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 25, 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, Larry Blasing, Billie Jo George, Jim Sproul, Steve Parsons, Hank Lissman, Mark Pengelly, William Field, Audrey Matsumonsi, Howard Gieger, Ronald Phillips, Gary Jacobson, and Marlene Greer. A Pledge of Allegiance was given to the United States flag. The invocation was given by Commissioner Britton.

AGENDA. MSP: Myers/Britton — to accept the agenda as presented

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Britton attended the OTC meeting in Keizer to present a proposal on possible allocation of fuel tax funds and discuss state-wide transportation improvement and enhancement projects. This morning he talked to our Congressional delegation to encourage support of SRS funding for eastern Oregon. He will meet with CIS attorney Robert Franz at 2 pm today.

Myers had an elevator installation pre-construction meeting with Joe Prinz last Thursday and a conference call with Prinz and Pinnacle Architecture this Monday. He attended the Camp Lick Project open house and a Heritage Foundation board meeting last night. Today at 1 pm he meets with CIS attorney Robert Franz and with the Early Learning Council at 2 pm

Labhart attended a hospital board meeting last Thursday and last Monday he had an EOCCO board meeting in Portland and a Health Technology Assessment Subcommittee meeting in Tualatin. Tuesday he attended Magone and Lick Creek Project presentations at the airport. Today at noon he has an LCAC meeting at the airport. Thursday he will teach a hunter education class at the high school.

9:15 am – News Reporter Scotta Callister, Steve Beverlin, DA Jim Carpenter, and Nicky and Cheryl Sprauve entered

MINUTES. MSP: Myers/Britton– to approve the February 18 minutes as amended

2ND AMENDMENT RIGHTS. The court considered signing a draft letter to state senators and representatives supporting Citizens’ Second Amendment Rights. Legislation is being considered in the 2015 Session and counties have been asked to provide input on this issue. The draft letter was modeled after the Wasco County Commissioners’ letter. Myers recited the proposed letter. Britton suggested that the county also do something more forceful to stand-up for our rights. Labhart had not seen the bills, but understood our elected state officials took an oath to uphold the U. S. Constitution. MSP: Myers/ Britton – to circulate the letter for signature as presented

9:25 am – King and Zach Williams, John Eley, Gregory Moon, Sara Bush, Elizabeth Tanner, Dave Traylor and Ryan Falk entered

BUDGET RESOLUTION. Court members reviewed and signed Resolution 15-01 Making Intrafund Transfers, General Fund Justice Court in the amount of $300.00 to establish a new revenue line to track the indigent defense revenue within the Justice Court budget. MSP: Labhart/Myers — to circulate Resolution 15-01 for signature as presented.

ELK 16 VEGETATION PROJECT. Malheur NF Supervisor Steve Beverlin introduced Prairie City District Ranger Greg Moon who presented information on the Elk 16 Vegetation Project. Other presenters were Elizabeth Tanner, Sara Bush, and Pete Medina. A project briefing paper and several maps of the areas were displayed for public viewing. The project would restore ecological structure and function of forest ecosystems and improve forest health, restore natural/historic fuel regimes and resiliency to wildfire, and improve hydrological and ecological function of streams and riparian areas and habitats they provide. Key issues are protection of large old growth Ponderosa pine in the North Fork Malheur Scenic Corridor, habitat for old growth management indicator species and goshawk, effects to trees > 21 inches DBH, effects to connectivity, and logging in RHCA’s.

Public involvement including field trips and public meetings on this project was described. The EA has already been out for a 30 day comment period. The final EA and final decision notice would go out for a 45 day comment period on March 18. Beverlin explained the NEPA regulatory requirements and cumulative impacts that the Forest Service is required to address within each of their proposed project analyses. The presentation was interrupted briefly to allow time for county department heads to make their requests as scheduled.

10:15 am — Greg Bremner and Kathy Gillam entered

ROAD EQUIPMENT. Risk & Safety Manager Greg Bremner requested approval to purchase a Poly Patcher for pavement repair and maintenance. Office Manager Kathy Gillam and Road Advisory Board member John Eley were also present. Myers talked about the large cracks and gaps that had been corrected in the county using this machine as a rental. Bremner said the machine and material would also work well to address bridge concerns, cattle guard approaches, etc. He explained that training of staff would be included within the purchase price. Myers spoke with Gillam about the funding that’s currently available to purchase this machine within the Capital Outlay line. Eley provided detail on the excellent performance of this machine and material which the Advisory Board is recommending for purchase. MSP: Labhart/Myers — to approve purchasing the Poly Patch Machine from Pavement Management Supply of Portland for a total amount of $58,425.00 as requested.

10:25 am — Ashley McClay entered

VAWA GRANTS. Victim Assistance Director Ashley McClay requested approval to re-apply for a Violence Against Women Rural Program Grant and sign a Sub-Grant Contract with the City of John Day. McClay has been managing this grant program since 2006. If awarded, the next 3-year grant period begins October 1, 2015. Funds are used to support the Deputy DA, Victim Intervention Specialist, Heart of Grant County Advocate, and Law Enforcement Investigator. The grant also includes an admin fee, staff and community partners training, and community awareness campaigns.

DA Jim Carpenter was present to support these grant requests.

McClay also requested approval to apply for a Violence Against Women Grant to fund an Encourage Arrest Policies and Enforcement of Protection Orders Program. It would create mandatory partnerships to work collaboratively to identify problems, share ideas that result in new responses to ensure victim safety and offender accountability. The average amount awarded is $600,000.00 for the 3-year grant beginning October 1, 2015. McClay explained staff is still going through the application to see what our proposed program would like. She asked for approval to also allow Myers to sign report forms and other documents related to this grant process. MSP: Britton/Myers — to allow Judge Myers to sign the Violence Against Women Rural Program Grant, Sub-Grant Contract with the City of John Day, and the Violence Against Women Grant Application to fund an Encourage Arrest Policies and Enforcement of Protection Orders Program — including subsequent documents associated with these grants

Some further discussion on the Elk 16 Project resumed at 10:35 am. Labhart suggested possibly having the maps available for viewing on a projector so all attendees in the room may see them

PUBLIC ACCESS ADVISORY BOARD. Advisory Board Chair Jim Sproul had asked to present the board’s recommendation on the Wolf Project. Board members Steve Parsons, Mark Pengelly, Billie Joe George, Howard Gieger and Judy Kerr were present. Jim asked if an extension on the Wolf Project comment period can be requested. Malheur NF Supervisor Steve Beverlin explained that public notices were made in the Harney and Grant county newspapers and the rules do not allow the Forest Service to extend the comment period. A letter from the board was distributed and recited aloud by Jim Sproul which included the signed resignation of all board members except Steve Parsons and Mark Pengelly. Gieger recited his own letter that addresses what he feels is a lack of involvement and action by the court in response to requests the board has made over the past few months.

PUBLIC COMMENT. Public Forest Commissioner Nicky Sprauve said our federal officials and elected officials were not responding to, or fighting for, the people’s survival in Grant County. Blue Mountain Forest Partners and School Board member Zach Williams provided background on all of the work the community has accomplished in the past to work collaboratively and improve relations with the Forest Service and enhance management of our natural resources. He stressed there is a pace and scale now that needs to keep moving forward. Public Access Advisory Board member Mark Pengelly commented on intercommunications among the various public groups and supported further activity and involvement of the Public Access Advisory Board. He recently attended a Blue Mountain Forest Partners meeting. Britton expressed his appreciation of Pengelly’s involvement with BMFP as a representative of the mining community. Malheur NF Supervisor provided an update on the South Fork Fire Salvage tour the FS made with interested individuals last week. Other discussion followed about additional work that is needed on salvaging timber. Steve Parsons felt the Camp Lick and Magone Project meeting held last night was well presented and well received.

11:20 am — Adjourned

Respectfully Submitted,

Mary R. Ferrioli

County Court Secretary