Minutes: Board of Commission Meeting, 02/19/2003 COUNTY COMMISSIONER CHAIR FRED WARNER, JR
COUNTY COMMISSIONER TIM L. KERNS COUNTY COMMISSIONER DR. CARL STIFF
The Baker County Board of Commissioners met for the February 19, 2003 Commission Session. Present were Commission Chair Fred Warner Jr., Commissioner Tim L. Kerns, and Commissioner Carl E. Stiff.
Citizen's Participation: None
Review/Approval of Minutes:Commissioner Kerns moved to approve the February 5, 2003 Commission Session minutes. Commissioner Stiff seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Additions to the Agenda:
*County Empowerment: Bull Trout
*Granite Peak Assisted Living Facility
*Announcement of Juvenile Director
Documents to be Signed Order No. 2003-127: Appointing a member to the Baker County Fair Board. A vacancy had occurred due to the resignation of Chuck Buchanan. Applications had been received from the following: John Andy Barr, Donna Lowry, CW Jones, and Lynn Perkins. Commissioner Kerns moved to appoint Lynn Perkins. Commissioner Warner seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Order No. 2003-128: Appointing a member to the Baker County Vector Control Board. One vacancy remained on the board due to the term expiration of Jim Brashler. Mr. Brashler had requested to be reappointed. Applications of interests were also received from Dick Haynes and Martha Jane Spratling. Commissioner Warner stated that there was concern that the Haines/Rock Creek area was not well represented on the current board. Commissioner Stiff moved to appoint Martha Jane Spratling of Haines. Commissioner Warner seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Consensus was reached that Commissioner Warner would send a letter of appreciation to Mr. Brashler for his past involvement.
CCF Personal Services Agreement: A staff report had been received by Assistant Director Judy Barzee recommending the approval of the Personal Services Agreement with Mae Lusk, a local grant writer. The grant would be for the Prevention and Education Center in the amount of $75,000. A portion of the grant would pay for Ms. Lusk’s services. Commissioner Stiff moved to approve the agreement. Commissioner Kerns seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
CCF Personal Services Agreement: A staff report had been received by Assistant Director Judy Barzee recommending the approval of a Personal Services Agreement with Mae Lusk. The grant would be submitted to continue and expand the Warm Hearts Warm Homes Project, and the School One Stop Site program. A portion of the proceeds from the grant would pay for Ms. Lusk’s services. Commissioner Stiff moved to approve the agreement. Commissioner Kerns seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Resolution 2003-1004: Transfer of funds per the 2002-2003 Budget. Commissioner Warner stated that the transfers had been budgeted for. Many of the transfers dealt with the Unemployment Leave Fund. Commissioner Warner stated that this was due to a concentrated effort being made by departments to have a balance comparable to the number of employees in their office. Commissioner Kerns questioned the transfer from the Technology Fund for the jail card. Commissioner Warner stated that the Technology Fund was estimating a $25,000 carry over: the jail card bid was less than anticipated. Commissioner Stiff moved to accept Resolution 2003-1004. Commissioner Kerns seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Additions to the Agenda Granite Peak Assisted Living Facility: Commissioner Warner announced that the project was moving along very well. Commissioner Warner had attended a meeting in Halfway. The group supporting the facility was in the process of applying for a loan, and had already created a business plan. The plan described the economic benefits of the facility including 12 full time jobs and some part time. The Mayor of Richland, Nancy Gover was present and stated that the proposed facility would have 30 rooms with 8 providing full time care. Mayor Gover stated that it would be nice for long time residents of the area to be able to stay in the area as they grow older instead of entering facilities in Bend or Portland. Mayor Gover added that the driving force behind the project was Bill Shields. The land had been donated by John Binford and would sit across from the current bowling alley. Commissioner Kerns felt that it was a great community project. Commissioner Warner stated that he would be contacting Senator Wyden’s office in regards to any federal appropriations that might be available.
Documents to be Signed Resolution 2003-1005: Appropriation of Unanticipated Revenue in Watermaster's Office. Commissioner Warner stated that the unanticipated revenue was from the insurance company for payment of the totaled pickup. The insurance company paid $15,533; the County would be picking up a $1,000 deductible. Commissioner Stiff moved to approve Resolution 2003-1005. Commissioner Kerns seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Scheduled Business Job Description for Grant Funded Position in Watermaster's Office. Commissioner Warner stated that the position would be part time and for one year. The position would focus on inventorying stream diversions in the Pine Creek subdivision. Commissioner Warner added that the position had been advertised; however a person had yet to be hired. Commissioner Kerns moved approval the job description of the Database Technician in the Watermaster’s Office. Commissioner Stiff seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Discussion Topics: Thelypody Property: Draft Ordinance. Commissioner Warner stated that a draft ordinance had been prepared by County Counsel. Ms. Hilderbrand stated that ordinance would not be approved today, however the Commission would need to set a date, time and place for the first hearing. Roadmaster Ken Helgerson stated that the County had purchased 51 acres of property in Haines with federal funds. The property had to be purchased in order to protect the threatened plant species Howell’s Spectacular Thelypody. During the process of purchasing the land, it was required that the Road Department prepare a management plan. In the plan, under authorized uses, it states that the Road Department would request an ordinance from the Commissioners. This ordinance would specify weed control, scientific monitoring of the thelypody, seed collection, fence maintenance, emergency fire truck access, reestablishment of thelypody and retention of species. Commissioner Warner questioned what agency would be monitoring the ground. Roadmaster Helgerson stated that the BLM, Nature Conservative, ODF&W, the Watershed, Baker County, and the Weed Department would work together to monitor the ground. Commissioner Kerns questioned if the City of Haines was aware of the ordinance coming before the Board of Commissioners. Roadmaster Helgerson stated that they were aware and would contact them again. Consensus was reached to hold the first public hearing on March 19, 2003 and the final one on April 2, 2003.
Bishop Springs Rest Area. Mayor of Richland, Nancy Gover was presented and presented the Board of Commissioners with a letter of support from the City of Richland for the rest area at Bishop Springs. Mayor Gover commented that she knew there was some concern about whether or not obtaining water from the spring was an issue. Commissioner Warner stated that he had met with Watermaster Rick Lusk on the matter. Mr. Lusk stated that a water right would need to be obtained for human consumption and at this time it would be very difficult to do. Commissioner Warner stated that all parties would need to be involved and was hoping to see Teresa Stelting take charge of the project. Roadmaster Helgerson stated that at a recent Transportation/Traffic Safety Commission meeting that the committee agreed to send a letter to the Commissioners. The Committee had sent a similar letter to ODOT a few years back and nothing had happened. The Committee had agreed that it was a problem—not having a public rest area between Baker City and Copperfield. Roadmaster Helgerson suggested getting ODOT to meet with a committee and explain why they did not want to participate. The rest area would be in their right-of-way and they should be involved. Consensus was reached to ask Teresa Stelting to be the point person and have her recommend committee members.
Additions to the Agenda Announcement of Juvenile Director: Commissioner Warner announced that the position had been offered to Robyn Severson from Astoria, Oregon. Ms. Severson had accepted and would begin the first part of March. Commissioner Warner added that Ms. Severson was the interviewing panels top choice. Members of the panel were: District Attorney Matt Shirtcliff, Baker High School’s Vice Principal Patti Alexander, Circuit Court Judge Greg Baxter, and Chief Jim Tomlinson. Out of a total of 23 applicants, five candidates had been interviewed.
Discussion Topic Response from County Empowerment on Lookout Mountain Impact Statement. Commissioner Kerns stated that this was one of the first opportunities that the committee had to respond to an impact statement. The County Empowerment created subcommittees to review the different aspects of the plan. Responses from these subcommittees were received by: Lane Parry, Ed Hardt, Ken Benson, and Lynn Shumway. Commissioner Kerns added that he was very pleased with how well it had been handled. Commissioner Warner questioned how many alternatives were listed in the impact statement. Commissioner Kerns stated that there were several, however the committee had recommended alternative two. Commissioner Warner commented that it was apparent that the County Empowerment Committee had done a great deal of work. Commissioner Stiff moved to submit a response letter to the Bureau of Land Management in favor of alternative two of the Lookout Mountain Impact Statement. Commissioner Kerns seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Additions to the Agenda County Empowerment: Bull Trout. Planning Director/Emergency Manager Mark Bennett was present before the Board of Commissioners. Mr. Bennett stated that the County Empowerment Committee was interested in having an economic analysis done for Baker County in regards to the effects of the bull trout critical habitat and rehabilitation plan. Commissioner Kerns stated that OSU Extension Agent Jay Carr had estimated that the study could be done for approximately $4,500. Commissioner Stiff added that he had spoken to Representative Butler. If the rehabilitation plan continued as is, it would cost more than $4,500. Mr. Bennett stated that the County Empowerment Committee was requesting official direction from the Board of Commissioners to move forward with the economic analysis. Mr. Bennett stated that they believed that the study could be done by the May response deadline. Commissioner Kerns added that a possible source for funding the study could be the Farm Credit Services. Commissioner Stiff moved to direct the County Empowerment Committee to obtain funds and perform an economic analysis of the bull trout critical habitat designation in Baker County. Commissioner Kerns seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Scheduled Business Juvenile Detention Facility: Commissioner Warner stated that the architectural contract with the WeGroup was for $49,300. Since 1998, Baker County had spent $11,000 on architectural fees for the facility, and would be receiving an invoice for an additional $6,175.00. That was the only amount at the current time that Baker County was liable for. If the project was stopped immediately, the only thing the County would owe on the project was the $6,175.00 In outstanding architectural fees. Commissioner Warner added that the County might be responsible for the cost of an environmental study. Commissioner Warner stated that he had visited with a couple of members from the Local Public Safety Coordinating Council (LPSCC) and their feelings were that the facility would be great, however, they did not have an operating plan.
Commissioner Stiff stated that he had visited with the previous Juvenile Director Chris Black about the facility, and the cost to send a juvenile away was much more than if we had someone here on staff to watch them.
Commissioner Warner stated that his greatest concern was the $200,000 transfer from the general fund. Commissioner Warner stated that Baker County had received a letter from the Criminal Justice Services Division, who was handling the grant. The Criminal Justice Services Division had requested that Baker County make the facility fully functional.
Commission on Children and Families Director Ruth Whitnah was present and commented that the project needed to either move forward, or be dropped. Ms. Whitnah stated that the situation with juveniles and funding was only going to get worse in the next few years.
Commissioner Stiff questioned if the grant’s deadline could be extended. Commissioner Warner responded that it could, however the State did not want the County to just extend it in order to give more time to make a decision but rather to start building the facility.
Commissioner Kerns questioned if the limit of holding a juvenile in the facility could be extended beyond the four-day limit. County Counsel Sarah Hilderbrand stated that it was state law. The entire facility would have to be changed if you went with long-term capacity. Parole and Probation Director Thom VanArtsdalen was present and stated that the reason for going with the short-term facility was that they felt it was something Baker County could handle at the time. The four-day limit was mandatory for this type of facility.
Commissioner Stiff recommended having the LPSCC committee go back and review the pros and cons of the facility given the current situation. Mr. VanArtsdalen stated that he believed the committee would come back with the same recommendation: to build the facility.
Commissioner Stiff questioned that if adequate funds were available to build the facility should they move forward. Commissioner Warner stated that he believed the County could do it. It would have a slight impact next year’s budget. Commissioner Stiff added that he believed the facility could be self-supporting.
Commissioner Kerns recommended that a spreadsheet be created showing the day to day cost of operation—what it costs the Juvenile Department to house a juvenile currently, and what it would cost should they have the facility.
A brief discussion was held on whether or not to hire a facilities manager to oversee the project. County Counsel Sarah Hilderbrand stated that the architects could possibly play a major role in that aspect.
Commissioner Kerns questioned if the Sheriff’s Office workload would decrease as a result of the facility being built. Sheriff Hale stated that it would be helpful having it close to his office, however, it would depend upon the time of day if they needed to wait for staff to come and open the facility. Consensus was reached to table the decision until the March 5, 2003 Commission Session.
Discussion Topic Jail Tour and Training Session: Sheriff Hale was present before the Board of Commissioners. Sheriff Hale announced that Steve Kendt, a consultant, was offering free training. Mr. Kendt provides training for managers on strategic planning, employee satisfaction, team building, and the direction that businesses want to take. Sheriff Hale stated that the Sheriff’s Office currently uses Mr. Kendt’s services. Consensus was reached to attend a jail tour on February 27, 2003, and to look at scheduling the training at a later date.
Comparison of Calendars
Feb. 24th: Budget Retreat
Feb. 26th: LPSCC
Feb. 27th: Jail Tour
Feb. 28th: Idaho Power Meeting
Mar. 3rd: BMRP
Mar. 5th: Commission Session
Commission Session was adjourned at 11:55 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Nudd, Executive Assistant
Baker County Board of Commissioners