Grant County Court minutes from Oct. 12, 2016:

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, Administrative Assistant Laurie Wright, Judy Kerr, Shannon Springer, Reporter Rylan Boggs, Reporter Logan Bagett, Susan Church, and Pastor Flora Cheadle. A Pledge of Allegiance was given to the United States Flag. The invocation was given by Pastor Cheadle.

CLAIMS. The court had reviewed and approved claims and extension district warrants #206-218.

9:07 am Haley Walker entered. 9:10 am Kathy Smith entered.

PLANNING DEPARTMENT UPDATE. Assistant Planner updated the court on what she had discovered regarding the GIS computer program she requested last week for her office. Springer explained she reached out to other counties to find out what program they use and the majority that responded also utilize the GIS program. Springer spoke with the Assessor’s office and they had one unused license for the GIS program and she was able to load it on her computer. Springer stated this is a band aid for now and the program will eventually need to be updated. She will be working with the Assessor’s office in the future to address the issue.

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS. Commissioner Britton said he will be going to Silverton this afternoon for an OTC meeting. Britton explained some of the issues that should be discussed at the meeting.

9:13 am Brenda Percy and Julie Ellison entered.

Britton stated he will not be able to make it back for the Stockgrower’s meeting on Thursday. Britton did reach out to Judge Grasty in Harney County about the Eastern Oregon Association of Counties dues and was told they chose to pay half of the dues charged. Britton said the court needs to discuss this in the near future.

Commissioner Labhart attended a Health Evidence Review Commission meeting in Wilsonville on October 6th and participated in the Association of Oregon Counties Public Lands and Natural Resources subcommittee meeting on October 10th. Labhart also had lunch at the John Day Senior Center on October 10th. Today he will attend a Grant County Chamber eclipse meeting at the Canyon City Community Hall and will drive the Veterans van to the Boise VA hospital tomorrow.

Judge Myers conducted a name change hearing last Thursday and performed a wedding on Friday afternoon. On Monday Myers conducted another name change hearing and attended the Airport Commission meeting Monday evening. Myers will perform a wedding this afternoon and will be traveling to Salem on Thursday afternoon.

MINUTES. MSP: Britton/Labhart — to approve the October 5th minutes as amended.

Judge Myers advised the audience the court received a letter from a concerned citizen. The letter writer requested it be read on the record. Myers said it is not court policy to read letters on the record, but rather to advise those in attendance that a letter was received and will be made available for those interested in viewing it.

DEPUTY CLERK POSITION. Clerk Brenda Percy presented her request to the court for advertising and hiring of a new Deputy Clerk. The Deputy Clerk was elected as the new county Treasurer and her position needs to be filled. Percy said she has not received interest from current county employees for the position and would like to advertise the position in house and to the public at the same time. Percy explained the dates she would like to conduct interviews and have someone hired. Her plan would be to have the employee start on December 1st and have two weeks to train in her office. Julie Ellison would then have time to train with the current Treasurer. Percy explained her reasons for wanting Ellison’s assistance with training a new employee. Myers was concerned that allowing two weeks training might be setting a precedent that has not been allowed in other departments. Britton pointed out this is an unusual situation because it involves an elected official and rarely happens. Ellison said she believes the training can be completed in two weeks and Percy added Ellison is currently training with Treasurer Kathy Smith when possible. Myers asked Percy to complete the cross training as quickly as possible. Smith said her Deputy Treasurer is only a part time position and so she wouldn’t be able to assist with much training because she doesn’t know how some things are done. Discussion followed regarding how this will be funded. MSP: Labhart/Myers — to approve the request for advertising and training to be paid from the relief help line.

9:40 am Karen Officer entered.

SEACT COMMITTEE. It was brought to the court’s attention that Airport Manager Haley Walker was never officially appointed to the Southeast Area Commission on Transportation in place of former Airport Manager Patrick Bentz. The Airport Manager is normally a member of the SEACT. MSP: Myers/Britton — to appoint Haley Walker to serve on the SEACT Committee with a term expiring December 31, 2018.

BOARD OF PROPERTY TAX APPEALS. Myers said one member of the court is obligated to serve on the BOPTA board and he is willing to do this as he has in the past. The volunteers are Clair Kehrberg, Bob Quinton and Judge Myers. MSP: Myers/Britton — to approve volunteers Clair Kehrberg, Bob Quinton and Scott W. Myers to the BOPTA Board for fiscal year 2016/17.

LETTER TO OPRD. Gregg Smith drafted a letter and sent it to the court for review and possible approval. Smith represents the Friends of Bates Park and was involved in the acquisition of the park. The letter is addressed to Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and requests OPRD leave the Consensus Process for Bates Pond. Britton said he likes the letter, but feels it may be somewhat confrontational and he would like to work on the wording. Myers agreed and said he would not sign the letter as it was presented today. Labhart also said he would not sign the letter as presented. Britton will work on the letter with the court’s permission. It was agreed by Myers and Labhart to allow Britton to do so.

AIRPORT GRANT APPLICATIONS. Airport Manager Haley Walker presented two grant applications to the court for review and approval. These applications are for a Rural Commercial Air Service Consultant and Helicopter Concrete Parking Pads. Walker explained discussions she has had with the airport engineer regarding these projects. The grant applications were reviewed and discussed at the Airport Commission meeting on Monday evening. Britton suggested sending the applications to the airport engineer for final review. Walker will send the applications to the engineer. MSP: Britton/Myers — to approve the grant applications and authorize Judge Myers to sign.

9:55 am Dave Traylor entered.

PUBLIC COMMENT. No one offered comments.

10:00 am — Adjourned

Respectfully Submitted,

Laurie Wright

Administrative Assistant