STATE OF IDAHO
County of Idaho
MAY SESSION May 26, 2015 THIRD TERM DAY
9:00 a.m. The board convened with Commissioners Jim Chmelik, Mark Frei and Skip Brandt, and Kathy Ackerman, Clerk present.
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Syd regarding claims:
Current Expense $ 14,804.98 County Road and Bridge $ 13,903.72 Airport $ 464.73 Emergency Comm. $ 25.45
District Court $ 4,796.53 Title III Forest-New $ 28,606.21 Junior College $ 26.25 Appraisal $ 104.45 Election Consolidation$ 609.72 Noxious Weeds $ 699.22 Snowmobile 25-A $ 10.00
Total Expenditures $ 64,051.26
Frei moves to pay the claims. Brandt seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
9:15 a.m. Canvass of votes for May 19 elections. Chmelik moves to approve the canvass with one correction. Brandt seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
9:45 a.m. Chmelik regarding North Central Public Health budget proposal-discussion. Brandt moves to support proposed budget, noting services provided. Frei seconds. Motion carries with all in favor. Jerry Zumalt appointed as proxy.
Chmelik moves to approve wage increases Sheriff’s Office employees Amanda Davis and Christy Raup, hiring of Caryl Frei in the Assessor’s Office, and hiring of seasonal employee Kelly Turney in the Extension Office. Frei seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
Chmelik moves to approve alcoholic beverage license for Monastery of St. Gertrude’s. Brandt seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
Chmelik moves to approve joint quarterly report. Frei seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
10:04 a.m. Trudy Slagle and Jerry Zumalt regarding software upgrade for Spillman that would include StateLink. This allows a sync component between Spillman and the State whereby duplicate entry would not be required for dispatch. Slagle advises that the price has come down considerably since the last time she checked in 2009. Chmelik questions if this can be paid for with E911 funding-Zumalt advises it would be-discussion. Brandt moves to approve the proposal as presented for $15,466. Frei seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
10:15 a.m. Jerry Zumalt provides update on phone system upgrade-presents data regarding line allocation and transition to next generation interface-discussion. Chmelik questions the costs to move to next generation-Zumalt approximates over $200,000 that would not include radio upgrade-much of the upgrade could utilize E911 funding. Chmelik requests proposal to include complete upgrade to next generation. Discussion regarding regional communication center and the possibility of Lewis or Clearwater County joining with us. Zumalt will work on getting a complete proposal from Valence.
10:45 a.m. Gene Meinen regarding quotes for new equipment-broom/sweeper-he contacted three companies for a quote, but only heard back from two. The lowest quote was $35,530 from MetroQuip. Brandt moves to approve equipment purchase. Frei seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
Meinen advises they have begun work on Baldwin Springs-they have been sidelined by the rainy weather, but hope to get back to it and near completion by the end of next week.
Meinen reports on conference call regarding Manning Crevice Bridge with Federal Highway Lands and BLM.
11:00 a.m. Kathy Ackerman regarding budget considerations for Commission-discussion.
11:10 a.m. Frei moves to approve the minutes of the May 19 meeting. Brandt seconds. Motion carries with Brandt and Frei in favor. Chmelik abstains-he was absent.
11:15 a.m. Mark Frei regarding meeting with Robert Simmons and Idaho County Recycling-presents ideas generated from meeting-both the recycling group and Simmons are in favor of proposed idea. Commission is in favor of pursuing the proposal of a mega drop off site-Robert Simmons is willing to put the numbers together and make a presentation to the Commission in a couple of weeks.
11:41 a.m. Brandt moves to amend the agenda to include an Executive Session pursuant to 67-2345(b). Chmelik seconds. Roll call-District 1-yes, District 2-yes, District 3-yes.
11:41 a.m. Brandt moves to go into Executive Session pursuant to 67-2345(b). Chmelik seconds. Roll call-District 1-yes, District 2-yes, District 3-yes.
11:50 a.m. Brandt moves to go into Indigent proceedings pursuant to Idaho County 31-874. Chmelik seconds. Roll call-District 1-yes, District 2-yes, District 3-yes.
1-Approval, 1-Denial, 0-Suspension, 3-Liens, 3-N1, 1-Lien Release, 1-N1 Release
11:58 a.m. End Indigent
1:00 p.m. Bill Higgins, Idaho Forest Group, presents his perspective on proposed changes to the Small Business Act-this is an allocation process whereby the Forest Service handles their salvage sales. At the time the SBA was passed, Bennett Lumber was a small business-as Bennett’s merged with Riley Creek Lumber to form Idaho Forest Group, they are now a large employer-this has proved very beneficial to the economy of Idaho County. Higgins gives background on changes-contends the proposed rule changes will be detrimental to the citizens of the United States and the county, as timber may have to be transported to an area where there is a mill that qualifies as a small business-advises this is a national issue that is quite complex-asks that the Commission remain neutral. Frei questions whether or not Bennett’s has ever been in favor of the perimeters of the SBA. Higgins advises that he has not personally been in favor, but believes that Bennett’s have argued on behalf of this practice when they were a small business-discussion. Chmelik questions why IFG would lobby against the transfer of public lands-Higgins advises that he is in favor of collaboration, but that it comes down to the possibilities of success. Discussion regarding competitive nature of the business and what the new rules will do to other small businesses, especially logging truck operators. Frei discusses the need for competition in order to keep the free market system working for all businesses-discussion. Brandt questions whether or not Dick Bennett, who started several of the small mills in the area, would be in favor-Higgins advises that people do usually support those things which benefit them personally-feels that Bennett would probably be in favor of the proposed changes as they favor smaller mills, but can’t say for sure. Higgins again advises this is bigger than just Idaho County-again requests that the Commission remain neutral or at least request a comprehensive review of the program. Brandt proposes that we send a letter that indicates our support of a comprehensive review that reflects the 1991 mission-discussion. Letter modified and signed.
2:05 p.m. Mike Cook regarding update on Warbird Weekend-hope to bring it back for 2016 in the original time slot, the weekend after the 4th of July.
2:15 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
Chairman_______________________________ Attest:__________________________
