COMMISSIONERS MINUTES APRIL 11, 2006
The Elmore County Board of Commissioners met in special session at 5:00 p.m. on the above date in the basement of the Elmore County Courthouse, 150 South 4th East, Mountain Home, Idaho.
The purpose of the special session was to meet with the Mountain Home City Council to discuss E-911 readdressing and have general discussion.
Present at the meeting were Chairperson Mary Egusquiza, Commissioners Larry Rose and Connie Cruser and Clerk Gail Best. Also present were Council President Mark Russell and Council member Tom Rist and Alain Isaac.
Council President Russell explained the purpose of the meeting was to acknowledge the letter sent to the City dated March 21, 2006, specifically a problem on South 18th E addressing and conflicts. Mr. Russell stated he did not think the letter has received a reply. Mike McCain, City Planning and Zoning, stated there has been one telephone call, but nothing in writing. Mr. Russell stated he felt there should be an acknowledgment to the letter by the City.
Prosecutor Schindele joined the meeting.
Bonnie Sharp, Growth and Development, stated as Traci was addressing in the County she realized there were two residences in the City on 18th with the number 120. These residences are located near the cross street of Lincoln and there is no street sign. Traci brought this problem to the attention of the E-911 Board and they asked her to bring it to the attention of the City. Mr. Russell asked how far apart are these residences with the address of 120? Estimating the street to be approximately fifty feet, and taking in to account the setbacks approximately three hundred feet apart was estimated.
Mr. Russell asked Chief of Police Tom Berry how serious a problem is this? Chief Berry stated this is a very serious problem. Mr. Russell asked Fire Chief Gridley the same question and Chief Gridley stated if it is a working fire, the department would take care of it, but it could be problematic if the fire wasn’t visible from the street yet. Chief Gridley added that the situation would be worse if an ambulance were trying to respond to a call. Mr. Russell then asked if any other emergency services had a comment and Dispatch Supervisor Kayla Parsons stated it could cause a serious problem for dispatch, for example if responding to a domestic violence call law enforcement could break down the wrong door.
Mr. Russell asked the Board and Council “do any of us disagree with this?”. None of the Board members or Council members disagreed. Mr. Russell asked Ms. Sharp “so which one do we change?” Ms. Sharp stated probably the southern one should be changed since there is vacant land after that property.
There was discussion on the division line between north and south and the fact that the City map shows one line but that the City has never really changed that line officially. Mr. Russell stated that the discussion at this meeting is to change one address. Ms. Sharp stated the easiest solution would be to change one address and get a street sign put up. Mike McCain stated that with Council approval he could change the address, order the sign and notify all involved tomorrow.
Commissioner Rose stated that the County is not trying to cause the City any problems. Both Mr. Russell and Mr. Rist stated they knew that but they were worried about liability. Councilman Rist noted that Ms. Sharp has been to City Council meetings but has not been allowed to speak.
Motion by Councilman Rist, second by Isaac, to change Ms. Ireland’s address from 120 S. 18th E. to 112 S. 18th East. All City people voted aye, Motion carried and so ordered.
Ms. Sharp stated the County would gladly supply the free house numbers, and the Council accepted that offer.
Chairperson Egusquiza stated that the County did send a letter to the City asking for arbitration and did not receive a response from the Council, but the Mayor did say he had already responded to the County. Chairperson Egusquiza stated the Board wanted to hear from the City Council, not the Mayor as that was what suggested to them by an arbitrator. Commissioner Rose added that he felt Council basically runs the City and that’s who the Board wanted to hear from. Mr. Russell stated they would meet again with their respective attorneys present. Chairperson Egusquiza stated that the Board felt they needed to go to arbitration. Councilman Rist stated that the Council did not blame the Board. Chairperson Egusquiza replied “we’ve been waiting for a response”. Councilman Rist stated that the Council thought the Board had received a response from Jay Friedly.
Council President Russell asked if they could take the matter up with Jay Friedly and officially respond by the end of the month? The Board agreed that would be fine. Councilman Rist asked if the Mediation Board has the authority to mediate this type of issue? Chairperson Egusquiza stated they did, and he advised the Board that this should be the next step in the process.
Ms. Sharp told the Board and the Council that the addressing on North 18th East is finished in the County, they stopped at the City line, and will do that anytime it’s possible.
Mr. Russell asked if there was any general discussion?
Fire Chief Gridley warned the Board that he has heard from two separate companies that they will be setting up fireworks in the County since the City passed their ordinance. Chief Gridley warned that the Board should seriously consider their own ordinance on fireworks.
Commissioner Cruser stated she wondered why after a hearing was held on the impact area, nothing else has been done? There was general discussion on the area of impact. Mr. Rist stated that they may want to change the area. Councilwoman Isaac stated both entities should adopt it as is and then worry about changes. Prosecutor Schindele stated that the ordinance in effect is actually the 1994 version since nothing new has been adopted. Prosecutor Schindele added that the Code suggests the issue should be revisited at least every 10 years.
Mr. Russell stated that the two entities need to start meeting regularly once again. All parties agreed to that.
Motion by Egusquiza, second by Rose to adjourn.
EGUSQUIZA - AYE
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
/S/ MARY EGUSQUIZA, Chairperson
ATTEST: /S/ GAIL L. BEST, Clerk
