Printer Friendly Cassia County Minutes 10-26-09

COMMISSIONER MINUTES

#592                                                                                                                       October 26, 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; Stella Sutherland, Deputy Clerk of the Board, and Kerry D. McMurray, County Administrator, present.

TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN

            Due to an emergency Commissioner Crane was detained.  It was proposed by Commissioner Christensen that Commissioner Handy be appointed acting Chairman and Commissioner Handy seconded the motion with Commissioner Christensen voting yea and Commissioner Handy voting yea.

PREVIOUS WEEK’S MINUTES

            The Minutes for October 19, 2009 were discussed and corrections made. 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 November 2009.

COUNTY EXPENDITURE

            The Board reviewed the County’s Payables Approval Report dated October 26, 2009. A motion was made and seconded to approve the report and the roll call vote was unanimous with Commissioner Handy, Commissioner Christensen and Chairman Crane all voting yea.

CORRESPONDENCE

            The Board reviewed the following:

1. South Central Community Action Partnership invitation to their Open House and   Ribbon Cutting on October 30, 2009.

            2. IASCD Division IV meeting announcement for November 3, 2009

3. Raft River Rural Electric Co-op Board Meeting agenda. The meeting is to be held on October 28, 2009.

 EXECUTIVE SESSION

            At 9:22 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 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 9:38 AM.

Following Executive Session the Board signed Findings of Fact and Conclusion of Law for case # 2009111, 2009082, 2009059, and 2009073. Approved case # 2009006 to collections. Signed Notice of Lien for case # 2009111, 2009110, 2009104, 203098, 204052 and 204162.

DEPARTMENT HEAD MEETING

Assessor: Marty Holland reported work on the sub roll. Mr. Holland discussed the possible renewal agreement on Whisper Mountain. Someone from the State Tax Commission will be arriving tomorrow. Scott Erwin has retired.

Detention Center: Rob Neiwert and Russell Rasmussen are in training today. Sheriff Randy Kidd reported that the state removed 15 inmates. 

Sheriff’ Department: Sheriff Randy Kidd reported that they have been busy and their enhanced 911 is supposed to go live on October 28, 2009. Phase 2 will be expected shortly after phase 1 of the project. Randy stated there will be some kind of public service announcement with regard to new capabilities with dispatch as soon as all questions and concerns have been resolved. Sheriff Kidd also reports that Mike Duncan from Misdemeanor Probation has been ill and Amber Prewitt is temporarily filling his position.

Treasurer: Patty Justensen reported they will be starting tax notices next week.

Extension Office: Richard Garrard presented a form for the commissioners to sign and at 9:48 AM Commissioner Christensen made a motion to sign the form and Commissioner Handy seconded the motion. Richard also reported that Grace has been at the schools teaching the children how to properly wash their hands and stated that the 4-H meetings are going well.  

Weed Department: Gordon reported that there has been Medusa Head Rye Grass east of Elba and they are trying to stop it and will be talking to the State about quarantine. There has been a change in the quarantine area at Goose Creek. Gordon thanked the commissioners and stated that the mapping program has been very successful.

Prosecuting Attorney: Al Barrus reported that Rob Hemsley has left their office and Dallin Creswell has filled that vacant position as deputy prosecuting attorney.

 10:14 AM Department head meeting concluded.

CHANGE OF STATUS

            The Board reviewed 1 change of status form from the Mini-Cassia Criminal Justice Center. It was moved and seconded to approve the changes of status and roll call vote was unanimous with Commissioner Handy, Commissioner Christensen and Chairman Crane all voting yea.

SAGE GROUSE LEKS

            Commissioners discussed Sage Grouse Lek matters.  It was determined to as the County’s Federal Land Advisory Group (FLAG) review this issue and seek to identify, through efforts of ranchers and recreationalists, existing leks on private ground to balance those identified on public ground.

COUNTY ROAD AND BRIDGE

            Commissioners discussed County Roads and Bridge matters.

VETERAN’S SERVICE OFFICE

            Commissioners reported that there is a building in Minidoka County available.  It was discussed that the County should pursue a policy of bringing county services and responsibilities into county buildings and properties as much as possible to control operations and ensure stable delivery and discuss monetary issues.  It was determined to move the office from the current civil air patrol building owned by the City of Burley to the Minidoka County building in Rupert.

 USFS/BLM

            Mike Courtney reported on behalf of the BLM. Mike addressed the Commissioners about Gateway analysis and the ordinance on the agenda at the meeting in November. Kerry McMurray will be drafting correspondence on behalf of the Board indicating that they do not support the  Elba pass route. Mike reported that Shell Wind and Idaho Power are making bids for Copper Mountain. There is a discussion about Sage Grouse making the endangered list. Mike also reported about the Goose Creek Milk Vetch Plant. The US Attorney has made a motion to dismiss the Bedke lawsuit that has been filed against both BLM and the County. Mike discussed weed control and the juniper removal project in Elba.

            Scott Nannenga reported on behalf of the United States Forest Service. Scott reported that they tried to drill a well at Lake Cleveland and even though they were able to drill drilled to 270 feet it was dry. The USFS will reassess the springs and talk to a Geologist regarding the matter. The bid opening for the fuels hazard reduction in Howell Canyon came in high. There is to be bid openings on the Trapper Creek timber sale next Thursday.  Scott commented on the Gateway project. Scott also reported that he believes there will be a negative response from the Forest Service after the draft is completed.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

             At 12:05 PM it was proposed by Commissioner Crane and seconded by Commissioner Handy that the Board convene in Executive session under Idaho Code section 67-2345(1)(b) to discuss personnel problems.  Following executive session, the Board authorized the County Prosecutor and the County Administrator to the public official and advise that they would not authorize funds for the hiring of legal counsel and that the office credit card be surrendered to the Chief Deputy.

BID OPENING

            The Board opened and reviewed bids received for new software for the Sheriff’s department. Bids were received from Spillman, EIS, Mobile Tech, Sleuth, Intellichoice/E-Force, CAI (Computer Arts), and Cushing. Upon the Sheriff and his Committee’s assessment they will recommend the lowest responsible bidder to the Board for selection and award.  The  Board will review the bids and specifications and recommendations at a future date and time.

LUNCH

            At 12:30 pm the Board departed for lunch at Al’s Pizza, where Kerry McMurray, County Administrator reported on various personnel issues during their working luncheon.

RECESS

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

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE AT TODAY’S MEETING

Angie from Computer Arts; Margie Owens, Weekly News Journal; Lori Welch, Times News; Mayor Jon Anderson.

ATTEST:                                                                   APPROVED:

Stella Sutherland, Deputy Clerk                                             Dennis Crane, Chairman