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minutes meeting date 2025-12-11 · fetched 2026-09-17 · 15221 characters · official file · plain text
Page 1 of 4 Council Meeting December 11, 2025 MINUTES OF THE City Council Meeting for the City of Menan held December 11, 2025. Presiding: Mayor Nathan Bronson Present: Nathan Bronson, Amy Gahn, Ben Smith, Danielle Andrew, Victor Cammans, Matt Walker, Kris Meeks, Allyson Pettingill, Crpl Sevy, Noel Raymond, Gary Maples, Bryce Clark, Matt Jones, Jack Durtschi, Mike Beeli, and Ron Jones. INCOME: December 11, 2025 to January 8, 2025: Sewer Payroll 2660.21 Garbage Payroll 124.76 October 2025 Property Tax 955.14 October 2025 Motor Vehicle Fines 39.60 October 2025 Temp. Tax Levy Override-Roads 51.47 Zoning Permit App. Fee 25.00 Town Hall Rental 50.00 General Fund Money Market Interest 6.09 General Fund Collateralized Money Market Interest 8.11 Sewer Fund Money Market Interest 1.61 Sewer Fund Collateralized Money Market Interest 2.71 Garbage Fund Money Market Interest 3.04 LGIP State Pool 2.53 TOTAL $3,930.27 Income from Sewer Account Jan.: $ 15,126.68 Income from Garbage Account Jan.: $ 3,285.10 Meeting called to order at 7:01 pm. Meeting starts with a prayer offered by Gary Maples. The Mayor leads those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance. Welcome: Mayor Bronson welcomes everyone in attendance and he would like to recognize the prayers that have been offered by the community on behalf of the city and its leaders and offers thanks to the citizens for their cares and concern. Law Enforcement Report: Crpl Sevy addresses the Council to give the Law Enforcement report. He states the Sheriff’s deputies reported 117 hours; with 16 complaints, 1 arrest, 0 DUI, 6 citations, and 33 traffic contacts. There is discussion of the report. There is discussion of the new system the deputies have and the two new deputies graduating from POST. There is dissuasion of the booms. The Mayor and Council thank the Sheriff’s office and deputies for all they do. Review and Decision of Development Agreement for Twin Butte Subdivision-Action: Mayor Bronson invites Noel to join in the discussion of the development agreement as the P&Z representative. Jake Durtschi addresses the Council from Jacob Grant Forever, the new owners of the Twin Butte Subdivision property. He explains what their plan is, will not deviate from the original plat and approved plan. He is asked what they are planning to do with the 5th lot, which is very small. He states they will keep it a small lot with just grass. He is asked about the wells and sewer for the other duplex/townhome buildings. He responds that there will be 4 wells Page 2 of 4 Council Meeting December 11, 2025 for the four different buildings, and the separate sewers for each building as well. There is discussion of the agreement. Victor Cammans made a motion to approve the Development Agreement with Jacob Grant Forever for the Twin Butte Subdivision. Danielle Andrew seconded the motion. Motion carried. Discussion of Setting the 2026 City Fee Schedule Prior to the Public Hearing: Mayor Bronson explains how the issue will proceed. There will be discussion of the fees before the Public Hearing so the Council can have a better understanding of what the fee changes may be beforehand. There is discussion of the current 2025 fees. There is a discussion of the dog fees, especially pertaining to the fees included in the contract with Mountain River Veterinary Hospital for boarding and holding the dogs the city brings in. There is discussion of the sewer charges and fees currently. There is discussion of raising the legal 5% now and not wait until May after the vote to raise the fee higher. There is discussion of the voting in May for the larger amount discussed at previous meetings. There is discussion of the cost of living and raising the rate now which the 5% would make the sewer rate $44. Discussion of why the sewer rate needs to go up. There is discussion of the garbage rate and the other rates on the fee schedule. Mayor Bronson states that the meeting is now entering the Public Hearing. Enter Public Hearing at 7:32 pm. Mayor Bronson states how the Public Hearing will run. He will start with those who wish to speak who are for the Fee Schedule changes, followed by those who are Neutral, and finally those who may be opposed. He states that in order to speak, those in attendance must have signed in on the corresponding sheets. Those in attendance that are For the proposed changes: Gary Maples: Gary stated he knows that people will struggle with the large increase needed for the sewer repairs and additional equipment. He also states that its unfortunate that Menan is smaller compared to larger towns that have the ability to split the costs amongst a larger base to bring the costs down. He states that Menan has a great system and Matt is doing a great job with managing it. He states that the costs are high, but will only go higher if the city waits any longer. He states he knows it will be hard to have to start paying what has been proposed at the previous meetings. He also hopes that the Council will keep looking for ways to fund the projects so the residents don’t have to fund the massive amount needed. He states he supports the Council and knows they have tough decisions to make. Ron Jones: Ron asks Matt how long until the system is out of compliance with the DEQ. Matt states a couple of years without doing anything. He states that there are some things that need to be started on now, but there isn’t the funds needed for those projects. He also states that the public will have to vote for the larger increase, and that will be unpleasant. He states that he wants a working system, and he thinks Matt is doing a fantastic job. He then states that he hopes the Council will approve raising the rates the 5% now and the amount needed in the future. Matt Jones: Matt states that he has been to a few monthly meetings, although he has missed a few. He states that the City needs to get the word out about the vote in May, or it wont pass. He states that in the discussion the Council just had, they didn’t address the sewer connection fee or the sewer permit fee. He states that as a buildet he hated those fees, but now as a resident he understands them. He states that he knows there has been talk before about raising the connection fee to $10,000. This fee would be good as the developers have to pay it. He states that the Council also didn’t look at the septage charge. He asks if the current fee charges enough to cover their effect on the system. He states that the Council needs to address the septage and let the residents know how it has been addressed. He further states that the people will not vote to support a raise in their rates if they feel they are paying for and supporting commercial companies. There are no Neutral or Opposed comments. Exit Public Hearing at 7:42 pm. Discussion & Decision for 2026 Fee Schedule for the City of Menan-Action: The Council discuss the septage and the septage rate. There is discussion of raising the septage rate 5% as well. There is discussion of raising the sewer connection fee by the allowed 5%. There is discussion of just raising the fees the allowed 5% Page 3 of 4 Council Meeting December 11, 2025 yearly automatically. It is discussed to schedule a time to meet to discuss the commercial sewer discharge with Kris, Husk, and the Council in order to get the matter resolved. There is discussion of whether or not the septage fees can subsidize the headworks and if that could be an advantage to the system. There is discussion of what the discharge is in the porta potties and septic tanks. There is a brief discussion of the sewer trailer dump on 3500 E. Victor Cammans made a motion to approve the 2026 Fee Schedule for the City of Menan as discussed and decided upon. Ben Smith seconded the motion. Roll Call vote: Danielle Andrew-aye; Ben Smith-aye, Victor Cammans-aye, Amy Gahn-aye. Motion carried. Ben discusses the sewer, fees, and how it will cost more now compared to doing these things previously. He also states that the fees have been low and have remained low because of the old system and having the bond paid off for so long. He states that the city is going to have to spend money to update. There is discussion of what is needed to be done to inform the residents of what is needed and why. There is discussion of having pictures of the old equipment to display at the office building and available to be displayed at a Town Hall meeting. There is discussion of how to the information out. There is discussion of having a brief fact sheet to hand out at the office as well as at the Town Hall meeting. Discussion and Decision for Non-Commercial Kennel License Application-Action: There is discussion of the application from Jeff and Kris Dailing, and the recommendation set from the P&Z as to approve as all the requirements have been met. Victor Cammans made a motion to approve the Non-Commercial Kennel License submitted by Jeff & Kris Dailing for 2026. Danielle Andrew seconded the motion. Motion carried. P&Z Update: Noel Raymond addressed the Council as the P&Z representative. He states they discussed roadside stands in the Industrial Zone. They discussed that in order to have the stand, there should have been a CUP issued. There is discussion of the letter sent to the owner from the City stating that they need send in an application for a Conditional Use Permit by Dec. 20, 2025, or the stand will be closed on Dec. 31, 2035. There is discussion of having the owners show they are working on the permit, or they are non-compliant. Mayor Bronson stated that he had spoken with the owners and they are going to work on getting it all put together. There is discussion of any liability on the City if anything sold is faulty. There is discussion of zoning and what is allowed and not allowed. Noel then stated that the P&Z also discussed changes for the Non-Commercial Kennel License Code. He states that they will forward their recommendations to the Council to look at and decided if the changes are wanted and warranted. He states that there was discussion of the Chair and Vice Chair positions. In January meeting there will be a chance for anyone to nominate new people for the positions, or they will make the decision to leave the positions as they are for another year. He also states there is a good group in there right now. James Zolman was sworn in as the newest member. The last thing they did was to start going through the rough draft of the Comprehensive Plan Gary provided. They didn’t get through all of it, they will keep going through and making the needed edits until done. There is discussion of this. Review of Assignments from Last Meeting-Action: There are no assignments to review. Public Discussion: There is discussion of the election for the Council seats and the new member. Gary thanks Kris for being so great for the City. Noel states that he thinks it is imperative to start damage control before the vote in May for the sewer rate increase. He states that there needs to be some info in the city building to have available for those who may come in looking for information. Mayors Thoughts: Mayor Bronson states that he would like to get the word out regarding the Town Band dance every second Friday of the month at the Town Hall. He also states that they will have a New Years Eve dance on Dec. 31, 2025. Sewer System Discussion with Civilized Eng.-Action: Husk states that he has brought the LHTAC grant report and the Transoprtation Plan Study Report for the City to have. He also states that the paths grants paperwork is due in January, he will get with the Mayor or someone to get it put together. There is a discussion of who to get with and talk to for the grant. He also states it would be beneficial to connect communtities and go big. There is discussion of this, working with other cities and the county for a larger path project. He states that the letter of interest for the sewer project is due in January as well. He also states that Rupert has some year old aerators he has looked at and look to be in good condition. They could be half price of new ones. There is Page 4 of 4 Council Meeting December 11, 2025 discussion of how to work it, financially. Allyson will see if there is a way to borrow funds interdepartmentally from general to sewer. Husk states he will go with Matt and see if they would work for Menan. Bryce asks if the new proposed system will be able to meter the septage that is coming in. He states that he would like the public to be able to know how much is being dumped and also what is included in the dumping. Husk states that yes, metering the septage will be a part of the project. There is further discussion of the trails project and possibly going form Market Lake in Roberts to Beaver Dick park outside of Rexburg. He states that when connecting communities, there is more appeal and more money in grants. Public Works Director Update: Matt states that there isn’t much to report. He got the Christmas lights up and is going to put some on the Town Hall. There is discussion of this. Treasurers Report: There is discussion of the financials provided. Allyson states she will talk to Dana about the funding for the aerators, if possible. Bills-Action: There is discussion of the bills from last month. Victor Cammans made a motion to accept and pay the bills. Amy Gahn seconded the motion. Motion passed. Minutes: There is discussion of the minutes from last meeting. Amy states there is a section in the minutes that shouldn’t be there, it was from the month before. Allyson states she forgot to delete that section, she will get it deleted in the saved file. Amy Gahm made a motion to accept the minutes from the Nov. 13, 2025, meeting with the strike out. Danielle Andrew seconded the motion. Motion carried. Matt forgot to ask during the Public Works update, would the city be willing to make a deal with the Mosquito Abatement District to allow them to have a building in town and they would in turn take care of the mosquito spraying for the city? There is discussion of this, Kris states and MOU would work. It will have to go to the County Commissioners to say it is ok. Ben Smith made a motion to adjourn. Victor Cammans seconded the motion. Motion carried. Council Meeting ended at 9:10 PM. ______________________________ Allyson Pettingill, City Clerk/Treasurer
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