COMMISSION CHAIR SHANE M. ALDERSON APRIL 5, 2023
COMMISSIONER CHRISTINA WITHAM
COMMISSIONER BRUCE A. NICHOLS
BAKER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
The Baker County Board of Commissioners met for the April 5, 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
3. Citizen’s Participation
a. None
4. Review/Approval of Minutes
a. March 15, 2023, Commission Session Minutes
Commissioner Nichols moved to approve the March 15, 2023, Commission Session Minutes. Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.
b. March 23, 2023, Special Commission Session Minutes
Commissioner Nichols moved to approve the March 23, 2023, Special Commission Session Minutes. Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.
5. Scheduled Business
a. BLM Baker Field Office Update ~ Joe Aragon, Field Manager & Sarah Sherman, Project Manger
Mr. Joe Aragon, Field Manager, and Ms. Sarah Sherman, Project Manager, were present to give an update on the BLM Baker Field Office. Mr. Aragon reported that the Boardman to Hemmingway Powerline Project is still on schedule. They plan to send out a public notice related to a barracks building they plan to build at the North Ware Yard for seasonal firefighters.
Ms. Sherman reported that with the help of a third-party contractor, they are developing their Visitor Experience Plan by addressing wayfinding, exhibits, and Interpretive Programs to hone in on their audience and what they can do for the community. They hope to have the final plan by October or November this year.
Construction of the Interpretive Center is about 65- 75% complete and is expected to be done by June or July. They have been working closely with Crossroads Art Center, Jessica Hobson-TLT Marketing Director, Baker City Downtown, and Devon Colton-Chamber of Commerce for gauging community interest and planning the reopening. If all goes well, they plan to reopen Memorial Day weekend of 2024.
They are updating their Native American Exhibit Gallery, including first encounters and trade, to create a complete story experience. To complete the update, they are working with a Consulting firm. They have also done Tribal consultations with six regional tribes.
They plan to continue operations at the Baker Heritage Museum, which opened on March 24th.
b. Contract Review Board
1. Facilities: Dump Trailer Purchase Approval: The Baker County Facilities Department needs to replace a stolen dump trailer initially purchased in 2020. After a police investigation with no conclusion, an insurance claim was filed, and reimbursement was made for $7,700.00. The claim required a $1,000.00 deductible and no coverage for extras like a tarp and spare tire. The original trailer was Big Tex 14’ for $8,700.00. Mr. Dan McQuisten, Facilities Director, is requesting approval to purchase a replacement Big Tex 12SR dump trailer from Pioneer West for $11,093.00 plus CAT tax.
Commissioner Nichols moved to approve the purchase of a Big Tex 12SR dump trailer from Pioneer West for $11,093.00 plus CAT tax. Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.
2. Fair: Clerk of the Work: Mr. Ron Rowan, Fair Board Chairman, and Mr. Dean Defrees, Fair Board Vice Chairman, were present via Zoom to discuss the Fair Board Executive Director proposal originally referred to as Clerk of the Work. They are requesting approval to send a Letter of Interest to three contractors, Mark Bennett, Mark Johnson, and Fred Warner, to help administer the funds they have received from the Lottery and State in the amount of $2.27 million. They believe that the individuals listed are qualified to fill the position. Mark Johnson is on the Fair Board but has agreed to resign from the Fair Board to qualify as a contender. After sending out the letter to the candidates, they would need to submit their proposals to the Fair Board by April 13th. The Fair Board would then submit its recommendation to the Board of Commissioners for consideration at the April 19th Commission Session. The start date would be approximately April 24th.
Commissioner Witham explained that she would like to ensure that there are no ethics violations, such as any financial ties with the candidate selected and the work performed. Mr. Rowan explained that the Fair Board would oversee and approve any received contract bids. Mr. Defrees explained that Ms. Kim Mosier, County Counsel contacted the Oregon State Ethics Board and determined that there can be no ethics violation as long as the individual does not hold public office.
Commissioner Witham moved to approve the bid for a temporary 2-3 year contract to provide services as an Executive Director to the Fair Board. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.
3. Road: Crack Sealer Purchase Approval: The Road Department has a 1987 Crafco Crack Sealer that has not functioned for several years. Repairs were attempted, but it is too antiquated. The Road Department is a member of Sourcewell which provides governmental agencies an avenue through a federal bidding process to purchase equipment without having to go through the standard bidding process. The Road Department would like to purchase a 2023 Crafco Supershot 250D Asphalt crack sealer from Crafco Inc. for $99,992.69. They currently borrow or rent, but availability is intermittent. Purchasing a new crack sealer is more cost-effective than repaving and prevents larger maintenance projects by preserving asphalt on our paved roads throughout the county.
Commissioner Witham moved to approve the purchase of a 2023 Crafco Supershot 250D Asphalt crack sealer from Crafco Inc. for $99,992.69. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.
6. Documents to be Signed
a. Order No. 2023-121 Appointing Pat Sullivan to the Baker County Ambulance Service Area Advisory Committee for a term set to expire March 1, 2025.
Commissioner Witham moved to approve Order No. 2023-121. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.
7. Ratification of Documents
a. Amendment #5 to the 2022 IGA #173127 for the Financing of Community Mental Health, Addiction Treatment, Recovery & Prevention and Problem Gambling Services.
Commissioner Witham moved to ratify Commissioner Nichols’ signature on Amendment #5 to the IGA #173127 for the Financing of Community Mental Health, Addiction Treatment, Recovery & Prevention and Problem Gambling Services. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.
b. Financial Reports: C87, C89, C73, C74, C75, C88, C91, C92, and Treasurer’s Financial Report for February.
Commissioner Nichols moved to approve the aforementioned financial reports. Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.
8. Other Business:
a. Commissioner Update:
· Commissioner Alderson plans to attend the Northeast Oregon Economic Development District (NEOEDD) Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Meeting and the Prison Advisory Committee Meeting on April 6th. He attended the opening of the Chinese Museum Exhibit. He will also tour the Prison with Baker City Mayor Beverly Calder.
· Commissioner Witham reported attending the Blue Intergovernmental Council (BIC) Meeting. BIC is moving forward with the Blue Mountain Forest Plan Revision team still being formed. They are using the plan from 2012 as the base, which was the same one that was turned down last time. She met the new Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) journalist from Pendleton. She attended the Northern Blues Forest Collaborative Meeting. Their primary focus is thinning and preventing catastrophic fires on the Northern Blues. She also attended a Wolf Meeting, a Weed Board Meeting, and the Baker Sage Grouse Local Implementation Team Quarterly Meeting.
· Commissioner Nichols plans to attend a Powder Basin Watershed Meeting at 6:00 p.m. to discuss Watershed Council updates and projects. He also plans to attend the Northeast Oregon Economic Development District (NEOEDD) Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Meeting on April 6th. He will attend the Oregon Legislative Committee Meeting in Salem on April 10th.
b. Comparison of Calendar: There will be a Department Head and Elected Official Meeting on April 12, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. Commissioner Alderson and Commissioner Witham will attend County College in Salem April 20th – 22nd.
9. Adjournment
Commissioner Nichols moved to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.
The April 5, 2023, Commission Session adjourned at 10:00 A.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Erin Linan
Management Assistant |