***Monday, June 3, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Tim Bertling, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Ben Robertson, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
Commissioners said the Pledge of Allegiance.
9:00 a.m., Courthouse Maintenance Squire Fields and Assistant Mike Kralik joined the meeting to give the department report. Mr. Fields provided an update on Parks and Recreation, Memorial Hall, and the remodel project for the Assessor’s Office.
Clerk Poston left the meeting.
9:08 a.m., Assessor Olivia Drake joined the meeting.
Mr. Kralik continued with the discussion about the Assessor’s Office remodel and Mr. Fields updated Assessor Drake on the remodel project. Those present discussed moisture issues in the Courthouse lawn on one side of the building, as well as in parts of the Courthouse and the preferred method to proceed to remedy the situation.
The meeting ended at 9:28 am.
9:30 a.m., County Civil Attorney Bill Wilson joined the meeting. Attorney Wilson updated Commissioners on various matters he’s working on for the airport and updating an ordinance regarding gas motors on Robinson Lake. Commissioners updated Attorney Wilson on the proposed memorandum of understanding with the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho for the composting project, and people camping at boat launches.
10:00 a.m., Solid Waste Department Superintendent Richard Jenkins joined the meeting to give a department report. Those present reviewed information on the draft memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Kootenai Tribe for the food waste composting program and wanting to have a feasibility study prior to signing an MOU. The County will have the burden as the grant doesn’t fully fund the program, according to Chairman Bertling. Mr. Jenkins spoke of a timeline proposed for funding. Those present discussed the limited timeline for the landfill being 10 years in relation to starting this program at the landfill location. There will be issues with educating the public and asking them to save their food waste for composting in addition to recycling. Commissioner Robertson said he would love to see this program work and Commissioners like the idea, but he doesn’t know if it will work. Commissioners can’t drag their feet in deciding, because it will affect the Tribe’s project. Mr. Jenkins said the next 10 years are going to be time consuming for the landfill, with the air incinerator permitting process, educating the public for recycling, and he spoke of personnel that would need to increase with monitoring wood waste.
Attorney Wilson left the meeting at 10:27 a.m.
Mr. Jenkins reviewed his department report with Commissioners to include: vacant monitored site positions, meeting on the air burner, Frederickson’s use of the landfill for disposal when the landfill is closed and resulting issues. Those present reviewed the updated Compliance Agreement Schedule and discussed the time line for the permitting process for the air curtain being 8 to 10 months.
The meeting with Mr. Jenkins ended at 10:55 a.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the meeting minutes for May 20 & 21, 2024. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Certificate of Residency for Heather Kunsky. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to adopt Resolution 2024-33. A resolution regarding the sale of county tax deed property. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously. Resolution 2024-33 reads as follows:
RESOLUTION 2024-33
SALE OF COUNTY TAX DEED PROPERTY
WHEREAS, at the Boundary County Courthouse, Bonners Ferry, Idaho, in the Commissioners' Chambers at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Boundary County Commissioners in open meeting, by unanimous vote, and in compliance with the law, said Board did tax deed real property as listed in “EXHIBIT A”, and
WHEREAS, the Board of Boundary County Commissioners has determined that the same should, pursuant to Idaho Code 31-808, be sold at public auction, and
WHEREAS, the public notice to sell said property was advertised by ten days' notice given in publication in one issue of the Bonners Ferry Herald weekly newspaper published in Boundary County, affidavit of said publication is on file with the Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners of Boundary County, and
WHEREAS, the public auction was held on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, as advertised and the highest bidder was established, and
WHEREAS, the bid price was received by the County Treasurer and held pending this resolution to accept said bid; and
NOW THEREFORE, Boundary County does accept the following bids and authorize the Chairman of the Board of Boundary County Commissioners and the Boundary County Clerk to convey titles of said property to the highest bidder as attached hereto as "Exhibit B".
DATED this 3rd day of June, 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 #297245
"EXHIBIT A"
Property # Legal Description Prior Owner
Property #1 Part of NW4 SW4 Lying Glen David Moyer
N & W of Hwy
Sec 29 T65N R2E
Parcel #RP65N02E295570A
Approximate Acreage: 0.605
Located approximately 22 miles northeast of Bonners Ferry, Idaho city limits
Property #2 Tax 19, W2 NE4; Less N2 NW4 NE4, Enlightened Living, LLC
SE4 NW4 NE4 Tax 20 & 32
Sec 24 T61N R1W
Parcel #RP61N01W240157A
Approximate Acreage: 24.390
Located approximately 6.7 miles southwest of Bonners Ferry, Idaho city limits
Property #3 NE4 NW4 NE4 Enlightened Living, LLC
Sec 24 T61N R1W
Parcel #RP61N01W240600A
Approximate Acreage: 10.000
Located approximately 6.5 miles southwest of the Bonners Ferry, Idaho city limits
Property #4 SE4 NW4 NE4 Enlightened Living, LLC
Sec 24 T61N R1W
Parcel #RP61N01W241050A
Approximate Acreage: 10.000
Located approximately 6.5 miles southwest of the Bonners Ferry, Idaho city limits
Property #5 E2 W2 SE4 Less Tax 1 Golden Sceptre Mining Co.
Sec 11 T65N R1W
Parcel #RP65N01W117811A
Approximate Acreage: 35.530
Located approximately 24 miles northwest of Bonners Ferry, Idaho city limits
Property #6 E2 NW4 NE4 Golden Sceptre Mining Co.
Sec 14 T65N R1W
Parcel #RP65N01W140610A
Approximate Acreage: 20.000
Located approximately 24 miles northwest of Bonners Ferry, Idaho city limits
"EXHIBIT B"
PROPERTY DESCRIPTION BID AMOUNT BUYER
Property #1 Part of NW4 SW4 Lying $5,895.45 Matt Greenway
N & W of Hwy
Sec 29 T65N R2E
Parcel #RP65N02E295570A
Approximate Acreage: 0.605
Located approximately 22 miles northeast of Bonners Ferry, Idaho city limits
Prior Owner: Glen David Moyer
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Property #2 Tax 19, W2 NE4; Less N2 NW4 NE4, $50,000.00 Jason Thompson
SE4 NW4 NE4 Tax 20 & 32
Sec 24 T61N R1W
Parcel #RP61N01W240157A
Approximate Acreage: 24.390
Located approximately 6.7 miles southwest of Bonners Ferry, Idaho city limits
Prior Owner: Enlightened Living, LLC
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Property #3 NE4 NW4 NE4 $22,000.00 Jason Thompson
Sec 24 T61N R1W
Parcel #RP61N01W240600A
Approximate Acreage: 10.000
Located approximately 6.5 miles southwest of the Bonners Ferry, Idaho city limits
Prior Owner: Enlightened Living, LLC
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Property #4 SE4 NW4 NE4 $12,000.00 Jason Thompson
Sec 24 T61N R1W
Parcel #RP61N01W241050A
Approximate Acreage: 10.000
Located approximately 6.5 miles southwest of the Bonners Ferry, Idaho city limits
Prior Owner; Enlightened Living, LLC
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Property #5 E2 W2 SE4 Less Tax 1 $75,100.00 Gary Chaney
Sec 11 T65N R1W
Parcel #RP65N01W117811A
Approximate Acreage: 35.530
Located approximately 24 miles northwest of Bonners Ferry, Idaho city limits
Prior Owner: Golden Sceptre Mining Co.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Property #6 E2 NW4 NE4 $16,100.00 Gary Chaney
Sec 14 T65N R1W
Parcel #RP65N01W140610A
Approximate Acreage: 20.000
Located approximately 24 miles northwest of Bonners Ferry, Idaho city limits
Prior Owner: Golden Sceptre Mining Co.
11:00 a.m., Boundary Economic Development Council (EDC) Director David Sims joined the meeting and updated Commissioners on EDC business, development around the county, sewer project delays, and the Visitors Center.
The meeting with Mr. Sims ended at 11:24 a.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Farming Land Lease with K&K Farming LLC. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the Idaho Department of Lands Memorandum of Understanding Modification for the project management portion of the Deer Camp Grant, 22HFR1-Boundary program. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
11:30 am., Restorium Administrator Janay Smith joined the meeting to give the Restorium report. Those present reviewed Ms. Smith’s quarterly report for the Restorium. Those present discussed prepackaged snacks and staff scheduling.
Ms. Smith discussed wanting to increase the cost of meals at the Restorium. Currently the cost of meals for staff and residents’ family is $4.00 and she is considering an increase of $7.00 or $8.00 per meal. Ms. Smith also spoke of proposed increases for other meals and she explained the increase is only based on food prices increasing and does not including labor. Commissioner Robertson said he thinks $7.00 could cover food costs.
Ms. Smith spoke of slowly implementing different activities for residents. She asked about using the Restorium bus for residents’ medical appointments, but charging for this service. Restorium Maintenance Kevin Schnuerle is looking into new heating/air conditioning units that will fit the space of the existing units. Ms. Smith said the Restorium is looking at a more permanent shade structure for the memory care residents.
Ms. Smith asked Commissioners about using Restorium Memorial funds to purchase medication carts and a food cart as that would be beneficial to have. Commissioners said to use the funds from the Memorial Fund, but to let the Friends of the Restorium know.
The meeting with Ms. Smith ended at 12:22 p.m.
Commissioners recessed for lunch at 12:30 p.m.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Tim Bertling, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Ben Robertson, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
1:30 p.m., Road and Bridge Department Superintendent Brad Barton and Assistant Adam Ryals joined the meeting to give the department report. Mr. Barton and Mr. Ryals reviewed work as listed in the Road and Bridge Department. Mr. Ryals discussed the cost of training courses for Road and Bridge employees, having reached out to determine the status of the distributor truck and not having luck getting a response, and instances of encroachment into the county’s rights-of-way.
The meeting with Mr. Ryals and Mr. Barton ended at 1:52 p.m.
2:00 p.m., Sheriff Dave Kramer, Second Chance Animal Adoption representative Debbie Woods, and Prosecutor Andrakay Pluid joined the meeting to discuss renewing the contract with Second Chance Animal Adoption with changes.
Sheriff Kramer spoke of having a great relationship with Second Chance and he explained that this meeting is about updating the contract. Sheriff Kramer said there is gap in the contract that we were not aware of. When there is a court case and a pet needs to be maintained, Second Chance is not set up for longer term care, so a new contract needed to be drafted for this use. Prosecutor Pluid spoke of criminal cruelty cases as well as forfeitures and she spoke of letting Second Chance Animal Adoption know immediately when a forfeiture is filled, which will allow to hold the pet for 14 days. If not, the animal would be given back to the owner.
Ms. Woods said Second Chance scans animals that are brought to them to see if they can track down the owner, but 99% of the animals are not microchipped. Second Chance will also post animals on Facebook in order to find the owner. Chairman Bertling said if a dog is brought in that needs to be held, does the cost of vaccinations fall on to Second Chance? Prosecutor Pluid said she can get restitution for those costs from the defendant or former owner, so that is a cost that can be recouped.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to update the Contract with Second Chance Animal Adoption for Shelter Services with the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting to discuss the contract for animal shelter services ended at 2:02 p.m.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
2:30 p.m., Chief Probation Officer Alisa Walker joined the meeting to give the department report. Those present discussed the importance of confidentiality. Ms. Walker said she has run her department’s policy on firearms policy through Idaho Counties Risk Management Program (ICRMP) and it’s a very good policy, but she still has other departments to run the policy by. Ms. Walker provided an update on the status of uniforms for her staff.
The meeting with Ms. Walker ended at 3:00 p.m.
3:30 p.m., John Becker joined the meeting to discuss working on the upcoming July Fourth fireworks event and to request assistance from the county.
Commissioner Robertson moved to approve and sign the Contract with Forerunner Enterprises in the amount of $1,714.00 for the July Fourth fireworks event. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting with Mr. Becker ended at 3:43 p.m.
There being no further business, the meeting recessed until tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.
***Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at 9:30 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Tim Bertling, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Ben Robertson, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
The 9:00 a.m. meeting to discuss the Labrosse Hill Road easement issue and road validation was cancelled as the person requesting the meeting was not able to make it.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the meeting minutes of May 27 & 28, 2024. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
10:00 a.m., Assessor Olivia Drake continued her meeting with Commissioners to discuss the time line of her office remodel project. Assessor Drake said at some point she will need a move-in date so the Idaho Transportation Department can relocate and update her office’s computers.
Assessor Drake said the State of Idaho is pushing counties to get within 95% and 105% of market value for parcel assessments. Information from sales verifications, but most sellers don’t turn those in to her office. Assessor Drake said Boundary County is at 103% for the median, so there is room for a reduction. Older houses will depreciate. Vacant land is increasing, because the county is at 74% for residential vacant land. Commercial land and buildings will also see an increase. Forestland is holding steady for the most part. If the county is not within range, the state will come in and change it to what they feel is appropriate.
The meeting with Assessor Drake ended at 10:25 a.m.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:36 a.m.
______________________________________
TIM BERTLING, Chairman
ATTEST:
______________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk