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minutes meeting date 2026-02-19 · fetched 2026-09-17 · 13974 characters · read by OCR, check numbers against the source · official file · plain text
CITY OF CITY OF POCATELLO, IDAHO , : CITY COUNCIL REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 19, 2026 AGENDAITEMNO. __ 1: ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Regular City Council meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Mark Dahlquist. Council members present were Dakota Bates, Corey Mangum, Brent Nichols, Hayden Paulsen, Stacy Satterfield, and Ann Swanson. Mayor Dahlquist led the audience in the pledge of allegiance. AGENDA ITEMNO. _ 2: INVOCATION The invocation was offered by Pastor Jonathan Dinger, representing Grace Lutheran Church. AGENDAITEMNO. _ 3: CONSENT AGENDA Council was asked to consider the following business items: (a) MATERIAL CLAIMS Approve the Material Claims for the period of February 1-15, 2026 in the amount of $1,344,412.29. (b) TREASURER’S REPORT Approve the Treasurer’s Report for December 2025 showing cash and investments as of December 31, 2025 in the amount of $106,990,965.52. (c) HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION APPOINTMENT Confirm the Mayor’s appointment of Linda Leeuwrik to serve as a member of the Historic Preservation Commission, replacing Darrell Buffaloe who resigned. Linda’s term will begin February 20, 2026 and expire March 21, 2028. (d) COUNCIL DECISION - DENIAL OF ANNEXATION REQUEST Adopt the Council’s decision denying the annexation of approximately 21.92 acres of land to extend the Pocatello city limits along North Facer Mountain View Drive. (e) COUNCIL DECISION - FINAL PLAT APPROVAL FOR CORNER COVE TOWNHOMES Adopt the Council’s decision approving the subdivision of approximately 0.40 acres of land into four (4) lots, subject to conditions. (f) | COUNCIL DECISION - FINAL PLAT APPROVAL FOR GREENFIELD MEADOWS DIVISION 7 Adopt the Council’s decision approving the subdivision of approximately 10.27 acres of land into twenty-five (25) lots, subject to conditions. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING 2 FEBRUARY 19, 2026 (g) | COUNCIL DECISION - FINAL PLAT APPROVAL FOR EAGLES LANDING DIVISION 2 Adopt the Council’s decision approving the subdivision of approximately 10.43 acres of land into twenty-two (22) lots, subject to conditions. (h) COUNCIL DECISION - SHORT PLAT APPROVAL FOR ELEVATION 5000 DIVISION 2 Adopt the Council’s decision approving the short plat for Elevation 5000 Division 2 which subdivides approximately 0.80 acres of parcel RPCPP107205 into four (4) lots, subject to conditions. (i) COUNCIL DECISION - SHORT PLAT APPROVAL FOR CAHOON LANDING Adopt the Council’s decision approving the short plat for Cahoon Landing which subdivides approximately 0.40 acres of parcel RPBRCOO1700 into three (3) lots, subject to conditions. (j) DONATION ACCEPTANCE OF K-9 OFFICER Accept a donation from Dustin’ Time Animal Rescue of an eight-month old Belgian Malinois. This K-9 officer will serve as a drug detection dog and will replace K-9 officer “Frank” who passed away. A motion was made by Mr. Mangum, seconded by Ms. Swanson, to approve the items on the Consent Agenda. Upon roll call, those voting in favor were Mangum, Swanson, Bates, Nichols, Paulsen, and Satterfield. AGENDAITEMNO. 4: PROCLAMATIONS Mayor Dahlquist announced there were no proclamations. AGENDAITEMNGO. _ 5: CALENDAR REVIEW Mayor Dahlquist reminded Council members of the following meetings: March 2 Special City Council Budget Meeting at 11:00 a.m. and Special City Council Goal Setting meeting at 12:00 p.m.; March 5 Clarification meeting at 5:30 p.m. and Regular City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m.; March 12 City Council Work Session at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Special City Council meeting. Mayor Dahlquist announced the 46" Annual Simplot Games will be held at Idaho State University’s ICCU Dome February 19-21, City Creek Recreation area gates will be closed to. motorized_access. until_approximately. May. 15, 2026, and. asked citizens to keep sidewalks clear of snow and ice. When clearing sidewalks and driveways of snow, please do not place snow in the street. It becomes a driving hazard. AGENDAITEMNO. _ 6: ITEMS FROM THE AUDIENCE Nikki Taysom, Pocatello resident, welcomed Mayor Dahlquist and spoke about her belief that the community should return to Christian constitutional principles, expressing concerns about child safety and urging leaders and residents to unite to protect children and other vulnerable individuals. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING 3 FEBRUARY 19, 2026 Janelle Romriell, Pocatello resident, shared that she and her husband own SmileMakers Dental. She described challenges they have faced navigating the City’s permitting process while working to renovate a recently purchased commercial building on Yellowstone Avenue, expressing concern about rising costs, delays, and unclear requirements, and urging the Council to consider improvements such as a single business liaison, clearer permitting timelines, and evaluation of cumulative fees to better support small business investment in the community. She feels that making the process easier will help people choose to do business here instead of elsewhere. Marjanna Hulet, Pocatello resident, shared she is a representative of the Alameda Neighborhood Association. She gave all members of the City Council a letter and read it aloud. She expressed interest in working with the City to strengthen the neighborhood through a comprehensive planning effort, while also voicing concerns about the City’s lack of maintenance of the historic Alameda fire station and urged officials to repair and preserve the building so it can continue serving the community. Roger Frey, Pocatello resident, shared he is the president of the Alameda Neighborhood Association. He talked about neighborhood efforts to improve safety, parks, and walkability, including ideas such as painted crosswalks, playground improvements, and development of a surrounding business corridor, and expressed a desire for greater collaboration with the City so the neighborhood association can be involved in decisions affecting the Alameda neighborhood. AGENDAITEMNO. 7: RECONSIDERATION REQUEST - HEARING EXAMINER VARIANCE DENIAL Council was asked to consider a reconsideration request submitted by Andrew Matkin (mailing address: 165 Rosewood Avenue, Pocatello, ID 83201) appealing the decision of the Hearing Examiner which denied the building size variance and eastside setback variance for an accessory structure at 165 Rosewood Avenue following a public hearing held on November 13, 2025. Andrew Matkin was present to appeal the Hearing Examiner’s denial of a building size and eastside setback variance for an accessory structure at his property on Rosewood Avenue. He explained that the steel shop was built without a permit and that he became aware of the violation after inspection. He noted this is the second hearing he has paid for and stated he does not have the financial means to remove or modify the structure, requesting the Council grant the variance or allow another option for resolution. Jennifer Flynn, Assistant Planner, explained that the accessory structure at 165 Rosewood. Avenue was constructed without.a permit and. does not.meet City code requirements for side setbacks and accessory building size in the Residential Medium Density Single Family (RMS) zone, and stated that the variance request was denied by the Hearing Examiner following proper notice and public hearing, leading to the reconsideration request before the Council. In response to questions from Council, Ms. Flynn confirmed that special hearings include fees, noting the variance hearing cost approximately $600 plus a noticing fee and the reconsideration request approximately $200. She explained that setback standards are intended to address water runoff and drainage, protect privacy between properties, and maintain neighborhood aesthetics, noting that while the structure meets the front setback it is uncommon for an accessory REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING 4 FEBRUARY 19, 2026 building to be located in front of ahome. Ms. Flynn stated that numerous public comments from neighboring property owners expressed concern with the structure. She explained that if the denial is upheld and compliance is not achieved, the process would typically result in a misdemeanor citation and could proceed to court. She indicated she is not aware of any commercial use of the shop and that it is used for storage of recreational items. Ms. Flynn confirmed the structure meets the front setback but does not comply with side setback and size standards, as it is too close to the neighboring property on the east side and too large in comparison to the primary residence. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Matkin stated that his home is located toward the back of the property and argued that if it had been built toward the front like neighboring homes, it would have similarly impacted views due to the slope. He contended the structure has not caused water runoff issues and stated he has documented snowfall conditions, and added that the building was well constructed and has received positive feedback from neighbors, though he acknowledged one neighbor has expressed concerns. He explained that he hired a contractor only for the steel building and completed the remaining work himself, including excavation, foundation, and concrete, and acknowledged that he was responsible for the layout and placement of the structure and did not obtain a permit prior to construction. In response to questions from Council, Ms. Flynn confirmed that a permit is required prior to beginning any work. In response to questions from Council, Chief Roger Schei, Police Chief, explained that misdemeanor violations are typically handled through citation and court proceedings, noting that jail time would be determined by a judge and is not common in similar situations. In response to questions from Council, Jared Johnson, City Attorney, explained that approval of the variance would address only the setback and size issues and not the lack of a building permit or inspections, stating the City would still need to pursue code enforcement to ensure compliance and safety, and noted that if compliance cannot be verified, the matter could result in court action, including possible demolition. Council commented that while the situation is difficult, the responsibility to ensure permits are obtained rests with the property owner and that granting the variance would be unfair to those who follow City code requirements. A motion was made by Mr. Mangum, seconded by Mr. Bates, to uphold the decision of the Hearing Examiner which denied the building size variance and eastside setback variance for an accessory structure at 165 Rosewood Avenue. Upon roll call, those voting in favor were Mangum, Bates, Nichols, Paulsen, Satterfield, and Swanson. AGENDAITEMNO. _ 8: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WORK ORDER - AIRPORT Council was asked to approve a work order with Ardurra in the amount of $77,185.83 and authorize the Mayor’s signature on all pertinent documents, subject to Legal Department review. Services provided under the work order will be the design, bidding, procurement administration and grant administration of a new airport rescue firefighting (ARFF) REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING 5 FEBRUARY 19, 2026 truck. The work will be funded 95% by FAA AIP grant funds and 5% by State grant fund and budgeted airport passenger facility charge (PFC) funds. A motion was made by Mr. Paulsen, seconded by Ms. Swanson, to approve a work order with Ardurra in the amount of $77,185.83 and authorize the Mayor’s signature on all pertinent documents, subject to Legal Department review. Upon roll call, those voting in favor were Paulsen, Swanson, Bates, Mangum, Nichols, and Satterfield. AGENDAITEMNO. 9: UTILITY EASEMENT REQUEST Council was asked to grant a perpetual public utility easement on and through city property for the installation and maintenance of electrical services for the Pocatello Community Charter School and authorize the Mayor’s signature on all pertinent documents, subject to Legal Department review. A motion was made by Mr. Mangum, seconded by Ms. Swanson, to grant a perpetual public utility easement on and through city property for the installation and maintenance of electrical services for the Pocatello Community Charter School and authorize the Mayor’s signature on all pertinent documents, subject to Legal Department review. Upon roll call, those voting in favor were Mangum, Swanson, Bates, Nichols, Paulsen, and Satterfield. AGENDAITEMNO. 10: HILINE ROAD IMPROVEMENT PHASE 1 - EL RANCHO BOULEVARD INTERSECTION AND SIGNAL IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT - TASK ORDER #1 Council was asked to approve Task Order #1 between the City of Pocatello and Keller Associates Inc. in the amount of $196,081.00, and authorize the Mayor’s signature on all applicable documents, subject to Legal Department review. There is no financial requirement or match for this project. The City will use $117,770.00 allocated from SLFRF ARPA funds to cover a portion of the cost, and the remaining amount will be covered by $2,000,000.00 in State Funding already received from the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) for the project development. Council expressed that the matter has been under consideration for some time and conveyed appreciation that it is receiving the attention it deserves. A motion was made by Mr. Mangum, seconded by Mr. Bates, to approve Task Order #1 between the City of Pocatello and Keller Associates Inc. in the amount of $196,081.00, and authorize the Mayor’s signature on all applicable documents, subject to Legal Department review. Upon roll call, those voting in favor were Mangum, Bates, Nichols, Paulsen, Satterfield, and Swanson. AGENDAITEMNO. __1T1: ADJOURN There being no further business, Mayor Dahlquist adjourned the meeting at 6:51 p.m. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 19, 2026 APPROVED BY: Kee, Q4u— MARK. DAHLQUIST, MAYOR ATTESTED BY: PREPARED BY: AUBRIANA T. RESENDES, DEPUTY CITY CLERK
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