Grant County Court minutes from Feb. 8, 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, Katy Nelson, Jim Spell, Beth Spell, Frances Preston, Susan Church, Frances Kocis, Elaine Smith, Judy Schuette, Jim Spell, Judy Kerr, Sally Bartlett, Ron Ballard, Vickie Thompson, Adele Cerny, Ron Rue, Sandy Rue, State Fire Marshall Dave Fields, Reporter Rylan Boggs, Dave Traylor, Eva Harris, Reporter Logan Bagett, Gail Beverlin and Pastor Levi Manitsas. A Pledge of Allegiance was given to the United States Flag. The invocation was given by Pastor Manitsas.

CLAIMS. The court had reviewed and approved claims and extension district warrants # 267-277. Commissioner Britton declared a conflict of interest for two claims payable to Boyd Britton Welding.

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS. Commissioner Britton spoke with Congressman Walden’s staff this last week and encouraged people to attend the meeting the Congressman will be holding in Mt. Vernon at 4 pm tomorrow.

Judge Myers attended an Internet Task Force meeting last Friday at the John Day Fire Hall. Today Myers will try to attend an eclipse meeting at the Canyon City Community Hall. Myers signed a permit last Friday for a beer and wine tasting event at the airport put on by 1188 Brewing Company that will be held this Friday.

Commissioner Hamsher attended the Senior’s luncheon last Wednesday. Hamsher spoke with Congressman Walden’s office about SRS funding. After speaking with the Road Master Hamsher said a large piece of equipment was moved to the area near the Inland Bridge. Hamsher went to a Grant County Fair & Rodeo meeting last night where he was elected President and hosting an NPRA Rodeo was discussed. Hamsher intends to attend Congressman Walden’s meeting tomorrow in Mt. Vernon.

MINUTES. MSP: Britton/Myers — to approve the February 1st minutes as amended.

9:13 am David Thunell entered.

SILVIES VALLEY RANCH. Colby Marshall, Tygh Campbell, and Courtney Pattock, from Silvies Valley Ranch presented an update to the court regarding the ranch. A sign-up sheet was passed around for those interested in receiving a newsletter and additional information from the ranch. Campbell and Marshall gave summaries of their background to those in attendance. Campbell said the ranch is a very large property and his family is using it as an investment property along with a testing ground for new ideas such as raising Boer goats. The hope is to bring new money into the area utilizing the ranch as a tourism destination. Marshall said this project has been supported by numerous members of the community in Harney and Grant County. Campbell stated the ranch will be a small boutique resort and not a dude ranch. Amenities will include a main lodge, conference facilities, bunk houses and a spa that will open next year. In the future three shooting ranges will be put in place along with two 18 hole golf courses, a 9 hole par 3 and a 7 hole challenge course. They will have 34 rooms available and do not plan to expand that. This year will be a limited open season preview year so things can be put in place such as staffing and advertising.

9:25 am Shannon Springer entered.

Marshall explained the future goals and time frame for the resort. Campbell said the target age for the destination tourist is expected to be 60 to 70 years and they will be people on vacation who will be expecting to spend around $1000 per day. He explained how this could financially benefit the Grant and Harney County areas. Campbell stated the ranch will provide numerous well paying job opportunities. Myers asked if the resort would be open to the general public as well. Campbell said it will and they plan to offer a reduced rate to local members of golf clubs. A question and answer session followed.

10:00 am Julie Ellison entered.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. Economic Development Coordinator Sally Bartlett presented a request to the court for permission to present a proposal to the budget committee to hire a regular part-time Economic Development Specialist for her office. Bartlett explained she has used temporary relief help in the past, but she needs someone to assist her with research and communicating with small businesses. Bartlett believes this will make her office much more efficient, especially with the large grants and projects such as the Silvies Valley Ranch. Bartlett would like to hire someone in July and estimates the cost will be around $40,000 per year for a 30 hour per week position with benefits. MSP: Myers/Britton — to allow Bartlett’s proposal and job description to move forward to the budget committee.

10:20 am Steve Beverlin entered. 10:30 am Kimberly Lindsay entered.

COMMUNITY COUNSELING SOLUTIONS. Kimberly Lindsay of Community Counseling Solutions provided an update to the court. Grant County had been approved last year to be a Mental Health Behavioral site and due to additional funding CCS plans on hiring additional staff and is already advertising for positions. Lindsay explained future goals and services. CCS sees anyone who comes to them regardless of ability to pay. Lindsay advised they are in need of additional office space for mental health and the health department and said one option they have looked at is utilizing some space in the L-Building and this has been discussed with Judge Myers and Commissioner Britton. She said they are looking at other options as well. Lindsay hasn’t seen the space in the L-Building but plans on doing so today. Britton asked how CCS is doing financially. Lindsay reported she doesn’t know yet if she will have changes to her budget this year or if the figures will remain the same. She said she knows she needs to get those figures to the Treasurer as soon as possible. Lindsay told the court she believes the previous issue raised by the public defender regarding holding a bed at Juniper Ridge for a local in crisis has been resolved.

11:03 am Kathy Stinnett and Jamie McKay entered. 11:09 am Jim Carpenter entered.

LEGAL ASSISTANT TRAINING. District Attorney Jim Carpenter had sent a written request to the court to approve training for Legal Assistant Michele McManama. This training will take place in St. Louis, Missouri, and is for the Karpel computer system. Carpenter explained this is a new paperless computer system his office implemented a few months ago. The estimated cost of the travel and training is around $1500 and will be paid from the DA’s dues & travel budget line. MSP: Myers/Britton — to approve the training for McManama to be paid from the DA’s dues and travel budget line.

11:12 am the court took a short break. 11:19 am Roger McKinley entered. 11:20 am the court returned to session.

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE. Justice of the Peace Kathy Stinnett asked the court for permission to present the following to the budget committee: to change her ¾ time Court Clerk position to full time. Stinnett explained having a Clerk for 32 hours per week is insufficient for the work load in her office and has been since she started as JP 4 years ago. Stinnett estimated an annual increase in her budget of approximately $4,330 to fund this change. Stinnett explained what a typical week in her office is like and the difficulties faced to try to keep up with the work load. MSP: Hamsher/Britton — to allow Judge Stinnett to move forward to present her proposal to the budget committee.

SHERIFF. Radio Tower: Sheriff Glenn Palmer presented photographs to the court members of the Long Creek Radio Tower. Palmer said he hiked in to the tower last week. The building is an old wood building that is beginning to fall apart and has a pack rat infestation. Palmer advised the building contains approximately 40-50 thousand dollars worth of equipment. Palmer would like to take the money budgeted last year ($25,000) for a radio tower and use it to conduct a feasibility study to maybe move the radio tower to a different site or to rebuild the current building. Palmer would prefer researching Ritter Butte as a location for a new tower. MSP: Myers/Hamsher — to approve and allow the use of the Sheriff’s budget capital outlay fund for this project.

11:39 am Steve Parsons entered.

New Patrol Vehicle: The current Sheriff’s budget has $35,000 in capital outlay for a new vehicle. Palmer contacted Gresham Ford, a state purchasing dealer, and advised there has been a $5000 increase in the cost of the vehicle. The cost Palmer presented included all of the necessary law enforcement items (lights, etc.). The new vehicle will cost $8,000 to $10,000 more than what was budgeted. Myers believes funding sources can be found within the Sheriff’s current budget and will work with the Treasurer to find them. MSP: Myers/Hamsher — to approve the purchase of the new vehicle for the Sheriff’s Department and locate possible funding sources in the Sheriff’s budget.

Title III Reimbursement: Myers told Palmer he appreciated the detail provided in the reimbursement request. MSP: Myers/Hamsher – to approve the Title III reimbursement request. Palmer advised the court he noticed in December the line item in his budget for search and rescue was set at $100 when he requested $9,500. When he attended the budget hearings last year he was never advised that only $100 would be in this line item. Palmer pointed out if Title III wasn’t able to reimburse for search and rescue he would be forced to take the money from some other portion of his budget.

11:55 am Chris Labhart entered.

REGIONAL COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL. It was brought to the court’s attention that former commissioner Chris Labhart would like to continue to serve on the Regional Community Advisory Council. Labhart has served on this committee since its inception. MSP: Myers/Hamsher — to approve Chris Labhart’s continued service on the RCAC.

MAGONE PROJECT. Steve Parsons wanted to discuss potential road closures in the Magone Project with the court. Parson’s commended the Forest Service on the project and stated it seems to be a good project and he appreciated Forest Service employees meeting with him about the project, but is concerned with potential road closures.

12:01 am Sasha Fertig and Dave Halemeier entered.

Parsons expressed concern about two roads that have barriers placed across them. Parsons verbally presented a summary to those in attendance of what he believes are issues with the road closures in the project. Discussion followed about court decisions on public access, how a citizen obtains standing to object to a project and how the Forest Service plans on moving forward with a travel management plan. Parsons understands the road closures will be closed to the public, but accessible to the Forest Service. Beverlin said the closed roads are routinely accessed by search & rescue, emergency & fire personnel and grazing permit holders.

12:22 am Zach Williams entered.

Parsons reiterated his concern that this project is closing roads historically used by citizens and said as our population is getting older it is more difficult for older citizens to access public lands. He pointed out discrepancies he sees in the documentation of the project. Sasha Fertig explained the initial documents offered alternatives and would not necessarily be included in the final draft. Parsons urged the court to object to the road closures in the plan whether they have “standing” or not. Further discussion followed regarding road closures in the area and when they were actually closed. Beverlin explained the Travel Management Plan that will begin in the spring of 2018 will allow for some road closures to be revisited. Dave Halemeier commented on the pressure the Forest Service gets from both sides of an issue during projects. Labhart said the Sheriff has never been at a meeting regarding road closures and would like to know why. He also pointed out the Forest Service presented this project to the court and the court has coordinated with the Forest Service and he would like to know what people think the court isn’t doing. Preston stated in the past citizens have asked the court to comment on Forest Service plans, but the court does not follow through. Beverlin wanted it on the record that the court has been extremely supportive and thanked the members.

UPSTAIRS FIRE EXIT. Judge Myers advised there is one fire exit for the entire third floor of the courthouse. He recommended a panic bar be installed upstairs on the door leading to the south stairs near the sally port. The current door requires a separate key for the inside and outside and would not be safe in a panic situation. Myers believes the Circuit Court safety budget will assist with the cost of installation. State Fire Marshall Dave Fields suggested a panic bar with a short time delay for security purposes. The court agreed by consensus to install a panic bar on the door.

ASSESSOR COMPUTER REQUEST. Assessor David Thunell provided a written request to the court for approval of three computer purchases. Thunell would like to purchase two computers for Clerk Brenda Percy’s office and one computer for the Assessor’s office to replace Steve Fischer’s. Thunell was informed by Donna Becker at ESD that Percy’s computers are beginning to fail and Fischer’s computer could crash at any time. Thunell has the funding in his budget to assist the Clerk. The cost for the Clerk’s computers would be $1390 and the cost for the replacement computer in the Assessor’s Office would be $500. MSP: Myers/Britton — to approve the purchase of the three computers to be paid from the Assessor Capital Outlay budget line.

NATURAL RESOURCE CONSULTANT. Myers said last spring in the budget process $50,000 was set aside to present a Request for Proposals to hire a Natural Resource Consultant. Britton proposed this during the last budget cycle. Britton said with everything happening with natural resources in our area it is his opinion that the county needs an expert to assist with natural resources. Britton believes the biggest issue is with regulatory agencies and a consultant could assist the court with decisions as well as the Wildlife Advisory Board. Britton would like to continue working towards this and would like to prepare an RFP for the court to review. He further stated that contrary to rumors in the community he does not have anyone specific in mind for this position. Myers believes the place to start on this would be to compile information from other counties and Britton said that is what he has been doing. Hamsher expressed concern the court may not have the expertise to write a Natural Resource Plan. Beverlin advised having an expert would assist the Forest Service. Roger McKinley offered his opinion that the court had a commission who provided this information to the court free of charge before it was dissolved. Myers pointed out the decision to dissolve the Public Forest Commission was not a county court decision. Beverlin stated his belief that the Public Forest Commission did not have the expertise to provide consultation services. Preston believed the commission had very capable people on it. By consensus the court agreed to move forward with developing an RFP for a Natural Resource Consultant.

PUBLIC COMMENT. Elaine Smith expressed her opinion that the court supported the dissolution of the Public Forest Commission and said the court should listen to the voters. Smith believes certain members of the public have accused others of being militia members and she is offended and demanded an apology from the court. Myers said if he thought an apology was warranted he would offer one, but he does not. Jim Sproul advised yesterday another initiative was filed with the Clerk to hold another election for a revised Public Forest Commission and if approved a special election would be held in May. Sproul said they are holding public meetings and will be taking public comments on if the citizens wish to have a Public Forest Commission. Gail Beverlin said she believes the court is extremely tolerant of the side comments in the audience and she wishes they wouldn’t be so tolerant of the disrespect. Frances Preston asked for clarification on what good a new initiative would do since the other one was challenged and the court supported the dissolution. Preston asked the court if they would support the new initiative. Myers said according to Judge Cramer the previous measure should not have been on the ballot, but if the new initiative is found to be legal and constitutional, is allowed on the ballot, and voted in by the public he would support the voter’s wishes. Labhart asked if a court member would be attending the AOC meeting next week and Jim Hamsher said he plans on attending telephonically.

1:37 pm – Adjourned.

Respectfully Submitted,

Laurie Wright

Administrative Assistant

**** Please note the court minutes are a summary of the court proceedings. An audio recording of each court session is available, after approval of the minutes, by contacting Laurie Wright at 541-575-0059 or wrightl@grantcounty-or.gov ****