Thomas Daniel Smith

The meeting addressed the approval of accounts payable for January 1-19, 2026, including discussions regarding large invoices from Forsgren and the Intermountain Gas bill for the library. Appointments included approving mailers for the Soda Springs Community Gardens and discussing the funding and placement of a new electrical outlet at the library for a freeze dryer, for which additional bids were requested. Economic development updates included discussion about the Enders facility, suggesting an RFP/RFI and feasibility study, and an update on the successful Festival Trees event. Unfinished business involved planning for lease renewals at the industrial park and airport, and formalizing agreements with West End water users. New business included authorizing the Chief of Police to sign leases for new police vehicles, discussing plans to restart the Recreation Board, and scheduling PFAS monitoring for both water systems in 2026. The council approved the purchase of new firefighter turnout gear, utilizing a donation from Ireland Bank. Finally, the council reviewed the fee schedule, emphasizing the need to update building permit fees to adequately cover costs, especially for commercial inspections.

The meeting agenda included several action items. Discussions involved updates from the Friends of the Park regarding a basketball court and a proposal for an upstairs refresh from the Friends of the Library. Unfinished business comprised project updates and the approval and adoption of the Employee Handbook. New business items included reviewing Department Directors' Reports, ratifying an application for the Idaho Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, addressing a Letter of Support for the Environmental Assessment for the Itafos Dry Ridge Extension Exploration Project, discussing Building Permit Fees with Clerk McDowell, and considering an AARP grant for benches. The agenda also allocated time for citizen input before and after new business, and included a session for Executive Session.

The agenda for this meeting included a roll call and additions, review and approval of minutes from the January 13, 2026 meeting, appointments, and unfinished business concerning Tiny Homes with questions raised by a councilmember. New business covered the Industrial Park & Zoning with questions from a councilmember, an Area of Impact email from the Caribou County P&Z Administrator, and City Code questions from a councilmember. The public hearing portion outlined procedures for public comment, including time limits and the structure for presentation of comments regarding applications.

The meeting addressed initial delays due to a late arrival requiring a quorum, followed by discussions with Fish and Game regarding a deer migration corridor near Bayer Plant, specifically noting the high volume of deer movement captured via drone footage and the potential impact of physical barriers like fences or a bridge removal on these established patterns. The Director of City Services provided an update on a city project, noting the extension of the completion date to October and confirming coordination with ITD on pre-construction meetings covering timeline and traffic routing. Key administrative actions included the nomination, affirmation, and swearing-in of a new City Council Member, the affirmation of the Council President, and the reappointment of the Director of City Services as the Fire Chief.

The agenda for this regular meeting included several action items. Key discussions involved potential appointments such as the Community Garden Approval and the request regarding the Library freezer dryer outlet. Other items included a report from Friends of the Library concerning the Festival of Trees, updates and discussion on the Enders facility use, and various project updates under Unfinished Business, specifically concerning the Industrial Park, Airport, West End Water Users, Ledger Creek Park/Trails, a USFS Grant trail project, and property obligations related to Highway 30 / 2nd South. New Business focused on Department Head Reports, including the Fire Department Turnout Purchase and a review of the Fee Schedule. The meeting concluded with provisions for Citizen Input and an Executive Session.