County Commission minutes, March 19-20
March 29, 2012

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