COMMISSION CHAIR SHANE M. ALDERSON                       September 18, 2024              

COMMISSIONER CHRISTINA WITHAM

COMMISSIONER BRUCE A. NICHOLS

BAKER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

The Baker County Board of Commissioners met for the September 18, 2024, Commission Session. Present were Commissioner Shane Alderson, Commissioner Christina Witham and Commissioner Bruce A. Nichols.

1.      Call to Order/Invocation/Pledge of Allegiance

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

2.      Agenda Changes/Additions to the Agenda

a.        

3.      Citizen’s Participation

a.        None

4.      Review/Approval of Minutes

a.       September 4, 2024 Commission Session Minutes

Commissioner Nichols moved to approve the September 4, 2024 Commission Session minutes as presented. Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.

5.      Scheduled Business

a.       Public Hearing:

Ordinance No. 2024-02: Amending Ordinances 84-1 and 2005-04 Northern Baker Transportation Improvement Plan (to be continued to October 2, 2024).

Commissioner Alderson opened the public hearing and asked for testimony in favor or against.  Having none, the public hearing was continued to October 2, 2024.

b.      Public Hearing:

Order No. 2024-142: Naming a new private road, “Pinerich Road”, located on TL 1302 in Section 30D of Township 8S, Range 39E, W.M.

Commissioner Alderson opened the public hearing and asked for testimony in favor or against.  Having none, Commissioner Alderson closed the public hearing.

Commissioner Witham moved to approve Order No. 2024-142.  Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion.  Motion carried.    

c.       Contract Review Board

1.      Parks: Engineering Contract w/ Flagline for the Parks Waterline Project. 

Ms. Doni Bruland was present and discussed that the contract had been provided to County Counsel. Commissioner Witham noted that this contract does not include fiber line.  It was discussed that Anderson perry thought it would be a conflict and didn’t submit a proposal as they did the City of Richland water project.  Commissioner Witham noted that $1,000,000 set aside for this project through the LATC funds.  Flagline is also offering grant administration in the contract.  Commissioner Nichols expressed importance in getting grants to support the project being completed.



Commissioner Witham moved to approve the engineering agreement with Flagline for $409,932.00 for the Parks Waterline Project.  Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

2.      Parks: ODOT FTA 5310 RFP Approval:

Ms. Bruland reported that this request for proposals is for Federal Transportation Administration 5310 funds.  The closing date for the RFP is October 11, 2024. 

Commissioner Nichols moved to approve the RFP for Federal Transportation Funds 5310 for the 2025-27 biennium.  Commissioner Witham seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

Discussion: Commissioner Witham asked Commissioner Nichols if he would discuss the possibility of ODOT taking over the program with our legislators.  Commissioner Nichols expressed concern about giving up authority of the program.  Ms. Bruland stated that maybe the County could retain the committee to help oversee the program.  Commissioner Nichols also suggested the transportation district overseeing the program. Commissioner Nichols explained that he could bring the topic up at the AOC legislative committee meeting.

3.      Road: Purchase Two Dodge Vehicles:

Mr. Ryan Davilla, Fleet Manager, reported that supply over the past few years has been limited and now they are seeing prices for new vehicles dropping.  The Road Department would like to purchase a 2024 2500 Dodge Tradesman 6.8L Hemi for $46,350 and a 2024 2500 Tradesman Cummins Diesel for $56,995. Baker City Auto Ranch submitted the lowest bid for a total of $103,345.  

Commissioner Witham moved to approve the purchase of the two vehicles from Baker City Auto Ranch, for $46,350.00 and $56,995.00.  Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion.  Motion carried. 

4.      Road: Purchase 2015 John Deere 6125M Boom Mower:

Mr. Davilla reported that this tractor would be replacing the 1983 tractor being used in the Halfway District. He reported the tractor they would like to purchase is a 2015 John Deere 6125M Boom Mower with 3600 hours.

Commissioner Nichols moved to approve the purchase of a 2015 John Deere 6125M Boom Mower from Northwest Landscape, LLC for $77,000.  Commissioner Witham seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

5.      Facilities: Old ODOT Building Paint/Repair Bid Approval:

Mr. Dan McQuisten, Facilities Director, reported that he went out to bid to re-paint the old ODOT building which currently houses the Weed Department and provides storage for other County departments.

He reported the bid includes the cost to address lead-based paint.  The lifespan for the new paint job is estimated to last over 20 years.  It was discussed that LATC funds were budgeted to be used for this project.  Mr. McQuisten recommends accepting the bid from Robert Brooks Contracting, Inc for $33,106.00. He also noted that the project is expected to begin Spring 2025.  Mr. McQuisten stated that between now and next spring, his crew will work on addressing structural flaws on the building prior to painting. 

Commissioner Witham moved to accept the bid from Robert Brooks, LLC for $33,106.00.  Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion.  Motion carried.  

6.      Emergency Mgmt.: Emergency Purchase of Radios:

Mr. Jason Yencopal gave a brief report on a meeting in Durkee last night.  The purpose of the meeting was to connect landowners with various agencies to address resources and funding available to landowners to address fire recovery.  

Mr. Yencopal reported that during the Durkee fire, several incident management teams moved into the area and in doing so, communications plans were created that used different frequencies so as not to tie up local channels.  As a result, they needed to conduct an emergency purchase of radios for a total of $19,423 from Prim Country, LLC with the cost reimbursed at 75% through the Fire Management Assistance Grant.  Due to the emergency nature of the event, they were not able to obtain additional bids.    

Commissioner Nichols moved to approve the emergency purchase of radios from Prim Country, LLC in the amount of $19,423.00 with 75% of the cost to be reimbursed.  Commissioner Witham seconded the motion.  Motion carried. 

7.      Emergency Mgmt.: IGA #183944 Healthcare Preparedness Program Grant

Mr. Joe Johnson was present to discuss the Healthcare Preparedness Program Grant Agreement which, in the past, has been used to fund his position; however, with the STTRONG grant in place, this grant will be used primarily for equipment.  The grant amount is $53,928.00.

Commissioner Witham moved to approve IGA #183944 Healthcare Preparedness Program Grant.  Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

8.      Commissioner: TLT RFP Extension for Downtown Marketing Services

Commissioner Alderson reported that one of the proposals that was submitted required changes and there were two other entities interested in submitting a proposal.  An extension would allow additional time to finalize changes to the current proposal and allow any additional entities the opportunity to submit their proposal.

Commissioner Witham moved to extend the deadline to October 2, 2024.  Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion.  Motion carried. 

6.      Documents to be Signed

a.       None

7.      Ratification of Documents

a.       Financial Reports: C56, C57, V38, V37, V36, C52, C51, C58, C59, C47, C60, C54, C55 C46 and the July Revenue/Expenditure Report. 

Commissioner Nichols moved to ratify the signatures on the above listed financial reports.  Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.

b.      Oregon State Fire Marshall Emergency Use Agreement

This agreement is for the use of the Hewitt-Holcomb Park during the fire in the amount of $500/day. 



Commissioner Nichols moved to ratify Commissioner Alderson’s signature on the Emergency Use Agreement with the Oregon State Fire Marshall.  Commissioner Witham seconded the motion. Motion carried.

c.       Amendment #1 to Grant Agreement BHD-25-01 Criminal Justice Commission Behavioral Health Deflection Grant Program. 

Commissioner Alderson stated that this is the original agreement; however, it’s listed as an amendment because there were changes made to the budget.  The grant amount is a total of $150,000.00 to implement the Deflection Program pursuant to House Bill 4002. 

Commissioner Nichols moved to approve Amendment #1 to Grant Agreement BHD-25-01 Criminal Justice Commission Behavioral Health Deflection Grant Program.  Commissioner something seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

8.      Other Business

a.       Commissioner Update:

Commissioner Witham provided a brief update on a road in the Dooley Mountain area. Discussion also took place around the challenges ranchers are experiencing after the fires throughout the County. Commissioner Witham also noted that Ms. Doni Bruland is submitting a comment on the old growth amendment which she plans to send to our legislators.

b.      Comparison of Calendar:

Commissioner Alderson reviewed his calendar and noted attending a transportation meeting in Ontario with Roadmaster Perkins. He also reported briefly speaking with Devon from Enterprise Fleet Management. Commissioner Alderson noted that there is an Idaho Power meeting at the beginning of November.



Commissioner Witham reviewed her calendar and noted that she met with the Pine Valley Fair Association. She also attended a legislative meeting via zoom and a NACO meeting. Commissioner Witham also noted upcoming BLM meetings in Richland and Durkee as well as a BIC meeting in Pendleton. Commissioner Witham reported that there an AOC District meeting in John Day on October 3 and Ms. Heidi Martin also noted a TLT meeting that day. Commissioner Witham also noted plans to tour the Bonanza Mine.  Commissioner Witham reported that there is a Tri County meeting on October 24.

Commissioner Nichols reported meeting with the Pine Valley Fair Association and Commissioner Witham. He also noted that he attended a meeting with hospital staff that seemed to be positive. He also reported meeting with Ms. Jessica Hobson.  He noted an upcoming NEOEDD meeting in Enterprise and legislative retreat that he plans to attend. He also noted the upcoming dedication of the new cafeteria at the Baker Middle School on October 29.

2.      Adjournment

Commissioner Witham moved to adjourn the September 18, 2024 Commission Session. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Respectfully Submitted,

Meranda Woolard

Program Coordinator