[0:03] [music]
[0:10] [music]
All right, it is 10:00. This is the
[0:13] Gillum County Court regular meeting.
We're in Condan today. It's September
[0:17] 2nd.
Meeting is called to order. A quorum has
[0:22] been established. All county court
members are present and we will now have
[0:25] the flag salute.
[0:29] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the
[0:35] republic for which it stands. One nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and
[0:42] justice for all.
Welcome.
[0:49] Okay. Are there any additions or
revisions to the agenda?
[0:53] None. All right. Item 3.0, zero
correspondence public comment. We'll
[0:59] begin with uh public comment.
Individuals wishing to address the
[1:03] county court may do so at this time and
at other times throughout the meeting.
[1:07] Speakers asked to raise their hand and
be recognized by the chair give name and
[1:11] city and limit comments to three
minutes. Any um items that are not
[1:16] agendaized we can um take at this time.
Are there any comments in in person?
[1:24] » No. One online.
>> Huh?
[1:26] » There is one.
>> Okay. All right. Who do we have?
[1:30] » Dr. F.
>> Okay. All right. We will go with Dr.
[1:34] Foss. This is Arlington School
District's superintendent.
[1:40] » Good morning, Judge Pat Node and
commissioners. Yes, this is Dr. Jonathan
[1:43] Foss, superintendent, Arlington School
District. I also have our uh CTE shop
[1:49] teacher, Mark Moore, with me here. And
what I'm presenting to you this morning
[1:53] is uh to let you know we are looking
into daycare options for the school
[1:58] district to take on for our community
here in Arlington School District. We
[2:03] have facilities available that are
unused at this current time frame that
[2:07] are set up for preschool. We're turnkey
ready if we were to start this. We have
[2:12] a playground that is going into place
later this fall that is uh suited
[2:16] specifically for our preschool children.
We currently have um preschool promise
[2:22] and 10 kids uh with that program and
also or OPK program, the Oregon
[2:28] preschool uh program uh that are
attending in another program. So, we're
[2:32] looking at expanding this for a daycare
option. We also have uh policies in
[2:37] place as a school district that allow us
to be able to move forward um for the uh
[2:42] in addition um we reached out to the
Oregon Department of Early Learning and
[2:46] Care otherwise known as DELK uh to see
about our requirements for lensure as a
[2:52] school district. We are not required for
lensure uh for a daycare. So uh because
[2:57] they know we have practices and uh
things in place to be able to move
[3:00] forward. Uh so we're pursuing pursuing
different funding sources for this and
[3:06] uh we just wanted to inform uh the
county the commissioner of this uh
[3:10] possibility that we're exploring. Let us
know if there are any questions.
[3:14] » All right.
>> All right. At this time that's good
[3:18] news.
>> Okay. Um
[3:23] Dr. Ross, both both commissioners um
indicated a positive response to what
[3:28] you said.
>> Yes. Uh, is there anything you wanted to
[3:32] ask?
>> Uh, I don't think right now.
[3:36] » Okay.
>> I'd like
[3:37] » We'll we'll hear more as this moves
forward.
[3:40] » Absolutely.
>> Commissioner Watkins, do you have you
[3:43] gathered your thoughts?
>> I'm just wondering how how much space do
[3:46] they have available?
>> How much space?
[3:49] » Yes. Uh, we currently have a couple
modulars that are completely open. one
[3:54] is currently set up as a preschool space
um that was used by the uh play and
[3:59] learn program that's in our entire
region. So, it's already preschool
[4:03] ready. You can just walk in the door and
go. Um and we have another classroom
[4:07] that is available and a third classroom.
So, we have up to three classrooms that
[4:10] are ready to go and set up and they're
adjacent to the playground area. So very
[4:15] convenient and also uh giving a sense of
community being included in our school
[4:20] um as part of school property that
already exists.
[4:25] » Those are the modulars on the east side,
right? Yeah,
[4:28] » that is correct.
>> Okay.
[4:30] » Okay. And when you say just trying to
visualize the three classrooms, does
[4:36] that encompass the current preschool
classroom
[4:41] » that you're currently using? Oh, so
you're in
[4:43] » that's a separate classroom. Yep.
>> Okay. Okay. All right. That's a lot of
[4:47] space.
>> Yeah.
[4:48] » Right. Mhm. Okay. Um
this is all good news is I think it's um
[4:57] you know it's concerning when you hear
that a child care is closing and I'm
[5:02] hopeful of a solution for Arlington. We
all I think we all agree we want we want
[5:08] a stable solution. Um, so thank you for
pursuing this for the community and for
[5:13] the kids.
>> You are welcome.
[5:16] » Um, so what's the next step for you?
>> Our next step is to present this to our
[5:22] school board for their review and
depending on what they decide, we will
[5:26] uh either move forward or have
additional work sessions uh uh depending
[5:30] on their guidance. So and that is
>> okay.
[5:32] » In our board meeting for this month,
which is uh next week.
[5:36] » Oh, next week. Okay, good. Maybe after
the board meeting.
[5:40] » Week after. Yeah. Sorry.
[laughter]
[5:43] » All right. Maybe after that next next
board meeting, I'll catch up with you
[5:48] and touch base.
>> Sounds good.
[5:51] » Okay.
>> Okay. Great. Good. Thank you for the
[5:54] update.
>> You are welcome. Thank you for the
[5:57] opportunity.
>> That's good. Good news.
[6:02] » All right. Any any other online comment?
All right.
[6:07] Item 3.1, Gillum East John Day Water
Council annual report. Callen Wilkins,
[6:15] come on up. Ken, I'll show your
Yes, that would be great.
[6:23] » Um
[6:39] Um well, good morning. My name is Callen
Wilkins and I am the new watershed
[6:43] coordinator for the Gillum S or the
Gillum East John Day watershed council.
[6:48] Um and I am reporting on the annual
report for the year of 2025.
[6:55] Um and then I just wanted to start with
our mission statement. Um the mission of
[7:03] the watershed council is to include a
broad and diverse representation of
[7:08] geographic and natural resource
interests in the watersheds to work
[7:12] collaboratively with land owners,
businesses and communities to develop
[7:16] and carry out voluntary on the ground
watershed protection, restoration,
[7:21] enhancement and community engagement
activities.
[7:26] Um and then my next slide talks about
our governance and accountability. Um
[7:31] our council is made up of seven council
members. Meetings are held every third
[7:36] Monday of the month. Um there are five
me representatives and two atlarge
[7:42] members. Meetings are held um every
month except for July and August due to
[7:47] the summer hiatus. Meetings also have a
Zoom link for anyone in the public that
[7:52] would like to listen in. Um meeting
records and minutes are also available
[7:56] upon request.
[8:01] The fiscal and operational structure.
The Gillum SWCD serves as the fiscal
[8:07] sponsor of the watershed council and is
the employer on of record. Physical
[8:12] controls include budgeting, monthly
financial reporting, expense approval,
[8:17] and recordkeeping.
This reporting period, the Gillum SWCD
[8:21] continued to serve as a physical sponsor
for the Gillum East John Dave wershed
[8:25] council. The water or the Gillum SWCD
has also carried out and completed the
[8:30] duties of the watershed council
coordinator over the past year along
[8:34] with the assistance of a hired
consultant.
[8:38] The current capacity funding um the OA
council capacity grant was awarded to
[8:43] the council for $175840,000.
[8:48] This is for the grant cycle 2025 to
2027. This grant supports staffing,
[8:54] planning, technical assistant,
technical assistance, monitoring,
[8:58] outreach, and reporting. Um, and this
budget is split over two years.
[9:06] The accomplishments that the wershed
council has had over the reporting
[9:10] period um are two small virtual fence
projects were funded and this supports
[9:16] upland pasture management. The wershed
was also able to implement two small
[9:21] grant projects. Um one was a spring
development and the other was pasture
[9:26] fencing. The wershed council is also
leading project management on a
[9:29] large-scale restoration project on Rock
Creek. This includes enrolling 100 acres
[9:35] of crepe, installing 38,680
feet of riparian fencing, and close to
[9:42] 6,000 plants and installing 20,000 ft of
cross fence.
[9:47] Um the partnerships on pepper rock.
>> Yes, it's closer to like um where the
[9:53] Gweat family lives and where the
Macintosh family lives.
[9:56] » Okay.
Um and then the partners that the
[10:00] watershed council works with are the
lower John Day working group. This is a
[10:04] place-based planning partnership that is
voluntary and locally initiated. This
[10:09] creates a framework that is brought
together by people of diverse interest
[10:12] in a defined area to better understand
local water resource issues. Together
[10:17] the partnership can build and plan for
pursuing projects. In 2025, the group
[10:22] requested funding from the Oregon Water
Resources Department to implement the
[10:26] lower John Day integrated water resource
plan. 2000 or $250,000 was awarded for
[10:32] this plan. The John Day Basin
Partnership, which is another
[10:36] partnership the watershed council
participates in, um brings together
[10:40] colleagues from across the basin with an
interest of restoring and maintaining
[10:44] wersheds to maximize their ecological,
economic, and social and c cultural
[10:50] benefits.
Or the Gillan Watershed Council has held
[10:54] six meetings since July of 2025. The
watershed council maintains a Facebook
[10:59] page and a website to engage with the
public and land owners. We also have
[11:04] served as project manager for the
municipal needs assessment associated
[11:08] with the lower John Day working group.
The watershed council continues to
[11:12] participate in the lower John Day
working groups quarterly meetings as
[11:15] well as the John Day council or the John
Day partnership meetings. The watershed
[11:20] council has also participated in going
to outdoor school as well as the
[11:25] community cleanup day that the school
puts on at the end of every year.
[11:32] And then looking ahead, the council
plans to continue regular board
[11:36] meetings, support restoration,
monitoring, and outreach projects,
[11:40] maintain funding for new and existing
small grants, and a new watershed
[11:45] coordinator is now in place to continue
work and plan for the implementation of
[11:49] the future. And then I just included um
a picture of what the bianual grant
[11:55] budget looks like. And that's all I
have. Do you have any questions for me?
[12:02] Do you have any questions?
>> I don't.
[12:06] » Good job. Excellent job. Thank you.
>> Very good.
[12:19] » All right. Next on the agenda, 3.2
treasures report for June and July 2026.
[12:27] Do we have any questions? We do have our
treasure present.
[12:34] » Oh, it's all
>> No. Do you have anything to add?
[12:38] » Yeah, I'll point out that we do still
have a um $62352
[12:45] um difference in our cash allocation.
>> I saw that. Yeah,
[12:48] » that's just the last little bit that
Marina and company said was immaterial
[12:52] and um would have take it on small
little transactions. it would have taken
[12:59] entirely too much work to sort out for
the dollar amount.
[13:03] » So, we're hoping that um either the
auditors will propose a correcting entry
[13:07] to um get that balance to zero or if
they don't, then we'll have
[13:13] » make an adjustment
>> adjustment.
[13:17] Other than that, okay.
>> Um I also added a revenue expense report
[13:20] at the end of the um regular report. I
know like to see that and move out so
[13:30] that's in there too.
>> Oh, okay.
[13:34] » All the way down the bottom,
[13:40] » right?
>> I have question.
[13:44] » Good.
>> The that tax appeal was that like we're
[13:47] still running like about 373,000. Is
that what is being held back? Um the
[13:52] total that's being held right now is
just over 3 million. I think it's 3.4.
[13:58] Okay.
>> Yeah. Um I don't know exactly the
[14:01] portion per district, but the total is
about 26.
[14:06] » So if you go to the allocation page, I
believe with all of the trying to find
[14:14] it exactly
>> 6.6 6 million
[14:20] » fund number 698.
[14:26] » Yeah. So on the back of page
So it's in the combined cash investment
[14:33] June 30th 2026.
Um
[14:37] » 3.6.
>> Yeah. Yeah. So Yeah. And so that's the
[14:42] appeal repayments, right?
Okay.
[14:49] All right.
>> And you guys have it figured out. So
[14:56] if it ever resolves itself, the
distribution to the different entities,
[15:00] it'll go to Yes. So we just follow the
regular property tax distribution
[15:05] schedule um to distribute when the case
is decided. the DO will tell us they'll
[15:12] present us with a judgment and tell us
how much needs to be refunded or charged
[15:16] or you know how we settle it. Yeah.
>> And then we distribute the money either
[15:21] back to the taxpayer or to the districts
or
[15:25] » hopefully that will happen soon.
>> And so once do we know once that's
[15:30] decided how quick is the turnaround that
the funds go back to the districts? Is
[15:34] there any delay
>> notice from the do? It should be, you
[15:39] know, matter of a week or so to get our
records
[15:43] » up and make sure we're data processed
properly.
[15:47] » Just need to go ahead.
>> Yeah.
[15:52] Okay.
3.3
[15:55] uh Port of Arlington. This is the uh
rural infrastructure fund grant. Um, we
[16:02] were contacted by the Port of Arlington
to request a letter of support for that
[16:06] grant. Did you did you have anything to
say? Uh, we're in support of writing the
[16:11] letter of support, but I think you were
going to have a meeting first before we
[16:17] write that.
>> Um, Leah Shannon, Arlington,
[16:20] » do you want do you want to come up? I
should have probably initially had
[16:23] decided that we wanted to pioneer CDC.
you were in on that conversation
[16:27] » and Pioneer CDC was going to actually
apply for the
[16:31] » However, what we discovered was because
they're a nonprofit, they're not
[16:35] eligible.
>> So then we had to kind of shift what we
[16:38] were going to do. So um the Port of
Arlington is going to go ahead and apply
[16:43] for the Rift Grant. Um Jed has it almost
ready to go, but we need the letters of
[16:48] interest of support for it. So, the last
I spoke with him, which was Monday, he
[16:52] said he wanted to wait until your
meeting on the 10th to verify that your
[16:58] board wants to proceed. We can have the
letter done the very next day.
[17:02] » Yeah, we just have to have a um
>> we have a resolution.
[17:06] » Okay.
>> But Pioneer CDC, we're having a special
[17:09] meeting this afternoon.
>> So, we'll talk about how we're going to
[17:12] move through that because we're going to
continue to work with them, right?
[17:15] » But it's just going to be structured. We
wanted to make sure that our letter of
[17:19] support is crafted according to and
first of all are we are we comfortable
[17:24] with writing a letter of support? Yes,
we
[17:26] » okay I and so
I
[17:32] wanted to make sure when we write the
letter of support we're specific enough
[17:36] about what you're specifically asking
for. Okay.
[17:38] » Okay. So once we get through this couple
meeting then we'll get information back
[17:42] to you and then right it'll be because
we'll have it better figured out what it
[17:46] look like.
>> All right.
[17:48] » So good.
>> We'll be in touch.
[17:49] » We're hopeful that it works. So
>> any other questions?
[17:53] » Yeah. Is the is the R2 is that
completed? So you guys were changed.
[17:57] » The R2 is completed. We have approval on
that. Um there's four or five different
[18:02] lots that are now zoned R2 which will um
increase our ability to perhaps
[18:10] you know get a developer to come in and
do multiple housing um like apartments
[18:16] that would be the best.
>> Yeah. Okay.
[18:19] » So yes we are finally through that. Took
some time. I know I spoke with a
[18:22] developer that was for duplexes or
something like that was looking for R2
[18:27] also but
>> yes you know
[18:29] » well and we're we've got some things
that we're interested in doing. We have
[18:33] kind of a plan in the back of our minds.
Um of course we'll have to go out for
[18:36] RFPs and everything but um if we get
grant money and we should know pretty
[18:41] soon. I think they award that in
October.
[18:44] » Yeah. The deadline September 16th. So I
>> I think the the reward is October
[18:50] sometime. Yeah. Okay. And the other
point of clarification is this would be
[18:55] for alkali ridge.
>> Yes.
[18:57] » This Okay. So, just in general before we
just so the public understands,
[19:06] um, the Oregon legislature earmarked $10
million, and please correct me if I'm
[19:11] wrong for anybody else who who knows
otherwise for the rural infrastructure
[19:17] fund grant administered by business
Oregon. It's for entities 25 public
[19:22] entities
25,000 or less
[19:26] » and housing is the top priority in this.
Um I haven't dug into it because but
[19:33] what I did do is I've um been in contact
with Nate Styis who's regional solutions
[19:39] and he encouraged applications from
every you know from all of the regions
[19:44] um because the legislature stepped up
and made this funding available. We need
[19:50] to make sure we have applications. So,
>> make sure we try.
[19:53] » Out of fairness, you know, I contacted
all who might be interested, the city,
[19:59] both cities and the port. It sounds like
there could potentially be applications
[20:03] from all three.
>> And that's fine because I if we all
[20:08] three apply,
>> yeah,
[20:09] » there's an opportunity for someone to
get, you know, so it still benefits
[20:14] regardless of who gets it. It shows
we're trying Yes. to access funds that
[20:19] are made available for our our
communities and especially since this is
[20:23] a rural initiative, it's it's good to
>> put inations, right?
[20:29] » So, um
>> so is that counties of 25,000 and less?
[20:33] Is that
>> is it I think all-encompassing
[20:38] » any government? Yes. Right. So,
>> so,
[20:44] uh,
the other thing I wanted to say is, are
[20:48] you in support? If any of those three
ask for a letter of support, we would
[20:52] write that. That's what it
>> Yeah, absolutely.
[20:54] » Okay. And, um,
yeah, we'll just be in touch and get
[21:00] we're we're ready to to proceed with the
letter whenever when we know what the
[21:03] details.
>> Thank you. Yes,
[21:05] » we'll meet this afternoon and then um
with our regular court meeting and we
[21:10] should have more information for you.
>> Okay, sounds good. Thank you.
[21:12] » Thank you.
[21:17] » All right. 4.0 consent agenda. Items on
the consent agenda include consider
[21:23] approval of IGA for city of Conan for
swimming pool funding. Um that is our
[21:29] normal um ongoing allocation to support
a swimming pool.
[21:36] Um and it is in the packet.
Consider approval of bills pending
[21:41] review and consider approval of meeting
minutes from August 19th. Are there any
[21:45] questions?
>> Um I have one on the uh swimming pool
[21:50] committee.
>> Um it was the secretary that went on and
[21:53] like said I don't recall. Maybe this was
in the last one too, but the last
[21:58] sentence basically it says in the event
operating costs contemplated by this
[22:03] agreement increase over 70,000 the
parties agree to renegotiate the funding
[22:08] amount provided by county to cover was
that I is that st I mean
[22:14] » same
[22:18] increases over the last
change.
[22:21] » Okay, that's I'm good then. I just on
it.
[22:26] » And for the $70,000
[22:30] we've been I mean we're I'm bumping up
against that, right? I mean that's
[22:37] » with our major repair. We're at 98,000
>> but our rate of operating expenses are
[22:44] about 63 to 64,000.
>> Okay.
[22:47] » For the summer.
>> Okay. And did the pipe repair um was
[22:51] that successful?
[22:55] Okay. Uh, it's mainly the over we still
we're still going water. So, we fixed
[23:04] one leaf and I think we still
>> Okay. All right. Okay.
[23:11] » Okay. Move to approve the consent
agenda.
[23:15] » I'll second.
>> It's been moved and seconded to approve
[23:18] the consent agenda. All in favor? I
>> I motion carries.
[23:32] » Okay. 5.0 unfinished business.
Continuation of fire recovery
[23:37] discussion.
5.1.
[23:41] Okay. Um,
[23:47] I guess I'll just start this by saying
there's been a lot of outreach, a lot of
[23:53] uh constituents,
um, government entities, the governor's
[23:58] office, um,
people with fire backgrounds who've, um,
[24:05] reached out maybe to you as well. Um,
and so I've done a lot of listening, you
[24:11] know, through through this. Um, and
[24:20] this is new ground. But I think two
things we've identified, you know, we
[24:24] have a common goal. Let's put the fire
out quickly, right? And how do we
[24:28] organize to best use our local
resources? Those are the two things that
[24:31] we I think would all agree on. um
and identifying solutions for future
[24:38] fires because we can't just say, "Okay,
fire's over." I think we've all come to
[24:43] realize we just need to prepare for the
future because these are these are
[24:46] ongoing. So, um there's [clears throat]
been discussions about rangeland fire
[24:52] protection associations,
how those would interact or conflict
[24:57] with our rural fire protection district
covering our entire county and how would
[25:01] that be worked out. We talked about
holding meetings to um
[25:07] in the off season to move a plan
forward, whatever that plan may be, so
[25:13] that we're just we're better prepared um
for a catastrophic situation like we had
[25:19] um or any fire, I guess, for that
matter. So um
[25:26] you know a lot of discussion was around
a facilitator who's going to lead this
[25:30] charge and if that's the way we want to
go. So I guess I'll just open it up to
[25:36] the two of you about what are your what
are your thoughts?
[25:41] » I mean you go you want to go ahead. Um
yeah, I guess you know my thoughts were
[25:47] you know something immediately that we
could do and then future um know we
[25:52] talked about trying to do something for
possibly like
[25:56] » fuel
>> u you know this was
[26:00] [snorts]
unlike we've never had before but um
[26:05] then are we setting president and then
>> you know there is some with the the
[26:13] information that her got here the
RS477123,
[26:16] » right?
>> You know, somebody's already getting p
[26:20] there's a it's
[26:23] » could open a lot of things,
>> right?
[26:25] » And
[26:29] I mean, I' I've went through it numerous
times and it's like if we do something
[26:32] like this, maybe we're really opening
Pandora's box. I don't you know um
[26:39] uh I visited with her about some things
um trying to do um you did say the
[26:46] seating you just was fulfilled right
you're able to get that
[26:51] » I think that we have
>> for restoration right
[26:53] » yeah I think that we have um the
majority of funding for seating secured
[26:59] » we're waiting on one more proposal that
we're giving to the Ford family
[27:02] foundation so the we mapped all the
acres of um the dozer lines. So, we're
[27:08] able to get a concrete number on that.
Um and so the dozer lines I think we can
[27:13] take care of. Um we also got some
funding from the troughs. Um we had
[27:18] their producer meeting uh last Wednesday
and we kind of asked about would there
[27:23] be a need for water hauling? We didn't
get a lot of interest in that and so
[27:28] kind of made the decision to just we'll
we'll have these troughs that we can
[27:32] lend out to people and maybe they can
build up with their own water trucks or
[27:36] something might come up down the road.
>> Um that's kind of where we're at. Um
[27:42] another thing that we're pursuing is
like the uh more virtual fence. Uh we've
[27:46] had after that meeting we had a handful
of producers come talk to us um
[27:51] expressing interest. Um and just
yesterday or the day before the foreign
[27:57] service agency put out a notice saying
that they would pay uh for virtual
[28:02] fencing which is a great thing that
they're doing but they have a a minimum
[28:09] head number on that and it's 125 head
and so that um takes a lot of people out
[28:15] of the running and every single person
that has come to us um asking for there.
[28:20] So, um, that's a just a new development.
We're seeing if we can get that changed.
[28:24] This is a national thing. So, that we
might be able to get it changed, but not
[28:29] anytime soon. Um, so
>> that's not cows and cows. That's
[28:34] » it's a gray area. Okay. So, um, they
make it sound like it's all cows, all
[28:40] livestock. Um, but then we'd have to,
you know, call everybody and be like,
[28:43] "All right, how many how many goats and
>> other things going horses?"
[28:49] » Yeah. Yeah. So,
>> so it's a they are moving in the right
[28:53] direction. Um, I think they they can
learn a lot. You know, I know that Gil
[28:57] County is kind of a a spotlight on this
where we were able because of, you know,
[29:01] your guys's investment um to get our
virtual fencing program up and running.
[29:05] So, they saw the cost savings. So, they
what they will do in the future is they
[29:10] will pay um for like the perimeter
fencing. And so if it's cheaper to do
[29:15] virtual fencing for rather than replace
the interior fencing, the federal
[29:19] government's going to save money, which
is what we were trying we were telling
[29:24] um back after the 2020 fire. So that's a
great thing that they're doing it, but
[29:28] um this head minimum is a problem. Yeah.
>> So
[29:32] » okay,
>> um we're trying to find funding, another
[29:35] way to um help these folks out. So um
>> step in the right direction, Ellis.
[29:41] » Yeah. Okay.
>> Well, and I spoke with um both fire
[29:46] chiefs, both fire districts, Casey, uh
Joe, Greg, um you know, and and like I
[29:52] say, I I thought it would be fairly
simple to just try to help out this
[29:58] year, you know, do something, but
whereas we really don't have anything
[30:02] set up,
>> um I I just think that uh
[30:06] » this is something we need to proceed
cautiously and and I'm not saying that
[30:09] maybe down the road maybe we could put
something, you know, with few further
[30:13] discussions and and information, but uh
um you know, uh the one the conversation
[30:19] I did have with her like some of the
water needs just for the cattle troughs
[30:25] » and even you know the fire chiefs
portable water storage,
[30:30] » you know. So uh
>> so out of out of the organization of
[30:34] these meetings, these are the things
that we could
[30:38] » uh
>> I think possibly maybe try to pursue,
[30:42] » you know, um I know Gary brought up
like, you know, like the farming
[30:46] practices. It's just there's so much
that's changed, you know, with the no
[30:50] tail and we don't have a lot of the
natural fire breaks, but you know, I I
[30:54] think that uh this is just we just need
to continue conversations. Uh I
[31:03] I would really like to to see the
possible some uh have some water storage
[31:10] for next year somehow. You know, how we
do that, I don't know. But
[31:16] » yeah,
>> my thoughts were on that was the
[31:19] portables. They could use it for fire or
livestock, you know, whatever we have,
[31:24] » right?
>> Just a resource to to help out with
[31:27] situation. But
[31:31] Mr. Watkins, do you have
>> I I still think that they need to, you
[31:36] know, come up with what what do what do
people have because you can have water,
[31:42] but that's not going to I mean,
equipment is what really
[31:47] » with the fire breaks, then you can use
the water to help
[31:50] » back up the fire breaks. Well, and one
of the suggestions too was possibly to
[31:54] maybe
um just I'm using like land owners uh
[32:00] equipment grant for you know with a cap
or something on it for
[32:05] » sprayer or a p you know I to help them
be prepared that they go everywhere.
[32:12] » Yeah.
>> You know something like that. But uh how
[32:14] that's roer, you know, I I don't I don't
know. But I like the thought of it,
[32:19] » right?
>> How we get there, I don't know.
[32:23] So,
I'll I'll agree that the feedback, the
[32:28] general feedback is, you know, maybe
utilize a a group or a concerted effort
[32:34] to make a plan to create some way to
help everyone rather than doing
[32:38] something right now because you could
create a can of worms or a legal mess by
[32:43] doing that right now. So, I think that
how I think we should proceed right now.
[32:51] um with any immediate help. Um it's just
too hard to track, no documentation
[32:58] um as much as we would want to for now,
>> right?
[33:02] » And then
so facilitating
[33:07] a process forward. Um
I have not talked to this person, but I
[33:13] believe Corey Michelo, I don't want to
put you on the spot, Corey. We haven't
[33:17] talked, but are you are you there? Are
you online?
[33:22] » Yes, I am.
>> I don't want you to have to commit to
[33:26] anything, but your name has come up so
many times about potentially
[33:30] facilitating a fire discussion
countywide about a path forward for a
[33:36] plan. Um,
would you be interested in
[33:41] discussing the possibility of that?
>> Yes, I'm I'm very interested. My orders
[33:48] are up January 31st.
>> So, uh, I will be back in Gillum County
[33:54] fulltime the first week of February,
whether, you know, as long as the
[33:58] weather's good and I can we can drive up
from San Diego that fast. Um, but I I'm
[34:04] very interested. I'm already Casey and I
have been exploring uh grant options and
[34:12] with those that last grant option had to
come up with a bunch of ideas for moving
[34:17] forward.
>> Um and I'm already planning on applying
[34:23] for a special projects grant to do some
sort of home preparedness outreach event
[34:29] in the spring. Um, I have both I've
haven't fleshed it out, but I have both
[34:34] talked to Chris Fitz Simmons and Casey
about it that this was something I was
[34:37] interested in and trying to get everyone
just to work on their own home
[34:40] preparedness and maybe help build um
emergency kits.
[34:45] » Uh, but yeah, I'm I'm very interested.
It is uh
[34:50] Yep.
>> Okay. All right. Let's let's talk about
[34:54] that. Okay. Chris Chris is Chris Fitz
Simmons is here. Corey, um I know that
[35:00] you were the last one to do it, but what
about the community wildfire
[35:03] preparedness plan, too, than the Gil
County already has in place, the CWPP
[35:08] plan that you did?
>> Yes. So, the the caveat is I'm a lot
[35:13] better at that now than I was in 2022
when I did Gillum County's plan. But you
[35:19] do actually have projects in the CWP
that talked about trying to do a road
[35:26] inventory. And then there was a project
in the CWPP that talked about wanting to
[35:31] explore funding and types of
reimbursement for farmers.
[35:35] » Okay, great.
>> I it it specifically said fuel,
[35:40] » but at the end of the like looking at a
fuel reimbursement program for farmers
[35:47] » or anyone who participates. Um I
and then there was a lot of stuff for
[35:53] there was a big overarching one for
outreach and I could bring it up on my
[35:57] computer so I'm not just spewing it out
of my head but there are projects in
[36:02] there and then also um
>> the CWPs are still like a really big
[36:09] priority. So there's usually like a lot
of opportunity to get funding for CWPP
[36:15] updating that can expand to we're going
to update the CWPP but in that process
[36:21] we're going to have all these meetings.
We're going to do all this outreach. So
[36:25] that brings other avenues, but having
that farmer reimbursement plan, at least
[36:31] the inkling of it in your CWPP does open
up funding opportunities because you
[36:37] specifically cited it in that plan.
Also, um part of that CWPP, I don't know
[36:43] if you did this or not, but the resource
inventory listing. Um it would be nice
[36:48] to have um just a matter of somebody
going through the list and calling the
[36:53] farmers and getting that resource
inventory listing done because I know a
[36:56] long time ago I actually did that and I
just started reaching out to all the
[37:01] different farmers and had different
lists of different farmers and what they
[37:05] had available and if they would go um to
the far to the different fires at the
[37:10] time. So um at one time we had that
resource inventory as well. So like what
[37:16] you just talked about, but getting them
in a room together. Yes. I think and
[37:20] having literally
inerson meetings. So okay, we have a
[37:25] plan. How do we put in action? What does
this plan say? How do we get all of
[37:30] everybody on board?
>> Who has the water trucks? Who has the
[37:32] cats? Who has the doers? And
>> yeah.
[37:35] » Okay.
>> Great conversation. I think that gets
[37:39] some Oh,
>> Brooklyn. Um Corey, I think a good term
[37:43] I guess that we would utilize as a
mobilization guide.
[37:46] » Yes. like those [clears throat]
all of that that they're talking about,
[37:49] you know, all your land owners, all your
your gate locks, all your water sources,
[37:53] all your cotton channels, like it's
>> I think a Gaddy mobilization guide would
[37:57] be something that beneficial
>> across the board when an incident starts
[38:02] because I think that communication is
one of the pieces that's lacking is, you
[38:06] know, farmer, whoever here has this
piece of equipment but has no idea how
[38:09] to communicate with everybody whose
land's burning up. Yeah. How are we able
[38:12] to offer that piece of equipment? And MO
guides are what they used to do in all
[38:16] the districts before we had these
preseason agreements. Same thing that
[38:19] Chris was talking about. We've got admin
in the office that sit there and call
[38:22] all land owners to get that information
from them. And it is a big workload up
[38:26] front, but when it comes to an incident
breaking, it's a very critical document
[38:31] to have for someone to be able to call
those post.
[38:34] » So I think a mobilization should be
priority throughout this process.
[38:38] » Okay. Um Herb Wyers. Yeah, we have like
an example, not not necessarily like a
[38:44] mobilization guide, but uh we uh I think
I brought it up before, but back in
[38:49] 2000, so this after the 2018 fires, a
stouble field fire out in Fairy Canyon,
[38:54] uh we did an analysis of the entire
Ferry Canyon wershed. We mapped all the
[38:58] roads, what you could take down on those
roads, where all the water sources were
[39:02] at. We had brought all the producers
into the office and did those
[39:06] inventories. So, it's a really useful
example, I think, to show what what can
[39:12] be done. Um, but it is a lot of work
like getting all these folks in the door
[39:16] up front. It is a lot of work, but super
valuable.
[39:18] » Good.
>> The only last thing I have was and I and
[39:23] I think it was already [snorts] you may
have already addressed it or talked to
[39:28] it, but I know when this whole thing
broke over open and the 911
[39:33] overwhelming. Had that ever happened,
something like that before? It just
[39:37] overwhelmed the facility.
[39:42] » Uh, sheriff, do you know?
>> I was holding that on.
[39:46] » Oh, [laughter]
>> I was I was just I just had a question
[39:49] about
>> address. Sorry, but I thought maybe
[39:52] » I was just out there. I I when when this
whole big fire thing that the 911
[39:56] facility was overwhelmed and was was
this the first time something like
[39:59] that's ever happened to
No, I I mean, yes. I mean, we've had
[40:07] shootings during Parad and Jefferson
County and, you know, everything else
[40:11] going on. So, yes, we've been
overwhelmed, but a lot of that had to do
[40:15] with staffing issues.
>> Yeah.
[40:17] » And now dispatch has a auxiliary
center over in Jefferson County, so we
[40:22] could
>> put people two bus seats over there that
[40:26] can man take that load on. So, we we've
made uh some changes to accommodate
[40:34] those.
>> I I guess along the lines that
[40:38] everybody's talking about here, I mean,
I think if you start the plan, get
[40:45] everybody together, all of these things
you're talking about are going to come
[40:48] up and be discussed, be planned out.
>> But, I mean, leadership and
[40:53] communication on these fires is key.
Having everybody on the same page and
[40:57] fighting the same direction. Right.
>> I think if you get that started, all of
[41:02] this will come.
>> Yeah. Okay. Good. And the only thing I
[41:07] would add is not to limit your finding
out from just farmers because there's
[41:12] other people that have resources.
>> For instance, my family that used the
[41:17] cat and the water truck on the fire. So,
>> okay.
[41:22] » There's other individuals probably in
the county that have that equipment
[41:26] also.
Corey uh had another um statement.
[41:33] » Yes, I um took the opportunity to bring
up Gil County's community wildfire
[41:37] protection plan. And we do also have a
uh project in there that is complete a
[41:43] countywide inventory of water sources
and heavy equipment available for
[41:47] firefighting within individual water
shed districts. Um and the partners in
[41:53] that were S SWCD fire services and the
uh our old community wildfire risk
[41:59] reduction specialist Simone had
recommended to put hire an additional
[42:03] staff member or contractor to complete
the inventory at the end of pretty much
[42:08] every project. So that opens up a lot of
funding avenues for the county fire
[42:15] services or SWCD to apply for grants
since it it to help with that project um
[42:21] since it is in the CWPP.
[42:26] So when there's a plan like this
rather than I mean how does it how does
[42:32] it get put in motion? I mean, it's a
it's a plan we've had. That's great
[42:38] because we don't have to reinvent the
wheel, but
[42:42] um
I guess that's a question for a later
[42:45] day. Um
>> how do you implement it?
[42:49] » Yeah. I mean, it's just like, okay, we
have the plan and I I guess that's what
[42:54] we're doing now maybe is the answer to
that.
[42:58] It just
[43:02] » Yeah. will call me. I'm retiring.
>> Right. Go ahead.
[43:08] » Okay. Corey, thank you so much. Um, I
really did not want to put you on the
[43:13] spot with this question because I wanted
to call you but hadn't we were still in
[43:16] the gathering of information phase. So,
thank you for your willingness to assist
[43:21] us um and have further conversations
about that. Um,
[43:28] and we'll be we'll be talking January.
Yeah. first part of February, you'll be
[43:33] back. Then maybe we can get some
meetings scheduled now for that time. Uh
[43:38] because the momentum's now, you know, 6
weeks out is all we are right now from
[43:43] when everything happened. Um
[clears throat] and I want to I also
[43:48] wanted to address the um film SWCD about
the receding. I think from what I'm
[43:56] hearing it it's receding is really
important and
[44:01] I would like us to think about um the
possibility of future stable funding to
[44:08] make sure that every year the SWC
doesn't SWCD doesn't have to go scramble
[44:14] for that funding every year um because
it needs to happen. Um so just a
[44:20] thought.
So, um,
[44:25] we had a meeting in Analopee a couple
weeks ago. It was, um, the all the North
[44:30] Central FWCDs and all the watershed
councils. We just all met together
[44:34] because this keeps happening and we
aren't getting any funding for it. So, I
[44:39] think the idea is to kind of band
together. Uh, we're basically creating
[44:45] like a need statement right now to send
to Salem. Um, and you know that because
[44:50] it is this thing that we constantly are
struggling to get funding for. Um, we
[44:55] started out with the North Central
counties. I think we might just expanded
[44:59] out to all of Eastern Oregon.
>> Um, a big thing that we're talking about
[45:03] is
>> we need to be able to stockpile this the
[45:06] seed to have it on hand so that we
aren't fighting over ordering it. Um,
[45:12] whether there's a shortfall. Um, there's
complications with that. the seed has a
[45:16] shelf life, you know, but I think it can
be those complications can be but um
[45:22] those are the kind of things that we're
working on. Um we also learned
[45:27] » I haven't got been able to have much
been able to dive into it much yet, but
[45:31] there was a a national FSA
representative out in Primeville
[45:35] yesterday in our local FSA office went.
Um they learned that FSA may be able to
[45:40] actually help us with seed in the
future. So, that's another something um
[45:45] in development. So, that might be
something that would fill gaps, but
[45:48] we're working on it and we'll keep the
court updated on what we find as far as
[45:52] the seat goes. But thanks for thank you
and thank you for your efforts.
[45:58] » Okay. Is there anything further on that
right now?
[46:02] Fire recovery. All right. 6.0 new
business. Uh 6.1 Consider adoption of
[46:08] resolution R202609
implementing the 2027 edition of the
[46:16] Gillum County Employee Handbook.
This has been a long time coming.
[46:23] Um
yes, it's been it's been something that
[46:26] we've been working on um
regularly since August of last year. We
[46:31] were meeting monthly. Um we you guys had
your work session on December 10th where
[46:36] we reviewed all of our proposals. Uh
really there's been no updates since
[46:40] then that it went to CSI review and they
had some like language updates for us
[46:44] policy updates that were um you know
pale Oregon stuff of that nature FMLA
[46:49] » CIS CIS right CIS said yes CIS um and
then from there it went to legal council
[46:57] uh they also just provided some minor
edits to resolve legality talk. There
[47:01] was no additions aside for a grievance
policy which was a new chapter there
[47:06] which just laid out the three steps for
a grievance um as there was never really
[47:11] anything in there beforehand. So now we
have a grievance policy form plus that's
[47:16] in the handbook. But aside from that
there was no major edits. Um we haven't
[47:21] had a lot of communication regarding it
to the employees because nothing has
[47:24] changed since December. It's all been
status quo. Um,
[47:29] yeah. Now it's here before you guys be
adopled.
[47:32] » Okay. And there were there was one
change
[47:37] recent change that's included in in
this.
[47:40] » Yeah.
>> And it was pointed out by by the sheriff
[47:43] of regarding um
use of county
[47:49] equipment. Um
and he spelled out a scenario where it's
[47:56] important we um preserve that
situation.
[48:03] I guess I'll just go into it. when when
our sheriff's department helps other
[48:07] counties, excuse me, sheriff's office,
when our sheriff's office um helps other
[48:13] counties and they may help us on their
off time and utilizing their own
[48:19] vehicle, they may wear they do wear a
Gil County Sheriff's uniform and other
[48:24] equipment, utilize other equipment, and
we want to make sure that that is
[48:28] protected and preserved. So, we added
wording that we can allow in that
[48:33] situation if it's approved by the
elected department.
[48:36] » There are some instances where, you
know, it's talking about secondary
[48:40] employment and they will go to help out
at an event in another county. Um, and
[48:47] it's basically secondary employment, but
they the need is for them to be in
[48:52] uniform. They don't necessarily take a
vehicle, they take their private
[48:56] vehicle, but they have to be in uniform.
right?
[49:01] » Representing the county still the other
secondary
[49:06] » and there are times that other
sheriff's offices um have helped us as
[49:11] well like eclipse time and things like
that. So
[49:16] » yeah,
>> so that was a change and then um I guess
[49:21] there was one other thing if we are
adopting it today for it to become
[49:25] effective January 1. Do you want to
point that out? I guess that's that's
[49:28] kind of a big note. Um
>> there's logistical reasons for that.
[49:33] » Yes.
>> Date.
[49:34] » We are choosing January 1st. I think the
only kind of setback that an employee
[49:41] might have from something that was added
or changed in the handbook would be um
[49:47] the observed like career recognition
pay. And we have one employee meeting
[49:52] that milestone in this period. So, I
guess my request would just be that um
[49:57] which we can I can come and request a
county court later or now that that
[50:00] employee be honored that career
recognition pay is that the other
[50:04] changes we're making in the handbook are
not neither negative. Most of them are
[50:08] positive for the employee. They wouldn't
be losing out on anything aside from
[50:11] this one benefit. It's one employee. Um
>> I would support that employee
[50:17] » um
receiving that that because of the date
[50:22] adop adopted.
>> Correct. Like if we if I we had adopted
[50:25] it effective today, that employee would
get their career recognition pay within
[50:29] the next two months. But since we're
we're adopting it effective January 1st,
[50:33] that would be something they're losing
out. So my request is that that employee
[50:36] be honored that career recognition pay
since we are waiting four months for it
[50:40] to be
if that makes sense.
[50:44] » Right. Okay.
>> And you've been working on this two
[50:47] years.
>> Yes. And remember we we had work
[50:51] sessions. We worked through it. There's
been a lot
[50:54] » there's been a lot
>> a lot of opportunity for employees to go
[50:57] forward with the changes because again
nothing there have been no changes since
[51:00] that December work session where you
guys already preemptively approved the
[51:05] proposals.
>> So in the motion you need to say
[51:09] effective
I would say yes.
[51:12] » Okay.
>> Is there any other input?
[51:17] » Yes.
Mhm.
[51:20] » Uh,
and I talked to Judge Pat about this,
[51:25] but I
um I I'm against uh any more holidays,
[51:35] employee time, [clears throat]
uh well, basically for holidays. So, the
[51:39] Junth has been added in here adds a 12th
holiday to the thing. And if you figured
[51:46] out the amount of hours worked in a
year, then you figure in sick time and
[51:53] vacation time. Uh, fortunately, Gillum
County has a good retention of of
[52:00] employees. So, that sick time, vacation
time really, really adds up for people
[52:06] who have been here 33 years and um, 27
years. Uh, it it adds up. But we have
[52:14] other employees been here long periods
of time. So if you take those 280 hours
[52:21] in in a year and then figure out the 11
days of holiday, the sick time and the
[52:26] vacation time, which you have no control
over, it's their time and they they get
[52:31] it. So that's that's one aspect of it.
The second aspect is you have employees
[52:36] that have to be out there on holidays.
Uh and then you know there's a day
[52:41] before, a day after. Uh then you take
those employees that work the holiday
[52:45] and you got to find a day off for all
the employees for their holidays that
[52:50] are
required to work out there. So I just
[52:56] think adding another holiday is we have
a good benefits package if we treat our
[53:02] employees well. I just don't see and you
might think it's just another 10 hours
[53:06] but it it adds up. So the employees that
have to work those days I'm just asking
[53:13] the court to remove Junth it's compile
the request.
[53:19] My thought on that is
it is a state recognized and federally
[53:25] recognized holiday
[53:29] and I guess
>> so aren't you going to be in
[53:33] negotiations with the union
>> and I think that's might be a stickler
[53:39] with the union contract if you don't
proceed with the
[53:44] » yeah you know
>> and you know the other think it might be
[53:52] uh it might be uh
>> easier for
[54:00] you know the person who makes the
decision, me currently to be a little
[54:06] more um uh
strict on additional days the courthouse
[54:14] is closed around Christmas time and just
say no, you can take your leave on that
[54:18] You can use a floating holiday. We're
we're giving this other day a lot of
[54:23] times anyway for Christmas Eve. Well,
that's not that's not a recognized
[54:28] holiday. It just might kind of if we do
this, I'm going to have an easier time
[54:32] saying, you know what, the courthouse is
open because we're kind of giving
[54:36] another day in a lot of instances anyway
because of Christmas time.
[54:41] So that's my thought and
um
[54:47] think it would be difficult to go
backwards on something we've already
[54:51] discussed.
>> Yeah. on this one.
[54:55] » I I mean
>> um
[54:58] » I personally I don't [snorts]
you know they can't use that but it is a
[55:04] state federal um I looked at some of the
other counties around that they are
[55:09] doing it also. Um, I know it's another
day.
[55:15] I think, you know, we're very fortunate
that we have who we have and we do not
[55:22] have a lot of turnover and we have a
good, you know, this is I just see it's
[55:29] kind of a give
give and take and
[55:33] um I think I think need to go forward.
[55:41] I think if you don't if you
because I think two years ago the
[55:46] employees wanted the Junth and because
it wasn't in their
[55:52] uh union contract
Kelly it wasn't was it?
[55:58] » No.
>> Yeah. So they pretty much got it denied
[56:01] but it's
>> I had to tell everybody no this year
[56:04] because they thought it was already
approved. So that everyone was expecting
[56:06] to have a consumer
negotiating,
[56:11] » right? Um the other thing a few years
ago and I haven't fully researched this,
[56:19] so this is from memory. One of the
things that happened with the leave here
[56:24] is there was a big move that was made to
allow a payout of sick leave
[56:29] for um more than just retirement.
[56:35] or death. That meant on resignation,
too, which cost Gillum County a lot of
[56:40] money. So, if we're talking about
expense, that was a big expense that
[56:46] we opened up for ourselves a few years
ago. So, it's kind of related,
[56:53] but yeah.
[56:58] » Can I ask another question? the uh 20 25
and 30 year and I think Brooke spoke to
[57:04] it but I didn't hear that one. Um,
[clears throat] so I know that like me,
[57:09] I got this 20 year $2,500
plus. Now there's 25 and 30 years. Is
[57:16] that in addition?
>> We'd have to get the specific language
[57:21] » the uh Yes, it's each year. It's that
amount at 25 20 25 and 30.
[57:27] » So is that retro or is that from
>> No, they voted not to retrograde any of
[57:33] the career recognition pay.
>> Okay. We decided to do that in our work
[57:37] sessions that we had.
>> Sure. They didn't vote on it.
[57:39] » Yeah.
>> There was a discussion not to move
[57:41] forward with that,
>> right?
[57:43] » Yeah. Just to move forward.
>> Yes.
[57:48] » Okay.
What What do we think?
[57:53] » Okay. You
>> Okay. Thank you for your input.
[57:58] [laughter]
>> I didn't like Martin Luther King Day,
[58:00] but that's been around for a while.
>> Well, we're here to approve.
[58:04] » Yes. [laughter] You can adopt the
resolution.
[58:06] » Okay. So, do we need to create any
specific language to allow the one
[58:11] employee affected by the retroactive pay
or just by consensus allow that person
[58:15] to be
um receive that?
[58:19] » You can make a separate motion that just
says I move to allow
[58:22] any affected employee reaching career
recognition
[58:26] between today and January 1st
to be paid that career recognition pay.
[58:33] » Okay. and then a second motion to adopt
resolution.
[58:37] » Okay,
>> I'll make a motion to just I I'm going
[58:42] to start with the career recognition pay
just so that's out of the way. Um I move
[58:48] to um recognize any employee that would
benefit from career recognition pay
[58:53] prior to
January 1st, 2027 to be allowed that
[58:58] career recognition pay.
Second.
[59:04] » It's been moved and seconded. All in
favor?
[59:06] » I did do we need any discussion first?
Okay.
[59:10] » I
>> I motion carries. Okay. Now
[59:15] » I'm Did you want to go ahead?
>> I'll move to adopt resolution 2026-09
[59:22] adopting the Gillum County Employee
Handbook 2027 edition as presented.
[59:28] » Effective. effective January 1 of 2027.
>> Good. Second.
[59:34] » It's been moved and seconded to uh adopt
resolution 20269. Is there any further
[59:41] discussion?
>> Thank you guys.
[59:44] » All in favor?
>> I
[59:45] » I
>> I motion carries. Thank you for all of
[59:48] your help and work and everybody on the
committee uh coming forward, all the
[59:54] input we received. Thank you.
Right.
[1:00:01] [clears throat]
[1:00:05] » All right.
[1:00:08] 6.2 Consider adoption of joint
resolution JR202601203
[1:00:15] with the cities of Colon and Arlington
Lone Rock respectively for the emergency
[1:00:19] operations plan. Um,
Brisket Simmons, did you have anything
[1:00:25] to help? Do you want to come up?
>> There's actually um
[1:00:31] the the letter of promulgation that's
actually in the plan is what you Yeah.
[1:00:36] is what you're signing um to actually
approve the plan. And then the three
[1:00:40] resolutions that you have for each of
the cities. Um we're going to the city
[1:00:44] of Conga tonight. Um city of Arlington
and Mil Rock next week. Um this is the
[1:00:49] old plan that to show you.
>> Do you wanna do you want to come up?
[1:00:53] » 700 792 pages. Um Dedra
um is the new EM coordinator.
[1:01:01] Come on up. Dedra um she will um is
taking the EM coordinator position and
[1:01:08] Rick Brown is going to be I think the
her and Rick are going to um
[1:01:15] work together um with the emergency
management um going forward. Um Corey
[1:01:20] Melo is on the phone. She was hired um
with the homeland security grant um
[1:01:26] about a year, a little over a year ago
um to do a new emergency operations plan
[1:01:32] for us. So um we took this old one and
put it into about a 300page new one with
[1:01:39] checklists, much more um workable plan
for us. Corey, you want to talk about it
[1:01:49] maybe?
>> Sure. Sorry, I tried to unmute and my uh
[1:01:52] mouse didn't want to work. Um, yes. So,
basically the emergency operations plan
[1:01:57] is Gillum County's guide for all phases
of emergency management, preparedness,
[1:02:02] response, recovery, mitigation.
Um, this one is it's supposed to help us
[1:02:09] basically make it through any emergency.
It's it's all hazards. Um, so cut out a
[1:02:15] lot of stuff and re completely
reorganized it trying to make it more
[1:02:20] user friendly, something that Chris or
the new EM could actually like pull off
[1:02:25] the shelf and be able to use. So, um,
we've added we've streamlined a roles
[1:02:32] and responsibilities, uh, an emergency
declaration chapter because it seems
[1:02:37] like emergency declarations are
happening every instead of having it
[1:02:42] super buried in the old plan, made that
its own chapter, so it would be easy to
[1:02:46] quickly reference. We have a
communications and public warning
[1:02:50] section. Uh and then also our like a
general initial response and emergency
[1:02:57] support function crosswalk. Um emergency
support functions are how Oregon
[1:03:01] provides basically provides aid to the
counties. You'll ask you'll tell them
[1:03:06] it's an overarching.
Sorry, Chris. I've been on night shift,
[1:03:10] so I'm trying to trying to
um but it it basically says, hey, if
[1:03:16] there's this is going on, this is the
entity that would be responsible for it.
[1:03:21] And they would be the ones responsible
for coordinating with uh like for
[1:03:26] transportation, Gil County Road
Department, and working with the
[1:03:30] emergency manager. they would like be in
charge of that ESF during an emergency
[1:03:35] and then working that would be a way
they would work with the state of
[1:03:39] Oregon. Um also added an evacuation
chapter
[1:03:44] » uh because evacuations
never happened and now within the last
[1:03:49] four years there's been multiple
>> um [clears throat] so started an
[1:03:54] evacuation chapter unfortunately that
one is in its infancy and we haven't
[1:03:59] tested it yet. So, we will see if over
the next couple years if uh edits need
[1:04:04] to be made and in addition to uh
appendices with a declarations for the
[1:04:11] state of emergency template, a Gillum
County contact list and since it's an
[1:04:16] appendix um that is also provide I can
also provide that as a word document to
[1:04:21] the emergency management department so
that that can be printed out and easily
[1:04:25] referenced and quickly updated if phone
numbers change. Um, and then a quick
[1:04:30] reference. The idea behind the quick
reference is that instead of having this
[1:04:33] 300page plan with you, you can have a
10-page plan with you to at least get
[1:04:38] you started. And then an initial
emergency response checklist, which
[1:04:43] should hopefully help in the start of
any emergencies, as well as a full-on
[1:04:48] evacuation annex on top of all the
emergency support function annexes. So,
[1:04:54] um, was able to cut out a lot of fluff
from the last one. Hopefully streamline
[1:04:59] this one, make it much more useful, and
then give you a jumping off point to
[1:05:04] where in 5 to 10 years when it needs to
be done again that we can cut it even
[1:05:08] further.
>> Perfect. And we had um two stakeholder
[1:05:13] meetings which included like fire, EMS,
road department, um public health, um
[1:05:19] law enforcement,
um Jez Louise, I can't think of who else
[1:05:24] who else was there. Um
[1:05:29] » transportation, senior services, Sabrina
taught um food banks
[1:05:35] » and then vet
you had Carrie come as well from
[1:05:39] veterinary services.
>> Yeah. Uh oh yeah, our veterinary
[1:05:42] services. Um ODOT was invited. Um yeah,
can't think of who else. Oh, the cities
[1:05:49] city public works uh Arlington and city
administration
[1:05:53] um for to the stakeholders meeting. So
they've been involved for with both
[1:05:56] meetings. Then we conducted an exercise.
we had a mass fatalities exercise that
[1:06:01] actually included five counties um with
the plan um because we'd had to have an
[1:06:07] exercise done with the plan um to uh
finish up the grant. So um and that was
[1:06:12] conducted as well in June. So anyhow um
this is where we are and um looking for
[1:06:19] an approval from the county court. Then
like I said going to city council
[1:06:22] tonight for condon and next week we'll
hit the other twos. Um, and the reason
[1:06:26] why the councils the cities sign off on
theirs is because they are mandated to
[1:06:30] have an emergency operations plan in
place as well. And so as long as they
[1:06:34] sign off on the county, then that covers
for them. And Gen County has um always
[1:06:39] covered the cities in the county for
years,
[1:06:42] » right?
>> So that's that's about it. Only question
[1:06:44] I had was you said is it required to be
reviewed every 10 years or was that just
[1:06:48] » No, actually it's it's required well
when we were doing the EMPG it was
[1:06:52] required to be um uh updated every two
years.
[1:06:56] » Okay.
>> Um but now we're not part of the EMPG
[1:06:58] but we go ahead and still try to update
at least the contact list and stuff like
[1:07:02] that every two years. So yeah, just
>> but the last time this was wholly the
[1:07:08] state had um uh paid a contractor to do
every county in the state um um to have
[1:07:14] all of ours done so that they were all
the same. So that if I got called to go
[1:07:18] help Wither County with a disaster, then
I would open up theirs and be able to
[1:07:22] find the same thing. So we all had them
all the same by a same contractor. Um
[1:07:28] but uh back in 2011 um so we've all just
kind of continuing to update the same
[1:07:34] one since 2011 and we're like yeah no
we're done. So then got the grant and
[1:07:39] had
>> Cy do redo this one.
[1:07:41] » Okay.
[1:07:46] » I was going to make a motion but I
forgot to put the letter of promation in
[1:07:49] there.
>> I think we have it.
[1:07:50] » I know. I mean it's not in the motion
card um to
[1:07:56] » approve the resolutions and the letter
of promulgation. Okay.
[1:08:02] » Do we have anybody willing to make the
motion?
[1:08:08] » So the our our resolution number is JR
202601
[1:08:14] » and 023
>> and oh yeah two three there's three.
[1:08:17] » Oh I apologize. I'm sorry. So that it
goes on. It's
[1:08:21] » Yeah, because there's one city.
>> One per city.
[1:08:24] » Got it.
>> Yeah.
[1:08:25] » Okay.
[1:08:29] » So, you have to approve every one of
those. Yeah. I think you're going to do
[1:08:33] it. One motion.
>> One motion and the letter of
[1:08:35] promulgation. Okay. I move to approve
the 2026 Skillum County Emergency
[1:08:41] Operation Plan, the letter
of promagation,
[1:08:47] the joint resolution JR 2026-1,
joint resolution JR 20 26-2
[1:08:58] and JR
2026-3.
[1:09:03] » I'll second.
>> It's been moved and seconded to Adopt
[1:09:08] resolutions
JR2601203
[1:09:14] and letter of promagation emergency
operations plan. All in favor?
[1:09:20] » I.
>> I. Motion carries. Thank you for making
[1:09:23] the motion.
All right. Um, next on the agenda is 3
[1:09:29] point, excuse me, 6.3. Consider approval
of revised job description for Gil
[1:09:33] County Appraiser.
Would you want to come up?
[1:09:37] » Sure.
>> All right.
[1:09:39] » Straight forward.
>> All right.
[1:09:42] » Yes.
>> Okay. We have Chad Wilkins, a Gillum
[1:09:45] County assessor.
[1:09:49] » Really, we're just removing the tax
collection duties from the original
[1:09:53] appraiser position and putting it back
to what it used to be since tax
[1:09:56] collection moved back to the treasur's
office. Okay. Any
[1:10:03] questions? Um, now.
>> Okay. Are you going to go ahead and
[1:10:08] start advertising
>> soon?
[1:10:09] » Okay.
>> Oh, we ready?
[1:10:13] » Yeah.
>> I'll move to approve the revised
[1:10:16] appraiser data analyst position
description as presented.
[1:10:20] » Second.
>> It's been moved and seconded. Any
[1:10:23] discussion? All in favor?
>> I.
[1:10:26] » I. Motion carries. Thank you.
[1:10:36] » All right. Um
6.4 City of Clown and Rural
[1:10:40] Infrastructure Fund Grant.
G Wilkins, come on up.
[1:10:46] » Good.
>> Good.
[1:10:49] [clears throat]
>> So, you guys got any questions on this?
[1:10:51] » Okay. So, you know, we kind of set up
what what this is and why there's uh you
[1:10:58] know, a deadline and it it opened up the
conversation once we contacted everyone
[1:11:05] what they're thinking about. And one of
the issues is I shouldn't say issues,
[1:11:09] but one of the things to consider is
you're going to apply for a grant, there
[1:11:13] might be a match consideration and that
that's why this came up and it came up a
[1:11:18] little bit late in the agenda. So, go
ahead. Well, yeah, and we didn't get we
[1:11:22] didn't get these uh price estimates
until almost the 1 of August. So, that's
[1:11:27] why this has kind of been a a quick
process. Uh, and our goal at the city is
[1:11:32] we don't want to spend a bunch of money
and then have the the price on these
[1:11:38] lots be so expensive that nobody is
buying because right now we're seeing
[1:11:42] lots of 5,000 square feet in the square
feet in the city or 42,000 some change
[1:11:47] that aren't moving. And the 28,000
that's a target. That's not, you know,
[1:11:53] the city council might sell for less and
lose money. The city council might sell
[1:11:57] for more. Uh that's just that's just a
target that we picked that we think the
[1:12:02] lots would move on. Uh
unfort
[1:12:07] we have money in our development fund.
We have about 1.2 million cash on hand,
[1:12:11] but we also are getting back to the old
grade school here pretty soon that we're
[1:12:14] going to have to uh hopefully do
something with so it doesn't sit and be
[1:12:19] further abandoned and have more deer
jump through the windows and run
[1:12:22] through. But uh so we're trying to
figure out ways to a make the lots
[1:12:27] affordable, b make sure that the city
because the only way we're going to
[1:12:31] recover funds from this is from the
sales of lots. We don't have the tax
[1:12:34] base to replenish, you know, our our
development fund.
[1:12:38] » Uh right now we're only transferring
10,000 into our development fund to uh
[1:12:43] uh balance the budget. So at 10,000 a
year, that's going to be an awful long
[1:12:46] time to recover $1.4 million in cost.
So that's pretty much all I got. I You
[1:12:52] guys got any questions?
>> No, but it's a benefit to the county.
[1:12:57] People build on there and then we will
benefit.
[1:13:00] » Yeah. So for every six lots, we can
expect the city can expect two to 3% uh
[1:13:06] increase in our tax base for every six
lots, six homes built.
[1:13:11] » So with this state of Oregon regional
infrastructure fund,
[1:13:15] what if
don't get that? Then the city council
[1:13:20] will have to de we're going to apply for
other grants. Kind of one of my theories
[1:13:23] and I talked with Chris about this is
that this deal county money will be the
[1:13:26] last money. So we're going to be
applying for a bunch of state grants
[1:13:30] » and so hopefully we get some and then
the county's portion isn't the 500 and
[1:13:35] somehat thousand.
>> But if if we need to the city might have
[1:13:40] to put in that extra 250,000 because it'
be I think if we could have lots for
[1:13:44] sale by next fall I think they would
move. So, I know costs are going up and
[1:13:49] everything, but you've got, you know,
like phase one, phase 2, phase three.
[1:13:55] » So, this would address phase all of just
phase one.
[1:13:59] » Just this is just phase one.
>> Yeah. 1.4 million for 23 lots in phase
[1:14:03] one.
>> Yeah.
[1:14:04] » And that's what I've I brought up before
in different deals is, you know, like we
[1:14:08] want to get affordable housing, but
unfortunately, we can't change wages
[1:14:12] that they're paying their carpenters. We
can't change the materials they're
[1:14:15] building houses. The only thing we as a
government can do is get that price of
[1:14:19] that lot down. Um
and Oh, go ahead. Sorry.
[1:14:24] » Go ahead.
>> I forgot what [laughter]
[1:14:27] » Oh, just um you know, kind of long lines
the way you were talking about it. Well,
[1:14:32] interest rates are a stumbling block
right now in cost of construction,
[1:14:36] especially with the distance to condon.
Um, and yeah, uh, uh, but I I guess my
[1:14:45] thoughts on it is, you know, I' I've
heard a little push back about, oh my
[1:14:49] gosh, do we need 50 52 lots? Okay. But
my thoughts right right now with the
[1:14:54] situation we've been presented with
>> or opportunity as you may see it. Um,
[1:15:00] » I'm just talking about the 23 lots. I'm
just in my mind, this is only about
[1:15:04] phase one.
>> Yeah,
[1:15:05] » this is only about phase one. And
that's 23. Um
[1:15:13] the rest of it is not has not been
requested of us at all.
[1:15:16] » And if phase one doesn't work out, we're
not building.
[1:15:20] » So first we have to see. Yes. And so the
other thing I wanted to state is is
[1:15:26] there a possibility of flipping the
Gillum County funding to 250 and the
[1:15:32] state infrastructure grant ask to 500.
So this funding breakdown come from Jill
[1:15:38] Katherine at McK that's what she
recommended
[1:15:42] uh hearing how many people are putting
in for this RIFF grant and I think a lot
[1:15:47] of people are putting in for this riff
grant because there's no density
[1:15:49] requirements for it whereas other state
grants you have hit
[1:15:54] » five lots per net acre or five housing
units per net acre where this RIP
[1:15:58] doesn't. So I think there's going to be
a lot of people putting in for it. Mhm.
[1:16:02] » Uh
>> and I didn't know if it was a deal
[1:16:04] breaker or not to ask that question.
>> Well, it's and it's always a gamble.
[1:16:10] » Mhm.
>> You know, [clears throat]
[1:16:12] uh to think of to you know, put your
funding break.
[1:16:15] » Are you over asking?
>> Are you over asking? Are they would they
[1:16:18] cons you don't know if they're going to
consider a partial fund? You know,
[1:16:22] » you know, if we ask for 500, they say
>> are they going to immediately kick us
[1:16:25] out or they going to recommend us to
250,
[1:16:28] » right? But with as competitive as this
grant seems to going to be, I think they
[1:16:32] might kick us out if we overact.
>> Okay.
[1:16:36] » So then, so then that means we we have
to,
[1:16:42] you know, they can't put a a match in.
It doesn't mean we're we're providing
[1:16:48] the funding. It's we would be saying,
you know, we're authorizing you to put a
[1:16:52] match in for a certain amount. And
that's would be the the 50
[1:16:56] » with the understanding that we are going
to be pursuing other funding sources,
[1:17:00] » right? And and the we we would be the
last
[1:17:04] » last
>> funding of last.
[1:17:06] » So I mean in theory if we get it down to
where we get another half million from
[1:17:09] say the governor lobbed us or from a
state marked then you guys would have
[1:17:13] nothing.
>> It's interesting. I have mixed feelings
[1:17:16] about we have this opportunity and
they've gi you know it's specifically
[1:17:19] for us and and we have a
>> it housing is the project. Yeah,
[1:17:25] » that we should ask for the 500, but I'm
not an expert and I
[1:17:30] » Yeah. And that's and I've done, you
know, I've sit on a couple statewide,
[1:17:33] well, one statewide board that does a
statewide grant and it is,
[1:17:39] » you know, do you ask your for the full
amount or do you ask for what you can,
[1:17:42] you know, what you need?
>> So, this deadline is the 16th.
[1:17:46] » Yeah. Why? It's
>> Yeah. But some of the other
[1:17:50] » possible grants that you're talking
about, are they
[1:17:53] » this year?
>> Uh this year, uh you know, we'll
[1:17:56] probably I'll probably talk to Senator
Nash and uh Greg, uh Representative Greg
[1:18:00] Smith again about getting we tried to
get an earmark for this last year, and
[1:18:03] we didn't get an earmark from the
legislation last year. Uh at the housing
[1:18:07] tour, I met somebody from the governor's
uh housing solutions office that was
[1:18:10] really interested in this project.
Granted, interest doesn't mean we're
[1:18:13] actually going to get money, right?
>> Yeah. Yeah. And I think the raw numbers
[1:18:18] too [snorts] kind of do show that
private development of infrastructure,
[1:18:23] you know, if somebody's going to have to
be selling a 5,000 foot lot for 68,000
[1:18:28] to rec recoup their cost. I don't know
too many private developers that are
[1:18:33] going to be coming in to do that. You
know, the Hood River, that's
[1:18:37] » So what happens with the system
development charges with
[1:18:40] » We don't have SBIC's.
>> There won't be any.
[1:18:42] » The city of Con has no none for
anything.
[1:18:44] » Okay. The only thing we have is the
water meter hookup and the sewer hookup.
[1:18:48] » So, and then Yeah. And then cost of
permitting.
[1:18:52] » Yeah.
>> And then
[1:18:53] » Yep.
>> Okay.
[1:18:54] » Yeah. And the permitting for the
infrastructure, that's all done through
[1:18:56] the RC engineers office.
>> Okay.
[1:18:59] » All right.
>> Um, another question I had was so
[1:19:04] you've they've already ran some water
and sewer, right? We we've done we've
[1:19:08] run a sewer across across the uh golf
course and then we've upgraded the water
[1:19:14] line along Cotwood that covers this. So
we when when this all goes in there will
[1:19:21] be we won't have to go back and tear up
streets and redo anything. It'll be all
[1:19:25] ready to go. You know
>> what about power? Is that
[1:19:28] » that's through power? There is a big
power line that runs right down the
[1:19:31] side.
>> So that that shouldn't be an issue.
[1:19:33] » Yeah. And then the they're pack hazard.
They're putting it burying fiber optic
[1:19:37] lines along Cottonwood right now for uh
but that's also costs that we might have
[1:19:43] to cover above and beyond that the city
might have to cover above and beyond our
[1:19:47] 600,000 for power fiber and stuff like
that
[1:19:51] » because that's not included in the
engineers quote.
[1:19:54] » Yeah. I was just [sighs and gasps] so
you know you're looking at another
[1:19:57] 100,000. Yeah. Because things Yeah. just
Yeah.
[1:20:00] » Things are just so expensive. And
is there going to be any stipulations on
[1:20:05] the type of housing?
>> We're going to try not to.
[1:20:08] » Okay.
>> Because I just from Okay.
[1:20:12] » We don't want necessarily want
everything to look the same. And also
[1:20:16] we're the only
>> other than some infill lots here and
[1:20:19] there. We're the only people willing to
build everything. So every type of
[1:20:23] housing that people want is going to
have to go here. Okay? Because nobody
[1:20:27] else has got anything for sale,
>> you know, except for a couple lots here
[1:20:30] and there.
And plus, it's boring when all the house
[1:20:33] looks.
>> I don't think I think once you get it
[1:20:36] done, I don't think we'll have any lots
of on.
[1:20:39] » I've had in the past six months, I've
had four or five people come in wanting
[1:20:43] to know what it's done and what our
price.
[1:20:45] » So, it would be I mean
I mean from what I'm hearing kind of a
[1:20:51] replication of the idea, the ball field
idea. get it ready and then I mean not
[1:20:56] exactly
>> but and this was our original housing
[1:21:00] development before we got the ball
field.
[1:21:01] » Okay.
>> So we switched to the ball field because
[1:21:03] it was closer to other infrastructure
and we were going to say if the ball
[1:21:06] field works then we'll go back to
Fairway.
[1:21:09] » Okay.
>> And start pursuing that.
[1:21:11] » Is there any concerns about the maybe
another piece of property in the middle
[1:21:16] of it? I don't know what end of it is.
>> We're building up.
[1:21:19] » Oh okay. All right. Okay.
>> We had an opportunity
[1:21:24] uh three years ago to purchase it and we
weren't able to purchase it.
[1:21:26] » Okay.
>> What about golf balls going through the
[1:21:29] windows?
>> Well, that's why you don't live next to
[1:21:31] a golf course.
>> Oh, yeah.
[1:21:33] » Yeah.
>> No, I know there's lots of houses.
[1:21:35] » And there's going to be a 10 foot
There's going to be a 10ft buffer
[1:21:39] between the golf course and the houses.
It's going to be a public access walking
[1:21:43] path. So,
>> Oh,
[1:21:44] » so people
>> Okay.
[1:21:45] » So, people don't have to that live in
this neighborhood don't have to go down
[1:21:48] cockro down Main Street. they can just
go down golf course and walk into
[1:21:53] downtown.
>> All right. One other point is, you know,
[1:21:58] we need housing. We aren't doing
housing. We
[1:22:03] have other entities who are doing
housing. Um we have earmarked money in
[1:22:09] our economic enhancement ordinance that
we have not spent
[1:22:13] um that we can
allocate. Um,
[1:22:18] you know, it it's not saying this is
this is what we're doing. It's when you
[1:22:22] proceed with your application, have you
put this amount in?
[1:22:24] » Yeah.
>> Is that have that money in our budget
[1:22:27] now?
>> Oh, yes.
[1:22:29] » Yes. Yeah. It's sitting in the economic
enhancement ordinance. So,
[1:22:34] » yeah. And that's, you know, initially
when this all came out, I that's for the
[1:22:39] full million and I was buying up.
>> Okay. Well, the one thing about that is,
[1:22:45] you know, there there's been other
business Oregon grants since I've been
[1:22:48] here that I've seen large asks that
weren't that weren't funded. So, if this
[1:22:53] follows suit, it seems like they might
just divvy it up. Yeah.
[1:22:57] » So that everybody gets some of it.
>> Yeah. Like I said, with this not having
[1:23:01] many restrictions compared to some of
the other ones, I think it's going to be
[1:23:04] a lot of people applying.
I will say that the housing tour was
[1:23:09] good timing and
I I think it was maybe Senator Anderson.
[1:23:16] I think he was kind of his wheels were
spinning like, well, if you have these
[1:23:18] resources, why don't you have the
housing belt? Yeah.
[1:23:21] » If you have an economic enhancement
fund, why do why other counties and
[1:23:26] entities don't have this luxury? So, I'm
having a hard time understanding why
[1:23:31] » we don't have it. Not to get too far off
that, but I think a lot of people focus
[1:23:34] on what they want to live in
>> and don't focus [snorts] on what we can
[1:23:38] afford to live in,
>> you know, because I mean, I'm not living
[1:23:40] in the house I want to live in. I'm
living in the house I can afford to live
[1:23:43] in. And everybody wants to when we start
doing housing development, everybody
[1:23:46] wants to start, well, we need, you know,
big backyards and it's like, but not all
[1:23:51] of us can afford a big backyard. Not all
of us can afford, you know, our dream
[1:23:55] house at this moment.
>> Well, it's like saying affordable
[1:23:57] housing. You know, it's the amount of
bring people
[1:24:00] » and I
Well, that's a tough word, affordable
[1:24:03] housing opportunities. There might be
people that can actually afford to build
[1:24:07] on that that they move out of the house
they're in and that opens up that house.
[1:24:11] » That's and that's kind of what we're
some of the what we're showing are
[1:24:14] retirees that are either living in a
rental because they just moved to the
[1:24:17] community that want to build a house in
Condan or retirees that want to downsize
[1:24:21] and now they're freeing up that house
for a family to move into either as a
[1:24:26] rental or as a purchase.
you know, and once you hit a certain
[1:24:30] age, you just don't want to mow a yard.
>> Yeah. There's a there's a surprising
[1:24:34] amount of people just in gan that moved
here because they want to get away from,
[1:24:41] » you know, Portland, Beaverton, wherever
they were living. They have the means
[1:24:47] to build a house.
>> I can think of a half dozen single
[1:24:51] retired people that are living in
threebedroom, two bath houses right now.
[1:24:54] Well, and I also think and and Angie
Sullivan from Landwise said it at the at
[1:24:59] the Eastern Oregon Housing Tour was that
um
[1:25:04] things for sale here are cheaper than in
other places. So, you're getting people
[1:25:07] from other places that are find this
more affordable than where they're
[1:25:11] living currently.
>> Oh, yeah. People big city are getting
[1:25:15] fed up with it. They want to get out.
Well, they got they have housing
[1:25:19] developments in bin that are million
plus dollar lots that you have to build
[1:25:27] a million dollar home on. So,
>> yeah.
[1:25:30] » And I've had builders come to me and say
if there was four lots for affordable
[1:25:34] lots for sale in Conan, they'd be in
Conan building. So,
[1:25:38] » yeah. And but unfortunately people do
tend to hold on to their property and
[1:25:43] there's not four lots for sale at one
time at any any given moment
[1:25:47] » that are that are for sale. Yeah. A lot
of the lots especially here it's around
[1:25:52] they want they want to protect their
their space you know that's spending
[1:25:56] their own money to protect their space.
That is that is what it is and I don't
[1:25:59] you know but it's just the reality of
what cond is right now.
[1:26:04] » Go ahead. Well, this is a little off
base, but I just wanted to say it since
[1:26:07] we're talking about housing is, you
know, we sold the house the the last
[1:26:12] house we sold tax forclosed property
last Thursday. It sold for 75,000 and
[1:26:19] it's it you know, it it was a big it was
a big amount. Um, but one of the things
[1:26:24] that, you know, you hear a lot about,
oh, well, let's take care of these
[1:26:28] properties that they're privately owned,
the, you know, unless they're literally
[1:26:33] approached and really want to sell it
for probably more than it's worth, it's
[1:26:37] it's going to stay that way. And I think
one thing people don't understand or
[1:26:41] consider is there could be leans
attached to that
[1:26:44] » because we've seen leans drop off of
some of these tax foreclosed properties
[1:26:49] once they become Gilen County's
property. That's a legal process. still
[1:26:52] there. That might be at least for some
of the homes one of the stumbling
[1:26:56] blocks.
>> Well, and I've had people come to want
[1:26:59] city wanting to condemn buildings, but
that's 15 to 20 grand per building the
[1:27:02] city has to pay to go through the
condemnation process. So, you know,
[1:27:06] that's not all that 75,000 for that
household.
[1:27:10] » Yeah.
>> Oh, wow.
[1:27:11] » There were a couple people bidding
against each other. So, I think that's
[1:27:15] » what happened.
>> Two two [snorts] 5,000 foot lots.
[1:27:18] » Mhm. Right. Okay. Okay. So, what do you
need from us?
[1:27:22] » Uh,
I don't know. [laughter]
[1:27:26] I don't know if we need if if we can go
with a consensus or if we need an actual
[1:27:30] vote to
>> I'm comfortable with a consensus if
[1:27:34] everyone else is because we're not we're
not committing funds. We're just
[1:27:37] allowing him to write his application
and use that amount.
[1:27:41] » Yeah.
>> How does that sound?
[1:27:43] » And depending on how everything goes,
this whole deal might fall apart and
[1:27:46] you're not committed to anything,
>> right? Okay. a consensus to proceed with
[1:27:50] your grant application as as you've
outlined.
[1:27:53] » Yeah.
>> Okay.
[1:27:55] » Okay. Good.
>> Thank you guys. Appreciate.
[1:28:02] » Okay. And
that gets us to 7.0 announcements. Next
[1:28:08] meeting. Next meeting is September 16th.
Bronus building in Arlington. Um, what
[1:28:13] do you have?
>> Um,
[1:28:18] on uh August 20 EDP, we had an
information meeting there at the at
[1:28:23] Garus building there in Arlington that
was well attended and
[1:28:28] very positive. I thought couple heard
some testimony, but most part was all
[1:28:32] good. Uh,
I've been really busy, of course, on the
[1:28:36] road project. Um, Annie's got everything
submitted. We need to get uh do we
[1:28:44] contacted Herb about we have to get a
property signature for the application
[1:28:49] from some of the people that we're
trying to do the property with. Um I've
[1:28:52] been in contact with Allen Anderson or
Waste Management. Um
[1:28:58] they he had some or some questions from
his higherups. Um, I think I got them
[1:29:05] answered, but uh,
so yeah, just really trying to trying to
[1:29:12] I just can't believe it's like we're
trying to build a bridge over the
[1:29:15] Columbia River [laughter]
>> for what we're trying to to get this
[1:29:19] year. And uh,
>> but yeah, herb was good. Um,
[1:29:23] » it'll be worth it in the end. Remember
that. Keep that in mind.
[1:29:27] » Yeah. Um, I I guess
one thing, you know, I want to And we
[1:29:33] haven't said it or voted, but I'm
assuming that, you know, it's kind of
[1:29:37] what I've projected all along that the
old Cedar Springs Road, we would vacate,
[1:29:43] donate or transfer to Oregon Waste and
they're going to hopefully transfer the
[1:29:49] property to us. um the railroad. One of
the questions that was posed to Allan
[1:29:56] was, "Well, maybe that property, maybe
the county would um just be an
[1:30:02] easement." And I go, "No, we have to
have the road. We have to have the
[1:30:05] property."
>> Yeah.
[1:30:06] » For construction costs to put it on and
then possible right aways, you know,
[1:30:12] future stuff. So uh
>> at least the way I we haven't taken any
[1:30:18] official action and there would be legal
documentation that would come to us when
[1:30:22] we do that.
>> Yes.
[1:30:23] » Um so my my way of thinking is yes that
we they would take the old road which I
[1:30:31] I don't want to speak about waste
management without them being present
[1:30:35] but
>> right
[1:30:36] » my understanding is they want it. That
was an understanding.
[1:30:39] » That's Yeah.
>> And then we would own the public would
[1:30:43] own the new road.
>> But as much as this road is going to
[1:30:46] cost, there's I just we have the county
has to have the property.
[1:30:52] » Mhm.
>> It goes on,
[1:30:53] » right?
>> So I just want to make sure that we're
[1:30:56] all on the same page.
>> Well, yeah, because you wouldn't want
[1:30:58] somebody down the road to say, "I want
that back." And then you'd be like,
[1:31:02] » "Yeah." Uh, every public road we have, I
would assume, is
[1:31:06] » publicly owned outright.
>> Yeah. And it's with everything that's
[1:31:09] coming, we we don't want to risk an
issue.
[1:31:13] » Well, and then the other thing is,
okay, so we have our agreement with
[1:31:18] Waste Management, which pays to maintain
the road. Why would we have that
[1:31:23] agreement if it's their partially their
road? I mean,
[1:31:27] » I know.
>> So, that's just
[1:31:29] » I think Yeah, it was not so much Allen.
was just I think some some upon and uh
[1:31:35] » um there there has been a request to get
a figure to them for our total cost for
[1:31:42] the road projection and Dewy's almost
got that but you know they requested
[1:31:47] some more covers some other stuff and
he's getting that close so hopefully
[1:31:51] he'll have that pretty quick. They're
wrapping up their paving chip ceiling.
[1:31:56] Um, I'm gonna spoke to Dewey and Doug. I
gota get with Doug, but uh I was gonna
[1:32:02] have him come to the court October for a
>> Okay. kind of
[1:32:06] » good
>> report. And uh yeah, somebody dumped a
[1:32:10] bunch of tires at le
truck to haul them off.
[1:32:15] » Where' the dump truck come from?
>> State.
[1:32:17] » Oh, good.
>> And so I'm assuming the state has to pay
[1:32:20] to go have these tires dumped somewhere.
Um,
[1:32:24] I had a verbal commitment from a
landowner that's there
[1:32:30] » was tickled. If we get down the road
with cameras, absolutely. He said, I'll
[1:32:35] sign whatever do whatever. So,
>> if we need to do something to make
[1:32:40] official action to put cameras up, I'm
>> Yeah, it's just this is back in time
[1:32:45] this year and it's not just a few tires
>> and that costs all of us. Let's let's
[1:32:50] find a way to prevent it from being
bumped in the first place.
[1:32:53] » They just dump them there because they
think that they'll end [clears throat]
[1:32:55] up in the landill.
>> I don't know. I think it's I I think my
[1:32:59] thought is somebody that's collecting
that's getting paid to collect them from
[1:33:05] someplace
>> just goes gets rid of them
[1:33:08] » and then they go get rid of them and
they'll pay to dispose of them. So
[1:33:12] anyway, but
>> okay
[1:33:14] » that's it. That's all I got.
>> Thank you very much for your work. So, I
[1:33:18] had a um Capco meeting last Friday and
um I noticed we were approving the list
[1:33:24] for the senior advisory and we have
Sabrina on it, but there is one more
[1:33:30] spot for another person from Gillum
County to be on that committee. So,
[1:33:36] um we I might find out from them and
maybe put a notice on the county website
[1:33:42] to get that spot filled. Mhm.
>> Um and then uh we our fair starts today
[1:33:51] and um I want to remind veterans to come
and eat dinner on the fair board on
[1:33:58] Saturday night because we're going to
for them free tickets.
[1:34:02] » Okay.
>> Will there be like something on line or
[1:34:04] something that we can help with
>> out on the posters and different things?
[1:34:10] would say it.
>> Okay.
[1:34:11] » I've been
>> Saturday.
[1:34:14] » Saturday.
>> So, it'll be Saturday night at 5:30.
[1:34:18] » Um,
>> Veterans Eye for free.
[1:34:20] » Yes.
>> Okay.
[1:34:21] » Where do they go?
>> Um, I think they'll give them tickets.
[1:34:27] Um, we'll have dinner tickets at the
auction. So,
[1:34:32] » I'm going to put something in.
>> Okay. So, yeah, it's our way of honoring
[1:34:37] the veterans.
in this 215 year celebration.
[1:34:42] » Yeah.
>> So,
[1:34:43] » so, okay. And is Sabrina doing anything
with it on the veterans part?
[1:34:48] » No,
>> she's cooking the meal.
[1:34:49] » Okay. I didn't know if somebody was
coordinating how to prove they're a
[1:34:53] veteran.
>> I don't know. I think they reached out
[1:34:55] to the American Legion.
It's been on the posters and so I
[1:35:00] » All right. It should be fairly easy.
>> Yeah. But I know I told um Daryl he's
[1:35:05] part of the American League. So
>> Okay, good.
[1:35:08] » Spread the word. So
>> Okay.
[1:35:12] » I told a couple veterans this morning
and told them be sure to come on
[1:35:16] Saturday night and feed on the fair.
Good. So
[1:35:19] » So the internet's all set up there. It
all is in place. The new office is in
[1:35:25] place. Probably finishing touches need
to be done, but it's functional.
[1:35:28] » Yeah.
>> And the event center and the grass is
[1:35:31] looking good. I saw pictures. I I
haven't looked at it myself.
[1:35:35] » The also I think the OSU I think they
still have to come in and bring their
[1:35:42] internet stuff. So
>> we have um the Ethernet stations have
[1:35:48] ours is the top one and then the one on
the bottom will be the OSU because they
[1:35:54] have to have their own networks. And so
they're that agreement will be coming to
[1:35:58] finalize that agreement
>> for them to move up there. Okay. Good.
[1:36:03] Good.
>> So
[1:36:04] » at the next meeting.
>> Okay.
[1:36:06] » All right.
>> Yeah. And um Maggie's already brought a
[1:36:09] lot of stuff down so that you can be
ready during the fair. So
[1:36:14] » Right. Good. All right. Um hope it's a
great a great fair for everybody and the
[1:36:21] kids and
>> Yeah.
[1:36:24] » Okay. We're kind of worried about the
rain a bit.
[1:36:28] » Um, so we had the Eastern Oregon Housing
Tour
[1:36:34] the afternoon of the last meeting and it
went really well. We had several
[1:36:38] legislators and all of our local people.
We presented um, you know, challenges,
[1:36:48] you know, housing solutions that there's
been efforts made. They weren't able to
[1:36:51] get to Condan because it was uh freeway
tour basically. So we went to Alkali
[1:36:57] Ridge. We had Governor's office, Senator
Nash um put it together. Um
[1:37:05] um Senator Wagner, Senator Anderson, um
a couple others from the governor's
[1:37:11] office. It was very it was very good.
And then we traveled to um Stanfield and
[1:37:16] looked at the Bumblebee housing project
and it was a finished um well in process
[1:37:24] of being finished believe 90ome units
and that was really great. The builder
[1:37:29] was there explained they had price
points um explained that an income of
[1:37:35] you know $20 per hour times uh two
married couple could afford this unit.
[1:37:41] They had one-bedroom units, two
bedrooms, and three. I think the
[1:37:45] threebedroom had an upper story.
>> So, where do they building that?
[1:37:48] » It's it um so 395 there's um cornfields
right across. So, it's right before you
[1:37:54] come into Stanfield on 395. So, if
you're driving into Stanfield, it's on
[1:37:59] the right. There's white fence there.
And um it's it was it was a very good
[1:38:05] example. And what I liked about it is we
went from Alkali Ridge, which is um also
[1:38:11] City of Arlington was represented there
at in Gillum County. Um but we went from
[1:38:18] a a subdivision that's close to ready to
build to one that is built. And then we
[1:38:26] continued on from there to Pendleton and
looked at um a concept of uh Capco. I
[1:38:34] don't know if you heard about this at
their Capco meetings. Um I think they
[1:38:37] own Tamil Lumber and tearing down that
and making a senior living village out
[1:38:43] of that with a common um laundry senior
type center and you know it's just it's
[1:38:50] a vision right now. So the legislators
looked at that concept and then I came
[1:38:55] back home because I had the EDP meeting.
So I didn't continue on but they all
[1:38:59] went on to Union County and Wal County
and looked at some um possibilities of a
[1:39:06] concept a legis the legislative concept
of maybe taking 50 acres of EFU ground
[1:39:12] and some possibilities of housing
solutions there with potential future
[1:39:16] legislation.
um you know, not farm, not prime farm
[1:39:20] ground, but be able to create some um
options for counties that want to do
[1:39:25] that and they would have discretion to
decide if they want to participate in
[1:39:29] that
>> if it ends up being something that that
[1:39:32] comes to be legislatively. So, that that
was really a great a great tour and it
[1:39:38] turned out to be um I think really great
for the legislators to look at it with
[1:39:42] their own eyes and come come out. um
have been working on trying to get some
[1:39:48] things set for Veterans Day and get some
extra help so that we get some good
[1:39:52] things going for our veterans. um a
clear understanding of these vouchers
[1:39:57] that were done last year that there was
some confusion on trying and our veteran
[1:40:02] service officer has done an all mail
flyer about that that that's coming up
[1:40:07] to have a maybe a special dinner to
honor our veterans here in Gilen County
[1:40:14] and um make sure we have ceremonies in
each community. So, um, working on that
[1:40:21] two months out to try to get We kind of
had some problems last year. So, I want
[1:40:25] to make sure we do we do it right for
our veterans. Um we I went to an east uh
[1:40:31] eastern Oregon economic summit in
Ontario on the 24th and 25th and it was
[1:40:38] a great
um great education about economic
[1:40:41] development but a lot of it was well it
was in Ontario because you have you have
[1:40:48] Oregon with different regulations
um more strict planning regulations um
[1:40:54] maybe not as you know our tax laws or
maybe not as user friendly as Idaho is.
[1:41:01] So we toured the Oregon side and then we
went over to Idaho and toured the Idaho
[1:41:06] side to see the differences in land use
develop planning development.
[1:41:13] Um it was just interesting. So there's a
border there's a border board and it's
[1:41:18] for the Oregon side because of the
potential of losing
[1:41:24] economic opportunities to Idaho and it's
a legislative
[1:41:29] uh body that
receives funding and it just got me
[1:41:35] thinking about our economic enhancement
ordinance and how we utilize it. So,
[1:41:39] I've been communicating with our
economic development director um and
[1:41:44] wanted to talk to him about ideas
because they have structure. They have
[1:41:47] the incentive programs like we have
through the PCDC. They have um other
[1:41:54] programs and incentives to spur economic
development. So, just good resource,
[1:41:59] good outreach. There was child care was
on the agenda at the economic enhance or
[1:42:04] economic development summit, housing, um
you know, all the things we talk about.
[1:42:10] So that was good. Um we had that
property sell on the 26 and as I said
[1:42:14] that was the Lancaster property and it
sold for 75,000. Um hopefully that
[1:42:21] property will turn and and get renovated
or demolished or whatever. Um,
[1:42:28] Mcked, we had an uh orientation with
Mckedd. Uh, there's a city
[1:42:32] representative and that's Kayla Rayburn.
Port representative is Leah Shannon. And
[1:42:38] so we all took part in that um
orientation. I'm on the loan board for
[1:42:43] Mckette and so I've had a meeting on
that. Um, and that's been an interesting
[1:42:50] process to learn about that. Um,
we we've been having administrative team
[1:42:56] meetings just to try to keep some of the
things we're working on going. Couple of
[1:42:59] things we're working on is to see if we
can get some adult education classes
[1:43:04] going. Um,
for example,
[1:43:08] public speaking or how to do a job
interview, um, finance 101, those types
[1:43:13] of things. Um, so we're talking about
>> trying to just maybe come up with three
[1:43:18] classes right now and figure out how to
do that.
[1:43:22] And another thing we've been talking
about is um
[1:43:27] taking the idea that we used with Kelly
nonprofit that the county used with
[1:43:32] Kelly nonprofit
and finding
[1:43:37] finding a
it could be Marina and Company although
[1:43:42] we haven't talked to them. finding an
accountant or a a company that deals
[1:43:47] with municipal uh
accounting
[1:43:51] to help our taxing districts. So, we we
could
[1:43:56] we ran this by legal counsel to make
sure we can do it. Um but earmark a
[1:44:01] certain amount of hours that our taxing
districts can call for help, call for,
[1:44:07] you know, what are the best practices?
Um what are the budgeting best
[1:44:11] practices? Um, you know, we we see
things here and we think they could use
[1:44:17] some help. Um, a lot of times it's just
a volunteer or a person who isn't
[1:44:22] spending many hours that is doing
they're doing the best they can, but
[1:44:25] they could use a little bit of support
on the accounting side which is going to
[1:44:29] help us all because it's public funds.
So, what do you think of that?
[1:44:32] » Yeah. idea to pursue
>> because I think that the chamber for a
[1:44:38] while had like if if entities were using
QuickBooks, they had somebody that they
[1:44:44] could [clears throat] contact.
>> Oh, good.
[1:44:46] » Quickbooks questions answered and
>> yeah,
[1:44:50] » the problem is a lot of that accounting
software just keeps getting more and
[1:44:54] more expensive.
>> It does.
[1:44:56] » I mean, mine's like up to $2,000 a year
for footn.
[1:45:01] It's ridiculous.
Right. Anyway, that's all for now.
[1:45:06] [clears throat]
Okay. Anything else? No further
[1:45:10] business. Meeting is adjourned.
[1:45:17] » [music]