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 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING MINUTES & PUBLIC NOTICES


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5/30/07 Special Commissioners Meeting Minutes:

The Board of Bear Lake County Commissioners met in a special session on Thursday, May 30, 2007, beginning at 9:00 A.M. in the Commissioners Room of the Courthouse Annex in Paris, Idaho. Members of the Board present were Vaughn Rasmussen, Chairman, Dwight Cochran, Montain Kunz and Kerry Haddock, Clerk of the Board.

Rodney Wallentine, Treasurer, Lynn Lewis, Assessor, Rosa Moosman, Editor of the News Examiner, Roy Bunderson and Bill Stock also attended the meeting.

MOSQUITO ABATEMENT DISTRICT
Clerk Haddock presented results of the May 22, 2007 Election held to form a Mosquito Abatement District in Fish Haven. The vote was 48 for the District and 25 against. Commissioner Cochran made a motion seconded by Commissioner Kunz to certify the election and approve the formation of the Fish Haven Mosquito Abatement District. The motion was unanimous. Clerk Haddock will forward necessary paper work to the State Tax Commission and advertise that the Commissioners are looking for people interested in serving on the Abatement Board.

POCATELLO REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY
Ron Binggeli met with the Commissioners regarding public transportation between Montpelier and Garden City. He had previously met with Montpelier and other officials. This would be a pilot project and the cost would be paid by users and businesses. Judy Holbrook stated that she had tentative commitments from Garden City businesses to almost fill the bus for the summer. Mr. Binggeli presented agreements with the City of Pocatello and Rich County for the Commissioners to approve and sign in order to allow the pilot project. Commissioner Cochran made a motion seconded by Commissioner Kunz to approve the agreements subject to legal review. The motion was unanimous. Mr. Binggeli also discussed the possibility of offering door to door service for seniors and bus service to Pocatello at some time in the future.

GARBAGE FEES
Greg Skinner again brought up the issue of garbage fees. He stated that our fees for dump trucks and nonresidents were substantially below neighboring Counties and not covering the costs involved. It was noted that in order to raise fees more than 5% we would need to hold a public hearing. It was decided to create a new fee schedule and hold the public hearing to insure that the fees were adequate to support the landfill. This will be discussed further at the next regular meeting.

PROPOSED NEW ROAD
A proposal by Stuart Crane to change a road near Nounan was discussed. Commissioner Kunz will visit the site before the next meeting when there will be further discussion.

RELEASE OF ESCROW FUNDS
Gary McKee and Doug Johnson met with the Commissioners regarding release of escrow funds as development work gets completed. They wanted to streamline the process as the current system was very slow. The Commissioners agreed to try a new system where funds will be released as soon as the County Engineer approves the completion of the work.

BIKE PATH AGREEMENT
The Commissioners signed an agreement with the Idaho Transportation Department for federal aid for the first phase construction of a bike path along Highway 89 near the Lake.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
Commissioner Cochran made a motion seconded by Commissioner Kunz to convene in an executive session per Idaho Code 67-2345(1) to discuss medical indigent cases. All Commissioners voted yes.

Following the executive session Commissioner Kunz made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cochran to reconvene the regular meeting to act on the following indigent cases:

#2006-37 - Denial upon reconsideration. Hospital withdrew appeal; Applicant not indigent; Not the last resource; Can pay within 5 years.

BOAT SAFETY MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
Kirk Rich and Sheriff Bunn presented a Memorandum of Understanding between the Sheriff and the State Parks Department regarding law enforcement on and near the Lake. Commissioner Kunz made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cochran to approve the agreement. The motion was unanimous.

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

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5/30/07 Special Commissioners Meeting Agenda:

9:00 A.M. Mosquito Abatement Certification

9:15 A.M. Health Care Foundation Financial Assistance

9:30 A.M. Transportation Proposal of Pocatello Regional Transit

9:45 A.M. Garbage Fees

10:00 A.M. Stewart Crane Proposed Road

10:15 A.M. Escrow Agreement Release of Funds on County Engineers OK

10:30 A.M. Bike Path Agreement

10:45 A.M. Camping at Fair Grounds

11:00 A.M. Executive Session - Medical Assistance Claims

11:15 A.M. BRENT BUNN - Boating Safety - MOU

11:15 A.M.

11:30 A.M.

11:45 A.M.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Road & Bridge/Solid Waste Issues

Bike Path Agreement

Break-up Limits Resolution - County Roads

NEW BUSINESS
Road & Bridge/Solid Waste Issues

Approve April's Bills/Minutes

Executive Session - Personnel Issues/Medical Assistance Claims

Board of Equalization

Jr. College Residency Affidavits

Public Transit Agreements
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5/14/07 Commissioners Meeting Minutes:

The Board of Bear Lake County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, May 14, 2007 beginning at 9:00 A.M., in the Commissioners Room at the Courthouse Annex in Paris, Idaho. Members of the Board present: were Vaughn Rasmussen, Chairman, Dwight L. Cochran and Kerry Haddock, Clerk of the Board. Commissioner Montain Kunz was excused due to recent heart surgery.

Ardee Helm, Prosecuting Attorney, Lynn Lewis, Assessor, Rodney Wallentine, Treasurer, Brent Bunn, Sheriff, Greg Skinner, Road and Bridge Supervisor, Rosa Moosman, Editor of the News-Examiner, Bill Stock and Allen Lloyd also attended the meeting.

SENIOR CITIZENS - ALLEN LLOYD
Allen Lloyd, representing the Senior Citizens Center, asked the Commissioners for the recently retired Sheriff's vehicle to transport senior citizens and deliver meals. As there was another request for the vehicle, the Commissioners took the matter under advisement. Mr. Lloyd also asked for funds for next year's budget for the Center. He was asked to submit a written request to the Clerk.

POCATELLO REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY
The Commissioners discussed a proposal of the Pocatello Regional Transit Authority to provide bus service between Montpelier and Garden City this summer. The cost would be paid by employers and users. Some Montpelier businesses had expressed concern regarding losing their work force. There was also discussion of the Transit Authority adding local transportation and transportation to Pocatello in the future. The Commissioners were invited to a meeting at the Seniors Center with other Community leaders next week to further discuss these possibilities.

MINUTES APPROVED
Commissioner Cochran made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Rasmussen to approve the minutes of the April 9, 2007 regular meeting. Both Commissioners present voted yes.

ELECTED OFFICIALS MEETING
Sheriff Bunn presented his monthly report. He again expressed budget concerns with rising fuel costs and a large prisoner medical bill. He asked that the Courthouse parking lot be available for graduation exercises, which were being held in the Paris Tabernacle. Prosecuting Attorney Ardee Helm made the Commissioners aware that the City of Montpelier may discontinue providing an office for him in the City Hall. Clerk Haddock reported on the upcoming Mosquito Abatement election in Fish Haven and asked the Commissioners to schedule a meeting on May 30, 2007 to certify the election. Commissioner Rasmussen reported on a planned meeting with neighboring County Commissioners to work together to solve common problems.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
Commissioner Rasmussen reported that the Jail Committee meeting was cancelled and will be rescheduled in the near future. He also reported on a meeting with a landfill consultant regarding the future of the landfill. A long term landfill plan is needed.

WEIGHT LIMIT RESOLUTION - #2007-05
Commissioner Cochran made a motion seconded by Commissioner Rasmussen to adopt Resolution 2007-05. Both Commissioners present voted yes.

In the Matter of POSTING WEIGHT LIMITS ) R.S. No. 2007-05
ON BEAR LAKE COUNTY HIGHWAY SYSTEM) May 14, 2007

RESOLUTION NO. 2007-05

WHEREAS, recent mild weather and moisture is beginning to saturate the subgrade and shoulders of the Bear Lake County roads; and

WHEREAS, it is necessary to restrict as much weight as possible on these roads to prevent further damage;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that a motion was made by Commissioner Cochran, and seconded by Commissioner Rasmussen, that all county roads be posted at no more that 350 pounds per inch of width of tire and a speed limit of 30 miles per hour effective May 14, 2007, and that notification be given to the newspaper.

The motion passed and the voting was unanimous, as taken by roll call vote.

BOARD OF BEAR LAKE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

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

/s/ Dwight L. Cochran______________________________
DWIGHT L. COCHRAN, Member

/s/ Montain D. Kunz_______________________________
MONTAIN D. KUNZ, Member

ATTEST:_________________________________
KERRY HADDOCK, Clerk

DISTRICT HEALTH BUDGET REQUEST
Ed Marugg and Keith Martindale met with Commissioners regarding the 2008 budget request of the Southeastern District Health Department. Mr. Marugg explained that although the budget request of the eight County District was down, the requested amount from Bear Lake County was up due to the increasing market values in Bear Lake as compared to other Counties. Their request is for $49,775 for next year, which is an 11.39% increase.

TAX DEED HEARING
Treasurer Wallentine presented 3 properties which would be tax deeded to the County if taxes were not paid by June 1.

NOXIOUS WEEDS
Dave Cottle, Bear Lake Watch, and Todd Transtrum met with the Commissioners regarding a weed which was causing concern along the lake. The weed is called Phragmities and is like a common weed. They asked the Commissioners to declare this weed a noxious weed so that it could be controlled by the County Weed Department. After discussion, Commissioner Cochran made a motion seconded by Commissioner Rasmussen to declare "Phragmities" a noxious weed in Bear Lake County. Both Commissioners present voted yes. The also reported on the Highland Cooperative Weed Management Area of which, Bear Lake County is a part.

SOUTHEASTERN IDAHO DISTRICT HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Dee Johnson, Leslie Talbot and Tiffany Preston presented the quarterly report of the Southeastern Idaho District Health Report. Ms. Johnson reported that she had issued a lot of sewer permits recently. Ms. Talbot reported on immunizations, family planning and other activities.

OVID WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT
Dee Johnson, Jay Johnson and Keith Sorenson met with the Commissioners regarding the possibility of forming a water and sewer district in Ovid. A committee had been formed to do a feasibility study and they had some donated engineering work for part of the study.. They asked the County to be the political body that would apply for grants. They also asked about possibility of the County providing matching funds for a feasibility study. DEQ will do a groundwater study this summer.

NELSON ENGINEERING
Jeff Nelson presented information to the Commissioners about his Engineering firm out of Driggs. He presented an overview of the services they could provide to the County. They recently entered into a contract with Franklin County to be used on an as needed
basis.

COUNTY SHOOTING RANGE
Craig Bunn, Brent Lewis and DeVerl King, representing Search and Rescue, met with the Commissioners. They were concerned that future landfill plans might affect the shooting range. Search and Rescue have put a lot of time and money into the range and were planning a new building this summer. They are hosting the national convention next year and have to have a shooting range to do so. The Commissioners were not sure if future landfill needs might affect the range, but expressed strong support for the shooting range and the efforts of Search and Rescue. They also discussed the upcoming budget. They are part of the Sheriff's budget.

DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE CORRECTIONS UPDATE
Bill Lasley, Skip Green and Murray Dogin met with the Commissioners to report on the Idaho Juvenile Corrections Department. They reported custody and probation statistics for several years. They stated that funding to Counties was based on Juvenile population and Bear Lake's Juvenile population was decreasing.

COMMISSION MEETING PROTOCOL
Roy Bunderson met with the Commissioners regarding the Commissioner's decision to limit public comment in meetings. He felt public comment was constructive and encouraged the public to attend meetings and get involved. Commissioner Rasmussen explained that the meetings would not be completely closed, but that public comment would be at the discretion of the Commissioner Chairman. Mr. Bunderson also expressed continuing concern regarding the upcoming budget and building permits.

4-H UPDATE
Sharlene Woffinden from the extension office gave an update on 4-H programs and plans for the summer. She asked to increase the wage and hours for the part-time employee in the 4-H program.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
Commissioner Cochran made a motion seconded by Commissioner Rasmussen to convene in an executive session per Idaho Code 67-2345(1) to discuss medical indigent cases and personnel matters. Both commissioners voted yes.

Following the executive session Commissioner Cochran made a motion seconded by Commissioner Rasmussen to reconvene the regular meeting to act on the following indigent cases:

2006-48 - Denied: Not indigent; Not the last resource.

2007-03 - Denial upon reconsideration: Not indigent; Not the last resource; Bear Lake Memorial withdrew appeal.

2007-11 - Denied: Not indigent; Not the last resource.

2007-13 - Denied: Not indigent; Not the last resource.

2007-14 - Denied: Not indigent; Not the last resource.

LANDFILL FEES AND ROAD AND BRIDGE ISSUES
Greg Skinner presented the Road and Bridge monthly report. He also talked about the need to raise landfill fees. He had checked with neighboring Counties and found their fees for nonresidents and dump trucks to be much higher than ours. This encouraged people to dump at our landfill, but we were not covering our costs. Fees will be put on the agenda for the May 30, 2007 meeting.

ANNUAL AUDIT
Gary Tuescher presented the annual audit for fiscal year 2006. He noted that the County had continued to operate in a deficit situation and that funds were near their minimum. Commissioner Cochran made a motion seconded by Commissioner Rasmussen to accept the audit. Both Commissioners presented voted yes.

FINAL PLAT FOR CHALET PORTION OF THE RESERVE
Alex Hudson presented the final plat for the Chalet, Phase 1. Commissioner Cochran made a motion seconded by Commissioner Rasmussen to approve the final plat. Both Commissioners present voted yes.

AIRPORT BUSINESS
Charles Faulkner approached the Commissioners regarding a vehicle to plow snow and for a courtesy car at the Airport. He was also interested in the retired Sheriff's vehicle.

BILLS APPROVED
Commissioner Cochran made a motion seconded by Commissioner Rasmussen to approve the current bills. Both commissioners present voted yes.

REPORT GRAND TOTAL . . . . . 519,190.97 367 TOTAL VOID/CANCEL . . . . . 98.00 * * TOTAL VOIDED/CANCEL FOR THE PERIOD SELECTED * *
519,092.97

BOARD OF EQUALIZATION
The Commissioners convened as a Board of Equalization and accepted the property tax reduction roll from the Assessor.

JUNIOR COLLEGE RESIDENCY AFFIDAVITS
The Board approved three affidavits of residency for Junior College scholarships for Cody Briggs, Emily Briggs, and Lorelei Hammon.

Meeting adjourned subject to recall by the Chairman or his order.
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5/14/07 Commissioners Meeting Notice:

9:00 A.M. GRIFFITH LLOYD - Senior Citizens Vehicle

9:15 A.M. ELECTED OFFICIALS MEETING

9:30 A.M. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ASSIGNMENTS

9:45 A.M. ED MARUGG - Southeastern District Health Dept. - Budget Report

10:00 A.M. RODNEY WALLENTINE, TREASURER - Tax Deed Hearing

10:10 A.M. DAVID COTTLE - Feed Back on Forming a Coopertive Weed Management Area for Bear Lake

10:20 A.M. JEFF SNYDER - Nelson Engineering

10:30 A.M. LESLIE TALBOT & TIFFANY PRESTON - Southeastern District Health Dept. - Quarterly Report

DEE JOHNSON/JAY JOHNSON - Ovid Water and Sewer Distr.

10:45 A.M. CRAIG BUNN - Bear Lake County Shooting Range

11:00 A.M. BILL LASLEY - Dept of Juvenile Corrections Update

11:15 A.M. ROY BUNDERSON - Commission Meeting Protocol

11:30 A.M. SHARLENE WOFFINDEN - 4-H Programs Assessment/Courthouse neighbor concerns

11:45 A.M. EXECUTIVE SESSION - Personnel Issues/Medically Indigent Claims

LUNCH

1:30 P.M. GREG SKINNER, ROAD SUPERINTENDENT - Landfill Fees

1:45 P.M. GARY TUESCHER - Bear Lake County Audit

2:00 P.M. ALEX HUDSON - Approval of Final Plat for Chalet Portion of The Reserve

2:15 P.M. CHARLES FAULKNER - Airport Vehicles

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Road & Bridge/Solid Waste Issues

Bike Path Agreement

Break-up Limits Resolution - County Roads

NEW BUSINESS
Road & Bridge/Solid Waste Issues

Approve April's Bills/Minutes

Executive Session - Personnel Issues/Medical Assistance Claims

Board of Equalization

Jr. College Residency Affidavits

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