12/10/07 Commissioners Meeting Minutes:

The Board of Bear Lake County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, December 10, 2007, beginning at 9:00 A.M. in the School District #33 Board Room in Paris, Idaho. Members present were Vaughn N. Rasmussen, Chairman, Dwight L. Cochran, Montain D. Kunz and Kerry Haddock, Clerk of the Board.

Ardee Helm, Prosecuting Attorney, Rodney Wallentine, Treasurer, Brent Bunn, Sheriff, Lynn Lewis, Assessor, Greg Skinner, Road and Bridge Supervisor, Rosa Moosman, Editor of the News Examiner, Rex Skinner, Bill Stock, Griffith Lloyd, Conrad Michaelson, Roy Bunderson and Richard Armatage also attended the meeting.

MINUTES APPROVED
After reviewing the minutes of the November meeting Commissioner Kunz made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cochran to approve the minutes of the November 13, 2007 regular meeting minutes. Motion was unanimous.

HOSPITAL LEVY - ROD JACOBSON
Rod Jacobson, Hospital Administrator, met with the Board to inform them that the Hospital Board had voted to return the money raised by property tax levy this year for the Hospital to the County. These funds will be used for other health related purposes this year. No money will be levied for the Hospital next year. The Commissioners thanked the Hospital Board for their help in addressing the County deficit situation.

ELECTED OFFICIALS MEETING
Sheriff Brent Bunn presented his monthly report. He reported that Bud Holjeson had been hired as a new Deputy and would start at the first of the year. He updated the Commissioners on the progress of relocating the dispatch center to Paris. He is waiting for a new radio tower before the move can be completed. Prosecuting Attorney Ardee Helm reported that he had moved into an upstairs office in the Courthouse while the new office in the basement was being completed. He had made Karla Eborn a full-time employee as Marcia Singleton had retired. Assessor Lynn Lewis reported on progress with the new assessment and tax program. He informed the Commissioners that he had hired Steve Gambling to work in the Assessors' Office. It will take about a year to become certified. He can work under a certified appraiser in the meantime.

JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER
Clerk Haddock reported on a meeting he had attended with the District VI Juvenile Detention Board. The Board oversees the activity of the District Juvenile Detention Center in Pocatello of which Bear Lake County owns 6%. The Board is considering an expansion plan that would cost $1,710,000, of which Bear Lake's share would be $102,600. They are also considering changes in the billing method and bed allocation. Bear Lake could reduce its share of the expansion and operation cost by selling part of its ownership to Power County and reducing their bed allocation. We have used only about ½ of our bed allocation in the past several years.

Tricia Codding, Al Harrison, Worthy Beck, Weston Parker, Merlin Parker, Johnny Sutton and Richard Morris joined the meeting in progress.

ROAD AND BRIDGE/SOLID WASTE ISSUES
Greg Skinner, Road and Bridge Supervisor, reported that the Road Department had been busy doing equipment maintenance while waiting for snow. He had visited the Caribou County landfill and looked at their scale. He hoped to be ready to bid a scale for our landfill soon. Commissioner Rasmussen reported that landfill issues were being discussed regionally and he hoped to have a meeting with three of our neighboring Counties in February to discuss landfill fees consistency and the possibility of a regional landfill. There was a short discussion of the effect of the new recycling company in the County. Richard Armatage discussed a plan for Bear Lake West residents to segregate garbage for recycling.

DISTRICT HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Tricia Codding from the Southeastern District Health Department presented the 2007 annual report for the Department. She discussed the 10 essential public health services that the Health Department provides and gave details of activity during 2007.

MILL CANYON PARKING LOT
The Commissioners discussed the snowmobile parking situation at Mill Canyon. The land owner of a parking lot that had been in use for many years had asked the County to purchase the land or pay 10 years back rent for the use of the property. Attorney Ardee Helm will contact Mr. Covert's attorney. Several neighboring land owners expressed a desire to work with the County to insure adequate parking in the area. This possibility will be explored.

PLANNING AND ZONING RECOMMENDATION
Judy George and Mitch Poulsen met with the Commissioners to report that the Planning and Zoning Board was recommending to the Commissioners that they adopt the International Building Code and hire a Building Inspector to enforce the code. Results of the Whisper Mountain survey, communications from the development permit administrator and information from home buyers and lending institutions led to the recommendation. There were concerns expressed with enforcement of the Code. Commissioner Rasmussen stated that public hearings and involvement of the public would be essential to implementation.

BIKE PATH UPDATE AND RESULOLUTION
Mitch Poulsen updated the Commissioners regarding the bike path along the Lake. He is preparing to apply for grants for Phase II of the path. Rosa Moosman from the Scenic Byway Committee stated that the Committee is interested in promoting the bike path and would help in applying for grants. The Idaho Transportation Department had requested a Resolution from the Commissioners naming a person to administer the Bike Path Agreement. Commissioner Kunz made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cochran to adopt Resolution 2008-2 naming Mr. Poulsen the liaison for the county for the Bike Path Agreement. Motion was unanimous. The Commissioners also agreed to sign a letter to ITD in support of Phase II of the project.

RESOLUTION #2008-02

RESOLUTION NAMING A REPRESENTATIVE TO ACT FOR BEAR LAKE COUNTY IN REGARDS TO A BIKE PATH AGREEMENT WITH THE IDAHO TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT

WHEREAS, Bear Lake County and the Idaho Transportation Department have entered into an agreement to construct a Pedestrian/Bike Path; and

WHEREAS, The Idaho Transportation Department desires a point of contract to administer the Contract;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That Mitch Poulsen will act a liaison for Bear Lake County for the purpose of administrating the Bike Path Agreement.

PASSED AND APPROVED this 10th day of December, 2007

BEAR LAKE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

/s/ Vaughn N. Rasmussen_________________
VAUGHN N. RASMUSSEN, Chairman

/s/ Dwight L. Cochran____________________
DWIGHT L. COCHRAN

/s/ Montain D. Kunz_____________________
MONTAIN D. KUNZ

ATTEST:_____________________________
KERRY HADDOCK, Clerk

STAUFFER CANYON ROAD
Blaine Rupp, Jack Evans and Richard Clark met with the Commissioners to request regular maintenance of the Stauffer Canyon Road. The road is an unimproved road, but is usually bladed once per year. The residents stated that traffic is increasing in the area and more maintenance is needed. They also stated that they needed more or bigger garbage bins to service the area. They felt that they were not getting services in relation to the amount of taxes they were paying. The Commissioners will look into the situation.

BOARD OF COMMUNITY GURDIANSHIP
Donna Anderson, Rod Jacobson, Dr. Clark and others met with the Commissioners regarding the need for a Board of Community Guardianship in Bear Lake County. The Idaho Code has statutes that address the formation of a volunteer Board of Guardians for people who are unable to handle their financial affairs. Mrs. Anderson stated that there was an increasing number of people needing this service. The Commissioners agreed to set up the Board. Rod Jacobson agreed to seek potential members for the Board.

CITY OF MONTPELIER ROAD MAINTENANCE
Montpelier Mayor Reed Peterson asked the Commissioners for help hauling gravel for the road to the Shaul Subdivision. The City had some gravel they could trade with the County for the help. The Commissioners agreed to work out a trade.

GEM PLAN
Jim Guthrie from the Gem Plan, the health insurance plan that covers County Employees, met with the Commissioners to give a financial update and answer questions. The Gem Plan registered with the State Department of Insurance about 3 months ago. They were on track to be financially sound by July, 2009 as required by the registration. He stated that the Idaho Association of Counties had adopted the Gem Plan as the plan of choice for Idaho Counties. The Commissioners asked about scheduling an employee meeting with Plan representatives in the near future. Mr. Guthrie said he would be happy to schedule such a meeting.

COUNTY HOLIDAYS
Commissioner Kunz made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cochran to establish county employee Holidays for 2008.

BENNINGTON ROAD ACCESS
The Commissioners discussed a County road up Bennington Canyon that was still gated. It was suggested that the Sheriff do an incident report and a letter should be sent to the property owner asking him to remove the gate.

TRUCK SALE
Greg Skinner reported that the Snowmobile Department wanted to obtain a truck from the Road and Bridge Department. They had another piece of equipment they could trade or they were willing to pay a fair price for the Truck. After a short discussion Commissioner Cochran made a motion seconded by Commissioner Kunz to sell the truck to the Snowmobile Department if a price could be agreed upon. Motion was unanimous.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
Commissioner Kunz made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cochran to convene an Executive Session per Idaho Code 67-2345(1) to discuss medical indigent cases and a personnel issue. All Commissioners voted yes.

Following the Executive Session Commissioner Kunz made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cochran as follows for medical assistance claims:

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE CLAIMS
#2007-31 - Approved - Emergency; Medically indigent; medically necessary; obligated county; last resource; emergency need.

#2007-34 - Approved - Emergency; Medically indigent; medically necessary, obligated county; last resource; emergency need.

#2007-37 - Denied - Not medically indigent; not the last resource.

#2007-38 - Approved - Emergency; Medically indigent; medically necessary; obligated county; last resource; emergency need.

#2007-39 - Approved - Emergency; Medically indigent; medically necessary; obligated county; last resource; emergency need.

#2007-40 - Approved - Emergency; Medically indigent; medically necessary; obligated county; last resource; emergency need.

#2007-24 - Approved - Emergency; Medically indigent; medically necessary; obligated county; last resource.

ROAD AND BRIDGE / LANDFILL SEPARATION
The Commissioners decided to separate the supervision of the Solid Waste Department from the Road and Bridge Department. Todd Transtrum will assume supervision of the Solid Waste department January 1, 2008. Greg Skinner will continue to assist during a transition period.

BILLS APPROVED

REPORT GRAND TOTAL . . . . . 1,123,246.82 516
TOTAL VOID/CANCEL . . . . . 100.00 * * TOTAL VOIDED/CANCEL FOR THE PERIOD SELECTED * *
1,123,146.82

COMMISSIONER COCHRAN RESIGNATION
Commissioner Dwight Cochran announced his resignation from the Board of Commissioners effective after the February 11th meeting. He stated that he was moving to Logan, Utah. Commissioner Cochran has been on the Board since 1987. The remaining Commissioners thanked him for his many years of service to the County.

Meeting adjourned subject to recall by the Chairman or his order.

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12/10/07 Commissioners Meeting Notice:

9:00 A.M. ROD JACOBSON - Bear Lake Memorial Hospital - Mill Levy/ Tax Assessment

9:15 A.M. ELECTED OFFICIALS MEETING

9:30 A.M. Committee Assignment Reports

9:45 A.M. GREG SKINNER - Road & Bridge/Solid Waste Issues

10:00 A.M. TRICIA CODDING - 6th District Public Health

10:15 A.M. RICHARD MORRIS - Mill Canyon Road Access

10:30 A.M. MITCH POULSEN & JUDY GEORGE - Recommendation - Adoption of International Building Code

10:40 A.M. BIKE PATH RESOLUTION

10:45 A.M. BLAINE RUPP, JACK EVANS, RICHARD CLARK - Taxes

11:00 A.M. DONNA ANDERSON - Board of Guardians

11:15 A.M. CITY OF MONTPELIER - Road Maintenance

11:30 A.M. JIM GUTHRIE - GEM Plan

11:45 A.M.

12:00 P.M. GREG SKINNER - EXECUTIVE SESSION - Solid Waste Personnel Issues

LUNCH

1:00 P.M. STUART DAVIS - Idaho Association of Highway Districts

1:30 P.M. " "

1:45 P.M. " "

2:00 P.M. " "

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Road & Bridge/Solid Waste Issues

Mill Canyon Parking

Bennington Road Access

NEW BUSINESS
Approve November's Bills/Minutes

Road & Bridge/Solid Waste Issues

Executive Session - Personnel Issues & Medical Assistance Claims

2008 County Employee Holidays

Broadband Agreement

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