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

December 2, 2015

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, Commissioner Boyd Britton, Secretary Laurie Wright, Ted Williams, Doug Ferguson, Alan Hickerson, Kathy Gilliam, Jim Sproul, Judy Kerr, Frances Preston, Kenny Delano, Zach Williams, and Jerry Russell. Commissioner Chris Labhart is absent as he is returning from his holiday vacation today. A Pledge of Allegiance was given to the United States flag. The invocation was given by Commissioner Britton.

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS. Myers announced he would need to leave today by 11:50 am for a doctor’s appointment.

Britton told the audience a selection committee met yesterday to select a candidate for the position across the street for a new Juvenile & Adult Corrections Director. They interviewed three very good candidates and will announce their selection soon. Britton has been having conversations with Doug Ferguson, Scott Fairley and Brett Brownscomb about what has been going on and what could be coming. He reports that Mr. Hickerson is continuing to do a good job and is very cordial and timely in getting back to people. Britton announced his daughter has been designated as one of the most influential women in Los Angeles. Los Angeles has the fifth largest economy in the world. He is very proud of her.

Myers said he also attended interviews yesterday, there were three candidates, all in-house and they decided to interview them before going out to the public. He was accompanied on the selection committee by Commissioner Britton, Judge Cramer from Circuit Court and Judge Stinnett, Justice of the Peace. MSP: Britton/Myers — to offer the position to the number one candidate. Myers will announce who was selected for the position probably later today after some quick background checks are completed.

Myers stated he will be accompanying an inspector from CIS (the county’s liability insurance company) next Monday the 7th on an inspection of county properties. The inspector will be checking county buildings. This is not an OSHA inspection or a risk management inspection. The inspections will be performed on most county buildings to make sure the values are accurate for insurance coverage and replacement values.

9:05 am Marissa Williams and Sean Hart (new Editor for the Blue Mountain Eagle) entered

Myers advised he attended a Heritage Foundation dinner meeting last night. He is on the board of directors and they discussed fund raisers. In October the foundation auctioned a quilt and raised $1,640. Myers believes the foundation has met their threshold, but isn’t sure the fairgrounds is yet. About $90,000 has been raised by fund raisers for a reader board and PA system for inside the pavilion and outside around the fairgrounds.

CANYON CREEK REHAB PROJECT. Doug Ferguson and Kenny Delano (Ferguson Surveying & Engineering) updated the court on the Canyon Creek Channel Rehab Project. Ferguson reported there is about 6000 feet of creek that needs to be treated. There is about 1500 feet of dikes that will average about 10 feet wide and 2 feet tall, about 3000 feet that will need to be protected by sandbags and will require about 45,000 sandbags and there are other places that will need sandbags stockpiled at. There are about 1200 feet of 2×2 eco-blocks that will be needed and to do this they will need approximately 200 eco-blocks. Kenny Delano has prepared a map showing where everything will go. Ferguson stated from a technical stand point they are ready to move forward.

9:10 am Dennis Flippence entered

Delano reported he is still working on the flood plain development ordinances with the City of John Day; fortunately there is no flood plain issues with the county property between John Day and Canyon City because the property doesn’t show on FEMA’s flood panels. All of the work he is doing with John Day and Canyon City is to protect the cities and comply with the National Flood Insurance Program. They have to go through each ordinance and meet the requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program. Delano stated the plan is to do bulk applications through the City of John Day that will be completed for the landowners and they can sign that they agree to the developments, and at the same time the plan is to obtain the necessary easements from the landowners.

9:11 am King Williams entered

Delano stated it is time consuming because they have to make sure the city insurance policies aren’t put at risk. There is no actual reporting requirement; however, if FEMA performed an audit through their flood insurance program, issues could arise for the cities. Delano feels that as long as everything is documented well they should be able to go to work. Britton asked Delano if the procedures weren’t followed as Delano outlined, would that potentially put people at risk of not being reimbursed by their insurance company’s or FEMA. Delano responded that it would, John Day currently has a high standing with FEMA and Canyon City is working on this. Delano clarified the need to make sure things are in alignment before moving forward. Delano said the plan is to have documentation ready for the landowners to sign agreeing to the development in the flood plain and to sign easements. They are hoping to get this done in the next couple of weeks.

9:15 am Shannon Springer entered

Myers stated once the easements are signed there will be a filing fee for the easements and this is not a fee that can be waived. Delano said yes and it costs $43.50 per page and this is by statute. He estimates 45 to 48 owners will need to sign easements and he estimates 2 pages per easement. Myers said Scott Fairley was going to try to find out if FEMA could reimburse for the filing fees.

9:16 am Bob Phillips entered

King Williams questioned Delano about whether all the stipulations could be placed on one page. Delano stated each property will require a separate easement, similar to an access easement. Ferguson explained the easements will be almost identical, but each property ownership must be identified. Myers concurred that legal descriptions will need to be on the easements. Preston questioned whether the county could declare an emergency? Myers said FEMA would not recognize an emergency unless a flood actually happened. Delano pointed out that even in an emergency situation they would still need permission to go onto someone’s property to do work. Ferguson stated the USFS has assigned a very good hydrologist to assist him, Bob Hasmiller. Ferguson and Hasmiller spent a few hours together yesterday going over things. The forest service has concerns about the effect of flooding on the confluence of John Day River and downstream. Ferguson stated he has not had time to look into this yet. King inquired about who would pay the filing fees? Myers said he was researching this to see how this can be paid; he doesn’t want landowners to refuse to sign because of the cost of the filing fee.

Delano discussed concerns the USFS has on the effect to the infrastructure (John Day Waste Water Treatment Plant, OTEC, and Forest Service Federal Building) around the John Day River with an increase in flow from Canyon Creek. He reports they haven’t had time to address this. Delano said Hasmiller knows better than they do about how to look at this issue. Ferguson said Hasmiller has contacted Paul Scuafani from the Army Corp of Engineers for assistance as well. Ferguson said they now know what they need to construct but have to jump through the hoops to get there. Britton asked if Ferguson has been upstream yet. Ferguson stated he and Hasmiller and Ted Williams will be heading up there as soon as they leave court.

Alan Hickerson, Road Master, advised they have 24 eco-blocks now. They have 24,000 sandbags now. Brad Cates from State Parks came by and borrowed 1000 sandbags to place at Kam Wah Chung museum and will be paying them back in the next few days. Hickerson further reported the paperwork on the bridge is all done; it will be around $40,000 for a spare bridge. He said he found out the road department could borrow a bridge from Umatilla County or the Tribes have one in Austin (46 foot) that could be borrowed until June. Britton feels the county should still purchase a bridge outright and have one available when needed. Hickerson said he was told by Umatilla County they have only used their bridge once in the last 15 years.

9:25 am Ron Phillips entered

Ferguson agreed with Britton about having a bridge here owned by the county and he feels it would be a good investment. Ferguson would like to see two bridges available. Britton suggested Hickerson contact Brad Cates and tell him to keep the sandbags and provide Ameri-Corp volunteers to fill sandbags instead. Hickerson said Hooker Creek in Redmond has about 100 eco-blocks and Hooker Creek in Bend has about 300. They are waiting for a nice day and will send trucks over to pick them up. They can haul 12 on a lowboy. Britton suggested contacting Central Oregon Trucking to see if they could bring some over, it might be possible to catch a back haul. King Williams suggested contacting Malheur Lumber as well about trucks coming through.

Hickerson asked for clarification that the court would like a bridge purchased. Britton and Myers said yes and Myers suggested contacting Umatilla County to see if they want to sell the bridge they have only used once. MSP: Britton/Myers – to allow and approve the purchase of a bridge by the Road Department.

Ted Williams reported on the status of radios and emergency notification system. Williams has purchased 10 radios and they are on the way. Williams has most of the names and emails ready to send to the company that will be giving a demonstration on how the wireless notification system works. The company will hopefully be coming in next week to give the demonstration. Williams stated that if a wireless notification system is approved it could be up and running in about two weeks.

ROAD DEPARTMENT SURPLUS EQUIPMENT. Myers opened sealed bids for the sale of Road Department surplus equipment. The first bid opened was from Marvin Rynearson for Lot 5 – 2 tool boxes $25, Lot 6- 4 pickup tool boxes $30, and Lot 9 – 1994 Ford F250 pickup $901. Second bid opened from Bob Warren, Lot 4 – 1994 Frink Snowplow $80, and Lot 5 – 2 tool boxes $20. Third bid opened from Hansen Family Ranch, Lot 8 – 8 pieces of treated timbers $50. Fourth bid opened from Hansen Family Ranch, Lot 7 – wood bridge decking $511. Fifth bid opened from Mike Nault, Lot 9 – 1994 Ford F250 pickup $1260. Myers concluded the bid opening and returned the bids to Hickerson. Myers stated he will sign any necessary titles and the property will be paid for and picked up at the road department.

9:37 am Paul Cooper entered

AIRPORT AUDIO SYSTEM. Myers opened a sealed bid to provide audio conferencing and a public address system for the Regional Airport Terminal’s large conference room. The bid was from GBH Communications, Monrovia, CA. Britton would like to put this off until next week so they can review the bid since there is only one and Labhart is gone. MSP: Britton/Myers – to put off the award of the bid for further review.

DEQ IGA AMENDMENT #1. Review Intergovernmental Agreement Amendment #1 from DEQ to extend the agreement for disposal of ash and debris at the transfer station. Myers advised the audience that this is an agreement with the DEQ to allow the county to dig a trench to place debris and ash in and DEQ will reimburse a portion of what homeowners paid to a licensed contractor for the removal and disposal of the waste. Myers told those in attendance that if they knew of anyone who had used a licensed contractor for clean up to let them know they could bring in a receipt to him to submit for partial reimbursement. MSP: Britton/Myers – to authorize Judge Myers to sign IGA Amendment #1.

9:42 am Glenn Palmer entered

ASBESTOS TILE ABATEMENT. Myers opened two bid proposals received for asbestos tile abatement at the courthouse. Myers explained the upstairs was completed when the elevator project was being done. This project will hopefully be completed over Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend in January to allow the contractor a four day weekend to complete the project. The first bid opened was from Pacific Technologies, Boise, ID, in the amount of $31,724. This is for asbestos tile removal for all common areas on the main floor and basement including stairs. It does not include the offices. The second bid opened was from Alpine Abatement Associates in the amount of $9,545. MSP: Myers/Britton – to recognize Alpine Abatement the lowest bidder and approve the award to them if they have all their licensing and bonding in place.

IN-COUNTY MEAL REIMBURSEMENT POLICY. Sheriff Glenn Palmer met with the court to discuss reimbursement of an in-county meal. Palmer explained he used the county credit card in September to purchase two pizzas to feed a deputy and others. The deputy had been on a 17 hour shift and they were working on a pretty serious meth case. He said it wasn’t one of those cases where he could have stopped what was going on and the deputy had told him he was diabetic and needed to eat. Palmer advised he made the decision within his budget to purchase the pizzas. He doesn’t feel the tax payers would be upset with him given the situation. Myers explained to those in attendance that this is a violation of county policy and this is why Palmer is here. Myers added that county policy doesn’t allow use of public funds for meals in town. He said one way to handle this is to take donations to pay for this ($42.40). Myers said he will continue to look at language for the handbook to allow meals in emergency situations. Myers is willing to pay for half of the $42.40 to help solve this issue. He would like to see something added to county policy to cover incidents like this to address them in the future. Jerry Russell said he would pay the bill for this, he feels Myers does enough. Russell said they don’t get an opportunity to do things like this very much living where he does. Palmer wanted it on record that he is not throwing pizza parties, they had an opportunity to deal with some meth in this county and he feels there has to be exceptions and he needs some latitude to take care of his people. This situation was one where he couldn’t stop what was happening and send people home for a lunch break. Myers agreed with Palmer’s statements but said without set policy there will be abuse by other departments. Palmer pointed out his department works very different hours than other county departments. He feels the policy doesn’t fit every department. Britton asked Palmer what he would like the court to do. Palmer said he would like support from the court and latitude for situations where people can’t take a lunch break, dinner break or can’t get away.

9:59 am James Vaughan entered

Palmer advised he feels there needs to be some exceptions for his department and some latitude for times when they can’t stop what they are doing and take breaks. Russell said it shouldn’t be hard to amend policy and have a price cap on how much can be spent. Kathy Smith suggested talking to the City of John Day and the State Police and see what their policy is regarding issues like this. Britton said he would like to see something from Palmer to look at to change policy. Britton said he will pay half of the bill along with Myers; he doesn’t want Russell to pay. Palmer said he will work with Myers to come up with something.

10:05 am Richard Friese, Sue Stovall, and Jacki Friese entered

PUBLIC HEARING – SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET HEARING. Treasurer Kathy Smith presented Resolution 15-30 and Resolution 15-31 to the court. Smith explained she failed to create a budget line to receive funds into the school-forest fund ($54,300) from the previous supplemental budget hearing and she didn’t discover her error until she went to pay the schools and ESD two weeks ago. One resolution is to adopt the supplemental budget and the other resolution is to transfer the money from road to school-forest fund. The transfer of the funds was previously approved by the court. Britton and Myers both signed the resolutions.

10:10 am Jerry Barrow and Marsiellette Watson entered

PUBLIC HEARING – PROPOSED MARIJUANA ORDINANCE. Myers read the title of the ordinance to the audience. Myers explained the process of the public hearing to those in attendance. He advised a second hearing will be held next Wednesday at the same time. Britton read the proposed ordinance to the audience. Paul Cooper asked who would be passing the ordinance. Myers said he and the two commissioners would be passing it or not based on public testimony. Cooper asked where the ordinance came from and if it could be changed. Myers explained the county attorney composed it (Ron Yockim from Grants Pass). Myers told the audience counties that voted 55% or higher against the legalization of marijuana could opt out now, but not later. King Williams wanted to know if part of the ordinance could be passed without other parts of it.

10:20 am David Kilpatrick entered

Myers requested input from those against the ordinance as written.

Jerry Russell described his background as a farmer and rancher living between Kimberly and Monument. Russell would like the ordinance to allow for growing of marijuana so they can grow it and export it out of county. He feels he should be able to make a decision on what he can and can’t do on his own property. Russell stated the Oregon State Agriculture Department recognizes cannabis as an agricultural crop. Britton asked for the difference between hemp and cannabis. Russell said hemp has a lower THC content than cannabis. Both are recognized as agricultural crops according to David Kilpatrick. Russell has no problem with banning retail sales; he is against banning the growing of it. He has two part time employees that he could make full time employees if allowed to grow marijuana. Russell feels people are scared of what they don’t understand and that is part of the problem. Russell asked if Tom Burns had talked to Britton and Labhart and if the court had received a letter from him. Britton said he couldn’t remember if he talked to Burns. Myers stated he had talked to Mr. Burns yesterday. He would like to see the county allow the growing and shipping of marijuana. Paul Cooper lives in Monument where he farms and has 750 acres. He feels the same as Russell; they should be allowed to grow marijuana. Cooper stated growing is a great opportunity and income as it’s very difficult to make a living here raising hay. This is a perfect opportunity for the county to make tax revenue and allow for more jobs in the county. Cooper said he doesn’t care about retail sales or dispensaries; he is only concerned with being allowed to grow commercially. He wants to grow for oil and has already been contacted by oil manufacturers. James Vaughan from Long Creek stated he feels all laws should be in the interests of justice and not harmful to others. Vaughan said he feels outlawing an entrepreneurial enterprise is harmful to people. He would like the court to ask two questions during this process– Who are we helping? Who are we hurting?

Myers requested input from those in favor of the ordinance.

No one in the audience responded. Britton advised the audience he is the one who really pushed the county to look at this ordinance. Britton stated some good points have been brought up in court today about growing marijuana. Britton explained from his personal experience he doesn’t like the affects marijuana has on people and how lazy it makes them. He said the discussion in court today has given him some interesting things to think about. Russell hand delivered a letter to Britton and Myers. Frances Preston made the statement that personal use is allowed by law and this ordinance stops that use; that is her understanding. Myers said no it doesn’t affect personal growth, personal use, etc., the ordinance places a prohibition to commercial growing, processing and sales. Preston stated recreational users will still be using it here; this ordinance doesn’t do anything to stop use. Preston said basically the ordinance only stops money from coming into the county.

10:20 am Kathy Smith entered

Second round of opposition to the ordinance as written.

Paul Cooper said basically this ordinance is stopping potential employers and people who want to raise it in large quantities from doing so. Cooper stated he is okay with not having retail sales here, but is not okay with the county telling him he can’t grow it and make money. He will employ people and pay more taxes. He said the county ordinance is not stopping anything; it is only going to promote the black market of marijuana. Cooper also stated marijuana isn’t going to make people lazy; people that are lazy are always going to be lazy.

10:44 am Kathy Stinnett entered

Cooper stated this ordinance is costing revenue and jobs if passed. David Kilpatrick stated he doesn’t want to see this ordinance passed. He feels the small time drug dealers are the ones who would like this ordinance to pass. He wants to see people get put to work. Kilpatrick’s opinion is prohibiting commercial marijuana will cost jobs in the county and most of the harm in marijuana is in the prohibition itself. He feels most people are in support of allowing growing. Jerry Barrow stated as people are getting older and sicker they are relying more on pharmaceuticals. Barrow stated there is an important documentary available entitled “What if Cannabis Cures Cancer”. He said people who need medical marijuana currently have to leave town to get it. Barrow said he heard yesterday that Baker City was allowing a dispensary. Barrow’s opinion is cannabis brings health back into balance and the video he referenced explains this. He would like the court to do research on this issue.

Second round in favor of the ordinance as written.

No one in the room spoke. Britton stated he is a proponent of the ordinance but wants to think about some of the points the audience has brought up.

Third round of opposition to the ordinance as written.

Richard Friese stated it seems to him Grant County is attempting to secede from state law on this matter. He said there are a lot of elderly people in Grant County who are medicinally using marijuana and who currently have to leave the county to purchase their medicine. Friese doesn’t think it makes sense to allow other counties to receive the sales and taxation from this. He further feels that the ordinance will cause a lot of people to break the law in the county. In his opinion sales should be allowed here and the county should receive the revenue. Myers explained the state is only allowing counties to pass ordinances like this that had a high voter turnout against marijuana legalization. Jacki Friese stated that if this is going to happen anyway, wouldn’t it be better to have some control over it? In her opinion one dispensary would allow for control. Friese feels people should be able to grow on their own property if they want and if they want to grow, make money, and put money into our economy she doesn’t see where the harm is. Jerry Russell told the court they are doing their job and listening to the voters so he feels they are listening to the public about banning dispensaries because that is what the public wanted. Russell said the amendment should be re-written to prohibit dispensaries because that is what the majority of Grant County people wanted and voted on, but he feels growing should be allowed for tax revenue and money for the county. Jerry Barrow said a lot of people need the medical marijuana that can’t grow it and process it themselves and must leave the area and he feels the medical aspect of this is just as important as the growing aspect. Richard Friese feels a special election should be held instead of the court deciding on the ordinance. Myers stated there is no time to hold a special election; the court only has until the end of December to decide this issue. Friese feels the 64% of voters who voted against marijuana were ill informed. David Kilpatrick said he has been to a lot of meetings about this issue. Kilpatrick reports that he learned in Crook County the revenue to the county during the first biennium is estimated to be $20,000, and if we had a dispensary here people from other counties would spend money coming here to purchase it. He feels it would energize the economy in our county. James Vaughan feels when we try to impose consequences on free men for victimless crimes we are not acting in the interests of our fellow citizens.

Third round in favor of the ordinance as written.

No one spoke up.

Jerry Russell added he would like to see a committee formed to amend the proposal to allow people to be able to grow marijuana. Paul Cooper said he thinks people should be able to do it all because it is legal. MSP: Britton/Myers – to close the public hearing.

11:10 am Dusty Williams, Mindy Winegar, Mary Weaver, Shanna Northway, Donna Palmer, Lucas Moore, JC Oliver, and Tinka Oliver entered

FAIRGROUNDS REQUESTS. Mary Weaver, Fair Manager, presented the court with several requests on behalf of the Grant County Fair Board. Weaver reports the fairground board wants to inform the court of some of the needs at the fairgrounds and get better interaction between the board members and court. Shanna Northway, on behalf of the fair board, requested the county court waive the $30,000 the fair is indebted to the county in order to allow them to function in the black. Northway stated part of the reason they are in this situation is losing money on a couple of events and not being able to host the bar at those events. Myers said they could have had the bar if they chose to, but the fair board would have had to pay the insurance of $1,000. The bull riding and NPRA rodeo events both lost money for the fairgrounds. Britton wanted to know why these events lost money. Northway replied because these events are too expensive and we cannot generate the revenue in this small of a community. The NPRA rodeo costs $25,000 to bring them here and the fair lost $13,700. The NPRA rodeo was under a three year contract so they had to hold it, last year was the final year of the contract and they are not renewing it. The bull riding costs about $15,000 to bring here, the first year they barely broke even but it was a good event to bring to the community. Northway said the only reason they broke even the first year was because they had the bar sales. She said last year they did not have the bar sales and lost $4,300. Northway stated they still wish to have events at the fairgrounds because the community enjoys it and will still have a rodeo of some kind and they have a new committee set up to discuss this. Weaver told the court they are looking into events that don’t cost so much but will generate more income, possibly several small events instead of a few large ones. Northway reports the fairgrounds received $60,000 from the fire camp and part of this money will be used for repairs at the fairgrounds. Britton inquired about what damage was done. Weaver said they are small repairs such as repainting showers and re-seeding the grass. Northway added the fair board would like to use the fire money as an operational reserve to allow them to be in the black for their budget. Weaver said the fair board has some projects they would like to work with the court on and have the county’s assistance with. Myers stated he had no problem helping where he could. Britton asked Weaver what will change if they had a fresh budget and didn’t owe money; he wanted to know why the fair is always losing money. Weaver said the biggest loss was caused by the NPRA rodeo and they are not hosting the NPRA rodeo any longer. She said this should make the difference in the budget. Britton expressed his concern that if the fair board plans on hosting several smaller events this will cause an increase in staff time. Weaver stated they are hoping that is not the case and the fair board will be assisting. Jim Sproul asked for clarity as to what department the $60,000 fire money was paid to. Weaver stated it went directly to the fair. Sproul said if it wasn’t for the fire money the fair budget would be in much worse shape. In his opinion if the fair budget were paid up current and with the cut in the expenses there shouldn’t be a problem. Lucas Moore stated some of the money will be used for the safety projects. Sproul said if the fair was solvent right now this would be the time to take a hard look at where the money is going. Weaver and JC Oliver stated the buildings need work and have safety issues. Myers said he feels some safety issues like the pavilion floor need to be addressed. Northway stated they have received written and verbal complaints about the gravel pathways at the fair about wheel chair accessibility. Myers agreed that a lot of the fairgrounds is not ADA accessible. Ron Phillips told Weaver he and Carolyn Stout are going to be approaching the fair board regarding the stage set up for talent shows and also bringing in a musical event. Phillips stated the stage set up is dangerous and last year someone did fall, but thankfully did not get hurt. Phillips is concerned that the county could get sued if someone were to get hurt. JC Oliver commented that even though the fair lost money on the NPRA rodeo and bull riding the local businesses in the community were benefited and received revenue from the events. Frances Preston wanted to know if the fair had a maintenance list and what the cost added up to and also if the fair planned on hosting a bar again since it seemed to be where the money was made. Myers explained it cost the county $1000 in insurance per event to host a bar. If another entity hosts the bar it is cheaper for them. Weaver explained they made a deal with the vendor who did it this year for 15% of the profit. Britton suggested the road department may be able to assist with the project regarding gravel around the fairgrounds. He then mentioned how the floor in the pavilion had been worked on about ten or twelve years ago. The county spent about $85,000 attempting to fix the floor but the problem is under the structure itself. Weaver said she would like some assistance with figuring out what to do with safety hazards at the fairgrounds. Myers said the walkways do need fixed and the ramp needs changed to comply with ADA requirements. He will talk to CIS when they are here on the 7th doing building inspections to see if they can come back at another time to inspect the fairgrounds and offer suggestions. Britton asked Dusty Williams what would need to be done to the pavilion entryway to make it ADA compliant. Williams explained cement could be poured to make grade to the door and a curb on each side of the ramp to shed water. They would like to put a cover over the door as well. Myers advised the fair board the county does not have a grant writer. Weaver asked if Sally Bartlett could be of assistance. Myers said he cannot speak for Sally, she is very busy. Lucas Moore said they are trying to do projects that are economically feasible right now to improve things around the grounds. Preston asked if there were any estimates of what the projects will cost. Weaver said not yet. Weaver stated that for today they want the court’s permission to move forward with the entryway project. Weaver would like the court to agree to assist with the funding of this project. Myers said the court would need to know the cost of the project. Myers wanted to know how much money the fair has in the safety budget. Weaver said around $5,000. Britton asked someone from the fair board to come see him later, he has some ideas to save money on the entry way. Myers advised the fair board the court would not make any decisions on forgiveness of the $30,000 without Commissioner Labhart here.

PUBLIC COMMENT. Jim Sproul reported on the meeting held last Saturday at the Senior Center. Mr. Fred Kelly Grant spoke on coordination to the 75 in attendance on November 28th. Mr. Grant is an attorney from Boise, Idaho who has a track record of success in the courtroom regarding natural resource issues.

MINUTES. MSP: Myers/Britton — to approve the November 25th minutes with modifications

11:54 am — Adjourned

Respectfully Submitted,

Laurie Wright

County Court Secretary