County commission minutes, April 8-9
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April 24, 2013 |
***Monday, April 8, 2013, Commissioners met in
regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning,
Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton, Commissioner Walt
Kirby, and Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals.
Mike Brown, Blue Sky Broadcasting Reporter,
joined the meeting.
9:00 a.m., Road and Bridge Superintendent Jeff
Gutshall joined the meeting to give the
departmental report. A written report was
presented. Mr. Gutshall reported that roads were
graded last week and most roads are open with
the exception of Katka, the north end of Moyie
River Road, Parker Canyon, Atkins Canyon, and
Turner Hill. Mr. Gutshall reported that the
crusher is up and running.
Commissioner Kirby commented that there are a
lot of signs in the Moyie area that look like
they have been pushed over. Mr. Gutshall stated
that vandals have been pushing signs over.
Mr. Gutshall reported that the Road and Bridge
Department is hauling rock, grading and
re-grading, and clearing right of way.
Mr. Gutshall informed Commissioners that a Parks
and Recreation Department board member called
him and requested that Road and Bridge roll the
ball field. Mr. Gutshall stated that the Road
and Bridge Department did that last year also.
Chairman Dinning stated that he thinks the ball
field needs harrowed first and then rolled out.
Mr. Gutshall reported that he has two crew
members who will attend the Panhandle Stormwater
and Erosion Education Program (SEEP)
certification training.
Mr. Gutshall further reported that the Road &
Bridge crew is doing culvert work on Pleasant
Valley Loop, Old Highway Two Loop and Copeland
along with ditch cleaning on Pleasant Valley
Loop and Lookout View roads.
Chairman Dinning informed Mr. Gutshall that the
Deep Creek Loop road slough got worse over the
weekend. Chairman Dinning asked Mr. Gutshall to
look at that area.
Commissioner Kirby commented that the Paradise
Valley Hill looks nice now.
Mr. Gutshall spoke of the two pickups the Road
and Bridge Department wants to surplus. He
commented that the Ford pickup has an electrical
problem and the Chevy pickup has about 360
thousand miles on it. According to Mr. Gutshall,
it isn’t worth it to put time into these
vehicles to repair them. Mr. Gutshall informed
Commissioners that the Road and Bridge
Department will go through sealed bid process to
sell the pickups.
Mr. Gutshall left the meeting at 9:17 a.m. Mike
Brown also left the meeting.
Chairman Dinning reported that former Weed
Superintendent Ron Cushman has a private weed
spraying business and is going out of the
business. The Noxious Weed Superintendent would
like to purchase Mr. Cushman’s supply of weed
chemicals. The Weed Advisory Board has agreed
that it would be a good purchase. Commissioners
reviewed the prices and did not have a problem
with the purchase.
Jerry Kothe gave a departmental report for the
Courthouse Maintenance Department. Mr. Kothe
submitted a written report. Mr. Kothe reported
that he did obtain a quote on the trees around
the courthouse. Commissioners reviewed the
quote.
Mr. Kothe stated that he received notice that
Judge Julian brought up the fact that the
benches in the courtroom need to be re-glued and
refinished. Mr. Kothe said he doesn’t know if
there will be enough budget to take care of the
trees and refurbish the benches. Chairman
Dinning indicated that it is a priority to
remove the dead material from the trees for
liability reasons. Chairman Dinning stated that
Mr. Kothe should check on the quote that was
received to re-glue and refinish the benches.
Chairman Dinning suggested that it might be
cheaper to purchase new seating commenting that
chairs might be cheaper than pews. Chairman
Dinning asked that Mr. Kothe obtain the cost of
new chairs, cost of new pews and the cost of
re-gluing and refinishing the current benches.
Commissioner Pinkerton stated that the cost of
re-gluing and cost of refinishing can be
separated and it can be done over a few years.
9:32 a.m., Rick Dinning joined the meeting.
Mr. Kothe inquired if there is a problem with
worker’s compensation if someone were to take
the benches to their own shop to work on them.
Commissioner Kirby said no.
Mr. Kothe reported that he helped with the
plumbing in the new restroom at the Fair Board
office. The Maintenance Department removed the
snowplow and chains from the dump truck.
According to Mr. Kothe, three ballasts went out
in the courthouse lighting on the top floor.
Mike’s Electric changed a motion sensor in the
ambulance barn and a dusk to dawn sensor above
the GIS Mapper’s office. Mr. Kothe reported that
he has been getting the water system ready to go
at the parks. The Maintenance Department has
been picking up leaves and fixed two picnic
tables and stained them. Some of the planks on
the bleachers need to be replaced so those were
primed.
Chairman Dinning stated that the Parks and
Recreation Board wants Road & Bridge to roll the
ball field again this year. Chairman Dinning
stated that the field needs to be harrowed first
and asked Mr. Kothe to see what he can come up
with to get the field harrowed.
Chairman Dinning told Mr. Kothe not to forget to
finish painting the women’s restroom on the main
floor of the courthouse. Mr. Kothe asked if
Commissioners were aware that the postage meter
was being moved to the break room. Chairman
Dinning said yes.
Mr. Kothe left the meeting at 9:38 a.m.
Rick Dinning stated that he just dropped by to
wish his brother happy birthday. Rick Dinning
left the meeting at 9:41 a.m.
9:44 a.m., Commissioner Kirby moved to go into
executive session under Idaho Code #67-2345(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
Pinkerton second. Commissioners voted as
follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner
Pinkerton “aye”, and Commissioner Kirby “aye”.
Motion passed unanimously. 10:20 a.m.,
Commissioner Kirby moved to go out of executive
session. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion
passed unanimously.
10:30 a.m., Mike Klaus and John Martling with
Cabinet Mountain Water District met with
Commissioners to discuss a possible site for a
backup well on county property in Paradise
Valley. Commissioners reviewed maps of the area.
Mr. Klaus gave Commissioners a drawing showing
the District’s proposal. The District needs to
make sure they have enough space for Department
of Environmental Quality (DEQ) requirements,
according to Mr. Klaus. Chairman Dinning stated
that the District will have to make sure they
meet DEQ requirements and then drill for water.
Chairman Dinning asked what the District needs
from the county to go forward. Mr. Klaus
suggested that the District could put together
an agreement but the question would be the
future tank size if they hit water. Mr. Klaus
stated that they have to project the tank size
based on estimated population growth.
Commissioner Pinkerton asked what the projected
cost savings would be to the District to have
the tank up there now. Mr. Martling stated that
the tank site would be something they would like
to have there even if they don’t hit water.
Commissioner Pinkerton inquired if the well or
the tank site is more important now. The well is
something they would want immediately but the
tank they would have to prepare for, according
to Mr. Martling. Mr. Martling stated they might
as well deal with both now because the door may
close in the future. The current tank elevation
is too low and the new tank would be located at
a higher elevation. Commissioner Pinkerton said
regardless of the well, the county should look
at doing a long term lease now because
circumstances may change later making it
difficult for the District to get what they
need. Mr. Klaus stated that the District would
want the proposed location surveyed.
Commissioners instructed Cabinet Mountain Water
District representatives to get the lease
prepared and the property surveyed. Chairman
Dinning asked if the District has an easement to
the property. Mr. Klaus said yes. Chairman
Dinning stated that the county would like an
easement in there too. The proposed 200’ X 400’
area is acceptable to the county as long as the
county has the right to take the trees off that
property and drive across it, according to
Commissioners. Mr. Klaus stated that he wants to
make sure that the dimensions he came up with
will work. Mr. Klaus stated that he did flag the
area in with blue and white flagging to the pin
if Commissioners wish to visit the site again.
Mr. Klaus and Mr. Martling left the meeting at
10:47 a.m.
Ed Robbins dropped by at 10:47 a.m. to inform
Commissioners that a large tree has fallen on
the restroom at the snowmobile warming hut
located at the west end of Highland Flats Road.
10:49 a.m., Blue Sky Broadcasting Reporter Mike
Brown joined the meeting.
Commissioners thanked Mr. Robbins for informing
them. Mr. Robbins left the meeting at 10:52 a.m.
Dottie Gray from the Historical Society dropped
by with an invitation to a dedication of the
Kootenai Exhibit followed by a presentation in
the Portrait Hall entitled “Kootenai Tribe – Our
Heritage and Future” at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday
April 23, 2013 at the Museum. Ms. Gray left the
meeting at 10:54 a.m.
Clerk Glenda Poston and Bonners Ferry Herald
Reporter Laura Roady joined the meeting at 10:55
a.m.
Chairman Dinning spoke about the Pacific
Northwest Trail which he believes runs from the
Continental Divide to the west coast. In a lot
of places there is no trail into the mountains,
according to Chairman Dinning, and the trail
takes people into areas that conflict with
certain animals. The trail is generally located
in the northern portion of the county. Chairman
Dinning stated that he wanted to look at the
possibility of getting the route changed to
where it would be of economic benefit to the
county by bringing it through Bonners Ferry and
then more toward the southern part of the county
so it has less of an impact. This would be a
hiking trail. Commissioner Pinkerton stated that
he wouldn’t think it would have any impact on
animals if it is a hiking trail. Commissioner
Dinning stated that a line was drawn for the
trail and there was no forethought given as to
its location. Commissioner Pinkerton stated that
the trail could be brought to town and then head
out towards the Wildlife Refuge. Chairman
Dinning stated that the maps are online but he
didn’t get a chance to print them off. Chairman
Dinning stated that he would get more
information on the issue.
Chairman Dinning stated that there may be a
request to use the barn that is located on
county property west of the landfill for a
wedding but there is someone who leases the
property for agricultural purposes. If the
lessee is agreeable to having a wedding held in
the barn, they would still have to get the
county’s permission because the lease is for
agricultural purposes only. Chairman Dinning
stated that he just wanted to make Commissioners
aware in case they were approached about the
subject.
Discussion was held regarding the 5% holdback on
SRS funds. Chairman Dinning reported that he
read that the governor is going to recommend the
holdback come out of the Title II money so the
county won’t lose the Road & Bridge and School
District money. Chairman Dinning asked if
Commissioners would support that.
Commissioner Kirby moved to support that the
hold back of 5% from SRS funds be funded out of
the Title II money. Commissioner Pinkerton
second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mike Brown asked how much money was set aside in
Title II for Boundary County. Chairman Dinning
stated that it is a percentage and off the top
of his head he thinks it was somewhere around
$150,000 to $200,000. Mr. Brown asked for
confirmation that $10,000 of it was designated
for the grizzly bear study. Chairman Dinning
said yes. Ms. Roady asked for clarification of
what RAC is. Chairman Dinning explained that it
is the Resource Advisory Council and he further
explained what the RAC funds are used for.
Clerk Glenda Poston, Laura Roady, and Mike Brown
left the meeting at 11:11 a.m.
11:11 a.m., Commissioner Kirby moved to go into
closed session per I.C. 31-874. Commissioner
Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
11:18 a.m., Commissioner Kirby moved to go out
of closed session. Commissioner Pinkerton
second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Kirby moved to set monthly
reimbursement payments at a minimum of $100.00
per month for the months of April through
October on indigent account #2012-18.
Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed
unanimously.
Commissioner Kirby moved to deny indigent
application #2013-11 and approve indigent
applications #2013-12, #2013-14, and #2013-15
based on the Clerk’s recommendation.
Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed
unanimously.
Commissioners reviewed claims for payment. Fund
totals are as follows:
Current Expense $24,786.77
Road & Bridge 72,686.76
Airport 3,779.23
District Court 4,798.89
Justice Fund 72,139.69
911 Funds 4,319.98
Hospital, Operation 65,000.00
Indigent & Charity 11,236.11
Junior College Tuition 33,033.00
Parks and Recreation 5,838.54
Revaluation 2,028.34
Solid Waste 19,339.51
Veterans Memorial 142.99
Weeds 359.47
Restorium 17,032.37
Waterways 203.61
Juvenile Probation, Lottery 139.99
Hospital Supplemental Levy 5,620.72
Grant, Fire Mitigation 21,089.72
TOTAL $363,575.69
Trusts
Auditor’s Trust 4,932.80
Drivers License 7,984.00
Magistrate Trust 30,783.74
Indigent Reimbursements 12,777.64
Motor Vehicle Trust 75,441.81
Sheriff’s Fund 1,571.38
TOTAL $133,491.37
GRAND TOTAL $497,067.06
Citizens are invited to inspect detailed records
on file in the Courthouse (individual claims &
Commissioners’ allowance & warrant register
record 2013).
11:22 a.m., Chief Deputy Clerk Tracie Isaac
dropped by at Commissioners’ request to discuss
personnel matters. Chief Deputy Clerk Isaac
informed Commissioners that there has been a
request from the Sheriff’s Office to reclassify
deputy positions. The Deputy Clerk further
informed Commissioners that the positions were
last classified in 2005. Chairman Dinning
commented that the Classification Committee is
there to initially classify job positions.
Chairman Dinning stated that reclassifying is
not the job of the Classification Committee;
their purpose is to classify new job
descriptions only.
Blue Sky Broadcasting Reporter Mike Brown joined
the meeting.
Discussion was held regarding a request by the
Sheriff’s Office pertaining to wages and
advancement in pay due to achieving
certifications. The written request comments
that the Sheriff’s Office falls short of what
many neighboring counties pay their employees
and suggests that offering an incentive for
advance certification would encourage
experienced employees to stay with the county.
Chairman Dinning asked the Chief Deputy Clerk to
analyze the county’s benefit package and compare
that and the rate of pay with what Benewah,
Shoshone and Bonner counties offer.
11:30 a.m., Chief Deputy Clerk Tracie Isaac left
the meeting.
Mike Brown left the meeting at 11:33 a.m.
Parks & Recreation board member Lisa Carle
called at 11:43 a.m. for clarification on the
Concession Manager position. Ms. Carle told
Commissioners the Parks & Recreation Department
had planned to fund that position this year out
of the summer help line item ($2,700.00).
Commissioners had no problem with that.
Commissioners attended to administrative duties.
12:02 p.m., there being no further business the
meeting was recessed until 9:00 a.m. tomorrow.
Tuesday, April 09, 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., Clerk Glenda Poston joined the
meeting. County residents Connie DeCoe-Munier,
Kim Peterson and Billie Krause also joined the
meeting.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to approve the
minutes of April 1, 2013 and March 11 & 12,
2013. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed
unanimously.
9:30 a.m., Restorium Board Administrator Karlene
Magee; Assistant Administrator Jeri Witt;
Restorium board members: Peach Baker, Wilma
DeVore, Larry Dirks, Larry Hall and Jeanne
Robinson; and Kris Larson, Rod Robinson, Delores
Jantz, Cindy Atkins, Don Alexander and Gayle
Alexander joined the meeting. Clerk Poston, Ms.
DeCoe-Munier, Ms. Peterson and Ms. Krause were
also present.
Mr. Dirks said there is a need for clarification
on the status of the Restorium as it’s been
heard that rates need to be increased and people
have been assured that rates would not rise.
Commissioners were requested to comment
separately.
Chairman Dinning said Commissioners have
discussed looking at adjusting room rates for
new residents coming in, not raising the rates
significantly for the current residents. There
has been discussion about having an assisted
living facility representative come to take a
look at the Restorium in order to analyze the
facility and consider the cost of receiving
advice for what can and cannot be done for the
Restorium. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners
and the Restorium Board members do not run the
Restorium so he had spoken to a person who does
run a facility in Sandpoint and asked them to
tour the Restorium. There is a lot of
information coming from someone that
Commissioners are selling the Restorium and that
is false, according to Chairman Dinning.
Commissioners don’t know what will come down the
road in the future, but they do want someone in
that field to provide their thoughts.
Commissioners will look at significantly raising
rates for new residents coming in, but other
than that Commissioners aren’t looking at
anything else.
Mr. Hall said the Restorium Board is going to
have a meeting on April 17th to work on next
year’s budget and this issue will be discussed
in that setting as well. If a rent increase over
4.9% is proposed, there will have to be a public
hearing, according to Mr. Dirks. Chairman
Dinning said having a public hearing does not
bother Commissioners. The intent is not to harm
any existing residents and this is talking about
over time such as six or so years to bring the
cost of rent up without hurting the current
residents, according to Chairman Dinning. Over
that last 10 years 3.2 million levy dollars has
been provided to the Restorium. The county is
getting squeezed by state and federal government
and the budget needs to get closer.
Commissioner Pinkerton said he would like to
echo Chairman Dinning’s comments and he added
that on behalf of the public, Commissioners
would be remiss if they didn’t review how money
is spent. It’s not about running the Restorium,
it’s about running the county and Commissioners
need to look at ways to not drive further into
debt, according to Commissioner Pinkerton.
Commissioners have to explore avenues such as
raising the amount of money. Commissioner
Pinkerton said the residents moved into the
Restorium thinking they will pay a certain
amount of money to live there and it would be
terrible to raise rates significantly to where
these residents couldn’t afford to live there.
But for new residents a line could be drawn in
the sand on the rates to help pay for the
Restorium and down the road residents can pay
what is needed to keep the Restorium afloat.
Commissioner Pinkerton said Commissioners have
to explore ways to keep the Restorium afloat
just as with Road and Bridge and other
departments. If Commissioners fail, it won’t
cost Commissioners more than heartache, but it
will cost the residents living there and there
has to be assurance those residents have a place
to live.
Mr. Dirks said the Restorium had not been kept
up as it should’ve been over the last few years.
Personal contributions from the Friends of
Restorium and other sponsorships have helped
make improvements at the facility. Mr. Dirks
said we should beat ourselves on the chest as to
what we can do for the Restorium and we are
proud of that.
Commissioner Kirby said the first thing that
always comes up at the meetings is privatization
of the Restorium, but that is not in the book.
Commissioner Kirby said Commissioners will keep
doing what they’re doing. The Restorium is a
business and there is a nice advisory board
offering good information. The Restorium has
improved very much, it’s working well, but room
rates need to be raised. Mr. Dirks said rates
have been raised. Commissioner Kirby said the
rates have not been raised to be able to keep up
with inflation. There will always be a tax
burden, but it should go toward maintenance and
operation, according to Commissioner Kirby.
Commissioner Kirby said the rates can be bumped
up for the new residents annually. An increase
wouldn’t be done all at once as it has to be
done gently, according to Commissioner Kirby.
Mr. Dirks said Commissioners have to remember
that the Restorium is a home to approximately 35
residents and it also employs people and that
has to be remembered. Mr. Dirks said 33 out of
35 rooms have been remodeled and the thought of
expanding should be considered. Commissioner
Pinkerton asked how expansion is going to be
accomplished because if you look at the deficit,
how can the Restorium ever expand to a larger
facility. There are 35 people, but there over
10,000 people in the county, according to
Commissioner Pinkerton. How can rooms be
expanded? The costs and rates have to get to a
more even level to be able to expand.
Ms. Krause said the Restorium has to be looked
at business-wise, but the people who have worked
in the community over time did not have high
paying jobs. Ms. Krause said she doesn’t have
kids, but she pays taxes to the school district
and she is fine with that. The Restorium is for
people to have when they’re old.
Ms. Baker asked how lower income people are
going to be able to stay at the Restorium if the
cost of rent is raised. Chairman Dinning said
there may be some re-evaluation at the state
level that will allow the rate for Medicaid
reimbursement to increase. Chairman Dinning said
Valley Vista’s assisted living facility
representative had learned that other similar
facilities had not delved into the Medicaid
issue as much. Chairman Dinning said until
Commissioners hear back from Valley Vista’s
representative, who toured the Restorium,
nothing is changing.
Ms. Atkins asked about increasing the levy for
the Restorium so more taxes could be received
for it. Clerk Poston explained that the
Restorium has its own levy rate. The Restorium
is the only county-owned facility and it is
almost up against its own limit. Clerk Poston
explained that the Restorium and Boundary
Community Hospital are under the same umbrella
and are not alone, per Idaho Code statute.
Ms. Robinson said the fact is that the community
has the Restorium and a levy for schools that
has passed. Ms. Robinson questioned what the
levy ceiling is and she mentioned that people
come to this community with their businesses and
can see the community cares about their elderly
and kids and it’s positive. Ms. Robinson asked
who the consulting firm is and Chairman Dinning
said no one has been hired. Chairman Dinning
said the ladies who had toured the Restorium
also run five facilities in other parts of
Idaho. These people provide analyses as part of
their job. Chairman Dinning said he wasn’t aware
of other people who would provide an analysis.
Mr. Hall asked for the cost of the analysis.
Chairman Dinning said he doesn’t know the cost
yet and the company is a non-profit Lutheran
organization.
Mr. Hall asked what the can of worms would be on
raising rates for new residents versus the
existing residents who have the same size room.
Chairman Dinning said he has already run that by
the county attorney and the Valley Vista
representatives and it is perfectly legal and
appropriate to raise rates for new residents.
Ms. Baker asked if the rate increase will affect
the waiting list for new residents and Chairman
Dinning said Commissioners will have to take a
look into these questions.
Commissioner Pinkerton said costs for things are
not going down and people need to ask what will
be done in the future. The cost has to go up
somewhere down the road.
Commissioner Pinkerton questioned how
Commissioners could raise room rates on the
current residents now as that is raising the
finish line and Commissioners just can’t do
that. New residents coming in will have the same
opportunity to plan for this cost. Costs will
have increased since the residents before them
came in and people will understand that.
Commissioner Kirby spoke of budgeting and levy
limits and he said the county is there or almost
against limits so then where do we go?
Commissioner Kirby said the Restorium pretty
much has to take care of itself. Commissioner
Kirby said if grandma is at the Restorium and
rates are raised, she won’t have to move out.
The county won’t let that happen. Mr. Dirks said
it’s not necessarily the room itself; it’s the
service that’s provided. Mr. Dirks said we’re
forgetting that we all want to pay our way. A
family member of a resident had concerns as to
whether or not they had enough money to pay
their own way. Mr. Dirks said we don’t want
someone to lose their dignity.
Ms. Robinson said to help alleviate resident
concerns could a board member be present at the
meetings on the Restorium. Chairman Dinning said
he doesn’t understand where the breakdown in
communication is as a County Commissioner
attends their meetings. There has been no intent
to eliminate participation in the meetings. If
there is a meeting, it is agendized and it’s a
public meeting. The next meeting to be held will
probably be to meet with the Restorium Board on
the costs and coverage of the analysis. Chairman
Dinning said everything is very preliminary at
this point and this analysis is not a comparison
to another facility. The analysis is just for
the operational side of the Restorium.
Ms. Larson said the Restorium is a gem for the
community and she doesn’t mind paying taxes, but
she understands the issue of the levy limit. The
Restorium is a nice place people know they can
go to. Commissioner Kirby said he will probably
never be there, but it’s a nice place to know is
there.
Mr. Dirks spoke of the Restorium budget. People
will pay taxes of $38 for $100,000 of assessed
value for the Restorium. That is a very little
amount for what is being received. Mr. Dirks
said he has never heard anyone say that they
don’t want to pay taxes for the Restorium.
Chairman Dinning said Commissioners are just
going to look at the analysis.
The length of time a person has lived in this
community was brought up. Mr. Alexander said
people have moved to this community because of
how low the rates are. Look at how much those
newer property owners have paid in taxes. It was
said the Restorium is a gem, but yes the
Restorium could fill up with residents that are
newer to the community. Chairman Dinning said
there can’t be differentiation between long term
and short term residents.
The meeting with the Restorium Board members,
Ms. Magee and Ms. Witt ended at 10:10 a.m.
10:10 a.m., Natural Resource Conservation
Service (NRCS) and Boundary Soil Conservation
District members Dave Wattenbarger, Tom Daniel,
Rene Riddle and Ree Brannon joined the meeting
to discuss NRCS programs and to request the
county to draft the annual letter of intent
pertaining to budget.
Those present discussed various NRCS programs to
include youth education and farm tours. Ms.
Riddle informed Commissioners there will be a
farm tour on May 24, 2013. Ms. Riddle mentioned
annual funding from the county and requested the
annual letter of intent for the NRCS budget.
Commissioner Kirby moved for Commissioners to
write a letter of intent for the Boundary Soil
Conservation District for $9,000 for the year
2014 Soil District budget. Commissioner
Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton asked about the
Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative
Program (CCPI). Ms. Brannon explained the CCPI
Program in that it’s a special initiative and
the Kootenai Tribe is in part and parcel with
projects for the Kootenai River. The Natural
Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) has been
requested to authorize certain expenditures for
projects along the river where the Kootenai
Tribe has been working on habitat or key
tributaries and working with cost share owners
on restoration, tree and shrub planting, etc.
Project applicants are ranked against each
other.
The meeting with members of the Boundary Soil
Conservation District and NRCS ended at 10:25
a.m.
Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Tevis Hull
joined the meeting.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to go into
executive session under Idaho Code #67-2345-1(f)
to communicate with legal counsel for the 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 Dinning
“aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton “aye” and
Commissioner Kirby “aye”. Motion passed
unanimously. 10:35 a.m., Commissioner Kirby
moved to go out of executive session.
Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed
unanimously.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to approve the
minutes of March 25 & 26, 2013. Commissioner
Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
10:40 a.m., Restorium Administrator Karlene
Magee and Assistant Administrator Jeri Witt
joined the meeting at Commissioners’ request.
Chairman Dinning asked Ms. Magee and Ms. Witt if
they had any questions or concerns about the
morning’s earlier meeting.
Ms. Magee mentioned her concern is raising the
room rates so high that more and more residents
get on Medicaid, which only funds a certain
amount. Chairman Dinning explained the
representative from the Valley Vista Facility is
involved with rewriting information on Medicare
and that she discovered resolutions as far as
Medicare is concerned.
Ms. Magee and Ms. Witt discussed a ribbon
cutting ceremony for the Restorium elevator and
a dedication for J.T. Osborn.
Ms. Magee said the flooring in the hallway has
been repaired and the wood transition strip has
been changed. The strip is now made of rubber
and it has to be there, according to the
flooring instructions. This strip is much better
than before and it’s no longer a tripping
hazard.
Commissioners asked Ms. Magee about her progress
on the QuickBooks Program. Ms. Magee said she
hasn’t gotten much farther as her computer is
fried. Ms. Magee said she has Mike Cox looking
into a new computer for her. Commissioners urged
Ms. Magee to get a new computer as soon as
possible since the bookkeeping issue needs to be
taken care of promptly. Clerk Poston reiterated
that it is not only the Restorium, but the
entire county that could lose the ability to
apply for grants if this bookkeeping issue for
the Restorium is not resolved.
Ms. Magee and Ms. Witt left the meeting at 10:55
a.m.
Clerk Poston left the meeting at 11:05 a.m.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
11:25 a.m., There being no further business, the
meeting recessed until tonight at 6:00 p.m., in
the Extension Office for the purpose of holding
a special meeting to discuss ambulance services
with the Boundary Volunteer Ambulance Board.
6:00 p.m., Commissioners met in special session
for the purpose of discussing future contract
negotiations with the Boundary Volunteer
Ambulance Board. Present were: Chairman Dan
Dinning, Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton,
Commissioner Walt Kirby, Deputy Clerk Michelle
Rohrwasser, Willa Unruh, David Sims, Gene
Dinning, Teresa Baker, Edna Runyan, Georgia
Earley, Tony Shope, Gus Jackson, Andrew Barckley,
Alva Baker, Kim Peterson, Connie DeCoe-Munier,
Pam Stout, Carl Stout, Vickie Hamilton, Alan
Hamilton, Dustin Kralik, Ken Baker, Boundary
Volunteer Ambulance Attorney Brian Woods; and
Boundary Volunteer Ambulance Board members:
Brian Strong, Jim Paulus, Patrick Warkentin,
Erica Denning, and Dan Moore.
The meeting started with introductions around
the room.
Chairman Dinning provided a recap of the
contract between Boundary County and Boundary
Volunteer Ambulance (BVA). In July 2012,
Boundary County and BVA entered into a contract
for ambulance service. The terms of the current
contract exist and are in place until September
2013. Boundary County was to pay BVA $80,000 in
two installments of $40,000 and extra building
space was provided. The other matter in the
contract was that the county would levy, as
requested by BVA, .04% for the 2013-2014 budget
year. Chairman Dinning reminded those present
those taxes do not come to the county until
December 2013. The funding levels for the budget
years following 2013-2014 will be determined.
The current contract states negotiations for the
new contract taking effect on October 1, 2013
were to begin no later than January 15, 2013. A
90 day cancellation notice is also provided for
in the contract, according to Chairman Dinning.
The entire levy funds will be collected for BVA
to be spent as the board directs. The current
contract also mentions the present and new BVA
board configuration and BVA’s president.
Chairman Dinning said he’s had discussions with
former BVA Board Chairman John Youngwirth, etc.,
about repayment of the promissory note of
$80,000 to the Boundary County Ambulance Service
District, and Chairman Dinning clarified that
BVA is to reimburse the Ambulance Service
District.
Chairman Dinning asked if there were any
questions so far.
Attorney Woods said the sticky point is
reimbursing the $80,000, but that just needs to
be worked through and he feels it is a workable
issue. Chairman Dinning provided a copy of the
promissory note to Attorney Woods.
Chairman Dinning reminded those present that
Boundary County never receives the full levy
amount and both the County’s Clerk and Treasurer
echoed approximately 90% of the levy amount is
received.
Attorney Woods said he would like to make it
clear when the new contract is signed and there
is a new board structure, the best way to
allocate those funds will be determined by that
new BVA board. Attorney Woods said most
important is the new board, the .04% levy and
designated spending, then to decide what’s
appropriate for the upcoming year. A County
Commissioner will also be on the new board so
that will hopefully provide trust.
Chairman Dinning said to estimate, a .04% is
approximately $330,000 to $340,000 so 90% is
approximately $297,000 and with BVA providing
reimbursement of $80,000 what remains is
approximately $217,000. Attorney Woods said BVA
would like County Commissioners to sit down with
them to renegotiate the term of the promissory
note just to extend the pay back deadline with
interest. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners
have to look into the Attorney General’s
statement about borrowing as supposedly
borrowing may have been illegal. Commissioners
have not heard final word on this matter for
sure, but the Idaho Association of Counties has
learned that counties may be stuck. Chairman
Dinning said there are approximately 23 other
counties that have done the same thing. Attorney
Woods said he could check on that as well.
Attorney Woods spoke of the sensitivity of
paying or having the funds to pay volunteers.
People may no longer wish to volunteer so
something may need to be inserted into the new
contract pertaining to that. Mr. Paulus
mentioned County Commissioners allowing BVA to
negotiate amortizing the payback of $80,000.
Attorney Woods said he’s come up with five
different ways to work around the payback.
Commissioner Pinkerton questioned the .04% and
Chairman Dinning said whatever amount the first
levy rate is is what the future 3% cap is based
on. If the .04% is not used that first year,
that rate cannot be levied subsequently. The
highest levy rate of a three year period is the
guideline so BVA could levy the full amount the
first year and then the fourth year, according
to Chairman Dinning. Mr. Paulus asked if that
rate could be levied the first and second year.
Chairman Dinning said yes.
Attorney Woods said former BVA Board Chairman
John Youngwirth, County Attorney Phil Robinson,
Chairman Dinning and himself have all said that
communication has lacked before, but now there
will be a new structure with a Commissioner
designee so that will hopefully help with
communication, understanding, etc.
Attorney Woods said he is very impressed by how
much the volunteers have done on basically
vapor.
Commissioner Pinkerton said he has concerns
about the current contract having a County
Commissioner on the new BVA Board since a County
Commissioner would be on the BVA Board having to
approach County Commissioners for funds and he
sees that as a conflict. Attorney Woods
mentioned the contract states a Commissioner or
their designee. Mr. Paulus said he agrees.
Attorney Woods said it states the same thing for
the Hospital and fire representative.
Commissioner Pinkerton said there should most
definitely not be a Commissioner on the BVA
Board.
Chairman Dinning said earlier he mentioned the
figure of $217,000, but a specific figure cannot
be listed in the new contract as the amount is
whatever is received from tax payments.
Commissioner Kirby said the major business is
BVA needing more funds. The process is in place
to do that so it’s just a matter of more money.
Commissioner Kirby said the current contract
didn’t mention the reimbursement of $80,000
unfortunately, but it has to be done, and if
there wasn’t the issue with the Attorney General
on borrowing, he wouldn’t have a problem doing
it again. Mr. Paulus said the levy pattern needs
to change because BVA needs to know how much
money is coming in.
Commissioner Pinkerton said it is not
unreasonable to ask what these funds are getting
spent on such as if it were a bank loan.
Attorney Woods said legally BVA is a non-profit
and the 990 form and 1023 application is
available. As far as other proprietary
information that will be shared by the BVA Board
as it is more private, but it will be used to
determine the budget and the Commissioners’
designee will be a part of that. Commissioner
Kirby said he’s not used to working with
confidentiality as it pertains to budgets.
Mr. Paulus referred to Commissioner Pinkerton’s
comment about a bank loan and said BVA is not
borrowing the funds. Mr. Paulus likened the
situation to a homeowner asking their painter
how much is spent on brushes, etc. Commissioner
Pinkerton said he would tell that painter to
pack it up and go if he wouldn’t provide that
information. Commissioner Pinkerton said the
County is responsible to the public and he will
be accountable for the decisions he makes.
Commissioner Pinkerton questioned how he can
make a sound decision if only half of the
information is given. Attorney Woods said both
sides have made valid points.
Attorney Woods said a portion of the $80,000 is
going to the volunteers. Chairman Dinning said
Commissioners just don’t want to create a
runaway freight train. Attorney Woods said the
new board will fix that and will also figure out
how to retain volunteers. Attorney Woods said
Bonner County EMS has come to Boundary County
approximately 49 times for transports and that
is revenue that could help increase the level of
service in Boundary County to provide help to
its citizens. The time it takes for Bonner
County to get here and then drive back is
important. The revenue is important as it will
help alleviate the need for .04%.
Chairman Dinning asked if there were any
questions. There were none.
The meeting between BVA and Commissioners ended
at 6:45 p.m.
There being no further business, the meeting
adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
/s/
DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
ATTEST:
/s/
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk |
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