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

May 18, 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, Linda Gingrich, Jim Sproul, John Morris, Logan Bagett, Judy Kerr, Mike Cosgrove, Vickie Thompson, and Pastor Wes Aasness. A Pledge of Allegiance was given to the United States flag. The invocation was given by Pastor Aasness.

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS. Judge Myers said he picked up ballot boxes in Mt. Vernon last night. Next Tuesday he will attend a Ragged Ruby open house at the airport and on the 23rd he will attend a court security meeting in the county courtroom. Myers will perform a wedding here on Friday and tomorrow will be attending a harassment training conducted by the county’s insurer (CIS). Myers announced Haley Walker was hired as the new airport manager and said Walker has a history with Horizon Air and Cabela’s and has a wealth of airport and management experience. Walker will start for the airport on May 26th.

Commissioner Labhart reported he attended the Oregon Food Bank Taskforce meeting at the fairgrounds and the Grant County Stock Growers meeting at Keerins Hall on May 12th. On Tuesday, May 17th, he participated in an Air Service Development Taskforce meeting in Baker City via telephone. Today Labhart will be attending a Local Community Advisory Council meeting at ESD and on Monday, May 23rd he will be participating in a Community Health Needs Assessment survey at Blue Mountain Hospital.

9:13 am Patrick Bentz entered.

Commissioner Britton advised he still talks to Doug Ferguson about the large flood project frequently. Britton said Monte Grove is the Region 5 ODOT area manager and he will be stepping down. Britton stated he and Ferguson advocated for Craig Sipp to be hired in this position and he was. Britton reported GEODC has re-hired Judy Moore (former director) as an employee, but Britton thinks Susan Christenson will probably remain the director.

Labhart said Doug Ferguson was selected to serve on the State Aviation Board.

Myers added the paving at the fairgrounds is mostly done. Britton believes the public is going to be very happy with the project.

MINUTES. MSP: Britton/Labhart — to approve the May 11th minutes as amended.

AIRPORT SIGN. Airport Manager Patrick Bentz informed the court the airport did not receive the grant from the Chamber of Commerce for a stone airport entrance sign. Bentz said the Chamber declined because they didn’t feel the sign would be a tourism benefit to the county. Bentz advised the airport budget has money available to fund the sign because the electric entry gate is going to be less than expected and the forest service will be splitting the cost with the airport. The estimate for the sign is $2500. Bentz advised the airport commission wants this sign to happen and have been pushing him to get it done. MSP: Myers/Britton — to allow Bentz to move forward with procuring bids for the sign. Britton suggested contacting Cody Jesse in Prineville and Doug Hudson here for possible bids as well.

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE. Justice of the Peace Kathy Stinnett had presented two requests to the court. The first is for a larger window unit air conditioner for the reception office in Justice Court. The current air conditioner is too small to cool such a large area, but could be repurposed to a smaller office in the building. Myers stated he authorized Stinnett to purchase a replacement air conditioner a couple of weeks ago for one that failed and it also needs to be approved. MSP: Myers/Britton — to approve the purchase of two window air conditioner units in the amount of $349.99 each paid from general capital outlay. The second item is to purchase a 48 inch television to be mounted on the wall in the courtroom. Stinnett currently has money in the capital improvement fund in her 2015-16 budget to cover this expense. Stinnett’s current budget was for a 32 inch television, but she has been advised a larger television should be placed in the room. Treasurer Kathy Smith said Stinnett had budgeted for some items she is not going to be purchasing so there is extra money available in her budget. MSP: Britton/Myers — to approve the purchase and installation of a 48 inch television in the justice courtroom in an amount not to exceed $600 paid from Justice of the Peace capital outlay.

FERGUSON SURVEYING INVOICES. The court members discussed two invoices received from Ferguson Surveying & Engineering for work conducted on the potential large flood project. Smith asked if any court members knew if this would be the last bill received from Ferguson. Myers stated he wasn’t sure. Smith said this could be paid out of the general-other line. MSP: Britton/Myers — to authorize payment of invoice #3516 in the amount of $950.00 and payment of invoice #3517 in the amount of $2,100.00 from general-other line.

ASSESSOR’S OFFICE IGA #3519-16. Assessor Karen Officer presented an intergovernmental contract to the court. IGA Contract #3519-16 is an annual contract for the state to provide map maintenance in the assessor’s office. MSP: Myers/Britton — to approve IGA Contract #3519-16 and circulate for signatures.

FAIRGROUNDS PRINTER. Fair Manager Mary Weaver requested approval to purchase a new printer for the fairgrounds and to pay for it out of the fairgrounds capital outlay budget line item. This is a replacement for a printer that failed. MSP: Myers/Britton — to approve purchase of the new printer in the amount of $370.38 to be paid out of fairgrounds capital outlay.

RESOLUTION 16-16. Treasurer Kathy Smith prepared Resolution 16-16 which transfers funds in the amount of $300.00 from materials & services into capital outlay equipment for the purchase of the new printer for the fairgrounds. MSP: Britton/Myers — to approve Resolution 16-16 and circulate for signatures.

EXTENSION & 4H DISTRICT COPIER LEASE AGREEMENT. Carol Waggoner sent a lease agreement for a new copier for the Extension & 4H District to the court for review and approval. The rate for the new copier will be $194.27 per month for a 60 month term. Britton would like Judge Myers to follow up with the extension office to confirm if the lease includes maintenance. MSP: Britton/Myers — to approve the lease agreement for the copier and circulate for signatures.

9:46 am Zach Williams entered.

GEOGRAPHIC NAMES BOARD LETTER. The court members reviewed another proposed letter to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names again requesting Grant County have input on what names are being implemented for sites within Grant County. Britton reported the letter is to remind the USBGN of their own policies, to give up on attempting to retain the name “Squaw”, and asking the USBGN to accept alternate names. This letter will be sent to all USBGN board members along with the Secretary of the Interior and Inspector General. Britton advised a few typo’s need to be changed in the letter and it needs to be placed on county letterhead before being sent out. MSP: Britton/Myers — to approve the letter to USBGN and circulate for signatures once the edits are made.

COUNTY CLERK. Clerk Brenda Percy advised the court and those in attendance that when our internet service went down yesterday ESD went above and beyond to work around the problem and get internet back for her so she could conduct her election. She wanted the court to know she truly appreciated ESD’s efforts.

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION. Jan Ensign sent a volunteer application to the court to service on the Senior Citizens Advisory Council. There is currently one vacant position on this council with a term expiring on June 30, 2017. MSP: Labhart/Myers — to appoint Jan Ensign to serve on the Senior Citizens Advisory Council with a term expiring on June 30, 2017.

PUBLIC COMMENT. John Morris said he received a paper on Saturday and wants to know if the county court has had any input on BLM draft impact #2. Myers advised there is a telephone call scheduled that he will be sitting in on that is supposed to clarify the impact on the county. Morris stated there are some very significant changes being proposed and has a lot of potential to affect the county. Commissioner Labhart will contact AOC to find out what their stance is on this issue. Morris would like to see things like this reported in the local paper and feels a lot of citizens don’t know what is going on.

Jim Sproul is very concerned the BLM is going to shorten the comment period.

10:05 am — Adjourned

Respectfully Submitted,

Laurie Wright

Administrative Assistant