Monday, May 02, 2011, Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Ron Smith, Commissioner Dan Dinning, Commissioner Walt Kirby, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.

9:00 a.m., Boundary County Emergency Services Incident Commander Bob Graham and Director Dave Kramer joined the meeting to give an update on the Kootenai River water levels. City of Bonners Ferry Assistant Administrator David Sims also joined the meeting.

Mr. Graham said he received a call from Mick Shea, who works in Operations at the Libby Dam, and Cathy Desjardin, Civil Engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Ms. Desjardin is the manager for the flood fighting group with Corps of Engineers in Seattle, according to Mr. Graham. Boundary County has been put on alert for high water levels in the Moyie River and Kootenai River. Mr. Graham said for the last 40 years of records kept, the average amount of water behind the dam has been 5.4 million acre feet. The prediction as of last week based on the snow pack is that water levels will exceed 8 million acre feet. The three major rivers and drainages between Libby Dam and the Kootenai River cannot be controlled, according to Mr. Graham. In addition to the Sturgeon spill, this will be the second year where the Dam is required to release 35,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) for 11 days. The Koocanusa level is very low, maybe 100 feet, which is a record low, but that level does not reach the spillway at this point, according to Mr. Graham. The Corps of Engineers got permission from the Fisheries Department to open slough gates on either Friday or Saturday and that allows a little over 5,000 cfs. The Kootenai River is now almost at 1,754 feet. Mr. Graham said the Moyie River is currently at 5.4 feet and he thinks this river will flood first. Flood stage for the Moyie River is nine feet.

The Corps of Engineers from Libby, Montana, informed Mr. Graham what is to be anticipated. Mr. Graham said Ms. Desjardin informed him there has to be a process that is approved by Commissioners, Governor Butch Otter, and Colonel Wright that will allow the Corps of Engineers to come to Boundary County and spend funds on Advance Measures Assistance. Kootenai County has already applied and the City of Bonners Ferry is applying for this assistance as well.

Commissioner Dinning said as he understands, Sturgeon flows are only to occur when the level of the Kootenai River doesn’t exceed 1,764 feet. Mr. Graham said because of the amount of water, Libby Dam will not even need to put 10,000 or 11,000 over the spillway.

Mr. Graham said he put a packet of information together that explains the Advance Measures Assistance from the Corps of Engineers. One page is a letter to Colonel Wright that was written last year and it basically contains the same information for assistance, but Boundary County wasn’t able to receive financial assistance as there were no funds available. Funding should be available this year, according to Mr. Graham.

Mr. Graham presented Commissioners with the application that is to be completed and sent directly to Colonel Wright at the Corps of Engineers. Mr. Graham explained what paperwork needs to be sent to the Corps of Engineers, General Bill Shawver with the Bureau of Homeland Security, and to Governor Butch Otter. 

Commissioner Dinning moved to send a letter to the Bureau of Homeland Security requesting the Governor’s support for the application to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers seeking Advance Measures Assistance under the authority of Public Law 84-99, to send this application, a letter from Commissioners, and supporting documentation to Colonel Wright at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and a letter and supporting documents to General Shawver with the Bureau of Homeland Security, and to sign all necessary documents pertaining to this matter. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Emergency Services Director Dave Kramer informed Commissioners that County participation can be in-kind. Mr. Graham further elaborated that could mean someone with the Emergency Management Services attending the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ actions, or a County employee providing traffic control. Mr. Graham said since the slough is on private property, he needs to get permission from the property owner.

The meeting with Mr. Graham, Mr. Kramer, and Mr. Sims ended.

9:30 a.m., Commissioners held a Planning and Zoning public hearing to consider Application #11-005, a zone map amendment requested by applicant Kevin McNally. Present were: Chairman Ron Smith, Commissioner Dan Dinning, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser, Planning and Zoning Administrator Mike Weland, Applicant Kevin McNally, Eric Besaw with the Idaho Department of Lands, Bill Dettelbach, Norma Dettelbach, Greg Garrison with the Kootenai Rim Homeowner’s Association, and Reporter Mike Brown for Blue Sky Broadcasting. The public hearing was recorded.

Chairman Smith briefly reviewed the public hearing procedures. No member cited a conflict of interest.

The applicant seeks to amend the zoning of parcel #RP62N02E201811A, 56.9 acres in size, from rural residential to agriculture/forestry, contending that an error was made as a result of his 1988 application to amend the zoning of a portion of property, which is now French Point Subdivision.  

Chairman Smith asked the applicant for an opening statement. Kevin McNally, 4146 District Two Road, Bonners Ferry, said he is in the process of trying to obtain a gravel pit application, but it has been discovered that in the past a clerical error caused the zoning map to be drawn incorrectly. Where zoning should have gone to the railroad tracks, it went down to the river and included Mr. McNally’s 57 acres. Of the 57 acres, Mr. McNally said he is hoping to have one area level enough to build a home. It is zoned rural residential, but the area is surely not suited for it, according to Mr. McNally. Mr. McNally said he discovered the original map, which consisted of an 8 inch by 10 inch piece of paper for the entire County. Mr. McNally said half of the field below his house is zoned rural residential and the other half is zoned agriculture/forestry. Mr. McNally said this change will not impact the County in any way and he feels he would be correcting a clerical mistake that was made possibly 10 or 20 years ago.

Chairman Smith said the application is to change zoning from rural residential to agriculture/forestry. Commissioner Dinning asked when the error was made and Mr. McNally said he doesn’t know. At the time of the French Point development, that entire area was agriculture/forestry. Mr. McNally said French Point was added to the map so he doesn’t know if the mistake was made at that point. French Point was changed in approximately 1987, according to Mr. McNally.

Commissioner Kirby asked about the topography of this ground and Mr. McNally said the grade is 60% plus. Mr. McNally said there was an emergency gravel pit when the slide happened. Mr. McNally said there is nothing to crush on the property. Mr. Weland included a map provided by Mr. Garrison as part of the record.

Mr. Weland provided a staff report and said the Planning and Zoning Commission forwarded a unanimous recommendation of approval. There was an error in the original zoning in 1988. The acreage involved is not suitable for residential zoning due to the slope and lack of utilities. Planning and Zoning received two letters of opposition, but it was determined by Planning and Zoning the land would be better zoned agriculture/forestry.

Commissioner Dinning said for clarity that what Commissioners are considering today is the zone map amendment aside from the uses. Commissioner Kirby said he had no questions. Commissioner Dinning clarified the error stating the area that Mr. McNally owns on the rim was allowed to be developed, but the error was including the site. Rather than stopping at the railroad tracks, which is clearly part of the application for a zone map amendment, the zone designation dropped down to the river.

Chairman Smith asked for public comments in favor of the application. Bill Dettelbach, 2336 District Two Road said he lives no more than one mile from Mr. McNally’s residence and just a bit farther from the quarry and he doesn’t see any problem. Mr. Dettelbach said he has known Mr. McNally for 20 years and he doesn’t see anything negative and why Mr. McNally’s application couldn’t go forward.

Chairman Smith asked for public comments from those uncommitted and opposed to the application. No one from the public spoke.

Mr. McNally provided a closing statement by saying the railroad goes through a tunnel in that area and disappears so it would be easy for the person doing the mapping to make that mistake.

Commissioners closed the hearing to further public testimony.  

Commissioner Dinning asked what the minimum lot size is for the existing zone. Mr. Weland said one acre for rural residential and agriculture/forestry would change minimum lot size to 10 acres. Commissioner Kirby had no comments. Commissioner Dinning said based on what he has heard there had been an error made.

Commissioner Kirby moved to approve the Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation and Findings and Decision #1 through #7 as it pertains to Application #11-005. Commissioner Dinning second. Motion passed unanimously.

The public hearing to consider Planning and Zoning Application #11-005, a zone map amendment requested by Kevin McNally ended at 9:50 a.m.

Commissioner tended to administrative duties.

11:00 a.m., Road and Bridge Superintendent Jeff Gutshall joined the meeting to give the department report. Also present were Mike Brown with Blue Sky Broadcasting and Julie Golder with the Bonners Ferry Herald.

Mr. Gutshall presented Commissioners with a written report. Chairman Smith said Commissioners are in the process of updating agreements and they have found an old agreement with the City of Bonners Ferry for trading services. Commissioners said they would schedule a meeting with the City of Bonners Ferry Administrator Stephen Boorman to see if the agreement should be terminated or updated.

Chairman Smith spoke of the condition of Lookout View Road and of the telephone calls Commissioners have been getting about a sewage truck that has been hauling on that road. Mr. Gutshall said Pleasant Valley Loop and Lookout View Road are both being graded today. These roads are on the schedule for new rock and in the past, not much rock had been added beyond the Nystrom residence. These roads will probably be rebuilt, but there are asphalt roads that need tending to first, according to Mr. Gutshall. Chairman Smith asked if the haulers that have been caught are getting dealt with civilly. Mr. Gutshall said he spoke to the County Prosecutor who mentioned the County needs to visit about drafting a new ordinance. Commissioner Dinning questioned if the County is unable to do anything under the current ordinance.

Mr. Gutshall spoke of work done to Moyie River Road. The Burlington Northern Railroad is cleaning out their culverts, which causes the Road and Bridge culvert to plug up. Mr. Gutshall said he is getting locates to put culverts near Mr. Marlow’s property as well as working to re-establish a channel for the gas line. Mr. Gutshall said the original pipe is 24 inches deep by permit.

Durapatching should begin this week. Mr. Gutshall said Road and Bridge has received a lot of phone calls about potholes, but he only wants to have to fill holes once so not to waste money and that is hard to convey to people. Mr. Gutshall said he is waiting for a response from Interstate Asphalt. Mr. Gutshall spoke of purchasing a certain tonnage of asphalt for patching and that puts the County in a bidding situation unless there is a contract. This is asphalt to be obtained for hot mix asphalt and as this is for all patching work, the County will most likely be in the category of needing bids rather than quotes.

Commissioner Dinning moved to continue the bid for hot mix asphalt until later this afternoon. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Gutshall said he lowered the amount in the dust abatement budget to be able to use the funds elsewhere. Mr. Gutshall said he is only bidding 120 tons of dust palliative materials rather than 200 tons as he had done last year. 

Commissioner Dinning moved to go out for bids for 120 tons of dust palliative materials for the Road and Bridge Department. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Gutshall said there is a scheduled meeting tomorrow about the Deep Creek Loop and Lion’s Den Road. Kyle Harmin with the Federal Highways Administration and a representative from the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will meet with Mr. Gutshall at 9:00 a.m., to check out the two roads. Mr. Gutshall said it appears it is still not clear whose jurisdiction Deep Creek Loop would fall under. Lion’s Den Road looks to fall under the Federal Highways Administration’s jurisdiction. Chairman Smith said he is sure the County’s match obligation will be worked out. Mr. Gutshall said he thinks the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is under the impression Deep Creek Road falls under their jurisdiction.

Mr. Gutshall presented Commissioners with an update of road conditions as a result of spring breakup and frost heaving. Mr. Gutshall said roads on his list don’t even address the three roads, Lion’s Den Road, Deep Creek Loop, and Fleming Creek. Damage to roads including Lion’s Den Road, Deep Creek Loop, and Fleming Creek could potentially equate to two million dollars’ worth of damage resulting from spring conditions. Mr. Gutshall said his senior grader operator has put together a report and he estimated the mileage of roads that needed total reconstruction. Mr. Gutshall said as roads age they alligator crack and these cracks can be patched over. This season most roads that survived spring were properly constructed or older roads may have survived because they were chip-sealed

Mr. Gutshall said he cut 40% in one area of his budget in order to generate funds for patching. The cost of labor and equipment could total $56,000 to $80,000 for additional repairs and what this does is takes away from other work that gets done.

Mr. Gutshall said there are at least three to four miles of road that may have lasted a little longer if not for this spring’s events and some roads have gone beyond a certain point. Parker Canyon and parts of Moon Shadow are roads that are scheduled to have work done. Conventional reconstruction of roads could cost $1,000,000 and there aren’t available funds in the budget to do this work. There really isn’t anything budgeted for reconstruction. Chip-sealing is similar to the cost of Road and Bridge employees patching and this diverts the maintenance of other roads, which is a risk factor if the spring next year is like it was this year.

Those present discussed gravel roads and Mr. Gutshall said Lookout View Road, District Five Road, Green Pasture Road, and Shilo Loop all need work. The County will have to hold them together until the asphalt situation is addressed, but it is more a matter of the construction time, according to Mr. Gutshall. Mr. Gutshall said he will have a significantly lower heavy equipment line item this next budget. This line item should be decreased by at least $150,000, according to Mr. Gutshall.

Commissioners and Mr. Gutshall reviewed options for roads. Mr. Gutshall said he won’t rebuild a road without putting a stabilized base on it. Compared to conventional reconstruction you have to do something very fast, according to Mr. Gutshall. Commissioner Dinning said this is looking at 40% of the cost. Mr. Gutshall said he doesn’t know the life span of conventional reconstruction. Mr. Gutshall spoke of a road near the landfill being a gravel road and Road and Bridge was going to surface this road and put gravel on it before adding surfacing. It was decided to churn the base with the gravel so not to waste gravel, according to Mr. Gutshall.

Mr. Gutshall said Blume Hill will take a lot of hot mix and it will cost $47,000 just to patch this road this year. If this road was chip-sealed it would last seven to eight years, but it would not be curing the underlying problems since the road would not have a stabilized base. Some road repairs have to be “constructs” because of this. Mr. Gutshall said as an example, it cost the Kootenai Tribe over $500,000 to rebuild Frontier Village Road. Commissioner Dinning said excluding the three projects for FEMA, what is the estimated total dollar amount to the County. Mr. Gutshall said he would say the impact could be $2,500,000 to 3,000,000. Pavement could total $500,000 to $1,000,000 in addition to the cost of $2,000,000 FEMA projects.

Commissioner Dinning asked if Mr. Gutshall had analyzed what the priorities are. Mr. Gutshall said if we get to the point of good weather and look into the availability of oil, he may need to open the budget, but there is surplus to look at. Mr. Gutshall advised doing all the chip-sealing that can be done. Mr. Gutshall said he has no choice, but to do a couple of miles of road rebuild. The maintenance chip-seal is a single shot process. A double shot process for the base and one mile of rebuilt road will eat up two miles worth of chip-sealing for maintenance. If weather permits, Mr. Gutshall said he will try to chip-seal everything that he can plus Blume Hill, etc. Mr. Gutshall said if he does two roads, he might need to go $80,000 to $100,000 into reserve funds if the other roads take care of themselves. Mr. Gutshall said the cement treated base (CTB) option of $90,000 does not take into account adding gravel. It could be that the difference of conventional or CTB is half.

Chairman Smith said this is a good report and since Commissioners receive comments from the public, the media being here will present a fairly clear picture of the roads. Mr. Gutshall said while touching on gravel road problems, they aren’t as serious, but Road and Bridge does have those roads in mind. Road and Bridge has to concentrate on the other roads first. Mr. Gutshall said Road and Bridge should be able to help out on Lookout Road and he mentioned the possibility of getting rock on that road sometime this year

April 13, 2011 is when the load limits were lifted on Pleasant Valley Loop. Mr. Gutshall said although there ought to be civil damages to reinforce in the matter of a sewage truck getting caught hauling when this road was closed, he isn’t stuck on going after just one company as there is a host of them. Mr. Gutshall said he must have gotten the attention of other truck drivers because drivers have been calling for permits. Mr. Gutshall said Road and Bridge hadn’t been offering permits. If local trucks would confirm what they are doing, such as hauling a lighter load, they wouldn’t be hurting anything if they take it easy, according to Mr. Gutshall. Mr. Gutshall said what Road and Bridge is stopping are bulk shipments. Mr. Gutshall said if a truck driver from Post Falls wants to get rid of a tanker load of sewage, you know they aren’t going to only bring a half load so they have been denied a permit, but some loads were allowed if Road and Bridge were aware of the details. Mr. Gutshall said he did accommodate the loads for residents who were running out of fuel and wood. Mr. Gutshall said he agrees with the need to revisit the ordinance because there should be a provision for restitution so you don’t have to go after them civilly. Mr. Gutshall said in vandalism cases restitution is ordered and Road and Bridge will be contacted to order damages so the process has to be simpler than the civil process. Mr. Gutshall said if a person doesn’t have a permit and they get caught hauling on a closed road, that person is as caught as they can be. A truck driver has to get the permit specifying the conditions they are traveling under. Commissioner Dinning mentioned it has been said a truck driver driving down a closed road said the Commissioners gave him verbal permission and Commissioners and Mr. Gutshall have never given verbal permission. Mr. Gutshall said he has given verbal permits, but it is usually for a situation happening within the next couple of hours and the Sheriff’s Office is also notified. Commissioner Dinning said the individual he spoke with was upset and he told this person Commissioners have never given permission. Commissioner Kirby said he has never given permission. Commissioner Dinning said the information about Commissioners was inaccurate, but that was the information from the truck driver.

The meeting ended and Commissioners recessed for lunch at 12:00 p.m.

1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Smith, Commissioner Dinning, Commissioner Kirby, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.   

1:30 p.m., Boundary County School District Superintendent Don Bartling and Clerk Glenda Poston joined the meeting.

Dr. Bartling thanked Commissioners for attending the last Boundary County School District community meeting and for supporting the levy. The levy has been cut down as far as it can, according to Dr. Bartling. The School District lost 2.4 million dollars in revenue over the last three years so the School Board has to do something. The levy is for 1.4 million dollars, but the amount could easily justify 2.4 million dollars. Chairman Smith commented on speaking on the radio with three high school students this next week. Chairman Smith said he informed the Bonners Ferry Herald he was disappointed with them that his statements weren’t in the newspaper last week, but he was told his comments were going to run closer to the election. Dr. Bartling said the School District has been receiving a positive response and they will do as much as they can. The School District Board will go to the Moyie Springs City Hall and they hope to receive a lot of good questions. There are a lot of hard feelings due to the closure of Evergreen School, but it had been explained the School District couldn’t maintain seven schools. The School Board had consulted with Naples Elementary who said no to closing so it was clear something drastic had to be done. Mr. Bartling said the School District can run a Maintenance and Operation levy on top of another one, but they never did that. Dr. Bartling again thanked Commissioners for their support.

The meeting with Dr. Bartling ended at 1:35 p.m.

1:37 p.m., Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals joined the meeting at 1:37 p.m.

Commissioner Dinning moved to go into closed session under Idaho Code #31-874. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Dinning moved to go out of closed session at 1:40 p.m. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.  

Commissioner Dinning moved to put the decision for indigent application #2011-30 in suspension pending eligibility determinations for other possible resources. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.   

Commissioner Dinning moved to approve indigent application #2011-31 as per the Clerk’s recommendation. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Dinning moved to reduce reimbursement to $25 per month for indigent account #2009-46. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals left the meeting.

2:00 p.m., Commissioners briefly discussed Joseph Lapham’s request for use of his hangar. Commissioners received a response from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stating the proposed use for the hangar did not meet the requirements of the FAA as being aviation related. Commissioners asked that a copy of this FAA correspondence be forwarded to the Boundary County Economic Development Specialist and Mr. Lapham.

2:30 p.m., There being no further business, the meeting recessed until tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.

Tuesday, May 03, 2011, Commissioners met in regular session with Commissioner Dan Dinning, Commissioner Walt Kirby, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser. Chairman Ron Smith was out of the office tending to personal matters.

9:00 a.m., Commissioner Kirby moved to appoint Commissioner Dan Dinning Acting Chairman in the absence of Chairman Ron Smith. Commissioner Dinning second. Motion passed unanimously.

9:00 a.m., Commissioner Kirby moved to amend the agenda at 10:30 a.m., in order to include a motion to approve signing a new Senior Bus Agreement. Acting Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.

9:00 a.m., Solid Waste Department Superintendent Claine Skeen joined the meeting to give the departmental report. Mr. Skeen said he is in the process of working on the fence that borders Bill Michalk’s property to prevent garbage from blowing onto the other property. Mr. Skeen said he is working on his upcoming budget and is looking at not having to raise anything. Mr. Skeen said his revenue has already exceeded the unanticipated revenue.       

The meeting ended at 9:08 a.m. 

Commissioners tended to administrative duties.

9:30 a.m., Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee joined the meeting to give the departmental report. Clerk Glenda Poston also joined the meeting.

9:32 a.m., Ms. Magee said the Restorium has 33 residents. Ms. Magee said someone is supposed to purchase the old sliding glass doors and windows. Ms. Magee spoke of the use the basement in Restorium is receiving to include meetings, CPR classes, and residents holding their pinochle classes. Ms. Magee said the basement room is a good size for the Restorium Board meetings. Ms. Magee informed Commissioners that steps are being put in to the garden for residents.    

Commissioner Dinning asked if there will be an increase in the rates this year. Ms. Magee said the Restorium Board had mentioned that. Ms. Magee said there is a waiting list for residents, but only the large rooms are available and those on the waiting list can’t afford them and they’re waiting for a small room. The State rules and regulations are changing and Ms. Magee said she needs to update her forms and policies to be more specific. Those present briefly discussed the nursing position that is open at the Restorium.

Ms. Magee left the meeting at 9:44 a.m.

County resident Judith Holly Beaudet stopped by Commissioners’ Office. Ms. Beaudet said she wants a public hearing about the Bureau of Homeland Security (BHS) facility that is proposed for the Three Mile area as she feels it is bringing risk to the community. Ms. Beaudet questioned if the building permit for BHS can be suspended until a hearing is held. Ms. Beaudet said there is risk to fish in the river and BHS will have a system called a High Altitude Research Project (HARP) and it controls systems for smart bombs. Ms. Beaudet said this frequency is dangerous to animals and she lives in that same location until a matter is settled on another place. Millions and millions of birds have dropped from the sky worldwide and people feel this is connected to the HARP System in Alaska. Representatives from BHS should be here to talk about their plans up front. BHS will change radio and microwave signals and both high and low frequencies have emissions that will affect fertility of cattle, etc., according to Ms. Beaudet. Ms. Beaudet informed Commissioners there are two Mennonite schools within a certain distance of the new BHS facility. Ms. Beaudet provided her contact information to Commissioners and she said BHS won’t have any problem locating her.

Commissioner Dinning informed Ms. Beaudet that Commissioners have no ability to do anything as she hadn’t been scheduled on the agenda, but Commissioners would most likely be against what Ms. Beaudet is approaching them about. Commissioner Dinning said he doesn’t think there is going to be any legal thing the County can do. National security must rise to a level above a lot of things, according to Commissioner Dinning. Ms. Beaudet inquired about a County building permit for BHS and Commissioner Dinning said if BHS meets all criteria then their permit would be approved. Ms. Beaudet said there should be a public hearing when the matter endangers the welfare of residents and animals of the community and the Commissioners should not do something that is not in the best interest of the community. Commissioner Dinning said the Kootenai Tribe is in charge of the recovery of fish and if the Tribe felt there was something to this, they would have contacted the appropriate party. Ms. Beaudet scheduled to meet with Commissioners at 9:45 a.m., the 9^th of April 2011.

Ms. Beaudet left the meeting at 9:50 a.m.

10:00 a.m., Chief Probation Officer Stacy Brown joined the meeting to give the departmental report. Ms. Brown reported the month of April had a total of 286 active adult cases. That number fluctuates, according to Ms. Brown. There are 98 people in the age range of 20 and 30 years old. Commissioner Dinning said there are more people in the 40 to 50 age range. Ms. Brown said she thought these statistics would help in obtaining future grants.

Ms. Brown explained that during the month, her staff makes sure whatever court ordered process a probationer needs is done on time and if not, this employee writes an affidavit to the court and the probationer is brought in. Ms. Brown said of all the counties she has spoken to, Boundary County is the only county that handles unsupervised probation. Ms. Brown said she printed out statistics for Adult Misdemeanor Probation that her staff is handling. Ms. Brown said there are 59 individuals and a total of 81 cases. This information breaks down to alcohol being the #1 problem followed by drugs then battery or charges against people, property crimes, and driving issues. Ms. Brown said she also provided the same type of report for juveniles. Juveniles have more crimes against property followed by drugs, according to Ms. Brown. Commissioner Dinning said he assumes these activities take place after a certain time of day or evening and Ms. Brown said all burglaries took place after curfew. Ms. Brown said her department is able to turn these kids around. Ms. Brown said she is finding more and more sex crimes with the juvenile probationers and is finding that the probationers aren’t from Boundary County, but have moved here to live with relatives due to problems back home. If the juvenile has positive relatives in the community and if it is in the best interest for the juvenile that is a good thing, but otherwise it is not. Ms. Brown said juveniles are doing a lot of community service at the Wildlife Refuge and it has done a world of good. Juvenile probationers will also participate in the community gardens again.

Ms. Brown said her Juvenile Probation officer is leaving for Juvenile Post Academy for three weeks and another employee has also been accepted to P.O.S.T. Ms. Brown said everything is going well right now and by June 3, 2011, she will have done everything to become a certified instructor. Ms. Brown said the County is not far from being one of the best counties for recidivism. Ms. Brown said she has a great group in her office and they really care.

The meeting with Ms. Brown ended at 10:14 a.m.

Commissioners tended to administrative duties.

Commissioner Kirby moved to approve the new Senior Bus Agreement regarding the 2011 Starcraft Starlite Passenger Bus, VIN #1FDEE3FL9BDA63289, subject to receiving the new agreement from the County’s attorney. Acting Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.

                                                            /s/

                                                            RONALD R. SMITH, Chairman

ATTEST:

/s/

GLENDA POSTON, Clerk

By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy