September 10 & 11, 2001, Emmett, Idaho Pursuant to a recess taken on September 4, 2001, the Board of Commissioners of Gem County, Idaho, met in regular session this 10 th & 11 th day of September, 2001, at 8:00 a.m. Present: Ed Mansfield Kathy Skippen Sharon Pratt Susan Howard Chairman Commissioner Commissioner Clerk Whereupon the following proceedings were had, to-wit: September 10, 2001 Pledge of Allegiance was said. MINUTES READ AND APPROVED: The minutes of September 4, 2001, were reviewed. A motion was made to approve the minutes September 4, 2001, as read and corrected. It was seconded and carried. CATERING PERMIT APPROVED: A motion was made to approve the catering permit for Tom s Cabin to cater for H & K Productions at the Fairgrounds on September 15, 2001, which had been approved by the Sheriff. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously. DEPARTMENT HEADS: Dennis Pulley, Road & Bridge Supervisor, reported they are working on putting butte rock, then gravel, on Butte Road. There is a gravel pit in the Sweet area that is trying to get permits and everything done so the Road Department can start using out of it. The Weed Department will do a weed survey on the pit. Mike Williams, Planning & Zoning Administrator, reported they have the hearing tonight for the Sweet road & alley closures. Martin Joyce, Landfill Supervisor, reported that the Willow Creek fire was controlled and caused no damage and that the computer was down, so he had no numbers to report. Quinn Nuffer, Noxious Weed Supervisor, reported they have been working on mapping the BLM land. They are still working on puncture vine. They are putting together a flyer to advertise the Lower Payette Cooperative. He has several meetings during the month. Mark Rekow, Ambulance Director, reported there were 51
transports with 19 calls not transported. The YTD transports were 442, compared to 438 last year. There was $12,843.51 in collections. Morris Huffman, Economic Development Specialist, reported his phone is now working. He has had some training and will have more with the other Specialists in the State. He will be meeting with the Boise County Commissioners this week. Boise County is providing computers for both Gem County and Boise County offices. He is also meeting with Horseshoe Bend and Emmett City Councils and GEDA this week. ELECTED OFFICIALS: Clint Short, Sheriff, reported 96 bookings last month. The jail was closed down last Friday because of no liability insurance coverage for fire code violations. All inmates were transported to jails in other counties. Currently, there were 18 inmates being housed out of County. He reported that the jail escape is still being investigated. There will be proposals this week for a sprinkler system and fire alarm system to bring the jail up to code. After a meeting with the State Fire Marshall today, Clint was in hopes that the modular jail will be up and running. Greg Himes, Assessor, reported on the assessors conference. Their association will sponsor legislature expanding the homeowners exemption and a full disclosure on property sales. There is a virus problem on the server that is cleaned up now, but is still in there. The County is still behind in appraisals and the State Tax Commission wants a meeting with the Commissioners. Marilyn Frasier, Treasurer, reported $29,202 in tax collections and no outstanding warrants of distrait. There are 127 unpaid property taxes for 1998. Signs stating the fee for bad checks need to be posted in all offices in the County that accept checks. Susan Howard, Clerk, reported that the levies that are due to be set by the Commissioners today may have to be put on hold until some decisions are made on the jail. Commissioners gave an accounting of the health insurance proposals and the changes in the Primary Health plan that was accepted. INDIGENT APPLICATIONS: A motion was made, seconded, and carried to go into executive session under Idaho Code 67-2345(1)(d). Deputy Clerk Sue Spencer presented the following indigent applications: 00-056 Case was closed and needed a release of lien signed. 00-061 Case was closed and needed a release of lien signed. 01-019 Application for medical expenses that was previously denied for lack of information. 01-060 Application for medical expenses needed a statutory lien
signed. 01-061 Application for medical expenses due to diabetes. 01-062 Application for $165 balance paid on rent. 01-J41 Application for medications for an inmate. 01-J42 Application for medications for an inmate. A motion was made, seconded, and carried to come out of executive session. A motion was made to sign a release of lien on 00-056 and 00-061, to approve 01-019 because information was received, to sign a statutory lien on 01-060, to approve and sign a statutory lien for 01-061, to table 01-062 for more information, and to approve 01- J41 and 01-J42. The Board recessed for lunch at 12:00pm and reconvened at 1:00pm. MARK LARSON IDAHO STATE FIRE MARSHAL: Mark Larson, the Idaho State Jail Fire Marshal, met to go over the things that will have to be done to the Gem County Jail to bring it up to code. There has to be a barrier between the jail and the rest of the building for fire protection for the jail. He feels this is the more extensive improvement required compared to the sprinkler and fire alarm systems. He stated that the modular was a good step in improvements and just needs a verification letter signed by a licensed fire sprinkler contractor that the sprinkler system works. He does his report for the people who ask him to do it, when asked to do it. He keeps a copy for himself and sends a copy to the person requesting the inspection. Scott Buck stated that no one should be put back into the modular jail until there is a signed verification that the sprinkler system works. THE BOARD RECESSED TO SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, AT 8:00AM September 11, 2001 (Deputy Clerk Sue Spencer clerked this day s meeting) Pledge of Allegiance was said. CLAIMS: The claims were reviewed. A motion was made, seconded and carried to approve the claims as presented. VIKING FIRE SYSTEMS: Viking Fire Systems representative met with the Commissioners to tour the jail to check what repairs are needed for a sprinkler and alarm system. A bid/proposal will be submitted.
DAVE WOOD, BIG SKY TELECOM, CELL PHONES: Dave Wood, from Big Sky Telecom met the Commissioners. He discussed cell phones for County use. Most of Idaho is covered before roaming fees are charged. Most of the west coast is covered. Signals are received in buildings in Emmett. The Commissioners will talk with the Sheriff about the change. The proposal was $249.95 per month for 10 cell phones, which have voicemail, caller ID, and digital cellular service. The handset is Qualcomm Model 2700, and there would be a sharing of minutes out of the pooled plan of 2000 minutes. Additional cell phones can be added for a charge of $5.00/month/phone. If this plan is accepted, the cell phones currently in use could be donated. Existing cell phones are not usable with the new plan. Cell phone can be used to call 911 if there is a signal. They do not have to have an account. The old County cell phones could be donated to Seniors to use for 911 calls. Big Sky would be willing to work with the County to implement usage of cell phones for emergency calls only. PUBLIC WALK-IN AND INPUT: Tom Koppel discussed buying a tractor for the Island for $15,000. The Recreation District is pulling out of the Island project if there is not more support from Gem County. Commissioner Skippen stated that Idaho Code needs to be followed for bids. Three bids have been taken in the past. This was the best bid so Tom took the $15,000 proposal. Tom feels that Gem County is not supporting the island with any money. The $12,500 owed by the Recreation District on the mower has not been paid and they may have to ship it back. The Recreation District wants a solid commitment from Gem County of $30,000 for FY2002. The Commissioners will discuss the projects and money concerns. A motion was made, seconded and carried to approve Gem County to pay $7,000 for the tractor. Roberta Ushman met to get figures for modifying the inmate trailer. Commissioners do not yet have cost estimates. EXECUTIVE SESSION: A motion was made, seconded, and carried to go into executive session under Idaho Code 67-2345(b) concerning personnel. Those governing bodies present in the meeting were Commissioners Mansfield, Skippen, and Pratt. No final decisions were made. A motion was made, seconded, and carried to come out of executive session. PROSECUTING ATTORNEY MATTERS: Dick Linville, Prosecuting Attorney, met to discuss several legal matters. He discussed options for the jail--pass a bond to pay for a new jail or borrow money to build and/or repair the jail. Inspections were being done and it s questionable if the jail can be brought up to code. A
judicial confirmations may be an option. Estimates need to be gathered for repairs. This will be discussed further when estimated costs are submitted. Over the years, several gravel pits have been used for crushing rock by the County. Dick does not know of any exemptions to special use permits and State of Idaho requirements for gravel pits. Discussion was had about defining rights-of-way. Dick indicated he needs to know the specifics of the particular road and will work with Dennis Pulley. Leonard Ingalls is concerned that widening of the road and piping the ditch on E. Idaho Blvd. would result in loss of some of his trees. The Board recessed for lunch at 12:00pm and recovened at l: 00 pm GRINNELL FIRE SYSTEM: Rick Schlarbaum and Michael Ziegler met to discuss a sprinkler system for the jail and modular jail. They discussed their concerns involving different items that will be addressed after inspecting. Rick wanted to take a video before his company would start any work, and will submit a bid/proposal. SHILO AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERS: Dave Gates form Shilo Automatic Sprinklers met to tour the jail area and modular jail. He will submit a bid/proposal. ICRMP, RANDY FURNESS AND DAVE SASSER: Randy Furness and Dave Sasser from ICRMP met to discuss repairs needed to the jail in order to meet todays standards. If the modular jail was installed with a correct sprinkler system and had proper certification, then ICRMP would consider insuring it. The recommendations by the Idaho State Fire Marshal and how to best address the issues was discussed. It was suggested that the Commissioners find out what the bids are and then make determination as to what to do. GREG HIMES, ASSESSOR: Greg Himes, Assessor, discussed the new appraiser position he asked for in his budget. If the State Tax Commission brings in an appraiser, Greg will have no input and this it would be a temporary cost for one year to get caught up. After that the county would not have the appraiser on staff. If another appraiser is not on staff, it is possible that the requiremnents of the State Tax Commissioner would not be met, or they would not be able to complete the five-year plan on time. Greg needs to get a mapper, as indicated in his budget. EXECUTIVE SESSION: A motion was made, seconded, and carried to go
into executive session under Idaho Code 67-2345(f) concerning probable litigation. Those governing bodies present in the meeting were Commissioners Mansfield, Skippen, and Pratt. No final decisions were made. A motion was made, seconded, and carried to come out of executive session. The Board recessed to September 24, 2001, At 8:00AM. Attest: Clerk Approved: Chairman