i Record-Courier
THURSDAY, MARCH 17,2016
BUDGET
Continued from page 1
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Harvey replied, "Yes, we have an
agreement with the School District.
They are purchasing the property for
$15,000 and will pay up to $11,000
for the demolition costs."
"I wasn't aware of any of this," said
Durflinger.
Following the meeting, Baker
School District was contacted and
Doug Dalton, Chief Financial Offi
cer and Business Manager for 5J
School District stated in an email to
the Record-Courier on March 10,
"We have only been in discussion
about the referenced property with
[the] County. We have not entered
into any agreements at this point.
We are looking at the idea and inves
tigating the details. You can check
back later and we may have more in
formation in a month or two."
The day after the Work Session in
response to Dalton's email to the
Record-Courier, Harvey stated in a
phone call that the negotiation has
been going on for months with the
School District.
"This is something we're allowed
to do," said Harvey. "It's a long
process. He has to go his board, I
have to go to mine. We had to get the
study done and it came back clean."
When asked what he plans to do if
the School District decides not to
purchase it, Harvey said, "We'll sell
it."
According to Durflinger, nor
mally when the County forecloses
on a property, she first receives no
tification and then contacts Facili
ties to secure the property.
McQuisten stated he would do such
things as board the windows, make
certain the doors are secured, weeds
are taken care of and any refuse re
moved. The property is then typi
cally sold at a Sheriffs sale to the
public.
Proposed Purchase of
ODOT Building
Since about November 2014, the
Weed Department with one part-
time employee, Amie Grammon,
has been located at the old ODOT
building near Mt. Hope Cemetery
which the County has planned to
purchase. The rent money paid will
be applied to an eventual proposed
purchase of the property with a sale
price of $110,000.
The Weed Department is currently
housed in the old ODOT building.
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"We are renting at a higher cost
than the purchase payment will be,"
said McQuisten.
"Heating bills have been astro
nomical," said Christena Cook.
"My concern is that Arnie won't be
able make the utility payment after
the purchase. Currently it's being
paid out of Facilities."
"Nothing is being covered,"
added McQuisten. "Water, sewer,
electric is $300-$400 plus rent.
What will this do to the Weed De
partment?"
Cook responded, "I can tell you
its going to kill them [the Weed De
partment]."
"What I'm driving at is we need a
~ g33|an," said McQuisten; "Another
! question I have is whether or not we
will run into building inspection is
sues with the building not being
ADA compliant if Arnie has public
meetings?"
Heidi Martin, Executive Assistant
then informed the Commissioners
the ODOT paperwork had been re
ceived and that ODOT wants to
close by April 1.
"You have a short time frame to
figure out what you want to do,"
said Martin.
Grammon said the ODOT build
ing "as is" works very well for him.
"I am trying to minimize the heat
and the rent dollars go toward the
purchase. I'm very happy where I'm
at," said Grammon. "I'll do my best
to meet a fair amount of the costs
associated with running that," he
added.
McQuisten said, "I'm glad Arnie's
happy but for the last year and a
half it's been coming out of a
budget line from my department.
Do I continue to plan for this?"
An environmental study was re
quired on the property and report
edly has been received. However,
Cook stated she has not seen it.
13th Street Property
Development
According to the staff report by
Dan McQuisten, Baker County
Commissioners purchased the lot
on the comer of 13th and H Street
for roughly $57,000. The Road De
partment has submitted plans for
approval to erect a 126 foot x 60
foot steel storage structure on a por
tion of the parcel. It will require 175
feet of the 275 feet available.
McQuisten stated the report was
for informational purposes only and
asked Commissioners what they
want to pursue this year.
Jail / Justice Center
Addition
The Sheriffs Office and Facilities
have created a proposed 40 foot by
40 foot addition to the Justice-Cen
ter. It would add two office spaces
and a training/meeting room. It
would have an estimated cost of
$75,000-$100,000.
"Baker County's Justice Center
was built in 1990. The Sheriffs Of
fice currently accommodates Sher
iffs staff, patrol deputies, 911
Dispatch, Emergency Manage
ment, and various others such as
Marine Patrol and Search and Res
cue.... Meetings or trainings are in
terrupted due to flow of personnel
through the area to access exits,
break area and bathrooms. While
the current system works it is the
desire of the Sheriffs office to cre
ate a more professional atmosphere
for meeting and learning and inter
acting with the public," it was noted
in the staff report.
Public Health
Department
The Health Department located at
3330 Pocahontas Road is seeking to
relocate. Since 1999, the County
has expended approximately
$600,000 to lease the building they
will never own. Concerns about the.
location of the building, limitations
of space and even security con
cerns, has resulted in a search for a
more central location.
An opportunity has been pre
sented for the lease/purchase of a
10,000 square foot centrally located
building in close proximity to the
Courthouse. Currently, the Health
Department utilizes about 3,200
square feet which would provide
the potential to offer other county
entities the chance to co-locate.
This might include the Water Re
sources Department which is con
sidering moving out of the
Courthouse as well as others.
It was noted that because of the
close proximity, it would make I.T.
issues much easier.
Cost for the property is $420,000
which would be approximately
$3,400 per month. Remodeling
costs would also be generated.
Dan
McQuisten
of Faeilities
"The location where the Health
Department is currently, doesn't
serve the needs of the clientele we
serve adequately. Being centrally
located would be beneficial. I'm
going to be paying money no
matter what.. I'd rather pay for
something we'll own in 10 years,"
said Robin Nudd of Public Health.
"We need to be offering mental
health services and we just don't
have the room," added Nudd.
Commissioner Bennett stated that
it sounded like there; are many
pluses to explore about such a
proposal.
"If we could have a one-stop for
people...this totally makes sense. It
would be ideal if this would work
for the Water folks because of the
revenue," Bennett also stated.
"But do we have time?" asked
Nudd referring to the April 1
closing with ODOT.
"We've waited for months and
months on ODOT. We can take
some time," answered Bennett.
McQuisten said his hope from the
meeting was to have Commission
ers reassess and prioritize.
"I know Arnie loves the ODOT
building and in no way am I want
ing to take away from the impor
tance of the Weed Department. But
in considering the budget situation,
what is the best use of funds?" said
McQuisten.
At the end of the discussion on
facilities, the Commissioners asked
the Department heads to meet and
come back to them with a list of
recommended priorities.
"We can put information together
factually for you," said Christena
Cook. (Note: That scheduled meet
ing was then cancelled by Commis
sioner Harvey according to another
County official).
Ed Elms, Chairman of the Parks
Department Board said later that
many of the Department Heads are
experienced and do an excellent
job.
"But they're intimidated. They
don't want to lose their jobs, and I
don't blame them," said Elms.
Photos by Gina Perkins
Bruce Nichols, CPA and Republican
candidate for Baker County Commis
sioner (right) reviews financial posi
tion and staff reports at Wednesday's
meeting.
11 a.m.
(Sign in begins at 10 a.m.)
Baker County Fairgrounds Show Barn
Mutton Busting • Sack Races
Stick Horse Races and more!
Christena Cook (at
right) expresses
concerns to Com
missioner Harvey
(far left).
Awards and Prize Money
Everyone Deserves a Loving Home,
Even our Furry Friends
Best Friends of Baker, Inc., a nonprofit group of volunteers, rescues and finds homes for
as many Baker County pets as possible. You can help by becoming a member of Best
Friends. All money earned is directly used to rescue homeless pets and find them a forever
home.
During the month of March, Zephyr’s Bakery and Deli at 1917
Main Street is offering a FREE hot beverage to those who join or
renew a membership in Best Friends. Warm your body with a free
drink and your heart with a membership to Best Friends at
Zephyr’s during March!
Best Friends of Baker has been rescuing domestic pets in Baker County since 1986 with
100% volunteer staff. 100% of donations benefit local pets with no paid help.
Best Friends of Baker, Inc
541-519-7387
www.bestfn.endsofbaker.org
bestfriends ofbaker@yahoo.com
Find us on www.petfinder.com
A no-kill 501 (c)(3) rescue organization providing spay/neuter
and vaccination before placing pets in loving homes.
Obituary
Ines Maria
Cedeno Van Cleave
April 1925 - March 201B
Our mom, Ines Maria Cedeno Van Cleave, was
welcomed into heaven March 10, 2016. She
passed away in Meridian, Idaho. Her graveside
service will be held at Mt. Hope Cemetery in
Baker City Monday, March 21 at 1:30 p.m. with Pastor Jesse Whitford
of the Baker City Christian Church officiating.
Ines was bom April 20, 1925 in La Madera Province, Panama City,
Panama to Amelio and Natividad Bemal Cedeno. She married James
Van Cleave in Panama in 1945 where James was serving in the military.
When he got out of the service, the couple moved back to James' home
town of
Hereford wheje they raised their family. Ines always enjoyed berry
picking, camping, going for rides in the country and fishing. She always
seemed to be the one to catch the biggest fish!
After retirement Ines and James enjoyed spending the winters in Yuma,
Arizona and their return trips to visit family in Panama.
Ines was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, James and a
son, James Jr. She is survived by her five children, ten grandchildren
and nine great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Heart 'n Home Hospice
through Gray's West & Company Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave,
Baker City, OR 97814.
To light a candle in memory of Ines, please visit: wwwgrays
westco.com.