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minutes meeting date 2026-10-13 · fetched 2026-11-08 · 6927 characters · official file · plain text
COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING October 13, 2026 203 Broadway Ave N PRESENT: Douglas Howarth Mayor Marla Sisson Council President Ryan Loos (on Zoom) Council Member Fred Bartlett Council Member Cortlin Runyan Council Member BreShelle Tews City Treasurer Shayne Nope City AƩorney Jason ScoƩ Public Works Director Jeremy Engbaum Chief of Police Pam Pehrson P&Z Administrator Nestor Madrigal City Engineer PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE CONFIRMATION OF QUORUM: BreShelle Tews confirmed a quorum. CITIZEN COMMENTS: No CiƟzen Comments CONSENT AGENDA: Minutes of September 28,2026 – Regular Session Claims for Payment Department Head Report – Public Works, Planning & Zoning, Library, Police, Engineer Commission Minutes – Library Treasurer Report Cortlin moved to approve the consent agenda. Fred seconded the moƟon. Cortlin voted yes, Fred voted yes, Ryan voted yes, and Marla voted yes. The moƟon passed. NEW BUSINESS: Review and ConsideraƟon of Holiday City Council MeeƟng Schedule: Breshelle discussed the holiday City Council meeƟng schedule, noƟng that the second meeƟngs in November and December have historically been canceled. Marla asked about the logisƟcs of handling agenda items with only one meeƟng scheduled during those months. Breshelle stated that this had not been an issue in previous years. Marla moved to approve the cancellaƟon of the November 25, 2026, and December 28, 2026, City Council meeƟngs. Cortlin seconded the moƟon. Marla Votes yes, Ryan votes yes, Fred voted yes, and Cortlin voted yes. The moƟon passed. Buhl Rural Fire ProtecƟon District Update: Andrew Steven, Buhl Rural Fire Chief, updated the Council on the community projects funding grant received for the construcƟon of the new fire staƟon, with plans to break ground in the spring. He requested conƟnued City support as they finalize easements, engineering, and uƟliƟes. Andrew discussed new compliance reporƟng soŌware and noted that local businesses may receive a blanket leƩer regarding reporƟng requirements. He also reviewed the department's 10-year plan, which includes a new fire staƟon, fire truck, and replacement breathing apparatus. The department is pursuing grants to help fund these projects. Andrew welcomed quesƟons from the Mayor and Council. Marla asked about a traffic light at Williams Street and Highway 30 for the new fire staƟon. Andrew explained that ITD would not require a new traffic light and that the department is exploring an OpƟcom system and addiƟonal signage. She then asked about the future use of the exisƟng fire staƟon once the new staƟon is completed. Andrew stated he was open to different opƟons. Marla noted it was something to consider as the project progresses. Marla asked what resources are available to residents who experience displacement from a house fire. Andrew stated that assistance may be available through the American Red Cross and the Fireman's AssociaƟon. Fred asked how the new parking ordinance was working from the Fire Department's perspecƟve. Andrew stated that they had not encountered any issues. Following a brief discussion, the conversaƟon concluded. Review and ConsideraƟon of seƫng a public hearing date regarding the vacaƟon of porƟons of Katherine Street: Pam Pehrson, Planning and Zoning Administrator, discussed scheduling a public hearing regarding the vacaƟon of porƟons of Katherine Street for the December 14, 2026, City Council meeƟng. She noted that the maƩer had not yet been reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission but wanted to reserve a date on the Council's agenda. Jason ScoƩ, Public Works Director, explained that porƟons of Katherine Street were plaƩed in the wrong locaƟon more than 50 years ago, creaƟng issues for contractors aƩempƟng to build within the City's required setback requirements. Marla moved to schedule the public hearing regarding the vacaƟon of porƟons of Katherine Street for December 14, 2026. Cortlin seconded the moƟon. Cortlin voted yes, Fred voted yes, Ryan voted yes, and Marla voted yes. The moƟon passed. Review and ConsideraƟon of update to Special Events permit to close Main Street for Trunk or Treat on October 30th: Pam Pehrson, represenƟng the Buhl Chamber of Commerce, provided updates to the Special Events Permit for the October 30, 2026, Trunk or Treat event. She discussed plans to relocate the event to Main Street and close a porƟon of the street from Broadway Avenue to 11th Avenue North. Pam noted that the Fire Department and Public Works Department were aware of the plans and would assist with roadblocks and road closure signage. Marla moved to approve the updated special events permit to close Main St for the Trunk or Treat on October 30th. Cortlin seconded the moƟon. Marla voted yes, Ryan voted yes, Fred voted yes, and Cortlin voted yes. The moƟon 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. AŌer review of the complaint, discipline, etc., if it needs to go before City Council, it will be listed under an execuƟve session on the upcoming meeƟng agenda. Mayor Howarth expressed his appreciaƟon for the Harvest FesƟval and its posiƟve impact on the community. He also thanked Andrew Stevens, Buhl Rural Fire Chief, for his update. The mayor then asked for an update on the Burley Avenue project. Jason ScoƩ, Public Works Director, stated that preparaƟons for paving were underway. Marla expressed concern about compleƟng the sidewalks, and Jason explained that sidewalk work would begin aŌer paving, which could take up to seven days. Mayor Howarth asked the Council to conƟnue supporƟng Breshelle Tews, City Treasurer, as she assists with City Clerk duƟes during Chelsea's absence. Marla reported aƩending a nonprofit tour featuring South Central Community AcƟon Partnership and Family Health Services, where she learned about the various resources and services they provide. She also shared that she and Cortlin aƩended the Greater Twin Falls Area Traffic CommiƩee meeƟng and obtained a contact to discuss the possibility of widening Clear Lakes Road. Fred expressed his graƟtude to the Buhl Rural Fire Department for assisƟng with a house fire in Hagerman over the weekend and thanked the department for their support. MEETING ADJOURNED – Marla moved that the meeƟng be adjourned. There was no discussion. All voted yes. The meeƟng was adjourned at 10:09am. Minutes prepared by Brianna Avelar, Admin Clerk
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