COMMISSIONERS MINUTES MARCH 20, 2006
The Elmore County Commissioners met in regular session on the above date in the basement of the Elmore County Courthouse, 150 South 4th East, Mountain Home, Idaho.
Present at the meeting was Chairperson Mary Egusquiza, Commissioners Larry Rose and Connie Cruser. Also present at the meeting was Clerk Gail Best.
Motion by Egusquiza, second by Cruser, to approve the minutes of March 6, 2006.
EGUSQUIZA - AYE
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
A thank you letter was discussed and will be redrafted at a later time.
Restructuring in the Juvenile Probation Office was discussed.
Motion by Rose, second by Cruser, for the Chair to sign a letter of intent for the Elmore County Soil Conservation District for 2007 funding.
EGUSQUIZA - AYE
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Mir Seyedbagheri appeared before the Board with a proclamation recognizing National Agriculture Day. Chairperson Egusquiza read the proclamation into the record:
National Agriculture Day
March 20, 2006
WHEREAS, National Agriculture Day, celebrated each year on the first day of spring, highlights the abundance provided by the agriculture, the backbone of America’s economy, and honors the dedicated farmers and ranchers who provide Americans and the world with safe and affordable daily necessities; and
WHEREAS, agriculture is Idaho’s #1 industry, and accounts for 43% of Idaho’s export earnings, and Idaho farmland provides $65.8 million in property tax revenue; and
WHEREAS, the annual market value of farm products sold by Elmore County farmers and ranchers is $220,121,000; and
WHEREAS, Elmore County agriculture production and land values are prime foundations of the county’s economic prosperity and value index; and
WHEREAS, Elmore County ranchers and farmers are committed to staying abreast of the constantly new and changing agriculture science and technology that enables them to achieve optimum yield and production, and to keep Elmore County on a par with the global agriculture market;
NOW, THEREFORE, we the Elmore County Board of Commissioners do hereby proclaim March 20, 2006, as National Agriculture Day in Elmore County in recognition and gratitude to Elmore farmers and ranchers for their commitment and dedication to excellence in providing our citizens and the global community with those abundant and affordable daily necessities that define American standards and quality of life.
/S/ Mary E. Egusquiza
/S/ Connie M. Cruser
/S/ Larry E. Rose
Elmore County Board of Commissioners 3-20-06
Motion by Egusquiza, second by Cruser to approve and sign the proclamation.
EGUSQUIZA - AYE
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
A lease agreement between Elmore County and Tag and Robin Hawks doing business as (d/b/a) White Knuckle Racing was reviewed by the Board. Motion by Egusquiza, second by Rose, to enter into a lease agreement to lease certain property located on the Elmore County Fairgrounds for the purpose of developing and operating a Motor Cross race track.
EGUSQUIZA - AYE
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Commissioner Cruser stated that Dr. Brininger would like to speak to the Board about whether the County will be operating a medical dispatch program in the new Dispatch Center. Dr. Brininger is presently the Medical Advisor for the Ambulance Service. Clerk Best was asked to call Doctor Brininger to schedule a time for him to come over to discuss this new program with the Board. Kayla Parsons will be scheduled to be present when an appointment is set up.
Commissioner Cruser also reported that Doctor Koelsch will begin seeing people held as inmates in the Elmore County Jail beginning this week. Doctor Koelsch will see all the inmates when he comes in - this will be on a trial basis to see how it works out.
Commissioner Cruser also reported on the Mental Health Board activities, a Board on which she serves on behalf of Elmore County. Commissioner Cruser stated they are working on an RFP to get three more mental health workers for the area. One of these positions will be a Rural Health Specialist and Commissioner Cruser stated she hoped Elmore County will directly benefit from this expanded service.
Commissioner Cruser also reported she has been working with the senior citizens who are forming a new association I.S.A.P. to advocate for senior issues, and she will be sitting in on all those meetings. Commissioner Cruser stated that she and Chairperson Egusquiza attended the latest emergency operations meeting in preparation for the large emergency exercise occurring the end of June in Mountain Home, which will need approximately 800 volunteers to participate.
Monica Halliday, Angela Ireland, and Judge David Epis appeared before the Board to discuss Juvenile/Probation issues. Ms. Halliday stated that Stephanie Kazyaka is attending post academy and could not attend the meeting. Judge Epis stated that, in agreement with the Board, the office will attempt to operate temporarily without a Director since Mr. Knudson’s retirement. They will see how it works out to revamp the job descriptions currently held by the office staff and restructure the roles. The office will be supervised by the Court and the Board of Commissioners. Hiring a part-time secretary for the office was discussed. A job description will be sent to B.D.P.A. for review and placement on the step and grade schedule. Programs offered to juveniles and their families were discussed. The office will move toward community service activities that will be useful in later life rather than simply picking up trash. Office renovation was discussed - patching, painting and clean-up will be done.
Motion by Egusquiza, second by Cruser, to recess for lunch.
EGUSQUIZA - AYE
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
At 1:30 p.m. the Commissioners met in Executive Session pursuant to I.C. 67-2345(d) on a motion by Egusquiza, second by Cruser, to meet with Social Services Director Marianne Bate.
EGUSQUIZA - AYE
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
The following decisions were made:
K-12-05-08 Motion by Rose, second by Cruser, to dismiss the case as the providers withdrew the appeal.
EGUSQUIZA - AYE
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
K-12-05-06 Motion by Rose, second by Cruser, to dismiss the case as the providers withdrew the appeal.
EGUSQUIZA - AYE
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
K-02-06-01 Motion by Rose, second by Cruser, to deny as not indigent, no cooperation from the applicant and no interview has been conducted.
EGUSQUIZA - AYE
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
K-02-06-02 Motion by Cruser, second by Rose, to deny as not indigent, there has been no cooperation by the applicant or interview.
EGUSQUIZA - AYE
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
NM-03-06-05 Motion by Egusquiza, second by Rose, to deny as equity in manufactured home is a sufficient resource therefore Elmore County is not the last resource.
EGUSQUIZA - AYE
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
K-07-07-01 Motion by Egusquiza, second by Cruser, to reduce the monthly payment to $25.00 per month.
EGUSQUIZA - AYE
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Regular session resumed.
Chief Deputy Jo Gridley from the Assessors office appeared before the Board to ask how they wanted to handle solid waste fees on the dairies here in Elmore County. She had called other counties and gave a report to the Commissioners on what the other Counties charged. Currently we are only charging Terry Ketterling, a dairy owner, for his office. A decision must be made by May 10th and the item will be placed on another agenda as a business item. Commissioner Rose will talk to Brett Silvers, who has the County Garbage Contract, for more information.
Jo Gridley also stated a letter had been received from the State and Elmore County is low in our assessed values in certain areas. The County has to follow the percentages set by the State for property assessments. Discussion followed and it was stated it is better to have the County adjust the values instead of the State coming in and making adjustments.
Bonnie Sharp, Growth and Development Director, appeared before the Board regarding the O’Dell Letter of Information (4 lot split). In an earlier meeting the O’Dell Letter of Information was put on hold pending the property come into compliance with our Planning and Zoning Ordinance. Bonnie stated the property is in compliance now. Motion by Egusquiza, second by Rose, to approve the O’Dell Letter of Information (4 lot split) with no conditions and have the Chair sign.
EGUSQUIZA - AYE
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Motion by Egusquiza, second by Rose, to go into Executive Session pursuant to I.C. 67-2345(d) to meet regarding a lien on a deceased applicant’s property. A decision will be made on the issue at the next Commissioners meeting.
Regular session resumed.
Stacie Prow from the Extension Office and Charlie Swearingen who works for the Forest Service, appeared before the Board with a request that the Commissioners support a weed spraying program in the Boise National Forest. Mr. Swearingen explained he is applying for the funds from the Southwest Idaho RAC Title II funds, and needs a letter of support and permission from the Commissioners. The project was reviewed and discussed. The project is intended to prevent the spread of invasive species of weeds by mapping and treating new and existing populations of the weeds along forest trails. The Commissioners stated they supported the weed spraying on trails and will have a letter of support ready for the next Commissioners meeting for signatures, and the letter will be given to Stacie Prow after it is signed.
Conclusions of Law on the Rick Taylor matter for property described as a portion of the Southeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter of Section 20, Township 1 South, Range 5 East, B.M. and the storage/inventory compound to be located in U.S. Government Lot 3 lying north of Interstate 84 Township 1 South, Range 5 East, B.M. were discussed with Bonnie Sharp, Administrator of the Growth and Development department. The additional conditions imposed by the Planning and Zoning Commission were reviewed with Ms. Sharp. Combining Ag A and Ag B was discussed. Ms. Sharp thought they would apply the most stringent regulations if Ag A and Ag B were to be combined.
Carrie and Karl Vogt of Northwest Paramedics Inc. appeared before the Board with their 2005 Report on Activities in Elmore County. NPA reported the total number of responses in Elmore County for the 2005 calender year were 1,501, 76% of which occurred in Mountain Home. Paramedics on board was discussed. Mr. Vogt reported that two of the County rigs were needing to be replaced soon, the rigs have 150,000 to 170,000 miles on them - hard miles. Mr. Vogt stated they have spent $21,000 in maintenance on the two rigs and soon they will have to go to back-up status. Mr. Vogt stated that the last time he checked the rigs would probably cost $82,000 each. The Board asked Mr. Vogt to get current estimates on pricing.
Carole Schilz appeared before the Board during the public portion of the meeting. Ms. Schilz stated that she and her husband had purchased land to develop, applied for the permits, and that now Central District Health has imposed new rules. Ms. Schilz stated now they need to apply for a new conditional use permit because they had to amend their original plan. Ms. Schilz asked the Board if they would consider refunding the new fee they paid. There was discussion on the rule change. Bonnie Sharp, of Growth and Development stated she was not made aware of the new rules, adopted December 1, 2005, until this month, and had no choice but to charge the full fee for the permit. Ms. Sharp added that she had advised Ms. Schilz that perhaps the Board might make an adjustment. Motion by Egusquiza, second by Rose, to refund the amended application fee to Carole and Nick Schilz.
EGUSQUIZA - AYE
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Chairperson Egusquiza stated she also was not aware of the rule change and she would check on it with Central District Health. Commissioner Rose stated, in his opinion, people already in the middle of the process of permit applications, should have some warning that the rules were going to change.
Dale Pettibone, 4525 Lott Road and Tom Vallard of Hammett appeared before the Board to discuss gravel pits, a follow-up from last week’s meeting. Chairperson Egusquiza gave Mr. Pettibone a copy of a document from the Bureau of Reclamation stating that the State had no problem with Mr. Dodge using the gravel from his pit and that he had completed all of the State’s documentation. Mr. Pettibone asked the Board if they agreed, and when the Board stated they did agree, Mr. Pettibone stated he was satisfied then, he would proceed with his State documentation.
Chairperson Egusquiza read the tax cancellations into the record: No. 810 Quartermile Performance $12.58 and No. 811 Martinez Brothers $36.60 for a total of $49.18. Motion by Cruser, second by Rose, to approve the tax cancellations as read and direct the Chair to sign them.
EGUSQUIZA - AYE
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Motion by Egusquiza, second by Cruser to adjourn.
EGUSQUIZA - AYE
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
/S/ MARY EGUSQUIZA, Chairperson
ATTEST: /S/ GAIL L. BEST, Clerk
