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

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

AUGUST 5, 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, Dave Traylor, Brooks Smith, David Kilpatrick and News Reporter Nancy McCarthy. A Pledge of Allegiance was given to the United States flag. The invocation was given by Commissioner Britton.

CLAIMS. The court had reviewed and approved claims and Extension District Warrant No 17.

AGENDA. Britton announced that Kimberly Lindsay would be here at 10:15 today to present the Community Counseling Solutions 2015-2017 Strategic Plan. MSP: Myers/Labhart — to accept the agenda with two Airport and Community Corrections related agreements and Kimberly Lindsay’s presentation at 10:15 am

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Britton gave an update on work he’s doing to move forward with a possible Cramer Fish Sciences project. He said newly legislated county authority for predator control could be scheduled for discussion at an early September court meeting. Britton said Harney and Morrow-Umatilla counties have a predator control agent. Britton plans to attend AOC Summer Conference in Bend Sunday through Tuesday. He will be at the fair this week cooking hamburgers at the American Legion stand and working in the Stock Grower’s beer booth.

Myers met with OLCC rep Sarah Morgan last Wednesday about alcohol licensing within the county. Yesterday he attended a meeting at ODOT with ODOT, OSP, Sheriff Palmer and Grant County Road Department representatives to discuss safety issues when traveling through work zones; training on protocols will be offered in September at the airport. Friday he’ll attend the Eastern Oregon Counties Association meeting at the airport and work the main gate at the fair from noon to 4 pm. He noted that Senator Jeff Merkley will have a town hall in Long Creek on August 13 at 9 am. Myers provided an update on the process that he and Undersheriff Todd McKinley will use to migrate communications equipment at the Dixie Tower.

Labhart drove the VA van to Boise last Thursday and attended an EOCCO meeting at the airport on Friday. Saturday he will serve hamburgers at the American Legion stand at the fair. Sunday through Tuesday he will be in Bend for the AC Summer Conference. Labhart asked for and received permission to arrange an evening Work Session with the Prairie City Council and DeWitt Museum Director Katherine Smith at the end of this month.

MINUTES. MSP: Britton/Labhart — to accept the July 29 minutes as presented MIDDLE FORK ROAD. As recommended by the Road Department, the court reviewed and signed a Federal Highway Administration Interagency Agreement for the Middle Fork Road Chip Seal Project that ends December 31, 2016. The total amount of this reimbursable funding is $500,000.00. This road is the primary access to the Town of Galena and Susanville and needs preventative pavement preservation to avoid the need for total roadway reconstruction. Myers explained that the prep work on this 40 mile stretch of road was done this summer, but the decision had been made to delay the preservation work until next summer. MSP: Labhart/Smith — to approve Federal Highway Administration Interagency Agreement No. DTFH701E00035 for the Middle Fork Road Chip Seal Project and associated Federal Lands Access Program Project Memorandum of Agreement.

9:25 am — Patrick Bentz and Dean Hoodenpyl entered

AIRPORT. Airport Manager Patrick Bentz presented a revised Invitation to Bid to provide an audio conferencing, video conferencing, and public address system for the Large Conference Room (LCR) that was previously discussed on July 1. Bentz plans to review it with the Airport Commission on Monday, since they may not be aware the airport would pay for the entire project. He said the Forest Service did not want to put any of their funds into this project because they won’t receive a benefit from this equipment. Labhart felt this improvement could be paid with county funds since it is a county facility and benefits the entire county. Myers thought discussion was still open with the Forest Service regarding repairs and improvements. Britton spoke with Bentz about language on a hand-held and wireless microphone, and integration with the existing analog phone system. Britton suggested further conversations with the Airport Commission and the Forest Service about video conferencing. Labhart prefers having a wireless system and agrees with Britton that video conferencing is not currently needed. Bentz proposes to publish this in the Bend Bulletin, the Eagle and the East Oregonian once it is approved.

9:30 am – Judy Kerr, Malheur NF Supervisor Steve Beverlin, Karen Roggenoff, and Deputy Supervisor Ryan Nehl entered

COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS. Community Corrections Director Dean Hoodenpyl recommended signature on Intergovernmental Agreement No. 5118 with Oregon Department of Corrections to provide parole & probation services for 2015-2017. The biennial budget includes $618,463 for State Grant-in-Aid, $1,803 for Inmate Welfare Release Subsidy, $12,000 for Supervision Fees, and $2,000 for Other Fees totaling $634,266.00. It was noted the agreement needs approval today, since we’re already within the new biennium. Any necessary funding adjustments would be made later. MSP: Labhart /Myers — to authorize Judge Myers to sign Intergovernmental Agreement No. 5118 with Oregon Department of Corrections for 2015-2017 as recommended.

Hoodenpyl recommended approval of the Grant County Community Corrections 2015-2017 Biennial Plan which is required before this state funding can be distributed. The plan was developed by the Adult Parole and Probation Department and reviewed by the Local Public Safety Coordinating Council on July 23. Funds would be used for mental health treatment services, transitional services to indigent offenders, parole/post-prison probation services, batterers prevention program, substance abuse services, sex offender services, and administration. Hoodenpyl indicated that the numbers are up and we now have 100 supervised felons. MSP: Labhart/Myers — to authorize Judge Myers to sign the 2015-2017 Grant County Community Corrections Biennial Plan and the notice of approval letter to DOC Director Colette Peters.

PUBLIC COMMENT. Public Forest Commissioner Dave Traylor distributed a hand out and urged court members to attend a “Coordination 101” 3-day Work Shop to coordinate road access and the revised Blue Mountains Forest Plan August 20-22 in Baker City. He felt the county ought to be represented and participate in this important process. He said the Public Forest Commission will meet this evening in John Day. Labhart remarked on a Forest Access for All meeting that he recently attended in Baker City.

In response to Public Forest Commissioner Brooks Smith’s inquiry, Myers provided information about his earlier commitment to have a discussion about (Big Mosquito) Deep Creek decommissioning and the county possibly assisting with work on an alternate route to provide cell service.

New Public Affairs Officer Karen Roganof was introduced by Malheur NF Supervisor Steve Beverlin.

10:00 am — Sharon Livingston entered

Sharon Livingston expressed her appreciation of Judge Myers making the contacts she asked him to on Waters of the United States (WOTUS). She said Oregon Cattlemen’s Assn drafted a letter to Senators Merkley and Wyden; the Director is meeting with Congressman Kurt Schraeder today. She feels water is essential and vitally important to agriculture and everyone in Grant County. She plans to call the Governor’s office every day until she is able to visit with Natural Resource Advisor Richard Whitman.

David Kilpatrick said a petition will be circulated for signatures about the Measure 91 debate. He talked about the fact there is evidence our now silent lumber mills can be converted to process hemp. He thought this was a prime location for that type of industry. Sharon Livingston said she does not want to see our mills converted to process hemp, rather they should be returned to forest products processing so our forests aren’t left to burn. Kilpatrick provided an overview of the hemp industry and the process that can be used to produce a variety of hemp products. Britton encouraged Kilpatrick to contact local forest products industry representative Dan Bishop.

10:15 am — Kimberly Lindsay entered

Dave Traylor said he supports entrepreneurs, but believes our timber and grazing potential, and the resilience and health of our forest and water resources, is paramount and should not be ignored.

COMMUNITY COUNSELING SOLUTIONS. CCS Director Kimberly Lindsay presented the court with a copy of the agency’s updated 2015-2017 Strategic Plan and described objectives as: 1) Attract and Retain Exceptional Talent, 2.) Communication and Integration of Services, 3.) Develop Innovative Programs, 4.) Provide Excellence in Operations, and 5.) Provide Agency and Health Promotion.

Lindsay talked about upcoming personnel changes. Family Nurse Practitioner Karen Triplett announced her retirement that would be next spring/summer so CCS plans to start recruiting for that position. She said the Juniper Ridge psychiatrist (Dr. John Bates) is leaving and full time Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (Tim Holt) who is already familiar with Grant County will be moving here in September.

Some discussion was held about the status of CCS financials which Lindsay said has improved due to implemented efficiencies, but the year was not ended in the black. She believes the financial trend would continue to head in the right direction this year. Lindsay talked about billings and electronic health records; the old Ahlers billing system is still being used. She provided information about Blue Mountain hospital lab interface system versus possibly using EPIC’s lab interface system, considering how to better identify and represent all programs operated by CCS, the School-Based Health Center, Juniper Ridge Acute Care Center, and giving back the Drinking Water Program due to ongoing state funding reductions. Lindsay said that CCS will be starting a local scholarship program for nursing, psychology and the social science students.

10:50 am — Adjourned

Respectfully Submitted,

Mary R. Ferrioli

County Court Secretary