COMMISSION CHAIR SHANE M. ALDERSON September 6, 2023
COMMISSIONER CHRISTINA WITHAM
COMMISSIONER BRUCE A. NICHOLS
BAKER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
The Baker County Board of Commissioners met for the September 6, 2023, Commission Session. Present were Commissioner Christina Witham, and Commissioner Bruce A. Nichols.
1. Call to Order/Invocation/Pledge of Allegiance
Commissioner Nichols called the meeting to order and led the pledge of allegiance.
2. Agenda Changes/Additions to the Agenda
a. Facilities: Jail Commercial Dryer Purchase Approval (See Contract Review Board)
3. Citizen’s Participation
a. Arthur Sappington of Baker City, representing Snake River Music Gardens, reported working with the Powder River Watershed Council to educate the community on greywater and blackwater distinctions to protect Baker County water surfaces from blackwater. He inquired about the Food Sovereignty Ordinance presented at the August 2, 2023, Commission Session, requested a review timeline, and discussed adding it to the ballot. Commissioner Witham suggested considering the May primary election due to cost concerns for adding it to a special election. Commissioner Nichols and Commissioner Witham agreed that the County Counsel's current workload takes precedence.
4. Review/Approval of Minutes
a. July 27, 2023, Special Commission Session Minutes
Commissioner Witham moved to approve the July 27, 2023, Special Commission Session Minutes as written. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.
b. August 2, 2023, Commission Session Minutes
Commissioner Witham moved to approve the August 2, 2023, Commission Session Minutes as written. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.
5. Scheduled Business
a. Department Update: Museum ~ Lynn Weems, Director
Ms. Lynn Weems, Baker Heritage Museum Director, reported a boost in 2023 season visitors from 42 states and 20 countries, including Canada, the Netherlands, Israel, and Turkey. They also welcomed 1,023 students in May. Notable achievements include a new roof and a nearly finished sidewalk. The Museum has formed a strong partnership with the Oregon Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (OCCBA) and has now taken stewardship of the Chinese Cemetery. They will premiere "Golden Cornucopia" on September 16th and plan to continue showings throughout the winter. They also hope to show the film at the local retirement homes. They are working on the Armstrong Nugget Exhibit and "Museum 101" class with Ariel Reker. Ongoing partnerships with Crossroads and the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center (NHOTIC) focus on community engagement, with plans to involve Baker School District 5J to foster student involvement. The Museum will join the Taste of Baker Event alongside NHOTIC. NHOTIC will display one of their wagons and offer a kids' butter-churning activity.
b. Contract Review Board
1. EM/Fire Division: Community Wildfire Defense Grant Agreement No. 23-DG-1106752-081: Gary Timm, Fire Division Manager, was present to request approval of the Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG). Each county is required to have a Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The plans are updated every five years, are an opportunity for fire service, and the community has a role in direct input by sharing their thoughts. The plan includes fire prevention activities, training coordination, mitigation, etc. They wrote the grant to update the County's Community Wildfire Protection Plan and are required to start the grant before the end of the year. It was finalized in October of 2022, and they have just received the full agreement for signatures. The grant award amount is $246,000.00. No match is required as Baker County qualified to have the 10% match waived.
Commissioner Witham moved to approve the CDWG Agreement for the grant award amount of $246,000.00. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Discussion: Commission Witham suggested that Mr. Timm contact Greenhorn Mayor Koellermeir regarding Wildfire and the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). She reported visiting Greenhorn and discussing the WUI with Mayor Koellermeir. Mr. Timm agreed to contact Greenhorn and had previously been unable to reach them. He noted that Floodwater Flats, Anthony Lakes, and Unity Lake have completed their applications for fire-wise communities. He added that there is a Greenhorn WUI but not a fire-wise community.
2. Road: Portable Pressure Washer Purchase Approval: Ryan Davilla, Shop Foreman/Fleet Manager, was present to request approval for the Road Department to purchase a Hotsy 1075SSE portable hot water pressure washer for $9,341.88 from Northstar Clean Concepts Hotsy. The Road Department currently does not have a portable pressure washer. The purchase of this pressure washer would be a safer, more efficient way to clean rock-crushing equipment prior to transportation to prevent debris from falling on roadways.
Commissioner Witham moved to approve the purchase of the portable hot water pressure washer for the Road Department for an amount of $9,341.88 from Northstar Clean Concepts Hotsy. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.
3. Transit: STIF and FTA 5310 Contract Amendment: Ms. Doni Bruland, Natural Resources/ Parks Coordinator, reported that the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) met on August 15th to reallocate funds for the STIF project and the FTA 5310 senior and disabled citizens funding. The committee approved the reallocation of funds, including the additional $25,000.00 for the FTA 5310, bringing Community Connections up to $162,148.00 for the biennium. In addition, they increased their allocation to continue the Rides to Wellness, a co-pay service through CCNO for $80,000.00 for the biennium. The reallocation within the budget was possible due to Elkhorn Taxi going out of business. She plans to have the contract complete and ready to sign at the October 4th Commission Session.
4. Sage Grouse LIT: Carcass Disposal Station: MOA and Lease Agreement with Baker Sanitary Service, Inc.: Ms. Morgan Solomon, Baker Sage-Grouse Local Implementation (LIT) Team Coordinator, reported that at the August 16th Commission Session, the Commissioners approved a grant agreement from the Baker Sage-Grouse LIT for Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board funds to construct a carcass disposal station at the Baker Sanitary Landfill. The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and the Lease Agreement outline all agreements between Baker Sanitary Services and Baker County. The MOA states Baker County will own the carcass disposal station while the grant agreement is in place. Upon completion of the grant agreement in December 2024 or sooner, ownership will transfer to Baker Sanitary Service. Baker Sanitary Service must operate the carcass disposal station as a carcass disposal station for at least five years. If unforeseen circumstances result in the inability to operate it as a carcass disposal station before the five-year period, they will be required to pay a prorated amount as outlined in the MOA. The lease agreement states that everything should be followed under the MOA. Baker County will lease the section of land from Baker Sanitary Service during the carcass disposal station construction and while the grant agreement is open.
Commissioner Witham moved to approve the MOA between Baker Sanitary Services and Baker County for the Carcass Disposal Station at the Baker Sanitary Station. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Commissioner Witham moved to approve the Lease Agreement between Baker County and Baker Sanitary for the Carcass Disposal Station. Commissioner seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Ms. Solomon requested approval for the Commissioners to sign the contracts for the groundwork outside of session and ratify them at the October 4th Commission Session. The BOC approved the bids for the groundwork at the August 16th Commission Session.
Commissioner Witham moved to authorize the contract agreement with Rogers Asphalt and O'Connell Excavating to be signed out of session and ratified October 4th. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.
5. Facilities: Jail Commercial Dryer Purchase Approval: Mr. Dan McQuisten, Facilities Director, requested approval of an emergency purchase of up to $8,000.00 for a new commercial dryer for the Jail. The current dryer is over 30 years old and is failing despite recent maintenance and repairs, such as replacing the drum motor. Mr. McQuisten plans to have the bid and purchase ratified at the October 4th Commission Session.
Commissioner Witham moved to approve up to $8,000.00 for the purchase of a commercial dryer for the Jail. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.
c. Baker County Leave Policy PLO/FMLA/OFLA: Ms. Heidi Martin, Executive Assistant, reported that Paid Leave Oregon (PLO) was enacted in 2019 and is administered by the Oregon Employment Department. On January 1, 2023, employees started paying 60% of 1% of their wages into the PLO program. Employers pay the remaining 40% of 1%. These funds will be used to pay employees approximately 60% of their total wages for family, medical, and safe leave. Beginning August 14th, employees could apply for PLO benefits and begin taking leave starting September 3rd.
Employees can supplement their PLO pay using paid leave (sick, vacation, PTO, comp time). Employees must receive a paycheck by either accrued paid leave or working through the 16th of the month to continue paid leave accrual. Employees who supplement their PLO pay using paid leave will receive a full paycheck until their paid leave has run out or they stop using it.
The Family Medical Leave Act and the Oregon Family Leave Act are laws that are in place that allow an employee to take up to 12 weeks off for family, medical, safe leave, etc. This type of protected leave is unpaid unless the employee has sick, vacation, PTO, or comp time to use.
Employees who have already taken leave earlier this year will still be eligible for an additional 12 weeks. Starting in January 2024, new legislation will require the three types of leave to run concurrently.
Commissioner Witham moved to approve the Baker County Leave Policy for the PLO/ FMLA/ OFLA. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.
6. Documents to be Signed
a. Order No. 2023-143 Appointing Kathleen Parker and Nathaniel Garrick to the Baker County Fair Advisory Board for a term set to expire September 1, 2026.
Commissioner Witham moved to approve Order No. 2023-143. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.
b. Order No. 2023-144 Re-Appointing Shella DelCurto and Curt Jacobs to the Wolf Depredation Compensation Advisory Committee for a term set to expire September 1, 2026.
Commissioner Witham moved to approve Order No. 2023-144. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.
c. Order No. 2023-145 Appointing Charles Lissman to the Baker County Planning Commission for a term set to expire September 1, 2027.
Commissioner Witham moved to approve Order No. 2023-145. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.
7. Ratification of Documents
a. Fair: EIFS Project Contract: The Board of Commissioners approved the Exterior Insulation Finish System (EIFS) bid from Desert Sage Walls Systems for $44,000.00 and authorization of Ron Rowan, Fair Board Chair, to sign the contract out of session at the August 16th Commission Session.
Commissioner Witham moved to ratify the signatures of the EIFS Project Contract between the Baker County Fair Board and Desert Sage Wall Systems, LLC for $44,000.00. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.
b. Financial Reports: C33, C34, C36, C37, C38, C39, C40, C41, C42, C43, C45, C46, C49, C01, C02, C03, C44, C95, C96, C97, and C98.
Commissioner Nichols moved to approve the aforementioned financial reports. Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.
8. Other Business:
a. Commissioner Update:
· Commissioner Witham reported meeting with Becky Kaaen from Hells Canyon Chamber to discuss the Halfway Kiosk, Richland, and Hells Canyon areas. She attended a Wallowa-Whitman Open House, initiating the Blue Mountain Forest Plan Revision process. She also participated in Sage-Grouse LIT meetings and provided updates on the ODFW sage-grouse mapping. She mentioned meeting with Congressman Bentz and attending his town hall, a Texas A&M preparedness class, and ongoing work with the Wolf Committee. Commissioner Witham outlined her upcoming engagements, including AOC Natural Resources, Sage-Grouse LIT, the Wellness Committee, and Senator Owens and Senator Findley's town hall meetings. She reported positive outcomes from her visit to Ebell Creek and Greenhorn.
· Commissioner Nichols reported attending a Veterans Appreciation Day at the Golf Course, a meeting with an Oregon Health Authority Representative touring Eastern Oregon, and multiple meetings to discuss broadband. He plans to attend the Museum Board meeting tonight and the Legislative Committee meeting and retreat in Klamath Falls on September 21st.
Discussion: Ms. Martin reported that the Broadband Technical Assistance Program (BTAP) grant is anticipated to open in December, allowing applications for up to $100,000.00 dedicated to technical assistance for broadband expansion, primarily targeting unserved and underserved areas. She discussed plans to hire a consultant for the grant application and another for the broadband study. Sara Haynes from Farallon Consulting has provided valuable insights but has a limited contract for under $5,000.00. The grant should cover the cost of the second consultant. Last year, an allocation for Broadband was made from the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund which can be used for the first consultant if the grant does not cover it.
b. Comparison of Calendar: Commissioner Nichols and Commissioner Witham plan to attend the Crossroads Oregon Community Foundation Reception on September 7th, an Ethics Training on September 12th, OTEC Power Eastern Oregon Summit on September 20th, and the District #1 Meeting on September 29th.
9. Adjournment
Commissioner Witham moved to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.
The September 6, 2023, Commission Session adjourned at 10:30 A.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Erin Linan
Management Assistant |