COMMISSION CHAIR SHANE M. ALDERSON
COMMISSIONER CHRISTINA WITHAM
COMMISSIONER BRUCE A. NICHOLS
BAKER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
The Baker County Board of Commissioners met for the January 18, 2023, Commission Session. Present were Commissioner Shane M. Alderson, Commissioner Christina Witham, and Commissioner Bruce A. Nichols.
1. Call to Order/Invocation/Pledge of Allegiance
Commissioner Alderson called the meeting to order and led the invocation and the pledge of allegiance.
2. Agenda Changes/Additions to the Agenda
Commissioner Nichols moved to approve the agenda. Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.
3. Citizen’s Participation
a. Discussion: Jim Brown from Haines, Oregon, was present to discuss fuel prices in Baker City. He reported that Baker City has the highest fuel prices in Oregon. He expressed concern about the possibility of price gouging and his disapproval of the prices. Fuel prices from the same distributors in the surrounding areas are noticeably lower.
Commissioner Nichols agreed that fuel prices in Baker City are a problem.
Commissioner Alderson also agreed and explained that a state of emergency would need to be declared to pursue the gas stations for price gouging.
4. Review/Approval of Minutes
a. January 4, 2023, Commission Session Minutes
Commissioner Nichols moved to approve the January 4, 2023. Commission Session Minutes. Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.
5. Scheduled Business
a. Veterans Department Update ~ Rick Gloria, Veteran Service Officer
Mr. Rick Gloria, Veteran Service Officer, was present to give a department update. Mr. Gloria has been in his position for eight years. His responsibilities include connecting and filing Veterans for disability, pensions, home loans, educational benefits, and non-emergent medical transportation and enrolling them medically within the VA for medical services. He manages approximately 1,592 Veteran cases which include Veterans or surviving spouses.
To reach as many Veterans as possible, funds dedicated to outreach that the department receives are used to support advertisements. The advertisements are run by three radio stations and the local newspapers.
Veterans are experiencing housing challenges, so Mr. Gloria works with Northeast Oregon Housing Authority, New Directions Northwest Inc., Community Connections, Walla Walla VA, and NE Oregon Compassion Center to help them with homelessness.
Commissioner Alderson thanked Mr. Gloria for his time and the work he does for the Veteran Community.
Discussion: Baker City Councilor Dean Guyer thanked Mr. Gloria for his service as a Veteran and his service to the community. He invited Mr. Gloria to come and present his information at City Council.
b. Contract Review Board
1. Road: Purchase: Metal Siding for Maintenance Storage Building: The Road Department would like to purchase metal siding for the maintenance storage building replacement project that will take place this year. After receiving bids for comparable materials, they are requesting approval to purchase standing seam siding with roof insulated R19 rating from Natural Structures for $56,063.00.
Commissioner Nichols moved to approve the purchase of standing seam siding with roof insulated R19 rating from Natural Structures for $56,063.00. Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.
2. Road: Purchase: Garage Doors for Storage Building: The Road Department would like to purchase garage doors for the storage building via the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LACTF) second round of funding. In FY 2017/2018, the Road Department constructed a storage building using the steel beams from the building being removed on Campbell Street and purchased metal siding. The building did not have doors and is infested with birds and other critters. Former Commissioner Harvey recommended to install doors as he noticed the infestation when he visited the building. After receiving bids on comparable garage doors, the Road Department is requesting approval to purchase the doors from Overhead Door, Inc. for $44,340.00.
Commissioner Nichols moved to approve the purchase of garage doors for $44,340.00 from Overhead Door, Inc. with LACTF second round of funding when it is received. Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.
3. Road Purchase: Engine Equipment: The Road Department’s 5th wheel truck #43 has over 996,000 miles the engine is worn out and needs rebuilt. After receiving bids for comparable engine rebuilds, they are requesting approval to purchase a complete engine rebuild from Western States Equipment for $29,345.56.
Commissioner Witham moved to approve the purchase of a complete engine rebuild for truck #43 from Western States Equipment for $29,345.56. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.
4. District Attorney: Medical Examiner Professional Services Agreement: The medical examiner professional services agreement with Dr. Eric Lamb needs to be renewed. The agreement is for the time period beginning January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2024, for $450.00 per month for medical examiner services provided.
Commissioner Nichols moved to approve the Medical Examiner Professional Services Agreement with Dr. Eric Lamb for $450.00 per month from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2024. Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.
6. Documents to be Signed
a. Order No. 2023-101 Appointing Shane Alderson as Baker County Budget Officer for FY 2023-24.
Commissioner Nichols moved to approve the Order No. 2023-101. Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.
b. Order No. 2023-102 Appointing Shane Alderson to the Northeast Oregon Housing Authority Board for a term set to expire December 31, 2026.
Commissioner Nichols moved to approve Order No. 2023-102. Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.
c. Order No. 2023-103 Appointing Christina Witham to the Wolf Depredation Advisory Committee for a term set to expire January 1, 2026.
Commissioner Nichols moved to approve Order No. 2023-103. Commissioner Alderson seconded the motion. Motion carried.
d. Order No. 2023-104 Re-Appointing Jim Bruce to the Baker County Budget Board for a term set to expire January 1, 2026.
Commissioner Nichols moved to approve Order No. 2023-104. Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.
e. Order No. 2023-105 Re-Appointing Ralph Morgan, Rex Nelson, and Edward Hayhurst to the Baker County Vector Control Board for a term set to expire December 31, 2025.
Commissioner Nichols moved to approve Order No. 2023-105. Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.
f. Order No. 2023-106 Re-Appointing Bob Savage to the Northeast Oregon Economic Development District Budget Board for a term set to expire December 31, 2025.
Commissioner Nichols moved to approve Order No. 2023-106. Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.
g. Order No. 2023-107 Re-Appointing Dave Hunsaker and Diana Brown to the Baker County Museum Commission for a term set to expire January 1, 2026.
Commissioner Nichols moved to approve Order No. 2023-107. Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.
7. Ratification of Documents
a. Financial Reports: C67, C69, C70, C71, C72, C73, M09, M10, V07, C63, C65, C66, and the Treasurer’s Financial Report for December.
Commissioner Nichols moved to approve the aforementioned financial reports. Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.
8. Other Business:
a. Commissioner Update:
· Commissioner Alderson reported attending a Fair Board meeting, an Eastern Oregon Caucus call, and an OTEC Regional meeting. He also reported having weekly meetings with Bryan Tweit, Baker County Economic Director.
· Commissioner Witham reported attending an AOC Natural Resources Committee meeting, an AOC Legislative Committee meeting, and a Wolf Depredation Compensation Advisory Committee meeting. She also met with the Forest Service Supervisor Shaun McKinney and Deputy Supervisor Anthony Botello to discuss BIC and the Blue Mountain Forest Plan Revision, new legislative bills, and the ODFW Green Dot Road closures. She encouraged all to check with ODFW to confirm if road closures will be enforced before making hunting plans for this season.
· Commissioner Nichols reported attending an Eastern Oregon Caucus call with Senator Findley, Representative Owens, and other representatives from many different counties. There will be about 4000 legislative bills presented, and since the Salem building is under construction, a lot will be done on Zoom. They are going to cut down the amount of time people can testify on bills. He is concerned with what is going on with the legislator. Commissioner Witham and Alderson agreed and are also listening in.
b. Comparison of Calendar: There will be an EOCA meeting on January 23rd. Commissioner Alderson and Commissioner Witham will be attending AOC County College January 19th- 21st.
Discussion: City Councilor Guyer asked if the Commissioners had reached out to the banking industry. He discussed the banking industry’s Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). Banks, except for Credit Unions, are required to demonstrate that they are contributing to the community. Commissioner Alderson requested a meeting with City Councilor Guyer to discuss the Community Reinvestment Act in further detail.
9. Adjournment
The January 18, 2023, Commission Session adjourned at 10:30 A.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Erin Linan
Management Assistant
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