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minutes meeting date 2026-06-03 · fetched 2026-09-17 · 20099 characters · official file · plain text
Page 1 of 6 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SODA SPRINGS, CARIBOU COUNTY, IDAHO, HELD JUNE 3, 2026. ROLL CALL SHOWED THE FOLLOWING PRESENT: Paul Gritton, Mayor Mitchell J. Hart, Council President Ryan Carpenter Paige Byram Daniel Larsen EXCUSED: ALSO PRESENT: Dan Squires, Director of City Services Andrea Haderlie, City Clerk Thomas Smith, City Attorney CeJay Golightly, Police Chief Jeff Young, Director Hope Hansen, Librarian Melissa McDowell, Planning and Zoning Clerk Jon Goode Jake Poulsen Jeff Mansfield Laura Lind Jeff Uskoski Brandon Hall Brock Byram 1. Roll call & Additions to Agenda: City Council meeting held on June 3, 2026. The meeting began with an invocation by Jon Goode and the Pledge of Allegiance by Mayor Gritton, after which Mayor Gritton confirmed that all council members were present. 2. Review & Approval: Councilman Carpenter motioned to approve the minutes from May 20, 2026. Councilwoman Byram seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion carried. Councilman Hart motioned to approve the accounts payable for May 19-31, 2026, and payroll for May 2026. During this review, there was a brief discussion regarding a line item for Great Basin Graphics, clarifying that recreation shirts were being outsourced. The mayor also clarified a previous emergency payment to a council member’s business for police vehicle repairs, emphasizing transparency. Councilman Carpenter seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion carried. 3. Appointments: Chief Golightly gave an introduction of Ordinance 720, which amends the city’s curfew ordinance and adds a “beyond parental control” provision. Chief Golightly explained that the ordinance standardizes curfew hours for juveniles (midnight to 5 a.m. every night) and establishes a process for parents or guardians to request police assistance for minors who are out of control. The ordinance aligns with recent changes in the Idaho juvenile code, sets a $150 infraction penalty, and allows for shelter care placement (not juvenile detention). The council discussed the ordinance’s practical implications. Councilmember Byram introduced Ordinance 720 entitled AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SODA SPRINGS, IDAHO, RENAMING AND AMENDING CHAPTER 9.08 – MINORS OR JUVENILES, AMENDING AND RENAMING SECTION 9.08.010 – CURFEW, AND ADDING NEW SECTIONS 9.08.020 – EXEMPTIONS, 9.08.030 – BEYOND PARENTAL CONTROL, AND 9.08.040 – VIOLATION-PENALTY. A motion was then made by Councilmember Carpenter that the rules requiring ordinances to be read on three separate occasions be dispensed with and that the ordinance be read once by title only. Councilmember Larsen seconded the motion. A roll call showed the following vote: Those voting aye: Mitch Hart, Daniel Larsen, Ryan Carpenter, Paige Byram Those voting nay: none Absent: none Motion Carried. Clerk Haderlie read Ordinance 720 by title. Page 2 of 6 Councilmember Hart then moved to approve the adoption of Ordinance 720. Councilmember Carpenter seconded the motion for adoption. A roll call showed the following vote: Those voting aye: Mitch Hart, Daniel Larsen, Ryan Carpenter, Paige Byram Those voting nay: none Absent: none Motion Carried. Jon Goode presented a variance request for 290 E 1st N, Caribou Bible Church, to extend the current building. Jon Goode presented the request, noting prior approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission on May 12, 2026, contingent on fire access. Council reviewed the recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission. Fire Chief Squires confirmed there were no fire or neighbor concerns. Councilman Larsen questioned whether the pitched roof would allow snow to go into the neighbor's yard. Mr. Goode clarified that they wanted to ensure the variance was permissible before spending money on engineering. Councilman Hart moved, based on the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission, that we approve the requested variance for Caribou Bible Church as presented. Councilman Carpeneter seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion carried. 4. Citizen Input Mayor Gritton opens the floor for citizen input, with a citizen thanking city employees for their efforts during cleanup week. 5. Unfinished Business: Project updates were provided by Director Squires, including ongoing sewer and water line work, temporary and upcoming paving, and the Main Street water line tie-in. He also reported on the installation of a new water tank level sensor, ongoing lift station repairs, and the planting of dozens of new trees at Ledger Creek. The new basketball and pickleball courts are nearing completion, with a ribbon-cutting scheduled for July 3. The council discussed the importance of naming the new trail system and considered holding a naming contest. Clerk Haderlie reported that Mayor Gritton asked the Booster Club to take over the Fall Festival moving forward. Paulette will meet with the group and let us know whether they are willing to take over the festival. Follow up with the Booster Club about taking over coordination of the Fall Festival (confirm whether they will take it on and obtain the proposed event date) 6. New Business: Director Hansen reported that the library’s summer reading program is thriving, with hundreds of participants, and that the library has received facility upgrades and community support. The police department is preparing for the Fourth of July, emphasizing fire safety and fireworks regulations. Public works reported on cleanup week, summer help, and ongoing maintenance projects. Director Squires reported for recreation. T-ball and coach pitch started tonight, with many teams and kids participating this year. We're excited to watch them play and grow. T-ball and coach-pitch games are held every Monday and Wednesday in June. She will not be here for the next council meeting as well. She hired Pyper Smith as her summer help. She says she's been very helpful, motivated, and willing to learn. She has been happy and grateful to have her on the team this summer. Itty bitty ball started on June 1. Itty bitty ball takes place on Mondays and Thursdays in June. The kids so far have been a blast to work with, and it's been fun watching and learning to get involved at such a young age. The middle school has been great to work with us. They're letting us use the gym for the first two weeks of the indoor sports, so they're planning to prepare for the pickleball tournament on July 3 and the Slam’ n Jam on the fourth of July. Registration for these tournaments is now open on the website. In between, itty bitty ball, tee ball, Coach Pitch, they're working on keeping the fields nice, organizing the sheds at Kelly, City Park, and the basement of City Hall, as well. Clerk Haderlie reported working on the budget. She purchased Caselle Connect to start Page 3 of 6 implementing it for the department director and council to view the budget in real time. Clerk Haderlie mentioned they will set it up and then implement training for everyone who will use it. It gives us all the modules we currently have, plus everything they let us use on Casell Connect, so that they will take over IT issues with it. It will cost $3,870 a year and unlimited seats. Clerk McDowell reported that it has been super busy with possible subdivision developments between Dan and me. We definitely need help and guidance. A key discussion centered on the Ender’s Building rental policy. Molly Beseris, working with an unofficial committee, presented feedback that the current $500/day fee deters short-term rentals. The council discussed options for hourly or half-day rates (suggesting $50-$75/hour or $250 for four hours), balancing increased community use with staff workload and cleaning requirements. Clerk Haderlie was tasked with drafting a revised fee proposal for the next meeting. The council then reviewed a feasibility study for the Ender’s Building and other city properties, with a not-to-exceed cost of $42,000, funded by a previously approved grant. Minor edits to the contract were discussed. Councilman Hart motioned to grant the mayor the power and authority to sign the agreement on behalf of the city to execute a feasibility study on the Ender's Building, for a cost not to exceed $42,000, based on the terms and conditions as presented, subject to the minor edits that our legal counsel and the city council may have. Councilman Carpenter seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion carried. Councilwoman Byram received approval to seek quotes for replacing the city park pavilion with a more durable steel structure to reduce long-term maintenance costs. Director Squires introduces a proposal to contract with an outside engineering firm, Keller and Associates, for project coordination and planning. Jake Poulsen from Keller and Associates explains their services and the potential cost savings compared to hiring a full-time planner. Jake Poulsen discusses the county's reluctance to take over certain roads and emphasizes the importance of project coordination and management. Jeff Mansfield introduces himself, detailing his 23 years in the Air Force Reserve, his experience with Keller Associates, and his role as the public works director and city engineer for Pocatello. Jeff mentions his current position with Keller and his involvement in various community projects, including a recent visit to Lava Hot Springs to address an alley issue. Councilman Hart humorously comments on the benefits of having Keller Associates work with the city, highlighting cost savings and shared resources. Jake Poulsen explains the cost-saving benefits of using Keller Associates for on-call consulting services rather than hiring full-time staff. He mentions the flexibility in budgeting and the potential for unused funds to carry over to the next year. Jeff Mansfield discusses the community's development potential and the importance of updating development codes to align with the city's direction. Jake provides examples of Keller's work with other cities, including sewer modeling and task orders for specific developments. Jake Poulsen lists the various engineering services Keller offers, including structural, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, survey, traffic transportation, water, wastewater, and more. He emphasizes the benefits of having a suite of experts available to handle different aspects of projects. Jeff Mansfield highlights his experience in water and wastewater projects, as well as his government experience with the Air Force and the city of Pocatello. Jake reiterates the importance of having qualified engineers to support subdivisions and development projects. Councilman Hart asks about the average hourly billing rate, and Jake provides a range, explaining the different rates for varying levels of expertise. Jake clarifies that Keller does not apply a markup to ancillary costs like travel and mileage, which are charged at federal rates. Councilman Hart inquired about the typical number of hours Keller spends on projects, and Jake estimates it at around 300 hours per year for a city like Preston. Jake explains the process of setting up task orders and the benefits of having a clear scope and fee agreement. Councilman Larsen asks about the terms of the contract, including the possibility of multi-year agreements. Jake explains that Keller offers flexible contract terms, including annual on-call agreements and multi-year contracts. Jeff Mansfield emphasizes Page 4 of 6 the stability and predictability of multi-year contracts for budgeting purposes. Jake mentions the possibility of having multiple on-call contracts for different services, such as water and wastewater, as well as planning and development reviews. Jake Poulsen assures the council that Keller is available to provide support and answer quick questions at no additional charge. Councilman Carpenter expresses concern about not knowing the right questions to ask and the need for a backstop to avoid potential issues. Jeff Mansfield and Jake emphasize their role as partners and resources for the city, offering guidance and support. Molly Beseris supports the idea, sharing her positive experiences with similar arrangements in other communities. Councilman Hart suggests having a follow-up meeting to discuss the proposal in more detail and address any remaining questions. Molly Beseris reiterates her support and highlights the benefits of having a consultant for planning and zoning questions. Jake Poulsen and Jeff Mansfield offer to leave additional information and statements of qualifications for the council to review. The council began by reviewing the renewal of the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) contract for electricity supply. After considering four options and consulting with other utilities, the council opted for Option A, which maintains the current tier one rate structure through 2044. This option provides stability and allows for some growth in city power usage without immediate risk of higher rates. The council noted that if no option were selected, the city would default to a less favorable contract (Option D). Councilman Hart motioned that Mayor Gritton or Director of City Services Squires may sign the BPA contract with option A for the period of 2028-2044. Councilman Carpenter seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion carried. 7. Budget Review Mayor Gritton opens the floor for the department directors' budget requests. Director Hansen clarifies that no salary increases are needed, as the issue was resolved earlier. Councilman Carpenter inquired about adult programming needs, which Director Hansen confirms are necessary. Mayor Gritton thanks Director Hansen for her work. Director Young discusses ongoing projects, including quotes for a parking lot and a new fence. Director Young will obtain additional quotes and follow up with contractors (including Sean and Kenny Daniels) regarding the Hooper Springs parking lot repair and the replacement/repair of the fence around the yard and substation; report back with estimates. Work with Jeff to develop and implement an in‑house weed‑spraying plan (transfer work from contractor to city employee), including compensation/incentive details, and present expected savings. Obtain a written proposal and justification from the tree‑trimming contractor specifying prioritized work areas and what will be achieved for the requested $30,000 budget (showing what the extra $10,000 buys). Animal Control and Police Budget Requests Chief Golightly discussed issues with animal control vehicles and potential solutions. Councilman Hart and Chief Golightly discuss the need for a new animal control vehicle and the associated costs. Evaluate the current animal control vehicle and the lease/vehicle swap options, determine whether replacement or lease transfer is needed, and report the decision and budget impact (target decision within 1–2 months). Chief Golightly requests a $5,000 increase for police operating costs to cover various expenses. Mayor Gritton and Councilman Hart discuss the potential increase in ISU post costs for new officers. Chief Golightly emphasizes the need for additional funds to cover fuel and vehicle repair costs. Chief Golightly will meet with Councilman Hart for a police budget workshop to review operating, fuel, vehicle, training, and personnel numbers and refine requests. Water, Sewer, and Wastewater Budget Updates Director Squires provided updates on water and sewer projects, including Mountain View and Third North water line replacements. Follow up with DEQ on the lead removal loan/forgiveness grant to determine allowable timing and whether the city can defer use for 2–3 years or must use it immediately; report findings. Councilman Hart and Director Squires discuss the timing and budgeting for these projects. Director Squires mentions the need for lower sprockets and chains for the STM air overs, estimating a Page 5 of 6 $150,000 expense. Councilman Hart and Director Squires discuss the allocation of capital spares for these projects. Director Squires highlights the need for a new census meter reader and the challenges of obtaining one. City Hall Equipment and Staffing Needs: Clerk Haderlie requests approval to purchase a large- format scanner to digitize blueprints and maps. Mayor Gritton and Councilman Hart discuss the feasibility and cost of outsourcing the digitization process. Clerk Haderlie notes the need for new workstations at City Hall, while Councilman Larsen suggests a phased approach. Director Squires and Clerk Haderlie discuss the challenges of managing the city's aging equipment and the need for updates. Clerk Haderlie requests a 3% COLA for staff, citing their hard work and the need for cross-training. Mayor Gritton requested a $14,000 budget for a new sound system in the council room to improve audio quality for both in-person attendees and online viewers. However, some council members questioned the necessity of this expense. Councilman Hart and Director Squires will prepare and finalize the capital project plan (identifying near‑term capital purchases and timing, such as a Hydro-x truck, sweeper, patch truck, and other equipment) and coordinate the allocation of costs across funds. Order/earmark replacement parts (lower sprockets, chains, bearings) for the wastewater aerovers, allocate funds from capital spares, and prepare for in‑house maintenance scheduling. Utility Rate Comparison and Increase Proposal Councilman Hart presented a comparison of the city's utility rates against those of other cities in the state. The city's water rates are on the high end of the mid-range, while wastewater rates are similar. Councilman Hart discusses the city's historical rate increase practices and the need to balance affordability with necessary upgrades. Councilman Larsen emphasizes the importance of maintaining the city's eligibility for funding. Councilman Hart suggests exploring options to reduce the capital improvement fund percentage to ease the burden of the rate increase. Review of General Fund Budget Worksheet: Councilman Hart guides the review, focusing on the general fund budget worksheet. They also reviewed the property tax levy, reaffirming the practice of taking the allowable 3% annual increase to avoid future budget shortfalls. Clerk Haderlie confirms the need for additional information to complete the budget worksheet, complete the L2 (property tax) form, and obtain the necessary information from Jill. Councilman Hart emphasizes the importance of the general fund in supporting core city services. Director Squires and Director Young discuss the need for additional staffing and resources to manage ongoing projects. Clerk Haderlie highlights the need for a new census meter reader and the challenges of obtaining one. Mayor Gritton and Councilman Hart discuss the importance of continuing to support the city's staff and infrastructure. Directors Squires and Young express their appreciation for the council's support and the opportunity to serve the community. Councilman Hart mentions his upcoming re-election and the need for a smooth transition of responsibilities. The meeting concluded with a review of the general fund budget worksheet and a reminder to focus on key areas for the next meeting. 8. Citizen Input: There was no input given. Councilman Larsen motioned to adjourn the meeting, which Councilwoman Byram seconded. All were in favor, and the motion carried. Page 6 of 6 PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL ON JUNE 17, 2026. _________________________ Paul Gritton, Mayor ATTEST _________________________ Andrea Haderlie, Clerk
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