Commissioners meeting runs smoothly

SANDPOINT — Bonner County commissioners saw a busy agenda at this week’s meeting but despite the numerous items, it was a smooth meeting nonetheless.

A total of 15 regular items were on the meeting agenda. The consent agenda included three minor land divisions and a confidential invoice of over $5,000 for IT infrastructure for the Sheriff’s Office.

Next, Bonner County Clerk Mike Rosedale introduced EMS and the county’s twenty-third claims and demands batches. The county’s came to just under $2.3 million and EMS came to a little over $250,000. Both motions passed.

The Planning Department’s Chad Chambers introduced a boundary line adjustment and a road waiver request. Both properties will remain 10 acres. The road waiver request followed approval of a minor land division which created two 10-acre parcels. Both items passed.

Bob Howard of Solid Waste introduced three items that all passed. The first item was to advertise for bids to remove scrap metal from Colburn, Idaho Hill, and Dickensheet waste transfer sites. The second item sought approval to request bids for a licensed contractor to grind wood debris piles at the three waste sites.

The third item was to advertise for bids for a licensed contractor to accept, package, transport, and dispose of hazardous household waste. The current contract ends in September.

Ron Stultz of Justice Services asked commissioners to approve the cost of the first phase to replace, build, and repair a touchscreen and intercom system. The current system was installed in 2011. The cost for the first phase was almost $66,000. The overall project will be $117,000. The item passed.

Public defender Susie Jensen asked the commissioners to approve the indigent defense financial assistance program for next fiscal year. The county has already approved about $190,000 for public defense in FY 2023. The motion passed and will now be submitted to the Public Defense Commission.

Cindy Binkerd of Human Resources then introduced a motion to recruit for two vacated positions: a planning and permit tech and a sheriff/driver's license clerk. The motion passed.

Pete Huges from recreation presented a motion to open the Garfield Bay campground to county employees for a free weekend this September. The motion passed.

Then, Road and Bridge Director Jason Topp introduced four motions. The first was to renew three grader leases with Columbia Bank for a total of $206,500. The motion passed.

The second motion was to upgrade 80 intersections with LED stop signs with radar control. The initial proposal was for $815,000 but the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council only awarded $550,000. Topp said they will have to be more selective with which intersections receive the improvements. The motion passed.

Topp’s third motion was to award two contracts for new asphalt at six gravel railroad crossings. Each of the projects were awarded separately, but in sum, Interstate Concrete & Asphalt received over $120,000 in contracts and Woods Crushing and Hauling was awarded just almost $74,000. The motion passed.

The fourth motion was to award a contract for guardrail improvements in two places: the 4800 block of Upper Pack River and the 1000 block of Gold Creek Road. Frank Gurney Inc. had the most competitive bid at under $64,000. The motion passed.