City of Blackfoot | minutes | meeting 2026-08-04 | City Council Agenda 8/04/2026 source: https://www.cityofblackfoot.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08042026-762 CITY OF BLACKFOOT CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FROM AUGUST 4, 2026 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Scott Stufflebeam called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. and led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Those in attendance were: Councilwoman Barlow, Councilman Brown, Councilman Gardner and Councilman Jensen. Councilwoman Barlow made a motion to amend the agenda to add item 3, EISF Licenses to the Consent Agenda. Councilman Gardner seconded; all were in favor; motion carried. CONSENT AGENDA Councilwoman Barlow made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as outlined; Councilman Jensen seconded; all were in favor; motion carried. CITY ADMINISTRATOR/CFO GRAHM ANDERSON Treasurer’s Report City Administrator/CFO Grahm Anderson reported that 75% of FY2026 had elapsed as of June 30, 2026, and reviewed year-to-date department expenditures. Most departments were below or near the 75% benchmark, though Parks and Recreation and Golf were higher at 85% and 80.6%, respectively. Parks was clarified as 88.5% including the Twin Bridges Landing capital project, but only 55% for operations and maintenance when that project was excluded. He also reviewed major account balances, including approximately $3.7 million in Morton Investments, $14.5 million in LGIP, $3.1 million in the diversified bond fund, $8.2 million in the Zions sweep account, and $161,581.97 in the Zions checking account. Mr. Anderson reviewed the August through October calendar. Items included consideration of the FY27 budget ordinance, preparation and submission of L2 forms to Bingham County, consideration of foregone property tax, updates to the FY27 Fee Schedule, preparation for fiscal year-end closeout, commencement of FY27, completion of the FY26 closeout, and audit preparation. Mr. Anderson provided City project updates, noting no significant changes to the radio meter installations, Meridian Highway 91, or West Bridge Street Bridge projects. Pendlebury bids were under LHTAC and ITD review, with notice of award pending. Downtown Revitalization Phase 2 professional services and the Well No. 14 construction award would be considered later in the meeting. The Twin Bridges Landing water right application had been submitted, the FAA airport snow removal equipment grant was moving forward, and South Broadway had reopened with minor punch-list items remaining. Council raised concerns about pavement vibration or unevenness on South Broadway, which Mr. Anderson said he would relay to HK Contractors for review and remedy. Ordinance 2300 – FY27 Annual Appropriations Mr. Anderson presented the FY27 annual appropriations ordinance. He stated the tentative budget had been presented at the first Council meeting in July, a public hearing had been held the prior week with no testimony in favor, neutral, or opposed, and publication requirements had been met. A motion was made to and seconded to approve Ordinance 2300, the FY27 Annual Appropriations Budget, as presented and waive all required readings. On a roll call vote, Councilwoman Barlow, Councilman Brown, Councilman Jensen, and Councilman Gardner voted yes; motion carried. CITY OF BLACKFOOT BINGHAM COUNTY, IDAHO ORDINANCE # 2300 ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS BILL OF 2026-2027 AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2026, APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF $46,054,956 TO DEFRAY THE EXPENSE AND LIABILITIES OF THE CITY OF BLACKFOOT, IDAHO FOR SAID FISCAL YEAR, AUTHORIZING A LEVY OF A SUFFICIENT TAX UPON THE TAXABLE PROPERTY AND SPECIFYING THE OBJECTS AND PURPOSES FOR WHICH SAID APPROPRIATION IS MADE. BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and City Council of the City of Blackfoot, Bingham County, Idaho. Section 1: That the sum of $46,054,956 be, and the same is appropriated to defray the necessary expenses and liabilities of the City of Blackfoot, Bingham County, Idaho for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026. Section 2: The objects and purposes for which such appropriation is made, and the amount of each object and purpose is as follows: General Fund Administration $2,948,697 Police $5,259,922 Fire $2,822,035   Total General Fund $11,030,653 Ambulance $2,684,794 Streets $2,088,530 Airport $4,498,899 Cemetery $309,858 Library $633,352 Parks & Recreation Parks & Recreation $736,541 Golf $968,112 Total Parks & Recreation Fund $1,704,653 Capital Improvement $119,192 Water $6,397,926 Sewer $14,038,389 Sanitation $2,418,815 Healthcare Reserve   $129,895 Total Appropriations All Funds $46,054,956 Section 3: That a general tax levy on all taxable property within the City of Blackfoot be levied in an amount allowed by law for the general purposes for said City, for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026. Section 4: All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed. Section 5: This ordinance shall take affect and be in full force upon its passage, approval, and publication in one issue of the Post Register, a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Blackfoot, and official newspaper of the said City. PASSES under suspension of rules upon which a roll call vote was taken and duly enacted an Ordinance of the City of Blackfoot, Bingham County, Idaho at a convened meeting of the City of Blackfoot City Council held on the 4th day of August, 2026. Scott D. Stufflebeam, Mayor City of Blackfoot ATTEST: Julie Conan, City Clerk City of Blackfoot Notice of Award – Wellhouse No. 14 Mr. Anderson presented the notice of award for construction of Wellhouse No. 14. Five bids were received. Bateman-Hall submitted the low bid of $1,573,200.00, and Keller Associates reviewed the bid and recommended proceeding. Coulter Hollingshead of Keller Associates explained that Bateman-Hall had completed comparable private development projects and would be required to provide performance and payment bonds equal to 100% of the contract amount, along with required insurance. Councilwoman Barlow made a motion and Councilman Jensen seconded to approve the notice of award to Bateman-Hall and authorize Mayor Scott Stufflebeam to sign the notice of award. All were in favor; motion carried. Amendment to Owner-Consultant Agreement – Well No. 14 Mr. Anderson presented an amendment to the owner-consultant agreement with Keller Associates for construction oversight and related services during the Well No. 14 construction phase. The amendment adds $182,152 to the contract. Councilwoman Barlow made a motion and Councilman Jensen seconded to add $182,152 to the Keller Associates contract for construction oversight and related services. All were in favor; motion carried. Professional Services Agreement Addendum – Downtown Revitalization Phase 2 Mr. Anderson presented an agreement with Keller Associates for engineering and design services for Downtown Revitalization Phase 2. Phase 1 addressed the block from Bridge Street to Pacific Street. Phase 2 will address the next commercial block from Judicial Street to Bridge Street. The engineering work will support the Community Development Block Grant process administered with assistance from SICOG. Councilman Jensen made a motion and Councilman Brown seconded to authorize Mayor Scott Stufflebeam to enter into the professional services agreement with Keller Associates for Downtown Revitalization Phase 2. All were in favor; motion carried. Senior Center Accessible Parking Jamie Melling was introduced as the new Executive Director of the Senior Center. Ms. Melling presented a revised accessible parking proposal developed after consultation with City staff. She explained that accessible spaces along the side of the building are near an emergency exit that is not a public entrance. The proposal would restore accessible parking near the main entrance and add spaces across East Pacific Street to improve access for Senior Center patrons. Council discussed retaining regular parking along Northeast Main Street, adding three accessible spaces on each side of East Pacific Street adjacent to Northeast Main Street, curb accessibility, drainage concerns, and avoiding encroachment in front of a private business. It was clarified that the spaces in front of the Senior Center had previously been designated accessible parking and were changed during the COVID-19 period. Councilman Jensen made a motion and Councilwoman Barlow seconded to approve modifications to parking along East Pacific Street adjacent to Northeast Main Street by adding three accessible parking spaces on each side of East Pacific Street and converting certain existing accessible spaces along Northeast Main Street to regular parking. All were in favor; motion carried. PLANNING & ZONING ADMINISTRATOR TRAVIS ALLEN Ordinance 2301 – Artificial Turf Regulations Planning and Zoning Administrator Travis Allen presented proposed standards for artificial turf installations within the City. He stated the standards address drainage, heat, safety, life-cycle characteristics, public health, and enforcement. Artificial turf would be permitted as a landscaping option, subject to requirements including permeable turf and an engineered base to manage stormwater runoff. Discussion also addressed irrigation conservation, landscaping flexibility, and maintenance considerations. Councilman Gardner made a motion Councilman Brown seconded to adopt the Planning and Zoning findings of fact. All were in favor; motion carried. FINDINGS OF FACT, CONCLUSIONS AND RESOLUTION (REASONED STATEMENT) ADOPTED BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD OF THE CITY OF BLACKFOOT July 28, 2026 FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS At the regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning and Zoning Board of the City of Blackfoot on June 16, 2026, the Board held a public hearing on the request of the City of Blackfoot to amend and update Title 11 Chapter 9, Sections 2 and 3 regarding artificial turf and use of such in landscaping regulations. Recommendations and the basis for those recommendations from the City of Blackfoot Planning and Zoning Administrator were presented and considered by the Board. No members of the public testified in favor, neutral or opposed. Upon reviewing the matter, the Board found and concluded as follows: FINDINGS: 1. That Title 11, Chapter 9 Section 2 and 3, adopting certain amendments to the artificial turf and landscaping regulations be recommended for approval as presented. RESOLUTION AND CONCLUSIONS UPON MOTIONS DULY MADE, SECONDED AND CARRIED, IT WAS RESOLVED THAT: By vote, it is unanimously recommended to the City Council that the city code on artificial turf and landscaping regulations be amended as presented. These findings of fact, conclusions, and resolutions were formally adopted by a unanimous vote of the planning and zoning board on July 28, 2026. _______________________________ Secretary of Planning & Zoning Board City of Blackfoot, Idaho Councilwoman Barlow made a motion and Councilman Gardner seconded to approve Ordinance 2301, amending Title 11, Chapter 9, Sections 2 and 3 regarding artificial turf regulations, and waive all further readings. On a roll call vote, Councilwoman Barlow, Councilman Brown, Councilman Gardner, and Councilman Jensen voted yes; motion carried. SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 2301 Ordinance number 2301 amends Title 11, Chapter 9, Sections 2 and 3 regarding artificial turf regulations on installation requirements, when artificial turf can be used, and design standards. The effective date shall be after publication as required by law. The full text of Ordinance No. 2301 is available at City Hall, 157 North Broadway, Blackfoot, Idaho 83221. STATEMENT OF LEGAL ADVISOR I, Garrett H. Sandow, City Attorney for the City of Blackfoot, Idaho, have reviewed the summary of Ordinance No. 2301 and find the summary to be true and correct and that it provides adequate notice to the public. ________/s/______________________ Garrett H. Sandow ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the City Council meeting was adjourned at 7:29 P.M. City of Blackfoot _________________________________ Mayor Scott D. Stufflebeam Attest: City Clerk Julie Conan