COUNTY COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON
IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF GRANT
JULY 8, 2009
Pursuant to notice made to the newspaper of general circulation throughout Grant County, the radio station in Grant County and e-mail distribution list, a regular meeting of the County Court was held at the County Courthouse in Canyon City OR.
9:00 am -- Called to Order. Present were Judge Mark R. Webb, Commissioners Scott W. Myers and Boyd Britton, Secretary Mary Ferrioli, and Pastor Dan Wiese. The Pledge of Allegiance was given to the US flag. An opening prayer was offered by Pastor Dan Wiese.
CLAIMS. The court had reviewed and approved claims. Extension Warrant Nos. 001-003 were signed. Tagged claims were to Bank of Eastern Oregon for a personal charge by the Juvenile Department and for County Court over per diem (to be corrected next time).
PROGRAM. MSP: Webb/Myers -- to accept the program with the addition of a Notice to Proceed for the airport runway lighting project and a Professional Services Contract with Tim Neilson.
ANNOUNCEMENTS.
Myers said the July 7th Commission on Children and Families meeting was cancelled due to the lack of a quorum.
Britton reported that the biological opinion by NOAA Fisheries allows Grant Soil & Water Conservation District to proceed with seasonal work.
Webb reported on his July 7th meeting with SAIF Corporation representatives who were in Grant County conducting interviews and taking scenic photos to prepare for SAIF’s 95th birthday commemorative calendar for 2010.
9:15 am – Kathy Smith entered.
MINUTES. MSP: Webb/Myers – to approve the July 1, 2009 minutes as amended.
CHAVES CONSULTING. Court members reviewed and approved an Agreement Renewal provided by Chaves Consulting Inc. associated with installation, training and technical support of software for taxation, assessment, sales, planning, financial, clerk recording, Justice Court and cost accounting. MSP: Britton/Myers-- to authorize Judge Webb to sign the Agreement Renewal with Chaves Consulting, Inc.
CHILDREN & FAMILIES. The Commission on Children and Families Director previously recommended signature on an Oregon Commission on Children and Families Intergovernmental Agreement for 2009-2010. MSP: Britton/Myers -- to authorize Judge Webb to sign the Intergovernmental Agreement with Oregon Commission on Children and Families as presented.
DOMESTIC RELATIONS. The court reviewed and approved a Contract for Professional Services with Christy Rheu Waldner to perform mediation services for the Domestic Relations Program operated through Circuit Court. MSP: Myers/Webb -- to authorize Judge Webb to sign the Contract with Christy Rheu Waldner.
9:25 am – Colin Uhrich and Ashley Daniel entered
VICTIM ASSISTANCE. Deputy DA Colin Uhrick and Victim Assistance Director Ashley Daniel sought approval to submit two separate federal VAWA Formula Grant Applications under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The due date is July 13, 2009. The grants would support the District Attorney’s 1.0 FTE Deputy DA position at $84,996.87 and the 1.0 FTE Victim Intervention Specialist position at $80,112.69. The VIS grant from Oct 1, 2009 to Mar 31, 2011 requires a $13,119.00 / 25% match. The DDA grant from Oct 1, 2009 to Jan 31, 2011 requires a $21,249.00 / 25% match. Uhrick planned to use legal assistant support staff as an in-kind match for the DDA grant. However, it was explained, only a portion of the VIS in-kind match is possible, so a waiver request is necessary for that application. It was pointed out that the grants would add sexual assault and stalking prevention services to the existing domestic violence program. Uhrick said there is a restrictive reporting deadline of within five (5) calendar days. Therefore, the Victim Assistance office plans to implement a multi-layer cross-trained responsibility for logging statistics for the process, with a goal of assuring submission to the grant monitor within 2 days. Pertinent details of daily statistical reporting and grantee assurances were reviewed.
Treasurer Kathy Smith cautioned that no federal dollars can be used as “match” for other federal grants. It was noted that Unitary and CAMI funds for the Victim Assistance Director position do qualify for a match. Smith clarified, if the Rural Domestic Violence grant is awarded, then these Recovery Act grants would not be accepted. Daniel stated there are no repercussions for non-acceptance of Recovery Act funds. Smith expressed some concern about the need for funding draw-downs to come timely to the county.
Following general discussion about various aspects of program operations and services, the court approved both applications. MSP: Webb/Britton -- to approve these two VAWA Formula Grant applications under the ARRA of 2009.
10:10 am – Ryan Joslin entered
DRUG COURT. District Attorney Ryan Joslin requested permission to apply for an Oregon Criminal Justice Drug Court Implementation and Enhancement Grant for a maximum amount of $12,066 for the first part of the grant period, from July 1 through September 30, 2009. Joslin explained that the funding would allow the current program to continue until the full grant award documents are finalized in the coming weeks. Webb clarified that new grant funding would actually run through June 30, 2010.
Treasurer Kathy Smith sought information to determine whether or not this grant would require a Supplemental Budget process for 2009-2010. She indicated that, if this is a new grant, then a resolution can be used to place it in the budget. Smith said (for budgeting) she would need to identify the figure which represents the full funding amount. MSP: Britton/Myers – to allow Judge Webb to sign the Oregon Criminal Drug Court grant application as presented.
10:15 am – Colin English and Sally Bartlett entered
AIRPORT TERMINAL. Airport Manager Colin English sought approval to submit a USDA Rural Development Application for Federal Assistance in the amount of $29,700 to help fund direct costs for a biomass boiler system for the Joint Use Airport Terminal and Fire Base Facility. English noted that data is being collected from various sources for the application process. He said, according to the grant administrator, funding is based on a state-apportionment requirement of 15% of the total boiler project cost of $197,940. English added that it was also limited to the availability of federal funds. When he asked, Webb was assured that no county dollars would be obligated for this project. English said the environmental assessment and engineering requirements are already under study by the state. He was asked by Webb to find out how and when payment is made, and if funding would be through reimbursement or issued directly to the county. English was, so far, unaware of reporting requirements. Treasurer Kathy Smith pointed out that she would also need the CFDA number. Economic Development Coordinator Sally Bartlett explained the pre-application process in which she was previously involved. Assurances and certifications were addressed and discussion followed about the county’s inability to obtain a loan because there is no way for the airport to pay it back. English talked about the work that WHPacific has done to assist the county by providing the costs and other information for this federal grant application.MSP: Britton/Myers -- to allow Judge Webb to sign the USDA Rural Development Application for Federal Assistance to help fund the biomass boiler.
English reported that AWOS certification by the FAA would be done in two weeks and Knife River would begin work on the taxiway extensions July 13th.
RUNWAY LIGHTING PROJECT. The court reviewed and approved a letter to J.L. Brandt Electrical Inc. acting as a “Notice to Proceed” on the Lighting Improvements Project as provided by WHPacific. It was noted that work contained in the specifications shall be substantially completed within 60 calendar days. MSP: Webb/Britton-- to authorize Judge Webb to sign the Notice to Proceed letter to J.L. Brandt Electrical. Airport Manager Colin English reported that a runway lighting upgrade pre-construction meeting with J.L. Brandt is set for tomorrow, July 9th.
COMMUNITY COUNSELING SOLUTIONS. Court members reviewed and signed Resolution 09-25 Appointing Community Counseling Solutions as County Financial Administrator for mental health, addictions, and developmental disabilities services programs.
NURSE PRACTITIONER. The court reviewed and signed a Contract for Nurse Practitioner Services with Tim Neilson to provide health care at the Grant County Health Department through June 30, 2010. Webb explained that Neilson would be able to increase his services from five days per month to three days per week starting in September. In order to maintain its federal Rural Health Clinic status, the county is required to provide FNP services at the clinic for 20 hours per week.
11:10 am -- Adjourned
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary R. Ferrioli
County Court Secretary
MINUTES OF THE GRANT COUNTY COURT JULY 8, 2009 4 APPROVED