Grant County Court minutes from April 26, 2017:

9:00 am — Call to Order. Present were Judge Scott W. Myers, Commissioners Jim Hamsher and Boyd Britton, Administrative Assistant Laurie Wright, Billie Jo George, Frances Preston, Katy Nelson, Jim Sproul, Rick Minster, Jim Spell, Scott Fairley, Dave Traylor, Ron Ballard, Sherry Nehl, Ben Holliday, Rick Henslee, Gary Jacobson, Marlene Greer, Vicki Thompson, Judy Kerr, Alec Oliver, Judy Schuette, Dan Becker, King Williams, Zach Williams, and Pastor Wes Aasness. A Pledge of Allegiance was given to the United States Flag. The invocation was given by Pastor Aasness.

CLAIMS. The court had reviewed and approved claims and extension district warrants #306-307 on April 19th.

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS. Commissioner Britton reported after the last court meeting the final budget meeting was held and he commended Treasurer Julie Ellison on a job well done. Britton traveled to Salem to testify at a Senate Ways and Means Committee.

9:04 am Reporter Rylan Boggs entered.

Last week Britton met with the leadership team of School District #3 regarding the district possibly taking over the management of Lake Creek Camp. Britton and Commissioner Hamsher attended a Stockgrowers meeting as well. Britton spoke with members of the Fair Board to clarify comments he made in the past that were taken out of context. He stated he supports the Fair completely.

9:08 am Eva Harris, Ken Brooks, CiCi Brooks, Rose Garacci, Haley Walker, Reporter Logan Bagett, and Chris Labhart entered.

Judge Myers said on April 14th he chaired an Emergency Food & Shelter committee meeting. On April 18th Myers traveled to La Grande for a Northeast Oregon Housing Authority annual meeting and on the 20th he and Laurie Wright met with Mandy Taylor and Kathleen Lee from Bisnett Insurance to review the county’s liability insurance policy. On Sunday the 23rd Myers performed a wedding. Yesterday Myers went to La Grande for a Community Connections meeting with Al Altnow and Jan Ensign. Tomorrow Myers will chair a Mental Health Advisory Committee meeting and then at 3 pm will attend a department head meeting. Myers will go to a Heritage Foundation meeting at the Outpost on Friday the 26th.

Commissioner Hamsher attended the last budget committee meeting and a Stockgrowers meeting where he discussed grazing issues with some of the members. On April 15th Hamsher went to a fundraiser for Butch Goslin that was very successful. Hamsher talked with Dennis Reynolds regarding updating Keerin’s Hall and will be speaking with the John Day City Manager in the near future about this.

9:12 am Jason Kehrberg, Justin Galbreath, and Susan Church entered.

MINUTES. MSP: Britton/Myers — to approve the April 12th minutes as amended.

9:15 am Steve Beverlin entered.

MALHEUR NATIONAL FOREST. Malheur National Forest Supervisor Steve Beverlin updated the court on the Forest Plan Revision and Travel Management. Beverlin provided handouts to the court members.

Forest Plan Revision: Beverlin pointed out the website where people can find information regarding the Forest Plan Revision. (https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/home/?cid=STELPRDB5247447) This revision has been ongoing since around 2004. Beverlin reported in 2014 the comments received were less than supportive and so in 2015 the plan was reviewed and two new alternatives were drafted. The new alternatives are intended to more accurately reflect the concerns that were raised. Beverlin explained this plan covers the Wallowa-Whitman, Malheur and Umatilla National Forests. Comments can be made regarding the two new alternatives, but no objections can be filed unless someone has standing from the prior scoping period. Beverlin said the two alternatives are within the range of the original plan.

9:24 am Ken Holliday entered.

Myers said the new alternatives were the result of the meetings in 2014 where many County Courts were not in favor of the proposed plan. Beverlin agreed and advised all but two counties (Baker County & Walla Walla County, WA) have signed on as cooperating agencies. Beverlin gave some examples of changes they made to the original plan regarding timber harvest numbers.

9:28 am Jack Johns, Gail Beverlin and Merry Beverlin entered.

Beverlin explained the national rules the Malheur National Forest is required to follow. Newsletters have been being sent out throughout this process to keep the public informed. Beverlin encouraged those in attendance to read the newsletters and said they contain a lot of information. Britton asked for clarification of what is meant by “consultation” with other entities. Beverlin explained the different agencies they must consult with and the process that must be followed. Regulatory agencies such as US Fish & Wildlife and National Marine Fisheries Service designate critical fish habitat locations and the Forest Service must follow these designations. The regulatory agencies have final say on designations. Currently the size limit for tree harvest in 21 inches and Beverlin said the Forest Service has been working to allow harvest of trees larger than 21 inches and the new plan addresses this. The Forest Plan Revision is a blanket plan that would be followed for forest management. Beverlin gave a summary of the different management areas and riparian area designations based upon the type and location of the stream. Beverlin said the intent is to keep the public updated through the court about the plan revision status. He added the goal is to have this project completed by June 30 of this year. After the final draft is signed there will be a 60 day objection period (for those with standing) after which there is another 60 day period to attempt to work out objections. Beverlin advised a newsletter regarding grazing will be upcoming within the next couple of weeks and gave a summary of the grazing guidelines and said permittees were involved in the process.

10:02 am Jeff Wilcox entered.

Beverlin reported the official time for filing objections and providing comments is over, but he encouraged the audience to provide comments to him if they wished. Ben Holliday thanked Beverlin and his staff for their transparency and for working with him as a permittee. Holliday added they were extremely helpful. Beverlin explained the problems they are having in getting biological assessments finalized. Beverlin advised anything that is new in the proposed alternatives can be commented on and the regional office would then make the decision on whether or not the person commenting would have standing to object, this decision is not made locally. Concerns were expressed from members of the audience regarding aquatic management and the possibility of this setting grazing allotments up for failure. Beverlin said each allotment would be reviewed. He encouraged grazing permit holders to work with the forest service and said this is critical for success. On June 19th a tentative meeting has been scheduled in Pendleton to discuss the plan.

10:35 am the court took a short break. 10:55 am the court returned to session.

AIRPORT. Airport Manager Haley Walker presented three requests to the court.

AWOS Maintenance Contract: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires that the airport operate an Airport Weather Observation System (AWOS) and have an annual maintenance contract with an FAA verified technician. The company that has provided this service in the past is no longer performing maintenance services. Walker obtained bids for the annual maintenance contract as follows: DBT Transportation Services ($6,021 annually); and Summit Power Systems Inc. ($4,750 annually). She attempted to get a quote from AVCOM Company, but no quote was received. Funds will need to be transferred from the airport operating contingency fund to the maintenance fund. MSP: Hamsher/Myers — to approve an annual maintenance contract with Summit Power Systems Inc. in the amount of $4,750 to be paid from the airport maintenance fund.

Underground Fuel Storage Tank Monitoring System: There are two underground fuel storage tanks located at the airport. It was discovered in late February or early March the fuel tank monitoring system had a complete memory loss and is no longer functional. Walker explained the steps she went through to try to troubleshoot the current monitoring system and also that the insurance for the tanks expired during this time and without a working fuel monitoring system insurance cannot be issued for the tanks. Walker received the following quotes for a new storage tank monitoring system: Mascott Equipment ($14,686.77); and Northwest Pump & Equipment Co. ($12,149). Walker requested a quote from SME Solutions, but after three telephone calls she still has not received a quote from them. None of the quotes include installation or electrical work. Walker spoke with Grande Rhonde equipment yesterday and the technician claims he can fix the system and Walker estimated the cost of this would be around $5,000. Walker recommended having Grande Rhonde attempt to repair the existing system. Funds will need to be transferred from the airport operating contingency fund to the maintenance fund. MSP: Hamsher/Britton — to approve the repair of the storage tank monitoring system from Grande Rhonde to be paid from the airport maintenance fund.

IGA with Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF): This intergovernmental agreement is to rent an upstairs office at the airport to the ODF Helitack Crew for the summer of 2017 at the rate of $500 per month. The IGA would be in effect from June 1, 2017 to September 30, 2017 and an extension can be approved if necessary depending on the fire season. MSP: Hamsher/Britton — to approve the IGA between Grant County and the Oregon Department of Forestry for office space rent and authorize Judge Myers to sign.

OREGON BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT GRANT. The court reviewed a proposed Intergovernmental Grant Agreement for a Biomass Breakdown Facility in the amount of $811,800. King Williams handed out a fact sheet to those in attendance. Williams advised he is here on behalf of Iron Triangle and gave the background of how this grant came to be. Williams said this grant requires that it be passed through a government entity. The only role the county would have with this grant is to be a pass through entity for the funding. The project is to handle the low value biomass generated from the restoration projects on the Malheur National Forest and Iron Triangle would be required to provide at least 10 jobs and retain and operate the facility for 10 years. County Counsel Ron Yockim had reviewed all of the documents prior to court. Region Coordinator Scott Fairley explained ten companies in the Eastern Oregon region applied for this grant and how the selections were made. Discussion followed about salvage and the remaining materials left after the Canyon Creek Complex fire. MSP: Myers/Britton — to approve IGA No. RS1606 pending final review by legal counsel and authorize Judge Myers to sign.

RESOLUTION 17-06 (TRANSPORTATION FUNDING). The court reviewed Resolution 17-06 (A Resolution in support of a Transportation Funding Package in the 2017 Legislative Session). The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) supports a proposal for transportation funding where money would be distributed more equally to smaller counties. Britton summarized the resolution for the audience and said if the transportation package passes it will benefit Grant County. MSP: Myers/Britton — to approve Resolution 17-06 and circulate for signatures.

SNOW PLOW EXCHANGE AGREEMENT. An Intergovernmental Agreement was delivered to the court by Road Master Alan Hickerson. The IGA is between the City of Prairie City, Oregon and Grant County (Road Dept.). In exchange for a 1979 Dodge pickup with a plow (valued at $5000) the road department will furnish materials, labor and equipment in the maximum amount of $5000. This snowplow will be used at the airport. Hamsher declared a conflict and abstained from voting. MSP: Myers/Britton — to approve the IGA with the City of Prairie City and authorize Judge Myers to sign.

OHA 12TH AMENDMENT – AGREEMENT #148010. The court reviewed the 12th Amendment to Oregon Health Authority IGA #148010 which increases funding to School Based Health Centers in the amount of $6,500 and decreases public health funds for Safe Drinking Water Program by $12,038. MSP: Myers/Britton — to approve the 12th Amendment to IGA #148010 and authorize Judge Myers to sign.

VOLUNTEER POLICY. Emergency Management Coordinator Ted Williams had sent a proposed volunteer policy to the court that he prepared. If adopted this policy would become a part of the resource management plan Williams is putting together, but could also be utilized by other departments as necessary. Myers said this policy would protect both volunteers and the county from liability. Hamsher asked if CIS (CityCounty Insurance Services) had reviewed the policy and Myers said no. Hamsher would like to have CIS review this prior to approval. MSP: Hamsher/Britton – to approve the volunteer policy pending CIS review and approval.

ODOT QUITCLAIM DEED. The court reviewed a Quitclaim Deed sent by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). ODOT wishes to convey a portion of the old highway alignment between Long Creek and Fox back to Grant County. MSP: Myers/Britton — to accept the Quitclaim Deed from ODOT and authorize Judge Myers to sign.

LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR SNOWBALLERS. Commissioner Britton presented a proposed letter to the court members supporting grant funding for the Grant County Snowballers. The grant would be used for snowmobile trail restoration. Britton advised this letter of support must be submitted by Friday. MSP: Britton/Hamsher — to approve a letter of support and circulate for signatures.

COUNTY COURT MEETING IN MONUMENT. Commissioner Britton advised he has received numerous requests for the court to travel to Monument and conduct a court meeting. The court has conducted meetings at other locations in the past. Britton would like Laurie Wright to work on scheduling a meeting in Monument. Britton suggested an evening meeting and Myers suggested having one on a Tuesday and also going to the senior center for lunch. MSP: Hamsher/Myers – to schedule a meeting in Monument in the near future.

PUBLIC COMMENT. Dave Traylor stated when people are in a public meeting they should show respect and if someone is disrespectful Judge Myers should call them out of order. Myers thanked him for his comments and also thanked those in attendance for being respectful during today’s meeting.

MSP: Hamsher/Myers – to adjourn the court meeting. 11:53 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 ****