Printer Friendly Cassia County Minutes 08-31-09

COMMISSIONER MINUTES

#590                                                                                                                         August 31, 2009

            The Cassia County Board of Commissioners met this day with Chairman Dennis Crane, Paul Christensen and Clay D. Handy, Board Members; Alfred E. Barrus, Prosecuting Attorney; Wendy L. Marr, Deputy Clerk of the Board, and Kerry D. McMurray, County Administrator, present.

PREVIOUS WEEK’S MINUTES

            The Minutes for August 24, 2009 were discussed. A motion was made and seconded to approve and proceed with publication of an appropriate synopsis. Roll call vote was unanimous with Commissioner Handy, Commissioner Christensen and Chairman Crane all voting yea.

CALENDAR

            The Board reviewed the calendar for September 2009.

CORRESPONDENCE

            The Board reviewed the following:

            1.  An invitation for meeting with Rep. Simpson on Thursday September 3, 2009 at the Idaho Pizza Company in Kimberly, Idaho.

ROAD MATTERS

            The Board met with Stan Lloyd and his attorney Donald Chisholm to discuss a letter that was received from County Prosecuting Attorney, Al Barrus, in response to an issue concerning a public right-of-way allowing access to his property from the neighboring property of Mike Mitton Jr.  Mr. Chisholm presented a map of the area, explained that the roads have been public access roads for a significant period of years and asked the Commissioner’s to rethink their decision and to initiate validation proceedings. Scott Nannenga of the Forest Service explained that Cross Creek Rd. and Poison Hollow Rd. are currently being used as access to the forest.  Mr. Mitton explained that he does not have an issue with Mr. Lloyd’s use of his road, his concern is primarily with the general public trespassing on his property to camp and hunt and is concerned that the gun fire is in to close of proximity to residences in the area.  He explained that he has posted no trespassing, no hunting and no camping signs all of which have come up missing.  Mr. Mitton also expressed concern with the availability of the Sheriff’s office to respond to owners calls to report trespassing.  The Board took the matter under advisement.

SHERIFF’S OFFICE REQUEST

            The Board met Sheriff Randy Kidd to discuss a request for an Emergency hire of a temporary part time employee while one of his employees is out for medical leave.  The Board will consider his request.

FLOOD DISTRICT

            Commissioner Crane indicated he was still working on this matter, and it will be reviewed in upcoming meetings.

                                                                          BLM

            The Board reviewed the BLM -Weed Department Cooperative Agreement, upon review a motion was made and seconded to approve the agreement.

CENSUS 2010

            The Board reviewed the Registration Form 2010 Census New Construction Program, upon review a motion was made and seconded to approve and sign the agreement.

PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION

            The Board reviewed a request for tax exemption made by the Truth Tabernacle Church for FY 2010.  Upon review a motion was made and seconded to approve the Property Tax Exemption starting next year.

BUDGET HEARING

            The Board reviewed the budget that was published on August 17, 2009.  The City of Burley requested an increase for the Dog Pound.  Also discussed was employee increases and Commissioner Handy stated that they could not justify any pay raises due to the condition of local economics.  Upon review a motion was made and seconded to approve the FY2010 Budget.  Question was raised about use of foregone balances.  Discussions will continue in reviewing this issue.

CHANGE OF STATUS

            The Board reviewed eight change of status forms, one from Adult Misdemeanor Probation, one from Planning and Zoning and six from the Sheriff’s Department. It was moved and seconded to approve the changes of status and roll call vote was Commissioner Handy, Commissioner Christensen and Chairman Crane all voting yea.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

            At 10:28 am it was proposed by Commissioner Handy and seconded by Commissioner Christensen that the Board convene in Executive Session under Idaho Code Section 67-2345(1)(d) with Commissioner Christensen voting yea, Commissioner Crane voting yea, and Commissioner Handy voting yea. The purpose and general tenor of the meeting was to discuss medical indigent matters. Following the discussion, the Board returned to regular session at 10:35 am.  Following Executive Session the Board denied case #2009083, 2009082 and 2009081; Presented case #2009098, 2009097, 2009080 and2009065; approved case #2009065 and signed notice of lien for case #2009098, 2009094, 2009096, 2009095, 2009097, 2009037 and 2009000.

COUNTY EXPENDITURE

            The Board reviewed the County’s Payables Approval Report dated August 31, 2009. A motion was made and seconded to approve the report and the roll call vote was Commissioner Handy, Commissioner Christensen and Chairman Crane all voting yea.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

  At 10:37 am it was proposed by Commissioner Christensen and seconded by Commissioner Handy that the Board convene in Executive Session under Idaho Code Section 67-2345(1)(a) with Commissioner Crane voting yea, Commissioner Christensen voting yea, and Commissioner Handy voting yea. The purpose and general tenor of the meeting was to discuss personnel matters. Following the discussion, the Board returned to regular session at 11:04 am. The matter was taken under advisement.

GATEWAY TRANSMISSION LINE MATTERS

            County Administrator, Kerry McMurray discussed a phone conversation he had with Brent Stoker requesting a meeting for December 1, 2009.  The Board indicated that the meeting requested was premature.  Mr. McMurray suggested that a copy of the Minutes of the Board with other Countys on August 24, 2009 be forwarded to the task force by either email or U.S. mail to keep the task force apprised of discussion and decisions made by the Commissioners.

BUILDING & GROUND MATTERS

            County Administrator, Kerry McMurray discussed the counties rental properties and how vacancies are a growing concern.  Mr. McMurray requested a slight rent reduction in hopes of increasing occupancy.  The house owned by the county is also vacant and requires work before re-renting.  Mr. McMurray suggested that the apartment that is currently used for elections storage be swapped with a less desirable apartment.  Upon review a motion was made and seconded to lower apartment rent, make the necessary changes and swap the elections apartment.

RESOLUTION  NO. 2009-026

            The Board reviewed Resolution No. 2009-026 regarding the destruction of departmental semi-permanent records from the Cassia County Prosecuting Attorney’s office. Upon review a motion was made and seconded to sign the resolution.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION

            The Board reviewed a notice of application from Intermountain Gas Company, PUC case No. INT-G-09-2, requesting authority to decrease its annualized revenues by $72.4 million dollars.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION

            The Board reviewed a notice of application from Idaho Power Company, PUC case No. IPC-E-09-24 filed with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, requesting approval of a 20-year Firm Energy Sales Agreement between Idaho Power and Cassia Gulch Wind Park LLC (Cassia Gulch) and Tuana Springs Energy LLC (Tuana Springs).

EXECUTIVE SESSION

At 11:37 am it was proposed by Commissioner Christensen and seconded by Commissioner Handy that the Board convene in Executive Session under Idaho Code Section 67-2345(1)(b) with Commissioner Crane voting yea, Commissioner Christensen voting yea, and Commissioner Handy voting yea. The purpose and general tenor of the meeting was to discuss employee matters. Following the discussion, the Board returned to regular session at 11:50 am. The matter was taken under advisement.

LUNCH

            At 12:00 pm the Board departed for working lunch at Perkins for a meeting with New West Strategies concerning some development opportunities in the Mini-Cassia area.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

  At 1:40 pm am it was proposed by Commissioner Christensen and seconded by Commissioner Handy that the Board convene in Executive Session under Idaho Code Section 67-2345(1)(a) with Commissioner Crane voting yea, Commissioner Christensen voting yea, and Commissioner Handy voting yea. The purpose and general tenor of the meeting was to discuss personnel matters. Following the discussion, the Board returned to regular session at 3:00 pm.  Following executive session, the Board directed the County Administrator to send a letter of concern and direction to the public official.

RECESS

            Meeting was recessed until 9:00 a.m., Monday, September 14, 2009.

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE AT TODAY’S MEETING

Margi Owens, Weekly News Journal; Ken Jafek, Tommy Hutchison, Clark Ward, Rob Niewert, Martell Holland, and Gordon Edwards.