IN THE COUNTY COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF GRANT

Access the court’s weekly Agenda and approved Minutes on the Commissioner’s page at www.gcoregonlive2.com.

JANUARY 14, 2015

Pursuant to notice made to the newspaper of general circulation throughout Grant County, the radio station, county website, 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 Chris B. Labhart and Boyd Britton, Secretary Mary Ferrioli, Pastor Marcie Collins, Jim Sproul and Hal Smith. A Pledge of Allegiance was given to the United States flag. The invocation was given by Pastor Marcie Collins.

AGENDA. MSP: Myers/Labhart– to accept the agenda to include Labhart discussion on tomorrow’s teleconference with AOC counties about SRS and a report from Britton about last week’s Forest Collaborative meet in Pendleton.

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Labhart participated in a Blue Mountain Hospital Board work session last Wednesday evening and attended the Health Evidence Review Commission meeting in Wilsonville on Thursday. Monday he participated in an AOC Veterans Committee teleconference, attended Senior Citizen’s lunch in John Day, and donated blood for the Red Cross. Yesterday Labhart participated in an EOCCO teleconference and attended the John Day City Council meeting. Tomorrow he has an AOC teleconference on SRS and a Blue Mountain Hospital board meeting. Saturday he will attend the VA Van Driver’s appreciation dinner in John Day.

Britton attended a Forest Collaborative meeting in Pendleton all day last Thursday. Due to work demands he was unable to attend the Stock Growers and Farm Bureau meetings as he had planned.

Britton asked the court asking their permission to talk seriously with OTEC about their increasing service charges that are negatively impacting ranchers. It was suggested that we take the opportunity of addressing this topic tomorrow at 2 pm during the teleconference with other counties.

Myers reported on his meeting yesterday with Shane Giffin (ODOT) and their travel to Heppner for a tour of ODOT’s animal compost demonstration site. ODOT hopes to develop a similar site some day in Grant County. He will participate in CIS Training at 1 pm today at Keerins Hall and an Airport Commission meeting at 6 pm. Tomorrow morning Myers will meet with staff at the Road Department and participate in the AOC teleconference on SRS at 2 pm.

9:25 am — Matt Wenick entered

MINUTES. MSP: Labhart/Myers– to approve the January 7 minutes

AOC. Labhart reported on yesterday’s AOC teleconference with other counties concerning annual dues, SRS and PILT funding, and the Title 2 RAC process.

FOREST COLLABORATIVE. Britton reported on the Forest Plan meeting he attended all day in Pendleton last Thursday. He suggested the Collaborative Group could possibly re-write a portion of the Revised Blue Mountain Forest Plan. Discussion took place about differences between the 3 national forests and among the Collaborative Groups. Britton asked for permission to take his proposal to the Collaborative Group — which could involve funds to pay individuals in the collaborative. Myers asked if other Malheur NF counties would help share the cost since they would benefit from this work. Britton thought our county should take the lead in this because our Collaborative Group is further along than the other groups. He indicated that he’s already talked with legal counsel about the proposal. Labhart said he had no problem with the concept, but didn’t want to make a commitment today. Labhart asked for and received consensus on taking the proposal to the Collaborative Group.

MONUMENT RURAL FIRE DISTRICT. The court (as Board of Trustees for Monument Rural Fire District) continued reviewing their “Findings of Fact and Plan of Dissolution” per ORS 198.925(1). The document must be filed with the County Clerk by Friday, January 16. Myers explained, since last week, Prairie City contacted him to say they are interested in taking their fire truck back as is. He reported on the contacts he made with Cloverdale Rural Fire District and the City of Monument Fire Department which generated responses of no-interest. The working order of the equipment is still in the process of being evaluated. It was understood that any further findings discovered after today could be filed as “Amended” Findings. MSP: Britton/Myers– to adopt the Board of Trustees’ Findings of Fact for the Monument Rural Fire District as reviewed today.

9:50 am– Bob Muenchausen entered

VETERAN SERVICES. Veteran Services Officer Bob Muenchausen requested approval of an Order and Agreement for Meadow Outdoor Advertising for the county’s veteran services program. He said the advertisement is to promote greater awareness among residents about county sponsored veterans outreach available through his office. The project has been approved by the Oregon Veterans Affairs VEOGP grant received for the 2012-2015 biennium. He said a 10.5’ x 24” illuminated advertisement would appear for one year on the billboard across from the Shell Station on the West Highway. The $350 per month / $4,200 total cost will come from available grant funds. Muenchausen said he favors the first example among the four that are available. The court felt this was a good use of grant funds. Muenchausen also requested approval of signage for the entry door to his office created by Eloise Boren of ER Graphics for $149.46. He said a perforated vinyl covering would be applied to the door’s window that allows him to see out, but provides privacy from outside. There are sufficient funds in the VEOGP grant to cover this cost. Muenchausen said the window sign would not be installed until daytime temperatures reach 50 degrees. MSP: Myers/Labhart — to approve Judge Myers signature on the Order and Agreement for Meadow Outdoor Advertising as selected by Muenchausen, as well as the window sign designed by ER Graphics as discussed.

WEED CLASSIFICATION. Grant Soil & Water Conservation District Weed Specialist Matt Wenick requested the Weed District Board (County Court) to approve his revised 2015 Weed Classification List. He noted that we do not currently have an established list of weeds for Grant County. The list classifies all “A” Rated Weeds, “B” Rated Weeds, and “C” Rated Weeds within the county. Wenick explained, according to the MOU with Grant Weed Control and ORS Chapter 569, the designated Weed District Board must approve the updated list. He said this list will allow us to create our own priority list and use separate funding for treatments. At Britton’s request, Wenick talked about the treatment difference between the “A” rated and “B” rated weeds. He said the “C” rated weeds are on the state list and state funding would be used to treat those weeds. The top priority is to focus on eradicating “A” rated weeds, then move on to “B” rated weeds. Wenick pointed out that this is different from the district’s county road weed eradication program. MSP: Labhart/Myers – to approve the 2015 Weed Classification List as presented. The document was circulated for signature by all court members. DISTRICT ATTORNEY. Court members considered District Attorney Jim Carpenter’s request to approve a monthly stipend for his cell phone. The DA is required to be accessible to law enforcement at all times of the day, seven days a week, as well as staff when he is out of the office. It was noted that Mr. Carpenter’s monthly cell phone data package would not change from the $51.00 amount that was budgeted originally. MSP: Labhart/Myers — to approve a $51.00 per month cell phone stipend for Mr. Carpenter as requested. It was noted that a copy of the DA’s monthly cell phone bill would be required to initiate payment of the stipend.

10:25 am – Treasurer Kathy Smith entered

COURTHOUSE ELEVATOR. The court discussed the estimated cost for the Courthouse Elevator

Installation prepared by Kirby Nagelhout Construction Co. at the request of Pinnacle Architecture which totals $396,056.00. It was noted that Circuit Court Administrator Tammy Wheeler previously informed us that the Oregon Judicial Department could be asked for an additional $50,000.00 above the $150,000.00 grant amount the state will provide for this project.

Pinnacle Architecture reported yesterday that bids will be going out next week and are due at the County Court office by the official bid opening at 1:00 pm Wednesday, February 4, 2015.

Britton felt the estimated cost was too high and said he would need to be convinced it is worth that amount before voting for this project. Treasurer Kathy Smith pointed out the true cost of the project won’t be known until bids are received and opened on February 4.

PUBLIC COMMENT. Hal Smith expressed public safety concerns with the recent escape by an individual secured at Juniper Ridge Acute Care Center in John Day. He asked if the court receives a status report from the facility when those incidents occur. Britton said he was notified of the escape immediately. He provided an overview of the incident, the individual’s recovery by law enforcement, and measures taken to mitigate areas of fence that failed.

Jim Sproul remarked that this is a sad day for Grant County with Grant Western Lumber Company equipment being auctioned off.

1050 am — Adjourned

Respectfully Submitted,

Mary R. Ferrioli

County Court Secretary