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

MAY 27, 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 and Pastor Michael Harvey. A Pledge of Allegiance was given to the United States flag. The invocation was given by Pastor Harvey.

9:05 am — The court entered executive session under ORS 192.660(2)(i) to review the employment related performance of a public officer, employee, or staff member. At 9:50 am the court returned to general session and JC Oliver, Tinka Oliver, Judy Kerr and Jim Sproul entered.

AGENDA. MSP: Myers/Labhart — to accept the agenda with discussion about on-the-job training for the VSO and an update on donation of a car by DHS.

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Court members will participate in an Extension & 4H Service District 2015-2016 budget committee meeting today at 1 pm.

Labhart attended an LCAC meeting at the airport and a Grant Union Scholarship meeting last Wednesday. Thursday he had a hospital board meeting and met with the airport manager to discuss the conference room sound system. Tomorrow Labhart will drive the VA van to Boise and will attend the Blue Mountain Eagle Appreciation gathering at the Outpost Restaurant. This Friday he plans to attend the Teen Health Fair at Grant Union and will drive the VA van to Boise on Monday.

Britton said Congressman Walden’s staff will be at the Courthouse tomorrow from 9 to 10 am. Sheriff Palmer, John Bastian and Britton will meet with staff concerning Lake Creek Camp. Britton has been working on the Zone 1 lands letter this week. Tomorrow Steve Cramer (Cramer Fish Sciences) is giving a scientific presentation at the airport at 1 pm and a public presentation at Grant SWCD that evening. Britton plans to attend a Farm Bureau meeting next week.

At 10:10 am Brooks Stanfield (Environmental Protection Agency) reported on how the vapor problem and subsurface fumes impacting 20 homes is being handled. He said there’s a possibility of flammable gas within the water table in the South Canyon Blvd community. He talked about his investigations and the process used to sample ground water. MSP: Britton/ Myers — to allow the EPA representative to drill a test hole in the Library parking lot upon Judge Myers’ signature on the paperwork presented.

10:15 am – King Williams, Zach Williams, and Ron Phillips entered

Myers was on Dixie Mountain yesterday morning with Joe Hitz and Terry Brandsma to dig test holes for the new tower foundation. He has an elevator project site meeting at 4 pm and will assist with storage of elevator parts delivered to the Courthouse today. Tomorrow Myers has a CCNEO board of director’s conference call at 10:30 am and a work injury conference call with SAIF at 2 pm. He plans to attend a Mental Health Advisory Board meeting at CCS on Monday at 10:30 am.

MINUTES. MSP: Myers/Britton — to approve the May 20 minutes as amended.

TREE REMOVAL SERVICES. The court considered quotes received to provide licensed tree removal services at the northeast corner of the Courthouse. Earlier this month a Request for Quotes was mailed to The Tree Service / Burns, Field’s Tree Service / John Day, and Mark Webb / Mt. Vernon with a due date of May 22 asking to: 1.) Remove / take out the rotten tree and provide full clean-up of the area, and 2.) Grind and remove the rotten tree stump. Quotes were received from Field’s Tree Service @ $650 (Item 1 only) and The Tree Service @ $1,000 (Item 1 only); Mark Webb did not respond. The quote submitted by The Tree Service didn’t comply for not using the required Request for Quotes form.

MSP: Myers/Labhart — to accept the quote from Field’s Tree Service at $650. Myers noted that any very large sections can be removed by the Road Department and we can locate a stump grinder.

10:30 am – Alec Oliver, Tom McHatton, Steve Beverlin and Audrey Matsumonis entered

OSU EXTENSION. Court members reviewed and signed an IGA with OSU Extension authorizing technology use for a designated county employee. The agreement allows county employee Carol Waggoner to access the OSU central administrative financial database system to provide certain office and technical services for the delivery of extension-related services to county residents. MSP: Labhart/

Myers– to authorize Judge Myers to sign the Intergovernmental Agreement with OSU Extension authorizing technology use for a designated county employee.

The court also reviewed and signed a Space Use Agreement with OSU Extension Service for the use of office space located at 530 E. Main, Suite 10 in John Day which includes approximately 918 sq ft including ADA restroom, kitchen and training area until June 30, 2016. Terms and Conditions, an office space diagram, and the county’s Commercial Property Lease (signed in 2014) were attached. MSP: Britton/Myers — to authorize Judge Myers to sign the Space Use Agreement with OSU Extension Service.

EOCCO. The court considered the application of Jessica Winegar to serve on the Eastern Oregon Coordinated Care Organization Local Community Advisory Council. Winegar recently replaced Lindsay Maghan as Grant County Health Department Manager. MSP: Labhart/Myers– to appoint Jessica Winegar to the EOCCO Local Community Advisory Council.

WOLF PROJECT. Local Rancher JC Oliver requested that the court send a letter objecting to road closures within the Wolf Vegetation Management Project. Interested persons present were King Williams, Zach Williams, Malheur NF Supervisor Steve Beverlin, Audrey Matsumonis, Tom McHatton, Ron Phillips, Tinka Oliver, and Jim Sproul. JC Oliver talked about the public comment process and the meeting held last week in Harney County addressing this project. Oliver urged the court to send a letter on this project similar to the letter that was submitted on Elk 16 and the Big Mosquito projects. He talked about the lack of forest management that he sees on his allotment and wants to see roads kept open to provide access for much needed resource management. He felt some roads are closing on their own due to lack of use and doesn’t know why the Forest Service should spend money on something that’s unnecessary. Oliver expressed concern for his paraplegic son, Alec, who uses a 4-wheeler to work the land in the fall (during hunting season). Oliver suggested the Forest Service might do a better job of notifying permittees about changes to allotments.

Labhart had been studying the Wolf Project EIS and recited some language in the document about the number of roads already closed or decommissioned, and the number of road miles proposed for closure. He pointed out the notices of public comment opportunities on this project and the 3 responses received during scoping. Oliver felt the county’s Ordinance needs to be used to prevent further road closures. Labhart expressed concern about the lack of enforcement language in county Ordinance 2013-01.

Supervisor Beverlin clarified information in the decision documents about roads previously closed to public access, decommissioned roads, naturally closed roads, and roads proposed for closure due to lack of use. Discussion followed about obtaining information on the NEPA documents used to previously close roads and the roads that would be closed within the Wolf Project document.

Britton spoke about the compelling reasons and specifics that Mr. Beverlin is looking for through engagement with the public in this decision process. Britton believes the Forest Service has been moving forward and is actively trying to improve our natural resources.

Discussion followed about a lack of communication from the Forest Service perceived by permittees such as JC Oliver, on the ground examination of roads listed in the document, various time periods available to engage on proposed projects during the public process, and how the county might better communicate with the Forest Service to provide specific project comments.

Other discussion took place about questions the court posed to county counsel about the county’s Ordinance and the privileged status of the information provided by legal counsel. The public expressed interest in knowing whether or not this Ordinance is legal. An exchange of information and opinions among the participants was held concerning a wide range of issues with regard to public roads and the process for ongoing public engagement and concerning forest management.

VSO. Labhart provided information about on-the-job training for Veteran Services Officer Erin Osgood. He understood this program may allow funding for Erin Osgood’s position for a period of two years. Labhart was given permission to act as the designated certification officer for this program.

PUBLIC COMMENT. Additional public comment was requested, but none was offered.

12:00 pm — Adjourned

Respectfully Submitted,

Mary R. Ferrioli

County Court Secretary