County Commission Caribou 4/28
Kevin McLain—Road and Bridge
The box culverts were delivered last week. They were unable to move the blocks with the equipment they had, and used Norco equipment. They will be set in place this week. The blocks weigh around 27K lbs each. They may have to be put in lower than the usual height. 3” Nucor rock will be on the bottom, with old chips on the top. McLain thinks that some of the existing culvert materials can be salvaged for use throughout the county.
Some signposts and signs have been removed up Three Mile area, and left next to where they go. “What some of these kids can do in one night can take us weeks to get back in place,” McLain said. It costs roughly $500 a sign to have to put them back up when it’s all said and done.
McLain discussed a number of places in the county that he believes need to be oiled and bladed, including a number in Grace. They will oil Fish Hatchery Road this year.
700 tons per day or so are being crushed by the county at present for use in gravelling projects.
The county discussed the Old Dam road, which was the scene of last weekend’s fatal crash. Due to the physical nature of the landscape and the area, it was not seen as a feasible road for straightening. Various potential means of making the road safer, or enforcing a slower speed on it, were discussed. McLain said that he would look into seeing whether the road could be added to a grant designed to improve safety. “It’s been a bad intersection for the past twenty-five years I’ve been here.”
McLain verified that the signage on the road was in place.
Sheriff Mabey
The Sheriff spoke to the commissioners about a number of issues, including the generator. The cost for repair is $5505. There is only one unit available with the vendor, and it is necessary for the safe functioning of the department. Funds were available within the budget, and it will be up and going soon.
The Driver’s License position has been filled, from within the department. The office has been swamped with the deadline for Star Cards approaching.
Some other reshuffling within the department has left two openings, with interviews ongoing for the positions, which include dispatch. One officer left for patrol position with the City of Soda Springs.
Sheriff Mabey acknowledged the sad irony, but announced that last year, Caribou County was recognized for experiencing a year without a traffic fatality. The award will be on display at the Sheriff’s Office. “I can’t really say it was anything I did. We did have some deputies out on rural roads as a result of grants. We’re applying for grants again to keep deputies out on the rural roads.
Some of the federal funding issues have affected or will potentially affect the sheriff’s office. Grants have been used to bolster employee salaries in lieu of raises. Many of the grants which are now paused or potentially eliminated are related to safety and emergency preparedness initiatives.
The Sheriff is looking at potential options for replacing the grants, or providing alternate funding sources. The impact might be seen more severely during the upcoming summer travel and public event seasons.
Cassie Cook--BPA
Soda Springs BPA has a chance to go to Nationals in Florida. 3 students came to the commissioners meeting to ask for funds to help with the process. They are looking for funds for a “once in a lifetime opportunity”. The 3 students will each need around $1,500, for a $4,500 total. The adviser, Cassie Cook, is covered. Bayer, Lions Club, and others have contributed various amounts. Bayer, $1000, Lions Club $500. Last year the County donated $1000. 7 students qualified, but Nationals are the same week as a lot of sports activities. Last year, 5 students attended.
The Commissioners donated $2K from PILT. The students leave May 6.
Paul Gritton—City of Soda Springs
Gritton has been working on a proposal to turn the Enders hotel into a State Park. One of the concerns expressed by the state was the potential for generating revenue with the park. Gritton mentioned early on that a spot for a campground would help sell it.
Gritton presented information from the State Parks and Recreation department, indicating that Parks in Idaho are responsible for massive infusions into the economies of areas involved. There are potentially around four or so jobs that may result from this.
He also mentioned that there may be some interest on the part of the State Parks at taking over the Oregon Trail area if it were to become a campground style facility. He suggested that turning over the area to the SP would be a benefit to the county and the city.
The commissioners suggested that they were not opposed to hearing any proposal that may come as a result of the discussion.
The issue with Alexander reservoir and the RMP plan to regulate the crafts on the waterway would be a determining factor in how the county planned to move forward.
“We’d definitely have a conversation with them,” Somsen said.
“I think longterm, a state park will open opportunities we don’t even realize,” Gritton said.
Kent Loosle--CMC
Loosle spoke to the Commissioners about the Chamber of Commerce. Chairman of the Board Debbie Dumont was present. “The goal of the chamber is to build economic dev, and help members grow,” Loosle, who serves on the board, stated.
Loosle mentioned that in addition to members, the Chamber could also use some space for a facility. The Commission noted that there may end up being some empty space as a result of the Event Center being the new location of some of the county agencies that are currently within the annex building.
Rowdy Larkins said that the earliest anyone could be in the Event Center would be August, though it would likely be closer to the late fall or winter.
The Commissioners committed to looking into what spaces might be available once the annex
buildings move.
Commissioner Somsen noted that the County Commission has not donated money to the chamber in the past, but felt that its most useful input might be a location.
Loosle also wondered if the county would assign one of the commissioners to serve as a liaison to the organization.
A motion to join the Chamber at the $250 level was made, from PILT.
Eric Hobson--EMS
Alsco has a contract to do the floormats under the doors at the EMS building and the fire station. The county spends $260/mo for 5 total floor mats outside doors.
The county decided to just buy their own. Alsco said they have a contract, which is a five year, auto-renew contract, which renewed in 2023. The contract is locked in until 2028. The contract requires a full fee amount in order to terminate it.
Doug Wood has been consulted on the matter, and the county commission advised Hobson that if he felt it was prudent to figure out the best way to extricate the county from the contract that they should pursue it.
Helen Barker--PZ
A motion to enter a contract with Craig’s Backhoe service for work at the county’s parks for a total not above $28K was approved.
Barker raised the ongoing Alexander issue of Alexander reservoir. Chairman Mathews noted that Senator Mark Harris planned to attend the meeting on May 21, and the other state level officials had also suggested they might attend.
