IN THE COUNTY COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF GRANT – OCTOBER 1, 2014

Pursuant to notice made to the newspaper of general circulation throughout Grant County, the radio station, website and e-mail 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 Boyd Britton and Chris B. Labhart, Secretary Mary Ferrioli, Brooks Smith, Jim Sproul and Pastor Wes Aasness. A Pledge of Allegiance was given to the US flag. The invocation was given by Pastor Aasness.

AGENDA. The court considered adding after lunch Dean Hoodenpyl’s proposal to increase the Community Service Supervisor’s hours to full time, creating a new part time position that would start October 26. (He would not be available the next four Wednesdays.) Labhart said he was busy this afternoon. Britton asked for a better write-up on the proposal and suggested more time be allowed with the possibility of calling in on October 15. MSP: Britton/Labhart — to accept the agenda as presented. Britton said the Monument Rural Fire Protection District will be here about 10:30 am. Since it wasn’t on the agenda, Labhart said it could be under public comments.

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Myers reported on the Aces for Faces Poker Run which he participated in last Saturday. He planned to attend the AOC District 1 meeting at the airport tomorrow from 10 am to 2 pm and an OPRD trails system meeting at the Mt. Vernon Community Center next Monday from 12:30 pm to 4 pm. He said a public meeting on that subject would follow at 6 pm.

Labhart attended an LCAC meeting in John Day last Wednesday. He reported on the Pine Creek Firewise dedication held last Friday. He also attended a Blue Mountain Hospital Compliance meeting on Monday. Labhart offered to compose a letter of appreciation for signature next week about developing and dedicating the Pine Creek Firewise Area.

Britton spent Monday in Morrow County participating in the rededication of the Courthouse Clock Tower. Yesterday he was in Pendleton for an Oregon Solutions Projects Selection Committee meeting and would attend the AOC District 1 meeting tomorrow at the airport.

9:15 am – News Reporter Scotta Callister entered

MINUTES. MSP: Labhart/Myers — to approve the September 24, 2014 minutes as amended.

TRANSIENT ROOM TAX. Labhart noted that the court received the quarterly Transient Room Tax Report from Grant County Chamber of Commerce Transient Room Tax Fund Administrator Tammy Bremner, as required.

COURTHOUSE ELEVATOR. Based on interviews with Pinnacle Architecture, Inc. and RSS Architecture, LLC last Wednesday the court discussed naming the top-ranked firm for the Courthouse Elevator Feasibility Study. Last Wednesday afternoon, Myers and Britton interviewed Peter Baer (Pinnacle) and Randy Saunders (RSS). Labhart had another meeting to attend, but studied the materials this weekend. Based on his study and discussion with several Evaluation Committee members, Labhart recommends Pinnacle. Myers indicated that RSS represents a firm of three (down from eight) and he had scored RSS slightly ahead of Pinnacle. He felt both were experienced in old buildings and elevators, but saw RSS as more experienced in elevator retrofits. Myers agreed with Labhart and also recommends Pinnacle. Britton said he respects Pinnacle’s polished background and experience, but appreciates the attitude and no-frills approach of RSS. He felt RSS was more down-to-earth and more willing to work with us and local contractors.

9:30 am – Dan Bishop entered

Myers appreciated the Evaluation Committee’s work. He recognized the fact our committee gave Pinnacle the highest score, and added that contract negotiations could eventually lead to RSS. MSP: Myers/Britton — to open negotiations with Pinnacle for the Courthouse Elevator Feasibility Study. Labhart said that he dealt with Pinnacle previously with projects for the City of John Day. The question was called. Labhart and Myers voted yes; Britton voted no. Britton felt it would be appropriate to include Tammy Wheeler in negotiations since the state will be contributing a portion of the funding. Myers agreed she would be instrumental in this project.

LETTER OF THANKS. Court members reviewed a draft letter of gratitude to the Umatilla County Commissioners, Juvenile Department Director and Assistant Director expressing appreciation for allowing Grant County to use one of their NORCOR beds to detain juvenile Dillan Easley for alleged dual murder. MSP: Myers/Labhart — to circulate the letter for signature as presented.

EOCCO LCAC. The court reviewed several applications of individuals who wish to serve on the Eastern Oregon Coordinated Care Organization Local Community Advisory Council. Labhart, who is Chair of the LCAC, had previously provided these applications for consideration. He said more volunteers are being sought and the state requires a certain percentage of members who represent consumers and the health care profession. For the benefit of those present he explained what EOCCO is about and how it was formed. MSP: Myers/Labhart — to appoint Teresa Aasness, Greg Armstrong, Megan Brandsma, Russ Comer, Sheila Comer, Cammi Copenhaver, Debi Hueckman, Kim Jacobs, Shanna Northway, Dana Stone, Karen Triplett, Mary Ann Wren and Patti Wright to the EOCCO Local Community Advisory Council.

9:40 am – Larry Blasing entered

AIRPORT CONFERENCE.Airport Manager Patrick Bentz previously submitted a request to attend the Oregon Airport Management Association Conference October 26–28 at Valley River Inn at Eugene. Costs include registration $100.00, 2 nights lodging $227.81, mileage $234.90, and meals $60.00 for a total of $622.71. The conference expense is in the budget, but court approval was needed because it exceeds $500. MSP: Myers/Labhart– to allow Patrick Bentz to attend the OAMA Annual Conference in Eugene October 26-28 as presented.

RESOLUTION. Court members considered adopting a resolution and sending it to our Congressional representatives as recommended by NACo and AOC. At the Firewise dedication last Friday, Labhart visited with Congressman Walden’s Aide who also encouraged the court to adopt and send the resolution. Myers recited the resolution “Encouraging the U.S. Congress to Provide Full Funding for PILT in FY 2015 and Develop A Sustainable Long-Term Approach to Funding Essential Services in Public Lands Counties.” MSP: Myers/Labhart — to circulate Resolution 14-34 for signature.

9:55 am — Dave Halemeier, Susan Garner, and Amy Unthank entered

BALD SISTERS & SOUTH FORK FIRES. Blue Mountain District Ranger Dave Halemeier and Planning / Natural Resource Officer Amy Unthank provided two packets of materials and gave an informational overview and update on the current status of the Bald Sisters and South Fork fires. The forest’s new Partnership Coordinator Susan Garner was introduced. Those also present were timber industry rep Dan Bishop, Public Forest Commissioners Brooks Smith and Larry Blasing, Public Access Advisory Board member Jim Sproul, and News Reporter Scotta Callister. It was explained that temporary road closures in the Bald Sisters fire area would stay in place through the winter until rehabilitation has been done. Some discussion took place about availability of salvage timber, saw logs and post-pole resources. South Fork Fire temporary road closures through winter, areas that are being opened, and rehabilitation planning was also addressed. Halemeier commented on some barricades that have been broken down or stolen. He pointed out that hunters are allowed on the fire perimeter.

Brooks Smith suggested to Halemeier that the forest begin working with the Public Access Advisory Board around major issues with access points. He wondered when salvage would be available to timber companies. Dan Bishop said he’s still waiting on answers from the Regional Office about cat use being allowed on Bald Sisters. He felt it was shameful to allow all of those acres to burn. He wanted to know how much of the fire burned inside versus outside the road less area. Blasing expressed a great deal of disappointment with how the forest had handled the Bald Sisters fire because it created so much smoke and considerable damage to resource areas. It was suggested that salvage issues and medusa head treatment be immediately considered. Sproul pointed out access was a serious issue within both fire areas.

10:25 am — Ryan Joslin, Cleo Mc Cluskey, Kathy Smith, Brenda Percy, Jerry Cowger, Bruce Strange, Leon Skiles and Kathy Stinnett entered

OFFICE MANAGER / LEGAL ASSISTANT. Personnel Manager Brenda Percy presented recommendations on the new Office Manager job description proposed last week by Cleo McCluskey in the DA’s office. The existing Legal Assistant job description had not been updated for many years to reflect Mc Cluskey’s current duties and those of Legal Assistant Michele McManama. Percy said her changes reflect wording used in the Office Manager job description the court adopted for the Road Department. Labhart clarified with Mc Cluskey that

She has maintained, but did not design the DA webpage. He accepted the new Office Manager revision, with the understanding the new DA may have a difference of opinion. It was noted that additional changes to the dynamics of the office staff would be addressed after January 2015. Myers explained that we would get a wage placement from LGPI now and the court will decide whether or not to accept the change, if it changes. Disagreement was voiced between the DA and what Percy has been told about the historic responsibility of Cleo Mc Cluskey’s supervisory authority. MSP: Myers/Britton – to acknowledge receipt of the new Office Manager job description and that it be forwarded to LGPI for evaluation and placement. Percy stated that she would send the job description to LGPI and ask them to expedite it immediately.

10:45 am — Katherine Smith and Lane Burton entered

PUBLIC COMMENT. Monument Rural Fire Protection District representatives Bruce Strange, Jerry Cowger, and Leon Skiles appeared to talk about the recent resignation of one of the board members. They want to see about finally resolving the district’s problems. Assessor Lane Burton and Clerk Brenda Percy were present. The county received the letter of resignation a few days ago and has already been in contact with legal counsel about the next steps that can be taken. Strange explained that only one person (Jeremy Boyer) has stepped up as a fire fighter; he previously agreed to act as Fire Chief for both the city and the district. But now, Boyer has resigned; however, the district has a mutual aid agreement with the city. Strange explained problems including in-fighting among the community that’s been happening over the past 7 years involving fire equipment, operations, and lack of support from ODF. The board explained that no one within the district is willing to help, save and except the current Fire Chief Zach Bruce. Myers felt there may be ways to handle the situation (besides dissolving the district) which need to be addressed. Britton suggested that the district remain in place, with no taxes being levied. Assessor Burton said no taxes will be levied for the fire district for 2014-15. It was also noted that district board members could be appointed again in the future, depending on public interest and positive changes that may develop in the community. Other discussion followed about how to manage and store the fire equipment, district records and financial accounts. Clerk Percy said space is available within her office to store the records at the point the board is no longer able to operate.

Public Access Advisory Board member Jim Sproul felt there’s a opportunity to quickly access salvageable timber value in the South Fork Fire area. He urged the court to take action with the forest about communicating with the board on access. Sproul said the board has been working with the Public Forest Commission. Public Forest Commissioner / former District Ranger Brooks Smith agreed with Sproul and pointed out, in other places fire hazards have not been mitigated, yet public access has been allowed. He didn’t see (but would like to) District Rangers come to the board early on in the process to entertain discussion on public access issues as they develop. He felt the board had been formed to assist the forest service. Myers agreed; however, he added that the board is new and that would take time. Sproul and Blasing expressed frustration with new forest staff coming in all the time without knowledge of local issues. Some discussion followed about how to best describe the discussion topic when the board requests to be on the agenda. It was agreed that current activities and progress on road access issues was a sufficient description.

SVR DEPOT. City of Prairie City DeWitt Museum Director Katherine Smith requested approval to have the Sumpter Valley Railway Depot’s concrete ramp removed and replaced with a sidewalk, steps and handrail. Smith said visitor traffic has decreased since the orange barricade was installed to prevent hazards, and people think the museum is closed. She had contacted six local contractors about doing this project and presented the two proposals she received from Shannon Voigt Construction for $5,200.00 and Double C Construction for $6,889.00. Smith said Voigt Construction originally constructed the ramp and believes the ramp could be cut off. She described her vision of how the ramp could be taken out and steps and a handrail installed. A fully functional ADA ramp already exists on the other side of the building. Myers said the ramp needs to come out due to the safety hazard, but it would involve an extensive demolition. MSP: Myers/Britton — to contact Shannon Voigt to have the ramp removed and the stairs and handrail built. Labhart clarified with Smith that the county, as the building’s owner, should be the one to contact contractors (not her) according to county policy and public contracting rules. She agreed the county should take over these projects from now forward. Myers and Britton voted yes; Labhart voted no since he did not like the process that was used. Myers planned to contact Shannon Voigt today.

Smith also requested approval to pursue a Feasibility Study to assess the need for repairs and restoration of the historic depot. She had picked three contractors to contact from a directory at the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office: Corky Wray Construction / Bend, C&DP Enterprises / Baker City, and Pilgrim’s Progress / Boring. Smith received just one response from John Platz of Pilgrim’s Progress who would ask for $600.00 in advance to evaluate the building and provide an assessment of the total cost to develop specifications needed for the public bid process. Pilgrim’s Progress would not perform the restoration work. Once the total cost to repair and restore the depot is determined, Smith would like approval to pursue grants to pay for the restoration project. She added that help with grant writing has been offered by Sally Bartlett and Sharon Letty. Myers suggested that the decision be delayed to allow time to make inquiries to see if there are other interested preservation contractors. He planned to be in contact with Mr. Platz today. MSP: Britton/Labhart – upon further investigation by Judge Myers, to go forward with Pilgrim’s Progress (or another preservation contractor he finds appropriate) to provide the Feasibility Study.

12:00 pm – Brenda Percy entered

PERSONNEL MANAGER. Personnel Manager Brenda Percy appeared to say her personnel responsibility is beginning to seriously interfere with her Clerk duties. She submitted a resignation letter (effective October 1, 2014) which she previously said she would do, if personnel conflicts with her official Clerk duties. She apologized for having to do this and suggested the court find someone who’s experienced and can fully dedicate their time to the job. Labhart expressed concern about how the county would protect itself in the near future with ongoing legal matters. It was noted that labor counsel has been and will continue to be available to the county through CIS, AOC, and LGPI.

12:05 am — Adjourned

Respectfully Submitted,

Mary R. Ferrioli

County Court Secretary

To access County Court Minutes go to the Commissioners page at the Grant County website www.gcoregonlive2.com.