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minutes meeting date 2025-12-18 · fetched 2026-09-17 · 10985 characters · official file · plain text
MINUTES
WORK MEETING
RIGBY CITY COUNCIL
THURSDAY DECEMBER 18TH, 2025
7:00 PM
The Pledge of Allegiance was given by Councilman Espinosa and the prayer by Councilman
Howe.
ROLL CALL ATTENDANCE:
Councilman Mike Wilder Absent
Councilman Alex Espinosa Present
Councilman Timothy Howe Present
Councilman Reed Stone Present
Councilwoman Tonya Hillman Present- Via Phone
ALSO PRESENT-
City Attorney, Sam Angell - Absent
Director Of Public Works, Mitch Bradley
Police Chief, Allen Fullmer
Planning and Zoning, Ione Hansen
PUBLIC COMMENT -
No Comment
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 – December 4th, 2025
Councilman Stone made the motion to Approve the Minutes with the amendment,
seconded by Councilman Howe.
All in favor Say Aye.
Motion passed unanimously.
B. Accounts Payable- December 2025
Councilman Howe made the motion to Approve the Accounts Payable, seconded by
Councilman Espinosa,
roll call vote:
Councilwoman Tonya Hillman - Yes
Councilman Alex Espinosa - Yes
Councilman Reed Stone - Yes
Councilman Timothy Howe - Yes
RECOGNITION ITEM: Devory Stofey - Graduation from Post
The Chief introduced Devory Stofey, the department’s newest officer and recent POST
graduate from Meridian. He noted that she was hired earlier this year, grew up in Rigby,
and comes from a law-enforcement family.
RECOGNITION ITEM: Taylor Romrell – Presentation of Basic Certification
Chief Fullmer introduced Officer Taylor Romrell, who has served as a reserve officer since
2019. He completed the ISU Law Enforcement Academy on his own initiative and currently
works full-time in insurance sales. The Chief noted that he has submitted the paperwork
for Officer Romrell’s Basic Law Enforcement Certificate, and Officer Romrell is now
certified to serve as a law enforcement officer in Idaho.
INFORMATIONAL ITEM: Isabelle Sanchez, Migrant Liaison from SD 251 – Foster Care
and Migrants
The scheduled speaker was unable to attend. The item was Tabled.
INFORMATIONAL ITEM: JustServe.Org Update
Representatives from JustServe presented a new plaque for the City to display and
informed the Council about the JustServe Hero Award, which recognizes community
members nominated by their peers. They encouraged Council members and City
employees to promote the award within local businesses and organizations to increase
nominations. The representatives also noted that the last Saturday in April is Global Youth
Service Day, during which JustServe organizes roadside cleanup activities. They asked the
City to consider hosting a service opportunity within town to allow local youth to
participate.
ACTION ITEM: Consider Approval for Water and Sewer Services to the Warner Property
– Josh Thatcher
Josh Thatcher presented a proposed development project that he and his brother are
planning on 118 acres they are purchasing from the Warners. He explained that a nearby
church has already received a Will Serve for water from the City. Mr. Thatcher requested a
Will Serve as well, noting that the Warners intend to annex three parcels to create
contiguity with City boundaries. Once the City’s moratorium is lifted, Mr. Thatcher plans to
annex the 118 acres into the City to obtain full City utilities.
Resident Jesse Byrum spoke in support of the project, stating that the City needs to grow
and that City services are nearby and would be accessible for the proposed development.
Karen Warner asked whether livestock would still be permitted if the property were
annexed. Mayor Datwyler stated that the City has allowed livestock in similar situations in
the past and he did not anticipate that changing. Ms. Warner also noted she would consult
the County regarding potential tax implications of annexation.
Mayor Datwyler reminded the Council that the recently approved Will Serve for the church
included water only; they did not request sewer. Mr. Thatcher is requesting both water and
sewer services.
Councilman Stone asked how much additional load the development would place on the
sewer treatment plant and water system, and whether the project would be proactive in
meeting surface water expectations. Mr. Thatcher stated he is working with Mountain West
Engineering and that the property is expected to be zoned R-1 for single-family homes, but
he does not yet have exact figures for utility impact.
Councilman Espinosa asked whether the development would connect to the same line as
the church. Mr. Thatcher indicated he was unsure how much detail he could share while
the church remains in negotiations. Mr. Bradley explained that the line will be looped, and
while the minimum size is six inches, the City typically upsizes lines to accommodate
future expansion. Mr. Thatcher added that the same engineering firm is assisting both the
church and his project, allowing for coordinated planning if both projects proceed.
Councilman Stone made the motion to approve the Will Serve letter for Sewer and
Water, Contingent upon Annexation once the Moratorium is lifted and the Property is
made Contiguous and Constructed in Accordance with City Code, seconded by
Councilman Espinosa.
All in favor Say Aye.
Motion passed unanimously.
ACTION ITEM: Consider Approval of Keller Associates for Irrigation Facility Planning
Study
Jaden Jackson with Keller Associates discussed the importance of conducting a feasibility
study should the City consider taking on responsibility for an irrigation system in the future.
He emphasized that such a study would help determine the scope, cost, and viability of
creating a system where none currently exists. The Mayor reiterated that the City remains
in the early planning and information-gathering stages. The Mayor and Council requested
that Keller Associates return with a proposal for the study.
No Motion Needed
ACTION ITEM: Update with Mike Byers, Airport Manager on Airport Board Decisions
and Consider Approval of Equipment Purchases (to be reimbursed to the City)
Michael Byers reported on the Airport Board meeting held the previous week. He noted that
the Airport continues working toward greater self-sufficiency, completing many tasks
internally, with larger projects funded through their allotted budget. He also updated the
Council on Jim Burnard’s ongoing development of an industrial park adjacent to the 16
acres he previously sold to the Airport. The Airport Board has established that any future
construction in that area will be subject to a lease and access fee, though no hookup fees
will be charged. Mr. Burnard has already funded the remaining runway and taxiway
extensions needed to connect his property to the Airport.
1. Infrastructure Request Mr. Byers explained that a gas line was recently installed, and
additional hangar owners have expressed interest in connecting to it. He requested
approval to increase the connection fee from $3,000 to $6,000. Mayor Datwyler noted
uncertainty regarding whether Council approval was required, as he did not recall the
Council previously approving Airport Board fees. Mr. Byers stated he had consulted with
Mr. Swager and was advised that increases above a certain percentage must come before
the Council. He added that the Airport Board held a public hearing on the matter before
bringing the request forward.
2. Part-Time Airport Manager Mr. Byers requested guidance on budgeting for a part-time
Airport manager. He stated the position would be funded through the Airport Board’s
budget and asked whether the role should be structured as a City employee or as a
contracted 1099 position. The Mayor recommended consulting the City Attorney for
clarification and suggested reaching out to other airports to see how similar positions are
handled.
3. Maintenance Equipment Mr. Byers discussed the Airport’s ongoing need for
maintenance equipment. He reported that State assistance was not an option and that
maintenance is currently contracted out. He asked whether the City could purchase the
necessary equipment and be reimbursed by the Airport. Mr. Bradley noted that the
required equipment would likely cost more than $70,000, in addition to fuel and
maintenance expenses. The Mayor explained that if the City purchased the equipment, it
would simply become part of the City’s existing support for the Airport. Mr. Bradley offered
to explore potential auction options through ITD.
Mayor Datwyler reminded the Council that the Airport operates similarly to the Library, with
its own board responsible for approvals. The Airport Board brings requests to the Council
only when expenditures exceed their budgeted allotment. He also noted that the Airport
conducts fundraising to support its operations.
Invoice Review Mr. Byers presented an invoice from his contracting company for work
completed during the previous fiscal year. He stated that the Airport Board had approved
the work; however, the Board’s budget for that year had been fully expended, so he
requested Council approval for payment. The Council discussed the importance of
transparency when board members’ private businesses perform work for the City. Council
members clarified that the invoice would be processed as a payment to the company for
services rendered, and that future projects should follow established procurement and
conflict-of-interest procedures. Because the prior-year Airport budget was already
exhausted, the Council agreed to pay the invoice from the current fiscal year’s budget
during the January regular accounts payable cycle.
No Motion Needed
ACTION ITEM: Consider Approval for 5-Year Renewal Contract with Axon
Chief Fullmer asked that we approve the Renewal Contract with Axon for the body cameras
worn by all the Police Dept. to keep the consistency the police are used to. Mayor Datwyler
confirmed there was still an escape clause in the current contract so we aren’t
encumbering other Councils. It does and nothing else has changed.
Councilman Howe made the motion to Approve the 5-Year Renewal Contract with
Axon after the Confirmation that it is Severable, seconded by Councilman Howe.
Action Item- Adjournment
Councilman Howe made the motion to Adjournment, seconded by Councilman Stone.
All in favor say aye.
Motion passed unanimously.
APPROVED__________________________________
Richard Datwyler, Mayor
Attest__________________________
Kiesha Keller, City Clerk
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