***Monday, November 30, 2020, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Walt Kirby, 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 via conference call to give the department report. A written report was provided. Mr. Morris spoke of putting up reflectors on Paradise Valley Road, doing ditch work on Ridgewood Road, tree removal on Roosevelt Road, and brushing on Herman Lake Road.
Ms. Nelson asked the status of the acceptance letter for Queens View Road. It was said that Commissioners had already made a motion earlier this year to sign the letter so they will take a look at it later this morning.
Commissioners asked about measures Road and Bridge is taking to help prevent COVID-19 and Ms. Nelson said their employees are keeping their distance from others and are wearing masks. There are still a couple of Road and Bridge employees who are out ill, according to Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris.
Chairman Dinning informed Mr. Morris and Ms. Nelson that Commissioners received a payment from Idaho Department of Lands totaling $1,400.00 that is associated with a performance bond refund for a direct sales on Lions Den Road. Ms. Nelson said she would look into it.
The meeting with Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris ended at 9:15 a.m.
Chairman Dinning raised a question about information he listed on the Local Taxing District Election Form for the Boundary County Ambulance Service District to verify that it was filled out correctly.
Those present addressed a letter Clerk Poston had submitted to Commissioners requesting that her employees receive an extension of time to use their vacation time and carry over hours that are in excess of 120. Clerk Poston clarified that she has never had to make this request before.
Commissioner Kirby moved to allow the Clerk’s Office employees to carry over their vacation time and carry over hours that are in excess of 120. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign Certificates of Residency for Thomas Hubbell, Eika Willis and Emma Lucas. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve and sign the minutes of November 9 & 10, 2020 and November 23 & 24, 2020. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Clerk Poston stated that there aren’t any State of Idaho Broadband Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Broadband Grant documents that need to be signed today.
Commissioner Kirby moved to appoint Jon Carlos to fill a position on the Waterways Board left vacant by Genny Hoyle with a term to expire January 2022. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners discussed a proposal to renew a contract with Ruen-Yeager & Associates for Planning and Zoning matters. This new contract is a continuation of what had been agreed to. The not to exceed amount is $30,000.00, and if that amount is exceeded, compensation will be on a monthly basis.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Ruen-Yeager & Associates Amended Agreement between Client and Consultant. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt said he would prefer to wait a couple months before committing to the agreement with Ruen-Yeager to see the number of hours it takes to do the work.
Commissioners said Planning and Zoning Administrator Claire Marley sent Commissioners correspondence stating that the Planning and Zoning Commission would like to switch their meeting dates to the fourth Thursday of every month so Commissioners will check with County Civil Attorney Hull to see if a change needs to be done by resolution. Commissioner Kirby said he didn’t have any issues with the dates changing.
Commissioners said they received a memorandum of agreement from the Probation Office for a program involving parents who have kids on probation. The program is called The Leveraging Evidence to Activate Parents Project (LEAP). This program will fund one iPad, provide funds of $250.00 and also provide program training for three Probation Office staff members. Chairman Dinning said County Civil Attorney Hull said the memorandum of agreement seems to be in order.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Memorandum of Understanding to support the Leveraging Evidence to Activate Parents project for the Probation Department. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull joined the meeting via conference call at 9:30 a.m.
Chairman Dinning asked Attorney Hull if he had learned of any information about the county’s ability to borrow from the landfill closure account. Attorney Hull said he needs one more week to learn about those rules and get back to Commissioners. Commissioner Kirby commented that the landfill’s roll off truck is down.
Commissioners updated Attorney Hull about the Planning and Zoning Commission wanting to change the date of their monthly meetings. Commissioners commented that they don’t have a problem with the change, but weren’t sure if the change needs to be done by resolution or by ordinance. Attorney Hull said he needs to check on that because if the dates of the Planning and Zoning Commission’s meetings are listed in the ordinance, then the change also needs to be done by ordinance so he will check.
Commissioner Kirby moved to extend the Professional Services Agreement with Hull and Associates for another two years for the period of January 2021 to January 2023 with Attorney Hull to receive any pay increase that county employees receive. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Attorney Hull informed Commissioners that he is still working on the matter involving Garvin Williams as well as other issues.
The call to Attorney Hull ended at 9:36 a.m.
Those present discussed the proper form to use as it pertains to employees taking time off associated with COVID-19.
10:00 a.m., Airport Manager Dave Parker joined the meeting.
Mr. Parker discussed wanting to change the amount of rent for the land space at the airport and whether or not the amount should be different between private hangars and commercial hangars. The rent amount used to be $.10 per square foot and it’s now $.13 per square foot. Mr. Parker said we have an opportunity to increase rates every so often and he added that he’s done research to learn what the airports in Libby and Eureka, Montana charge as well as what the airports in Sandpoint and Coeur d’ Alene charge and it ranges from $.07 to $.30. Mr. Parker said the Airport Board felt it was time to raise rates by $.02, which would increase rent to $.15 per square foot. Commissioner Kirby said if the rate is only $.15 for a four year period, we should ask for more of an increase now. It was said that there are some agreements with a $.02 increase every year. Mr. Parker said the way the agreement is written states that the county can increase the rate every three to four year period up to 30%, which would be 3.9 cents. Mr. Parker said the rate for the Libby Airport is $.07 per square foot. Priest River Airport’s rate is $.20 and they don’t have room for more hangars, according to Mr. Parker. The airports in Sandpoint and Coeur d’ Alene are getting to the point of almost being full as far as hangar expansion. Clerk Poston spoke of how the Airport Board cannot encumber a future Board of Commissioners in this case. Chairman Dinning mentioned asking Attorney Hull about this. Clerk Poston said at budget time we didn’t increase these rates as was done for various other agreements and a public hearing wouldn’t have to be held. Commissioner Cossairt said if the rates increased by $.02 per square foot over four years, it equates to approximately 14%. Mr. Parker said the Airport Board suggested making the rates the same for all leases, but Commissioners at the time didn’t agree. Chairman Dinning said he would like to get these leases on the same page, but Commissioners will need to talk to Attorney Hull about this, unless Idaho Code allows for this in this instance. The next Airport Board meeting is tomorrow, which is the first Tuesday of the month. It was said the county should look at inserting the annual increase into the lease agreement. Mr. Parker informed Commissioners that lease payments are due the first week of the following year. Commissioner Cossairt said if it’s allowed, it would be nice to include a yearly increase in the lease.
The meeting with Mr. Parker ended at 10:15 a.m.
Clerk Poston discussed matters related to COVID-19 related expenses.
Commissioners recessed for lunch at 10:20 a.m.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Walt Kirby (via telephone), Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
Kennon McClintock with The Nature Conservancy joined the meeting to provide Commissioners with an update on conservation easement projects. Governor Brad Little’s North Idaho Field Director Jake Garringer joined the meeting via conference call.
Mr. McClintock provided Commissioners with a map of the Boundary Connections II Forest Legacy Program projects. Mr. McClintock commented that there are just some small private lands to finish this project. The areas shown in dark green are Stimson and Hancock lands and those will probably be finished the end of this year. The areas in solid red are the small private lands that will probably close in July or August of next year. Other properties dropped out of this project, but other people added their lands instead. Mr. McClintock listed various people who have land in this project. There are approximately 2,000 acres of company ground and 600 acres of private ground. Chairman Dinning asked if there is anticipation of more projects in the future as there has to be places for people to live. Chairman Dinning added that this is his fear as this becomes only for the elite due to prices. Mr. McClintock explained exemptions that would allow housing on some properties that are in a conservation easement. Chairman Dinning questioned when is enough going to be enough and he added that he is aware that another property owner is including his property in this program so he’s concerned about conservation easements totaling 35,000 acres. It’s working forest land that is supporting the county, according to Mr. McClintock. Chairman Dinning talked about this program becoming a fine line.
The meeting with Mr. McClintock ended at 1:34 p.m.
Mr. Garringer ended his call.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
2:00 p.m., Sheriff’s Office Administrator Crystal Denton joined the meeting.
Ms. Denton informed Commissioners that Nez Perce County had been awarded a grant that provided for fiber connectivity for connection to other agencies. From there it will also include a connection that will finger out to counties, hospitals, colleges, etc., so Boundary County’s connection can reach Boise. The grant covers connection and hardware for Boundary County for three years and after that if Boundary County wants to cancel, there is no fee to the county. Ms. Denton explained that this provides for a backbone fiber connectivity for the State of Idaho. Chairman Dinning commented that he noticed this grant covers a monthly charge of $2,350.00 and if the county chooses to go forward after the term, this is the amount the county could have to pay.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Master Services Agreement and sign the Public Safety Communication Commission grant contract and associated documents for the Sheriff’s Office. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Denton left the meeting.
2:26 p.m., Sheriff Dave Kramer and Undersheriff Rich Stephens joined the meeting.
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 Kirby second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dan Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Wally Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Walt Kirby “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 3:00 p.m. No action was taken.
Sheriff Dave Kramer and Undersheriff Rich Stephens left the meeting.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.
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DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
ATTEST:
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GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk