Bonner County tables fair bleacher purchase pending ADA compliance review

Bonner County commissioners on Thursday tabled a planned purchase of portable bleachers for the fairgrounds and asked county staff to confirm whether the final seating configuration will meet current Americans with Disabilities Act requirements before awarding the contract.

Fair manager Mark Knapp asked the board to approve a purchase from Highlands Products Group through the Park Catalog for $97,006.94; the county’s budget included funds for the purchase. Knapp said the bid process returned three proposals and that staff planned to use fairgrounds labor for removal and installation of existing and new units.

Commissioners pressed for assurance that the new configuration would provide the required number and type of ADA-accessible spaces. One bidder included ADA cut-out sections in its proposal; the low bidder did not. “When we make upgrades, we have to be compliant with whatever the regulations are at that time,” a commissioner said, noting uncertainty whether portable, nonpermanent bleachers trigger the same upgrade obligations.

County legal staff and others on the call said the board should confirm the facility’s total seating configuration and then compare it to ADA requirements for accessible seating before awarding the contract. The board voted to table the award until the county can confirm compliance.

The fair also discussed other administrative items during the meeting — including routing levy funds through the county’s Munis billing system and the fair’s request for assistance drafting a five-year strategic plan — but the bleacher purchase was the substantive equipment item tabled for additional review.