At its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 26, the Hines Common Council accepted the resignation of Officer Roxane Ellis from the Hines Police Department.

City Administrator Judy Erwin stated that Ellis had accepted a position with the Harney County Sheriff’s Office, working in the jail. Erwin explained that the new position offers more pay, a better schedule, and Ellis’ background includes corrections work.

“We’re pleased for her, but now we’re short on police officers,” Erwin said.

The council expressed some concern about the number of officers who have left the city after a short period. It was suggested that a contract be drawn up that states if the city pays for an officer’s training, they are required to stay with the city for a certain time frame or pay the city back. If an officer attends more training, that would also be included in the agreement.

Mayor Nikki Morgan stated that being an officer in a small town provides more well-rounded training than getting started in a big city, and “that’s valuable.”

Erwin said she would continue to look into the possibility of having a contract drawn up with the suggested requirements.

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The councilors were provided with a report from the Harney County Economic Development Department as to what transpired in April, May and June.

Erwin said the department will continue to send out quarterly reports of economic developments in the community, including projects and plans.

Morgan said she appreciated the mass mailings that are sent out each month to potential businesses.

Erwin explained that the Community Response Team picks a vacant building and tries to come up with a list of businesses that could be successful in that type of building and then a mass mailing goes out to all those types of businesses, attempting to attract them here.

Erwin added that an alfalfa pellet mill is going in at the industrial park in Hines, and a second business is also looking into locating there as well.

Councilor Ron Williams asked if there has been many changes and/or improvements since the new economic development group has taken over at a higher cost to the county.

Erwin said the new group works with people daily who are applying for loans, conducts training on how to do balance sheets, payroll taxes, cash management, and other aspects of running a business. Small groups have also been created to focus on specific areas, such as housing and small business development. Each group studies their area in depth and then reports back to the group as a whole.

She added that there is also an on line site that provides information for businesses looking to come here, and brochures are sent out to potential businesses.

Morgan noted that funding seems to be more available, as one person received funds for a start-up business and another to purchase an existing business.

Erwin said she wrote a grant request for funds to help replace the sewer lift station and was contacted by the economic development office to see if there was anything they could do to help. She explained the problem to them, including the fact that if the lift station goes out, the south end of the city, including the industrial park would be without sewer service, and that is an area that’s important to economic development for both the city and the county.

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During the council comments portion of the meeting, Councilor John Mims stated there are a number of Canadian thistles growing near the substation south of town on Highway 20 that need to be eradicated.

Councilor Diane Rapaport gave an update on the water working groups that are looking into the various water issues in the county.

Councilor Dan Grigg, who is also the chief executive officer for Harney District Hospital, told the council that an orthopedic physician’s assistant will be joining the hospital staff this fall.

Councilor Robert Beers said he had received complaints about the sprinklers running in the city park while the Summer Lunch Program was going on.

Before adjourning, a motion was made for  a 2 percent increase in salary, and continued health  insurance for city employees, and the motion passed unanimously.

The next council meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 10, at city hall.