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minutes meeting date 2026-05-21 · fetched 2026-09-17 · 14104 characters · official file · plain text
MINUTES
RIGBY CITY COUNCIL
THURSDAY MAY 21, 2026
7:00 PM
Mayor Nichole Weight called the meeting to order.
The Pledge of Allegiance was given by Chief Fullmer.
The prayer by Councilman Espinosa.
ROLL CALL ATTENDANCE:
Councilwoman Melanie Allen Present
Councilman Kevin Bradshaw
Absent
Councilman Alex Espinosa Present
Councilman Timothy Howe Present
Councilman Reed Stone Present
Councilwoman Tonya Hillman Absent
ALSO PRESENT-
Public Works Director, Mitch Bradley
Police Chief, Allen Fullmer
Planning and Zoning, Ione Hansen
PUBLIC COMMENT –
Lucy Larson, a student at BYU studying social work, provided public comment
regarding a class project on rape kit processes and community interventions. She
requested input on areas where college students could assist and noted she was
gathering perspectives for planning purposes.
ACTION ITEM - CONSENT AGENDA
The following business items may be approved by one motion and a vote. If any
one member of the Council so desires, any matter listed can be moved to a
separate agenda item.
A. Council Minutes – May 7th, 2026
B. Accounts Payable- May 2026
C. 1st Quarter Financial Report
D. Statement of Decision – Zone Change J&L Holding
E. Statement of Decision- Zone Change for BG Development Group
F. Statement of Decision- Zone Change for S&H Properties
*Councilwoman Allen pulled Statement of Decision – Zone Change J&L Holding
from the Consent Agenda. seconded by Councilman Stone.
Councilwoman Allen made the motion to Approve the Consent Agenda excluding
D, seconded by Councilman Espinosa.
roll call vote:
Councilman Espinosa - Yes
Councilman Stone - Yes
Councilman Howe - Yes
Councilwoman Allen- Yes
ACTION ITEM: D. Statement of Decision – Zone Change J&L Holding
Councilman Howe made the motion to Approve Statement of Decisions for J&L
Holdings. seconded by Councilman Espinosa.
roll call vote:
Councilman Howe - Yes
Councilwoman Allen- No
Councilman Stone - Yes
Councilman Espinosa - Yes
ACTION ITEM: Consider Approval of the Request to use South Park for the 2026
Farmers Market
Carrie Monson addressed the Council and requested approval to hold the Farmers
Market at South Park again this summer, operating Wednesdays from June 3 through
September 30, from 4:00–7:00 p.m.
Councilwoman Allen made the motion to Approve the use of South Park for the
Farmers Market 2026. seconded by Councilman Stone.
Motion carried unanimously.
INFORMATIONAL ITEM: City of Rigby Community Arbor Day Event
Deputy Clerk Becky Harrison updated the Council on the Arbor Day grant she received
and reported that two trees were purchased with the $350 award. Mrs. Harrison outlined
the planned Arbor Day event activities, including community clean-up, story time, an
arborist Q&A, and seed planting sponsored by Town and Country Gardens. She invited
the Council to attend the event.
ACTION ITEM: Open/Consider Bids for Maintenance Building
Mr. Bradley informed the Council that no bids had been received. He explained that
Connect Engineering had included language referencing Davis-Bacon wages, which do
not apply to this project. After speaking with Michael Knight at Connect Engineering,
Mitch asked that all contractors who had requested drawings be contacted with the
correct wage information and offered an additional week to submit bids. As a result, the
bid due date was extended by one week.
Councilman Stone made the motion to Table the Opening of Bids for the
Maintenance Building until the next City Council Meeting. seconded by
Councilman Espinosa.
Motion carried unanimously.
ACTION ITEM: County Presentation on the Proposed Area of Impact Agreement
Ordinance
Jefferson County Planning and Zoning Director Milton Ollerton presented information to
the Council regarding the County’s proposed Area of Impact Agreement Ordinance for
the area surrounding Rigby. Mr. Ollerton explained that the ordinance maintains the
existing impact boundaries and development provisions, including requirements for new
construction within 300 feet of city water or sewer lines to connect to those systems. He
noted that the County is working on a broader sub-area comprehensive plan and is
coordinating with the City to ensure consistency between ordinances. Mr. Ollerton
stated he is willing to amend the impact zone ordinance if issues arise for the City.
Councilman Stone made the motion to Direct City Staff to Author a letter
Addressing Resolving Concerns with the County Regarding this agreement,
Provided they are not overly broad and authorize the Mayor to Accept those
Changes, seconded by Councilman Howe.
Motion carried unanimously.
ACTION ITEM: PUBLIC HEARING: Consider Approval of Ordinance Amendment
2025-666, amending Title 11, Chapter 6, Section 6 of City Code relating to sewage
lift station requirements; providing updated design standards, cost
responsibilities, and regionalization requirements for new development
Mayor Weight opened the Hearing at 7:29pm
Presentation:
Public Works Director Mitch Bradley presented the proposed ordinance amendment.
Mr. Bradley explained that the amendment establishes clear standards for sewage lift
stations, including required acreage served, design specifications, depth, equipment,
and placement. He stated that the City has seen a growing number of small,
developer-installed lift stations that are difficult and costly to maintain. The amendment
allows the City to require larger, regional lift stations sized to serve surrounding
undeveloped areas, with the first developer covering the initial cost and future
developments reimbursing through latecomer agreements.
Mr. Bradley described recent development examples, including a church project where
a regional lift station design may resolve existing sewer limitations. He emphasized that
the ordinance gives the City stronger authority to require appropriately sized and
located lift stations rather than accepting numerous small systems.
Public Comment:
No public comment was offered.
Council Discussion:
Councilmembers asked questions regarding current code requirements, capacity
standards, impacts on developers, and how the ordinance applies to existing
subdivisions. Staff clarified that current code only requires developers to meet City
pump and equipment specifications, not capacity or location standards. The new
ordinance fills that gap. Staff also explained that while the first developer will incur
higher upfront costs, they can recoup expenses as additional subdivisions connect.
The Mayor closed the public hearing at 7:31pm
Councilwoman Allen made the motion to Approve Ordinance Amendment 2025-
666 seconded by Councilman Espinosa.
roll call vote:
Councilwoman Allen- Yes
Councilman Espinosa - Yes
Councilman Stone - Yes
Councilman Howe - Yes
DISCUSSION ITEM: Comprehensive Plan Update & Infrastructure Capacity
Requirements
Councilman Stone led a detailed discussion regarding the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
He reviewed the current document and identified several areas where clearer data,
updated information, and more defined expectations would help the City make
defensible land-use decisions. He noted that the plan lacks measurable guidance on
issues such as school capacity, road congestion, sewer system limitations, and
green-space distribution.
Councilman Stone presented school enrollment and capacity information, explaining
that Rigby High School is operating over capacity and relies on temporary classroom
structures, which raises safety and educational concerns. He discussed how new
housing developments impact school enrollment and suggested that the City consider
adopting a formal method to measure school impacts, similar to approaches used in
other Idaho cities.
He also reviewed roadway capacity concerns, referencing an older ITD study showing
unacceptable levels of service near school intersections. He suggested that
summarized transportation capacity information be included in the Comprehensive Plan
to help guide zoning and plat decisions.
Stone discussed green-space standards and noted that while the City meets some
acreage benchmarks, access varies and additional smaller neighborhood parks may be
beneficial. He emphasized the need for clearer expectations in the plan regarding
infrastructure capacity, transportation, schools, and parks.
Councilmembers discussed the balance between adding measurable standards and
maintaining flexibility. Some expressed concern that overly specific thresholds could
unintentionally bind the City or create legal complications, while others supported
including clearer metrics to avoid arbitrary decision-making and provide developers with
predictable expectations.
The Council agreed that the Comprehensive Plan should be reviewed more regularly
and that a future work meeting would be appropriate to divide sections among Council
members for deeper review. Councilmembers also discussed the need to clarify the
City’s process for evaluating school impacts, transportation issues, and capital
improvement planning.
ACTION ITEM: Consider Approval to Publish Resolution 234-2026, Establishing a
Fee for Plan Reviews
Mr. Bradley explained that Resolution 234-2026 was not included with the previously
approved publication request for the lift station resolution. He stated that staff is now
requesting authorization to publish this resolution establishing a fee for plan reviews,
after which it will be brought back to the Council for a public hearing.
Councilman Howe made the motion to Publish Resolution 234-2026, seconded by
Councilwoman Allen.
Motion carried unanimously.
ACTION ITEM: Consider approval of the Agreement for Professional Services with
Keller Associates for the Annis Highway Waterline Replacements Project
Mr. Bradley updated the Council on the Annis Highway Waterline Project and explained
that the City has an opportunity to coordinate waterline replacement work with the
County’s planned road reconstruction on Annis Highway. He noted that the County
received grant funding for the road project, and by completing the waterline replacement
at the same time, the City can avoid future costs associated with tearing up a newly
rebuilt road.
Mr. Bradley stated that the proposed agreement with Keller Associates covers design
work for the waterline project while demolition and road work are underway. He
confirmed that the City budgets approximately $200,000 annually for water projects, and
this agreement—approximately $49,000—would fall within that allocation.
Councilmembers discussed whether the work was already budgeted and clarified that it
fits within the existing water project budget. A motion was then made to approve the
Professional Services Agreement with Keller Associates in the amount of approximately
$49,000.
Councilman Howe made the motion to Approve the Professional Services
Agreement with Keller Associates in the amount of approximately $49,000.
seconded by Councilwoman Allen
roll call vote:
Councilman Stone - Yes
Councilman Howe - Yes
Councilwoman Allen- Yes
Councilman Espinosa - Yes
ACTION ITEM: Consider approval of Resolution 235-2026, Vacating a Portion of a
Platted Right-Of-Way/Easement Located in Hailey Creek
Ms. Hansen explained that when Division Two of the Haley Creek Subdivision was
amended, certain road rights-of-way were realigned and updated. However, two small
segments located in Division Four (Lot 11A/B, Block 4, and Lot 12, Block 4) were not
included in that amendment. These segments were originally used for access during
earlier phases of construction but are no longer needed.
The Council was informed that this resolution corrects the oversight by formally vacating
the unused portions of right-of-way so the subdivision records match the amended road
layout. Staff noted that once roads are turned over to the City, a resolution is required to
finalize the vacation.
Councilman Stone made the motion to Approve City of Rigby Idaho Resolution
Number 235-2026, seconded by Councilwoman Allen.
Motion carried unanimously.
ACTION ITEM: Judicial Confirmation for Water Grants
Mr. Bradley and Jaden Jackson of Keller Associates explained the purpose of pursuing
a judicial confirmation. They stated that a judicial confirmation is one of the two legal
mechanisms a city may use to incur debt, the other being a voter-approved bond. A
judicial confirmation allows the City to demonstrate to a judge that a project is
necessary for public health and safety, which then authorizes the City to take on the
required debt.
Mr. Bradley and Jaden reported that the City has been identified in DEQ’s Intended Use
Plan for funding related to lead service line replacements, with a portion of the project
eligible for principal forgiveness and the remainder requiring the City to incur debt. To
move forward, the City must determine the cost of hiring an attorney who specializes in
judicial confirmations. Estimated legal costs are expected to be between $3,000 and
$5,000.
Councilwoman Allen made a motion giving Mr. Bradley Permission to go and Find
out How Much it’s going to Cost to get the Judicial Confirmation for the Water
Grants. seconded by Councilman Espinosa.
Motion carried unanimously.
Action Item- Adjournment
Councilman Stone made the motion to Adjourn, seconded by Councilman
Espinosa.
Motion carried unanimously.
APPROVED__________________________________
Nichole Weight, Mayor
Attest__________________________
Kiesha Keller, City Clerk
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