***Monday, May 2, 2022, 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.

Marty Martinez joined the meeting at 9:00 a.m.

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. Mr. Morris reviewed work listed in the report.

Ms. Nelson spoke of issues a property owner is having with slope failure on their property along Katka Road. Ms. Nelson said based on the report the directions for moving forward is the property owner needs to have an engineering study and remediation plan. Once those things are complete, Road and Bridge will review them and upon approval, the county can approve the permit based on the engineering study to have work done in the county right-of-way.

Ms. Nelson discussed the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho’s plans for their travel plaza. The plans were approved by their transportation planner and there was mention of allowing 129,000-pound trucks. Those present discussed legislation pertaining to 129,000-pound trucks.

The matter of the agreement with Union Pacific Railroad for the guardrail project and trailer lease will be continued to next week.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Idaho Asphalt Supply Plan Access form upon the county civil attorney approval of the language. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.

Ms. Nelson spoke of computer program licenses for the addressing system. There are two licenses and the county had never renewed one of the licenses so the company is going to send the county a renewal form for the period of August 2021 to July 2022 at a cost of $1,950.00 and then submit a new quote for August 2022 to July 2023.

Those present discussed the man hours involved and cost for replacing the road signs that have been shot at.

The meeting with Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris ended at 9:26 a.m.

9:26 a.m., Gregory Lamberty joined the meeting.

9:30 a.m., County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull joined the meeting via telephone. Attorney Hull mentioned documents he’s reviewing for Road and Bridge.

Commissioners said Wayne Dyck owns property west of the landfill and he wanted to exchange 30 feet of land along the north boundary of his property for 30 feet to the west and because it’s square foot per square foot, the county doesn’t need to have an appraisal done. The exchange will help to eliminate a water line going through the middle of the county property and the county will pay for the survey and do what is needed. Commissioner Bertling said Mr. Dyck just received a quote for survey services.
Chairman Dinning referenced Variance Application 4-2022 to Road Standards Ordinance 2020-2 and clarified that if there is a better location for a variance on the applicant’s property than what they had initially requested, Commissioners can approve the new location without having to schedule another public hearing.

Attorney Hull commented that he has reached out to Gary Gates with the Federal Aviation Administration to ask about fair market value with regard to the property near the airport that North Bench Fire Department’s station is sitting on, but he has not heard back yet.

Attorney Hull represented that he’s done drafting a letter to Tim Tucker regarding Mr. Tucker’s request for road abandonment, and he’s reached out to Mr. Tucker to get his mailing address.

Attorney Hull is still working on medical exemption forms for the Restorium pertaining to the COVID-19 vaccine.

Attorney Hull said he is writing a letter to the Federal Highways Administration because they requested a letter from the county indicating the county would be responsible for the cost of relocating city utility lines associated with the Riverside Road Improvement Project. Attorney Hull said we have information between the City of Bonners Ferry and Western Federal Lands that states Western Federal Lands will cover half of the cost for relocation and the City of Bonners Ferry will cover the remaining half. The county would provide the match. Attorney Hull said when Western Federal Lands asked for a letter that the county would pay for relocation, it’s tricky so he wants to put in his letter that it’s an exclusive easement, that the county has jumped through the hoops, and has received information that the two entities are paying for the relocation expenses and the county would be responsible for matching funds. Attorney Hull also wants to have a separate agreement with the city for those matching funds so he’s also working on that letter.

Chairman Dinning said the county is going to need to start addressing from the Kootenai River as that is the only access to properties in some cases.

Chairman Dinning said Mr. Buckley received a quote of approximately $94,000.00 to replace the roof at the Sheriff’s Office, but the contractor would like $38,000.00 up front for materials. Chairman Dinning said that is not an unreasonable request, but he gets nervous about doing that. Attorney Hull agreed.

The call to Attorney Hull ended at 9:46 a.m.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign Certificates of Residency for Shanlee Chaffin, SheAnna Boedcher, Avalena Martin, Seth Tuma, Zabrielle Tuma, Natalya Tuma, and Chloe Fleck. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Findings and Decision for Planning and Zoning File 22-0055 for Applicants Cabinet Mountains Water District and Gary Lyle for a petition to vacate a portion of a platted lot. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Findings and Decision for Planning and Zoning File #22-0046 for Applicants Wilkinson Revocable Trust and Wurzel & Susan Parsons-Keir for a short plat lot line adjustment. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to go forward with the land exchange between property owner Wayne Dyck and Boundary County and to agree to pay associated survey costs. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign Request for Reimbursement #10 and Invoice Summary for Airport Improvement Project #018 totaling $5,291.00 for the snow removal equipment building. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Fiscal Year Annual Financial Reports for Airport Improvement Project #019 (CARES) for the amount of $30,000.00 and Airport Improvement Project #021 (CRSSA) for $13,000.00. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.

10:00 a.m., Solid Waste Department Superintendent Claine Skeen joined the meeting to give the department report. Commissioners asked Mr. Skeen to determine the amount of fuel he would need and Road and Bridge can include that in the request for bids for the fuel supply.

Mr. Skeen presented Commissioners with quotes for baling metal at the landfill. One quote came in after the due date so Commissioners will check with Attorney Hull about the ability to accept it or if the county should seek quotes again.

Those present discussed concrete that Panhandle Health District wants to dispose of as a result of their office remodel project and they are requesting a waiver for the disposal fee. Mr. Skeen said the amount of material is approximately four to six yards at $.06 per pound so the Solid Waste Department would lose approximately $500.00 to $600.00 if the fee is waived. Commissioner Bertling said disposal should have been included in the bid for Panhandle Health District’s project. Commissioners said they had no problem waiving the concrete disposal fee for Panhandle Health District.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to waive the disposal cost for Panhandle Health District for disposing of approximately four to six yards of concrete left from their office remodel project, at a cost of $.06 per pound. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Skeen said the concrete won’t count as tonnage. Mr. Skeen explained how a concrete crusher/burner works to crush the concrete and how the county could sell the crushed material. Chairman Dinning asked if crushed concrete can be used as landfill cover and Mr. Skeen said he could ask Panhandle Health District about that.

The meeting with Mr. Skeen ended at 10:18 a.m.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to appoint Commissioner Tim Bertling as the proxy for the Board of Boundary County Commissioners at the Panhandle Health District Board of Health meeting and budget hearing. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioners tended to administrative duties.

10:30 a.m., Chief Probation Officer Stacy Brown joined the meeting to give the department report.

Ms. Brown listed the number of people in various forms of probation. Ms. Brown commented that she’s starting to have more face-to-face meetings and she has a meeting coming up in Boise. As long as a meeting can be done via Zoom, Ms. Brown said she will participate that way.

Ms. Brown updated Commissioners on the issue in determining which company has the internet cable in the front of the Annex Building.

The meeting with Ms. Brown ended at 10:34 a.m.

10:40 a.m., Personnel Director Pam Barton joined the meeting to discuss the classification committee results for a county position. Ms. Barton said the Parks and Recreation Maintenance person position was a grade 7 and now it’s at the low end of a grade 9. The wage for a grade 7 is $13.53 and the wage for a grade 9 is $15.05. In the job description the position is listed as 40 hour per week for the months of March to October. This position falls under the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI), but not under the Affordable Care Act as the employer has to have 50 or more employees working seasonal and hours have to be under 40 to be considered seasonal. The position is not a year-round job, according to Ms. Barton. Clerk Poston discussed budget and Ms. Barton said she would contact the Parks and Recreation Board to find out what they want to do about the increase.

The meeting with Ms. Barton ended at 10:39 a.m.

Commissioners tended to administrative duties.

11:00 a.m., Courthouse Maintenance John Buckley joined the meeting to give the department report.

Mr. Lamberty and Mr. Martinez left the meeting.

Personnel Director Pam Barton returned to the meeting.

Those present discussed matters pertaining to medical insurance coverage and when it terminates for an employee who is retiring. Ms. Barton said insurance coverage terminates the day an employee quits.

Ms. Barton left the meeting at 10:55 a.m.

Commissioners mentioned to Mr. Buckley that they’ve spoken to County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull about the contractor who is to repair the roof of the Sheriff’s Office and is asking for a portion of the cost up front to purchase materials and Attorney Hull also had concerns about that. Commissioners can create language in the contract that will protect the county, while making sure the bill gets paid. It was said the contractor could order materials and come in to the Courthouse with the invoice for the county to issue payment.

Those present reiterated that Mr. Buckley had contacted various contractors about the roof repairs, but there wasn’t interest.

Commissioner Bertling moved to accept the quote of $94,664.00 from Sasquatch Builders to repair the roof of the Sheriff’s Office and to approve the $38,000.00 advance to cover the purchase of materials upon the signing of the independent contractor agreement. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Buckley informed Commissioners that the little black Toyota pickup for his department needs work and he listed what work has recently been done to the truck and what work is still needed. It’s a good truck and its just maintenance that is needed, which will be less expensive than purchasing a new truck. The snow plow truck is doing well, according to Mr. Buckley.

Mr. Buckley discussed having the trees near the Courthouse and Sheriff’s Office put back on a cycle for trimming as he feels it needs to be done.

Those present discussed when the new maintenance person needs to start at the Courthouse. Mr. Buckley mentioned needing to get plans for the heated sidewalk improvements.

The meeting with Mr. Buckley ended at 11:29 a.m.

11:30 a.m., Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee joined the meeting to give the department report.

Ms. Magee presented Commissioners with Restorium resident accounts to be written off as they’re uncollectible. Commissioners and Ms. Magee discussed matters pertaining to Medicaid.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to write off the following Restorium resident accounts: 201806-22 for $242.52, 202105-1A for 2,114.64, 202007-16 for 1,293.00, 202101-3B for 2,633.00, and 201510-05 for 906.54 for a total of $7,189.70. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.

Ms. Magee said the Restorium will soon have 27 residents with the possibility of two more residents soon.

Ms. Magee presented Commissioners with a quote from Mike Cox for touch pads for the upcoming new computer charting system. Clerk Poston said she would look for other quotes for the Surface Pro 8.

The meeting with Ms. Magee ended at 11:50 a.m.

Commissioners recessed for lunch at 12:05 p.m.

1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.

1:30 p.m., Public Defense Commission Regional Coordinator Jennifer Roark and Boundary County Public Defender Linda Payne contacted Commissioners via telephone to discuss various matters pertaining to public defender services. Ms. Roark spoke of various courses being offered by the Public Defense Commission relating to juveniles. The FY 2023 Indigent Financial Assistance Application has been signed by Clerk Poston and submitted to the Public Defense Commission.

Chairman Dinning informed Ms. Roark that Boundary County is looking to join Bonner County in handling public defenders. Attorney Payne stated that her month as public defender is September and after that those cases will have to be reassigned. Attorney Payne said hopefully the public defenders in Bonner County can take those cases in September to comply with vertical representation and she asked if there’s a way to have the public defender office established prior to September 31st.

The conference call with Ms. Roark and Attorney Payne ended at 1:42 p.m.

Commissioners tended to administrative duties until their next meeting at 2:00 p.m.

2:00 p.m., Panhandle Health District Director Don Duffy, Fiscal Officer Christine Crummer and Environmental Health Specialist Erik Ketner joined the meeting.

Mr. Duffy explained that the Health District is requesting a 3% increase on 10% of their budget, which is the general aid portion of the budget. The total received by the Health District from all counties is approximately $37,000.00 and for Boundary County that will be a decrease of $1,757.00, according to Mr. Duffy. Mr. Duffy commented that the problem the Health District is having is related to salaries and he explained that job turnover rates increased from 2% to 10%. Panhandle Health District has a history of paying 80% of policy. The Health District gets their pay scale from the State of Idaho and it’s an average so they’ve been paying 80% of average, but now they’re increasing that to 90%, which is a significant increase in their budget. Mr. Duffy spoke of being efficient with their positions in not replacing them and he said with those steps, the Health District is requesting $37,000.00 from the counties going forward, which is really nothing.

Mr. Duffy reviewed services provided by the Health District to Boundary County residents in year 2021. The Health District issued 1,681 septic permits, conducted 63 food inspections, conducted 363 home health visits, had 2,396 visits for the Women, Infants, Children (WIC) program, had 84 nursing home visits, and over 1,000 Boundary County citizens came to the clinic for health care services. Mr. Duffy said that is 4,123 people who touched the Health District in 2021 in Boundary County.

Commissioner Bertling asked how the pay increases are determined for the Health District employees. Mr. Duffy said it’s by 90%, but those increases won’t happen if this budget is not approved. For those employees who have already reached that 90%, they will get a $1.00 per hour increase. Mr. Duffy spoke of food and fuel costs, etc. Chairman Dinning questioned the overall budget only increasing $37,000.00 and Mr. Duffy said that was correct.

Ms. Crummer referred to her information packet and discussed the funding formula for the county appropriation allocation. The formula is based on property valuation assessments and population. Information also showed what the budget looks like for year 2023. Panhandle Health District just made a large principal payment on their facility in Sandpoint. The initial budget the District was considering included a large revision for principal payment and also COVID-19 related expenses of $1,300,000.00. The Health District tried to standardize it as a year without COVID-19 and a large payment. The fiscal year 2022 budget was $12,662,569.00 compared to the proposed fiscal year 2023 budget of $13,029,778.00. That change is a standardized 3% and $6,678,034.00 of the increase is for personnel costs to 90%. Ms. Crummer said the operating expense decreases and she explained what generated the decrease. There is $178,574.00 less in capital expenditures for year 2022. The Health District doesn’t have projects budgeted for year 2023. In year 2022 was the remodel for the Bonners Ferry Panhandle Health District Office. There is also approximately $22,000.00 for upgrades to the server and approximately $38,000.00 for the Institutional Controls Program (ICP) for a truck and trailer. Ms. Crummer added that this program is fully funded and district dollars never go into the ICP program. The net change is $367,209.00. Grant funding should remain at a stable level. Licenses and fees are anticipated to increase by $70,000.00. The level of activity should remain stable even with the growth, according to Ms. Crummer. Health services is anticipated to increase by $191,695.00 and in this health service fee it’s anticipated that with additional staffing they hope to hire, they will be able to see more home health admits by employing a nurse.

Grants are expected to remain the same, but the interest is a rough estimate. Last year interest was over budget and this year it dropped $12,000.00 to $15,000.00. The amount of $1,274,900.00 is requested for general aid assistance from counties, which is the 3% increase of $37,133.00. Ms. Crummer said with House Bill 316 last year, the county is only responsible for four months, which is $407,200.00, but now it’s $1,222,814.00 for the full 12 months.

Ms. Crummer spoke of the county’s population between the two years and she said Boundary County increased by 251 in population and valuation increased by $71,385,200.00. Contributions from the counties for year 2023 is $2,496,903.00 and a summary for general aid and HB316 is also provided. Boundary County has a total allocation of $82,725.00 for population and $25,416.00 in valuation for a total of $108,141.00. The amount of quarterly payments was listed. The total for year 2023 is $108,141.00 and last year it was $75,702.00. A pie chart indicates the county’s portion of funding broken into percentages.

Clerk Poston reviewed budget information from last year compared this year and she asked about the Health District’s budget year.

A comment was made that the District hopes to be under budget for the Bonners Ferry Office remodel.

The budget hearing for the Panhandle Health District is on May 26th and Commissioners said Commissioner Bertling will be the proxy vote for Commissioners. Chairman Dinning questioned if there is going to be an increase next year and Mr. Duffy listed what the District considers as it pertains to the budget. Chairman Dinning asked about insurance benefits for the District. Mr. Duffy said through the effort of seven different directors, Panhandle Health District was able to still provide insurance coverage.

Chairman Dinning said Commissioners received a comment from a member of the public about Panhandle Health District’s request for an increase to their budget, but he feels $37,000.00 is insignificant. Ms. Crummer said what’s interesting is that the interest rate on the Hayden facility is 0% and it was a goal to pay that loan balance in full before the interest resets, which happens every so often. The 0% interest rate was an error on the bank’s part so the Health District was trying to pay that debt off and they had the cash to do it.

Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the budget request as presented by Panhandle Health District for fiscal year 2023. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.

The meeting with Mr. Duffy and Ms. Crummer ended at 2:46 p.m.

3:00 p.m., Commissioners continued the public hearing to consider Variance Application #4-2022 for Jeff and Renae Bennett. This is a variance to Road Standards Ordinance 2020-2 as it pertains to an approach. Present were: Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Clerk Glenda Poston, Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser, Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendents Renee Nelson and Randy Morris, Jeremy Davy with Cabinet Mountains Water District, and Applicants Jeff Bennett and Renae Bennett. The hearing was recorded.

Commissioners explained that they had scheduled a meeting last Monday at the site to look into options for an approach. The thought is that there could be a simple upgrade to the existing approach that is to the north of where the original application was made. In discussion and in consulting with the county civil attorney, it was felt that it would be better to go through this process for the application. The applicants had requested a location for an approach and Commissioners, Clerk Poston, Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendent Randy Morris, and the Bennetts met where there is an existing non-residential approach north of the requested approach. Chairman Dinning said with that, he had opened the hearing to public testimony and he will reopen the hearing to testimony again.

Mr. Bennett said he doesn’t really have any thoughts on the alternative approach. Mr. Morris said it’s probably the safest of the choices they had.

Commissioners closed the hearing to further testimony and Commissioners discussed the application. Chairman Dinning said today he had asked County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull if there had been an application submitted, could Commissioners approve a different approach location than what had been requested and Attorney Hull said yes, so Commissioners are looking at that today. Commissioner Bertling said this already existing approach to the north is the best choice out of all locations observed and Commissioner Cossairt said it’s the safest approach.

Commissioner Bertling moved to approve Variance Application #4-2022 for Applicants Jeff and Renae Bennett, but at the location of the logging approach to the north that is already in existence. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.

Ms. Nelson said the sight triangle will need to be met and she added that this is for a division of property so if Commissioners could add Conditions C and D so if the applicants do apply for a parcel division, the northern location is approved and it will be accepted as the approach to that new parcel.

Commissioner Bertling moved to rescind his prior motion. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Bertling moved to approve Variance Request #4-2022 for Jeffrey and Renae Bennett for Parcel #RP61N01E023450A, for a road approach that doesn’t meet Boundary County Road Standards Ordinance 2020-2, Section 3.3.B., with Conditions a through h, to approve a different location from what was approved, to the north of the proposed location. Approval is dependent on a parcel division application with Planning and Zoning, pending approval of the application by Planning and Zoning, and as per Condition E, upon approval of the variance the variance granted approach location shall be recorded with the Findings and Decision letter and a copy of recorded instrument number shall be provided to the applicant. The applicant shall complete an approach permit with Road and Bridge. The variance shall run with land unless as described in paragraph h. Should the approach permit and approach construction no be completed within one (1) year from the date of this document, variance shall be terminated and shall not run with the land, except for extensions granted by the Board of County Commissioners. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.

The hearing to consider Variance Application #4-2022 for Jeffrey and Renae Bennett ended at 3:11 p.m.

Mr. & Ms. Bennett left the meeting.

Ms. Nelson provided Commissioners with an update on the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) meeting held at South Boundary’s fire station on April 19th. At the meeting was ITD District 1 Engineer Damon Allen, ITD Engineering Manager Marv Fenn, ITD District 1 Board member Jim Thompson, Susan Kiebert with the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC), Alta Forest Products Operation Manager Ryan Comer and another employee from Alta Forest Products, Boundary County Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendents Randy Morris and Renee Nelson, Road and Bridge Road Foreman Brad Barton, South Boundary Fire District Chief Tony Rohrwasser, Boundary Economic Development Council Director David Sims, Matt Hall and Shawn Metz with HMH Engineering, Senator Jim Woodward and Representative Sage Dixon.

Ms. Nelson said this meeting started with Mr. Comer providing an overview of Alta’s plans, siding project and how to fix the mill so that in the long term its entrance is on Deep Creek Loop; not School House Road and Stage Coach Road. Ms. Nelson said Alta doesn’t yet have the 30% plans ready, but they’re hoping to get those plans to Road and Bridge. The mill is expanding and there will be impacts to both Highway 95 at School House Road as well as Highway 95 at Deep Creek Loop.

Ms. Nelson said Mr. Allen will let Road and Bridge know that ITD has committed to improving School House Road at the Highway 95 approach and replace two bridges; one bridge on School House Road and the other bridge is on Highway 95 and is the bridge that Trail Creek goes under. ITD will replace both bridges and put in turn bays. Mr. Allen said ITD will put this project into their Idaho Transportation Investment Program (ITIP) and it will take two years for design and two to seven more years before completion. This is a $6,000,000.00 to $7,000,000.00 project. Mr. Allen reiterated that ITD is committed. Ms. Nelson said she and Mr. Hall discussed always having issues with the bridge on School House Road under Road and Bridge’s jurisdiction to fix it and it’s in the highway’s right-of-way, but ITD is committed to fixing it.

Next discussion at the meeting turned to the Naples Bridge on Deep Creek Loop. Mr. Comer would like to see this bridge used more. There is not enough funding for this bridge and there was discussion about possibly doing a bridge study for improvements. Mr. Hall explained what work the county has already done. Ms. Nelson said you can only raise the bridge so far. There was talk of possibly putting cameras up on the bridge, but what is the mill willing to do to prevent over-height loads from coming in. Ms. Nelson said Road and Bridge needs School House Road to get fixed.

Mr. Allen had explained to Mr. Comer that you have to understand the old age and condition of the Naples Bridge. Ms. Nelson said HMH Engineering was awarded the School House Road project and didn’t get the children pedestrian safety improvement project, but it all ties in together. Mr. Hall said there has got to be a way to get some of these projects designed and worked together as opposed to doing the projects separately. Chairman Dinning reiterated that it’s a good opportunity to put these projects together and have it as one project with phases. Commissioners felt School House Road is crucial.

Ms. Nelson said since year 2010 mill production has doubled and she commented on their five-year plan. Those present discussed the Alta Mill train siding that will go across Stage Coach Road. It was asked if the train will impact School House Road. Ms. Nelson mentioned that it was said the train will ultimately not impact the road and she added that she really needs to see the 30% plan.

Alta Mill representatives expressed concern of accessing Deep Creek Loop at Highway 95. ITD was already aware of this concern and came up with a proposal. ITD said they would be interested in entering into a memorandum of understanding with the county and ITD would do all construction at the approach to Highway 95 and Deep Creek Loop as well as take off some of the sand hill to the south of the Deep Creek approach at the highway. ITD would extend Deep Creek Loop a bit farther to the south to make it better for trucks. Ms. Nelson said it’s thought that this will cost at least $1,000,000.00 for construction. ITD requested the county do the design and ITD would do the construction. Design could cost approximately $50,000.00. Ms. Nelson said Road and Bridge can see the benefits of a different approach on Deep Creek Loop. Would Alta be willing to work coordinating that design for ITD. Commissioner Cossairt said it’s just a south bound merge lane.

Chairman Dinning said we need to look at the whole thing and not say we’re just going to fix this approach. If someone doesn’t help the county fix this bridge, the approach will be worthless at some point. We need to do these projects in phases and if engineering is needed, we will reimburse them. The county won’t go out and hire someone and have it become our problem. Chairman Dinning asked how to get everyone together again and he added that all of these pieces would connect so well.

Ms. Nelson said right now the traffic slows down on Deep Creek Loop, but if truck drivers know they have a nice approach, the Naples Bridge won’t last as long.

Ms. Nelson mentioned that 129,000-pound trucks were discussed at the meeting and she added that she can’t tell for sure if any of those trucks are going in and out already because Alta contracts out. There could be an issue with School House Road and Naples Bridge if there are a lot of 129,000-pound trucks driving over the bridges.

Chairman Dinning said going forward, the county has the ability to enter into any agreement Commissioners want with a state agency. The county can commit the State of Idaho to these long-term projects with our connections in Boise. Ms. Nelson said we have the design started for the School House Road project and Alta Mill’s plans will have an impact on that road. It was asked if there would be a benefit to having HMH Engineering come up and meet with all of us. Chairman Dinning said we want to do this right one time and both parties need to commit. If the county can get the state to sign off at the proper level, we have a project that’s funded in stages.

3:53 p.m., John Becker joined the meeting.

Chairman Dinning said we don’t want to do a piece meal project that may not fit in the end. The ITD Board could look into legislation that could help the county.

Ms. Nelson said as far as Alta Mill and their siding project they don’t have plans, but they have contacted Cabinet Mountains Water District. Mr. Davy said the Water District was contacted by Alta asking what the District needed for the project. Cabinet Mountains Water District needs some sort of understanding by all parties and to know what is occurring. Utilities are in the county right-of-way for the most part so there is no agreement yet. Mr. Davy said the Water District needs a seat at the table as this project has significant impact to its infrastructure, potentially and they’ve mostly been in the dark as to what is going on. The water line in that location is the only line that runs through to provide water for Naples, Highland Flats and everything south of there. Mr. Davy said Alta wants to get plans to a certain point, but at the same time, he can’t give Alta an answer as the Water District hasn’t had any discussions with the county so it’s the cart before the horse.

The meeting with Ms. Nelson, Mr. Morris and Mr. Davy ended at 4:01 p.m.

4:01 p.m., John Becker met with Commissioners to discuss this year’s fireworks display.

Mr. Becker asked Commissioners if the county is willing or interested in helping out by covering insurance costs for this year’s fireworks display. Mr. Becker said he is still working on getting a quote for insurance, but it should be about the same as last year or possibly a couple hundred dollars more. Chairman Dinning said last year the county hired Mr. Becker and he added that Mr. Becker still needs to run this by the Parks and Recreation Department Board and Fair Board. Commissioners had no questions, but said they can’t commit to a figure until they know what the insurance cost is. Chairman Dinning said this year’s agreement would be similar to last year’s agreement.

The meeting with Mr. Becker ended at 4:09 p.m.

Commissioners tended to administrative duties.

4:30 p.m., Commissioners held an informational meeting with the local media. Bonners Ferry Herald Reporter Emily Bonsant met with Commissioners for this meeting in person and Mike Weland with 9B News participated via telephone.

Commissioners asked Ms. Bonsant and Mr. Weland to ask whatever questions they might have. Ms. Bonsant asked why Commissioners were holding onto American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Commissioner Bertling said his perspective is that he wants more clarification as to what the funds can be spent on and information needs to be precise so the county does not end up needing to pay the money back. There is plenty of time to make the right decision. Once the parameters are determined, Commissioners can go over different ideas as to what the money can be used for. Chairman Dinning said there had been concerns regarding there being possible strings attached so Commissioners have asked their civil attorney to research what strings there might be and they haven’t heard back yet. The county has until year 2024 to dedicate funds and year 2026 to have those funds spent. The money is in a trust account earning interest that the county gets to keep even if Commissioners send funds back. Until Commissioners decide to send funds back or use them, it’s earning interest.

Commissioners updated Mr. Weland and Ms. Bonsant on the state funding program to chip seal Brown Creek Road. Chairman Dinning spoke of having approval to improve School House Road.

Chairman Dinning addressed matters pertaining to Planning and Zoning. Chairman Dinning said in the spring of year 2020, the county saw a significant increase in Planning and Zoning needs and that one person couldn’t do it all. In January or February, the county contracted with Ruen-Yeager and Associates to assist with current planner, but the planner ended up retiring. When Ruen-Yeager picked up the work for the county there were 130 existing applications to process. At that same time the county lost their addressing coordinator at Road and Bridge and these issues are tied together. As for Road and Bridge, Commissioners contracted with Innovate! Inc. to provide a staff member to work on assigning county addresses and Commissioners found that using a firm as opposed to an individual person right now, has been better for the county as an individual may leave their job, which would leave the county without having someone in that position, but in working with a firm, they will have more staff to take over. Mr. Weland asked the types of complaints the county receives. Commissioners said the county has had variance applications and the applicants have felt the process was taking too long. Commissioner Bertling said one complaint he’s heard is that the county’s Planning and Zoning is Ruen-Yeager and Associations, who is based out of Sandpoint, but they still have to follow Boundary County’s Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Ordinance. Back in year 2020, Ruen-Yeager processed 224 applications, last year there were 238 applications and as of April there are 116 applications. It’s grown significantly and if Boundary County is looking at processing over 200 applications per year, one person cannot do it. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners are trying to address all of the needs right now and people are saying to hire someone local, but one of the staff members at Ruen-Yeager is from Boundary County, has family here and she has planning experience. Commissioners are just trying to take care of people’s needs and at some point, the planning computer system will need an update. From what Ruen-Yeager has inherited and what applications they’re processing, it’s a huge feat. Commissioner Bertling said Ruen-Yeager is very professional.

Chairman Dinning mentioned that $240,000.00 will be saved by having the State of Idaho take over public defender matters. Boundary County is looking to work with Bonner County as it pertains to the local public defenders.

The number of residents at the Restorium is increasing.

The Idaho Transportation Department is looking at replacing bridges in Naples, widening the highway, and improving School House Road. We have a good employer in Alta Forest Products and we need to make sure truck drivers can get in and out.

Chairman Dinning said the grizzly bear is to remain as threatened and not endangered.

The meeting with Ms. Bonsant and Mr. Weland ended at 4:57 p.m.

4:57 p.m., There being no further business, the meeting recessed until tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.

***Tuesday, May 3, 2022, 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.

9:00 a.m., Commissioner Cossairt moved to go into executive session pursuant to Idaho Code 74-206(1)d, to consider records that are exempt from disclosure as provided in chapter 1, title 74, Idaho Code. 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 9:36 a.m. No action was taken.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:40 a.m.

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DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
ATTEST:

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GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk