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COMMISSIONER MINUTES
#585 May 18, 2009
The Cassia County Board of Commissioners met this day with
Chairman Dennis Crane, and Clay D. Handy, Board Members; Alfred E.
Barrus, Prosecuting Attorney; Larry Mickelsen, Clerk of the Board,
and Kerry D. McMurray, County Administrator, present. Commissioner
Paul Christensen was excused from the meeting.
PREVIOUS WEEK’S MINUTES
The Minutes for May 11, 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 May 2009.
CORRESPONDENCE
The Board reviewed the following:
1. A letter from the US Department of the Interior, BLM Burley Field
Office Re: Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant
Impact for the Milner Wildland Urban Interface.
2. Cassia County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Activities log for the
Jackson area for April 2009.
DEPARTMENT HEAD MEETING
Assessor: Marty Holland reported that they are very busy getting the
real property rolls entered into the computer and will be out the
first of June. This will give the tax payers time to resolve any
problems that they have with the taxes. Some of the changes that the
legislature made will impact their office. He needs to hire another
member of the revaluation team to begin training and certification
before the two current appraisers, who are planning to retire soon,
leave the office . He needs another vehicle to accommodate the new
hire. He will coordinate with Kerry McMurray to see if he can
utilize the Jimmy Blazer being retired by the Building Department.
Detention Center: Rob Neiwert reported the jail had their first
transport for the US Marshall Service last Friday and there were no
problems. He discussed the installation of some new software that
will assist them with bookings; the cost will be $1,796 self
installed and $2,000 if installed by the contractor, Gordon Enos. He
discussed some possible changes to the jail commissary and the
method of payment. Current population is 166, with 44 from Minidoka
County, 68 from Cassia County, 38 from the State, 11 from the US
Marshal Service, 2 from Ada County, 1 from Lincoln County, 1 from
Twin Falls County and 1 from the Border Patrol, with 143 Males and
23 Females.
Russ Rasmussen reported that they are having difficulty getting
qualified applicants to fill their open staff positions. Posting
through Job Services has not been very successful.
Sheriff’ Department: George Worrell discussed the security
enhancements they have installed and the benefits from them. They
were notified they have received their JAG grant for $61.000.00 and
they are busy as usual.
Treasurer: Gayle Erekson reported that they have prepared the
reminder notices for property tax and they will be out this week.
She discussed the way the post office delivers mail to the
Courthouse and there is no consistency with delivery.
Janitorial/Maintenance: Randy Gasaway reported that being new he is
enjoying his job and getting to know everyone. He might need some
tools for projects that he can do rather than hiring
sub-contractors.
Weed Department: Gordon Edwards reported that the zebra mussel might
be coming into our area. They are very difficult to eradicate and
they come in attached to boats. They are in Southern Utah now and
are moving north. They will have stickers for boats of 12 feet or
longer and the revenue will be used to help eradicate the zebra
mussels. The Boat must be washed prior to coming into the State to
help control their entry into the State. They are doing a lot of PR
work with the public regarding Scotch Thistle. They have been
informed they will have a $150,000 grant to control weeds in the
Goose Creek area for the next 3 years.
County Administrator: Kerry McMurray reported that building
inspections and permits are starting now that the weather has
improved. P&Z is very busy with hearings for subdivisions, CAFO
expansions and gravel pits. Mapping is going very well and the
agreement with the Assessor’s Office has been a benefit to the
involved departments.
Clerk: Larry Mickelsen discussed the responsibilities and efforts of
Ernie Hale. Reminded the Department Heads about their budgets being
due and requested they be conservative with their obligating the
entire budgeted amount for FY09.
Commissioners: Chairman Crane discussed a photo of the 1908 County
Elected Officials and taking a photo of the current elected
officials 100 years later.
PUC CASE NO. IPC-E-09-12
The Board reviewed the Notice of Applications for PUC Case No.
IPC-E-09-12 from Idaho Power Inc.
LIQUOR APPLICATIONS
The Board reviewed a proposal to modify the applications for
Liquor/Beer/Wine licenses. The Board requested that County Attorney
Al Barrus review the form and ensure that it was still met the
required state statutes. After review it was moved and seconded to
approve the revised form and roll call vote was unanimous by the
Board.
MCCJC INSPECTION
The Board reviewed the results of the quarterly MCCJC Inspection
with no significant deficiencies noted.
ORDINANCE NO. 2009-05-01
The Board reviewed and discussed Ordinance No. 2009-05-01 Re: Zoning
Amendment and Fur-Bearing Animal Unit Amendment. After review and
discussion, it was moved and seconded to approve and execute
Ordinance No. 2009-05-01 and roll call vote was unanimous by the
Board.
GATEWAY PROJECT
The Board discussed the Gateway Project of Idaho Power to construct
power lines through Cassia County. Kerry McMurray prepared a letter
to Idaho Power-Facility Siting in Boise, Re: Gateway West
Transmission Line Project stating that the power lines should be
located on public lands. It was moved and seconded to sign and
execute the letter and roll call vote was unanimous by the Board.
NFCSC IDAHO DUES 2009
The Board reviewed an email from IAC Re: County Assessment for 2009
National Forest Counties and Schools Coalition Dues. Cassia County’s
assessment is $329.73. It was moved and seconded to approve payment
of the dues and roll call vote was unanimous by the Board.
COURTHOUSE EMERGENCY CLOSURE
The Board discussed the Planning for Emergency Closure of the
Courthouse. The discussion will be continued next time the Board
meets so that Sheriff Kidd can be in attendance.
BUDGET ISSUES
Kerry McMurray requested authorization to purchase a new GMC Canyon
Crew Cab 4x4, costing $23,312.00, for the Building Inspector and
pass his vehicle to the Compliance Officer. It was moved and
seconded to approve the purchase of the vehicle and roll call vote
was unanimous by the Board.
COUNTY EXPENDITURE
The Board reviewed the County’s Payables Approval Report dated
05/15/2009. A motion was made and seconded to approve the report and
roll call vote was unanimous by the Board.
CURRENT EXPENSES 104 $1,230.90
INDIGENT FUND 105 $9,832.58
DISTRICT COURT FUND 106 $1,762.90
COUNTY ROADS & BRIDGES FUND 107 $781.28
911 COMMUNICATIONS FUND 115 $309.19
JUSTICE FUND 130 $10,866.75
COURT RESTITUTION FUND 139 $25.00
ADULT MISDEMEANOR PROBATION 149 $4,449.87
TOTAL $29,258.47
BEER,WINE AND LIQUOR LICENSES
The Board approved the following applications for Beer, Wine and/or
Liquor Licenses:
County # Name Doing Business As
#2009-021 Walgreen Co. Walgreen’s, #13673 – transfer from Rite Aid
#5404
VETERAN’S ISSUES
Darrell McCall met with the Board to discuss the potential for a
Veteran’s Cemetery in the Mini-Cassia area which would serve Central
and Eastern Idaho. The Board requested that Darrell continue with
his efforts to possibly get the cemetery in our area.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 11:03am it was proposed by Commissioner Handy and seconded by
Commissioner Crane that the Board convene in Executive Session under
Idaho Code Section 67-2345(1)(d) with 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 11:20am.
Following Executive Session the Board Denied Cases # 2009035,
2009037, 2009038, 2009039, 2009044, 2009051; Approved Cases #
2009024 and 2009043; Signed Order of Reimbursement for Cases #
2009024 and 2009043; Signed Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and
Decision for Case # 2009024; Signed Notice of Lien for Cases #
208035, 2009052, 2009054, 2009055, and 2009056; Signed Release of
Lien for Cases # 204090, 205103, 208026, and 208035; Presented Cases
# 2009040, 2009041, 2009042, 2009052, 2009054 and 2009055; Approved
Writing-Off Case # 202006 as Uncollectible.
TREASURER ISSUE
County Treasurer Gayle Erekson met with the Board to discuss tax
issues with a citizen of the county. The Commissioners asked Gayle
to remind the citizen that she must pay her tax bill and that she
may be able to qualify for the circuit breaker in 2010.
BLM
David Ashby met with the Board and discussed the Gateway meeting on
June 1, 2009, the format of the meeting and be prepared to answer
questions from the commissioners and the public. He also discussed
the Milner FLAG tour that was well attended and lasted for 3 hours.
They discussed law enforcement issues with Under-Sheriff George
Worrell. He discussed the Economic Stimulus and the projects that
benefit from the stimulus monies. He gave an update of the Battle
Creek Lawsuit Re: The Jim Sage Mountain and the grazing that is
permitted. He discussed the Permit Renewal Status on North and South
Cottrell, Declo Hills south of Albion, the Dairy Springs allotment
which is a sheep allotment.
USFS
Scott Nannenga met with the Board and discussed the Howell Canyon
project which will get started this summer. The USFS is trying to
decide which campgrounds will be open on Memorial Day, but Lower
Rock Creek should be open. The USFS is receiving a lot of input
regarding wind towers. They have received input regarding allowing
unlicensed drivers to drive ATVs. They will restrict some roads from
having unlicensed drivers using ATVs. The USFS wants to schedule a
meeting with the Board and the Fish and Wildlife Service.
LUNCH
At 12:00pm the Board departed for lunch at Perkins Restaurant, where
they met with a citizens group concerning the Gateway West Project
during their working luncheon.
RECESS
Meeting was recessed until 9:00 a.m., Monday, June 1, 2009.
OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE AT TODAY’S MEETING
Margi Owens, Weekly News Journal; |
