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minutes meeting date 2026-07-13 · fetched 2026-09-17 · 7373 characters · official file · plain text
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETINGS OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SODA SPRINGS, CARIBOU COUNTY, IDAHO HELD JULY 13, 2026. MEETING AND AGENDA NOTICES ARE POSTED AT CITY HALL 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE PURSUANT TO THE IDAHO CODE. THE MEETING WAS HELD AT 4:00 PM. ROLL CALL SHOWED THE FOLLOWING PRESENT: Paul Gritton, Mayor Mitch Hart, Pres Daniel Larsen via Zoom ABSENT: Ryan Carpenter Paige Byram ALSO PRESENT: Andrea Haderlie, City Clerk Dan Squires, Director of City Services Chris Danley (Urban Planner, Consultant) Molly Beseris Beth Cheirrett Bryce Somsen Mark Harris Mike Veile Casey Batterton Tamra Henesh Alisa Miller Brandon Hall Mike Nalley CeJay Golightly Morgan Rowland Special Meeting-Enders Feasibility Study The meeting was convened as a special session to discuss the future of the Enders Building, a historic public asset in Soda Springs. The primary focus was to review the ongoing feasibility study, gather community input, and explore options for the building’s future use, ownership, and financial sustainability. Introduction of Representatives and Meeting Purpose • Mayor Gritton introduces Council President Hart and Councilman Daniel Larson, and thanks Representative Veile for attending. • Chris Danley, the urban planner conducting the feasibility study, is introduced and thanks everyone for their time. • Chris Danley provides a brief background on his experience and familiarity with the area. • The purpose of the meeting is to gather input on the future of the Enders building, which is a public building with unique historical significance. Overview of Building and Financial Considerations • Chris Danley explains the building's history, including its unique ownership and the costs of maintaining it. • The building costs around $50,000 annually to maintain, and it is not subject to property taxes, leading to a revenue loss for the city. • The building requires remediation due to lead paint and asbestos, adding to the maintenance costs. • Chris Danley outlines three main scenarios for the building's future: selling it, turning it into a state park, or using it as a new city hall. Scenario 1: Selling the Building • Chris Danley discusses the potential financial benefits of selling the building, which could bring in around $1.2 million. • The city would no longer be responsible for the building's maintenance costs, but it would become a taxable property. • The sale could lead to new life in the building, but it would mean a loss of city control and potential changes to the building's historic elements. • The sale could also generate sales taxes if the building is used for commercial purposes. Scenario 2: Turning the Building into a State Park • Chris Danley explains the concept of turning the building into a state park, which would involve gifting it to the state along with other city parks. • The state would need to see a revenue-generating plan, such as a campground or other attractions, to make it a viable option. • The state would have control over access to the park, which could affect local residents' ability to use the facilities for free. • The museum's contents would need to be addressed, as the state might not want to keep them. Scenario 3: Using the Building as a City Hall • Chris Danley outlines the challenges of using the building as a city hall, including the need for remediation and potential changes to the historic character of the building. • The city would need to upgrade the fire suppression system and add ADA access, which could cost around $800,000. • The building could potentially house a hotel or other retail or hospitality uses, but this would require significant investment and changes to the building's character. • The city would need to consider the impact on other downtown businesses and the overall vision for downtown Soda Springs. Discussion and Feedback from Participants • Participants rank the importance of preserving the building's history, providing a financial windfall, reducing financial burden, creating an anchor for downtown, and ensuring the building serves as a point of pride. • The majority of participants prioritize reducing the financial burden on the city, followed by creating an anchor for downtown and ensuring the building serves as a point of pride. • The discussion highlights the challenges of maintaining the building and the potential benefits of selling it or turning it into a state park. • Participants express concerns about the impact on local businesses and the emotional significance of the building to the community. Final Thoughts and Next Steps • Chris Danley summarizes the key points discussed and the need for further consideration of the building's future. • Participants discuss the potential for finding a private entity to invest in the building and the challenges of running it as a city-owned facility. • The importance of addressing the museum's contents and finding a suitable home for them is emphasized. • The meeting concludes with a commitment to continue the discussion and explore the best options for the building's future. Discussion on Potential Sale of Property • Councilman Larsen emphasizes the importance of not tying the hands of a business by imposing restrictions, such as requiring a specific use for the third floor. • Councilman Larsen argues that previous attempts to maintain certain restrictions, like keeping the second floor as a museum, have failed. • Chris appreciates the point made by Councilman Larsen and acknowledges the challenges of balancing community needs with business viability. • Councilman Hart and others discuss the limitations placed on a parcel due to restrictions, which are hindering its potential to benefit the community. Challenges with Property Restrictions • Councilman Hart mentions the numerous restrictions placed on a parcel, preventing it from being used as a gas station, convenience store, or eating establishment. • Councilman Hart and Chris discuss the high asking price of $750,000 for the property, which further complicates its sale. • The conversation highlights the need for a balanced approach to property restrictions to ensure community benefit and business viability. Final Comments and Next Steps • Chris wraps up the discussion, noting the extensive time spent on the topic and the need to crunch numbers and analyze the information. • The goal is to draft a document for the city and community to make a final decision on the property's future. • Chris emphasizes that the final decision will be made by the community for the betterment of Soda Springs. • The timeline for presenting final findings is estimated to be towards the end of summer, with a plan to gather community input before making a decision. Voting and Adjournment • 5:23 PM Mayor Gritton calls for a motion to adjourn the meeting, with Council President Hart and Councilman Larsen voting in favor. • The motion passes, and the meeting is officially adjourned. PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL THIS AUGUST 5, 2026. _________________________ Paul Gritton, Mayor ATTEST: _________________________ Andrea Haderlie, Clerk
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