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 Boyd Britton, Secretary Mary Ferrioli, Economic Development Coordinator Sally Bartlett, and Pastor Darrell Johnson. Commissioner Scott W. Myers was absent to attend jury orientation in Circuit Court. The Pledge of Allegiance was given to the United States flag. An opening prayer was given by Pastor Darrell Johnson.

PROGRAM. MSP: Britton/Webb – to accept the program with the addition of an Executive Session under ORS 192.660 (2)(b) to discuss the dismissal or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent.

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Britton reported on a recent lunch meeting that he had with Association of Oregon Counties and local mental health representatives.

Webb said a meeting was planned for September 25th at 10:00 am at the Outpost Restaurant with Heidi Biebler Cole along with Wallow, Union, and Harney County representatives. Britton added that he heard the Malheur National Forest Supervisors would also attend.

Webb reported that he and Commission on Children & Families Director Dana Brooks would be at Community Counseling Solutions in Heppner September 8th to attend a board meeting, review the adoption budget, and tour the McNary Secure Residential Treatment Facility.

Webb said he would visit with Oregon Historical Society representative Larry Johnson on September 11th concerning a presentation about a piece being done on contemporary rural Oregon, and how the loss of timber dollars impacts our community. Attendees would also include OSP Sgt. Gordon Larson and ESD representative Paul Smith.

Britton reported on discussions at the Extension & 4H Service District lunch meeting that he and Myers attended August 27th at which OSU Outreach representative & Extension Vice Provost Scott Reid was present to discuss the future role of the district within the community.

MINUTES. MSP: Britton/Webb — to approve the August 27th Minutes as amended.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. Economic Development Coordinator Sally Bartlett requested approval to attend the Oregon Economic Development Association Conference (OEDAC) in Silverton October 5 – 7. Total estimated cost was $621 which includes two nights lodging, meals and mileage. She indicated that we have already paid our $500 annual membership fee and many individuals with the Oregon Economic & Community Development Department would be attending. Bartlett felt it was important to network with people, find out what other communities are doing, and let others know what kind of development our county is looking for. MSP: Webb/Britton — to allow Sally Bartlett to attend the OEDAC in Silverton October 5 – 7 at the estimated cost of $621.

Bartlett asked for approval to act as a consultant through Eastern Oregon University’s Small Business Development Center, to provide training to small business owners. It was noted that the previous Economic Development Coordinator had acted in that role while working for the county. Bartlett said the SBDC sets up the business classes and the instructor, but the local facilitator for this group (Jake Pilling) has now left the community. The financial institutions paid for the program materials, but no one is available to facilitate that program. She stated that 13 small businesses are still involved in the program which continues for another 6 or 7 months. Bartlett explained how community representatives have jointly supported continuation of this program and future training for local small businesses. She reported that the participating small businesses really like the personal attention they are receiving from the instructor. Bartlett said, because she is willing to assist with facilitation, EOU-SBDC plans to make a $2,500 contribution to the website development (as technical assistance), as soon as the MOU can be signed. She presented a draft Memorandum of Understanding with the EOU-SBDC, Chamber of Commerce and local financial officers, to continue facilitation of a series of classes for small businesses in Grant County.

MSP: Britton/Webb — to allow Sally Bartlett to serve as consultant to the EOU Small Business Development Center and provide facilitation services to keep the small business classes going.

9:20 am – News Reporter Scotta Callister and Commissioner Scott W. Myers entered.

Bartlett explained that the SBDC has a contract with Oregon Department of Transportation, and are looking for someone to teach 10 classes for small business operators. Target businesses are those owned by women, immigrants, or emerging business that wish to contract with ODOT. Bartlett asked if she could do that outside of her county employment, since it won’t have anything to do with economic development. She saw this request as simply teaching classes for ODOT about their contracting procedure. Bartlett said teaching is something that she really likes to do. The court was told that these teaching duties would not interfere with any of her other duties. MSP: Myers/Britton — that Sally Bartlett be allowed to teach the ODOT classes as requested.

COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS. The court reviewed and considered applications submitted by local citizens during the county’s quarterly volunteer recruitment process.

Commission on Children & Families. Myers said Keil has been attending Commission meetings for the last few months and would be an excellent member. MSP: Myers/Webb — to appoint Jan Keil to the Commission on Children & Families.

9:30 am – Mark Hensley entered.

Law Enforcement Review Council. MSP: Britton/Myers — to re-appoint Byron Haberly in the senior citizen position on the Law Enforcement Review Council for a term ending June 30, 2010. It was pointed out that Mr. Snider has been difficult to contact, has had some health problems, and his response was received after the deadline. MSP: Britton/Myers — to not re-appoint David Snider to the Law Enforcement Review Council at this time for various reasons including current health problems. Ms. Webster has no phone listing and the USPS mail box has been closed. MSP: Britton/Webb – to not re-appoint Michelle Webster for lack of participation and /or contact.

No applications to serve on the Extension & 4H Service District Advisory Council, Library Board, Planning Commission, Road Advisory Board, Senior Citizens Advisory Council, Transient Room Tax Review Committee, and Wildlife Advisory Board had been submitted.

Road Advisory Board. Myers asked Roadmaster Mark Hensley if the board had been contacted about vacations or construction projects, or if he knew someone who could fill a vacancy. Hensley said there hasn’t been a meeting this year because no major construction projects are going to be done. But, he thought it might be good to call a meeting once or twice each year anyway. He said some members of the board were disappointed in the past when final decisions by the court did not reflect board recommendations. For example, the board recommended no involvement with the Heritage Foundation Building Project. Britton encouraged Hensley to call a meeting to talk about vacation and other road issues.

CR 30. Discussion followed about the idea of making a site visit to County Road 30 in Long Creek to review some problems associated with right-of-way. Webb said that he could go out with Hensley on the road tour.

530 E. MAIN. Court members and Roadmaster Mark Hensley discussed plans to insulate the exterior wall along east side of commercial property located at 530 E. Main – associated with water pipes that froze last winter. Hensley was present to offer assistance with plans to create an insulation bank along the lower section of the exterior east wall.

Hensley suggested that the bank be re-sloped to create enough fill for wall insulation. Myers suggested applying tar or waterproof paint before placing the fill. The court noted that contact with the church would be needed to see about the exact location of the property line. Myers planned to visit with the church pastor later today. Some discussion followed about the type of equipment that would be needed to perform this work.

Interior wall repairs in a few units are needed because of work done last winter to thaw frozen water pipes. Myers planned to consider the best method to install vents over holes in the wall, to allow interior heat to reach the pipes.

EXECUTIVE SESSION. At 10:00 am the court met in Executive Session under ORS 192.660(2)(b) to consider the disciplining, or dismissal of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, 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 10:19 am the court returned to General Session. No motions were necessary as a result of discussion.

10:20 am — Adjourned

Respectfully Submitted,

Mary R. Ferrioli

County Court Secretary