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minutes meeting date 2026-10-21 · fetched 2026-11-08 · 10626 characters · official file · plain text
Page 1 of 3 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SODA SPRINGS, CARIBOU COUNTY, IDAHO, HELD OCTOBER 21, 2026. ROLL CALL SHOWED THE FOLLOWING PRESENT: Paul Gritton, Mayor Ryan Carpenter Mitchell J. Hart, Council President Daniel Larsen EXCUSED: Paige Byram ALSO PRESENT: Dan Squires, Director of City Services Andrea Haderlie, City Clerk Thomas Smith, City Attorney Cejay Golightly, Police Chief Brock Byram Nick Nielsen, IDEQ Lars Peterson Raqfi Ronquillo Zoe Lipowski Mandi Berry Adam Hayes Melissa Gallegoes Kim Passey Monica Smith Jonna Hernandez Jeff Young, Power/Streets Director Kip Browning, Parks Director 1. Roll call & Additions to Agenda: Mayor Gritton called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM. Mayor Gritton called the roll, confirmed Councilwoman Byram's absence, and excused it. Councilman Hart led the prayer, and Mayor Gritton led the Pledge of Allegiance. 2. Review & Approval: Councilman Larsen moved to approve the October 7, 2026 meeting minutes. Councilman Carpenter seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion carried. Councilman Hart moved to approve accounts payable for Fiscal Year End September 29-30, 2026 and October 1-16, 2026. Councilman Carpenter seconded the motion. Councilman Hart questioned vendor 5097. Clerk Haderlie stated it was a void and reprint of the payment because they had not received it. Councilman Hart questioned vendor 4750. Clerk Haderlie stated it is the first of two payments for the city insurance premium. Councilman Carpenter questioned vendor 11201. Director Squires stated that two streets employees are taking the Road Scholar and Road Master training. 3. Appointments: Terry Biere gave background: historic vanadium-production waste contaminated groundwater and surface water; cleanup includes active groundwater remediation. 2027 plans: three treatment buildings, extraction and injection wells, underground conveyance piping, electrical service, road work, and stormwater controls. Expected construction window is April–October 2027, with potential work extending into 2028. No road closures or off-property impacts are planned. Construction budget and treatment duration remain uncertain; monitoring will guide adjustments to the treatment system. Center for Hope Request: Melissa Gallegos presented community data and described the center’s services; community members shared recovery and support experiences. Councilman Hart moved to donate $ 2,500.00. Motion failed. Councilman Hart moved to approve a $3,500 donation as bridge funding. Councilman Carpenter seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion carried. The center’s annual operating budget is about $70,000, and grant cuts left a short-term gap while it seeks new grants. 4. Citizen Input No one provided citizen input. Page 2 of 3 5. Unfinished Business: Director Squires reported Mountain View sewer cleaning uncovered a deteriorated orange pipe, and camera inspection pointed to a failing sewer section serving the lower homes; replacement will be needed while road work is underway. Further camera work and a firmer contractor estimate were pending. Councilman Hart moved to authorize a change order to increase the total project cost to $400,000. Councilman Larsen seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion carried. The treatment plant inflow pumping depends on PLC/transducer controls. It lacks an automatic redundant backup, so the team planned mechanical floats as a temporary fallback to start and stop pumps at full speed. Director Squires will order a Spare transducer, and control parts will be ordered even though the transducer lead time is about six weeks. AARP will have an on-site visit for the installed park benches. Director Squires also reported on Ledger Creek trail improvements, a possible bridge, and road paving. Enders Fire Alarm System will be inspected, and batteries were replaced. Councilman Carpenter introduced Ordinance 724, An Ordinance Of The City Of Soda Springs, Idaho Amending Title 17 Of The Soda Springs Municipal Code By Amending Section 17.04.070, Adding New Section 17.08.015 – Adult Daycare, Repealing Section 17.08.100, Repealing Section 17.08.110, Amending Section 17.08.150, Adding New Section 17.08.225 Church, Amending And Renaming Section 17.08.262– Daycare, Amending And Renaming Section 17.08.263 –Daycare Center, Amending And Renaming Section 17.08.280 – Drive-In, Amending Section 17.08.290, Amending Section 17.08.320, Amending Section 17.08.340, Adding New Section 17.08.345 Family Daycare Center, Amending And Renaming 17.08.415 – Group Daycare Facility, Amending Section 17.08.440, Amending Section 17.08.445, Adding New Section 17.08.485 – Long Term Care Facilities, Amending Section 17.08.525, Repealing Section 17.08.560, Repealing Section 17.08.590, Repealing Section 17.08.600, Repealing Section 17.08.610, Adding New Section 17.08.633 – Preschool, Adding New Section 17.08.655 – School, Adding New Section 17.08.667 – Short-Term Rental, Adding New Section 17.08.668 – Service And Repair Station, Adding New Section 17.08.761 – Vehicle Or Equipment Sales And Rental Lot, Amending Section 17.20.020, Amending Section 17.20.030, Amending Section 17.24.020, Amending Section 17.24.030, Amending Section 17.28.020, Amending Section 17.28.030, Amending Section 17.32.020, Amending Section 17.32.030, Amending Section 17.36.020, Amending Section 17.40.020, Amending Section 17.44.020, Amending Section 17.44.030, Amending Section 17.48.030, And Amending Section 17.52.020. Councilman Carpenter moved to adopt Ordinance 724, Title 17 Zoning Code Amendment, dispense with the rules requiring the ordinance to be read on three separate occasions, and read the ordinance once by title only. Councilman Larsen seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Aye: Councilman Larsen, Councilman Carpenter, & Councilwoman Hart. Those voting nay: None. Absent: Councilwoman Byram. Motion carried. Attorney Smith read the Ordinance by title only. An Ordinance Of The City Of Soda Springs, Idaho Amending Title 17 Of The Soda Springs Municipal Code By Amending Section 17.04.070, Adding New Section 17.08.015 – Adult Daycare, Repealing Section 17.08.100, Repealing Section 17.08.110, Amending Section 17.08.150, Adding New Section 17.08.225 Church, Amending And Renaming Section 17.08.262– Daycare, Amending And Renaming Section 17.08.263 –Daycare Center, Amending And Renaming Section 17.08.280 – Drive-In, Amending Section 17.08.290, Amending Section 17.08.320, Amending Section 17.08.340, Adding New Section 17.08.345 Family Daycare Center, Amending And Renaming 17.08.415 – Group Daycare Facility, Amending Section 17.08.440, Amending Section 17.08.445, Adding New Section 17.08.485 – Long Term Care Facilities, Amending Section 17.08.525, Repealing Section 17.08.560, Repealing Section 17.08.590, Repealing Section 17.08.600, Repealing Section 17.08.610, Adding New Section 17.08.633 – Preschool, Adding New Section 17.08.655 – School, Adding New Section 17.08.667 – Short-Term Rental, Adding New Section 17.08.668 – Service And Repair Station, Adding New Section 17.08.761 – Vehicle Or Equipment Sales And Rental Lot, Amending Section 17.20.020, Amending Section 17.20.030, Amending Section 17.24.020, Amending Section 17.24.030, Amending Section 17.28.020, Page 3 of 3 Amending Section 17.28.030, Amending Section 17.32.020, Amending Section 17.32.030, Amending Section 17.36.020, Amending Section 17.40.020, Amending Section 17.44.020, Amending Section 17.44.030, Amending Section 17.48.030, And Amending Section 17.52.020. Councilman Larsen moved to approve Ordinance 724, correcting the typos Attorney Smith pointed out. Councilman Hart seconded the motion. Those voting aye: Councilman Larsen, Councilman Carpenter, and Councilman Hart. Those voting nay: None. Absent: Councilwoman Byram. Motion carried. 6. New Business: There were no new director reports Mayor Gritton stated the school district requested a waiver of the roughly $4,000 building permit fee for the new Thirkill School gym. Council members weighed the city’s strong partnership with the district and the city’s use of school gyms for recreation against concerns about setting a precedent and the need for clear expectations. Director Squires noted that the relationship had improved, the district had been accommodating with gym access, the city had previously waived a connection fee for an irrigation water line, and the state would conduct building inspections. Councilmembers also discussed an MOU to clarify reciprocal use of school and city facilities, including gym time and other shared support. After debate over making the waiver contingent on an MOU and several procedural motions. Councilman Hart moved to waive the nearly $4,000 Building construction fee the school district requested, contingent on the existence of an MOU. Councilman Carpenter seconded the motion. Councilman Hart and Councilman Carpenter aye. Councilman Larsen voted nay. Councilman Larsen voiced support for the idea of going to him and saying, " We'll refund this, but we want an MOU in place, and that it can be documented in the MOU. Councilman Hart stated it's already passed. You'll have to make a different motion to counter the original motion. Councilman Larsen moved to repeal the last motion that passed and propose a new motion rejecting the previous motion. Councilman Carpenter seconded the motion. Motion failed. Councilman Hart moved to waive the $4,000.00 building fee for Thirkill School, as requested by the school district. Councilman Larsen seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion carried. Chief Golightly recommended a five-year K9 vehicle lease of $84,112.67 with the higher termination-value option, including the approximately $27,000 upfit, and estimated about $3,000 in savings compared with the lower option. The council discussed and intended to proceed so the vehicle could be ordered, but it did not formally vote or approve it because it was budgeted for Fiscal Year 2027. 7. Citizen Input: No one provided citizen input. Councilman Carpenter moved to adjourn the meeting. Councilman Larsen seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion carried. PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 4, 2026. _________________________ Paul Gritton, Mayor ATTEST _________________________ Andrea Haderlie, Clerk
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