Printer Friendly Cassia County Minutes 03-23-09

COMMISSIONER MINUTES

#583                                                                                                                          March 23, 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 March 16, 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 March 2009.

CORRESPONDENCE

            The Board reviewed the following:

            1. A letter from Janette Brackenbury requesting a letter for Headstart Services. Mr. McMurray was asked to prepare a response letter.

TAX DEED AUCTION

            At 9:00 the Board conducted a Tax Deed Auction for property on BURLEY TWST LOT 14&15 BLK 51, RP BB0010510140 located at 818 Schodde Ave, Burley, ID. The purchasers were Rick D. & Wendy M. Larson, 154 Highway 30, Burley, ID and the bid was $9.000.00 to purchase the property. Cassia County Treasurer Gayle Erekson prepared a Quitclaim Deed for the transfer of the property and it was moved and seconded to sign the Quitclaim Deed and roll call vote was unanimous by the Board.

RESOLUTION NO. 2009-011

            The Board reviewed and discussed the IRS Commuting Rule for the County Building Official. After discussion and explanation of Resolution No. 2009-011, it was moved and seconded to sign and execute the resolution and roll call vote was unanimous by the Board.

MISDEMEANOR PROBATION JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT

            County Attorney Al Barrus explained proposed amendments to the Joint Powers Agreement for the Misdemeanor Probations office. After discussion and review, it was moved and seconded to sign and execute the Joint Powers Agreement and roll call vote was unanimous by the Board.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

            At 9:34am 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 9:48am.

Following Executive Session the Board Presented Cases # 2009015, 2009017, and 2009033; Denied Case # 2009019; Signed Notice of Lien for Case # 2009034; Signed Release of Lien for Cases # 208084, 208088, 208098, 2009012 and 2009021

DEPARTMENT HEAD MEETING

Assessor: Marty Holland reported that he received a letter for someone eligible for the Homeowners exemption because of change of address. He discussed the Geothermal Inc. revenues that will be reported to the State Tax Commission on April 30; afterward the County Treasurer can send them their tax bills. They are still working on personal property tax issues.

Detention Center: Rob Neiwert reported that they had 2 at POST, but 1 failed the PT test. Russ Rasmussen will request an extension to give her time to pass the PT test. He also discussed the options for Video Arraignments they he and Kerry McMurray have worked on. Rob talked to Judge Bollar Re: McWork program is not functioning as it should. Rob will rotate the responsibility for the McWork program so the entire staff can understand the program. The US Marshal’s service is happy with the agreement they have with the MCCJC and they will continue detaining and transporting their prisoners.

Sheriff’ Department: Sheriff Randy Kidd reported they had 2 graduates from POST 2 weeks ago and they are now at full staff. The State has cancelled the next Patrol Academy because of a lack of funding. He said that things are going very well. He discussed the evidence they have on hand that needs to be cleaned out and dispose of the things that they can. He presented the monthly telephone log for the Jackson area for March 1 – March 21, 2009 and all is going well.

Treasurer: Gayle Erekson reported that they are always busy, but nothing big now. She will visit with Rob Neiwert to discuss the billing for jail stays.

Weed Department: Gordon Edwards reported they are working on Eurasian Milfoil control. There is a lot of crop planting at this time and things are looking good. There may be some local sheep used in high areas to help with weed control. He applied for a $90,000 grant for weed control in the Goose Creek area and it looks very positive.

County Administrator: Kerry McMurray reported they are working along and with better weather the building permits are increasing. He and Sheriff Kidd have developed an application for assistance that will be used to ensure it for the public and not for private interests. This will allow for the Sheriff’s Office to be reimbursed for coverage for events that are not sponsored by governmental entities. He presented Herd District and Fire District maps for the Board’s review.

Clerk: Larry Mickelsen reported that the Auditor’s Office will present next month’s Department Head Training on April 9 and it will be on budget preparation for FY2010.

Prosecuting Attorney: Al Barrus reported they have seen a dramatic upswing in filings because of increased felonies. He is looking for a new deputy prosecuting attorney and will fill it soon.

LAW ENFORCEMENT CELL PHONE CONTRACT

            Sheriff Randy Kidd presented a new cell phone contract to the Board. He explained he has contacted AT&T, Alltel, Edge and Qwest and the different options they all offer. The contract is with Alltel for 16 cell phones and 4000 shared minutes per month. It was moved and seconded to sign the contract with Alltel for Sheriff’s Office cell phones and the plan that was presented and roll call vote was unanimous by the Board.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

  At 10:40am 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 10:50am.

            Following Executive Session the Board took the matter under advisement.

MINI-CASSIA COMMERCE AUTHORITY

            Kerry McMurray discussed that the Mini-Cassia Commerce Authority wants to hire an Executive Director who can facilitate economic development discussions and opportunities in the county areas and to provide the Minidoka and Cassia Counties Boards of Commissioners with current information related to the Mini-Cassia commerce issues. It was moved and seconded to authorize $2,500.00 funding to the Mini-Cassia Commerce Authority for purposes of their hiring of an Executive Director and roll call vote was unanimous by the Board.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

  At 11:00am 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)(j) with Commissioner Crane voting yea, Commissioner Christensen voting yea, and Commissioner Handy voting yea. The purpose and general tenor of the meeting was to meet with the County Risk Manager and discuss the adjustment of a pending claim.  Following the discussion, the Board returned to regular session at 11:05am.

            Following Executive Session the Board authorized the County Risk Manager to settle and pay the actual costs of those losses arising in the claim.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

  At 11:05am 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 11:15am.

            Following Executive Session the Board took the matters under advisement.

COUNTY EXPENDITURE

            The Board reviewed the County’s Payables Approval Report dated 3/20/2009. A motion was made and seconded to approve the report and roll call vote was unanimous by the Board.

USFS

            Scott Nannenga and David Ashby met with the Board and discussed the Supreme Court decisions that have been made recently. He discussed the grazing permitees on Black Pine and the need to have the fences restored. On Southern Black Pine the permitees will be at 80% to allow for a full grazing season and all other areas will be at 100%. He discussed trail closures in the South Hegler Canyon and no trespassing signs posted by a private landowner affecting access to forest lands. He discussed the grazing permitees and the problems that may result from road construction in Howell Canyon. He requested that the USFS, County Commissioners and the Snowmobile Club meet to discuss coordination efforts between all concerned groups. He discussed the permitees that have not signed the necessary permit applications.

LUNCH

            At 12:00pm the Board departed for lunch at Al’s Pizza, where the Board discussed the scheduled Public Hearing and issues that may arise from the fee increases during their working luncheon with the County Administrator.

PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED FEE INCREASES

            (Recorded as Public Hearing – Proposed Fee Increases.) There were no public present except for Margi Owens of the Weekly News Journal. After Mr. McMurray completed the explanation of the proposed fee changes it was moved and seconded to adopt the proposed fee changes and roll call vote was unanimous by the Board.

BUILDING PERMIT ISSUES

            Dee Yeaman explained the valuations and the changes to the building permit fees and how much impact they would have when using the 2003 valuations. Dee and Susan Keck explained the difference in the numbers and type of permits between this year and past years.

RECESS

            Meeting was recessed until 9:00 a.m., Monday, March 30, 2009.

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE AT TODAY’S MEETING

Margi Owens, Weekly News Journal; Dee Yeaman and Susan Keck, Cassia County