Interim Director of UI Extension offices introduced to county commissioners

Extension Agent Randy Brooks introduced Larry Branen, Interim Director University of Idaho Extension offices, to Clearwater County Commissioners during their regular session Nov. 28.

Branen served as dean of Agriculture College at U of I, now he is doing research for them. He was asked to serve as the interim director for District 1, and is covering the outreach programs for the U of I in northern Idaho. The Commissioners commended the programs and all the work that Brooks provides for Clearwater County.

The commissioners held an open hearing to consider the report of Planning and Zoning Administrator TJ. Rausch and the recommendations from the Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Commission meeting held Nov. 19.

Approval was given for:

• A Simple Subdivision requested by Don Tuntland to divide approximately 10.3 acres into three lots with Lot A 4.93 acres, Lot B 16593 square feet and Lot C 5 acres. This property is located in Section 03, Township 36 North, Range 01 East, on 13030 Highway 12.
• A Simple Subdivision requested by Lew and Patti Mangum to divide 5.05 acres into 2 lots with Lot A 1.46 acres and Lot B 3.59 acres. This property is located in Section 4, Township 36 North, Range 01 East, at 13614 Fremont Ave.
• A Simple Subdivision requested by Harold and Janice Swift to divide 20 acres into 2 lots with Lot A 14 acres and Lot B 6 acres. This property is located in Section 26, Township 38 North, Range 01 East, on Dick's Creek in the Freeman Creek area
• A Simple Subdivision requested by David Nygaard, Terry Nygaard, and Ivalene Wise to divide 48 acres into 3 lots with Lot A 16 acres, Lot B 16 acres, Lot C 16 acres. This property is located in Section 10, Township 37 North, Range 02 East, on Dent Bridge Road.
• A waiver requested by Richard Buttrey to waive the provisions of the re-subdivision requirements of the Clearwater County Ordinance, and A Re-subdivision request by Richard Buttrey to divide 5 acres into 2 lots with Lot A 3 acres and Lot B 2 acres. This property is located in Section 2, Township 36 North, Range 01 West & Section 35, Township 37 North, Range 01 West, located near 4520 Old Peck Grade
• A final plat by Gary Medley for a subdivision of approximately 70 + acres into 13 lots, each 5+/- acres. This property is located in Section 03 & 04, Township 36 North, Range 01 West and Section 34, Township 37 North, Range 01 West, on Sunnyside Bench Road.

A follow-up review on a Conditional Use permit established in 2004 by Daniel Vaughan to operate an ore processing facility, an industrial use, at Gold Pan Dan's INC. (formally Medley Cedar Mill). This property is located in Section 2, Township 35 North, Range 04 East, along Highway 11 outside of Weippe. The Board re-affirmed conditional use permit as approved in 2004.

Helen Savage, Clearwater's Promise, Treasurer Jeannie Johnson and Clerk Robin Christensen asked the commissioners to consider adopting a change in the group's name. Savage said that the advisory committee is requesting a change in the name to "County Commission on Youth" to clarify that this is a county-wide organization. This group is also asking to establish a fund account under the county and the fiscal agent be the County Auditor. The county would audit and supervise the funds moving through the account. Consensus of group is that the concerns can be worked out with Clearwater's Promise committee and the county. The information was taken under advisement until legal counsel reviews the matter and makes recommendations.

Commissioners approved the Treasurer's request for the Cancellation Apportionment of Taxes on $14,429.17, for changes in value or cancellation of fees. They also reviewed and signed the Juvenile Corrections Annual Financial Report and approved signing the agreement between AmericanWest Bank and Clearwater County for electronic deposits through ACH.

The Assessor's office requested and received approval to cancel a portion of taxes on $50,000 value for a Home Owner's Exemption (HOE) on RP36NO2E233602A.

Salary claims for the period of 10/23/05 to 11/19/05 were approved and paid in the following amounts: Current Expense-$52,252.28; Road and Bridge-$29,575.70; Ambulance-$9,197.47; Justice Sheriff-$80,486.71; Justice Court-$10,032.00; Justice Prosecuting Attorney-$12,155.69; Social Services-$2,024.00; Revaluation-$7,707.21; Solid Waste-$4,652.60; Weed Control-$2,211.20; Waterways-$2,326.80. Total payroll expenses were $212,621.66.

An Emergency Management update was given by Don Gardner, coordinator. National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) training was scheduled for that week in Orofino. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved the All Hazard Mitigation Plan. The SHGP 2005 Worksheet allocating funds for the administration and planning portion of the grant were reviewed.

Road and Bridge Supervisor Rob Simon discussed the Annual Road Financial Report was reviewed. The obligated amount for future projects was set at $93,176. This report is returned to the State to review for road funding.

Departmental reports were received from Networking/Technology by Angela Vander Pas and Sheriff's department by Sheriff Alan Hengen, Chief Deputy Gene Fish, Deputy Chris Goetz, Deputy Rick Miller and Office Manager Renee Hedrick.

Two executive sessions were held to discuss personnel and indigent issues. All three commissioners were present for the session.