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County commission minutes, September 10-11

September 27, 2012

***Monday, September 10, 2012, Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Ron Smith, Commissioner Dan Dinning, Commissioner Walt Kirby, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.

 

Blue Sky Broadcasting Reporter Mike Brown was in attendance of the meetings throughout the morning.

 

9:00 a.m., Road and Bridge Superintendent Jeff Gutshall joined the meeting to give the departmental report. No written report was given.

 

Art Morin and Cheryl Myers stopped by Commissioners’ Office to briefly discuss rental fees for Memorial Hall.

 

Mr. Morin explained issues with the increase in the rental fee from $25 to $40. Each square dancer is charged $3 to participate and if they’re charged more to cover the cost of the rental fee, they won’t have people still willing to participate, according to Mr. Morin. Mr. Morin said the square dancers may have to find a place they can afford and he explained the fee charged to the dancers won’t cover the new rental fee with the number of participants they currently have. Mr. Morin said the dancers rent Memorial Hall approximately two days per week so eight or nine days per month. It was said the square dancer’s use of Memorial Hall is a steady rental.

 

It was said the rental fee had been $25 per day, it had increased to $35 and now the cost to rent Memorial Hall is $40, but the dancers had received a grandfathered clause. Chairman Smith said Commissioners will schedule a discussion on this matter on Monday, September 24, 2012 at 9:30 a.m.  

 

Mr. Morin & Ms. Myers left the meeting at 9:15 a.m.

 

Mr. Gutshall said the Federal Highways Administration has said because the Deep Creek Loop drainage issue is an emergency project, they don’t want to go to a certain extent for the repairs. The representatives at the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC) suggested the County might be lucky by mitigating the drain work on Deep Creek Loop through the Local Rural Highway Projects this year.

 

Commissioner Kirby moved to adopt Resolution #2012-40. A resolution to increase the Road and Bridge budget due to receipt of unanticipated funds. Commissioner Dinning second. Motion passed unanimously. Resolution #2012-40 reads as follows:

 

RESOLUTION 2012-40  

 

INCREASE ROAD & BRIDGE BUDGET DUE TO RECEIPT OF UNANTICIPATED FUNDS

 

            WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners, County of Boundary, State of Idaho, did establish an operating budget for the Road & Bridge Fund for fiscal year 2011-2012, and

 

            WHEREAS, $31,564.30 has been received from the State of Idaho Transportation Department as reimbursement for an emergency relief project, described as STC-5804 Old US HWY 2/Deep Creek Loop (Project No. A012(932); Key No. 12932), for a mudslide that occurred on Deep Creek Loop, and

 

            WHEREAS, the Road & Bridge Fund for fiscal year 2011-2012 is in need of this additional revenue, and

 

            WHEREAS, the addition of this revenue does not affect the tax levy for Boundary County, and

 

            WHEREAS, it is appropriate to increase the Boundary County Road & Bridge Fund Revenue Account Number 02-00-391-018 and the Road & Bridge Expense Account Number 02-00-484-00, Professional Services, in the amount of $31,564.30, and

 

NOW THEREFORE, upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried,

 

            IT IS RESOLVED that the increase in the Boundary County Road & Bridge Fund Revenue Account Number 02-00-391-018 and the Road & Bridge Expense Account Number 02-00-484-00, Professional Services, in the amount of $31,564.30 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 10th day of September, 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 #255034

 

Mr. Gutshall said a large crane from Spokane will arrive soon to set the bridge deck for Deep Creek Bridge #4. Chairman Smith said the new bridge will be bigger, but Mr. Gutshall said it isn’t necessarily wider. Mr. Gutshall said the new bridge will open up the creek because the newer cap and pile are smaller than the prior abutments and it will also help with higher water levels. Commissioner Dinning mentioned linking this project to Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) related activities to improve streams and he asked Mr. Gutshall to contact Patty Perry with the Kootenai Tribe to see if there is a benefit.

 

Mr. Gutshall said other than work on Deep Creek Bridge #4 his crew is working on District 5 Road to put down fabric, culverts and new drains. Mr. Gutshall said the portion of District 5 Road is from the old Hubbard house to the new one and he explained the work planned for this area.

 

Mr. Gutshall said he’s making ditch lining rock and he will do a lot of ditch lining on the Paradise Valley Hill. A Road and Bridge employee is working on sorting oversize rock, which could be used on the banks of the Paradise Valley hill to keep debris from sloughing onto the road. Mr. Gutshall explained his plan to keep this larger rock from sloughing into the drain rock.

 

Those present briefly mentioned proposed letters to comment on for Statewide Transportation Improvement Projects (STIP). 

 

The meeting with Mr. Gutshall ended at 9:30 a.m.

 

Commissioner Dinning moved to approve the alcoholic beverage catering permit for the Great Northwest Territories Event Center for the Italian Festival in Naples to be held the end of September 2012, pending receipt of the completed permit and required fees. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Treasurer Jenny Fessler joined the meeting at 9:35 a.m.

 

Commissioner Dinning moved to grant an extension of time to pay year 2008 taxes for parcel #RP60N01W244050A until October 31, 2012. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Clerk Glenda Poston joined the meeting.

 

Commissioners and Treasurer Fessler discussed details of a possible tax extension and questioned if additional costs would be assessed for the tax deed process in addition to the tax amount owed. If a motion to grant an extension is made, the Treasurer can stop the tax deed process and not add tax deed related fees to this parcel, but if the taxes are not paid by the date approved by Commissioners, the Treasurer will set another tax deed hearing for this property.

 

Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals joined the meeting at 9:50 a.m.

 

Commissioner Dinning moved to grant an extension of time to pay year 2009 taxes for parcel #RP61N02E043910A until April 15, 2013. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. 

 

Commissioner Dinning moved to set the tax deed hearing for 2009 taxes for Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Treasurer Fessler left the meeting at 9:51 a.m.

 

9:54 a.m., Commissioner Dinning moved to go into closed session under Idaho Code #31-874. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. 10:05 a.m., Commissioner Dinning moved to go out of closed session. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Dinning moved to write off $1,696 for indigent account #2012-7 as the applicant qualified for Idaho Medicaid. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Commissioner Dinning moved to deny on appeal indigent application #2012-13 and to deny application #2012-29 as per the Clerk’s recommendation. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.  

 

10:05 a.m., Deputy Clerk Ryals left the meeting.

 

Commissioners tended to administrative duties.

 

Clerk Poston left the meeting at 10:25 a.m.

 

Commissioners reviewed claims for payment. Fund totals are as follows:

 

Current Expense                                    $25,411.99

Road & Bridge                                     129,147.39

Airport                                                     4,535.04

District Court                                           9,083.94

Justice Fund                                            31,157.62

911 Funds                                                  1,823.09

Hospital, Operation                                 46,805.11

Indigent & Charity                                   18,558.05

Junior College Tuition                            40,301.50

Parks and Recreation                                9,406.08

Animal Damage Control                            5,000.00

Revaluation                                               2,976.16

Solid Waste                                               7,569.03

Tort                                                           1,975.39

Veterans Memorial                                         64.02

Weeds                                                     15,861.06

Restorium                                                  3,458.47

Waterways                                                   130.53

Juvenile Probation, Lottery                       1,966.00

Restorium Grant                                      15,186.85

Hospital Supplemental Levy                     2,496.32

Grant, Fire Mitigation                             63,946.96

 

                          TOTAL                    $436,860.60

Trusts

Drivers License Trust                               8,112.00

Magistrate Trust                                      44,851.62

Motor Vehicle Trust                                87,894.10

Sheriff's Trust Fund                                      370.01

 

                        TOTAL                      $141,227.73

                       

                        GRAND TOTAL      $578,088.33

 

Citizens are invited to inspect detailed records on file in the Courthouse (individual claims & Commissioners’ allowance & warrant register record 2012).

 

10:30 a.m., County resident Ken Lustig stopped by Commissioners’ Office to ask questions of the upcoming public hearing on Planning and Zoning Application #12-006 to rezone multiple properties along the Moyie River and of road maintenance issues. Commissioners briefly explained the purpose and process of the public hearing.  

 

There being no further business, the meeting recessed until tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.

 

***Tuesday, September 11, 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., Boundary County Emergency Services Director Dave Kramer, Incident Commander Bob Graham, and Clerk Glenda Poston joined the meeting to discuss going out for proposals for someone to draft the updated All Hazard Mitigation Plan for the County.

 

Mr. Kramer said there are two possible options to obtain a qualified person to rewrite a new plan. One option is seeking requests for proposals, but another option is the independent contractor agreement that has been sent to him by Rick Fawcett with Whisper Mountain Professional Services. Mr. Kramer informed Commissioners that Whisper Mountain is the same company that drafted the County’s Evacuation Plan, the Kootenai Tribe’s Evacuation Plan, etc. Mr. Kramer said he didn’t know if there was a specific dollar amount that would affect whether the County had to seek requests for proposals or just sign an independent contractor agreement.

 

9:04 a.m., Commissioners contacted County Attorney Phil Robinson via telephone.

 

Mr. Kramer informed Attorney Robinson about a grant award of over approximately $60,000 to update the All Hazard Mitigation Plan and Mr. Kramer explained the two options for selecting someone to draft the update. The County’s match portion is in-kind and Whisper Mountain has offered a pro bono of $3,000. Attorney Robinson asked what this contractor does for this money and Mr. Kramer said Mr. Fawcett will do the research, write the plan and get it approved by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). Mr. Kramer read the proposed independent contractor agreement that was sent to him.

 

County resident Bob Olson joined the meeting at 9:05 a.m.

 

Attorney Robinson said there is no construction, fixed goods, etc., and if the project is kept under $50,000, the County can follow the informal bidding process as opposed to the formal bidding. Commissioner Dinning asked if in-kind counts toward the total cost.

 

After more discussion of the type of work involved in updating the plan, Attorney Robinson said the County would be okay in going with the option to enter into an independent contractor agreement with Whisper Mountain to draft the All Hazard Mitigation Plan. Attorney Robinson said it’s a situation similar to the County signing an agreement for his services, but he would research this and get back with Commissioners.

 

The call with Attorney Robinson ended.

 

Mr. Kramer said former Planning and Zoning Administrator Mike Weland had been the County’s Public Information Officer (PIO) for emergencies when he worked for the County, but he is not sure of Mr. Weland’s availability. Mr. Kramer said David Sims is willing to fill this position once he has the training and Dean Satchwell is willing to provide training. Commissioner Dinning said he would like to look at the structure of having one of those people mentioned, but also have Mr. Graham and Mr. Kramer involved. Mr. Graham said if this works out right, use of a PIO would be in the event of an emergency and the person in this position operates under the incident commander and only offers the information he has been given. Mr. Graham said this PIO may not be the person to meet with the media necessarily; it just depends on the situation.

 

Those present discussed having multiple people fill this position and a specific person could be chosen when an incident occurs. Commissioners mentioned they would feel comfortable with Mr. Kramer appointing the people to fill this position.

 

Commissioner Dinning moved to authorize Boundary County Emergency Services to appoint the County’s Public Information Officers. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Chairman Smith said Commissioners and Mr. Graham had talked about writing a letter to the Idaho Congressional Delegation inviting them to take a tour on the Kootenai River in order to view the damage done to the dikes as a result of high water levels. Those present discussed sending letters to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Colonel and the Idaho Congressional Delegates. Mr. Graham suggested also sending a letter to Jonathan Livingston at the National Weather Service.

 

Chairman Smith said there had been talk about having this visit the same time as an upcoming Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative (KVRI) meeting. Mr. Graham questioned the length of time it would take to boat up and down the river and whether it would be better to take the boat upriver to see the dikes and travel back by car in order to view the various districts and fields.

 

Mr. Olson asked when this visit might happen and Mr. Graham said he had hoped it was this month, but the letters have not gone out yet. Mr. Olson said if this tour happens in October, the land will be tilled up so not much damage would be seen, although damage could be seen in the DVD he made.

 

Attorney Phil Robinson contacted Commissioners via telephone in order to provide them with information pertaining to what’s allowed for procuring someone to draft the County’s All Hazard Mitigation Plan. 

 

Attorney Robinson said under Idaho Code #67-2803, Subsection 4, states the procurement of personal or professional services to be performed by an independent contractor is exempt from bidding laws so Commissioners can choose.

 

The call with Attorney Robinson ended at 9:20 a.m.

 

Mr. Kramer said he would contact Mr. Fawcett about changes to make in the contract. 

 

Those present resumed the discussion on touring the Kootenai River to view damage to the dikes. Mr. Graham said it might be better if there was time to take a boat upriver and drive down or vice versa as it would allow both sides of the dikes to be seen and it would cut the time it takes in half. Chairman Smith said he would call the three congressional representatives to talk about coming to Boundary County.

 

Commissioner Dinning said the use of the congressional representative’s time would be to show them the length and bad areas of the dike and he referred to the north end of Ball Creek. Mr. Graham said there are bad areas from Deep Creek all the way up. Those present discussed areas to visit. Mr. Graham said the purpose is to recognize the issues with having high water levels and to put pressure on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers because the Corps won’t provide help if it’s not approved by Congress.

 

Mr. Olson asked Commissioners if sturgeon testing is done and Commissioner Dinning said he thinks this was the last year of testing. Commissioner Dinning asked if a study of sedimentation of the lake was done, and he said the estimations of the capacity of that lake may be way off since the study hasn’t been done since the 1970’s. Commissioner Dinning said if you look at the sediment issue at Deep Creek every year, think of how much that happens in the lake.  

 

It was said there’s a difference of 50 feet that was not drawn down this year as was done last year.

 

The meeting with Mr. Kramer, Mr. Graham, and Mr. Olson ended at 9:30 a.m.

 

Clerk Glenda Poston remained in the meeting.

 

9:30 a.m., Airport Manager Dave Parker joined the meeting.

 

Commissioner Dinning moved to amend the agenda for today at 9:30 a.m., to vote on the Idaho Capital Crimes Defense Program Board of Directors for District 1 and the Board of Directors At-Large positions as it is a time sensitive issue. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. 

 

Commissioner Dinning moved to nominate Kootenai County Commissioner Dan Green for the Idaho Capital Crimes Defense Fund, Board of Directors position for District 1. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.  

 

Commissioner Dinning moved to nominate Latah County Commissioner Dave McGraw for the Idaho Capital Crimes Defense Fund, Board of Directors At-Large position. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Commissioner Dinning moved to amend the agenda for this morning at 9:35 a.m., to make a motion to sign the Computer Arts, Inc. Contract Addendums for year 2012-2013 as it is a time sensitive matter. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Commissioner Dinning moved to sign the Computer Arts, Inc. Contract Addendums for fiscal year 2012-2013. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

 

9:40 a.m., Commissioners contacted County Attorney Phil Robinson via telephone.

 

Commissioners informed Attorney Robinson that the Chairman of the County’s Snowmobile Advisory Board, Jeff Urbaniak, is having trouble finding someone with a public works license who will repair the snowmobile warming shelter and restroom after it sustained damage in a recent wind storm. Mr. Urbaniak has approached people about the job, but there have been no responses from people who carry a public works license other than Bonners Ferry Builders, who didn’t express interest in taking the job.

 

Chairman Smith read aloud to Attorney Robinson an exemption as listed in the Idaho Code and Administrative Rule for Public Works Contractor Licensing Brochure. Attorney Robinson said the County still needs to solicit request for proposals from at least three people and if there are no responses from someone with a public works license, Commissioners can proceed by turning the job into a County project. The requests for proposals can be semi- informal and needs to allow for three or four business days to respond. Specifications need to be in writing or by phone, but someone needs to keep track of the responses. Attorney Robinson said the requests for proposals do not have to be published in the newspaper. Attorney Robinson reiterated if the County doesn’t receive responses from builders having a public work license, the County can be exempt from this requirement, treat the project as its own and enter into a contract with the builder.

 

Commissioner Kirby 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 Dinning second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Smith “yes”, Commissioner Dinning “yes”, and Commissioner Kirby “yes”. Motion passed unanimously. 10:20 a.m., Commissioner Dinning moved to recess from executive session. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Solid Waste Superintendent Claine Skeen and Idaho Department of Transportation Foreman (ITD) George Shutes joined the meeting to discuss the proposed monitored dumpster site in Moyie Springs. 

 

Chairman Smith informed Mr. Shutes and Mr. Skeen that Attorney Robinson was present for this meeting via telephone. Mr. Skeen mentioned looking for a one to one and one half acre piece of land for a monitored site in Moyie Springs across from the bridge. The property in question has been reclaimed since it had been an old gravel pit. The thought was to lease this property from the State of Idaho via memorandum of understanding, but there is an exchange in money with that.

 

Mr. Skeen said the possibility of a land swap has also been discussed. Mr. Shutes said if a land swap could be done for the ground, it would be done for fair market value like a gravel pit. Mr. Shutes said if Commissioners were interested in purchasing a portion of that site, ITD determined that fair market value would be $4,100 per acre. Mr. Shutes said ITD would have to find out if surrounding neighbors are also interested in the property and if not, the County could purchase it. If neighbors are interested, the sale of the property would have to go to bid. Chairman Smith explained the County cannot pay more than fair market value.

 

Attorney Robinson mentioned ITD having rules about exchanges with other governmental entities. Mr. Shutes mentioned changes that ITD has made in relation to that and he was told ITD is not able to trade land any longer.  

 

Chairman Smith asked why the preference of a land sale rather than the lease option since the other sites in Copeland and Naples are leases with memorandums of understanding. Mr. Shutes said the State has two sites like Naples and Copeland and they want to get away from these garbage sites. Mr. Shutes also explained that the sites in Naples and Copeland do not have neighbors living right there and if a site was developed in the proposed Moyie site, which does have residences nearby, the complaints would come to ITD if the wind blew garbage around. If enough complaints are made, the County would be out, according to Mr. Shutes. Mr. Shutes said depending on what timber is on the property to be purchased the value per acre could be less than $4,100. Commissioner Kirby said he thinks the County should look at buying this land.

 

Mr. Shutes said the State has used the land and isn’t doing anything with it so it’s basically getting rid of the property. Mr. Shutes said the neighbor to the southeast most likely doesn’t want to buy this land, but he thinks she is offering her property for sale and in that case, this situation could possibly become a bidding war. Commissioner Dinning said he would talk to Damon Allen, District Engineer with ITD to understand their process.

 

The meeting with Mr. Skeen and Mr. Shutes ended at 10:40 a.m.

Commissioner Dinning moved to reconvene in 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. 11:10 a.m., Commissioner Dinning moved to go out of executive session. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Clerk Poston and Mr. Parker left the meeting.   

 

11:10 a.m., Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections District 1 Liaison Jim Crowley, Boundary County Juvenile Probation Officer Jessica Nordheim and Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections District Liaison Supervisor Jason Stone joined the meeting to update Commissioners on the approximate State funding distributed through the first quarter for State fiscal year 2013.

 

Mr. Crowley introduced Mr. Stone to Commissioners as his new supervisor and he handed Commissioners a District 1 Demographic and Fiscal fact sheet. Mr. Crowley discussed the Rule 19 Pre-Commitment screenings and he explained that of the two Boundary County juveniles who were pre-screened, one juvenile diverted from commitment in the juvenile system. This pre-screening helps slow down the sheer numbers of juveniles, but not all kids are diverted. Those present reviewed the various District 1 county statistics. Mr. Crowley said Boundary County’s levels are fairly stable and Ms. Nordheim briefly discussed a service offered by her department in relation to this issue.  

 

Commissioner Dinning said he sees that some counties have no pre-screening, but did have commits. Mr. Stone explained that the commitments can fall outside of the quarter in which the pre-screening took place and that is why there’s a difference. Mr. Crowley informed Commissioners that substance abuse and mental health diagnoses are both high and the statistics for adjudicated sex offenders is slightly lower.

 

Mr. Crowley said the State funding distributed through Quarter 1 for fiscal year 2013 shows that Boundary County received slightly over $1,000 from the lottery. Tobacco funds received are $7,535 and this is based on population. It was explained that these are quarterly distributions. In terms of program funding that Boundary County has access to for the Reentry, Mental Health and CIP Programs, Boundary County has received $175.

 

Commissioner Dinning asked why there is a cost difference per individual for substance abuse. It was said those dollars cover assessments to see what service a person qualified for as each person may need a different level of care. Ms. Nordheim said Boundary County’s costs are down as a lot of Boundary County’s juveniles qualify for Medicaid. Mr. Crowley discussed meeting the needs of juveniles with substance abuse issues. Mr. Crowley said his department was issued the full funding, but that may increase.

 

Mr. Crowley said a memorandum of understanding (MOU) is sent to the counties every three years to review and sign for mental health and counties should receive the new MOU soon.

 

Commissioners discussed the video conferencing equipment, and Chairman Smith said the system is up and running.

 

The meeting with Ms. Nordheim, Mr. Stone and Mr. Crowley ended at 11:45 a.m.

 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m.

 

 

                                                                        /s/

                                                                        RONALD R. SMITH, Chairman

ATTEST:

 

/s/                               

GLENDA POSTON, Clerk

By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy

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