Monday, May 20, 2024, 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.
Solid Waste Department Superintendent Richard Jenkins joined the meeting.
Gregory Lamberty joined the meeting.
9:00 a.m., Commissioners held a meeting to open quotes for baling the metal pile at the main landfill. Present were: Commissioners, Clerk Poston, Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser, Solid Waste Department Superintendent Richard Jenkins, and Gregory Lamberty. The meeting was recorded. Three sealed quotes were received. Sutton Salvage provided a quote of $130.00 per ton owed to Boundary County and also provided a performance bond. The bid from Pacific Steel and Recycling was $126.00 per ton and the bid from Western Metals Recycling was $65.00 per ton. The bid decision was continued to this afternoon at 2:30 p.m. to allow Mr. Jenkins time to review the bids.
The bid/quote opening ended at 9:06 a.m.
Mr. Jenkins and Commissioners discussed needing to hire a contractor to drain water away from the landfill office.
Commissioner Robertson moved to accept Option 2 from Selkirk Sealcoat for work done to redirect water away from the main landfill office for a total of $14,809.00. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Jenkins inquired about the Link-Belt equipment that a bidder has yet to pick up from storage. It’s been quite some time, so the county will probably take it back and try to sell it again.
Mr. Jenkins left the meeting at 9:11 a.m.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve minutes of April 29 & 30, 2024 and May 13 & 14, 2024. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners and Clerk Poston briefly discussed the proposed project of the food waste composting system.
Commissioner Robertson moved to approve the New Private Road Name Request Form for Rope Swing Drive. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
9:33 a.m., County Civil Attorney Bill Wilson contacted Commissioners via telephone to provide an update on various projects he’s working on, to include drafting a proposed ordinance to allow for 15 horsepower motors on Robinson Lake. Attorney Wilson said he feels the language is good, but feels the Waterways Advisory Board should review the draft before Commissioners make a decision.
Attorney Wilson reviewed the second issue he’s working on being the railroad easement pertaining to a proposed trail. The old easement information was located. There had been prior discussion between the City of Bonners Ferry and 9B Trails a few years ago about this. The railroad had offered an easement to them, but it would have cost $25,000.00 and 9B Trails could not finance it. Attorney Wilson said if the easement offer that is more recent is on the table, it would be a good idea to set up a meeting and all parties involved could get together to discuss a cost share agreement, and then get back to the railroad company to see if they want to execute that agreement. If Commissioners agree, Attorney Wilson said he would go back to City’s Prosecutor about setting up a meeting with the county, city, and 9B Trails to exchange information and ideas. If there is no existing easement across that location, we would need to negotiate for that, but it doesn’t seem to be insurmountable.
Attorney Wilson he has not heard back from Three Mile Auction about the Link-Belt equipment that a member of the public purchased from the county in an auction, but never claimed it. The county has given this person every benefit they possibly could. Attorney Wilson said he will send a letter to the buyer who failed to pick up this property, and let them know the county will attempt to sell it again. The county will consider the initial offer void.
Commissioner Cossairt asked about the ability to establish an addressing system from the Kootenai River and Attorney Wilson said the county will need to reach out to the Army Corps of Engineers about the ability to do that.
The call to Attorney Wilson ended at 9:43 a.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Exhibit A Cooperative Law Enforcement Annual Operating Plan and Financial Plan between the Boundary County Sheriff Department and the USDA, Forest Service Idaho Panhandle National Forest for patrol activities. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Boundary Security Service Agreement for the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Lamberty left the meeting at 9:56 a.m.
9:56 a.m., Boundary Ambulance Service Chief Jeff Lindsey joined the meeting.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to recess as the Boundary County Board of Commissioners and convene as the Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board meeting minutes for April 15, 2024. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners and Chief Lindsey discussed the results of the two mud bogs over Mother’s Day weekend. Chief Lindsey gave Commissioners a tour of the new ambulance units.
10:20 a.m., Commissioner Cossairt moved to adjourn as the Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board and to reconvene as the Boundary County Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties until their next meeting.
10:27 a.m., Burt Wolff stopped by the meeting.
10:30 a.m., Kootenai Tribe of Idaho Administrative Director/ Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative (KVRI) Facilitator Theresa Wheat joined the meeting. Bonners Ferry District Forest Ranger Kevin Knauth joined the meeting via telephone. Mr. Knauth and Ms. Wheat updated Commissioners on Forest Service and KVRI projects.
Ms. Wheat and Mr. Knauth ended at 10:42 a.m.
Mr. Wolff spoke to Commissioners about the status of one of his older hangars at the airport in relation to the request to have it torn down.
Mr. Wolff left the meeting at 10:50 a.m.
11:00 a.m., Panhandle Health District Director Don Duffy, Financial Officer Christine Crummer, and Environmental and Health Protection Administrator Erik Ketner joined the meeting to discuss the proposed fiscal year 2025 Panhandle Health District budget.
Mr. Duffy said this meeting is to familiarize Commissioners with the budget for the Health District. Chairman Bertling will chair the upcoming Panhandle Health District budget hearing. Ms. Crummer reviewed the following budget details with Commissioners: county funding and the proposed fiscal year proposed budget. Ms. Crummer clarified that the Health District is not asking for more county support this year. The Health District’s budget is less than the prior year’s budget by $900,000.00 due to seven grants that did not renew. The offset is salary and wages, according to Ms. Crummer. Ms. Crummer reviewed pay increases for the Health District employees, the increase of operating expenditures, capital expenditures for improvements, and proposed budget revenues. Ms. Crummer said the total budget is $12,079,000.00. Those present reviewed population and valuation changes in relation to the various five northern counties. Ms. Crummer said this information comes from the census and the State Tax Commission. Boundary County’s contribution has increased this year by $702.00.
Overall revenues were higher than anticipated, but actual interest was higher than anticipated. Commissioner Robertson asked funding related questions of Ms. Crummer. Ms. Crummer spoke of having investment funds and the ability to move them from the operating fund to the investment fund or if cash is needed, they can move funds out of the account into the general account. The second fund is reserved for board committed funds, such as committing to put certain amount in specific categories, according to Ms. Crummer. Interest is retained in those two funds now.
Ms. Crummer spoke of having a reduced employee budget due to having less full-time employees. Mr. Duffy explained that they operate on grants, so they do let employees know that if the three-year grant is not renewed, their position may go away. Ms. Crummer said another grant that has reduced is a COVID grant. The Health District is still seeing the effects of that and a wind down in that. This district is the only district in the state that did not renew the COVID grant.
The meeting with Mr. Duffy, Mr. Ketner and Ms. Crummer ended at 11:20 a.m.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
Commissioners recessed for lunch at noon.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Bertling, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Ben Robertson, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
1:30 p.m., Road and Bridge Department Superintendent Brad Barton and Assistant Superintendent Adam Ryals joined the meeting to give the department report. Mr. Barton and Mr. Ryals reviewed work being done and topics of discussion as listed in the written report. Topics of discussion included probationary period for new employees, issues with the distributer truck value, having two employees respond when there is a late-night call, Peak Sand and Gravel access to Pit 1 in relation to MSHA and liability. Chairman Bertling said he would want Peak to pay for half of the survey if the county is going to give them a 20-foot access.
Mr. Barton informed Commissioners that they were approached by someone who inquired if the county would want to sell property on the east side of Fitzpatrick Road. Chairman Bertling said even if the county did agree to sell property, it would need to be surveyed and offered for sale at public auction, so it wouldn’t necessarily be sold to that person. Commissioners decided they’re not ready to sell a piece of the property.
County Prosecutor Andrakay Pluid joined the meeting.
The meeting with Mr. Barton and Mr. Ryals ended at 2:00 p.m.
Prosecutor Pluid said the position of Chief Deputy Prosecutor-Criminal was advertised in January 2024, at a wage of $90,000.00 and she received only two applications. Prosecutor Pluid explained circumstances as to why these two applicants would not work. Prosecutor Pluid said she’s hearing across the board that it will take more funds to encourage someone to apply. Shoshone County still has third position available and a new law graduate turned this position down when it was for an amount higher than $90,000.00. The amount of $98,000.00 is commensurate with what public defenders in the counties are earning right now, so increasing this position’s wage to $98,000.00 may be more enticing as compared to $90,000.00 being a lateral move. Commissioners said they had no issues increasing the wage to $98,000.00.
Those present discussed matters pertaining to public defender changes coming up.
The meeting with Prosecutor Pluid ended at 2:15 p.m.
2:30 p.m., Solid Waste Department Superintendent Richard Jenkins joined the meeting for the decision on the quotes/bids for baling the metal pile at the landfill. Present were: Commissioners, Clerk Poston, Deputy Clerk Rohrwasser and Mr. Jenkins. The quote from Sutton Salvage was $130.00 per ton owed to Boundary County and was the high bid.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to accept the bid from Sutton Salvage totaling $130.00 per ton owed to Boundary County for baling metal at the landfill. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Robertson moved to sign the Independent Contractor Agreement with Sutton Salvage. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting with Mr. Jenkins ended at 2:33 p.m.
There being no further business, the meeting recessed until tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.
***Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session at the County Annex with Chairman Tim Bertling Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Ben Robertson, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
9:00 a.m., Commissioners held an elected officials/department heads meeting. Present were: Chairman Tim Bertling, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Ben Robertson, Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser, Veterans Service Officer Ron Self, Planning and Zoning Administrator Ben Jones, Road and Bridge Office Assistant Shelby Hooper, Assessor Olivia Drake, Sheriff Dave Kramer, Treasurer Jenny Economu, Coroner Chad Workman, Solid Waste Superintendent Richard Jenkins, Extension Educator Amy Robertson, Emergency Manager Andrew O’Neel, Restorium Administrator Janay Smith, and Personnel Director Pam Barton.
Chairman Bertling gave a reminder that reports of any on the job accidents or injuries need to be timely filed with the Clerk’s Office. Commissioner went around the room for department updates.
Ms. Barton further elaborated on needing to report accidents or injuries quickly.
The elected officials/department heads meeting ended at 9:20 a.m.
9:20 a.m., University of Idaho Extension Educator Amy Robertson met with Commissioners to update them on the various University of Idaho Extension programs being offered and coming up. The meeting with Ms. Robertson ended at 9:35 a.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the amended Federal Aviation Administration Request for Reimbursement #34 and Summary Sheet for Airport Improvement Project #3-16-0004-017-2020 for the environmental study/Phase II Environmental Assessment. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
10:00 a.m., Commissioner held a tax deeded property auction for delinquent 2020 taxes. Present were: Chairman Bertling, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Ben Roberson, Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser, Treasurer Jenny Economu, and the following members of the public: Linda Chaney, Gary Chaney, Russ Maas, Cindy Maas, Chad Iacolucci, Matt Greenway, Raymond Philpott, Jason Thompson, Brian Reeves, David Bennett, Casey West, Ron Sukenik, and Lisa Gates. Participating via conference call was James Holtzclaw, Jacob Francom, and James Scheller. The auction was recorded.
Chairman Bertling reviewed the rules and procedures for the auction process and explained when the successful bidder must have the amount due in full to the county.
Property # Legal Description Prior Owner
Property #1 Part of NW4 SW4 Lying Glen David Moyer
N & W of Hwy
Sec 29 T65N R2E
Parcel #RP65N02E295570A
Approximate Acreage: 0.605
Located approximately 22 miles northeast of Bonners Ferry, Idaho city limits
The minimum bid for Property #1 was $5,895.45. The successful bidder was Matt Greenway who provided a bid of $5,895.45.
Property #2 Tax 19, W2 NE4; Less N2 NW4 NE4, Enlightened Living, LLC
SE4 NW4 NE4 Tax 20 & 32
Sec 24 T61N R1W
Parcel #RP61N01W240157A
Approximate Acreage: 24.390
Located approximately 6.7 miles southwest of Bonners Ferry, Idaho city limits
The minimum bid for Property #2 was $3,787.84. The successful bidder was Jason Thompson who provided a bid of $50,000.00.
Property #3 NE4 NW4 NE4 Enlightened Living, LLC
Sec 24 T61N R1W
Parcel #RP61N01W240600A
Approximate Acreage: 10.000
Located approximately 6.5 miles southwest of the Bonners Ferry, Idaho city limits
The minimum bid for Property #3 was $2516.81. The successful bidder was Jason Thompson who provided a bid of $22,000.00.
Property #4 SE4 NW4 NE4 Enlightened Living, LLC
Sec 24 T61N R1W
Parcel #RP61N01W241050A
Approximate Acreage: 10.000
Located approximately 6.5 miles southwest of the Bonners Ferry, Idaho city limits
The minimum bid for Property #4 was $2837.32. The successful bidder was Jason Thompson who provided a bid of $12,000.00.
Property #5 E2 W2 SE4 Less Tax 1 Golden Sceptre Mining Co.
Sec 11 T65N R1W
Parcel #RP65N01W117811A
Approximate Acreage: 35.530
Located approximately 24 miles northwest of Bonners Ferry, Idaho city limits
The minimum bid for Property #5 was $3758.83. The successful bidder was Gary Chaney who provided a bid of $75,000.00.
Property #6 E2 NW4 NE4 Golden Sceptre Mining Co.
Sec 14 T65N R1W
Parcel #RP65N01W140610A
Approximate Acreage: 20.000
Located approximately 24 miles northwest of Bonners Ferry, Idaho city limits
The minimum bid for Property #6 was $2741.27. The successful bidder was Gary Chaney who bid $16,100.00.
The county tax deeded property auction ended at 10:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m., there being no further business, the meeting recessed until tomorrow at 2:30 p.m.
***Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at 2:30 p.m., Commissioners met in special session to discuss moisture issues in the Courthouse. Present were: Chairman Tim Bertling, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Ben Robertson, Clerk Glenda Poston, Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser, Trial Court Administrator Karlene Behringer, Boundary County Prosecuting Attorney Andrakay Pluid, and First Judicial District Court Judge Berecz.
Those present discussed moisture issues they’ve experienced in different areas of the Courthouse. Chairman Bertling said he contacted former Courthouse Maintenance person John Buckley and Mr. Buckley informed him that he never had issues with moisture in the Courthouse, but thinks the chimney should be looked into as a source of condensation. Judge Berecz spoke of needing to look at what can be done to move forward. It was said that Judge Julian has voiced concerns about health issues and Judge Berecz mentioned having experienced massive headaches when he comes to the Courthouse, which is uncommon for him. Judge Berecz added that he can also notice a smell in the district court chambers.
Prosecutor Pluid spoke of employees being affected and that is a concern and a liability and she commented about getting headaches while in the courtrooms. Ms. Behringer asked if there is another access point that could be made into the roof. Clerk Poston said she doesn’t know which way the roof supports run, but there is a closet that may provide an access point. Judge Berecz said there are no funds from the courts to mitigate mold, but Ms. Behringer was going to check into that. Ms. Behringer said she thought there might be a fund, even though counties are responsible for taking care of the courthouses. When the State of Idaho takes over the public defender contracts in October, that might free up substantial funds. Judge Berecz said to look at the short-term solution initially and then address a long-term solution. Those present questioned which rooms in the Courthouse have not been affected. Chairman Bertling said we should look at quotes for treating mold. Commissioner Robertson said he still thinks ventilation is a part of the solution. Clerk Poston mentioned that her staff had heard a loud bang inside the wall and wondered if a pipe broke. Commissioner Robertson said there was a heat value that was stuck and heat was constantly running for months and when that was fixed, there was still some residual, but the humidity did decrease.
The Courthouse roof was redone last year, the roofer did reseal around the chimney. Commissioner Robertson said he doesn’t think there is an external leak. Chairman Bertling said the test will be if moisture issues occur when it gets colder and the boiler is turned on again. Clerk Poston said if venting is the issue, she would hope to vent before treating the problem. Prosecutor Pluid spoke of needing to look at the timeline of being able to spray and updating Judge Julian on that timeline. We would also need to determine if an access hole needs to be cut in Judge Julian’s office ceiling in order to create venting, so he would need to know that schedule and when we would need to get into that space.
Those present toured the Courthouse to see where moisture issues were noticed.
The meeting ended at 3:30 p.m.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.
__________________________________
TIM BERTLING, Chairman
ATTEST:
_______________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk