| SEACT Minutes, October 25, 2004 |
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| Minutes |
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Southeast Regional Alliance
serving as
Regional Investment Board
Regional Partnership
Area Commission on Transportation
Grant, Harney, and Malheur counties
Board Minutes
October 25, 2004
ODOT Conference Room—Ontario, OR
Board Members:
Grant County: Harney County: Malheur County:
Peggy Carey David Fine Cheryl Cruson
Chad Freeman Steve Grasty Dave DeMayo
Gary Judd Russ Hursh
Bob Quinton Linda Simmons
Dennis Reynolds
Oregon State Department/Agency Representatives:
Bruce Buchanan, OHCS Monte Grove, ODOT
Rena Cusma, ODOT Barb Higinbotham, Employment Dept.
Marsha Duncan, ODOT Rick Minster, OECDD
Scott Fairley, DEQ Nancy Pustis, DSL
Tom Strandberg, ODOT
GEODC Staff:
Sondra Lino Elizabeth Lyon
Guests:
Ken Freese, Malheur Road Supervisor Larry Meyer, Ontario Argus Observer
The meeting was called to order by Chair Steve Grasty. Self-introductions were made. There was a discussion of Martin Davis’ health problems. Move/Second/Pass—Hursh/Reynolds—purchase a gift certificate for an evening out for Martin and Cheri Davis.
Minutes/Financial Report: Move/Second/Pass—Simmons/Quinton—approve the minutes of August 23, 2004 as presented. The August financial report was presented. The September report will be e-mailed out when available.
Southeast Area Commission on Transportation (SEACT): Grove reported that the Oregon Transportation Commission has contracted with Oregon State University to study and develop a methodology to determine the life of bridges. The study has determined that some bridges can be re-built rather than replaced. As a result, more bridges will be repaired/replaced than originally thought. Bridges are being built for at 75-100 year life. Rehabilitation may be done on bridges where a minimum of 20 additional years of use will be achieved.
Grove also gave an update on OTIA III projects. The first two modernization projects are moving forward. Funds have been approved for the Nyssa Bridge. $14 million is now available to work on the 50 mph curves in the Burnt River Canyon.
Other projects discussed included the possible replacement of the ODOT garage in Baker county that is too small and the Treasure Valley Renewable Resources project that is going to the Oregon Transportation Commission for approval. “Smart Signals” on low volume roads were also discussed.
There are three Transportation Enhancement Projects in the Southeast region, one in Mt Vernon and two in Harney County. They will be undergoing a secondary screening to reduce the statewide list from over 60 projects to about 30.
Duncan passed out the draft list of Region 5 STIP projects. They are also on the ODOT website along with the OTIA III projects.
Strandberg distributed copies of the press release inviting the public to a teleconference meeting to further develop and take testimony on the STIP. A SEACT member is needed at each site to help host the meeting. Grasty encouraged people to attend and to get the word out to cities and other entities interested in the transportation system. Flyers will be sent out.
Strandberg also discussed the Bridge Aesthetics meeting held in Baker City in September with good participation and good input. The purpose is to provide aesthetic enhancements to new bridges with a consistent theme throughout a corridor. With the move to repair rather than replace many of the bridges, there will be less aesthetic treatments.
The SEACT meeting was adjourned.
Regional Investment Program Update:
Lino gave an update on the Kimberly Foods project. They were given a grant extension through December 2004, with a report requested after three months. The commercial kitchen will be built at the Monument industrial park rather than at the Thomas Orchards site that had been previously discussed. They are on track to have the remaining funds spent by the end of the year.
A progress report was also requested from John Day Polaris. They have a verbal commitment of matching funds and are requesting annexation into the city. A contract will not be negotiated until they are ready to move forward.
There will be a meeting of regional boards and staff at the AOC meeting in Portland on Wednesday, November 17. All interested members who will be attending the conference are invited to attend. The discussion will center on the request that the programs be funded at the 01-03 levels and the strategy to achieve this goal.
Lino noted that the second application deadline has passed without any applications being received. The pros and cons of this were discussed. Minster noted that, with all of the Governor’s Strategic Reserve funds not allocated, that the regional funds may become more attractive.
Freeman highlighted the success of Winner’s Choice Custom Bowstrings as the type of project that makes a real difference in the region. They are now making $1.5 million in annual sales and are up to 20 employees. They are already looking at expansion.
Economic Revitalization Team (ERT)/State Employee Report: Buchanan reported that he has been attending the National Community Action trainings in Portland in preparation for the establishment of a Community Action Program for Harney and Malheur Counties. He noted that his office has moved from Milton-Freewater to Pendleton and distributed his new cards. He will be working in the Lower John Day Partnership region pending hiring of new central Oregon OHCS staff. The Fall Consolidated Funding round has just been completed with no application coming from the SE region. OHCS is working with Oregon Downtown Development Association and has funds available. Ontario has been selected as a recipient with a meeting to discuss downtown revitalization scheduled for tonight (October 25).
Pustis had no report.
Minster reported on department planning for the future of the Regional/Rural Investment Programs. The discussion centers on what the regions would do differently if they were funded at former levels.
Fairley reported on the Rural Brownfield Conferences. There are funds available to assist communities with clean-up of qualifying sites. Fairley may be contacted for more information. He also announced that he is the new chair of the SE ERT. The team wants to start having more community visits and meetings out in the region. Anyone wishing to be placed on the agenda may talk to Fairley.
Higinbotham reported that the Workforce Response Team has received a waiver allowing funds formerly earmarked for capacity building to be used for training. There are still funds available and are waiting for some good projects proposals to be submitted.
Staff Report: Lyon reported that GEODC has had a lot more SBA 504 loan activity. In reference to the earlier discussion about the Regional Investment grant requirement for substantial applicant match, she noted that SBA often requires a second mortgage on an applicant’s home. A personal commitment by the business owner is vital.
Other Business: Grasty reported on a meeting attended by he and Hursh. They discussed attracting youth to communities as an economic development tool. Youth employment and the importance of keeping young people in the community fits with the SRA challenges and is critical to the vitality of the region. Many youth are entrepreneurs and are most likely to stay in their own communities. He discussed a program whereby young people are partnered with and mentored by local business owners that want to pass their businesses to the next generation. It is hoped that TEC will take the lead in developing something in this region.
Success Stories: Grasty reported on the mental health group home that has opened in Harney County. Eight full-time positions have been added combined with over $1.25 million in savings to the state. Buchanan noted that OHCS is a resource for funding of various special needs housing projects.
Grasty also reported on the Archive Center. The election division has placed one of their hot sites/servers at the Center. The Tribe has developed goals and deadlines for development of the site. A corporation has been formed and is talking to the state about providing back-up services to various entities including tribal gaming operations. Under the state, prices were very high so few departments used it.
Next Meeting: The next meeting will be held on November 22 in Harney County. There will be no meeting in December.
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