Loose Dogs, Ziply Fiber and Other City Business
The regular meeting of the New Meadows city council occurred on Monday, April 14. In attendance were Mayor Julie Good, council members Josh Carr, Shiloh Ryker, and Jeff Parnett along with City Clerk Kyla Gardner, Deputy Clerk Sonya Broadhecker, Adams County Historical Society President Rod Pratt, City Engineer Grae Harper and City Attorney Richard Stubbs and a couple community members. Council member Traci Foster was excused.
Going into her report, Mayor Good noted that a few items on the agenda were unavailable online and they would be pushed to the next meeting.
She continued noting she was having meetings with ITD every Tuesday and Thursday. The Goldline Transit has an additional shuttle section going from in town to the highway closure site. This bus runs starting at 5:45 a.m. for three trips and then again twice in the evening. Riders can use the ATV shuttle once at the closure site to go to the other side. Road construction is moving along smoothly.
Mayor Good reported that Harper and John Stone had met with Ziply Fiber earlier that day and Ziply is working on getting information together for the Right of Way permit they are seeking with the city.
Good also noted they have had a few recent meetings with the Mehen Memorial Skatepark group and Grindline who will be sending in their construction timelines in the next week or two.
Mayor Good also gave a reminder about dogs at large noting that during regular City Hall hours, the dogs can be picked up and taken to the city pound. The dog will not be released until fines are paid. During off hours, a picture of the dog may be emailed or texted to City Hall.
The Mayor noted that the pound has been used to help those involved in car accidents a couple times when dogs were in the vehicles and owners needed to be cared for.
She also noted that public nuisance junk notices will be going out. Recipients have 30 days to clean up or a citation will be issued and to Adams County courts.
City staff and Public Works Operator are compiling papers required for the Conditional Use Permit for the rock source. Once everything is compiled then city council will review and approve or deny the CUP approval. A public hearing will then be scheduled.
Staff reports were reviewed and Ryker highlighted Public Works Director Jessie Wallace’s report about how well the wells and booster station worked during the recent fire in old Meadows. The Mayor added that they are looking at putting in another fire hydrant on the southeast end of town in case of a future similar scenario.
The council moved forward to discussion items beginning with an update from the Mayor on the New Meadows Youth Center. Mayor Good reported that the Fire Alarm permit has been received and approved by the State Fire Marshal. She also said the steel beams for the roof over the playground, which were donated by R&M Steel, would be installed that week. Siding and HVAC would also be going in in the next weeks. The roof metal will be counted and then put up for bid.
Next up was a discussion on the Adams County Historical Society (ACHS) and City of New Meadows Partnership which will continue to be on the agenda for the foreseeable future. A signed MOU and lease is now in place, signed by all members of ACHS. The ACHS is working on an inventory of items that will stay in the building but remain under their ownership. The Mayor met with Jeff Luff of 4 Corners Communications about the city’s technology needs including internet, security, and moving the City’s equipment down to the Depot. Gardner, Broadhecker, and Mayor Good will be going to look at existing furniture in the building and will be working through items and a schedule at City Hall to prepare for the move.
ACHS will be conducting their Labor Day sale at the Depot as they have in the past.
The Mayor has been in touch with a historical architect who will be looking at the possibility of putting in a historically accurate freight elevator.
Moving on to a discussion on the open unit at the Industrial Park Complex and the walk-in freezer, the mayor and council discussed pros and cons of fixing an existing freezer or not including considerations of upkeep costs. The Mayor noted that recent inquiries have been interested in more of a multipurpose space and would not necessarily need a freezer.
The last draft of the volunteer policy was distributed to council for review. Since Foster was excused, further discussion and any changes was moved to the next meeting.
Action Items were then presented beginning with unanimous approval of Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Hearing Date for the August 11 meeting.
The council continued with unanimous approval to reschedule the May 12th City council Meeting to Tuesday, May 13 so that there is no conflict with the Smith Family/Burnout Fund Benefit Dinner Event.
The Street Funding brochure finalization and potluck scheduling was also moved to the next City council meeting.
Paid & Pending claims were unanimously approved.
After an executive session, the council discussed future meeting topics which may include the Street Funding Brochure, Potluck and Discussion planning, Volunteer Policy, smaller budget discussions, move to Depot timeline, a mediation contract, a contract with John Stone for working with Ziply, an update from Ignite Idaho, and a Sheriff’s update as soon as the road is open.
The next city council meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 28 at 6:30 p.m. Visit newmeadowsidaho.us for more information on upcoming meetings or to subscribe to the city’s weekly email.
