Morrow County public meetings in 2024
37 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Board of Commissioners
The Morrow County Board of Commissioners will consider a revised budget and schematic design for the Courthouse Annex Project. It will also act on a plat for the New Dreams Estates development in Irrigon, a second reading of Land Use Code Amendment AZ-154-24, and adopt a fee schedule update for county parks. Additional items include renewing school resource officer contracts and approving the Water Advisory Committee's final recommendations.
- Consideration of Courthouse Annex Project Revised Budget & Schematic Design
- Approve Plat for New Dreams Estates in Irrigon
- Second Reading of Ordinance Land Use Code Amendment AZ-154-24
- Adopt Final Recommendations and Report of the Water Advisory Committee
- Order 2024-04: Adopting Fee Schedule Update for Morrow County Parks
General
The Columbia River Enterprise Zone III is meeting to manage enterprise zone activities. The body will discuss the disbursement of CDC funds and a possible boundary expansion.
- Disbursement of CDC funds
- Review of a new application
- Possible boundary expansion
- Payment of bills
Wolf Depredation Advisory Committee
The committee will meet to review agency updates and producer claim applications. The body will also consider letters of interest for committee membership.
- Review of Proudfoot Ranches, Inc Claims 1 and 3
- Committee member letters of interest from John Qualls (Local Business) and Paul Proudfoot (Livestock Producer)
Board of Commissioners
The Board of Commissioners is meeting to conduct business items. The agenda lists one specific business item regarding the Morrow County Fair and Rodeo Queen.
- Morrow County Fair and Rodeo Queen (Sue Gibbs)
General
The Morrow-Umatilla County Drinking Water Investigation Steering Committee is meeting to review project updates and field sampling efforts. The body will discuss Public Water System (PWS) connection concepts and feasibility criteria for key focus areas.
- Review of Stage 1 and Stage 2 project scope
- Update on field sampling approach and target well identification
- Discussion of PWS connection concepts for key focus areas
- Coordination review for West Glen (FA-2/FA-3)
Board of Commissioners
The Morrow County Board of Commissioners will consider a consent agenda that includes several contracts, a vehicle purchase agreement, and tax refund items. Business items include reports from various departments, a review of a county theft policy, and the final adoption of the 2024 Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. The meeting also covers water consortium agreements and committee appointments.
- Amazon Data Services, Inc. Road Use and Maintenance Agreement (consent agenda)
- Vehicle Purchase Agreement for budget‑approved dump truck
- Final Adoption of the 2024 Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan
- Consideration of a County Theft Policy
- Water Consortium IGA Review and Approval
Board of Commissioners
At the December 4, 2024 work session, the Morrow County Board of Commissioners will discuss the Water Advisory Committee’s draft final report, review and make final edits to the 2024 Zoning Ordinance code, and consider updates to the commission’s policy and procedures for meetings. No formal decisions are indicated on the agenda.
- Water Advisory Committee Draft Final Report
- 2024 Zoning Ordinance code review – discussion and final edits
- Discussion on Policy and Procedures for Commission Meetings
Planning Commission
The Morrow County Planning Commission will hold public hearings to decide on three conditional use permits. These include requests for a biogas treatment facility and two commercial trucking operations on residential properties.
- CUP-N-382-24: Proposed biogas treatment facility and 6 miles of natural gas pipeline on Marty Myers Road
- CUP-N-379-24: Commercial trucking business operation on Tax Lot 3100 (Suburban Residential)
- CUP-N-380-24: Commercial trucking business operation on Tax Lot 3000 (Suburban Residential)
Board of Commissioners
The Morrow County Board of Commissioners will meet on November 25, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. at the county government center in Irrigon. Commissioners will consider approval of a rock‑crushing invoice under Business Items. An executive session will be held to review the employment‑related performance of the chief executive officer per ORS 192.660(i). The meeting will also include public comment, open agenda items, signing of documents, and adjournment.
- Rock crushing invoice approval (Business Items)
- Executive session to review CEO performance under ORS 192.660(i)
General
The Planning Commission will hold a continued public hearing on Land Use Decision LUD‑N‑75‑24 submitted by the Port of Morrow. The application seeks approval to apply industrial wastewater on a 7,300‑acre property zoned Exclusive Farm Use, located about 10 miles southwest of Irrigon. The commission must vote on the request during this meeting.
- Land Use Decision LUD‑N‑75‑24 – request to permit industrial wastewater application on 7,300‑acre EFU land
- Property located in Township 2N Range 26 and 3N Range 26, approx 10 mi SW of Irrigon
- Decision must comply with MCZO Article 3 Sections 3.010(B)(23), (D)(8), (D)(9) and ORS 215.246
Wolf Depredation Advisory Committee
The Morrow County Wolf Depredation Advisory Committee will meet on November 12, 2024. The agenda includes approval of minutes from the September 17, 2024 meeting, agency updates, and a review of producer claim applications related to wolf depredation. The committee will also set the next meeting date for December 10, 2024 and address any public comments.
- Review Producer Claim Applications
- Approve minutes from September 17, 2024
- Agency updates on wolf depredation matters
- Set next meeting date: December 10, 2024
Board of Commissioners
The Morrow County Board of Commissioners will meet to discuss one business item regarding employee compensation. The board will consider the approval of an out-of-step salary for Matthew Jensen, a temporary employee in the Assessors Office.
- Consideration and approval of out-of-step salary for temporary Assessors Office employee Matthew Jensen
Board of Commissioners
The Morrow County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the FY2025 Supplemental Budget for multiple programs. It will also vote on resolution adjustments and transfers of appropriations for the FY2025 budget. Additional items include approval of vehicle purchase grants, adoption of the 2024 Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, and a second reading of Code Amendment AZ-154-24.
- FY2025 Supplemental Budget – Multi Program (public hearing)
- FY2025 Budget – Resolution Adjustments & Transfers of Appropriations
- Approval of MCPT 5310 and 5311 Grants to fund purchase of a "rightsize" vehicle
- Final Adoption of the 2024 Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan
- Code Amendment AZ-154-24 2nd Reading
General
The Morrow County Water Advisory Committee will introduce its members, receive updates on several water projects, and discuss a draft Water Policy and Action Memo. The meeting also outlines tentative dates for future work sessions and a final memo adoption by the Board of Commissioners.
- Drinking water and nitrate testing update by the County Public Health Director
- LUBGWMA discussion with Commissioner Drago on the Oregon Nitrate Reduction Plan (9/20)
- EPA Grant Research Project – Morrow‑Umatilla County Roadmap presentation
- CDS Phase 2 funding update
- Discussion of the draft Water Policy and Action Memo
Planning Commission
The Morrow County Planning Commission will hold public hearings to decide on several conditional use permits. The body is reviewing requests for commercial trucking operations on residential properties and a land use decision for industrial wastewater application.
- LUD-N-75-24: Port of Morrow application to land apply industrial wastewater on 7,300 acres of Exclusive Farm Use land
- CUP-N-377-24: Tania Denova request for commercial trucking business on residential property (Tax Lot 900)
- CUP-N-376-24: Victor Sanchez request for commercial trucking business on residential property (Tax Lot 500)
- CUP-N-375-24: Carlos Colin request for commercial trucking business on residential property (Tax Lot 4900)
- CUP-N-374-24: Short-term rental permit for Taryn Suchy (Cancelled)
ASA Advisory Committee
The Morrow County Ambulance Service Area Advisory Committee will examine third‑quarter call and response data, consider the ambulance service plan, and evaluate provider response times. It will also set the quarterly schedule for future regular meetings and define the committee’s purpose. Public comment will be allowed before the meeting adjourns.
- Define purpose of the advisory committee
- Set quarterly schedule for regular meetings
- Q3 statistics report: calls, response time, mutual aid
- Ambulance service plan review
- Provider response times discussion
Board of Commissioners
The Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing regarding the FY2025 Supplemental Budget. The body will also consider a collective bargaining agreement for the Road Department and an agreement to form the Clean Water Consortium.
- Public hearing on FY2025 Supplemental Budget
- Ratification of 2024-2027 Collective Bargaining Agreement for Morrow County Road Department, Local 2479
- Intergovernmental Agreement to form the Clean Water Consortium
- Letter of Support for Port of Morrow's DEQ Wastewater Permit Modification
- Lexington Airport PAPI precision approach path indicator light replacement
Board of Commissioners
The Morrow County Board of Commissioners will hold a work session to consider weed abatement for energy‑related projects. No specific decisions or votes are indicated; the item is listed for discussion. The meeting is open to the public and includes a Zoom option for remote participation.
- Weed abatement for energy‑related projects (work session item)
Board of Commissioners
The Morrow County Board of Commissioners will consider approving contracts for transfer station installation and community mental health payments. The board will also discuss a request from the City of Heppner regarding the location of the circuit courthouse.
- Contract with Scales NW for transfer station installation
- Community Mental Health Payment Authorizations
- Request to Reconsider Circuit Courthouse Location
- County Administrator Evaluation Process
- Risk & Procurement Manager FTE Request
Board of Commissioners
The Morrow County Planning Commission will hold a land‑use hearing on October 2, 2024. The agenda includes a public hearing on Code Amendment AZ-154-24. No other substantive items are listed beyond standard procedural matters.
- Public hearing on Code Amendment AZ-154-24
Planning Commission
The Morrow County Planning Commission will hold public hearings and decide on two conditional use permits. One request (CUP‑N‑373‑24) seeks to allow a commercial trucking operation on residential Tax Lot 805, zoned Suburban Residential within the City of Boardman Urban Growth Boundary. The other request (CUP‑N‑374‑24) proposes a short‑term rental home occupation on Tax Lot 400, zoned Rural Residential outside Irrigon city limits and the Urban Growth Boundary. The meeting also includes a September planning update and other routine business.
- Conditional Use Permit CUP‑N‑373‑24: commercial trucking storage on residential Tax Lot 805, Suburban Residential zone, inside Boardman UGB
- Conditional Use Permit CUP‑N‑374‑24: short‑term rental home occupation on residential Tax Lot 400, Rural Residential zone, outside Irrigon limits and UGB
- Public hearings to begin at 6:00 PM with commission action required on the two permits
- September Planning Update (other business)
- Public comment period
Board of Commissioners
The Morrow County Board of Commissioners will consider several business items, including the final adoption of the 2024 Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. The board will also review grant applications for the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund for FY 25‑27, discuss new federal floodplain regulations, and consider a weed‑abatement fee for energy‑related projects. Additional topics include a staffing request for a Risk & Procurement Manager and updates on wildfire‑hazard mapping and strategic planning.
- Final adoption of the 2024 Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (Tamra Mabbott)
- Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund Discretionary Grant Application FY 25‑27 (Ben Tucker)
- Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund Discretionary Grant Application FY 25‑27 Boardman‑The Dalles (Ben Tucker)
- Consideration for Weed Abatement Fee for Energy‑related Projects (David Sykes)
- FTE Request – Risk & Procurement Manager (Lindsay Grogan, Matthew Jensen, Kevin Ince)
Wolf Depredation Advisory Committee
The committee will meet to discuss agency updates and drone information. The agenda includes reviews of the committee bylaws and the 2024 Wolf Depredation Compensation Grant Agreement.
- 2024 Wolf Depredation Compensation Grant Agreement
- Wolf Depredation Advisory Committee Bylaws
- Drone information
- Review of committee member term dates
General
The Water Advisory Committee is meeting to receive updates on drinking water delivery and grant research. The body will review draft policies and receive a presentation on the creation of a water district.
- Presentation on the creation of a water district by Assistant County Counsel Greg Goebel
- Update on EPA Grant Research Project — Morrow Umatilla County Roadmap
- Update on CDS Phase 2 funding
- Review of draft water policies
- Discussion of LUBGWMA with Commissioner Drago and DEQ
Board of Commissioners
The Morrow County Board of Commissioners will discuss several funding and grant items, including a request for money for the Lower Willow Creek Groundwater Recharge Project and applications for Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund discretionary grants. The board will also review a contract for mental‑health and addiction services, a proposed circuit court site location, and a veterans‑transportation grant agreement. These items are on the business agenda for the September 4, 2024 meeting.
- Community Counseling Solutions contract for mental health and addiction services
- Request for funding from Lower Willow Creek Groundwater Recharge Project
- Consideration of a circuit court site location
- Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund discretionary grant applications for FY 25‑27 (including Boardman‑The Dalles)
- 2024‑25 Transportation of Veterans in Highly Rural Areas grant agreement
General
The Morrow-Umatilla Counties Drinking Water Roadmap Steering Committee is meeting to discuss a project conceptual model and drinking water options. The session includes a workshop on design, permitting, and cost ranges for water solutions. The committee will also discuss preliminary focus areas.
- Discussion of nitrate in groundwater
- Review of public water system connections
- Review of new well or well improvements
- Discussion of water treatment options
- Selection of preliminary focus areas
Board of Commissioners
The Morrow County Board of Commissioners will hold a work session to discuss the selection of a site for a new circuit court, focusing on Judge Daniel Hill's annex suggestion. No formal decision is indicated; the item is for discussion only. The board will also review correspondence letters from the City of Heppner and several local residents.
- Discussion of Judge Daniel Hill's annex suggestion for circuit court site selection
- Correspondence letters from City of Heppner and local residents (Terri Gentry, Gerry Gentry, Karen Smith-Griffith, Bill Kuhn)
Planning Commission
The Morrow County Planning Commission will hold public hearings at 6:00 p.m. and vote on several items. Commissioners will decide a Conditional Use Permit (CUP‑N‑371‑24) for a commercial trucking business on a residential lot in Boardman's Urban Growth Boundary. They will also decide a Land Use Decision (LUD‑N‑68‑24) for Amazon Data Services, Inc. to build a new data center on an Airport Light Industrial parcel near Boardman Airport. A legislative code update (AZ‑154‑24) proposing revisions to ministerial and administrative zoning processes will be discussed.
- Conditional Use Permit CUP‑N‑371‑24: storage/operation of a commercial trucking business on Tax Lot 3900, Suburban Residential zone within the City of Boardman Urban Growth Boundary.
- Land Use Decision LUD‑N‑68‑24: Amazon Data Services, Inc. proposes a data center on Parcel 2 (Tax Lot 138) zoned Airport Light Industrial, approximately 4 mi west of Boardman’s Urban Growth Boundary.
- Legislative Code Update AZ‑154‑24: revisions to ministerial and administrative processes, serviceability requirements, terminology consistency, and public comment periods in the zoning code.
Board of Commissioners
The Morrow County Board of Commissioners will meet on August 23, 2024. The board will consider and act on an intergovernmental agreement with the Morrow County Health District, and two ambulance provider agreements for the Southern and North East service areas. No monetary figures or other contract details are listed in the agenda.
- Consideration and action to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with Morrow County Health District
- Consideration and action for Ambulance Provider Agreement with Morrow County Health District for Southern ASA
- Consideration and action for Ambulance Provider Agreement with Morrow County Health District for North East ASA
Board of Commissioners
The Morrow County Board of Commissioners will meet to discuss the adoption of a Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan and review a draft proposed order for the Pinegate Renewable Solar Project. The board is also considering contracts for mental health services and traffic engineering.
- Adoption of Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan
- Draft Proposed Order for Pinegate Renewable Solar Project
- Sole source Mental Health and Addiction Services Contract
- On-Call Contract for Traffic Engineering Consultant, Lancaster Mobley
- Award of CREZ funds to the Morrow County Sheriff's Office
Board of Commissioners
The Board will hold an executive session to review exempt records about negotiations with the Morrow County Health District concerning ambulance services in the Southern ASA and Northeast ASA areas. After the executive session, the open session will consider two business items: rejecting a claim for sheriff’s office vehicle purchases and rejecting a claim for vehicle upfitting. The meeting will also include signing of documents and standard public comment.
- Executive session to consider exempt records on negotiations with Morrow County Health District for ambulance services in Southern ASA and Northeast ASA
- Rejection of claim for Sheriff's Office vehicle purchases
- Rejection of claim for Sheriff's Office vehicle upfitting
- Signing of documents
Board of Commissioners
The Board of Commissioners will review several payment authorizations and intergovernmental agreements. Key discussions include the relocation of the Oregon-Idaho state border and a management plan for the Tower Road and Interstate 84 intersection.
- Relocation of the Oregon-Idaho State Border discussion
- Intergovernmental Agreement for Tower Road and Interstate 84 Intersection Area Management Plan
- 2026-2030 Lexington Airport Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
- Weeds Department Lease for 213 Logan Lane
- Emergency Management expenditure for St. Patrick's Apartments mobile HVAC connection
Planning Commission
The Morrow County Planning Commission will hold public hearings on several permit applications, including a hardship variance for a temporary dwelling and conditional use permits for a trucking business and temporary RV workforce housing. The commission will also consider a legislative code update (AZ-154-24) that revises ministerial and administrative zoning processes. Additional agenda items include a July planning update, correspondence, and public comment.
- Hardship Variance HV‑S‑051‑24 for Brian & Melissa Ketelson – temporary dwelling on Tax Lot 600 near Usage Lane
- Conditional Use Permit CUP‑N‑370‑24 for Rafael Calvillo – commercial trucking home occupation at Hilltop Drive & Ridgecrest Lane
- Conditional Use Permit CUP‑N‑372‑24 for Todd & Melissa Lindsay – ten temporary RV spaces for workforce housing on Tax Lot 4200
- Legislative Code Updates AZ‑154‑24 to revise ministerial and administrative zoning processes
Board of Commissioners
The Morrow County Board of Commissioners will hold a joint meeting with the cities of Boardman, Heppner, Ione, Irrigon, the Town of Lexington, and the Port of Morrow. The agenda includes a discussion of future meeting scheduling and updates from each participating municipality and agency. No formal actions or decisions are listed on the agenda.
- Future Meetings Discussion
- City of Boardman Update
- City of Heppner Update
- City of Ione Update
- Port of Morrow Update
Board of Commissioners
The Morrow County Board of Commissioners will meet on July 24, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. in the Don Adams Conference Room, Irrigon. The meeting’s business items include a discussion with Penland Lake Corporation, the CREZ III Intergovernmental Agreement for the City of Irrigon, and the county weed‑management approach for energy‑related projects. The agenda also provides time for public comment, an open agenda, signing of documents, and adjournment.
- Discussion with Penland Lake Corporation
- CREZ III Intergovernmental Agreement for City of Irrigon
- County weed management approach for energy‑related projects
- Public comment period
- Signing of documents
General
The Morrow-Umatilla Drinking Water Investigation Steering Committee will meet to review project status, communications workplans, and database coordination. The group will also discuss a drinking water options workshop scheduled for August.
- Review of communications workplan and public event recommendation
- Status of database and workplan coordination with state agencies
- Discussion of a drinking water options workshop for August
- Committee to review status of public water system contacts
- Meeting held in Don Adams Conference Room at Morrow County Government Center
Board of Commissioners
The Morrow County Board of Commissioners will discuss ambulance service area provider updates and awards. The board is also reviewing road use and maintenance agreements with Idaho Power and Tower Solar, LLC.
- Ambulance Service Area Provider Update and Award
- Road Use and Maintenance Agreement with Idaho Power
- Road Use and Maintenance Agreement with Tower Solar, LLC
- Contract with New Public Health Officer
- Columbia Generating Station Grant: Emergency Operations Center Invoice to Oregon Department of Energy