COMMISSIONERS MINUTES NOVEMBER 20, 2006
The Elmore County Commissioners met in regular session on the above date in the Commissioners Room, basement of the Elmore County Courthouse, 150 South 4th East, Mountain Home, Idaho.
Present at the meeting were Chairperson Mary Egusquiza, Commissioners Larry Rose and Connie Cruser. Also present was Clerk Merrilee Hiler, Commissioner elect Arlie Shaw as well as Charles Olson, and Brett and Laurie Silvers.
Commissioner Egusquiza advised Mr. Charles Olson of the Department of Water Resources workshop being held in Boise on November 30, 2006 at the request of the Elmore County Commissioners. She invited him to attend and told him of the other agencies and individuals that were invited.
Mr. Olson thanked the Commissioners for writing the Idaho Department of Water Resources and expressing their concerns regarding water issues in Elmore County. He believes the Water Advisory Committee has done nothing for the last 10 years and is disappointed in the direction they have taken. It seems to him the Advisory Committee is being dissolved and that it is critical for the Commissioners to set water area boundaries so there will be a positive affect in planning. (An example would be the Cinder Cone water would not affect the Mountain Home area water.)
Commissioner Rose stated the Commissioners were very concerned about the water issues in all areas and that Water Resources has to initiate and enforce the water issues.
Mr. Olson stated the Department of Water Resources is the only agency that has the expertise to make decisions on water issues.
Commissioner Egusquiza stated Water Resources is the only agency that has over appropriated water.
Dan Collins, Plant Facilities Manager, told the Commissioners the new jail architects needed information on the name of the new jail and Sheriff’s office for signage.
Comptroller Deb Prazak reviewed payments to Mark Simons and Snake River Rubbish. Her research indicates there was a $9000 duplicate payment in February of 2005. Her research began at the beginning of the contracts until present. The Commissioners reviewed her documentation.
Brett and Laurie Silvers appeared because they were part of the activity at the time the duplicate payment was made. Ms. Silvers stated she had sent a separate invoice for the $9000.00 at the end of January of 2005 and had advised Mr. Simons of her action. Mr. Simons told Ms. Silver that would result in an overpayment and that he would take care of it.
Ms. Prazak will research to see if the County received a reimbursement for the overpayment from Mr. Simons.
Brett Silvers recommended the contracts for county garbage and land fill maintenance go out for bid.
Motion to go in to Executive Session pursuant to I.C.67-2345(f) by Egusquiza, second by Rose.
EGUSQUIZA................................................ - AYE
ROSE............................................................ - AYE
CRUSER....................................................... - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Regular session resumed. No decisions were made in Executive Session.
Sheriff Rick Layher and Chief Deputy Nick Schilz appeared to discuss the name of the new jail facility. The decision was made to call it the Elmore County Correctional Facility and Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Layher explained the history of a direct deposit that should have come to Elmore County for the Roaring River Fire reimbursement that was directly deposited to the Special Deputies account. County Treasurer Rose Plympton explained the duties of the County Clerk and Treasurer in regard to all revenues that should go to the County and that the County has to comply with Idaho Code.
A general discussion followed regarding the transaction with Commissioner Rose asking Sheriff Layher if he was paid out of the Special Deputies Account and he said he had been.
Prosecutor Tina Schindele stated the importance of being in compliance and asked Ms. Plympton what information she needed to assure she is receiving all the revenue due the County. Ms. Plympton said she generally has to rely on the accountability of others.
Clerk Hiler recommended closing the Special Deputies account and setting it up as one of the Elmore Counties Trust Fund Accounts.
Ms. Plympton reiterated that the Federal Forest Service had notified Clerk Hiler of a $30,900 direct deposit. Clerk Hiler went to the Treasurer to verify the transaction. The Treasurer never received the deposit, but Clerk Hiler had received a check from the Special Deputies account for $15,450 for reimbursement to the County for the Roaring River Fire. The remaining $15,450 stayed in the Special Deputies account. The disbursement of that revenue now needs to be addressed to assure the County is in compliance with Idaho Code. Following more discussion there appears to be a few more outside accounts that should be closed and put in the County Trust Accounts. Nick Schilz will bring the Special Deputies account to Clerk Hiler for audit. Treasurer Plympton requested setting a deadline for closing all outside accounts within 30 days with December 20, 2006 being the deadline date.
Tom Gibbons, Security Supervisor, appeared to discuss the points to consider in the coming months after the Sheriff moves to the new jail facility. Since his staff will be the main Security for the Elmore County Campus after the move to the new jail, he believes Security should be under the supervision of the Sheriff to be able to continue to carry weapons.
Motion to change the supervision of Security to the Elmore County Sheriff effective immediately by Cruser, second by Egusquiza.
EGUSQUIZA................................................ - AYE
ROSE............................................................ - AYE
CRUSER....................................................... - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Bonnie Sharp, Growth and Development Director, and Sheriff Rick Layher appeared to discuss the E-911 Coordinator Position. Sheriff Layer believes the E-911 coordinator will work well with their dispatch. Ms. Sharp said she and Kayla Parsons, Dispatch Supervisor, had checked with other counties and found the E-911 Coordinator has fallen under the Sheriff. The coordinator position is currently under the supervision of Growth and Development. Ms. Sharp and Ms. Parsons have met with Tracy Lefever who is the E-911 Coordinator. They said Ms. Lefever does not have a problem with the change in supervision. Sheriff Layher stated he would be accountable to the E-911 Board for Ms. Lefever’s time.
Commissioner Rose stated he had talked to E-911 Board Members who do not remember the matter of change of supervision coming up in the October meeting. Commissioner Cruser stated she will call the E-911 Board Members to ask them their recollection of the matter as it may have only been casually discussed.
Sheriff Layher stated if it was decided for Ms. Lefever to move to Dispatch they would have room for her in the new Dispatch Center and that she would mesh well with that service.
Tracy Lefever joined the meeting at this time. Commissioner Egusquiza advised Ms. Lefever of the preceding discussion and if the transfer of supervision was discussed in the October and November E-911 meetings.
After more discussion Commissioner Egusquiza asked Ms. Lefever if she was all right with the lateral transfer of supervision. Ms. Lefever indicated it didn’t make any difference to her.
Sheriff Layher stated no physical move of her office could occur until April, 2007 and that the legislature would be defining what E-911 personnel would be able to do in this coming session.
Motion to laterally move supervision of the E-911 Coordinator from the Growth and Development Department to Elmore County Sheriff effective immediately with the physical move in April,2007 by Rose, second by Egusquiza.
EGUSQUIZA................................................ - AYE
ROSE............................................................ - AYE
CRUSER....................................................... - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Motion to recess for lunch by Cruser, second by Egusquiza.
EGUSQUIZA................................................ - AYE
ROSE............................................................ - AYE
CRUSER....................................................... - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
EGUSQUIZA................................................ - AYE
ROSE............................................................ - AYE
CRUSER....................................................... - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
The following decisions were made:
K-10-06-01 Motion by Egusquiza, second by Rose, to deny as not indigent, application incomplete, and applicant is capable of working.
EGUSQUIZA................................................ - AYE
ROSE............................................................ - AYE
CRUSER....................................................... - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
K-11-06-04 Motion by Egusquiza, second by Rose, to deny as it is an involuntary mental health and will be billed to the Prosecutor’s office.
EGUSQUIZA................................................ - AYE
ROSE............................................................ - AYE
CRUSER....................................................... - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
K-10-06-02 Motion by Egusquiza, second by Rose, to deny as not last resource, the applicant can make payments and is not medically indigent.
EGUSQUIZA................................................ - AYE
ROSE............................................................ - AYE
CRUSER....................................................... - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
K-11-06-03 Motion to approve making payments of Cobra insurance by Egusquiza, second by Cruser, with an amended motion and amended second to review the case in the middle of February, require half of the applicants income tax return refund for reimbursement, and to set a payment amount when the applicant returns to work.
EGUSQUIZA................................................ - AYE
ROSE............................................................ - AYE
CRUSER....................................................... - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Regular session resumed.
Amber Sloan, representing the Sick Leave Bank, gave her annual report. As of November 16, 2006, the total number of hours accrued in the Sick Leave Bank is 4,270. The total number of time granted this year is 22 days. There will not be an open enrollment this year and current members must donate 2 hours sick leave time to continue membership. All membership applications must be turned into the payroll department by December 31, 2006. There are no revisions to the Sick Leave Bank Policy. Commissioner Cruser will be the 4-year term representative from the Commissioners and Rose Plympton will be the other elected official representative for the Sick Leave Bank.
Motion to approve the minutes of October 23, 2006 and October 30, 2006 with corrections by Egusquiza, second by Cruser.
EGUSQUIZA................................................ - AYE
ROSE............................................................ - AYE
CRUSER....................................................... - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Carrie Vogt of Northwest Paramedics brought a copy of the invoice of the new ambulance they have leased. The price was for $136,059.84 with about $30,000 of that being interest. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the contract with NW Paramedics and how many ambulances the County owns and where they are, as well as why the Pine/Featherville ambulance was brought to Mountain Home. A summation of the discussion would be that Elmore County owns three ambulances, NW Paramedics owns 2 ambulances and all 5 are based in Elmore County. Prosecutor Schindele indicated the contract says the County is to pay for the ambulances and NWP is to pay for maintenance and supplies. Prosecutor Schindele stated it is unclear if we are handling the procedures on this new ambulance correctly.
Karl and Carrie Vogt will appear before the County Commission on December 11, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. in regard to the new ambulance. The Clerks office will copy commisioner meeting tapes for March 20, 2006, May 1, 2006, September 5, 2006, and September 18, 2006 regarding the discussion of the proposed purchase of new ambulances between the Commissioners and Northwest Paramedics. A copy will be provided for the Commissioners and for Northwest Paramedics.
Motion to appoint Commissioner Connie Cruser as Secretary for the Elmore County Ambulance District and Deb Prazak as Treasurer of the Elmore County Ambulance District by Egusquiza, second by Rose.
EGUSQUIZA................................................ - AYE
ROSE............................................................ - AYE
CRUSER....................................................... - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
The liquor license for Tobacco Connections was reviewed. Prosecutor Schindele stated the Idaho Statute for denial does not apply. Motion to approve with a note of the objection by Egusquiza, second by Cruser.
EGUSQUIZA................................................ - AYE
ROSE............................................................ - AYE
CRUSER....................................................... - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Prosecutor Schindele has reviewed the contract for the Consultant Agreement with Mark Pecchenino and approves it if the Commissioners agree to the fee schedule. Motion to approve the Contract for the Consultant Agreement on Mark Pecchenino by Cruser, second by Egusquiza.
EGUSQUIZA................................................ - AYE
ROSE............................................................ - AYE
CRUSER....................................................... - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Dan Collins, Plant Facilities Manager, has a bid for a truss roof on the annex. The flat roof maintenance that was done by a local contractor apparently has failed due to product failure. That contractor will subtract the cost of the failed product from his total bid with that bid then being $13,369.00. The other bid from C2 Construction was for $18,000. The Commissioners instructed Mr. Collins to look into adding a second story to the annex.
Sheriff Layher asked how much the square footage totaled for the additional square footage added to the jail. Mr. Collins will look into the matter.
Motion to go in to Executive Session pursuant to I.C. 67-2345(f) by Egusquiza, second by Cruser.
EGUSQUIZA................................................ - AYE
ROSE............................................................ - AYE
CRUSER....................................................... - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Regular session resumed. No action was taken as result of the Executive Session.
Motion to approve and sign Public Records Request in regard to the Glenns Ferry landfill to Mr. Russell Duke, the Boise Regional Administrator of Central District Health, and John Sandoval, the Boise Regional Administrator of the Department of Environmental Quality by Egusquiza, second by Cruser. Discussion followed resulting with Commissioner Rose recusing himself from the vote.
EGUSQUIZA................................................ - AYE
ROSE............................................................ - RECUSED
CRUSER....................................................... - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Motion to approve and sign a letter to Snake River Rubbish/Mark Simons regarding the $9,000 overpayment in February of 2005 requesting a refund upon receipt of the letter by Egusquiza, second by Cruser.
EGUSQUIZA................................................ - AYE
ROSE............................................................ - RECUSED
CRUSER....................................................... - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Correspondence was reviewed. A letter will be sent to verify Commissioner Connie Cruser on the Magistrate Commission.
Motion to adjourn to attend a meeting to organize the RAC open house by Egusquiza, second by Cruser.
EGUSQUIZA................................................ - AYE
ROSE............................................................ - AYE
CRUSER....................................................... - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
/S/ MARY EGUSQUIZA, Chairperson
ATTEST: /S/ MERRILEE HILER, Clerk
