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December 24, 2009 Front Page |
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Council Chooses New City Manager
By Mark Bogart
The Baker City Council selected a new City Manager during a special meeting on Friday. After over six months of recruitment, investigation and discussion, the Council voted four to two, to offer the position to Tim Johnson of Portland. The vote was divided along the same lines as the June decision to terminate former manager Steve Brocato. Councilors Andrew Bryan and Sam Bass voted against both decisions. Milo Pope was absent for Friday’s meeting, but sent a letter expressing opposition to hiring Johnson.
Restating the position of the other four Council members, Mayor Dennis Dorrah said, “It’s time to move on.”
The council held the meeting for the purpose of hearing public input, as required by Oregon statute, and for making its official decision to offer the job to Johnson. In his statement, Pope said the meeting should be scheduled later, “so that the public may participate.”
County Commission Honors Clarke, Agrees Deputy Watermaster’s Position Should Be Full Time
By Eden Taylor
In their regular session on Dec. 16, the Baker County Commissioner honored Tabor Clarke for his work in restoring the Baker County Courthouse clock. He was given a shadow box containing a hand from the old clock and a portion of the old clock workings. Jason Yencopal had initiated the gift.
Museum
Peggi Timm and Joan Jacobs came before the County Commission with a reworked proposal for County financial involvement in the Museum. The new proposal cuts in half the amount of assistance they are seeking. The new proposal is as follows:
1) County takes over payment of utilities for Baker Heritage Museum and Adler House Museum.
2) County adds Museum’s elevator to County’s elevator maintenance contract.
3) Museum Commission hires a 3⁄4-time director as County employee at an annual salary of $20,000.
4) Museum transfers $2,000 from Museum Fund to County Leave Fund.
5) Two additional part-time staff are hired as contractors.
Commission Chair Fred Warner Jr. agreed that combining the elevator contract would lead to significant savings even though the County would have to slightly increase the contract. The utilities for the Museums cost about $16,000 per year. The County already pays for the Museum’s liability insurance.
Dr. Carl Stiff felt this arrangement should be looked at on an annual basis. Perhaps the County will be able to increase their help in future years.
The Commission unanimously approved the proposal.
Planning Commission Holds Year-End Meeting, Discusses Forest Dwelling Standards In Grazing Zones
By Suzan Ellis Jones
With an over-full agenda the Baker County Planning Commission tried to wrap up the work session and public hearing for the proposed zoning ordinances last Thursday night. The session was a combination public hearing, regular meeting and work session for the commissioners, which started at 5 p.m. and adjourned at 10 p.m. They did not succeed in completion of the agenda items, which were tabled until the Jan. 28 meeting.
The Planning Commissioners attending were, Anna Sullivan of Hereford, Don Silva of Haines, Jim Grove of Baker City, Dan Weitz of Baker City, Bill Harvey of Haines and Randy Joseph of Sumpter. Staff in attendance was Holly Kerns, Donna Thibodeau and Mark Bennett who arrived later in the meeting.
Planning Commission Chair Randy Joseph opened the meeting and requested that testimony be only for new material. Joseph also said he owed the public an apology as he should have explained in the beginning of the hearing process that 90% of the ordinances proposed are mandated by the state and the county only has control over approximately 10% of the ordinances, such as with the newly proposed Wind Farm Ordinance and the tabled Lighting Ordinance.
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