***Monday, November 7, 2022, 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., Commissioners continued the Road and Bridge Department report to today at 4:00 p.m.
9:05 a.m., Commissioners contacted County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull via telephone.
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; and pursuant to Idaho Code 74-206(1)f, to communicate with legal counsel for the public agency to discuss the legal ramifications of and legal options for pending litigation, or controversies not yet being litigated but imminently likely to be litigated. 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 9:25 a.m. No action was taken.
Commissioners and Attorney Hull reviewed various matters that Attorney Hull is working on and reviewing for Commissioners.
Bonners Ferry Herald Staff Writer Emily Bonsant joined the meeting.
Chairman Dinning said Innovate has agreed to assist the County Planning and Zoning Office and Commissioners are just waiting to receive the quote. Attorney Hull is working with Road and Bridge and the Kootenai Tribe regarding possible fuel tax associated with the Tribe’s travel plaza. Chairman Dinning explained how the Tribe is doing this to help the community.
The call to Attorney Hull ended at 9:37 a.m.
Commissioner Bertling left the meeting at 9:39 a.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the meeting minutes of October 24 & 25, 2022. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Property Tax Cancellation form for tax year 2022 and to cancel tax totaling $499.76 for parcel #RP62N02E224805A since the homeowner’s exemption was received after the July abstract cutoff. Acting Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Property Tax Cancellation form for tax year 2022 and to cancel tax totaling $234.44 for parcel #RP62N01E153460A since the homeowner’s exemption was received after the July abstract cutoff. Acting Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Property Tax Cancellation form for tax year 2022 and to cancel tax totaling $119.58 for parcel #RP60N01W230751A since the homeowner’s exemption was received after the July abstract cutoff. Acting Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Property Tax Cancellation form for tax year 2022 and to cancel tax totaling $10.46 for parcel #MH60N01W23075AA since the homeowner’s exemption was received after the July abstract cutoff. Acting Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Property Tax Cancellation form for tax year 2022 and to cancel tax totaling $554.26 for parcel #RP62N02E326340A since the homeowner’s exemption was received after the July abstract cutoff. Acting Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Memorandum of Understanding between Boundary County and Boundary Volunteer Ambulance, Inc., regarding items purchased using ARPA funds. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to adopt Resolution 2023-10. A resolution increasing Airport fund budget due to transfer of funds from Auditor’s Trust as unanticipated revenue. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously. Resolution 2023-10 reads as follows:
RESOLUTION 2023-10
INCREASING THE AIRPORT FUND BUDGET
DUE TO TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM AUDITOR’S TRUST AS UNANTICIPATED REVENUE
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners, County of Boundary, State of Idaho, did establish an operating budget for the Boundary County Airport Budget for fiscal year 2022-2023, and
WHEREAS, Boundary County Airport has received $1,778.80 from the Auditor’s Trust, as reimbursement for work performed for Hangers at the Airport, and
WHEREAS, the Boundary County Airport Budget is in need of additional revenue for fiscal year 2022-2023, and
WHEREAS, the addition of this revenue does not affect the tax levy for Boundary County, and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to increase the Boundary County Airport Fund Revenue Account Number 03-00-0391-0000 and the Boundary County Airport Fund Budget Expense Account Number 03-00-0489-0000, Professional Services Other, in the amount of $1,778.80, and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to decrease the Boundary County Auditor Trust Fund Revenue Account Number #9101 and to increase Boundary County Airport Fund Budget, and
NOW THEREFORE, upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried,
IT IS RESOLVED, that the increase to the Boundary County Airport Fund Revenue Account Number 03-00-0391-0000 and the Boundary County Airport Fund Budget Expense Account Number 03-00-0489-0000, Professional Services- Other, in the amount of $1,778.80 is hereby authorized and ordered, and
IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk is instructed to deliver certified copies of this resolution to the Boundary County Treasurer and the Boundary County Auditor.
DATED this 7th day of November, 2022
COUNTY OF BOUNDARY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
s/____________________________
Dan R. Dinning, Chairman
s/____________________________
Wally Cossairt, Commissioner
Absent________________________
Tim Bertling, Commissioner
ATTEST:
s/______________________________________________
Glenda Poston, Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners
Recorded as instrument #293028
Commissioner Cossairt moved to adopt Resolution 2023-11. A resolution authorizing the disposition of records of the Boundary County Assessor’s Motor Vehicle Licensing . Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously. Resolution 2023-11 reads as follows:
RESOLUTION 2023-11
A RESOLUTION 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
NOW THEREFORE, upon motion duly made seconded and unanimously carried,
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 2019
Cleared Payport reports 2019
Registration receipts 2019
Regularly passed and approved on this 7th day of November, 2022.
COUNTY OF BOUNDARY COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
s/_________________________
DAN DINNING, Chairman
s/_________________________
WALLY COSSAIRT, Commissioner
Absent_____________________
TIM BERTLING, Commissioner
Reviewed by and on advice of Prosecuting Attorney this 1st day of November, 2022.
s/____________________________
Andrakay Pluid
Prosecuting Attorney
ATTEST:
s/_____________________________________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners
Recorded as instrument #293029
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign a Certificate of Residency for Jamie Osborne. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Idaho Office of Emergency Management 2020 COVID Supplemental Grant Adjustment Notice. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Idaho Office of Emergency Management 2022 State Homeland Security Grant Adjustment Notice. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to ratify the signing of the Medicare Retiree Plan Program through Regence Blue Shield as presented by Todd Bateman as it was a time sensitive matter. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Those present briefly discussed potential uses for the National Opioid Settlement Notice funds.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Findings and Decisions for Variance Applications 1-2023, 2-2023 and 3-2023 for Applicant Cabinet Mountain Water District as it pertains to variances for approach locations to Boundary County Road Standards Ordinance 2020-2. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Stimson Lumber Special Use Permit for snowmobile grooming and road brushing. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners and Clerk Poston reviewed ARPA maters. Clerk Poston said there are no new ARPA resolutions to adopt today. Approved ARPA funded projects include a generator, sally port, HVAC system, and remodel of the office formerly used by North Idaho College. Clerk Poston informed Commissioners that it will cost approximately $43,000.00 to bore under the highway to provide internet service at the former NIC building where the Extension Office will relocate. Commissioners need to approve the quote from Cabinets Northwest for new cabinets.
10:02 a.m., Former County Commissioner Lee Pinkerton joined the meeting.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to accept the contract with Cabinets Northwest for the removal and modification of existing cabinets and installation at the proposed new Extension Office totaling $10,978.00 using ARPA funds. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
9:58 a.m., Solid Waste Department Superintendent Claine Skeen joined the meeting.
Commissioners briefly visited with Mr. Pinkerton.
Ms. Bonsant and Mr. Pinkerton left the meeting at 10:11 a.m.
Mr. Skeen met with Commissioners to provide a Solid Waste Department report. Commissioners and Mr. Skeen reviewed landfill hours of operation.
The meeting with Mr. Skeen ended at 10:15 a.m.
Clerk Poston updated Commissioners on the amount of ARPA funds that have been allocated so far. They briefly discussed quotes they’re still waiting to receive for proposed projects.
10:24 a.m., Chief Probation Officer Stacy Brown joined the meeting.
Commissioners commented that they received a draft outline of what needs to be addressed for the Courthouse Emergency Response Plan. Chairman Dinning said he would like Sheriff Kramer’s input so they will forward it to him.
Ms. Brown met with Commissioners to give the Probation Office Department report.
Ms. Brown informed Commissioners that there is one person in the Diversion program, 20 people on juvenile probation, six cases pending, 19 people on adult misdemeanor probation, 120 people on unsupervised probation, and six people in the drug court program, with one person graduating this week. Ms. Brown said there is one or two possible intakes for the drug court program. The Probation Office trunk or treat had 413 trick or treaters on Halloween. Ms. Brown explained that she had tried to set up three meetings with Ziply after reviewing their quote, but Ziply missed all three meetings. Ms. Brown mentioned that County IT Director Matt Hodges said there are three internet possibilities for the Annex, which are Ting, Intermax and EL Internet. The Sheriff’s Office at the Annex has EL Internet for fiber and it’s been working well. Ms. Brown said she would talk with Sheriff Kramer to see how good the internet is and how fast the upload and download speeds are. Ms. Brown said she is working on the end of year report.
The meeting with Ms. Brown ended at 10:35 a.m.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
Commissioner Bertling returned to the meeting.
10:39 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 10:49 a.m. No action was taken.
11:00 a.m., The Courthouse Maintenance Department report was cancelled.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
County resident Adrienne Norris joined the meeting at 11:03 a.m.
Ms. Norris asked Commissioners if they had a moment to speak with her and she added that she wanted to follow Roberts Rules correctly. Ms. Norris explained that she is concerned about how Commissioners don’t return her messages. Chairman Dinning said it is not Commissioners who aren’t returning her calls, it’s him. Chairman Dinning said Ms. Norris could go ahead and record the conversation. Ms. Norris mentioned that she had sent emails to Commissioners dating back to the spring election. She explained that she wanted to also hear from the other Commissioners when she had sent her emails. Ms. Norris commented that she doesn’t feel Commissioners should be abusing powers by going to other board meetings when this time is for county business. Ms. Norris commented on ranting and name calling that is taking place. Ms. Norris said the Board is allotting time for Commissioners to report on county business. Commissioners asked what meeting Ms. Norris is referring to and she said it’s the Boundary County Central Republican Committee meeting. Chairman Dinning suggested Ms. Norris take up this issue with that board and he added that this is her opinion. Ms. Norris commented on the name calling and she voiced her disagreement with being called a Taliban Christian. She would encourage Commissioners to stop the name calling, since they’re top dog leadership and people look up to them. Ms. Norris said the only way this area is going to be a family or community again is by leadership taking up that stance and not allowing name calling. Ms. Norris said she’s even been called a white supremacist and that was hard. Ms. Norris commented that she understands there is division and there is the election, but name calling is not bringing us together. Commissioner Bertling said to Ms. Norris that she says she is against name calling, but she had made a statement about him. Ms. Norris said if she did, she apologizes. Commissioner Bertling explained that she had said he did not care for children when he had sat on the School Board and in addition, he did not like the way she went about the library recall. Ms. Norris spoke of the former library director and how she had commented on CNN. Ms. Norris said there is now a good relationship with the library and she would like to have that with Commissioners. She doesn’t want to see bickering. Chairman Dinning said this community did not have this problem until the last five or six years and he asked Ms. Norris why she thinks that might be. Ms. Norris said it was the same with Bonner County and Kootenai County. It was said that it has nothing to do with old or new families; in general, it’s the different ideal of how things should be. The same thing happened 15 years ago in Bonner County. Ms. Norris said she saw it happen and eventually things got better and now there isn’t a lot of bickering about who has lived there longer. Chairman Dinning said that Ms. Norris just said it, that people have moved in and they feel things should be done differently. Chairman Dinning said people have moved here and then they hide behind their personal beliefs to treat people poorly. Chairman Dinning said he mentioned a quote the other night that has been said before by these groups and they hide behind a certain moniker. Ms. Norris asked if Chairman Dinning had the facts and he said no, people have told him. Ms. Norris questioned how he can then prove it. Chairman Dinning said people are giving Christians a bad name in the name of politics and they act poorly. It’s creating a lot of division and it needs to cease. When people cannot even carry on a conversation without getting clearly irritated, that is wrong. Chairman Dinning commented on getting slandered when he doesn’t conform to someone’s idea and that is also wrong. People should be able to talk and have conversations, but not go out on the internet; it’s wrong. Chairman Dinning said we didn’t have that a number of years ago so what’s changed? Ms. Norris said social media and Chairman Dinning said he would agree with that. Ms. Norris said she was hoping to open that communication and she is encouraging Commissioners as leaders to figure it out at their level. Ms. Norris said she is a leader, people follow her and she is trying to do her best. Ms. Norris said, sorry but she is a Christian and feels God is calling her to do this. Commissioner Bertling asked why she is saying she’s sorry for being a Christian. Ms. Norris said that’s right, and she commented on the term Taliban Christian.
Ms. Norris informed Commissioners that she does have an agenda next year, which is that she would like to have the County Planning and Zoning back and she also would like to see accountability of recording and open meetings done in certain blocks so it’s more convenient for people. It would just be nice to see a change. Chairman Dinning explained that if Road and Bridge is meeting with Commissioners to give their department report and they need to go into executive session for a personnel issue, is Ms. Norris saying that she wants Road and Bridge to come back later, which would interrupt their time in getting other projects done? Ms. Norris suggested that Commissioners could call Bonner County to see how they schedule their meetings.
The meeting with Ms. Norris ended at 11:17 a.m.
11:25 a.m., Boundary Economic Development Council (EDC) Director David Sims joined the meeting to update Commissioners on EDC projects.
Commissioners updated Mr. Sims on costs associated with getting internet to the former NIC building.
11:26 a.m., Bonners Ferry Staff Writer Emily Bonsant returned to the meeting.
Mr. Sims commented on the letter from the Congressional delegation regarding the request to extend the hours of the Canada/US border crossing at Porthill. Mr. Sims said there is an effort to keep pushing for this as it is an issue for us.
Mr. Sims informed Commissioners of funding through the State of Idaho and North Idaho College that will help employers hire workers. This program will work with manufacturers, health care, hospitality, and timber workers. Mr. Sims said he mentioned during his last meeting that someone was interested in 63-602NN and he had let them know there isn’t a process and asked for more information.
Mr. Sims explained that he is going to attend a workshop hosted by the Idaho Association of Counties on internet/broadband services.
Mr. Sims said he is working with a local business on importing products.
Mr. Sims commented that he and Nancy Mabile with Panhandle Area council are working on the Alta Forest Products project grant. Commissioners need to hold a public hearing for the grant application itself and a representative with Alta Forest Products will present the project.
The Meeting with Mr. Sims ended at 11:34 a.m.
Commissioners recessed for lunch at noon.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners participated in a conference call with Idaho Public Defense Commission Regional Liaison Jennifer Roark to receive quarterly Public Defense Commission updates and updates on general matters pertaining to public defense.
Ms. Roark said the Public Defense Commission is co-sponsoring with a non-profit to put on a leadership institute from February 15 to 18, 2023. This institute is good for indigent leadership skills and she is hoping any indigent defense provider for the county can attend for free. Ms. Roark informed Commissioners that the defending attorney reports were due November 1st and she is missing two reports. Chairman Dinning explained that those attorneys are no longer contracted by Boundary County. Ms. Roark spoke of having an annual review meeting at the end of the year and she asked Commissioners to think about how that meeting should be structured. Chairman Dinning said Boundary County has really nothing to do with how Bonner County is contracting with public defenders.
The call with Ms. Roark ended at 1:32 p.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Property Tax Cancellation form for tax year 2022 and to cancel tax totaling $713.58 for parcel #RPB0120017021AA as the homeowner’s exemption was received after the July abstract cutoff. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
2:00 p.m., Idaho Department of Lands Forest Legacy Program Coordinator Lacy Robinson joined the meeting to provide Commissioners with an update on the Forest Legacy program.
Ms. Robinson introduced herself to Commissioners. Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) is working with The Nature Conservancy on an application for a conservation easement and IDL submit the application for funding in year 2019. This is an application for the Dawson Ridge area. IDL has 11 proposed conservation easements in this tract and she’s working on closing the first four tracts, which are called Baldy, South Dawson, Curley Creek, and Bethlehem. Ms. Robinson said IDL has just received the appraisals for them. These lands are owned and managed by Molpus/Manulife and they’re all timberland with no buildings on them. Ms. Robinson said it’s been an interesting process as land values have increased so much since submitting the application that she may only be able to close four out of the 11 properties. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners spoke with property owner Nordic Crystal Falls about the repeater site on Dawson Ridge. Ms. Robinson said the communications use will be allowed indefinitely, which also works for IDL. Whenever this area is no longer used for communication leasing purposes, it would be included in the conservation easement.
Ms. Robinson said IDL is also working on other projects. Stimson Lumber has property in a conservation easement called the International Selkirk loop, which is on the west side of McArthur Lake. This project has been funded. There is another project in Rathdrum. All of these parcels provide for public non-motorized access, but they can be closed if the property owner feels something is going to create a fire hazard. Chairman Dinning mentioned being sure there are provisions to allow snowmobiles and grooming. Commissioner Cossairt said the Falls Creek and Ruby Creek roads were built a long time ago by the Forest Service. Then the Forest Service gave the roads back to the state and the timber owners lost access. It’s frustrating. Commissioner Cossairt said he doesn’t have a problem putting up no trespassing signs, but he has trouble with blocking the roads when they had been open for many years. Ms. Robinson said she would like to take Commissioners’ opinions back to the Land Board. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners have usually remained neutral when commenting on conservation easements. Commissioner Cossairt said he feels the state should buy easements through all of this timber ground. Chairman Dinning added that the state should buy easements over these roads.
Ms. Robinson left the meeting at 2:15 p.m.
Mr. Pinkerton returned to Commissioners’ Office at 2:15 p.m.
2:28 p.m., Tennis Association members Tim and Jenny Dougherty joined the meeting.
Ms. Dougherty informed Commissioners that the tennis courts are in terrible shape and are a liability. The Tennis Association is asking for assistance in funding. Mr. Dougherty said they’re representing the Parks and Recreation Department and there is approximately $45,000.00 in the budget. Ms. Dougherty briefly commented on having started raising funds and $110,000.00 is needed for two court replacements within the existing footprint. Chairman Dinning said he had recalled a request for four tennis courts and Ms. Dougherty said she thinks the idea was to replace the two existing tennis courts and to level out the grass berm and put in four pickleball courts. Mr. Dougherty said that was not included in the cost of $45,000.00 in the Parks and Recreation budget.
Mr. Pinkerton left the meeting at 2:34 p.m.
Mr. Dougherty said he just wants a facility that’s safe and that doesn’t need to be fixed every two or three years. Mr. Dougherty added that pickleball is up and coming. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners need something from the Parks and Recreation Board as to the needs and an estimate of costs.
The meeting with Mr. Dougherty and Ms. Dougherty ended at 2:40 p.m.
2:48 p.m., Anne Bonar with the Skin Creek Water Association joined the meeting.
3:00 p.m., Assistant Restorium Administrator Diana Lane joined the meeting to give an update on Restorium matters. Ms. Lane provided Commissioners with an updated list and quotes of items needing updated or repaired at the Restorium.
3:04 p.m., Dan Myers with Skin Creek Water Association also joined the meeting.
Commissioners reviewed the list and costs provided by Ms. Lane and the total came to $205,000.00 based on the quotes provided. Ms. Lane informed Commissioners that the Restorium currently has 30 or 31 residents. COVID-19 has come through the Restorium again, but it didn’t hit as hard this time. Ms. Lane discussed which positions the Restorium needs to fill.
The meeting with Ms. Lane ended at 3:17 p.m.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties until their next meeting time with Ms. Bonar and Mr. Myers.
3:30 p.m., Ms. Bonar and Mr. Myers with Skin Creek Water Association met with Commissioners to discuss improvements needed to the water system.
Ms. Bonar said they’re representing Skin Creek Water Association, which serves residents eastside of the Moyie River. This system was established in 1966 when they received federal money to build and create the association. The system was built to serve all of those people in that area at that time. There are currently 75 memberships consisting of 206 people being served. This is a gravity-fed surface water system. It’s pristine where the water comes from and it’s a gravity sand filter. A new treatment plant was built 20 years ago and the asbestos concrete lines are aging out. The pipes that are down the rest of the line are PVC and poly-vinyl, etc. Skin Creek Water Association has had $7,000.00 in repairs for leaks recently. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) wants the Water Association to apply for a planning grant, which costs $50,000 and they want the Water Association to contribute $25,000.00. This cost will cut the budget short if anything else happens to the system. Ms. Bonar said it was suggested that she approach the county about funding assistance and she added whatever happens in the future, Boundary County will be involved as the lines run underneath the county road. Chairman Dinning asked if the PVC lines need replaced. Ms. Bonar said yes, that’s where the problems are. The asbestos lines haven’t had any breaks in that part of the system. Chairman Dinning said for clarification that Skin Creek Water Association is just looking for help with the match so they can get the plan going and be ready for DEQ and their requirements. Chairman Dinning explained that the county helped Mission Creek Water Association by covering costs of $25,500.00, but that is to help them locate their lines. The county is looking at how these things can help the taxpayer and the community and in the case of Mission Creek Water Association, their lines run to Mt. Hall School. Commissioners will talk about Skin Creek Water Association’s request once they receive a quote. Ms. Bonar said the Association consists of only 75 members and it would cost millions of dollars. Ms. Bonar said all of these water systems are small and they did really well until they didn’t. Ms. Bonar added that the Water Association does have funds for emergencies, but to use half of those funds and hope they get a grant is scary.
The meeting with Ms. Bonar and Mr. Myers ended at 3:45 p.m.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties until their next meeting at 4:00 p.m.
4:00 p.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 and Ms. Nelson reported on complaints they’ve received about slick road conditions. Ms. Nelson commented that she has sent the CDL reimbursement agreements to Attorney Hull for review.
Ms. Nelson discussed work needed on Ruby Creek Road near Ruby Creek Bridge #2 and Westside Road. Ms. Nelson said she spoke to the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC) and the Local Rural Highway Investment Program (LRHIP) has $100,000.00 in emergency funds available per incident. After reviewing the engineer’s estimate for Ruby Creek and Westside the total is $106,000.00. Approximately 350 yards of debris would come off of Ruby Creek and through this emergency funding Road and Bridge could hire a contractor to do this work.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Emergency Funds Application, Local Rural Highway Investment Program for Westside Road and Ruby Creek Road. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Nelson presented Commissioners with a diagram of the proposed approach off of Sunrise Road as it pertains to the Kootenai Tribe’s travel plaza. Instead of a frontage road it would be called a back-access road. Don Davis with the Kootenai Tribe and Dennis Weed will talk with the Tribal Council members about the approaches. Since the property is in trust it can’t be deeded to the county, but a permanent easement can be done. The Idaho Transportation Department doesn’t feel the 129,000-pound trucks are any harder on the pavement; it’s just the turning radius.
Road and Bridge is still waiting for the traffic study from Alta Forest Products.
Ms. Nelson said Idaho’s 2022 local transportation convention is being held in Coeur d’ Alene this year and Road Foreman Brad Barton will attend the convention on two of the days. These are workshops and training designed for county supervisors and road foremen. Mr. Morris mentioned there is another class on salt brine and mag chloride that most Road and Bridge crew will attend and it will be held at the Road and Bridge shop.
Ms. Nelson explained that she is going to apply for the Local Rural Highway Investment Program this year. This is for signage and grant funds are up to $30,000.00. Ms. Nelson commented on taking inventory of signs on Brown Creek Road, Old Highway Two Loop and Deep Creek Loop.
County resident Jim Ball joined the meeting at 4:16 p.m.
Commissioner Tim Bertling returned to the meeting at 4:25 p.m.
Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris remained for the meeting with Mr. Ball.
4:30 p.m., Jim Ball met with Commissioners to discuss the encroachment of storage buildings on the county’s gravel pit in Moyie Springs. This is the same building that had been discussed once before. One building is portable and is owned by the Tritts. The other building is larger at 30-feet by 60-feet. Mr. Ball said the building is approximately six or seven feet over the property line and when he discovered it, he met with Commissioners right away. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners also ran into a situation where the city power line runs along that line generally, but the actual easement describes it as being 50-feet north of there. It was said the line terminates midpoint on Walnut Street. When EL Internet was working on their fiber they came onto Mr. Ball’s property to secure a property easement underground to service Mr. Ball’s property. Ms. Nelson said she thought it had gone onto county ground. Chairman Dinning said he doesn’t think the City of Bonners ever got that taken care of. Mr. Ball said he thinks there was a lot of error in that line long term. The poles are not where the easement is. Mr. Ball said it might be a good time to work on this now that there is a new survey with good descriptions. JRS Surveying did the survey and reached out to Mr. Ball. Chairman Dinning explained to Mr. Ball that Commissioners talked to Attorney Hull about this matter today. The county could sell Mr. Ball a piece of property and would make sure to leave enough room for setbacks from the property line. Mr. Ball said this is inside the city limits of Moyie Springs so the set backs are their jurisdiction. Chairman Dinning said the county can sell a piece of property to Mr. Ball and he briefly mentioned there being terminology for sloughing. Mr. Ball said that part of the property is not close to the property line. Commissioners said the cost for JRS to do a survey will be up to Mr. Ball. Mr. Ball said that was not a problem. The property line would jog around the buildings. Commissioners said they were good to move forward and they will need to determine a per acre cost.
The meeting with Mr. Ball ended at 4:45 p.m.
The meeting with Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris ended at 4:48 p.m.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
________________________________
DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
ATTEST:
___________________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk