Printer Friendly Cassia County Minutes 07-27-09

COMMISSIONER MINUTES

#589                                                                                                                              July 27, 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; Larry Mickelsen, Clerk of the Board, and Kerry D. McMurray, County Administrator, present.

PREVIOUS WEEK’S MINUTES

            The Minutes for July 20, 2009 were discussed. A motion was made and seconded to approve and proceed with publication of an appropriate synopsis. Roll call vote was Commissioner Handy, Commissioner Christensen and Chairman Crane all voting yea.

CALENDAR

            The Board reviewed the calendar for July/August 2009.

CORRESPONDENCE

            The Board reviewed the following:

            1. A letter from the Idaho Recreation Council Re: getting the 3% off-road gas tax

re-established.

            2. A thank you card from the Alan Smith family

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS FEE ANNUAL HEARING

            Sheriff Randy Kidd and Kent Searle met with the Board to conduct the Emergency Communications Fee Annual Review Hearing. (Recorded as Emergency Communications Fee Annual Hearing) After the discussion, it was moved and seconded to keep the fee at $1.25 per cell phone line and roll call vote was Commissioner Handy, Commissioner Christensen and Chairman Crane all voting yea. Sheriff Kidd and Kent Searle also discussed Jackson area dispatch calls going into the Minidoka County Dispatch center, rather than into the Cassia County Dispatch center.

CHANGE OF STATUS

            The Board reviewed 4 changes of status forms from the MCCJC. 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.

GATEWAY TRANSMISSION LINE MATTERS

            The Board reviewed a Memorandum of Understanding, Utility Transmission Corridors with Bannock, Oneida, Power, Twin Falls, Jerome, Box Elder and Gooding Counties.

DEPARTMENT HEAD MEETING

Detention Center: Rob Neiwert reported that there are currently 179 inmates, mostly from Cassia County and some Minidoka County. They are still trying to get additional State and US Marshal Holds. They have only done 1 transport to Pocatello at this time. There was an ICE inspection last month and the inspectors were very impressed with no major concerns. The MCCJC is in the process of developing a plan to do ICE transports The ICE inspectors report that the Nurse and Cook are doing outstanding jobs.

            Russ Rasmussen reported that the staff is still down 2 officers, even with the 2 new hires.

Sheriff’ Department: Randy Kidd reported that Wayne Winder resigned to go to Iraq as a contractor. The recorder crashed over the weekend and the new recorder will be delivered this week. Brice Nelson will be the new resident deputy for Oakley with Wayne’s departure. Sheriff Kidd developed a detailed explanation for his proposed budget and discussed this with the Board.

Janitorial/Maintenance: Randy Gasaway reported there is nothing new to report, but Commissioner Crane informed him that the building is looking good.

Weed Department: Gordon Edwards reported they are very busy trying to control puncture vine and thistle. He is having difficulty within the city because they do not have a weed control specialist. Gordon may approach the city council to get some assistance from the city by having them get a weed control specialist. The best product to use for weed control is 2-4D. He discussed the different types of Morning Glory and that the perennial plant is on the noxious weed list. Mosquitoes are more prevalent this year than during the past. There is a mussel infestation that may have significant impact on the county. They attach themselves to boats, metal casings, rocks, etc and will infest all waterways in the State if they are not controlled.

Clerk: Larry Mickelsen discussed the FY2010 County budget.

County Administrator: Kerry McMurray reported that effective October 1, 2009 a letter will be sent to the employees informing them that Cassia County is on the direct deposit program.

STATUS OFFENDER PROGRAM

            County Attorney Al Barrus, Judge Barry Wood and Linda Wright, 5^th Judicial District discussed the Status Offender Services Program. The cost to the county will be $7,500.00 this year. The discussion with Judge Duff, Judge Wood, and Ms. Wright was that this is still a very valuable program to have in the county. Discussion also occurred regarding the assignments of the Judges throughout the Judicial District.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

            At 10:41am 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 10:55am.

Following Executive Session the Board Denied Cases # 2009062 and 2009068; Approved Cases # 2009031 and 2009064; Signed Order of Reimbursement for Cases # 2009031 and 2009064; Signed Release of Lien for Cases # 2009053 and 2009069; Signed Notice of Lien for Cases # 2009080 and 2009082; Presented Case # 2009076; Board approved “writing off” the repayment for Case # 2009043.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

At 10:56am 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 11:40am.

            Following Executive Session the Board

USFS

            Scott Nannenga reported that the Forest Service received $350,000.00 for this District from the stimulus funding. They received $200,000.00 for the work around Lake Cleveland. Scott discussed the wash-outs in the Black Pine area and the road and ATV trails in the Goose Creek area. There have been no big fires yet, but the fire danger is still a real threat.

BLM

            Jim Tharp discussed the Gateway West multi-county meetings and the Aqua Caliente geothermal drilling. There was a 323 acre fire in the area, but there was not any serious damage to fences, etc. Commissioner Handy discussed the MOU regarding the multi-county transmission corridor that was signed today and the discussions that have occurred.

FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES GRANT APPLICATION

            The Board reviewed a letter from Lynn Hudgens, Family Health Services, Twin Falls, ID requesting support to replace Burley’s three clinic buildings with one new facility.

DENTAL SERVICE AGREEMENT

            The Board reviewed the Dental Service Agreement for the MCCJC. After review and discussion, it was moved by Commissioner Handy and seconded by Commissioner Christensen to approve and execute the contract with Dr. Wayne J. Wright, D.D.S and roll call vote was Commissioner Handy, Commissioner Christensen and Chairman Crane all voting yea.

PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST

            Commissioner Christensen reported that he had received a public records request from the Times News for emails that have been sent and received.

COUNTY EXPENDITURE

            The Board reviewed the County’s Payables Approval Report dated 07/24/2009. 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.

BEER,WINE AND LIQUOR LICENSES

            The Board approved the following applications for Beer, Wine and/or Liquor Licenses:

County #                     Name                                       Doing Business As

#2010-039                   Charlene Carrick                     Riverside Park

#2010-040                   Charlene Carrick                     Snake River Queen

#2010-041                   Guadalajara Inc                       Restaurante Guadalajara

#2010-042                   Onorio Jose Zavala                 El Torito Market

LUNCH

            At 12:00pm the Board departed for lunch at Al’s, where they met with Kerry McMurray, and the members of the P&Z Commission to discuss the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinances during their working luncheon.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

At 1:56pm 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 2:09pm.

            Following Executive Session the Board counseled the employee.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

At 2:15pm 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 2:17pm.

            Following Executive Session the Board discussed their decision.

RECESS

            Meeting was recessed until 9:00 a.m., Monday, August 3, 2009.

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE AT TODAY’S MEETING

Margi Owens, Weekly News Journal;