IN THE COUNTY COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON
IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF GRANT
Access the court’s weekly Agenda and approved Minutes on the Commissioner’s page at www.gcoregonlive2.com
JULY 1, 2015
Pursuant to notice made to the newspaper of general circulation throughout Grant County, the radio station, county website, and e-mail distribution list, a regular meeting of the County Court was held at the County Courthouse in Canyon City OR.
9:00 am -- Call to Order. Present were Judge Scott W. Myers, Commissioners Chris B. Labhart and Boyd
Britton, Secretary Mary Ferrioli, Jim Sproul, Flora Cheadle, and Carol and Robert Ake. A Pledge of
Allegiance was given to the United States flag. The invocation was given by Flora Cheadle.
AGENDA. MSP: Britton/Myers -- to accept the agenda as presented
ANNOUNCEMENTS.
Myers reported on his meeting with Blue Mountain Broadcasting owner Phil Gray and Randy McKone who owns radio stations in La Grande and Baker City about Tom Hodgins’ proposal to purchase and install a new communications tower on Eagle Peak on the county’s behalf. McKone is a potential buyer of KJDY radio station. Gray and McKone have asked the county to wait at least 60 days before accepting a proposal from Mr. Hodgins to allow additional time for the FCC permitting process. Labhart and Britton agreed. Myers attended a Road Advisory Board meeting at the Road Department at 4 pm last Thursday to talk about projects, fire and fire fighter damage to county roads. BLM Prineville District representative (Mr. Cook) proposed (Friday night at the fire meeting in Dayville) that if Dick Creek Road is damaged BLM would offer to put the road back into its prior condition. Saturday Myers was at the well-attended celebration of life for Sue Newstetter at Holliday Park. Last Friday Myers moved the last of the Title 3 file boxes from Sue Newstetter’s office in Mt. Vernon to Sally Bartlett’s office in John Day.
Myers was at the Road Department’s bid opening for the Dixie Tower project at 2 pm yesterday.
Labhart attended a Local Community Advisory Council meeting at the airport last Wednesday at noon.
Britton was interviewed by OPB radio recently about collaboration, bicycles, economic development, and fireworks. Saturday he plans to conduct the fireworks display in Prairie City, if the city feels the weather conditions will allow it. Tomorrow Britton will attend Senator Ron Wyden’s town hall meeting at the airport.
MINUTES. MSP: Myers/Britton -- to approve the June 24 minutes as revised
9:20 am – Kathy Smith and Greg Bremner entered
HAND CHECKS. The court approved five hand checks that were signed yesterday by Judge Myers to
Mt. Emily Safe Center ($1,749.81) for 2014 child abuse assessments, Grant County Treasurer ($98.88) for DA witness expense, John Day Senior Center ($336.05) for USDA-April, Monument Senior Center
($100.10) for USDA-April, and Prairie Senior Center ($278.85) for USDA-April. MSP: Britton/Labhart -- to authorize Judge Myers’ signature on the hand checks presented yesterday.
GRANT COUNTY COURT MINUTES JULY 1, 2015 APPROVED 1

COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS. Court members considered applications received from volunteers to fill vacant terms on county boards and committees as follows:
Road Advisory Board. MSP: Myers/Labhart -- to re-appoint Hank Lissman to a term on the Road
Advisory Board scheduled to expire June 30, 2018. Britton voted no. MSP: Myers/Labhart -- to reluctantly accept the resignation of Doug Kruse from service on the Road Advisory Board and send the appropriate letter of thanks.
Senior Citizens Advisory Council. MSP: Britton/Myers -- to reappoint Bruce Kauffman to a term on the
Senior Citizens Advisory Council expiring June 30, 2018. MSP: Myers/Britton -- to appoint Charles Ron
Dowse to the Senior Citizens Advisory Council for the term scheduled to expire June 30, 2018. MSP:
Labhart/Myers -- to approve the removal of Tom McHatton and Nicky Sprauve from the Senior Citizens
Advisory Council for non-attendance as stipulated in the By-Laws.
No applications were received to fill vacancies on the Library Advisory Board, Mental Health Advisory
Board and Wildlife Advisory Board.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT. As recommended by the DA court members signed
Amendment No. 2 to the Intergovernmental Contract for Professional Services with the Department of
Education that extends the $45,000.00 project until June 30, 2017. State and federal funding assistance is used to support the county’s Youth Investment, Juvenile Crime Prevention, Community Schools, and
Casey Partnership projects. Myers said this money used to go through Commission on Children and
Families, but now fiscal oversight is provided by Ashley McClay in the DA office. MSP: Myers/Britton -- to authorize Judge Myers to sign Amendment No. 2 to Intergovernmental Contract No. 9887 with
the Department of Education to provide Professional Services FY 2015-2017.
IGA WITH CANYON CITY. Court members reviewed and approved an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Town of Canyon City providing that the Justice Court shall have all the judicial jurisdiction and duties of a Municipal Court. MSP: Britton/Labhart -- to approve Judge Myers’ signature on the
Intergovernmental Agreement with the Town of Canyon City to provide judicial services.
JUVENILE CRIME PREVENTION. The court reviewed and approved an Oregon Youth Authority
Juvenile Crime Prevention Basic Services IGA to provide $14,262.00 in funds to develop and implement a juvenile crime prevention basic service plan with the goal of reducing juvenile recidivism. The plan targets youths 10 to 17 years of age who have antisocial behavior, poor family functioning /poor family support, failure in school, substance abuse problems, and/or negative peer associations. MSP:
Britton/Labhart -- to approve Judge Myers’ signature on the 2015-2017 Oregon Youth Authority
Juvenile Crime Prevention Basic Services Intergovernmental Agreement No. 13227.
SHERIFF’S DISPATCH. The court reviewed an Agreement with the City of John Day for Sheriff’s Office dispatch services to be paid in the amount of $17,218.00 per quarter in 2015-2016 as previously provided by the Sheriff. The city had indicated the agreement reflects a 10% increase due to stagnant
911 funds for the past few years and increasing demands of the 24 hour / 7 day per week dispatch operation. The city also noted that agreements with Blue Mountain Hospital and the Forest Service also reflect a 10% cost increase. Myers said the Sheriff commented to him this agreement should be negotiated. Myers felt the county had the ability to negotiate this agreement. Myers planned to contact the city about this year’s agreement.
GRANT COUNTY COURT MINUTES JULY 1, 2015 APPROVED 2

9:30 am – Treasurer Kathy Smith, Ken Holliday, Joe Hitz and Rob Pentzer entered
COLUMBIA BLUE MTN RC&D. Court members considered a 2015 Columbia Blue Mountain RC&D contribution invoice totaling $250.00 and appointment of county membership. Economic Development
Coordinator Sally Bartlett has been serving as the county’s representative for several years and has agreed to continue serving in that role. MSP: Britton/Myers – to appoint Sally Bartlett as the county’s continuing representative to Columbia Blue Mountain RC&D.
BID OPENING. At 9:30 am the court conducted a bid opening for publicly advertised Road Department surplus equipment itemized as Lot Nos. 1 through 13 with minimum bid amounts. Sealed bids received by the County Court before 9:00 am today were opened by Myers as follows:
Warren Dunn
Ryan Johnson
Lot 1 $550
Lot 2 $2,459.99
Jim Carpenter
Tory Johnson
Randy Demerit
Lot 2 $926
Lot 1 $799.99
Lot 1 $905
Lot 3 $1,499.99
Lot 5 $1,125
Lot 5 $1,159.01
Fera Brown
Clifford Smith
Lot 5 $1,010
Lot 5 $ 952
Harvey Blackwell Lot 5 $1,353
Malheur Lumber Rich Fulton Lot 6 $20,000
Bob Warren Lot 11 $360
Jim Carpenter Daniel Carpenter Lot 2 $1,256
Lot 10 $2,000
Holliday Land and Livestock Ken Holliday
Tandy Merkord
Lot 6 $21,380
Lot 1 $600 Lot 2 $800 Lot 3 $800 Lot 5 $1,000 Lot 6 $17,787
Patricia Coburn
Marvin Rynerson
Lot 3 $905.95
Lot 9 $225
Wayne Miller Lot 12 $305
Kathy Gillam and Myers talked about procedure for notifying the bidders. Labhart recited all of the individual names of bidders, lot numbers, and the amount of each bid.
Bids to install a new 40 foot Valmont Microflect communications tower model 48-V940-40 at Dixie
Butte were opened at the Road Department at 2 pm yesterday. Joe Hitz of Sisul Engineering had tabulated the proposals with the result as 1.) Mike Voigt Construction $24,300.00; 2.) Smucker Quality
Homes $26,500.00 and 3.) Dice Construction $43,600.00.Contractor will be responsible for constructing a foundation per the manufacturer’s plans and assembly and installation of the tower. All equipment and wiring will be transferred by others once the new tower is completed. Hitz reported that Mike Voigt was the lowest bidder, but parts of the bid were left blank such as the signature. He noted the county has authority to waive irregularities. Britton suggested that Voigt be asked to rectify the oversight by signing the bid. MSP: Myers/Britton – to accept the low bidder, Mike Voigt and offer him an opportunity to sign the bid before the close of business Friday, and if he does not, the contract will
be offered to the next lowest bidder.
9:45 am Lane Burton entered
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PROPERTY MAINTENANCE SPECIALIST. Court members discussed the idea of providing a monthly tool allowance for Property Maintenance Specialist Nate Hughes. Hughes is also a private contractor and periodically uses his own tools when needed to perform work for the county. The county has a union negotiated tool allowance policy at the Road Department. Hughes has been doing work on various projects that’s not within his current job description. Myers is in the process of contacting other counties for a comparable job description and pay scale. He suggested that we ask Hughes to update his job description for possible evaluation and wage placement by LGPI. Britton said we’ve been getting more highly skilled work from our current maintenance employee than in the past. Labhart noted that Hughes has been using his personal phone which saves the county about $50 per month.
Discussion followed about whether or not it is appropriate to pay employees for using their own tools.
Assessor Lane Burton understood it was against county policy for employees to use their personal equipment on the job. It was noted that Sheriff’s officers possibly have their own equipment on board for search and rescue. Smith didn’t know why the county doesn’t purchase the tools necessary for this maintenance position. She felt over time it would cost more to pay a monthly allowance than to purchase the tools. Smith said permission was given for the router Hughes purchased in April. Myers personally preferred looking at the job description to see if it reflects what he actually does and send it to LGPI for wage scale placement. Smith agreed the job description should be revised to reflect what
Hughes has been doing for the county. Myers was given permission to pursue an update of the job description.
AIRPORT. Airport Manager Patrick Bentz discussed a proposal to improve and enhance audio conferencing, video conferencing, and the public address system in the Large Conference Room (LCR).
Bentz said our “borrowed” Polycom 2W teleconference system consists of inexpensive, basic components that do not interface and were not designed for the LCR. Meeting attendees (up to 40 people) have difficulty hearing phone conversations and persons on the other end of the line cannot hear anyone who isn’t seated next to the equipment. An upgraded audio system could take input from several microphones so the person on the other end of the line can hear the meeting and conversation via phone would be transmitted over an upgraded PA system so everyone in the room can hear clearly.
The PA system upgrade would provide a wireless clip-on mic or a hand-held mic and include at least two more speakers to improve voice projection. Video conferencing is not being considered now, but the system would have the ability to include that feature if needed in the future. Bentz felt these improvements would benefit local residents and organizations that hold meetings at the airport and draw more outside groups to use the airport’s meeting space. He said the Forest Service cost share would be limited to the $1,500 currently in the LCR budget. Bentz provided information about his contact with individuals who have expertise in the area. He was asked to get in contact with Al Altnow,
Robert Waltenburg (Grant ESD), Rob Myers (North Central ESD), the Forest Service, and others about the options available for that setting. Labhart pointed out that Mr. Altnow will not be doing the work, but could recommend the type of equipment we might need for that space. Labhart has been using this room for LCAC meetings and described his experience with the inability to hear a person who’s sitting on the other end of the table. Myers indicated that the county would first need to obtain particular specifications for the equipment before we start the public bidding process for this service.
Bentz said former Airport Commissioner Joe Intile suggested that 30 cotton tablecloths be purchased to use in the LCR for special events, banquets, parties, etc. They can be purchased for about $15 each, would be Hunter green in color, and have the GCRA logo printed or sewn on the fabric. Bentz suggested the total estimated cost of about $450 could be taken from the Promotion/Advertising
GRANT COUNTY COURT MINUTES JULY 1, 2015 APPROVED 4

budget line. Bentz said the rental fee would be increased if table cloths are used for banquets, parties and receptions. Myers asked how they would be laundered between events. Bentz said the Forest
Service gave permission to use its laundry facility. Myers asked Bentz to look into local sources for comparable cost quotes. Britton suggested that we wait and see how the Airport Commission feels about the proposal at their next meeting.
Bentz updated the court on fuel sales for firefighting activities. Myers reported on the Road
Department’s work yesterday to rehabilitate the helipads. Bentz hopes to talk with TO Engineers about trying to install concrete helipads sometime in the future, if the funding is available. He reported that the FAA will be bringing in a portable tower within the next few days.
RAC. Court members talked about the need to nominate county representatives to serve on the RAC in the three designated categories. Current RAC member Ken Holliday was present. He visited with the court about strategies and politics associated with the RAC process. Holliday told court members that the most important thing now is to urge the counties to prioritize the use of their Title 2 funds and associated projects.
ZONE 1. Department of Forestry John Day Unit Forester Rob Pentzer updated the court on fire activity in the Monument area and talked about the department’s mapping and mobilization procedures, as well as progress being made to update landowner information. Assessor Lane Burton was present for the discussion and offered mapping assistance if needed. Pentzer presented the Memorandum of
Agreement establishing a Zone 1 area within Grant County at the current rate of 30 cents per acre for
2015-2016. MSP: Britton/Labhart-- to authorize Judge Myers signature on the MOA establishing a
Zone 1 area within Grant County at the current rate of 30 cents per acre for 2015-2016.
10:40 am – Steve Beverlin and new Deputy Forest Supervisor Ryan Nehl entered
PUBLIC COMMENT. Jim Sproul reported on the meeting and tour in which he participated with the
Harney County Collaborative this Monday. He talked about yesterday’s objection hearing at the
Malheur NF Supervisor’s office. Sproul remarked on the large number of private citizens who are becoming involved with the forest projects objection process. Malheur NF Supervisor Steve Beverlin noted that projects are analyzed based on Ranger District boundaries, which is why projects can involve more than one county. He added that the Elk 16 project public meeting will be tomorrow at 1:30 pm.
11:05 am -- Adjourned
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary R. Ferrioli
County Court Secretary
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