***Monday, February 7, 2022, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
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 provided.
Commissioner Bertling moved to ratify the purchase of a pickup and a belly dump trailer for Road and Bridge. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Morris said the advantage of this purchase is that the belly dump has three axels and it will haul approximately twice what the existing truck and trailers haul. Mr. Morris commented on trying to extend the life of Road and Bridge equipment.
Commissioners said they would continue the discussion on the Union Pacific Railroad lease and Alta Forest Products project until tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. Ms. Nelson said the county civil attorney is still reviewing the Findings and Decision for variance applications.
Commissioner Bertling moved to go out to bid for 2022 asphalt petroleum products. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Those present discussed the New Private Road Name Application form and proposed changes as it relates to parcel divisions, division time frame requirements and mapping. It was said that issuing a new road name will be allowed and once the address numbers are assigned, the system can be updated.
Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris informed Commissioners that they looked into the cost of a new sand truck and there is an increase of $43,000.00 for a 2023 truck and hydraulics over the cost of last year’s 2022 truck. Mr. Morris explained the age of the truck fleet for Road and Bridge. Commissioner Bertling said our trucks are so outdated that if we don’t get them caught up, the situation will be worse. Ms. Nelson questioned being able to bid just the truck chassis, then call around for prices on a box and hydraulics. Chairman Dinning mentioned there being transportation funding through the federal government and he questioned how we find out what is available to the counties. Chairman Dinning mentioned the benefit of contracting with someone to research this information.
Ms. Nelson brought up that the contract with Innovate for the addressing coordinator position expires this month. Commissioners said they would look into that.
The meeting with Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris ended at 9:32 a.m.
9:32 a.m., County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull contacted Commissioners via telephone to update them on various matters he’s working on.
Personnel Director Pam Barton joined the meeting.
9:33 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; and Idaho Code 74-206(1)c, to acquire an interest in real property, which is not owned by a public agency. Commissioner Bertling second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Bertling “aye”. Motion passed unanimously.
9:51 a.m., Ms. Barton left the meeting.
The executive session ended at 9:57 a.m. No action was taken. Commissioners stated that they would continue their executive session until 1:45 p.m.
Gregory Lamberty joined the meeting at 9:57 a.m.
9:57 a.m., Solid Waste Department Superintendent Claine Skeen joined the meeting. Mr. Skeen said as it pertains to two delinquent landfill customer accounts, the process server was unable to contact either of the two parties. Mr. Skeen said he doesn’t know what Commissioners want to do for the next step. It was said the process server will need to invoice the county for the cost of $64.00 and $78.00.
With regard to the Landfill’s Operations Plan, the county was just going to wait on it for a bit. Mr. Skeen said the plan is with Erik Ketner with the Panhandle Health District and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) so he’s just waiting for them. Commissioners requested Mr. Skeen contact Panhandle Health District and the Department of Environmental Quality. Those present briefly discussed landfill capacity limits, the closure and post closure plans and budget set aside for those plans. Mr. Skeen said if the county landfill receives more than the limit of 20 tons of garbage per day, he would suggest looking into utilizing the landfill’s entire 40-acre site before having to ship garbage out.
Those present briefly discussed working on verbiage pertaining to railroad ties being accepted at the landfill. Mr. Skeen said the landfill has been staying busy. The loader has had a breakdown. Commissioners discussed the cost of making repairs as opposed to purchasing another piece of equipment as well as declaring this loader surplus and going out for sealed bids.
The meeting with Mr. Skeen ended at 10:20 a.m.
10:20 a.m., Chief Probation Officer Stacy Brown and Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections District Liaison Zlata Myr joined the meeting at 10:20 a.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the minutes of January 24 & 25, 2022. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign Certificates of Residency for April Leyden and Heather Kunsky. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to grant an extension of time to pay year 2021 taxes for parcel #MH61N02E182550A and to accept the tax amount due by March 1, 2022. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to ratify signing the letter for the Waterways Advisory Board Deep Creek boat launch project as it was time sensitive. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to reappoint Dave Wenk to the Snowmobile Advisory Board with a term to expire February 2024. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to reappoint Phil Allegretti, Tim Dillin and Patrick Gardiner to the Noxious Weeds Advisory Board with terms to expire January 2025. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve and sign the New Private Road Name Request Form for Tonka Way. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve and sign the Findings and Decision for Planning and Zoning Application #22-0015, for Applicants Glenn & Jennifer Leavitt for a short plat primitive subdivision. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve and sign the Findings and Decision for Planning and Zoning Application #22-0017, for Warren & Tamara Patzer for Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Map Amendments, Rural Residential to Suburban. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to ratify signing the 2018 Final Grant Adjustment Notice for the 2018 Operation Stonegarden Grant as it was time sensitive. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to ratify signing Deer Camp Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project grant application as it was time sensitive. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Myr presented the annual report information from the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections as it relates to Boundary County, District 1 and the State of Idaho. Ms. Myr reported on youth arrests and how they’ve increased in the county, but have decreased for District 1 and the State of Idaho. Ms. Myr also reported on probation and diversion, intake information, a September 30th snapshot, and state funding and she explained the report shows a comparison of this information between the county, District 1 and State of Idaho. For Boundary County, the diversion and intakes for diversion are higher than anywhere else. Ms. Myr reported on diversity and race at the point of intake. The age of intake across the state is still 14 to 16 years old. This county has the highest intake at 17 years old, 40%, which is more of a positive thing. Ms. Myr stated that not every county has a diversion program and Boundary County does a very good job with its program.
Mr. Lamberty left the meeting at 10:42 a.m.
Ms. Brown provided a brief department report on the number of people in various forms of probation.
Ms. Myr left the meeting at 10:44 a.m.
10:44 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 Bertling second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Bertling “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 10:54 a.m. No action was taken.
Ms. Brown informed Commissioners that due to being involved with the Leveraging Evidence to Activate Parents project (LEAP), the Probation Office has received two $50.00 gift cards. Ms. Brown mentioned the idea of purchasing fabric using these gift cards to make blankets for victims advocacy and such.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the use of the gift cards provided through LEAP to purchase fabric for blankets as proposed by the Probation Office. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chief Probation Officer Brown left the meeting at 10:55 a.m.
Chief Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals joined the meeting at 10:55 a.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign a Certificate of Denial for indigent Case 2022-6. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chief Deputy Clerk Ryals left the meeting at 10:56 a.m.
10:58 a.m., Courthouse Maintenance John Buckley joined the meeting to give the maintenance department report. Mr. Buckley said Gutter Works Plus has the gutter materials in and he is ready to start installation at the Annex. Mr. Buckley said he’s spoken with Cubic Concrete about sidewalk improvements so they will put a quote together. The cost of concrete has increased, but other materials have stabilized so the cost may be about the same. Chairman Dinning suggested Mr. Buckley also contact Wm Winkler Co. about the sidewalks. Mr. Buckley informed Commissioners that Atlas Boiler will come and install the valves once he is able to shut the boiler off.
Mr. Buckley presented Commissioners with a bid from Brandon Schmitz for repair work to the roof at the Sheriff’s Office. Mr. Buckley spoke of the county building once used by North Idaho College and of the maintenance done there. The roof of the Extension Office has also had some leaks, but it’s when the snow gets too deep.
The meeting with Mr. Buckley ended at 11:17 a.m.
11:25 a.m., Commissioners held a meeting to consider the 2022 County Alcoholic Beverage License Application for Good Grief Store, LLC., doing business as Good Grief Store, to sell bottled and canned beer on or off premises and wine. Present were: Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Clerk Glenda Poston, Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser, and Dennis Weed. The meeting was recorded.
The completed county license application, applicable fees, the 2022 State of Idaho Alcohol Retail Beverage License and the 2022 Panhandle Health District Food Permit have been received.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the 2022 County Alcoholic Beverage License Application for Good Grief Store, LLC., doing business as Good Grief Store, to sell bottled and canned beer on or off premises and wine. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
11:26 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; and Idaho Code 74-206(1)c, to acquire an interest in real property which is not owned by a public agency. Commissioner Bertling second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Bertling “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 11:38 a.m. No action was taken.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the minutes of January 10 & 11, 2022. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the Independent Contractor Agreement with Skywalker Tree Care pending review by the county civil attorney. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to allow a county employee to keep 17 hours of accrued vacation overage. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners recessed for lunch at 12:04 p.m.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners participated in a conference call with Public Defense Commission Regional Coordinator Jennifer Roark to briefly discuss public defense matters. Commissioners updated Ms. Roark on matters pertaining to Boundary County’s public defenders. Ms. Roark said if Commissioners ever need public defense mentoring resources, she is aware of people in that capacity.
Ms. Roark provided information on continuing legal education courses and conferences being offered through the Public Defense Commission. This is training at no cost to the attorneys. Ms. Roark commented on having a series of open houses available pertaining to financial assistance for the counties that wish to make sure the assistance application is filled out correctly.
The conference call with Ms. Roark ended at 1:34 p.m.
Commissioners contacted County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull via telephone at 1:56 p.m., to get an update on various matters Attorney Hull is reviewing.
Attorney Hull said he has reviewed the contract with Rawlings Community Counseling and the Independent Contractor Agreement with Skywalker Tree Care and he is good with both agreements.
Commissioners and Attorney Hull discussed questions he had about the proposed guardrail project agreement involving the Road and Bridge Department.
2:09 p.m., Commissioner Bertling moved to go into executive session pursuant to Idaho Code 74-206(1)c, to acquire an interest in real property which is not owned by a public agency. Commissioner Cossairt second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Bertling “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 2:27 p.m. No action was taken.
2:30 p.m., Boundary County School District 101 Superintendent Jan Bayer and School District Business Manager/Treasurer Cal Bateman joined the meeting to discuss information on the school bond proposal. Treasurer Sue Larson also joined the meeting.
Ms. Bayer spoke of having formed a facilities committee group consisting of people who represent different parts of the community. This committee has held meetings over the last two years and they’ve toured every school building from the rafters to boilers, etc. Ms. Bayer spoke of reviewing the school district’s study conducted by Longwell-Trapp during year 2000 and compared it to what projects are still left undone. In the pamphlet regarding the school bond proposal it lists funding information for the last number of years. In September of year 2020, a recommendation was made to the Boundary County School District board to propose an $18,000,000.00 bond.
Ms. Bayer said approval has been given to use $1,400,000.00 to build onto the Naples Elementary School. Also, plumbing work needs done at Mt. Hall Elementary, the middle school will receive a new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, and the high school will need two new boilers. The high school bond will be paid off and the ballot will show that a little bit of that bond is still owing, but that last payment will be made in August. In order to get projects done and not be reactive, we need to put funds into the school, according to Ms. Bayer.
Those present discussed the age of Valley View Elementary School and it was said the public needs to be informed of this as they don’t see what is seen by the School District. The timeline is to pass a bond in March and the bonds will be sold right away. Ms. Bayer said the School District would like to start building one year from now and they will plan for a shop addition for computer numerical control (CNC) machines and welding. There will also be introductory career technical education (CTE) courses at the middle school as well as drafting, auto mechanics, etc. The Naples Elementary School has traffic flow issues at the end of the school day. Ms. Bayer said Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendent Renee Nelson as been wonderful to work with to improve that. The School District will move forward with some of the plumbing work to be done at Mt. Hall Elementary. The total of the projects for these schools is $15,300,000.00 and there is funding in that for change orders and fluctuation.
Those present briefly discussed ballot language and how Forest Funds/Secure Rural Schools funding is authorized for two years at the 2018 funding levels.
The School District will use $1,400,000.00 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to remove the modular building at the Naples School site. The amount of $270,000.00 has been approved for addressing plumbing issues at Mt Hall Elementary. The cost to replace steel doors at the outlying schools is $45,000.00, it’s $30,000.00 to work on the HVAC system at Mt. Hall Elementary, $160,000.00 to replace the two boilers at the high school and more for the middle school HVAC systems. The School District wanted to be sure to be responsible with those dollars. Ms. Bayer said there will be an explanation given as to the Valley View Elementary School replacement and expansion plans. The increase is $0.17 cents per $100,000.00 from the last year.
Ms. Bayer spoke of various community outreach and Secure Rural Schools funding long term plans. Election signage will be put up notifying the public of the election. Those present discussed decreased funding for a time and generations who have and are attending Valley View Elementary School.
The meeting with Ms. Bayer and Mr. Bateman ended at 3:19 p.m.
Treasurer Larson left the meeting at 3:33 p.m.
Chairman Dinning said Commissioners received an email from Representative Fulcher’s Office regarding a proposed bill that is being introduced to the House that proposes designated wilderness in Boundary County, the Selkirks, Continental Mountain, Buckhorn and it expands to Northwest Peak and Salmo Priest. Commissioners will want to send a letter in opposition to this bill and that is on the agenda. This community has not been contacted about this and it’s coming from a representative out of New York.
Commissioner Bertling moved to write a letter to Representative Fulcher in opposition to HR Bill 1755. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
There being no further business, the meeting recessed until tomorrow at 1:30 p.m.
***Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at 1:30 p.m., Commissioners met in regular session at the County Annex with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
1:30 p.m., Idaho Deputy Attorney General to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Kathleen Trever, and Idaho Fish and Game Regional Supervisor Chip Corsi joined the meeting to discuss grizzly bear delisting. Also present was Kootenai Tribe of Idaho Wildlife Biologist Shannon Ehlers.
Ms. Trever spoke of the Idaho Fish and Game Office needing to submit a comment as the State of Montana has requested to delist grizzly bears in the Bob Marshall Ecosystem/Glacier National Park zone. Wyoming has also expressed interest in delisting and has asked fellow states to support a petition. With these two petitions you can see the pie get carved up and for Idaho, it can pose issues with the populations of grizzly bears and where that status might fall.
Ms. Trever explained that when President Richard Nixon signed the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1973, it spoke of the intent of the ESA, but with grizzly bear, it hasn’t worked out as advertised. Ms. Trever said as she began to look at the context of the two petitions, it starts raising the prospect for Idaho that could lead to litigation that would not lead to delisting, etc. In 1975 when grizzly bears were listed, wolves were also listed the same way. Just the bears in the lower 48 states were going to be listed and now there are issues with how the bears were listed. In 1978, the ESA was amended so the three choices for the ESA were categories for types of animals: scientific species, scientific subspecies, and the third is a distinct population segment; such as Woodland Caribou. Ms. Trever referenced a scenario of the species involved, such as brown bear, which used to be in Russia and they’re a worldwide species. In north America there is the grizzly bear subspecies and you see most of them in Alaska, Kodiak Island, British Columbia, Bonner County, and Boundary County. There is a break and then there is a population in Yellowstone.
Ms. Trever said people will talk about the bear being down to 2% of historic range, but that is below Canada. In British Columbia these bears are still numerous. Ms. Trever said what she faces is a perception and legal matter that happened in 1975, which is the grizzly bear getting put on the endangered species list in all 48 states. The Fish and Wildlife Service and the states have been reluctant to reopen that listing because if they re-identify an animal and put it on the list, it requires critical habitat. The path to delisting has been represented as they don’t want to reopen listing even though it’s weird and doesn’t make sense. The Fish and Wildlife Service has been on track since 1993 to recover the grizzly bear species and once that target is hit, the bears will be removed from listing, but in the courts, they’ve been rethinking that strategy. That it’s just pulling a species out, leaving a swiss cheese area and leaving orphans. Part of that lawsuit borders the Fish and Wildlife Service. If you’re going to pull one piece out, you have to look at the effect of what is left behind. Ms. Trever said when she is looking at the issue, she thinks there might be a better course of action.
Ms. Trever presented information on what the State of Wyoming has petitioned, which is a distinct population segment. The area shown in pink in the presentation was delisted before and each time the courts found something to be in error in the process of how delisting occurred, such as declines in white bark pine. The Fish and Wildlife Service tried to explain that white bark pine didn’t have an effect. The most recent ruling came out of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in year 2020 that grizzly bear be placed back on the list. The Yellowstone population is separate from other bears. The court feels since the science team uses one model as to how to count bears, increase the numbers for hunting the bears. Three things have to occur before the Yellowstone population can be delisted, one of which is to consider the rest of the United States. Of the lower 48 states, only four states have grizzly bear in them. When starting with four states, you have to explain that the bears don’t affect the rest of the states. Ms. Trever said there is supposed to be a ruling on the wolf case any day now, but we still have the two petitions at the Fish and Wildlife Service asking for delisting for Montana and Yellowstone, and the Fish and Wildlife Service is supposed to identify, within 90 days, if there is merit and decide in a year’s time if grizzly bear should be listed or delisted. From Idaho’s perspective, Montana is looking to delist the Northern Continental Divide. The State of Montana is asking that most of Montana be delisted, but they left out the Cabinet-Yaak portion. Ms. Trever spoke of the requirements for a grizzly bear population to be considered for delisting. In the United States, the Selkirk population is approximately 50 grizzly bears and the Cabinet-Yaak is approximately 60 to 70 bears so it won’t add up to 500 bears for independent listing. Two concerns for Idaho is if we don’t address this and have the Fish and Wildlife Service look at grizzly bear that we know are in Idaho, Washington and Western Montana, we could stall Montana’s proposal and years later, the court would find the matter was not addressed to the west.
The Fish and Wildlife Service drew a line for bears on the list at the United States/Canada border and when they looked at recovery and looked at the Selkirk population, they learned it was too small to make up the numbers. They included British Columbia as recovery so it could handle 90 bears.
The alternative is proposing Fish and Wildlife Service will adopt a strategy like with wolves that the lower 48 states listing should go away and nothing should go back on the list. Ms. Trever said she expects the Fish and Wildlife Service to take a two-step approach, but they don’t want to wait for the need to examine what’s left and they want to present options.
One legal battle to expect is a vacant portion of Idaho that is recognized as a recovery area. In year 2000, the Forest Wildlife Service proposed a human-aided introduction of those that ran into a buzz saw with Governor Kempthorne, so they pulled back.
The six areas shown in the presentation are ecosystems that were set up in year 1993. Half of one of these systems is in Canada.
Ms. Trever said they looked at bear management units and these units are used by the Fish and Wildlife Service to determine occupancy. The units in the Selkirk ecosystem were based on the female bear life range/home range. It’s been between 100 and 180 square miles. Part of gauging occupancy is showing a female bear in 28 square miles when the range is 100 square miles. We need to match up what occupancy should be and should look like, according to Ms. Trever. Counting methodology would be different in Idaho as opposed in Yellowstone, because of challenges in tracking; it focuses on live bears on the land and the guidelines would be based on, here is a way to make sure we have the number of live bears.
Mr. Corsi said on the north end the proposed area shown in light green on the map is the Cabinet-Yaak recovery zone. Mr. Corsi spoke of being short changed in recovery areas.
A slide was shown on distinct population segments. The management goal for the Selkirks is 90 bears and there is contemplation of putting a petition together and considering it as one population, the Northern Rockies population. The ESA only listed grizzly bears in the lower 48 states. Chairman Dinning asked if Canada has a similar ESA and was told that Canada has what is known as a species of concern. Mr. Corsi said in British Columbia up until a few years ago, the grizzly bear was a hunted game animal, but they do have a citizens’ initiative that banned hunting grizzly bears.
Chairman Dinning said the grizzly bear ran into mortality issues in British Columbia and it counted against Idaho and the bears were just hunted. Chairman Dinning said his biggest concern is the critical habitat potential and if it could reset to a new listing. Ms. Trever said it’s possible so it’s held people to the old way of doing things. Chairman Dinning said if grizzlies reset, we have a lot of areas that were not occupied in 1975 that are occupied now. If a new recovery zone is designated, private lands are still impacted.
Mr. Corsi said if Montana is successful in delisting, it’s tough to see path forward. Chairman Dinning reiterated his concern of a new critical habitat designation. Mr. Corsi said that is why he and Ms. Trever are here to understand and give Commissioners information they might not have known, but to also learn if there is something the Fish and Wildlife Service is missing. The best possible case is delisting grizzly bear and the Fish and Wildlife Service managing them and he added that he understands there is some risk associated with turning the corner a bit.
Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendents Renee Nelson and Randy Morris joined the meeting at 2:30 p.m.
Ms. Trever said private property can be affected by critical habitat designation, but less so in this context as this is a species more focused in the national forest. The only way this could affect private lands is if there is federal funding or approval. Ms. Trever said there are other elements of some risk, but a petition itself is not. If the petitions have merit, the Fish and Wildlife Service is supposed to determine if it will engage in another review of the status; then at that point consider what listing or delisting rules occur.
Commissioner Bertling questioned why the Selkirk and Cabinet-Yaak areas are separate ecosystems. Mr. Corsi spoke of connecting for one large population. If Montana is successful with their petition, there will be two little orphans left.
Ms. Ehlers said she would need a request in writing if the Kootenai Tribal Counsel’s opinion is requested.
The meeting with Ms. Trever and Mr. Corsi ended at 2:51 p.m.
Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris met with Commissioners to discuss the Union Pacific guardrail agreement. Ms. Nelson said she has been in contact with someone about the administrative fee associated with the guardrail project. The map associated with this project shows the easement where Road and Bridge wants to install the guardrail, but Union Pacific’s agreement states the county is not allowed to enter the premises until there is a signed document. It was stated that this is a county-maintained road. Ms. Nelson said she would get in touch with the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC) to let them know the agreement is in review and that there are concerns.
The meeting with Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris ended at 3:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m., Commissioners and Clerk Poston participated in the Idaho Association of Counties legislative Zoom call for District 1. The Zoom call ended at 3:45 p.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Exhibit A, Cooperative Law Enforcement Annual Operating Plan and Financial Plan between the Boundary County sheriff and USDA, Forest Service, Idaho Panhandle National Forest. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to grant an extension of time to accept year 2021 taxes for parcel #MH60N01W01194AA and to accept payments of $100.00 every two weeks until the tax amount is due in full. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
There being no further business, the meetings adjourned 3:50 p.m.
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DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
ATTEST:
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GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk