Minutes: Board of Commission Meeting, 09/17/2003 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 September17, 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 September 3, 2003 Commission Session minutes as presented. Commissioner Stiff seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Additions to the Agenda:
*Order No. 2003-182: Designating County Grant Administrator with DHS
*Professional Services Agreement for Medical Examiner with James Davis
*Election Results
*Support Letter for US Forest Service
*Oregon DEQ Commission
Documents to be Signed: Addendum #5 to Lease Agreement with Warnock/Defrees: Commissioner Warner stated that he had attended the Parks Board meeting where they Parks Board had approved the addendum, however it wasn’t until recently that Commissioner Warner realized that the lease agreement contained no monetary value. Commissioner Warner requested that the lease be tabled until he could visit with Warnock and Defrees about this matter. Consensus was reached to table the lease until the next commission session.
Professional Services Agreement with Karen Andruss: Commissioner Warner stated that the agreement was a renewal for Ms. Andruss’ services as a nurse practioner. The contract stated that Ms. Andruss would be paid $50/hour, not to exceed $12,000/year. Commissioner Warner moved to accept the Agreement with Karen Andruss. Commissioner Kerns seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Letter of Support for Granite Peaks Assisted Living Facility: Commissioner Warner stated that the Pine Eagle Development Corporation was working very hard on getting the project funded. They were currently working with the USDA Rural Development Administration to get funding. Commissioner Warner stated that he had sent a letter of support previously, and now the Pine Eagle Development Corporation was requesting that the Board of Commissioners send a letter of support. Commissioners’ Stiff and Kerns agreed that the facility was a great project. Commissioner Kerns moved to send the letter of support to Bill Shields of the Pine Eagle Development Corporation in support of the Granite Peaks Living Facility. Commissioner Stiff seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Addition to the Agenda: Election Results: Commissioner Warner stated that Baker County voters had voted down Measure 29, however statewide it had passed. In regards to the Huntington, the two of the three recall efforts were successful. Mayor Jim Rogers and Councilmen Thomas Cornelius had been recalled.
Scheduled Business: Update from District Ranger Richard Haines: Ranger Haines stated that he was before the Board of Commissioners to share awareness of the US Forest Service’s projected budget and to answer any questions that the Commission might have. Ranger Haines stated that projections showed the departments’ budget going down about $4.5 million. Ranger Haines stated that a majority of their funds came from trust funds that were associated with the sale of timber and that was where the greatest decline was coming from. Ranger Haines stated that approximately 10 positions would be affected by 2005. Offices in Baker City, Unity, and Pine would all be affected. Ranger Haines stated that the cutbacks would have a great affect on their ability to perform analysis, and although it had been suggested to him to close the outlying offices, he did not feel that would be a wise thing to do. Ranger Haines stated that he would be looking into cutting back on the size of facilities, and would work hard to maintain the presence within the communities. Commissioner Stiff questioned if the positions would be through attrition or if they would be let go outright. Ranger Haines responded that it would be a combination of both and would be using all of the tools they had to place employees in other positions that were available. Commissioner Kerns questioned how the County could help to retain the jobs. Ranger Haines stated that he appreciated the help and that if the County felt that their needs were being met, and the funds were being used appropriately, that the County could voice their opinion to the federal level and congressional leaders. Commissioner Warner clarified that with the reduction in workforce that there was the potential for projects to become backlogged. Ranger Haines stated that that was correct. The Department would still strive to work hard, but the process would slow down. Commissioner Warner questioned if funds from the Healthy Forest Initiative would help the Department. Ranger Haines stated that it would help, however, as far as taking the project on, it would take longer with a smaller staff. Commissioner Kerns questioned if there were available monies through the Blue Mtn. Demonstration Area. Ranger Haines responded that there were not. The Department would try to leverage additional funds through partnerships, but the initial monies were no longer available. A brief discussion followed regarding wood burning pilot projects in Baker County. Ranger Haines believed that the project was doable and recommended that one site be started and expand upon its success.
Documents to be Signed: Amendment #1 to CCF 2003-05 Intergovernmental Agreement: Ms. Judy Barzee, Assistant Director, was present before the Board of Commissioners. Ms. Barzee stated that each biennium, the County signs a contract with the state in order to receive operating dollars. This year the initial contract had only been signed for $43,062 in order to receive operating dollars for first quarter. Now that the state had final budget figures, CCF could request the remaining amount for the biennium in the amount of $485,159. Ms. Barzee stated that they were still holding off on program dollars. Commissioner Warner questioned if the tax measure in February went down, if that would affect the program dollars. Ms. Barzee stated that they were expecting a reduction and were trying to compensate for that. Commissioner Kerns moved to approve Amendment #1 to the 2003-05 CCF Intergovernmental Agreement. Commissioner Stiff seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
School-based Health Clinic Agreement: Commissioner Warner stated that the contract was the same as the previous one with the exception of the new timeline and that the amount had been increased from $70,000 to $80,000. At this point in time, the State had agreed to fund school based health clinics, however they were still unsure of the amount. Commissioner Warner stated that if the funding was upheld, Baker County could receive $50-70,000. Commissioner Stiff stated that the County had received $50,000 for the last two years. Commissioner Warner stated that Superintendent Don Ulrey was very interested in reestablishing the elementary school clinics, however they were going to take things slowly and not add any more programs until there was carryover from Title 19 funds. Commissioner Kerns questioned who would be receiving the funds. Commissioner Warner stated that the school based clinic funds from the state would go directly to the County, however Title 19 funds went first to the ESD, were turned over to the school district, and then the school district turned them over to the County. Commissioner Warner stated that the County would not need to front any funds this year as there was $10,000 left over from last, and a payment of $30,000 was on its way. Commissioner Warner clarified that the contract did state that the County and the School District would share any additional costs above and beyond what was budgeted. Commissioner Kerns moved to approve the School-based Health Care Services Contract. Commissioner Warner seconded the motion. Commissioner Stiff abstained. Motion carried.
Order No. 2003-181: Appointing Youth Member to CCF: A staff report had been received by Ms. Barzee stating that the CCF Board had voted to request that William Burton be appointed to serve a two year term as a youth member. Commissioner Kerns moved to approve Order No. 2003-181, appointing William Burton to serve on the CCF Board as a youth member. Commissioner Warner seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Additions to the Agenda: Order No. 2003-182: Designating Grant Administrator pursuant to DHS Agreement for Mental Health Services. Commissioner Warner stated that Mr. Tim Mahoney, Executive Director of Mountain Valley Mental Health had been serving in this capacity for some time now. The Agreement with DHS required that the County designate someone each biennium. Commissioner Stiff moved to approve Order No. 2003-182, appointing Tim Mahoney to serve as the Grant Administrator. Commissioner Kerns seconded the motion. Discussion: Commissioner Warner stated that the funds were pass through funds and Mr. Mahoney and his board would decide how the funds were distributed. Motion carried unanimously.
Professional Services Agreement with James Davis as Medical Examiner: Commissioner Warner stated that the contract was renewed on an annual basis. Dr. Davis would receive $450/month in compensation. Commissioner Warner questioned when autopsies were required. Commissioner Stiff responded that they were required when the death was unexpected, required by a physician, or was questionable. Commissioner Kerns moved to approve the Agreement with Dr. Davis. Commissioner Stiff seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Discussion Topics: League of Oregon Cities: Commissioner Warner stated that the annual conference would be held November 13-15.
Oregon Environmental Commission: Commissioner Kerns stated that an invitation had been received inviting the Commission to attend a meeting in John Day on October 9th and 10th. Commissioner Kerns stated that he would be interested in attending.
Support for U.S. Forest Service: Commissioner Kerns requested that the Board of Commissioners write a letter to our congressmen in support of keeping the U.S. Forest Service fully staffed in Baker County. Commissioner Kerns also suggested obtaining letters of support from BCU. Consensus was reached that Commissioner Warner would write a letter and present it to the Commissioners.
Letter in Support of Healthy Forest Initiative:Commissioner Stiff moved to send a letter regarding the Healthy Forest Initiative to the Oregon Congressional Delegation to be signed out of court. Commissioner Warner seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Comparison of Calendars:
Sept. 17th: Disability Awareness Day, Randy Franke from LCDC
Sept. 18th: Mayors Council in Richland
Sept. 19th: LCDC Roundtable in Ontario
Sept. 23rd: Parks Meeting in Richland with Idaho Power
Sept. 24th: LPSCC, Map Meeting: countywide, Huntington Town Hall (tentative)
Sept. 25th: Hands Across the Bridge, RAC Meeting in John Day
Sept. 29th: NHOTIC Board Meeting
Oct. 1: Commission Session
Commission Session was adjourned at 10:55 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Nudd, Executive Assistant
Baker County Board of Commissioners