***Monday, February 26, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Tim Bertling, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Ben Robertson, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
Commissioners said the Pledge of Allegiance.
9:02 a.m., Sheriff’s Office Marine Deputy/Waterways Board member Caleb Watts joined the meeting to answer any questions Commissioners may have about the State of Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation Agreement before they are to sign the document. Deputy Watts explained that this is a grant application for the boating program. The funding amount for this program has increased to $850,000.00 for the entire State of Idaho. Boundary County’s match amount has increased by only a small amount and is now $3,154.00. Deputy Watts said the grant funds cover yearly costs associated with items such as salaries at approximately $5,600.00, $300.00 for education and instructor costs, $500.00 for overall equipment, such as life jackets, etc. fuel for $1,500.00, and $1,500.00 for maintenance and repairs. Once the match amount of $3,150.00 is met, the state will send the entire grant funding amount to them.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the State of Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation Agreement for the Boat Safety Grant Program. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Deputy Watts left the meeting at 9:30 a.m.
9:30 a.m., County Civil Attorney Bill Wilson joined the meeting to update Commissioners on what he’s working on.
10:00 a.m., Commissioner Robertson moved to go into executive session pursuant to Idaho Code 74-206(1)a, to consider hiring a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, wherein the respective qualities of individuals are to be evaluated in order to fill a particular vacancy or need; and 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 Cossairt second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Bertling “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Robertson “aye”. Motion passed unanimously.
Attorney Wilson left the meeting at 10:52 a.m.
The executive session ended at 11:10 a.m. No action was taken.
11:11 a.m., Deputy Clerk April Isaac joined the meeting.
Commissioner Robertson moved to go into closed session pursuant to Idaho Code 31-874. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously. The closed session ended at 11:17 a.m.
Commissioner Robertson moved to approve cremation expenses for indigent case 2024-3. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Deputy Clerk Isaac left the meeting at 11:18 a.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Property Tax Cancellation Form for tax year 2023 for parcel #SM009900000040A and to cancel $423.74, plus applicable interest due to error. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Bertling explained clarifying invoices received from North Bench Fire Department for fire protection of county properties. Commissioners had questions about the invoices and Chairman Bertling explained that after talking with North Bench representatives about the parcels, four of the invoices for coverage dues were revised to show bare land rates as opposed to residential billing rates.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the meeting minutes for the week of February 19, 2024. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to adopt Resolution 2024-23arpa. A resolution of Boundary County, ARPA Appropriation to Boundary County for 7168 First Street Property Purchase. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously. Resolution 2024-23arpa reads as follows:
RESOLUTION 2024-23 arpa
Boundary County
ARPA Appropriation to Boundary County
7168 First Street Property Purchase
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 Act (ARPA)
WHEREAS, the Boundary County Commissioners deem it in the best interest of the general public of Boundary County to improve the office and court facilities for Boundary County
WHEREAS, the addition or distribution of this revenue does not affect the tax levy for Boundary County, and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to release the funds for the purchase of the building located at 7168 First (1st) Street in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, for Boundary County
NOW THEREFORE, upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried,
IT IS RESOLVED, that the amount of $649,766.00 is to be disbursed from the ARPA General Account #0107, these funds shall then be remitted to Alliance Title in the amount of $649,766.00, claim #2024-1771
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 26th day of February, 2024
COUNTY OF BOUNDARY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
s/_________________________
Tim Bertling, Chairman
s/__________________________
Wally Cossairt, Commissioner
s/__________________________
Ben Robertson, Commissioner
ATTEST:
s/_____________________________________________
Glenda Poston, Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners
Recorded as instrument #296483
Commissioner Robertson moved to sign the Boundary County Trail Grooming Volunteer Agreement. Chairman Bertling yielded the chair to second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Bertling “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “abstained” and Commissioner Robertson “aye”. Motion passed.
Commissioner Robertson moved to reappoint Dave Wenk to the Boundary County Snowmobile Advisory Board with a term to expire February 2027. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners recessed for lunch.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Tim Bertling, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Ben Robertson, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
1:30 p.m., Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendents Renee Nelson and Randy Morris joined the meeting to give the department report. Lance Mastre also joined the meeting.
Lance Mastre stopped by Commissioners’ Office briefly to discuss a matter involving work on his waterline on Labrosse Hill Road. Mr. Mastre said he is wanting to work on the waterline, but his neighbors are not happy about his access. The county’s addressing coordinator is to meet with Mr. Mastre at his property tomorrow with a GPS unit in order to point out the right-of-way and he feels it would be beneficial to have another county official there as well to help the neighbors understand what is legal access up to a certain area.
Mr. Mastre left the meeting at 1:33 p.m.
1:35 p.m., Dick Staples with JRS Surveying joined the meeting.
Ms. Nelson commented that Road and Bridge received an invoice from JRS Surveying for the Fitzpatrick pit and it was quite a bit more money than the original quote. The notice to proceed was sent on April 2022, and the original quote had been $5,037.00, but the final invoice lists $6,651.44 as the amount owing. Chairman Bertling said, unfortunately JRS Surveying couldn’t get to the survey work for some time and they probably raised their rates in the meantime. Mr. Staples said his rates did not change and he said the increase is due to extra field survey work. Mr. Staples said he would have to look at the old invoice, but there was a lot of extra work as far as research, the complexity of boundaries, drainage, district boundaries, and additional corners they had to tie, etc. Mr. Staples added that you try your best with an estimate, but they had to send a revised invoice based on what the surveyor encountered. Mr. Staples said this is out of the ordinary, because their estimates are normally high. Ms. Nelson said maybe it is the cost of the T-posts on this final invoice, whereas it was not listed on the first one. Ms. Nelson added that the way the property lines are all staked is beneficial, so she doesn’t have an issue with that part. When the county initially asked for quotes, they had to seek out three surveyors and JRS Surveying was to complete this job within eight weeks, which didn’t happen. Ms. Nelson said Commissioners asked her to be the project manager for this and the county wanted to have the District 15 pit surveyed first, then have the Moyie pit surveyed next, but the Moyie pit was done first. The invoice for the Moyie pit didn’t come for another year and the work on the Fitzpatrick pit is now almost two years later. It’s not really comparing apples and apples for what was done. Ms. Nelson said she does know that JRS Surveying did a lot of staking and those T-posts are good to have in the winter, but she doesn’t know if the county should pay for the additional field work for the surveyor having to work during the winter in the snow, because if the job had been done earlier, they could’ve worked around that. Mr. Staples said Road and Bridge was not charged for all of the field time due to the time line being late. Chairman Bertling said the county could’ve waited for better weather. Commissioner Robertson said he was disappointed and he questioned if the county could meet in the middle as far as costs due to the time line and additional cost. Mr. Staples said he’s absolutely agreeable to that. Commissioners said they didn’t want any hard feelings about this. Mr. Staples said he recognizes the fact that the work was late and that the county has a budget, and he offered to adjust the invoice.
Mr. Staples left the meeting at 1:45 p.m.
Ms. Nelson informed Commissioners that she is still waiting for information for the Local Road Mileage Report. Those present discussed the possibility of a Road and Bridge operator assisting the landfill while they’re short-staffed. Commissioners said the landfill might be okay with their staffing now and may not need the help. Mr. Morris reviewed work listed in the department report that he provided. Those present discussed taking a tour of the Fitzpatrick pit tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. in relation to easements and boundary lines.
The meeting with Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris ended at 2:21 p.m.
There being no further business, the meeting recessed until tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.
***Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Tim Bertling, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Ben Robertson, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
9:00 a.m., Commissioners and Road and Bridge met to tour the site of the Fitzpatrick pit to discuss easement access and property boundaries. Present were: Chairman Tim Bertling, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Ben Robertson, Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendents Renee Nelson and Randy Morris, Road Foreman Brad Barton, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser. The tour ended at 10:00 a.m.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
_____________________________
TIM BERTLING, Chairman
ATTEST:
________________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk