***Monday, April 4, 2011, Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Ron Smith, Commissioner Dan Dinning, Commissioner Walt Kirby, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.

9:00 a.m., Road and Bridge Superintendent Jeff Gutshall joined the meeting. Mr. Gutshall presented a written report. Mr. Gutshall said all Road and Bridge employees took an eight hour Mining Safety Health Administration (MSHA) training course last week and received certification. Road and Bridge employees completed the Idaho Counties Risk Management Program (ICRMP) training as well. Mr. Gutshall said he thinks 100% of his employees took the ICRMP training.

Mr. Gutshall said roads sustained damage this year, but for this type of weather it could have been a lot worse. Mr. Gutshall said he isn’t able to estimate the total cost for this type of damage. Mr. Gutshall said he has been able to issue more permits for hauling and open more roads. Mr. Gutshall said he hasn’t received many complaints about load restrictions, but there have been a lot of drivers sneaking around.

Mr. Gutshall said Road and Bridge will begin with rock work up north for construction. The area consists of less than one and one half miles on Farm to Market Road and that road is starting to dry up. Mr. Gutshall said his department should be fairly busy this spring. As far as grading, conditions aren’t too bad right now.

Mr. Gutshall and Commissioners discussed a Supreme Court decision involving the Latah County Highway District. The Highway District was maintaining a narrow road that came into the system in the 1930’s, according to Mr. Gutshall. Someone put in a fence 15 feet off the centerline and the Highway District took the fence down. The people who put up the fence sued and lost. In Idaho Code, it states all prescriptive right-of-ways shall be 50 feet. If that use was established by the five years of use, anything those people would have done would not count and does not change that statute. Mr. Gutshall said he spoke to Attorney Louis Marshall about the timber within that 50 feet and he said those logs would belong to the County. Mr. Gutshall said he doesn’t know. The County has right-of-way in the National Forest in order to maintain county roads.

Mr. Gutshall said he would like to postpone the road tour that is scheduled for tomorrow. Chairman Smith informed Mr. Gutshall what areas he would like to check out during the next road tour.

Mr. Gutshall said he put in a good Surface Transportation Program Rural (STPR) project for phase III of Deep Creek Loop and this project placed 1^st for District 1. Mr. Gutshall said this project is high on the roster, but not for the amount of funding that is allocated each year.

Mr. Gutshall said Bonner County got their bid in early this year for road oil for chip sealing and they were able to get the same price as last year. Bonner County hauls their oil, according to Mr. Gutshall. Mr. Gutshall said last year he waited on the bid price and he got a better deal than Bonner County, but this year the cost increased before he got his bid out. Mr. Gutshall said he contacted Stephen Van De Bogert with Western States Asphalt to see if he could piggyback on Bonner County’s bid and he should hear back from him today to answer whether or not Boundary County can piggyback on Bonner County’s bid.

Mr. Gutshall said Road and Bridge has received the gooseneck trailer so the bid bond can be released.

Commissioner Kirby moved to release the bid bond to Rowan Machinery for the gooseneck trailer as this equipment has been received. Commissioner Dinning second. Motion passed unanimously.      

Mr. Gutshall said he is working on the slough area on Deep Creek Loop.

Assessor Dave Ryals joined the meeting at 9:30 a.m.

County resident, Channing Nagel stopped by Commissioners’ Office.

Those present discussed a culvert on Moyie River Road just north of the Don Olson Bridge, which is plugged due to beaver dams. Mr. Nagel said the railroad has already cleaned out their culvert. This is a culvert that crosses a certain property and Mr. Gutshall said he spoke to that property owner last fall. Mr. Nagel said the problem this time is the beavers that are building dams. Mr. Gutshall said he is going to check this out for himself and see what is going on. Mr. Gutshall said the culvert was clean in the fall so he will take a look. Mr. Nagel said the beavers are building dams in the County culverts and the railroad’s culverts and it isn’t easy to clear them out.  

Mr. Gutshall and Mr. Nagel left the meeting at 9:37 a.m.

Assessor Ryals said he is having difficulty and running into an issue in the Motor Vehicle Office when the office is closed during the lunch hour. Assessor Ryals said he has not filled a vacant position in his office so he would like to authorize overtime pay for his auto license staff. Assessor Ryals said he is requesting this for the times when one auto license staff member is not at work as this would allow the other employee to work during their lunch hour so he doesn’t have to shuffle with the office staff upstairs. Assessor Ryals said he does have budget for this as he left a position in his office vacant. This cost will also be in the next budget, according to Assessor Ryals. Commissioner Dinning said if there is one person in the office and they work through their lunch, doesn’t the personnel policy allow them to work nine hours without a lunch hour. Assessor Ryals said he has spoken to both employees and they would waive whatever it is they need to waive. Chairman Smith said overtime doesn’t count until the employee has worked 40 hours. Commissioner Dinning questioned how working a nine hour day without a lunch hour fit into the Fair Labor Standards Act. Assessor Ryals said this overtime may equate to possibly 32 hours per year and less than $1,000.

Assessor Ryals left the meeting.

Commissioner Kirby moved to approve the minutes of March 28 and 29, 2011. Commissioner Dinning second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioners tended to administrative duties.

Commissioner Kirby moved to approve the Property Tax Exemption Application for the Bonners Ferry Gun Club, Parcel #RP62N02E086900. Commissioner Dinning second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Dinning moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the 2007 Bureau of Homeland Security Amended Grant Award #2007-GE-T7-0014 in the amount of $69,188.85. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.  

Commissioner Dinning moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Independent Contractor Agreement with Rick Fawcett doing business as Whisper Mountain Professional Services to complete the work associated with planning, writing, and coordinating an emergency evacuation plan for Boundary County. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioners tended to administrative duties.

Commissioner Dinning moved to grant an extension of time to receive 2007 taxes for parcel #RP61N01E102850A until July 1, 2011. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

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

***Tuesday, April 5, 2011, Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Ron Smith, Commissioner Dan Dinning, Commissioner Walt Kirby, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.

10:00 a.m., Solid Waste Superintendent Claine Skeen joined the meeting to give the departmental report.

Commissioner Dinning moved to stipulate to hold off on the appeal hearing for indigent application #2011-17 until the Veterans make their eligibility determination. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.  

Mr. Skeen said he is still looking two months out before co-mingling of recyclable material begins. The building for co-mingling is still under construction in Coeur d’ Alene. Mr. Skeen said he is looking at approximately 100 feet by 230 feet of asphalt at the landfill where the boxes are. Mr. Skeen said he has tried to keep rock in that area, but it doesn’t work well. Commissioner Dinning asked if this will tie into the existing entrance area. Mr. Skeen said asphalt will start from the office and extend 100 feet north. Mr. Skeen said he will do away with the fuel tank. Mr. Skeen said hopefully with this budget he will be able to get an above ground oil tank. The asphalt will tie into the area near the recycle bins to the east and extend 230 feet to the west. Once the County begins co-mingling, Mr. Skeen said he will do away with the small bins and will put a roll off container in their place. The 230 feet of concrete will reach west of the shop area. Commissioner Dinning asked if it would be best to just put a roll off container in the building where the cardboard is now. Mr. Skeen said yes, but you have to be able to tip the container. Mr. Skeen said once the area is asphalted, he would propose a pole barn building in that area to get people out of the weather. Mr. Skeen said once co-mingling begins, all recyclables will go into the same roll off container, except for glass which will go into another pile. Commissioner Dinning said he was talking about putting the bins side by side.

Mr. Skeen said he has $25,000 in his budget for a new excavator. Mr. Skeen said he has four quotes on used excavators and last week he received an approval from Attorney Phil Robinson on the quotes. This equipment can be used to move box springs and mattresses, construction debris, load tires, and dig holes, trenches, and ditches. Mr. Skeen said he didn’t specify brands of excavators in his quotes. Mr. Skeen said he contacted Cal Russell and John Cummings with Amer-Can contacted the other vendors. Mr. Skeen explained that Mr. Cummings deals more with this type of equipment. The four quotes were received as follows: Boundary Tractor/Yamaha for a 2007 Kubota totaling $19,000, eQuip Enterprises LLC for a 2007 Kubota totaling $27,500, Interstate Truck & Equipment for a 2006 Kubota totaling $22,900, and Country Tractor & Garden for a 2006 Kubota totaling $24,999.   

Commissioner Dinning moved to accept the quote totaling $19,000 from Boundary Tractor, Yamaha for a 2007 Kubota Kx121-3 Excavator. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioners and Mr. Skeen discussed tonnage and recycling. Mr. Skeen said tonnage has been reduced and recycling products has tripled. Commissioner Dinning said he doesn’t think it would cost the City of Bonners Ferry anything to have their private hauler alternate picking up garbage one week and recyclables the next week.

Chairman Smith asked if the tire pile is still at the landfill. Mr. Skeen said yes and five loads will most likely be taken out when it is time. Those present resumed the discussion on recycling. Mr. Skeen and Commissioners discussed the garbage that flies out of vehicles onto the road. Mr. Skeen said littering is illegal with a fine of up to $250.

Commissioner Dinning discussed the distances of the manned sites. Commissioner Dinning said if the County isn’t going to do anything to force the private hauler or City into accepting some form of recycling or separating materials out, the County needs to tell the private contactor they won’t accept their loads. Chairman Smith said he doesn’t think there is the ability to do that. Chairman Smith said if the County establishes a manned site in the City limits, it is doing the same thing for City residents and the County residents. Commissioner Dinning said the County residents pay $10 more than City residents. Chairman Smith explained that he sorts his recyclables. It was said if something isn’t done in the City to have City residents sort recyclables, it is unfair. Chairman Smith said the difference is if there is a roll off container for garbage and one for recyclables. Commissioner Dinning said he doesn’t have a problem with that, but why have a manned site in the City if the landfill is only three miles away. Chairman Smith said some people in the County only live three miles from the County manned sites. Those present questioned the history of implementing the fee. Chairman Smith said in his mind, all of this would be resolved if we had a site within the City limits.

10:55 a.m., City Council Member Tom Mayo joined the meeting at Commissioners’ request.

Chairman Smith explained how he sets his garbage out less often since he recycles and at the last City/County meeting the Mayor said he would think about alternating garbage and recyclable routes. Chairman Smith asked Mr. Mayo if there had been any more discussion about this at the City and Mr. Mayo said no. Mr. Mayo mentioned a survey the City conducted that showed 80% of City residents are recycling. Chairman Smith said if that is the case, there shouldn’t be a problem, but he doesn’t think that is actually the case. Mr. Mayo explained that Mr. Frederickson’s route is not only limited to the City, his route extends to the County as well. Commissioner Dinning said co-mingling is almost ready to begin and the County needs the City to get on board with some sort of recycling. Mr. Mayo said the City thinks the residents are doing a great job and there isn’t a way to disprove that. Mr. Mayo said if the citizens are doing the job the City thinks they are, that would reduce cost for Frederickson’s Bonners Ferry Garbage.

Mr. Skeen said according to the waste stream study, Mr. Frederickson’s loads have been reduced. Mr. Mayo said the County doesn’t have a study from October through February to compare what was done last year by Mr. Frederickson. Mr. Skeen said he did a waste stream study last year as well. The City is bringing in a ton of cardboard every week or every other week, according to Mr. Skeen. Commissioner Dinning said Commissioners may get to the point where the County may not accept garbage from the private contractor. Chairman Smith said what Commissioner Dinning mentioned is something not all Commissioners may agree on. Commissioner Dinning said County residents pay $10 more and drive further to get to a manned site. Currently the private contractor is bringing in all materials and dumping them in the County landfill including items that should be recycled. It was said the County residents are paying more and having to drive a lot further in addition to recycling. Commissioner Dinning questioned how to treat everyone equal.

Commissioner Kirby said the only thing coming from Mr. Mayo is that Mr. Frederickson also has routes in the County. Mr. Mayo said he thinks that is working out for Mr. Frederickson. Mr. Skeen said the information in the waste stream study that was conducted over a six month period showed there was definitely a decrease in garbage brought in by Boundary County residents. Commissioner Dinning said for the percent of City residents that go to the landfill to recycle that is where there should be no cost to add curbside to offset the week and the City residents would be happy. City residents only have to drive three miles to the landfill and there is a full blown recycle system there. Mr. Mayo said if the City goes with what has been discussed, how would it be packaged for Mr. Frederickson. Mr. Skeen explained the set up at the landfill. Those present discussed keeping recyclables loose and keeping the garbage in a bag to prevent the recyclables from being put into the landfill.

11:15 a.m., Community Guardianship Board Member Dick Hollenbeck and Board Chairperson Gini Woodward, and County Clerk Glenda Poston joined the meeting.

Commissioners requested that Mr. Mayo ask the City to look into the feasibility of Mr. Frederickson alternating garbage pick up and recycled material pickup. Mr. Mayo said he doesn’t see that being a problem for himself, but maybe it would for other citizens. Commissioner Dinning said there are large families that put out more than two garbage cans, but if they sorted out the recyclables they would reduce that number. Mr. Mayo said if this is going to be put on the residents it would be best to do when they can co-mingle. Commissioners agreed and they said the City will find out this will not be a hardship placed on the residents. Commissioner Dinning said the County is going to co-mingle at one point and will want to get everyone on the same page. Commissioners explained there would be a cost savings for the residents if they don’t have to drive to the landfill. The County takes its recycle bins to Safeway twice per month for all residents and that generates 1,000 pounds or one ton of recyclables for those two days. Mr. Mayo informed Commissioners that he feels the landfill is now more user-friendly.

Mr. Mayo and Mr. Skeen left the meeting at 11:20 a.m.

Ms. Woodward presented Commissioners with a document listing the general functions of the Community Guardianship Board, the annual report, and a draft of the revised by-laws. Ms. Woodward said there is an error in the by-laws so she will send a corrected copy to Commissioners to send to the County attorney for review.

Commissioners were informed of a person the Community Guardianship Board would like to add as a board member.

Commissioner Dinning moved to appoint Carol Hampton to the Community Guardianship Board with a term to expire January 1, 2015 and to change the terms of the remaining board members as follows: Dick Hollenbeck and Glenda McCalmant with terms to expire January 1, 2012, Gini Woodward and Jan Allen with terms to expire January 1, 2013, Karen Pedey and Larry Dirks with terms to expire January 1, 2014, and Ruth Ann Wilson with a term to expire January 1, 2015.

Those present discussed helping Ms. Woodward defray the cost of travel to an upcoming seminar. It was decided Ms. Woodward would be given $600 towards travel costs.

The meeting with Ms. Woodward, Mr. Hollenbeck, and Clerk Glenda Poston ended at 11:50 a.m.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:50 a.m.

  /s/

                                                RONALD R. SMITH, Chairman

ATTEST:

/s/

GLENDA POSTON, Clerk

By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy