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minutes meeting date 2025-10-16 · fetched 2026-09-17 · 9206 characters · official file · plain text
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
RIGBY CITY COUNCIL
THURSDAY OCTOBER 16TH, 2025
7:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Richard Datwyler called the meeting to order.
The Pledge of Allegiance was given by Councilman Stone and the prayer by
Councilwoman Hillman.
ROLL CALL ATTENDANCE:
Councilman Mike Wilder Absent
Councilwoman Becky Harrison Present
Councilman Alex Espinosa Present
Councilman Timothy Howe Present
Councilman Reed Stone Present
Councilwoman Tonya Hillman Present
ALSO PRESENT-
City Attorney, Sam Angell
Director Of Public Works, Mitch Bradley
Police Chief Allen Fullmer
Planning and Zoning Administrator, Ione Hansen
Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent – Scott Humpherys
PUBLIC COMMENT -
No Comments
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 – October 2nd, 2025
Councilman Espinosa made the motion to Approve the Minutes for October 2nd,
2025, seconded by Councilman Howe,.
B. Accounts Payable- September and October 2025
Councilman Howe made the motion to Approve the Accounts Payable as Written,
seconded by Councilwoman Hillman,
roll call vote:
Councilman Timothy Howe - Yes
Councilman Alex Espinosa - Yes
Councilwoman Becky Harrison - Yes
Councilwoman Tonya Hillman - Yes
Councilman Reed Stone - Yes
ACTION ITEM: Approval of Purchase of Kenef for Wastewater Treatment Plant
Mr. Humphreys informed the Council of the need to purchase 10 additional sacks of
Kenef media for the ammonia removal system, at a cost of $70,000 plus shipping.
Kenef serves as the substrate for microorganisms that facilitate ammonia reduction. In
March, only 10 sacks were installed, half of the required amount. The proposed
purchase will bring the system up to full capacity. Going forward, maintenance will
require only one sack per year.
Councilman Howe made the motion to Approve the Invoice for Kenef for $70,000
plus shipping for the Wastewater Treatment Plant, seconded by Councilwoman
Harrison,
roll call vote:
Councilwoman Tonya Hillman - Yes
Councilman Reed Stone -
Yes
Councilman Alex Espinosa - Yes
Councilwoman Becky Harrison - Yes
Councilman Timothy Howe - Yes
ACTION ITEM: Review and Consider Approval Agreement with Keller Associates
Inc for Wastewater Treatment Plant Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP)
Mr. Humphreys informed the Council that the Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP)
serves as the comprehensive operations manual for the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Following a recent annual review, he noted that the current QAPP barely met
compliance standards and will not pass inspection next year without a full update. Due
to new regulatory requirements, inspectors are mandating QAPP revisions across
nearly all municipalities. Mr. Humphreys offered to complete portions of the update
himself to reduce costs. Once the revised QAPP is in place, he anticipates being able to
maintain and update it annually without outside assistance—unless future regulations
impose significant new changes.
Councilman Stone made the motion to Approve the Agreement for Professional
Services with Keller Associates for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Quality
Assurance Plan, seconded by Councilman Espinosa,
roll call vote:
Councilman Mike Wilder - Yes
Councilwoman Becky Harrison - Yes
Councilman Alex Espinosa - Yes
Councilman Timothy Howe - Yes
Councilman Reed Stone - Yes
Councilwoman Tonya Hillman - Yes
ACTION ITEM: PUBLIC HEARING: Conditional Use Permit for Bramwell Veterinary
Clinic At Approx. 505 Rigby Lake Drive, Rigby, ID
The Engineering representative for Desert Peak presented the Conditional Use Permit
(CUP) proposal for a veterinary clinic located at 505 Rigby Lake Drive. Building plans
were distributed, and the general layout of the property was explained. However, the
site plan was not yet available due to a personal family emergency involving the
individual responsible for its preparation.
For: None
Against: None
Neutral: None
Mayor closed the Public Hearing and turned it over to Council to discuss.
Ms. Hansen noted that the Planning and Zoning Commission had previously requested
the inclusion of a fenced outdoor area. She clarified that while the fenced space was
incorporated into the design, it does not authorize the property for kenneling use.
Council members acknowledged familiarity with the proposal, referencing prior meetings
where Mr. Bramwell had been present to discuss the project.
Councilwoman Hillman made the motion to Approve the Conditional Use Permit
for Bramwell Veterinary Clinic with the accommodations Ms. Hansen stated,
seconded by Councilman Espinosa.
All present voted “Aye”. None Opposed. Motion was Adopted.
ACTION ITEM: Review and Consider Approval to Publish Ordinance Establishing
a Moratorium on Annexation
Council directed Mr. Angell to revise the stated purpose of the proposed Moratorium on
Annexation. The original language citing “an imminent peril to the public health” will be
replaced with: “The City Council finds that a temporary Moratorium on Annexation is
necessary to allow time to complete updates to city ordinances and policies related to
water rights and water system capacity.”
Councilwoman Harrison and Ms. Hansen are actively reviewing the ordinances that
must be updated prior to lifting the moratorium. A Work Meeting scheduled for October
23rd will help determine the scope and direction of those ordinance changes.
Council requested that the Moratorium be published in the newspaper on the next two
consecutive Wednesdays to ensure proper notice ahead of the public hearing
scheduled for November 6th.
Councilwoman Harrison made the motion to Approve the Ordinance with the
changes discussed in the meeting, Publish the Ordinance Hearing in the next two
weeks and hold the Hearing on November 6th, seconded by Councilman Howe.
All present voted “Aye”. None Opposed. Motion was Adopted.
ACTION ITEM: Review and Approve Renewal of the Interagency Agreement for
School Resource Officer Services with Jefferson School District
Chief Fullmer addressed the Council to explain the annual contract between the City
and School District 251 for a School Resource Officer. Under this agreement, Officer
Cruz serves as a presence at Harwood and Southfork Elementary Schools during the
academic year. The school district contributes 70% of Officer Cruz’s wages, reflecting
coverage during school months.
Councilwoman Hillman made the motion to Approve the Renewal of Interagency
Agreement for School Resource Officer with Jefferson School District, seconded
by Councilman Stone,
roll call vote:
Councilman Reed Stone - Yes
Councilman Timothy Howe - Yes
Councilman Alex Espinosa - Yes
Councilwoman Tonya Hillman - Yes
Councilwoman Becky Harrison - Yes
ACTION ITEM: Consider Approval of Water Use Survey from Rocky Mountain
Environmental Associates Inc
Following the recent Council meeting with Michelle Mortimer of Andrus, Rigby & Andrus,
the Mayor shared that Ms. Mortimer recommended Rocky Mountain Environmental
Associates, represented by Kristen Moore, as a resource for evaluating the City’s water
rights. The Mayor contacted Ms. Moore to clarify her scope of services, and she
subsequently submitted a form outlining the various ways she could assist the City.
The Mayor expressed that Ms. Moore’s expertise would be particularly valuable in
helping the City identify its existing water rights and determine how to utilize them most
efficiently.
In response to Council’s inquiry about potential overlap with Ms. Mortimer’s services,
the Mayor clarified that Ms. Mortimer would be engaged specifically for ordinance
amendments, once the City has a clearer understanding of its water rights and available
options.
Councilwoman Harrison made the motion to Approve the Contract with Rocky
Mountain Environmental Associates, seconded by Councilwoman Hillman.
Action Item- Adjournment
Councilman Howe motioned to Adjourn, seconded by Councilman Espinosa.
All present voted “Aye”. None Opposed. Motion was Adopted.
APPROVED__________________________________
Richard Datwyler, Mayor
Attest__________________________
Kiesha Keller, City Clerk
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