8 — THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS
FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2016
Local
City Council: Capital Plan
approved, goals postponed
BY KERRY McQUISTEN
News@TheBakerCountyPress.com
Much of Tuesday eve-
ning’s Baker City Council
meeting revolved around
Capital Plan Review and
acceptance, with all coun-
cilors present.
Capital Plan.
The Capital Plan, which
involves major storm
water, water and wastewa-
ter projects, is a three-year
plan. Said Public Works
Director Michelle Owen,
“It’s how we move forward
into creating a budget.”
Owen said that the plan
had gone through the
Public Works Advisory
Committee prior to being
submitted to Council. In
committee, it is gone over
“page by page, line by
line.”
According to Owen,
funds are in place to com-
plete the projects outlined
for the fi rst year—but not
the next two, necessitating
fee increases.
The Council has asked
Finance Director Jeanie
Dexter to compile a num-
ber of scenarios demon-
strating various base and/or
water useage rate increases
for review at a work ses-
sion prior to the next City
Council meeting.
The problem, in a nut-
shell, is that even with a
10% or 25% rate increase,
the City will still fall short
of the amount needed to
cover the larger projects
deemed necessary over
the course of three years.
There is a chance to close
the gap remaining by tak-
ing out a low interest loan
or applying for a variety
of state or federal mon-
ies available to meet that
defi cit.
The questions Council is
tackling include how much
of the defi cit to close uti-
lizing rate increases, if to
continue moving toward all
the recommended projects,
or perhaps adjusting the
timeframe for completion.
Owen explained that
year one projects such as
laying already purchased
pipe, working to secure the
water rights for a potential
backup well, reservoir
meter replacement and cor-
rection of some fi re fl ow
defi ciences are funded.
Year two projects includ-
ing purchasing and laying
more pipe for the mountain
line, replacing hydrants
and adding water line
extensions, and develop-
ing the next phase of the
backup well plan and
design.
Year three means more
mountain line work, well
construction and more fi re
fl ow defi ciency correc-
tions.
Owen clarifi ed that the
proposed backup well isn’t
mandated, but rather, a
backup water source.
“There’s nothing wrong
with our current well,” she
stated, but pointed out that
in a crisis, there would be
some question as to the
water quality and capacity
of the water.
A well system wouldn’t
require UV treatment,
simply chlorine.
Dexter pointed out that
the budget constrains the
scope of projects, and be-
ing an annual document,
could be altered during any
given year.
Mayor Mosier said of the
well, “It’s the responsible
thing to do because we
don’t want to be looking
back in hindsight, wishing
we’d secured our water.”
Councillor Abel asked
if a water rate hike would
disproportionately affect
small businesses.
Dexter believed off the
top of her head that most
small businesses would
be affected no more than
most residential customers,
but offered to look into the
numbers for the City’s top
ten water uses, such as 5J,
RV parks, the prison, etc.
In terms of wastewater
projects, some old terra-
cotta pipes are in need of
replacement downtown, as
well as some manholes—
but affl uent disposal
options were highest of the
list.
Storm water projects
included video inspections,
new catch basin install-
ment, etc.
Pavement Plan
After the Capital Plan
was approved, Council
moved on to the Pave-
ment Plan, which was also
approved and defi nes the
pavement budget over the
coming year.
Final projects are pri-
marily on Auburn, with
patches on Cedar and 17th,
among others.
“To bring streets up to the
quality we would all like
them to be,” said Owen,
“would cost $6.7 million.”
The City has just over
half a million dollars
budgeted.
Discussion ensued
regarding information
gathering on the impact of
a proposed gas tax or other
fees to enable more street
repairs.
Of the councilors, Lowe
seemed most enthusiastic
about the idea of fi nding
more revenue while Mayor
Mosier cautioned that
such a move may not go
over well with the public,
particularly on the heels of
a water rate increase.
Resolution 3771—Side-
walk Grant Rules
This year it was found
that the grant process as
it now stands worked
smoothly last year.
The resolution sets aside
75% of the money collect-
ed for citizen grants and
25% for public projects.
Applications would
become available the fi rst
week of May in this reim-
bursement grant. Money
would be available July 1.
3771 was adopted.
Non-represented Em-
ployee Wage Report.
Employees haven’t re-
ceived a wage adjustment
in a couple years. A merit
increase ordinance was
mentioned.
Non-represented em-
ployees are not in a union
or bargaining unit. They
are usually supervisory or
management employees.
According to City
Manager Mike Kee, the
19 or so employees in
this category has above
satisfactory performance,
they would be eligible for
a 2% merit increase. This
increase would not affect
wage scales.
Kee said no adjustments
have been made to the ac-
tual wage scale in the fi ve
years he’d worked for the
City, and suggested added
2% to every step on the
wage scale within each job
description, which would
be particularly effective for
long-term employees who
had topped out on their
scale.
Employees would not be
eligible for these raises for
subpar performance.
Kee compared salaries to
those in other cities.
Langrell suggested
comparing them to average
salaries within Baker City
instead. He said City jobs
are already the best paid
jobs in Baker City.
Kee disagreed.
Mosier then asked if
there was fl exibility to
negotiate a base rate when
hiring a new employee,
and Kee responded there
was.
Meanwhile, without that
new resolution, Kee will
continue to follow the cur-
rent merit system.
Goals
Resolution 3772—Adop-
tion of Council Goals was
postponed until the next
City Council meeting. At
present, a draft of the goals
(subject to change) is as
follows:
Continue support of
parks and outdoor spaces
• Complete Court Plaza
pursuant to grant award.
• Continue to make regu-
lar maintenance of parks,
pathway, and playground
equipment a priority.
• Explore pathway exten-
sion options.
• Work on access and
improved utilization of
Central Park
• Pursue a concessionaire
contract that promotes
sustainability of the golf
course.
Continue to promote
communication and col-
laboration with Commu-
nity partners and Govern-
ment entities
• Identify opportunities
• Recognize commu-
nity partners (non-profi ts,
prison, etc.)
• Complete 911 contract
revisions.
• Encourage combined
meetings with other local
entities to fi nd additional
means collaboration.
Develop a wastewater
disposal plan
• Continue regular com-
munication with DEQ
• Identify viable waste-
water options
Enhance Community
livability
• Adequate staffi ng to
provide effi cient police and
fi re services to account for
increased demand.
• Evaluate the fi re equip-
ment reserve fund
• Continue to explore a
railroad quiet zone.
• Support and encour-
age a body warn camera
program within the police
department.
• Obtain a primary ambu-
lance transport agreement
with the hospital.
• Staff will identify
street funding options and
the Council will hold at
least one public meeting
to discuss the options with
the public.
Evaluate and enhance
Economic Development
Plan
• Review current plans
and strategies, reports, and
goals
• Evaluate current pro-
gram
• Explore areas for im-
provement
• Identify resources and
hire a community devel-
oper.
• Increase the input of
Baker City on the Econom-
ic Development Council.
Implement an asset main-
tenance schedule
• Inventory needs
• Identify funding
• Prioritize needs
Increase citizen involve-
ment
• Greater use of Boards
and Commissions
• Improve audio/visual
system in Council Cham-
bers
• Pursue ORMS for easy
search of public records
Maintain and Enhance
water security
• Continue to make water
security a priority through
things like fuel reduction,
fencing, fi re breaks, and
adequate funding.
• Establish a water
rate structure that is not
a burden on residents but
that will provide adequate
funding for future infra-
structure needs.
• Make the communica-
tion of water rates and
water projects a priority.
• Explore monthly water
billing and E billing op-
tions
• Pursue an additional
ground water source for
safe drinking water
Promote Government
Integrity
• Encourage educational
and training opportunities
for staff and Council
• Improve audio/visual
system in Council Cham-
bers
• Promote a regional
meeting with other Eastern
Oregon Council members
• Get at least one report
annually from all Baker
City Boards and Commis-
sions
• Promote Government
integrity and professional-
ism
Require cost effective
budget management
• Evaluate all current
contracts and MOUs for
cost savings
• Identify effi ciencies and
seek areas for improve-
ments
• Approve and oversee
capital plans
• Require cost effective
budgets.
• Explore options for
third party ambulance
billing to increase cost
recovery.
See page 11 for how to subscribe today!
American Legion
trudges onward
Todd Arriola / The Baker County Press
L-R: Jim Willis, Gene Hellickson Bill Bishop spoke to
attendees at the Sunridge.
BY TODD ARRIOLA
Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com
A group of around 20 mustered at the Sunridge Inn
Restaurant in Baker City on Thursday, April 7, 2016, at
6 p.m., for a pivotal monthly meeting, in order to decide
what the ultimate fate of American Legion Post #41,
which has seen an aging and declining membership, and
fi nancial issues, will be. The command decision: to keep
the post alive.
Post #41 Commander Bill Bishop called the meeting to
order, followed by prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, the
Preamble to the Constitution of the American Legion and
Auxiliary, and roll call.
Among the attendees were Sons of the American
Legion (SAL) Commander Curtis Calder, SAL National
Executive Committee (NEC) Commander Willie Wil-
liams, State (Department) Commander Mike Jones,
Department 1st Vice Chair Jim Willis, Department 2nd
Vice Chair Gene Hellickson, Department Immediate Past
Commander Andy Millar, Ken Anderson, Ike Brown,
Terry McQuisten, Dave McQuisten, and Gamer Haven
co-owner Josh Neilson.
Jones was introduced, and he fi rst asked if everyone had
received notifi cation letters regarding the meeting, its pur-
pose, and what else they may have heard, and how. The
response was that not much was publicized, and Jones
stated that he had hoped there would be more in atten-
dance. The problems plaguing the post were chronicled
in the Friday, April 17, 2015, and Friday, February 19,
2016 issues of The Baker County Press.
Jones asked Bishop whether he desired to remain
Commander of the post, and Bishop replied that he was
recruited to help reorganize the post, and to help improve
it operationally, and that he has fulfi lled that duty. He
wishes to recruit another individual for the position, and
he will assist how he can, but if the members decide they
want him to remain as Commander, he will continue in
that roll.
Jones pointed out one of the issues that needs to be
remedied, in order for the post to be a viable entity:
inactivity. He said that one or two American Legion
programs could be implemented, and he provided some
examples, among them, Boys State.
Boys State, founded in 1935, is an instruction program
for students in high school, which allows participants
to become actively involved in the operation of local,
county, and state governments, according to the American
Legion. It was created by Illinois Legionnaires Hayes
Kennedy, and Harold Card, to counter the socialism-
inspired Young Pioneer Camps. The American Legion
Auxiliary sponsors a similar, but separate program, called
Girls State. Both programs, along with Boys Nation, and
Girls Nation, allow students to learn the rights, privileges,
and responsibilities of franchised citizens.
Bishop emphasized the importance of the SAL, and that
effort should also be expended to recruit more members,
and Jones said that the SAL want the post to remain
viable, too. Jones said there is a Post #41 building, but
he pointed out that meetings are currently held at the
Sunridge Inn, though, they should be held at the post. He
said the post should be a place where younger veterans,
and their wives, and children, can gather for meetings
or events, as family unity is an important aspect that’s a
focus of the organization.
This prompted discussion of the topic of the post bar,
which had been previously closed, due to fi nancial and
other issues. The fi nancial issues, post bar, and loss in
membership have been sources of tension, when dis-
cussed by post members.
Jones responded that he and the other offi cers are aware
of those issues, and that the current members can reor-
ganize the post’s operation as they see fi t. He said that
there was damage done to the organization and operation
of the post in the past, however, it’s time to move on, and
remedy those issues.
Hellickson was introduced, and he explained that, if
members wish to sell the building (a possibility, pointed
out previously to the membership), there needs to be a
process, including motions made, regarding the sale, get-
ting an appraisal, proceeding with the sale, etc. Neilson
had expressed interest in possibly purchasing the build-
ing (Gamer Haven occupies part of the building), which
would mean relocating the post to another building.
SEE AMERICAN LEGION
PAGE 9