COMMISSION CHAIR SHANE M. ALDERSON January 3, 2024
COMMISSIONER CHRISTINA WITHAM
COMMISSIONER BRUCE A. NICHOLS
BAKER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
The Baker County Board of Commissioners met for the January 3, 2024, 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. Mr. Art Sappington was present to discuss the meeting on November 1, 2023, when the Board of Commissioners discussed the food ordinance that Mr. Sappington proposed to the Board for consideration. Mr. Sappington reviewed the proposed ordinance, which is to improve delivery of food to the consumer.
4. Review/Approval of Minutes
a. None
5. Scheduled Business
a. Parks Department Update ~ Doni Bruland, Natural Resources/Parks Coordinator
Ms. Doni Bruland was present to review the 2023 season at the Hewitt/Holcomb Parks. Ms. Bruland reported that they opened for the season in April. They launched the vault toilet and hope to have a second toilet. They installed four kiosks for life vests. The life vests were donated through a nautical life foundation. She hopes to make improvements at Fizz Springs this year including spring development, new fencing and a vault toilet. They hosted Easter at the Park, which was successful. Ms. Bruland also reported that she was able to renew a septic permit at Holcomb Park, which had expired in 2016.
There will be a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) meeting on February 1, 2024, 4-7pm at the Event Center. OWRD submitted three more in-stream water rights given to ODFW. Groundwater rulemaking meetings, integrated water resource strategy is coming out.
Commissioner Witham read in the Hells Canyon Journal that the water to the Park had been resolved, but the County has not received any information. Commissioner Alderson stated that he has not heard back from the City of Richland and that we still need to get an agreement in place.
b. Contract Review Board
1. Baker Sage Grouse LIT: CRB Order No. 2024-101: Designating US Geological Survey (USGS) as a Sole Source Provider for the Analysis of Restoration Monitoring Data to benefit Sage Grouse in Baker County. Ms. Morgan Solomon attended via Zoom and reported that the Commissioners had approved the grant agreement for the grant in April 2023. Today, the Commissioners will consider the sole source designation of USGS and also enter into an agreement with USGS to perform the work. Services include analyzing restoration treatment data and monitoring sage grouse population data.
Commissioner Witham moved to adopt Order No. 2024-101: Designating US Geological Survey (USGS) as a Sole Source Provider for the Analysis of Restoration Monitoring Data to benefit Sage Grouse in Baker County. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Discussion: Mr. Sappington, who has worked at the Virtue Flat mine, asked about the type of monitoring conducted by USGS. Ms. Solomon reported that GPS data, vegetation monitoring data, raven behavior data and other data to determine if habitat has improved either directly or indirectly. She was not sure what type of monitoring data that would be utilized. Mr. Sappington further clarified that he was concerned that their findings would have a negative impact on mining operations in that area. Ms. Solomon will find out more information and report back to Mr. Sappington. Motion carried.
2. Baker Sage-Grouse LIT: USGS Collaborative Agreement. Commissioner Witham would like to see the word “collaboration” removed and replaced with “coordination”. Ms. Solomon reported that she can check with USGS to see if they can make a change to the wording of the agreement. The agreement will be tabled until next session on January 17, 2024.
3. Western Landowners Alliance: Statement of Work Grant No. 2 for Grant Agreement #NR230436XXXXG002: Commissioner Witham reported that this is the second grant agreement through the Western Landowners Alliance that grants the County $18,750.00 to purchase items to help reduce and/or prevent wolf depredation on livestock. Eligible supplies include: radios, cameras, GPS ear tags and supplies for the carcass compost station. The agreement is for the period of October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2025. The County’s match is $25,000.00 which can be made through labor, goods or services that includes wolf depredation funds through the Oregon Department of Ag. Commissioner Nichols moved to approve the Statement of Work No. 2 effective date October 1, 2023, Western Landowners Alliance Grant #NR230436XXXXG002 with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Sciences for $18,750.00 with a match from Baker County of $25,000.00 which comes from other sources. Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.
c. County Assessor: Veteran Partial Exemption New Rule Update: Mr. Kerry Savage, County Assessor, reported that a new rule taking effect January 1, 2024. A new rule was proposed based on legal advice to the Department of Revenue that determined that assessed value exemptions for veterans were unconstitutional. The result is that the new rule could have a negative impact on veterans.
d. Executive Session per ORS 192.660(2)(h): To consult with counsel concerning the legal rights and duties of a public body with regard to current litigation or litigation likely to be filed. Note: The Commissioners will return to Regular Session immediately following Executive Session to make a decision as needed.
Commissioners returned to regular session and made the following motion:
Commissioner Nichols moved to allow County Counsel Kim Mosier to enter into an agreement on the Lynch and Gabbert cases with Sussman Shank, LLP. Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.
6. Documents to be Signed
a. Order No. 2024-102: Appointing Shane Alderson as Budget Officer for Baker County for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
Commissioner Witham moved to adopt Order No. 2024-102. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.
b. Order No. 2024-103 Re-appointing Fred Warner, Jr. and Robert Black to the Baker Valley Vector Control Board for a term set to expire December 31, 2026.
Commissioner Witham moved to adopt Order No. 2024-103. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.
c. Order No. 2024-104 Re-appointing Steve Bogart to the Baker County Compensation Board for a term set to expire December 31, 2027.
Commissioner Witham moved to adopt Order No. 2024-104. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.
d. Order No. 2024-105 Re-appointing Bryan Tweit to the Northeast Oregon Economic Development District Budget Board for a term set to expire December 31, 2026.
Commissioner Witham moved to adopt Order No. 2024-105. Commissioner Alderson seconded the motion. Motion carried.
e. Order No. 2024-106: Re-appointing Sharon Defrees to the Baker County Budget Board for a term set to expire January 1, 2027.
Commissioner Witham moved to adopt Order No. 2024-106. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.
7. Ratification of Documents
a. Financial Reports: None
8. Other Business
a. Commissioner Update:
· Commissioner Witham is the Vice Chair for the AOC District 1, and when Commissioner Scarfo is not available on the legislative committee, she will step in. Today, she plans to attend TRP with the Sage Grouse LIT. She will also attend Forest Access for All on Saturday, Groundwater meetings on Monday and Tuesday, an ODFW meeting on Tuesday, and a Sage-Grouse LIT Quarterly meeting on Tuesday. A biodigester group will visit Baker on January 17th, 18th, and 19th to discuss bio-digesting with different entities. On January 23rd, she will attend the Wolf Livestock Depredation Training in Pendleton.
· Commissioner Nichols reported that he will attend a Community Connection Audit Committee meeting on January 9th.
· Commissioner Alderson reported working on end of year and administrative tasks.
b. Comparison of Calendar: The Commissioners plan to attend Senator Wyden’s Town Hall on January 5th and meet with Steel Architects on January 15th.
9. Adjournment
Commissioner Witham moved to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.
The January 3, 2024, Commission Session adjourned at 11:00 A.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Erin Linan
Management Assistant |