Behind us, the annual conference held in Lane County this year the week before Thanksgiving. By most accounts, this year's conference was a huge success, with just enough glitches to keep it interesting and intriguing. We'll have more on that event in this holiday edition of Oregon Trails.

Looking forward, we have the Oregon Legislature interim meetings in mid-January as a preview to the voter approved short session which will take place in February. We will have a brief preview of what might happen in the Capitol, as well, in this holiday edition of Oregon Trails.

Before the frozen fog and snow hit the Valley

Before we get to those and other interesting items, we'd like to let you know about some changes in the staff at AOC. Deputy Executive Director Cara Fischer has officially retired. Many, if not most, of her duties will be taken up by Laura Cleland who is now the Director of Communications and Operations.

Policy Manager Ann Hanus will officially retire as of the end of the year. Her replacement has not been named, but longtime, veteran AOC contractor Doris Penwell will pick up the slack until the position is filled.

Lincoln County District Attorney Rob Bovett will be taking over as AOC Legal Counsel January 7th. Rob will handle governance issues as well as keep the Oregon Trails reporters out of legal hot water.

"It's going to be an exciting year," AOC Executive Director Mike McArthur understated. "We are really looking forward to what our team will accomplish."

Looking Forward

Oregon Legislature Update -

December will probably be a quiet month around the Capitol as far as meetings of the Legislature go. There is bound to be continued activity on the political front as current members decide on running for re-election or seeking higher office.

Starting January 15, 2014, the Legislature holds another three days of interim meetings. This presents committees with an opportunity to file bills for the regular short session that begins February 3, 2014. Individual legislators have until January 21 to file bills to be heard during the short session that must be over by March 9.

The voter approved short session is theoretically designed to deal with adjustments required by the revenue forecast that will be issued February 13 and to fix glitches in 2013 and other years' legislation. There is typically no time or energy or political will to do BIG THINGS, but the leadership calls the plays. The specter of the May primary election will hang over the proceedings as well and might determine what issues are given priority.

At this point, we expect there to be a discussion about medical marijuana dispensaries and recreational marijuana use. We learned at our annual conference in November that the Legislature will probably deal with liquor retail innovations and AOC is currently working to protect counties' $18 million per year revenue and attempt to increase it for enforcement and health care. The always popular 911 tax on prepaid cell phones could bring nearly $2 million to the 911 fund shared by counties and we expect that to be on the legislative agenda along with a number of other issues that will have a direct impact on Oregon counties.

AOC Policy Director Gil Riddell and his team of policy managers are monitoring the subjects that could surface during the short session. As we get closer to the session, we will have a more definitive list to share with you, but please feel free to contact Gil or any of the policy managers with your questions, suggestions or concerns.

Looking Back

2013 Annual Conference -

This year's AOC Annual Conference dealt with "The New Normal." During the week of November 18, county officials gathered at the Hilton in Eugene for a program designed to bring new information about the myriad of issues facing Oregon counties and how to deal with the challenges these issues present.

Conference attendees heard from Governor John Kitzhaber and Oregon State University President Ed Ray along with Social Insecurity (a top notch barbershop quartet) and were able to participate in one of the best County Product Tasting events ever. There were sessions this year on dealing with difficult people, civility, PERS, human services, public land issues and much more.

County College presented certificates to 21 graduates and the business of AOC was attended to at the annual business meeting. Steering committees and districts met as well.

New officers have been elected and sworn in. Yamhill County Commissioner Mary Stern passed the gavel to newly elected president, Columbia County Commissioner Earl Fisher. Sherman County Judge Gary Thompson is AOC's 1st vice president for 2014. Umatilla County Commissioner Larry Givens is serving as AOC 2nd vice president for the upcoming year and Polk County Commissioner Craig Pope continues as AOC treasurer. Earl, Gary, Larry, Craig and Mary serve as AOC's Executive Committee along with AOC executive director Mike McArthur. Be nice to them.

Past President Tony Hyde inaugurates new AOC officers

From left to right, 1st VP Gary Thompson, 2nd VP Larry Givens,

Immediate Past President Mary Stern, President Earl Fischer,

Treasurer Craig Pope

Scenes from "The New Normal"

President Stern thanks Governor Kitzhaber

The Governor confers with Umatilla County Commissioner Larry Givens

OSU President Ed Ray and AOC Executive Director Mike McArthur present Deschutes County Commissioner Tony DeBone with County College diploma

Harney County Court prepares for product tasting: Commissioner Pete Runnels, Judge Steve Grasty, Commissioner Dan Nichols

AOC Legislative Committee

AOC officers and members of the Board of Directors and Legislative Committee gathered in Portland Monday, December 9th. The meeting coincided with the annual Oregon Leadership Summit held at the Oregon Convention Center.

The first order of business was to approve President Earl Fisher's appointments to the Board and the Legislative Committee which was done without dissent. You can find a complete roster of both the Board and Leg Comm on the AOC website.

Also on the agenda was a proposed policy on dealing with marijuana from soon to be AOC Legal Counsel Rob Bovett. The Legislative Committee gave direction to Rob and AOC policy staff to work on several immediate and important issues relating to marijuana policy. The discussion surrounding this issue indicates that it will be a prime topic for much of the next year.

The Legislative Committee also voted to support Clackamas County in its efforts to get more current and factual information concerning the proposed Columbia River Crossing project. The Committee is also seeking information on the impact the CRC would have on Highway 97.

Approval was given to President Fisher to appoint a Public Finance Reform Work Group. Tax reform, public financing and structure have become hot topics and are sure to remain so in the next year or two. The Legislative Committee also referred a proposed resolution from AOC District 3 on renewable portfolio standards to the AOC Energy, Environment and Land Use Steering Committee and approved an agreement on RV fees (more on that in just a moment).

If you have questions on any of the discussion items, please feel free to contact the AOC office and one of our top notch administrative staff will connect you with someone who might know something.

RV Registration Fees Agreement Reached

As a result of negotiations facilitated by Oregon Solutions and Oregon Consensus, the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC), Oregon Parks Association (OPA), and the Oregon Department of Parks and Recreation (OPRD) reached agreement on November 25, 2013, to address the OPRD budget note from the 2013 Legislative Session. The budget note required that OPRD and counties engage in negotiations to resolve sharing of funding for county parks and also addressed collaborative approaches to park management and sharing resources.

Tillamook County Commissioner Mark Labhart, Jackson County Parks Director Steve Lambert, and AOC Policy Manager Ann Hanus negotiated on behalf of counties. State Parks Director Tim Wood, Deputy Director John Potter, and Parks Commissioner Brad Chalfant represented OPRD. Greg Wolf, Governor's Regional Solutions and Intergovernmental Advisor, attended the meeting as well.

In summary, the highlights of the agreement include:

The parties recommend that legislation should be prepared and passed in the February 2014 session to:

Change the distribution formula for the RV registration fees from the existing division of 65 percent for OPRD and 35 percent for county parks to 60 percent for OPRD and 40 percent for county parks effective upon passage in the February 2014 session. This will result in approximately $1 million for county parks during the 16 month period.
Beginning July 1, 2015, change the distribution to 55 percent for OPRD and 45 percent for county parks. On an annual basis, this will result in an addition $1.6 million for counties.
Remove the 2015 sunset provision in existing state law so that the division of RV registration fees between the state and counties remains in place in the future.
All parties agreed to work together and actively support this RV distribution change legislation.
AOC will work with transportation advocates to advocate for an increase in the RV registration fees and RV trip fees as part of a larger transportation funding package in the 2015 Legislative session.
AOC/OPA and OPRD agree to work together in partnership to address joint budget related issues that affect all park and recreation providers, including the preparation of legislative concepts to address budgetary impacts related to changes in the formula for distributing RV registration fees.
The parties recommend that regional recreation coalitions be created by July 1, 2014, to develop intergovernmental agreements on: 1) filling gaps in services between OPRD and county parks and other jurisdictions; 2) more efficient ways to deliver parks and recreation services; and 3) to market and expand recreational opportunities to users. The coalitions will consist of state and local public recreation providers.
Representatives of AOC/OPA will meet annually in the fall with the State Parks Commission to discuss the work of the regional recreation coalitions and the status of other collaborative efforts.
OPRD and AOC/OPA have identified an initial list of properties they see as candidates for possible change in jurisdictional management or ownership. These are properties that could be more efficiently managed and result in a net savings if managed by another jurisdiction. The parties will conduct due diligence toward potential jurisdictional changes. To date, the following parks have been identified:
- Government Island (Multnomah County)
- Cascadia Park (Linn County)
- North Santiam Park (Marion County)
- Bald Peak (Yamhill County)
- Alderwood Park (Lane County)
- Ochoco Viewpoint (Crook County)
- Herbert's Pond, Crab Dock, Mildred Kanipe Memorial Park (Douglas County)
- Whalen Park (Tillamook County)
- The parties agreed that Cascadia Park in Linn County could make a good model for how best to approach other jurisdictional changes. A project team from Linn County and OPRD has been established and will complete due diligence. A timetable was established to complete the recommendations to the State Parks Commission and the Linn County Board of Commissioners by September 30, 2014. Using the Cascadia Park model, OPRD and affected counties will develop a schedule by December 31, 2014 for establishing Project Teams to conduct due diligence for other candidate parks. The goal will be to complete the due diligence work on all other parks under consideration not later than December 31, 2015.

AOC greatly appreciated the assistance of Eric Landauer, Oregon Consensus, who provided mediation services, Jim Johnson with Oregon Solutions who conducted background preparatory work, and Greg Wolf for his efforts to bring the parties together to reach this agreement. We also very much appreciated the willingness of Director Tim Wood, Oregon Parks Commissioner Brad Chalfant, and OPRD Deputy Director John Potter to engage in this discussion and reach an agreement on the issues in the budget note.

OPRD Message

A message from Chris Havel at the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department on the replacement for retiring of Director Tim Woods:

Hi. The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission has started recruiting for the next director of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, and we'd like your help with two things.

First, we'd be very grateful if you would distribute the announcement around (click here), so we reach every possible candidate.

Second, there's a survey online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/oprddirector where you can offer your comments about the recruitment. If you prefer, you can simply send your thoughts about what we should be looking for in a candidate back to me by email (chris.havel@state.or.us) or real life mail (OPRD, ATTN: Chris Havel, 725 Summer Street NE, Salem OR), and I will get those to our Commission Chair, Jay Graves, who is leading the recruitment effort.

The survey ends January 2, and we expect the recruitment to close January 10.

Thanks for your help.

Chris

Parks Video Experience

And one other message from your State Parks. Did you know that there are 224 state parks in Oregon? Earlier this year, a young man from Sisters visited most of them on a project sponsored in part by the Parks Department among others. It is a video worth watching and listening to. Consider this a break from stark raving reality.

Energy Trust Incentive Funds Available

Energy Trust is accepting proposals and applications for incentive funds for (i) development assistance and (ii) construction or installation, in each case for eligible renewable energy projects, proposed to be located in, or to deliver power to, Portland General Electric or Pacific Power service territories in Oregon. Energy Trust will use a competitive process in determining funding awards.

Eligible Project Technologies:

Biopower, hydroelectric and geothermal electric projects with nameplate capacity less than 20 MW and wind projects with nameplate capacity between 100 kW to 20 MW.

Who Should Submit?

For Level 2 Project Development Assistance Incentive Funds: Renewable energy projects still under development and considering net-metering, selling energy directly, or otherwise offsetting Portland General Electric or Pacific Power load in Oregon, and seeking between $40,001 - $150,000 in incentive funds from Energy Trust.
For Level 2 Project Installation Incentive Funds: Renewable energy projects that have made a decision to construct and that will be net-metering, selling energy directly, or otherwise offsetting Portland General Electric or Pacific Power load in Oregon, and seeking more than $150,000 in incentive funds from Energy Trust. Projects must be able to begin construction or installation by June 30, 2015.

For a copy of the Project Development Assistance RFP and/or the Project Installation Application, please contact:

Biomass and Wind: Dave Moldal, dave.moldal@energytrust.org, 503.445.2476

Hydro and Geothermal: Jed Jorgensen, jed.jorgensen@energytrust.org, 503.445.7611

Questions:

Questions about individual projects will be answered by staff confidentially. General questions about the RFP, application or the submission process will be answered in writing and posted here on an ongoing basis until December 27, 2013: http://energytrust.org/About/consultant-rfqs/

ODOT Wants You to Know

ODOT News Release: December 3, 2013

For more information: Shelley M. Snow, ODOT Public Affairs, (503) 986-3438

SALEM - The Oregon Department of Transportation has received 108 applications requesting a total of $129,380,185 for the next round of ConnectOregon funding. The 2013 Oregon Legislature authorized $42 million in lottery-backed bonds for ConnectOregon V, a program that invests in multimodal transportation projects around the state. A thorough application review and recommendations process will occur over the next few months, with a final decision on approved projects set for summer 2014.

ConnectOregon, aimed at improving connections among modes of transportation, was first approved by the 2005 Oregon Legislature to invest in air, rail, marine/ports and transit infrastructure. The success of the first year's $100 million program led to ConnectOregon II and ConnectOregon III programs, at $100 million and $95 million (plus a separate $5 million for rural airports) respectively and ConnectOregon IV with $40 million. ConnectOregon V also added bicycle and pedestrian projects as eligible project modes.

ConnectOregon V applications are already undergoing reviews for completeness and feasibility; approved applications will then be forwarded to modal and regional committees for review and public input. In late spring 2014, a Final Review Committee will prioritize its recommendations for funding and forward them to the Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC). An OTC public hearing on the recommendations will be held soon after that and a final decision is expected in summer 2014.

Visit the ConnectOregon website for more information, http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/COMM/pages/co/index.aspx.

ConnectOregon V Applications

	Number of Applications	Total CO Funds Requested
TOTALS	108	$129,380,185

*REGION TOTALS**
Region 1	24	$45,337,582
Region 2	33	$49,509,262
Region 3	15	$11,721,315
Region 4	19	$9,865,561
Region 5	17	$12,946,465

MODE TOTALS
Aviation	29	$16,153,664
Marine	10	$17,179,614
Rail	20	$37,747,323
Transit Bicycle/Pedestrian	14 35	$10,776,774 $47,522,810

*Region 1 includes the Portland metro area and Hood River; Region 2 includes the Willamette Valley and the north and central coasts; Region 3 includes southern Oregon from the coast to the Cascades; Region 4 includes central Oregon from The Dalles to Klamath Falls; and Region 5 includes eastern Oregon.

To get all the latest ODOT news, visit our newsroom at http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/COMM/pages/news_main.aspx

Wedbush and LOCAP

A Message from Wedbush and the Local Oregon Capital Assets Program (LOCAP) sent right after the Annual Conference:

In this Thanksgiving week, we would like to give thanks to all of the Oregon cities and counties that have used the Local Oregon Capital Assets Program (LOCAP). Since 2005, 25 local governments have financed over $50 million of capital projects through LOCAP. Proceeds have been used to finance city halls, municipal utility systems, parks, a helipad, public safety vehicles, a library and public works facilities. Your participation supports both the League of Oregon Cities and the Association of Oregon Counties, the co-sponsors of the LOCAP program, and provides each participating city/county with standardized financing documents, saving staff time that could be spent on other equally important projects.

LOCAP offers three choices for your financing needs: (i) full faith and credit obligations; (ii) municipal utilities revenue bonds; and (iii) transportation obligations. Interested parties will be provided with a financing calendar, pro forma amortization schedules and an application. If your city or county would like to finance capital projects in time for the Spring 2014 construction season, please contact either Brendan Watkins (503.471.6791; Brendan.Watkins@Wedbush.com) or Katie Schwab (503.471.6798; Katie.Schwab@Wedbush.com).

NACo Legislative Conference

Registration is now open for the 2014 NACo Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. Complete details can be found at the NACo website.

AOC staff is in the process of setting up visits for those attending the conference with our Oregon Congressional Delegation. As we have done in past years, we go in ahead of the Legislative Conference so that we can take advantage of having our Members of Congress in D.C.

So plan on flying into our Nation's Capitol on February 26 (a Wednesday), visiting Capitol Hill on February 27 (Thursday), attending the AOC Capitol Hill reception on February 28 (Friday) and the Legislative Conference starts March 1 (Saturday).

If you have any questions, please contact our Washington, D.C. correspondent Eric Schmidt at 503-585-8351.

US Communities

The U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance is a government purchasing cooperative that reduces the cost of goods and services by aggregating the purchasing power of public agencies nationwide. Through the NACo partnership with US Communities, county governments have access to a broad line of competitively solicited contracts with best in class national suppliers. In short, counties can save thousands on everything from office supplies to auto parts. To learn how to start, contact Eli Justman at AOC or visit this page.

NACo Drug Discount Program

Does your county participate in the NACo Prescription Discount Card Program? If so, NACo, Caremark, and AOC can take specific action to get discount cards into the hands of residents. Tailored assistance is provided at the direction of the participating county and can include direct mailings, bill inserts, brochure stands, press releases, announcements, planning, and much more. This assistance program is easy to start, and requires very little support from the participating county.

Expanding your marketing helps more people to discover and access this excellent, cost saving program. To start your marketing initiative, or to learn more, please contact Eli Justman, AOC program coordinator. You can reach Eli at AOC (503) 585-8351.

NACo Discount Drug Program

Space Available

Oregon Trails accepts food and fine wine for brief mentions in the newsletter. Contact Eric at AOC for details.

Places To Go, Things To Do, Great Opportunities

NACo has launched a significant upgrade to the NACo Grants Clearinghouse which offers almost ten times as many grant opportunities for counties. For information on the upgrade and what it can mean for your county, please see this NACo release.

Fire Marshall Rules

The Office of State Fire Marshal is proposing to adopt OAR 837 Division 045. These rules designate emergency planning districts as required by the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) of 1986 (42 U.S.C. Chapter 116, Section 11001 et seq.); and establish Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs).

Attached is a copy of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and copy of the rule draft.

A public hearing is scheduled:

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

10:30 AM to noon

Location: Office of State Fire Marshal, 4760 Portland Rd NE, Salem, Oregon

Last day for public comment is December 17, 2013 at 12:00 PM.

If you have comments or questions, please contact the State Emergency Planning Commission program manager:

Sue Otjen

(503) 934-8227

Sue.otjen@state.or.us

Please feel free to submit your story ideas, announcements, recipes, photos and job changes to your Oregon Trails staff for inclusion in the next riveting edition.

Your Oregon Trails staff,

Laura Cleland & Eric Schmidt

Association of Oregon Counties

503-585-8351

Have a great week.