The following are the unapproved minutes from the Burns City Council meeting held May 12. The minutes were edited for clarity and length.

Susan Ohlund was present to discuss her request to vacate the right of way on North Hemlock, which was denied during the previous council meeting. 

Ohlund explained that the previous council told her to go ahead with the application process, and she spent money on the survey and filing fee.

Councilor Judy Erwin said she understands Ohlund’s concerns because she was part of the council that told her to go ahead with the application process. Erwin added that this portion of North Hemlock has never been a road, and it will never be a road.

“It’s not right that the old council told her to go ahead, and then this council is against it,” Erwin said. 

Mayor Jerry Woodfin agreed, stating that he understands that the council wants to save streets, but some of them can’t go anywhere. He added that this property was an eyesore for years until Ohlund and Stanley Simmons moved there, cleaned it up, and started maintaining it. 

Councilor Brad Herrera said he agrees, which is why he asked to table the matter during the previous council meeting. Herrera added that there are trees on the property that would prevent a road from being installed. 

Woodfin said his only concern about vacating the right of way is that it would give property to an abutting landowner who is not paying taxes on the property that they already own.

Erwin said past taxes would have to be paid before the vacation is recorded. Ohlund said she would help the property owner pay the back taxes.

After some further discussion, City Manager Dan Brown said he will contact the city attorney to determine whether the whole process must be restarted. Woodfin tabled the matter until Brown can consult with the attorney. 

Simmons thanked the council and stated that they “just want something done, one way or the other.”

•••

Simmons asked why asbestos reports were not completed before old buildings — such as the Central Hotel and Palace — were demolished. 

He stated that he knew people who were interested in purchasing the Palace building, but they didn’t buy it because of the asbestos. 

Erwin stated that both buildings had all of the necessary permits required. She added that these permits are handled by the county building inspector, not the city.

Simmons stated that asbestos is flying around in the air when these demolitions are taking place.

Further discussion ensued.

Brown asked Simmons to provide documentation for him to review. 

•••

Brown provided the council with pictures and floor plans of prefabricated buildings that could be used for restrooms at Washington Park. He noted that the buildings are concrete and will last a long time. He added that, right now, they cost the same as a stick-built building, and they look like real wood.

The council will review the photos and provide feedback. 

Brown also reported that:

• a strategic planning workshop was scheduled for May 18;

• new flooring would be installed in the council chambers;

• the first budget committee meeting was scheduled for May 20;

• Public Works Director Michael Berry is seeking input on a color scheme for the new roofs, well houses, and bathrooms. The council said they liked the colors that Berry suggested.

Brown also noted that the No. 1 well house will need to be replaced soon;

• he needs feedback regarding which stakeholders should be invited to attend a meeting to discuss Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) improvement projects. Possible stakeholders include truckers, ranchers, farmers, members of the Harney County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and downtown business owners. The council was encouraged to email their suggestions to Brown;

• he and Police Chief Newt SkunkCap are working on a grant to secure funding for a couple of police officers. 

Brown stated that, for communities with fewer than 10,000 people, the national average is 2.5 police officers for every 1,000 people. This means that Burns should have at least six officers in order to provide 24-hour coverage. Hiring additional officers would also give SkunkCap more time for administrative work, such as writing reports and grants.

•••

Berry introduced two new public works employees: Matt Renfro and Emerson Budro.

Renfro stated that he and his family moved to Burns from Harrisburg because his wife is from Burns, and she was ready to return home. Renfro added that he worked for the city of Harrisburg for 7 years, and he holds many state water/sewer certificates.

Budro stated that he moved to Burns from the Willamette Valley, and he loves it here. Budro served two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan for the Army and said he is very excited to work for the city. 

The council welcomed Renfro and Budro aboard.

•••

Fire Chief Scott Williamson received notice that the Burns Fire Department was awarded the 2021 Wildfire Prevention and Preparedness Activities Grant in the amount of $20,043.43 to purchase new handheld radios.

Councilor Jen Keady moved to allow Williamson to sign and enter into an agreement for the grant to purchase the radios. Erwin seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

The Burns Fire Department was also awarded the Oregon Department of Forestry Volunteer Fire Assistance grant in the amount of $9,950 to purchase practice fire shelters, real fire shelters, thermal-imaging cameras, boots, head lamps, and training.

Woodfin thanked Williamson for the hard work and time that he puts into securing these grants.

“Hats off to him,” Brown said, adding that Williamson “set the bar high.” 

•••

Jackie Clements asked the council to pass a resolution similar to Baker City’s “common sense sanctuary” resolution (Resolution 3881). She explained that the resolution faults Gov. Kate Brown’s COVID-19 mandates for creating an “economic, mental health, and criminal activity crisis” in the city. The resolution will allow businesses to open and use “common sense” when it comes to masks and social distancing. Clements noted that Baker City’s resolution made national news, and other cities are following suit.

She stated that passing a similar resolution would be “a huge step in the right direction to protect our way of life.”

•••

Representing Harney Partners for Kids and Families, Bettina Bowman attended the meeting to request a donation toward gift baskets for Harney County’s foster parents.

Bowman explained that Harney Partners for Kids and Families is working with the Department of Human Services and Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) to help recognize and support local foster parents. There are currently 25 foster homes in Harney County, with 41 children living in foster care.

Julie Beitzel, who attended the meeting via Zoom, said she would like to donate $500 toward this cause.

Woodfin moved to donate $250 to Harney Partners for Kids and Families to help with the gift baskets. Herrera seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

•••

Representing the city of Hines, Amie Scott reported that, other than the Skull 120 bicycle race, the Harney County Chamber of Commerce will not be hosting events. The city of Hines decided to take over the Fourth of July festivities at Hines Park, and Scott asked whether the city of Burns would be willing to host the Fourth of July parade.

Brown will discuss the matter with city staff.

•••

In other business:

• Councilor Christy Rivera reported that the safety committee met April 29 and did a walk-through of the Burns Fire Department. Rivera said Williamson provided a very thorough and informative tour.

She learned that one of the fire trucks is 26 years old, and it was supposed to be replaced after 25 years. Rivera also reported that some new air packs are on the way, and they are still working on ways to replace the rest of them. She added that Williamson is primarily concerned about how difficult it is becoming to recruit and train volunteers;

• Erwin reported that the Airport Committee met and discussed how to use the $9,000 grant for remodeling the terminal. The committee also discussed water and plumbing issues and the need for new revenue streams;

• Erwin asked how long the old service station that’s next to Burns Town Apartments will be permitted to park cars and “trash the place.”

Brown will send a letter;

• Woodfin read a letter that the Senior Center wrote to thank the council for sponsoring its entrée program.