COMMISSIONERS MINUTES SEPTEMBER
29, 2008
The Commissioners met in regular 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 Connie Cruser and
Larry Rose. Also present was Deputy Clerk Barbara Steele and Civil Attorney
Richard Roats.
Motion by Shaw, second by Rose to approve the minutes for September 22, 2008.
SHAW - AYE
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Motion by Rose, second by Cruser, to pay the ambulance bill to Med-Tech Resource
Inc. in the amount of $4,687.28.
SHAW - AYE
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Chairman Shaw reported on the Planner position. Ada County will be phoned later
in the meeting.
Motion by Rose, second by Cruser, to extend the contract with Northwest
Paramedic Associates Inc, until April 1, 2009 at $36,279.10 per month which
includes a $1604.10 lease payment.
SHAW - AYE
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
An Unemployment Claim was discussed. The Commissioners phoned and asked Payroll
Clerk Linda Pickett to come to the meeting. Ms. Pickett appeared and discussion
followed on the Claim.
The Fuel Bids were opened. The bids received were from Hiler Brothers and
Hawley’s Automotive. Tom Hiler and Herb Hawley were in attendance. Chairman Shaw
read the bids from Hiler Brothers and Hawley’s Automotive. Discussion followed.
Motion by Rose, second by Cruser, to accept Hiler Brothers bid as the lowest
responsible bidder.
SHAW - AYE
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Motion by Rose, second by Shaw, to sign the letter to the employees regarding
the Salary Survey that will be performed for fiscal year 2010.
SHAW - AYE
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Discussion followed on the Area of Impact and possibly having a joint hearing
between the County and City if the boundaries were changed.
Greg Maurer, Betty VanGheluwe, Deborah Mills, Doreen Krabbenhoft, and Tricia
Senger, representing Elmore Medical Center, appeared before the Board to discuss
the award of the ambulance contract. Commissioner Cruser stated she had received
a phone call from the new EMS representative who offered to help the County if
needed. Mr. Maurer gave the Board an agenda to review. Mr. Maurer stated St.
Lukes would be helpful with the requirement of the Paramedic, and addressed
contract preparation, the start up budget, and the current equipment the County
has. Chairman Shaw stated a bill is being introduced to the Legislature this
year creating an EMS district opposed to an Ambulance District. Discussion
followed regarding the purpose of the proposed bill. The start up budget was
discussed and what equipment and facilities are available and what is needed. A
working group will be established to discuss the commencement of the contract.
Chairman Shaw stated the Budget needs to be controlled by the Commissioners in
conjunction with the Medical Center. Choosing members of the working group was
discussed. The first meeting will be October 1, 2008.
Mir Seyedbagheri, Extension Agent, appeared and gave the Board a handout titled
Coordinated Water Resource Management Plan by the Counties of Gooding, Jerome,
Lincoln, Twin Falls, Cassia and Minidoka. Mr. Seyedbagheri also gave the
Commissioners his monthly accomplishment report as he was unable to attend the
Department Head meeting last week.
Sergeant Laytreda Schultz, Sheriff’s Department, appeared and gave the
Commissioners the checks for the grants obtained for the snowmobile trailer and
boat safety.
Barb Checketts appeared before the Board to discuss the Safe Walk to School
Program. She is involved with the City of Mountain Home Traffic Safety
Committee. A grant is being applied to identify bus routes and Ms. Checketts is
asking for the County’s support. Discussion followed and Ms. Checketts will keep
the Board informed.
The Area of Impact boundaries were discussed. Changing the boundaries from
Corder Road to Hamilton Road was discussed. Motion by Shaw, second by Rose, to
change the boundary from Corder Road to Hamilton Road. The ordinances, legal
description, and map will be changed and a public hearing will be set.
SHAW - AYE
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Motion by Rose, second by Shaw, to recess for lunch.
SHAW - AYE
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER - 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 Services
Director Marianne Bate. Roll call vote was taken.
ROSE - AYE
SHAW - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
The following decisions were made:
K-04-08-01 Motion by Shaw, second by Rose, to reduce the monthly payment to the
County to $100.00.
ROSE - AYE
SHAW - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
K-09-08-09 Motion by Shaw, second by Rose, to deny as not last resource.
ROSE - AYE
SHAW - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
K-08-08-05 Motion by Rose, second by Shaw, to deny as not last resource, not an
emergency, not indigent, and incomplete.
ROSE - AYE
SHAW - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Still in Executive Session a hearing was held on K-11-06-06. Present at the
hearing were the three Commissioners, Social Services Director Marianne Bate,
Clerk Marsa Grimmett, Civil Attorney Richard Roats and the applicant. Ms. Bate
gave an overview of the case. Civil Attorney Roats stated he would research the
bankruptcy. The hearing was continued.
Still in Executive Session a hearing was held on K-10-07-07. Present at the
hearing were the three Commissioners, Social Services Director Marianne Bate,
Clerk Marsa Grimmett and Civil Attorney Roats. Ms. Bate gave an overview of the
case. Discussion followed. The applicant was not present. A representative from
the hospital was not present. Motion by Shaw, second by Cruser to uphold the
denial as not last resource.
ROSE - AYE
SHAW - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Regular session resumed.
Motion by Shaw, second by Rose, to go into Executive Session pursuant to I.C.
67-2345(b). Roll call vote was taken.
ROSE - AYE
SHAW - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Regular session resumed. No action was taken as result of the Executive Session.
Vivian Garcia, Election Clerk, came before the Board and Commissioner Cruser
discussed professionalism at the polling precincts. The Automark voting machines
and the upcoming General Election were discussed.
Jodi Soboslai, Deputy Assessor, came before the Board with information requested
regarding a building owned by Trinity Mountain Water in the Pine/Featherville
area.
A small recess was taken.
Regular session resumed.
The Elected Officials monthly meeting was held. Prosecutor Kristina Schindele
and Sheriff Rick Layher were present.
Sheriff Rick Layher appeared before the Board and explained that the gang
seminar vouchers being held from the last Commissioners meeting will be paid for
by a grant. Motion by Shaw, second Rose, to pay the two vouchers, one for the
seminar and one for lodging.
ROSE - AYE
SHAW - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Hiring new Deputies was discussed with Sheriff Layher.
Clerk Marsa Grimmett appeared and discussed the Tort Liability budget. A
resolution will be prepared to transfer $10,000 to Tort Liability. Motion by
Rose, second by Shaw, to sign Resolution No. 411-08 transferring $10,000 from
Contingency to Tort Liability.
ROSE - AYE
SHAW - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
RESOLUTION NO. 411-08
A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE BUDGET OF THE ELMORE COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE
CONTINUING FUNDING AND ADJUST FOR CHANGES IN SPENDING PRIORITIES.
WHEREAS, The Board of Commissioners of Elmore County have the authority and duty
under Article XVIII, Section 6 of the Idaho Constitution and Title 31, Chapter 6
of the Idaho Code to provide funding operations of the Government of Elmore
County for expenditure of those funds; and
WHEREAS, The Board considered this adjustment to the County budget during its
regular public meeting on September 29, 2008, and the need to amend the County
budget has been satisfactorily demonstrated to the Board of Commissioners.
IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED:
1. That $10,000.00 from line item 100.417.02.028.00, Contingency, be shifted to
line item 131.431.02.007.00 Tort Liability.
2. That this resolution shall have effect immediately upon its passage.
PASSED, at a regular meeting of the Elmore County Board of Commissioners in the
County of Elmore, State of Idaho, held on the 29th day of September, 2008, upon
which roll call vote was duly taken and said Resolution duly passed by a
unanimous vote.
ELMORE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
/S/ ARLIE SHAW, Chairman
/S/ CONNIE M. CRUSER, Commissioner
/S/ LARRY E. ROSE, Commissioner
ATTEST: /S/ MARSA GRIMMETT, Clerk
Motion by Shaw, second by Rose, to dispense with the reading of Resolution No.
410-08.
ROSE - AYE
SHAW - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Commissioner Rose read a portion of Resolution 410-08 regarding adopting land
use-related hearing procedures. Motion by Rose, second by Shaw, to approve and
sign Resolution No. 410-08.
ROSE - AYE
SHAW - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
RESOLUTION NO._410-08__
Elmore County
ADOPTING LAND USE-RELATED HEARING PROCEDURES
WHEREAS: Idaho Code requires that Jurisdictions maintain a regular set of
procedures for land use-related public hearings held by the Elmore County
Planning and Zoning Commission (the Commission) and the Elmore Board of County
Commissioners (the Board); and
WHEREAS: From time to time it is beneficial to review and revise those hearing
procedures to better facilitate input from the public and to promote an
informative and expeditious hearing;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board to hereby adopt the following land
use-related public hearing procedures:
Section 1. Providing Notice of Land Use or Development-Related Public Hearings
a. If a public hearing is required by law or ordinance, the Commission and, when
applicable, the Board, shall hold at least one public hearing in which
interested persons shall have an opportunity to be heard. At least fifteen (15)
days prior to the hearing, notice of the time and place and a succinct
description of the proposal shall be published in the official newspaper of
Elmore County.
b. In the case of comprehensive plan changes, conditional use permits, rezones,
subdivisions, and variances, notice shall also be provided as required by law to
property owners within the land being considered; either adjoining or within
three hundred feet (300') of the external boundaries of the land being
considered as appropriate; and within any additional area that may be
substantially impacted by the proposal as might be determined by the Commission,
the Board, or Elmore County staff. Contents of the mailed notice should include
the basic information required by applicable provisions of law and this
Resolution and, when known at the time of mailing or publication, any standards
for oral testimony, time limits for testimony, time or length limits for written
submissions, and other conditions or requirements governing participation.
c. When notices are required to be sent to two hundred (200) or more property
owners, a notice of public hearing, at least 2 columns wide by 4” in height,
published in the official newspaper of Elmore County at least 15 days prior to
the hearing, shall be deemed a proper alternative to mailed notices.
d. In any public hearing the presiding officer may order the hearing to be
continued by publicly announcing the time and place of continuance, and no
further notice thereof shall be required.
e. Land that is the subject of any required public hearing shall be posted with
signs describing the nature of the action to be considered, contact information
for Elmore County, and the time, date and location of the hearing. Such on-site
signage shall be posted by Elmore County at least 7 days prior to the hearing.
Section 2. General Standards and Requirements for Oral Testimony:
a. At the commencement of the public hearing, the presiding officer may
establish a time limit to be observed by all speakers, unless spokespersons with
different time limits are designated. If no different time limit is established
by the presiding officer, the time limits shall not exceed fifteen (15) minutes
for an applicant’s oral presentation, five (5) minutes per person for individual
audience testimony and ten (10) minutes for applicant rebuttal. Additional time
may be allowed by the presiding officer upon a showing of good cause.
b. No person shall be permitted to testify or speak before the hearing agency at
a public hearing unless such person has signed his name and written his
residential address on sign up sheets to be provided. This requirement shall not
apply to staff or technical witnesses directed by the chairperson to give
evidence or information to the hearing agency.
c. The Board may suspend or amend any one or more of the discretionary
pre-announced hearing procedures by majority vote of the Board then in
attendance.
d. Spokespersons may be designated in order to allow relevant testimony for a
period longer than provided herein. Anyone who desires to appear as a
representative of a group at the hearing should contact Elmore County staff at
least five (5) days prior to the hearing with evidence of representative status.
Elmore County staff may then evaluate and inform the requestor if s/he will
qualify as a representative spokesperson for the hearing.
e. Any person desiring to speak must first be recognized by the presiding
officer.
f. Testimony shall directly address the subject at hand.
g. Testimony shall not be repetitious with other entries into the record.
h. Testimony shall not be personally derogatory.
i. Testimony shall comply with time restrictions established by the presiding
officer or this Resolution.
j. If oral testimony fails to comply with the aforementioned standards, the
presiding officer may declare such testimony out of order and require it to
cease.
k. All public hearing proceedings shall be recorded electronically or
stenographically and all persons speaking at such public hearings shall speak
before a microphone in such a manner as will assure that the recorded testimony
or remarks will be accurate and complete.
Section 3. Procedure for Quasi-Judicial Public Hearing:
Quasi-judicial hearings involve site-specific decisions (such as rezoning
specific property), as opposed to legislative hearings, which require decisions
that have a broad application (such as a change in the zoning ordinance and does
not necessarily affect one specific parcel of land). Quasi-judicial public
hearings shall follow the order of events set forth below:
a. Brief introduction of the subject of the hearing by Elmore County staff
identifying nature and location of request.
b. Presentation by applicant (decision makers should address their questions to
the applicant at this time).
c. Elmore County staff/consultant report (decision makers should address their
questions to staff/consultant at this time).
d. Open public hearing testimony from public in the following order (questions
from the decision makers should be asked of the person testifying before they
leave the podium):
1. Speakers in favor
2. Neutral speakers
3. Speakers opposed
e. Rebuttal testimony from applicant (decision makers should ask any final
questions). If new facts are elicited at any point, the public must be given an
opportunity to comment on such new facts.
Section 4. Close Public Hearing, Deliberations and Decision:
a. When the record has been closed, the decision makers shall take the matter
under advisement for the purpose of deliberating towards a decision based on the
record. After deliberating, the decision makers may then immediately render a
written decision or may continue the matter to a date and time certain for
further deliberation and decision. The decision makers shall deliberate and make
decisions at meetings that comply with the Open Meeting Act, I.C. § 67-2340 et
seq., as it may be amended from time to time.
b. Discussion of hearing subject among decision makers. Questions may also be
directed to county staff/consultant during this period. Any procedural rules
requiring a motion prior to discussion are hereby suspended for purposes of such
discussion. Decision makers may table the matter until later in the meeting or
to a later meeting for deliberations.
c. The recommendation or decision arrived at should state why the result was
reached. A reasoned statement that explains the criteria and standards
considered relevant, states the relevant facts relied upon, and explains the
rationale for the decision based on applicable provisions of the comprehensive
plan, relevant ordinance and statutory provisions, pertinent constitutional
principles and factual information contained in the record, should be part of
the motion to approve or deny or should be developed with staff/consultant
assistance for action at a subsequent meeting.
Section 4. Standards for Written Submittals:
Written testimony and exhibits from the public to be presented for the record
shall comply with the following standards:
a. Written submittals other than petitions or illustrations must be submitted at
least seven (7) calendar days prior to the date of the public hearing.
b. Written submittals shall include the signature and address of the submitter.
c. Written submittals shall address the issue at hand. Portions of written
submittals that raise irrelevant issues or include improper information may be
excluded from consideration in whole or in part.
d. Written testimony shall not be personally derogatory.
e. Documents may be submitted at the public hearing only with the approval of
the presiding officer and only if their introduction will not inject unfair
surprise into the process. The presiding officer may require duplication of any
acceptable documents or continuation of any hearing if necessary to provide an
opportunity for response from hearing participants.
f. If documentation submitted at a hearing fails to comply with the
aforementioned standards, the presiding officer may decline to admit them for
consideration during the hearing.
Section 5. Documentary Exhibits:
All exhibits, photographs, diagrams, maps, evidence and other documentary
material presented during a public hearing shall be identified and entered into
the record. Exhibits from an applicant must be submitted with the application
and shall be marked for identification prior to the hearing. Original exhibits
may be released to the presenting party if requested in writing, and if
photocopies or photos of the originals are provided to be maintained in the
record.
Section 6. Reopening the Record:
Prior to issuing a written decision, the decision makers may, for good cause
shown, reopen the record for the purpose of receiving additional evidence. An
interested party may seek to reopen the record by filing a motion to reopen the
proceedings at any time prior to the decision makers’ final decision. The motion
must contain information therein to demonstrate good cause, and the requesting
party must pay any costs which will be incurred by the County to comply with
applicable law. The decision makers shall decide an
applicant/appellant/interested party’s motion to reopen the record at or before
the next regularly scheduled meeting of the decision makers. The decision makers
may reopen the record for good cause on its own motion. If the decision makers
determine to reopen the record, they shall thereafter comply with applicable
law, if any, governing notice and hearings.
Section 7. Records Maintained:
The Hearing Clerk shall maintain records of all public meetings in the following
manner:
a. Transcribable verbatim recordings of the public hearing(s) and deliberation
proceedings shall be maintained in conformance with Idaho Code.
b. Originals of written submittals to the hearing record and copies of
applications shall be maintained in conformance with Idaho Code.
c. Minutes which catalog the occurrences at the public hearing shall be
maintained as required by applicable sections of the Idaho Code.
Section 8. That this resolution shall be in full force and effect from the date
of its adoption.
Adopted by the Board of Elmore County Commissioners this 29th day of September
2008.
/S/ Chairman Arlie Shaw
/S/ Commissioner Connie Cruser
/S/ Commissioner Larry Rose
ATTEST: /S/ Marsa Grimmett, Elmore County Clerk
An agreement for consultant fees for the proposed Nuclear Power Plant was
discussed. Growth and Development Director Bonnie Sharp appeared before the
Board to discuss the issue. Prosecutor Schindele will research the issue. The
Planner position was briefly discussed. The Professional Services Agreement with
Jerry Mason was discussed. Prosecutor Schindele will check with Civil Attorney
Richard Roats regarding the Professional Agreement.
The Ramco Design, LLC Findings of Facts, Conclusions of Law was discussed.
Prosecutor Schindele stated the minutes from the Planning and Zoning
Commission’s public hearing were not included in the file. The official owner of
the property was discussed. Chairman Shaw stated we need to know who the owner
is of the property and get clarification on the discussions between Ramco
Design, LLC and Idaho Waste Systems, Inc. Ms. Sharp stated she would phone Ramco
Design LLC. Chairman Shaw stated perhaps Attorney Phil Miller needs to review
the files on all issues before Growth and Development submits them to the
Commissioners. A public hearing will be re-opened on the Ramco Design, LLC
rezone request on two parcels.
Sheriff Layher returned to the meeting to discuss the Pine/Featherville
substation. A building in Pine owned by Allen Kiester was discussed. Several
options were reviewed.
Motion by Shaw, second by Cruser, to go into Executive Session pursuant to I.C.
67-2345(b). Roll call vote was taken.
ROSE - AYE
SHAW - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Regular session resumed. No action was taken as result of Executive Session.
The Pine/Featherville Substation was briefly discussed along with the volunteer
ambulance service in that area.
Motion by Shaw, second by Cruser, to adjourn.
ROSE - AYE
SHAW - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
/S/ ARLIE SHAW, Chairman
ATTEST: /S/ MARSA GRIMMETT, Clerk