Commissioners' Meeting Minutes - Week of August 10, 2020

***Monday, August 10, 2020, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.

Commissioners gave the opening statement and said the Pledge of Allegiance.

9:00 a.m., Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendents Renee Nelson and Randy Morris joined the meeting to give the department report. A written report was submitted.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to reaffirm the decision made to approve indigent application 2020-13 for cremation assistance. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Chairman Dinning informed Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris about needing to update the county road map.

Ms. Nelson discussed issues with backing up geographic information system (GIS) data. Ms. Nelson informed Commissioners that there is shared county data on computers in three different buildings and it’s information that everyone needs so it would be devastating if data corruption happened again and that information was lost. Ms. Drake recreated this data and she knows it’s correct, but there is missing data, such as approach permits and private road information that they knew had been there before so now that missing information needs to be manually reentered. Ms. Nelson commented that Ms. Drake had suggested asking that the GIS server and computer get backed up and to also get a list of what information is in that back up. That way it will be known that the information is good and there will be a good starting point. Ms. Nelson discussed being informed that backups happen every night and expressed frustration over the computer problems and the issues it’s causing for the public. Commissioner Cossairt said Boundary Electric is working on a bid for the big breaker. Ms. Nelson said once electricity gets up and moving, everyone should have what they need.

Those present discussed the Riverside Road Improvement project and Ms. Nelson said she just received the 100% plan for this project. Ms. Nelson informed Commissioners that she has a meeting with the Fish and Wildlife Service today about it and she discussed purchasing rights-of-way from a couple landowners and the Wildlife Refuge so that is what she will be meeting about. The plans document will be that the county concurs with the design plan and specifications and Ms. Nelson said she had reviewed the information and had questions about a few things so she will really go through the paperwork again. Commissioners will add this to next week’s agenda.

Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris discussed utility rights-of-way with Commissioners in that some of the work is possibly under the railroad right-of-way and it might involve boring under the tracks. Chairman Dinning said he’s thinking that anything to do with railroad or utility company is not the county’s priority. Ms. Nelson said she would check with Attorney Hull.

Mr. Morris and Ms. Nelson said the Fair Board wants to close Recreation Park Road where the water spout is for filling trucks at the asphalted east end of the indoor arena Those present discussed ambulance and fire truck accessibility and Commissioners said they would reach out to the Fair Board Secretary to find out the details.

Those present discussed the status of Ruby Creek bridge work.

The meeting with Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris ended at 9:21 a.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign Certificates of Residency for Grace Michelsen, Marianne Pinkerton, Kaylee McCabe, and Jadyn Bennett. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Kirby moved to approve the minutes for the weeks of July 20, 2020, July 27, 2020 and August 3, 2020. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to adopt Resolution 2020-25. A resolution updating and increasing administrative fees for land use applications. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. Resolution 2020-25 reads as follows:

Boundary County Idaho Resolution 2020-25

A RESOLUTION UPDATING & INCREASING ADMINISTRATIVE FEES FOR LAND USE APPLICATIONS.

WHEREAS, Boundary County is required to exercise land use planning powers as granted at IC 67-6503 by developing ordinances establishing zones and regulating land uses, and;

WHEREAS, Section 3.9 of Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance 2017-1A, adopted by the Board of County Commissioners July 11, 2017, allowed the adoption of fees associated with land use application processes;

WHEREAS, on Tuesday, June 16, 2020, at 1:30 p.m., Commissioners held a public hearing to consider increasing the existing fees, which was approved by a unanimous vote;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the members of the Board of Commissioners of the County of Boundary, Idaho, that the following schedule of fees is hereby adopted to cover the costs of administering the provisions of the Boundary County Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance:

APPLICATION TYPE FEE AMOUNT
Certificate of Compliance No fee
Request to Examine or Copy Records. First 100 pages are free of charge. Per Idaho Code
Residential Placement Permit $100.00
Commercial/Industrial Placement Permit $150.00
Conditional Use Permit $250.00
Special Event Permit $100.00
Temporary Use Permit $250.00
Variance $150.00
Subdivision, Simple No longer applies
Parcel Split, Simple $100.00
Parcel Split, Primitive $100.00
Parcel Line Adjustment $100.00
Lot Line Adjustment, Subdivision $100.00
Subdivision, Short Plat $200.00
Subdivision, Long Plat $400.00
Quasi-judicial Zone Map Amendment $250.00
*Comprehensive Plan Amendment $250.00
*Ordinance Amendment $250.00
Appeal $250.00

* - Fee not to be imposed if amendment application is initiated by the Planning and Zoning Commission or the Board of County Commissioners.

In addition to the above fees, applicants shall also reimburse Boundary County for first class mailings or display advertisements required for public notification pursuant to Section 20, Boundary County Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance.

Done this 10th day of August, 2020.

BOUNDARY COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
s/_______________________
Dan Dinning, Chairman
s/_______________________
Wally Cossairt, Commissioner
s/_______________________
Walt Kirby, Commissioner

ATTEST:
s/________________________
Glenda Poston
Boundary County Clerk/Auditor/Recorder
Recorded as instrument #282863

County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull contacted Commissioners at 9:29 a.m.

Chairman Dinning informed Attorney Hull that Commissioners spoke with Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris about needing to update the county road map and he asked if we also need to show widths of the roads. Attorney Hull said nothing is mentioned about showing width; it’s just a map of the roads and any rights-of-way. Attorney Hull added that it would be convenient for everyone’s reference to show widths, but he doesn’t think it’s a mandatory obligation to include that. One example would be Riverside Road as there are rights-of-way with that so you want to show the road as well as rights-of-way and clarification was made in that it’s a specific deed granted to Boundary County for purposes of a public highway; an easement. It does not mean the county has accepted or rejected it, but it is a right-of-way that was deeded to the county so it does not give affirmative obligation that the county has to maintain it, but at least it is there if the county were to develop a road. Chairman Dinning questioned if there needs to be a specific document or does the information for each road and right-of-way not need to get specific.

Commissioners asked for an update on the tort claim pertaining to a water line issue. Attorney Hull said he sent a letter to the insurance company asking for a decision. The county would have to file a lawsuit for $1,700.00 if the tort claim is denied.

Attorney Hull discussed working with road naming and variance issues.

The call to Attorney Hull ended at 9:42 a.m.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Real Property Lease between Kootenai River Lumber Company and Boundary County for parking. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioners reviewed claims for approval. Fund totals are as follows:

Current Expense $ 63,579.36
Road & Bridge 45,572.07
Airport 15,231.92
District Court 2,955.11
Fair, County 52,000.00
Justice Fund 20,587.71
911 Funds 4,002.17
Health District 13,773.00
Historical Society & Museum 23,000.00
Hospital, Operation 135,000.00
Indigent & Charity 11,526.54
Junior College Tuition 500.00
Parks and Recreation 4,966.20
Revaluation 89.02
Solid Waste 19,948.17
Tort 1,623.46
Veterans Memorial 71.11
Weeds 8,106.11
Restorium 14,599.10
Waterways 6,679.75
Grant, Airport 16,615.23
Juvenile Probation – Lottery 120.00
Grant, Boat Safety 470.95
Grant, Fire Mitigation 55,000.00

TOTAL $516,016.98
Trusts
Auditor’s Trust 2,515.73
Sales Tax Collected 9.06
Driver’s License Trust 8,294.50
Indigent Reimbursements 5,312.00
Motor Vehicle Trust 222,951.77
Sheriff’s Trust Fund 748.95
Odyssey Court Trust Account 25,904.14
Odyssey Bond Trust Account 1,890.00

TOTAL $267,626.15

GRAND TOTAL $783,643.13

Citizens are invited to inspect detailed records on file in the Courthouse (individual claims & Commissioners’ allowance & warrant register record 2019-2020).

10:01 a.m., Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee and Assistant Administrator Diana Lane joined the meeting to update Commissioners on Restorium matters. Those present reviewed information on Restorium staff hours, billed amounts, Medicaid percentages, the number of residents on Medicaid, room and board received, accounts receivable over 30 days. Chairman Dinning said he sees the amount for accounts over 30 days increasing by $800.00 per month and he asked if that is due to one individual and Ms. Lane explained the situation. Commissioners also reviewed expenses including payroll and excluding payroll. Ms. Magee said the Restorium now has 32 residents and Ms. Lane commented that the average Medicaid payment is $2,349.60. Ms. Magee informed Commissioners how the hair care day went for the residents at the Restorium and she described the personal protective equipment worn, the location where this took place and the schedule.

Ms. Magee informed Commissioners that she learned the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act fund deadline was extended to August 28th so she just needs to gather a bit more information before submitting it. There is currently a shortage on gloves so the Restorium is unable to get size small gloves, but they doubled up on size medium and large gloves. Ms. Magee said she received approximately one-third of the consent forms from her employees for COVID-19, but if she did have to test all staff, how will that work as the part-time staff do not have insurance. It was mentioned that if there is a case of COVID-19 in the Restorium facility, everyone will have to be tested. Commissioner Cossairt said he feels the county will have to cover the cost of testing part-time employees. Chairman Dinning said it’s not really even fair to employees to pay for testing as far as their copays. Clerk Poston said we’ve already had employees tested so we’ve reached that situation already. Chairman Dinning said we will probably have to cover the part time employees. Ms. Magee said testing through Panhandle Health District costs $29.00 per person, but through the hospital it’s $300.00. The Restorium is on the priority radar for COVID-19 testing so she is to call the lab directly if there is a positive test.

Ms. Magee informed Commissioners that she is trying to collect $7,276.00 from Molina and Blue Cross.

The meeting with Ms. Magee and Ms. Lane ended at 10:20 a.m.

10:30 a.m., Boundary County Emergency Manager Andrew O’Neel and Deputy Clerk April Isaac joined the meeting to discuss items to submit for Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act reimbursement. Mr. O’Neel had provided a list of equipment to submit for CARES Act funding reimbursement and Commissioners said they want to make sure the items sent in for preapproval of reimbursement are realistically COVID-19 related. Chairman Dinning said if Commissioners were on the Coronavirus Financial Advisory Committee (CFAC), we would see if these items look to be under a normal emergency services situation and how does the request relate to COVID-19. Mr. O’Neel said he agrees the items he is looking to submit for reimbursement preapproval would fall under normal circumstances for the emergency operation center (EOC), but we don’t have these items. It was said that everything in this program has to be COVID-19 related. Mr. O’Neel said we don’t know what this pandemic is going to look like and we’ve been told it will pick up in the fall so it could look like Kootenai County with community spread. If COVID-19 were to increase to that level, Boundary County is unprepared to handle that level of information flow and resource requirements, according to Mr. O’Neel. Mr. O’Neel added that he would have to bring in more people to operate in the EOC. The laptops requested will enable a virtual EOC so people can stay where they are and still coordinate and share information, such as with Zoom, Go To Meeting, etc., so that was the reasoning for the laptops. Mr. O’Neel said these are the items needed that we don’t have right now if we are to see that level of the pandemic in this county. Idaho Office of Emergency Management Local Area Field Officer Jay Baker was contacted last Friday and he asked if Boundary County was set up in the EOC as now is the time to get ready through this program, according to Mr. O’Neel.

Deputy Clerk Isaac said if the county submits information for preapproval, it doesn’t mean these items have to be purchased immediately, it just means they’re preapproved so if we see that we’re starting to head that way with COVID-19, then we could submit for those items. Those present reviewed the items requested for cost reimbursement. Mr. O’Neel said he does have one locking cabinet, but it’s already full so if he could get another one, it would house telephones and laptops, etc. Deputy Clerk Isaac questioned if the county has any surplus cabinets. Chairman Dinning said the magnetic white boards, the two sided white boards with wheels and the cabinet should come out of the regular county budget as COVID-19 has highlighted the need for these items, but it’s not directly COVID-19 related. Deputy Clerk Isaac and Mr. O’Neel discussed the purpose of a desktop monitor. Commissioner Cossairt said if the cabinet is used to secure items, then maybe it could be covered under this funding. Chairman Dinning spoke of various agencies and companies setting up their EOC so how does Panhandle Health District act in these cases. Mr. O’Neel said Panhandle Health District has their own incident command system and own EOC set up and they coordinate with each county and each county has a liaison to report to Panhandle Health District’s incident command. Mr. O’Neel said if we have our own EOC for the pandemic, it would be a coordinated effort to include himself, the Sheriff’s Office and Boundary Ambulance Service. That is also how Bonner County is set up. There is also a liaison for Panhandle Health District, Boundary Community Hospital and the Kootenai Tribe for county response. Mr. O’Neel said it would be better to order the items on his list now as opposed to when there is an uptick in cases as it might be harder to get them at that point. Chairman Dinning asked about digital phones and Mr. O’Neel discussed wanting to get an estimate on phones that had conference capabilities and that are compatible with the existing system. Those present discussed how quickly the EOC equipment could be set up and be operational.

Clerk Poston asked about the request for a Wi-Fi extender and Mr. O’Neel responded that a Wi-Fi extender is for when people are working remotely and he added that it might be a case by case situation. Chairman Dinning suggested getting preapproval on the computers, mouse, cover, two monitors, and phones. The county can purchase the cabinet as Mr. O’Neel will need one anyway. Deputy Clerk Isaac explained the process of preapproval and said that as soon as the state provides preapproval, Mr. O’Neel can purchase those items and give the receipts to her in order to submit for reimbursement. Mr. O’Neel asked about items struck from the list and Clerk Poston said those items would be funded by the regular Emergency Management budget.

Commissioners and Clerk Poston informed Mr. O’Neel that the projector in the Extension Office was purchased through Homeland Security so that room is set up to function as an EOC. Chairman Dinning said the county also wanted to look at getting the EOC out of the valley floor and Mr. O’Neel discussed the plan in place in the event the Libby Dam fails.

Chairman Dinning asked Mr. O’Neel about his meeting with the Fair Board and Panhandle Health District. Mr. O’Neel said Panhandle Health District provided Fair Board Secretary Paula Burt with a lot of information and there were specific questions. Mr. O’Neel reiterated that Panhandle Health District and Health and Welfare have information out there about bringing people into town from COVID-19 hot spots and people who are of higher risk recommended postponing and cancelling the fair, just so everyone is aware. Something needs to be posted by the media letting people know what to expect when they get to the fair.

Commissioners said they will submit the preapproval request to CFAC for the items discussed.

Mr. O’Neel discussed the proposed use for remaining 2018 State Homeland Security Grant funds for radios and pagers for fire departments. Mr. O’Neel mentioned that subsequently, the items requested through this grant funding was changed to purchasing a base Fire 1 repeater, which was approved and the wish now is to use the small amount of remaining funds to purchase radios for three fire departments. Commissioners asked about Hall Mountain Fire Department and Mr. O’Neel said they were contacted, but declined. Chairman Dinning questioned if some of these grant funds can be used to purchase the whiteboard he had requested through CARES Act funding.

Commissioners said they were okay with the request for use of funds, but did not need to make a motion.

Mr. O’Neel left the meeting.

11:00 a.m., Sheriff Dave Kramer and Sheriff’s Office Administrator Crystal Denton joined the meeting to discuss items requested for funding preapproval through the CARES Act.

The Sheriff’s Office is requesting a heating and cooling pump with fresh air exchangers and Sheriff Kramer explained that the Sheriff’s Office doesn’t have adequate air intake and it should have more of an outside air intake. Ms. Denton said she’s still waiting for an estimate for this equipment. There is also a plumbing upgrade of $100,000.00 as most of the existing plumbing at the Sheriff’s Office backs up, which makes it difficult to properly sanitize the jail area. The plumbing has been a battle for a couple of years. Sheriff Kramer said with COVID-19, it’s made him aware of the limitations of sanitizing the jail. Ms. Denton spoke of people and inmates in relation to hygiene as they’re trying to be more aware. Carpet replacement was another request as the carpet should be replaced with laminate so it can be cleaned easier. Ms. Denton commented about germs in carpet fibers. The request for laptops is self-explanatory. The Wi-Fi extenders are so people don’t have to come inside the building and one extender is for the Sheriff’s Office and the second one is for the armory. The cost for a new generator includes installation and the new pad. Mike’s Electric is to provide an estimate for the generator, which is through Western States and it is or is around the same size as the Sheriff’s Office existing generator. Ms. Denton said she will reach out to Cory Trapp of Longwell + Trapp Engineering to check the size and power requirements for the entire armory building. Chairman Dinning said if he was on CFAC, he would need to see which item specifically relates to COVID-19 and which items should’ve already been taken care of. Chairman Dinning said the carpet should possibly be through the normal county budget. Commissioner Cossairt said the items look okay to him. Deputy Clerk Isaac said the list is good, with the exception of carpet and she explained that another county asked for hard surface chairs or leather chairs for easier cleaning and their request had been denied so in this case she would hate to submit the request and have it get kicked back due to the carpet. Clerk Poston said the carpet could maybe fall under a different request. The county could get the request sent for laptops and Wi-Fi extenders then get the follow up quotes to submit a second request. It was explained that this is just for preapproval and if there is a question about an item, that one item is pulled out and brought to the CFAC committee.

The meeting with Deputy Clerk Isaac, Ms. Denton and Sheriff Kramer ended at 11:25 a.m.

11:30 a.m., Boundary Economic Development Council (EDC) Director Dennis Weed joined the meeting to give an update on EDC projects.

Mr. Weed informed Commissioners that he did receive the Economic Development Professional (EDPRO) grant funds totaling $30,000.00 for the EDC program for fiscal year 2020-2021, which is from July 1st through the end of June next year. Chairman Dinning clarified that this is grant money that funds Mr. Weed’s position. This grant is submitted by the county to the State Department of Commerce and it was awarded. There is also grant match from different entities, such as the county and City of Bonners Ferry each contribute $8,000.00, the City of Moyie Springs contributes $2,000.00 and the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho contributes $3,000.00. Mr. Weed commented that the Small Business Development Center also contributes a varying amount up to $6,000.00. Mr. Weed explained that he receives the funds from this agency and gives them to the County Treasurer who deposits them. Commissioners said they will agendize signing the grant for next week’s meeting.

Mr. Weed and Commissioners discussed North Idaho College (NIC) looking for a space in which to hold general education degree courses Mr. Weed said NIC will use the local Panhandle Health District meeting room and he added that more and more state agencies are approaching the county looking for free meeting space, but there is just no more space available. Chairman Dinning clarified that the Panhandle Health District is a state building. Commissioners commented that NIC requested use of Memorial Hall, but we can’t tie that room up. Mr. Weed said he doesn’t know of any spaces available that are Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Compliant. Mr. Weed said he still needs to call the Albertson’s director of realty regarding any interest in the vacant Harvest Food Grocery Store building.

Mr. Weed said the paycheck protection program was completed and everyone in Boundary County who applied probably got it and if not, some people applied to the state. The Innovia Foundation is providing $3,500.00 to Boundary County to be matched by businesses. Really small businesses who are struggling to pay utilities, rent, etc. are eligible and the program will run through the Chamber of Commerce and it will be a matching program. If a business comes forward listing their issues in paying utilities, that information will be verified and if it checks out, a check for payment will be sent to that utility company for the affected business. This program will start in September and businesses will need to visit with Mr. Weed or the Chamber of Commerce about it. As long as the program continues to have match, it can continue throughout the year. Notice about the program will go out and an account will be set up at Mountain West Bank anonymously or the business can apply through the Innovia Foundation for a write off. All five northern counties received funding for small businesses and Mr. Weed said the Innovia Foundation originally wanted to channel the funds through the Economic Development Council, but he said no as it needs to go through a larger agency, such as the Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Weed said the Boundary County Victims Service Office will receive grant funds through the Innovia Foundation as will the Family Coalition and Ministerial Association. Mr. Weed asked that if Commissioners know of any 501©3 organizations that need help, to let him know and they will add them to the list to receive funds.

Unemployment for Boundary County is still coming down to 6.5% locally. The rate of unemployment for the state is 5.6%. Most businesses cannot find people to work even if they’re paying $15.00 or more per hour. Mr. Weed said anyone in the business of manufacturing, whether it is metal or wood fabrication, have been doing well. The housing boom hasn’t slowed down as far as wood, but even metal manufacturers have been doing well. Hospitality businesses are being hurt with the Canadian border still being closed, according to Mr. Weed. Commissioner Cossairt explained that other states halted construction due to COVID-19 so Idaho is hoping the federal government will allow the use of those funds for its own projects as the Idaho Transportation Department has $4,000,000.00 worth of projects that are ready to go.

Chairman Dinning asked for a refresher on the EDC Council. Mr. Weed said the board members consist the mayors for the City of Bonner Ferry and Moyie Springs, one county commissioner, a representative from the Idaho Department of Labor, who is a non-voting member, a representative of the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, the Boundary County School District Superintendent, Panhandle Area Council, and two representatives from the community, who are Dave Walter and Cal Russell. Chairman Dinning said on that note, Boundary County applies for the EDC grant for the EDC director, not the EDC Board. The county gets the grant and Mr. Weed’s expenses are run through the City of Bonners Ferry. Mr. Weed explained that his position gets the city’s benefit package, but he declined it and he does not get medical, sick or vacation time, but he does receive compensatory time and Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI) benefits. Clerk Poston said she believes Mr. Weed might be considered a city employee as workers compensation coverage is through the city and the county is invoiced by the city for his payroll. The City of Bonners Ferry sends the county an invoice for six months at a time. Mr. Weed’s office is at the city office because that is who had space available. Mr. Weed’s office used to be in what is now the Planning and Zoning Office and was also once in the Plaza Downtown location. Clerk Poston said the contributions from different entities come to the county account. Mr. Weed clarified that he is not invited to city matters. It was said that this arrangement is all done by a memorandum of understanding and Panhandle Area Council may have administered the grant in the beginning. The grant used to be $42,000.00 and it’s now $30,000.00. Mr. Weed said across the board this funding goes to the counties. Most entities set up a non-profit for this program, but we did it through a joint powers agreement.

The meeting with Mr. Weed ended at 11:55 a.m.

Commissioners recessed for lunch at noon.

1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.

1:30 p.m., County resident Stan Kraley contacted Commissioners via conference call to discuss grinding wood waste for the county. Solid Waste Department Superintendent Claine Skeen also joined the meeting at Commissioners’ request.

Mr. Kraley said the reason he wanted to speak to Commissioners is that he’s in the process of buying a very large tub grinder with only 700 hours and he would like to bid on the Solid Waste Department’s wood grinding. Mr. Kraley stated that he’s spoken to Mr. Skeen about it and he just wants to be on the mailing list. Commissioner Cossairt said Commissioners are interested and Chairman Dinning said the county would want the wood ground up and hauled away, but that this wouldn’t be happening again until next spring.

The call to Mr. Kraley ended at 1:40 p.m. and Mr. Skeen left the meeting.

Commissioner Kirby left the meeting at 1:44 p.m.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:46 p.m.

__________________________________
DAN R DINNING, Chairman
Attest:

_________________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk

Date: 
Thursday, August 20, 2020 - 09:45
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