Pursuant to notice made to the newspaper of general circulation throughout Grant County, the radio station in Grant County, and to interested persons on the Grant County e-mail list, a regular meeting of the County Court was held at the County Courthouse in Canyon City OR.

9:05 am — Called to Order. Present were Judge Mark R. Webb, Commissioner Scott W. Myers, Secretary Mary Ferrioli, and Pastor Flora Cheadle. Commissioner Boyd Britton had an excused absence. The Pledge of Allegiance was given to the United States flag. An opening prayer was given by Pastor Flora Cheadle.

CLAIMS. The court had reviewed and approved claims submitted by the Deputy Clerk Bookkeeper. Extension District Warrant Nos. 56 – 61 were signed. A tagged claim was for the Fair for purchasing an item outside of Central Supply.

PROGRAM. MSP: Webb/Myers — to accept the program with the addition of the Regional/Rural Investment Program “Capacity Building Grant” contract to support the Economic Development Coordinator position as Item G.

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Webb reported on the John Day / Snake River Resource Advisory Council board meeting that he attended in Pendleton on December 4th.

Webb noted that Commissioner Britton is in Washington DC today, at the invitation of Senator Ron Wyden, to testify before the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

9:08 am – Lane Burton and Kathy Smith entered.

ASSESSOR. Assessor Lane Burton requested that the court designate the first parking space to the south outside the west entrance to the Courthouse. MSP: Webb/Myers – that the Assessor be allowed to receive the parking spot that he wishes. During discussion, Myers asked if Burton foresaw any similar requests. Burton pointed out that, other than the DA and County Judge, all elected officials already have a designated parking spot.

MINUTES. MSP: Webb/Myers — to approve the December 5 Minutes as presented.

9:30 am – Brenda Percy and Kathy Smith entered.

PUBLIC HEALTH ADMIN / NURSE PRACTITIONER. The court considered candidates for an interview panel for the Public Health Administrator / Nurse Practitioner recruitment process.

Personnel Manager Brenda Percy and Treasurer Kathy Smith were also present. It was noted that Dr. Robert Holland plans to participate and has set aside the afternoons of December 27th and 28th for conducting interviews. Myers volunteered to serve on the interview panel. Webb suggested that Commissioner Carl Stiff, of Baker County, would be a good addition. He agreed to contact Dr. Stiff. Smith said she was on the last interview panel for this position. She planned to review the list of questions to be sure that administrative and budget issues are addressed. Webb reported on a recent contact that he received from a representative of an out-of-state placement service. Percy identified a list of Oregon licensed family nurse practitioners that she has discussed with Karen Triplett. Percy estimated that mailing nearly 1,000 letters would cost several hundred dollars. The court considered the idea of sending solicitation letters indicated that interviews are anticipated to take place on December 27th & 28th. Percy reported, so far, only one administrator contact has been received by the Employment Division (with a December 19th deadline). With the court’s permission, Percy planned to begin preparing the standard form letter and mailing list today.

BUDGET RESOLUTIONS. The court reviewed and signed Resolution 07-58 Making Budgeted Transfers From Women Infants & Children / $8,527, Family Planning / $14,750, Bioterrorism / $6,250 and Sanitarian / $2,121 to Maternal & Child Health; Resolution 07-59 Making Intrafund Transfers, DA Revolving Fund in the amount of $100; and Resolution 07-60 Making Budgeted Transfers, General & Special Funds from General / $15,000 to Fair, from General / $9,411 to Unemployment Reserve, from General / $20,257 to Airport, from General / $27,416 to Senior Citizens, from Road / $17,800 to Unemployment Reserve, from Fair / $200 to Unemployment Reserve, from Commission on Children & Families / $200 to Unemployment Reserve, from Community Corrections / $300 to Unemployment Reserve, from Airport / $200 to Unemployment Reserve, from Mental Health / $6,804 to Unemployment Reserve, from Maternal Child Health / $1,300 to Unemployment Reserve, from DA Revolving / $370 to Unemployment Reserve, and from Senior Citizens / $200 to Unemployment Reserve.

CAMI GRANT. Victim Assistance Program Director Karen Johnston previously recommended signature on the 2007-2009 Child Abuse Multidisciplinary Intervention (CAMI) Grant Program Award totaling $47,048.40. Expenditures for this annual non-competitive grant are both directed and approved by the Multidiscipline Team; however, funds are deposited and dispersed by the county. Treasurer Smith explained that the award was higher than the budgeted amount, but it would be watched closely in case a resolution to allow more spending authority is needed in the future. MSP: Myers/Webb – that we authorized Judge Webb to sign the CAMI award contract

CAPACITY BUILDING GRANT. The court reviewed and signed the county’s Regional Rural Investment Program Capacity Building contract in the amount of $50,000 to support the Economic Development Coordinator position through June 30, 2009. MSP: Myers/Webb – to authorize Judge Webb to sign the Capacity Building award contract.

10:00 am – Kerryann Woomer and Kathy Smith entered.

CAPITAL OUTLAY. Prevention Program Coordinator Kerryann Woomer requested approval to purchase a new bookcase, from the Drug-Free Communities Grant, to accommodate storage for prevention program materials. She indicated that her personal bookcase has been used, but now she has another need for that item. Cost quotes were provided from Quill for a 5-shelf @ $192.37 & 6-shelf @ $276.94 and from King’s @ $192.43 for a 5-shelf bookcase. Woomer recommended obtaining a comparable bookcase at the local King’s discount store without shipping. MSP: Myers/Webb – to authorize acquisition of the bookcase at King’s as presented.

10:30 pm – Bill Harrington and Brenda Percy entered.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Center for Human Development Director Bill Harrington sought clarification about policy on Leave of Absence and asked for approval of an employee’s 3-week leave without pay. He explained, for the last two years one of his employees was given time away from work to travel to Maine for the holiday season. Until this time, Harrington was not aware that a formal Leave of Absence Request was required. Personnel Manager Brenda Percy considered that leave without pay for vacation to be a “planned absence” that warrants a Leave of Absence approval process. Percy felt the policy was confusing. Webb, too, felt policy was unclear about what constitutes “leave of absence.” He was concerned that the attempt to honor one employee impacts others by placing a heavy workload on remaining employees. Harrington felt Webb was correct that additional work is placed on other staff. He explained that during this time some clients may not be seen as frequently, but other employees have been supportive and adjusted their schedules to accommodate the leave. Harrington acknowledged that the employee’s leave without pay this year is a little longer than in the past. If a 3 week leave could happen without significant impact, Webb wondered if things were really as stressful for employees as has been described in the past. Harrington explained that, with staff reductions, clients are prepared to expect “triage” and less service during those periods. When Myers asked if Harrington could afford a similar request from other employees, he replied yes. Other discussion followed about strategies that are being implemented to manage planned absences within the department.

11:30 am – Robert Waltenburg, Newell Cleaver, Debbie Gillespie, Michael Reule, Brian Gander, David Kerr and News Reporter Scotta Callister.

SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENTS. Education Service District Superintendent Robert Waltenburg gave a Powerpoint presentation titled, “A Great Partnership” – Grant County Government and Grant County Schools. Waltenburg was accompanied by Dayville School District Superintendent Debbie Gillespie, Monument School District Superintendent Michael Reule, Grant District No. 3 Superintendent Newell Cleaver, Long Creek School Superintendent Brian Gander and Prairie City School Superintendent David Kerr.

The presentation highlighted a variety of building improvements among Grant County school districts such as roof rehabilitation, new flooring and carpeting, window replacement, exterior paint, handicapped access, heating and cooling system upgrade, new boiler, locker rooms remodeling, gymnasium upgrade, computer lab upgrade, drainage issues and new sidewalk. An introduction and informational exchange followed the computer presentation.

11:55 am — Adjourned

Respectfully Submitted,

Mary R. Ferrioli

County Court Secretary