BoCo commissioners spar over fairgrounds rezone

Commissioner Williams asks why BOCC continues its support after city P&Z recommends denial

By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff

The first hour or so of the regular business meeting of the Bonner County commissioners July 25 proceeded without incident.

The Road and Bridge Department earned plaudits for reopening Dufort Road after a catastrophic culvert collapse rendered the route impassable for weeks, then commissioners approved a $46 final payment that will mark the beginning of work on the Rapid Lightning Bridge after the federal government waived the requirement for local matching funds on the design phase.

“[T]he best deal we ever got on a bridge,” Commission Chair Steve Bradshaw said.

Commissioners then agreed to hold a workshop at a yet-tobe-determined date on whether to contract with a third-party vendor to create a database of non-compliant vacation rental properties in the county, followed by news that Bonner County will revamp its website for $8,000, with work performed by current site host and designer EvoGov, representing a $20,000 discount.

When the meeting progressed to the issue of the Bonner County Fairgrounds and a proposed RV park at the site, the tenor of the discussion changed.

Commissioner Asia Williams led off by stating that the county has paid about $8,000 to Sewell and Associates since the board voted 2-1 in March to proceed with a boundary line adjustment that would clear the way for a full platting of the fairgrounds and a section of the property to the south, where Commissioners Steve Bradshaw and Luke Omodt have supported development of an RV park.

However, Bonner County Sheriff Daryl Wheeler has long maintained that the southern part of the property, which abuts the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office facility, is intended for the future expansion of a justice complex. Williams has consistently also opposed the RV park proposal.

The issue has generated months of heated debate — with current Fair Board members indicating they do not support the proposed RV park — and in late June the denial of a grant extension of $473,000 from the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation citing “unresolved items,” including the lack of a completed bid for the work, indeterminate local funding, no construction contract and the resulting uncertainty over whether the project could be delivered within a year.

Meanwhile, Sewell and Associates, representing the BOCC, went before the Sandpoint Planning and Zoning Commission on July 18, seeking to rezone about 2.5 acres on two parcels of fairgrounds property in order to move forward with RV park construction.

Sandpoint P&Z commissioners voted to recommend denial of the larger rezone, which would have changed 2.2 acres of fairgrounds property from mixed-use residential to rural residential, but recommended approval of moving .3 acres from rural residential to mixed-use residential.

Wheeler testified in opposition, stating that the rezone application before the city was “illegally usurping the authority of the Bonner County Fair Board” and the city shouldn’t be an “accessory.”

Omodt, who stated that he was speaking as a commissioner, not the applicant, countered that “the board of commissioners is in support of this rezone project because we believe it will best serve the county moving forward.”

P&Z commissioners expressed concerns that the rezone on the larger parcel didn’t fit with the city’s Comprehensive Plan, that it may have unintended consequences — including housing — should the county someday no longer own the property, and that the Fair Board should be consulted as well.

“There is no time rush on this at all,” said P&Z Chair John Hastings before moving to recommend the Sandpoint City Council deny the rezone on the 2.2-acre parcel. “If we were to deny this rezone, they can always reapply.”

Citing the Sandpoint P&Z Commission’s recommendation of denial, Williams said at the July 25 BOCC meeting that it was “clearly not” necessary to rezone the property to proceed with the RV park, and would “actually devalue our land.”

Given all that, Williams brought a motion that the county not move forward with another grant application until — or unless — the Fair Board proposes its own plan. That motion died lacking a second from Omodt.

Williams then brought another motion to drop the rezone application. Omodt seconded in order to open debate.

Williams reiterated that the county continues to pay Sewell and Associates for work at the fairgrounds — saying that Bonner County currently owes the company $1,400 — and added later, “Why are we going to continue to push an application to rezone this land when it is costing us money right now for a plan that might not come to fruition?”

Omodt pointed out that the Sandpoint P&Z Commission — on which he served for one year prior to his election as a county commissioner — has no regulatory authority, and only advises the City Council through its recommendations. Furthermore, the notion that housing may one day be developed on the 2.2-acre parcel has “never been a conversation, nor am I aware that there will ever be a conversation about putting housing on that plot of land.”

He added: “As for value, the value is in what that property can do for Bonner County. As of right now, with regards to this zone change — which has only gone before the P&Z Commission — is that it’s done nothing. …

“The rezone is what gives Bonner County residents the greatest opportunity to enjoy those blessings and opportunities we have,” he said.

The discussion deteriorated as Williams repeatedly asked Omodt to explain why the county continues to pay Sewell and Associates, with Omodt responding, “I have stated my position multiple times throughout the past six months and my position has not changed. … It’s in the best long-term interest of Bonner County.”

“You’re talking but you’re not answering the question,” Williams responded after Omodt called for the question in order to close the discussion.

Williams pointed out that both Bradshaw and Omodt had supported using Robert’s Rules of Order to manage parliamentary procedure during meetings, and under those rules, she was entitled to “full and fair deliberation on the topic,” and therefore it was inappropriate to end debate by calling the question.

Bradshaw then called for a roll call vote — which again would have ended discussion — prompting Williams to repeat her argument that Robert’s Rules of Order required that her voice as the minority position on the board be heard.

“Is he not answering the question or do you just not like the answer, because I heard the answer,” Bradshaw said, then called for an abrupt recess, closing the agenda and moving the board into executive session.

Williams protested, telling Bradshaw he couldn’t go into executive session under the rules, to which he responded: “I just did.”

Bouquets: GUEST SUBMISSION:

• “I’d like to give a big shoutout to Suzanne Davis, Joyce Jowdy and others from the East Bonner County Library for bringing Sean Gaskell and the African kora concert to the library recently. The music was a rare treat featuring a 22-stringed African harp with a calabash gourd for a sound chamber. Sean told stories of his training in Gambia, the origin of the music and the instrument, the meaning behind the songs and even engaged all of the kids in a sing-along. If you’ve never heard the kora, perhaps the best adjective is ‘heavenly.’”

— By Ed Ohlweiler

• Here’s a Bouquet to Shane at Grizzly Auto Glass in Sandpoint. I had a strip of rubber coming loose from my windshield and flapping around, so I stopped by and Shane applied some glue while we had a chat about boats and travel. He sent me on my way without charging me anything and I left thinking, “This guy really likes his job.” It’s refreshing to see real customer service still alive and well. Thanks Shane!

• If you haven’t yet caught one of the free Sandpoint Summer Music Series concerts at Farmin Park yet, what are you waiting for? Last week, “indie cabaret” band Bon Bon Vivant played a stellar show and there were hundreds of music lovers hanging out on the lawn, dancing to the tunes, snacking on Mandala Pizza and Opa! Greek food, and sipping Eichardt’s beers or 7B Origins Lemonade. Thanks to Robb Talbott at Mattox Farm Productions and all the sponsors for making these free shows happen. The next show is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 10, with the B-Side Players.

Barbs:

• It’s too hot for Barbs right now. Next week, friends.

Dear editor,

Just want to give a big thumbs up to Jen Jackson Quintano for her recent article “Idaho: Love it or leave it?” [Perspectives, July 13, 2023]. Perfectly said! Thank you!

B. Mack Sagle

Dear editor, Several readers have expressed their “opinion” on these pages concerning climate change. While it would take well beyond the word limit to refute the climate change deniers, I would point out some facts, or strong possibilities.

The deniers always put a political spin on those who recognize that the climate is changing radically and suddenly due to the intervention of humans over the last century. We’re all socialists or communists who want nothing but globalization to take control of our country and put it into international hands.

Why, what’s in it for us?

Natural climate change does not take such a short time to occur. Their illustration of a single, small, local fire incident has no validity. A speculation on my part, but could those who deny climate change have stock in the fossil fuel industry, thus an economic reason for their stance?

These are facts: Insurance companies are no longer writing policies for Florida, Louisiana, Arizona or California because of the huge climate related disaster losses.

Will Texas, New Mexico, Nevada and other states be next? The fires in Canada have no equal and the planet is the warmest it’s ever been in recorded human history.

Finally, I thought a 50-year-old movie of fiction was just that, fiction.

“It’s after midnight and it’s still 90 out there.” — Charlton Heston, Soylent Green.

Fact: Parts of Southwest have not fallen below 90 degrees for two weeks, day or night.

Lawrence Fury Sandpoint

Dear editor, We should all be concerned about the current situation at the West Bonner County School District office. Last week, three district office staff went on FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act). This action resulted in the deactivation of their key cards and access to the building restricted.

These three ladies were highly trusted and vetted professionals. A week prior to the office staff going on leave, Mr. Durst announced he had found a temporary employee to help with gathering info for the forensic audit.

“I need someone in there that will do what I say,” he said.

Brandy Paradee was a name that many recognized. Brandy is a political activist and proudly represents the group Stop Idaho RINOs. Brandy Paradee has been shaming parents from WBCSD and has been spreading false information about our school district on social media sites for months leading up to today.

Something just doesn’t smell right.

The abrupt leave of the three employees leaves only Brandy Paradee and Mr. Durst alone in the district office with access to all confidential files and records. All of these events coincidently take place right before the audit. Now something stinks!

Anyone who has been paying attention to the WBCSD circus should be cautious to believe what the clowns are saying, as it seems to fit together rather perfectly. Can you smell it?

Tracy Naccarato Priest River

‘Did Mr. Durst fire all district office staff?’…

Dear editor,

Unfortunately it’s true. He has now also hired the wife of Dave Reilly (of the Idaho Tribune), who is not from our district. Now, the only three people in the district office do not have background checks. Mrs. Reilly has not been board approved, either. Mr. Durst made us aware that he is continuing the hiring process last night at the negotiations meeting [July 18]. When asked if he was including a hiring committee of the principals or staff, he said “no.” He wasn’t opposed to having a hiring committee in the future but he didn’t want to wait. He has interviews today [July 19].

The scary thing about it now is that three people in the district office have shared their opinions that they are against public education, are not from the district, don’t have completed background checks, and have access to all the financial and personnel documents right before we start a forensic audit. Smells fishy, doesn’t it?

Did I forget to mention the board chair and vice chair are up for recall?

• 85% of the votes that put Keith Rutledge in his seat signed the petition to recall him, • 75% of the votes that put Susan Brown in her seat signed the petition to recall her.

This has been verified by the county clerk. But I respect your right to verify from whatever source you feel is legitimate. I just hope this ship gets on the right track before it sinks. I truly believe that’s what they want to happen. Look at their actions and not the words they say, because it’s what you want to hear.

Paul Turco Priest River

Dear editor,

Many of us have been too trusting of the system, or perhaps too unengaged to vote in the last several years. While we were distracted, our school board was taken over by wolves in sheeps’ clothing — by extremists that seek to dismantle public education in Idaho, starting with our school district.

The recall of trustees Rutledge and Brown is the action of a community that has been awakened to the dangers of being unengaged. We are a committed and strong group of parents, educators and community members who refuse to give up and let the wolves in our midst destroy our schools.

Recall elections are a democratic mechanism through which citizens can voice their concerns and hold elected officials accountable. It is the process by which we can return control of our schools to the community which they serve and stop Rutledge and Brown from doing irreparable harm.

Please support our children, educators and community by voting in favor of the recall on Aug. 29.

Bruce Hollett Priest River

Sandpoint

Dear editor,

In last week’s Perspective column, K.L. Huntley asked, “Where will the children play?” as she lamented the prohibitive costs of a YMCA membership and a Schweitzer pass and the planned indoor rec. center at Travers Park. As a parent of a child myself, I can say that Sandpoint today has more places for children to play than it ever has before, with free access to outdoor spaces that were recently behind barbed wire, under threat from rich housing developers or under a blanket of snow for months every winter.

Just one mile up Pine Street from Travers Park lies the 480-acre Syringa public trail system, which has quadrupled in size since 2019. This winter the Pine Street sled hill will once again echo with the laughter of Sandpoint’s youth. In Travers Park itself, those trees around which kids ride their bikes are not, in fact, slated for removal. Instead, the local bike club is revamping this half-acre site, installing high-end skills features this fall and bringing the first public bike skills course to Sandpoint.

And the playground is not going away; rather, it is being rebuilt with over half a million dollars of grant funds to include all new inclusive play structures, a splash pad, a flowing river and over a dozen new mature shade trees. And yes, even the new indoor sports complex will be available for the public to use at little or no cost, opening Travers Park to our kids year-round.

Sandpoint today has more places where our children can play for free than ever before, and with the improvements coming to Travers Park, the future looks even brighter for free year-round recreation for Sandpoint kids.

Jason Welker Sandpoint

Editor’s note: Jason Welker is a member of the Sandpoint City Council and executive director of local biking organization Pend Oreille Pedalers.

‘Where will the grandparents play?’…

Dear editor,

Per K.L. Huntley’s piece, “Where will the Children Play” [Perspectives, July 20, 2023], she makes it sound like there is only one playground in Sandpoint for children. As a grandparent there are many options available:

• City Beach;

• Memorial Field/park;

• The playground at the Bonner County Fairgrounds;

• And a few at elementary schools.

Also, Travers Park playground is being moved and improved. True, kids will have to wait one to two years before the new playground is built; but,