***Monday, December 02, 2019, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
9:00 a.m., Commissioners participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Tobe Way/Plato Drive project with Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendents Renee Nelson and Randy Morris, Wink Inc., and Matt Hall and Alex Hall of HMH Engineering.
The ribbon cutting ended at 9:15 a.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Annual Road and Bridge Financial Report. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to adopt Resolution 2020-8. A resolution pertaining to the agreement associated with the Union Pacific Railroad siding project. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. Resolution 2020-8 reads as follows:
RESOLUTION 2020-8
WHEREAS, In year 2015, the Board of Boundary County Commissioners were informed by Union Pacific Railroad representatives of project to build a railroad siding along the Moyie River Road in Bonners Ferry, Boundary County, Idaho; and
WHEREAS, meetings were held between Union Pacific Railroad representatives and Boundary County to discuss the details of the project; and
WHEREAS, included in these plans was for Union Pacific Railroad to construct approaches for affected property owners as well as a new road that Boundary County would take into its system for maintenance; and
WHEREAS, on July 8, 2019, at 1:30 p.m., in the University of Idaho Extension Office Annex Building, the Board of Boundary County Commissioners held a public hearing to consider taking this proposed road into the county system for maintenance; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, after reviewing project details, accepting public comment and discussing the matter amongst themselves, the Board of Boundary County Commissioners moved to approve the Roadway Development Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 2ND DAY OF DECEMBER, 2019.
BOUNDARY COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
S/___________________________
DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
S/___________________________
WALLY COSSAIRT, Commissioner
S/___________________________
WALT KIRBY, Commissioner
ATTEST:
S/_______________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
Recorded as instrument #280411
Commissioner Cossairt moved to adopt Resolution 2020-9. A resolution regarding the acceptance of Queen View Road into Boundary County Road System. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. Resolution 2020-9 reads as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-9
ACCEPTANCE OF QUEEN VIEW ROAD INTO BOUNDARY COUNTY ROAD SYSTEM
WHEREAS, an easement by Union Pacific Railroad has been offered to Boundary County for public highway purposes; and
WHEREAS, Queen View Road has been constructed to meet current Boundary County Standards for Road Construction in accordance with Boundary County Ordinance 2007-5 with the exception of paving which will be completed in 2020 with a surety posted to ensure the same; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Boundary County, Idaho, has determined that the necessities of public travel justify the opening of a highway within said easement.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of County Commissioners of Boundary County, Idaho, that the easement created and described by Exhibit “A” and attached hereto, is accepted by Boundary County for public highway purposes.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the roadway that has been constructed within the easement as shown in "Exhibit A" is hereby accepted as part of the Boundary County Highway System created to pursuant to Section 40-202, Idaho Code.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that said road shall be named Queen View Road.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that said road is hereby opened for public use and maintenance of said road shall be conducted henceforth by Boundary County, Idaho, pursuant to Section 40-202, Idaho Code.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, that this Resolution and "EXHIBIT A" attached hereto be recorded in the records of Boundary County and said road be included on the Boundary County Road Map.
DATED this 2nd day of December, 2019
BOARD OF BOUNDARY COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
s/________________________________
DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
s/________________________________
WALLY COSSAIRT, Commissioner
s/________________________________
WALT KIRBY, Commissioner
ATTEST:
s/___________________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk/Recorder
Boundary County
Recorded as instrument #280412
Clerk’s Note: Exhibit A is attached to the original resolution on file in the Clerk’s Office.
9:25 a.m., Sheriff Dave Kramer and Blue Sky Broadcasting News Reporter Mike Brown joined the meeting.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to amend the agenda for 10:30 a.m. in order to address matters as the Board of Equalization. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendents Renee Nelson and Randy Morris, and Matt Hall and Alex Hall with HMH Engineering join the meeting.
Matt Hall informed Commissioners that Ruby Creek Bridge #2 is the same style of bridge as Ruby Creek Bridge #3, which had a temporary timber deck put on it. Ruby Creek Bridge #2 is to be replaced through a federal aid project as we don’t just want to put a band aid on it, according to Mr. Hall. Mr. Hall said he is proposing that the county purchase a modular bridge similar to other bridges and it would be a single lane as it’s very narrow and they’ll try to figure out how to utilize the existing abutments. This work will have to be done during low creek flows and we’ll try to push for repairs as soon as possible. Currently this bridge has a close rating analysis for propane delivery trucks and they‘re trying to get it rated for sand trucks as well so the road can be serviced. It was said it looks like Road and Bridge could receive close to $25,000.00 in grant funds toward replacing this structure. Mr. Hall said he was just talking about what culvert sizes Road and Bridge already has as well as gravel and rock, etc. Mr. Hall mentioned the plan to use fabric reinforcement behind the abutments.
The meeting with Ms. Nelson, Mr. Morris, and HMH Engineering ended at 9:39 a.m.
Commissioner Kirby moved to authorize Chairman Dinning to contact the Idaho Department of Lands to request an extension of time for the South Boundary Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project grant. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Sheriff Kramer informed Commissioners that the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office is offering a boat to Boundary County’s Sheriff’s Office at no cost. This is an aluminum inboard/outboard that would work well in the Kootenai River as a backup to the main boat, according to Sheriff Kramer.
Commissioner Kirby moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Agreement with Elmore County for their donation of a 1995 Alamar aluminum boat, VIN Number: AUC25901K49 to the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Sheriff Kramer left the meeting.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Certificate of Residency for Bradley Clatworthy-Molt. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the Catering Permit for Jack’s Club for an event to be held on December 13, 2019, once the permit is received. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Kirby moved to approve the minutes of November 18 & 19, 2019. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
9:44 a.m. Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals joined the meeting.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to deny indigent cases 2020-2 and 2020-3. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Deputy Clerk Ryals left the meeting at 9:45 a.m.
9:45 a.m., County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull contacted Commissioners via telephone.
Mr. Brown left the meeting.
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.
Chief Deputy Clerk Tracie Isaac joined the meeting at 9:48 a.m.
The call and executive session with Attorney Hull ended at 10:14 a.m. No action was taken.
Chief Deputy Clerk Isaac left the meeting at 10:14 a.m.
Solid Waste Department Superintendent Claine Skeen joined the meeting 10:14 a.m.
Mr. Skeen informed Commissioners that he got back in touch with JUB Engineering on proposed changes to the draft Operation Plan and after the changes are made, JUB will forward the plan to the county after the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has signed it. Commissioners said they would look at this year’s budget as it pertains to the closure plan. Mr. Skeen said he has $35,000 budgeted for that. Mr. Skeen said after the completion of the Operation Plan, the contract with JUB Engineering is over and he would like to move on from JUB Engineering and work with Ellery Howard on the closure plan.
Commissioners noted for the minutes that Mr. Skeen provided them with his accident report.
Those present discussed staffing for the Solid Waste Department and now that the landfill has hired one more operator, Mr. Skeen’s department is fully staffed.
The meeting with Mr. Skeen ended at 10:21 a.m.
10:21 a.m., Chief Probation Officer Stacy Brown joined the meeting to give the Probation Department report.
Ms. Brown reported that there are 26 people on juvenile probation, 38 adults on probation, 139 people on unsupervised probation, and one person in the Diversion Program. Ms. Brown added that she thinks the number of those in the drug court program is still the same at six.
Ms. Brown informed Commissioners that the state conducted a survey on pretrial services, which is a service that keeps people out of jail prior to receiving their disposition. Some counties are charging for pretrial services, but in this situation the individual has not yet been found guilty so there is quite a bit of discussion going on about that. Boundary County is only charging a fee for the drug testing, according to Ms. Brown. Ms. Brown said everything is going well for her department.
The meeting with Ms. Brown ended at 10:27 a.m.
Chairman Dinning stated that today is the last day for Commissioners to meet as the Board of Equalization and Assessor Ryals has brought over information on adjustments.
Commissioner Kirby moved to recess as the Board of Boundary County Commissioners and to convene as the Board of Equalization. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to delete parcel #TP62N02E20380AA as the property owner is no longer logging. This is a net value reduction of $8,677. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to reduce the taxable value on parcel #TP62N01E344820A by $25,599 as the property owner failed to disclose on their declaration that the transient personal property was located and taxable in Bonner County for two months in year 2019. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
10:29 a.m. Commissioner Kirby moved to adjourn as the Board of Equalization and to reconvene as the Boundary County Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Clerk Poston informed Commissioners that for the census the county can form a committee for the purpose of getting a complete count. Chairman Dinning asked about the role of the committee and he commented that a committee should not be promoting and should only be assisting the process.
10:41 a.m., Assessor Dave Ryals joined the meeting.
Commissioners asked Assessor Ryals about providing county information to the Census Bureau. Assessor Ryals mentioned how his system isn’t geared toward that type of information. Chairman Dinning said he wanted to research this committee’s role before doing anything.
Assessor Ryals left the meeting at 10:48 a.m.
10:51 a.m., Courthouse Maintenance John Buckley joined the meeting to give the department report.
Mr. Buckley discussed the poor condition of some of the ceiling tiles in the courtroom and he said he is unable to get replacements so Kevin Dirks with Northwest Paint & Pre-stain will caulk some of those areas when he’s painting the ceiling in that room. Mr. Buckley spoke of the small courtroom and Judge’s chambers needing trim installed and telephone cords replaced. Mr. Buckley informed Commissioners that he plans to pick up a small compressor and nail gun for the Courthouse and he added that work in the Clerk’s Office vault is almost done. Commissioner Kirby commented that he has extra nail guns that he would donate to the county.
Mr. Buckley said the heater in the witness room needs repaired as it broke loose so he has to contact Atlas Boiler in Spokane. Mr. Buckley spoke of replacing and updating Courthouse lighting to light emitting diodes (LED). Mr. Buckley said everything seems to be good at the armory as far as maintenance. Those present discussed equipment that is currently being stored at the armory and the deadline in which it needs to be moved to another location to allow for remodeling. Mr. Buckley briefly mentioned the boat launches and how they now have the new bear proof garbage cans, which are nice and easy to work around.
Mr. Buckley informed Commissioners that Waterways Board Chairman Darron Branson will need to get in contact with Mike Kelly of Kelly’s Excavating about the issue with the water line. The water is shut off at this point. Mr. Buckley said Mr. Kelly was finishing up a septic system last week so he will get back to this water issue sometime this week.
Mr. Buckley said the Extension Office is scheduled to get their new cabinets and when this happens, he is going to remove the old cabinets. Commissioners said they will need to get in touch with Extension Office Educator Amy Robertson about that. Mr. Buckley clarified that he is not installing the new cabinets, but he wanted to take the old cabinets as he might be able to use them.
Those present discussed having Mr. Buckley order wall-mounted hand sanitizers for each floor in the Courthouse. Mr. Buckley mentioned that the Extension Office is also requesting a baby changing station for their restroom.
The meeting with Mr. Buckley ended at 11:14 a.m.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
11:29 a.m., Boundary Economic Development Council (EDC) Director Dennis Weed joined the meeting to update Commissioners on EDC projects.
Mr. Weed informed Commissioners that the new gas station in town has opened. Mr. Weed commented that there are approximately 80 job openings in the local area according to the Department of Labor. Commissioners discussed having to register on the Department of Labor’s site and how that might deter people.
Mr. Weed said the City of Moyie Springs has the engineering contract for the sewer project with Keller Associates at a cost of approximately $40,000 to $50,000 and they will also send out information for the construction phase. The cost of the feasibility study is $2,600,000.00 and since then the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) removed the cooling requirement as it’s not necessary. Also in the study was piping that went down and into the area where the Moyie River and Kootenai River meet. Now Keller Associates is going to see if the pipe can be dropped over the rock wall into the Kootenai River. It’s getting down to $2,100,000.00 for the entire project and then Kyle Meschko, engineer for Keller Associates will add $1,000,000.00 for the contingency. Mr. Weed spoke of a potential range of costs and coming back to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for funding. Mr. Weed said he wants the residents to see this project and be happy with what they got for the amount. As soon as the bond goes in, the county will get reimbursed from the City of Moyie Springs for its costs.
Mr. Weed commented that the next step with Keller Associates is that they had all of the steps in the master plan so he will send Commissioners the list of prioritized tasks, then Commissioners can decide what they want to put in and budget for the coming year. Mr. Weed suggested Commissioners think about a date if they want to go to a vote. Chairman Dinning said the absolute biggest piece is who is going to run the system as it’s not for Boundary County to run.
The meeting with Mr. Weed ended at 11:44 a.m.
Commissioner recessed for lunch at 11:44 a.m.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
Chairman Dinning stepped out of the office temporarily.
Commissioners held the continuation of the hearing to consider Planning and Zoning Application #19-145, a request for a zone amendment by Applicant Dan DeHart. Present were: Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser. The hearing was recorded.
Commissioner Kirby moved to continue the hearing for Planning and Zoning Application #19-145 to Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
The proceedings ended at 1:35 p.m.
Chairman Dinning returned to the meeting.
1:35 p.m., Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee and Assistant Administrator Diana Lane joined the meeting. Also present was Restorium Board member Jeannie Robinson.
Ms. Magee informed Commissioners that the state is not requiring Restorium employees to have the flu vaccine. Ms. Magee commented that she met with Bee Safe on the call system for the Restorium and she will get another quote that is more recent. The older quote was almost $20,000. There is a newer feature that should function better for the Restorium and it works through a cell phone as opposed to using a pager or walkie talkies. Those present discussed looking into tracking features for residents who need them. Ms. Magee spoke of her plan to relocate the existing garden planter boxes to an area that is inside the fenced yard and visible from the windows. Clerk Poston mentioned the Community Grow Program as an option for a garden.
Chairman Dinning asked about the Blue Cross reimbursements and Ms. Lane said there are reimbursements coming in that had been owed.
1:46 p.m., the meeting with Ms. Magee and Ms. Lane ended. Ms. Robinson also left the meeting.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
2:36 p.m., Sheriff Dave Kramer and Undersheriff Rich Stephens joined the meeting.
Commissioner Kirby moved to go into executive session pursuant to Idaho Code 74-206(1)a, to consider hiring a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent; and 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 Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Kirby “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 2:55 p.m. No action was taken.
Sheriff Kramer and Undersheriff Stephens left the meeting.
3:00 p.m., Commissioners discussed matters pertaining to 9B Trails projects. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners had received a request for a letter of support for the Riverside Park project, but Commissioners would like information from their point of contact, Scott Bourassa, as to the timeline of the project and what part of the project their letter of support would be covering.
3:25 p.m., Commissioners received a call from Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendent Renee Nelson regarding damage to Deep Creek Bridge #3 as a result of an auto accident that had occurred. Ms. Nelson said the driver’s insurance is claiming responsibility for the damage. HMH Engineering did a preliminary estimate for costs in order to get the paperwork started and when the Clerk’s Office forwarded that information to the Idaho Counties Risk Management Program (ICRMP), ICRMP said they don’t oversee this type of claim. Ms. Nelson asked Commissioners how they would handle this. The county or insurance company needs an engineer on the project prior to hiring a contractor. Chairman Dinning added that in negotiating this, Ms. Nelson should probably notify County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull of the matter. Ms. Nelson said we need to have someone help cover the county for costs, at least for repairs. Concern was voiced about waiting to make repairs as high water flows may further compromise the bridge. Chairman Dinning said he was thinking about just one week so Commissioners can make a motion on Monday, December 9, 2019.
The call with Ms. Nelson ended at 3:30 p.m.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.
_________________________________
DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
ATTEST:
_____________________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk