Conversation Between City Council & Fire Commissioners
The New Meadows City Council held their regular meeting on Monday, December 8. The meeting included a discussion with the Meadows Valley Rural Fire District Commissioners regarding dissolution of the ambulance district and previously discussed Memorandums of Understanding (MOU). The Council also approved next steps related to the old City Hall building.
In Mayor Julie Good’s report to the council, she said the Christmas tree lighting event was very successful. She recognized the help of Mike Glick and the Drydens for bringing kids from the library to the park on their trailers, Mountain Roots Orchard for the cider, hot chocolate, and coffee bar, Mr. & Mrs. Claus (Kent & Chris Johnson), the carolers, Marlene Clark who hosted Mrs. Claus storytime, and especially Parks & Rec and all the volunteers who decorated, organized, and helped clean up.
Mayor Good reported new Saturday hours at the Depot Museum by the Adams County Historical Society from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The museum is also open during regular City Hall hours. She encouraged people to check out the current Christmas exhibit.
The city plans to place more picnic tables in the park this spring, said the Mayor, thanks to grants from the Stibnite Foundation received by the New Meadows Farmer’s Market and $4,000 received by the city from the Frank Cahouet Foundation.
Regarding the temporary drainage fix at the New Meadows subdivision development on Peterson Memorial, the Mayor said the city engineer has signed off and that “There will be no more work on the project until the contractor has provided updated plans for approval by the city engineer regarding needed changes to the plan. A timeline will also be required and will need to be followed.”
Mayor Good expressed thanks to Bob Connor for creating the new drop box at City Hall. ACHS gave approval for the installation location.
Mayor Good then recognized “the Meadows Valley Rural Fire District as they have embarked on the IFSTA Firefighter 1 training so all Meadows Valley personnel will be nationally recognized as Firefighter 1 certified” saying it reflects “the dedication of the fire department to provide the best possible service to the community and we wanted to thank you for that.” Fire Commissioner Keith Westengard later added affirmation that Fire Chief Doug Buys is an “aggressive, awesome leader of this department” and “is bringing the department up above and beyond even some of the paid departments in the state.”
The council then welcomed MV Fire Commissioners Amanda Branstetter, Tracy Peterson, and Westengard to join the table for a discussion. The Mayor explained that the city had received a request to put the ambulance district dissolution resolution on their agenda, but had not received MOUs the council requested as a stipulation before moving forward. Commissioner Peterson asked if all City Council members had read the letter the Commissioners received. Councilmember Traci Foster said the council was informed about a request to send the letter and had discussions about the best way to communicate and decided to send a letter. Foster continued saying, “the biggest thing is, we, city council, were under the understanding that we were going to get an MOU from the City to the Fire and EMS…so we all knew a foundation from which to operate from and then we were informed that you guys weren’t going to do an MOU, so our ask was just why?.”
Branstetter explained “we’re sitting here right now as the Fire Commissioners, that’s all that we can represent, we do not represent the EMS board…the County Commissioners are the appointed board for the current ambulance district. When we sit here and propose to you the new ambulance district, it is just as representatives of the community. We have no authority over the EMS district right now and truly we are just presenting what the public wants.”
The two parties went back and forth with Branstetter explaining, “the next steps that we have, … is we need the City to sign off on the resolution of dissolution first and then it goes to the county. The county still has to approve the same thing for it to even get on the ballot for our voters.” Commissioner Peterson added, “we’re getting to the point right now where we’re going to miss the spring ballot if we don’t get this going.”
Foster clarified asking, “so legally you wouldn’t even be able to put an MOU together?” The Commissioners clarified yes.
Branstetter asked if the City has an MOU with the current ambulance district and the Mayor said no. She asked if they would request one if the district stays as is and the Mayor said yes, definitely. Peterson asked if the City has an MOU with the Sheriff’s office and the Mayor said, we do, a contract. Peterson said maybe “if we get this done we can work further on the MOU.”
The Commissioners also asked for more feedback specifically from each City Council member about their thoughts on the ambulance district.
Foster said that clarifying the separation of the ambulance district from the fire district was helpful. She added, “I think this is so positive for you guys to be willing to come sit down and have this discussion. I’m really green to this and …what the back problems have been. I’m so open to bridge that gap and work together. We’re all in this community together…we want to see it move forward in a positive and beneficial way for everyone involved. I’m on board, I’m in support of us doing this without anything attached at this point in time.” She added hopes that the commissioners would be willing to move forward with the fire district MOU adding, “I think someone’s gotta step forward and say I trust you, you trust me, what’s in the past is in the past.”
Councilmember Jeff Parnett added, “knowing that the two entities are separate, I have no problem granting your request. I really want to see work done with the MOU from the fire department, it’s been two months now. Even an update... It’s important for developers coming into the community to know the expectations that they have before they even approach. If I want to become a volunteer fire person, I’m sure there’s a whole list of requirements that I have to do before coming in the door and that’s to me what an MOU is, just knowing what you have to do before you can proceed.”
Councilmember Shiloh Ryker said, “I’d love to echo what Jeff said, it’s not that we want to overstep our bounds, it’s simply that we want to work collaboratively as the community grows to make sure everyone is on board and on the same page, understands expectations as we’re looking at development and growth. If we can move collaboratively forward, I am in favor.”
Peterson added, “I think the most important thing we can do is listen to the people, so what we’re asking for is the resolution - for you guys to pass it so that we can move forward.”
Since action was not on the agenda and the next regular meeting is not until January, a special meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, December 16 at 4:00 p.m. so the council could make a decision on the dissolution.
The council then moved on to approve a bid from local company, GlassPro McCall, to replace the Industrial Park garage door as it no longer works.
The council reviewed a comparative market analysis compiled by Cindy Koberstein as well as a detailed inspection report done by McCall Home Inspection regarding the old City Hall building. The reports are attached to the Council meeting agenda packet and are public record. After discussion and questions, the Council approved a motion to sell the building with the understanding that the Mayor and City Clerk “would ensure proper steps for moving forward according to city codes.”
A resolution to apply for a state celebration fund grant for America 250 events was approved. Cities can apply for up to $2,500. The Mayor said the Parks & Rec Committee and ACHS plan to organize events around the 4th of July.
The City of New Meadows Area of Impact was approved after extended conversation.
Updates to the personnel policy were approved.
City Attorney Richard Stubbs plans to resign effective February 1, 2026. He stated during the meeting that his understanding is that the City Council would like to have someone who can do litigation and since he is not able to, this is a good time to step away. The resignation approval was followed by an approval for the city to put out an RFP (request for proposal) for the City Attorney Position.
An Executive Session occurred and the Council approved a wage increase for the new public works employee.
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 12 at 6:30 p.m. City Hall will be closed Wednesday, December 24 and Thursday, December 25.
