+HSSQHU*D]HWWH7LPHV+HSSQHU2UHJRQ Wednesday, May 22, 2024 7+5((
Morrow County Board of Commissioner meeting public input circuit court
-Continued from PAGE ONE
ularly interesting situation
as it had potential envi-
ronmental contamination
from the milling process.
This meant that extensive
surveys would be necessary
to determine the extent of
the problem. Additionally,
there were uncertainties
regarding the installation
of new pipes to get water
to the site. Connecting to
the city water supply would
involve an unknown cost,
while installing a well wa-
ter system, similar to what
neighboring buildings used,
was an alternative option.
Sewer, too, presented
its own challenges. Hook-
ing up to the city sewer
system was possible but
required the installation
of a pressure system due
to the site’s downhill posi-
tion. This pressure system
would need to be imple-
mented within a range of
1 to 2 miles. However, the
fairgrounds site and the
Boardman site already has
sewers in place, eliminating
this concern.
Kelly proceeded to
elaborate on the estimated
costs associated with each
location. The fairgrounds
site and the Boardman site
were already included with-
in the budget, leaving the
mill site as the primary fo-
cus of discussion. The cost
for the mill site was pro-
jected to be between $1.945
million and $2.910 million.
However, this range did not
include potential environ-
mental costs, which were
still being assessed.
To provide a more ac-
curate estimate of the over-
all expenses, a geotechnical
survey needed to be con-
ducted at each site, which
could cost up to $30,000.
Depending on the results,
ground improvements or
adjustments to the build-
ing’s structural plans might
also be necessary. These
additional factors made it
difficult to determine the
exact cost of the mill site.
Moreover, the longer
the project was delayed,
the more costly it would
become. Kelly stressed
that each month of de-
lay incurred an addition-
al $100,000 in escalation
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site already behind sched-
ule by three months, this
accounted for an extra
$300,000. Similarly, the
mill site and the Boardman
site would face escalating
costs due to their own indi-
vidual challenges.
Considering all the fac-
tors, the fairgrounds site
appeared to be the least
expensive option, with an
additional cost of $300,000.
In contrast, the mill site
could potentially cost an
extra $3.6 million, plus
unknown environmental
expenses.
Commissioner Sykes
took a beat to remind the
room that the unknown
costs, shown on the slides
presented, are how to rem-
edy obstacles that could
come about.
Jensen says the fair-
grounds site is the cheapest,
the Mill site is all about po-
tential, and the Boardman
site has logistical answers
“we lay before you a heavy
decision.”
The first to speak
during public comment
was MC resident Mollie
Rhea, suggesting that the
existing water, power, and
sewer infrastructure at the
site may be usable and
asks John Murray, who is a
member of the Port of Mor-
row Commission and was
in attendance to this meet-
ing, if it is available to tie
into. John Murray responds
by saying that there is one
small well on the site, but it
is not suitable for drinking.
John Doherty, the City
Manager, expressed his
support for the fairgrounds
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grounds; we can work with
the residents and the fair
and Rodeo board to have
a smooth transition and
KNOWN COSTS
Fairgrounds Site
Potential Cost Item
Provide Water to Site
Option A
Connect to city water
Provide well water on site
Option B
(not recommended) Fire suppression tank & fire pump
Well Water Treatment System
Dispose of water from site
Option A
Connect to city sewer- with lift
stations vs pressure system
Option B
Provide sewer disposal system on
site
Boardman Site
Included in Base Budget
Not Applicable
1 to 1.5 miles @ $100/ft = $895,000 to $1,165,000
$150,000
Included in Base Budget
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
$1,125,000
$75,000
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Included in Base Budget
Water and Sewer Development Cost Range:
Kinzua Mill Site
1 to 1.5 miles = $1,235,000 to $1,560,000
Included in Base Budget
Not Applicable
$1,050,000
Not Applicable
Base Budget
$1,945,000
$1,945,000 to to $2,910,000
$2,910,000
Base Budget
UNKNOWN COSTS
Fairgrounds Site
Potential Cost Item
Kinzua Mill Site
Boardman Site
Environmental Needs
Environmental Survey - Phase 1
Environmental Survey - Phase 2
Environmental Survey results
impacting soil remediation
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Plus 3 Months= $300,000 (concurrent)
UNKNOWN (Pending phase 1 results)
UNKNOWN (Pending survey results)
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Geotechnical Needs
Geotech Exploration & Reports
Geotech results impacting ground
improvement and structural
foundation
ODOT
Site Selection Analysis
Complete
Completed / Base Budget
Not Applicable
plus 3 months= $300,000
*Time = $100,000 per month in escalation costs
$300,000
$30,000 per potential building location
Plus 3 Months = $300,000
UNKNOWN
plus 3 months= $300,000 (concurrent)
plus 3 months= $300,000
$690,000 + UNKNOWN
$30,000
Plus 3 Months= $300,000
UNKNOWN
Not Applicable
plus 3 months= $300,000
$630,000 + UNKNOWN
TOTAL KNOWN + UNKNOWN COSTS
TOTAL POTENTIAL COSTS:
Water and Sewer Development Costs:
Site Survey Costs:
Site Remediation Costs:
Time Added Costs*:
Fairgrounds Site
Kinzua Mill Site
Boardman Site
Base Budget
No Additional Cost
No Additional Cost
$300,000
$1,945,000 to $2,910,000
$90,000 + UNKNOWN
UNKNOWN
$600,000
Base Budget
$30,000
UNKNOWN
$600,000
$300,000
Up to $3,600,000 + UNKNOWN
$630,000 + UNKNOWN
Costs estimates provided by the city.
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come up with different
ideas. I’ve met with mem-
bers of the rodeo board on
parking issues. And then
there been some very loud
discussion with the Port
[of Morrow] and some of
the county about possible
development at the mill site
for fairgrounds possibly in
the future, that would have
a much larger area available
for development than the
current fairgrounds site, the
city is in favor for this site.”
Next to speak was
Lexington resident Jodi
Ferguson, she expressed
her concern that the pre-
sentation during the public
meeting only focused on
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courthouse project. She ar-
gued that placing the court-
house at the Mill site would
have a significant larger
cost, but it would also have
unique factors such as the
Blue Mountains, the Mor-
row County fair and rodeo,
and other county offices
that could contribute to the
prosperity of the south end
of the county.
Furguson mentioned
that the tax abatement from
the Amazon sites was meant
WRLPSURYHGL൵HUHQWDVSHFWV
throughout the entire coun-
ty, and building the court-
house in Heppner would
be a visual representation
of the county’s gain from
these tax abatements. She
agreed with the statement
that 80 percent of court
cases come from the north
end but pointed out that in
a rural area like Morrow
County, people often had
to travel for education,
work, and other purposes.
However, Furguson dis-
agreed with moving the
current fairgrounds to the
Mill site, as she believed
it would not create more
jobs or consistent income
for the south end of the
county and would be a
misuse of the land. She also
opposed placing the court-
house at the fairgrounds or
the Boardman location due
to their proximity to schools
and private properties. Fer-
guson emphasized the need
for growth opportunities in
the south county and urged
the board to consider put-
ting south Morrow County
back on the map.
Sharron Inskeep, a resi-
dent and city council mem-
ber for Heppner, expressed
concerns about the cost
analysis for the port site.
She inquired whether the
estimated cost was based
on the entire site or if it
had been broken down for
specific parcels, such as
the two-acre parcels on the
south or north side of the
site. Inskeep pointed out
that these two locations
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in terms of cost.
In response, Commis-
sioner Drago explained that
the cost analysis provided
a range because the exact
location of the port site had
not yet been determined. He
stated that if the port were
closer to the town, the water
and sewer infrastructure
could be extended for a
shorter distance, thus reduc-
ing costs. Conversely, if the
port were located further
away, the expenses would
be higher.
Following this explana-
tion, Inskeep turned to John
Murray and asked if he had
any ideas for a potential
site. Murray mentioned that
there was brief discussion
about a site near the golf
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ner next to the road, which
would provide easy access
to the highway. Additional-
ly, Murray noted that there
were suggestions to remove
the old existing storage
buildings located right next
to the road or build near the
left-hand side of the exten-
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Resident Terry Gen-
try then raises a question
about what would happen
if hazardous materials are
encountered during the
surveys at the mill site, and
who would be responsible
for the cost of cleanup – the
county or the POM [Port
of Morrow] she mentions
that hazardous material
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expense.
Jensen address that
question saying that there
are certain areas on the
hills that have been used as
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county would like to avoid
those areas. The transfer
of land would need to be
discussed and negotiated
with the POM. Although
there have been preliminary
studies conducted, none of
them have been certified
by the state yet. Jensen
mentioned that some of the
areas the county has been
considering are least im-
pacted by any surprises. For
example, the area closest to
the golf course on the far
east might have had wood
stacks on it, while the area
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on the northwest side is
probably not a big issue.
Jensen also mentioned that
while the storage unit area
may not be problematic, the
area behind it could be. The
unknowns regarding the
potential locations of the
project could have an im-
pact. Ultimately, the POM,
the city of Heppner, and the
county would need to come
WRJHWKHU WR ¿QG VROXWLRQV
and determine if the chosen
location is suitable.
Terry Gentry expressed
uncertainty regarding who
would be responsible for
the cost of the project. She
mentioned that it is unclear
whether it would come out
of the pockets of the county,
the city, or the participating
organizations and residents.
Jensen added that cur-
rently, they are anticipating
an increase in project costs.
He mentioned that they are
providing the commission
and the public with as much
information as they have.
Drago pointed out that the
presentation assumes that if
there is a need for project
mediation, it would be a
cost incurred by the county
to correct the situation.
Bob Mahoney, Morrow
County resident states “I’ve
worked on the Morrow
County fairgrounds helping
develop that site. I would
hate to see that all go down
the drain. You don’t realize
the work the community
has done to develop that.
It’s not just the rodeo, fu-
nerals, wedding, playoff
football games. I think the
site sucks, we don’t need
it there. Built down at the
Kinzua they’ve already
squandered millions of
dollars trying to make a
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put something down there
that works.”
Morrow County res-
ident Rick Drake asked
if the parking issue at the
fairgrounds been solved?
Jensen replies to that
saying no, but they’ve had
discussion with the Fair and
Rodeo Board about various
options for handling park-
ing, depending on where
the event takes place. If it is
held at the fairground site,
measures will be taken to
increase parking capacity.
However, he says it will
impact the use of the fair-
grounds, and temporary
stables might need to be
created to accommodate
horses while people park
elsewhere. And that the city
of Heppner is willing to
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but there is currently no
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An unnamed resident
raised a question regarding
the fairgrounds site being
a commercial building in a
public zone. They asked if a
public meeting is necessary
for this matter and if the
public has the right to ex-
press their opposition to it.
Jensen responded by stating
that the fairgrounds site
is also zoned for residen-
tial purposes, allowing for
schools and courthouses.
Jensen explained that there
would be a conditional
use hearing where certain
considerations, such as site
plans, landscaping, park-
ing, and design, would be
taken into account. Jensen
mentioned that the city of
Heppner wanted to assess
the impacts before proceed-
ing with a traditional use
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that legally, residents can-
not simply express their
opposition and prevent the
project from happening, as
long as the conditional con-
siderations outlined in the
city planning code are met.
However, there will still
be public hearings where
residents can voice their
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decides whether the proj-
ect proceeds or not, John
Doherty responded that
the Planning Commission
makes that decision. Matt
added that if the Planning
Commission has a valid
legal reason, they can deny
the project.
An unnamed resident
from Lexington voiced
concerns about the football
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is no other place to park if
they were to install horse
stalls. Also saying he would
rather his tax money go to
infrastructure.
Jensen reassured the
resident that the concerns
regarding the fairgrounds,
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are being taken into con-
sideration by the Morrow
County BOC.
Another Morrow Coun-
ty resident Mollie Rhea asks
about the infrastructure say-
ing “Is the infrastructure
that is possibly going in to
the Mill site, is that overkill
for future development and
is the courthouse build foot-
ing that bill?”
Commissioner Dra-
go replies saying “You’re
asking questions that have
not been decided.” Mollie
WKHQDVNHGIRUFRQ¿UPDWLRQ
saying “So its not built into
the numbers you showed us
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saying “Not at all.”
An unnamed resident
inquires about how much
unused land they need say-
ing “we only need two
acres, are there not two
acres that have never been
used?” Kelly Stewart re-
plies saying there is limited
evidence, and it was not
recorded what was used
or not. The resident replies
saying that those who have
lived here their whole lives
know it’s never been used,
that was debunked by an-
other attendee, unnamed,
saying their had been devel-
opment in that area, and if
you were to talk to the peo-
ple that had once worked
their they could tell you
they stored oil behind the
storage sheds in that area.
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saying that there had been
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ied up on that hill as well.
Former resident Pat-
rick Collins asked about
the bridge expansion at the
fairgrounds site, Jensen
replies saying “The Hinton
Bridge by the school is very
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on the city road on Elder
street is slim but wouldn’t
need updating.”
An unnamed resident
then asks if the bridge will
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tion trucks and Jensen
confirms saying the civil
engineers say everything
is okay.
Ione resident Kirsten
Espinola says she doesn’t
understand why building on
the mill site is a big issue.
Jensen replies saying “it is
a usable site if it wasn’t the
POM wouldn’t have held
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But they’re are unknowns
that can be mitigated, we
just want to make sure to
the public that going with
this gift horse we wanted
to make sure its shoed and
saddled before talking it for
a ride.” Kirsten the express-
es that she feels the board
is dismissing the Mill site
saying “-it feels like you
guys are counting it out and
adding these costs, but I’ve
seen it done (referencing a
story she told of her home-
town building a school on
a condemned mill site).”
Jensen then replies assuring
that they have not counted
the site out saying “- we
haven’t counted it out, we
KDYHQ¶WLQÀDWHGWKHFRVWWKH
major cost that we have in
there is just the infrastruc-
ture and Geotech surveying
that we need to do to see if
there is anything else, we
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out. The 3-4 million dollars
is to get the water and sewer
there. If we were counting
it out it wouldn’t be on this
list.”
Kirsten replies saying
she feels like the Mill site
is a better spot, rather than
having it next to an elemen-
tary school and the fair and
rodeo saying, “I just think
it’s a better solution.”
Janet Greenup, a Mor-
row County resident, says
out of respect for the pi-
oneers that settled here it
needs to be kept in Heppner.
Resident Rick Drake says
there are earthquakes in
Boardman, and he wonders
if they have tested for that
in the Boardman site. Kelly
Stewart replies saying there
are seismic zones, but she
doesn’t know.
Morrow County res-
ident Trevor Rhea asked
why they need to pump
sewer uphill at the Mill site,
and if they’ve considered
drilling a well and a septic
system? And asks if the
school is going to have to
change their pickup system
if the fairgrounds site is
chosen. Drago replies to
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tions, the water and sewer,
saying it’s an option on the
spreadsheets.
Resident Stuart Dick
expresses that he feels that
the 100 acres (on the Mill
-Continued to PAGE NINE
Murray’s will be
closed Sunday
5/26 and Monday
5/27 for
Memorial Day
217 North Main St.,
Heppner, OR
Phone 676-9158 Floral 676-9426
murraysdrug.com
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-6pm • Sat 8am-6pm •
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($562)
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