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***Monday, November 14, 2011, Commissioners
met in regular session with Chairman Ron Smith,
Commissioner Dan Dinning, Commissioner Walt
Kirby, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
Blue Sky Broadcasting Reporter Mike Brown was
also in attendance throughout the day.
9:00 a.m., Road and Bridge Superintendent Jeff
Gutshall joined the meeting to give the
departmental report. No written report was
submitted.
Mr. Gutshall said Road and Bridge has a variety
of culvert projects to work as well as other
projects to include: working on the drainage
issues at Riverside Park and the Wenk residence
in Highland Flats, and working on the road
between Mica Road and the school bus turnaround
at the end of Gold Road.
Mr. Gutshall updated Commissioners on the Idaho
Transportation Department’s winter informational
meeting. Mr. Gutshall said when the State geared
up for winter they had approximately 15 to 17
employees including part time employees, but
this year employees will be limited to just
permanent help, which consists of seven to eight
employees. Mr. Gutshall said the State’s
Transportation Department will work 24 hours and
split into three shifts of two employees at one
time, but you can imagine that during a snow
storm. The aim is to keep the highway clear but,
the Idaho Transportation Department local
Supervisor, George Shutes, said if his employees
aren’t back to plow a snowy area within one
hour, they would need to be back anyway to clear
off the melted snow due created by the de-icer.
It was said that Highway 1 may have issues at
times. Mr. Gutshall said the State’s priorities
consist of seven areas as follows: in town,
south of town, Highway 2 to the state line,
Three Mile to Mt. Hall, Mt. Hall to Eastport,
and Highway 1 is the last priority. Mr. Gutshall
said he doesn’t know how the highway traffic
counts vary, but he was surprised to hear this
information. Mr. Gutshall said this change will
affect Road and Bridge in regards to reaching
the outlying areas because Road and Bridge
cannot plow the State highway. Commissioners
mentioned how this will affect the school bus
routes as well. Those present briefly mentioned
the difficulty in having to prioritize these
issues as everyone is a tax payer. Mr. Gutshall
said the County’s best roll is that Road and
Bridge will be full staffed as in years before.
Commissioner Dinning said if there is a declared
winter related emergency, he felt it would be
okay for Road and Bridge to plow, but he wants
the State to be on board with that. Commissioner
Dinning said he is concerned about liability.
The meeting for the Road and Bridge Departmental
report ended.
Commissioner Dinning moved to approve the
minutes of November 7 and 8, 2011. Commissioner
Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
9:20 a.m., Clerk Glenda Poston joined the
meeting.
Commissioner Dinning moved to authorize the
Chairman to sign the Bureau of Homeland
Security, amended award for the 2009 Operation
Stonegarden Grant Program. Commissioner Kirby
second. Motion passed unanimously.
9:30 a.m., Commissioners canvassed the ballots
from the 2011 City of Bonners Ferry election for
mayor and council members as presented by Clerk
Glenda Poston. Present were: Chairman Smith,
Commissioner Dinning, Commissioner Kirby, Road
and Bridge Superintendent Jeff Gutshall, Blue
Sky Broadcasting Reporter Mike Brown, and Clerk
Glenda Poston.
Clerk Poston said she has reviewed the tallies.
Clerk Poston informed Commissioners that when
the Valley View Precinct called in to relay
information, instead of reading off the back of
the tally book/sheets, they wrote the
information on the sample ballots, which rotate
the names. Clerk Poston said the two city’s
mayors’ tallies ended up okay, but the council’s
total votes were reported on the wrong name. The
notice on the Courthouse door is not official,
according to Clerk Poston. Clerk Poston reviewed
the corrected tally count to Commissioners and
assured them there is no change in the outcome,
just the amounts reported versus what the County
audited. Clerk Poston said everything for the
Valley View Precinct was corrected. Clerk Poston
said she notified City of Bonners Ferry Council
candidates Connie Wells and Rick Alonzo to
explain what happened and that there was no
change to the outcome. Clerk Poston said the
City of Bonners Ferry had 30% of the votes cast
and the City of Moyie Springs had 26% of the
votes cast. Clerk Poston provided the canvass
reports to Commissioners and explained the
report is for the canvass of both elections.
Commissioner Dinning moved to sign the following
Certification of Election, and that Boundary
County Commissioners acting as a Board of
Canvassers of Election, do hereby state that the
attached is a true and complete abstract of all
votes cast within this County for the candidates
and/or questions as they appeared at the
election held on November 8, 2011 as shown by
the records now on file in the County Clerk’s
Office. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed
unanimously.
Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals joined the meeting at
9:45 a.m.
Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals said she did a review
for reimbursement for an applicant who did
receive social security disability benefits and
who also hopes to go back to work, so she would
like to amend the reimbursement amount to $ 50
per month.
Commissioner Dinning moved to set reimbursement
for indigent account #2010-4 at a minimum of $50
per month beginning January 2012. Commissioner
Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals left the meeting at
9:46 a.m.
Clerk Poston left the meeting at 9:47 a.m.
9:51 a.m., County resident Dan Meeker joined the
meeting.
Commissioners and Mr. Gutshall briefly discussed
the status of various issues to include
establishing speed limits as well as placing
stop signs at the intersection of Cow Creek and
Crossport Roads.
Commissioner Dinning moved to cancel taxes for
year 2011 totaling $1,024.16 for parcel
#RP62N01E111217A due to error. Commissioner
Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Dinning moved to cancel 2011 year
taxes in the amount of $19.52 and fees in the
amount of $75.74 totaling $95.26 for parcel
#MH00800001053A as the trailer has been removed
and has been scrapped out for parts when sold in
year 2010. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion
passed unanimously.
10:05 a.m., County Civil Attorney Phil Robinson
joined the meeting.
Chairman Smith spoke of paperwork pertaining to
Lannigan Road and explained to Attorney Robinson
the County had been talking about Lannigan Road
going back to a private road or back to Mr.
Meeker. Commissioner Dinning said this was about
giving the road up. Chairman Smith mentioned
there had been discussion in the past about
receiving $500 for this road and the road was
deeded to the County, but the confusion is who
paid for it. Mr. Meeker said the Lannigan’s and
Meeker’s paid for the road and after, the
neighbors helped bring the road to County
standards. It was said the issue is about
signage. Commissioners said if the County’s Road
and Bridge foreman determines it’s best not to
maintain Lannigan Road, then the County will
follow that advice, but if it’s in the best
interest to maintain it, the land could be given
back to those who sold it, but retain an
easement. Mr. Gutshall said it’s an advantage to
the County not to have to maintain it. Attorney
Robinson said if the County abandons the road
will it leave residents without access. Mr.
Gutshall said yes. Chairman Smith mentioned the
possibility of giving the road back to the
original owner and records show access to others
was granted. Attorney Robinson questioned what
other neighbors would think about the County
giving up maintenance. Mr. Meeker said the
County plows Lannigan Road once or twice when
it’s needed.
Those present discussed the signage issues as it
relates to the International Selkirk Loop and
Mr. Meeker said he spoke to a “Tammy Flowers”
and she said he needs to have ownership of the
property adjoining the highway if he is to put a
sign on it. Attorney Robinson said one way to
solve this is if the deed was never valid. Mr.
Meeker said a lot of people looked at the deed
paperwork with all the legalese and they will
sign the paperwork, but not fully understand it.
It was said this matter is about being able to
put a sign up to advertise Ms. Meeker’s home
based business. Mr. Meeker explained the
requirements of ownership of property in
relation to signage. Attorney Robinson briefly
mentioned a right-of-way purchase.
Commissioners reviewed claims for payment. Fund
totals are as follows:
Current Expense $31,367.08
Road & Bridge 55,852.91
Airport 2,436.64
District Court 4,078.31
Justice Fund 47,842.46
911 Funds 6,748.73
Indigent & Charity 11,434.64
Junior College Tuition 18,792.50
Parks and Recreation 2,076.67
Revaluation 399.73
Solid Waste 6,461.31
Tort 1,000.00
Veterans Memorial 3,005.25
Weeds 212.84
Restorium 17,435.00
Waterways 198.37
Grants, Fire Mitigation 27,751.50
TOTAL $237,093.94
Citizens are invited to inspect detailed records
on file in the Courthouse (individual claims &
Commissioners’ allowance & warrant register
record 2011).
Mr. Meeker left the meeting at 10:25 a.m.
Commissioners, Attorney Robinson, and Mr.
Gutshall talked about the issue of snow plowing.
Commissioners informed Attorney Robinson that
portions of the highway won’t get as much
attention in the form of snow plowing from the
State as they used to. If an emergency is
declared, Mr. Gutshall had mentioned the
possibility of plowing portions of the highway
while plowing the County roads, but liability is
a concern. Chairman Smith asked about entering
into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to
eliminate the possibility of liability, but Mr.
Gutshall feels the State Transportation
Department’s local supervisor, George Shutes,
doesn’t have the authority to sign an MOU.
Chairman Smith said when that issue came up, he
almost has a problem doing anything because the
State had a problem using the County roads to
reroute traffic during the prior bus accident.
Mr. Gutshall mentioned that Road and Bridge is
capable of grading if there is an emergency and
Attorney Robinson said the County will need an
official word from the State because the first
time this is done, who determines the emergency.
Attorney Robinson said there needs to be
something official and he added that he didn’t
see why it would be that big of a deal as it is
dealing with a County level department.
Commissioner Dinning asked if the County could
legally expend Secure Rural Schools (SRS) money
on a road that is not in the County system. Mr.
Gutshall said he would guess not. Attorney
Robinson asked if Highways 1 or 2 are any way in
the County’s system and he gave the example of
how Highway 95 is in Sandpoint’s system as the
right-of-way includes up to the sidewalk.
Commissioner Dinning said this would probably be
a rare situation. Attorney Robinson said he
thinks there is likelihood the State would give
permission and enter into a formal agreement,
but not just because two nice guys talked about
it.
Mr. Gutshall asked Attorney Robinson about the
difference between a City and a County when it
comes to plowing. Attorney Robinson said the
City thinks differently than the County in that
the City residents want the road cleared “right
now”. Mr. Gutshall said so the City will take
responsibility whereas the County may not want
to. It was said the reason to have less
employees to plow snow on the highway is a
matter of funding and staffing for the State.
Chairman Smith said if the County does not plow
the highway, people up north will not understand
as they’ll see a grader going up the road and
it’s not plowing the highway. Those present
questioned what happens if the County offers to
help, but the State says no. Attorney Robinson
said that is a good avenue to take. Mr. Gutshall
said the County could use its discretion.
Attorney Robinson said if the County can’t plow
the highway, then it needs to be documented.
Commissioner Dinning said it would be expensive
to plow to the Porthill area. Mr. Gutshall said
he could put a figure together for plowing that
area, but that figure would be somewhat or
greatly reduced as Road and Bridge is going
there anyway so in all honesty it isn’t costing
much. Commissioner Dinning said he would like
everyone to think about it as this is the State
of Idaho and he would think the State would
recognize a certain numbers of trips. Chairman
Smith said he disagrees and he sees these are
County residents along Highway 1. Chairman Smith
said he personally doesn’t see a problem making
an offer to the State to drop the plow’s blade
as Road and Bridge travel in that direction. It
is a service not only to the State, but also to
the County’s residents, but it is the end of the
story if the State says no, according to
Chairman Smith. Attorney Robinson said he feels
the liability is mostly “nil”. Attorney Robinson
suggested having some type of agreement in
writing.
Commissioner Kirby said he wouldn’t want to have
to talk to the County residents living up north
about why the County isn’t doing anything to
help and how the ambulance couldn’t get there
during an emergency. Mr. Gutshall said if County
emergency vehicles can get through to those
areas, he isn’t as concerned. Attorney Robinson
said Idaho Counties Risk Management Program
(ICRMP) would feel better having something in
writing, which should state the County’s
discretion. Mr. Gutshall said he could speak to
Mr. Shutes who can take the proposal to his
supervisors.
10:40 a.m., Treasurer Jenny Fessler and Ace
Elder Care Representatives Sandy Poole and Diane
Rogers joined the meeting to discuss delinquent
taxes.
Mr. Gutshall left the meeting at 10:42 a.m.
Ms. Poole said she wanted to meet with
Commissioners on behalf of Dennis Garrett, owner
of the Ace Elder Care retirement facility. Taxes
for the facility’s three parcels are delinquent
back to year 2008 and the properties are at risk
of being tax deeded. Ms. Poole said of those
three parcels, taxes for year 2008 have been
paid in full for one parcel and Mr. Garrett
should be able to have the 2008 year taxes paid
by December 20th for the second parcel. This
leaves one more parcel delinquent for year 2008
with taxes, late fees, and interest for that
year totaling $5,583.41. Ms. Poole requested an
extension for this remaining amount. Ms. Poole
said Ace Elder Care would like to offer the
County payments in the amount of $500 per week.
It was said the State checks are received on a
weekly basis so Ace Elder Care could pay $500
per week for sure. Commissioner Dinning said an
extension would stop the additional amount of
$350 from being added to the existing tax debt.
It was said if payment in full is not received
by the set date, a meeting will be held to
schedule a tax deed hearing for this property.
The amount of time needed to pay the 2008 taxes
was determined to be March.
Commissioner Dinning moved to grant an extension
of time to pay year 2008 taxes for parcel
#RPB00000226632A until March 1, 2012 and to
accept weekly payments of $500 towards these
taxes. Commissioner Kirby. Commissioner Kirby
second. Motion passed unanimously.
Treasurer Fessler, Ms. Poole, and Ms. Rogers
left the meeting at 10:50 a.m.
Commissioners informed Attorney Robinson about
the possibility of forming a museum taxing
district. Chairman Smith said Mike Sloan, member
of the Historical Society, was looking at ways
to form a taxing district to keep the museum
open. Clerk Glenda Poston had researched Idaho
Code and found nothing written on any sort of a
process to form a museum district. Chairman
Smith said the County doesn’t have the ability
to establish a taxing district if it is not in
Idaho Code. Chairman Smith said the Historical
Society will have to address funding when
working on their budget request next year and he
asked if there are any other options. Attorney
Robinson said he will have to check because if a
district is not on an independent statutory
list, he isn’t sure if a district can or can’t
be formed. Those present discussed the idea of
combining the library and the museum and it was
said the Historical Society is separate from the
library. Clerk Poston said over the last three
to four years, the Historical Society sends a
request for funds and the amount has been
$13,000. It was said the Historical Society owns
the building and its contents.
11:00 a.m., Commissioner Dinning moved to go
into executive session under Idaho Code
#67-2345(1)f. To communicate with legal counsel
for the public agency to discuss the legal
ramifications of and legal options for pending
litigation, or controversies not yet being
litigated, but imminently likely to be
litigated. Commissioner Kirby second.
Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Smith
“yes”, Commissioner Dinning “yes”, and
Commissioner Kirby “yes”. Motion passed
unanimously. 11:30 a.m., Commissioner Dinning
moved to go out of executive session.
Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed
unanimously.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
11:45 a.m., There being no further business, the
meeting recessed until tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.
***Tuesday, November 15, 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., Commissioners held a public hearing
on the application for a grant to acquire an
elevator for the Restorium. Present were:
Chairman Ron Smith, Commissioner Dan Dinning,
Commissioner Walt Kirby, Deputy Clerk Michelle
Rohrwasser, Restorium Administrator Karlene
Magee, Assistant Restorium Administrator Kathy
Stalcup, Panhandle Area Council Economic
Development Planner Nancy Mabile, Friends of the
Restorium members Garvin Lyle and Janis Kerby,
and Restorium Board Members Larry Hall and
Richard Hollenbeck. The public hearing was
recorded.
Chairman Smith opened the public hearing and
turned the proceedings over to Nancy Mabile. Ms.
Mabile briefly explained the grant application,
review, and scoring process to those present.
Ms. Mabile also reviewed basic criteria for the
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD) regulations and said one condition is the
community must be 50% low to moderate income
level.
Ms. Mabile provided a draft informational packet
and briefly explained which pages list the
project description, project budget, and project
schedule. Ms. Mabile said the elevator will
connect both levels of the Restorium providing
access to all. The Idaho Community Development
Block Grant award would be $115,238 and the
County’s contribution is $80,643, which includes
a Restorium budget of $75,000 that is earmarked
for this project in addition to contributions of
$9,500 from local citizens and non-profit groups
for a total of $84,500. Of this total amount
$3,857 has been paid to G.D. Longwell Architects
for preliminary architectural services.
Ms. Mabile said once the grant application is
submitted, two Idaho Department of Commerce
members will score the application and add their
points to determine who makes the cut. If the
County’s application is accepted, a letter will
come requesting the County submit an addendum.
Following this the decision is made by an
economic advisory council to make a
recommendation. Ms. Mabile said the grant award
won’t be made until approximately May or June,
2012. Commissioner Dinning asked when it’s
anticipated needing the addendum and Ms. Mabile
said March 2012. Ms. Mabile continued to briefly
review various dates of project activity.
Ms. Mabile explained she will work on the
environmental review for the grant and resumed
the discussion on the informational packet to
include grant application ranking, the need and
impact narrative, and the economic advisory
summary page. Ms. Mabile said the information
talks about the dangers of walking to the lower
level of the Restorium and having to go outside
of the building to do so.
Chairman Smith said his understanding from Ms.
Mabile is Boundary County’s application is far
ahead of other like projects or applications and
the County is getting its ducks in a row. Ms.
Mabile said yes and as far as a final product,
she will have it done tomorrow. Ms. Mabile asked
if Commissioners would take the time to read her
information and provide her with any comments.
Friends of the Restorium member, Janis Kerby,
suggested having an onsite inspection and to
have the inspector sit in a wheelchair and try
to maneuver around the Restorium and then have
the inspector try to push someone else in a
wheelchair around too see how difficult it is.
Ms. Kerby said people will just suggest putting
residents in cars to move them, but that is just
not practical to do.
Chairman Smith closed the public hearing at
10:15 a.m.
Commissioner Dinning moved to authorize the
Chairman to sign the grant application for an
elevator at the Restorium at such point it is
complete with the understanding there will be
changes and to authorize Panhandle Area Council
to submit this application to the Idaho
Department of Commerce on behalf of Boundary
County. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed
unanimously.
Chairman Smith said he wanted to thank the
Restorium employees, the Restorium Board, and
the Friends of the Restorium for their
involvement and for what they have done to make
the elevator possible.
The meeting ended at 10:19 a.m.
10:20 a.m., Clerk Glenda Poston, Chief Deputy
Clerk Tracie Isaac, and Risk Management
Consultant for the Idaho State Insurance Fund,
Jack Kirsch, joined the meeting.
Mr. Kirsch introduced himself to Commissioners
and explained he would like to review the
County’s workers compensation information. Mr.
Kirsch informed Commissioners the County is
running a score of 137, which equates to 137% on
worker’s compensation. Mr. Kirsch explained the
formula is based on losses versus payroll and is
computed by an outside company. Chairman Smith
asked how to prevent the losses. Mr. Kirsch said
he takes the approach that a county’s premiums
pay a part of his wages. Mr. Kirsch said his job
is to help a county control its losses and part
of the way he does that is by dealing with the
workplace environment. Mr. Kirsch said the key
to the workplace environment is the elected
officials and department heads by holding them
accountable for safety practices in their
offices and that is how to control the losses.
Mr. Kirsch said someone has to be responsible
and the direction comes from the Commissioners
such as hiring and training personnel,
conducting safety meetings, and holding accident
and incident meetings. Mr. Kirsch said he also
looks to supervisors to be accountable to bring
employees back to some form of light work duty
and that is key to this process. Mr. Kirsch
discussed the variables of chargeability to a
county. Mr. Kirsch said a county has five days
to get an employee back to work before the State
Insurance Fund pays.
Chairman Smith said the Idaho Counties Risk
Management Program (ICRMP) made a training
program available to county employees. The
county was required to have 90% of its employees
take part of this training and once that was
done, the county was able to receive a discount
on their risk insurance. Mr. Kirsch informed
those present there are no discounts on Workers
Compensation in Idaho although there are
programs available. Mr. Kirsch said the elected
officials or department heads can contact him
for anything safety related. Mr. Kirsch said he
provides training and he mentioned offering a
four hour supervisor safety training program in
which he can take supervisors and train them in
safety in the workplace. Mr. Kirsch said he is
willing to come to Boundary County to attend the
elected officials/department heads meeting to
share this information. Commissioner Dinning
asked if Mr. Kirsch would have time for a
training session for the County’s elected
officials and Mr. Kirsch said yes.
Clerk Poston mentioned the County did receive a
5% discount as it is a drug free work place.
Those present discussed random drug testing for
all employees. Chairman Smith asked how random
drug testing would affect elected officials as
the County’s Personnel Policy doesn’t apply to
them and in addition, another issue is the cost
of testing. Chairman Smith asked the cost for
random testing. Clerk Poston said Boundary
Community Hospital does not charge the County
for drug testing, but testing at Premier Urgent
Care costs $20. Clerk Poston said the County
normally conducts five drug tests per month so
that totals $100. Mr. Kirsch said when it comes
to random drug testing if there is an employee
who tests positive, especially after an
accident, a lot of employers will terminate that
employee. Mr. Kirsch said if someone is injured
on the job, as part of treatment the person gets
drug tested and then it’s possible for them to
get light duty. Just because someone is drug
tested, they can still be eligible for workers
compensation and if it can be proven that drug
or alcohol is the cause of the accident, the
amount of workers compensation is reduced,
according to Mr. Kirsch. Mr. Kirsch said if the
employee is not brought back to work, they are
still eligible to get workers compensation.
Mr. Kirsch informed those present which County
departments he is seeing losses at. Mr. Kirsch
said one thing is an issue and that is holding
departments accountable. Employees are at times
getting injured and not reporting it and if
there is a minor or major injury, it needs to be
reported to a supervisor immediately. Mr. Kirsch
said there can be an investigation and that is
not to find fault as most of the time it is
unsafe work practices and procedures, not the
environment. Employees can be reprimanded for
not following the procedures, according to Mr.
Kirsch.
Mr. Kirsch said Commissioners could issue a
mission statement on safety, which is really
helpful. This statement shows how committed the
County is in providing a safe work place. Mr.
Kirsch said by getting this statement out to all
employees lets them know it is a priority to
have a safe workplace and that statement does an
awful lot of good. Chairman Smith said he would
think the largest injury that would take place
at the Restorium is how a staff member lifts a
resident. Mr. Kirsch said the four hour safety
program he provides is geared toward the
supervisor; not the employee. Chairman Smith
said the supervisors can pass on information to
the employees.
Mr. Kirsch said the County’s experience mod is
137, which is 37% above average for claims. Mr.
Kirsch said a lot of this relates to time loss
injuries. Commissioner Dinning said for
clarification when the calculation is done for
an experience model that is based on the first
three losses of the last four years. It is
losses to payroll, not losses to premium,
according to Mr. Kirsch. The reason for that is
because the modification itself affects the
premium. Commissioner Dinning said the number
137 reflects the payroll to all those
individuals and loss to the County has a whole.
The premium is rate times payroll times
experience modification and that is how premium
is determined, according to Mr. Kirsch.
Commissioner Dinning said the County’s losses as
shown are relatively low. Mr. Kirsch said yes,
as it stands right now. Mr. Kirsch said Boundary
County is doing better in part due to no time
loss this year, but it will take another year to
reflect on the premiums.
Clerk Poston suggested the option of including
all employees in the drug free workplace
program. Mr. Kirsch said he works with the three
northern counties and he doesn’t know of any
county that tests all employees. To have a
proactive program you have to drug test new
hires and conduct random drug testing as post
accident testing does not contribute towards
being considered proactive. Mr. Kirsch said he
recommends not terminating an employee that
tests positive, but instead offer the employee
counseling or the option to quit. Chairman Smith
said if Road and Bridge has a driver and there
is an accident, could the driver be given desk
duty as light work since driving is the only
thing they normally do. Mr. Kirsch mentioned
having that employee do light duty and find
other options for someone to drive the truck.
Clerk Poston mentioned obtaining input from the
employee’s treating physician. Commissioner
Dinning asked if it would be more beneficial to
bring employees back to light duty. Clerk Poston
mentioned the departments with higher incident
rates pay higher rates and Commissioner Dinning
said the County then does as well. Clerk Poston
said in some instances, departments are already
paying the higher rates. Mr. Kirsch said he
needs Commissioners to issue a mission statement
on safety to all employees prior to holding a
three to four hour training session. Chairman
Smith suggested having the mission statement
passed out with employee paychecks.
Clerk Poston questioned if all county employees
were willing to be included in a random test
program, would they realize it will save the
County a certain amount of dollars. Mr. Kirsch
spoke of the state levels of tolerance as it is
not a “zero” tolerance.
Commissioner Dinning asked how the County is
challenging the validity when turning in a claim
such as claims that may not be valid. Mr. Kirsch
said just because an employee doesn’t report an
incident immediately doesn’t mean a claim will
be denied, but it will raise a red flag. If
there is a possibility the employee wasn’t
injured on the job that will also throw up a red
flag. Commissioner Dinning gave an example of an
employee who is not lifting properly as they
were trained, which causes a back injury. Mr.
Kirsch said the County can reprimand the
employee, but it doesn’t clear the County. Mr.
Kirsch said in those cases the County may need
to have retraining and refresher courses. Mr.
Kirsch said he would urge employers to look for
a root cause for an accident. Mr. Kirsch briefly
mentioned there are other incidents that need
investigated such as equipment issues.
Clerk Poston talked about tailgate meetings for
the ICRMP 5% reduction, which is a general
safety meeting and the possibility of
piggybacking at the same time as State
Industrial training.
Mr. Kirsch said he has an actual form to
complete for accidents. The employees should
report to the supervisor who then investigates
facts and goes to corrective actions. The
supervisor should then report to the State. The
State’s investigation form has the information
needed for Chief Deputy Clerk Tracie Clerk to
file a claim, according to Mr. Kirsch.
Those present discussed various scenarios that
could happen and how it could be handled and
that incident forms aren’t always turned in to
Chief Deputy Clerk Tracie Isaac, but should be.
Commissioners said this issue will be brought up
during the next elected officials/department
heads meeting.
The meeting with Mr. Kirsch ended at 11:24 a.m.
Commissioners recessed for lunch at 11:25 a.m.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the
afternoon session with Chairman Smith,
Commissioner Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, and
Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
1:30 p.m., Manuel Figueroa and Stuart Bell with
the U.S. Customs and Border Protection joined
the meeting. Mr. Figueroa said he and Mr. Bell
wanted to meet with Commissioners to answer any
questions Commissioners may have about the new
facility or general matters of Customs and
Border Patrol. Commissioners asked about the
status of construction of the new Border Patrol
facility at the Three Mile junction. Mr.
Figueroa informed Commissioners two of the three
buildings have been built. One building is for
horses with stables, an arena, and dog kennels.
Another building will be used as a garage with
wash racks and storage area. The last building
will have a processing area on the eastside of
the building and individual cells, an intake
area, and storage space. Mr. Figueroa said this
facility is not meant to be a long term holding
cell and that holding someone for a week or a
month is not going to happen. Mr. Figueroa said
currently an alien will be kept in the Boundary
County or Bonner County jail, whoever has space.
Mr. Figueroa said last year approximately 40 to
42 aliens were housed. Mr. Figueroa said U.S.
Customs and Border Patrol pay for the prisoners
that are housed.
Mr. Bell said Customs and Border Patrol will
process a person locally and if the person is a
felon, the Border Patrol will transport the
felon to Coeur d’ Alene. If the matter involves
a regular alien with no prior violations, they
will be processed, but remain in the County jail
for the weekend and be transported on the
following Monday. Mr. Figueroa said he
personally would prefer Boundary County keep the
aliens because if there are any paperwork
changes, it is convenient to have them here. Mr.
Figueroa explained it only takes one person on
duty to watch a temporary alien. Mr. Figueroa
said dealing with juveniles and females can get
complicated as someone has to be with them at
all times.
Chairman Smith said to Mr. Figueroa that if
there are ever any rumors out there or if
something is happening to cause an issue with
the County, to not hesitate to contact
Commissioner to work it out.
Commissioner Kirby mentioned the benefits of
having the Customs and Border Patrol holding a
community meeting as done in the past as a lot
of the citizens’ questions can be answered. Mr.
Figueroa said the Border Patrol is planning to
have another meeting once the facility opens.
Mr. Figueroa explained the various public
interactions the Border Patrol has experienced.
Mr. Figueroa said it’s the newer employees that
tend to stop people more often until they get to
know the community better.
Mr. Bell discussed the construction of the new
facility again and said the Border Patrol Office
is looking for another contractor to construct
the third building. It was explained that the
Highway 95 exit is an exit only and is also only
a southbound exit. Mr. Figueroa explained where
the facility will be fenced. Chairman Smith and
Mr. Figueroa said they felt the most recent
informational meeting held in the Border Patrol
in Naples was confusing in some aspects. Mr.
Figueroa said he’s been fielding calls about
possible employment in the construction phase of
the new site, and every so often resumes will be
accepted. Mr. Figueroa said people can turn in
applications onsite or online, but he has no
control over that process.
Mr. Figueroa informed Commissioners that every
Border Patrol agent has to have shooting
practice on a quarterly basis and they’ve been
using the gun range, but it is no longer an
ideal situation and there are more restrictions.
Mr. Figueroa said he has spoken to City of
Bonners Ferry Police Chief Rick Alonzo and
Sheriff Greg Sprungl about looking for a piece
of land for a gun range that every law
enforcement officer can use. The Border Patrol
can bring the materials to construct a building.
Chairman Smith said he felt that would be an
excellent idea, but who would the facility
belong to and who would maintain the area. Mr.
Figueroa explained that the Border Patrol had
brought all of the supplies for the Metaline
Falls site. The site needed would be outside and
would also have to be isolated, according to Mr.
Figueroa. Mr. Figueroa said he envisioned
something all law enforcement could use.
Chairman Smith suggested having another meeting
with Agent Figueroa, the City Police Chief and
the Sheriff to discuss the possibility of a
joint shooting range.
The meeting ended at 2:05 p.m.
There being no further business, the adjourned
at 2:05 p.m.
/s/
RONALD
R. SMITH, Chairman
ATTEST:
/s/
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk
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