***Monday, August 8, 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.
Commissioners gave the opening invocation and said the Pledge of Allegiance.
Blue Sky Broadcasting Reporter Mike Brown was in attendance off and on throughout the meetings.
9:00 a.m., Road and Bridge Department Superintendent Clint Kimball joined the meeting to provide a department report. Mr. Kimball presented a written report.
Mr. Kimball said chipsealing is going well and more oil has been ordered. Work continues at the fairgrounds as is clean up in anticipation of the striping crew coming. Road and Bridge has also been working to stockpile rocks chips. Chipsealing Copeland Hill Road will be done tomorrow and the roads to the east will get their second shot of chipseal. Mr. Kimball said there has been a higher number of access permits so there must be people building.
Chairman Dinning asked Mr. Kimball to stop by the new scales at the landfill to see if he feels the area at the scale should be paved for trucks.
Mr. Kimball said he will need fill for widening for the guardrail project.
The Naples Bridge matter is ongoing. Mr. Kimball said he had an inspector come by last Wednesday, but he has not heard back from him. The Port of Entry staff and Idaho State Police both stopped by and had checked approximately 19 trucks as it pertains to the Naples Bridge getting hit by over-height trucks. Mr. Kimball said he has visited with the engineer for bridge inspections as it pertains to 129,000 pound trucks in anticipation of Alta Mill asking to be included in that route. The engineer was not in favor of the Naples Bridge for these trucks. The old bridge is tired, according to Mr. Kimball.
County resident Jim Hanson stopped by Commissioners’ Office and asked Mr. Kimball about Road and Bridge trucks in relation to the amount of rock chips they carry. Mr. Kimball explained the weight limits and weight licenses in relation to types of trucks. Mr. Kimball said it is more efficient to run five axels and pay less for tires, fuel, and maintenance then to run the other trucks. Mr. Kimball said Road and Bridge is running its trucks legally and he could take Mr. Hanson by the scales to show him that. Mr. Kimball informed Mr. Hanson that the county budget doesn’t take a property owner’s taxes to fund his department and money doesn’t grow on trees so it just doesn’t pencil out at this time.
Mr. Hanson mentioned increased property taxes and he said it just forces low income or no income people off their properties. Chairman Dinning informed Mr. Hanson of the hardship exemption application process. Clerk Poston said there is also the circuit breaker exemption depending on a person’s age.
Mr. Hanson left the meeting at 9:17 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 9:35 a.m. No action was taken.
Mr. Kimball left the meeting at 9:32 a.m.
9:33 a.m., County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull contacted Commissioners via telephone to update them on various topics. Attorney Hull said he is working on the Kevin Merrifield and Walter Merrifield contracts for the offers to purchase tax deeded properties that did not sell at the county auction. Commissioners should receive Walter Merrifield’s contract soon once the mention of the title company is incorporated. Kevin Merrifield’s agreement will be the equivalent of a quit claim deed. Chairman Dinning said he urged Kevin Merrifield to obtain title insurance.
Attorney Hull said he is reviewing the contact for ambulance service in order to update it.
Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals joined the meeting at 9:34 a.m.
Attorney Hull said he will draft a letter to JUB Engineering pertaining to tires at the landfill for their report.
Commissioners said the Boundary Community Hospital CEO/CFO Craig Johnson is meeting with Commissioners to request support for the hospital’s supplemental levy. Attorney Hull said he is reviewing the Selkirks-Pend Oreille Transit Authority (SPOT) agreement. Chairman Dinning asked about the right-of-way easement at the county’s gravel pit in Moyie Springs. The property the county purchased from Phillip Tihonovich that is next to this pit had an easement across the county’s property and Commissioners would like to know how to legally do away with the easement. Attorney Hull said he would prepare a document to vacate the easement.
Attorney Hull said he would double check on the county’s ability to limit the number of residents on Medicaid at the Restorium.
The call with Attorney Hull ended at 9:40 a.m.
9:40 a.m., Commissioner Kirby moved to go into closed session pursuant to Idaho Code 31-874. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously. 9:44 a.m., Commissioner Kirby moved to go out of closed session. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to deny indigent case 2016-23. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the Certificates of Residency for Brycen Lunger, Joshua Gallegly, Sarah Binnall, Angolena Tucker, Ashley Hazelton, Christine McNair, and Jeana Byler. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners briefly reviewed the new survey pertaining to Ball Park Road and Richard Villelli’s property.
Commissioners reviewed claims for payment. Fund totals are as follows:
Current Expense $ 45,849.21
Road & Bridge 152,319.16
Airport 4,383.90
District Court 11,076.08
Fair, County 41,715.00
Justice Fund 58,215.21
911 Funds 3,215.97
Health District 13,746.50
Historical Society & Museum 14,000.00
Hospital, Operation 90,000.00
Indigent & Charity 2,515.28
Junior College Tuition 150.00
Parks and Recreation 6,427.15
Revaluation 1,336.44
Solid Waste 10,625.65
Veterans Memorial 245.36
Weeds 1,417.47
Restorium 13,725.12
Waterways 215.62
Grant, Boat Safety 31.19
Grant, Fire Mitigation 16,898.76
TOTAL $488,109.07
Trusts
Auditor’s Trust $ 374.93
Sales Tax Collected 170.85
Driver’s License Trust 8,580.50
Magistrate Trust 34,863.66
Motor Vehicle Trust 138,051.30
Sheriff’s Trust Fund 546.60
TOTAL $182,587.84
GRAND TOTAL $670,696.91
Citizens are invited to inspect detailed records on file in the Courthouse (individual claims & Commissioners’ allowance & warrant register record 2015-2016).
10:00 a.m., Solid Waste Department Superintendent Claine Skeen joined the meeting.
10:01 a.m., Chairman Dinning left to tend to a personal matter.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to appoint Commissioner Walt Kirby Acting Chairman in the absence of Chairman Dinning. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to approve the minutes of July 11 & 12, 2016. Acting Chairman Kirby yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners reviewed the proposed solid waste fees. It was asked if the fee for construction debris that is brought to the landfill needs to be increased as it has been stagnant for a few years. It was asked why the fee is being increased anyhow. Mr. Skeen said because revenue is needed. Commissioner Pinkerton added that is because of the volume that is brought in to the landfill. Mr. Skeen voiced his concern over stumps.
10:14 a.m., Chairman Dinning returned to the meeting.
Chairman Dinning said when the scale system is in place, there will need to be a public hearing to establish this new fee. Commissioner Pinkerton said the county should also consider limiting stumps when holding a public hearing.
Those present briefly mentioned using Road and Bridge Department’s excavator versus purchasing a new excavator for the Solid Waste Department. Mr. Skeen said the excavator would be used to excavate the hole on the property to the west of the landfill.
10:23 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 10:30 a.m. No action was taken.
Mr. Skeen left the meeting at 10:30 a.m.
City of Bonners Ferry Mayor David Sims met with Commissioners to discuss budget matters. Mayor Sims said the city has a very tight budget this year and even though the budget will be published, he will still continue to lower expenses. Clerk Poston said the amount of the proposed increase for dispatching services was $145 more than 3%. Mayor Sims said he would appreciate a relief from the county’s proposed increase for this service. Chairman Dinning said he can appreciate tough budgets. Commissioner Pinkerton asked if Mayor Sims had spoken to the Sheriff. Mayor Sims said he doesn’t want to put words in the Sheriff’s mouth. Chairman Dinning said in talking to County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull, he indicated budget or contract matters should be discussed with Commissioners. Mayor Sims said Sheriff Sprungl was reluctant to delve into the budget matters, but he did engage in personnel process matters such as dispatching and what is done for fire districts. The processes and policies were discussed, according to Mayor Sims. Commissioner Pinkerton said there is an operational component the city has issues with, but those matters were discussed.
Clerk Poston reviewed historical budget information pertaining to the dispatch agreement dating back to year 2001 in relation to what contracted amounts had been. Those present reviewed the contract totals for the years the amounts increased and stayed the same. Clerk Poston reviewed the cost to employ one dispatch position. Clerk Poston said it costs $56,742 to employ one dispatcher. The county employs seven and has the volume of cost.
Clerk Poston said there had also been confusion pertaining to E911 grant funds. Chairman Dinning said certain funds cannot be used for E911. Mayor Sims said there had been confusion by city council members as to how those funds could be used. Mayor Sims said there had been a couple different components to the dispatching agreement, but it’s the police portion that is the question. The matter is, if the city decided not to have a police force tomorrow, the county would have to respond to all calls so in that aspect it is not costing any more money. Mayor Sims mentioned the cost to run plates and he said the city is actually reducing costs by having its own police force. Mayor Sims said Sheriff Sprungl mentioned that fire districts are not charged for dispatching services. Commissioner Pinkerton said there is law enforcement, emergency medical services (EMS), and fire service. Half of the calls are generated by the city. Commissioner Pinkerton said his thought is of a user fee and where the volume is coming from. Mayor Sims said if the city didn’t have its own police force, the Sheriff’s Office would have to respond to those calls anyhow. Chairman Dinning said going back to the history, everyone wanted to recognize the 24/7 service and the city wanted to cooperate with that. Mayor Sims said he thinks everyone needs a 24 hour dispatch service. Mayor Sims said it would be helpful for the city to have a break from a 3% increase in the contract price for one year’s period.
Commissioner Pinkerton asked what the status is with fire departments responding to EMS calls. Mayor Sims said it is no different than when the Sheriff dispatches city officers in that if the Sheriff dispatches city extrication, the city will respond.
Mayor Sims spoke of the recent meeting with the Sheriff’s Office and he said if the call volume lessened, the county would still have the same number of dispatchers. Commissioner Pinkerton said with a new sheriff coming into office, some things may change.
Commissioner Kirby said Mayor Sims is asking for relief. Mayor Sims said he would greatly appreciate the same contract price as last year.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to support a moratorium with no increased contract amount to the City of Bonners Ferry for dispatching services for a one year period. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mayor Sims said the city is looking at special event permits and if the events are held at the fairgrounds, the city is considering doing away with this permit as it doesn’t make sense, although the city may have to be involved if city fire or police services are requested. Mayor Sims said he wondered who he needs to talk to about that. Commissioners and Clerk Poston mentioned the Fair Board and the Parks and Recreation Board.
Mayor Sims informed Commissioners of a project involving interns from Boise State University who help with governmental projects. Mayor Sims said he would provide Commissioners with more information as he receives it.
Chairman Dinning said the county and City of Bonners Ferry and City of Moyie Springs had held joint meetings in the past, but then these meetings evolved into something other than productive. Chairman Dinning questioned if it would be a benefit to resurrect these meetings. Mayor Sims said that is a good question. Some meetings are best held staff to staff, but there are also other matters that are good to discuss between the city and county.
The meeting with Mr. Sims ended at 11:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m., Boundary Community Hospital CEO/CFO Craig Johnson, Hospital Board of Trustees Chairman Eldon Koon, and Hospital Community Relations employee Lauren Kuczka met with Commissioners to discuss the hospital’s proposed supplemental levy.
Mr. Johnson said he is proposing a two year supplemental levy for the hospital. Mr. Johnson provided a PowerPoint presentation on hospital matters to include what the levy funds would be used for. Boundary Community Hospital is a critical access hospital that is accredited by Det Norske Veritas (DNV), it is a member of the Northwest Hospital Alliance, and is recognized as a high performing hospital for the clinical quality by the American Hospital Association. Boundary Community Hospital had a deficiency free survey for its extended care facility and overall the hospital is doing a lot of good things for the community. Mr. Johnson said the hospital is Boundary County’s largest employer with a $7,200,000 payroll and $17,500,000 gross operating budget. The hospital supports a lot of families. There were 1,808 outpatient visits per month in year 2015 and 305 visits to the Emergency Department. The nursing home is acknowledged for its quality of care by the State of Idaho.
Mr. Johnson listed the hospital’s capital improvements made during years 2015 and 2016 to include: a 64 slice CT Scanner, nurse call system, elevator upgrade, additional specialist clinic office suite, anesthesia unit, and des vaporizer for the surgical suite. The community funded, through the Fry Healthcare Foundation, a mobile ultrasound unit for the Emergency Department and Orthopedic Specialist Clinic, shoulder/elbow continuous passive motion machine for rehabilitation, and a wheel chair accessible van for the extended care facility.
Mr. Johnson said the reason for the supplemental levy is to meet government standards and codes to keep the hospital and nursing home in compliance. Funds will also be used to improve the quality of service, address life-safety code issues, ensure continued high quality and state of the art equipment, keep services local, and to reduce turnaround time for test results to physicians for a faster, more accurate diagnosis.
The amount of the proposed supplemental levy is $828,000 over a two year period. The breakdown is as follows: $100,000 for the main fire alarm panel replacement, $250,000 for climate control system updates, $202,000 for surgical equipment, $126,000 for radiology equipment, and $150,000 for lab equipment. Mr. Johnson said he just rounded numbers and he further detailed these proposed improvements.
It was said for clarification that the first tax collection would be December of year 2017. Chairman Dinning it would be good to explain what critical access means in the hospital’s presentation to the public.
11:27 a.m., Boundary Economic Development Director Dennis Weed joined the meeting.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to accept Boundary Community Hospital’s ballot language as authorized by Idaho Code and to authorize the Clerk to put this language on the ballot for the general election to be held on November 8, 2016, in that the supplemental levy amount proposed is $414,000 each year for a two year period. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting with Mr. Johnson, Mr. Koon, and Ms. Kuczka ended at 11:30 a.m.
Mr. Weed provided Commissioners with an update on Economic Development Council (EDC) related matters he is working on. Mr. Weed said he has met with one fiberoptics company and it turns out this company will not fit what he is trying to accomplish. Mr. Weed said he still wants to bring fiberoptics into the community, but this company wanted to go door to door when there isn’t enough people to make that model work. The other option is to go to the substation and Mr. Weed explained this model to Commissioners.
11:35 a.m., County Noxious Weed Department Superintendent Dave Wenk joined the meeting at Commissioners’ request.
Mr. Weed spoke of working with the Chamber of Commerce and he said the Chamber has given up use of the Visitor’s Center Office and they’ve had a change in leadership.
Mr. Weed said he is going to form a main street committee for both the north and south ends of town in order to find ways to make the town more inviting for people. There will be a meeting for business owners in September in order to brainstorm.
Mr. Weed informed Commissioners that he is plans on attending a shot trading show in Las Vegas so he will put together a very nice brochure listing reasons why it would be good to operate a business in Boundary County. Mr. Weed said he is also working on trying to get a contact list together of various chief executive officers in the Lewiston area to see who would be willing to relocate to Boundary County.
There will be a committee formed for the biking and walking trail at the end of this month. Mr. Weed mentioned a path across the Kootenai River Bridge with a connector to Riverside Park.
Mr. Weed said he met with staff at North Idaho College (NIC) for a bit to discuss staffing skillsets, and he will work on getting the director of NIC to work with Boundary Community Hospital to see how to get different skillsets in place for potential new employers looking to relocate here.
Boise State University will come to Boundary County this week to look at various projects such as revitalization. This is a one semester project and Mr. Weed said he would provide Commissioners with a date and time when interns from Boise will be here.
Chairman Dinning mentioned the latest cell tower that went up in the east side of the county. There are no carriers on this tower so Commissioners asked Mr. Weed to look into the reason why that may be.
Mr. Weed said he has been working with the City of Moyie on a sewer system and he asked Commissioners if the county’s gravel pit is used up in this area. Commissioners said the pit was not done and that they had just purchased an additional 13 acres next to this pit. Chairman Dinning said he would be open to consider a property trade if the City of Moyie had another piece of property sufficient for a gravel pit.
The meeting with Mr. Weed ended at 11:53 a.m.
Clerk Poston left the meeting at 11:54 a.m.
Commissioners and Mr. Wenk briefly discussed a recent meeting Mr. Wenk had attended in relation to a claim for mileage. Mr. Wenk said he used his own vehicle as he had other non-work related matters to take care of on this trip.
Mr. Wenk left the meeting.
Courthouse Maintenance John Buckley met with Commissioners to update them on the condition of bleachers at the fairgrounds. Mr. Buckley mentioned there is no danger in using these bleachers.
Mr. Buckley left the meeting.
Commissioners recessed for lunch at 12:04 p.m.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton, Commissioner Walt Kirby, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
1:30 p.m., Clif Warren, Marion Johnson, and Carol Kunzeman with the Selkirks-Pend Oreille Transit Authority (SPOT) met with Commissioners to update them on SPOT Board changes. City of Bonners Ferry Mayor David Sims was also present.
Chairman Dinning said there had been a local advisory group to the SPOT Board. Mr. Warren said SPOT started as a project of the City of Dover until two months ago. There was a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between Kootenai County, Sandpoint, Pend Oreille, and the City of Dover. SPOT has grown, is successful, and is looked favorably upon, but it just got too big for the City of Dover, according to Mr. Warren. The City of Dover has 22 employees and 17 of them were involved with SPOT. The four cities created a joint powers agreement for this program. Two months ago, a new SPOT Board was seated and they have started managing SPOT. Mr. Warren explained that SPOT is a standalone entity with Public Employees Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI) benefits, etc. Previously a joint powers agreement was created through a strategic planning process and the goal for the next five years was discussed. Mr. Warren said SPOT needs to grow into a regional transportation system and this joint powers agreement allows the Board to expand. Mr. Warren informed Commissioners that the advisory committee does a good job and he wants to move the authority the county has into a full vote. The agreement can be signed as-is with no alterations. The four members who have signed the joint powers agreement will be approached about allowing members-at-large, mainly because the board would like to see Schweitzer join and incorporate their system as they already have budgeted for this. Mr. Warren said he wanted to show the document to Commissioners. Mr. Warren explained that Carol Kunzeman is Chairman and Marion Johnson is the Operations Manager for this program. The SPOT Board would like to have the City of Bonners Ferry and Boundary County as full members, come to the meetings, and have a full vote.
Chairman Dinning asked if this means adding the mayor and a commissioner to the document. Mr. Warren said it is whoever the Commissioners want to appoint. Mr. Warren said he is meeting with Bonner County next week. Commissioners asked if the MOA regarding the local group would remain the same. Mr. Warren said the MOA would be void. Commissioners provided Mr. Warren with copies of the old MOA for reference. Commissioners reviewed the new joint powers agreement and said funds are not mentioned. Mr. Warren said this agreement does not obligate the county and he further explained that the existing MOA was between Boundary County and the City of Dover so that is why it is null and void. Chairman Dinning said even though the MOA is null and void, Commissioners will still write a letter of termination. Chairman Dinning said the county’s bigger question is if Commissioners want to have a presence on this board. Mr. Warren said the State of Idaho wants to see services that run from Boundary County to Coeur d’ Alene. Van pools will be offered and the first van has already been received so there will be a van pool from Coeur d’ Alene to Quest in Sandpoint. Mr. Warren said the benefit to Commissioners will be the ability to vote. Chairman Dinning said his only concern had to do with funding.
Ms. Kunzeman spoke of how important this service is and how much it means to her that it is growing.
Commissioner Kirby asked how SPOT is working in Boundary County. Ms. Johnson said July has been the biggest month for Boundary County at 209 riders and the program is going well. Commissioner Kirby asked about ridership from Moyie Springs. Ms. Johnson said there were only 10 people from the eastside of Boundary County. Commissioner Kirby said this program is different here in Boundary County versus in Bonner County.
Mr. Warren said a new bus is budgeted for Boundary County this next budget year. Those present spoke of the existing bus. Ms. Johnson said she would like to keep the existing bus local as ridership from the Moyie Springs area will grow. Mr. Warren said the state also requires a certain number of backup equipment. Those present discussed the need for a fixed route. The dial-in process is a disaster, according to Commissioner Kirby.
Chairman Dinning said if we want to have influence, we need to have someone on the SPOT Board in order to provide input. Commissioner Kirby said he is in favor of having someone on the board for Boundary County. Commissioner Pinkerton said his only concern is what is this going to cost the county. Mr. Warren said SPOT cannot impose anything on the county. Chairman Dinning said the MOA states Boundary County agrees to pay $5,000 toward this program so what occurs if a new board says we owe $15,000? If Boundary County says no, do our services stop? Mayor Sims said he envisioned saying we can pay a certain amount, but can also provide in-kind match.
Ms. Kunzeman said she feels ridership will grow with time. The numbers are not what Commissioners may want to see, but they are increasing.
The meeting with Ms. Johnson, Mr. Warren, and Ms. Kunzeman ended at 2:04 p.m.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
Commissioner Kirby moved to approve the minutes of August 1 & 2, 2016. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.
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DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
ATTEST:
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GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk