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minutes meeting date 2026-09-14 · fetched 2026-10-13 · 6951 characters · official file · plain text
COUNCIL WORKING MEETING September 14, 2026 203 Broadway Ave N PRESENT: Douglas Howarth Mayor Marla Sisson Council President Ryan Loos Council Member Fred Bartlett Council Member Cortlin Runyan Council Member Chelsea Popplewell City Clerk BreShelle Tews City Treasurer Shayne Nope City Attorney Jason Scott Public Works Director Jeremy Engbaum Chief of Police Pam Pehrson P&Z Administrator Nestor Madrigal City Engineer Concerned Citizens PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE CONFIRMATION OF QUORUM: Chelsea Popplewell confirmed a quorum. CITIZEN COMMENTS: Sheri Wills, Buhl, ID – Sheri spoke regarding ADA accessibility throughout town. She commented that with Burley tore up, about 95% of the town is accessible in her wheelchair. She talked about the van accessible spaces and requirements around there and the option of the parking spot in front of the candy shop. She mentioned that she will be meeting with Jason Scott on Thursday to look at options as well. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. Minutes of August 24,2026 – Working Session 2. Claims for Payment 3. Department Head Report – Engineer, Public Works, Library 4. Commission Minutes – Library, Housing Authority 5. Clerk Report 6. Treasurer Report Cortlin moved to approve the consent agenda. Ryan seconded the motion. Marla voted yes, Ryan voted yes, Fred voted yes, and Cortlin voted yes. The motion passed. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Update to Special Events Permit Application for Harvest Festival in Eastman Park October 16th and 17th: Pam Pehrson, representing the Buhl Chamber of Commerce spoke regarding the updates to the Harvest Festival in Eastman Park October 16th and 17th. She spoke about the plan for the festival regarding events, security, parking, bathrooms, entertainment, and road closures. Marla moved to approve the updated special events permit application for Harvest Festival in Eastman Park October 16th and 17th. Cortlin seconded the motion. Marla voted yes, Fred voted yes, Ryan voted yes, and Cortlin voted yes. The motion passed. A request by WMC Partners, LLC for Harvest Hills Subdivision- Phase 4 final Plat located east of Fair Ave., south of US-30, southeast of Smalley Cir., and adjacent to existing phases of Harvest Hills Subdivision: David Thiabualt from EHM Engineering presented the final plat plan to Council. He spoke about widening the East West road that is South of the property to become a collector width as well as the park or retention space. He requested to be allowed to do 3-inch depth of asphalt on the widened road instead of 4 inches. Jason Scott said he could support that change. David noted that the request was not in the staff report so he was making it now to Council. It would be consistent with the other phases. Marla asked about the park situation. David and Jason confirmed they have identified 2, possibly 3, lots that will be a park. David explained that they will grade it out and it will basically be a blank canvas for the City. Marla confirmed that it would be a City park versus and HOA park and asked Jason if he was on board with that. He was. Marla moved to approve the request by WMC Partners, LLC for Harvest Hills Subdivision- Phase 4 final Plat located east of Fair Ave., south of US-30, southeast of Smalley Cir., and adjacent to existing phases of Harvest Hills Subdivision. Ryan seconded the motion. There was a roll call vote. Cortlin voted yes, Fred voted yes, Ryan voted yes, and Marla voted yes. The motion passed. Review and Consideration of Police Department Body Camera Contract: Chief Engbaum explained that the Axon Body Camera contract ends in November and we are looking at other options. Axon came back high and Motorola provided a quote lower than Axon. There was some discussion about specifics as well as adding dash cams in the patrol cars. There was discussion regarding the cost of that option. Marla asked how Motorola compared to Axon. Chief Engbaum explained that he felt the quality was better with Motorola and was more efficient and user friendly than Axon. Chief’s recommendation was to switch from Axon to Motorola for the 5-year contract. Marla explained that she felt she didn’t have enough time to review the contracts. Several council members agreed with her. Fred moved to table the Police Department Body Camera Contract until the next meeting. Marla seconded the motion. Marla voted yes, Ryan voted yes, Fred voted yes, and Cortlin voted yes. The motion passed. Review and Consideration of Arbor Day Proclamation: Chelsea explained the Arbor Day Proclamation purpose. Mayor Howarth read the proclamation. Marla moved to approve the Arbor Day Proclamation. Cortlin seconded the motion. Marla voted yes, Ryan voted yes, Fred voted yes, and Cortlin voted yes. The motion passed. MAYOR & COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mayor Howarth read the below statement. We need to make sure that we comply with the law regarding employee privacy issues. If a member of City Council would like to discuss any issues pertaining to complaints, discipline, etc., of a city employee, those will first need to be discussed with the mayor, who is the chief city administrator per Idaho Code 50-602. After review of the complaint, discipline, etc., if it needs to go before City Council, it will be listed under an executive session on the upcoming meeting agenda. Cortlin asked about backflow testing, Well 5 replacement and Burley Avenue. Jason confirmed backflow went well; Well 5 replacement is complete; Burley Avenue has a pave date, currently, of October 5th. He also reported on the Library and mentioned that they have a golf scramble on Friday. Marla commented on the Idaho Rural Water College and complimented Jason and Misty on their presentations to the legislators. She also brought up the October 12th meeting which falls on Columbus Day. They decided to move it to October 13th at 9:30am. Executive Session: Marla moved to enter executive session with provision of Idaho 74-206, subsection 1.b: Evaluation, dismissal, or discipline of a public officer, employee, staff member, or individual agent, or hearing complaints or charges against that person. She requested a roll call vote. Fred seconded the motion. There was a roll call vote. Cortlin voted yes, Fred voted yes, Ryan voted yes, and Marla voted yes. Executive session was entered at 7:24 PM. Attendees in the executive session were Mayor Howarth, Fred Bartlett, Marla Sission, Cortlin Runyan, Ryan Loos, Shayne Nope, and Chelsea Popplewell. Marla moved to adjourn the Executive Session. Ryan seconded the motion. There was a vote; all voted yes. The Executive Session was adjourned at 7:48 PM. MEETING ADJOURNED – Marla moved that the meeting be adjourned; Ryan seconded the motion. There was no discussion. All voted yes. The meeting was adjourned at 7:49pm. Minutes prepared by Chelsea Popplewell, City Clerk
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