Commissioners' Meeting Minutes - Week of March 29, 2021

***Monday, March 29, 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 submitted.

Mr. Morris said crews are out to clean up any messes that might have occurred during last night’s storm and he added that Road and Bridge did not receive any reports as a result of that storm. Road and Bridge will also do some grading and sweeping, get utility locates in, and put up road signs. Road limit signs are slowly coming down and a few roads to the north have been opened up. Mr. Morris said Road and Bridge might get the Durapatcher going again and they had tried earlier, but it was too cold.

Ms. Nelson said County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull has reviewed the finance documents for the first grader Road and Bridge is looking at. The documents will need to show where the equipment is actually located. Attorney Hull had a question about the final payment of $197,000.00 and an amount of approximately $287,000.00 and Ms. Nelson said she verified that $197,000.00 is the balloon payment at the end of five years.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Agreement for Professional Services with HMH Engineering to provide services to design, plan and prepare bid documents for the Skin Creek Bridge replacement project, for an amount not to exceed $10,000.00. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioners and Ms. Nelson reviewed changes for the first grader documents.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Sales Agreement and related documents with Western States CAT for a new 2021 Caterpillar 140 all-wheel drive motor grader for a cost of $287,774.00 with an interest rate of 1.99%. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to amend his prior motion to include the adoption of Resolution 2021-11. A resolution regarding the governmental entity to lease, purchase and/or finance the 2021 Caterpillar 140 all-wheel drive motor grader through Western States CAT. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously. Resolution 2021-11 reads as follows:

Recorded as instrument #286176

The meeting with Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris ended at 9:32 a.m.

County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull joined the meeting via conference call at 9:35 a.m.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to go into executive session pursuant to Idaho Code 74-206(1)f, to communicate with legal counsel for the public agency to discuss the legal ramifications of and legal options for pending litigation, or controversies not yet being litigated but imminently likely to be litigated. Commissioner Bertling second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Bertling “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 9:40 a.m. No action was taken.
Attorney Hull and Commissioners discussed the status of various documents Attorney Hull is reviewing or working on.

The call to Attorney Hull ended at 9:45 a.m.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the new private road names of Imladris Way, This Way, That Way, Legacy Ridge Lane, and Leora Drive. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.

Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendents Renee Nelson and Randy Morris, and Deputy Clerk/Personnel Director Pam Barton joined the meeting at 9:47 a.m.

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

Ms. Nelson, Mr. Morris and Ms. Barton left the meeting.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the National Conference of Bar Examiners for former Boundary County Public Defender Serra Woods. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Certificate of Residency for Leah Tanner. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to adopt Resolution 2021-10. A resolution increasing fiscal year 2020-2021 current expense general budget due to receipt of unanticipated revenue. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously. Resolution 2021-10 reads as follows:

Resolution 2021-10

Increasing Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Current Expense General Budget
Due to Receipt of Unanticipated Revenue

WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners, County of Boundary, State of Idaho, did establish an operating budget for the Current Expense General Fund for fiscal year 2020-2021, and

WHEREAS, $207,294.42 in unanticipated revenue has been received from the State of Idaho as reimbursement from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) for the purpose of reimbursing the county for COVID-19 related expenses, and

WHEREAS, the Boundary County Commissioners deem it in the best interest of the general public of Boundary County to increase the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Current Expense General Budget for that purpose, and

WHEREAS, the addition of this revenue does not affect the tax levy for Boundary County, and

WHEREAS, it is appropriate to increase the fiscal year 2020-2021 Current Expense General Budget revenue account number 0001-00-0399-0020 and expense account number 01-18-559-0019, COVID-19 Expenses, in the amount of $207,294.42.
NOW THEREFORE, upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried,

IT IS RESOLVED that the increase to the fiscal year 2020-2021 Current Expense General Budget revenue account number 0001-00-0399-0020 and expense account number 01-18-559-0019, COVID-19 Expenses, in the amount of $207,294.42 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 29th day of March, 2021.
COUNTY OF BOUNDARY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
s/______________________________
Dan R. Dinning, Chairman
s/______________________________
Wally Cossairt, Commissioner
s/______________________________
Tim Bertling, Commissioner
Attest:
s/________________________________________________
Glenda Poston, Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners
Recorded as instrument #286190

Commissioner Cossairt moved to adopt Resolution 2021-9A, amending Resolution 2021-9 due to a clerical error, authorizing the disposition of records of Boundary County Treasurer’s Office. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously. Resolution 2021-9A reads as follows:

RESOLUTION 2021-9A
A RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION 2021-9 DUE TO A CLERICAL ERROR, AUTHORIZING THE DISPOSITION OF RECORDS OF BOUNDARY COUNTY TREASURER’S OFFICE

WHEREAS, the Boundary County Treasurer’s Office is currently storing old records of Boundary County; and

WHEREAS, due to lack of storage space, the Boundary County Treasurer’s Office has requested permission to dispose of old records; and

WHEREAS, the Boundary County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has advised the Board of Boundary County Commissioners regarding the classification of such records pursuant to Idaho Code 31-871; and

WHEREAS, Resolution 2021-9 was adopted, signed and recorded prior to realizing the date of the Prosecuting Attorney’s review was not listed; and

WHEREAS, this Resolution 2021-9A amends Resolution 2021-9 in listing the date of the Prosecuting Attorney’s review; and

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

IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that the following records be classified and disposed of as follows:
The following records have been deemed permanent by the Boundary County Commissioners on the advice of the County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and permanent records must be kept for a minimum of ten years. The following records are to be disposed of in the county landfill:

Permanent:
 Tax Drive Reports 2010
 Assessor Abstract Reports 2010
 SubRoll Tax Drive Reports 2010
 Auditor Certificates 1/2010 – 12/2010
 Auditor Certificate Deposits 1/2010 – 12/2010
 Journal Vouchers 2/2010 – 12/2010
 Journal Vouchers 10/2008 – 4/2009
 Redeemed Warrants Reports 1/2010 – 12/2010
 Yield Tax Reports 1/2009 – 10/2009

The following records have been deemed semi-permanent by the Boundary County Commissioners on the advice of the County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and semi-permanent records must be kept for a minimum of five years. The following records are to be disposed of in the county landfill:
Semi-Permanent:
 Month End Balancing reports 1/2014 – 10/2016
 Daily Deposit Listings 7/2014 – 12/2015
 Daily Cash Journal 11/2014 – 11/2015
 Tax Anticipation Reports 10/2014 – 11/2015
 Daily Purchase Agreements (CMI) 1/2014 – 9/2015
 Daily Purchase Agreements (WFB) 9/2011 – 9/2014
 Tax Bills Returned for Address Correction 2013 – 2015
 MTG Company Duplicate Receipts/Correspondence 2013 – 2014
 Correspondence: General (3 year retention) 2016 – 2017

The following records have been deemed temporary by the Boundary County Commissioners on the advice of the County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and permanent records must be kept for a minimum of ten years. The following records are to be disposed of in the county landfill

Temporary:

 Bank List Daily Redeemed Warrants 2018

Regularly passed and approved on this 6th day of March 2021.

COUNTY OF BOUNDARY COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
s/____________________________
DAN DINNING, Chairman
s/_____________________________
WALLY COSSAIRT, Commissioner
s/_____________________________
TIM BERTLING, Commissioner

Reviewed by and on advice of Prosecuting Attorney this 5th day of April, 2021.

s/____________________________
ANDRAKAY PLUID
Prosecuting Attorney

ATTEST:
s/__________________________________
GLENDA POSTON
Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy
Recorded as instrument #286281

Commissioner Cossairt moved to authorize Chairman Dinning to sign the letter to the Governor’s Office regarding the selenium issue affecting rivers and to also sign a similar letter as a Co-Chair of the Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative for the same issue. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioners took a short recess.

County Mapper Olivia Drake joined the meeting at Commissioners’ request to answer questions they might have about the county zoning map.

Ms. Drake left the meeting.

10:30 a.m., Deputy Clerk/Personnel Director Pam Barton joined the meeting. County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull participated in the following meeting via conference call.

Commissioner Cossairt 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 Bertling second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Bertling “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 11:15 a.m. No action was taken.

Ms. Barton left the meeting and Attorney Hull ended this call.

Assessor Dave Ryals joined the meeting at 11:17 a.m.

Chairman Dinning stated that Commissioners have discussed possibly ending COVID-19 related sick time off for county employees. Commissioner Cossairt suggested ending that time off in two days, which is the end of March. Clerk Poston commented that employees have sick leave time that they haven’t had to use that is available.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to end the county’s COVID-19 policy at midnight on March 31, 2021. This was a policy in which the county covered COVID-19 related time off for employees. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.

Assessor Ryals commented that he had sent quotes to three dealers in looking for a new mid-size sport utility vehicle for his office. Assessor Ryals presented the quotes to Commissioners for review and he commented that his preference is either the GMC Acadia or the Ford Explorer, but he’s leaning more toward the Ford Explorer. Commissioners asked Assessor Ryals to look into the warranties for the two vehicles and they would continue their discussion and possible decision until tomorrow at 10:30 a.m.

Assessor Ryals left the meeting at 11:35 a.m.
Commissioners discussed a request to waive fees to dispose of 12 yards of concrete from the high school’s sidewalks.

Commissioner Bertling moved to authorize the Solid Waste Department to waive the fee for disposal of concrete from the high school sidewalk. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioners tended to administrative duties.

11:51 a.m., There being no further business, the meeting recessed until tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.

***Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Tim Bertling, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.

Treasurer Sue Larson joined the meeting.

9:00 a.m., Commissioners discussed the need to secure a new outside auditor as Leonard Schulte has informed them that he will no longer be able to provide those services due to potential conflict, but he is willing to still prepare reports for the next auditor. Commissioners will contact the person that Mr. Schulte has recommended.

Commissioners debated no longer using the conference call telephone line for their meetings. Chairman Dinning said if Commissioners end up having more than six people come to a meeting in person, they will need to initiate the conference call line. Commissioners will still use the conference call line for the elected officials/department heads meeting due to the number of participants.

Treasurer Larson left the meeting at 9:06 a.m.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve minutes for the week of March 22, 2021. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioners tended to administrative duties.

Matt Philbrook joined the meeting at 9:30 a.m.

Commissioners continued their discussion regarding the request made by Mr. Philbrook to remove trees on Tamarack Drive. Chairman Dinning mentioned that County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull suggested that Commissioners hold a public meeting, not hearing, to let the adjoining landowners know what has been requested and to allow for public comment. Commissioners said they will schedule a public meeting and the conference call line will be available for that. Commissioners set a proposed date approximately two weeks out for a meeting and adjoining property owners on Tamarack Road will receive written notice.

9:40 a.m., the discussion regarding trees ended and Mr. Philbrook left the meeting.

Commissioners tended to administrative duties.

10:00 a.m., Commissioners held a bid opening for the airport improvement project pertaining to pavement maintenance. Present were: Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Tim Bertling, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser. Participating via telephone were Airport Manager Dave Parker and Trey Dail with T-O Engineers. The bid opening was recorded.

Commissioners questioned the date and time that bids needed to have been received by the county. Mr. Dail said the bids were due in by 9:00 a.m., this morning. Commissioners received three sealed bids and each bid contained a bid bond for 5% of the total amount bid. Bid information is as follows:

The first bid was from American Road Maintenance with a total bid of $241,450.50. The second bid was from CR Contracting, LLC. With a total bid of $322,718.75. The third bid received was from Road Products, Inc. with a total bid of $278,402.50. Commissioners continued the bid discussion and decision to next week in order for Mr. Dail and Mr. Parker to have time to review the bid information and make a recommendation to Commissioners.

The bid opening ended at 10:13 a.m.

Commissioners received a telephone call from City of Bonners Ferry Administrator Lisa Ailport. Ms. Ailport commented on having met with Courthouse Maintenance John Buckley last week and he had mentioned wanting to redo the sidewalk in front of the county administration buildings. Ms. Ailport mentioned that Mr. Buckley spoke of filling in portions of the sidewalk, but she thought about working with the Renewal Agency to replace the sidewalk and ramps at either end. The county’s portion of renewal dollars could be used for that as it’s a benefit for the public and Ms. Ailport said she wanted to talk to Commissioners before looking into that potential funding. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners will need to explore that and agendize that discussion.

Chairman Dinning said the county had also planned on running heating tubes in the sidewalks and Mr. Buckley tried to get that work done last year, but he couldn’t find a contractor to do it. Ms. Ailport said there is a need to fix the sidewalk ramps and curbs for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) purposes and this is what the renewal agency is built for. Chairman Dinning said if he understands correctly, if the project goes forward, does the county need to get an estimate or will Ms. Ailport. Ms. Ailport said the county would need to get an estimate, but she wouldn’t mind helping and she added that the city would benefit from this improvement as well.

Chairman Dinning said an easement was given for a storm drain across the small lot located on the opposite side of the road when you drive under the railroad bridge as there is a need to install gravity flow drainage. Ms. Ailport commented that she would check with City Engineer Mike Klaus about that.

The call to Ms. Ailport ended at 10:20 a.m.

10:23 a.m., Assessor Dave Ryals joined the meeting.

Assessor Ryals said he reached out to both GMC and the Ford dealer to ask for clarification on their warranties. Assessor Ryals added that he also asked if either company had an interest in the county’s Subaru as a trade-in for $4,000.00. The Ford dealer said they would be willing to do appraisal on the Subaru, but they initially failed to send any information on their warranty for the Explorer that is being considered. Assessor Ryals said he didn’t hear back from the GMC dealer yesterday, but he learned his email had went to their spam folder so he did hear back from them today. This dealer would like to see the Subaru and they did express interest in it at a price of $4,000.00. Assessor Ryals said Ford’s warranty for the Explorer had a three year/36,000 mile warranty and a five year/60,000 warranty on the power train. GMC’s warranty is the same for their Acadia, but they added a five year/60,000 bumper to bumper warranty and five year/50,000 warranty for the power train. Assessor Ryals said he was leaning toward the Ford to try something different, but he is now changing his mind and he would like to select the GMC Acadia even though the price is higher at $37,923.00. Taylor & Sons didn’t have any SUVs in the midsize range, except for an Equinox, but he was under the impression it wasn’t in stock. The GMC Acadia is in stock. The Ford Explorer won’t be in until April 14th. Commissioners said there is a difference of $5,000.00 between the Ford Explorer and GMC Acadia. Chairman Dinning said it would be best to contact County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull about the selection.

The discussion with Assessor Ryals ended at 10:32 a.m.

10:51 a.m., Deputy Clerk/Personnel Director Pam Barton joined the meeting at Commissioners’ request.

Commissioner Cossairt 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 Bertling second. Commissioner voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Bertling “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 11:00 a.m. No action was taken.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:10 a.m.

__________________________________
DAN R. DINNING, Chairman

ATTEST:

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

Date: 
Wednesday, April 7, 2021 - 10:30
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