IN THE COUNTY COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF GRANT – JULY 16, 2014

Pursuant to notice made to the newspaper of general circulation throughout Grant County, the radio station in Grant County 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 Boyd Britton and Chris B. Labhart. Secretary Mary R. Ferrioli was excused for vacation. A Pledge of Allegiance was given to the United States flag. The invocation was given by Commissioner Britton.

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Britton had continued conversations with Forest Service members and legal counsel about travel management and other issues. He also said he’d be providing a copy of the Cramer Fish Sciences study which is privileged and only or legal counsel and court members.

Myers attended the Airport Commission meeting Monday evening where their By-Laws were revised for the court’s consideration later today. Tuesday morning he met with the DA, Community Corrections, plus Norcor and two defense attorneys (by phone) about the Easley murder hearing. Plans are to transport Easley daily between The Dalles and here almost daily for about 3 weeks. The possibly housing the juvenile in Burns is being investigated. Myers felt it would be best, ideally, to hold the hearing at Norcor. Myers met with the Airport Manager and TO Engineering at the airport about progress of the paving project which is about half complete. Paving is now scheduled for the first week of August.

Labhart drove the VA van to Burns yesterday. Monday he will attend a School-Based Health Clinic meeting at noon in John Day.

MINUTES. MSP: Labhart/Britton– to approve the July 9 minutes as amended.

9:20 am — Herb Brusman, Dave Traylor, Steve Beverlin, Larry Blasing, Billie Jo and Terry George, and Brooks Smith.

PUBLIC COMMENT. Billie Jo George expressed interest in obtaining a copy of the Forest Service’s travel management plan and anything that might show accidents on the forest between ATVs and vehicles. Public Forest Commissioner Brooks Smith felt she was looking for some rationale on Forest road restriction to only legal vehicles. Some discussion followed between George and Forest Service Deputy Supervisor Steve Beverlin. Herb Brusman talked about the “Forest Access for All” meeting held in John Day last Saturday to discuss road closures. He felt the county needs to stay informed and take an active role about the various factions developing on this issue. Britton pointed out the importance of the public sending in their comments. Myers reported on a phone call he received about a fire developing where he heard that control and/or containment was possible because of open roads surrounding it. Public Forest Commissioner Dave Traylor thought the meeting was very informative and expressed disappointment that a County Court member was not present. He asked Deputy Supervisor Beverlin about his written request, submitted last fall, for a public meeting to discuss issues about access to firewood. Beverlin explained that he had been waiting for a meeting with the Law Enforcement Officer, which he had yesterday, to discuss a response to the questions posed. He also provided basic information about the status of firewood permitting on the Malheur NF and said a travel management decision has not been made yet. Britton noted that the Malheur has the most liberal firewood policy within the region. However, that does not mean the policy could not be improved for seniors and veterans. Smith suggested that how these issues are handled on other rural forests should be considered. Britton also mentioned that Grant County has a history of going its own way. Larry Blasing talked about a field trip Blue Mountains Forest Partners is having next month with the Forest Service to bug kill areas to see what might be done to expedite a recovery and restoration project. He added that the Public Forest Commission has been working on the best comments they can submit. Labhart noted that Eastern Oregon Coalition of Counties will be collaborating around the preparation of comments at a meeting next month at the airport.

10:00 am — Patrick Bentz and Kathy Smith entered

FUEL MASTER ENCODER. Airport Manager Patrick Bentz requested approval to purchase a new Smart Card Encoder for the Fuel Master software because the current Smart Card Encoder will not work with the Windows 7 computer upgrade. Bentz explained the encoder is used to program cards when pilots purchase fuel and also tracks the aircraft and fuel sales. The cards allow offering a discount to pilots without being available to complete the transaction, and the airport still makes a larger profit from direct fuel sales (compared to a flowage fee). Syn-Tech (a sole-source) can provide a new encoder for $425.00 (after a $125.00 credit) plus shipping of about $20.00. Patrick added that Syn Tech would provide installation support. Some discussion took place about how Bentz is resolving a current problem with the (40 year old) Jet-A pump through a company in Pendleton. Bentz anticipated the pump would be running again later today. Britton sought clarification on details about the Fuel Master software and how purchases are made. MSP: Myers/Britton — to approve the new Fuel Master Encoder purchase from Syn-Tech for $425.00 plus shipping cost as presented.

AIRPORT MISC. Discussion took place about a proposal to re-key the main entry locks at the airport. If that turns out to be necessary, Bentz was given the name of a local locksmith to contact in Prairie City. Myers reported the Forest Service has offered to share half the cost of installing a power gate (estimated at about $7,500 to $8,000). The Airport Commission has expressed dissatisfaction with that cost – believing it would basically only serve Forest Service employees. Myers said opening the gate is simple; the only inconvenience is getting out of the vehicle both coming and going. Britton agreed with the Airport Commission. Labhart suggested that Bentz consider locally contracting out work the work being done by the tractor.

AIRPORT COMMISSION BY-LAWS. The court reviewed the updated Airport Commission By-Laws as discussed at the Airport Commission last evening. Myers explained the highlighted changes the commission is proposing as: completing a performance review of the Airport Manager at least on a annual basis and providing those results to the County Court for comment and approval, and conducting a review of Airport Commission By-Laws during the Commission’s January meeting. Britton had suggested changing the word “only” to “mainly” in Section 3a. MSP: Myers/Britton — to approve these changes to the Airport By-laws as unanimously requested by the Airport Commission, including changing the word “only” to “mainly” in Section 3a.

PUBLIC ACCESS ADVISORY BOARD. The court continued discussion on a draft resolution establishing a Public Access Advisory Board pursuant to Ordinance 2013-01 and draft membership recruitment advertisement. Britton suggested that we add the words “conservation community” to the list of stakeholders in paragraph four. MSP: Myers/Britton — to approve the draft resolution as presented, to include the additional words “conservation community” in paragraph four of the resolution and the public advertisement.

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AGREEMENT. The court reviewed and approved Amendment No. 6 to Oregon Health Authority Agreement No. 134277 for the Financing of Community Developmental Disabilities Services. MSP: Labhart/Britton — to allow Judge Myers to sign Amendment No. 6 to Oregon Health Authority Agreement No. 134277 for the Financing of Community Developmental Disabilities Services.

BUDGETED RESOLUTIONS. The court reviewed and signed Resolution 14-28 Re-paying Cash Loan from Fair ($11,000.00), Domestic Violence ($17,000.00) and Senior Citizens ($5,000.00) to the General Fund totaling $33,000.00.

FAIR BOARD. The court accepted the resignation of Kris Kizer from the Fair Board since his family is relocating to Benton County. MSP: Myers/Labhart — to accept the resignation of Kris Kizer from the Fair Board and send the appropriate letter of thanks.

Adjourned

Respectfully Submitted,

Mary R. Ferrioli

County Court Secretary

To access County Court Agendas, and Minutes 2009 to present, go to the County Commissioners page at www.gcoregonlive2.com.