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minutes meeting date 2026-02-04 · fetched 2026-09-17 · 15510 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 FEBRUARY 4, 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 Celeste Schneider, Deputy Clerk Thomas Smith, City Attorney CeJay Golightly, Chief of Police Hope Hansen, Librarian Jessica Thurman, Recreation Jeff Young, Director Melissa McDowell, Deputy Clerk Brandon Hall Kristen and Aspen Skinner Dallin Skinner Coulter and Anna Skinner Darlene Gunnell Curtis Keller Brock Byram Alana Burns Laura and Angela Lind Kate Lauck 1. Roll call & Additions to Agenda: Mayor Gritton opens the meeting, asks for a prayer from Councilman Larsen, and Mayor Gritton leads the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Gritton confirms the presence of all council members, with Deputy Clerk Schneider filling in for Clerk Haderlie. Mayor Gritton reminds attendees to keep conversations to a minimum and to use the podium to speak during the meeting. 2. Review & Approval: Councilman Hart moves to dispense with the reading of the January 21, 2026, meeting minutes, seconded by Councilman Carpenter. All were in favor, and the motion carried. Councilman Carpenter moves to approve the accounts payable January 19-31, 2026, and payroll for January 2026, seconded by Councilwoman Byram. Councilman Hart inquired about a specific line item and explained the background of a $5,000 economic assessment from Bengal Solutions. All were in favor, and the motion carried. Councilman Larsen asks how many street signs were replaced, and Director Young confirms approximately 60 were replaced. Mayor Gritton and Councilman Larsen discuss the quality and appearance of the new street signs. Councilman Hart and Mayor Gritton discuss the lack of snow-removal overtime and the positive feedback received. 3. Appointments: Laura Lind requests a deferment for the Friends of the Park update due to a tardy member. Mayor Gritton moves to the Friends of the Library proposal. Librarian Hansen explains the plans for new shelving, temperature control, and light switches in the upstairs room. Librarian Hansen and Kate Lauck discuss the project phases, including furniture, window, and additional shelving replacements. Councilman Hart suggests exploring energy-efficiency grants to offset costs. Librarian Hansen mentions a prior grant application that was not approved due to heating-system requirements. Councilman Hart offers to contact the Idaho Consumer-Owned Utility Association regarding potential grant opportunities. Librarian Hansen and Kate Lauck discuss the Friends' account balance and the possibility of using city funds if necessary. When Friends of the Library have concrete, finalized plans (contracts and detailed scope) for the upstairs refresh, present those plans publicly to the city council for official approval and advise the Mayor/Council in advance. Council asked them to collect the remaining contractor bids for the upstairs library refresh phases (furniture, conference room wall, window/shelving work) and provide the full set of bids to the Friends and the library board for Page 2 of 4 vendor selection. Alana Burns and Laura Lind present a proposal to resurface the basketball courts, with a $9,443 contribution and a $7,000 donation from Degerstrom. The proposal includes a 50-50 split with the city for the remaining balance and for additional improvements, such as painting and new equipment. Mayor Gritton and Councilman Carpenter discuss the project's timeline and the potential for in-house labor savings. Obtain a professional striping bid for the newly resurfaced basketball courts and evaluate in‑house striping vs. contractor cost, then report back to the council or project lead. Coordinate and start the basketball court resurfacing project with Friends of the Park following council approval (city contribution up to $12,000): arrange pole removal/painting, oversee in‑house work, and contractor scheduling so resurfacing can proceed when weather permits. Councilman Carpenter moved to proceed with the $12,000 Basketball court project, with a 50/50 split between the City and Friends of the Park, with the goal of completing it by the Fourth of July. Councilwoman Byram seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion carried. 4. Citizen Input Kristen Skinner presented to the mayor, council members, and citizens of Soda Springs. A picture of my great-grandfather, Henry L. Finch, the first mayor of Soda Springs. My father, Robert Torgeson, was a Council Member for many years. My husband, Alan Skinner, is the Director of City Services and was the city engineer and planner for 17 years. In their honor, I want to ensure that Soda Springs' records are accurate and that Alan did not resign from the city under a peaceful resignation. On January 8, 2026, the newly sworn-in mayor, accompanied by the chief of police, entered Alan's office and said, "Your time at the city is done." Allen was presented with two pre-drafted letters, required to sign one, and denied time to consider his options and the consequences of his choice. One letter mysteriously drafted by Alan himself, the resignation letter states, Dear Mayor Gritton, after due and appropriate consideration for personal reasons, I have chosen to voluntarily resign from my position as city engineer and planner effective January 8, 2026 the letter continues with words such as, agree, immediately, surrender, delete, destruct, criminal violation, followed by sincerely, Alan Skinner. If Alan had truly submitted his own resignation letter, I'm sure it would have included a "thank you." It's been an honor to work under Council direction, the gratitude and appreciation of coworkers, and the love of the city. He would have shaken everyone's hands and said goodbye. Instead, he was forced, under guard, out of his office and into a truck within one hour. No discussion for reason, no reading of the employee handbook, no public or Council Review of his employment record or file, just the words. It's happening now. I can't imagine the wording or what would have happened under the second pre-drafted "you are fired" letter. So, as you drive down Main Street with its beautiful white sidewalks and brightly lit path, play on the city playground equipment, walk the paths at Hooper and Kelly parks, Nutrient, and Bear River, drinking fresh water from formation and Ledge Creek that runs through multiple underground pipe systems to a wastewater treatment plant. Enjoy electricity from substations and overhead power lines cross town and state highways with flashing pedestrian lights camera systems to protect multiple city investments, chilling at the airport, Senior Center elevator, added extension room at the library, Fourth of July and evening entertainment grants written yearly for millions of dollars received, attending P and Z, Greater Soda Springs Development, Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce and other city required meetings, checking projects or unexpected emergencies, all after work, hours at night, plus the always and ongoing, regular day to day engineering and planning for future projects and current home inspections. Alan was a vital part of all of that and more to the many citizens who reached out over the years to express appreciation for improvement projects and emergencies handled by your services, while city crews worked hard. Thank you to the citizens who reached out by phone and text, using vulgar language from A to F. It's understandable your life was under stress, but bad character did not have to shine while Alan contractors and city crews work hard to make your life comfortable again. Council members should not give ear to that kind of backstabbing talk and behavior. Still, they should have the backs of their employees, Page 3 of 4 especially a mayor who, in the first hour of business, has an obvious, preconceived agenda and an ax to grind, and a council that was not present or fully sworn in on January 7. You all sit at this table, may your efforts and timeless service be as unappreciated and as deciduous as you have shown. May your leadership demonstrate stronger professional administrative oversight and integrity in your interactions with the staff and citizens of Soda Springs. Your actions were dishonorable. You know what they say about karma. God help our city. Thanks. Alana Burns expresses excitement about the new leadership team we have in place. We had past leadership, but the relationship we're seeing on display has been greatly appreciated. I have had people reach out to me and proactively try to coordinate and facilitate good things on behalf of the city with a vision that I haven't encountered before. I am so appreciative of the spirit I'm feeling in this new leadership. I'm excited, inspired, and motivated as a citizen of the area, an investor, and a business owner to work in partnership with this leadership team, because I believe we will accomplish great things in the future. 5. Unfinished Business: Director Squires provides updates on various projects, including the second South reconstruction, DEQ RFPs, and the lead service line project. He has sent the mixer bearing cartridge to the manufacturer for rebuild/repair, coordinated the rebuild and reinstallation schedule, and managed crane/contractor logistics to return the mixer to service. Employee Handbook update. Councilman Larsen commented he thinks, just as a matter of point, reading through the final edition, they think, no matter how detailed you get, there will always be something that someone will find some nuance of something that we didn't anticipate. But he was very impressed with the breadth and depth of the employee handbook. He thought it was very good and will cover 98% of what comes up. Real kudos to all the people who put in the effort. He knows Clerk Haderlie put in quite a bit of effort, as did the other departments and the chief, so a big thank you to everyone. And it was very good. I think it is very good. Councilman Larsen motioned to approve and adopt the City of Soda Springs Employee Handbook dated February 4, 2026. Councilman Carpenter seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion carried. 6. New Business: Librarian Hansen reports on successful programming, upcoming events, mini golf, and the community read initiative. Director Young updates on street sign replacements, barricade repairs, and the status of hydro batteries. Chief Golightly reminds the public to contact the police directly rather than through social media for non-emergencies. Director Thurman provides updates on youth and adult basketball, the ice rink closure, and the success of open mic night. Director Squires provided information that the Fire Department turnouts have been ordered, the firefighters have been measured, and delivery is 100 days out. The mixer bearing shipped out today for a rebuild. It will cost 24,000. The last one installed was in 2008. It will always be a rebuild because they differ in temperature, mixing, size, and other parameters. There was a sizable leak on Donahue that was repaired. Attorney Smith had no update to report. Submit the Idaho Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant application (up to $50,000) to the Governor's Office of Energy and Mineral Resources before the deadline and handle submission logistics. Councilman Larsen motioned to ratify the application for the Idaho Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant. Councilman Carpenter seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion carried. Finalize and prettify the letter of support for the ITAFOS Dry Ridge Extension Exploration Project, Page 4 of 4 then coordinate with the mayor to obtain signature(s) and submit the letter to the appropriate agencies. Councilman Carpenter motioned to approve the letter of support to the Environmental Assessment for the ITAFOS Dry Ridge Extension Exploration Project. Councilman Larsen seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion carried. Mayor Gritton and Councilman Hart discuss the need for a resolution to update building permit fees. Deputy Clerk McDowell presents a proposal for separate residential and commercial building permit fees, based on research from other cities and counties. The council discusses the potential impact of increased fees and the importance of consistent and fair pricing. Councilman Hart emphasizes the importance of proper setbacks and roof positioning for home construction. Councilman Larsen confirms that the proposal covers the cost of the inspection. Councilman Hart estimates the cost of using a city employee as a building inspector at approximately 15 hours to review the plans. Mayor Gritton and Director Squires discuss the complexity and time-consuming nature of commercial building inspections, justifying higher fees. Councilman Larsen mentions a conversation with a member of the planning and zoning committee, who intended to save $1,000 by coming into town. Council asked Deputy Clerk McDowell to collaborate with Clerk Haderlie on the Fee Schedule Resolution for adoption. Councilwoman Byram seeks council approval to send in a grant application for an AARP Age- Friendly Community Project for benches. Mayor Gritton asks whether there is a match for the $15,000 grant and whether Councilwoman Byram has any questions regarding the application. Submit the AARP age-friendly community benches grant application (up to $15,000) and coordinate any required city match or installation planning. Councilman Carpenter motioned for approval for Councilwoman Byram to apply for the AARP Age-Friendly Community Project Grant. Councilman Hart seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion carried. 7. Citizen Input: Mayor Gritton opens the floor for citizen input. Kristen Skinner stated that she told you, my grandfather, my great-grandfather, and my family that we have children. We love Soda Springs. We love the things that have happened here. That's why we're here. We love to do you know, change is good, as you all know, though, I'm going to tell you, you're going to do things, all of you. You can be funny, be popular, be smart, and be whatever. But there are going to be people who tear you apart for the things that you do. No matter how good you think you're going to be, you're going to have people who can tell you you're wrong or how bad you are when you're doing nothing but trying your hardest and your best. For my family, my grandkids, and those coming up, I want Soda Springs to blossom. I want it to bloom. So does Alan, so does my family, so does everybody. But don't forget to thank those who helped us get where we are today. Mayor Gritton closes the floor for citizen input. Councilman Hart motioned to adjourn the meeting. Councilman Carpenter seconded. All were in favor, and the motion carried. Mayor Gritton thanks everyone for attending the meeting. PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 18, 2026. _________________________ Paul Gritton, Mayor ATTEST _________________________ Andrea Haderlie, Clerk
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