Grant County Court minutes from June 28, 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, Ted Williams, Judy Kerr, Billie Jo George, Jim Sproul, Al Altnow, Sharon Livingston, Tanner Elliott, Reporter Rylan Boggs, Frances Preston, and Pastor Wes Aasness. A Pledge of Allegiance was given to the United States Flag. The invocation was given by Pastor Aasness.

Judge Myers publically thanked Al Altnow for installing the sound system in the courtroom and for all his hard work on this.

9:01 am Reporter Logan Bagett entered.

CLAIMS. The court had reviewed and approved claims and extension district warrants #336-342 on June 21st.

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS. Judge Myers went to La Grande on June 16th for a Community Connections budget meeting and on June 19th he traveled to Pendleton for the Forest Plan Revision update.

9:03 Dan Becker entered.

On June 23rd Myers attended a meeting at the Forest Service regarding the Rainbow Gathering. There are 30 extra Forest Service law enforcement officers here including 7 K-9 units. The county will be reimbursed for federal holds and arrests and the cost will be charged at the federal rate. June 24th Myers sponsored a golf team that played at the CASA fundraiser. Yesterday Myers, Al Altnow and Jan Ensign went to Baker City to a Community Connections meeting and this afternoon Myers will attend union negotiations for the road union. Tomorrow Myers will go to a meeting to discuss what to do with abandoned and stray dogs left after the Rainbow Gathering and then in the evening will go to the Outpost for an Oregon Solutions meeting to prioritize county wide projects.

Commissioner Hamsher reported he has met with Mindy Winegar at the fairgrounds about issues she has been having with vandalism at the fairgrounds and replacing posts around the rodeo arena.

9:08 am Angie Jones entered.

Hamsher attended the community meeting put on by the Rainbow Family at the Canyon City Community Hall and then on June 23rd he went to the meeting put on by the Forest Service. Hamsher said that the storm that came through on Monday caused some substantial damage in Prairie City and he has been addressing this as well.

Commissioner Britton went to a New Beginnings meeting last night regarding child care issues, especially for infants. He said the board is going to try to come up with some solutions for child care in the area. Britton announced Greg Walden has a new representative in La Grande who is a former local resident, Tucker Billman. Britton also attended the Forest Service meeting about the Rainbow Gathering.

9:11 am Eric Julsrud entered.

Britton said our local DHS is aware of the issues the Rainbow Gathering will be causing in our community and with our hospital. He reported the biological assessments are in for the grazing issues and he believes Steve Beverlin will be creating letters to allow permit holders to turn their cattle out with the same restrictions as in the past. Britton will be the lead pyro technician at the 4th of July fireworks in Prairie City again this year and said he believes this is his 13th year doing so.

MINUTES. MSP: Britton/Hamsher — to approve the June 14th minutes as presented.

BOMB INCIDENT PLAN. Emergency Management Coordinator Ted Williams presented a bomb incident plan to the court for review. Myers said we are fortunate to have Williams with us and our county is one of just a few small counties in the state that has a bomb incident plan. Williams explained this came about because Circuit Court implemented a bomb incident plan and he realized the county did not have one. Williams has extensive experience in emergency planning beginning in 1980 and worked on bomb incident planning during the 1990 Goodwill Games. Williams said he can’t explain details of the plan to the audience for security reasons, but gave a short summary. Williams has conducted a couple of training sessions and plans on conducting additional training in the future to employees and other agencies. Next year Williams plans on implementing a county co-op plan (continuity of operations plan) that will be in addition to the bomb incident plan and will complement it. Judy Kerr asked if the Sheriff’s Department had a plan in place and Williams advised there was not one now, but he would be happy to create one if the Sheriff asked him for assistance. Williams explained that due to the changes taking place in our country and around the world it makes sense to be proactive.

9:25 am Gail Beverlin entered.

Jim Spell expressed concern that other county buildings are not being addressed. Myers said the courthouse was chosen as the starting point. Williams said other county facilities will be addressed in the future. Hamsher asked if Williams planned on working with the school districts. Williams reported he has talked with the schools and will be working with them. Williams said the bomb incident plan will be a county wide plan when completed. Williams explained that if a threat is received Judge Myers is notified initially as the bomb threat officer and Williams is the alternate person to notify if Myers is unavailable. He further explained the steps that would follow if a threat were received. Williams said he would start working on plans for other county buildings right away.

9:33 am Dan Bishop entered.

Myers read the letter of promulgation to those in attendance. MSP: Myers/Britton — to approve and adopt the bomb incident plan and circulate the letter of promulgation for signatures.

9:37 am Steve Beverlin entered.

SHERIFF’S DEPT. RADIO. The court reviewed a claim from the Sheriff’s Department for a replacement radio and new radio purchase. The Sheriff’s Department had ordered two Bendix VHF mobile radios at a cost of $800 each from Slatercom-Wireless. One radio was a replacement for a failed radio and the other was ordered for the new patrol vehicle. The purchase should have been presented to the court because the capital outlay cost of the radios was over $500. Additional necessary accessories for the radios in the amount of $143.56 were also ordered for a total cost of $1743.56. One other quote was obtained by Undersheriff Mobley from BK Radio in the amount of $2303 per radio. Mobley was unable to procure a third quote. MSP: Myers/Hamsher — to approve payment of the claim for the radios and accessories in the amount of $1743.56 to Slatercom-Wireless.

EXTENSION & 4H RESOLUTION 17-13. The court reviewed Resolution 17-13 to adopt the annual budget, levying of taxes and making appropriations for fiscal year 2017-18 for the Grant County Extension and 4H Service District. Myers said the required budget hearing was held for the district. Myers read a portion of the resolution to the audience. MSP: Myers/Hamsher — to adopt and approve Resolution 17-13 and circulate for signatures.

IGA #153158 (PSYCHIATRIC SECURITY REVIEW BOARD). Intergovernmental Agreement #153158 (Tort Liability Coverage as Provider for Psychiatric Review Board) between the Oregon Health Authority and Grant County was reviewed by the court. This document provides tort liability coverage from the State of Oregon to a provider who provides psychiatric services. MSP: Myers/Hamsher — to approve IGA #153158 and authorize Judge Myers to sign.

AMENDMENT #1 TO IGA #153158. The amendment to IGA #153158 is between Grant County and Community Counseling Solutions to provide mental health services and to add OHA as a third party to the Contract. MSP: Myers/Hamsher — to approve Amendment #1 to IGA #153158 and authorize Judge Myers to sign.

LGPI MEMBERSHIP FOR FY 17-18. LGPI (Local Government Personnel Institute) had sent an invoice for membership for fiscal year 2017-18 in the amount of $1559.00. LGPI reviews our job descriptions and pay scales and can also assist with management and personnel decisions. MSP: Britton/Myers — to approve payment of the membership dues in the amount of $1559.00 to LGPI.

9:45 am Ryan Nehl and Zach Williams entered.

MALHEUR NATIONAL FOREST PLAN REVISION. Malheur National Forest Supervisor Steve Beverlin gave an update to the court on the forest plan revision. Beverlin said the draft of the forest plan revision first came out in 2014 and some negative comments were received so the forest service went back to work on the plan and reengaged with the public. On June 19th a meeting was held with agencies that had cooperating status with the forest service and said after the presentation he thought the counties were more accepting of the changes that were made. Myers said substantial changes were made to the plan especially regarding wilderness areas, grazing and road closures. Myers expressed his opinion that the forest service listened to the counties on the issues that were disagreed on. Beverlin said they tried to make appropriate changes. Beverlin explained the restraints the forest service must work under in order to get the plan accepted. The plan should be presented in Washington, DC in October. Sharon Livingston asked if the public would be notified of the final plan and Beverlin said it should be on the website and he would make sure it was. Billie Jo George asked when the public would be able to review the plan and Beverlin said it would be on the website. George doesn’t feel that 60 days is enough time for review of the plan and Beverlin said the 60 days is a regulation they must follow. He added that he will take note of her comment about 60 days not being long enough and will take this back to the team. Frances Preston asked if an executive summary document would be provided to the public. Beverlin said a summary document would be provided showing the differences in the original plan versus the new one. Jim Sproul asked if 80 million board feet of timber for harvest annually was in the new plan and Beverlin said it was and this was up from 55 million board feet annually proposed in the previous plan. Letter or email notification will be sent to those with standing to object. Britton asked what the difference is in the plan in regards to grazing. Beverlin said the grazing allotments actually increased under the proposed new plan. The stubble height is currently between 4 and 6 inches depending on where the allotment is located and under the new plan it will probably be placed at 6 inches. Beverlin explained the flexibility for grazing will be on the amount of cows placed on the allotment, but not on the stubble height. Preston asked the court if they had any recommendations on how the public can prepare for the forest plan and if they feel the 60 day objection period is long enough. Myers said he feels the forest service listened to the comments presented to them and until the final plan is out he can’t really comment on how the public can prepare. Myers added that the 60 day objection period is a set time and he could write a letter to Jim Pena, but he doesn’t know if it would do any good. The Travel Management Plan should be started in the spring of 2018.

RAINBOW GATHERING & ECLIPSE UPDATE. Commissioner Britton asked Beverlin to provide an update to the court on the Rainbow Gathering and Eclipse planning. Beverlin explained in June the Rainbow’s made the decision to hold their national gathering in the Malheur National Forest. Beverlin said the Rainbow’s intentionally did not tell the FS what site they chose. At the end of the first day there were approximately 500 people at the Flagtail site. As of today the population at the site is approximately 3,645 and 30 FS law enforcement officers are there. He said they are keeping the Malheur National Forest website updated with information for the public. Beverlin said they refused to sign a permit since they claim they have no leader. Beverlin explained all of the different orders he has signed to try to mitigate problems and fairly and consistently enforce the law at the gathering. There have been 120 incidents, 212 warnings, 56 violations and 8 arrests to date. The planning for the eclipse will be similar to what the forest service is doing for the Rainbow gathering. Beverlin said fire prevention will be a large focus during the eclipse along with having bi or tri lingual interpreters available since there will be individuals here that do not speak English. Myers explained how the local courts are planning on dealing with the Rainbows. Ryan Nehl said a mobile court is set up at the site to process individuals who are cited and it seems to be an effective way of handling this before individuals leave the state. Preston said at a meeting she attended the forest service said local people would not be treated any differently than the Rainbow people and she wanted to know why they weren’t forced to leave initially. Beverlin said there were 500 people on site the first day and they only had 3 law enforcement officers available. Beverlin said the safety of the law enforcement personnel had to be a foremost concern. Nehl stated he understands the frustration of the locals and they are taking what legal action they can, but the sheer number of people at the site makes it extremely difficult. Nehl advised the forest service personnel are all very frustrated as well. Sproul asked why a fire truck was not on site. Beverlin explained the forest service is attempting to keep costs contained and the people on site have some fire suppression capability. If a fire were to break out the forest service would respond immediately just as they would with any other fire started. Livingston expressed her concern for law enforcement personnel and urged the forest service to take care of their law enforcement officers. Beverlin explained how the forest service is handling the safety of their officers at the site. The magnitude of people at the gathering taxes our local resources and Beverlin said the biggest concern is to keep people safe. Zach Williams asked why a permit was offered to the Rainbow people and Nehl explained once it was offered and they refused the permit they immediately became non-compliant and enforcement could begin. Beverlin said the Malheur National Forest has done more enforcement than has ever been done in the past. Preston said after attending the meeting put on by the Rainbow’s she feels what our local forest service is doing is working, because the Rainbow’s brought it up at the meeting. Britton asked Beverlin to let the FS law enforcement officers at the site that the County Court appreciates what they are doing. Nehl said some of the Rainbows may stay for the eclipse, but he doesn’t think there will be great numbers left over. Beverlin said we should see twice as many people for the eclipse and we will face many of the same issues. The fire potential will be concerning due to it being held in August. Beverlin doesn’t expect to have as many law enforcement personnel here because the resources will need to be on other forests as well and the eclipse is a shorter event. Nehl said enforcement will be difficult during this time. Myers said the county will have additional officers here to help during the eclipse. Beverlin said the cooperation between all of the law enforcement agencies has been great and all entities are working extremely well together. Nehl would discourage local citizens from going to the Rainbow Gathering because of the damage being done to our local resources.

RODEO ARENA FENCE POSTS. Fair Manager Mindy Winegar had sent a written request along with quotes she received over the phone to the court. Winegar reported that over 100 of the fence posts around the rodeo grounds were either rotten or broken and need to be replaced. The verbal quotes received were from Gibco ($16.25 per post = $1706.25); Parma Post ($12.75 per post = $1338.75); Pioneer Feed ($16.25 per post = $1706.25); and Jim McKinley who said he had no posts. Winegar would like to get the posts from Parma Post. The fair budget has the funds to pay for the fence posts in its building & grounds supplies line item. MSP: Myers/Britton — to approve the purchase of the fence posts from Parma Post in the amount of $1338.75 to be paid from building & grounds supplies 5-20-0007.

NPRA RODEO. Winegar had contacted several stock contractors for bids to supply rodeo stock for an NPRA rodeo and only received one response from Lazy HK Bar in the amount of $6500. The fairgrounds has the fair budget has the funds to pay for the rodeo in its rodeo expense line item. Hamsher advised Claude Rickman has once again agreed to provide stock for the rodeo at a substantial discount to the county. The rodeo would be held September 8 & 9. MSP: Myers/Hamsher — to award the NPRA rodeo stock contract to Lazy HK Bar in the amount of $6500 to be paid from the rodeo expense line item 5-20-0019.

OLD TIME FIDDLERS CONTRACT. The court reviewed a contract with the Blue Mountain Old Time Fiddlers to provide entertainment during this year’s Fair. MSP: Britton/Myers — to approve the contract with the Blue Mountain Old Time Fiddlers and circulate for signatures.

AIRPORT GENERATOR MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT. Airport Manager Haley Walker had sent a maintenance agreement to the court for approval. Walker had discovered the generator had not been maintained for the past 7 years or so. This agreement provides annual maintenance for the airport’s backup generator at a cost of $350 per year. MSP: Myers/Hamsher — to approve the annual maintenance agreement with EC Power Systems in the amount of $350 per year and authorize Judge Myers to sign.

RESOLUTION 17-14 ADOPTING COUNTY BUDGET. The court reviewed Resolution 17-14 to adopt the annual budget, impose taxes and make appropriations for the county budget for fiscal year 2017-18. Myers read a portion of the resolution to those in attendance. MSP: Myers/Britton — to approve Resolution 17-14 and adopt the annual budget for fiscal year 2017-18 and circulate for signatures.

RESOLUTION 17-15. The court reviewed Resolution 17-15 for a library intra-fund transfer from personnel services to materials and services in the amount of $2100. Myers read the resolution to those in attendance. MSP: Myers/Hamsher — to approve Resolution 17-15 and circulate for signatures.

PUBLIC COMMENT. Sharon Livingston said she missed the budget hearing and asked if there was money budgeted for a Natural Resource Consultant. Myers advised money was budgeted for a Natural Resource Consultant. Livingston expressed her belief that it is time for the county as a whole to move forward with having a natural resource plan and an advocate for our citizens as there has never been a better time because of the new administration. She would like the court to take some tours with the forest service to look at our forests. Livingston explained issues she has had with fencing and cattle coming onto her property from national forest and state land bordering her property. Livingston said our county needs a Natural Resource Advisor now; not two years from now. She feels it is absolutely essential for us to have an advocate for our local citizens to work with other federal and state agencies. Preston applauded Livingston for speaking with knowledge, intelligence and conviction. Preston said what Livingston has described is coordination and this would provide the county court with input on what is happening with other agencies. Preston would like the court to work with Bill Harvey from Baker County. Myers said Harvey was at the same meeting he attended with the forest service regarding the Forest Plan Revision. Myers expressed his concern about the way Harvey conducts himself at meetings and feels it is counterproductive to the goals Harvey is trying to reach. Sproul said all that is being asked is for the county court to invoke coordination. George agreed with what Livingston said. George said the Forest Service is conducting a prescribed burn near Austin and the smoke is literally choking them out. Myers told George he knew where the burn was located because he drove through there as well. George would like to know where the health factor to citizens comes in to play. She said she contacted the DEQ and was told there was nothing they could do. Jim Spell expressed his opinion that prescribed burns are preferable to uncontrolled forest fires and were necessary for fire prevention. Preston asked if someone could measure the air quality daily. Myers isn’t sure who would perform the testing as the county doesn’t have the capability, but thought maybe the Forest Service had this ability. Myers said he would pass the concerns and complaints expressed on to the Forest Service. Livingston stated this is exactly why the county needs a Natural Resource Consultant. Sproul stated about a week and a half ago fire season was declared in Oregon and common sense dictates fires should not be started at this time of year. Dan Becker is concerned with the legislation to change how Medicaid is funded and asked the court to look into this. Becker also said air quality measurements are taken in John Day, but not in unpopulated areas. Preston asked the court to meet with the Forest Service on a regular basis and to be informed on what is happening in the county.

11:37 am – MSP: Britton/Myers – to adjourn the meeting. 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 ****