***Monday, March 22, 2021, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
Commissioners gave the opening invocation and said the Pledge of Allegiance.
9:00 a.m., Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendents Renee Nelson and Randy Morris joined the meeting to give the department report. A written report was provided. Mr. Morris spoke of doing brushing and a lot of grading. Mr. Morris said Road and Bridge has utility locates on Lookout View Road, Pleasant Valley Loop, Round Mountain Road, Lions Den, and Gold Road.
Ms. Nelson commented that both the Boundary Area Transportation Team (BATT) and the Bonner County Area Transportation Team (BCATT) meetings have been canceled as most members of the transportation teams felt they would wait until April when they heard more from the legislators.
Ms. Nelson informed Commissioners that she did receive the financing option from Freightliner Northwest in addition to financing information from Columbia Bank. Chairman Dinning asked about interest rates and Ms. Nelson recalled one lender having a rate of 2.97% and the other lender has a rate of 2.99%. Ms. Nelson questioned, because the truck may not get here until the very end of the budget year and you have to get finance documents ready for the truck, would it be simpler just to finance through Freightliner Northwest? Ms. Nelson said she hasn’t yet received that opinion from County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull.
Ms. Nelson said she did get the finance document for the first CAT grader and sent it to Attorney Hull for review. The second agreement would come in May as that grader won’t go back until June. Ms. Nelson questioned if she could send CAT Commissioners’ draft minutes in order to move forward. Chairman Dinning suggested waiting and sending CAT an email that the county is just waiting for their attorney’s comments in order to move forward.
Those present reviewed 2020 Bridge Applications and Ms. Nelson explained that the list at the top consists of bridges on the Federal Aid routes and the list at the bottom consist of bridges that are not on the Federal Aid route. The Ruby Creek Bridge, being done this year, is not on that but the federal aid program covers this bridge. There are approximately four other bridge projects prior to the Myrtle Creek Bridge, according to Ms. Nelson. Ms. Nelson said this chart shows the dollar amounts as it puts it into perspective.
Those present discussed funding expected to come in for transportation. The estimate is $378,000.00 for one time surplus funds, according to Ms. Nelson. There are three more bills and one involves sales tax going to transportation, but that has not yet been approved and it would go through the highway distribution formula. It was said that the matter regarding possible bonding issues sounds like it isn’t going forward.
Ms. Nelson said she and Mr. Morris will attend the public hearing for the variance requested by Garvin Williams pertaining to the Farm to Market Road matter.
Ms. Nelson said Idaho Asphalt offered a piggy back bid for CMS-2P and Durapatch oil and this year, due to so many roads falling apart, Road and Bridge is asking for Durapatch oil. This oil is available and they sent Road and Bridge a quote based on last year, which is $415.00 per ton. Ms. Nelson questioned if Commissioners had an issue if she signed for the oil and Commissioners said they didn‘t mind.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to accept the quote from Idaho Asphalt Supply for Durapatch oil at a cost of $415.00 per ton. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Dinning informed Ms. Nelson that County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull just sent an email reply that after reviewing the Freightliner Northwest and Columbia Bank finance documents, Columbia Bank has a better option.
The meeting with Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris ended at 9:27 a.m.
9:34 a.m., County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull joined the meeting via conference call.
Commissioner Cossairt 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 Bertling second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Bertling “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 9:38 a.m. No action was taken.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Award of 2021 State General Fund Cost Share Funds for the Selkirk Cooperative Weed Management Award for the Boundary County Noxious Weeds Department. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Dinning said he plans on getting copies of the Planning and Zoning ordinances to County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull in order to go through them. Years ago when people split land, whether or not it should’ve been done, the property owner would go to the Planning and Zoning Administrator and get that permission, but now we’re going back and reissuing permits from some time ago and that is taking time. There has been discussion about potentially setting a particular date for a point in time and to go forward from there, but we need to look at all Planning and Zoning ordinances that were passed since Ordinance #99-6. Chairman Dinning said with these ordinances we can chase down the most recent approved zoning map and see where Commissioners did approve changes. Chairman Dinning questioned what the next easiest way would be to help straighten this out, questioning if it would be the zoning map. Chairman Dinning added that Attorney Hull had mentioned that Commissioners will have to rely heavily on County Mapper Olivia Drake as it pertains to the zoning map.
Attorney Hull briefly mentioned having provided a response to Clerk Poston regarding a records request she had received.
The call with Attorney Hull ended.
Chief Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals joined the meeting at 9:45 a.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to deny indigent case 2021-7. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chief Deputy Clerk Ryals left the meeting at 9:50 a.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality Wastewater Grant Agreement amendment. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners questioned the amount of the Environmental Quality Wastewater Grant Agreement amendment and decided to leave a message for Boundary County Economic Development Council Director Dennis Weed to get more information.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the amended plat for T. Bertling. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Bertling “abstained.” Motion passed.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to write and send a letter of support to the Governor’s Office in support of a Fish and Game Commission applicant when the letter is ready. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve and sign Commissioner meeting minutes for the weeks of March 8, 2021 and March 15, 2021. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners decided to continue their discussion regarding possibly ending COVID-19 sick leave hours for county employees until next week. Clerk Poston clarified that the Idaho Supreme Court mask mandate pertaining to courthouses is still in place so this discussion just pertains to county employees and sick time. It was said that county employees have been given multiple opportunities to get the vaccine.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to adopt Resolution 2021-8A, amending Resolution 2021-8 due to a clerical error, authorizing the disposition of records of Boundary County Assessor’s Motor Vehicle Licensing Office. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously. Resolution 2021-8A reads as follows:
RESOLUTION 2021-8A
A RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION 2021-8 DUE TO A CLERICAL ERROR, AUTHORIZING THE DISPOSITION OF RECORDS OF BOUNDARY COUNTY ASSESSOR’S MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSING OFFICE
WHEREAS, the Boundary County Assessor’s Office is currently storing old records of Boundary County; and
WHEREAS, due to lack of storage space, the Boundary County Assessor’s Office has requested permission to dispose of old records; and
WHEREAS, the Boundary County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has advised the Board of Boundary County Commissioners regarding the classification of such records pursuant to Idaho Code 31-871; and
WHEREAS, a motion was duly made, seconded and unanimously carried,
WHEREAS, Resolution 2021-8 was adopted, signed and recorded prior to realizing that date of the initial adoption and the date of the Prosecuting Attorney’s review were not listed; and
WHEREAS, this Resolution 2021-8A amends Resolution 2021-8 in listing the date of adoption and Prosecuting Attorney review; and
IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that the following records be classified and disposed of as follows:
The following records have been deemed temporary by the Boundary County Commissioners on the advice of the County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and temporary records must be kept for a minimum of two years. The following records are to be shredded:
Temporary:
End of month reports 2016 through 2018
Cleared Payport reports 2016 through 2018
Registration receipts 2018
Regularly passed and approved this 23rd of March, 2021.
COUNTY OF BOUNDARY COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
s/_________________________
DAN DINNING, Chairman
s/_________________________
WALLY COSSAIRT, Commissioner
s/_________________________
TIM BERTLING, Commissioner
Originally reviewed by and on advice of Prosecuting Attorney this 23rd day of March, 2021.
s/__________________________
Andrakay Pluid
Prosecuting Attorney
ATTEST:
s/___________________________________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners
Recorded as instrument #286131
Commissioners recessed until their next meeting at 11:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m., Commissioner Cossairt 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 Bertling second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Bertling “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 11:47 a.m. No action was taken.
Boundary County Economic Development Council Director Dennis Weed contacted Commissioners via conference call.
Commissioners said the county received the grant amendment from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) showing a total of $65,000.00, which includes the amount of $5,000.00. Mr. Weed said he was requesting $40,000.00. Mr. Weed added that he submitted the entire amount and DEQ will decide what they will accept, but he will contact Charlie Parkins with DEQ about it. Chairman Dinning commented that he will hold off on submitting the grant agreement for $5,000.00 until he hears back from Mr. Weed.
The call to Mr. Weed ended at 11:53 a.m.
There being no further business, the meeting recessed until tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.
***Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
9:00 a.m., Commissioners held an elected officials/department heads meeting via conference call. Participating in the meeting were: Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Clerk Glenda Poston, Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser, Assessor Dave Ryals, Prosecutor Andrakay Pluid, Sheriff Dave Kramer, Treasurer Sue Larson, University of Idaho Extension Educator Amy Robertson, Solid Waste Department Office Manager Richard Jenkins, Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee, Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendents Renee Nelson and Randy Morris, Noxious Weeds Department Superintendent Dave Wenk, Veterans Service Officer Ron Self, Emergency Manager Andrew O’Neel, and Deputy Clerk/Personnel Director Pam Barton.
Commissioners said the county is getting ready to work on budgets for this next year. Clerk Poston commented that she’s getting information prepared and she might be able to get that information out to departments in about the next two weeks. Budgets are due back to Clerk Poston in May.
Clerk Poston said as far as loss revenues associated with COVID-19, if a department head or elected official notices a loss of revenue for their department, send her an email explaining why they think they lost revenue and she will compile that information as the county is to receive funds for lost revenue.
Chairman Dinning said Commissioners don’t yet know what the legislature is going to do to counties pertaining to property taxes.
Chairman Dinning said there had been a prior rush of personal packages being delivered to the Courthouse by UPS or FED Ex and there is starting to be an uptick again, so please send personal packages to another address.
Commissioners commented that they are going to get a date at some point for ending COVID-19 related time off as we’re to that point and vaccines have been offered to employees.
Chairman Dinning reminded those on the call that the county is here to serve the public and even though some people can be difficult, we need to be mindful of serving the public.
Commissioners went around the room for office updates.
Assessor Ryals said he had no changes and is office is finishing the revaluations.
Prosecutor Pluid said she had nothing to report.
Sheriff Kramer commented that the Sheriff’s Office received a funding award through Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) so he will look into purchasing night vision equipment.
Sheriff Kramer said new COVID-19 funding is coming in. Chairman Dinning said the State of Idaho is receiving funding and he thinks there will be direct funds sent to counties, but there are restrictions as to what those funds can be used for. Chairman Dinning said he’s hearing that there are some people in the legislature with influence who are looking to limit sales tax and revenue sharing monies because counties are getting a windfall that the legislature doesn’t get to control.
Treasurer Larson said her office will send out tax reminders at the end of next month.
Ms. Robertson said everything is going well at the Extension Office and she mentioned the plan for holding the youth summer camp again. Ms. Robertson mentioned the Extension Office has classes going now and it’s going well.
Mr. Jenkins said Pacific Steel and Recycling has finished baling the metal pile and the estimated tonnage is over 1,300 tons that was hauled away. Mr. Jenkins added that he hopes to get the final numbers for tonnage at the end of this week and get the final payment. Mr. Wenk asked Mr. Jenkins if there are plans to open the monitored dumpster sites. Mr. Jenkins said Mr. Skeen is looking into a second roll off truck to accommodate opening the monitored sites, but he doesn’t know of any final plans as of this moment.
Ms. Magee commented that residents at the Restorium are healthy at this time. Chairman Dinning asked if there is any indication of when in-person visits will be allowed at the Restorium. Ms. Magee said if all COVID-19 tests come back negative, the Restorium will be able to have some in-person visits.
Mr. Morris said Road and Bridge has been processing a lot of permits and doing brushing. Mr. Morris commented that Road and Bridge is looking for a new secretary.
Mr. Wenk spoke of a reseeding program and the Neighborhood Coop Program.
Ms. Barton commented to those participating in the meeting that the county has to do preliminary testing prior to hiring a new employee and that those original records need to be brought to the Clerk’s Office to retain.
Mr. Self said his office is doing great. The State of Idaho Veterans Service Officer will be coming to Boundary County this week.
Mr. O’Neel provided an update on COVID-19 and he said Boundary County is seeing one case of COVID-19 per day. Mr. O’Neel explained that these occurrences are occurring in clusters. The stage for vaccines is stage 3, which is for anyone aged 55 or older. There are now five local providers administering the COVID-19 vaccines. Mr. O’Neel commented that 23% of county residents have had at least one dose of the vaccine. The Panhandle Health District Board of Health is having a meeting and on the agenda is the matter of the mask mandate. Chairman Dinning said whoever wants a vaccine, have that person get their name on the list and they will be contacted. Mr. O’Neel explained that a person can pre-register for the COVID-19 vaccine on Panhandle Health District’s website, even if that age group is not ready.
The elected officials/department heads meeting ended at 9:19 a.m.
The department reports for the Noxious Weeds Department and Veterans Service Office were cancelled as matters for those offices were covered during the elected officials/department heads meeting.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Certificates of Residency for Bailey Myers and Jayden Attaway. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to go into executive session for the time of 10:30 a.m., 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 Bertling second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Bertling “aye”. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
9:38 a.m., County Mapper Olivia Drake joined the meeting at Commissioners’ request.
Chairman Dinning said per his recollection, the county worked on the zoning map in the mid 2000 years or earlier when the City of Bonners Ferry area of impact was renegotiated and he knows the county has done at least two amendments since former Planning and Zoning Administrator John Moss was employed by the county. Chairman Dinning said the county needs to locate the signed zoning map for Ms. Drake and Planning and Zoning Administrator Clare Marley.
Ms. Drake left the meeting at 9:45 a.m.
10:00 a.m., Commissioners recessed until their next meeting at 10:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m., Commissioners went 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. The executive session ended at 11:45 a.m. No action was taken.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the electronic CARES Act funds for the Boundary County Airport for a total of $13,000.00. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners discussed a request from the Fair Board to increase the number of their board members from five to seven. Commissioners stated that it wasn’t that many years ago that the Fair Board requested the number of Fair Board members be decreased to five. Chairman Dinning said the Fair Board can still get people to help them without having to be a board member. Commissioner Cossairt said the Fair Board needs to involve people without having them on the board. Chairman Dinning said the reason for the request is to have more people helping with the fair. Commissioner Bertling suggested leaving the number of Fair Board members the way it is and have the Fair Board try to involve people without increasing their numbers. Commissioners will send their response in writing to the Fair Board.
Commissioners recessed until their next meeting at 12:30 p.m.
12:30 p.m., Commissioner Cossairt 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 Bertling second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Bertling “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended. No action was taken.
There being no further business, Commissioners adjourned with the exception of participating in the Idaho Association of Counties legislative Zoom call for District 1 at 3:00 p.m.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
____________________________________
DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
Attest:
_______________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk