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.

FEBRUARY 4, 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, Brooks Smith, Hal Smith, Billie Jo and Terry George, Amy Stiner, and Flora Cheadle. A Pledge of Allegiance was given to the United States flag. The invocation was given by Flora Cheadle.

AGENDA. MSP Myers/Britton — to accept the agenda as presented. Labhart asked if the FYI correspondence the court receives in their meeting packet should be listed in the agenda / minutes. Myers said that hasn’t been done before and there’s lots of other correspondence coming to the court.

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Labhart attended an EOCCO Local Community Advisory Council meeting at noon last Wednesday at the airport. Thursday he had lunch at the John Day Senior Center and Monday he drove the VA Van to Boise. Tomorrow Labhart will attend a Work Source meeting and TEC training session in La Grande. Friday he will participate in the Clue Dinner and Silent Auction / fairgrounds fundraiser and Saturday he’s participating in a Defensive Driving course at John Day Senior Center.

Myers attended the bid opening at 2 pm yesterday at the Road Department for the Metal Storage Building Project. Last night he participated in a Heritage Foundation meeting at 7 pm at the Courthouse Conference Room where fundraisers were discussed. Today at 2 pm he meets with Shane Giffin (ODOT), Susan Christensen (DEQ) and Economic Development Coordinator Sally Bartlett to discuss a potential roadside animal composting project

Britton had quite a few conversations with representatives of ODOT and ODF concerning a shared position, and a couple members of the Public Access Advisory Board. He has been invited and may participate in a CCAA meeting at the Portland Zoo concerning Sage Grouse. Next week he will attend an Oregon Transportation Commission meeting in Keizer.

MINUTES. MSP: Britton/Myers — to approve the January 28 minutes as amended

9:10 am – DA Jim Carpenter entered

OREGON BUILDING CODES. The court reviewed and signed an MOA with Oregon Building Codes Division Relating to a Delegated Building Inspection Program for Grant County. The document codifies the continuation of services currently being provided by the state and the county’s portion of responsibilities for a 4 year reporting period. Myers noted that the inspection program we have now would not change. Labhart asked that the agreement be sent to legal counsel Ron Yockim for review and approval. MSP: Britton/Myers — to allow Judge Myers to sign the MOA with the Oregon Building Codes Division once it is approved by legal counsel.

AMERICAN RED CROSS. The court reviewed and signed an MOU with Cascades Region of the American Red Cross to provide emergency management cooperation and support for a five year period. Labhart has been involved in Red Cross activities in the county. He believes we sorely need to fill our budgeted Emergency Management Coordinator position so there’s someone in charge during emergencies. MSP: Myers/Labhart — to allow Judge Myers to sign the MOU with the Cascades Region of the American Red Cross

AUDIT CONTRACT AND ENGAGEMENT LETTER. The court reviewed and approved the financial statements and governmental activities Engagement Letter and Audit Contract with Oster Professional Group CPAs for the year ended June 30, 2015. MSP: Britton/Myers — to authorize Judge Myers to sign the Engagement Letter and Audit Contract with Oster Professional Group CPAs for the year ended June 30, 2015.

9:30 am – The court took a break until the next scheduled agenda item. During the break Public Forest Commissioner Brooks Smith provided the court with copies of a February 3, 2015 letter the Commission sent to Malheur Forest Supervisor Steve Beverlin encouraging aggressive salvage of merchantable timer on the South Fork fire.

9:40 am – Judy Kerr, Kathy Smith and Dean Hoodenpyl entered

COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS. Juvenile and Community Corrections Director Dean Hoodenpyl recommended fully funding the Juvenile Probation Counselor 85% from the General Fund and 15% from Juvenile Revolving / Juvenile Crime Prevention. If approved the request would become effective FY 15-16. He described the Juvenile Counselor’s work that includes family interventions and the outstanding contribution she’s making to the program. Hoodenpyl said counseling work consumes all of the available time, so clerical functions for the office are being handled by the Secretary. The budget amount would change from 60% / $27,384 to 85% / $38,796 — a difference of $11,412 less $9,996 for clerical, with a total juvenile budget cost increase of $1,416 per year. MSP: Myers/Britton — to approve the Juvenile Counselor funding change proposal going forward to the Budget Committee at 85% as presented.

Hoodenpyl requested approval to increase the 2-day per week Community Service Supervisor to full time. He said 2 days each week does not allow the Supervisor to fulfill the goals of the program — to collaborate with different public and non-profit entities in carrying out the recidivism reducing mandate. Eventually the department would contract-out work crews to generate revenue for this program. Hoodenpyl said the part time position is funded by the Criminal Justice Reinvestment Grant which is expected to double in size next biennium. This grant would primarily fund the increase to full time, but full time funds are available without fully utilizing the CJR grant. Hoodenpyl provided estimated costs for wages and benefits that total $58,137. Britton confirmed with Hoodenpyl that funds are currently available in the budget for the increase in FY 15-16, regardless of the CJR grant increase. Labhart spoke with Hoodenpyl about activities work crews are performing through this program. Myers asked how Community Service hours are tracked to satisfy the individual’s court order. It was clarified that volunteer Dave Traylor has been conducting Community Service crews one day a week which wouldn’t conflict with the Supervisor’s program. MSP: Labhart/Myers — to approve a full time Community Service Supervisor position going to the Budget Committee. Myers suggested that Hoodenpyl make contact with our Department Heads to see if there may be some occasional work that can be done by Community Service workers.

9:55 am – News Reporter Scotta Callister, Sharon Livingston, Kathy Gillam entered

STORAGE BUILDING. Road Office Manager Kathy Gillam presented bids opened yesterday at 2 pm for construction of a Metal Storage Building at the Road Department. Josef Hitz of Sisul Engineering was present to talk about the public advertisement process and report on the sealed bids received from five contractors as follows: R.L. Reimers Co. $422,900; Kirby Nagelhout Construction $409,833.54; Donald W. Thompson Inc. $284,080; Five Star Builders $242,377; and Smucker Quality Homes Inc. $ 227,847. Low bidder Smucker Quality Homes was recommended for award. This project is to be completed by the end of June. MSP: Labhart/Myers — to award the Road Department Metal Storage Building project to Smucker Quality Homes in the amount of $227,847.

10:35 am — Joanne Keerins and Phil St. Clair entered

SHARON LIVINGSTON. Local rancher Sharon Livingston was present to discuss the article “Paychecks from Earth & Sky: What we can learn from Alaska about sharing our common wealth.” The piece appeared in the Yesmagazine.org Winter issue. Livingston previously provided the article to the court and asked them to consider how the use of natural resources might benefit Grant County and its citizens. Based on her personal lifetime of experience, Livingston talked about the county’s historical attitude toward and use of natural resources on the Malheur National Forest. She suggested that the county adopt and enact the annual distribution of dividends from natural resources similar to what has been done in the State of Alaska.

UPPER SOUTH FORK WATERSHED COUNCIL. Watershed Coordinator Amy Stiner provided an update on the Watershed Council’s various activities and projects within the basin. The council is a voluntary organization designated by a local government group to address the goal of sustaining natural resource and watershed protection and enhancement. Watershed councils represent interests in the basin and allow residents to independently evaluate conditions and identify restoration or enhancement opportunities. MSP: Labhart/Myers – that the Grant County Court formally recognize the newly expanded territory of the Upper South Fork Watershed Council. As requested (to satisfy OWEB funding requirements) the court signed a letter that recognizes the expanded territory represented by the Upper South Fork Watershed Council.

11:10 am — Patrick Bentz entered

AIRPORT. Airport Manager Patrick Bentz requested approval to purchase a replacement turbine (pump) for the 100LL fuel tank from Central Service Inc. of Bend estimated to cost $3,646.17. Bentz explained when CSI recently installed the airport’s new fuel dispenser and piping, it was discovered the existing turbine and housing were incompatible and the 25 year old connections inside the pipes have corroded. Britton sought clarification about what has been replaced and what may still need to be replaced on the dispenser. Bentz indicated the fuel dispenser is pumping fuel as well as before it was discovered the connections were corroded. He also said the Airport Commission has not yet had an opportunity to review and discuss the request. Bentz was asked to find out if we can get a second opinion to see if we can just replace the connections rather than the turbine. MSP: Labhart /Myers — to table this request until after the Airport Commission can discuss it at their meeting next week.

PUBLIC COMMENT. Sharon Livingston reiterated her request for the court to think about the proposal she presented earlier today. She said she would come back March 4 when Oregon Department of Forestry discusses Zone 1 lands.

Jim Sproul asked the court to stipulate using the word “coordinate” if it chooses to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on the Blue Mountains Forest Plan Revision process. Some general discussion took place about this proposed process. The court assured the public that, if there is an agreement, it would only be signed during their regular public meeting after legal counsel has reviewed it.

Labhart made it known that he feels adding the Zone 1 presentation during public comments, as Britton did last week, was wrong because it prevented the public from knowing about it in advance. Since the presentation was planned, Labhart thinks it should have been listed on the agenda.

There was a brief discussion about CFR road closures that were signed by the former Forest Supervisor on September 30, 2014. Attendees expressed interest in having a chance to ask the current Forest Supervisor some questions on that subject.

12:00 pm – Lunch Recess. The meeting reconvened at 1:00 pm. All court members, the Court Secretary, Peter Baer, Treasurer Kathy Smith, Hal Smith, News Reporter Scotta Callister, David Alldritt (Iron Workers Union 29), Seth Hernandez (Kirby Nagelhout Construction), and Chris Vaughan (JP Prinz LLC) were present.

COURTHOUSE ELEVATOR. Sealed bids were scheduled to be opened at 1 pm for the “Grant County Elevator Addition Project.” The engineer’s previous estimate for this project is $ 377,196. Peter Baer, of Pinnacle Architecture, opened the following bids on behalf of the county:

• Kirby Nagelhout Construction of Bend $487,000 with deductions of $5,000 and $6,000

• JP Prinz LLC of Redmond $230,000 with deductions of $5,000 and $2,000

Bidder’s Subcontractor Lists must be submitted before 3 pm today. However, both bidders submitted their Subcontractor List at 1:25 pm. Baer explained he would conduct a professional review of the bidders’ licensure and bid documents over the next few days. He talked about the types of questions and information the county is allowed to ask each contractor and explained reasons why bid amounts can have a significant discrepancy. Both bidders currently have been working on other projects in the local community. Baer explained the bidders’ deduction amounts for using concrete versus steel for the platform from the elevator to the stairwell landing. The court talked with Baer about the floor tile asbestos abatement project being done by Circuit Court on the upper floor. Baer indicated that results of the bid analysis would most likely be available Monday, February 9, 2015. A special meeting of the court will be scheduled at 8 am next Monday to potentially award the contract.

1:40 pm – Adjourned

Respectfully Submitted, Mary R. Ferrioli / County Court Secretary