***Monday, July 22, 2019, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.

Blue Sky Broadcasting News Reporter Mike Brown and county resident Marty Martinez were in attendance of the meetings off and on throughout the day.

9:00 a.m., Road and Bridge Department Assistant Superintendent Renee Nelson and Foreman Randy Morris joined the meeting to give the department report. A written report was provided.

Ms. Nelson informed Commissioners that there are a few Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) projects that she is waiting to receive reimbursement for and she has been told the reimbursements are in process. These are Idaho Office of Emergency Management (IOEM) programs so that is who has oversight. Ms. Nelson said there is approximately $42,000 in reimbursement for two different projects and more remaining that total approximately $200,000 for the Kootenai Trail project. Ms. Nelson said she would forward this information to Chairman Dinning and she added that she had sent the requests for reimbursement back in March.

Mr. Morris provided a list information pertaining to roads needing chipseal and hot mix. Mr. Morris said the material may go farther, but it depends on how thick the layer is. It was said there is $150,000 in the road oil budget and approximately $105,000 is needed for the Meadow Creek/Moyie River Road so the county will be reimbursed for that amount. Mr. Morris mentioned that David Thompson Road has never been chipsealed and he relayed the amount it would cost. Mr. Morris said on the list are the roads that need chipsealed and it won’t take too much to get them ready. It was said that Frontier Village Road has not been chipsealed since it was first been paved. The total cost to chipseal the list of roads comes to approximately $227,550.

Commissioners said they had no issues with the list provided.

Chairman Dinning asked if Chute Canyon and Sweetwater Roads will fall apart if they don’t get included in the list for chipsealing and Mr. Morris said, yes. Ms. Nelson requested that Commissioners ask County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull about the status of a right-of-way letter pertaining to the Riverside Road Improvement project. Ms. Nelson mentioned chipsealing a portion of Madson Road in relation to the Kootenai Trail Road/Atkins Canyon project and she said that portion of the project may need to be extended year 2020. Chairman Dinning said the county needs to send an agreement to the Madsons stating there is an extension so they agree as well.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Independent Contractor Agreement with Wink Inc. for the Tobe Way/Plato Drive project. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

The meeting with Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris ended at 9:26 a.m.

Chairman Dinning said Maria’s Cleaning Service provided a quote to clean a portion of the Sheriff’s Office so Commissioners will forward the quote to Sheriff Dave Kramer.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to adopt Resolution 2019-16. A resolution authorizing the sale of surplus county property at public auction. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. Resolution 2019-16 reads as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 2019-16
A Resolution Authorizing the Sale of Surplus County Property at Public Auction

WHEREAS, Boundary County owns surplus personal property, which is not being used by the County and for which the County is presently obliged to provide storage space, and which the various department heads and the Board of Boundary County Commissioners have determined is not necessary for the County’s use; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Boundary County Commissioners are authorized under Idaho Code Section 31-808 to sell or offer for sale at public auction, after not less than ten days’ previous notice given by publication in a newspaper of the county, any property, real or personal, belonging to the County but not necessary for its use; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Boundary County Commissioners believes it is in the best interest of the County that the surplus property described as in “Attachment A” be sold and therefore desire to sell the property so described at public auction as provided in Idaho Code Section 31-808.

NOW, THEREFORE, upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, it is

RESOLVED that, after publication of notice in the Bonners Ferry Herald in the manner and for the time required by Idaho Code, the personal property of Boundary County described as in “Attachment A” be offered for sale at public auction at 10:00 a.m., on Tuesday, August 6, 2019, at the location of the former National Guard Armory located at 6566 Main Street, Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

DATED this 22nd day of July, 2019.
COUNTY OF BOUNDARY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
s/________________________
Dan R. Dinning, Chairman
s/________________________
Wally Cossairt, Commissioner
s/________________________
Walt Kirby, Commissioner
ATTEST:
Glenda Poston
Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners
s/_____________________________________
Recorded as instrument #278549
“ATTACHMENT A”

AUGUST 6, 2019 AUCTION
COUNTY SURPLUS PERSONAL PROPERTY AUCTION ITEMS

Printers
Desks
Chairs
Cabinets
Shredder
Rugs
Army Surplus items
Cookware
Washers & Dryers
Love Seat
Shelves
Military Trailers
Motorcycle
BBQ
Porch Swing

Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Certificate of Residency for Matthew Myers. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the In-Kind letter for Boundary County Victim’s Services. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Chairman Dinning said last week Commissioners received information on a special event permit submitted for the Carry the Fallen event as well as a request to waive the special event permit fee of $90.00.

Commissioner Kirby moved to waive the Planning and Zoning special event permit fee of $90.00 for the Carry the Fallen event to be held on September 21, 2019. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.

9:55 a.m., Public Defense Commission Regional Coordinator Aaron Freudenthal joined the meeting.

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 Cossairt second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Kirby “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 10:30 a.m. No action was taken.

Mr. Freudenthal briefly explained topics discussed at the most recent Public Defense Commission meeting to include funding, difficulties in obtaining available attorneys, etc.

The meeting with Mr. Freudenthal ended at 10:40 a.m.

10:43 a.m., County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull joined the meeting.

Chairman Dinning asked Attorney Hull for clarification on the requirement of having a public meeting or public hearing as it pertains to ownership and use of a gravel pit. Attorney Hull said it just needs to be a public meeting.

Attorney Hull said he will have the letter for the Road and Bridge Department regarding the right-of-way for the Riverside Road Improvement Project ready tomorrow. Chairman Dinning mentioned that Solid Waste Department Superintendent Claine Skeen asked about grinding wood. Attorney Hull said if the cost is below $50,000, the county doesn’t need to go out to bid.

Attorney Hull left the meeting at 10:48 a.m.

Commissioners tended to administrative duties.

Donna Jo Dirks joined the meeting at 10:50 a.m.

10:58 a.m., Assistant Restorium Administrator Diana Lane and Activities Director Sheila Benson joined the meeting to discuss Restorium matters.

Ms. Lane informed Commissioners that the pressure relieve valve for the boiler is not leaking at this time, but it will eventually need to be replaced. The pipe is the entire line and it’s outdated, but is holding its own. Ms. Lane presented Commissioners with the agenda for the upcoming Restorium Board meeting for review. Those present discussed reasons for various agenda items.

Commissioners reviewed a list of potential resident accounts to write off. Clerk Poston questioned if Attorney Hull needs to pursue any of these accounts.

11:06 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 Cossairt second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Kirby “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 11:30 a.m. No action was taken.

Ms. Lane and Ms. Benson left the meeting.

11:30 a.m., Treasurer Sue Larson joined the meeting to review her report of county accounts with Commissioners. Information on the report is as of June 30, 2019.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to accept the report of Boundary County Accounts as of June 30, 2019. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Treasurer Larson left at 11:38 a.m.

11:38 a.m., Chief Deputy Clerk Tracie Isaac joined the meeting.

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 Cossairt second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Kirby “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 11:55 a.m. No action was taken.

Chief Deputy Clerk Isaac left the meeting.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 12:00 p.m.

***Tuesday, July 23, 2019, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Certificate of Residency for Trevor Pew. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

9:00 a.m., Commissioners held an elected officials/department heads meeting. Present were: Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser, Solid Waste Department Superintendent Claine Skeen, Treasurer Sue Larson, Courthouse Maintenance John Buckley, Extension Office Educator Amy Robertson, County Noxious Weeds Department Superintendent Dave Wenk, Veterans Service Officer Ron Self, Assessor Dave Ryals, Road and Bridge Department Assistant Superintendent Renee Nelson, Road and Bridge Department Foreman Randy Morris, Chief Deputy Clerk Tracie Isaac, Planning and Zoning Administrator John Moss, and Assistant Restorium Administrator Diana Lane.

Chairman Dinning asked those present not to spend their remaining budgets just for the sake of spending it. The per diem rates have increased and this increase will be effective August 1, 2019. The new rates are now $17.00 for breakfast, $17.00 for lunch and $30.00 for dinner.

Chairman Dinning said Commissioners are going to start reviewing sections of the County’s personnel policy. Chief Deputy Clerk Isaac handed out the section of the personnel policy pertaining to workplace discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and procedures and she reviewed the policy and procedures and explained what the definition of the term designated official is. Department heads and elected officials are responsible to train their employees on this policy and the employees are responsible to know and follow this policy. Definitions of various types of harassment are listed, but it’s not a complete list and the complaint procedures are listed, according to Chief Deputy Clerk Isaac. Chief Deputy Clerk Isaac stated that Jim McNall with Idaho Counties Risk Management Program can also provide training on this subject.

Chairman Dinning commented that Commissioners will go over parts of the policy.

Chief Deputy Clerk Isaac said Alicia Rae with the State Insurance Fund will meet with county elected officials and department heads at the armory on August 1st at 9:00 a.m. to provide training on what workers compensation is, how it works, the cost of claims, return to work, light duty, etc.

Commissioners went around the room for department updates.

Ms. Robertson said summer camps have been very successful this year and she listed the various camps. The fair is coming up soon and 4H and Future Farmers of America (FFA) forms are due in to the Extension Office by August 1st. Ms. Robertson commented that there will be courses on water baths and canning in September.

Mr. Buckley informed those present that the county’s surplus property auction will take place on Wednesday, August 7th starting at 10:00 a.m., and it will be held at the armory. Mr. Buckley said otherwise he has been busy.

Mr. Skeen said he’s been busy.

Assessor Ryals said his office has finished the valuation program for the year and there were no valuation appeals. The appraisers are starting their physical appraisals for the next year’s values.

Mr. Wenk said roadside spraying is done and he will take care of some work for the city next week. Mr. Wenk spoke of attending a bio-workshop for knapweed soon.

Mr. Self said the Veterans’ Service Office is going fine. Mr. Self explained that he will miss next month’s elected officials/department heads meeting as he will be in Boise attending a conference regarding veteran services.

Ms. Lane said the Restorium is good.

Mr. Moss also said Planning and Zoning is going well.

Prosecutor’s Office Manager Tammi Goggia joined the meeting at 9:18 a.m.

Mr. Morris and Ms. Nelson said they have a meeting tonight to review the road closure options for the Riverside Road Improvement Project. It was said the grinder will soon be up to work on Moyie River Road.

Ms. Goggia said it’s business as usual for the Prosecutor’s Office.

Clerk Poston spoke of working on the budget and carry forward and she added that she is fairly certain that she has met with all departments so if anyone has questions about the budget, to please bring them to her today.

Chairman Dinning said there has been talk from the Idaho Association of Commissioners and Clerks to go back to indexing the homeowner’s exemption. Indexing was stopped in year 2016, but now there is movement to starting doing this again.

The elected officials/department heads meeting ended at 9:20 a.m.

9:21 a.m., Assistant Restorium Administrator Diana Lane, Road and Bridge Department Assistant Superintendent Renee Nelson, Road and Bridge Department Foreman Randy Morris, University of Idaho Extension Educator Amy Robertson, Courthouse Maintenance John Buckley, Noxious Weeds Department Superintendent Dave Wenk, Solid Waste Department Claine Skeen, Planning and Zoning Administrator John Moss, and Chief Deputy Clerk Tracie Isaac remained after the elected officials/department heads meeting at Commissioners’ request to discuss the process of reviewing the proposed personnel policy changes.

Chief Deputy Clerk Isaac provided those present with a draft version of the updated personnel policy. It was explained that one change in the policy is that employees will be “at will” and Chairman Dinning said this change was suggested by ICRMP. This change does not mean that an employee cannot be worked with to improve a situation, according to Chairman Dinning. An employee won’t necessarily be terminated for a violation, but it can happen. Clerk Poston said the at will policy has been a trigger and caused some panic, but Boundary County is not the first and only county that is moving toward at will or is already at will.

Chairman Dinning listed other changes to the policy in that bereavement leave will be taken for a consecutive period of time instead of taking a day here and there, the limit for compensatory time will be no more 24 hours on the books. Commissioners clarified that overtime would need to be used first until that budget has run out before switching to compensatory time. Terminology has changed as it pertains to providing medical insurance as at one point in the future the county may not be able to pay 100% of an employee’s coverage.

Chairman Dinning asked those present to email any comments or suggestions they have to Chief Deputy Clerk Isaac by August 1, 2019. Commissioners said they will also look at the county’s travel policy. If an employee’s normal shift starts at 7:00 a.m. and if you leave to attend a workshop that starts at 7:00 a.m., the policy might be changed as it pertains to having to leave by one hour before that employee’s normal work time.

The meeting to discuss proposed personnel policy changes ended at 9:45 a.m.

Assistant Restorium Administrator Diana Lane remained after the meeting.

9:45 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 Cossairt second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Kirby “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 9:50 a.m. No action was taken.

Ms. Lane left the meeting.

10:00 a.m., County Noxious Weeds Department Superintendent Dave Wenk joined the meeting to give the department report. Chairman Dinning said he tried to clear up any confusion about carry forward. Any unused funds get carried forward into the next budget year. Chairman Dinning explained that if $100,000 is needed for the budget and at the end of the year there is $20,000 left, then the county levies $80,000. If $30,000 is left at the end of the year, then $70,000 is what is levied. Funds can also be designated for something, such as a building, so if the goal is to designate $10,000 out of the remaining $20,000 or $30,000, then there is $10,000 less from the total carry forward.

Clerk Poston said we have the Weeds Department with a levy limit of .0006%, which is approximately $600,000, and the county could levy that amount, but then no other department would get any funding. For the next year with working toward building a structure to house the weed vehicle and chemicals, even though budgets have not been approved yet, there is $35,000 in the budget to accrue toward a building and it might take three years. Mr. Wenk will have to list an amount in his budget for that. Mr. Wenk mentioned the capital outlay budget and he asked if any funds had been taken from that budget. Clerk Poston said no, but you still have to make the request for what is wanted. For the Weeds Department budget, $118,342 is what the county will levy to the taxpayer. Clerk Poston said there is sharing of sales tax, personal property and ag replacement so those are funds that go into the Weeds Department budget along with fees raised from weed spraying, etc. Chairman Dinning said those fees are additional revenue for the Weeds Department budget. The fees raised as a result of Mr. Wenk working to spray weeds for the City of Bonners Ferry will also go into his budget as revenue. It was said this year is the lowest levy year at $71,500 and next year will be a high year. Chairman Dinning provided an explanation that the entire county is a whole pie and that pie can only legally increase by 3% in one year from the prior year. That figure across the whole county, is approximately $180,000 to $200,000 so that is all the county can raise all the budgets by. So if one department wants all of that amount, it is all the county can levy. There is not an unlimited ticket. Chairman Dinning said using the Justice Fund as an example as that is the tightest budget, the county takes sales tax, revenue sharing and all other forms of funding and shifts budgets so the Justice Fund doesn’t bump up against that limit.

Chairman Dinning asked Mr. Wenk about the ability to park the Weeds Department truck at Road and Bridge. Mr. Wenk said there is really no room. Mr. Wenk said he will need to park his vehicle inside again starting sometime in the fall and he can use the armory once the Sheriff’s Office snow cat is moved out. Mr. Wenk said there are still weeds that he can spray later in the year, but he needs a place to park the vehicle and he would need a heated space for the herbicides as they cannot freeze.

Mr. Wenk informed Commissioners that he is going to attend a bio-workshop coming up and he will also be working to treat weeds with other agencies at the Ball Creek Ranch area. The County Noxious Weeds Department will share a booth with the Boundary Soil Conservation District at this year’s fair and Mr. Wenk has put together a video on a loop. Mr. Wenk said he would appreciate Chairman Dinning attending the County Noxious Weeds Department Board meeting tomorrow at 8:00 a.m., to explain the budget to the Weeds Board.

Mr. Wenk informed Commissioners the Idaho State Department of Agriculture invasive species roving boat crew is in the area and the only issue raised has been Robinson Lake.

The meeting with Mr. Wenk ended at 10:20 a.m.

10:20 a.m., Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee and Chief Deputy Clerk Tracie Isaac joined the meeting.

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 Cossairt second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Kirby “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 10:44 a.m. No action was taken.

Ms. Magee and Chief Deputy Clerk Isaac left the meeting.

10:44 a.m., Commissioners and Clerk Poston held a budget workshop for the fiscal year 2019-2020 budget.

The workshop ended at 11:26 a.m.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Certificate of Residency for Bethany Cordle. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioners recessed for lunch at 11:30 a.m.

1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.

Boundary Ambulance Service Chief Jeff Lindsey, Boundary Ambulance Service Board Chairperson Nancy Russell and Boundary Ambulance Board members Michelle Becker and Blair Willis joined the meeting.

Blue Sky Broadcasting News Reporter Mike Brown also joined the meeting.

Chairman Dinning informed those present that Cory Trapp with Longwell + Trapp Architects is working on getting a plan and figures to Commissioners for the construction of an ambulance building.

1:30 p.m., Commissioner Kirby moved to recess as the Boundary County Board of Commissioners and to convene as the Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.

*Please see Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board meeting minutes*

2:17 p.m., Commissioner Kirby moved to adjourn as the Boundary County Ambulance District Governing Board and to reconvene as the Boundary County Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.

Chief Lindsey, Ms. Russell, Ms. Willis and Ms. Becker left the meeting.

2:24 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 Cossairt second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Kirby “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 2:48 p.m. No action was taken.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:10 p.m.

______________________________________
DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
ATTEST:

_____________________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk