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minutes meeting date 2026-06-08 · fetched 2026-09-17 · 8951 characters · official file · plain text
COUNCIL WORKING MEETING June 8, 2026 203 Broadway Ave N PRESENT: Douglas Howarth Mayor Marla Sisson Council President Ryan Loos Council Member Fred Bartlett (on Zoom) Council Member Cortlin Runyan Council Member Chelsea Popplewell City Clerk/Treasurer Shayne Nope City Attorney Jeremy Engbaum Police Chief Maegan Hanson Library Director Jason Scott Public Works Director Concerned Citizens PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE CONFIRMATION OF QUORUM: Chelsea Popplewell confirmed a quorum. AMENDED AGENDA: Marla moved to approve the amended agenda to include a special presentation from Frontier Community Resources for the SMILES Grant check presentation. Cortlin seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Marla voted yes, Ryan voted yes, Fred voted yes, and Cortlin voted yes. The motion passed. SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Michele McFarlane with Frontier Community Resources presented a check for $5,500 to the City of Buhl for the SMILES Grant. CITIZEN COMMENTS: Kirk Tubbs, Twin Falls County: briefly introduced himself to the Council and explained that he is a County Commissioner Candidate. He complemented the City of Buhl website. Denise Jarolimek, Buhl, Idaho: Thanked Mayor and Council for the quick response to her comment from a couple meetings ago and confirmed that the area in question had been backfilled. She asked about the light on the tower at the mill and explained that she believed it was in the flight path and a hazard. Pam Webb, Buhl, Idaho: brought up the water on Fair Street. She wondered where it was coming from and commented that it was there every day and night. Sharry Wills, Buhl, Idaho: brought up an incident with the police over a dispute with a person who unlawfully entered her home. She proceeded to give details of the encounter. She finished by suggesting more training for vulnerable adults and wanted the case reopened. PUBLIC HEARING #1: Opened at 6:45 PM. No Council member declared any recusal or ex parte discussion. Marla explained that she had met with a concerned citizen and members of City staff regarding the parking ordinance. Shayne Nope explained that since a public hearing was technically not required for this ordinance change, the conversations with citizens wouldn’t really be considered ex parte communication and therefore the conversations were allowable and has no impact on Marla’s ability to vote on the matter. Denise Jarolimek, Buhl, Idaho spoke in favor of the proposed amendment. She explained that she thought it was very comprehensive and 5-2-13 specifically would give police and code some teeth in enforcement. Joshua Dowding, Buhl, Idaho submitted a letter in advance of the meeting. He thanked the Mayor, City Council, City staff, and community members for their time and participation throughout the ordinance review process, expressing appreciation for the opportunity to engage in discussions and gain a better understanding of local government. He stated that the revised ordinance addressed many of the concerns raised by residents and tradespeople. He also encouraged the Council to consider establishing a permitting or application process for residents and tradespeople who lack practical off-street parking. His letter concluded by encouraging continued community involvement and collaboration. Pam Webb, Buhl, Idaho questioned if RV parking on the street would be allowed and it was determined that it would be only for loading and unloading purposed. The hearing was closed at 6:58 PM. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Review and Consideration of the subdivision Final Plat request submitted by WMC Partners, LLC for Harvest Hills Subdivision – Phase 3, located south of Tverdy Lane and east of Fair Street, Buhl, Idaho, 83316: David Thibault from EHM Engineering explained that they did not receive notice of the public hearing at the last meeting. He went on to explain the final plat for Harvest Hills Phase 3. There were some questions regarding green space and the number of homes. Water capacity was brought up as well as the traffic study. Marla asked if Council could see the traffic study and Chelsea confirmed she would send it to the Council. Marla moved to approved the subdivision Final Plat request submitted by WMC Partners, LLC for Harvest Hills Subdivision – Phase 3, located south of Tverdy Lane and east of Fair Street, Buhl, Idaho, 83316. Ryan seconded the motion. There was no further discussion. Marla voted yes, Ryan voted yes, Fred voted yes, and Cortlin voted yes. The motion passed. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. Minutes of May 11, 2026 – Regular Session 2. Minutes of May 28, 2026 – Special Meeting 3. Claims for Payment 4. Department Head Report – Public Works, Engineer, Fire, Police 5. Commission Minutes – Library, Housing Authority, Airport 6. Clerk/Treasurer Report Cortlin moved to approve the consent agenda. Marla seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Marla voted yes, Ryan voted yes, Fred voted yes, and Cortlin voted yes. The motion passed. NEW BUSINESS: Review and Consideration of repealing and replacing Title 5, Chapter 2, Section 4 and Title 5, Chapter 2, Section 13 of the Buhl City Code to allow limited on-street parking of trailers in residential areas: Marla mentioned again that she met with a citizen and City staff and came up with a couple solutions. First to add 12 hour parking for RVs and second to add a parking permit section in code with an application process. Ryan agreed those were good considerations. Fred questioned if this was for unhooked trailers to just be left on the street and Marla explained that that is not the intent. It would be for regularly used trailers. Chelsea confirmed the process moving forward with Shayne. Marla moved to table the parking code Title 5, Chapter 2, Section 4 and Title 5, Chapter 2, Section 13 to next meeting to have the final vote. Cortlin seconded the motion. Cortlin voted yes, Fred voted yes, Ryan voted yes, and Marla voted yes. The motion to table passed. Mayor asked about possibly extending the RV parking to 24 hours. Review and Consideration of Firework Stand Applications: Cortlin recused himself from the vote on firework stand applications because he has a stand that sets up in his shop’s parking lot. Marla moved to approve the firework stand applications. Ryan seconded the motion. There was no further discussion. Marla voted yes, Ryan voted yes, and Fred voted yes. The motion passed. Review and Consideration of Updated Budget Schedule: Chelsea explained that we haven’t been able to fill a spot on the Utility Rate Committee and therefore asked to move the recommendation from the 8th to June 22nd. Marla made a motion to update the budget schedule. Cortlin seconded the motion. Fred voted yes, Marla voted yes, Ryan voted yes, and Cortlin voted yes. The motion passed. Review and Consideration of Preliminary FY 2026-2027 Budget Worksheets: Chelsea explained the process to come up with the preliminary budget worksheets. She explained that property taxes come in to the general fund and then is dispersed to the departments that are allowed to use them. Utilities use enterprise funds meaning they cannot use property taxes and must sustain on their own. Jason Scott explained his budget sheets in parks and utilities. He did say that the revenue is dependent on the rate recommendation. He commented that many of the increase we don’t really have control over, including credit card fees, power, etc. Chelsea noted that she did not have anything as a fund balance draw down right now. MAYOR & COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mayor Howarth read the below statement. We need to make sure that we comply with the law regarding employee privacy issues. If a member of City Council would like to discuss any issues pertaining to complaints, discipline, etc., of a city employee, those will first need to be discussed with the mayor, who is the chief city administrator per Idaho Code 50-602. After review of the complaint, discipline, etc., if it needs to go before City Council, it will be listed under an executive session on the upcoming meeting agenda. Mayor Howarth asked that if any members of the audience are asked a question, that they approach the podium to answer to make sure everything gets on the record. He also reminded citizens to speak during citizen comments or send him, Council and/or City Staff an email and it will get discussed. Fred expressed his (and his kid’s) excitement for the pool to open up. He appreciated the staff’s work on making that happen. Jason commented that the heater is currently not working but they’re working on it. MEETING ADJOURNED –Marla moved that the meeting be adjourned; Ryan seconded the motion. There was no discussion. All voted yes. The meeting was adjourned at 7:53 pm. Minutes prepared by Chelsea Popplewell, City Clerk
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