The following are the unapproved minutes from the Harney County Court meeting held April 21. The minutes were edited for clarity and length. 

Tara Thissell, public affairs specialist with Burns District Bureau of Land Management (BLM), discussed the 2021 Virtual Migratory Bird Festival.

This year’s event featured digital story videos, the youth art program, a “locals-only” tour caravan, and urban birding on foot. The annual art show continued with Spark Collaborative hosting vendors on their web platform. There was also a downtown walking tour and some live programming via the web.

Although it is not intended to be a fundraiser, the festival has provided some funds for community-related projects.

Additional festival information can be found online at igratorybirdfestival.com.

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The court reviewed County-Owned Land Sale Requests. Three applications were received: Assessor’s Account Numbers 48150 (160-acre parcel), 48080 (20-acre parcel), and 48091 (20-acre parcel).

Commissioner Kristen Shelman expressed reservations about location, access, buildability, and distance for emergency services. 

Harney County Judge Pete Runnels moved to deny the request for Accounts 48080 and 48091. Shelman seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

The court then reviewed Account Number 48150 (a 160-acre parcel).

Shelman said she would like to research the parcel further to determine the exact location, neighboring properties, access, and how the property was acquired by the county.

Commissioner Patty Dorroh moved to table the sale request for Account Number 48150 for further discussion during the May 5 court session. Shelman seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

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Bryce Mertz, GIS coordinator, reviewed the request to name Woodruff Road. The road is located 3.5 miles west of Highway 205 on Sunset Valley Lane.

The court noted that all of the required documentation seemed to be in order.

Shelman moved to adopt Resolution 2021-06 in the matter of naming Woodruff Road. Dorroh seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

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The court opened a public hearing regarding adopting a supplemental budget and making appropriations. There being no public comment, Shelman moved to adopt Resolution 2021-04, adopting a supplemental budget and making appropriations for Economic Development Loans Fund 247 in the amount of $614,855. 

Dorroh seconded the motion.

Runnels explained the need for the supplemental budget and appropriation. He stated that the court received COVID-19 funding for local economic development business grants, and this funding was not expected during the budget process.

The motion carried unanimously.

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The court received two additional letters of interest to serve on the Elected Officials Compensation Committee. Dorroh expressed pleasure with the slate of interest. Shelman moved to appoint Tim Colahan, Andy Swingle, Fred Flippence, Sharon Davis, and Judy Erwin to the committee for a term to end December 31, 2021. Dorroh seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. It was the consensus of the court that this committee should be appointed annually in January of each year.

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In other business:

• the court reviewed the Harney County Library Strategic Plan. Runnels moved to approve and endorse the plan for the Harney County Library. Shelman seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

• the court again reviewed bid documents with Werner Arntz, engineer for the Fairgrounds RV Park. 

Arntz noted that the bid was only guaranteed for seven days. Since time has passed, the cost of materials has increased. Arntz contacted the low bidder, and an adjustment of $5,000 was made to the materials costs. Arntz recommended awarding the contract to the low bidder, Hueckman Contracting, in the amount of $403,334. Arntz  said work would begin May 3, and the contractor has 90 days to complete the project.

Runnels moved to award the bid to Hueckman Contracting in the amount of $400,334. Dorroh seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.