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

November 9, 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, Jim Spell, Beth Spell, Kay Steele, Judy Schuette, Judy Kerr, Jim Sproul, Sally Bartlett, Alan Hickerson, and Pastor Levi Manitsas. A Pledge of Allegiance was given to the United States Flag. The invocation was given by Pastor Manitsas.

9:04 am Jim Hamsher entered.

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

9:06 am Reporter Logan Bagett and Katy Nelson entered.

ANNOUNCEMENTS. Judge Myers reported he has heard it mentioned in the past and recently that it is difficult for the audience to hear discussions during court. Myers said hearing devices are being looked into to address this. He has discussed this with the Justice of the Peace and believes the devices and cost could be shared between the JP office and the court. Myers picked up ballots yesterday evening and attended a SAIF training at the road department yesterday morning. Tomorrow Myers will attend a court security meeting and next Monday he will participate in interviews for a new Deputy District Attorney.

Commissioner Britton advised the audience that the court received a letter from the Geographic Names Board denying the county’s request to change the names of Wiwaanaytt Creek and Wiwaanaytt Meadow to Sullens Creek and Sullens Meadow. Britton said he will not give up the fight for this and was disappointed by the tone of the letter. Britton also said he was honored to speak at Gregg Smith’s funeral last week.

9:10 am Kathy Smith entered.

Commissioner Labhart attended the Disabled American Veterans driver’s meeting in John Day on November 5th and then went to the Senior Citizens luncheon at the John Day Senior Center on November 7th. Labhart will be going to lunch today at the Prairie City Senior Center, will attend a Health Evidence Review Commission meeting in Wilsonville on Thursday and on Tuesday, November 15th he will drive the Veterans van to the VA Hospital in Boise.

MINUTES. MSP: Myers/Labhart — to approve the November 2nd minutes as presented.

ROAD DEPARTMENT. Road Master Alan Hickerson presented a request to the court for approval to purchase two new chainsaws for the road department. Hickerson said the road department has been conducting a lot of brushing lately and the current saws only have 24 inch bars which makes is difficult to fall larger trees. He would like to have saws with a 28 inch bar to handle the larger trees they need to fall. Hickerson checked prices and JD Rents gave the best price and gives the road department a 10% discount as well. MSP: Myers/Britton — to approve the purchase of two new Stihl chainsaws from JD Rents in the amount of $738.00 each to be paid from the Road and Shop Capital Outlay Line.

9:21 am Mindy Winegar entered.

SNOW REMOVAL CONTRACT. The court reviewed the snow removal contract with Columbia Basin Helicopters. The contract was awarded to Columbia Basin Helicopters last week. MSP: Myers/Labhart — to approve the contract and circulate for signatures.

FAIRGROUNDS STAFF HOURS. The court discussed increasing the fairgrounds staff hours for the December pay period from 24 hours per week to 32 hours per week. Treasurer Kathy Smith explained due to the lowered hours for the Fair Manager there is enough money in the budget to increase the staff hours. Smith recommended the court approve the increase in the staff hours. MSP: Britton/Labhart — to approve increasing the fairgrounds staff hours to 32 hours per week for the December pay period.

FAIRGROUNDS REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. Economic Development Coordinator Sally Bartlett presented two requests for proposals she prepared for the fairgrounds. One RFP was for bids for the PA system and the other was for electrical installation bids for the PA system and reader boards. Bartlett said she has taken over this project at the Fair Manager’s request and has been working with the USDA on this. Bartlett advised the USDA approved the proposed RFP’s she created. Bartlett said the RFP’s will be advertized in numerous newspapers and on the county website. Discussion followed regarding a selection and review committee, what the county’s role will be in the negotiations with contractors and trenching for the electrical. Bartlett advised the grant dates have been extended for these projects. MSP: Labhart/Myers — to approve the request for proposal for the PA system and to approve the request for proposal for the electrical installation for the PA system and reader boards as presented.

PUBLIC COMMENT. Labhart told those in attendance that Judge Cramer’s decision regarding the Public Forest Commission was received yesterday by the county court and is available for review. Myers said he shared the email with Judy Kerr and Jim Sproul as soon as he received it. Kerr and Sproul thanked Myers doing so. Myers announced there will be no court session next week because the court members will be attending the AOC conference.

9:37 am — Adjourned

Respectfully Submitted,

Laurie Wright

Administrative Assistant