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minutes meeting date 2026-10-06 · fetched 2026-11-08 · 10515 characters · read by OCR, check numbers against the source · official file · plain text
CITY OF BLACKFOOT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES FROM OCTOBER 6, 2026
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Scott Stufflebeam called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Those in attendance were: Councilwoman Barlow, Councilman Brown, Councilman Gardner and
Councilman Jensen.
EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AND SWEARING IN
Wastewater Treatment Plant Recognition
Wastewater Treatment Plant employee Andrew Barrett Mecham was recognized for completing the
required training and examination to become a Class I Collection Wastewater Operator.
Police Officer Jake Yancey
Police Officer Jake Yancey was introduced following his return to the Blackfoot Police Department and
completion of field training. Officer Yancey took the oath of office and was presented with his badge.
PROCLAMATION
Arbor Day
Mayor Stufflebeam proclaimed September 30, 2026, as Arbor Day in Blackfoot and encouraged
students, faculty, and community members to protect trees and woodlands and to plant and care for
trees for the benefit of present and future generations.
2026 Arbor Day Proclamation
Whereas, In 1872, J. Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a
special day be set aside for the planting of trees, and
Whereas, the holiday, called Arbor Day, was first observed with the planting of more than a
million trees in Nebraska, and
Whereas, Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world, and
Whereas, trees can reduce the erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and water, lower our
heating and cooling costs, moderate the temperature, clean the air, produce oxygen
and provide habitat for wildlife, and
Whereas, trees are a renewable resource giving us paper, wood for our homes, fuel for our fires a
countless other wood products, and
Whereas, trees in our communities increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of
business areas, and beautify our living spaces, and
Whereas, trees, wherever they are planted, are a source of joy and spiritual renewal.
NOW, THEREFORE,
I, Scott D. Stufflebeam, Mayor of Blackfootdo hereby proclaimSeptember
30th, 2026,as Arbor Day forBlackfoot, Idaho, and
I urge all students and faculty to celebrate Arbor Day and to support efforts to protect our trees an
woodlands, and
Further,I urge everyone to plant and care for trees to gladden the heart and promote the well
-being
of this and future generations.
Dated this ______ day of _____________________ in the year
2026
Scott D. Stufflebeam, Mayor City of Blackfoo
CONSENT AGENDA
Councilwoman Barlow made a motion and Councilman Jensen seconded to approve the Consent Agenda
as presented, including minutes, payables, and alcohol licenses. All were in favor; motion carried.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR/CFO GRAHM ANDERSON
Treasurer’s Report
Mr. Anderson reported that 92% of FY2026 had elapsed by August 31. Expenditures were generally
below that level: General Fund 84.8%, Ambulance 94.4% due to reimbursable wildland fire deployments,
Streets 76.7%, Airport 33.9%, Cemetery 85%, Library 69%, Parks and Recreation including Golf 105%
(69.2% excluding Twin Bridges Landing grant costs), Water 45.3%, Wastewater 57%, and Sanitation 90%.
Mr. Anderson reviewed account balances of approximately $3.7 million in Morton Investments, $15.3
million in LGIP, $3.1 million in the diversified bond fund, $8.9 million in the Zions sweep account, and
$218.99 in the Zions checking account.
Mr. Anderson reviewed the three-month calendar. October activities included closing FY2026 and
transitioning to the FY2027 budget. November activities included the unclaimed property report and
more extensive FY2026 audit preparation. The on-site audit was projected for January 20, 2027.
December activities included continued audit document preparation and submission of the annual road
and street report by December 31, 2026.
Project Updates
Mr. Anderson reported that the Meridian Highway 91 project was awaiting state action related to right-
of-way acquisition and property valuation. The West Bridge Street Bridge project was awaiting State
Historic Preservation Office approval before proceeding from preliminary to final design. Utility-
relocation planning continued. The City was not awarded the 2026 Build America grant because the
project was not considered shovel-ready, but staff anticipated reapplying if the grant became available
after final design was completed.
Pendlebury Lane contracts had been awarded and construction is expected to begin after May 2027. The
Downtown Revitalization Phase 2 CDBG application package is being prepared for submission in
November. Bateman-Hall had begun mobilizing for Well No. 14. Staff continued exploring the purchase
of an older water right for Twin Bridges Landing after encountering mitigation and priority-date
challenges with a new right. The FAA snow-removal equipment grant remains in process with Ardurra.
Sunroc was the low bidder for the Tana Drive project, with construction expected to begin after April 1,
2027. For Wastewater Treatment Plant Phase 3, staff are working with J-U-B Engineers to complete
preliminary engineering before soliciting proposals for a Construction Manager/General Contractor.
Council also discussed the Riverton Road bridge and the relationship between the bridge design and the
City’s future Riverton Road plans.
Tymco Street Sweeper Lease
Mr. Anderson presented a five-year lease for a Tymco street sweeper for the Street Department at an
annual payment of $80,000. Funding was included in the FY2027 budget, the lease contained a
municipal non-appropriation provision, and the City would own the equipment at the end of the lease
term. The new sweeper is expected to replace two aging Elgin sweepers and improve operating
efficiency.
Councilman Jensen made a motion and Councilman Brown seconded to authorize the Mayor to execute
the Tymco street sweeper lease. All were in favor; motion carried.
MAYOR SCOTT STUFFLEBEAM
Blackfoot Downtown Market Special Event Permit
Council considered a request from the Next Step Forward Foundation to close Broadway Street from
Bridge Street to Pacific Street on October 23, 2026, for the Blackfoot Downtown Market supporting
small and home-based businesses. Councilman Jensen made a motion and Councilman Brown seconded
to approve the special event permit as presented. All were in favor; motion carried.
Historical Home Renditions Proposal
Council was scheduled to receive a proposal from Ken Harris concerning historical building and home
drawings. Mr. Harris was not present. Councilman Brown made a motion and Councilwoman Barlow
seconded to table the proposal until Mr. Harris was available to make the presentation. All were in
favor; motion carried.
PLANNING & ZONING ADMINISTRATOR TRAVIS ALLEN
Ordinance 2301 – Starter Home Subdivision Moratorium
Planning and Zoning Administrator Travis Allen presented an ordinance imposing a temporary
moratorium on applications for starter home subdivisions as defined by Idaho Code. He explained that
the state law became effective July 1, 2026, and allowed cities until February 1, 2027, to adopt local
standards. The moratorium clarifies that the City will not accept or approve affected applications until
the local ordinance is adopted or the statutory deadline is reached. Council determined that placement
on the regular meeting agenda provided sufficient notice for the action.
Councilman Jensen made a motion and Councilman Gardner seconded to approve Ordinance 2301,
imposing a moratorium on the development of starter home subdivisions as defined by Idaho Code, and
to waive all required readings. On a roll call vote, Councilwoman Barlow, Councilman Brown,
Councilman Gardner, and Councilman Jensen voted yes; motion carried.
ORDINANCE NO. 2301
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BLACKFOOT, IDAHO, IMPOSING A
MORATORIUM ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF STARTER HOME SUBDIVISIONS AS
DEFINED BY IDAHO CODE AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Idaho Legislature recently enacted Idaho Code 67-6542 which sets forth
certain restrictions and regulations on the development of “starter home” subdivisions and
requires that cities with a population greater than 10,000 shall enact an ordinance consistent with
the terms of such code section by February 1, 2027; and
WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council of the City of
Blackfoot, has not yet developed an ordinance as required and has until February 1, 2027 to do
so under the terms of the State statute; and
WHEREAS, The City Council of the City of Blackfoot, Idaho, finds that there is an
imminent peril to the public health, safety, or welfare of the community and it is in the interest of
the public welfare to impose a temporary moratorium on authorizing the development of “starter
home” subdivisions as defined by Idaho Code; and
WHEREAS, the City of Blackfoot wants to ensure compliance with all laws governing
“starter home” subdivisions; and
WHEREAS, in order to clarify the issue for the public at large, the City finds that
authorizing this moratorium upon notice of the City Council’s agenda for a regularly scheduled
meeting is practical and sufficient for such action; and therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BLACKFOOT, IDAHO AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: There is hereby imposed a moratorium on all “starter home” subdivisions
as defined in Idaho Code 67-6542. No “starter home” applications shall be approved during the
term of this moratorium. Notice of this action has been given as deemed practical under the
circumstances.
SECTION 2: This moratorium shall be in effect until the City of Blackfoot can enact
effective legislation to ensure the proper and orderly development of “starter home” subdivisions
pursuant to Idaho law, but no later than February 1, 2027.
SECTION 3: That the effective date of this Ordinance shall be after passage and
publication as provided by law.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the Mayor and City Council this 6th day of October,
2026.
CITY OF BLACKFOOT, IDAHO
By: __________________________
Scott D. Stufflebeam, Mayor
ATTEST: ________________________________
City Clerk
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the City Council meeting was adjourned at 7:27 p.m.
City of Blackfoot
_________________________________
Mayor Scott D. Stufflebeam
Attest:
_________________________________
City Clerk Julie Conan
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