Board of Commission Meeting, February 16, 2000 Page 5
COUNTY COMMISSIONER CHAIR, BRIAN D. COLE
COUNTY COMMISSIONER HOWARD C. BRITTON
COUNTY COMMISSIONER PAUL YORK
BAKER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
February 16, 2000
The Baker County Board of Commissioners met for the February 16, 2000 Commission Session. Present were Commission Chair Brian D. Cole, Commissioner Howard Britton, and Commissioner Paul York.
Approval of Minutes: Commissioner York moved to approve the February 2, 2000 minutes. Commissioner Britton seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Additions to Agenda:
-- March 7 Meeting with Commissioners, Eric Hovee, Fair Board
-- Amendment to 5311 Operating Grant FY99-00
B Selection of Bidder to install heating system in Museum, Order #2000-130
B BLM Meeting on March 2
B Logo
B Budget Process
B Weed Supervisor Position
B Weed Levy
Documents to be Signed:
Baker/Morrow Regional Partnership: Judge Tallman would like to appoint six members from Morrow County, thus Baker County will probably also appoint six members. As of this date, there are four responses. Commissioner Cole moved to appoint Brian Cole (Order #2000-123), Don Williams (Order #2000-124), Dan Warnock, Jr. (Order #2000-125) and Nancy Gover (Order #2000-126) to the Baker/Morrow Regional Partnership Board. Commissioner Britton seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Orders signed.
Baker County Weed Control Committee: Commissioner Britton moved to appoint Tim Heater (Order #2000-128) and Howard Britton (Order #2000-129) to the Weed Control Committee. Commissioner York seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Orders signed.
Resolution 2000-1006: Commissioner Cole moved to approve Resolution 2000-1006, in the matter of appropriation of unanticipated funds to be expended in the Economic Development Department of the general fund. Commissioner Britton seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Resolution signed. Commissioner Cole stated that a portion of these funds is from a Ford Family Foundation Grant to be used for Eric Hovee and Jim Van Duyn with the Fairground/Armory project.
Resolution 2000-1007: Commissioner York moved to approve Resolution 2000-1007, in the matter of authorizing an inter-fund loan from the general fund to the 9-1-1 fund. Commissioner Britton seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Resolution signed. Mona Goldbar stated that most of this money will be paid back ($98,000 to come from the City of Baker City and $40,000 from the State of Oregon).
Hewitt/Holcomb Park Agreement: The Agreement for the management and maintenance of Hewitt and John Noble Holcomb Parks between Baker County and Marvin Bud Brashler was signed.
Announcement: Elton Cook has resigned from the Weed Control Committee.
Sage Grouse in Oregon: George Keister from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) came before the Commissioners to discuss sage grouse in Eastern Oregon, and the desire of BLM to Alist@ the sage grouse, which could eventually evolve into sage grouse being placed on the endangered species list. Mr. Keister stated that it would not be in the best interest for Baker County to have the sage grouse Alisted@ because this would affect private land -- stating that the sage grouse are not an endangered species in Baker County.
Mr. Keister stated that 75% of Baker County is in sage brush which is a good environment for sage grouse to habitat. The only concern that ODFW has is up on Virtue Flat where there is Aharassment@ caused through
4-wheelers, shot guns, designated motorcycle paths and mining. This could cause the conversion of the habitat for sage grouse into something else. Mr. Keister stated that ODFW feels that there is not a problem yet, but if the sage grouse becomes Alisted,@ he would inform the Commissioners so they could write a letter regarding rangeland protection. Mr. Keister has discussed this possible problem with the Baker County Extension Agent as well as the Natural Resource Conservation Society.
Road Department Budget Transfers: Ken Helgerson, Roadmaster, stated that he has asked for three budget transfers not to occur within the Road Department Budget: 1) Transportation Funds ($10,000) B which will be transferred; 2) $30,000 to the general fund; and 3) $25,000 from the road fund to leave and unemployment. Commissioner Britton moved to NOT transfer $25,000 from the Road Department to the leave and unemployment fund. Commissioner York seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. It was decided to transfer the $30,000 to the general fund. Mr. Helgerson stated that as soon as the Road Department Agets back on their feet, he would be >shooting= the money back to the general fund.@
Public Hearing: Resource Use Protection Ordinance
Myron Myles, representing the Livestock Association, stated that this ordinance Aties down what we are actually doing at the present and spells it out.@ Mr. Myles also stated that this ordinance will help set guidelines for people to follow.
Ordinance 2000-01 was read by title only.
Sarah Johnston, County Counsel, stated that, AEssentially, the state law for nuisance is still in place, but this says that the County will not create any ordinances that declare generally declared farm use and generally accepted ranching or farming practices as a nuisance.@
Commissioner Britton stated that this ordinance gives priority to resource uses inside the UGB.
Myron Miles stated that this ordinance is patterned after ordinances passed in Wallowa, Grant & Polk Counties.
Commissioner Cole stated that he is in support of the ordinance, and that although he does not want to necessarily preclude growth, he wants to support the natural resource-based industries (Athose who came first@).
Commissioner Britton moved to approve Ordinance #2000-01, read by title only, in the matter of an Ordinance for Resource Use Protection. Commissioner Cole seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Ordinance signed.
RFPG#462: Commissioner Cole stated that there were two grant applications submitted to the state for RFPG#462, Enhancement of Parenting/Drug Abuse Prevention: one from Mountain Valley Therapy and one from New Directions Northwest.
Waste Tire Bids for Lime Plant Clean-Up: Two bids have been received for the tire clean-up: Idaho Tire Recovery, Inc. for $62,800, and Fire Disposal & Recycling, Inc. for $94,256.96. Sarah Johnston stated that she and Grant Young from the Planning Department met with Tom Hack, air quality specialist for DEQ, along with Bruce Lumper and Katie Robertson of DEQ, at the Lime site on Thursday, February 10. Mr. Hack indicated that the asbestos should not be an issue, however, he did suggest that the County require the contractors to remain in the area of the tire piles and not to enter any of the structures. DEQ also suggested that it would be appropriate to use any remaining funds (from the $70,000 grant from DEQ) to staff the site during the project with a county representative who could monitor movement around the site and provide Atracking@ information to the Commissioners/DEQ. Ms. Johnston stated that currently the County does not have any liability and anytime the County sends someone in to the Lime site, the County takes the responsibility on that site. Ms. Johnston stated that both the County and the contractor have insurance. Commissioner Cole moved to approve Order #2000-105, in the matter of awarding the bid for the waste tire clean-up project at the Lime Plant, Baker County, Oregon. Commissioner York seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Order signed. Commissioner York moved to sign the contract outside of Commission Session with the added provision for Atracking@ and to have someone at the site. Commissioner Britton seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Additions to Agenda:
B March 7 meeting with Eric Hovee and Fair Board, etc. Commissioner Cole stated that the date is not confirmed; however, when Eric Hovee comes to Baker City, he will meet with this group and intends to bring draft recommendations with respect to the fairgrounds (probably sometime in the first week of March). This draft would allow the County to react and decide where the fairgrounds should be located or where to Ago from here.@
B Amendment to 5311 Operating Grant for Fiscal Year 99-00. Signed.
B Technology Update: Patrick Smith and Bill Lee came before the Commissioners with the Technology Committee=s recommendation for the digital imaging bid, which was Data Concepts for $15,376.00. Commissioner Cole moved to sign Order #2000-131, awarding the bid to Data Concepts for $15,376.00 for the imaging system, outside of Commission Session. Commissioner Britton seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Patrick Smith stated that the Technology Committee met and defined their goal as focusing on standardization of technology equipment in the County. Commissioner Britton stated that he would like to see each individual department=s equipment budget (funds dedicated for technology) be put in a non-departmental computer fund and have all purchases of technology run through the Technology Committee.
Museum Heating System: Sarah Johnston stated that the Museum received three bids for the heating system: Scott=s Heating and Air Conditioning Service for $11,776; Valley Metal and Heating for $14,280; and Cook & Emele Heating Service, Inc. for $16,500. Commissioner York moved to approve Order #2000-130, in the matter of awarding the bid for installation of a heating system at the Oregon Trail Regional Museum in Baker City, Oregon to Scott=s Heating and Air Conditioning Service (low bidder). Commissioner Britton seconded the motion. Discussion: this is in the Museum budget. Motion carried unanimously. Order Signed.
Appointment of Court Connected Mediator: Sarah Johnston stated that Circuit Court is putting together a panel of qualified mediators to be court connected mediators for domestic relations mediation. This is paid for through domestic relations filings. There are three mediators currently: Beverly Moorhead, Lise Yervasi, and Rudyard Colton. Gail Friedly from Pendleton has applied, meets all the requirements, and Circuit Court recommended that the Commissioners appoint her to the panel. Commissioner Britton moves to appoint Gail Friedly to the panel of qualified mediators to be court connected mediators for domestic relations mediation, to be signed out of Commission Session. Commissioner York seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Weed Levy: The Commissioners asked Sarah Johnston to research whether the weed levy has been incorporated into the permanent tax rate. It was suggested that Dave Clemens speak with Gary Dade of Union County in regard to an intergovernmental agreement for him to be Baker County Weed Supervisor.
NDN: It was stated that New Directions Northwest, Inc. began renting space from the Fair Board beginning February 1 at the rate of $1100 a month.
Public Safety Training Budget: Lana Emery stated that on December 17 she made a request to the Commissioners for funds for the Public Safety Training Budget to be used for operations. Ms. Emery stated that the federal government cannot fund any of this program, but stated that she feels that there is so much coming back into the community that the County should take on this responsibility. The City of Baker City has committed $6,000 from their Transient Room Tax toward the funding of this program. Sheriff Speelman stated that this program is good for not only Baker, not only Oregon, but for a bigger geographical area. Commissioner Cole stated that he would like to consider committing video poker dollars to fill part of the gap now, and see if the County can find another way to fill these gaps in the coming months. Ms. Emery stated that she has two concerns: 1) if there is a shortfall and she gets Adown to the last few classes and doesn=t have the money, what would she do?; and 2) stated that this position is a County position and Ait seems strange that all of the sudden it is my charge to be looking for budget dollars elsewhere than the County,@ and further stated that, AThe County has funded a position for wages to do this, but apparently has no budget for this.@ Commissioner York stated that it would be good to figure out a way to charge for the programs so that the program could be self-commissioned. Commissioner Cole stated that, AOne way or another we will come up with the funds. We will give you a down payment of $3,485.58 (remaining funds currently in Video Poker),@ and stated that, AI=ll be with you to go out and knock on doors.@ Commissioner Cole moved to commit $3,485.58 to the FLETC program from video poker funds. Commissioner Britton seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. It was stated that a resolution would need to be done for the Transient Room Tax funds.
Personal Safety Committee: Lana Emery stated that the Personal Safety Committee met and had a diverse group of representatives from the County who put together a Personal Safety Manual for Baker County employees. (A request for this was made during the Union negotiations). Ms. Emery further stated that this manual is an employee book and it is the recommendation of the committee that it be disseminated to each employee. This should further be addressed on a yearly basis to demonstrate that the Commissioners are aware and sensitive to the needs of their employees. February 23-25 there will be a physical safety training for employees (a sign-up sheet has gone to each department), led by Deputy Dee Gorrell, to be held at Baker High School.
Announcement:
B It was stated that the Department Head/Elected Official Retreat will be held March 7 and 8, 2000.
B The Baker Progress Board will meet March 15, 6:30 p.m. and will probably include Idaho Power, BLM, and the Friends of Brownlee.
B There will be a February 29 meeting with Idaho Power and Friends of Brownlee.
AComparing Calendars@: Commissioner Cole stated that he would like to add Acomparing calendars@ to the discussion topics at the end of each Commission Agenda.
Measure 82: provides money for safety projects, especially at corridors and intersections, where accidents are high. Commissioner Cole stated that the opinion of the Board of Commissioners probably will not swing state-wide vote, but what value the Commissioners can provide is to explain to the County that if this measure passes and the gas tax goes through, there will be benefits to the Road Department. Commissioner Cole stated that we need to urge our voters to pass Measure 82. Discussion on Measure 82 will continue on the March 1 Commission Session.
Personal Services Contract: Sarah Johnston stated that her ultimate goal is to create an Ordinance which will cover all procurements, public contracts, and personal services contracts. At this time, however, Ms. Johnston presented a proposed resolution to the Commissioners. Commissioner Cole moved to approve Resolution 2000-1009 in the matter of a resolution opting out of the Attorney General=s Model Rules as they relate to personal services contracts and establishing procedures for the screening and selection of persons to perform personal services contracts on behalf of Baker County. Commissioner York seconded the motion. Discussion: The Attorney General=s Model Rules are not much different from these, but they are a bit more onerous. Ms. Johnston stated that as long as the County sets up screening and selection procedures, each County can set their own rules. Motion carried unanimously. Resolution signed.
Timber Parcel Discussion: Commissioner Britton stated that a suggestion was made that the County think about selling Fizz Springs and Shang Hai timber parcels. Commissioner Britton stated that John Szymoniak, Parks Board member and U.S. Forest Employee, would be a good person to ask about the possibility of selling or keeping the property. Commissioner Cole will discuss this with Mr. Szymoniak. It was stated that Lane Parry, timber consultant, made the request to do some receipting on Fizz Springs. It was decided to Ahold off@ at this time until the County decides what to do with the property. Commissioner Britton suggested a road tour to view Fizz Springs and Puzzle Creek.
Owner=s Representative for the Armory/Community Services Building: Ms. Johnston stated that she and Mr. Van Duyn have spoken in regard to this, but have not put together a proposal or scope of work. Sarah Johnston stated that the County needs to know actual dollar figures, hold public hearings, etc., before this issue could be put on the May ballot and she is not sure if there is enough time to do this. Commissioner Cole stated that he is pretty confident this can be done in time for the May election.
Announcement:
B Commissioner Cole stated that he met with Bobby Minks of the Human Services Department and Mr. Minks has committed that Baker County will be one of four counties to be focused on for intensive services integration. The Human Services Department will come out to Baker City within the next few weeks to hold a press conference on this. The Department will also position a very high level state employee with high responsibility and authority in Baker County to work with non-profits, etc., toward meeting this goal.
County Logo: Commissioner Cole stated that he met with Sam Bell of the Visitors and Convention Bureau in regard to the County creating a quality image that would represent all aspects of Baker County. This logo would be on County entrance signs and would be universal to the Health Department, Armory, Visitor and Convention Bureau, and other County entities, to create an image that means something. Commissioner York stated to Commissioner Cole that Aeverybody has to be on board with this and it is not just your decision.@
Meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m. to tour the basement re-model project.
Respectfully Submitted,
Denise Van Artsdalen, Executive Assistant to the Board of Commissioners