County discusses museum
funding, building issues
By Doris Brosnan
The Morrow County Court
discussed issues concerning the
Morrow County Museum at its
on October 18 meeting.
Morrow County Commissioner
Dan Brosnan reported that the
Museum Commission met on
October 17 to discuss the
relationship among the Museum
Foundation, the Museum
Commission and the county
court.
Issues stem from the reduction
in funding by the county and
discussion
centered
on
combining the foundation and
commission into one governing
entity that would enter a
management contract with the
county.
County Counsel Bill Hanlon
attended the October 17 meeting
to provide legal guidance.
Those in attendance at that
meeting agreed that the county
should retain possession of the
building and of the donations,
which were made to the county.
The new board would take
responsibility for fund-raising
and operation and maintenance
of the museum. Brosnan
anticipates that the county would
' continue financial support.
Commissioner John Wenholz
expressed concern over the
inefficiency of the building in
terms of heating and noted the
need to address that issue. Public
Works Director Burke O'Brien
interjected that he and
maintenance supervisor Les
Paustian are developing a
schedule of maintenance for all
the county buildings. The court
agreed to move forward with the
proposal and Wenholz asked that
it be completed before the next
budget session.
Discussion continued on
questions of setting up, financing
and insuring a new board, future
donations, what would be best
for the future of the museum,
issues surrounding the building
and management needs.
Planning Director Tamra
Mabbott and J.R. Wilkenson, of
WG Consulting, addr^sed the
court about the environmental
specialist position for which the
county is seeking funding from
the Army.
Wilkenson offered information
on his CSEPP-related experience
and nuclear and chemical
expertise and, in a presentation,
explained to the court the vast
number and types of
environmental monitoring issues
surrounding the chemical depot
incinerator. He recommended
the county's concentration on
CSEPP
c e rtific a tio n ,
environmental/human-health
monitoring, and the issue of on
site storage of hazardous waste.
* Brosnan voiced his concern
over the use of unproven
technology. Judge Terry Tallman
‘ reported that DEQ has
guaranteed that there will be no
hazardous waste issues.
Wilkenson posed questions about
the county's goals and objectives
and said he can assist the county
in these matters.
Enterprise
zone
manager/assessor Greg Sweek
and Kenn Evans of Inrigon
addressed the court about Evans'
request, made last year, to add
property to the Columbia River
Enterprise Zone. Sweek
recommended approval of the
inclusion. After discussion, the
court approved annexing the
Evans property, reference #4355
and #4358, into the enterprise
zone.
Sweek reported that he will be
able to advise the court next
week of property values and he
told Hanlon that he will provide
him information on total value
for the bond counsel. Tallman
reported that the Option One
company has renewed work on
the accounting programs.
Boardman City Manager Rex
Mather appeared to question the
court about the Behavioral
Health Department's proposed
transitional housing for alcohol
and drug rehabilitation program
clients. He expressed concerns
about zoning and other issues.
Tallman explained that director
of Behavioral Health Kelly Sager
has been requested to speak to
the Boardman Council about the
concept.
Boardman Rural Fire District
Chief Marc Rogelstad advised
the court that the district has
received a request to annex 2700
acres to the west, around the
airport. Fire district personnel are
contacting surrounding property
owners about annexation, which
the board has approved.
Rogelstad also described some
reorganization of the board
membership.
Rogelstad told the court of a
communications plan for
Boardman, using the CSEPP
VHF system. Wenholz noted
support of the plan by the CSEPP
Board but added that some
equipment problems still need
fixing. Rogelstad answered
questions about training, the
equipment, radio frequencies and
use of the Incident Command
System.
Max Hellberg met with the
court to discuss his subdividing
of a five-acre parcel into four
parcels, creating a need for
access to all of them. Mabbott
showed the court a map of the
Gravel Pit Lane and Kangaroo
Court Lane area and described an
easement along two sides of the
parcel, which shows on a survey
but not on the deeds. Possible
options that could involve the
county and the state were
discussed but no action taken.
O'Brien read the court a letter of
appreciation from the Baker
County Roadmaster for the "hard
work and professionalism" of
Carolyn Proebstal and Dave
Pranger in the striping of their
roads. He reported that the Anson
Wright Park camping sites
should be inspected by October
23 and open for use on October
24 if they pass. O'Brien said that
the Jordan Bridge approach work
should be complete next week
and paving within the next two
weeks. He reported that the state
was very helpful with the detour
during that project.
O'Brien also reported the clean
up of a weekend rock slide on
Gooseberry and completion of
painting and near completion of
fog sealing.
In response to a question from
Brosnan, O’Brien said that the
results of the November levy will ,
determine
some
future
scheduling of various road
projects.
The court also discussed with
Mabbott and the building
inspector, Brett Cook, an
apparent
reimbursement
discrepancy that resulted during
the transition of the building
inspection program from the
state to the county.
Noting that the state remains
responsible for payment of some
inspections completed by Cook,
the court agreed that it will add a
cover letter to a letter of
explanation to the state from
Cook. Brosnan said that he has
heard positive reports of Cook's
inspection services.
Other action taken by the court
included the following:
- approval of an approach from
Fourth Street in Irrigon;
-approval of a permit to
Umatilla Electric Cooperative for
an overhead line over Kunze
Road;
- approval of the agreement
with the Port of Morrow for the
appeal of the ground squirrel
listing;
-approval and signing of a
revised contract with the city of
Boardman for law enforcement
and prosecutonal services with
the county.
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, October 25, 2000 - FIVE
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Trick
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¿c _______--------------- - ¿ r ------- t
m um ENTRY FORM,
HHS senior class
meeting
set Oct. 30
The HHS senior class has
scheduled a meeting on Monday,
October 30, at 7:30 p.m. at the
HHS library to plan for their
graduation trip. Seniors and their
parents are encouraged to attend
this crucial meeting.
A decision will be made on the
trip destination and seniors must
indicate whether or not they plan
to go on the trip at the October
30 meeting. Reports will be
given on possible trips prior to a
vote.
Plans will also be made for
fund raising projects.
The class plans a baked
potato/chili feed on Friday, Nov.
3, from 5-7:30 p.m. at the
Morrow County Fairgrounds
prior to the HHS football game
vs. Umatilla which begins at 7:30
p.m.
A
THE FIRST ^
CORRECT ENTRY
DRAWN WINS A
Take your entry form to the
Heppner Gazette-Times
Contest deadline is
Tuesday. October 31.
(ONTffTiPO W OK W
TUE HfPPNEP (HAMMP A\f|KHANTS (OMMfTTff
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____ Morrow County Courthouse
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Heppner Chamber of Commerce
Cen|ral Red Apple Market
____Les Schwab Tire Center
____ Murray Drugs
____Green Feed and Seed
Willow Creek Clinic
Artisan Village
__ Court Street Market
Bring entry form
___Twice Upon A Time
to the G- T
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Oct. 31st
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