The Boise Guardian

County Land Purchase Violated Idaho Law

dave — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:41:00 +0000

Public records obtained by the GUARDIAN indicate the Ada County purchase of a foothills subdivision May 8 was contrary to Idaho Code 31-807 which mandates an appraisal by a LICENSED appraiser must be made prior to purchase.

The applicable law states: “…but no purchase of real property must be made unless the value of the same has been previously estimated by a real estate appraiser licensed to appraise real property in the state of Idaho pursuant to the provisions of chapter 41, title 54,…”

County officials were quietly checking out the land as early as April 23. A county tax appraiser–certified to do tax appraisals, but not LICENSED as required by law–was contacted by a county lawyer regarding the legal description and value of the property commonly known as Red Hawk Subdivision.

The appraiser responded with an informal note–not a legal appraisal–saying: “I have looked (sic) reviewed the valuation on these parcels and have searched for market comparables within the North Ada County Area. From my review these parcels consist of sloping and rolling terrain, with limited access. From the market research that I have compiled, I have observed a comparables range of $1000 to $5000 per acre with variances depending primarily on access and overall site usability. Please let me know if you need any other information.”

Despite this activity two weeks prior to the May 8 meeting, the commishes made a last minute amendment to the agenda, met in a secret session and then voted publicly to authorize the legal staff to bid at the sheriff’s sale a mere two hours later. The 258 acre parcel was purchased by the county for $240,000. We see no justification for the secret executive session since the land was being offered for sale at a public sheriff’s auction and public knowledge of the county’s interest wouldn’t affect the auction price.

The county made no declaration of public need or public purpose prior to the acquisition. Commish Sharon Ullman told the Idaho statesman they were protecting the interest of the taxpayers with the purchase because the owner owed back taxes and legal fees. That logic simply doesn’t wash because liens placed on the property by the county would satisfy any back taxes or legal fees–there was no need to purchase the land and remove it from the tax rolls.

They may have gotten a good deal, but the deal was outside the law and we see a scramble afoot to cover their tracks.

Ullman Ousted, Case In Line For Appointment

dave — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:18:40 +0000

Ada Commish Sharon Ullman self destructed in the primary election, paving the the way for Gov. Butch Otter to appoint Dave Case to fill the remaining six months of the seat vacated by Vern Bisterfeldt. Case garnered 11,471 votes to Ullman’s 9833 for a 54-46% victory.

The Ada County Republican Central Committee meets Thursday to select three names they will provide to the Guv as possible appointees to fill the position vacated by Vern Bisterfeldt who resigned May 4 for health reasons. The GUARDIAN generally doesn’t endorse candidates, but since Case will likely take office in January as the Repub winner in the November general election, it makes sense to give him–and the citizens–a six month head start, especially with budget matters in the works. No sense in warming the commish seat with someone who will leave soon.

Ullman’s troubles focused around the controversial Dynamis trash-energy project at the county landfill. At a candidate forum just a week prior to the primary election, Ullman showed up, but refused to participate–to the bewilderment of the audience.

The county rushed through a $2 million payment to Dynamis under the guise of acquiring federal stimulus funds. However, the Dynamis facility is to be privately owned and operated. The county would provide it with free fuel (trash) and Dynamis would retain all earnings from sale of electricity. Ullman repeatedly defended the deal and even boasted of working with the county attorney to formulate the contract. She claimed the $2 million was for the design plans to the private facility and would be repaid to the county prior to construction. Idaho’s constitution bans public loans to private organizations.

Case opposed the project, its lack of transparency, and the speed with which it was going forward–despite red flags regarding Dynamis and its financing. He was supported by folks living close to the landfill with three days of full page ads in the Statesman prior to the election.

Road Kill Smorgasbord Now Legal In Idaho

dave — Mon, 14 May 2012 23:12:46 +0000

If you have the urge to chow down on bobcat burgers or munch on muskrat, you are in luck!

Idaho Fish and Game reports this week that new road-kill rules passed by the legislature allow motorists to snatch up those prized parts of everything from dead moose to striped skunk and coyote found along Idaho highways.

Pressed duck is illegal, but pheasant pot pie is OK. No migratory birds can be salvaged. They must be left to rot. We note long-tailed weasel is legal, but due to portion size only children and seniors will be interested.

All you need to be legal is a computer or cell phone to apply for the necessary permit within 24 hours. Then you get a permit within 72 hours. Here is how they describe the process in a press release:
“A self-generating permit is available for printing after entering required information, including date, location and species salvaged. A copy of the permit must accompany the salvaged wildlife.”

The GUARDIAN had all sorts of questions about the process. For instance: if you make muskrat and skunk canapé’s do you need to have a permit posted on the table? Is it considered fair to use those big brush guards on the pick-ups that sit six feet off the pavement?

While they advise motorists to not stop on the freeway for a bull moose rack, there is no apparent requirement you have to kill the critters with the family sedan. You can just follow along and “salvage” what others whack and leave behind.

The press release notes:
“In addition to reporting a salvage, the following wildlife must be presented to the nearest Fish and Game office to satisfy mandatory check and reporting requirements: moose, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, mountain lion, black bear, wolf, bobcat and river otter.” Can’t you just see the F-150 pull up to F&G and a guy wearing a John Deere cap gets out and declares, “I am here to present a mountain goat as prescribed by law.”

The new rules also allow people to sell parts–except the meat–from legally salvaged wildlife, not including bighorn sheep. People may also retain and consume the meat of legally salvaged wildlife – but they do so at their own risk.

It appears about anything found dead on the road is… FAIR GAME.

Some Educated Thoughts To Consider

dave — Mon, 14 May 2012 21:12:13 +0000

Its an annual event this time of year: students graduate either high school or college, there are inspiring stories of old immigrants getting degrees, students overcoming emotional and financial hurdles, and of course politicos making commencement addresses to show they are “pro education.”

Just today we encountered a couple of youngsters (nearly everyone is a youngster to the GUARDIAN) mixing those foo-foo latte drinks at a local java joint who graduated from BSU “Magna Cum Laude.” Asked their plans for when they “grow up,” they both planned to go to grad school. A fellow barista is already working on a masters degree.

We also contacted a guy who left a flyer in the door that was NOT from a politician, so we read it. He wanted to do yard work. We gave him a call and caught him in the middle of a high school shop class where he is a senior about to graduate.

From a business standpoint (return on investment), the highschooler is much more “profitable” than the brilliant baristas. He has low overhead, little investment and can make upwards of $20 an hour.

The college grads have at least 4 years and perhaps $40,000 invested, are probably in debt to the government for student loans and have no job prospects on the horizon. This picture is common in the USA and something’s wrong with it.

This doesn’t mean we should be training landscape laborers, but it certainly offers food for thought regarding the value of a college degree, the “right” course of study, and the state of economics and education in America. Your educated thoughts please.

County Outbids Citizen For Land

dave — Fri, 11 May 2012 18:40:04 +0000

Jeff Wood lives in Hidden Springs and for years has dreamed of building his “dream home” atop a rugged bluff north of his current residence.

He contacted the owner, only to learn the property was in the midst of a legal battle and subsequent foreclosure action. He followed the land dealings through the legal process and ended up on the steps of the Ada County Sheriff Tuesday at a public auction.

Long story made short: Ada County sent a couple of employees–at least one was probably from the Prosecutor’s office–and bid the price up in $10,000 increments fast enough to scare off Wood. They got it for $240,000. Opening bid started at $211,000.

The GUARDIAN has made calls and sent e-mails to the Commisioners and their administrator–no one has responded. Statesman reporter Cynthia Sewell had better luck and posted the COUNTY VERSION of events.

Based on the Statesman account the deal looks clean and tidy, all done for the benefit of county citizens. We hope that is true, but still note it is “irregular” to authorize a bid/purchase only two hours prior to acquiring land.

According to the Statesman report, Commish Ullman implies the county acquired the land at least in part to satisfy a tax lien of $10,403 and unspecified legal fees. While the county may now have land, it is off the tax rolls and cost taxpayers an additional $240,000 cash.

No related posts.

Ada County Buys Foreclosed Subdivision

dave — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:11:20 +0000

First it was the Idaho Land Board purchasing a private storage business, now Ada County Commishes bought a foreclosed subdivision on 250 acres north of Hidden Springs and east of Highway 55 for $240,000.

Known as Red Hawk Estates, the development fell on hard times and was foreclosed by Bank of The Cascades from Dry Creek Partners on January 19. As provided by Idaho code, the land was sold at a Sheriff’s Sale on Tuesday.

The Ada Commishes–Sharon Ullman and Rick Yzaguirre–rammed the deal through with a last minute change to the agenda and voted to place a bid. They met in executive session prior to authorizing the bid at the Sheriff’s Sale.

Efforts to get an explanation from various county staffers and officials regarding the motivation for the purchase have been futile. No one can tell us WHY the county purchased an undeveloped platted subdivision. There was only one other bidder at the auction. That party placed a bid of $230,000 on the barren foothills land.

The foreclosure and sale were properly advertised, but based on records and agendas posted at the Commish site, we can’t see any public discussion or consideration that would justify the sudden expenditure.

No related posts.

City Councilor And Mayor Create “Conflict Of Interest”

dave — Wed, 09 May 2012 21:27:09 +0000

Ever since TJ Thomson got elected he has kept a low profile with regard to his city council position–until now.

The GUARDIAN has learned the quiet councilor will be featured in a local version of “Dancing With The Stars” Saturday at the Boise Centre on The Grove, but one of the judges is Mayor Dave Bieter. We know politics makes strange bedfellows, but having a judge who needs to suck up to a councilor for funding pet projects seems “irregular” at best–and probably a conflict.

Since it is a fund raiser for MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY, we can give them a pass on the obvious conflict. The legacy media needs to investigate who his dance partner is.

A Dirty Little Boise Secret?

dave — Tue, 08 May 2012 19:17:37 +0000

A reader sent us a story he found in a national magazine about Boise. “We didn’t read it ma, the big boys showed it to us.”

We haven’t had a press release from city hall– or even heard of one being sent to the legacy media–about another “National Magazine Poll,” but MEN’S HEALTH rated Boise just one slot off the TOP TEN rank for smuttiest cities in the USA.

If they get us up there with “most livable” and “bike friendly,” there may be some socially redeeming value.

Coppers Cooperate To Buy Bike Parts

dave — Tue, 08 May 2012 17:46:02 +0000

When the GUARDIAN made a call Tuesday urging coppers to get together with a bike mechanic and fix the special three wheeler which was stolen and recovered in pieces, they were ahead of the curve.

We talked to the union prez who reports the copper on the case had already contacted the manufacturer in England as well as a Boise Bike mechanic. Both are donating their services and parts to “gitterdone.”

It all started when a bad guy stole an expensive trike from a special needs victim. The trike was stolen Sunday afternoon from in front of the man’s residence. It was his only means of transportation. It was recovered at two locations Monday after the news media highlighted the story.

GUARDIAN kudos go to the media, the public, the coppers, the manufacturer, and the bike mechanic for doing the right thing and helping a fellow citizen in need. No doubt the “real media” will have an official report from the coppers public relations dept. We just wanted to make sure the story gets out now.

Boise To “Upgrade” Council Chambers For Only $1,300,000

dave — Mon, 07 May 2012 19:35:41 +0000

UPDATE Tuesdy 5/8/12–Councilors passed the expenditure on a 4-2 vote. Councilors TJ Thomson and Ben Quintana stood up against staff and four of their colleagues to cast the no votes. Thomson noted it was hard to justify the expense in the face of the current budget crunch. The GUARDIAN was asked by one wag if the council chambers would now have thrones.

Couched as a routine budget transfer of funds, the Boise City Council will be asked Tuesday to pony up $1.3 million of tax money for what amounts to a three room upgrade–the council chambers area. It will be an INCREASE to the code upgrade previously approved.

Like most things “on sale,” the upgrade will actually save $200,000. Right!

Here is how it is presented in the Council work agenda:

Public Works (Capital Fund) – City Hall Building 1, 3rd Floor Public Space Upgrades: $1,300,000 (one-time)
Public Works is requesting approval of a $1.3 million increase to the City Hall Code Upgrade capital project, funded by a transfer from the Capital Facilities Contingency. The additional funding will be used to improve the functionality and configuration of the public-use areas of Building 1, 3rd Floor, which have not received any significant enhancements since the building was constructed in the 1970s. Completing these enhancements now is advantageous because the 3rd floor is being significantly impacted by the current Code Upgrade project; the upgrade work can be incorporated into the overall project with minimal impact to the overall schedule. Postponing this work to a future date would result in a $200,000 increase to the overall project cost as well as increased inflationary costs. Improvements will be focused on the areas used by the public when participating in government activities, including the Council Chambers, lobby / reception area, Bonneville Room / City Council work space, as well as associated utility / storage areas. Staff has worked with the design team to develop a conceptual plan to resolve long- standing issues such as lobby noise / acoustics, limited flexibility, outdated audio-visual capabilities and inadequate Americans with Disabilities Act access.

The GUARDIAN reported in December that no local artist’s work made the final cut for inclusion in the new City Hall makeover.