***Monday, June 11, 2018, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton, 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 Superintendent Clint Kimball joined the meeting to give a departmental report. A written report was submitted. Commissioners asked for clarification on demand claims for payment pertaining to Road and Bridge. Mr. Kimball explained what the claims are for and stated that they are reimbursable projects. There are two claims for $80,000 each for two separate bridge projects, according to Mr. Kimball.

Mr. Kimball said Road and Bridge had a fairly busy week last week, which included time on Pack River Road, hand brushing a few roads, and hauling rip rap for the Snow Creek and Caribou Bridge projects so material is now stored on site. Mr. Kimball said he continues to have discussions with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as it pertains to District 2, Turner Hill Road and Rock Creek as the FEMA teams keep rotating so the outcomes of the projects vary. Mr. Kimball spoke of working to clean up the slide on Lions Den Road that keeps occurring.

Mr. Kimball said he would continue discussions with FEMA and start getting organized on other projects that are coming up. The hope is to get work going on the Atkins Canyon project sooner rather than later. Mr. Kimball said Road and Bridge has been patching asphalt and he’s been receiving quite a few calls on the deteriorating condition of asphalt so maybe Commissioners may want to take a road tour to take a look. Chairman Dinning said maintenance of the existing pavement is important.

Mr. Kimball said he received two phone calls informing him of damage to chipseal by people unloading equipment. Chairman Dinning asked Mr. Kimball if he has given any thought on how to educate people about this. Chairman Dinning said looking forward, if the county educates people and it still occurs, then there is no excuse.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Funds Transfer Agreement with Western Federal Lands Highway Division, FHWA Agreement #69056718K500010 for an amount of $10,000 for the following project: ID BOUNDARY 5806(1), Riverside Road Improvements. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the letter to Caterpillar Financial regarding the 2nd Pay for Use Agreement superseding the original 2nd agreement. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

The meeting with Mr. Kimball ended at 9:17 a.m.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign Certificates of Residency for Hannah Beazer, Miako Hosterman, Cory Clairmont, Falisha Elliston, and Brady Hinthorn. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Deed for County Property for parcel #RP61N01E193158A sold to Agape Rock Foundation at the sealed bid property sale held on May 21, 2018. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Deed for County Property for parcel #RP61N01W132852A sold to David and Joy Brubaker and David and Krystle Reeves at the sealed bid property sale held on May 21, 2018. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Chairman Dinning updated Commissioners as to what he learned at the Idaho Association of Counties Commissioners and Clerks Conference.

9:30 a.m., Commissioners held a hearing to consider the transfer of the county’s alcoholic beverage license from David Young doing business as South Hill Mini Mart to Himalayan LLC doing business as South Hill Qwik Stop to sell bottled and canned beer and retail wine to be consumed off premises. Present were: Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser, and county resident Marty Martinez. The hearing was recorded.

Chairman Dinning stated for the record that the completed application, transfer fee and all required documentation have been received.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to approve the transfer of the 2018 County Alcoholic Beverage License from David Young dba South Hill Mini Mart to Himalayan LLC dba South Hill Qwik Stop, to sell bottled and canned beer and retail wine to be consumed off premises. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

The proceedings ended at 9:30 a.m.

Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals joined the meeting at 9:30 a.m.

9:30 a.m., Commissioners contacted County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull via telephone.

Attorney Hull informed Commissioners that he has a meeting with Planning and Zoning Administrator John Moss to discuss the matter involving county resident Mike Richardson’s concern. Attorney Hull said Commissioners need to schedule time on their agenda for next week to go into executive session to discuss a personnel matter.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to go into closed session pursuant to Idaho Code 31-874. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. 9:40 a.m., Commissioner Kirby moved to go out of closed session. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to accept the assignment of 79% on indigent case 2017-13 and 88% on indigent cases 2015-18, 2015-21, 2015-26, 2015-28 and 2015-31 combined to the Catastrophic Health Care Program. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Deputy Clerk Ryals left the meeting at 9:41 a.m.

Commissioners took a short recess prior to their 10:00 a.m. meeting.

Commissioners reviewed claims for payment. Fund totals are as follows:

Current Expense $36,795.23
Road & Bridge 249,017.59
Airport 3,167.83
District Court 4,232.23
Justice Fund 39,851.68
911 Funds 2,914.95
Indigent & Charity 12,158.01
Parks and Recreation 9,347.83
Revaluation 1,412.08
Solid Waste 13,633.58
Veterans Memorial 131.17
Weeds 1,038.12
Restorium 15,117.92
Waterways 313.95
Grant, Selkirk Coop Weed Mgmt 500.00
Grant, Boat Safety 475.91
Grants, Fire Mitigation 56,044.79

TOTAL $446,152.87
Trusts
Auditor’s Trust - *Misc 8,567.81
Boundary Co. Drug Court Trust 189.48
Driver’s License Trust 7,553.00
Motor Vehicle Trust Acct 194,010.71
Sheriff’s Trust Fund 1,998.20
Odyssey Court Trust Account 21,174.28
Odyssey Bond Trust Account 837.75
Odyssey Restitution Trust Acct 454.04

TOTAL $234,785.27

GRAND TOTAL $680,938.14

Citizens are invited to inspect detailed records on file in the Courthouse (individual claims & Commissioners’ allowance & warrant register record 2017-2018).

Commissioner Kirby moved to approve the minutes for the week of May 28, 2018. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

10:05 a.m., Commissioners set aside time to discuss the Bog Creek Road matter. Commissioners referred to maps online showing the Forest Service’s alternatives for the project. Commissioners discussed access for the owners of the Continental mine. Commissioner Pinkerton said the Forest Service will still close 26 miles of road elsewhere no matter what alternative is chosen. Commissioner Pinkerton added that administrative trips shouldn’t affect the owners of the mine. Chairman Dinning said he isn’t sure and in both scenarios, the buffer looks the same. Alternative #1 keeps everything seasonally restricted, according to Commissioner Pinkerton.

10:55 a.m., Solid Waste Department Superintendent Claine Skeen and Assistant Superintendent Eric Owen joined the meeting to continue their budget discussion.

Mr. Skeen said he had passed out three budget scenarios and the anticipated revenue worksheet is toward the back of the packet. This information includes concrete, garbage and tire fees that had been discussed, but it doesn’t include payroll. The next page is the budget breakdown and there is a negative of $56,000. A fee increase was briefly mentioned. The next page is a code breakdown from the current fee to the proposed fee and the difference. Chairman Dinning said with an 8% fee increase, the Solid Waste budget would have enough carry forward, but at the end of next year, what would that look like? Will there be any carry forward as Commissioners have to look that far ahead. The information on the budget breakdown page seems to put the next budget in the exact same situation that it is in now, according to Chairman Dinning. If we have a budget of $982,000, does that mean that at the end of the year we are using up all of the carry forward at the end of September, including the amount a new fee increase would generate, or is that going to perpetuate? Clerk Poston said that is a potential if everything is spent. Chairman Dinning said he is still not getting the clear answer. When you add in $56,000, we’re going to recapture it by the fee increase. If everything in the budget line is expended at the end of this proposed budget, at the end of 2019, is there any carry forward? Clerk Poston said she needs to review the information further. In generating approximately $200,000, which is anticipated revenue and additional fees, will that approximate amount of $200,000 be available? Will that budget be looking at a better situation or not, according to Chairman Dinning. Mr. Skeen referred to a proposed budget scenario that had included a large increase. Chairman Dinning said his biggest concern is how to ensure we can have carry forward at the end of the budget year and Clerk Poston said due to the anticipated revenue in fees and the fee increase. Clerk Poston said she feels she and Mr. Skeen need to sit down and go through the budget.

Chairman Dinning said if he has $10 and then he spends $10 at the end of the month, he has nothing. Commissioner Pinkerton said it’s the additional $10 to the existing $10 that you worry about.

Mr. Skeen reviewed proposed new fees such as the fee for disposing of concrete, tires and stumps, which varies depending on their size. Chairman Dinning questioned how do to determine a commercial venture versus a private party as it pertains to wood debris by the pound? It was said the public gets to dispose of six yards for free. A full size truck hauling a level load is approximately three yards, according to Mr. Skeen. As it pertains to stumps, you are paying by the pound per stump and at .025 cents, that is $50 per ton and right now the county is paying $44.50 to dispose of them. That cost could increase, according to Chairman Dinning. Mr. Skeen agreed. Chairman Dinning asked if Mr. Skeen sees any up-tick in recyclable value. Mr. Skeen said that market is not doing well. If the county baled its cardboard, it would cost $44.00 per ton. With the market now, there is another facility that is losing money by recycling, but it’s better to recycle this material than to put it into the landfill. How much of that 500 tons Mr. Skeen has reported for recycled material is cardboard. Mr. Skeen said about 70% is cardboard. Chairman Dinning said if the county were to bale cardboard, we would receive $12,000 as opposed to spending approximately $30,000. Mr. Skeen said it’s approximately half.

Clerk Poston said if these fees are going to be collected, is Mr. Skeen going to need a credit card machine. Mr. Skeen said he will need a system. Clerk Poston suggested Mr. Skeen speak with the Treasurer’s Office about that, and she informed him there is a $3.00 user fee associated with using credit card machines.

Clerk Poston said she will review the budget and Commissioners need to think about this. This discussion will resume on Monday, June 18, 2018 at 11:00 a.m.

Mr. Skeen informed Commissioners that he needs to fill vacant positions at two rural monitored sites. Commissioners agreed to fill these positions as they had been budgeted for.

11:36 a.m., Commissioner Kirby left the meeting temporarily to conduct the quarterly jail inspection.

Those present questioned accepting material from residents who live outside of Boundary County and what fee amount would be for them. Mr. Owen mentioned it would be difficult to monitor out of town residents without having a system in place, especially with how busy it gets in the summer. Those present also discussed using the sticker method to determine county residency.

Commissioner Kirby returned to the meeting at 11:43 a.m.

The meeting with Mr. Skeen and Mr. Owen ended at 11:52 a.m.

Commissioners recessed for lunch at 12:00 p.m.

1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.

1:30 p.m., Commissioners met with Bonners Ferry District Forest Ranger Kevin Knauth, Forest Supervisor Jeanne Higgins, Deputy Forest Supervisor Kim Pierson, Forest Service Wildlife Biologist Lydia Allen, Forest Service Public Affairs Officer Shoshana Cooper, and the following members of the United States Border Protection: Washington D.C. Headquarters Assistant Chief Shelly Lubin, Agent Rick Petrey, Environmental Specialist Joseph Zidron, Agent Erik Stephany, and Agent Bill Kingsford. Blue Sky Broadcasting News Reporter Mike Brown and county resident Wally Cossairt were also present. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the use of Bog Creek Road and alternatives the Forest Service has presented pertaining to use, trips and road closures.

Introductions were given around the room. Chairman Dinning said back in November of 2016 the Idaho Panhandle National Forest Acting Supervisor Shane Jeffries and Forest Service employee Shanda Dekome visited with Commissioners to give them a preliminary update on the Bog Creek Road matter, presenting two alternatives, and they promised to come back to visit again before deciding on the alternatives. It was a bit disconcerting to now see four alternatives come out without any knowledge and Commissioners want to get back on track. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners are not the public, but a government and we are just now only seeing the alternatives. Ms. Higgins said she wasn’t employed with the Idaho Panhandle National Forest at that time, but she does apologize for that follow up meeting not occurring. Ms. Higgins provided Commissioners with a handout on the Bog Creek Road and alternatives. Ms. Higgins said the Forest Service is in the process of a draft environmental analysis (EA) statement. There are four alternatives in this analysis that were evaluated and the Forest Service is in a public comment phase at this point, but Ms. Higgins stated she wants to share the specifics in these alternatives as well as maps, which will be the most useful. Ms. Higgins informed Commissioners that after reviewing the alternatives, she will share the process, what to expect and how to engage further. The agencies have come out with a proposed action to reconstruct Bog Creek Road and to provide the ability for the Border Patrol to have access to patrol the border more effectively. Bog Creek Road has been un-drivable due to its condition so reconstruction is important. Ms. Higgins said the proposed action is alternative #2. What is important to note is that in addition to providing access, another purpose was for the Forest Service to evaluate opportunities to meet grizzly bear standards within this bear management unit (BMU), which is the Blue Grass BMU. Also the Forest Service was looking at the road system within the BMU to meet standards and provide access for the Continental Mine owners. Those are all factors in the proposed action and alternatives and with Alternative #2 the Forest Service did scoping and received feedback, according to Ms. Higgins. The proposal, showing the routes in green, would be completely open for public access. The routes shown in green with a red dash would only be opened for administrative access so Bog Creek Road would only be reconstructed. The routes shown in blue are seasonably restricted and these routes are limited as to the number of trips for those routes only on the blue; not the green routes with red dots, according to Ms. Higgins. Agent Petrey with the Border Patrol said the Bog Creek Road falls under the Metaline Border Patrol station so the majority of patrols would be coming from the west side. It was said the routes shown in blue are not open to public access, but are drivable.

Ms. Higgins said the routes shown in red would be closed to motorized use and put into storage so they wouldn’t have administrative access either. Chairman Dinning asked if people who run cattle in this area were considered. Ms. Higgins said those people would have access to the head of Grass Creek. Commissioner Pinkerton asked if those same people would have access even on seasonably restricted roads. Ms. Higgins said those trips would be counted toward the allowed number of trips. Mr. Knauth said county resident Mike Ripatti typically uses Forest Service Road #636 and continues to Road #2464. The other route is blown out, according to Mr. Knauth.

Ms. Allen said currently, under the winter plan, Lime Creek Road is a snowmobile route and under the alternative it would not be, but the Forest Service would need to check on that. Ms. Higgins said under the proposed action, 5.3 miles of that road would not be accessible, but she thinks it’s because it would be difficult to traverse once this road is put in storage, she but will find out. Ms. Higgins asked if there were any other questions for this alternative.

Commissioner Pinkerton said earlier he had asked about people grazing their cows on the roads shown in blue on the map and these were numbered trips, but would the Border Patrol need to count their trips? Agent Petrey listed who the Border Patrol would give that information to and he added that the number of trips is provided, but not information such as days, times, etc. Commissioner Pinkerton said the number of trips is still law enforcement sensitive information and he added that it’s in violation of the nation’s security to give that out. Commissioner Pinkerton said people grazing their cattle can get into that area on the road marked in blue, which is seasonal, but land owners would have to come around from the eastside on the administrative roads. Ms. Higgins said it is a possibility that they could, but at this point, they have not been counting those trips so this would provide these landowners with unrestricted access.

Those present reviewed the conditions for Alternatives #3 and #4. Ms. Higgins said Alternative #3 provides the same level of access to Bog Creek Road for the Border Patrol as well as the Continental mine. The difference is that the Forest Service would close access to Upper Grass Creek, therefore providing a more solid core area for grizzly bear habit. This alternative would impact grazing and not allow motorized access, etc. This alternative does provide for seasonal access on Forest Service Road #1388, which comes to the mine from a different direction. Alternative #3 does close different roads in order to meet grizzly bear standards and all alternatives would also meet the grizzly bear standards. Chairman Dinning said Forest Service Road #1388 is now good enough for seasonal restriction, but it’s not the first alternative. Ms. Higgins clarified that when a road is put into storage, the Forest Service usually pulls culverts out, etc., but the road bed is not pulled as culverts might need to be reinstalled at some point.

In Alternative #4 the green routes would be open roads so under this alternative, Bog Creek Road would be open to public and the public could travel from Bonners Ferry all the way through to the Washington State side. It’s not clear on the map, but one can see how you can get through to Bog Creek Road from Bonners Ferry. It was said the other difference with this alternative is that in order to meet standards the roads shown in red lines on the map would be put into storage or decommissioned and not be available for motorized travel. The roads shown in blue on the map would be restricted to motorized use and trips would be counted. The owners of the Continental mine would have access from Bonners Ferry, motorized use would be restricted, but trips for private landowners would not be counted, and the roads would only be open to private landowners, not the public. Commissioner Pinkerton said even if the road is open for the grizzly bear amendment, it would still not be open for public use.

Chairman Dinning said all alternatives store the same amount of road. Ms. Allen said six miles of currently restricted roads would have to be closed for Alternatives #2 and #4. There is no action for Alternative #1, according to Ms. Allen. Commissioner Pinkerton said to meet standards 26 miles of road will be closed in Alternatives #2 and #4 and 25 miles would close in Alternative #3 so that is a difference of one mile. Commissioner Pinkerton said in doing nothing, we meet the grizzly bear access amendments. Commissioner Pinkerton said this is the catalyst to close the roads, period. Ms. Allen said since year 2011 and since the amendment, the Forest Service was obligated to meet the access amendment so approximately 25 miles need to be closed for the Blue Grass Grizzly Bear Amendment.

Commissioner Pinkerton asked Agent Petrey if there is any difference in the statuary law for patrolling within 25 miles of the border. Agent Petrey said no. Commissioner Pinkerton said if on private property, the Border Patrol cannot be denied the ability to patrol within 25 miles of the border. So is the Border Patrol being prohibited from patrolling in the national forest? Agent Petrey said yes, as far as motorized access. Commissioner Pinkerton said the roads currently under easement to the county give access to the border and 4.5 miles into Canada and back into the United States to Blue Joe Creek. Commissioner Pinkerton asked what percentage of the grizzly bear recovery area is in Canada and Ms. Allen said a little over 50%. Commissioner Pinkerton asked how many areas meet standards there and Ms. Allen said none to her knowledge as Canada doesn’t have management areas. Commissioner Pinkerton said from Highway 3 on the Canadian side there are no restrictions and yet over 50% of the grizzly bear recovery area is within that area and we have to guard against it. Commissioner Pinkerton asked how often the local Border Patrol agents patrol in this area. Agent Stephany said they patrol twice per month.

Chairman Dinning said from the county’s standpoint on Alternatives #2, #3 and #4, and we don’t have a grasp yet, the same miles of road are closed so why not look at the alternative that opens the area up to the public. Chairman Dinning said in the forestry process, before things are developed, Commissioners take a look at the information and that is what Commissioners were hoping the meeting they were supposed to have had with the Forest Service would’ve allowed. To him, it’s called an open road, but the Forest Service is closing these roads when they are called open so why shouldn’t the public be able to use them. This community has done nothing, except lose access and there would be support if they could open access to the public. Most people haven’t lived in this area long enough to see what has happened, not saying it’s wrong, but if there is opportunity for public access, it would be a real benefit in the long run for management.
Commissioners said the Forest Service is hired to ensure these resources are available for the public; not to close it off to the public. Commissioner Pinkerton mentioned having once asked Mr. Knauth if the public could have fallen timber in the woods for firewood, but the answer was the that Forest Service couldn’t allow that. The Border Patrol is paying for the grizzly bear management to meet the road standards, but this has nothing to do with what the Border Patrol is doing. Commissioner Pinkerton said the mission is to patrol the border and that road has been closed down. If you were to come in from the Priest Lake side, you have to have a special key to take the gate down. The east side of the road has multiple gates so does that deter the Border Patrol from doing their sworn duty? Assistant Chief Lubin said the Border Patrol still has to do their jobs. Commissioner Pinkerton said the Border Patrol is not able to effectively patrol the border. Commissioner Pinkerton explained how he spoke to a special committee in Washington D.C. as to how secure he feels the border is and he had replied that he felt the border is patrolled as it was done in the 1970s when there were only three agents, so it’s not patrolled sufficiently. The public wants access to their national forest, according to Commissioner Pinkerton. The Grizzly Bear Access Amendment was done and published in year 1997. The study was done in the 1980’s and the first bear was caught in year 1983. Ms. Allen said 50 bears were caught between years 1983 to 1989 and there were seven females that study was based on. These were all Selkirk bears, according to Ms. Allen. Commissioner Pinkerton said he is not a scientist, but the study needs to be reviewed and redone as that science was not good science. Closing the road is not relevant. Just as a layman looking in, the Border Patrol is being held to closing additional roads for additional core grizzly bear standards and all they need is to patrol the borders, but now it’s also to make sure grizzly standards are met.

November 16th is when the gates open and the date for the Cabinets is December 1, 2018. Chairman Dinning questioned who developed the alternative. Ms. Higgins said there is not a preferred alternative identified in the environmental impact statement. None of the alternatives have been identified by the Forest Service or Border Patrol. Agent Petrey said the Border Patrol cares that they will have unimpeded east to west access. Chairman Dinning questioned the east to west access is provided under what, Alternatives #2, #3 and #4? Agent Petrey said the Border Patrol cares about all traffic in the area they patrol, but that is their job. Commissioners asked if having more people in the area is a reason to do a better job. Agent Petrey said yes. Commissioner Pinkerton said that was always his stance as having more people in the area helps him do his job better in protecting the country as it provides more eyes. The more people he can get to see and discover illegal activity taking place, he would eradicate this. Commissioner Pinkerton said this issue has been going on in excess of 15 years. It’s not about the grizzly bear at this point; it’s about the American public, according to Commissioner Pinkerton.

Ms. Higgins asked if Commissioners have additional questions about the alternatives and she added that the environmental impact statement (EIS) is a draft and there are no alternatives identified, but impacts of each alternative are listed. The EIS is important to read and if Commissioners have questions, Ms. Higgins asked to be notified. The comment period will end July 16, 2018, and after that, the Forest Service will review comments and determine if they need to make additional modifications to the EIS. Once the final EIS is issued there will be a draft record of decision, which is subject to objection, so the Forest Service would like to try and resolve those issues before then. There will be two decisions issued, one from the Border Patrol and one from the Forest Service.

Chairman Dinning said at this point, is there any opportunity to amend or change any alternatives that are out to the public. Ms. Higgins said if there are specific comments or concerns, the Forest Service would like to hear them and the reasons for those concerns. Any major modification to an alternative would require a supplement and additional public comment period, but they would want to know if there are concerns.
Chairman Dinning said Commissioners had hoped to have an informal discussion prior to the alternatives being developed as that is how they do it in this community, before not having the ability to go back. Chairman Dinning said at this point, Commissioners would like to see an analysis so they can take a look at it. Commissioners said to Ms. Allen for clarification that Alternatives #2, #3 and #4 meet the Grizzly Bear Access Amendment. Ms. Allen said these alternatives meet the numbers. Chairman Dinning asked if there is anything else that would determine bears in any of those. Ms. Allen said from a biological standpoint, by imposing additional motorized use, whether elevate Border Patrols, they would stress avoidance, especially with sows with cubs. The analysis would assume it would impose that on individuals, which is why Alternative #3 has a benefit to bears.

Ms. Allen said Chairman Dinning is familiar with density and core and the most important is core and getting it up to 55%, but the three action alternatives proposed here have relatively different places for open density. Alternatives #2 and #3 put the Forest Service at approximately 23% and standards are at 33% so it’s almost 10%. Alternative #4 does not as it lands at 31.3% and the threshold is 33% so we have very limited opportunity to open up restricted roads to do anything.

Chairman Dinning asked if there is the opportunity in what Ms. Allen is talking about to allow the barrier to open and who does that affect? Chairman Dinning said Ms. Allen may be saying that within the formula it’s as if it runs from March so why not open the roads to the public in July and August. Chairman Dinning said the formula needs to change. Ms. Allen said that is beyond her. Chairman Dinning said the Border Patrol trips would exceed the allowed percentage. Ms. Allen said yes and she added if in Alternative #4 there is use on the blue restricted roads, it goes above and beyond the allowable usage. It was asked if there are only seasonably restricted roads and the Border Patrol patrols the area, does it put the percentage at 33.1%. Ms. Allen said if there is use on the roads marked in blue and the number of trips goes above and beyond the limit, it changes the equation. Commissioner Pinkerton said if the Border Patrol patrols the entire border on a regular basis, it will exceed 23% in Alternatives #2 and #3. Commissioner Pinkerton mentioned security clearance as it pertains to the Border Patrol and if the Border Patrol has to inform the Forest Service of the number of trips they make for patrolling, it’s treason and it’s treason to accept it.

Chairman Dinning said if the routes shown in green are open to the public, it is 31.3%. If it’s administrative, will the use of the Border Patrol on that route, excluding public access, increase that percentage to 31.3% or exceed the limit of 57 trips? Ms. Allen said she believes the answer is yes, regardless of public use.

Ms. Higgins said as far as modifications to routes, if Commissioners have modifications, please share them with the Forest Service. Chairman Dinning said he would like to have the analysis. Chairman Dinning said along the northeast border there is a gray area on Alternative #4 and he asked if that was created due to possible issues having to do with Canada? Ms. Allen said yes.

Chairman Dinning said the Border Patrol wants total east to west access and they don’t care if the public drives this route. Agent Petrey said that was correct. The Border Patrol needs unlimited access. Commissioner Pinkerton said Alternative #4 is a lot closer to being acceptable. It is providing for the general public to visit the national forest.

The meeting with members of the Forest Service and Border Patrol to discuss the Bog Creek Road ended at 2:30 p.m.

2:44 p.m., Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee and Assistant Administrator Pam Barton joined the meeting to provide an update on Restorium matters.

Ms. Barton reviewed her monthly report of statistics to include hours worked, full time staff hours worked, Medicaid percentage average, income from room and board, accounts over 30 days delinquent, etc. The Restorium currently has 38 residents and the Medicaid resident count is at 13. The Restorium is within $5,000 of breaking even this month, according to Chairman Dinning. Commissioner Pinkerton said that is good progress made.

Those present discussed interior repairs needed at the Restorium due to water leaks. Commissioner Pinkerton said there is no use fixing the walls until the roof leak is fixed otherwise it is just taking care of the symptom. Ms. Magee spoke of costs to get cabinets with laminate tops.

Chairman Dinning left the meeting at 2:55 p.m., to tend to other matters.

Ms. Barton listed various bids she obtained to make repairs at the Restorium. Commissioner Pinkerton said the questions would be what’s available in the budget. The kitchen repair is the highest priority, followed by building a nurses’ station and repairing the back room.

Ms. Barton said she was asked to point out to Commissioners the section in the Restorium’s Admission Agreement on the range of an allowed rate increase.

The meeting with Ms. Magee and Ms. Barton ended at 3:02 p.m.

Commissioners tended to administrative duties until their next meeting set for 3:45 p.m.

3:45 pm., University of Idaho Extension Educators Kate Painter and Amy Robertson joined the meeting to provide Commissioners with a quarterly update.

Ms. Painter explained the two handouts she passed to Commissioners and she mentioned she had 16 participants in the Master Gardener Program. Ms. Painter listed highlights of the various classes held and she informed Commissioners that she was awarded $2,500 through the Idaho Community Foundation grant for the GROW Program. Ms. Painter said both she and Ms. Robertson received these grants. Ms. Painter said the intern chosen to work with her for the summer is Josh Pluid and he has done a great job keeping track of the plots. Ms. Painter resumed listing courses being offered through the Extension Office such as forestry courses, a pruning course, forage crop program, and a local food system focus group. Ms. Painter said one of her colleagues received a grant for research of the local food system and it was a swatch analysis. Community leaders will be part of this focus group. Ms. Painter informed Commissioners that her summer intern has also helped with issues they’ve experienced with the local website for BOCO Local. Ms. Painter listed more courses she will be offering, but hasn’t posted yet.

Ms. Robertson listed the various courses she has taught and what she will be hosting in the near future to include courses for kids. The last day for Friday Friends was last week and this service won’t be offered through the summer due to lack of participation, but it will start up again this fall as Ms. Robertson is looking into funding sources. The Village Project will start again, which is a partner project with the school district and it involves working with migrant kids as well. The Extension Office will have seven individual day camps for youth and two cooking camps lasting three afternoons each. Ms. Robertson informed Commissioners that she has been to Boise three times since March for various trainings. Between fair and school Ms. Robertson will be training the rest of school district staff in a food handler’s course as well as some Restorium employees most likely.

Commissioners, Ms. Robertson and Ms. Painter discussed various topics pertaining to the University of Idaho.

Ms. Robertson said she’s pursuing a grant to get a freeze dryer.

The meeting with Ms. Painter and Ms. Robertson ended at 4:12 p.m.

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

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DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
ATTEST:

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GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk