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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (March 3, 2017)
THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 3 FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017 Business / Agriculture Baker City Council approves 911 contract, appoints board members BY SAMANTHA O’CONNER Samantha@TheBakerCountyPress.com Tuesday, February 28, the Baker City Council held its regular meeting. The meeting began with the Council’s consent agenda where they ap- proved the liquor license application from the Syca- more Tree. According to their hand- out, “The Sycamore Tree is now operating under the ownership of Just for Pretty LLC at the same lo- cation. The new proprietor Josey Gaslin would like to continue selling alcoholic beverages, thus is request- ing an ‘Off-Premises Sales’ liquor license. The establishment will continue to be a variety store and maintain the Sycamore Tree name.” The Council appointed volunteers to boards and commissions. Councilor Loran Joseph resigned from the Sam O’Swim Board and Councilor Dan McQuisten was appointed to the Sam O’Swim Board. Council member Adam Nilsson was appointed to the Arts Commission Board. The Council ap- pointed Vernon Hull to the Budget Board and Larry Abell to the Historic District Design Review Commission. The Council approved the third reading of Ordi- nance 3351 Development Code Updates. Jeff Nelson presented the Blue Mountain Com- munity College Small Business Development Center 2017 Pub Talk Dates. All Pub Talks are held at Lefty’s Tab House on Broadway from 5:30- 7:00 p.m. According to a handout given, on April 26, they will have “What’s in Store for 2017” to hear com- munity partners tell what events are taking place in Baker County and how one can capitalize on the opportunity. On May 24, they will have “The Success of Women Owned Busi- nesses,” stating, “Women owned businesses are exploding with success. Learn why and hear what the women are doing right.” September 13, they will have “Working your Web- site” stating “Learn how to get the most out of your Website with these easy steps.” On November 8, their last Pub Talk will be “An- nual PRCF Public Talk” stating, “Held inside our local prison PRCF. Come hear featured speakers and the dreams of a few men who want to change.” Nelson also presented success stories of busi- nesses in Baker that were helped by the BMCC SBDC. Among them were Ve- ronica Johnson at the Wis- dom House, Kristi Hensley at Eagle Cap Grill Steak and Seafood, Theresa Ball at Baker City Vape & Te- resa’s Treasures, and Dale Bogardus at Outstanding Computer Repair. The Council approved the 911 Consolidated Dispatch Center Contract, having the Baker City Consolidated Dispatch Center Board made up of five members. According to the back- ground of the contract; “Baker City has been fund- ing 71% of the Dispatch and Record Keeping func- tion at the 911 Center. The City Manager sits on the BCCD Board along with the Chairman of the Board Commissioners and a representative of the Rural Fire and EMS Districts. The Board now consists of three members and there is a consensus that a five member board would be a more optimal size.” The Council also ap- proved the Update of the Economic Development Contract between Baker City and Baker County. According to the analysis of the contract, “The new intergovernmental agree- ment does away with the Business Assistance Team, and Recourse Assistance Team and the Leadership Assistance Team.” The new agreement “also expands the EDC from five members to nine mem- bers.” Michelle Owen, Public Works Director, presented the 2017 Full-Depth Recla- mation and Asphalt Paving Bid Award to the council. According to the back- ground of the bid award; “The City advertised for bids for the asphalt overlay of Auburn from Main to 4th and Church, Baker, Madison, Washington and Valley between Resort an Main.” The low bid is from Hamptons Inc., dba Rogers Asphalt Paving Co. for $310,053. The upcoming budget will include suf- ficient funds for the project and work is scheduled for September. According to the analy- sis given, the full-depth reclamation with asphalt paving is a new process for Baker City. It also states; “Full-depth reclamation is an alternative process that allows the City to remove the buildup of asphalt and re-work the street base with the addition of cement.” They anticipate short term closures on the streets but they will be im- mediately reopened when the asphalt is cooled. The Council awarded the bid. Owen also presented the 2017 Auburn Curb and Sidewalk Construction Project bid award. Accord- ing to the background; “A substantial amount of curb and sidewalk work will need to be completed as part of the Auburn full- depth reclamation project. The curb and sidewalk project was put out for bid this winter and two qualified responses were received.” According to the analysis given, “Full-depth recla- mation and repaving of Auburn between Main and 4th is proposed for the upcoming summer. The curb is to be improved in areas and several drive- ways and approaches will need to be improved and realigned with the new street surface.” The low bidder for the Auburn curb and side- walk project is VanNevel Concrete & Curb Inc. for $97,952.20. The council approved awarding the 2017 Auburn Curb &Side- walk bid to VanNevel Concrete & Curb Inc. Robin Nudd presented Exploring Main Street Application and Acting as Fiscal Agent for the 2017 Main Street Revi- talization Grants. In the background, it explains; “The Oregon Main Street Program currently has two grant programs avail- able: ‘Diamonds in the Rough’ and the ‘Oregon main Street Revitalization Grant.’ The ‘Diamonds in the Rough Grant’ is a 1:1 match up to $20,000. This grant can be applied for on an individual basis.” The “Main Street Revitaliza- tion Grant” may fund up to 70% of the project costs, up to $100,000 and must be applied for through an entity enrolled in the Main Street Program. The background also states, “On February 5, 2017 one of our historic buildings on Main Street fell victim to our harsh winter. The City has been approached by one of the businesses affected by the collapse and one more is interested. The business is requesting that the City act as the fiscal agent so that they can apply for these funds.” The deadline for the re- vitalization grant is March 17th. The council approved the application. City Manager Fred War- ner Jr. discussed possibility changing the street lights to LED lights and saving money for the city. Mayor Mike Downing reported that he will be participating in the 26th Annual Scott Firefighter Stair Climb March 12th, a benefit to help the Leu- kemia and Lymphoma Society. Sumpter City Council replaces attorney, talks plans for solar eclipse BY MEGHAN ANDERSCH Meghan@TheBakerCountyPress.com Sumpter City Council met in regular session Thursday, February 23. Mayor Cary Clarke and Councilors Linda Wise, Samantha Rowan, and Robert Armbruster were in attendance. Meeting minutes from 1/17, 1/24, and 2/4 and payments of bills were all approved unanimously. Utility Manager Report Jeff McKinney reported plowing over fifty times. The water system is work- ing well. Fire Department Re- port Jim Sheller reported a quiet month with two medical call-outs, includ- ing one mutual aid with Powder River Rural Fire Department. Planning Commission Report LeAnne Woolf said the Commission held only one meeting since her last report to Council. They re- viewed the first half to two thirds of Goal Eleven of the Comprehensive Plan: — Weekly Hay Report — Friday, February 24, 2017 — Eastern Oregon Prices trended generally steady in a limited test compared to week ago prices. Most demand lays with the retail/stable hay. According to some producers, horse owners prefer lower sugar, higher protein hay. Many producers are sold out for the year. Tons Price Range Wtd Avg Alfalfa — Large Square Premium 60 140.00-140.00 140.00 Alfalfa / Orchard Mix — Small Square Good 17 160.00-165.00 164.12 Alfalfa — Large Square Good/Premium 100 100.00-100.00 100.00 USDA Market News Service—AMS.USDA.gov — Cattle Market Report — Wednesday, February 22, 2017 Vale, Oregon Cattle sold through the auction: 1311 Steer Calves 300-400# Bulk 153.00-181.00 Top 189.00 400-500# Bulk 149.00-177.00 Top 180.00 500-600# Bulk 139.00-156.00 Top 160.00 Heifer Calves 300-400# Bulk 133.00-145.00 Top 146.00 400-500# Bulk 123.00-152.00 Top 155.00 500-600# Bulk 119.00-136.00 Top 136.50 600-700# 700-800# 800-900# 900-1,000# Yearling Steers Bulk 124.00-135.00 Top 135.75 Bulk 121.00-129.00 Top 132.75 Bulk 117.00-124.00 Top 124.25 Bulk 109.00-116.00 Top 117.50 Yearling Heifers 600-700# Bulk 118.00-129.00 Top 130.25 700-800# Bulk 114.00-122.00 Top 122.75 800-900# Bulk 101.00-109.00 Top 113.00 900-1,000# Bulk N/A Top N/A Thin Shelly Cows 44.00 TO 52.00 Butcher Cows 53.00 TO 61.00 Butcher Bulls 56.00 TO 71.00 Stock Cows 880.00 TO 990.00 Hfretts 71.00 TO 87.00 Stock Cows Young - 1175.00 TO 1475.00 ProducersLivestock.com 541-473-3136 — Log Price Report — Prices are based on the majority of saw mills in Northeastern Oregon and Central Idaho. The prices listed below are a composite prices of various saw- mills willing to visit with me about this topic. Ponderosa Pine—small diameter class 8-11 inches diameter class $250 per mbf. Only one sawmill was willing to buy small diameter pine at this time. Ponderosa Pine—medium diameter class 12-17 inches diameter class $300 to $350 per mbf Ponderosa Pine-large diameter class 18 plus inches diameter class $380 to $410 per mbf The Pine prices are still approximately $40 per mbf below average lumber/log market due to 2017 fire salvage Doug Fir & Western Larch—$380 to $420 per mbf. Normal prices typically ranged between $425 to $475 per mbf. White Fir-$300 per mbf. Normal prices typically ranged between $340 to $360 per mbf. Engelmann Spruce—$350 at one Idaho sawmill, other sawmills including with White fir prices. In general, the log prices still impacted from 2015 fire season and fire salvage that resulted. Sawmills are starting to get log yard inventory in line with sawmill production needs. With a new Administra- tion as of 1/20/2017, a more normal economic envi- ronment should result and hopefully a more healthy housing situation will result in a better climate for Northeast Oregon Sawmill and private forest land- owners. Courtesy of Arvid Andersen, Andersen Forestry Consulting — Precious Metals Report — Meghan Andersch / The Baker County Press L-R: Linda Wise, Samantha Rowan, Cary Clarke, and Robert Armbruster. Public Facilities. Bookkeeper Applications Council agreed to meet Monday, February 27th at 10 a.m. to review received applications for the book- keeper position. The meeting was closed to the public. Replacing Attorney for Lawsuit Clarke stated he talked to a guy who “seems like he is real up on everything and a real go-getter.” Catherine Dodgens asked how the City wound up with two attorneys and Clarke clarified one was for a wage dispute. Clarke motioned to re- place attorney Carol Sker- janec with a new attorney for the lawsuit. Motion passed unanimously. Clarke stated there are other options besides just the one attorney he has talked to on other matters. He said attorney Joshua Stump would be willing to do a conference call or come all the way over from Lake Oswego to talk to the Council about anything they need to. Dodgens asked if it wouldn’t be wiser to have just one attorney for the City. SEE SUMPTER PAGE 4 Price per ounce, USD Gold: $1,250.80 Silver: $18.51 Platinum: $1019.10 Palladium: $779.32 Bloomberg.com — Ag Commodities — Corn: $379.50/bu/USD Wheat: $453.25/bu/USD Soybeans: $1,043.50/bu/USD Oats: $248.00 bu/USD Rough Rice: $9.64/cwt/USD Canola: $528.30 CAD/mwt Live Cattle: $117.78//lb./USD Feeder Cattle: $124.23/lb./USD Lean Hogs: $68.33/lb./USD Bloomberg.com