***Monday, February 10, 2020, 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.
County resident Marty Martinez was present off and on throughout the day.
Commissioners gave the opening invocation and said the Pledge of Allegiance.
9:00 a.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.
Those present participated in a conference call with Jeff Miles, Dan Coonce and Scott Ellsworth with the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC); and Matt Hall with HMH Engineering to discuss bids received for improvements to the Trout Creek Bridge. Mr. Coonce spoke of when the bid opening was held and how many bids were received. It was said the lowest bid was still more than the engineer’s estimate and it didn’t account for the local match. Mr. Coonce identified areas of interest he saw in the estimate that primarily dealt with concrete and other materials. Mr. Coonce added that he analyzed the bigger items and approximately $200,000.00 to $250,000.00 of those items is where the difference was in the estimate. The other main item that surprised him was the asphalt prices. Typically he had been seeing most asphalt prices in the range of $120.00 to $150.00 per ton and this is a low tonnage project, but even the low bid for asphalt was significantly higher per ton than what he has seen. Mr. Coonce said in terms of the bid, if the county chooses, LHTAC feels as a result of discussion with Road and Bridge and Mr. Hall that proceeding with awarding the bid is where everyone wants to end up, but this is just to open up the discussion with the county as to what direction they want to proceed.
Mr. Miles said we’re over the amount of funds to where LHTAC approaches the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) Board regarding accepting or denying the award. The other awards were close, which is telling that the bid prices are prevailing for the area. Chairman Dinning questioned how the bid from this particular bidder compared to other bids. Mr. Miles said the county would have to choose or award the bid as submitted as a bid cannot be awarded with contingencies. It was said that there is a possibility that the resident can remove a particular item from the bid, but that is not certain. Chairman Dinning asked what other alternatives there are for the county. Mr. Coonce said in this case he believes LHTAC would be responsible to provide federal funding at 92.67% and they would ask the county to provide additional match associated with the overage. Ms. Nelson said LHTAC is looking at approximately $27,000.00 from the county to cover the 3.4% match. Ms. Nelson said if we reject the bid and seek new bids, the project will begin the 2020-2021 construction year and we’re probably already too late to rebid the Ruby Creek Bridge #2 project, but we have already paid the match for Ruby Creek Bridge #2, so is there the possibility of using those match funds as additional match for the Trout Creek Bridge and then regroup funds for Ruby Creek Bridge during the year that project will actually go to bid? It was said that ITD usually doesn’t return funds from projects.
Chairman Dinning said from the county standpoint, our match is based on the original amount of $58,900.00 and that has already been paid. Chairman Dinning questioned if the additional match amount would be less than $50,000.00 if the award is accepted. Mr. Miles said they feel it would be much lower than that amount and would probably be closer to $27,000.00 to $30,000.00. Chairman Dinning said if Commissioners recommend accepting the bid and going forward, LHTAC still has to approach ITD for more money. Mr. Miles said they would find other monies for Boundary County first from other project delays and then go to the ITD board meeting in March and inform them they found money. Mr. Miles said there could be difficulty in finding money, but they will commit to it. It was said that by delaying the Ruby Creek project, LHTAC will find funds and will also look at other projects that have been delayed. Ms. Nelson said in all fairness, the other benefit would be that the bridge could be constructed in year 2020, barring anything going wrong, and the project would be finished before the Riverside Road Improvement Project started. LHTAC said that is the hope.
Mr. Hall asked if LHTAC is going to reach out to the bidder to let him know of the intent to award the bid so they can start planning. Mr. Miles said after bids are opened and until they are awarded, they are not at liberty to make any contact with the bidders. Mr. Ellsworth said if the county wants to proceed, a letter of intent to award will be sent out the next day to the contractor. The ITD board meeting is usually the third Wednesday in March and it takes place in Boise.
If Commissioners want to move forward, they will need to make a motion to accept the bid and provide the additional match necessary to award the project. Ms. Nelson spoke of available funding and representatives of LHTAC on the call said if the award is accepted, they would need a letter from the county stating they accept the award and would cover the match amount.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to accept the bid for the Trout Creek Bridge Project, understanding it will require additional match funds of approximately $27,000.00 as the exact figure is not known, and that the Boundary County Commissioners authorize the payment of the additional match amount. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Dinning asked if the other bids received had similar costs in areas LHTAC had identified and if those costs had increased. Mr. Coonce said yes, they were in alignment and in close proximity within $100,000.00 of all bids, so they were really close. Mr. Hall asked Mr. Coonce if LHTAC had a chance to look at the most recent low bid averages. Mr. Coonce said he’s looked at bids coming in and primarily the bids they see having the highest prices are the ones in the local system. Mr. Coonce added that he’s not sure of a difference in prices between ITD versus a local project as even ITD has remote projects, but they still have a better unit bid price on asphalt. ITD has been running at approximately $60.00 to $80.00 per ton for concrete, but in terms of local projects it’s more so $100.00 to $120.00 per ton. The concrete items are higher, but each bid varies and sometimes the bidder has costs they don’t know how to estimate and they put in mobilization, which varies.
Ms. Nelson asked Mr. Coonce if the engineer’s estimate is based on various prices from year 2017 as they may have seen a rise in costs that was not part of the engineer’s estimate. Mr. Coonce said they’re starting to see increases across the board, even in their own projects.
The call to Mr. Coonce, Mr. Miles and Mr. Ellsworth with LHTAC ended at 9:26 a.m.
Mr. Hall provided a brief update on other Boundary Count projects. For Ruby Creek Bridge #3, the big issue to overcome is this weather. Mr. Hall said they will need to put in a stream diversion and he has the permits, but he’s not comfortable in doing that until the water level decreases so it would be some time around July 1st. Chairman Dinning said for clarification that this is the bridge repair with a cost of $35,000.00. Ms. Nelson said there are currently weight restrictions on this bridge.
The remainder of the Road and Bridge Department report was continued to this afternoon at 2:45 p.m.
The meeting with Ms. Nelson, Mr. Morris and Mr. Hall ended at 9:36 a.m.
9:37 a.m., County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull contacted Commissioners via telephone.
Clerk Poston asked Attorney Hull if he had submitted his letter to the Attorney Generals’ Office regarding herd districts. Attorney Hull said he will be doing that.
The call with Attorney Hull ended.
9:42 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 offer, 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 at 9:46 a.m. No action was taken.
Commissioner Kirby moved to approve the minutes for the weeks of September 9, 2019, November 4, 2019, December 2, 2019, January 6, 2020, January 20, 2020, January 27, 2020, and February 3, 2020. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Kirby left the meeting at 9:47 a.m.
Kootenai Tribe of Idaho Administrative Director Rhonda Vogl joined the meeting.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to adopt and sign the Findings & Decision for Planning and Zoning Application 20-015 for Applicant Ron Sukenik. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to grant an extension of time to receive year 2019 taxes for parcel MH61N02E043910A and to accept the tax amount due by the end of February, approximately. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to grant an extension of time to receive year 2019 taxes for parcel MH63N03E323800 and to accept the tax amount due as soon as the property owner can pay. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Property Tax Cancellation Form for year 2019 and to cancel taxes in the amount of $603.60 and fees in the amount of $49.60 for a total of $653.20 for parcel #OC047000000070A due to error. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Agreement between the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation and Boundary County for boat safety grant monies. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to cancel the Service Agreement with Sitelock. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign Certificates of Residency for Garreck Dlug, Jillian Robbins and Kelsey English. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the private road name recommendation of Tofte Road, off of El Paso Street. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
10:00 a.m., Ms. Vogl informed Commissioners of various topics on this evening’s agenda for the Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative (KVRI) meeting, to include 100 years of climate data, an update by Deputy Attorney General Kathleen Trever on the grizzly bear recovery plan revision, and committee updates from the Forest Service. Ms. Vogl informed Commissioners that she had a letter to present to them for signature pertaining to the Westside Restoration Project.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the letter of comment for the Westside Restoration Project. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting with Ms. Vogl ended at 10:13 a.m.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
10:32 a.m., Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals joined the meeting.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to go into closed session pursuant to Idaho Code 31-874. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously. 10:35 a.m., Commissioner Cossairt moved to go out of closed session. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to continue the appeal hearing for indigent applications 2020-2 and 2020-3 until March 23, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to deny indigent applications 2020-06 and 2020-7. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Deputy Clerk Ryals left the meeting.
10:36 a.m., Bonners Ferry District Forest Ranger Kevin Knauth joined the meeting to update Commissioners on Forest Service projects. Those present discussed matters pertaining to grizzly bear, sales associated with Boulder Creek and Boulder Dash projects, Stewardship programs, comments for the Westside Restoration project, and comment letters regarding conservation.
The meeting with Mr. Knauth ended at 10:50 a.m.
Commissioners reviewed claims for payment. Fund totals are as follows:
Current Expense $ 100,688.36
Road & Bridge 43,966.94
Airport 34,172.90
District Court 7,358.40
Justice Fund 64,265.26
911 Funds 10,951.95
Health District 13,773.00
Indigent & Charity 11,691.50
Junior College Tuition 576.00
Parks and Recreation 1,573.34
Revaluation 897.69
Solid Waste 79,191.73
Tort 602.14
Veterans Memorial 211.06
Weeds 1,802.81
Restorium 24,908.18
Waterways 505.40
Grant, Airport 261,854.32
Grant, Boat Safety 201.14
TOTAL $659,192.12
Trusts
Driver’s License Trust 8,875.40
Motor Vehicle Trust 119,435.30
Sheriff’s Trust Fund 1,139.65
Playground/Ice Rink Trust 175.00
Odyssey Court Trust Account 23,284.95
Odyssey Bond Trust Account 250.00
Odyssey Restitution Trust Account 3,886.10
TOTAL $157,046.40
GRAND TOTAL $816,238.52
Citizens are invited to inspect detailed records on file in the Courthouse (individual claims & Commissioners’ allowance & warrant register record 2019-2020).
10:54 a.m., Sheriff Dave Kramer, Undersheriff Rich Stephens and Sheriff’s Administrator Crystal Denton joined 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. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye” and Commissioner Cossairt “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 11:20 a.m. No action was taken.
Sheriff Kramer, Undersheriff Stephens and Ms. Denton left the meeting.
Chairman Dinning stated for the record that there were no matters to address as the Board of Equalization.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
Commissioners recessed for lunch at 11:30 a.m.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
1:30 p.m., University of Idaho Extension Director Barbara Petty, Northern District Director Mike Howell and Bonners Ferry University of Idaho Extension Educator Amy Robertson joined the meeting to discuss matters pertaining to the Extension Program. Chairman Dinning said a report that Commissioners have sent to Ms. Petty shows that Boundary County contributes more funds than other counties toward the University of Idaho Extension Program by a lot. Chairman Dinning said this is fine, but legislation is coming out regarding property taxes and freezing county budgets.
Chairman Dinning discussed options for smaller class sizes as it pertains to problems in finding venues for larger classes and he also discussed matters pertaining to requests for the county to subsidize University of Idaho programs by waiving venue rental fees. The University of Idaho generates a lot of funds through this local facility. Chairman Dinning spoke of the local University of Idaho Extension Offices subsidizing other counties when extension educators trade classes, etc., with each other so since that is occurring Commissioners want to make sure the University of Idaho is stepping up to the plate. Ms. Petty said since they started the memorandum of understanding process, she has reviewed budgets and based on prior year’s budgets, she compared all counties across the state with state appropriation money to see how we balanced and how we compared. This is information based on the 2018/2019 budget and in looking at the budget across the system, there are four counties that pay more than Boundary County, and they are Ada, Canyon, Cassia, and Twin Falls. Ms. Petty said some counties report fringe amounts and some don’t. For Boundary County there was $80,850.00 in fringe that the county paid that year and when you take out fringe across the board, there are 10 counties that pay more than Boundary County. For population, Boundary County is ranked 19th and there is only one county smaller than Boundary County that has two extension program educators. There are eight counties that are larger than Boundary County that have less educators. Ms. Petty said looking at the cost per educator, there are nine counties that pay more than Boundary County. That fringe piece is just a big piece of Boundary County’s budget. Lewis and Clearwater Counties pay more per educator than Boundary County, according to Ms. Petty. Chairman Dinning said in total, how does this function when there are two educators? Ms. Petty said when you take away fringe, it’s paying $8.33 per person and for one educator that decreases to $4.44 per person.
Chairman Dinning said it’s not that Boundary County doesn’t support the program, but he thinks there are different versions of the memorandum of understanding. Ms. Petty said the University of Idaho has six counties that are university managed offices and she explained how that system works. Staff who once had been county employees are now university employees and those offices have their own separate agreements. Latah County also has an agreement as they pay for half a position. Some counties have changed Commissioners and educators so rather than crafting 42 different agreements, the University of Idaho put together a template that is basically the same. Some counties provide a vehicle for their extension educator so that agreement had to change for that purpose. The MOU only changed for some things, but the layout of the MOU is exactly the same. Chairman Dinning said that is some of what Commissioners were concerned with. A piece of what they’re concerned with is the confusion that occurs with county employees and the University of Idaho employees.
Ms. Robertson left the meeting.
1:38 p.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. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye” and Commissioner Cossairt “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 2:32 p.m. No action was taken.
The meeting with Ms. Petty and Mr. Howell ended.
2:35 p.m., County Mapper Olivia Drake and Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendents Randy Morris and Renee Nelson joined the meeting.
Ms. Drake and Commissioners discussed the need to hold a public hearing to address processes in the addressing ordinance. Chairman Dinning explained the process for this hearing should also include addressing from the Kootenai River.
Chairman Dinning brought up the matter of an approach permit and he said there is nothing that allows for a variance, unless it pertains to a parcel that was created prior to the ordinance. Those present discussed a property owner who had used a plastic culvert for an approach and how this person now needs to get an approach permit in order to split their property, but Road and Bridge wasn’t aware that the culvert was plastic. Mr. Morris said he doesn’t know what to think about plastic culverts, but it’s something that could be mentioned in the Road Standards. It was suggested that Road and Bridge inform the property owner that they will need to meet the county’s current road standards and replace the plastic culvert with a metal one.
Ms. Nelson discussed the Geo Local Road Mileage Report for year ending 2019 and she said she will need to adjust some numbers, adding that Queen View Road is a new road and it’s actually 1.39 miles long, not 1.81. Ms. Nelson will get a corrected copy of the report.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the GEO Local Road Mileage Report with corrections showing Queen View Road being 1.39 miles, which will change totals. Chairman Dinning yielded chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Nelson informed Commissioners that she is still waiting for the Caterpillar financing documents from Western States.
Mr. Morris and Ms. Nelson said Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) wants to put up informational signs along county roads in high traffic areas and they asked about the need to follow county rules for signage. Chairman Dinning said to ask IDL where they want to put the signs and if it’s on county property, to let them know what the criteria is.
Chairman Dinning provided an update on proposed legislation to limit a portion of the sales tax distribution, having the county pay for Medicaid expansion through revenue sharing, limiting the 3% budget increase and also no longer being able to add new construction.
Those present discussed recently picking up the equipment that had been donated to Road and Bridge and where to use the cement that was also donated to Road and Bridge, such as roads or for bank stabilization. Ms. Nelson discussed the request of City Bonners Ferry Road Foreman John Youngwirth to install a drain line for the area down at the fairgrounds that would drain near the overpass. Road and Bridge could dig the ditch and Ms. Nelson said that Mr. Youngwirth had commented that the city might need the help of Road and Bridge equipment and an operator for this project. Discussion was held regarding address signs and how the standards state house number signs are to be a minimum of four inches, but other agencies and people are making these signs using 3 inches numbers.
The meeting with Mr. Morris, Ms. Nelson and Ms. Drake ended at 3:26 p.m.
Solid Waste Department Superintendent Claine Skeen joined the meeting at 3:26 p.m.
Mr. Skeen said the county is paying approximately $1.09 or $1.10 per gallon to get rid of used oil. Mr. Skeen explained that he does have budget for the waste oil burner and he plans on taking used oil and using it as a heat source. Those present reviewed quotes received. Mr. Skeen said the quote from Clean Energy installation includes a warranty, but the estimate from Clean Burn has a two year warranty. Those present discussed material that makes up the burner. Those present discussed where the burner would be stored. Mr. Skeen said oil and antifreeze are already separated. Commissioner Cossairt said he was in favor of purchasing the waste oil burner.
The quote from Northstar Clean Concept/Clean Energy totaled $15,427 and the quote from DSI Recycling/Clean Burn totaled $14,089.00.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to accept the quote of $14,089.00 from DSI Recycling System dba Clean Burn for a waste oil burner and to sign the Sales Agreement once installation warranty information is clarified. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting with Mr. Skeen ended at 3:48 p.m.
Chief Deputy Clerk Tracie Isaac joined the meeting at 3:49 p.m., to discuss a personnel matter. Chief Deputy Clerk Isaac left the meeting at 3:54 p.m.
There being no further business, the meeting recessed until tomorrow at 11:30 a.m.
***Tuesday, February 11, 2020, at 11:30 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser. Commissioner Walt Kirby was out of the office tending to personal matters.
11:30 a.m., County resident Scooter Drake and Snowmobile Board Chairman Jeff Urbaniak joined the meeting to discuss matters pertaining to the Snowmobile Board.
Mr. Urbaniak informed Commissioners that Mr. Drake is interested in filling a vacancy on the county’s Snowmobile Board. Mr. Urbaniak added that he would also like to remain on the Snowmobile Board, but that he would like to step down as the chairman of this board. Commissioners explained the county’s process of placing an advertisement in the newspaper and online for two weeks to seek new advisory board members before making a selection.
The meeting with Mr. Urbaniak and Mr. Drake ended at 11:44 a.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to adopt Resolution 2020-15. A resolution authorizing the disposition of records of Boundary County. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously. Resolution 2020-15 reads as follows:
RESOLUTION 2020-15
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DISPOSITION OF RECORDS OF BOUNDARY COUNTY
WHEREAS, Idaho Code 31-871 pertains to the classification and retention of records and allows records not classified therein to be classified as permanent, semi-permanent, and temporary by the Board of County Commissioners and upon the advice of the office of the Prosecuting Attorney, and further provides that records may be disposed of by Resolution of the Board of County Commissioners after regular audit and upon the advice of the Prosecuting Attorney, and
WHEREAS, due to a lack of storage space, the Boundary County Commissioners’ Office has requested permission to dispose of old records, and
WHEREAS, the Boundary County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has reviewed the request and has no objection thereto, and
WHEREAS, the Boundary County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has advised the Board of Boundary County Commissioners regarding the classification of such records pursuant to Idaho Code 31-871, and
NOW THEREFORE, upon motion duly made seconded and unanimously carried,
IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that the following records be classified and disposed of as follows under the supervision of the Clerk of the Board of Commissioners:
The following records have been deemed semi-permanent by the Boundary County Commissioners on the advice of the office of the Prosecuting Attorney and semi-permanent records must be kept for a minimum of five years. The following records are to be disposed of by shredding.
• Beverage License Applications, years 2001 - 2015
• Certificates of Insurance, years 1998 – 2004
• Sheriff’s Office Bullet Proof Vest Program, years 2001 - 2008
• County bid documents, years 2002 - 2007
DATED THIS 11th day of February, 2020.
COUNTY OF BOUNDARY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
s/__________________________
Dan R. Dinning, Chairman
s/___________________________
Wally Cossairt, Commissioner
s/___________________________
Walt Kirby, Commissioner
Reviewed by and on advice of the County’s Civil Attorney this 11th day of February, 2020.
s/_________________________________
Jack Douglas, Prosecuting Attorney
ATTEST:
s/_______________________________________________
Glenda Poston, Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners
Recorded as instrument #280785
Commissioners recessed for lunch at 11:45 a.m.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
1:30 p.m., Airport Board Chairman Jay Wages, Airport Manager Dave Parker and Solid Waste Department Claine Skeen joined the meeting to discuss matters pertaining to airport grants and equipment.
Mr. Parker informed Commissioners that there is an upcoming Airport Board meeting and he mentioned having discussed the transfer of the airport’s loader to the Solid Waste Department adding that it makes the most sense for the county and the airport and the Solid Waste Department would make the final payment on the loader. Chairman Dinning said the county will refinance the CAT loader and the initial payment is approximately $8,000. The airport will obtain a skid steer and Mr. Parker listed which attachments are available for the skid steer and the loader. Clerk Poston said we’re five months into the budget year so should the airport and Solid Waste Department split the payment amount?
Those present discussed the county’s match portion of the grant and how much the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) would reimburse the county. It was said the state and county paid $14,218. Once 45 days have passed, the county will need to pay Pape $30,721.00. The final reimbursement from the FAA will be $27,648.00 and the county and state will pay $1,536. Mr. Parker said the county is expected to store the snow removal equipment under cover, according to the FAA, and an agreement had been entered into approximately one year ago to design a building. The drawing and Categorical Exclusion are both done. Mr. Parker said the county is fairly close to the end of the grant and from what has been spent so far to the end of the snow removal equipment and storage building portion of the grant, the amount owning is $2,762.00.
Clerk Poston said through this process, her office discovered invoices were paid out of the grant match airport line item when they should not have been so Mr. Parker will bring the invoices to Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals and the Clerk’s Office will determine which line item they need to be paid from. Clerk Poston said she will transfer $15,000.00 and that will increase the airport grant match so it will provide airport additional budgeting authority and the airport will have $10,000.00 available. Clerk Poston said $1,500.00 will come out of grant match and the environmental assessment (EA) will also come out of the line item for grant match.
Mr. Parker mentioned having had a meeting with the Airport Board and looking into the future, the projects would be the snow removal building and the EA for the next five years. Mr. Parker said the FAA contacted him the other day and informed him the state and FAA are willing to award the county $510,000.00 for the snow removal equipment building and funding the full EA with a 5% match from the county. Mr. Parker said he made a few phone calls to determine the process and once the decision is made to do the EA, the county and engineers put the proposal and numbers together. Once that is done, the county will go to another engineering firm to put costs together before negotiating a final project cost. Mr. Parker said prior to that is an overview of what would be done, then that information goes to the FAA for approval, and after that it goes to the county for approval before applying for grant. Chairman Dinning said there had been talk of just doing smaller projects at the airport so if that’s the case, why would the county need a full EA. If the runway is not moved, the powerline wouldn’t need to be relocated so an EA wouldn’t be needed for that. It was said the Howard parcel to the east is a high priority for the FAA, but only a strip of that property is needed. Chairman Dinning said the EA could be pared down significantly. Mr. Parker said the runway is the major portion of the EA. Mr. Parker added that the reason the county needs to make a decision is due to the approach and the FAA takes a while for those; approximately three years.
Mr. Parker said the cost for all of this is going to require some kind of savings. If we did all of the projects, it could be $80,000.00 per year that we need to save for three years as the cost of the projects is so large. Chairman Dinning said we could do all these EAs, but we are not locking ourselves into these projects. Mr. Parker said no, but he could still look into that. Chairman Dinning informed Mr. Parker and Mr. Wages of possible legislation that would freeze county budgets, the tax portion, and not allow counties to use new construction when determining the levy. Chairman Dinning said he doesn’t want to commit to doing an EA if the county doesn’t have the ability to save funds and he explained that the increase of 3% equates to $155,000.00 and at least half of that figure goes to fund the increase in health insurance so the county doesn’t know what is going to happen.
1:50 p.m., Clare Marley with Ruen-Yeager joined the meeting.
Chairman Dinning informed Mr. Parker what information Commissioners need to have going forward. It was said the EA is good for five years from its finish date. Mr. Wages said we need to project out five to seven years that the EA won’t be any good so we need to save funds, but if we cannot save, why do an EA? Chairman Dinning said the county could probably fix the gully wash near the airport. It was said it would cost the county $4,000.00 to do the study for the gully. Mr. Parker said the FAA wants the airport to determine what the needs are. The match for the building would probably cost the county approximately $12,000.00 at most. Clerk Poston said Commissioners need to determine where they want the amount of the loader payment totaling $8,000.00 to be paid from.
Mr. Parker said about six months ago a list was put together of the hangars and hangar owners. Chairman Dinning asked how often the hangar rates change and Mr. Parker said most are three years. Rates went from five cents to eight cents per square foot. Chairman Dinning said the county has the ability to go the 3% so we want to make sure the rates catch up. Those present discussed legislation in that if someone rents property from a government and the use is not government related, that person might have to pay property taxes on the portion that is leased.
2:00 p.m., Planning and Zoning Department Administrator John Moss, Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendent Renee Nelson and County Cartographer Olivia Drake joined the meeting.
The meeting with Mr. Wages and Mr. Parker ended at 2:05 p.m.
Chairman Dinning said the county has contracted with Clare Marley of Ruen-Yeager to assist with the Planning and Zoning Office and the number one goal is to get everything caught up. We will want to establish some form of information sharing with Ms. Marley’s Office and hopefully we can do that online. Mr. Moss mentioned that he will need to sit down with Ms. Marley to show her the processes, etc. Mr. Moss explained his process when issuing permits, taking calls, preparing for public hearings, etc., and he commented that this work takes him away from processing the applications. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners hope Mr. Moss and Ms. Marley won’t get too bogged down in the education part of the process, because Ms. Marley will just ask a question if she has one. The best bet is to get right down to solving matters and getting caught up. Commissioners briefly commented on Ms. Marley’s extensive experience in this area.
Ms. Marley questioned if the thought is to start with the newest applications and if that would be site permits only or certain other land use files also? Mr. Moss listed the applications that came in today as being residential placement permits and parcel line adjustments. Usually a residential placement permit involves assigning an address, according to Mr. Moss. Mr. Moss explained that process. Those present discussed applications that don’t have a deadline to be completed and in essence have gone to being inactive. Commissioners said they don’t want Ms. Marley to worry about those. Mr. Moss spoke of applications that need responses from the applicant pertaining to Road and Bridge and mapping details. Chairman Dinning suggested taking care of the applications that are most current and pressing, then follow up on the other applications. Mr. Moss said he feels there is a clerical need as well as an administrative need in his office. Mr. Moss added that phone calls and foot traffic are non-stop and he is getting further behind. Ms. Drake spoke of seeing applications not being completed by the applicant so they have to return them and it would be nice to have a way to make sure the applications were complete before they receive them. Mr. Moss discussed issues that he comes across.
Mr. Moss, Ms. Marley and Commissioners discussed program options.
The meeting with Ms. Marley, Ms. Drake, Ms. Nelson, and Mr. Moss ended at 2:50 p.m.
3:00 p.m., Commissioners participated in the Idaho Association of Counties legislative conference call for District 1. Present were: Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Clerk Glenda Poston, Treasurer Sue Larson, and Assessor Dave Ryals, various elected officials from the remaining four northern counties, and members of the Idaho Association of Counties. The conference call ended at 3:30 p.m.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.
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DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
ATTEST:
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GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk