Board of County Commissioners - Regular Meeting

Well, good morning, everyone. I will now call to order the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners Business Meeting for August 13th, 2026. County Administrator Gary Smith, will you please call the roll for us today?

Yes, thank you, Chair. First, our staff support today, County Council, Billy Williams, Clerk to the Board, Andrew Jiraki, Commissioners Helm and Schrader are out of the office today. There is still quorum present, and with that, roll call, Commissioner West. Yeah. Commissioner Savas. Present.

Chair Roberts. Here, thank you. Would you please stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance? Yes. Again, thank you everyone for joining us. And now before we move on for public communication, I'm going to ask Gary for some updates on our fire matter, Gary.

Yes, thank you. Chair has approved adding this to the start of the agenda, a wildfire update on what's going on here in our county. Presenting is Daniel Neibauer, who's Director of Disaster Management. Go ahead, please, Daniel.

Good morning, Chair and Commissioners. So since the last week, we actually have three new fires that are actually in our county and also provide some information on the Grasshopper Fire, which is in Wasco and Hood River County, but has been impacting our county. The three fires in our county are the Narrows Fire, the Austin Fire, and the Mitchell Fire. The Narrows Fire was detected Saturday, August 8th in the morning. It's burning in the 2020 burn scar on steep terrain and stumps and dead trees. They call snags burnt dead trees that are there. They've been using air assets to put water on that fire and it has seen very little growth. It's at 1.5 acres. It's very difficult and unsafe ground to get to. They did have a crew go there and I think they said that at one point they took about an hour to go three quarters of a mile just with all the hazardous trees. So they've been primarily hitting it with the air, but there's very little available fuel around it. They don't anticipate that fire to grow much more. The next fire that started was the Austin fire that was detected Sunday, August 9th in the morning. It's just off of the Clackamas River Road, just southeast of Ripple Brook. Recently, an IR overflight of that area put that fire at 1,430 acres. It was estimated at 1,000 acres, but when they get the IR flights, they can get much more accurate with that. There was growth on that fire to the south and east, so the fire's a little bit bigger than that 1,430, I suspect. The next flight we'll see will be around, maybe a little under 2,000. This fire will continue to grow due to the availability of fuels there. That is not in the burn scar. There are available fuels there. Those fuels are dry. Right now, with the weather they're seeing, though, we're going to see terrain growth, which is going to be good because it'll be nice, slow growth. It slowly goes up a hill, occasionally rolls a couple fiery pieces down, but we're not seeing the winds. that we would see that would drive that fire, like we've seen in the Grasshopper fire we saw in the 2020 fires. There are crews that are working to put containment around, containment lines around those yesterday, and as of yesterday, they're working to bring this fire under the same incident management team that's managing the Grasshopper fire. This is partially because the incident management teams across the country are stressed. There's not many available, so they're beginning to combine fires, as we've seen in other places in Oregon. They're going to be bringing that team out of there, which will bring additional overhead assets and be helpful. They are putting air assets on this fire when they have the availability to do so. So we are seeing the growth of this fire limited to some of those. And there are crews on the ground that are working that fire. There is a level three evacuation zone around this fire at the request of the Forest Service to reflect their closure area. And it is it is fairly big, but that is a large portion to allow fire crews the ability to move around that fire freely without having to deal with public traffic. The PGE has a limited de-energization in this area that impacts mostly internal PGE operations. There is one other customer in that area who has been notified and understands, and there are no changes to that evacuation zone that has been in place since August 10th, and there are no plane changes. The Mitchell Fire is a little bit north of the Austin fire, and that was detected August 9th in the afternoon. It's located next to Shell Rock Lake and about five miles northeast of Rebel Brook. There are smoke jumpers and other ground crews on this fire. When the Austin and Mitchell fires occurred, they took a lot of air assets and focused them on the Mitchell fire. with the philosophy that if we can keep one fire small and we'll just be battling one fire and they were fairly successful at that the air attack kept that fire small was also lucky that it is near shell rock lake so they're able to get hose directly into that lake and put a hose around that fire and help keep it limited so while there are fuels around that fire they are not anticipating much growth of this fire either given current weather conditions and there is a also a level One zone that is, you can see it there, just north of level three between the Mitchell and Austin fires, and that was at the request of the Forest Service to make sure that everyone camping and recreating in that area are aware. The Forest Service did go around to all those campgrounds and have made people aware in that area. So the larger fire, the one that you were briefed on last week, the Grasshopper Fire, has grown significantly since last week, mostly due to winds out of the west. This fire is now about double from what it was last week at over 85,000 acres. The significant growth to that fire has been to the east from a couple of... winds that we've had out of the east. At one point it ran I think over three miles in an hour to the east. So on the sides that we're a little more concerned about, the southern edge of the fire has good containment lines that have been tested. Fire crews have been making very significant progress on the north and west edges of that fire and I suspect we'll see some containment on those recently. Of interest to us and of concern is the southwest corner that was just highlighted right there. We're still seeing some small growth on this fire, and due to the terrain, they cannot get direct lines on this fire. The previous incident management team on this established some indirect lines. That means as the fire grows, it may hit that line and hopefully stop. This new team has been looking at that slow growth and is sending some crews in to do some direct lines. CONTAINMENT LINES TO THAT AND SO HOPEFULLY WHEN THOSE GET IN PLACE WE'LL BE ABLE TO BREATHE A LITTLE BIT EASIER ON WHAT THAT DOES. THERE ARE CURRENT LEVEL ONE EVACUATION ZONES IN PLACE FOR THIS FIRE IN CLACKAMAS COUNTY. THEY HAVE NOT CHANGED SINCE AUGUST 4TH. WE DO HAVE A DAILY CALL WITH THE TEAM MANAGING THE FIRE THAT IS SPECIFICALLY FOCUSED EVACUATION AND They talk evacuation in Wasco Hood River and Clackamas counties, and we assess daily where they feel they are. And they're certainly looking for established containment lines on the west, and particularly southwest, before we have in-depth discussions on those. particular zones, a little bit of outlook. The weather has been favorable to limit all the growth of the Clackamas County fires. Obviously it did grow the Grasshopper fire, but the weather has been favorable for us with very light winds and cooler temperatures, high relative humidity, so that's been good. We're going to see a slight change into the wind today and tomorrow. We're going to see the wind still be, it will be light, but it will shift from coming out of the west to coming out of the east a bit. And that's going to be bringing some poor air quality into the county. We're looking, it's right now forecasted to be moderate level through most of the county, although those on Mount Hood will certainly see higher and could be as high as the unhealthy rating. up on the Mount Hood area, obviously due to the proximity of the Grasshopper fire, as well as some additional fires up north, because the winds will be coming out of the north as well. In terms of utility, we've been in close contact with PGE. They notified us when they were taking action down there with the Austin fire. There are currently no public safety power shutoff planned, but they, of course, are actively weathering, just like they looked in the Austin fire. to change that and so they will be implementing de-enterizations as needed in the limited support. And I'd just like to end by reminding everyone to go to goprepare.org and sign up for public alerts. That is the easiest way that we can notify the public of an incident. And of course, is to know your routes and prepare your go kit. And the evacuation zones up in the Hood River area, it's a great example of people up there that are doing a great job of getting prepared and learning their routes. We're not asking anyone to go yet. It is simply a level one in that area. That's what I have.

All right. Well, that was a fantastic update. I'm sure we have a lot of questions. Commissioner Salvas.

Yeah.

I'm sure there are. I'm just really concerned about...

The region's water supply, both from Timothy Lake down the Clackamas into our area, that feeds a lot of Clackamas County, and also the Bull Run Reservoir up at the top of the mountain. I know that's not in any media jeopardy, but obviously, you know, the one fire is right along the Clackamas River corridor, so that's really bothersome. So I'm hoping that... You know, the powers that be in the hierarchy of the people in charge of these emergencies are mindful of that and they're directing assets that way because I'm just pretty concerned. Not only that, but also the infrastructure, especially on the bull run. So we can't afford to have this. move to the west at all or the north. And we're already on the line in Clackamas. So I know that area pretty well. It's just bothersome that the Austin fire is where it's at. And it's, you know, the winds are coming and changing. I'm worried about that.

that the teams are aware of a lot of the critical infrastructure that's there and they do certainly prioritize keeping the fire as much as possible away from those areas and limiting it. That's all I have, sure. All right, Commissioner West.

Yeah, this is, um, I mean, some good news. I appreciate that. But, um, I just, just a little perspective. You told us that grasshopper fire alone was about 85,000 square or the 85,000 acres. Um, I was just, I mean, it looks like a giant chunk of the backside of Mount hood. That is the equivalent to the size of the entire city of Portland. Um, I don't know, I know this is an update based on what's happening in Clackamas, but I can't help but feel a lot of grief. We're talking about, we're over two million acres, and this is just 85,000 the size of the city of Portland. This is catastrophic, especially what's happening to our neighbors in the eastern part of the state. It's unsustainable. Yeah, I'm very grieved by this. In our lifetime, that backside of hood will never look the same again. Maybe if our grandkids, if we somehow figure out how to manage forests, but you keep talking about fuels. This is, you know, it just saddens me deeply. I'm thankful that some of this is slowing down as of right now, that we're getting favorable conditions. I'm concerned for anybody that has property, homes, livestock, livelihoods, communities that are not going to look the same. So I can't help but kind of fathom the scope and size of the catastrophe that we're facing here in Oregon. Again, this is on top of what already has been burnt. Wasn't that long ago that we lost Detroit and Phoenix, actual cities in this state. And I don't know what it's gonna take for us to fund and be serious about real resource management in this state. and put forward policymakers that take that seriously so that we can protect not only our natural resources, but real lives. This impacts real lives. I don't want the whole state to look like a charred wasteland. And as this continues to happen season after season, this is just difficult to watch. My family's been here six generations. We lost a cab, our family lost a cabin over in Malheur National a few seasons ago. So I know everybody probably, you know, making more of a comment than an ask or anything. But thank you for the update. I've been watching it closely. And it's just very sobering to see this happen in our county, around our neighbors, around the state of Oregon. So I hope this changes. Thank you.

Yeah, just a couple questions, one of which is, I also see here, I know this isn't in our county, but it's a red flag warning for scattered thunderstorms over in more eastern Oregon, and can you enlighten us anything more about that?

Yeah, the forecast for thunderstorms, any time thunderstorms come in the next quarter, four to six weeks, we will likely see fire starts, wherever those are. It is very dry across the state. In the earlier part of July, when there was a lot of fires in the state, those were from a storm. You can look at where the track of the storm went, and those were the fires were. So lightning strikes will occur, they will start fires, and you will either know that they will detect them immediately, or sometimes they can hold over for a few days before they catch and go.

Okay. And then the only other question I had is maybe you can talk about like what it takes to get state or federal reimbursement at some point in time and just to understand that more.

Sure, it depends on the size of the fire, the impact, the amount of things damaged. So there are fire management assistance grants, they call FMAGs, that come with these fires, and then there are reimbursements based on the response costs for that. If the fire is large enough, then there's a potential for a disaster declaration, as we got in 2020. And when that happens, it looks not only at response costs, but it looks at infrastructure costs, damage, public property damage as well, and occasionally into individual assistance as well. So based on size, impact, damage of the disaster, they do that. The FMACs get a little bit more state level, but still need a federal Declaration on that and that process goes through And then we would we would look at that Fortunately at this point we're not looking at a fire that big within the county But I know that several of the other counties are being impacted and have FMAG declarations and are working on Disaster declarations and so following up on that if I know in the past We've actually sent staff to help out in the kind of incident management of other fires so if

Our employees, Clackamas County, are going there, and it's a declaration, then we have the ability to get reimbursement for those financial commitment, I guess, from the county. Is that correct?

Yeah, there's certainly multiple options for us. We actually do have one staff member from disaster management that's down the right fire right now. He is a part of the Oregon State Fire Marshal's Green Incident Management Team. He's a communications leader for them, and he's actually been deployed now, I want to say, four weeks total with four-day rest. That tells you how much these teams have been going out there. If we were to send through mutual aid, then we would be looking at that agency potentially to reimburse us. We can also offer that as a donation. Most of the federal declarations will cover 75% of the cost with a 25% cost match. So depending on the jurisdiction where they are, they may request that, and we would, of course, then come through and consider how we would best support them.

And the other positive aspect of that, which I believe wholeheartedly, is you also have that employee come back with a lot more experience in managing fires, which is a benefit if, unfortunately, it hits our county. So I wholeheartedly support that. So thank you for doing that. Commissioner West has another comment. Just a quick question.

I... conversations throughout the state and I'm wondering what do we know the causation of the fires that are approaching our county where all of these weather related events or are some of these non weather related do we know that?

As far as I know, I know the fire service has requested investigators, but I don't know. You don't know? They haven't made a determination. Okay. Do we track that? Sure. We will look at it and we stay in touch with them and look for determination. Some of the larger fires, it's been determined. A good portion of the ones that I've seen have all been lightning strikes.

For us?

I don't know for us. The investigators have been requested and evidently are coming, but they haven't made a determination for the fires within Clackamas County yet.

Okay.

Thank you.

All right. If there's no other questions, we don't need any board action. Just want to thank you again and your wonderful staff for giving us an update the other day. And we appreciate it. We'll probably be looking forward to seeing you again soon. So thank you. Thank you. Okay, next up is public communication, and testimony is limited to three minutes per person. I just ask your comments be respectful and courteous. As a reminder, you can email submissions for public communication at bcc at clackamas.us, and they'll be accepted as part of the public record. I will start out with in-person testimony first, and our clerk will help us moderate that in-person and virtual testimony. So, Andrew.

Go ahead. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. This is a reminder that if you're attending this meeting in person, wish to comment during general public communication about any item that does not have its own public hearing already listed on today's agenda, please fill out a blue card. Deposit in the box can be found by the center doors. I'll call your name. Please remember to introduce yourself when you come forward. You'll have three minutes. First, Arlo Ryan Keohane. Please forgive me, that's a mispronunciation. Arlo Ryan Keohane, please come forward. You'll have three minutes.

Arlo Ryan-Cohane, Oak Grove. I'm here because I'm not a coward and I will not be complicit. I have heard that if you do not say something is wrong, then that means it's all right. I've not heard a response from the county in any capacity on what is happening around the country, but certainly here in Clackamas, it affects us all. And what I'm talking about specifically is ICE being used as a force against citizens and non-citizens alike. And that's only part of the problems that I and other people are seeing. And I just want to plead with you. Words would be a start, but having a plan, having actions, having things for citizens to know, for having residents to know will keep them safe. and keep me and my family and you and your family safe because this does not seem to be getting better. A bully does not stop on their own. A bully is stopped. And saying something and saying something is wrong is the start of that process. And so I don't know what that action would be. I'm just a regular person here. but as folks in charge, I look to you and others to start those things. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Next, Laurie Kimmel. Laurie Kimmel, please come forward.

Good morning, my name is Lori Kimmel, South Clackamas County, and I'm here to speak regarding the road paving in my neighborhood. We did not receive adequate notice. I came back from vacation and their signage stating that this summer there would be paving on the Leland Road project and but there wasn't any contact information on it where we could find out the schedule. And I called the County Road Department on the 5th of August at 11.32 hours, and I usually give them a couple days to respond back. I never received any response. The information that we have received is scattered. On Friday, a private, contractor had a woman go up and down the street and if you happened to be in the front yard, you received a small piece of paper stating when the paving would be and what streets. And this morning they started work at 6.57 a.m. And what I would like is in the future and now to have a contact information posted so that the citizens could contact whoever's in charge of that paving project to get the schedule. I have numerous medical appointments scheduled for this month and also I do exhibit in the Oregon State Fair and if I'm locked in I can't get my exhibits to Salem. But what I'm asking for is to have better communication, better information instead of scattered information. and adequate notice and a contact person on the signage. Thank you.

Thank you.

Any comments? I think we'll probably hold them till the end, but I think that it's obviously that's something that We're going to talk to staff about and kind of look into this more So I know it's like if the road department doesn't call you back like I said I give them a couple days because all there is is a recording not a live person But if they could just call us back That's perfectly reasonable Thank you.

Yes. Thank you Chair Lori if you can maybe share with the clerk Maybe the phone number you called and make sure you got the right number, and then we'll get on it Okay, I think it's perfectly reasonable to expect a phone call within a couple days Right like I said there used to be a live person would answer But I'll have to look it up on my phone.

Okay.

All right.

Thank you Lori.

Okay

Thank you. This is a final call. If you're attending this meeting in person, have not yet spoken, and wish to do so during general public communication, please fill out a blue card and pause in the box found by the center doors. Mr. Chair, seeing no other members of the public physically present wish to comment during general public communication, with your assent, I'll move to assenting virtually. If you're attending this meeting virtually and wish to comment during general public communication, and not about any item that already has its own public hearing on today's agenda, this is your opportunity to please raise your hand. Mr. Chair, I see no other members of the public, either physically or virtually present, wish to comment during general public communication today.

All right. Thank you. And also, Dan, thank you for contacting Lori. You're on top of it. I appreciate it. He is on it, this last issue we're addressing. So with that, I'll now close the public communication portion and turn to Gary as to what do you have next for us this morning. Thank you, Chair.

You have two public hearings. I'm sorry. Two public hearings the first is approval of a boundary change proposal for sewer services to territory located at one eight one one two Southeast Vogel Road in Happy Valley.

There is no fiscal impact There are no County general funds involved Jeff Munns assistant County Council will present go all right, mr Munz if you could hold for one moment I didn't see Commissioner services late on yeah, I just I don't know I don't know who to ask chair, but the first gentleman who spoke Is there any particular event or issue that an ice event here or I'm not aware of one, but is there what? What means can we find out if there's something that actually occurred here?

Well, I think we have staff look into it. Okay.

I just want to make sure we find out. There's not any major events that have occurred recently. I'm not aware of anything. So I know things are happening nationally, but I'm not aware of anything happening in our backyard. But if there is, I'd like to be aware of it. All right. Mr. Mellons, go ahead.

All right. Thank you. Yes, another annexation into Clackamas County Service District Number 1, one of the component units of West. This property is in Happy Valley. It is a single-family residence looking to connect to sewer. There is a sewer line adjacent to the property to serve this property. All the notices have been properly sent out and posted and published. We have not received any objections that I can report to you at this time about this proposed annexation. the local comprehensive plan for the county and the city, and meets the requirements for the Metro Code and ORS 198. And staff recommends approval of this annexation.

All right. Thank you, Mr. Muntz. Any questions, comments? So next, I'll open the public hearing on this item. So, Clerk, you want to help us on that as well?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. If you're attending this meeting in person and wish to comment on this specific item, this is your opportunity to please fill out a blue card and deposit in the box found by the center doors. Seeing no members of the public physically present who wish to speak, Mr. Chair, with your assent, I'll move to those attending virtually. If you're attending this meeting virtually and wish to comment on this specific item, this is your opportunity to please raise your hand. I see no members of the public either physically or virtually present to comment on this specific item today, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Andrew. I'll now close the public hearing. Any comments from commissioners? Not seeing any. Can I have a motion from one of my colleagues here today?

I move we approve boundary change proposal 2026-006. And is there a second?

Second. All right, Commissioner Savas is moved to approve the boundary change proposal 2026-006. Commissioner West is second of that. Any other discussion? Seeing none, clerk, will you please call the poll? Commissioner West. Aye.

Commissioner Savas. Aye. Mr. Chair?

Aye.

Motion passes three to zero, Mr.

Chair. Thanks, Mr. Muntz. Once again, I appreciate it.

And Gary, next. Thank you. Your next public hearing is allowance of a revenue bond issuance for Willamette View to finance Southeast River Road campus expansion. The bond value is approximately $155 million. Funding is through Willamette View. No county general funds are involved. Presenting is Dan Johnson, serving in his role as Interim Finance Director. Go ahead, please, Dan.

Good morning, Chair and Commissioners. We discussed this briefly with you on Tuesday, but I'm just going to recap it for the public and for your refresher for all of you. This is the first of two public hearings we're going to have regarding this lending. Essentially, it's a project by Willamette View, known as the Skyline. It's a 92-unit apartment complex they're looking to construct. and associated amenities essentially as a total project budget of about 155 million dollars looking to be constructed in September of 2026 through December of 2028. PURSUANT TO THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE, SECTION 147F, IT REQUIRES THE ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVING JURISDICTION OVER THIS PARTICULAR AREA, WHICH IS YOU AS THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, TO AUTHORIZE, ESSENTIALLY ALLOW THE ISSUANCE OF THE BOND AS BEING REQUESTED. THE NEXT PUBLIC HEARING THAT WE WILL BE HAVING, YOU WILL BE ASSUMING THE ROLE OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, WHICH THEN AUTHORIZES THE ISSUANCE OF THE BOND AND THE LENDING. Again, to remind everybody, essentially the Willamette Falls is looking to issue federally tax-exempt debt to support the development they're proposing. And to do that, these two actions are required by the board in their various roles. I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have.

All right. Any questions?

So, yes, just another. I think I know the answer, but. I just want to make sure that people are aware that of this bond issuance, there's no county resources, general fund or otherwise, that are being contributed to this project. So this is no county resources, correct? That is correct. Okay, thank you. And also one other clarification is that this is the first of two hearings. There will be a public hearing, a second one. Did I glean that correctly?

Well, there are two hearings today. There's not a second hearing later. Two today under two different governing bodies. Okay.

So one under the guise of the county, one under the guise of the hospital authority. Yes, correct. All right.

All right. With that, I'll open the public hearing on this item. And Andrew, ask for your help.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. If you're attending this meeting in person and wish to comment on this specific item, this is your opportunity to please fill out a blue card and deposit in the box found by the senators. Seeing no members of the public physically present, I wish to comment on this item, Mr. Chair, with your assent. I'll move to those attending virtually. If you're attending this meeting virtually and wish to comment, this is your opportunity to please raise your hand. I see no members of the public, either physically or virtually present, which is a comment, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. All right, I'll close the public hearing portion and give commissioners a chance to comment. I see Commissioner West has a question or comment. Go ahead, sir.

So I know we're going to probably... the next move is to make a motion about tax exempt bonds and that's for a way for capital to help provide capital from for projects like this Can you break down what that means? Is there a local impact to tax-exempt bonds? Is it mostly tax-exempt on the federal level? Is it tax-exempt here at the local level? Can you let us know where that exemption is coming from and if it impacts our financial revenues here at the county?

At its most elementary form, there are... Essentially, you have an entity under the hospital authority that's looking to have the benefit of government entities and their tax exemption component authorizing this lending. If they weren't able to come under this component of a tax exemption, there would be additional fees and costs associated with that lending as a whole. And this allows them the protections under this authority, the board's authority as a hospital authority to issue that bond.

So it's a built-in tax advantage for the capital improvement?

Tax advantage, it's a project cost advantage with the tax exemption, correct. Okay.

and the project is not just residential living. It also includes a hospital style beds for maybe memory care patients or later. Like is it also, it is all residential living. It's doesn't, I know you always, you guys also offer that service. I see a head nod there. Um, I guess I'm just thinking about not to throw a wrench and everything. I'm just thinking about, um, I'll leave it at that. I'll leave it at that. I'm just I'm just I am concerned with the lack of like affordable housing stock for the seniors that are living on the fringe here. And, you know, this thing will probably pencil out with or without a tax advantaged. I DON'T PROGRUDGE THEM AT ALL FOR BUILDING AND GROWING THEIR REVENUE AND THEIR BUSINESS AND FOR HAVING A PROFIT MOTIVE. I DON'T PROGRUDGE THAT. BUT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE NEED, IF THERE'S GOING TO BE A TAX ADVANTAGE, THE NEED, THE ARGUMENT COULD BE MADE IS FOR A DIFFERENT POPULATION OF PEOPLE THAT TRULY ARE ON THE VERGE OF HOMELESSNESS OR HOUSING. if we give a tax advantage or we authorize today a tax-exempt revenue bonds, you know, is that the right mechanism or revenue to have that tax advantage given? Just looking at and does that impact us directly and how many, you know, is it just this is the common way of doing this or is this the best way of doing this or is this necessary that So it just kind of has my thoughts and my wheels turning, and you actively see that happening here on the dais. I'll support this today, but, you know, I think our priority, if we have to prioritize the type of housing, that is a highly at-risk population we're trying to... to help support. I think that this is for a population of people with a lot of assets and resources that aren't on that same fringe and verge of not having a home and being priced out of their homes. And, you know, so I'll support this, but it just makes my feelers go up a little bit. My antennae go up a little bit when I see tax exempt, right, or getting a tax advantage for a population potentially that doesn't need it.

So I'm not going to pretend to be the utmost expert on this particular topic, but I will tell you the tool is disposed to other interests of other entities that may want to bring up similar requests of similar nature. And so it's not solely targeted towards projects of this nature that you're seeing today. So essentially, if there was another entity who was looking to fill another role within another type of project, they could approach the board, county commissioners, and staff, and discuss opportunities for financing as well. Okay.

Great, thank you, Ken. Commissioner Salas.

Yeah, I have a question. I know we discussed part of this on Tuesday, and I think the theme that Commissioner West is sharing is one that we discussed a little bit on Tuesday. But from a tax standpoint, normally I know that people would like to have interest-free debt, but tax-exempt debt is different. And I have two questions. Question number one, does Willamette View pay property taxes? Yes. I see a representative in the back shaking his head up and down. So, in the affirmative, that he does pay taxes. So my second question is, is that... this was not tax exempt debt where would those taxes appear? Yes. I know we have to think I think sometimes don't say globally but we look at the big picture and I asked this question only because on the consent agenda is A $50 million, I think we're gonna approve here, related to health insurance for the jail, the county, and that's paid for with general funds, which are derived from property taxes. But I won't go there at this moment, we'll keep it focused.

Yes, good morning, Chair Roberts, members of the commission. My name is Carol McCoug. I'm a lawyer with Hawkins, Delafield, and Wood, and we serve as bond counsel to the county. So we represent the county on all bond matters, including this particular one with respect to Willamette View. The question on tax exemption is actually a federal tax exemption. What it means is that the interest that is paid by Willamette View, the interest that is earned by bondholders, those bondholders do not have to pay tax on that interest earned as income.

Okay.

So it is a federal tax exemption. Also, for any bonds issued through the state and any entities of the state, such as the county, personal income tax, state of Oregon personal income tax, should an individual purchase the bonds, they would not have to report that income, the interest as income for purposes of state of Oregon personal income tax. So there is generally the benefit of a federal income tax exemption also for Oregon personal income tax for anyone who holds those bonds. And what that means is those bondholders, because they don't have to pay tax on that interest income, will ask for a lower interest rate on that financing. And that's the benefit that goes to the borrowers for that lower tax-exempt interest rate.

And there's no direct impact to the property tax collection associated with the project. Correct. To the county. That's right.

Okay. Okay. That answers my question. Thank you.

No, I very much appreciate that. And I think also just... I honestly agree with my colleagues just as countywide. We're looking at a variety of senior Options, and I feel like we can't have enough of all of them right now so and that you're Are a 501 C 3 that meets those Nonprofit guidelines that I know you have to do so I think that's the other piece that I noticed and I also want to say just that on another front, I have been working with another group that is working on more low-income housing for seniors. So I'm very excited about some other options in the county that would we're looking at and can't wait to have some of that information come forward. So I think it's, I agree. We just literally cannot have enough of senior housing. So thank you very much. Can you comment? Quick bond question?

Yeah. What's the structure in which they're repaid? So are these, they're municipal bonds, right?

Yes.

So what are they? Are we paying a bank? Can you break down that? Help me understand the primary structure of repayment to the bond and what that looks like.

Sure. So the bonds are sold to investors across the country, whoever's interested in this tax-exempt type of investment. The bonds are issued by the county, and there's a loan agreement between Willamette View and the county that essentially says, we will make that debt service payment.

Okay. So they're not general obligation or revenue? No. Are they revenue?

No.

No.

I mean, they're a revenue to the extent that they're paid for from the revenue of those loan payments from Willamette View.

From Willamette View, okay.

But they're not revenues of the county.

Okay, okay.

Thank you for giving me.

It isn't backed. I'm going to make sure we're clear.

It's not backed by the good faith and credit of the county. That was my next question. Correct. It's backed by the good faith and credit of the organization. That's right. So is the taxpayer, does a risk come to the taxpayer at all?

No.

No. Okay. Okay. Thank you for helping me understand. No, it's been a quiz.

All right. Well, thank you for being here for us today. So with that being said, is there a motion on this matter? Move we allow the issuance of tax exempt revenue bonds by Willamette view I'll second all right Commissioner Savas has moved to allow the issuance of a tax exempt revenue bonds by Willamette view commission was the second of that motion and is there any further discussion or comments I Seeing none, clerk, will you please call the poll? Commissioner West.

Aye. Commissioner Savas. Aye. Mr. Chair. Aye. Motion passes three to zero, Mr. Chair.

All right, thank you very much. So now I'll recess as Board of County Commissioners convene as a hospital facility authority of Clackamas County. And we're going to go to the next step of this, Gary.

All right, this is the same topic, but now you're meeting as a hospital facility board. of the county. This is a public hearing authorization of a revenue bond issuance for Willamette View to finance Southeast River Road campus expansion. Bond value is approximately $155 million. Funding is through Willamette View. No county general funds are involved. Team, go ahead and restate the issue.

Essentially we're here under a different authority from the board of county commissioners Looking for your authorization to approve the bond resolutions attached to the materials before you today It's for the project. We just discussed which is headed by the lamb at view We'd be happy to answer any questions you might have And Out of the shoot is Commissioner West go ahead.

Why does this fall under the hospital facility authority for us to vote on today? Why? Why is the second vote happening like you said earlier?

So the hospital facility authority under the Oregon statutes is the body that has the authority to issue this type of bond.

This type of bond. But we're not doing any hospital beds or care beds within this development?

Right. The definition of hospital within the statutes is very broad, and it encompasses this type of senior living facility.

Independent living as opposed.

Okay. Thank you. It just feels weird that we're doing this under the, this is like, these are basically apartments. It's not the housing authority that would step in? It's like, it's the hospital authority, not the housing authority if this is housing based?

Correct. Housing has another definition.

For this, how this is done, okay.

Yeah, just want to say the, the hospital facility, the hospital authority that was created. I was here when it was created, so it was for this, precisely for this purpose, and as was stated, that definition is broad. Okay.

And to get the root of your question, I think you're having us assure to you that this project as proposed qualifies for this. Correct.

Yes.

Correct. Okay.

Thank you. Intuitively, I would have assumed housing authority, but okay. Yeah.

All right. Next, we open the public hearing on the side of the clerk. Help us there.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. If you're attending this meeting in person, I want you to comment on this specific item. This is your opportunity to please fill out a blue card and deposit in the box found by the senators. Seeing no member of the public physically present who wishes to comment, with your permission, Mr. Chair, I'll now turn to those attending virtually. If you're attending this meeting virtually, this is your opportunity to please raise your hand if you wish to comment on this specific item. Mr. Chair, I see no members of the public either physically or virtually present who wish to comment on this specific item.

All right, procedurally, I'll close the public hearing. to see if there's any other comments. There's none. May I have a motion from one of my colleagues?

Chair, I move that we authorize the insurance of tax-exempt revenue bonds by Willamette View.

You meant to say issuance.

Did I say that wrong?

Yeah, you said issuance.

I did say it wrong, sorry. I move that we authorize the issuance of tax-exempt revenue bonds by Willamette View. What did I say? Insurance. Insurance, oh, issuance, yes.

And second? Second. All right. Commissioner West has moved to authorize the issuance of tax-exempt revenue bonds by will have a view. And Commissioner Savas has seconded that. Any further discussion? Seeing none, clerk, will you please call the poll?

Commissioner Savas. Aye. Commissioner West. Aye. Mr. Chair. Aye. Motion passes three to zero, Mr.

Chair. All right, moving right along. I'll adjourn as a hospital facility authority of Clackamas County and reconvene as Board of County Commissioners.

Gary. Thank you. Next is the consent agenda for the Board of County Commissioners. Andrew, would you please read the consent agenda?

Consent agenda for the Board of County Commissioners. Item A, elected officials. One, approval of previous business meeting minutes for the Board of County Commissioners. Two, approval of personal services contract with Navcare EverHealth for comprehensive correctional medical, dental, pharmaceutical, and mental health services at the Clackamas County Jail. Total agreement value is $50,561,697.36 for five years. Funding is through $12,640,424.34 of public safety local option levy funds and $37,921,273.02 of budgeted county general funds. B, technology services, one. Approval of purchase order with Dell Marketing for Adobe software license renewal. Purchase order value is $180,235.30 for one year. Funding is through departmental cost allocation, which does include a small portion of budgeted county general funds. C. Juvenile. 1. Approval of a personal services contract with Latino Network for parent and guardian engagement programs. Agreement value is $672,000 for five years. Funding is the Oregon Youth Authority. No county general funds are involved. Two, approval of an intergovernmental agreement with Clackamas Educational Services District for grant funds to support an education and employment coordinator position. Grant value is $43,000 for one year. Funding is through Clackamas Educational Services District and the Oregon Youth Authority. No county general funds are involved. D, Health Housing Human Services. One, approval of pharmacy services agreement with the Kroger Company for use of Fred Meyer prescription drug dispensation locations. Agreement value is $200,000 for five years. No county general funds are involved. Two, approval of an amendment with the city of Gladstone for a mental health services coordinator. Amendment value is $18,000 for six months. Total agreement value is $118,000 for two years. Funding is through opioid settlement funds. No county general funds are involved. Three. Approval of an intergovernmental agreement from Oregon Health Authority for problem gambling prevention services. Agreement value is $58,000 for one year. Funding is for the Oregon Health Authority. No county general funds are involved. Four. Approval of a revenue amendment with the University of Oregon for community dispute resolution training programs. Amendment value is $46,000 and no time increase. Total agreement value is $168,160 for one year. Funding is the University of Oregon. No county general funds are involved. Five. Approval of an amendment to a revenue agreement with the Oregon Housing and Community Services Department for revised rapid rehousing eligibility. Amendment value has no fiscal impact and duration of one year. Total agreement value is $912,170.91 for three years. Funding is the Oregon Housing and Community Services Department. No county general funds are involved. Six. Approval of an amendment to a revenue grant agreement with Oregon Housing and Community Services for Oregon Rehousing Initiative funding. Amendment adjusts scope without fiscal or time impact. Total agreement value is $1,709,812.09 for two years. Funding is the Oregon Housing and Community Services Department. No county general funds are involved. Seven. Approval of a revenue grant agreement with Oregon Housing and Community Services for the statewide shelter program. Agreement value is $2,664,992 for 15 months. Funding is through Oregon Housing and Community Services. No county general funds are involved. 8. Approval of an amendment to a subrecipient agreement with Senior Citizens Council of Clackamas County for older adult services. Amendment value is $50,000 for one year. Total agreement value is $580,100 for four years. Funding is through the Federal Older Americans Act and $50,000 of budgeted county general funds. 9. Approval of an intergovernmental agreement with the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission for the Second Chance Employment Recidivism Reduction Program. Agreement value is $398,919 for 15 months. Funding is the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission. No county general funds are involved. 10. Approval of an amendment with Greater New Hope Family Services for continuation of culturally specific case management services. Amendment value is $653,207 for one year. Total contract value is $1,306,414.10 for two years. Funding is through supportive housing services measure funds. No county general funds are involved. 11. Approval of a grant application to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for continuum of care programs. Total grant value is $8,647,652 for one year. Funding is the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and a required match that includes $115,742 in budgeted county general funds. E, transportation development, one. Approval resolution declaring the public necessity and purpose for the acquisition of rights of way, easements, and fee property, and authorizing good faith negotiations and, if necessary, condemnation proceedings for the Sunnyside Road and 142nd pavement overlay and ADA ramp project. Project value is $11,935,000. Funding is through county road fund. No county general funds are involved. Two, approval of an intergovernmental agreement with TriMet for a cloud-based transit signal priority system. Agreement value has no fiscal impact and a duration of 10 years. No county general funds are involved. Three, approval of funding agreement with Willamette Falls Locks Authority for a non-competitive grant. Funding agreement value is $70,000 for one year. Funding is through Oregon Lottery dollars. No county general funds are involved. Four. APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT ADDENDUM WITH CITY GOV APP FOR MOBILE AND ONLINE PERMITTING INSPECTION. ADDENDUM VALUE IS $319,656 FOR FIVE YEARS. FUNDING IS THROUGH PERMITTING REVENUES. NO COUNTY GENERAL FUNDS ARE INVOLVED. APPROVAL OF A PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT CONTRACT WITH SIERRA SANTA FE FOR THE OAK GROVE AREA CHIP SEAL PROJECT. CONTRACT VALUE IS $599,507.77 FOR FOUR MONTHS. FUNDING IS THROUGH COUNTY ROAD FUNDS. NO COUNTY GENERAL FUNDS ARE INVOLVED. 6. Approval of goods and services contract with Contech Engineered Solutions for culvert fabrication for Beer Creek Culvert and Malala Ave Shoulders Project. Contract value is $255,715 for one year. Funding is the Community Road Fund, countywide transportation system development charges, and the City of Malala. No county general funds are involved. 7. Approval of Public Improvement Contract with North Santiam Paving for the Markham Paving Project. Contract value is $1,326,411 for four months. Funding is through county road funds. No county general funds are involved. Approval of Public Improvement Contract with Eagle-Elsner for the Baker's Ferry Road Paving Project. Contract value is $1,434,080 for four months. Funding is through county road funds. No county general funds are involved. 9. Approval of public improvement contract with Sierra Santa Fe for the Mount Scott and Damascus area chip seal package. Contract value is $584,077.70 for four months. Funding is through county road funds. No county general funds are involved. 10, approval of a contract amendment with KNL Industries for the Thyssen II paving project. Amendment value is $375,000 for one month. Total contract value is $1,036,939 for 10 months. Funding is through county road funds. No county general funds are involved. 11. Approval of public improvement contract with Pacific Excavation for the Oakfield Road Jennings Ave Signal Rebuild Safety Work Project. Contract value is $1,638,000 until project completion. Funding is through the Community Road Fund, Countrywide Transportation System Development Charges, and Oak Lodge Water Services. No county general funds are involved. 12. Approval of a cooperative contract with Oregon Department of Administrative Services for a purchase order of traffic paint. Contract value is $800,000 for two years. Total purchase order value is $1,800,000 for four years. Funding is through county road funds. No county general funds are involved. Mr. Chair, that concludes the Board of Commissioners' consent agenda.

Once again, very nice job, Andrew. Thank you. Any colleague wish to remove any item from the consent agenda?

Chair for discussion. I'd like to pull a two for discussion and I will move to approve the consent agenda minus a two All right is there a second a second I

All right, Commissioner Sevis has moved to approve the consent agenda with the pulling of A2 for discussion. Commissioner West is second of that, and then I would open it up for discussion.

I'll take the poll. Or did we already do that? With the vote.

We didn't vote yet. You can discuss again or go right to the vote. With the vote. You can discuss again if you wish or go right to the vote.

Wait, wait, wait. Hold on. Are we made a motion and I second to discuss and poll it? No. So do we have to vote on that?

I made a motion to approve the consent agenda minus. Minus.

Oh, but we have to vote on that. Approve. We have to vote on that. Okay, okay. I still second that. All right. So you do have to call the poll.

Yeah. Go ahead, Andrew. Commissioner West. Aye. Commissioner Savas. Aye. Mr. Chair. Aye. Motion passes 3-0, Mr. Chair. All right.

Now I'll bring it back to item A2. Yes, this is now a board discussion item on A2, approval of a personal services contract with NAFACARE EverHealth for comprehensive... correctional, medical, dental, pharmaceutical, and mental health services at the Clackamas County Jail. Total agreement value is $50,561,697.36 for five years. Funding is through $12,640,424.34 in public safety local option levy funds and $37,921,273.02 in budgeted county general funds. Now up for your discussion.

Yeah. Chair? Yes. So thank you for accommodating that. I'm bringing this up. I intend on supporting it. I read through it. Clear there's an option there. We're approving a one-year contract with two options to approve a two-year addition. So this could go for five years. This total amount, it reflects what that would cost if it went for the full five years. my concern and reason i brought this up is whether whether or not we pass a public the levy right because part of this is funded but with the levy and that's spelled out here um and i am also aware reading through the packet that this is based on 500 jail beds right so this so for example this was a smaller county that only had 100 beds the insurance would probably be much less. This fee would be much less to buy that service. This is 500 beds. So I guess my question is, and again, maybe there's no one here to answer the question because I don't recall how many jail beds were assigned to the levy, right? I am sure that the 12 million... $640,424 reflects those additional beds provided by the levy. But in the event the levy doesn't pass, I am curious of how that would mean that either we continue to provide the insurance and house those beds or renegotiate it if indeed we reduce the amount of beds in the jail paid for by the levy and make people aware that that will equate to More early early releases and and chair with your background as sheriff in the past Do you recall what that number of jail beds are that are paid for by the levy was at 86 or that was 90?

Yeah, I think I think I think we want to have somebody from the sheriff's office address that issue I don't want to speak out of turn and there's a lot of variable factors that perhaps go into this the Let me give you an example. People are arrested. They're put in sometimes a holding cell. They're released. That might not be a bed, but yet it's providing health care. So when they say that, the calculations could be a variety of ways. It's been a while, so I would not want to speak Without kind of getting some advice on that Gary Do you have a comment about that Patrick Williams from the Sheriff's Office finance team happens to be online just in case so he can speak to you Right now if you'd like that answer.

Oh, it's all right. I'll be informative Patrick. Go ahead.

Go ahead, please tree Great Thank You Gary. Can you hear me? Yes? Okay. Thank you Good morning, Chair and the Board. So there is a negotiable part of the contract that's dependent upon the amount of jail beds that we anticipate having or are having, and that could reduce the cost of the contract. So it could reduce our annual costs. It is dependent upon the number of adults in custody at certain points. And my apologies, I don't know off the top of my head when those reviews could happen quarterly, semi-annually, or annually. But there is a proportion of the contract that allows us to renegotiate depending on the amount of adults in custody.

All right, thank you, Patrick. Commissioner Savas, you got a question?

Yeah, a question, Patrick. Is that like typical insurance that looks... retrospectively on how much of the beds were actually there, or is it prospective in that what's anticipated? What are we actually paying for, the looking forward aspect or looking back on what the actual exposure was?

I believe it's looking forward. It's looking forward, okay. In the anticipation, yeah, because that was as part of the contract negotiations. that was part of it. And my recollection is, uh, undersheriff EB and captain Freeman, um, uh, anticipated potentially less, uh, jail beds being in use in the future. And, and, and, uh, that's, and it, it got us down to this number. And if that, once again, like I said, if that goes down, um, uh, it could be, uh, less expensive as well. Okay. And just to add something to that, we, um, We spent a lot of time working with EverHealth, NAFCARE, and looking for every single cost savings down to individual pharmaceuticals or individual drugs to make sure that we were finding every potential savings and keeping in mind what we're required to do by law, what we're required to do that the county expects of us, and then And then lastly, I think you're aware of it. For the last several years, we've received national awards for our partnership with EverHealth MathCare and the work that they've done for the county. And they've been a great partner, and we expect them to continue to do so.

Great. As always, Patrick, thank you for your great work. I really appreciate you. Thank you. You bet. question.

Yeah, go ahead.

Hey Patrick, it's Commissioner West. I feel I'm talking to the ceiling. A quick question for you. We went out for a competitive bid process for this, correct? Correct. And but we have a long-standing relationship with NAFCARE, like long-standing.

Several years, yeah.

Several years, yeah. What was the competitive bid process like and did we get a number of other players that bid for that contract?

Yeah, it was the process was guided by the county's procurement rules. And we only, unfortunately, we only got two respondents. And we evaluated the respondents, and NAFCARE was the clear responder. clear winner based on what they were able to provide for us. Um, and, and once again, it's not only providing this medical care stuff and, and, and pharmaceuticals, the, the NASCAR takes on a lot of risk for us, a lot of liability, and they've, they've demonstrated that they can manage that, um, professionally and, uh, um, and have, have, um, have worked through a lot of issues with the county and or with us. And that was one of the things that really made them stand out in addition to the services they provide was their work in mitigating liability and risk.

Yeah.

Terrific. Thank you, Patrick.

Yeah. Yes. Um, the only thing I'd like to add, and that is, is, um, first of all, we, we used to have our own doctors, nurses, and provided our own healthcare at the jail. And at that time, my goal was to get medically accredited and have virtually found out that, um, That was not attainable, number one, without going for contracted outside services. And the other thing that the cost for internal services was so expensive, oftentimes our physician at that time would say, somebody would come in and usually, oftentimes you'll hear this, is, oh, I've got chest pains. And next thing you know, you're transporting somebody to the hospital with two deputies, emergency room costs. And we were actually at the top of the list for transports for the state of Oregon to the hospital because of wanting to mitigate liability, I think, for the physician at hand. And so with this contract, what happens is they can have off-site cardiologists that can review EKGs, can give advice and go, okay, this person does not need to go to the hospital. And on top of that, it was really a lot higher level of care. So people got assessed as soon as they came in. To me, it was much better care. They are medically accredited now, so they meet super high standards. And I really believe the cost is... at the best level we can. And I just want to highlight the other thing that oftentimes happens, and I think people aren't aware of that, is if somebody does come into the jail and just say, for example, they need dialysis, we're responsible for that. And we have to take them to dialysis, or we have to take them to a special care outside of that. And those costs can really, unfortunately, skyrocket. And oftentimes, that population that we serve there are not necessarily always the healthiest. And so I believe the Sheriff's Office and others have done a good job on manages and NAV care has kind of stepped up and provide that. And following up on the last thing that was mentioned too, is it is a high risk liability that they're absorbing because this population is also at high risk for a number of issues. So anyway, I see Commissioner Savas has a comment, go ahead.

Yeah. Chair, I appreciate that and thank you for adding additional information of this. I just want to make it clear I'm not questioning this agenda item. I'm not questioning the need for the insurance. I'm not questioning the competency or the services provided. None of that. It's more trying to draw attention, honestly, to the plight we're going to have if we lose the public safety funding levy in May when we put it back on. I'm just trying to take this opportunity to let people know that Law enforcement and public safety is an expensive line of work. We all know that. I'm not sure the public understands that. So I think this is an opportunity to at least shed light on we've got to be mindful of this. And also, this is a five-year contract. Granted, there's off ramps. But it is a five-year contract. And we've got just really a matter of months before the funding for the levy expires. You know, we're going in with a little bit of risk on the assumption that we're going to pass it in May, and I'm hoping that we put a full-scale effort forward so that we can continue to divide and pay for this insurance. So, Chair, I move we approve Agenda Item A2.

I will second.

All right. Commissioner Savas has moved to approve Agenda Item A2. It's been seconded by Commissioner West. Any further discussion? Seeing none, clerk, will you please call the poll? Commissioner West.

Aye. Commissioner Savas.

Aye.

Mr. Chair. Aye. Motion passes 3-0, Mr.

Chair. Thank you, Patrick, for paying attention and being available at such short notice. We sure appreciate it. All right, Gary, looks like I now need to recess. Yes. All right, recesses. Board of County Commissioners, convene as the service district number five, street lighting board of directors.

Gary. Thank you, Chair. This is the consent agenda for service district number five. Andrew, would you please read the consent agenda?

Service District Number 5 Street Lighting Board of Directors Consent Agenda. Item A, approval of a board resolution to certify the 2026-2027 assessment role for the Clackamas County Service District Number 5 Street Lighting. Total assessment value is $2,416,452.92. Funding is through rate payers. No county general funds are involved. Mr. Chair, that concludes the Service District Number 5 Consent Agenda.

All right. Any directors wish to remove any item from the consent agenda?

Chair, I move that we approve the consent agenda for service district number five as read. Second.

All right. Director West has moved to approve the service district number five consent agenda as read. Director Savas has seconded that. Any further discussion? Seeing none, clerk, will you please call the poll? Commissioner Savas. Aye. Commissioner West.

Aye.

Mr. Chair. Aye. Motion passes three to zero. Mr.

Chair. All right. We're moving right along. I'll adjourn as a service district number five street lighting board of directors convene as a water environment services board. Gary.

Thank you. Next is the consent agenda for water environment services. Andrew, would you please read the consent agenda?

Water Environment Services Board Director's Consent Agenda. Item A, approval of a contract amendment with Carlo Engineers for additional design services to the Clackamas Area Interceptor Improvements Project. Amendment value is $602,395.22 and no time increase. Total contract value is $5,422,463.65 for four years. Funding is through Water Environment Services Sanitary Sewer Construction Funds. No county general funds are involved. B, approval of a contract amendment with OTAC for additional engineering services to the Upper Kellogg Capital Improvements Project. Amendment value is $139,213 and no time increase. Total contract value is $1,014,537.78 for four years. Funding is through Water Environment Services Surface Water Construction Funds. No county general funds are involved. C, approval of a board resolution exempting the Sandy River Lane force main project from competitive bidding and instead authorizing selection by request for proposals. No fiscal impact, no county general funds are involved. D, approval of a contract with Connell Construction and Demolition Corporation for emergency temporary pipe protection on the Sandy River Lane force main project. Contract value is $524,513.05 for one year. Funding is through Water and Environment Services Sanitary Sewer Construction Funds. No county general funds are involved. Mr. Chair, that concludes the Water and Environment Services Consent Agenda.

Alright time for comment by directors or wish to remove something. I'm sure services lights on go ahead.

Yeah chair I don't wish to remove anything, but I do have a quick question. I just want to make sure the administrator is recalls My request from West for some answers and I want to I've made requests in the past and some of those have been fulfilled I want to make sure this one is I don't need it today. But there have some that have not been fulfilled in the past. So I hope it's not words that are just lost. It's actually fulfilled.

Everything a commissioner asks is responded to. And if you have evidence, it's not, tell me. And we have talked about this, Commissioner. But these items you asked for on the Sandy River Lane, item C, will be responded to you. Yes.

Thank you. Thank you. Chair, I move we approve the West consent agenda.

Second. All right, Director. Savas has moved to approve the West as a consent agenda, seconded by Commissioner West. Any further discussion? Clerk, do you want to call the poll?

Director West. Aye. Director Savas. Aye. Mr. Chair. Aye.

Motion passes three to zero. Mr. Chair. Right I'll now adjourn as a water environment services board of directors reconvene as the Board of County Commissioners Gary Thank You Nexus County administrator update.

That's me I like to recognize our incredible employees during my update today want to honor our Clackamas County office of tourism Which is also known as Oregon's Mount Hood territory part of our tourism teams roles is to partner with other regional chambers of commerce to support their work and We received here at the county a nice incredible note from the chief executive officer of the can be area Chamber of Commerce who wrote Thank you to the tourism team for your partnership and help promoting our wine and art walk Our statistics are great and I look forward to working again with you next year as we plan on making this a legacy event for can be there aren't enough words to capture a how truly grateful I am to work alongside each of you. Thank you for all you do promoting our communities and keeping tourism and economic growth on the forefront. Our small businesses in Canby are so grateful, especially during this challenging time when sales are unseasonably low. Thank you to Chatrine Craik, who is the CEO of the Canby Chamber, who sent that note. And thank you to our tourism team, led by Lizzie Keenan, for their outstanding work every day. Thank you. Next commissioners as you know you are about to go on a board recess for three weeks Part of that is your normal August recess, but also due to travel schedules There will not be quorum of the board for next week therefore the board is on recess from August 17th through September 8th There are no board meetings on August 20th August 27th or September 3rd the next board business meeting is is Thursday, September 10th. Finally, Andrew Jiraki. So commissioners, you know, today is Andrew's last day, last day at a business meeting as clerk to the board. Andrew is pursuing some great professional development opportunities outside of Clackamas County. I want to thank Andrew for your incredible service to our organization and especially what you do here as clerk to the board. He does a lot behind the scenes that you probably never see or know, but especially his role here supporting you commissioners and the organization clerking your meetings. He is quick and smart and funny and very, very detailed on the Zoom. He has a whole setup here that no one sees, the Zoom meetings, logging everything, decision you make, putting things on the website, making those graphics, which is really very helpful, Andrew, to the board and the public. What are you doing, Andrew? Sit up here. The camera wants to see you. But we thank you, I thank you, for your service to our organization. We're going to miss you, Andrew. And someday, I know you'll be back. You might be sitting at that dais someday, and that would be great for our county. So thank you, Andrew, for your service. We're going to miss you a lot. And that is my update for today. Thank you, Commissioners.

Isn't it great? I think maybe that's, as far as commissioner communication, I'll give you each a chance, but I think right now, just kind of taking a moment and talking about Andrew and what an incredible asset this young man is to the county. And I will just tell you, every time I walk down the hallway, I see him behind his computer working. He's never just chit chatting. He is incredibly committed to doing such an amazing job. There's a lot of important documents that need signed, and he'll get in his car and come track me down somewhere. We need this signed today. It's a last-minute deal. So it's day or night. I just have to say I have been so impressed with his professionalism, how he really works and treats people, and just his dedication to this county and the people that serve this county. As many of you know, sometimes it's challenging when people come testify. And he's very gracious and kind and sometimes saying your three minutes is up and helps move this forward. So everybody gets their chance to talk. But I just want to tell you personally, it's been such an incredible honor to work with you I am honestly sad to see you leave but I'm also happy for you kind of moving on in your next endeavor I have no doubt you're going to be successful I'm probably going to see you on television somewhere probably even singing he's so talented so anyway I'll maybe I'll just let the other commissioners comment on Andrew and then we'll come back

Commissioner Salvas? Yeah, I would concur, and I'm going to expand on this, but I do want to say one thing. Being here for my 16 years now and seeing clerks, I don't know why that position draws in talent, but every clerk that we've had has brought in something new and innovative. And so I want to just say shout out to all the clerks past. But Andrew, you have raised the bar as the others. But you raised it, and Gary spoke about it. I think that your ability to track the meetings and then put on the screen and highlight the areas that are being spoken to You are articulate. You are a great communicator. You're going to do well. You're going to go far. I just want to just say thank you for your service. Thank you for raising the bar. You're going to be a tough act to follow. But I know you'll do well. And Andrew and I share the same birthday. Not the same day. You're much younger than I am, but we share the same birthday. I didn't know that until just recently. But again, congratulations on your next venture.

We appreciate you Well, congratulations We've got a phenomenal job for the county and Your demeanor your cadence your professionalism your wit and humor has been Great to work with you. You were an easy fit to the culture here now the sad part is that we're losing you because you have been so fantastic and we never want to lose great people and But this does sound like a fantastic opportunity for you, and I look forward to seeing newer and greater things from you. I don't know if the public knows this, but Andrew has quite an accomplished resume, and so we were lucky to have him for the time that we did. His educational background, his work within this field, his Midwest demeanor. has been really great for the county and so Andrew I know that I hope to stay in touch with you and I know that Wherever you're going is quite lucky. So thank you for your service to Clackamas County your your your great ability to interact with the public And not all of our meetings are as boring as this one. Some of them get a little spicy. So They're but we don't always talk about bond and tax exemption. It's like that and sometimes it's a little different. So I appreciate you and I wish you the best. Congratulations.

All right. Thank you again, Andrew. And we'll transfer over to Commissioner Communications. So start off with you.

Yeah, last week I made a mention of the Office of the Independent Internal Auditor and made a request that we bring back maybe an educational work session to talk about the role and the guidelines and and how their code of ethics are typically how they're adhered to what they are and you know our role or not our role frankly as a political organization when it comes to allowing again the independent internal auditor and I I didn't foresee that when we had our retreat and we established our priorities I didn't foresee Consideration, but we did a pass a goal or not a goal but a priority of building public trust through good government and a trust is something that we always have to work on I believe it's something that is a uh... needs continuous improvement uh... even the office internal uh... the internal auditor and the treasurer's office all of our departments i think we're all strive towards continuous improvement but i think this would be when we pass the one with regards to you know how we govern uh... you know when i looked at this way back when i uh... promoted creating the office of internal auditor because we didn't have one we didn't have one at all There were a lot of things that were missing, but I did check around the state, and I did see, you know, obviously some counties have elected. internal auditors, independent internal auditors, which somewhat has more protections. Not that I'm rethinking per se that we ought to visit that, but I think it's something that we could talk about as a work session if we did have something to discuss that. We don't have the deep bench for our population that we ought to have. We at least need one additional internal auditor, but today my point here is really the independence and the sanctity of the office. And I want to make sure that's adhered to. So I'm wondering if Commissioner West would join me in helping staff put that work session together as a request. from the board as opposed to just from one person. And, you know, no urgency. You know, obviously we're going to be out, but there's no urgency. But I think that educating ourselves and the public on how and why that the office and the people within there, again, have that independence to do their work, their important work. So that's what I have for today. I know that we've got a break coming up. I know that I will be in town. I know I will be working. I know that my phone will ring every day. I'll be looking at county emails of the day. Maybe I'll find a day or two to take a break. But there's just a lot of work that's been done that's underway that still requires my attention. Unfortunately, some of that is with ODOT. Some of that is with some of the other boards I serve on. So there will still be work to be done during that time. I just wish everyone a safe holidays. I hope that we, and I also want to wish the best to our emergency workers, firefighters, everyone else out there that are fighting these wildfires. We certainly know we had a loss. We lost a firefighter to an accident. My condolences and concerns to the families and also the firefighters themselves that feel that is a personal loss because they feel they lose a family member. So it's, you know, they're out there protecting us, not unlike our law enforcement individuals as well. So acknowledgement and thank yous to all the people around the state that are fighting these fires. Chair, I yield back.

Thank you, Chair. I would concur everything that Commissioner Savas just said, and especially regarding our firefighters. There's been a number of losses due to these firefighters. And so that's somber, and we stand with the families and our deepest sympathies to them. A big RPOC meeting last night, I was there. I sent a letter to RPOC that's on the record addressing a few issues. There's some tensions kind of building up within ARPAC for the public certification. ARPAC is the Supportive Housing Services Oversight Board, for which I sit for the county of commissioners on trying to bring oversight and some reforms to the Supportive Housing Services funding. And so there are a number of elected officials, mayors, service providers, metro councillors, mayor of Portland, the mayor, Mayor Buck out of Milwaukee. We had Mayor beach pace there out of Hillsboro. We have Mayor Gresham, so a number of local elected officials, some service providers, and Metro. So we meet pretty frequently. The meeting was last night during, wait, you guys were all dealing with the North Clackamas Parks District. I know Commissioner Slavas was there. I was dealing with Metro and SHS. I submitted a three-page, two-page letter with some observations that I made regarding the oversight. There's a couple tensions, and we're trying to provide some language to Metro to make sure that we have some safeguards and controls around understanding and vetting service providers to make sure that we know that they're able to provide the services and they have the financial stability to provide services to this population. Understanding and having some type of dashboard or reporting system around KEIs, which are environmental factors that impact funding throughout our entire system that we may not have control over it like state and federal funding like the state pulls back on rent rent assistance what does that do overall to our local systems that are funded primarily by SHS before SHS the county to deal with this crisis had maybe maybe eight million dollars with SHS we've built out a system where it's 60 million dollars a year so significant and that's why we've been able to build out that recovery oriented system of care there's real strong tensions between the mayor's And some of the counties in Metro, we don't have that tension. They want to be seen as stakeholders and partners and then have some localized funding that reimburses them or helps address specific issues within their city. I highlighted the fact that With staff under my leadership early on, we actually implemented a grants program through SHS around $8 million that allowed local cities in Clackamas County to come with proposals on how to address real issues. So Wilsonville's proposal was different than Lake Oswego's proposal, for example. So we're trying to be supportive. I've been supportive of the city's Ask an Initiative initiative. We have some tension there working through that. And then what does it look like with more financial CQI type of controls and overall controls within the system for oversight that are specific to? And then what are the best practices that we already have in Clackamas County that has allowed us to, like, avoid that? to avoid big serious catastrophes with near misses, but our control is held in place where we act appropriately, where we haven't had the same negative news stories that they maybe have had in Clackamas County. So good coalition building around that. That was a lot what came up yesterday. If you may remember, maybe it was two years ago, I was the co-chair to the president's work group out of Metro. Lynn Peterson, a former Metro president, and myself co-chaired kind of the meetings that were the precursor to RPOC. One of the things that we pushed in the county was an overall audit of the system that manages SHS. We got pushback from elected auditors as that's our preview. We don't want you to do an audit. So we said, fine, let's do an assessment. We kind of had to negotiate what we could get away with. That assessment is out. I have a printed copy in my briefcase, but I think it is important for this board and the members of the board to be familiar with what was found in that assessment. And looking forward, I would love the board's feedback on your thoughts with that assessment. It's not a quick read, but it's not a horrible read either. And there are some things that we already know that are obvious, but I think one of the things I appreciated that came out of the assessment was clear that these functions are best done at the county level, that these are county-led type policies and interventions. And that more regionalized metro approach that centralizes that authority is not necessarily like came out of that assessment. There's been tension points around how we structure this moving forward. It is complicated. There are a lot of moving parts. The interests being advocated for the mayor of Portland are not the same as Lake Oswego or the same as Beaverton. There's similarities. And there's a lot of cooks in the kitchen, but some things are starting to move forward. We'll be making some votes here pretty soon, so I'll keep the board apprised of that. But it's been a lot of work, and I'll make sure that staff gets you guys that assessment. And I don't know if you guys had a chance to see the letter that I did submit. It was from my office, not on behalf of the board, but I was pretty sure. I was representing pretty well what we had already talked about. So I'm more than happy to answer any questions from either one of you or offline. But that has been an update that I think is important to get out there regarding RPOC. So and with that, I will yield back chair.

All right. Thank you. So kind of. ties in with part of which I was going to talk about. I actually had a meeting with the Metro President Juan Carlos Gonzalez and they talked about a lot of the issues I'm sure you guys discussed at your meeting and really trying to get a better understanding kind of where things are headed a little bit. It was very interesting one of the conversations I had with him too is you know we've had discussions about perhaps an event center and some of those things in the county and they're in charge of the Oregon Convention Center and some of the things that they're changing. And one of the big things he said, you really have to look at it as a concept that an event center or whatever you want to call it is an economic driver because it supports all the things. Oftentimes that facility itself might not generate a ton of money, but what it does is it really is an economic driver for the area and so they're switching some of the stuff there which I thought was very interesting is kind of more some sports activities and some remodel down there for different types of whether it's basketball or volleyball and creating that which I know in our one of the parks up in Happy Valley is that thing is booked all the time as many parks are so anyway it was an interesting conversation a lot of the data and research they've done about that so I've had conversations And one of the highlights for me this week was also Emily and I went to the Clackamas Free Clinic, which is over at the community college. And we met with the Lisa Stinson, the executive director there. And I just have to tell you, I was so impressed and about the number of volunteers. I guess I'm always, when I hear people volunteer in so many ways, I'm just, it's very appreciative. I mean from doctors to students to nurses to CNAs that they just volunteer tons of hours. to come and provide clinics services, so I thought that some of this data was interesting so there's in Oregon there's Nine free clinics in Oregon and actually two of those are actually in Clackamas County and just to kind of give you a reference for Oregon As to how many we have, Washington State has 77 free clinics, so a huge difference. And so unfortunately we are really behind on that and that they're really, the majority of it is staffed by volunteers, medical care services, foot care, eye exams. They have a great extensive partnership with the community college about opportunities that are kind of want to go into that healthcare field and they have medical assistants, they have medical scribes that they all work with the doctors and I actually spoke with one of the doctors there yesterday and they're trying you know to it's also a little bit of a teaching facility as well and so Just was The other thing that I really wasn't aware of is how far people come to go to this clinic So we have people from Hood River from Oldham County seeing a huge influx from the Camby area and When we really kind of talked about some of the reasons why had to do with Lack of healthcare coverage. And so, and what I thought was also interesting is many of the people that come actually have one or two jobs and they don't qualify for Medicare and they don't have enough money to pay for their own insurance. So they're kind of caught in the middle. And so anyway, I think it's just a incredible service. And that's why, speaking of volunteers, I want to take just a moment and recognize the volunteer I heard about yesterday. And this is something that I've been wanting to do for a while because every time I touch base with volunteer connections and I sit down and talk to people and I hear what they volunteer, I am absolutely just blown away. And it is honestly very inspiring to hear what a number of these people do for our community. And one of them just turned 100. And I go, oh my gosh, you're volunteering and still giving back to the community. I mean, it is so touching. I wanted to, I know we're going to try and put a picture up and this is kind of one of the things we've been working on and this wonderful lady is Heather McNeil and Heather McNeil is a volunteer nurse serving at the Clackamas Free Clinic for the last 15 years. It's worth mentioning that Heather previously worked for Clackamas County as a community health nurse for 20 years before retiring in 2004. And throughout her years of service, Heather has become an indispensable member of the clinic community. She consistently steps up whenever she's needed. Her clinical experience, positive attitude make her a trusted resource and an absolute role model There, she's a wonderful volunteer at the dental clinic, at the Clackamas Free Clinic, which they host. She creates special care bags for each patient and includes a handwritten inspirational note. And this thoughtful gesture really reflects a genuine compassion and commitment to ensuring that every patient feels valued, cared, and encouraged. And At 85 years old, Heather continues to show up every Monday to volunteer and still holds an active license. So I just want to say thank you to Heather for her service and the care that she does for Clackamas County. And it's just an honor to say a few words about her. So thank you very much. Appreciate that and staff recognizing her. So with that, that is all I have today, except for I want to turn to Gary. Is there anything else before we wrap it up? That is all for today. All right. On behalf of the Board of County Commissioners, thank you for joining us. And Andrew, thank you for your service here to Clackamas County. And we all wish you the very best. And we'll be back here September 10th. Have a great day.