***Monday, March 4, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Tim Bertling, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Ben Robertson, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
Commissioners said the Pledge of Allegiance.
9:00 a.m., Assistant Courthouse Maintenance Mike Kralik joined the meeting to give a department report. Those present briefly discussed transferring a county maintenance truck to the Restorium for their maintenance person. Mr. Kralik discussed working on the new office space for the Assessor’s Office departments, obtaining quotes for flooring installation, repainting an office in the Prosecutor’s Office and jury room, and general remodeling work. Mr. Kralik discussed condensation issues in the courthouse.
The meeting with Mr. Kralik ended at 9:25 a.m.
9:30 a.m., County Civil Attorney Bill Wilson joined the meeting to update Commissioners on matters he’s working on to include, review of the Labrosse Hill Road easement issue and truck weights.
Attorney Wilson left the meeting at 9:48 a.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the minutes for the week of February 26, 2024. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the Certificates of Compliance, Affidavit of Reserves and Undivided Earnings for Mountain West Bank, Potlatch No. 1 Financial Credit Union, and Umpqua Bank. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Clerk Poston left the meeting.
10:00 a.m., Chairman Bertling and Commissioner Cossairt conducted the quarterly jail inspection and returned to the office at 10:25 a.m.
10:30 a.m., Chief Probation Officer Alisa Walker joined the meeting to give a department report. Ms. Walker discussed caseloads, drug court graduations, certifications for blood-borne pathogen training, and training for arrest and control (ARCON), aerosol spray (OC), mental health-first aid, CPR, and AED. The safety vests for the Probation staff have arrived and Ms. Walker discussed home visits. The Sheriff’s Office may have a surplus vehicle available by this summer for conducting these home inspections, according to Chairman Bertling. Ms. Walker spoke of monitoring and staying on top of caseloads.
The meeting with Ms. Walker ended at 10:44 a.m.
11:00 a.m., Economic Development Council (EDC) Director David Sims joined the meeting to provide an update on EDC matters. Mr. Sims spoke of matters pertaining to commercial properties. Those present discussed apartments in city limits and associated parking requirements, food trailers, and a commercial kitchen. Mr. Sims discussed broadband and using the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program funds totaling $500,000.00 for planning, etc. The Moyie Springs sewer project is moving forward later this month. Mr. Sims said support letters for the Naples Bridge project were received from the congressional delegation, as well as Alta Mill and South Boundary Fire Protection District. Unemployment data for the month of February is not yet available. Mr. Sims said he would look into possible available funds for renovations for the old Safeway store.
The meeting with Mr. Sims ended at 11:23 a.m.
Commissioners recessed for lunch at noon.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Tim Bertling, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Ben Robertson, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
1:30 p.m., Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendents Renee Nelson and Randy Morris joined the meeting to give the department report. Mr. Morris presented a written report and reviewed work being done for the week.
Ms. Nelson informed Commissioners that Allen Fessler with the Grandview Cemetery Association is asking if Road and Bridge could cut down trees or limbs that are too close or are hanging over the road.
Ms. Nelson presented the GEO Local Mileage Report for year ending 2023. The mileage has reduced by approximately one-half mile due to City of Bonners Ferry annexation in one stance and mileage was also lost associated with the Forest Service.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the GEO Local Mileage Report for year ending 2023. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Nelson said Road and Bridge spoke with Maria’s Cleaning Service about cleaning the Road and Bridge Office. The quote is for a full 52-week year at one day per week for a cost of $2,730.00. Road and Bridge does have a budget of $5,000.00 to cover this.
Commissioner Robertson moved to sign the Agreement with Maria’s Cleaning Service for cleaning the Road and Bridge Office. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Those present discussed a grapple bucket for the skid steer. Road and Bridge will submit a claim for the $1,900.00 payment.
Ms. Nelson discussed a matter involving putting up county and private road signs off of state highways. The State of Idaho puts up stop signs and highway signs along the highways and they were also putting up county and private road signs on their posts as well, but they now prefer the county goes through the state permit process to put up county road sign, as well as private road signs on the state’s post. County and private road signs are the responsibility of Boundary County. Ms. Nelson spoke of having reached out to the City of Bonners Ferry to see what their process is for signs in the state right-of-way and she learned it is all done by the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD). Bonner County only posts the county road name signs; not private road signs. Ms. Nelson said she’s not sure if Bonner County has to get a permit, but they have a designated sign technician who works with GIS. A permit can be good for two years and there is a fee that can be waived for government. Commissioner Robertson said he doesn’t see why we would do this; if the county puts up a sign on ITD’s post that was not the right specifications, the responsibility would be on the county. Chairman Bertling suggested running this question by the county civil attorney. Commissioner Robertson said he’s good with the county putting up its own road signs, but not the state’s post, etc.
Ms. Nelson said there is a utility permit for Roosevelt Road for a waterline, which was hit. That permit will need to be amended, but now Three Mile Water District will not allow the contractor to sign the permit.
2:08 p.m., Solid Waste Department Superintendent Richard Jenkins joined the meeting.
The meeting with Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris ended at 2:09 p.m.
Mr. Jenkins joined the meeting to give the department report and discuss groundwater testing.
Mr. Jenkins informed Commissioners that he has a site meeting with Jeff Gage with Green Mountain Technologies and Kootenai Tribe of Idaho Environmental Program Manager Karen Schumacher. Mr. Jenkins informed Commissioners that with a composting facility, the composting unit be placed in the active portion of the landfill where no waste has been placed and that type of space is limited. There is still a lot of dirt that needs to be dug out and tires will need to be moved. Mr. Jenkins said the only thing he can come up with is the east side of the wood pile as that area is clean ground. The same condition applies to the air burner in that it cannot sit on existing garbage. Mr. Jenkins said the composting unit cannot be within the 200-foot buffer, but he’s not sure about the air curtain incinerator. Mr. Jenkins explained that he spoke with Erik Bornhorst, Project Air Quality Specialist with Maul Foster, who will get Senior Engineer Ellery Howard involved to see if the air curtain incinerator can be placed in an area he would like, and if not, he will have to find another area. Mr. Jenkins said when you put a concrete pad over existing garbage and the landfill is not closed, if affects closure and the membrane not being done. Nothing can be set on existing waste, according to Mr. Jenkins. Mr. Jenkins mentioned that he is going to ask more questions. The composting unit cannot be outside of the active landfill. If it’s not associated with the landfill, it will have its own set of regulations for a tier 2 level. It all has to do with where the unit is placed. Commissioner Robertson spoke of looking into whether or not the air curtain incinerator and composting unit can be put somewhere else and if that is not going to work, what are the rules if the units are place elsewhere?
Mr. Jenkins referred to information from Maul Foster about the proposed landfill operation. Per the proposed operation, the county could burn eight hours per day and process approximately 8,400 tons per year at the schedule of eight hours per day, five days per week. Mr. Jenkins commented that he will change to where the landfill can use the air burner seven days per week at 50 weeks out of the year and he doesn’t think the parameters will be affected. Mr. Jenkins mentioned being allowed to go into the modeling protocol. Where to place the incinerator is not the problem, it’s the permit application if the unit cannot be placed on existing garbage. Chairman Bertling asked if a final cover could be placed on a certain area so it can be used and Mr. Jenkins said he heard that even when that is done, nothing supposed to be placed on that area. The closure/post closure plans apply to anywhere there is waste at the landfill.
Mr. Jenkins discussed leachate and stormwater and he explained that stormwater is when rainfall runs into the pond and leachate is when rainfall touches garbage and then has to go into a leachate pond. Leachate has to be disposed of properly.
Mr. Jenkins commented about wanting to get more guidance on buffer zones. On the west side, it might be okay to have garbage right up to the road, because the county owns the property next to it, but we need to determine if a road easement is a factor. There is no easement to the north. There might be other options to increase that buffer zone. Mr. Jenkins informed Commissioners of a funding opportunity he learned about from Matt Beeter with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and these funds could assist with groundwater monitoring. The funds are available to devote to Boundary County, according to Mr. Jenkins. DEQ wants the groundwater testing done sooner than later and they have offered to negotiate a task order with the engineers and would pay them directly with these available funds, rather than the county doing it and having to go out for bids. DEQ would require that the county agree to the formal submitting of the results of the groundwater monitoring plan, as well as go along with most of the recommendations of the engineering firm. Otherwise, the county will have to obtain bids, contract and pay the engineering firm and then be reimbursed by DEQ. Mr. Jenkins commented that he would prefer to utilize DEQ, but he would like to see what the stipulations are. Chairman Bertling said he doesn’t have a problem with that and Commissioner Robertson added that it’s better financially to go through DEQ.
Mr. Jenkins said when Mr. Beeter last met with Commissioners and visited the landfill, Mr. Beeter saw the wood pile and was given the plan for the air burner. Mr. Beeter had said that he doesn’t see that working as it relates to air quality. Mr. Jenkins mentioned having spoken with Mr. Bornhorst with Maul Foster about it and he is also in agreement. Shoshone County has an air curtain incinerator and they’re not allowed to put any wood waste in it; just wood pallets, etc. DEQ performs random visits in Shoshone County. Mr. Jenkins said there is the possibility that Shoshone County could help Boundary County with its wood waste and also help develop a fill and stormwater plan. Mr. Jenkins said he feels Shoshone County would help more than hurt. Mr. Jenkins added that Shoshone County’s burner is an open burner and DEQ and Mr. Beeter wrote the wrote rules on that. Only certain material can be burned due to contamination in the wood pile. Chairman Bertling said he’s curious what Mr. Beeter’s thoughts are about the county’s wood pile. Mr. Jenkins said it should’ve had an engineered slope plan a long time ago. Commissioners commented on the size of the buffer zone and Mr. Jenkins said a municipal landfill must have a 200-foot buffer. The wood pile has both green wood waste, as well as wood waste. The incinerator must have clean wood; not treated wood and no leaves, grass, furniture, or railroad ties. Leaves and grass doesn’t work for the air burner, but it’s okay for the composter. Those present discussed what they can do with treated wood.
Clerk Poston left the meeting at 3:00 p.m.
The meeting with Mr. Jenkins ended at 3:14 p.m.
There being no further business, the meeting recessed until tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.
***Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Tim Bertling, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Ben Robertson, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
9:00 a.m., Commissioner Robertson moved to go into executive session pursuant to Idaho Code 74-206(1)a, to consider hiring a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, wherein the respective qualities of individuals are to be evaluated in order to fill a particular vacancy or need; and 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 Cossairt second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Bertling “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Robertson “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 11:00 a.m. No action was taken.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:15 a.m.
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TIM BERTLING, Chairman
ATTEST:
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GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk