***Monday, May 1, 2023, 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., Boundary Community Hospital CEO/CFO April Bennett and Hospital Board of Trustees Chairman Paul Hazdovac joined the meeting to provide Commissioners with a general update on hospital matters.
Ms. Bennett introduced herself to Commissioners and provided an overview of what the hospital is doing to meet the needs of the community. Ms. Bennett explained that the medical floor is licensed for 20 beds and a few of those are swing beds. Bonner General Hospital and Kootenai Hospital do not offer swing beds. With Bonner General no longer offering labor and delivery services, Boundary Community Hospital has been working with Kootenai Hospital and Libby Hospital on automatic acceptance for deliveries if the patient goes through the emergency room.
Clerk Poston asked about the number of extended care facility (ECF) beds and Ms. Bennett said they went from having 28 beds to 24 beds. Ms. Bennett explained that after the COVID-19 pandemic the ECF lost a lot of residents and they were not filling those beds, and the hospital found a higher need for beds on the medical side. Ms. Bennett explained the hospital is in the process of interviewing for a physician for their clinic.
Mr. Hazdovac referenced Idaho Code Statute 31-3603 and presented Commissioners with recommendations to fulfill a trustee position that was vacated.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to appoint Chris Pease to the Boundary County Hospital Board with a term to expire January 2024. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting with Ms. Bennett and Mr. Hazdovac ended at 9:07 a.m.
9:21 a.m., Bonners Ferry Herald Staff Writer Emily Bonsant joined the meeting.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the minutes for the week of April 24, 2023. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the New Private Road Name Request Form for Maverick Lane. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign Certificates of Residency for Amy Carver, Clayton Isaac, Eli Blackmore, and Layleh Araya. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
County Civil Tevis Hull joined the meeting via conference call at 9:34 a.m.
Attorney Hull is finished with his letter regarding Labrosse Hill Road so he will forward it to Road and Bridge to send to the residents involved.
Attorney Hull said he’s been working on policies and exceptions on some of the pieces of property involved in the Riverside Road Improvement project. Attorney Hull explained the current status of the project. Attorney Hull commented that the City of Sandpoint is also looking to trademark their seal so he will answer questions they have on the process.
Attorney Hull said he accepted service for the quiet title action on the matter that had once been county tax deeded property so he will work to get the county dismissed from the case now that he’s accepted service.
There has been an increase in public records requests for multiple county offices, according to Attorney Hull. Cameron Smith filed an appeal to the conditional use permit associated with the Tractor Supply Store and it would be considered a motion for reconsideration and not a de novo hearing. Mr. Smith will have to state his reason for reconsideration. Planning and Zoning had a request from the Tractor Supply Store requesting Planning and Zoning fill out a form stating that what Tractor Supply wants to do is allowed by code. Attorney Hull said Mr. Smith kept on tying this appeal to the variance hearings for road approaches, so he informed him back in March that the county closed that portion and there is no administrative appeal for approaches. If Mr. Smith files an appeal, it would be through district court.
Attorney Hull explained that he is still working on other matters.
Ms. Bonsant left the meeting at 9:45 a.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. Commissioner Cossairt second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Bertling “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Robertson “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 9:55 a.m. No action was taken.
Commissioner Robertson moved to reappoint Tess Rae to the Parks and Recreation Board with a term to expire January 2026. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Robertson moved to reappoint Tim Dougherty to the Parks and Recreation Board with a term to expire December 2025. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners reviewed the proposed agreement with the Red Cross for use of the fairgrounds in the event of an emergency.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Airport Improvement Project #3-16-0004-020-2021 grant amendment and final grant request for reimbursement for the airfield pavement maintenance project. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Facilities Use Agreement with the Red Cross regarding the use of the county fairgrounds for an emergency shelter with an alternative facility if the fairgrounds are being used for fair week. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
10:05 a.m., Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee and Assistant Administrator Diana Lane joined the meeting to give an update on Restorium matters. Ms. Magee said they have 32 residents. There are 10 residents on the memory care side. Ms. Magee spoke of wanting to start the project for new flooring. Chairman Bertling asked about the hot water tank on the short hall and Ms. Magee said she’s waiting for another quote for a hot water tank. Ms. Magee presented Commissioners with a quote for heating to regulate the heat in the two separate living rooms. The bathtub project is completed and Cool-it repaired the food cooler. Ms. Magee said Restorium Maintenance person Kevin Schnuerle is concerned about moving the residents into different rooms during the flooring remodel if he doesn’t have help from the Courthouse Maintenance person.
The meeting with Ms. Magee and Ms. Lane ended at 10:21 a.m.
The Probation Office and Solid Waste Department reports were cancelled.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties until their next meeting at 11:30 a.m.
11:30 a.m., Boundary Economic Development Council (EDC) Director David Sims joined the meeting to update Commissioners on EDC projects.
Bonners Ferry Herald Staff Writer Emily Bonsant joined the meeting.
Mr. Sims spoke of the grant application that funds his position and mentioned needing a match commitment letter from the county. Mr. Sims spoke of vacant downtown buildings. The Visitor’s Center will open this week and he’s looking for volunteers. The Bonners Ferry City Council did approve the Comprehensive Plan update. The mill site was included in the plan as mixed use. The owner of the mill has submitted an annexation agreement to the city and they’re separate parcels, but one land use. The costs for the City’s FLAP (Federal Lands Access Program) project for Riverside Road Improvements have increased from $2,700,000.00 to $5,800,000.00. Mr. Sims said the State’s Programming Decision Committee has allocated additional funds for this project and construction is now set out to 2027. The Federal Highways updated paperwork for the grant and the City Council will address the match since it’s more expense. The Moyie sewer project is just waiting for Department of Environmental Quality approval of the plans before going out to bid. A lagoon system and treatment modules are being considered. Right now, it’s ground absorption system.
Commissioners and Mr. Sims discussed drilling a well on the Parks and Recreation property. Mr. Sims said he had two well reports for the mill if it’s any help. The information in the reports provides composition of the soil. Water had been found at 12 feet. Mr. Sims suggested asking City Engineer Mike Klaus if he could help get a design drafted. It was said the city has a bulk water station near the planer area and it is potable water.
Ms. Bonsant left the meeting at 11:41 a.m.
11:41 a.m., Commissioner Robertson moved to go into executive session pursuant to Idaho Code 74-206(1)c, to acquire and interest in real property which is not owned by a public agency. Commissioner Cossairt second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Bertling “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Robertson “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 12:00 p.m. No action was taken.
Mr. Sims left the meeting.
Commissioners recessed for lunch at noon.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Tim Bertling, Commissioner 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 Randy Morris joined the meeting to give the Road and Bridge Department report. A written report was provided. Mr. Morris reviewed work being done and mentioned that the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) refresher training was held last week.
Those present discussed new employees in relation to obtaining commercial driver’s licenses and the Idaho Launch Program funding.
1:40 p.m., Commissioner Robertson moved to go into executive session pursuant to Idaho Code 74-206(1)a, to consider hiring a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent. Commissioner Cossairt second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Bertling “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Robertson “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 1:51 p.m. No action was taken.
1:51 p.m., Commissioners held a bid opening for chloride dust palliative materials. Present were: Chairman Tim Bertling, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Ben Robertson, Clerk Glenda Poston, Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser, and Road and Bridge Co-Superintendents Renee Nelson and Randy Morris. The bid opening was recorded. One sealed bid was received from Oxford Inc. with information as follows: CaCl Mini Pellets (94%), 100 tons at $555.00 per ton. The total bid amount was $55,500.00. Ms. Nelson said last year the price was $545.00 per ton. Road and Bridge has $90,000.00 in the budget for dust abatement, minus the cost for mag chloride, which does leave enough for the bid price of $55,500.00, according to Ms. Nelson.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to accept the bid from Oxford Inc. for calcium chloride at a cost of $555.00 per ton up to 100 tons for a total bid amount of $55,500.00. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Independent Contractor Agreement with Oxford Inc. for calcium chloride. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
The bid opening ended 1:54 p.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Idaho Transportation Department Local Professional Service Agreement No. 96542 for Key No. 20215, Deep Creek Loop, Professional Services Agreement with HMH Engineering for construction oversight. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Findings and Decision for Variance Application #6-2023 for Dayton Skrivseth. Commissioner Robertson second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting with Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris ended at 2:05 p.m.
2:05 p.m., Panhandle Health District Director Don Duffy and Finance Manager Christine Crummer joined the meeting to review the Health District’s annual budget information. Mr. Duffy informed Commissioners that 19% of the Health District’s $13,000,000.00 budget comes from counties and the remaining 81% of the budget comes from contracts and fees. The average county contribution is 26% and can get as high as 30% so 19% is the lowest. Increases in expenses result in a 4% pay increase beginning July 1, 2023, if this budget is approved. It’s not keeping up with inflation, but the Health District has to do something, according to Mr. Duffy. Chairman Bertling asked how the Health District is doing on staffing and Mr. Duffy said they now have less turnover.
Ms. Crummer reviewed county funding and explained that 70% of the county funding is based on population and 30% is based on property valuation. The Health District’s fiscal year 2024 budget is $13,029,778.00 compared to last year’s budget of $12,979,613.00, which is a $50,165.00 decrease. Ms. Crummer reviewed information on the opioid settlement, licenses and environmental fees, health services, contracts and grants, donations, etc. She also explained what programs the Health District is going to shore up. Salaries and wages, employee benefits, operating expenditures, and capital expenditures were discussed as well as information on population from the Census Bureau and valuation information from the State Tax Commission. Boundary County’s allocation is $111,372.00, which is an increase of $3,231.00.
Mr. Duffy said this budget is voted on by the Health District on May 25, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. The county commission chairman is delegated participate in the budget hearing, but can delegate that to another commissioner. There has to be a majority vote to pass this budget. The budget hearing is at 11:00 a.m. followed by lunch, then the regular Board of Health meeting at 12:30 p.m.
The meeting with Mr. Duffy and Ms. Crummer ended at 2:30 p.m.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
There being no further business, the meeting recessed 3:22 p.m.
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TIM BERTLING, Chairman
ATTEST:
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GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk