+HSSQHU*D]HWWH7LPHV+HSSQHU2UHJRQWednesday, May 8, 2024 -- NINE
Board of Commissioners story continued
-Continued from PAGE SEVEN
for a building of that
size.
Jensen then raised con-
cerns regarding the expense
of connecting waste water
to the city. It brought into
question whether the coun-
ty would be willing to cover
the full cost of approxi-
mately $235,000 associated
with this endeavor.
Jensen brought up the
possibility of relocating
the fairgrounds, stating,
“We do have interest by
the Port to meet with the
fairgrounds and the Rodeo
about possibly moving the
fairgrounds there. This is
very preliminary but would
be quite the change for the
Mill site.” Jensen’s propos-
al would involve placing
the fairgrounds on one side,
while still allowing for in-
dustrial development along
the west side where coil and
the chicks currently reside.
While still in the early
stages of discussion, Jensen
believes that such a move
could bring about positive
collaboration and impact
for the region, stating, “If
we could work out with
the Port and with the city
of Heppner about possibly
getting that infrastructure in
place, there might be some
good collaboration and
impact for having facilities
and development.”
Commissioner Drago
inquired about the antic-
ipated cost and duration
of the geotechnical and
environmental testing. Eurl
responded explaining that
they couldn’t determine the
H[DFW¿JXUHVXQWLOWKHWHVW-
ing had commenced. The
cost and timeline would
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ings.
Taking the discussion
further, Jensen proposed a
solution to narrow down
the potential sites by iden-
tifying two of the most suit-
able options. He suggested
organizing a public meeting
to gather valuable feedback
from the community. How-
ever, Jensen expressed a
personal recommendation
to the board, stating that
while the fairgrounds site
could be a viable choice, it
faced challenges concern-
ing parking availability.
Jensen highlighted the
Kinzua Mill site South.
He expressed enthusiasm
about its potential suit-
ability, provided that no
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impacts were discovered.
However, he cautioned that
it was imperative to obtain
approval from a represen-
tative of the state within
the next week. Jensen em-
phasized the importance of
securing their endorsement
before dedicating resources
to extensive environmental
testing, as it would be dis-
heartening if the representa-
tive ultimately disapproved
of the site.
According to Sykes, the
chief justice of Oregon has
already given his approval
after a walk-through of the
proposed site. Additional-
ly, Jensen claims to have
spoken with Representative
Greg Smith, who is willing
to advocate for additional
funding if necessary. Be-
fore presenting to the state,
Sykes wants to ensure the
unknown cost is minimized.
Jensen suggests one
option to improve parking
at the fairgrounds site is to
excavate on the other side
of the creek. He states that
the school has been contact-
ed regarding the bus barn
area, and they currently
have no plans to relocate
it but are willing to work
with them.
Jensen proposes reach-
ing out to the state for fund-
ing, utilizing the impact
reports they have obtained.
He suggests seeking feed-
back from Judge Hill or
the Chief Justice, and sub-
sequently presenting the
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This could be done through
either a public hearing or a
special session allowing for
public input. Jensen also
highlights the importance
RI FRQ¿UPLQJ 5HSUHVHQWD-
tive Greg Smith’s continued
commitment to assisting in
case additional funds are
required.
Sykes expressed his
desire to expedite the de-
cision-making process re-
garding two potential sites.
His primary concern was
to address the public’s dis-
satisfaction with the lack of
community input thus far,
as this frustration has been
a driving force behind an
ongoing recall campaign.
Sykes emphasized the
importance of transpar-
ency and honesty, stating,
“All I want to do is just tell
the public, be honest with
them, these are unknowns
we don’t know. That’s all I
want, you know it’s shown
that they want to be in-
volved in this process and
they are very, very upset
about the way it was done,
that they feel they haven’t
gotten enough input, we
all know that, right to our
faces, very angrily.”
Recognizing the pub-
lic’s distress, Sykes stressed
WKH VLJQL¿FDQFH RI LQYROY-
ing the community in the
decision-making process.
By addressing the uncer-
tainties surrounding costs
and unknown factors as-
sociated with a particular
site, Sykes believed that
seeking public input could
help alleviate concerns and
build a stronger consensus.
“We all know what’s going
on with the recall and this is
a big part of it. So, I think
just going to have the public
meeting and tell the people,
these are the unknowns. We
don’t know what the site
here is going to cost, what
do you want?”
Commissioner Drago
posed an important ques-
tion regarding the selection
process for potential sites.
He inquired whether there
would be multiple meetings
or just one. Jensen respond-
ed, stating that the decision
rests with the Commission-
ers. They could either have
separate meetings for the
north and south sides of the
county, or alternatively, uti-
lize online platforms such
as Zoom. However, Drago
expressed his preference
for a comprehensive, open
public meeting that allows
input from residents across
the entire county.
In agreement, Sykes
emphasized the need to
gather relevant informa-
tion on the proposed sites
in order to present it to
the public for feedback. In
light of this, it was decid-
ed that a public meeting
will be held on the 15 th .
During this meeting, the
Commissioners will present
the necessary information,
including costs and poten-
tial unknown costs, for the
Kinzua Mill south site, the
fairgrounds, and the Board-
man site. This will provide
an opportunity for commu-
nity members to voice their
opinions and preferences.
The forthcoming public
meeting will take place in
Irrigon in the afternoon on
the 15th, followed by an
evening meeting in Hep-
pner. However, Jensen not-
ed that the Irrigon meet-
ing will primarily involve
presentation and public
hearing, while the Heppner
meeting may include both
public deliberations and a
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The spotlight turned to
a new solar energy project
in Morrow County. Nathan
Strottler and Tanner Gilles-
pie, representatives from
OneEnergy, an independent
developer of grey-scale en-
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to present their proposal
for a ‘Goal 3 exception’
request. OneEnergy, based
out of Washington, has a
commendable track record
of successfully installing
solar energy systems across
North America. Their ven-
tures in Morrow County
include the Tower Road
project, which was permit-
ted in 2018, and the Harp
Solar project, also given the
green light the same year.
OneEnergy plans to
install a new solar project
approximately 17 miles
southwest of Hermiston.
This ambitious endeavor
is projected to produce a
staggering 260,000 mega-
watt hours of electricity per
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to power approximately
22,000 average homes.
According to Elaine
Aldridge, legal counsel for
OneEnergy, they received
approval from the planning
commission for a corre-
sponding conditional use
permit subject to the BOCs
approval. OneEnergy is
seeking the approval of the
Board of Commissioners
(BOC) to use 739 acres
of arable land. They are
requesting a Goal 3 excep-
tion as an amendment to the
Agriculture Land Element
of the Comprehensive Plan.
Aldridge the project
exceeds the Goal 3 Acreage
Threshold, with more than
12 acres of high-value ag-
riculture land and over 20
acres of arable soil. How-
ever, the company plans
to mitigate the impact on
agriculture by transforming
the area into an agricultural
grazing space for farmers
and animals.
To ensure the success
of this undertaking, OneEn-
ergy intends to provide
appropriate grazing areas
with a suitable mix of veg-
HWDWLRQLPSOHPHQWH൵HFWLYH
water management practic-
es, install secure fencing,
and ensure adequate access
for grazers and sheep. The
company aims to remotely
monitor the facility, mini-
mizing the need for onsite
maintenance. The lifespan
of the project is estimated
to be 35 years, with room
for technological updates.
The timeline for the
project includes develop-
ment and permitting in
2023-2024, construction
completion by the end of
2025, and the facility being
operational by the begin-
ning of 2026. OneEnergy is
requesting a Goal 3 excep-
tion as an amendment to the
Agriculture Land Element
of the Comprehensive Plan.
During the public tes-
timony, Cameron Krebbs,
a resident of Boardman,
spoke in favor of the ap-
plication, emphasizing the
importance of maintaining
an ecosystem through veg-
etation rather than leav-
ing bare earth. Similarly,
Tim Russ, another citizen,
stressed the significance
of preserving the land’s
condition or improving it
when the solar plant reaches
the end of its lifespan. The
Board motioned to approve
the application.
Jensen took this time
to seek permission from
the BOC to move forward
with applying for technical
study grants to address the
nitrate issue.
Amidst the discussion,
Commissioner Sykes raised
a crucial question - which
department would be re-
sponsible for overseeing
this project? Jensen ex-
plained that the project falls
under the purview of the
community development
department, with himself
and Tamera Mabbott from
the Planning Department
serving as key players.
However, there is no des-
ignated department solely
dedicated to this endeavor.
Sykes emphasized the
need for a structured ap-
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details on the department’s
size, annual budget alloca-
tion, and task delegation.
Jensen admitted that while
there is a budget allotted
for this department, there
is no director overseeing
its operations. Instead, he
relies on collaboration with
various department heads,
particularly those from the
public works department.
Realizing the importance
of handling this issue ap-
propriately, Sykes stressed
the necessity of having a
dedicated project manag-
er. The BOC members, in
agreement, passed a motion
to authorize the Jensen to
apply for the Oregon tech-
nical assistance grant for
water and wastewater.
In a recent update pro-
vided by a representative
from the public works de-
partment, exciting devel-
opments were unveiled for
the local community. With
plans in motion to improve
the fairgrounds area, at-
tention is being directed
towards the other side of the
FUHHN,QDQH൵RUWWRWDFNOH
the parking woes, a signif-
icant project involving the
extraction of approximately
20,000 cubic yards of earth
is on the horizon. Multiple
companies have been en-
listed to undertake the anal-
ysis of the site, ensuring a
thorough exploration of the
possibilities.
Furthermore, the repre-
sentative mentioned the in-
volvement of Corey Swee-
ney, the weed management
manager, in the upcoming
solar project spearheaded
by OneEnergy. As weed
mitigation plans are being
carefully devised, it is ev-
LGHQWWKDWH൵RUWVDUHEHLQJ
made to harmonize the
growth of the solar endeav-
or with the surrounding
natural environment. In
addition to these commend-
able initiatives, the opening
of the OHV Park is immi-
nent, set to be available for
public enjoyment before
Mother’s Day.
WCVEDG
awards over
$260,000
Monday, May 13, 2024
- Willow Creek Valley Eco-
nomic Development Group
(WCVEDG) awarded over
$260,000 to communi-
ty enhancement projects
across Heppner, with a
total project investment of
over $850,000. This grant
awards funds to eligible
SURMHFWV IURP QRQSUR¿WV
municipalities, or special
districts. Eligible projects
include, but not limited
to, recreational programs
or projects that serve the
public, cultural activities,
SXEOLF EHDXWL¿FDWLRQ SURM-
ects, existing program en-
hancement, and capital
improvements.
Projects this year in-
clude: Heppner playground
equipment, food bank box-
es, a pollinator garden,
Youth Baseball backstop
and batting cage, St. Pat-
rick’s Senior Center bingo
equipment, city-wide cat
spay and neuter clinic, Wil-
low Creek Country Club
equipment, new bathrooms
and shop improvements at
the Heppner Cemetery, the
Heppner Chamber of Com-
merce artisan market proj-
ect, and capital improve-
ments to Willow Creek
Assisted Living, Morrow
County Health District, and
the Odd Fellows.
To learn more about
this grant and other grant
programs administered by
WCVEDG, visit heppner-
chamber.com/grants, email
wcvedg@gmail.com, or
call 503-504-8508.
Umatilla County BOC
votes to take legal
action against CDA
Reported by Terry
Murray of Elkhorn Media
Group
UMATILLA COUN-
TY – The Umatilla County
Board of Commissioners
has voted unanimously to
take legal action against
the Columbia Development
Authority. CDA Chairman
Kim Puzey refused a mo-
tion to rescind a 3-2 vote
by the board that took eco-
nomic development prop-
erty from the county and
the Confederated Tribes of
the Umatilla Indian Reser-
vation at last week’s CDA
board meeting.
The county has been
a partner in taking local
control of the Umatilla
Chemical Weapons Depot
land for more than 30 years
and has invested in improv-
ing the land to use portions
of it for economic devel-
opment. The controversial
vote would allow only the
Port of Morrow and the Port
of Umatilla to use land for
that purpose.
Umatilla County Com-
missioner John Shafer is
the county’s representative
on the CDA Board of Di-
rectors. Ideally, he doesn’t
want to battle it out in the
courts even though he says
KH¶V FRQ¿GHQW WKH FRXQW\
will prevail. He said it’s
vital that the CDA remain
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hope to attract businesses
that are right for all in-
volved.
“Let’s have a united
front going forward,” he
said. “Let’s show the de-
velopers that, as all families
do, we had a disagreement,
but we came together in
the end.”
Shafer said that as
things stand now, the coun-
W\ZLOOZLWKGUDZLWV¿QDQ-
cial support in bringing in-
frastructure to the land that
used to house the depot. He
talked about the history of
WKHDJUHHPHQWWKH¿QDQFLDO
investment the county has
made over decades, and
what the future could hold
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Thursday.
Doherty Awarded by OCCA
-Continued from PAGE ONE and school, Doherty shared
$SULO WK 5HÀHFWLQJ RQ
his awe-inspiring journey,
he expressed his excite-
ment, confessing that he
never imagined receiving
such recognition.
Having completed his
associate degree in business
administration at BMCC
last fall, he aims to obtain
his bachelor’s degree from
Eastern Oregon University.
Doherty plans to undertake
a course load of 12 credits
focused on policy politics
and public administration,
however, he still requires
an additional 80 credits to
reach his goal. June 12th
PDUNVWKHVLJQL¿FDQWGD\RI
his graduation from BMCC,
a major milestone in his
educational journey.
When asked about his
ability to manage both work
his secret to success. He
revealed that, after work,
he dedicated several hours
each day to completing
his schoolwork, including
many Saturdays, allowing
him to strike a balance
without missing out on too
many events. Doherty’s
drive to make the most of
his potential resonates with
his desire to increase his
earning potential - a goal
he believes can only be
achieved by continuously
seeking opportunities for
advancement.
As Chadd Doherty re-
ceives this well-deserved
recognition for his academ-
ic achievements, communi-
ty outreach, and exemplary
leadership, the future seems
bright for this accomplished
individual.
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