TAPE/#

Speaker

Comments

TAPE 14, A

004

Chair Verger

Opens the meeting at 11:11 a.m. Briefs the audience on the committee’s field trip to the Port of Umqua.

025

Chair Verger

Introduces committee members to the audience.

055

Chair Verger

Continues with introductions.

075

Rep. Roblan

Commends the chair for bringing the committee meeting to Coos Bay.

094

Chair Verger

Introduces the agenda to the audience and acknowledges officials of the Port of Coos Bay.

INTERNATIONAL PORT OF COOS BAY – INFORMATIONAL MEETING

113

Martin Callery

Director of Marketing and Communications, Oregon International Port of Coos Bay (port). Presents EXHIBIT A and briefs the committee on issues affecting the port.

165

Callery

Discusses the acquisition of the Coos Bay rail bridge.

194

Callery

Summarizes the rail spur project to provide access to industrial lands on Coos Bay’s North Spit.

244

Callery

Outlines investments dependent on the development of the spur.

277

Callery

Talks about the increasing awareness within the legislature regarding non-highway transportation infrastructure, and notes that the port supports ConnectOregon.

321

Sen. Verger

Summarizes the provisions of SB 71 (2005) and ConnectOregon. Asks about the opportunity to shift bridge money to other projects.

363

Callery

Reviews funding sources for transportation infrastructure projects.

381

Sen. Verger

Summarizes a proposed memorial dealing with dredging.

389

Callery

Agrees on the importance of dredging, and talks to the federal funds available.

409

Sen. Whitsett

Asks for an explanation on what would be required for Coos Bay to increase container traffic.

TAPE 16, A

003

Callery

Responds with some of the developments that would be necessary.

027

Sen. Verger

Introduces local officials in the audience.

039

John Watt

Medford and Jackson County Chambers of Commerce. Comments on the economic development taking place in Coos Bay.

074

Watt

Reviews regional efforts to obtain funds for transportation infrastructure.

081

Chair Verger

Closes the informational meeting on the Port of Coos Bay and opens an informational meeting on the North Bend Airport project.

NORTH BEND AIRPORT – INFORMATIONAL MEETING

083

Sue Richardson

Vice Chair, Coos County Airport District. Presents EXHIBITS B, C and D and briefs the committee on issues involving Coos County Airport District.

115

Richardson

Reviews a 2003 transportation report that found that improved commercial air travel would significantly aid Coos County.

149

Richardson

Summarizes some of the shortcomings of the North Bend Airport.

184

Richardson

Comments on the Bandon Dunes Golf complex, listed as one of the top 200 in the world.

215

Richardson

Details the federal funds available for airport improvements.

254

Chair Verger

Notes that the committee will be touring the airport facility later in the day. Adds that it would be helpful to know what local financial support has been forthcoming for improvements.

273

Gary Letellier

Coos County Airport District. States that the total project will be approximately $45 million, and that Bandon Dunes has provided funds for the planning process.

304

Letellier

Stresses the importance of SB 152 (2005), and emphasizes that the airport does not want to be the “piece that holds back the progress” of the region.

345

Sen. Whitsett

Reviews the similarities between the airports at Klamath Falls and North Bend.

368

Sen. Starr

Asks about where the remainder of funds for the airport project might come from.

386

Letellier

Notes that the first phase will be $19 million and they are still searching for funds for the following phases.

395

Sen. Starr

Talks about the additional opportunities that will come from the development in the area.

404

Rep. Roblan

Reviews the additional landings that are occurring at the North Bend Airport.

414

Letellier

Summarizes the revenue opportunities with additional traffic at the airport.

TAPE 15, B

010

Chair Verger

Recesses the meeting at 12:08 p.m.

011

Chair Verger

Reconvenes the meeting at 1:05 and opens a public hearing on SB 101.

SB 101 – PUBLIC HEARING

013

Judith Callens

Committee Administrator. Explains the provisions of the bill.

034

Mark Kestleman

Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). Testifies in support of the bill and explains the rationale behind the legislation.

051

Sen. Metsger

Asks for an example of how the process would work.

059

Kestleman

Responds that the bill would clarify the process and allow them to compensate property owners in a fair manner.

066

Sen. Metsger

Asks if there would be a net decrease in cost in those cases where the department did not have to adjudicate.

070

Kestleman

Answers that would be correct.

075

Sen. Starr

Asks if property owners would still be treated fairly and if this bill would make it easier for ODOT to take property from owners. Adds that he would like to see case examples.

102

Kestleman

Responds that he will try and provide some examples.

111

Sen. Metsger

Clarifies that this bill will allow a settlement without court proceedings but would not supersede the property owner’s rights to take ODOT to court.

125

Chuck Landis

Port Orford. Testifies that his father and mother own property in Port Orford that is being taken by the state.

154

Sen. Prozanski

Notes that the witness is testifying on an issue that is outside the purview of this bill. Recommends that the witness have his parents find an attorney that is versant in land use law.

181

Sen. Metsger

Reviews the “right of necessity” for the witness.

191

Kestleman

Summarizes the process that ODOT follows in these cases.

205

Sen. Metsger

States that there are two parcels in this individual case, and wants to know what steps are taken to make sure that remaining parcel still has access.

230

Landis

Notes that ODOT did make an offer on the second parcel, but ODOT was not interested in buying, and the fact that the parcel is now “landlocked” is really the issue.

250

Sen. Metsger

Reviews the benefits of learning more about this issue.

261

Chair Verger

Closes the public hearing on SB 101 and opens a work session on SB 101.

SB 101 – WORK SESSION

264

Sen. Whitsett

MOTION:  Moves SB 101 to the floor with a DO PASS recommendation.

VOTE:  5-0-0

AYE:            In a roll call vote, all members present vote Aye.

Chair Verger

The motion CARRIES.

SEN. PROZANSKI will lead discussion on the floor.

289

Chair Verger

Closes the work session and opens a public hearing on SB 445.

SB 445 – PUBLIC HEARING

305

Rob Roberts

Coos County Sheriff’s Office. Testifies in support of SB 445. Reviews the reasons behind the legislation, which modifies definition of Class II all-terrain vehicles.

335

Chair Verger

Informs the committee that the bill came at the request of the Coos County Sheriff’s Office.

340

Sen. Whitsett

Asks for an example of a vehicle that would exceed the 8,000 pound limit.

350

Roberts

Provides some examples of large vehicles that are going into the off-road vehicle areas.

366

Chair Verger

Closes the public hearing on SB 445 and opens a work session on SB 445.

SB 445 – WORK SESSION

372

Sen. Whitsett

MOTION:  Moves SB 445 to the floor with a DO PASS recommendation.

VOTE:  5-0-0

AYE:            In a roll call vote, all members present vote Aye.

Chair Verger

The motion CARRIES.

SEN. VERGER will lead discussion on the floor.

394

Chair Verger

Closes the work session and opens a public hearing to receive public comment.

PUBLIC COMMENT – INFORMATIONAL MEETING

400

Bill Pearl

Lakeside, Oregon. Reviews a meeting with the federal delegation on funds for roads in the region.

TAPE 16, B

004

Chair Verger

Thanks the witness for a design that he provided for a proposed license plate.

017

Brett Kenney

Tribal Counsel, Coquille Indian Tribe. Wants to voice the tribe’s support for the North Bend Airport project provided it protects sacred tribal lands.

039

Kenney

Suggests that some native American art of historical interest be included in the terminal project.

043

Chair Verger

Asks for specific examples on how the art would be included and whether it would be inside or outside the terminal.

050

Kenney

Answers that both would be appropriate.

055

Sen. Metsger

Asks if the airport project would be beneficial to the Mill Casino and whether there are tribal funds that could be used for the airport project.

064

Kenney

Answers that the project would be beneficial to the casino and that there “may” be funds available.

072

Chair Verger

Closes the public comment portion of the meeting and adjourns the meeting at 1:39 p.m.