Grant County Court minutes from March 22, 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 Commissioners Jim Hamsher and Boyd Britton, Administrative Assistant Laurie Wright, Katy Nelson, Jim Sproul, Judy Kerr, Dan Becker, Jack Seebart and Pastor Levi Manitsas. A Pledge of Allegiance was given to the United States Flag. The invocation was given by Pastor Manitsas. Judge Scott W. Myers was gone on vacation.

CLAIMS. The court had reviewed and approved claims and extension district warrants #287-293.

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS. Commissioner Britton attended a collaborative group meeting last week and said he is still working with Commissioner Bennett and Elizabeth Howard to address potential issues regarding a particular permit. On Monday Britton will chair a SEACT meeting in Baker City. Britton advised after court today he and Commissioner Hamsher will work with Laurie Wright to create a letter to the house energy committee opposing what they are attempting to do with water. He and Commissioner Hamsher attended a CASA benefit as well that was very well done.

Commissioner Hamsher reported he attended a supervisor training last week at the airport put on by CIS. A week ago last Sunday Hamsher participated in a steering committee meeting via telephone for the AOC Veterans Steering Committee. Hamsher went to a Chamber of Commerce meeting where Silvies Valley Ranch presented information on the plans they have. He advised Silvies Valley Ranch will be conducting a job fair on Saturday. Hamsher also met with the Emergency Management Coordinator several times last week to review what was happening with Canyon Creek. He has also been monitoring the water levels in Dixie Creek with the maintenance supervisor from Prairie City.

MINUTES. MSP: Britton/Hamsher — to approve the March 8th minutes as presented.

CAPITAL OUTLAY PURCHASING POLICY. The court members discussed the current county policy that requires county departments to request County Court permission to purchase capital outlay items with a cost of $100.01 or more when they are not previously approved in the budget process. Capital Outlay is defined in policy as equipment or furniture items with a life expectancy of more than 1 year. Hamsher would like to see the cost increased to $500 prior to needing court approval. MSP: Britton/Hamsher — to approve revision of the county policy to change the capital outlay amount to $500 with all other policy provisions remaining in place.

9:07 am Reporter Rylan Boggs entered.

IGA MCGIRR QUARRY. The court reviewed an intergovernmental agreement between the Oregon Department of Transportation and Grant County for the State to purchase sanding rock from the McGirr Quarry. The payment for the sanding rock from the state was listed as not to exceed $196,328.48 and the agreement contained an expiration date of July 1, 2022. Roadmaster Alan Hickerson and Road Department Office Manager Kathy Gilliam had advised the court that the contract looked good to them. MSP: Britton/Hamsher — to approve the IGA between ODOT and Grant County and authorize Commissioner Hamsher to sign on behalf of Judge Myers.

9:08 am Mike Springer and Reporter Logan Bagett entered.

IGA GRANT CO. & WHEELER CO. JAIL INMATES. The court reviewed an intergovernmental agreement between Grant County and Wheeler County for the Grant County jail to provide jail space for Wheeler County inmates when necessary at the cost of $50 per day for each inmate. When asked, Britton was advised legal counsel did review and approve this contract. MSP: Britton/Hamsher — to approve the IGA between Grant and Wheeler Counties and circulate for signatures.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY. District Attorney Jim Carpenter had sent a written request to the court requesting permission to send Deputy District Attorney Mara Houck to an Oregon State Bar training in Tigard (Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice). Carpenter estimated the cost of registration, mileage and meals at $342.30. Houck has a place to stay and will not need lodging. The cost will be paid from the DA’s travel budget line. MSP: Britton/Hamsher — to approve Houck’s attendance to the conference and payment of the costs for registration, mileage and meals to be paid from the DA’s travel budget line.

PUBLIC COMMENT. Jack Seebart asked if the county had purchased the property near the Inland Bridge. Hamsher advised it was in the works and he spoke with Sally Bartlett about it yesterday. The county is still waiting for the grant approval. Britton explained some of the changes planned for the property to hopefully mitigate future flooding. Seebart expressed his concern that disturbing the creek might cause other problems and said he hopes this is being accounted for.

9:15 am Andrea Officer entered.

Seebart made the suggestion of removing the bridge completely and not replacing it at all. Hamsher explained the Inland Bridge can handle much more weight than the Nugget Bridge and the school buses must use Inland. Britton added the school needs this bridge for access to the elementary school. Britton advised the county has equipment staged and ready in case anything happens and the bridge needs to be removed.

VICTIM ASSISTANCE. Victim Assistance Director Andrea Officer requested court approval to send four MDT members to the Child Abuse & Family Violence Summit at an estimated cost of $6,400, to send Law Enforcement member Mike Durr to the Summit at an estimated cost of $3,200 and to send Officer to the Summit at an anticipated cost of $1,600. The anticipated cost for the training includes registration, mileage, rooms and per diem meals. The cost of $6,400 will be paid from the CAMI Award, the $3,200 will be paid from the VAWA Rural Award and $1,600 will be paid from the VOCA/CFA Basic Award. Officer said she estimated the cost on the high end and expects it will actually be under budget because some members will car pool. MSP: Hamsher/Britton — to approve the attendance of the four members, Mike Durr and Andrea Officer to the Child Abuse & Family Violence Summit.

Officer further requested court permission to support the Sexual Assault Awareness Campaign in April with previously budgeted funds. Officer estimated the projected cost as $300 for posters, $900 for newspaper ads and $500 for radio spots. This campaign will be paid from the VAWA Rural grant. MSP: Hamsher/Britton — to approve the Sexual Assault Awareness Campaign in April.

PUBIC COMMENT. Jim Sproul agreed with the comments made by Jack Seebart about the problems with disturbing the land around the Inland Bridge property. Hamsher believes the work will be on the east side of the creek. Britton said the county is working with the school district and is hopeful the FEMA funding will come through soon. Discussion followed about the previous flood and where the water breached the creek. Seebart reiterated his concern that disturbing the rock around the creek bank could possibly cause water to enter the old stream bed. Mike Springer said the county has been working with engineers on this project and won’t just begin digging into the banks. Seebart asked if the county had received any leeway from the state and can’t understand why the county court is letting the state run ”rough shod” over them. Britton said Doug Ferguson has been working with the Army Corp of Engineers and is pretty confident once the FEMA funding comes through this project will move forward. He further added that the county needs to work with the other agencies whether they want to or not. Sproul suggested reviewing the records after the 1962 flood when the John Day River channel was dredged to see if the county declared an emergency and how that all happened. Hamsher said the same thing was done in Prairie City after a flood in 1969. Mike Springer reported the Army Corp has finished the initial flood plain mapping and explained the next steps and issues the new mapping may cause.

SURVEYOR. County Surveyor Mike Springer presented his request to the court to purchase a flat file cabinet for the Surveyor’s Office. Springer presented four quotes: Mayline five-drawer flat file cabinet ($829); Uline five-drawer flat file cabinet ($809); Safco five-drawer flat file cabinet ($1069); and a used five-drawer flat file cabinet from Benchmark Surveying ($300). Springer advised he must keep original maps and copies of partition plats and he is close to outgrowing his current filing cabinet. MSP: Hamsher/Britton — to approve purchase of the used five-drawer flat file cabinet from Benchmark Surveying in the amount of $300 to be paid from the surveyor supply line.

9:39 am — 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 ****