***Monday, April 6, 2020, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Walt Kirby (via telephone), Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.

Commissioners gave the opening invocation and said the Pledge of Allegiance.

9:00 a.m., Commissioners held an elected officials/department heads meeting. Present were: Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser, Treasurer Sue Larson, Solid Waste Department Superintendent Claine Skeen, Courthouse Maintenance John Buckley, Chief Probation Officer Stacy Brown, Planning and Zoning Administrator John Moss, Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee, Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendents Renee Nelson and Randy Morris, Noxious Weeds Department Superintendent Dave Wenk, Veterans Service Officer Ron Self, Courthouse Security/Bailiff Ben Reinhardt, Sheriff Dave Kramer, Airport Manager Dave Parker, and Emergency Manager/County Public Information Officer Andrew O’Neel.

Chairman Dinning stated that county employees who are staying at home for non-medical reasons, need to be available to help out in other offices if need be. Commissioners need to know that those employees will assist other offices. It’s looking like Idaho’s time for the Coronavirus to peak is approximately April 26th. People need to pay attention to their choices, such as staying six feet apart, or hugging and shaking hands, etc., as it will impact others so we need to be mindful. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners will hold another elected officials/department heads meeting this Thursday at 9:00 a.m.

Clerk Poston discussed matters pertaining to elections.

Attorney Hull asked for clarity regarding Chairman Dinning’s first statement. Chairman Dinning said there are some county offices that are not open and if need be, employees from those offices might be called in to assist in other county offices.

Ms. Brown said she’s putting together a work schedule so not all Probation Office employees show up to work at the same time.

Mr. Skeen said everything is going well for the Solid Waste Department. There haven’t been any real negative comments from the general public with regard to the closure of the monitored sites on certain days.

Mr. Moss said the Planning and Zoning Commission has no scheduled hearings coming up, at least through May. Office hours are still 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but he’s only accepting email correspondence and no physical contact at his office. Chairman Dinning said next week was to be the continuance of the hearing to consider Planning and Zoning Application #19-177, so Commissioners will make a motion to continue this hearing again to May 11, 2020. It was said that Attorney Hull is reviewing the Findings and Decision for Planning and Zoning Application 19-177 as it pertains to urban subdivisions.

Ms. Magee said everything at the Restorium is okay and she is working on staffing changes to prevent cross contamination. Ms. Magee commented that she still needs a backup thermometer and hand sanitizer, but she did get 52 masks this weekend and someone else is making more so she should have them this week.

Mr. Morris said Road and Bridge is just working as per normal, checking roads as well as opening a few roads. Road and Bridge is brushing Ruby Creek Road today. Ms. Nelson said the county webpage for Road and Bridge shows which roads are now open. Ms. Nelson said Road and Bridge is also working on permits. The office is closed to the public, according to Ms. Nelson.

Mr. Wenk informed Commissioners that he’s working in the dispatch center to help out the Sheriff’s Office. Mr. Wenk asked Clerk Poston if a person is listed on a ballot as a candidate, is it illegal for that person to help stuff election envelopes if the Clerk’s Office needs help. Clerk Poston said if that person were running for precinct committeeman, they would be given a different precinct.

Mr. Self said everything is going well for Veterans Services. Mr. Self offered to help stuff envelopes as well.

Mr. O’Neel provided an update on COVID-19 for Idaho. The State of Idaho has 1,100 cases and 10 people have died. Bonner County now has two cases with no deaths and nobody is in the hospital. Kootenai County has 42 cases. Mr. O’Neel said in most situations people with the virus stay at home until their symptoms go away. Boundary County still has no cases of COVID-19. In Boundary County 27 tests have been done, 22 tests have come back negative and five tests are still pending. Mr. O’Neel said only one out of 10 who are tested are positive. If Boundary County does get cases here, it’s expected to follow the same course as Bonner County as opposed to having a higher number of cases like Kootenai County. Mr. O’Neel informed those present of the website, coronavirus.gov and he said it looks like there is some good news to be seen. Mr. O’Neel encouraged keeping up on social distancing and he said hopefully we will see zero cases here. People should still stay six feet apart and driving separately in vehicles was also advised. For county vehicles, it’s one person per county vehicle and cleaning the inside the vehicle was advised when getting out.

Chairman Dinning informed those on the call of a quote given to Ms. Magee as it pertained to keeping residents of the Restorium safe and it fits this situation in general. The quote was that you only get one chance at this, so don’t get lazy and don’t take the precautions for this virus lightly.

Sheriff Kramer said he greatly appreciates Mr. Wenk helping out in dispatch. The jail population is down and there are only six people in jail. Sheriff Kramer commented that there is a carport behind the Sheriff’s Office where new inmates are checked prior to coming in. The Sheriff’s Academy has been canceled.

Chairman Dinning asked Sheriff Kramer and Ms. Magee to get in touch with each other regarding Sysco Food Service. Mr. O’Neel mentioned that he would contact Ms. Magee regarding hand sanitizer for the Restorium, the use of homemade masks and to still plan for a medical surge that may come. Clerk Poston said if any of the departments need a mask, send Commissioners’ Office an email with how many masks are needed.

Ms. Robertson said she did not have much to report for the Extension Office. Staff is still staggering their shifts and notifying each other when someone is in the office so as not to run into each other.

Chairman Dinning said Commissioners will hold another elected officials/department heads conference call this Thursday at 9:00 a.m. to keep communication open.

The meeting ended at 9:24 a.m.

9:30 a.m., Road and Bridge Co-Superintendents Renee Nelson and Randy Morris and Commissioners discussed the 2,500 gallon fuel tank at the Road and Bridge shop. Mr. Morris said this is the tank that has been sitting at Road and Bridge for approximately one year now and it’s an above ground tank with a catch basin around it. It’s a legal tank so Road and Bridge could save a lot of money if they can fill the tank and put a plug in it until they figure out a pumping system. Commissioner Kirby said it’s a good idea to fill up the tank and Commissioner Cossairt agreed.

Mr. Nelson there are things coming up this week and next week that their crew will let them know about, such as travel out of state for a doctor’s appointment that is not COVID-19 related and a custody mandate. It was said that each situation is for a family member and they should be quarantined. Ms. Nelson asked if that employee stayed in one specific vehicle and was not to come into the office. Chairman Dinning asked if there would be interaction with the rest of the crew. Ms. Nelson explained how it would function with having the employee working on projects away from the rest of the crew and just checking in on the radio. Chairman Dinning asked about fueling up and touching gas pumps and Ms. Nelson said gloves and masks could be worn at the pumps. Chairman Dinning stressed not having the employee around the crew. Ms. Nelson explained to Commissioners that the medical situation just involves the employee being asked to drive their relative to the appointment. Ms. Nelson said Road and Bridge has one employee who has been out sick and is getting better, but they have a family member who is having issues and is now quarantined. Ms. Nelson asked if the employee can come back to work when the family member shows no symptoms and Chairman Dinning said all family should stay home until they’ve been cleared by Panhandle Health District.

Mr. Morris said a hole was forming on Ruby Creek Bridge #4. Chairman Dinning asked if the hole is in the road or the bridge and Mr. Morris said it’s in the bridge. Clerk Poston informed Mr. Morris and Ms. Nelson that Secure Rural Schools (SRS) funds should be coming in this week at $550,000.00. Mr. Morris said they borrowed steel road crossing plates from Bonner County and we could keep our eyes open to find our own. Commissioner Cossairt said yes, we should have a couple. Commissioner Kirby agreed. Mr. Morris said he would see what he could find.

Those present discussed the Trout Creek South Bridge. Ms. Nelson said the contract was awarded to CE Kramer Crane and Contracting on April 3rd so she will see about additional funding.

Chairman Dinning said Commissioners were just presented with a claim for $35,000.00. Ms. Nelson said that took the Deep Creek Loop project all the way up to providing the actual project scope and engineering document that the Idaho Transportation Department needs to get ready to put the project out to bid.

The meeting with Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris ended at 9:41 a.m.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the minutes of March 2, 2020. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Single Audit Certification Form for the Airport Improvement Project for fiscal year ending September 30, 2020 for the Boundary County Airport. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to authorize the Chairman to sign Change Order #002 for changes totaling $18,599.70 as it pertains to the armory remodel for the Sheriff’s Office as follows: to provide new carpeting in the existing offices, install new vinyl flooring in the existing hallway, install carpet in existing entryway, cut down existing door, provide and install attic access door, install aluminum letters and directional arrows, provide and install metal sign, delete window sills in various rooms and offices, add Corian edge to countertops; delete new frame, door and hardware for Door 100B; remove 5 x 5 concrete sidewalk, remove and replace 5 x 24 feet of asphalt paving and replace with concrete. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Modification of the Voluntary Maintenance Agreement with 9B Trails. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Kirby moved to sign the No Spray Weed Agreement for Christi Kramer and Jean Eddy. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.

Chairman Dinning informed Commissioners that he contacted Attorney Erika Malmen regarding the Bog Creek matter to see what her firm would charge to be either a full intervener or a friend of the court. The cost to be a friend of the court is $25,000.00 and full intervener status would cost $135,000.00. Chairman Dinning explained that this brings the bear management unit (BMU) in the Boundary Creek area into compliance.

10:00 a.m., Solid Waste Department Superintendent Claine Skeen called Commissioners to give his department report. Mr. Skeen discussed a roll off truck that is available that he would like to purchase. Mr. Skeen commented that the dyno test looks good for this truck and when using the roll offs, he would like to have this truck as a backup. SWS Equipment is asking $40,000.00, but after repairing an air leak the final price is $42,550.00. Commissioners mentioned trading in an existing truck and Mr. Skeen said he has two trucks, but he would prefer not trading those in so he has backups. Commissioner Kirby said this $42,000.00 truck would be an addition to the fleet. Mr. Skeen said in his budget he has $20,000.00 in capital buildings, but naturally he doesn’t have this truck purchase planned in this budget. Mr. Skeen expressed concern if the existing roll off truck were to break down as he would be back to square one. Chairman Dinning said if the roll off truck does break down and the county went back to using compactor trucks, does it only have a bearing on wood and metal? Mr. Skeen said that was correct. Commissioners questioned safety going forward and that it appears a roll off truck is much safer for employees to use for garbage and everything else. Mr. Skeen said yes. The system being used now is a lot safer and the operator is not breathing in the smashed garbage. Chairman Dinning asked if we are going to want to convert everything to roll offs. Mr. Skeen said yes, that would be a benefit and he added that by what is going on now and in looking into the future, using roll off trucks is better protection for employees. Commissioners asked about the value of the existing compactors and other 10 yard containers. Mr. Skeen said he still has 10 yard containers and he has them at the Courthouse, Boundary Community Hospital and the Restorium so he would have to adjust or change them out or maintain at least one rear load garbage truck for those types of containers. Chairman Dinning suggested seeing what the value of those trucks and 10 yard bins are. Commissioner Cossairt asked how many more roll offs would be needed and Mr. Skeen said he would need nine more. Mr. Skeen informed Commissioners that he purchased the prior roll offs out of Pennsylvania years ago and it was the cheapest he found.

Mr. Skeen commented that he spoke with Road and Bridge Co-Superintendent Randy Morris about getting gravel. Commissioners said they would talk to Mr. Morris and have him get in touch with Mr. Skeen.

County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull joined the meeting via conference call.

10:20 a.m., Commissioner Cossairt moved to go into executive session pursuant to Idaho Code 74-206(1)b, to consider the evaluation, dismissal or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, or public school student. Commissioner Kirby second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Kirby “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended. No action was taken.

The call to Mr. Skeen and Attorney Hull ended.

10:30 a.m., Chief Probation Officer Stacy Brown contacted Commissioners to give the department report. Ms. Brown informed Commissioners how many people are on unsupervised and supervised probation, the Diversion Program, and the number on juvenile probation. Ms. Brown said there are four pending new juvenile cases. Ms. Brown informed Commissioners that all of her district meetings use the Zoom Program so things seem to be going well. As far as the armory construction, the insulation is in and the builder is working on some of the drywall. Ms. Brown said she had nothing else to report.

The call with Ms. Brown ended at 10:45 a.m.

Commissioners tended to administrative duties.

11:00 a.m., Courthouse Maintenance John Buckley contacted Commissioners to give them his department report Mr. Buckley said he had nothing to report. He does have masks, but does need a cloth mask for himself. Those present discussed supplies Mr. Buckley has on hand and what is on back order. Mr. Buckley informed Commissioners that there is vile graffiti at the snowmobile park that was discovered and the entire interior of the building may need to be painted or stained.

The call with Mr. Buckley ended at 11:03 a.m.

Chairman Dinning informed Commissioners that Bonners Ferry District Forest Ranger Kevin Knauth contacted him to see if Road and Bridge had any barricades the Forest Service could borrow as they have had to close the campgrounds. Chairman Dinning said he would contact Road and Bridge and ask them to get in touch with the Forest Service.

Commissioners recessed until their meeting at 11:30 a.m.

11:30 a.m., Boundary Economic Development (EDC) Director Dennis Weed contacted Commissioners to provide an update on EDC projects. Eric Lederhos with EL Automation also participated in the meeting.

Mr. Weed said he’s been working with a lot of businesses and they’re looking at paycheck protection plans or economic disaster loans. These businesses mainly consist of the retail sector and restaurants. The lumber mills are doing fine and so far the hospital, schools, cabinet shops, and government are doing okay. It seems to be that retail and restaurants are more affected due to the stay at home order and closures. The Kootenai River Inn is probably a major employer that is being hurt as a result of the virus. It will probably get worse as last week’s notice stated that the unemployment rate is expected to be between 15% and 33% when this is over. During the great depression the unemployment rate was 24.9%. Mr. Weed said the main thing is trying to keep businesses going and weathering the storm. Chairman Dinning said he thinks this is going to be different than the great depression in that there are different backup systems in place. There are a lot of corporate derivative issues that we haven’t seen yet. In the worst case scenario, we’re looking at money market derivatives, etc. Mr. Weed said he’s looking at how this affects Boundary County and north Idaho and we just don’t know yet until it hits Boundary County. There are almost 300 employees between the two mills so that’s big to the economy if those businesses are hurt. Summer McDonald with the Department of Labor is working all day taking calls from people about unemployment.

Mr. Weed mentioned that he does have a call into Verizon about issues, but he hasn’t heard back yet. If someone has a hotspot on their phone, Verizon is giving 15 gigabytes of free data, which affects the towers. Mr. Lederhos said he was contacted by Verizon and since November 2019, they’ve had problems on the Black Mountain tower and learned that it was due to interference instead of an antennae issue. Verizon is looking into stations they think might be causing the interference. Mr. Lederhos said he doesn’t expect there to be any issues working on this with these stations.

Mr. Weed said since the coronavirus hit, inquiries from people interested in Boundary County has increased from one per week to four or five inquiries per day. Mr. Lederhos said loading and the need for bandwidth has increased dramatically.

Mr. Weed said engineering for the sewer project is a bit behind. The good news is that when we get to the construction phase, due to the economy, we will probably get lowers bids and the cost of material will probably drop off. The project could come in lower than first priced. Mr. Weed informed Commissioners that the City of Moyie was number two in the state for this grant project so they will most likely receive $500,000.00, and they’re also still looking at Army Corps of Engineer funds, which are a significant amount.

The call with Mr. Weed ended at 11:45 a.m.

Commissioners recessed for lunch at noon.

1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Walt Kirby (via telephone), Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.

1:30 p.m., Sheriff Dave Kramer and Sheriff’s Office Administrator Crystal Denton contacted Commissioners’ Office to discuss quotes received for internet and fiber connectivity between the armory and existing Sheriff’s Office. Two quotes were received for fiber connection from the armory back to the Sheriff’s Office. The quotes also provide for internet to both buildings. One quote was from Fatbeam and the second quote is from EL Automation and the quotes are for the same service, which is for dark fiber between the two buildings. Dark fiber doesn’t touch anyone so data is secure, according to Ms. Denton. Ms. Denton said the quote from EL Automation is $1,300.00 for installation and $400.00 per month. This provides overhead and underground installation and also provides the hardware that goes into the building to convert fiber to network cabling. The Sheriff’s Office will be responsible for wire and the fiber in that piece of hardware. Ms. Denton said the quote from Fatbeam is $795.00 per month and they’re waiving their installation fee of $995.00 so it’s $795.00 per month with no installation fee and it’s providing the same service and specifications. Sheriff Kramer said his office recommendation is to select the quote from EL Automation. Chairman Dinning said County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull has approved the agreements.

Commissioner Kirby moved to sign the Agreement with EL Automation for internet for the Sheriff’s Office. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Denton commented that she thinks EL Automation can start as soon as the Sheriff’s Office is ready for them. Clerk Poston said it would be better to pay EL Automation monthly until October 1, 2020, then pay annually.

The call with Sheriff Kramer, Ms. Denton and Mr. Lederhos ended at 1:33 p.m.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Agreement with EL Automation for fiber for the Sheriff’s Office. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

2:00 p.m., County Mapper Olivia Drake joined the meeting.

Chairman Dinning said Commissioners just wanted to clarify where we are at in the process of updating the county’s Addressing Ordinance. Ms. Drake said we just need to hold the hearing and addressing from the river will be included. Ms. Drake asked about who would be approving new road names. Commissioners said they would hold off on holding a public hearing until they were able to meet.

Clerk Poston informed Commissioners that she needs to increase the limit on her county credit card by $3,000.00 and once the COVID-19 pandemic has passed, she will decrease the limit. Clerk Poston clarified the reason for the increase is due to the need to purchase supplies as it pertains to the virus.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to increase the Clerk’s Office credit card by the amount of $3,000.00 for a limit of $10,000.00. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioners tended to administrative duties.

2:30 p.m., Airport Manager Dave Parker contacted Commissioners’ Office via telephone to discuss airport improvement grant matters. County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull was also on the phone call. Mr. Parker said the Airport Board recommended going forward with the environmental assessment (EA) for a total of $421,792.78. It was mentioned that Mr. Parker has handwritten notes regarding a program that would cover the cost 100% and it was questioned whether there is any documentation that states this. Mr. Parker said the county doesn’t have the grant yet, but if Commissioners sign the Record of Negotiation, he will then speak with Gary Gates with the Federal Aviation Administration about an agreement and the FAA will work on a grant. Chairman Dinning said one of his largest concerns is listed in Exhibit A, Scope of Work, and it is part of Work Order 20-01. It shows the proposed actions, but what if we cannot afford to do these proposed actions and we get the grant. Mr. Parker said we’ve done the EAs before, but if we don’t, then it just doesn’t happen. We’re just preparing ourselves for all of these items, but you can’t do anything without having the EA done. Chairman Dinning said we’ll say the Airport Board determines the drainage issue as the number 1 priority as opposed to land acquisition. Mr. Parker said everyone agrees the drainage issue is the number 1 priority and that’s a big part of the cost. Boring and putting in wells would cost $80,000.00 of that project and that’s without engineering oversight, etc.

Attorney Hull said let’s assume Commissioners sign the contract and the grant is not available, but we’ve got a signed contract to do work. What is going to happen then? Mr. Parker said he wouldn’t suggest Commissioners sign the contract until we have the grant and it’s confirmed the match will be covered 100%. Once we get that concurrence the county can enter into an agreement with TO Engineering and follow through. Attorney Hull asked Mr. Parker about differences in fees listed and Mr. Parker said the reason the figures are different is that the earlier agreement was approximately $90,000.00, but it was reduced. Attorney Hull commented that when you look at the Work Order Project the amount of $72,250.00 should be reflected. Chairman Dinning inquired for Commissioners to say we’re interested in a grant, is that what we’re signing? Mr. Parker explained it’s that the county is doing its due process and followed the federal standards. The county is looking to contract with T-O Engineering and is looking for the FAA to agree that T-O Engineering’s offer is a fair one. Mr. Parker advised not signing the contract with T-O Engineering until the county has the grant.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Record of Negotiation regarding the Airport Improvement Project for the Boundary County Airport. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

The call to Mr. Parker and Attorney Hull ended at 2:50 p.m.

3:00 p.m., There being no further business, the meeting recessed until Thursday, April 9, 2020, at 9:00 a.m.

***Thursday, April 9, 2020, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in special session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser. Commissioner Walt Kirby did not participate in the call.

9:00 a.m., Commissioners held an elected officials/department heads meeting via conference call. Participating in the call was: Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Clerk Glenda Poston, Assessor Dave Ryals, Attorney Tevis Hull, Courthouse Maintenance John Buckley, Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee, Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendent Randy Morris, Noxious Weeds Department Superintendent Dave Wenk, Veterans Service Officer Ron Self, and County Emergency Manager/County Public Information Officer Andrew O’Neel.

Chairman Dinning advised those on the call to stay vigilant with social distancing and in everything else that we do. Commissioners are hoping to learn more today as Governor Brad Little will be addressing a possible extension of his declaration.

Commissioners went around the room for department updates.

Assessor Ryals, Clerk Poston, Attorney Hull, Ms. Magee, Mr. Morris, and Mr. Self all said they had nothing new to report for their departments.

Mr. Buckley informed Commissioners of a group of people who were known to be going around to different offices to get people riled up while on video. Mr. Buckley said he spoke to these people the other day and there were no issues when he spoke with them. Attorney Hull asked if these people were outside of the building when they were taking photos or videos. Mr. Buckley said yes, but one person said they got a rise out of someone when they had gone into the Sheriff’s Office. Attorney Hull said there is nothing illegal about what they were doing as those are common areas so they do have a right to do that.

Mr. Wenk thanked Road and Bridge for grading the roads. Mr. Wenk asked if Commissioners have a plan in place if Governor Little leaves the decision to extend the stay home order to counties or municipalities. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners haven’t talked about it, but they feel Governor Little will handle that matter.

Chairman Dinning said on social media there is a lot of discussion about the mud bog, but that’s almost a month out still so Commissioners will see what Governor Little does and also see what Panhandle Health District recommends. People want Commissioners to be preemptive right now, but they will see what’s in place. Attorney Hull said there are a couple responsible things happening with regard to the mud bog. An email was sent out by the owner of the mud bog and he says the event is still scheduled to happen, but he also mentioned that it might change. Mountain Mafia has also canceled their rock crawl/mud bog event.

Mr. O’Neel said he had nothing new to report today. The projection for key resources is April 14th. Bonner County has three confirmed cases of COVID-19 and Kootenai County still has 42 cases. Boundary Community Hospital has sent out 30 tests, 29 came back as negative and 1 test is still pending so that is good news.

Clerk Poston commented that county clerks have been tasked with gathering information related to the virus so she will get in touch with Mr. O’Neel about that. Clerk Poston said she has been spending funds for voting, but she’s been compensated for that through the State Help America Vote Act (HAVA). Mr. O’Neel clarified that he is looking to capture information pertaining to personal protection equipment or additional resources having to do specifically with the virus, such as hiring additional people with expertise as that is what the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would reimburse for. Chairman Dinning spoke of costs associated with utilizing their conference call line. Clerk Poston added that the county also has a policy that an employee who might’ve been exposed should go home and they will get paid, even if they don’t have leave so she will contact Mr. O’Neel about that.

Chairman Dinning asked Mr. O’Neel how soon Commissioners would be notified if Boundary County gets a positive case of the virus. Mr. O’Neel replied that if Panhandle Health District is notified of a positive case, they hold a conference call with Boundary Community Hospital and himself and he would notify Commissioners after that conference call.

Chairman Dinning commented that he sees a lot more traffic on the roads and he’s hearing about people going out shopping for non-essential items, but people really need to be careful in what they do. Commissioners are not the COVID-19 police, but please encourage people to be safe.

The elected officials/department heads conference call ended at 9:14 a.m.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:14 a.m.

____________________________________
DAN R. DINNING, Chairman

ATTEST:

_____________________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk