Parker Brothers Go Out On A Limb
By Debby Schoeningh
Jesse Parker and his sons of Parkers Tree Service in La Grande were in Baker City Monday to trim a cottonwood tree at Deb Romney’s 2nd Street residence.
James, 16; Grant, 18; and Rory, 20, climbed to the top of the 100-foot tall tree using climbing cleats and ropes tied to branches with “monkey knots,” sliding up and down the ropes much like rock climbers.
They are the third generation of Parkers in the tree service business. Jesse’s dad, Brownie Parker, started the family business in 1937 in southern California and operated it for 58 years before buying a ranch and retiring in Oxbow. Brownie was also given the title of world champion tree climber in 1944.
City Council Considers 16 Top Priorities
By Brian Addison
Baker City Council held a Work Session Tuesday in order to discuss a list of 16 current and future city business topics. Council clearly defined the top two priorities as System Development Charges and addressing Waster Water rates.
System Development Charges Consultant Selection
Baker City has been reviewing proposals from consulting firms for advice on System Development Charges. System Development Charges (SDCs) are established through Oregon Revised Statute as a means of funding a portion of a city’s infrastructure expansion costs as needed for new residential and commercial development. A municipality may apply SDCs to help fund five categories of infrastructure expansion: Transportation, Parks, Water, Waster Water, and Storm Water.
During the Oct. 19 meeting, City Manager Steve Brocato said that at that time, the city was considering proposals from five consulting firms. Brocato said the bid proposals ranged from $35,000 to $153,000 explaining that the difference in cost was related to experience, with the most experienced firm being the most costly and the least experienced being the least costly.
Councilor Raises Questions About Wheatland Insurance Contract
By Brian Addison
Baker City Councilor Beverly Calder questioned City Manager Steve Brocato about details within the city’s insurance contract for general/liability insurance with newly contracted provider Wheatland Insurance at Tuesdays City Council meeting.
Calder began by saying that the original Request for Proposal sent out by the city in search of a new general/liability insurance provider stated that the city was searching for proposals from an “Agent.” Calder contends that when the city issued the contract to Wheatland Insurance, the city did not get an “Agent,” but rather contracted for insurance services from a “risk management consultant.” By contracting for services from a risk management consultant rather than an agent, Calder contends that city staff must assume new work duties that were carried out as part of the contract with the city’s previous long-time insurance agent Clarke & Clarke Insurance of Baker City.
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