***Monday, July 22, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Tim Bertling, Commissioner Ben Robertson, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser. Commissioner Wally Cossairt was out of the office.
Commissioners said the Pledge of Allegiance.
9:00 a.m., County Civil Attorney Bill Wilson and Road and Bridge Department Assistant Adam Ryals joined the meeting.
Commissioner Robertson moved to go into executive session pursuant to Idaho Code 74-206(1)c, to inquire an interest in real property which is not owned by a public agency. Chairman Bertling yielded the chair to second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Bertling “aye” and Commissioner Robertson “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 9:50 a.m. No action was taken.
Attorney Wilson and Mr. Ryals left the meeting.
10:00 a.m., Chief Probation Officer Alisa Walker joined the meeting.
Ms. Walker updated Commissioners on recent probation home visits that had been conducted. Ms. Walker discussed the possibility of getting an after-hours, on-call cell phone for her department. The Probation Office used to have a phone for this purpose, but then they changed to a different process. Ms. Walker said in going back to using a designated on-call office cell phone, the employee on call would be required to answer the phone when called and personal phones would not be used. Ms. Walker mentioned that instead of budgeted funds going toward a stipend for Probation staff when they’re on call and having to use their own phones after-hours, these funds would go toward a designated office cell phone and there could be an incentive for the on-call employee in having some time off in exchange for being on call. Ms. Walker commented on how at times law enforcement hadn’t been able to reach probation officers when needing to contact them after hours. Putting money toward a single phone is a better contribution of funds, according to Ms. Walker. Ms. Walker spoke of wanting to improve the working relationship with other law enforcement agencies and having a better communication source for them to reach a probation officer. Commissioners said they had no problem with getting an on-call phone and felt it was a good idea.
10:20 a.m., Courthouse Bailiff Ben Reinhardt joined the meeting at Commissioners’ request to discuss ordering a new cell phone for the Probation Office.
10:27 a.m., Mr. Reinhardt left the meeting.
Ms. Walker and Commissioners discussed matters about having the Probation Office cleaned.
The meeting with Ms. Walker ended at 10:45 a.m.
Commissioner Robertson moved to sign the Certificate of Residency for Jessica Hart. Chairman Bertling yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Robertson moved to approve the minutes of July 15 & 16, 2024. Chairman Bertling yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
Commissioners recessed for lunch at 11:45 a.m.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Tim Bertling, Commissioner Ben Robertson, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
1:30 p.m., Road and Bridge Department Assistant Adam Ryals joined the meeting to give the department report. Those present reviewed the work listed in the written report that was provided.
Mr. Ryals asked for a definition of “reportable” in relation to the County’s Personnel Policy on reportable classification for post accidents. Those present discussed post-accident drug/alcohol testing.
Commissioner Robertson moved to sign the Findings and Decisions for Variance Application 2-2024 for Marty Camburn once they’ve been prepared. Chairman Bertling yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting with Mr. Ryals ended at 2:14 p.m.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
There being no further business, the meeting recessed until tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.
***Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session at the County Annex with Chairman Tim Bertling, 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 Ben Robertson, Clerk Glenda Poston, Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser, Undersheriff Rich Stephens, Planning and Zoning Administrator Ben Jones, Veterans Service Officer Ron Self, Solid Waste Department Superintendent Richard Jenkins, Road and Bridge Department Assistant Adam Ryals, Personnel Director Pam Barton, Treasurer Jenny Economu, Chief Probation Officer Alisa Walker, Assessor Olivia Drake, Emergency Manager Andrew O’Neel, IT Director Matt Hodges, Noxious Weeds Department Superintendent Dave Wenk, and Restorium Administrator Janay Smith.
Commissioners went around the room for office updates.
The elected officials/department heads meeting ended at 9:30 a.m.
9:40 a.m., Treasurer Jenny Economu met with Commissioners and Clerk Poston to review her quarterly report of county accounts.
The meeting with Treasurer Economu ended at 9:54 a.m.
Commissioners addressed an indigent matter.
Commissioner Robertson moved to deny indigent case #2024-6. Chairman Bertling yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Robertson moved to sign Federal Aviation Administration Request for Reimbursement #6 for Airport Improvement Project #3-16-0004-023-2023 for Airport Drainage/Erosion Control/Acquire Easements. Chairman Bertling yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners recessed until their joint City/County meeting to be held at the County Annex at 5:30 p.m. today.
5:30 p.m., Commissioners met in special session at the County Annex with Chairman Tim Bertling, Commissioner Ben Robertson, and Clerk Glenda Poston. The purpose of the meeting was to meet with the council members and mayors from the City of Moyie Springs and City of Bonners Ferry to discuss various topics that each entity wishes to discuss.
City of Bonners Ferry officials updated the group with City Administrator Mike Klaus presenting a Power Point on the legislative changes regarding the Area of City Impact. Mr. Klaus spoke about Senate Bill 1403 and Idaho Code 67-6526. He discussed the date that the updated Area of City Impact plan needs to be completed and reviewed by, which is December 31, 2025. The Area of City Impact cannot exceed more than two miles. There was the topic of forming a committee for recommendations for the Area of City Impact.
Mr. Klaus also talked about re-licensing the dam and the process to follow, along with where the City of Bonners Ferry is at in that process. The scheduled completion date is year 2028 and the projected costs are approximately $6.5 million. Commissioner Cossairt asked about the potential removal or closure of the dam and it was said the City doesn’t foresee that happening.
Boundary County Commission Chairman Bertling presented updates on Road and Bridge projects, to include chip sealing Herman Lake Road and Brown Creek Road before focusing on some of the roads around the 3 Mile area.
The county is working on an interior floorplan design for the old Safeway building. Solid Waste Department Superintendent Richard Jenkins presented updates for the main landfill site and he talked about the metal pile, the public dumping areas and improvements to the surface for asphalt. Currently, Sutter Salvaging is grinding the wood pile and cleaning up an area for the future wood burner. There have been calls regarding commercial huckleberry picking, but that is a United States Forest Service issue.
Linda Hall from Bonners Ferry Veterinary Clinic came to talk about the feral cat spay/neuter program. Buddy was the vet clinic office cat and the protector of their office. Ms. Hall said when Buddy passed away a program was established that would assist the community with trying to reduce the overpopulation of stray cats. The fairgrounds are one of the areas with a high population of these cats, in addition to the main landfill and Truss Tek. The fee for this program is $20.00 to have a stray cat spayed or neutered. Bonners Ferry Veterinary Clinic has spayed or neutered over 200 feral cats.
Chairman Bertling discussed the walking trail system within the city limits, along with 9B Trails. Mr. Klaus expressed that the idea would be a great concept for the city and county. Discussion on funding available and who the sponsor for this project would be took place.
Commissioners spoke about a recycling program and every other week pickup service within the city limits. There was discussion on how to convey to the general public the need to recycle and stresses that are placed on the landfill. Also, discussion on tarping loads and the litter along the roadways was mentioned. Discussion took place on a future site in the Moyie Springs area for garbage collection.
Questions were raised about dust abatement (water) at the Moyie pit alongside of North Division Street. Dust is a problem when Road and Bridge is crushing rock.
The City of Moyie officials updated the group on their water line being recovered, along with the Department of Environmental Quality delays and the hoops that needed to be jumped through. The City is thankful for 3-Mile Water District providing water, otherwise there wouldn’t have been enough water. The sewer project is ongoing. City of Moyie Springs officials also discussed the speed limit in their area and how it would be good to increase police patrol. Council member Stephens talked about mutual aid between the fire department(s) and the different entities and he mentioned the old agreement dates back to 2004. Steve Economu is the new fire chief for the city of Moyie Springs. There was discussion on a potential addition to City Hall in Moyie Springs to aid in the flow of foot traffic when voting during elections.
Moyie Springs will host the next joint meeting sometime in January 2025.
The meeting adjourned at 6:57 p.m.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:57 p.m.
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TIM BERTLING, Chairman
ATTEST:
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GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk