***Monday, December 14, 2020, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Walt Kirby (via conference call), Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
Commissioners gave the opening invocation and said the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chairman Dinning stated that Solid Waste Superintendent Claine Skeen received quotes for baling metal at the landfill and the matter of accepting a quote is deemed time sensitive so Commissioners will need to amend the agenda.
Commissioner Kirby moved to amend today’s agenda to review and make a motion regarding quotes to bale metal at the landfill. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
9:00 a.m., Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendents Randy Morris and Renee Nelson joined the meeting via conference call to give the department report. A written report was submitted.
Mr. Morris commented that Road and Bridge got the salt and brine trucks out today and they’re using cold mix to fill potholes.
Commissioners, Mr. Morris and Ms. Nelson discussed and questioned a claim received by Ziply Fiber regarding damage to Ziply property near Lions Den Road. Ms. Nelson said Road and Bridge did some checking and Road Foreman Brad Barton did meet with a Ziply Fiber representative on September 29, 2020, as Ziply Fiber was installing conduit by Snow Creek and other areas. Road and Bridge didn’t have any staff in that area during the time of November or December as they weren’t doing any work out there. Temporary lines that had been installed in that area were working fine and other than the one neighbor Road and Bridge had been in contact with who was working in that area, Road and Bridge did not have any crew working there. It could have been one of Ziply Fiber’s own contactors who caused some damage when installing their poles. Ms. Nelson said she would like to contact Ziply Fiber to find out why they think the damage was caused by Road and Bridge and she will also let Commissioners know of that conversation’s results.
The meeting with Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris ended at 9:08 a.m.
Clerk Poston said the agreements with the public defenders need to be looked at as they are incorrect. Clerk Poston explained what she has come across regarding the agreements.
Clerk Poston informed Commissioners that repeated messages have gone out to various county departments regarding COVID-19 related expenses and the time line in which information on those expenses need to be turned in to her. Some expenses came in with no explanation so a few of those charges may come out of that department’s budget instead. Clerk Poston provided a recap of expenses and funds coming in associated with COVID-19. Clerk Poston clarified that the county is in a good place, but we cannot keep doing this with particular submissions.
Clerk Poston mentioned that she had a Zoom meeting with the State Insurance Fund and learned the county’s rates and premiums could increase approximately 25%. With the status of the county’s incident rating, we’ve increased 40% and Clerk Poston briefly provided Commissioners with information regarding the claims.
The status of the State of Idaho CARES Act Broadband grant was discussed and Clerk Poston said 10 of the projects have been processed and information on the last project should arrive today. Clerk Poston said one project is not going to get completed and from what she understands from the State is that Commissioners need to notify the state that this one project will not be completed. Clerk Poston received a letter from Intermax about not completing this project and the county will have to let the State know about that.
Commissioners said they received two quotes for baling metal at the landfill. One quote was from Pacific Steel and Recycling and the second quote was from East Ridge Enterprises.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to accept bid from Pacific Steel and Recycling for $112.50 per ton. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Independent Contractor Agreement with Pacific Steel and Recycling for baling metal at the landfill. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Clerk Poston said the county has metal chairs that are surplus that have been sitting out so they would be better off to be baled with the metal pile.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the Property Tax Cancellation Form for year 2020 and to cancel taxes totaling $1,304.20 for parcel #OC62N01E127300A as the property owner notified the county of homeowner and occupancy after the appeal time. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Certificate of Residency for Ella Huggins. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Kirby moved to extend the emergency declaration pertaining to COVID-19 to coincide with the Governor’s declaration. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign a support letter for 9B Trails and their efforts to create a pedestrian and bike path in the Section 16 trail system near Peterson Hill on permitted Idaho Department of Lands property. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner reviewed claims for payment. Fund totals are as follows:
Current Expense $ 121,753.49
Road & Bridge 100,665.71
Airport 3,781.85
District Court 5,890.53
Justice Fund 44,999.82
911 Funds 10,236.40
Health District 13,826.75
Indigent & Charity 27,022.92
Junior College Tuition 1,200.00
Parks and Recreation 2,681.25
Revaluation 1,903.22
Solid Waste 20,358.22
Veterans Memorial 97.48
Weeds 82.34
Restorium 21,438.32
Snowmobile 500.00
Waterways 497.42
Grant, Airport 56,099.82
Broadband Grant 227,069.40
TOTAL $660,104.94
Trusts
Auditor’s Trust 168.82
Boundary Co. Drug Court Trust 71.42
Driver’s License Trust 15,765.50
Interlock Device Fund 10.00
Motor Vehicle Trust 227,150.02
Sheriff’s Trust Fund 641.70
Drug Forfeiture Trust Fund 3,830.00
Odyssey Court Trust Account 17,277.30
Odyssey Bond Trust Account 1,000.00
Odyssey Restitution Trust Acct 3,878.50
TOTAL $269,793.26
GRAND TOTAL $929,898.20
Citizens are invited to inspect detailed records on file in the Courthouse (individual claims & Commissioners’ allowance & warrant register record 2020-2021).
Commissioners recessed until their next meeting at 10:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m., Commissioners held proceedings to consider the county alcoholic beverage licenses for year 2021. Present were: Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser. The proceedings were recorded.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the county alcoholic beverage license renewal applications and licenses for year 2021 as presented in this Exhibit A, provided that all necessary documentation and applicable fees have been received. A copy of this list will be attached to the official Commissioner meeting minutes for the week of December 14, 2020. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
The proceedings to consider the county beverage license applications for year 2021 ended at 10:02 a.m.
10:04 a.m., Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee and Assistant Administrator Diana Lane joined the meeting to provide Commissioners with an update on various Restorium matters. Ms. Magee read aloud the Restorium report for the last month.
Ms. Magee said if COVID-19 test results are all negative this week, the Restorium will be able to accept new residents. Chairman Dinning said for clarification that no residents have tested positive, but four staff members did test positive. Ms. Magee discussed the possibility of there being a false positive. Ms. Magee said she received an email and is now signed up through Walgreens for the COVID-19 vaccine. Walgreens said there are 1,900 doses coming to the Idaho Panhandle and once the front line people are given the vaccine, then they will follow the list of other high risk people who need the vaccine. If the Restorium is not included in that round, they will have to wait for the shipment of vaccines at Walgreens who will make sure the Restorium receives the vaccine as long as the Restorium nurse can administer it. Ms. Magee spoke of expenses related to COVID-19 and she said she purchased a shed for donning and doffing personal protection equipment and they received two iPads, etc. Chairman Dinning said to keep track of these items. Clerk Poston said the Restorium is $30,000.00 shy in revenue as opposed to expenses so that may need to go to labor.
Chairman Dinning asked if the Restorium had a Zoom account and if a large TV would be better to use for residents to be able to communicate with their relatives through Zoom than an iPad. Ms. Magee said it would probably help.
Commissioners discussed a personnel matter. Commissioners asked how staffing is at the Restorium. Ms. Lane said they will always be short staffed.
The meeting with Ms. Magee and Ms. Lane ended at 10:25 a.m.
10:30 a.m., Boundary Community Hospital Board of Trustees Chairman Elden Koon, David Koon, and Hospital Chief Executive Officer Preston Becker joined the meeting to give Commissioners an update on hospital matters.
Mr. Koon presented Commissioners with the Board of Trustees’ recommendation for trustee reappointments as well as a new appointment.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to reappoint Elaine Morgan and Sharlene Delaney as Hospital Board of Trustees with terms to expire January 2024. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to appoint Henry Stuart “Stu” Kendall Willis III, MD., to the Hospital Board of Trustees replacing Chris Perry with a term to expire January 2024. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Becker said things are going well. The pandemic has provided an opportunity to show the skill and expertise of the hospital’s staff and with him being new to the hospital, it’s shown him the resources we have in the community and he feels fortunate. Mr. Becker said the hospital has created a task force that meets twice per week on what to do operationally and there is a lot of collaboration.
Commissioners and Mr. Becker discussed general hospital finances.
Those present discussed tracking COVID-19 cases and how many are out of county cases. Mr. Becker said if they’ve conducted 30 tests in one day, they’re seeing approximately five county positives and three to five out of county positives and he added that in the beginning he did see more out of county positives because Boundary Community Hospital was the only facility doing the rapid testing in the area. Mr. Becker informed Commissioners that the hospital is always happy to help the Restorium with testing.
Mr. Becker said his team has been at the table at the state level to figure out what is happening with COVID-19 vaccines. The latest he knows is that the Pfizer vaccine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the first numbers should be that there are 30,000 vaccines for the state and those vaccines will go to front line care.
Mr. Becker said a new physician was successfully recruited to the community and this doctor will be here in July. Mr. Becker added that this person is in his final year of residency and the intent is to replace Dr. Botkin, who wishes to retire next year. The hospital does have a new chief financial officer as well and she is putting on the finishing touches to the hospital’s budget.
Mr. Becker informed Commissioners that Hospital Board of Trustees member Dennis Dinning is looking to place a monument sign along Highway 95 for the hospital and he’s working with the owners of the bed and breakfast on that project. The intent is to not only have the hospital’s name and logo, and to direct people to the hospital, but to also have a reader board they can customize and change. This would qualify for federal funding and not come out of normal hospital operations, according to Mr. Becker.
Chairman Dinning informed Mr. Becker that the legislature is looking at changing county budgeting. There is draft legislation out for three different bills and one will do away with the county’s ability to use the 3% increase. The county would be able to take the 3% and combine it with new construction for a maximum amount of 4%, or the CPI for that area, plus new construction, which in our area doesn’t even equate to 1%, then the county will be limited to cash for the first quarter equal to one month’s worth of operating expenses. Any dollars left over will need to be used for property relief. Commissioners have no idea what this is going to look like, but it will affect all taxing districts, according to Chairman Dinning.
Elden Koon said he’s been looking for funds to have the parking lot across the street blacktopped and he asked if there is any way that Road and Bridge could do some of the prep work for this project as it will save money. Commissioner Kirby said he’s in favor of it. Mr. Koon said the project wouldn’t be done this year, but if the county agreed, it would give him something to rely on.
The meeting with Mr. Becker, Elden Koon and David Koon ended at 10:53 a.m.
11:00 a.m., Chief Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals joined the meeting.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to reaffirm the approval of non-medical assistance for indigent case 2021-3. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
11:00 a.m., Commissioners held an appeal hearing for indigent application #2020-11. Present were: Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser, Chief Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals, and the applicant. The proceedings were recorded.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to reschedule the appeal hearing to January 25, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
The hearing ended at 11:05 a.m.
Commissioners recessed for the morning session.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Walt Kirby, and Clerk Glenda Poston.
1:30 p.m., Airport Manager Dave Parker and Airport Board Chairman Jay Wages joined the meeting to discuss a possible increase in hangar lease rent and to have Commissioners sign documents associated with airport grants. Mr. Wages spoke about increasing the hanger leases by 15% or approximately $.02 per square foot. Those present discussed how to get all lease agreements to come due at the same time. Commissioners spoke of having County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull look at the agreements to see how to modify or change them.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to raise the cost of square footage in the hangar lease agreements to $.12 per square foot. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion carried unanimously.
Commissioners spoke briefly about the fixed base operator (FBO) agreement with Mr. Parker.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the OMB Form 404-0014, Federal Financial Report for the amount of $444,632.50 and a match share of $19,638.63 Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the OMB Form 4040-0012, Request for Reimbursement or Advance for the amount of $70,115.53. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the OMB 4040-011 Form, Outlay Report and Request for Reimbursement for Construction Programs for the amount of $345,593.63, with a Federal Share of $353,495.35. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the OMB 4040-11 Form, Outlay Report and Request for Reimbursement for Construction Programs in the amount of $8,850.00. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the OMB 4040-011 Form, Outlay Report and Request for Reimbursement for Construction Programs in the amount of $20,073.34. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Construction Application for Payment No. 2 from B.F. Builders, Inc., in the amount of $111,377.96. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
It was said this request is for payment of all the materials.
It was said the snow removal equipment building had gone out for bid and Mr. Parker spoke about the necessary changes in the building that needed to be changed or modified.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Contract Change Order No. 1 for the snow removal equipment building in the amount of $6,655.00. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
The revised contract agreement is now $211,655.00.
Mr. Parker left the meeting.
2:10 p.m., Commissioners continued their discussion regarding a positions’ reclassification by the Personnel Classification Committee, because the grade for a particular position came in less than previously graded. Those present discussed accepting the new grade from the Classification Committee from their November 30, 2020 meeting. The rating shows a Grade 11 and as the current individual in this position is at a higher grade, their compensation will not be lowered.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to change the grade for a certain position to a Grade 11 and this change will not affect the current employee. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Noxious Weed Department Superintendent Dave Wenk joined the meeting.
2:25 p.m. Mr. Wenk discussed with Commissioners his request for a vehicle to be used to haul fuel to the groomer. Commissioners spoke of using the current vehicle that Mr. Wenk uses during his duties as the County Noxious Weed Department Superintendent. Mr. Wenk indicated that he could use this truck, but will first need to remove the spray equipment in order to haul the fuel to the groomer. The groomer should be here sometime next week, according to Mr. Wenk.
The meeting with Mr. Wenk ended.
Commissioners attended to administrative duties.
3:30 p.m. Clerk Poston discussed the reimbursement that has been received from the Governor’s Public Safety Initiative (GPSI) totaling $1,308,090.00, with $39,242.00 for administrative purposes and Urban Renewal in the amount of $10,948.00. Clerk Poston requested that Commissioners prepare a resolution for the disbursement of these funds to the appropriate fund. Commissioners will sign the resolution next week after it is prepared.
Commissioners attended to other administrative duties.
3:45 p.m., there being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
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DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
ATTEST:
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GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk