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***Monday,
January 21, 2013,
Commissioners did not meet due to the Human
Right’s
Holiday.
***Tuesday,
January 22, 2013,
Commissioners met in regular session with
Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner LeAlan
Pinkerton, Commissioner Walt Kirby, and Deputy
Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.
9:00 a.m.,
Commissioners held an elected
officials/department heads meeting. Present
were: Chairman Dinning, Commissioner Pinkerton,
Commissioner Kirby, Treasurer Jenny Fessler,
Solid Waste Superintendent Claine Skeen,
Courthouse Maintenance Jerry Kothe, County
Noxious Weeds Superintendent Duke Guthrie,
Extension Office Educator Carol Hampton, Clerk
Glenda Poston, Chief Probation Officer Stacy
Brown, Planning and Zoning Administrator Dan
Studer, Road and Bridge Superintendent Jeff
Gutshall, Chief Deputy Clerk Tracie Isaac,
Assessor Dave Ryals, Courthouse Security Ron
Sukenik, and Restorium Administrator Karlene
Magee.
Chairman Dinning asked the elected officials and
department heads for introductions for newly
elected Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton.
Chairman Dinning informed those present the
Extension Office has a copy machine they no
longer need. Ms. Hampton said this machine is
eight to 10 years old and still has a lot of
life in it, but the Extension Office is hard on
copiers. Ms. Hampton listed the options this
copy machine has and she said this machine was
working, but with the volume of copying done in
her office, the copier was having problems. Ms.
Hampton said this copier can be hooked up to the
network. Clerk Poston said the Parks and
Recreation Board was able to utilize her
office’s old copier and it has worked out well
for them. Ms. Brown thought about her new school
room, but there would be an issue getting the
machine up the stairs. Mr. Sukenik said if
someone ends up having a smaller copier that
will become surplused, it wouldn’t hurt to
replace the one in the courtroom. Ms. Magee said
she could take a look at the copier to see if
she can use it at the Restorium.
Chairman Dinning showed a video from the Idaho
Association of Counties pertaining to the state
possibly doing away with personal property
taxes. Chairman Dinning said this issue is being
discussed currently and personal property taxes
makes up about 17% of the
Boundary
County’s value. Personal property
taxes include gas lines, railroads and
utilities, etc., according to Chairman Dinning.
Mr. Studer said there was an interview he read
about the owners of a company called
Translucence that is starting up in the
Coldwater Creek
Building in Sandpoint. This business
is looking to get established and is also
thinking about expansion. The first question was
why come to Sandpoint and this business owner’s
first response was because of the schools. The
first reason for this person from
Oregon
to come to Sandpoint was the school system and
second reason was recreation. As a big proponent
for schools from a planning point of view, Mr.
Studer mentioned the importance of supporting
schools. Chairman Dinning said if a certain
amount of funds is invested in a new facility, a
large tax break is given. This company will
employ 130 people and the business specializes
in specialty key board manufacturing, according
to Mr. Studer.
Mr. Sukenik said he sent requests for
information and costs to have the padding redone
on the benches in the courtroom. Another option
is to resurface and put new batting on the
benches so Mr. Sukenik said he will obtain bids
or quotes for that. Mr. Kothe said he checked on
that a few years ago and it was fairly pricey
for new padding.
The elected officials/department heads meeting
ended at 9:20
a.m.
Mr. Gutshall, Mr. Guthrie and Clerk Poston
remained in the meeting.
After reviewing documentation for the 2013 STP
Rural Application for the Deep Creek Loop –
Phase III Project and the 2013 Idaho Federal
Lands Access Program Capital Improvement or
Enhancement Project Proposals for the Westside
Road/Myrtle Creek Bridge Replacement and the
Meadow Creek Road Reconstruction Project,
Commissioners motioned to sign these documents.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to authorize the
Chairman to sign the 2013 STP Rural Application
for the Deep Creek Loop – Phase III Project.
Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed
unanimously.
Mr. Gutshall spoke of the Idaho Federal Lands
Access Programs for
Westside Road
and Meadow Creek Road
and said the Forest Service is the co-applicant
on these projects.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to authorize the
Chairman to sign the 2013 Idaho Federal Lands
Access Program Capital Improvement or
Enhancement Project Proposal for the Westside
Road/Myrtle Creek Bridge Replacement.
Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed
unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to authorize the
Chairman to sign the 2013 Idaho Federal Lands
Access Program Capital Improvement or
Enhancement Project Proposal for the Meadow
Creek Road Reconstruction Project. Commissioner
Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to adopt Resolution
#2013-13. A resolution supporting the project
identification submittal for the Deep Creek Loop
Phase III Project. Commissioner Kirby second.
Motion passed unanimously. Resolution #2013-13
reads as follows:
BOUNDARY
COUNTY
RESOLUTION #2013-13
A RESOLUTION
SUPPORTING THE PROJECT IDENTIFICATION SUBMITTAL
FOR THE DEEP CREEK LOOP PHASE III PROJECT
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of
Boundary County, Idaho, does support the project
identification submittal for the Deep Creek Loop
Road, Phase III Project to the Local Highway
Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC), and
WHEREAS, the total project cost estimate is
$1,977,000, which will require $145,111 of local
matching funds to be made available from
Boundary County,
NOW THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Chairman of the Board
of Boundary County Commissioners is hereby
authorized and directed to sign the project
identification packet and submit it to LHTAC for
prioritization.
Adopted this 22nd day of January, 2013.
BOUNDARY
COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
s/__________________________
Dan R. Dinning, Chairman
s/__________________________
Walt Kirby, Commissioner
s/__________________________
LeAlan Pinkerton, Commissioner
ATTEST:
s/____________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy
Recorded as instrument #256282
The meeting with Mr. Gutshall ended at
9:30 a.m.
County
Noxious
Weeds Superintendent Duke Guthrie joined the
meeting to give his department report.
Mr. Guthrie said it’s the time to obtain
certification credits again and there are
courses in Spokane.
Mr. Guthrie discussed the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs and
referred to the Selkirk Cooperative Weed
Management Association (CWMA) program. Mr.
Guthrie mentioned the Kootenai Tribe, The Nature
Conservancy, and Idaho Department of Lands as
participants. The CWMA Program is cost share
funded through the Department of Agriculture and
some funding is through the Forest Service. This
program doesn’t include crop land, according to
Mr. Guthrie. Commissioner Pinkerton asked if the
program is based on land size and Mr. Guthrie
said it caters to smaller land owners. One of
the smaller funding years was approximately
$8,500. Mr. Pinkerton asked about vacant land
and Mr. Guthrie said this program does cover
vacant land, but the property owner has to apply
for the program.
Those present discussed timber areas in relation
to noxious weeds as well as enforcement and
providing assistance. Chairman Dinning suggested
finding out who is in charge of land management
and to have a commissioner visit with them
regarding how to help.
Mr. Guthrie said he filed the annual report for
water applications and some of the definitions
of the waters of the
United States
were very vague. Mr. Guthrie said he hadn’t done
any water applications and his advisory board is
aware.
Mr. Guthrie said the cost share is decreasing
each year. A figure for cost sharing has been
$100,000 in funding, but last year it was a bit
over $50,000 for the Selkirk group and it will
most likely be less the next time. Commissioners
asked how many acres were treated and Mr.
Guthrie said close to 500 acres were treated.
Between 700 and 800 acres were treated prior and
he’s seen the significant impact. Mr. Guthrie
mentioned the cost per acre to treat for noxious
weeds and said a person doesn’t have to have a
license to treat for weeds.
Mr. Guthrie spoke of a new program called the
Healthy Habits Coalition. Mr. Guthrie read aloud
information on this new program, which is to
fuel invasive species control and management on
a state-by-state and
U.S.
territory level. Mr. Guthrie said this
organization is requesting a donation of $100 in
order to increase their financial base to work
towards their goal. Mr. Guthrie said he has $120
in his budget that is available for this and
that would be his request.
Boundary County
will belong to the Idaho Weed Control
Association by making this donation.
Bonner
County did contribute approximately
one month ago, according to Mr. Guthrie.
Clif Warren with the Community Transportation
Association of Idaho joined the meeting at 9:45 a.m.
Commissioner Dinning asked if Mr. Guthrie has
discussed this organization and donation with
his advisory board. Mr. Guthrie said no.
Mr. Guthrie informed Commissioners that
Panhandle Lakes Resource Conservation and
Development (RC&D) used to administer the Idaho
Cost Share Program, but paperwork issues had
occurred so Clerk Poston agreed to take over the
bookkeeping.
Those present discussed Eurasian Milfoil in the
Kootenai River.
Boundary Economic Development Specialist David
Sims joined the meeting at
9:50 a.m.
The meeting with Mr. Guthrie ended at
9:50 a.m.
Treasurer Jenny Fessler joined the meeting at
9:50 a.m.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to amend the prior
motion regarding the expiration date of Fair
Board members to reflect an expiration date of
January 2017 for the terms of Glenda Poston,
Gayle Alexander, and Rod LePoidevin.
Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed
unanimously.
Commissioner Kirby moved to amend the day’s
agenda for 10:30
a.m., to include signing the United
States Post Office Outlease Agreement for the
Probation Office as it is a time sensitive
matter. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion
passed unanimously.
Treasurer Jenny Fessler informed Commissioners
that she has finished the cancellation of taxes
on all City of Bonners
Ferry annexation
properties.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to cancel year 2012
taxes in the amount of $28,027.80 for properties
within the annexed area that was deemed invalid
by the district court, as presented in a list by
the Boundary County Treasurer. Commissioner
Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Treasurer Fessler explained how she has to make
sure to balance with the Clerk/Auditor’s Office
records. The county will be short the amount of
$55.92 in the trust to pay refunds and that is
because two of the parcels had the circuit
breaker exemption and the State of Idaho
reimburses for that in half payments. These two
parcels in question paid their taxes in full and
the county doesn’t have reimbursement from the
state for that second half yet. Chairman Dinning
said the county will ultimately receive the
state’s reimbursement so to go ahead and issue a
refund. Treasurer Fessler said before she issues
any refunds she needs to balance out for this
month. That needs to be done as there have been
so many reversals and cancellations leaving many
chances of human error after balancing for the
month. Treasurer Fessler said she would make
sure to balance. Property owners that were
affected will receive a corrected tax bill.
Clerk Poston asked if a letter will also be
mailed to these property owners to accompany the
refund. Clerk Poston discussed all the time
involved and postage and checks written that has
been an expense to the county and it shouldn’t
have been.
Barbara Kovacs with the
Seniors
Hospitality Center
joined the meeting at
10:01 a.m.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to grant an
extension of time to pay year 2012 taxes for the
parcel #MH00030000018AA as follows: the first
half of year 2012 tax to be due by February 4, 2013 and the second half of
year 2012 tax to be due by
March 4, 2013. Commissioner Kirby
second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to cancel taxes for
year 2012 for parcel #PPB0080002009AA in the
amount of $322.87. Commissioner Kirby second.
Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to grant an
extension of time to pay year 2012 taxes for
parcel #MH63N03E323800A until
February 28, 2013. Commissioner Kirby
second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to grant an
extension of time to pay year 2012 taxes for
parcel #MHB006000W002UA until June 20, 2013. Commissioner Kirby
second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to grant an
extension of time to pay year 2012 taxes for
parcel #MH62N02E171810A until February 25, 2013. Commissioner Kirby
second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to grant an
extension of time to pay year 2012 taxes for
parcel #PP60N01E052504A until March 25, 2013. Commissioner Kirby
second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to amend the date
of tax deed hearing for year 2009 taxes from
March 5, 2013 to March 19, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.
Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed
unanimously.
Treasurer Fessler left the meeting at
10:08 a.m.
Mr. Sims updated Commissioner Pinkerton on the
issues with funding for the
Senior
Hospitality Center
bus. The Senior
Center
had applied for a grant to purchase the current
bus and had also received a separate grant to
operate it. Earlier this year the
Senior
Center couldn’t raise the funds to
pay the match to operate the bus, and attempts
to have the county and city provide matching
funding were unsuccessful. The
Senior
Center can’t operate the bus without
a grant so at this point the bus is available
for reassignment by the Idaho Transportation
Department. It is preferred to keep the bus in
Boundary
County and perhaps the Restorium is
interested. The Restorium Board has been
notified of this and were pleased to have the
opportunity. Mr. Warren said if this is
approved, he would ask permission from the State
for this change in use. The bus is currently
titled to the county and insurance is provided
by the county as well.
Ms. Kovacs said during this process and going
into the hole for $6,200
Senior
Center representatives wondered if
any of those funds could be recouped from the
county, Restorium or anyone.
Mr. Warren said there’s a state procedure for
transferring this vehicle and if there is a plan
in place, the proposal is taken to the District
Coordination Council. Mr. Sims happens to sit on
that council. The council may have questions,
but a recommendation to change service can be
made and then the Transportation Advisory
Council provides an opinion. Once the plan has
passed the District Coordination Council the
matter probably just needs to be stamped. The
plan needs to list the new scope and by the bus
going to the Restorium it is a shift in the
scope so that shift has to be approved. Mr. Sims
said the purpose of the bus is for senior
transportation, which includes transportation to
the county fair, parades, etc. A brief comment
was made about the Restorium sharing the bus
with the Senior
Center. Mr. Sims said as far as
obligations for the bus it is just ongoing
maintenance, fuel, etc.
Commissioner Kirby said if the Restorium had the
bus, then the van they currently have could be
surplused so to speak so that cost is just
transferred and financially it’s not much
different. Chairman Dinning said there is one
Caravan and a car that are owned by the county
and used by the Restorium. It was said a
commercial driver’s license is not required to
drive the bus. Commissioner Kirby said the
Restorium Board felt it was a wonderful idea to
take the bus.
Clerk Poston questioned the cost of $6,200 and
Ms. Kovacs said the
Senior
Center had a driver on staff since
they were under contract with the state so a lot
of the expense came from that. The grant match
was lost in June so the Center started incurring
debt from the loss of grant match. Commissioner
Kirby said that is a different program so the
Senior
Center had an expense that the
county will not. Chairman Dinning asked what the
Restorium Board said about recouping costs.
Commissioner Kirby said that subject didn’t come
up. The Board was offered the bus with no
strings.
It was said there are two issues, one is
ownership and the other is funding. Ms. Kovacs
was asked if transferring the bus is dependent
on reimbursement of costs and Ms. Kovacs said
no. The Senior
Center has a van for transporting
meals, but that is all it’s used for. Mr. Sims
said if the county doesn’t want the bus, it is
available to other counties as well. Mr. Warren
said yes, so he would put the notice of
availability to all five northern counties for
senior facilities. Sandpoint has a definite
interest, according to Mr. Warren. The state
said if the bus is just sitting unused, they
will take it back.
Mr. Sims said he would take care of developing a
new plan and the Restorium would pick up the
cost of fuel, tires, etc. There would be no cost
for a driver and insurance is already paid for.
Chairman Dinning said there are two issues.
First it needs to be determined that Restorium
Board wants the bus and if they do, that will be
another discussion with the Restorium Board as
Commissioners don’t have the ability to say yes
today.
Chairman Dinning asked if Commissioners are okay
with going forward. Chairman Dinning asked about
the match and Ms. Kovacs said the match to buy
the bus was $3,200 or $4,200, but that is
separate from the amount of $6,200.
Commissioner Kirby moved to accept the bus from
the Senior
Hospitality
Center for use by the Restorium.
Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed
unanimously.
The Restorium Board is very happy about this and
being that costs are minimal should allow them
to tackle it. Chairman Dinning asked if the
Restorium Board felt they had enough for
operating expenses.
Commissioner Pinkerton said he would like to
support the county taking over this bus;
however, he would not support increasing the
fleet. The Restorium needs to decide what is
most important and not have a growing fleet,
according to Commissioner Pinkerton.
Commissioner Kirby moved to amend his prior
motion to approve acceptance of the bus from the
Senior Hospitality Center for use by the
Restorium with the understanding the Restorium’s
fleet will not increase so one other vehicle
will need to be surplused and sold. Commissioner
Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Clerk Poston said if the bus was acquired via a
grant, she will need to have the grant documents
and have a complete file for audit purposes. Ms.
Kovacs said she would provide that information.
The meeting with Mr. Sims, Mr. Warren and Ms.
Kovacs ended at
10:34 a.m.
10:35 a.m.,
Chief Probation Officer Stacy Brown joined the
meeting.
Ms. Brown presented Commissioners with the
office lease documents for space rented by the
Probation Department. Commissioner Pinkerton
asked how long the lease is and Ms. Brown said
it is a one year lease that is paid through the
Restorative Justice Practices Grant.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to authorize
Chairman Dinning to sign the United States
Postal Service Outlease Agreement for leasing
the offices for the Probation Department at a
rental rate of $4,472.00 per year. Commissioner
Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
It was said the former County Commission
Chairman Ron Smith sat on the Juvenile Justice
Commission, which is a position appointed by the
Governor. Mr. Smith will sit on the Commission
until sometime in March when the terms ends.
Chairman Dinning said this position has been
very beneficial to
Boundary
County by having a place on the
Commission. Ms. Brown informed Commissioner
Pinkerton that she is the Juvenile Justice
Council Chair for District 1 and the Idaho
Juvenile Justice Association President for the
State of Idaho
at this point in time.
Commissioner Pinkerton asked if the county is
responsible for transporting juveniles. Ms.
Brown said no.
Boundary
County currently has 45 juveniles on
probation, approximately 66 adults on adult
misdemeanor probation, and a first offenders
diversion program, which is a program that is
utilized extensively. Ms. Brown said due to
receiving a grant she is trying to establish a
school for kids who have been suspended or only
have a couple classes per day so they won’t get
into trouble. Ms. Brown listed her staff members
and their job duties.
Those present discussed the office space to be
leased by the Probation Office. Ms. Brown
explained the need for space is that the offices
are so small and by having to work with,
maintain, and keep her department’s case load
files for seven years she is basically out of
room. Commissioner Pinkerton asked if her
offices will need additional locks. Ms. Brown
said just one lock. A break room is also needed,
according to Ms. Brown.
It was asked if there is a direct line to the
Sheriff’s Office when the Border Patrol moves
from their current offices. Ms. Brown said the
grant is also providing a surveillance system.
Ms. Brown said this grant is reimbursable.
The meeting with Ms. Brown ended at
10:50 a.m.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to amend his prior
motion regarding the cancellation of taxes for
the parcels erroneously annexed to include the
cancellation of late fees totaling $57.84.
Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed
unanimously.
Commissioners and Clerk Poston discussed that
the county is paying approximately $20,000 in
rent to lease space for the Probation Office and
the Sheriff’s Office. Chairman Dinning asked
those present to give some thought to that
$20,000 going out every year. Clerk Poston said
$4,000 is in the form of a grant. Chairman
Dinning said Sheriff Sprungl and Ms. Brown both
wanted something closer to the courthouse in the
past so could Boundary County use $20,000 for
it’s own building. Commissioner Kirby said he
was under the impression that decision was
virtually made once, but it didn’t pan out for
various reasons. Chairman Dinning said the
Sheriff’s Office had plans drawn up for a jail
expansion, but no funds were available.
Commissioner Kirby said the county will always
be out of compliance with the Idaho Jail
Standards Commission since there is no inside
exercise room.
Commissioner Pinkerton said there is a
significant loss since the facility hasn’t been
a usable jail. Commissioner Pinkerton discussed
who sets the cost per inmate and the affects of
not being approvable through the federal system.
Sheriff Greg Sprungl and Chief Deputy Rich
Stephens stopped by Commissioners’ Office at 10:55 a.m.
It was questioned if there would be an advantage
to the county owning its own building rather
than paying rent. Sheriff Sprungl said he would
have to work out costs. The other matter to
consider is officer safety as the current office
space situation is a poor arrangement. Sheriff
Sprungl said a negative to relocating from the
current rented location is losing storage
underneath the building. The county would need
to construct a building with a basement, per
Commissioner Kirby. Sheriff Sprungl mentioned
the alternative of a covered area.
Commissioners contacted Bureau of Homeland
Security Local Area Field Officer Jay Baker at 11:10 a.m., to inquire about the 2012 Homeland Security
Grant Program (HSGP) documents.
Mr. Baker explained that the 2012 HSGP grant is
to provide funds for local responders to
purchase radios and all sorts of equipment to
typically respond to any type of terrorist
activity. Another requirement of this grant is
that training exercises need to be held. Out of
the award amount of approximately $22,000,
$3,000 of that is to use for training and
exercises. The rest of the funding is planned
for interoperable communications and investments
to purchase equipment for first responders.
Commissioners clarified that this grant is for
equipment and not salaries. Mr. Baker said there
has also been a grant to rewrite the County
Evacuation Plans in the past, but there is nor
requirement for that this year. Commissioner
Pinkerton said he’s looking at the names of the
programs listed on the paperwork. Mr. Baker said
one of those programs is for urban areas so the
county is not eligible for that. The county is
eligible for just the SHGP Grant and the
Operation Stonegarden Grant, according to Mr.
Baker. Commissioner Pinkerton asked which grant
this paperwork is for. Mr. Baker said this grant
is to help improve communications for local
emergency responders. Mr. Baker clarified that
there is no grant match for Bureau of Homeland
Security grant programs. The shared cost portion
of the grant is considered the training and
exercise investment. The state hires a training
and exercise coordinator to ensure the county
gets all appropriate exercises as required by
the grant and there are also online training
exercise programs. The requirement is that the
training and exercise funds are returned to the
state.
Chief Deputy Rich Stephens asked a question of
Mr. Baker regarding the Operation Stonegarden
Grant. For this grant the amended operation
order has to be rewritten. Mr. Baker said he
will need a copy when it’s done.
The telephone call to Mr. Baker ended at
11:20 a.m.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to authorize the
Chairman to sign the Idaho Bureau of Homeland
Security Subgrant Application for Assistance for
the 2012 Homeland Security Grant Program, Grant
No. EMW-2012-SS-00136. Commissioner Kirby
second. Motion passed unanimously.
11:20 a.m.,
Chief Deputy Clerk Tracie Isaac met with
Commissioners to discuss the bailiff job
description and possible approval of
reclassification. Present were: Chairman Dan
Dinning, Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton,
Commissioner Walt Kirby, Deputy Clerk Michelle
Rohrwasser, Clerk Glenda Poston, Sheriff Greg
Sprungl, Sheriff’s Office Administrative Deputy
Crystal Denton and Chief Deputy Sheriff Rich
Stephens.
Chief Deputy Clerk Isaac reminded Commissioners
that they had requested the bailiff’s job
description go before the Personnel
Classification Committee for review. After
review, the committee felt the grade for this
position should increase to a grade 13.
One of the requirements for this position
is that the person who fills it must meet some
type of Peace Officer Standards Training (POST),
or courthouse bailiff/security certification.
Chief Deputy Clerk Isaac presented the bailiff’s
job description to Commissioners.
Courthouse Security/Bailiff Ron Sukenik joined
the meeting at
11:21 a.m.
Sheriff Sprungl provided Commissioners with more
information on the bailiff’s job description and
duties, and he mentioned it is a good time to
reword some things. Sheriff Sprungl said current
bailiff, Ron Sukenik has done a great job for
years. At the Sheriff’s Office there are civil
or administrative employees and their talents
start defining the job.
Sheriff Sprungl explained how this makes
replacing this person so difficult. The first
couple of bailiffs were Sheriff’s Office
employees and when they were not in court, they
were in dispatch, and now the job description
has been added to so there is a job in which it
will be hard to find a person to take over.
Sheriff Sprungl said he also has concerns
because this will be someone he needs to work
closely with and have confidence in as he will
turn inmates over to this person. Sheriff
Sprungl said time can go on and if this
potential employee is not POST certified within
one year, that employee will have no police
powers and that is a concern. POST doesn’t have
bailiff certification so this person is being
hired under the current job description, but it
doesn’t fit as there is no certification for a
bailiff. Sheriff Sprungl said another thing that
needs to be cleared up is if someone is hired
for this position without a policy manual for
the job, and they misbehave or do not meet
standards, there is no solid ground for
termination and the county can find itself in
hot water.
Chairman Dinning said the person who fills the
bailiff position would be considered a
Boundary
County employee and fall under the
county’s policy. It was said the bailiff’s
direct supervisor is the administrative district
judge. Mr. Sukenik said the direct supervisor is
the resident magistrate judge, but the ultimate
supervisor is the administrative judge. Mr.
Sukenik said he’s always been subject to the
county personnel policy. Sheriff Sprungl said
that policy will take care of some issues, but
his office policy manual goes beyond the basic
manual. Sheriff Sprungl said if there is a
critical incident, shooting, etc., would that be
in the regular policy manual. Sheriff Sprungl
said there is a statute that connects the
sheriff to the court. There is a statute that if
a person is acting as bailiff under the sheriff,
the sheriff has an obligation in court that
connects him to liability of what is going on.
Chairman Dinning said there isn’t going to be a
resolution to the shared employee situation in
the near future.
Chairman Dinning questioned because of how
things have evolved and because of some things
he has read online about
Kootenai County’s
situation, should there be a meeting with the
administrative judge in order to air out these
concerns. Commissioners had sent this job
description to the Personnel Classification
Committee and there are time constraints. Mr.
Sukenik said his last day on the job is
March 25, 2013, and as he sits here
there are 30 working days left that are going by
fast. It was said that Chairman Dinning and
Clerk Poston had spoken to Judge Mitchell about
some of these issues.
The county’s current bailiff could be gone
before someone new is hired. Sheriff Sprungl
reviewed a list of requirements for the new
hire. Chairman Dinning suggested sitting down
with the administrative judge and talking
through the concerns.
Sheriff Sprungl said when he hires someone he
gives a conditional offer of employment.
Employment is under the condition that the
employee passes the paperwork, polygraph test
and POST training. Sheriff Sprungl questioned
what kind of background check the judge might
have in mind. Chairman Dinning said the employee
would be one of
Boundary
County’s employees so it is
Boundary
County that is responsible.
Chairman Dinning asked about
Bonner
County’s process for bailiff. Mr.
Sukenik said there is a bailiff training course
at the POST
Academy in
Meridian,
Idaho. Mr. Sukenik said he had attended a
POST
Bailiff Academy
in 1989 and those courses had been offered
before and after that year. Mr. Sukenik added
that some of the bailiffs he is aware of have
stuck around for a long time so it hasn’t been
economically feasible for this type of POST
training so it has phased out. Mr. Sukenik said
there is also training held in
Spokane
by the Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Sprungl said
there is training available, but there is no
POST training available.
Clerk Poston asked if newer bailiffs are
certified to carry a weapon. Mr. Sukenik said he
didn’t know. There are different programs
available and different sheriffs have different
procedures. It was said that Mr. Sukenik has
been deputized by every sheriff since 1988.
Sheriff Sprungl said in year 2004 he used the
term certified instead of deputized and he
mentioned that he doesn’t deputize. You have to
have someone to trust when transporting inmates,
according to Sheriff Sprungl.
Chairman Dinning said in moving forward for our
current needs, could the county hire someone
specifically under the condition that the job
description they are hired under will change and
there may be additional duties placed on them.
Chief Deputy Clerk Isaac said the last duty on
the job description has “any other duties as
assigned”. Commissioner Pinkerton said the
statement of “other duties as assigned” won’t
work as far as lawsuits go. Mr. Sukenik said the
job description has listed the need for POST
certification, but it doesn’t say the person has
to be certified as a peace officer, bailiff,
probation officer, etc. Mr. Sukenik said he is
not sure how many POST certifications there are,
but if someone came in as a post certified
police officer, there would probably not be a
problem. Sheriff Sprungl said if someone with
POST certification for another job is hired as
bailiff, that certification would end. The
employee would’ve been certified, but they would
lose that certification. Chairman Dinning said
this matter is worth a healthy discussion with
the administrative judge. It was said the Court
Security Committee was formed in 1989 so it
would also be good to gather that committee up.
Commissioner Kirby said Commissioners know this
position, but don’t know what the administrative
judge’s thoughts are.
Assessor Dave Ryals and Computer Arts Inc.
Technician Matt Corwin joined the meeting at 11:44 a.m.
It was said that Mr. Sukenik has a lot of other
job duties. Boundary
County
is fortunate enough to have a bailiff as other
counties such as
Shoshone
County do not have one.
Shoshone
County had the manpower at one time,
but now they have nine deputies, according to
Sheriff Sprungl. It was said that the
Boundary County’s
Sheriff’s Office fills in when Mr. Sukenik is
out of the office.
This position has been a shared employee as
different offices have an interest in this
position, according to Sheriff Sprungl. Mr.
Sukenik said the jury commissioner is by code
the county clerk, and the other commission
member is or can be any individual who is
appointed by the administrative judge and in
some places, that is the bailiff, deputy clerk
and in other places, neither. A jury commission
could consist of the county clerk
and
someone appointed by the judge.
Commissioner Pinkerton said this issue is coming
to a head shortly so is there something to fill
the void until someone is hired permanently.
Another thing is when it comes to transportation
of an inmate from jail to court as Mr. Sukenik
has been doing that under Sheriff’s Sprungl’s
authority. Is that required of the job as in
most other locations, there are detention
enforcement officers for this. Would that need
POST certification to the level Sheriff Sprungl
wants? It was said it’s not so much a law
enforcement position as it is a bailiff.
Commissioner Pinkerton questioned if that
conveys that the person in this position can
make traffic stops because if the person goes
through POST training, it would appear they
could do that so it doesn’t sound like this
position would require that type of extensive
training. Commissioner Pinkerton said these are
all questions in his mind. It was questioned if
there is a course offered by the state for this
type of employment and Sheriff Sprungl said
there is the detention academy. Commissioner
Pinkerton said the reason for asking is that
this would relieve Sheriff Sprungl of that
responsibility. Sheriff Sprungl said he wouldn’t
be relieved of the responsibility as it is he
who sends this person to the academy, not
Commissioners.
Commissioner Pinkerton questioned what will the
county do as this situation is going to happen.
Sheriff Sprungl said he would have to take an
employee from the jail if he isn’t sure about
the employee Commissioners hire. Sheriff Sprungl
said he needs to be confident in this person.
Chairman Dinning asked if there will be coverage
in the way of transporting an inmate if the
county doesn’t have someone to fill the bailiff
position in time. Sheriff Sprungl said yes, as
he’s mandated to do so. From the standpoint of a
jury commissioner that is not the Sheriff’s
Office issue, according to Chairman Dinning.
That piece of business is handled as the county
will do what’s necessary. There needs to be
communication between the administrative judge,
Commissioners and Sheriff on how to address
this. It was said the hiring process will cover
a significant amount of concerns. The
certifications or classes will be for another
discussion, according to Chairman Dinning. Clerk
Poston said she would contact the judge to
inquire about having a discussion next Monday.
Chief Deputy Clerk Isaac questioned when to post
this position. Mr. Sukenik said he is aware of
correction officers, active bailiffs and
probation officers who are interested in the
position.
It was decided to wait to post the
position until after the meeting on Monday, January 28, 2013.
The meeting to discuss the bailiff position and
job duties ended at
12:00 p.m.
Clerk Poston remained in the meeting.
12:00 p.m.,
Computer Arts Technician Matt Corwin and
Assessor Dave Ryals joined the meeting to
discuss matters involving issues with the
county’s computer system server.
Mr. Corwin said the county is facing two issues,
and he mentioned having a quote from September
2012, to see if there were funds to purchase a
new server before the end of the fiscal year.
Mr. Corwin explained there are servers, one is
basically for the Assessor for the Proval System
and the other server is for the rest of the
courthouse to use. This second server will be
seven years old this month and the general life
is typically five years.
Depending on what part of the server goes out it
could be two weeks before the issue could be
fixed. Clerk Poston said there is budget
available in the Data Budget for a server and
it’s agreed that a new server is needed. It was
said if a new server is in place and if using
Dell, the warranty is overnight air so whatever
the problem, the part would be in the next
business day. Chairman Dinning asked if the new
server will improve the courthouse’s internal
system. Mr. Corwin said employees should see
increased performance. Anything that accesses
the server such as files stored, etc., will be
significantly improved.
Planning and Zoning Administrator Dan Studer
joined the meeting at
12:05 p.m.
The cost is approximately $12,000, which is
about $6,000 for the server and the rest of the
cost is for software. The server is still
running windows 2003. The Sequel Servers Program
is not compatible with Windows 2012. The county
should be in a good place for a while with this
purchase. Assessor Ryals said even if the
hardware holds on, the software and programs
become obsolete and couldn’t be upgraded since
the equipment is too old. Mr. Corwin said it’s a
never ending battle. It was said when it comes
to new software or new hardware, one requires
the other. Clerk Poston said a server is costly,
but the county has been building and saving for
this as it has to be done eventually. The county
has been nursing the existing AS400 along for
the last 20 years. It was said the new server
will not replace the AS400, but more and more
that the State Tax Commission switches programs
these programs will be put onto the server and
it will put more stress on it. In the next five
years, the other server will need to be
replaced. Assessor Ryals said this is cheaper in
the long run and short run.
Commissioner Kirby agreed that it’s time to make
this purchase.
Commissioner Kirby moved to approve the
expenditure $12,679.44 to purchase software and
a new server as listed on quote #963171 from
Computer Arts. Commissioner Pinkerton second.
Motion passed unanimously.
Those present discussed quotes for laptops.
Clerk Poston said Commissioners probably still
want to discuss this. Mr. Studer said it would
be helpful to have a HDMI port for laptops. Mr.
Corwin said the laptops would have an SD port
and probably an HDMI port as well.
Mr. Corwin said he was unable to make contact
with Frontier Communications today so he is
still waiting for them to contact him about the
internet service. Mr. Corwin explained that the
county is on a residential quality line for the
entire courthouse. This is one feed that is
shared by the various offices versus only one or
two computers at someone’s home and that is why
the there’s a struggle to conduct a webinar.
There is not enough bandwidth. Mr. Corwin said
he had worked with the City of
Bonners Ferry to upgrade
their line recently. Chairman Dinning said the
county has tried discussing this with Frontier
Communications for about one year now, but Mr.
Corwin might have better luck. Mr. Corwin said
the business class line is what the courthouse
needs.
Commissioner Kirby questioned the ability to
have wireless service in the courthouse and Mr.
Corwin said he would look into that.
The meeting with Mr. Corwin ended at
12:20 p.m.
Commissioners recessed for lunch at
12:20 p.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.,
Clerk Glenda Poston and Members of the
Boundary
County Park
and Recreation Board: Angela Hittle, Brandon
Glaza, Rob Tompkins, Pam Copeland, Tim
Dougherty, and Lisa Carle joined the meeting.
The board members introduced themselves to
Commissioner Pinkerton. Ms. Copeland said the
board has talked about hiring someone to run the
concession stand as Activities Director Anne
Tompkins does both that and the sports
activities and it’s getting to be too much. The
summer help funds can be used. There is $2,700
in that budget, but the Parks and Recreation
Board expect the cost to be less to hire
someone. Chairman Dinning said there has been
talk before, but has any youth been hired. Ms.
Copeland said yes, last year, but it wasn’t
money well spent as it’s hard to make it work to
supervise and find something for the person to
do. Hiring for concessions would be a good use.
Ms. Hittle said the youth that was hired did
help with the concession stands during events
last year, but they had to be supervised. Ms.
Carle said the concession stand generates funds
each year and the amount of hours put into it is
above and beyond what the sports director is
doing. Ms. Tompkins may like being the sports
director and also working the concession stand,
but anyone else wouldn’t consider that a part of
the job.
Chairman Dinning asked what sports Parks and
Recreation is taking on and the response was
volleyball, basketball, etc. Chairman Dinning
said that is taking on the old Kiwanis programs.
Existing programs have more than doubled and
adult softball has been taken on as well. Ms.
Carle listed the various games that go on and
Ms. Copeland mentioned the work is all
volunteer. Chairman Dinning asked how many
people maintain the grounds and Ms. Copeland
said Jerry Kothe and Dick Brown. Mr. Dougherty
said there are also community service workers at
times and they’ve been good help. Mr. Glaza said
there wasn’t so much of that this last year. Mr.
Dougherty said they’ve been a board now for
three years.
Ms. Carle said she has a list of all duties the
person hired to work the concession would need
to do and Ms. Tompkins is doing that right now.
More funds could be put towards a concession
worker whose main function is the stand.
Chairman Dinning mentioned restrictions from the
state and Mr. Tompkins said the board works with
the Panhandle Health District. Chairman Dinning
asked how much net funding the food concessions
have brought in. Ms. Carle thought it had been
$16,000. Clerk Poston said for year 2011 the
budget shows concession revenues was $7,686, but
her report was printed in July so it’s not
complete. Mr. Tompkins informed Commissioners
that soccer has over 250 kids involved and about
900 for kid sports.
Chairman Dinning mentioned the job of trying to
get a restroom facility at
Riverside
Park. Mr. Tompkins said the issue is
just waiting to get approval from the Panhandle
Health District. The perk test failed last year,
according to Mr. Tompkins.
Ms. Carle said one reason it would be nice to
have someone to work the concession stand is
that it’s important that Ms. Tompkins get to be
able to watch her own kids in their programs.
Hiring another person is a way to get the
community involved as it’s bringing people in
who are not necessarily associated. Clerk Poston
reviewed her budget for the concession stand for
last year and said the revenue raised was
$6,705.47. Ms. Carle said that $16,000 was taken
in all together. Clerk Poston said $6,705.47 is
what was brought in to the Clerk’s Office. Ms.
Carle said that can’t be correct because they
raised almost $3,000 on the Forth
of July alone.
It was said Ms. Tompkins is already working more
than she’s getting paid for. Ms. Carle said what
is budgeted would pay for the position for
concessions.
Ms. Carle asked if there was a concern to use
what is budgeted. Paying the person out of what
is collected as opposed to what has been
budgeted was mentioned. Chairman Dinning said if
there is something feasible, he would really
like to be able to employ local youth. Ms. Carle
said a concession worker is something the Parks
and Recreation Board has seen a need for and she
doesn’t want to hire someone for the parks just
because the money is there when there is nothing
to do. Chairman Dinning asked if the $2,700 for
youth can be used somewhere else for
improvements. Ms. Carle questioned if that was a
possibility. Chairman Dinning said yes, if the
matter is presented to Commissioners for that
use. Ms. Hittle said that is why the Parks and
Recreation Board is meeting with Commissioners.
Commissioner Pinkerton said to disregard the
money raised. Typically the budget of $2,700 was
to hire someone to maintain the ground. Ms.
Copeland said the board would like to hire
another person for Dick Brown’s job and they had
been considering having someone to work in the
office a few hours per week. The job duties
would include answering the phones, researching
available grants, etc. Ms. Copeland said at each
board meeting each board member leaves with five
or so things to take care of. If someone was
hired for about 10 hours per week, the job
created for Mr. Brown could be reduced from
eight to six hours. It was said this hire is
just a thought as it would be beneficial to them
of have someone in the office. Ms. Hittle added
that this hired office help could also work on
publicity. Ms. Carle asked if some of the funds
for Mr. Brown’s position could be used for
another position if his Mr. Brown’s hours were
reduced. Ms. Copeland said their board could
always come back to Commissioners after having a
meeting and developing a better plan. Chairman
Dinning suggested being able to fund a position
with proceeds from concession sales. Ms. Carle
said the board feels there is a time crunch as
they would like to have someone hired for April.
Mr. Dougherty said that they should be able to
net off the gross 20%. Ms. Carle said when the
board figured the budget for this year the
anticipated income from the concession stand was
$17,000.
Ms. Copeland said the board also wanted to talk
about Mr. Kothe and what the plan is after he
decides to retire. Chairman Dinning said summer
time is when Mr. Kothe works for the Parks and
Recreation Department unless there is an
emergency at the courthouse. Chairman Dinning
said deciding what to do can be discussed when
the time comes as he doesn’t have any thoughts
on this at the time. Ms. Carle said her concern
is that Mr. Kothe knows a lot about everything
at the parks so a replacement would be hard to
find. Those present said it would be good for
Mr. Kothe to write a manual for the transition.
Mr. Glaza informed Commissioners that two nice
hockey goals have been donated to the Parks and
Recreation Department. Commissioner Pinkerton
said there really aren’t a lot of winter
programs so he thought it was great to read
about the hockey rink.
Commissioner Pinkerton said for discussion it’s
unsure if the Parks and Recreation Board is
looking for one, two, or three employees, and he
would like to know what is received for the cost
of these employees so when it comes to making a
decision, it’s easier to prioritize.
Commissioner Pinkerton said business models
really go a long way. Mr. Dougherty said what’s
proposed is no net increase in cost. If Mr.
Brown’s hours could be reduced by two hours per
week, that cost could be directed to office
staff position, and some of the $2,700 set aside
for summer youth could fund a concession stand
worker. Mr. Dougherty said he understands
getting the best bang for the buck. Ms. Copeland
said the Parks and Recreation Board will meet
and review numbers. Commissioner Pinkerton said
the business model is not something that has to
be real in-depth, but there are other things
outside of hiring someone. Commissioner
Pinkerton said he’s looking to prioritize in
order to do the best thing with that funding.
Those present discussed the process of
purchasing for youth activities. Chairman
Dinning said the county auditor always addresses
cash receipts with the county and to have a
paper trail. It was said there have been policy
changes for county departments that deal with
cash and they’re supposed to bring the funds in
daily. It was suggested that the Parks and
Recreation Board talk about how that’s being
done, not to say that anything is wrong. Ms.
Carle said when initially establishing a system,
Ms. Tompkins’s job was very unique. Ms. Tompkins
is putting payment up front on her credit card
with the way they purchase items. It was asked
if there is a way Ms. Tompkins could avoid
having to use her own money up front. Chairman
Dinning said that is what he wants eliminated.
Ms. Hittle said as far as receipts, they give
Clerk Poston receipts in a lump sum, but Ms.
Tompkins does have each receipt. Chairman
Dinning said the county auditor may ask this of
Commissioners. Ms. Hittle said these records can
be provided.
Clerk Poston said there are accounts set up in
town for purchases, but Ms. Carle said in these
cases it is more so purchasing sports balls,
etc. Clerk Poston said she could work with Ms.
Tompkins to purchase things online and the
county credit card could be used and billed to
the Parks and Recreation Board. Ms. Hittle said
most equipment is ordered through Far North, but
the store is not making any money off the
purchase. Ms. Hittle said the store’s owner is
just processing the purchase this way for them
and charges Parks and Recreation for items at
cost.
Commissioners asked about the board meetings and
Ms. Copeland said during summer months the Parks
and Recreation Board meet twice per month
otherwise the remainder of the year they meet
once per month.
Chairman Dinning said the board members
shouldn’t be doing all of the volunteer work,
but should be the board. Ms. Copeland said
volunteering can be fun for them and it helps
build a relationship. Ms. Carle said the public
sees that there is an active board.
The meeting with the Parks and Recreation Board
members ended at
2:15 p.m.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to approve the
minutes of January 7 & 8, 2013. Commissioner
Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to authorize the
Chairman to sign the Exhibit A, Cooperative Law
Enforcement Annual Operating Plan and Financial
Plan between the Boundary County Sheriff’s
Office and the USDA, Forest Service,
Idaho Panhandle
National Forests to end on December 31, 2013. Commissioner Kirby
second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Dinning said a request has come from
Boundary County Emergency Services Incident
Director Dave Kramer to waive rental fees for
the use of Memorial Hall. Chairman Dinning
explained that Memorial Hall falls under
Commissioners’ authority and Commissioners can
waive the rental fees for another governmental
agency. Memorial Hall will be rented for a
Search and Dive Rescue conference and a request
has been made for the fee to be waived.
Commissioner Kirby moved to grant the waiver of
rental fees for the use of Memorial Hall for the
Search and Dive Rescue conference. Commissioner
Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
Chief Deputy Sheriff Rich Stephens stopped by
Commissioners’ Office at
2:40 p.m., to discuss possible
upcoming changes in the county’s law enforcement
services for the Kootenai Tribe. Those present
briefly discussed jurisdictions.
Sheriff Greg Sprungl joined the meeting at
2:50 p.m.
Clerk Poston reviewed budget information with
those present.
There being no further business, the meeting
adjourned at 3:00
p.m.
/s/
DAN R.
DINNING, Chairman
ATTEST:
/s/
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy
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