IN THE COUNTY COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON

IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF GRANT

DECEMBER 18, 2013

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 Scott W. Myers, Commissioners Boyd Britton and Chris B. Labhart, Secretary Mary Ferrioli, Chaplain Richie Colbeth, Jim Sproul, Sharon Mogg, Tim Boyce and Lisa Weigum. A Pledge of Allegiance was given to the United States flag. The invocation was given by Chaplain Colbeth.

AGENDA. MSP: Britton/Myers — to accept the agenda. Some discussion followed about Labharts suggestion to add a disclaimer on the agenda about the time for General Orders.

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Britton had attended Stock Growers and Farm Bureau meetings, and had many impromptu meetings at his shop about potential state legislation to allow the Co-Gen facility to open again. He remarked on having another successful Timber Truckers Light Parade last Saturday.

Myers had lunch yesterday with Scott Fairley (Governors Regional Solutions Team) and will travel to Baker City tomorrow with Dean Hoodenpyl to discuss roll out of state funding that will allow us to hire a Community Service Supervisor. He received a phone call yesterday from Omega Morgan about a special permit from ODOT and permission from the county and law enforcement agencies to move the mega load east and out of county during the day.

9:15 am News Reporter Scotta Callister entered

Labhart had lunch with senior citizens on Monday about the Senior Citizens Advisory Council, met with a New Hope for Eastern Oregon Animals satellite group on Tuesday, will have a Local Community Advisory Council meeting today at noon, a hospital board meeting tomorrow at

5 pm, and is taking the VA van to Boise tomorrow. Hell attend the Prairie City Care Center Christmas party on Friday. He said the AOC Public Lands and Natural Resources Committee will meet January 13 and he plans to attend by phone conference.

MEGA LOAD. Labhart said that he observed the mega load group as it came through John Day and noted that Omega Morgan contributed $500 to the Carrie Young Memorial Fund. General discussion took place about the recent mega load movement through the county. Myers reported that Omega Morgan offered to reimburse any additional law enforcement expense the county incurred due to the demonstrations Monday evening.

MINUTES. MSP: Myers/Labhart — to approve the December 11 minutes as amended.

CLAIMS. The court reviewed and approved claims. The Airports claim No. 12400 to Central Oregon Heating and Cooling was held due to the lack of itemization.

PUBLIC COMMENT. The public was given an opportunity to comment. Hearing none, Britton brought up concern about Hood River Countys sale of Desolation Creek property to Ecotrust. He noted that the Governor previously indicated he would work on that with Grant County. Labhart said the schools would like to know when the new SRS funds are expected, which could be as soon as February 2014, according to Rocky McVay, but may be later.

9:20 am George Meredith entered

NEW HOPE FOR EASTERN OREGON ANIMALS. The court considered a draft letter of support to New Hope for Eastern Oregon Animals President Dick Haines. Last Wednesday, the court heard from Haines about the organizations goal to construct a new animal shelter in Baker City and form a local chapter within Grant County. New Hope volunteers Lisa Weigum and Tim Boyce were present to report the organization hopes to have a small local short term holding facility or foster care program to assist during an animals transition. Labhart recited the courts letter of support and then it was circulated for signature.

MENTAL HEALTH FINANCING. The court reviewed Amendment No. 1 to Intergovernmental Agreement No. 141411 for the financing of Community Addictions and Mental Health Services.

The amendment provides monthly Mental Health Block Grant funding for Grant County from December 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014. MSP: Britton/Myers — to authorize Judge Myers to sign Amendment No. 1 to Intergovernmental Agreement No. 141411 for the financing of Community Addictions and Mental Health Services.

9:55 am — Kathy Smith entered

VOLUNTEER RESIGNATIONS. Court members accepted the following resignations from volunteers and signed letters of thanks for past service to the county.

MSP: Myers/Britton — to accept the resignation of Kathy Stockdale from the Mental Health Advisory Board since she is moving out of the area.

MSP: Myers/Labhart — to accept the resignation of Mary Walker from the Extension & 4H Service District Budget Committee.

MSP: Myers/Britton — to accept Ken Hollidays verbal resignation from the Wildlife Advisory Board. Britton said that he spoke with Mr. Holliday who feels the agricultural community has been compromised by the court, and has no confidence in the court.

BUDGET RESOLUTION. The court recited and signed Resolution 13-52 Making Intrafund Transfers, Fair Fund, in the amount of $1,650.00 from Personnel Services to Capital Outlay-Equipment to purchase two new computers for the fair office with funds from the unfilled Groundskeeper position.

NEXT MEETING DATE. The court will not be meeting the next two Wednesdays since those are Christmas and New Years holidays. Holding a regular meeting Tuesday, December 31, was proposed so any necessary business can be taken care of before Wednesday, January 8.

By consensus, the court decided to have a meeting Tuesday, December 31, at 9:00 am.

SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET HEARING. At 10:05 am the court held a Supplemental Budget hearing to appropriate funds for the Planning Department to operate state building codes inspections for Grant County. Myers recited the budget resolution adopting a Supplemental Budget of $50,000.00 for building codes inspections. Treasurer Kathy Smith said the county needed this resolution in order to pass on the states share of the fees. No other comment was made. MSP: Labhart/Myers to close the hearing for resolution 13-51. MSP: Labhart/ Myers to adopt resolution 13-51 as presented. The document was signed by the court.

10:10 am — Vicki Waters and Greg Bremner entered

BOOKMOBILE. Librarian Vicki Waters presented quotes obtained to replace the Bookmobiles transmission. On November 6, as the vehicle was heading to Seneca, it lost all power. After being towed to the Road Department, it was discovered the transmission would need to be replaced. Waters described quotes for a new 1994 Ford Truck E350 Econoline Van 7.3 L 466 transmission received from Ron Tonkin (Portland) @ $3,047.80 plus freight / not installed; Dougs Motor Vehicle Repair (John Day) @ $3,398.64 including freight and installation; and NAPA (John Day) @ $3,180.00 plus $125.00 freight, $500.00 core charge, not installed. Waters explained that the Road Department could remove and replace the transmission; however, if Dougs Motor Vehicle Repair does this work they would remove and replace the transmission at no cost, if it fails in the future. Waters recommended using Dougs Motor Vehicle Repair for the repair. MSP: Britton/Myers — to accept the proposal by Dougs Motor Vehicle Repair.

10:25 am — Sue Horn, Brenda Percy, Michelle McManama, Matt Wenick and Brooks Smith entered

EMPLOYEE TRAINING. Personnel Manager Brenda Percy asked about the process and policy for deciding on trainings for employees. She explained that questions had been asked about required trainings for certain employees, training attendance by non-required employees and payment responsibility when trainings involve an expense. The countys Safety Committee recently offered CPR / First Aid and Active Shooter Response trainings which other employees expressed interest in attending. Safety Committee Chair Greg Bremner was present for the discussion. Percy suggested that trainings be offered more than once so employees have more than one opportunity to attend. McManama added that Active Shooter Response training can be provided again by OSP upon request. Myers indicated that CPR training had been given by staff in the past, so no cost had been involved. Discussion followed about the importance of having CPR-trained staff available to assist employees and the public when the need arises. Bremner explained that he tried but was unable to obtain a local volunteer to provide training. He indicated that the company his department uses is highly qualified in the most up-to-date procedures and doesnt charge travel or motel expenses. Road and Sheriff employees are required to have CPR / First Aid training. Bremner recommended pursuing additional trainings in CPR / First Aid and Active Shooter Response. Treasurer Kathy Smith pointed out that departments training / travel budgets could pay for employee training costs. Other discussion followed about a need for automatic defibrillators at county buildings

10:35 am Jim Sproul and King Williams entered.

Labhart suggested taking advantage of available training services provided by our insurance company, CIS, whenever possible. He added that other public agencies may be interested in participating in the trainings. McManama added that SAIF rep Scott Brown is also available to provide training at no cost. Myers said blood borne pathogen training is another one thats required for certain employees. Labhart asked the Personnel Manager and Safety Committee to bring back a policy change proposal for the court to review and discuss in January.

Percy mentioned on a door locking release problem that occurred last week when her employee was attempting to leave the Courthouse. Michelle McManama said she has also experienced a problem with the door release.

10:55 am Priscilla Meredith entered

NOXIOUS WEED CONTROL. Road Master Sue Horn presented an updated Memorandum of Understanding with Grant Soil & Water Conservation District previously received from the district to document a framework of cooperation for providing noxious weed control in the county. The previous MOU was signed in 1996. Horn said the new MOU is about the same as the last version, but adds the flexibility needed for scheduling treatments. Wenick commented on the differences between the former agreement and the new agreement. Other discussion followed about the possibility of additional noxious weed treatment on the Malheur NF and the important benefits of noxious weed treatment. MSP: Labhart/Myers — to authorize Judge Myers to sign the updated Memorandum of Understanding with Grant Soil & Water Conservation District.

10:58 am John Morris, Shaun Robertson, and Mark Webb entered

GROUSE MOUNTAIN TASK FORCE. Court members discussed making appointments to a Task Force that would focus on developing an agreement with Oregon Parks concerning the states obligations related to an acquisition of Grouse Mountain for a State Park. Myers said, in his opinion, the Task Forces charge is not whether or not the park should come to Grant County. Its charge is to work on forming an agreement between the county and the state to present at the Parks Commissions February 5 meeting when the final decision could be made.

Britton respectfully disagreed with Myers and didnt think it was certain there will be a park. He felt the Task Force should: 1.) decide whether or not there should be an OPRD park in Grant County, 2.) if so, decide if the Grouse Mountain property was appropriate, and 3.) if so, what will happen in the county as a result and what the state could do to make the county whole. Myers understood OPRD would attempt to appease the countys concerns about tax base, water rights, grazing and hunting, etc. and make the arrangement more palatable for the county. Brittons opinion was the county still remains opposed to the acquisition proposal. But, he thought the group could come up with some reasonable conclusions and recommended the appointment of Mark Webb. He also had voiced prior concerns about Mr. Webb serving on the committee, but rescinded them. Labhart addressed the motions that were made by the Parks Commissions meeting in Corvallis and items of county concern addressed in the Governors letter of November 19. Labhart said he believed all of the local communities concerns would be addressed by the state.

Shaun Robertson asked, if the Task Force is charged only with determining the shape of the park, and an acceptable agreement cannot be found, how does the county then address the un-deliverables? He felt it was incumbent on the Task Force to come forward with something that works, or else the state will just do as it wishes. Robertson stressed that, in the past, the state has over-promised and under-delivered.

Myers understood that (to prevent failure) the Task Force should have some participation by neutral individuals.

George Meredith felt many people may not be clear about what the Parks Commission is looking for as an outcome of their November meeting. He felt that the countys Task Force and OPRD Committee would focus on the content of the Governors November 19 letter. He asked for and was given permission to recite the Governors letter in its entirety. Myers followed that up by reading the email he received Monday from OPRD Director Tim Wood about the states obligations, and the goal of the states committee and the countys Task Force toward a mutual agreement concerning the proposed acquisition. It indicates that a few meetings would take place to further develop the straw man agreement, for the purpose of addressing the countys issues and the states commitment, prior to the Commission meeting on February 5.

Mark Webb clarified that the past court had made a number of positive movements with the state and federal government. Webb felt that OPRD was genuine toward its intention to address concerns with a Grouse Mountain State Park. Webb saw this as an opportunity to significantly inform what public ownership should look like (as never before) in a local community.

Myers stated the county had and still does have a good working relationship with OPRD. Hed like to preserve that good relationship. He thought this was a golden opportunity for Grant County to decide what happens next. Myers added that another land owner would not offer an opportunity for us to help decide what happens there.

Sharon Mogg felt it was a huge opportunity to build trust with the state, cooperatively address all of the countys concerns, and make sure they are something that will work.

Robertson listed a number of the states previously broken promises and said he wants to see a guarantee on returns. He suggested that nominations be submitted to the County Court by the Farm Bureau, Stock Growers, City of Mt. Vernon and the Chamber of Commerce. Britton suggested that Sue Horn, Sue Newstetter, Sharon Mogg, (adjoining land owner) Mark Webb, (Farm Bureau) Jeff Thomas, Shaun Robertson, (Stock Growers) Ken Brooks and Gail Enright as candidates for the Task Force. Mogg offered support of the names proposed by Britton. She added that the duty and purpose of a Task Force is to bring a recommendation forward to the decision maker, which is the County Court in this case.

Labhart agreed the Task Force was not to debate as to whether an issue is good or bad. He felt the group must assure that the states commitments do not fall by the wayside. He suggested Jason Kehrberg as an individual who would represent both sides, be objective, and work for the betterment of the community. Labhart understood the state has not honored its promises in the past. However, he felt this is a good opportunity for the county to hold the state accountable for fulfilling these stipulated obligations.

Webb was willing to sit at the table and inform the decisions. He felt this opportunity with OPRD goes far beyond what would be possible with any other land owner. Myers sought one task — to focus on points in the Governors letter and review the straw man agreement expected to arrive this week. As a result of thorough discussion among court members and vocal attendees, the following motion was made. MSP: Labhart/Britton to appoint a Task Force with members to include Sue Horn, Sue Newstetter, Sharon Mogg, Mark Webb, Jeff Thomas, Shaun Robertson, Ken Brooks, Gail Enright and Jason Kehrberg (pending a willingness to serve) to address the Governors November 19 letter and the OPRD draft agreement with a written recommendation to the County Court and follow up letter to Tim Woods by Wednesday, January 15. Britton asked for the motion to be repeated, then voted no. He asked Sue Horn if she had time to organize a few meetings. She agreed to do that. This afternoon, Myers would attempt to personally contact all those previously named to serve on the Grouse Mountain State Park Task Force.

12:25 pm Adjourned

Respectfully Submitted,

Mary R. Ferrioli

County Court Secretary

GRANT COUNTY COURT MINUTES DECEMBER 18, 2013 APPROVED PAGE 6