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 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING MINUTES & PUBLIC NOTICES


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3/18/09 Public Meeting Notice:

The County Commissioners of Bear Lake, Caribou, Franklin and Oneida Counties will meet at 10:00 A.M. at the Oneida County Road and Bridge Building located at 560 South Main in Malad, Idaho on Wednesday March 18, 2009.

AGENDA ITEMS

Solid Waste Incineration - Rick Fawcett

Other Solid Waste Issues

Planning and Zoning Issues - Commission members, lot sizes,
Other.

Stimulus Money

Road Issues

Sharing Fines from tickets on the Interstate

Range Management
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3/9/09 Commissioners Meeting Minutes

The Board of Bear Lake County Commissioners met in regular session on March 9, 2009, beginning at 9:00 A.M. in the School District #33 Board Room in Paris, Idaho. Members present were Vaughn N. Rasmussen, Chairman, Montain D. Kunz, DeMar Romrell, and Colleen Freeman, Deputy Clerk of the Board. Kerry Haddock, Clerk was out of the valley on vacation.

Roger Jones, Prosecuting Attorney, Rosa Moosman, Editor for the News-Examiner, Greg Skinner, Road & Bridge Supervisor, Todd Transtrum, Weed and Solid Waste Supervisor, Brent Bunn, Sheriff, Rodney Wallentine, Treasurer, Mitch Poulsen, Planning and Zoning, Bill Stock, Roy Bunderson, Reed Peterson, and Cliff Walters also attended the meeting.

AGENDA
Additional items added to the agenda were: Eastern Idaho State Fair Budget hearing report, Forest Service - Funding for road work, Executive Session - Personnel Issue, New Business - Planning and Zoning - New member. Commissioner Romrell made a motion seconded by Commissioner Kunz to accept the agenda with the additions. Motion carried.

MINUTES APPROVED
Commissioner Kunz made a motion seconded by Commissioner Romrell to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held February 9, 2009. Motion carried.

TAX CANCELLATION
Treasurer Wallentine presented the Commissioner with a court ordered tax cancellation for the year 2006 for their review and signature.

Commissioner Romrell made a motion seconded by Commissioner Kunz to approve a court ordered tax cancellation that was sealed by the Judge. Motion unanimously carried.

ELECTED OFFICIALS MEETING
Sheriff Bunn presented his report for the month of February. Reported on a particular prisoner back from State custody for resentencing who is demanding much medical attention. His department is receiving new reflective graphics for the patrol vehicles for safety improvements. A possible funding source is available for the purchase of a new drug dog. Discussed the Federal Stimulus Package - 100% payroll funding for 3 years for extra Police Officers, but questions the coverage of benefits, vehicles, equipment, etc. and will request this for next years budget. Sheriff Bunn noted that the Sheriff's in the 7 Southeast Idaho Counties are signing a Memorandum of Understanding regarding a Regional Drug Task Force and Bear Lake County will participate as well.

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Commissioner Romrell discussed that the Soil Conservation Service is requesting their normal letter of intent for funding for the next fiscal year. He noted that they are able to receive $1,500 a year from the State for funding if he attends the meetings.

The Soil Conservation Department is having to do budget cuts, which affects Chris Banks from the local office. Commissioner Romrell noted that the there will be an open auction on 890 acres up Georgetown Canyon being sold by the Mortgage Company.

Commissioner Romrell attended the Rural Idaho Outreach Partnership meeting and said that we need to be supportive of the Committee.

He also attended the Eastern Idaho State Fair District budget hearing on February 27th in Blackfoot. Fair has been scheduled for September 5-8, 2009.

Commissioner Kunz reported on the RC&D meeting he attended. Said there is money available for hazardous fuel control.

Chairman Rasmussen requested Commissioner Kunz attend in his place, as he will be out of the valley, a Bear Lake Regional Commission meeting on March 26th and 27th at Bear Lake West. Chairman Rasmussen serves as Chairman of the Bear Lake Regional Commission Board. The meeting will be on updates of the different organizations in the County.

Chairman Rasmussen attended the Bear Lake Memorial Hospital Board meeting and said that the Hospital had purchased the old Ambulance Garage.

Commissioners noted that they will be having their quarterly Four County Commissioners meeting on March 18th in Malad.

CENSUS BUREAU 2010
Dr. Sergio Romero discussed the upcoming 2010 census being worked on. Forms will be mailed to all county residents for important household information. This information will be beneficial to the county for bringing jobs into the community, funding of projects, school budgets and facilities, etc. If the Commissioners wish to support the census, a special meeting would need to be held by April 1st to adopt a Proclamation and to form a census committee.

Dr. Romero noted that there is only one Census Bureau Office in Idaho, located in Boise at the present time, but the Idaho Falls office will be opening in July and will represent this area.

AIRPORT CLOSEOUT GRANT FOR 2006
Commissioners reviewed and signed the final acceptance and close out of the 2006 Airport hanger improvement program construction project.

JUVENILE JUSTICE AGREEMENT
Commissioners approved and signed the Intent to use FY 2008 JABG Block Grant Funds and the Memorandum of Agreement to support the Community Incentive Program, the Re-entry Program and the Mental Health Program.

QUITCLAIM DEED
Commissioners signed the quitclaim deed deeding a strip of land from Bear Lake County to the Norma P. Nelson, Est. that was missed years ago.

ROAD & BRIDGE ISSUES
Greg Skinner, Road Supervisor gave an update on the road projects in the county. He discussed open and unimproved roads in the county.

ROAD & BRIDGE GRADER
Jim Betty and Dave Kolesky with Western States CAT Equipment Company presented information and options for the Road Department to upgrade a grader. They presented a 160M Motor Grader with Accugrade. After a brief discussion, the Commissioners asked Mr. Betty to put together a quote for a lease agreement for both the 140M and 160M for the Commissioners review.

LEGISLATIVE RETREAT
Jesse Taylor, gave an update for the upcoming Legislative Retreat to be held in Bear Lake County on June 26th and 27th. He budgeted between $18,000 and $20,000 and is well within that budget thus far he said. The retreat will allow legislators and others from both Utah and Idaho to meet each other and discuss interests for good in the Bear Lake Valley.

PLANNING AND ZONING
Mitch Poulsen, Planning and Zoning requested that the Commissioners help find a secretary for the Planning and Zoning Board. Not working out with a member of the board having to take minutes.

He also discussed the National Flood Insurance Program that County Residents would benefit from by being able to obtain flood insurance for their homes easier. The County would need an overlay of the Flood Plain areas in the County to be completed.

NACO DRUG PROGRAM
Commissioners reviewed the NACO Drug Program document, which allows County residents to obtain a prescription drug card through the County Clerk's Office to assist with discounted prescriptions. Both Bear Lake Drug and Modern Drug were previously notified of this program by Clerk Haddock and were willing to participate if the Commission approved the program. Commissioner Romrell made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Kunz to approve the NACO Drug Program contract based upon approval by the Prosecuting Attorney Roger Jones. Motion was unanimous.

PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD
Chairman Rasmussen noted that they will be placing an add in the News-Examiner for people in the community to submit "Letters of Interest" to the Clerk's Office for the Commission to make a decision on April 13th, the next Commissioners meeting, to fill a 3 year term vacancy on the Planning and Zoning Board.

ALL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
Rick Fawcett, Whisper Mountain and Alan Eborn, EMS director presented to the Commissioners a draft plan for All Hazard Mitigation in the County. Bear Lake County has a high risk for earthquakes and flash flooding. This Plan would enable residents in the County to apply for flood insurance even if they are outside of a flood plain. He suggested putting together a local mitigation workshop in the County. Rick stated that there are only 3 counties in Idaho that have never been mapped and that Bear Lake County is one of them. He gave the Commissioners the National Flood Insurance Program help list. Chairman Rasmussen asked Commissioner Romrell to contact Mary McGown, the State National Flood Insurance Program Coordinator and ask her to give a presentation to the Commissioners during April's meeting. Rick said that the County would need a Flood Plain Administrator and an ordinance would need to be adopted.

Commissioners agreed to attend a LEPC (Local Mitigation Workshop Meeting) on Wednesday, April 8th at 6:30 p.m., possibly held at the new Fire Station if completed by then. Notices will be sent to all City Mayors, Road & Bridge Supervisor, and other county entities as well.

GRANT APPLICATION FOR USDA
Rick Fawcett, Whisper Mountain presented a Rural Business Enterprise Grant, which provides for an economic study for business relocation into the Bear Lake Valley. The grant is for $25,000 with no matching funds from the County required. Commissioner Romrell made a motion seconded by Commissioner Kunz to sign and accept the Resolution and grant application for the USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant. Motion unanimously carried.

MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL PROPOSAL
Rick Fawcett presented a Municipal Solid Waste Disposal proposal option for Bear Lake, Franklin Oneida and Caribou Counties called BioGreen Energy, Inc. The goal of this project is to allow the counties to dispose of waste in a method that the cost of disposal is covered in large part by the byproducts of the gasification project. The end result would bring about three positive outcomes: elimination of landfills, reduce the cost for the disposal of solid waste and the creation of 25 living wage jobs in the area. Rick noted that he will be giving an in depth presentation next week at the 4 County Meeting in Malad.

ROAD CLASSIFICATION OVERLAY
Commissioners discussed the road classification overlay with Rick Fawcett. He said that it would cost approximately $5,000 to $10,000 to finish the County. There is currently $5,000 funding available in the budget. The last time that the County road classification was updated was in the year 2000.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN POWER EASEMENT
Scott Jessen, and Yuka Jenkins, with Rocky Mountain Power met with the Commissioners to discuss a revised underground right of way easement with Bear Lake County. This would tie in all of the surrounding States for the purpose of emergency communications. The underground line would be beneficial if the landfill were to expand. The cost of underground lines vs. overhead lines was discussed. Scott said he thought the approximate cost would be around $200,000, but would check to make sure which way would be the most economical for the county.

FAIR BOARD - TRACTOR PURCHASE/FENCING
Todd Matthews, Fair Board Chairman, Tyler Kunz, Board Member, and Sara Kunz, Ireland Bank met with the Commissioners to discuss the lease of a tractor and a watering system for taking care of the fairgrounds. Sara presented a 5 year lease agreement program for a piece of equipment with a $6,500 annual payment. The Commissioners said they were all in support of the lease agreement as long as the money is available in the Fair Boards Budget. The total cost for both pieces of equipment would be $28,000.

EXECUTIVE SESSION - PERSONNEL ISSUES/MEDICAL ASSISTANCE CLAIMS
Commissioner Romrell made a motion seconded by Commissioner Kunz to convene in an executive session per Idaho Code 67-2345(1)(a, b and d) to discuss medically indigent claims and personnel issues. All Commissioners voted yes.

Following the executive session, Commissioner Kunz made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Romrell to act on the following medically indigent claims:

#2008-05 and #2008-18 - Approved - Emergency Need; Medically Necessary; Medically Indigent; Obligated County; Last Resource.

#2008-16 - Final Denial - Provider - U of U withdrew appeal/application; Not Medically Indigent (Insurance coverage); Not Last Resource.

#2008-19 - Approved - Emergency Need; Medically Necessary; Medically Indigent; Obligated County; Last Resource.

#2008-25 - Approved September 2008 billings - Medically Indigent; Medically Necessary; Obligated County; Emergency Need; Last Resource.
Denied October 2008 thru current date - Medicaid approved.

#2009-01 - prior Approval - (ER and additional Request) on 2/17/09: Medically Indigent; Medically Necessary; Obligated County; Last Resource.

#2009-01 (Continued) - "Denial Upon Reconsideration" - Not Medically Indigent; Not Medically Necessary - decided not to have the surgery; Not Last Resource - Self pay on balance.

#2008-35 - "Final Denial" - Not Indigent; Not Last Resource; Not Necessary; Not an Emergency; No cooperation.

#2009-02 - Denied - Not Last Resource - Medicaid/SSD/SSI.

FOREST SERVICE
Dennis Deuhren and Randy Tate, US Forest Service told the Commissioners that they are receiving stimulus money for projects outside forest boundaries. As there would not be enough funds for all of the projects in the County that need to be done, they decided it would best if they put most of the funds towards the Minnetonka Cave Road this year as it is one of the highest traveled roads in the County. They would work with the Road & Bridge crew to help complete these projects. Other roads discussed included a portion of the Georgetown Canyon Road, the Montpelier Reservoir Road and the Emigration Campground Road.

Commissioner Romrell made a motion seconded by Commissioner Kunz to approve the project agreement with contingency upon availability of funds and legal review by Prosecuting Attorney Roger Jones. Motion was unanimous.

MONTPELIER CITY HOUSING COALITION
Montpelier Mayor Reed Peterson discussed the need for the support of the Montpelier Coalition as it has been very beneficial and fully organized. He also discussed the need for the Commissioners to work in organizing a county housing authority board.

PROPERTY TAXES
Mike Bird, resident requested taxes on his property be lowered. The Commissioners told Mr. Bird that there is a process he will need to follow as he has in the past.

LANDFILL
Bruce Olenick and Tom Mullican with DEQ presented a Preliminary Plan for Bear Lake County Solid Waste Disposal Program. They discussed short, mid and long term plans of the program and how all plans need to be flexible to accommodate changes in solid waste disposal needs. They noted that they are still working with Caribou County on a Regional Landfill. They would also like to see a water quality impact analysis be done for the County.

PUBLIC COMMENTS
Rosa Moosman, News-Examiner discussed County Road Standards, which the Commissioners noted that they were waiting on until next months meeting.

Roy Bunderson discussed the need for a Planning and Zoning Secretary, County road needs, equipment possibilities for the County and concern over the sealing of a record thru the courts of delinquent tax on a piece of property. Commissioners noted that the Judge has ordered it sealed.

BILLS APPROVED
Commissioner Kunz made a motion seconded by Commissioner Romrell to approve bills for February 2009. Commissioner Rasmussen abstained as bills from the company he works for were included.

REPORT GRAND TOTAL . . . . . 544,434.39 292 TOTAL VOID/CANCEL . . . . . * * TOTAL VOIDED/CANCEL FOR THE PERIOD SELECTED * * 544,434.39

Meeting adjourned subject to recall by the Chairman or his order.
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3/9/09 Commissioners Meeting Notice (to be held in the school administration office in Paris, Idaho):

9:00 A.M. ELECTED OFFICIALS MEETING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES

9:15 A.M. COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

9:30 A.M. DR. SERGIO ROMERO - Census Bureau: Census 2010

9:45 A.M. JESSE TAYLOR - Legislative Retreat Update

10:00 A.M. JIM BETTY - Grader Quote

10:15 A.M. SCOTT JESSEN, YUKA JENKINS - Rocky Mountain Power Easement

10:30 A.M. MITCH POULSEN, JUDY GEORGE - Gateway West Power Line; Planning and Zoning Secretary; Substandard County Roads - Subdivision Ordinance Changes; Flood Plain Mapping.

10:45 AM. County Road Classification

11:00 A.M. RICK FAWCETT - Flood Plain; All Hazard Mitigation Plan; Solid Waste; Rural Business Enterprise Grant

11:15 A.M. " "

11:30 A.M. TYLER KUNZ - Fair Board - Tractor Purchase/Fencing

11:45 A.M. EXCECUTIVE SESSION - Medically Indigent Claims

LUNCH

1:00 P.M. REED PETERSON, Montpelier City Mayor - Housing Coalition

1:15 P.M. MIKE BIRD - Property Taxes

1:30 P.M. GARY TEUSCHER - Annual Audit

1:45 P.M. BRUCE OLENICK, DEQ - Landfill Issues

2:00 P.M.

2:15 P.M.

2:30 P.M.

2:45 P.M.

3:00 P.M.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Road & Bridge/Solid Waste Issues

NACO Drug Program

NEW BUSINESS
Approve February's Bills/Minutes

Road & Bridge/Solid Waste Issues

Quit Claim Deed - Nelson Estate

Tax Cancellations

Junvenile Justice Agreements

Airport Closeout Document

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