COMMISSIONERS MINUTES                                 November 5, 2007

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 Chairman Larry Rose, Commissioners Arlie Shaw and Connie Cruser. Also present were Clerk Marsa Grimmett and Civil Attorney Richard Roats.

General discussion followed on Commissioners current activities. The boat ramp in Hammett by the Snake River was discussed. Chairman Rose stated historically this area had been used for years. The Commissioners will check with the Sheriff. The ambulance service was discussed. There was an incident up in Pine where Northwest Paramedics was dispatched to respond and meet the volunteer ambulance half way and Northwest Paramedics refused. The Commissioners will phone Northwest Paramedics. Commissioner Shaw stated he received a phone call regarding construction waste up in Pine, and Chairman Rose stated when a person is issued a building permit they are told they are responsible to remove their own construction waste. December 3, 2007 was set for the re-opening of the Sunrider Ranch Subdivision public hearing.

Motion to pay G.H. Service for removal of refrigerators from the Glenns Ferry Landfill by Cruser, second by Shaw.
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE
SHAW - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

Ken Obenhauf, from Centra Consulting, came before the Board to discuss the modifications to his first report on alternatives for the Glenns Ferry Landfill. Mr. Obenhauf stated a cost estimated was mailed to the County Clerk. The Clerk had not received it yet. The Financial Assurance letter needs to be issued by the Clerk. Discussion followed on the life of the landfill and different avenues of running the landfill.

Sheriff Rick Layher and Laytreda Schultz came before the Board to discuss an access being used by the public to launch their boats into the Snake River near Hammett. Ms. Schultz stated that first of all it should not be called a boat ramp. It is just a place where the public has found access to launch a boat into the river. The high water mark was discussed and there needs to be a determination of where that is. When that is determined, the issue of whose property it is will be settled.

Melinda Harper with the Idaho Rural Water Association, Well Head and Ground Water Protection Specialist, met with the Board to go over water issues in our area. Ms. Harper handed the Commissioners a report which they reviewed with her. Growth is a concern. The level of nitrates in our water is increasing in our area. Once an aquifer is contaminated it is too late. They reviewed a map showing the areas of concern regarding nitrates. Septic tanks failing were discussed. Larger subdivisions can have community septic systems that are built to a much higher standard than an individual septic system. Idaho has groundwater quality protection laws on the books. Ms. Harper stated investigating an Elmore County Drinking Water Protection Ordinance that can actually help or lesson every day contamination that is going on, and at the same time allows the County to work with the Ag Producers. Ms Harper stated Idaho uses more water per capita than any other state in the nation. Discussion followed on programs that will be up coming. Commissioner Shaw asked about studies regarding fertilizer on lawns. Ms. Harper stated most people put more fertilizer on than needed and it will affect the aquifer when they water more than necessary. The Commissioners asked about individual wells versus community wells. Discussion followed and Ms. Harper stated individual wells can only use 13,500 gallons of water a day. Ms. Harper pointed out the problems she was aware of with community wells such as residents using too much water and maintenance on the systems. There is a proposed protection plan for Mountain Home and she will see if she can get the City and County Commissions coordinated to share information. Ordinances are the enforcing tool for Counties and a groundwater protection ordinance was suggested by Ms. Harper. Chairman Rose asked for a copy of an ordinance and Ms. Harper stated she would get the Board one.

Motion to approve the minutes for October 24, 2007 and October 29, 2007 by Cruser, second by Shaw. Discussion followed and one change was made to the October 29, 2007 minutes.
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE
SHAW - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

Motion to approve the liquor licenses for 2008 by Rose, second by Shaw. (See Attachment)
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE
SHAW - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.


Motion to approve Joe Twitchell’s expenses for attending an RC&D Conference by Cruser, second by Rose.
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE
SHAW - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

Motion by Rose, second by Cruser, to close the Courthouse on December 24, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. and December 31, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. with a notice posted on all the doors and a notice published in the paper.
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE
SHAW - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

The Commissioners discussed their meetings during the holiday season. The December 24, 2007 Commissioners meeting was cancelled.

Motion to recess for lunch by Shaw, second by Cruser.
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE
SHAW - 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 Rose, second by Shaw to meet with Social Service Director Marianne Bate. Roll call vote was taken.
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE
SHAW - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

The following decisions were made:

A hearing was set on K-07-05-02 for December 17, 2007 at 2:00 p.m.

K-09-07-05 Motion by Cruser, second by Rose, to deny as not indigent, applicant has discretionary income to pay the bills over a 5 year period.
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE
SHAW - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

K-09-07-09 Motion by Rose, second by Cruser to deny as not indigent and not last resource.
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE
SHAW - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

Still in Executive Session the Commissioners discussed a hearing scheduled on K-11-06-05. Prosecutor Schindele granted a stipulation to continue the hearing. Motion by Rose, second by Cruser, to set the hearing for January 14, 2008 at 2:00 p.m.
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE
SHAW - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

Still in Executive Session a hearing was held on K-07-07-02. Present at the hearing were the three Commissioners, Social Service Director Marianne Bate, Civil Attorney Richard Roats and Deputy Clerk Steele. Motion by Shaw, second by Rose, to make a final denial as unable to locate the applicant and no documentation received.
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE
SHAW - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

Regular session resumed.

Motion by Rose, second by Shaw, to go into Executive Session pursuant to I.C. 67-2345(b). Roll call vote was taken.
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE
SHAW - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.


Regular session resumed. The following action was taken as result of the Executive Session.

Motion to reinstated Bonnie Sharp to the 2008 October pay rate effective November 1, 2007 by Shaw, second by Cruser, and to discuss further expectations with her.
ROSE - Abstain
CRUSER - AYE
SHAW - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

Nick Schilz, Disaster Services Director, Nikki Sakata, Central District Health, Russell Duke, Central District Health and Mir Seydbagheri, Extension Agent , appeared before the Board to give them an update on last year’s mosquito season. Ms. Sakata spoke to the Board about the traps that were set last season and the results of those traps. There were 7 West Nile Virus cases in Elmore County last season. The age range was 15 years to 57 years. None of the cases were hospitalized and there were no fatalities.

Mr. Seyedbagheri handed out an Executive Summary for the Commissioners. The Mosquito Task Force met in early March and organized a public meeting to discuss the mosquito problem and to reduce mosquito larvae populations county wide before they hatch. The Elmore County Mosquito Abatement Committee was formed, chaired by Marsha Sellers. Finding the locations for surveillance, the spray program, public education and the equipment purchased was discussed. Next year will be handled in the same manner. Commissioner Shaw asked what the percentage of mosquito population was extricated due to the treatment and Mir replied at least 30%. Mr. Duke stated that they will continue mosquito eradication next year to include education. Cost for the program for next year was discussed along with creating a mosquito abatement district. In November of 2008 the issue will be put on the ballot.

Motion by Rose, second by Shaw, to transfer funds in the amount of $60,000.00 to the Ambulance District.
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE
SHAW - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

Alan and Adam Crane came before the Board to review the Trash Hauling Contract. The Contract was reviewed in detail along with the Contract for the Glenns Ferry Landfill. The Contracts will be put on the next agenda for November 13, 2007.

Motion by Rose to allow Snake River Rubbish to begin digging another trench that meets with the Department of Environmental Quality’s approval along with Centra Consulting’s approval, second by Shaw.
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE
SHAW - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.




Motion to adjourn by Cruser, second by Rose.
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE
SHAW - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

/S/ LARRY E. ROSE, Chairman
ATTEST: /S/ MARSA GRIMMETT, Clerk