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 28, 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, Jim Sproul, Billie Jo George, Hal Smith, and Pastor Ron Roberson. A Pledge of Allegiance was given to the United States flag. The invocation was given by Pastor Roberson.

AGENDA. MSP: Myers/Labhart– to accept the agenda to include Labhart’s suggestion to discuss drafting a letter to Senator Wyden in support of SRS funding and Britton’s addition of a Zone 1 lands presentation by Ken Holliday and Assessor Lane Burton during public comments.

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Myers participated in an interview last Wednesday afternoon with Oregon Consensus regarding Bates Pond. He attended a Courthouse Security meeting last Friday at noon in Circuit Court following his morning meeting at the Road Department. He reported on the Revised Blue Mountain Forest Plan Co-Conveners meeting that he and Labhart attended all day Monday in Pendleton and yesterday’s BOPTA training at the airport from 9 am -4 pm.

Labhart had an interview Wednesday afternoon with Oregon Consensus concerning Bates Pond. He added that grants to do work on Bates Pond totaling about $50,000 are available through ODF&W and Grant SWCD. Thursday he had lunch at the John Day Senior Center and attended an Educational Summit at Grant Union High School. Sunday he attended a New Hope for Eastern Oregon Pets Fundraiser at Squeeze-Inn Restaurant. Monday Labhart traveled to Pendleton for a Blue Mountain Forest Plan Revision Co-Conveners meeting and all day Tuesday he attended the Eastern Oregon Mining and Aggregate Development Summit in Baker City. Today at noon he will attend the EOCCO LCAC meeting at the airport.

Britton participated in the Oregon Consensus interview last Wednesday about Bates Pond. He traveled to Ontario with Sally Bartlett and Peggy Gray on Monday to co-chair a SEACT meeting. He reported that ODOT’s basic permit for having the Mega-load drive through Oregon was only $8.00. Britton said the SEACT group might weigh-in on potentially changing the structure of the state’s formula structure to allocate gas taxes. This afternoon Britton plans to meet with CCS Director Kimberly Lindsay about public health services.

9:20 am – Eric Julsrud entered

MINUTES. MSP: Britton/Myers — to approve the January 21 minutes as amended

HAND CHECK. The court reviewed and approved a hand check to Purchase Power for postage meter ink totaling $196.98 that Myers signed yesterday. MSP: Myers/Britton — to approve the hand check to Purchase Power for postage meter ink in the amount of $196.98.

EMERGENCY RELIEF HELP. The court reviewed and approved the payment of Relief Help for a water leak at the Pavilion. Myers said the leak was located in the tailings adjacent to the men’s bathroom which would be corrected with a by-pass. He authorized Dusty Williams to work an extra 32 hours to install sheetrock in the bathroom (General Fund Relief Help) after Andy’s Plumbing has replaced the 50-60 year old fixtures (fairgrounds safety improvement funds). Myers also proposed that the Courthouse Reserve Fund pay for installation of the hot water heater. MSP: Myers/Britton — to approve up to 32 hours for Dusty Williams to make emergency repairs due to a water leak at the Pavilion. MSP: Myers/Britton – to approve funding for fixtures replacement from fairgrounds safety improvement funds. MSP: Myers/Britton – to approve the on-demand hot water heater for the Pavilion bathroom from the Courthouse Reserve Fund. Britton believes the on-demand type water heater would be the best product to meet our needs in the long run. Treasurer Kathy Smith noted that one of the bathroom fixtures would be ADA compliant.

WATER MASTER. Water Master Eric Julsrud requested approval to purchase a replacement office desk for the Assistant Water Master position. Quotes were provided from Office Depot/Office Max @ $1,137.95 plus shipping; Quill @ $989.95 plus shipping, and Office World @ $769.73 including shipping.

Julsrud said the desk from Office World is preferred and he would like to use Capital Outlay funds with a reimbursement from his department’s Travel Line. MSP: Britton/Myers — to approve Mr. Julsrud’s request for the new desk from Office World as recommended. The Water Master office is in the process of moving into their newly remodeled office at the south end of the Courthouse basement.

EASTERN OREGON COUNTIES. Court members reviewed for approval the recently adopted Eastern Oregon Counties Association membership dues structure and work plan for the purpose of addressing federal regulation and land management issues. Grant County’s annual dues assessment totals $11,317.00 based on PILT, a base payment and program revenue. This money would be used to pay EOCA to develop a position on these issues and then provide the counties’ position to our advocates in Washington DC. Britton said he has changed his mind about this expense; he now feels this is a good use of county funds. MSP: Britton/Myers — to pay the EOCA dues invoice in the amount of $11,317.00 according to the same formula as last year.

9:45 am — Sue Newstetter, Roje Gootee, Curt Qual, Nicky and Cheryl Sprauve, News Reporter Scotta Callister entered and Vick Shuck entered

TITLE 3. County Title 3 Coordinator Sue Newstetter requested approval of the 2014 Certification Report for County Title 3 Projects under the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) and Community Self-Determination Act. She said every year since SRS has been in effect counties have been required to certify use of these funds. She felt the report was good for transparency so everyone knows what has been done. She reviewed and explained Title 3 projects completed during 2014 with a total expenditure of $208,733.49 primarily through the Firewise and Community Wildfire Planning programs. Newstetter praised Irene Jerome for all of the excellent work she has done to coordinate and facilitate these projects. MSP: Britton/Myers — to authorize Judge Myers to sign the cover letter to the Secretary of Agriculture and the Certification Report Form.

Newstetter reported that Firewise Coordinator Irene Jerome was nominated and will be receiving recognition by the National Association of State Foresters for Wildfire Mitigation Innovation. She will travel to Reno to accept this award at a National Wildland Urban Interface Conference in March.

9:55 am – Larry Blasing and Sharon Livingston entered

FAMILY FORESTLANDS. Roje Gootee (Eastern Oregon Representative for the Oregon Committee for Family Forestlands) gave an informational update on the innovative private forestlands collaborative being developed in the Ritter area. Ritter Collaborative Project Coordinator Curt Qual and Vic Shuck of Shuck Contracting in Ritter were also present. Gootee provided a descriptive background of the events which lead to development of the private forestlands collaborative pilot project. Start-up funding for the project had been secured that includes $3o0,000 through the USFS State and Private Forests Western Competitive Grant program and $10,000 from the American Forest Foundation for technical support and resource assessment. A group of landowners who cumulatively own in excess of 10,000 acres have committed to the project and others have expressed interest in joining. A job description for Project Coordinator was developed and Curt Qual was hired in November. Plans for resource analysis and rangeland improvement design are being developed and partnerships with local agencies are being cultivated to provide technical assistance and other support. In response to Britton’s inquiry, Gootee said a project example would be a coordinated approach to addressing juniper eradication.

Qual talked about his work with Ritter community landowners about their interests in the project and robust conversations held at meetings with landowners and institutional partners to define team objectives and formulate a strategic action plan. He added that an Operations Committee has recently been formed to manage ongoing activities of the project. Some information was provided about how the pilot project aligns with the county’s Title 3 Healthy Private Timberlands Study conducted by Forest Resources Affairs (Bill Dryden). Qual provided some additional information at the request of interested attendees. Court members were invited to attend the Ritter Collaborative group’s next meeting.

10:40 am — Kimberly Lindsay, Scott Spears, Lindsay Magden, Rob Stewart, and Justice of the Peace Kathy Stinnett entered

COMMUNITY COUNSELING SOLUTIONS. Community Counseling Solutions Director Kimberly Lindsay was scheduled to discuss a proposed budget for providing mental health and public health services for FY 2015-2016, and renewing the property lease for 528 E. Main in John Day. Health Department Administrator Lindsay Meghan and CCS Financial Officer Scott Spears were also present.

Meghan provided updates on program services for WIC, immunizations, MCH, Primary Care, and the new electronic medical records (EMR) program utilizing a fully compatible EPIC Program that Oregon health departments are adopting. It is also suited for the School Based Health Center. Labhart asked about and received information on the sharing of medical records. CCS will be applying for grants to assist with funding the $55,000 cost for the EMR program this fiscal year (most likely). Labhart remarked on the funding process that EOCCOs are going through now involving new things that could be funded next year. Meghan said a strategic plan is currently being developed which will be reviewed with the CCS board and then the County Court.

Lindsay distributed a Budget Funding Request for FY 15-16 including total anticipated program operating deficits ($157,000), total request for program and service support ($110,000), and detailed use of county off-set funds for Primary Care, CaCoon, Communicable Disease, Dental and Emergency Preparedness. No CCS administrative costs were included in the deficit calculations. Labhart remarked that the county has been offering more services than are required by law. He felt the court may need to determine if we can continue to provide additional services, or only those that are required. Lindsay handed out a spreadsheet of data of Oregon Health Departments’ Projected Revenue by Source FY 2014-15. Grant County Health Department is the only health department in Oregon that provides Primary Care. She explained our Primary Care services for the benefit of interested attendees. In response to Britton’s inquiry, Lindsay spoke about the current status of health department services in Harney County. Lindsay explained previous Primary Care losses have been re-building this year which she felt would eventually benefit health department operations. Spears offered a financial overview and explained details outlined on the Budget Funding Request and Anticipated Program Deficits for FY 15-16 in the areas of Primary Care, Environmental Health, Family Planning, Tobacco, WIC, and Communicable Disease. Myers said the county provided $80,000 the year before last and last year’s $100,000 won’t make it through this year. Not enough again. He asked if this year’s request of $110,000 was enough. Spears thought $110,000 should be close to meeting the need, based on CCS’s conservative budget estimates. He added that the objective is to get these programs stabilized so they can be supported with nominal funding. Britton inquired about available methods for funding the EMR cost. Lindsay noted that the $55,000 EMR requirement is a “must-do” and is badly timed in conjunction with projected program losses. She said that cost needs to be followed up with revenue in subsequent years. Lindsay felt there have been efficiencies and there would be good efficiencies with EMR and changes being made in the billing process. In response to Labhart’s inquiry, Spears said (if operated properly) the School-Based Health Center could benefit health department operations. Lindsay addressed the county’s previously robust Primary Care program, billing practices that had been reviewed by the state, and recovery in client numbers seen this year since the drop in activity after Tim Nielson’s death. She noted that Primary Care is now making a profit, but by year’s end will show a deficit. Lindsay and Spears will also review these financial estimates with the CCS board next Monday

Lindsay and the court discussed renewal of the Commercial Property Lease for CCS’s use of space at 528 E. Main in John Day for FY 2015-2016. Lindsay said CCS is interested in continuing the lease next fiscal year. Britton asked if CCS would consider a nominal increase to the annual lease rate. She said the lease rate payment would be prorated with 40% going against public health and 60% against mental health. When Britton asked Lindsay if she would consider buying the building, she said she wouldn’t be opposed to it. But, that is something the CCS board would need to consider. Lindsay and Budget Officer Kathy Smith talked about potential involvement by CCS in the upcoming county Budget Committee process. Smith asked Spears about accounts receivable that are not being collected. He explained that figure represents an allowance for “doubtful accounts” that’s a contrast / reserved amount that most likely won’t be collected. Lindsay said the health department has not been checking insurance co-pays when patients come in, but those things (asking about co-pays and deductibles) are changing. Some discussion also took place concerning the status of problems with Moda Insurance and Medicaid claiming.

Lindsay also reported that Strawberry Wilderness Community Clinic has been certified as a Primary Care Home (offering seamless, more cohesive and integrated care). This designation means SWCC is eligible to receive somewhat higher rates. She was not sure if public health could become PCH certified, but (either way) an EMR program will be required.

11:45 am – Mark Webb, Brenda Percy, Ken Holliday, Alan Mullin, and Assessor Lane Burton entered.

PUBLIC COMMENTS.

Zone 1 Lands. At Britton’s previous invitation Local Rancher Ken Holliday displayed an Oregon Department of Forestry map of the Central Oregon District and provided historical background information and a descriptive overview of the state Land Classification Board and Grant County’s Zone 1 lands. Assessor Lane Burton also provided educational information on Zone 1 lands. He said it will be useful when ODF discusses Zone 1 lands with the County Court in March. Holliday explained figures illustrating the amount of money Oregon counties with unprotected lands receives from fire protection fees and surcharges on Zone 1 lands, exclusively generated by Grant County taxpayers. He also identified figures listed on his tax bill and how much goes to each taxing district in the county. Holliday distributed other documents for review: 1.) MOU between Grant County and Oregon Department of Forestry signed in 1944 establishing fire protection for Zone 1 lands, 2.) letter dated May 1991 from the former County Judge Kevin Campbell to the Local ODF Director about increases to Zone 1 rates and the state’s desire to abolish Zone 1 and reclassify, and 3.) Holliday Land & Livestock total taxes paid to Taxing Districts. Assessor Burton reported that Grant County has a total of 236,597 acres classified as Zone 1.

Commissioner Labhart left at 12:00 pm to attend an LCAC meeting; Commissioner Britton left at 12:15 to meet with CCS Director Kimberly Lindsay.

Local Rancher Sharon Livingston provided information from her personal experience as a resident of Long Creek concerning taxes paid by Grant County landowners to support county services.

Public Access Advisory Board. Billie Jo George presented Judge Myers with a map and document listing 214 CFR road closures in the closure order signed September 30, 2014 by former Malheur Forest Supervisor Teresa Raaf. Jim Sproul understood over half of the closures had no corresponding NEPA document and some CFR closures have created several roadless areas.

Public Forest Commission. Larry Blasing commented on NEPA and the Forest Plan update process. He reported that Malheur NF Supervisor Steve Beverlin got back to the Commission on the Murderers’ Creek fire. The Commission will be sending Beverlin information regarding cruises that have been done. Myers noted that he has sent a letter to all public agencies urging them to take all steps necessary to salvage timber located in the South Fork Fire areas.

12:30 pm — Adjourned

Respectfully Submitted,

Mary R. Ferrioli

County Court Secretary