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County commission minutes, August 13-14
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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 |
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