Minutes: Board of Commission Meeting, 03/15/2006 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 March 15, 2006 Commission
Session. Present were Commission Chair Fred Warner, Jr., Commissioner Tim L.
Kerns and Commissioner Carl E. Stiff, M.D.
Citizens' Participation:
Mr. Harry Williams, 1243 2nd Street, Baker City. Mr. Williams stated that he
was present representing some of the citizens that participated in a music
festival on Friday nights at the Fairgrounds/Extension Building. Mr. Williams
presented a signed petition, requesting that the Fair Board reduce the amount
of rent on these nights as they were community events and funded by donations.
Mr. Williams stated that the group would also like to see the Sunday service
rates deceased as well. They were currently paying $60 for each event and were
only in the building 2-3 hours. They only used the kitchen to make coffee and
they did a good job of cleaning up after themselves. Mr. Williams stated that
they had yet to visit with the Fair Board and asked that the Commissioners
relay their concerns and ask the Fair Board to consider their request. Mr.
Williams added that he would also like to see the Fairgrounds/Extension
Buildings remain standing. Commissioner Warner responded that once the offices
were moved to the Community Events Center, that they would begin talking about
the future of those buildings and public hearings would be held.
Mr. Steve Culley, of Baker City, was present and informed the Commissioners
that he had sent a letter to the Oregon Firearms Federation regarding not
allowing the Watermasters to carry firearms.
Mr. Tom Brock, of Haines was present. Mr. Brock stated that he worked with
kids, most who were on probation, every Friday afternoon. Mr. Brock and the
kids built things for people who couldn’t do it for themselves, such as roof
repairs, handicap ramps, etc. Mr. Brock stated that the kids were good kids
and continued to come back and help even when their community service was
done. Mr. Brock was extremely concerned with some recent events with the kids
and the Juvenile Department. Mr. Brock had one of the kids, a 7th grader, tell
him that he couldn’t use the work being done with Mr. Brock as community
service. The child’s Juvenile Counselor told him it was because he was having
too much fun. When Mr. Brock asked the child what he thought community
service was, the child replied that it was punishment and stupid. Mr. Brock
stated that that was difficult to hear, as he was an adult trying to teach the
kids principles. Mr. Brock gave another example regarding two juveniles who had
stolen from the middle school. After talking to the kids, they realized what
they needed to do to make things right again. Mr. Brock stated that after the
kids apologized to Ms. Vaughn they went to the Juvenile Department where a
counselor “went into the kids with both feet”. Mr. Brock did not believe that
the kids were being reached or helped this way. Mr. Brock stated that his
reason for presenting this information to the Commissioners was not to tear
anyone down, but to help change the attitude in the Juvenile Department and to
help them recognize that there was still good in these kids.
The Commissioners thanked Mr. Brock for coming in and stated that they would be
including him in future discussions with the Juvenile Department.
Review/Approval of Minutes: Commissioner Stiff moved to approve the March 1,
2006 Commission Session minutes and the March 8, 2006 Special Session minutes
as presented. Commissioner Kerns seconded the motion. Motion carried
unanimously.
Additions to the Agenda:
*Letter from Wheeler County on ODFW Cougar Plan
*Review/Approval of Bids for Clerks Office Front Counter
Addition to the Agenda:
Letter from Wheeler County on ODFW Cougar Plan: The Commissioners discussed a
letter that had been sent by Wheeler County. Wheeler County expressed concerns
about the number of cougars in existence. The plan called for 3,000 cougars
and already ODFW admitted that there were close to 6,000-- with more to come.
Consensus was reached to invite ODFW to attend next session and discuss points
in the Wheeler County letter.
Scheduled Business:
Assessor's Office Update: Assessor Allen Phillips was present before the Board.
Mr. Phillips described statistics for the front office and the appraisers. The
Assessors Office was experiencing quite an increase in mobile home transfers.
They were seeing 100 transfers per month compared to 25. Mr. Phillips reported
that research work continued with the title companies and believed the
additional full time person being shared with the Planning Department was
working out very well. Mr. Phillips continued by reporting that 370 new
structures were reported this last year with approximately 200 of them in
various stages of development. One hundred and five new structures were
identified that had no building permits. Those structures added approximately
$1,075,000 to the tax roll. The Assessors Office was getting ready to set up
the next appraisal area—Baker City. This would be for the 2007-08 tax roll. A
brief discussion followed regarding what development would increase the tax
base. Assessor Phillips reported that commercial development would cause more
growth than new homes. Assessors Phillips stated that he would be submitting a
year end report to the Commissioners in June.
Contract Review Board:
Commissioner Warner moved into Contract Review Board.
1. State of Oregon Department of Corrections: Inmate Work Program Contract:
Commissioner Warner stated that the Contract would serve as a master agreement
for all County departments when they utilized the Powder River Correctional
Inmate Work Crew. This Contract would expire on March 31, 2008. Commissioner
Kerns moved to approve the Contract with the State of Oregon Department of
Corrections. Commissioner Stiff seconded the motion. Motion carried
unanimously.
2.Review/Approval of Bids for Two Mid-Size Cars: Ms. Robin Nudd reported that a
request for quotes had been sent out to four dealers: Baker Garage, Powder
River Motors, Gentry and MJ Goss. The results were as follows: Baker Garage:
Vehicle 1-2005 Malibu Classic with 9500 miles: $10,725, Vehicle 2-2005 Malibu
LS with 11,300 miles: $12,990; Powder River Motors: Vehicle 1-2005 Dodge Neon
with 27,179 miles: $12,101.36, Vehicle 2-2005 Dodge Stratus with 23,145 miles:
$12,200.48; Gentry Ford: Vehicles 1 and 2-2005 Ford Focus with 16,000 miles:
$13,150 each and MJ Goss: Vehicle 1-2005 Malibu Classic with 14,980 miles:
$9,950, Vehicle 2-2005 Malibu Classic with 18,842 miles: $9,950. One vehicle
would be purchased for the Undersheriff and one for General Government. Ms.
Nudd recommended accepting the quote from Baker Garage based on price, low
mileage and local dealership. Commissioner Kerns moved to accept the quotes
from Baker Garage. Commissioner Stiff seconded the motion and added that he
agreed with staying local and purchasing cars with less mileage. Motion carried
unanimously.
Commissioner Warner moved out of Contract Review Board.
Documents to be Signed:
Resolution 2006-1008: Recognizing Unanticipated Revenue in General Fund:
Commissioner Warner stated that the resolution would recognize $15,000 in grant
funding from the Baker-Morrow Regional Partnership to be used for the Small
City Grant. Commissioner Kerns moved to approve Resolution 2006-1008.
Commissioner Stiff seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Resolution 2006-1009: Designating Public Use Right of Way: Ms. Nudd reported
that the Resolution was presented based on the recommendation of Road
Department and Planning Department. The property (Reference #13877) had been
ordered to be sold to the adjacent landowner, however after discussions with
the Road Department, it would be in the County’s best interest to retain this
piece and designate it a public use right of way. Commissioner Stiff moved to
approve Resolution 2006-1009. Commissioner Kerns seconded the motion. Motion
carried unanimously.
Resolution 2006-1010: State Police Staffing Levels: Commissioner Warner stated
that the resolution was created to show support for maintaining current
staffing levels for state police, to increase staffing levels for fish and game
officers and to have their positions remain at the state level. Commissioner
Kerns moved to approve Resolution 2006-1010. Commissioner Stiff seconded the
motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Resolution 2006-1011: Receipt of Property Tax Payments on November 15, 2005:
Commissioner Warner reviewed additional testimony that had been taken in
February and based on that testimony, the Commissioners had approved extending
the drop off time from 5 p.m. to midnight on November 15, 2005. The resolution
would direct the Tax Collector to honor these payments listed in the exhibit as
meeting the November 15th deadline. The resolution also allowed for additional
testimony to be taken until noon on April 5th. Commissioner Kerns moved to
approve Resolution 2006-1011. Commissioner Stiff seconded the motion. Motion
carried unanimously.
Order No. 2006-126: Appointing a Member to the Powder Basin Watershed Council:
An application had been submitted by James Young. Mr. Young would be serving as
a member from the private sector. Commissioner Kerns moved to approve Order
No. 2006-126. Commissioner Stiff seconded the motion. Discussion: Mr. Young
had been serving as a Forest Service representative. Motion carried unanimously
.
Order No. 2006-127: Reappointing WASH Committee Members: Commissioner Warner
stated that members’ terms on the committee would be expiring this month.
Progress continued and the Order would reappoint the members for an additional
two years. Commissioner Stiff moved to approve Order No. 2006-127. Commissioner
Warner seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Order No. 2006-128: Reappointing Nuisance Task Force Members: Commissioner
Warner announced that the task force had been working very hard and had a final
draft. In order to see the final draft through to adoption the task force
members would need to be reappointed. Commissioner Stiff moved to approve
Order No. 2006-128, reappointing the Nuisance Task Force Members. Commissioner
Kerns seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Order No. 2006-129: Rescinding Order No. 2006-111: Commissioner Warner stated
that Order No. 2006-111 ordered that personal property (Reference #17012) be
sold at auction. Since the order was approved, the landowner of which the
personal property sits on, had sent request that the County pay back rent since
acquiring the property in September of 2005. Commissioner Kerns stated that he
had driven by the property and the buildings were not in very good shape and
agreed that it would be in the best interest of the County to sell the property
to the landowner in lieu of rent. Commissioner Warner moved to approve Order
No. 2006-129, rescinding Order No. 2006-111, and selling the personal property
under Reference #17012 to John Hays, landowner, for $2,500. Commissioner Stiff
seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Scheduled Business:
Reclassification of Veterans' Services Officer: As a result of additional
funding being received by the State, the Veterans’ Services Officer was being
moved to full time and the position would be reclassed from a C5 to an E4.
Commissioner Stiff moved to approve the reclassification of the Veterans’
Services Officer. Commissioner Kerns seconded the motion. Motion carried
unanimously.
Addition to the Agenda:
Review/Approval of Quotes for Clerks Office Front Counter:
Commissioner Warner moved into Contract Review Board.
Facilities Director Jason Yencopal and County Clerk Tami Green were present
before the Board. Mr. Yencopal reported that bids were coming in over $5,000
for the new front counter in the Clerk’s Office. Not all of the bids had come
back yet and the project needed to be completed by March 27th. Commissioner
Kerns moved to allow Mr. Yencopal to accept the best bid once it was received
and to make sure the business could complete it by March 27th. Commissioner
Stiff seconded the motion. Discussion: Clerk Green added that Baker County
could qualify for $1,000 towards the cost of the counter, as it would be ADA
compliant. Motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Warner moved out of Contract Review Board.
Scheduled Business:
Measure 37 Applications:
1.M37-06-002: Kenneth M. Errend
Location: Twp. 8S, Range 40E, Section 27, Tax Lot 4200
Request: Compensation in the amount of $54,000 or modification of land use
regulations.
Mr. Shawn Berry was present before the Board. Mr. Berry reported the property,
consisting of 214.9 acres, had been purchased on contract in 1979. Mr. Berry
stated that it was staff’s recommendation to modify all land use regulations
back to the 1974 Ordinance and any amendments up to the date of ownership,
subject to the standard conditions of approval listed in the staff report.
Commissioner Warner moved to approve Order No. 2006-123, accepting staff’s
recommendation. Commissioner Kerns seconded the motion. Motion carried
unanimously.
2.M37-06-003: Dennis Spence
Location: Twp. 7S, Range 38E, Section 26D, Tax Lot 200
Request: Compensation in the amount of $276,730.59 or modification of land use
regulations.
Mr. Berry stated that the property has been purchased in 1979 and consisted of
36.95 acres, just north of Rock Creek Lane. Mr. Berry stated that it was
staff’s recommendation to modify all land use regulations back to the 1974
Ordinance and any amendments up to the date of ownership, subject to the
standard conditions of approval as stated in the staff report. Commissioner
Kerns moved to approve Order No. 2006-124, accepting staff’s recommendation.
Commissioner Stiff seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
3.M37-06-004: Gary and Shirley Devos
Location: Twp. 9S, Range 39E, Section 28, Tax Lot 7100
Request: Compensation in the amount of $240,000 or modification of land use
regulations.
Mr. Berry stated that the property had been purchased by the applicants in 1989
and consisted of 79.09 acres. Mr. Berry stated that it was staff’s
recommendation to modify all land use regulations adopted by Baker County from
the date of ownership and to implement regulations that were adopted in the
October 1984 Ordinance and any amendments adopted to the date of ownership,
subject to the standard conditions of approval as stated in the staff report.
Commissioner Warner moved to approve Order No. 2006-125, accepting staff’s
recommendations. Commissioner Kerns seconded the motion. Motion carried
unanimously.
Powder Basin Watershed Council:
Members present were: Vicki Wares, Jim Young, Tim Bliss, Eric Schoenfeld and
Dan Weitz. Mr. Jim Young delivered his presentation via power point. Mr. Young
reported that he hoped presentations such as these would become a regular
occurrence with the Board of Commissioners. Mr. Young presented the
Commissioners with objectives and questions from the Council and asked that the
Commissioners consider the questions and provide a response in the near future.
Mr. Young proceeded with the presentation by discussing the creation of the
Powder Basin Watershed Council. Watersheds were defined by HB 2215 and 3441.
The Powder Basin consisted of 3,360 square miles and three sub-basins. In 1991
the Baker County Water Advisory Board was formed and in 1995 it was reorganized
into the Powder Basin Watershed Council. The Vision Statement of the Council
was to “…recognize that our local prosperity is dependent upon current and
future availability and quality of our waters. We are committed to ensure that
we retain, restore and enhance the health of our watersheds”. Mr. Young
continued by covering the Council’s mission, membership, goals and action
plans.
Commissioner Warner thanked the Council members for the presentation.
Commissioner Warner questioned how the Watershed Council was currently being
funded. Ms. Vicki Wares responded that the program was funded under Oregon
Water Enhancement Board (OWEB). Every biennium the Powder Basin Watershed
Council went through a competitive grant program. There were 57 councils across
the state and every year the funding was less and less. Ms. Wares stated that
the Council worked closely with the Soil and Water Conservation District and
they had discussed having them take on the administrative functions.
Commissioner Warner questioned the Council’s involvement with the bull trout
habitat and listing. Mr. Bliss responded that they had began work on the bull
trout issue in 1996 and prioritized the watersheds—the first one was Pine
Creek. Mr. Schoenfeld added that they were also working with landowners to have
ditches and streams screened.
Commissioner Warner went over the questions submitted by the Council. Consensus
was reached to discuss further at a future work session. The Council invited
the Commissioners to attend their monthly meetings as, which were being held on
the first Wednesday of every month at the 5J District Office.
Other Business:
Comparison of Calendars:
March 16th: Mayors Council
March 18th: Senator Ron Wyden here
March 21st: May Day Board Meeting
March 29th: City/County meeting
April 3rd: BMRP
April 5th: Commission Session
Commission Session was adjourned at 12:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Nudd, Executive Assistant
Baker County Board of Commissioners