Board of Clatsop County Commissioners Meeting Highlights Wed, Apr 10

Department reorganization introduced

The board of commissioners conducted the first reading of an ordinance reorganizing some county services.

The new administrative structure changes the Central Services Department to the Budget and Finance Department, and moves two current Central Service functions to two other departments – Building and Grounds to Public Works, and Information Systems to the County Manager’s Office, which will be renamed the Administrative Services Department. The Assessment and Taxation Department, which since 2010 has been overseen by the Central Services Director, will again be a stand-alone department. The position of Assistant County Manager – which was vacated in December 2012 when Nicole Williams moved from that position to become County Clerk – will be eliminated.

The changes are projected to result in $265,704 in savings in the 2013-14 fiscal year.

Second reading and adoption of the ordinance is scheduled for April 24.

Volunteers honored

The board recognized the county’s 2012 Volunteer of the Year honorees:

Individual Volunteer of the Year – Debbie Morrow, for more than 20 years of advocacy for developmentally disabled and mentally ill and service on a variety of boards and committees including Women’s Resource Center and Human Services Advisory Council. Nominated by Public Health Director Margo Lalich, Juvenile Director Janet Evans and Prevention Specialist Jill Quackenbush.

Outstanding Advisory Board Member – John Mersereau, for 30 years of service with the Southwest Coastal Citizens Advisory Council, also known as the Arch Cape Design Review Committee. Nominated by Commissioner Debra Birkby.

Outstanding Volunteer Group – CADY (Caring Adults Developing Youth) Mentoring Group, for linking adult mentors with at-risk youth to provide support, guidance and leadership. Nominated by Juvenile Probation Counselor Laura Parker.

Outstanding Individuals within a Group:

Bruce Buckmaster – Clatsop County Jail Alcoholics Anonymous Group. Nominated by Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office Senior Deputy Dave Hillard.

Kevin Miller – Reserve Deputy Sheriff, Underwater Recovery Team, High Angle Rescue Team. Nominated by Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Matt Phillips.

Sally Freeman – Classy Canines. Nominated by 4-H and Extension Service Program Coordinator Sandra Carlson.

Carly Scheik – Victim’s Assistance Program. Nominated by Victim’s Services Coordinator Ben Bradshaw.

Gerald Theirs – CADY Mentoring Program. Nominated by student Terrance Sanders.

Andy Whalen – CADY Mentoring Program. Nominated by student Christopher Avery.

Wetlands inventory reviewed

The board held a work session discussion on a Local Wetlands Inventory for the Arch Cape/Cove Beach community.

The Arch Cape/Cove Beach Local Wetlands Inventory was commissioned by the Arch Cape Sanitary District and Columbia River Estuary Task Force and approved by the Oregon Department of State Lands in 2011. The Ecola Creek Watershed Council requested that the county adopt the inventory and development standards. The county Planning Commission, after several public meetings, recommended the board establish a Local Wetland Inventory Overlay containing uniform regulations covering all of the wetlands identified in the inventory deemed “significant.” Staff of the Community Development Department has recommended that the county not adopt the inventory.

The board is scheduled to take action at its April 24 meeting.

Other Business

In other business the board:

-Appointed Drew Herzig, Mike Oien, and Roger Rocka to the county Budget Committee.