***Monday, December 2, 2024 Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Tim Bertling, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims. Commissioner Robertson was out of the office.
Commissioners said the Pledge of Allegiance.
Maintenance Supervisor Squire Fields and Assistant Mike Kralik entered the meeting at 9:00 a.m. to give their maintenance report. The Commissioners reviewed the ongoing issues with the boiler in the courthouse and the proposal from Industrial Solutions Network regarding air leak detection. Mr. Fields stated that Industrial Solutions had an opening in their schedule and are able to come on Thursday if the Commissioners agree.
Greg Lamberty entered the meeting at 9:04 a.m.
Mr. Fields also stated that the actuator cannot be fixed for a month because the part that is needed is a month out on ordering. The dehumidifiers will be delivered this week for the upstairs.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to accept and sign the proposal from Industrial Solutions Network. Chairman Bertling yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Bertling asked about the status of the flooring in the court clerk’s office. Mr. Fields stated the floor is being sealed, carpet will be installed. The walls have been painted and trim will be painted this week.
Fay Almond entered the meeting at 9:11 a.m.
The meeting with Mr. Fields and Mr. Kralik ended and they left the meeting at 9:15 a.m.
Civil Attorney Bill Wilson entered the meeting at 9:28 a.m. and updated the Commissioners on legal matters he is working on. Mr. Wilson noted that the RFQ was on the agenda for discussion and stated that he is available if they have any questions. He has also worked with Road and Bridge regarding the Riverside project and will be setting up a conference call in the near future to get everyone up to speed.
Mr. Wilson stated that he is also working with Road & Bridge on right of way issues with fences and advised that they notify the property owners of the issue so they can address it.
The meeting with Mr. Wilson ended and he left the meeting at 9:40 a.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Certificates of Residency for Natalya Tuma and Hanna Franck. Chairman Bertling yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Commissioner meeting minutes from the week of 11/25/2024. Chairman Bertling yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Property Tax Cancellation form for tax year 2024 as it pertains to the request for cancellation of property taxes due to homeowners exemption on 63N01E231605A totaling $468.60, B0240005014AA totaling $769.98, 60N01W133160A totaling $445.74, 61n01e128852A totaling $523.26, M000000167499A totaling $223.28 and 61N01E140460A totaling $147.36. Chairman Bertling yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Property Tax Cancellation for tax year 2024 as it pertains to the request for cancellation of property taxes due to the manufactured home had sold and was moved in 2023 on MH62N01E091855A totaling $273.02. Chairman Bertling yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to proceed with the RFQ for architectural services for the Safeway building. Chairman Bertling yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to vote Sherry Maupin as the Member At-Large for the Gem Plan Board of Trustees. Chairman Bertling yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Solid Waste Superintendent Richard Jenkins entered the meeting at 9:54 a.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to reappoint Jim Thompson to the Community Restorium Board with a term ending January 2028. Chairman Bertling yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to reappoint Patrick Gardiner and Phil Allegretti to the Weed Advisory Board with a term ending January 2028. Chairman Bertling yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to reappoint Ben Nystrom and Larry Copeland to the Weed Advisory Board with a term ending January 2027. Chairman Bertling yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Jenkins reported that they received 992 tons in the month of November with an average daily amount of 33.09 tons. The signage providing the landfill rates is now up and in a better location for viewing as you enter. The compactor has been relocated and temporary lighting has been added to help with visibility after dark. The Air Burner permit has been reviewed and DEQ will now proceed with processing. There is no estimated time for issuance. CAS Surveyors have visited the site and surveyed the property for plans. Mr. Jenkins is currently working on a replacement for the 980 Wheel Loader and will bring that in when it is ready.
Fay Almond and Gary Lamberty left the meeting at 10:05 a.m.
Commissioner Cossairt stated that they had identified a tire changer and a compactor in the surplus property and asked Mr. Jenkins to take them to the landfill for their use.
The meeting with Richard Jenkins ended and he left the meeting at 10:12 a.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Idaho Department of Lands Report of Inspection. Chairman Bertling yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners attended to administrative duties.
Probation Officer Alisa Walker entered the meeting at 10:24 a.m. to give the probation report. Ms. Walker stated that juveniles and drug court have both grown with new offenders. The academy has gotten enough people to proceed and Ms. Walker asked if she and one staff member could attend the academy so that everyone is certified instead of waiting. She also discussed her proposed plan to cover their absence during that time. The academy is from January 6-13, 2025.
The meeting with Ms. Walker ended and she left the meeting at 10:48 a.m.
Economic Development Director David Sims, entered the meeting at 10:50 a.m. and Commissioners attended to administrative duties.
At 11:00 a.m. Mr. Sims reported that BEAD has released their map which included the different areas throughout the county. Mr. Sims has several concerns with how the areas were divided and will share those concerns with the state. Comments will be accepted until December 19th. Mr. Sims stated that the Moyie Springs sewer project had their public meeting on November 19th and it should be operational in May or June. North Idaho Classical Academy has looked at a couple other areas, but no decision has been made. Downtown parking is still in process with the meeting moved to January. The Moyie Post Office is looking for a new location and considering several options. Unemployment data for the state still shows Boundary County continuing to grow considerably.
The meeting with Mr. Sims ended at 11:20 and he left the meeting.
Pam Barton joined the meeting at 11:25 a.m.
Restorium Supervisor Janay Smith joined the meeting at 11:28 a.m. to give her report. Ms. Smith stated that they currently have 31 residents with two assessments scheduled for this week. Ms. Smith stated that some progress has been made on the past due accounts. Ms. Poston shared the budget numbers verses actual and stressed her concerns that we are only two months into the new year. Ms. Smith will continue to work on the numbers and will discuss possible collections with civil attorney Bill Wilson.
Commissioner Ben Robertson joined the meeting at 11:49 a.m.
Chairman Bertling then stated their concern about assessments for calls that need to go to nurses after hours. Ms. Smith explained the various nursing positions, changes in job descriptions over the years as well as the changes she is implementing now. Chairman Bertling stated that he supported Ms. Smith in making the changes to define the positions as she sees fit. Commissioner Robertson asked Ms. Smith to gather more information for them. He would like to see the number of calls, how long the calls are and frequency so that they can consider a stipend.
The meeting with Ms. Smith ended at 12:24 p.m. and she left the meeting.
Commissioners adjourned for lunch at 12:34 p.m.
Commissioners reconvened at 1:25 p.m. with Commissioner Bertling, Commissioner Cossairt, Commissioner Robertson and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims.
Adam Ryals with Road and Bridge entered the meeting at 1:26 p.m. and handed out the Road and Bridge report. Mr. Ryals stated that they have continued pit maintenance and sign work, cleanup on Copeland bridge, brushing and cold patching. They started their winter schedule this week so there is 7-day crew coverage and 5-day office coverage. Mr. Ryals also stated that an electrician came in recently to install the heaters in the shop which will help this winter.
The meeting with Mr. Ryals ended at 1:45 and he left the meeting.
Commissioners attended to administrative duties until 2:00 pm when Solid Waste Superintendent Richard Jenkins joined the meeting. Mr. Jenkins reviewed the letter which was in response to DEQ’s visit to the landfill on October 23, 2024. Items covered included perimeter gas monitoring/detection, wood waste management, Chronic Wasting Disease management, game fence installation, incorporating wood waste, and weighing of incoming waste. Mr. Jenkins will continue to work with DEQ to remedy any issues that arise.
The meeting with Mr. Jenkins ended at 2:30 and he left the meeting.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to recess as the Boundary County Board of Commissioners and convene as Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the meeting minutes from September 23, October 21 and November 18, 2024. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Robertson moved to complete the local taxing district election information with an election for November 2025. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to adjourn as Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board and reconvene as the Boundary County Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Assessor Olivia Drake entered the meeting at 2:50 p.m.
Commissioner Robertson moved to recess the Boundary County Board of Commissioners and reconvene as the Board of Equalization. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Drake presented adjustments to the 2024 Property Assessment Sub-Roll and or Occupancy Roll since the preliminary report was submitted several weeks ago.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to adjust the 2024 Property Assessment Sub-Roll for the following six properties as follows:
Adjust Parcel Value due to allowance of field inspection after notice was mailed.
(Field inspection was initially denied. Structure measurements taken 11/15/24)
Also reduce 2024 value to equal an occupancy roll pro-ration based on homeowner testimony of occupancy taking place 9/1/24. (Original P&Z permit noted 1/1/24)
SR65N02E351211A Orig Total Value New Total Value Prorated Value
$659,640 $624,950 $208,317
Add Homeowner's Exemptions to the following (applications submitted after Nov. 6th and before Dec. 2nd 2024):
Parcel HOE Exemption Applied
SR61N01E090155A $125,000
OCM05300000010A $48,302
SR011600010380A $40,720
SR61N01E140460A $42,970
OC62N02E166340A $19,854 (Applied to 20% Ownership)
Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to adjourn the Board of Equalization and reconvene as Boundary County Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting with Ms. Drake ended at 3:20 p.m. and she left the meeting.
There being no further businesses the meeting adjourned at 3:25 p.m.
Tuesday, December 3, 2024 Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Tim Bertling, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Robertson, and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims.
Commissioners held a meeting to discuss the Riverside Road projects. Those in attendance were: Adam Ryals Road & Bridge, Gary Aitken Jr Tribal Vice-Chair of Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, Brandon Diller Kootenai Tribal Wildlife Manager, Kelly Moroney Project Leader for USFWS, Brandon Stokes Project Manager for FHWA, Tucker Miles attorney for BPA, Dave Caplowe Project Manager for BPA, Shannon Ehlers Refuge Manager for KNWR, and Billy Barquin Attorney General for the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho.
Mr. Miles defined the 1A and 1B projects and the issues with 1A that delayed the project from moving forward. Mr. Miles stated that in the past an MOA was drafted to try to separate the projects. However, the desire was not there at the time. Right of way is not needed for the 1B project since that is located all within the refuge. So that section could be completed pretty quickly. 1B is also 100% funded by BPA and some of that money could be lost if it is not used by September 30, 2027.
Commissioner Bertling asked if they wanted to start the 1B project in the spring. The answer was yes, they want to move forward with that section so they don’t loose funding and the road also needs to be raised to match the other projects that are happening at the refuge. Mr. Miles stated that there is nothing about this project that has been easy. Since the road is operated and maintained by the county, you need to let us know what you want to do.
Chairman Bertling stated that it has been tough because of the problems we have had to work out with the 1A section. I think we will find a path forward, but we have to work through it.
Commissioner Robertson stated that he didn’t want to stop the project. I want to move forward with it, but fear the 1A section might not get done.
Ms. Ehlers stated that if you don’t go forward, you risk losing both projects.
Commissioner Robertson stated that it makes the most sense to proceed with 1B and push for a redesign on 1A as fast as possible. We can then move forward with 1A in 2026 or sooner if possible. Commissioner Cossairt and Chairman Bertling agreed.
Mr. Miles will review the previous MOA document that he sent earlier, updated it if needed and forward it to the Commissioners for review. The meeting regarding Riverside Road ended.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:50 p.m.
s/________________________________
TIM BERTLING, Chairman
ATTEST:
s/_______________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Stephanie Sims, Deputy Clerk