County commission minutes, April 15-16
|
|
April 25, 2013 |
***Monday, April 15, 2013, Commissioners met in
regular session with Chairman Dan R. Dinning,
Commissioner LeAlan L. Pinkerton, Commissioner
Walt Kirby, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
9:00 a.m., Road and Bridge Superintendent Jeff
Gutshall joined the meeting to inform
Commissioners that he wasn’t able to stay to
give his department report due to a training
course he and his employees are attending. Mr.
Gutshall briefly discussed the process of
seeking bids for vehicles.
Mr. Gutshall left the meeting.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to declare the
following county vehicles surplus and to
authorize the sale of these items at public
auction to be held on Monday, May 20, 2013 at
1:30 p.m.: 1999 Ford Expedition 4WD,
Vin#1FMRU1867XLB92337, 1989 Ford F250 ¾ ton 4X4
pickup truck, Vin#1FTEF26H5KLA83665, and 1987
Chevrolet ¾ ton 20DLX 4X4 pickup truck,
Vin#1GCEV24K4HJ136765. Commissioner Kirby
second. Motion passed unanimously.
9:35 a.m., The Courthouse Maintenance Department
report was cancelled.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
9:55 a.m., Boundary Volunteer Ambulance
President Ken Baker joined the meeting.
10:00 a.m., Commissioner Kirby moved to recess
as the Boundary County Board of Commissioners
and convene as the Governing Board of the
Boundary County Ambulance Service District.
Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed
unanimously.
10:01 a.m., Commissioner Pinkerton moved to
adjourn as the Governing Board of the Boundary
County Ambulance Service District and reconvene
as the Boundary County Board of Commissioners.
Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed
unanimously.
Mr. Baker left the meeting at 10:02 a.m.
Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals briefly joined the
meeting.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to set monthly
reimbursement payments for indigent account
#2012-15 to a minimum of $50 per month when
working in addition to 50% of annual state and
federal tax refunds. Commissioner Kirby second.
Motion passed unanimously.
Deputy Clerk Ryals left the meeting.
10:25 a.m., Courthouse Maintenance Jerry Kothe
joined the meeting to give his department
report. Those present discussed quotes to trim
Courthouse trees. Mr. Kothe proposed trimming
three trees at a time followed by trimming the
remaining four trees the next year.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to have three of
the seven trees near the Courthouse trimmed this
year and trim four trees the following year.
Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed
unanimously.
Chairman Dinning said the person who will trim
the trees needs to have insurance.
10:26 a.m., Boundary Economic Development
Specialist David Sims joined the meeting.
Mr. Kothe left the meeting at 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Sims discussed Riverside Park with
Commissioners. Mr. Sims said if you were to look
at Bonners Ferry, it’s on the Kootenai River,
but in most ways the community doesn’t get the
benefit of being on the water. Developing
Riverside Park would be beneficial to citizens
and travelers passing through. Mr. Sims
mentioned the Parks and Recreation Board has
even talked about doing some work. Mr. Sims said
he would like to know what Commissioners’ plans
are and how he can help. A consultant contacted
the City of Bonners Ferry weeks ago and he was
looking for a place to build a recreational
vehicle (RV) park. This same contractor has also
talked to Parks and Recreation Board member Rob
Tompkins about an RV park and said that state
funding may be available. Mr. Sims asked if
Commissioners would consider that.
Chairman Dinning said the county wants to do
what they can do encourage growth, but
questioned if this would be in competition with
other places. It may be possible to buy the five
acre piece of property in that location with
grant monies, according to Mr. Sims. Chairman
Dinning asked if this grant is accessible to
private parties also and Mr. Sims said he didn’t
think so. Mr. Sims said this consultant has just
completed a similar project in Genesee, but Mr.
Sims said he feels he and Commissioners, etc.,
would have enough expertise to draft the grant
proposal.
Commissioner Pinkerton said if the county moved
to turn county-owned property into a park and
someone wanted to put their own property
adjacent into an RV park, that wouldn’t be an
unfair advantage. It was said the sewage issue
rears its head when talking about five acres and
RV’s, but Mr. Sims said the state said that’s
not a requirement since the fair grounds has a
pumping station. Mr. Sims said one issue is if
there was an RV park at Riverside Park, the
County would want to have restrooms and a shower
facility, but there may be a perk issue.
Mr. Sims said he talked to City of Bonners Ferry
Administrator Stephen Boorman about water
service and Mr. Boorman said he felt a water
service could handle enough water for RV’s as
long as the county didn’t use it to irrigate the
grounds. Commissioner Kirby said he would think
irrigation should be done just by putting a pump
into the river since it is just right there.
Those present discussed industrial and
commercial property in relation to new
businesses coming to town. Commissioner
Pinkerton mentioned putting together a portfolio
on the community as it may be a draw for
business owners.
Mr. Sims left the meeting at 11:00 a.m.
Airport Manager David Parker and Brad Niemeyer
with JUB Engineering joined the meeting at 11:00
a.m. Bonners Ferry Herald Reporter Laura Roady
and Blue Sky Broadcasting Reporter Mike Brown
were also present.
Mr. Parker showed those present a PowerPoint
Presentation on the Boundary County Airport to
include: airport boundaries, where problem trees
are located, a history of the airport,
accomplishments with associated costs and
services offered.
Mr. Parker informed Commissioners the county
will begin working with the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) Office located in Montana
rather than the office in Seattle. Mr. Parker
reviewed a list of FAA requirements. The
PowerPoint listed 11 nearby airports and the
lengths of their runways and Boundary County’s
airport runway is the shortest. Mr. Parker
reviewed the airport’s neighboring properties
and added that he has been in touch with those
property owners.
Mr. Parker reviewed costs associated with this
project. The State of Idaho will provide 3.14%
of project costs, the FAA will provide 90% and
the County’s portion will be 6.86%. Mr. Parker
said the County has enough funds to provide a
grant match for a project totaling $1.2 million,
but if there is project cost overrun, funding
left over from other airports may be available.
Costs have been reviewed and compared for
engineering services and JUB’s cost of $179,000
for engineering services has been approved. Mr.
Parker asked Commissioners for their signature
on the recommendation package to help finalize
the project.
Mr. Niemeyer explained the paperwork process in
that the FAA is requesting the Purchase and
Sales Agreement by July so they can get the
grant documents in August. A meeting with JUB
Engineering and the Airport Manager will follow
sometime around August 5, 2013, according to Mr.
Niemeyer.
Mr. Parker left documents with Commissioners in
order to be reviewed by the county’s prosecuting
attorney prior to Commissioners signing.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to continue the
motions pertaining to the Boundary County
Airport Grant paperwork until 1:45 p.m. today.
Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed
unanimously.
The meeting with Mr. Parker and Mr. Niemeyer
ended at11:35 a.m.
11:35 a.m., Hospital CEO/CFO Craig Johnson and
Hospital Board of Trustees Chairman Elden Koon
joined the meeting to give Commissioners an
update on Hospital matters.
Mr. Johnson said Hospital financials are in the
black for the first quarter including
depreciation. The dietary elevator has had some
problems, which resulted in an injury. Mr.
Johnson said Idaho Counties Risk Management
Program (ICRMP) Insurance agent Darrell Kerby
was informed of the elevator breakdown and
supposedly there is some coverage. Otis
Elevators provided a quote of $43,000, but a
quote from another company came in at $12,000.
ICRMP may cover $8,000 to $9,000.
Mr. Johnson spoke of meeting with the United
States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for
rural development about refurbishing the
Hospital’s Building C. This is the brown
building near the Hospital’s south side parking
lot. This is a two physician practice that
Kaniksu Health Services had used. There are
rural development funds to loan to the Hospital,
which would not encumber the building. Mr.
Johnson said he made application for that, but
then he found out it has to be the County to
make application so he will gather information
for Commissioners and request Commissioners make
application. The total project cost is $110,000
to be paid by the Hospital. This process is
similar to the Energy Efficiency and
Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Grant in which
Boundary County requests funds to go to the
Hospital.
11:50 a.m., Commissioner Kirby moved to go into
Executive Session under Idaho Code #67-2345(1)b,
to consider the evaluation, dismissal or
disciplining of, or to hear complaints or
charges brought against, a public officer,
employee, staff member or individual agent, or
public school student. Commissioner Pinkerton
second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman
Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton “aye” and
Commissioner Kirby “aye”. Motion passed
unanimously. 12:00 p.m., Commissioner Kirby
moved to go out of executive session.
Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed
unanimously.
The meeting ended at noon and Commissioners
recessed for lunch.
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., Commissioner Pinkerton moved to go
into executive session under Idaho Code
#67-2345(1)b, to consider the evaluation,
dismissal or disciplining of, or to hear
complaints or charges brought against, a public
officer, employee, staff member or individual
agent, or public school student. Commissioner
Kirby second. Commissioners voted as follows:
Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton
“aye” and Commissioner Kirby “aye”. Motion
passed unanimously. 2:00 p.m., Commissioner
Kirby moved to go out of executive session.
Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed
unanimously.
2:00 p.m., Chief Deputy Clerk Tracie Isaac
joined the meeting.
2:00 p.m., Commissioner Kirby moved to sign the
JUB Agreement for Professional Services, Land
Acquisition and Relocation Services, A.I.P.
#3-16-0004-Pending subject to the approval of
the County’s attorney. Commissioner Pinkerton
second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Kirby moved to authorize the
Commissioners sign the letter to Mary Vargus
with the Federal Aviation Administration
regarding AIP 3-16-0004-012, Consultant Services
Contract-Fee Negotiation land Acquisition and
Relocation subject to the approval of the
County’s attorney. Commissioner Pinkerton
second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners and Chief Deputy Clerk Tracie
Isaac reviewed job position information for the
Boundary County Sheriff’s Office.
2:25 p.m., Commissioner Pinkerton moved to go
into executive session under Idaho Code
#67-2345(1)b, to consider the evaluation,
dismissal or disciplining of, or to hear
complaints or charges brought against, a public
officer, employee, staff member or individual
agent, or public school student. Commissioner
Kirby second. Commissioners voted as follows:
Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton
“aye” and Commissioner Kirby “aye”. Motion
passed unanimously. 2:40 p.m., Commissioner
Kirby moved to go out of executive session.
Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed
unanimously.
Chief Deputy Clerk Isaac left the meeting.
Commissioners discussed the quote from Bonner
County Juvenile Detention Center for housing
Boundary County’s juveniles at $110 per juvenile
per day. Chairman Dinning said Boundary County
has had agreements with both Region 1 in
Kootenai County and Bonner County in the past
and he doesn’t know what it would hurt to sign
another agreement with Bonner County again as
it’s just something else to look at.
Commissioner Pinkerton said Bonner County’s
agreement is not an exclusive agreement so
Commissioners can still honor the agreement with
Kootenai County.
Commissioner Kirby said this is a piece of
business that’s time has come. There is no loss
and it’s a win win. Commissioner Kirby explained
that juveniles may need to go one facility over
another one depending on the severity of the
issue.
Commissioner Kirby moved to enter into an
agreement with the Bonner County Juvenile
Detention Facility. Commissioner Pinkerton
second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Dinning said would like this new
contract with Bonner County to automatically
renew.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
3:00 p.m., Commissioners discussed the property
behind the Courthouse and whether they wish to
declare this property surplus.
Commissioner Kirby said since business owner Vic
Rae has requested to purchase the property and
since the County hasn’t been using this piece of
property at all, the County could stand to
profit from selling it. Commissioner Kirby
suggested getting an approved appraisal to see
what the value is and then determine if it
should be sold. Commissioner Pinkerton asked how
long this property has belonged to the County,
if there had been a condemned building on it and
why it was purchased in the first place.
Commissioner Kirby and Chairman Dinning said the
County had cleaned up the property in the past.
The original appraisals on this property were
done in year 2003 and the County purchased it in
February 2004. The only thing done to this land
is the County had it paved for parking.
Commissioner Pinkerton said the fact of the
matter is that it’s not being used for anything
and he cannot see a need for it.
Chairman Dinning said this piece of property
lends itself to economic development.
Commissioner Kirby said this is the first
approach on this piece of property and if a
commercial neighbor wishes to expand, he doesn’t
want to get in way of that.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to declare County
property described as Lots 3 through 7, Block 4,
Riverside Addition, Section 27, Township 62
North, Range 1 East, Boise Meridian, surplus and
to order an appraisal on it. Commissioner Kirby
second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
3:30 p.m., The Nature Conservancy members Robyn
Miller and Kennon McClintock and landowners:
Tony Shelton, Isabel Huff, Chuck Huff, Barb
Lindgren and Mac Lefebvre joined the meeting to
discuss placing their properties in the Forest
Legacy Program.
Mr. Shelton briefly discussed the process and
said this is a major commitment on the part of
the landowners. It’s a long term matter,
according to Mr. Shelton.
Ms. Miller said the funding source is the Forest
Legacy Program and it is funneled through the
Forest Service to the State of Idaho. The Idaho
Department of Lands (IDL) ultimately is the
agency to purchase easements from each
landowner. It’s a very long process and this is
the very early stage of that process. An
application will be submitted for this
competitive grant by May 31st. The Nature
Conservancy and the property owners are here
today to request a letter of support for this
grant application. The grant will go from the
state level to the regional level and finally
the national level, according to Ms. Miller. The
funding year is for federal fiscal year 2015 and
the grant would close the end of years 2015 or
2016 so it’s a long term process. The goals of
the conservation program are to maintain these
properties and working lands such as active
forestry, land management and farming. The
program also provides for fish and wildlife
habitat and can limit subdivision development.
Each landowner will engage with IDL and TNC is
needed as a land sponsor, but TNC’s role ends
there. IDL negotiates, holds and monitors the
easement. Ms. Miller said TNC is also applying
for this grant as a landowner in this case.
Chairman Dinning asked if this is a proposal
that is all or no one will receive it such as
can one family be approved and one not. Ms.
Miller said the property owners are applying as
one proposal. Sometimes projects have been
phased, but ultimately they are tied together as
one project. The landowners currently present do
wish to do this, according to Ms. Miller.
Commissioner Pinkerton questioned how much land
owned by Hancock is included in this proposal.
Mr. Lefebvre said approximately $2,500.
Commissioner Pinkerton shared his thoughts on
conservation easements. Commissioner Pinkerton
said he grew up on property included in this
proposal and this will encompass the road he
used to use so he takes issue with that as he
won’t be able to use it. Commissioners
questioned if this is a perpetual application
with non-motorized access. Commissioner
Pinkerton said when landowners put a personal
mandate on a property he feels it goes beyond
the right and it doesn’t give the future
generations any abilities.
Mr. Shelton said allowing access to properties
in the Forest Legacy Program is sort of an
individual case by case. Ms. Miller said by
default a conservation easement doesn’t limit
access. A conservation easement is just a tool
to establish the vision and it is perpetual. In
this project each property owner will make their
own decision as to what’s best for them.
Families have usually decided not to mention
anything about restricting or allowing public
access so it will be clear and the landowner can
retain that right. In some cases negotiations
for at least non-motorized access can be made in
perpetuity. This doesn’t necessarily limit
motorized access, but the landowner can make
those choices as they see fit going forward.
That access will continue to be the landowner’s
choice. Ms. Miller said the hope is to keep
access open.
It was said that in reference to the Hancock
Timber Resource properties the Forest Service
owns those roads and since Hancock owns the
lower section of property, those roads always
stay open. Commissioner Pinkerton said you
usually hear the Forest Service saying they
don’t have funds to maintain roads so they close
the gates. It was said the Forest Service is the
one agency funding this conservation easement to
some extent. Commissioner Pinkerton said he’s
not against the conservation. Commissioner
Pinkerton spoke of the Forest Service funds used
to fund this project in that the timber company
is going to get a certain amount of money to put
into conservation, but will still raise money
for timber. That will happen if this
conservation goes in there or not. Commissioner
Pinkerton said it’s good for the Forest Service,
but for the community who may possibly own it in
the future, there are limits. The Hancock
property has been moved from one timber company
to another, but who’s to say it may not go to a
private party.
Mr. Lefebvre said as recreational values
increase, timber values decrease. Timber
companies are diverging lots, etc. There is
nothing saying the companies are going to raise
timber on it forever either, according to Mr.
Lefebvre.
Mr. McClintock said lands going into the Forest
Legacy Program are remaining large pieces and
access is staying open, although access may not
be motorized. The big picture is that large
pieces of land are not getting split up.
Commissioner Pinkerton said he doesn’t disagree
that there are benefits. Commissioner Pinkerton
said our society has placed a value on that, but
in 50 to 100 years from now what is society
going to value and will it be the same as today.
By putting this land in the conservation
easement it takes away abilities in the future.
Commissioner Pinkerton said that is just his
personal feeling. Commissioner Pinkerton said he
would never take from his kids the right of what
to do with the land.
Chairman Dinning said he appreciates discussing
this with Commissioner Pinkerton understanding
they may not be on same side of the fence.
Chairman Dinning said this right also extends
the ability to do what the landowner wants and
the consequences are that they are responsible
for today. Chairman Dinning said he knows
matters have been brought up over the years that
have been addressed especially in timber lands
that there will be perpetual motorized access.
Chairman Dinning said we may never know if a new
road is needed somewhere to access a federal
sale, and if verbiage about needing a road to
better the community, depending on the language,
is not included, that may need to be addressed.
Chairman Dinning said the main roads may need to
stay open to public and he questioned if that
seems like a problem. Ms. Miller said she would
have to look into that more as even though it is
industrial land it is still a private landowner.
Ms. Miller said she would pass on that concern
to IDL and Hancock ultimately makes the
determination as to what goes into the easement
as that is not TNC’s role.
Chairman Dinning said to clarify, his concern is
that the main roads not be closed by a Forest
Service rule and the easement doesn’t restrict
Hancock to create another easement. Chairman
Dinning said he doesn’t want the document to say
Hancock can’t.
Mr. McClintock said he thinks the McArthur Lake
conservation easement project was similar to
this. The fundamental purpose is to maintain the
lands as working lands; the ability to put roads
in to maintain timber.
It was said that Plum Creek is selling off huge
pieces of ground in Montana.
Mr. Shelton said Commissioner Pinkerton does
have some good points and it was said funding
was Forest Service money, but he didn’t think it
was. Ms. Miller said funding comes from the
Department of Agriculture through the Forest
Service to the State of Idaho. Ms. Miller said
if the money doesn’t come here, it will be spent
on the same type of project elsewhere so it
can’t be used for any other designation.
Mr. Huff said he doesn’t have kids who will come
back to his property. Mr. Huff said his sister
is working on a deal to create a hiking trail
easement from his barn to the Forest Service
land so that land won’t be locked out, but they
don’t want to open this property to a lot of
homes. Mr. Huff said he realizes a person never
really owns the land, but this will really slow
things down some.
Ms. Huff said she truly enjoys going out her
back door and having her space there, but she
also has neighbors who are spoiling that space
by letting their dogs run and throwing their
garbage out there. One main goal of TNC is to
stop development and it’s important to try to
preserve areas of space.
Ms. Lindgren said her space is against Forest
Service land on two sides, and she spoke of
watching wildlife that also needs space just as
people do. To be a steward of the land means to
have space for people, but for animals as well.
Mr. Lefebvre said his family’s piece of land is
on the west side and the family’s biggest reason
for this conservation easement is their
descendents and he didn’t see another any way to
personalize and maintain character. Mr. Lefebvre
said his family wants to be able to retain that
character.
It was said TNC’s land is the old Heath
property.
Chairman Dinning asked if the easement allows
the existing homes to be rebuilt if a fire
occurs. Ms. Miller said the easement even allows
for a future homesites. Ms. Miller said TNC has
not had discussions for what their property
would look like, but they’ve always been fans of
public access.
Commissioner Pinkerton said business-wise he
fully understands the easement, but as far as
perpetuity he draws the line. Chairman Dinning
said there are philosophical issues and he and
Commissioner Pinkerton have a difference.
Commissioner Pinkerton said it’s good
discussion.
Some concerns mentioned were access regarding
Forest Service roads on company ground and
addressing the ability to allow road easements.
Commissioner Kirby mentioned the business about
building roads for anything and how someone
can’t just necessarily say it’s for “timber.”
Commissioner Kirby said he thinks back to living
in Oceanside, California, as that is where he
used to play as a kid and it’s now all
condominiums.
Chairman Dinning said to him it’s not about
limiting development as it is about personal
property rights. Commissioners are looking at
pieces on Hall Mountain that people have
historically had access to. This is a cultural
issue on those south lands so it would be
preferred to have non-motorized public access.
Ms. Miller said she has to realize that Hancock
is a different landowner so she can’t speak on
behalf of the company, but this is the best
chance the public has for access. Ms. Miller
said the titles of these lands are already split
up. The McArthur Lake property had one owner
initially, but now there are seven property
owners although it is in management. The
conservation easement tool is the best chance.
Commissioner Kirby moved to write a letter of a
support for the conservation easement with
conditions. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair
to second. Commissioners voted as follows:
Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton
“nay” and Commissioner Kirby “aye”. Motion
passed.
Commissioner Pinkerton said there are people in
this that he cares about and he is strong in his
beliefs so it is not an easy decision.
Chairman Dinning said he appreciates the ability
to discuss the differences and not take it
personal. Both points are taken.
Chairman Dinning said any letter written will be
reviewed by all Commissioners. This is hard and
these matters may not necessarily be
appropriate. There are thoughts on both sides
about credence.
The meeting to discuss a Forest Legacy
conservation easement ended at 4:25 p.m.
There being no further business, the meeting
recessed until tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.
***Tuesday, April 16, 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., Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Rich
Stephens joined the meeting to discuss wages and
certification incentives for Sheriff’s Office
deputies. Chief Deputy Clerk Tracie Isaac,
Sheriff Greg Sprungl, and Sheriff’s Office
Administrative Assistant Jen Mayard also joined
the meeting.
Bonners Ferry Herald Laura Roady joined the
meeting.
Chief Deputy Sheriff Rich Stephens said the
Sheriff’s Office is looking to get some
incentives established to help employee
retention. In a nutshell there is no incentive
to keep deputies from moving on to greener
pastures and if the Sheriff’s Office could be a
bit more competitive with neighboring counties,
Boundary County would have a better chance of
employing more qualified employees, according to
Chief Deputy Sheriff Stephens. It’s not trying
to be a comparison, but Boundary County’s
Sheriff’s Office could at least be more
competitive with incentives by looking at
counties of similar size. Chief Deputy Sheriff
Stephens said his idea was to offer a pay
increase if deputies obtained more advanced
certifications resulting in the county having
more deputies with increased training. Chief
Deputy Sheriff Stephens said it’s apples and
oranges, but Boundary County loses deputies to
Bonner County due to the other county’s perks.
Chief Deputy Sheriff Stephens listed what the
starting wage is for deputies in Bonner County
and added that other counties offer shift
differentials.
Chairman Dinning said he asked Chief Deputy
Clerk Tracie Isaac to contact Benewah and
Shoshone Counties. Chief Deputy Isaac said
Benewah County’s rate of pay is between $.50 and
$1 more than Boundary County and there are steps
to reach for those increases. Shoshone County is
a bit less compared to Boundary County. Chairman
Dinning said there are other levels of sergeant
or corporal and are those attainable with
certifications. Chief Deputy Sheriff Stephens
said if a patrol deputy receives a higher
certification, it doesn’t mean they will be
bumped to corporal. A sheriff’s office doesn’t
necessarily have a need for more corporal
positions with no one to supervise so it’s not
an automatic position increase. It doesn’t make
a lot of sense for the Sheriff’s Office to make
all deputies corporals, according to Chief
Deputy Sheriff Stephens.
In comparison to the City of Bonners Ferry if an
employee receives an intermediate or advanced
certificate, there is a 5% pay increase.
Chairman Dinning said what the City of Bonners
Ferry’s Mayor is hearing from his side is that
the county staff is getting paid more, but then
the county hears that the City of Bonners Ferry
pays more. Sheriff Sprungl said the county does
have better benefits, especially for families.
This is looking at dollars.
Sheriff Sprungl said it’s hard to put a number
on the employees who have moved on for
employment in other counties. Chairman Dinning
said that discussion has been had before when
the county trains a deputy and then the deputy
moves on, but if the County could do something
along the lines of what has been proposed, he
doesn’t know how much that would slow down.
Chairman Dinning asked if Sheriff Sprungl knew
how many employees have moved on in the last few
years. Sheriff Sprungl said he doesn’t have that
figure off the top of his head, but it happens
more when the sheriff position turns over. Chief
Deputy Sheriff Stephens said he’s not
diminishing what other departments are doing,
but the deputies are out there putting their
lives on the line.
Commissioners reviewed various county positions
and their grade levels. Chairman Dinning said he
really understands the dilemma and questions how
to accomplish this for everyone. Sheriff Sprungl
referred to making sure the bailiff’s position
had been secured and how that position was
bumped up in grade level and now he has to train
a new dispatcher. The bailiff position is not
that difficult of a job and it has normal hours
of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m., according to Sheriff
Sprungl.
Commissioner Pinkerton said there is a grading
system for the county so this is not about
finding a good applicant. The county needs to do
something to increase pay for law enforcement to
retain them, but the county system doesn’t
currently have the wiggle room to upgrade,
according to Commissioner Pinkerton. There are
things law enforcement has to do that most
county employees don’t and all re-certifications
are a requirement of the job. Commissioner
Pinkerton said the county has a good system, but
there is no wiggle room. The sheriff’s position
is a professional position and that office is
trying to keep professional people in those
positions. The more training the more
competitive it’s going to get and it’s an
ongoing thing. To keep people from moving on the
county has kept pretty good benefits, according
to Commissioner Pinkerton. It’s that grade or
pay disparity. Commissioner Pinkerton said he
supports finding a way to increase wages for the
Sheriff’s Office, but at this point he doesn’t
know how to do it.
Chairman Dinning mentioned the employees at the
Restorium who dispense medications with no way
to advance.
Sheriff Sprungl said the current system is a
hybrid system from a wages study and in the
middle of that was the classification committee.
The original design was to have a commissioner
on that committee. Sheriff Sprungl said the way
the most recent bailiff position was written up
was lacking.
It was said back in year 1996 wages were fairly
arbitrary. Sheriff Sprungl said when the
dispatch position was created it was part-time,
no benefits and minimum wage, and employees were
leaving to ball trees at Clifty View and the
grading system was to help that. Sheriff Sprungl
said he has to work with employees working on
holidays and around the clock. Chief Deputy
Clerk Tracie Isaac said the job description for
detention deputy wasn’t brought before the
classification committee until 1999. Chairman
Dinning questioned how to make the system
better.
Sheriff Sprungl mentioned not being able to say
this is apples and oranges and he discussed his
time on the Peace Officers Standards Training
(POST) Council and making physical requirements
more difficult. Sheriff Sprungl explained that
employees can live in one county while working
for a sheriff’s office in another county such as
Spokane hiring Kootenai County employees and
that trickles to Boundary County. It’s hard to
just go out in this county to find people to do
this job, according to Sheriff Sprungl.
Commissioner Kirby said it seems to him from
past experience that only a certain amount of
people want to be policeman and those come to
ask for the job. Sheriff Sprungl said he can’t
go to the labor pool and just find someone.
Commissioner Kirby said Commissioners are being
made aware of a very serious problem and pretty
soon will have to make a step for law
enforcement. Commissioner Kirby said there needs
to be a lot more thinking and research about
this.
Sheriff Sprungl spoke of a deputy’s video taken
of the deputy dealing with an in-custody by
himself and what had occurred. Deputies are
outside by themselves out there and this deputy
had to struggle with a much larger individual,
according to Sheriff Sprungl.
Commissioner Pinkerton said he knows exactly
what Sheriff Sprungl is talking about in these
conflict situations. Commissioner Pinkerton said
the bailiff position is a different situation
and it’s a position not run by the Sheriff’s
Office. Sheriff Sprungl said nowhere else does
the sheriff fill in for the bailiff’s position
when the bailiff is on vacation. Commissioner
Pinkerton said the issue is not that; it’s the
disparity of his positions and we need to fix it
as it’s broken.
Chairman Dinning said in moving forward to fix
something in this specific area, the County has
other dynamics in the system that Commissioners
need to fix so there’s not a perception opposite
of what the Sheriff’s Office is dealing with so
not to cater to one department. The county needs
to treat everyone equal and at this point he
doesn’t have an idea of how to go forward.
Chairman Dinning said the county needs to
somehow reevaluate this whole system for all
employees and bring it back in line.
Chief Deputy Sheriff Stephens said this is our
county and other counties have probably gone
through this same thing so what have other
counties done to overcome this. Chairman Dinning
said he can speak on what he hears and he knows
that Boundary County is very unique as elected
officials have a good relationship. There is an
intentional effort for departments to come in to
meet. Chief Deputy Sheriff Stephens said he
appreciates that and to consider other
departments is perfectly fair, but he’s working
in his own bubble. Chairman Dinning said he
would like to talk to the other elected
officials with Sheriff Sprungl present and to
say here’s our system and there are concerns.
Chairman Dinning said there are peripherals to
fix and he said Restorium employees starting out
at approximately $8.68 per hour and there is
constant turnover. Chairman Dinning said we need
to determine to move forward and how to do it.
Commissioner Pinkerton said he looks at the
critical factors worksheet and someone did a
good first try, but there is always room for
improvement. The template is done, but it just
needs to be adjusted. Sheriff Sprungl thanked
Commissioners and he said this is the furthest
his office has gotten in these discussions.
Chairman Dinning said Commissioner received the
2014 E911 grant application packet from Eddie
Goldsmith with the State of Idaho Emergency
Communications Commission and wasn’t sure if the
Sheriff’s Office had also received it. Chief
Deputy Sheriff Stephens said Administrative
Deputy Crystal Denton is currently looking at
equipment needs so he knows she is working on
it.
The meeting with Sheriff Sprungl, Chief Deputy
Stephens, Ms. Maynard, and Chief Deputy Clerk
Isaac ended at 9:50 a.m.
9:50 a.m., Commissioner Pinkerton moved to go
into executive session under Idaho Code
#67-2345(1)b, to consider the evaluation,
dismissal or disciplining of, or to hear
complaints or charges brought against, a public
officer, employee, staff member or individual
agent, or public school student. Commissioner
Kirby second. Commissioners voted as follows:
Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton
“aye” and Commissioner Kirby “aye”. Motion
passed unanimously. 10:05 a.m., Commissioner
Kirby moved to go out of executive session.
Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed
unanimously.
Boundary County Emergency Services Incident
Commander Bob Graham and Incident Director Dave
Kramer joined the meeting at 10:05 a.m., to
discuss use of the County’s Emergency Services
vehicle.
Mr. Graham said he’s heard concerns about him
taking his county vehicle out of town. Mr.
Graham said he does take that vehicle out of
town for meetings, but they are official
meetings; not personal. Commissioner Pinkerton
said he doesn’t see a problem with that type of
use as long as it’s for official county
business. Mr. Graham said he just wanted to be
sure he is okay to use the vehicle for county
business out of town. Mr. Graham said he uses it
for county and state business, and he leaves the
vehicle at the airport for the state business
and he hasn’t felt bad about that as the vehicle
was paid for by the state.
Mr. Graham and Commissioner Pinkerton discussed
the high school active shooter table top
exercise held last week.
Chairman Dinning questioned the need for Mr.
Graham’s vehicle if he is out of town on state
business. Mr. Kramer said his own vehicle also
has radio equipment in it. Mr. Kramer said under
Emergency Management Mr. Graham didn’t feel he
had authorization for out of town non-county
business. It was said that Mr. Graham sits on
the Idaho Department of Water Resources Board.
Mr. Graham said he used to use his personal
vehicle without compensation and if he used his
own vehicle for the State Water Board meetings,
the State would reimburse him, but he hasn’t
requested it.
Commissioner Kirby said he doesn’t have a
problem with the way Mr. Graham has been
handling his transportation and Commissioner
Pinkerton said he also doesn’t have an issue.
Commissioner Pinkerton asked Mr. Graham how many
water meetings there are and Mr. Graham said
there are six per year. Commissioner Pinkerton
said there is still some benefit to the county
and Mr. Graham said it’s still official
business; it’s not personal.
Commissioner Pinkerton said he wonders if it
would be better to leave the county vehicle in
town if Mr. Graham was to be out of town for a
significant amount of time. Mr. Graham said he
has his own personal equipment in the vehicle,
which he has also never requested reimbursement
for and if there is an emergency, he heads
straight from the airport to the scene.
Commissioner Pinkerton mentioned there is no
need to run code to a scene. Mr. Kramer said he
and Mr. Graham needed this blessing from
Commissioners for this use and to make sure
there is no issue with insurance coverage.
Commissioners said there is a benefit to the
county for Mr. Graham being a member of the
Idaho Department of Water Resources.
The meeting with Mr. Graham and Mr. Kramer ended
at 10:25 a.m.
Alan Flory, Rob Tenas, and Kyle Flory joined the
meeting at 10:25 a.m. to discuss making a
documentary on Boundary County.
Commissioners said they would like to have a
documentary that will tell the story about the
forestry and logging work being done in Boundary
County and how it’s done. There is funding
available and Commissioners have ideas from
their perspective to contribute. Mr. Tenas said
most of his childhood was spent here and
Commissioner Pinkerton said that is what it is
about as there is understanding due to having
lived in this area that people from Dallas,
Philadelphia, etc., won’t understand. The
Flory’s would be storytellers and could tell
Boundary County’s story. Commissioner Pinkerton
said it’s a great start and there are more
things such as cultural matters to include and
he referred to the Kootenai Tribe. Commissioners
said what Alan Flory has done is what needs to
be included in the documentary such as to keep
industry in a forward motion, providing wildlife
habitat, and providing jobs. Commissioners said
these things are being taken away from the
community and not just by the closing of the
National Forest. Commissioner Pinkerton said he
would like it pointed out that management of the
forest is what is important, but not all
management is good. Chairman Dinning said the
other issue is that no management is also a form
of management and there are related
consequences. Commissioners said the sphere of
influence is the Kootenai drainage and to look
at everything from the standpoint of if you’re
at Myrtle Creek, you could be affecting the
water system, everything below that and various
wildlife habitats and that is a story to tell.
It’s not just forest. When the forest is treated
properly there are other benefits and that’s the
word that is not getting out. It was said
besides the Flory operation it would be nice to
see the next step. Commissioner Pinkerton said
it would be good to show the forestry cycle from
start to finish because that is how we have been
living.
Chairman Dinning said there are so many things
Commissioners want to touch on that hasn’t been
conveyed and he asked Mr. Flory and Mr. Tenas
how to proceed since they are the artists.
Mr. Flory said they would like to take the basic
structure of Commissioners’ idea and run with
it. Mr. Tenas said they would talk to the people
who are contributing to the process. Mr. Flory
and Mr. Tenas said if they hadn’t legitimately
learned what they had from Alan Flory, they
wouldn’t have been able to make their video.
Alan Flory said Mr. Tenas ran with idea, but he
and Kyle Flory had talked to a lot of people in
the community. Alan Flory urged Mr. Tenas to
think about their first conversation and Mr.
Tenas said the overall idea was organic and much
simpler and it just grew.
Chairman Dinning referred to the Wildlife Auto
Collision (WAC) Committee, management of the
National Forest, the Twenty Mile project, and
the habitat restoration project and said it’s
about how they all interact, but the biggest
piece is the forest. Commissioner Pinkerton said
all these different groups provide a piece.
Chairman Dinning said at one point will be the
discussion of funding and the artists will have
to determine what it will take. Commissioners
need to determine this now, according to
Commissioner Pinkerton.
Mr. Flory questioned the funding process.
Chairman Dinning said there always needs to be a
structure for accountability, and Mr. Flory
asked if the county would be the hub.
Commissioner Dinning explained that someone will
always come along and want to know what they are
funding. Commissioner Pinkerton said the group
needs to be in a business scenario and to show
how the funds are being accounted for and the
developer’s time and equipment needs to be
considered in determining funds. Chairman
Dinning said with county money there is no legal
way to transfer taxpayer money, but
contributions for a specific matter can be
accepted and that falls under the Clerk’s
purview of how to handle that. Chairman Dinning
said an employment agreement should be drafted.
Mr. Tenas and Mr. Flory said their business is
called Kyle and Rob Productions, but they were
waiting for this meeting with Commissioners
before putting together a business plan.
Alan Flory said he contributed a tax write off
as it’s a documentary. Chairman Dinning said he
feels a donation to a government is not tax
deductible, but they could donate to a 501©3 who
can donate to the county such as the museum.
Alan Flory said there are so many people he has
talked to over this last year who want to
contribute to this project. After Mr. Flory’s
and Mr. Tenas’ documentary received an award in
Moscow there were 50 to 60 people who gave a
standing ovation.
Chairman Dinning said moving forward he would
like to fast track this. Alan Flory said between
himself and Kyle Flory they could put together
an employment agreement. Chairman Dinning said
the county needs some mechanism for donations to
the museum who can donate to the County. Alan
Flory said there is a member of the community
who wants to contribute and to continue to
contribute and make this project what
Commissioners would like it to be.
Chairman Dinning said there is nowhere that a
tribe and two cities cooperate such as in
Boundary County. Chairman Dinning said to him
everywhere else other agencies are still
fighting internally within their community and
he feels this project will be good for other
areas. Mr. Flory said it’s hard to know what’s
special about this county without having grown
up here or moving back here. Chairman Dinning
said Commissioners can’t say in words what their
vision is, but can in the documentary.
Alan Flory said Kyle Flory and Rob Tenas met
last year about the documentary and had spoken
over the telephone and they provided him with
accountability. Chairman Dinning said
Commissioners will need to look at the length of
time of the finished product such as 30 hour, 45
minuets, etc., so it will give some thought to
how this plays out when people to see it. Mr.
Flory said he was envisioning one hour on
television, which equates to approximately 46
minutes. Mr. Tenas said the biggest part for he
and Mr. Flory will just be incorporating what
Commissioners want.
Alan Flory said he came today because he felt he
could introduce this project to Commissioners
and now he can step back and just contribute to
the story. Chairman Dinning said he doesn’t want
to limit Mr. Flory and Mr. Tenas, but
Commissioners would like to be able to get some
status updates throughout the process.
Alan Flory explained how Mr. Tenas and Mr. Flory
said that they needed a crane and had built
their own crane. A shot of that ingenuity would
be good, according to Mr. Flory.
Chairman Dinning mentioned how the Kootenai
Tribe would be a tremendous resource.
Commissioner Pinkerton said this is exciting
because we know we’re just temporary stewards
and this will pass to the next generation.
The meeting with Alan Flory, Rob Tenas and Kyle
Flory ended at 11:27 a.m.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to adopt Resolution
2013-21. A resolution increasing the Restorium
Fund budget due to receipt of unanticipated
grant revenue for the Restorium Elevator
Project. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion
passed unanimously. Resolution 2013-21 reads as
follows:
Resolution 2013 –21
INCREASING THE RESTORIUM FUND BUDGET DUE TO
RECEIPT OF
UNANTICIPATED GRANT REVENUE FOR THE RESTORIUM
ELEVATOR PROJECT
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners,
County of Boundary, State of Idaho, did
establish an operating budget for the Boundary
County Restorium for fiscal year 2012-2013; and
WHEREAS, $96,742.28 was received from the State
of Idaho for the Restorium Elevator Community
Development Block Grant Project; and
WHEREAS, the Boundary County Restorium Fund is
in need of additional revenue for fiscal year
2012-2013; 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 Restorium Budget Revenue Account
Number 36-00-324-0010 and the Restorium Budget
Expense Account Number 36-00-558-00, Reserve, in
the amount of $96,742.28.
NOW THEREFORE, upon motion duly made, seconded
and unanimously carried,
IT IS RESOLVED, that the increase to the
Boundary County Restorium Budget Revenue Account
Number 36-00-0346-0010 and the Restorium Budget
Expense Account Number 36-00-558-00, Reserve, in
the amount of $96,742.28 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.
COUNTY OF BOUNDARY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
s/__________________________
Dan R. Dinning, Chairman
s/__________________________
LeAlan L. Pinkerton, Commissioner
s/__________________________
Walt Kirby, Commissioner
ATTEST:
s/_____________________________
Glenda Poston, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk
Recorded as instrument #257125
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to approve the
minutes of March 18 & 19, 2013. Commissioner
Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
There being no further business, the meeting
adjourned at noon.
/s/
DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
ATTEST:
/s/
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk |
|
Questions or comments about this
letter?
Click here to e-mail! |
|
|
|
|
