***Monday, July 28, 2025 at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Ben Robertson, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Commissioner Lester Pinkerton, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims.

Commissioners said the Pledge of Allegiance.

P&Z Administrator Ben Jones entered the meeting at 8:58 a.m. to give a P&Z report. Mr. Jones stated that his understanding was that Commissioners wanted updates on his work load and future projects. He stated that it does vary from week to week but he roughly spends half his time on administrative permits and some research goes along with that. There are also mailers, legal notices and staff reports. A couple hours a week are also spent on violations and public records requests which are continuing to take an increased amount of time. The recent numbers have been considerably more than in the past.

Mr. Jones added that when time allows he has been creating a file for elevation certificates and information has been added to a GIS layer to assist with plot line adjustments when parcel numbers change. This will enable them to determine if a permit was issued to a property before the line adjustment.

Greg Lamberty entered the meeting at 9:05 a.m.

Mr. Jones said there are some areas that have been recently identified with a large number of homes that appear to not have permits and he will be preparing notices of possible violation. Commissioners then discussed where that area was and asked about other building happening throughout the county. Commissioner Pinkerton stated that there appears to be a lot of holes where people can take advantage of the system.

Fay Almond entered the meeting at 9:15 a.m.

Commissioner Pinkerton asked if Mr. Jones ever goes out to do site inspections for possible violations. Mr. Jones answered yes, when complaints are filed he does go out and check.

Commissioners stated that they felt this information was helpful and they would like to have Mr. Jones come in every couple of weeks to provide updates on the number of permits, violations and concerns. Commissioners also added that we need to think about land use ordinances and what changes should be considered for the future.

The meeting with Mr. Jones ended at 9:18 a.m. and he left the meeting.

Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the Certificates of Residency for Aiden Tindall, Jayce Helms, Rayawna Zigler and Jeanette Freeman Plaster. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Commissioner meeting minutes from July 21. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

Treasurer Jenny Economu entered the meeting at 9:28 a.m. and asked Commissioners to review the notes provided on a tax cancellation request.

Civil Attorney Bill Wilson entered the meeting at 9:35 a.m.

Treasurer Economu stated that the previous agreements started in 2019 to keep this property out of the tax deed process. No progress has been made to pay off what was owed. She stated that the property owner does not live in the home so they do not qualify for a Homeowners Exemption and there was no Timber Exemption.

Commissioner Robertson asked what amount needs to be paid so they are not getting further behind.

Ms. Economu stated that they are okay this year, but next year they would need to pay an additional $15.00 per month just to break even.

Commissioner Pinkerton stated that it should be raised to a minimum of $95/mo. All we are doing was prolonging the inevitable. Commissioner Robertson stated that he had no interest in doing a tax deed, if we can find a way out.

Commissioner Bertling moved to cancel late fees and interest on 2023 taxes and raise the payment to $95 per month on parcel #MH60N01W34899AA and RP60N01W348990A. Commissioner Pinkerton second and added that no exceptions would be made. Motion passed unanimously.

Treasurer Economu left the meeting at 9:41 a.m.

Mr. Wilson explained the timber exemption requirements and stated that you need to have a forestry management plan and actively follow that plan.

Commissioner Bertling stated that the issue was that people get the plan but then don’t follow it. Mr. Wilson stated that was where it becomes difficult to see if someone actually qualifies for the exemption.

Mr. Wilson stated that they are still working on a good public records request methodology and trying to get a more standardized process in place. Mr. Wilson then asked for an executive session 74-206(f) to be added to the schedule for the following week.

The meeting with Mr. Wilson ended at 9:55 a.m. and he left the meeting.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the New Private Road Name Request Form for Royal Drive. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the Bonners Ferry SY25 Grant Agreement for project #AIP-SP-25. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Resolution 2025-37 for Idaho Airport Aid Grant FS, Program #F25S65S, Project #AIP-SP-25. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the Airport Infrastructure Grant Project No. 3-16-004-028-2025. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the Ardurra Task Order for 25-02 AGIS. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Bertling moved to appoint Jan Bayer and Lester Pinkerton to the Hospital Board for a term expiring January 2028. Chairman Robertson stepped down as chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Lamberty and Ms. Almond left the meeting at 10:05 a.m.

At 10:00 a.m. Commissioners held a budget workshop for the FY 2025-26.

Assessor Olivia Drake entered the meeting at 10:25 a.m.

Ms. Drake left the meeting at 10:55 a.m.

Commissioners adjourned for lunch at 12:02 p.m.

Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Ben Robertson, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Commissioner Lester Pinkerton, Clerk Glenda Poston and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims.

Road & Bridge Assistant Superintendent Adam Ryals entered the meeting at 1:37 p.m. to give the Road & Bridge report. Mr. Ryals stated that they finished mowing and sweeping in multiple locations within the county. They also have been grading/rolling District Five and Blume Hill. They put down dust abatement on Shiloh Loop and at the Fairgrounds and have continued chipseal prep for Moyie River Rd, Copeland Rd and Farm to Market. This week they will have their check-in meeting for Sunrise Rd and a BATT meeting.

Mr. Ryals stated that he had received a copy of the Fish and Wildlife Service Agreement for Riverside and he shared a copy with the Commissioners. Mr. Ryals stated that if Commissioners are ready to move forward, he will add it to a future agenda.

Commissioner Bertling stated that Eileen Rd needed grading and asked if they could place traffic counters at several locations along Meadow Creek Rd., so they could have accurate information.

Chairman Robertson asked about poly-culverts. Mr. Ryals stated that he would like to add them to the road standards for possible use with approaches that have minimal use at the discretion of Road & Bridge. He would also like to encorporate radius on approaches and frost law into the Road Standard Ordinance. Mr. Ryals then stated that he was considering adding verbiage for temporary logging approaches as well. He said it isn’t always feasible to meet the standard when it will be in use for such a short period of time.

Personnel Director Pam Barton entered the meeting at 2:01 p.m.

Commissioners shared budget information with Mr. Ryals for his review and asked him to share it with Mr. Barton.

The meeting with Mr. Ryals ended at 2:08 p.m.

Chairman Bertling moved to go into executive session 74-206(a) to consider hiring a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, wherein the respective qualities of individuals are to be evaluated in order to fill a particular vacancy or need. This paragraph does not apply to filling a vacancy in an elective office or deliberations about staffing needs in general and 74-206(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 Pinkerton second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Robertson “aye”, Commissioner Bertling “aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton “aye”. The executive session ended at 2:25 p.m. No action was taken.

Ms. Barton left the meeting at 2:26 p.m.

Emergency Management Andrew O’Neel and BNSF Hazardous Materials Director Justin Piper entered the meeting at 2:29 p.m. Mr. O’Neel stated that he had mentioned the settlement with EPA to Commissioners and they had some ideas to propose. He also mentioned that the City of Bonners Ferry proposed an upgrade to the Kootenai River intake for the City of Bonners Ferry’s backup water system. The hospital proposed a mobile decontamination trailer.

Commissioner Bertling asked if any of the counties south of us had anything that could be borrowed instead of purchasing a decontamination trailer. Mr. O’Neel stated that he would have to check into that.

Mr. Piper explained that in the Clean Water Act there was a federal penalty anytime something was spilled into the water. The EPA has started that penalty process. Mr. Piper stated that he has had conversations with the Kootenai Tribe also. There are heavy stipulations that would have to be followed and he was not yet sure what the penalty would be. We are trying to find projects that would be both acceptable and help us be better prepared in the future.

Mr. Piper stated that the boat launch that was used was pretty important during the incident. There was a large staging area and it was the launch that was used that rescued the crew. Commissioners explained that the most dangerous section of the river was between that boat launch and the accident location. Commissioner Robertson stated that the Crossport boat launch location would be mutually beneficial to all parties.

Mr. Piper stated that they are unlikely to accept a project that doesn’t have things already in place. He then asked if it was a private crossing or public. Chairman Robertson stated that it was private. Mr. Piper stated that the railroad was trying to eliminate private crossings because of their danger.

Chairman Robertson reiterated that they travel through the most dangerous section on the river to get to the area where the rock slides and derailments are located. BLM has started the conversation and BNSF was the holdup with the crossing. Commissioner Pinkerton stated that it would be the main access point if we had an issue on the river. We could avoid the dangerous section of the river and respond faster.

Mr. Piper asked if the county owns the property. Chairman Robertson stated no, but there was a boat launch there now. Mr. Piper said he was not saying it was completely undoable, but we need to see what the permitting issues might be.

Commissioner Bertling added that this area was also outside of the Section 10 waters so it was much easier to work through the permitting process than the current location. He then added that if we are not able to move forward with Crossport, we should consider purchasing the overflow parking for Search & Rescue. Chairman Robertson added that the County does not own that property and the current owner’s long-term plan was that it will be going up for sale and turned into a housing development.

Mr. O’Neel added that there was also bank stabilization work that needed to be done around the boat launch. Chairman Robertson added that they could also consider eliminating the tight turn at the top of the launch.

Chairman Robertson then asked who makes the decision. Mr. Piper responded that the EPA would decide.

Mr. O’Neel added that you should have three projects in mind and prioritize them. Commissioner Bertling stated that Crossport was not going to be easy, but it was the most important if the goal was to have a better, safer, faster access to the river in case of an emergency.

Sheriff Stolley entered the meeting at 2:49 p.m.

Commissioners listed their preference of projects as 1. Crossport 2. Purchase the overflow parking area at Search & Rescue 3. Repair bank and other upgrades at Search & Rescue boat launch.

Mr. Piper stated that he would need the project scope and potential estimates for what it would take to accomplish. Commissioner Bertling asked the timeline. Mr. Piper responded that he was not sure of that yet because they were currently working on the funding requirements. He added that there may be some gap funding as well that could be tapped in the form of a grant.

Chairman Robertson stated that BLM was the one that accesses the river at the Crossport location. Mr. Piper stated that the contingencies requirement might be the hiccup. Chairman Robertson stated we need you to get us across the crossing. Mr. Piper stated that he could feel that out on his end to see if that was a possibility before we get down that road too far.

Commissioner Bertling stated that it was difficult when the person making the decision doesn’t know the lay of the land and the dangers of the river. We have two people on our Waterways Board that could assist with information. They work for the railroad and one of them was the first one on the scene to rescue the individuals from the engine in the river.

Mr. O’Neel asked Mr. Piper if he could also inquire about the purchase of real estate for staging. The parking area that was Commissioners #2 option was used heavily during that emergency.

Commissioners also stated that they would reach out to HMH to see if there was already a scope in place for work to be done there. Mr. Piper stated that if this process doesn’t work, perhaps the grant process would be a good avenue to pursue.

The meeting with Mr. O’Neel and Mr. Piper ended at 3:14 p.m. and they left the meeting.

At 3:00 p.m. Commissioners continued with their budget workshop.

Sheriff Stolley left the meeting at 4:35 p.m.

Road & Bridge Superintendent Brad Barton and Assistant Superintendent Adam Ryals entered the meeting at 4:36 p.m.

Mr. Barton and Mr. Ryals left the meeting at 4:43 p.m.

The budget workshop continued until the meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m.

Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Ben Robertson, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Commissioner Lester Pinkerton, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims.

Commissioners attended to administrative duties until their 9:30 a.m. appointment.

Sheriff Stolley entered the meeting at 9:30 a.m. and stated that he wanted to continue the conversation that he has had with elected officials and community members regarding Highway 95 traffic, accidents on the highway, and enforcement. Sheriff Stolley shared some statistics and said they have given 212 citations on Highway 95, 54% of which were for speeding. Many of those then turn into secondary violations after that. The primary focus has been south of Bonners Ferry, but another area of concern is the Turner Hill area where there have been several near accidents with similar circumstances to the accident that recently occurred.

Sheriff Stolley estimated that there were twice as many speeders than they were catching and said that they are attempting to change driver’s behavior. He has concerns about safety and their goal is to slow people down with education and citations. They are also participating with ITD in their programs to offer awareness.

Commissioner Bertling stated that he hears more about people speeding on county roads than the highway. Sheriff Stolley stated that he hears complaints about that as well. Sheriff Stolley added that many believe it is people from outside the area that are causing the issues. But they have found it is local vehicles that are being pulled over, causing accidents, and near misses.

Commissioner Pinkerton stated your responsibility is very wide. The state has to bring more people to the table to address the highway issues. He then added that he has also been passed on the left when attempting to turn left off of the highway.

Sheriff Stolley added that there are no repercussions on fines so it doesn’t escalate to suspend a license. Chairman Robertson asked if the Sheriff’s Association has proposed anything to change that. Sheriff Stolley stated no they have not. His understanding was that they felt it was the state’s jurisdiction.

Commissioner Pinkerton asked how can we help. Sheriff Stolley stated that we need to have those conversations with our state legislatures. Commissioner Pinkerton stated we can help set up those conversations with Sauter, Woodward and Cornell.

Commissioner Bertling added that drivers are more aggressive and distracted than they have been in the past.

Ms. Poston left the meeting at 9:50 a.m.

At 10:30 a.m. Chairman Robertson, Commissioner Bertling, Commissioner Pinkerton, Sheriff Stolley and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims walked to the Safeway/Justice Building. They were joined by Prosecutor Andrakay Pluid and Maintenance Supervisor Squire Fields and Assistant Mike Kralik. Mr. Fields showed Commissioners the progress that had been made and received comments from them on next steps.

The meeting ended at 10:43 a.m. and Chairman Robertson, Commissioner Bertling, Commissioner Pinkerton, Sheriff Stolley, and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims returned to the Commissioners Chambers in the Courthouse.

Debbie Ferguson with ICRMP entered the meeting at 10:50 a.m. and reviewed the website porthole for ICRIMP with the Commissioners and Sheriff Solley as well as training opportunities that were available to elected and their staff.

The meeting with Ms. Ferguson ended at 11:12 a.m. and she left the meeting. Sheriff Stolley also left the meeting.

Commissioners continued with their budget workshop from the previous day.

Solid Waste Superintendent Richard Jenkins entered the meeting at 11:25 a.m.

Ms. Poston re-entered the meeting at 11:30 a.m.

Mr. Jenkins left the meeting at 12:03 p.m.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 12:08 p.m.

s/________________________________
BEN ROBERTSON, Chairman

ATTEST:

s/_______________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Stephanie Sims, Deputy Clerk