Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (April 3, 2015)
10 — THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015 Local COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SESSION Department updates, commercial harvest proposal, communication discussed EOU offers new family weekend By Todd Arriola Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com The Baker County Board of Commissioners held its regular bi-monthly ses- sion on Wednesday, April 1, 2015, at 9 a.m., in the Commissioners Chambers of the Baker County Court- house. Present from the Board were Chair Bill Harvey, Commissioner Mark Ben- nett, Commissioner Tim Kerns, and Executive As- sistant Heidi Martin. The meeting was called to order, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and optional Invocation, both led by Harvey. With a motion from Bennett, and a second from Kerns, the Board adopted the agenda. For the citizen’s par- ticipation segment of the session, Cynthia (Cookie) Long, retired employee of the Bureau of Land Man- agement (BLM), discussed some of her concerns with the Board about legislation regarding state control and management of federal land versus local control and management. Ed Hardt, Eastern Or- egon Mining Association member and local miner, also voiced that he’d like to talk more about the sub- ject, and Harvey mentioned First Friday with the Com- missioner, at 9 a.m. on the first Friday of each month, also held in the Chambers, would be a good forum for that discussion. The minutes from the special commission session on Wednesday, March 11, 2015, and regular commis- sion session, on Wednes- day, March 18, 2015, were approved, with a motion from Bennett, and a second from Kerns. Jeff Smith, Baker Coun- ty Roadmaster, discussed with the Board removal of the concrete slabs west of the Armory building, which remain after the de- molition of the Extension Service building. There were concerns about the timing of the removal and about bare dirt remaining, which would be covered with gravel at the very least, Smith said. Practically, the Board and Smith said, fall may be the best time to move ahead with the project, but for now, a decision hasn’t been made. Harvey explained that the Board is seeking advice from Andy Reiber, an expert on governmental coordination processes and other topics, in order to aid with updates and other relevant changes to the County’s Natural Resourc- es Plan. This is a discussion for the moment, he said, and at a later date, the Baker County Natural Resources Advisory Committee (NRAC) will be presented with the information for consideration. Dan McQuisten, Baker County Facilities Mainte- nance Foreman since June 2014, was present to give the Board a departmental update. He explained his basic Submitted Photo. Families are invited to EOU’s campus this month for a new tradition—Family Weekend. Todd Arriola / The Baker County Press Gene Button, executive director at Step Forward, discusses a transportation Formula Fund grant. duties and those of the oth- er staff, one full-time, one half-time, and one hourly member, the primary main- tenance focus being the County Courthouse. They also maintain the County Jail, Baker Heri- tage Museum, and other leased properties. This includes everything from janitorial services to land- scaping to structural issues, he said. He discussed some of the projects that were com- pleted or started, includ- ing installing an electrical transfer switch on the west side of the Courthouse, used in conjunction with an emergency generator to be installed at a later date, in case of a power outage to the building, and the work completed on the Parole and Probation building. A five-year plan was just completed in cooperation with the Baker City Tree Board, including removing and replanting trees around the City, he said. He said upcoming projects include much-needed HVAC system work at the County Jail, but with the facility in operation 24 hours a day, it will be difficult to coord - nate that effort. Bennett thanked McQuisten, and said he did a commendable job, especially considering the shortage of staff. Karen Spencer, Baker County Park Director, and Baker County Forestry Consultant Lane Perry discussed the Fizz Springs Timber sale and manage- ment with the Board. A Commercial Harvest proposal was presented at the regular Baker County Parks Board meeting on March 10, 2015, and it was determined by Lane Parry Timber Management that a commercial harvest should be conducted on the Fizz Springs tract, located in the Sparta Butte area, a total of 120 acres, with 95 of those harvestable timer acres. The proposal stated that timber values have ris- en in the past year, and are projected to remain stable or increase. At current log values, it’s estimated that the projected net income to the Baker County Parks would be $22,125, accord- ing to the proposal. The Baker County Parks Board determined on March 26, 2015 to post- pone the harvest due to low profit ma gins, according to the Parks department. Order No. 2015-114, Ap- pointing Members To The Baker County Parks And Recreation Board, was ap- proved, with a motion from Bennett, and a second from Kerns. Kevin Bell, Keith Rogers and Steve McLean were appointed, Bell’s and Rogers’s term set to expire on March 1, 2018, and McLean’s term set to expire on March 1, 2016. Gene Button, Step Forward Activities, Inc. Executive Director, was present to discuss a Special Transportation Formula Fund grant application with the Board, which would benefit both Step Forward and Community Connection of Northeast Oregon, Inc. The grant was approved, with a mo- tion from Bennett, and a second from Kerns. Order No. 2015-113, Appointing An Interim Sheriff, was approved, based on the public hear- ings conducted by the Board, with a motion from Bennett, and a second from Kerns. Lieutenant Travis Ash was appointed Interim Sheriff for the remainder of the term, set to expire on December 31, 2016. A letter addressed from Harvey to Tom Mon- toya, Wallowa Whitman National Forest Supervi- sor, requesting an exten- sion of time to review and comment on the Granite Creek Watershed Mining Projects Draft Environ- mental Impact Statement (DEIS), was approved to be sent as representing the Board, with a motion from Bennett, and a second from Kerns. A letter addressed from Kerns to Montoya, concerning the Wallowa- Whitman National For- est Plan and Sub-part A (Travel Management), was approved to be sent as rep- resenting the Board, with a motion from Kerns, and a second from Bennett. Kerns and Bennett voiced their concerns about some negative miscom- munication to the public, including some from media sources, regarding the subject, and wish to get a positive dialogue started with all involved. Bennett said the letter is a good idea, to invite government representatives to begin discussing in an informal work session-type setting the issues of access, recreation, grazing, min- ing, etc. Bennett said that some of the confusion stems from the fact that the Commissioners may have comments and opinions individually out of session, but they may not necessar- ily reflect what the Board says collectively, a distinc- tion that needs to be made when communicating ideas and decisions to the public. Amendment #13 to the 2013-15 IGA (Intergovern- mental Agreement) for the Financing of Community Addictions and Mental Health, was approved, with a motion from Bennett, and second from Kerns. A public hearing was held during the session, regarding Amendment No. 2015-01, of the Baker County Public Nuisance Ordinance. Holly Kerns was pres- ent to give testimony con- cerning the ordinance, and explained the conflicts and confusion within it, say- ing it needs to be revised. This session marks the 1st reading (with a minimum of two readings) of the amendment, by title only, which was approved, with a motion from Kerns, and a second from Bennett. Baker County District Attorney Matt Shirtcliff discussed with the Board an agreement with the District Attorney’s Of- fice, Count , and Oregon Department of Human Services, concerning funds and management in sup- port of efforts involved with juvenile dependency proceedings. The stated amount available through DHS according to the agreement is $10,592.00 for the period of July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2017. The agreement was ap- proved, with a motion from Bennett, and a second from Kerns. LA GRANDE, Ore. (EOU) – The Center for Student Involvement is inviting students, families and alumni to be part of a new tradition at Eastern Oregon University: Family Weekend. From first-year students looking for something fun to do, seniors preparing for life after graduation and families beginning the college search process, the aim is to get everyone involved. “Reconnecting current students and families and enhancing the campus experience by fostering an interest in student development is the goal,” said Le Alexander, director of Student Involvement. “The activities we have planned are all about bringing in families and alumni to be part of that experience.” Events are set for Friday and Saturday, April 17-18, and the annual Island Magic Lu’au and Show Saturday night is the main attraction. The event includes festive, traditional dishes and live entertainment – all prepared and performed by members of the Polynesian and Navi- gators clubs at EOU. “The focus is on student life, recruitment and reten- tion, but Family Weekend is also a great new activity for La Grande and our area as a whole to look forward to,” Alexander said. With commencement just around the corner in June, EOU’s Career Services Center will hold an open house and workshop specifically for seniors. Alumni are encour- aged to participate in this networking opportunity for soon-to-be-graduates. Student Services will be promoting its Mountaineer Family Network as a resource for parents and other fam- ily members to stay connected with what’s happening at the university. They will also provide tips to help prepare for when students return home for the summer. The senior art exhibition “Disclosure” will be on display in Nightingale Gallery over the weekend, and participants are invited to pick up a free pass to the Fit- ness Center and receive discounted tickets to the Moun- taineer’s softball games versus the Oregon Institute of Technology. The full schedule will be available soon and posted on the Center for Student Involvement’s website at www. eou.edu/center. Registration is needed by April 8 and the form is available online. Accommodation options include the Best Western Plus Rama Inn & Suites, where a block of rooms has been reserved. Book by April 2 using the code “EOUFW” and receive a reduced rate. For more information contact the Center for Student Involvement at 541-962-3704 or e-mail center@eou.edu. Business meet and greet ahead Many business owners are so busy working on their business, they have little time to cultivate new opportuni- ties or take the time to discover new resources that could move them to the next level in their business. The BMCC Small Business Development Center has brought together a variety of resources that will provide people with the latest insights, best practices, and pro- grams that can help move businesses forward. All in one location! The Program: Learn more about the opportunities and resources available to businesses in Baker County. A Free "Meet & Greet" is planned for Wednesday, April 22, 2015 starting at 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m, at Lefty’s Tap- house located at 1934 Braodway in Baker City, Oregon. The Program will give you a brief overview of the resources and programs available to businesses and will also allow for a business card exchange networking op- portunity. Contact Gene Stackle at The BMCC Small Business Development Center by email at gene.stackle@msn.com or call 541-523-5556. www.facebook.com/TheBCPress
