Grant County Court minutes from Jan. 4, 2017:

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 Jim Hamsher and Boyd Britton, Administrative Assistant Laurie Wright, Jim Spell, Katy Nelson, Judy Kerr, Rick Minster, Doug Ferguson, Jim Sproul, Susan Church, Judy Schuette, Reporter Rylan Boggs, and Pastor Flora Cheadle. A Pledge of Allegiance was given to the United States Flag. The invocation was given by Pastor Cheadle.

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS. Commissioner Britton said he had a chance to visit with Jay Gibbs from NRCS and Lorraine Vogt of NRCS will be keeping emergency management notified of the snow pack up the canyon. Britton also visited with Doug Ferguson about potential flooding issues this spring.

Judge Myers swore in five newly elected officials last Friday in the Circuit Courtroom. Myers also performed a wedding last Friday. Myers traveled to La Grande yesterday for a meeting and advised the roads were very slick on the way back. This Thursday Myers has a name change hearing in the afternoon and they he will attend a meeting regarding the Canyon City Hazard Mitigation plan Thursday evening.

Commissioner Hamsher attended the Senior Citizens last Wednesday and the swearing in on Friday and said he was thankful for the citizen turnout at the swearing in.

MINUTES. MSP: Myers/Britton — to approve the December 28th minutes as amended. Hamsher abstained from voting since he wasn’t at the meeting.

ORDER 2017-01. The court reviewed Order 2017-01 authorizing investments. This order authorizes the Treasurer to invest funds throughout the year. MSP: Myers/Britton — to approve Order 2017-01 and circulate for signatures.

BANK SIGNATURE CARDS. The court members reviewed signature cards for banking institutions the county does business with. The signature cards need to be changed due to personnel changes. MSP: Myers/Britton — to circulate the signature cards for signatures.

9:09 am Gail Beverlin entered.

COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL. The court received a volunteer application from Veanne Weddle to serve on the Local Community Advisory Council. MSP: Myers/Hamsher — to appoint Veanne Weddle to serve on the Local Community Advisory Council.

4H & EXTENSION ANNUAL AUDIT. The court reviewed the annual audit for FY 2015-16 prepared by Oster Professional Group for the 4H & Extension Office. MSP: Myers/Hamsher — to accept FY 2015-16 annual audit for the 4H & Extension Office.

FAIR MANAGER CELL PHONE. Fair Manager Mindy Winegar had sent a written request to the court asking for a county issued cellular phone. Winegar would prefer to not use her personal cell phone for county business. The new cell phone would be free and the monthly cost would be $49.99. MSP: Myers/Britton — to approve issuance of a county cell phone to the Fair Manager.

9:12 am Reporter Logan Bagett entered.

VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS. The court reviewed several appointments for vacant positions on county committees.

Airport Commission: Robert Watt, Robert Bagett, Ron Lundbom and Scott W. Myers had all indicated they wished to continue to serve on the Airport Commission. MSP: Britton/Myers — to re-appoint Robert Watt, Robert Bagett, Ron Lundbom & Scott W. Myers to the Airport Commission with terms expiring December 31, 2018.

Budget Committee: Amy Kreger had requested re-appointment to the Budget Committee. MSP: Myers/Hamsher — to re-appoint Amy Kreger to the Budget Committee with a term expiring December 31, 2019.

9:13 am Assessor David Thunell entered.

College Advisory Board: Paul Smith and Barbara Williams both sent in letters of resignation to the College Advisory Board. No volunteer applications were received to fill the positions at this time. MSP: Myers/Hamsher — to accept Paul Smith and Barbara William’s resignations and send letters of thanks for their service and to seek out volunteers in the next quarter.

9:15 am Elaine Smith entered. 9:16 am Treasurer Julie Ellison entered.

Fair Board: Donna Palmer, Lucas Moore and JC Oliver III had all requested re-appointment to the Fair Board. MSP: Britton/Myers — to re-appoint Donna Palmer, Lucas Moore and JC Oliver III to the Fair Board with terms expiring on December 31, 2019.

Mental Health Advisory Board: Mike McManus, Scott W. Myers and Cathy C. Currey had all indicated they wished to remain on the Mental Health Advisory Board. MSP: Myers/Hamsher — to re-appoint Mike McManus, Scott W. Myers and Cathy C. Currey to the Mental Health Advisory Board with terms expiring on December 31, 2019.

Planning Commission: Margie Walton, Hailey Boethin and Dan Driscoll had all requested re-appointment to the Planning Commission. One alternate position remains vacant, but no volunteer applications were received for this vacancy. MSP: Britton/Myers — to re-appoint Margie Walton, Hailey Boethin and Dan Driscoll to the Planning Commission with terms expiring December 31, 2020.

SEACT: Nick Green and Boyd Britton had requested re-appointment to the Southeast Area Commission on Transportation Board. MSP: Britton/Myers – to re-appoint Nick Green and Boyd Britton with terms expiring December 31, 2019.

Wildlife Advisory Board: Andy Day and Mike Kilpatrick had indicated they wished to remain on the Wildlife Advisory Board. Herb Brusman was sent a letter asking if he wished to serve again, but no reply was received. The board has two vacant positions, but no volunteer applications were received. MSP: Myers/Hamsher — to re-appoint Andy Day and Mike Kilpatrick to the Wildlife Advisory Board with terms expiring December 31, 2019 and to send a letter of thanks to Herb Brusman for his service.

BUDGET OFFICER. A new Budget Officer needed to be appointed for fiscal year 2017-18 due to former Treasurer Kathy Smith’s retirement. Treasurer Julie Ellison indicated to the court she is willing to serve as Budget Officer for FY 2017-18. MSP: Myers/Hamsher — to appoint Treasurer Julie Ellison as Budget Officer for FY 2017-18.

TAX COLLECTOR. A new Tax Collector needed to be appointed for fiscal year 2017-18 due to former Assessor Karen Officer’s retirement. Assessor David Thunell indicated to the court he is willing to serve as Tax Collector effective immediately. MSP: Myers/Britton — to appoint Assessor David Thunell as Tax Collector immediately.

PUBLIC COMMENT. Jim Sproul said when the oath of office is taken there is no sunset clause on it and his thought is the oath follows you even after you leave office. Discussion followed regarding the possible scenarios and meanings of taking the oath. Jim Spell asked for the status of the court getting hearing assisting devices for the courtroom. Myers advised he will be working on this today. Spell asked if it was legal for a citizen to record a court session and Myers said he thought it was if they advised they were recording. Hamsher said he believes only one party needs to know if a recording is being made. Reporter Logan Bagett said he is required to notify people that he is recording prior to conducting interviews. Myers said he will look further into the matter of citizens recording meetings and check the Oregon Revised Statutes. *** After consulting with legal counsel regarding recording public meetings the courtroom was posted accordingly. ORS 165.540(c) prohibits unannounced concealed recordings of court proceedings. ***

9:29 am – Adjourned.

Respectfully Submitted,

Laurie Wright

Administrative Assistant