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 August 18, 2010 Commission
Session. Present were Commission Chair Fred Warner, Jr., Commissioner Carl E.
Stiff, M.D. and Commissioner Tim L. Kerns.
2. Citizen’s Participation:
a. None
3. Review/Approval of Minutes:
Commissioner Stiff made a motion to approve the July 28, 2010 and August 4,
2010 Commission Session minutes as presented. Commissioner Kerns seconded the
motion. Motion carried.
4. Additions to the Agenda:
a. Bourne Road: There have been complaints about the dust and speeding on the
road leading to Bourne. Commissioner Warner will talk to the Road Department
about the issue.
b. Anthony Lakes Update: The Commissioners hope to have a 5-7 member board
created once the 501c(3) takes over.
5. Scheduled Business
a. Department Update: Sheriff’s Department and Parole and Probation ~ Sheriff
Southwick and Will Benson
The Parole and Probation (P&P) Department is currently operating with three
probation officers and one ½ time community service coordinator. The number of
those being supervised is down by nearly 20 people from last biennium, however
case loads per officer is high. Commissioner Warner discussed the option of
hiring office staff to help relieve the work load per officer. The cause is
contributed to more post prison supervision rather than probationary
supervision. People are being released more quickly from prison due to good
behavior. Mr. Benson expressed his concern about future State funding for
their department. The P&P department receives funding based on the number of
cases resulting in $8 per day for probationary cases and $12 per day for
parolees. They have received some grant funding for monitoring those who have
committed drug related property crimes. Commissioner Warner stated that
Counties have the opportunity to opt out of operating parole and probation
departments if funding drops. Sheriff Southwick reported that jail numbers
have dropped, however patrol cases have remained about the same. Civil cases
are down to 830 compared to 1,200 in 2008. Search and rescue responses are
also down.
b. Contract Review Board
1. Agreement #10-73-41-6255 for the Work & Financial Plan for APHIS-Wildlife
Services. Baker County will pay Wildlife Services $19,032 to resolve wildlife
conflicts related to damage caused by predatory animals to livestock and
humans. The term of the agreement is from July 1, 2010 through June 30,
2011. Commissioner Warner made a motion to adopt Agreement #10-73-41-6255
with APHIS-Wildlife Services. Commissioner Stiff seconded the motion. Motion
carried.
2. Professional Services Agreement with C. Jeffrey Harman for court-connected
domestic relations mediation services. The County shall pay for no more than 8
hours of mediation services per case at a rate of $80 per hour. Commissioner
Kerns made a motion to adopt the agreement with Jeffrey Harman. Commissioner
Stiff seconded the motion. Motion carried.
3. Oregon Jobs & Transportation Act (JTA) of 2009 Local Agency Agreement #26459
for Fund Distribution for Resort Street and Best Frontage Road Improvements.
The total for both city projects comes to $4.5 million, which will be paid by
the State using JTA funds. The County will supervise the projects.
Commissioner Kerns made a motion to adopt Agreement #26459 with the State of
Oregon Dept. of Transportation. Commissioner Stiff seconded the motion.
Motion carried.
4. Amendment #3 to the Oregon Commission on Children and Families 2009-11
Intergovernmental Agreement #BAK0911. The State has mandated a 9% reduction to
OCCF programs resulting in a 4.5% reduction to the Baker County CCF program.
Ms. Barzee reported that reductions will be taken out of administrative fees
collected as fiscal manager of other grants and accumulated interest earned.
Commissioner Kerns made a motion to adopt Amendment #3 to OCCF IGA #BAK0911.
Commissioner Stiff seconded the motion. Motion carried.
5. Supplement #1 to Subcontract agreement between Schindler Elevator Corp. and
Baker Heritage Museum. The agreement changes the billing year to coincide with
the County’s fiscal year. Commissioner Warner made a motion to adopt
Supplement #1 to the subcontract agreement with Schindler Elevator Corp.
Commissioner Stiff seconded the motion. Motion carried.
c. Baker Co. Grassbanks Update: Ken Anderson, Soil & Water Conservation
District
Through grant funding, Mr. Anderson hopes to create a sustainable program that
will benefit both the livestock producer and grassland owner. The purpose of
the Grassbanks program is to provide additional ground for grazing to producers
who have been lost pasture due to wildfire or to those who are “resting” their
land. The program also benefits landowners who may have not been interested in
leasing their ground in the past and can use the Grassbanks program to help
educate them on the benefits of grazing and proper management. Mr. Anderson
hopes to have the program operational by next summer.
d. Resolution No. 2010-1040: Gifting all assets of Baker Industrial and
Resource Corporation (BIRC) to Baker County. BIRC, which was originally set up
in the 1960’s, would now like to turn over all assets to Baker County Economic
Development. Mr. Bruce Nichols reported that BIRC will be turning over 2.5
acres of land located in the new industrial park as well as approximately
$77,000 to Baker County. Commissioner Warner stated that since the property
sits in a flood plain, they may use some of the money to resolve any issues
there but the money will be put into the Economic Development Incentive fund.
Commissioner Stiff made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2010-1040.
Commissioner Kerns seconded the motion. Motion carried.
e. WASH update ~ Peggy Browne
After the recent flooding in Pine Valley, residents there would like to see the
WASH group coordinate with the various entities should another flood occur.
Ms. Browne is requesting the Board grant WASH the lead in coordinating with
different groups and agencies, which may result in a need for additional
funding from the County. Ms. Browne and the WASH group would also like to see
the East Pine Reservoir go a different route and work with the Army Corp. of
Engineers in designing a reservoir that could help control the flooding.
Commissioner Kerns stated that he wants to make sure the community is involved
and that this is what they want to see happen. Ms. Browne reported that they
have held several public meetings and there are a few landowners that are
against the idea of the reservoir, but the majority of the community was in
favor of it. Commissioner Warner made a motion to make the WASH committee the
lead committee for Baker County for the East Pine project in cooperation with
other agencies, special districts and interested parties. Commissioner Stiff
seconded the motion. Motion carried.
f. Executive session per ORS 192.660(e). After exiting executive session,
Commissioner Kerns made a motion to accept an offer of $36,000 for a parcel of
land located near the corner of Walnut St. and D St. Commissioner Stiff
seconded the motion. Motion carried.
6. Documents to be Signed:
a. Certificate of Appropriation of Funds in support of the Oregon State
University Extension Service. The County will transfer to the OSU Extension
Service four equal payments of $23,107.50. Commissioner Stiff made a motion to
adopt the Certificate of Appropriation of Funds to OSU Extension Service.
Commissioner Kerns seconded the motion. Motion carried.
b. Order No. 2010-153: Appointing Mike Downing as Justice of the Peace Pro-tem
for a term set to expire on August 18, 2011. Commissioner Warner made a motion
to adopt Order No. 2010-153. Commissioner Kerns seconded the motion. Motion
carried.
c. Order No. 2010-154: Appointing Bob Savage to the Baker County Fair Advisory
Board for a term set to expire on August 18, 2011. Commissioner Stiff made a
motion to adopt Order No. 2010-154. Commissioner Kerns seconded the motion.
Motion carried.
d. Order No. 2010-155: Appointing a member to the Northeast Oregon Economic
Development District (NEOEDD). The Commissioners received volunteer forms from
both Elizabeth Burton and Lori McNeil. After considering both applicants, the
Commissioners agreed to appoint Elizabeth Burton who has higher education
experience to the NEOEDD Board for a term set to expire on August 18, 2011.
The Board will consider Ms. McNeil’s application at a later time to fill
another vacancy on the NEOEDD Board. Commissioner Stiff made a motion to
appoint Elizabeth Burton to the NEOEDD Board and adopt Order No. 2010-155.
Commissioner Warner seconded the motion. Motion carried.
7. Ratification of Documents:
a. Modification #1 to USDA Forest Service Agreement #09-PA-11061600-029. The
modification provides the County through Emergency Management, additional funds
and an extension through November 30, 2010. Commissioner Kerns made a motion
to ratify Modification #1 to Forest Service Agreement #09-PA-11061600-029.
Commissioner Stiff seconded the motion. Motion carried.
8. Other Business
a. Comparison of Calendar:
08/25/10 County vs. City Softball Game
09/01/10 Commission Session
9. Adjourn
a. The August 18, 2010 Commission Session was adjourned at 12:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Heidi Martin, Executive Assistant
Baker County Board of Commissioners