Grant County Court minutes from Aug. 14, 2019:

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 Sam Palmer, Administrative Assistant Kim Puckett, Reporter Rick Hanners, Reporter Logan Bagett, Jim Spell, Glenn Palmer, Dave Hannibal, Judy Kerr, Billie Jo George, Rick Hiniter, King Williams, Jim Sproul, Frances Preston, Jim Spell, Russ Young, Lisa Wiegum, Dr. Bailey, Tirza Schaffer and Pastor Cheadle. A Pledge of Allegiance was given to the United States Flag. The invocation was given by Pastor Flora Cheadle.

HAND CHECK. The court approved outside of normal claims day checks#57700 & 57701.

AGENDA. MSP: — to accept the agenda as presented.

SHERIFF’S OFFICE – Sheriff Glenn Palmer announced he will be resigning as Sheriff for Grant County effective date will come later. Palmer will help during the transition.

ANNOUNCEMENTS. On May 25th Judge Myers went to Heritage Foundation at the Heritage Barn for a meeting Pre- Fair and won’t have another one until Post Fair. Myers met with Vice Provost from Oregon State University (OSU) on July 29th at the Madden Building regarding OSU Extensions Classrooms. On July 3oth he met with Scott Fairley and Becky Baxter from Oregon Solutions. On August 1st he met with LPSCC Council. August 2nd Myers went on a Jail Tour with Commissioner Palmer and met with Emergency Management. August 3rd Myers performed a wedding at Riverside Schoolhouse in Prairie City. August 6th he met with Dennis Toitzel from Bureau of Land Management (BLM) he is the new BLM Chief out of Prineville. Myers went to a Road Advisory Meeting on August 8th at the Road Department. He also attended the Airport Advisory Meeting August 12th. Myers went to a FEMA meeting to talk about floods and maps. On August 15th Myers will have a phone conference with Regional Solutions Advisory Committee Meeting. Myers will perform a wedding on Friday August 16th. He will be conducting an employee evaluation with Road Master Alan Hickerson on August 21st. August 22nd Myers will be attending CIS training at the Airport. August 23rd Myers will perform another wedding, and on August 26th he will have a performance review with Airport Manager Haley Walker.

Commissioner Palmer was invited and attended a BBQ at Bates State Park with friends of The Bates State Park. Later that day Palmer went to the Joanie Harms concert in Prairie City. On the next Friday he attended a meeting at Eastern Oregon Economic Summit in Hermiston. Palmer met with Work Source Oregon in regards to the Torrefaction Plant and how they were doing with getting applicants to work at the Plant. The higher end jobs have been harder to fill but should not have any issues filling labor positions. Palmer received an inmate complaint that he dealt with and took to Todd McKinley at Parole and Probation. Later that evening he attended Austin Scoping Project meeting and put his comments in on that. On the 30th he met with Tucker Billman from Walden’s Office. On August 2nd went to the jail inspection and then went to a meeting with Ted Williams on Emergency Management and the ICS System. Palmer helped with a Search & Rescue in the Seneca area for an overdue motorist that left John Day and never showed up at Lake Creek. The subject’s cell phone pinged 2 miles west of Seneca on the Shirt Tail Creek area, and was subsequently located in the Antelope Valley area. On August 6th Palmer attended Search & Rescue meeting and training. August 16th he was invited and helped Commissioner Hamsher at the rodeo. August 19th he had a phone conference with Paula Gunther from The Umatilla in regards to the fire located just inside the North Fork Wilderness area. They questioned whether to manage it, let it burn, or put it out. It was located within 1 mile of the proposed timber sale. Palmer urged her if she had boots on the ground to put the fire out, for a couple thousand dollars vs millions of taxpayer dollars potentially, at which time they decided to put the fire out. In that same conversation they talked about doing a prescribed burn within the next week or two in the Dale area she would keep Palmer informed. Palmer was not fully in favor of doing controlled burns in August, he is waiting to see what they have to offer and go from there.

Commissioner Hamsher attended the Fiber Fest in Prairie City, a lot of people attended and a lot of vendors were in town and the concert was a success. Hamsher had a meeting with Scott Fairley and Becky Baxter from Business Oregon he talked with them about some ideas. He continues to work with our Veteran Service Officer, they are trying to get a Veteran’s Court established in the County. She is making some good progress, and has talked with Judge Cramer upstairs about it. Hamsher met with Economic Development and talked about some plans for future. He also attended a meeting with Judge Myers regarding for the Oregon State University (OSU) Extension trying to get some feedback from us and the staff. Hamsher also attend the Eastern Oregon Counties meeting. He met with Ted Williams on Emergency Management, it was very informative. Hamsher will also attend the CIS Training and the FEMA in regards to the flood mapping. He has also been getting continued updates with Umatilla regarding the fires over on the border. He attended the Austin Scoping Project and also had a meeting with Tucker from Walden’s Office. Hamsher will also be taking part in a conference call with the Whitehouse this month.

MINUTES. MSP: Myers/Palmer — to approve the July 24th minutes as presented.

PUBLIC HEARING ORDINANCE – 2019-08: The hearing opened for Ordinance 2019-08 at 9:15 am. In the Matter of: An Ordinance Establishing a Process for Grant County Input to State and Federal Plans, Programs and Projects Affecting Land and Natural Resources in Grant County. The Ordinance was read by Judge Myers in its entirety. Public testimony was offered as follows:

Proponent: The court heard proponent testimony.

Opponent: The court heard opponent testimony.

Neutral: The court heard neutral testimony.

MSP: Myers/Hamsher — to close the hearing at 10:11 am. MSP: Myers/Hamsher – motioned to approve and adopt Ordinance 2019-08 & circulate for signature.

Haley & Morgan Walker entered at 9:40am

Bret Uptmor, Rob Raschio, & Judge Stinnett entered at 10:30am

AIRPORT: Airport Manager Haley Walker presented the following information to the Court:

GCRA/USFS Helipad Lease Extension- The court reviewed a request of lease extension. The lease expired September 30, 2018, and they have been working with the USFS on an agreement for the lease extension. The lease extension will be for the next five years beginning October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2023. The rate is based on the most recent price plus a 2.5% increase per year. The Airport Commission reviewed and recommended the lease extension at the most recent meeting held on August 12th, 2019.MSP: Palmer/Myers — to approve the lease extension.

IFE (Independent Fee Estimate) Contract with Century West Engineering – The court reviewed the Independent Fee Estimate (IFE) contract with Century West Engineering for the Apron Reconstruction Project-Phase IIa. MSP: Palmer/Myers –to approve the Independent Fee Estimate (IFE).

RFQ (Request for Qualifications) Consulting Engineer Selection- The court reviewed a request to proceed with a RFQ (Request for Quotes) for the airport terminal repairs project. The airport is partnering with the USFS, and included in the 2019-2020 budget, to complete repairs to the airport terminal. The deadline for all work and invoicing is September 30, 2019.MSP: Palmer/Hamsher –to approve the Airport Terminal repairs.

Airport Terminal Repairs for RFQ- The court reviewed the recommendation of T-O Engineers as the airport consulting engineer for the next five years for the airport. MSP: Palmer/Myers –to approve T-O Engineers as the Airport Consulting Engineer.

The Annual Airport Fly In and Breakfast will be held Saturday Sept 7th from 7am to 11:30am weather permitting.

SWIMMING POOL: Court Designee Rob Raschio updated the court regarding the community swimming pool. Mr. Raschio presented a letter and additional notes regarding his fact finding. Mr. Raschio recommends holding a work session with the local Stakeholders to come up with a plan for building a pool. The public would be invited to observe the work session but participation would only be from local Stakeholders. MSP: Palmer/Myers to recommend a work session in September with local Stakeholders.

PLANNING DEPARTMENT: To appoint Committee Volunteers for Planning. MSP: Myers/Palmer– to promote Steven Baldwin from alternate to a regular Planning Commission member with a term expiring 12-31-2020 and to appoint both Hailey Olson and Kelly McGirr as alternates on the Planning Commission with terms expiring 12-31-2019.

PLANNING DEPARTMENT: To review a request to purchase lunch for County and FEMA members for the meeting on September 13th. MSP: Myers/Hamsher– to approve the lunch purchase for County FEMA members.

OREGON DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT DIVISION: The court reviewed amendment #11072 with Oregon Department of Education. This agreement is for the development of youth programs, services, and initiatives to support educational successes. MSP: Myers/Palmer– approve the amendment.

PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST POLICY: The court reviewed the proposed public records request policy and procedures. MSP: Hamsher/Myers– to adopt the public records request policy.

OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT: The court reviewed agreement # 154709 for Environmental Health Services. MSP: Hamsher/Myers to approve and sign the agreement.

GRANT COUNTY ASSESSOR: To review the application for foreclosure of liens for delinquent taxes as shown by Grant County foreclosure list 2015. MSP: Myers/Hamsher–to approve and sign the document.

GRANT COUNTY ASSESSOR: To adopt the revised job descriptions that more accurately reflect the duties. The wage placement did not change. MSP: Hamsher/Palmer– to approve and adopt the revised job descriptions.

FAIRGROUNDS: To review contracts for entertainment stage set up and tear down by Grant Union / Doug Sharp & Zack Williams, the contractor shall be allowed the Pavilion February 10, 2020 to March 8, 2020 at no charge, not including heat for these services. Professional Service of Bull Fighting by Hamsher Fighting Bulls (Trever & Marley Hamsher) in the amount of $14,000. MSP: Myers/Palmer — to approve the Fair contracts. Hamsher declared a conflict of interest for Hamsher Fighting Bulls.

GRANT COUNTY CLERK: To close the Bookmobile, Jail expansion and Old Title III. Julie Ellison (Treasurer) has the claims done to clear the balance from these accounts and put into the General Fund. MSP: Hamsher/Palmer– to approve the closing of accounts.

PUBLIC COMMENT. None received.

— Adjourned

Respectfully Submitted,

Kim Puckett

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 Kim Puckett at 541-575-0059 or puckettk@grantcounty-or.gov **