***Monday, December 22, 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 8:59 a.m. and he provided Commissioners with a list of applications and their current status. He stated that he would like to do something similar for the violations. A couple of responses have come in so there has been some progress. He would like to send out a couple more violation letters in the next couple weeks.
Fay Almond entered the meeting at 9:05 a.m.
Commissioners then discussed a complaint they received regarding one of the recent violation letters and Commissioners asked what had been researched before the letter was sent. Mr. Jones stated that there was a permit issued for the shop, but not a future home. Commissioners reviewed the documents and stated that it appears the intent was there.
Mr. Jones stated that we do things differently now. Commissioner Bertling replied that at some point things have to be grandfathered in. Mr. Jones stated the grandfather date was 1997.
Mr. Jones asked if they were asking him to pick more intelligent battles and drop this one. Commissioners stated that unless they were missing something, it appears that may be the case. Chairman Robertson then asked again if this was accurate information.
Ms. Poston asked if there were anymore letters to be sent. Mr. Jones responded that there are about 25 that he will be investigating.
Mr. Jones then asked for something in writing. Chairman Robertson stated that he could use the official minutes.
Weeds Superintendent Dave Wenk entered the meeting at 9:14 a.m.
The meeting with Mr. Jones ended at 9:15 a.m. and he left the meeting.
Greg Lamberty entered the meeting at 9:16 a.m.
At 9:20 a.m. Commissioners held proceedings for the 2026 Alcohol Beverage License renewals for Naples General Store, Safeway #2954 and Tavern at the Lodge. Those present were: Chairman Robertson, Commissioner Bertling, Commissioner Pinkerton, Clerk Glenda Poston, Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims, Dave Wenk, Fay Almond and Greg Lamberty. The proceedings were recorded.
Commissioner Bertling moved to approve the County Alcohol Beverage License Applications for year 2026 for Naples General Store, Safeway #2954 and Tavern at the Lodge pending receipt of all required documentation and applicable fees. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting to consider beverage licenses ended at 9:23 a.m. and Commissioners signed the documents presented for each business.
Civil Attorney Bill Wilson entered the meeting at 9:27 a.m. and stated it has been a relatively quiet week. We are still dealing with public records requests. The subject matter of the requests stays the same, but the names change. Ms. Poston asked questions about one she had recently received.
Mr. Wilson stated he has worked with the Sheriff’s office on several random issues last week and there are some planning items that need to be addressed. Mr. Wilson stated that he will call in for the executive session scheduled this afternoon.
Commissioners discussed the MOU they had received from North Idaho Classical Academy. Mr. Wilson stated that he was happy to suggest corrections, but would like to discuss with them the purpose of the MOU. The road continues to be an issue and there was an indemnification clause that will need to be removed as required by law. He stated the MOU was not an issue, but there are items that need to be changed in the current version.
Chairman Robertson asked if he had reviewed the change regarding PRR for courthouses. Mr. Wilson replied yes, it was pretty straightforward. We just need to be aware of the new law effective January 1.
The meeting with Mr. Wilson ended at 9:43 and he left the meeting.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Certificate of Residency for Jane Moellmer. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign Commissioner meeting minutes from week of 12/15. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to approve appointment of Kevin Schnerle to the Waterways Board. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to approve reappointment of Adam Reeves and Ron Klein to the Waterways Board. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to reappoint Rob Tompkins and Sarah Skinner to the Parks & Rec Board. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Wenk explained the documents that required their signature and that the grant funding reimburses property owners up to $400.00.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Selkirk Cooperative Weed Management Area Cost Share grant application. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Wenk left the meeting at 9:49 a.m.
Trey Dail with Ardurra entered at 9:50 a.m.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign Professional Services Contract with Pam Brockus for IDL 25JC-Boundary Joint Chiefs Project. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to approve Property Tax Cancellations due to Property Tax Exemptions for the following parcels: MHB006000W006UA in the amount of $53.18, RP61N01W353910A in the amount of $538.04, RP005000010605A in the amount of $538.04, RP62N02E256610A in the amount of $240.84, RP62N01E353050A in the amount of $190.04, RP61N01E133150A in the amount of $500.08. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Airport Manager Dave Parker entered the meeting at 9:50 a.m.
Mr. Lamberty and Ms. Almond left the meeting at 10:00 a.m.
Mr. Parker stated that the funding in the grant will move two of the three powerlines underground which will assist with safety. This was a pretty uncommon project to put high voltage lines underground because of the heat. Another grant will assist with the third line. The project should be completed August 2027.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Fixed Price Design Build Contract for Smith Creek Hydro 65S OPL Relocation. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Bonners Ferry Herald reporter Noah Harris entered the meeting at 10:05 a.m.
Mr. Parker stated he will get some data together and schedule some time on the agenda to give his annual report.
The meeting with Mr. Parker ended at 10:13 a.m. and he and Mr. Dail left the meeting.
IT Director Matt Hodges entered the meeting at 10:24 a.m. and stated that you have asked me to get more information on the website. He stated that Revize will not help with maintaining the website during the transition. They suggested taking it down and having a page under construction landing page. Mr. Hodges would prefer to keep the old website up as long as it functions. The Revize proposal would also have a button at the bottom for ADA which will apply different features as needed for the user.
Mr. Hodges stated that Well Dressed Walrus will maintain the old website during transition and they are telling him that the ADA compliance was built into the website. It doesn’t have functionality like the other company, so Mr. Hodges has some concerns. Chairman Robertson stated that we need to look at the law and make sure we are meeting those requirements.
Ms. Poston stated that she will reach out to the Clerk’s group and see who their vendors are.
Mr. Hodges stated that we also have a lot of pdf’s that are in the current website that we need to consider. Chairman Robertson was curious what information would come from the Clerk’s poll. The larger counties are probably ahead of us on this.
Mr. Hodges then provided updates on the security system and Ms. Poston asked him to submit a budget for cameras in the new courthouse.
The meeting with Mr. Hodges ended at 10:45 a.m. and he left the meeting. Mr. Harris also left the meeting.
At 11:00 a.m., Commissioner Pinkerton completed the Jail Inspection, Chairman Robertson attended to other business, and Commissioner Bertling left the meeting.
Commissioners recessed for lunch at 12:08 p.m.
The meeting reconvened for the afternoon session at 1:30 p.m. with Chairman Robertson, Commissioner Bertling, Commissioner Pinkerton, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims.
Road & Bridge Superintendent Brad Barton and Shelby Hooper entered the meeting at 1:30 p.m.
Mr. Barton stated that last week they did some cold patching on Homestead Loop. They also did a considerable amount of cleanup from downed trees/branches and removal from ROW after the storm. There were a couple small slides that have also been cleaned up. A culvert was also replaced on Chokecherry. This week they plan to continue with cleanup from the storm, emergency sign repairs and winter maintenance.
Mr. Barton then shared a spreadsheet with rough costs incurred so far from the storm. He stated that they will continue to share information with the Emergency Manager. Chairman Robertson asked how much more do they need to add. Mr. Barton stated that they still need to drive throughout the county to see what else was out there. He estimated it would be a couple guys with approximately two weeks of work. Ms. Hooper added that they did not receive many complaints about downed trees.
Mr. Barton stated that the lease for the grader will be up soon, so he was acquiring quotes on a replacement. He might switch to CAT because it would mean all of the equipment would be the same and it would make training easier. The parts and mechanics would also be the same.
He stated there was a broken waterline on Sweetwater and they were working with the contractor who filed the permit. Lastly, he discussed how they handle holiday pay at Road & Bridge and noted it was different than Solid Waste. Commissioners replied that either option was fine, and stated that they might give the Solid Waste employees the option.
Mr. Barton asked if they could temporarily transfer one Road & Bridge employee to the Landfill. They are short handed there and he has worked in that department before so it would help. Commissioners agreed and Ms. Poston asked that they keep their time on a separate timesheet.
At 2:00 p.m. Mr. Barton gave the Solid Waste report and reported that the 980 went down last week. They figured out which of the sensors was bad and installed a new one and had it back up the next day.
They also went around to the remote sites and met everyone. They were surprised the site up north did not have any compactor bins and the bins stored at the landfill were damaged and need repairs. They are looking for replacements new/used and also looking at what can be repaired to get them in use. Having compactor bins at remote locations will save a considerable amount of trucking time.
There was one tree down at the Naples site, but no significant damage to the fence. They are also working to get things scanned in on their server and Intermax was working on a quote to allow them to tunnel in with their system remotely. One employee was in the hospital and will be out until further notice, so moving the R&B employee will be a huge help.
Commissioner Bertling referred to a letter received from DEQ regarding the Air Burner and stated he would be up to work with Brad to get a plan in place to meet their requirements.
Chairman Robertson asked how things were doing at the landfill. Mr. Barton responded it was significantly better. They are still working on the waste oil and looking at different options for that. The loader was still on hold while they consider other options.
Commissioner Bertling asked about the tarp system. Mr. Barton stated that they need a plan in place so that the operators know what to do. Chairman Robertson stated that they have a foreman, and we should let him do his job.
Mr. Barton stated that he instructed them to stop compacting with the loader because it was hard on the equipment and bins and a danger to the public. Things are getting better, but they were not able to spend much time there this last week due to the storm.
Ms. Poston asked about timesheets. Mr. Barton stated that the office staff will get it started and then send to R&B. They would like to break them down more to see where time was spent.
The meeting with Mr. Barton and Ms. Hooper ended at 2:18 p.m. and they left the meeting.
Personnel Director Pam Barton entered the meeting at 2:28 p.m.
Civil Attorney Bill Wilson called in at 2:30 p.m.
Commissioner Bertling moved to go into executive session 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 3:40 p.m. No action was taken.
Commissioner Bertling moved sign Certificate of Residency for Makayla Hartley. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m.
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
There was no business, therefore the Commissioners did not meet.
s/________________________________
BEN ROBERTSON, Chairman
ATTEST:
s/_______________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Stephanie Sims, Deputy Clerk