***Monday, December 12, 2022, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
Commissioners gave the opening invocation and said the Pledge of Allegiance.
Pudge Brewer, Mark Quinn, Fay Almond, and Hilary Kraly joined the meeting.
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 given.
Mr. Morris said Road and Bridge will salt the roads today and do some sanding. Two trucks are getting worked on. The alternator went out on the Western Star and the plow on the Stirling doesn’t want to switch directions.
Ms. Nelson said one employee is starting the Sage Truck Driving School commercial driver’s license (CDL) class on Monday. Both CDL course agreements for two employees have been signed and the thought is that it would be wise to store these agreements in the employee’s personnel file. Ms. Nelson said the fiberoptic service at the Road and Bridge Office went down over the weekend so Road and Bridge doesn’t have phone or internet service. Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris spoke of lease/purchase options for new equipment, but since their email is not working, they didn’t have the information.
9:05 a.m., Undersheriff Rich Stephens joined the meeting.
Commissioner Bertling informed Ms. Nelson that the road name sign fell down at Twenty Mile Road.
Road and Bridge is fully staffed; some are newer employees who need training. Employees will be working Friday and Saturday and employees were also called in for Sunday. Ms. Nelson commented that Road and Bridge has received calls from the community thanking them for doing a good job.
Undersheriff Stephens left the meeting at 9:12 a.m.
The meeting with Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris ended at 9:15 a.m.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties until their next order of business scheduled for 9:30 a.m.
Jake Garringer from Governor Little’s Office joined the meeting at 9:22 a.m.
Chairman Dinning informed Mr. Garringer of Commissioners’ conference call to discuss the General Services Administration’s project to modernize the Porthill Port of Entry.
9:30 a.m., Commissioners contacted Attorney Tevis Hull via telephone to get an update on various matters he’s working on. Commissioners asked Attorney Hull about public records requests and Attorney Hull said a person requesting records always needs to complete the request form. Chairman Dinning said one request was for meeting minutes discussing specific topics, but the minutes are online so does the county need to do the research for that? Chairman Dinning said the county needs to make sure people get the information they’re requesting. Attorney Hull said he will have to think about the level of research being done, because sometimes people ask for records in a form the county does not have. If the county does have the documents, such as meeting minutes, we still have to get those to the person requesting them, even though they can be found online.
Bonners Ferry Herald Staff Writer Emily Bonsant joined the meeting at 9:37 a.m.
Attorney Hull said he’s been in touch with the Sheriff’s Office about the quote for heating and cooling and he saw documentation approving only the two units so it will fall under the requirement for obtaining quotes. The county cannot circumvent the requirement for bidding, but in this case the two units weren’t working and they need to be replaced. The third unit is still working so it does not need to be replaced at this time, but the two other units can still be replaced, according to Attorney Hull. Chairman Dinning said if an item or services is over $50,000.00, the county has to go out for three quotes, but if there is not the ability to get three, there needs to be document showing that the department attempted to get three quotes. Attorney Hull agreed and he added that sometimes due to the nature of the situation, you cannot get three quotes as there isn’t the type of business in our area for that type of work or product.
Commissioners questioned if there is state law that requires employers to offer health insurance for domestic partners or is that covered in Obamacare language? Attorney Hull said he doesn’t know if that’s incorporated into state law. Chairman Dinning mentioned that he will probably call the county’s insurance carrier.
Commissioners mentioned having received the memorandum of understanding (MOU) Attorney Hull drafted for county employees regarding discrimination and harassment and they also have the MOU between the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho and Boundary County.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Memorandum of Understanding between the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, Boundary County and Boundary County Road and Bridge regarding motor fuels tax. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Clerk Poston asked about the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund and she stated that because the county is receiving those funds, she would like to place them in a trust account identified as such for use; similar to National Opioid Settlement Notice.
The call to Attorney Hull ended at 9:42 a.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Property Tax Cancellation Forms for tax year 2022 for the following parcels because the homeowner’s exemptions were received after the July abstract cutoff: #SR61N01W241807A totaling $185.38, #RP61N01W241807A totaling $119.58, #RP62N01E111081A totaling $499.76, #RP002800000190A totaling $499.76, #RP63N01E230150A totaling $380.48, and #RP62N01E121070A totaling $499.76. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign Certificates of Residency for Kevin Dye, Holly Alexander, Jesse Fess, and Evelynn Chaney. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Department Heads and Elected Officials Memorandum of Understanding regarding discrimination and harassment. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve and sign Commissioners’ meeting minutes of November 28 & 29, 2022. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Clerk Poston said Commissioners still need to put a plan in place for use of the National Opioid Settlement Notice funds, but they haven’t heard from Sheriff Kramer about another school resource officer. There is also a request from the Probation Office for assistance in drug testing. It was felt that if the Probation Office ran out of budget for drug testing, they could reimburse that line item using the opioid settlement funds.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to reappoint Paul Hazdovac, Darron Branson and Wendy Hawks to the Boundary Hospital Board of Trustees with terms to expire January 2026. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Dinning informed Commissioners and Clerk Poston that he spoke to the county’s medical insurance provider, GEM Plan, and GEM Plan has held that a legally married couple is what they follow for insurance as it pertained to earlier discussion about domestic partners.
Commissioners reviewed the quote received from Western States CAT for a generator. This process was through Sourcewell pricing, which is similar to a piggyback bid. Chairman Dinning reviewed the list of items that were received and he said due to supply chain issues, it will be approximately six to seven months before receipt of the equipment.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to accept the Sourcewell quote from Western States for a generator at a cost of $59,457.00. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to adopt Resolution 2023-16 ARPA. A resolution regarding ARPA Appropriation to Boundary County. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously. Resolution 2023-16 ARPA reads as follows:
RESOLUTION 2023-16 ARPA
Boundary County
ARPA Appropriation to Boundary County
WHEREAS, Boundary County has received ARPA funds to be used in payment, among other things, for Covid related expenses, and
WHEREAS, Boundary County has received $2,378,448.00 from the American Rescue Plan (ARPA)
WHEREAS, the Boundary County Commissioners deem it in the best interest of the general public of Boundary County to purchase the following equipment for the Boundary County Sheriff Department:
From Valence an invoice for 9 Harris XL-200P Portable radios with batteries and other equipment to aid in communication with the school and all law enforcement. Invoice #EST28837 for $25,252.03
WHEREAS, the addition or distribution of this revenue does not affect the tax levy for Boundary County, and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate that the funds be transferred to Boundary County Sheriff Department for the purchase of the 9 radios and associated equipment from Valence.
NOW THEREFORE, upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried,
IT IS RESOLVED, that the amount of $25,252.03 to be disbursed from the ARPA Trust Account #9135 and be transferred to fund #08-02-0899, for this intended purpose.
IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk is instructed to deliver certified copies of this resolution to the Boundary County Treasurer and the Boundary County Auditor.
DATED this 12th day of December, 2022
COUNTY OF BOUNDARY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
s/__________________________
Dan R. Dinning, Chairman
s/___________________________
Wally Cossairt, Commissioner
s/____________________________
Tim Bertling, Commissioner
ATTEST:
s/_____________________________________________
Glenda Poston, Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners
Recorded as instrument #293399
Personnel Director Pam Barton joined the meeting at 9:55 a.m.
Those present discussed the sick leave bank and an employee who wants to donate some of their hours to another employee. It was said that this practice is not something that is necessarily reflected in the County’s Personnel Policy. This is a specific case involving a new employee who hadn’t had the chance to earn enough hours. Commissioner Bertling said if someone wants to donate some of their hours, he doesn’t have a problem with that to help another employee qualify. Ms. Barton said if the enrollment date to join the sick leave bank is January and a new employee starts in February, can that employee commit to joining the bank during that first year once they have had enough hours to donate? Clerk Poston suggested a window of six months in order to donate 16 hours. Chairman Dinning said he’s leaning toward a longer period of time. All Commissioners agreed to a six-month window and they will allow this donation of hours for this particular employee in this case.
Ms. Barton left the meeting at 10:00 a.m.
Ms. Kraly and Ms. Almond left the meeting at 10:01 a.m.
Commissioners received a brief update from Mr. Garrison on state matters.
Mr. Garrison left the meeting at 10:20 a.m.
Commissioners, Mr. Brewer and Mr. Quinn held casual conversation before Mr. Brewer and Mr. Quinn left at 10:25 a.m.
10:30 a.m., Commissioners considered the renewal of County Alcoholic Beverage License Applications for year 2023. Present were: Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser. The proceedings were recorded.
Bonners Ferry Herald Staff Writer Emily Bonsant joined the meeting.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the list of County Alcoholic Beverage Licenses for year 2023 as presented as “Exhibit A” pending receipt of all required documentation and fees. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
“EXHIBIT A”
APPLICATIONS FOR COUNTY ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSES FOR YEAR 2023
The following establishments are to be approved for the Boundary County Alcoholic Beverage License for year 2023 pending receipt of all required documentation and applicable fees.
The Badger’s Den Super 1 Foods
Bonners Ferry Conoco Tavern in the Lodge
Blue Lake RV Resort Three Mile Corner
Bonners Ferry Pupuseria Under the Sun
Eagles Aerie #3522 Wok-a-Mole
Feist Creek Falls Resort South Hill Qwik Stop
Good Grief Store
The Great Northwest Territories Event Center
Grocery Outlet
Heart Rock Wines/Crosstime Saloon
Jack’s Club
Jake’s Retreat
Jake’s Small Mart
Kootenai River Brewing Co.
Kootenai River Inn Casino & Spa
Lane 9
Mi Pueblo II
Mirror Lake Golf Course
Moyie Springs Store
Mugsy’s Tavern & Grill
Naples General Store
Nom Nom
Northwoods Tavern
The Pearl Theater
Pizza Factory
The Rusty Moose/Goat Mountain Pizzeria
Safeway
Sam’s Stop and Shop
The meeting to consider 2023 county beverage license renewals ended at 10:27 a.m.
Ms. Bonsant left the meeting at 10:36 a.m.
Commissioners reviewed claims for payment. Fund totals are as follows:
Current Expense $ 161,862.28
Road & Bridge 123,245.78
Airport 974.76
District Court 2,633.47
Justice Fund 96,232.60
911 Funds 5,246.96
Parks and Recreation 11,515.71
Revaluation 1,246.25
Solid Waste 29,425.18
Tort 88,810.50
Veterans Memorial 1,019.88
Weeds 274.47
Restorium 22,951.09
Waterways 592.76
Grant, Airport 6,034.22
Grants, Selkirk Coop Weed Mgmt 1,825.99
TOTAL $553,891.90
Trusts
Auditor’s Trust – *Misc 1,849.49
Beverage License 300.00
Boundary Co. Drug Court Trust 175.64
Driver’s License Trust 10,001.00
Interlock Device Fund 60.00
Motor Vehicle Trust Acct 156,443.30
Sheriff’s Trust Fund 420.05
Sheriff’s Special Projects 361.26
Odyssey Court Trust Account 18,151.99
Odyssey Bond Trust Account 1,000.00
Odyssey Restitution Trust Acct 5,553.73
TOTAL $194,316.46
GRAND TOTAL $748,208.36
Citizens are invited to inspect detailed records on file in the Courthouse (individual claims & Commissioners’ allowance & warrant register record 2022-2023).
10:50 a.m., Commissioners reviewed proposals to consider grant administration for the Alta Forest Products project. Present were: Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser. The proceedings were recorded.
Chairman Dinning said one sealed proposal was received on November 14, 2022, and it was opened by mistake, but was resealed and Commissioners never saw the envelope’s contents. The proposal was from Panhandle Area Council. It was stated that the request for proposals was advertised properly in the newspaper. Commissioners will continue this review to tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. at the County Annex.
Commissioner Bertling moved to continue the review of the proposal to tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. at the County Annex. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting to consider the proposals ended at 10:54 a.m.
11:15 a.m., Assessor Dave Ryals joined the meeting to briefly discuss computer matters since he will soon be retiring.
The meeting with Assessor Ryals ended at 11:20 a.m.
There being no further business, the meeting recessed until tomorrow at 11:00 a.m.
***Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser. Commissioner Tim Bertling was out of the office tending to other matters.
11:00 a.m., Commissioners participated in a conference call with the General Services Administration (GSA) regarding a border station modernization project for the Porthill Border. On the conference call from the GSA was Joseph Bonk, Asset Manager for GSA Land Ports of Entry (LPOE), Melissa Hibray, Project Manager for Port Hill LPOE Modernization Project, Christi Votisek, Public Affairs Officer, Richard Rachow, Capital Program Manager, Kimberly Johnson, Contract Officer, and Heather Bowden, Construction, Acquisition Management Division Branch Manager. Also present in Commissioners’ Office was City of Bonners Ferry Administrator Lisa Ailport and Bonners Ferry Herald Staff Writer Emily Bonsant.
Clerk’s Note: Representatives from GSA didn’t always state who was speaking when providing statements or comments.
It was said that the GSA is working on modernizing various ports of entry across the country. Ms. Hibray said they’re working with Customs and Border Protection to satisfy requirements for land ports of entry (LPOE) and she doesn’t yet know the total impact the LPOE will have. The process starts with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Ms. Hibray spoke of contract processes. The purpose of this meeting is to have conversations with the county to discuss wishes for the port of entry. Ms. Hibray said she knows there are concerns about the port of entry’s hours so she will ask Customs and Border Protection about that as she doesn’t have those answers.
Chairman Dinning also mentioned having the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho as a contact and Mr. Bonk said the GSA has a member on their team who handles all tribal outreach. Chairman Dinning said it’s important to Boundary County because prior to COVID, 25% or more of our community’s retails sales came from Canadians. Now the Porthill border is opening up, but it’s closing at 5:00 p.m. when it had been open from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. We have people from Canada who work in Boundary County in crucial parts of our services and they can’t do that. This early closure also limits our retail sales. During construction to modernize the port of entry, will there be even shorter hours? Ms. Hibray replied that she doesn’t see the hours being limited, but she will obtain more information on hours of operation to see if Customs and Border Protection want to bring back the original pre-COVID hours. Clerk Poston said she’s heard even if you are in line at the border at one minute before 5:00 p.m., you get turned around so she would be worried that construction would hold up a line of cars, which would not be fair for those who are waiting to cross. So that’s a concern. Ms. Hibray said she doesn’t see an issue with border hours being reduced during construction. Customs and Border Protection knows we need to keep the LPOE open. Commissioner Cossairt said there is a lot of truck traffic that crosses the border.
Mr. Rachow said the county’s concern about hours is noted. There is going to be a phasing plan in place and a temporary facility to facilitate the construction and these conversations probably need to continue during construction. There will be scoping. Mr. Rachow said there will be a period for community input as well and he doesn’t know when that comes into place, but it’s possibly the beginning of 2023. Information will be posted on the GSA website. The GSA also has the Bonners Ferry Herald’s contact information. The estimated start of construction is year 2026. Chairman Dinning informed the GSA representatives that there is a post office in that area. It was said the GSA has reached out to Jakes’ Landing and other property owners.
The call to speak with GSA members about a future border modernization project ended at 11:17 a.m.
Commissioners recessed until their next meeting.
11:39 a.m., Personnel Director Pam Barton joined the meeting at Commissioners’ request to discuss the rewrite of the sports director position for the Parks and Recreation Department. Commissioners questioned if the Classification Committee could meet earlier than scheduled since certain sports will be starting soon.
Commissioners recessed for the morning session.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session at the County Annex with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
1:30 p.m., Boundary Economic Development Council Director David Sims joined the meeting for the review of the proposal received from Panhandle Area Council (PAC) as it pertains to grant administration services for the Alta Forest Products project.
It was said this process is to comply with state’s rules for the grant. Chairman Dinning explained that he used to sit on the PAC Board and now Commissioner Cossairt sits on the PAC Board, but that has no bearing on the matter since only one request for proposal was received. Mr. Sims added that there is no financial benefit to the county.
Commissioners rated the proposal from Panhandle Area Council.
Commissioner Bertling moved to select Panhandle Area Council as the grant administrator for the Alta Forest Products siding project. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Sims said once PAC is notified, they can negotiate cost and for this grant PAC allows 5%.
The meeting pertaining to grant administration ended at 1:44 p.m.
Mr. Sims left the meeting at 1:48 p.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the meeting minutes of November 14, 2022. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
2:00 p.m., Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee and Restorium employee Rachel Johnson joined the meeting.
Ms. Magee commented that she recently conducted an interview for a new employee. BF Builders submitted a quote of $38,600.00 to work on the bathroom. It was said the work will be paid using ARPA funds. Ms. Magee informed Commissioners she cannot get circuit boards for the heaters. Clerk Poston said she has also tried ordering these parts and the orders are getting cancelled. Clerk Poston suggested trying to cross reference with Ebay. Ms. Magee said Restorium Maintenance Kevin Schnuerle changed the quotes for new flooring to just the main level since he’s having a hard time getting three quotes and both floors would be a very big job. Ms. Magee said it’s too big of a project to do everything she wants to do for her staff. The flooring project was cut in half and she will go out for quotes again for the second half of the project and see what happens in the future. The work doesn’t have to be done at once; the ARPA funds just need to be committed by year 2024 and the work done by year 2026. Chairman Dinning said it will be one project cost from one vendor and the county will need to draft an independent contractor agreement. Those present discussed getting quotes from local vendors. Chairman Dinning suggested the quotes be for the total project and state that installation will be done as rooms are available over a period of one year. Commissioner Bertling said it would be good for a company to come up and help move furniture, but the flooring vendor should inform the Restorium how many rooms they want to get done each time they show up.
Ms. Magee informed Commissioners that she is still trying to fix issues with the water heater and someone is coming tomorrow to take a look at it. Commissioner Bertling commented to Ms. Magee about a product called Lifevac that helps someone who is choking.
The meeting with Ms. Magee and Ms. Johnson ended at 2:27 p.m.
2:30 p.m., Commissioners held a public hearing to consider a fee increase when renting Memorial Hall. Present were: Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser. No one from the public was present so Commissioners bypassed reading the public hearing script. The hearing was recorded.
Chairman Dinning said for this hearing Boundary County is the applicant and Commissioners will render a decision. Currently the rental fee for Memorial Hall is $65.00 and proposal is to increase that to $100.00. Clerk Poston explained that it’s a daily rental.
Commissioners did not call for testimony since no public was present. The hearing was closed to testimony. Commissioners said they had no problem with the increase.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to increase the fee for use of the Memorial Hall from $65.00 per day to $100.00 per day. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt amended his motion to add that this increase is to be effective January 1, 2023. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:34 p.m.
_______________________________________
DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
ATTEST:
___________________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk