***Monday, June 20, 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 gave the opening invocation and said the Pledge of Allegiance.
9:00 a.m., Road and Bridge Department Superintendent Clint Kimball joined the meeting to give a departmental report. A written report was provided. Mr. Kimball said Road and Bridge is finishing up calcium chloride applications this week and it has gone well. Last week Road and Bridge crew worked at the fairgrounds parking lot prior to City of Bonners Ferry Administrator Mike Klaus’ final drawings to hook up the storm drain. Mr. Kimball explained in detail where and how the storm drain will be hooked up. There is a storm drain to the right of the Riverside Road low clearance overpass. Mr. Klaus has run calculations so the drain pipe will cross over between the Stockdale property and the county shop through an alley and there is already a manhole for existing services. A new line will be installed parallel to existing services after trimming a tree back. Mr. Kimball further explained how high water levels could be dealt with and he added that the only real push is trying to get this work done before this area is paved.
Mr. Kimball spoke of bridge inspections for the Copeland and Naples Bridges. Mr. Kimball and Commissioners discussed how truck drivers continue to hit the Naples Bridge. Chairman Dinning asked if the county could install a laser before the bridge that would send a signal for over-height trucks in addition to installing a camera.
Mr. Kimball said he will be asked to select a design engineer for a couple projects and in the past a Commissioner had at times been present for that meeting while other times Commissioners had left that decision up to Road and Bridge. Commissioner Kirby and Commissioner Pinkerton said they both had once attended one of those meetings, but they don’t see that they needed to be there.
Mr. Kimball explained a matter in which someone had questioned why more calcium chloride was not applied to a road. Mr. Kimball said his response had been that Road and Bridge does the best it can with the funds it has, and he added that property owners are not taxed for Road and Bridge. Mr. Kimball said he contacted this person to suggest he write a letter to a District 1 Congressman to encourage the continuation of Secure Rural Schools funding.
Chairman Dinning asked if the north end of Farm to Market Road received a dust abatement application. Mr. Kimball said he was thinking about chipsealing that portion of the road.
The meeting with Mr. Kimball ended.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the 2nd Amendment to Addendum C to the Service Level Agreement for Electronic Transaction and Access for the Boundary County Assessor’s Office. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to approve Certificates of Residency for D. Hitch, J. Dally, and H. Olson. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the Independent Contractor Agreement with Scales NW for a year 2016 40 foot by 11 foot low profile scale and new site installation for the Solid Waste Department. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Kirby moved to approve the minutes of June 13 and 14, 2016. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the proposal to provide services for compliance with the Federal Spill Prevention and Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) plan regulations (40 CFR 112) for the Boundary County Airport. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the All Weather Observation System (AWOS) Maintenance Services Contract with All Weather Inc., at a cost of $7,200. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the Addendum to the Contract for Public Defender Services. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners and Clerk Poston discussed the requirement of vendors contracted through the Fire Safe Program to carry workers compensation insurance. A certificate for workers compensation insurance was received for David West, but the certificate is under a different name and address. The contract is under one name and the insurance certificate is under a different name. Chairman Dinning said David West was aware of the terms and conditions, associated insurance, and workers compensation at the time he signed the contract. The insurance certificates needs to have the correct name listed or the contract needs to be amended. Chairman Dinning said Inland Forest Management, who is the program manager for the Fire Safe Program, has been notified of this matter.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the letter of intent for a land purchase regarding David Byler’s property near the Boundary County airport. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
10:00 a.m., Boundary Volunteer Ambulance (BVA) Medical Director Dr. Stu Willis, BVA Board member Nancy Russell, Paramedics Drew Rinella and Michaela Voth; and North Bench Fire Chief Gus Jackson and South Boundary Fire Chief Tony Rohrwasser joined the meeting.
10:00 a.m., Commissioner Kirby moved to recess as the Board of Boundary County Commissioners and convene as the Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Kirby moved to approve the Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board meeting minutes of May 16, 2016. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Russell said BVA has relocated their office to Comanche Street. Chairman Dinning asked where Commissioners should refer people to who are trying to locate BVA offices since they have moved and were given the new office’s street address. Mr. Rinella said the phone number and mailing address are still the same, and he said that he would put the note back on the ambulance barn door that lists the new office address.
Mr. Rinella introduced himself to Commissioners and said that he is filling in for Chief Jeff Lindsey while he is out. Mr. Rinella said that he started with BVA full-time on June 1, 2016, and had been with them on a part-time basis prior. Mr. Rinella said he came from Bonner County where he had met Chief Jeff Lindsey and worked for him. Mr. Rinella said the main qualifications for working for BVA is that we have seen all of the wrong ways to run an EMS service so we are not doing that here. BVA has strong leadership, good money management, etc. As far as the status of extrication, it is not normal for an ambulance service to provide primary extrication service, although cross training should be done. Mr. Rinella said there had been a recent success with the new model for extrication with BVA being primarily medical, and he used the recent auto accident near the Rock Creek area as an example. The new model is that if it’s known extrication is needed, BVA will partner with South Boundary Fire and North Bench Fire for that response. Mr. Rinella said his capabilities were limited as far as being able to use a sawsall so having North Bench Fire using their hydraulic rams to lift the car up freed him up as well. It was a successful ending and this model worked well. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners knew extrication would take time and they appreciate what everyone is doing.
Ms. Russell introduced Ms. Voth as BVA’s new paramedic. Mr. Russell explained that Chief Lindsey now has more flexibility with the paramedics and he has come up with a model for a volunteer paramedic, so it is not a paid position. This allows for another paramedic to be sick and BVA will still have coverage. Now that BVA has three certified paramedics BVA is able to staff a volunteer paramedic who can be on-call for a certain pay. This is a new system that had happened in the past. Dr. Willis said that system is similar to what the hospital has for nurses. Ms. Russell stated that there are new fees for being on-call, which is approximately $250 for a paramedic on a 24 hour shift. If a paramedic is not on-call and they get called in for an extra run, the pay is approximately $80. Dr. Willis said this is not necessarily a rule, but more what an ambulance service can do and what the individual can accept. Ms. Russell said BVA is just trying to be competitive so not to lose paramedics to another service and they want to retain good staff. The pay system and calls are changing so BVA is also looking into the possibility of providing medical insurance for their staff in the future. BVA really wants to be at least competitive with the market.
Ms. Russell said Mr. Rinella has also inventoried BVA’s supplies as that had not really been done in the past. BVA has purchased a software system, which is the same program Life Flight uses. Mr. Rinella handles this so it is known what supplies are purchased and used up each month. Mr. Rinella said Chief Lindsey and he felt strongly about this as supplies are expensive and BVA needs to spend wisely.
Ms. Russell said one of the local radio stations was going to interview the paramedics and the State of Idaho will visit to host a fireside chat. The Chief of the EMS Bureau will come up in August, according to Ms. Russell. Evidently, the State is hearing good things so that is why they are coming up.
Ms. Russell questioned if there is a meeting with Commissioners in which to discuss a new contract. Commissioners discussed where matters were last left at the prior meeting.
Ms. Russell mentioned hearing news that the National Guard Armory would no longer have a unit in Bonners Ferry and if that facility would be a possible location for BVA. Chairman Dinning said the county currently owns one half interest of this facility and the State of Idaho owns the other one-half interest. The preliminary negotiations are to lease the building for a while then take over the State’s interest. Chairman Dinning explained that the county currently spends approximately $25,000 per year in lease payments for its county departments so Commissioners don’t yet know what they might use the armory for.
Chairman Dinning asked about extrication. Chief Rohrwasser said since the last meeting to discuss extrication, South Boundary did purchase an extrication unit from BVA. A protocol was established with Chief Lindsey pertaining to dispatching. If a call comes in for extrication services, the on shift medics will automatically call North Bench Fire and South Boundary Fire and three sets of extrication will respond to the scene. This protocol will be in effect as of July 1st. There are other fire departments that want to be involved, but they don’t have the funding. Chairman Dinning said that will take time. Chief Rohrwasser said if there is an incident in the city limits of Moyie Springs or Bonners Ferry, they can always call or cancel North Bench and South Boundary if they want to.
Mr. Rinella thanked Commissioners for their support and commented that it is refreshing. Commissioner Pinkerton commented on having all agencies on the scene at the Rock Creek accident and mentioned that this is the system the county wants to have. The county hadn’t seen that system for a long time so that is taking EMS in the right direction. Chairman Dinning said it takes everybody and Commissioners appreciate it. Commissioner Kirby said he is impressed that it appears once a call comes in the paramedic responds and can assess the scene while other responders get ready.
Commissioner Kirby moved to adjourn as the Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board and reconvene as the Boundary County Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
10:26 a.m., Dr. Stu Willis, Ms. Russell, Mr. Rinella, Ms. Voth, Chief Jackson, and Chief Rohrwasser left the meeting.
10:30 a.m., Kootenai Tribe of Idaho Fish and Wildlife Department Director Sue Ireland and Administrative Director Patty Perry; and Bonners Ferry District Forest Ranger Kevin Knauth joined the meeting to provide Commissioners with an update on Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative (KVRI), Kootenai River Habitat, and Forest Service matters.
Ms. Perry provided the agenda for that evening’s KRVI meeting and she added that no actions will be required at this meeting. A representative from the Office of Species Conservation will provide an update as well as the Forestry Subcommittee is to provide an update on the Westside project. The meeting for the Westside project will be held in the County Extension Office on Monday, June 27th at 6:30 p.m., and should last approximately one and one-half hours. Ms. Perry explained that Idaho Panhandle National Forest Supervisor Mary Farnsworth will be gone on a detail, but she has required a review of the Community Forest Landscape Restoration (CFLR) program. KVRI will host a field trip and an upcoming Forestry Subcommittee meeting. There will also be a TMDL meeting this month. At this evening’s KVRI meeting there will be an update by the Wildlife and Auto Collision (WAC) Committee, information for this year’s fair booth, Ms. Farnsworth’s detail information, and Chairman Dinning will give an update on grizzly bear matters.
Ms. Perry said the KVRI is using the Doppler radar system for the WAC. The Idaho Transportation Department has a grant for $75,000 and they have hired the Western Transportation Institute to test this Doppler system for accuracy. Ms. Perry said the mobile unit seems to be a better method and she explained the changes in animal travel paths.
Commissioner Pinkerton said he has been asked about the Boulder Creek Road that was damaged by high river flows. Ms. Perry said the cost to fix this road is approximately $485,000 to $500,000. Mr. Knauth said there is a request for emergency funds to fix this road, but if the Forest Service has to wait for these dollars, it could be two to three years. If additional available dollars are found elsewhere in the region, such as Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO), the Forest Service can utilize those funds and reimburse the region once they receive the emergency funds. Mr. Knauth said he is looking for opportunities and also looking to the regional office to locate prior year dollars for Community Forest Landscape Restoration (CFLRP) and other projects. Mr. Knauth said all of this helps the Forest Service more efficiently plan the Boulder Creek project as they would like that road back to the condition it had been. Commissioner Pinkerton questioned how many road miles were located beyond the washout. Mr. Knauth said the Boulder Creek timber sale is slated for year 2018 so a time frame of two to three years in which to fix Boulder Creek Road is tight.
Mr. Knauth said there will be a grizzly bear committee field trip tomorrow and Ms. Farnsworth will be attending the meeting portion of this trip.
Mr. Knauth said he has met with Road and Bridge Department Superintendent Clint Kimball and they talked about roads in general. Mr. Knauth said he will set up another meeting with Mr. Kimball and the Forest Service’s new road manager. The Forest Service had a road engineer handling roads and maintenance, but he didn’t stay ahead of that so now the Forest Service has a designated road manager. Mr. Knauth said Mr. Kimball had also spoken about the Myrtle Creek Bridge and the need for a temporary bridge and source for rip rap so he is checking on the Forest Service’s ability to make that source available. Ms. Ireland said Mr. Kimball had also coordinated with Kootenai Tribe as to what effects realigning the Myrtle Creek Bridge may have on the habitat project and project Engineer Matt Daniels said he didn’t see any issues with the bridge realignment.
Mr. Knauth spoke of the Tower and Grizzly fire salvages. The Grizzly salvage is located in the central zone and the Tower salvage is located at Priest Lake. The Forest Service will look at those decisions on Wednesday and once that is done, the sales can be advertised. Deer Creek project comment letters have gone out to the specialists for the draft environmental analysis and the Forest Service is drafting the decision notice. The Forest Service has to respond to comments prior to preparing the draft decision. Once the draft is signed it will open the objection period, according to Mr. Knauth. The sale is in the fall of year 2018 so technically it is counted as the fall of 2017. The Forest Service is ready to send in the draft environmental analysis as a whole.
Mr. Knauth said as it pertains to fires, the Forest Service has sent quite a few engines and staff to Arizona and Utah for fires in those states. Local Forest Service staff will be on a full-time schedule starting in July, but they will wait to see what conditions look like over July 4th and may have engines patrol campgrounds, etc. Mr. Knauth said it is a balance as the Forest Service doesn’t want to ask staff to be away from their families if conditions don’t really warrant it. Historically there has been less of an issue in Bonners Ferry than it has been near the big lakes. Mr. Knauth said the Forest Service did send a helicopter in to do trail work so they flew in equipment and crew who camped for the week.
Ms. Ireland said the public sturgeon release went very well and the Kootenai Tribe will do it again next year. Ms. Ireland presented Commissioners with a colored map of the Kootenai River Habitat Restoration project areas and said as far as the work for year 2015 consisting of creating two islands and the bank, it has been completed. Now the project will move upstream to the south side of the river. There will be two pool forming structures, the area on the map shown in green is vegetation, and another pool will be created. The area on the map shown in blue has experienced erosion. There will be pile driving this year using timber piles and staging areas will be developed in July. Ms. Ireland said depending on river flows they would like to get into the river as soon as possible. Anything that is native that can be salvageable will be used in the new bank and the Tribe has coordinated with resident landowners in this area. A press release will be sent out so people know what to expect. Ms. Ireland said there is also a project in the short straight reach in the river in which rock will be placed in clusters in order to benefit spawning as it is a known spawning site. These rock clusters will not be an impediment for navigation, but they will be 50 feet by 50 feet and five feet thick. It will be approximately 2,500 cubic yards of material for work in the river. The pool forming structure will also be created out of rock. Materials will need to be trucked to both sides of the river so the city and property owners will be notified. This year’s project area will be within city limits. Ms. Ireland said the project contractor and engineer are aware the fair is the third week in August so they know we don’t want to hold up traffic during this time, but there may be a delay as the rock will be placed by barge that will be stationed at the Search and Rescue dock. Chairman Dinning asked for an update once more information comes in.
Commissioner Pinkerton asked about the sturgeon release. Ms. Ireland said the Tribe has been doing these releases since 1991. Ms. Ireland said it has been acknowledged by action and management agencies that older fish are comprising the population and that is what the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service monitors. The progeny of those fish are the next generation and it has also been acknowledged that this next group are also a part of the population. Ms. Ireland explained how the sturgeon are marked in order to determine if they had come from the hatchery as even the hatchery-raised fish are considered endangered.
Ms. Perry left the meeting.
Ms. Ireland explained to Commissioners the process of raising burbot eggs and she added the next release will be this October. Those present discussed what may be a factor in determining when people can start fishing for burbot.
The meeting with Ms. Ireland and Mr. Knauth ended at 11:12 a.m.
11:13 a.m., Solid Waste Department Assistant Superintendent Monica Tompke presented Commissioners with quotes received for baling the metal pile at the landfill. Commissioners reviewed the information.
The quote from Pacific Steel and Recycling totaled $62.00 per ton, the quote from L & S Enterprises totaled $45 per ton, and the quote from Rosin Brothers totaled $70 per ton.
Ms. Tompke recommended Commissioners accept the quote from Rosin Brothers.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to accept the quote from Rosin Brothers totaling $70 per ton owed to the county for baling and removing all metals at the landfill. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Kirby moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Independent Contractor Agreement with Rosin Brothers for baling and removal of the metal pile at the landfill. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Tompke informed Commissioners that Ellory Howard with JUB Engineering has two more tasks to finish pertaining to the working face and tires in order to complete his report on the landfill.
Ms. Tompke and Commissioners briefly discussed her work schedule.
The meeting with Ms. Tompke ended at 11:27 a.m.
11:30 a.m., Boundary Community Hospital CEO/CFO Craig Johnson and Hospital Board of Trustees Chairman Elden Koon joined the meeting to provide Commissioners with an update on hospital matters.
Chairman Dinning said he reviewed Idaho Code regarding required meetings for the hospital and since Commissioner Kirby will start attending the Hospital Board of Trustees meetings, he can update Commissioners on what was discussed and Mr. Johnson will only need to meet with Commissioners on a quarterly basis.
Mr. Johnson said the hospital’s cash flow has been good, but it is still in the red although this year has been better than last year. There is approximately $40,000 in uncompensated care and the hospital doesn’t see any end in sight for people not being able to pay their bill. A major portion of this debt is generated from emergency room visits and uninsured patients, but the hospital cannot turn anyone away.
The CT scanner upgrade will be turned over to the hospital Thursday and will be fully functional. Mr. Johnson said the hospital is still recruiting for a primary care physician, but is not finding a lot of candidates. The hospital is also in the process of recruiting another nurse practitioner.
Mr. Johnson informed Commissioners the golf tournament held recently had been a success, but nobody won the hole in one.
Mr. Johnson said coordination with Boundary Volunteer Ambulance (BVA) is going well. The hospital’s emergency department physician held a meeting with BVA Chief Jeff Lindsey to talk ambulance issues, if there happens to be any, and that was a good addition to the meeting. BVA is working to get a handle on achieving better response times, but currently BVA doesn’t have a good software system and are having to enter information manually so they are working on that. The changes in BVA’s chief has been positive and good for the hospital, according to Mr. Johnson. Chairman Dinning said it has been good for the county as well.
The meeting with Mr. Koon and Mr. Johnson ended at 11:37 a.m.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to send a county job description to the Job Classification Committee. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the Wildland Urban Interface Fire Mitigation Project, Contract for Hazardous Fuels Treatment, Wildfire Mitigation Activities, Amendment #1 between Boundary County and West Industries Inc. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners recessed for lunch at noon.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Dinning, Commissioner Pinkerton, Commissioner Kirby, Clerk Poston, and Deputy Clerk Rohrwasser.
Ray Hinthorn and James L. Hanson joined the meeting.
Disabled Americans Veteran’s Officer Ray Hinthorn stopped by Commissioners’ Office to discuss having access to Memorial Hall as the locks have been updated. Also present was Courthouse Maintenance John Buckley. Mr. Hinthorn said he no longer has a key to access Memorial Hall and he doesn’t see anything wrong with giving the Veteran’s Organization a combination to the new door lock system. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners are not limiting use, but just controlling access. It was said the Legion has started using Memorial Hall. Mr. Buckley said as far as he knows the Legion hasn’t been meeting there and they haven’t been on the schedule. Chairman Dinning said he didn’t mean to cause any inconvenience, but there had been issues and scheduling needs to be done. Mr. Hinthorn said there are occasions in which the Legion needs to be able to remove their things from the building. Mr. Hinthorn added that having this new keypad would work great for the Veterans. Mr. Buckley said he did mention to Mr. Hinthorn that he is just a phone call away if he needs to access the building. Mr. Buckley listed various days Memorial Hall is being used. Clerk Poston said if the Veterans Organization has a normal meeting night, it is just a matter of telling the Fair Board Secretary not to rent out Memorial Hall during that time. Mr. Hinthorn said the Veterans Organization could just contact Mr. Buckley if they need to get in, but it just seemed out of line for the Veteran’s Service not to have access. Mr. Hinthorn said he will pass on to the other veteran groups that it was not Commissioners’ intention lock them out.
Chairman Dinning informed Mr. Hinthorn the county did budget for flags this next year. Clerk Poston said she chose an amount to budget for flags as she had not been given a request as to how much to budget. Mr. Hinthorn said Terry Spense is Acting Commander when Commander Wayne Ferguson is out on active duty.
1:35 p.m., Mr. Hinthorn and Mr. Buckley left the meeting.
County resident James L. Hanson discussed matters regarding his eviction from the DeBoer family farm.
Mr. Hanson left the meeting at 1:50 p.m.
1:53 p.m., Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee joined the meeting.
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 2:53 p.m. no actions were taken.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
Commissioner Kirby moved to approve the minutes of May 23 and 24, 2016. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
3:00 p.m., Commissioners and Clerk Poston conducted a budget workshop. The workshop ended at 4:00 p.m.
There being no further business, the meeting recessed until tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.
***Tuesday, June 21, 2016, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners did not meet for the 9:00 a.m. elected officials/department heads meeting or the 9:30 a.m. Noxious Weeds Department Report due to lack of a quorum.
9:35 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser. Chairman Dan Dinning was out of the office tending to other business matters.
Commissioner Kirby conducted the quarterly jail inspection of the Boundary County jail. The inspection ended at 9:41 a.m.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties until the public hearing scheduled for 10:00 a.m.
Commissioner Kirby moved to appoint Commissioner Pinkerton Acting Chairman in the absence of Chairman Dan Dinning. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
10:00 a.m., Commissioners held a public hearing to consider Planning and Zoning Application #16-078. An application filed by Tungsten Holdings for an urban subdivision to be located on the property known as 706 Hillcrest Road. Present were: Acting Chairman LeAlan Pinkerton, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser, Planning and Zoning Administrator John Moss, Applicant Rick Dinning and Amy Cosgriff with Tungsten Holdings, and Jane Kirby. The hearing was recorded.
Acting Chairman Pinkerton reviewed the public hearing procedures. Commissioners had no conflict of interest.
Acting Chairman Pinkerton asked for an opening statement from the applicant.
Mr. Dinning said he is applying for a two lot subdivision in the area of the county landfill off Hillcrest Drive. The application consists of creating a 1.15 acre lot and a 1.85 acre lot that borders a county maintained road. Electrical services run along the property line. The 1.85 acre lot already has a shop on it as well as septic and electrical services. The application pretty well met all requirements. There had been a question of having an already installed septic system or if that can be done at a later date. Commissioner Kirby suggested having the buyer of the lot that doesn’t yet have services provide septic system placement information when they obtain a placement for a house. Commissioner Kirby questioned if the placement permit includes information on the placement of septic systems. Mr. Moss said yes.
Acting Chairman Pinkerton asked for a staff report or comment from Mr. Moss. Mr. Moss said the staff report had been updated as a result of having been heard by the Planning and Zoning Commission. The Planning and Zoning Commission has provided their recommendation.
Acting Chairman Pinkerton asked for public comment from those in favor of the application. Amy Cosgriff said she is in favor of this application.
Acting Chairman Pinkerton asked for public comment from those who are uncommitted to the application. No one spoke. Acting Chairman Pinkerton asked for public comment from those who are opposed to the application. No one spoke.
Acting Chairman asked if the applicant would like to add further comment or provide a closing statement as there was no further testimony provided. Mr. Dinning said no.
Commissioners closed the hearing to further public comment.
Commissioner Kirby said he had no comments or questions. Mr. Moss said this application had been heard by the Planning and Zoning Commission and he added that the application is in full compliance with current zoning regulations as they stand right now. The Planning and Zoning Commission mentioned that it is awkward to ask for an installed septic system in this situation when there is no structure on the property. A later update to the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance would state “an approved or later installed system.” There had been a recommendation made that the application be approved contingent on the application of a septic system. A suggestion was made that the septic would be approved and installed before the parcel can be sold. Acting Chairman Pinkerton said the current ordinance mentioned having a septic system being installed so that is absolute compliance, but it would be foolish to install a system with no structure to serve. It was said the hope is the Planning and Zoning Commission would recognize this condition as a flaw that is going to be addressed. Mr. Moss said it is going to be addressed quickly. Commissioner Kirby said it is Tungsten Holding’s letter that states “prior to plat approval.” Acting Chairman Pinkerton said that is appropriate. What kind of septic system is installed depends on who buys the property or what their use of the property will be so he has no problem whatsoever that septic is not installed.
Commissioner Kirby moved to approve Planning and Zoning Application 16-078 filed by Tungsten Holdings, for an urban subdivision as presented and to ensure public services would be made available upon the plat being approved. Acting Chairman Pinkerton yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
The public hearing to consider Planning and Zoning Application #16-187 ended at 10:18 a.m., and Mr. Dinning and Ms. Cosgriff left the meeting.
Planning and Zoning Administrator John Moss discussed matters with Commissioners pertaining to a clarification on final plats. Mr. Moss left the meeting.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.
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DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
ATTEST:
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GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk