***Monday, August 20, 2018, 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 the meetings off and on throughout the day.

9:00 a.m., Road and Bridge Department Superintendent Clint Kimball joined the meeting to give the departmental report. A written report was provided. Mr. Kimball reviewed last week’s work performed by Road and Bridge. This week Road and Bridge will use the Durapatcher, smooth out Mirror Lake Road and continue production at the plant for crushing cap rock.

Chairman Dinning asked Mr. Kimball how much will be spent for the Atkins Canyon repair project this fiscal year. Mr. Kimball said he wasn’t sure and he added that partial work will be done this fall with paving and completion next year.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to go out to bid for the Kootenai Trail/Atkins Canyon Repair project. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Kimball asked about budget matters. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners want to watch project funding and reimbursements. Mr. Kimball asked if there would be access to the reserve account to fund anything. Clerk Poston said a resolution would need to be done in order to put funds back into the Road and Bridge budget. The budget that was published in the newspaper was for the entire Road and Bridge Department budget for approximately $7,000,000. Mr. Kimball said the budget shows $8,000,000. Clerk Poston said that is because it includes the reserve fund and she explained that the reserve acts as a savings account. Commissioner Pinkerton said the reserve could be accessed for unanticipated work. Mr. Kimball asked Commissioners if they had a problem with adopting a resolution to put the reserve funds in his budget as the funds expended would be reimbursed. Chairman Dinning said using the reserve funds would need to be reviewed on a case by case basis. Clerk Poston explained how the process works to adopt a resolution for unanticipated funds.

Chairman Dinning said the budget was established with monies that were budgeted and using monies that would be spent and reimbursed to fund the next expenditure. Mr. Kimball said the real issue is if he and Commissioners were going to be able to work together adding that there is a wording issue as far as the reserve fund. Mr. Kimball said if there was more of a work together situation, he would be able to handle it better. Commissioner Pinkerton said we do work together. Commissioner Pinkerton said it’s confusing to a businessman as you would have funds and money in a savings account, but in this case you don’t know exactly what is going to come up and that money is set aside for that purpose; not just to count on those funds to use how you want, whenever you want. Mr. Kimball said another thing he would like help in understanding is that the Federal Highways and the engineer had come up for issues on the west side and those projects were $609,000 to do the repairs. Had the county gone through the conventional way of doing the project and repairs, the county would be responsible for a 10% match. Mr. Kimball said that, in his eyes, is the same as he had used county funds for fuel, labor, etc. so shouldn’t funds be made available to help out now? Shouldn’t funds be put back into his budget? Mr. Kimball said those repairs had been accomplished with the Road and Bridge budget, fuel, labor, and equipment and he added that flaggers were hired and asphalt was purchased. The amount of approximately $433,700 was received, or was it county money, but that money should be returned to his budget, according to Mr. Kimball. Clerk Poston said she knows what Mr. Kimball is saying and the funds do go back into Road and Bridge’s budget, the county budget. Clerk Poston said in looking at the two bridge projects, has Road and Bridge been reimbursed for those? Mr. Kimball said no, one bridge project is done other than paving and he hopes to be able to drive on the other bridge later this week. Clerk Poston asked when those funds will be coming in. Mr. Kimball explained the work that still needs to be done for the bridge projects and he mentioned that he hopes to have them finished before the fiscal year ends. Clerk Poston said fuel for specific projects hasn’t been tracked before.

Chairman Dinning said there is confusion and he added that every penny that has been reimbursed from the Federal Government for Road and Bridge projects has been placed back into the Road and Bridge budget, whether it be the reserve fund or the budget. There are additional monies that came in and went into the Road and Bridge budget. Chairman Dinning said beyond that where is Road and Bridge expecting reimbursement to come from? Mr. Kimball said from monies that were deposited into the reserve account and he questioned why a resolution to put the reserve monies into his budget cannot be adopted. Chairman Dinning clarified that every penny is in the Road and Bridge budget. Chairman Dinning added that the funds are used in the budget or are placed in the reserve fund, and Mr. Kimball chose to set his budget with money that was approved. Mr. Kimball said that is not totally true as none of the $440,000 was in the reserve account. Had those funds been placed in his budget, Road and Bridge wouldn’t need money. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners and Mr. Kimball will have to have a talk further about budget. Commissioners explained that the reserves are for unanticipated expenditures and that the budget is for anticipated expenditures. Mr. Kimball said he understands. Chairman Dinning said using reserve monies for anticipated projects is difficult. Clerk Poston said there hasn’t been end of year resolutions adopted yet and she added that in these resolutions she can’t just take an entire dollar amount, it has to be a specific amount for a specific project listed in the resolution. The information needed is the dollar amount, what project the funds are for and what line item the funds go back into. Commissioner Pinkerton provided an explanation using the County Noxious Weeds Department as an example stating that if the Weeds Department spends a lot of money and there is going to be match, appropriate paperwork is done to include a synopsis of what money was used and what reimbursement comes back for that project and Commissioners can adopt a resolution to put the reimbursed funds back in that budget.

Mr. Kimball said when Clerk Poston informed him that there were funding troubles, maybe she could have explained it better. Mr. Kimball added that he is not here to pick a fight about this. Commissioner Pinkerton said Road and Bridge Assistant Administrator Renee Nelson should be keeping track of where funds will go. Mr. Kimball said she does and he gave a scenario as to how that works.

Mr. Kimball asked the status of the approaches for the Duarte property. Chairman Dinning said County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull is working on that. Mr. Kimball asked for an update on the approach for the Wisberg property. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners don’t have an answer for that yet. Mr. Kimball said if Commissioners don’t have the confidence that Road and Bridge will follow the ordinance, they will have a change in who is the Road and Bridge Superintendent and that change will be immediate. Mr. Kimball said if Commissioners approve of the Duarte’s’ approaches using the drawing they all have seen and how it was recorded, there would be no questions why Commissioners are accepting Travis Wisberg’s request. Mr. Kimball said that is where he stands on this issue and Commissioners don’t need to comment. Mr. Kimball reiterated that this is his decision and he stated that he is getting older and he isn’t going to worry about this nonsense.

The meeting with Mr. Kimball ended at 9:29 a.m.

Commissioners spoke to County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull via telephone at 9:30 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 9:59 a.m. No action was taken.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Idaho Office of Emergency Management 2016 Grant Adjustment Notice for the 2016 Operation Stonegarden Grant, Federal Grant Award Number EMW-2016-SS-00028-S01 for the performance period of September 1, 2016 through February 28, 2019, upon the review of county civil attorney. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

9:59 a.m., Boundary Ambulance Service Chief Jeff Lindsey and Boundary Ambulance Service Board Chairperson Nancy Russell joined the meeting.

Commissioner Kirby moved to recess as the Board of Boundary County Commissioners and convene as the Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Kirby moved to approve the Boundary Ambulance Service minutes from the special meeting held on May 29, 2018 and to approve the meeting minutes of July 16, 2018. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Kirby 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 Pinkerton 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.

Commissioner Kirby moved to go adjourn as the Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board and to reconvene as the Boundary County Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

Ms. Russell and Chief Lindsey left the meeting.

10:30 a.m., Bonners Ferry District Forest Ranger Kevin Knauth joined the meeting to provide Commissioners with an update on the local fire situation. Kootenai Tribe of Idaho Administrative Director Rhonda Vogl also joined the meeting.

Mr. Knauth said winds will be north/northeast at 35 miles per hour and will likely affect both of the area fires. The Smith Creek fire could push hard toward Idaho Department of Lands property and the ridge of the Selkirk Mountains. If the fire gets to the top where fuels are sparse, the Forest Service will look at the use of retardant, etc., according to Mr. Knauth.

Mr. Knauth spoke of the Copper Creek fire and said that work is being done on the Canadian side and they’re probably connecting the line on the northwest section. On the United States side, that fire is in good shape. The fire totaled 15 acres a couple days ago and now it’s about 40 acres and there is a lot of room for that fire to grow. There is a lot of hemlock and subalpine fur in the area and the plantations seem to be stopping the fire. Mr. Knauth said the Border Patrol has a communications site at the top of the ridge in that area south of the fire. Mr. Knauth mentioned the he and the Border Patrol walked to the communication site yesterday and they are trying to keep that spot open. Mr. Knauth said after that there are no fires until you head west and get to the Copper Creek Campground. The Forest Service has action management points so if fire reaches certain areas, they would go to the Border Patrol site to knock trees down and prepare. The fire could be messy if it got to the back side of that area.

The Forest Service is watching the Davis fire now and it is just big enough that it could make its way to Kanuck Basin, according to Mr. Knauth. Mr. Knauth said the Forest Service doesn’t have a lot of resources and are not able to get crews up there, but maybe they could use aircraft. Mr. Knauth said the Forest Service needs to show a value in order to get access to the resources.

Mr. Knauth informed Commissioners that the comment period for the Camp Robin Project ended last Thursday and those comments may be reviewed today.

10:45 a.m., the meeting with Mr. Knauth ended and Mr. Knauth and Ms. Vogl left the meeting.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign Certificates of Residency for Cole Krautkremer, Matthew Solis, Caleb Gering, Frederick Schaan, Talia Liermann-Kress, Victoria Smith, Breawna Bard, Carson Umphenour, Renee Pruitt, Jacob Howland, Daniel Van Fossen, Bruce Hartman, Nathan Havens-Boone, Don Parlow, Eric Sandaker, Dawson Brod, Basil LaBarbera, Michelle Mellem, Danielle LaFon, Gail Perry, Jadyn Bennett, and Mariah Roy. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Kirby moved to sign the Business Associate Agreement between Bonner General Hospital and the Boundary County Community Restorium upon review by the county civil attorney. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Kirby moved to approve and sign the Idaho Liquor Catering Permit for Big Daddy’s Bar and Grill for the Carry the Fallen event to be held on September 15, 2018. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

Chairman Dinning updated Commissioners on the Idaho Department of Lands Direct Sale Contract. Commissioners were informed there were no triple damages assessed; just the value.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the Idaho Department of Lands Direct Sale Contract for Lions Den Road sale upon the review of the county civil attorney. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Kirby moved to sign the cleaning contracts with Maria’s Cleaning Service. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

10:58 a.m., Boundary County Parks and Recreation Board Chairman Rob Tompkins joined the meeting to discuss a grant for a proposed ice skating rink.

Mr. Tompkins explained that the Parks and Recreation Board is looking into submitting a grant application to purchase a man-made pond that will be used as an artificial ice skating rink at the fairgrounds. Mr. Tompkins said the temporary ice skating rink they had built in the past did get a lot of use when it had frozen hard enough. The City of Bonners Ferry has received the High 5 Grant through Blue Cross and they are looking for projects and a synthetic ice rink was discussed. The rink is made up of sheets of plastic that interlock together and it has lubricants in the plastic that act like ice. The life span is 10 to 20 years. Impact studies have been done that determined there is a lack of physical activities to do here in the winter. The idea of the synthetic ice rink gained traction and quotes were sought. The cost is approximately $62,000 to purchase materials for fencing and boards, the skating surface and freight costs. The county would be tasked with maintenance and storage and the Parks and Recreation Board felt it would be an easy thing to do. Those present discussed what maintenance would be involved. Mr. Tompkins said Far North Outfitters rents skates so that is already covered. The High 5 Grant Committee has committed to providing approximately $31,000 to the project and they are trying to stretch those dollars and also trying to apply for another grant totaling $20,000. Mr. Tompkins said he would also file a grant application with Burlington Northern Santa Fe for the remaining $10,000. Mr. Tompkins updated Commissioners on the Innovia grant application for a total of $20,000.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the grant application for an amount of $20,000 through the INNOVIA Foundation for a synthetic ice skating rink. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

11:15 a.m., Commissioner Kirby 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 Pinkerton second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton “aye” and Commissioner Kirby “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended. No action was taken.

Commissioners recessed for lunch at 12:00 p.m.

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

1:30 p.m., Ron Stultz and Will Hunter with Bonner County Detention Center joined the meeting to discuss the fiscal year 2018-2020 Juvenile Detention Agreement with Bonner County. Boundary County Chief Probation Officer Stacy Brown also joined the meeting.

Mr. Stultz informed Commissioners that it is time to renew the contract, but nothing has changed other than the dates.

Commissioner Kirby moved to sign the Juvenile Detention Agreement with Bonner County for fiscal year 2018-2020. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioners informed Mr. Stultz that Boundary County is using the Lifesize Video Conferencing System as opposed to the Polycom System. Those present discussed how many juveniles from Boundary County are housed in Bonner County’s detention center. Mr. Stultz informed Commissioners that their detention center is audited by the state and there have been no issues. The detention center also has a federal audit done for the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) and they are found to be compliant there as well. Mr. Stultz said the Juvenile Detention Center will absolutely not tolerate any sort of sexual abuse.

The meeting with Mr. Stultz, Mr. Hunter and Ms. Brown ended at 1:46 p.m.

Clerk Poston and Commissioners discussed budget related matters.

2:50 p.m., There being no further business, the meeting recessed until tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.

***Tuesday, August 21, 2018, 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.

9:00 a.m., Commissioners held an elected officials/department heads meeting. Present were: Prosecutor Jack Douglas, Veterans Service Officer John Tucker, Chief Probation Officer Stacy Brown, Emergency Services Director Mike Meier, Chief Deputy Assessor Tracy Golder, Treasurer Sue Larson, University of Idaho Extension Office Educator Amy Robertson, Courthouse Maintenance John Buckley, Noxious Weeds Department Superintendent Dave Wenk, Solid Waste Department Superintendent Claine Skeen, Chief Deputy Clerk Tracie Isaac, and Sheriff Dave Kramer.

Chairman Dinning said there is really only one topic for discussion, which is the county is looking to develop a social media policy as that is something the county lacks, although there hasn’t been an issue. Chairman Dinning informed those present that Road and Bridge Department Assistant Superintendent Renee Nelson will soon send an email to all county departments pertaining to the 2018 Title VI survey.

Commissioners went around the room for department updates.

Prosecutor Jack Douglas and Veterans Service Officer John Tucker both said they had nothing new to report.

Ms. Brown said the Probation Office is staying busy and there has been a lot of community service performed this summer. Some of those doing community service have worked well with the school district.

Mr. Meier said as the county’s public information officer he is posting eight to 10 press releases on some days to pass along information on the local fires and he continues to put out press releases for the Sheriff’s Office and other offices if they like. When good information is provided, it does away with the rumors, according to Mr. Meier. On the Emergency Management side, he received the 2018 Hazard Mitigation funding opportunity so he will work on the letter of intent that is required. Bonner County came up with a new emergency operations plan that would fit Boundary County perfectly so he will modify that for Boundary County.

Mr. Meier said the Level 3 Management Team has left to fight larger fires elsewhere. Having had all those resources here was a wonderful thing to have and now the local resources will take time to build back up. There will soon be a radio repeater on Schweitzer Mountain in Bonner County.

Mr. Wenk said he is still spraying weeds. The Neighborhood Weed Management Co-Op applications are due August 30, 2018, and other than that he is working in the north part of the County and spraying along the roads.

Chief Deputy Appraiser Golder said Assessor Ryals is attending the Assessor’s Conference for the week. The Assessor’s Office is moving along on the revaluations for year 2019. There is a lot of new construction this year and it should be more than last year. Mr. Golder said the county does have one appeal at the State Board of Tax Appeals.

Ms. Robertson said the Extension Office has gotten through fair time and are now working on the post fair wrap up. Friday Friends will start once schools begins. Ms. Robertson listed the various classes offered through the Extension Office. The summer interns have gone back to college, according to Ms. Robertson.

Mr. Buckley said roof work is getting done and he has just been really busy.

Mr. Skeen said he’s been busy. There was a fire that damaged a compactor at the landfill.

Chief Deputy Clerk Isaac said open enrollment for the county’s medical insurance starts September 1st and goes through September 30th so this is the time to add family members to insurance if need be.

Sheriff Kramer said his office is busy. The Sheriff’s Office has applied for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe grant to fund automatic external defibrillators (AED) for the patrol vehicles so that order has been placed. Sheriff Kramer said a couple of his staff members have retired so his office is a bit short handed. Chairman Dinning questioned if Boundary Ambulance Service has checked the county’s AEDs and Mr. Buckley said they did about four months ago.

Treasurer Larson said she is trying to operate the computer system with the state and it is not working yet.

Clerk Poston said her office is still struggling with Odyssey Program. Supervisory Court Clerk Della Armstrong has been asked to join the Forms Committee for this program to make sure the forms work and she is a good choice for that. The budget hearing is next Tuesday, according to Clerk Poston.

Chairman Dinning said years ago there had been a proposed agreement with the City of Bonners Ferry to realign the road behind the Sheriff’s Office, Courthouse and Extension Office, but that has never come to fruition. Commissioner Kirby said there is one electric pole in the way of that happening.

Mr. Meier informed everyone that there will be an active shooter exercise in September. Sheriff Kramer said that will probably happen in January. There will also be an upcoming exercise/meeting on the trains carrying Bakken oil.

The elected officials/department heads meeting ended at 9:25 a.m.

9:30 a.m., Noxious Weeds Department Superintendent Dave Wenk joined the meeting to provide a department report.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign Certificates of Residency for Jordan Hernandez, Sydney Johnson and Michaela Worley. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Wenk said he is teaching a course on pasture management. The bio workshop in July had 17 attendees. The fair was good and a lot of contacts were made with people, according to Mr. Wenk. Inland Forest Management has two more projects for Mr. Wenk to be involved in on the Lower Kootenai River Watershed Restoration project.

Mr. Wenk informed Commissioners that Waterways Board Chairman Darron Branson has contacted him about a large amount of weeds on Robinson Lake. This weed is called Watershield, which looks similar to a lily pad. This plant is not invasive and can be treated and the State of Idaho and Forest Service are both in favor of treating it. It was said the county would prefer to contract out for this work. It has become a safety issue as there is so much of this plant, according to Mr. Wenk. Chairman Dinning questioned who has jurisdiction on the lake. It was said the Forest Service has no jurisdiction so it would be the state. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners will need to receive an email from the Forest Service stating that and then the county needs to get approval from the state to do this. Jeremy Kleinsmith with the Forest Service said he would write a letter, according to Mr. Wenk. Mr. Wenk said he will find out what the State can do. Chairman Dinning said the other agency involved may be Idaho Fish and Game. Mr. Wenk said the Waterways Board said they had funds in their account. Treatments have been discussed.

Mr. Wenk asked Commissioners if he will be able to use the bay at the armory for a bit this fall and spring to house the Weed Department spray truck. Mr. Wenk explained to Commissioners how the wind affects his ability to spray to treat weeds adding that a large number of chemicals say no spraying with winds exceeding 10 miles per hour.

The meeting with Mr. Wenk ended.

Commissioners reviewed the application from the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho pertaining to a request for a road name change.

Commissioner Kirby moved to approve the request of the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho for a private road name to be assigned the name, Quiqui Road. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

9:41 a.m., Commissioner Kirby 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 Pinkerton second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton “aye” and Commissioner Kirby “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 11:05 a.m. No action was taken.

Commissioners tended to administrative duties.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.

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DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
ATTEST:

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GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk