Sentinel Media records · public agendas and minutes, text only, refreshed nightly from each body's own site · not a newspaper
minutes meeting date 2025-11-24 · fetched 2026-09-17 · 9284 characters · official file · plain text
City Council Work Session
Meeting Minutes
680 Park Avenue
Idaho FalIsJD 83402
I DAHO
FALLS
Monday, November 24, 2025
City Council Chambers
3:00 PM
Call to Order and Roll Call
There were present;
Mayor Rebecca L. Noah Casper
Councilor John Radford
Councilor Jim Francis
Council President Lisa Burtenshaw {Left at 4:30 PM)
Councilor Jim Freeman (Arrived at 3:07 PM)
Councilor Kirk Larsen
Absent:
Councilor Michelle Ziel-Dingman
Also present;
Pam Alexander, Municipal Services Director
Kade Marquez, GIFT Coordinator
Zach Jones, Interim City Attorney
Chris Fredericksen, Public Works Director
Roxanne Mitro, Anderson, Karst and Mitro
Emily Geisler, City Clerk
Mayor Casper called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m. with the following items:
Municipal Services, Public Works: (Director Alexander, Director Fredericksen, Roxanne Mitro)
Update; Frontier Center Lobby Expansion Project
City staff, architect, and Councilors provided a comprehensive update on the Frontier Center
(formerly the Civic Auditorium) expansion, highlighting both progress and the long funding history behind
the project. Director Alexander reviewed how recommendations from a 2014 citizens review led to the
formation of the Civic Auditorium Committee and its later 501(c)(3) Civic Foundation, which has since
played a major role in attracting private donations. Phase 1—the $1.8 million auditorium renovation
including new seating, ADA-accessible seats, updated colors, and a stage sound shell—was funded largely
through private contributions. The City spent very little on the facility beforehand and has since created a
small reserve fund to maintain the new seats.
The current project, a more than $7 million lobby and front-of-house expansion, is approximately
70% complete and remains on budget with minimal change orders. Over 80% of its cost is covered by
private funding, including a major Frontier Credit Union contribution, CMC Foundation grant. Civic
Foundation pledges, private donors, ARPA funds, and $1.5 million in City support. The Foundation also
confirmed a $250,000 distribution coming in January. Councilors emphasized that only about 20% of total
project costs are public dollars, calling the expansion an exceptional value for taxpayers and a strong
example of public-private collaboration.
Architect Mitro detailed construction progress: new exterior walls, sunshades, windows, terrazzo
flooring with decorative "notes," and a greatly enlarged lobby that will finally allow patrons to wait
inside—even during winter sound-check delays. The restroom expansions will dramatically increase
capacity and add ADA-compliant options on all usable levels. The team explained that an elevator was
removed from the scope after analysis showed it would not provide meaningful balcony access due to
remaining stairs and limited functional benefit.
Both staff and Council stressed the preservation of the building's historic "art deco" identity.
Original heavy steel exterior grilles were salvaged and integrated into a new Tribute Garden honoring the
original architects (Fetzer & Fetzer), ensuring that architectural heritage remains visible. Some backstage
areas and basement restrooms have received temporary improvements—partly due to repairs funded
1
Nov 24, 2025 Video: https://idahofallsid.new.swagit.com/videos/3 6196Q
City Council Work Session
Meeting Minutes
680 Park Avenue
Idaho FalIsJD 83402
I DAHO
FALLS
after a flood—but dressing rooms and other "back-of-house" elements are still planned for a future
phase.
The topic discussion closed with broad praise for the design team, the committee, and the
Foundation for delivering a project true to donor expectations, historically sensitive, accessible, and
financially responsible. Anticipation is high for a ribbon-cutting in early spring 2026, and community
members are encouraged to support the next phase of improvements to continue strengthening this key
cultural asset.
Public Works: (GIFT Coordinator Marquez, PW Director Fredericksen)
Update: Greater Idaho Falls Transportation (GIFT)
1.
Program Overview and Current Operations
The GIFT program provides on-demand micro transit service throughout Idaho Falls, serving all age
groups and neighborhoods.
It operates as a door-to-door service, primarily via shared rides, which
reduces traffic congestion and vehicle emissions while supporting local businesses and the economy.
GIFT operates a mixed fleet of City-owned and contractor-provide d vehicles, including cutaway vans
(Turtle Top 14-passenger vans) capable of carrying wheelchairs. The service prioritizes customer
satisfaction through data-driven scheduling and an algorithm that optimizes routes, wait times, and
vehicle utilization.
2.
Service to Events and Downtown Access
GIFT actively supports events, conferences, and tourism, providing shuttles from hotels and the
airport, as well as service to venues such as Mountain America Center. The program has the flexibility
to create on-demand shuttles for downtown or special events, potentially funded through
partnerships with downtown businesses, arts organizations, or event planners. Future opportunities
include premium airport-directservice and expanded downtown connectivity to reduce parking
demand.
3.
Fleet, Maintenance, and Contract Management
The GIFT fleet is a combination of City-owned and contractor-mai ntained vehicles. Contractor vehicles
are fully maintained, while City-owned vehicles may be serviced locally or by the contractor. The
program maintains operational reserves and contingency plans for vehicle downtime, Recent
improvements include streamlining fueling through City facilities and preparing for additional vehicles
funded through carbon reduction grants anticipated in 2026. These enhancements will allow GIFT to
meet higher demand while maintaining service quality.
4.
Financial Sustainability and Community Impact
All reimbursementsfrom the previous year have been approved, and board decisions ensure no City
contribution for 3-4 years, allowing funds to go directly into service. Board members have managed
the program frugally while supporting growth. Community engagement is critical, as many residents
are unaware of the service. Word-of-mouth and user testimonials are key to increasing awareness
and ridership.
GIFT generates multiple positive externalities:
●
Traffic reduction: Shared rides remove multiple cars from the road.
●
Air quality improvement: Fewer vehicles contribute to cleaner air.
●
Economic support: Passengers are brought to local businesses, boosting the local economy.
●
Workforce flexibility: Employees can access jobs without owning cars, helping attract talent.
●
Parking optimization: Reduces demand for downtown parking space.
The program is Idaho's first door-to-door micro transit system and may eventually evolve into
fixed-route service as population density grows, though this would require significant infrastructure and
2
Nov 24. 2025 Video: https://idahofallsid.new.swaEit.com/videos/3 6196Q
City Council Work Session
Meeting Minutes
680 Park Avenue
Idaho Falls, ID 83402
I DAHO
FALLS
capital investment. Future expansions aim to maintain high service efficiency, reduce wait times, and
leverage data-driven planning for continuous improvement.
Mayor, City Council:
Acceptance or Receipt of Minutes
Motion: Receive recommendation(s) from the November 5, 2025, meeting of the Planning and Zoning
Commission pursuant to the Local Land Use Planning Act
Moved by: Councilor Francis
Second: Councilor Larsen
Vote: Aye: Francis, Freeman, Larsen, Radford. Nay: none.
Motion carries.
o
o
o
o
Calendars, Announcements,
Events,
Reports,
Updates, Concerns, Questions,
Proclamations,
Notes
or
Minutes from Boards and Commissions;
Mayor Casper, Councilor Francis, Councilor Freeman, Councilor Larsen, Councilor Radford:
o
Calendar & Delegation Update: Council received
a calendar and a report on the Eastern Idaho
delegation's recent visit to V\/ashington, D.C., highlighting discussions on water storage and Teton
Dam rebuilding. Planning for future actions is ongoing,
o
Peaking Plant Ribbon Cutting: Scheduled for December 4th, with speeches, ribbon-cutting, tours,
and refreshments. A follow-up session for legislators unable to attend will occur shortly after,
o
City Council Meeting Reminder: The next council meeting is scheduled for 7:30 PM tomorrow, (note
the corrected time),
o
Holiday & Community Events:
●
Tree Lighting: Councilors highlighted the large official city tree in the plaza and discussed the
lighting design, noting its popularity.
●
Water Tower: Testing and completion of the water tank expected soon
●
Fire Station Ribbon Cutting: Scheduled for December, just before Christmas,
o
Voting Reminders: Early voting ends two days from the meeting at 5 PM. Election Day is December
2nd, 8 AM-8 PM.
o
Community Service Announcement: Salvation Army Community Thanksgiving Dinner at the Elks
Lodge is Thursday, 11 AM-1 PM. Open to all, with volunteers providing food and fellowship,
o
General Notes: Councilors encouraged public engagement, highlighted successful events, and
emphasized participation in City planning and community activities.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:54 PM
Rebeci
3
Nov 24. 2025 Video: https://idahofallsid.new.swagit.com/videos/3 6196Q
Text is extracted by machine from the official file linked on each page; the official file is the record. Sentinel Media, LLC.