COMMISSIONERS MINUTES SEPTEMBER 18, 2006
The Commissioners met in regular session on the above in the Commissioners Room, basement of the Elmore County Courthouse, 150 South 4th East, Mountain Home, Idaho.
Motion by Egusquiza, to remove the approval of expenses off the agenda as there are no expenses today, second by Rose.
EGUSQUIZA................................................ - AYE
ROSE............................................................ - AYE
CRUSER....................................................... - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Motion by Egusquiza to approve the minutes of August 21, 2006, August 28, 2006 and August 30, 2006, second by Rose. One correction was made on August 21, 2006 and one correction was made on August 30, 2006.
EGUSQUIZA................................................ - AYE
ROSE............................................................ - AYE
CRUSER....................................................... - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
The Commissioners listened to a tape from dispatch on an ambulance call. Sandy Herrboldt came to the Commissioners with a complaint on August 28, 2006 regarding the service she received. The tape reflected that ambulance call.
A letter was received from the Department of Water Resources from Karl Dreher, Director. The letter is in response to a request the Commissioners sent to the Department of Water Resources asking for assistance in determining the water levels west of Mountain Home. Karl Dreher, Director of the Department of Water Resources suggested a workshop be held. Deputy Clerk Steele will prepare a letter of response asking that the workshop not be held on a Monday as it is a regular Commissioner meeting day.
Deputy Clerk Steele brought down the Resolutions on the Growth and Development fee increases, Motor Vehicle Administrative fee increase, and adopting the IBC 2003 building code fees. The resolutions are dated September 18, 2006. They need to be effective on October 1, 2006. Discussion followed and the Resolutions will be retyped to reflect the effective date of October 2, 2006, a regular Commissioners meeting day and will be adopted that same day.
Nick Schilz, Chief Deputy, Sheriff’s Office, gave a report on the spraying of mosquitoes. The total area estimated was 61,000 acres. Chief Deputy Schilz stated the County will probably not spray again this year unless the weather warms up. If we were to spray a second time it would be to try to stop the mature mosquitoes from laying eggs. Nick stated the bees in Elmore County did well. He took samples of bee hives after we sprayed and the results are good. Clerk Hiler asked when the bill for spraying would arrive. She would like it to be paid in this fiscal year. Deputy Schilz stated he would request the bill to be sent as soon as possible.
Motion to accept and sign the agreement between the Mountain Home Highway District and Prairie Quick Response Unit, Inc., second by Cruser.
EGUSQUIZA................................................ - AYE
ROSE............................................................ - AYE
CRUSER....................................................... - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
The agreement reads:
AGREEMENT, made this 18th day of September, 2006, between the MOUNTAIN HOME HIGHWAY DISTRICT, a quasi-municipal corporation of P.O. Box 756, Mountain Home, Idhao 83647-0756, hereinafter referred to as the “District”; the COUNTY OF ELMORE, STATE OF IDAHO, a political subdivision of the State of Idaho, of 150 South 4th East, Mountain Home, Idaho 83647, hereinafter designated as the “County”; and PRAIRIE QUICK RESPONSE UNIT, INC., an Idaho non-profit corporation, of 524 Smith Creek Road, Prairie, Idaho 83647, hereinafter designated as “Prairie QRU”.
RECITALS
(a) The County owns the real property that is described in Exhibit A that is attached hereto and by this reference made a part hereof that is adjacent to the real property owned by the District that serves the Prairie area in Elmore County.
(b) The County has agreed to convey said property to the District.
(c ) In consideration for the conveyance of said property to it, the District has agreed to provide water from its well to Prairie QRU, place a culvert in an irrigation ditch that runs across the property that will be used by Prairie QRU, and construct a driveway for the use of Prairie QRU in the location that is shown on the drawing that is attached hereto as Exhibit B and by this reference made a part thereof.
IN CONSIDERATION OF the mutual promises and covenants contained herein the parties agrees as follows:
1. The County shall convey to the District, free of all liens and encumbrances, fee simple title to the real property described in Exhibit A that is attached hereto.
2. The District shall allow Prairie QRU to run a water line from its well and utilize water from its well in the emergency services building to be constructed on the adjacent real property by Prairie QRU. The water from the District’s well shall be used inside the emergency services building only, and shall not be used to irrigate a lawn or shrubbery outside the building. If requested by Prairie QRU, the District shall enter into a joint well agreement with Prairie QRU providing the details for the use of the well and water from the well as provided herein.
3. The District shall install a culvert in the irrigation ditch on the property to be used by Prairie QRU and shall construct a driveway in the location that is shown on the drawing that is attached hereto as Exhibit B and by this reference made a part hereof.
DATED THIS 3rd day of August, 2006.
MOUNTAIN HOME HIGHWAY DISTRICT
By. /S/ W.G. Davison, Chairman
DATED this 18th day of September, 2006.
ELMORE COUNTY, a political subdivision of the State of Idaho,
By /S/ Commissioner Mary Egusquiza
By /S/ Commissioner Connie M. Cruser
By /S/ Commissioner Larry E. Rose
DATED this 21st day of July, 2006.
PRAIRIE QUICK RESPONSE UNIT, INC.
An Idaho non-profit corporation,
By /S/ Randy Davison, President and /S/ Mary Cook, Secretary/Treasurer
Discussion followed on the above agreement and a deed needs to be prepared to convey the property from Elmore County to the Mountain Home Highway District. Prosecutor Schindele will be asked to prepare the deed.
Chairperson Egusquiza referenced an E-mail from Monica Halliday from the Juvenile Probation Department regarding interviews for the open position in their office. Chairperson Egusquiza and Commissioner Cruser stated they would participate in the interview process. The contract for Juvenile confinement will go to Ada County.
Commissioner Cruser gave an update on the Mental Health meeting she attended last week.
Carrie Vogt from Northwest Paramedics appeared before the Board. Discussion followed on the complaint received from Sandra Herrboldt. A lengthy discussion followed on the ambulance call. Ms. Vogt also presented a written review prepared by Northwest Paramedics of the CD. Chairperson Egusquiza asked why the ambulance drivers don’t know the area better. Ms. Vogt state they had maps in the ambulances.
Karl Vogt, Northwest Paramedics, appeared before the Board. He joined the conversation and told the Board there are data ports to help with directions in emergency vehicles, however our ambulances do not have them. Commissioner Rose stated to his knowledge the Mountain Home Police Dept. has them. Chairperson Egusquiza stated one solution is for the Commissioners and Northwest Paramedics go to a City Council meeting and play the CD for them. This would show the City the problem with addressing and emergencies. The meetings are the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month. The 25th of September would be their next regular meeting. Getting it put on the City’s agenda will be a problem as the Mayor is not in support of any meetings regarding any addressing issues.
Karl also wanted to discuss the County’s ability to transfer from general fund to the ambulance district, and/or have a joint powers agreement to do fire standbys, community events, training, etc. Karl was reviewing the ambulance budget for outlying areas. He stated Northwest Paramedics supply the ambulance service in the Pine/Featherville area. That is in their contract with the County. Commissioner Rose stated we have a lease on the building for ambulance storage in Pine which is one of the expenses. Clerk Hiler stated we are at our maximum levy for the ambulance district, there is no room in the budget to purchase two new ambulances and make payments on the contract with Northwest Paramedics. Karl stated the Pine/Featherville ambulance is not sending their reports to Northwest Paramedics so they can bill accordingly. Carrie stated they are aware that they need to do this. Karl said we need to do a better job of coordinating with them so we can bill for the ambulance calls. Clerk Hiler stated the payment on a new ambulance would be $2000 per month. The County does not have any additional money to transfer into the Ambulance District budget. Karl stated buying new ambulances is not a new issue. This discussion has been going on for a couple years. Clerk Hiler stated the budget process started in May. Carrie stated in June they came in with information regarding new ambulances. How ambulances are purchased and what the contract reads between Elmore County and Northwest Paramedics was discussed. The issue will put it on the Commissioners next agenda for discussion.
The proposed wind power ordinance was discussed.
Dan Hennis, 1811 Tailspin Land, Oasis, Idaho, spoke to the Commissioners about setbacks of the wind towers.
Brian Jackson, Renaissance Engineering & Design, 2792 Desert Wind Road, Oasis, Idaho, spoke to the Commissioners regarding tax implications from wind farms and the approximate revenue to the County. For example, on a 10 megawatt project the current structure would be $125,000 to $150,000 a year in revenue to the County. That would be for the first year and would decrease due to depreciated value. Mr. Jackson stated the good thing about wind farms is the impact on the land, no sewer, no water use, no extra County services. Our current Ordinance includes gas turbine projects and wind power projects and discussion followed on the differences between the two. Commissioner Rose stated he spoke to the State Tax Commission and two different people stated the County would not receive any revenue from wind farms. Mr. Jackson suggested maybe we should call Twin Falls County and see if they have received any tax base from their projects. Commissioner Rose asked about net metering, if the County needs to be concerned. Mr. Jackson stated net metering is another interesting aspect, it would probably be best if you included what the requirements are in the County Ordinance.
John Steiner, Idaho Wind Farms, 24597 Collett Road, Oreana, Idaho, told the Commissioners that they would accommodate the County and would answer questions on the topic.
Gerald Fleischman, Idaho Energy Division, 322 E. Front Street, Boise, Idaho, stated if a public utility owns the wind tower/towers, the County does not receive much in tax revenue. Privately owned wind towers generate more revenue to the County. A new bill being proposed to the legislature will change the process of taxation and income for Counties. The proposal should go to the legislature this next session. Mr. Jackson spoke regarding the taxation process, location of the wind towers, and declining revenues to the Counties after construction. It is a complicated formula.
Clint Richins, with Renewable Energy Resources and also with Hiddleston Drilling, stated they support large wind towers but their focus is more on the smaller wind towers farms. They would like to see a more streamlined individual permitting process for the smaller wind farms. On the residential end, there seems to be interest up in the hills. Residences that are not close to power lines are interested in the wind power or solar energy, along with farmers using both for watering their cows in isolated areas.
Commissioner Cruser asked Mr. Fleishman if he had been helping other Counties with their ordinances. He replied they had been observing the process and he agrees an ordinance is a good idea. There are many different categories of wind towers/farms. Solar power is different also as panels are put on roofs and are not as intrusive as towers. Elmore County is very conducive for wind towers. Gas turbines in the ordinance were questioned. Landscaping around a wind turbine/tower, which is in our current ordinance, seemed to be a problem.
House Bill 816 is the new proposed legislation on this issue. A brief discussion followed on that house bill.
Motion by Egusquiza, second by Cruser, to recess for lunch.
EGUSQUIZA................................................ - AYE
ROSE............................................................ - AYE
CRUSER....................................................... - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
At 2:00 p.m. the Commissioners met in Executive Session pursuant to I.C. 67-2345(d) with Social Services Director Marianne Bate on a motion by Egusquiza, second by Cruser.
EGUSQUIZA................................................ - AYE
ROSE............................................................ - AYE
CRUSER....................................................... - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Motion by Rose, second by Cruser, to have the County take a 50% assignment of a life insurance policy on K-06-06-08 for repayment.
EGUSQUIZA................................................ - AYE
ROSE............................................................ - AYE
CRUSER....................................................... - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
K-08-06-03 Motion by Rose, second by Egusquiza, to deny as to whether the application is timely for emergency treatment. We are unable to determine if the applicant is a resident of Elmore County or if the applicant is medically indigent.
EGUSQUIZA................................................ - AYE
ROSE............................................................ - AYE
CRUSER....................................................... - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Regular session resumed.
Jo Gridley, Assessor, appeared before the Board regarding a new Xerox fax machine and copier in the Assessor’s office which would save over $900 annually. There is no fax line in their office and that would have to be installed. That would cost approximately $50.00 per month for a dedicated line. Ms. Gridley explained when doing an appraisal on a piece of property, the appraisers draw a map using the legal description. Ms. Gridley explained there is a software program called Apex that can be used in drawing a legal description and explained the cost. It is approximately $500 per computer and she has seven computers. There are adequate funds in her budget for the purchase. The Commissioners encouraged her to purchase the Apex Software.
Fax machines were discussed. The Recorder’s office has a fax machine used by the Assessor, the Treasurer, Motor Vehicles, and Indigent. Dan Collins, Plant Facilities Manager, appeared and the fax machines were discussed in more detail. Dan explained we do have alternatives for hook ups. It was decided that the Assessor’s Office, Department of Motor Vehicles and the Indigent department will get fax machines. The Assessor’s office and the Recorder’s office will be getting a new copy machine with a fax included. The Recorder’s Office fax machine will be moved to the Indigent office and one will be purchased for Motor Vehicles.
The public portion of the meeting was held. Deputy Clerk Barbara Steele appeared before the Board informing the Commissioners there is going to be an end of the fiscal year barbecue on Friday, September 29. The barbecue will be at the Juvenile Probation parking lot adjacent to the Courthouse, and invited the Commissioners to come. She also asked if the Commissioners would contribute $200.00 of left over Christmas Party funds to the barbecue for food. Motion by Egusquiza, second by Cruser, to approve an expenditure of $200.00 for the employee barbecue.
EGUSQUIZA................................................ - AYE
ROSE............................................................ - AYE
CRUSER....................................................... - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Nick Nettleton, Planning and Zoning Commission President, and Bonnie Sharp, Growth and Development Director, appeared before the Board to discuss a request for a Moratorium on Planned Communities, Planned Unit Developments & Large Scale Residential or Commercial Development in western Elmore County. Mr. Nettleton stated their concerned is Planned Communities and Planned Unit Developments. He stated we don’t have anything in our ordinance now addressing these, and if we get an application for one, we have no direction to go. The Planning and Zoning Commission is working on the new ordinance and these communities and developments will be included in the new Ordinance. Mr. Nettleton is requesting a 182 day moratorium on this issue until the new Planning and Zoning Ordinance is done. Wayne Forrey, a Planning Consultant for Elmore County, wrote a letter asking for the moratorium also, at the request of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Commissioner Rose stated on that 183rd day if we don’t have our ordinance in place we will have problems. Ms. Sharp stated they had attended a meeting in Ada County addressing these communities and developments and are still trying to get more information. The availability of water was discussed. Discussion followed on what a large scale subdivision is and Ms. Sharp stated over 50 lots. Mr. Nettleton stated a Planned Community is a whole different thing. You have so much open space, so much density, and a City center. They are usually self-sustaining, like a town. Planned Unit Developments aren’t as big or as complete as a Planned Community. Commissioner Rose asked if Mr. Forrey had the wording for a moratorium. The moratorium would be for the whole County if it was implemented. The Commissioners asked Ms. Sharp and Mr. Nettleton to ask Attorney Phil Miller to prepare a draft moratorium, then forward it on to our Prosecutor Schindele for review.
Ms. Sharp asked about setting up for interviews for a code enforcer and Administrative Assistant for the Growth and Development Department. Interviews for both positions will be Friday, September 22. The Administrative Assistant interviews will be in the morning, and the Code Enforcer position will be in the afternoon. A position for a planner will be advertised starting this Friday.
Motion by Egusquiza, second by Cruser, to approve the levies for the taxing districts.
EGUSQUIZA................................................ - AYE
ROSE............................................................ - AYE
CRUSER....................................................... - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Correspondence was reviewed.
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/ MERRILEE HILER, Clerk
