County Commission minutes, August 22

Monday, August 22, 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., Road and Bridge Superintendent Jeff Gutshall joined the meeting to give the departmental report. Mr. Gutshall did not present a written report. Tony Rohrwasser representing the Naples Community Group also joined the meeting.

Mr. Rohrwasser said the Naples Community Group is planning to hold a yard sale and would like to close School House Road from the South Boundary Fire Station to Deep Creek Loop in Naples. Mr. Rohrwasser said he spoke to representatives at Welco and he was told it would be fine and there would not be any truck traffic through that area. Chairman Smith said he personally doesn’t see anything wrong in closing that section of road. The hours of closure would be from 8 a.m., to 4 p.m., and Mr. Gutshall said he doesn’t see a problem due to where the closure takes place. Mr. Rohrwasser said if there aren’t enough participants in the yard sale, the sale will be held in the park near the Naples Inn.

Mr. Rohrwasser asked if any of the Commissioners would like to attend the upcoming (LEPC) Local Emergency Planning Committee to hear a representative from Industrial Communications speak about what is required for communications equipment to be compatible by year 2013. Mr. Rohrwasser said this has to do with radio communications for emergency services.

Chairman Smith informed Mr. Rohrwasser that he spoke to Senator Shawn Keough about the issue of diverting traffic to County roads when an accident has occurred. Senator Keough had said she would like to see what the policy is on diverting traffic, according to Chairman Smith. Chairman Smith said it doesn’t make sense to him that the Idaho Transportation Department wouldn’t want to use County roads as a temporary access. Chairman Smith said Representative George Eskridge told him the Idaho State Police were turning trucks around and not letting them get through on an accident. Mr. Rohrwasser said usually the borders, truck traffic, and truck scales are notified when these closures happen. Chairman Smith said he recalls hearing County roads were said to not be equipped to handle the additional traffic.

Mr. Rohrwasser left the meeting at 9:08 a.m.

Mr. Gutshall said he chip sealed East Mountain View Road last Thursday.

Commissioner Dinning said the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) Board directed their staff to be prepared if there is a de-designation of the Wild Horse Trail portion of the International Selkirk Loop. Commissioner Dinning said he also heard the new walkway that will connect to the Old North Hill path will be done in year 2013.

Chairman Smith spoke of the proposed contract for services with the City of Bonners Ferry that pertains to trading materials for snow plowing, etc. Commissioners said once a final draft is approved, the document will be drawn up as a memorandum of understanding.

Commissioner Kirby spoke of the turn bay on Highway 2 at North Division and he informed Mr. Gutshall that ITD asked if that project had been done yet. Mr. Gutshall said he is not able to work in the State’s right-of-way.  

Mr. Gutshall left the meeting at 9:25 a.m.

Commissioner Dinning said Andy Brunelle with the Forest Service informed him on August 19, 2011 that funds can be put into Title III and because of the formula used, these funds can be used for wildland urban interface (WUI) travel and planning as it is funds that go to the Resource Advisory Council (RAC). Commissioner Dinning said he can use Title III funds for WUI planning and what goes along with that.

Chairman Smith said Commissioners had received grant monies for the purpose of conducting environmental studies for the Boundary County Airport.

Commissioner Dinning moved to sign the grant offer for the Boundary County Airport, AIP #3-16-0004-011 totaling $68,183 and any related documents for the purpose of acquiring land. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Dinning moved to sign the letters of support to the congressional staff, Governor Butch Otter, the State representatives, and Senator of District 1 in regards to Jeremy Hill and a Grizzly Bear shooting. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

9:45 a.m., Commissioners addressed indigent matters.

Commissioner Dinning moved to set the monthly reimbursement payment for indigent account #2010-36 at a minimum of $50 per month beginning in October 2011. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioners tended to administrative duties.

10:05 a.m. Commissioners addressed information brought to them by one of the County appraisers that tree limbs are growing into the power lines near the Assessors’ Office behind the Courthouse and it has been asked if the limbs could be trimmed. Commissioners said that would be fine.

Commissioners tended to administrative duties.

Commissioner Dinning moved to approve the minutes of August 8 & 9, 2011. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Dinning moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Panhandle State Bank Lease/Purchase Agreement for the purchase of a lawn mower for the Park and Recreation Department. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Dinning moved to approve and sign the Proclamation declaring the month of September “Boundary County Preparedness Month”. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.   

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.  

                                                           /s/

                                                            RONALD R. SMITH, Chairman

ATTEST:

/s/

GLENDA POSTON, Clerk

By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk