Minutes: Board of Commission Meeting, 06/05/2002 COUNTY COMMISSIONER CHAIR BRIAN D. COLE
COUNTY COMMISSIONER HOWARD C. BRITTON COUNTY COMMISSIONER TIM L. KERNS
The Baker County Board of Commissioners met for the June 5, 2002 Commission Session. Present were Commission Chair Brian D. Cole, Commissioner Howard C. Britton, and Commissioner Tim L. Kerns.
Citizen's Participation:
Dr. Stiff was present and stated that he planned to begin attending the Commission Sessions until noon on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.
Review/Approval of Minutes:Commissioner Britton moved to approve the minutes for May 1, 2002 Commission Session. Commissioner Kerns seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Cole abstained, as he was not at the meeting. Commissioner Kerns moved to approve the minutes for the May 15, 2002 Commission Session. Commissioner Cole seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Britton abstained, as he was not at the meeting.
Additions to the Agenda:
*Language Change on NEACT
*Donation of small parcel to City of Sumpter
*Intergovernmental Agreement with Dixie Creek Bridge
*2002-2003 Budget
*Communicating with the Public
Scheduled Business: Intergovernmental Agreement with ODOT for Dixie Creek Bridge: Roadmaster Ken Helgerson stated that he had just received the agreement. The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) creates the intergovernmental agreement with the counties so that they can handle the funds and reimburse the counties once the expenses are incurred. Counties would do the hiring of the consultants, and work up the bid packages. This would be done so that ODOT would not be flooded with the projects and paperwork. The Dixie Creek Bridge is 100% funded. Roadmaster Helgerson stated that in order to get the project awarded, the Road Department would have to do all the approach work on the bridges and bring the materials in. This would amount to in-kind work of approximately $39,000. Roadmaster Helgerson stated that the Dixie Creek Bridge project was scheduled to go out to bid next year. The start of work would begin in spring of 2003 with completion in 2004. Roadmaster Helgerson stated that the Dixie Creek Bridge was selected because it was a low rated bridge and had enormous detours. It would be 100 miles of detours if you could use the bridge. Roadmaster Helgerson stated that County Counsel had reviewed the agreement as well as Assistant Roadmaster Rick Holden. Commissioner Kerns moved to approve the agreement with the Oregon Department of Transportation for the Dixie Creek Bridge. Commissioner Britton seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Naming A New Private Road: Long Bow Lane: Patti Pointer, Baker County Planner was present with a staff report. Ms. Pointer stated that an application had been received from Mr. Ken Draze to name a lane off of Pine Creek Road. The name meets all of the requirements. The application had been approved by the Road Department. Commissioner Kerns questioned if there was a fee for them to do this. Ms. Pointer stated that there is an initial fee of $200 and an additional $100 to get the address. Commissioner Kerns moved to approve Order 2002-160 naming Long Bow Lane. Commissioner Cole seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Additions to the Agenda: Language Change in NEACT: Consensus was reached that intent had not changed. Commissioner Kerns moved to approve the amended changes to the agreement with NEACT. Ms. Hilderbrand suggested contacting Mary Martini at ODOT to see what type of action they would like the Commissioners to formally take in order to approve the changes. Executive Assistant Robin Nudd would make the contact. Commissioner Britton seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Donation of Small Parcel to City of Sumpter: County Counsel Sarah Hilderbrand stated that there was a little parcel in the City of Sumpter--about a 25x100 foot lot valued at $270.00. Ms. Hilderbrand stated that the City of Sumpter has asked the County to relinquish that piece of property so that they may put a fire station on it. The piece of property in question was foreclosed on by Baker County in 1979. Back taxes are on record. The process is as follows: put a notice in the paper for two weeks and hold a public hearing. If no objections were received then the County could transfer by deed. Commissioner Cole stated that the parcel was surrounded by land owned by ODOT. The City of Sumpter is working on getting that land as well. Commissioner Britton agreed that it would be a good use of that property, but questioned what would happen should ODOT not give them the land. Ms. Hilderbrand stated that a revertor clause would be included in the deed should the City of Sumpter not get the ODOT land or if they do not use the land for public purposes. Commissioner Britton moved to go ahead with process. Commissioner Kerns seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Documents to be Signed: Order No. 2002-158 & 159: Appointing members to the Museum Commission. Two vacancies existed due to the expiration of Ms. Peggi Timm’s and Mr. Don Sheppard’s terms. Ms. Timm and Mr. Sheppard have both come forth to reapply. Commissioner Britton moved to appoint Ms. Peggi Timm and Mr. Don Sheppard to the Museum Commission. Commissioner Kerns seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Resolution 2002-1025: Transfer of funds into the Weed Policy Enforcement line in the amount of $1,000. Commissioner Britton stated that the additional funds were needed in order to notify people about the new enforcement policy. Commissioner Britton moved to approve Resolution 2002-1025. Commissioner Kerns seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Amendments to Commission on Children and Families Agreements: Three amendments were before the Commissioners. Consensus was reached to handle all three contracts at once, however, it was tabled until a representative from Commission on Children and Families could be present.
Ratification of Documents: Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant. Commissioner Britton stated that the funds would be used in the new Juvenile Detention Facility for after hours on-call staffing. The staff would not be highly paid and would not receive benefits, therefore the funds should go quite a ways. Commissioner Britton stated this would give the County an opportunity to forecast what future operational costs would be. Commissioner Britton moved to ratify the Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant. Commissioner Kerns seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Scheduled Business: Final Public Hearing on Medical Springs Rural Fire District: County Counsel Sarah Hilderbrand stated that this was the final public hearing on the formation of the Medical Springs Rural Fire District. The initial hearing was held on May 15, 2002, where the Board of Commissioners had approved the petition as filed. Ms. Hilderbrand stated that the boundaries had been checked by the Assessor’s Office and the signatures had been verified by the County Clerk. The Rural Fire District is in both Union and Baker County. Ms. Hilderbrand stated that a copy of the last order was faxed and mailed over to Union County. No objections or petitions had been filed.
Commissioner Cole opened the public hearing at 10:02 a.m.
Chief Petitioner Mr. James Carter was present and stated that they already had a state fire district number. Mr. Carter stated that they would be receiving some equipment out of the state excess equipment. Mr. Carter stated that everything was traveling right along and had nothing but good support all of the way through on the formation.
Commissioner Kerns moved to approve the establishment of the Medical Springs Rural Fire District. Commissioner Britton seconded the motion.
Commissioner Cole asked for additional comment. No additional comments were offered. Commissioner Cole closed the public hearing at 10:04 a.m.
Commissioner Britton asked if this was a taxing district. Ms. Hilderbrand stated it would be on a subscription basis. Motion carried unanimously.
Documents to be Signed: Amendments to Agreements with Commission on Children and Families and the Health Department: Ms. Judy Barzee stated that the amendments were to existing agreements for operations of the Health Department and Commission on Children and Families. Ms. Barzee stated that the amendment to the Juvenile Crime Prevention Agreement was to extend the agreement for an additional year. The funds are funneled through the Commission on Children and Families and then forwarded onto the Juvenile Department. Amendment #3 was for the continuation of funding contracts that the State renews with the Commission on Children and Families each biennium. The amendment to the CaCoon Agreement was to continue the program that Ms. Linda Hudson currently runs, allowing Ms. Hudson to check on newborns. Commissioner Kerns moved to approve all three amendments to the Intergovernmental Agreements with the Commission on Children and Families and the Health Department. Commissioner Britton seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Discussion Topics: Recognizing Emergency Management Office as Homeland Security Office. Commissioner Cole stated that Emergency Manager Mark Bennett had received notice that in order to receive additional funding, it would be wise for the County to designate a Homeland Security Office. Commissioner Britton moved to recognize Baker County’s Emergency Management Office as Baker County’s Homeland Security Office . Commissioner Kerns seconded the motion. Discussion: Commissioner Cole stated that the Emergency Management Office would still remain as is and would now serve as, and be able to relate to, the federal government as the Homeland Security Office. Motion carried unanimously.
Northeast Oregon Area Commission on Transportation Member at Large: Advertisements have been sent out requesting volunteers to serve as the member at large for the NEACT, however, the County has yet to receive a response. Consensus was reached to find someone with a passion around transportation. Commissioner Britton suggested contacting the Transportation/Traffic Safety Board. Commissioner Cole suggested contacting Mary Jo Carpenter of Community Connections. Commissioner Britton stated that he would contact Ms. Carpenter.
Calendar Comparison:
June 5: City/County meeting
June 7: BMCC Farewell to Paul McCarrell
June 10: NEOHA retreat; Baker/Morrow Regional Partnership meeting
June 12: Work Session and Road Tour; NGASTF
June 13: IPC Advisory meeting; Armory Public Relations Committee; TEC Budget Meeting
June 14: RAC Meeting
June 15: BEGIN anniversary, Eagle Valley Jeep Parade
June 19: Elected Officials Meeting, Commission Session, ODOT Dinner in La Grande
June 20: ODOT Meeting
June 25: NEOEDD
Additions to the Agenda: 2002-2003 Budget: Commissioner Kerns discussed some of his concerns regarding the 2002-2003 Budget. Specifically, Commissioner Kerns stated that he was concerned with the increase in the Sheriff’s wages. Commissioner Kerns requested a copy of the Compensation Boards minutes and any additional information that was received by the Compensation Board to make their recommendation.
Commissioner Britton stated the only issue on his radar screen was in regards to the fairgrounds’ increase of $10,000 for the rental of tents.
Communicating to the Public: Commissioner Kerns suggested getting an “information officer” to work with the local media and highlight each department. A lot of interest could be created in what the County is doing if once a month a department was featured in the paper.
Commission session was adjourned at 11:10 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Nudd, Executive Assistant
Baker County Board of Commissioners