***Monday, May 01, 2017, 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.
County resident Marty Martinez and Blue Sky Broadcasting Reporter Mike Brown were in attendance of meetings off and on throughout the day.
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 his departmental report. Mr. Kimball presented a written report. Mr. Kimball said a few roads will be opened, but there are still some roads that are not ready. The crusher has been moved to the District 15 pit and is getting put together. Mr. Kimball said he has been short-handed, so he would like to hire a temporary employee followed by seeking a fulltime employee as well.
Mr. Kimball said Furrow Road will have a new culvert. Commissioners were informed that Holmes Road has been wet quite often now whereas it did not used to be that way so Road and Bridge has raised this road and put in an equalizing pipe to let the water pass whichever way it wants to go. Mr. Kimball said otherwise Road and Bridge is working on getting roads patched up here and there.
Mr. Kimball said Road and Bridge needs a new designee as a voting party for the Boundary Area Transportation Team (BATT). Former Road and Bridge employee Ken Arthur had been the alternate, but since he has retired Mr. Kimball would like to appoint Randy Morris.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to complete the Boundary Area Transportation Team Local Designee Form and appoint Randy Morris as the alternate for Boundary County. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Kimball spoke of issues with dates pertaining to when emergency declarations were made. Mr. Kimball said he needs it indicated that Boundary County had damages that occurred earlier than the declaration dates. Mr. Kimball said he was working on slides prior to the declaration being made and it is all water related.
County resident Bob Schnuerle joined the meeting at 9:10 a.m.
Mr. Kimball asked if Commissioners can amend the declaration dates. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners cannot change the dates of the declarations, but could maybe do an amendment. Chairman Dinning said the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has done a declaration for the southern counties, but to his knowledge they haven’t declared a disaster for the northern counties for some time now. Mr. Kimball asked Commissioners to review the information to see what they make of it.
The meeting with Mr. Kimball ended at 9:16 a.m.
Mr. Schnuerle and Commissioners discussed general road conditions.
Mr. Schnuerle left the meeting at 9:22 a.m.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the Certificate of Residency for Jailee Foster. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the 2017 Airport Improvement Project (AIP) Grant Oversight Risk Assessment. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
9:25 a.m., Sheriff’s Office employee Jennifer Maynard joined the meeting to present Commissioners with quotes for a new Sheriff’s vehicle.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the Independent Contractor Agreement with Panhandle Pest Control for the 2017 mosquito surveillance study. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Contract for Tree Planting and Riparian Planting Activities for the Lower Kootenai River Watershed Restoration Project with Worman Forest Management. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Maynard informed Commissioners that the Sheriff’s Office had sent requests for quotes for a 2017 model year Chevrolet Tahoe or GMC Yukon or equivalent to Rockstad Ford, Timberline Auto, Taylor & Sons, and Dave Smith Motors, but only Taylor & Sons and Timberline provided a response. The quote from Taylor & Sons was $36,248.58 for a Chevrolet Tahoe and the quote from Timberline Auto was $31,492, but it’s for a vehicle that is smaller than the Sheriff’s Office would prefer. Ms. Maynard explained that the Sheriff’s Office had recommended the Tahoe as Ford was not coming out with a larger utility vehicle for year 2017 and the Ford Interceptor is a smaller vehicle.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to accept the quote from Taylor & Sons Chevrolet totaling $36,248.58 for a year 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe for the Sheriff’s Office. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Maynard left the meeting at 9:36 a.m.
Commissioners reviewed the Findings and Decision for Planning and Zoning Application 17-051, a short plat subdivision filed by Joy Liljestam and Ted Ludlum.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the Findings and Decision for Planning and Zoning Application 17-051, a short plat subdivision filed by Joy Liljestam and Ted Ludlum. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Dinning asked what Panhandle Health District is requesting from Boundary County for its budget. Commissioner Kirby said the county contributed $56,430 last year and this year Panhandle Health District is requesting $57,410 from Boundary County.
Chairman Dinning mentioned the US Army Corps of Engineers is hosting a meeting on May 18, 2017, starting at 7:00 p.m., at the Kootenai River Inn to provide an update on Kootenai River conditions, sturgeon, etc.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
10:00 a.m., Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the proclamation declaring Saturday, May 20, 2017, as First Responder Appreciation Day. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Solid Waste Department Superintendent Claine Skeen joined the meeting to give a departmental report.
Prosecutor Jack Douglas joined the meeting at 10:01 a.m.
Mr. Skeen informed Commissioners that he would like to change his fee schedule to tons instead of yards and he clarified this is on the commercial aspect. Mr. Skeen reviewed fees with Commissioners and he said when you use yardage there is an estimation of air space, etc.
Commissioner Pinkerton said there are two different questions such as what is going to be the county’s cost for commercial loads and what is going to be considered commercial. Commissioner Pinkerton said Mr. Skeen wants to establish a tonnage fee for commercial loads instead of yards. Currently the cost is $6.24 per yard. It was said costs will be the same comparatively speaking. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners will need to hold a public hearing to change from yards to tons. Mr. Skeen reviewed Kootenai County’s fee structure. Inert materials do not count as tonnage into the hole, but it does fill up that hole, according to Mr. Skeen. Mr. Skeen said he is not focusing on any one contractor and he added that he does have signage that lists what is considered light and heavy demolition.
Mr. Skeen informed Commissioners that he is starting the interview process for the foreman position. The notice for this position had gone to the Job Service and Mr. Skeen mentioned having six applicants at this time.
Chairman Dinning said he thinks it would be a good idea to put up a big sign by the garbage bins at the landfill that reads no plastic, cans, paper, cardboard, etc. is allowed in the regular garbage bins.
Mr. Skeen informed Commissioners that Pacific Steel and Recycling is going to bale the metal pile today and it will be weighed.
The meeting with Mr. Skeen ended at 10:12 a.m.
10:24 a.m., Chief Probation Office Stacy Brown met with Commissioners to provide a department report. Ms. Brown informed Commissioners of the number of people on juvenile probation, misdemeanor probation, and unsupervised probation, and she added that she is still working on her department budget and getting things done.
The meeting with Ms. Brown ended at 10:26 a.m.
10:26 a.m., Commissioner Pinkerton moved to go into executive session pursuant to Idaho Code 74-206(1)f, to communicate with legal counsel for the public agency to discuss the legal ramifications of and legal options for pending litigation, or controversies not yet being litigated but imminently likely to be litigated. 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 10:30 a.m. No action was taken.
Prosecutor Douglas left the meeting.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
10:46 a.m., Restorium Board Chairman Larry Hall, Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee and Assistant Administrator Pam Barton joined the meeting to give the Restorium report.
Ms. Barton presented a report consisting of the last three months. Chairman Dinning said he noticed the cost of food has increased. Those present reviewed budget information.
Chairman Dinning said Commissioners had made a motion to limit the number of Restorium residents on Medicaid to 15%, which is approximately five residents. At the time this motion was made, the Restorium already had six or seven Medicaid residents. This new policy should fit fairly well as the Restorium is already at 20% for Medicaid residents. Commissioner Pinkerton said the key is not saying these residents cannot come in, but there does need to be Commissioner approval beyond the limit of five residents on Medicaid. Commissioners would also like to be notified if a private pay resident has to go on Medicaid.
Chairman Dinning asked if we are trying to get private pay residents into the private rooms because Medicaid won’t pay the entire cost for a private room. Ms. Barton said there is a family that pays the difference between what Medicaid paid and the actual cost for a private room. Commissioners stated they would like to get the full amount for these rooms. Those present discussed adjoining rooms. In reviewing the budget, the county is at 58% of the year being used up and the Restorium has used 55% of its budget. Chairman Dinning asked Ms. Magee and Ms. Barton to review their budget and it was said there are funds in the budget for construction. Commissioner Kirby spoke of how a few of the rooms were difficult to remodel.
Commissioners and Ms. Magee discussed a question she had raised about having a specific person laying the flooring down a hallway as opposed to a particular company. Ms. Magee said this person does have a license, but she is not yet sure if he has workers compensation insurance. Carpet One is going to come and provide a quote, but it was actually Carpet One that recommended this person, according to Ms. Magee. Chairman Dinning questioned which contractor would provide a better warranty. Clerk Poston said the county requires anyone who works for the county to have insurance.
Mr. Hall commented that since the Restorium is having its budget meeting soon and would like to know if Commissioners want them to add funds for the SPOT bus when submitting the budget. Chairman Dinning said there is some confusion about that. Chairman Dinning said when we agreed to this figure for the SPOT bus, we increased the Restorium budget by that amount so there is no loss of budget. Commissioner Pinkerton explained that if the Restorium is not going to cover the budget for SPOT, another budget will, but it is just a place to put the funds that are designated to SPOT. The funds are just funneled through the Restorium’s budget.
Ms. Magee asked Commissioners about approaching the Friends of the Restorium for the purpose of purchasing a van. Mr. Hall said at the last board meeting it was brought up that the Friends of the Restorium may be able to fund a van. The Restorium does currently have a van, but it is not reliable. The proposed new van will be similar to the existing van, but the Restorium wants to approach a company about installing a wheelchair ramp in it. One concern was if the Restorium Board has this work done, is there any guarantee the Commissioners won’t take the van away such as what happened with the SPOT bus. It was clarified this was about a wheelchair accessible mini-van; not a larger 12 or 15 passenger van. Clerk Poston reminded those present that budgets are due May 15th so the Restorium needs to go out and get quotes for this vehicle. Commissioner Pinkerton said the Restorium could probably find a mini-van that is already equipped for a wheelchair.
Clerk Poston explained that the mini-van would be licensed and titled to the county, therefore it becomes the county’s property, but the expenses would need to be built into the Restorium’s budget for tires, etc.
11:19 a.m., Boundary Economic Development Director Dennis Weed joined meeting.
The meeting with Mr. Hall, Ms. Magee and Ms. Barton ended at 11:20 a.m.
Mr. Weed met with Commissioners and updated them on the meeting held to discuss the regional sewer feasibility grant and he spoke of meeting with Nancy Mabile of Panhandle Area Council (PAC) who reviewed the entire regional program. Mr. Weed said what are we looking at is who is best to carry this project forward if we get funding. Maybe someone new should come in and look at this project such as an engineering firm out of Spokane as Welch Comer, JUB Engineering, etc., have already reviewed this project. Each entity, Moyie Springs, Bonners Ferry and Three Mile are unique so it’s a matter of how to best proceed and look at that. Mr. Weed said the study would commence after July 1st and will take one year to complete. Chairman Dinning said we cannot eliminate an engineer. Commissioner Pinkerton said the request for proposals needs to be wide ranging as far as notification. Mr. Weed said he needs to get Chairman Dinning’s signature on the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant after Attorney Hull reviews it and he added that he believes the grant is for $120,000 so he has talked to representatives of the GEM grant about possible funding. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has already committed to half of the cost so another $30,000 is needed. Those present discussed reviewing a map and what neighborhoods may tie into this system. The question and issue is if there are enough people who can hook up to Moyie’s system so that is why someone needs to look into this.
Mr. Weed said until project information is presented to the community and it is voted on, we won’t know what the grant amount will be. The residents of the sewer district vote and if it passes, then we go out and see what grants are available to install this system. We won’t have this knowledge until there has been a vote. This is an after-the-fact of the study grant. There is a business owner who is on board, but a business does not have a vote. It was said the study needs to be thorough in order to properly educate the residents.
The meeting with Mr. Weed ended at 11:34 a.m.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
Commissioners recessed for lunch at 11:46 a.m.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Dinning, Commissioner Pinkerton, Clerk Poston, and Deputy Clerk Rohrwasser. Commissioner Kirby was out of the office tending to personal matters.
1:30 p.m., George Hays and Shane Robinson with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services joined the meeting to provide Commissioners with an update on wildlife predator statistics.
Mr. Robinson informed Commissioners that he doesn’t have any depredation or kills to report. Mr. Robinson said the number of wolves should be leveling off and there has been a few mountain lion issues. Chairman Dinning asked Mr. Hays if he has had any animal issues around his property. Mr. Hays said he has seen a wolf track or two. Mr. Robinson said it also has not been a bad year for coyotes. Mr. Robinson spoke of work he will be doing further north after meeting with Commissioners. There have been no confirmed wolf depredations, although a couple were suspected, they couldn’t be confirmed.
Chairman Dinning asked if all five northern counties were participating in Mr. Robinson’s program now and Mr. Robinson said yes.
The meeting with Mr. Robinson and Mr. Hays ended at 1:40 p.m.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the Certificate of Residency for Courtney Van Alstyne. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m.
_____________________________________
DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
ATTEST:
________________________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk