***Monday, June 5, 2023, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Tim Bertling, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Ben Robertson, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
Commissioners said the Pledge of Allegiance.
9:00 a.m., Assistant Restorium Administrator Diana Lane joined the meeting to give Commissioners an update on Restorium matters. Ms. Lane mentioned that the Restorium is maintaining approximately 30 residents.
Ms. Lane informed Commissioners the company who is working on the ductless heating and cooling system is starting on June 14th. Chairman Bertling said Auburn Crest Hospice Representatives had met with Commissioners and discussed matters pertaining to working with the Restorium and it was said there had been differences in the past. Ms. Lane explained past difficulties the Restorium has experienced in the past. Commissioners will schedule another meeting involving both the Restorium and Auburn Crest Hospice.
Chairman Bertling asked about the nursing position at the Restorium. Ms. Lane said she and Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee need to sit down to brainstorm the nursing position and look at what the contract and job description say. Clerk Poston explained that she needs to know what to do for budget purposes. The Restorium has two part-time registered nurses (RN), a full-time licensed practical nurse (LPN) and another RN is being requested on a full-time basis for this next budget year. Clerk Poston added that she’s not sure of the medicine coordinator position. Ms. Lane said the thought was to have a full-time LPN and RN, and the LNP would have enough time to do the medicine coordinator duties. Ms. Ms. Magee’s biggest worry is the scenario of both nurses end up being sick at the same time and who would be available, because it has happened before, according to Ms. Lane. Clerk Poston said a few years ago, Panhandle Health District had offered one of their nurses to come to the Restorium when needed. Chairman Bertling said he will contact Panhandle Health District and look into that.
Ms. Lane said the Restorium is still in the process of implementing their electronic medical records system. The company, Point Click Care, provides good support when questions arise.
The meeting with Ms. Lane ended at 9:16 a.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the minutes for the week of May 29, 2023. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Boundary County Board of Commissioners Written Decision regarding File #22-0183, a Conditional Use Permit, James and Elida Byler, Request for Reconsideration on May 22, 2023. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Boundary County No Spray Weed Control Agreements for Tim Patton, Russell Davy, Robert Read Jr., Ashley McLachlan, Andrew & Lara O’Neel, Mikayla & Jason Wilkerson, Linda Fontanes, Ashley & Brandon Glaza, Lee & Ronee Gray, and Mary Kate McKerny. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Robertson moved to sign the Memorandum of Understanding between the Idaho Department of Fish & Game, Idaho Department of Lands, Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation, Idaho Transportation Department – District 1, Bonner Soil & Water Conservation District, Boundary Soil & Water Conservation District, Bonner County, Boundary County, Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, Stimson Lumber Company, City of Sandpoint, US Fish & Wildlife Service Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, and the USDA, Forest Service Idaho Panhandle National Forests for the Cooperative Weed Management Area Program and the Selkirk Cooperative Weed Management Area By-Laws shown as Exhibit B. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
10:00 a.m., Solid Waste Department Superintendent Claine Skeen joined the meeting to give the department report.
Mr. Skeen informed Commissioners that the Link Belt Excavator sold for $4,500.00 through the online auction process. Clerk Poston said the buyer was to pay for the excavator today. Commissioners said they didn’t have a problem with the Solid Waste Department helping the buyer get the excavator on the lowboy. Mr. Skeen said the landfill has been staying busy.
Commissioner Robertson 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 Bertling “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Robertson “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 10:23 a.m. No action was taken.
Commissioners discussed work taking place at the fairgrounds and needing a waiver for dumping concrete at the landfill. Commissioners said they don’t feel there should be a fee for the fair to dump concrete at the landfill. Mr. Skeen said to just have good communication and let landfill employees know who the company or person is who is bringing the concrete so they’re aware. It was said Justin Pluid is working on this project and he is also requesting that Road and Bridge load the concrete.
The meeting with Mr. Skeen ended at 10:27 a.m.
10:30 a.m., Chief Probation Officer Stacy Brown joined the meeting to give the Probation Department report. Ms. Brown listed the number of people on various forms of probation. Case loads have increased dramatically from last December. Ms. Brown informed Commissioners that the Panhandle Health District is giving her an award on June 15th for her work in fighting the opioid crisis. Ms. Brown mentioned that the Idaho Department of Corrections has asked her to continue on the Board after she retires.
The meeting with Ms. Brown ended at 10:32 a.m.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to have special meeting on Friday, June 9th at 9:00 a.m. in order to consider approving an alcohol beverage catering permit for McDuff’s Brewing Company for a Mountain Mafia event on Saturday, May 10, 2023. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
11:07 a.m., Courthouse Maintenance Squire Fields joined the meeting to give the department report. The roof resealing project is done. The sidewalk improvement project starts tomorrow. Mr. Fields said now that the roofs are resealed, he needs to pull out a section of ceiling in the Judge’s Chambers to check into the leak. Mr. Fields said he is going to need brackets for the new air conditioning units that came in. The old units had been placed half in and half out of the window, but now most of the unit will sit outside of the window. Mr. Squire said another option would be an external unit.
Commissioners informed Mr. Fields of an issue involving a water line at the fairgrounds. Mr. Fields said he would look into it.
The meeting with Mr. Fields ended at 11:30 a.m.
11:30 a.m., Boundary Economic Development Council (EDC) Director David Sims joined the meeting to update Commissioners on EDC projects.
Mr. Sims mentioned to Commissioners that he had submitted the grant application for the Economic Development program. Mr. Sims updated Commissioners on various EDC matters. The Bonners Ferry Visitor’s Center is staffed six days per week now. Idaho Department of Commerce Director Tom Kealey visited Boundary County last week. As it pertains to the Value-Added Producer grant, two local businesses that wanted to submit a grant application have done so and they’re just waiting to hear back, according to Mr. Sims. The Moyie sewer project went out to bid, but one concern is that the balance owing on the project will be more than the amount voters approved. Mr. Sims discussed Three Mile Water District limiting their water and with Moyie Springs having water, there may be a push for residents to request annexation.
Mr. Sims mentioned that the county cannot apply for a block grant for the Parks and Recreation restroom project, but he looked into other possibilities. There is the Innovia Foundation, but their range of funding is approximately $20,000.00. There is also the Land and Water Conservation Fund grant, which is a federal grant. This grant alternates between local projects and state projects. The City of Bonners Ferry had once used these funds to purchase the property for the golf course. Mr. Sims said he spoke to Kathy Muir, who is the grant administrator for the State of Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation about grants and the Land and Water Conservation Fund consists of federal dollars so there are many hoops to go through to include the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and doing a historical preservation survey. Mr. Sims said since this grant alternates yearly between state and local projects, this year was the local project and next year will be for state projects, but the next application process for local projects also starts next year. Mr. Sims said if Commissioners are interested, Ms. Muir will be coming up in either August or October so he could set up a meeting. Mr. Sims added that for the size of the grant, with the State of Idaho receiving $2,500,000.00 to $3,000,000.00 per year, grants totaling $500,000.00 are not unheard of. Maybe the bathroom project and tennis court/pickleball project could be combined. These funds can also be used to purchase property.
Mr. Sims informed Commissioners that the Ponderay Commercial Kitchen is closing, but a temporary local solution has been found and the kitchen at the Senior Center will be used. Mr. Sims said someone is also looking for a space to do small engine repair locally and he updated Commissioners on various potential buildings that are for sale or are available for businesses to operate out of them.
The meeting with Mr. Sims ended at 12:03 p.m.
Commissioners recessed for lunch at 12:03 p.m.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Tim Bertling, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Ben Robertson, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
1:30 p.m., Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendent Randy Morris joined the meeting to give the department report. A written report was provided and Mr. Morris reviewed work being done.
Mr. Morris said the generator for the crusher was taken apart and the shaft is fine, but the bearing holder is worn. CAT should have the parts in today and they will have the bearing holder built. It may take one to one and one-half weeks to do and then they will test the generator once they put it back together to make sure it works. Mr. Morris said he spoke to City of Bonners Ferry Engineer Mike Klaus and City of Bonners Ferry Electrician Kevin Cossairt about power to the gravel pit near Moyie Springs and they thought it was doable. The power lines that run up Division Street are a marginal size to run the crusher, plus provide power to homes. The City’s engineer is supposed to look at it and if all goes right, they can get it done by the first of July and Road and Bridge can still be in good shape for chip sealing.
Mr. Morris informed Commissioners that Road and Bridge is still waiting for the truck they ordered. The dealer contacted Road and Bridge to let them know they cannot locate the original truck they were offering, but there is another truck with a smaller engine that is available. Commissioners said they were fine with selecting the truck with the smaller motor instead.
Mr. Morris said dust abatement may start the beginning of next week, but they would like to finish grading first. Chairman Bertling asked if the county had ever looked at a gravel reclaimer and Mr. Morris said they did have one piece of equipment, but it also pulled in a lot of dirt and debris with the rocks.
Commissioners said there is work going to be done at the wash area near the fairgrounds and they asked if Road and Bridge could have a truck bring the concrete to the landfill. Justin Pluid is working on this project so Commissioners will coordinate something.
The meeting with Mr. Morris ended 2:00 p.m.
Commissioners stated for the record that they had received correspondence from John Poland explaining that a correction needed to be made to the meeting minutes of May 22, 2023, when he had met with Commissioners. Mr. Poland mentions that there is a portion of the written minutes that incorrectly list Mr. Fisher as the person making a particular statement when it had been Mr. Poland who made the statement. The statement should read as follows:
Mr. Poland said he had set his foundation before the material showed up. Mr. Poland said he originally started in year 2017. Mr. Poland pointed out that degradation is affecting his property values and the value of other properties. They have no chance of selling their property for anywhere near what market value would be due to this. Another neighbor, Tony Jacobs, won’t be able to recover any value due to the junk yard. Mr. Fisher said his containers were in place before that.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to correct the minutes of May 22, 2023, during the meeting with John Poland to reflect Mr. Poland making this statement instead of Mr. Fisher. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Poland’s correspondence also states that he had made a rebuttal to a statement Mr. Fisher had made when Mr. Fisher said his containers were in place before that. Mr. Poland says he had made a rebuttal that he had started the house previous to the material showing up and that Tony Jacobs moved in before that as well.
2:00 p.m., Commissioners postponed their discussion on setting a schedule for interviews for the Chief Probation Officer position.
2:30 p.m., Grandview Cemetery Board Chairman Allen Fessler and Secretary/Treasurer Ruth Ann Wilson joined the meeting to discuss matters pertaining to cemetery improvements.
Bonners Ferry Herald Staff Writer Emily Bonsant joined the meeting.
Mr. Fessler said the cemetery’s water system had a bid for a certain amount of dollars and that amount has now increased. When this project started, the Cemetery Board had a bid and it changed the location of the pump and pipe. The system had an old metal pipe and it is coming apart. Mr. Fessler said they thought they could use the existing pump system, but they can’t due to the load pressure and the city didn’t want that so the cemetery had to go to a two-pump system. The original pump was found during the COVID-19 pandemic, but they could not get them. They have found a pump company in Spokane, Washington, but they want to put in internal submersible pumps in the tanks. The cost is $33,400.00 for the pumps and installation, according to Ms. Wilson. It was said the tanks are already installed. This project has been going on for approximately 3.5 years now. It was said there is a cost difference and they have KG & T Septic doing the work and they’re doing well, but there have been a lot of setbacks. The current automatic system is approximately 30 to 35 years old and it needs updated. The cemetery now also has big Rain Bird sprinklers, which has helped a little. The Cemetery Board would like to try to irrigate all of the new section of the cemetery and they have a volunteer who is trying to take care of the old section of the cemetery. Chairman Bertling said to be equal, Commissioners have been providing the various water associations $25,000.00 toward grant matches, locating water lines, etc. Mr. Fessler said the Cemetery Board appreciates any help they can get.
Ms. Wilson informed Commissioners of how the Cemetery Board had tried to form a taxing district, but it was voted against. Ms. Wilson said as a gesture, KG & T Septic is having a real toilet system put in at the cemetery. Ms. Wilson said $74,000.00 has been put into the water system and $56,000.00 of that was received from friends and neighbors. Ms. Wilson discussed funding for perpetual care of the cemetery and those present discussed charges associated with purchasing and placing grave markers. Ms. Wilson said Sue Kemmis has been doing a lot of research on the cemetery. Ms. Wilson informed Commissioners that the City of Bonners Ferry had given the Grandview Cemetery Board the property for the cemetery for a 50-year term and that term expired about 50 years ago.
Mr. Fessler thanked Commissioners for the county’s contribution.
The meeting with Mr. Fessler and Ms. Wilson ended at 2:43 p.m.
3:00 p.m., There being no further business, Commissioners recessed until their next meeting on Friday, June 9, 2023, at 9:00 a.m.
***Friday, June 9, 2023, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in special session with Chairman Tim Bertling, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser. Commissioner Ben Robertson was out of the office tending to other matters. The purpose of the meeting was to consider the approval of an alcohol beverage catering permit for MickDuff’s Brewing Company for a Mountain Mafia event to be held on Saturday, June 10, 2023.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the County’s Idaho Liquor Catering Permit for MickDuf’s Inc. for catering a Mountain Mafia event to be held on Saturday, June 10, 2023. Chairman Bertling yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
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TIM BERTLING, Chairman
ATTEST:
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GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk