THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 3
FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017
Business / Agriculture
City Council
CONTINUED FROM
PAGE 1
Marlette added, “And
possible fire danger from
increased traffic and
downed lines and the
possible introduction of
invasive weeds.”
Whit Deschner also
spoke at the meeting
reiterating Marlette’s con-
cerns but advised Council,
“There is no financial in-
centive from Idaho Power
for this and Baker County
was never given a vote as
to the project.”
He continued by stating
that these folks didn’t live
in our county and don’t
care about the consequenc-
es to our area.
Marlette and Deschner
urged Council and the
community to attend a
public meeting regarding
the matter on August 14,
2017 at 5:00 p.m. at the
County Courthouse in the
County Courtroom. Baker
City and Baker County
have until September 1,
2017 to make comments
before the application
is accepted as is by the
Oregon Department of
Energy and the plan moves
forward.
Next Tom Muller spoke
to Council voicing his dis-
appointment with them for
passing the public safety
utility fee.
“This month is when the
full effect of that fee is go-
ing to be felt,” he said.
He criticized Council for
their passage of the fee and
stated the impact was go-
ing to hurt the elderly and
children in the community
with low incomes by possi-
bly not being able to afford
something as simple as a
gallon of milk.
He targeted City Man-
ager Fred Warner, Jr. by
asking, “Does anybody
ever say no to him?”
He feels that Warner is
responsible for orchestrat-
ing the fee to “get what he
wants.”
Muller warned Council
that when up for reelec-
tion he would remember
their names and not cast a
vote for any of them and
thought it was likely the
entire City felt the same.
Downing then moved
forward with the agenda.
Board and Commission
Appointments
Julie Smith addressed
Council advising that there
were several vacancies on
various City boards and
commissions.
Applications had been re-
ceived by Mitch Grove and
Don Herman to serve on
the Planning Commission
with one seat open. Mark
Bogart applied to serve on
the Parks and Recreation
Board and Christine How-
ard to serve on the Tree
Board.
Councilor Joseph moved
to appoint both Bogart and
Howard to their desired
positions with a second
by Councilor Thomas
and a unanimous vote by
Council.
Joseph then moved to
appoint Don Herman to the
one open position on the
Planning Commission with
a second again heard by
Councilor Thomas. A vote
of 3:2 was cast with Coun-
cilors Joseph, Thomas and
Nilsson voting in favor of
appointing Herman and
Councilor Andersen and
Mayor Downing oppos-
ing. The motion passed
appointing Herman to the
Planning Commission.
Council Representa-
tive Appointment to
Transient Lodging Tax
Committee
As Council moved
onto this task, Councilor
Thomas stated that without
the full Council present
he ffelt this item could be
table for the time being
stating, “If no one has a
burning desire to serve, we
might postpone this.”
Councilor Joseph
expressed that he was
very interested and that
he had been approached
by Beverly Calder, owner
of Bella, whose term was
expiring, to serve on this
committee and that he re-
ally would like to.
With that, Councilor
Thomas then moved to
appoint Joseph. Councilor
Nilsson seconded and a
unanimous vote in favor of
Joseph’s appointment was
cast with Joseph of course
abstaining.
Ordinance #3356 Wind-
wave Communications
Franchise Agreement
City Manager Fred
Warner addressed Council
advising that Windwave
Communications has re-
quested a renewal of their
franchise agreement with
the City of Baker City for
construction and operation
of a cable system.
In return Windwave
will pay the City 7% of
their gross receipts. The
Franchise Agreement shall
be for two five-year terms.
Warner stated that the City
Attorney had reviewed
the agreement and had sug-
gested the two five-year
agreement amendment,
which Windwave had
agreed to.
Councilor Andersen
asked, “How much money
per year does this agree-
ment net the City?”
Warner responded that
it was not much “Around
$3,000 per year.”
Andersen said that it all
helped the City coffers.
As with any ordinance the
Council has to pass, three
reading must be held. The
first and second reading
can be done in the same
meeting as long as the
Council votes to do so
unanimously.
Councilor Joseph moved
for the first reading. Coun-
cilor Andersen made a
second and Council unani-
mously voted in favor.
City Manager Warner
read the agreement in full
as required.
Councilor Joseph moved
to accept the first reading,
seconded by Councilor
Thomas.
Council voted unani-
mously to accept the first
reading. Councilor Joseph
then moved to have a
second reading by title
only that was seconded
by Councilor Nilsson and
passed unanimously by
Council vote. Warner read
the ordinance a second
time by title only.
Councilor Joseph moved
to approve the second
reading.
A second was made by
Councilor Andersen and
again voted unanimously
by Council.
Ordinance #3357
Inland Development
Franchise Agreement
Warner explained to
Council that Inland Devel-
opment was in conjunction
with Windwave Communi-
cations and this franchise
agreement was identical to
that one.
Councilor Joseph moved
to read the ordinance with
a second by Councilor
Nilsson.
Warner read the ordi-
nance in full, then Council-
or Joseph moved to accept
that reading, hearing a
second by Councilor Nils-
son. A unanimous vote was
cast by Council.
A second reading of the
ordinance by title only was
then done by Warner upon
a motion by Councilor
Joseph, seconded by Coun-
cilor Nilsson and unani-
mously voted in favor of
by Council.
That second reading was
approved upon a motion
by Councilor Joseph again
seconded by Councilor
Nilsson.
A vote to accept the
second reading was cast in
favor by all councilors ex-
cept Thomas who opposed
“just to be different.”
He joked eluding to the
ease and agreeability the
Council was having.
Needless to say, approval
of the second reading was
passed.
City Manager/Director
Comments/Council Com-
ments
Warner advised Coun-
cil that this was the final
Council meeting before the
“big event” in two weeks;
the highly anticipated solar
eclipse. He briefed Council
on a few details that in-
cluded EMS services.
He stated that Baker City
Fire would have extra per-
sonnel on staff from Friday
August 18,2017 through
Monday August 21, 2017
and that all personnel were
to be on call.
He advised that Baker
Rural fire department
would have volunteers
— Weekly Hay Report —
on hand that could assist
by driving ambulances if
necessary.
He advised that Life
Flight would have a stag-
ing area in Baker City
if needed and that two
National Guard choppers
were being made available
as well.
Baker County Emer-
gency Management would
be setting up a command
center in the Council
chambers from Friday, Au-
gust 18 through Tuesday
August 22, 2017.
Many of the City’s
restaurants would be of-
fering limited menus in an
effort to increase speed in
serving efficiently the large
number of visitors antici-
pated.
He noted that there were
going to be barbecues and
vendors in the park and
music and entertainment
around town.
Local gas stations have
been approached about
having additional tank-
ers available to make sure
plenty of gas was available
to those needing to leave
after the event.
He also stated that the
public works department
was ready to help if and
when needed.
He mentioned that
unfortunately ODOT
would not be able to fully
open up the freeway in the
Pleasant Valley area where
construction was occur-
ring and that there would
only be two lanes of travel
though that area which
could cause some major
issues with traffic.
Warner said, “We are as
prepared as we think we
can be” for the estimated
50,000 that are expected.
Mayor Downing added
that the 911 Dispatch
Center was also increasing
staff for the weekend of
the eclipse.
Warner also advised
Council that a parade or-
dinance was being worked
on in light of the tragedy
that occurred at the Min-
ers Jubilee Parade and to
expect to see that in the
future.
He also noted that the
annual Shriners parade
held just the past weekend
went off without a hitch
although some changes to
the route were made.
With nothing further
Mayor Downing adjourned
the meeting.
Though much specula-
tion had gone through
the community prior to
meeting regarding Council
member Nilsson’s atten-
dance and/or continuance
on Council in light of his
recent legal issues, the sub-
ject of the charges against
him was not discussed and
Nilsson quickly left the
meeting.
(Editor’s Note: Please
see the Front Page for ad-
ditional coverage.)
Banking tips for the eclipse
The upcoming solar
Eclipse will bring an
influx of visitors who
will patronize our hotels,
campgrounds, restaurants
and grocery stores, which
should provide an eco-
nomic boost for our local
merchants this summer.
From a safety and
banking perspective, here
are some items to keep in
mind as our small com-
munities prepare for this
special event.
Exercise Patience If Cell
Phone and Internet Ser-
vices Are Slow. Cell phone
service and smartphone
internet is expected to be
slow, particularly on Mon-
day, August 21, the day of
the eclipse. This may cre-
ate strains on other com-
munications networks as
locals and visitors connect
to WIFI and wired net-
works. Exercise patience
should networks slow, and
use other communications
devices including tradition-
al AM/FM radio for news
in case of an emergency.
Carry A Little Extra
Cash. If internet ser-
vices and communications
systems are adversely
impacted on the day of the
eclipse, it may temporar-
ily suspend your access
to Credit/Debit Card
networks, Online Banking
and Mobile Banking. As
a precaution, it would be
wise to carry some extra
cash for the weekend of
August 19th – 21st should
payment networks become
temporarily suspended.
Take the Road Less
Traveled. Traffic is expect-
ed to be heavy on many
of two lane highways,
particularly communities
such as Baker City, which
is in the path of totality.
As locals when travelling
around town, we should try
to use less traveled routes
to reduce congestion for
police, fire and other emer-
gency services vehicles on
primary routes. You may
also fill your gas tank early
in the week of August 14th
as gas stations are expected
to be very busy assisting
travelers.
Friday, August 7, 2017 — Eastern Oregon
Prices trended generally steady. All prices
reported today are new crop, unless otherwise
noted. Most producers are done with first
cutting and out in the field working on second
cutting. Extreme heat in some of the growing
areas has slowed movement. Retail/Stable type
hay remains the largest demanded hay.
No new Eastern Oregon sales. Last week:
Tons Price Range Wtd Avg
Timothy Grass Large Square Premium/Supreme
2080 280.00-305.00 290.58
USDA Market News Service—AMS.USDA.gov
— Cattle Market Report —
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
Vale, Oregon
Cattle sold through the auction: 397
Steer Calves
300-400# Bulk N/A Top N/A
400-500# Bulk N/A Top N/A
500-600# Bulk 149.00-162.00 Top 166.00
Heifer Calves
300-400# Bulk N/A Top N/A
400-500# Bulk 143.00-158.00 Top 164.00
500-600# Bulk 134.00-145.00 Top 147.00
Yearling Steers
600-700# Bulk 142.00-160.00 Top 161.00
700-800# Bulk 124.00-131.00 Top 134.00
800-900# Bulk 121.00-129.00 Top 131.00
900-1,000# Bulk 97.00-110.00 Top 112.00
Yearling Heifers
600-700# Bulk 123.00-134.00 Top 135.00
700-800# Bulk 122.00-130.00 Top 131.00
800-900# Bulk 117.00-124.00 Top 126.00
900-1,000# Bulk 103.00-114.00 Top 116.50
Thin Shelly Cows 61.00-72.00
Butcher Cows 74.00-85.00
Butcher Bulls 83.00-95.00
Stock Cows 1175.00-1550.00
Younger Heifers 84.00-98.00
Pairs Young - 1325.00-1800.00
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 —
Price per ounce, USD
Gold: $1,281.71
Silver: $16.88
Platinum: $973.80
Palladium: $891.28
Bloomberg.com
— Ag Commodities —
Corn: $386.00/bu/USD
Wheat: $486.75/bu/USD
Soybeans: $973.25/bu/USD
Oats: $275.70 bu/USD
Rough Rice: $12.49/cwt/USD
Canola: $512.11 CAD/mwt
Live Cattle: $108.05//lb./USD
Feeder Cattle: $142.15/lb./USD
Lean Hogs: $68.25/lb./USD
Bloomberg.com