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Monday,
March 19, 2012, Commissioners met
in regular session with Chairman Ron Smith,
Commissioner Dan Dinning, Commissioner Walt
Kirby, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
9:00 a.m., Road and Bridge
Superintendent Jeff Gutshall joined the meeting
to give the departmental report. Mr. Gutshall
did not provide a written report.
Commissioner Dinning moved
to amend the agenda to add signing the Frontier
Communications Contact for high speed internet
service for the Park and Recreation Department
Board at 9:20 a.m., as it is a time sensitive matter. Commissioner
Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Gutshall said Meadow
Creek near Feist Creek was flowing across the
county road. Mr. Gutshall said he is going to
take another look at it, but he thought it
hadn’t looked too bad. A part of Kriest Creek
has also flowed outside of its banks. Mr.
Gutshall disclosed various areas affected by mud
and slides due to heavy precipitation to
include: Pine Island
Road, Chicken Ridge
beyond the Figgins residence,
Ruby Creek
Bridge #3, and Lion’s
Den Road. Mr.
Gutshall said a part of Lion’s
Den Road may have
dropped so he took pictures and will contact the
Local Highway Technical Assistance Council
(LHTAC) to look into authorization for
reimbursement for repair work as it is in a
project area.
Chairman Smith spoke of his
conversation with Boundary County Emergency
Services Incident Commander Bob Graham about the
heavy precipitation and
Bonner
County declaring an emergency.
Chairman Smith said the problems
Boundary County
seems to have is not the creeks, but surface
water.
Mr. Gutshall discussed the
damage assessment workshop he attended last
Friday.
Those present discussed the
construction of roads and how it works with
moisture.
9:15 a.m., Clerk Glenda Poston joined
the meeting.
The meeting with Mr.
Gutshall ended at
9:20 a.m.
Commissioner Dinning moved
to authorize the Chairman to sign the documents
from Frontier Communications to provide internet
service for the Park and Recreation Department.
Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed
unanimously.
Commissioner Kirby moved to
approve the minutes of March 5 & 6, 2012 and
March 12 & 13, 2012. Commissioner Dinning
second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Dinning moved
to adopt Resolution #2012-13. A resolution
amending the Boundary County Personnel Policy as
it pertains to Rule 10: Sick Leave Bank.
Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed
unanimously. Resolution #2012-13 reads as
follows:
RESOLUTION 2012
–13
AMENDING THE
BOUNDARY
COUNTY
PERSONNEL POLICY
WHEREAS, Boundary County is authorized to
establish personnel policy pursuant to the
authority conferred by Article XII, Section 2 of
the constitution of the State of Idaho and Title
31, Chapter 8, Idaho Code, and
WHEREAS, Boundary County is a political
subdivision of the State of Idaho, operating
under the provisions and the laws of the State
of Idaho, and as such is authorized and
empowered to make decisions regarding its
employee’s benefits, and
WHEREAS, THE Board of Boundary County
Commissioners did, on April 21, 2003,
adopt Resolution 2003-24 establishing a Boundary
County Sick Leave Bank to alleviate economic
hardship occurring to eligible Boundary County
employees due to severe injury or illness, and
WHEREAS, the Board of Boundary County
Commissioners find it in the best interest of
the employees of
Boundary
County
to amend Rule 10: Sick Leave Bank Policy,
NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Board
of Boundary County Commissioners that it is in
the best interest of the County to amend the
Boundary County Personnel Policy as follows:
AMEND RULE 10: SICK LEAVE BANK by
adding the following provision:
18.
Any full-time
Boundary County employee who is retiring at the
age of 62 or older or under the PERSI Rule of 80
or 90, may donate up to forty (40) hours of
their unused sick leave hours to the Sick Leave
Bank upon their retirement.
It will be the responsibility of the
employee to notify the Payroll Clerk of their
intent to donate hours to the Sick Leave Bank.
PASSED
AND
ADOPTED
this 19th day of March, 2012.
BOUNDARY
COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
s/______________________________
Ronald R. Smith, Chairman
s/______________________________
Dan R. Dinning, Commissioner
s/______________________________
Walt Kirby, Commissioner
ATTEST:
s/__________________________
Glenda Poston,
Clerk
BY:
Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy
Recorded as
resolution #253472
Commissioner Dinning moved
to adopt Resolution #2012-14. A resolution
increasing Current Expense General Budget due to
receipt of unanticipated federal forest fund
distribution (Secure Rural Schools) Title III
funds. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed
unanimously.
RESOLUTION 2012-14
A RESOLUTION INCREASING CURRENT EXPENSE GENERAL
BUDGET
DUE TO RECEIPT OF UNANTICIPATED
FEDERAL
FOREST
FUND DISTRIBUTION
(SECURE RURAL SCHOOLS) TITLE III FUNDS
WHEREAS, the Board of County
Commissioners, County of Boundary, State of
Idaho, did establish an operating budget for
fiscal year 2011-2012 for the Current Expense
General Budget; and
WHEREAS, $15,160.70 in unanticipated
funds has been received from federal forest
funds distributions for Title III
for use in county projects, some of which are
associated with federal lands, for search,
rescue and emergency services, fire prevention
and planning under the fire wise communities
program, and development of community wildfire
protection plans; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to increase
the Current Expense General Budget and establish
Revenue Account Number 01-00-0329-0002, SRS
Funds, and Expense Account Number 01-18-727, SRS
Title II Funds, in the amount of $15,160.70; and
WHEREAS, the addition of this revenue
does not affect the tax levy for
Boundary
County,
and
NOW THEREFORE, upon motion duly made,
seconded and unanimously carried,
IT IS RESOLVED that the increase to the
Current Expense General Budget and establishment
of Revenue Account Number 01-00-0329-0002, SRS
Funds, and Expense Account Number 01-18-727, SRS
Title II Funds, in the amount of $15,160.70 is
hereby authorized and ordered, and
IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk is
instructed to deliver certified copies of this
resolution to the Boundary County Treasurer and
the Boundary County Auditor.
DATED this 19th day of March, 2012
COUNTY
OF
BOUNDARY
BOARD OF
COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
s/______________________________
RONALD R. SMITH, Chairman
s/_______________________________
DAN R. DINNING, Commissioner
s/_______________________________
WALT KIRBY, Commissioner
ATTEST:
s/_________________________________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk of the Board of
County
Commissioners
Recorded as
instrument #253453
Commissioner Dinning moved
to go out for the 45 day public comment period
as it pertains to $15,160.70 in Secure Rural
Schools Title III Funds. Commissioner Kirby
second. Motion passed unanimously.
9:30 a.m., Gary Leonard,
Idaho Counties Risk Management Program (ICRMP)
Insurance Agent Darrell Kerby and City of
Bonners Ferry Administrator Stephen Boorman
joined the meeting to discuss details for Mr.
Leonard’s July 4th fireworks event.
Chairman Smith said in the
past Skip O’Fallon took care of the fireworks
and the county signed on as providing liability
insurance. Chairman Smith mentioned that Mr.
Leonard will have to contact the Park and
Recreation Board and Mr. Leonard said he has
spoken to both the Park and Recreation Board and
the Fair Board. Chairman Smith questioned if the
county’s role is to sign on for liability
insurance again. Mr. Boorman said historically
the Kiwanis, through Skip O’Fallon, put on the
fireworks display, but two years ago the Kiwanis
dissolved so the City and County agreed to
sponsor the event by providing the liability
insurance. Mr. O’Fallon raised donations, etc.,
and everything went fine, according to Mr.
Boorman. Mr. Boorman said the approval of
providing liability was done by motion. Mr.
Leonard said he will do the leg work, Mr.
O’Fallon will get the fireworks and Allen
Hamilton will shoot them off. It was said this
will be done under Mr. O’Fallon’s license. Mr.
Boorman said a memorandum of understanding (MOU)
could be drafted if the fire districts want to
be involved. Mr. Kerby said his concern is when
the organizer has volunteers doing this sort of
function Boundary
County will be insured, but ICRMP
won’t insure individual citizens unless they are
acting on the county’s behalf. ICRMP cannot
insure non-governmental entities so people have
to act under authority of the county. In this
case the person volunteering to work with Mr.
O’Fallon is not working under a governmental
agency. It was said that Allen Hamilton will be
assisting, but the question is, is Mr. Hamilton
working as City of Bonners
Ferry Firefighter or
Boundary Volunteer Ambulance member at that
time.
Mr. Leonard mentioned
possible volunteers and vendors such as food
vendors typically have their own coverage. Clerk
Glenda Poston said she thinks the area involved
is considered to be Parks and Recreation with
the exception of parking, and there aren’t
events going on except in the ball field. Mr.
Leonard said Parks and Recreation will provide
hamburgers and hot dogs. Mr. Kerby suggested
thinking in terms of liability coverage. The
only time ICRMP insures anything is when the
event falls under government and ICRMP will
define authorized volunteers. Mr. Kerby said if
food vendors are brought in and Park and
Recreation will do that, the County needs to
know for coverage purposes. Mr. Kerby said as an
insurance agent he needs clarity.
Mr. Leonard said he will
keep it simple and have Park and Recreation
provide food. The City of
Bonners Ferry will
authorize Allen Hamilton as a volunteer as long
as it’s fireworks related and as long as that is
the government function the City wants to do. If
there is an accident, it would be covered by
ICRMP up to their limit. Mr. Kerby said he just
needs to know what the government agency does so
he knows there is coverage.
Mr. Leonard asked what the
policy is for an outside vendor and was told
there is a one million dollar liability
certificate a vendor can get through an
insurance company. Mr. Leonard explained that
Paradise Valley Fire District is not a part of
putting on this event and it is just himself,
Mr. O’Fallon, Mr. Hamilton, the City of
Bonners Ferry, and the
County. Mr. Leonard said North Bench Fire
Association may want to participate and since
they’re an association they just need to provide
a certificate of liability. Mr. Leonard
explained that fire departments may want to
participate as far as using the deck guns for
water, etc.
Clerk Poston said the
reasons the fair requests insurance is for
either amusement rides or food. Mr. Leonard said
he has talked with owners of the Bread Basket
Bakery and they are going to sell apple pies and
Commissioner Dinning said they would need proof
of liability. Clerk Poston said the Bread Basket
Bakery would already have their own insurance
coverage as they’re a business, and all they
need to do is supply Mr. Leonard with a
certificate of insurance.
Commissioner Dinning said
the volunteers need to be authorized and Mr.
Boorman mentioned a resolution or a memorandum
of understanding could be drafted to authorize
volunteers. Chairman Smith questioned if all it
takes is a motion to approve volunteers.
Mr. Leonard asked if he
could get flexibility for volunteers as there
are volunteers needed for crowd control, clean
up, parking, etc. Mr. Boorman said when it gets
to three or four weeks prior to the event, Mr.
Leonard could provide a list of the additional
volunteers and their functions.
Mr. Kerby said the City of
Bonners Ferry or County
does not want to subject the taxpayers or ICRMP
to the deep pockets. It is important for each
entity to approve who is acting on their behalf.
Mr. Kerby said the Constitution prohibits
government to provide credit to private entities
and providing insurance is considered a form of
providing credit. Commissioner Dinning said he
thinks a motion can be made and an MOU will be a
good idea. Commissioner Dinning said the MOU
will provide clarity and can also be open ended.
Mr. Boorman said the City will work on MOU
verbiage. Mr. Leonard said this meeting provided
clarity for when he speaks with the volunteers.
It was said the insurance certificates should
show coverage for both the city and county.
The meeting with Mr. Kerby,
Mr. Leonard and Mr. Boorman ended at
9:55 a.m.
Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals
joined the meeting.
10:00 a.m., Commissioner Dinning
moved to go into closed session under Idaho Code
#31-874. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion
passed unanimously. 10:10 a.m., Commissioner Dinning moved to go out of
closed session. Commissioner Kirby second.
Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Dinning moved
to authorize the Chairman to sign the
subordination agreement for indigent application
#2010-41. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion
passed unanimously.
Commissioner Dinning moved
to approve the certificate for additional
treatment for indigent application #2012-8.
Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed
unanimously.
Commissioner Dinning moved
to approve the request for follow up application
for indigent application #2012-7. Commissioner
Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Dinning moved
to approve indigent application #2012-14 as per
the Clerk’s recommendation. Commissioner Kirby
second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting with Deputy
Clerk Ryals ended at
10:15 a.m.
Commissioners tended to
administrative duties.
10:30 a.m., Attorney Brian
Woods, City of Bonners Ferry Assistant
Administrator David Sims, City of Bonners Ferry
Council Member Tom Mayo, County Solid Waste
Superintendent Claine Skeen, and Ron
Frederickson and Kevin Frederickson with
Frederickson’s Bonners Ferry Garbage met with
Commissioners to discuss recycling.
Attorney Woods explained
that he was here on behalf of Mr. Frederickson
to clarify a couple of things. Attorney Woods
spoke of educating those present as to the
relationship Frederickson’s Bonners Ferry
Garbage has with the City of
Bonners Ferry, to request
a reduction in solid waste fees that city
residents pay and also talk about exclusivity in
the county for resident garbage collection or at
least putting standards in place for carriers.
Attorney Woods said he would like Commissioners
to allow the City of Bonners Ferry to implement
the right recycling program and he would also
provide figures to explain why Commissioners
could see ways to reduce solid waste fees
without costing the county much as a whole.
Attorney Woods explained
this discussion is something he is doing on
behalf of Frederickson’s Bonners Ferry Garbage
not the City of Bonners
Ferry.
Attorney Woods said garbage
includes anything that is not recyclable and
right now Mr. Frederickson has the exclusive
right. Mr. Frederickson has been talking about
implementing a recycling system in the city,
according to Mr. Frederickson. One proposal is
to charge $1.50 on a collection point basis to
continue the city’s program that has been in
place or to implement a curbside recycling
program at a cost to the city residents of
$3.25. Mr. Frederickson said this program might
look favorable to the city council.
Attorney Woods provided
those present with a City of
Bonners Ferry
curbside recycling analysis. Currently 4,000
pounds of recyclables are collected at the
collection points. This figure should increase
approximately one and one half times, which is
6,000 pounds and once knowledge of this proposed
program is learned, that number could increase
to 8,000 pounds. The county could expect to
receive $240 per week from the city’s program
and could equate to $12,500 in revenue to the
county.
Attorney Woods said city
residents pay $100 per residence towards solid
waste fees and explained that these are not
exact figures as they are rounded from figures
that are close. Mr. Skeen said city residents
pay $93.48 for solid waste services and
previously paid $103.80. Residents outside city
limits pay $111.48. Attorney Woods said using a
round number the county receives $100,000 in
annual solid waste fees from the city. Mr.
Frederickson is proposing a reduction of $18 per
city household per year, which is a reduction
from $93.48 to $75.48 per year and overall a
yearly reduction in county revenue of $18,000.
If a recycling program is put in place within
the city, the county will see an annual increase
of $12,480 in additional revenues due to the
city curbside recycling program.
The next
expense is approximately $5,500 and that allows
a charge of $3.25 per city household for
curbside recycling service, which is an annual
cost of $39 to city residents. This information
is close to collection point information that
Mr. Frederickson submitted to the City of
Bonners Ferry. Mr.
Frederickson said those figures for collection
points should stay where they’re at as that is
what he charges for commercial businesses
clients and there needs to be consistency. It
was said this should bridge the gap and the city
should feel more comfortable with curbside
recycling.
Attorney Woods reiterated
for clarification that he was here on behalf of
Ron Frederickson and Kevin Frederickson. Mr.
Frederickson had a meeting with the Bonners
Ferry City Council and a lot of issues came up
with an unmanned collection system and Mr.
Frederickson said the unmanned collection system
could be problematic in the long term. Mr.
Frederickson said he has preference for curbside
service and the city has preference to keep
costs to residents low and the county could
bridge the gap.
Chairman Smith said the
figure of $12,480 as presented is due to
curbside services because as the recyclable
materials arrive at the landfill, they can be
sold and that becomes Mr. Skeen’s revenue. With
the reductions presented in the information
there would be a net loss to the county in the
amount of $5,500. Chairman Smith reviewed the
proposal presented to Commissioners in that city
residents could pay a reduced annual amount of
$21 as opposed to $39. Attorney Woods said this
formula lets the city sell this concept more
easily to its constituents. Chairman Smith said
as a city resident, curbside service will cost
him $39 per year, which will be a savings of
$18. Attorney Woods said annually the cost to a
city resident is $39, but the option is a
monthly billing of $3.25 so annually the cost to
a city resident would be $21 rather than $39.
Mr. Sims said the city held
an administrative hearing last week and
discussion was on $1.50 for pickup points and
$4.50 for curbside service. Mr. Sims said city
council has not made a decision as to which way
they would like to go. The city has not seen
these figures yet, but they would love to see
reduction, according to Mr. Sims. This is not a
proposal from the city, but the council will
discuss this again tomorrow, according Mr. Sims.
City Council Member Tom
Mayo said he would not feel comfortable speaking
on behalf of the city. The city has gotten yard
waste out of the landfill and citizens have done
quite a bit to help. Mr. Mayo said speaking for
himself he would like to put in curbside
recycling. Mr. Mayo said it is so tough to raise
rates right now so any proposed reduction would
be encouraged.
Attorney Woods said how
much revenue the county will receive from the
city from curbside recycling is not known yet so
it may be more of a loss or not a loss at all as
maybe more people will participate. Until the
city has a curbside program in place there
really aren’t solid numbers. Chairman Smith said
the biggest thing is that recyclables are not
placed into the hole.
Mr. Skeen said for
clarification he is now receiving $15 per ton of
recyclable materials, but at one time the
landfill was receiving $60 for baled cardboard.
Mr. Skeen said the issue is not the revenue, but
looking at what material is getting put into the
hole. This is looking at the scenario of a
reduction in dollars to put this program in
affect, according to Mr. Skeen. Mr. Skeen
questioned if there will be more reductions if
there is a time frame to put this system into
effect.
Mr. Mayo asked if there was
an increase, would it be put onto the city as
they are the ones holding a contract.
Commissioner Dinning said the county’s recycling
program costs a lot and county residents are
already subsidizing. Commissioner Dinning said
we’re all concerned about longevity as a whole.
What is proposed is in essence, county residents
subsidizing the curbside service and this is a
service the city residents have chosen to have
for themselves and it is not something
Boundary
County has acquired. Commissioner
Dinning said someone could see it the same as
taking fire, police and other service the city
provides. If you’re looking at the standpoint of
not having curbside or regular garbage pickup,
the county would have to do something and then
raise the rate to what the county residents are
charged. Commissioner Dinning said he
understands the need and not raising fees for
residents, but this will cause the county to
raise fees for this money. Commissioner Dinning
said these are things he’s not opposed to
investigating as it would be a benefit, but
everyone will pay for closing the landfill.
County residents are already subsidizing the
service city residents get.
Chairman Smith said the
difference is because the city resident has to
have their garbage picked up and that is why he
understands it is different. Mr. Sims said he
thinks the city residents pay their share of
landfill operations, but not the outside
operations. Mr. Mayo said he has a sense the
residents did not originally choose to have
garbage picked up as opposed to it being the
city’s choice.
Chairman Smith said he
would even like to see reducing solid waste fees
for county residents. Chairman Smith said better
figures are needed since we are not receiving
$60 per ton as originally thought, but are
actually receiving $15 per ton so he would like
to see the numbers worked out and see what the
city is going to decide. The bottom line is how
much the difference would be on an annual basis
taking into account the funds the county
receives to run the Solid Waste Department today
versus if the changes are made.
Attorney Woods said the
county will receive $15,000 less to reduce the
amount of recyclables going into the hole by
two-thirds of a ton per day. Attorney Woods said
the question is if the county would agree to a
deal that will cost them $15,000 to reduce
tonnage of recyclables by two-thirds of a ton.
Mr. Frederickson asked when
the figures the county received had changed. Mr.
Skeen said the figures changed when the county
switched to the commingle recycle program after
the first of this year. Revenue had been $60 per
ton with the baled cardboard material. Mr. Skeen
said the figure of $15 is market price and could
always change in the next day. The amount of
tonnage no longer going into the hole was quoted
and it was mentioned this was at the time the
city’s sites had not been set up yet. Mr.
Frederickson informed those present that he is
picking up more recycling from businesses.
Chairman Smith said he
doesn’t know how Commissioners could say yes or
no to Mr. Frederickson’s proposal at this point.
Mr. Sims said he imagines figures will vary in
every budget cycle.
Attorney Woods said this
issue is intimately connected to economic
development as people moving to this area will
come to the county first and what they look for
will include garbage service and what is
currently in place. It was said while this is a
city choice it is a huge benefit to the county
to make that choice. Someone will always come to
the city to decide where to relocate whether it
is inside the city limits or out in the county.
If someone comes into a city and it looks bad,
it will be a factor in the decision of where
someone moves to.
Commissioner Dinning said
if we’re referring to looks, the city could
mandate that lawns be green so all examples
could be used towards economic development. This
issue is looking at what is fair when going down
the road, according to Commissioner Dinning.
Commissioner Kirby said he
pays annually for county services and at one
point he had Frederickson’s Bonners Ferry
Garbage pick up his garbage. Commissioner Kirby
said he is a single household such as Chairman
Smith, and he is in the county whereas Chairman
Smith resides in the city, but we need to figure
out some way to pay the same. An average
household generates the same amount of garbage
that goes into the hole, but Commissioner Kirby
said he chooses to haul his garbage to the
landfill and citizens of the county share in
this equally.
Mr. Frederickson said there
is a good benefit for Mr. Skeen when he arrives
at the landfill and puts trash in the back
corner where it is supposed to go as opposed to
Commissioner Kirby, for example, who has to put
his garbage in dumpsters and then Solid Waste
employees have to use equipment to move the
garbage to where Frederickson’s Bonners Ferry
Garbage puts it directly. There is handling
involved, according to Mr. Frederickson.
Chairman Smith spoke of how
many garbage bins he personally puts out for
pick up each time. Commissioners were given
information that there are approximately 988
city residents and at $18 per resident that
equates to a loss to the county of $17,784.
Commissioner Dinning
explained his recycle and garbage schedule and
how much will be spent in gas. Commissioner
Dinning said the other issue that has not been
discussed is that some residents make a 20 mile
trip to dumpster bins so there are all these
variables out there. There is something
equitable for everyone and it is a matter of
having discussions, according to Commissioner
Dinning. Attorney Woods said that is right and
Frederickson’s is here to say this is how the
city can help the County.
The City of
Bonners Ferry is more or
less one quarter of county’s constituents.
Attorney Woods said the question to be exact is
reducing tonnage in the landfill worth the
county giving back $15,000 to city residents.
Attorney Woods said to him that seems to be easy
math as it is a big bang for the county’s buck.
If the city can charge its residents $3.25 per
month for curbside recycling, it will help
reduce what is going into the hole.
Chairman Smith said his big
concern is if we don’t do something a lot of
recyclables will end up in the hole. At one
time, the amount going into the hole came close
to 20 tons per day, which is the limit.
Commissioner Dinning said the most recent figure
to close is 1.8 million dollars for landfill
closure costs.
Commissioner Kirby said it
seems if the city doesn’t want to pick up the
recyclables, it would benefit the county to do
so.
Mr. Sims said a long term
curbside program is the best solution.
Commissioner Dinning mentioned the scenario for
spending all of this money for only a small
percent of people who may have responded to a
recycling survey put out by the city. Mr. Mayo
spoke of places where garbage service is
mandated and the resident’s bill is reduced for
the recycling efforts. The curbside pick up
schedule within the city would be a weekly
garbage pick up and recyclables would be picked
up every other week. Commissioner Dinning asked
if garbage pick up could stretch every two weeks
and Mr. Frederickson said he had thought about
that and the consensus was if the material was
garbage, it needs to be picked up more often.
Chairman Smith briefly
mentioned comments about his neighbor being
charged $10 for carry out garbage service
instead of curbside.
Mr. Skeen said the Solid
Waste Department has a recycle program at
Safeway within city limits and he questioned if
that is a breach of contract in regards to the
city’s contract with Frederickson’s Bonners
Ferry Garbage. Attorney Woods said it is a
breach of contract, but Mr. Frederickson has let
it go on. Attorney Woods said this is about
someone’s livelihood and a government entity
competing against private enterprise and it
shouldn’t continue in the way of the Safeway
site. Mr. Frederickson should assert his rights,
but in order to be fair, Mr. Frederickson said
it would be okay for the county to have the
Safeway recycle site for awhile. Mr. Sims asked
if there would be reason to continue with the
Safeway site if the city starts a program. Mr.
Skeen said Safeway’s load has been reduced by
half with the addition of the city’s recycle
sites.
Chairman Smith said there
are other containers within city limits in
addition to the Safeway site. Commissioner
Dinning said the City of
Bonners Ferry
may not be able to make a decision, but this
will get discussions started. Mr. Sims said the
city has a reserve fund and that is what is
being used to pay for the collection site costs.
Commissioner Dinning asked Mr. Skeen if he could
determine his costs in having the Safeway
recycle site.
The meeting with Ron
Frederickson, Kevin Frederickson, Attorney
Woods, Mr. Mayo, Mr. Skeen, and Mr. Sims ended
at 11:45 a.m.
Commissioners recessed for
lunch at noon.
2:00 p.m., Commissioners
reconvened for the afternoon session with
Chairman Ron Smith, Commissioner Dan Dinning,
Commissioner Walt Kirby, and Deputy Clerk
Michelle Rohrwasser.
2:00 p.m., Area Agency on Aging
members: Gini Woodward, Carol Hampton, Marilyn
Anders, and Jennifer Giesbrecht met with
Commissioners to provide an update on matters
pertaining to their organization.
Ms. Giesbrecht said the
Agency is meeting with Boundary County
Commissioners to discuss food accessibility in
the county as well as volunteerism. Ms.
Giesbrecht said she was impressed with the
partnerships in this county as far as
coordination to include the grocery stores and
Community Action Partnership (CAP) who is active
in getting coordination to happen.
Boundary
County is suffering from economic
downtime and it takes partnerships and the
county is doing a lot of that, according to Ms.
Giesbrecht. There is a need to get fresh and
perishable food to people, especially seniors.
Ms. Giesbrecht gave examples of community aid
such as CAP growing seeds into starters so
people can grow their own fresh vegetables and
there are partnerships in getting items
transported. Boundary
County is doing an excellent job in
partnering and coordinating in delivery systems.
Ms. Giesbrecht mentioned
continuing with food drives and community events
to highlight the issue of need. Those present
discussed how to get food and aid to the elderly
who are less able to get out in the community,
whether it be delivered meals or transportation.
It was said that more single people and elderly
are served than families. The objective is to
try to get food to seniors, especially the
seniors that are homebound. People that are
homebound have more challenges as to what they
can eat and can often be limited in their
ability to prepare meals.
County resident Mike Oehler
joined the meeting at
2:03 p.m.
Ms. Giesbrecht said the
Area Agency on Aging is open to any types of
suggestions for education to create awareness,
even for a senior’s neighbor’s awareness. Ms.
Giesbrecht said volunteerism was discussed at a
meeting she attended and it takes an army to run
food banks and things of that nature and that is
a need that has been seen.
Ms. Woodward said she is
the county’s representative to the Area Agency
on Aging and she heard from the people at the
food bank and senior center that they like to
use volunteers when they can. The issue
associated with volunteers includes long term
commitment as well as matching skills with needs
and that is a communitywide issue in a lot of
ways.
Commissioner Dinning said
when you look around at what is being
volunteered to the 4-H Program and schools,
Boundary
County has to pat themselves on the
back as a community. Ms. Woodward said she has
heard people use the term “STP” in regards to
volunteering and that means the “same ten
people”.
Chairman Smith said the
Friends of the Restorium have 280 members and at
the meetings he has attended, 30 people will be
there so the other 250 can also contribute
financially to be able to help. Ms. Giesbrecht
said the Friends of the Restorium has a focus
and creating a focus, whatever that may be, will
draw volunteers in. If the focus is too broad,
it is harder to bring people in. Commissioner
Dinning said word of mouth has caused the
members of the Friends of the Restorium to grow.
Commissioner Kirby said one of members of the
Friends of the Restorium holds membership
drives. Commissioner Kirby spoke of community
support.
Ms. Giesbrecht said the
Area Agency on Aging will be visible at the
Boundary County Health Fair to bring this topic
back up and to continue coordinating with senior
center and food banks. Commissioner Dinning
asked if the Area Agency on Aging has considered
having a health fair at the county fair.
Clerk Glenda Poston joined
the meeting at
2:10 p.m.
Commissioners updated Clerk
Poston on the discussion of a health fair and
the possibility of the Area Agency on Aging
having a booth at the county fair. Clerk Poston
said the Restorium, AARP and possibly even
hospice have had booths at the fair. Clerk
Poston gave Fair Board contact information to
Ms. Giesbrecht.
Clerk Poston left the
meeting at 2:15 p.m.
The meeting with members of
the Area Agency on Aging ended at
2:16 p.m.
Mr. Oehler informed
Commissioners the reason he stopped by to talk
with Commissioners is to see if there was any
county interest in the 45 acres he owns. Mr.
Oehler said there will be a point when he is
going to park out this property. Mr. Oehler
explained what structures are on the property
and that one is a prototype shelter that is
almost complete. Mr. Oehler said he has been
working on a house that is 1,800 square feet and
if he ever gets it done, there will also be a 70
foot green house with a pond. Mr. Oehler said
the work he has done has been all experimental
and while most of his structures have been
successful, some have also been failures. Mr.
Oehler said he has written books on the
successful structures. Mr. Oehler said he had
thought about approaching Commissioners about
his property to include five houses that people
could see as alternative housing. Mr. Oehler
said the house he has been working on is big,
and the revenue from his book is what has been
supporting him since the 1970’s. Building of the
large home is to show middle class
America
what they can do for $40,000 to $50,000. Mr.
Oehler explained his book schedule and said he
just doesn’t have time to build anymore.
Mr. Oehler said he isn’t
quite ready, but he was thinking about deeding
his land to the county to leave as a park and he
would insist, unless there was a truly
exceptional reason such as tree falling on
house, that this property could not be logged.
This might cost the county money for upkeep, but
there will be houses with electricity and
running water on the land and the ridge house
will have solar energy and maybe wind energy.
Mr. Oehler described the television shows such
as HGTV and shows from other countries that have
come out to film segments about his property.
Mr. Oehler said if the
county had accepted the offer of his will, he
would have a young couple who were organically
inclined farm the land. This would be organic
farming, with the exception of controlling
noxious weeds. Mr. Oehler said as a host he has
opened his land to the WOOFER Program, which is
the Worldwide Organization of Organic Farms and
he accepts WOOFER volunteers. Volunteers are
provided with shelter, showers and houses with
electricity. Mr. Oehler mentioned to
Commissioners if you get a couple interested in
living that life, you could get them to watch
the property for free. Mr. Oehler explained how
land had been deeded to a county in
California
to be used as watershed property.
Commissioners suggested
this conversation be brought up again as it is
something the county’s attorney will have to
take a look at. Mr. Oehler said he would draft
something and include his conditions such as
keeping the big timber, maintenance of the
larger house and utilize the land as organically
as possible with the exception of chemical
control of noxious weeds. Chairman Smith said
“big timber” is subjective so he suggested
listing circumference and height of the trees
this would affect.
The meeting with Mr. Oehler
ended at 2:50
p.m.
There being no further
business, the meeting recessed until tomorrow at
8:15 a.m.
Tuesday,
March 20, 2012, Commissioners met
for the morning session with Chairman Ron Smith,
Commissioner Dan Dinning, Commissioner Walt
Kirby, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
8:15 a.m., Commissioners
participated in an Idaho State Industrial
Commission training session held in the
Extension Office and hosted by Risk Management
Consultant Jack Kirsch. Present were: Chairman
Ron Smith, Commissioner Dan Dinning,
Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston,
Noxious Weeds Superintendent Duke Guthrie,
Assessor Dave Ryals, Courthouse Maintenance
Jerry Kothe, Solid Waste Superintendent Claine
Skeen, Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee,
Planning and Zoning Administrator Mike Weland,
Prosecutor Jack Douglas, Treasurer Jenny
Fessler, Clerk Glenda Poston, Chief Deputy Clerk
Tracie Isaac, Road and Bridge Office Manager
Renee Nelson, Road and Bridge Superintendent
Jeff Gutshall, Chief Probation Officer Stacy
Brown, Extension Educator Carol Hampton and
Chief Deputy Sheriff Rich Stephens.
The training session ended
at 11:30 a.m.
Commissioners recessed for
lunch at 11:30
a.m.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners
reconvened for the afternoon session with
Chairman Ron Smith, Commissioner Dan Dinning,
Commissioner Walt Kirby, and Deputy Clerk
Michelle Rohrwasser.
Commissioners contacted
Attorney Phil Robinson via telephone.
Commissioner Dinning moved
to go into executive session under Idaho Code
#67-2345(1)f, to communicate with legal counsel
for the public agency to discuss the legal
ramifications of and legal options for pending
litigation, or controversies not yet being
litigated but imminently likely to be litigated.
Commissioner Kirby second. Commissioners voted
as follows: Chairman Smith “yes”, Commissioner
Dinning “yes”, and Commissioner Kirby “yes”.
Motion passed unanimously. 2:30 p.m., Commissioner Dinning moved to go out of
executive session. Commissioner Kirby second.
Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Dinning moved
to authorize the Chairman to sign the Award of
2012 Federal Fund Cost Share Funds in the amount
of $9,705 for the Selkirk CWMA for the 2012 cost
share year. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion
passed unanimously.
Commissioner Dinning moved
to authorize the Chairman to sign the Award of
2012 State General Fund Cost Share Funds in the
amount of $32,295 for the Selkirk CWMA for the
2012 cost share year. Commissioner Kirby second.
Motion passed unanimously.
3:00 p.m., Commissioners participated
in the Idaho Association of Counties District 1
legislative conference call. Present were:
Chairman Ron Smith, Commissioner Dan Dinning,
Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston,
Assessor Dave Ryals, and Treasurer Jenny
Fessler, elected officials from the remaining
District 1 counties, and Seth Grigg and Kerry
Ellen Elliott with the Idaho Association of
Counties.
Participants in the
conference call reviewed house bills as listed
in the Idaho Association of Counties Legislative
Bulletin #8 dated March 16, 2012.
The conference call ended
at 3:30 p.m.
3:30 p.m., Clerk Poston,
Assessor Ryals, Treasurer Fessler, and
Commissioners briefly discussed budget matters.
There being no further
business, the meeting recessed until the public
hearing held at 6:00 p.m., for the purpose of
making a decision whether or not to form an
ambulance taxing district.
6:00 p.m., Commissioners
held a public hearing in the Boundary County
Courtroom for the purpose of making a decision
on whether or not to form an ambulance taxing
district. Present were: Chairman Ron Smith,
Commissioner Dan Dinning, Commissioner Walt
Kirby, Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser,
Planning and Zoning Administrator Mike Weland,
Jeff Avery, Tia Avery, Alva Baker, Peach Baker,
Connie DeCoe-Munier, Glendle Munier, Liz Sloot,
Herman Sloot, Steve Tanner, Ray Harris, Rick
Dodd, Terry Capurso, Carl Stout, Pam Stout, John
Cranor, Jane Kirby, Boundary Volunteer Ambulance
Attorney Brian Woods, Roger Fraser, Martin
Silvestri, Sid Brumbach, Marie Lozier, Megan
Kuhnhausen, Earl Matthews, Walter Burrow, Kevin
Merrifield, Laurel Avery, Becki Minden, John
Minden, Tony Evans, Jacob Bushnell, Lon
Merrifield, Erica Denning, Ken Baker, Alan
Hamilton, and Vicky Hamilton. The public hearing
was recorded.
Chairman Smith opened the
hearing and explained the procedures of the
prior public hearing held on February 28, 2012,
and informed those present that public comment
was no longer accepted during this portion of
the hearing. Chairman Smith said written
comments had been received and reviewed by
Commissioners.
Chairman Smith said he had
been in Boise recently and
spoke to Tony Poinelli, Deputy Director with the
Idaho Association of Counties, to inquire what
other Idaho
counties do to provide ambulance services. Mr.
Poinelli said the scenarios for how ambulance
services are provided by various counties was
all over the board.
Chairman Smith said if the
county is going to hire three paramedics as was
proposed, that amount of money is extremely high
already. Chairman Smith briefly mentioned the
Boundary Volunteer Ambulance board members and
said he couldn’t recall if they had given any
input at the last public hearing.
Chairman Smith said his
recommendation is to form an ambulance taxing
district, but to not attach any funding such as
not setting a levy at this point. Chairman Smith
said that he consulted with the State Tax
Commission and was informed there was no penalty
for this method. It’s possible that
Commissioners could wait a total of fifteen
months before setting a levy. Chairman Smith
said he wants to look into the levy amount
quoted of .02% and also look at continuing with
the Boundary Volunteer Ambulance contract and
then see where the county would like to go. If
time is taken to come up with a solution of a
.02% levy, Commissioners can do that, but
Commissioners could also dismantle the district
within 15 months if it is determined that is
most appropriate.
Chairman Smith said a lot
of the written comments Commissioners received
were in favor of the district, but not for the
amount of money being requested by Boundary
Volunteer Ambulance. Chairman Smith said he
would like to speak with
Boundary
Community Hospital
representatives about options and to consider
the statements made that there are not enough of
the types of calls that would keep a paramedic
certified.
Commissioner Dinning said
Chairman Smith echoed a lot of his sentiments
about needing to know more. Commissioner Dinning
said he is not a medical person so Commissioners
should go down the road of developing a plan. A
majority of the comments were not opposed to
improvements, but stated the need to improve on
accountability. Commissioner Dinning said he is
not in favor of forming a district at this time
as a plan is needed as well as the need to
understand exactly what the county will receive
for services. The Commissioners need to be
frugal. Approving a district at this point is
like going to a bank, signing the papers and
letting the bank fill in the blanks. A lot of
the same concerns were had by Commissioners and
Commissioner Dinning said he would like to
consider hiring a group of people who can
provide some guidance. Commissioner Dinning said
he appreciates the involvement and the comments.
All have agreed to improve services, but not at
a cost of $342,000.
Commissioner Kirby said it
is clear that Boundary Volunteer takes care of
its citizens to the best of their ability.
Commissioners are responsible for spending the
taxpayers’ dollars. Commissioner Kirby said
Chairman Smith understands what needs to be
done. Commissioner Kirby said Commissioner
Dinning is more conservative than Chairman Smith
and himself. Commissioner Kirby said he is
inclined to agree with Chairman Smith as the
only way to provide ambulance service is to form
a district, but this needs to be approached
gently as it involves taxpayers’ dollars.
Commissioners need to know what funding is
available and to figure something out.
Commissioner Kirby reiterated that he agrees
with Chairman Smith and forming a district is
the first step that will be followed by locating
the appropriate information to make a district
function.
Chairman Smith said he
understands where Commissioner Dinning is coming
from, but getting locked into a levy is not the
case. Commissioners need to do something, but we
need to have time to learn what needs to be done
and to find out what options are available.
Chairman Smith said he doesn’t want people in
fear of big taxes coming as no levy will be set.
If it is determined the best option is to
dismantle the district, than that’s what
Commissioners can do and that has been verified
by the county attorney. Commissioners could also
continue working with Boundary Volunteer
Ambulance.
Commissioner Kirby moved to
approve the formation of an ambulance taxing
district without the benefit of setting a levy.
Chairman Smith yielded the chair to second.
Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Smith
“yes”, Commissioner Dinning “no”, and
Commissioner Kirby “yes”. Motion passed.
The hearing to form an
ambulance taxing district ended at 6:30 p.m.
There being no further
business, the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
/s/
RONALD R. SMITH, Chairman
ATTEST:
/s/
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser,
Deputy Clerk
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