Monday, February 19, 2024, Commissioners did not meet due to the President’s Day Holiday.
Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session at the County Annex with Chairman Tim Bertling, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Ben Robertson, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
9:00 a.m., Commissioners held an elected officials/department heads meeting. Present were: Chairman Tim Bertling, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Ben Robertson, Clerk Glenda Poston, Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser, Coroner Chad Workman, Personnel Director Pam Barton, Treasurer Jenny Economu, Solid Waste Department Superintendent Richard Jenkins, Road and Bridge Administrative Assistant Shelby Hooper, Noxious Weeds Department Superintendent Dave Wenk, University of Idaho Extension Educator Amy Robertson, Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendents Renee Nelson and Randy Morris, IT Director Matt Hodges, Chief Probation Officer Alisa Walker, Restorium Administrator Janay Smith, Emergency Manager Andrew O’Neel, and Sheriff Dave Kramer.
Commissioners went around the room for department updates.
The elected officials/department heads meeting ended at 9:30 a.m.
9:30 a.m., University of Idaho Extension Educator Amy Robertson and University of Idaho Area Extension Forestry Educator Chris Schnepf joined the meeting.
Ms. Robertson reviewed information on programs and courses being offered at the Bonners Ferry location. Mr. Schnepf discussed forestry programs and provided information on Boundary County’s forest products industry for year 2021. Information was also provided on the Logger Education to Advance Professionalism (LEAP) Program and Mr. Schnepf said he’s seeing good turnouts for this program now. The University’s calendar came out and it lists planned programs. Mr. Schnepf spoke of the University’s Policy Analyst Group that performs research for natural resource matters, such as Sage Grouse, carbon credits, etc. Boundary County has more federally owned land, but more of the harvest is coming from private ownerships at higher elevation sites. Mr. Schnepf commented on forestry education and available jobs. Those present discussed fire related courses.
The meeting with Ms. Robertson and Mr. Schnepf ended at 10:05 a.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve meeting minutes for the weeks of February 5, 2024, and February 12, 2024. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Property Tax Cancellation Form for tax year 2023 to cancel $234.44 in tax, specials and late fees, plus current interest for parcel #MHB00000228425A due to hardship. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Property Tax Cancellation Form for tax year 2020 to cancel $99.78 in tax, specials and late fees, plus current interest for parcel #RPB00000228425A due to hardship. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Clerk Poston discussed matters pertaining to ARPA and explained needing to have had designated projects by a certain time date.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the request for the Assignment of Ground-Hangar Lease for George Richard and Pamela Little to the George and Pamela Little Revocable Trust. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners meeting with members of the North Bench Fire Department scheduled for 10:30 a.m. didn’t occur.
11:05 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 officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, or public-school student. Commissioner Robertson second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Bertling “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Robertson “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at
11:31 a.m. No action was taken.
11:31 a.m., Commissioner Cossairt 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, wherein the respective qualities of individuals are to be evaluated in order to fill a particular vacancy or need. Commissioner Robertson second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Bertling “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Robertson “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 12:00 p.m. No action was taken.
Commissioners recessed for lunch at noon.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Tim Bertling, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Ben Robertson, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
1:30 p.m., Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendents Renee Nelson and Randy Morris joined the meeting to give the department report. Mr. Morris presented a written report and reviewed work being done for the week.
Ms. Nelson informed Commissioners that she received a quote for Durapatch oil. The cost this year is $750.00 per ton and Road and Bridge would pick up the oil in Hauser. County Civil Attorney Bill Wilson has reviewed the quote.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to accept and sign the quote and any associated documents from Idaho Asphalt Supply for 10 tons of Durapatch oil at a cost of $750.00 per ton. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Independent Contractor Agreement with Contract Land Staff, LLC for acquisition services for project key numbers 21982 and 23910 for the Schoolhouse Road Improvement Project and the Naples Elementary School Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris informed Commissioners that a logging operation started up again on Westside Road. Chairman Bertling suggested Road and Bridge tell this person that they need to move the operation off of the county right-of-way within 10 days, otherwise it will be removed by the county. Chairman Bertling suggested involving the Prosecutor’s Office for this communication. Discussion took place about taking the logs as security until the contractor cleans up the road. Ms. Nelson discussed spring road closures and looking into changing the ordinance pertaining to spring breakup.
Ms. Nelson discussed matters regarding Title VI and she said Title VI Coordinator Shelby Hooper falls under Commissioners. Ms. Hooper will develop, maintain, implement and monitor this policy with enforcement remaining with Commissioners. Commissioners were agreeable to that.
Ms. Nelson asked about the revised agreement with the Idaho Transportation Department pertaining to lighting at Tobe Way. Commissioners have not yet received the updated agreement to sign. Ms. Nelson explained that there are four street lights and each one has a bar on it for traffic on Highway 95. Two of the side lights have a traffic signal with road signage if people are coming out of the Travel Center or Tobe Way.
Those present discussed needing to get more quotes for fencing for the gravel pit in Moyie Springs and the survey for the Fitzpatrick pit. Ms. Nelson said this pit was surveyed after almost two years and the cost is $1,000.00 more than was quoted due to having to work around snow on the ground, but if it had been done within the time frame originally given, there wouldn’t have been snow to work around.
The meeting with Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris ended at 2:15 p.m.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.
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TIM BERTLING, Chairman
ATTEST:
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GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk