***Monday, January 06, 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 in attendance of the meetings off and on throughout the day.
Boundary County Emergency Manager Andrew O’Neel joined the meeting.
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.
9:00 a.m., Commissioners gave the opening invocation and said the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Kirby moved to amend the agenda to add a motion to extend the emergency order regarding the Burlington Northern Santa Fe train derailment and to sign the Contract with Ruen-Yeager as it relates to Planning and Zoning. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Morris said Road and Bridge is working and putting salt brine down on the roads. Three sand trucks are out and it seems that every area tends to have its slick spots. Mr. Morris said there are some trees down so they’re working to clean up brush. Mr. Morris informed Commissioners that Road and Bridge employee Terry Johnson was heading out to pick up the snowplow from the Idaho Transportation Department.
Mr. Morris discussed meeting with Scott Patterson with the Idaho Transportation Department to look into a turn bay project on Highway Two, which for safety reasons is a good idea.
Those present discussed a drainage issue on a county parcel located near Hillcrest Road. Chairman Dinning said there have always been issues with drainage in this location in the past. Mr. Morris mentioned having talked about putting a piece of plywood over the culvert so it will help regulate the flow. Mr. Morris said Road and Bridge employee Brad Barton looked at the site and thought it could be ditched to the state land, but it would be a major project and it’s not a county road. It was decided that the county would not do that.
Ms. Nelson informed Commissioners that Road and Bridge had been the first to express interest in obtaining two of the Idaho Transportation Department’s loaders and she has confirmation that Road and Bridge will receive both of them. Ms. Nelson commented that the lowest quote she received was $2,500 for each to have them brought up on a low boy, so that is a total of $5,000.
Ms. Nelson said she just about has last fiscal year’s project spreadsheet updated so she will be starting another one for this year and she asked if Commissioners want any changes to the new sheet. Clerk Poston said it just needs to continue on instead of starting a different sheet.
Commissioner Kirby moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Federal Fish and Wildlife Permit Application Form as it pertains to the Riverside Road Improvement Project. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
9:16 a.m., 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. 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 9:20 a.m. No action was taken.
Mr. O’Neel provided Commissioners with an update of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe train derailment. Mr. O’Neel said the commander for Burlington Northern would like Commissioners to extend the closure of traffic on the Kootenai River while they do cleanup and recovery operations. Burlington Northern has all the containment equipment, protection equipment, booms, etc., to keep things from reaching critical areas on the river. These booms pose a hazard to boaters and Burlington Northern would like to be very generous with this closure and has asked for an extension until February 7th, although they expect to be done before then. One week from today, Burlington Northern will close the track and recover the second engine that is on the slope. For the engine that is in the water, they don’t expect to do the operation to remove it until the 21st or so of January due to lots of prep work needed. Scuba divers will pump the remaining fuel from the tanks and approximately 50 gallons of crank case oil. The leakage risk will be minimized once that is done, but they want to keep the booms in place until the engine is out of the water, which is around January 21st or 23rd and when there is no more risk of debris going down stream. Mr. O’Neel said the State of Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and the Environmental Protection Agency will inspect all of these sites and once they have determined these areas are safe and cleaned up, the booms will be removed. Mr. O’Neel said the request is to extend the emergency order until February 7, 2020, for now.
Mr. O’Neel asked Commissioners to let him know if they hear of any impacts to residents as a result of not being able to access the river. Mr. O’Neel said there are more than five locations of booms on the river that totals 6,200 feet. There are four environmentally sensitive areas that have been boomed off. Lincoln County, Montana officials will be notified of the Kootenai River being blocked off. Mr. O’Neel discussed the press releases he has sent out.
Ms. Nelson asked about county roads being used when Burlington Northern’s equipment is moved out. Mr. O’Neel said he would find out. Commissioners mentioned that Crossport Road would be used and Mr. O’Neel said there is a staging area there already.
The meeting with Ms. Nelson, Mr. Morris and Mr. O’Neel ended at 9:30 a.m.
9:30 a.m., County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull contacted Commissioners via telephone.
Chief Deputy Clerk Tracie Isaac and Assessor Dave Ryals joined the meeting.
9:31 a.m., Commissioner Kirby 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 Cossairt second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Kirby “aye”. Motion passed unanimously.
9:56 a.m., Assessor Ryals left the meeting.
The executive session ended at 10:05 a.m., a.m. No action was taken.
Chief Deputy Clerk Isaac left the meeting.
10:05 a.m., Solid Waste Department Superintendent Claine Skeen joined the meeting.
Commissioners informed Attorney Hull about the request made to Commissioners by Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad to extend the emergency order pertaining to the train derailment. Attorney Hull reviewed the Idaho Code section for the emergency declarations.
Commissioner Kirby moved to extend the emergency order to close the Kootenai River until February 8, 2020. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Dinning explained that Mr. O’Neel had come in at 9:00 a.m. to discuss this matter. Commissioners will draft a new order.
The call to Attorney Hull ended at 10:15 a.m.
Mr. Skeen discussed providing a quarterly report to the Panhandle Health District. Mr. Skeen informed Commissioners that the tonnage at the landfill is approximately 18 tons for this quarter and it has not dropped off or gained much since last quarter. It was said that inert materials do not count as tonnage.
Mr. Skeen said his department should be completing the Idaho Counties Risk Management Program (ICRMP) training this week.
The meeting with Mr. Skeen ended at 10:25 a.m.
Commissioners discussed receiving an engagement letter from Leonard Schulte, CPA for the purpose of preparing the county’s audit for fiscal year 2019 at a cost of $24,500.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the engagement letter with Leonard Schulte, CPA, for the county’s 2019 audit for $24,500. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Kirby moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the contract with Ruen-Yeager as it pertains to Planning and Zoning, upon the approval of the county civil attorney. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve and sign the Catering Permit for Two Tones Café for an event on January 11, 2020. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Dinning informed Commissioners of his conversation with the owner of Jake’s Small Mart, formerly the Porthill Mercantile and Bistro, about the land lease associated with that business property. The owner of Jake’s Small Mart voiced interest in renewing this lease.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign Certificates of Residency for Tyler Lucas, Maggi Pluid, Austin Kemmis, and Abigail Gorton. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to reappoint Anthony Compton and Allen Gemmrig to the Translator Board with terms to expire March 31, 2023. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve and sign the Option to Renew Hangar-Ground Lease with Walter Sullivan for Hangar C-2. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to adopt Resolution 2020-14. A resolution establishing polling sites in Boundary County for calendar year 2020. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. Resolution 2020-14 reads as follows:
RESOLUTION 2020-14
A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING POLLING SITES IN BOUNDARY COUNTY
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners, County of Boundary, State of Idaho, has established seven polling sites within the County, and
WHEREAS, those sites are the Bonners Ferry/Kootenai Precinct, Copeland Precinct, Moyie Springs Precinct, Naples Precinct, North Bonners Ferry Precinct, Valley View Precinct, and the Countywide Absentee Voting Precinct
NOW THEREFORE, upon motion duly made, seconded, and unanimously carried,
IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the Board of County Commissioners, County of Boundary, State of Idaho hereby reaffirms the polling sites for elections to be held in Boundary County in calendar year 2020 as follows:
PRECINCT LOCATION
Bonners Ferry/Kootenai Precinct Exhibit Hall, Boundary County Fairgrounds
Copeland Precinct Mt. Hall School
Moyie Springs Precinct Moyie Springs City Hall
Naples Precinct South Boundary Fire Hall
North Bonners Ferry Precinct Exhibit Hall, Boundary County Fairgrounds
Valley View Precinct Exhibit Hall, Boundary County Fairgrounds
Countywide Absentee Voting Precinct Boundary County Courthouse
DATED this 6th day of January, 2020
COUNTY OF BOUNDARY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
s/___________________________
Dan R. Dinning, Chairman
s/___________________________
Wally Cossairt, Commissioner
s/___________________________
Walt Kirby, Commissioner
ATTEST:
s/__________________________________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners
Recorded as instrument #280381
Commissioner Cossairt moved to cancel year 2019 Idaho Department of Lands fees and penalties for the following parcels: RP60N01E130000A, RP60N01E170000A, RP60N01E330000A, RP60N01E350000A, RP60N01W070000A, RP60N01W152240A, RP60N01W177210A, RP60N01W190011A, RP60N01W207210A, RP60N01W214810A, RP60N01W222412A, RP60N01W249010A, RP60N01W250610A, RP60N01W282411A, RP60N01W284810A, RP60N01W290000A, RP60N01W330160A, RP61N01W243010A, RP61N01W250011A, RP61N01W263601A, RP61N01W270000A, RP61N02W110000A, RP62N02W210000A, RP62N02W230000A, RP62N02W250000A, and RP62N02W350000A totaling $7,380.29, plus interest. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to grant an extension of time to pay year 2019 taxes for parcel #MHM0130000022VA and to accept monthly payments of $30.00 until the tax amount due is paid in full. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
10:30 a.m., Chief Probation Officer Stacy Brown joined the meeting to give a department report. Ms. Brown provided the numbers of those on probation and said that although there weren’t a large number of cases, the cases they had were complex. Chairman Dinning informed Ms. Brown that he met with Cory Trapp of Longwell + Trapp Architects last week about the armory remodel. Bids for contractors will be due by January 16, 2020 and Commissioners will need to agendize the award of the bid.
The meeting with Ms. Brown ended at 10:40 a.m.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
Courthouse Maintenance John Buckley joined the meeting at 11:00 a.m.
The cost for detecting the water leak near the Waterways Building came to $1,230. It was said that the City of Bonners Ferry is claiming ownership of the cause of the leak and will cover the cost for Kelly’s Excavating to fix the leak. It was recommended that after the county pays the invoice for American Leak Detection, the invoice should also be turned over to the city.
Mr. Buckley commented that the vents he installed in Memorial Hall seem to be doing their job as the humidity has pretty much cleared itself up so it must have not been able to vent out previously.
Blue Sky Broadcasting News Reporter Mike Brown joined the meeting at 11:00 a.m.
Mr. Buckley spoke of items he will remove from the armory.
The meeting with Mr. Buckley ended at 11:04 a.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to amend the agenda to discuss increasing the budget for Action Agency by an amount of $1,500.00 as it’s a time sensitive matter Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Matt Suprenant joined the meeting at 11:22 a.m.
Boundary Economic Development Director Dennis Weed joined the meeting at 11:30 a.m.
Mr. Weed said when working with Keller Associates, it makes sense to move forward with the facility plan. There is $70,000 for this, but that cost could be cut back. The mapping of where the county wants the system to go and what it is to look like is the next step, which includes getting the system down to Moyie Springs. Those present questioned the number of lift stations needed and it was said the county needs more clarity on what this system will look like, costs, piping, etc. The more gravitational the system is, the less costly it will be. Chairman Dinning informed Mr. Weed that the county did not budget anything for the project this year and Mr. Weed said it could be for next year. The engineering component for Keller Associates and Moyie Springs will be completed in November or December of this year. The easement with Idaho Forest Group will be in place, the agreement with the Department of Environmental Quality should be in place and with that information, we will know how much piping is needed. Once the project goes out to bid sometime in the next January through March time frame, construction could start next spring. Commissioners asked Mr. Weed to send Commissioners the request for budget for the next year as it pertains to this project.
Chairman Dinning said if the system went over the hill from the sand hill, it could gravity feed everything from the landfill west. Mr. Weed said everyone near the landfill could probably hook onto the sewer eventually. Commissioners were okay with seeing what the facilities estimate will be and Mr. Weed briefly discussed the possibility of splitting the cost. The City of Moyie Springs did submit an application for a block grant for the amount of $500,000.00 and they can submit for that grant again the next year.
Mr. Weed commented that the last time he checked with Summer MacDonald at the Job Service there were approximately 80 open job listings in the county. The skill levels and salary range falls within all ranges. There are different skill levels needed in the county, according to Mr. Weed. People will say there are no jobs here, but what is really being said is that there aren’t really any jobs that someone wants to do here. Mr. Weed said he will keep reporting to Commissioners on this matter. Mr. Weed confirmed that a person does have to create an account to look for jobs on the Job Service website.
Mr. Weed informed Commissioners that a report on incoming applications for employers is no longer available for free so he will bring it up with Senator Jim Woodward to see if this can be changed back as it’s crucial. The reports for employers used to be free, but now it costs $125.00 for them to obtain this information.
Mr. Weed discussed matters pertaining to incentives for larger employers in Boundary County. Mr. Weed said Bonner County had an incentive for companies such as Quest Aircraft and Litehouse. Chairman Dinning said these incentives are related to property taxes, both personal and real property. Mr. Weed said where there is a company that does $100,000,000.00 to $200,000,000.00 in business and employs a high number of people, he wants to keep these jobs here as they’re a benefit to the county. Chairman Dinning said we would not want to preclude a company who only has two employees, but wants to add more.
Commissioners updated Mr. Weed on the status of the armory remodel project.
The meeting with Mr. Weed ended at 11:53 a.m.
Mr. Suprenant left the meeting.
Courthouse Maintenance John Buckley stopped by Commissioners’ Office at 11:55 a.m.
Mr. Buckley informed Commissioners that he is having an issue with next door apartment residents parking in the Courthouse parking lot so he will put up signs that say Courthouse Parking Only.
Mr. Buckley left the meeting at 11:57 a.m.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 12:10 p.m.
______________________________________
DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
ATTEST:
______________________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk