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***Monday,
March 11, 2013,
Commissioners met in regular session with
Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner LeAlan
Pinkerton, Commissioner Walt Kirby, and Deputy
Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
9:00 a.m.,
The Road and Bridge department report was
cancelled as Superintendent Jeff Gutshall was
unable to make the meeting.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
Commissioners reviewed the quotes for baling
metal at the landfill. Five quotes were received
and after review of the quotes Glen McClellan
with L & S Enterprises was the apparent high
quote for baling metal at $186 per ton owed to
Boundary
County.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to accept the quote
from L & S Enterprises for baling metal for the
Solid Waste Department at a total of $186 per
ton owed to Boundary
County. Commissioner Kirby second.
Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to reappoint Phil
Allegretti to the Boundary County Noxious Weeds
Advisory Board with a term to expire August
2014. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed
unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to reappoint Larry
Hall to the Restorium Board with a term to
expire January 2016. Commissioner Kirby second.
Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to reappoint Jay
Wages to the Airport Board with a term to expire
February 2016. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion
passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to reappoint Don
Jordan to the Airport Board with a term to
expire February 2016. Commissioner Kirby second.
Motion passed unanimously.
Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals joined the meeting at
9:15 a.m.
Commissioner Kirby moved to go into closed
session under Idaho Code #31-874. Commissioner
Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
9:20 a.m., Commissioner Kirby moved
to go out of closed session. Commissioner
Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to deny indigent
application 2013-9. Commissioner Kirby second.
Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to deny on appeal
indigent application 2013-6. Commissioner Kirby
second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Kirby moved to sign the contract
with L & S Enterprises for baling metal at the
landfill. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion
passed unanimously.
Commissioners reviewed claims for payment. Fund
totals are as follows:
Current Expense
$69,532.67
Road & Bridge
126,568.63
Airport
11,343.60
District Court
25,444.08
Justice Fund
64,643.58
911 Funds
8,980.06
Historical Society & Museum
7,000.00
Indigent and Charity
5,516.79
Parks and Recreation
3,089.44
Revaluation
2,821.04
Solid Waste
94,424.95
Veterans Memorial
184.07
Weeds
1,661.93
Restorium
81,035.46
Waterways
211.14
Juvenile Probation, Lottery
47.99
Grant, Boat Safety
49.68
Grant, Emergency Communication
270.07
TOTAL
$502,825.18
Citizens are invited to inspect detailed records
on file in the Courthouse (individual claims &
Commissioners’ allowance & warrant register
record 2013).
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
11:00 a.m.,
There being no further business for the morning
session, Commissioners recessed until the
afternoon session at 1:30 p.m.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the
afternoon session with Chairman Dinning,
Commissioner Pinkerton, Commissioner Kirby, and
Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
1:30 p.m.,
Commissioners held a bid opening for the 2013
asphalt petroleum products for the Road and
Bridge Department. Present were Chairman
Dinning, Commissioner Pinkerton, Commissioner
Kirby, Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser and
Stephen Van De Bogert with Western States
Asphalt. The bid opening was recorded.
Two sealed bids were opened. The first bid
opened was from Western States Asphalt. Chairman
Dinning reviewed the bid documents provided to
include a bid bond for 5% of the total amount
bid. The total bid from Western States Asphalt
is $288,820.00.
The second bid opened was from Idaho Asphalt.
Documents also included was a bid bond totaling
5% of the total amount bid and a letter
discussing unloading times, etc. The bid from
Idaho Asphalt is $302,500.00
Chairman Dinning said since the County’s Road
and Bridge Superintendent is not present the bid
decision will be postponed until tomorrow at
10:30 a.m.
Commissioner Kirby moved to postpone the bid
decision until
Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at
10:30 a.m.
in order to allow the Road and Bridge
Superintendent a chance to review the documents.
Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed
unanimously.
The bid opening for asphalt petroleum products
ended at 1:40
p.m.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
2:10 p.m.,
Road and Bridge Superintendent Jeff Gutshall
stopped by Commissioners’ Office briefly to
review the bid documents.
3:00 p.m., Commissioners attended an
informational briefing hosted by Customs and
Border Patrol staff members at the new Customs
and Border Patrol facility with Bonner County
Commissioners Cary Kelly and Mike Nielsen. Blue
Sky Broadcasting Reporter Mike Brown was also
present.
Maps of the area to be discussed were presented
for viewing. Agent Barry Woelfel informed
Commissioners how the Border Patrol has moved
east, which incorporates the Bog Creek area and
how agents have to travel from
Metaline Falls, Washington
through areas in
Priest Lake
and Bog Creek to their destinations. During the
winter the agents have to travel down through
Sandpoint, etc. and their drive can take
approximately four hours.
The Border Patrol has approached the Forest
Service about Bog Creek
Road
in that they would like to improve the road for
travel and safety reasons. Agent Woelfel said it
has been approximately four years now so they
would like to move forward and they had wanted
to give Commissioners an idea of what the Border
Patrol was doing.
Agent Woelfel said the number of trips allowed
for this road is 57. This road would still
remain an administrative road and Customs and
Border Patrol will clear the road. Agent Woelfel
said he hopes Commissioners understand. Agent
Woelfel said some environmental groups haven’t
asked what is going on and so they have
misinterpretations. There will not be increased
traffic. Agent Woelfel explained that there
could be four agents on four ATV’s and that is
considered four trips so if the road could be
cleared, one truck could carry those four people
and be considered one trip. Agent Woelfel said
this is in bear management area so the issue is
touchy.
Commissioner Pinkerton said the Border Patrol is
not trying to change the application that is
already on the road and Agent Woelfel said that
was correct. Commissioner Pinkerton asked what
the Border Patrol’s nature is and the reply was
not administrative.
Agent Woelfel said
Canada
has an extensive road system and has had a large
drug bust in the Salmo area so those are routes
that are used. Bog Creek may be core habitat for
bear, according to Agent Woelfel. Chairman
Dinning said this area has been referred to that
way, but the Department of Fish and Game said it
is not core, but the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service wants it to be. Chairman Dinning said he
had thought that area was core habitat until he
had attended that one meeting. That had been the
community’s concern, according to Chairman
Dinning.
Commissioner Pinkerton said it is not the Border
Patrol’s intention to close roads. Agent Woelfel
said the Border Patrol’s Sector Chief has no
interest in closing the road.
Bonner County Commissioner Mike Nielsen said
there needs to be a public hearing so the public
can be aware. Agent Woelfel said the Border
Patrol has a good relationship with the
Continental Mine representatives, but their
legal counsel has advised them against divulging
their number of trips. Chairman Dinning said
he’s concerned about an animal taking importance
over national security even though he is in
favor of the bears’ recovery. It was said the
Border Patrol has also met with the Kootenai
Tribe on the matter.
Commissioner Pinkerton said this all surrounds
the amount of use per year and he said the
Border Patrol is not changing anything, but land
management will try to use the number of trips
in closing the road.
Bonner County
Commissioner Nielsen suggested possibly invoking
coordination. Commissioner Pinkerton said the
Border Patrol is not in the position of changing
the application. Chairman Dinning asked if the
Border Patrol would care if the road was opened
to the public if Grizzly bears were recovered in
the future. Agent Woelfel said no, the Border
Patrol is actively helping to update the numbers
for Grizzly bear.
Bonner County
Commissioner Nielsen said he thinks the number
of bears is well past the point of recovery.
Commissioner Pinkerton asked how much funding
will the Border Patrol contribute to this issue
and Agent Woelfel said $250,000 will be
contributed for road reconstruction by the
Border Patrol. The Border Patrol Spokane Sector
has approximately $500,000 for roads and the
Bog Creek Road could
ultimately run close to $500,000.
Agent Daniel McElheran said the Border Patrol
just wants to be transparent with Commissioners
and they do not wish to close anything. Agent
James Frackelton said the Border Patrol has
taken annual courses and training on
environmental issues so agents can do patrols,
be aware and know enough to report potential
environmental issues. It was said this shows the
Border Patrol is going over and beyond. Agent
McElheran spoke briefly of the differences
between road systems in
Canada
and the United
States.
Commissioner Pinkerton asked about training and
Agent Frackelton spoke of being able to respond
with remote technology in order of reducing to
what has been agreed so they can still be
effective. Agent Woelfel said the Border Patrol
has vehicles with a lot of wear and tear as a
result of something that could be a simple
project. The length of
Bog Creek Road is 5.6 miles.
Bonner County Commission Chairman Cary Kelly
asked about the time frame for the Border Patrol
and the difference between an environmental
assessment (EA) and Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) such as one year. Agent Woelfel
said that was correct as it would be year 2014
for an environmental assessment.
Agent McElheran said the longer this process
takes the longer the vehicles are traveling and
they need to reduce costs. Agent Woelfel added
that the Border Patrol is just trying to make it
safer for their agents and are not harming
bears, etc.
Commissioner Pinkerton said in his opinion he
would like to see more roads opened than closed.
Commissioner Pinkerton asked about the size of
the recovery zone and Chairman Dinning said he
believes it is 50% on each side of the
United States
and Canada.
The meeting portion ended and Commissioners were
given a tour of the new Border Patrol facility.
The meeting with the Border Patrol ended
4:30 p.m.
There being no further business, the meeting
recessed until the joint city/county meeting to
be held at the Bonners Ferry City Hall at 5:00
p.m., along with the City of Bonners Ferry and
City of Moyie Springs.
Clerk’s
Note: City of
Bonners
Ferry Clerk/Treasurer Kris Larson
to provide minutes from this meeting.
There being no further business, the meeting
recessed until tomorrow at
9:00 a.m.
***Tuesday,
March 12, 2013,
Commissioners’ meetings were canceled due to
lack of a quorum with the exception of the bid
decision scheduled for
10:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m., Commissioner Walt Kirby, via
telephone, and Chairman Dinning met for the
purpose of making a motion to accept the bid for
asphalt petroleum products for year 2013.
Road and Bridge Superintendent Jeff Gutshall
joined the meeting.
Chairman Dinning said the apparent low bidder
for the 2013 asphalt petroleum products bid is
Western States Asphalt who has a bid of $288,820
versus the bid of $302,500 from Idaho Asphalt.
Both bids contained a bid bond totaling 5% of
the amounts bid.
Mr. Gutshall said he recommended the low bidder,
which appears to be Western States Asphalt with
a bid of $288,820.
Commissioner Kirby moved to accept the bid of
$288,820 from Western States Asphalt for asphalt
petroleum products for year 2013 for the Road
and Bridge Department. Chairman Dinning yielded
the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting for the bid decision ended at
10:35 a.m.
10:40 a.m.,
There being no further business, the meeting
recessed until 6:00 p.m., for the meeting with the Boundary
Volunteer Ambulance Board.
6:00 p.m., Commissioners met in special session
at the County Extension Annex Building with
Chairman Dinning, Commissioner Pinkerton and
Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser; and Boundary
Volunteer Ambulance (BVA) Board members Jim
Paulus, Erika Denning, Dan Moore and Brian
Strong. Also present were: Bonners Ferry Herald
Reporter Laura Roady, Vickie Hamilton, Peach
Baker, Teresa Baker, BVA President Kenneth
Baker, BVA Attorney Brian Woods, David Sims,
Alan Hamilton, Jacob Bushnell, Dave Wenk,
Georgia Earley, Mary Matthews, and Earl
Matthews. The meeting was recorded.
Introductions were given. Chairman Dinning said
Commissioners in January had requested that
negotiations for a new contract begin and
recently President Baker brought in BVA’s
historical budget. In regards to how much BVA
expects to receive in taxes, Chairman Dinning
informed BVA board members that the county
borrowed $80,000 from the Solid Waste Department
budget and that amount needs to be paid back.
Legally the Ambulance Taxing District is unable
to enter into a contract; only the county can,
according to Chairman Dinning. Commissioners
asked for an explanation of the BVA Projected
Operational Budget Plan. President Baker said
this was the information that was requested by
Commissioners. Chairman Dinning asked BVA to
remember that the county only collects
approximately 90% of tax in a one year period.
Commissioners will not know what that amount
will be until budgets have been set and the
county’s value is determined.
BVA Board Chairman Jim Paulus determined the
budget information presented by President Baker
wasn’t the most current information. Chairman
Dinning said if the budget presented is
obsolete, the county would like to see a plan
for various levels and options for service. BVA
Chairman Paulus said BVA tried to provide the
best information they had at that point.
BVA Attorney Woods said BVA had put together a
five year plan in executive session
approximately one year ago and there had been a
presentation on that showing how funds would be
spent if received. There was also the wild card,
which is the pitch for the .04% levy to advance
the level of ambulance service to advance life
support (ALS), which generates revenue,
according to Attorney Woods.
Chairman Dinning asked what the costs are to
maintain various levels of service and he said
once that information is determined we can go in
the direction we need to go. Commissioners would
like to know the alternatives.
Chairman Dinning informed BVA’s board about the
funds received from Secure Rural Schools program
that equates to half of the Road and Bridge
budget and how that may no longer be authorized.
Chairman Dinning explained that the county
cannot create a new levy for the Road and Bridge
Department so if Secure Rural Schools funding is
no longer reauthorized, the county will have to
use funds currently designated to other
departments to help fund Road and Bridge.
BVA Chairman Paulus said he can see BVA’s needs
such as the need to buy new equipment. The
volunteer system is declining and there are six
to twelve volunteers. Those volunteers need to
be compensated and new equipment is needed. The
CPR mannequins are falling apart. BVA Chairman
Paulus said the outlook is to have an ALS system
for the community.
Chairman Dinning said he understands the needs
of both sides. This is a tough time for the
community and taxpayers. Chairman Dinning
questioned what the least amount of money BVA
could get by on? The county will levy the full
amount the first year and then will not levy
over the next two years, but will levy that
fourth year. Chairman Dinning asked if that
would be too difficult to operate on now such as
a three step plan.
BVA board member Brian Strong informed those
present of his experience in the emergency
medical service field and he discussed operating
on a basic service as opposed to an enhanced
service.
BVA Chairman Paulus said
Boundary
County is a retirement community and
those residents look to what kind of hospital
and medical service is available. BVA wants to
provide a top notch service. Chairman Paulus
spoke of BVA taking calls to transport a patient
back home after receiving care because it’s
something law enforcement doesn’t want to do. If
BVA responds to a call and the person in need
doesn’t want to be transported, BVA is not
compensated for those calls. Chairman Paulus
explained that calls will often come from the
Kootenai River Inn for people who are having
issues. Commissioner Pinkerton suggested BVA
take that issue up with the Inn
if that is something that is happening.
Commissioner Pinkerton said as a county, we are
not Donald Trump so they can’t start out at the
top. The amount should increase over time and if
there are only two advanced life support (ALS)
calls, does that really substantiate the need
for that amount. Commissioner Pinkerton said you
can’t start at the finish line. BVA Chairman
Paulus said this ambulance service has really
been taken advantage of. Chairman Paulus
mentioned that he is also on the Boundary
Community Hospital Board of Trustees and the
Hospital does have a van in relation to
transporting a patient back home.
Chairman Dinning explained that the Kootenai
River Inn is a part of a sovereign nation and
the Tribe contracts with the county for law
enforcement services. It was suggested that BVA
sign a contract for calls to the Inn
as somebody has to be responsible as they don’t
pay property taxes and they are a separate
government.
Attorney Woods said BVA could contract around
that as when people go to the Inn
to gamble or eat, etc., they do not know they’re
leaving Boundary
County. Mr. Strong asked about a
contract between the county and the Kootenai
Tribe. Chairman Dinning said that contract is
for patrol and housing inmates. Chairman Dinning
said this is good discussion, but the county is
not the provider of the service.
Dave Wenk asked about the minimum amount BVA
could function on and if the county has to
borrows funds, would BVA funds be borrowed
against? Chairman Dinning said no. BVA Chairman
Paulus said BVA has had to borrow funds to
operate. Chairman Dinning asked if BVA is in the
hole after borrowing $80,000. President Baker
said the $80,000 keeps BVA afloat.
Chairman Dinning said the Commissioners need to
look at real alternatives from minimal, medium
and maximum service so they can see what can be
done. If the county was flush, it would be
different, but that isn’t likely to happen. BVA
Chairman Paulus said he also has things to
discuss pertaining to the contract. President
Baker mentioned other bids.
Attorney Woods recapped budget issues and
mentioned BVA could probably write a contractual
proposal. Attorney Woods said if the .04% levy
goes away, it could be written in the contract
that BVA could state they don’t wish to provide
the service so a contract could probably be
written around that. Chairman Dinning said the
current board of commissioners cannot bind
future boards.
BVA Chairman Paulus said he is also a business
owner and he explained that he wouldn’t be able
to make purchases if he didn’t have a projected
budget. Chairman Dinning said he understands,
but from year to year the county doesn’t know
what the needs are. If BVA’s runs decrease or
reimbursements increase, that isn’t known, but
there needs to be the ability to change.
Mr. Wenk asked if the county could purchase
equipment and lease back to BVA. Chairman
Dinning said there could be all kinds of
options. Chairman Paulus said Commissioners can
see what BVA is up against and he doesn’t see it
being a big deal to meet once per month to
discuss needs.
Alan Hamilton said BVA won’t have to buy an
ambulance unit every year, but there are
supplies that expire and that is what BVA gets
hit with. Mr. Hamilton also explained issues
with getting supplies from the current ambulance
units to a car that has gone over a bank in an
accident and the need to update to new auto
materials.
Chairman Dinning asked what the absolute
priority list for the first year. Attorney Woods
said to understand the history, we only got to
this point by wanting the .04% levy. The needs
are there to justify more than $300,000. BVA
still isn’t properly paying volunteers for their
work as the fee they were getting paid had to be
reduced from the $55 they had been splitting.
Chairman Dinning said whether Commissioners like
it or not they are accountable to the public. If
someone comes up and asks where the money BVA is
getting is going to, he will not know.
Commissioner Pinkerton said it’s hard to go to
the public and say this is the only option.
Commissioner Pinkerton said the ambulance
service is remarkable and shouldn’t have gotten
to this place, but it did.
BVA Chairman Paulus said
Libby,
Montana pays its EMS
service $500,000 and that is a small town.
Chairman Paulus spoke of the cost of supplies to
include $1,800 for mannequins. Commissioner
Pinkerton said having some outlines and plans
would go a long way. Chairman Paulus explained
that BVA is a 501© 3.
Chairman Dinning said one thing the public wants
to know is why the county doesn’t seek bids for
ambulance service. BVA Board member Dan Moore
said he wishes the county would seek bids so
Commissioners could see what the service
actually costs. It was said BVA wants to do this
right. BVA Chairman Paulus said
Bonner
County EMS
receives 3.2 million dollars for their service.
President Baker said BVA also provides rescue.
Mr. Hamilton said he believes
Bonner
County is the second highest paid
EMS
service in the state. Chairman Paulus reiterated
it’s a good idea to seek other bids.
Dave Wenk said as a taxpayer he would appreciate
seeing a breakdown of costs, payments,
insurance, etc. Teresa Baker said that is not
public information.
Attorney Woods said this has been a year long
process. There is the .04%, then initially
$80,000 and having a county commissioner on the
board, and BVA went along with that due to the
.04%. Once the .04% was established and the
County
Commissioners were on board, then
there would be checks and balances although not
to the public.
BVA Board Chairman Paulus said the volunteers
are getting burned out.
Chairman Dinning said he hasn’t spoken to
Commissioner Pinkerton about this matter as he
wants a fresh pair of eyes. BVA Chairman Paulus
said he would like a multi-year contract. BVA
Chairman Paulus mentioned not hiring an outside
firm or a fire department to provide the
service. Dave Wenk questioned if the .04% levy
would be every year. BVA Chairman Paulus read
aloud a portion of the agreement. Chairman
Dinning said the county agreed to levy the .04%
in order to maintain the levy ability. The
contract amount for year 2013-2014 is what will
be determined today. The future years will be
determined by the needs of Commissioners and BVA
so there will be ongoing dialogue with the
county.
Attorney Woods said BVA could provide ALS
service and raise revenue to wean themselves,
etc, but they cannot do that without financial
resources for a foundation. Chairman Dinning
asked what it will take for the next year
assuming no ALS. Chairman Dinning asked if it is
prudent to make changes before the new health
care system. That is what the structure is
trying to do, but also look at the needs of
EMS
as it evolves. Chairman Dinning said to him this
provides trust. BVA Chairman Paulus said he is
an open book. It was said proprietary, not
public, but open to Commissioners as a board
member. BVA Chairman Paulus said BVA has nothing
to hide. Mr. Strong said if the public was aware
of the costs, the heat may be placed on
Commissioners. Mr. Hamilton said he doesn’t want
his taxes to raise either. Mr. Strong said
having been an EMT, firefighter and working on
helicopters, he understands. Attorney Woods said
the public’s expectations are so much greater
and the lawsuits won’t be in
Boundary
County, they will be in federal
court. These gracious board members have to be
aware of that. Attorney Woods said the budget
should’ve been building from the point of $8,000
to $300,000, but now it’s playing catch up. This
should have been further along. It was mentioned
that volunteers are covering the entire county.
Georgia Earley said EMS
is required to increase its service, but they
don’t have the resources to educate the EMT’s
and they are paying them. EMS
in Boundary
County is not what is known in the
nation and the county could be judged. Ms.
Earley spoke of the possibility of having to go
to court as an example due to not providing the
standard level of care. Ms. Earley said it’s not
that BVA doesn’t want to improve, but they don’t
have the funds to proceed. The attrition rate of
volunteers is phenomenal. Volunteers are
overworked and frazzled. Chairman Dinning said
he doesn’t disagree.
Boundary County
wants a plan that will be determined every year.
Chairman Dinning said BVA knows what their needs
are and what the county’s restrictions are.
Chairman Dinning said it’s good for the
community to have consistency.
Those present agreed to hold another meeting to
review and understand a plan. BVA Chairman
Paulus said he would like to see the .04% levy
especially is $80,000 comes out of that.
Chairman Paulus said he would also like to
update BVA’s equipment to where it should’ve
been 10 years ago.
The next meeting will be held in the
County Extension
annex on
Thursday, April 11, 2013
at 6:00 p.m.
There being no further business, the meeting
adjourned at 6:00
p.m.
/s/
DAN R.
DINNING, Chairman
Attest:
/s/
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy
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