Kootenai County commissioners approve landfill closure design, airport grants, ARFF lease and multiple purchases

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — The Kootenai County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 19 approved a package of contracts, purchases and grant applications, including a $411,702.23 professional-services agreement for landfill interim-closure design, a short-term lease and budget transfer to restore airport firefighting capability, and Federal Aviation Administration grant work for taxiway lighting.

The board convened at 2 p.m. and approved routine consent items and payables before taking up business items that county staff described as necessary to maintain operations and comply with federal grant and safety requirements.

The most urgent item was at the Coeur d'Alene Airport. Kim Stevenson, airport staff, told the board that the airport’s aircraft-rescue-and-firefighting (ARFF) vehicle suffered “a catastrophic failure of the main pump” and that the existing unit, a 2001 model, is “well past its useful life.” Stevenson said the county retains grant funding to buy a replacement but was unable to procure a vehicle through earlier bids, so staff sought a short-term lease so the airport could restore ARFF service quickly. The board approved a lease with Company 2 LLC and agreed to a $39,550 fund transfer from Fund 30 to cover the lease (about $15,550 charged to FY25); commissioners said they would return later for any FY26 approvals.

The board also approved airport grant actions tied to runway/taxiway lighting projects. Commissioners authorized a Federal Aviation Administration Airport Improvement Program application for taxiway November MIRL (medium-intensity runway lights) and associated work, a grant request for $647,265 with a county cash match of $17,034 (2.5 percent). The board then approved an additional-services addendum to the airport’s engineering consultant to design and grant-administer that work; county staff said the addendum (about $94,909) is eligible for FAA reimbursement at 95 percent.

Solid-waste staff presented several items the board approved. John Phillips, Solid Waste director, said the department needs to cover constructed landfill areas with an impermeable liner “before opening up new areas in the future,” to minimize leachate production and help capture landfill gas. The board authorized a professional-services agreement with Parametrics Engineering for interim-closure design and construction management, at a total price of $411,702.23; staff said the department budgeted the project and legal reviewed the agreement. The board also approved purchases for DuraSkrim plastic sheeting ($44,621) to aid stormwater and leachate control, and a truck-mounted high-volume portable air compressor ($31,280) to maintain heavy equipment in dusty conditions.

Commissioners approved a one-year, third amendment to an existing janitorial contract with Environmental Control Building Maintenance Company of Spokane for cleaning two transfer stations and landfill facilities. The contract will extend through Nov. 30, 2026, and the monthly rate increases from $2,700 to $2,825 (about a 4.6 percent increase), county staff said; legal reviewed the extension and staff said the expense was budgeted.

On transit, Chad Ingle of the transit department asked the board to authorize a Federal Transit Administration grant application (ID 2025-023-00) to program remaining FY2020 funds for fixed-route and paratransit operations. Ingle said the county “go[es] with the oldest funds first” when programming federal allocations. The application requests $30,446 in FTA funds with an in-kind match of $30,446 from the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and Kootenai Health. The board approved the grant application; the vote was 2–1, with Commissioner Aberline recorded as the lone dissent.

The board acknowledged receipt of a single timely bid for HVAC updates at the Kootenai County Jail from Apollo Mechanical Contractors. The base bid reported in the record was $1,884,000 with a bid guarantee of $94,200 and addendums 1–3; the board voted to receive the bid and forward it to legal and building-and-grounds staff to determine responsiveness.

Other approvals included a $60,000 contract with MC2 Marine Engineering for engineering and design of the county boathouse replacement project (to be paid from grant funds and county match) and a series of routine motions to approve the consent calendar and the county payables list for Aug. 11–15 totaling $2,866,019.07 plus jury payments of $2,824.95.

The meeting closed with the board appointing Derek Hallam to the Aquifer Protection District for a term expiring Dec. 31, 2026; staff said Hallam (described as a licensed geologist and hydrologist) was recommended by the advisory committee and that vacancies for these statute-specific seats can be difficult to fill.

Votes at a glance: - Consent calendar (items 1–7): approved, unanimous. - Payables (Aug. 11–15): $2,866,019.07 plus $2,824.95 jury payments: approved, unanimous. - Bid opening — HVAC updates, Kootenai County Jail (Apollo Mechanical Contractors): receipt of bid and forward to legal/building & grounds: approved, unanimous. - Professional services — interim landfill closure design (Parametrics Engineering), $411,702.23: approved, unanimous. - Purchase — DuraSkrim plastic sheeting, $44,621: approved, unanimous. - Purchase — truck-mounted portable compressor, $31,280: approved, unanimous. - Contract amendment — janitorial services extension (Environmental Control Building Maintenance Company of Spokane), new rate $2,825/month, term to 11/30/2026: approved, unanimous. - Grant application (FTA) ID 2025-023-00 for fixed-route/paratransit, $30,446 with $30,446 in-kind match: approved, 2–1 (Commissioner Aberline nay). - Boathouse replacement — engineering/design with MC2 Marine Engineering, $60,000: approved, unanimous. - FAA AIP grant — Taxiway November MIRL lights, $647,265 with $17,034 county match: approved, unanimous. - Additional services addendum — airport engineering (Adura Group/Ardura/contractor listed in record), ~ $94,909: approved, unanimous. - Equipment lease — short-term ARFF vehicle with Company 2 LLC; fund transfer from Fund 30 of $39,550 (FY25 portion $15,550) to restore ARFF service: approved, unanimous. - Board approval request to move fund balance and budget for ARFF lease (Fund 30): approved, unanimous. - Advisory appointment — Derek Hallam to Aquifer Protection District through 12/31/2026: approved, unanimous.

What commissioners and staff said John Phillips, Solid Waste director, summarized the landfill work and why the design is needed: “Solid Waste Department has the need to cover certain areas of the constructed landfill with impermeable liner before opening up new areas in the future. This work is necessary to minimize leachate production as well as help us capture landfill gas.”

Chad Ingle, transit department, explained the grant timing: “We do go with the oldest funds first and then proceed more funds of allocation. So they're just the end of the fiscal year 20 funds.”

Kim Stevenson, airport staff, described the ARFF problem and the need for a short-term fix: “Approximately 1 week ago, our ARFF truck had a catastrophic failure of the main pump. … This is a short term lease to allow us the time to review options and determine the best way for the airport to move forward.”

Looking ahead County staff said funding for several items was already budgeted or would be handled through Fund 30 transfers and future budget approvals. Airport staff said they expect the FAA award for the taxiway lighting project before the end of FY2025 and that the addendum work qualifies for 95 percent FAA reimbursement. The board adjourned after public comment was called and none was offered.

Ending: The board adjourned at about 2:24 p.m.; commissioners said staff will return as needed for any follow-up budget or procurement decisions.