Brandon Cunningham

The session included the Pledge of Allegiance led by County Commissioner Joe Gish, followed by citizen comments primarily focusing on the desire to open meetings with prayer, citing historical precedents. The primary discussion item involved vacant retail properties in the city, initiated by a request from Councelor Spickle Meer to understand the barriers preventing new retail businesses. Council members and guests discussed factors such as the shift to online shopping, corporate decisions impacting smaller towns (e.g., Safeway/Albertson's merger), non-compete clauses, and speculative rental pricing. A suggestion was made to inventory vacant properties and partner with local economic development groups to engage property owners. County officials provided insight that property taxes are assessed based on potential use, not current vacancy, but that occupied businesses contribute significantly to the city's tax base via sales tax and employment. The County Commissioner also highlighted efforts to attract new business through abatements, such as the one granted to Cascade Plastics, linking local economic health to population growth and the expansion of port services.

The regular council meeting commenced after the pledge of allegiance, followed by a session for citizen comments where a resident discussed concerns regarding senior transportation services in Northern Idaho and surrounding communities following changes in service providers. Key agenda items included action items for advisory board appointments, specifically the appointment of Representative Kyle Harris to the Audit Committee and subsequently to the Code Board of Appeals for three-year terms. The council also authorized the destruction of certain Lewiston Police Department records via Resolution 2025-31. Furthermore, the council considered awarding professional services master agreements under RFQ-26-002 to 30 engineering firms to establish a new professional services consultant roster for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, a process governed by Idaho Code 67-2320 which prioritizes qualifications over initial price consideration for such services.

The meeting commenced with citizen comments, during which two individuals spoke in support of allowing prayer before council meetings, citing historical and legislative precedents. The council then addressed procedural matters regarding a councilor's audio connection. Key discussion involved the introduction of Ordinance 4956, which proposes an amendment to the city's franchise agreement with Sanitary Disposal Incorporated (Sunshine Disposal) regarding rate structures and future adjustments based on CPI and fuel indexes. Public Works Director Johnson noted this was an introduction only, with a public hearing scheduled for January 26th. Discussions also touched upon the cost implications, including a $500,000 annual cost increase funded by capital reserves due to rising fuel and labor costs, and an anticipated increase in landfill tipping fees. The meeting proceeded with the approval of the consent agenda via a single motion. Significant portions of the latter half of the meeting were dedicated to outgoing council comments, expressions of gratitude for departing members' service, and the administration of the Oath of Office for the re-elected Mayor Daniel Johnson and other elected city councilors.

The meeting included opening remarks with the pledge of allegiance, followed by a citizen comments section with a three-minute limit per speaker. The council addressed financial reports for November and December 2025, with the City Treasurer providing an oral report on the December financials, noting budget utilization relative to the fiscal year's first quarter progress. Specific expense areas discussed included high trending items in Legislative services, airport payments, and legal services due to timing of service contract payments. The discussion also covered the general fund's opioid settlement function, including the development of a grant program for local agencies and necessary budget amendments for previous settlement agreements. Further financial discussions involved the Insurance line item, which is largely expended early due to annual payments, and the Information Systems fund, detailing capital replacement schedules and citywide software agreements. Finally, fiduciary funds, specifically the Police Retirement Fund (noted as fully funded) and the Cemetery Perpetual Fund, were reviewed, noting market performance on revenues. The primary action item was a Public Hearing concerning Ordinance Number 4956, relating to the first reading and presentation for an amendment to the city's franchise agreement with Sanitary Disposal Incorporated (Sunshine Disposal). The Public Works Director detailed that the amendment request from Sunshine Disposal concerns contracted rates charged to the city, not the rates passed on to residents, and that this amendment request is related to cost escalations since the original 2021 agreement negotiated during the COVID era.

The regular council meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by citizen comments where a resident detailed a prolonged and costly legal dispute with the city stemming from a denied building permit for a 90-unit townhouse development, which eventually settled for $690,000, criticizing the city's handling of the situation. Key agenda items included the approval of Resolution 2026-03, concerning the Nespers County Emergency Operations Plan update, which incorporated new verbiage for drought declaration and added quick reference guides for emergency response roles and organizations. The Council also approved Resolution 2026-1, authorizing the destruction of various Human Resources department records from past years in accordance with state statutes. Furthermore, the Council awarded RFP26-007 for the Bert Lips Pool Liner Project to WMS Aquatics for $294,469.34. The body also approved a request from the Courtyard by Marriott to add a liquor license endorsement.