***Monday, March 7, 2022, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser. Commissioner Tim Bertling was out of the office tending to other matters.
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.
Commissioners held a bid opening for the Road and Bridge Department for asphalt petroleum products for year 2022. Present were: Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Clerk Glenda Poston, Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser, and Road and Bridge Co-Superintendents Renee Nelson and Randy Morris. The bid opening was recorded.
Two sealed bids were received; one bid was from Idaho Asphalt Supply and the second bid received was from Ergon Asphalt and Emulsions.
Commissioners reviewed the bids. The bid from Ergon Asphalt and Emulsions for 200 tons of CMS-2P is $599.00 per ton for a total of $119,800.00 and for 400 tons of HFE-150 at $584.00 per ton, the total is $233,600.00. The delivery fee for delivering the material to Bonners Ferry is $44.00 per ton. The bid bond is for 5% of the total amount bid.
The bid from Idaho Asphalt for 200 tons of CMS-2P is $697.00 per ton for a total of $139,400.00 and for 400 tons of HFE-150 at $696.00 per ton, the total is $278,400.00. The delivery fee for delivering the material to Bonners Ferry is $52.00 per ton. The bid bond is for 5% of the total amount bid.
Chairman Dinning said the total bid from Ergon Asphalt and Emulsions is $379,800.00 if you include the delivery fee for 200 tons of CMS-2P and 400 tons of HFE-150. The total bid from Idaho Asphalt Supply is $449,000.00 if you include the delivery fee of $52.00 for 200 tons of CMS-2P and 400 tons of HFE-150. Chairman Dinning said he would double-check those details.
Chairman Dinning said it appears that Ergon Asphalt and Emulsions is the low bidder and he asked about budget. Ms. Nelson said $250,000.00 is what Road and Bridge has budgeted so she will need to select the amounts of asphalt petroleum for the work that is going to be done. Ms. Nelson said with the additional delivery charge of $44.00 per ton through Ergon Asphalt and Emulsions and $52.00 per ton through Idaho Asphalt, she will look into what it would take for Road and Bridge to lease a trailer and go pick up the oil themselves in order to save on the delivery fee and demurrage fee.
Commissioner Cossairt spoke of awarding the bid to Ergon Asphalt and Emulsions, subject to negotiating for less tonnage. Commissioners agreed to having Ms. Nelson determine the ability to lease a trailer to pick up the material or if they will have it delivered.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to award the bid for asphalt petroleum products to Ergon Asphalt and Emulsions, knowing the bid total is more than budgeted and Commissioners instructed Road and Bridge to negotiate down the amount of tonnage needed to keep within budget. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
The bid opening ended at 9:15 a.m.
Ms. Nelson reviewed the cost of current year delivery fees in comparison to the prior year’s fees.
Commissioners discussed receiving information about the poor condition of roads in Districts 10 and 13. Commissioners said they would tour these areas this afternoon at 1:30 p.m.
Ms. Nelson said there is no new information from Union Pacific Railroad for the guardrail project or the Alta Mill siding project.
Ms. Nelson said the meeting took place last week to go over GIS mapping and it raised some questions and concerns as a result. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners felt those involved with the process need to understand the process and then Commissioners can schedule a meeting with Innovate representatives. Ms. Nelson spoke of the work Innovate Contractor Debra Dreger does for Road and Bridge and she added that she doesn’t know what tasks are listed in the contract for Ms. Dreger. Ms. Dreger’s contract allows her to work 18 hours per week. Ms. Nelson said the county has various maps that need updating and she questioned who is to oversee that the maps are being saved in the correct data bases, etc. Ms. Nelson said if Ms. Dreger were to leave Innovate, where is the trail for the next person to work from.
Ms. Nelson said Road and Bridge received an offer to lease a tanker trailer for $1.00 per day, but the county would need to have insurance on it. Attorney Hull is reviewing a draft agreement for this, but one question is the amount of insurance costs for the county. Clerk Poston said the county would probably send the information to Sandy Moser at Idaho Counties Risk Management Program (ICRMP) and Darrell Kerby, who is the county’s agent, to look into.
Attorney Hull contacted Commissioners via telephone at 9:37 a.m.
Commissioners spoke of being informed the county received an invoice from North Bench Fire Association for annual fire protection of county-owned properties. Those present discussed the lease that is being drafted for the fire association to lease the county property the fire station sits on located next to the county airport. This is not hangar space and this property accesses the highway so fair market value will be higher than compared to a hangar, according to Attorney Hull. The county was instructed not to pay the assessment for county parcels as it’s used to offset the use of the county ground the building sits on.
Mr. Morris and Ms. Nelson left the meeting at 9:40 a.m.
9:40 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. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye” and Commissioner Cossairt “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 9:48 a.m. No motion was made.
Commissioners and Attorney Hull discussed matters pertaining to an appeal as it relates to the Addressing and Road Naming Ordinance. Chairman Dinning said in this ordinance it says variances may be allowed and Chapter 13 addresses variances and appeals. Chairman Dinning said we currently have a case where a private road comes off a county road, goes approximately 80 feet, then the road splits. Chairman Dinning asked if one party can apply for a variance for an address where the road turns to their property. Attorney Hull said yes, the one resident can apply for a variance.
Chief Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals and Solid Waste Department Superintendent Claine Skeen joined the meeting.
Commissioners and Attorney Hull reviewed the appeal submitted by John Poland for Planning and Zoning Application #22-0029.
Attorney Hull briefly commented on needing to work on the COVID-19 waiver for Restorium employees. Commissioners asked the status of declaring the Dodge Grand Caravan that the Senior Hospitality Center used to drive surplus. Chief Deputy Clerk Ryals mentioned there was a van from the 1990s, but the county is unable to locate the grant for this van. Attorney Hull stated the van can be declared surplus and the Senior Hospitality Center can do what they want with it.
Attorney Hull discussed the cost of hangar space based on square footage. Attorney Hull said Airport Manager Dave Parker said the county charges $0.15 per square foot and the Federal Aviation Administration feels the cost should be approximately $0.30 per square foot.
The call to Attorney Hull ended at 10:15 a.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve indigent case 2022-8. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chief Deputy Clerk Ryals left the meeting at 10:14 a.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the snowmobile grooming permit with Manulife Investment Management once the agreement and associated maps have been reviewed by Bonner County East Snowmobile Advisory Committee member John Finney. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Skeen met with Commissioners to provide his department report. Commissioners said they hadn’t moved forward with the verbiage for accepting railroad ties at the landfill. Mr. Skeen asked Commissioners how many gallons of antifreeze is to be allowed at the landfill as the county has to pay to dispose of it. Mr. Skeen said he feels there needs to be a limit on the amount brought in as commercial companies want to bring in 55-gallon containers and pump it into the county’s containers so they don’t have to pay to dispose of it. Mr. Skeen said this service has always been for the public and he would like to require people not to bring in 55-gallon drums of antifreeze to be left sitting at the landfill. Mr. Skeen said he would prefer people pump it into the tank at the landfill. Chairman Dinning said let’s wait and see how it goes and if it becomes a problem, we will address it again. Commissioner Cossairt commented on having an issue with commercial accounts at the landfill, but the county will keep a watch on them.
Chief Probation Officer Stacy Brown joined the meeting at 10:21 a.m.
Mr. Skeen informed Commissioners that he extended the fence on the landfill’s north side near Chuck and Gayla Roady’s residence to the corner of the property line to the east. It’s an 18-foot high chicken wire fence to help stop debris from blowing into neighboring properties.
Mr. Skeen said he’s looking for a concrete crusher bucket, which is a mini crusher that would allow the Solid Waste Department to crush its own concrete and use it as road base. The concrete wouldn’t count as tonnage and the landfill could use the concrete for itself. This machine will separate rebar from the concrete, according to Mr. Skeen. Mr. Skeen said the crusher bucket is expensive, but if he were to buy ¾ inch rock, the cost would be approximately $93,000.00. Commissioner Cossairt said the bucket could also accept rocks and building blocks. The Solid Waste Department would be able to have its own stockpile of rock. Landfill employees could run the crusher bucket so there is no need to hire a new employee to operate it. Commissioners asked Mr. Skeen to find out more information on the bucket.
Those present discussed air curtain burners for wood waste. Chairman Dinning asked Mr. Skeen to contact Lincoln County to see if the burner can take trade waste.
The meeting with Mr. Skeen ended at 10:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m., Ms. Brown met with Commissioners to provide a Probation Department report.
Ms. Brown said there are 20 juveniles on probation with five cases pending and over half of these juveniles are on maximum supervision. There are 32 people on adult misdemeanor probation and those cases range from driving under the influence (DUI) to drugs and assault. There are 160 people on unsupervised probation and in this case, most people have eight hours of alcohol/drug information school or they have to participate in a victim’s panel by a certain time.
Ms. Brown spoke of reviews she will participate in and she’s working on updating Idaho Administrative Procedures Act (IDAPA) information.
The meeting with Ms. Brown ended at 10:40 a.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Parking Lot Agreement with Mountain Springs Church. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Idaho Office of Emergency Management 2018 Final Grant Adjustment Notice for the 2018 State Homeland Security Program grant. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the minutes of February 28 & March 1, 2022. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
Personnel Director Pam Barton joined the meeting at 11:00 a.m. at Commissioners’ request.
Ms. Barton updated Commissioners on matters concerning the Personnel Policy as it pertains to the start and end of a work week.
Ms. Barton left the meeting at 11:13 a.m.
11:14 a.m., Boundary Community Hospital Board of Trustees Chairman Elden Koon and David Koon joined the meeting.
Elden Koon presented Commissioners with a recommendation for a Hospital Board member appointment.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to appoint Darron Branson to the Boundary Community Hospital Board of Trustees, filling Blanch Studer’s vacancy, with a term to end January 2023. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting with Elden Koon and David Koon ended at 11:18 a.m.
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, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
Commissioners and Clerk Poston participated in a road tour to check road conditions in Districts 10 and 13.
There being no further business, the meeting recessed until tomorrow at 2:15 p.m.
***Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at 2:15 p.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Local Professional Services Agreement for Key No. 21982 for the Schoolhouse Road Improvement Project Design once the county civil attorney has approved the language. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners updated Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris on an addressing matter in that the property owner can file an appeal before Commissioners. Ms. Nelson said there would need to be a good paper trail. The appeal would require a public hearing before Commissioners.
Ms. Nelson said she spoke to Ergon Asphalt and Emulsions and they’re happy to work with the county in reducing the amounts of material in order to stay within the budget constraints.
Those present discussed matters pertaining to the crusher and rock pits.
County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull joined the meeting at 2:36 p.m.
Attorney Hull stopped by Commissioners’ Office to continue the discussion regarding John Poland’s appeal pertaining to Planning and Zoning Application #22-0029. This is an appeal of the rejection made by Ruen-Yeager & Associates of a primitive parcel division for Mr. Poland’s property. Attorney Hull said this is a procedural issue and because other people in the past haven’t gone through the process correctly, Mr. Poland wants the same exception. Attorney Hull said the proper thing is to hear the appeal, then make the decision. The hearing is to consider the merits of the appeal.
Attorney Hull left the meeting at 2:39 p.m.
2:40 p.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. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye” and Commissioner Cossairt “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 2:44 p.m. No motion was made.
Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris left the meeting at 2:45 p.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Independent Contractor Agreement with Ergon Asphalt and Emulsions for the Road and Bridge bid for asphalt petroleum products for year 2022. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to hold a public hearing to consider the merits of John Poland’s appeal of a primitive parcel division. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
2:47 p.m., Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee and Assistant Administrator Diana Lane joined the meeting to give Commissioners an update on Restorium matters.
Those present reviewed a report on Restorium matters for the months of December 2021, January 2022, and February 2022.
Ms. Magee updated Commissioners on the increase in food related costs.
The meeting with Ms. Magee and Ms. Lane ended at 2:55 p.m.
3:00 p.m., Commissioners participated in the Idaho Association of Counties legislative Zoom call for District 1. The call ended at 3:40 p.m.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.
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DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
ATTEST:
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GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk