***Monday, May 23, 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.
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 department report.
Ms. Nelson said she is still waiting to hear back from the county civil attorney as it pertains to Durapatch oil. The Kootenai Tribe of Idaho is going to have a kick-off meeting about their travel plaza located off of Great Northern Road.
Marty Martinez joined the meeting at 9:07 a.m.
Ms. Nelson added that the Kootenai Tribe is also sending their plans for the travel plaza to the Idaho Transportation Department to see what is allowed off of the highway.
Ms. Nelson spoke of the Leading Idaho Local Bridge Program that will involve four local bridges that have the most weight restrictions and those bridges are Skin Creek Bridge, Parker Creek Bridge, Kellogg Bridge, and Shiloh Bridge. Ms. Nelson explained that each bridge has to have its own application and there will need to be a memorandum of understanding between the county and the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC) as well as a resolution adopting the project for each bridge. Ms. Nelson said the applications are not yet ready.
Ms. Nelson said she is still working on the Findings and Decision for Jeff and Renae Bennett’s variance application. Ergon Oil and Emulsions has contacted Road and Bridge to find out the county’s chip sealing schedule and check the status of the trailer lease agreement. As it pertains to the Idaho Plant Access forms, County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull did look into picking up the oil. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners are still waiting to hear about a proposed meeting involving the Idaho Transportation Department and Alta Forest Products to discuss projects in the Naples area.
Ms. Nelson said Road Foreman Brad Barton has looked into using mag chloride liquid and Envirotech sent in a piggy back bid offer from Bonner County. Ms. Nelson said it looks like Road and Bridge could get 30,000 gallons delivered to Road and Bridge for approximately $23,000.00 or $24,000.00.
Mr. Morris said Road and Bridge may look at filling the position of equipment operator with a commercial driver’s license.
Ms. Nelson discussed the need to look into mapping and holding another meeting with Innovate. There needs to be continuity between departments for addressing.
The meeting with Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris ended at 9:25 a.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to authorize the Chairman to sign Request for Reimbursement #21 and Invoice Summary for Airport Improvement Project #017 for the environmental assessment for the Boundary County Airport. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
9:30 a.m., County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull joined the meeting.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Certificates of Residency for Malia Berry, Markynn Pluid, Richele Kinney, William Hollabaugh, John David Endicott, and William Chaney. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Bonners Ferry Herald Reporter Emily Bonsant joined the meeting.
Attorney Hull said as it pertains to the memorandum of understanding for public defender services, he will contact Bonner County about the proposed agreement.
Attorney Hull informed Commissioners that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) wants an appraisal done for the county property as it pertains to the proposed lease with North Bench Fire Department in order to determine fair market value and whatever that figure is, is the amount that has to be paid, even if fire services are provided to the county. The DeHart parcel will also need an appraisal and environmental assessment done according to what the FAA has stated. Attorney Hull suggested the Assessor appraise both strips.
Ms. Bonsant and Mr. Martinez left the meeting.
9:38 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 9:48 a.m. No motion was made.
Ms. Bonsant and Mr. Martinez returned to the meeting.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the minutes of May 2 & 3, 2022. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners discussed receiving a request from Sheriff Dave Kramer to resume funding the school resource officer position. Sheriff Kramer would like to fund this position for fiscal year 21-22 and fiscal year 22-23. Clerk Poston said the funds can come from the professional services line item and she will budget for this like has been done in the past.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to issue payment in the amount of $6,000.00 to the City of Bonners Ferry for funding the school resource officer position for fiscal year 2021-2022. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to appoint Commissioner Wally Cossairt as the proxy vote for Boundary County Commissioners at the Panhandle Health District budget hearing and meeting. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners recessed until their next meeting at 10:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m., Commissioners canvassed the abstract of votes cast for the primary election held on May 17, 2022. Clerk Poston stated that there were no challenges or inconsistencies.
Commissioner Bertling moved that we, the Commissioners of the county and state aforesaid, acting as a Board of Canvassers of Election, do hereby state that the attached is a true and complete abstract of all votes cast within this county for the candidates and/or questions as they appeared at the election held on May 17, 2022, as shown by the records now on file in the County Clerk’s Office. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
11:00 a.m., The meeting with Solid Waste Department Superintendent Claine Skeen was rescheduled to Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 11:30 a.m.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
11:30 a.m., Parks and Recreation Board Chairman Rob Tompkins and County Personnel Director Pam Barton joined the meeting to discuss the maintenance position for the Parks and Recreation Department.
It was said the job description for this maintenance position was rerated, but there is an issue pertaining to work hours, which would cause the position to fall under the Affordable Care Act/Obamacare requirements so if someone is hired under that description, the county has to provide certain benefits. The new job description is in the process of being rewritten. Ms. Barton said when someone is seasonal they can work up to eight consecutive months, but if the employee reaches that ninth month, the position is reclassified as part-time and the employee would have to pay into the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI) for the prior months. Chairman Dinning said a true seasonal employee can work up to eight months and work many hours. Ms. Barton explained that with Obamacare you can do what is called a look back period measurement. When an employee is done you can look back at the work schedule for that position. If the employee averages 30 hours per week, the position would be considered full-time and have benefits.
The bigger matter is the insurance benefits and the cost. For the Parks and Recreation maintenance job description it’s looking at up to 40 hours per week for eight months. The person will have to work more than 30 hours to keep insurance. Chairman Dinning said to change the job description to 40 hours knowing the county will have to budget for insurance. Mr. Tompkins said this is a job that is going to gain more hours. Clerk Poston explained that to be considered full-time the employee will need to work 40 hours per week, put into PERSI and receive insurance benefits. An employee will not earn vacation or sick leave unless they work 40 hours per week. It was said the employee could be laid off during the winter or switched to part-time and work eight hours per week or as needed, and they won’t accrue benefits. Chairman Dinning said as of now a proposed employee would be hired under the existing job description, but there won’t be enough months for a 40 hour per work week. It was said that we’re good this year as by the time the new description is official, the employee will be done.
The meeting with Mr. Tompkins and Ms. Barton ended at 11:50 a.m.
Commissioners recessed for lunch at 12:00 p.m.
4:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Dinning, Commissioner Cossairt, Commissioner Bertling, and Deputy Clerk Rohrwasser.
4:30 p.m., Bonners Ferry Herald Reporter Emily Bonsant joined Commissioners to discuss today’s meeting topics. Mike Weland with 9B News joined the meeting via telephone. The meeting ended at 4:50 p.m.
4:53 p.m., There being no further business, the meeting recessed until tomorrow at 10:00 a.m.
***Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at 10:00 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.
10:00 a.m., Noxious Weeds Department Superintendent Dave Wenk joined the meeting to give the department report. Mr. Wenk said he’s been battling the weather as it relates to treating weeds. Prices for inventory and weed chemicals are hurting the Weed Department budget, but Mr. Wenk said he can make that up in other areas of his budget. Mr. Wenk commented that he will spray for weeds along the river this year. So far Mr. Wenk has 10 or 12 No Spray Weed Control Agreements for Commissioners to sign. Chairman Dinning asked if property owners are keeping their weeds down and Mr. Wenk said no, and he explained that if a property owner does not control their weeds, he can treat them if they get to where the weed is going to flower. The Cooperative Weed Management Area program was approved so funds will be coming in for that and the name of the property owner listed on the application has to match the name on the receipt. Mr. Wenk mentioned that he will be spraying weeds for the City’s lawns and the sewer lagoon. It was said that due to weather conditions over the last few years, the weeds that are found locally have changed. The puncture vine that was treated last year has not come back, according to Mr. Wenk.
Chairman Dinning and Mr. Wenk discussed matters pertaining to snowmobiling.
The meeting with Mr. Wenk ended at 10:06 a.m.
10:08 a.m., Veterans Service Officer Ron Self joined the meeting.
Mr. Self said his office has been quiet lately, but it has picked up and he has a full schedule with North Idaho State Service Officer Scott Thorsness tomorrow. Mr. Self informed Commissioners that there will be a conference in Boise later this summer. Commissioners asked Mr. Self if the office equipment he has is doing okay. Mr. Self said everything is fine. Mr. Self spoke of putting American flags out on Friday for Memorial Day. Those present discussed having American flags on hand.
The meeting with Mr. Self ended at 10:22 a.m.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
10:25 a.m., University of Idaho Ag Extension Educator Amy Robertson joined the meeting to provide an update on Extension programs. Ms. Robertson said the Extension Office has been busy. Ms. Robertson listed various classes offered last winter and through the early spring months. The advanced master gardener program has been created and it was something the county did not have. Ms. Robertson listed more classes to include: food handlers, seed bank, dehydration, soil blocking, fermentation, short season gardening, canning, growing food in north Idaho, pressure canning, smoking and grilling, jerky making, freeze drying, and cooking under pressure. The Extension Office had a booth at the Hospital’s health fair and they’ve held their swine weigh in. The sheep weigh in will be in a few weeks. Ms. Robertson spoke of safety precautions to prevent disease when it comes to animals.
Ms. Robertson presented a list of upcoming summer camps and she mentioned that she will have many robotics courses through the summer. Most camps will end in July so the Extension Office can transition to the fair. There will be a fire prevention class in August and a restoring Idaho springs class as well. Friday Friends is going well, but attendance is down a little bit. Ms. Robertson said she asked for small grants for this program. Ms. Robertson mentioned that she turned in her quarterly report and there had been 799 kids in the 4-H Robotics programs during the 3rd quarter of the grant program and the goal was 100 kids per quarter. Grants might be a bit harder to get this year, according to Ms. Robertson.
Ms. Robertson spoke of meeting as a focus group last week to see what areas of education would be good to have in an extension agent for this community. The University of Idaho will consider changing their degree requirements if it’s hard to find someone.
Those present discussed matters regarding the remodel of the former North Idaho College building for the use by the Extension Office.
The meeting with Ms. Robertson ended at 11:01 a.m.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:01 p.m.
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DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
ATTEST:
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GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk