***Monday, June 9, 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.
Commissioners reviewed claims for payment. Fund totals are as follows:
Current Expense $ 71,827.94
Road & Bridge 170,582.21
Airport 6,325.35
District Court 14,370.08
Justice Fund 45,101.05
911 Funds 8,836.15
Historical Society & Museum 137.79
Junior College Tuition 400.00
Parks and Recreation 5,903.35
Revaluation 7,070.33
Solid Waste 89,235.47
Veterans Memorial 35.80
Weeds 14,679.54
Restorium 25,554.77
Waterways 74,177.32
Road & Bridge Tribal Fuel Fund 66.79
Juvenile Probation – Lottery 239.88
TOTAL $534,543.82
Trusts
Grant, Boat Safety 7.00
LATCF Fund 11,005.45
Auditor’s Trust 4,571.69
Boundary Co. Drug Court Trusts 856.91
Driver’s License Trust 15,706.50
Motor Vehicle Trust Acct 184,576.36
Sherriff’s Trust Fund 428.95
Odyssey Court Trust Account 28,595.46
Odyssey Bond Trust Account 2,000.00
TOTAL $247,748.32
GRAND TOTAL $782,292.14
Citizens are invited to inspect detailed records on file in the Courthouse (individual claims & Commissioners’ allowance & warrant register record 2024-2025).
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the Certificates of Residency for Malia Steffen and Morgan Burt.
Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the Commissioner meeting minutes from June 2. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners completed their ballots for the PHD Kootenai County Representative Board position.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Short Term Lease Agreement with Nicholas T. & Jackeline Sarai Morelli. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners had questions on the RFF for the Deep Creek boat launch and decided to try to contact the engineer before proceeding.
Civil Attorney Bill Wilson entered at 9:33 a.m. to provide updates to the Commissioners on items he has been working on. He stated that they had a personnel issue that he worked on last week and he also communicated with the attorney assisting with the Riverside project. He will check with Road & Bridge to make sure things are moving along. Mr. Wilson asked if the payment had been received for the Restorium account. Ms. Poston confirmed that it was.
Mr. Wilson then discussed the hangar lease agreements at the airport. Commissioners asked about the hangar that needs to be torn down. Mr. Wilson stated that they cannot begin that process if it has a current lease on it. Ms. Poston stated that the lessee has not made any lease payments this year. Mr. Wilson was not aware and stated that he will reach out to the Airport Manager to discuss further.
Mr. Wilson then reviewed Planning & Zoning CUP’s in Bonner County verses Boundary County and their processes. He commended Clare Marley for her work and stated that any appeals have to be filed within 28 days of the decision.
The meeting with Mr. Wilson ended at 10:10 a.m. and he left the meeting.
Commissioners had an appointment at 10:00 a.m. that was cancelled. Commissioners attended to administrative duties until their 10:30 a.m. appointment.
Prosecutor Andrakay Pluid entered the meeting at 10:31 a.m.
Ms. Pluid stated that she had offered to meet to help explain her budget increases for the next fiscal year. She stated that the first one being expert witnesses for two jury trials that are planned during the next fiscal year. Ms. Poston asked about the amount in her current budget for expert witnesses and if it would be used or if it could be carried forward. Ms. Pluid replied that it could be carried forward.
The second item was for subscriptions to Adobe Pro and an online law library instead of the physical books they have used in the past. The last item was for a benefit package. Commissioners and Ms. Poston discussed alternative options regarding the benefit.
Commissioners then discussed interest in putting together an MOU for the Ambulance Service District. Ms. Pluid stated that she agreed and that it would clarify what would be included and have the rules of engagement laid out.
The meeting with Ms. Pluid ended at 10:57 a.m. and she left the meeting.
Commissioners attended to administrative duties.
At 11:40 a.m. HMH Engineer Justin Shaw returned Commissioners call to answer questions on the RFF for the Deep Creek boat launch. Mr. Shaw agreed that the permit issue was his error and he will communicate that with his supervisors. Commissioners suggested that HMH could provide engineering on a future project to make up the difference. The call with Mr. Shaw ended at 11:45 a.m.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the RFF#2 Deep Creek Boat Launch Grant #WW23-1-11-1. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners recessed for lunch at 12:00 p.m.
Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Ben Robertson, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Commissioner Lester Pinkerton, and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims.
Tim & Jenny Dougherty entered the meeting at 1:25 p.m.
Road & Bridge Superintendent Brad Barton and Assistant Superintendent Adam Ryals entered the meeting at 1:34 p.m. to give their report. Mr. Barton stated that they have continued to haul rock and spread it on Lions Den. They have also continued brushing on Perkins Lake Rd. Commissioner Bertling asked if they will continue brushing or it if was just for the one section. Mr. Barton stated they plan to continue. However, they have received some calls concerning accidents with wildlife near the golf course so they will move to remove brush in that area and return to Perkins Lake at a later time. Mr. Barton stated that Lions Den will also need a final pass with the grader, some sign work needs to be done as well as Durapatch.
Mr. Ryals explained the changes to the GMCO agreement.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the revised Independent Contractors Agreement between Boundary County and GMCO for dust abatement. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Ryals stated that the safety audit is ongoing. Chairman Robertson asked about extending Deep Creek Rd a little bit south and if that could be done with grant funds. Mr. Ryals stated that he would check to see if that was an approved use of the funds. The advantage would be that it would speed that process up and be a good location for the over-height detection.
Chairman Robertson stated that he liked the idea and it is a future project that could be done sooner. Mr. Barton stated that they have talked about that and the sand in that area could potentially be used.
Mr. Ryals felt they would only have to move a couple hundred feed down the road and it was also a better option than what they were currently considering.
Commissioner Bertling stated that ITD was forwarding a lease agreement for them to consider in the Sturgeon Station area. Chairman Robertson stated that the other option was to consider eliminating the right in/out. Mr. Ryals stated that he has asked if that can be considered.
Commissioners then discussed the property owner that built into the right of way along Sunrise Road. The property owner was not aware of the 100’ right of way.
Mr. Dougherty stated that they have a lot of traffic on Smith Lake Rd. They counted 53 cars during a short time the previous day and asked for assistance from Road & Bridge with dust.
Commissioners explained that Road & Bridge is currently down 6 employees so they are stretched pretty thin. Mr. Barton stated that they can consider rearranging their schedule to get to Smith Lake Rd sooner since it is so heavily traveled.
Personnel Director Pam Barton entered the meeting at 1:56 p.m.
The meeting with Mr. Barton and Mr. Ryals ended at 2:05 p.m. and they left the meeting. Mr. & Mrs. Dougherty also left the meeting.
Commissioner 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 2:47 p.m. No action was taken.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Ben Robertson, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims. Commissioner Pinkerton was absent.
At 1:25 p.m. Prosecutor Andrakay Pluid, resident Wally Cossairt, Longwell + Trapp representatives Cory Trapp and Seamus Mease, Electrical Engineer Zachary Yarbrough and Principle Engineer Mike Lippis joined the meeting.
Mr. Trapp reviewed the changes that had been made including some slight shifting to accommodate space, ease of use and flow in the Prosecutors office, courtrooms, jury space, Court Clerk’s office, restroom, stairs, and sally port.
Mr. Yarbrough and Mr. Lippis reviewed the mechanical and electrical system options, controls and described best placement due to space. Mr. Trapp stated that they are keeping costs in mind so that the County can get as much done as possible should they move to a phased approach.
The meeting with Longwell + Trapp ended at 2:20 p.m. and everyone left the meeting.
The meeting then moved locations to the Commissioners Chambers at the Courthouse.
Road & Bridge Superintendent Brad Barton and Assistant Superintendent Adam Ryals entered the meeting at 2:40 p.m.
Commissioner Bertling moved to go into executive session 74-206(c) to acquire an interest in real property which is not owned by a public agency. Chairman Robertson stepped down as chair to second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Robertson “aye”, Commissioner Bertling “aye”.
Commissioner Pinkerton joined the executive session at 3:25 p.m.
The executive session ended at 3:40 p.m.
Commissioner Bertling moved to proceed as directed. Chairman Robertson stepped down as chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting with Mr. Barton and Mr. Ryals ended at 3:43 p.m. and they left the meeting.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.
s/________________________________
BEN ROBERTSON, Chairman
ATTEST:
s/_______________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Stephanie Sims, Deputy Clerk