[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6476806,"mediaKeyId","5716807-aff94815587d3e849f91377359e358a6","parentId",5716807,"title","Bonner County Historical Society asks council to confirm 1979 lease terms; council takes no action","audioSeconds",782,"startMs",5179000,"endMs",5961000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5716807-aff94815587d3e849f91377359e358a6&start=5179&end=5961","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5716807-aff94815587d3e849f91377359e358a6/thumbnail_5179000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6476806/Sandpoint/Bonner-County/Idaho/Bonner-County-Historical-Society-asks-council-to-confirm-1979-lease-terms-council-takes-no-action","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476806-8b5aacb6d352df6c8db2a30db75d2a84/orig.mp4?Expires=1773660336&Signature=H8di3JBixJe2mIyX2WqDuXQ5NodvgaUzlq83OjnFQKyCf1tCot9pRF9G0nEiBJW-VtkSMMOz2IIkLZF8oPvkZWSOZ2UiksE0IZ3Z14~1EtigcrDshIFi6iuqmaU9bNJYQ-KxpqJkieHBasq4gU6zAlPqczC7UE4Z2VMjoNwdwoEJwW7oxYscrhStqG2iUgIf7lVkR6d6i0iRb~eTRx9tAOeLBtob8AyHH0aQK1OCrIONQOCikpeEGbIE6dOw75yrFEBpceRuh4s7RTwOEDEq7FHVdvFedPXs9eJaYd1Tai8JNg1NlqUc0ju3JxHIBmogizqlI5HMbEDyekJTqHFw4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sandpoint","date","2025-09-04T18:35:28Z","article","Leaders of the Bonner County Historical Society and Museum asked the Sandpoint City Council on Sept. 3 to affirm the society\u0000s option to renew a 1979 lease at the historic $1-per-year rate and to confirm the original lease\u0000s renewal provisions.

Hannah Combs, executive director of the Bonner County Historical Society, and Tanya Sherman, the society board president, recounted the museum\u0000s history in Sandpoint and said the 1979 lease intentionally established a long-term partnership: a 40-year term at $1 per year with an automatic renewal option for successive 40-year terms at the society\u0000s option. According to the society representatives, BCHS exercised the renewal option in February 2019 and submitted the $40 payment specified in the lease; the city did not acknowledge that payment. The society said a second amendment was signed in February 2023 extending the lease through September 2025, but that a new draft lease presented to BCHS on May 29 would shorten the term to 30 years and change renewal to city discretion.

Why it matters: The historical society said it stewards roughly 400,000 artifacts and archives and that the lease terms are critical to securing private donations and planning a long-term facilities project. The society requested that the council direct staff to return to the next meeting with a confirming amendment recognizing the 2019 timely renewal, affirming the original lease terms and preserving the long-term partnership.

Council response: Mayor Grimm said the item was not scheduled as an action item that evening and that the lease will return to council for formal consideration at a future meeting. No vote was taken Sept. 3.

What happens next: Staff will return a lease amendment or recommendation to council at a future meeting; the society requested confirmation that the city will honor the 1979 lease renewal terms to permit the society to proceed with donor-funded repairs and expansion planning.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Sandpoint | City Council Meeting | 09/03/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Bonner County Historical Society urged the Sandpoint City Council to reaffirm a long-standing $1-per-year lease option the society says it timely exercised in 2019; the council was presented a request but did not take action and the item will return to a future meeting.","taxTitle","Sandpoint, Bonner County, Idaho","taxId",52019,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6476809,"Council authorizes RFQ for City Beach RV campground improvements and City Beach parking-lot design",1254,6867000,8121000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5716807-aff94815587d3e849f91377359e358a6&start=6867&end=8121","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5716807-aff94815587d3e849f91377359e358a6/thumbnail_6867000.jpg","/articles/6476809/Sandpoint/Bonner-County/Idaho/Council-authorizes-RFQ-for-City-Beach-RV-campground-improvements-and-City-Beach-parking-lot-design","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476809-83c147fea7dcde7f40a1e427c5e5914b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773660336&Signature=fGm4rUn9qck1jPCHzTu1YF~LSguguvrrBa4ses8Z1PugCDP90Dv245sMkC4lEqFDCsPpLr65IKVF0G5lHwS93Tol1UsMaBasLwpoJo7JB2YOSft2z9SRTc9Cq7CnzOYVY1hSiXFxjIgW3McpTaRNCAiJUJ71NkQJo4gyUsgpa7KxePgM8Rd29Ph0ZISmR1e3eL6Ows3Qzuro8w3ARUCv6O86N-bj6d06fL-ua1c0RkDnXqNqTuLLlb1Vccih3dqR3HDfytCA1Y-Ja5dpyMy7mzuPqRzWebqzPKmyD6I8NZC7N0mjW6N7QCVlKVd-2rK~Mx~DKOSdDV6ZU3AB~yTR9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Sandpoint will seek qualified firms to design improvements to the City Beach RV campground and produce bid-ready engineering documents for a redesigned City Beach parking lot after the council approved an RFQ solicitation Sept. 3.

Background and purpose: City staff told council that the city received a $950,000 Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation award for an RV-campground project; the park budget included $150,000 toward the parks capital-improvement program, of which $50,000 had been earmarked as match for the RV grant. Staff proposed reallocating $100,000 originally budgeted to pursue the Waterways Improvement Fund (WIF) grant this year (a request for $600,000 that was not awarded) and add that amount to the RV project scope so the RFQ would also produce a bid-ready parking-lot design to improve the city\u0000\u0000s chance for future WIF funding.

Staff said the additional scope would produce engineering documents to address sanitary utilities, grading, circulation, ADA accessible parking and accessible restroom/shower facilities, improved boat-trailer circulation and a bus-turnaround/drop-off area. Staff told council the City Beach parking lot concepts in the city\u0000parks master plan and downtown waterfront vision are not bid-ready; the grant reviewer previously said the city lacked a final design and could not justify a $600,000 WIF award without bid-ready documents.

Council asked whether the parks capital-improvement funds were the right source and whether the additional design work would further a future paid-parking rollout. Director Welker said combining the design work into the RV project offers schedule and procurement efficiencies and will increase the odds of future grant success; staff estimated the parking-lot improvement construction could exceed $1 million and said a $100,000 design allowance would be appropriate to prepare a bid-ready package.

Council action: The council approved a motion to solicit an RFQ for City Beach RV campground and City Beach parking-lot improvements. The motion passed on roll call; Councilor Kyle Schreiber recorded a no vote and the motion passed by majority.

What\u0000happens next: Staff will issue the RFQ and return to council with shortlisted firms and a proposed contract. Community engagement and parks-commission review will be part of the design process; staff said any construction would occur only after securing funds, which could include future WIF or other grants, parking-in-lieu funds and parks CIP dollars.","The council authorized staff to solicit qualifications for engineering and design work for an RV campground overhaul and for a bid-ready design of the City Beach parking lot to support future grant applications, combining $100,000 in parks funds with the RV grant effort.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6476814,"Council approves sole-source purchase of screw presses to replace failing dewatering equipment at wastewater plant",936,6024000,6960000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5716807-aff94815587d3e849f91377359e358a6&start=6024&end=6960","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5716807-aff94815587d3e849f91377359e358a6/thumbnail_6024000.jpg","/articles/6476814/Sandpoint/Bonner-County/Idaho/Council-approves-sole-source-purchase-of-screw-presses-to-replace-failing-dewatering-equipment-at-wastewater-plant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476814-cc08be8a36cff9f3f5a320d02719f698/orig.mp4?Expires=1773660336&Signature=N8k4~l8s-cTO3nKXZi~rz9Fa8upe2TdL6YZPiWT2tYu2gyEtX-VdzSgOggKRCNcO4BuYUWvSymeyjvjfcZQaYAvgtYnHcwBi-n-~1SYHi1LwyjAMWVC4KqoNYNeVFN-cNEbLVt~~cgtKJJGD6WGQLVeLeKLWpW0JS~u5snP0aT04dKOQWvW9-MpuwgSFIFqinUc9sF9u2Ho3tEy1mmhSw1ezm1~~rf6MMQACIFlA-1VYv5-4194d1bsk2eWncSfjqXA2F88We0FZ7AUgO52R8xZFyOD8lnaFP8OFwkpmgNzZ0nRetu7us7n9cUDu-2ePSKexXoqNPClBAg4bmVpMjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sandpoint City Council authorized a sole-source procurement Sept. 3 for two screw presses to replace aging belt presses in the city\u0000wastewater treatment plant\u0000solids-handling building.

Public Works Director Holly Ellis said the belt presses are nearing the end of their useful life and that the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has identified equipment issues tied to the plant\u0000permit. Ellis and Stantec consultant Nick Smith told council that a pilot test of a Huber QPress unit was conducted and that Huber was the only vendor to respond to the city\u0000pilot request. Smith described the screw press as a mechanical dewatering unit that will increase solids cake from roughly 1.5\u0000to 2 percent up to about 18 percent solids, substantially reducing hauling volume.

Why it matters: The belt presses have been in service for decades and are linked to permit compliance and operational risk. The city budgeted the work as a bridge improvement to be retained when the full wastewater treatment plant is reconstructed; the purchase will be funded through the wastewater fund with a project budget figure referenced at about $1.5 million and the vendor quote somewhat lower.

Councilors asked about vendor competition, cost comparisons and equipment life span. Staff said other vendors did not submit pilot proposals; one vendor reportedly did not bid because their unit would not fit in the solids-handling room. Ellis said the vendor has honored earlier quotes and staff has reviewed comparable installations in other Idaho plants. Council President Deb Rule asked whether the two new presses would provide redundancy; staff confirmed the procurement seeks two units so one can serve as backup during commissioning or maintenance.

Council action: President Ruhle moved to approve the sole-source procurement with Huber Technology for two QPress screw presses and related equipment; the motion passed on roll-call vote. Staff said the lead time is roughly 27\u0000to 29 weeks plus submittal coordination and that construction and installation is planned during 2026.

What comes next: Staff will proceed with sole-source procurement, publish the required 14-day notice and manage submittals and scheduling. Project design and procurement are being coordinated with the long-term wastewater treatment plant reconstruction plans so the new presses can serve as a bridge solution.","To address failing belt presses and DEQ concerns, the council approved a sole-source procurement for two Huber QPress screw presses funded from the wastewater fund; staff described the purchase as a bridge improvement ahead of a planned full plant reconstruction.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6476819,"Sandpoint council delays new development impact fees until Jan. 1, 2026 after public hearing",3268,1652000,4920000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5716807-aff94815587d3e849f91377359e358a6&start=1652&end=4920","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5716807-aff94815587d3e849f91377359e358a6/thumbnail_1652000.jpg","/articles/6476819/Sandpoint/Bonner-County/Idaho/Sandpoint-council-delays-new-development-impact-fees-until-Jan-1-2026-after-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476819-23ccb0ea4cf35f49b2fc50fb782e4646/orig.mp4?Expires=1773660336&Signature=ZZMIeyF6VC2s1ucu7CFoDeh-xKvoO4YJ~ACSJeqIWjNiTIdS-NPhb3KCglhf08dQZK6ft4Etcch-6uRRoZj6XvMgy8UB9CBSoD1~hmZNgkgpDeIQ1JLgfem8C06QTqRiOjS66gu5AoPtrsIjGpE8fUEQpTCtptNdwxOvDBN7eJtgK4HKH3Df-PgUlWuXr3xe-1VcFe9VNDdJc1slnzrXFZyvBzQBH3QOR6clOceC67ja8n3Pzsx~5U5J3YTH9Y82ImT9WzttKKKvmaBdn3VM4af5TZkiMS9ci~zs6a8DyKkotaj2vHbniyClFS~0o1K37F5w0UQSTmQX8EE8w8-o2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sandpoint City Council voted on Sept. 3 to delay the effective date of a revised development-impact-fee ordinance to Jan. 1, 2026, following a public hearing in which residents, consultants and developers urged differing outcomes.

Community Planning and Development Director Jason Welker told the council the ordinance amends “title 12, which is our development impact fee ordinance,” and that the change is the final step to implement a fee study conducted after the city updated its comprehensive plan. Welker summarized the timeline and said the new fees would normally take effect 30 days after adoption.

Why it matters: The fee changes update a study last performed in 2011 and raise impact fees across several categories the study covers (parks, police, fire, streets and pathways); the change affects any project that must pay impact fees at the time of building-permit issuance. Several speakers during the hearing said the timing of the increase could make or break projects already in the pipeline.

During the hearing, consultants, residents and business representatives gave competing accounts of local impacts. David Ekret, identifying himself as a land-use economist and longtime resident, urged the council not to “miss this opportunity” to keep a waterfront hotel project feasible, saying the private development could bring recurring tax revenue and jobs. Ben McGrath, who represented Averell Hospitality, asked the council to “extend the implementation of the new impact fees to August 2026” so a complex hotel redevelopment can complete permit review and secure financing.

Others urged strict enforcement of the fee schedule. Opponents argued that delaying the fee implementation would grant an uneven benefit to one well-capitalized project. Paul Vogel, who said he is not a city resident, told the council “it\u0000is time to say no. The impact fees exist for a reason.” Resident Jace Bordenave argued the fees should apply equally to all developers and not be altered to accommodate a single project.

Council discussion focused on two main points: the statutory process for adopting impact fees and staff capacity to implement the new fee schedule in the city permitting system. Welker told the council that, because the city\u0000has to enter about 100 line items into the permit system and the permit technician is on maternity leave, staff would prefer more time to implement the schedule. One council member suggested 60 days; Welker recommended an end-of-year target to allow the permit technician to return.

Council President Deb Ruhle moved to amend the ordinance to set an effective date of Jan. 1, 2026. Councilor Kyle Schreiber seconded; the amendment passed on roll call. After a subsequent vote the council approved first reading by title and, by a separate roll call, suspended rules and passed the ordinance under suspension of the rules. Mayor Jeremy Grimm and councilors recorded their votes during each roll call.

The ordinance on the agenda updates the city code reference to the 2025 development-impact-fee study prepared for the city, clarifies the difference between fee credits and reimbursements, and replaces the 2011 study citation in Title 12. Per state law described in the staff presentation, fees adopted by ordinance would otherwise go into effect 30 days after adoption; the council\u0000chose to set a later effective date.

What\u0000happens next: The ordinance will take effect Jan. 1, 2026, as amended. Staff will enter the fee schedule into the city\u0000permit system and follow the implementation timeline agreed by council. Council members and speakers said they expect to revisit policy questions such as whether to allow deferred fee-payment mechanisms by contract, an option Welker said would require additional ordinance language and \"an airtight contract\" to protect the city.

Votes at a glance: The council approved an amendment setting the effective date to Jan. 1, 2026 (motion by Deb Ruhle; second by Kyle Schreiber; roll call: motion passed). The council then approved first reading by title and, after a motion to suspend rules, passed the ordinance under suspension (roll-call votes recorded in meeting minutes).","After a public hearing with competing public comments for and against delaying the new development impact fees, the Sandpoint City Council voted to amend the ordinance\u0000effective date to Jan. 1, 2026 and passed the ordinance by suspension of the rules.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bonner County Historical Society asks council to confirm 1979 lease terms; council takes no action

Council authorizes RFQ for City Beach RV campground improvements and City Beach parking-lot design

Council approves sole-source purchase of screw presses to replace failing dewatering equipment at wastewater plant

Sandpoint council delays new development impact fees until Jan. 1, 2026 after public hearing