County commission minutes, July 29
August 12, 2013
***Monday, July 29, 2013, Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, 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.

Chairman Dinning informed Mr. Gutshall that Walter Burrows stopped by to tell Commissioners how the dust abatement on parts of Fawn Lane did not take. Mr. Gutshall said he doesn’t understand why a full application of dust abatement didn’t take in some areas. Mr. Gutshall briefly mentioned being over budget for dust abatement. Mr. Gutshall said Road and Bridge is patching today with asphalt and applying two loads of oil tomorrow and Wednesday. Commissioner Pinkerton asked to consider using the alternate oil mix for dust abatement to see how that works, and Mr. Gutshall said he’s in favor of trying that.

Mr. Gutshall discussed finishing seal coating Copeland Road and Westside Road to Elk Mountain Farms, and Moon Shadow Road from the end of the new pavement project. Mr. Gutshall said Road and Bridge will move to Blue Sky Road, Shamrock Road and Stellar Jay Road for a seal coat application. Crews will then get the roads broomed off. Mr. Gutshall spoke of reports of speeding on Lookout View Road. This is the road being used as a detour during the Deep Creek Bridge #2 repairs.

Road and Bridge will finish grinding and hauling rock to a section of Copeland Road, and they will go back to crushing and gravel reconstruction on Green Pasture Road. Mr. Gutshall spoke of grinding the rest of Lion’s Den Road. There are still guardrails to be worked on near the golf course on Deep Creek Loop. Mr. Gutshall discussed preventing water run off and Chairman Dinning mentioned the use of culverts. Mr. Gutshall mentioned the need to install culverts in the Curley Creek area.

Chairman Dinning said Bonner County Commissioners want to make a request to the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) for ITD to stop using a salt brine on the highway. Mr. Gutshall said salt brine is the affordable option to the other solution. Salt was running below $.10 per gallon compared to de-icers running $.90 per gallon. Bonner County is claiming damage to wiring on vehicles due to the salt, according to Chairman Dinning.

The meeting with Mr. Gutshall ended at 9:23 a.m.

Charles Howard and Marilyn Howard stopped be Commissioners’ Office at 9:23 a.m.

Mr. Howard said he’s been trying to work with the Airport Board on a land matter and he has learned the property has been rezoned light industrial. Chairman Dinning said even if the property is in that zone, the property is assessed as the use. Chairman Dinning suggested Mr. Howard speak with the Assessor’s Office.

Mr. Howard said Brad Niemeyer with JUB Engineering (JUB) presented information to him about land acquisition matters and Mr. Niemeyer said he is having a hard time getting an access for the Howard property because of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Mr. Howard discussed having had logging done.

Courthouse Maintenance Jerry Kothe joined the meeting at 9:30 a.m.

Mr. Howard asked what Commissioners’ feelings are about not being able to have an access from the west. Chairman Dinning said JUB has been hired to work on the land acquisition details and he doesn’t recall seeing what has been proposed for the Howard property. Mr. Howard said he’s just been apprised his father’s property has been included in the second phase of the land acquisition project. Mr. Howard said he’s not opposed to some of the options, but he would like to know the status as soon as possible.

Mr. Howard and Ms. Howard left the meeting.

Mr. Kothe presented a written report. Commissioners and Mr. Kothe discussed the water gun for the Parks and Recreation Department. Mr. Kothe said he noticed there is silt on the boat launch in Copeland and he wondered if Road and Bridge had been able to move it. Chairman Dinning said probably not due to the water level. The fields at Riverside Park have been mowed. All of the sprinklers around the new gazebo at the fairgrounds had to be reset and the tree near the southeast corner of the slab has roots growing around the sprinkler and someday something will have to be done, according to Mr. Kothe. Mr. Kothe said Friday he did more watering and trimmed trees behind the courthouse.

Fair Board Maintenance Roy Krohmer is getting ready for the fair, according to Mr. Kothe. Mr. Kothe discussed mowing the grass at the fairgrounds and he will see how it goes as far as watering.

Mr. Kothe said he thinks the roof of the Courthouse needs the reflective material applied to it. Chairman Dinning said there is probably only two months left to be able to have that done.

9:47 a.m., Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee joined the meeting.

Mr. Kothe left the meeting at 9:48 a.m.

Chairman Dinning asked Ms. Magee how she has been covering the kitchen manager position at the Restorium. Ms. Magee mentioned the three employees that fill in for this position. Ms. Magee said by eliminating this position she’s afraid of falling out of compliance because when you pull an employee in to fill this position, it’s pulling them from their normal work area.

9:50 a.m., Commissioner Pinkerton moved to go into executive session under Idaho Code #67-2345(1)b, to consider the evaluation, dismissal or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, or public school student. Commissioner Kirby second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton “aye” and Commissioner Kirby “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. 10:05 a.m., Commissioner Kirby moved to go out of executive session. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

Ms. Magee left the meeting at 10:05 a.m.

10:10 a.m., Rob Tenas and Kyle Flory of Kyle and Rob Productions joined the meeting to provide an update on the Boundary County documentary. Mr. Tenas said he and Mr. Flory are on schedule and will shoot the hatchery portion of the documentary this week. Mr. Tenas explained how the hatchery ties into wildlife, restoration projects, etc. Mr. Flory said he and Mr. Tenas would speak with North Idaho Energy Logs and all of the mills. Chairman Dinning also suggested Mr. Tenas and Mr. Flory talk to Ty Iverson and Tim Dillin about farming and Gary Regehr for logging.

The meeting with Mr. Flory and Mr. Tenas ended 10:14 a.m.

Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals joined the meeting at 10:14 a.m.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to deny indigent 2013-22 as per the Clerk’s recommendation. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Deputy Clerk Ryals left the meeting at 10:19 a.m.

Commissioner Kirby moved to approve the list of volunteers for the August 3, 2013 All Class Reunion. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to approve the minutes of July 8 and 9, 2013, July 15 and 16, 2013 and July 22 & 23, 2013. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioners tended to administrative duties.

10:30 a.m., Solid Waste Superintendent Claine Skeen joined the meeting to discuss hours for part time employees. Clerk Poston said she is basing the budget for hours as of October 1, 2013. Chairman Dinning said it’s not certain what will take place as far as hours for part time employees at this point when speaking about the Affordable Healthcare Act. Chairman Dinning suggested budgeting for 35 hours for part time employees until January 1, 2013 then to budget for less than 30 hours. Mr. Skeen said each part time employee at the monitored sites would lose 364 hours. Those present discussed changing hours for part time employees to 28 hours and how many total hours that is for those employees. Mr. Skeen’s request is to look at the Personnel Policy about part time employees receiving holiday pay. Chairman Dinning said the Restorium’s part time employees are facing the same issue with hours. With a reduction to 28 hours and then not getting paid for holidays not worked, Mr. Skeen said he can foresee a big change over in his department. As of now this is going into effect as of January 1, according to Mr. Skeen. Chairman Dinning mentioning alternating the holidays so the same employees wouldn’t be always working or having the same holidays off and those hours could be spread around.

Mr. Skeen said he has conducted his study for a certain number of days as to how many county residents use the monitored sites from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Mr. Skeen reviewed the number of people who visited the monitored sites on certain days between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. as well as how many people used the site later in the day. The Naples site has the highest level of activity between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., according to Mr. Skeen. Mr. Skeen asked if the reduction in part time hours means closing the monitored sites for two hours in the morning, two hours in the afternoon or closing for one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners would like to have Mr. Skeen’s recommendation. Commissioner Kirby said there is no easy way to do this.

Clerk Poston said she has budgeted for 30 hours for part time. Chairman Dinning said to budget now for what is anticipated will happen such as worst case scenario of 30 hours or less. Chairman Dinning said as far as he is aware the Affordable Healthcare Act for this is not set in stone. Mr. Skeen said his recommendation is to close the site in the afternoon instead of the morning, but that he will have to think about this because it will affect people. Mr. Skeen said he will bring his recommendation forward during his department report.

Chairman Dinning asked Mr. Skeen if his employees have expressed any thoughts to him as to how to solve the problem. Mr. Skeen mentioned finding scenarios that would eliminate the reduced hours as a solution to look for. January 1, 2014, the part time hours will consist of less than 30 hours. Mr. Skeen said he will base part time on 28 hours.

The meeting with Mr. Skeen ended at 10:55 a.m.

11:00 a.m., Former District Forest Ranger Linda McFaddan and newly appointed Bonners Ferry District Forest Ranger Kevin Knauth joined the meeting for introductions. Mr. Knauth said he is relocating to Bonners Ferry from Mountain Home. Ms. McFaddan said she’s been filling Mr. Knauth in on the job and they have had a couple meetings already.

Mr. Knauth said from what he’s learned all projects are ongoing and there has been field visits to those project areas. Mr. Knauth said fire-wise he has talked to Dan Muir with the local District Ranger Office and there has been one fire in the Long Canyon area. The fire crew has driven to a certain point and then went by trail the rest of the way. It’s not known how much rain came through those areas with the lightning, according to Mr. Knauth.

Chairman Dinning mentioned he has seen a North Dakota fire fighting team in Boundary County working on local fires here such as the Deer Ridge fire. Mr. Knauth said this team consists of a 20 person crew and they are good to work with.

Chairman Dinning mentioned the agreement in which the fairgrounds are available to the Forest Service in case of a large fire, with the exception of the week of the county fair.

Chairman Dinning mentioned the benefits of having the ability for Boundary County to use community service juveniles to brush out roads at no cost to the Forest Service. Chairman Dinning said this is good for the kids and as well as the roads so he was going to speak to Idaho Panhandle National Forest Supervisor Mary Farnsworth about that. Those present discussed youth crews. Mr. Knauth said he has learned how important volunteers and grant dollars are.

The meeting with Mr. Knauth ended at 11:30 a.m.

Cabinet Mountains Water District Engineer Mike Klaus joined the meeting at 11:30 a.m.

Mr. Klaus provided a brief recap of the matter regarding the request for another water tank and said the last time he and Commissioners met they visited the proposed site to see the location of the future tank and discussed the possibility of the county granting a lease. A draft lease has been drawn up with a legal description, and Mr. Klaus presented Commissioners with the document. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners would have the county attorney review it. Chairman Dinning asked about combining the proposed new lease with the existing lease. Commissioner Pinkerton said in looking at the draft lease he doesn’t see access in case the county needed to get to the hillside. Those present discussed an access road. Mr. Klaus said he would have a survey done and have markers placed once an approved idea was arrived at.

The meeting with Mr. Klaus ended at 11:35 a.m.

Commissioners discussed various budget matters.

11:50 a.m., Chief Deputy Clerk Tracie Isaac and Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee joined the meeting and those present discussed various budget matters.

Ms. Magee left the meeting at 1:00 p.m.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.m.

/s/
DAN R. DINNING, Chairman
ATTEST:

/s/
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk