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minutes meeting date 2026-08-05 · fetched 2026-09-17 · 34291 characters · official file · plain text
Page 1 of 8 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SODA SPRINGS, CARIBOU COUNTY, IDAHO, HELD AUGUST 5, 2026. ROLL CALL SHOWED THE FOLLOWING PRESENT: Paul Gritton, Mayor Mitchell J. Hart, Council President Ryan Carpenter Daniel Larsen EXCUSED: Paige Byram ALSO PRESENT: Dan Squires, Director of City Services Andrea Haderlie, City Clerk Thomas Smith, City Attorney Jeff Young, Director Hope Hansen, Director CeJay Golightly, Police Chief Tyler Kelsey Sam Winward via Zoom Sherlene Kirby Carson Steele Colton Kirby Mylie White Randy Corder Kim Linstrom Doug Wood Chris Robinson Nicolas Mumford Brooke Golightly 1. Roll call & Additions to Agenda: Mayor Gritton called the meeting to order, and Council present: Hart (remotely), Larsen, and Carpenter; Byram absent and excused. Councilman Larsen offered an invocation, expressing gratitude for the country, community, and recent moisture. Mayor Gritton led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Gritton instructs visitors to sign in and reminds attendees to keep comments to themselves unless asked. 2. Review & Approval: Mayor Gritton requests approval of minutes from the special meeting on July 13, 2026, the regular council meeting on July 15, 2026, and the special meeting on July 22, 2026. Councilman Carpenter makes a motion to approve the minutes of the special meeting on July 13, 2026, the regular council meeting on July 15, 2026, and the special meeting on July 22, 2026, which Councilman Larsen seconds. All were in favor, and the motion carried. Councilman Larsen motions to approve accounts payable from July 14 to 31, 2026, which is seconded by Councilman Carpenter. All were in favor, and the motion carried—discussion on a new motor for a truck, with Director Squires explaining the decision to replace it. Councilman Carpenter questioned the vendor number for a new motor, leading to a discussion on the cost and availability of used motors. Councilman Carpenter inquired about the status of Automation Works, with Director Squires reporting no issues since their last visit. Councilman Carpenter asks about the wastewater facility study, with Director Squires confirming it is nearly complete and a reimbursement request has been submitted. Councilman Hart questions the contract extension for a regular contract, which Clerk Haderlie clarifies. Councilman Hart motions to approve payroll for July 2026, which Councilman Carpenter seconds. All were in favor, and the motion carried. 3. Appointments: Mayor Gritton introduced the adoption of Resolution 2027-1 for a power rate increase of 1%. Councilman Carpenter made a motion to adopt Resolution 2027-1 for a power rate increase of 1%, and Councilman Hart seconded it. All were in favor, and the motion carried. Councilman Hart moved to adopt Resolution 2027-2 for a water rate increase of 3.5%, which Councilman Larsen seconded. All were in favor, and the motion carried. Councilman Larsen moved to adopt Resolution 2027-3 for a sewer rate increase of 4.75%, which Councilman Carpenter seconded. All were in favor, and the motion carried. Page 2 of 8 Councilman Hart moved to adopt Resolution 2027-4 for a garbage rate increase of 3.5%, which Councilman Larsen seconded. All were in favor, and the motion carried. Tyler Kelsey and Sam Winward discussed health insurance rate options, including renewing with Regence Blue Shield of Idaho and the option to switch to Select Health. Dental, vision, life, LTD, and related benefits were on rate hold. Councilman Hart expressed concerns about Regence's ongoing issues with Portneuf Medical; the discussion covered the pros and cons of age-based and composite rates, with Councilman Hart favoring Select Health. Councilman Larsen made a motion to approve Select Health for city health coverage on a conventional basis and to include adding EAP city-paid benefits. Councilman Carpenter seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion carried. Miley White and Sherlene Kirby request permission to use Kelly Park for the homecoming bonfire on September 7 at 8 PM and apologize for the previous year's mess. Miley and the other student council are willing to clean up the year before the bonfire and will clean up after their bonfire. Director Squires agrees to the request if the students clean up the debris. Councilman Carpenter motions to approve the bonfire at Kelly Park, contingent on the students cleaning up before and after the event. Councilman Hart seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion carried. Chief Golightly recognizes three officers for completing higher levels of police officer standard training certificates. Officers Kirby and Steele are presented with their certificates. Councilman Carpenter and Councilman Larsen express their support for merit-based bonuses. Councilman Hart asked to move the Wage Pay Plan procedure. Council agreed. Councilman Hart motions to adopt the proposed pay and bonus incentive policy for the police department. Councilman Larsen seconds the motion, and the motion passes unanimously. Chief Golightly explains the policy will take effect immediately. 4. Citizen Input Mayor Gritton opened the floor to citizen input with no input from the audience. 5. Unfinished Business: Director Squires provided project updates: highway construction progress, airport hangar leases, Ledger Creek release and mitigation, power efficiency grant extension, and new cameras at the pickleball court and wall. Mayor Gritton asked Attorney Smith, " Did you have any comments, suggestions, instructions, or advice? Attorney Smith stated Yeah, I have all of that. The parties signed an agreement, and now it's for the council to review and approve. In the packet, there was a quitclaim deed, which looks like the same one that was included in the agreement. My recommendation has been that the ownership of that property that's going to be conveyed to the Corders is in dispute, and the agreement resolves that. But there's still been nothing from a court or anything declaring that that is not city property. His recommendation has been to follow the procedure for the city to convey that property, which requires essentially the city declaring a value of the property, which can be zero value, because it's in dispute and so forth. It also requires publishing notice, a 14-day notice of a public hearing, then allowing public comment, and then, at that hearing, the city can approve the conveyance. He realizes that the Corders want to move forward with this as quickly as possible. However, my recommendation to the city is still to follow this procedure and provide this 14-day notice for a public hearing, to be on the safe side. There's been no declaration that this is not city property. But before the city signs a quitclaim deed to convey it, he recommends following the statutes that require this public hearing before the city can convey the property. What that would entail is essentially the council passing a resolution declaring its intent to convey that property to the Corders, and stating the value or that it's in the public interest to convey that property. If the council approves that, then the city would publish notice and have a public hearing at least 14 days after the notice. And at that time, after the public hearing, the council would be in a position to approve the mayor signing the quitclaim deed. Councilman Larsen stated, you're suggesting or instructing or advising a resolution from the city and the council expressing the desire to convey the Page 3 of 8 property, public space interest. Attorney Smith stated, yeah, and he thinks what it could be is that it declared intent to enter this agreement, the boundary agreement, which the Corders have already approved. The motion would be to approve this agreement and declare the city's intent to transfer that property to the Corders, and then the notice would be the city's intent to transfer the property pursuant to that agreement. Mayor Gritton stated, you're just trying to cover both sides so that we don't get in a pinch down the road, and so we need to resolve that we're going to do a 14-day notice. Clerk Haderlie stated it's longer than that because we publicize our weekly paper; it would be 20 days. Councilman Hart asked Attorney Smith whether we need to, in that motion, declare some value? How about $1 plus other consideration? Attorney Smith stated it's not being sold; my recommendation would be that the city declares that there is no value to the city to make, that absolutely zero value, because then you get into the issue of it being sold, and it's not being sold. Got it. It's being conveyed to resolve this dispute about the ownership. Here, okay. I mean, what the statute requires is a determination by the city council that it's in the city's best interest to convey that property to the Corders. Attorney Smith stated, "It's a motion to approve the agreement with the Corders, the land transfer agreement, because it's in the city's best interest to transfer that property to the Corders." I think that's all it needs to say. Councilman Larsen stated a motion to approve the land transfer and begin the public notice proceedings to convey the land because it's in the public statutes. Mayor Gritton gave the council just a moment to contemplate what you've heard thus far, while I allow Mr. Corder to approach the podium. Randy Corder stated he was under the understanding this was a done deal, with him signing that piece of paper that the council gave him. He didn't realize he was going to be obligated to pay for counsel for the city, but he agreed to do that with the understanding that this would be a done deal. We've been going on a month now, or a little longer, with this. If you never looked at it or went out and looked, but it's inside my fence and your fence. Basically, it's been that way for over 50 years because he has owned it for 33 years, and Hal Dun owned it for 20. It's been 53 years that it's been inside that fence. Mayor Gritton asked Randy Corder, “How long have you been aware of this issue?” Randy Corder stated he had only known about this since I had a survey. When he had it surveyed, six weeks ago, eight weeks ago. He knew there was a border issue because Agrium had theirs surveyed, which is yours now. They had a survey. They called Jerry Brown and him and said there was a dispute in the fence or in the boundary lines where the fences run. Mayor Gritton asked whether that dispute was addressed then? Randy Corder stated that it was. It was addressed at that point. And Agrium agreed that the property lines would be the fence lines. That's why they wanted it to have stayed, because if it wasn't, they had to move the fences at their expense. Mayor Gritton asked, “Did you ascertain anything in writing about it?” Randy Corder stated ‘” I did not, and neither did Mr. Brown. We both didn't have anything. We had a handshake deal with the people that were there. They're still there with that NU West, and we went on our way, not knowing that they were going to give it to you, or you know anything else. Mayor Gritton stated he understands your frustration, Mr. Corder. He doesn't think it's wise for the city to ignore the advice of our counsel, because we pay him to keep us out of trouble. We're paying for this counsel, and he thinks we're going to listen to it. Attorney Smith stated this is moving entirely very quickly. Randy Corder asked When do the 14 days start? Attorney Smith stated the other option is the city doesn't need to enter this. If you're not happy with the other option, the city could say, forget about it. If this were to get litigated, believe me, it wouldn't be moving this quickly. It would cost a lot more money; he thinks this is a very good option for you. You're free to have your opinions about it. But based on my recommendation of the city and my observation of the city's response to this, he thinks they're bending over backward to try to accommodate you. It may not be as fast as you want. He has been really impressed with the city's desire to get this resolved and taking into account your timelines as much as possible. Randy Corder asked if he could advise the people who are asking me questions about how soon this will be taken care of. You said 20 days. Mayor Gritton stated another issue that would need to be addressed, and Clerk Haderlie might be able to help us answer this question as well as Attorney Smith. It's my understanding that a public hearing has to be published, and Page 4 of 8 there are accompanying costs with that as well. Is that correct, Clerk Haderlie? Do you have an estimate on those costs? Clerk Haderlie stated it depends on how many pages. $200 and $300. Randy Corder stated he is already into it for 3750 for the attorney fees. Mayor Gritton stated You want to cap it at $10,000? Randy Corder stated No. Mayor Gritton stated that as your willingness to keep that burden off of the city. Randy Corder stated he told you he paid for this. Yeah. He already paid for the quitclaim deed, the transfer, the surveying, and all that; that's already been taken care of. Councilman Carpenter mentioned to Randy Corder that this is from Clerk Haderlie. Because we have a once-a-week paper, August 13, that'd be to the paper. And it will be published on the 20th and 27th of August, and then the public hearing would be September 2. And unfortunately, we don't get to set the timeline. That's state statute. Attorney Smith stated that, and that could be, you know, assuming the council approves it- could sign it at the meeting and get delivered to you so that you can record it the next day. So that gives you something to tell whoever's asking you the questions. September 2, we should be able to settle this by then. Mayor Gritton stated, correct me if I'm wrong, counsel, but he thinks there's a fairly good likelihood of that occurring. He certainly can't say it's a certainty, but a fairly good likelihood. Attorney Smith will work with Clerk Haderlie on the notice, getting that public hearing drafted and so forth. Councilman Larsen motioned that we send out a public notice for a public hearing to convey the property in question to Mr. Corder. It being of no value to the city, and in the best interest of the city or the public to convey that to the Corders. Councilman Carpenter seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion carried. Keller's review of the condominium proposal in Lot Seven of the Plat. Chris Robinson stated that after the last meeting, we briefed everybody. We were requested to obtain final approval on the plat for Lot Seven because we got people trying to move in there, and then there was a motion for Keller, your consulting company, to review. They've done several reviews. We've done several things, and we now have the plat that he believes they are happy with. That came across yesterday. Unfortunately, he doesn't think we can record Lot Seven. We went through and got everything done for the final plat approval of the subdivision. Mayor Gritton commented that one of the things that was pointed out to me is that there are some varying names. For instance, this says Highland Way. This says Soda Heights. Chris Robinson stated that Soda Heights townhomes is strictly the name of the HOA. That's what the insurance is going to be under. That's what the LLC nonprofit is set up for to run the HOA, and the reason it's called townhomes is that it was townhomes when he got involved, or at least that's where we thought we were headed. We've formed the articles of organization and got all that stuff done. We have the bylaws, and we have the declarations. I believe you got the recording right. All that paperwork was done under that LLC, so we switched to condos. As long as it's condos on the plat, that's what matters. Everything else is strictly just for business purposes for when the HOA takes over. Once that's 50% full, he will be out. They will elect their own board. Just like you guys are having here, and that's how that community will decide who they want their insurance companies to be, how often the lawns get mowed, things like that. Mayor Gritton asked, is the word or title condominiums going to be on any of the legal documents on the plat? Chris stated, yeah, that's condos. Attorney Smith stated it's whatever's on the plat; that's what it's going to be known here. Mayor Gritton asked Is that the plat that you refer to? Chris asked, is that the one that came through today? Clerk Haderlie mentioned to the council that the printed plats- the little one is the final plat that they adopted in 2022. The larger one is the preliminary condo, and it's the new one. Mayor Gritton stated one of the things that I've been made aware of that is of concern is that Keller's, who we have enlisted to review this, has not gotten back. Is that your understanding? They've not gotten back their final review. Director Squires stated No, we were sent it this morning, and we have not received anything back from them. Mayor Gritton stated he guesses at this point what he suggests the council is: if there's discussion to be had, we do that. But we can't make any decisions without hearing from Keller's on their review. Councilman Larsen stated he thinks the motion made last time is that we approved Lot Seven contingent upon that review, and so as soon as Keller gives us the green light, even if it's before a Page 5 of 8 city council meeting, you're good to go on Lot Seven. Chris stated, but you're going to need to fix your motion from Lot Seven to the whole. The county recorder can't record Lot Seven; they've got to record the whole plat, so that we can get the last parcel numbers from them, so then the banks can have their lien stuff in place before they'll fund any of those new homeowners on their own. Councilman Carpenter asked Councilman Hart, do you have any heartburn with that? Oh, sorry. Attorney Smith stated Yeah, he was going to say he thinks since this is an application for the entire subdivision, he agrees it makes sense to approve the entire thing rather than piece. You could do an individual lot as its own condominium, but then you're dealing with coming back and redoing everything. Yeah, you're dealing with that then; that's going to have its own HOA and all that, and have to amend it. He doesn't know if that's necessarily a decision for the city, but he thinks it would make sense to do it. Chris stated he can say because we've been back and forth with Keller since that last meeting, almost every day, and well, every other day, and the last two things they requested are on that plat. They wanted us to make sure that it said on that plat that the city owned the road, which it now does in the notes. And then they wanted the other thing: they wanted a stamp from the engineer. Stewart is my engineer, but he can't stamp anything without city approval, so it's backward. But either way, it's half a dozen, you know, six of them. And then the other thing was he wanted the triplex to be shown on the plat, and there is a section there now with that in. So, everything that he requested has been handled, other than that stamp. But we can't stamp. The engineer says he can't until it's passed through this city council, and he's willing to do it tonight or 7 a.m., or whenever you guys are good to go. Councilman Hart asked What are we waiting for? What's holding Keller up? I mean, they knew that we had it on the agenda tonight, and he apologized. It's always easy to blame the engineer, the consultant, the contractor, and everything. But what's hanging a final blessing from Keller's? Mayor Gritton stated he would presume a workload with relatively short notice, but there's a bit of speculation on my part there. Director Squires, do you have any input from them? Director Squires stated no; he said we received it yesterday afternoon and sent it. Yeah, so they haven't had it; they've only had it since 9 o'clock. Chris stated they've actually been pretty good as far as responding better than other places I've dealt with. Director Squires stated that their last response to us was, "We will try to get this today to be ready for tonight's meeting, but no promises because we just got it to them this morning. We do have all of their asking points there. He thought they all. He could find them, but it's not in this email chain. Mayor Gritton asked Council President Hart. Yeah, that's fine. Then the only thing he thinks we can do is, if we're still waiting on Keller's, we can provide a conditional approval until we receive their blessing. So, however you want to structure that motion, contingent on their final green light, then he thinks that's the best we can do tonight. Chris stated that's probably right. If you guys pass it on a contingent of that, and they email you guys at 830 in the morning. Councilman Larsen stated otherwise, you're waiting for weeks. Chris stated Yeah, and if they ask for another little something that they want, most of it's been verbiage on the plat, which, depending on what city you're dealing with, that's always different. And what I mean, he can. Attorney Smith stated Yeah, he doesn't see any problem with that approach. He actually thought that's what you'd already approved. He didn't realize it was only for the one lot. Yeah, but he thinks you can approve it contingent upon Keller's approval. As soon as Keller approves it, and the mayor could, you know, sign off on it. Yeah, the plat has several places for the city to sign, and because planning and zoning has to sign it, and the mayor. He thinks you could make your motion. He thinks that's what Councilmember Hart was saying: we could condition it upon, or make it contingent, and then as soon as Keller gives you the green light, you can sign off on it. Perfect. And the only other comment that I would have, but this he thinks could be dealt with by Keller, is that the proposed declaration of the condominiums, you know, does identify it as the Highland Way. What is it? Highland Way condos. He thinks the plat's going to have to be consistent with the declaration. Chris stated if you want me to change that where it says Soda Heights owns size condos, I can do that. Attorney Smith stated he would think so. he would defer to Keller on that, but just my quick reading. That is one thing they have not brought up yet, but maybe they don't understand what the bylaws are. Yeah, I think it Page 6 of 8 would make sense to be consistent. So consistent threes, like so. He thinks you can call it whatever you want. It's just the declaration for the condos and the plat. So, if you want to keep it so it states townhomes, then the declaration should. But now they're condos, so that would even be worse. Chris stated Yeah, but we can fix that on the plat. Attorney Smith stated that's not okay, and he can get it. He can talk to Keller too if they have questions. He thinks the plat can get approved, whatever's on it. He thinks it makes sense to be consistent because there could be potential problems when you have a declaration of condominiums calling it one thing, and then the plat calling it something else. The plat matches all of the bylaws and the HOA declarations. He thinks just the declaration. He means the declaration. Do you have those that are recorded right there? Yeah. Are they under condo? It should say townhomes. It says condos. No, it says declaration of condominium for Highland condos, and then it says in there. He thinks if you look at all the signatures under Soda Heights townhomes, is that correct? He thought it said townhomes. Okay. Well, this one that was provided. He left one with you. You got any more copies? Well, yeah, because then it refers to the property consisting of lots 1 through 11 of the Highland Way subdivision. He thinks they need to be consistent. If you call this the Highland Way subdivision, will we have to re-record if we switch that one? Is that a big thing to do? Or, okay, we'll make it work the way you guys would like it to look, as long as the engineers and everybody say we're good. Yeah, and then here it also says that the name of the condominium project is Highland Condos. Attorney Smith stated My recommendation is to have it all refer to the same thing. Pick one, whichever it is. Yeah, exactly. Chris stated Well, it's weird because condos and townhomes, literally the only difference is condos are drywall in, and townhomes are siding in, is what they're buying. The road, the concrete driveways, the lawn-they're not-they don't own that ever. That's all owned by Soda Heights townhomes right now. Mayor Gritton asked whether we have a motion on the floor by chance? Councilman Carpenter moved to approve the Highland Way subdivision final plat, contingent upon receiving correspondence or approval from Keller in the timeliest manner possible and alignment with the plat and the declaration. Councilman Larsen seconded the motion. All in favor, and the motion carried. Director Squires explains the amendment to the City of Soda Springs Power Sales Agreement Contract. Mayor Gritton calls for a motion to approve the signing of the BPA matter. Attorney Smith comments that the electricity stuff is out of his expertise and that the rate won't change unless they exceed the contract. Councilman Carpenter confirms the high-water mark is five megawatts, and Clerk Haderlie notes it bumps them to tier two. Councilman Carpenter motioned to approve Mayor Gritton to sign the Bonneville Power Amendment #1. Councilman Larsen seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion carried. Councilman Larsen discussed the industrial park lease update, focusing on potential liability if a tenant goes bankrupt. Councilman Larsen suggested requiring tenants to acquire a bond or insurance with the city as the beneficiary. The plan includes getting a third-party assessment of cleanup costs and basing the bond on that assessment. Councilman Larsen proposes extending lease terms to 10 or 20 years to facilitate capital improvements and suggests a professional land appraiser to assess property values. Councilman Larsen suggests getting quotes from various appraisers to assess property values and base lease rates on those values. Councilman Hart raises concerns about scope and the need for clear communication with tenants about lease terms. Councilman Larsen proposes a three-and-a-half percent annual rate increase to avoid large jumps in lease rates. Attorney Smith advises that any lease rate increases must be included in the lease agreement. Councilman Larsen and Director Squires plan to start meeting with tenants to explain the new bonding requirements. Director Squires emphasizes the importance of doing assessments quickly, especially before winter. Councilman Carpenter and Councilman Hart discuss the need for a benchmark for bond costs and the potential impact on lease rates. Councilman Larsen suggests starting the process in August to give tenants time to get assessments done and clean up their properties. 6. New Business: Page 7 of 8 Director Young reports on the completion of Hooper Park and mentions ongoing sweeping and crack seal work. Director Hansen updates on the installation of cameras at the library and mentions the success of the fair and fall programming registration. Chief Golightly discusses upcoming training at the airport and mentions the enforcement of speed limits and pedestrian crosswalks. Clerk Haderlie presented the building permits for last month and the business license. Clerk Haderlie stated they are working on the credit card issue to get it fixed, and she has not gotten any response from the vendor. Attorney Smith asked, with your demand letter that was sent giving them 30 days to correct it, or are you going to terminate it? Clerk Haderlie stated yes. Councilman Carpenter asked if they can move the discussion of the US Bank Investment account. Clerk Haderlie gave them a copy of the investments that will mature in the next few weeks and months and asked what they would like her to do. Roll over the funds or cash it out for upcoming projects. Councilman Hart stated that he has dictated some of the strategy that we have had in the past to be able to structure them as we do with various investment institutions. Several years ago, we had a fairly long chat with U.S. Bank, and we went to their wealth management people, and they provided the investments that have evolved to the present day. Some were quite attractive, as you can see, at three and 4%, which are decent investments right now. But to be conservative in those investments, that's kind of the range where he thinks that we want to be at. Above inflation, current inflation. Others are not so attractive, like the ones that are highlighted at 1% or 2% or something like that, and we don't want to continue to be stuck with this one percenter. He asked whether it is worth talking to Ireland Bank or Zions Bank or Advantage Plus. Can we get proposals from them on potentially shifting those investments to somewhere else at a better rate, or will that contradict our need to diversify to protect insurance- backed investments as much as we possibly can? Clerk Haderlie will ask US Bank Investments for a 3% to 4% return on the investments, and if they cannot provide that, she will get rates from other banks for investment. Director Squires' water and wastewater have been pretty much business as usual. Had a few leaks; the contractor caused the others. We're just dealing with those as they come along. Other than that, nothing really added in ordinary. Director Squires reported on the Recreation Director Rowland department report. She's at soccer. Soccer is on Monday and Wednesday nights. The soccer program had their first game on eight and three. They went very well. The kids seem to have fun. We ended up having 104 kids sign up this year for soccer. K through first grade has five teams. Second through third grade has four teams. Fourth and fifth grade have two teams with 15 kids on each team. Soccer was a pretty huge success. We were able to find five referees for soccer this year. They did their first game on Monday, and they did great. We appreciate their help and efforts to help keep the recreation program alive. Flag football and volleyball registration is open. Opened on Monday. We have started taking registrations for that. Flag football and volleyball start in September. Flag football will be played on Mondays and Tuesdays in the evenings at City Park. Volleyball will be on Saturdays. She is working with TMS to use their gym for volleyball. Piper Smith will be going back to school on August 26. However, she will be working part-time through the winter. She will be helping me Mondays and Tuesday nights with flag football and Saturdays for volleyball. She is also planning on helping with basketball when that rolls around. In between games, we've been working on repainting soccer fields, cleaning up City Park softball field, and preparing for the upcoming sports. Chief Golightly E-Bike, E-Scooter Enforcement. There's mixed. Some people are just depending on the state law that's currently in effect, but others are trying to develop some city ordinances to help address kids and bikes. Our city ordinance currently has bicycles, but doesn't necessarily tie in e-bikes with that. When we look at state law, it's tied to bicycles, and so there are some things already in place statewide. But there's really nothing with helmets, you know, the new state law that just came out this Page 8 of 8 year, July 1, talks about due care when riding an e-bike. The state law specifies what's a motorcycle, an e- bike, or an e-motorcycle versus an e-bike, and so I think we do see a lot of kids that are riding those. They don't pay as much attention. They are going faster with those, and they would be pedaling. Also, adds a whole different dynamic than what we see with just a regular pedal bike. There are some educational opportunities we have with the community. We're currently working with Simplot and the school. They're coming in and doing a safety day, and we're going to do a bicycle safety as part of that, and so it gives us a chance to talk to the fifth and sixth graders. But you know, I think we have an educational attitude, but also a chance to strengthen maybe what we have going on around town to keep our kids safe. Mayor Gritton stated the chief, and I talked about researching this this fall and winter, maybe trying to come up with some proposals as spring approaches and the season for these bikes returns. He wanted to get this on the council's radar. Make sure you're aware of that. And again, to echo what the chief said, Simplot is going to do a safety day, and I think that is September. It's a Thursday, September 10th, yes. And it's a significant undertaking for Simplot. They're going to address several different safety concerns in the community. 7. Budget Review Councilman Hart confirms the need to approve the final budget and public hearing at the next meeting. Councilman Carpenter questions the scanning of documents, and Councilman Larsen suggests outsourcing the task due to the office staff's limited time to scan the documents. Clerk Haderlie will resend the scanner proposal email and continue review before proceeding with the document-scanning expenditure. Councilman Hart and Mayor Gritton agree to review the scanning proposal before proceeding. 8. Citizen Input: Mayor Gritton opened the floor to citizen input with no input from the audience. PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL ON AUGUST 19, 2026. _________________________ Paul Gritton, Mayor ATTEST _________________________ Andrea Haderlie, Clerk
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