3/21/05 Commissioners Special Meeting Minutes:

The Board of Bear Lake County Commissioners met in special session on Monday, March 21, 2005, beginning at 9:00 A.M. in the Commissioners Room of the Courthouse Annex in Paris, Idaho. Members of the Board present: Dwight L. Cochran, Chairman of the Board, Vaughn Rasmussen and Kerry Haddock, Clerk of the Board.

Ardee Helm, Prosecutor, Joan Eborn, Bill Stock and Paul Underwood also attended the meeting.

The Commissioners approved an out of state conference for Ron Harper.

Commissioner Rassmussen motioned and Commissioner Cochran seconded to go into executive session to discuss pending litigation and indigent cases.

Following the executive session, Commissioners acted unanimously as follows on indigency cases:

2005-7 - To deny - County not the last resource - application incomplete.

2005-8 - To approve.

2005-9 - To deny - Application withdrawn.

2005-10 - To deny - County not last resource - No emergency existed.

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

_________________________________________________
DWIGHT L. COCHRAN, Chairman

ATTEST:______________________________________
KERRY HADDOCK, Clerk
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3/14/05 Commissioners Meeting Minutes:

The Board of Bear Lake County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, March 14, 2005, beginning at 9:00 A. M. in the Commissioners Room of the Courthouse Annex in Paris, Idaho. Members of the Board present, Dwight L. Cochran, Chairman of the Board, Conrad E. Michaelson, Vaughn Rasmussen and Kerry Haddock, Clerk of the Board.

Rodney Wallentine, Treasurer, Lynn Lewis, Assessor, Brent Bunn, Sheriff, Greg Skinner, Road & Bridge Supervisor, Rosa Moosman, Editor for the News-Examiner, Bill Stock and Sherry Brown also attended the meeting.

BEAR LAKE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Sherry Brown, representing the Bear Lake Historical Society presented potential new board members from Bern, Georgetown, Bennington and St. Charles, Bloomington areas. She stated that she wanted representation from around the county. The Commissioners agreed to contact the potential members to see if they were willing to serve. Sherry stated that Bill Parslow, whose term expired in January, had expressed a desire to remain on the board. Commissioner Michaelson made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Rasmussen to reappoint Bill for a 3-year term. Motion was unanimous.

Sherry presented several possible budgets which would allow the Rails and Trails Museum to be open for longer hours and open earlier in the year than previous years to accommodate student groups and be more in line with the Oregon Trail Center's hours. Commissioner Michealson made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Rasmussen to increase funding from $2,205, not to exceed $3,900. Motion was unanimous. Commissioner Michaelson made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Rasmussen to table the request to appoint new board members until the potential members could be contacted. Motion was unanimous.

Ardee Helm joined the Meeting

ELECTED OFFICIALS MEETING
Brent Bunn, Sheriff, presented a report detailing prisoner transports. He stated that Craig Bunn can't return to work until April. Sheriff Bunn expressed some concern regarding who could sign for grant money from Emergency Services. Commissioner Rasmussen felt that he could sign for the County if Max Eborn had decided to retire earlier than previously indicated. He will contact Max to see what can be worked out. Sheriff Bunn presented a budgetary letter from a company for deploying enhanced 911 in the county. The commission discussed the benefits vs. the cost. No action was taken. He presented his monthly activity report for February. Sheriff Bunn reported that there was an apparent gas theft from the county involving someone obtaining a Road and Bridge access number to Hansen Oil pumps. Greg Skinner joined the discussion. Greg suspects that this went on for about 1½ months before being discovered. The access numbers have been cancelled. There was discussion on the need for tighter controls and various methods that could be implemented.

TREASURER
Rodney Wallentine, Treasurer, informed the Commission that his pending issues were out on 20 parcels. He had 1 pay leaving 19 outstanding. He will present to the Commissioners in May and tax deed them in June. He suggested the formation of an Investment Committee comprised of himself, Clerk Haddock and one of the Commissioners to be aware of where the county's funds are invested at all times. The Commissioners were receptive to this idea. Treasurer Wallentine expressed concern with the integrity of his tax computer system. It is an older DOS based system still used by only a few counties. He has looked at one system and has up coming presentations from others along with the Assessor and Clerk. There was further discussion concerning the technology status in the county with a consensus that there was a need for upgrades.

ASSESSOR
Lynn Lewis, Assessor, expressed concern with the new land ordinance and how it effected the current building permit process. The assessor's office needs guidance and training to understand the new ordinance. Commissioner Michealson expressed that there were other concerns with the new land ordinance and he would be working with Planning and Zoning and report back to the Commission at April's meeting.

Mike Kunz and Rod Jacobson joined the meeting

COUNTY INSURANCE AND DONATIONS CONCERN
Mike Kunz recently attended an ICRMP meeting and expressed concern with the limits of coverage of the County's liability insurance. He indicated that the County's liability insurance would not extend to the Hospital and some other entities that were previously thought to be covered under the County's liability umbrella. He also questioned whether the County could legally provide funds to entities such as the Oregon Trail Center, Chamber of Commerce, and the hill climb. Commissioners felt that they needed to seek clarification from ICRMP on both these matters.

Suzanne Johnson, Jim Betty and Mitch Poulsen joined the meeting

EMERGENCY COURT HOUSE CLOSURE
Suzanne Johnson, 6th Judicial District Trial Court Administrator, presented a draft of an administrative order for the 6th Judicial District formalizing procedures for closing the courts and clerk's office in case of an emergency. The Sheriff has the authority and responsibility to make the decision to close the Clerk's office and the Courts. The Clerk notifies the Administrative Judge and the Supreme Court. Commissioner Rasmussen made a motion and Commissioner Michaelson seconded to support the draft. Motion was unanimous. She also presented a model of a Court Facility Emergency Response Plan that she suggested the county adopt.

Roy Bunderson joined the meeting.

WATER STORAGE
Mitch Poulsen presented a Memorandum of Understanding regarding water storage on the Bear River above Bear Lake, which had been signed by all the Commissioners from Rich County, Uinta County and Lincoln County, and 2 of the Commissioners from Bear Lake County and delivered to the Washington delegations of Idaho, Utah and Wyoming. Roy Bunderson asked if the Memorandum supported specific sites for a dam. Commissioner Michaelson stated that the Memorandum did support the efforts of the Cokeville Conservancy District to build a dam on the Smith Fork. Mr. Bunderson questioned whether the Memorandum should have supported a specific dam site. Commissioners Rasmussen and Michaelson also questioned the supporting of a specific site. Commissioner Rasmussen had not signed the Memorandum as he felt it should have been addressed in a public meeting prior to signing. Mitch stated that there was some urgency in getting the Memorandum to Washington prior to the March Commissioners meeting. Mr. Bunderson expressed opposition to the portion of the Memorandum supporting specific sites, as he was aware of a number of people who were opposed to those sites. Commissioner Rasmussen felt that the Memorandum should only have supported up river storage in general rather than recommending specific sites. Mr. Bunderson felt that there should have been a public hearing. There was further discussion and agreement on the need to study water storage above Bear Lake. Commissioner Michaelson stated that the Commissioners as a group had been supportive of studying water storage above Bear Lake for years and it would be a little late to have a public hearing for that purpose. Commissioner Cochran said he had seen years of extreme flooding and was supportive of any effort to store water in this area. After further discussion the Commissioners decided they should support the Memorandum as it was written since it had been delivered to Washington. Commissioner Michaelson made a motion and Commissioner Cochran seconded the motion to support the Memorandum. Motion was unanimous.

JIM BETTY- WESTERN STATES EQUIPMENT
Greg Skinner introduced Jim Betty of Western States Equipment. Stated that we had a piece of equipment that needed major repairs and wanted Jim to explain how a Government lease might benefit the county. Jim presented a history of repair costs done by Western States on the 5 graders that the County owns. Purchases normally have a 5-year warranty. All of the graders owned by the county are now out of warranty. Jim stated that leasing made sense if a grader was used 3,000 to 5,000 hours over the 5-year lease period and suggested that if the county did lease a grader, they should try to utilize the leased grader to maximize hours on that grader rather than the ones we own. Greg stated that some of the graders the county owns are getting very old and he would like to consider leasing one or two graders. On a government lease the county is responsible for oil changes and lubrication. Any other repairs or maintenance would be done by Western States. Roy Bunderson asked Jim to explain the difference between the warranty on a purchased piece of equipment vs. a leased piece and what the APR was on recent leases. Jim stated that the recent APR was about 3.7%. The warranty was the same on leased vs. purchased equipment. The advantage to leasing was the equipment could be turned back to the company at the end of the 5 years. There was a general discussion on the need for good maintenance records of equipment and thorough cost studies before making buy vs. lease decisions.

VETERANS
Ed Lyon, new Veterans Service Officer reported his activities to the Commissioners. State officer, Debbie Harmon, was visiting on Wednesday. He stated that he needed a computer with internet access. The Commissioners were going to check with SEICOG who they thought had some used computers that would work.

ADDITIONAL SICK LEAVE REQUEST
Craig Bunn met with the Commission to request additional sick leave. He is recovering from surgery and has exhausted all sick leave and vacation. The doctor does not want to release him until April 1, 2005. Commissioner Michaelson motioned and Commissioner Rasmussen seconded to grant him two additional weeks of sick leave. Motion was unanimous.

PLANNING & ZONING
Mitch Poulsen met with the Board and presented a list of names for possible appointment to the Planning & Zoning Board. After some discussion regarding the number of current members and the optimal size of the board it was decided that 3 new board members would be added bringing the total number to 9. This would allow the Board to have 3 members from Municipalities in the County. Commissioner Michaelson motioned and Commissioner Rasmussen seconded to appoint Bill Stock, Rex Skinner and Doug Taylor to the Planning & Zoning Board. Motion was unanimous.

EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
Roy Bunderson stated he could not find the statutes authorizing an executive session to handle indigency cases. After some discussion Commissioner Rasmussen agreed to research this.

Meeting recessed for lunch reconvening at 1:30 p.m. to continue with county business as follows:

Todd Transtrum joined the meeting.

PREVIOUS MINUTES APPROVED
Commissioner Michaelson made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Rasmussen to approve the minutes for the February 14th 2005 meeting with one wording change. Motion was unanimous.

SOLID WASTE
Commissioner Michaelson and Greg Skinner met with Dee Johnson at the landfill. The Commissioners felt that the quote on drilling a well to replace the monitoring well that wasn't working was quite high. It was decided to get additional quotes.

AIRPORT
Olean Parker met with the Board to express concerns about the Airport. The January meeting of the Airport Board didn't have a quorum and there was no meeting in February. He was concerned that no one from the County attended the Idaho State Aviation Festival. He suggested tearing down the twin hangers and replacing them with one larger hanger that would accommodate a corporate jet. He was concerned that the airport was closed for a few days due to heavy snows. Greg Skinner explained that he had some equipment breakdowns during the big snowstorm and they got to the airport as soon as they could. He suggested that when the fuel tanks are moved in conjunction with the runway expansion it would be a good time to install a self-serve pump. He also asked if the current consulting firm, Toothman-Orton had a master plan for the airport.

Bruce Hillman and Shane Passey joined the meeting.

FAIR GROUND STARTING GATES
Bruce Hillman and Shane Passey wanted to acquire the old starting gates at the fairgrounds. Commissioner Michaelson made a motion and Commissioner Rasmussen seconded to let them remove the old gates if they would clean and level the area. Motion was unanimous.

WEED DEPARTMENT
Todd Transtrum, Weed Supervisor, met with the Board to talk about a rural addressing system in the County that he had agreed to help Road Bridge with. Last effort was in 1986. He defined the need to develop a computerized system in conjunction with emergency services and Assessor's mapping program. Commissioner Michaelson expressed that there had been several discussions about road conditions and setbacks, which also need to be a part of this system.

BERN SCHOOL
Commissioners decided to postpone decisions on demolishing the Bern School until the snow melts and they can do a better inspection.

ROAD & BRIDGE
Greg Skinner asked the Commissioners if the County could help employees required to wear safety glasses to get prescription safety glasses. Commissioner Cochran thought that the County might be obligated to do so. Commissioner Michaelson suggested checking with the State and expressed his support for safety and proper safety equipment. Commissioner Rasmussen will find out what the state does in supplying safety equipment to their employees. Greg stated that there was a substantial increase in the price of dust suppressant. He will investigate other sources and the possibility of working with Caribou and Franklin Counties. Greg expressed the need for additional manpower for spring road repairs. He would like to rehire an employee from last summers' crew as he was trained and had done a good job last year. He discussed some of the particular roads that need work. He stated that he was looking for a program to better schedule maintenance on roads throughout the County. It was suggested that we could create our own database and work on creating something internally. Greg and Commissioner Rasmussen will work on this. Greg showed the Commissioners revised maps of all of the County roads that are maintained by the County.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR
There was some discussion and confusion as to whether the ad for an Emergency Management Coordinator had appeared in the paper. There were also some applications for this position from full-time county employees. The question was brought up as to whether the County could hire a full-time County employee to do another part-time job within the county. After some discussion about this it was decided to seek some clarification before acting. It was also decided to re-advertise the Emergency Management position.

GARBAGE ISSUES
Greg Skinner brought up the issue of garbage containers in areas with heavy construction. Small dumpsters fill up too fast and large ones fill with snow and ice. Need to look into a larger container with a lid.

OBSOLETE PROPERTY
County is accumulating a lot of obsolete equipment. Greg Skinner will put together a list to be auctioned. Unsold items will be scrapped.

CEMETERIES
Commissioner Rasmussen was approached by a group wanting to take over what is now a Church owned cemetery in Nounan. He had found something in the statutes that would allow them to do this without creating a cemetery district. This led to a discussion of other private cemeteries in the county.

COUNTY BOARDS
Commissioner Rasmussen suggested that the County Commissioners need to review all the County Boards and asked that this be put on the Agenda for next meeting.

AIRPORT PERMIT PROCESSING FEE
Commissioner Michaelson made a motion and Commissioner Rasmussen seconded to pay $100.00 for an Airport application fee on hanger area expansion. Motion was unanimous.

WARRANT CANCELLED
At Clerk Haddock's request, the Commissioners acted unanimously to cancel Current Expense Warrant #50049 in the amount of $50.50 paid to an internet provider whose contract had been cancelled.

FUNDS TRANSFERRED
At Clerk Haddock's request the Commissioners acted unanimously to transfer $3,199.50 from the Range fund to the Current Expense fund to cover range bills that had been paid out of the current expense fund.

4-H CONFERENCE
Commissioners acted unanimously to donate $250 toward a student attending a national 4-H conference in Washington D. C. this summer.

COMMISSIONER COMMITTEE UPDATES
Commissioner Michaelson reported on a regional Economic Development meeting in Malad.

Commissioner Rasmussen went to a Juvenile detention Committee meeting in Pocatello. The County owns 1½ beds in the Pocatello facility. They toured the facility while there. Commissioners Michaelson and Rasmussen attended the recent Hospital Board Meeting. Commission Rasmussen went to an Environmental Control Committee presentation regarding relicensing of the Bear River below Bear Lake. He would like to have them come and make this presentation to the Commissioners at their next meeting.

COURTHOUSE
Commissioner Michaelson stated that we still need to look at upgrading the Courthouse and should coordinate our effort with the city of Montpelier's effort to update their Courthouse.

BUDGET ISSUES
Commissioner Rasmussen discussed budget issues stating that input to the budgeting process should start in April when the budgeting process begins.

INDIGENTS
Clerk Haddock suggested that a short special executive session to go over indigent issues would be appropriate due to the number of cases. He thanked past Clerk Joan Eborn for her willingness to help resolve outstanding cases.

PENDING COURT CASES
Commissioner Michaelson suggested that the special session also be used to discuss two pending court cases involving the County with the County Attorney.

CLAIMS ALLOWED PAID
The Commissioners reviewed and approved claims submitted authorizing Clerk Haddock to make payment as follows:

CURRENT EXPENSE 50454-50525 $22,530.23, JR COLLEGE 50004 $4,700.00, CURRENT EXPENSE 50526-50527 7.50, 911 50013-50014 229.18,
ROAD & BRIDGE 50147-50167 38,609.74 , REVALUATION 50045-50050 9,218.43, AMBULANCE 50061-50070 13,192.30, SOLID WASTE 50088-50098 8,242.62, DISTRICT COURT 50101-50116 5,917.99, WEED CONTROL 50056-50061 626.31, FAIR 50021 7.68, SPECIAL BRIDGE 50003 350.38, JUVENILE JUSTICE 50063-50066 297.34, SNOWMOBILE 50058-50074 34,127.63, DISTRICT HEALTH 50020-50024 11,375.86, WATERWAYS 50023-50027 5,172.05, CHARITY 50018-50021 1,834.38, AIRPORT 50039-50045 827.78,

PAYROLL
CURRENT EXPENSE 383-424 $58,391.25, JUVENILE JUSTICE 445-447 $ 3,326.78, ROAD & BRIDGE 425-437 29,016.88, REVALUATION 448-449 3,973.20, AMBULANCE 438 662.05, SOLID WASTE 450-454 10,840.70, DISTRICT COURT 439-442 5,743.44, WEED CONTROL 455 2,305.22, FAIR 443-444 4,371.24, SNOWMOBILE 456-458 3,362.92,

INSURANCE AND WITHHOLDINGS
CURRENT EXPENSE 50528-50536 $52,096.67, JUVENILE JUSTICE 50067-50072 $2,299.22, ROAD & BRIDGE 50168-50175 25,452.10, REVALUATION 50051-50056 5,977.02, AMBULANCE 50071-50072 155.46, SOLID WASTE 50099-50106 7,103.65, DISTRICT COURT 50117-50124 5,959.73, WEED CONTROL 50062-50066 1,987.67, FAIR 50022 724.20 SNOWMOBILE 50075-50077 1,332.62.

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

/s/ Dwight L. Cochran___________________________
DWIGHT L. COCHRAN, Chairman
ATTEST: /s/ Kerry Haddock____________________
KERRY HADDOCK, Clerk

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3/21/05 Special Meeting Public Notice:

Pursuant to Idaho code 67-2343, Section 2, the Board of Bear Lake County commissioners will convene on Monday, March 21, 2005 in the commissioners room of the courthouse annex in Paris, Idaho at 9:00 AM.

Commissioner Agenda:

9:00 AM - City Conference for Ro Harper

9:10 AM - Executive Session to consider indigent cases as authorized in Idaho Code 67-2345, Section1, Paragraph (d); and to consider and advise legal representatives in pending litigation as authorized in Idaho Code 67-2345, Section 1, Paragraph (f).

A short open meeting will resume following the executive session to make any final decisions.

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3/14/05 Commissioners Agenda Notice:

9:00 A.M. SHERRY BROWN - Historical Society Money & Board Appointments

9:15 A.M. ELECTED OFFICIALS MEETING

9:30 A.M. BOARD OF EQUALIZATION

9:45 A.M. MIKE KUNZ - County Insurance

10:00 A.M. SUZANNE JOHNSON - Emergency Closure Procedures of Courthouse

10:15 A.M. AL HARRISON - Water Storage/Memorandum of Understanding

10:30 A.M. JIM BETTY - Western States - Lease Agreements

10:45 A.M. " "

11:00 A.M. ED LYON - Veterans Service Officer

11:15 A.M. ARDEE HELM - Brown vs. Bear Lake County

11:30 A.M. CRAIG BUNN - Additional Sick Leave Request

11:45 A.M. MITCH POULSEN, Planning and Zoning - New Board Members, Recommendation on Johnson Ranch Resort Development

LUNCH

1:30 P.M. OLEAN PARKER - Airport Concerns

1:45 P.M. BRUCE HILLMAN/SHANE PASSEY - Question of Purchasing Starting Gates at Fairground

2:00 P.M. TODD TRANSTRUM, Weed Dept. - Addressing

OLD BUSINESS
Approve Minutes of Previous Meetings

Road & Bridge/Solid Waste/Garbage Issues

Review Emergency Management Coordinator Applications

Bern School

Review Emergency Management Coordinator Applications

NEW BUSINESS
Road & Bridge/Solid Waste/Garbage Issues

Road & Bridge Prescription Safety Glasses

Cancel Taxes

Airport Permit Processing Fee - $100.00 per Danny McClendon

Cancel Check - Juvenile Justice Fund - #50049

Risk Manager Clarification

Budget Issues

Nounan Cemetery

Commissioner Committee Updates

Planning and Zoning Issues

ECC Presentation Update

Medically Indigent Applications - Executive Session

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