***Monday, February 10, 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.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Commissioner meeting minutes from February 3. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to approve extension of taxes due on parcel #MH62N03E270600A in the amount of $255.90. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously. Will have paid by March 4.
Commissioner Bertling moved to approve extension of taxes due on parcel #MHB006000W005TA in the amount of $278.89. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously. Will have paid by February 21.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign RFF #1 AIP017 Airport Aid Grant. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to approve Panhandle Area Council annual membership dues of $1,467.00. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Task Order with Great West Engineering. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Greg Lamberty entered the meeting at 9:10 a.m.
Commissioners reviewed claims for payment. Fund totals are as follows:
Current Expense $ 92,419.11
Road & Bridge 98,139.92
Airport 8,797.21
District Court 12,570.54
Justice Fund 100,114.12
911 Funds 7,208.89
Junior College Tuition 500.00
Parks and Recreation 4,554.64
Revaluation 2,465.53
Solid Waste 65,258.98
Tort 135,831.03
Veterans Memorial 607.35
Weeds 2,280.52
Restorium 42,052.01
Snowmobile 874.23
Waterways 333.56
Road & Bridge Tribal Fuel Fund 73.45
Grants, Airport 62,627.27
Grant, Selkirk Coop Weed Mgmt 2,684.75
Juvenile Probation – Lottery 11.77
Grant, Boat Safety 67.92
Opioid Settlement Fund 25,000.00
LATCF Fund 2,528.65
TOTAL $667,001.45
Trusts
Auditor’s Trust 11834.68
Boundary Co. Drug Court Trusts 914.82
Driver’s License Trust 10,275.00
Interlock Device Fund 195.95
Motor Vehicle Trust Acct 157,179.00
Workmans Comp Trust 29.66
Sherriff’s Trust Fund 587.70
Sheriff’s Special Projects 969.39
Odyssey Court Trust Account 20,509.20
Odyssey Bond Trust Account 1,500.00
Odyssey Restitution Trust Account 2,302.92
TOTAL $206,298.32
GRAND TOTAL $873,299.77
Citizens are invited to inspect detailed records on file in the Courthouse (individual claims & Commissioners’ allowance & warrant register record 2024-2025).
Civil Attorney Bill Wilson entered the meeting at 9:28 a.m. to update the Commissioners on various matters he is working on.
Fay Almond entered the meeting at 9:30 a.m.
Mr. Wilson informed the Commissioners that he and Prosecutor Andrakay Pluid attended a conference in Boise last week. He updated the Commissioners on recent records requests that have been received and reviewed the process with them. Mr. Wilson stated that he has also been working with Road & Bridge on the Riverside project. Ms. Poston asked Mr. Wilson to attend a meeting in March regarding the Tribal Fuel Tax. Mr. Wilson asked for a copy of the agreement to review before the meeting.
The meeting with Mr. Wilson ended at 9:48 a.m. and he left the meeting.
Commissioners attended to administrative duties. Ms. Almond and Mr. Lamberty left the meeting at 10:13 a.m.
Bonners Ferry District Forest Ranger Heather Fuller entered meeting at 10:25 a.m.
Ms. Fuller introduced herself and gave a brief history of her background as well as updates on operations within the district.
Commissioner Bertling asked how logging would change if the grizzly was delisted. Ms. Fuller answered that it would not change much in the short term because there would be a period of monitoring before any plans can be changed. Therefore, there would be no changes for at least 5 years.
Commissioner Pinkerton asked if they have timber people on site or do you share them with other districts. Ms. Fuller answered that we have one person on site that is shared with Sandpoint and Priest Lake.
Commissioner Pinkerton shared a document with Ms. Fuller and asked what timber sale contracts are still available, shelf stock for future sales and the appraising process. Ms. Fuller replied that she felt the document was not current and she will have Forester, Ed Koberstein attend the next meeting to answer the specifics she was not familiar with.
Commissioner Pinkerton asked if the district had an offer target. Ms. Fuller replied no, they have a regional target. Commissioner Pinkerton asked for a copy of the Forest Plan and Ms. Fuller stated that she would get that for him. Commissioner Pinkerton asked when the Forest Plan will be redone. Ms. Fuller stated that it is due now.
Commissioner Robertson asked about the possibility of a snowmobile hut at Roman Nose. Ms. Fuller stated that she was looking into that and is considering a temporary hut in the interim.
Commissioners then discussed huckleberry issues with Ms. Fuller and the need to implement some changes. Commissioner Pinkerton discussed a permit process used in other areas. Ms. Fuller stated that law enforcement is not in their chain and they only have one person to cover all three districts. Commissioners stated that there is an agreement with local law enforcement for patrols on USFS roads and campgrounds and the focus should be on the big commercial operations.
The meeting with Ms. Fuller ended at 11:00 a.m. and she left the meeting. LeAlan Pinkerton entered the meeting.
Sold Waste Superintendent Richard Jenkins and Jim Jordan with Western States entered the meeting at 11:03 a.m.
Mr. Jenkins provided a quote for a new 980 wheel loader which included the governmental lease program to replace the existing loader. Mr. Jenkins stated that the current loader is at almost 16,000 hours and they are spending a considerable amount for repairs.
Commissioner Bertling stated his concern was the dirt and daily cover. We should be looking more at the tarping system which would reduce the hours on the machine.
Mr. Jenkins stated that the loader is part of a complete package for the landfill that involves both a tarping system and a haul truck as well as the loader.
Commissioner Robertson asked if there was used equipment out there. Mr. Jordan responded yes, but the risk is that used equipment does not include the governmental guarantee.
Commissioners asked Mr. Jenkins to get costs on the tarping system, a used loader with lower hours and haul truck for comparison.
The meeting with Mr. Jordan ended at 11:28 a.m. and he left the meeting.
LeAlan Pinkerton stated that the trees have been removed from the landfill as requested. They removed 15 loads of trees, which will be split into two pay periods. One gate was damaged and Mr. Pinkerton will replace it. Two trees remain that are located on the property line and they have barbwire embedded in them. Mr. Pinkerton stated that the employees at the landfill were very accommodating.
The meeting with Mr. Jenkins and Mr. Pinkerton ended at 11:55 and they left the meeting.
Commissioners recessed for lunch at 12:10 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 Co-superintendents Brad Barton and Adam Ryals entered the meeting at 1:28 p.m. to give the Road & Bridge report. Mr. Barton stated they focused on plowing, sanding and salting last week. This week they will be spending time going through the equipment so they are ready to go by the next storm.
Mr. Ryals stated that the Cat 309 lease is up and he presented two different sales agreements for Commissioners to consider. Mr. Ryals explained the differences in payment options, buy back and interest. Mr. Ryals stated that the current machine has an $80,000 buyback and they also get to keep the brush bar to use on the next machine which they use pretty consistently.
Commissioners discussed the differences between the two contracts.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Sales Agreement Q000361491-15 for a 2025 Caterpillar 309 Mini Excavator with a 5-year 2500 hour governmental failsafe. Net amount due after trade is $79,500.00. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign concurrence letter for Riverside 1B. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the GEO Local Road Mileage Report. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Personnel Director Pam Barton entered the meeting at 1:50 p.m.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to go into executive session 74-206(c) to acquire an interest in real property which is not owned by a public agency. Commissioner Bertling second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Robertson “aye”, Commissioner Bertling “aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. Executive session ended at 2:09 p.m. with no action taken.
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”. Motion passed unanimously.
Sheriff Stolley and Undersheriff Zimmerman entered the executive session at 2:34 p.m. The executive session ended at 2:45 p.m. and Ms. Barton left the meeting. No action was taken.
North Idaho Field Director Jake Garringer entered the meeting at 2:45 p.m.
Sheriff Stolley explained the Operation Stonegarden grant stating that it is a federal grant working with Border Patrol on issues such as drugs or trafficking. They provide funding for time, overtime and equipment. Sheriff Stolley stated they are nearing the deadline for the 2021 grant with funding to purchase an enclosed trailer for the snowmobiles and a pull vehicle. The snowmobiles have been used in the past in the search for drugs coming across the border outside of Porthill and Eastport crossings.
Ms. Poston and Commissioners explained the process and stated that they would include this on an upcoming agenda when he has found the vehicle and trailer to purchase.
The meeting with Sheriff Stolley and Undersheriff Zimmerman ended at 3:40 p.m. and they left the meeting.
Commissioner Bertling moved to approve property tax extension on MH62N01E255710A in the amount of $204.75. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously. Will pay balance on February 11.
Commissioners visited with Mr. Garringer on state issues they are dealing with.
Commissioners attended to administrative duties until 5:00 p.m. when the meeting ended.
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
There were no items on the agenda, therefore the Commissioners did not meet.
s/________________________________
BEN ROBERTSON, Chairman
ATTEST:
s/_______________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Stephanie Sims, Deputy Clerk