***Monday, October 18, 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 updated Commissioners on work performed by Road and Bridge to include traffic counters, putting sand boxes on trucks, ordering salt brine, etc.
Ms. Nelson spoke of a bridge inspection for Ruby Creek Bridge #3 and how there are critical findings regarding the scour, and it sounds like the findings are the same for bridge #4. Ms. Nelson said she may be able to show the bridge is sitting on rock, but she will have to find out if more rock or grout is needed. Parker Creek bridge will have its load rating redone and it may or may not take the restrictions away. Ms. Nelson said if information on axel weights and spacings are submitted, a determination can be made about possible restrictions for feller/bunchers on this bridge. Commissioner Bertling asked what the weight limit is and Ms. Nelson said it’s 9.3 tons per axel currently.
Ms. Nelson informed Commissioners of issues that have come up in the last week where property owners want to apply for an approach permit to get an address and the location of the approach doesn’t meet the county’s road standards, but there is a legal recorded easement. Chairman Dinning said the county is saying that if an approach has been in existence prior to year 2007, then it is grandfathered so It needs to be determined if the easement has been there prior to 2007. Ms. Nelson questioned what occurs if the approach hasn’t been in existence since 2007. Chairman Dinning said the variance process would probably have to be considered.
Ms. Nelson commented that she followed the process for seeking requests for proposals to get quotes for negotiation and appraisal services for the Riverside Road Improvement Project based on the Idaho Transportation Department’s recommended list and she received two responses. One company has good recommendations, but they didn’t think it was realistic to get the acquisitions done by the first of the year. Ms. Nelson said there is a lot of background information the county did not have as far as when the previous right-of-way acquisition was agreed to be done and she listed the various requirements and associated time frames. One company has their own licensed appraiser and the other company would contract out for that position. Ms. Nelson said one question is if the county did get some right-of-way acquisitions completed, would Federal Highways still agree to fund the project as it’s still within the time frame. Ms. Nelson spoke of also needing to document phones calls to ensure she is following the proper process. One company listed their costs, totals for labor and other direct costs and the total came to $90,587.00. Road and Bridge does have funds for engineering in the budget and if the county wants the project to move forward, Ms. Nelson said she doesn’t see any other way. The other projects that would use engineering funds are bridge projects, according to Ms. Nelson. Chairman Dinning suggested putting together a list of cost information so Commissioners can look it over and be aware. Ms. Nelson questioned if the county will lose the project if it cannot be extended by one year. If the project can be extended another year, then it doesn’t need to be rushed. Mr. Morris spoke of needing to rush the project because it’s been extended before. Clerk Poston spoke of related budget information for Road and Bridge, but she urged that it’s the beginning of the year and you never know what could go wrong.
Commissioners continued the discussion on the Riverside Road Improvement Project to tomorrow at 11:15 a.m.
Ms. Nelson said she’s waiting for an update on the Union Pacific Railroad guardrail project. When the information comes in she will send an agreement to County Civil Tevis Hull for review, but could Commissioners make a motion to proceed.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to go forward with the lease application for the Moyie River Road Guardrail project with Union Pacific Railroad and to allow signing the application once the county civil attorney has reviewed it. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Nelson spoke of having the ability to apply for a Local Rural Highway Improvement Program (LRHIP) grant and she gave an example of how this grant has allowed reimbursement to Road and Bridge on work done to the Moyie River Road, as well as other projects. Bridge projects are not eligible this year, but other projects that are still available are guardrail projects and children/pedestrian safety projects. Ms. Nelson said the other big program is the Federal Lands Access Program. In this program, the county is the sponsor and they partner with the Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, etc. Commissioners agreed with Ms. Nelson in applying for this grant program. Ms. Nelson said she could submit a project application for the Myrtle Creek bridge.
Ms. Nelson spoke of questions pertaining to Alta Forest Product’s railroad siding project on Stage Coach Road and she mentioned how the train could be stopped on School House Road in order to get onto the siding. This project is in the design phase, but the county needs to voice its concerns.
Ms. Nelson and Commissioners discussed the janitor position for the Road and Bridge Office. There is another Road and Bridge employee who has expressed interest in filling this newly vacant position, but Commissioners suggested Ms. Nelson reach out to Maria’s Cleaning Service first via email as Maria’s works nights.
Those present discussed offering overtime versus compensatory time off. Commissioner Cossairt said if the county had Road and Bridge employees earning overtime plowing snow during the winter, if they took a lot of time off during summer, Road and Bridge wouldn’t have enough employees to do the summer jobs.
The meeting with Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris ended at 9:57 a.m.
Boundary Ambulance Service Chief Jeff Lindsey joined the meeting at 9:57 a.m.
10:00 a.m., Commissioner Cossairt moved to recess as the Boundary County Board of Commissioners and to convene as the Boundary Ambulance Service District Governing Board. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chief Lindsey explained what types of calls Boundary Ambulance Service has been responding to and he commented that not being able to run on transports due to lack of hospital space hurts financially, but the Community Paramedic Program has been helping. Chief Lindsey spoke of hoping to have two crews for the ambulance units.
Chief Lindsey asked about use of American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Chairman Dinning asked Chief Lindsey to send Commissioners a list of needs Boundary Ambulance Service has and Chief Lindsey said he had done that, but he could get more specific.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to continue the Boundary Ambulance Service District meeting to Monday, October 25, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chief Lindsey informed Commissioners that call volumes for Boundary Ambulance Service will be 25% to 30% higher than last year’s call volume.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve Boundary County Ambulance Service District meeting minutes for September 7, 2021, September 13, 2021 and September 20, 2021. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to renew the Ambulance Service Agreement. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chief Lindsey left the meeting.
10:13 a.m., Commissioner Cossairt moved to recess as the Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board and to convene as the Boundary County Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Property Tax Cancellation Form for tax year 2020 and to cancel tax in the amount of $369.06, specials in the amount of $186.08, and penalty in the amount of $11.10 for a total of $566.24, plus the current interest on the 2020 mobile home taxes to certify to the real property roll. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Property Tax Cancellation Form for tax year 2020 and to cancel tax in the amount of $71.60, specials in the amount of $186.08, and penalty in the amount of $5.16 for a total of $262.84, plus the current interest on the 2020 mobile home taxes to certify to the real property roll. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Certificate of Residency for Grithcel Miller. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Idaho State Department of Agriculture 2021 Selkirk CWMA Cost Share Agreement (State) Addendum for the Boundary County Noxious Weeds Department. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Findings and Decision for Planning and Zoning Applications #21-033 and #20-172 for LMJPNP, LLC., for comprehensive plan and zoning map amendments, once approved by the County Civil Attorney. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Dinning commented that the Commissioners had approved signing the Idaho Transportation Department, Division of Aeronautics Grant for the Airport Aid Program for fiscal year 2022 for the purchase of a new rotating beacon and purchase of property totaling five acres, but he would like to get more information from Airport Manager Dave Parker before submitting the documents.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
10:40 a.m., Treasurer Sue Larson joined the meeting to review the quarterly report of county accounts. Treasurer Larson commented that interest rates still are not great. Those present reviewed Treasurer Larson’s report.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to accept the Treasurer’s quarterly report dated September 30, 2021. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Those present spoke of the tax deeding process and timeline, as well as topics discussed at last Friday’s Idaho Association of Counties District 1 meeting.
Treasurer Larson left the meeting at 11:25 a.m.
There being no further business, the meeting recessed until tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.
Tuesday, October 19, 2021, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session at the County Annex 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. Present were: Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Treasurer Sue Larson, Chief Probation Officer Stacy Brown, Veterans Service Officer Ron Self, Courthouse Maintenance John Buckley, Personnel Director Pam Barton, Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendent Randy Morris, Noxious Weeds Department Superintendent Dave Wenk, Solid Waste Department Superintendent Claine Skeen, Prosecutor’s Office Manager Tammie Goggia, University of Idaho Extension Educator Amy Robertson, Emergency Manager Andrew O’Neel, Assessor Dave Ryals, and Sheriff Dave Kramer.
Chairman Dinning informed those present that the county’s personnel policy has been updated to include the new federal holiday; Juneteenth, and if county employees have questions about holiday time off, that information is also listed in the personnel policy.
Chairman Dinning said there are predictions about the economy that in the next few years the economy will be as bad, if not worse, than the crash in year 2008. Property values will drop a lot and due to levy rates, we’re up against those rates, so please be prepared with budgets. It is very stressful to base your budget on values that drop 30%, according to Chairman Dinning.
Commissioners went around the room for department updates.
Assessor Ryals said he had nothing new to report. Assessor’s Office staff are working on new construction properties. Seventy-five new properties were added in one year and there may be more, but there are homes that have been started that may not get finished. The homeowner’s exemption will no longer have a filing deadline. Assessor Ryals said the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) has been talking lately and it’s their thinking that the public wants to register their vehicles, boats, etc., online, but he disagrees. Assessor Ryals said he personally doesn’t think the State of Idaho will have all registration conducted online. Sheriff Kramer commented that he would hate to see ITD go all online because any glitches that occur will be due to ITD, but it’s the local offices that have to deal with the repercussions.
Clerk Poston thanked Assessor Ryals for County Mapper Olivia Drake’s help with redistricting for Commissioner districts, and she commented that the changes were not big as far as redistricting. Clerk Poston said new stickers showing the federal holidays will be handed out to put in employee’s personnel policies. The Odyssey computer program has been upgraded, but it’s bad. Clerk Poston mentioned that Trial Court Administrator Karlene Behringer explained that there is a court reporting system, which allows recording to occur without a court reporter and Boundary County is looking into it. The election is on November 2nd and included in this election are school district trustees, the Ambulance Service District override levy and the city of Bonners Ferry City Council members.
Ms. Goggia said Prosecutor Pluid is on vacation so the office is just plugging along. No jury trials are scheduled.
Sheriff Kramer said Sheriff’s Investigator Dave McClellan is retiring this month. Starting November 15th, the Sheriff’s Office will begin working with Summit Food Service as a food provider for the jail and he’s looking to hire one full-time and a part-time employee to work with Summit. Sheriff Kramer said a video visitation system has been installed in the jail, but it’ll be another three weeks before the system is activated. There is an ongoing leak in the roof of the Sheriff’s Office and the cause might be a break in the drain.
Sheriff Kramer said Idaho Counties Risk Management Program is coming to Bonners Ferry to teach liability training classes for patrol and detention personnel. Sheriff Kramer mentioned that Commissioners had hired retired Kootenai County Sheriff Ben Wolfinger to conduct an inspection of the current Sheriff’s Office building and to report on the building’s deficiencies and future needs. Mr. Wolfinger also conducted surveys with Commissioners, judges and mayors, etc. in order to get feedback. The feeling is that the community would not support building a new jail facility, but they would support an expansion of the current building. There is a potential grant that would cover three-quarters of the cost for a jail expansion. If the jail qualified for housing federal inmates, that could provide revenue for the Sheriff’s Office. Chairman Dinning said the county has been considering the jail for some time now as it’s an old jail with potential liabilities. Clerk Poston said one question is if American Recovery Program Act (ARPA) funds can be used toward ventilation improvements, etc., in the Sheriff’s Office.
Treasurer Larson said the levies are to be certified on Monday and once that happens, the Treasurer’s Office will work to get the tax bills done. Treasurer Larson asked Mr. O’Neel if he planned on providing her office with emergency evaluation planning related brochures so they can be mailed out with the tax notices and Mr. O’Neel said he would look into that.
Ms. Robertson listed upcoming University of Idaho Extension classes being offered. 4H enrollment is available online. Ms. Robertson said she has hired two people for the new robotics program using ARPA funds and the person she hired through AmeriCorps is starting this week.
Ms. Brown commented that between the Sheriff’s Office and the Prosecutor’s Office, the Probation Office is staying busy.
Mr. Skeen said the wood pile at the landfill should be gone next week. The three roll off containers are now at the landfill yard and he will need to hire one more employee in order to reopen six days per week. All monitored dumpster sites will be open six days per week and closed on Sundays, including the main landfill. The monitored dumpster sites will soon accept metal, wood and furniture again at each location, but demolition debris, tires, etc., still needs to go to the landfill for disposal.
Mr. Buckley said he has a lot of catching up to do after being off work for a couple weeks and he will get equipment ready for winter.
Mr. Morris said Road and Bridge is almost done with work on Ruby Creek Road and bridges #3 and #4 are paved over. The grout that Road and Bridge got from the railroad was used on Lions Den Road and now rock is getting placed on the road. Road and Bridge is getting the sand boxes out in preparation for winter. Commissioners asked about the new truck Road and Bridge purchased and Mr. Morris said Road and Bridge is having trouble getting a driver to deliver the truck.
Mr. Wenk said he’s finishing up the Neighborhood Coop Weed program and he will turn in claims for that. Mr. Wenk mentioned that he has to go and inspect 15% of the properties that participated in this program. Mr. Wenk mentioned that he’s doing some truck maintenance now. There is a class coming up for pesticide applicator credits and there will be a winter conference in Boise in January for Weed Department Superintendents.
Ms. Barton said she will send out the new holiday stickers for the personnel policy books. Open enrollment has started for life insurance through the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI). Ms. Barton listed the job positions the county has available. Chairman Dinning said the number of people who are unemployed in the county is approximately 200, and it’s stayed at that level for some time. Chairman Dinning added that if someone has any suggestions to attract new employees, to let Commissioners know.
Ms. Barton reviewed a section in the personnel policy pertaining to hiring new employees. Mr. Morris said he had heard of a site on Facebook where you can post job vacancies, called boundary county jobs for hire.
Mr. Self commented that he’s assisting a steady stream of veterans with a high of 15 and a low of 9.
Mr. O’Neel commented that COVID-19 is still prevalent. A lot of hospitals are having issues with staff and the hospitals in our region are not imposing the vaccine mandates so that is not the reason. Currently, Boundary Community Hospital has three COVID-19 patients and Bonner General Hospital has 11 COVID-19 patients with three patients in the intensive care unit. All cases were unvaccinated people. Mr. O’Neel said he received an email from Bonner County’s public information officer explaining how they’re stressed. In year 2019, Bonner County had 26 people die from COVID-19 and so far for year 2021, 66 people have died. In Boundary County, 11 people have passed away from the start of the pandemic to July 2021, and from July 2021, 15 people have passed away. People are losing family members, and hospitals and funeral homes are feeling the pressure.
Mr. O’Neel mentioned that the Cascadia Rising training event is a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) exercise that is scheduled for June 14th and it’s now going to be handled as a functional exercise due to COVID-19.
Chairman Dinning said that if an employee is sick, they need to stay home.
The elected officials/department heads meeting ended at 10:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m., Noxious Weeds Department Superintendent Dave Wenk gave Commissioners the Noxious Weeds Department report. Mr. Weed said he’ll be out of town starting tomorrow and will be back in the office on Tuesday October 26th. Mr. Wenk said he will go visit with Road and Bridge Department Superintendents to look at a possible building site next to the lean-to at the Road and bridge shop for his storage building. The preferred location already has utilities in that area. Mr. Wenk spoke of the weed spraying program and he explained that you can now include purchasing pasture mix to replant. Chairman Dinning asked Mr. Wenk if he can still fill in in the Dispatch Center this winter if he’s needed and Mr. Wenk said yes.
The meeting with Mr. Wenk ended at 10:15 a.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to authorize the Chairman to sign Contractor’s Application for Payment No. 1 for American Road Maintenance for Airport Improvement Project 3-16-0004-020-2021. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
10:25 a.m., Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee contacted Commissioners via telephone to give Commissioners an update on Restorium matters.
Ms. Magee informed Commissioners that more Restorium staff members are quitting. There are 21 Restorium residents in rooms down one wing and there are approximately five or six residents residing in the wing designated for residents with memory care issues. Ms. Magee said she’s moving her office back upstairs and she will assist residents in the memory care wing. Ms. Magee expressed concern about how long she can last under these circumstances.
Ms. Magee informed Commissioners that Denny Wedel would not be overseeing the wall addition project today so Mitchell Amoth is overseeing the work at the Restorium.
Chairman Dinning informed Ms. Magee that she can emergency hire an employee if she needs to get help. Ms. Magee said she doesn’t have enough staff in the kitchen.
The call to Ms. Magee ended at 10:30 a.m.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
10:50 a.m., Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendent Renee Nelson joined the meeting to continue discussion from yesterday on the Riverside Road Improvement project. Ms. Nelson commented that she was informed it would be a good idea to work with Epic Land Solutions for the right-of-way acquisitions for the Riverside Road Improvement project. Ms. Nelson mentioned that she did talk to the Federal Highways Administration today and if the county doesn’t want to lose the project, she was told that more than likely the county should still be okay if we can get a few of the acquisitions completed. The county can put $90,000.00 toward the consulting firm and it will be counted as in-kind contribution. There is a remaining in-kind match for parking that will be due in year 2023. Ms. Nelson informed Commissioners that $150,000.00 will also be due with the additional utility reimbursable paperwork and the Federal Highways representative estimates this will be due toward the end of the project with the additional $38,000.00 match. Federal Highways is looking at $350,000.00 for the Riverside Road Improvement project, according to Ms. Nelson. Once Federal Highways knows the county will contribute the $38,000.00 match and the $90,000.00 added to the county’s in-kind match for rights-of-way acquisition, they will contact the program decision committee to get an answer on additional funding. Ms. Nelson said the person she spoke to with Federal Highways mentioned that there are no guarantees, but he thinks it will be approved for the additional $350,000.00 match and the project will be locked in. Chairman Dinning said his concern is entering into an agreement, then find out Federal Highways won’t go forward and the county is out the $90,000.00.
Ms. Nelson listed the members of the program decision committee and she mentioned that two of those organizations are already in favor of the project.
Ms. Nelson said as far as what budget dollars are available, she will get in touch with Clerk Poston. The budget for right-of-way acquisition has extra funds in it and if she can get this project moving forward, if and when extra dollars come in, she can put those additional funds in certain line items and not take away from other work. The $350,000.00 would be considered unanticipated revenue.
Ms. Nelson updated Commissioners on damage to the Naples Bridge, the McArthur Lake project, and data-driven decisions.
11:25 a.m., Commissioners contacted County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull via telephone to discuss land acquisition for the Riverside Road Improvement project.
Those present discussed contracting with Epic Land Solutions for rights-of-way acquisition. Attorney Hull explained that the problem Ms. Nelson is running into is the federal government changing rules and requiring different forms throughout the process. The original forms were completed and the federal government now has different forms. Epic Land Solutions has experience in this process and they can get the right forms to the federal government. Chairman Dinning said if the county enters into an agreement with Epic Land Solutions, this project may or may not go forward anyhow and Ms. Nelson explained additional funding needed through Federal Highways and the program decision committee.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to enter into an agreement with Epic Land Solutions regarding the Riverside Road Improvement project with the condition of approval pertaining to additional funds from the Federal Highways Administration. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
The call to Attorney Hull ended at 11:30 a.m.
The meeting with Ms. Nelson ended at 11:40 a.m.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:55 a.m.
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DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
ATTEST:
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GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk