Published on Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 at 7:49pm
The Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Idaho, does hereby meet this 5th day of October, 2020.
IN THE MATTER OF ROLL CALL)
Donna Atwood, Clerk, called roll call: Lisa Collini, absent; Kirk Chandler, present; and Nate Marvin, present. Also present was Lyndon Haines, Mary Sue Roach, Ray Laan, Sandra Cooper, Dennis Cooper, Tony Edmondson, Jeri Soulier, and Clarence Stark.
Kirk Chandler opened the meeting and Robert Peterson led the Pledge of Allegiance. Kirk Chandler gave the invocation.
IN THE MATTER OF CORRESPONDENCE/MEETINGS AND REPORTS)
Correspondence received by the Board was reviewed and disseminated as required.
The Board reviewed an email from Donna Lake regarding the RS2477 (Revised Statute) roads, an email from Kirk Chandler to Brent Ralston with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regarding restoration work on BLM allotment in areas burned in the Woodhead Fire, and an email from Dion Zimmerman regarding the proposed security entrance to the Courthouse.
Kirk Chandler reported he had spoken with Brent Ralston with the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) regarding aerial seeding on areas that were burned during the Woodhead fire. Chandler also reported he received an email from Marty Gill regarding fires in California.
Marvin reported Washington County is currently in the orange COVID-19 Health Alert Level per Southwest District Health.
Chandler informed the group that the staff at the Sheriff’s Department has cleaned the maintenance shed.
The Board discussed the proposed security entrance. The discussion will continue next week.
Kirk Chandler moved, seconded by Nate Marvin, to approve a demand warrant for absentee postage in the amount of $420.00. Motion carried.
Kirk Chandler moved, seconded by Nate Marvin to approve an Alcohol Beverage Catering Application for The Curb Bar and Grill to be used at Sunnyside Farms and Events on October 9, 2020 from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Motion carried.
IN THE MATTER OF MINUTES)
The minutes of the Board not heretofore approved of September 28, 2020 were approved as amended.
IN THE MATTER OF COUNTY EXTENSION)
Mary Ridout, Extension Educator, met with the Board. Ridout reported that the part-time assistant has resigned her position. The job has been posted in-house.
Ridout reported a contest will be presented to FFA and 4-H groups to submit a landscape plan for the front corner of the Extension Office lot. Ridout stated the winners will present their ideas to the Board.
Ridout informed the Board that the Master Gardner volunteers have agreed to work on a plan for the courthouse flower beds.
Ridout presented the 2020 Washington County Situation Statement and the Extension Update to the Board for review. Ridout discussed the average farm-related income of $18,493.00 in the County and the need to help increase agricultural income. The average reported is from the year 2017.
IN THE MATTER OF WEISER AIRPORT) – CANCELLED
IN THE MATTER OF ELECTED OFFICIALS)
Washington County Treasurer, Sabrina Young, reported she had sent out information on the NACO (National Association of Counties) Leadership Academy to county department heads. Young received four emails, three of which expressed interest in the program. Young discussed the cost of the program and scholarship opportunities. Young inquired if the Board would like those interested to submit a letter of intent to the Board.
Young asked for clarification as to where the funding would be paid from. The Board agreed to pay the expense for the Commissioner Contingency Fund.
Young reported the Treasurer’s Office is preparing for the tax drive.
Assessor, Debbie Moxley, reported the DMV is getting ready to transfer to the new program. Moxley reported they will be assessing properties in the burned area next week.
Moxley informed the Board that one causality loss application has been received.
Sheriff, Matt Thomas, reported M2 Automation and Control Services is working on the camera and door controls in the Sheriff’s Department. Thomas stated a schedule for panic button testing has been sent out with one department per month to be tested. Thomas discussed trailers parking in the DMV/Driver’s License and Magistrate Court parking lot. There is not adequate parking for large vehicles or vehicles towing trailers. Signs will be ordered and put in place in the parking lot.
County Clerk, Donna Atwood, reported absentee voting starts today in the Clerk’s Office.
Atwood noted other dates to remember: October 9, 2020 is the last day to pre-register to vote; October 23 rd is the last day to submit an application for an absentee ballot to the Clerk’s Office; October 30 th is the last day to vote absentee in the Clerk’s Office.
IN THE MATTER OF PROSECUTING ATTORNEY/PLANNING AND ZONING)
Delton Walker, Prosecuting Attorney, met with the Board. Also present was Planning and Zoning Administrator, Bonnie Brent, and Administrative Assistant, Charlie Downing.
Walker discussed the possible changes to the Entertainment Assembly codes. Marvin stated he would like input from the community and employees for suggestions. Marvin stated he had reached out to other communities and there are many different policies in place. The decibel reader was discussed and possible training for those who will be using it during an event.
Walker stated there was not a quorum at the September 28th Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.
Kirk Chandler moved, seconded by Nate Marvin to go into executive session at 9:51 a.m. in accordance with I.C. 74-206(1) (a & b) to consider hiring a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent. This paragraph does not apply to filling a vacancy in an elective office, (b) to consider the evaluation, dismissal or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, or public school student, and I.C. 74-206(1)(f) to communicate with legal counsel for the public agency to discuss the legal ramifications of and legal options for pending litigation, or controversies not yet being litigated but imminently likely to be litigated. The mere presence of legal counsel at an executive session does not satisfy this requirement. Motion carried unanimous. Lisa Collini, Absent; Kirk Chandler, Aye; Nate Marvin, Aye.
Chandler stated they were out of executive session at 10:50 a.m.
Bonnie Brent inquired of the Board what they would like the Planning and Zoning Office to do regarding code enforcement.
Marvin stated documentation needs to be done whenever the Planning and Zoning Office addresses a code violation.
Chandler stated Planning and Zoning staff needs to be mindful of the manner they address a possible violation.
Brent presented the weekly Building Permit report to the Board for review.
Kirk Chandler moved, seconded by Nate Marvin to approve the quote from Treasure Valley Plumbing and Drain in the amount of $390.00 to replace drain assemblies in the Courthouse restrooms. Motion carried.
IN THE MATTER OF AMBULANCE)
Kirk Chandler moved, seconded by Nate Marvin to recess as the Board of Washington County Commissioners and convene as the Board of the Weiser Ambulance District. Motion carried unanimous.
Debbie Warren, Deputy Clerk, called roll call: Lisa Collini, absent; Kirk Chandler, present; and Nate Marvin, present.
Corey Patocka with the Ambulance District met with the Board. Also present was Ambulance District Administrative Advisor, Tim Atwood.
Patocka informed the Board that the Ambulance District had thirty-one calls for service which included eight transfers and one rendezvous last week.
Patocka informed the Board that he had received a quote from White Cloud for hand-held radios. Patocka is waiting for a second quote from Day Wireless. Patocka informed the Board he had planned for the radio purchase in the 2021 budget, but had not anticipated the purchase of the generator. Patocka informed the Board that Hata Electric is working on a quote for the backup generator.
Patocka presented to the Board an Employment Application for Tyler Lindsay as PRN (as needed) paramedic.
Marvin requested a background check to be conducted. Patocka stated that as a part of his certification, a background check had been completed. Tim Atwood stated background checks should be standard for all new employees. The Board agreed.
Kirk Chandler moved to approve the hiring of Tyler Lindsay as PRN (as needed) paramedic. The motion was seconded by Nate Marvin. Motion carried.
Patocka informed the Board the District has an employee who tested positive for COVID-19. The employee is currently off work. There was discussion of proper procedures to be followed.
Warren stated the County had adopted a policy specific to COVID to be followed.
The Board instructed Patocka to draft a policy to be presented to the Board for review.
Patocka stated Systems Design West will be available to conduct a zoom meeting at 10:30 a.m. on October 19, 2020 to present their billing services plan to the Board. Order No. 21-01 for general expenses in the amount of $11,755.55 was presented to the
Board for review.
Kirk Chandler moved, seconded by Nate Marvin, to approve Order No. 21-01 for general expenses in the amount of $11,755.55. Motion carried.
Kirk Chandler moved, seconded by Nate Marvin to recess as the Board of the Weiser Ambulance District and reconvene as Board of Washington County Commissioners. Motion carried unanimous.
Debbie Warren, Deputy Clerk, called roll call: Lisa Collini, absent; Kirk Chandler, present; and Nate Marvin, present.
IN THE MATTER OF SOCIAL SERVICES)
Lorri Nakamura, Social Services Deputy Clerk, met with the Board.
Kirk Chandler moved, seconded by Nate Marvin to go into executive session at 11:16 a.m. in accordance with I.C. 74-206(1)(d) to consider records that are exempt from disclosure as provided in chapter 3, title 9, Idaho Code. Motion carried. Lisa Collini, Absent; Kirk Chandler, Aye; Nate Marvin, Aye.
Kirk Chandler stated they were out of executive session at 11:21 a.m.
Nate Marvin moved, seconded by Kirk Chandler, to deny Case No. 2020-26 as the County is not the last resource. Motion carried.
Nate Marvin moved, seconded by Kirk Chandler, to approve Case No.2020-27 as the applicant is medically indigent, the County is the obligated County and the last resource, it was an emergency service, and medically necessary, and the application was complete. Motion carried.
Nate Marvin moved to adopt the Social Services Deputy Clerk’s Reasons for Approval or Denial. The motion was seconded by Kirk Chandler with all in favor.
IN THE MATTER OF WATERWAYS)
Sheriff, Matt Thomas, and Brad Johnson met with the Board. A bid for fencing at the Waterways building at the Weiser Solid Waste site were presented to the Board for review.
Nate Marvin moved, seconded by Kirk Chandler to approve the bid from Starke Fencing and Remodeling, LLC in the amount of $16,025.00. Motion carried.
IN THE MATTER OF ROAD & BRIDGE/SOLID WASTE)
Jerod Odoms, Road and Bridge/Solid Waste Supervisor, met with the Board. Also present was Road and Bridge Foreman, Travis Walker.
Odoms presented an Application for Buried Cable or Pipe Line submitted by Nathan Blatt, Track Utilities, LLC.
Kirk Chandler moved, seconded by Nate Marvin, to approve the Application for Buried Cable or Pipe Line submitted by Nathan Blatt with Track Utilities, LLC for cable work to be completed at the intersection of Highway 95 and River Dock Road. Motion carried.
Odoms discussed issues at Solid Waste and the fee charged for construction waste. The group discussed disposal of construction waste and hauling the materials to Clay Peak Landfill.
PAWG (Payette, Adams, Washington and Gem Counties) Traffic Coalition Group meeting was held last week in Midvale. The group reviewed grant funding for the State.
Odoms told the Board the members of PAWG had agreed to apply for grant funding as a group in hopes of qualifying for funding.
Odoms reported he will apply for a construction grant with hopes of getting assistance for asphalt on Cove Road.
Kirk Chandler moved, seconded by Nate Marvin to go into executive session at 1:18 p.m. in accordance with I.C. 74-206(1) (a & b) to consider hiring a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent. This paragraph does not apply to filling a vacancy in an elective office, (b) to consider the evaluation, dismissal or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, or public school student.
Donna Atwood, Clerk, called roll call: Lisa Collini, absent; Kirk Chandler, Aye; and Nate Marvin, Aye.
Kirk Chandler stated they were out of executive session at 1:26 p.m.
IN THE MATTER OF DISCUSSION REGARDING TITLE 8 CHAPTER 1 COUNTY CODE – ENTERTAINMENT ASSEMBLIES)
Those present for the discussion were Sheriff, Matt Thomas, Lyndon Haines, Nick Reed, Kathy Kaech, Diane Schoonhoven, Linda Strain, Alex Chavarria, Eric Johnson, and Tim Atwood.
Nate Marvin discussed Title 8 Chapter 1 of the current county code regarding Entertainment Assemblies. Marvin stated the code was adopted in 1971 and has never been updated.
The cost of permits were discussed. The group also discussed the permit application and possible corrections to be considered.
Marvin reviewed 8-1-4: Application for Permit: B which requires photo identification and fingerprints. Marvin asked the group if there was a need of that requirement. Marvin stated 8-1-5: Condition Approval should include Planning and Zoning, Sheriff, Road and Bridge, Southwest District Health and Fire Departments. Marvin informed the group he believed the Conditions of Approval under Southwest District Health should be expanded to include issues such as COVID-19 and health guidelines. The requirement of medical services was also discussed.
Sheriff Thomas was requested to review the Public Safety requirements of the code. Marvin discussed 8-1-6: Bond of Indemnity; Liability Insurance. There was discussion of increasing the minimum amount of liability insurance to $100,000,000.00 and $300,000,000.00 for bodily injury coverage per occurrence. Prosecutor Walker stated those amounts are typical for business liability at this time.
Restrictions on Operation was discussed. The hours of the event and noise levels were reviewed. Nick Reed discussed the noise levels that were recorded during the Weiser River Music Festival.
Diane Schoonhoven expressed her concerns of the noise levels after midnight. Schoonhoven inquired if Reed would consider being “unplugged” after midnight.
The group discussed the current requirements stated in the code for noise levels and the need to adjust the allowed decibel readings. The distance and elevation from the event should also be considered.
IN THE MATTER OF FOREST SERVICE)
Ronda Bishop with the Payette National Forest Service met with the Board. Phil Brady with Forest Service Planning Operations provided an update on the Woodhead Fire to the group. The fire is currently 62% contained. Crews are working on the ground and air support is still active.
Chandler thanked Bishop and Brady for keeping the Board informed and working with the local agencies and landowners.
Bishop stated they are hoping with forecasted rain, it will allow staff to evaluate the damage and begin salvage efforts.
Bishop reported that some road closures are being lifted and no flooding is expected at this time.
Motion by Kirk Chandler, seconded by Nate Marvin and unanimously carried to recess at 2:52 p.m. until October 13, 2020 at 8:45 a.m.
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Chairman, Board of County Commissioners
ATTEST:
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Clerk
A full audio recording of the Commissioner Meeting is available at the Clerk’s Office upon request.
