Brenda Northup

The Planning Commission reviewed policy and action items for chapter 7 of the City of Caliente Master Plan, determining which items remain relevant or require updates. They also discussed the strategy for submitting and presenting the updated master plan to the city council, noting that chapter 1 has been submitted and chapter 2 is pending review. Public comments addressed the progress of the master plan update, the visitor center, and ongoing renovation work at the city depot.

The meeting agenda included opening activities such as the call to order and roll call, followed by a public comment period. Key discussion items involved potentially approving or denying the minutes from the January 14, 2025 meeting. The commission planned to discuss revisions and updates to the Caliente master plan, specifically reviewing policy and action items for chapter 7 based on completion status, current relevance, and environmental context. Furthermore, the body intended to discuss the strategy for presenting the updated master plan chapter-by-chapter to the city council for review and approval, and to schedule the next meeting date.

The meeting covered several agenda items, including the approval of the previous meeting minutes from November 19, 2025. A Municipal Code Variance was recommended for approval for America First Credit Union regarding a 6' fence, contingent upon the installation of full slats to improve visibility within 30 days of City Council approval. Discussions regarding revisions to the Caliente Master Plan focused on reviewing and updating policies and action items for Chapter 6, as well as initial discussions on Chapters 1-4. A strategy involving presenting each chapter sequentially to the city council for review and approval was agreed upon.

The documents include correspondence regarding an agenda item approval request for an upcoming meeting, a Plan of Corrective Action for the Fiscal Year 2025 audit findings related to Expenditures in Excess of Appropriations for the General Fund (Health and Sanitation Function), and City Clerk's and Public Works Manager Reports from February 5, 2026. Key discussion points in the reports covered grant activities (Caliente Advance Assistance Flood Mitigation, ARPA funds, CDBG training, Pool Pact IT grant), administrative tasks (EOY payroll processing, PERS audit completion, Workman's compensation audit, Business License renewals), facility updates (Depot second floor leasing and maintenance, Depot HVAC system), and Public Works activities including sewer, water, trash, floodway project, equipment maintenance, and an inexpensive fix for streetlights.

The meeting commenced with the new PC member Logan Decker being welcomed, followed by the selection of Lynn Jackson as chair and Alice Rodwick as the designated backup chair. The Commission reviewed and approved the minutes from the September 17, 2025, meeting. A Municipal Conditional Use Permit (CUP) submitted by Michelle Marcinik to operate a retail store selling metal art and other items from her R-1 zoned garage was approved, despite initial guidance suggesting commercial activities should be restricted to commercial zones. Discussions were held regarding revisions to the Caliente Master Plan document, specifically chapters 3 and 4, resulting in policy and action item updates, including the recommended removal of Goal 3 due to the need for additional housing. The date for the next meeting was scheduled for November 19, 2025.