| County Commission minutes, November 14 - 15 |
| December 7, 2011 |
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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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