***Monday, May 9, 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.
Marty Martinez joined the meeting.
Mr. Morris reviewed work listed in the report.
Mr. Morris expressed interest in hiring someone to work on the truck shed at the Road and Bridge site in order to incorporate office space and he explained how the west bay had been designed for that purpose. Chairman Dinning said to think of a design plan that will work years into the future. It was said the existing Road and Bridge Office could be turned into the Addressing Coordinator’s Office. Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris will look into estimates to create more office space.
Ms. Nelson said she doesn’t have bid documents ready yet, but she’s finding that calcium chloride pellets have increased in price as well as the cost of freight. Road and Bridge is also interested in liquid calcium chloride, but this seems to be hard to get as well. Road and Bridge Road Foreman Brad Barton has been talking with Bonner County as their roads are holding up better. Ms. Nelson said she may also look into magnesium chloride due to its staying power. Ms. Nelson commented that Road and Bridge might bid all three products and she added that it could be a fair amount more than last year. Ms. Nelson explained that Road and Bridge is having an issue with one of their trucks and you need two trucks when using pellets.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to go out for bid for 2022 dust palliative materials pending review by the County Civil Attorney. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Dinning asked the status of hearing back from Union Pacific Railroad about the lease for the proposed guardrail project. Ms. Nelson said the county might lose this project if it doesn’t go out to bid by July 2022.
Ms. Nelson said last summer she and Commissioners talked about having to go through the hearing process for variance applications, but one thought was to update the Road Standards Ordinance for a type of approach and having something in place so that if Road and Bridge reviews the application information and deemed the approach to be safe, they could approve it as opposed to Commissioners. Ms. Nelson said she’s coming across situations when there had been no approach prior to 2007. There was one approach that had perfect sight distance, but less than 300 feet from another approach so it had to go through the hearing process. Ms. Nelson commented that it’s a lot of work for her to prepare for the hearing; it’s getting to be really time consuming. Commissioners said they would talk to Attorney Hull about the ability to amend the ordinance. Chairman Dinning mentioned not wanting to approve an amendment that would jeopardize public health and safety so he would like to address that before the ordinance is updated. Commissioners want the variance process to be a lot smoother.
The meeting with Ms. Nelson and Mr. Morris ended at 9:40 a.m.
Kevin Lederhos contacted Commissioners via telephone at 9:41 a.m. to inquire about the topic of broadband that is listed on the agenda. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners received an email from the Idaho Association of Counties about the Idaho Broadband Advisory Board seeking public comments on the statewide plan for broadband. Mr. Lederhos said he received that information as well.
Mr. Lederhos ended his call at 9:42 a.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the minutes of April 18 & 19, 2022 and April 25 & 26, 2022. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Clerk Poston discussed possibly having a shred event for the community and she mentioned having seen one of the local banks do this. The cost for the company to come to Boundary County so the public can have documents shredded is $290.00 per hour and they’re usually there for three hours. There is no charge for travel. Clerk Poston said the city could put a tickler in with the utility bills, but it’s just a suggestion.
9:46 a.m., County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull joined the meeting at 9:46 a.m.
Chairman Dinning mentioned to Attorney Hull that Bonner County Commissioner Jeff Connolly informed him that Bonner County is going forward with a memorandum of understanding with Boundary County for public defender services and they will send the agreement directly to Attorney Hull for review.
Attorney Hull said he’s working on the hold harmless insurance issue as it relates to the lease for the tanker trailer and he’s working on the Riverside Road Improvement Project as well. Attorney Hull mentioned that he had spoken with Gary Gates with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), but the call was disconnected. There are two issues Attorney Hull said he’s addressing with the FAA; one is the fair market value for the land lease with North Bench Fire Department and the other one is if the county were to sell a piece of property that was purchased with federal funds, does that money go back to the federal government. Attorney Hull informed Commissioners that he had a meeting with Attorney Eric Anderson about the Dan DeHart property. There is county property south of the airport that protects the airport’s zone and the Dehart property is south of that county property. Attorney Anderson explained that from his client’s perspective, there is a piece of the DeHart property on the northwest corner that is part of the airport zone. Attorney Hull said there is an easement question of if the county would need that 20 feet. If the county sold that, would there be a trade and the county would restrict 20 feet to have no buildings, etc. It would be an easement with no buildings and the easement would be restricted any way the county could. Attorney Hull asked if it’s worth talking to Attorney Anderson more about it. Commissioners were in favor of Attorney Hull and Attorney Anderson discussing the easement.
10:00 a.m., Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendents Randy Morris and Renee Nelson joined the meeting again at Commissioners’ request. Those present updated Attorney Hull on the question of looking into updating the Road Standards Ordinance to allow Road and Bridge to approve variance applications in certain situations.
Mr. Morris and Ms. Nelson left the meeting at 10:02 a.m.
Commissioners informed Attorney Hull that Commissioners received a quote of approximately $94,000.00 to redo the roof of the jail, but the contractor is requesting a deposit of $38,000.00.
Attorney Hull left the meeting at 10:10 a.m.
Courthouse Maintenance John Buckley stopped by Commissioners’ Office. Mr. Buckley said CDA Stump Grinding & Tree Service trimmed the trees bordering the Courthouse in the past and with the injections given, the trees did really well. The Quote is $2,450.00 to trim the nine maple trees and give them a soil root injection. Commissioners approved the quote and Mr. Buckley said he would contact Shawn Smith with CDA Stump Grinding to let him know the quote was approved.
Mr. Buckley left the meeting at 10:11 a.m.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the Certificate of Residency for Wyatt Smith. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve the catering permits for Mugsy’s Tavern and Grill for Mountain Mafia events held on May 20 & 21, 2022 and June 10, 11 & 12, 2022. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to approve and sign the Findings and Decision for Planning and Zoning File #22-0029 for Applicant John Poland. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Clerk Poston spoke of a possibly having a community shred day where a company will come to Bonners Ferry for a few hours so the public can have their documents shredded. Clerk Poston will contact the company to get the details.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Department of Education document for a county public defender. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
10:30 a.m., Sheriff Dave Kramer and Undersheriff Rich Stephens joined the meeting.
Sheriff Kramer mentioned that the cost to outfit the new Tahoe for his office has been included in the lease amount. The annual payment will be $11,634.00. There is no extra cost if the Sheriff’s Office goes over mileage. There will be an option to buy the Tahoe at the end of the lease or the county can lease a new vehicle. The master lease agreement is to lease the Tahoe with The Bancorp, but there will be another lease once the vehicle is outfitted. There will be just the one lease for now and the payment isn’t due until October 2022. The Sheriff’s Office will transfer Undersheriff Stephens’s current Tahoe to the jail and a couple Sheriff’s Office vehicles will be readied for surplus. Sheriff Kramer said he can also surplus the Humvee.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Master Lease Agreement with The Bancorp for a Chevrolet Tahoe, including outfitting, for the Sheriff’s Office at a cost of $56,940.83 with annual payments of $11,634.00. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Sheriff Kramer said the county used to fund $6,000.00 for the school resource officer and he would be in favor of continuing that. The county hasn’t put funding toward this program since approximately 2018. A request for funding should be coming to the county, according to Sheriff Kramer.
The meeting with Sheriff Kramer and Undersheriff Stephens ended at 10:53 a.m.
Commissioners reviewed claims for payment. Fund totals are as follows:
Current Expense $ 69,708.31
Road & Bridge 71,783.92
Airport 6,040.34
District Court 4,410.90
Justice Fund 73,348.99
911 Funds 11,889.27
Health District 18,925.00
Indigent & Charity 17,012.76
Parks and Recreation 4,377.15
Revaluation 473.69
Solid Waste 22,112.93
Veterans Memorial 60.40
Weeds 647.53
Restorium 18,106.84
Waterways 445.47
Grant, Boat Safety 285.14
Grant, Emergency Communication 2,054.84
Grant, Fire Mitigation 10,817.52
TOTAL $332,501.00
Trusts
Boundary Co. Drug Court Trust 2,728.45
Driver’s License Trust 21,872.00
Interlock Device Fund 100.00
Motor Vehicle Trust Acct 386,384.28
Sheriff’s Trust Fund 598.60
Sheriff’s Special Projects 107.94
Odyssey Court Trust Account 20,450.75
Odyssey Bond Trust Account 2,609.00
TOTAL $434,851.02
GRAND TOTAL $767,352.02
Citizens are invited to inspect detailed records on file in the Courthouse (individual claims & Commissioners’ allowance & warrant register record 2021-2022).
11:30 a.m., Assistant Restorium Administrator Diana Lane joined the meeting to give the department report. Ms. Lane informed Commissioners that the Restorium has a new admission today and two more admissions on Thursday so that will put occupancy at approximately 29. Those present reviewed expenses and revenue for the Restorium.
The meeting with Ms. Lane ended at 11:45 a.m.
Commissioners recessed for lunch at 11:50 a.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., Boundary Economic Development Council Director David Sims joined the meeting.
Mr. Sims discussed having reviewed information sent to him about a program for broadband service and he said the new plan is similar to the original one, except for some edits. Funding is a part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Mr. Sims said this program will probably have a lot of higher performance standards than the first program. The match required is 25%, but it can be waived in certain circumstances. Providers can apply for the funds themselves, according to Mr. Sims. Chairman Dinning asked if the county needs to do anything and Mr. Sims said he doesn’t think any comments need to be made. Clerk Poston said if Commissioners are going to move the University of Idaho Ag/Extension Program to the building once used by North Idaho College, would this opportunity provide high bandwidth as that is what the University of Idaho has now so the public can sit outside and log in. It was said that EL Internet or Ziply will probably serve that building. It was said the county could apply for funding and it will provide 100 megabytes. Clerk Poston said the fairgrounds doesn’t have that. Chairman Dinning said it would be nice to have that. Commissioner Bertling clarified that this is to fund the deficiencies in the county. Mr. Sims said one problem in the past and probably still to this day is that the maps are not very accurate as they show Bonners Ferry having 13 internet service providers, but it’s more like eight. Chairman Dinning said in the prior program for broadband service the providers only had to provide 25 megabytes.
Mr. Sims informed Commissioners that he talked to Jeremy Davy with Cabinet Mountains Water District, Ryan Comer with Alta Forest Products, and Damon Allen and Jim Thompson with the Idaho Transportation Department about getting together and doing a planning exercise for the projects in the Naples area. Cabinet Mountains Water District has a concern as they have a major water line under Stagecoach Road. Chairman Dinning said we need to the get the agencies involved together in one room. The priority is the railroad spur and Highway 95. Mr. Sims said Mr. Comer feels what Alta has planned will allow the trucks in and out and it would be better to have a design that would allow that. For this grant project it only allows a 5% administration fee, but if it’s something like only installing a switch, it might be inexpensive. The project is between $350,000.00 and $500,000.00 so grant administration could be between 15% and 25%. Commissioners questioned the procurement process when it is the railroad who is applying for the grant.
The meeting with Mr. Sims ended at 1:44 p.m.
2:00 p.m., Solid Waste Department Superintendent Claine Skeen joined the meeting to discuss matters pertaining to the use of the Solid Waste Department’s 10-yard containers at the fairgrounds during fair time. It was said the 10-yard containers can’t be used for brush because of a safety issue. Mr. Skeen explained the locking system on the landfill’s trucks. There have always been garbage containers down at the fairgrounds and there had been a roll off container for wood, but the container was moved to a monitored site. Mr. Skeen said it’s the fairgrounds and Parks and Recreation and if they got a dump trailer for approximately $8,000.00 to $9,000.00 they can use it how they want. Commissioner Bertling said he visited with Road and Bridge and they could absolutely use a dump trailer. Mr. Skeen said he has a 14-foot trailer with sides on it if it needs to be used in the meantime. Chairman Dinning said he was trying to get away with not having to buy a separate vehicle for it. Mr. Skeen said if a roll off box is needed during fair, he has no issue with that. Chairman Dinning said let’s plan on that for the fair, then we’ll will look into getting a dump trailer. Commissioner Bertling mentioned seeing a dump trailer for sale for $12,600.00 that is self-charging and it has a cover on it.
The meeting with Mr. Skeen ended at 2:12 p.m.
Commissioner Bertling left the meeting.
Chairman Dinning and Commissioner Cossairt recessed until their next meeting at 4:30 p.m.
4:30 p.m., Mike Weland with 9B News and Bonners Ferry Herald Reporter Emily Bonsant joined the meeting to get an update on today’s agenda items. The meeting with Ms. Bonsant and Mr. Weland ended at 4:54 p.m.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m.
______________________________________
DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
ATTEST:
_________________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk