***Monday, June 25, 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.
Blue Sky Broadcasting News Reporter Mike Brown was in attendance of the meetings off and on throughout the day.
9:00 a.m., Road and Bridge Department Superintendent Clint Kimball joined the meeting to give the departmental report. A written report was provided. Road and Bridge did a lot of maintenance-type work last week, according to Mr. Kimball. Mr. Kimball said he heard that the locators for Frontier Communications have quit and Road and Bridge needs to get some locates done. Road and Bridge worked on patching roads up north. Both Bristlecone and Goat Mountain Roads sustained a lot of damage this year so they were fixed up, and Giles Connection, Rocking Tree and Pheasant Run roads were worked on to create better turn arounds for the snow plows.
Mr. Kimball said he had a visit with the engineers for the Federal Highways, Local Highway Technical Assistance Council last week and they were quite pleased with work done on Westside Road. Mr. Kimball said he took the engineers to the look at the Naples Bridge as well as the School House Road where they could review the school safety grant project. As far as bridges, the bridge on Highway 95 outside of Naples is at a rating that is below the sufficiency rating, according to Mr. Kimball. Mr. Kimball suggested Commissioners go on a road tour with him next Tuesday morning to look at various projects. The road tour will take place at 7:30 a.m., on Tuesday, July 3rd.
Commissioners stated that they have not yet heard back from County Civil Attorney with regard to the bid documents for Deep Creek Loop Mile Post 1.1 emergency relief funds repair.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the bid documents for the Deep Creek Loop Mile Post 1.1 emergency relief funds repair (ERF248) pending the county civil attorney’s review. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Those present discussed the matter regarding trees cut on Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) property. Mr. Kimball stated that he disagrees with the amount of stumpage that IDL is charging. Commissioner Pinkerton said the logs were just in the right-of-way so he can understand Mr. Kimball’s frustration. Those present questioned how many logs are included in this matter. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners can send a letter to Eric Sjoquist with the Idaho Department of Lands about the logs. Mr. Kimball said there is no reason for the county to pay triple stumpage.
The meeting with Mr. Kimball ended at 9:22 a.m.
Commissioner Kirby moved to recess as the Board of Boundary County Commissioners and convene as the Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the Boundary County, Idaho Ambulance Service Agreement for years 2018 through 2020. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
9:30 a.m., Commissioner Pinkerton moved to adjourn as the Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board and reconvene as the Board of Boundary County Commissioners. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Dinning informed Commissioners that he learned that Boundary County’s ordinance pertaining to road weight restrictions is indefensible.
9:30 a.m., Sheriff Dave Kramer joined the meeting.
Commissioner Kirby moved to approve the purchase of a side by side for weed spraying equipment for the County’s Noxious Weeds Department. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the BFI, Inc., Commercial Lease Agreement for the Sheriff’s Office. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
It was clarified that the commercial lease with BFI Inc., is now a month to month contract as opposed to yearly.
Commissioner Kirby moved to approve the minutes for the week of June 11, 2018. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the No Spray Weed Control Agreements for Ben Ronniger, Janalee Stanford and Kelly Wilson. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign Certificates of Residency for Michael Layeux and Lela Jackson. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Rural Economic Development Professional (EDPRO) Grant award in the amount of $32,000 for the period of July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the Boundary County, Idaho Ambulance Service Agreement. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
9:36 a.m., Commissioners spoke to County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull via telephone.
Attorney Hull said he had a question involving a bid bond for a project that Road and Bridge wants to have done. The bid documents seem to be in order with the exception of one clarification on bonding as the Road and Bridge Department is asking for a performance bond, but they used the term surety bond so that shouldn’t get mixed up, according to Attorney Hull. Attorney Hull updated Commissioners on matters he is working on such as working out details for new airport lease agreements, needing to meet with the Planning and Zoning Office as it pertains to a neighboring shooting range and he’s still waiting for information from Latah County on herd districts. Attorney Hull questioned if there is a sign stating an open range in the area in question.
Chairman Dinning informed Attorney Hull that it was determined the county’s ordinance on road weight limits is unenforceable, but that most likely only a few sentence changes are needed to correct that.
Attorney Hull mentioned the subpoena for information on public defense matters. Attorney Hull said that basically Ada County’s position is that all counties have these documents that are open to public, etc., and they aren’t going to respond to the subpoena. Attorney Hull said his feeling is that we should honor the request for information.
The phone call to Attorney Hull ended at 9:44 a.m.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
10:01 a.m., Commissioner Pinkerton moved to recess as the Boundary County Board of Commissioners and convene as the Board of Equalization. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners held a Board of Equalization appeal hearing for appellants Thomas Clairmont and Susan Falck for parcel #RP006530000300A. Present were: Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser, Assessor Dave Ryals, and Timber Appraiser Teri Cushman. The appellants were not present for the hearing and did not call in to participate via telephone. The hearing was recorded. The Assessor presented one exhibit marked “Assessor Exhibit #1 (consisting of two pages).
Chairman Dinning said the Board of Equalization is considering the appeal filed by Thomas Clairmont and Susan Falk for parcel #RP00653000300A. The appellants have not yet appeared so the Board will give the appellants a few more minutes to arrive. Chairman Dinning said the only information the Commissioners have from the appellants is the Assessment Notice.
Commissioners resumed the hearing at 10:10 a.m., as the appellants had still not shown up. The oath was administered to those giving testimony. The appellants are appealing the assessed value of Lot 30 of Meadow Creek Estates. The basis for this filing is that the appellants did not receive the benefit of the timber exemption as they thought the benefit passed from property owner to property owner so they did not file a new application in a timely fashion. Assessor Ryals said that is correct.
Chairman Dinning said, therefore, since the appellants are not here to provide information to the alternative, he called for a motion to uphold the Assessor’s valuation.
Commissioner Kirby moved to uphold the Assessor’s valuation for parcel #RP006530000300A. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
10:13 a.m., Commissioner Kirby moved to recess as the Board of Equalization and reconvene as the Board of Boundary County Commissioners. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Assessor Ryals and Ms. Cushman left the meeting.
Those present discussed resealing various county parking lots and Commissioners reviewed the quotes received. It was said the funds are in the budget to have the work done this year.
Commissioner Kirby moved to reseal the parking lots at the Restorium, fairgrounds, Courthouse and parking lot shared by Panhandle Health District and the Restorium, with the Panhandle Health District paying half of the cost for that parking lot, for an overall cost of approximately $14,000 for all parking lots. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners and Clerk Poston had a general discussion on the proposed budget.
10:51 a.m., Courthouse Maintenance John Buckley joined the meeting to provide Commissioners with an update on maintenance matters.
Mr. Buckley said he does have a quote for resealing the roof, which is approximately $4,200 to redo the roof at the Sheriff’s Office and $4,800 for the roof at the Courthouse. The second quotes received were nearly double those amounts, according to Mr. Buckley. Commissioners informed Mr. Buckley that they accepted the quotes to have all parking lots resealed as was discussed earlier. It was requested that Mr. Buckley ask if the company doing the work will honor a 10% discount since all parking lots are going to be done. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners would like to have a “work to be done by” date of sometime before the next budget year.
The Treasurer’s Office has a leaky air conditioning unit so Mr. Buckley called Cool It who discovered the cause of the leak was a plugged line. Mr. Buckley was asked to research the cost of a new air conditioning unit for the Appraiser’s Office so they have something that is quieter.
Mr. Buckley said the Sheriff informed him that he knows of someone who will paint the exterior of the Sheriff’s Office and will only charge for materials as he will donate his time. Clerk Poston mentioned needing to paint the inside of the Courthouse.
Those present discussed talking to Road and Bridge Department Superintendent Clint Kimball about getting the parking area or lean-to next to the Assessor’s Office paved.
Sheriff Dave Kramer joined the meeting at 11:00 a.m.
Sheriff Kramer informed Commissioners that he does have bids to paint the Exterior of his office totaling approximately $14,000.
Mr. Buckley informed Commissioners that last Friday’s heavy rains washed dirt and paving stones into the basement of the Veterans hall.
The meeting with Mr. Buckley and Sheriff Kramer ended at 11:11 a.m.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
11:20 a.m., Chief Deputy Clerk Tracie Isaac joined the meeting.
Chief Deputy Clerk Isaac and Commissioners discussed matters pertaining to job descriptions for operators at the Road and Bridge Department as far as who answers to is in charge of who. It was said the various positions should report to the Road and Bridge Department Superintendent, including the Road Foreman.
County resident Steve Tanner joined the meeting at 11:27 a.m.
Chief Deputy Clerk Isaac informed Commissioners that as of July 1st the Restorium is required to have a food protection position. This is a new position, but it does not require a new staff member and the current kitchen manager will acquire these new duties, according to Chief Deputy Clerk Isaac. Chairman Dinning questioned if contracting with an outside person would meet these requirements. Chief Deputy Clerk Isaac said she would forward the job description to the Personnel Classification Committee to see what the dollar cost is.
Chief Deputy Clerk Isaac left the meeting at 11:30 a.m.
11:30 a.m., Hospital Board of Trustees Chairman Elden Koon and his son, David Koon joined the meeting.
Mr. Koon said the Hospital Board needs to replace Jim Paulus and the recommendation for Mr. Paulus’s replacement is Merle Ansley. Commissioner Pinkerton asked Mr. Tanner what he had wanted to comment about. Mr. Tanner said he had a concern about the Hospital Board itself in that they are a rubber stamp for the Hospital’s CEO. Mr. Tanner handed Commissioners a flyer advertisement on the hospital that he says is illegal adding that the reports the CEO submitted were also fraudulent. Mr. Tanner said he was unable to meet with the Hospital Board so it’s obvious to him that they would not speak with him. The Board is the “yes person” to the CEO and he said Commissioners need to make sure these board members will stand up for what is right. We don’t need government being out of hand and everyone on the Hospital Board should be replaced as well as the CEO, according to Mr. Tanner. The hospital has entered into crimes against the people in the community and State of Idaho laws. Mr. Tanner said that is his input and he appreciates Commissioners’ concern.
Commissioner Pinkerton asked Mr. Koon if anyone else has applied for the position of board member. Mr. Koon said Mr. Ansley is the only person who has applied. Commissioner Pinkerton said when there is a new position becoming vacant how does the board search for applicants. Mr. Koon said they seek them out and find out who has time to be on the board. Commissioner Pinkerton said he wondered if there is an advertisement placed for this position. Mr. Koon said sure adding that anyone who is interested in becoming a Hospital Board member can come see him about it. Mr. Koon explained that there have been multiple applicants in the past, but people change their minds when they learn they don’t have the time to donate to the board or will be out of town and miss too many meetings.
Chairman Dinning said for clarity that the application process is open to the public. Mr. Koon said he has sought out potential members to see if there is any interest. Commissioner Pinkerton questioned how a board vacancy is announced if there is a position open so people will be made aware. Mr. Koon said the vacancy is not advertised, but the existing nine board members talk to people in the community. Commissioners and Clerk Poston reviewed which county advisory boards post advertisements for vacant board positions, such as the Planning and Zoning Commission. Commissioners said it may be that all boards need to announce a vacancy in order to have a larger pool to select from.
Commissioner Kirby said we’re a little remiss in not having the advisory boards advertise when there is an opening on the board. Commissioner Pinkerton asked what the consequence is if Mr. Paulus’s position is not filled until December 31, 2018, which is when the position would officially expire. Mr. Koon said Idaho Code for this board states a nine member board is needed, although there would still be a quorum. Commissioner Pinkerton said he feels Commissioners need to look back and see what they should do about advertising, not just for the hospital board, but for all county boards. Commissioner Pinkerton said he wants to think about this further.
The meeting with Mr. Koon ended at 11:45 a.m.
Commissioners reviewed county advisory boards and which boards already advertise for new members. Commissioner Pinkerton reiterated that he wants to hold off on making a recommendation for a new Hospital Board member and have the Hospital Board re-evaluate the procedure for acquiring new board members. The announcement for a vacant board position should consist of a couple weeks and it should be in the newspaper. Commissioners said they would contact Mr. Koon to let him know what Commissioners are looking into.
There being no further business, the meeting recessed until tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.
***Tuesday, June 26, 2018, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser. Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton was out of the office tending to other matters.
9:10 a.m., Planning and Zoning Administrator John Moss joined the meeting to discuss increasing his office hours. Mr. Moss wants to increase his part-time office hours due to his work load and Commissioners are considering three, 10 hour days for him. Clerk Poston suggested just posting the Planning and Zoning Office hours and designate a time that Mr. Moss needs to close his office to the public so he can work on the paperwork. Chairman Dinning said however it works for Mr. Moss, he just needs to make it work within the 30 hours per week.
The meeting with Mr. Moss ended at 9:20 a.m.
Treasurer Sue Larson joined the meeting at 9:25 a.m.
Treasurer Larson said there are proceeds from the sale of county tax deeded property and she is requesting those overage funds be transferred to the State Treasurer’s Office to hold and disperse. Treasurer Larson said the state is set up to determine if there are other heirs so she would like to turn these overage funds over to them. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners will need a resolution in order to transfer these funds.
Commissioner Kirby moved to approve and authorize the transfer of funds resulting from the sale of two tax deeded properties, as per Idaho Code 31-808, regarding the Crisman property and the Higgins family 1998 trust, and to adopt and sign a resolution authorizing this transfer when it has been prepared as this is a time sensitive matter. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Dinning said Commissioners have officially made the motion so the Treasurer’s Office is protected when transferring the funds.
The meeting with Treasurer Larson ended at 9:30 a.m.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m.
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ATTEST: DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
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GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk