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minutes meeting date 2026-03-18 · fetched 2026-09-17 · 13487 characters · official file · plain text
Page 1 of 4 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SODA SPRINGS, CARIBOU COUNTY, IDAHO, HELD MARCH 18, 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, Chief of Police Brandon Hall Brock Byram 1. Roll call & Additions to Agenda: Mayor Gritton acknowledges the presence of all council members. Brock Byram offers a prayer, and Mayor Gritton leads the pledge allegiance. 2. Review & Approval: Mayor Gritton requests approval of the minutes from the March 4, 2026, meeting. Councilman Carpenter motions to approve the minutes as written, which is seconded by Councilwoman Byram. All were in favor, and the motion carried. Mayor Gritton requests a review of payables for March 1-16, 2026. Councilwoman Byram raises questions about the classification of line 1715 and the Caselle Connect timekeeper issue. Clerk Haderlie stated IT had to push an update that would not update on the server. Councilwoman Byram asked about the need to add Enders to the cleaning schedule. Clerk Haderlie stated that our custodian had no interest in cleaning the Enders. Councilwoman Byram asked about vendor 8338, Revise web hosting. Mayor Gritton stated that it is the website hosting, and Clerk Haderlie stated that it is the host for our website, and it is split between departments. Councilman Carpenter asked about an update on the library. Director Squires provides an update on the library's progress, mentioning that electrical inspections and window framing should be complete by the end of the week or the first of next week. Councilman Larsen motioned to approve payables for March1-16, 2026, which Councilman Carpenter seconded. All were in favor, and the motion carried. 3. Appointments: Mayor Gritton opens the public hearing on proposed updates to the Master Fee Schedule with new fees for building permits and city equipment rentals. Mayor Gritton and Councilman Hart discuss the resolution establishing fees pursuant to Idaho Code 63-1311. Clerk Haderlie stated no written comments were submitted. Mayor Gritton opened the floor for public comment there was no public opposition. Mayor Gritton closed the public hearing. Mayor Gritton opened the discussion with the Council. Councilwoman Byram asked about the airport's first-week free policy. Councilman Carpenter appreciates the Clerk McDowell’s efforts in updating the building permit fee schedule. Councilman Hart motioned to adopt Resolution 2026-2, Resolution of the City of Soda Springs establishing fees pursuant to Idaho Code 63-1311 and adopting a master fee schedule, which Councilman Carpenter seconded. All were in favor, and the motion carried. Mayor Gritton notes the absence of Andrew Ollinger. 4. Citizen Input Mayor Gritton opened the floor for citizen input, but none was offered. 5. Unfinished Business: Director Squires provides updates on the HWY 30/2nd South project, including upcoming meetings with ITD and notification lists for affected residents. Mayor Gritton and Director Squires plan to develop Page 2 of 4 and maintain a notification list and implement door-to-door, text, and email communication to affected residents and businesses during the HWY 30/2nd South construction project. Mayor Gritton and Director Squires will attend weekly ITD meetings for the Second South project and relay weekly anticipated plans and changes to affected property owners. Director Squires discusses the sand hauling for trails, estimating 12,000 tons, and the need for additional sand. Mayor Gritton and Councilman Hart express appreciation for the partnership with the county and Bayer in the silica sand project. Director Squires mentions the need for a kiosk and park signage, funded by Nutrient. Director Squires discusses the challenges of planting trees due to alkaline soil and the need for topsoil. Councilman Carpenter suggests using elemental sulfur to change the soil PH. Director Squires mentions the need for wooden benches and garbage cans for the park, funded by the Hispanic grant. Reach out to potential contractors and secure quotes for placing silica sand on the trails, using available grant funds if feasible. Councilman Hart and Director Squires discuss the need for protection around the trees due to deer and elk. Director Squires also mentioned that the shared road on the Ledger Creek property has been fixed for the shared landowners. He mentioned that the City will receive a $ 3,000.00 rebate for the new lights installed on Main Street. Director Squires stated that the City has been granted a sub-awarded grant of $50,000.00 for a Power Study, and he has been in contact with the Engineers to get it started. He asked the Council if the City would like to supplement if additional funds are needed for the Power Study. Council would like to pursue the $50,000 power-systems grant and finalize the Subaward Agreement with the mayor’s signature, and then engage an engineering firm to complete a comprehensive citywide power-grid study. Director Squires provides an update on the contracted water license, which has been renewed with Mountain West Water Works at the same price as the previous contract. Director Squires discusses the water leak issue on the Cedar View Water Association, which was resolved after multiple trips. Director Squires is working with the Landfill to set a date for Clean Up Week. Mayor Gritton and Councilman Hart discuss the need for a city cleanup week. Director Squires and Clerk Hennefer have coordinated with Verizon to receive and install the new SIM card for the Kelly Park security cameras and to ensure that all four bathrooms, plus the front high- resolution camera, are fully operational within the next couple of weeks. He has overseen the installation of the remaining City Park cameras by arranging equipment delivery and scheduling the installer’s visit, ensuring all seven cameras are up and running. We asked the camera installer to create a consolidated, single-platform view of all city cameras (water shop, City Hall, parks, etc.), and Director Squires will manage user access, including granting viewing rights to the police department and other designated personnel. Councilman Larsen presents a lease rate proposal for the industrial park, based on land value multiplied by 3.5%. Councilman Larsen suggests a built-in 3.5% annual increase in lease rates to avoid large increases at the lease renewal. Councilman Larsen is looking to refine the land-value model for industrial park parcels, add a dollars-per-acre column for easier comparison, and review the updated model with County Assessor Aaron Cook to ensure it is reasonable before presenting it to the council. Director Squires mentions the need for a performance bond or insurance for tenants in the industrial park. Attorney Smith and Councilman Larsen discuss the need for environmental liability insurance or other property cleanup protection. Councilman Larsen will call insurance providers to determine which environmental cleanup bonds or policies are available, how much coverage they provide, and how tenants could use them to satisfy the city’s cleanup liability protection requirements. Councilman Larsen proposes annual inspections of property cleanliness and clear guidelines for what constitutes junk. Councilman Larsen will revise the draft industrial park lease language to remove vague fine provisions and Page 3 of 4 instead reference existing city code enforcement remedies and lease termination triggers, incorporating attorney feedback. He will draft and propose updated industrial park lease terms that incorporate the agreed valuation model, periodic rate revaluation, a standard annual percentage increase, and the revised environmental liability/cleanup protections, ready for council consideration. Capital Projects Update Councilman Hart presents a spreadsheet projecting revenues and expenses for the next three fiscal years. Councilman Hart discusses the need for capital spares and the allocation of funds for various projects. Director Squires and Councilman Hart discuss the urgency of the water line bore under the railroad tracks, the permit's expiration on July 9, 2026, and the need for a sole- source contract. The urgency of a $250,000 water line project under the railroad tracks, considering sole- source procurement due to time constraints and the risk of a leaking pipe. Attorney Smith will post a question on the Idaho Municipal Attorneys Association listserv to gather examples and guidance from other cities about justifying sole-source procurement for the leaking water line under the railroad tracks. Attorney Smith will prepare a declaration of emergency and associated documentation to justify sole- source procurement for the leaking water line crossing under the railroad tracks, in case the council chooses to invoke the emergency exception. Attorney Smith suggests using the emergency procurement statute to justify the sole-source contract. Councilman Hart and Director Squires discuss the need for a 90-degree bore under the railroad tracks and the challenges of working with Union Pacific. Councilman Larsen and Attorney Smith discuss the potential risks and benefits of using a sole-source contract. Councilman Hart and Director Squires emphasize the urgency of the water line project to avoid potential disasters. Mayor Gritton and Council members discuss the need for clear guidelines and the potential legal challenges associated with sole-source contracts. Attorney Smith emphasizes the need for a 24-hour notice for special meetings unless an emergency exists. Councilwoman Byram mentions everyone is on spring break, suggesting a special meeting right after the current one. Mayor Gritton and Attorney Smith agree on scheduling the special meeting for Friday morning. Councilman Hart and others discuss their availability and confirm Friday morning as a suitable time. Councilman Hart asks for a specific time for the Friday meeting. Mayor Gritton suggests 10 o'clock, while Councilwoman Byram proposes 9 o'clock. Councilman Hart agrees to be there by 9:30 and plans to draft a rationale for the meeting. Attorney Smith advises against rushing the process and suggests a more relaxed timeline. The council agreed to schedule a special meeting for Friday at 9 AM to address an emergency. Clerk Haderlie will post a Notice of Special Meeting for the 24-hour notice. Councilman Carpenter will recuse himself because A+ Contractors is his employer. Mayor Gritton moves on to the next agenda item, the Area of Impact proposal, and asks Councilman Larsen for an update. Councilman Larsen provides an update on the area impact, mentioning concerns from the county planning and zoning. Councilman Larsen explains the city's growth potential and the low risk associated with the area impact. Mayor Gritton and Councilman Hart discuss the importance of considering the county's actions and the potential for eastward expansion. 6. New Business: Mayor Gritton asks for updates from department directors. Clerk Haderlie notified the council that the city is behind on meter-reading technology and that the City had to order a new Bluetooth device to program the new meters because the current one is not working. The auditor will visit on April 21, 2026. Councilman Hart and others discuss the need for updated meter-reading technology. Mayor Gritton and Councilman Hart discuss the Enders Building summer season, including hiring part-time staff and opening hours. Councilman Hart suggests hiring two part-time people to keep the Enders Building open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Councilman Hart shares his past experiences of opening the building and the positive feedback received. Councilman Larsen and others discuss the benefits of having people in the building to prevent issues. Mayor Gritton and Councilman Hart discuss the possibility of hiring high school seniors for the summer job. Councilman Hart proposed keeping the Enders Building open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, at a cost of $12,000, to allow public access. The Page 4 of 4 Council agreed to hire two part-time attendants to open the Enders Museum for the summer from 10 am- 6 pm with a working lunch. Clerk Haderlie will post the job for hiring. Councilwoman Byram provides an update on the community cleanup event scheduled for April 23, 2026. Councilwoman Byram mentions the involvement of various volunteers and the community's participation. Mayor Gritton asks if a flyer for the event has been made public yet. Councilwoman Byram confirms that the event has not been advertised yet and plans to do so. 7. Citizen Input: Mayor Gritton opened the floor for citizen input, but none was offered. Councilman Carpenter motioned to adjourn the meeting, and Councilwoman Byram seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion carried. PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL ON APRIL 1, 2026. _________________________ Paul Gritton, Mayor ATTEST _________________________ Andrea Haderlie, Clerk
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