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 and Commissioners Scott W. Myers and Boyd Britton, Secretary Mary Ferrioli, Pastor Andy Anderson, Treasurer Kathy Smith, News Reporter Scotta Callister and guest Sally Shepard. The Pledge of Allegiance was given to the United States flag. An opening prayer was given by Pastor Andy Anderson.

CLAIMS. The court had reviewed and approved claims submitted by the Deputy Clerk-Bookkeeper.

Tagged claims were to Oregon Life Solutions / over per diem, to Bank of Eastern Oregon / County Court member over per diem, and to Boyd Britton Welding Inc. / for a conflict of interest.

PROGRAM. MSP: Webb/Myers — to accept the program with the addition of discussion on a contract for the Truck & Tractor Pull event at the fairgrounds as Item J.

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Myers reported on discussion held at the Commission on Children & Families’ meeting on May 6th.

Britton reported on the May 6th meeting at 2:30 pm at City Hall in Prairie City with Dept of Land Conservation and Development representative Grant Young, county Planning Director and local planners regarding Prairie City’s proposed urban growth boundary.

Britton talked about a meeting at the Outpost Restaurant with a US Economic Development Administration representative about potential grants and opportunities for economic development.

Britton remarked on current activities taking place on the Egley and Thorn fire salvage and the appellant meeting to be held on May 8th at the federal building.

Webb reported on the Connect Oregon II projects final ranking process which he participated in last week in Portland. The county’s airport terminal project would likely be funded by the Oregon Transportation Commission on May 13th.

9:20 am – Bill Harrington entered.

Webb commented on the Biomass Conference that he attended on May 1st in Bend.

Webb remarked on conversations he had over the past several days with timber industry representatives, state officials and the environmentalist / conservationist community regarding the proposed alternatives for the Thorn and Egley fire salvage. Webb said that the county is being very clear with the Governor’s Office that it is now important for the Governor (as the state’s representative) to take a strong public position on federal land management issues.

MINUTES. MSP: Myers/Webb — to approve the April 30, 2008 Minutes as amended.

HARNEY AND LAKE DD SERVICES. Center for Human Development Director Bill Harrington recommended signature of an Administrative Service Agreement with Eastern Oregon Human Services Consortium for Harney and Lake County Developmental Disabilities Services. Webb confirmed with Treasurer Kathy Smith that the budget questions have been satisfactorily answered. It was noted that previous discussion has already taken place about this new program agreement. The document was signed by all court members.

9:30 am – Personnel Manager Brenda Percy entered.

MENTAL HEALTH STAFFING. Center for Human Development Director Bill Harrington recommended increasing a part time Case Manager to full time and filling a part time Secretary vacancy. He explained that additional administrative time is needed in the area of billing to reduce stress and overtime situations, and provide additional coverage for the front desk. Harrington said that increased work hours for the Case Manager would eventually be covered by the state Drug Court grant. But, additional funds have become available now for intensive case management and state referrals, and GOBHI (cost of living) dollars have increased.

Webb confirmed with Harrington that the Drug Court grant has been approved by the state and funding would begin July 1st. In response to Webb’s inquiry, Harrington said that the full time Case Manager position could be sustained even without the Drug Court grant. MSP: Britton/Webb — to allow Mr. Harrington to fill the part time Secretary position. MSP: Britton /Myers — to allow Mr. Harrington to increase the Case Manager position to full time effective May 26th.

DHS AGREEMENT AMENDMENT. The court reviewed and approved Amendment No. 2 to DHS Agreement No. 109767-02 to provide assistance to Oregon Health Plan clients to apply for OHP program services. MSP: Webb/Britton — to allow Judge Webb to sign Amendment No. 2 to DHS Agreement No. 109767-02.

BUDGET RESOLUTION. The court reviewed and signed Resolution 08-22 Making Intrafund Transfers, Bioterrorism Fund, in the total amount of $2,000 from Personnel Services and Capital to Materials & Services due to increased requirements. Treasurer Kathy Smith noted that more money was spent than was available in the fund so she reminded the department how important it is to closely watch fund balances.

HEALTH DEPT WORK HOURS. Court members discussed establishing a 32 hr per week staggered work schedule for Health Department employees. Webb explained a recent meeting with the Personnel Manager and the employees about establishing newly aligned work hours for the department. Two employees’ work hours were recently reduced to 30 hrs per week. Today, the court authorized them to work 32 hrs per week. MSP: Myers/Britton — to authorize Anna Gillihan and Joanne Moles to work 32 hours per week effective May 6th.

EXECUTIVE SESSION. At 10:00 am the court met in Executive Session under ORS 192.660(2)(a) to consider the employment of a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent. Webb recited the State Attorney General’s Sample Script to Announce the Start of Executive Session.

At 10:50 am the court returned to General Session. There were no motions.

11:00 am – Everett Shilts and others (see below) entered

PREDATOR CONTROL. Concerned citizen Everett Shilts requested discussion with the court on predator control issues involving losses to ranchers and businesses. Supporting Shilts were a number of representatives of the Oregon Cattleman’s Association and Oregon Hunters Association including Gerald and Jean Sagert, Carl Heckman, DeLois Brewer and Ken Moore, and Sheriff Glenn Palmer. Shilts, a Long Creek rancher, felt the predator situation was out of control in Grant County i.e., the cougar population in Oregon has increased from around 200 to about 5,000. He suggested there was a need to obtain better counts of existing predator populations and identify what can be done to improve the situation. Shilts proposed that funds be solicited from businesses, ranching and hunting associations, and outdoor enthusiasts, to be given to a tax exempt association, for the purpose of obtaining grant funds to allow the Sheriff’s Office to hire a Predator Control Officer.

Britton asked for more details of the proposed program for a Predator Control Officer within the Sheriff’s Office. Shilts felt the chances of finding a competent hunter within the community were good, based on an appropriate and professional job description. Shilts said that he would prefer to have the state give ranchers authority to hunt cougars with dogs, but that would never happen.

Webb had some concern with legal issues. He asked Shilts for a written proposal that could be reviewed and evaluated by legal counsel. Shilts agreed with providing a written document and asked for assistance by association members present today. Oregon Cattlemen’s Association past President Sharon Livingston talked about her work with the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife and said she believed the program can be viable in the eyes of the state. She addressed the need to stay within legal parameters and to manage public perception.

Other discussion followed about a federal employee who resides in Wheeler County that has handled some predator control, and about the desire to establish a similar program in Grant County within county government.

Webb suggested that a strong statement might be made to ODF&W if citizens take a stand by no longer purchasing hunting permits that directly fund that state agency.

Sheriff Palmer noted that the passage of Ballot Measure 18 was carried by two urban counties. He reported that the requirement is for law enforcement to be responsible for predator and game animal control associated with state wildlife laws. Palmer described cougar damage calls that he has made in the past in which ODF&W had declined to take any action.

Shilts said he would work on developing a written proposal for submission to the County Court as requested. Webb said he was willing to look at the proposal, have legal counsel look at the proposal, and see if there is something the county can do to deal with the predator problem.

12:15 pm – Lunch Recess. The meeting reconvened at 1:30 pm. Present were Judge Webb and Commissioner Myers, the Court Secretary, and Treasurer Kathy Smith. Commission Britton was absent.

SAFETY PROGRAM. Safety Officer Dena Bush previously recommended court approval of the Safety Committee Charter, Appendix A, (4) Safety Plans and county-wide Safety Training Program for new employees. All Safety Committee members had reviewed and approved the Charter, and all Department Heads had reviewed and approved the following Safety Plans: “Safety Policies and Procedures Plan,” “Hazard Communication Safety Plan,” ” Personal Protective Equipment Safety Plan,” ” and Blood borne Pathogens Safety Plan.” Two other county-wide safety plans are in still in the development process. Court members signed the documents based on the Safety Officer’s recommendation.

MULTI-COUNTY EMS. Court members considered a proposal by Harney County to form a multi-county emergency management program that meets state requirements to receive state funding. Grant, Harney and Lake Counties currently do not have an EMS Coordinator position filled. Oregon Emergency Management is in support of state funding for a multi-county EMS Program that is now in the process of being reviewed and developed, under the leadership of Harney County Judge Steve Grasty. In the coming weeks, each county would need to determine its status with regard to EMS program requirements. MSP: Myers/Webb – to authorize Judge Webb to work with Harney County on the proposed plan.

BLUE MT. FOREST PARTNERS. The court considered a request by Blue Mountain Forest Partners (BMFP) for additional financial support for a Title III funded part time staff position. The $40,000 budget for this position lacks full support. The BMFP have received a $4,000 private foundation grant and were approved for Title III grant funding in the amount of $30,000. Contributions by commercial businesses and non-profit organizations, toward the $6,000 shortfall, are being requested at this time. Webb planned to obtain further clarification about the focus of the request to the partners. He felt that a $500 contribution over two years could be made from the

court’s travel fund. Myers was in agreement. MSP: Myers/Webb – to contribute $500 to Blue Mountain Forest Partners, for the biennium, out of the General Fund.

TRUCK & TRACTOR PULL EVENT. The Fair Manager previously presented a Professional Services Contract with United Truck & Tractor Pullers, of Idaho Falls, for signature. Treasurer Kathy Smith said a Supplemental Budget process will be necessary before the June 13th & 14th event because the fair budgeted for this service for only one-day. She added that the two-day event will cause the fund to exceed budget authority and other expenses are pending for the balance of this year. The contract was signed by Webb and Myers.

AIRPORT PROJECT. Airport Manager Gary Judd previously recommended that the court approve the FAA grant award in the amount of $348,236, to be used as a match for the current Connect Oregon runway extension project. Treasurer Kathy Smith pointed out that the amount offered is 74.16% of the total budget, so the project has not been fully funded at this time. She added that it is “expected” the balance of $121,335 would become available later this year. Smith asked . . . if it does not become available, where would the $121,335 come from to finish this project? A second contract with Hap Taylor & Sons, Inc. dba Knife River in the amount of $279,682.45 was also presented for signature. Knife River was awarded the bid for the Runway Extensions & Diagonal Taxiway Project during the April 16, 2008 court meeting. MSP: Myers/Webb – to authorize Judge Webb to sign both contracts, based on legal counsel’s review and approval.

2:10 pm — Adjourned

Respectfully Submitted,

Mary R. Ferrioli

County Court Secretary