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minutes meeting date 2026-05-20 · fetched 2026-09-17 · 9709 characters · official file · plain text
Page 1 of 3 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SODA SPRINGS, CARIBOU COUNTY, IDAHO, HELD MAY 20, 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 Jeff Young, Director CeJay Golightly, Police Chief Brandon Hall Brock Byram Elijah Davis Ari Floyd-Reading Rebecca Fryar Sierra Muir Toni and Teresa Salvi Amanda Larsen McKenzie Gritton Soraya Luschas Cindy Erickson Kylee Fullmer Alexz Dickhaut Bryce Somsen 1. Roll call & Additions to Agenda: Mayor Gritton notes the roll call with all Council members present. Councilman Hart opens the meeting with a prayer. Mayor Gritton led the Pledge of Allegiance. 2. Review & Approval: Mayor Gritton asks the council members to review the minutes of the previous meeting on May 6, 2026. Councilman Larsen moved to approve the minutes. The motion was seconded by Councilman Carpenter, and the motion was approved unanimously. Councilman Hart moves to approve the payables for the period of May 1 through May 18, seconded by Councilwoman Byram. Councilman Hart inquired about the status of vendor number 140, A+ Contractors, and the progress of the second East water line. Councilman Carpenter asks about the annual support for Pocatello Transit, and Clerk Haderlie confirms it is an annual contribution. Mayor Gritton and Councilman Carpenter discuss the frequency of the Pocatello Transit bus and its current status. Councilman Carpenter questions the Enders Rocky Mountain Boiler payable, and Director Squires explains the need for a condensate pump and valve. Councilman Carpenter abstains from voting on the payables item because his employer is involved. Mayor Gritton notes the $8,400 expenditure for storage units on Kelly Park Road for ice rink equipment. Councilman Hart and Mayor Gritton discuss the need for a report on the PRT services and their current status. All were in favor, and the motion carried. 3. Appointments: Rebecca Fryar introduces Kylee Fullmer, who requests sponsorship for the Soda Springs High School FCCLA national competition in Washington, DC. Kylee Fullmer explains the various competitions FCCLA students participate in, including career investigation, interior design, advocating for causes, and athletic nutrition. Councilman Hart suggests donating money to the group rather than individual students and requests a sign acknowledging the sponsorship. Rebecca Fryar mentions that the students will help with the Fourth of July Carnival, which will cost $ 1,000.00, and with wax fire trucks for $300.00 for the Fire Department, in return for sponsorship. Councilman Hart motioned, in addition, for their contributions to our fire department and Fourth of July, that's $1,300.00 that we, the city, contribute another $1,300.00 for a total contribution of $2,600.00. Councilman Carpenter seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion carried. Page 2 of 3 Sierra Muir's Sponsorship Request for World Schools Debate. Sierra Muir requests sponsorship for the World Schools Debate in Washington, DC, and outlines the associated costs. Councilman Hart and Councilman Carpenter discuss the budget and potential contributions from the city. Mayor Gritton suggests Sierra Muir could help with city projects in return for sponsorship. Councilman Hart moves to approve a $500 donation, seconded by Councilman Carpenter. All were in favor, and the motion carried. 4. Citizen Input Mayor Gritton opened the citizen input and welcomed interns McKenzie Gritton, Ari Floyd- Reading, Elijah Davis, and Soraya Luschas, who introduced themselves and their fields of study in engineering, as well as their summer internships at the Kiewit Mine. Cindy Erickson proposes a public art project to beautify the long retaining wall in the park owned by Caribou County, emphasizing the need for professional, beautiful art installations, and estimates the cost at about $1,000.00. They hope for it to be complete by the 4th of July. Amanda Larsen and Bryce Somson discuss the inclusion of a cattle and Caribou County identification in the mural. Councilman Hart suggests expanding the vision to include other walls and buildings in the Main Street area. Communicate with Director Young about where those sprinklers may spray, and maybe that could be modified to minimize it. Council gave Amanda and Cindy approval to move forward with the mural. 5. Unfinished Business: Director Squires provides updates on the Second South water line project, including the completion of the main line, they will start of service lines, and the need for asphalt replacement. The project will shift focus to the bore under Main Street. The Main Street bore is complete, but they are still finishing the water line replacement, which is expected to take at least a week. Director Squires mentions the completion of the bore on Second East and the installation of new water lines. The city has mag- chlorinated the industrial park to improve road conditions, and new storage containers have been placed at the ice rink. 6. New Business: Chief Golightly reports on the seat belt grant and the recent acquisition of a new training vehicle. The police department will conduct emergency vehicle operations training with other local law enforcement agencies. The city is auctioning off towed vehicles to clear them out and pay tow bills. Mayor Gritton introduces the Gem Grant Award of $36,000.00 and the Grant Agreement Application #007517, with a 20% match, with the City to expend $9,000.00 for a feasibility study for the Enders Building. Councilman Carpenter motioned to allow the Mayor to sign the agreement and approve the expenditure of the $9,000.00, matching the 20% matching funds. Councilwoman Byram seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion carried. Fall Festival, Clerk Haderlie commented that recreation hosted the Fall Festival last year, and we are looking for a group to take it over moving forward. Mayor Gritton noted that we have a potential group and will meet with them next week. We will update the council when we have more information. 7. Budget Review Clerk Haderlie had the council review the actual tax levies from 2024 and 2025. Councilman Hart discusses the history of tax levies and the importance of balancing the budget. Clerk Haderlie will prepare the L2 levy worksheet and bring the levy numbers to the council for review. The Council reviewed the utility rate resolutions and the potential rate increases. Toni and Teresa Salvi, owners of M.R.& E., request a 3.5% rate increase for garbage services. They explained that the increase is to help with shipping truck parts and employee retention. We love our employees just like we love our customers, and we want to give them yearly raises and keep them around because we think that if we can retain them, it's better for us and better for everybody. We get good reports on our drivers, so we'd like to keep them. We have to compete with the mines because they pay their drivers and employees very well. Toni explained that rebuilding the engine right now, that's absolutely killing me, and he can't even believe how much an in-frame on a 466 is used to be able to get rings, pistons, sleeves for Page 3 of 3 2500 bucks. Now it's going to be $30,000.00 by the time they are done with the engine rebuild. Councilman Carpenter mentioned that, for those in the audience and at home, the three-and-a-half percent rate increase would take effect; it is a residential billing rate, currently at 13.26 per month for a garbage can, rising to 13.72 per month. Council will review the request. The Council reviewed the beginning fund balances and the previous year's funds. Councilman Hart explains the city's approach to budgeting and the importance of maintaining a surplus for future projects and capital projects. The Council reviewed estimated health insurance rates. The city will have more definitive numbers in late July or August. The council discussed the potential impact of health insurance costs, including a 15% increase, and Councilman Hart mentioned the possibility of joining the state insurance program. The Council reviewed the potential Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). Councilman Hart asked Clerk Haderlie to pencil in 3.5% for the budget worksheet to see the increase. State Insurance Fund EMOD Rate Review: Clerk Haderlie reports that the city's EMOD rate is currently 0.73. The council discusses the impact of the EMOD rate on insurance premiums and the importance of maintaining a low rate. The council reviews the ICRMP rate and the potential impact of future increases. The council acknowledges the importance of maintaining a strong EMOD rate to keep insurance costs low. 8. Citizen Input: Mayor Gritton thanks the council and the interns for their participation and contributions. Mayor Gritton opens the floor to citizen input, with Bryce Somson discussing the results of the recent county commissioner election, which was a tie to be decided by coin toss, and expressing appreciation for community involvement. The council motions to adjourn the meeting, which is seconded and approved unanimously. PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL ON JUNE 3, 2026. _________________________ Paul Gritton, Mayor ATTEST _________________________ Andrea Haderlie, Clerk
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