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Monday,
May 21, 2012, 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
to give the departmental report. Mr. Gutshall
presented a written report. Commissioner Dinning
said he got a call from a resident on Deer Creek
Road who has requested calcium chloride be
applied to the road beyond their driveway as
during the summer the dust is heavy. Mr.
Gutshall said he would take a look at it and
that he has also heard from this person and the
claim is the dust drifts through the woods.
Mr. Gutshall said the
County owns the north one-third of the parking
lot at the Panhandle Health District and he has
found some information about the north boundary
of this property. The property to the north
actually extends beyond the property line, but
nothing can be done as the City has put in a
power pole, etc. Mr. Gutshall said he spoke to
the property owner about paving and the property
owner felt it was okay to pave up to his garage.
Chairman Smith explained that this neighbor had
requested access through the Restorium’s back
driveway so he could drive through and park his
camp trailer next to his house.
Mr. Gutshall showed
Commissioners a picture of the heated asphalt
tank that Road and Bridge built. Mr. Gutshall
said the tank seems to work fine.
Mr. Gutshall said he
learned through the Local Highway Technical
Assistance Council (LHTAC) that the
Deep
Creek Bridge
#4 Project is scheduled for opening on
June 12, 2012. Bridge #4 is the
bridge located near the Mace residence. The
bridge should be closed approximately 60 days,
according to Mr. Gutshall. Commissioner Dinning
asked Mr. Gutshall to notify the post office
about the future closure.
Mr. Gutshall said he went
to an auction and sold an old lowboy for $4,000.
Mr. Gutshall said he also picked up some
material for making sign posts at this auction.
Mr. Gutshall said he has
submitted his budget and has turned in a budget
overview. Mr. Gutshall said it is likely Road
and Bridge will have a fairly normal budget for
this upcoming budget year, but he anticipates a
budget crunch for fiscal year 2013-2014 and
budget year 2014-2015 will really be affected.
Mr. Gutshall and Commissioners reviewed his
overview for budget year 2012-2013. Mr. Gutshall
said this information is based on the assumption
that Secure Rural Schools (SRS) is not
reauthorized. Mr. Gutshall spoke of eliminating
the payment of one grader if SRS is not
reauthorized. Mr. Gutshall said his equipment
budget is in good shape. Commissioner Dinning
said getting the equipment budget in good shape
was done in anticipation that SRS would not be
reauthorized. Mr. Gutshall said he didn’t budget
for the fourth grader, but it doesn’t mean he
has to get rid of one.
Mr. Gutshall said Road and
Bridge is putting rock down on
Pine Island Road
and working on Fawn
Lane. Mr. Gutshall
said chipseal does not work well on a hill like
Pine Island Road.
Commissioner Dinning asked if there is better
traction with gravel on this road than if it was
asphalt. Mr. Gutshall said he didn’t know for
sure, but that had also been the concern with
putting asphalt on
Ridgewood Road
and traction has not been an issue so far.
The meeting with Mr.
Gutshall ended at
9:30 a.m.
9:30 a.m., Phil Allegretti with
Panhandle Pest Control joined the meeting to
discuss this year’s mosquito study.
Mr. Allegretti said the
County will soon receive a new contract for
$3,000 for the County to conduct the mosquito
study. Mr. Allegretti said the terms of the
contract and his fees will remain the same.
Those present talked about
working with the Kootenai National Wildlife
Refuge to treat for mosquitoes.
Mr. Allegretti left the
meeting at 9:40
a.m.
Commissioners tended to
administrative duties.
9:45 a.m., Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals
joined the meeting.
Commissioner Dinning moved
to set reimburse for indigent account #2009-28
at a minimum of $50 per month beginning June
2012 in addition to 30% of state and federal tax
refunds each year. Commissioner Kirby second.
Motion passed unanimously.
Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals
left the meeting at
9:46 a.m.
Commissioners tended to
administrative duties.
9:55 a.m., Clerk Glenda Poston joined
the meeting and discussed various matters with
Commissioners. Clerk Poston left the meeting at 10:05 a.m.
Commissioners tended to
administrative duties.
Clerk Glenda Poston
returned to the meeting.
Commissioners decided to
postpone the discussion on renewing the lease
for office space at the post office until
tomorrow.
10:30 a.m., Prosecutor’s Office
Manager Tammie Goggia joined the meeting.
Ms. Goggia said she had
sent a memo asking if the County was still
interested in funding $15,000 for the Drug Task
Force. There is $35,000 left in the account for
all forfeitures taken. If the County funds
$15,000 and the City funds $15,000, the Drug
Task Force will be able to operate for another
five months. Ms. Goggia said the Prosecutor’s
Office is expecting another forfeiture to come
in and the County’s portion could be in excess
of $1,000,000. The Prosecutor’s Office just
received $3,700 from a portion of that
settlement. It was said the County is hoping to
continue funding the Drug Task Force and they
have been very active. A total of $82,000 per
year is needed to fund salaries. In looking at
the current budget and the additional $30,000
from the County and the City, it is possible the
fund will be short $18,000. Ms. Goggia said she
is hoping to have the funds to make up the
$18,000 shortfall.
Clerk Poston asked Ms.
Goggia if the same presentation will be made to
the City of Bonners Ferry.
Ms. Goggia said the City Clerk mentioned that
more than likely the City of
Bonners Ferry
will fund the $15,000.
Commissioner Dinning said
if the County budgeted for the additional
$9,000, could that fund be set up for
reimbursement if the $1,000,000 comes in. It was
said the funds to be received will be listed as
unanticipated revenue to be deposited. Clerk
Poston said the way the funds come in, the
County won’t have to fund it as it will come in
from the Drug Task Force. The County will have
to pay the $15,000 and the Drug Task Force can
fund the additional $9,000. Ms. Goggia said she
doesn’t know when these proposed funds will be
received. Commissioner Dinning said if enough
funds came in to cover the additional $9,000,
then the County does not have to budget for it.
Ms. Goggia said the City of
Bonners Ferry is down on
their number of employees so they’ve taken their
employee on the Drug Task Force and put him on
regular police duty, but the City does not bill
for that time.
The meeting with Ms. Goggia
ended at 10:45
a.m.
Commissioners discussed an
upcoming matter involving a property tax issue
with Assessor Dave Ryals. Assessor Ryals left
the meeting at
10:50 a.m.
11:00 a.m., Clerk Glenda Poston
presented Commissioners with the ballots of the
2012 primary election to canvass. Clerk Poston
said there were two changes. One change involved
Larry DeVore listed as having 186 votes and it
should have reflected 187 votes. The other
change pertained to absentee votes totaling 532
which had erroneously included spoiled ballots.
The correct number of absentee ballots should
reflect 526. Clerk Poston said everything is
fine and those were the only changes. Clerk
Poston explained there were two forms for
Commissioners to sign; one for the Clerk’s
Office and one for the Secretary of State.
Commissioner Dinning moved
to sign the abstract of the ballots from the May 15, 2012 primary election for the Secretary of State
and for the County
Clerk. Commissioner
Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Dinning moved
as Commissioners of the
County of
Boundary, State of
Idaho, do hereby state
that the attached is a true and complete
abstract of all votes cast within this county at
the Primary Election held
May 15, 2012, as shown by the records
now on file in the
County
Clerk’s Office. Commissioner Kirby
second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting with Clerk
Poston ended at
11:10 a.m.
11:30 a.m., Hospital Board of
Trustees Chairman Elden Koon and Hospital
CEO/CFO Craig Johnson joined the meeting to
update Commissioners on Hospital matters.
Mr. Johnson explained
having to renew mammography certifications and
needing to have a letter of confirmation from
Boundary County
stating Boundary
Community
Hospital is a governmental entity.
Mr. Johnson said following this process enables
the annual mammography inspection fee to be
waived.
Those present discussed
various levels of review by the Medicare Program
and Mr. Johnson said there are six different
levels of review of different agencies that are
conducted at the same time.
Mr. Johnson said the
Hospital’s health fair went well. There were 46
to 47 vendors. Mr. Johnson explained how many
were in attendance and said the Hospital gave
away over 100 free screenings for cholesterol.
Mr. Johnson said the Fry
Health Care Foundation is holding a golf
tournament on the Friday before Father’s Day and
briefly explained what is to take place.
Commissioner Kirby moved to
sign letter to the Mammography Quality Assurance
Program for the
Boundary
Community Hospital
as it is time sensitive. Commissioner Dinning
second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Johnson and
Commissioners discussed the status of emergency
services in the County. Those present discussed
the thought of seeking requests for proposals
and what is involved in that.
The meeting with Mr.
Johnson and Mr. Koon ended at
11:40 a.m.
Commissioners recessed for
lunch at 11:40
a.m.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners
met for the afternoon session with Chairman
Smith, Commissioner Dinning, Commissioner Kirby,
and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
1:30 p.m., Frontier Communications
General Manager Bill Thompson and
Enterprise
Account Executive Jeff Odland joined the
meeting. Also present were: County GIS Mapper
Gary Falcon, City of
Bonners Ferry Assistant Administrator David Sims,
Boundary County Emergency Services Incident
Commander Bob Graham, and Sheriff’s Office
Administrative Deputy Crystal Denton.
Mr. Thompson said he was
looking to introduce himself to the Commission
and explained his professional background. Mr.
Thompson said he has a high technical
background.
Commissioner Dinning said
the County is working through the enhanced 911
telephone system.
Commissioner Dinning said
the Courthouse internet is at capacity and he
wondered what it takes to increase capacity of
the line. Commissioner Dinning explained the
Courthouse’s system to Mr. Thompson. Mr. Odland
spoke of upgrading the systems.
Mr. Odland said Frontier
Communications is 180% different. Mr. Odland
gave examples of their experience by listing
good examples of public and the private sectors
and the telephone company.
Mr. Odland spoke of
technical equipment used to aid dispatch in
determining which floor of a multi-floor
building a 911 call is coming from and without
it, dispatch would not have known.
Chairman Smith said he
heard from the Economic Development Specialist
there will be 14 million dollar bonds for fiber
optics that will come from the south through
Moyie Springs to
Canada
and to Seattle.
That is through the Economic Development
Corporation, according to Chairman Smith.
Commissioner Dinning
discussed difficulties in receiving cellular
service in various parts of the County.
Kennon McClintock with The
Nature Conservancy joined the meeting at
1:45 a.m.
It was said people talk
about how fast 4G and 5G is, but the first thing
you look for when you hook a line up is fiber.
Mr. Odland said he handles
larger accounts from Coeur
d’ Alene to the Canadian
border. From the main backbone is commercial for
wholesale traffic and then residential. Mr.
Odland spoke of getting increased DSL service to
town, which should be done around
June 14, 2012 and Frontier will be
able to add areas that don’t have DSL yet and
other areas in the County should be done by October 1, 2012.
Mr. Odland mentioned his
goal to have a certain amount of DSL available
at the end of three years and that Frontier is
on schedule to do that, but they first have to
fix the mess they found,
Mr. Sims left the meeting
at 1:53 p.m.
Mr. Odland explained that
broadband speeds are available and you don’t
need to have fiber as Frontier can deliver 10
MGs on DSL and fiber is not needed.
Blue Sky Broadcasting
Reporter Mike Brown joined the meeting.
Ms. Denton discussed
upgrading phone lines in town as the older
equipment is affected when it rains. Mr. Odland
said he is going to bring in a crew to start
working on that. It was explained that when
Verizon put the lines in, they put varied
splices and when the temperatures changed it
expanded and changed. There are 28 areas between
here and Canada
that have to be hand dug because it is not known
how far down the lines are.
Mr. Odland said there needs
to be communication so if something goes
terribly wrong it is good to have a contact.
Chairman Smith said he felt it was great to have
this meeting and he doesn’t recall having these
meetings before.
The meeting with Mr.
Thompson, Mr. Odland, Ms. Denton, Mr. Graham,
and Mr. Falcon ended at 2:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m., Kennon McClintock with The
Nature Conservancy and Commissioners discussed a
proposal for the Forest Legacy Program.
Mr. McClintock said this
proposal is with Forest Capital and Patriot
Investments with The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
acting as the sponsor. This project is in the
McArthur
Lake area and is called the McArthur
Lake East FY 14 Forest Legacy Project. Mr.
McClintock and Commissioners reviewed the
proposed area on the map. This new proposal
consists of 8,000 acres and the area listed in
yellow on the map is a project from year 2008
that consisted of 3,900 acres. The map also
shows the area where development will not be
allowed, but timber practices are allowed.
Property taxes, timber harvesting and public
access continue on, according to Mr. McClintock.
Both non-motorized and motorized access is
allowed depending on location and the season.
Mr. McClintock said the area in pink on the map
is the Stimpson Forest Legacy Program and that
project will close next year. Mr. McClintock
said the McArthur Lake East Proposal includes
the Molar Creek, Fall Creek and Highland Creek
country.
Forest Capital asked TNC to
sponsor them in this project and the funding is
federal funding with the Idaho Department of
Lands holding the conservation easement.
These easements take
development rights from the property and the
land is still working forest and can be a farm,
ranch, etc. This helps and keeps resourced based
lands functioning and supports local and
regional economy. This conservation easement
also helps keep the timber base intact.
Chairman Smith asked if a
proposal was ever denied and Mr. McClintock said
Al Farnsworth’s project has not been completed
yet. Mr. McClintock explained the proposals are
ranked in the northwest and then nationally and
if the proposals are not ranked high, the
project doesn’t get funded.
Commissioner Kirby moved to
sign the letter of support for the McArthur East
14 Forest Legacy Project. Commissioner Dinning
second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting with Mr.
McClintock ended at
2:20 p.m.
Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals
joined the meeting.
Commissioner Dinning moved
to accept the following indigent account
assignments to the Catastrophic Health Care
Program as follows: Account #2011-37 in the
amount of $82.33%, Account #2011-42 in the
amount of $48.40%, Account #2011-10 in the
amount of $67.92%, Account #2011-48 in the
amount of $50.86%, Account #2011-62 in the
amount of $66.09%, and Account #2011-46 in the
amount of $24.70%. Commissioner Kirby second.
Motion passed unanimously.
2:50 p.m., Deputy Clerk Ryals left
the meeting.
Commissioner Dinning moved
to deny the Hardship Exemption Application for
Rebecca Corey, Parcel #RP62N01E116150A as the
property is not three years in arrears at this
time. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed
unanimously.
Clerk Glenda Poston joined
the meeting.
Commissioners spoke to
Attorney Phil Robinson via telephone to ask
questions pertaining to insurance requirements
for various local events. The call ended at
2:55 p.m.
3:00 p.m., Commissioners
discussed the status of ambulance service in the
County since receiving BVA’s 30 day notice to
terminate its services under the 1998 contract.
Also present were BVA President/Chief Ken Baker
and Clerk Glenda Poston.
Chairman Smith said
Commissioners received a letter from BVA giving
their 30 day notice to terminate the contract.
Chairman Smith said Commissioners have since
learned that Mr. Baker has submitted a budget
request to Clerk Poston.
3:01
p.m., South Boundary Fire Protection
District Chief/BVA EMT Tony Rohrwasser,
Firefighter/BVA EMT Dave Wenk and Firefighter
Marty Silvestri joined the meeting.
Chairman Smith said the
normal process for the budget is to submit the
budget request although the amount of funds
approved may not be the amount that had been
requested. Chief Baker informed Commissioners
his attorney asked him to submit the request.
Chairman Smith asked if that meant the
termination letter did or did not stand. Chief
Baker said the letter still stands.
Chairman Smith questioned
what the County will do once the ambulance
service is over. Chairman Smith said the County
has said to BVA all along to submit a budget,
but instead Commissioners heard from BVA’s
attorney. Commissioner Dinning asked what the
alternative is if there is only $40,000 and that
is not enough to fund BVA and they discontinue
service, Boundary
County
has to provide ambulance service. Commissioner
Dinning said it has been heard through the
grapevine that obtaining an ambulance from
Bonner
County will cost $1,000 per day so
what are the alternatives. Chairman Smith said
there are no alternatives unless the County gets
together with local people who can provide help.
Chairman Smith recapped the
prior meeting with BVA stating the discussion
was left with the County offering $40,000 or
just walking way and there were no opportunities
left for dialogue. Commissioner Dinning said he
would like more conversation. Chairman Smith
said he would back away from that conversation.
Chairman Smith said his only alternative is if
BVA does not agree to the $40,000 the County
will have to work with local people to see if a
service can be provided.
Commissioner Kirby said he
thinks the County should put together a small
request for proposals (RFP) to cover the basic
needs and put it out to the health care and
ambulance community and it should be done as
soon as possible. Commissioner Kirby mentioned
advertising RFP’s in the newspaper, internet,
etc.
South Boundary Fire
District Assistant Chief Wayne Wilkerson joined
the meeting at 3:05 p.m.
Commissioner Kirby said the
County needs to ask for proposals and Chairman
Smith asked how these proposals would be funded.
Commissioner Kirby said the proposals don’t have
to be funded because it is just to see what
proposals come in and what the County is up
against. The proposals could also come from BVA.
Commissioner Dinning mentioned it would be going
out for proposals for EMT personnel, for 24
hours per day seven days per week service and he
questioned one or two ambulances.
Commissioner Kirby said
people who are familiar with this service may
feel it is worth their while to submit a
proposal so the County just needs someone to
help put together a service. Chairman Smith said
someone who submits a proposal will say they can
provide a service for $100,000 or $75,000, but
where do Commissioners get the money to pay that
as he doesn’t interpret Idaho Code as that being
an emergency. Chairman Smith said he didn’t want
this to get to the level of an emergency and
have to approach the taxpayers.
It was said it also looks
like it was my way or the highway on the side of
BVA.
Mr. Wenk said as an EMT he
is blown away by the termination letter that was
given because at the last meeting with the BVA
members he was told BVA and the County would
work together. Mr. Wenk said as an EMT in this
County he will continue to volunteer.
The quote from
Bonner
County EMS
was mentioned and Commissioner Dinning said Rob
Wakeley of Bonner
County EMS
had informed Blue Sky Broadcasting Reporter Mike
Brown what the cost is for
Bonner
County EMS
to assist the County.
Mr. Rohrwasser asked if the
assistance from Bonner
County
EMS is for a permanent basis or a
temporary, and Commissioner Dinning said the
assistance was for temporary assistance.
Commissioner Kirby said if we have to, the
County can levy for ambulance service. Chairman
Smith said the County could levy the day after
tomorrow for the ambulance taxing district, but
funds would not come in until December 2013.
Chairman Smith said
Commissioners can sit here and tell BVA that,
but then BVA asks for a building and say they
want the money now. Chairman Smith said the
County is scraping to get $40,000 and when he
said there is nothing to discuss he meant there
is nothing in excess of $40,000.
Commissioner Kirby said
during the budget process where can
Commissioners dig up funds. Clerk Poston will
search areas of the budget and without giving
undue hardship funds will be taken out to
provide this money. Commissioner Kirby said this
was told to BVA the night the taxing district
was formed. Commissioner Kirby said
Commissioners were told by BVA they were losing
sleep and needing more money.
Chairman Smith asked Mr.
Wenk if enough EMT’s would help volunteer. Mr.
Wenk said there may not be as many EMT’s as
there are right now.
Mr. Rohrwasser said after
hearing the ultimatum it is more about pay
checks so it’s possible there may be lot of
members that will stop volunteering. Mr.
Rohrwasser said he has lost respect for the
organization and would help volunteer 24/7 when
possible. Mr. Rohrwasser said for clarification
that he was referring to losing respect for the
organization; not the EMT’s.
Commissioner Kirby said
service could be provided easy for $40,000 and
this could’ve been in affect already had someone
played the game two or so years ago.
Commissioner Kirby said it was a
misunderstanding from the beginning and we have
to dig our way out of it.
Commissioners asked if
there were any ideas on how to lease equipment
and Mr. Rohrwasser said there may be a few
options. Mr. Rohrwasser said after hearing about
the status of this issue, he started looking
into other options since South Boundary Fire
District wants to continue to provide this
service for their area. Maybe a few ambulance
units could be obtained for little to no costs.
Mr. Rohrwasser said right now BVA is offering
advanced life services so that may be reduced to
basic, but with Life Flight offering their
services, maybe they can help.
Commissioner Kirby said
this is just sitting here talking and that is
what we need to do.
Commissioner Dinning said
he doesn’t want to wait until June 13th
and would have to have information soon.
Commissioner Dinning said he should contact
Bonner
County as
Boundary
County has not been told anything
and he mentioned getting information straight
from the horse’s mouth.
Mr. Rohrwasser mentioned
the possibility of assistance from
Troy, Montana,
but said he doesn’t know about that. The process
of setting up is not too difficult and medical
direction from someone at the Hospital is
needed.
Mr. Rohrwasser was asked to
look into the number of volunteers who would
agree to volunteer and Commissioners said they
could contact Bonner
County.
Chairman Smith said this is
getting something started.
Mr. Rohrwasser said there
are a lot of people who want to help out. The
thought is to try to help people. Mr. Rohrwasser
briefly mentioned
Kootenai
County as an example of Fire/EMS
departments.
Commissioner Dinning said
it would be good to contact Idaho Counties Risk
Management Program (ICRMP) about this.
Mr. Wilkerson asked about
the rumors of the County having a slush fund.
Chairman Smith explained there are reserves for
emergencies such as in the Justice Fund and gave
the example of a $10,000 bill received as a
result of an investigation.
Clerk Poston further
explained that she is just getting her budget
requests in today and the amounts have doubled
for this year. Road and Bridge funds are
strictly for Road and Bridge and can’t be used
anywhere else. So far Secure Rural Schools
funding (SRS) has not been reauthorized and if
it doesn’t get reauthorized, the County will
have a normal Road and Bridge budget for one
more year, and the landfill closure fund is
designated for costs associated with closing the
landfill. Clerk Poston said those examples are
fee based and not a tax levy.
The meeting to discuss
ambulance service ended at
3:30 p.m.
Commissioners tended to
administrative duties.
4:30 p.m., County Insurance
Agent Darrell Kerby and John Beck with Search
and Dive Rescue joined the meeting to discuss
insurance for a Search and Dive Rescue
fundraiser.
Chairman Smith asked Mr.
Beck to explain the fundraiser Search and Rescue
would like to have. Mr. Beck explained Search
and Rescue would like to host a jogging event
called the bike and hike and he explained how
the event works and the route of the race.
Mr. Kerby explained Idaho
Counties Risk Management Plan (ICRMP) coverage
to Mr. Beck and how ICRMP was formed. ICRMP is a
pool of governments made up of its members. Mr.
Kerby said Idaho’s Constitution prohibits
government from lending credit to any party
other than governments and it’s been ruled by
the Supreme Court that to insure a
non-government entity is considered a lending of
credit so ICRMP can’t insure a non-government
event.
The way Search and Rescue
function as government is under the Sheriff’s
direction. Mr. Kerby said for years he tried to
tell Search and Rescue to not be a separate
entity, but instead become a County entity. It
was explained Search and Rescue is only
operating under the Sheriff when the Sheriff
authorizes it.
This fundraiser would need
to be a function of
Boundary County
and a natural extension of the Sheriff’s Office,
according to Mr. Kerby. From a pure standpoint
it is safer to become a part of the government.
Mr. Beck described their
uniforms and mentioned Search and Rescue being
under the impression they were a part of County.
Mr. Beck said this event is to be held July 28, 2012.
Mr. Kerby said if this was
the County putting on the event it would be
covered. Mr. Kerby said he is afraid of the good
citizens who volunteer for the benefit of the
community and ask for coverage if something
happens, but they aren’t covered unless
authorized under the Sheriff at that time. Mr.
Kerby said when acting under the Sheriff there
is coverage, but not when Search and Rescue are
acting on their own.
Mr. Kerby mentioned having
the Sheriff hold this event as a function of his
office. Mr. Beck said he will make an
appointment with Sheriff Sprungl.
The meeting with Mr. Beck
and Mr. Kerby ended at
4:50 p.m.
There being no further
business, the meeting recessed until tomorrow at
9:00 a.m.
Tuesday,
May 22, 2012, Commissioners met
in regular session with Chairman Ron Smith,
Commissioner Walt Kirby, and Deputy Clerk
Michelle Rohrwasser. Commissioner Dan Dinning
was out of the office for the day tending to
other matters.
9:00 a.m., Commissioners held an
elected officials/department heads meeting.
Present were: Solid Waste Superintendent Claine
Skeen, Chief Probation Officer Stacy Brown,
Prosecutor’s Office Manager Tammie Goggia, Clerk
Glenda Poston, Extension Office Educator Carol
Hampton, Noxious Weeds Superintendent Duke
Guthrie, Assessor Dave Ryals, Sheriff Greg
Sprungl, Treasurer Jenny Fessler, and Road and
Bridge Superintendent Jeff Gutshall
Chairman Smith briefly
discussed the primary election held last week.
Chairman Smith said
Commissioners’ last meeting with BVA got a bit
heated. Chairman Smith said he was trying to get
across to BVA that there was no money available
so if the County approved a taxing district and
set a levy, which an ambulance district has been
approved with no levy, there would be no funding
until December 2013. Also someone has led BVA to
believe there is a pot of money the County can
pull out for ambulance service, according to
Chairman Smith. BVA has requested $36,000 for
the first six months of this year and after this
time, BVA asked for more funding, but those
terms hadn’t been discussed. Chairman Smith said
he thought the County could come up with $40,000
for this year for BVA to operate and to see how
it goes and also see how it goes this next year.
Chairman Smith said one BVA
member said he would not quit during the last
meeting held at the ambulance barn between
Commissioners and BVA’s members and board.
Chairman Smith said he thought BVA was really
listening to what was being said. BVA had
another meeting with Commissioners in their
office and Chairman Smith said he thought it was
in regards to the offer of $40,000, but instead
BVA immediately wanted the .04% ambulance
district levy and the .02% County EMS levy and
in addition, to build them a new building.
Chairman Smith said Commissioners were told at
this meeting if they didn’t have the land on
which to build them a building, then they needed
to buy land. Those items came to $1,000,000
plus, according to Chairman Smith. Chairman
Smith said that meeting got heated. Chairman
Smith said he made it perfectly clear the County
could only offer $40,000. After that meeting on
the same day, BVA brought in their 30 day notice
that they would stop providing ambulance service
as of
June 14, 2012.
Commissioners held another
meeting to discuss the status of ambulance
service yesterday. BVA is a non-profit company
so the County would contract with them for their
service, but there has been ongoing contract.
Commissioners asked BVA for their business plan,
but their attorney felt the County didn’t need
to see this plan. BVA has turned in a budget
request of $172,000 for this budget year and
submitted their next year’s request for $350,000
to Clerk Poston. Chairman Smith said the public
had showed up for this meeting as well as
Boundary Volunteer Ambulance Chief Ken Baker.
Chairman Smith said he asked Mr. Baker about the
budget he submitted and mentioned Commissioners
would see what the funding outcome is. Mr. Baker
had informed Commissioners the 30 day
termination notice still stood.
Chairman Smith said members
of South Boundary Fire District were present at
that meeting and firefighter/EMT Dave Wenk said
he would help how he could. The South Boundary
Fire District members said their Board is 100%
behind helping out in this situation so
Commissioners asked them to help research how
ambulance service could be arranged.
Commissioner Kirby said
during the heated meeting with BVA, their
attorney informed Commissioners the County needs
to sell something if they can’t afford it.
Commissioner Kirby said he informed BVA of the
budget process that every department has to go
through.
Chairman Smith said he
explained to BVA how pulling $40,000 out of the
County budget for BVA affects other departments.
Clerk Poston mentioned
working on the upcoming budget year. Budgets
have been brought in and to schedule a meeting
with her if there are any special requests.
Clerk Poston said she will work on the budget
and inform Commissioners of the status.
The elected
officials/department heads meeting ended at
9:30 a.m., and Mr. Guthrie, Clerk
Poston, and Ms. Brown remained after the
meeting.
Mr. Guthrie provided a
brief department report. Mr. Guthrie said he is
starting his weed spraying program and he has
treated both gravel pits, the landfill and the
Naples, Copeland and
Paradise Valley
dumpster sites. Mr. Guthrie said he is waiting
for the weather to improve so he can spray along
the roads.
Mr. Guthrie asked the
status of spraying weeds for the City of
Bonners Ferry. Chairman
Smith said the City has offered to pay the
Noxious Weeds Department for time and materials
in an amount not to exceed $100 per acre.
The meeting with Mr.
Guthrie ended at
9:40 a.m.
Ms. Brown and Chairman
Smith reviewed upcoming training classes related
to probation services.
Ms. Brown and Commissioners
discussed renewing the lease for office space at
the Post Office. Ms. Brown said the new lease is
for the existing offices as additional office
space cannot be leased until the Border Patrol
relocates.
The meeting with Ms. Brown
ended at 9:45
a.m.
Clerk Poston briefly
discussed various matters with Commissioners
relating to elections, ambulance service and the
hospital.
10:00 a.m., Sheriff’s Office Marine
Deputy Mike Naumann joined the meeting.
Mr. Naumann provided
Commissioners with the Boat Safety Grant
Documents for signature. This grant is between
the State of Idaho Parks and Recreation
Department and
Boundary
County.
The meeting with Clerk
Poston and Mr. Naumann ended at
10:02 a.m.
There being no further
business the meeting recessed until the meeting
at 6:00 p.m.,
with the City of Bonners
Ferry, City of Moyie
Springs and Kootenai Tribe.
6:00 p.m., Commissioners
attended a joint city/county meeting at the
Visitor’s Center with the City of Bonners Ferry,
City of Moyie Springs and the Kootenai Tribe.
Present were Commissioners, City of
Bonners Ferry Council
members and Mayor Anderson, City of Moyie
Springs council members and Mayor Doug Evans,
and Patty Perry representing the Kootenai Tribe.
Also present was Andrea Storjohann representing
the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD), Larry
Comer and Phil Boyd with Welch-Comer and
Associates, City of Bonners Ferry Administrator
Stephen Boorman, Assistant Administrator David
Sims, Economic Development Specialist Mike
Sloan, and members from the public.
Ms. Storjohann informed
those present ITD has just completed the update
to the Transportation Improvement Plan and what
takes place following review. Ms. Storjohann
mentioned resurfacing the
Moyie Bridge
as a project ITD is working on. Those present
discussed the possibility and time frame of
installing a five lane highway through Bonners
Ferry. Ms. Storjohann spoke of funding issues
for ITD projects.
Commissioner Dinning asked
about the McArthur
Lake
curve and Ms. Storjohann said this project is
still out for preliminary funding, but there is
no funding year set. Commissioner Kirby asked
about improving the north hill trail. Ms.
Storjohann mentioned if improvements are made,
they have to be Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) compliant and it is too costly to do that.
Larry Comer with Welch
Comer and Associates discussed the status of
discussions from March 2011 for a regional sewer
system. Mr. Sims spoke of the City of
Bonners Ferry’s capacity
and discharge requirements for the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA). Mr. Sims said the
City’s sewer lagoon system permit is good for
the next five years. Mr. Comer suggested the
City of Moyie Springs work on a 20 year fix for
their sewage system that is affordable that
wouldn’t preclude them from joining into another
system.
Commissioner Dinning
informed those present of the status of the
comment period for the Caribou Critical Habitat
matter and that a public hearing will be held in
the Coolin area in June. Chairman Smith said it
is Ben Conard’s feeling the Critical Habitat
Plan would be changed. Mr. Conard is with the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Commissioner Dinning
discussed the issues with cellular telephone
service and roaming charges for this area.
Chairman Smith explained
the status of the current ambulance service and
researching options.
Mr. Sloan discussed
bringing fiber optics to the area and he
mentioned there is an investor who is ready to
move forward. Fiber optics are getting closer to
coming through Sandpoint, according to Mr.
Sloan.
Mr. Sloan spoke of the IWAY
Program for Bonners Ferry that is similar to the
“SPOT” bus in Sandpoint. This is a
transportation bus/van that will provide
transportation from Bonners Ferry to Sandpoint
and Coeur d’ Alene
and bring riders back as well.
Police Chief Benkula
discussed a new prescription drop-off program
through the City of Bonners
Ferry. Chief Benkula said
this would be no questions asked program. Mr.
Mayo said this is something that County Solid
Waste Superintendent Claine Skeen had mentioned
as well.
Chairman Smith briefly
discussed the status of drafting a memorandum of
understanding for the fireworks display to be
hosted by Gary Leonard. Those present also
discussed insurance requirements for events held
within City limits, but on County property.
Those present asked about
speed limits and Ms. Storjohann said ITD is
working on their speed limits. Legislation has
changed now so that cities can no longer set
speed limits on a state highway. Commissioner
Kirby asked about the speed limit at the Three
Mile area in the direction of north and south.
Ms. Storjohann said ITD will do a speed study in
that area.
The meeting ended at 7:30 p.m.
There being no further
business, the meeting adjourned at
7:30 p.m.
/s/
RONALD R. SMITH, Chairman
ATTEST:
/s/
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser,
Deputy
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