COMMISSIONERS MINUTES                                SEPTEMBER11, 2008



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

Present at the meeting were Chairman Arlie Shaw, Commissioners Larry Rose and Connie Cruser. Also present was Deputy Clerk Barbara Steele and Growth and Development Director Bonnie Sharp.

The special session was being held to interview for Qualified Economists for Planned Communities, discuss Ambulance Proposals, discuss the Clear Springs Ranch Subdivision Appeal and approve Taxing District Levies.

The first interview was with William E. Reid representing Johnson Gardner, LLC a land use economic Firm. Mr. Reid explained he has been working with Ada County and has worked on four planned communities. Mr. Reid stated he wrote a majority of Ada County’s Planned Community Ordinance that Elmore County modeled their ordinance from. Discussion followed on Planned Communities regarding an Economist. Chairman Shaw asked Mr. Reid about availability and Mr. Reid stated travel is not an issue.

The next interview was with Richard L. Gardner. Chairman Shaw told Mr. Gardner to give the Commissioners a review of his background and experience. Mr. Gardner explained his experience to the Commissioners and stated he was self employed. Commissioner Cruser asked Mr. Gardner if he had ever worked on a Planned Community. Mr. Gardner stated he had only looked at one but had not processed one. Mr. Gardner continued stating his qualifications.

A decision will be made on an Economist soon.

Motion by Shaw, second by Rose, to recess for lunch.
SHAW - AYE
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

At 1:00 p.m. the Commissioners met in regular session and the Ambulance Proposals received were reviewed. Present were Prosecutor Kristina Schindele, Greg Maurer, Elmore Medical Center, with three Medical Center representatives, Harry Eckert, Ada County Paramedics, Rich Albright and Karl & Kari Vogt from Northwest Paramedics and Fire Chief Phil Gridley. Elmore Medical Center handed in a proposal with a Model D added as the Commissioners had requested. Discussion followed on the Elmore Medical Center proposal. Ambulance storage was discussed. Prosecutor Schindele stated the Medical Center would manage and employ the personnel and the County would provide a monthly payment. How much money per month was discussed. Possibly having a Joint Powers Agreement was discussed. Mr. Mauer stated a year end reconciliation would be done but an estimated amount from the Ambulance Taxing District would be paid monthly.

The Ada County Paramedic proposal was reviewed. Harry Eckert was asked a question regarding a $200 charge if an ambulance was called out from Ada County and there was no transport would that be the fee. Mr. Eckert replied yes. The two proposals were reviewed. The second proposal was to help the County start a County Ambulance Service if that was the path that was chosen. The first proposal was three ambulances, with two staffed full time. Chairman Shaw stated in the assets provided section, the suggested building for ambulances and staff was questioned. The billing was also questioned. Mr. Eckert stated billing is done by their staff.

Discussion followed on response to emergencies calls by the fire department, extrication and ambulance, and how they all work together.

Prosecutor Schindele asked Mr. Eckert questions regarding the bottom line and leasing or purchasing ambulances. The proposal stated the ambulance district funds and revenue would go into an account which would be paid to Ada County Paramedics, and any shortfalls would be made up by the County. The County would also provide storage for the ambulances and staff.

Karl and Kari Vogt from Northwest Paramedics were asked questions. The first question was if they did their own billing. They replied yes. The yearly increases were 5% per year in their proposal. Chairman Shaw asked about ambulances, and Mr. Vogt explained the County has two usable ambulances, the primary ambulance in Glenns Ferry and the backup in Mountain Home. Mr. Vogt stated at their expense they would replace the primary ambulance in Glenns Ferry. Restructuring the current ambulances, primary and backup, was discussed. Mr. Vogt stated the two ambulances the County owns would be backup ambulances. NPA would buy another ambulance, at no expense to the County, to be the primary in Glenns Ferry.

Prosecutor Schindele questioned Mr. Vogt regarding the County having to replace one of the backup ambulances within the next five years. Discussion followed and Commissioner Rose asked Mr. Vogt about the County having to purchase an ambulance in the next five years, and Mr. Vogt stated no, the County would not have to purchase an ambulance, with the two that the County has, NW Paramedics would be responsible for ambulances in the five year term of the contract.

Chief Gridley commented that our backup ambulances need to be in the same shape as the first out ambulances. Chairman Shaw stated the problem is the funds are not available at this time. Chief Gridley stated take the issue to the voters.

The next agenda item was the Clear Springs Ranch Findings of Facts/Conclusions of Law.
Discussion followed on the Findings of Facts and Conclusions of Law, two corrections were made. Chuck Whipple asked Prosecutor Schindele if the Board can re-open the record on the appeal. Chairman Shaw stated the record the Commissioners have is the complete record from the Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing, and the public hearing the Elmore County Commissioners held. Prosecutor Schindele explained what the Elmore County Commissioners are required to do regarding the appeal and making their decision. Ron Leydet addressed the Board and stated the next appeal process would be Judicial Review. Chairman Shaw stated the main concern as County Commissioners was safety. The conclusion was more ingress/egresses were needed. Also the berm is to be 4 ft. high with a three rail fence.

Motion by Rose, second by Cruser, to accept the Findings of Facts, Conclusions of Law on Intermountain Development, Inc. Clear Springs Ranch Subdivision, Appeal of the Planning and Zoning Commission denial of a Conditional Use Permit and Preliminary Plat Elmore County, Idaho, overturning the Planning and Zoning Commissions decision denying the Subdivision and adding conditions..
SHAW - AYE
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Fred Perez, Idaho Waste Systems, appeared and the Commissioners asked Mr. Perez about the pile of dirt out by the Jail, if it could be spread out on the property.

Motion by Shaw, second by Rose, to accept the proposal and sign the contract with BDPA, Inc to conduct a salary survey for fiscal year 2009.
SHAW - AYE
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

Marsha Sellers, Nick Schilz, Charlene Carrie, Jim Carrie, Mosquito Abatement Committee Members and two representatives (Nikki and Dave) from Central District Health came before the Board. Ms. Sellers will be working on promoting yes votes as the question of forming a Pest (Mosquito)
Abatement District will be on the General Election ballot. General discussion followed on what happens if the District is voted in. The total tax would be approximately $10.00 per $100,000.00 of assessed value per year.

Motion by Shaw, second by Rose, to approve the Taxing District Levies for the 2008 – 2009 fiscal year.
SHAW - AYE
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

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

/S/ ARLIE SHAW, Chairman
ATTEST: /S/ MARSA GRIMMETT, Clerk