***Monday, October 9, 2023, Commissioners did not meet due to the Columbus Day Holiday.
***Tuesday, October 10, 2023, 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.
Sheriff Dave Kramer and Undersheriff Rich Stephens joined the meeting.
9:00 a.m., Commissioner Robertson 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 Cossairt second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Bertling “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Robertson “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 9:40 a.m. No action was taken.
Sheriff Kramer and Undersheriff Stephens left the meeting at 9:41 a.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the minutes of October 2 & 3, 2023. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign Findings and Decision for Planning and Zoning File #23-0113, a long plat, urban subdivision, for the Billie & Patricia I. Poulton Family Trust. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Findings and Decision for Planning and Zoning File #23-0150, Kalahan & Christopher Copley and Poulton Family Trust Amended Lot 13A of Amended Plat of Lots 4 & 13 North Ridge Estates 1st Addition Short Plat – Lot Line Adjustment. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
10:00 a.m., Commissioners held a public hearing to consider a request for a road name change from Vaquero Road to Fern Meadow Road. This is a request made by Elizabeth Burnett. Present were: Chairman Tim Bertling, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Ben Robertson, Clerk Glenda Poston, Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser, Addressing Coordinator Debra Dreger, and Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendent Renee Nelson. The hearing was recorded.
Chairman Bertling reviewed the hearing procedures to follow. There were no questions of the hearing process. Commissioners had no conflicts of interest.
Commissioners opened the hearing and asked for a staff report. Ms. Dreger explained that this is a private road located off of Meadow Creek Road and she provided the parcel numbers associated with the request. Ms. Dreger said the applicant is seeking a private road name change and she reviewed county code sections applicable and the process to follow. Ms. Dreger continued with her review of the staff report. The Road Name Change Committee recommended approval of the new road name. Ms. Dreger reviewed what public comments had been received.
Commissioners said there was nobody present to provide public comment and they closed the hearing to public testimony.
Commissioners said they had no problems with the request.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the road name change request of applicant Elizabeth Burnett for Vaquero Road to be changed to Fern Meadow Road as it meets Boundary County Uniform Address and Street Naming Ordinance 2007-6. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
The hearing ended at 10:09 a.m.
Ms. Nelson and Ms. Dreger left the meeting.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties until their next meeting.
10:43 a.m., Snowmobile Board members Dave Wenk, Scooter Drake and Kevin Cossairt joined the meeting.
11:00 a.m., Commissioners, Mr. Wenk, Mr. Drake and Mr. Cossairt discussed quotes for snow groomer attachments and the process of grooming. Commissioner Robertson listed which company has a snow groomer available right away. Mr. Wenk said the county could also submit for a grant to purchase a groomer.
11:28 a.m., The meeting regarding snow groomer attachments ended.
11:30 a.m., Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee and Assistant Administrator Diana Lane joined the meeting to give a report on Restorium matters. Ms. Lane said there are 28 residents currently and 11 of them are in memory care. Ms. Lane informed Commissioners that she had received some of the reimbursement from Molina Healthcare. Ms. Magee explained freezer issues they’ve had at the Restorium. Those present discussed the status of the flooring project. Commissioner Cossairt asked Ms. Magee and Ms. Lane if they provide Medicaid with a yearly analysis so that Medicaid can adjust their reimbursement rates. Ms. Lane explained the reporting that Medicaid does on their own and what it’s based on. The Restorium has to accept what Medicaid sets as reimbursement.
The meeting with Ms. Magee and Ms. Lane ended at 11:44 a.m.
Commissioners recessed for lunch at 12:05 p.m.
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-Superintendent Randy Morris joined the meeting to give the Road and Bridge Department report. A written report was provided and Mr. Morris reviewed work being done.
The meeting with Mr. Morris ended at 1:35 p.m.
2:00 p.m., Boundary County Sheriff’s Marine Deputy/Waterways Board member Caleb Watts, Waterways Board Chairman Darron Branson, Sheriff Dave Kramer, and Boundary Search and Dive Rescue members: Secretary Missy Nelson, Board member Pat Bennett, Vice-President Ron Klein, President Mario Anest, and Treasurer Tom Kichenmaster joined the meeting to discuss needs for the Waterways/Search and Rescue building.
Those present discussed matters pertaining to the Waterways building. Mr. Anest said he was asked to provide a letter regarding Search and Rescue’s use of the building and their board wanted to present the letter to Commissioners and be available for any questions. Mr. Bennett said he’s been with Search and Rescue for approximately nine years. Search and Rescue was asked by Mr. Watts to provide a letter regarding their use of the Waterways building. There is confusion in that Search and Rescue didn’t know the context of the letter, but they did write one that outlines their use of the building and needs of Search and Rescue. In the past, Search and Rescue had been met with hostility by the Waterways Board and at times have been threatened to be kicked out of the building. Search and Rescue has tried to speak with Waterways Board members, but have gotten no response. Mr. Bennett said he thinks the Waterways Board is supposed to have monthly meetings, but they cannot find the notice about these meetings. Search and Rescue is trying to find the middle ground, but it hasn’t happened. The Waterways building was built using funds received from a Parks and Recreation grant through the Waterways fund and a part of the grant was to involve Search and Rescue. The building was added on to in 2012 and it calls out Search and Rescue equipment. Search and Rescue feel they’re being pushed out, but they’ve been there 27 years and they provide a service to the community. Several years ago, maintenance of the building came up and an agreement was provided to the Waterways Board who handed it to the Commissioners. The letter was given to the county civil attorney and they’ve not heard anything back. It would be sweat equity and they would do minor repairs and provide labor. That is where we are at today. Mr. Bennett said they’re just trying to figure out where to go from here and get past this. Mr. Anest said Search and Rescue need a place to operate and store equipment. Funds have been provided through the State of Idaho Parks and Recreation grant and it has worked out okay, except for taking care of the building. The classroom in the building has nasty carpet and they would like to replace it at some point, but how do we address this? Chairman Bertling asked if there are funds to replace the carpet. Mr. Anest said he thinks there might be funds at this point, but the budget varies from one minute to next. Mr. Bennett explained that Search and Rescue receives a small stipend from the Sheriff’s Office, which they’re grateful for, and approximately 90% of their funding is received from donations. Search and Rescue is very limited as to what they can actually do. Search and Rescue’s board meetings are pretty well set and they’re available anytime so please reach out. The grant for the 2012 Waterways building extension specifically calls out funds with Waterways being responsible for all future maintenance. Search and Rescue is open to do what they can, but the agreement says there should be funding there for maintenance. It’s hard to find the original grant documents, but the thought it was in 1996. The property the building sits on was donated by the lumber company and it was for waterways, for the public, and to house Search and Rescue equipment, per Mr. Bennett. Chairman Bertling said it’s interesting that the State of Idaho requires Search and Rescue, but they don’t fund it. It was said the waterways improvement fund mentions Search and Rescue specifically. Mr. Bennett said it is the Waterways Board, but they’re an advisory committee and advisory committees don’t own property or equipment and they are to advise Commissioners. Mr. Bennett said that is how he sees it. The Sheriff’s Office and Search and Rescue use the building. Commissioner Robertson said it sounds like an easy solution, so moving forward, what can we do? Mr. Branson thanked Search and Rescue for their volunteerism. It was said the Waterways Board is an advisory board and they advise Commissioners. They won’t want to use funds from certain entities and fund the wrong thing. Waterways wants to make sure the waterways improvement fund isn’t being used the wrong way. Boater registration fees are used to keep lights on in the building. Waterways advised Commissioners to talk to their legal counsel; not to get someone kicked out of the building. Mr. Branson said he knew that an agreement was being drafted and he thought it was going well. Mr. Branson added that he felt that the information going out to both groups wasn’t the same information. Mr. Branson spoke of talking with the spokesperson for Search and Rescue at one time, but he didn’t know this person wasn’t to be the one speaking on behalf of Search and Rescue. There are things Waterways has paid for, such as the cost for weed control and the cost for power and water, which was approximately $6,000.00 this year. Last year Waterways found that the back door to the Waterways building was left open and that building is not insulated. Mr. Branson said there is a disconnect, but he feels it is pretty easy to get in touch with the Waterways Board. Mr. Bennett said he doesn’t know either, but that could’ve been around the same time that certain personnel were involved. Chairman Bertling said maybe it’s just a lack of communication regarding responsibility and then follow up. Mr. Branson said he still thinks and wonders if it is legal for the waterways improvement funds to pay for something not water craft related. Sheriff Kramer mentioned there is equipment that is not a jet ski, but it is still water related and he said just because it’s not a boat doesn’t mean it’s not usable for water safety. They could use a snowmobile or ATV to go down the dike and that would be okay. Sheriff Kramer said he thinks this can be worked out and he also thinks everyone has contributed toward labor. Mr. Kichenmaster said the current HVAC system is a trip hazard and it’s reached its life expectancy. Mr. Branson said a HVAC system that’s there should probably not be there, and to upgrade it would be $20,000.000 or more. We’re spending a couple thousand dollars per year to limp the system along. Mr. Branson said his proposal would be to work on the utilities. Mr. Branson spoke of costs being 50/50 or if Search and Rescue equipment is in the building, then maybe it’s split 60/40, so it doesn’t all fall on the boater registration fees. It was said the waterways improvement fund is for waterways craft and funding for the boat and pickup. Chairman Bertling said he would say one priority is the boat and its availability when needed. Chairman Bertling asked for a quote for a new HVAC system.
Search and Rescue members were asked what their priority would be. It was said that if Search and Rescue paid $6,000.00 toward utilities, they wouldn’t have funds to search for anyone. Mr. Branson said he understands and it’s back to the question of should boater registration fees pay for that? Commissioner Robertson asked if Waterways would be heating the building anyway and Mr. Branson said they would heat the front part of the building, but probably not the classroom, unless it’s being used. Mr. Bennett said the heating system is not sufficient at all, and they would need a system to heat the garage bay area and a system to heat the classroom. The best would be to have a centralized system. We need to make sure the building stays warm or the boat can freeze. Commissioner Robertson asked if there are other costs to having Search and Rescue in the building? Mr. Branson said he would say no. Mr. Bennett suggested the county help with utility costs. If Search and Rescue had funding, they would help, but they don’t have the funds. Mr. Anest explained where the budget for Search and Rescue comes from and what it funds. Mr. Bennett said if Search and Rescue buys equipment, it comes out of their own budget. Mr. Anest said funds are spent on training and equipment. Mr. Branson said repairs for the water line came out of boater registration fees. Mr. Branson commented that the Waterways Board would have meetings and send meeting minutes, but they would not get a response. The Waterways Board’s advice to Commissioners comes through their meeting minutes to Commissioners. Commissioner Robertson said he had inquired as to when the meetings are held. Sheriff Kramer said Mr. Watts is the Sheriff’s Office liaison for Search and Rescue, so they could contact him about the roles through the Sheriff’s Office.
Commissioner Robertson said he can tell there has been some animosity from the past, but they can move forward and have good communication. Commissioner Robertson said he’s willing to attend meetings to make it work. Chairman Bertling added that it might be good to have a group meeting with Search and Rescue and the Waterways Board for reintroductions and to talk about situations and how it’s going. Commissioner Robertson said he recognizes that those in attendance of this meeting are volunteers, with the exception of the Sheriff’s Office, and he thanked them for their service.
The meeting ended at 2:33 p.m.
2:33 p.m., Solid Waste Department Superintendent Claine Skeen joined the meeting to participate in Commissioners’ discussion regarding air curtain incinerators, permitting updates, and general Solid Waste Department updates.
Mr. Skeen mentioned having reached out to Maul Foster Engineering, as well as Erik Ketner with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) about the landfill operation plan. Mr. Ketner will contact another DEQ staff member about the status of the county’s plan, because Boundary County has done its part. Engineer Ellery Howard will get in touch with DEQ Air Quality Manager Shawn Sweetapple and Shoshone County’s Solid Waste Department Director about costs and engineering for an air curtain incinerator. Chairman Bertling asked if Mr. Skeen could provide updates after those discussions. Mr. Skeen said he will know in the next week or so who did the engineering. Mr. Skeen added that he thinks the county needs clarification as to what the county can and cannot burn. In talking with Shoshone County Solid Waste Director Richard Brenner, with Shoshone County’s permit they cannot burn treated material. Mr. Skeen said they’re permitted to burn whatever it is they can burn, but they cannot use that system to accommodate plywood or anything glued, etc. Chairman Bertling said when he talked to Mr. Sweetapple about it, Mr. Sweetapple felt as long as the treated material made up under 10% of the volume, then he wasn’t concerned. Ash and char involve another permitting process. Chairman Bertling said the burners are eight to ten weeks out currently, so if we move forward on it now, we could be operational by March 2024.
Chairman Bertling asked Mr. Skeen about crushing glass and Mr. Skeen said he will look into that as well.
Mr. Skeen explained needing to complete the operation plan first, then he would work on the closure and post closure plans.
Commissioners and Mr. Skeen discussed changing the hours at the main landfill as well as the weight of containers when they’re brought in. Commissioner Cossairt said when a container is brought in from the monitored sites and it seems to have a lot of material in it for the metal and wood pile, he would like to have it weighed in order to know how much material is coming in. Commissioner Cossairt commented on tandem axel trucks versus single axel.
The meeting with Mr. Skeen ended at 3:00 p.m.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.
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TIM BERTLING, Chairman
ATTEST:
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GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk