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 30, 2023 Special 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 as presented. Commissioner seconded the motion. Motion carried.

3.     Scheduled Business

a.      Contract Review Board

1.     Dump Trailer (Wolf Committee) Purchase Approval: The Wolf Committee met on January 12, 2023 and voted to purchase a dump trailer. The trailer will be used to haul dead carcasses to the dump. Dead piles can attract wolves and having a trailer to remove the piles will help prevent wolf/producer interaction. The County received three bids with NW Ag Supply in Baker City submitting the lowest bid for a 2023 7’x14’x3’ Dump Trailer.

Commissioner Witham moved to approve the purchase of a 2023 Dump Trailer from NW Ag Supply of Baker City for $11,658.00. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.

2.     Handheld Scanning Receivers and Antennas (Wolf Committee) Purchase Approval: The Wolf Committee met on January 12, 2023 and approved the purchase of radios and antennas. The radios are programmed to pick up the signal from a wolf collar which helps producers when riding through their herds to prevent wolf/cattle interaction. After reaching out to multiple companies, only Telonics submitted a bid. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife use Telonics to purchase their radios, and Baker County has also purchased from them in the past. The original bid was for four radios and antennas. However, the Wolf Committee is requesting approval to purchase seven TR-8 Handheld Scanning Receivers and seven RA-23K VHF Antennas from Telonics for up to $10,000.00.

Commissioner Nichols moved to approve the purchase of seven TR-8 Handheld Scanning Receivers and seven RA-23K VHF Antennas from Telonics for up to $10,000.00. Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.

3.     Western Landowners Alliance Grant Agreement: The Western Landowners Alliance is a non-profit organization partnered with NRCS to provide producers with funds to support non-lethal predator management activities. This agreement will provide funds to the Baker County Wolf Committee in the amount of $10,000.00 of which $5,000.00 will be used towards range riding activities, and $5,000.00 will go towards the purchase of radios. The Wolf Committee will follow their normal process when determining how to award the funds to producers. The grant award is for the period of September 1, 2022, through August 31, 2023. The County is required to provide a match of $12,500.00. This match can include the funds the County receives from the Oregon Department of Agriculture. The County received $50,680.00 from ODA in 2022 and is requesting $60,000.00 in prevention funds for 2023.

Commissioner Witham moved to approve the Western Landowners Alliance Grant Agreement for $10,000.00. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.

4.     Emergency Management Performance Grant No. 22-500: The Emergency Management Performance Grant is a grant with the State of Oregon through the Oregon Department of Emergency Management. It is used to develop and sustain core capabilities as outlined in the National Preparedness Strategy. Funds from this grant are meant to supplement a portion of the day-to-day operational costs for local Emergency Management. The grant is for $66,616.00, and a dollar-to-dollar matching funds requirement has been included in the 2022-2023 budget

Commissioner Nichols moved to approve the Emergency Management Performance Grant No. 22-500 for $66,616.00. Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.

4.     Other Business

a.     None

9.   Adjourn

Commissioner Nichols moved to adjourn the Special Commission Session. Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.

a.    The January 30, 2023 Special Commission Session adjourned at 9:30 a.m.  

Respectfully Submitted,

Erin Linan

Management Assistant