County Commission Meeting Minutes

May 22, 2000

 

         Present for the meeting were Commissioners Neal Christiansen, Glenn Davis and Frank Mackert. Clerk Mickie Funke was also present to take minutes. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.

 

Elected Officials: Meeting with the commissioners in the monthly scheduled meeting was Assessor Ivel Burrell, Treasurer Patricia McCoy, Clerk Mickie Funke, and Attorney Penny Stanford. County Business was discussed. Representatives from Fremont Telecom, Fretel Communications, LLC, met to give proposals on telephone calling cards and long distance charges.

 

Salem Road and Bridge Project: Dick Dyer project engineer for the Salem, Road and Bridge Project and Weldon Reynolds, County Road Supervisor reported on the project; wetland mitigation, biological assessment and right of way.

A site on the Jerry Carter property in an abandoned gravel pit will be considered to be replacement for the Salem wetland mitigation; the Carter land is in a conservation easement. An agreement between Carter and the county will need to be processed; the water will need to be available all year on irrigation water supplied to the area of 3 ½ acres of which at least one acre will be wetland. Surveying the property and the plan on the proposed wetland will be completed. An alternative site is the Black Springs area; wetlands will be “banked” if created for other projects if not needed for the Salem project.

The biological assessment for the fish- cut throat trout and the plant – Lady Ute Tress can be combined but a separate assessment will be needed on the lynx. The right of way acquisition will begin after the biological assessment is completed.

 

Park and Recreation: Park and Recreation Chairman Tamra Cikaitoga discussed complaints from residents with property on the Henrys Lake outlet concerned about the wake and traffic from boats and watercraft. Buoys will be made available for them.

Cikaitoga reported on a meeting with the National Park Service on the proposed ban on snowmobiles in Yellowstone National Park. A 66% reduction is being discussed. Cikaitoga said that there would be requests in the budget worksheets for FY 2001 to reimburse Road and Bridge or contract plowing of winter parking lots. A winter bridge is being considered across the Henrys Lake Outlet.

Canal water shares used at the Golf Course was discussed. Irrigation water needs to transfer from one company into the Cross-Cut Canal; this will be negotiated so the water is available. Water rights have been obtained with property acquisition.

 

Contracts: A pilot project on RS 2477 roads being located from mining claims in Fremont County has been contracted with Department of Lands and Jim Lyons.

 

Primary Election: The test deck for the primary election was run, the optical scan reading machine was found to be accurate. Commissioners will canvass after the election.

 

Social Services: Deputy Clerk Debbie Adams, Social Services Director, met with the commissioners in closed session to review medical claims. Commissioner Frank Mackert made a motion to approve medical claim #2000-169 for $18,473.99 before negotiation, if the claim is over $10,000 the balance will be submitted to the state as a catastrophic claim; to approve medical claim #2000-192 for routine doctors care and ongoing medication for three months for $200-300 per month, both claims had reimbursement agreements that had been signed. Commissioner Glenn Davis seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken with all commissioners voting in favor. Other business was one order of reimbursement; one lien and one release of lien were signed.

 

Property Assessment: Gary Bidwell raised questions on land values. Assessor Ivel Burrell and appraisers Jeremy Dixon and Brett Hill were present and explained about categories, the valuation of land by market value and the homeowner’s exemption. Bidwell recently purchased property and wanted to know about the valuation compared to the other acreage adjoining him. They are categorized as rural resident home sites. Categories may be reclassified is done before January first.

 

E 911 and Rural Addressing: Karen Lords said that the law enforcement reserve officers would be able to help with rural addressing if they could have the funding. Joe Manley will organize volunteers to go into the county to do maintenance and install signs as needed. A contract or joint powers agreement will be needed. The planning and building department assigns rural addresses.

Deputy Kurt Hillman discussed the need to update the map with the rural addresses. Bonnie More and Janet Craven reported on a class they had been to and discussed standardized addressing. Enforcement of having addresses posted and a standards committee was suggested. Representatives from agencies and county departments could be used to help form the committee, which would help direct Janet Craven with questions and changes. Education of the public will be needed.

Street names are a problem and have been duplicated, especially in the sub divisions. Assessor Ivel Burrell said that the addressing needs to be entered into the AS 400 for all departments and links to the GIS system. Craven said that addresses have been changed if needed. Developers will need to be informed. Utility companies will be able to help. A motion was made by Commissioner Glenn Davis to work with the reserve officers to do rural addressing, and to form a standards committee Commissioner Frank Mackert seconded the motion, and a voice vote was taken with all commissioners voting in favor of the motion.

 

Emergency Medical Services: Emergency Medical Services director, Mary Lou Davis, gave a report to the commissioners. Building needs in Island Park were discussed; locations are being sought. A building that will combine services will be considered. Commissioner Glenn Davis made a motion to go into executive session to discuss personnel issues. Commissioner Frank Mackert seconded the motion; a voice vote was taken with all commissioners voting in favor. After the closed session, the commissioners then went back into regular session.

 

Department Reports: Written reports were submitted from the Road and Bridge Department and Sewer Systems.

 

Island Park Impact Area: The new mayor of the city of Island Park, Laurie Augustin, introduced herself and pledged a good relationship between the county and the city. Augustin, Joel Galbraith and the City Attorney presented a proposed impact area for the City of Island Park. A map was presented outlining the boundary of the impact area using section lines so land parcels are kept intact. The major resorts are included. Karen Lords, Planning and Zoning Administrator pointed out that the city is divided in jurisdiction because of state and federal land within the city boundary. The city will check with the Forest Service. The Idaho Code sections on annexing contiguous property into the city will be reviewed by County Attorney Penny Stanford.

 

Property Taxes: Angie Rowbury met with the commissioners on delinquent property taxes. She requested the commissioners excuse or reduce penalty and interest on the taxes. The assessor found a slight error for the tax year 1999 only and a cancellation of $48.96 will be given on RP T0200006001B. Commissioners directed Rowbury to make payments on the balance.

 

Dare Program: Richard Law, City Councilman for the City of St. Anthony, and Guidance Counselor for the school district met on the Dare School Project. The city has funded the Dare Program for the school and budget assistance has been given from the school district and the county. Law is concerned that without the county’s support, the program will not be able to continue. He is requesting the county help fund the program. Beth Cannon, a classroom teacher was present to support the Dare Program for the lower grades. Commissioners said they would consider if funding is available.

 

         There being no further business to come before this Board, the meeting was recessed until the next regularly scheduled meeting to be held on June 12, 2000.

 

         Dated at St. Anthony, Idaho, this twenty-second day of May 2000.