STATE OF IDAHO
County of Idaho
JULY SESSION July 18, 2005 FOURTH TERM DAY
The Board met at 9:00 a.m. with Randy Doman, Jim Rehder, Alice Mattson, Commissioners and Dana Stroop, Deputy Clerk, present.
Jim Biebow asked when there would be some dust abatement on Cove Road. Alice stated they were starting Wall Creek today.
Jon Stroop re: Road report. Dust abatement for Cove Road will be July 21st. Highway Standards discussed.
– Jim made motion to adopt Highway Standards for Idaho County Roads. Randy seconded. Motion carried with all in favor.
– Jon stated they should finish mag chloride application this week – start chip sealing next week.
– Federal Highways on Salmon Road discussed – only have 13 million – need full 17 million to begin project.
Jim asked three questions – Simmons Sanitation ROW on Tom Taha Road– Stites Cemetery – Jon said give him a month on this – Building and Shop repair – Jon said there were two quotes given – considerable difference – go for the $20,000.
– Randy questioned when James Road will happen – Jon stated when he is through chip sealing – next month. Randy also stated they need to get notice of New Highway Standards in, so that the subdivision will now have to abide by Highway Standards.
Idaho County Nursing Home Agreement – Kirk MacGregor and Dennis Albers present – Randy stated the county is proposing to transfer Idaho County Nursing Home in exchange for $100,000. to Syringa Hospital District.
– Randy asked if any of the commissioners have any concerns.
– Alice said she had several phone calls. She is questioning what happens to the asset when the next audit happens.
– Randy stated that the county is doing away with the assets.
– Jim stated county paid nearly $280,000 to Advance Health Care – no income – substantial savings over next year – this is a very reasonable exchange – get out of nursing home business – Jim supports exchange.
– Alice agrees with most of Jim’s comments – but could those things be re-negotiated – asked Dennis – comment – yes can be, but not likely.
– Randy has heard many concerns regarding giving up assets – Idaho County has no unpaid bills – it’s clear that taxing district can exchange between selves – it should have been advertised and bid two years ago when nursing home was leased to the private company – some conversation about nursing home being used for jail – not good idea – county is getting a fair exchange amount – we have lost ability to start nursing home again – too costly – this works out all around.
– Jim questioned delinquent utility bills – Dennis responded – about $1,200 is outstanding for water & sewer – avista may have past due bills – all bills to be paid before final deal.
– Jim made motion to transfer and grant by deed and bill of sale the Idaho County Nursing Home real estate and inventory of personal property to the Syringa Hospital District in exchange for $100,000. which is less than full consideration pursuant to I. C. 67-2322 and 31-808(9) also, this action authorizes the county to enter into a contract with Advance Health Care to current lease providing that AHC pay all accrued bills up through the date of closure. Randy seconded. Motion carried with Randy and Jim voting yes. Alice abstained.
Dennis Albers re: RS2477 hearing – discussion followed.
Heather Sawyer and Phylis, Idaho Commerce & Labor, explained what is going on in county – Jim explained that he invited them to explain trends – population has increased – not only retirees, but workers – smaller businesses are employing more people – highest paid in Idaho are nurses – second highest are teachers – average wage – $26,000 – Idaho County wages way down.
Sheila Sorenson, running for congress for Butch Otter’s seat – came to visit and ask if they had any problems or concerns. Discussion followed.
11:20 a.m. Jim made motion to enter into executive session for legal matters and indigent claims. Randy seconded. Motion carried – all in favor.
11:50 a.m. Executive session ended. Regular session resumed.
Three claims approved.
Commissioners reports:
– Alice – recreation meeting in Kamiah – Recreation Group want to set up taxing district – take in Kamiah School district.
– Jim – mental health board meeting in Lewiston – talked about grant projects – meeting second Thursday of each month – Wednesday – upper Clearwater – Friday went to District II meeting – good meeting.
– Randy – fire meeting on 8-18-05 – follow up on district II meeting – spent lots of time with 1% initiative – constitutionality of it – pretty much an unknown – talked about voting machines – advised to stay with what you have – any precinct with less than 125 can be all mail out.
– Randy – Tribal issues – last night spoke to about 350 people at Tolo Lake – annual Chief Joseph trail ride – riding Joseph Trail.
– Jim wants to communicate with public – wants to have a column in local papers – not political – just communicating with public.
– Randy stated editors are hired to write and edit paper – hard not to put slant in – doesn’t want us to start writing opposing views – Randy feels that the minutes should be sufficient – Alice wanted to do a commissioners corner, but would be charged, so that what stopped her. Jim wants to better communicate to the public what’s going on.
– Randy – you can write letters, just not as commissioners.
Mardell Edwards said she talked with Jodi Walker, Lewiston Morning Tribune – asked her to write a big article about the commissioners meeting – to cover all the issues – not just one issue – wants more coverage for commissioners meeting.
Fire Mitigation – Randy wants to get position filled – suggests that we have a three person committee – one commissioner – Jerry Zumalt – and one other person.
Alice thinks all the commissioners should look at the applications.
Order for cancellation of taxes approved – Klaus Sisters and Brian Penman
Trudy Slagle gave handouts regarding remodel project – vehicles – discussion
– Randy wants to hold until they check funds in building and grounds – to do the records desk and carpeting and misc carpentry work. Request to purchase pre-approved grant items – all commissioners said expenditures are approved – get the grant going.
– Vehicles – five vehicles leased – $3,175 per month for 12 months – asking to lease one new vehicle – had three breakdowns during weekend.
– Randy stated – no need to vote – if it’s in your budget – go for it.
– Jim suggested that Trudy look at sheriff’s office year end budget and see if there is any money there.
The Board recessed at 2:25 p.m.
Chairman:____________________________ Attest:____________________________
