***Monday, November 23, 2020, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Walt Kirby (via conference call), 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 Randy Morris and Renee Nelson joined the meeting via conference call to give the department report. A written report was provided. Ms. Nelson spoke of having conducted hearing tests for Road and Bridge and Solid Waste Department employees. Ms. Nelson mentioned having email problems and Commissioners said they learned that when Road and Bridge is working with Planning and Zoning and the county mapper and whole files are being sent via email, it eats up the capacity for storage. Chairman Dinning said he met with Ruen-Yeager last week and they’re going to look at ways to fix the problem, such as using the drop box or other systems. Ms. Nelson explained that her email says to make sure the trash bin is empty and to delete emails that are not needed, but she saves emails in a file as she isn’t certain what she can delete. Chairman Dinning said emails that Commissioners get, with the exception of junk emails, are either printed so they have a hard copy or the emails are saved in a designated email file folder.
Ms. Nelson said when Commissioners get the utility easement deed from the City of Bonners Ferry finalized as it pertains to the gravel pit in Moyie Springs, she will need a copy for the Road and Bridge gravel pit file. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners need to write a letter for work EL Internet is doing as it pertains to the Idaho CARES Act Broadband Grant.
It was said the matter involving an easement for the Union Pacific Railroad siding project is almost done.
Chairman Dinning commented that County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull is aware of the concrete pad issue. Ms. Nelson mentioned Road and Bridge is also still working on the matter involving Lions Den Road.
Ms. Nelson commented that she has been in contact with John Deere about financing for a road grader that’s to be purchased via piggyback bid and they are still working on the financial documents.
Mr. Morris said Road and Bridge has been working on normal maintenance. Work on Chisholm Hill Road should be completed this week. Salt brine is being used on the hills.
Chairman Dinning informed Road and Bridge that if employees have to be quarantined, but they are not ill, they can work from home or come in to work in the evening. A large number of demand claims were received from the Road and Bridge Department so if someone is at home quarantining, they can come in during the evening to catch up.
The Road and Bridge Department report ended at 9:10 a.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign Certificate of Residency for Malia Berry. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the amended Aircraft Storage Hangar Lease with All Sports Aviation LLC., for hangar C2. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners said Clerk Poston has to send a letter to the Coronavirus Financial Advisory Committee (CFAC) detailing the county’s costs that qualify for the Governor’s Justice and Public Safety grant of $1,300,000.00 that went to taxpayers, most of it as a credit on their tax bill. There is a letter that says for all of those costs that qualified from the period of March 1, 2020 to September 30, 2020, the county would have to prove that its costs exceeded the amount of $1,300,000.00. Chairman Dinning said we did prove that as our cost is a little more than $1,400,000.00 and this report also contains payroll dates.
Commissioner Kirby moved to sign the letter to the Coronavirus Financial Advisory Committee pertaining to expenses that qualify for the Governor’s Justice and Public Safety grant. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Dinning said the county paid the yearly fee for the Idaho Department of Lands Land Use Permit for Section 16 as it pertains to 9B Trails, but a new contract has not been received.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the new Idaho Department of Lands Land Use Permit for the Section 16 trail project once it’s been prepared. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
(Clerk’s note: it was learned that no new contract is needed as the existing contract has a five year term)
Clerk Poston informed Commissioners that nothing new has come in as far as projects associated with the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Broadband grant.
9:30 a.m., Sheriff Dave Kramer joined the meeting via conference call.
County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull contacted Commissioners via conference call at 9:32 a.m.
Sheriff Kramer stated that the jail has had ongoing plumbing issues with nickel and dime costs over the years when having to find new controls, gauges, etc., so he would like to have a company that deals with correctional facilities come up to look at what needs replaced and fixed so he can plan for the next budget year. Sheriff Kramer further explained that he found a company that provides fittings, parts, etc., for correctional facility systems and they put him in touch with another company out of Spokane that is currently working on a jail in Whitman County. Sheriff Kramer asked if Commissioners would consider having this company conduct a walk-through of the plumbing system. Chairman Dinning said for clarification that the county is not committing to anything and it’s not a request for proposals so he thinks Sheriff Kramer can just go ahead and have this company come up to look at what’s needed. Attorney Hull added that if the work is less than $50,000.00, the county is still in good shape and we can just get it done. It was said the company would come up and just provide an estimate of costs; not make the repairs. Jail Sergeant Bryant Brown explained issues the jail has experienced with plumbing. Drainage in the laundry and kitchen areas had been fixed some years ago. Sheriff Kramer said he will get an estimate and go from there.
Sheriff Kramer’s call ended at 9:38 a.m.
Clerk Poston asked about borrowing from the county’s landfill trust account for the roll off truck Mr. Skeen is looking to purchase. Attorney Hull said he started research on that topic and he mentioned matters regarding leases and appropriation clauses, but that is not the issue as it pertains to the landfill closure account so he’s still looking into that.
Attorney Hull said he would send a letter to Garvin William’s attorney giving them to January 1, 2021, as it pertains to the concrete slab.
Attorney Hull explained details pertaining to the airport ground-hangar lease and how he questioned certain statements in the lease that don’t need to be included pertaining to lease increases and arbitration, etc., so those statement were removed as they are contradictory.
The call to Attorney Hull ended at 9:50 a.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign Certificates of Residency for Jessica Collett and Naomi Collet. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Request for Reimbursement No. 6 and Invoice Summary for Airport Improvement Project #3-16-0004-017-2020. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Request for Reimbursement No. 4 and Invoice Summary for Airport Improvement Project #3-16-0004-018-2020. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to cancel taxes for year 2020 totaling $2.58 for parcel #MH005200020070A as this is a camp trailer that will be licensed in the future. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to nominate Mark Bair as Member-at-Large to the GEM Plan Board of Trustees. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Boundary Ambulance Service Board Chair Nancy Russell and Boundary Ambulance Service Chief Jeff Lindsey joined the meeting via conference call.
10:02 a.m., Commissioner Cossairt moved to recess as the Board of Boundary County Commissioners and reconvene as the Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
*Please see Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board meeting minutes*
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 Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
The call with Ms. Russell and Chief Lindsey ended.
Clerk Poston informed Commissioners that she had received a request from the Prosecutor’s Office for various items to include web cameras, laptops, docking station, etc., totaling approximately $8,700.00 and they want to apply for Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to cover the costs. Clerk Poston said this request had items that may not qualify for CARES Act funding and she added that she was disappointed that these items were just ordered and she was not made aware it. Clerk Poston said she doesn’t think some items will qualify for funding. Clerk Poston commented that some of the items purchased should come out of the Prosecutor’s budget as other offices had ordered computers as well and they were paid for by that department’s budget. It was said the amount of approximately $4,500.00 would need to come out of the Prosecutor’s budget. Clerk Poston explained that the county’s request for coverage through the CARES Act does go through the vetting process. Commissioners said they would authorize the amount of approximately $4,500.00.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the Prosecutor’s purchase of items in the amount of approximately $4,500.00 for items that would not be submitted for reimbursement through the CARES Act. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Dinning stated for the record that Commissioners will continue the motion regarding the adoption of the resolution for Tamarack Road/Tamarack Drive and signing the Public Right-of-Way Deed until approximately 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
11:00 a.m., Boundary County Emergency Manager Andrew O’Neel joined the meeting via conference call to raise questions regarding the process of updating and maintaining the county website. Commissioners explained that each office is responsible for updating its own webpage, but there are certain areas that Mike Listman with Tech Partner updates. Mr. O’Neel mentioned that he would send Mr. Listman an email about hosting another training on updating the county’s webpages.
Chairman Dinning stepped out of the office at 11:02 a.m. due to a conflict of interest.
Commissioner Kirby moved to appoint Commissioner Cossairt Acting Chairman in the absence of Chairman Dinning. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Kirby moved to adopt Resolution 2021-1. A resolution regarding the acceptance of county right-of-way commonly known as Tamarack Lane and Tamarack Drive. Acting Chairman Cossairt yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously. Resolution 2021-1 reads as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 2021-1
ACCEPTANCE OF COUNTY RIGHT-OF-WAY COMMONLY
KNOWN AS TAMARACK LANE and TAMARACK DRIVE
WHEREAS, on January 15, 1960, a Quit Claim Deed was signed by Donald Shively and recorded as Instrument #82643, releasing and forever quit claiming to Boundary County, its heirs and assigns, all that certain lot, piece or parcel of land, situate, laying and being in Boundary County, State of Idaho, bounded and particularly described as follows, to wit:
Beginning at a point which is 432 feet West of the Northeast corner of the Southwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of Section 34, Township 62 North, Range 1 East, of the Boise Meridian; thence South 160 feet to a point; thence West 333 feet to a point; thence North 28 feet to a point; thence East 300 feet to a point; thence North 132 feet to a point, thence East 33 feet to a point of beginning.
WHEREAS, no documentation has been located by Boundary County determining the Board of County Commissioners of Boundary County, Idaho, have ever officially dedicated a use for this property, accepted the use as a right-of-way, or found any records showing this area was maintained by Boundary County. Provided, however, the Commissioners were aware of the historical use of the property as access to property owners in the County; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County of Commissions of Boundary County, Idaho, have been requested to make a determination as to the use of this property; and
WHEREAS, Commissioners held public hearing on October 5, 2020, after advertisement in the Bonners Ferry Herald for the required number of publications, to discuss the proposed use of this right-of-way and accept public input; and
WHEREAS, a second public hearing was held on November 16, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. in the Extension Annex for the purpose of continued discussion and subsequent decision made by Commissioners to declare this piece of property as a right-of-way for public ingress and egress; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of County Commissioners of Boundary County, Idaho, that said right-of-way, commonly known as Tamarack Lane and Tamarack Drive, is hereby acknowledged by Boundary County as a public right-of-way for ingress and egress.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, that this Resolution and the exhibits attached hereto be recorded in the records of Boundary County as a public right-of-way.
DATED this 23rd day of November, 2020.
BOARD OF BOUNDARY COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
s/_________________________________
WALLY COSSAIRT, Acting Chairman
s/_________________________________
WALT KIRBY, Commissioner
ATTEST:
STATE OF IDAHO, )
)ss.
County of Boundary, )
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk/Record
Boundary County
By:s/____________________________
Clerk
Recorded as instrument #284402
Commissioner Kirby moved to sign the Public Right-of-Way Deed for Tamarack Lane and Tamarack Drive. Acting Chairman Cossairt yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Dinning returned to the meeting at 11:03 a.m.
Mr. O’Neel informed Commissioners that he’s still waiting for the application for the Emergency Management performance COVID-19 Supplemental grant. Commissioners were also informed that Boundary Community Hospital has set up a drive through testing area for COVID-19 and has a team for administering these tests.
The call with Mr. O’Neel ended at 11:06 a.m.
11:07 a.m., Commissioner Cossairt moved to recess as the Boundary County Board of Commissioners and to reconvene as the Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
*Please see Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board meeting minutes*
11:09 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 Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners recessed until their meeting at 11:30 a.m. to tour the local North Idaho College office.
11:30 a.m. Chairman Dinning, Commissioner Cossairt and Clerk Poston visited the local North Idaho College office and classrooms.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at noon.
_______________________________________
DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
ATTEST:
__________________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk