March 6, 2023, 6:34 PM
COLLABORATORS
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Ranch Matters attended last Wednesday’s (3/1/23), Jefferson County Board of Commissioners Meeting in Madras.
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ITEM OF INTEREST:
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The County Commission held scheduled testimony regarding the disbursement of SDC funds for two earlier proposed projects submitted by Special Road District (SRD) Chair Sue Haley, on February 1.
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As reported, County Public Works Director, Matt Powlison presented Ms. Haley’s two projects at the County Board of Commissioners meeting on February 1.
The first request dealt with the installation of asphalt aprons and Haley was asking for $191,000.
Haley’s second request involved moving the utility-water vault and widening Sundown Canyon Road with an estimated cost of $469,000.
RELATED: “THREE WAY SPLIT” published 2/2/23
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As expected, SRD Chair Sue Haley along with CRR Road Supervisor Jordan Jones testified in collaboration with Powlison.
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The presentation started with Powlison testimony supporting the installation of the asphalt aprons and his rationale for the utilization of said SDC funds for aprons.
SDR Chair Haley followed, explaining why “28 asphalt aprons” are needed. Part of her explanation focused on traffic issues, population growth and increased maintenance.
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The Commission listened and interacted with the stakeholders for about 40 minutes and in the end decided to postponed making any decision until their next Board of Commissioner’s Meeting-Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at 6:00 PM on the Ranch.
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SOME HIGHLIGHTS
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The discussion included how SDC funds can be spent and according to Powlison, “There’s a component of safety as it relates to increased population.”
Powlison continued and described a “Master Plan” that includes two projects over 20 years that’s on the books. Project one, involves re-constructing the intersection of Mustang and Ground Hog Roads, due in part, to “Near Misses.” Estimated cost, $750,000.
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The second project involves Bicycles. Powlison explained their Master Plan incorporates a countywide Bike and Trail Plan at an estimated cost of $75,000.
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Powlison confirmed Sue Haley’s projects are not part of the Master Plan and said Plan would have to be amended to accommodate her requests.
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County Administrator Jeff Rasmussen covered money matters, statutory and legislative authority and an appeal process if their decision is challenged. He described the SDC fees as a “Hot Topic.”
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Commissioner Kelly Simmelink wanted to know more about how capacity issues tie into safety issues and Powlison answered,
“Safety needs tied to Capacity.”
Simmelink also mentioned that at the February 1 meeting two projects had been presented that included the Sundown Canyon Road Water Vault request.
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SRD Chair, Sue Haley responded, “We have kinda put the Sundown Canyon Project aside for the moment, when we determined that the Water Company’s engineering estimate for the work, was not to prevailing wages.” She added, “If public funds go into a project, it has to be a prevailing job-so we will have to pursue other means.”
Jordan Jones weighed in and told the Commission that there are safety related issues connected to his crew working on the roads and added the aprons can help save County Roads. Jones further stated, “With the aprons, what Sue and I were looking at was what would benefit the Ranch more as a whole vs 30 people of the Ranch.”
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Haley said the HOA is on board with the aprons and designated the aprons as a “priority.”
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Powlison, “That’s what I look at, I look at our partners and our collaboration with the Ranch. They suggested this project is a priority.”
“Our partners we’re trying to collaborate with are saying they live there and this is a priority.”
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Badger Road and the installation of guardrails is not a priority even though Ranch Manager Judy Lapora has stated, on the record, “SOMEBODY”S GOING TO GET KILLED ON BADGER HILL…”
When questioned about the installation of guardrails on Badger, Sue Haley stated, “Badger Road is not even a public right of way. We don’t have the equipment to maintain guardrails and that’s another reason why we have not installed them.” She concluded by saying they have elected to forgo guardrails in favor of just closing the road with the appropriate signage.
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RELATED: “SOMEBODY”S GOING TO GET KILLED ON BADGER HILL…” published on 2/27/23
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Sheriff Jason Pollock was in attendance and confirmed, last year, there were “19 crashes on CRR and only two on Badger Road.”
Powlison reiterated, “In my opinion we should partner with the SRD as a collaborated effort and the HOA-I feel we should do something…”
Commissioner Wayne Fording stated, “We’ve heard some push back” from some of the constituents. “We might get appealed on this deal…”
*RM video recorded, in two parts, the complete discussion. Part one is 33:16 Minutes and part two is 8:56 Minutes.
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Prior to the SDC funding discussion and during citizen comments,
Ranch resident Michelle Parcel testified.
Part Three
“I come to you as a resident of Crooked River Ranch and live on Badger Road…” “I understand the SRD is going to be requesting funds today for the paving of aprons on the Ranch. I’m requesting that the Commissioners put that on hold and ask the SRD to please research getting guardrails and more barriers, on Badger Road Hill. I feel the safety on that Hill is a big concern and a lot more important…”
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RM/JS asked the Commission for an explanation regarding the legalities-statutory authority, involved in the disbursement of SDC funds and whether there is an appeal process available for constituents.
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Ranch resident Dale Wiley commented via zoom regarding safety issues and guardrails related to Badger Hill Road.
