County commission minutes, August 13-14
August 22, 2012
***Monday, August 13, 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. Mr. Gutshall discussed chipsealing with Commissioners.

Mr. Gutshall discussed the work on Deep Creek Bridge #4. The temporary bridge is now in instead of the foot bridge and Mr. Gutshall said he is working on some small change orders on the approach. This project is on schedule, according to Mr. Gutshall.

The Boundary Area Transportation Team (BATT) meeting will be held on August 22nd and the bypass will be discussed as requested by the City of Bonners Ferry.

Mr. Gutshall spoke of the Myrtle Creek Forest Highway Project. This organization now has a project manager and an agreement to sign for the Myrtle Creek Bridge Project. Reports will be written on what is done and they will be on hand.

Those present discussed conditions of the boat docks in the County. Mr. Gutshall asked if there was anything else Road and Bridge could do other than pushing the silt back. Mr. Gutshall said the only time he can do that is when the river is low.

Mr. Gutshall said the bathroom at the snowmobile park is not a very desirable situation even though it didn’t receive much damage. Mr. Gutshall mentioned there is graffiti and trash all over the restroom. It would be nice if the County could get rid of the existing restroom and get a grant for a nice Forest Service restroom and in addition, post a “no overnight camping” signs at the snowmobile park. Commissioner Dinning said if this is for snowmobiling, why should the park be open outside of winter. Mr. Gutshall said it would be good for Commissioners to take a look at the site. Mr. Gutshall mentioned how ATV riders also use the area outside of winter.

Mr. Gutshall said he will be working on grading and dust abatement.

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

9:30 a.m., Clif Warren with Community Transportation Association of Idaho (CTAI), Barbara Kovacs with the Seniors Hospitality Center, City of Bonners Ferry Assistant Administrator David Sims, and Boundary Economic Development Specialist Mike Sloan joined the meeting to continue the discussion of funding for the Seniors Transportation Bus.

Mr. Sims said the City of Bonners Ferry could not see a clear path to extend the service of the transportation bus. Mr. Warren said he has looked into what Sandpoint is doing for transportation and what Ms. Kovacs has been able to do with her strict budget. The biggest constraint Ms. Kovacs has is the audit. The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) requires an audit whereas other agencies don’t. Unless the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) includes certain things ITD will not accept the audit.

Mr. Sims said in terms of numbers the cost of the audit is $6,000 per year. Mr. Sims said the City had looked at the possibility of running a local route and they had looked at what Sandpoint does and it doesn’t run well. Mr. Sims said the cost to the local budget for this route is $30,000 whereas Sandpoint’s route costs $350,000.

Mr. Sloan said the audit is the biggest issue no matter what method is used. Chairman Smith said the question was asked how the County can help and the answer was help in raising the grant match funds. The City of Bonners Ferry was also going to look into something to help, according to Chairman Smith.

Mr. Sims said at this point the City of Bonners Ferry may have to find something in the reserve or look at other cuts to the budget. Commissioner Dinning asked what will happen if the grant match can’t be found and it was said Ms. Kovacs will use up the money associated with the bus and that will be it. Transportation will go away.

Commissioner Dinning said he calculated the bus services approximately six people per day. Ms. Kovacs said the riders get transportation to and from doctor’s appointments, shopping and for whatever it is they have to do. Ms. Kovacs said there are few other riders, but the Seniors Hospitality Center was thinking if they changed the name on the bus, it may help increase ridership. Commissioner Dinning asked if there are relatives and or friends who can supply rides. Ms. Kovacs said there aren’t family members or friends usually as the relatives are out of town or have to work. Commissioner Dinning said he was just trying to get an idea.

Mr. Sloan said in fairness the bus is not just limited to senior citizens so the name change would be important anyway. Commissioner Dinning said the fee will not help increase grant funds. Mr. Warren clarified that these fees don’t constitute as grant match.

There have been approximately 60 trips per month and a trip to Sandpoint when needed, according to Mr. Sims. Mr. Warren said the Public Transportation Advisory Council (PTAC) extended the decision another 60 days in order to allow another company to get into compliance and this company provides a route from Bonners Ferry to Coeur d’ Alene.

Commissioner Kirby said all he thought was to increase ridership, but now that just lowers expenses and can’t be counted as grant match, according to what Mr. Warren has said.

Mr. Warren said first off the name on the bus should be changed and marketing should be done to advertise that it is also a public bus. Mr. Warren said it’s possible the cost could be $700 per month to run the bus that comes out of the Senior Centers’ budget, so how long can that last. Ms. Kovacs said the bus would be shut down by the end of this year.

Chairman Smith said the number of people this bus services needs to be expanded. Commissioners suggested contacting the local media and JoJo Baker’s noon radio show about the public transportation service this bus provides.

Mr. Warren said another not for profit organization could be operated under Ms. Kovacs and if that were to be the case, the audit requirement goes away as it’s a separate entity. Commissioner Dinning said all there has to be is a not for profit agency to take the transportation over and the Senior Center won’t have to pay $6,000 for an audit.

Mr. Sims asked if the grants that Ms. Kovacs receives for the bus could be transferred and Mr. Warren said it takes time, but yes. Mr. Sims asked if the Friends of the Restorium are a non-profit organization. The Fry Foundation was also mentioned as an organization to talk to. Ms. Kovacs said she thought the Fry Foundation only transports hospital residents to and from doctor’s visits. Commissioner Dinning said there has got to be a way to combine these services into one. Chairman Smith suggested meeting with Friends of the Restorium as they may be willing to help if there is a benefit to the residents of the Restorium.

Mr. Warren asked if the County was able to put money into the budget for this service. Chairman Smith said he doesn’t want to put money aside until Commissioners can see what else can be worked out.

The meeting with Mr. Sims, Mr. Sloan, Ms. Kovacs, and Mr. Warren ended at 10:00 a.m.

Commissioner Dinning moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the letter to the Foreign Trade Zone Board requesting grant of authority as it pertains to a foreign trade subzone for Areva Enrichment Services. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

10:00 a.m., Commissioners continued the bid opening to select a contractor for the Restorium elevator project. Present were: Chairman Ron Smith, Commissioner Dan Dinning, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser, Restorium Board member Wilma DeVore, Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee, Restorium Board Chairman Larry Dirks, Restorium Assistant Administrator Jeri Witt, and Denny Wedel with Bonners Ferry Builders. Longwell+Trapp Architect Cory Trapp participated in the bid opening via telephone. The bid decision was recorded.

Chairman Smith said the grant funds for this bid had come up short and the Restorium Advisory Board had agreed to take $8,900 from the Restorium Memorial Fund to help fund this project. Chairman Smith said he also spoke to County Attorney Phil Robinson on how to use this funding as it wasn’t in the budget. Attorney Robinson had informed Chairman Smith the Commissioners could accept the bid today and have Clerk Poston open the County budget to insert this funding.

The original bid amount from the successful bidder, Bonners Ferry Builders, was $195,000. If accepted, the motion would be to accept the bid of $195,000 and to accept the addendum for $183,900. Mr. Trapp said Commissioners would accept the bid amount of $195,000 and then also accept the change order for the new contract.

Commissioner Dinning moved to accept bid from Bonners Ferry Builders for $195,000 in regards to hiring the contractor for the Restorium elevator project and to approve the change order in the reduced amount of $183,900. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Chairman Smith said within the motion should be the inclusion of $8,900 from the Restorium Memorial account to be used for this project.

Commissioner Dinning moved to amend his motion to accept the bid from Bonners Ferry Builders in the amount of $195,000 in regards to hiring the contractor for the Restorium elevator project, to approve the change order in the reduced amount of $183,900 and to accept the contribution of $8,900 from the Restorium Memorial Account to be used for the elevator project. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Trapp said the original advertisement for this bid said completion was to be by November 9, 2012 and since there has been a delay he moved the completion date in the contract to November 23, 2012.

Chairman Smith said he wanted it in the record that Mr. Wedel was able to find $11,100 in deductions and the County did receive an additional $10,000 for this grant from the Idaho Department of Commerce.

Mr. Wedel explained his changes in the reduction.

The bid opening to choose a contractor for the Restorium Elevator Project ended at 10:15 a.m.

Commissioners tended to administrative duties.

Commissioner Dinning moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Agreement for Maintenance Service with Valence Wireless and Communications for the Sheriff’s Office. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioners were informed that certain statements typed in the minutes taken during Tim Patton’s meeting about transferred development rights contained some errors. Mr. Patton had been asked to send in writing his corrections so they could be read into the record in his own words for this week’s minutes since the minutes during Mr. Patton’s meeting have already been approved and cannot be changed.

Mr. Patton’s corrections to his June 19, 2012 meeting are as follows: “On page 8, paragraph 7, second sentence reads, Mr. Patton spoke of TDR’s and said TDR’s are set up right now so that the receiving areas are in all zones except in Agriculture/Forestry. I said Prime Forestry not Agriculture/Forestry.” “The next paragraph states that “Mr. Patton spoke of cluster developments being fragmented which defeats the purpose of TDR’s. This is not correct! The correct quote is “Mr. Patton stated that cluster developments in every zone in the county would fragment existing wildlife corridors, which defeats the purpose of TDR’s.”

10:30 a.m., Waterways Board Member Mike Naumann and Denny Wedel with Bonners Ferry Builders joined the meeting for the quotes for the Waterways Building addition to be opened. No one else from the public was present. The meeting was recorded.

The first sealed quote was from Bonners Ferry Builders, Inc., and the total amount quoted is for $46,650. The second quote opened was from Tim Fulton Construction for an amount of $70,000. The third quote opened was from Harrington Builders, Inc., for a total amount of $50,000.

Chairman Smith asked about licenses that are required such as public works, liability insurance, etc. and Commissioner Dinning said those can be furnished after accepting the quote. Commissioners asked Mr. Naumann if he advertised this bid in the newspaper. Mr. Naumann said this project was not put out as a bid, but rather he sought quotes verbally. Mr. Naumann said now he just needs to know the funds are there. Chairman Smith said Commissioners may need to take the quote decision under advisement until tomorrow at 9:30 a.m., in order to determine funding.

Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals joined the meeting at 10:45 a.m.

Deputy Clerk Ryals said she had the file for this project, but it doesn’t include a grant award. Those present discussed what funding is available.

Chief Deputy Clerk Tracie Isaac joined the meeting at 10:50 a.m.

Those present reviewed funds available. Commissioner Dinning said he sees in his budget book a category for grant matches under “Copeland Grants.” Mr. Naumann said there is a 50% grant match owed for this project so it is $15,000 plus $4,000 worth of in-kind match.

Mr. Wedel left the meeting at 10:55 a.m.

Commissioner Dinning moved to take the quote decision for the Waterways Building addition under advisement until tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

The meeting with Mr. Naumann ended at 11:05 a.m., and Chief Deputy Clerk Tracie Isaac left the meeting.

Commissioners reviewed claims for payment. Fund totals are as follows:

Current Expense $45,901.17
Road & Bridge 231,082.65
Airport 12,969.20
District Court 5,021.40
Justice Fund 78,068.01
911 Funds 3,849.86
Health District 12,639.00
Historical Society & Museum 6,500.00
Indigent & Charity 19,009.34
Parks and Recreation 5,104.23
Revaluation 1,463.33
Solid Waste 12,864.51
Veterans Memorial 67.56
Weeds 3,362.04
Restorium 11,204.22
Snowmobile 3,000.00
Waterways 452.74
Grant, Airport 14,844.76
Grant, Fire Mitigation 27,962.27
Grant, EECBG 3,942.00

TOTAL $499,308.29
Trusts
Auditor’s Trust 20,130.00
Drivers License Trust 9,174.00
Magistrate Trust 33,066.13
Indigent Reimbursements 6,944.57
Motor Vehicle Trust 91,942.32
Sheriff's Trust Fund 916.77

TOTAL $162,173.79

GRAND TOTAL $661,482.08

Citizens are invited to inspect detailed records on file in the Courthouse (individual claims & Commissioners’ allowance & warrant register record 2011).

11:10 a.m., Commissioner Dinning moved to go into closed session under Idaho Code #31-874. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. 11:10 a.m., Commissioner Dinning moved to go out of closed session. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Dinning moved to review indigent account #2011-13 in July 2013 again for possible monthly reimbursement. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Deputy Clerk Ryals left the meeting at 11:10 a.m.
Commissioners discussed information from Claudia Reno regarding her request to name the unnamed peak between Goat Mountain and Line Peak Reno Mountain. Commissioners said Ms. Reno had mentioned in her last meeting with them that the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho would also be contacted by the United States Board on Geographic Names in regards to whether or not that area of this peak has cultural importance to the Tribe. Commissioners decided to write a letter to the United States Board on Graphic Names stating they have no problems naming the peak Reno Mountain provided there are no issues with the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho.

Commissioner Dinning moved to sign the letter to U.S. Geological Survey pertaining to the naming of Reno Mountain. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

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

***Tuesday, August 14, 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., Clerk Glenda Poston, Road and Bridge Superintendent Jeff Gutshall and Snowmobile Board Chairman Jeff Urbaniak joined the meeting.

Chairman Smith informed Commissioner Dinning and Commissioner Kirby that Eddie Goldsmith who is the State of Idaho 911 Coordinator contacted him to let him know he found more funding that can be used to have BullBerry Incyte Dispatch Software Inc., complete the work needed to be done for the enhanced 911 system. Commissioners said they would contact GIS Mapper Gary Falcon to let him know BullBerry can take this task over.

Chairman Smith mentioned the last E911 grant application that had been sent off was to obtain spare cards and a new recording system for the dispatch center and he was told the funding was approved.

Mr. Urbaniak and those present met to discuss damage to the snowmobile park structure caused by trees that fell during a wind storm.

Chairman Smith asked if the check from Idaho Counties Risk Management Program (ICRMP) had been received to repair the snowmobile park shelter. Clerk Poston said the County hasn’t received the funds yet, but there will be enough to cover repairs. A total of approximately $35,000 was mentioned. Clerk Poston said she hadn’t received any information from the insurance adjuster. Mr. Gutshall had taken the insurance adjuster to the site to check out the damage. Clerk Poston said Fulton Construction has provided an estimate for repairs to ICRMP, but she has not seen the quote. There is enough insurance to cover the structure, according to Clerk Poston.

Chairman Smith asked if the County will still receive the funds if the County wants to do something else with that site other than repair it. Clerk Poston said she isn’t sure as that structure was built using grant funds. Mr. Urbaniak said the County was deeded the land for $12,000 from the Peterson’s. Chairman Smith said if the shelter and restroom were built with grant monies, they will have to be rebuilt. Mr. Urbaniak said the grant was done in year 1978. Mr. Gutshall said the insurance adjuster’s opinion was that the structure is repairable. Mr. Urbaniak said people will hate to see the snowmobile park shelter not repaired as the fear is there won’t be a site like it provided again.

Chairman Smith said no one likes the current restroom so is that something that can be changed. Mr. Gutshall said there is not much damage to the restroom. Clerk Poston mentioned the damage estimate was approximately $1,000. Mr. Urbaniak said the cistern has to come out if something different is going to be done to the restrooms. Commissioner Dinning said it sounds like the existing restroom needs to just be repaired. Commissioners said they would contact ICRMP’s insurance adjuster.

Mr. Gutshall questioned the use of the shelter as snowmobilers don’t seem to use it. Mr. Gutshall said the shelter is just a graffiti and vandalism magnet and people in the area have issues with people staying and partying there. It was suggested signs be placed that say overnight camping, etc., is not allowed.

Clerk Poston mentioned the budget for the Snowmobile Board and if purchasing a fence is something they would want do to. Mr. Urbaniak said he didn’t really want to have to put a gate up.

Mr. Gutshall said if the County has an area like this, shouldn’t it be improved upon by charging a fee to its users and he used examples of Garfield Bay being a county park with a small fee. Places such as this that are left on their own keep getting defaced, etc., according to Mr. Gutshall. Commissioner Dinning asked Mr. Urbaniak to discuss possible solutions with the other Snowmobile Board members and the issue of no overnight camping.

Commissioner Dinning said it sounds like the County is going down the road to repair the shelter and restroom. Chairman Smith suggested at least having a sign that states there is no admittance after a certain time of the evening. Chairman Smith said that area should be patrolled more often as well and Mr. Urbaniak said especially during the weekends. Commissioner Dinning asked Mr. Urbaniak if the Snowmobile Board would be willing to reimburse the County for a portion of the cost associated with hiring an attorney assisting in the Caribou critical habitat issue.

Mr. Gutshall asked how far the snowmobile park’s property line goes as there are some nice cottonwood trees that would be good for pulp. Mr. Urbaniak said the boundary line is near the creek.

Clerk Poston said she needs Mr. Gutshall to provide her the time his employees have spent cleaning up the debris as it is a reimbursable cost. Mr. Urbaniak said most of the timber is on Forest Capital’s property. Those present talked about Alan Flory and his use for pulp.

Mr. Urbaniak said you can tell when someone is driving down the hill coming back from using the area properly versus people who go there to party. Mr. Gutshall said it’s hard to set a time people need to be gone as someone could just be delayed in coming off the hill. Mr. Gutshall said he could check with someone about the timber.

The meeting with Mr. Urbaniak ended at 9:25 a.m.

Mr. Gutshall presented Commissioners with the Local Public Agency’s Certificate of Completion of Right-Of-Way Activities to Deep Creek Bridge #2. Mr. Gutshall said Commissioners had already made a motion to sign documents relating to the bridges.

9:30 a.m., Waterways Board member Mike Naumann joined the meeting.

Commissioners resumed the meeting pertaining to the bids received for the Waterways Building addition. Present were: Chairman Smith, Commissioner Dinning, Commissioner Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, Waterways Board member Mike Naumann, Road and Bridge Superintendent Jeff Gutshall, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser. The meeting was recorded.

The low quote of $46,650 was received from Bonners Ferry Builders and just prior to accepting this quote Mr. Naumann had mentioned he didn’t know what funds were still available to cover the costs. Chairman Smith said Mr. Naumann had met with Clerk Poston yesterday in order to review the budget.

Chairman Smith asked if there are enough funds and Clerk Poston said yes once the County is reimbursed for the grant, so yes we do have enough. Reimbursement should be for the original grant and the contingency for a total of $21,850 and that is funding from the State. The Waterways Budget shows having $39,000 in cash, but there are expenses to take from that. It was said there is approximately $20,000 in the Waterways budget that can be spent this budget year.

Commissioner Dinning asked about the floor for the addition and Mr. Naumann said the floor will be concrete and it will be completed in the scope of the original grant. Commissioner Dinning said to make sure the contractor knows the County may go beyond October 1, 2012 for final payment. Clerk Poston mentioned the County match also included in-kind work.

Mr. Gutshall briefly mentioned the damage caused to docks and said Road and Bridge has done what they can at the Copeland dock and he will take a look at the Waterways and Deep Creek docks when river level drops. Mr. Gutshall said he has taken a look, but the river level has to drop more. Nothing can be done about the debris that keeps coming back, according to Mr. Gutshall.

The Porthill boat launch belongs to the County, but it appears to be on State land, according to Mr. Gutshall. It was said the boat launch may be on the state’s airport property, but the County has an agreement for that. The dock and restroom are on the County’s inventory, according to Mr. Naumann. Chairman Smith said insurance agent Darrell Kerby only mentioned three docks and it didn’t include the Porthill boat launch. Clerk Poston said it’s probably because there was no issue.

Commissioner Dinning moved to accept the quote totaling $46,650 from Bonners Ferry Builders for the 36 foot by 52 foot addition to the Waterways building. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

The meeting to approve the quote for the Waterways building addition ended at 9:40 a.m.

Clerk Poston said quotes also need to be sought for repairs for the snowmobile park shelter.

Mr. Naumann, Clerk Poston and Mr. Gutshall left the meeting at 10:45 a.m.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:55 a.m.




/s/
RONALD R. SMITH, Chairman

ATTEST:


/s/
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk