County Commission Report 3/23

The Board of County Commissioners met for a regular meeting on March 23.  Among the issues discussed were Deputy Kolby Call’s “Life Saving” presentation, Event Center policies, coming spring road projects, and more.

Sheriff Mabey

Sheriff Mabey spoke to the commission about several issues of concern to the sheriff’s office, including pay/hours related to positions within the department.

During the meeting, Deputy Kolby Call was present to receive a commendation and recognition for his heroism in the recent drowning incident in Caribou County, with his family in attendance.  [See accompanying story.]

Road and Bridge

Kevin McLain reported that the majority of the silica sand has been moved for use on the Ledge Creek trail project the city of Soda Springs is undertaking.

The county has signed a contract for oil, which locks in oil for a year.  Given the potential variability in the economy, the contract comes at a great time.

Chloride, on the other hand, has gone up with the additional problem that there is now only one regional supplier, who recently raised the price due to that fact.  

McLain has been trying to get ahold of the Army Corps of Engineers about a bridge in the county near Chesterfield, which measures 18 feet and is therefore not part of the state or federal bridge funding system.  Two years ago the spillway nearly ruptured, and the bridge needs repair work.  McLain is considering pumping grout up underneath.  

McLain and Dwight Lloyd have discussed using a drone for various things, including putting pre-emergent on the roadway before the snow melts.  Some of the locations are also too steep for workers to get up and down, so a drone (or other aircraft) might be able to serve functions for the Weed and Road departments.  

The Department is in the process of moving their equipment out of the Fair building, which is being prepared for painting. Applications for department employees have been received and are being reviewed.  

Dwight Lloyd

Lloyd spoke more about the drone.  He continued the idea of using a drone to spray roads with weed control and other chemicals.  In his opinion, it wouldn’t be any different than having people spray on foot, in terms of exposure.  The commissioners were cautious about the potential for runoff from melts in heavy snow environments.  Lloyd’s idea was to put pre-emergent on the snow near the roadside, which would then run into the barrow pit during the melt.  The cost of potentially hiring an outside drone operator was discussed.  Doug Wood noted that they would need to have a drone license, and be bonded in order to be hired.  The weight of material a drone could hold was also discussed.  

The commissioners were intrigued by the idea, but wanted to look into it further before making a decision.  

Separately, the commission discussed the Weed Department’s list of weeds they would like to have added to the noxious weeds list.  Russian thistle was the main plant of discussion.  Plants can be added to the state list on a per county basis, but it does require a process in order to received the designation. 

Dyers Woad will stay at $10 a bag for this year since the budget is already set, but potentially increase next year.

EMS - Eric Hobson

Hobson spoke to the commissioners about a couple of grants involving wildfire risk reduction.  Charity Staggs with SICOG appeared with Hobson to discuss the Wildfire Management grant.  Bailey Creek “is going well” and they are adding a phase 2, as well as starting Cedar View.  The grant goes to create firebreaks and make the areas less susceptible to wildfire.  The grants are by reimbursement, at $240K each, with a 10% match from the county, some of which can be done as in-kind.  

Attorney Wood asked how the in-kind work was documented.

Bailey Creek is in its second year, Cedar View is just starting.  

Another grant was to fund the installation of a repeater at the Black Mountain location, which is technically in Bonneville county, but would cover the east side of Caribou County with its broadcast.  

Event Center - Dally Smith

Smith spoke about the rental use agreement, with regard to alcohol.  The Caribou Field Archers are interested in hosting an open bar at an upcoming event, and wondered about the exact policy.  Wedding receptions and other events that may come to the Event Center will likely have similar questions in the future.  Clerk Stoor explained that it depends on what exactly will happen at the event.  A catering license will allow a company to serve alcohol.  A liquor license is required for anyone who will be selling alcohol at the event.  Commissioner McCullough expressed the opinion that they should eliminate alcohol from the rental agreement in order to limit liability for the building.  Commissioner Somsen was in favor of serving alcohol during the event, but not the sale of it.  The issue was ultimately about the county’s exposure.  Weddings and receptions are the most likely events that this would apply to.  Attorney Wood explained that the county’s best option was to include indemnifying language in the contract.

There are a number of upcoming events, including the CMC Health Fair, proms, and other events.  Smith would like to increase the social media presence of the Event Center, so she asked permission to start social media pages for the Event Center.  

The process for reserving and using the Event Center, especially for short meetings for committees and local groups, was discussed.  A deposit is required for the use of the building, which is usually refunded, but is required up front.  Smith suggested that it might be a good idea to adjust the agreement to account for some of the situations that had not anticipated.  Non-profit groups are exempt from the rental charge, but are still responsible for the cleaning deposit.  Commissioner Somsen said that they should try eliminating the deposit required for brief non-profit group meetings, and see if it works.  Another possibility was a $25 meeting fee, rather than the $100 refunded deposit.  

The cleaning service currently charges $85 per cleaning area, which is where the deposit would be used if additional cleaning is needed.  

Helen Barker

Barker spoke to the commissioners about the renewal of the county’s contract with MR&E.  The contract will be the same as in the past.  Maintenance of the parks for $14K is the contract scope.

Tom Calton

Calton has taken over GIS services for the county, with the recent departure of Ally Schwulst.  Emails to her are now forwarded to Calton’s business.  The process of taking over the GIS functions for the county is in progress, but proceeding apace.   

Clerks Office - Jill Stoor

BOE request was received from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.  A Board of Equalization applies to property tax exemptions.  These are typically granted to religious institutions and others, and are generally approved for all churches as they are received.

Stoor presented the “Animal Damage Control” report.  The Forest Service provided the report upon request.  The county pays around $2000 a year for the service, which prevents animal damage to county property.

The Caribou Medical Foundation requested sponsorship for an upcoming golf tournament.  The County agreed to sponsor a team for $500.  The tournament is June 19.  

Idaho Fish and Game and the county have a contract for maintenance of porta potties in the county, but Clerk Stoor was unsure which porta potties were included.  The original contract will be located in order to determine the specifics. 

Galen Wilson from the Historical Board which has recently been constituted in order to pursue grants requested information from the commissioners in order to complete the process.  

Chairman Mathews mentioned that he had been hearing already about a drought declaration for the season.  They will begin looking into it soon.

Judge Cody Brower and Aaron Thompson, who are running for the judgeship in Caribou County A, will be meeting with commissioners at the 4CASI meeting.