***Monday, October 19, 2020, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser. Chairman Dan Dinning was out of the office tending to personal matters.

Commissioners 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. Ms. Nelson said Road and Bridge has one truck down from here going forward. It’s the T8 and it has a broken frame, and it’s one of the first machines they would put a plow on. Ms. Nelson commented about cleaning off the Naples Bridge deck, but they will have to coordinate with Burlington Northern Railroad.

Ms. Nelson informed Commissioners of having change orders for the Trout Creek Bridges project. One change order is for pilings as there was additional piling time and a delay for the crane per specifications. The second change order is for asphalt for the bridge deck as there hadn’t been enough tonnage for the bridge deck. The match should also be revised to show less. Ms. Nelson said they will get everything closed out and find out what the final match is in November and with the two change orders, match should still be less than anticipated.

Commissioner Kirby moved to sign Idaho Change Order No. 1 for a net estimated increase amount of $25,574.00 and Change Order No. 2 for a net estimated increase amount of $13,312.35 for the Trout Creek Bridges project. Acting Chairman Cossairt yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.

Ms. Nelson asked if there is a new hearing date to address Tamarack Drive. Acting Chairman Cossairt said Commissioners were waiting to reschedule the hearing for a time when County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull is available.

Acting Chairman Cossairt asked about the rock crusher and Ms. Nelson said it has been taken apart and Road and Bridge can now set up the sand screen as you can’t run both at the same time.

Ms. Nelson informed Commissioners that is might be 45 days or so before the new John Deere grader is received, but in the meantime John Deere will provide them with a loaner.

Road and Bridge’s water truck and one other vehicle is set up to be used as a brine truck. The water truck has to be drained and the brine uses an entirely different lower volume pump. Ms. Nelson said they did get a load of salt to get ready for the brine. Mr. Morris said the salt seems to work better on the gravel.

9:30 a.m., County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull contacted Commissioners via conference call.

Acting Chairman Cossairt explained the issue involving road names Muley Drive and Nuthatch Lane. Ms. Nelson said that East Mountain View Road is a county road. Muley Drive takes off from East Mountain View Road to the west and forms a T, and the T was named Nuthatch Lane, but that doesn’t fit enhanced 911 as Nuthatch Lane is to be one direction. The developer, Roger Unruh, understood the predicament and JRS Surveying was going to make the correction, but has since chosen not to do anything. There are four homes that need addresses and Road and Bridge doesn’t know what to do. County Mapper Olivia Drake sent an email last Friday as Planning and Zoning Administrator Clare Marley received a call from one of the homeowners asking about an address. Ms. Nelson asked if there was any way to have the homeowner or surveyor complete an affidavit or have Commissioners adopt a resolution renaming Nuthatch Lane. Attorney Hull said he saw the response from JRS Surveying about that. Ms. Nelson said we need to fix Muley Drive so it goes one way and Nuthatch Lane goes another way and she doesn’t feel the residents care other than to have emergency services be able to find them. Can Commissioners do something to rectify this? Attorney Hull asked if there is a provision in the current ordinance as it stands that allows the county to do that.

Attorney Hull asked about rescheduling the public hearing regarding Tamarack Drive and Commissioners informed him that they were waiting to find out when he would be available to attend this hearing. Attorney Hull spoke of needing to review Idaho Code 40-202 and get this hearing back on the calendar. Attorney Hull said this is a county-owned piece of property and the purpose of the hearing is to give everyone an opportunity to be heard so Commissioners can make a decision. Attorney Hull added that he is also exploring whether or not the people who use this road had sewer and water utilities installed under the road without permission so he will have to explore that and that may be why the residents are concerned as they went beyond what they were entitled to do.

Mapper Olivia Drake joined the meeting at 9:39 a.m.

Attorney Hull asked Ms. Drake if there are any provisions that would allow Commissioners to make changes to the road names. It was said there is Section 7 of the Ordinance, which allows changes of road names. Ms. Drake said it really doesn’t address where the county changes a name, with the exception of a duplication, pronunciation or spelling, and it says the Road Naming Committee will make a determine based on Section 3, which is to hold a public hearing. Ms. Nelson said those reasons aren’t quite what we’re facing. Attorney Hull reviewed Subparagraph 4 and said it doesn’t squarely fit for procedures for a name change. Ms. Drake said it’s not technically a road name change; it’s a matter of changing where these roads are on the plat, but the names are not changing. Attorney Hull said there will have to be a public hearing and to state specifically that the purpose is not to change the name, but to reflect the proper location of these roads on the map. When Commissioners have a hearing, they will take into consideration the plat and the surveyors, who refuse to correct the issue. Therefore, it’s the intent for the Ordinance and for 911 and public safety purposes to make that correction on the plat map. In this case, if it’s not reflected correctly, could there be an affidavit of incorrect labeling of the street. Ms. Nelson questioned if that is something she would have to go back to the landowner and request. Ms. Nelson commented that there are approximately four or five residents who have built homes and they want addresses. Attorney Hull suggested Ms. Nelson explain the process of holding a public hearing and the timeline that it takes and then it’s another 28 days after Commissioners’ motion, but the other way is to do an amended plat and let the homeowner make the choice.

Clerk Poston asked Attorney Hull if he received her email asking to review broadband grants to make sure the county is compliant with procurement laws.

9:52 a.m., Ms. Nelson, Mr. Morris and Ms. Drake left the meeting.

Clerk Poston asked that the discussion regarding broadband grant requests for reimbursement be continued to tomorrow at 1:30 p.m.

The call with Attorney Hull ended at 9:57 a.m.

9:58 a.m., Boundary Ambulance Service Board Chairperson Nancy Russell joined the meeting.

Commissioner Kirby moved to approve the minutes of October 5 & 6, 2020. Acting Chairman Cossairt yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Kirby moved to sign the Certificate of Residency for Georja Nelson. Acting Chairman Cossairt yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.

10:00 a.m., Commissioner Kirby moved to recess as the Boundary County Board of Commissioners and to convene as the Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board. Acting Chairman Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.

Boundary Ambulance Service Chief Jeff Lindsey joined the meeting via conference call.

Chief Lindsey informed Commissioners that as of last Friday Boundary Ambulance Service is over 100 calls from the year prior so it’s been a busy year. Boundary Ambulance Service is actively looking at trying to purchase the building they’re operating out of now as it’s a good fit and they’ve been there for over three years. Chief Lindsey commented that it’s budget time for Boundary Ambulance, which runs January to January so they’re in the process of working on their 2021 calendar budget. Clerk Poston questioned what happens with the county’s storage area if Boundary Ambulance purchases the other building. Chief Lindsey said right now at their Comanche Street location, they have a cover that was donated by their Medical Director Dr. Stu Willis and it keeps the snow off of their pickup and one ambulance. Boundary Ambulance is going to look at building several bays so they can keep the units enclosed and heated. Chief Lindsey said they would like to still use the building by the Courthouse for at least a little bit in order to keep equipment dry and warm so they would continue needing that downtown station until the new bays are built. Chief Lindsey added that the idea would be to construct the new garage bays over the next year or two if Boundary Ambulance purchases the building. Boundary Ambulance still hopes to use the downtown area for another year, but that is their goal. Acting Chairman Cossairt said it sounds like a good plan. Chief Lindsey said they hope to know more this week.

Commissioner Kirby moved to approve the Boundary Ambulance Service District meeting minutes of September 21, 2020. Acting Chairman Cossairt yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.

10:05 a.m., Commissioner Kirby moved to adjourn as the Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board and to reconvene as the Boundary County Board of Commissioners. Acting Chairman Cossairt yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Kirby moved to sign the In-kind letter for the Boundary County Victim’s Service Office. Acting Chairman Cossairt yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.

Ms. Russell left the meeting and Chief Lindsey ended his call at 10:10 a.m.

Commissioner Kirby moved to sign the Invoice Summary & Airport Improvement Project #3-16-0004-018-2020, Request for Reimbursement No. 3 for the snow removal equipment building phase II construction. Acting Chairman Cossairt yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Kirby moved to sign the Invoice Summary & Airport Improvement Project #3-16-0004-017-2020, Request for Reimbursement No. 5 for the environmental assessment. Acting Chairman Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioners tended to administrative duties.

10:32 a.m., Bonners Ferry Forest Service District Ranger Kevin Knauth contacted Commissioners to give a brief update on Forest Service projects. Mr. Knauth said for timber/vegetation projects the Forest Service is continuing work on the Westside Restoration Project and they plan to go out by the end of the month with the draft environmental analysis. This step will open the 30 day comment period, similar to scoping, but there will be more detail. The Forest Service will review the comments received as a team and answer or clarify anything the public brings up. The hope is to have a final decision sometime in March. The first timber sale would be approximately one year from now. For timber sales for now, the Forest Service is working on bidding in mid to late November for the Timbuck Stew project, which is a stewardship project and the area is within the Boulder Creek analysis area. There is 18 million board feet and some bridge replacement work to be done. There will also be other additional timber sales out this year, according to Mr. Knauth.

Mr. Knauth said the Forest Service is also preparing to do pile burning and they couldn’t do prescribed burning as conditions went from being too dry to too wet. Mr. Knauth said he wanted to make sure Commissioners had no concerns. As part of this burning the Forest Service works with a smoke monitoring group in Idaho and Montana, and the State of Idaho Department of Environmental Quality is also a part of this process. The burn sites are in the Deer Creek and Hell Roaring areas. If there is any smoke that blows down into the community, then the project will be paused until the direction of the smoke changes. Mr. Knauth said he will plan for later this week to start this work and it will continue as conditions allows. Acting Chairman Cossairt and Commissioner Kirby said they don’t have any concerns. Mr. Knauth said tomorrow is the 20th so open burning is allowed and the pile burning will produce less smoke for the community than local burning will cause. The burning needs to be done this fall in order to plant new trees next spring.

Mr. Knauth explained protocols the Forest Service Office has in place for COVID-19. The Forest Service is still in phase 1 for their offices, which means they’re closed to the public, but they’re still issuing permits and answering questions, etc. They’re doing as good a job with that as they can. Mr. Knauth said he doesn’t see that process changing anytime soon. The Forest Service is somewhat following what the state does and if state is not worrying about something, but the local community is, the Forest Service tends to follow what the community is doing. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the entity that is giving the Forest Service a lot of their direction, according to Mr. Knauth. The Forest Service is trying to handle customer service without opening the doors.

The call with Mr. Knauth ended at 10:43 a.m.

There being no further business, the meeting recessed until tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.

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 held an elected officials/department heads meeting via conference call. Present were: Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser, Veterans Service Officer Ron Self, Noxious Weeds Department Superintendent Dave Wenk, Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendents Renee Nelson and Randy Morris, Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee, Solid Waste Department Superintendent Claine Skeen, Chief Probation Officer Stacy Brown, Treasurer Sue Larson, Sheriff Dave Kramer, Assessor Dave Ryals, Prosecutor’s Office Manager Tammie Goggia, Emergency Manager Andrew O’Neel, and University of Idaho/Boundary County Extension Educator Amy Robertson.
Chairman Dinning informed those on the call that the Idaho Association of Counties is offering a scholarship for children and grandchildren of county employees. Clerk Poston said she believes the amount of the scholarship is $1,000.00 per district. Commissioners asked those on the call to pass this information on to their employees.

Chairman Dinning said the county budgets have been set so please be conservative going through the year.

The State of Idaho CARES Act Broadband grant project is continuing and it should improve internet access through rural parts of the county.

Chairman Dinning asked those on the call to please refer to their employee handbook as it pertains to holidays.

Commissioners said if an employee has to be home due to COVID-19, they would hope everyone makes an attempt to work at home if need be, if we have to do that. There has been an increase of active COVID-19 cases in the community. Chairman Dinning said everyone needs to be wearing their masks in the Courthouse, at minimum when they’re helping someone. If someone suspects they have COVID-19, Commissioners want them to stay home and mark that time at home as COVID-19 on their time sheets.

Commissioners asked for department updates.

Assessor Ryals said his office is trying to get caught up on revaluations and he is almost back to full staff. Assessor Ryals commented that his biggest problem is with the Auto License Department as the State of Idaho has implemented a new statewide computer system and it just flat out is not working. The wait time on the telephone with the State of Idaho can be hours and the Licensing Office is struggling with that. The Auto License Department is having to close the office at a certain time every day just so they can catch up with the backlog.

Ms. Goggia said the Prosecutor’s Office is doing great.

Sheriff Kramer said he has two employees who tested positive for COVID-19, but they seem to be doing well and recovering. The Driver’s License Office has a position available for part-time hours. This position starts in November and it will help in serving the public better.

Treasurer Larson said her office is waiting for levy approval before starting the tax drive.

Ms. Robertson listed upcoming classes that are available through the Extension Office.

Ms. Brown said the Probation Office is staying busy.

Mr. Skeen said the landfill is staying busy. The new roll off containers should arrive next week, then there can be discussion about adjusting operation of the monitored sites.

Ms. Magee said the Restorium is busy and she has seven staff members out at this time, which is a bit stressful.
Ms. Nelson said Road and Bridge has the Trout Creek Bridge open. Ruby Creek Bridge #2 is to go out for bid with the Idaho Transportation Department and the Riverside Road Improvement Project is almost ready to go to bid this winter. Road and Bridge is getting roads graded for fall and equipment ready for winter, and their office is dealing with a lot of approach permits and addressing as growth occurs in the county.

Mr. Wenk commented that he has finished up with the Neighborhood Weed Management Co-Op Program and 528 acres were treated at a cost of $11,000.00 and almost 500 hours of in-kind contributions. There is a report of a new weed in Boundary County called goats head or puncture vine. It was thought this weed wouldn’t grow in this areas as it’s too wet. This weed is known to puncture a bike tire, go through a shoe and pets’ feet. The furthest north the goat head weed has been documented is in Coeur d’ Alene. Mr. Weed said he is notifying local nurseries about this weed.

Mr. Self said everything is going fine at the Veterans Service Office and he has turned in his report regarding his office’s service to veterans.

Mr. O’Neel said we’re definitely in the third wave of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as was predicted and we’re on track for a bigger wave than the prior two. In the State of Idaho there were 727 cases in the last surge and four days ago there were 1,094 cases in one day. We are seeing a lot higher number of cases per day and the virus is spreading faster than before. Intensive care units and ventilator use is steady so we’re not seeing a huge need for those. The number of hospitalizations are the same as the summer peak. Panhandle Health District is seeing the same thing with bigger one day totals and Kootenai County and Boundary County are seeing an upswing. Panhandle Health District has raised Kootenai County’s level to moderate and the other three northern counties are holding steady. Boundary County is seeing its biggest numbers so far with 35 active cases as of yesterday. Last week had 10 active cases. Boundary County has had 97 cases total since this pandemic started. Last week there were 31 new cases and six people have gotten better. Mr. O’Neel said we also have to consider the people who have recovered. The risk level in Boundary County is still minimal according to the Panhandle Health District risk assessment. We are seeing a lot of community spread. The minimum level rating is between 5% and 8% positive, etc. The importance of this risk level is really for the school district and there are a lot of factors to consider when determining the risk level. The high school is closed today for deep cleaning and contract tracing. Mr. O’Neel urged people to keep up on social distancing and hygiene. Commissioner Cossairt asked if the 11 cases on Friday were related or separate. Mr. O’Neel said he feels they’re mostly separate cases, with the exception of the local veterinary hospital last week so mostly it’s just community spread.

Clerk Poston said the election is in two weeks. There is in person voting and there will be social distancing and masks are available at the polling sites. Clerk Poston said her office is just extremely busy.

The elected officials/department heads conference call ended at 9:25 a.m.

9:26 a.m., Noxious Weeds Department Superintendent Dave Wenk contacted Commissioners via conference call to give his department report. Those present discussed the new weed found in the county called puncture vine or goats head. Mr. Wenk said he spoke to the owner of a particular nursery and that owner is willing to do everything to prevent the spread. Mr. Wenk listed various things he is working on to include being a speaker at a hay school coming up in Bonner County, working on his State of Idaho duties in rewriting the Weed Superintendent Handbook. The state convention was cancelled, with the exception of being held virtually. Mr. Wenk said there were 33 participants in the Weed Management Co-Op Program and six of them are new property owners so it’s good to have a rotation. Mr. Wenk mentioned that approximately 500 hours were donated toward the program and he listed the number of quarts of chemicals and acres treated. The program did well and newer property owners signed up so it’s good they’re taking it to heart. Commissioners questioned the need to receive this treatment every year. Mr. Wenk spoke of how certain weed treatments don’t last as long and some people don’t want to use the stronger chemicals in the manure due to gardening uses, etc. Mr. Wenk said he got his department’s equipment winterized, but he will still do some spot spraying where the puncture vine was discovered.

Mr. Wenk discussed matters pertaining to the snowmobile groomer and he commented that Bonner County is not going to request any more money than the usual $3,000.00 per year as it pertains to the groomer. Commissioner Cossairt said Boundary County Snowmobile Board Chairman Jeff Urbaniak echoed that same statement of only being responsible for $3,000.00. Mr. Wenk discussed the matter of Bonner County preferring to hire a groomer as opposed to using a volunteer due to liability issues so they’re going to have a paid employee instead.

The call with Mr. Wenk ended at 9:31 a.m.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Certificate of Residency for Jacob Wilson. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

9:35 a.m., Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendents Renee Nelson and Randy Morris contacted Commissioners’ Office via conference call.

Chairman Dinning informed Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris that the property owner at the corner of the Riverside Road project visited Commissioners’ Office last week and inquired about getting things taken care of concerning their property. Ms. Nelson said she has spoken to this property owner weekly as well as having spoken with the perspective buyer about the parcel and she explained the project. The title company is working on the paperwork, but Road and Bridge doesn’t yet have the right-of-way document as it hadn’t been finalized at that point. Chairman Dinning said the current property owner mentioned compensation for moving a fence. Ms. Nelson said she’s inquired about meeting on site to get details finalized and that hasn’t happened just yet. Chairman Dinning suggested Ms. Nelson inform the current property owner that he has inquired about setting up this on site meeting.

The call to Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris ended at 9:38 a.m.

9:44 a.m., Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendent Renee Nelson contacted Commissioners briefly regarding an addressing issue.

Ms. Nelson’s call ended at 9:47 a.m.

Commissioners tended to administrative duties.

Chairman Dinning informed Commissioners that Planning and Zoning Administrator Clare Marley converted a Planning and Zoning Administrative Development Permit to a Word document as it had originally been created in the File Maker Pro program. Commissioners approved of this format change.

10:00 a.m., Veterans Service Officer Ron Self contacted Commissioners via telephone to provide a department report. Mr. Self provided an update with statistics he put together pertaining to veterans served. Mr. Self informed Commissioners that he got a new desk for his office at the armory.

The call with Mr. Self ended at 10:02 a.m.

Commissioners recessed until their next meeting set for 10:20 a.m.

10:20 a.m., Commissioners held discussion regarding requests for Commissioners’ meeting minutes prior to the minutes being made official. Chairman Dinning said we need to establish some form of policy as far as passing out the minutes. Chairman Dinning said his feeling is that until their meeting minutes are approved, he doesn’t want to release them. You can always write “draft” or “unapproved” on the minutes, but someone will still comment on them. Commissioner Cossairt said as long as that is legal.

Commissioner Kirby moved to establish a policy for Commissioners’ meeting minutes that they are not to be released until they’ve been approved by Commissioners, subject to receiving the County Civil Attorney’s opinion. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.

10:23 a.m., Boundary County School District 101 Superintendent Jan Bayer and Business Manager/Treasurer Cal Bateman joined the meeting.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the Planning and Zoning Administrative Development Permit form. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioners waited until the scheduled time of 10:30 a.m. to discuss the School District maintenance and operation (M&O) levy.

10:30 a.m., Ms. Bayer presented those present with an informational brochure on the replacement M&O levy. Ms. Bayer explained that the proposed levy is the same dollar amount as in the last two elections and this proposed levy would be for another two years. With the increase in the tax base and growth, the prior formula was $2.34 per $1,000.00 and now it drops to $1.87 per $1,000.00. It is good growth overall for the county and this is a tax people get to vote on. The School District is not asking for any additional funds. Ms. Mayer said on the second page, the brochure shows what is funded to include safety and security projects, smaller class sizes, teachers’ salaries and benefits, training, instructional materials, Support staff, etc. The School District is trying to compete and retain staff, but there is a gap and the school district is funded for about one-third of what they actually employ. The federal government was supposed to provide funding at 40%, but is only funding 6%.The budget is 13 million dollars and 1.6 million is automatically subtracted out of that. Ms. Bayer discussed instructional materials and technology. Extracurricular matters, transportation, etc. The State of Idaho reimburses transportation at 85% and field trips are reimbursed at 50% as long as they’re tied to curriculum. Anything not line itemed can be used toward medical benefits, according to Ms. Bayer. Ms. Bayer said 21% of the general fund budget is the M&O.

Mr. Bateman said in Idaho every $100.00 spent is $81.00 in benefits. Mr. Bateman said the last two times this levy was ran, the School District had breezed through it and the numbers and percentages have been good, but it feels different this year. This replacement M&O levy was changed to run in the general election as it had usually been done in March and it’s also being put to a vote at a time when you feel everyone is mad at you so it just feels different. Chairman Dinning said everyone is affected by this COVID-19 virus and there is no conclusion in sight that you can feel or see so it’s just frustration and it’s the local and presidential election as well so it’s just everything. Mr. Bateman said they have not had to discuss the doom and gloom, but if this replacement M&O levy doesn’t pass, the school district will have to make some cuts. It was said the School District gets asked questions about funding as it pertains to kids having to learn remotely. Clerk Poston said the county has approximately 7,400 registered voters and that is an uptick from about one year ago as it had been 800 voters. Clerk Poston added that it’s how you get the information out to the people. Ms. Bayer mentioned that they did have a public meeting and made robo-calls and they only had six people show up. They’ve been to every school and shown up where they’ve been asked to. Clerk Poston said there are a lot of new voters in the county. Ms. Bayer said she’s grateful for what they have and love the community. It’s going to be a tough time and they’re more nervous now than they have been in the last six years. Ms. Bayer said the brochure does provide history of forest funding and in year 2010 funding was $595,000.00. The School District has a facilities committee who has been working since January and they’ve had architects come in and have analyzed maintenance costs, etc. Even with the bond amount and this current M&O, the tax rate would still decrease. Chairman Dinning mentioned the bond for the high school being paid off and he added that this replacement levy wouldn’t exceed that.

Clerk Poston said if everyone paid a certain amount and the value of the homes increased from $200.00 to $400.00, people would still pay the same rate. Ms. Bayer said it would double due to the value of the home, but the levy would drop. Chairman Dinning said the forest fund is significant as most people moving to this area aren’t aware. Last year was the first year that the School District received more funding from the state since year 2008. The School District is just recovering from year 2008 values of funding from the state so it will be interesting to see how this plays out. Ms. Bayer said the State Board said they would pay the districts based on enrollment as opposed to daily attendance so she is happy about that.

Clerk Poston questioned what will happen in March if this M&O fails. Ms. Bayer said this particular School Board said they would not rerun the levy, but she would like for them to rerun it next March and do the bond in May, but she couldn’t guess.

It was said there is a 5% contingency fund, but the high school has a heating issue that was not budgeted for. The State of Idaho would like to see a contingency fund of 3 million dollars. Clerk Poston asked if the School District is able to do something through the CARES Act. Ms. Bayer said those funds are available and could help with discretionary funds, but that’s not true as you cannot use those funds for salary and benefits, unless you are hiring. Clerk Poston said she wondered if it would help with the high school’s heating issue. Ms. Bayer explained that this issue had started last March, but they didn’t learn of the results until August. Ms. Bayer commented on being super creative in order to take pressure off. The CARES Act funds have helped with custodial help and getting another nurse so they’ve been able to do increased cleaning and purchase personal protective equipment. There is a meeting on Thursday morning to make sure they’re meeting timelines in asking for those funds. Ms. Bayer explained the three different types of CARES funding and timelines.

Chairman Dinning commented on the Governor’s Public Safety grants. The latest figure was $1.3 million, minus some costs, but that is a direct reduction to the property tax bill for this year only. Clerk Poston said the City of Bonners Ferry turned this grant down, but the county accepted it.

The meeting with Ms. Bayer and Mr. Bateman ended at 10:53 a.m.

Commissioners contacted Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee via conference call at 10:55 a.m.
Commissioners asked Ms. Magee about her employee situation. Ms. Magee commented that she has seven employees that are out this morning, but after contacting Panhandle Health District, four employees are able to go back to work as long as they’re monitored closely due to potential exposure to COVID-19. Ms. Magee said she is still in the process of getting rooms taken care of.

The call to Ms. Magee ended at 10:57 a.m.

Deputy Clerk Pam Barton joined meeting at 11:00 a.m.

Commissioner Kirby 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 Cossairt second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Kirby “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 11:12 a.m. No action was taken.

Commissioners recessed for lunch at 11:12 a.m.

1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.

1:30 p.m., County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull joined the meeting.

Kevin Lederhos with E.L. Internet joined the meeting via conference call at 1:31 p.m.

Attorney Hull said there was the question about going through the process of submitting requests to the State of Idaho as it related to invoices from E.L. Internet for the State of Idaho CARES Act Broadband Grant. In making sure that all documentation is present, there was a question about a couple different things. Panhandle Area Council (PAC) Grant Administrator Nancy Mabile and Kevin Lederhos have been communicating back and forth about this and ultimately, Ms. Mabile and Mr. Lederhos worked out all of questions with the exception of the county, as the grantee, possibly requiring a separate certification aside from Exhibit C. Attorney Hull reviewed Exhibit C that was signed by E.L. Internet with regard to completion of the project and that Exhibit satisfies the county so he doesn’t see a need for another certification of completion. Now the process is ready to be uploaded to the State portal. Chairman Dinning said EWA Szewczyk with the State of Idaho had questions regarding overhead costs and in his discussions it was learned that there is no overhead in the hourly rate for E.L. Internet so their rate is appropriate. Attorney Hull said he has also reviewed those documents. Chairman Dinning commented that people should know this is not a process that happens overnight. Clerk Poston commented that E.L. Internet paid on an invoice this morning so she will issue payment for PAC. Clerk Poston explained, now that Ms. Mabile received her documents, she will print those out as well and get that information to the portal. Clerk Poston added that it’s usually the Clerk who requests payment, but she wonders if something should also come from Commissioners. Clerk Poston clarified that she is not making a payment; she is just entering information into the portal. The funds will come to Treasurer Sue Larson, who will provide an auditor’s certificate that the funds are now available and the Clerk’s Office will issue the payment. Mr. Lederhos said the payment is not the main concern, it’s just the process as he knows the applications will start to stack up with both E.L. Internet and Intermix and he would like Ms. Mabile to be able to breathe during this.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the submittal of the reimbursement request through the portal for the State of Idaho regarding E.L. Internet’s project for Deep Creek, APP-4241 and to authorize the Clerk to request reimbursement. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Lederhos ended his call at 1:36 p.m.

1:37 p.m., Commissioner Kirby 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 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 Cossairt second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Kirby “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 1:56 p.m. No action was taken.

Attorney Hull left the meeting.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to amend the prior motion regarding the approval of the Planning and Zoning Administrative Development Permit to also include approval of the Floodplain Development Permit. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioners tended to administrative duties.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:06 p.m.

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DAN R. DINNING, Chairman

ATTEST:

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GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk