IN THE COUNTY COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF GRANT – SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

Pursuant to notice made to the newspaper of general circulation throughout Grant County, the radio station, website and e-mail 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, News Reporter Scotta Callister, and Pastor Marcie Collins. A Pledge of Allegiance was given to the United States flag. The invocation was given by Pastor Collins.

CLAIMS. The court had approved claims and Extension District Warrant Nos. 206 to 212. Tagged claims were to Best Western Inn / DA over per diem and to Boyd Britton Welding for conflict of interest in work performed for the Sheriff’s Office.

AGENDA. Myers said the Public Access Advisory Board has something they’d like to discuss this morning, which he found out after the agenda was published. He added, they will come in during public comments, but next time they will contact the court office no later than Monday. MSP: Britton/Labhart — to accept the agenda as presented.

ROAD DEPARTMENT. In response to Britton’s inquiry, Myers gave an update on the Road Master and Road Foreman who are both on medical leave. It was noted the Road Foreman is to complete treatment by September 18, and the Personnel Manager has requested an Executive Session with the court next week.

9:12 am — Willis Kimball entered

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Britton had attended the Airport Fly-In on Saturday. He will attend a meeting with CCS tomorrow related to their Site Review. He and two others have a tentative meeting on September 23 with the new Regional Forester. Britton spoke with Rick Hensley yesterday and referred him to Economic Development Coordinator Sally Bartlett to define the true impact the agriculture has on the county’s economy.

Myers attended a meeting last Friday in Burns about the roll out of reinvestment funds that we use for the Community Service Supervisor position. Saturday morning he attended the Airport Fly-in event. Monday night he had an Airport Commission meeting and will attend the CCS Site Review meeting tomorrow, as a member of the Mental Health Advisory Board.

9:15 am — Kathy Smith, Kathy Stinnett, Shannon Springer, Jerry and Marsha Franklin entered

Labhart attended an LCAC meeting last Wednesday and on Thursday he had a Blue Mountain Hospital board meeting and drove the VA van to Boise. He traveled to Baker City Monday for an EOCCO board meeting. Today he will attend City Hall Day at the airport and will drive the VA van to Boise on Thursday. Tuesday Labhart will attend a Blue Mountain Hospital board physicians meeting.

MINUTES. MSP: Britton/Myers — to approve the August 27, 2014 minutes as amended.

BUDGETED RESOLUTION. The court reviewed and signed Resolution 14-32 Making Budgeted Transfers from Road to School Forest in the amount of $517,564.00 and from Road to Cities-Streets-Bridges in the amount of $615,382.00. MSP: Labhart/Myers — to sign Resolution 14-32 as presented

ELEVATOR INSTALLATION. Court members acknowledged receipt of Request for Qualifications (RFQ) proposals for the Courthouse Elevator Installation Feasibility Study, and discussed forming a Proposal Evaluation Committee. In response to the county’s RFQ that appeared in the Daily Journal of Commerce and Bend Bulletin during the week of August 4, proposals were submitted by Pinnacle Architecture, Inc. of Bend and RSS Architecture, P.C. of Woodburn. Myers suggested appointing Facilities Committee members Kathy Stinnett and Shannon Springer and one court member to the Evaluation Committee. He recommended interviewing both firms no matter how the evaluations score. Labhart suggested asking Circuit Court Administrator Tammy Wheeler about her interest. Britton and Labhart declined participation on the Evaluation Committee. Myers agreed to serve and planned to contact Ms. Wheeler about her interest in participating. Britton expressed his continuing frustration with the required level of bonding required for this type of public project which precludes proposals from local contractors.

150TH ANNIVERSARY. Grant County Chamber of Commerce representatives Jerry and Marsha Franklin and the court discussed the upcoming 150th anniversary of Grant County’s establishment on October 14, 1864. Mr. Franklin said the community is interested in doing something at the Canyon City Park or Community Hall that would include refreshments and historical information about Grant County. He preferred that the county taking the lead, but said the Chamber would assist with preparations. News Reporter Scotta Callister pointed out the newspaper would have a feature in their history section that week. Treasurer Kathy Smith talked about her participation in the county’s 125th anniversary celebration. Britton suggested that he get in contact with former County Judge Dennis Reynolds about his interest in the celebration. The Franklins felt Reynolds’ participation would be good. Other citizens with special knowledge of the county’s history may also be contacted about their interest. Myers challenged other court members to a $50.00 contribution toward the event. Britton believed it was appropriate, and received permission, to move forward with gauging public interest in the idea of devising a new county logo.

9:40 am – Cleo McCluskey and Nate Hughes entered

OREGON RURAL HEALTH CONFERENCE. The court discussed Commissioner Labhart’s request to attend the Annual Oregon Rural Health Conference in Sunriver October 15 – 17. The conference is related to his work with the Eastern Oregon Coordinated Care Organization Local Community Advisory Committee and the Grant County Health Department. Total estimated cost including pre-conference sessions registration $75.00, conference registration $180.00, lodging $510.76, meals $160.00, and mileage $151.20 would be $1,076.96. The LCAC had already recommended that funds in the EOCCO budget line be used for this purpose. Labhart said he brought the request forward because it’s not in the budget, but is important since it involves the EOCCO and the Health Department’s Rural Health Clinic. Labhart is Regional Chairman of the CAC which is the largest rural CAC in the state. He didn’t know if anyone from the Health Department was attending, but knows Bob Houser would attend one day to represent the Blue Mountain Hospital RHC. Britton appreciated Labhart’s willingness to attend, but preferred to see if a Health Department employee who works in the RHC every day is interested in going; and, if the hospital was willing to help pay for the trip. Labhart planned to see if the EOCCO might contribute toward the cost of the trip; however, he added, they are already paying for him to attend the National Conference to be held in Portland. The request would be discussed further next week.

9:50 am – Jim Carpenter entered

DISTRICT ATTORNEY. On behalf of the District Attorney, Legal Assistant Cleo McCluskey requested approval to install a confidentiality counter to comply with federal regulations for the Oregon Child Support Program. A state Site Review conducted August 5 mandated that a barrier be installed next to Michelle Mc Manama’s desk where confidential child support case information is located. McCluskey said the counter would also provide a surface that’s needed when meeting with the public, reviewing paperwork and providing Notary services. It was noted that Nate Hughes has measured the area and can construct a counter in about 2 days for around $100.00. Myers thought it was a good idea, but felt the structure should prevent a rest stop or leaning area at that location. McCluskey said the expense would come from the Child Support Program budget line. MSP: Myers/Britton — to approve the creation and installation of a barrier counter / half-wall along that entry way in the DA’s office as discussed.

Britton spoke with McCluskey about the need to have the DA and Juvenile Director come forward to the court with projected costs for special witnesses related to the youth hearing currently taking place. Myers added it would be nice to know if other specialists will be needed, who had requested the physician witness, and how that cost ($8,800.00) would be handled.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY ELECT. District Attorney Elect Jim Carpenter spoke with the court about attending the Oregon District Attorney’s Association basic training for new prosecutors in Salem October 6 – 10. Carpenter requested that the county pay for registration $100.00, meals $150.00, and lodging $350.00 which totals $600.00. He plans to pay the mileage expense himself, estimated to be $243.00. Some discussion took place about the past practice of sending newly elected officials to training before taking office. The court supported the investment because it will benefit the county. MSP: Britton/Myers — to allow the county to pay for Mr. Carpenter’s attendance at the Oregon District Attorney’s Association basic training, Treasurer Kathy Smith explained to Carpenter how the county’s policy works for the direct payment of trainings and the reimbursement of meals. She suggested the $600.00 come from the DA’s budget, as a resolution from Contingency, to replace the final expense.

TRICH ORDINANCE. Grant County Stock Growers representative Willis Kimball appeared to provide an update on the group’s proposed trich ordinance that legal counsel Ron Yockim has been helping to develop. The Stock Growers plan to hold an open meeting on the proposal at Keerins Hall Monday, September 22 at 6:30 pm. Discussion followed about the county’s required public hearing process on proposed Ordinances that would take place once the County Court office receives the Stock Grower’s finalized document from Ron Yockim.

10:15 am — Patrick Bentz entered

AIRPORT MASTER PLAN. Airport Manager Patrick Bentz requested signature on an Oregon Department of Transportation Connect Oregon 5 Grant Program Agreement for the Airport Master Plan Project. Myers offered his congratulations on a successful grant application. Bentz said the FAA grant is expected in May or June, so the project may start by the end of fiscal year.

The agreement provides $16,000.00 or 80% of the $170,000.00 total project cost. A 20% or $4,000.00 match is required, leaving a $150,000.00 requirement in other (FAA) match funds. It was explained that scoping and planning are due by December 31, 2014 with final plans and engineering bid documents due by June 30, 2016. Treasurer Kathy Smith and Bentz talked about the estimated timing and budget year for funding this project. MSP: Labhart /Myers – to allow Judge Myers to sign the Oregon Department of Transportation Connect Oregon 5 Grant Program Agreement for the Airport Master Plan as presented.

Other discussion took place about plans to resolve the fuel dispensing problem this fall, and the high volume of fuel sales the airport has been making this season.

ROW EASEMENT. The court signed an Easement granted to the Eva M. Harris Trust through county property (known as Tax Lot 1901) to Tax lot 2302. Harris initially made her request last March, and was granted the easement at the west end of the Regional Airport. The subsequent survey by Benchmark Land Surveying, legal preparation of the document, recording fee and actual consideration have been paid by the trust. MSP: Labhart/Myers — to sign the Easement as presented by Eva M. Harris Trust.

10:45 am — Judy Kerr and John Bastian entered

PUBLIC COMMENT. Public Access Advisory Board representatives John Bastian and Judy Kerr presented letters to the court about the South Fork Fire tour that board members made with Judge Myers on August 27 and an inspection of the Murderer’s Creek, Jackass, and Oliver Creek roads on August 30. It was the board’s recommendation to open public access, the same as pre-fire access, as soon as active fire suppression is terminated. The board also requested that all proposed public lands access changes or closures, since the effective date of Ordinance 2013-01, be presented to the court for the advisory board’s review and recommendation.

John Bastian reported that he has a meeting scheduled next week with Malheur NF Deputy Supervisor Steve Beverlin to discuss these issues.

Minutes of the Advisory Board’s August 26 and September 2 meetings were provided for court members’ review. Discussion followed about certain language adjustments the court requested to be made in the minutes of the board’s first two meetings.

11:15 am — Adjourned

Respectfully Submitted,

Mary R. Ferrioli

County Court Secretary

To access Court Agendas and Minutes go to the Commissioners page at the Grant County website www.gcoregonlive2.com.