FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 2017
THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 5
Local
Cement truck rolls near airport
Non-specified
gender choice
coming to DMV
• CHANGE TO BEGIN JULY 3
Photos courtesy of Jim Howerton
On Wednesday, June 14, a Farwest cement truck rolled onto its side, slowing traffic near the Baker Airport.
The truck flipped onto the driver’s side before being eventually righted again (photo at right) that same
morning with minor damage.
City Council
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PAGE 4
Downing stated, “This is
a short-term solution. It is
not the ideal solution and
not something we’ve taken
lightly.”
Councilor Thomas
added, “This wasn’t just a
‘Let’s see what we can do
to make people mad’ type
of thing here. Lots of folks
are upset and I’m in agree-
ment —I don’t want to see
this at all either.”
Joseph moved to have
the third reading of the
ordinance. Thomas made
a second with Council
voting unanimously for
the second reading by title
only.
Warner read aloud by
title only and declaring
an emergency the Ordi-
nance #3354 establishing a
Public Safety Fee. Joseph
moved to accept. Nilsson
seconded and Council
voted to unanimously ac-
cept.
A $3 residential fee and
$5 business fee will be
added to City Utility bills
beginning July 1, 2017.
Resolution #3787 2017-
2018 Fees
Every year City Council
must approve the fees that
are charged by the City
for a variety of different
services, permits and ap-
plications.
These fees must be set
before the fiscal year bud-
get is adopted by Council.
Council first reviewed
proposed fees at the April
11, 2017 Council meeting.
Since that time additional
fee discussions with public
comment have taken
place during May Budget
meetings, May 9th and
May 23rd regular Council
Meetings, a Special City
Council Meeting held June
6th and this June 13th
meeting.
Passing resolution #3787
will set the Public Safety
Utility Fee passed by
Council earlier in the eve-
ning, increase water rates
and included a new fee that
will allow for the Baker
City Fire Department to
bill a $100 lift fee when
dispatched to assisted
living facilities to help
residents who have fallen
but do not need a medical
transport or emergency
services.
Joseph moved to approve
the resolution. The motion
was seconded by Thomas.
The Council vote was 6/1
with Andersen oppos-
ing. It should be noted
that because fees must be
approved annually, the
public safety fee will be
addressed annually, until
the sunset clause expires
in 2020.
Resolution #3792
Amending 2016-2017
Budget
City Council can amend
the budget, by resolution,
when unforeseen expendi-
tures are incurred. Finance
Director Jeanie Dexter
addressed Council explain-
ing that the Pelton wheel
generator which produces
hydroelectric power that is
sold to Idaho Power creat-
ing revenue in the general
fund had needed repairs to
the rectifier unit.
A faulty regulator was
replaced under warranty.
However, costs incurred
for an electrical engineer
and some other parts were
not covered by the war-
ranty. $6,000 was needed
to be transferred from
contingency in the general
fund to the Hydro Electric
Plant Department.
Dexter also stated that
Baker City/County Plan-
ning Department had
updated the Development
Code during the 2016-
2017 budget year. In doing
so, notices were required
to be sent by mail to all
applicable households in
Baker City.
The cost for those mail-
ings had not been budgeted
for. Dexter noted that the
City had seen savings in
the Community Develop-
ment department of $1,850
and suggested that amount
be transferred to the Plan-
ning Department.
Joseph moved to approve
the resolution with a sec-
ond by Councilor Mc-
Quisten. Council passed
the resolution unani-
mously.
City Manager/Director
Comments
Warner said that he was
waiting for the County to
pass their budget, which
was expected to happen
within the next few days,
before he would have a fi-
nal number to plug into the
City’s 2017-2018 budget
that would be before them
for approval at the next
Council meeting.
He told Council that with
the newly formed Baker
City Downtown he felt
Robin Nudd, Community
Development Coordinator,
would begin tackling new
ideas for completion of
Court Plaza.
He told Council he knew
that had been of the goals
that had been expressed in
recent goal setting sessions
they had had and he was
excited to see what may
come of it.
Owen added very
simply that the long-antic-
ipated airport project was
finally underway.
City Councilor Com-
ments
Andersen voiced con-
cerns over the watershed
and stated that there was “a
lot of work to do.”
Downing then adjourned
the meeting.
As everyone prepared to
leave, following through
with his threat of citizen
arrest, Joseph Martin stood
and approached Council
with purpose. City Police
Lt. Dustin Newman stood
by. Martin stated loudly
and firmly that he was
“placing all Councilors
under Citizen’s Arrest for
charges of conspiracy to
commit extortion, rack-
eteering and conspiracy to
overthrow the constitution
of the United States of
America.
“You have the right to
remain silent, anything you
say can and will be used
against you in a court of
law. You have the right to
talk to a lawyer and have
him present while you are
being questioned. If you
can’t afford to hire a law-
yer one will be appointed
to represent you at no
expense. Do you under-
stand your rights? If not,
I’m sure this officer will
be happy to explain them
to you.”
One by one each
Councilor left the Coun-
cil chambers, none being
taken into custody.
Lt. Newman then ac-
companied Mr. Martin as
he left the Chambers.
Beginning in July, Oregon residents will have the op-
tion to mark their sex as “not specified” on their applica-
tion for a driver license, instruction permit or identifica-
tion card.
Under a new administrative rule approved June 15 by
the Oregon Transportation Commission, card holders
who do not wish to identify as either male or female will
have a third option when they obtain, renew or replace
their license, instruction permit or ID card at Oregon
DMV.
An X will appear instead of M or F in Oregon driver
records and on the driver license, instruction permit or ID
card.
The new rule came about after an Oregon resident’s
court order authorized a sex change from female to “non-
binary.”
In order to comply with the order, DMV needed about
a year to implement the change. Time was required to
study state laws, update computer systems, work with
business partners such as law enforcement and courts,
and change administrative rules.
If you wish to make a change on your card more than
a year before your renewal date, you must pay a replace-
ment fee.
Bentz suffers
heart attack
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Rep. Bentz is very appreciative of the visits, texts,
emails, and phone calls he has received from family, his
friends and colleagues in the Capitol. Rep. Bentz appreci-
ates the thoughtfulness of those who may wish to send
cards, flowers, or other well wishes, but in lieu of these
items he would suggest donations be made to The Boys
and Girls Club of the Western Treasure Valley or the
Southeast Oregon Food Bank.
Those addresses are: Boys & Girls Club of the Western
Treasure Valley P.O. Box 876, Ontario, OR 97914, and
Southeast Oregon Food Bank, 773 S. Oregon St. Ontario,
OR 97914.
Library tree to
come down
The Baker County Library District is preparing to
remove the giant cottonwood tree at the corner of Resort
and Campbell Streets due to signs of rot and risk to
public safety.
An assessment by the Baker City Tree Board dated
June 2, 2017 determined that the main trunk suffers from
“severe rot” and that the canopy and other trunks are also
rotten. The tree is adjacent to two of the busiest streets in
the city, as well as the heavily-used sidewalk and library
parking lot, making it a hazard to pedestrians, traffic, and
nearby property.
The library’s Facilities Specialist Ed Adamson is
crafting a work plan in coordination with the city and
county public works departments. Other trees on the
library property will also be pruned as part of the project.
Materials suitable for firewood will be donated to the
Northeast Oregon Compassion Center.
The Tree Board has requested removal no later than
August 2, in anticipation of the influx of solar eclipse
tourists. The library aims to accomplish the work before
the end of June.
Library Director Perry Stokes said, “This is one of
the grandest old trees on our property and it pains us
to have to take it out. But you can hear the hollowness
when you kick the trunk, and we hate to imagine what
could happen if any of the large limbs or the whole thing
fell into Campbell or Resort Street traffic. We greatly
appreciate the assistance from the City and County with
this project.”
Roads closed
for bike event
Expect full closures on US30 between Chico Road and
Pocahontas Road/Hughes Lane and US30/OR7 (Main St)
between Church St and Auburn Avenue soon.
On Saturday, June 24, 2017, the following highways in
the Baker City area will be closed to facilitate two bicycle
events:
• US30 between Chico St and Pocahontas Rd / Hughes
Ln, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 12 noon.
• US30/OR7 (Main St) between Church St and Auburn
Ave, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Detour Route Information:
During these closures there will be signed local detours
in place. Motor Carriers need to provide this informa-
tion to their drivers, by copy of this letter or other means,
to assure their awareness of the restriction.