Printer Friendly Cassia County Minutes 06-22-09

COMMISSIONER MINUTES

#586   June 22, 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 June 15, 2009 were discussed. A motion was made and seconded to approve and proceed with publication of an appropriate synopsis. Roll call vote was unanimous by the Board.

CALENDAR

            The Board reviewed the calendar for June 2009.

CORRESPONDENCE

            The Board reviewed the following:

            1. A letter from Idaho Power Co. Re: Gateway West Transmission Line Project meeting on June 1, 2009.

            2. An invitation to the Oakley Pioneer Day Parade on 25 July 2009

            3. An invitation to the Cassia County Parade on 12 August, 2009

            4. An invitation to attend the Fifth District Adult Drug Court graduation in Twin Falls on June 24, 2009.

SOLID WASTE FEE

            The Board discussed some Solid Waste Fee issues with County Treasurer Gayle Erekson regarding some businesses that have high usage of the solid waste facility. Commissioner Handy is contacting the landfill to determine extent of that usage to affix proper billing for their use.  Also, the matter of household fees was deliberated upon.  After discussion, the household Solid Waste fees will remain unchanged for the next tax year.

CANCELLATION OF TAXES

            The Board reviewed an application for Cancellation of Taxes for a citizen, Parcel No. RP1022E229100A. After review and discussion, it was moved and seconded to follow the recommendation of the County Treasurer to not allow the tax cancellation and roll call vote was unanimous by the Board.

BOARD OF EQUALIZATION

            At 9:28am it was proposed and seconded to convene as the County Board of Equalization. Roll call vote was unanimous by the Board.

            It was proposed and seconded to approve the property exemptions on the following parcels: (See attached list). Roll call vote was unanimous by the Board. Notices will be sent to the property owners.

            Following the discussion, the Board returned to regular session at 9:40am.

DEPARTMENT HEAD MEETING

Assessor: Marty Holland reported they have sent out their assessment notices last month and they have been very busy. They have received 6 appeals to date and will have a complete picture by next week. Some issues have arisen because of the changes in the mapping procedures implemented by the County.

Detention Center: Russ Rassmussen thanked the Board for approving the medical equipment for their use. There is an inspection scheduled for July 7, 2007, with I.C .E., which will last for 3 days. Rob Niewert will be returning sooner than anticipated. The State is moving the out-of-state holds back into the state and will keep holding prisoners in the MCCJC.

Sheriff’s Department: Sheriff Randy Kidd reported he has not heard of any flooding problems at this time. He has heard of some small flood problems around the county, but nothing major. They have been very busy and are close to getting their new mapping up and running, with the new equipment they have purchased.

Janitorial/Maintenance: Randy Gasaway reported he has received some bids for enhanced security in the courthouse.

Weed Department: Gordon Edwards reported that they are very busy with the rainy weather we have had. Scotch thistle is showing in places it never has been before. The rainy weather, with the increased moisture, will result in higher costs in weed control. A positive result in having more moisture is the weeds will crowd each other out in the next year or two. He requested the updates to the mapping from Whisper Mountain to save him time and mileage with the current information.

County Administrator: Kerry McMurray reported that Todd and Sara are working very hard on the mapping. Melissa is very busy with resolution of complaints. P&Z met last week and they have hearings on gravel pits and a beauty salon in Declo. Proposals for ordinance changes for Magic Valley Poultry are being discussed and reviewed.

Clerk: Larry Mickelsen requested the Department Heads review their remaining budgets and see how much of their budgets will remain unspent for the remainder of the year and get the info back to the Clerk within the next 2 days.

Prosecuting Attorney: Al Barrus reported that felonies are increasing and they are very busy. He reported that the juries are under control. Renee Renz retires the end of the month.

Commissioners: Commissioner Christenson discussed the potential budget and how indigency and the detention center can have much impact on the county budget.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

            At 10:29am 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 10:45am.

Following Executive Session the Board Denied Cases # 2009045, 2009053, and 2009058; Signed Release of Lien for Cases # 2009007 and 2009035; Signed Notice of Lien for Cases # 2009069 and 2009070; Presented Case # 2009056

COUNTY EXPENDITURE

            The Board reviewed the County’s Payables Approval Report dated 06/22/2009. A motion was made and seconded to approve the report and roll call vote was unanimous by the Board.

REZONE APPLICATION FEES: RESOLUTION NO. 2009-021

            The Board reviewed and discussed amending and reducing part of the  Rezone Application Fees as contained in Resolution No. 2009-021. After review and discussion, it was moved by Commissioner Handy and seconded by Commissioner Christenson to sign and execute the resolution and roll call vote was unanimous by the Board.

FAIRGROUND MATTERS

            Marcus Meeks and John Walsh met with the Board to discuss having the opportunity to have Mr. Meeks’ guitar students play at the County Fair in August. He has requested the opportunity to discuss the matter with the Fairboard and has not had any success. Chairman Crane will schedule him on the calendar for the Fairboard on the 7^th of July for him to present his proposal. He left a letter with the Board that explained his proposal.

TOUR OF SHERIFF’S OFFICE

            The Board walked to the Sheriff’s Office to review new security system updates that have taken place in the Law Enforcement Building.

BLM

            Mike Courtney met with the Board and discussed the Agua Caliente Geothermal and the problems they have encountered, but they should be drilling their holes very soon. The BLM has encountered some problems with the geothermal leases that must be resolved regarding occupancy. The Gateway West project is “slowing down” to obtain additional information about the “bore holes” they will drill on any of the routes they will take and to obtain additional comments from those involved. The Cottrell Mountain Project is being transferred from Windland Inc. to a Shell Oil subsidiary. They are trying to find a buyer for the electrical power.

USFS

            Scott Nannenga met with the Board and said that Tom Tidwell has been appointed as the new National Chief of the USFS. Scott does not anticipate any changes in their procedures. Scott discussed opening the gates to the campgrounds in Howell Canyon. The USFS will have the resources to pay to install a gate at Lake Cleveland but needs the authorization of the Board to install the gate. He will send a letter to the Board explaining the process they will employ to install a gate.

            Scott discussed the routes that the Gateway West transmission lines are proposed to use. Some of them are through “Inventoried Roadless Areas” and cannot be routed through them. He discussed other issues concerning other routes that could be used.

CITY OF ROCKS BYWAY

            The Board discussed City of Rocks Byway matters and the problems that could be encountered by those living nearby and attending the Elba church.

BEER,WINE AND LIQUOR LICENSES

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

County #                     Name                                       Doing Business As

Catering Permit           Douglas Manning                    Almo Creek Outpost

#2010-015                   Weadox Inc.                           Pit Stop

#2010-019                   Pat Maglaughlin                      Maglaughlins’s Gas & Grocery

#2010-020                   Gary Bake                               Bake Central

#2010-021                   610 Club                                 610 Club

#2010-022                   Adams Petroleum                   Unit 54

#2010-023                   Smith’s Food & Drug Inc       Smith’s Food & Drug #123

#2010-024                   Maverik Country Stores Inc   Maverik Country Store

LUNCH

            At 12:00pm the Board departed for lunch at The Canton, where Kerry McMurray, County Administrator reported on P&Z matters, county mapping matters and that the Veteran’s may be being removed from the current office situation at the airport; during their working luncheon

RECESS

            Meeting was recessed until 9:00 a.m., Monday, June 29, 2009.

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE AT TODAY’S MEETING

Margi Owens, Weekly News Journal;