112?!~[940 - Tillamook County, Oregon · 13/14-011) WITH TILLAMOOK FAMILY COUNSELING CENTER FOR...

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30·'-K COUNTY COUll'!' JOVIINM. MINUTES - TILLAMOOK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS' BOARD MEETING- Wednesday, July 31, 2013 Page 1 WORKSHOP COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: STAFF PRESENT: Mark Labhart, Chair Bill Baertlein, Vice Chair Tim Josi, Commissioner Paul Levesque, Chief of Staff STAFF PRESENT FOR PORTIONS OF THE MEETING: Liane Welch, Director, Public Works; John Boyd, Director, Community Development; David McCall, Solid Waste Program Manager; Michael Soots, Director, Information Services; Mary Jo Beckstead, Human Resources; Deb Clark, Treasurer; Joel Stevens, Justice of the Peace; William Porter, District Attorney; Christine Arthur, District Attorney's Office; Gordon McCraw, Director, Emergency Management; Marlene Putman, Administrator, Health Department and Director, Commission on Children and Families; and Sue Becraft, Board Assistant. GUESTS: Gus Meyer and John Gettman. CALL TO ORDER: By Chair Labhart at 8:30a.m. in Commissioners' Meeting Room B. ITEM NO. 1: WELCOME & REQUEST TO SIGN GUEST LIST: Chair Lab hart welcomed everyone and reminded them to sign the guest list. ITEM NO. 2: PUBLIC COMMENTS- NON-AGENDA ITEMS: There were none at this time. UNSCHEDULED: Michael Soots said the telephone implementation has gone well but Loren Fairbanks needs to accumulate about 75 hours of comp time. Fifty hours is the maximum without board approval. Liane Welch said the board has done this for Public Works. Mr. Soots said Mr. Fairbanks is scheduled for two weeks of vacation in September. A motion was made by Vice Chair Baertlein to approve up to 75 hours of accumulated comp time for Loren Fairbanks. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Josi. The motion carried with three aye votes. Marlene Putman reviewed the sliding fee schedule changes (see attached). They have added new services including dental care and behavioral health. The Community Health Advisory Council has approved this. The $25 minimum is at or below comparable clinics. A board order will be prepared for implementation September 1. Sue Becraft said the Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) vacancy recruitment from the departure of Shawn Reiersgaard has been unsuccessful. Another SWAC

Transcript of 112?!~[940 - Tillamook County, Oregon · 13/14-011) WITH TILLAMOOK FAMILY COUNSELING CENTER FOR...

30·'-K 112?!~[940 COUNTY COUll'!' JOVIINM.

MINUTES - TILLAMOOK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS' BOARD MEETING- Wednesday, July 31, 2013 Page 1

WORKSHOP

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:

STAFF PRESENT:

Mark Labhart, Chair Bill Baertlein, Vice Chair Tim Josi, Commissioner

Paul Levesque, Chief of Staff

STAFF PRESENT FOR PORTIONS OF THE MEETING: Liane Welch, Director, Public Works; John Boyd, Director, Community Development; David McCall, Solid Waste Program Manager; Michael Soots, Director, Information Services; Mary Jo Beckstead, Human Resources; Deb Clark, Treasurer; Joel Stevens, Justice of the Peace; William Porter, District Attorney; Christine Arthur, District Attorney's Office; Gordon McCraw, Director, Emergency Management; Marlene Putman, Administrator, Health Department and Director, Commission on Children and Families; and Sue Becraft, Board Assistant.

GUESTS: Gus Meyer and John Gettman.

CALL TO ORDER: By Chair Labhart at 8:30a.m. in Commissioners' Meeting Room B.

ITEM NO. 1: WELCOME & REQUEST TO SIGN GUEST LIST: Chair Lab hart welcomed everyone and reminded them to sign the guest list.

ITEM NO. 2: PUBLIC COMMENTS- NON-AGENDA ITEMS: There were none at this time.

UNSCHEDULED: Michael Soots said the telephone implementation has gone well but Loren Fairbanks needs to accumulate about 75 hours of comp time. Fifty hours is the maximum without board approval. Liane Welch said the board has done this for Public Works. Mr. Soots said Mr. Fairbanks is scheduled for two weeks of vacation in September.

A motion was made by Vice Chair Baertlein to approve up to 75 hours of accumulated comp time for Loren Fairbanks. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Josi. The motion carried with three aye votes.

Marlene Putman reviewed the sliding fee schedule changes (see attached). They have added new services including dental care and behavioral health. The Community Health Advisory Council has approved this. The $25 minimum is at or below comparable clinics. A board order will be prepared for implementation September 1.

Sue Becraft said the Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) vacancy recruitment from the departure of Shawn Reiersgaard has been unsuccessful. Another SWAC

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vacancy is also imminent. Dairy and forest industry representatives will be needed. Board consensus was to recruit at the fair booth.

ITEM NO. 12: (TAKEN OUT OF ORDER) STAFF REPORT: a) SUGGESTION BOX: Ms. Becraft reported there were none.

OTHER: Ms. Becraft distributed a tentative schedule for evening meetings (see attached). The board had no objections to the schedule or using Tillamook Bay Community College (TBCC) campus in Cloverdale as the south Tillamook County venue on October 16.

Chair Labhart reported on the fire at Columbia County Courthouse.

ITEM NO. 3: PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: a) REPORT ON CAPE MEARES ROAD CLOSURE CONCERNING LIMITED ACCESS TO JURISDICTIONS/AGENCIES THAT NEED ACCESS: Ms. Welch said they are surveying once per month. They will soon issue the Request for Proposals (RFP) for a consultant Oceanside Water District, surveyors and geological technicians need access. She recommended an Intergovernmental Agreement with Oceanside Water to use a locked gate that the county would install. She was seeking approval for an emergency access gate. Bill Sargent would be asked to draft a one-page form for those given a key.

Chair Labhart said he is getting complaints. Commissioner Josi also received one complaint. This item will be carried forward to the 10:00 a.m. meeting.

b) DISCUSSION CONCERNING A RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING PARTICIPATION IN THE "I WANT TO BE RECYCLED" CAMPAIGN STARTING AUGUST 1, 2013 IN TILLAMOOK COUNTY. OREGON: David McCall said it is part of the "Keep America Beautiful" campaign. If we sign up, we get access to media spots at no cost This item will be carried forward to the 10:00 a.m. meeting.

c) DISCUSSION CONCERNING MODIFICATION #1 TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT #4370 WITH PARAMETRIX FOR MONITORING AND ENGINEERING FOR THE CLOSED LANDFILL AND OPERATING THE TRANSFER STATION: Mr. McCall said this extends the contract another year. This item will be carried forward to the 10:00 a.m. meeting.

OTHER: Mr. McCall said they have increased container pickups at Cape Kiwanda and it appears to be working well.

ITEM NO. 4: DISCUSSION CONCERNING MODIFICATION #3 TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT #4161 WITH PAUL E. BETLINSKI, M.D. FOR MEDICAL EXAMINER SERVICES: Bill Porter said this renews the annual contract without any other changes. Backup is also included. We are spending much less than Clatsop

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County. We only get charged if he goes out. This item will be carried forward to the 10:00 a.m. meeting.

ITEM NO. 5: DISCUSSION CONCERNING AMENDMENT #1 TO PERFORMANCE GRANT AGREEMENT ICFDA #97.042! (GRANT #12-532) (COUNTY CONTRACT #4376) WITH THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FOR TILLAMOOK COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: Gordon McCraw said this is last year's grant and this reallocates where the money was spent. There is no change in the total amount. This item will be carried forward to the 10:00 a.m. meeting.

OTHER: Mr. McCraw stated that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) alerts to smart phones and emails had discontinued. Nixie now has these capabilities. He now pays $2,700 per year but this enhanced capability will cost $3,700 per year. He described how it works. He would like feedback. It will save him time since he will not have to cut and paste. He can probably claim the extra $1,000 (or half) in the Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG).

The board had no objection. Chair Labhart said the community appreciates these notices. This item will be carried forward to the 10:00 a.m. meeting.

ITEM NO. 6: DISCUSSION CONCERNING INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT (HHS 13/14-011) WITH TILLAMOOK FAMILY COUNSELING CENTER FOR POST­PARTUM DEPRESSION SERVICES: Ms. Putman said the draft has the date of July 2012, but it should say June 2013. She described the services. This item will be carried forward to the 10:00 a.m. meeting.

ITEM NO.7: DISCUSSION CONCERNING REMOVING THE PROVIDER PAY SCALE FROM SALARY ADJUSTMENT PANEL REVIEW: Commissioner Josi said the Salary Adjustment Panel (SAP) provides a valuable service but in this case is not valuable. This goes back a number of years and many adjustments to the pay scale. It is getting worse now with changes in the medical profession. Dr. Parsons agrees with removing this from the SAP. The scale should be reviewed and approved by the board. He said there are two positions we are presently trying to backfill. We lost a candidate because of the process. We will soon need to replace a mid-level provider that is leaving. He said Ms. Putman has struggled to keep the clinic in the black and it hinges on our ability to hire providers. This will speed up the process; the board will still review. The Treasurer will be involved. He recommended the pay schedule be removed from the SAP.

Ms. Putman hopes this will speed up the process. If time permits, she will bring information to the SAP, including training on what is happening in the industry. It is all about timing. Departments have an opportunity for input at the board meetings.

MaryJo Beckstead agreed. Deb Clark said she feels Ms. Putman's pain but did not believe it should be removed from the SAP review. It may breed discontent for other

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mid-level managers. She said the table has ranges and constraints that represent county policy. She wondered if the pay table needs to be rebuilt. Does it work? She wondered if providers were holding her hostage.

Commissioner Josi said the table does need to be changed by the board working with the Treasurer. He said the buck stops with the board. If the SAP is willing to do the research and come up with informed decisions, that might work; however, a phone call asking if the person agrees is not sufficient. Tassi O'Neil said they did review the material. Ms. Clark said they spent a lot of time. Joel Stevens said he did do some research and educated himself. He agreed Ms. Putman was dealing with hypercompetitive hiring, but he agreed with Ms. Clark. This is the first he heard they lost a qualified applicant. They only provide a recommendation. He was concerned about treating departments differently. He sees the benefit of the SAP. Ms. O'Neil agreed with Ms. Clark and Judge Stevens. She had concerns of one department opting out. The SAP only gives a recommendation. She was concerned about our future based on current decisions. She would not want to see resulting layoffs as in the past. These special fund decisions impact the general fund. The SAP is there to help.

Ms. Putman added there are two different issues. The pay scale needs to be reviewed and she will share that information. However, we need to be responsive to potential providers. She will bring as much as she can to the SAP. Commissioner Josi said Ms. Putman and Ms. Welch have the toughest jobs in county employment. The Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) is always close to falling apart and we need to give Ms. Putman the tools to succeed. If it falls apart, there will be a tremendous impact on the general fund.

Vice Chair Baertlein said health care is a volatile area and we need to be flexible. He feels it needs to be removed from the SAP for 24 months and then reviewed. He reflected on the doctor shortage. Flexibility needs to be in place in order to respond.

Chair Labhart said the SAP can respond quickly within a couple of days. He thinks the issue is the difference of opinion on the pay scale. You can get the opinion in less than a week. He values the opinions of the SAP. The board can meet in emergency session. Ms. Putman said it goes to a change in the pay scale. It is often a decision that needs to be made in one day. She said the pay scale should have a range for negotiation. The current physician scale needs to be changed within a week. There is not time.

Ms. Putman said this removes one step from the process. She added there are two recruitments that have a sense of urgency now. The current pay scale is too low.

Chair Labhart said the board can call emergency meetings. Commissioner Josi doesn't support Chair Labhart. He agrees with Vice Chair Baertlein's position. Vice Chair Baertlein said that when a doctor has three or four offers, flexibility is needed. Ms. Putman suggested convening both the SAP and board in an emergency meeting. Ms.

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Welch suggested a range for flexibility involving an additional $10,000. After further discussion, Chair Labhart summarized that there be a range for negotiation and beyond that there would be a joint emergency meeting of the SAP and the board.

A motion was made by Commissioner Josi to authorize a $15,000 additional cap in negotiations for the Medical Director candidate. If Ms. Putman is unable to negotiate within that cap, she will call an emergency joint meeting of the board and SAP. The motion was seconded by Vice Chair Baertlein. The motion carried with three aye votes.

ITEM NO. 8: DISCUSSION CONCERNING A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE REQUEST FOR A COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT GRANT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2013 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2014: There is no change from last year. This item will be carried forward to the 10:00 a.m. meeting.

ITEM NO. 9: HUMAN RESOURCES REPORT: al DISCUSSION CONCERNING AN ORDER ABOLISHING INDIVIDUAL FACILITY SAFETY COMMITTEES AND ESTABLISHING A SINGLE COUNTY-WIDE SAFETY COMMITTEE: Ms. Beckstead summarized the order. This item will be carried forward to the 10:00 a.m. meeting.

bl DISCUSSION CONCERNING A MANAGEMENT LETTER OF COMMITMENT TO HEALTH AND SAFETY OF TILLAMOOK COUNTY EMPLOYEES: Ms. Beckstead said this is in compliance with the board order in the previous item. This item will be carried forward to the 10:00 a.m. meeting.

c) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF A PERSONNEL REQUISITION FOR A NEW 150-DAY BUILDING OFFICIAL POSITION IN THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT: This is an interim position.

A motion was made by Vice Chair Baertlein to approve a personnel requisition for a new 150-day Building Official position in the Community Development Department. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Josi. The motion carried with three aye votes.

d) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO REFILL A PART-TIME BUILDING & GROUNDS MAINTENANCE WORKER POSITION SUPERVISED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT: This is a re-fill of an existing budgeted position.

A motion was made by Commissioner Josi to approve refilling a part-time Building & Grounds Maintenance Worker position supervised by the Communications Department. The motion was seconded by Vice Chair Baertlein. The motion carried with three aye votes.

ITEM NO. 10: DISCUSSION CONCERNING A REQUEST FROM THE OREGON WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR TILLAMOOK COUNTY TO MEET

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THE ASSOCIATION OF OREGON COUNTIES' CHALLENGE TO MATCH YAMHILL'S COUNTY'S PLEDGE OF $5,000 TO BUILD AN OREGON WW II MEMORIAL ON THE OREGON STATE CAPITOL GROUNDS IN SALEM: Chair Labhart said that Jim Willis called. Other counties have donated. Commissioner Josi said we do not have $5,000. This item will be carried forward to the 10:00 a.m. meeting.

A motion was made by Commissioner Josi to donate $500 out of the Commissioners' Public Relations Fund. The motion was seconded by Vice Chair Baertlein. The motion carried with three aye votes.

ITEM NO 11: CHIEF OF STAFF REPORT: a) DISCUSSION CONCERNING A TAX DEED IN FAVOR OF DAVID J CONWAY AND LAURI K CONWAY FOR PROPERTY DESCRIBED AS 2N10W 09AB 01700 PURCHASED AFTER THE MAY 31. 2013 LAND SALE: Paul Levesque stated this deed is the result of the board acceptance of the counter offer for purchase at last week's meeting. This item will be carried forward to the 10:00 a.m. meeting.

bl DISCUSSION CONCERNING AN ORDER REVISING THE TILLAMOOK COUNTY CONTRACT POLICY TO INCLUDE PROFESSIONAL RECRUITMENT FIRMS UNDER SUBSECTION 6.4.1 CONCERNING THE PROCUREMENT, SELECTION AND SCREENING OF PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACTORS: Mr. Levesque said this was also discussed at last week's meeting. The policy revision will allow staff to negotiate directly with such firms without the necessity of competitive bids since such firms are so specialized and so few. This item will be carried forward to the 10:00 a.m. meeting.

cl DISCUSSION CONCERNING A BALLOT MEASURE FOR THE NOVEMBER ELECTION TO AUTHORIZE A COUNTY-WIDE TRANSIENT LODGING TAX: Mr. Levesque said the version before the board incorporates the few suggested changes from input received last week. This item will be carried forward to the 10:00 a.m. meeting.

ITEM NO. 13: BOARD CONCERNS- NON-AGENDA ITEMS: There were none.

ITEM NO. 14: PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were none.

There being no further business Chair Labhart adjourned the meeting at 10:06 a.m.

MEETING

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Mark Labhart, Chair Bill Baertlein, Vice Chair Tim Josi, Commissioner

MINUTES- TILLAMOOK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS' BOARD MEETING- Wednesday, July 31, 2013 Page 7

STAFF PRESENT: Paul Levesque, Chief of Staff William K. Sargent, County Counsel

STAFF PRESENT FOR PORTIONS OF THE MEETING: Gordon McCraw, Director, Emergency Management; David McCall, Solid Waste Program Manager; Liane Welch, Director, Public Works; John Boyd, Director, Community Development; and MaryJo Beckstead, Human Resources.

GUESTS: Shelly Bowe, Taylor Larson, Lauren Sorg, Sharon Thornberry, and Sayde Moser.

CALL TO ORDER: By Chair Labhart at 10:14 a.m. in Commissioners' Meeting Room A.

ITEM NO. 1: WELCOME & REQUEST TO SIGN GUEST LIST: Chair Lab hart welcomed everyone and reminded them to sign the guest list.

ITEM NO. 2: PUBLIC COMMENTS- NON-AGENDA ITEMS: There were none.

ITEM NO. 3: PRESENTATION ON TILLAMOOK COUNTY FOOD ASSESSMENT: Taylor Larson said this was his last day. Shelly Bowe introduced herself and Mr. Larson. Sharon Thornberry outlined the program. Mr. Larson has worked on this for 11 months. He presented his findings. Agriculture in Tillamook County is dominated by dairy. South Tillamook County is designated as a food desert. He described opportunities for community food efforts. Ms. Bowe said these are complex issues. This assessment will be available electronically. Ms. Thornberry said other small counties have made great strides with these food assessments. The board wished Mr. Larson good luck.

Chair Labhart recessed the meeting at 10:48 a.m.

Chair Labhart reconvened the meeting at 10:50 a.m.

ITEM NO. 4: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' MEETING MINUTES FOR JULY 3. 2013: A motion was made by Vice Chair Baertlein to approve the Board of County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes for July 3, 2013. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Josi. The motion carried with three aye votes.

ITEM NO. 5: REPORT ON CAPE MEARES ROAD CLOSURE CONCERNING LIMITED ACCESS TO JURISDICATIONS/AGENCIES THAT NEED ACCESS: Liane Welch outlined the history of the road closure. It has moved nine feet total, but little this summer. Oceanside Water District requested they be able to install a gate with keys to

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other emergency agencies. She was seeking approval for this gate with emergency access. A one-page form will be developed. There was consensus to do so.

ITEM NO. 6: CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING PARTICIPATION IN THE "I WANT TO BE RECYCLED" CAMPAIGN STARTING AUGUST 1, 2013 IN TILLAMOOK COUNTY, OREGON: David McCall outlined the elements of the campaign. He showed a 60-second video example. He listed local, state and national recycling rates. He outlined the purpose of the campaign.

A motion was made by Vice Chair Baertlein to approve Resolution #R-13-023 proclaiming participation in the "I Want to Be Recycled" Campaign starting August 1, 2013 in Tillamook County Oregon. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Josi. The motion carried with three aye votes. The board signed Resolution #R-13-023.

ITEM NO. 7: CONSIDERATION OF MODIFICATION #1 TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT #4370 WITH PARAMETRIX FOR MONITORING AND ENGINEERING FOR THE CLOSED LANDFILL AND OPERATING THE TRANSFER STATION: Mr. McCall said this extends the agreement one more year. He described the services provided.

A motion was made by Vice Chair Baertlein to approve Modification #1 to Professional Services Agreement #4370 with Parametrix for Monitoring and Engineering for the closed landfill and operating the Transfer Station. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Josi. The motion carried with three aye votes. The board signed the modification.

OTHER: Ms. Welch outlined the paving projects this year.

ITEM NO. 8: CONSIDERATION OF MODIFICATION #3 TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT #4161 WITH PAUL E BETLINSKI, M.D. FOR MEDICAL EXAMINER SERVICES: Mr. Levesque said this renews the agreement for one more year at the same rate. He explained the benefits of the agreement to the county.

A motion was made by Vice Chair Baertlein to approve Modification #3 to Professional Services Agreement #4161 with Paul E. Betlinski, M.D. for Medical Examiner Services. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Josi. The motion carried with three aye votes. The board signed the modification.

ITEM NO. 9: CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENT #1 TO PERFORMANCE GRANT AGREEMENT (CFDA #97.042) (GRANT #12-532) (COUNTY CONTRACT #4376) WITH THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FOR TILLAMOOK COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: Mr. McCraw said this only identifies how the funds were allocated. The total amount has not changed.

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A motion was made by Vice Chair Baertlein to approve Amendment #1 to Performance Grant Agreement (CFDA #97.042) (Grant #12-532) (County Contract #4376) with the Office of Emergency Management for Tillamook County Emergency Management. The motion was seconded by Chair Labhart. The motion carried with three aye votes. The chair signed the amendment.

OTHER: Mr. McCraw reported that NOAA has ended funding of its emergency email/smart phone warnings. Nixie now offers that service for a small additional fee to the county. It will also automatically feed alerts to Nixie subscribers.

Mr. McCraw also reported that the Japanese will fund Red Cross for education and outreach in Tillamook County.

Chair Labhart said Nixie is a great service.

ITEM NO. 10: CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDER ABOLISHING INDIVIDUAL FACILITY SAFETY COMMITTEES AND ESTABLISHING A SINGLE COUNTY-WIDE SAFETY COMMITTEE: Mr. Levesque explained the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirement for safety committees and the recommendation of the County's insurance provider, CCIS, that led to this order. Existing safety committees would be abolished and a single committee appointed to cover all county facilities. Individual facilities could still hold monthly safety meetings, but their safety committees would no longer be in existence.

A motion was made by Vice Chair Baertlein to approve Order #13-069 abolishing individual facility safety committees and establishing a single county-wide safety committee. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Josi. The motion carried with three aye votes. The board signed Order #13-069.

ITEM NO. 11: CONSIDERATION OF A MANAGEMENT LETTER OF COMMITMENT TO HEALTH AND SAFETY OF TILLAMOOK COUNTY EMPLOYEES: Mr. Levesque stated that this letter was also recommended by CCIS and is required by OSHA.

A motion was made by Vice Chair Baertlein to approve a management letter of commitment to health and safety of Tillamook County employees. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Josi. The motion carried with three aye votes. The board signed the letter.

ITEM NO. 12: CONSIDERATION OF INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT IHHS 13/14-011) WITH TILLAMOOK FAMILY COUNSELING CENTER FOR POST-PARTUM DEPRESSION SERVICES: Mr. Levesque stated that Tillamook Family Counseling Center received a grant and is proposing this agreement for the Health Department to provide the services.

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A motion was made by Vice Chair Baertlein to approve Interagency Agreement (HHS 13/14-011) with Tillamook Family Counseling Center for Post-Partum Depression Services. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Josi. The motion carried with three aye votes. The board signed the agreement.

ITEM NO. 13: CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE REQUEST FOR A COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT GRANT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2013 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2014: John Boyd said these are pass through funds in the amount of $50,400; the same as last year.

A motion was made by Vice Chair Baertlein to approve Resolution #R-13-024 to authorize the request for a Coastal Zone Management Grant from the Department of Land Conservation and Development for the period of July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Josi. The motion carried with three aye votes. The board signed Resolution #R-13-024.

ITEM NO. 14: CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST FROM THE OREGON WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR TILLAMOOK COUNTY TO MEET THE ASSOCIATION OF OREGON COUNTIES' CHALLENGE TO MATCH YAMHILL COUNTY'S PLEDGE OF $5,000 TO BUILD AN OREGON WWII MEMORIAL ON THE OREGON STATE CAPITOL GROUNDS IN SALEM: Chair Labhart said we do not have $5,000. Commissioner Josi recommended $500 or 50% of our discretionary funds.

A motion was made by Vice Chair Baertlein to contribute $500, or 50% of the board's discretionary funds, to the Oregon World War II Memorial Foundation for an Oregon WWII Memorial on the Oregon State Capitol grounds in Salem. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Josi.

Vice Chair Baertlein said this is overdue. Chair Labhart said that private contributions are also welcome.

The motion carried with three aye votes.

ITEM NO. 15: CONSIDERATION OF A TAX DEED IN FAVOR OF DAVID J CONWAY AND LAURI K CONWAY FOR PROPERTY DESCRIBED AS 2N10W 09AB 01700 PURCHASED AFTER THE MAY 31, 2013 LAND SALE: Mr. Levesque stated this deed was authorized at last week's meeting when the board accepted Mr. Conway's counter proposal. Mr. Levesque described the parcel.

A motion was made by Vice Chair Baertlein to approve a Tax Deed in favor of David J Conway and Lauri K Conway for property described as 2N10W 09AB 01700 purchased after the May 31, 2013 land sale. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Josi. The motion carried with three aye votes. The board signed the tax deed.

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ITEM NO. 16: CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDER REVISING THE TILLAMOOK COUNTY CONTRACT POLICY TO INCLUDE PROFESSIONAL RECRUITMENT FIRMS UNDER SUBSECTION 6.4.1 CONCERNING THE PROCUREMENT, SELECTION AND SCREENING OF PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACTORS: Mr. Levesque outlined the effect of this policy change for recruiting difficult-to-fill positions.

A motion was made by Vice Chair Baertlein to approve Order #13-070 revising the Tillamook County Contract Policy to include Professional Recruitment Firms under subsection 6.4.1 concerning the Procurement, Selection and Screening of Personal Services Contractors. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Josi. The motion carried with three aye votes. The board signed Order #13-070.

ITEM NO. 17: CONSIDERATION OF A BALLOT MEASURE FOR THE NOVEMBER ELECTION TO AUTHORIZE A COUNTY-WIDE TRANSIENT LODGING TAX: Chair Labhart said when the board placed the road bond measure on the ballot, they committed to a separate ballot measure for a transient lodging tax (TL T) to also help fund roads. Mr. Levesque described the contents of the measure.

Chair Labhart said in unincorporated areas, tourists now only pay the one percent state tax. Commissioner Josi confirmed with county counsel that if Ordinance #74 is approved by voters, it would take another vote of the people to use the 30% for anything other than county roads.

A motion was made by Vice Chair Baertlein to approve a ballot measure for the November election to authorize a county-wide transient lodging tax. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Josi. The motion carried with three aye votes. The chair signed the form.

ITEM NO. 18: PUBLIC HEARING CONCERNING APPLICATIONS FOR TITLE Ill FUNDING PROJECTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013: AI TILLAMOOK ODF FIREWISE PROGRAM - OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND Bl TILLAMOOK COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SEARCH & RESCUE PROGRAM: Mr. Levesque said this $67,000 in Title Ill funding is the final allocation. He described the $47,000 request from Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) for the Firewise Program and $20,000 request from the Sheriff's Office for reimbursing Search and Rescue (SAR) costs on federal lands.

Chair Labhart opened the Public Hearing.

There were no public comments.

Chair Labhart closed the Public Hearing.

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A motion was made by Vice Chair Baertlein to approve the Tillamook ODF Firewise Program and Tillamook County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Program applications. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Josi. The motion carried with three aye votes.

ITEM NO. 19: BOARD CONCERNS- NON-AGENDA ITEMS & ANNOUNCEMENTS: There were none.

ITEM NO. 20: PUBLIC COMMENTS: Chair Labhart reported on the two public hearings held this week on the new flood insurance requirements. Chair Labhart read a letter concerning good service provided by the Sheriff's Office.

There being no further business Chair Labhart adjourned the meeting at 11:31 a.m.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED this d_laay of S Lp+ ~""'"' b er , 2013.

County Clerk: Tassi O'Neil

~'--~·~It Susan Becraft, RecofdlngSeCf;J'ary

& Special Deputy

APPROVED BY:

Vice Chair Commissioner

Friday- 1 :00 p.m. Monday-7:00p.m. Thursday- 9:30 a.m.

NOTICE OF BOARD WORKSHOP AND BOARD MEETING of the

TILLAMOOK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Also sitting as the Board of the

SOLID WASTE SERVICE DISTRICT, THE 4-H AND EXTENSION SERVICE DISTRICT

AND COUNTY ROAD DISTRICT to be held

Wednesday, July 31,2013 Workshop at 8:30 a.m.

Commissioners' Meeting Room 8 County Courthouse, 201 Laurel Avenue, Tillamook, Oregon

Board Meeting at 10:00 a.m. Commissioners' Meeting Room A

County Courthouse, 201 Laurel Avenue, Tillamook, Oregon

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Mark Labhart, Chair E-mail: [email protected]

Bill Baertlein, Vice-Chair E-mail: bbaertle@co. tillamook. or. us

Tim Josi, Commissioner E-mail: [email protected]

201 Laurel Avenue Tillamook, Oregon 97141

Phone: (503) 842-3403 FAX: (503) 842-1384

ANY QUESTIONS? Contact Pau1Levesque(503)842-1809

E-mail: [email protected]

COUNTY WEBSITE: http:/lwww.co.tillamook.or.us

WATCH THIS MEETING ONLINE: tctvonline.com OR ON TV: TCTV Channel 4

Saturday- 3:30 a.m. Tuesday- 10:00 p.m.

Sunday- 7:00 p.m. Wednesday- 7:00 a.m.

NOTE: The Board of Commissioners reserves the right to recess to Executive Session as may be required at any time during this meeting, pursuant to ORS 192.660(1).

NOTE: The Tillamook County Courthouse is accessible to persons with disabilities. If special accommodations are needed for persons with hearing, visual or manual impairments who wish to participate in the meeting, please contact (503) 842-3403 at least 24 hours prior to the meeting so that the appropriate

communications assistance can be arranged.

AGENDA

WORKSHOP

CALL TO ORDER: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 8:30a.m.

1. Welcome & Request to Sign Guest List

2. Public Comment- Non-Agenda Items

3. Public Works Report/Liane Welch a. Report on Cape Meares Road Closure Concerning Limited Access to Jurisdictions/Agencies

that Need Access b. Discussion Concerning a Resolution Proclaiming Participation in the "/ Want To Be Recycled"

Campaign starting August 1, 2013 in Tillamook County, Oregon/David McCall c. Discussion Concerning Modification #1 to Professional Services Agreement #4370 with

Parametrix for Monitoring and Engineering for the Closed Landfill and Operating the Transfer Station/David McCall

4. Discussion Concerning Modification #3 to Professional Services Agreement #4161 with PaulE Betlinski, M.D. for Medical Examiner Services/Bill Porter

5. Discussion Concerning Amendment #1 to Performance Grant Agreement (CFDA #97.042) (Grant #12-532) (County Contract #4376) with the Office of Emergency Management for Tillamook County Emergency Management/Gordon McCraw

6. Discussion Concerning Interagency Agreement (HHS 13/14-011) with Tillamook Family Counseling Center for Post-Partum Depression Services/Marlene Putman

7. Discussion Concerning Removing the Provider Pay Scale from Salary Adjustment Panel Review/Tim Josi

8. Discussion Concerning a Resolution to Authorize the Request for a Coastal Zone Management Grant from the Department of Land Conservation and Development for the Period of July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014/John Boyd

9. Human Resources Report/MaryJo Beckstead a. Discussion Concerning an Order Abolishing Individual Facility Safety Committees and

Establishing a Single County-Wide Safety Committee b. Discussion Concerning a Management Letter of Commitment to Health and Safety of

Tillamook County Employees c. Discussion and Consideration of a Personnel Requisition for a New 150-Day Building Official

Position in the Community Development Department d. Discussion and Consideration to Refill a Part-Time Building & Grounds Maintenance Worker

Position Supervised by the Communications Department

10. Discussion Concerning a Request from the Oregon World War II Memorial Foundation for Tillamook County to Meet the Association of Oregon Counties' Challenge to Match Yamhill's County's Pledge of $5,000 to Build an Oregon WW II Memorial on the Oregon State Capitol Grounds in Salem/Mark Lab hart

11. Chief of Staff Report/Paul Levesque

a. Discussion Concerning a Tax Deed in Favor of David J Conway for Property Described as 2N1 OW 09AB 01700 Purchased after the May 31, 2013 Land Sale

b. Discussion Concerning an Order Revising the Tillamook County Contract Policy to Include Professional Recruitment Firms under Subsection 6.4.1 Concerning the Procurement, Selection and Screening of Personal Services Contractors

c. Discussion Concerning a Ballot Measure for the November Election to Authorize a County­Wide Transient Lodging Tax

12. Staff Report/Sue Becraft a. Suggestion Box

13. Board Concerns- Non-Agenda Items

14. Public Comments

ADJOURN

MEETING

CALL TO ORDER: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 10:00 a.m.

1. Welcome & Request to Sign Guest List

2. Public Comment- Non-Agenda Items

3. Presentation on Tillamook County Food Assessment/Shelly Bowe, Taylor Larson

CONSENT CALENDAR

4. Board of County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes for July 3, 2013

LEGISLATIVE- ADMINISTRATIVE

5. Report on Cape Meares Road Closure Concerning Limited Access to Jurisdictions/Agencies that Need Access/Liane Welch

6. Consideration of a Resolution Proclaiming Participation in the "/ Want To Be Recycled" Campaign starting August 1, 2013 in Tillamook County, Oregon/David McCall

7. Consideration of Modification #1 to Professional Services Agreement #4370 with Parametrix for Monitoring and Engineering for the Closed Landfill and Operating the Transfer Station/David McCall

8. Consideration of Modification #3 to Professional Services Agreement #4161 with Paul E Betlinski, M.D. for Medical Examiner Services/Bill Porter

9. Consideration of Amendment #1 to Performance Grant Agreement (CFDA #97.042) (Grant #12-532) (County Contract #4376) with the Office of Emergency Management for Tillamook County Emergency Management/Gordon McCraw

10. Consideration of an Order Abolishing Individual Facility Safety Committees and Establishing a Single County-Wide Safety Committee/MaryJo Beckstead

11. Consideration of a Management Letter of Commitment to Health and Safety of Tillamook County Employees/MaryJo Beckstead

12. Consideration of Interagency Agreement (HHS 13/14-011) with Tillamook Family Counseling Center for Post-Partum Depression Services/Marlene Putman

13. Consideration of a Resolution to Authorize the Request for a Coastal Zone Management Grant from the Department of Land Conservation and Development for the Period of July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014/John Boyd

14. Consideration of a Request from the Oregon World War II Memorial Foundation for Tillamook County to Meet the Association of Oregon Counties' Challenge to Match Yamhill's County's Pledge of $5,000 to Build an Oregon WW II Memorial on the Oregon State Capitol Grounds in Salem/Mark Labhart

15. Consideration of a Tax Deed in Favor of David J Conway for Property Described as 2N1 OW 09AB 01700 Purchased after the May 31,2013 Land Sale/Paul Levesque

16. Consideration of an Order Revising the Tillamook County Contract Policy to Include Professional Recruitment Firms under Subsection 6.4.1 Concerning the Procurement, Selection and Screening of Personal Services Contractors/Paul Levesque

17. Consideration of a Ballot Measure for the November Election to Authorize a County-Wide Transient Lodging Tax/Paul Levesque

10:30 a.m. 18. Public Hearing Concerning Applications for Title Ill Funding Projects for Fiscal Year 2013

a. Tillamook ODF Firewise Program - Oregon Department of Forestry b. Tillamook County Sheriffs Office Search & Rescue Program

19. Board Concerns- Non-Agenda Items & Announcements

20. Public Comments

ADJOURN

BOARD MEETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

The commissioners will hold a workshop on Tuesday. July 30, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. with Community Action Resource Enterprises (CARE) staff and 13 non-profit organizations which provide services for CARE. They will to talk about their programs and how they may work better together. The workshop will be held in the commissioners' meeting Rooms A&B in the Tillamook County courthouse, 201 Laurel Avenue, Tillamook.

The commissioners will hold a workshop on Tuesday. July 30. 2013 at 3:00p.m. with Dick Warren and Tillamook County Solid Waste Department staff to discuss hauling construction debris to the Tillamook Transfer Station. The workshop will be held in the commissioners meeting Room B in the Tillamook County courthouse, 201 Laurel Avenue, Tillamook.

The Oregon Department of Forestry is hosting a tour the Tillamook State Forest for the County Commissioners on Friday, August 2, 2013 from 8:00a.m. to noon.

The monthly Leadership Team Meeting of the County Board of Commissioners with the Tillamook County Elected Officials and Department Heads will be held on Monday, August 5, 2013 at 8:00 a.m. The meeting

will be held in the commissioners' meeting Room B in the Tillamook County courthouse, 201 Laurel Avenue, Tillamook.

The Commissioners will not hold a workshop or board meeting on Wednesday, August 7, 2013 in order to participate in activities and events at the Tillamook County Fair.

The Commissioners will not hold a workshop or board meeting on Wednesday, August 21, 2013. The Commissioners will attend the Oregon Coast Economic Summit hosted by the Oregon Legislative Coastal Caucus in Lincoln City, Oregon.

The Commissioners' evening meeting schedule will resume in October.

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS' WORKSHOP

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Mark Labhart Tim Josi

PLEASE PRINT Name

Present Absent Present Absent .._./ Bill Baertlein ~ v- Paul Levesque 7

Address Item of Interest

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BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS' MEETING

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Present Absent Present Absent Mark Labhart Tim Josi Bill Sargent

.r= Bill Baertlein ~ ~ Paul Levesque v=:

PLEASE PRINT Name Address Item of Interest

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In order to receive discounted services for medical, dental and behavioral health services, you must complete the Coordinated Intake Form. Please bring all documents requested to verify your income.

Once approved, the intake form will be effective for six months. Please be prepared to complete the same intake form and bring all required documents every six months, even if your financial situation has not changed.

Please note that this intake form is not required in order to receive a discount for family planning visits. Discounts for family planning visits are based on the client's stated income.

Para recibir servicios con descuento para los servicios de salud medica, dental y servicios de consejos del bienestar, debe llenar el formulario de admisi6n coordinada. Por favor traiga todos los documentos solicitados para verificar su ingreso.

Una vez aprobado, el formulario de admisi6n sera efectivo durante seis meses. Por favor este preparado para llenar el mismo formulario de admisi6n y traer todos los documentos requeridos cada seis meses, incluso si no ha cambiado su situaci6n financiera.

Tenga en cuenta que este formulario de admisi6n noes necesaria para recibir un descuento para visitas de planificaci6n familiar. Descuentos para planificaci6n familiar visitas se basan en los ingresos declarados del cliente.

Guidelines

___ _ Physictans ~Family Pa:_~ctlci!.L without OB _

etenti Tillar

YIP 1 YIP 2 YIP 3 Rate $56.07 $57.75 $59.48 -- $f

Rate $9718.18 $.10009.73 $10310.02 $1061

lour )O!h

--·--·- -- $120116.70$123720.21 ........ .

2.4( 5.6i ~61 $ ).()()

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Monthtv Provider LeadershiP Stipends Asst. Med. Director

Monthlv Stipend I $560.50

~.82 0.6/l

3.61 5.00

$151,

Medical Director $760.50

$4.81

'(FOR THIS I 'OS 5 I

$4.81

Public Health Official $760.50

$4.81

$90-175 per Tern ora Ph sician Individual A reement) I hour

$55.00 per !Temporary Mid-Level Provided hour

Provider On Call Weeki Paid only for full W9ek on-call

MD or PA On Call Tillamook Countv Jail MD or PA On-Call Tillamook Countv Health Departent

Conditions to be met and Approved by the Department Director •eased on these required conditions;

1 216 patient encounters per month•'. adjusted annually YOSRA is prorated based on %of FTE

3 Closed Charts Formula 90% Jul1, 2012- Dec 31,2012 90% Jan 1, 2013- Jun 30, 2013 90% Jul 1, 2013- Dec 31, 2013

$150.00 $230.00

% of chans closed monthly % of charts closed weekly

% of charts closed within 48 hrs % of charts closed within 24 hrs 90% Jan 1, 2014- until modified to be reviewed annually

NAWARD

$12,51

8.00

••based on avg of 2t .67 worX1ng days per month and 10 encounters per day: Includes available worKdays for patient contact (Le , Incorporates all leave hours and any other non-patient time}

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DATES FOR EVENING MEETINGS

October 16,2013

November 6, 2013 (Oct 31 -Nov 11- Elk Season) (AOC Nov 19 to 21) (Thanksgiving Nov 28 & 27) (Jane available Nov 7 & 21

151 & 3rd Weds Evenings)

December 18, 2013

January 15, 2014

February 19, 2014

March 19, 2014

Apri116, 2014

May 14, 2014

2013- 2014

South County- Kiawanda Community Center

Central County - Courthouse

North County - Manzanita City Hall

South County - Kiawanda Community Center

Central County - Courthouse

North County - Manzanita City Hall

South County- Kiawanda Community Center

Central County - Courthouse

No evening meetings in June, July, August, September and November. Evening

meetings start at 6:30 p.m.

G:\AGENDAS\SUEIAGENDAS\EVENING MEETINGS 13-14 07-31-13 DRAFT

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Building Healthy Communities on The North Oregon Coast

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Purpose: To understand the people, natural resources, land,

infrastructure and institutions that shape our local food system in order to help develop innovative approaches to longterm food security in our communities.

Purpose: To understand the people, natural resources, land,

infrastructure and institutions that shape our local food system in order to help develop innovative approaches to longterm food security in our communities.

Scope: Tillamook County

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What is a Community Food Assessment

Guiding Questions: I) How do we feed ourselves? (Assets)

2) Who are the people shaping our food system and what are they up to?

3)How can we use what we know about our food system to build a healthier, more food secure Tillamook County?

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What is a Community Food Assessment

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I) Isolated rural communities face challenges accessing healthy/affordable food

Emerging Themes:

I) Isolated rural communities face challenges accessing healthy/affordable food

2) The demand for locally produced food outstrips supply

What is a Community Food Assessment

Emerging Themes:

I) Isolated rural communities face challenges accessing healthy/affordable food

2) The demand for locally produced food outstrips supply

3) A strong sense of community exists throughout much of the county. This is a strength to build on

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2) Increase Access to Land and Training for Beginning Farmers

I) Diversify Agricultural Production

2) Increase Access to Land and Training for Beginning Farmers

3) Strengthen Farmer Networks

I) Diversify Agricultural Production

2) Increase Access to Land and Training for Beginning Farmers

3) Strengthen Farmer Networks

4) Get More Local Seafood Into Local Markets

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2) More Meals in the Summer for Children

I) Increase Participation in SNAP

2) More Meals in the Summer for Children

3) Bring More Healthy Food into the Emergency and School Food Networks

I) Increase Participation in SNAP

2) More Meals in the Summer for Children

3) Bring More Healthy Food into the Emergency and School Food Networks

4) Build Distribution Networks that Empower Local Producers and Retailers

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Second Most Farmers' Markets per Capita in the State

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1. Improve North Coast Food Guide

2. Facilitate Institutional Purchasing of Local Food

3. Build Capacity of Local Growers to Supply Local Markets

4. Increase Food Literacy

5. Support the establishment of a County Wide Gardens

Network

6. Address Infrastructure Deficits for Producers and other Entrepreneurs

7. Conduct Economic Analysis of Impact of Local Food

8. Create a Structured Food System Coalition or Council

9. Engage the Next Generation in all aspects of our Food Systen Development

Tillamook Coun Community Food Assessment

Growing Healthy Communities on the North Oregon Coast

Th Assessment Te m

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Acknowled ments

..... Thank you to all those who opened their homes, businesses and minds to me. I've been

constantly impressed and humbled by all the amazing work going on in Tillamook County around food.

Foreword

When the first settlers came to Oregon they were amazed by the rich soil, abun­dant water supply and even the islands of productivity in Oregon's deserts. They were thrilled with the crops, fruits and berries they were able to raise, the rich pasture land as well as the streams teaming with fish and the bounty of wild game available to feed a growing population. It would have been impossible for them to believe that anyone could be hungry or food insecure in this land of plenty. It is incredible that hunger and food insecurity abound in Oregon nearly two centuries later. In fact, many of the areas that seemed so bountiful to those early settlers have the least access to food today.

Four years ago Oregon Food Bank in partnership with University of Oregon RARE program began to conduct community food assessments in some of Oregon's rural counties. Very few community food assessment efforts have been under­taken in rural America with a county by county approach. The report you are about to read is a result of conversations with the people who make Oregon's rural communities and their food systems so very unique. These reports are also a gift from a small group of very dedicated young people who have spent the last year listening, learning and organizing. It is our sincere hope, that these reports and organizing efforts will help Oregonians renew their vision and promise of the bountiful food system that amazed those early settlers.

Sharon Thornberry Community Resource Developer Oregon Food Bank

iii

iv

Table of Contents The AssessmentTeam .............•...................•................................................................•............................. i Acknowledgments .................................................................................................................•...............••. ii Foreword .........•...........•............................................•.................................................................................. iii Table of Contents ..................•...............•................................................................•................................. iv

Executive Summary ...................•................................•...........•............................................•.................... 1

Overview of Agriculture and Fisheries on the North Oregon Coast ............•.......................... 4 A Historical Perspective ..........................................................................................................•.......... 4

Profile: Dairies: How they Built Tillamook County ................................................................ 4 Profile: Granges ......•..•............................................................................•.......................................... 6

Where we are and Why it Matters? ..............................................................•............•...•................. 7 Economic Geography ..•............................................................•.............................••.......................... 8 Environment ......................................................................................................................................•... 8

Profile: Corvus Landing Farm ..................................................................................................... 9 Fisheries .........................••................................................................................................•..................... 1 0 Oyster Farming ...........•.....................................................................................................................• 11

Profile: Crabbing on the North Oregon Coast ............................................................................ 12 Profile: Farmer Creek Gardens ....................................................•....•....................................... 13

Who's Producing What? A Look at the Data ...........................................................•.................. 14 Growing for Local Markets .............................................................................................................. 15

Profile: Foss Road Beef .•............................................•..................................•...•.......................... 16 Starting a Local Food Business ...................................................................................................... 17 Opportunities for Agriculture and Fisheries •...................•..............•....................•...............•.... 18

Food Access and Health Effects .....................................••..•............•..•...........•................................... 19 Rural Food Deserts ..................................................................................•...............................•.......... 19 Grocery Stores ......................................................................•.............................................•..........•..••. 20 Rural Grocery Store Survey ..........................................................................................•................ 20

Government Assistance .............................................................•............................•.•...................... 22 Supplemental Nutrition Program ............................................................................................... 22 Women Infants and Children ...................•.............................•.............................•....................... 23

Profile: Tillamook Knights of Columbus ...........................................•...........•...................... 24 Childhood Hunger and Obesity .......................................•................................................................. 24

Free and Reduced Lunch ............................ ._ ............................•.............•...•................................. 25 Summer Feeding Programs .................................................................................•........................ 25

Profile: Tillamook Child Hunger Summit .........................................•................................... 26 The Emergency Food System .........................................................•............................................... 26

Profile: The Salvation Army ............................................................•.......................................... 27 Opportunities For Food Access and Health ..........................................................................•. 28

1 ble of Content Community Food Efforts ...................................................................................................................... 29

Profile: Food Roots ....................................................................................................................... 29 F.E.A.S.T and Community Conversations ................................................................................... 30

Profile: Grow the Coast .............................................................................................................. 33 School and Community Gardens ..................................................................................................... 34

Profile: Alder Creek Community Farm ................................................................................. .35 Direct Marketing ................................................................................................................................. 36

Profile: Peace Crops ..................................................................................................................... 3 7 Farmers' Markets ............................................................................................................................. .38 Community Supported Agriculture ......................................................................................... 39

Profile: Tillamook Farmers Market SNAP Match Program ............................................. .40 Restaurants ........................................................................................................................................... 40

Profile: Pelican Brewpub ............................................................................................................ 41 Opportunites for Community Food ............................................................................................. 42

Methodology ........................................................................................................................................... .44

Appendix A: Rural Grocery Store Survey ..................................................................................... ..45 Appendix B: Access to Food Questionnaire .................................................................................. Sl

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v

Executive Summar

Purpose: The Tillamook County Community Food Assessment is a living document de­signed to understand the people, natural resources, land, infrastructure and institutions that shape our local food system in order to help develop innovative approaches to long-term food security in our communities.

Scope: The information contained in this report deals specifically with communities in Tillamook County. It is recognized that the Tillamook County food system is part of a regional, national and international food system. However, this report is focused on how local residents are feeding themselves and actions that can be taken locally by people to increase food security for all that live in Tillamook County

Key Collaborators: This project has been a collaborative effort undertaken by Oregon Food Bank, the University of Oregon's Resource Assistance for Rural Environments Program and Food Roots.

Guiding Questions: This assessment seeks to answer three main questions

1. How do we feed ourselves in Tillamook County? Specifically, what are our communities' food security assets and needs? 2. Who are the people shaping our food system and what are they up to? 3. How can we use what we know about our food system to build a healthier, more food secure Tillamook County now and in the future?

1

2

Ex cutive Summar

Guiding Themes: During the past year of research for this assessment several major themes have emerged that have guided the formation of this report.

1.1solated rural committees in Tillamook County have challenges accessing healthy affordable food through our current distribution and production sys­tems. 2. The demand for locally produced food outstrips supply in the County 3. A strong sense of community exists all throughout Tillamook County. This is a strength that can be built on as we look to tackle issues of hunger in our homes and those of our neighbors.

What is Community Food Security? Community Food Security articulates a vision in which a defined geographical region, for this report, Tillamook County, is able to feed its residents while simul­taneously addressing a range offactors related to employment, environmental stewardship and environmental health

Why Food Security Matters: Rural communities throughout the world often produce enormous amounts of food yet find their communities struggling with poverty and food insecurity. Rural Oregon, and Tillamook County are no exceptions to this phenomenon.

In Tillamook County, there are more dairy cows than people and by some mea­sures Tillamook County is the most productive agricultural county in the State. The vast majority of agricultural pursuits in the county are dedicated to growing food for these cows. The cows in turn produce milk that is processed, packaged, distributed and then sold and consumed here and throughout the United

Executive Summar States. Our dairy farms alone produce more calories in a year than could be consumed by the entire county even if everyone were drinking a 2,000 calorie diet of milk every day. Despite this abundance of production nearly 1/3 of the children in Tillamook county are living in households where at times of the year there is not enough to eat.

The mix of food crops we choose to grow, our ability to process, package, trans­port and cook this food and then to dispose of its waste, all influence our ability to provide reliable, affordable and healthy food options for everyone. Poverty levels and geographic isolation also play a big role in determining the ability of Tillamook County to ensure all its residents are receiving a healthy diet. As we look for ways to increase access to healthy food for everyone, it is important to assess the strengths and shortcomings of all the aspects of our food system.

Trade

Funder& Lenders

Polley· Make!'$

3

A ulture and Fish • r1es I Historical Perspec!tive

There is little written record predating the arrival of the Lewis and Clark expedition to the North Oregon Coast in 1805. However, there is ample oral and archaeological evidence indicating that the area has been home to some ofthe most prosperous pre-European settlements on the North American continent. Native people ate a diet rich in salmon, flounder, herring and crab from the ocean and rivers. Elk, deer, and bear were hunted in the surrounding forests and berries, yetska root and skunk cabbage were gathered from the marshlands and foothills. The land was home to such an abundance of food, that the people who lived here on the North Oregon Coast were able to maintain a relatively sedentary lifestyle for much of the year as hunter and gath­erers. The Tillamooks would most often move only once a year, in the summer, away from the ocean, and into the surrounding coast range in order to hunt and gather before returning to their permanent settlements the coast.

The First European settlers began arriving in the 1850's and by 1890, the town of Tillamook had a city hall and by 1894 its first cheese plant. Early settlers relied on the sale of fish for their main source of in­come. Canneries popped up in Oretown, Uppertown and Garibaldi. Fishermen would catch and sell fish to the canneries and then others would buy the fish from the canneries and figure out ways to get it to markets in the Willamette Valley.

Farmers soon began arriving with dairy herds and in a short amount of time they were producing world class butter and milk. The challenge came in getting this butter and milk to market before it spoiled--this is where cheese came in.

Dairies: How They Built Tillamook County

The relative success of agriculture in providing a liv- A · lt al C d'ty S 1 T'll k c t . . gncu u ommo 1 a es 1 amoo oun y able wage 1n Tillamook County IS largely due to the success of the dairy industry. And the success story of the dairy industry is to a large degree the story of the Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA).

The vast majority of agricultural land in Tillamook County is devoted to producing milk for the TCCA. In fact nearly 90o/o of all agricultural land in the county is devoted to dairy production. According to local Oregon State University dairy extension agent, Troy Downing, all but four of the 106 dairy farms in the county sell their milk to the TCCA. The four farms who don't sell to the TCCA sell instead to Organic Valley, which is another farmer owned co-operative based out of Wisconsin, and concerned with sell­ing locally produced, pasture raised organic milk, among other products throughout the country.

4

.Z012

I

A riculture and Fisheries The story and history of the TCCA is tied up in the story of European settlement in the area. Settlers began arriving in the 1850's, finding fertile flood plains and vastly diminished native populations which had lost an estimated 90% of their numbers over the preceding 40 years to disease. These fertile flood plains could, with clearing and proper pasture management, provide unrivaled forage production even without the use of irrigation. This allowed early settlers to produce vast quantities of milk, far more than could be consumed by the residents of the county. Portland at this time was a bustling and growing metropolis that was ready and willing to buy whatever Tillamook dairy farmers could pro­duce, given they could get their product to their markets before it spoiled. The spoilage issue, along with the desire to add value to their product, led to the first commercial cheese plant being set up in the county in 1894.

Fifteen years later, the county had over 20 small independent creameries making, principally, cheese for export to urban markets in the Willamette Valley. Ten of these cheese plants banded together in 1909 to form the TCCA and by 1968 the TCCA had incorpo­rated the remaining independent creameries under one roof.

Dairy farming in Tillamook County has traditional­ly been good business. Recently, due to economic pressures and a changing global food and farming

system less and less people are farming. Increases in technology and technique allow fewer farmers to maintain much larger dairy herds than previously possible. One long time Tillamook dairy farmer re­calls, "When we were young dairy farmers there were 300 or more dairymen in the county, today we have 101. As the older generation died off and the young­er didn't take over the farm, they were taken over by farmers moving in because of the name Tillamook was developing for themselves and farmers were getting a great price for their milk:'

Today, the TCCA is one of the largest cheese com­panies in the United States and is still a cooperative owned by just 100 dairy farmers in Tillamook County. The cooperative now gets more than half its milk from outside Tillamook County and does a portion other cheese making and distribution from Board­man, Oregon where it is easier to ship to markets throughout the country.

The history and impact that the dairy industry and the TCCA specifically have had in the region is rich and immense. Since this report is focused on issues of community food security, an in-depth examina­tion the county's main agricultural industry will not be the focus of this assessment because the TCCA is, to a large extent, concerned with production for markets outside the county. An in-depth study of how the TCCA has shaped the culture and economy of Tillamook County would surely be of great value.

5

I Profile: Tillamook 4ranges I "'11ze soil is tile source from whence

we derive all that constitutes wealth" From the Preamble to the Grange

The National Grange was set up in 1867 following the civil war. The idea was to bring farmers together for educational discussions and social gatherings in order to revitalize farming communities in the South that had been decimated by the horrors of war. By the time Tillamook County established its first grange at Fairview in 1895, the organization had expanded its mission to political organizing and lobbying efforts on behalf of rural America as well as community building. At the height of the Grange movement in Tilla­mook County there were close to ten active granges that according to an elder member of the White Clover Grange in Mohler "served as a place for us farmers to get together and dance:·

As fewer and fewer people in Tillamook County, and throughout the country, went into farming as a pro­fession, so too did fewer and fewer join the grange. At the beginning of this community food assessment process there were only two active granges left in the County--one up in Mohler, at the White Clover Grange, and one in Sandlake. The Fairview Grange in Tillamook, which according to the grange member from Mohler "had held the best dances in the whole County" had been lying dormant for a couple of years. In January of 2013 a group of community members decided to get together and reopen the Grange.

The Fairview Grange now has 28 new members and has been meeting monthly trying to get the building cleaned up and ready to play host to community gatherings. Fairview Grange Master Taylor Larson says, "It's our hope that the grange can be a place that brings people together around food and fun."

If you are interested in getting together with members of your community to discuss issues shaping agri­culture and community life, the grange is a great place to make it happen. The large halls are perfect for big gatherings such as dances, weddings and indoor markets. The monthly meetings held at each Grange are a place to engage your community around food and fellowship.

White Clover Grange:

6

Meets: First Wednesday of the Month 6:30 Potluck (open to everyone)

Contact: lnfo@'whiteclovergrange.com

Sand lake Grange: Meets: First Tuesday of the Month

6:30pm Snacks (open to everyone) Contact: [email protected]

Fairview Grange: Meets: Second Monday of the Month

6:00 Potluck (open to everyone) Contact: [email protected]

A riculture and Fisheries I Where We Are and Why It Matters

Tillamook County is 1,133 square miles of lush green pasture, evergreen forest and coastal wetland spanning much of the Northern Oregon Coast. The land has provid­ed a rich diet for its inhabitants for thousands of years and continues to do so today. The climate, characterized by long, wet, mild win­ters and short, dry summers, has proved the ideal growing environment for the county's two chief cash crops--grass and trees.

Much of the county's land is in State, Federal and private forest. Depending on the time of year, up to 2.5% of the county is under water. Only 59 square miles or 5.35% of the coun­ty's land is considered suitable for farming by the USDA. The vast majority of the farm land in the county is located in 3 major river valleys, the Nehalem, the Nestucca and the Tillamook.

The Tillamook Valley is an ancient flood plain created by the convergence of the Tillamook, Trask, Wilson, and Kilches Rivers. Annual flood waters, with their deposits of rich silty soil, have endowed this valley with some of the richest agricultural soils in the state. The same can be said of the Nehalem River Valley to the north and the Nestucca River Valley to the south.

In addition to these three river valleys, other productive agricultural lands exist up the Miami River Valley, the Slab Creek Valley, the Neskowin Headlands, and the Sand Lake Estuary. People are managing to grow food outside these major agricultural areas as well. However, the vast majority offarming operation and population centers exist in the county's river valleys and along its coastal headlands.

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7

A ulture and Fish I Economic Geography

The region's economy is primarily based on agricul- The population of Tillamook County is 25,403 which ture, manufacturing, health care and government. is a 4.7% increase since the year 2000. This is far Tillamook is the County's largest city, seat of the below the population growth rate of the state as a county government and home -...--...-...-..-----.---,....,.,........... whole which is 12% over the Ij you on t 1ave enoug 1 money to ive to many of the social and eco- on you're making the hard choices. Do 1 pay same time period. Cu~rent11 nomic service centers for the the rent or do 1 buy food? Do I pay the utility unemkployment rates 1n Ti a-County. The Nehalem/Wheeler/ bill or do I buy food? Do I go to the doctor or modob County are around 7.5% Manzanita population center 01 buy food? And tlzm if vou don't eat right, an etw~en 2007 and 2011 an serves as an economic and ou get ;ick and need tog; to the doctor v

1 e~age o 17

1:6:-'o ofth

1e pohp-

service hub for North County, . . , ( J . . . 1 , u at10n were 1vmg be ow t e gam--so rt s poverty a v1c1ous crrc e. while the largely unincorporated -County Commissioner Bill Baertlein Federal Poverty Guidelines. communities of South Tillamook County often do their shopping and receive their services either in Pacific city or make the commute up to Tillamook. The vast majority of the population in the County is located along the Hwy 1 01 corridor that links the County north to south along the coast.

I Environment

With more than one in six residents living in poverty, it comes as little surprise that many people are hav­ing a hard time keeping food on their tables.

The County receives two to three times as much rain as the major agricultural and pop­ulation center of the State, the Willamette Valley. With over 90 inches of rain a year, issue of flooding, soil erosion and agricultural runo can pose serious challenges to local farmers.

Average Temperature: Tillamook County Vs Willamette Valley

It is also cooler on average in the summer and warmer in the winter than the Willamette Val­ley due to the influence of the Pacific Ocean. This humid mild weather has helped turn the valleys of Tillamook County into some of the best non-irrigated pasture country in the na­tion. This mild, year round climate also makes it possible for growers on the North Coast to prolong their growing season with the help of hoop houses and/or green houses in order to grow some fruits and vegetables nearly all year long.

8

70

56

42

28

14

0

Tillamook \Vashingtot1

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

I

I

Profile: Corvus Landing Farm

Carolina and Mike grow vegetables on just under an acre up the Slab Creek valley in South Tillamook Coun­ty. Corvus Landing is beginning its fourth year of operation and has proven highly successful thus far. The farm has a 31 member CSA, sells to several restaurants in the area and is a big part of the Neskowin Farmers Market. According to Carolina, there is far more demand for her produce than she can manage to grow given her space, manpower and desire to do so.

"People are very thankful for the fact that I'm growing vegetables in this community, I think there is a lot more demand than supply with local vegetables."

Carolina used to work on two of the most successful organic farms in the Southern Willamette Valley, Winter Green Farms and Horton Organics. She is applying much of what she learned there to her operation here on the coast. At Corvus Landing, a major focus is placed on growing crops that are suitable for the coastal environment. Carolina says she likes to grow what is happy here as opposed to fighting nature all season. Because of this she grows and sells a lot of salad greens and she's able to produce these nearly all year long.

Often farmers on less than an acre are considered to be hobby farmers, however for Carolina, farming is her only job and it's definitely more than a hobby. The farm keeps extensive records on both finances and crop­ping systems. "I want people to know that farming is a viable career choice and you can make money farm­ing:'

It is her hope that more people will see the value in producing food for local markets in the area and join her in growing food for their communities. "The farmers' markets in our region are filled with shoppers but we have a hard time finding producers. I fill my CSA within weeks of opening sign-up with a minimum of effort, and I continue to field calls from interested customers all season long. Restaurants, grocery stores, and more are looking for local produce and are unable to find it:•

9

A !ulture and Fish • r1es I Fisheries

In addition to productive farmland, the Pacific Ocean and bays off the coast provide a bountiful harvest of crab, clams, tuna, salmon, shrimp, rock fish and more, as well as providing an ideal growing environ­ment for farmed oysters.

Along with the dairy and forestry industry, fishing has provided the residents of Tillamook County with a steady food supply and an engine for economic growth throughout its history. Salmon was histori­cally the major catch on the Tillamook Bay, however

overfishing in the early 1900's led to declining runs and by the 1990's the species was put on the federal endangered species list. This, along with increased restrictions placed on the harvesting of bottom fish put many of the area's commercial fishermen in an economic bind.

While the industry does not have as big an economic impact on the area's economy as it used to, one local fisherman points out that"A guy can still get in with a small boat and make it, you just have to work hard:'

Commercial Fish Landings by Port (in lbs) 160,000,000' -~----~-----·-·-·-- ······-···---~--~~---·· --~---~-----

140,000.000 '

100.000.000

60.000.000

60,000,000

40,000,000

10

Astoria Newp<rt Charlestcn Brookings Garibaldi PortOrford WinchestEr" GoldBeach Df!poeB<JY FlorEnce PaclfKCity Sandon . ., Oregon Department ofFish and Wildlife, 2011

.......... riculture and Fisheries The most productive fishery in the County is the Port of Garibal­di which reported over 1,025,691 lbs offish landed in 2012. This is almost three times the amount of seafood required to provide

Historical Commercial Fish Landings at Port of Garibaldi

(f) '0

7,000,000

5,250,000

§ 3,500,000 0 ll..

1.750,000

0

Dungeness Crab Pink Shrimp

Alba(ofc Tuna

the recommended daily servings to every person in the county all year long. Kevin Greenwood, the manager at the Port of Garibal­di, estimates that this number represents close to half of what is actually brought in through the port because fishermen without a commercial license are not included in these numbers. Thus, it seems safe to assume that through the Port of Garib­aldi alone, Tillamook County is supplied with enough seafood to feed everyone six times the recommended serving for the whole year. Of course this is an

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

oversimplification of the data, but it illustrates what an immense resource we have.

Much of the fish brought in by recreational fisher­men is for personal consumption which goes a long way toward creating a more food secure region. However, the majority of the fish brought in by the commercial fleet is destined for distant markets. A salmon can go for as much as $40 a pound in Las Vegas assuming it can get there fresh, on ice within a couple of days. Selling that same fish locally would bring in around $10 a pound.

Oyster Farming

Oysters thrive in brackish bays of which Tillamook is well endowed. The Tillamook and Netarts Bays are especially suitable for commercial oyster produc­tion. Oyster farmers play an important role not only in food production, but also in water quality man­agement--for oysters, often eaten raw, can only be grown successfully in pristine waters. Additionally, in

Year

order to feed on algae, each individual oyster filters up to 25 gallons of water a day, in effect, cleaning the bays they live in.

Native Olympia oysters were nearly eliminated from Netarts Bay in the 1800's by overharvesting aimed at supplying the demand for the delicacy in gold rush towns, notably San Francisco. Oyster growers began importing bigger Japanese oysters and began "plant­ing"them in beds throughout the tide flats in hopes of meeting the demand. Supply of this oyster seed dried up with the onset of WWII and the industry struggled.

Because of the relatively cold waters in our bays, Jap­anese and other introduced species of oyster were unable to reproduce. Today, in order to overcome this hurdle, the Whiskey Creek Hatchery "produces the second most oyster larvae on the West Coast." And the West Coast is now the premier location in the nation for the commercial production of oysters.

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The dungeness crab fishery is by far the most important commercial harvest for the fleets of fish­ermen based along the Tillamook coast. According to the Port of Garibaldi Commissioner, Valerie Folkema "We're the second largest port for crabbing in the state of Oregon, and it represents close to a 5 billion dollar industry:'

Bob Browning is a commercial crab fisherman based out of the Port of Garibaldi and also serves as the Vice President for the Board of Commissioners for the Port of Garibaldi. He has a small boat that his father designed and he says he lives on it during the height of the crabbing season in the winter.

Bob says, "We bring it (crab) in and sell it all live. There aren't any processors left here (for crab), but we do have two live buyers--the (Garibaldi) Cannery and the (Tillamook Bay) Boat House:'

According to Bob, the vast majority of the crab brought in is destined for foreign markets. "A huge part of our catch is going to the export market right now because they are willing to pay more. Ex­cept at the very peak of the season (December/January) we really only sell to places like Japan and Korea.

With his boat, Bob manages to bring in around 100,000 lbs. of crab a year. He also fishes for tuna and salmon with the same boat. He says that if you want to be financially successfu I as a commercial fisherman here you need to be fishing more than just one season because you never know what kind of year you're going to have with a particular species. This year Bob says things have been pret­ty good for him. "This year, the crabbing numbers are down but I hit a school so I'm ok. Some years you struggle but the last couple years have been my year:'

12

great if people could of greens, fish and

din~ right there."

As you drive north on Highway 101 from Hebo to Beaver you'll pass a field of flowers and a farm stand. The stand has been a mainstay in the community for years since the farm first converted from a dairy farm to a cut flower business, selling most of their product from an unattended farm stand near the old dairy barn. This past year, Waylon and Sandra Porter have begun growing vegetables at the 42 acre farm in hopes of selling these along with fish caught by Waylon, directly to consumers. Sandra and Waylon are working to get a kitchen certified at the farm in order to be able to process and sell fish, that Waylon catches and buys. The hope is to be able to sell directly to customers fish and vegetables that are sourced locally through their farm stand, at the Neskowin and Pacific City Farmers' Markets and potentially down the line, through a CSA.

It can be scary to start up a new business, especially farming. Sandra grew up on a farm and when she was in high school, the farm went under." I grew up on a dairy farm and my dad had to get out of it. We had a beau­tiful dairy down in Beaver, but they just couldn't make it work financially:' However, with their new venture Sandra is hopeful. "I think we'll do ok as far as customers go:'

Sandra and Waylon have seen the success and growing popularity of others producing food for the commu­nity in South Tillamook County and hope to be able to contribute to their community as well. They say that navigating the regulations that come along with starting up their farming and direct marketed fish venture has been very time consuming. Sandra says "Waylon was trying to figure out who was in charge of inspect­ing us and it took forever .. .We're just trying to grow food and make a little money ... it's been real challenge."

Whatever they grow at Farmer's Creek gets put out at the farm stand or used in baked goods. "I use a lot of the zucchini I grow in my baking. When it comes to the (farmers') market, I can't bake enough (to meet demand):'They have also been making deliveries of fish to those interested. if you are interested in keeping informed as to when and what they have available you can follow them on Facebook or stop by their farm stand and inquire (27850 Hwy. 101, Cloverdale OR).

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A ulture and Fish • r1es I Who's Producing What? A Look At The Data

Tillamook County is among the top producing agricul­tural counties in the State. It ranks 11th out of 36 in terms of gross farm and ranch sales and does so on much less land than most counties. Only about 59 square miles (5%) of Tillamook County is classified as farmland, yet on these 59 square miles, the men and women who farm in Tillamook County manage to produce more, as mea­sured by gross sales, than my childhood home, Lane County, does on 4,722 squar

Tillamook Hood River

Clatsop Washington

Marion Multnomah Clackamas

Yamhill Uncoln

Polk Benton

Unn Josephine

Lane

Most Productive Agricultural Counties in Oregon

$0 $750.00 $1,500.00 $2,250.00 $3,000.00 Gross Sales/ Acre of Farmland

miles. In fact, when mea- L.--------"""'":A-g-:ri-cu"'ll~tu_r_e~is_a_m_a~jo_r_p~il~la-r-o"'fTi'="l':':'lla_m_o_ok~C-ou_n_t:-y':"''s_. sured by agricultural sales per unit of land, Tillamook is economy, however some startling trends are caus-by far the most productive county in the state. ing some to worry about the future of farming in

,...-----------------..., Tillamook County. Largely because of the success of

Average Age of Farmer in Tillamook County 57.00 ····-···--··-~-·· ............ ~--------~---·-··-·-·- ··- ···- .

50.00 1987

14

1992 1997 2002 2007

the dairy industry, farmland in Tillamook is relatively expensive at $6,236 an acre which is 230% higher than the state average. For a young farmer looking to get into the business, this can be a large barri­er--and many in the County believe the need for new farmers is growing.

The average age of a farmer in Tillamook County is now 56.3 and trending upwards. Over 1,700 acres of farmland was lost between the 2002 and 2007 agri­cultural census, as well as more than a 1 Oo/o decrease in the number of farms. There are fewer farms, fewer farmers, the farms that are left are bigger and they are being run by older and older farmers.

A dichotomy of very large and very small farms exists in the county as well. There are very few farms operat­ing at levels that can supply the local market while at the same time supporting the farmer financially. The largest group of farmers are those generating less

I

A riculture and Fisheries than $25,000 worth of sales a year, which once costs are figured in, could hardly be counted on to provide a livable income. The next largest segment of farms are those generating more than $250,000 in sales a

50

00

year. These are almost ex- 50 elusively the highly capital intensive dairies which are o designed to produce for

Farms By Sales #'s

2002 2007

markets outside the •t~---------ll!::::"~=~m:mr-----------T-­These numbers can be a bit deceiving because generating large sales numbers does not guarantee that the farm is actually turning a profit. In 2007 just over 52% of farms reported net gains and the average net gain was $210,145. The 48% of farms that failed to turn a profit had an aver-

net loss for the r of 173.

Growing For Local Markets

Growing food for local markets is, in a lot of ways, a different ball game from growing food for interna­tional commodity markets or even a 1 00+ member

,' wi Sale~ >5250,000

of food for local markets plays a large role in the economy and culture of Tillamook County

cooperative. Most farmers concerned with growing Residents ofTillamook County spend roughly $70 food for local markets must do million on food every year. This is all their own processing, pack- oney that through thick and thin aging, marketing and distribu- co nomic times remains relatively tion, as well as farming. rocery store on food goes to the onstant. There are economic con-

armer. When you buy from me, all sequences to spending money on While the overall acreage being the money goes directly into a local locally produced food, chiefly that devoted to production for local b . , L _ IF C· I. like other locally produced prod-

k . II h . usmess. - oca armer, aro ma f h' . mar ets IS sma , t e 1mpact ucts more o t 1s money stays 1n these farmers have on our communities is not. There the county and is spent at other businesses creating are people raising beef to stock our freezers, goats what economists call the multiplier effect. for their milk, bees for honey to satisfy our sweet tooth, extensive vegetable and fruit operation to provide for our produce needs and farmers raising chickens in order to sell both eggs and meat to their neighbors. Official agricultural census data has a hard time capturing the scope of the local food economy because often, sales, trades or production for home consumption go unreported. However, it is clear that production

The extent to which buying local foods can positively affect the local economy are the subject of debate. One recent study coming out of the University of Iowa suggest the multiplier effect of purchasing locally pro­duced food was 1.55. This means that for every dollar spent on local food in Iowa, S 1.55 of economic activity is generated.

15

Foss Road Beef is a 1 00 acre cattle ranch located at the northern end of the Nehalem Valley. Bob and Charlotte Forester maintain herd of around 100 Herefords and sell their beef direct to their customers in quarter, half and whole shares of the animal. The cou­ple bought their farm in 1978, originally running it as a dairy and selling their milk to the Tilla­mook County Creamery Association. More "'"·<>nt-

ly, Bob says he found he couldn't make money operating as a dairy producer for the TCCA at his scale so he decided to convert his herd to beef cows and handle the marketing and distribution himself.

They have now been selling beef direct to their customers for two years and have managed to sell out every year. The first year they sold 16 cows and this year they sold 22. They sell their beef at a price per pound which according to Bob, just covers their costs. The cows are 100% grass fed but not certified organic because of a once a year spray along the fence lines and the high costs associ­ated with organic certification.

Bob says "We only sell shares of our cows because we're not allowed to do it any other way. "This is because Bob and Charlotte are in fact selling a share of their live cows and not the meat itself due to the fact that they don't have easy access to a USDA certified processor. The meat is processed and packaged atTillamook Meat and then available for pickup by Foss Road Beef's customers.

Bob and Charlotte have been farming their land for 34 years and hope to see the land continue to be farmed. Bob says "This land was meant for raising cows:' They are hoping to find a young farmer who is interested in raising cattle and taking the business to the next level who they could partner with and hopefully transition the farming operation to over time. If you're interested in stocking your freezer with meat this year or simply having a look around a beautiful farm, Bob and Charlotte welcome you to contact them.

16

A riculture and Fisheries Challenges of Starting a Local Food Business

Starting a local food business is not for the faint of heart. There are many challenges and stumbling blocks that can get in the way of success. Local Oregon State Extension Agent Joy Jones joked that the old adage is true, "Farming is the only profession where you purchase your inputs retail and sell your product wholesale." She went on to describe why she and her family got out of farming "We got out of farming so we could feed our family and send them to school...lt was difficult to do that farming back in the 1980's"

The economic realities can be challenging. Access to traditional forms of capital such as bank loans can be hard to come by for those interested in starting a local food or farm business. TLC Credit Union CEO Mike Pierce laments that fact that they are unable to support many emerging food business due to lack of capital and increasing regulations.

"We simply aren't able to make the loans we were able to 10 years ago. We used to have a part time staff position dedicated to making sure we were complying with Federal and State regulations, we now have 3 full time staff committed to this and we receive 1,000 pages of new regulations every quar­ter."

Smaller financial institutions such as TLC are facing similar challenges to those of smaller farmers. Regu­lations designed to regulate larger bodies are often very costly to adhere to because of the monitoring costs involved. This means that many of the advan­tages that come with being small, such as relation­ship based business dealings are all but impossible to take advantage of.

Carol Marie Leuthold, a local dairy farmer says "The rules and regulations have gotten real stringent... people have gone out of business and moved away because of this. We could hire one full time person just to keep up with all the rules and regulations. The

The guy doing the work just doesn't have time to keep up with it all:'

Alternative forms of capital are often key when it comes to starting a local food business. One such option is to enroll in an Individual Development Account.

IDA's are a state funded program designed to help low and moderate income people build assets. In Til­lamook County the program is administered by Food Roots. Residents interested in starting a food related business and who meet the income requirements can enroll in the program. The program allows you to save up to $1,000 a year for up to three years. This money is matched at a 3:1 rate which means that at the end of three years you could potentially have $12,000 to invest in your business.

Extension Agent Joy Jones also points to several other challenges facing farmers who want to grow for local markets. "Most people don't want to pay a premium for necessities." 96% of those interviewed as part of the consumer survey said they did buy some local food, 24% said that they didn't buy more of it because it was too expensive. Another issue Joy pointed to was the lack of institutional support for small farmers. "There just isn't the infrastructure here to support small scale producers. Water rights are difficult to access, upfront capital costs can be prohibitive and growing organically can be difficult ... and there isn't much of a temporary or seasonal labor pool that makes many operations in the (Wil­lamette) Valley feasible ... Those who have succeeded have had to be creative and vertically integrate." Joy argues that in order to be successful farmers should focus on what does well here on the coast and make sure they take a hard look at the economics of their operations before investing much time and money in their venture.

17

A riculture and Fish • r1es riculture and Fisheries in Tillamook '-L"-'

1) Diversify Agricultural Production:

Tillamook County is home to some of the best non-irrigated grass pasture in the nation. The success of the dairy industry has built on this strength. As we look for ways to increase food production, farmers should continue to focus on growing crops well suited to the North Oregon coast climate. There exists a demand for locally grown food in Tillamook County that to this point is not being met by supply in many areas.

2) Increase Access to Land and Training for Beginning Farmers:

The cost of agricultural land in Tillamook is amongst the highest in the state and as our farmers age it be­comes important that transitions of land be facilitated in such a way that these productive farmlands remain so. The idea of a local farmland trust has been proposed. The establishment of a database of available farm­land and farmers looking to transition their operations could also be a valuable resource.

3) Strengthen Farmer Networks:

The unique growing environment of the North Oregon Coast, coupled with the low number of farmers growing food for local markets means that accessing the information and know-how required to succeed in a food production enterprise can be hard to come by. Those who are having success producing food on the North Oregon Coast are a treasure trove of knowledge that should be considered a valuable resource. If new growers are to be successful and established growers are to expand their operations, cooperation and the sharing of knowledge will be key.

4) Get more Local Seafood into Local Markets:

Through the rivers, bays and oceans in Tillamook County comes immense amounts of food. Because of the high value of the catch, much of this fish is bound for distant markets. There exist very few outlets for local seafood in the area and processing capacity at our ports has greatly diminished and disappeared for some of the catch. There exists the potential to begin Boat to School and Community Supported Fisheries programs. However a study of how these programs are working around the country for fishermen as well as their cus­tomers should be conducted, and local fishermen must be engaged in the process.

18

Food Access and Health The world produces more than 1 1/2 times enough When access to healthy, affordable food is not avail-food to feed everyone on the planet a 2,500 calorie able, the health consequences can be dire. Tillamook diet. Yet hunger is still a major problem in America County Health Officer Dr. Paul Betlinski points out and even in Tillamook County where, if we are world that 'The cheap foods are often those that are worst famous for anything, it's farming. Hunger, to a large for you:' In Tillamook County 16% of the population extent is not a problem of produc- fl'r--.~~":'1"'"-,.--....-.~:-.-o:---:-,...-, is considered food tion it's a problem of poverty. The 'nsecure and 24% relative price offruits and vegeta- bese. There are bles is up 40% since 1980 while the many factors that play relative price of processed foods is down about 40%. into these numbers, but a large reason why people Here in America we spend less of our income and aren't able to get enough of the healthy foods they food and more on health care than any other indus- need is because they simply lack access to these trialized country in the world. Rates of obesity in foods, or enough money to purchase them. Tillamook County are around one in four and rates of food insecurity nearly the same.

I Rural Food Deserts

The USDA defines a food desert as an area ofthe country vapid offresh fruit, vegetables, and other healthful whole foods. Food deserts most often occur because an area lacks grocery stores, farmers' markets, and health food providers. According to a study put out by the USDA, the majority of South Tillamook County is consid­ered a food desert. Other areas of the county also lack convenient access to healthy, affordable food.

Forty percent of people interviewed in the consumer survey indicated that transportation costs affect their ability to access and afford food. Because there are only two major grocery stores in the county, both located in Tilla­mook, many residents of the county must travel for many miles just to access healthy, affordable food. This can be a real challenge for the elderly as well as low income families. With some residents living more than 30 miles from the nearest grocery store, smaller stores are often relied upon to supply a large share of the diet.

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Senior citizens who make up roughly 1 in 4 Tillamook County residents can be especially vulnerable to issues associated with living in a food desert. Many live on fixed incomes and face high medical costs. Some seniors are limited in their mobility and find it difficult to make trips to buy food on a regular basis. This makes it exceedingly difficult to keep fresh fruit and vegetables in their diet.

19

I

Foo Access and He lth Stores

The places where a community comes together to access food are natural social and economic hubs. As long as people have been living in communities, there have been marketplaces where people come together to exchange food and crafts. In our mod­ern world much of this role is now being played by grocery stores, big and small.

The most widely used medium for accessing food in Tillamook County and throughout much of the United States is the grocery store. Ninety-two per­cent of respondents to the consumer survey con­ducted as part of this assessment indicated that they did their food shopping at a major grocery store. Tillamook County is home to two major groceries, a Safeway and a Fred Meyer, both located in the city of Tillamook. Pacific City, Garibaldi and Manzanita each have a mid-sized grocery as well as smaller grocery stores. The remainder of the County is served by a network of 21 independently owned and operated rural grocery stores. These stores provide access not only to essential nutritional needs in their communi­ties but also provide a bustling market place that 20

serves to build relationships with those who live in and around the community.

Poverty is also a major challenge to accessing a healthy diet. Food budgets are often the most flex­ible in the household and thus when finances are tight, spending on food is often the first to be cut. The cheaper foods are often the least healthy and have the longest shelf life. So when someone on a low income goes to their local grocery store they often find that either no fresh fruits and vegetables are available or, if they are, they are too expensive to make them part of their families diet.

Rural Grocery Store Survey

As part of this assessment process, grocery store owners and managers who operated stores in the outlying communities were interviewed. The goal was to understand what their shared challenges and successes were when it came to supplying their respective communities with healthy and affordable

Food Access and Health food, and to find out what sorts of challenges prevented them selling more locally produced food.

The emerging themes of the survey were that most of the rural grocery stores relied on summer sales to carry them through the rest of the year. This makes a lot of sense as the population doubles from 25,000 in the winter to 50,000 in the summer months with the majority of the population increases seen in the small coastal communities.

Another major challenge discussed by many of the grocery stores in­terviewed was getting distributors to deliver to their stores. One small grocer said that they don't have a primary distributor but instead go to Costco twice a month in order to stock their shelves. This same store used to get milk delivered but now goes to Safeway instead because"it's crazy, but it's cheaper:'

North County grocery stores interviewed were hav­ing an easier time sourcing locally grown vegetables from farms such as Revolution Gardens and Kingfish­ers Farms, but were still struggling to keep prices at a place where local residents could do the majority of their shopping locally. In South and Central County it seems much less was being sourced from local arms, however local seafood was often being sold at the coastal groceries. One local grocer is also a fcommer­cial fisherman and thus his store carries much of

what he catches such as crab and tuna, in addition to carrying farmed oysters from the nearby bay.

There is no doubt that these rural grocery stores play a large role in the character and livibility of their re­spective communitites. Of the stores who completed the survey the average time they have been at their present location was 52 years.

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21

Food Access and He lth Government

Real Average Covered Wage by County (2011 dollars) In Tillamook County, nearly 17% of the population is living below the Federal Poverty Line. Many of these same people are considered to be food insecure, meaning that certain times of the year they don't know where their next meal will be coming from. One local resident who relies on SNAP benefits to help feed her family says "The support system is crucial... I get a little tired of hearing 'oh yeah, they just aren't trying hard enough: You can't help it when you have medical things come up that you didn't predict-you can't help it if you lost your job .. .l think they need ... to have a little bit more compassion:' There are a number of local, state and

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federal government assistance programs here in Tillamook County designed to mitigate the effects of food insecurity.

Supplemental Nutrition Program (SNAP)

About half of all Americans will at some point be the recipients of SNAP benefits (formerly food stamps)-­making it the largest federal nutrition assistance pro­gram in the country. Families receive SNAP benefits based on their income . Most people, in Oregon, will qualify if they fall below 185% of the federal poverty line and can start receiving the benefits by going down to the Department of Human Services with an ID and proof of income.

Currently in Tillamook County about 30% of the pop­ulation qualify for SNAP benefits, with an average monthly benefit of $82 per participant. This trans­lates to $5,894,286 being spent atTillamook County food outlets every year. According to a 2010 national

22

study, each SNAP dollar spent in a community generates $1.79 of economic activity. Currently, only 52% of those who qualify for SNAP benefits in the county participate in the program. This equates to $5,547,670 in additional SNAP dollars that could potentially be flowing into the local economy and an additional $9,930,329 of unrealized local economic activity.

Thirty six percent of respondents to the consumer survey indicated that they received SNAP benefits and another 32% were unsure as to if they quali­fied or not. Almost half of all children who qualify for SNAP benefits in Tillamook, fail to enroll in the program.

SNAP benefits are rarely enough to cover all food costs for the month. The average cost of a meal in Tillamook County is $2.78. This means that someone receiving the average SNAP benefit of $82 a month would have enough to cover about 10 days worth of food. A local Netarts resident who receives SNAP benefits says "I feel guilty if I eat three bites of

Food Access and Health dinner because I feel like I'm taking food away from my child. I mean, if I can't feed her tomorrow and if I eat, then I'm taking it away from her. So I eat like three bites of a meal, just so it makes it seem like she thinks I'm eating. You know, she's like 'mommy, you got to eat' and I'm like'l'm eat­ing:"

90.0%

45.0%

22.5%

0%

SNAP Participation Rate Amongst Eli gable Youth

SNAP benefits can be used at par­ticipating grocery stores, farmers' markets, farms and produce stands throughout the county. SNAP bene­fits can be used to purchase foods for the household such as bread, cereal, fruits, vegetables, milk as well as

Tillamook Uncoln Clatsop Columbia Oregon

soda, candy and chips. SNAP bene-fits cannot be used to purchase alcohol, tobacco or hot prepared food. However you can use your SNAP benefits to purchase seeds and plant starts in order to grow your own food.

Women Infants and Children (WIC)

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is a program designed to provide access to nutrition educa-tion and healthy food for low-income pregnant or breast-feeding women and to infants and children up to age five with medical and lor nutritional risk factors. In 2011 S 1% of all pregnant women in Tilla­mook County were served by the program amount­ing to $427,877 spent on healthy food, and in 2012 the number of pregnant women served by WIC rose to 54% which amounted to $475,896 spent in the county on healthy food at local retailers.

The program provides assistance through vouchers, education and pregnancy support. WIC vouchers can be used by a family to purchase high-nutrition foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, milk and baby food. According to Dawna Roesener, the WIC coordinator for Tillamook County, for every $1 that is

spent in WIC funds, $9 is saved in health care costs. WIC programs include the Fresh Fruit and Veggie Voucher and Farm Direct Nutrition Program (FDNP). Fruit and Veggie vouchers are given to participants throughout the year to provide extra money for healthy food that is often seen as too expensive for low income families to purchase. The FDNP vouch­ers can also be used to purchase directly from par­ticipating farms, farm stands and farmers' markets. FDNP program checks are given out to WIC clients and senior citizens during the summer growing season. It is a unique model that encourages par­ticipants to purchase healthy, local, fresh food even though they might not otherwise, due to the per­ceived high prices. In Tillamook County, WIC families and seniors redeemed $2,692 of FDNP coupons. This is money that goes directly to farmers and encourag­es the growth of the local food economy.

WIC vouchers can be used at the two major grocery stores in the county, Safeway and Fred Meyer in Tilla­mook. There are also 5 independent smaller grocer­ies throughout the county that accept WIC benefits. WIC, Fresh Furit and Veggie and FDNP vouchers can also be used at the Tillamook and Manzanita Farmers Market as well as DeNoble's Farm Stand and Don's Waterfall Farm.

23

Profile: Knights of lumbus The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic charity with a chapter in Tillamook. The Knights grow a one acre garden every year in order to supply Food Bank network in the county with fresh pro­duce. Keeping fresh produce and healthy foods in the food pantries can be a real challenge.

Don Armstrong, who has been leading the effort since its inception, was living next to a one acre , field that he says "was growing nothing but ca­nary grass". After complaining to the owner once or twice "it just came to me to plant potatoes ... now we also have corn, sweet meat squash and cabbage all grown for the food bank. Last year we were able to give close to 10,000 lbs. of fresh produce to the food bank:'

Melissa Carlson Swanson, the Oregon Food Bank Tillamook Branch Services Manager, says these types of donations are of immense value and greatly appreci­ated, "We just can't keep enough sweet meat squash at the food bank ... people just swarm around it:'

The Knights of Columbus have around eight volunteers who come and help maintain the garden, but most of the volunteers are of the older generation. This is a problem facing many service organizations and food producers throughout the county. Don believes that in order to combat hunger and increase awareness of food issues amongst the general population, "we should do what we did during World War II where every­body planted little victory gardens:·

ldhood Hu and Obesity

Access to food is often a bigger problem for children than it is for adults. Not only are children more likely to come from food insecure homes, but when they miss a meal or become malnourished, it can have a

In Tillamook County, more than 32% of children under 18 are living in households considered food insecure, 34% are obese, 24% are living in poverty and nearly 4% are considered homeless.

detrimental effect on,----~~:--=-~-------~------, both their physical Childhood Poverty Rates Amongst Counties ere are a number of and mental devel- programs in Tillamook opment. According Tillamook ounty designed to to Tillamook County Lincoln deal with the problems Health Officer Dr. Paul of childhood hunger. Clatsop Betlinski, "building However, due to fund-

h ld h I k Coumbia a c i is muc i e ing issues and capacity building a house... North Coast of volunteers to meet you need the best Oregon e need, some chil-materials ... and you dren have access to

0% 7.50% 15.00% 22.50% 30.00% need them at every ssistance programs stage of the building a...--------------------....1,,/'Jhile others do not. process, especially in the foundation."

24

Food Access and Health School Lunches

Children spend much of their day in school and many children rely on their school to provide a sub­stantial portion of their nutritional needs. The Na­tional School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program provide free and reduced priced meals to children who come from low income households.

In order to qualify for free lunches, a child must come from a household that falls below 130% of the federal poverty line. Children living in households with incomes 130-18S% of poverty are eligible for re­duced priced lunches. In the 2012-2013 school year 62% of students in Tillamook County were eligible for free or reduced lunch. However, just because a

Summer Feeding Programs

With nearly 2,000 kids across the county relying on free and reduced priced meals during the school year, the burden placed on families during the summer time can be substantial. The USDA summer feeding program provides funds to organizations in order for them to provide meals to low income chil­dren throughout the summer. And while these funds are intended to target low income youth, meals at these summer feeding programs are available to any one under 18.

In the summer of2012, over 8,180 lunches were served throughout the county at various USDA fund­ed meal sites. There are also summer feeding pro­grams that don't participate in the USDA program so this number is not complete. However it is clear that while summer feeding programs are feeding kids they are only feeding a small fraction of the nearly 2,000 kids a day that are fed during the school year.

Grub Club is a county-wide effort being undertak­en by volunteers and the faith community. Georgia Dorsey coordinates the largest Grub Club in the county out of the Tillamook Methodist Church. Every weekday throughout the summer, volunteers use the kitchen at the Church to prepare hundreds of

student is eligible does not mean that he/she will receive a free or reduced lunch. Due to stigma and other factors, participation rates for the program amongst children who qualified in 2009 was only 77%.

School District % Eligable for Free/Re-ducedLunch

Tillamook 59.9%

Neah-Kah-Nie 61.5%

Nestucca Valley 70.1%

lunches that are then distributed to summer meal sites in the surrounding area. According to Pastor Jerry Jefferies ofthe Methodist Church (among oth­ers) "last year we made and distributed more than 6,000 lunches and this year we're on track to do a lot more:'The program is a USDA certified site so they receive funding from the government and in turn must provide what the USDA considers a balanced meal. Georgia says that the USDA funding is often not enough to provide the caliber of meal that kids deserve. The Grub Club is able to raise additional funding from local churches and businesses in order to supplement the USDA funding.

25

Profile: Childhood Hunger Summit

This past May, nearly 40 people gathered at the Tillamook Methodist Church for a day long summit, aimed at combatting childhood hun­ger Tillamook County communities. The day began with a look at the issues throughout country, state and local area. It was agreed while there are very few starving kids in the county, malnutrition is a problem and kids do occasionally go hungry. After a series of pre­sentations, participants gathered into groups and discussed strategies for mitigating the root causes of childhood hunger throughout the county.

Much of the discussion centered around the issue of gaps in feeding programs designed to reach children living in food insecure households. It was agreed that school lunch programs are relatively successful with 77% of kids who are eligible participating, but that once children left school for the day or for summer break, the support drops off dramat­ically. It was proposed to begin after school tutoring and feeding programs as well as school pantry programs.

The tutoring program would be designed to meet the co-needs of academic support and supplemen-

"It's our job to help feed hungry people, evaluate who they are, w~""r'" they are, and how we can best serve them. It's the best, most important job in the world:'This, according to Melissa Carlson Swanson, director of the Tillamook Branch of Oregon Food Bank, is the goal of her organization and the 281ocal partner agencies that she works with throughout the County.

Last year nearly 600,000 lbs. of food went out through the network of six pantries, four meal sites and numer­ous mobile pantries. The majority of

26

s very achieve academic success while not receiving a balanced diet. Similarly the school pantry program would be modeled on the success of the school pan­try project currently underway in South Tillamook County.

Food Access and Health this food is intended to fill 3-5 day emergency food boxes for families and individuals who find them­selves in a bind.

Food pantries are not designed to be utilized as a consistent source of food. However, because of high rates of food insecurity, food pantries sometimes find themselves filling this role. lmie Camelli who has been directing the The North County Food Bank in Wheeler for years says that she's been seeing a rise in multi-generational households coming in to get food boxes. "People are having a tough time getting out on their own financially:' And Steve Forester of the Salvation Army says" We're no longer running an emergency food box program, its a program to sustain households:'

Profile: Salvation Army

The Salvation Army has been providing emergency food to the Tillamook community for the last seven years. Steve Forester who runs the operation be­lieves, "My job is to stabilize households through food ... so that they can then begin tackling the root causes of their hunger and poverty."

Last year alone the Salvation Army distributed nearly 127,000 lbs of food. 49"h of this food came through the Oregon Food Bank Network. The rest was acquired through the efforts of the Salvation Army itself. Steve keeps a detailed record system so he knows exactly what kind of food he'll need to fill his food boxes. He says "This allows me to target my procurement efforts and makes me more effective:'

lmie and her staff of volunteers keep extensive re­cords of who visits their food bank and what their situations are. One local resident and mother inter­viewed at the pantry says "I spend almost all week long hitch-hiking back to all the food banks, and carrying as much as I can ... back and forth, that's what I spend most of my time doing, is getting food, mak­ing sure that I have enough food. It's not enough:'

The North County Food Bank is intended to provide emergency food for those living in the north end of the county. However, lmee says, "sometimes we get people in here from Garibaldi and we're really not supposed to serve them, but we won't turn them away. I just tell them to go find God's Lighthouse next time:'

The Salvation Army is "running the county's largest food pantry as far as volume of food distributed" It can be difficult to get all the food needed to supply the need because of limited resources and real or perceived competition for these resources amongst the various pantries and feeding programs through­out the county.

Steve believes that the work of the pantries is of the utmost importance because they allow families to focus on getting the foundations of their life in order and begin tackling the larger underlying issues that are causing them to rely on the emergency food system.

27

Foo Access and Health

nities For Food Access and Health

1) Increase participation rate in Supplemental Nutrition programs

Only 52% of eligible kids are participating in the SNAP program which means that nearly half of the children in Tillamook County are not as empowered as they could be when it comes to acquiring sufficient healthy food. Outreach to qualified parents could go a long way toward enrolling more children in the porgram.

2) More meals in the summer for children

During the school year over 2,000 lunches are served at reduced or no cost every day through the USDA School Lunch Program. During the summer of 2012, less than 10,000 lunches were served the entire sum­mer leaving a large gap for low income families to fill. Increased awareness of summer feeding sites and an increased number of these sites could go a long way toward reducing childhood hunger.

3) Bring more healthy food into the emergency and school food networks

Nutrition is more than calories alone. Nutrition affects the ability of a child to learn and when kids learn to eat a healthy diet when they're young, chances are good they'll continue as adults. By getting more healthy food into the schools and pantries, people become empowered to live healthier lives.

4) Build distribution networks that empower local producers and retailers

For many rural grocery stores it can be difficult to supply healthy, affordable food while also maintaining a profitable business. Finding ways to reduce the transaction costs associated with distributing highly perish­able fruits and vegetables on a regular basis could go a long way toward making these rural grocery stores a reliable place for local residents to access food for their families. The idea of using the food bank distribution network to pick up produce from local farmers and distribute it to rural grocery stores on the way back from the pantries has been discussed and warrants further investigation into its feasibility.

28

Communi Food Efforts ically prosperous communities for the future. The people and organizations dedicated to this work

Tillamook County is perhaps the most successful longterm example of an intact community food sys­tem in the State of Oregon. Tillamook has twice the ratio of its population working on farms and these jobs pay lSo/o more than the State average. There are more farmers markets per capita and less food insecurity than the majority of other counties in the state. However, there is still much work to be done in order to build healthier, hunger free and econom-

are concerned with educating the youth about food production, building networks and coalitions of local producers and community partnerships, finding markets for local food products and educating all people as to the importance of supporting the local food economy.

Profile: Food Roots

Food Roots works to help those interested in grow­ing a healthier local food system succeed. Shelly Bowe, the Executive Direc­tor of Food Roots, wants people to know"We're not the food bank" but rather "We bring together people around this idea of pro­ducing food. and eating I oca 1." Food Roots serves as a nexus for many efforts in growing a healthier more resilient food system. They link suppliers with con­sumers. The Food Roots Farm Table project at the Tillamook Farmers Market is encouraging people into produce more food for local markets by allowing them to sell at the market when they have the prod­uct to do so. Thus eliminating much of the risk and hassle associated with starting up a farming venture.

The food system is a complex set of interconnected systems all reliant upon each other. Food Roots recognizes that without a robust distribution system, increases in production will mean little to those looking to buy this food. Similarly, without USDA processing centers for livestock, it is next to impossible to get local meat into local restaurants, retail stores and schools. Sometimes Shelly muses that getting all the different players on the same page is "like herding cats" but that the only way to build a healthier food system here in Tillamook County is to"continue working together."

29

Food Roots is a non profit based in Tillamook dedicated to growing a healthy food system on the North Ore­gon Coast. The organization provides access to capital for small scale food producers through it's Individual Development Account Program (see page 17), runs several school gardens along with educational pro­gramming for youth, and coordinates community organizing events around the county focused on growing producers and consumers of local food. They co-publish the North Coast Food Guide which is a yearly pub­lication listing farms that are producing for local markets and how to contact them. The goal of the publica­tion is to link those interested in purchasing local food with those who are producing it. A copy of the North Coast Food Guide is available online at www.foodrootsnw.org.

Shelly Bowe who first moved to Tillamook County as a young dairy farmer has been running the organiza­tion since its inception. She says, "We're teaching kids about our food system, and we're also working hard to support beginning farmers, and provide families with opportunities to produce more food:' Shelly wants people to know "Food Roots is not a food bank" but rather, "We bring together people around this idea of producing food, and eating both locally and in season."

As part of this assessment process, a number of Community Conversations were held in order to sort out what the priorities of communities in the coun­ty are around their local food systems. In March of 2012, 76 people met at the Tillamook County Library for S-1 /2 hours in order to discuss what they saw as the most critical aspects of their regional food system. The gathering was a Food, Education and Agricultural Solutions Together (FEAST) event. The event was hosted by Food Roots and facilitated by

30

Sharon Thornberry of the Oregon Food Bank.

In the room were people from all sectors of the food system. There were farmers and restaurateurs, exten­sion agents and fishermen. All shared a commitment to help shape the future of the food system in Tilla­mook County. After brainstorming many ideas, there emerged seven major categories that people were interested in improving in their food system. They were as follows:

Communit Food Efforts Policy: Modify beliefs and create sustainable policies that eliminate constraints to creating a healthy local food system.

Community Processing and Distribution: Strengthen the community food system by developing the local processing storage and distribution infrastructure to provide year round access to healthy local food for consumers and retailers and increase marketing and economic opportunities for local food growers and producers.

Coalitions, Communications and Public Education: Develop organized coalitions and strengthen community partnerships, in order to foster a greater understanding of our food system and increase the consumption of locally produced, healthy foods.

Local Production: Connect local growers, producers and consumers with each other. School and Community Gardens: Alleviate barriers and develop healthy food access programs through edu­cation, utilizing school yard and community gardens.

Home Ga rdeo jog: Create a broad coalition to form Edible Tillamook County initiate coordinating home, community and school garden support system.

Emergency Food· Increase quality and availability of local foods

Each interest area formed a group and chose a group leader. The hope was that these groups would contin­ue to meet after the FEAST in order to move forward with plans for shaping their chosen sector of the food system.

As a follow up to the FEAST event and as part of the While sharing a meal, participants brainstormed research process for this assessment, two Communi- issues in their local food system and places where

tyFood ~n~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~theendof The goals for these two co sations to focus on specific community needs and actionable steps peo­ple were willing to

12

9

6

3

take to build a healthier, localized food system in their area.

The first Community Food Conversation was held in Pacific City and attended by 15 local residents inter­ested in taking action in their local food system.

theme of the discussion was that there was a lot of demand for locally produced products but people were find­ing it challenging to source them. Seeing a farmers market come to Pacific City

31

• Com! un1 was the top ranked priority and it was hoped that this would encourage more people to produce for local markets. A market is now up and running in Pacific City and is the fourth such farmers mar­ket to come to the county.

The North County Community Conver­sation was held in Nehalem at the North County Recreation District and was attended by 26 community members. In the north end of the county there are more people producing for local markets Priority so lack of supply was not as big of an is­sue as in South Tillamook County. People were interested in continuing to nurture the farming community by increasing access to land for beginning farmers, and increasing the availability of appropriate seed varieties and other inputs for the coast. Another topic that generated a lot of discussion was the issue of inclusivi­ty. One local vegetable producer noted "we've got to think outside our circle:· o

32

Food E North County Community Food Priorities

5 10

Votes

15

rts

20

Profile: Grow the Coast

The first annual Grow the Coast Conference was held early last November (2012) in Nehalem and drew well over 100 participants. The conference was modeled after the Oregon State University's Small Farms Conference and was focused on empowering producers, big and small, to grow, gather and prepare more food here on the North Oregon Coast. Because the North Coast is climatically different enough from the Willamette Valley, there has historically not been much research done on appropriate cropping systems and management techniques. The Grow the Coast Conference was the chance for those who have the most knowledge about the issues involved with growing food on the North Coast to connect with those who have the most interest-in a way, providing education from the ground up.

Keynote speakers Gary Stephenson of the Oregon Small Farms Program and Sharon Thornberry of the Oregon Food Bank began the day by empha­sizing the deep connections between health of our communities and the hP;>Ith

of our small family farms. Participants then had the opportunity to take part in numerous workshops ranging from wild mushroom foraging to pasture man­agement to integrated pest control on the coast. All workshops were held and facilitated by local and regional experts, however much of the wisdom was in the room. Seasoned farmers, gardeners, extension agents and foragers packed session audiences and contributed to the conversations and development of ideas. The conference will be held again this coming November in Seaside, Oregon.

33

Com unit Community and hool Gardens

Community and school gardens are places where people can come together on a shared piece of land in order to grow and learn about growing food. Peo­ple often join community gardens because they lack space at home and/or enjoy the communal aspect of coming together to grow food. There are many com­munity gardens used in Tillamook County to grow food for the participating families, for the local food bank, or some combination of the two. In Tillamook County there are a total of 15 gardens, 8 gardens are at schools or in educational settings, and 8 gardens provide community garden access (Food Roots East School Garden provides both in one garden). These gardens span the entire county, from Manzanita to Neskowin.

The garden coordinator for the Pacific City Com­munity Garden, Sally Risse!, is working this year to transition the garden from a place where everything in the garden is grown communally to a privately managed, bed-based model. She hopes that this will increase the amount of food being grown in the garden and going into peoples' homes.

School gardens are a vital place for kids to come, ex­plore, learn new skills, and practice applied biology, math, botany and ecosystems, as well as hone their business and project management skills. Both adult volunteers and youth learn best by doing, they are literally enjoy the fruits of their labors. This hands on learning is the goal of most school garden projects.

For the past two years, Food Roots, in partnership with Oregon Department of Agriculture, has host-ed two FoodCorps service members. FoodCorps is nationwide team of leaders that connects kids to real food and helps them grow up healthy. FoodCorps places leaders in limited resource communities for a year of service to conduct hands on food and nutri­tion education, build and tend school gardens and facilitate getting high quality local food into kids di­ets. It is important for kids to get out into the garden and develop a life long appreciation and 34

Food E orts

understanding for what it takes to produce food. AmeriCorps service members coordinate Food Roots 'Farm to School Programming, which has a garden based education focus. This year's FoodCorps Ser­vice Member, Allyson Gardner, coordinates the two Food Roots' school gardens, a community garden plot and administers comprehensive garden educa­tion programs, as well as recruits and manages vol­unteers throughout these programs. "I do summer and after school program, Root Troop, at East Ele­mentary and Tillamook Junior High School. We focus on learning to grow and cook foods using a garden based model. There are no longer home economics classes in the County and this is a way that I can help fill that gap:'

In addition to running the gardens and education programming. Allyson is also building bridges be­tween those interested in similar work. "A lot of what I spend my week doing is making connections be­tween people with the same passion and who want to be doing the same things but aren't yet working together. It is really important to build those connec­tions in a small town and give everyone ownership:'

Allyson believes that the most important outcome to the work she does is that"The kids come away from my programs with the sense that gardening and growing is cool! I feel like that's the biggest impact I've had:'

Profile: Alder Creek Community Farm

Alder Creek Community Farm has been managed since 2003 by the Lower Nehalem Community Trust. Previously a dairy farm, this 54 acre piece of property is now being used in a number of ways by the Nehalem community. Fifty acres of the property is being restored to native wetland in order to provide ecological services and wildlife habitat. The remaining 4+ acres are being used as a com­munity garden and home for the Trust's Coastal Food Ecology Center which serves as a home base for much of the education work the Trust does.

Because LNCT is a non-profit concerned with growing the local food system, they try to ensure they aren't competing with local producers by selling their produce to raise money for the organization. According to Olivia Mercado, a Board Member of the Trust, "All members of the community garden take responsibility for the whole. People are allowed to take what they need for their families and the rest of the produce is donated to the North County Food Bank:' In 2011, the farm donated 2,300 lbs. of much needed fresh produce to the North County Food Bank in Wheeler.

The Trust brings in educational programming as much as possible. This past year they've hosted workshops dealing with issues of growing fruit on the coast, and permaculture. The workshops are always open to the public for a small fee and free to members. Through their education and produc­tion programs, the Trust hopes to bring more healthy locally grown food to the coast.

35

Com Food E • un1 rts I Direct Marketing

36

Profile: Peace Crops

Peace Crops is a diversified vegetable farm focused on selling food to local markets. Jim and Emily Fan joy run the farm as a husband and wife team. The couple spent two years in Guatemala in the United States Peace Corps before moving to Manzanita and starting their farm near Mohler. Upon arriving in Tillamook County, Emilee interned on another local farm, R-evolution Gardens, and she says that the knowledge she gained through the experience was invaluable. When asked why they decided to start farming Emily ex­plained "I just really love growing food, it's so thrilling!"

Emily and Jim keep bees as part of their farm operation. According to Emily, they help with the pollination of their orchard trees and vegetables. Jim has become a journeyman beekeeper through the Oregon State Master Beekeeper Program and is active in the local beekeepers group in the county. They sell their vegeta­bles and honey through the Tillamook and Manzanita Farmers' Markets. This year they are working on tran­sitioning from their farm on a friends land to a permanent location up Hwy 53. At their new location, Peace Crops hopes to expand to the point where they can grow enough to support"a really engaged CSA that operates on a sliding (fee) scale:•

Emily who also works at the Health Department in Tillamook sees a direct connection between what she does as a farmer and her work with the county. She believes that our current food system has a large effect on our health, "We aren't dying ... but in a way we are. Our obesity levels and diabetes level are all increasing across all demographics. Everyones'weights are going up ... what we're feeding ourselves is obviously not nourishing us well. It's a lot of overeating of empty calories and not as much eating healthy nutritious food ... I don't think people realize the extent to which local food is fresher--it is higher in nutritional value than food that comes off any box store shelf:'

Peace Crops is committed to growing healthy food for a local consumer base that they hope to increase over time. You can keep track of their progress by following their blog at www.peacecrops.net.

37

Com unit Farmers Markets

Farmers' markets are nearly as old as farming itself. There have been local producer markets here in Tillamook County since people began farm­ing. With the rise of the global food system, the perceived need for such markets diminished as cheap year­round produce and staples became available through large and mid­sized grocery stores. Over the past decade residents of the North Coast have seen a revival of farmers' mar­kets and farmers producing specif­ically for local markets. Tillamook County now has one of the highest rates of farmers markets to residents in the entire state of Oregon

Often, local businesses fear that a farmers' market near them will steal business. However there is evidence that farmers' markets can serve to bring people together and spur economic development around them. A 2012 rapid dot survey conducted at the Tillamook Farmers' Market indicates that the market was the main reason for people coming to downtown Tillamook on their Saturday.

Food E orts

an now a b ness. That's kind of what we're meant to do, nurture those types of businesses:' The Manzanita Farmers' Market is now entering it's eighth year of operation.

At the Tillamook Farmers' Market, Food Roots is focused on incubating food business at an even smaller scale. The Food Roots Farm Table is a project designed to grow farmers and market gardners by offering them the opportunity to sell at the farmers'

Here in Tillamook County, farmers' markets meet a market without setting up and paying for a stand of number of needs in the community including serv- their own. Food Roots operates the table and sells

ing as incubators for 2012 Rapid Dot Survey from Tillamook Farmers Market (Reason for Coming Downtown) small business by allow-ing them to build their clientele, refine their product and focus on their marketing strate­gy. Laura Swanson, the director of the Manzanita Farmers' Market, points to the success of one of their longtime vendors as an example oft his, "Crepe Neptune started out as a farmers' market

38

120

90

60

30

0 Farmers Market To Be OutdOOIS Attractions Grocer~s Retail Shopping

Communit produce from small producers who bring what they have that week. Through this project, small scale food producers are able to refine their production and marketing techniques in a low risk business en­vironment allowing for a greater chance of success. This, in turn, helps encourage more people to pro­duce food for local markets in our community.

Bringing locally produced food into the markets is a priority for all markets in the county, as there are currently fewer producers in the county than would be needed to fully support all four markets. Tilla­mook Farmers' Market Manager, Lauren Sorg says "Our customers (come to our market) seeking fresh produce ... and favor products grown in our region over produce brought in from outside the area:'The market is the county's biggest and plays a large role in attracting tourists to the area. They are always looking for new food producing vendors.

The Neskowin Farmers' Market is now three years old and has been highly successful, especially given their location in a town with a resident population un-der 200 people. One local farmer states "I sell at the Neskowin Farmers' Market and am excited with how well it went last year." This year they have moved locations but are still in "downtown" Neskowin just off Hwy 101.

The Pacific City Farmers' Market began it's first season this year. Market Manager Dawn Beyer has worked hard to get a mix of produce and craft vendors in order to make the market a success. The Pacific City Farmers' Market even has one vendor sell­ing fresh fish which has been a challenge for markets here in Tillamook County in the past.

Pacific

Food Efforts Community Supported Agriculture

Community Supported Agriculture, more commonly referred to as a CSA is a partnership between pro­ducers and consumers of food. The largest costs for farmers come at the beginning of the year when they need to buy all their inputs. It is difficult to gauge how much of each crop to plant because it is hard to know what will sell in the market place. Ad­ditionally there is risk involved with producing food crops. Bad weather or pest infestation could cause harvests to be far less than expected. A CSA helps to mitigate all these challenges by allowing customers to purchase a share of the farm at the beginning of the year. They provide the much needed capital at the beginning of the growing season and share in the risk associated with farming. If the farm they are a CSA member of has a bumper harvest, the CSA boxes will be full and varied and if certain crops fail, they will simply not receive them that year.

Tillamook County is home to a number of CSA pro­grams that can be found in the North Coast Food Guide. Food Roots and North Coast Food Web (based in Clatsop County) partner to produce the guide and will have a searchable online version of the guide ready by 2014. The guide is designed to link those interested in purchasing food from local producers to those growing it. The guide is available online through both websites of the North Coast Food Web and Food Roots.

North Coast

Food Guide 2012

1--.' < •• ·,,,,, k-; ,f .. , .. ;

39

Com unit Food E ~orts I Profile: SNAP Mat~h Project

In 2003 the Tillamook Farmers' Market began accepting SNAP benefits in hopes of attracting a wider spectrum of the population to the market. Lauren Sorg, the Market Manager says "We wanted to make the market a viable place for all people, regardless of income, to get their food:'

In 2011 the market took in just over $200 in SNAP funds. Lauren said she knew they could do better. The Tillamook Farmers' Market stepped up their outreach campaign in 2012 and the market was able to bring in $1040 in SNAP funds, a more than 500% increase in just one year.

This year along with the Farmers' Market in Manzanita, Tillamook Farmers' Market will be piloting a SNAP match program ito increase participation even further.

l'P1l'ii11Trail ~

The program provides a 1 to 1 match for the first $1 0 aao ~~ spent by SNAP participants at each market, for the first

AT

10 SNAP customers. By doubling the purchasing power of low income shoppers at the market, more people will be able to access the healthy locally grown food from Tillamook County farmers.

Restaurants

Restaurants are innovators in the food culture and economy. They are often the first to try something new and bring it to the public. Procurement of local food is an example of this. Fresh local produce often tastes better because of it's ability to be harvested ripe. In a competitive environment, the restaurant with the tastiest food has an advantage.

There are many restaurants in Tillamook County who have expressed interest in sourcing food from local producers and many such as the Rising Sun in Wheeler, the Big Wave Cafe in Manzanita, Pacific Restaurant in Tillamook, Grateful Bread in Pacific City and more who do purchase some locally produced and /or caught food.

The biggest challenge for most resturaunts when it

40

comes to sourcing local food are price and consis­tency of supply. Restaurants need to know that they can count on their suppliers to meet their orders and to do so in a way that maintains profit margins for both parties. The challenge comes in matching the scale of the restaurants demand with that of a local supplier or group of suppliers.

The Schooner Restaurant in Netarts is able to source from local farms such as DeNoble's Farm Fresh Produce and Den's Waterfall Farm by changing their menu to adapt to the season and by being willing to take the time to go to the farms themselves and pick up their order for the day. They also source nearly half of their eggs from local egg producer Larry Zwiefel, 90% of their Cheese from the Tillamook County Creamery Association.

Profile: Pelican Brewpub

an one de•>tir1ation tjrE!W-ery this past year means that for many visitors to the area, it is the Pelican that brings them here. Manager Ken Henson is the man in charge of securing food for the Pelican.

" I have a deep love and appreciation for food and what it means to people and what it means to commu­nities. A deep respect for everything from the soil from which it grows, to how it can bring people together in commune at a table-that's a really sacred thing and the reason I got into the industry. And over the last 15 years I've seen it deteriorate. The end consumer now is so disengaged from the food supply chain that it makes it difficult in this industry to stay true to this passion:·

The Pelican Pub purchases overS 1 million of food every year, and the vast majority comes from outside the county. The Kiwanda businesses which include the Pub and Brewery, Stimulus Espresso Cafe in Pacific City, and Five Rivers Coffee Roasters in Tillamook are committed to sourcing as much as possible from local pro­ducers, assuming they can get a competitive price and reliable scale appropriate supply. This is a tall order for producers who, to a large, degree aren't scaled to supply a business the size of the Pelican at a price that work for both sides.

According to Ken, "80% of our orders consist of fish and chips and hamburgers ... A little piece of me dies ev­ery time I write a check to some big nameless distributer, but a (big) frustration of mine is that we can't make it pencil out:' A local beef producers wanted to supply the restaurant with a high quality product for around S 15 a pound. "I can get the same cut of beef from St. Helen's Beef for $5 a pound:'The minute the restaurant starts charging 200% more for a burger, Ken fears they'll stop selling many burgers.

Ken thinks "We've got to change the way people think about what they eat. It's education in the schools, be­ing involved in school gardens .. .fostering that real connection with the earth:' The Pelican is opening a new production brewery in Tillamook August 2013 and they have expressed interest in sourcing local produce for their tasting room menu. The tasting room in Tillamook will be a much smaller restaurant operation than the pub in Pacific City and thus it should be easier to find local suppliers capable of meeting the demands of the restaurant.

41

Communit Food Efforts Opportunities for ity Food

1. Improve North Coast Food Guide

An online, searchable North Coast Food Guide would go a long way toward empowering both producers

and consumers of local food to connect and do business.

2. Facilitate Institutional Purchasing of Local Food

By working to link schools, hospitals and restaurants with local farmers and fishermen, new markets can be created and local food production capacity grown. The establishment of a food hub may be necessary in

order to allow smaller food production operations to work together to meet larger orders.

3. Build Capacity of Local Growers to Supply Local Markets

Growing food on the North Oregon Coast is different than growing food in the Willamette Valley. The estab­lishment of a comprehensive tool box (training, work experience, technical assistance, access to land and tools) of services for farmers looking to begin or improve their operations in the area would be of immense value.

4.1ncrease Food Literacy

The terms NFood System" and "Food Security• are still not well understood by many. The complex set of issues involved with getting food from a farm to a plate needs to be better understood by the general population if informed food policy is in our future. People who are knowledgeable about the issues or interested in be­coming so can become food ambassadors in their local communities by providing education and access to information to those interested. Food Roots has begun the establishment of a formal network of these "food

ambassadors" could further empower these individuals.

5. Support the establishment of a County Wide Gardens Network

Gardeners often lack access to amendments, seeds, tools and knowledge required to be successful growing food in Tillamook County. By sharing resources and knowledge, gardeners can empower themselves to grow more food for themselves and their neighbors. An initial meeting in January 2013 began this effort, resulting in seed exchanges and equipment sharing.

6. Address Infrastructure Deficits for Producers and other Entrepreneurs

It would be useful to survey the food system infrastructure needs, determine if they are good community

and economic investments, and move to address those needs.

42

Communi Food Efforts Opportunities for Community Food

7. Conduct Economic Analysis of Impact of Local Food

Purchasing local food as opposed to food produced outside the county does have a larger positive impact on the local economy, not only by providing more money to local producers but also through the multiplier effect of spending money at a local business. The extent to which this is the case is the subject of debate and a study detailing the economic effects of local food purchasing in Tillamook County would provide a solid

foundation for policy makers.

8. Create a Structured Food System Coalition or Council

From 2000-2006 Tillamook County Food Security Council operated to provide a framework for collaboration between public and private interests, to address food system needs and take action on those needs. A lot got done and this model is being successfully used in other parts of the country and state. It's time to look

at jump starting this effort again.

9. Engage the Next Generation in all aspects of our Food System Development

The work in front of us will take time, and as our farmers, volunteers and leaders age, it is critical that we inform, invest and engage in the future, if we are truly to make lasting change in our food system.

Methodolo The research for the Tillamook County Community Food Assessment used a mix of both qualitative and quantitative sources. The quantitative sources for the assessment came through two surveys and the collec­tions of data from primary sources such as the U.S. Agricultural Census. However, much of the assessment is based on the qualitative stories of those involved in the food system. Semistructured gatherings such as the North and South County Community Food Conversations, interviews with farmers, food bank operators and community members as well as casual conversations with many about their involvement with, and thoughts about,their local food system informed much of this assessment

Ten rural grocery stores were interviewed for this assessment. However due to owners not being present or unwilling to complete the formal survey, only five surveys were completed. All interviews were conducted by the author which allowed discussion on topics of interest not present in the formal survey. The survey itself was developed by Kansas State University's Center for Engagement and Community Development. The survey was designed to provide quantifiable data regarding the perspective of rural grocery store owners.

On March 27th, 2013 the Tillamook County Consumer Survey was administered outside of Safeway in Tilla­mook. A total of 26 people filled out the survey. The survey was designed to determine the level of interest in local food amongst the general population.

Quantitative data was collected from the 2007 U.S.D.A. Census of Agriculture, the U.S. Census Bureau, Part­ners for a Hunger-Free Oregon, Indicators Northwest, Oregon Department of Education, and Children First for Oregon.

This Community Food Assessment is a step toward building a healthier, more sustainable community food system in Tillamook County. It is far from comprehensive or authoritative. However it is the hope of the author that this assessment will help shape future discussion, debate and policy around community food systems in Tillamook County. Those community members who read this assessment ought to recognize that the report is limited in breadth and scope and there is much that can be contributed by others in the future.

44

A endix A

~ .:~oo ~ BANK

Rural Grocery Store Owner Survey Rural Community Food Systems Assessment Project

Name of store:

Address:

Phone number:

Contact person for store:

Email address:

Would you like to be added to a /L•aserv for n1ral grocery store owners and advocates?

__ yes no

1. What major products and services does your store offer? Check all that apply.

ATMBank

--Books/cards/gifts

--Cafe/restaurant

Catering

Delicatessen

Fuel

Groceries

Other (specify)

Hunting/fishing/camping supplies

--Institutional supply (schoo1~ hospital)

Pharmacy

Photo development

Pre-packaged snacks

Self-serve snacksldrioka

Video rental

2. Who is/are your primary grocery supplier(s)?

3. What products do your secondary suppliers supply?

4. Do minimum (purchasing/ordering) buying requirements create a problem for your grocery store? yes no

lfyes, how?

5. If minimum buying requirements are a problem. what solutions might you suggest?

6. As an independent grocer, do you feel you are getting fair pricing from your suppliers compared to chain stores?

yes no Comments:

Page 1

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46

A endix A Rural Grocery Store Owner Smvey- Oregon Food Bank Rural Community Food Systems Assessment Project

7. Have you had problems getting products delivered because of your location? __ yes no

Comments:

8. Do you sell locally-produced food in your store? __ yes no

If yes, what products?

9. Do you accept Food Stamps/SNAP?* __ yes no

Do you accept WIC?** __ yes

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program • • Women, Infants and Children Program

no

10. Has your business been negatively affected by the presence of emergency or supplemental food distribution in your community (i.e. people get bread from food pantry or gleaners so don't buy it from you}? __ yes no

If yes. explain:

11. Which of the following are major challenges for your store? Check all that apply.

__ Availability of satisfactory labor __ Lack of community support

__ Competition with large chain grocery stores __ Low sales volume

__ Debt and/or high payments __ Narrow profit margins

__ Government regulations

__ High inventory costs/low turnover

__ Shortage of working capital High operations costs (utilities, building

__ lease, repairs/maintenance. etc.)

Required minimum buying requirements __ from vendors

Shoplifting/bad checks/internal theft/unpaid accounts

__ Taxes

__ Other (>-pecity) _______ _

Which of the above do you feel is the most significant for you and your store?

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A endix A Rural Grocery Store Owner Survey- Oregon Food Bank Rural Community Food Systems Assessment Project

12. Do you collaborate with other small independently owned stores? __ yes __ no

If yes, for which purposes? Check all that apply.

Cooperative advertising/marketing

--Grocery distribution purposes

--Sharing concerns and/or ideas

--To achieve minimum buying requirements

Other

If no, would you be interested in doing this? __ yes no

Why or why not?

13. Do you feel that a statewide alliance of smaU, independently owned grocery store owners may have value?

__ yes no

If yes, how could it help?

14. What marketing strategies have you used in your grocery stores that have been effective in drawing in customers?

Advertising

Newspapers

Radio

TV

Flyers/inserts

Facebook

Intemet/WW\V

Promotions

Word of mouth

OTHER: Please identity:

Page3

47

48

A endix A Rural Grocery Store Owner Survey- Oregon Food Bank Rural Conununiry Food Systems Assessment Pro· ect

n running a grocery store. how important is it to you to offer each of the following? Rate the · mportance of each by circling the number that best fits your response.

l. Quality of food

Comments:

Availability of food (variety, brand choices)

Conunents:

Prices of items offered .................. .

Comments:

Customer setVice ...................... .

Comments:

Business hours ........................ .

Comments:

Buying locally ......................... .

Comments:

Not Very Important

2

2

2

2

2

2

ich of the above do you feel is the most significant for you and your store?

How do you assess the buying needs of your customer?

Is your stocking of products responsive to customer requests?

What other con<:e:rns or comments do you have?

Page4

3 4

3 4

3 4

3 4

3 4

3 4

Very Important

5

5

5

5

5

5

A endix A Rural Grocery Store Owner Survey- Oregon Food Bank Rural Commnnity Food Systems Assessment Project

ow does your store do at providing the follmving to customers? Rate your store by circling the number hat best fits your response.

I. Quality of food

Comments:

Availability offood (variety, brand choices)

Comments:

Prices of items offered .................. .

Comments:

Customer service ...................... .

Comments:

Business hours ........................ .

Comments:

Buying locally ......................... .

Comments:

7. Accepting Food Stamps/SNAP and WJC ...

Comments:

Not Very Well

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

Which of the above do you feel is the most significant for you and your store?

PageS

3 4

3 4

3 4

3 4

3 4

3 4

3 4

Very Well

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

49

so

A endix A Rural Grocery Store Owner Survey- Oregon Food Bank Rural Community Food Systems Assessment Project

TeD us about your store:

How long have you been in the grocery business as an owner?

How long has there been a grocery store at your current location?

Do you have more than one location? How many? __

What are your hours of operation? Mon to Tues to Wed to Thor to Fri to Sat to Sun to

Aic you open on the major holidays (Christmas, New Years, Thanksgiving, etc.)?

Are there other grocery outlets in your community? __ a 'quick shop' __ another full service grocery

How far is it to the nearest discount grocery (Wal-Mart,_ etc?)

How many employees do you have. not counting yourself?

__ full-time (40 hrs/week minimum)

What are your average weekly gross sales? Less than $5,000 Between $5,000 and $10,000 Between $10,000 and $20,000 Greater than $20,000

__ part-time {less than 40hrs/week)

This survey was developed by Kansas State University Center for Civic Engagement and is being used with their permission. We thank them for their support of this projeCL For nwre information. plea~e contact Sharon Thornberry. Community Food Systems Manager; Oregon Food Bank, sJh.Qmh.J:n:l'@oregqfoodbank.org or Megan Newel/-Ching, Community Resource Developer. Oregon Food Bank. 1-800-777-7427 x2270 or [email protected]

Page6

A endix B

Tillamook County Consumer Survey Community that you live in: __________ _

Sex: D Male D Female

How old are you? D Under 25 D Between 25-54 D Over 55

Is food available in your community? D Yes D No Comments:

Where do you primarily get your food from? D Grocery StoreD Farmers· Market D Convenience Store/Gas Station D Food Pantry D Natural/Specialty StoreD Grow your own D Outside Linn County D Other: _____ _

How far do you go to get your main source of food? []0-5 miles []6-10 miles 011-25 miles 026+ miles

What factors, if any, affect your ability to get the food you need? (Check all that apply) OHigh fuel/heating costs 0Cost of food Drransportation OLack of Time OHigh rent []Availability of quality/variety of food 0Childcare costs 0Medical costs OQther: __ _

Are you eligible for government food assistance? oYes(]NoD! don't know

If you are eligible, which government food assistance program do you (or your children) use? D SNAP (Food Stamps) D WIC D Meals on Wheels D Free or reduced school lunch/ breakfast D Other: 0 None

Do you buy any food that is produced within Linn County? (Check all that apply) D Fruit D Vegetables D Milk D Poultry D Meat D Eggs D No, I don't

If not, what is the main reason you don't purchase local food? D Not available D Too expensive D Don't know where to get it D Not food I like

Would you like to learn more about how to cook or how to shop on a budget? oYesDMaybeONo

Do you participate in a community garden in your area? D Yes D No, if yes, where?

Your survey will remain confidential. Thank you for your time, your opinion is greatly appreciated.

51

Food Roots and Port of Tillamook Bay North Coast Grown Specialty Crop Project & High Tunnel Hoop House Executive Summary 2013 Project Goals The goals are to increase and diversifY specialty crop production, expand specialty crop markets locally and regionally, in order to increase consumer access and grow the industry. Specialty crops are fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, herbs, medicinal and ornamental plants, intensively cultivated, and used by people for food, medicinal purposes, and for aesthetic gratification.

Partners and Project History Food Roots is a community food organization that has been serving the North Oregon Coast for the past seven years. Food Roots leadership has over 14 years experience in agricultural and food system development in the region. The Port of Tillamook Bay [POTB], an Oregon Special District, encompasses over 1600 acres of industrial land, promoting economic development in Tillamook County. Both Food Roots and POTB work closely with local farmers. POTB agriculturally related departments include a Manure Digester facility, leased space to Compost Inc. (a private soil amendment company) and pasture leases to area dairymen. The POTB has additional capacity for growth in agricultural development, especially in the Specialty Crop industry. The project partners have explored and planned this project over the past several years, and are prepared to move this agricultural opportunity forward.

Project activities The POTB will take the lead on project infrastructure and development, building three 30' X 96' commercial hoop houses. This Hoop House project is part of the POTB's FEMAAlternative Projects and is budgeted at $78,000, with FEMA providing 75% of the infrastructure cost. Food Roots is committed to securing the 25% non-federal matching funds, and has to date secured $5000 from a private Oregon family foundation. Construction is slated to begin in July and fmish by the end of October. In return for securing matching funds, Food Roots will be provided a contractual lease credit on the Hoop Houses (one acre), estimated to be a six year lease credit. This infrastructure lays the foundation for year round production and will support Food Roots' North Coast Grown Specialty Crop Project, where beginning farmers and farm workers will be provided with resources, access to land, industry relevant place based training opportunities, and linkages to waiting markets. The project will address coastal specific product and varietal development, year-round and extended season production, production methods appropriate to our region, agricultural innovations and new technologies.

Project Impact The North Coast Grown specialty crop project will equip, train and grow the number of successful North Coast Specialty Crop farmers, train farm workers and community producers, while raising awareness and understanding about the opportunities and benefits of this production. Direct results will be increased production and consumer access to locally produced specialty crops. The project will strengthen networks and values chains as the industry grows. Beneficiaries will include farmers, farm workers, restaurants, congregate meal sites, area farmers markets, families and Oregon's specialty crop industry as a whole. The project will create opportunities not yet realized on the North Oregon coast, leading to a stronger, more diversified agricultural economy and healthier communities.

Needs: For Farmers, Markets and Consumers Beginning farmers need support and resources, to grow successful businesses. Local markets are actively seeking locally produced specialty crops. Consumer demand continues to grow dramatically. This project will grow production and help meet that demand. The 2007 Ag census shows 46% of Tillamook County agricultural land is cropland, yet the market value of crop sales is I% of the market value of products sold. Over 80 Specialty Crops have potential for coastal production. Tillamook County spends over $70,000,000 on food annually. Nationally, the demand for specialty crops (including value added organic) continues to grow, with fruit and vegetable sales at $11.8 billion in 2011, up nearly 12% over 2010 sales.

Current Opportunities, Long Term Community and Economic Benefits There are currently a number of local market opportunities that exist for Specialty Crops. Congregate meal sites (Tillamook Bay Child Care Center, Tillamook County Jail), local restaurants, farmers markets and farm direct sales are just a few of these markets. Two Tillamook County School Districts have expressed interest in serving local Specialty Crops in their lunch programs. This project is a very good fit for our bioregion and rural culture. But without investment in our next generation of Specialty Crop farmers and farm workers, these crops will not be produced. This project will kick-start new entries into the Specialty Crop industry in our region, providing ongoing economic benefits to our local food economy as the industry grows. New farmers will be better equipped, additional jobs will be created through these businesses and a better-trained workforce will result. As this industry scales up here on the North Coast, Portland and Seattle urban markets, value-added opportunities and food distribution hubs await development. This project makes a strong case for dollars and sense, now and for the future of North Coast Grown.

Management Commitment to Health and Safety of Tillamook County Employees

We hold in high regard the safety, welfare, and health of our employees. Every reasonable effort shall be made to maintain a safe working environment. No job will be considered so important and no order so urgent that we cannot take time to perform our work safely.

We will establish and require a loss prevention program that emphasizes the integration of safety and health measures into each job task so that safety and job performance become inseparable. This will be accomplished through the cooperative efforts of all employees who will work together to obtain the lowest possible workplace accident rates.

This safety manual will be used as a tool for more effective safety and claims management. A safety committee has been established to coordinate the safety programs and assist management staff in promoting safe working conditions. Safety orientation for new and transferred employees, timely and appropriate training, management/employee safety committee, an active self-inspection program, proper mechanical guards, and personal protective equipment will be some of the tools used to maintain a safe work environment.

We recognize the need to provide a workplace which meets the ergonomic needs of ils employees. All work sites will be evaluated for design, layout and operation using an ergonomic approach. Employees identifying a job site needing modification should notify their Department supervisor.

If you have any questions about our safety policy, rules, or programs please contact your Department supervisor. We will receive the minutes from the safety committee meetings and will take an active role in overseeing that our safety program is effective. Our loss prevention program will be evaluated annually to ensure its success.

By accepting mutual responsibility to operate safely, we will all contribute to the well­being of one another and subsequently our organization.

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR TILLAMOOK COUNTY, OREGON

M'!!abclc!~~ airperson

INTRODUCTION

Safety Manual

This safety manual is divided into 2 main Parts. One Part deals wijh the OSHA Administration Programs and the second Part addresses specific OSHA Safety and Health programs. There is an interconnection among the Parts and chapters thus for the full benefit of our safety program it is important that each of our employees be informed of our safety programs.

Each section is organized with a general overview of the topic, the safety policy including employee responsibilities and specific safety rules. The material is not intended to replace the need for on-going review of safety issues and compliance needs. but is to set out expected safe behaviors and conditions by which our employees will operate. This manual does not cover all safety related issues but is to serve as an overall guide in relationship to safety and health OSHA compliance and issues.

Management is responsible for ensuring that necessary revisions to the Safety Manual and employees are informed of the changes. The Safety Committee is also responsible to make recommendations for changes.

If you have a question about the manual please ask your Supervisor.

Introduction

PART1 SAFETY PROGRAM- GENERAL OBLIGATIONS

Chapter Topic

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Safety Responsibilities Self-Insured Loss Prevention Program Recordkeeping Safety and Health Training Program Accident Investigation

PART2 SPECIFIC OSHA SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAMS

Chapter Topic

1. Safety Committee 2. Emergency Action, Fire Prevention Plan and First Aid 3. Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan 4. Confined Space Entry Plan 5. Hazard Communication Program 6. Control of Hazardous Energy- Lockout/Tagout 7. Noise Exposure and Hearing Conservation Program 8. Personal Protective Equipment 9. Respiratory Protection Program 10. Chemical Hygiene Plan for Laboratories 11. Asbestos Maintenance Program 12. Lead Compliance Plan 13. Ergonomics Program 14. Cranes, Derrick, and Hoist Operations 15. Contractor Safety and Health Hazard Control Notification Policy 16. Forklift Safety 17. Excavation Safety 18. Fall Protection Compliance Plan 19. Welding - Fire & Exposure Control 20. Electrical Safety 21. Ladder Safety

Page

1-6 1-4 1-4 1-7 1 -11

Page

1-12 1 -13 1 -15 1-23 1-7 1 -14 1 -14 1 -13 1-33 1 -17 1-8 1-5 1-3 1-7 1 -13 1 -15 1-5 1 -15 1- 11 1 -16 1 -10

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CJ'REGO>~

June 28. 2013

The Honorable Mark Lab hart Chair, Tillamook County

1County Board of Commissioners

201 Laurel Tillamook, OR 97141

Dear Chair Lab hart:

At the suggestion of Mary Stern, president of the Association of Oregon Counties, l am writing you on behalfofthe Oregon VVVVJI Memorial Foundation.

Oregon is one of six states that do not have a memorial to its W\•VII veterans. Our organization was established to build such a memorial on the capitol grounds in Salem, one that will honor Oregon's \IVV\'11 veterans as well as those civilians that supported the war effort here at home. This will indeed be a memorial to our "Greatest Generation" and the sacrit1ces they endured for our freedoms. Additionally, by using current technology built into the memorial itself. we will be able to share the stories and experiences of this generation in perpetuity, so that future generations can learn from them.

We have the land secured; the plans, permits and contractors in place, and we have raised 60% ofthe funds needed to complete this project We have $450,000 remaining to be

raised.

Recently l presented before the Yamhill County Board of Commissioners, and shortly thereafter was informed by Mary that Yamhill County pledged $5,000. A donation of$5,000 or above ensures that Yamhill County's name will be forever visible at the memorial. The enthusiasm for this project by these commissioners was overwhelming, a~d Mary has cha/lenyed each counry in Oregon to match Yamhill County's $5,000 pledge. lt is Mary's hope that the name of each of Oregon's 36 counties will be reflected on the donor wall as a sign of support for its 1/\1\"111 veterans. Accordingly, l am writing you for your assistance in securing such a pledge from Tillamook county.

I fully recognize the economic hardships faced by many Oregon counties; nevertheless, 1 am asking for your help, so that Tillamook county can assure that every Oregonian in your jurisdiction can be connected to this worthwhile project. Additionally, if you are aware of specific constituents with whom this project would particularly resonate, we would

welcome an introduction.

I have enclosed a very compelling nine-minute video that more fully describes this project and why it is so important to the people of Oregon. After viewing this video, if you would like to learn more about this project on behalf of your county, please feel free to contact me.

Very truly yours,

Lou Jaffe President Oregon 1/l.'VVII Memorial Foundation

I Notice of County Measure Election SEL 801 re~ 1!12: ORS 250 035. 260.041 I 250 115. 2fi4.103. 2M.45t>

~----------------------------------------- ------------------- _ _/

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Notice is hereby given on July 31

Tillamook , 20 13 , that a measure election will be hold in

county, Oregon on November 5 ,2013. --~

Name of County or Counties Date of Election

Tho following shall be the ballot title of the measure to be submitted to the county's voters.

i~~~J~~j'll;~j,W~£~il£iJ;~;;t:,;:f'·'·····

' Measure to authorize a county-wide transient lodging tax.

· Shall Tillamook County be authorized to collect a transient lodging tax throughout Tillamook County including within cities?

This measure would implement Tillamook County Ordinance #74 imposing a 10% tax on lodging . guests at hotels, motels, Inns, Bed and Breakfasts, condos, RV Parks, campgrounds, vacation rentals ; and other similar transient lodging facilities for stays less than 30 days. In cities that already have such · a tax, the percentage of county tax collected from the guest would be offset by the percentage of city tax paid by the guest up to 9%. By state law, lodging operators may retain 5% of tax collections for their costs. Also by state law, 70% of net county lodging tax collections are dedicated for tourism promotion and tourism related facilities. The 30% balance would be dedicated to county road maintenance, after first deducting the county's costs and expenses for collection and enforcement of the tax. The first year, this measure is expected to raise approximately $375,000 for county roads and $1 million for tourism promotion and tourism related facilities.

The following authorized county official hereby certifies the above ballot title is true and the ballot title challenge process has been completed.

07-31-2013 Date Signed mm/dd/yy

Mark Labhart Chair, Tillamook County Board of Commissioners Printed Name of Authorized County Official Title

PL 112-141 TITLE Ill PROJECT SUBMISSION FORM TILLAMOOK COUNTY

NAME OF PROJECT: Tillamook ODF Firewise

DATE SUBMITTED: May 22,2013

PROJECT SPONSOR: Oregon Department of Forestry

SPONSOR'S ADDRESS: 5005 Third Street, Tillamook, OR 97141

CONTACT PERSON: Ed Wallmark

PHONE: 503-815-7050 FAX: 503-842-3143

E-MAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]

Project is authorized under the following category: (see Section 302(a) attached)

C8J Activities under the Firewise Community Programs D Search & Rescue and other Emergency Services on Federal forest lands D Develop Community Wildfire Protection Plans

PROJECT LOCATION: Countywide

Other Identifiers: (Geographic location, Road name or number, Stream name) The proposed communities for outreach programs are countywide and described in the Tillamook County Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP).

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This project has the same goals and objectives from the application approved by the Tillamook County Board of Commissioners on May 22, 2013. This request exhausts the remaining Title 3 funds allocated to the county when shared between ODF and the Sherriff's Office.

PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: A) Education B) Defensible Space Development

Is there an opportunity to tie this Project to an associated Title II Project? Explain: Title 3 guidelines are very specific recognizing Firewise as a Title 3 program.

Proposed Method of Accomplishment:

C8] Contract D Volunteers C8] Agency (ODF) Employees D County

1

1:2J County Corrections (Adult or Juvenile) 1:2J Non-Profit 1:2J Other: Individual Landowners

Current Status of Project Preparation: This project is tied directly to the approved CWPP and will be used to fund the remaining Firewise activities throughout Tillamook County.

Contact person(s) for Project Specific Documentation: Ed Wallmark, ODF Tillamook District Protection Unit Forester

Contact's Telephone Number: 503-815-7050

How does Project meet the purpose of the Legislation? :This project falls within the federal requirements outlined in the Firewise Program (Section 302 (a))

How does the Project benefit your Community? This project benefits the community by reducing the risk of wildfire around homes while providing jobs for contractor work. Educational outreach will also be a major component.

How does the Project improve cooperative relationships among people who use Federal lands and the Federal Management Agency? Priority will be giving to the urban interface area adjacent to federal lands. Collaboration with the Hebo Ranger District and Tillamook BLM is important.

Duration of the Project: A) Education: Would continue periodically throughout each year B) Defensible Space Establishment: Would be performed throughout the year

Anticipated cost of the Project (itemize):

• Review and Consultation Costs: Provided by ODF

• Engineering Costs: $

• Contact Preparation and Administration Costs: $4,000

• Materials and Supplies: $6,000

• Monitoring: Provided by ODF

• Other Costs: Wages/Contracts $37,000

• Indirect Costs (overhead): $

TOTAL COST ESTIMATE: $47,000

ESTIMATED START DATE OF PROJECT: As soon as funding is approved.

2

ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE OF PROJECT: Fall2016

TOTAL FTE:

Identify sources of other funding for Project: (including amounts) None

Project accomplishments and/or expected outcomes: Landowners will learn to identify interface hazards, understand Firewise design of homes and landscapes, educate others about wildland/urban interface fires, and incorporate Firewise planning into existing and developing areas and communities. Landowners will also learn what defensible space from wildfire is and how to establish defensible space and develop techniques to maintain it. Initially, the goal would be to treat (establish defensible space) in excess of 100 structures per year.

Explain how the Project will create or produce a benefit to the Federal resource: By assisting in mitigating the overall risk of wildfire traveling from private property onto federal lands.

Monitoring and reporting plan to measure outcome (What measure or evaluation will be made

to determine how well the proposed project meets the desired objectives?) An ODF coordinator will monitor the programs compliance and act as a liaison with the Tillamook County Planning Department. Coordinator will monitor defensible space establishment projects and monitor homeowner continued involvement in maintaining defensible. A comprehensive report will be produced outlining the progress of the program, including educational opportunities realized and accomplished, and number of homes treated for defensible space establishment.

Other comments: This will be an on-going project working in conjunction and collaboration between ODF, Tillamook County Planning Department, and the CWPP Advisory Committee's review and update of the Community Wildfire Protection Plan.

3

P.L. 112-141 TITLE Ill allowable uses

Sec.302.Use (a) Authorized uses

A participating county, including any applicable agencies of the participating county, shall use county funds, in accordance with this subchapter, only-

(1) to carry out activities under the Firewise Communities program to provide to homeowners in fire-sensitive ecosystems education on, and assistance with implementing, techniques in home siting, home construction, and home landscaping that can increase the protection of people and property from wildfires;

(2) to reimburse the participating county for search and rescue and other emergency services, including firefighting, that are-

(A) performed on Federal land after the date on which the use was approved under subsection (b);

(B) paid for by the participating county; and (3) to develop community wildfire protection plans in coordination with the

appropriate Secretary concerned.

(b) Proposals A participating county shall use county funds for a use described in subsection (a)

only after a 45-day public comment period, at the beginning of which the participating county shall-

(1) publish in any publications of local record a proposal that describes the proposed use of the county funds; and

(2) submit the proposal to any resource advisory committee established under section 7125 of this title for the participating county.

4

PL 112-141 TITLE Ill PROJECT SUBMISSION FORM TILLAMOOK COUNTY

NAME OF PROJECT: Tillamook county Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue

DATE SUBMITTED: May 2, 2013

PROJECT SPONSOR: Sheriff Andy Long

SPONSOR'S ADDRESS: 5995 Long Prairie Road

CONTACT PERSON: Andy Long

PHONE: (503) 815-3345 FAX: (503) 815-3399

E-MAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]

Project is authorized under the following category: (see Section 302(a) attached)

D Activities under the Firewise Community Programs [g] Search & Rescue and other Emergency Services on Federal forest lands D Develop Community Wildfire Protection Plans

PROJECT LOCATION: Tillamook County Federal Forests

Other Identifiers: (Geographic location, Road name or number, Stream name) USFS Lands primarily South Tillamook County

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Contingency money for Search and Rescue events

PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: Repay the County General fund for costly Search and Rescue efforts regarding wages and supplies used.

Is there an opportunity to tie this Project to an associated Title II Project? Explain: None

Proposed Method of Accomplishment:

D Contract D Volunteers D Agency (FS/BLM) Employees [g] County D County Corrections (Adult or Juvenile) D Non-Profit 0 Other:

1

Current Status of Project Preparation: SAR preparation is continuous with both paid Land Search managers from the Sheriff's Office (mandated) and approximately 40 emergency responders (volunteers).

Contact person(s) for Project Specific Documentation: Sheriff Andy Long and Deputy Dean Burdick

Contact's Telephone Number: (503)815-3345

How does Project meet the purpose of the Legislation? : Emergency Services on federal lands within Tillamook County.

How does the Project benefit your Community? Public safety and restoring a strained county general fund.

How does the Project improve cooperative relationships among people who use Federal lands and the Federal Management Agency?

Duration of the Project:

Anticipated cost of the Project (itemize):

• Review and Consultation Costs: $0

• Engineering Costs: $0

• Contact Preparation and Administration Costs: $0

• Materials and Supplies: $5000.00

• Monitoring: $0

• Other Costs: $15,000.00 (personnel)

• Indirect Costs (overhead): $0

TOTAL COST ESTIMATE: $20,000.00

ESTIMATED START DATE OF PROJECT: Deposit money to SAR trust account when available, to remain until reimbursement documentation is received showing expenses for a SAR cases on federal lands.

ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE OF PROJECT: none or when funding in trust is exhausted.

TOTAL FTE: variable

Identify sources of other funding for Project: (including amounts) General fund only. 2

Project accomplishments and/or expected outcomes: Well supplied and trained team saves lives. Tillamook County was the Oregon State Sheriff's 2012 SAR program of the year

Explain how the Project will create or produce a benefit to the Federal resource:

A commitment to the primary rescues source in Tillamook County.

Monitoring and reporting plan to measure outcome (What measure or evaluation will be made to determine how well the proposed project meets the desired objectives?)

Documentation and SAR reports justifying hours and expense.

Other comments:

Much of south Tillamook County is USFS land used in multiple ways, OHV, hunting, minor forest products (moss firewood and mushroom picking) These kinds of activities generate seasonal SAR. Rare but at time demonstrators (civil disturbances that must be addresses in some form by Law enforcement) ..

3

P.L. 112-141 TITLE Ill allowable uses

Sec. 302. Use

{a) Authorized uses A participating county, including any applicable agencies of the participating county,

shall use county funds, in accordance with this subchapter, only-( I) to carry out activities under the Firewise Communities program to

provide to homeowners in fire-sensitive ecosystems education on, and assistance with implementing, techniques in home siting, home construction, and home landscaping that can increase the protection of people and property from wildfires;

(2) to reimburse the participating county for search and rescue and other emergency services, including firefighting, that are-

(A) performed on Federal land after the date on which the use was approved under subsection (b);

(B) paid for by the participating county; and (3) to develop community wildfire protection plans in coordination with the

appropriate Secretary concerned.

{b) Proposals A participating county shall use county funds for a use described in subsection (a)

only after a 45-day public comment period, at the beginning of which the participating county shall-

{ I) publish in any publications of local record a proposal that describes the proposed use of the county funds; and

(2) submit the proposal to any resource advisory committee established under section 7125 of this title for the participating county.

4

NOTICE EMERGENCY ECONOMIC STABILIZATION ACT OF 2010 COMMENT PERIOD ON PROPOSED TITLE Ill PROJECTS

2013 FISCAL YEAR

The County Commissioners received two applications for Title Ill funds. As required by the program, a 45-day public comment period is necessary before the funds can be awarded. The public is encouraged to review the applications and make written comment to the Commissioners.

Copies of all the applications are available in the Commissioners' Office, 201 Laurel Avenue, Tillamook, Oregon. As part of their weekly Board meeting, the Commissioners will hold a Public Hearing at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at which time the applicants will make presentations on their projects and be available for questions. Public comments on the proposed projects will also be received at that time.

Summaries of the 2 projects are as follows: The Oregon Department of Forestry is requesting $47,000 for its Firewise Community Program. The proposed communities for outreach programs are countywide and are described in the Tillamook County Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP).

Under Firewise, additional workshops for developers, planners, contractors, etc., will take place to help participants to identify interface hazards and understand concepts of Firewise design of homes and landscapes, educate others about wildland/urban interface fires and incorporate Firewise planning into existing and developing areas of Tillamook County Communities. Fire safety trailers will be played at local theaters during fire season and booths promoting Firewise ideas will be displayed at shows, festivals and the Tillamook County Fair. An additional aspect to this Firewise proposal will be to educate and aid individual landowners occupying property in CWPP communities to perform defensible space establishment around "at-risk" structures. Major emphasis will be placed on educating landowners on how to maintain their defensible space and fuels reduction on lands within the CWPP for years to come.

Tillamook County Sheriff Andy Long is requesting $20,000 for reimbursement for Search and Rescue or Other Emergency Services on Federal Land. This amount would reimburse the county for salary/wages of emergency response personnel deployed during an emergency response; replace equipment, material and supplies expended, damaged or destroyed during an emergency response; repair equipment damaged during an emergency response; and maintain vehicles, equipment and facilities during an emergency response.