June 3, 2009 Commission Session Page 1 of 4
COMMISSION CHAIR FRED WARNER, JR.
COMMISSIONER TIM L. KERNS
COMMISSIONER CARL E. STIFF, M.D.
BAKER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
The Baker County Board of Commissioners met for the June 3, 2009 Commission
Session. Present were Commission Chair Fred Warner, Jr., Commissioner Carl
Stiff, and Commissioner Tim L. Kerns.
2. Citizen’s Participation:
· Mr. Art Sappington was present to express his concerns regarding the recent
actions taken by the BLM to remove equipment on a mining claim that was on BLM
ground. Mr. Sappington believes that by law the miner has private property
rights and the BLM does not have the authority to perform law enforcement acts
unless an MOU between the County and BLM exists charging them with that
authority. The miner provided his statement to the Sheriff’s office, but no
charges have been brought against the BLM at this time. Commissioner Warner
stated that he did not believe that such an MOU existed unless it was done in
previous years. Commissioner Warner agreed to contact the BLM and possibly
have a public meeting.
3. Review/Approval of Minutes:
Commissioner Kerns made a motion to approve the May 20, 2009 Commission Session
minutes as presented. Commissioner Stiff seconded the motion. Motion carried.
4. Additions to the Agenda:
a. Local Alcohol and Drug Planning Committee. Commissioner Warner recently met
with Judy Barzee, Vicki Long, and Bart Murray to discuss the formation of the
Local Alcohol and Drug Planning Committee. Statute requires the committee to
meet at least once a year. The current members of the Mental Health and
Developmental Disability Advisory Committee has members that would qualify for
the new committee. Both Union and Wallowa Counties have their committees set
up in a similar fashion. Commissioner Kerns made a motion to approve the
formation of the Local Alcohol and Drug Planning Committee by appointing the
current members of the Mental Heath and Developmental Disability Advisory
Committee. Commissioner Stiff seconded the motion. Motion carried.
b. Coordination letter with the Forest Service on Travel Management. See
comments below under “Documents to be signed”.
c. Department of Geology and Mining Industries (DOGAMI): The Ways and Means
Committee has agreed to allow Baker County to provide rent-free office space to
the local DOGAMI office for two years. By doing this, the DOGAMI office will
remain open to the public. Commissioner Warner will be meeting with Mark Ferns
of the local DOGAMI office to start working out the details of the move.
d. Wildland Services: Union County is willing to coordinate with Baker and
Wallowa County in hiring Wildland Services to maintain predators. Union County
has budgeted $19,000 for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. The funds will be
available if at some point Baker and Wallowa County decide to join in.
Commissioner Warner would like to gather more information from the Cattlemen
before making any decisions. Wildland Services would be able to determine if
wolf depredation has occurred and would provide other services as needed.
e. Transportation Bill: The Transportation Bill passed the Senate last Friday.
With the passing of this bill, Baker County Road Department could receive an
additional $500,000. If approved by the Governor, the funding would be
available in 2011. Baker County will also be receiving an additional $10
million for modernization projects. Projects that have been identified and
given priority include Chico Lane and Chandler Lane. Other projects have been
identified, but funding has not been secured for them at this time.
Modernization projects require routes to be main connector routes or freight
routes.
5. Scheduled Business
a. Department Update: OSU Extension Office
The OSU Extension office provides a multitude of services including
identification and control of weeds and bugs. They work closely with the local
farmers and ranchers and provide educational workshops on crop science and beef
production. Bob Parker, Forester has been looking at alternative fuel projects
and is currently working on a Quaking Aspen regeneration site in Halfway
today. Ms. Janice Cowan, the Master Gardener, has held many successful
horticulture classes for the community. They are currently trying to find
someone locally who can head up the Oregon Food Nutrition Program (OFNP). In
order to qualify for funding, the schools need to have 50% of its population on
a reduced price lunch program. The program teaches young students the
importance of nutrition. Baker County is expected to have two to three times
more grasshoppers this year from last year. Funding for an entomologist has
been cut. There is no cost share program available to ranchers, however Mr.
Cory Parsons has been in contact with an inspection team from Ontario who is
working to identify and treat areas of grasshopper infestation.
b. Transient Lodging Tax Update (TLT): Mike Rudi
They are currently working on a marketing plan that would encompass the new
slogan “Base Camp Baker”. TLT revenue is down 8-9% from last year, but it’s
better than what they were projecting. Commissioner Warner added that 25% of
the TLT funds goes to economic development, 70% goes to marketing, and 5% goes
to administrative costs. The marketing piece has a carryover of $200,000 from
last year. Mr. Rudi reported that $125,000 has been put into a contingency
fund and the remaining amount has been put into an “opportunistic marketing
fund”. The TLT group has decided to add certain events as a permanent line
item to their budget. Some of those include the Shrine Football Game and the
District and State 1A Basketball games. They continue to provide $45,000 in
grant funds to the community for events that bring people to the County. They
have been working to approve a downtown visitor center for the downtown walking
traffic that would be placed inside the Basche-Sage building. Mr. Rudi
reported briefly on the contract with Andrew Bryan for marketing services
stating that Mr. Bryan would provide monthly written reports to the TLT
Committee and would meet with the Committee on a quarterly basis.
c. Contract Review Board
1. Professional Services Agreement with Andrew Bryan for the implementation of
the Baker County Tourism and Marketing Plan. The agreement is for $60,000 and
will expire June 30, 2010. Commissioner Warner made a motion to approve the
agreement with Andrew Bryan. Commissioner Stiff seconded the motion. Motion
carried.
2. Intergovernmental Services Agreement Contract #2273 with the Oregon
Department of Revenue for map maintenance and related cartographic activities
for a cost not to exceed $16,500 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010.
Commissioner Kerns made a motion to approve IGA #2273 with the Oregon
Department of Revenue. Commissioner Stiff seconded the motion. Motion
carried.
3. Professional Services Agreement with Wade Swiger for investigative and
monitoring services specific to the Baker County Child Abuse Center using
$10,000 of CAMI funds for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010. Commissioner
Stiff made a motion to approve the PSA with Wade Swiger using CAMI funds.
Commissioner Kerns seconded the motion. Motion carried.
4. Professional Services Agreement with Wade Swiger for investigative services
and personnel investigative services for a cost of $20,000 for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 2010. Commissioner Stiff made a motion to approve the PSA with
Wade Swiger. Commissioner Kerns seconded the motion. Motion carried.
d. Greenhorn Property Sale Approval: Approximately 5.23 acres located within
the city limits of Greenhorn is expected to be sold by sealed bid this summer.
The minimum bid is set at $18,250 which includes the value of the property per
the Assessor’s office as well as fees. Commissioner Stiff made a motion to
approve the sale of the Greenhorn property. Commissioner Kerns seconded the
motion. Motion carried.
e. Public Hearing: Title III Funds
Mr. Mark Bennett is recommending approval of the following projects made
available under PL 106-393: $92,000 to NRAC support, $51,474 to Emergency
Management, $29,437 to County Fire Authority, $9,145 to Administrative Services
for a total of $182,904. Commissioner Warner made a motion to accept the Title
III funding recommendations under PL 106-393. Commissioner Kerns seconded the
motion. Motion carried.
f. Training and Employment Consortium (TEC) Request for funds
Becky Guthrie of TEC was present to request $6,000 of matching funds for the
completion of four boat docks at Phillips Reservoir through the OYCC program
that puts local youth to work. Funding was supposed to be available through
Title III funds, however the RAC isn’t scheduled to meet this year.
Commissioner Warner thought funds could be used through the contracted services
budget line. The project is expected to begin in June and end in August.
Commissioner Stiff made a motion to allocate $6,000 to TEC for the boat ramp
project. Commissioner Kerns seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Documents to be signed:
1. Order No. 2009-144: Appointing Sheila Farwell to the Northeast Oregon
Economic Development District (NEOEDD) as a small cities representative for a
term to expire December 31, 2010. Commissioner Stiff made a motion to approve
Order No. 2009-144. Commissioner Kerns seconded the motion. Motion carried.
2. Resolution No. 2009-1020: Establishing coordination between Baker County and
federal agencies, and state agencies involved with federal agencies. This
resolution is similar to one adopted by Wallowa County and provides
coordination between the County and agencies such as Oregon Department of Fish
and Wildlife, the BLM, and the Forest Service. Commissioner Kerns made a
motion to approve Resolution No. 2009-1020. Commissioner Stiff seconded the
motion. Motion carried.
Ratification of Documents:
1. City of Baker City IGA: Recovery Act Justice Assistance Grant. The
agreement states that grant funds will be split between Baker City and Baker
County with Baker County receiving $10,483.60. Commissioner Kerns made a
motion to ratify the Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Baker City
for the Recovery Act Justice Assistance Grant. Commissioner Stiff seconded the
motion. Motion carried.
2. Oregon Water Resources Department Grant Agreement #GA001409 for WASH. The
grant is for $13,177. Commissioner Kerns made a motion to ratify the OWRD
grant #GA001409 for WASH. Commissioner Stiff seconded the motion. Motion
carried.
3. ARRA Agreement #25519 for Wingville Lane double chip seal. Total cost of
the project is estimated at $450,000. Commissioner Kerns made a motion to
ratify ARRA Agreement #25519. Commissioner Stiff seconded the motion. Motion
carried.
Other Business
a. Comparison of Calendar:
06/09/09 Fair Board
06/03/09 Idaho Power Siting Meeting at Events Center
06/08/09 Phillips Lake Fish Meeting final meeting
06/12/09 Community Connections Budget
06/17/09 Commission Session
9. Adjourn
The June 3, 2009 Commission Session was adjourned at 11:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Heidi Martin, Executive Assistant
Baker County Board of Commissioners