The following are the unapproved minutes from the Burns City Council meeting held March 24. The minutes were edited for clarity and length.

Allison Field of Biz Oregon discussed finance options for the water project.

She said some of Burns’ water lines are too small, which is causing water-capacity issues, and they need to be replaced. She also noted that Burns may want to replace the lines and install broadband at the same time.

According to the Populations Demo Survey, Burns is distressed, meaning that is qualifies for priority funding that includes several options.

One option is the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), which covers public works infrastructure projects up to $2.5 million. This includes design, engineering, and construction.

Another option is the Safe Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund (SDWRLF). This is a low-interest loan up to $6 million for design and construction of water system infrastructure. It also offers principle forgiveness for all projects up to $15,000.

Field will meet with the engineer to determine the cost of the project. The letter of intent deadline is June 15.

Field also said that the broadband investment can be paired with the Special Public Works Fund (SPWF) loan up to $2.5 million. However, this would require a public hearing, and Burns would have to own the land or have an easement where the broadband is installed for the life of the loan.

Field noted that the county received funding for a telecommunications project. If the city overlaps the county’s project, there may be potential for collaboration.

There are also water loans available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and broadband funding is coming down the pike from the state for capital improvement projects. Field said she will know more about that within the next 45 days.

City Manager Dan Brown said Brad Mahon of Anderson Perry will attend the city’s work session to discuss whether the project should be paired down or completed all at once.

The city qualifies for a lot of funding because the population is considered low-income.

Brown said, if we’re going to open up infrastructure, we need to think about broadband at the same time.

He stated that people want to move to the area, and because of COVID-19, a lot of people are working from home. He said broadband would be a benefit, and the city might also consider paving some streets.

Councilor Judy Erwin asked whether a water-rate study will be required. Field said she will look into it.

Field added that the CDBG application is due in the fall, and it’s also time to apply for the SDWRLF.

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Police Chief Newt SkunkCap reported that the Burns Police Department gets involved with the community as much as possible. For example, the department provides drug presentations at the schools, making students aware of the dangers of illegal substances. Usually, at least one officer from each of our local law-enforcement agencies contributes to these presentations.

SkunkCap said all of the agencies work well together and will often debrief at the Burns Police Department after search warrants.

He added that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) rotates its officers in our area every 28 days, and they have been great to work with. The BIA has responded as back-up to emergency calls and assisted with recent warrants.

SkunkCap said Burns police also depend heavily on the Public Works Department, explaining that Public Works is always there to assist with the patrol cars and anything else that’s needed.

Next, SkunkCap reported the number of calls that the Burns Police Department has had.

He also noted that the department can’t do its duties without the help of the Hines Police Department, Harney County Sheriff’s Office, BIA, Harney County Parole and Probation, Oregon State Police, Burns Public Works Department, Harney District Hospital (HDH), HDH Emergency Medical Services, Symmetry Care, the Department of Human Services, the Burns and Hines fire departments, and all of the local schools.

Councilor Christy Rivera asked SkunkCap to name the department’s top three needs.

SkunkCap said the department really needs someone to help in the office and another patrol officer.

Rivera asked if they could use more training. SkunkCap replied that they would love more training, and they will definitely resume training when it reopens.

Rivera also asked about Officer Mike Schaff’s patrol car. SkunkCap said it was repaired, and it was just an issue with the radiator.

Councilor Jen Keady asked whether there is 24-hour coverage in Burns. SkunkCap said there is coverage until 2 a.m. in Burns and Hines. In the past, local law enforcement agencies have tried to work together to achieve 24-hour coverage, but it never works out. However, SkunkCap said he will try to figure something out.

Keady asked whether  the department stays in contact with victims of theft. SkunkCap replied that they can contact the department to receive updates about their cases.

Keady also asked how businesses can help with surveillance. SkunkCap said he would love to see people and businesses install more surveillance cameras because it gives them more to go off of when crimes are committed. The department will even help determine where to place different cameras and what angles to use.

Mayor Jerry Woodfin thanked SkunkCap for his excellent presentation.

•••

Brown reported the following:

• a conditional offer was accepted for the public works utility worker position. The name will be announced after a background check and final interview with the city manager;

• a 100-unit hotel is being considered for Burns;

• a pre-grant application for the Transportation and Growth Management Program Grant from Oregon Department of Transportation and Department of Land Conservation and Development was submitted;

• the second public information meeting for the Harney County Brownsfield Coalition Assessment Program will be held April 7 at 5:30 p.m. at the Community Meeting room;

• the Burns Municipal Airport awarded $9,000 for remodeling the airport terminal. Councilor Brad Herrera moved to accept the grant, and the motion carried;

• the airport master plan project grant for $320,000 is being submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA);

• the airport apron rehab project grant for $108,000 is also being submitted to the FAA;

• the city recently paid off the Safe Drinking Water loan for the water storage tank and loan for the excavator. Brown will talk to the auditors about the two internal city loans. One is for fire suppression at the airport, and the other is for the building that the fire department built. Brown would like to get these two loans forgiven since they’re internal;

• Solutions Certified Public Accountants was contracted to conduct the city’s audit this past year, and they ended up doing more work than anticipated. They sent an engagement letter for this year’s audit with a slight increase to do the additional work. Herrera moved to approve the audit contract with Solutions, and the motion carried.

Brown also provided Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) preliminary copies of the revised flood insurance rate map and flood insurance study.

Keady asked for an update on the Burns Town Apartments and the old post office building. Brown said he’s been in contact with the city attorney about the Burns Town Apartments, and they are still moving forward through the court system. He will be sending out another letter regarding the old post office building.

•••

In other business:

• the council approved Resolution 21-701, accepting certain identified unanticipated revenues from the Oregon Fire Marshal’s Office and authorizing the reimbursement of a specific sum to the fire department fund;

• the council approved Resolution 21-702, accepting certain identified unanticipated revenues from the state for heavy equipment rental tax of a specific sum to the general fund for office equipment;

• the council discussed Resolution 21-703, which would authorize the issuance and negotiated sale of a League of Oregon LOCAP program note in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $300,000; designate an authorized representative; authorize execution and delivery of a financing agreement; and related matters.

Brown explained that this is to refinance the LOCAP Loan taken out in 2007 to pay for the building and infrastructure being leased by the Bureau of Land Management at the airport.

He stated that, by refinancing the loan, the city will get a lower rate and have the option of taking a nine or 11-year loan. Taking the nine-year loan will save $40,103.20.

Keady moved to approve the resolution with the nine-year term at 3.25 percent, and the motion carried;

• Keady asked Burns residents and businesses to provide more help and input. She added that the city manager is “doing amazing things,” and he should be supported in every way possible;

• Councilor Jen Hoke said she’s noticed derelict properties around Burns and would like to get them cleaned up;

• Erwin said she’s enjoyed working on the budget with Brown, and it’s always good to have two sets of eyes reviewing the numbers;

• Rivera announced that former Councilor Liz Appelman beat cancer;

• Herrera reported that he is learning to read blue prints, and he hopes to read the blue prints for the new Washington Park restrooms when they’re ready;

• Herrera expressed interest in attending the next county court meeting to request funding for the cemetery. Brown said he would be happy to join him and discuss numbers.