IN THE OFFICE OF THE VALLEY COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS CASCADE, IDAHO April 27, 2009 PRESENT: GERALD JERRY WINKLE) CHAIRMAN FRANK W. ELD) COMMISSIONERS GORDON L. CRUICKSHANK) ARCHIE N. BANBURY, CLERK Chairman Winkle called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Claims were read by Commissioner Cruickshank: General Fund $184,034.58 Road and Bridge $76,625.07 Airport $17,791.00 Magistrate Court $4,170.60 Probation $10,440.77 Fairgrounds $20,000.00 Indigent and Charity $1,960.73 Revaluation $93.30 Solid Waste $9,723.14 Tort $96.04 Weeds $19.28 Waterways $16,424.13 Snowmobile 43-A $5,464.66 Snowmobile 43-D $44.73 Total $346,888.03 1
Chairman Winkle led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States. Karen Campbell presented Market Value Cancellation #119 for approval. On motion of Commissioner Cruickshank, second by Commissioner Eld and carried. Deb Gaither appeared in place of Treasurer Glenna Young. She presented an FMLA request which was noted. Treasurer s office is working on tax deeds. She also reported Kevin is in Boise being certified as a hay inspector. Two groomers are being serviced so they can be put away. The remaining three are scheduled for service. An improved system for mosquito trapping is being placed in service. Greg Malmen reported completion of the repairs to the second floor courtroom as well as the audio system for the McCall courtroom. Matt Williams reported and introduced Debbie Haskins who explained that this is National Victims Rights Weeks and asked the Commissioners to sign a proclamation to that effect. Her request was granted on motion of Commissioner Cruickshank, second by Commissioner Eld and passed. Cynda Herrick reported she has been subpoenaed to Boise for a court case. Impact fees for roads were discussed. Concerning the presentation by Ray Moore of the local Board of Realtors, Cynda explained he did not want to present any information in advance. Matt Williams requested that he provide specific data to the County before his presentation so that we may be prepared for it. The Clerk concurred with Matt, and Cynda will let him know our opinion. He has presented portions of his talk to one or more of the Planning and Zoning Commissioners. Paula Fodrea reported the energy assistance program had been completed with $177,000 of funding applied in Valley County. She never has enough firewood. Deb Deree reported that the changes in the courtroom were well received. Steve Brown reported he is still working on old permits. Some new projects have started and they are seeing more construction going on now. Sheriff Bolen reminded everybody that it is time for the employees to pick up trash along the highway. May 12 th is the date. Sheriff s Office to sponsor a little league team this year, no County funds involved. Undersheriff Coombs and Chief Deputy Clerk, Katie Durfee attended a grant writing seminar for two days last week. She also asked the Board for a wage determination for the Marine Deputies and left a schedule with them. Currently, there are no State inmates in the jail. 2
Doug Miller presented his report, 4 juveniles in the detention center, a new detention officer in POST. POST for September has been cancelled. There is a pending issue concerning misdemeanor probation officers carrying firearms. He introduced Jason Stone. Juvenile is at their lowest capacity inception 15 years ago. He complimented Doug for his efforts with grants and other accomplishments. Stephanie Johnson appeared and reported on Cabin Creek s progress on fire mitigation grants. A grant has been approved for Valley County for $150,000, no match required. This is supplemental money left over from the 2008 season. She wants the MOU to be approved so that it can be signed by the Chairman when it arrives. Commissioner Eld moved to accept the grant and authorize the Chairman to sign the agreements accordingly, seconded by Commissioner Cruickshank, and carried. Russell Duke, Central District Health, appeared and discussed the current threat from the recently identified Swine Flu. He provided an information sheet describing the disease. He discussed the Central District Health budget as well as the level and nature of services provided. Commissioner Eld moved to accept the Central District Health Budget, second by Commissioner Cruickshank and carried. Doug Colwell, Harris & Dean Insurance, appeared to discuss insurance coverage. Cynda presented a road name change from Scenic Drive to State Park Road and added Park Residence Road for an unnamed street This originated from Ponderosa State Park where the road is located. Anna Eveland, 1419 Willow Avenue, Nampa, appeared to inquire about the status of the lease with Potlatch. She also inquired about funding for the painting of the groomer shed and about the plowing of the road to High Valley. Commissioner Winkle agreed we should pay for the stain for the groomer shed. Commissioner Cruickshank moved to pay for the stain from the Building and Grounds Department budget, seconded by Commissioner Eld and carried. Lydia Edwards appeared to discuss her property tax bill. (Lydia Justice Edwards, 12168 Norwood Road, Donnelly, Idaho.) Property is landlocked, and it is not owned by the Frank Edwards Estate. It is a mistake and should not have been taxed. Over the years it has been taxed as agricultural land, then in 1997 it was increased in value as (apparently) subdivision land. Mrs. Edwards seeks refund of the taxes they paid since 1977, approximately $1,560 plus the cost of a title search of $225 a total of $1,785. 3
Karen Campbell responded for the Assessor. She related the history of the subject parcel. It was discovered that the subject parcel was owned by the Wagon Wheel Recreation entity, which may have been considered as a Homeowner s Association. Matt Williams explained the law, I.C. 63-1302, and that the Commissioners could not refund the tax. He added that the tax collected had previously been distributed to the taxing districts and expended for their needs. The Commissioners, sitting as the Board of Equalization, can only refund the current year s taxes if improperly collected. Mrs. Edwards asked the minutes be forwarded to her. Laura Beal, P.O. Box 5, Council, Idaho, appeared to support her claim for personal property tax correction. She had sold her business and equipment, and then repossessed it. The tax was assessed and billed to P. O. Box 2650 and she did not receive the bill. She would like to be forgiven for the double assessment of the personal property. Moved by Commissioner Cruickshank to cancel the doubling of the market value, seconded by Commissioner Eld and carried. The Treasurer will waive the penalties and interest. Closed Session for Indigent and Charity. 08-RD058 Lien Filed 07-EE001 Lien Filed 08-LG073 Lien Filed 09-CM069 Lien Filed 09-VT061 Amended Approval for Assistance 04-P014 Subpoena for Non-payment 00-B101 Subpoena for Non-payment 05-B018 Subpoena for Non-payment 00-D101 Subpoena for Non-payment 94-J101 Subpoena for Non-payment 02-L102 Subpoena for Non-payment 07-M005 Subpoena for Non-payment 08-RD058 Subpoena for Non-payment 98-W102 Subpoena for Non-payment 06-M018 Subpoena for Non-payment Resumed regular session. Moved by Commissioner Cruickshank to approve the utilization of a subpoena process to facilitate collection of indigent liabilities. Seconded by Commissioner Eld and carried. John Gahl appeared on behalf of Responsible River Runners to discuss a sign to be posted at the Cabarton Launch Ramp. 4
Blake Watson, Idaho Power, P. O. Box 70, Boise, Id 83707 appeared to brief the Commissioners concerning the future regarding energy efficiency. Mr. Watson discussed a number of initiatives from transmission efficiencies to load leveling to automation. Scott Davenport introduced Fred Drake, McCall, Idaho, discussed geothermal energy as best source of electrical power. Options are coming out of State and Federal Government to provide funding for exploration. RASER Industries is now the industry leader. There is a large geothermal field in Hatch, Utah, near Twin Falls. Production is at lower temperature. Valley County needs deep wells to evaluate. RASER would profile for us for a reasonable fee. It is thought that they can determine temperature value from elements dissolved in our warm surface water. The new RASER program is for 300-350 degree water. The mill site is 100 degrees at the surface and is shallow. Arling is at 96 degrees and pure. Mike Stewart suggested request for proposals as a start. Refers to Chena Hot Springs (in Alaska) operating at 165 degrees. He knows where he can get a drilling rig reasonably priced. (Drilling for geothermal is different than drilling for oil. They are drilling 1,000 feet per day.) Vulcan Hot Springs are at 190 degrees. Commissioner Cruickshank moved, and Commissioner Eld seconded the following schedule for wages for seasonal or part-time marine deputies and carried: Non-Certified Deputies $12.00 Certified Marine Deputies 1 st year $15.00 (Who have completed the 2 nd year $16.00 1 Week Post training) 3 rd year $17.00 Chris Carey appeared on behalf of Lakeshore Disposal and proposed a fee schedule for operation of the recycling depots. Commissioner Eld responded that the proposal for an increase is premature, and suggested that Lakeshore Disposal should be required to wait a year to request an increase. Although the prices for commodities have declined, causing recycling to operate at a net loss, they have operated at a profit for several years. Contract provisions were discussed, and Commissioner Cruickshank asked for more than one month s results. He would like several more months. Chris Carey responded that he understands and would just like to do this on a monthly basis. Lakeshore agreed that we need to meet and discuss. Commissioners set a special meeting to discuss at 9:00 on May 8, 2009. Lakeshore will e-mail the recycling data. 5
Chris Schwarzoff, 12996 Sandy Drive, Donnelly, Idaho. Provided additional evidence for considering Smith Creek Road from Fawn Meadow to the Lower Werdenhoff Mine Cabin as a public highway. Payette National Forest Representatives appeared and presented a proposal for a wolverine study. PNF is requesting funds from a RAC grant application. Commissioner Eld moved, and Commissioner Winkle seconded Valley County support for the study. Motion carried. Commissioner Cruickshank moved and Commissioner Eld seconded authorizing Chairman Winkle to sign the letter dated 4/14/09, concerning Final Project Acceptance contract no. DTEFH-0-08-C-00017, and carried. Commissioner Cruickshank moved and Commissioner Eld seconded Modification No. 2 to FOREST ROAD PROJECT AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT No 2. executed October 16, 2007. Commissioner Cruickshank moved and Commissioner Eld seconded to accept the minutes of April 13 th and April 20 th, 2009. Motion carried. Adjourn at 6:14 p.m. ATTEST: GERALD WINKLE, CHAIRMAN ARCHIE BANBURY, CLERK 6