***Monday, March 25, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Ben Robertson, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser. Chairman Tim Bertling was out of the office.
9:00 a.m., Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendent Renee Nelson and Personnel Director Pam Barton joined the meeting.
Commissioners said the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to appoint Commissioner Ben Robertson acting chairman in the absence of Chairman Tim Bertling. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Those present discussed the results of the Classification Committee’s review of the Probation Office receptionist position and the Road and Bridge assistant superintendent and superintendent positions. Those present discussed changes needed in the grading system.
The meeting with Ms. Barton and Ms. Nelson ended at 9:54 a.m.
10:00 a.m., Tom Daniel and Cassie Olson with the Boundary Soil Conservation District joined the meeting to discuss the annual budget request for the Soil Conservation District. Ms. Olson provided Commissioners with a performance report she presents to the state every year. The Soil Conservation District was awarded a grant last year and they worked for Cleve Shear out on Cow Creek Road. Ms. Olson listed various events the Soil District has held and will host, to include the annual high school farm tour. Another farm tour is set for May, but it’s contingent on other projects so if there is no farm tour, there will be a harvest celebration. Ms. Olson listed other events and projects for the Soil District.
Ms. Olson said the Soil District met with the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) and Boundary County is getting a boat check station. At a Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative (KVRI) meeting Gary Aitken, Jr. and Genny Hoyle with the Kootenai Tribe approached the Tribal Council who agreed to having the boat check station in the Kootenai River Inn (KRI) parking lot. The Nic Zurfluh with the ISDA loved the location, according to Ms. Olson. There will be signage referencing the check station at the KRI parking lot so as not to have boat traffic in town. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will be drafted and the agreement is the same throughout the state, but it will be tailored to Boundary County. When signage is done, the Soil District should have the MOU around April 11th. Acting Chairman Robertson said he doesn’t think the KRI parking lot is a great location. Ms. Olson commented on expressing the overlap of the Samuels station. Ms. Olson added that this first year will consist of collecting a lot of data. To get this station up and going and to have protection for the waterways, this location was the easiest place for power and water and it’s centrally located to catch traffic before they enter the Kootenai River. It was said there is no perfect location. Traffic will be stopped in both locations locally and will be directed into the KRI parking lot. Ms. Olson discussed what goes into deciding a location, as well as specific legislation. Ms. Olson added that nothing is permanent at this point and the agreement is yearly. Acting Chairman Robertson felt it would be a tight fit in the parking lot. Ms. Olson said the ISDA did take some measurements and the Kootenai Tribe might need to set aside an area in the parking lot. Acting Chairman Robertson said he will back the program, but thinks the location is problematic. Commissioner Cossairt asked if there is still a boat check station in Troy, Montana and Ms. Olson said no.
Ms. Olson presented Commissioners with the Soil Conservation District’s annual budget request. This year the request is for $12,000.00, which is an increase of $2,000.00.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the annual Boundary Soil District request of $12,000.00. Acting Chairman Robertson yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting with Ms. Olson and Mr. Daniel ended at 10:35 a.m.
10:35 a.m., Commissioners met with Courthouse Maintenance Squire Fields, Maintenance Assistant Mike Kralik and Assessor Olivia Drake to discuss flooring options for the new Assessor’s offices.
The meeting ended at 11:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m., Deputy Clerk April Isaac and Deputy Clerk Rebekah Jensen joined the meeting.
11:00 a.m., Commissioner Cossairt moved to go into closed session pursuant to Idaho Code 31-874. Acting Chairman Robertson yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously. The closed session ended at 11:28 a.m. No action was taken.
Deputy Clerk Isaac and Deputy Clerk Jensen left the meeting.
11:30 a.m., Courthouse Security Ben Reinhardt, IT Director Matt Hodges, Mike Elam with Selkirk Mountains Technology, and Assessor Olivia Drake joined the meeting to discuss security cameras for the new Assessor’s Offices.
Mr. Reinhardt spoke of having security cameras installed in the Assessor’s new office space. Cameras connected to the existing system could not be transferred, but the security buttons can. It’s a good time to get some wiring drops done while the building is under remodel. Mr. Elam provided a quote and a quote was sought from another vendor, but they have not responded. The overall picture is needing indoor and outdoor security cameras.
Mr. Elam spoke of updating the panic button system. Mr. Elam said the current video recorder in the basement will need to be removed at some point and it could be replaced by a server that will connect to the Sheriff’s Office so there is communication between the locations. Those present discussed the preference to move to an upgraded modern system now. Mr. Elam said the fiber can be connected between buildings. The county will want to have integration between all county buildings down town so if there is an emergency, the dispatch center, who has 24-hour monitoring, can respond. Mr. Reinhardt said what we have right now will work. The current panic buttons are a separate thing and cannot be tied together. Mr. Elam said it’s not significant to add panic buttons at a later date. Because the server has not been changed out, there is no connection with the Sheriff’s Office yet, but there can be. Mr. Hodges said the next big phase is purchasing a server for the camera system and the hardware is approximately $15,000.00, but he doesn’t know the cost of the license. Today is just discussing doing this work in phases, get the Assessor’s Office done and then get the server in the next year’s budget. This will allow the system to tie into the courthouse now, and eventually the Sheriff’s Office. Mr. Hodges said that is why they would like to use one vendor. Mr. Elam commented that there is a bit of a mismatch as far as the number of cameras in relation to offices and he explained how it works involving panic buttons.
Assessor Drake asked about the ability to include security cameras to the proposed Victim’s Services Office once they relocate. It was said the cameras will have the ability for audio capabilities.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the quote of $6,833.27 for security cameras and panic buttons for the new Assessor’s Office. Acting Chairman Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting to discuss security cameras ended at 12:02 p.m.
Commissioners recessed for lunch at 12:15 p.m.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Acting Chairman Ben Robertson, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
1:30 p.m., Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendent Brad Barton and Road Foreman Adam Ryals joined the meeting to give the department report. Mr. Ryals presented a written report.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the revised Cooperative Agreement for Traffic Signal (US 2 – 95 & Tobe Way) Permit No. 01-23-005-A. Acting Chairman Robertson yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Barton said Road and Bridge has its weekend crew working Tuesday through Friday. Mr. Barton reviewed work that was listed in the department report. Those present discussed the condition of the back road that leads to the high school. Commissioner Cossairt asked Mr. Barton and Mr. Ryals for a list of needs and wants pertaining to Road and Bridge equipment. Mr. Barton mentioned being asked to grade Westside Road and be reimbursed for it. Mr. Barton asked about having Wink Inc. provide the rock and Road and Bridge would do the grading.
Chief Probation Officer Alisa Walker joined the meeting at 1:58 p.m.
Mr. Barton and Mr. Ryals left the meeting at 2:00 p.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign Commissioner meeting minutes for the week of March 18, 2024. Acting Chairman Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners and Ms. Walker discussed compensatory time overages and using up this time by a certain date.
Personnel Director Pam Barton joined the meeting at 2:20 p.m.
Those present resumed their discussion about compensatory time as well as amending the county Personnel Policy as it pertains to compensatory time as being straight time; not time and one half.
2:36 p.m., Ms. Walker left the meeting.
Ms. Barton and Commissioners briefly discussed sick leave.
Ms. Barton left the meeting at 3:00 p.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the replat for Dave and Kimberly Parker. Acting Chairman Robertson yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.
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BEN ROBERTSON, Acting Chairman
Attest:
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GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk