August 8, 2019

COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
August 8, 2019
Commissioners Robert ‘Pits’ DeArmond, Scott Blain, and Bill Bullock, and Administrative Officer Angela Newell were present.
8:30 Pledge of Allegiance
9:00 Commissioners discussed budget.
9:40 DES Coord. / Fire Warden Tom Kohley joined the meeting. Tom and Commissioners discussed the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) reverted funds grant. The increased internet capabilities at the Emergency Operations Center and Gruel Building at the fairgrounds may be able to be done through microwave links for less cost than hard wired internet ports.
Tom and Commissioners also discussed the possibility of declaring a disaster to open funding sources to care for dogs seized by the Sheriff’s office from a suspected puppy mill. Commissioners would like to revisit the topic at the end of the month to see if the County Attorney will have to file charges.
10:00 County Attorney Alex Nixon met with Commissioners; they discussed disaster declaration for dogs. Brent Moore was present for a discussion regarding sanitary permits issued in error. Brent noted some exemption certificates on surveys have evolved over time and there is grey area regarding the Sanitarian’s authority to determine if Sanitary restrictions have been lifted as the law has changed over time. 10:25 Cortney Lynde and Travis West joined the meeting. Travis and Cortney noted the draft revised wastewater regulations set forth a process with the Sanitarian making the determination regarding the validity of a septic system and then the decision can be appealed to the County Board of Health or Dept. of Environmental Quality depending on the lot size and which jurisdiction the lot falls under. Alex and Commissioners agreed that as the Sanitarian, Cortney has the authority to make decisions regarding permit validity and they will follow the appeals process set forth in the regulations that should be approved at the next Board of Health meeting.
12:00 Lunch

1:00 Richard Wallace and Darlene Schwend met with Commissioners to review findings in Mr. Wallace’s assessment of the Clarks Fork River. He reviewed bank stabilization issues and various in-channel structures. His report notes significant Russian olive & salt cedar infestations and the presences of noxious weeds. He also evaluated the quality of the water, riparian forest, fisheries, and impacts from subdivisions. 1:20 DES Coord. / GIS Mgr. Tom Kohley joined the meeting.

The full report will be made available. Mr. Wallace suggested it be considered in future planning decisions.

1:40 Adjourned

Respectfully submitted: Angela Newell, Administrative Officer