County directs staff to get quotes to clean blighted, county-owned properties under HB 2089; planning staffing also addressed

Klamath County’s property manager presented a list of county-owned parcels with blight, demolition and solid-waste issues and asked the board whether to establish a reimbursable cleanup-start fund and to authorize obtaining contractor quotes under the new House Bill 2089.

Terry Wells described several parcels with burned structures, vehicles, and accumulated solid waste and recommended obtaining demolition and waste-removal quotes rather than immediately undertaking full interior cleanouts. Wells said the county’s current published real-market values determine minimum bids and that cleanup could change those values; Wells sought direction before soliciting bids.

Commissioners said they want case-by-case bids for each parcel to assess return on investment and the potential that cleanup would be reimbursable at sale. One commissioner suggested seeking volunteer help for some non-hazardous tasks but emphasized that the county must not let properties create a bad public appearance. The board directed staff to obtain quotes for all parcels and return with details on cleanup costs, liens, and updated minimum bids.

Separately, planning staff reported a backlog of permit applications after retirements and an influx of new applications. Staff proposed loaning a public-works engineering technician to planning to increase processing capacity in the short term and said fee increases and technology investments will be considered during the budget hearings at month end.

What happens next: property staff will obtain quotes for cleanup and provide lien/tax and RMV analyses; planning and public works will implement a temporary staffing arrangement and present a fee/technology proposal at the budget hearings.