IN THE COUNTY COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON

IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF GRANT

AUGUST 17, 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, Commissioners Scott W. Myers and Boyd Britton, Secretary Mary Ferrioli, Pastor Eric Bortell and Assistant Planner Shannon Springer. A Pledge of Allegiance was given to the United States flag. The invocation was given by Pastor Bortell.

PROGRAM. MSP: Webb/Myers — to accept the program with a brief discussion on the current status of the Healthy Private Timberlands Title 3 project.

9:03 am – News Reporter Scotta Callister and Treasurer Kathy Smith entered

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Webb would be traveling to Salem this afternoon for a meeting of the Governor’s Global Budget Methodology Work Group that is currently addressing needed changes in health care financing.

Myers had attended a Northeast Oregon Housing Authority quarterly meeting in Baker City on August 16. He planned to attend a Mental Health Advisory Board meeting at Community Counseling Solutions on August 19.

Britton reported on Congressman Walden’s industry meeting at Grant Western Lumber last Thursday and the Congressman’s Town Hall meeting that followed in Long Creek. Britton reported on his meeting with Charlie O’Rourke on the Camp Creek Project (on the middle fork) last Saturday that was followed by a meeting with Forest Service representatives and members of the local ranching community on Monday. Britton planned to attend Transportation Commission meetings being held at the airport today and tomorrow.

Court members responded to the News Reporter’s questions about the intended goal of the Camp Creek Restoration Project. Some general discussion followed about the permitees’ issues associated with the need for public agencies to consistently apply the same standards of science.

MINUTES. MSP: Webb/Britton — to approve the minutes of August 10 as presented.

CaCOON PROGRAM. The court reviewed and signed a Grant Agreement with Oregon Health & Science University to provide CaCoon program services through the Health Department to address the most vulnerable children with special health needs. Funds in the amount of $2,228.00 would be paid to the county on a quarterly basis. MSP: Webb/Myers — to authorize Judge Webb to sign the OHSU CaCoon Grant Agreement.

USE OF FAIR FACILITIES. The court reviewed and signed an Agreement for Use of Facilities that is associated with a Horse Show being held at the fairgrounds on September 24 and 25. MSP: Webb /Myers — to authorize Judge Webb to sign the Agreement for Use of Facilities by Kim West for the Grant County Horse Show.

9:45 am — Shannon Springer and Rob Stewart entered

COMPUTERS / PLANNING. On behalf of Planning Director Hilary McNary, Planning Secretary Shannon Springer requested approval to purchase a laptop computer to replace the Planning Director’s which is now 6 years old, low on memory, and the power plug is failing. Quotes were previously provided for a Lenovo Thinkpad T420 as follows: ESD @ $797.00, Amazon.com @ $798.77 and CDW @ $819.99. ESD Technical Support recommended replacing the current model at the lowest cost. Springer also requested a new CPU and enhancements for her computer since it’s about 8 years old, low on memory, and operates so slowly it is non-functional for the GIS program. ESD recommended purchasing a Lenovo ThinkCenter M58 8910 through ESD for $704.56. Another quote from Amazon.com for this model was $841.05. MSP: Webb/Britton — to authorize the Planning Department to purchase the ThinkPad laptop and ThinkCenter tower from ESD at recommended. Treasurer Kathy Smith had noted that budget authority exists within the General Fund Capital Outlay category to cover the cost of the computers. The old computers would be recycled.

USE OF FORMER EXTENSION OFFICE. Commissioner Britton brought up a previous suggestion to remodel the old Extension office. It was noted that the area is currently being used for storage until the surplus sale. Webb suggested that we have Nick Miller attend a future court meeting to participate in the discussion. Springer pointed out that the joint configuration of the Planning and Juvenile / Parole and Probation departments continues to be an ongoing problem. Other discussion took place about the fact that Extension still has not vacated all of their stored items in the downstairs storeroom.

9:55 am — Amy Turnbull and Vicki Waters entered

LIBRARY MISC. Library Director Amy Turnbull recommended signature on a “Ready to Read” grant application awarded annually by the State Library for the Early Literacy Project story and craft hour. Assistant Librarian Vicki Waters was also present. Available funds in the amount of $6,741.00 was proposed to be used to purchase 250 children’s books, 75 audio and video selections for the library collection, as well as bookmarks and crafts for the story and craft hour. Approximately 325 youth ages 0 – 14 and 150 adults ages 15 and older are expected to benefit from these programs.

Treasurer Kathy Smith said the grant is within the library budget, but the grant amount increased, so the court may need to transfer $541.00 into the fund to expend the grant. MSP: Webb/Myers — to authorize Judge Webb to sign the 2011-2012 Ready to Read Grant Application as presented.

Turnbull had reported that the Grant County Library Foundation will fund the fair booth this year that will be open from 8 am until noon during the fair. She asked if should could obtain a donated tarp to cover 3 eight-foot tables at the fair. Myers agreed to supply the tarp. Waters indicated that the bookmobile does not lock. Britton offered to take care of installing a lock mechanism for the bookmobile this Friday.

Turnbull reported that the air conditioning unit at the library has a coolant leak. She explained that after discussion with several bidders on the age and condition of the system, bids were sought for replacement of the entire heating and cooling system. It was noted that similar repairs had been performed several years ago. Cost estimates were previously provided from Mark & Sons Refrigeration & Heating for $1,617.00 to repair and $5,388 to replace; from Frank Stinnett Plumbing for $1,322 to repair and $7,200 to replace; and from MD Enterprises for $1,122.94 to replace the indoor coil, $4,826.50 to replace the heat pump A/C unit, and $6,609.00 to replace the heat pump system and remove the old oil furnace. Turnbull indicated that Mark & Sons had recommended replacing the current oil furnace with an electric heat pump to reduce costs associated with heating fuel. Discussion took place about the fact that the heat side of the heat pump had failed about 15 years ago. Britton clarified that Turnbull understood that a new heat pump would take care of all of the library’s heating and cooling needs. Waters pointed out that the furnace still functions, but isn’t efficient. She indicated that the bidders recommended leaving the existing furnace in case back up heating is ever needed. Britton suggested that Nick Miller look at the situation, evaluate the county’s need, and write up a recommendation on how to proceed. Court members agreed with Britton’s suggestion. Webb indicated that he would ask Miller to contact the library in the near future.

Britton suggested that the county think about possibly issuing a Request for Proposal for the county’s electrical work that falls under $5,000, so Department Heads could automatically proceed with obtaining quotes for work when needed. Webb and Smith pointed out that Department Heads would still need to obtain court approval for the work. Myers noted that the small scale of electrical work may not be suitable for a formal RFP process.

TITLE 3. At Commissioner Britton’s request, the court held a brief discussion about the current status of the Healthy Private Timberlands Title 3 project. . Britton pointed out that Title 3 Coordinator Sue Newstetter has been out of town and would need to review the recently conducted evaluation process. The court-appointed Review Committee met on August 10 to conduct a formal SOQ evaluation process and identify the county’s initial selection to start the negotiation process.

10:25 am – Adjourned Respectfully Submitted, Mary R. Ferrioli / County Court Secretary