***Monday, July 19, 2021, 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.
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 provided. Waterways Board Chairman Darron Branson and Board member Frank Crabtree also joined the meeting.
Mr. Branson said he came to talk about the ramp at Solomon Lake. The Forest Service doesn’t plan on removing the boulder that is on the ramp and is blocking the way. Mr. Crabtree said there is also a plugged drainage ditch so water runs toward the boat launch in addition to the rock blocking the ramp. Mr. Branson said it’s a good time to take care of this.
Mr. Branson updated Commissioners on the condition of the dock at Perkins Lake and how the Forest Service was awarded a grant to repair this fishing dock. Mr. Branson said while he was there, he looked at replacing the launch dock and repositioning the ramp, and the Forest Service will pay for that work as well. The Forest Service just needs the Waterways Board to apply for the permit so Mr. Branson is working on that. Commissioners said they didn’t have a problem with that. It was said approximately 10 loads of gravel might be needed to the Solomon Lake boat launch and the ditch needs to be cleaned out and the water rerouted at Solomon Lake. Commissioner Bertling said he did take some pictures of the area and he didn’t think it would take a big excavator to move the rock. Clerk Poston asked if this work would qualify for a grant. Mr. Branson said possibly, but the issue would be the timeline. Chairman Dinning said his thinking is to have this work contracted out as Road and Bridge is busy with other projects. Mr. Branson commented that a fair amount of money is going to be put into the Perkins Lake project. Clerk Poston mentioned concern of losing grant funds if the Waterways Board doesn’t use the money on projects. There are so many projects that could be done with those grant funds. Mr. Crabtree said he would like to see those grant funds go toward a larger project.
Ms. Nelson asked what the difference is between the waterways boat ramps. Chairman Dinning said the county-owned docks are the Copeland, Porthill, Deep Creek and Rocky Point/Waterways docks and all other docks, such as at Perkins Lake, etc., are Forest Service property. Mr. Branson mentioned proceeding with applying for a grant and then look into the help of volunteers or contracting the work out to get it done. It will be a matter of buying the rock and having it hauled to the site, according to Mr. Morris. Chairman Dinning said to go ahead and contract the work.
Mr. Crabtree and Mr. Branson left the meeting at 9:14 a.m.
Ms. Nelson discussed wanting to get some guidelines from Commissioners on approaches. Chairman Dinning spoke of parcels being approved some time ago with no approaches in place, etc. Chairman Dinning said he feels this discussion would be best to have as a workshop with County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull. Ms. Nelson spoke of holding up some approach permits due to questions Road and Bridge has. Field accesses are going to be tough, according to Commissioner Cossairt. Chairman Dinning questioned why the county would need to give an agricultural access. Ms. Nelson replied that in some cases, you might want to ask those property owners to install a culvert so as not to tear up a road, but in some cases, it might actually be a safety issue. Ms. Nelson said some of these circumstances wouldn’t need a variance hearing depending on guidance received.
Ms. Nelson spoke of needing to give an update on Title VI policies at tomorrow’s elected officials/department heads meeting. Ms. Nelson added that she usually sends county departments annual surveys pertaining to limited English proficiencies. Title VI also needs to be updated based on the 2020 census results.
Chairman Dinning asked about the Stage Coach Road partnership with Alta Mill. Ms. Nelson questioned if a memorandum of understanding is needed if the county partners with Alta for their road project. Mr. Morris said with product, filter cloth and gravel, the cost will be most likely close to $10,000 or so. Alta plans on having a paver do the log yard around the first of the month and Mr. Morris further explained the work Alta is having done. Commissioners are in favor of this project.
It was felt the discussion about LaBrosse Hill should involve County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull as well. Ms. Nelson spoke of the possibility of the abandoned portion of the old Labrosse Hill Road coming out at the very end of Woodside Rd, which is a county road. Ms. Nelson described the direction of Woodside Road needing clarification. Chairman Dinning said he doesn’t worry about it since Road and Bridge has been maintaining that area for so long and there should be a 50-foot prescriptive easement. Mr. Morris said that might take care of the LaBrosse Hill issue, too.
Ms. Nelson said across from the landfill is the subdivision with various roads. A few residents are asking Road and Bridge if a 25 mile per hour sign can be put up due to newer residents driving faster in the neighborhood. Chairman Dinning made a comment about needing a speed study done in order to have a new speed be enforceable. Commissioners said it would be fine to put up the 25 mile per hour speed limit signs once Road and Bridge gets approval from County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull.
Ms. Nelson informed Commissioners that Road and Bridge needs to go out for a second heavy equipment operator position. As it pertains to the addressing coordinator position vacancy notice, Ms. Nelson said only two applications have come in and she asked if she should post the notice for a longer time. Commissioners asked about Innovate contacting Road and Bridge last Thursday to begin assisting with addressing and Ms. Nelson said Road and Bridge did not hear from Innovate representatives.
Ms. Nelson mentioned that when assigning a road name, if possible, surnames shouldn’t be used for road names, but it doesn’t state that surnames “shall” not be used. A request for a new road name came in for a particular last name and Ms. Nelson wanted to get Commissioners’ input on that. The ordinance doesn’t say that surnames cannot be used. Chairman Dinning said if the ordinance allows it, then surnames can be used, but you don’t want the same last name being used with Way, Drive, Lane, etc.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the New Private Road Name of Williams Road in Pleasant Valley. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Alta Mill Paving Agreement once it’s been drafted. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting with Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris ended at 9:45 a.m.
9:45 a.m., Commissioners left for the County Annex conference room in order to hold the Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board meeting.
Boundary Ambulance Service Chief Jeff Lindsey joined the meeting.
10:00 a.m., Commissioner Cossairt moved to recess as the Board of Boundary County Commissioners and convene as the Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
*Please see Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board meeting minutes*
10:22 a.m., Commissioner Cossairt moved to adjourn as the Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board and reconvene as the Boundary County Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Certificate of Residency for Lanilyn Hughes. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the revised agreement with Maria’s Cleaning Service for the County Annex. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Hangar-Ground Lease with National Diversified Services/Bruce Redding for Hangar D-9. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the corrected Fixed Base Operator Agreement. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the minutes for the weeks of June 28, 2021 and July 5, 2021. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners recessed for lunch at 11:20 a.m.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
1:30 p.m., Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative (KVRI) Facilitator Rhonda Vogl joined the meeting to update Commissioners on KVRI projects. Ms. Vogl handed out this evening’s KVRI agenda.
Ms. Vogl said Mayor Dick Staples will be this evening’s Co-Chair at the meeting. Ms. Vogl spoke of the Standard Local Operating Procedures for Endangered Species (SLOPES) project that is to be discussed at the meeting and what it involves. Chairman Dinning explained that Boundary County once had high water and for a farmer, if the dike was sloughing, the farmer could not fix it unless it was something he had done before. This matter came up before at the beginning of the habitat project as far as a programmatic assessment for the Kootenai River. The SLOPES document that the Fish and Wildlife Service did addresses the endangered species aspect, but the Army Corps of Engineers had not signed off on that or accepted it. As far as the Fish and Wildlife Service is concerned, you can do what is needed, but the Army Corps of Engineers does not approve so there’s competing agencies. Chairman Dinning said having this discussion is a good thing and we need to get everyone on the same page.
Ms. Vogl said there will be an update on the Westside Restoration project at the KVRI meeting. The Forest Service is also working diligently on the winter travel plan. Ms. Vogl said the KVRI meeting in August will consist of setting up the KVRI booth prior to the fair.
Ms. Vogl said she feels attendance at tonight’s meeting will be low due to vacations and the fire season.
The meeting with Ms. Vogl ended at 1:41 p.m.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
2:00 p.m., Boundary County Emergency Manager Andrew O’Neel joined the meeting.
Commissioners asked about local fires and Mr. O’Neel said the fires that have occurred in the county have been contained and controlled. Chairman Dinning said in the past when we’ve had fires, you couldn’t determine how they would travel and he asked if we have evacuation locations established. Mr. O’Neel said yes, the School District will open their facilities and the fairgrounds will also open up. Chairman Dinning questioned how the county positions itself in the event of an emergency. Mr. O’Neel mentioned working with School Superintendent Jan Bayer. Mr. O’Neel spoke of having a meeting this past Saturday about local resources and the message was to be prepared to be the only people on scene for a while and if a fire breaks out at one end of the county, don’t send all of the fire resources from the opposite end of the county leaving that end unprotected. Each lightning strike has an 80% chance of igniting a fire due to the conditions, according to what Mr. O’Neel has heard.
Mr. O’Neel said he was thinking of having two more telephone lines installed at the Annex for Emergency Operation Center (EOC) purposes as the major purpose of an EOC is gathering information. Mr. O’Neel added that he initially thought it would be good to have a phone line for each branch of an EOC branch, which is four, but if we have two more phone lines, that would provide three. Mr. O’Neel said the cost is $35.56 per month as it costs $426.00 per year for those two phones. The budget for the Emergency Manager has $2,000.00 for utilities per year and his only expense currently is his cell phone at a little more than $600.00 per year. Clerk Poston asked if Mr. O’Neel needs a Mitel phone and Mr. O’Neel said it could be a Mitel or an equivalent. The two additional phones would be kept in Mr. O’Neel’s Office until they’re needed. Commissioners are in favor of that.
Mr. O’Neel mentioned that Idaho Office of Emergency Management Director Brad Richy is coming up on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. to see if Commissioners have any concerns, say hello, and possibly discuss the next Cascadia Rising workshop.
On Thursday, July 29th is the kick-off meeting for the geographic response plan for the river. The tour is from 9 a.m. to noon and participants will meet at the Kootenai River Inn conference room.
Mr. O’Neel spoke of attending an emergency manager workshop in Kootenai County last Friday where he learned more about grants. Last year was the 2020 supplemental grant and this year funds are called the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), which consists of 25% of the usual Emergency Management Program Grant (EMPG) grant amount. Mr. O’Neel said the county usually receives $30,000.00 and it’s a 50% cost share and he was planning on applying for those funds, which can be used for several things. Mr. O’Neel said he hasn’t even received the application yet and he added that he learned the county can use CARES Act funds for the 50% cost share of the EMPG Grant if it had to do with COVID-19. Clerk Poston informed Mr. O’Neel that the county had expended those funds already. Clerk Poston said the CARES Act program closed last December, but ARPA is still open. Mr. O’Neel said he would check with IOEM Local Area Field Officer Jay Baker.
Chairman Dinning asked if there had been daily briefings on the Hall Mountain Fire and Mr. O’Neel said there had been briefings for this fire.
The meeting with Mr. O’Neel ended at 2:19 p.m.
There being no further business, the meeting recessed until tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.
Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met at the Boundary County Annex in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
9:00 a.m., Commissioners held an elected officials/department heads meeting. Present were: Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Clerk Glenda Poston, Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser, Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendents Renee Nelson and Randy Morris, Prosecutor Andrakay Pluid, Sheriff Dave Kramer, Treasurer Sue Larson, University of Idaho Extension Educator Amy Robertson, Chief Probation Officer Stacy Brown, Solid Waste Department Superintendent Claine Skeen, Courthouse Maintenance John Buckley, Noxious Weeds Department Superintendent Dave Wenk, Deputy Clerk/Personnel Director Pam Barton, Veterans Service Officer Ron Self, and Emergency Manager Andrew O’Neel, and Assessor Dave Ryals.
Chairman Dinning commented that one of the Commissioners has received comments from an individual in the community about staff not being very receptive to them and he asked those present to pass onto their employees to be pleasant as the public doesn’t come to the Courthouse for fun situations.
Commissioners mentioned that they would like to have Ms. Barton review one section of the Personnel Policy at each elected officials/department heads meeting. Ms. Barton said this month she’s working on workers compensation and having one physician be the county’s preferred provider for work related injuries. Boundary County Hospital and their clinic has a flow chart for processes and different types of injuries. The county has not signed an agreement for this service yet. Sara Hull, representing the hospital, wants to visit county offices to see what normal office duties entail. Ms. Hull works in Dr. Layeaux’s Office as a nurse practitioner. Tuesday, July 27th is when Ms. Hull will visit offices. Ms. Barton listed the benefits of having a single provider evaluate work related injuries. Clerk Poston spoke of incident ratings and how the county is at 30%, which is not good. When there is an injury, the county needs to get people back to work as soon as possible as it affects the county’s incident rating. Assessor Ryals questioned if there is going to be just one physician for diagnosis and treatment and if it’s possible this physician can refer to another physician. Light duty work is an option after an incident and it’s an industry standard. The county is not the first entity to start this program, but it all started because employees do doctor shop and can get physicians to write them a slip for not working, but then you see the employee out and about. Assessor Ryals asked about fees. Clerk Poston said there aren’t any fees. Ms. Nelson clarified that the employee is probably getting paid by workers compensation. Clerk Poston said the State Insurance Fund encourages employers to sign up for this practice. Ms. Barton reviewed the workers compensation chapter from the Personnel Policy. Commissioners need to revisit the statement pertaining to employees possibly getting paid less for a light duty job compared to their normal duties. Prosecutor Pluid said as for the City of Bonners Ferry, an employee cannot refuse light duty work, otherwise it’s considered a dereliction of duty. Employees on light duty will still accrue vacation and sick leave. Prosecutor Pluid said the county may want to draft a light duty policy as to where an employee could work and what they can do and she added that it might have to be a separate modified duty manual.
Commissioners asked for department updates.
Prosecutor Pluid commented that she wants to revisit the issue of Courthouse security with Commissioners. It’s one thing to make changes to protect her office, but security is an issue that also affects many offices so should she pursue a solution for just her office or do something building-wide so she doesn’t waste the Bonners Ferry Glass owner Vern Wilson’s time. Prosecutor Pluid said if the cost to make modifications to a single office is $15,000.00, would we be farther ahead to stop the issue at the main door of the Courthouse? Commissioner Bertling said the issue is not going to go away so we don’t want to put band aids on the issue and we need to put in security measures at the front of the Courthouse and deal with it that way. Commissioner Bertling said at some point in time we’re going to have to do that. Assessor Ryals said he feels we need to do both, protect the entire building as well as individual offices. Chairman Dinning said let Commissioners talk about it as some members of the public won’t like a metal detector and they’ll will take it personally. Prosecutor Pluid said the Boundary County Courthouse is the exception in this case in that there aren’t security measures in place. It was said that it’s agreed that there needs to be discussion about this, but we can’t afford to sit on it for months and months discussing what we should do. Ms. Brown said metal detectors are used for all probation offices in other counties.
Sheriff Kramer said the Sheriff’s Office has been busy and he explained a recent incident, adding that our area is seeing a lot of drug busts and stolen property. Sheriff Kramer mentioned that retired Kootenai County Sheriff Ben Wolfinger is coming up to do a walk-through of the jail for possible future improvement plans.
Treasurer Larson said it’s been quiet in their office.
Clerk Poston said the final run through on budgets will be done on Monday. Clerk Poston commented on the Know Before program and she asked those present to please do not open any emails that look suspicious. Sheriff Kramer asked to be added to the Know Before program. Clerk Poston suggested Ms. Robertson check with the University of Idaho about signing up for this program as the Extension Office’s computer system is a separate system from the county’s.
Assessor Ryals said values were raised again, but not as much as last year. The assessment drive for this year has been completed. There was just one industrial appeal before the Board of Equalization. Last year the State paid part of the tax bill for residents, but that won’t occur this year. Depending on what rates do, everyone will see an increase, according to Assessor Ryals.
Ms. Robertson said the University of Idaho has 4H Friday Friends positions open, such as an assistant and a coordinator. Fair entry are forms due July 29th. The Extension Office is working on fair related matters. Ms. Robertson listed various day camps and other courses coming up. This year, the fair Family Fun Night will be on Thursday due to there being a concert on Saturday.
Ms. Brown said the Probation Office has been very busy thanks to the hard work of the Sheriff’s Office and Prosecutor’s Office.
Mr. Skeen said Solid Waste is staying busy.
Mr. Buckley said he is very busy. Mr. Buckley informed Commissioners that someone finally got back to him about the sidewalks and the person said he can’t do it this year. Mr. Buckley said he can’t get a response from anyone as all contractors are busy.
Ms. Nelson said Road and Bridge has some positions open, such as two heavy equipment operator positions and an addressing coordinator position. The addressing coordinator is part-time to start with, but it may become a larger position.
Ms. Nelson said, as the county’s Title VI Coordinator she wanted to let everyone know that because the county receives federal funding, it falls under Title VI requirements. Ms. Nelson said she is going to hand out the Limited English Proficiency surveys this year. Ms. Barton added to also provide her with job applications as she needs to input information as to how many people apply for various jobs. Ms. Nelson spoke of updating newer elected officials and department heads on Title VI matters.
Mr. O’Neel said he is going to update the county’s All Hazards Mitigation Plan. This is a plan that looks at all of the risks that we have in the county for damage and harm to residents, such as flood, fire, winter storms, wind storms, etc. Updating the plan will involve various departments providing input and the public will also be engaged. Updating this plan is a long process. We are heavy into fire season and stage 2 restrictions are in place through October 31, 2021, unless rescinded earlier. Our area is expected to have severe weather today and tomorrow with dry lightning and thunder storms. Stage 2 restrictions applies to state and federal lands; not private property or property in city limits. People cannot go off road as well. The County Fire Cooperative and Idaho Department of Lands have a hotline for information on restrictions and that number is 208-843-3473. Ms. Nelson mentioned seeing a reader board stating please check your tow chains in Montana. Mr. O’Neel said he checked into that and the Idaho Transportation Department stated that they can only use their boards for travel information.
Mr. O’Neel provided an update on COVID-19 and said that Boundary County has five COVID-19 cases right now and there is a total of nine new cases for this month. We’re still on track to be the same as last month. The virus is still out there, according to Mr. O’Neel. The only way to tell if the virus is the Delta variant is to take a genetic sequencing test.
Mr. Wenk stated that he has a bio-control workshop at the Extension Office and weevils will be available to the public to put on knapweed to help treat it. Mr. Wenk mentioned that he’s almost done with roadside spraying, and he mentioned having contracted with the City of Bonners Ferry to treat Alderson Lane, Cow Creek, Riverside Road, and Ash Street. Mr. Wenk said he also treated the dike areas for the city. The Idaho Association of Counties Noxious Weed Control summer meeting is this Friday and Saturday.
Mr. Wenk spoke of the new Turkish Thistle and of treating tansy. Mr. Wenk mentioned he is having issues with people filling out the No Spray Weed Agreement in that the applicant is supposed to treat their own weeds and if that has not been done by July 5th, Mr. Wenk said he is than permitted to treat the weeds. Some people are not treating their weeds. Weeds were really bad in the south end of the county this year and the worst areas are where chip sealing and road sweeping has taken place. Mr. Wenk said the inventory check for his department has been completed.
Mr. Wenk said if his office and the Extension Office relocate, will he still be connected to the county server as he does use the ARC GIS program quite a bit and he has his email connected.
Mr. Self said everything is fine for the Veterans Service Office and he is seeing new people. Mr. Self said he’s seeing a lot of transient veterans here until the Canadian border opens.
Chairman Dinning said when department heads take time off or are planning to take time off, they need to send Commissioners’ an email listing the dates they will be gone and to let Ms. Barton know as well.
Chairman Dinning informed those present that Commissioners have nothing to do with the Three Mile coffee shop that people are talking about going in near Three Mile.
The elected officials/department heads meeting ended at 10:02 a.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to adopt Resolution 2021-21. A resolution establishing the Boundary County Floodplain Development permit and fee. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously. Resolution 2021-21 as follows:
RESOLUTION 2021-21
A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE BOUNDARY COUNTY FLOODPLAIN DEVELOPMENT PERMIT FEE THROUGH BOUNDARY COUNTY PLANNING AND ZONING
WHEREAS, Boundary County has not established a fee for development within a floodplain, and
WHEREAS, Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance 9B18OFV1, Section 4.1, requires the filing of a floodplain development permit prior to construction or development within the mapped floodplain; and
WHEREAS, the public desires to develop these floodplain areas, and the members of the Board of Commissioners of the County of Boundary, Idaho, needed to establish a fee to cover the costs of administering land use applications, and
WHEREAS, the fee for the floodplain development permit was set at $100.00, plus the actual cost of engineering and professional services if the initial fee is expended.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the members of the Board of Commissioners of the County of Boundary, Idaho, that the following floodplain development permit fee is hereby adopted with an effective date of July 20, 2021.
BOUNDARY COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
s/___________________________
DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
s/___________________________
WALLY COSSAIRT, Commissioner
s/___________________________
TIM BERTLING, Commissioner
ATTEST:
s/_________________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
Recorded as instrument #288107
Commissioners recessed for the morning session at 10:17 a.m.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session at the County Annex conference room with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser. Commissioner Tim Bertling was out of the office tending to other matters.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners held the continuation of the public hearing to consider Planning and Zoning Applications #20-072 and #21-033 for a Comprehensive Plan and Zone Map Amendment filed by LMJPNP LLC. Present were: Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser. The hearing was recorded.
Chairman Dinning stated that Commissioners are meeting to continue this public hearing to consider Planning and Zoning Applications #20-072 and #21-033 for a Comprehensive Plan and Zone Map Amendment filed by LMJPNP LLC., as the county is still waiting for information from the Federal Aviation Administration. The hearing is being continued to Tuesday, August 10, 2021, at 1:30 p.m. and it’s to be held in the County Annex conference room.
The hearing ended at 1:32 p.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Certificate of Residency for Alex Stella. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:45 p.m.
______________________________________
DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
ATTEST:
_____________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk