Clatsop County Board of Commissioners June 12 Meeting Highlights

Tsunami maps presented

The board heard a presentation from Peter Ovington of the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries on the agency’s new tsunami evacuation maps. The maps, developed with new data on the destructive earthquake-generated ocean waves, show areas of the county subject to potential flooding by tsunamis originating both locally and in distant locations, and identify evacuation routes and assembly areas.

The maps are slated to be officially released June 18.  Four community rallies are scheduled to increase to distribute maps and raise awareness of tsunami preparation: June 20 in Warrenton, June 22 in Astoria, June 27 in Seaside and June 29 in Arch Cape.

Following the presentation, Emergency Management Director Dean Perez presented a certificate of appreciation to Lianne Thompson for her work as the county’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) coordinator.

Vegetation management policy

The board heard a presentation on the county Public Works Department’s roadside vegetation management program. Public Works Director Ed Wegner and consultant John Van Staveren of Pacific Habitat Services Inc. described how the policy, first adopted in 2006, guides the department in balancing mowing and spraying to control roadside weeds and vegetation to preserve road surfaces and shoulders and maintain visibility with the least environmental impacts.

Property owners on county roads can request that no sprays be used along their land if they agree to control the vegetation themselves on their section of the road right-of-way, Wegner said. About 75 property owners are currently in the no-spray program.

Budget hearings

The board held public hearings on the 2013-14 fiscal year Clatsop County budget and budgets for the 4-H and Extension Service District, Road District No. 1, Rural Law Enforcement District and Westport Sewer Service District. No public testimony was offered. Adoption of the budgets is scheduled for June 26.

Other Business

In other business the board:

-Approved an agreement with S. Diane Peterson of Keller Williams Realty Sunset Corridor to provide real estate marketing and brokerage services for the county-owned North Coast Business Park in Warrenton. Board Chair Peter Huhtala recused himself from the vote due to his work in real estate.

-Approved the purchase of a seven-acre parcel from the Campbell Group located on Youngs River Road near the Klaskanine River for $21,000. The property will be used for storage of road maintenance and construction materials by the county Public Works Department. The acquisition is part of a three-way arrangement between the county, Campbell Group and the Oregon Department of Parks and Recreation, which is purchasing the existing county road stockpile site for the development of a boat launch.