***Monday, January 20, 2025 COURTHOUSE CLOSED FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
Tuesday, January 21, 2025 Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Ben Robertson, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Commissioner Lester Pinkerton, Clerk Glenda Poston and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims.
9:00 a.m., Commissioners held an elected officials/department heads meeting. Those present were: Sheriff Travis Stolley, Veterans Service Officer Ron Self, Solid Waste Superintendent Richard Jenkins, Road and Bridge Co-Superintendents Adam Ryals and Brad Barton, Personnel Director Pam Barton, Assessor Olivia Drake, Noxious Weeds Department Superintendent Dave Wenk, University of Idaho Extension Educator Amy Robertson, Coroner Chad Workman, Restorium Supervisor Janay Smith, IT Director Matt Hodges, Planning & Zoning Administrator Ben Jones, and Prosecuting Attorney Andrakay Pluid.
Commissioners went around the room for office updates from the various departments in attendance. The meeting ended at 9:17 a.m. and the elected officials/department heads left the meeting except for Ms. Pluid.
Ms. Pluid stated that she would be filling in for Civil Attorney Bill Wilson who was unable to attend the meeting today. Ms. Pluid updated the Commissioners on items Mr. Wilson has been working on including Road and Bridge, P&Z issues and public records requests. The meeting with Ms. Pluid ended at 9:28 a.m. and she left the meeting.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the Certificates of Residency for Randi Hibbard, Katie Vader and Patty Garrick. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the Commissioner meeting minutes of January 13 & 14. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to approve the extension of taxes due on parcel #MH62M02E089100A in the amount of $230.86. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously. Will have paid by February 3, 2025.
Commissioner Bertling moved to approve the extension of taxes due on parcel #MH61M01E18406AA in the amount of $367.01. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously. Will pay $181.18 by January 23, 2025.
Commissioner Bertling moved to approve the extension of taxes due on parcel #MH61N03E154790A in the amount of $533.15. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously. Hoping to have paid by March 31, 2025.
Commissioner Pinkerton asked questions about the process of the extensions and if additional requirements can be put in place. Commissioners stated that they would need to discuss those items with Civil Attorney Bill Wilson and Treasurer Jenny Economu.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign new Private Road Name Request for Locke Lane From John Marquette/James R. Staples – JRS Surveying. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners had questions regarding the Ziply Fiber agreement and decided to table this item until a future meeting with IT Director Matt Hodges.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign RFF#10 Final Airport Slope Stabilization 3-16-0004-023-2023. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the Commissioner’s letter on Hanger A ground lease. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Decision Letter for File 25-0018, Primitive Subdivision via short plat, Naumann Revocable Inter Vivos Trust. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Decision Letter for File 25-0017, Rural Subdivision via short plat, Jamie & Pam Barton. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
At 10:00 a.m. Commissioner Bertling moved to recess the Boundary County Board of Commissioners and convene as the Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to approve the minutes from December 2, 2024. Chairman Robertson stepped down as chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chief Lindsey entered the meeting at 10:04 a.m. and gave is report. There have been 1200 calls in the last year with a shoot time of 1 minute 36 seconds. They have one open position that will be filled internally and they will be fully staffed when that happens. Chief Lindsey stated that Dr. Willis is retiring and Dr. Dixon will fill in next month.
Chief Lindsey will be unable to attend the February meeting and will send a replacement to give the report.
The meeting with Chief Lindsey ended and he left the meeting at 10:25 a.m.
Commissioner Bertling moved to adjourn the Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board and reconvene as the Boundary County Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Solid Waste Superintendent Richard Jenkins entered the meeting at 10:28 a.m. to give his report. Monthly totals for December were 6,413 vehicles with an average around 27 tons. Once the trees are removed ecology blocks will be placed along the road as required by DEQ. A tire truck is coming tomorrow to take a load. The collections on tires is approximately $16,000 with the expense at $60-70,000. Bonner County has stopped all recycle programs to save money. Kootenai County only does cardboard, but is considering stopping to save money. Mr. Jenkins stated that the County could save a considerable amount by discontinuing the recycling program.
Commissioner Bertling asked about the status of the AirBurner. Mr. Jenkins replied that they are still working through the permit process and gave a brief synopsis to Commissioner Pinkerton.
Commissioner Bertling moved to go into executive session 74-206(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 Robertson “aye”, Commissioner Bertling “aye” and Commissioner Pinkerton “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 11:10 a.m. and Mr. Jenkins left the meeting. No action was taken.
Nancy Mabile and Wally Jacobson with Panhandle Area Council entered the meeting at 11:12 a.m.
Boundary Economic Development Director, David Sims entered the meeting at 11:14 a.m.
Commissioners reviewed and discussed the letters of interest they received for the Agriculture Protection Area board. Five letters were received and they are needing one more, and would like to see that position filled by someone in the tree farm or forestry industry. Commissioners identified some individuals and will reach out to and see if any of them may be interested.
Nelson Mast entered the meeting at 11:25 a.m.
Mr. Sims explained the components of the Rural Community Investment Grant and stated that one of the components of the grant is administration. The last time the County applied for one of these grants, they received only one response from the RFQ for grant administration, which was Panhandle Area Council. Ms. Mabile stated that the amount is low enough for this grant that the County does not need to go out for proposals this time.
Chairman Robertson asked what they would be missing by not going out for an RFQ. Ms. Mabile responded timing is an issue. Grants are awarded on a quarterly basis, and we could submit for this quarter or the new year starts July 1 for a new round of funds. Mr. Sims stated that Jeremy Grimm is on the board representing our area and he is in support of the proposal.
Commissioner Bertling moved to choose Panhandle Area Council as the grant administrator for the project. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Mabile thanked the Commissioners and stated that she will look at dates to coordinate the next steps.
The meeting ended at 11:40 a.m. and the Commissioners recessed for lunch.
Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session at 1:20 p.m. with Chairman Robertson, Commissioner Bertling, Commissioner Pinkerton, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims.
Adrienne Norris and minor child entered the meeting at 1:25 p.m.
Bonners Ferry Herald reporter Ned Newton entered the meeting at 1:29 p.m.
Adam Ryals and Brad Barton entered the meeting at 1:32 p.m. to give the Road & Bridge report. Mr. Barton stated that they have been plowing, sanding, and cold patching throughout the county. They have also been brushing Parker Canyon and hauled/spread rock to Foust Rd to fill some large holes.
Commissioner Pinkerton asked if they had a map that they could email. Mr. Barton responded yes.
Mr. Ryals presented the Riverside 1B MOA and there was discussion to explain the project to Commissioner Pinkerton.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the Riverside 1B MOA. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Barton asked about scrap metal that they have at the shop and would like to haul it to the landfill and track the weight to potentially get money back when it is hauled in. Commissioners felt it probably was not worth the process, but agreed to see what the numbers were.
Ms. Norris commended Road & Bridge on their work on the road in her area.
Mr. Newton, asked when the Riverside project would happen. Mr. Ryals responded that is unknown at this time. It is a Federal Highways/ BPA project and it has not yet gone out for bids. Something should be posted at a later date.
Mr. Newton left the meeting at 1:44 p.m.
Mr. Barton asked if it was okay if he attended the T2 Advisory Board meeting next week. Commissioners agreed it would be good for him to attend.
The meeting with Mr. Barton and Mr. Ryals ended at 1:47 p.m. and they left the meeting.
Rory Helms entered the meeting at 1:49 p.m.
Prosecuting Attorney Andrakay Pluid entered the meeting at 1:51 p.m.
Jon VanGesen entered the meeting at 1:54 p.m.
Rich Stephens entered the meeting at 1:55 p.m.
Mike Gole (sp?) and Bryant Brown entered the meeting at 1:56 p.m.
Mr. Stephens stated that he requested to speak to the Commissioners to see if there were any positions open since he left the Sheriff’s office.
Chairman Robertson stated that we don’t have any openings at this time, but he was welcome to apply if one becomes available.
Mr. Stephens thanked the Commissioners for their time.
Ms. Norris told the Commissioners that she requested an investigation with the Sheriff’s Office. Chairman Robertson stated that the Board of Commissioners have no authority over another elected official.
The meeting with Mr. Stephens ended and he left the meeting at 2:03 p.m. Mr. Helms, Mr. VanGesen, Mr. Gole (sp?) and Mr. Brown also left the meeting.
Ms. Pluid left the meeting at 2:10 p.m.
Personnel Director Pam Barton entered the meeting at 2:30 p.m. to discuss a time sensitive issue regarding a request from the sick leave bank by an employee that is currently on FMLA. The individual has submitted a request for 264 hours. However, due to new information the committee approved 376 hours.
Commissioner Pinkerton asked if this request and the committee’s approval was following the policy and procedures in place. Ms. Barton responded yes. Commissioners agreed to award the 376 hours approved by the committee.
The meeting with Ms. Barton ended at 2:40 p.m. and she left the meeting.
There being no further business the meeting ended at 2:45 p.m.
s/________________________________
BEN ROBERTSON, Chairman
ATTEST:
s/_______________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Stephanie Sims, Deputy Clerk