BOCC news in Brief for 10/22

Carrie Bartoldus October 23, 2008

Clatsop County Board of County Commissioners heard from local processors regarding the recent decision to endorse trawler in the groundfish quota system. The BOCC had passed a resolution to back trawlers in their request that only permit holders be allowed a percentage in the quota system. Processors have asked for a portion of the quota and asked that the BOCC rescind their resolution. After hearing both sides in a work session the Board placed the matter on the agenda for the regular meeting to discuss. During the regular session the board Commissioner Raichl asked that the resolution to support the trawlers be rescinded as it was a complicated matter and one which the commission did not have to weigh in on. The motion died for lack of a second. The other commissioners expressed differing reasons as to why they were glad to hear both sides of the matter but stuck to their resolve to support the trawlers in the matter of the groundfish quota system.

Members of the public spoke up on the recent decision to increase fees from the health department. A 20% hike in fees is needed, according to health department staff, in order to meet their budget. After much discussion and a review of the options available the BOCC reluctantly gave the approval for the increase. The hike will cause an increase in fees ranging from $10 – $75 for restaurant and boarding facilities.

Jay Flint, with Columbia River Estuary Study Taskforce (CREST) presented the finished Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan (pages 61-66) that was started last September and which the lack thereof caused some problems for those going after FEMA funds following the December storm. With the approval by the BOCC the plan must now be approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), once FEMA has approved the plan it will come back to the Board to be adopted via a resolution.

The holiday schedule for the board was set with the first meeting on November 12th being changed to an evening meeting to meet the requirements of the charter as there will not be another meeting in November (unless staff deems it necessary and then the meeting will be held via conference call). The December dates for meetings will be switched to December 3rd and 17th.

The Clatsop Forestry and Wood Products Economic Development Committee gave a brief presentation and discussed the timber situation after last year’s December storm.

A first reading of ordinance 08-10, amending the comprehensive plan and map, exceptions to Goals 4, and 14, was held. A public hearing and second reading will be conducted on November 12.

Commissioners reported on events they had attended over the past few weeks and upcoming events.
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