, 2012 (5:00 to 8:00 p.m.)

Holiday Inn Express, Astoria, Oregon

204 West Marine Drive, Astoria, Oregon

This is an opportunity to learn about Oregon’s work to identify appropriate sites for wave energy development in the territorial sea (within three miles of the shore). Although the federal government will issue licenses to operate wave energy installations, the state has the chance to create standards for development and propose locations that have the least conflicts.

The State’s intention is to protect the ocean environment and sea life – including fish, sea birds and marine mammals. Existing uses such as commercial and recreational fishing have been mapped to help determine where wave energy might fit. Over 150 data layers with information about the territorial sea can be explored on Marine Map: http://oregon.marinemap.org/

There are numerous designs and technologies for converting the energy of ocean waves into electricity. You can learn more about the possibilities and what is happening in the industry around the world by visiting the Oregon Wave Energy Trust: http://www.oregonwave.org/

Some wave energy devises can be seen above the sea surface. Recognizing this, the State worked to identify and evaluate over 140 viewpoints along the Oregon Coast, and has created a system designed to protect coastal views.

Several sites along the Oregon Coast are now under consideration for final recommendation. Maps of these sites will be reviewed at the meeting.

This has been a long (over four years) and complicated process. But it’s still important to hear local voices. The nearshore ocean is a crowded place. Do you support responsible ocean renewable energy to reduce the use of carbon fuels? How much of Oregon’s ocean should be dedicated to wave energy? 3%? 5%? 8? Do you have personal knowledge of high value fishing grounds that need more consideration? How stringent should we make visual protection standards? Share what is important to you about the ocean and our future energy sources.

The Oregon Department of Land Conservation & Development will conduct this workshop and receive public comments for the Territorial Sea Plan Advisory Committee (TSPAC) and the Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC). Public Comments can also be submitted by one of these methods:

1) http://www.oregonocean.info (use Ocean Energy tab on main page);

2) submit to Paul Klarin, DLCD by email to paul.klarin@state.or.us;

3) submit by email to TSP.Comments@state.or.us;

4) mail to Oregon Department of Land Conservation & Development, 635 Capitol Street, NE, Suite 150, Salem, Oregon 97301-2540.

LAST CALL FOR NOV. 6 GENERAL ELECTION BALLOTS

Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012

Time is running out to return ballots for the Nov. 6 General Election.

Ballots for the election must be returned by 8 p.m. Tuesday in order to be counted. To ensure their ballots arrive on time, voters are advised to bring completed ballots to one of the approved drop sites. Ballots placed in the mail before the deadline but not delivered until after will not be counted.

Completed ballots can be dropped at the following sites by 8 p.m. on Election Day:

· Clatsop County Clerk’s Office, Public Services Building, 820 Exchange St., Astoria -or- 24-hour drop box in front of office.

· Cannon Beach City Hall, 163 Gower St., Cannon Beach

· Seaside City Hall, 989 Broadway, Seaside

· Warrenton City Hall, 225 S. Main Ave., Warrenton

· Knappa High School, 41535 Old Highway 30, Knappa

· Gearhart City Hall, 698 Pacific Way, Gearhart

· Mist-Birkenfeld Fire Hall, 12525 Oregon Highway 202

· Clatskanie Library, 11 Lillich St., Clatskanie

For more information contact the Clerk and Elections Office at (503) 325-8511 or go to the Clatsop County website, www.co.clatsop.or.us and click on “Nov. 6 General Election.”

Election returns will be posted on the county website beginning at 8 p.m. Election Day.

Released by: Tom Bennett

Community Relations Coordinator

(503) 338-3622

November 7, 2012 Clatsop County Board Of Commissioners Meeting Agenda Now Available

Read Full November 7, 2012 CCBofC Meeting Agenda

Assistant County Manager, Nicole Williams Requests Transfer To County Clerk Position

Monday, Oct. 22, 2012

Clatsop County Manager Scott Somers announced that Nicole Williams will become the new Clatsop County Clerk.

Williams, currently assistant county manager, requested the transfer, which will officially take place Dec. 1.

Williams originally joined the clerk’s office in 1999. She was named county clerk in 2005 and held the position until 2008, when she moved to the county manager’s office.

The county clerk is the record-keeper for the county and administers public records, archives, legal recordings, passports and marriage licenses. The office also oversees elections and voter registration, and coordinates property tax appeals.

In August Williams was tapped to fill the county clerk position on a part-time, interim basis following the departure of former clerk Maeve Kennedy Grimes. She is currently overseeing operations for the upcoming Nov. 6 general election.

At this time the county plans to leave the assistant county manager position unfilled following Williams’ transfer, according to Somers. Preliminary financial forecasts for the 2013-14 county budget indicate a potential shortfall, and leaving the position vacant will provide significant cost savings, he said.

Released by:

Tom Bennett

Community Relations Coordinator

(503) 338-3622

Clatsop County Board Of Commissioners Hosts A Wide-Ranging Community Conversation On Future Economic Development

Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012

The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday assembled a broad selection of public and private agency representatives for a wide-ranging conversation about Clatsop County’s role in economic development stretching from industry to the arts.

Officials from the Port of Astoria, Clatsop Community College, Astoria-Warrenton Chamber of Commerce, county departments, local, regional and state economic development entities and other groups discussed their own organizations’ roles, ways they can improve collaboration and cooperation, as well as policies of the county that can impact their efforts.

Enterprise zones, infrastructure improvements, housing and health were all part of the discussion, which was designed not as a planning session but a sharing of information about the tools available locally, according to Board of Commissioners Chair Peter Huhtala, who told participants their input will prove useful when the board meets to discuss future goals.

“We have no illusions that government creates jobs, but we set the stage,” he said.

Chamber Director Skip Hauke said at one time no fewer than 21 different entities had some role in economic development in the county. The chamber, in an effort to better focus those groups’ work and revitalize its own lagging efforts, pushed for the formation of a Clatsop Economic Development Resources (CEDR), a collaborative project of the chamber, community college and the county, which provides $60,000 a year to the organization.

Kevin Leahy, director of CEDR and the college’s Small Business Development Center, explained CEDR’s mission of retaining, expanding and recruiting business, and noted that local statistics for job-creation and business counseling are up sharply while the rest of the state remains flat.

Clatsop Community College serves as a conduit for many other entities through partnerships with local hospitals and other programs, said President Larry Galizio. The college itself brings money into the area through the 39 percent of students who come from outside Clatsop County, he added.

Port of Astoria Property Manager Mike Weston said the port is teaming with regional and state economic development agencies and actively pursuing funding for major improvements to its pier facilities and Tongue Point, while also tackling 20 years of deferred maintenance. “Any investment in the port comes back 10 times what we put in,” he said.

Commissioner-elect Sarah Nebeker and her husband Royal Nebeker, who sits on the Oregon Arts Commission, spoke on the economic impact the arts can have locally by boosting the quality of life and enhancing education. The county, with leadership by the county and other governing bodies, could obtain up to $100,000 in state funding for arts-promotion, they said.

Clatsop County Public Works Director Ed Wegner noted that the county, after a long period focused on maintenance, has in the past few years tackled a number of large capital projects directly related to economic development, including the extension of Ensign Lane in the North Coast Business Park, a fix to the yearly flooding of Highway 101 south of Seaside that is currently out for bid, and a community development plan for Westport.

Community Development Director Hiller West said the department strives to make its mandated regulatory processes as smooth as possible for developers. The department has also tackled long-range projects like Westport plan, as well as the recently completed Joint Land Use Study with Camp Rilea. An inventory of buildable lands has been made available on the internet to positive response from builders.

Released by:

Tom Bennett

Community Relations Coordinator

(503) 338-3622

Clatsop County Commission Board's October 24th Agenda Now Ready For Review

Read Full Agenda

Election Ballots To Hit Mailboxes Beginning Friday, October 19th

Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012

Ballots for the Nov. 6, 2012 General Election will be mailed out to all Clatsop County voters starting Friday, Oct. 19.

The election features federal and state contests including races for President, Representative in Congress, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Attorney General, Commissioner of Bureau of Labor and Industries, State Representative, Judge of the Oregon Supreme Court Position 3 and Judge of the Oregon Court of Appeals, Position 6. There will also be nine state measures on the ballot.

Also on the ballot are the race for Clatsop County Sheriff and city council contests in Astoria, Cannon Beach, Gearhart, Seaside and Warrenton, as well as for the boards of the Clatsop Soil and Water Conservation District and Clatskanie People’s Utility District. The City of Seaside is seeking a five-year levy for fire equipment and personnel, and the City of Warrenton has two measures on the ballot – a five-year library operations levy, and a city charter amendment requiring a vote by the public for the Mayor’s position. The Knappa-Svensen-Burnside Rural Fire Protection District is seeking a five-year bond for equipment and facilities improvements.

You can now track your ballot over the Internet by going to www.OregonVotes.org. From this site you can find out whether you are registered to vote, learn about the voting process, and after you have mailed or dropped off your ballot, confirm that your county elections office received your ballot.

The deadline to register to vote for first-time voters or those new to Oregon has passed, but people already registered in Oregon who have changed their name, address or party affiliation have until 8 p.m. Election Day to update their registration and receive a ballot.

If you have a valid Oregon driver’s license or permit, you can go to www.OregonVotes.org and register online. Otherwise, you may fill out a voter registration card and bring it to the Clatsop County Elections office at 820 Exchange St. in Astoria or mail it to Clatsop County Elections, 820 Exchange St., Ste. 220, Astoria, Oregon 97103. Voter registration cards can be found local post offices or at www.co.clatsop.or.us.

Ballots must be received at the county elections office or an official drop site location by 8 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 6. Postmarks DO NOT count. If you are mailing your ballot, please be sure to include sufficient postage to ensure it is received. Ballots with insufficient postage will not be delivered by the post office and will be returned to you.

Completed ballots can be dropped at the following sites:

· Clatsop County Clerk’s Office, Public Services Building, 820 Exchange St., Astoria -or- 24-hour drop box in front of office.

· Cannon Beach City Hall, 163 Gower St., Cannon Beach

· Gearhart City Hall, 698 Pacific Way, Gearhart

· Seaside City Hall, 989 Broadway, Seaside

· Warrenton City Hall, 225 S. Main Ave., Warrenton

· Knappa High School, 41535 Old Highway 30, Knappa

· Mist-Birkenfeld Fire Hall, 12525 Oregon Highway 202

· Clatskanie Library, 11 Lillich St., Clatskanie

If you have questions about registration, filling out your ballot, or getting a replacement ballot if you make a mistake, go to the Clatsop County website at www.co.clatsop.or.us or call the Clatsop County Clerk’s Office at (503) 325-8511.

Released by:

Tom Bennett

Community Relations Coordinator

(503) 338-3622