The following are the unapproved minutes from the Harney County Court meeting held June 1. These minutes were edited for clarity and length. 

Harney County Judge Pete Runnels invited Rimrock Recycling volunteers Eric Prell and  Veronica Ayers-Prell to share an update, as the recycling center is struggling to stay open. 

Runnels reported that Becky Cunningham will not be continuing at Rimrock. He said this is an opportunity to do something positive at the recycling center, including revamping the board and getting organized. 

Harney County Chamber of Commerce Director Deanna Thrall asked whether Wayne Baron would be interested in helping at Rimrock, and Ayers-Prell said they’ve been in close contact with him.

Runnels noted that Rimrock’s board of directors needs to be rebuilt, as he doesn’t want the organization to lose its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. 

Harney County Commissioner Patty Dorroh asked how many board members are required to keep 501(c)(3) status. 

Ayers-Prell said the board currently has five members, but needs officers. Cunningham is stepping down as president, and the board doesn’t have a treasurer. 

Rimrock is low on funds and is seeking advice regarding how to stay open. They’re looking for grants, but they aren’t eligible for many because of their nonprofit status.

Runnels said the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)   requires the county to recycle a percentage of its recyclable waste, but the county is not required to fund the recycling center. In the past, the county has supported Rimrock in other ways, such as providing the baler and building. Runnels said he would like to find a way to help financially — maybe with a one-time donation — but the court will need to discuss this when both commissioners and the judge are present.

In addition to its financial woes, Rimrock has faced challenges with trucking materials. It’s been hard to find independent truckers to take loads out of the area. In order to be cost effective, each load needs to be full, and most independent truckers don’t come through town often enough.

Runnels said he feels the two most important actions should be to announce that the board will be revamped and build a clear business plan showing where and how all funds are being used. This should help bring in donations and rebuild trust with citizens who want local recycling services.

Rimrock will hold a town hall meeting on Thursday, June 9 at 5:30 p.m. in the Community Center (adjacent to the Chamber of Commerce).

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In other business:

• Harney County Assessor and Tax Collector Karen Zabala provided the deed for properties foreclosed upon in November 2021. 

Runnels asked whether any of the properties shouldn’t be put up for public sale.

Zabala said there is one in the Hass and Griffen addition to the town of Wellington. Properties in this area are not put up for public sale because of the flood zone;

• the court received the second notice of a road naming request from Bryce Mertz in the GIS Department. The request is for renaming a road located a half mile north of Lane 13 on the Crane-Buchanan Road. 

Per the Harney County Zoning Ordinance, the road must be assigned a name now that it has three residences on it. Normally, this is done with the approval of the three landowners. Notifications were mailed to all three landowners, but only one responded.

Mertz consulted with county counsel and learned that the court can move forward with the naming process. 

The court will schedule a public hearing during its meeting on June 13 to name this road if no proposals are received from the landowners. 

The GIS Department will suggest either East Rye Grass Lane or Crow Camp Lane, which was the original name in 1904;

• the court received requests to support two new Rangeland Fire Protection Areas (RFPAs), and agreed that they’d be good for Harney County.

Noting that all of the proper procedures have been followed, Dorroh moved to sign letters supporting the new RFPAs. Runnels seconded the motion, and it carried;

• Dorroh received an email from Travis Lock, regional mobilization coordinator for the Emergency Response Unit at the Office of the Oregon State Fire Marshal. 

Lock would like to work with the court so they understand their role in conflagration response.

Dorroh is scheduling a meeting for June 29 and will invite Emergency Manager Suzanne Settle to attend;

• Dorroh also received a call about trash bags blowing out of the landfill in Fields. She will follow up with someone who can help address the situation; 

• Additionally, Dorroh received a budget question from the library director. She will pass the question along to the Budget Board;

• Sharon Voegtly asked whether the old mill smokestack can be painted and have a flag mounted to it. 

Runnels said he will determine whether this project can be grant funded.