***Monday, August 7, 2023, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Tim Bertling, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Ben Robertson, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
Commissioners said the Pledge of Allegiance.
9:00 a.m., Boundary Economic Development Council Director David Sims, City of Moyie Springs Mayor Steve Economu and City Council member Deborah Routh met with Commissioners to request American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to assist with their sewer project. Governor Brad Little’s North Idaho Field Director Jake Garringer and Bonners Ferry Herald Staff Writer Emily Bonsant were also present.
Mayor Economu explained that he and Ms. Routh wanted to meet with Commissioners to request county assistance for their sewer project. Mayor Economu said the City of Moyie Springs is $2,000,000.00 short of having everything they need to proceed forward with the sewer project and anything the county can do to assist would be helpful. Mayor Economu mentioned the funding sources the City of Moyie is approaching for assistance. The project cost has gotten so high that the sewer fee to the homeowner could go up as high as $110.00 per month and without additional funding the rate could reach $140.00 per month. Mayor Economu commented on the proposed monthly rates and how residents in Moyie Springs are on a very fixed income.
This sewer project has been in the planning phase for many years. Mayor Economu said engineering costs are $3,100,000.00. The City of Moyie Springs currently has $4,400,000.00 in loan forgiveness. The balance is $3,100,000.00 to complete the project. Mayor Economu said a lot of this was due to Covid-19 setting things back. Ms. Routh said the cost of supplies has just skyrocketed. The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) does have additional funding for situations like this and they have $39,000,000.00 set aside for construction shortfalls so the City of Moyie Springs should hear back by August 18th, but it’s unknown. The city has requested funding through the US Army Corps of Engineers, but it’s unknown if they will have anything available. Mayor Economu explained that they’re on a time crunch and they have 60 days to award or reject the bids for the project. That time clock started the 25th of July. Mr. Sims said if the city doesn’t get additional funding, the Council will make a decision to move forward with the project with high sewer rates and bonding authority at $3,500,000.00, but rates would be not affordable. Chairman Bertling said his thought is that the county gave the City of Bonners Ferry $80,000.00 to help keep the swimming pool open and to be fair the county could provide the City of Moyie Springs $80,000.00, but that is such a small drop in their bucket. Commissioner Robertson said he would like to see what the City of Moyie Springs can get from the other lending options and see how far off they are, and he clarified that he’s not opposed to helping out. Commissioner Robertson said he would like to revisit this after learning what the City of Moyie Springs has heard from the Department of Environmental Quality on August 18th.
Clerk Poston questioned if there are any ARPA funds available at the state level. Mr. Sims said in the funding packet, $2,000,000.00 in funds has been received from the state, but he’s not sure if that’s through ARPA or not. If there are any funds available, it would probably go through DEQ for this purpose. This sewer services 110 families, that is why the rates would be so high. The system is at capacity right now and this would double capacity so the goal is to serve 200 families.
Mr. Sims said some of the original homes along North Division Street already have failed septic systems. Mayor Economu said it could be that the county would investigate a sewer system from the Three Mile area and coming toward Moyie Springs.
The meeting with Mayor Economu, Council Member Rauth and Mr. Sims ended at 9:15 a.m.
Commissioner Robertson moved to sign Certificates of Residency for Melanie Campbell, Nati Summerfield and Anthony Overholt. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign Certificates of Residency for Majasa Allred, Rachel Blackmore and Jayce Helms. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve minutes of July 31 and August 1, 2023. Commissioner Robertson second. motion passed unanimously.
County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull joined the meeting at 9:32 a.m.
Commissioners and Attorney Hull discussed various topics, such as a property owner who is building multiple residences on their property. Attorney Hull spoke of needing land use ordinance changes and he added that he would talk to Contract Planner Clare Marley about a time table to see where she is at in reviewing the ordinance for proposed changes. Attorney Hull discussed matters pertaining to roads associated with the Sturgeon Station.
9:42 a.m., Commissioner Robertson 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; 74-206(1)c, to acquire an interest in real property which is not owned by a public agency; and 74-206(1)f, to communicate with legal counsel for the public agency to discuss the legal ramifications of and legal options for pending litigation, or controversies not yet being litigated but imminently likely to be litigated. Commissioner Cossairt second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Bertling “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Robertson “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 10:05 a.m. No action was taken.
Attorney Hull left the meeting.
10:05 a.m., Solid Waste Department Assistant Superintendent Richard Jenkins joined the meeting to give a department report. Mr. Jenkins reviewed points of discussion listed in his report. The exterior of the new office addition is complete and the interior will be done next budget year. The depredation permit process has been started. There is a position open for the Naples monitored site. Mr. Jenkins said the Link Belt is still in the landfill yard and he’s not getting a response from Tim Jantz who bid on the machine. The landfill is still looking for dirt. Oxford Inc. is coming this week to do dust control at the main landfill.
Mr. Jenkins informed Commissioners that he contacted Modern Recycling about tires. It will cost $125.00 per ton and $1,530.00 for trucking and they could do 15 tons so that equates to approximately $227.00 per ton for 15 tons. The cost to use L & S Tire Recycling is $230.0 per ton. The county should utilize L & S Recycling and get that process started. The wood pile at the landfill continues to grow and they’re running out of space. There was damage to the recycle building and the Solid Waste Department is looking at options to prevent further damage. With the amount of growth in the county there isn’t enough room in the recycle shed.
Commissioner Robertson discussed having a cargo trailer or a conex box and just load tires into it to be taken away later. Mr. Jenkins discussed recertifying for ongoing qualifications. Mr. Jenkins discussed using his personal vehicle to visit other monitored sites and getting paid for mileage. Commissioners said to use the truck used by the superintendent. Mr. Jenkins discussed coverage when he needs to have time off.
10:23 a.m., Commissioner Robertson moved 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 Cossairt second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Bertling “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Robertson “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session recessed at 10:36 a.m. Commissioners continued their executive session to tomorrow at 12:00 p.m./noon at the main landfill.
The meeting with Mr. Jenkins ended at 10:36 a.m.
10:30 a.m., Chief Probation Officer RJ Webber joined the meeting to give the Probation Office Department report. Mr. Webber reviewed the number of people on various forms of probation. Mr. Webber discussed wanting to better secure the front entrance to the Probation Office and he also discussed setting schedules for conducting urine analyses and reviewing policies.
The meeting with Mr. Webber ended at 10:45 a.m.
10:56 a.m., Mr. Garringer returned to the meeting.
11:00 a.m., Courthouse Maintenance Squire Fields met with Commissioners to provide the maintenance update. The Judge’s chambers is drywalled and is now being prepped for primer. Turner Plumbing is coming to fix the pipe in basement men’s room. Mr. Fields will build a shelf for the vault downstairs. Chief Probation Officer RJ Webber would like new mirror window tinting for the Probation Office. The cost for this type of tinting is $1,200.00. Coeur d’ Alene tint does this and they would bring four different samples. Chairman Bertling said he has no problem getting this work done prior to the next budget year. CDA Stump Grinding provided a five-year plan for the root bound maple trees at the Courthouse. Mr. Fields said at some point these trees are going to be choked out. Bonners Ferry Glass can replace the front door and frame of the Courthouse at a cost of $9,800.00. It was said the cost will come out of the capital line item. Mr. Fields said he spoke to HMH Engineering about having J7 Contracting fix the sprinkler system at the County Annex. The control box for the sprinkler system was torn out in connection to the highway project. The state will authorize the work to repair this, but J7 Contracting has to do the work.
The meeting with Mr. Fields ended at 11:07 a.m.
11:30 a.m., Boundary Economic Development Council (EDC) Director David Sims joined the meeting to update Commissioners on EDC projects.
The Porthill Canadian border crossing is now permanently opened until 7:00 p.m. coming into the US and there is a house bill to extend this closing to pre-COVID hours, according to Mr. Sims.
Mr. Sims spoke of working with Idaho Forest Group (IFG) to get railroad rights-of-way taken care of for the Riverside Road Improvement project. EL Internet Northwest has submitted two applications for a broadband grant. One area is Highland Flats and they are requesting $3,000,000.00 for that and the other application is for wireless at $1,700,000.00. Ziply did not apply for any funding for Boundary County. Mr. Sims said the Highland Flats area will include Frontier Village Road. The grant applications probably won’t be scored until September. The broadband program still has $583,000,000 in funds.
Mr. Sims discussed the Moyie Sewer project. The US Army Corps of Engineers has their own priority list and the Moyie project is not high on that list. Mr. Sims spoke of reaching out to the Army Corps of Engineers to encourage funding the project based on affordability and to see if they understand the compliance issue Moyie Springs is under. Commissioner Cossairt questioned what the monthly sewer rates would be if the City of Moyie Springs had all of their funding. It was said the current rate is $45.00 and the amount of $102.00 per month was mentioned as a range. That amount does include a 15% construction contingency. Chairman Bertling asked about the downside of the City of Moyie Springs not being compliant and Mr. Sims said he wasn’t sure what the Department of Environmental Quality will do, but he’s hoping they will provide more funding. Kathy Muir with the State of Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation met with the City of Moyie Springs since the city is interested in a Land and Water Conservation grant for the golf course. Chairman Bertling said there was one property associated with the county that may keep the county out of compliance, but he has seen the deed stating it belongs to the county.
Mr. Sims said the China Kitchen building may be taken down, which would make the lot be easier to sell.
The Urban Renewal Committee met and approved the budget for publication and they’re hoping to get the same amount. The Urban Renewal District is currently reimbursing $20,000.00 of the city’s cost. It was said the reserve amount has been decreasing $10,000.00 per year. The park by the fairgrounds is in the urban renewal area.
Mr. Sims asked about the Naples Bridge in relation to applying for a planning grant. If you’re in a rural area or disadvantaged county, the grant match amount can be reduced and it was questioned if it was worth looking into. A grant can be up to $5,000,000.00 and the match is 20%, but with the census numbers for Naples, maybe the match amount can be reduced. The $5,000,000.00 is just for planning, according to Mr. Sims. If the county were to be awarded that portion of the grant, chances are favorable to be awarded the construction grant.
Mr. Sims informed Commissioners that the full amount was received from the state to fund the Rural Economic Development program.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Rural Economic Development Professional Grant Document for year 2024. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting with Mr. Sims ended at 11:55 a.m.
Commissioners recessed for lunch at 12:00 p.m.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners met for the afternoon session with Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Ben Robertson, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser. Chairman Bertling was temporarily out of the office tending to another matter.
1:30 p.m., Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendents Renee Nelson and Randy Morris joined the meeting to give the department report. A written report was submitted and Mr. Morris reviewed work being done.
Ms. Nelson discussed needing Commissioners to sign the Local Professional Services Agreement for the Naples Elementary School Pedestrian Safety Improvement project. The cost is $55,000.00 for the engineering estimate. This project can also be combined with the county’s School House Road project. These projects have the same engineering firm and can be bid together so it helps with costs.
Commissioner Robertson moved to appoint Commissioner Wally Cossairt Acting Chairman in the absence of Chairman Tim Bertling. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Robertson moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Idaho Transportation Department Local Professional Services Agreement, Agreement #96663, for the Naples Elementary School Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project. Acting Chairman Cossairt yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Those present discussed projects in the Naples area.
1:48 p.m., Ardurra Aviation Project Manager Trey Dail and Boundary County Airport Manager Dave Parker joined the meeting.
Ms. Nelson discussed lighting for the Naples Elementary School Pedestrian Safety Improvement project. Mr. Morris said the ring gear for the crusher is supposed to come in today and the socket should be here tomorrow to be assembled by Modern. Those present discussed prepping Brown Creek Road. Mr. Morris mentioned there being a split in the magnesium chloride tank.
The meeting with Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris ended at 2:00 p.m.
Mr. Parker said he’s got things ready in order to repair the slope that is sloughing at the airport. A project comparison was done and the Federal Aviation Administration has agreed to the cost. Mr. Parker has spoken to the contractor for this project and they may be able to get started fairly soon.
Commissioner Robertson moved to sign the Construction Services Agreement with Ardurra for the Boundary County Airport slope stabilization project. Chairman Cossairt yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Robertson moved to sign the Federal Aviation Administration grant application for the slope stabilization project. Acting Chairman Cossairt yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Parker said when he took over as manager for the airport there were approximately 7 hangars and now there are about 40 or more.
The meeting with Mr. Dail and Mr. Parker ended at 2:14 p.m.
Chairman Tim Bertling returned to the meeting at 2:23 p.m.
2:30 p.m., Assessor Olivia Drake joined the meeting to discuss amending the amount of the increase she is requesting for proposed Department of Motor Vehicle title administration fees and to discuss remodeling the former University of Idaho Extension Office.
Assessor Drake said she had discussed implementing a new title administration fee of $5.00. A lot of other counties are already implementing their fees and realizing they need to increase the fee again so, she reworked the figures and she would like to increase the proposed fee to $6.00. instead of $5.00.
Commissioner Robertson moved to establish a new motor vehicle title administration fee of $6.00 and to hold a public hearing to consider this increase. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Assessor Drake discussed remodel ideas for the office building formerly used by the Extension Office so the building would accommodate her departments once they relocate.
The meeting with Assessor Drake ended at 2:47 p.m.
3:00 p.m., Commissioners discussed acquiring the north hill right-of-way from the Idaho Transportation Department. The county had considered this in the past, but it was contingent on the county maintaining any further ground movement. Commissioners want to know if there are any stipulations for the county. Chairman Bertling said he can talk to Idaho Transportation Department Damon Allen about using this area for walking and biking.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Standard Abbreviated Form of Agreement Between Owner and Architect with Longwell + Trapp for the Boundary County Fairgrounds tennis and pickleball courts. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to renew the City/County Dispatch Agreement for fiscal year 2023-2024. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to renew the Contract for Law Enforcement Services with the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho for fiscal year 2023-2024. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
3:30 p.m., Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee and Assistant Administrator Diana Lane joined the meeting to provide an update on Restorium matters.
Commissioner Robertson 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 Cossairt second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Bertling “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Robertson “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 3:40 p.m. No action was taken.
Those present briefly discussed proposed room rate increases.
The meeting with Ms. Magee and Ms. Lane ended at 4:00 p.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign Certificates of Residency for Katherine Boger. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
4:15 p.m., There being no further business, the meeting recessed until Commissioners’ continued executive session scheduled for Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at 12:00 p.m.
***Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at 12:00 p.m., Commissioners continued their 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 Cossairt second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Bertling “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Robertson “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended. No action was taken.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
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TIM BERTLING, Chairman
ATTEST:
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GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk