***Monday, May 02, 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.

Blue Sky Broadcasting News Reporter Mike Brown was in attendance of the meetings off and on throughout the day.

County Noxious Weeds Department Superintendent Dave Wenk joined the meeting.

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 the departmental report. Mr. Kimball presented a written report. Mr. Kimball said it is work as usual at Road and Bridge. Mr. Kimball said he did have a meeting with City of Bonners Ferry Administrator Mike Klaus and the preliminary plans for paving the fairgrounds parking lot are now on his desk. The rough estimate for paving this parking lot is less than what was expected, according to Mr. Kimball. Commissioners were informed the parking lot will be torn up starting May 15, 2016.

Mr. Kimball said Road and Bridge has been blading roads and taking care of a long needed repair on Brown Creek Road. There has always been a large puddle at the lower end of Brown Creek Road so the hole has been filled so it slopes. Mr. Kimball said his crew will also grade this road. Mr. Kimball said he removed the large bump near the Myrtle Creek Bridge and this bridge will be 100% compliant after a bit more work.

Mr. Kimball said the most recent Boundary Area Transportation Team (BATT) meeting was good. An Idaho Transportation Department representative said at the meeting that there are grant funds available for local Americans with Disabilities (ADA) projects. Commissioner Kirby said the walking trail just north of town is to be fixed and he mentioned the improvements would start from where the current sidewalk ends to the bottom of where the bottom of the hill starts. Chairman Dinning said the Idaho Transportation Department tried to give this walkway to the county at one time, but it is too much to maintain.

This week Road and Bridge will get more brushing done on District 2 Road and create ditches along Deer Park Road. Mr. Kimball said Road and Bridge will get trees out of the way for rural high speed internet equipment for Frontier Communications. Frontier Communications took Naples off the site for internet service, according to Mr. Kimball. Commissioners asked about the ability for Frontier to run cables overhead. Mr. Kimball said that could be done in certain places.

Mr. Kimball spoke of culvert work, road sweeping, and Durapatching that needs to be done. Mr. Kimball informed Commissioners that there are now a lot of people building and needing new access permits and global positioning system (GPS) services.

Mr. Kimball mentioned the piggyback bid for liquid asphalt and said that County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull has reviewed and approved the documentation.

Mr. Kimball asked to discuss hiring for a full-time operator position as he was informed of a current employee’s plans to retire. Mr. Kimball said he would like to post the Notification of Position Vacancy right away. Mr. Kimball informed Commissioners he is interviewing five applications for the part time position today.
Mr. Kimball said there is an area near the airstrip at the end of Farm to Market Road where you either turn to go to the Porthill Mercantile or Elk Mountain Farms and it is an area that he paved in 1996 before working for the county. Mr. Kimball said someone contacted him about wanting to pave the boat launch so he will find out where that matter was left, but he was pretty sure it had nothing to do with Road and Bridge. Chairman Dinning said he will have to look as he thought that area was still part of the old runway. Mr. Kimball said it used to be the old ferry boat launch.

Commissioner Kirby said the project to repair the McArthur Lake Curve is apparently number 279 on the project list, according to Damon Allen with the Idaho Transportation Department. Mr. Kimball informed Commissioners that Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF) has a low rating on their bridge over Deep Creek and that is one area he thinks about when it comes to infrastructure getting old.

Mr. Kimball informed Commissioners that Road and Bridge is getting ready to start dust control now.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to approve the piggyback bid with Bonner County for liquid asphalt materials upon receiving approval from County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

The meeting with Mr. Kimball ended at 9:23 a.m.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to approve the Neighborhood Co-op List for year 2016 as follows: Delton Isaac, Kambie Kamiab, Mary Kay Lutes, North Idaho Energy Logs, John Liermann, Rob & Kim Pluid, Walt Dinning, Don Smith, Lonny Jelinek, Bob Lewis, Tim Saunders, Lynn Jelinek, Wany Jelinek, Shelly Dietz, Patrick Keifer, Bonita Willonghby, Roger Doering, Dave Bryant, Jeff Ennis, Gary Leonard, Tom Leonard, Mike Jelinek, George Ray, Dan Nystrom, Rick Philbrook, Dan Tucker, John Buckley, Tim Sebers, Wayne Holt, Wayne Nishek, Seth Richards, Tracy Golder, Clifton Taylor, John Alt, Don Alt, Frank McCormick, Dan Altice, Lori Mason, Marty Silvestri, Walt Neu, Mike Kent, Sheldon Ashdown, Ray Schave, Rick Leach, Steve Leach, Peter Schaffer, Ken Schmitz, Pete Jimenez, Tom McLain, Rege McNeill, Ken Myers, Janet Preston, Brent Weaver, Roy Burton, Dan Myers, John Aaron, Dave Peterson, Rick Haag, Steve Ballard, Janice Rudeen, Alan Hinson, Pat Gardiner, Ed Holderman, Ben Robertson, Greg Beals, John Taft, Jim Berry, Troy Geyman, Scott Nelson, Robert Lewis, Mike Wade, Morgan Draxlir, Aaron Draxlir, Liz Wood, Brenda Kerttu, Jim Brooks, Randy Burney, John Vowell, Susan Vowell, Art Abbott, LeeAnn Abbott, Barbara Johnson, David Lotze, David Kramer, Pat Doolin, Don Kramer, Charlie Kramer, Clint Roney, Sandra Haag, Derek Snider, Ken Comer, Sharon Comer, Ron & Jill Bennett, Rick & Judy Fletcher, Ted & Zetta Graupner, Robert Wiseberg, Art Putnam, Rich Feickert, Jean Jones, Richard English, Spike Maas, Sue Ellen Bicknell, Penny Anderson, Mike Worley, Gary Worley, Glen Gilbert, Jason Whittaker, Debi Neely, Ervin Madson, Dave Pfenning, Debby Ackley, John Tucker, Stephanie Tucker, Tom Jones, Kelli Jones, Matthew Zills, Bridget Zills, Heidi Brown, Scott Lovenbury, Margaret Lovenbury, Rick Henslee, Gaylen Schirado, Orrin Everhart, Doug Wolfe, Chris Wolfe, H&H Farms, Dave Hood, Sharon Hood, Jeff Hood, Mike Hood, Cindy Haagenson, Glen Fodge, Larry Merrit, Ben Harris, Jim Dahlberg, Daryl Thiel, Jeff Urbaniak, Doug Helmuth, Gerald Unruh, Dale Sorenson, Diane Snider, Dick Schnuerle, George Miller, Jim Fritzche, Cale Unruh, and Kim Orison. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Wenk left the meeting at 9:26 a.m.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to approve the Certificates of Residency for M. Fairchild, J. Branson, S. Sporl, and A. Hittle. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign and approve the Findings and Decision for 16-036, the long plat urban subdivision filed by Allen Sandaker. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Clerk Poston and Commissioners reviewed annual agreements in order to plan for the upcoming budget. Clerk Poston said she needs to look at various budgets because projected revenues are not being met so she will see what the trend has been for the last three years and may adjust accordingly.

9:54 a.m., Commissioner Pinkerton 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 Kirby second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton “aye”, and Commissioner Kirby “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 10:06 a.m. No action was taken.

10:06 a.m., Solid Waste Department Superintendent Claine Skeen joined the meeting to give his departmental report. Mr. Skeen provided Commissioners with quotes for wood grinding and disposal. Mr. Skeen said he had County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull review the information. Cannon Hills Industries and Diversified Wood both replied to the request for quotes, but Diversified responded that they are not going to bid on Boundary County’s wood pile. The quote from Cannon Hills Industries is $39.50 per green ton. Mr. Skeen said last year the cost was $34.50 per green ton. Mr. Skeen said the wood pile will probably not be completely eliminated, but three quarters should be taken care of.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to accept the quote of $39.50 per green ton from Cannon Hills Industries to grind and haul away wood from the wood pile at the Boundary County Landfill with cleanup of the specific area. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Skeen informed Commissioners that Attorney Hull approved the contract as well.

Commissioners asked about the process of disposing of the wood pile at the landfill. Mr. Skeen said the wood chips go to a pulp mill. Commissioner Pinkerton questioned if there are nails in the wood. Commissioner Pinkerton said Sam Fodge may be another alternative for wood disposal in the future so the other one-quarter of the wood pile that is left may be eligible for that. Mr. Skeen said he spoke to Ellery Howard with JUB Engineering, who is updating the landfill closure plan, and was told that diverting material is not going to be an issue pertaining to the small community exemption. Mr. Skeen said Boundary County can bury up to 20 tons of garbage and any amount above 20 tons can be diverted somewhere else. As far as costs Mr. Skeen said it depends on the tipping fee for Mr. Fodge. Commissioner Pinkerton said we are good to dispose of a maximum of 20 tons in the landfill, but would have to look at another location for any amount above that.

Mr. Skeen said he will finish the paperwork for the weight scales so the county can seek bids. Those present briefly discussed anticipated revenue. Commissioners asked about the disposal fee when the scales are put in and Mr. Skeen said the fee will be $6 per yard.

Clerk Poston questioned when the engineering study will be completed by Mr. Howard. Mr. Skeen said probably within the month. Clerk Poston said that will play a part for the Solid Waste Department’s upcoming budget as well as scale and engineering costs. Clerk Poston said she did allocate $50,000 to the landfill closure fund. Commissioners said they will have to take a look at the closure fee.

Mr. Skeen informed Commissioners that he is in the process of hiring.

Mr. Skeen left the meeting at 10:24 a.m.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to have Maria’s Cleaning Service wax the lower floor of the Courthouse. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioners tended to administrative duties.

11:30 a.m., Sheriff’s Office Administrative Deputy Crystal Denton joined the meeting to present Commissioners with quotes received for a security camera system for the Sheriff’s Office.

Ms. Denton said she sent out requests for proposals and received three responses. Ms. Denton said the Sheriff’s Office can provide the contractor, Cutthroat Cabling, to do the cable work. The three vendors that responded to the request are: Selkirk Mountain Tech., Jacob Bushnell, and Valence Communications.

Ms. Denton said the Sheriff’s Office’s preference is Selkirk Mountain Tech as they have a system that is not hardware specific to a vendor. This system is a computer that has software that runs the cameras and the recording. Ms. Denton said rather than having a system that is specific to a vendor, with Selkirk Mountain Tech.’s equipment, if a hard drive goes bad, she can get a hard drive and put it in. If it is vendor specific hardware, the entire computer might need to be sent in. The quote received from Selkirk Mountain Tech is $43,000. Cabling is separate at $12,000 so overall the cost is $55,000.

Jacob Bushnell also provided a quote totaling $41,745 and that does not include hard wire. Ms. Denton said cabling would cost $12,000 for a total of $53,745.

Chairman Dinning asked about the quotes and whether or not any of them included cabling.

Ms. Denton said the quote from Valence Communication is $58,800.

It was said there is just one quote for cabling. Ms. Denton said the company doing the cable is a company that has done wiring for the Courthouse before. Ms. Denton said Mr. Bushnell does his cabling for a cost of $23,000, but her estimate from Cutthroat Cabling is $12,000. Chairman Dinning said for clarification that the three quotes do not include cabling. Ms. Denton said that was correct.

The Sheriff’s Office recommends Selkirk Mountain Tech, which quoted $43,000 because of their system is not a piece of hardware that is vendor specific. Chairman Dinning said that is so if need be, the Sheriff’s Office can fix something in-house. Ms. Denton said the computer itself is under a Dell three year warranty. Mr. Bushnell’s System has a three year warranty and Ms. Denton said she would imagine Valence does as well.

Chairman Dinning questioned if the original request include cabling. Ms. Denton said the request did include cabling, but it also included verbiage that the Sheriff’s Office could use a 3rd party at its discretion, so it is apples and apples. Chairman Dinning asked if Commissioners have the ability to negotiate. Chairman Dinning asked Ms. Denton to contact County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull to get in writing if Commissioners have the ability to negotiate. Commissioners asked Ms. Denton about her budget for this purchase. Ms. Denton said there is $50,000 in the budget for this and she would use funds from the commissary account as this is for inmates so it is covered.
The quote is to add security cameras to the exterior and interior of the Sheriff’s Office and to replace all of the prior system. The video portion of the current system is from year 2004 and the cameras are even older than that, according to Ms. Denton.

Commissioners will continue the meeting to discuss the quotes for a security camera system until they hear back from Attorney Hull.

Mr. Bushnell left the meeting at 11:44 a.m.

11:44 a.m., Commissioner Pinkerton 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 Kirby second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton “aye”, and Commissioner Kirby “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 11:50 a.m. No action was taken.

Ms. Denton left the meeting at 11:50 a.m.

Commissioners recessed for lunch at noon.

1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Dinning, Commissioner Pinkerton, Commissioner Kirby, and Deputy Clerk Rohrwasser.

Commissioner Kirby moved to approve the minutes for the weeks of April 18, 2016 and April 25, 2016. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

1:30 p.m., Shanda Dekome and Karl Dekome with the United States Forest Service joined the meeting to discuss Forest Plan monitoring. City of Bonners Ferry Mayor David Sims, and Patty Perry and Kevin Greenleaf with the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho were also present.

Ms. Dekome said the Forest Service now has a new monitoring plan for year 2016 and what is in effect is the 2012 Planning Rule. The 2012 Planning Rule, for the most part, explains everything under forest planning, except for monitoring and the 2012 plan said all forest districts have four years to comply with the monitoring section of the 2012 rules. When the Forest Service did the Forest Plan under the 1982 rules, the Forest Service used management indicator species (MIS). Ms. Dekome explained that with MIS you are supposed to be able to select a few species, do management on the ground to monitor how that species is doing, and the concept tells you if that species is doing well. The species can be a combination of wildlife and plant. Ms. Dekome said when the Forest Plan was done, the Forest Service used land bird assemblage for an MIS. Five types of birds were chosen and the idea behind that is when the Forest Service is doing vegetation treatment, there are different habitats for these different birds. The Forest Service also has an MIS that is aquatic, such as aquatic insects. There is a lot of science in that the aquatic insects that you have in a stream will tell you how clean that stream is. The third indicator species was elk, according to Ms. Dekome. The elk were chosen because the Forest Service didn’t want to choose a species that is listed. The first time around there were listed species and Ms. Dekome said she doesn’t want to double count them.

Ms. Dekome said when the three MIS were chosen, the Forest Service was writing the 2012 Planning Rule. When the matter of MIS came up there were controversies so it was decided to choose a focal species and get away from MIS as it is quite flawed. The 2012 Rule has been upheld and the Forest Service will move toward the focal species. There is paperwork on what makes good focal species, according to Ms. Dekome and the land bird and aquatic assemblage fits well in the focal species concept, but elk does not. When the 2012 Plan went into effect the Forest Service had four years to switch to a new monitoring system.

Ms. Dekome said there is also an aspect that says you have to have public input for this so the Forest Service stated they wanted to use land birds and aquatic assemblages. The notice states the Forest Service is not going to have MIS in the plan any longer, but instead will have focal species. This is called an administrative change so the plan does not have to be amended. Chairman Dinning asked what birds are included. Ms. Dekome said the Hammond’s Flycatcher, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Dusky Flycatcher, Chipping Sparrow, and Hairy Woodpecker. Ms. Dekome mentioned the Forest Service also has a regional monitoring program across Region 1 as well as regional efforts for aquatic insects that have been going on for several years.

Ms. Dekome said the important thing to know is that this process is forest-wide and not at the project level. Ms. Dekome said there have been so many lawsuits regarding the MIS. When the 2015 plan was done it was specific that this was not the intent so there was no confusion if the matter went to court. Monitoring is at the forest level, not what is going on with projects and it is the indication of the habitat, not the species.

Commissioner Pinkerton asked what kind of statistics or baseline did the Forest Service find on these identified species. Ms. Dekome said the species are monitored across the entire region. Mr. Dekome said approximately 20 plots are being monitored. Ms. Dekome said for the aquatic insects, you take the samples and run them through a model. Commissioner Pinkerton said from the time the species were identified, how long have they been monitored. Ms. Dekome said it has been seven or eight years of monitoring for birds. Commissioner Pinkerton asked how diverse the plots are. Ms. Dekome said she would have to get back to him on that.

Chairman Dinning asked if, for example, the land bird assemblage were shown to be doing fine in the Panhandle Region, but in a larger part of the region they were not doing fine, can that potentially affect projects within the Panhandle Region. Ms. Dekome said it shouldn’t. Ms. Dekome said the Goshawk used to be an MIS, and when you look across the entire region, it bolsters your case quite bit. Chairman Dinning said specifically with goshawk, in some of our local projects we are still having to set aside acres in our forests so would that be affected. Ms. Dekome said no, but the Goshawk is in the same group as the raptors so there is a guideline and plan for raptors. Under the old plan pertaining to the Goshawk, The Forest Service was managing at the project level and if there is a known nest, because it is a raptor, that is where it is coming from.

Chairman Dinning asked about insects. Ms. Dekome said there isn’t a particular species collected. A sample is collected and what insects are collected are ran through a process to determine if there is a quantity above a specific number. Chairman Dinning said so this didn’t change anything from MIS other than no longer using elk as an MIS and the birds were changed. This old system was region-wide as well. Ms. Dekome said this doesn’t really change anything that was implemented in year 2015. In the 1987 plan there were more MIS species such as elk, deer, goshawk, etc. There was a much longer list of MIS. These new species had to be a real indicator of management, per Ms. Dekome.

Ms. Dekome said right now the focus is on vegetation and water quality. If you read the plan, there is a lot of other monitoring. Ms. Dekome showed Commissioners the number of pages pertaining to monitoring in the plan and said when it came time for the Forest Service to make the transition to the new rule, they were prepared. This should be a very easy transition for the Kootenai National Forest and the Panhandle National Forest.

Chairman Dinning said he wanted more understanding as he always thinks about how these things can be used against the county. The MIS is not being used to determine any viable species, but instead is just an indicator of what is happening to the habitat. Chairman Dinning asked if the birds chosen for monitoring require similar habitat, as not all are designed for thick dense old growth, etc. Ms. Dekome said the birds fit different types of niches.

Commissioner Pinkerton asked Ms. Dekome about the Bog Creek Road. The Scoping Notice for Bog Creek Road came out in the Federal Register and Commissioners would like to see how the project looks and to have a meeting with the Border Patrol to get a better understanding. Commissioners read about closing other roads so they would like to know which roads, and to just get an understanding of other issues surrounding that so they are not blindsided. Ms. Dekome said she is the contact person for this project so she will send a request to Forest Supervisor Mary Farnsworth.

Ms. Dekome said the Notice of Intent to do the environmental impact statement (EIS) came out. There has been work done as far as developing alternatives and maps for those alternatives. The Forest Service is getting ready for the EIS. Ms. Dekome said as far as she is aware it looks like there are three alternatives with no action and two other alternatives. Ms. Dekome mentioned that the Bog Creek Road was washed out and closed. The Border Patrol needs a road for safe east-west access across the Selkirk Mountains and we only have until year 2019 to meet the access amendment. Ms. Dekome said none of the roads that are in the alternatives are open to the public; they are roads that are gated. Ms. Dekome said this is the second comment period for this project. Chairman Dinning asked if this project falls under the new objection process. Ms. Dekome said yes. Ms. Dekome said from a technicality point there are two decisions, which is the Border Patrol and the United States Forest Service decisions, which is the work on the ground. It consists of two decisions because it is the Forest Service who is disturbing the ground no matter who is paying for it. Ms. Dekome said the question is how to get the road to standard. It is about 5% short in the bear management unit (BMU). Chairman Dinning said technically, the opening and maintenance of Bog Creek Road wouldn’t increase the number of roads to close. Ms. Dekome said there are a lot of complexities to this project so we can get to those when we sit down to talk about the project.

Ms. Dekome said the Bog Creek Road has never been counted against closed roads and the Forest Service is looking for 5% road closures. Commissioner Pinkerton asked if there are any other roads that are currently closed to access that have not been counted toward that 5%. Ms. Dekome said maybe little spur roads. Commissioner Pinkerton said he was concerned because in the Federal Register it looked like the Forest Service is going to have to open a closed road and put in the same announcement that they will have to close other roads. It looked like because Bog Creek Road was going to be opened that other roads would be closed. That is how it looked in the Register, according to Commissioner Pinkerton. Ms. Perry said it is making it look like a tradeoff when it isn’t as the Forest Service was already looking for 5% road closures. Ms. Perry said on paper it is inappropriate and it shouldn’t be presented that way.

Chairman Dinning asked if Bog Creek Road will be restricted or open to the public. Ms. Dekome said Bog Creek Road will be counted as restricted. When talking about public access, the road is open to the public and the number of trips are not counted. In grizzly bear territory, it is a restricted road. The Border Patrol says it will be a restricted road and the Forest Service will count trips. Chairman Dinning asked about the road being classed as open. Ms. Dekome said if you count trips, the road is restricted, but when the number of trips is exceeded, by season, the Forest Service counts the road as open for that year. The intent may be that the road is still restricted so we will see how to keep the trips within the limit the following year. Ms. Dekome said due to the trips by the Border Patrol, Bog Creek Road has to be counted as an open road, just for accounting purposes, but the gates will not be opened for the public. Commissioner Pinkerton asked if the Border Patrol has been giving the Forest Service the number of trips. Ms. Dekome said yes. Chairman Dinning asked where in the Rule are the number of trips stated, and how is that number determined? Ms. Dekome said that information is documented in the Access Amendment. Our trips are based on local science, according to Ms. Dekome. Ms. Perry said if you have restricted roads, but the administrative trips are being exceeded and they can’t be counted as restricted so why not realize they are open and look for restricted access somewhere else if the number of trips cannot be limited. Ms. Perry said she is not understanding why the trade-off. Ms. Dekome said the idea is if there are gates, the road should be restricted and have a certain number of trips. Ms. Dekome spoke of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and bear mortality and she said the more people you let in that area, the higher the mortality. The Forest Service hasn’t been treating this road as core, but biologically speaking, they are as there hasn’t been traffic.

Chairman Dinning said from the public standpoint, a road is going to be considered open, even if it is restricted so why not open it to public, other than bear security, which is the only reason why. Ms. Dekome said they may need to ask the Border Patrol if they want the public up there. Chairman Dinning said we have struggled with this. Ms. Perry said she is hearing that this is more of a biological issue for recovery, which makes sense and she understands that. Ms. Perry said if the road is counted as restricted and not open to the public, what do we gain by limiting trips? Ms. Dekome said core standard means no motorized use. Different bear management units (BMU) have different standards. Fifty-five percent of that BMU should have no motorized use in order to have an appropriate amount of secure habitat, then the Forest Service will have a total motorized density and non-motorized density. When you have total motorized density, it includes restricted roads and non-motorized is open roads. It has to be accounted for every year as it is a changing situation, according to Ms. Dekome.

The meeting to discuss Forest Plan monitoring ended at 2:30 p.m.

2:30 p.m., Road and Bridge Department Superintendent Clint Kimball joined meeting.

Commissioner Kirby moved to go into executive session pursuant to Idaho Code 74-206(1)c, to acquire an interest in real property which is not owned by a public agency. 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 2:56 p.m.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to authorize the Road and Bridge Department Superintendent to proceed with negotiations for a parcel of property. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioners asked Mr. Kimball to look into putting dust abatement on the fairground parking lot as that is something the county has historically made sure to take care of.

Mr. Kimball left the meeting at 3:00 p.m.

Commissioner Kirby left the meeting 3:05 p.m.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.

There being no further business, the meeting recessed until tomorrow at 3:30 p.m.

***Tuesday, May 3, 2016, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton, Commissioner Walt Kirby, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.

9:00 a.m., Commissioners held a public hearing to consider a Planning and Zoning Application to amend the fee schedule for the Planning and Zoning Land Use Ordinance. Present were: Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser, and Planning and Zoning Administrator John Moss. The hearing was recorded.

Chairman Dinning asked Mr. Moss for information on the proposal. Mr. Moss said a couple years ago the Land Use Ordinance was updated from Ordinance 2012-1 to Ordinance 2015-2, and there had been a fee structure identified for Ordinance 2012-1. With the adoption of the new ordinance a couple items were added to allow for more expeditiously split parcels. These processes closely simulated what Planning and Zoning was doing with other parcels and he listed simple subdivisions as an example. The definitions did not lend themselves to a simple subdivision or primitive subdivision. Mr. Moss said at this same time he was new to this Planning and Zoning process and it was suggested that he use the existing fees for the simple and primitive subdivisions that he uses for the other forms of subdivisions so he did and didn’t think anything of it. Mr. Moss said he updated the website so the public was aware of the costs as well. Mr. Moss said he wasn’t aware that he had to go through this procedure to finalize getting those new applications into the fee structure so the county has been using the resolution for fees from Ordinance 2012-1 for Ordinance 2015-2. All of this was going along blissfully and people were paying the fee for the splits, according to Mr. Moss. Mr. Moss said approximately one month ago it became apparent that the county had an appeal situation and in looking at verbiage in Chapter 13 of the ordinance, there is a fee for an appeal hearing, but there is no fee established. Mr. Moss said he researched what other counties do and found that they do have fees for appeals. Boundary County’s ordinance does say that if the appellant doesn’t submit the fee, their appeal will be denied, but since we did not have fee we didn’t have anything to regulate so the matter was brought to Commissioners’ attention. Mr. Moss said in this same process he is going to include the fees for a simple subdivision and primitive subdivision.

Chairman Dinning said this is a public hearing so do we have an application number for this matter? Mr. Moss said an application number was not necessary in this case. Chairman Dinning stated for the record that there were no members of the public present at the hearing.

Chairman Dinning said Commissioners are addressing the request for fees for public records requests, parcel splits, simple subdivisions, and primitive subdivisions. There are no fees for these established so it recommended to set fees at $35. Mr. Moss said the parcel line adjustment is currently $90 so that is what he is charging, but to be in line with the simple and primitive subdivisions, the fee for a lot line adjustment should also be $35. Mr. Moss said the cost is $180 for appeal hearings due to mailings and publications that have to be processed.

Chairman Dinning spoke of what is proposed for a fee for copying public records. Chairman Dinning said it is his personal opinion that we don’t want to say there is no fee for copying public records because once we copy a certain number of pages, the county does charge a certain amount per page. Chairman Dinning suggested the verbiage for the fee for records state “as per Idaho Code.” Commissioner Pinkerton suggested stating there is no charge for copying less than 100 pages.
Chairman Dinning reiterated that no one from the public was present to provide comment in favor, uncommitted, or opposed to the application. Commissioners closed the hearing to public comment. Commissioner Pinkerton said everything seems to be appropriate. It was pointed out that there was a reduction in the fee for a lot line adjustment from $90 to $35 and the addition of the fee for appeals totaling $180. Parcel splits will have a fee of $35.

Commissioner Kirby moved to adopt the recommended fee schedule for Planning and Zoning applications along with including the verbiage for records copies referring to Idaho Code and that up to 100 pages is free of charge. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

The public hearing ended at 9:18.m. and Mr. Moss left the meeting.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to approve the Certificate of Residency for H. Overman. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

9:20 a.m., Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals joined the meeting.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to approve indigent case 2016-15. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Deputy Clerk Ryals left the meeting at 9:35 a.m.

9:40 a.m., Commissioner Pinkerton left the meeting to tend to personal matters.

Commissioners tended to administrative duties.

10:01 a.m., Extension Program Educators Amy Robertson and Kate Painter joined the meeting to update Commissioners on Extension/University of Idaho programs.

Ms. Robertson said this week is the last of a 10 week program she is involved in. Each week’s focus is on a nutritional aspect and at the end of that week those participating in the course make a healthy snack to eat. Ms. Robertson said she has taught a basic budgeting class locally and then at a parent meeting in Sandpoint. In February Ms. Robertson became a lifestyle coach for diabetes prevention and she will teach a year-long class on changing lifestyles. 4-H leader training was completed as well. Mr. Robertson said she has talked about bringing health and nutrition into all aspects of the Extension program. Ms. Robertson said she is working alongside Bonner County more often on bi-county projects. Bonner County will bring their kids up for Boundary County’s livestock judging, etc. Ms. Robertson said she taught the Ready Set Food Safety Course in March, which included six Restorium staff members and seven students from Echo Springs Transitional School.

Ms. Painter spoke of attending the Extension program annual conference in Moscow, and she added that it was a good session so she came back with great ideas and she made great connections. Ms. Painter said she has taught a gluten free cooking class and will hold another class in Bonner County in two weeks. Ms. Robertson spoke of the Headstart Strengthening Families event that included six or seven services available to families. Ms. Robertson said she will soon teach another English learning class and other learning courses at Mt. Hall Elementary School so she is working with Mt. Hall Principal Lisa Iverson to get that going. Ms. Robertson said the 4H events demonstration day was last week. Beef weigh-in was done and other weigh-ins are coming up. May is 4H month in Boundary County. Ms. Robertson spoke of having a bowl-a-thon with funds going to the Habitat for Humanity. Friday Friends is still going and Ms. Robertson informed Commissioners that she wrote two more grants for this program so she should find out soon if she was awarded funding. Ms. Robertson said she is going to see if the school district will partner with the Extension Office for the on 21st Century grant, which is a grant that supports after-school community learning centers that operate primarily on school campuses.

Ms. Robertson said Courthouse Maintenance John Buckley has talked to her about removing the satellite dish that is on the roof of the Extension Office. This task requires a crane so Ms. Robertson will speak to University of Idaho Extension Program Director Mike Howell to see what University funds may be available. Chairman Dinning said before getting too far into the process we need to determine a cost estimate.

Chairman Dinning asked about the class for prediabetes. Ms. Robertson said for this class it will be advertised that 50% of the participants have to have a blood glucose test from a doctor’s office to prove there are prediabetic. Ms. Robertson said other doctors will be informed of this class.

Chairman Dinning said Road and Bridge will be repaving the parking area at the fairgrounds where it is currently chipsealed, and it was brought up that paving will need to be coordinated with the animal weigh-ins. It was suggested that Ms. Robertson contact Road and Bridge to determine when paving might take place.

Ms. Painter informed Commissioners that she created a flyer so people can learn where to find information on current classes that are coming up because although the University of Idaho does have a website for Boundary County, it is low on the priority list. Ms. Painter said she is using another page to communicate with the public in the meantime. Ms. Robertson said she has inserted a link to the page Ms. Painter is using on the County’s Extension page, which is called “9b Farm and Family. Org”. A Boundary agriculture blog link was also created.

Ms. Painter and Ms. Robertson discussed the various programs and classes they are hosting to include: forestland grazing, the Farmer Rancher program, beef school, backyard poultry, Master Gardener program, and the Community Garden. Ms. Robertson said the Community Garden is a great opportunity for work as people can rent plots and kids that need to do community service can work in the garden. Ms. Robertson and Ms. Painter mentioned working on grants in order to obtain funding for a hoop house, which is similar to a greenhouse.

Ms. Robertson said the Extension programs that are available will have a presence at the next health fair. Ms. Robertson spoke of visiting the Dillin’s mill as well as planning the variety trials for June 30th. The University of Idaho has variety trial plots for wheat and barley at the Dillin residence. There used to be canola trials, but where it is located on the Dillin property was hard to get to so that is not going to be done this time.

Chairman Dinning commended both Ms. Robertson and Ms. Painter for their work as he sees the information and notices of the courses they are hosting on Facebook as well as the other programs they are involved in.

Those present discussed having Ms. Robertson and Ms. Painter post information for the Extension program without the assistance of the University.

Ms. Painter mentioned needing to upgrade the chairs in the meeting room at some point.

The meeting with Ms. Robertson and Ms. Painter ended at 10:32 a.m.

10:39 a.m., Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee and Assistant Administrator Pam Barton joined the meeting to provide an update on Restorium matters.

Commissioners reviewed the number of vacant rooms, staff hours, expenses, amounts billed and received from room and board, and accounts receivable that are 30 days or more delinquent. Ms. Magee informed Commissioners that she is down to two part time cooks as opposed to four.

Ms. Magee informed Commissioners that there are room heaters at the Restorium that are not functioning properly and Pend Oreille Mechanical and Cool-It are not able to resolve the problem. Ms. Magee said she thinks the warranty expired this past January. Ms. Magee said she will take a look at the computer board, but she may need to budget for new heaters if they cannot be fixed. Ms. Magee said Restorium Maintenance Squire Fields is able to get the heaters going, but then they stop working. Ms. Magee estimated the heaters cost approximately $700 or $800 each since she had seen a flyer listing the heaters at $600 on sale.

Ms. Magee asked about the SPOT bus in relation to the Restorium budget. Ms. Magee questioned if Restorium funds will still be used to fund the bus.

Commissioners asked Ms. Magee how the Restorium is looking as far as the budget for income. Ms. Barton said that figure hasn’t been totaled recently. Those present reviewed billed and receivables information.

Ms. Magee said she has worked on a new admissions agreement form, but she has some questions pertaining to upgrading to a semi-private or private room. Commissioner Kirby said to make the upgrade fee the difference in cost between the different types of rooms.

The meeting with Ms. Magee and Ms. Barton ended at 11:20 a.m.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:21 a.m.

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DAN R. DINNING, Chairman

ATTEST:

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GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk