***Monday, April 3, 2017, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals. Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton was attending to personal matters.
Commissioners gave the opening invocation and said the Pledge of Allegiance.
Blue Sky Broadcasting Reporter Mike Brown and county resident Marty Martinez were in attendance off and on throughout the day.
There was no Road and Bridge Department report because Road and Bridge Department Superintendent Clint Kimball, has paperwork he needs to complete on projects. Commissioners discussed Deep Creek Loop and the road to Highland Flats. Chairman Dinning stated that Mr. Kimball met with the state last week to look at Deep Creek Loop, but at this point the engineers had no suggestions other than to wait until the road dries out. Chairman Dinning reported that he looked at Atkins Canyon and it is a mess. There was major sloughing on the road. The engineers looked at that too but nothing can be done until things dry out. The slough on Lions Den Road is stabilized according to Chairman Dinning. Chairman Dinning reported that an estimate of damage should be turned into the state this week.
Commissioner Kirby moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the non-commercial lease for hangar C6 with Danny Beachy with Exhibit B to be attached. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Kirby moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Option to Renew Hangar-Ground Leases with Lorraine Bell, Charlie Brown, Patrick Gardiner, Lionel Gartner, and Shem Johnson. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Kirby moved to sign the Certificates of Residency for Karlene Magee, Tina Redding, and Richard Cowell IV. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Kirby moved to sign contract number HC940000 between the State of Idaho, Department of Health and Welfare and Boundary County to provide surveillance for disease-causing mosquitos. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Kirby moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the documents for Airport Improvement Project # AIP 3-16-0004-015-2017 subject to the county attorney’s review and approval. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Dinning stated that the City of Bonners Ferry wants to be listed as an additional insured for fairgrounds events involving 50 or more people since those events require a permit from the City. Commissioners do not feel it would be necessary to list the City as an additional insured since both the county and the City are insured by ICRMP. Commissioners will send an email to notify the Fair Board of their decision.
Commissioners attended to administrative duties.
9:28 a.m., Commissioners spoke via telephone with County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull. Attorney Hull stated that Commissioners can go ahead and sign the FAA documents for AIP #3-16-0004-015-2017. Chairman Dinning reported that Attorney Hull met with the Treasurer last week regarding tax deeding properties. Attorney Hull recommends that Commissioners continue the tax deed hearing on the parcel with the church for one month to give him time to get with the Attorney General’s Office. Attorney Hull stated that the county is good to go on all of the hangar leases. Regarding mosquito abatement, Attorney Hull stated that Commissioners feel they signed documents before as Commissioners and not the Mosquito Abatement District. Attorney Hull stated that he hopes to get the trade zone issue resolved this week. Chairman Dinning informed Attorney Hull that Clerk Poston has purchased 17 cubicles for the Armory at a cost of $1,875.00. Attorney Hull stated that he is working on the Community Title issue. The phone call with Attorney Hull ended at 9:35 a.m.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
Commissioner Kirby moved to approve the minutes of March 27 and 28, 2017. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Kirby moved to approve the minutes of March 20 and 21, 2017. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
10:00 a.m. Solid Waste Superintendent Claine Skeen gave the Solid Waste Department report. Commissioners gave Mr. Skeen a copy of an email from the Idaho Association of Counties regarding the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) guide for local governments to help direct cleanup efforts and address diverse situations from the winter’s devastating storms.
Mr. Skeen reported on overdue accounts.
Mr. Skeen stated that the Solid Waste Department wants to build an extension to the west of the existing recycle building for the balers as it will help to have the balers close to the recyclables. Mr. Skeen has received one quote so far and it was $10,000.00 for the extension. Chairman Dinning asked if baling would allow more volume to be shipped at one time. Mr. Skeen said there would be more volume going out and it would help if they can hold it until there is one truckload going directly to the mill. Mr. Skeen suggested that the existing baler room could be used to house a used oil burner to heat the shop. Commissioner Kirby inquired if Mr. Skeen spoke with anyone who was heating with oil because years ago you had to watch what you put into the burner. Mr. Skeen said they will test it prior to using it. Mr. Skeen said in the long run it will be a big benefit.
Chairman Dinning asked where we are with grinding and using that for cover. Mr. Skeen said he has a call in regarding that as well as the closure plan. Mr. Skeen stated that Panhandle Health wanted a report on tonnage. Discussion was held regarding the weighing process. Chairman Dinning asked Mr. Skeen to find out when the closure is anticipated to take place. Mr. Skeen stated that he would like to log the east side of the landfill property. Waste material needs to be 200 feet from the property line. Chairman Dinning asked if the county can put inert material in the buffer area. Mr. Skeen said yes.
Chairman Dinning asked where the required six inches of cover standard came from. Mr. Skeen said Panhandle Health and DEQ. Chairman Dinning asked what is wrong with three inches of cover. Mr. Skeen said more is needed because of fire danger. Commissioner Kirby inquired about spraying and how much it would take. Mr. Skeen said it would be one inch. Chairman Dinning stated that rather than losing five feet with six inches of cover, you would lose 10 inches with one inch of cover. Chairman Dinning asked in the course of one year, how many feet fill would you be saving if spraying a daily cover. Once there is final closure, you can use the same machine to hydro seed as you did to spray the daily cover, according to Mr. Skeen.
Discussion was held regarding weighing waste that goes into the landfill. Mr. Skeen stated he doesn’t want to weigh each vehicle coming into the landfill. Boundary County trucks and Bonners Ferry Garbage trucks are weighed daily, but weighing material brought in by the public would depend on what is brought in. Chairman Dinning stated that if we get to the point where we need real accuracy, we would need to weigh trucks as they come in and go out.
Mr. Skeen left the meeting at 10:24 a.m.
10:26 a.m., Chief Probation Officer Stacy Brown joined the meeting to give a departmental report. Ms. Brown reported that there are 56 adult misdemeanor probationers and 31 on juvenile probation. The Youth Accountability Board has five currently with five in the wings waiting. 196 are on unsupervised probation. The drug court has one male and two females at this point.
The Kootenai County Juvenile Detention Center is talking about establishing a substance abuse treatment facility within the District 1 Detention facility, according to Ms. Brown.
Ms. Brown reported that she will be out of the office next week for the Sun Valley Diversion and Prevention Conference which is completely paid for with a scholarship with the exception of one night’s lodging.
Odyssey representatives will be here May 11th for the misdemeanor model. This is mandated by the Supreme Court so the county has no choice but to implement the program.
Chairman Dinning stated that the county needs to get the heating system at the Armory straightened out and then the Probation Department will move to the Armory. It will probably be the end of July. Offices for the Sheriff’s deputies will be moved to the Armory in the gymnasium area. Clerk Poston asked about the current Probation Office desks. Discussion was held regarding furnishings for the Armory and office space for Ron Pell, state felony probation officer. Clerk Poston suggested a meeting with those who will be moving to the Armory.
Ms. Brown left the meeting at 10:35 a.m.
Maintenance Supervisor John Buckley dropped by. Mr. Buckley discussed the vacant maintenance position.
10:35 a.m. Commissioner Kirby 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. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye” and Commissioner Kirby “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 10:45 a.m. No action was taken.
Mr. Buckley left the meeting at 10:46 a.m.
10:50 a.m., Commissioners considered a beverage license transfer of the 2017 Boundary County Alcohol License from Boundary Post #55 doing business as Club 55 to Linked Technology LLC doing business as Wild Bees, located at 6416 Kootenai Street, Bonners Ferry, Idaho, to sell draught, bottled and canned beer on and off premises, liquor by the drink and wine by the drink. Present were Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals, and county resident Marty Martinez. The proceedings were recorded.
The completed application, transfer fee, 2017 City of Bonners Ferry Retail Alcoholic Beverage License and 2017 State of Idaho Alcohol Beverage License have been received. A Panhandle Health District Permit is not required as the establishment is not serving food at this time.
Commissioner Kirby moved to approve the transfer of the 2017 County Alcoholic Beverage License from Boundary Post #55 doing business as Club 55 to Linked Technology LLC doing business as Wild Bees, located at 6416 Kootenai Street, Bonners Ferry, Idaho, to sell draught, bottled and canned beer on and off premises, liquor by the drink and wine by the drink. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Kirby reported on a problem with snow accumulation at the Restorium
11:00 a.m., Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee and Assistant Administrator Pam Barton gave the Restorium Department Report. Commissioners were given a chart comparing vacancy numbers, billed amounts, Medicaid resident percentages, revenues and expenses, and staff hours worked. Ms. Barton stated that there are three vacant rooms. Two people moved in, two passed away, and one transferred out. $82,163.24 was the room billed amount in March 2017.
Medicaid percentage was discussed. There are six residents on Medicaid which constitutes 18% of the billed amount. There is one person in the process of obtaining Medicaid. Chairman Dinning stated that Commissioners have not decided on the percentage or number of Medicaid residents the Restorium should take and the matter will be discussed further. The average Medicaid pays is about $2,200.00. Ms. Barton inquired if Commissioners need to be made aware if there is someone else who wants to move to the Restorium who is on Medicaid. Chairman Dinning said that Commissioners do need to be made aware.
Accounts receivable and expenses were reviewed. There was a cost survey through Medicaid per Ms. Barton and it will help the county. Staffing was discussed. Chairman Dinning stated that cameras and locks for the Restorium need to be looked into.
Ms. Magee asked about the defibrillators. Chairman Dinning stated that the county is trying to schedule training with ambulance personnel on the use of the defibrillators. Ms. Magee suggested training the nurse. Clerk Poston stated that she did not order cases for the defibrillators. Chairman Dinning stated that the defibrillators need to be quickly accessible to staff. Ms. Magee stated that the Restorium has a “grab and go bag” filled with emergency medical supplies.
Ms. Magee and Ms. Barton left the meeting at 11:23 a.m.
11:25 a.m., Boundary Economic Development Director Dennis Weed gave an update on economic development projects. Mr. Weed stated that they got the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Grant for the sewer study in the amount of $50,000.00. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will match, he thinks, $30,000.00 and the three entities, the county, City of Bonners Ferry and City of Moyie Springs, will have to come up with $20,000.00. There will be a meeting in two weeks in Sandpoint to go over everything. The project will have to go out for a request for proposals. Funds will be available July 1st. Chairman Dinning asked who would be responsible for administration and he suggested Panhandle Area Council. It should be a year to 18-month study, according to Mr. Weed.
The Economic Development Grant is due May 9th and Mr. Weed is working with Clerk Poston on that. Mr. Weed stated that he is working with a lot of start-ups right now, more than he has ever seen before. Mr. Weed stated that there is fiber optics coming in through the school and he has been working with a few individual companies to get it out to the residences. Fiber optics needs to be made available to as many as possible at a good price, according to Mr. Weed.
Discussion was held regarding the former Harvest Foods building across the street from the Courthouse. Mr. Weed stated that it will likely be vacant for some time.
The meeting with Dennis Weed ended at 11:42 a.m.
Commissioners will reschedule the meeting with Soil Conservation District as Commissioner Kirby has a scheduling conflict.
11:43 a.m., There being no further business, the meeting was recessed until 9:00 a.m. tomorrow.
***Tuesday, April 4, 2017, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals. Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton was attending to personal matters.
Natalie Chiles with Frontier Communications met with Commissioners to discuss the proposed contract with Frontier Communications for a new telephone system for the courthouse and Armory. Discussion was held regarding fiber optics and access. Ms. Chiles submitted a proposed contract to Commissioners. The contract will be forwarded to the county attorney for approval. There is a contract for the courthouse phone system at a cost of $23,076.73, and a contract for the Armory phone system at a cost of $9,430.34. Ms. Chiles stated that she spoke with Crystal Denton at the Sheriff’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office will be able to take their phones to the Armory. Clerk Poston stated that the 16 phones included the Sheriff’s Office and she does not think there is a need for that many. Ms. Chiles stated that Frontier will decrease the quote based on the number of phones needed. More phones can be added later. Ms. Chiles stated that she provided a quote for eight phones for the Armory. Clerk Poston stated that eight is good. Since the Sheriff’s Office has their own phones, there is no need to purchase new phones for them. Teleworker licenses are needed for the Sheriff’s Office so Ms. Chiles said she asked Ms. Denton at the Sheriff’s Office to check to make sure the licenses are there.
Chairman Dinning inquired about the monthly fee. The county will pay cash for the phone system per Ms. Chiles. The PRI is the analog trunks and there are 50 phone numbers associated with it and it will cost $315.00 per month but taxes, surcharges and 911 fees are not included in that. The county is paying about $1,300 per month now. The county is also paying long distance charges to another provider and that will go away. There are long distance fees with Frontier based on 2500 minutes per month at a cost of $80.00 per month plus applicable taxes. Ms. Chiles will email the form to change our long distance provider from AT&T to Frontier. Ms. Chiles suggested following up with AT&T to make sure there aren’t additional phone lines attached to AT&T long distance because the Frontier system is only for the courthouse. Chairman Dinning asked if the Restorium for instance would move to Frontier and Ms. Chiles responded that only the courthouse will move to Frontier, not the Restorium. Clerk Poston said the Extension Office is not using AT&T. The county isn’t putting new phones at the Extension Office. Ms. Chiles will send an email to Clerk Poston containing the phone numbers to make sure no numbers are missed. Clerk Poston stated that she no longer sees the need for long distance codes on each line. $315.00 per month plus $80.00, and any taxes that apply, will be the monthly charges. Clerk Poston stated that the county has a conference bridge with AT&T and Ms. Chiles said the county can keep that.
It will take about three weeks to get the phone system here. The technician will schedule a meeting once the contracts are signed. It takes about a week and a half to program the system. Ms. Chiles stated that Frontier techs are on site the day after the changeover to make sure things are working right and that everyone knows how to use the system. The training will take 45 minutes to an hour and Frontier can do the training in two or three segments. Frontier would also like to train two main users more extensively so they know how to do basic things such as change voice mail messages and other simple things.
The county will pay about $4,800.00 per year for this new phone system and it will save the county about $8,000.00 to $10,000.00 per year. Ms. Chiles said the phone system will be programmed to take the new 10 digit phone number system due to the new area code being implemented in Idaho. Clerk Poston stated that she would like to see personnel in the Armory by the end of July. Chairman Dinning said it will save $25,000.00 per year in rent to move staff to the Armory.
Ms. Chiles left the meeting at 9:57 p.m.
10:05 a.m., Commissioners held the tax deed hearing for year 2013 delinquent property taxes. Present were Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals, Treasurer Sue Larson, Chief Deputy Treasurer Jenny Economu and Treasurer’s employee Deneice Fodge. The hearing was recorded.
All of the criteria has been met so that the properties can be tax deeded as far as the Treasurer knows.
Commissioner Kirby moved to tax deed the following properties: parcel number RP65N01W097942A in the name of Terry F. Crisman Estate; parcel number RP61N01W130753A in the name of Enlightened Living LLC; parcel number RP61N01W135101A in the name of Enlightened Living LLC; parcel number R62N03E171813A in the name of Higgins Family 1998 Trust; and parcel number RP62N03E226400A in the name of Gary W. Lies. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
The tax deed hearing ended at 10:10 a.m.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties. The budget in general for next fiscal year was briefly discussed.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m.
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DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
ATTEST:
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GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Nancy Ryals, Deputy Clerk