***Monday, October 22, 2018, Commissioners did not meet due to lack of a quorum.
***Tuesday, October 23, 2018, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Walt Kirby, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser. Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton and Clerk Glenda Poston were out of the office tending to other matters.
9:00 a.m., Commissioners held an elected officials/department heads meeting. Present were: Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser, Chief Probation Officer Stacy Brown, Emergency Services Director Mike Meier, Solid Waste Department Claine Skeen, Courthouse Maintenance John Buckley, Noxious Weeds Department Superintendent Dave Wenk, Chief Deputy Clerk Tracie Isaac, University of Idaho Extension Educator Amy Robertson, Planning and Zoning Administrator John Moss, Supervisory Court Clerk Della Armstrong, Deputy Treasurer Jody Stoddard, and Assessor Dave Ryals.
Chairman Dinning informed everyone that if they need to talk with County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull, he will be out of the office for a couple weeks in November.
Commissioners should be closing the sale on the armory property and then they will take it from there.
Commissioners went around the room for department updates.
Mr. Skeen said the landfill is busy and the public is adjusting to the new fee system. Mr. Skeen informed Commissioners that he will start the interview process on Thursday to hire for vacant position at the landfill and he added that only three applications were received.
Mr. Meier said at last month’s elected officials/department heads meeting he mentioned sheltering in place, but only Mr. Buckley approached him about it. Mr. Meier said he can inform employees how to keep gasses out of the building, flip breakers, etc., in the event of an emergency. Mr. Meier said he attended an exercise for an active shooter scenario at Bonner General Hospital in the capacity of a public information officer and he was able to train someone from Bonner County in that area.
Ms. Brown said the Probation Office is staying busy. Her office did label the circuit breaker in the Probation Office in case they ever need to shelter in place. Probation is still trying to populate in the Odyssey program. Ms. Brown informed everyone that April Isaac in the Probation Office will be handing out candy on Halloween for about one hour.
Ms. Stoddard said the Treasurer’s Office is getting ready to print tax bills.
Ms. Armstrong said the court clerks are continuing to work through the Odyssey program. A couple more counties have signed on to use this program so they have priority in addressing issues for the next four to six weeks. Information is unstable for doing searches, according to Ms. Armstrong.
Assessor Ryals said his two newest appraisers are certified and off doing their work and his office is working on the new construction roll.
Mr. Wenk said he is wrapping it up for the winter and winterizing vehicles that he has at the armory. The Cooperative Weed Control program went well this year and those funds were used up.
Ms. Robertson listed classes being offered through the University of Idaho Extension Office. 4H enrollment is available online, there is an average of 20 kids participating in the Friday Friends program and the Master Gardener and food preservation courses will take place in the spring.
Mr. Buckley said he has been busy and taking care of winterizing equipment. Mr. Buckley said he has had help with leaf collecting as people in the community had wanted some leaves so only a couple bags went up to the landfill. Other than that, Mr. Buckley said he is just keeping up with the seasons.
Mr. Moss said Planning and Zoning applications have been coming in, but there are no hearings scheduled for this month. There are 20 to 30 existing applications that are keeping Mr. Moss busy.
Ms. Isaac said employees may have noticed their pay checks are approximately $100 more and that is due to the change in the withholding tables, but Boundary County wasn’t able to update its tables until just last month. Chairman Dinning mentioned the change should’ve been done in May. This has been to the benefit of the employees so they may receive a larger refund. Ms. Isaac said the State of Idaho has asked that informational flyers be handed out so employees can look to see if their withholdings need to change.
Chairman Dinning said he has heard that this winter is supposed to be mild. Mr. Meier said it just depends on who you talk to.
The elected officials/department heads meeting ended at 9:15 a.m.
9:18 a.m., County Noxious Weeds Department Superintendent Dave Wenk provided Commissioners with his department report. Mr. Wenk reported that weed sprayer rentals generated $365.75 and there were only 13 rentals, but as a result 182 acres were treated so it’s worth it. For road side weed treatment, 440 acres were treated, which equates to a little more than $12,000 in chemicals. As it pertains to spraying areas for other entities such as the City of Bonners Ferry, airport and Parks and Recreation, 206 acres were sprayed. The Lower Kootenai River Watershed Restoration project resulted in 125 acres treated over the last two years and the county billed $11,250 for that. For the Cooperative Program with Bonner County, Mr. Wenk said he put in 46.5 hours. Mr. Wenk said $5,800 was billed for treatments provided for the City of Bonners Ferry and other entities. Mr. Wenk informed Commissioners that he is approximately $22,000 under budget and last year he was approximately $30,000 under budget.
Mr. Wenk and Commissioners discussed the need for a building that could house the weed equipment. Mr. Wenk said the armory location is best. Mr. Wenk asked if he should start looking at costs for a building. Chairman Dinning said to go ahead and form a plan and look at costs.
Mr. Wenk informed Commissioners that he sent out five enforcement letters to people pertaining to weeds and one person did not respond. In the enforcement letter it states treatment would be at no cost to the property owner and it also lists the state statute pertaining to weeds, but the homeowner still didn’t respond. Commissioners asked Mr. Wenk to continue sending letters to this homeowner.
The Noxious Weed Department’s side by side is too wide for the trailer and Chairman Dinning asked if Mr. Wenk has budget for a new trailer. Mr. Wenk said yes and added that he would like to buy locally if possible.
Commissioners were informed that Mr. Wenk was asked if he wanted to serve as vice chair for the Idaho Association of Weed Control Supervisors. The Association meets four times per year and Mr. Wenk said he has $2,000 in his budget available so he does have budget to cover those meetings. Chairman Dinning said anytime Boundary County can be represented, it’s a good thing. Mr. Wenk said he is going to work with Bonner County in printing a new weed book, but he needs to get Publisher for his computer in order to do so.
Mr. Wenk informed Commissioners of the issues beavers are causing on Deep Creek Loop. Beavers will break a certain type of weed near the creek that resembles bamboo and wherever this weed gets stuck in the river it will regrow its roots. Six traps have been set for beavers, according to Mr. Wenk.
Chairman Dinning said we need more invasive species check stations for boats and Mr. Wenk agreed. Chairman Dinning said the check stations are only inspecting boats that are heading one direction.
The meeting with Mr. Wenk ended at 9:43 a.m.
Commissioner Kirby moved to approve the minutes of October 8 & 9, 2018. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Kirby moved to sign Certificates of Residency for Julia Cummings, Josie Leyden, Jeffrey Thomas, and Brooke Torgerson. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Kirby moved to sign the CATX Environmental Assessment and Ground-Hangar Lease for James Pannell once it has been received from the county civil attorney. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Kirby moved to sign the Idaho Public Safety Communications Commission FY 2019 Idaho Public Safety Grant Program grant award for E911 Services for a total award amount of $72,121.39. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals joined the meeting at 9:51 a.m.
Commissioner Kirby moved to deny indigent cases 2018-27 and 2019-2. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Deputy Clerk Ryals left the meeting at 10:00 a.m.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
11:00 a.m., Airport Board Chairman Jay Wages joined the meeting to discuss airport matters with Commissioners.
Commissioner Kirby moved to authorize the Chairman to sign Request for Reimbursement #5 and Invoice Summary for Airport Improvement Project (AIP) 3-16-0004-014-2016 for an amount of $26,507.79. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Wages mentioned to Commissioners that the Airport Board would like to pursue funding for the airport that doesn’t require county match and it can be held so it wouldn’t need to be spent right away. Mr. Wages discussed shifting the runway to the south so it can be moved away from the highway, which is in the clear zone. Chairman Dinning asked if larger planes could use this runway. Mr. Wages said they could use it as a taxiway. Mr. Wages said moving the runway would add 500 feet, but the Airport Board was hoping to have an 800 foot extension. This runway wouldn’t be published as a longer runway so as it pertains to jets, this runway would be considered the same as the existing length. If this runway is shifted, it would provide the needed length, but the road at the end and the powerlines may be an obstacle. This relocation would be a long time out and it’s mentioned in the Master Plan. Commissioners were in favor of the Airport Board applying for these funds. Commissioners asked if the funds could be used to purchase a snowplow and Mr. Wages said that is something the airport hopes to have before then. The funding being sought is $100,000 and it would be held by the airport until the time of construction. There is no match required for the $100,000 so it doesn’t cost anything and it’s just an application at this point. The funds would be used for the future runway movement. Commissioners said they didn’t have any problems with it.
The meeting with Mr. Wages ended at 11:07 a.m.
Commissioner Kirby moved to accept the recommendation from the County’s Road Naming Committee to rename Emerson Drive to Champs Road. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Kirby moved to accept the recommendation from the County’s Road Naming Committee to approve the private road name of Hardy Loop as platted on the Hidden Meadows Subdivision (Instrument 232317). Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
11:09 a.m., Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals joined the meeting at Commissioners’ request to discuss matters pertaining to the regional sewer feasibility study and associated invoices and reimbursements.
Chairman Dinning informed Deputy Clerk Ryals that he will be meeting with Keller Associates next week about the sewer feasibility study. Deputy Clerk Ryals mentioned having received emails regarding reimbursements and she said the county was given incorrect instructions the first time as the Department of Environmental Quality will only reimburse 41.6% and she can’t find where that statement was written in the paperwork. The GEM grant award, through the Department of Commerce, is $25,000, but the county won’t know the status before we can figure this out. It isn’t known if the county has to apply for the grant funds in order to receive them and only Clerk Poston and Boundary Economic Development Director Dennis Weed can order those funds. Deputy Clerk Ryals said Keller Associates has not been paid for the four invoices. Deputy Clerk Ryals provided Commissioners with a contact for the Department of Commerce to inquire about the GEM grant.
Deputy Clerk Ryals left the meeting at 11:23 a.m.
Commissioners recessed for lunch.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Walt Kirby and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
Commissioner Kirby moved to sign the Certificate of Residency for Noah Cordle. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
1:30 p.m., Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee and Assistant Administrator Pam Barton joined the meeting to continue their discussion on a matter regarding improvements needed at the Restorium and claims for payment for that work.
Chairman Dinning said one concern in this situation is that County Outside Auditor Leonard Schulte could cite the county in its audit if the county pays for a job that is not completed and is paying the claim ahead for the next year. Ms. Magee said if there was an issue with Mr. Schulte, she doesn’t know why it hasn’t come up as she has done this before and she added that she was instructed by Chief Deputy Clerk Tracie Isaac to do this. Chairman Dinning said the amount in question was carried forward and it’s in the Restorium budget, but it may not be in that particular line item. It was said there is now a cash amount of $392,000. Chairman Dinning said that is because the September payroll and expenses came out of that budget. Ms. Barton said most expenses had already come out and the claim for the phone system had been paid. Chairman Dinning questioned if those items came out of the September budget and Ms. Barton said yes.
Chairman Dinning said the best thing to do is for Ms. Magee and Ms. Barton to meet with Clerk Poston and Chief Deputy Clerk Isaac to go over this. For the bigger cost work, we’re looking at two months out, according to Chairman Dinning. Commissioners had approved Ms. Magee and Ms. Barton going forward with some of the items, but it wasn’t discussed what budget those costs would be paid from. Chairman Dinning said either way, go ahead with fixing the floor as it needs to get done. Ms. Magee said she has an $8,000 repair for the kitchen. The boiler at the Restorium now has problems so there are big ticket items, according to Ms. Magee. Ms. Barton added that the muffler on the Restorium’s truck fell out and the thought is that this truck’s motor might be shot as it is knocking. Chairman Dinning said to Ms. Magee and Ms. Barton to keep in mind Commissioners are here to work together and we’ve never said not to do something. The Restorium needs to get in compliance with the state health agency. Commissioners said to go ahead and take care of the phone system, the door, floor, ceiling and wall. We need to do these things and then when we see what the boiler issue is, we’ll figure out paying for it. If there has been confusion in instructions, then we will figure that out, too.
Ms. Magee said her concern is when the claim for the work came through, Commissioners were under the impression the job was paid for, but she had put a Post-it note on the claim so she is not sure. Ms. Magee said she wished a phone call would’ve been made to her to clarify any questions and she questioned if the county wants her out. Chairman Dinning asked Ms. Magee why she feels that way. Ms. Magee said it would’ve taken one telephone call to her to clarify this and she feels left out of the loop. Ms. Magee said she and Ms. Barton work hard on their budget and to keep within budget and they work harder than Commissioners will ever know. Ms. Magee spoke of how she saved money in making the purchases she did for the nurse’s office space.
Ms. Barton said one of the biggest things that is hard to track and predict, as far as budget, is room rents that come in. There is revenue that comes in and if a resident pays their rent and then passes away, it’s an expense the Restorium pays back. Instead of having revenue and doing a negative and deducting it, the refund comes out of the line item budget for expenditures. The Restorium cannot predict how many room rent refunds will have to be issued. Chairman Dinning said if rents paid have to be shown as an expenditure somehow, is there a way to show a cash deduction on a refund rather than an expenditure in a budget? If you had a certain number of rent refunds to make, it would come out of the budgeted side when in fact it’s just cash. Ms. Barton said that is why the Restorium waits to do repairs as they cannot predict how many expenditures will occur. Chairman Dinning suggested creating a line item for refunded rents and no cash could go into that line. For example if the number is $10,000, we’ve budgeted for it, but we have not levied for it.
Commissioner Kirby said if you put money into it and if you don’t use those funds, it turns into cash carry forward, but if a rental refund is needed, it’s budgeted.
Commissioners said to do the things that need to get done at the Restorium and then they will figure out the budget to pay for them. Chairman Dinning said this is in excess of carry forward and in some cases there is unexpected revenue. Ms. Magee and Ms. Barton mentioned that in the past when expenses came up, Clerk Poston advised them to be cautious the first three months into a new budget year as taxes are coming in. Chairman Dinning said the kitchen repairs need to be done so go ahead and do those. Chairman Dinning said it may run down the balance in some line items, but we will figure out how to do it.
Those present discussed the inspection done for the heating/cooling unit in the kitchen at the Restorium and it needs fixed, but they need to get a new unit that is similar as opposed to a lesser unit.
The meeting with Ms. Magee and Ms. Barton ended at 2:00 p.m.
Chairman Dinning said as far as making a comment to the Department of Ecology on the proposed smelter in Newport Washington, the comments are due October 26th. Chairman Dinning mentioned requesting in a proposed letter that monitoring be done for at least one year, especially in the Myrtle Creek drainage.
Commissioner Kirby moved to authorize the Chairman to submit a comment letter to the Department of Ecology on behalf of Boundary County Commissioners as it pertains to the proposed silicon smelter in Newport Washington and requesting monitoring be done for one year if the smelter project goes through. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
2:01 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)c, to acquire an interest in real property which is not owned by a public agency. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye” and Commissioner Kirby “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 2:11 p.m.
Commissioner Kirby moved to authorize the Chairman to send a letter of intent regarding the purchase of property. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Kirby moved to authorize a county officer to be absent from the state for more than 20 days, as allowed per Idaho Code 31-2013, for up to 30 days. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:20 p.m.
__________________________________
DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
ATTEST:
_________________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk