COMMISSION CHAIR SHANE M. ALDERSON                       August 7, 2024                      

COMMISSIONER CHRISTINA WITHAM

COMMISSIONER BRUCE A. NICHOLS

BAKER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

The Baker County Board of Commissioners met for the August 7, 2024, Commission Session. Present were Commissioner Christina Witham and Commissioner Bruce A. Nichols.

1.      Call to Order/Invocation/Pledge of Allegiance

Commissioner Nichols called the meeting to order and Commissioner Witham led the invocation and the pledge of allegiance.

2.      Agenda Changes/Additions to the Agenda

a.       Add: Transient Lodging Tax Committee: Application Guidelines (See scheduled business)

3.      Citizen’s Participation

a.        None

4.      Review/Approval of Minutes

a.       June 5, 2024 Commission Session Minutes

Commissioner Witham moved to approve the June 5, 2024 Commission session minutes as amended. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.

b.      June 26, 2024 Commission Session Minutes

Commissioner Witham moved to approve the June 26, 2024 Commission session minutes as amended. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried

c.       July 17, 2024 Commission Session Minutes

Commissioner Witham moved to approve the July 17, 2024 Commission session minutes as amended. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried

5.      Scheduled Business

a.       Transient Lodging Tax Committee (TLTC): Application Guidelines:

Commissioner Witham suggested that the matching fund requirement should be decreased from 50%. Commissioner Nichols suggested eliminating that requirement for certain agencies, such as non-profits and governmental agencies. Following discussion, it was noted that this topic needed to be further discussed with the TLTC in a work session with the Commissioners and then brought back to the Commissioners for approval.

b.      Transient Lodging Tax Committee (TLTC):  Funding to City of Baker City:

Commissioner Nichols explained that the City of Baker City is requesting $150,000.00 from the TLTC for the Golf Course Irrigation project as well as $150,000.00 for the Geiser Pollman Park Bathroom project. Commissioner Witham explained that she is not comfortable making a decision to fund the projects without the grant application being finalized.  Commissioner Nichols disagreed, saying that the request from the City had been received prior to the grant application guidelines being finalized, therefore the request should not need to go through the application process. He explained that the TLTC discussed the funding request at their last meeting, and voted in favor of funding the projects. Commissioner Witham noted her disagreement and explained that the TLTC should not have moved forward with the funding request without the application for tourism related facilities being finalized. She noted the importance of everyone following the same application process. Mr. Tyler Brown reported that he received a copy of the request from the City of Baker City from Commissioner Alderson on May 31, 2024. He also explained that the Commissioners recommended in a previous meeting that the requests be sent back to the TLTC for review and to provide a recommendation. He also noted that the TLTC has been providing funding for a tourism related facility in Halfway, through an Intergovernmental agreement, for approximately 20 years. 



Baker City Manager, Barry Murphy, reported that the ordinance that the County TLTC follows, lists three categories for use of TLT funds: administrative support, economic development, and tourism promotion. He explained that under tourism promotion, it specifically says for purposes of funding tourism promotion or tourism related facilities. He reported that their request was submitted May 31 and was then presented to the Commission Board who instructed them to submit to the TLTC, which was done. He expressed his concern with the rules being changed midstream.

Commissioner Nichols discussed that because they would not reach an agreement at this time, that this should be discussed at a later date. Michelle Kaseberg requested clarification of the TLTC funding and Mr. Murphy reiterated the ordinance.

c.       Contract Review Board

1.      Parks: Maintenance Assistance Grant IGA No. 2325-001 with Oregon State Marine Board

Ms. Doni Bruland reported that this grant agreement is for the 2023-2025 biennium and reported that the total amount is $16,987.00. She explained that those funds go toward maintenance of the facilities as well as the floating restroom.

Commissioner Witham moved to approve the Parks Maintenance Assistance Grant IGA No. 2325-001 with Oregon State Marine Board from July 1 2023 through June 30, 2025 for a total of $16,987.00. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.

2.      Facilities: Vehicle Purchase

Mr. McQuisten reported that the Facilities Department is requesting to purchase an additional vehicle. He reported that a 2021 ½ Ton Dodge pick-up is available to be purchased from the Wallowa County Sheriff’s Department for $28,500.00. He explained the vehicle is currently equipped with equipment from their Sheriff’s department. He reported that Facilities will utilize the vehicle and the Baker County Sheriffs will remove and utilize the cage, radios, and controls.



Commissioner Witham questioned if the graphics on the exterior graphics would be removed by Wallowa County. Mr. McQuisten explained that facilities staff would remove the graphics. Commissioner Witham cautioned Mr. McQuisten that the decals could be difficult to remove and may require additional costs.



Commissioner Witham moved to approve the facilities vehicle purchase of the 2021 ½-ton Dodge crew cab, short box pick up for $28,500.00. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.

d.      Weed Levy Approval:

Ms. Gussie Cook reported that she worked with County Counsel Kim Mosier to prepare the 805 Request for Ballot Title. Commissioner Witham noted the tax rate presented on the document needs to be amended. County Counsel noted that the amount would be updated.  Due to strict timelines, it was noted that the authorized official signing would be changed to Commissioner Nichols as Commissioner Alderson is absent and the document would be submitted to the Clerk’s office as soon as possible.



Commissioner Witham moved to approve the Weed Board Levy as amended to reflect Commissioner Nichols signing the document and the tax rate to be changed from $0.0060 $0.066. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.

6.      Documents to be Signed

a.       Order No. 2024-131: Designating a Paper of Record for Annual Foreclosure of the Tax Liens as Shown by the Baker County Foreclosure List:

County Counsel Kim Mosier provided clarification on the designation of the Paper of Record.  The Tax Office is seeking approval to designate the East Oregonian as the Paper of Record.

Commissioner Witham moved to approve and read Order No. 2024-131: Designating a Paper of Record for Annual Foreclosure of the Tax Liens as Shown by the Baker County Foreclosure List. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.

b.      Order No. 2024-132: Designating a Paper of Record- Commissioners’ office.

The Commissioners’ Office is seeking approval to designate the East Oregonian as the Paper of Record.

Commissioner Witham moved to approve Order No. 2024-132: Designating a Paper of Record for the Commissioner’s office. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.

c.       Order No. 2024-133: Re-Appointing Tom Van Diepen and Kevin Luckini to serve on the Baker County Planning Commission with Denise Cairns serving as an alternate with a term set to expire September 1, 2028.

Commissioner Witham moved to approve and read Order No. 2024-133: Re-appointing Members to Baker County Planning Commission. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.

d.      Order No. 2024-134: Re-appointing Debra Duggan to serve as a member on the Ambulance Service Area Advisory Committee for a term set to expire March 1, 2027.  

Commissioner Witham moved to approve Order No. 2024-134: Re-appointing Debra Duggan to the Ambulance Service Area Advisory Committee. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.

7.      Ratification of Documents

a.       Financial Reports: C41, C40, C37, C38, C36, C35, AP C42, C41, AP C39, C42

Commissioner Nichols moved to ratify the signatures on the following financial reports: C41, C40, C37, C38, C36, C35, AP C42, C41, AP C39, C42. Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.

b.      Baker County Declaration of Local Disaster:

Commissioner Nichols reported that Baker County made a Declaration of Local Disaster that had been signed by the Commissioners out of session.

Commissioner Witham moved to ratify the signatures on the Baker County Declaration of Local Disaster. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.

c.       BLM Emergency Facilities and Land Use Agreement (Hewitt/Holcomb Parks)

Commissioner Witham reported that the BLM temporarily used Hewitt/ Holcomb Parks as part of the Badlands Fire Complex. It was noted that that Commissioner Alderson signed the agreement out of session.



Commissioner Witham moved ratify the signature on the BLM Emergency Facilities and Land Use Agreement with Hewitt/Holcomb Parks. Commissioner Nichols seconded the agreement. Motion carried. 

8.      Other Business

a.        Commissioner Update:

Commissioner Nichols reported that recently an employee no longer wishes to manage the State Transportation Improvement Funds. He reported that he has reached out to County Counsel and Ms. Heidi Martin. He reported that the County would need to decide if they are going to look for help from an outside contractor or find another employee to help manage the program. Commissioner Witham noted speaking to another department supervisor that potentially had an employee to manage the program. She reported that they should reach out to the employee first and then if they are not able to help, look for outside help. Commissioner Nichols stressed that they are short on time and volunteered to reach out to this employee as soon as possible.



Commissioner Witham discussed a cooperative forest road agreement between Baker County and the Wallow Whitman Forest Service. She reported that this is a 5-year agreement and reported that Noodle is also aware of the agreement and she is waiting to hear back from him. Commissioner Witham briefly discussed the Hunt Mountain Property and a potential trade with the BLM.  Commissioner Witham provided a brief update on the fires in the area.

b.      Comparison of Calendar:

                          I.            Commissioner Nichols reported that he would be out of town on 8/8 and 8/9.  He reported that he plans to attend the caucus call on 8/13. Commissioner Nichols reported plans to attend the work session on 8/15.  He reported that he has an AOC investment committee meeting on 8/19 and Commission Session on 8/21. He also has an AOC membership meeting on 8/22.

                       II.            Commissioner Witham also reported plans to attend the caucus call on 8/13 and the Work Session on 8/15.  She also reported that she would be spending time with Ms. Gussie Cook and the Weed Board at the Fair. She also reported that she plans to attend a museum tour as well as a community fire meeting in Durkee.

9.      Adjournment

The August 7, 2024, Commission Session adjourned at 10:26 a.m.



Commissioner Witham moved to adjourn the August 7, 2024 Commission Session. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Respectfully Submitted,

Meranda Woolard

Program Coordinator