Caribou County Commisioner highlights, Aug 12
Kevin McLain Road and Bridge
Have gotten positive comments on Cedar View. A lot of shoulder work completed.
Blackfoot River Bridge project is starting this week, and will involve some traffic flagging at the intersection.
Chipping of the Grace area will also begin this week.
Eric Hobson—EMS
Fire season is still underway. “Everything is dry and getting drier,” Hobson said. Fire danger will persist until moisture begins to accumulate later in the year. The fires here have been small recently.
When the county stations one of the fire trucks in Grace, there will not be a thermal imager, which is used to detect dangerous “hot spots” in structures. Hobson brought a quote for an imager, with $5100 for the base model. He recommended a more durable one, for $9000, primarily due to the service contracting and company warranty/support.
The commissioners approved a purchase for $9,199 from Curtis Tools for Heroes.
14 EMTs are through the Advanced EMT class, with 1 more class to go. All the new equipment bills should start coming in for STAT packs. They have six ambulances, so all the purchases are times six. Hobson has been able to reduce the cost supplies by getting clearance and trial versions of equipment. They are getting everything up to the Scope of Practice the state requires.
Next EMT class this winter. Oct 14 Tues nights during the week and be done by Feb.
Rowdy Larkins--Buildings
The commissioners discussed an MOU over storm water issues at the Event Center. Jake Wright, from the Grace Wastewater Plant, provided some information on past levels in the system, and what will be required from the event center.
In a 100 year storm event, the parking lot and possibly the building might be affected. The property that the event center sits on now was formerly undeveloped, and water from the north and west tended to not pose a problem. However, the asphalt and paving will cause water to accumulate on the surface now. An underground wastewater system has a higher cost, but will take up less space above ground, and allow for more development of the property around it. A swell is cheaper, but will take real estate. The difference in cost is roughly twice for the below ground facility. There will be more piping and the cost of rock and fabric.
According to Wright, it would be good to keep the East side of the event center open for development.
One option to the break the property into several systems. Wright thinks it will have to be piped from the catch basin regardless. Setting the system to flood the opposite side, which is the fairgrounds proper, would require coordination with the city of Grace.
The crown heights of the involved areas are one complicating factor.
Larkins wants to get the storm water system in place before the paving is done at the site. It was decided to speak with the city of Grace before any decisions are made.
Ally Schwulst—GIS
Schwulst has created a section of the website for the county that contains Caribou County maps of a number of types. This includes election maps that can be linked to addresses that provide the user information about the relevant districts they are assigned to. In addition, there is information about road closures, trails, construction, forest service maps, and a lot more. Maps can be downloaded from the site for printing or use on devices. Winter Road Maintenance, Zoning Map, Facilities and Points of Interest, and other interactive maps are also contained on the county’s website. The maps are searchable by a number of result filters, and provide a great deal of information for residents of the county, including contact numbers, links to websites, and more.
For instance, the Zoning map contains links to zoning codes relevant to the areas highlighted.
Schwulst created the maps in order to make county information more available and practical, and it should make finding county information much easier for those who are seeking it. We will bring you a more complete rundown of the maps on the county website soon.
Helen Barker—PZ
Barker reported that someone had crashed into the ramp at the Oregon Trail Marina. The bolts have been damaged, probably by backing into it. It has been temporarily made functional for the moment, but an aluminum welder has been contracted to make repairs. New parts will be made for next season, but will require months before they are available.
Suggestions for a better way to deal with the dock were discussed. There is a missing ramp, which it is hoped might be located.
