***Monday, January 29, 2018, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton, Commissioner Walt Kirby, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
County resident Marty Martinez and Blue Sky Broadcasting News 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 and Assistant Superintendent Renee Nelson joined the meeting to give the departmental report. Mr. Kimball presented a written report.
Mr. Kimball informed Commissioners that Road and Bridge got brushing done along Pine Island Road and is otherwise continuing on with work. Road and Bridge has worked to cut down some trees and as a result will have some clean up to do. The snow plow turn-a-arounds on Pheasant Run and Forest Service Land off Giles Connection will be cleaned up as well.
Mr. Kimball asked Commissioners about ways to reduce overtime hours as they are not cut and dried situations. Mr. Kimball mentioned that he doesn’t see any immediate changes he can implement for the rest of this winter in terms of trying to determine a night shift and keeping overtime down, and he commented about the possibility of funding overtime using the budget for chip sealing and dust abatement.
Mr. Kimball mentioned that he is looking into implementing the cost for use plan as it pertains to a second grader that has a term coming due and he discussed keeping the equipment he has right now. Chairman Dinning questioned if the county should purchase a new grader if Secure Rural Schools funding ever comes back. Mr. Kimball said we don’t want to give up the privilege of having our own grader as opposed to hiring someone on a contract.
The topic of payroll obligations was discussed. Mr. Kimball said he just wants to make sure he has funds for payroll and temporary help that could come from another fund. Chairman Dinning said his thinking is, if it works, this temporary help could fill in. Mr. Kimball said he cannot get by without help during the winter time. Mr. Kimball spoke of roadside mowing and tree trimming to be done in the summer and having the proper equipment for that overhead work.
Those present briefly discussed House Bill 312. Ms. Nelson said HB312 passed and should take effect July of this year and the county can estimate receiving approximately 10% of what had been received, which was $385,000.
Mr. Kimball said he contacted the county’s civil council about refinancing lease/purchase equipment. Chairman Dinning said in the past the county would have approached several institutions to see which one had the best option.
Chairman Dining spoke of needing to have a plan in place should the hillside along Highway 95 slide again.
Mr. Kimball questioned reviewing Resolution 99-7 as it pertains to when to plow snow, etc., such as plowing when the snow gets to a certain depth.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to ratify the signing of the amended State Disaster Cost Claim, ERF128 for Cow Creek Road/Keller Canyon for an amended amount of $7,745.23. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Kimball requested the discussion for the State/Local Agreement for the Deep Creek Loop (MP 1.1) be postponed until his February 12th department report with Commissioners.
Those present discussed plowing the parking lot at the fairgrounds. Mr. Kimball said he has always been notified by the Fair Board Secretary that the parking lot needs plowed when an event is coming up at the fairgrounds. Ms. Nelson said she would contact new Fair Board Secretary Paula Burt about notifying Road and Bridge when the parking lot needs to be plowed.
Mr. Kimball said the matter involving Atkins Canyon is still ongoing.
The meeting with Mr. Kimball and Ms. Nelson ended at 9:30 a.m.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to amend the minutes of December 25 & 26, 2018, to reflect that Monday was December 25, 2017 rather than Tuesday being listed as December 25, 2017. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Kirby moved to approve the minutes of January 22 & 23, 2018. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign Certificates of Residency for Connor Claphan and Victoria Rae. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to authorize Chairman Dinning sign the engagement letter with Norton Rose Fulbright as it pertains to representing Boundary County in connection with a potential data security incident. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Dinning updated Commissioners on a meeting he attended with representatives from the Idaho Department of Lands, Inland Forest Management and Panhandle Area Council pertaining to the Fire Safe Program, process of project completion and submitting invoices and payment. The payment process to vendors has been delayed in the past so the meeting was to find ways to speed up the process.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to authorize the Chairman to sign requests for reimbursements associated with the Fire Safe Program, even in the event the documents do not arrive in time to be placed on the agenda. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner PInkerton moved to sign the letter of support for the Boundary County Victim Services’ efforts in obtaining a federal grant to continue their operation. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals joined the meeting at 9:48 a.m.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to deny indigent case 2018-8. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Deputy Clerk Ryals left the meeting.
9:55 a.m., Solid Waste Department Superintendent Claine Skeen and Assistant Superintendent Eric Owen joined the meeting to give the departmental report.
Chairman Dinning said Commissioners had asked Mr. Skeen to look over landfill operations to see where savings can be had, to include the discussion about closing solid waste sites one additional day to save on costs. If the site at the junction of Highway 95 and Highway 1, Paradise Valley and the landfill were closed on Sundays and Mondays, it would save on electricity and fuel. If the Naples site was closed, it would provide a savings of approximately $1,500 in fuel, $1,000 in electricity and $36,000 for the two part-time positions per year. Chairman Dinning questioned if the county pays the State of Idaho to lease the Naples monitored dumpster site. Commissioners said they would review the information that Mr. Skeen had provided them. It was said that staying closed on Sundays and Mondays would be a total savings of approximately $60,000. Chairman Dinning wondered how this may impact the private hauler.
Chairman Dinning said he spoke to someone about wood piles and this person, who operates under the Department of Environmental Quality, grinds the excess wood he cannot use and uses the material to create berms. The ground up wood is packed and covered multiple times and it is not used for daily cover. It was said the cost associated with trucking wood that is ground up is unknown. Chairman Dinning said it was just a thought, and Mr. Skeen said he would like to talk more about that. Mr. Skeen said he will talk to Erik Ketner of the Panhandle Health District about the landfill operating plan today.
10:13 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 10:20 a.m. No action was taken.
The meeting with Mr. Skeen and Mr. Owen ended at 10:20 a.m.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the Public Defender Contract with Bruce Greene pending one change to Section 7 regarding scheduling conflicts. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the Certificate of Residency for Connor Black. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Agreement with the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation for the Boat Safety Grant. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the Findings and Decision for Planning and Zoning Application #18-029, a zone amendment requested by C. Timmons, upon review of the county civil attorney. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
10:35 a.m., Chief Deputy Clerk Tracie Isaac joined the meeting at Commissioners’ request.
Commissioners asked Chief Deputy Clerk Isaac about matters pertaining to employees’ use of compensatory time and vacation time and which category to utilize first.
Chief Deputy Clerk Isaac left the meeting at 10:50 a.m.
11:00 a.m., Commissioners considered a hardship exemption application filed by Applicant Helen Dennison for parcels #MH61N01E12470AA and #RP61N01E124700A. Present were: Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser, Treasurer Sue Larson, and county resident Marty Martinez. The proceedings were recorded.
Chairman Dinning administered the oath to Ms. Dennison. Chairman Dinning said the application shows that Ms. Dennison’s son lives with her and Ms. Dennison explained her son’s health situation, which prohibits him from helping her out financially. The property taxes in questions pertain to a one acre piece of land and a mobile home. Commissioners reviewed Ms. Dennison’s work history as well as income and expenses as listed on the application. Ms. Dennison said she is working on obtaining energy assistance and she added that she had been making payments of $50 per month to work toward paying the Cabinet Mountain charges of approximately $3,000 in full.
Commissioners had no questions.
Ms. Dennison informed Commissioners that she volunteers at Hope House. Chairman Dinning mentioned to Ms. Dennison that she may want to look into social security/disability benefits for her son.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to grant a hardship and to cancel year 2014 taxes on parcel RP61N01E124700A in the amount of $3,283.64 and year 2017 taxes totaling $172.16 for parcel MH61N01E12470AA. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting to consider the hardship exemption application for Helen Dennison ended at 11:10 a.m.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the Property Tax Cancellation form and to cancel year 2017 taxes, specials and penalties totaling $172.16 plus interest for parcel #MH61N01E12170AA due to hardship. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the Property Tax Cancellation form and to cancel year 2014 taxes, specials, penalties, and tax deeding fees totaling $3,283.64 plus interest for parcel #RP61N01E124700A due to hardship. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Clerk Glenda Poston joined the meeting at 11:20 a.m., and Commissioners brought her up to speed on Mr. Skeen’s proposal pertaining to his budget.
11:32 a.m., Courthouse Security/Bailiff Ben Reinhardt joined the meeting at Commissioners’ request.
Chairman Dinning informed Mr. Reinhardt that the panic buttons in the Courthouse need to be checked on a monthly basis and he added that if there was ever an event and something bad happened as a result of non-functioning panic buttons, he would have a hard time accepting that. Mr. Reinhardt said the buttons were checked last week as well as this morning and they are all functioning. Commissioner Pinkerton suggested keeping a written record so he can track the testing process. Mr. Reinhardt explained this is a system that is no longer being made. It was stated that a button needs to be installed in the new Public Defender Office and Mr. Reinhardt will let the public defenders know when one is installed.
Chairman Dinning asked the status of the Courthouse evacuation plan. Mr. Reinhardt said he is working on that. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners will want to see the final plan.
Chairman Dinning informed Mr. Reinhardt that not all people assigned for jury duty are aware of how the process works and he asked Mr. Reinhardt to help people out by informing them of options that are available to them. Chairman Dinning said Mr. Reinhardt is the face for Boundary County in these cases so we need to remember to treat these people with respect.
Mr. Reinhardt said he has questions pertaining to authority and procedures as it pertains to the emergency evacuation plan. Chairman Dinning said any elected official or department head has the authority, in his mind, to call for an evacuation and contact the Sheriff’s Office.
The meeting with Mr. Reinhardt ended at 11:43 a.m.
Commissioners recessed for lunch at noon.
2:00 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.
2:00 p.m., Commissioners participated in a conference call to discuss project scoping for the regional sewer feasibility study. Conference call participants included: Chairman Dinning, Commissioner Pinkerton, Commissioner Kirby, Clerk Poston, Kyle Meschko with Keller Associates Engineering Firm, Boundary Economic Development Director Dennis Weed, City of Moyie Springs Administrator John Nelson and SMK Communications Subconsultant Susan Kiebert.
Points reviewed were as follows: project management, data collection, public involvement/steering committee, planning criteria, existing conditions, evaluation of disposal/treatment/collection solutions, capital improvement plan, plan documentation, and project implementation and funding support, administrative reserve; and options tasks to include analysis of management/ownership structure and cost allocation for improvements per agency.
The call ended at 2:54 p.m.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:54 p.m.
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DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
ATTEST:
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GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk