Clatsop County Board of Commissioners Highlights Wednesday, May 9, 2012 regular meeting

Zone change approved The board approved a re-zone, partition and “density credit” transfer application from Gloria Edler for two 10-acre parcels east of Gearhart. The application rezones approximately 10 total acres on the two lots from Residential-Agriculture 1 to Open Space, Parks and Recreation. Under land-use regulations governing the Clatsop Plains region, the rezone creates five density credits that can transferred to other Clatsop Plains properties. Two of the credits are to be transferred to the West Dunes/Clatsop Estates subdivision, an application for which will be considered by the board in June. The other three credits will be “banked” for future use. Rilea study reviewed The board heard a presentation on the newly completed Camp Rilea Joint Land Use Study. The project, organized by the Clatsop County Community Development Department with a Department of Defense grant, was designed to reduce potential incompatibility between the military facility south of Warrenton and surrounding areas, while protecting public health and safety, sustaining operations at the facility and accommodating new growth. The study, which covered the area within five miles of Camp Rilea, is designed to promote communication and collaboration between the Oregon Military Department and surrounding jurisdictions and stakeholders. The document is advisory only and will not be adopted as part of the county’s comprehensive land-use plan. The study does not recommend any rezoning of property surrounding Camp Rilea, but does suggest that no changes be made that would allow for increased density of development. Applications reviewed In closed executive session, the board reviewed applications from candidates for the county manager position with consultant Greg Prothman. Based on recommendations from Prothman, six candidates were identified as finalists for interviews scheduled for May 30 in Astoria. The county is seeking a replacement for County Manager Duane Cole, who is retiring May 31. The county received a total of 40 applications for the position. The board also voted to designate Assistant County Manager Nicole Williams as interim county manager, to serve until the new county manager joins the county. Tower approved The board approved a $60,720 contract with Valmont Industries Inc. for construction of a microwave communications tower at Camp Rilea Armed Forces Training Facility. The tower is a component of the new county emergency operations center wing slated for construction at Camp Rilea’s Warrior Hall and will link to a multi-county microwave communications network. The tower project is funded by a federal Homeland Security grant. Other Business In other business the board: -Voted to expand the membership of the Clatsop County Fair Board from five to seven, and to appoint Jack Edwards to one of the new seats. -Approved a letter to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality supporting the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s deferral of action to list the Astoria Marine Construction Company on the federal Superfund environmental clean-up program, and recommending that DEQ be designated the lead agency for the proposed clean-up of the site. -Approved an agreement with the Oregon State Marine Board for renovation of the John Day Park boat ramp. The project will be funded with a $23,000 state grant and $11,000 in county funds. -Proclaimed May 20-26, 2012 to be Emergency Medical Service Week.