***Monday, March 18, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Ben Robertson, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser. Chairman Tim Bertling was out of the office tending to other matters.
Commissioners said the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Robertson moved to appoint Commissioner Wally Cossairt acting chairman in the absence of Chairman Tim Bertling. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
9:00 a.m., Austin Terrell with the Office of Species Conservation and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game Conflict Specialist Rob Morris joined the meeting to update Commissioners on the carcass pickup program. Mr. Terrell informed Commissioners they have conducted four pickups consisting of three cows and one horse this year and the trailer has worked really well. Things are going smoothly at the dump regarding disposal. Mr. Terrell discussed working with the Extension Office on this program, as well as the Fish and Wildlife Service who will host a free workshop and explain what services are available. The workshop will be on April 30, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. Mr. Terrell discussed working on putting together a committee who can guide where time and resources will be spent. Mr. Terrell discussed funding sources available to the group.
Mr. Morris said the Fish and Game Department has been trying to make the grizzly bear biologist position fulltime and it was just approved by the legislature. This position will be funded through the Fish and Wildlife Service and there may also be some funds through the Fish and Game Department. Mr. Morris said they will try to keep this position somewhere in this local area and it should be starting sometime around July 1st. Mr. Morris listed the types of community outreach programs they plan to participate in.
Commissioner Robertson said a year prior we had more issues with bears, but with a collar system, were the bears still in the area and they just didn’t cause trouble? Mr. Morris spoke of the bears that did cause problems in the Naples and Meadow Creek areas. Commissioner Robertson asked about the capacity of bears in the Selkirks.
The meeting with Mr. Terrell and Mr. Morris ended at 9:18 a.m.
9:30 a.m., County Civil Attorney Bill Wilson joined the meeting. Mercy Bushnell also joined the meeting.
Commissioners asked Attorney Wilson about the ability to fill positions from within and Attorney Wilson said it depends. Clerk Poston said the matter of filling a position from within is written in the county’s Personnel Policy, which was vetted by the Idaho Counties Risk Management Program (ICRMP). Attorney Wilson updated commissioners on the agreement with Servpro as it relates to the hospital’s flood damage remediation. Attorney Wilson discussed working with ICRMP to get support for the Servpro agreement that the hospital signed.
Ms. Bushnell left the meeting.
The meeting with Attorney Wilson ended at 10:15 a.m.
10:15 a.m., Commissioner Robertson moved to recess as the Boundary County Board of Commissioners and convene as the Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board. Acting Chairman Cossairt yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Robertson moved to approve the meeting minutes of February 12, 2024. Chairman Cossairt yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners reviewed the written update submitted by Boundary Ambulance Service Chief Jeff Lindsey.
10:17 a.m., Commissioner Robertson moved to adjourn as the Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board and to reconvene as the Boundary County Board of Commissioners. Acting Chairman Cossairt yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Robertson moved to approve the Certificate of Residency for Deborah Cook. Acting Chairman Cossairt yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Robertson moved to reappoint George Hays as Director from Boundary County to the District #1 Animal Damage Control Board. Acting Chairman Cossairt yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Robertson moved to reappoint Marty Martinez to the Restorium Advisory Board with a term to expire January 31, 2024. Acting Chairman Cossairt yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Robertson moved to reappoint Dave Wattenbarger to the Boundary County Noxious Weed Advisory Board with a term to expire January 31, 2024. Acting Chairman Cossairt yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
10:30 a.m., Kootenai Tribe of Idaho Administrative Director/Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative (KVRI) Facilitator Theresa Wheat joined the meeting.
Ms. Wheat informed Commissioners what topics were going to be discussed at this evening’s KVRI meeting.
The meeting with Ms. Wheat ended at 10:38 a.m.
11:30 a.m., Boundary County Chief Probation Officer Alisa Walker and Idaho Department of Corrections District 1 Liaison JD Storm joined the meeting. Those present reviewed Mr. Storm’s Annual Report for Boundary County to include: the number of youth arrests, detention admissions, youth petitions, breakdown of charges for felonies, misdemeanor and status offenses; probation and diversion intakes and releases and the percentage of success rates for the last three years. Those present also discussed the overview of the area’s average youth offender, a September 30th snapshot for the number of youths on probation, youth in the Diversion Program and in state custody, hours of community service as a result of work to address harm caused through restorative practices, the amount paid directly to victims, and the percentage of youth who recidivated at the marks of 6, 12, and 24 months. Mr. Storm reviewed the state funds spent on juvenile treatment in the community and the percentage of the juvenile justice budget these state funds make up. It was said the numbers are fairly consistent compared to other counties. Commissioner Robertson asked what the thought is for what is behind the mental health cases. Ms. Walker said issues in the home and self-medicating could be leading to mental health issues. Ms. Walker discussed court-related matters in relation to probation.
The meeting with Ms. Walker and Mr. Storm ended at 12:07 p.m.
Commissioners recessed for lunch at 12:10 p.m.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon with Acting Chairman Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Ben Robertson, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
1:30 p.m., Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendents Renee Nelson and Brad Barton, and Road Foreman Adam Ryals joined the meeting to give a department report. Mr. Barton presented a written report. Those present discussed the issue of damage to a truck that was in route being delivered to Road and Bridge. Mr. Barton reviewed work done as listed in the report. Commissioner Robertson explained a couple locations where potholes have gotten large.
Ms. Nelson informed Commissioners that she received a quote from PacWest Machinery for a 2023 Broce RCT-350 Broom totaling $71,000.00. Last year the cost was $70,500. The broom works very well and Road and Bridge did budget for it, according to Ms. Nelson.
Commissioner Robertson moved to accept the quote from PacWest Machinery to purchase a 2023 Broce RCT-350 Broom. Acting Chairman Cossairt yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Nelson discussed trying to locate the Local Rural Highway Investment Program (LHRIP) Project Documentation Summary for Deep Creek Bridge #2, Project Key No. 8773. The county had a Deep Creek Bridge project in year 2005 for bridge #2, located by the Doyle’s residence. In year 2006, Road and Bridge applied for funds through LRHIP to assist with grant match for construction of a bridge totaling $50,000.00. Ms. Nelson said by June of 2014, the bridge was in and done, but she can’t find where the county signed the Project Documentation Summary or had photos for this project. Ms. Nelson spoke of having done construction with a consultant and construction oversight, but it didn’t include preliminary engineering. The project total was $798,000.00, but that doesn’t include a couple hundred thousand dollars for design. It was September 2014, when prior Road and Bridge Department Superintendent Jeff Gutshall wrote to LRHIP and conducted a final walkthrough and it was accepted that the project was completed as planned.
Commissioner Robertson moved to sign the Local Rural Highway Investment Program Project Documentation Summary for Deep Creek Bridge #2, KN 8773. Acting Chairman Cossairt yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Nelson presented Commissioners with a piggyback offer from Ergon Asphalt and Emulsions for the 2024 season. the price is $620.51 per ton for both types of oil. Last year the price was $594.10. Ms. Nelson explained that these prices are piggybacked off of a Bonner County bid. Road and Bridge has $500,000.00 budgeted and there is an additional $100,000.00 coming that Road and Bridge has to request from the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC) for work on Brown Creek Road. Ms. Nelson commented that this amount of road oil should cover approximately 30 miles. Ms. Nelson said Idaho Asphalt does have road oil and Road and Bridge can do piggyback bids through both companies. Ms. Nelson added that she feels the oil quality has stood up the last couple of years, but she believes next year it might be good to go out to bid and start earlier next year. The county can decide not only on price, but also on the quality of oil.
Commissioner Robertson moved to accept the piggyback offer from Ergon Asphalt and Emulsions for the 2024 road oils, 600 tons of HFE-150 liquid asphalt and 200 tons of CMS-P liquid asphalt, and approve and sign the related trailer lease renewal and the Independent Contractor Agreements. Acting Chairman Cossairt yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Nelson said she’s learned that the Boundary County School District has grading that needs done and they’re wondering if Road and Bridge can help out. The City wants to have work done by Valley View Elementary School, but they didn’t mention needing gravel. Mr. Barton said he would reach out to City of Bonners Ferry Road Foreman Scooter Drake and see if they can meet about this work.
Ms. Nelson said with the new fuel tax agreement with the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, there is an annual meeting to plan going forward. This meeting is set for March 26th at 1:00 p.m. at Tribal headquarters. Acting Chairman Cossairt will attend the meeting.
Mr. Barton and Mr. Ryals left the meeting at 2:15 p.m.
Personnel Director Pam Barton joined the meeting.
2:15 p.m., Commissioner Robertson 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. Chairman Cossairt yielded the chair to second. Commissioners voted as follows: Acting Chairman Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Robertson “aye”. Motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Nelson left the meeting at 2:47 p.m.
2:47 p.m., Parks and Recreation Board Chairman Rob Tompkins joined the meeting and Commissioners continued their executive session.
3:02 p.m. The executive session ended. No action was taken.
3:02 p.m. Ms. Barton left the meeting.
Mr. Tompkins updated Commissioners on the well recently dug at the fairgrounds. Turner Plumbing is working on a quote for materials for a proposed new restroom at the fairgrounds/parks. Mr. Tompkins listed off other quotes the Parks and Recreation Board will obtain. Mr. Tompkins also updated Commissioners about the status of the tennis courts.
Mr. Tompkins left the meeting at 3:22 p.m.
Commissioner Robertson moved to sign the Property Tax Cancellation Form for tax year 2023 and to cancel deferred tax totaling $139.62 for parcel #RP63N01E218561A due to error. Acting Chairman Cossairt yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
3:30 p.m., There being no further business, the meeting recessed until tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.
***Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session at the County Annex with Acting Chairman Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Ben Robertson, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
9:00 a.m., Commissioners held an elected officials/department heads meeting. Present were: Acting Chairman Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Ben Robertson, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser, University of Idaho Extension Educator Amy Robertson, Solid Waste Department Superintendent Richard Jenkins, Personnel Director Pam Barton, Assessor Olivia Drake, Noxious Weeds Department Superintendent Dave Wenk, Veterans Service Officer Brooke Blagrove, IT Director Matt Hodges, Chief Probation Officer Alisa Walker, Restorium Administrator Janay Walker, Coroner Chad Workman, Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendents Renee Nelson and Brad Barton, Road Foreman Adam Ryals, and Administrative Assistant Shelby Hooper; Prosecutor Andrakay Pluid, and Sheriff Dave Kramer.
Commissioners went around the room for department updates.
The elected officials/department heads meeting ended at 9:40 a.m.
9:40 a.m., there being no further business, the meeting recessed until tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.
***Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in special session with Acting Chairman Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Ben Robertson, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
9:00 a.m., Boundary County Commissioner Hospital Chief Operating Officer (CEO) April Bennett joined the meeting. The purpose of the meeting is for Commissioners’ to sign the Reconstruction Work Authorization and Payment Agreement with Servpro so work can get started as it relates to flood damage remediation at the Boundary County Community Hospital.
Clerk Poston said she knows ICRMP has placed a cap on what they’re providing in insurance compensation, so additional work is not covered.
Commissioner Robertson moved to sign the Reconstruction Work Authorization and Payment Agreement with Servpro so work can get started as it relates to flood damage remediation at the Boundary County Community Hospital. Acting Chairman Cossairt yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Robertson moved to authorize the clerk to send funds to Boundary County Community Hospital for the purpose of paying the reconstruction costs. Acting Chairman Cossairt yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Bennett left the meeting at 9:07 a.m.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:07 a.m.
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WALLY COSSAIRT, Acting Chairman
ATTEST:
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GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk