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