FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2016
THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 5
Local
Sumpter Council hears reports Ethics
BY MEGHAN ANDERSCH
Meghan@TheBakerCountyPress.com
Sumpter City Coun-
cil’s first March meeting
featured a video presenta-
tion, reports from various
departments, and discus-
sion of two grants.
Special presentation
Special guest Lorrie
Harvey introduced a video
on last summer’s forest
fires. Harvey explained
they have been working
with Sound Image Produc-
tions out of Utah on this
video, which will be pre-
sented to legislators to help
them understand the effect
of the wildfires on this side
of the state.
Approval of minutes
Myers then led the
Pledge of Allegiance,
followed by the Council
approving the minutes of
February 23rd’s meeting
with corrections.
Bills
Myers commented that
he declared an emergency
during the last snowstorm
and hired Carey Clarke to
grade streets and get rid of
the foot of slush on them.
He said it was a good thing
the roads were cleared
because the next day there
was an ambulance call.
Bookkeeper Kathi Vin-
son made an addition to the
bills. Scott’s Heating came
out to address a furnace
problem, which turned out
to be a bad lighter switch.
The bill came to $241.75
paid through the General
Fund.
Payment of bills was ap-
proved with Councilmem-
ber Carey Clarke abstain-
ing from the vote due to
the payment to himself
being included.
Mayor’s Report
Myers stated he discov-
ered this morning he’d
been hacked and doesn’t
know what any of his
e-mails say right now. He
said getting computers up
and going again has been
frustrating.
Utility Manager’s
Report
Myers reported Jeff and
Julie McKinney are home
sick with the flu.
City Recorder’s Report
Vinson shared that the
semi-annual franchise
payment from OTEC has
been received and came
to a little over $7,000.
She anticipates that the
next payment will put the
amount “just a hair” over
that budgeted. Vinson also
stated she had it verbally
that Dan Patton is going
to rescind his resignation
from the Planning Com-
mission.
Fire Department
Report
Jim Sheller reported the
Fire Department is doing
a lot of medical training,
meeting the first and third
Tuesdays of each month.
Sheller said there was
one medical call out and
“thank God the roads were
plowed.”
Sheller asked John
Young to share about the
CPR class that will be held
in Sumpter on March 23rd.
Young explained this high
performance CPR is being
implemented by Baker
County. A state trainer for
the Mobile Training Unit
is presenting the class.
Young said this type of
CPR has several steps and
“lots more involvement
with basic life-support.”
He stated it appears that
this type of CPR may
increase survival rates.
Myers said it helps when
everyone in the City learns
at least basic CPR. Clarke
added that the first five
minutes are critical. Young
said he believes that the
training is open to the pub-
lic, but certification will
not be offered, as protocols
for this type of CPR are
still being developed.
Young also reported that
the Department purchased
three CPR mannequins—
adult, child, and infant—
for $325 plus shipping.
Planning Report
LeAnne Woolf reported
that on February 25, the
Commission received a
preliminary plan from the
Farnsworths. Questions
were exchanged and since
the request involved inter-
ceptor tanks, the Commis-
sion requested input from
the Utility Manager. The
Commission also worked
on compiling a list of items
for emergency kits, includ-
ing what would be good
for which level evacuation
order.
On March 3, the Com-
mission met and reviewed
changes the Utility Man-
ager requested on the Farn-
sworth request. As he was
at training and then sick,
no site inspection has yet
been planned. The Com-
mission did preliminary re-
views of a conditional use
permit, a street vacation
request submitted by the
Howards, and tackled Goal
#2 of the Comp Plan.
Plans for the next meet-
ing include revisiting a
couple of items on Goal
#2. The meeting will be
preceded by a hearing on
the street vacation request.
Clarke asked if the Farn-
sworths are keeping up
on providing information.
Woolf responded that there
two different projects.
That which is unpermit-
ted and uninspected is
something that the Build-
ing Inspector and County
are dealing with. This
application regarding tanks
in back is new. Woolf
stated the Farnsworths
have been told that new
paperwork and fees will
likely be involved due to
complexities of the project,
including the necessity of
an easement adjustment if
the project is approved.
Comments by Council
Member Annie Oakley
Myers stated that the
comments presented by
Oakley after the last meet-
ing were mostly about
benefits and wages and
asked if that was correct.
Oakley agreed and said the
Council needs to review
this every year. She sug-
gested a special meeting or
workshop. Myers stated
that Vinson is setting up a
schedule for budget hear-
ings and that would be a
good time to incorporate
this discussion.
Upon request, Myers
read a letter from Vinson,
Jeff McKinney, and Julie
McKinney, asking that any
discussion of employee
benefits and wages be
delayed until all employees
could be present. Council
agreed to include this dis-
cussion with the first bud-
get meeting. Vinson stated
she would be setting up
the budget calendar agenda
the next day in order to
get meetings advertised in
accordance with State-
required timelines. She
stated she will contact the
five citizens who served on
the Budget Committee last
time and see if they will
continue for this time.
A question was broached
as to employee health
benefits. Myers stated that
what City employees are
being paid is below aver-
complaint
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Meghan Andersch / The Baker County Press
Lorrie Harvey speaks to the Sumpter City Council.
age, almost to the level of
minimum wage, but the
inclusion of benefits brings
the pay up to a comparable
wage. He stated budget
meetings are open and any-
one with input can attend.
The meeting schedule will
be publicized.
Myron Woodley
Myers stated Woodley
sent a letter about the City
plugging up a culvert to
“try and flood him out”.
Vinson explained the situ-
ation was resolved. Lee
German was in Volunteer
Park with the City back-
hoe, working on cleaning
out the culvert that flows
under the highway and
ensuring there was enough
space for the water to run
through. German went
over afterward and ex-
plained what was going on
to Woodley, who seemed to
be happy with the explana-
tion.
TGM proposal
Myers asked for feed-
back on a Transportation
and Growth Management
Program proposal. Coun-
cilmember Robert Arm-
bruster stated that he did
have some concerns that
this is, to his understand-
ing, a 12% matching grant
and that there is an expense
to the City. He stated the
content regarding trans-
portation development is
encouraging, especially in
regards to sidewalks and
surface streets.
Myers replied that he
was interested in the Trans-
portation System Planning
assessment service, which
helps local governments
review transportation plans
and determine where ac-
tion is needed.
The grant application
deadline in June 11th and
Myers asked if anyone
would like to take this
project on. Armbruster
volunteered to see what
he could find out and the
Council agreed.
IFA Application for
Grant
Myers said he contacted
the engineer and told him
they need to get a contract
and cost spreadsheet, as
these are needed for the
grant. Due to his computer
issues, he doesn’t know if
the contractor responded.
Clarke asked if the
engineer has been working
on the project in a timely
manner. Myers stated that
he started and then was
called to an emergency
culvert installation on
Canyon Creek. That has
been completed and Myers
said, “Now we can get him
going on this.”
Myers shared an idea
he had about approach-
ing the US Forest Service
regarding a swap of land
to improve the City’s
wastewater irrigation site
and said he will share more
if there is a potential of this
happening.
Public Input
Bill Harvey shared an
opportunity to give input
on the US Forest Service’s
new Forest Resilience
Plan. There will be a
public meeting March 31st
at 6 p.m. at the Armory in
Baker City.
Harvey also mentioned
the request of Title 2
funds for potential work
in Sumpter’s watershed.
These funds, if received,
would go to the implemen-
tation but not the creation
of a plan.
Myrna Clarke asked
about setting up a Town
Hall meeting between the
two gentlemen running
for County Sheriff. Myers
stated that would be won-
derful if someone would
like to set it up.
Lorrie Harvey asked if
Council would be inter-
ested in having the new
Chamber of Commerce
director come to address
them. They agreed.
Rella Brown said she
wished to comment regard-
ing wages and benefits
of City employees. She
said, “If you want good
people to work for you,
you have to pay them
accordingly.” She contin-
ued, if the appropriate pay
cannot be offered, benefits
or something must be of-
fered instead. She said she
believes the City has some
really good employees
and stated, “if not for the
Utility Manager, many of
us wouldn’t be able to get
to our homes. We need
to keep this in mind when
discussing wages and
benefits.”
Myers reiterated that
anyone who wants to com-
ment on the budgeting pro-
cess is welcome to attend
those meetings. He said he
appreciates having people
involved with matters of
concern to the City.
Jim Sheller reported
the most recent snowmo-
bile season as the best in
the last five years or so
and thanked the com-
munity for their support.
He stated they put 1,600
miles on the Snow Cat
this year and thanked all
the groomers that put
time in on the trails. He
reported the biggest Poker
Run ever, including 50 or
more sleds through at the
check points. John Young
reported the Snowmobile
Club netted a little over
$3,300 for the event.
Robert Armbruster
asked how to address cor-
rections or clarifications to
the Water Tower. Woolf
explained that the editorial
board is the Mayor, City
Recorder, and herself.
Writes Lynch, “To my knowledge the full-time position
was not posted for hire or posted in-house for internal
candidates. It is my understanding that Ruthie Boyd was
promoted to the position without any formal application
process completed.”
Lynch goes on to state, “It is my understanding Jerry
Boyd was directly involved in discussions and played a
direct role in the decision.”
Lynch’s complaint includes another allegation that
Boyd directly supervised his daughter. Last December 1,
The Baker County Press obtained a memo from County
Commission Chair Bill Harvey stating that he, not Boyd,
would directly supervise Ruthie Boyd in her position.
Jerry Boyd’s counter-statement explains that between
the time he retired in mid-2012 from his Dispatch Direc-
tor position and the time his was brought back in his ad-
visory position, his daughter was first hired as a half-time
Dispatcher and then a full-time Dispatcher. Boyd says he
had nothing to do with either personnel decision.
Baker County personnel records submitted show that
Ruthie Boyd was hired full-time on a temporary basis in
January 2015 when her father was not employed by the
County. Her temporary status was, however, converted to
permanent in July of 2015.
Heidi Martin, who serves in a Human Resources capac-
ity for the County stated that there were two half-time
Dispatchers at the time, and traditionally, the County
offers those internal employees the permanent, full-time
positions rather than advertise externally. Both half-time
Dispatchers were moved to full-time positions—Ruthie
Boyd first, due to seniority.
Lynch also questioned Boyd’s supervisory authority
as Reserve Commander over his daughter who is also a
Reserve Officer.
Baker City Police Chief Wyn Lohner penned a letter
that ultimately supported Boyd’s position by confirming
that Reserve Officer positions are in fact, purely volun-
teer.
ORS 244.175-244.179 excludes unpaid positions from
nepotism claims within a public body.
Lynch also submitted a list of County and City em-
ployees who “have been involved with or witness to the
ongoing problems that are occurring,” in addition to other
information. OGEC did not contact these employees;
their jurisdiction is strictly limited regarding applicable
statutes and its investigations within them. Therefore,
the matter has been dismissed, writes OGEC Executive
Director Ronald Bersin.
According to multiple sources, separate, private litiga-
tion may be pending.
A new call center director took the helm mid-February
of this year.
Free concert
ahead at
Nazarene Church
Baker City welcomes back Ryan Stevenson in Concert!
National recording artist, singer, and songwriter, Ryan
Stevenson was a hit with a Baker City audience of all
ages at a live outdoor concert at Bulldog Stadium last fall.
Ryan wrote “we’d love to connect with your community
again – would you like to host a concert?” The answer
was yes! Ryan will be in Baker City on Thursday, March
17th, for a free concert sponsored by local area churches
at the Baker City Nazarene Church, 1250 Hughes Lane,
Baker City.
Ryan’s music appeals to all ages. Comments from past
Baker City attendees were centered on his musical talent
and artistic ability, and an appreciation for his desire to
serve small communities. Although Ryan tours with the
likes of The NewsBoys and TobyMac, he’s from a small
rural town in Oregon.
Stevenson lives in Boise with his family and is signed
to TobyMac's label, Gotee Records. His music blends
influences from soul, pop, and some of the great guitarists
to create engaging acoustic guitar driven melodies. Em-
bracing the idea that some of the most profound moments
of worship emerge not from mountain-top experiences
but from difficult, perhaps even catastrophic circumstance
gives Ryan’s lyrics a poetic vulnerability reflecting hon-
estly on the difficulties everyone faces. Wanting to hon-
estly and vulnerably communicate through his recording
and his live performance the grace and love that guides
him through his own trials, Ryan Stevenson writes with a
musical maturity beyond his years and a spiritual sensi-
tivity that easily draws people into the musical message.
The concert is for all ages, family-friendly, and will
offer something fun as students finish their last day of
school before Spring Break. To that end, there will be
a Teen Game Night immediately following the concert
at the gym in the Nazarene Church Family Life Center.
Games, refreshments, and fun will be the focus for area
teens. The game night is hosted by local area youth
groups.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with music beginning at 7:00
p.m. Limited seating is available and will be on a first-
come, first-serve basis. There will be an opening perfor-
mance by local musicians. Door prizes, and refreshments
for after the concert, are all part of the event. Stevenson
will also have merchandise available for purchase. A free
will offering will be taken with proceeds going to support
Ryan Stevenson. The Teen Game Night will be held im-
mediately following the concert from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30
p.m. Both events are sponsored by local area churches.