***Monday, November 9, 2020, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning (via conference call), Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Walt Kirby (via conference call), Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
9:00 a.m., Road and Bridge Department Co-Superintendent Randy Morris joined the meeting via conference call to give the department report. No written report was provided.
Chairman Dinning commented that last week Commissioners had authorized Road and Bridge to purchase a surplus tractor from the Idaho Transportation Department.
Chairman Dinning stated for the record that the meeting originally set for 1:30 p.m. today had to be rescheduled to 2:30 p.m.
Mr. Morris reported that Road and Bridge is just plugging along getting ready for snow. Crews are brushing along the Westside Road and the sand screen is up to screen more sand. Road and Bridge is also working on Chisholm Hill Road and they need to get another culvert in. Mr. Morris commented that he’s looking to get brine on the hills in order to get ahead of the snow. The Addressing Coordinator at Road and Bridge has 11 addresses to assign this week, according to Mr. Morris. Mr. Morris added that Co-Superintendent Renee Nelson received a call from Ziply and there must be an issue with a right-of-way on Deer Creek Road. Ziply is supposed to install a relay station, but the landowner said the property is his and he won’t allow Ziply to continue. Ms. Nelson would like the county’s Civil Attorney to contact her about this. Mr. Morris commented that this work is within Ziply’s right-of-way. The install is at Highway 95 and Ziply went under the highway with the line, which is some kind of booster or fiber line. There is one at Camp Nine Road and maybe King’s Row Road as well.
Mr. Morris said Road and Bridge is still down a few employees so they’re just trying to plug along. There have been no positive COVID-19 tests for Road and Bridge employees yet.
Mr. Morris informed Commissioners the check to pay for the tractor that Road and Bridge purchased from the Idaho Transportation Department was mailed to the Boise location, but that is not where the tractor is so Road and Bridge will get it worked out.
Commissioners commented that they will talk to County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull about the status of the affidavit for Nuthatch Lane and Muley Drive.
The call with Mr. Morris ended at 9:08 a.m.
Chairman Dinning informed Commissioners that the Sandpoint Snowmobile Association would like to talk in the future about asking the court to set aside the snowmobile closure order regarding caribou as there are no longer any caribou so that will be a topic to come up.
Commissioners recessed until their next meeting at 9:30 a.m.
9:30 a.m., County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull joined the meeting via conference call. Eric Lederhos and Seth Brown with EL Internet were also on the conference call.
Chairman Dinning said the county has been waiting for the City of Bonners Ferry to amend the easement they have next to the county’s gravel pit in Moyie Springs so the line goes into the proper place. That hasn’t occurred yet so Chairman Dinning asked if there is some form of a letter the county can give to EL Internet to authorize their work to install other poles along that same easement. Attorney Hull asked for clarification if it’s a county easement and Chairman Dinning replied that it’s the county’s gravel pit. On the south end of the pit the City of Bonners Ferry has their power poles going east to west. Where the actual easement is on the document is not where the poles are in the ground so the county is just waiting for the city to reflect that change and nobody has a problem with it. Attorney Hull said the best thing to say is that the county recognizes there is an easement and they’re working with the City of Bonners Ferry to relocate it. The work that EL Internet has to do is associated with the Idaho Broadband CARES Act grant so the county has no objection and verbiage will be incorporated into the new easement once the amendment has been drafted.
Mr. Brown with EL Internet said with regard to that easement, EL Internet is going to put in their own poles as the city’s poles are older and these poles will be just a couple of feet from the city’s poles. Attorney Hull asked if the city might piggyback onto EL Internet’s poles eventually. Mr. Brown said maybe, but Kevin Lederhos said to save on work, EL Internet would just put in their own three poles. Chairman Dinning said the county will touch base with the city regarding the status of the easement.
Commissioner Kirby moved to sign a letter regarding the installation of poles for EL Internet once Commissioners check with the City of Bonners Ferry. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Clerk Poston said on the agenda is a motion to approve and authorize payment for projects associated with the Idaho CARES Act Broadband Grant, but she hasn’t received anything from the state so she wanted to make that known.
Mr. Lederhos and Mr. Brown ended their call at 9:40 a.m.
Attorney Hull said he’s working on the affidavit for the amended plat for the Mountain View Estates, but he needs the recording date and instrument number off the original plat.
Attorney Hull discussed the settlement payment for the water leak under Riverside Road.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Property Damage Release Form for water damage under Riverside Road as it relates to S&L Underground. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
The call with Attorney Hull ended at 9:45 a.m.
Chairman Dinning mentioned postponing their motion regarding the Stimson Land Use Permit for snowmobiling due to changing legal descriptions.
Commissioners reviewed claims for payment. Fund totals are as follows:
Current Expense $ 214,857.40
Road & Bridge 14,258.28
Airport 3,217.46
District Court 5,254.98
Justice Fund 52,949.01
911 Funds 11,011.71
Indigent & Charity 16,833.99
Junior College Tuition 11,806.00
Parks and Recreation 4,121.71
Revaluation 982.60
Solid Waste 16,920.71
Veterans Memorial 177.71
Weeds 1,689.89
Restorium 28,432.22
Snowmobile 5,000.00
Waterways 3,297.24
Grant, Airport 52,933.32
Grant, Selkirk Coop Weed Mgmt 17.50
TOTAL $443,761.73
Trusts
Boundary Co. Drug Court Trust 192.05
Interlock Device Fund 172.00
Motor Vehicle Trust 14.00
Sheriff’s Trust Fund 592.25
Odyssey Court Trust Account 25,186.65
Odyssey Bond Trust Account 69,591.20
TOTAL $95,748.15
GRAND TOTAL $539,509.88
Citizens are invited to inspect detailed records on file in the Courthouse (individual claims & Commissioners’ allowance & warrant register record 2020-2021).
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign Certificates of Residency for Rose Owens and Roxanne Brooks. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the minutes of November 2, 2020. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Property Tax Cancellation form for tax year 2020 to cancel $64.80 in taxes, $166.08 in solid waste fees and $20.00 in Translator fees for a total of $250.88 for parcel #MH011800000070A. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Property Tax Cancellation form for tax year 2020 to cancel $53.26 in taxes for parcel #RP003350000120A. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the extension amendment for the 2018 State Homeland Security Program grant. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners discussed needing to place a nomination for the Idaho Counties Risk Management Program (ICRMP) Board of Trustees for District 1.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to nominate Phil Lambert to the Idaho Counties Risk Management Program (ICRMP) Board of Trustees for District 1. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
9:55 a.m., Solid Waste Department Superintendent Claine Skeen joined the meeting.
10:00 a.m., Commissioners canvassed the ballots cast for the general election held on November 3, 2020. Clerk Poston said the ballots are fine and need to be approved. The data is still being inputted, but they have all the cards for voters. Chairman Dinning asked if there were any discrepancies and Clerk Poston said no. It was said that what is presented is a true and accurate representation of ballots cast in Boundary County for the general election held on November 3, 2020.
Commissioner Kirby moved that Commissioners of the county and the 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 November 3, 2020, as shown by the records now on file in the County Clerk’s Office. Commissioner Cossairt second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Skeen informed Commissioners that he received the six new roll offs that he ordered. There had been $150,000.00 in his budget that was for the roll offs and a truck and the Solid Waste Department is still going to need more roll offs, which leaves approximately $88,000.00 for a roll off truck. Mr. Skeen said it would cost close to $83,000.00 to put a unit on the 2009 garbage truck the Solid Waste Department has, but he’s looking to purchase a new truck at a cost of $170,000.00 and that would consist of two lease payments of $88,000.00. Mr. Skeen said he’s looking for feedback from Commissioners and he added that 90% of his system will be a roll off system and he will be using this system for quite a while. There is money in the budget to do a lease payment so he would like to look toward a new truck with the roll off system on the truck. To put a roll off system onto an existing truck is $83,000.00. Mr. Skeen said he still needs to order three more regular roll offs that garbage goes into now, and four recycle containers with lids. With that number, we can possibly give a roll off back to the Parks and Recreation Department for leaves and spring cleanup, etc. Mr. Skeen spoke of putting a unit on the 2009 truck and also having a 1992 Kenworth that has a packer on it so if the 2009 truck goes down, there would be a backup. Chairman Dinning said it’s difficult. Clerk Poston said $62,000.00 will get seven more roll offs. The two lease payments are $88,000.00, but did Mr. Skeen look into what five payments would be? Mr. Skeen said no. Clerk Poston said if there is $62,000.00 and the lease payments are $88,000.00, that uses up the entire $150,000.00 so her only question is the “what if’s”. Clerk Poston questioned looking into a longer payment term, even though the interest would be more. Mr. Skeen explained his proposed use of the roll offs.
Chairman Dinning questioned what’s preventing the monitored sites from opening full time again and Mr. Skeen said he would need to hire two more site monitors. Clerk Poston asked if it makes a difference in the winter. Mr. Skeen said by putting in two more rolls offs it will be easier for the public without having to hire two more monitors and he added that the current system of three days per week works very well for this department.
Those present discussed landfill employee’s abilities to social distance while at work and Mr. Skeen explained that there’s only one site monitor at each location.
The meeting with Mr. Skeen ended at 10:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m., Chief Probation Officer Stacy Brown joined the meeting to give the Probation Department report.
Clerk Poston and Commissioners discussed ordering masks to have on hand for COVID-19 through next March.
Ms. Brown presented Commissioners with two reports associated with probation. Ms. Brown said one report is a one day snapshot and the other is the actual financial report.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections Annual financial Report. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to sign the County Annual Juvenile Justice Report to the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Brown said the Zoom meetings are increasing so she has fewer people coming into the office. When people do come to the office their temperatures are taken and the Probation staff are just being very cautious and asking a lot of questions. Ms. Brown said she has not had people waiting outside, but they also haven’t had a lot of people needing to come in at the same time.
Clerk Poston asked about the drug court’s position on COVID-19 precautions. Ms. Brown mentioned there being six people in the drug court program currently and the Probation Department conducts the urine analyses (UAs) twice per week. Clerk Poston said there had been two people who came into the Courthouse and potentially exposed others to COVID-19 while there. Ms. Brown said in asking people about being tested for COVID-19, if they’ve being sick or asking if they’ve been around people who are sick, it will reduce those mistakes.
Ms. Brown informed Commissioners how many people are on various types of probation, pending cases, and the number of those in the diversion program. Ms. Brown listed cases related to drugs, driving related offenses, substance abuse, theft, no contact orders, Fish and Game Department violation orders, etc. Ms. Brown mentioned that of the six drug court cases, five of them are females released on their own recognizance (OR). The jail handles the males who have been released on their own recognizance.
Ms. Brown said she and Juvenile Probation Officer Jessica Nordheim have been working with the school resource officer on a new diversion program as well as working with County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull on the Adult Diversion Program.
Ms. Brown asked if there would be any issues if her employees want to take the day after Thanksgiving off, but then come in to work on Saturday to do a few surprise UAs. The day after Thanksgiving would be taken as a vacation day. Commissioners didn’t have any issue with the Probation Office staff taking the day after Thanksgiving off and working a bit on Saturday.
Chairman Dinning said a lot of county advisory boards are still holding meetings. Commissioner Cossairt said we should make masks available for wherever these boards are meeting.
Clerk Poston updated Commissioners on the Broadband Grant. Chairman Dinning said we need to be cognizant of the project deadline and possibly hold special meetings so as not to hold up the project.
The meeting with Ms. Brown ended at 10:45 a.m.
11:00 a.m., Courthouse Maintenance John Buckley joined the meeting to give the department report. Mr. Buckley said the election went well for him last week and the utility trailer helped a lot. Mr. Buckley asked Commissioners if they’re aware of a five yard dump truck at the Airport that the Airport Board wants to surplus. This truck might be usable for the Parks and Recreation Department and Fair Board. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners would let the process play out as other county departments have to be notified about surplus items.
Mr. Buckley spoke of UPS and FED Ex deliveries in that the drivers of these companies are having trouble bringing the deliveries to the second floor of the Courthouse due to volume of items. Some of the items are employee’s personal items as opposed to office supplies. It can be frustrating for the drivers who have to deliver the items to the respective offices. Clerk Poston said Commissioners could send a memo stating that personal deliveries should go to an employee’s address as opposed to the Courthouse.
Mr. Buckley spoke of making plexi-glass screens for various offices. Clerk Poston asked Mr. Buckley if he had any more screens and Mr. Buckley said he has the voting screens, but he really doesn’t have extra. Clerk Poston voiced preferring to keep the voting materials for that purpose. Mr. Buckley said he just has parts and pieces as opposed to larger sheets of plexi-glass. Clerk Poston suggested Mr. Buckley order more sheets as currently the county is getting reimbursed for them. Mr. Buckley said he’s just trying to catch up in between other tasks he’s working on to get more permanent screens in place.
Those present discussed painting Prosecutor Jack Douglas’s office. Chairman Dinning mentioned hearing that the carpet might need to be replaced in that specific office, but Mr. Buckley said he checked and the carpet in there is in good shape.
Mr. Buckley commented that he would like to build a mezzanine in one of the storage areas on the second floor of the armory so he can store the voting equipment. Clerk Poston said there are funds for that so he can go ahead and get it done.
The meeting with Mr. Buckley ended at 11:15 a.m.
Commissioners recessed until their next meeting at 11:30 a.m., with Economic Development Council (EDC) Director Dennis Weed.
11:35 a.m., County Economic Development Council (EDC) Director Dennis Weed joined the meeting to give an update on EDC projects.
Mr. Weed said it looks like a vaccine for COVID-19 has been developed with positive results so hopefully that will help going into next summer. Mr. Weed said he did do a lot of marketing with journalists for companies such as the New York Times and other national publications that will have an impact on visitors this next summer.
Those present discussed issues the Bee Line Water Association has been having with Ziply Fiber. Bee Line will turn the issue over to the insurance company and if the damage is not paid for by insurance, then Ziply will pay. $125,000.00 is the amount of the bill that will get paid. Mr. Weed said there was a bend in the waterline and it was a one in a million chance that the line was nicked so it was a fluke. Mr. Weed added that he sent the information to the chief executive officer of Ziply about Mission Creek Water Association’s issue as well, so both claims should be paid by the insurance company or by Ziply.
Mr. Weed informed Commissioners that there could be a second round of broadband grants coming out next year, but with new administration it’s not certain how that will work. The State Department of Commerce is not averse to offering another round of grants.
Chairman Dinning said regarding the water line issue, it’s nice that the cost is going to be covered, but what about inconvenience to the users of the system as there is a feeling that there wasn’t really care given by what Ziply caused. Mr. Weed said there were two 24 hour periods where people didn’t have water. Mr. Weed said the issue he has with Mission Creek’s situation is that he doesn’t think the hours of work done by people for that water system were tabulated. Chairman Dinning suggested Mr. Weed contact Mike Ripatti about that. Mr. Weed explained that the Bee Line Water Association listed all of the hours and time the workers gave in their claim.
Mr. Weed commented that the Verizon tower is operational so we will see if it’s been optimized. People in Moyie Springs are getting cell service across the bridge plus another four miles beyond the bridge before disconnecting whereas before you would lose contact right at the bridge or just before. Mr. Weed said he hasn’t checked with anyone in the Copeland area to see if their service improved. Chairman Dinning suggested contacting Tim Dillin.
It was said last Monday the Boundary County School District, Economic Development Council and Department of Labor economist met about the career and technical education (CTE) program at the high school. When a student is done with high school education, there is an easier dovetail to get employees for businesses. Mr. Weed said it’s been an issue having the skills needed so we’re seeing what we can do to improve the program and to identify students for intern programs, etc. The hope is to get career technical education and businesses in the county closer together so we’re not lacking young people to help businesses. It was a good start and there is another meeting in January.
Mr. Weed reported that Boundary County’s unemployment rate is still about 5%. Some businesses are still having a hard time finding employees, but Mr. Weed said he feels there are enough employees for these positions if they want the job.
Mr. Weed mentioned there being an invoice for the Moyie Springs sewer project and as soon as Moyie Springs can get the grant funding through the Department of Environmental Quality, they can pay the county invoice.
Mr. Weed said information came out this morning that the names of all businesses that received funding for personal protective equipment had to be released to the public. At first it was only businesses that had received $150,000.00 and more, but now it’s every business name has to be released in a public notification if they received personal protective equipment funding. Mr. Weed said right now he’s in the middle of filling out paperwork regarding there being fraud of these funds so he’s getting notifications for the Small Business Administration (SBA) about this. Mr. Weed said he would keep Commissioners up to date on that. There seems to have been a lot of fraudulent behavior across the country so that is getting rectified.
Chairman Dinning asked Mr. Weed to let Commissioners know if there is anything they can do to help him out as it pertains to Economic Development related work.
The meeting with Mr. Weed ended at 11:50 a.m.
Commissioners recessed for lunch at 11:55 a.m.
2:00 p.m., Commissioners met for the afternoon session with Chairman Dan Dinning (via conference call), Commissioner Wally Cossairt, Commissioner Walt Kirby (via conference call), Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
2:00 p.m., County Mapper Olivia Drake joined the meeting.
Chairman Dinning explained that Ms. Drake had received a request from the Forest Service for the shape file of the wildland urban interface map for the Westside Restoration project and he had fully intended on being in the office today to make sure the map is correct. Those present discussed having Ms. Drake insert language into the email when she sends the file to the Forest Service representative that no changes are to be made to the map. Ms. Drake said she just wanted to get Commissioners’ permission prior to sending the map to the Forest Service.
The meeting with Ms. Drake ended at 2:05 p.m.
2:05 p.m., Chairman Dinning stated that Commissioners are going to make a motion now to go into executive session at 2:30 p.m., pursuant to Idaho Code 74-206(1)a, as it pertains to personnel.
2:05 p.m., Commissioner Cossairt moved to go into executive session today at 2:30 p.m., pursuant to Idaho Code 74-206(a) To consider hiring a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, wherein the respective qualities of individuals are to be evaluated in order to fill a particular vacancy or need. Commissioner Kirby second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Cossairt “aye” and Commissioner Kirby ”aye”. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners recessed until their executive session set for 2:30 p.m.
2:30 p.m., Commissioners received a call from Attorney Amanda Findlay.
2:30 p.m., Commissioners went into executive session today at 2:30 p.m., pursuant to Idaho Code 74-206(a) To consider hiring a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, wherein the respective qualities of individuals are to be evaluated in order to fill a particular vacancy or need.
The executive session ended at 3:00 p.m.
Commissioners resumed their regular session at 3:10 p.m.
Chairman Dinning commented that Commissioners interviewed applicant Attorney Amanda Findlay for a Boundary County public defender position.
Commissioner Cossairt moved to hire Attorney Amanda Findlay as a public defender for Boundary County. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
There being no further business, the meetings adjourned 3:25 p.m.
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DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
ATTEST:
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GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk