The following are the unapproved minutes from the Hines Common Council meeting held Aug. 23. These minutes were edited for clarity and length.
Dan Porter informed the council that approximately 2,000 people attend the Beer & Brats Music Festival in June.

Seven merchandise vendors, six food vendors, and six bands participated in the festival, and there were no issues with driving under the influence of intoxicants, drunk and disorderly conduct, or fighting.

Porter hosted another music festival on July 23 in front of Grocery Outlet, which featured two bands. Donations collected during the event benefited the Food Bank and other nonprofit organizations.

Porter would like to hold an Oktoberfest at Hines City Park this fall and is requesting a temporary permit to serve alcohol outside the Park on Oct. 8. The event will be hosted by 1188, a brewery from John Day, using their Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) permit. Porter will provide the bands, stage, merchandise, food vendors, and other activities. The event will take place from about 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and four or five bands have already agreed to participate.

Police Chief Ryan DeLange asked about the designated drinking area. Porter said the plan is to close Barnes from Highway 20 to West Circle Drive and have a beer garden on the street.

Councilor Hilda Allison made a motion to grant a temporary permit for the sale of alcoholic beverages on Hines public property to 1188, with provisions that all insurance and proper OLCC permits are furnished. Councilor Dean Brizendine seconded the motion, and it carried.

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In other business:

• Councilor Marsallai Quick submitted a letter of resignation. Her position will be up for election in November. However, the council will appoint someone to fill the vacancy until the newly elected councilor is sworn in during the first meeting in January 2023;

• The city signed up for TextMyGov, a message-notification service that will replace the old phone tree. Those who choose to opt in to the message-notification system will be informed about incidents such as fires, water being shut off, etc.

TextMyGov complies with the security protocols of the Department of Defense. Registration information will be included with the August water bills;

• Harney County Home Health and Hospice Director Jodi McLean requested donations toward the Denim & Diamonds Gala, which will be held Oct. 15. A tri-tip dinner will be served, and all proceeds will be used to help Harney County residents who need hospice services and are unable to pay for them.

Medicare requires Home Health and Hospice to do fundraising. They have chosen to raise funds by hosting galas, and this will be their first one in two year.
Home Health and Hospice is a vital community service that is not funded through the County General Fund.

Councilor Robert Beers made a motion to donate $500 to Harney County Home Health and Hospice. Brizendine seconded the motion, and it carried;

• Patty McNeil asked the council to donate funds to the Burns Elk’s Lodge to upgrade the lodge’s boiler system.

City Administrator Kirby Letham noted that the council asked him to research whether transient lodging tax (TLT) funds can be used for this project.
She pointed out the Elks are a nonprofit organization, they hold regular events (both for the community and non-local residents), and the majority of the lodge’s space is used for recreation and/or food service. In Harney County, the Elks Loge acts as one of the two or three “convention centers” where events like weddings and parties are held.

With that in mind, Allison made a motion to donate $2,000 of TLT funding to the Burns Elks Loge. Councilor Misty Shepherd seconded the motion, and it carried;

• no action was taken regarding the Golf Course Agreement. The agreement will be finalized during the Sept. 13 meeting;

• the council reviewed Resolution 2331, which establishes fees, licenses, applications, land-use permits, and other city services. Allison made a motion to approve Resolution 2331. Beers seconded the motion, and it carried;

• Letham explained that, during the Harney Homes Project, Hines parceled the city-owned lot at the end of South Saginaw. The city donated the lot known as 244 S. Saginaw, which was used to build a home. The city still owns the lot known as 246 S. Saginaw.

The council discussed whether the city should hold onto the lot or sell it. After some discussion, the council chose to hold onto the property at this time;

• the city applies for the Oregon Department of Transportation’s Small City Allotment program each year. As part of this grant opportunity, the city must present a prioritized list of streets to repair. The council discussed which streets should be prioritized, but no action was taken;

• letters were sent to owners and/or operators of short-term vacation rental properties, but city staff have yet to received a response. Council members said they haven’t received any comments either;

• DeLange informed the council that it’s time to get a new police car. Officer Alan Johnson’s car needs to be replaced, and a new officer is coming on board.
Letham said the new car is on order and should be delivered in December.

When Letham prepared the budget for this year, he set aside $70,000 for a new police car. However, he told the council that he thinks it would be better to keep some of that cash on hand and finance the new car.

Letham received two quotes. One was from US Bank, and the other was from Government Capitol Corporation. US Bank has the lower interest rate.
Beers made a motion to continue with US Bank for the purchase of a new police vehicle. Brizendine seconded the motion, and it carried;

• Dan Porter suggest the council consider an amphitheater or band shell, stating that it could be a big draw for people from out of the area.

Allison asked whether the Harney County Fairgrounds received a grant to draft a plan for a venue. Porter said he believes the fairgrounds received a grant for audio improvements.

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The council received business license applications from the following entities:

• Brad Erbe applied for a business license for Hines Motel LLC, which was formerly known as the Sundowner.

DeLange asked Erbe whether he will continue working with Harney Hub for vouchers. Erbe said he will, explaining that Harney Hub will issue vouchers to assist people who need a temporary place to stay. This could include out-of-town accident victims or locals who are “trying to get away from something.”

Currently, the Hines Motel and Silver Spur are the only two motels that agreed to participate in the voucher program.

Erbe said they have been upgrading the Hines Motel but want to continue being an economy hotel for the area.

Beers made a motion to approve the business license for Hines Motel LLC. Shepherd seconded the motion, and it carried;

• Michael Covert applied for a business license for Covert Services LLC. Covert will be doing pressure washing and landscaping (such as mowing lawns, etc.).

Councilor Amity York made a motion to approve the business license. Brizendine seconded the motion, and it carried;

• Realtor Lorraine “Lorrie” DeLange applied for a business license.

She explained that she is a licensed broker with EXP Realty LLC.

Allison made a motion to approve the business license. Brizendine seconded the motion, and it carried.