County commission minutes, December 16-17

January 8, 2014

***Monday, December 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., Road and Bridge Superintendent Jeff Gutshall joined the meeting to give the departmental report. Mr. Gutshall presented a written report. Mr. Gutshall discussed working on bridge ratings to see if there is the possibility of another bridge project. Commissioners and Mr. Gutshall discussed various projects.

 

Chairman Dinning said Attorney Hull had given verbal approval to utilize Panhandle State Bank for lending on a piece of Road and Bridge machinery, but Commissioners would also like to have written backup from Attorney Hull as well.

 

The meeting with Mr. Gutshall ended at 9:20 a.m.

 

Commissioner Kirby moved to sign the letter requesting interested party status on all objections as it pertains to the Kootenai National Forest and the Panhandle National Forests. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.    

 

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to adopt Resolution 2014-6. A resolution authorizing the sale of surplus county property at auction. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. Resolution 2014-6 reads

 

RESOLUTION NO. 2014-6

 

A Resolution Authorizing the Sale of Surplus County Property at Public Auction

               WHEREAS, Boundary County owns surplus personal property, which is not being used by the County and for which the County is presently obliged to provide storage space, and which the various department heads and the Board of Boundary County Commissioners have determined is not necessary for the County’s use; and

 

               WHEREAS, the Board of Boundary County Commissioners are authorized under Idaho Code Section 31-808 to sell or offer for sale at public auction, after not less than ten days’ previous notice given by publication in a newspaper of the county, any property, real or personal, belonging to the County but not necessary for its use; and

 

               WHEREAS, the Board of Boundary County Commissioners believes it is in the best interest of the County that the surplus property described as in “Attachment A” be sold and therefore desire to sell the property so described at public auction as provided in Idaho Code Section 31-808.

 

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

 

RESOLVED that, after publication of notice in the Bonners Ferry Herald in the manner and for the time required by Idaho Code, the personal property of Boundary County described as in “Attachment A” be offered for sale at public auction at a date and time determined by Boundary County Commissioners at the Boundary Community Restorium located at 6619 Kaniksu Street, Bonners Ferry, Idaho 83805.

 

               DATED this 16th day of December, 2013.

                                                                                          COUNTY OF BOUNDARY

                                                                                          BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                                          s/______________________________                             

                                                                                          Dan R. Dinning, Chairman

                                                                                          s/______________________________            

                                                                                          LeAlan L. Pinkerton, Commissioner

                                                                                          s/______________________________         

                                                                                          Walt Kirby, Commissioner

ATTEST:

Glenda Poston

Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners

By s/_________________________________

Recorded as instrument #259625

Clerk’s Note: “ATTACHMENT A” can be found attached to the original resolution located in the Clerk’s Office vault.

 

9:30 a.m., Chief Deputy Clerk/Personnel Director Tracie Isaac joined the meeting.

 

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. 9:55 a.m., Commissioner Pinkerton moved to go out of executive session. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. No action was taken.

 

9:55 a.m., Commissioners held proceedings to consider the county’s alcoholic beverage license applications for year 2014. Present were: Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser, and Boundary Volunteer Ambulance President Ken Baker. The proceedings were recorded.

 

Commissioner Kirby moved to approve the County Alcohol Beverage License Applications for year 2014 as presented in Exhibit A, providing the conditions for such issuance have been met. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.  

 

The meeting to consider alcohol beverage license applications ended at 10:00 a.m.

 

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to reappoint Paul Hazdovac, Debra Staal and Blanche Studer to the Hospital Board of Trustees with terms to expire January 2017. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals joined the meeting.

 

Deputy Clerk Ryals updated Commissioners on the request for reimbursement #6 for the Restorium elevator grant. The invoice pays Bonners Ferry Builders for installing snow stops and gutters. This request for reimbursement will also pay $716 for Panhandle Area Council (PAC) grant administration. The State of Idaho had overpaid last fiscal year, but they instructed the county to hold the funds in case more money came in. The amount of $716 will have to be paid out of the Restorium budget because it was received last year, but the elevator project was over budget.

 

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Request for Funds #6 for the Restorium elevator grant. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

 

10:01 a.m., Commissioner Pinkerton moved to recess as the Boundary County Board of Commissioners and convene as the Governing Board of the Boundary County Ambulance Service District. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.   

 

President Baker asked if Commissioners would like him to provide a monthly update on call volumes and grants that Boundary Volunteer Ambulance is applying for, and he said it would help show the public there is more time spent on these matters. Chairman Dinning suggested President Baker type something up. Commissioner Pinkerton said it’s nice to have the information, but the contract would make the demand for every six months. Chairman Dinning suggested a report every six months and to mail some of the information in the meantime. Commissioner Pinkerton said President Baker should meet with the Ambulance District’s Governing Board once in a six month period instead of holding Boundary Volunteer Ambulance’s feet to the fire every month, and if Boundary Volunteer Ambulance wants to meet otherwise, they can schedule time on the agenda for the Ambulance District meetings. Chairman Dinning said in no fashion are Commissioners demanding this information, though.

 

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to approve the Boundary County Ambulance Service District meeting minutes for November 18, 2013. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. 

 

Commissioner Kirby moved to adjourn as the Governing Board of the Boundary County Ambulance Service District and reconvene as the Boundary County Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

 

President Baker left the meeting at 10:10 a.m.

 

Commissioner Kirby moved to go into closed session under Idaho Code 31-874. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously. 10:13 a.m., Commissioner Kirby moved to go out of closed session. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to deny indigent applications 2014-3, 2014-5 and 2014-7. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Deputy Clerk Ryals left the meeting at 10:15 a.m.

 

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to authorize Chairman Dinning to sign the airport land acquisition closing documents on the Merrifield property subject to the county attorney’s approval. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Commissioner Kirby moved to ratify the signing of the Certificate of Title for the LaVern and Eunice Dinning property. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Commissioners tended to administrative duties.

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

 

***Tuesday, December 17, 2013, Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.

 

9:00 a.m., Commissioners held an elected officials/department heads meeting. Present were: Chairman Dinning, Commissioner Pinkerton, Commissioner Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, Assessor Dave Ryals, Chief Deputy Clerk Tracie Isaac, Treasurer Jenny Fessler, Solid Waste Superintendent Claine Skeen, and Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee. Also present were: Bonners Ferry Herald Reporter Laura Roady, Blue Sky Broadcasting Reporter Mike Brown, Rob Tenas of Kyle and Rob Productions, and Terry Capurso.

 

Rob Tenas of Kyle and Rob Productions provided those present with a brief introduction of the documentary on Boundary County that he presented at the meeting.

 

The elected officials/department heads meeting ended at 9:50 a.m.

 

9:30 a.m., Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee, Restorium Board Chairman Larry Dirks, Restorium Board members Jeannie Robinson and Wilma DeVore, Boundary Economic Development Specialist David Sims, and Susan Kiebert with the Community Transportation Association of Idaho joined the meeting to further discuss the proposed contract for senior transportation.

 

Ms. Kiebert presented Commissioners with the draft contract. Ms. Kiebert said the Area Agency on Aging has approximately $31,000 in funding available and if the county is proactive in getting boarders, it will still be difficult to use that entire amount. It was said the Area Agency on Aging will offer higher boarding reimbursement at $10 per board. Ms. Kiebert said there may be more administrative costs above and beyond what has been inserted into the contract as a there has been a request for an additional couple thousand dollars aside from boarding so the Area Agency on Aging is looking into that.

 

Mr. Sims reviewed a breakdown of program costs including in-kind costs and program match. Chairman Dinning said the local Hospital also has a small passenger van. Mr. Sims said he doesn’t know if that van could be used and he added that Hospital CEO/CFO Craig Johnson didn’t think it would work to share the Hospital’s vehicle.

 

Mr. Sims said if Commissioners are in agreement, they can sign the contract with the Area Agency on Aging. Chairman Dinning mentioned administrative fees and hiring. Chairman Dinning said he doesn’t want it to be that there are not enough riders to cover the cost. Ms. Kiebert said she would come to the area to provide marketing and she has the ability to hire “rsvp” slots to assist with boarding.

 

County resident and Airport Board member Don Jordan joined the meeting at 9:55 a.m.

 

Ms. Kiebert said this could be the beginning of a nice coordinated system. Chairman Dinning said he doesn’t yet have a good sense of the plan. Ms. Kiebert mentioned sustainability and having funds for the entire district. Mr. Sims and Ms. Kiebert would like to seek 5311 grant transit dollars for this system starting year 2016 so the program needs to be sustainable until the 5311 dollars can be tapped into. It was said if funding was based on population, Boundary County should be receiving approximately $60,000, but it’s been going to Kootenai County, etc. Mr. Sims explained how the program for the 5311 grant works and he mentioned that Valley Vista, the Coeur d’ Alene Tribe and the Selkirks-Pend Oreille Transit (SPOT) Bus in Sandpoint utilize these funds. The Area Agency on Aging funds can also be used as match, according to Ms. Kiebert.

 

Chairman Dinning informed those present on the difficulties veterans have in getting transportation to their various appointments and he asked if this funding can be used to take veterans to Spokane. Mr. Sims said the veterans would qualify if they are senior citizens. Chairman Dinning said the Restorium van was to be used for what this discussion is, but the prior program ran into hitches, and he asked Ms. Kiebert if she sees that issue or is this going down a different path. Ms. Kiebert discussed spreading the word to increase ridership as a big piece of this is public relations. Commissioner Kirby said the key is we have the interest, funding and the vehicle so now we just need to get people in it and we need public and senior awareness. Mr. Sims said having the right employee is key to making the program successful. Ms. Kiebert said the employee will need to know transportation and be able to work with dispatching.

 

10:07 a.m., Clerk Glenda Poston and District 1 Trial Court Administrator Karlene Behringer joined the meeting.

 

Chairman Dinning said he’s seen these programs backfire and he doesn’t want to see that happen. Commissioner Pinkerton said this money is also available to a private party so is that something Ms. Kiebert has looked into. Ms. Kiebert said no. Those present discussed hiring the personnel and the understanding that this program may not be permanent. Commissioner Pinkerton asked if advertising costs could be used as match. Ms. Kiebert mentioned using word of mouth and trying to get a distinct population, not the general population.

 

The meeting to discuss senior transportation services ended at 10:16 a.m.

 

Chief Deputy Clerk Tracie Isaac and Deputy Court Clerk Della Armstrong joined Commissioners, Clerk Poston and Ms. Behringer.

 

10:19 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”, Commissioner Kirby “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. 10:46 a.m., Commissioner Kirby moved to go out of executive session. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously. No action was taken.  

 

Clerk Poston, Chief Deputy Clerk Isaac, Deputy Clerk Armstrong, and Ms. Behringer left the meeting.

 

10:50 a.m., Planning and Zoning Commission members: Chairman Matt Cossalman and John Cranor joined the meeting to discuss requested changes to the County’s Comprehensive Plan. Also present was County Planning and Zoning Administrator Dan Studer, Don Jordan, Terry Capurso, and Blue Sky Broadcasting Reporter Mike Brown. Chairman Dinning clarified that this discussion was just a regular meeting and the matter is not in the public hearing phase. Chairman Dinning said this meeting is just to hear where the Planning and Zoning Commission is heading and to get their thoughts.

 

Don Jordan said there are concerns with the Comprehensive Plan and the airport as it doesn’t refer to the airport overlay. The issues are currently ongoing around the airport. Chairman Dinning informed Mr. Jordan that the county’s attorney is extremely aware of the issues. Mr. Jordan added that he didn’t think Mr. Cossalman is aware of these concerns and he needs to be aware.

 

Mr. Cossalman discussed Section 14, Natural Resources. Mr. Cossalman asked what the county’s role is in enforcing state and other government regulation. It was said Planning and Zoning proposes they base their decision on zoning considerations and leave the enforcement to those other agencies. Mr. Cossalman asked Commissioners for their thoughts on enforcing state and federal regulations. Commissioner Pinkerton said the county should not enforce other agency’s regulations and the state shouldn’t be enforcing the county’s regulations; it’s proprietary.

 

Commissioner Kirby suggested notifying people of other agency rules. Mr. Studer said he gives people names and phone numbers to contact at the other agencies and if the property is on wetlands, he specifies on the development permit which agency needs to be contacted for an additional permit. Mr. Studer said various agencies are considered in his review. Chairman Dinning said his thought on a development permit is that somewhere on the permit is a disclaimer that the county may not be the only permit needed and to contact the other agencies. Commissioner Pinkerton asked where in the federal register does it give the county a right to provide enforcement. Mr. Cranor said it doesn’t say that anywhere. Commissioner Pinkerton said the county needs to deal with its own role. Mr. Cranor asked how far the Planning and Zoning Office should go to notify someone of other state and federal agencies. Mr. Jordan said the county should not be enforcing, but it is a duty to inform. Chairman Dinning said he doesn’t think it’s a duty, but a courtesy. Mr. Jordan said if exchanging information is discouraged, it is not doing a favor to our citizens.

 

Mr. Cossalman said there is a part of the Plan that implies the county will notify the state of information, but he didn’t think that is the county’s role. Chairman Dinning said the county will not enforce federal and state regulations, but as a courtesy, the county will help people with the county’s form.

 

Mr. Cossalman asked about State Highway/Scenic Byway Programs, Section 14.4.1. Chairman Dinning said the county has corrected a significant impact with the byway in that it was designated from Naples through the four lane portion of Highway 95 north of town. That process took years and it was in direct conflict with the County’s Ordinance. Chairman Dinning mentioned the issues pertaining to the scenic byway in relation to signage and how that matter has changed. Chairman Dinning also mentioned verbiage regarding trees and shrubs on people’s land in relation to the byway. Mr. Cossalman said byways have been a headache for business owners and he spoke of off premise business signs. It was said the county doesn’t burden property owners as the Comprehensive Plan suggests and that basically the original Comprehensive Plan paid homage to the state’s scenic byway rules so that part will be taken out of the Plan. Chairman Dinning said Boundary County had petitioned to have the area from the golf course to town and from town to the area at Three Mile de-designated as they are commercial limits. Chairman Dinning voiced concern about Section 14.4.1.2., as it talks about the scenic byway and even without the scenic byway, the Idaho Transportation Department doesn’t allow off premise signage. Chairman Dinning said the thought of Commissioners is not to allow further control by another agency. Under the best state highway section, there is something that suggests strict wireless communication towers can detract from scenic views and it suggests blending towers. Mr. Cossalman said the Planning and Zoning Commission feels the towers are critical to public safety, and he discussed his experience with communications as a volunteer fire fighter in the Hall Mountain area. The calls are routed to Canada and Hall Mountain Fire Association doesn’t get the call for another 15 minutes. Mr. Cossalman suggested deleting that section from the proposed Comprehensive Plan.

 

Mr. Cossalman discussed Section 14.4.3, on trails and pedestrian pathways and he said this subject gets a lot of mention throughout the different sections. There is nothing wrong with a trail, but there are problems with requiring trails as a condition of development. It’s a public taking to require taking someone’s land to set aside as a trail as a condition of the application. Mr. Cossalman suggested references to trails in the first couple of sentences in Section 14.4.3, then to add a statement that many county roads serve as this. Commissioner Kirby said the state does a good job of having trails alongside the state highways. Chairman Dinning questioned if the verbiage is to encourage or mandate, and in the prior Comprehensive Plan it has to be included in the Transportation Plan, which is work for the Road and Bridge Department in addition to county roads provide for this. Chairman Dinning said he doesn’t want to mandate this as a condition of approval.

 

Those present discussed Valley Prime Ag Land. Mr. Cossalman said there are two designations, Ag/forest and prime ag. The purpose of prime ag is to try to prevent loss of viability of farms. Mr. Cossalman said he has farming neighbors who are dependent on farming for their livelihood. As the price for prime ag land increases farmers are more likely to sell their property for development rather than farming. Mr. Cossalman asked if Commissioners would consider additional restrictions on subdivisions on prime ag land. Commissioner Pinkerton discussed conservation rights on the land and he said if it’s about keeping the land as farm ground than you need to look at that as opposed to subdividing for homes. Commissioner Pinkerton said those are real issues to him. Chairman Dinning said if you restrict a farmer from development, it will encourage their ability to recoup and it could be a conservation easement or transfer of development rights. If people really felt strongly about protecting the valley, they could negotiate for those rights for a certain amount of time. It would devaluate the farmer if restrictions were put on and it would be a taking. Chairman Dinning said he loves the valley, but what is fair to the land owner? Chairman Dinning added that he doesn’t want to treat a property owner so harshly that it’s devaluing their land.

 

Mr. Cossalman and Commissioner Kirby mentioned the water table. Mr. Cossalman recalled two Planning and Zoning applications for subdivisions that were intended to be recreational land. It wasn’t presumed houses would be built everywhere, but it would result in fragmented land. Commissioner Pinkerton said there needs to be public input on this.

 

Mr. Jordan said two of the current Commissioners were in office when this subdivision was up for review and he remembers one statement he made that the valley land is a continual economic value for this community. This is a new dollar and it circulates a lot more. Mr. Jordan said the Extension Office representative said the valley, at that time, was producing approximately 15 million dollars per year so multiply 15 million by seven. As soon as you subdivide there is a short term economic boom for that acre and someone who builds a $250,000 house, but from that day on there is increased liability to the county, according to Mr. Jordan. It doesn’t normally cover the county’s actual cost of maintaining the county’s service. Mr. Jordan mentioned that some time ago he saw the Rathdrum prairie go from ag land to subdivisions and how he saw productivity change dramatically. The people who say that won’t happen here haven’t looked down the road far enough, according to Mr. Jordan. Commissioner Kirby said development of houses will create pressure on the farmer not to spray, etc. Mr. Jordan said there is a statement that the county recognizes the value of farm ground and he added that the Plan doesn’t say you can’t subdivide, but says public review is required. Chairman Dinning said an agriculture economist says ag dollars are not as high going through the community as the other dollars. Ag dollars to the local economy are past through local hands less. Chairman Dinning said he has an acquaintance who was a farmer in the Rathdrum prairie and they said due to the environmental challenges with smoke, etc., they could not longer afford to farm so they had to take the best value for their dollar at the time. Chairman Dinning said the only thing he can say is he doesn’t want to take value away from an individual that they have today. Chairman Dinning said if there are no subdivisions, can the farmer still give his kids a part of that property as it is their land. Mr. Cranor said he falls on the side of property rights in that you will have built in automatic limitations, but he wouldn’t want to impose additional limitations. Commissioner Pinkerton said if someone wants to do something with his property, than that person needs to buy it from him, but it’s his own property today and he should be able to make his decision for his property. When someone takes his property by purchase, then it will be up to them. Commissioner Pinkerton said he does not agree with conservation easements. A person should have a right to their property, but that right should not be extended beyond their ownership.  

 

Mr. Capurso said the fine line between Mr. Cossalman and Mr. Cranor and the process between the Comprehensive Plan and the Ordinance works. Using the example of the two subdivisions in prime ag, they didn’t prevail. These applications were not denied or not approved just because they were designated prime ag, but down stream because of cause and that is a success. Mr. Capurso said this is great discussion, but the process works. It worked without having to go and add more restrictions in designation in zoning. If someone is going to subdivide, they still have to go through Planning and Zoning, and it’s not carte blanche unless the property is 20 acres. Mr. Capurso said there is already a process in place that works. The possibility of deleting Section 14.8.4., scenic byway was suggested.

 

Those present discussed the section on roads and subdivisions and it was said this is a problem the county has long looked at. When creating a subdivision, who builds the road, who pays for them and who maintains them? Chairman Dinning said if the road is going to be a county road, the Road and Bridge Foreman looks at the road and an engineer signs off that the road meets county standards. Chairman Dinning said if he remembers correctly, once the road is built and accepted it becomes a county road. Mr. Cossalman said as more users utilize the road, there will be a desire for the road to become a county road. Commissioner Kirby spoke of a road that shoots off of Moon Shadow Road and someone raised the question of what it would take to have the road taken into the county’s system. If you talk to the County Road and Bridge foreman, you can find out. If the road is built to county standards, the county may take it in dependent on various things. Chairman Dinning said Road and Bridge will determine if the county will assume ownership of the road, but there may be grade issues or other issues outside of the road itself that might not allow it to be compatible. Before someone spends a lot of money, Road and Bridge will know if the county can take the road into its system. Commissioner Kirby said the county has a set of rules that work just fine. Mr. Cossalman said the Planning and Zoning Commission is not proposing anything different from what is already in the Comprehensive Plan.

 

Mr. Cossalman said he wants to talk about the in between case such as the single home with a long driveway with more homes being built off that driveway. Chairman Dinning said every individual knew when they built their road that it was a private road and that is what they chose. That road or driveway will remain just that until someone wants to put up the money. It’s a personal responsibility. Mr. Studer said with the sensitivity of the public and the outlook of further changes, there is a good chance there will be a minimum of two public hearings to address proposed Comprehensive Plan changes and if there is a substantial change, there could even be additional public hearings during the process.    

 

The meeting with Mr. Cossalman and Mr. Cranor ended at 11:50 a.m.   

 

Commissioner Kirby left the meeting for the day.

 

Trial Court Administrator Karlene Behringer joined the meeting.

 

Mr. Capurso left the meeting.

 

12:10 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. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye” and Commissioner Pinkerton “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. 1:30 p.m., Commissioner Pinkerton moved to go out of executive session. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously. No action was taken.    

 

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to grant an extension of time to pay year 2013 taxes on parcels RP61N01E143750A and RP61N01E217830A, and if the sale of parcel RP61N01E217830A doesn’t close by December 20, 2013, all penalties and interest charges will be waived. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Clerk Glenda Poston joined the meeting.

 

1:30 p.m., Commissioners and Clerk Poston spoke to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Representative Gary Gates via telephone to check status of reimbursement on airport land acquisition matters. Mr. Gates said the review is close to reimbursement and that he had just needed a couple documents. There had been no purchase and sales agreement for one parcel so County Attorney Tevis Hull had to write up a document in lieu of the purchase and sale agreement. Documentation stating the replacement housing was sanitary, etc., was also requested and received. Mr. Gates said he would work on this documentation and see if he can get a drawdown of funds. Chairman Dinning informed Mr. Gates of working with the bank and of the deadlines. Mr. Gates said he hopes to provide the county with some final information today or tomorrow. The FAA needs to have a plan as to how and when the existing structures will be moved, according to Mr. Gates. Chairman Dinning said the county will have communication with the Airport Board. There have been thoughts about putting the house up for bid to be moved so maybe funds will be received as opposed to a cost. Commissioners asked how soon that plan needs to be submitted. Mr. Gates said he can issue the first drawdown of approximately $207,000, but before the next drawdown he will need to have that plan. The structures don’t have to physically be removed, but there has to be a plan in place.

 

Commissioner Pinkerton said outside of the Dinning portion is there anything besides the housing plan that the county is slowing the ball on. Mr. Gates said he cannot think of anything the county is doing to hold up the process. Mr. Gates said the other challenge with the Merrifield portion is their house was purchased above the appraised value, but he did get an explanation from J-U-B about that so he still has to review that. Chairman Dinning said the closing for Merrifield was to be yesterday and he asked how long the process for Merrifields might take. Mr. Gates said he is hoping shortly after getting through the Dinning process tomorrow, but he may have comments on that. Chairman Dinning said assuming there is nothing big on the comments, would the funds be available to close on Merrifield this next week. Mr. Gates said he thinks so. The fact is the property had the appraisal and fee appraisal done and they both agreed. Mr. Gates said as far as if the FAA can support it or not, the worst case would be the FAA could only support up to a certain amount, but he would be surprised if the full amount wasn’t covered, but that is still up for review.

 

Commissioner Pinkerton thanked Mr. Gates for his work on this project and he said this process has gone more smoothly since Mr. Gates has been on board. Clerk Poston said her office is already set up in the Delphi system for the request for reimbursement, and she asked if the county needs to go online or check to see if the funds are available. Mr. Gates said no as when the FAA completes its review he will send an email that it’s okay to enter payment and it will show up at his end so he can approve it. Clerk Poston said she would notify Mr. Gates when the payment request information is available so he can approve it. Mr. Gates said he believes the funds will be physically transferred in two or three days.

 

The call to Mr. Gates ended at 1:50 p.m.

 

Commissioners spoke to Airport Manager Dave Parker via telephone to discuss the plan for removing the Dinning house. The call ended at 2:05 p.m.

 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:05 p.m.

 

 

 

                                                            /s/

                                                            DAN R. DINNING, Chairman

ATTEST:

 

 

/s/

GLENDA POSTON, Clerk

By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk