Bonner County commissioners reinstate Colburn ‘free table,’ ask director to add signage and safety measures

The Bonner County Board of Commissioners voted to reinstate a public “free table” at the Colburn solid-waste site and directed the Solid Waste director to install it in a lower-traffic area with signage recommended by risk management.

The decision followed more than two hours of staff presentations and public comment during which Solid Waste Director Bob Harrow described liability concerns raised after site upgrades and the county risk manager said the hazard could be controlled with placement and warning signs.

Commissioners opened the item after public interest grew when the free table used at Colburn during prior years was removed for safety during site renovation. Harrow told the board staff “recommends against implementing or allowing a public free table at our facility” at the current entrance location because “the liability is greater,” but said the department had identified an alternative location near existing recycling containers where the table could be placed out of the main traffic lane.

Christian Joslin, the county risk manager, said his review of the Colburn layout found that the originally proposed spot near the front gate would place donors and recipients in a congested area used by commercial vehicles and by attendants checking loads. Joslin told commissioners he and the county’s insurer and ICRMP had advised that the county could allow a free table if it reduced vehicle exposure and posted clear warnings that items were offered “at your own risk.” As Joslin put it: “It’s fine to do, just maybe limit risk by having a warning sign…that they realize we’re not guaranteeing or qualifying those items.”

More than a dozen residents spoke during public comment. Many described personal benefits from county free tables, saying they reduce waste and help families. A child identified as Poppy told commissioners the free table was a regular, joyful part of family outings to the site. Several residents, including Brandon Kramer and Jennifer Kramer, urged the board to restore the table immediately and questioned whether the site renovations actually increased risk.

Commissioner Korn and Commissioner Donke pushed for a site-specific decision rather than a countywide policy change. Commissioner Donke said staff had found a feasible back-corner location and asked that the item be postponed to allow staff to finalize the placement and safety measures; the board initially voted to table that request. Later, after further discussion and additional public comment, a commissioner moved to reinstate the Colburn free table and allow the Solid Waste director and risk manager to implement it with signage and other safety measures. The motion, which included a requirement that signage reflect risk and legal advice, passed unanimously.

Solid Waste staff said they would need about two weeks to relocate recycling containers, construct or place a table, and post signage; the director also committed to announce the return on the Solid Waste Facebook page and to report back at the next business meeting. The board asked that the implementation follow the same sign-and-safety approach across county transfer sites and asked the Solid Waste liaison to coordinate a broader, later review of consistent policies, signage and procedures for free tables at other county sites.

Board members and staff described the action as a balance between community reuse benefits and a county responsibility to reduce exposure to vehicle traffic and to document risk controls. The board did not adopt a countywide policy at this meeting; instead it approved reinstating the Colburn table conditionally and directed staff to return with a recommended consistent process for all transfer stations.

The minutes show the board voted to reinstate the Colburn free table with implementation direction; the director estimated a two-week timeline to place the table in the alternate location and post required signage.

The motion to reinstate was recorded as approved by the three commissioners present.