Quick & Easy Wasco County Commission Preview for Jan. 5th at 9 a.m. County to Consider Community Enhancement Projects and Funding Priorities
Meet the Wasco County Commissioners LEFT TO RIGHT: Steve Kramer, Scott Hege, Kathy Schwartz
Welcome to Quick & Easy Wasco County Commission Preview
Get a sneak peek at the upcoming Wasco County Board of Commissioners Meeting without having to read through 220 pages of an Agenda.
The Wasco County Commissioners Meeting will hold their regularly scheduled meeting at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 5th.
Attend the meeting: Click here to join the zoom meeting at 9 a.m. on January 5th .
Watch the meeting: Watch Livestream here.
Read More: January 5th, 2022 Agenda & Board Packet.
The Agenda Break Down
Fee Schedule Hearing
Justice Reinvestment Grant Agreement
Oregon Office of Emergency Management Grant Agreement
Mid-Columbia Center for Living Information Services Agreement
5-Acre Bargain Sale & Deed to City of Dufur
Oregon Health Authority Comment Letter
Economic Development Commission Community Enhancement Projects Priority List and Quarterly Report
Coordinated Transit System Presentation by Kate Drennan
Wildfire Smoke Response, Featured Speaker: Lauren Kraemer
Legislative Concepts: Recreation Enhancement, Wildfire Resiliency, and Conservation for Mt. Hood and the Columbia River Gorge - County Letter of Response
Discussion Items
Miriam McDonald will give an update on COVID in Wasco County.
Fort Dalles Museum will seek County approval to appoint Dawn Rasmussen to the Fort Dalles Museum Commission.
Wasco County Administration will seek county approval of opioid settlement agreements.
Economic Development Commission Priorities List and Quarterly Report
The Wasco County Economic Development Commission will request input and acknowledgment by the Wasco County Board of Commissioners of its prioritized list of 2022 Wasco County Community Enhancement Projects and Priority Issues. Commissioners will consider funding the following list of projects.
Priority Community Enhancement Project List
1. City of The Dalles Dog River Pipeline
From the Board Packet: “The Dog River Pipeline is a 3.5 mile long, 20-inch wood water supply line that has supplied the City for over 100 years. Currently, over 50% of the City's water supply goes through the Dog River line. This pipeline is experiencing significant leakage due to deterioration and damage from trees. The City is working through final engineering and the City anticipates a funding shortfall. They are actively seeking the final resources to support this project.”
2. Deschutes Rim Health Clinic Expansion
From the Board Packet: “The Deschutes Rim Clinic currently has a 2,400-square-foot modular building with two exam rooms and no extra space. The new facility will create increased and flexible office space for additional services including physical and mental health. The estimated total costs for this project are $2.5 million. With funding from the State, local fundraising, and multiple foundations, there is still a need for $1 million, with $750,000 in grant resources identified for application.”
3. Joint Use Facility for the City of Mosier
From the Board Packet: “The City of Mosier and the Mosier Fire District are partnering to develop a joint-use facility that will include a City Hall, Fire Hall, and multipurpose community space in downtown Mosier on the North side of Highway 30. The building will house a fire station, city hall offices, and community meeting center. In addition to these core functions, the approximately 10,000-square-foot building will include a kitchen, restrooms, public works garage, storage, outdoor plaza, and parking. The estimated total project cost is $6 million and is estimated to be completed by 2023.”
4. Drinking Water System Improvements for Dufur
From the Board Packet “The City of Dufur does not currently have enough water resources to support their community through existing infrastructure. The city will be reviewing its Water System Master Plan to establish the next steps and solutions. To acquire adequate drinking water for community members, the city will need to drill a new well, build sufficient water storage and construct a dedicated water line to connect these assets. In addition, the city will be assessing the state of the current freshwater well and addressing what usage options are available.”
5. Q-life Cascades East Interconnection and Colocation Facility
From the Board Packet: “In the Northwest, major co-location points are in areas threatened by the Cascadia Subduction. This would mean that the internet would be largely inaccessible in the event of a subduction event, earthquake. Q-life is developing an improved co-location facility in The Dalles where providers and emergency communications networks can meet and access scalable communication paths.”
6. Columbia Gorge Childcare Center at Columbia Gorge Community College
From the Board Packet: “CGCC completed a feasibility study as the first step in developing a public childcare center to help address the regional childcare shortage and improve workforce training available to childcare providers. The feasibility study indicated that the facility would need ongoing support from local partners to create the spots necessary to help fill this gap in services. Additionally, the estimated cost to construct a childcare center at the Columbia Gorge Community College campus is $1.8 million. They have received $1 million in ARPA funds allocated by the State and anticipate seeking additional funds this year to match.”
7. Deschutes Rim Athletic Complex in Maupin
From the Board Packet: “Maupin is building a multi-purpose athletic facility at South Wasco County High School called the Deschutes River Athletic Complex to replace the original, egg-shaped track. The new, state-of-the-art complex will include track and field facilities with an 8-lane IAAF certified track, a football field, and related spectator facilities that will accommodate a wide range of uses with opportunities for significant local impacts. The total estimated cost for the Phase 1 work is $1.3 million, with $200,000 in funding still needed. The project still needs $400,000 in funding for phase 2 and will be looking for specific donors or sponsors for additional lighting and facility work moving forward.”
8. Sorosis Park Redevelopment in The Dalles
From the Board Packet: “After the removal of the mature pine trees at the park, North Wasco County Parks and Recreation District is planning significant improvements to the space to meet current needs and plan for the future. The project has the potential to break ground for phase 1 within 2022, which includes $1 million in funding for hardscape, irrigation, and planting. They will then conduct additional fundraising for specific elements of the plan.”
9. Q-life South Wasco County Fiber Expansion in Maupin
From the Board Packet: “Q-Life is seeking to construct a middle-mile fiber backbone that connects Maupin to Tygh Valley, Wasco County Fairgrounds, Wamic, and Pine Hollow. A private ISP partner will finance the construction of last mile infrastructure to businesses, homes, and key community institutions. The estimated project cost is $5,894,827.00. Qlife has applied through the State of Oregon for National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) funding and should receive notification of award or rejection sometime in November 2022. Qlife will continue to seek out other sources of funding to support the project should the NTIA elect not to award the project.”
10. Dufur Rural Innovation Hub
From the Board Packet: “Wy'East Resource Conservation and Development Area Council has partnered with Bonneville Environmental Foundation, Forth, and Sustainable NW to establish the Dufur Rural Innovation (DRI) Hub. The DRI Hub will promote the use of electric farming equipment and vehicles in the area to support innovative agricultural practices. The Hub already has two electric tractors in use for testing and demonstration in Oregon. The next step for the DRI Hub is to acquire or lease space to allow the DRI Hub to interact with clients, manage their fleet, and provide educational experiences for local students. The estimated funding needed is $200,000- $500,000.”
Priority Issues for the County
Commissioners within the same context of funding are also set to consider county priorities as well. Here is the list.
Developable Land
Commissioners will consider the continued development of land
Commissioners will consider ways of easing development in land that is available within urban area boundaries, rural centers to reduce the inventory of vacant or underutilized land.
“As communities across the County continue to develop what land is available and ready for investment, there is a need to focus on ensuring that areas within urban growth boundaries, urban area boundaries, or appropriate rural centers are ready for development. The City of The Dalles, Port, and EDC are collaborating on a Brownfield Assessment Program with funding from EPA to support property owners in understanding redevelopment challenges and opportunities. Additionally, there is work being done in several communities focused on code and infrastructure updates that will allow for appropriate, additional development. As this development occurs and reduces the inventory of vacant or underutilized land other next steps will be proactively explored with partners.”
Columbia Gorge Childcare
“There continues to be a shortage of qualified, affordable childcare in the Columbia Gorge region, particularly in The Dalles and Wasco County. CGCC has completed a feasibility study, as the first step in the process to identify potential partners, the physical scope, regulatory requirements, operational costs, and capital construction sources for a child care center in The Dalles. Conversations will continue about how to support developing additional slots through this project and other efforts and are critical to ensuring workforce participation from families.”
Housing
“Housing prices have continued to rise quickly in Wasco County over the last several years for both home purchases and rental units. We have consistently heard from employers and real estate professionals that the challenges in access and affordability for residents and potential employees seeking to come to Wasco County have hindered businesses’ ability to grow. Better understanding this need and opportunities to address it will impact access to a robust workforce moving forward.”
Broadband
“COVID-19 has further highlighted the gaps in broadband service availability for communities across Wasco County and additional focus on funding resources at the State and Federal level will provide opportunities for shovel ready projects in the next few years. Continuing to focus on creative strategies to address access needs will support diverse businesses, educational access, and many more key services to create vibrant communities.”
Fee Schedule Ordinance Hearing
Kathy Clark will give an update on The Wasco County fee schedule. This is the first of two hearings to update the fee schedule with completed building codes fees.
Justice Reinvestment Grant Agreement
Wasco County has been awarded $570,343.49 under the 2021-23 Justice Reinvestment Grant Program (JRI). The County is now being asked to approve the Criminal Justice Commission Justice Reinvestment Grant Program Grant Agreement.
Oregon Office of Emergency Management Grant Agreement
Wasco County has been awarded $66,825 from the Oregon Office of Emergency Management. The County is being asked to approve the OEM Emergency Management Performance Grant Agreement.
Mid-Columbia Center for Living Information Services Agreement
Mid-Columbia Center for Living (MCCFL) is in need of technical service coverage to maintain, administer, and develop information systems that ensure it can continue providing critical behavioral health services to the community. At this time, it is projected that MCCFL will increase the total service request load currently on IS by 51% (i.e., average 58 new monthly tickets).
The County is being asked to approve a service agreement to provide information technology services and support to MCCFL.
5-acre Bargain Sale and Deed of Property to the City of Dufur
The County is being asked to approve the Statutory Bargain Sale and Deed conveying a 5-acre lot of property to the City of Dufur for $3,000. The County would retain County mining rights on the property.
Proposed Comment Letter From Wasco County to Oregon Health Authority
County Commissioners are being asked to approve a letter to the Oregon Health Authority for the 2022-2027 Medicaid 1115 Waiver. The letter is in support of section 3.2 Improving Health Outcomes by Streamlining Life and Coverage Transitions and asks for the inclusion of the phrase “local juvenile detention facility” to create ease of access for eligible incarcerated youth to have access to Medicaid.
The Letter:
“Wasco County appreciates the opportunity to provide written testimony during the public comment period for the 2022-2027 Medicaid 1115 Waiver. Wasco County has been involved with the Columbia Gorge Health Council as a founding member of the regional Coordinated Care Organization. Many of the strategies focused on in the current application reflect our local priorities of improving the wellness of Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members across their continuum of coverage.
Specifically, Wasco County has been active in working with local public safety system to ensure that both adults and youth have access to services during time of incarceration in the local jail and detention facilities. We support the focus throughout the application on equity and ensuring the most vulnerable populations are able to access the full continuum of care.
We strongly support Section 3.2 Improving Health Outcomes by Streamlining Life and Coverage Transitions. Through collaboration with our Local Public Safety Coordinating Council and the Columbia Gorge Health Council, a study was completed that identified the overlap of the high levels of Emergency Department usage and reoccurring instances for short incarceration stints. One of the key findings was the disruption in coverage and lack of access to both medication and primary care.
Recommendation for inclusion of the term “local juvenile detention facility” in this section under “a) Retain benefits and/or extend full OHP Plus Medicaid benefits to all youth otherwise eligible for Medicaid upon entering the juvenile correction system throughout the duration of their involvement in juvenile corrections”.
This simple change in language mirrors the reference to jails and local correction facilities. The section recommendation would be to add the reference in the section “d) Members (adults and youth) transitioning out (within/out) of the criminal justice system and juvenile justice system”.
Respectfully,
Wasco County Board of Commissioners”
Coordinated Transit System Presentation
Kate Drennan, Deputy Director of Transportation at Mid-Columbia Economic Development District will give a presentation on the Gorge Pass and the Gorge TransLink system.
Wildfire Smoke Response
Lauren Kraemer, associate professor of Practice at Oregon State University will speak about wildfire smoke response.
Legislative Concepts: Recreation Enhancement, Wildfire Resiliency, and Conservation for Mt. Hoos and the Columbia River Gorge County Letter of Response
The Board will review a public comment response letter to the office of Oregon Congressman Earl Blumeanauer. The proposed legislative concepts involve land stewardship, wildfire resiliency, tribal sovereignty and treaty rights, public safety, and new land designations in the Columbia River Gorge.
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