County Commission minutes, March 11-12 |
| April 10. 2013 |
|
*** Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
Commissioners reviewed the quotes for baling
metal at the landfill. Five quotes were received
and after review of the quotes Glen McClellan
with L & S Enterprises was the apparent high
quote for baling metal at $186 per ton owed to
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to accept the quote
from L & S Enterprises for baling metal for the
Solid Waste Department at a total of $186 per
ton owed to Commissioner Pinkerton moved to reappoint Phil Allegretti to the Boundary County Noxious Weeds Advisory Board with a term to expire August 2014. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Pinkerton moved to reappoint Larry Hall to the Restorium Board with a term to expire January 2016. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Pinkerton moved to reappoint Jay Wages to the Airport Board with a term to expire February 2016. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Pinkerton moved to reappoint Don Jordan to the Airport Board with a term to expire February 2016. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals joined the meeting at
Commissioner Kirby moved to go into closed
session under Idaho Code #31-874. Commissioner
Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Pinkerton moved to deny indigent application 2013-9. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Pinkerton moved to deny on appeal indigent application 2013-6. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Kirby moved to sign the contract with L & S Enterprises for baling metal at the landfill. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously. Commissioners reviewed claims for payment. Fund totals are as follows: Current Expense $69,532.67 Road & Bridge 126,568.63 Airport 11,343.60 District Court 25,444.08 Justice Fund 64,643.58 911 Funds 8,980.06 Historical Society & Museum 7,000.00 Indigent and Charity 5,516.79 Parks and Recreation 3,089.44 Revaluation 2,821.04 Solid Waste 94,424.95 Veterans Memorial 184.07 Weeds 1,661.93 Restorium 81,035.46 Waterways 211.14 Juvenile Probation, Lottery 47.99 Grant, Boat Safety 49.68 Grant, Emergency Communication 270.07
TOTAL
$502,825.18 Citizens are invited to inspect detailed records on file in the Courthouse (individual claims & Commissioners’ allowance & warrant register record 2013). Commissioners tended to administrative duties. 1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Dinning, Commissioner Pinkerton, Commissioner Kirby, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser. Two sealed bids were opened. The first bid opened was from Western States Asphalt. Chairman Dinning reviewed the bid documents provided to include a bid bond for 5% of the total amount bid. The total bid from Western States Asphalt is $288,820.00. The second bid opened was from Idaho Asphalt. Documents also included was a bid bond totaling 5% of the total amount bid and a letter discussing unloading times, etc. The bid from Idaho Asphalt is $302,500.00
Chairman Dinning said since the County’s Road
and Bridge Superintendent is not present the bid
decision will be postponed until tomorrow at
Commissioner Kirby moved to postpone the bid
decision until
The bid opening for asphalt petroleum products
ended at Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
2: 3:00 p.m., Commissioners attended an informational briefing hosted by Customs and Border Patrol staff members at the new Customs and Border Patrol facility with Bonner County Commissioners Cary Kelly and Mike Nielsen. Blue Sky Broadcasting Reporter Mike Brown was also present.
Maps of the area to be discussed were presented
for viewing. Agent Barry Woelfel informed
Commissioners how the Border Patrol has moved
east, which incorporates the Bog Creek area and
how agents have to travel from
The Border Patrol has approached the Forest
Service about Agent Woelfel said the number of trips allowed for this road is 57. This road would still remain an administrative road and Customs and Border Patrol will clear the road. Agent Woelfel said he hopes Commissioners understand. Agent Woelfel said some environmental groups haven’t asked what is going on and so they have misinterpretations. There will not be increased traffic. Agent Woelfel explained that there could be four agents on four ATV’s and that is considered four trips so if the road could be cleared, one truck could carry those four people and be considered one trip. Agent Woelfel said this is in bear management area so the issue is touchy. Commissioner Pinkerton said the Border Patrol is not trying to change the application that is already on the road and Agent Woelfel said that was correct. Commissioner Pinkerton asked what the Border Patrol’s nature is and the reply was not administrative.
Agent Woelfel said Commissioner Pinkerton said it is not the Border Patrol’s intention to close roads. Agent Woelfel said the Border Patrol’s Sector Chief has no interest in closing the road. Bonner County Commissioner Mike Nielsen said there needs to be a public hearing so the public can be aware. Agent Woelfel said the Border Patrol has a good relationship with the Continental Mine representatives, but their legal counsel has advised them against divulging their number of trips. Chairman Dinning said he’s concerned about an animal taking importance over national security even though he is in favor of the bears’ recovery. It was said the Border Patrol has also met with the Kootenai Tribe on the matter.
Commissioner Pinkerton said this all surrounds
the amount of use per year and he said the
Border Patrol is not changing anything, but land
management will try to use the number of trips
in closing the road.
Commissioner Pinkerton asked how much funding
will the Border Patrol contribute to this issue
and Agent Woelfel said $250,000 will be
contributed for road reconstruction by the
Border Patrol. The Border Patrol Spokane Sector
has approximately $500,000 for roads and the
Agent Daniel McElheran said the Border Patrol
just wants to be transparent with Commissioners
and they do not wish to close anything. Agent
James Frackelton said the Border Patrol has
taken annual courses and training on
environmental issues so agents can do patrols,
be aware and know enough to report potential
environmental issues. It was said this shows the
Border Patrol is going over and beyond. Agent
McElheran spoke briefly of the differences
between road systems in
Commissioner Pinkerton asked about training and
Agent Frackelton spoke of being able to respond
with remote technology in order of reducing to
what has been agreed so they can still be
effective. Agent Woelfel said the Border Patrol
has vehicles with a lot of wear and tear as a
result of something that could be a simple
project. The length of
Bonner County Commission Chairman Cary Kelly asked about the time frame for the Border Patrol and the difference between an environmental assessment (EA) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) such as one year. Agent Woelfel said that was correct as it would be year 2014 for an environmental assessment. Agent McElheran said the longer this process takes the longer the vehicles are traveling and they need to reduce costs. Agent Woelfel added that the Border Patrol is just trying to make it safer for their agents and are not harming bears, etc.
Commissioner Pinkerton said in his opinion he
would like to see more roads opened than closed.
Commissioner Pinkerton asked about the size of
the recovery zone and Chairman Dinning said he
believes it is 50% on each side of the The meeting portion ended and Commissioners were given a tour of the new Border Patrol facility.
The meeting with the Border Patrol ended There being no further business, the meeting recessed until the joint city/county meeting to be held at the Bonners Ferry City Hall at 5:00 p.m., along with the City of Bonners Ferry and City of Moyie Springs.
Clerk’s
Note: City of
There being no further business, the meeting
recessed until tomorrow at
*** 10:30 a.m., Commissioner Walt Kirby, via telephone, and Chairman Dinning met for the purpose of making a motion to accept the bid for asphalt petroleum products for year 2013. Road and Bridge Superintendent Jeff Gutshall joined the meeting. Chairman Dinning said the apparent low bidder for the 2013 asphalt petroleum products bid is Western States Asphalt who has a bid of $288,820 versus the bid of $302,500 from Idaho Asphalt. Both bids contained a bid bond totaling 5% of the amounts bid. Mr. Gutshall said he recommended the low bidder, which appears to be Western States Asphalt with a bid of $288,820. Commissioner Kirby moved to accept the bid of $288,820 from Western States Asphalt for asphalt petroleum products for year 2013 for the Road and Bridge Department. Chairman Dinning yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting for the bid decision ended at 6:00 p.m., Commissioners met in special session at the County Extension Annex Building with Chairman Dinning, Commissioner Pinkerton and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser; and Boundary Volunteer Ambulance (BVA) Board members Jim Paulus, Erika Denning, Dan Moore and Brian Strong. Also present were: Bonners Ferry Herald Reporter Laura Roady, Vickie Hamilton, Peach Baker, Teresa Baker, BVA President Kenneth Baker, BVA Attorney Brian Woods, David Sims, Alan Hamilton, Jacob Bushnell, Dave Wenk, Georgia Earley, Mary Matthews, and Earl Matthews. The meeting was recorded. Introductions were given. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners in January had requested that negotiations for a new contract begin and recently President Baker brought in BVA’s historical budget. In regards to how much BVA expects to receive in taxes, Chairman Dinning informed BVA board members that the county borrowed $80,000 from the Solid Waste Department budget and that amount needs to be paid back. Legally the Ambulance Taxing District is unable to enter into a contract; only the county can, according to Chairman Dinning. Commissioners asked for an explanation of the BVA Projected Operational Budget Plan. President Baker said this was the information that was requested by Commissioners. Chairman Dinning asked BVA to remember that the county only collects approximately 90% of tax in a one year period. Commissioners will not know what that amount will be until budgets have been set and the county’s value is determined. BVA Board Chairman Jim Paulus determined the budget information presented by President Baker wasn’t the most current information. Chairman Dinning said if the budget presented is obsolete, the county would like to see a plan for various levels and options for service. BVA Chairman Paulus said BVA tried to provide the best information they had at that point. BVA Attorney Woods said BVA had put together a five year plan in executive session approximately one year ago and there had been a presentation on that showing how funds would be spent if received. There was also the wild card, which is the pitch for the .04% levy to advance the level of ambulance service to advance life support (ALS), which generates revenue, according to Attorney Woods. Chairman Dinning asked what the costs are to maintain various levels of service and he said once that information is determined we can go in the direction we need to go. Commissioners would like to know the alternatives. Chairman Dinning informed BVA’s board about the funds received from Secure Rural Schools program that equates to half of the Road and Bridge budget and how that may no longer be authorized. Chairman Dinning explained that the county cannot create a new levy for the Road and Bridge Department so if Secure Rural Schools funding is no longer reauthorized, the county will have to use funds currently designated to other departments to help fund Road and Bridge. BVA Chairman Paulus said he can see BVA’s needs such as the need to buy new equipment. The volunteer system is declining and there are six to twelve volunteers. Those volunteers need to be compensated and new equipment is needed. The CPR mannequins are falling apart. BVA Chairman Paulus said the outlook is to have an ALS system for the community. Chairman Dinning said he understands the needs of both sides. This is a tough time for the community and taxpayers. Chairman Dinning questioned what the least amount of money BVA could get by on? The county will levy the full amount the first year and then will not levy over the next two years, but will levy that fourth year. Chairman Dinning asked if that would be too difficult to operate on now such as a three step plan. BVA board member Brian Strong informed those present of his experience in the emergency medical service field and he discussed operating on a basic service as opposed to an enhanced service.
BVA Chairman Paulus said
Chairman Dinning explained that the Kootenai
River Inn is a part of a sovereign nation and
the Tribe contracts with the county for law
enforcement services. It was suggested that BVA
sign a contract for calls to the
Attorney Woods said BVA could contract around
that as when people go to the Dave Wenk asked about the minimum amount BVA could function on and if the county has to borrows funds, would BVA funds be borrowed against? Chairman Dinning said no. BVA Chairman Paulus said BVA has had to borrow funds to operate. Chairman Dinning asked if BVA is in the hole after borrowing $80,000. President Baker said the $80,000 keeps BVA afloat. Chairman Dinning said the Commissioners need to look at real alternatives from minimal, medium and maximum service so they can see what can be done. If the county was flush, it would be different, but that isn’t likely to happen. BVA Chairman Paulus said he also has things to discuss pertaining to the contract. President Baker mentioned other bids. Attorney Woods recapped budget issues and mentioned BVA could probably write a contractual proposal. Attorney Woods said if the .04% levy goes away, it could be written in the contract that BVA could state they don’t wish to provide the service so a contract could probably be written around that. Chairman Dinning said the current board of commissioners cannot bind future boards. BVA Chairman Paulus said he is also a business owner and he explained that he wouldn’t be able to make purchases if he didn’t have a projected budget. Chairman Dinning said he understands, but from year to year the county doesn’t know what the needs are. If BVA’s runs decrease or reimbursements increase, that isn’t known, but there needs to be the ability to change. Mr. Wenk asked if the county could purchase equipment and lease back to BVA. Chairman Dinning said there could be all kinds of options. Chairman Paulus said Commissioners can see what BVA is up against and he doesn’t see it being a big deal to meet once per month to discuss needs. Alan Hamilton said BVA won’t have to buy an ambulance unit every year, but there are supplies that expire and that is what BVA gets hit with. Mr. Hamilton also explained issues with getting supplies from the current ambulance units to a car that has gone over a bank in an accident and the need to update to new auto materials. Chairman Dinning asked what the absolute priority list for the first year. Attorney Woods said to understand the history, we only got to this point by wanting the .04% levy. The needs are there to justify more than $300,000. BVA still isn’t properly paying volunteers for their work as the fee they were getting paid had to be reduced from the $55 they had been splitting. Chairman Dinning said whether Commissioners like it or not they are accountable to the public. If someone comes up and asks where the money BVA is getting is going to, he will not know. Commissioner Pinkerton said it’s hard to go to the public and say this is the only option. Commissioner Pinkerton said the ambulance service is remarkable and shouldn’t have gotten to this place, but it did.
BVA Chairman Paulus said
Chairman Dinning said one thing the public wants
to know is why the county doesn’t seek bids for
ambulance service. BVA Board member Dan Moore
said he wishes the county would seek bids so
Commissioners could see what the service
actually costs. It was said BVA wants to do this
right. BVA Chairman Paulus said Dave Wenk said as a taxpayer he would appreciate seeing a breakdown of costs, payments, insurance, etc. Teresa Baker said that is not public information.
Attorney Woods said this has been a year long
process. There is the .04%, then initially
$80,000 and having a county commissioner on the
board, and BVA went along with that due to the
.04%. Once the .04% was established and the BVA Board Chairman Paulus said the volunteers are getting burned out. Chairman Dinning said he hasn’t spoken to Commissioner Pinkerton about this matter as he wants a fresh pair of eyes. BVA Chairman Paulus said he would like a multi-year contract. BVA Chairman Paulus mentioned not hiring an outside firm or a fire department to provide the service. Dave Wenk questioned if the .04% levy would be every year. BVA Chairman Paulus read aloud a portion of the agreement. Chairman Dinning said the county agreed to levy the .04% in order to maintain the levy ability. The contract amount for year 2013-2014 is what will be determined today. The future years will be determined by the needs of Commissioners and BVA so there will be ongoing dialogue with the county.
Attorney Woods said BVA could provide ALS
service and raise revenue to wean themselves,
etc, but they cannot do that without financial
resources for a foundation. Chairman Dinning
asked what it will take for the next year
assuming no ALS. Chairman Dinning asked if it is
prudent to make changes before the new health
care system. That is what the structure is
trying to do, but also look at the needs of
Georgia Earley said Those present agreed to hold another meeting to review and understand a plan. BVA Chairman Paulus said he would like to see the .04% levy especially is $80,000 comes out of that. Chairman Paulus said he would also like to update BVA’s equipment to where it should’ve been 10 years ago.
The next meeting will be held in the
There being no further business, the meeting
adjourned at /s/ DAN R. DINNING, Chairman Attest: /s/ GLENDA POSTON, Clerk By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy |