Memorial Day BBQ, Dogs in the City Park
The New Meadows City Council held their regular meeting on Monday, May 11. Council members heard introductions and asked questions of County Commissioner candidates Daren Ward and Kyle Johnson. They also discussed upcoming Parks & Rec events, dogs in the City Park, and approved a lease application for an open unit in the Industrial Park.
Kelley Packer with the Association of Idaho Cities presented an update on the 2026 state legislative session, including which bills the Association liked and disliked for the good of most cities in Idaho. The AIC representatives hear concerns from city representatives and can present them to state representatives. Packer described a legislative scorecard AIC hosts on their website to help city representatives understand what bills are in what stage of development as well as how they rate them as beneficial or harmful. She also said she encourages people to, “Get curious, not furious,” meaning to learn more and ask questions when something seems concerning.
Mayor Julie Good gave her report to the council noting the Skate Park clean up and seeding event had gone well. She said Levi Burden with Creekside Nursery had installed an Autumn Blaze Maple and a non-fruiting apple tree, both of which were paid for by grant funding. Fencing is up around the skate park to protect the grass seed and growth, but the park is still open. A rule sign has been completed and will be installed.
The Mini Mountaineers Daycare program has officially opened. Fall enrollment applications are being accepted. The program does accept Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP) tuition assistance. Interested parties should apply for ICCP through the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Drop in and full time care is available on a prescheduled basis. Questions can be directed to Program Director Katherine Fischer at directormmlc@gmail.com and more information is available at minimountaineerslearningcenter.org.
Mayor Good noted a few exciting upcoming events including a Memorial Day Weekend BBQ and Open Jam session for musicians that is scheduled for Saturday, May 23 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. The city acquired donations and is providing pulled pork, buns, sandwich fixings, iced tea and lemonade. Attendees are invited to bring a side dish to share. The Circus will be in town on June 4 with two showings that evening. For more information about New Meadows events, including the upcoming Battle of the Bands, check the City’s weekly newsletter, website or calendar.
Regarding recent discussions around a draft water plan sent to DEQ, Mayor Good said she wanted to note how involved she and city staff, including City Clerk Kyla Gardner and Water Operator Kirk Kundrick, were in every step of any planning process. She said they consider long term planning, costs, and effects on the existing infrastructure and that “Any plan for a City project that is presented to the City Council for review and approval has already been reviewed, discussed and edited however many times it takes in order for us to bring it to the community once we’re satisfied it meets the standards we believe are important including costs and long term benefit.” She detailed that after their review process each step of the way, the City Council has the opportunity to review and edit. She said involvement along the way was important because “We’re small enough that those decisions make a huge difference.”
Sheriff Ryan Zollman attended the meeting to present to the Mayor and City Council a proposal to adjust the law enforcement agreement requesting an increase in the amount the city pays. He noted that costs have increased significantly in the last several years, citing the example of a new officer’s vehicle previously running around $28,000 compared to this year’s $48,000 cost. The Mayor said they appreciated his feedback and would consider the proposal.
Public comment regarding an approval to move forward with installing trash receptacles and dog bags was received mostly in favor of the idea. The scheduled discussion around Short Term Rentals was tabled due to new legislation making any ordinances impermissible outside of enforcing fire code. A discussion around Ordinance Title 9, Chapter 4 ended in a decision to look at updating the language to require address numbers be reflective. A short term RV use permit was approved with a divided vote. After presentations from two applicants, a lease agreement was approved with a divided vote for Dalrymple Construction to rent the vacant unit in the Industrial Park. Dalrymple is currently renting another space in the park.
The council approved declaration of three items as surplus and is accepting bids through May 26 at 3:00 p.m. The items are 8000 cubic yards of dirt material, a pile of wood materials, and the conference table from the old City Hall building.
The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 26 at 6:30 p.m..
