COMMISSION CHAIR SHANE M. ALDERSON October 18, 2023
COMMISSIONER CHRISTINA WITHAM
COMMISSIONER BRUCE A. NICHOLS
BAKER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
The Baker County Board of Commissioners met for the October 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
a. Remove: October 4, 2023, Commission Session Minutes
b. DA: 2023-25 CAMI Child Abuse Grant Agreement
3. Citizen’s Participation
4. Review/Approval of Minutes
a. September 19, 2023, Special Commission Session Minutes.
Commissioner Nichols moved to approve September 19, 2023, Special Commission Session minutes as written. Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Discussion: Commissioner Witham noted from the September 19, 2023, Commission Session that they would need to address the appointment of Beverly Calder to the Transient Lodging Tax Committee (TLTC) as a City Government representative as she is no longer serving on the Baker City Council. Ms. Heidi Martin, Executive Assistant, added the City would make their recommendation to the County for the TLTC to review. The TLTC would then make their recommendation to the Commissioners for final approval and appointment.
b. October 2, 2023, Special Commission Session Minutes
Commissioner Nichols moved to approve October 2, 2023, Special Commission Session Minutes as written. Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.
5. Scheduled Business
a. Department Update: Planning ~
1. Planning ~ Holly Kerns, Planning Director: Ms. Kerns reported that application volume for the year has remained high. However, as interest rates rise, they have noticed it is slowing down. She added that it is hard to predict future volumes with the uncertainty of the current market. She highlighted projects the Planning Department has been working on, including Baker City's first Housing Production Strategy, a County Rezone Project, the Boardman to Hemmingway Project, and the Northern Baker Transportation Improvement Plan.
Commissioner Alderson inquired about the funding for the Northern Baker Transportation Improvement Plan. Ms. Kerns explained that while the budget remains the same, due to inflation, the buying power is significantly reduced. The Oregon Department of Transportation has completed most of its survey work and is projecting to provide the information by early next year.
Commissioner Alderson commended Ms. Kerns and the Planning Department for the work done on the Housing Production Strategy.
2. Juvenile ~ Staci Erickson, Juvenile Director: Ms. Erickson reported an increase in the amount and severity of crimes committed by younger youth, including ages 9 to 12. She discussed working closely with the fire department and state fire marshal, creating education for the family and the 9-year-old youth who had started fires earlier this year, hoping to prevent them from future criminal activity. Since July 1, 2023, they have detained nine youths ages 12 to 15 and one 17-year-old for various crimes, including burglaries, auto and gun thefts, and assaults. In addition, they also use electronic monitoring, when possible, as it is substantially less expensive than detention.
She highlighted the work crew program allowing youths to provide community service through organizations such as the Compassion Center, Rachel Pregnancy Center, the Baker Heritage Museum, and others. Community service activities include firewood cutting, leaf raking, and cleaning. The Department is also active in the community by providing prevention services through New Directions Northwest.
3. District Attorney ~ Greg Baxter, DA: Mr. Baxter expressed appreciation for the County's effort to improve staff morale by conducting activities such as Lunch on the Lawn and Walktober. He noted that relationships with community partners are also going well. Additionally, he discussed concerns regarding the Baker City Police Department turnover with the possibility of seeing more, which could potentially cause gaps in coverage. Recently, he and some of his staff traveled to Boston for child abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault training. He noted they have a strong child abuse team and a great child abuse center and commended the team for their work.
b. Contract Review Board
1. DA: 2023-25 CAMI Child Abuse Grant Agreement: Mr. Baxter provided an overview of the Child Abuse Multidisciplinary Intervention (CAMI) Grant. The grant award amount is $81,223.00 beginning July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2025. There is no match requirement. Commissioner Nichols moved to approve the Oregon Department of Justice Child Abuse Multidisciplinary Intervention (CAMI) Account Intergovernmental Grant Agreement CAMI-MDT-2023-BakerCo.DAVAP-00010 beginning July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2025, with no match requirement for $81,223.00 with a $7,545.53 carryover. Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.
2. Transit: STIF/FTA 5310 Contract Amendments: Ms. Doni Bruland was present to request approval of the STIF and FTA 5310 Contract Amendments with Community Connection of Northeastern Oregon, Inc (CCNO). She reported that the amendments are due to the closure of Elkhorn Taxi and reflect the reallocation of funds to continue services. The STIF contract amendments include the continuation of the rides for wellness program. The FTA 5310 contract amendments include an additional $80,000.00 for the senior and disabled program.
Commissioner Witham inquired about after-hours transportation. Ms. Bruland explained there is no longer any after-hours transportation, which has been a huge loss.
Ms. Bruland added that there have been no gaps in coverage as long as the amendments are approved and retro-dated to October 1, 2023.
Commissioner Witham moved to approve the amendment for the CCNO Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) for a total amount of $80,000.00. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Commissioner Witham moved to approve the amendment for the Federal Transportation Authority (FTA) 5310 with CCNO for a total OF $2,784.00. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Commissioner Nichols stated a conflict of interest being a voting board member on the Community Connection Board.
3. Weed: Fall Work Purchase Agreement: Mr. Jeffrey Pettingill, Weed Director, was present to request approval to purchase 110 gallons of Plateau/Panoramic for $13,145.00, 370 gallons of glyphosate for $7,215.00 for a total cost of $20,360.00 from Nutrien Ag Solutions, 20 gallons of Rejuvra for $21,280.00, and 155 gallons of Efficax for $7,928.50 for a total cost of $29,208.50 from Wilbur Ellis Company. Three suppliers submitted bids, including Wilbur Ellis Company, Nutrien Ag Solutions, and Simplot. The pesticides and adjuvants are needed to finish the 2023 spray season. Mr. Pettingill also requested approval of the aerial applications for the BLM and OWEB Grant 2,290 acres with Leading Edge Aviation for $68,700.00. Only Leading Edge Aviation and Columbia Basin Applicators submitted bids.
Commissioner Nichols moved to approve the purchase from Nutrien Ag Solutions for a total of $20,360.00 for glyphosate and Plateau/Panoramic herbicide and the purchase from Wilbur Ellis Company for Rejuvra and Efficax herbicide for a total of $29,208.50. Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Commissioner Nichols moved to approve the aerial application work for a total of $68,700.00 for BLM and OWEB through Leading Edge Aviation. Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.
c. Assessor: Potential Refund Credit: Mr. Shawn Berry, Assistant Assessor, provided an update on the De Shaw, Pacific Corp, and Idaho Power appeals through the Oregon State Tax Court. They send out a potential refund credit, which means they do not apply all the taxes to those entities so that the County won't have to pay interest when the Court makes a decision. Each case has been in litigation for at least three years. De Shaw has been issued an order by the Oregon Supreme Court. However, they recommend continuing the potential refund credit for one more year due to De Shaw's appeal rights to the Federal Courts. They will also defer Pacific Corp and Idaho Power for another year as they are still in abeyance.
BREAK
d. Baker City Council Applicant Presentation, Selection, & Appointment: Commissioner Witham addressed the top eight applicants, Doni Bruland, Randy Daugherty, Larry Pearson, Roger Coles, Loran Joseph, Sandy Lewis, Dan Garrick, and Julie Daly, and thanked them for submitting applications. She stated that each would have up to three minutes to speak and requested that they stay for the duration of the meeting. She also encouraged the four appointed today to consider the remaining top four applicants when they make their appointments.
Commissioner Nichols added that the four appointed today should not only consider the remaining top four from the top eight applicants but also all other applicants. He thanked all for submitting applications.
Commissioner Alderson expressed appreciation for everyone who submitted an application and the willingness to serve their community.
Doni Bruland, Randy Daugherty, Larry Pearson, Roger Coles, Loran Joseph, Sandy Lewis, Dan Garrick, and Julie Daly each provided a three-minute speech on their thoughts and why they would like to serve on the Baker City Council, respectively.
Commissioner Nichols shared that the application scoring process seemed to show that all three Commissioners leaned toward experience in government, business, and character. He appreciates the slate of applicants they had to choose from and that there is still more for the four appointed to choose from.
Commissioner Alderson added that he believes that the final scores revealed solidarity and that the best way to select the four to appoint would be by the top scores.
Commissioner Witham and Nichols agreed.
1. Order No. 2023-147 Appointing Doni Bruland, Randy Daugherty, Larry Pearson, and Roger Coles to the Baker City Council
Commissioner Nichols moved to approve Order No. 2023-147. Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Commissioner Witham provided a statement: "For the top four being sworn in today. Keep with your courage to step up, do not forget your ideas and promises written in your applications and spoken today. Be wary of the trap into chaos, hate, politics, and disconcerting behavior, especially relating to social media and negative personal agendas. Do what is best for Baker City in a non-partisan, cohesive, and respectful manner. Listen to the citizens of Baker City, be open and honest with them, and seek solid solutions.
For the four not chosen today and for the citizens of Baker City, step up and support your newly appointed council. Show solidarity over negativity, help to bring forward solutions, and encouragement that will benefit the community instead of tearing it down. Our hope is for Baker City to move forward in a positive manner for a successful future.".
Commissioner Alderson swore in Doni Bruland, Randy Daugherty, Larry Pearson, and Roger Coles to the Baker City Council.
6. Documents to be Signed
a. Order No. 2023-148 Appointing Commissioner Bruce Nichols County Governing Pool, Shannon Downing Non-office Holding Pool, Melissa Hertel Non-office Holding Pool to the Baker County Board of Property Tax Appeals for a term set to expire June 30, 2025.
Commissioner Witham moved to approve Order No. 2023-148. Commissioner Alderson seconded the motion. Motion carried.
b. Early Learning Regional Council Bylaws
Commissioner Nichols moved to approve the Eastern Oregon Early Learning HUB Bylaws for 2024 through 2028. Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.
7. Ratification of Documents
a. Financial Reports: C57, C58, C59, C60, C61, V18, C06, C07, and C08.
Commissioner Nichols moved to approve the aforementioned financial reports. Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.
8. Other Business:
a. Commissioner Update:
· Commissioner Witham provided an overview of meetings she had attended, including the Tri-County Weed Quarterly meeting and a meeting with Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. She plans to attend the PUB Talk tonight at Barely Brown's to discuss tethered logging with Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and others, a BIC meeting on Tuesday, a Northern Blues Forest Collaborative meeting on Wednesday, and an ODFW Grazing Increase meeting on Thursday.
· Commissioner Nichols reported working on the Baker City Council applications scoring and the Park's internet issue. He also attended a Legislative Committee meeting. He provided an overview of his phone meeting with a representative from Kroger regarding the merger with Albertsons and Safeway.
Discussion: Commissioner Witham discussed an email about publicly noticing meetings with a quorum from AOC Director Gina Nikkel. The email from Ms. Nikkel was regarding a Greater Idaho meeting at the Geiser Grand with Rep Vikki Breese-Iverson and Rep Judy Boyle. None of the Commissioners received an invitation.
· Commissioner Alderson reported that the Economic Development Council has been working on updating their bylaws. He attended an emergency meeting with the Eastern Oregon Housing Authority, where they voted to set up a nonprofit for a housing project.
b. Comparison of Calendar: The Commissioners plan to attend the Eastern Oregon Counties Association meeting on October 30th in LaGrande.
Discussion: Ms. Martin discussed an email she received regarding the dredge tailings owned by the County and recreational mining. The Commissioners agreed it was okay for recreation with a signed waiver.
9. Adjournment
Commissioner Nichols moved to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.
The October 18, 2023, Commission Session adjourned at 3:00 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Erin Linan
Management Assistant |