***Monday, August 22, 2016, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
Blue Sky Broadcasting News Reporter Mike Brown was in attendance of the meetings off and on throughout the day.
Commissioners gave the opening invocation and said the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Kirby moved to amend today’s agenda as there had been a computer glitch and the computer agenda was to list Chief Deputy Sheriff Rich Stephens meeting with Commissioners at 11:30 a.m., and to show Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee meeting with Commissioners on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
9:00 a.m., Road and Bridge Department Superintendent Clint Kimball joined the meeting to give his departmental report. Mr. Kimball presented a written report. Those present discussed matters pertaining to last week’s county fair.
Mr. Kimball said business for Road and Bridge continues as per normal. Road and Bridge has finished chipsealing and it has gone well and since there was a little extra time, trucks carrying water were used to wet down areas with dried calcium chloride to aid in dust control. Mr. Kimball said he got a call from the Sheriff’s Office regarding a train that had lost a power axle. Mr. Kimball said there had been miscommunication and Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) had unloaded the train and walked approximately 900 feet down an area of road that had just been chipsealed. Mr. Kimball said this has made a mess of the county road, but he has taken pictures. The road had to be patched as that traffic pulled up the chipseal. Mr. Kimball said he contacted the BNSF Claims Department, but has yet to hear back from them.
Mr. Kimball said today he will start using a rented chipper for one week so he will see how that goes.
Mr. Kimball spoke of attending a meeting pertaining to the Riverside Road Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) Project. Costs, blueprints, and maps have been generated for Riverside Road so this information will be presented at the next meeting for this project as the goal is to have the bridge included in the FLAP program. Mr. Kimball said with his plan of relocating the creek, the Myrtle Creek Bridge can be shorter.
Mr. Kimball informed Commissioners the Boundary Area Transportation Team (BATT) meeting is this Wednesday, August 24th.
Chairman Dinning mentioned a matter pertaining to the turn lane at Division Street in relation to the county’s gravel pit. Mr. Kimball said instead of using Highway 2 to access the county’s gravel pit, he thought it better to use Division Street. Chairman Dinning asked about the fence on the south side of that gravel pit as it may not be located on the property line. Boundary County had given the City of Moyie an easement for power, and the legal description shows the fence running east and west of the line, but it also shows the fence located south of that property line.
9:15 a.m., Commissioner Kirby moved to go to 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 Pinkerton second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton “aye”, and Commissioner Kirby “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 9:25 a.m. No action was taken.
Commissioners and Mr. Kimball continued their discussion pertaining to finding an option for fencing at the Morter’s residence.
The meeting with Mr. Kimball ended at 9:25 a.m.
9:26 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 Pinkerton second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton “aye”, and Commissioner Kirby “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 9:36 a.m. No action was taken.
9:36 a.m., Commissioners spoke to County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull via telephone to review various matters. Attorney Hull said he will work on the vacation of the easement as it pertains to the county gravel pit off Highway 2. Commissioners do not have to hold a hearing to consider the vacation, according to Attorney Hull.
Attorney Hull said he worked on the contract for jail medical services. The original contract had no provision “for cause termination” so he inserted that language into this new contract. Commissioners will need to forward this proposed contract to Dr. Geyman’s Office for review.
Attorney Hull said he should be completed with drafting a new contract for ambulance services soon.
Chairman Dinning said Treasurer Sue Larson received an email regarding a delinquent Cabinet Mountains Water District bill associated with the tax deeded property formerly owned by Walter Merrifield. Since Mr. Merrifield is buying this property back, the amount of the water bill will be added to the purchase price.
Chairman Dinning asked Attorney Hull how the county is to calculate the taxes on a property that was tax deeded in year 1940. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners are just trying to determine a minimum bid value so is the county to calculate taxes going back approximately four years or have the Assessor appraise the property? Attorney Hull suggested asking Treasurer Larson to see how far back she can go to determine taxes and ask Assessor Ryals for the assessed value as far back as he can go.
Commissioners asked if they need to hold a public hearing in order to increase the damage/cleaning deposit from $50 to $100 for the Veterans Memorial Hall. Attorney Hull said Commissioners will need to hold a public hearing to consider this increase.
The call to Attorney Hull ended at 9:45 a.m.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the Certificates of Residency for Talia Liermann-Kress, Dylan Unruh, Elizabeth Racer, Isaac Wilson, Kendra Urbaniak, Olivia Fee, Brooke Schirado, Ashley McLeish, Michael Negoi, Kendall Deaton, Judah Draxlir, Elena Negoi, and Krystal Foster. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
9:50 a.m., Treasurer Sue Larson joined the meeting.
Treasurer Larson said she is opening up a different account at Mountain West Bank and she thought it would be best for Commissioners to approve this action on the record.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to approve Treasurer Larson opening a sweep account at Mountain West Bank that earns the same interest as another account previously held. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Dinning informed Treasurer Larson that Attorney Hull suggested she and Assessor Dave Ryals research as far back as they can to calculate taxes on county property that had been tax deeded in the 1940’s.
Treasurer Larson left the meeting at 9:56 a.m.
Commissioner Kirby moved to approve the minutes of August 8 & 9, 2016. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
10:00 a.m., Solid Waste Department Superintendent Claine Skeen joined the meeting at Commissioners’ request to discuss the use of an excavator Mr. Skeen would like to purchase for the landfill.
Mr. Skeen said the main reason for the excavator is to dig another hole for the landfill. The landfill has a loader, but west of the existing face, in the middle of the property, he would like to excavate and mine that area consisting of approximately eight to 10 acres at approximately 40 feet deep. Chairman Dinning asked for a map of where material will be placed. Mr. Skeen said the annual payment for a new excavator would be $33,797 for 1,000 annual hours. Commissioner Pinkerton said that is a good price. Mr. Skeen said that doesn’t account for fuel, and he reviewed the cost, financed amount, and amount of the balloon payment for the buyback at the end of the five year term. Chairman Dinning said there is an existing payment of $18,000 to $20,000 in his budget and this next budget year is the last payment on that loader. Mr. Skeen said he will push to lease another loader at that same price. The existing loader will have under 5,000 hours and the warranty will have expired. Chairman Dinning asked Mr. Skeen if he is going to excavate a 40 foot hole and then put garbage back into it. Mr. Skeen said he will mine the area. Mr. Skeen spoke of having mined a certain size area in the past and how much and what type of garbage was found. Mr. Skeen said with excavation, the working face is where mined materials will be taken and if he finds clean dirt, he will have it stockpiled. Once Mr. Skeen starts burying garbage in the mined hole, another area can be excavated to be used as cover, but eventually Mr. Skeen will have to move to the adjacent property. Chairman Dinning said it would be good to have a drawing and the plan so another board of commissioners will not have to rely on these minutes to determine what took place.
Clerk Poston asked about the new scale. Mr. Skeen said the scale is installed, but he is still working on the software. Clerk Poston said when she spoke to Ellery Howard with JUB Engineering she learned the landfill closure plan had not been updated so the amount of $50,000 needs to be in the Solid Waste Department’s budget for that purpose. Mr. Skeen said he is still waiting for the letter from Attorney Tevis Hull pertaining to the tire issue.
Mr. Skeen asked Commissioners about the ability to keep a cash box at the landfill in order to make change. Clerk Poston suggested a certain amount to keep on hand and to reconcile it. Clerk Poston suggested including updates on his reconciliation during his regular monthly department reports with Commissioners.
The meeting with Mr. Skeen ended at 10:25 a.m.
Clerk Poston said she received an invoice from Selkirks Pend-Oreille Transit (SPOT) today totaling $2,000. The agreement is that Boundary County is to provide up to $3,500 for fuel and maintenance, but with this invoice of $2,000 it exceeds the total of $3,500 by $1,000. Commissioner Kirby mentioned the matter of the SPOT Program is to be discussed at this week’s Boundary Area Transportation Team meeting.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Contract for Pre-Commercial Thinning Activities for the Lower Kootenai River Watershed Restoration Project with Richardson Tree Care. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
10:50 a.m., Bonner County Juvenile Detention Center Director Ron Stultz and Detention Manager Will Hunter joined the meeting to discuss renewing the contract for juvenile probation services. Boundary County Chief Probation Officer Stacy Brown also joined the meeting.
Those present discussed the ability to skype or otherwise video conference if need be. Chairman Dinning asked Mr. Stultz and Ms. Brown to check on the technical ability to video conference. It was said for public defenders in Kootenai County to speak with their clients they would have to be in the Kootenai County Courthouse.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the Contract for Juvenile Probation Services with Bonner County. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting with Mr. Stultz, Mr. Hunter, and Ms. Brown ended at 11:05 a.m.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to adopt Resolution 2016-22. A resolution affirming Boundary County’s commitment to its veterans and Veterans Memorial Hall. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. Resolution 2016-22 reads as follows:
RESOLUTION 2016-22
A RESOLUTION AFFIRMING BOUNDARY COUNTY’S COMMITMENT TO ITS VETERANS AND VETERANS MEMORIAL HALL.
WHEREAS, Boundary County affirms its continuing commitment to the veterans of this county; and,
WHEREAS, Boundary County resolves and confirms that the Veterans Memorial Hall is indeed a building not only dedicated to all past, present, and future Boundary County veterans, but that the Memorial Hall itself is in existence because of the sacrifices of the County’s veterans and the blood of many good men; and,
WHEREAS, Boundary County further resolves that Veterans Memorial Hall is now and shall forever be considered a memorial to every Boundary County veteran who served, is serving, or will serve this great nation.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That Boundary County does hereby affirm its commitment to its veterans and Veterans Memorial Hall.
ADOPTED THIS 22nd DAY OF August, 2016.
BOUNDARY COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
s/____________________________
Dan R. Dinning, Chairman
s/____________________________
LeAlan L. Pinkerton, Commissioner
s/____________________________
Walt Kirby, Commissioner
Attest:
s/______________________________
Glenda Poston, Clerk
Recorded as instrument #268156
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
11:30 a.m., Chief Deputy Sheriff Rich Stephens joined the meeting to discuss extended stays at the county’s boat launches. Courthouse Maintenance John Buckley also joined the meeting.
Chief Deputy Sheriff Stephens said he wanted to discuss finding people staying overnight at the county’s boat launches at Deep Creek, Copeland, and Porthill for extended periods of time. It was said there have been people staying at the Deep Creek boat launch, but they typically don’t stay very long. Chief Deputy Sheriff Stephens spoke of a couple who told him they had lost their living accommodations so they borrowed a camper and supplies and basically set up residency near the boat launch in Porthill. Chief Deputy Sheriff Stephens said he wanted to approach Commissioners about the possibility of adopting an ordinance such as was done for extended stays at the snowmobile park. Chief Deputy Sheriff Stephens said he had also wanted to talk to Mr. Buckley because when people do stay for long periods of time there is less vandalism. Chairman Dinning said he hasn’t seen other visitors of the Deep Creek area be inhibited because of the campers. The restroom at this boat launch has been clean and vandalism is nil when there has been someone staying at the launch, according to Mr. Buckley. It was said the area where the people in Copeland set up is not blocking access to the boat launch. Mr. Buckley said in Porthill, those people are taking up the yard. Mr. Buckley explained what portion of this area is state property versus county property. It was said the county would put up a sign that states 72 hour parking, but that doesn’t allow jurisdiction over the rest of the area as it is state property. Chairman Dinning said he recalled there might have been an agreement with the State and Border Patrol regarding this area. It was said the day use area in Porthill was affected, but not the boat launch. Chief Deputy Sheriff Stephens said the Waterways Board has spoken with him about concerns regarding people staying for extended periods of time and how that may affect the grants for the boat launches. If these areas are being allowed to be used as a camping facility, that is a concern.
Mr. Buckley said once the ordinance for the snowmobile park was adopted and posted, there have been no issues whatsoever and since he has been taking care of the snowmobile park, vandalism has almost stopped.
The meeting with Chief Deputy Sheriff Stephens ended at 11:42 a.m.
Commissioners and Mr. Buckley discussed matters pertaining to surplus personnel property auctions.
Mr. Buckley left the meeting at 11:50 a.m.
There being no further business, the meeting recessed until tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.
***Tuesday, August 23, 2016, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
Commissioners held an elected officials/department heads meeting. Present were: Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, Planning and Zoning Administrator John Moss, Courthouse Maintenance John Buckley, Veterans Service Officer John Tucker, Treasurer Sue Larson, Deputy Assessor Tracy Golder, Solid Waste Department Superintendent Claine Skeen, Noxious Weeds Department Superintendent Dave Wenk, Extension Office Educator Amy Robertson, Chief Probation Officer Stacy Brown, Road and Bridge Department Superintendent Clint Kimball, Road and Bridge Office Manager Renee Nelson, Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee, Assistant Administrator Pam Barton, and Prosecutor’s Office Manager Tami Goggia.
Ms. Nelson presented reminders and updates pertaining to the Title VI non-discrimination paragraph and Title VI attachment A that are to be included in quote and bid documents. Ms. Nelson said she is available to answer anyone’s questions about this. Ms. Nelson informed those of penalties that can be assessed if this verbiage is not included in this documentation.
Ms. Nelson provided each department head and elected official present with the annual Limited English survey to be completed by October 3rd.
Chairman Dinning said the budget hearing is coming up in September. Chairman Dinning explained the increase in wages proposed. This year Commissioners propose an increase of $.10 per hour plus a 3% cost of living increase and he further explained the increases depending on an employee’s years of service. Chairman Dinning said we are trying to reward those employees who have been employed by the county longer as it was determined that employees who had been with the county for many years were making just about the same as a newer employee. Any employee making less than minimum wage will also receive an adjustment.
Treasurer Larson asked about pay for compensatory time and over time. It was said there are no changes to that.
Commissioners asked for department updates. Mr. Tucker said he attended a Veterans Services seminar in Boise from August 3rd through August 5th and it was well attended.
Chairman Dinning said Boundary County only had two Board of Equalization appeal hearings and it is a compliment to the Assessor’s Office and their communication with the public.
Mr. Skeen said the scale is in at the landfill. Nothing will change at the landfill with the use of the scale and the general public will not need to use the scale as it is for his department’s equipment and private contractors and haulers to use. The scale will provide the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) with a better understanding of the loads going into the landfill. Chairman Dinning said a couple years ago it was thought the landfill was only permitted for an 18 acre site, but actually the entire 40 acre site is permitted. Chairman Dinning said DEQ only counts the garbage that goes into the hole and anything over the 20 ton limit can be shipped out.
Mr. Kimball said Road and Bridge has been busy with quite an array of things. Activities that have increased are placement permits and access permits. There has been quite a lot of road sign damage occurring and the reputable scrap company will not take these roadway signs unless it is brought in by a contractor or Road and Bridge company. Chipsealing has been completed and it was a good effort by the Road and Bridge crew. Mr. Kimball said he rented a modern chipper and it seems to be performing well. Instead of having to haul brush, Road and Bridge is able to blow the chips onto slopes or make mulch. Mr. Kimball said there are various bridge projects in the works and he added that the bridge in Naples was struck again yesterday.
Ms. Magee said the Restorium is doing well and rooms are full right now. Ms. Magee said she is looking to hire a part-time cook and a registered nurse. Ms. Magee said nine pigs were donated to the Restorium after the fair.
Mr. Wenk said he has been working on killing noxious weeds.
Clerk Poston said August has been a busy month. The Government Employees Medical Plan (GEM) Board will be dispersing some of their excess funds. Boundary County is one of the smaller counties, but is still a larger participant in the program so it’s not certain how much money Boundary County will be reimbursed.
Clerk Poston updated those present on various topics to include: her office has applied for the public defender grant, the hospital is running a supplemental levy in the November election, she has been busy working on the budget, and Courthouse Security Ben Reinhardt is working on getting a quote for a new telephone system for the Courthouse. Clerk Poston said the county did not need to levy the full amount so the county will not seek taxes for $232,000. The total amount requested from taxpayers is $4,800,000. Landfill fees will increase 4%. Clerk Poston said the Restorium used to levy approximately $409,000 and that amount has decreased to $250,000, which is a plus.
Chief Deputy Clerk Tracie Isaac said the Idaho Counties Risk Management Program (ICMRP) online training program is now ready for employees to take. Having a certain percentage of employees complete this training saves Boundary County approximately $10,000 in insurance premiums per year.
Chief Deputy Clerk Isaac said on September 29th a Public Employee Retirement Services (PERSI) representative will be here to host PERSI training workshops at City of Bonners Ferry fire hall.
Mr. Buckley said he has been busy, but it is going quite well.
Ms. Robertson spoke of her participation in the fair and added that she is working part-time for the next few weeks before coming back fulltime. Ms. Robertson said she is also working on fall classes.
Ms. Brown said her department’s juvenile cases are down, but the cases they do have are more challenging.
Ms. Goggia said the Prosecutor’s Office has been busy.
Chairman Dinning explained that all salaried employees need to have a very accurate time sheet as there are new laws going into effect.
Chairman Dinning said if the county had not been as conservative as it has been, we would not have been able to pave the parking lot at the fairgrounds so he wanted to thank everyone for being conservative. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners would like to be able to do more of these projects for the community. It was said the county has to wait for the city before it can pave the road alongside the train tracks at the fairgrounds. Chairman Dinning said Mr. Kimball was heavily involved in fixing the drainage issue at the fairgrounds.
The elected officials/department heads meeting ended at 9:34 a.m.
9:35 a.m., County Noxious Weeds Department Superintendent Dave Wenk met with Commissioners to provide a department report. Mr. Wenk said he is going to have to purchase a new tank and saddle for one of the weed sprayers so he will get a quote. Mr. Wenk said he has completed road spraying and only had one complaint. Mr. Wenk explained that he was spraying for thistle and got some into Roger Morter’s alfalfa so he will contact him about that. Mr. Wenk mentioned county right-of-way and Chairman Dinning said unless there is a recorded easement that says otherwise, the right-of-way is 25 feet from the centerline. Mr. Wenk said he tried to visit with Mr. Morter, but the road was fenced.
Mr. Wenk said this week he will start spraying weeds on logging roads and landings for the Lower Kootenai River Watershed Restoration project, which is a two year grant. Mr. Wenk briefly spoke of areas that he will treat. Mr. Wenk said in September there will be a day spent at Liz and Burt Woods’ property so the Forest Service and Idaho Department of Lands will work with him in spraying approximately 30 acres. Mr. Wenk spoke of creating an insectary near Katka and using the insects to treat knapweed as well as working with the Nez Perce Tribe to treat orange hawkweed. Chairman Dinning suggested Mr. Wenk contact the Kootenai Tribe to inform them of his work with the Nez Perce Tribe. Mr. Wenk said there is another new invader in Boundary County called knotweed. Deep Creek in the Highland Flats area has been affected and this weed really takes over the streambanks. Mr. Wenk described knotweed as having a heart-shaped flower.
The meeting with Mr. Wenk ended at 9:46 a.m.
9:47 a.m., Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee and Assistant Administrator Pam Barton met with Commissioners to discuss the nursing position the Restorium is looking to fill.
Clerk Poston mentioned for insurance purposes, an hourly employee needs to work 40 hours per week. Chairman Dinning asked about the possibility of sharing a nurse with Sunset Homes Assisted Living. Ms. Magee mentioned her conversation with Boundary Community Hospital about the possibility of sharing their nurse. Ms. Magee added that she has someone who is interested in the nurse position at the Restorium. Those present reviewed personnel matters in order to determine costs associated with filling this position.
Clerk Poston said the cook position that was budgeted for fulltime was a level 5. Ms. Magee said the cook position will probably consist of two part-time cooks instead of one full-time cook.
Ms. Magee said the Restorium Board would like her to replace 10 heating units. After receiving a quote of $8,000 the problem with the existing heating units seems to be the circuit boards, but it isn’t certain that is the issue.
Chairman Dinning informed Ms. Magee the make-up of the Selkirks Pend-Oreille Transit (SPOT) Board is changing and the City of Dover is no longer going to be involved. There will be a new or additional memorandum of understanding regarding board members and they want the county to be a part of the new board so Commissioners are looking into that.
The meeting with Ms. Magee and Ms. Barton ended at 10:21 a.m.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the certificates of Residency for Montana Erickson, Andrea Jelinek, Jailee Foster, and Micah Litterell. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
11:02 a.m. Chief Deputy Clerk Tracie Isaac joined the meeting to question hiring for the nurse position and if it should be categorized as an emergency hire based on the Personnel Policy. Commissioners said yes, they have to do an emergency hire for this position as the Restorium has to have a nurse.
Chief Deputy Clerk Isaac left the meeting at 11:02 a.m.
Commissioner Pinkerton and Commissioner Kirby left the meeting at 11:02 a.m.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:02 a.m.
_________________________________________
DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
ATTEST:
_____________________________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk