COMMISSIONERS MINUTES                                        FEBRUARY 21, 2006

 

 

The Elmore County Commissioners met in regular session on the above date in the basement of the Elmore County Courthouse, 150 South 4th East, Mountain Home, Idaho.

 

Present at the meeting was Chairperson Mary Egusquiza, Commissioners Larry Rose and Connie Cruser.  Also present at the meeting was Clerk Gail Best.

 

The formation of the Canal Sewer District was discussed.  The Board placed a call to Marty Jones of Central District Health to see what regulations and/or testing might be required by the Health Department.  Chairperson Egusquiza stated she had been receiving numerous phone calls from concerned citizens, and that some of the citizens would be coming in during the public portion of the meeting.

 

Phil Miller appeared to discuss the Easement Agreement between Glenns Ferry Health Center, Inc. and Elmore County.  The easement description is generally described as a portion of Government Lot 2, Section 30, Township 3 South, Range 7 East, Boise Meridian, Mountain Home, Elmore County, Idaho.  The general location is off American Legion Blvd, along side of the Desert Sage Health Center.  Mr. Miller gave the Board a copy of the new compromise agreement for their review.  Mr. Miller indicated he had sent Robin Brody, the attorney for the Glenns Ferry Health Center, a copy of the agreement for their Board’s review and approval.

 

Dan Collins appeared before the Board to discuss the feasibility of putting the County’s ordinances on the website in response to requests from the public.  There was general discussion on the matter, and the point was made that the Zoning Ordinances were all being reviewed and revised.  Dan will visit more with Bonnie Sharp to determine how the present ordinance should be linked to the website while the new revisions are being worked on.

 

Bonnie Sharp of the Growth and Development Department presented the Board with the final plat for Ashwood Subdivision #3.  The plat was reviewed by the Board.  Motion by Rose, second by Cruser to approve the plat for Ashwood Subdivision #3 and direct the Chair to sign it.

EGUSQUIZA - AYE

ROSE - AYE

CRUSER        - AYE     Motion carried and so ordered.

 

Motion by Egusquiza, second by Cruser, to approve the minutes of February 13, 2006.  There was discussion and two minor adjustments were suggested.

EGUSQUIZA - AYE

ROSE - AYE

CRUSER        - AYE     Motion carried and so ordered.

 

Motion by Egusquiza, second by Cruser, to go into executive session pursuant to Idaho Code 67-2345(b).

EGUSQUIZA - AYE

ROSE - AYE

CRUSER        - AYE     Motion carried and so ordered.

 

Regular session was resumed.  No action was taken as result of the executive session.

 

Roadless area comments received, and the disposition of the comments was discussed.  The Clerk will bring down the file later in the day.

 

Motion by Egusquiza, second by Rose to recess for lunch.

EGUSQUIZA - AYE

ROSE - AYE

CRUSER        - AYE     Motion carried and so ordered.

 

At 1:30 p.m. the Commissioners met in Executive Session pursuant to I.C. 67-2345(d) on a motion by Egusquiza, second by Rose, to meet with Social Services Director Marianne Bate.

EGUSQUIZA - AYE

ROSE - AYE

CRUSER        - AYE     Motion carried and so ordered.

 

Motion by Rose, second by Cruser, to accept the payoff offer on K-06-05-08 and release the lien.

EGUSQUIZA - AYE

ROSE - AYE

CRUSER        - AYE     Motion carried and so ordered.

 

Regular session resumed.

 

Correspondence was reviewed.  A letter and information was received from the City of Glenns Ferry regarding a proposed land exchange.  A letter will be drafted by Deputy Clerk Steele regarding the proposed Danskin-Camas Land Exchange to Senator Tim Corder. 

 

A petition to create a Sewer District was briefly discussed.  The matter will be revisited during the public portion of the meeting.

 

Commissioner Cruser informed the Board that in June of this year a disaster emergency exercise will be held in Elmore County requiring many participants.   

 

Bonnie Sharp appeared before the board regarding an email received by the Board about a road that is washed out (Hawks Drive).  The Commissioners are doing some research on the issue and Bonnie will continue helping. 

 

Chairperson Egusquiza read a letter from the Elmore Soil and Water Conservation District into the record:

 

February 15, 2006

 

Elmore County Commissioners


 

150 South 4th East

Mountain Home, ID 83647

 

Dear Commissioners Cruser, Egusquiza, & Rose:

 

This letter is to acknowledge and thank Elmore County for the 2006 Annual Payment claim of $5,500.00 for the Elmore Soil & Water Conservation District.  Vender #2283.

 

This funding is greatly appreciated.  As you know the Idaho State Soil Conservation Commission gives a two to one match which constitutes the operating budget for the Elmore Soil & Water Conservation District.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Sylvia “G.G.” Gilliland,

ESWCD Administrative Assistant

 

Several citizens appeared for the public portion of the meeting to discuss the formation of the Canal Sewer District.  Commissioner Rose stated that they are just learning about the formation of the district and have been warned by Counsel to be careful of their involvement at this point so they cannot be accused of bias if the issue is appealed to them.

 

Thomas Westall, 658 McMurtrey, stated he has heard of governing entities having private meetings, but when citizens want to come and express their opinions they need to play by all the rules.  Mr. Westall stated he was there to tell the Board that they need to remain firm with their ordinances and not allow less than one acre lots as called for in the present rules.  Mr. Westall stated that they are not against development, but are against the density.  Mr. Westall stated that when he heard about the proposed sewer district, he heard there was a similar one approved in Nampa.  Upon checking on that he found Nampa did not have one, but Star does.  Mr. Westall then stated that there are concerns in their neighborhoods over dropping water levels annually.

 

Richard McMahon, 40 North East Aulbach, stated he had spoken with Marty Jones from Central District Health and also to DEQ earlier today.  Mr. McMahon stated he was told that tests would have to be done for nutrients and pathogens etc.

 

Donald Dow, 215 North West Carrie Drive stated he is the President of the Sawtooth Water Association and is well aware of these issues and of issues with Mr. Carrie.  Mr. Dow stated that issues with Mr. Carrie’s developments have occurred in several areas throughout the years, so there is a history with his dealings.

 

Mr. Westfall added that if the Board would just stick to their own code of one acre they would be fine.

 

Ed Bretz, 125 North West Carrie Circle, stated that this issue could set a precedent for the future of development locally if the County allows less than one acre per residence.

 

Donald Dow stated he thought the Board should consider a moratorium on growth until the County could get its rules into place.  Commissioner Rose explained his feelings that placing a moratorium would only make the problem worse if it expired and their rules weren’t finished, and then there was a rush to make application.  Commissioner Rose stated that completing these ordinances takes much longer than one would think and 182 days is not a long time in that sense.  Mr. Dow agreed that the process can be a lengthy one.

 

Jim Blanton, 3836 North West Dutton Way stated he is the President of Town and Country Water Association and he was here to ask the County to stick to one acre on behalf of the thirty families in their Association.  Mr. Blanton stated their water level is down to 175 feet.

 

Motion by Egusquiza, second by Cruser, to go into Executive Session pursuant to Idaho Code 67-2345(b).

EGUSQUIZA - AYE

ROSE - AYE

CRUSER        - AYE     Motion carried and so ordered.

 

Regular session was resumed.  No action was taken as result of the executive session.

 

Motion by Rose, second by Cruser, to adjourn.

EGUSQUIZA - AYE

ROSE - AYE

CRUSER        - AYE     Motion carried and so ordered.

 

/S/ MARY EGUSQUIZA, Chairperson

ATTEST: /S/ GAIL L. BEST, Clerk