IN THE COUNTY COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON

IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF GRANT

AUGUST 3, 2011

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

9:00 am — Call to Order. Present were Judge Mark R. Webb, Commissioner Boyd Britton, Secretary Mary Ferrioli and Pastor and Mrs. Richie Colbeth. Commissioner Scott W. Myers was absent today for a medical appointment. A Pledge of Allegiance was given to the US flag. The invocation was given by Pastor Colbeth.

HAND CHECK. Commissioner Britton had signed a hand check earlier in the week for expenses to attend the Assessor’s Conference.

PROGRAM. MSP: Webb/Britton — to accept the program with an out-of-sequence appointment to the Library Advisory Board as Item F.

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Webb reported on August 1 meetings with the Umatilla NF Supervisor and Planner in the morning and the Community Counseling Solutions board of directors in the afternoon. He remarked on the BMFP tour last Wednesday afternoon about the next Malheur NF project along the North Fork. Webb also had a meeting yesterday with the Library Board Chair.

Britton had meet with the Librarian on August 1 and had conversations with the Malheur NF Supervisor and ODF&W, plus the Library Board Chair. He planned to attend the Library Advisory Board meeting on August 4. Britton reported on his participation in the Sol West Renewable Energy Fair this past weekend.

MINUTES. MSP: Webb/Britton — to approve the minutes of July 27 as amended.

9:10 am – Treasurer Kathy Smith and Assessor Lane Burton entered

ASSESSOR. Assessor Lane Burton said he’d like to see the County Court start the process to vacate the Old Ingle Creek Road, so he can put it on the tax rolls. He provided copies of a current survey of that road. Webb indicated that normally landowners would approach the county with a signed petition and request to vacate. Discussion took place about whether or not the county could initiate the process, rather than responding to the landowners’ request. Webb planned to ask legal counsel about the county’s ability to initiate the process. It was noted that the vacation

would split property between landowners so it’s important that someone else, such as the Roadmaster, initiate the process.

9:25 am – News Reporter Scotta Callister entered

LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD. Court members received a previous request from Library Advisory Board Chair Adele Cerney to appoint applicant Jandy Torland now to fill a vacant position on the board. The court understood the board has been having difficulty getting a quorum during the summer months. MSP: Webb/Britton — to appoint Jandy Torland to the vacant position on the Library Advisory Board that expires June 30, 2015. Some general discussion took place about changes in membership and the inter-relationship among the various Library Advisory Board and Grant County Library Foundation members.

TITLE 3. The court discussed a request from NF John Day Watershed Council Director Elaine Eisenbraun to serve on the County Title 3 Healthy Private Timberlands SOQ Review Committee. Commissioner Britton stated that Roje Goottee and Larry Blasing have already been identified to serve on the Review Committee. With court approval, Britton planned to go forward with these two volunteers, plus Title 3 Coordinator Sue Newstetter, and convene the Review Committee. He added that Dennis Reynolds may decide to participate in the near future. Webb felt Eisenbraun was an asset and should be kept in mind. At the same time, Webb felt those identified had a good background in forestry and would represent the county well. MSP: Britton/Webb — to appoint Commissioner Britton, Roje Goottee and Larry Blasing to serve on the County Title 3 Healthy Private Timberlands SOQ Review Committee.

9:55 am — Mark Hensley and Lane Burton entered

DIXIE BUTTE RADIO BUILDING. Roadmaster Mark Hensley and the court discussed options for improving the Dixie Butte radio facility. Hensley asked if the court wanted to remodel the building or replace it. He reported that he was up there yesterday and had taken some pictures. Hensley had spoken to Shannon Voigt about cost estimates and also received some informal quotes from Wheeler Communications showing it would cost $20,000 to $30,000 + to purchase and set up a new building. Hensley suggested upgrading the existing structure with a new roof, siding and interior improvements at an estimated cost of $10,000 to $12,000. He said that today he found out that Oregon Telephone Company would like to share in the expense because they are putting in new equipment and could supply a new tower. Hensley thought 12′ x 20′ modular buildings being considered would be difficult to place up there. Webb suggested that Hensley talk more with Ortelco before speaking with the Forest Service about a NEPA and what needs to be done. Hensley agreed, but said he was more inclined to simply move ahead with the less complicated and less expensive option of remodeling the building. He expected remodeling to cause only a one-day service delay, but that could stretch into several days with a new building.

Assessor Lane Burton and Hensley talked about the process of initiating a vacation of the Old Ingle Creek Road.

RADIO COMMUNICATIONS. Roadmaster Mark Hensley talked about switching radio equipment to narrow band. He said the switch is getting close and he would like to take funds to do that this year from Road Department Contingency. He added that we might need to look for another repeater site to hit the northwest corner of the county. Hensley has been working with Wheeler’s Communications to obtain bids for switching over to narrow band.

10:25 am – Larry Pierce, Les Zaitz, Robert Lewis, and Mary Weaver entered

FAIRGROUNDS INSPECTION. Fair Board President Les Zaitz and Fair Manager Mary Weaver expressed concerns with commercial inspection reports on fairgrounds buildings the Fair Board obtained as part of their Strategic Planning project. Former Fair Board member Larry Pierce and current Fair Board member Robert Lewis were present. Weaver explained there is a lot of concern about the condition and safety of the fairgrounds. She was most concerned with the grandstands and ramp that need to be fixed, as well as the stairs going down to the beer garden. These things would need to be repaired before Fair starts. She also wanted to get the Lions deck fixed and thought we shouldn’t use the Sales Barn at all. Weaver talked about electrical problems with the breaker box for the arena. Larry Pierce stated that the breaker has been a problem for years. Weaver thought staff could make some repairs themselves, but materials would be needed. She suggested that Community Services workers be used for extra help, but recommended having professionals do all electric work. Additionally, Weaver addressed protruding tree roots and door thresholds to buildings that need to accommodate wheelchair access.

Britton believed much more was involved with this because the State Fire Marshall and other building codes need to be satisfied in the process. Weaver was hoping to simply fix boards and the most serious grandstand hazards before fair. She suggested that a thorough code-compliant rehabilitation could be done later.

Les Zaitz recommended that critical safety issues that put the public at risk be fixed before fair. If the court agrees, he said the board would return soon with a short list of specific repairs and the estimated costs. Robert Lewis expressed concern about the possibility of a breaker box shorting out since there’s evidence that water has been present.?

Britton thought critical repairs were needed, but pointed out that the fair’s budget is in the red, so the court would see what they can do to help. Personally, Britton did not agree with making “patch” repairs and suggested that plans be made well in advance to provide an opportunity for making code-compliant repairs. Webb pointed out that he had previously given the Fair Manager permission to have the electrician to look at the breaker box. MSP: Webb/Britton– to allow a court member to approve the critical repairs as described, if estimated costs are ready before the next County Court meeting.

11:00 am — Teresa Raaf and Pattie Hammett entered

TRAVEL MANAGEMENT. Malheur NF Supervisor Teresa Raaf and Public Affairs Officer Pattie Hammett provided information about the Environmental Assessment for Travel Management. Raaf was here to ask the County Court what it would like to see happen within the Travel Management Plan. She noted that the action does not make changes to the road inventory, but only to how roads are used. The main purpose of the national rule is to close “cross country” travel. She addressed the delay in enforcement during the five year educational process. Webb sought clarification on how roads are designated, as either open or closed. According to Raaf, unless a road is displayed on the map, it is closed. Hammett acknowledged there may be some errors on the map about which the public may be able to provide input. She indicated that Grant County Snowballers’ have been working with the Forest Service about certain roads. Other topics addressed included the process for previously closed roads, how law enforcement activities are being conducted, the national rule for no cross county travel, the national administrative rules’ influence on regulations, regulating game retrieval and other specific uses, connectivity, impacts on the forest’s overall program of work, and potential impacts on the local community. Raaf announced that the new Prairie City District Ranger is former logger Randy Gould. She also mentioned forest projects that are currently out for comment.

TEMOROARY STORAGE. On August 4, Commissioner Britton gave permission to the Town of Canyon City to park a trailer — loaded with cedar for the museum remodel project – in an open bay on county property located at 323 S. Canyon Blvd for one month at no cost.

11:30 am — Adjourned

Respectfully Submitted,

Mary R. Ferrioli

County Court Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

MINUTES OF THE GRANT COUNTY COURT AUGUST 3, 2011 APPROVED PAGE 4