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***Monday,
February 25, 2013,
Commissioners met in regular session with
Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner LeAlan
Pinkerton, Commissioner Walt Kirby, and Deputy
Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
Clerk Glenda Poston joined
the meeting.
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 said
Assistant Superintendent Ken Arthur completed a
lot of road sign work in the last week. Mr.
Gutshall explained the work done by the
Durapatcher to Commissioner Pinkerton in that
the Durapatcher makes a hot mix emulsion that is
similar to chipseal and it’s used to fill
potholes. The worst of the potholes are taken
care of first, according to Mr. Gutshall.
Mr. Gutshall said Road and
Bridge started working at the top end of
Fleming Creek Road
this Sunday and the perception is that this is
overtime work, but it is not. Mr. Gutshall said
the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)
requires an annual refresher training, which is
tomorrow and will last all day.
Mr. Gutshall resumed his
discussion with Commissioners regarding his
lease/purchase strategy. Mr. Gutshall presented
Commissioners with a list of equipment the Road
and Bridge Department maintains and repairs
along with a list of his department staff and
their duties. Mr. Gutshall said Road and Bridge
equipment is on a five to seven year rotation
and most of the equipment his department has is
on its third year of rotation. Mr. Gutshall
explained that he is aiming to decrease his
Capital Equipment budget. Mr. Gutshall informed
Commissioners the total number on his report
represents payments.
Mr. Gutshall discussed his
past purchases and buyback options and explained
that he is able to return one piece of equipment
for $174,000. Mr. Gutshall spoke of his thought
to return Grader G33 and mentioned that he had
ran expenses for average annual ownership costs
for work put into the equipment and paid under
warranty. When the figures were added up between
two graders the average cost was approximately
$15,000 for the work that went into it. Mr.
Gutshall said he would be ahead by getting rid
of equipment at five years and he explained why.
Chairman Dinning asked where Mr. Gutshall
foresees the county being able to not have a
payment. Mr. Gutshall said he doesn’t see there
not ever being a payment.
Mr. Gutshall said when he
returns Grader 33 he is gaining $11,000 in
addition to the buyback as he is able to return
this grader with its original tires. Mr.
Gutshall said he’s at a point where he would
like to reduce the number of graders from four
to three. Dust abatement has made a situation
where grading is not needed as often. The
biggest effect of having three graders would be
to double shift if need be and winter time would
be the most affected. Chairman Dinning said at
least the plows can get the roads open. Mr.
Gutshall said the excavator is the piece of
equipment getting the most use. Chairman Dinning
questioned if Western States/CAT would offer one
more year of warranty coverage if the county
retained a leased piece of equipment for seven
years or would there have to be a new lease.
Chairman Dinning said Commissioners and Mr.
Gutshall will just keep talking this through.
Commissioner Pinkerton
asked how many pieces of equipment are due to be
paid off this year. Mr. Gutshall said there is
one piece of equipment to let go in March, which
is Grader 33 and he would get $175,000 back.
Commissioner Pinkerton discussed the issue of
budget cuts and Mr. Gutshall said that’s why
Grader 33 is not getting replaced. Mr. Gutshall
said he’s let two positions go due to attrition
and that is permanent.
Those present discussed the
scenario of having the Secure Rural Schools
(SRS) funding reauthorized versus not.
Courthouse Maintenance
Jerry Kothe joined the meeting at
9:35 a.m.
Mr. Gutshall said the last
reason to trade in Grader 33 is that the money
coming in can be used for as much road treatment
as possible. Commissioner Pinkerton briefly
mentioned taking $174,000 gained from Grader 33
and paying it back on the excavator. Mr.
Gutshall said the warranty would still be good.
The meeting with Mr.
Gutshall ended at
9:45 a.m.
Mr. Kothe met with
Commissioners to provide a department report.
Mr. Kothe presented a written report. Mr.
Kothe’s report included mention of trimming the
smaller trees along the Courthouse.
Commissioners briefly reviewed the list of items
needing maintenance by Mr. Kothe. Those present
discussed looking into having the carpets
cleaned in the Courthouse. Mr. Kothe said he has
completed most tasks on his list with the
exception of replacing the fawcett in the
Extension Office, but it’s hard to find time as
the Extension Office is often rented.
The meeting with Mr. Kothe
ended at 9:55
a.m.
South Boundary Fire
District Chief Tony Rohrwasser joined the
meeting.
10:00 a.m., Commissioner Kirby moved
to recess as the Board of County Commissioners
and convene as the Boundary County Ambulance
District Governing Board. Commissioner Pinkerton
second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Kirby moved to
approve the minutes of
January 28, 2013. Commissioner
Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Clerk Poston said she
doesn’t have the total valuation of the county
yet as far as determining the levy for the
Ambulance Service District. Chairman Dinning
said he recalled the statement the levy would
generate approximately $300,000 to $342,000.
Commissioners will have to make a budget call as
to how much funding to generate that first year.
Chairman Dinning explained that if the
Commissioners don’t levy the full amount that
first year, they will never be able to levy the
full amount. Chairman Dinning said it’s his
thought and in his discussions as far as the
current contract,
Boundary
County via the Ambulance Service
District would enter into an agreement with
Boundary Volunteer Ambulance to levy the full
amount the first year. Out of that first year’s
levy, the amount of $80,000 borrowed for
Boundary Volunteer Ambulance will be repaid with
interest to the Solid Waste Department’s budget
and the remainder of the levy could be used to
potentially fund the next two years so the only
levy would be that first year initially. During
the fourth year the county would again levy the
full amount. Commissioner Kirby said the county
would only levy every four years and
Boundary County
will administer the funds.
Chairman Dinning said on
today’s agenda at
11 a.m., Boundary Volunteer Ambulance
Board Chairman Jim Paulus is coming in to meet
with Commissioners. Chairman Dinning said he’s
trying to avoid a situation like the last year
when everything came down to the last day and he
would like to know if an agreement can be
reached. Commissioners will have to determine
what the levy will be. Clerk Poston said budget
time is next month and the Ambulance District
will receive a notice of that. Chairman Dinning
said he learned through Idaho Code the Ambulance
Service District cannot contract as that has to
be done through County
Commissioners. Commissioner Kirby
said it has been Chairman Dinning who has been
able to keep this process going. Chairman
Dinning said this matter is back at square one.
10:15 a.m., Commissioner
Kirby moved to adjourn as the Boundary County
Ambulance Service District Governing Board until
March 18, 2013 and moved to reconvene as the
Boundary County Board of Commissioners.
Commissioner Pinkerton second.
Commissioners tended to
administrative duties.
10:30 a.m., Assessor Dave Ryals
joined the meeting at Commissioners’ request.
Chief Rohrwasser said last
year he brought in requests from property owners
who wished to have their properties annexed into
the South Boundary Fire District. Chief
Rohrwasser explained that a step was missed in
that the Fire District needed to first have a
public hearing on this matter and that has since
been done. Chief Rohrwasser said the minutes
from that public hearing have been submitted for
those three separate requests and a copy of the
newspaper affidavit of that public hearing is
also included. The letter of request to
Commissioners includes parcel information and
where the parcels sit on the map. Chief
Rohrwasser informed Commissioners these parcels
are not served by any other fire district.
Chairman Dinning said in the minutes from year
2005 it states there needs to be a map
generated. Assessor Ryals said it is a tax code
area map and that map will come from the State
Tax Commission. Assessor Ryals said
Commissioners will need to send information such
as the legal descriptions to the State Tax
Commission and it was suggested to use the legal
description from the deeds.
Chairman Dinning said
Commissioners could approve this matter subject
to legal counsel review to make sure annexation
is being done properly.
Chief
Rohrwasser said he has a letter from each
property owner and Commissioners reviewed the
information.
Commissioner Kirby moved to
approve the requests for annexation of
properties into the South Boundary Fire
Protection District from Damon and Leona Norman,
Bruce Grobman and Violet and Jerry Davis subject
to legal review by the county’s civil attorney.
Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed
unanimously.
The meeting with Chief
Rohrwasser ended.
Commissioners tended to
administrative duties.
11:00 a.m., Boundary Volunteer
Ambulance (BVA) Board Chairman Jim Paulus and
President/EMT Ken Baker joined the meeting.
Chairman Dinning said he
wanted to start the discussion to figure out
what takes place next in the matter regarding
ambulance service. Chairman Dinning said not to
blame anyone, but what has occurred in the past
has no place now and he would like to know what
can be done to move forward and to not have this
matter drag on.
Mr. Paulus reviewed the
list of BVA board members to include: Brian
Strong, himself, Pat Warkentin, Erika Denning,
and Dan Moore. Mr. Paulus said his board had a
meeting the other night and they reviewed things
that are needed as an ambulance service in order
to provide that service to the county. Mr.
Paulus said the board reviewed old notes and
contracts. From what is seen in the current
contract the county would like to have a
County
Commissioner
on the new District board and that’s an open
discussion, but when he saw that he felt it was
a conflict of interest putting forth the funding
and being on the District’s board at the same
time. Chairman Dinning said the county’s civil
attorney said it was not a conflict and that
Commissioners are able to serve on a variety of
boards.
Chairman Dinning said what
had been missing was communication between the
Board of County Commissioners and BVA.
Commissioners wanted to have meetings with BVA
in order to help BVA understand the county’s
position.
It was mentioned that a
representative from
Boundary
Community
Hospital is also to sit on the board
of the Ambulance Service District. Mr. Paulus
said he hasn’t been appointed by Hospital
CEO/CFO Craig Johnson, but he is also on the
Hospital Board so he doesn’t know if that
counted as a representative of the Hospital or
not.
Chairman Dinning said the
Boundary County Board of Commissioners does not
have to be on the board and instead could
appoint a designee. Chairman Dinning said he
would draw the Boundary County Ambulance Service
District Governing Board off to side of
County
Commissioners since the Ambulance
District doesn’t have the ability to contract by
law.
Commissioner Pinkerton
mentioned Mr. Paulus’ position on the Hospital
Board, but that he hasn’t actually been
appointed by Mr. Johnson to be a designee.
Commissioner Pinkerton said the agreement
specifies a designee and that would need to be
on file as making decisions. There needs to be a
written confirmation on the designees. Chairman
Dinning said this new board will not be in place
until October 1, 2013 and this new board will also not
be in place if a financial agreement cannot be
reached. BVA has a new board that has nothing to
do with this agreement today. Chairman Dinning
reiterated that the new structure won’t go into
effect until October 1, 2013 so operations are still under the current
system and Mr. Paulus is not representing the
Hospital in any circumstance. Chairman Dinning
said Mr. Johnson informed him at the beginning
of the contract that he is willing to serve. Mr.
Paulus said he has seen things in the current
contract dated
July 27, 2012 to solidify that will
be a multi-year contract. Mr. Paulus said BVA,
to his understanding, is an independent
contractor to the county who is mandated by the
federal government to have ambulance service.
BVA is looking for a multi-contract and needs
the .04 levy and he understands that entire
amount is given.
Chairman Dinning said
before moving further and in thinking of the
agreement, the county would like the Ambulance
District to function without having to levy that
amount every year. In the first year $80,000 has
to be paid back to the Solid Waste Department so
that amount comes right off the top that first
year. The hope is to not have to levy for the
next two years after that first year and to be
able to function off that first year’s levy.
Then on the fourth year the county will levy for
the Ambulance Service District again. Chairman
Dinning said those had been the discussions and
he wants everyone to know what was discussed.
The highest priority is looking at the
agreement.
Mr. Paulus said he also
understands the county wants a five year budget
from BVA and that has been put together. It was
said BVA Treasurer Edna Runyan is to provide the
current budget and five year plan. Chairman
Dinning said the county cannot commit to a five
year plan as Commissioners can’t encumber the
next Board of County Commissioners and that is
per Idaho Code. Commissioner Kirby said
Commissioners cannot sign the contact without an
exit clause.
Mr. Paulus said one of
BVA’s concerns as a Board is they have to have a
budget and they had sat down to propose a budget
for the next years. Commissioners said they
would try to accommodate that to best of their
ability.
Mr. Baker explained that
various counties operate and manage their
ambulance service districts differently. Mr.
Paulus spoke of wanting to clean up the
perception of BVA. BVA wants to work with
County
Commissioners and want to start
fresh. Mr. Paulus said BVA has standard
operating procedures and standard operating
guidelines and it is very professionally done.
Mr. Paulus informed Commissioners how much
funding the ambulance districts in
Libby,
Montana and Bonner
County receive and said BVA is only
requesting $342,000. Chairman Dinning explained
how the county usually only collects a certain
percentage of taxes and out of that percentage
$80,000 needs to be reimbursed to the Solid
Waste Department. It was estimated the amount in
tax collected for the Ambulance District could
be in the $220,000 range the first year.
Chairman Dinning said in
looking at tax deeding, tax cancellations and
extensions
County Commissioners have a
responsibility to the taxpayer. An ambulance tax
of $40 per an assessed value of $100,000 can be
a lot for some people.
President Baker said he
would put together a presentation as to what’s
required of an ambulance service and associated
expenses. President Baker said the county needs
to decide what kind of service it wants such as
if the county is okay with basic life support (BLS)
and the possibility it could take one half hour
to get to someone in need. Chairman Dinning
spoke of possible legislative changes such as
losing Secure
Rural Schools
funding and losing personal property taxes and
how that falls back onto the taxpayers. Clerk
Poston said monies will also be lost for the
schools if Secure Rural Schools is not
reauthorized. Chairman Dinning said it’s not
that the county doesn’t want to pay half a
million dollars, but there are also other things
the county is faced with.
Chairman Dinning asked that
BVA’s board come to Commissioners with a date to
start discussing a contract. Commissioners and
Mr. Paulus scheduled a date to meet.
The meeting with Mr. Paulus
and Mr. Baker ended at
11:30 a.m.
11:30 a.m., Boundary Community
Hospital CEO/CFO Craig Johnson and Hospital
Board of Trustees Chairman Elden Koon joined the
meeting to provide Commissioners with an update
on Hospital matters.
Mr. Johnson said the
Hospital ended the year in the red, but that’s
counting depreciation and bad debt otherwise
finances would be in the black. January 2013 was
a good month for the Hospital. Late in year 2013
the Hospital will start the computerized
management portion of the Meditech System, which
is the last piece of the program. Mr. Johnson
gave a brief explanation of the Meditech System
for computerized health records.
Mr. Johnson spoke of the
physicians on staff. Chairman Dinning asked if
it would be feasible to hire a physician just
starting out and Mr. Johnson said that’s why did
the Hospital entered into a venture with
Kootenai Medical
Center as most new physicians want
to be employed, but not yet start their own
practice. The Hospital is always recruiting,
according to Mr. Johnson. Mr. Johnson said he’s
looking to remodel the old clinic in order to
house two physicians. There is a joint
recruiting agreement and another agreement to
bring in specialists. The Hospital wants to have
an ear, nose and throat physician and a
urologist. Sandpoint Women’s Health is here
every Tuesday so that is also a big plus and
orthopedics is available on Thursday. Mr.
Johnson said he has to work on getting a
pulminologist to the area, but it will be hard.
Boundary
Community
Hospital doesn’t have enough patients for a
fulltime pulminologist, but
Kootenai Medical
Center may be able to provide the
days needed.
Chairman Dinning asked if
BVA has worked out a training schedule with Dr.
Willis and Mr. Johnson said Dr. Willis has been
doing some training. Mr. Johnson said for
emergency medical service the county will get
there, but it needs to be done the right way.
Mr. Johnson informed Commissioners the Hospital
Board of Trustees meetings are usually the 4th
Friday at noon.
The meeting with Mr.
Johnson and Mr. Koon ended at 11:55 a.m.
Commissioner Pinkerton
moved to sign the letter of support for the
Boundary County Youth Crisis and Domestic
Violence Hotline in their efforts to obtain a
grant as it is a time sensitive matter.
Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed
unanimously.
12:00 p.m., There being no
further business, Commissioners recessed until
tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.
***Tuesday, February 26, 2013, Commissioners
met in regular session with Chairman Dan R.
Dinning, Commissioner LeAlan L. Pinkerton,
Commissioner Walt Kirby and Deputy Clerk
Michelle Rohrwasser.
9:00 a.m., Commissioners
held an elected officials/department heads
meeting. Present were: Treasurer Jenny Fessler,
Solid Waste Superintendent Claine Skeen, Clerk
Glenda Poston, Assessor Dave Ryals, Courthouse
Maintenance Jerry Kothe, County Noxious Weeds
Superintendent Duke Guthrie, Road and Bridge
Superintendent Jeff Gutshall, Extension Office
Educator Carol Hampton, Chief Probation Officer
Stacy Brown, Prosecutor’s Office Manager Tammie
Goggia, Chief Deputy Clerk Tracie Isaac, and
Planning and Zoning Administrator Dan Studer.
Chairman Dinning thanked
those present for their participation in the
Idaho Counties Risk Management Program (ICRMP)
training as it resulted in a 5% discount in the
county’s insurance.
Chairman Dinning discussed
the legislation surrounding the potential loss
of personal property tax. Chairman Dinning said
he doesn’t know anything yet, but the Idaho
Association of Counties (IAC), the Governor’s
Office and school districts are in negotiation
to figure something out that won’t harm
counties. There will be a legislative update
this afternoon on this and anyone is welcome to
attend.
Budget information will be
sent out to the county departments mid April and
are due back to the Clerk by May 20, 2013.
Chairman Dinning asked those present to be as
conservative with their budgets as possible and
as the county goes forward Commissioners don’t
know if Secure Rural Schools funding will be
reauthorized. The thought is the Senate had
voted to reauthorize this funding, but it isn’t
yet known what will happen in the House. Clerk
Poston said Secure Rural Schools funding came in
at 1.2 million dollars, which is shared between
the Road and Bridge Department and the school
district. The school district receives
approximately 30% of Secure Rural Schools funds.
Chairman Dinning said each
county department has a page on the county’s
website, but in the past each office hadn’t been
able to individually update their own webpage
and Commissioners are trying to change that. Dan
Studer and Gary Falcon have put time into
working on this so Commissioners would like each
office to learn from them how to update their
webpage.
Chairman Dinning reiterated
his appreciation in that all county departments
get along with each other as has not been the
case in other counties. Chairman Dinning asked
those present to never hesitate approaching
Commissioners about anything or about
suggestions they have. Chairman Dinning said
Commissioners have to make decisions for
everyone so don’t be afraid to approach them.
Assessor Ryals questioned
who to approach with questions about the
Courthouse telephone system as it had been Ron
Sukenik who dealt with this in the past. Clerk
Poston said this task is listed on the new job
description for the bailiff and interviews for
this position will take place tomorrow.
Chairman Dinning provided a
brief update on the county’s civil attorney and
said that Attorney Phil Robinson is able to
handle questions on smaller routine matters.
Commissioners reminded
those present that any maintenance matters for
Mr. Kothe can be left with Commissioners who
will forward it on to Mr. Kothe. Mr. Kothe
discussed the issue involving hot water in the
restrooms and he said there isn’t enough power
to heat more water.
Clerk Poston said the
school district election is on March 12th
and her staff has been to election training.
Chief Deputy Clerk Tracie
Isaac briefly mentioned providing Commissioners
with the report for vacation time overage.
Mr. Guthrie informed
Commissioners he was awarded a $20,000 grant so
he will work on that. This is Title II funding,
according to Mr. Guthrie.
The elected
officials/department heads meeting ended at 9:25
a.m.
Chief Deputy Clerk Tracie
Isaac and Clerk Poston remained after the
meeting to discuss the reports of vacation
overage incurred by county employees. The
allowed maximum amount of vacation hours on the
books is mentioned in the County’s Personnel
Policy and this policy hasn’t changed in many
years. Commissioner Pinkerton asked if employees
are asked to plan vacations ahead of time.
Chairman Dinning said if the employee has not
been allowed the opportunity to use their
vacation time, that is a different situation. If
the employee can’t use vacation hours due to
circumstances beyond their control, the county
could be liable for those hours.
9:37 a.m., The Restorium
Department status report was cancelled as the
Restorium Administrator did not show up.
Those present continued the
discussion of excess vacation hours not used by
a certain date.
The meeting with Chief
Deputy Clerk Isaac and Clerk Poston ended at
9:45 a.m.
Commissioner Pinkerton
moved to approve the minutes of February 11 &
12, 2013 and February 18 & 19, 2013.
Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed
unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton
moved to cancel year 2012 taxes totaling $64.14
and penalties totaling $10.68 for parcel
#PP62N02E187652A as the business closed in year
2010. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed
unanimously.
Treasurer Jenny Fessler
joined the meeting to inform Commissioners of a
tax matter involving a possible hardship.
Commissioner Kirby moved to
grant an extension of time to pay year 2012
taxes for parcel #MH65N01W350752A until on June
20, 2013. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion
passed unanimously.
Treasurer Fessler left the
meeting at 9:50 a.m.
10:00 a.m., Planning and
Zoning Administrator Dan Studer joined the
meeting to discuss Planning and Zoning related
matters.
Mr. Studer spoke of land
split matters, the letters to property owners he
had sent and how some property owners have not
been responsive. Mr. Studer discussed one issue
with Idaho Land Sales and Chairman Dinning asked
Mr. Studer to contact the county attorney to
clarify the proper steps to take.
Mr. Studer discussed an
issue with a property previously listed for sale
on the Lions Den/Snow
Creek Road pertaining
to a property split and sequence of events.
Chairman Dinning said the timeline is messed up,
but the prior owner had approval to do what he
did under the prior ordinance.
Mr. Studer suggested the
two lots be deemed buildable. Chairman Dinning
asked Mr. Studer to keep the written information
on this matter. Commissioner Pinkerton said he’s
concerned because the property grew so whose
land does it include. Those present reviewed a
small map provided by Mr. Studer.
Mr. Studer said he would
like Commissioners to approve his decision. Mr.
Studer said his information to the property
owner is that the property is a non-conforming
parcel that was purchased and it is not
buildable, but in this instance the solution
would fix the readjustment of acreage. Mr.
Studer said he just wanted Commissioners to be
informed of what is going on. Mr. Studer said
these issues need to be addressed with the
realtors as these descriptions are not
acceptable. Mr. Studer said he would type
something to have on file explaining that after
review and timeline of events, the splits were
not allowed, but now upon the advice of the
county, the property has now been deemed a
buildable lot. Chairman Dinning suggested
Attorney Phil Robinson review the matter. Mr.
Studer said false representation is a
misdemeanor.
The meeting with Mr. Studer
ended at 10:20 a.m.
10:25 a.m., Deputy Clerk
Nancy Ryals joined the meeting.
Commissioner Kirby moved to
accept the assignment to the Catastrophic Health
Care Program as follows: Indigent accounts
2011-30 and 2011-49 at 86.97%, indigent account
2012-17 at 82.34%, indigent account 2012-32 at
87.33%, indigent accounts 2012-21 and 2012-26 at
95.56%, and indigent account 2012-36 at 30.61%.
Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed
unanimously.
Deputy Clerk Ryals left at
10:30 a.m.
Commissioners tended to
administrative duties.
Boundary
County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Tevis
Hull
joined the meeting at 10:40 a.m.
10:40 a.m., Commissioner
Kirby 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 Pinkerton second.
Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning
“aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton “aye”, and
Commissioner Kirby “aye”. Motion passed
unanimously. 11:00 a.m., Commissioner Kirby
moved to go out of executive session.
Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed
unanimously.
11:00 a.m., Bonners Ferry
Herald Reporter Laura Roady, property owner Mike
Oehler and Eric Grace with Kaniksu Land Trust in
Sandpoint joined the meeting.
Mr. Oehler met with
Commissioners to discuss offering his property
to the county in the future for the purpose of
being used as a park and to maintain the
underground houses and trees. Mr. Oehler said he
would like the property to keep its old growth
trees. This property consists of 45 acres in the
Moravia
area.
Commissioner Kirby said
San Diego County
has an operational park that was property
donated to them to be used as a park, etc.
Commissioner Kirby said the county had fulfilled
the offering property owner’s wish and it turned
out to be a beautiful thing.
Mr. Oehler said he would
like a crew of three couples to take over the
land. The land has to be thinned for fire
purposes as he thinks the big fires will come
through again. Mr. Oehler said he would like to
have something so kids can see an old growth
forest and the property is at that stage now.
Chairman Dinning said Mr.
Oehler was going to give some further thought to
what he wanted the county to do. Mr. Oehler said
he doesn’t want the old growth cut and he wants
the houses preserved. Mr. Oehler said he would
like to see a mini village on the property such
as houses made of other materials such as straw
bales, rammed earth, sand tubes, sand sacks, cob
houses and six other possible materials. Mr.
Oehler said he had suggested the county or
people who will take the land receive income
from renting out the houses on the land.
Chairman Dinning said he’s sure the county’s
insurance carrier would not think it was a
normal government function for a county to own
rental property.
Chairman Dinning said it
may be better to keep government out of this
because sometimes when governments own property
all kinds of restrictions can be placed that
will keep the goal from being realized. Chairman
Dinning said he doesn’t think government will be
able to do a lot of what Mr. Oehler is
requesting.
Mr. Grace said he’s just
tying to get Mr. Oehler’s wishes accomplished.
Commissioner Pinkerton said he thinks it’s a
wonderful thing to think outside of the box for
a wonderful use of property. Commissioner
Pinkerton said he also agrees with Chairman
Dinning about the restrictions and added that
the ideas Mr. Oehler has could be a good
opportunity for a college to use as research.
The property could be used for engineering
studies and could also bring in tourism.
Commissioner Pinkerton said he thinks it’s an
honorable thing and he applauded Mr. Oehler.
Commissioner Pinkerton said the county doesn’t
have that kind of funding to go forward, but
maybe a university could be a sponsor for this
type of event and that brings the county, by
default, to benefit from it.
Mr. Oehler said he’s still
interested in doing this experimental village in
a specific area, but he knows there are
restrictions for dwellings on the property.
Chairman Dinning mentioned cluster development
and explained what would be allowed, but in
doing that it would limit the rest of the
property, but it allows for the concept of
keeping the structures closer together. Chairman
Dinning said Commissioner Pinkerton had a good
idea with colleges and researchers. Commissioner
Pinkerton said he feels that would go a long way
and a lot of time has been spent on this. Mr.
Oehler said that is a good idea and he would go
to the University
of Idaho
and visit their architecture department.
Mr. Oehler informed
Commissioners of an issue he will have with an
expected delivery due to spring break up and
road closures so Commissioners will have Road
and Bridge Superintendent Jeff Gutshall contact
Mr. Oehler about a permit.
The meeting with Mr. Oehler
ended at 11:50 a.m.
Commissioners recessed for
lunch at 11:50 a.m.
1:30 p.m., Commissioners
reconvened for the afternoon session with
Chairman Dinning, Commissioner Pinkerton,
Commissioner Kirby and Deputy Clerk Michelle
Rohrwasser.
1:30 p.m., Commissioner
Pinkerton moved to go into executive session
under Idaho Code #67-2345(1)b, to consider the
evaluation, dismissal or disciplining of, or to
hear complaints or charges brought against, a
public officer, employee, staff member or
individual agent, or public school student.
Commissioner Kirby second. Commissioners voted
as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner
Pinkerton “aye” and Commissioner Kirby “aye”.
Motion passed unanimously. 1:50 p.m.,
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to go out of
executive session. Commissioner Kirby second.
Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Kirby
conducted the quarterly jail inspection of the
Boundary County Jail.
Commissioners tended to
administrative duties.
3:30 p.m., Commissioners
participated in a legislative conference call.
Present were: Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner
LeAlan Pinkerton, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk
Glenda Poston, Treasurer Jenny Fessler, Assessor
Dave Ryals, the elected officials from the five
northern counties, Fremont County Clerk Abbie
Mace, and Tony Poinelli and Seth Grigg from the
Idaho Association of Counties.
Those participating in the
conference call discussed matters to include
oversize truck permits, oversees electors, Board
of Commissioner boundaries, personal property
taxes, rights-of-way, emailing assessment
notices, and annexations and de-annexations from
fire taxing districts.
The legislative conference
call ended at 4:10 p.m.
There being no further
business, the meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m.
/s/
DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
ATTEST:
/s/
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser,
Deputy Clerk
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