The following are the unapproved minutes from the Burns City Council meeting held Oct. 13. The minutes were edited for clarity and length.

City Manager Dan Brown reported that he met with Harney District Hospital (HDH) Chief Executive Officer Dan Grigg who shared concerns from the hospital board regarding the Urban Renewal Agency (URA).

“Grigg informed me that they feel like this has just been sprung on them, and I explained to him that the URA has been talked about and in the works since January. I’ve also offered to attend an HDH Board meeting and explain it to them, but have not received an invite,” Brown reported. 

“I’ve also explained to Grigg that the URA will bring housing and improved infrastructure to the community, but people seem to be looking at the dollar amounts they will lose and not what the URA will actually do for the community.” 

Brown said Grigg told him that the hospital board lacks trust in the city of Burns. Grigg also asked to be appointed to the URA.

The URA was established on July 14 when the council passed Ordinance 21-876. The ordinance states that the URA “shall consist of the same members as the city council.”

Later in the meeting, Councilor Judy Erwin stated that she doesn’t think the council needs to start letting people from other committees serve on the URA.

Councilor Heather Smith agreed, stating that once the vacant council seat is filled, that person will join the URA.

•••

Brown also reported that:

• Daniel Porter and Kim Rollins submitted applications to fill the open city councilor position, with the term ending on Dec. 31, 2022;

• he, Lakeview City Manager Michele Parry, and John Day City Manager Nick Green will provide a presentation regarding establishing a Tri-Cities Consortium during the next Burns City Council meeting;

• the Tri-Cities were awarded a Planning Assistance Grant from the Department of Land Conservation and Development for a Housing Implementation Plan. The grant amount is $60,000. They did not receive the Rural Placemaking Grant, but they are submitting an application for a $30,000,000 grant for Housing Implementation;

• a 20-unit veteran housing project is moving forward in Burns. It will require a zone change, and City Planner Jay Harland is looking into a land swap. Ground breaking should be held next spring, as planned;

• the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the county for the building department is in review.

•••

Hines City Administrator Kirby Letham was present to discuss a housing development project at the end of South Saginaw. After the area is partitioned, the contractor will start the foundation work and begin building next spring. Letham said this has been in progress for the last three to five years, and it was spurred by the 2019 Housing Study, which showed that 70 percent of housing in Hines was built in the 1960s.

•••

Police Chief Newt SkunkCap introduced Officer Shyanne Fine who recently joined the Burns Police Department. Fine began her career in corrections at the Harney County Sheriff’s Office. 

SkunkCap also introduced office secretary Michelle Harris. Harris has been a secretary since the 1990s, and she’s volunteered her time to help the Burns Police Department. She is now a part-time employee, and SkunkCap said she’s been a big help. 

Brown noted that Officers Fine and Lindsey Ward will be leaving for the police academy soon. He added that he appreciates the help and training that the Hines Police Department has provided.

•••

Brown introduced Mark Moore, the city’s first Code Compliance Officer. Moore was formally a county surveyor in California, and he is working on his Oregon license. He is currently helping Brown with survey matters for the city.

•••

In other business:

• the council passed Resolution 21-716, setting rates for water and sewer services provided by the city of Burns pursuant to the water and sewer ordinance.

Brown explained that, normally, the city raises water and sewer rates every July based on a rate study that was conducted 20 years ago. However, this year, the city is waiting because a rate study is currently being conducted. Brown said the current rate study shows that the city must raise its rates by $10.85 during the next five years, which is about a 5 percent increase to both water and sewer;

• Brown said a Commission of Water Rate Study 2022 needs to be conducted to ensure that the city’s water and sewer rates are covering expenses. The cost of the study is $20,000, and it can be paid out of the water budget.

Councilor Jen Keady moved to approve the Water Rate Study at the cost of $20,000. Erwin seconded the motion, and it passed;

• Fire Chief Scott Williamson stated that the Burns Fire Department does what it can to protect the unprotected areas of Harney County, adding that 50 percent of the department’s call volume is outside city limits.

In the past, the department received grants to help cover the costs associated with these calls. However, he recently worked with Brown and Harney County Judge Pete Runnels to develop a Fire Services IGA. This agreement grants city firefighters authority to work outside city limits and protects them from any liability. The county also agreed to pay $10,000 per year for the service.

Councilor Jen Hoke moved to approve the Fire Services IGA. Councilor Christy Rivera seconded the motion, and it passed;

• Brown said both of the Critical Oregon Airport Relief grants for the Burns Municipal Airport require a 10 percent funding match, which can included in next year’s budget. 

Brown said he’s looking into making the airport a fuel district center, and he asked permission to move forward with executing both grants.

Erwin moved to permit Brown to execute the grants. Rivera seconded the motion, and it passed.

The next meeting of the Burns City Council will be held Wednesday, Oct. 27 at 6 p.m.