***Monday, July 15, 2019, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.

County resident Marty Martinez and Blue Sky Broadcasting News Reporter Mike Brown were in attendance of the meetings 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 Assistant Superintendent Renee Nelson and Foreman Randy Morris joined the meeting to give the departmental report. A written report was provided.

Commissioners continued the bid opening for the Plato Drive & Tobe Way Roadway Improvement Project in order to select the successful bidder. Present were: Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser, Road and Bridge Department Assistant Superintendent Renee Nelson, Road and Bridge Department Foreman Randy Morris, and Blue Sky Broadcasting News Reporter Mike Brown. The bid decision proceedings were recorded.

Ms. Nelson said she had reviewed all four bids with the engineering firm and all four bids had their bid bonds and public works licenses and there were no irregularities with the documents. Ms. Nelson said Road and Bridge would like to go with the apparent low bidder, which is Wink Inc., who had a bid total of $354,875.50.

Commissioner Kirby moved to award the bid for the Plato Drive & Tobe Way Roadway Improvement Project to Wink Inc., whose bid totaled $354,875.50. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.

The bid proceedings ended.

Mr. Morris explained work needed to the Trout Creek Bridge and he said the bridge should be okay. Road and Bridge has chip sealing and grinding coming up so he’s not sure when they will get to doing work on the bridge. A clarification was made that the work is going to be done to the south Trout Creek Bridge. Chairman Dinning said when he saw the motion to sign the State/Local Agreement on this morning’s agenda, he thought it was for the north bridge until that was clarified. Ms. Nelson said when she spoke with the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council’s Bridge Engineer, Dan Coonce, she was told that if Commissioners signed the State/Local Agreement for the south bridge, it will lock in funding to fix the bridge next year. Chairman Dinning asked about budget. Ms. Nelson said Road and Bridge had $80,000 set aside and the agreement amount is approximately $50,000. The project was budgeted for this year.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the State/Local Construction Agreement, Project NO. A013(419) Westside Road, Trout Creek Bridge Replacement Boundary County, Key No. 13419 and to authorize payment of $58,962.00. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

The total cost of this project is approximately $700,000, according to Ms. Nelson.

Mr. Morris informed Commissioners that he has checked the underside of Parker Bridge and it looks good.

Ms. Morris discussed a part time position they would like to fill at Road and Bridge and it was said there is budget for this position. Those present discussed the number of hours a seasonal employee can work and Commissioners agreed to fill this position.

Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris spoke to Commissioners about a Dynamic Cycling Warning System and said there are no up-front costs for this equipment. The only thing Road and Bridge would do is pour the concrete base for the pole and the saw cuts. Ms. Nelson said as far as maintenance goes, if Road and Bridge wants to take over the warning system equipment, the batteries required to run the system last up to 10 years and replacement cost is $200 per battery. Ms. Nelson explained that the batteries are solar and there is one battery at each end of the path. The first year when the batteries are installed, there is a subscription that will be paid for the cellular data and that’s just to keep track of information, such as how many bicycles use the route. There is no need to keep that subscription, though, and you can send in the data via a Samsung phone. Chairman Dinning said he doesn’t want to install something then have to move it during construction on Riverside Road. Ms. Nelson said at no extra cost, they can remove then reinstall the equipment during construction. Chairman Dinning commented that he would like it to be done with the project as then the equipment won’t have to be relocated and as it is, we’re already through half of the bike season so it won’t hurt to wait.

Ms. Nelson said she’s getting the construction schedule for the Riverside Road Improvement Project as it pertains to the Deep Creek boat launch area so she has calls scheduled with the Western Federal Lands Project Manager and the engineer today. After these calls she would like to update Commissioners as to the discussion. Commissioners decided to continue this discussion to tomorrow at 10:00 a.m.

Mr. Morris said the Durapatcher truck is down with transmission problems. Road and Bridge has traffic counters out on various roads. Mowers are still going in Paradise Valley and mowing should be caught up by the end of the week.

Commissioner Cossairt asked about directional lights under the Copeland Bridge.

Governor Brad Little’s North Idaho Field Director Jake Garringer joined the meeting to observe Commissioners’ meetings for the day.

Commissioners updated Mr. Garringer about the Idaho Transportation Department having emergency funding in relation to a fix for the slide on Highway 95 near Naples as it pertains to delays and temporary repairs, etc.

The meeting with Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris ended at 9:28 a.m.

9:30 a.m., Commissioners contacted County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull via telephone to get updates on various matters Attorney Hull is working on.

Attorney Hull said he met with Treasurer Sue Larson regarding an estate matter, and he is also working on approximately four or five new airport hangar agreements.

Commissioners asked Attorney Hull about retaining medical records of the Restorium. Attorney Hull said his recommendation is that Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee should check with the regulatory body for Idaho Medicaid and licensing to see if there is any provision that the Restorium has to keep the records for a certain amount of time. Whatever that time is for licensing is the amount of time that Ms. Magee should keep those records, according to Attorney Hull.

Chairman Dinning said there is brushing taking place on the Moyie River Road and it’s a deeded right-of-way. The area of concern is through the Forest Service. If the area is off of the county’s right-of-way, but it’s deeded, do the logs belong to the county? Attorney Hull said if it’s deeded, yes, but if it’s just an easement, then no. If it’s deeded, the county will deal with logs. There is no commercial value of the logs, but Road and Bridge Department Foreman Randy Morris wondered how to allow the public to cut the wood. Attorney Hull voiced his concern about allowing the public to cut the wood and he said he has never found a clean way to allow that unless that member of the public signed a waiver. The better option would be to have the person haul the logs off and saw them at their own home.

Commissioners asked Attorney Hull about the easement for Roger Miller. Mr. Miller had called Commissioners and indicated he thought he would get an easement when vacating another 30 foot easement. Attorney Hull said he thought that easement was to be drafted by the Idaho Department of Lands when they put the documents together. Chairman Dinning asked if that easement was to be drafted by the Attorney for Steward Title, Hethe Clarke. Commissioners said they would contact Sharlene Delaney with Boundary Abstract.

The phone call to Attorney Hull ended at 9:40 a.m.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign Certificates of Residency for Nicole Henslee, Tina Redding and Cecilia Johnson. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the minutes of June 10, 2019. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Notice of Award and Agreement for snow removal equipment for the Boundary County for an amount of 315,081.00. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioners took a five minute recess.

10:00 a.m., Commissioner Kirby moved to recess as the Boundary County Board of Commissioners and convene as the Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.

*Please see Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board meeting minutes*

10:13 a.m., Commissioner Kirby moved to adjourn as the Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board and reconvene as the Boundary County Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioners updated Clerk Poston on budget discussions that took place last week.

Commissioners updated Mr. Garringer on matters pertaining to certificates of residency, ambulance service, and the Restorium.

10:30 a.m., Kootenai Tribe of Idaho Administrative Director Rhonda Vogl and Bonners Ferry District Forest Ranger Kevin Knauth joined the meeting to provide Commissioners with an update on Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative (KVRI) and Forest Service matters.

Ms. Vogl said no action is required by Commissioners for tonight’s KVRI meeting. At this meeting the new Kootenai Tribe Administrative Assistant, Karen Schumacher, will be welcomed and the presenter at the meeting will be Charlie Holderman, who manages the nutrient program for the Kootenai River. Nutrients are being added to the river and the Tribe has taken this on. There will be Forestry Subcommittee and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) subcommittee updates and the KVRI fair booth will be discussed. The nutrient program will be interesting, according to Ms. Vogl. Ms. Vogl informed Commissioners that the KVRI Board will be interviewed by a student from MIT.

Mr. Knauth said project-wise, the only project going on that’s continuing from the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) planning is the Westside Restoration Project. This project has gone through one of the internal checkpoint meetings to weigh in from the staff at the Forest Supervisor’s Office. The Forest Service is still looking at decisions to be made in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021 and it will be pretty early in that first quarter. Chairman Dinning asked about the fiscal year 2020 schedule. It was said there is nothing in the Bonners Ferry District for NEPA, but the Forest Service does have timber offerings. Two are out of the Boulder project and one is out of the Camp Robin project for fiscal year 2020. Fiscal year 2021, 2022 and 2023 is the forest side project.

Mr. Knauth said the Bog Creek project is just moving along. Ms. Vogl said she thinks there is a new biological assessment out on that project.

Mr. Knauth said the Forest Service has one staff member helping out with fires in Alaska, there is an engine crew in New Mexico and another crew in Arizona. For fire activity, Alaska continues to have fires with five or six new large fire starts recently. In the southwest, Arizona and New Mexico continue to see fire activity. Southern Idaho has approximately three or four large fires, according to Mr. Knauth. Mr. Knauth briefly mentioned that there had been a fire at the north end of the county. Our local weather conditions with cloud cover, rain and cooler temperatures brought a more moderated condition than we had earlier in June, according to Mr. Knauth. There is no real chance of significant lightning coming up and no restrictions.

Chairman Dinning said the county is doing work Meadow Creek Road on Forest Service land, but we don’t know if it’s deeded or right-of-way, but there are some logs and if the area is a Forest Service road and just an easement or right-of-way, can the Forest Service work with that? Mr. Knauth said he will look into it. Chairman Dinning said Road and Bridge Department Foreman Randy Morris said there is no commercial value to the logs and there are people who want to cut it into firewood.

Mr. Knauth said the timber sale is ongoing for the Deer Stew project. There was pre-work on the Hell Roaring project so there is a plan to start a sale in the Hell Roaring area. There won’t be any timber cutting after the end of July for the Deer Stew project and the yards are pretty full so they’re not taking timber. Chairman Dinning relayed information he had heard about mills closing on the Canadian side of the border.

Mr. Knauth commented that he did get the public meeting notice for the Riverside Road improvement project.

Commissioners updated Ms. Vogl on the meeting with the county’s Road and Bridge Assistant Superintendent as far as a bicycle warning system is concerned in relation to the Riverside Road project.

The meeting with Ms. Vogl and Mr. Knauth ended at 10:43 a.m.

Commissioners tended to administrative duties.

10:56 a.m., Kennon McClintock with The Nature Conservancy and Restorium Board member Jeannie Robinson joined the meeting.

11:00 a.m., Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee and Assistant Administrator Diana Lane joined the meeting. Ms. Magee said she did get the certified nursing assistant (CNA) scholarship information from the hospital. Ms. Magee mentioned the information from the hospital also talks about weekend differential, etc. Ponderay Mechanical has made repairs to the boiler so Ms. Magee will get that paperwork to the Clerk. Repairs were made on July 10th. Ms. Magee said she got one quote to replace the boiler from Ponderay Mechanical. Cool-it also provided a quote, but they want to update it. The quote is approximately $9,800, which includes installation. Cool-it said they would get information on the inspection to Ms. Magee, but she doesn’t have it yet. Cool-it does inspect boilers for other facilities.

Ms. Magee said she did check the water line this morning and something had to be fixed so it would drain properly. Ms. Magee clarified that there is a large pipe inside that leads to the outside and there is a pinhole leak. This part was replaced and then the pressure relief valve had a steady trickle, but it looks dry right now. The valve will have to be replaced. Chairman Dinning said if there is a leak inside, everything should be fixed. It was said there could also be a lot of rust built up and that is thought as a possible problem.

Chairman Dinning said in the most recent Restorium Board minutes there were some statements made that he would like to clarify. The rent increase of 4.9% is for existing residents and then there are the new rates. Also in the minutes was discussion of the rates at a Sandpoint facility. Commissioners asked if the mention of a rate of $2,500.00 is a base rate for a new resident, but then the resident would have to pay for food and medical expenses on top of that. Ms. Magee said that was one facility she looked into and she listed what she thought that price included. Chairman Dinning asked Ms. Magee to double-check if that price is just the base rate. It was said another facility in Sandpoint costs $5,000 to $7,000. Ms. Magee said that is a more skilled facility and it’s not assisted. One facility in Moscow starts out at $5,000.

Clerk Poston said if major repairs are going to be done at the Restorium, please let her know as soon as possible as it pertains to what cash is going to be carried forward.

11:13 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. The executive session ended at 11:23 a.m. No action was taken.

Commissioners are waiting to hear from Cool-it about an inspection and waiting for water issue repairs. Ms. Magee said she did put the boiler costs in this next year’s budget. Commissioners asked Ms. Magee to let them know if she does or doesn’t hear from Cool-it. It was said a call system was also budgeted for this next year.

The meeting with Ms. Magee, Ms. Lane, and Ms. Robinson ended at 11:28 a.m.

11:30 a.m., Kennon McClintock with The Nature Conservancy joined the meeting to provide an update on local conservation easements.

Mr. McClintock provided Commissioners with an update on what conservation easements will be finalized this year, 2019. Mr. McClintock explained that these were older applications from years 2013 or 2014 so they had already been approved by Commissioners. These are Forest Legacy easements so the Idaho Department of Lands oversees these and The Nature Conservancy is the middle man. Mr. McClintock briefly reviewed the property owners on the document provided and he said he’s not sure of the total acres, but there are six landowners with easements that will close this year. Property owners Hancock and Molpus generally have pubic access, but there is no public access with properties owned by Olson, Peterson and Lefebvre. Chairman Dinning said if all easements are in the process, we’re looking at 40,000 acres. Mr. McClintock said if these projects are closed, we are at 31,000 acres up to this year and then 5,000 acres were included this year, but this doesn’t include the acreage the state purchased. Counting state ground total acreage is up to 41,000. Mr. McClintock said he doesn’t think there will be any more company ground as most of it is in the program.

The meeting with Mr. McClintock ended at 11:34 a.m.

Mr. Martinez asked Commissioners about the status of the Senior Center Bus as there is no signage on it yet.

Commissioners recessed for lunch at 11:50 a.m.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners convened for the afternoon session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.

1:30 p.m., Solid Waste Department Superintendent Claine Skeen and Solid Waste Department Foreman Eric Owen joined the meeting to go over the Solid Waste Department’s proposed fiscal year 2019-2020 budget.

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. The executive session ended at 1:40 p.m. No action was taken.

Those present reviewed the proposed budget for the Solid Waste Department. Clerk Poston said the county didn’t budget for landfill closures costs so if we don’t budget for the closure again, it will have been two years in a row. Mr. Skeen said he will check the status of the landfill’s operation plan. Clerk Poston said she lists approximately $24,000 in payroll for carry forward. Clerk Poston questioned if the proposed 12% fee increase comes to approximately $100,000 and Mr. Skeen said he shows $104,217. Chairman Dinning said using the original Solid Waste Department budget, if the county implemented a 12% increase, it would balance Mr. Skeen’s budget. Chairman Dinning said if Commissioners add the figure of $123,000 that is not being spent, plus the $100,000 that generates $223,000 for next year’s solid waste budget. Chairman Dinning said we’ve been dealing with this issue for a few years so we’re trying to get to a point where it’s taken care of. Mr. Skeen said with his budget request he would need that 12% fee increase to balance the budget with no carry forward. Mr. Skeen said he agrees that this budget situation needs to get straightened out.

Those present reviewed the proposed increases and it was said it’s a large increase, but it will get the budget squared away. Chairman Dinning said a 35% increase was mentioned and if there was that increase for one year, it’s a fair way to state we won’t need an additional $200,000 after that. For the first year the increase could be 35%, and then the following year the county would not do another 35% increase. Any carry over, such as amount of $123,000, if Mr. Skeen were to completely spend his budget out, he still has the amount of $200,000. Chairman Dinning said next year if there is a 35% increase, there still may be an increase for year 2021, but it would be lower than the 12% that is being discussed.

With $570,000 cash on hand, there is $374,000 left, according to Clerk Poston. Clarification was given in that if you were to round the figure to $200,000, and with what is left in the solid waste budget, that equates to $570,000. Clerk Poston said part of this came into play due to the metal pile, but we’re not getting $60,000 for that. Chairman Dinning asked for clarification that in our check book we have $570,000, using what is left of the budget for this year, including $60,000 for wood debris and $50,000 for landfill closure costs and everything else put in there, Mr. Skeen would be able to do what is budgeted for in current budget and have $180,000 left? It was said if Mr. Skeen spent everything that was budgeted for this year with what is shown, he would have $196,000 for the first quarter carry forward. Chairman Dinning said he thought using Mr. Skeen’s scenario that there would be zero carry forward, but he will have $196,000 in cash. Clerk Poston clarified that the $196,000 is in cash, not budget.

Mandy Bateman joined meeting at 2:10 p.m.

Mr. Skeen said the 12% is needed to fund everything, minus the $200,000. If he eliminates the $200,000, it would reduce the percentage of increase to 12%. If he took out burners, etc., it would reduce the proposed 12% increase even more. Chairman Dinning said in keeping out the $200,000, if the county needs to fund the Solid Waste budget today, a 12% increase is needed. That is what Commissioners need to deal with in order to maintain the $200,000. Clerk Poston said she will go back and rework the budget for Mr. Skeen. Commissioners will continue this discussion to tomorrow at 10:30 a.m.

Those present discussed the matter of metals not being separated out and hoping that will change.

The meeting with Mr. Skeen and Mr. Owen ended at 2:20 p.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. 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 2:40 p.m. No action was taken.

Ms. Bateman left the meeting.

Commissioners received a telephone call from Road and Bridge Department Assistant Superintendent Renee Nelson to discuss matters pertaining to the Riverside Road Improvement Project. The call ended at 2:55 p.m.

3:00 p.m., There being no further business, the meetings adjourned until tomorrow at 9:30 a.m.

***Tuesday, July 16, 2019, at 9:30 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.

The executive session scheduled for 9:00 a.m., did not take place.

9:30 a.m., Inland Forest Management Project Manager John Ailport joined the meeting to provide Commissioners with an update on the Fire Safe Program. Mr. Ailport explained that he had put out a bid packet for four projects totaling 400 acres of work. Mr. Ailport said he got the bids back and wanted to review them with Commissioners. Mr. Ailport said all bidders stated they can get started on these projects right away and the deadline in which to complete the projects is November, which is a short time frame. Mr. Ailport knows that these bidders have worked for this program before and they all do a good job. The way the bids are written is that the county can use the best value. It was questioned if the county can accept the lowest bid and have one contractor complete all jobs or does the county use another method. Mr. Ailport spoke about the contractor who provided the lowest bid. Chairman Dinning said we used to use a rotational schedule before going to the bidding schedule. There is an approved list of contractors and when someone expresses interest, Mr. Ailport said he explains the process to them. Chairman Dinning said his thinking is that we have this process for a reason and the county would love to spread this work around. Mr. Airport said he feels the same, but he knows the contractor who bid the lowest is very reputable and can get the jobs done. Chairman Dinning said he thinks the county needs to take the lowest bid. Commissioner Kirby said he agrees and feels this will affect the next process of bidding. Mr. Ailport said if he wasn’t sure about the contractor, it would be a different story. Commissioner Kirby said it’s like Commissioners choosing the lowest bid for other projects. Mr. Ailport said of the Western States Grant, the entire project will be completed by this particular contractor and he doesn’t think that’s an issue, but he just wanted to make Commissioners aware. Commissioner Cossairt said if this process is going to change, then do it for next year, but this is a done deal. If you limit someone to two sales, the next person can pad his bid a bit. This way, the contractors know what they’re up against due to the numbers. Chairman Dinning said there are approximately 20 acres that would not be able to be treated by choosing the next lowest bid, so this is treating acres on the ground. Chairman Dinning said he thinks we just need to relay to this contractor that this work needs to get done. It was said that there hasn’t been a problem in which a bond needs to be required. Mr. Ailport said he works with contractors as much as possible and checks in with them to make sure a project can get done in time and if not, he may approach the second lowest bidder to see if they can finish the project. Those present discussed the payment process.

The meeting with Mr. Ailport ended at 9:55 a.m.

10:00 a.m., Road and Bridge Department Assistant Superintendent Renee Nelson and Foreman Randy Morris joined the meeting to update Commissioners on Ms. Nelson’s conversations with the engineer of the Riverside Improvement project and Federal Highways Administration. Ms. Nelson said she did speak with the engineer and Federal Highways at different times the other day. Federal Highways definitely wanted sets of detour routes and the second option is to totally close Riverside Road and that was all that was discussed. Ms. Nelson said due to the public hearing that will be held, Federal Highways wants the engineers present as well. Federal Highways will be available for a conference call tomorrow, according to Ms. Nelson. Chairman Dinning said he wants to have a conversation with both the engineer and Federal Highways so Commissioners can hold a special meeting tomorrow at 10:45 a.m.

Ms. Nelson said she sent Commissioners the involvement plan for preparation, oversight and review, oral comment, and feedback at each station as it pertains to the project. Chairman Dinning said realistically, we’re looking at determining alternate routes and construction time frame, and Ms. Nelson added that there is also the presentation at the public meeting. There are residents who will be impacted and they’re going to need to know about the inconvenience of two construction seasons as opposed to one season and if that is how the project for sure will be bid. It was said it’s the responsibility of the contractor as it pertains to the emergency route. Ms. Nelson said information about the public meeting was sent to emergency services and other agencies, etc. Chairman Dinning said the main thing is notifying residents along the project route and Mr. Morris added there are also the residents along the west side.

Ms. Nelson said power poles involved in this project need to either be removed or stabilized and the City of Bonners Ferry has decided to place power underground so now it’s just a matter of coordination with Frontier Communications as the city had initially agreed to put Frontier’s services on the poles and that is no longer the plan.

The meeting with Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris ended at 10:15 a.m.

Commissioner Kirby moved to approve the minutes for the week of July 8, 2019. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.

10:30 a.m., Solid Waste Department Superintendent Claine Skeen joined the meeting to continue the budget workshop for his department.

The meeting ended at 11:30 a.m.

Commissioners tended to administrative duties.

12:00 p.m., There being no further business, the meeting adjourned until tomorrow at 4:30 p.m.

***Wednesday, July 17, 2019, at 4:30 p.m., Commissioners met in special session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.

Road and Bridge Department Assistant Superintendent Renee Nelson and Foreman Randy Morris joined the meeting for a conference call to discuss the Riverside Road Improvement Project with DJ & A Production Manager for Construction Jon Pederson and Western Federal Lands – Federal Highways, Project Manager for Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Brandon Stokes, who participated via telephone.

Chairman Dinning said in visiting with Ms. Nelson, Commissioners had concerns about Riverside Road closures and we want to better understand. Chairman Dinning added that one thing that has come up is the makeup of the public meeting as he’s attended many of these types of meetings to know that you’re going to have stations where the public can go to each station and make comment. Mr. Pederson said the meeting will start with a short presentation, overview of the plan and a question and answer session. The public can also leave written comment in a drop box that will be available. Chairman Dinning replied that this method has created dysfunction as it pertains to an existing project the state is working on in our community right now. There will be farmers and residents who will be affected by the Riverside Road closures. Chairman Dinning questioned the ability of having the public go to the stations, then have them gather for a public dialogue so there can be a consensus on an approach of the concerns. Chairman Dinning said there will be common concerns and he explained how someone who goes to the meeting and voices their concerns will have a decision made for them and may not have understood everything. Chairman Dinning said having a public dialogue will allow everyone to potentially hear what everyone has stated. Ms. Nelson said that is the type of process that she and Chairman Dinning had discussed based on past experiences. The public will hear one thing or think they do and present that, but other people may think they had heard the same thing or had understood something differently when they hadn’t attended the meeting, etc. This way everyone will get the same explanation. Mr. Pederson spoke of his experience, but said he understands and he asked if it would be more beneficial to have a presentation and have a question and answer session. Chairman Dinning said he’s thinking this through and he likes the idea so that one person can’t hijack the topic, but have some method so everyone hears the same answer. That is what Chairman Dinning said he is struggling with and he suggested letting the public go and make their comments, then come back and discuss issues. Besides the meeting, Mr. Pederson said if there is a more conventional meeting format, it will give people a chance to hear the group discussion, but also provide for the opportunity to leave written comments at the meeting.

Mr. Stokes said he’s had the same experience as Mr. Pederson has had with a few people taking over in a formal presentation and he’s also familiar with having stations where people are free to come and go as they please and leave comments. The open house method will be new for him to try, but he’s open to either process. Mr. Pederson suggested holding a presentation, then have a 20 minute break so people can visit the stations or leave their comments, then regroup.

Chairman Dinning said the exact issue here is the open house format that results in the public’s perception being that here is a project that was nothing like the presentation. There had been poor communication and he’s trying to prevent that from happening again. The more the public knows, the better it is, according to Chairman Dinning. Mr. Pederson mentioned there could be a brief 20 minute overview, allow 30 minutes for the public to circulate and visit the stations followed by questions and answers, however long it takes.

It was said the issue that will come up is that this is a very important agricultural route when it comes to harvest time, which is usually mid-July through late August. There will be questions about local farmers using Riverside Road to get through and we also have three residences with possibly no way out if the entire road is closed. Chairman Dinning said he understands that it may be beneficial cost-wise to have the project done in one project year, but what would it look like to close the road at the beginning until the farmers need access to the road, then make it one lane during that time and once harvest is done, close the road again. There is the issue of the residents who live there and that will need to be worked out by someone.

Mr. Stokes listed two options for closures, one of which is having the road closed and the benefit of this is completing the project in one construction season. This stretch of road could be referenced and something could be worked out with the contractor in relation to the three residents having the ability to access their property, even during construction, but that will have to get worked out. The other option is single lane closure and if possible, a couple scheduled closures throughout the day to allow work items to get done and be more efficient. Chairman Dinning said that is great and we want the public to help resolve these concerns. Option one consists of one construction season and option two consists of one lane closure, which will likely require two construction seasons. Chairman Dinning asked what winter will look like. Mr. Stoke said construction will shut down and there will be some type of temporary treatment. Those present discussed options to limit night work, etc. Chairman Dinning asked about emergency services and it was said the contractor has to allow for emergency vehicles. Ms. Nelson said this would be discussed at the public meeting. Mr. Pederson said yes, and he added that there is sure to be a lot of questions, which will be addressed.

It was asked, as far as options for closing the road for the entire season, how will that affect the road ramp. Chairman Dinning said the only time this could be a real problem is on the three holidays, Memorial Day, July Fourth and Labor Day, but we have another boat launch just inside city limits so he doesn’t see a problem with that. Commissioner Cossairt said there is also the Copeland boat launch so there shouldn’t be a problem for one year.

Commissioner Kirby said he thinks everyone is on the right track and closing one boat ramp won’t hurt. Mr. Morris asked if there is any guarantee in finishing the project in one year. Mr. Stokes said that information can be specified in the agreement and he mentioned listing information for specified damages as well.

Mr. Pederson said a possible hybrid option would be to do an entire road closure and possibly open one road lane during harvest, so would that be something that we want to offer during the public meeting or feel it out and see when it’s appropriate. Chairman Dinning said the residents and farmers will probably explain how much Riverside Road is used, etc. There is probably 5,000 acres of grain crop that needs to go down that road by truck so usage of this road is fast and furious for a bit.

Chairman Dinning said there is absolutely no one, maybe except for one landowner, who may be opposed to this and would understand the inconvenience.

Mr. Pederson discussed a map and diagram he had reviewed with Ms. Nelson and Ms. Nelson spoke of a drawing for a new approach for the boat launch and where that will be. Concerns were voiced about what the drawing meant, such as steepness, etc. Ms. Nelson said the only concern with road closures and the detour map is the ambush rock closures and Mr. Stokes was going to check with the cultural representative to see what had been discussed with the Kootenai Tribe. Ms. Nelson added that she had mentioned something about having the county state that they support the map, but she wants the Kootenai Tribe to review it beforehand and they haven’t seen the map yet. It was said there is a plan to visit with the Kootenai tribe on Monday to discuss everything. Ms. Nelson said the county works well with the Tribe and she didn’t want to say that she likes the map if the tribe has an issue with it. Mr. Stokes said he thinks access will be the big issue and Mr. Pederson commented about working on a revision to the draft road closure detour maps before they’re finalized prior to next week’s presentation.

The meeting to discuss the Riverside Road Improvement Project and road closures ended.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.

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DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
ATTEST:

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GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk