***Monday, January 07, 2019, 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, Blue Sky Broadcasting News Reporter Mike Brown and Commissioner-elect Wally Cossairt were in attendance of the meetings off and on throughout the day.
9:00 a.m., Road and Bridge Department Assistant Superintendent Renee Nelson joined the meeting to give the department report. A written report was provided. Ms. Nelson explained the work Road and Bridge is doing such as the Deep Creek Loop MP 1.1 paving project, Kootenai Trail Project, and working on signs and sanding roads, etc.
The meeting with Ms. Nelson ended at 9:10 a.m.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
Commissioner Kirby moved to approve the minutes of December 17 & 18, 2019. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to grant an extension of time to pay year 2018 taxes for parcel #MH61N02E04391AA and to accept the tax amount due by March 31, 2019. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to grant an extension of time to pay year 2018 taxes for parcel #MH61N02E04391BA and to accept the first half of the tax amount due in February 2019 and to accept the second half of the tax amount due in June 2019. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to cancel taxes in the amount of $33.40, fees in the amount of $90.74 and penalties in the amount of $1.24 for a total of $125.28, plus interest for year 2018 for parcel #MH011000010010A due to error. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to grant an extension of time to pay year 2018 taxes for parcel #MHM0000016765AA and to accept monthly payment amounts of $75.00 until the tax is paid in full. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to adopt Resolution 2019-5. A resolution increasing the Current Expense Fund Commissioners Budget due to receipt of unanticipated grant revenue from a wastewater planning grant for a regional sewer feasibility study. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. Resolution 2019-5 reads as follows:
Resolution 2019–5
INCREASING THE CURRENT EXPENSE FUND COMMISSIONERS BUDGET DUE TO RECEIPT
OF UNANTICIPATED GRANT REVENUE FROM A WASTEWATER PLANNING GRANT
FOR A REGIONAL SEWER FEASIBILITY STUDY
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners, County of Boundary, State of Idaho, did establish an operating budget for the Boundary County Current Expense Fund Commissioners Budget for fiscal year 2018-2019, and
WHEREAS, Boundary County was awarded a Wastewater Planning Grant from the State of Idaho Department of Environmental Quality for a regional sewer feasibility study, and
WHEREAS, $9,444.00 in unanticipated revenue has been received from the State of Idaho, Department of Environmental Quality for that purpose, and
WHEREAS, the Boundary County Current Expense Fund Commissioners Budget is in need of additional revenue for fiscal year 2018-2019 to pay expenses for the regional sewer feasibility study, and
WHEREAS, the addition of this revenue does not affect the tax levy for Boundary County, and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to increase the Boundary County Current Expense Fund Revenue Account Number 0001-00-0391-0004 in the amount of $9,444.00 and the Current Expense Fund Commissioners Budget Expense Account Number 01-05-709-00, Grant Match, in the amount of $9,444.00.
NOW THEREFORE, upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried,
IT IS RESOLVED, that the increase to the Boundary County Current Expense Fund Revenue Account Number 0001-00-0391-0004 and the Current Expense Fund Commissioners Budget Expense Account Number 01-05-709-00, Grant Match, in the amount of $9,444.00 is hereby authorized and ordered, and
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 7th day of January 2019.
COUNTY OF BOUNDARY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
s/_______________________________
Dan R. Dinning, Chairman
s/________________________________
LeAlan L. Pinkerton, Commissioner
s/________________________________
Walt Kirby, Commissioner
ATTEST:
s/________________________________________________
Glenda Poston, Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners
Recorded as instrument #276453
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to adopt Resolution 2019-6. A resolution increasing the Solid Waste budget due to receipt of unanticipated funds. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. Resolution 2019-6 reads as follows:
RESOLUTION 2019-6
INCREASE SOLID WASTE BUDGET DUE TO RECEIPT OF UNANTICIPATED FUNDS
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners, County of Boundary, State of Idaho, did establish an operating budget for the Solid Waste Fund for fiscal year 2018-2019, and
WHEREAS, $56,620.00 has been received from Idaho Counties Risk Management Program (ICRMP), the county’s insurance carrier, as payment for the 1995 CAT 826C Wheel Compactor #87X02921 that was totaled in a fire on August 14, 2018, and
WHEREAS, the Solid Waste Fund for fiscal year 2018-2019 is in need of this additional revenue, and
WHEREAS, the addition of this revenue does not affect the tax levy for Boundary County, and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to increase the Solid Waste Fund Revenue Account Number 23-00-391-004 and the Boundary County Solid Waste Fund Expense Account Number 23-00-804-00, Capital - Equipment, in the amount of $56,620.00, and
NOW THEREFORE, upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried,
IT IS RESOLVED that the increase in the Boundary County Solid Waste Fund Revenue Account Number 23-00-391-004 and the Boundary County Solid Waste Fund Expense Account Number 23-00-804-00, Capital – Equipment, in the amount of $56,620.00 is hereby authorized and ordered, and
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 7th day of January 2019.
COUNTY OF BOUNDARY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
s/______________________________
Dan R. Dinning, Chairman
s/______________________________
LeAlan L. Pinkerton, Commissioner
s_______________________________
Walt Kirby, Commissioner
ATTEST:
s/________________________________________________
Glenda Poston, Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners
Recorded as instrument #276454
Chairman Dinning informed Commissioners that he learned that TechPartner is closing its retail store, but the county’s service provided by the company will continue.
Commissioner Kirby moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Deed for Real Property for property purchased by Don Grove. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
10:00 a.m., Solid Waste Department Foreman Eric Owen joined the meeting to provide a department report.
Mr. Owen said work on the existing compactor is taking place and the hope is to have it back within the month. The landfill is posting notice for a new fulltime position. Chairman Dinning asked Mr. Owen to have Solid Waste Department Superintendent Claine Skeen provide an update on the operational plan for the landfill as well as the ability to use wood chips as landfill cover.
The meeting with Mr. Owen ended at 10:02 a.m.
Chairman Dinning congratulated Commissioner Kirby for 68 years of marriage to his wife, Jane.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
10:30 a.m., Chief Probation Officer Stacy Brown joined the meeting to give the department report.
Ms. Brown said there are two participants in the diversion program with one more pending. There are 24 regular probationers in juvenile probation, three in state commitment and six pending. Ms. Brown said the crimes committed consist of battery, several drug related crimes, etc. There are 36 people on adult probation and 134 people on unsupervised probation. Ms. Brown informed Commissioners that the Probation Office staff will participate in an active shooter tabletop exercise with County Emergency Manager Mike Meier. Ms. Brown mentioned that the Odyssey program for the Probation Office is going well this month and she added that she is wanting to give a thank you to Courthouse Maintenance John Buckley for keeping her office’s driveway clear of snow. Commissioners discussed the plan for the Probation Department such as moving that department back downtown into the building currently occupied by Boundary Ambulance Service, once the ambulance relocates to the armory property.
Chairman Dinning asked Ms. Brown to update them on what organizations she is involved in as it pertains to probation. Ms. Brown said she’s on the Idaho Juvenile Justice Commission, the President of the Idaho Association of Counties Adult Misdemeanor until this next July, she was the Vice President of the Juvenile Justice Administration, and she may also join the Misdemeanor Training Council for Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).
The meeting with Ms. Brown ended at 10:32 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 11:12 a.m. No action was taken.
11:13 a.m., Courthouse Maintenance John Buckley joined the meeting to give the department report.
Commissioners asked Mr. Buckley to check with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) representatives about the county looking into using a stair lift for the Courthouse. One question is if Commissioners upgrade to installing a stair lift, will it kick in more requirements for ADA. Mr. Buckley explained that there are some gray areas concerning ADA ramps when you don’t have enough room.
Mr. Buckley said he’s getting ready for carpeting in some of the third floor offices and working on refinishing doors, etc. The carpet installation will be done on President’s Day. Mr. Buckley said he’s still waiting on parts for the Courthouse boiler, but the boiler did run fine this weekend.
Chairman Dinning informed Mr. Buckley that Commissioners have learned the heat in the Prosecutor’s Office is too hot. Mr. Buckley said the heat is a result of the pipes that run at the ceiling level so it’s not a matter of turning the heat down. Mr. Buckley mentioned having trouble finding a heat valve for the Victims Service Office so the heat is not on, but it’s still hot in there.
The meeting with Mr. Buckley ended at 11:30 a.m.
Boundary Economic Development Council (EDC) Director Dennis Weed joined the meeting to provide Commissioners with an update on EDC projects.
Mr. Weed said Kyle Meschko with Keller Associates is three-quarters done with the letter of intent application for the waste water planning grant for the regional sewer feasibility study. Chairman Dinning said this letter is due by January 11, 2019.
Commissioner Kirby moved to authorize either Chairman Dinning or Commissioner Kirby to sign the letter of intent for the waste water planning grant for the regional sewer feasibility study. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Weed said the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is closed due to the government shut down so Mr. Meschko will not be able to ask DEQ any questions pertaining to the sewer feasibility study. Mr. Weed said he will attend the City of Moyie Springs Council meeting and he mentioned getting a letter regarding their participation in this project. Idaho Forest Group (IFG) has provided a really good support letter and they are extremely supportive of this effort, according to Mr. Weed. Chairman Dinning said as of today, the county needs help recouping its costs associated with this project as the county has expended approximately $60,000. Mr. Weed said IFG will help as it involves their grant writing department as well.
Mr. Weed informed Commissioners that the unemployment rate for Boundary County is down to 3.8% and it’s the lowest he’s seen it going far back. Mr. Weed said a lot of long standing business owners, who have been here for 20 to 30 years, are now selling to the younger generation who can take over the business for the next many years so he is working with banks and Small Business Administrations (SBA) on the transitions and he added that he is working on six of these situations.
Mr. Weed stated that he is looking into fiber and the end game is for everyone to have two choices for internet, such as EL Automation and Intermax or Intermax and Frontier, etc., so at least 90% of county has two choices. Mr. Weed said he is also looking at internet speeds. FatBeam is coming down Deep Creek Loop, out by the golf course and out by town. They will also go out to Mt. Hall and Mr. Weed said he contacted Idaho Forest Group to see if they want service in Moyie Springs. Mr. Weed said he is still waiting to hear from T-Mobile so that way someone can purchase a data package so if the speed continues to increase, someone could go off a cell tower and have a data package.
Mr. Weed spoke of the difficulties in negotiations between property owners and businesses contemplating moving to fill the local vacant buildings.
The meeting with Mr. Weed ended at 11:45 a.m.
Courthouse Maintenance John Buckley returned to the meeting to update Commissioners on matters pertaining to a stair lift. Mr. Buckley said Dana Glover, representing the ADA will get answers to the county’s questions, but the stair lift is not ADA compliant. Mr. Buckley will seek answers from her and Commissioners will need something in writing as to the results.
Mr. Buckley left the meeting at 11:55 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 12:09 p.m. No action was taken.
12:09 p.m., Commissioners recessed for lunch.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton, Commissioner Walt Kirby, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
1:30 p.m., Planning and Zoning Administrator John Moss joined the meeting to discuss Planning and Zoning Office matters with Commissioners.
Mr. Moss said in working a fixed number of hours per week, there are a certain amount of hours associated with Planning and Zoning applications to be processed, permits, etc., and 80% of the workload are those types of applications. Mr. Moss added that he spends 20 to 30 hours of his time preparing for a hearing so if he’s doing that, he’s not working on the applications. If there are multiple hearings coming up, he is not getting those applications done. Mr. Moss said he has 23 applications, some of which have been open since May of 2018, and have been pushed back for one reason or another. Mr. Moss said he has seven hearings that he has processed, four that are on his plate right now and three that have just come through. Mr. Moss said in the documentation he provided Commissioners with that list his concerns, he had trouble trying to quantify that, the percentage of his time based on the time he is working. Mr. Moss said he has been slammed and the answer is not the justification for more hours of work. There is so much work that has to be done, timewise, for a hearing, so it’s like trying to have nine babies in one month. Mr. Moss said he can handle applications for parcel splits, but the hearings have pushed things back. He’s not suggesting that his hours be extended, although more hours are needed in the application area. Mr. Moss said it would be prudent to have someone back him up or work with him so he could get work done in a timely manner and another reason for help is if he were to be gone from his position, Commissioners will have no one to do the work. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners have thought about additional help so it is probably time to work on that and he added that Mr. Moss would know what that help should look like or consist of and he could even train someone. Mr. Moss said he put together a guide of his duties based on input from other county Planning and Zoning Offices, but it now needs to be updated to be brought current. Chairman Dinning reviewed the budget for the Planning and Zoning Office. Chairman Dinning said the issue is that Mr. Moss needs help and he questioned having a part-time employee at 20 hours per week. Commissioner Pinkerton said this person could take over working on approach permits. Commissioners said they agreed.
The meeting with Mr. Moss ended at 1:45 p.m.
1:47 p.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 2:13 p.m. No action was taken.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation Request for Reimbursement/Close-out Report #1 for the Snow Creek Bridge Replacement project. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the Certificate of Residency for Jordan Young and Dylan Roney. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.
___________________________________________
DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
ATTEST:
______________________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk