The Clatsop County Board of County Commissioners voted to transfer mineral rights on a piece of property sold in 1961. At that time the law stated that the County would retain its mineral rights on property it sold, since then, however, the laws have changed and land sold now would include the mineral rights. The City of Warrenton later bought the property and is now asking that the County transfer the mineral rights in order to clear up the title for a proposed sale of the land. A geologist’s report has concluded that there is no oil, gas or mineral deposits on the site and that there is little or no value to the mineral rights.
Commissioner Sam Patrick objected to the transfer stating that the geologist could be wrong, since scientists were always fighting over things, such as global warming. He asked, “What if another scientist, twenty years from now, says something different? What if he says that those mineral rights are worth some money?” Patrick wanted some sort of remuneration for the transfer. Commissioner Samuelson countered that because the geologist said there was no indication that there was anything worth a monetary value it would be neighborly to work cooperatively with Warrenton. Commissioner Patrick voted against transfer, the transfer passed on a 4-1 vote.
The founder and president of the annual Hood to Coast relay, Bob Foote, gave a follow-up report on this year’s event calling it the smoothest in the event’s 27 year history. Clean-up crews followed the route taken by participants along the entire route with most areas ending up cleaner than when the event started. Bottlenecks that had led to traffic congestions in the prior year were eased due to early anticipation of where problem areas were or might be and quick and timely responses. The dates for the 2009 relay will remain one week before Labor Day weekend, Aug, 28-30.
Commissioner Patrick asked that the board revisit the idea of changing the wording of the oath of office that is administered to new county commissioners at the beginning of their terms. Commissioner Patrick stated that county counsel, Blair Henningsgaard, “thinks it’s a pretty good suggestion” to change the oath to include a promise to follow county ordinances. Henningsgaard was not present at Wednesday’s meeting, however a memo had been drawn up by Henningsgaard regarding addressing ordinances. Henningsgaard does not give a personal opinion but notes that state language “allows (and perhaps encourages) such a promise.”
Lively discussion ensued with Commissioner Hazen asking Commissioner Patrick why he didn’t initiate this eight years ago at the beginning of his term rather than the end of his term? Patrick responded that it wasn’t a problem eight years ago like it is now. Hazen said that he feels that Patrick is on a witch hunt. Patrick asked, “Who am I hunting?” Samuelson replied, “All of us.”
Commissioner Raichl stated that he feels that there are conflicting ordinances, it is difficult to know all of the ordinances and if one is following all of them, and he isn’t comfortable with that part of the change. He feels it is appropriate to state that a county commissioner will support the charter.
Commissioner Roberts asked if the staff could come back with an ordinance that would reword the oath to just include the phrase, “support the Charter of Clatsop County”. Patrick said without the wording of the ordinances in the oath the commissioners were placing themselves above those ordinances and that commissioners should know what all the ordinances are. Hazen made the motion to approve the new oath with the wording that the commissioners would support the charter added, and it passed unanimously.
County Manager Scott Derickson reported that Palomar Pipeline will be holding a public meeting at the Westport Community Center, September 22, 6-8 PM. Derickson said that the commissioners could go without fear of ex-parte communication because they do not have a say in the siting of pipeline.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is scheduled to take up the licensing application from NorthernStar Natural Gas for its proposed Bradwood Landing LNG terminal on Sept 18. The board voted to send commissioners Jeff Hazen and Ann Samuelson to Washington, D.C. to attend the hearing. While in DC the commissioners will stop in and visit other representatives and senators to talk about Clatsop County.
Commissioner Samuelson reminded everyone that the Special Olympics/Fireman softball tourney would begin at 10 am at the Warrenton Softball fields, and invited everyone to attend.
Chair Roberts said that public input on the procedure for a new county manager would be on the agenda for the next board meeting, September 24. Also, discussion regarding the Forest Trust Land Advisory Committee would be added to the agenda.
In other business the board:
Appointed Commissioner Hazen to represent the county on the Clatsop Economic Development Resources board.
Appointed Stephen Malkowski to the Southwest Coastal Citizens Advisory Committee (Arch Cape)
Appointed Marian Tyson to the Human Services Advisory Committee.
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