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minutes meeting date 2026-04-23 · fetched 2026-09-17 · 21883 characters · official file · plain text
City Council Meeting Minutes 1 680 Park Avenue Idaho Falls, ID Thursday, April 23, 2026 6:30 PM City Council Chambers 1. Mayor Burtenshaw Called the meeting to Order at 6:31 PM Present: Mayor Lisa Burtenshaw Council President Jim Francis Councilor Jim Freeman Councilor Kirk Larsen Councilor Brandon Lee Councilor John Radford Councilor Michelle Ziel-Dingman (via Teams starting at 8:15 PM) Also present: Pam Alexander, Municipal Services Director Colin McAweeney, TischlerBise (via Teams) Zack Jones, City Attorney Jasmine Marroquin, Deputy City Clerk Chris Fredericksen, Public Works Director/IF Power General Manager 2. Pledge of Allegiance Mr. Moss led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. Public Comment No one appeared. 4. Consent Agenda A. Municipal Services 1. 26-150 February 2026 Treasurer’s Report B. Public Works 1. 26-142 Bid Award for Ash Street to HK Contractors for $670,324.00 C. Idaho Falls Power 1. 26-143 Board Meeting Minutes from April 8, 2026 D. Office of the City Clerk 1. 26-107 March 2026 Licensing through the Office of the City Clerk a. 53 New Business Licenses b. 24 Renewed Business Licenses c. 27 Contractor Licenses Motion: Approve, accept, or receive all items on the Consent Agenda according to the recommendations presented. o Moved by: Councilor Radford o Second: Councilor Larsen o Vote: Aye: Francis, Freeman, Larsen, Lee, Radford. Nay: none. o Motion carries. City Council Meeting Minutes 2 680 Park Avenue Idaho Falls, ID 5. Regular Agenda A. Office of the Mayor 1. 26-149 Appointment of new IF Power GM Presentation/Discussion (Mayor Burtenshaw): The Mayor formally presented the appointment of Chris Fredericksen as the new General Manager of Idaho Falls Power, highlighting his proven leadership and long-standing service to the City. Council members offered strong support and praise, emphasizing Fredericksen’s professionalism, collaborative leadership style, and ability to view City operations holistically across departments. Several noted his role in preparing for this opportunity over years of service and expressed confidence in his ability to lead an already thriving organization to further success. Director Fredericksen thanked the Council for the appointment, reflected on his experience in public works, and expressed appreciation for City staff and the impact of their work on the community. His leadership was described as hands-on and team-oriented. The appointment takes effect May 4, with Chris Canfield to serve as Interim Public Works Director. Motion: Confirm appointment of Chris Fredericksen as the new GM of IF Power. o Moved by: Councilor Francis o Second: Councilor Radford o Vote: Aye: Francis, Freeman, Larsen, Lee, Radford. Nay: none. o Motion carries. B. Public Works 1. 26-140 Bid Award - Calkins Avenue - 14th Street to 16th Street Storm Upgrades Presentation/Discussion (Director Fredericksen): The Public Works Department presented a bid award for infrastructure improvements on Calkins Avenue between 14th and 16th Streets. Originally planned as a stormwater project, it evolved into a larger water system upgrade. Three bids were received, with Suncore Construction submitting the lowest bid at about $1 million. The project will replace roughly 3,600 feet of water line, install about 600 feet of storm line near Hawthorne Elementary, and rebuild affected roadways. The work aims to resolve long-standing drainage issues and is planned during the school break to minimize disruption and eliminate recurring puddling problems for students. Motion: Approve the plans and specifications; award to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, Suncore Construction & Material, Inc., in the amount of $1,561,182.00; and give authorization for the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the necessary documents. o Moved by: Councilor Larsen o Second: Councilor Lee o Vote: Aye: Francis, Freeman, Larsen, Lee, Radford. Nay: none. o Motion carries. City Council Meeting Minutes 3 680 Park Avenue Idaho Falls, ID 2. 26-141 Bid Award - Canal Avenue, L Street and K Street Water Line Upgrades Presentation/Discussion (Director Fredericksen): Public Works presented a bid award for water line upgrades on Canal Avenue, L Street, and K Street. Four bids were received, with 3E Construction submitting the lowest bid at about $1 million. The project will replace approximately 2,200 feet of water line and reconstruct impacted roadways. Staff noted that plans have been reviewed and sufficient funding is available to proceed if approved. Motion: Approve the plans and specifications; award to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, 3H Construction, LLC, in the amount of $1,009,709.00; and give authorization for the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the necessary documents. o Moved by: Councilor Larsen o Second: Councilor Lee o Vote: Aye: Francis, Freeman, Larsen, Lee, Radford. Nay: none. o Motion carries. 3. 26-144 Easement Vacation - Lot 15, Block 3 of the Yellowstone Addition, Division 3 Presentation/Discussion (Director Fredericksen): Public Works presented a request to vacate a small public utility easement at 1464 Houston Street because it conflicts with an existing building footprint. The affected area is minor—approximately 4 by 8 feet. All relevant City departments and private utilities reviewed the request and reported no concerns. Staff explained that such conflicts can occur when underground easements are not clearly delineated or when building placement shifts slightly. Public Works recommended approval of the easement vacation. Motion: Approve the Easement Vacation under a suspension of the rules requiring three complete and separate readings and request that it be read by title. o Moved by: Councilor Larsen o Second: Councilor Lee o Vote: Aye: Francis, Freeman, Larsen, Lee, Radford. Nay: none. o Motion carries. ORDINANCE TITLE READ: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO, A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF THE STATE OF IDAHO, PROVIDING FOR THE VACATION OF A PORTION OF AN EASEMENT LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY OF IDAHO FALLS AND LEGALLY DESCRIBED IN SECTION 1 OF THIS ORDINANCE; PROVIDING THAT TITLE TO SAID VACATED EASEMENT SHALL VEST AS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 3 OF THIS ORDINANCE; PROVIDING THAT THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT FROM AND AFTER PASSAGE, APPROVAL, AND PUBLICATION ACCORDING TO LAW. City Council Meeting Minutes 4 680 Park Avenue Idaho Falls, ID C. Municipal Services 1. 26-148 Sale of City Property Presentation/Discussion (Director Alexander): Municipal Services presented an item regarding the potential sale of City-owned property at 610 Water Avenue. After an earlier public hearing, the Council had set the property’s value at $53,500 and held a public auction on April 10, but no bids were submitted at that minimum price. Following the auction, the lone attendee offered to purchase the property for $30,000, which is below the established value. Staff brought the offer to Council for consideration. Discussion among Council members leaned toward denying the offer and instead listing the property on the open market with a real estate professional to seek a better outcome. It was noted the City originally purchased the property for about $7,000 in 1974, and it is currently an unused parking lot, with no plans for the City to use it. Motion: Deny the private party offer received for City property located at 610 Water Avenue for a total of $30,000 and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the necessary documents. o Moved by: Councilor Radford o Second: Councilor Francis o Vote: Aye: Francis, Larsen, Lee, Radford. Nay: Freeman. o Motion carries. 2. 26-120 Resolution: City of Idaho Falls Procurement Policy Presentation/Discussion (Director Alexander): The City adopted a new procurement policy in response to a recent audit finding identifying a significant deficiency in procurement processes— specifically, inconsistent checks of vendors against the federal SAM.gov database for contracts using grant funds over $25,000. The policy, developed collaboratively across departments and refined with input from the external auditor, establishes minimum standards to ensure compliance with federal laws, state statutes, and best practices. Key updates include: • A new requirement emphasizing cybersecurity and protection of sensitive information in all purchases. • Clear direction in the purchasing matrix requiring SAM.gov verification for vendors on federally funded contracts above $25,000. The policy is intended to be a flexible, “living document” that can be updated as needed. City Council unanimously approved the resolution, authorizing implementation. Officials emphasized that the policy improves accountability, supports audit compliance, and will be accompanied by staff training to ensure proper execution. City Council Meeting Minutes 5 680 Park Avenue Idaho Falls, ID Motion: Approve the resolution for the City of Idaho Falls Procurement Policy and give authorization to the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the necessary documents. o Moved by: Councilor Radford o Second: Councilor Larsen o Vote: Aye: Francis, Freeman, Larsen, Lee, Radford. Nay: none. o Motion carries. 3. 26-130 Public Hearing and Consideration of Proposed 2026 Capital Improvement Plan and Development Impact Fee Study, and Amendments to City Code, Title 10, Chapter 8, City Development Impact Fees. Presentation/Discussion (Director Alexander, Mr. McAweeney): The City of Idaho Falls held a public hearing on the proposed 2026 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), Development Impact Fee Study, and related code amendments. City staff and a consultant presented a year-long process involving extensive collaboration with departments, an advisory committee, public outreach, and multiple hearings. The study follows Idaho law, which requires updates every five years, and is designed to ensure growth pays for its share of infrastructure (roads, parks, police, fire). Key Elements of the Proposal • Impact fees fund infrastructure needed to support growth and maintain current service levels. • Fees are calculated using updated data on growth, land use, and capital plans. • A major change is shifting residential fees from a flat structure to a tiered system based on square footage. • Maximum fees were presented (e.g., ~$3,100–$6,460 per home depending on size). • Credits are applied to avoid overcharging when funds have already been collected but not yet spent. • Some items (e.g., neighborhood parks, police vehicles) were removed to better align with the threshold for eligibility under State statute • Proposed code changes align City ordinances with the updated study and remove certain exemptions (including affordable housing exemptions and some taxing districts). Public Testimony 1. Erin Cannon (Comfort Construction – Non-resident builder) • Appreciation for process: Noted improved collaboration and stakeholder input compared to prior efforts. • Opposition to square footage methodology: o Argued it doesn’t accurately reflect “impact.” o Gave example: City Council Meeting Minutes 6 680 Park Avenue Idaho Falls, ID A ~4,000 sq ft home with 2 occupants would pay more under the new system. A ~1,480 sq ft home (also with 2 occupants) would pay significantly less. o Concluded that household size—not home size—better reflects impact. • Concern about “credits for existing balances”: o Questioned legality and logic of using previously collected, unspent fees to reduce future fees. o Referenced Idaho statute requiring fees to be spent within a set timeframe or refunded. o Argued it could be unfair to shift costs between developments. 2. Todd Webb (Local Builder / Home Builders Association President, Non-resident) • With entry-level homes now ~$350k–$370k, he argued many young people (including Council members’ kids) can’t afford homes. • Warned that increasing fees (even modestly) worsens affordability. • Economic context: Noted a housing slowdown/downturn and shared an anecdote about California permit costs exceeding $100k due to fees/regulation. • Personal perspective: Own children could only afford homes because he subsidized them. • Legislative context: Ongoing state-level discussions about limiting or reforming impact fees. • Request: Pause or rethink fee increases and find ways to reduce costs, especially for first-time buyers. 3. Nate Clark (Rockwell Homes – Non-resident, former resident) • Personally, couldn’t afford a home in Utah after college; moved to Idaho Falls because it was more affordable. Nearly lost financial footing early on due to income vs. housing costs. • Affordability is worsening: Rising land, development, and construction costs are making it “nearly impossible” to keep homes affordable. • Critique of square footage model: o Especially problematic for unfinished basements, which are common in entry-level housing which allow buyers to purchase a smaller, more affordable home now and finish later as their income grows. o Charging fees on unfinished space is not proportional to actual use or impact. • Alternative approach - Suggested fees should be based on: Finished (habitable) square footage or number of occupants. • Regional growth pressure: Warned that Idaho Falls will face increased demand due to constraints in nearby areas (e.g., floodplain issues elsewhere). Staff & Consultant Responses • Impact fees are based on long-term use of a home, not current occupants. • Square footage is widely used and considered defensible and proportional using census data. • Credits are required to avoid double-charging and reflect funds already collected. • Fees must be spent within legal timelines and are tracked carefully in dedicated accounts. City Council Meeting Minutes 7 680 Park Avenue Idaho Falls, ID Council Deliberation Council members acknowledged: • The tension between affordability and ensuring growth pays its own way. • The importance of a data-driven, legally defensible process. • That impact fees are a one-time charge spread over the life of a home. • Ongoing concerns about affordability, regulation, and unfinished basements. Motion 1: Adopt the resolution adopting the proposed 2026 Capital Improvement Plan and Development Impact Fee Study to not include unfinished basements. o Moved by: Councilor Radford o Second: Councilor Freeman o Vote: Aye: Freeman, Radford. Nay: Franics, Larsen, Lee. o Motion fails. Motion 2: Adopt the Resolution adopting the proposed 2026 Capital Improvement Plan and Development Impact Fee Study. o Moved by: Councilor Francis o Second: Councilor Lee o Vote: Aye: Francis, Freeman, Larsen, Lee, Radford. Nay: none. o Motion carries. Motion 3: Adopt the amendments to City Code, Title 10, Chapter 8, City Development Impact Fees, under a suspension of the rules requiring three complete and separate readings, and request that the ordinance be read by title and published by summary, with the required effective date of June 1, 2026. o Moved by: Councilor Francis o Second: Councilor Lee o Vote: Aye: Francis, Freeman, Larsen, Lee, Radford. Nay: none. o Motion carries. ORINDANCE TITLE READ: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO, A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF THE STATE OF IDAHO; AMENDING TITLE 10, CHAPTER 8, MODIFYING THE DEFINITION FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AND AMENDING OTHER DEFINITIONS; AMENDING THE IMPACT FEE AMOUNTS AND CALCULATION IN LIGHT OF THE UPDATED IMPACT FEE STUDY; REMOVING AFFORDABLE HOUSING EXEMPTION FOR IMPACT FEES; EXEMPTING TAXING DISTRICTS FROM IMPACT FEES; PROVIDING SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, PUBLICATION BY SUMMARY, AND ESTABLISHING EFFECTIVE DATE. City Council Meeting Minutes 8 680 Park Avenue Idaho Falls, ID 4. 26-131 Public Hearing and Resolution for the Adoption of the April 2026 Idaho Falls Fee Schedule Presentation/Discussion (Director Alexander): The Council opened a public hearing on a resolution to adopt the April 2026 Idaho Falls fee schedule, required mid-year due to upcoming impact fee changes taking effect June 1. Director Alexander explained the proposal, which includes new or increased development impact fees (over 5%) for parks and recreation, police, fire, EMS, and transportation. Public notice had been properly published, but no public comments were offered and no additional information was presented. The hearing was then closed, and the Council moved into deliberation, with an expectation that the updated fees would take effect June 1. Motion: Approve the resolution for the adoption of the April 2026 Idaho Falls Fee Schedule with an effective of June 1, 2026, and give authorization for the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the necessary documents. o Moved by: Councilor Radford o Second: Councilor Larsen o Vote: Aye: Francis, Dingman, Freeman, Larsen, Lee, Radford. Nay: none. o Motion carries. 5. 26-147 Bid Protest - IF 26-006, 2026 Water Line Surface Repair Presentation/Discussion (Director Alexander): City staff provided background on a bid protest related to the water line surface repair contract (Bid IF26-006). The City Council had previously awarded the contract to the lowest responsible responsive bidder, JM Concrete. Afterward, Rolling Rock LLC filed a protest and was given the opportunity to present testimony, though no one appeared to speak. A proposed written decision, prepared by the City attorney with input from Public Works and Procurement, was included in the Council packet. It concludes that Rolling Rock’s bid was non-responsive because the company did not hold the required Category A Public Works Contractor’s License at the time of submission, as mandated by Idaho law for projects exceeding certain dollar thresholds. Rolling Rock’s main argument was that the project could have been broken into smaller contracts that would not require such a license. However, staff and the City attorney explained that the bid was intentionally structured as a large, multi-year, “on-call” contract covering approximately 150 work orders, with a total value exceeding $250,000. As such, the licensing requirement applied, and the City was not obligated to split the work into smaller bids. The Council’s task is to decide whether to uphold its prior award decision and adopt (or modify) the written findings explaining the denial of the protest. City Council Meeting Minutes 9 680 Park Avenue Idaho Falls, ID Motion: Uphold the previous decision made on April 2, 2026, and adopt the written legal decision by counsel and authorize the Mayor and City Council to sign the necessary documents. o Moved by: Councilor Radford o Second: Councilor Freeman o Vote: Aye: Francis, Dingman, Freeman, Larsen, Lee, Radford. Nay: none. o Motion carries. D. City Attorney 1. 26-146 Written Decision Regarding Request for Reconsideration for Planned Unit Development (PUD) for Willows Place Townhomes Presentation/Discussion (City Attorney Jones): The City attorney presented a written decision regarding a request for reconsideration of the Willows Place Townhomes PUD. He explained that the document is largely unchanged from the draft previously discussed in a work session, with only minor edits: a clarification that more than half of the west side of the street would be dominated by parking and garages, and a small citation correction. The decision reflects the position of the majority of Council members involved. The attorney invited any final comments or revisions but emphasized that any changes must be completed that night to meet an upcoming deadline. Motion: Approve the Written Decision Regarding Request for Reconsideration denying the Planned Unit Development for Willows Place Townhomes and give authorization for the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the necessary documents. o Moved by: Councilor Francis o Second: Councilor Lee o Vote: Aye: Francis, Dingman, Lee. Nay: none. o Motion carries. 6. Announcements o A United Way “Family Fair” event scheduled for Saturday has been postponed to the following week due to weather. o Residents were encouraged to attend events at the local library, which has recently hosted notable authors and programs. o The newly renovated Frontier Center on Holmes was highlighted following a ribbon-cutting. The facility, home to the Idaho Falls Symphony, received strong praise for its improvements, accessibility (including ADA restrooms), and long-term durability. The public is invited to attend a performance there on Saturday, featuring conductor Thomas Heuser’s final concert after 15 years, along with the youth symphony. o A Cinco de Mayo celebration will be held at the waterfront on May 2. City Council Meeting Minutes 10 680 Park Avenue Idaho Falls, ID o The commissioning of the USS Idaho will take place April 25 in Groton, Massachusetts, with a livestream available; the submarine has symbolic ties to Idaho, including water used in its launch ceremony. o The Mayor announced an upcoming absence, with Council President Francis presiding over the next meeting. o Lastly, a reminder was given for Idaho Gives, running May 4–7, encouraging residents to support nonprofits statewide, with online donations already open. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:33 PM. /s/ Jasmine Marroquin______________ /s/ Lisa Burtenshaw _____________ Jasmine Marroquin, Deputy City Clerk Lisa Burtenshaw, Mayor
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