***Monday, April 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.
Treasurer Jenny Economu and resident Greg Lamberty entered the meeting at 9:00 a.m.
Ms. Economu provided the Commissioners with her quarterly report on the County’s accounts. She stated that interest rates are still dropping, but they are doing well. A bond was called on April 10th and a 5-year CD at Potlatch will be coming due in May. Ms. Economu plans to roll that into another cd.
Chairman Robertson asked if she opened up any more securities and what the current interest rates were. Ms. Economu replied no and the interest rates were 3.5% last she checked.
The meeting with Ms. Economu ended at 9:05 a.m. and she left the meeting.
Commissioners attended to administrative duties.
Civil Attorney Bill Wilson entered the meeting at 9:35 a.m. and stated that it has been pretty quiet on the day to day stuff. He will be following up with the attorney regarding Riverside to request an update. Mr. Wilson also discussed the agreement with the USFW regarding the culverts. There didn’t appear to be any issues. He also stated that he has been working with the Planning Commission regarding some changes to their bylaws.
Commissioner Robertson asked about the status of Bonner County’s APA Commission. Mr. Wilson stated that they are in the early stages of setting up their board.
Ms. Poston stated that the individuals who wrote the state law regarding Agriculture Protection Area will be presenting in Bonners Ferry. Mr. Wilson stated that he would like to attend. Ms. Poston then asked Mr. Wilson to stay for the discussion scheduled at 10:00 a.m.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Commissioner meeting minutes from the week of April 21. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the Agriculture Protection Area (APA) Commission Bylaws. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the MOU and supporting documents for 24WFM-Boundary. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the MOU and supporting documents for 24HFR1-Boundary. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the Agreement for Maintenance Services with Valence Inc. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
At 10:00 a.m. Ms. Poston updated Commissioners on information she was provided the previous week from IAC on HB 436. She wanted Commissioners to be aware of the May 1 deadline so they could discuss next steps.
Mr. Wilson was not familiar with it and stated he would look into it. He also asked for information about the Urban Renewal areas in Boundary County.
The meeting with Mr. Wilson ended at 10:15 a.m. and he left the meeting.
Waterways Board member Brion Poston entered the meeting at 10:16 a.m.
At 10:35 a.m. CDA District Manager for BLM Kurt Pindel, BLM Law Enforcement Officer Dennis Brandt and BLM Field Manager Ray Pease entered the meeting. Mr. Pindel stated that he wanted to give an annual update as well as inform Commissioners on the recent changes within the department. There has been a reduction in staff from 63 to 49 and there has been more combining of positions in other areas as well. Mr. Pindel stated that we are okay at this time, but any further reductions will restrict projects going forward.
Mr. Pindel stated that they proceeded with exploring the acquisition of land for the project up north that they had discussed previously. However, they were not able to meet the landowner’s timeframe. They were also not successful in reaching an agreement with the railroad for a boat launch at Crossport.
Commissioner Bertling mentioned additional locations above Twin Rivers or at the Riverside Ballpark as possible locations for a boat launch. Mr. Pindel stated that they both sounded promising and asked for more information to be sent to him so that they can proceed.
Sheriff Travis Stolley entered the meeting at 10:55 a.m.
Mr. Pindel stated that they have Executive Orders regarding Restoring America’s Forests and they have projects in place to keep it up for a couple years. They are concerned after that due to staffing cuts.
Chairman Robertson asked about the direction on NEPA. Mr. Pindel answered that in the past they have had 2 years to complete the requirements and that has now been reduced to 28 days. He was not sure how that can happen because Congress has not removed the requirements that have to be fulfilled. In an emergency consultation those items are lifted, but Fish and Wildlife does not consider these projects to be emergencies.
Chairman Robertson then asked if BLM partners with Counties on projects. Mr. Pindel answered yes. If they agree to the project, there are funding mechanisms to assist and move it forward.
Mr. Brandt stated that he is the new Supervisor for the CDA District and would be working with local law enforcement. Commissioner Pinkerton asked if they had funding available for the Sheriff’s office. Mr. Brandt stated that it depends on the number of calls for service and how much they are using dispatch.
Personnel Director Pam Barton entered the meeting at 11:20 a.m.
Mr. Brandt also stated there have been rumors of possible Safe and Secure Border activities in the future for the northern border. He is not sure if any will take place in Idaho or not.
The meeting with Mr. Pindel, Mr. Brandt and Mr. Pease ended at 11:27 a.m. and they left the meeting. Mr. Poston also left the meeting.
Sheriff Stolley stated the jail was inspected on April 14th by the Idaho Sheriff’s Association, as it has been in the past. This inspection failed for a number of reasons including staffing, policy/procedures and over capacity. Sheriff Stolley expressed his frustration with the report because the issues are not new and were not addressed by the previous administration, but they still passed inspections repeatedly. Sheriff Stolley stated that he has already implemented changes to address all issues going forward except for overcrowding. The jail is the size that it is and if arrests need to be made, we will still do so.
Sheriff Stolley then discussed his wish to adjust the work shifts within the department in accordance with the law enforcement exemption within the Fair Standards Labor Act. This would resolve some issues and allow for better coverage within the department. However, the change contradicts the Personnel Handbook.
Commissioners asked Sheriff Stolley to get examples from other counties for assistance with wording for the handbook to aid in approval with legal and ICRIMP. Ms. Poston stated that a Resolution would also be needed.
Commissioner Bertling moved to change the 40-hour work week within the Personnel Handbook for the Sheriff’s Department and proceed with a resolution. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Sheriff Stolley then discussed the need for individuals within the department to have a credit card so that they can rent a car for prisoner transports. We seem to have more people committing crimes here and then they leaving area. In order for us to travel and bring them back to face charges, the rental companies require that the card being used matches the driver.
Commissioners asked who that would be within the department. Sheriff Stolley answered the detectives. Ms. Poston asked to make sure they understand the ramifications if they don’t turn things in, the interest adds up quickly. Commissioners agreed to proceed and issue cards to the detectives for the purpose of expenses incurred with renting vehicles for prisoner transports.
Commissioners discussed the surplus vehicles with the Sheriff’s department and the needs in other departments.
Commissioner Bertling moved to reallocate a Ford pickup from the Sheriff’s office to Parks & Recreation. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously. Commissioners agreed that the Fair Board can use the pickup if needed.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the GIS MOA with the Idaho Public Safety Communications Commission. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting with Sheriff Stolley ended at 12:10 p.m. and both he and. Ms. Barton left the meeting.
Commissioners recessed for lunch at 12:12 p.m.
The meeting reconvened for the afternoon session at 1:30 p.m. with Chairman Robertson, Commissioner Bertling, Commissioner Pinkerton and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims.
Road & Bridge Superintendent Brad Barton and Assistant Superintendent Adam Ryals entered the meeting at 1:30 p.m. to give the Road & Bridge Report. Mr. Barton stated that most roads are now open to laden loads. They have been working on pit maintenance, set up traffic counters, sweeping, grading/rolling and tree removal in multiple areas throughout the county. There was a request for a traffic counter on Perkins Lake Rd due to speeding. They will pass the data onto the sheriff’s office. Mr. Barton stated that they had one position open up last week.
Commissioners asked if they had checked on Lions Den Rd. Mr. Ryals stated that he had and it was better than he expected. Mr. Ryals also stated that the truck is ready for the landfill.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the Independent Contractors Agreement for WINK, INC. for the Sunrise Rd. Improvement Project. Commissioner Bertling second. The motion passed unanimously.
At 2:00 p.m. Tim 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 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 2:35 p.m. No action taken.
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
There were no items on the agenda, therefore the Commissioners did not meet.
Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., Commissioners met in special session with Chairman Ben Robertson, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Commissioner Lester Pinkerton, and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims.
Lincoln County Commissioner Noel Duram entered the meeting at 9:45 a.m.
At 10:00 a.m. Commissioners began the discussion with the collaborative of Kootenai Valley Advisory and KVRI in respect to timber harvests. Commissioner Duram stated that he replaced the previous Commissioner on the collaborative, but has not yet attended a meeting.
Commissioner Bertling stated that he had encouraged the Kootenai Tribe to reach out to the Kootenai Valley Advisory because the area is part of their ancestral land. He also stated that to keep the mill open, we need the timber resources in Montana. Commissioner Duram agreed that they didn’t want to see the Moyie Mill close and felt that looping the Tribe in might get some advancement.
Commissioner Pinkerton stated that a lot of things have changed because of the new legislation. Commissioner Duram stated that they are also at the peak of their fire assessment and need to have fuel management. Only 5 million was cut all of last year.
Chairman Robertson asked how often their collaborative met. Commissioner Duram responded once a month. Chairman Robertson suggested that he or someone from the Kootenai Valley Advisory attend the KVRI meetings. What would be nice is if the boards could comment board to board.
The conversation then shifted to solid waste and Commissioner Duram described their fully lined landfill and the new cell with a life expectancy of 29 years. In the Eureka area they have a second site to bury stumps and concrete. The rest of the waste is transferred to the lined cell. They also have a separate cell for asbestos. The cost to build it was 5.5 million and they have been saving for 20 years in preparation. They will now focus on saving for the next future cell.
Chairman Robertson described the Boundary County Landfill and Commissioner Duram suggested they look into a 3 burner incinerator and assistance with green credits from Cenex, Conoco or Phillips. Commissioner Robertson asked why they are not doing that. Commissioner Duram responded because of air quality in the Libby area.
The Commissioners then discussed common issues with growth, water for development, sewer/septic systems and Selenium in lakes and rivers. The main differences were that Lincoln County does monitor water to make sure it can be supplied to a development and they also handle permits and inspections for sewer/septic systems.
Chairman Robertson asked if there is any push to preserve agriculture ground. Commissioner Duram stated that they have very little, it is primarily National Forest. Commissioner Bertling asked if they are feeling a pinch due to the SRS funds. Commissioner Duram answered yes, it is $2 million reduction. They were already having budget issues and the loss of the SRS funds will make it very difficult.
Commissioner Bertling asked if they have trouble with commercial huckleberry pickers. Commissioner Duram answered no, they struggle with long term campers in the National Forests and boating. There isn’t enough parking at the boat launches.
Lincoln County’s roads are also handled by the county. Commissioners asked if they are having trouble maintaining employees and Commissioner Duram responded no. The wage scale and benefits package was similar to Boundary County.
The conversation ended with a discussion on police and crime. They have approximately 14 deputies and 2 highway patrol with crime increasing. The jail is in Libby and was built for a capacity of 18 and they now have 30 inmates.
The meeting with Commissioner Duram ended at 12:00 p.m. and he left the meeting.
s/_____________________________
Tim Bertling, Acting Chairman
ATTEST:
s/_______________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Stephanie Sims, Deputy Clerk