City Council
Regular MeetingIdaho Falls, ID · August 8, 2022
Minutes
August 8, 2022 Council Work Session
The City Council of the City of Idaho Falls met in Council Work Session, Monday, August 8, 2022, in the Council
Chambers in the City Annex Building located at 680 Park Avenue in Idaho Falls at 3:00 p.m.
Call to Order and Roll Call
There were present:
Mayor Rebecca L. Noah Casper
Council President Michelle Ziel-Dingman
Councilor John Radford
Councilor Thomas Hally
Councilor Jim Freeman
Councilor Jim Francis
Councilor Lisa Burtenshaw
Also present:
Pamela Alexander, Municipal Services Director
Mark Hagedorn, Controller
Brad Cramer, Community Development Services Director
PJ Holm, Parks and Recreation Director
Bryce Johnson, Police Chief
Jeremy Galbreaith, Police Captain
Randy Fife, City Attorney
Kathy Hampton, City Clerk
Mayor Casper called the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m. with the following items:
Acceptance and/or Receipt of Minutes:
It was moved by Councilor Francis, seconded by Council President Dingman, that council receive the
recommendations from the August 2, 2022, meeting of the Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission pursuant to the
Local Land Use Planning Act (LLUPA). The motion carried with the following vote: Aye – Councilors Freeman, Francis,
Hally, Radford, Burtenshaw, Dingman. Nay – none.
Calendars, Announcements, Reports, Updates, and Discussion:
Mayor Casper distributed calendar items for August and September. She stated the War Bonnet Round Up Rodeo
concluded August 6; there are 7 firefighters deployed to assist with other fires, noting 7-8 is the maximum number
of firefighters that can be deployed to sustain local services; there will be a live burn on August 11 south of Home
Depot; the August 22 Council Work Session will include a tour of potential city property, an additional tour may
occur in September at the Event Center, and a tour may occur for the SMR (Small Modular Reactor) site; The
Ferguson Group will be holding a webinar on August 24; the REDI (Regional Economic Development for Eastern
Idaho) event will be held October 21; a Community Health Academy will be held in Boise on August 11; and UAMPS
(Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems) begins August 14. She requested all travel expenses be submitted
promptly.
Liaison Reports and Councilmember Concerns:
Council President Dingman stated the aha! inaugural flight has been scheduled for August 11.
Councilor Hally had no items to report.
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August 8, 2022 Council Work Session
Councilor Radford indicated the city should look at the energy bill recently approved in Washington, stating this
includes $1B in transmission, with additional money for other generation. He believes this could be beneficial for
the community. He also stated this bill includes some de-regulations. He noted there will be tax benefits for any
clean energy. Councilor Radford expressed his appreciation to the Parks and Recreation (P&R) Department and all
those involved with the rodeo. He suggested the council be aware of a proposed annexation in Ammon.
Councilor Francis stated, per Community Development Services, the Imagine IF, included on the website, includes
completed action plans as well as plans that are in progress; he believes council must approve a resolution for the
Connecting Our Communities pathway system; and a rezone hearing is scheduled for August 11. He also stated, per
the Idaho Falls Police Department (IFPD), Captain Bill Squires retirement party as well as a new officer swearing-in
will be held August 18. Councilor Francis stated the Behavioral Health Crisis Center (BHCC) expressed their
appreciation for the Community Development Block Grant money, stating this money allows their medical staff to
stay at full staff.
Councilor Freeman had no items to report.
Councilor Burtenshaw had no items to report.
Municipal Services/Quarterly Financial Presentation:
Director Alexander stated future Treasurer’s Reports will include more information/data that will provide more
detail on city finances. Mr. Hagedorn stated this additional information will be consistent with the industry
standard. He displayed the City-wide Actual Cash and Investments by Fund report, stating there are funds in
negative cash, including the Golf Fund, the Parks Capital Improvement Fund, and the Police Capital Improvement
Fund (this is the building of the Idaho Falls Police Complex (IFPC) that is designed to be in the negative cash until
the bond is completed). He emphasized the Ambulance Fund is now in the positive cash. He reviewed the overall
cash investments for the current year ($148M) and the previous year ($143M). Director Alexander noted this
includes the tax payment from Bonneville County, the State-shared revenues, and the second payment of APRA
(American Rescue Plan Act of 2021) funds. Mr. Hagedorn displayed City-wide Anticipated Revenue to Actual by Fund
report, noting funds may not be considered revenue, such as ARPA, until expended. Brief comments followed.
Director Alexander reminded the council that monthly Investment Finance Committee Meetings are held. Mr.
Hagedorn reviewed June 2022 Investments (currently, 23% of the city’s portfolio is invested beyond 24 months),
Types of Investments (the majority of the investments are in bonds), and the Treasurer’s Report of cash
management for the previous five years. He stated the General Fund has gone from $4M to $28M, noting this fund
also includes ARPA and CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act) money, and the Enterprise Funds
have tapered due to IFP and fiber items.
Mr. Hagedorn reviewed the following with general discussion throughout:
Third Quarter Ending June 30, 2022 - City-wide Revenue –
2021/2022 Budget = $234,444,041
Actual (June 2022) = $145,393,607
Percentage Received = 62.02%
Mr. Hagedorn stated Taxes and Franchises fees includes the IFPC bond; the Investment Revenue negative is due to
GFOA (Government Finance Officers Association) standards; Government Charges for Services and Permits and Fees
are above the expectation due to the growth in the real estate market; Other Financing Sources is PILOT (Payment
in Lieu of Taxes) and transfers; and Miscellaneous is a catch-all/placeholder for Enterprise Funds (does not include
ARPA).
Third Quarter Ending June 30, 2022 - City-wide Expenditures –
2021/2022 Budget = $294,891,737
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August 8, 2022 Council Work Session
Actual (June 2022) = $132,610,070
Percentage Expended = 45.0%
Mr. Hagedorn stated Wages and Benefits is lower than expected due to turnover, vacant positions, and a lack of
seasonal positions; Operating Expenses is where to be expected (includes encumbrances); Capital Outlay includes
the IFPC and other capital projects; Debt Services Payments are due in September; and Transfers include work
orders.
Third Quarter Ending June 30, 2022 - City-wide Comparative for 2018-2022 –
Mr. Hagedorn stated the city will be close to revenue projections, noting the Third Quarter % Budget to Actual is
low due to the IFPC. He expects the overall revenue to be approximately 89%. He also stated the Third Quarter %
Budget to Actual expenditures are slightly low as the city budgets capacity for capital projects. General comments
followed.
Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2022 - General Fund Revenue –
2021/2022 Budget = $53,588,052
Actual (March 31) = $37,954,305
Percentage Received = 70.83%
Mr. Hagedorn stated 60% of revenue comes from property tax, noting the city has currently collected $20M through
June, 2022. He also stated the city can no longer count on property taxes because the county valuation can be
retroactive. Mr. Hagedorn stated Intergovernmental Revenue includes grants and services to other entities; and
Permits and Fees are slightly higher.
Third Quarter Ending June 30, 2022 - General Fund Expenditures –
2021/2022 Budget = $55,545,828
Actual (March 31) = $35,335,494
Percentage Expended = 65.9%
Mr. Hagedorn stated Wage/Benefits is the highest expense and is where to be expected; and the increase in Capital
Outlay is due to outside funded capital projects.
Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2022 - General Fund Comparative for 2018-2022 –
Mr. Hagedorn stated CARES money was recently removed from revenue; and State-shared revenues have been
received earlier than expected. He indicated revenues and expenditures are right where to be expected.
Mr. Hagedorn reviewed 2021-2022 Budgeted Requests Status, detailing which items are Completed and which
items are In Process. Director Alexander stated it appears more than 90% of these projects are Completed or are In
Process. Discussion followed regarding projects that may be in process but not completed, roll-over of funds, and
re-allocation of funds. Director Alexander reviewed the APRA Requests Status, detailing which items are In Process,
Ordered, Under Review, Outsourced, and In Design. Mr. Hagedorn stated overall the city is in a good financial
position.
Municipal Services/Property Tax Levy and Homeowner Valuation Discussion:
Director Alexander displayed the FY 2022-2023 Preliminary Property Tax Calculation, stating these numbers are
required to be final/certified and submitted by the first Monday in August. She explained how the property tax was
calculated, noting the total Property Tax Revenue = $42,697,263. She also displayed the Property Tax Allocation and
Levy Rate for Allocation of Funds, Actual 2021-2022, Budget 2021-2022, Proposed Increase, and Rates, noting the
current levy rate = 0.00764953 and the proposed levy rate = 0.00602239 which is a reduction of 21.27%. She stated
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August 8, 2022 Council Work Session
the previous Taxable Market Value = $5,317,114,014, stating $7,089,749,247 was received for this year from the
“Certification of Valuation” letter. Director Alexander displayed Idaho Falls Property Valuation and Property Levy
Rate 2014-2023 with Base Valuation and percentage change, and Levy Rate and percentage change, stating the
overall base valuation increase = 139% change, and the overall levy rate decrease = -33.3% change. Brief comments
followed regarding the governor’s Property Tax Relief Plan, supply chain issues, and economic growth ($170M, most
of which is inflation). Director Alexander stated there has been significant amount of growth since 2014.
Mr. Hagedorn displayed Property Valuation and Tax Analysis for a variety of current residential and business
amounts, and proposed amounts with an average of 30% Market valuation, stating the medium home value from
2021-22 increased from $350,000 to $412,000 (per Zillow). He indicated there is a tax shift from commercial to
residential, therefore, the lower-valued home has the highest increase of property tax value. He stated this is due
to the Homeowners Exemption remaining flat as the valuation increases. He believes the Homeowners Exemption
should be indexed. He also stated regardless of what happens property-tax wise for setting the levy, taxes will
increase because the valuations have increased. He provided an example of the Statutory 3% for a $250,000
residential property. Councilor Radford believed, per the State legislators, that if cities didn’t take the 3% increase,
then taxes wouldn’t increase. Mr. Hagedorn emphasized this is absolutely not true, and it all goes back to the
Homeowners Exemption. General comments and discussion followed, including the State surplus.
City Attorney, Community Development Services, Mayor’s Office, Parks and Recreation, and Police
Department/Follow-up Discussion: Policy Recommendations for Management of Public Spaces:
Mayor Casper stated this item was discussed at the July 11, 2022, Council Work Session, noting staff has had
conversation since that time to discuss recommendations including ‘not for intended use’, reservations only, time
limits, and a concept of curfews. She indicated public spaces could be closed to address health and safety issues.
Chief Johnson believes the original catalyst was due to the problems in Sportsman Park. He stated the CIT (Crisis
Intervention Team), along with health employees, contacted this specific group, as well as other individuals,
regarding services. He also stated Patrol services and School Resource Officers made contact as well, noting the
area was vacated a short time later. Chief Johnson stated over the previous year, the IFPD has responded to 852
homeless-related calls, noting these calls are busiest in the summer (approximately 80 calls per month were
received from June through September). He explained the current laws that could be enforced, indicating several
non-profit organizations are also trying to help with this issue. Chief Johnson stated two main ordinances (draft
versions were distributed) have been discussed with staff. One ordinance would be a combination of parks hours
and shelter use limitations. Chief Johnson indicated a parks hours ordinance would assist the IFPD with several
issues. He briefly reviewed the shelter use limitations. He stated the other ordinance would be a camping ordinance
which he believes is not quite as efficient and would be more difficult to enforce (related to shelters/transportation
to shelters, etc.) but would be doable. He also believes there was a consensus for a park curfew but would request
council considerations for a camping ordinance. Mr. Fife stated the camping ordinance is based primarily on a Boise
case as he is fairly certain what the Ninth Circuit would allow. He provided a historical recap of homelessness/
camping issues in Austin, Texas, including the litigation/lawsuits that followed. Mr. Fife believes sleeping in the
downtown area could be limited to sidewalks and pathways. He stated he has yet to find a city that has solved this
problem as this is a societal problem, which tends to result in litigation. He also believes individuals will go to those
cities that offer housing. Mr. Fife emphasized the behavior must be regulated, not the status of an individual.
Director Cramer stated there was a lot of misunderstanding regarding the recent proposal from a church for a
private safe place. He also stated the zoning codes address living in a residence as well as living in a vehicle, such as
an RV (Recreational Vehicle) Park. He indicated a religious ministry could choose to expand their use or guideline,
stating a process must occur in order for this to happen. He emphasized the group would be heavily monitored and
rules would apply. Per Mayor Casper, Director Cramer confirmed conditional uses by a private property owner
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would require approval by the Board of Adjustment with any appeal before the council. Per Councilor Francis,
Director Cramer stated there is currently no application from the ministry. Per Councilor Freeman, Director Cramer
stated the proposal of tents would be a different consideration. Comments followed regarding the Riverwalk and
the pathways being included in the ordinance. Mr. Fife explained the proposed Park Hours/Shelters ordinance
including Hours of Operation and Park Closure, Use of Park Shelters and Park Amenities, and Violations, emphasizing
any violation would result in a misdemeanor. He also explained the proposed Camping ordinance, including the
Enforcement Requirements. Per Councilor Freeman, Chief Johnson stated enforcement is possible although he
questioned what problem the council wants to accomplish. Mayor Casper believes the proposed Parks
Hours/Shelters may be a good starting point. Brief discussion followed regarding the indicia of camping, the
proposed parks hours, the IFPD’s ability to use discretion versus the requirement of issuing a misdemeanor, general
enforcement, regulation of behavior, blocking sidewalks, a previously proposed camping ordinance, and reporting
vandalism to Crimestoppers for a potential reward. Councilor Burtenshaw stated she’s equally looking at the
proposed ordinance to address vandalism, underage drinking, fighting, and people without shelter. Director Holm
recapped recent vandalism of several parks. Councilor Francis believes the purpose of parks closures and shelter
limitations is to serve the community at large, and vandalism and people using the parks incorrectly prevents this
from occurring. Councilor Freeman believes the curfew ordinance may solve the problem. Councilor Hally agreed.
Mr. Fife stated he would provide another draft ordinance with council requests included.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:48 p.m.
s/ Kathy Hampton s/ Rebecca L. Noah Casper
Kathy Hampton, City Clerk Rebecca L. Noah Casper, Mayor
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Agenda
Honorable Mayor and Council
Brad Cramer, Community Development Services Director
August 3, 2022
August 2, 2022, Planning Commission Action
Planning Commission took the following action during the August 2, 2022, meeting.
1. ANNX22-011: ANNEXATION/INITIAL ZONING. Annexation of 89 acres, NE ¼ of Section 5,
Township 1 North, Range 38 East with an initial zoning of R3, Multiple Dwelling Residential
and LC, Limited Commercial. Generally located north of E 65th S, east of S 11th E, south of E
49th S, west of S 15th E. On August 2, 2022, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted to 3 to 1 to
recommend approval of the annexation with the modification to the initial zoning of LC in the NE
Corner, R3 in the SE corner, and R2 along the western edge.
2. RZON22-008: REZONE. The SW ¼ of Section 6, Township 2 North, Range 38 East. Generally
located north of W 33rd N, east of N 5th W, south of Pevero Dr, west of N 5th E. On August 2,
2022, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended to the City Council, by a 3 to 2 vote,
approval of the rezone from R1 to R3.
3. PLAT22-019: PRELIMINARY PLAT. The Reserve at Snake River Landing for the SW ¼ and
NW ¼ of the SE ¼ of Section 26, Township 2 North, Range 37 East. Generally located north of
Sunnyside Rd, east of Pioneer Rd, south of Event Center Dr, west of Snake River Parkway. On
August 2, 2022, the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously voted to recommend approval of
the final plat to the Mayor and City Council as presented.
4. PLAT22-024: FINAL PLAT. Falcon Crest Estates for Part of the NE ¼ of Section 31,
Township 3 North, Range 38 East. Generally located north of Saddle Rock Lane, east of Sage
Lakes Golf Course, south of Copeland Dr, west of N 5th E. On August 2, 2022, the Planning and
Zoning Commission unanimously voted to recommend approval of the final plat to the Mayor and
City Council as presented.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION: To receive recommendation(s) from the Planning and Zoning
Commission pursuant to the Local Land Use Planning Act (LLUPA).
Idaho Falls Downtown Development Board Meeting held June 7, 2022, at 9:00am in the Arts Council
conference room. Those in attendance: Kevin Cutler, Brandi Newton, Jill Hansen, Tasha Taylor, Chip
Langerak, Kevin Josephson, Antonio Meza, Lisa Farris, Christian Ashcroft, Kasi Nelson, Councilman Jim
Francis. Staff – Catherine Smith, Mala Lyon and Juan Hernandez
Minutes of the May 3, 2022, meeting reviewed; Chip motioned to accept, Kasi seconded; Board
approved.
Financial report – Brandi –proposed that a revised budget be made by Catherine that is modified to
show canceled event income; Kevin asked if anything was going to be done to offset the missed
fundraiser income? No, only 4 months left – we did not plant spring flowers along Broadway this year to
cut some costs. We do have a BID fund that the city holds to be used for projects or operating and we
can look into leveraging some funds there to make up the shortfall. Councilman Francis said he would
check with Director Brad Cramer. Chip suggested a snow removal reserve fund to help offset higher
expenses for a bad snow year. Brandi motioned to accept the financial report – Jill seconded; board
approved. Brandi motioned to have a budget revised by Catherine, Chip seconded, and board approved.
Catherine will be attending the City Council work session on June 27 to give them a re-cap of what we
have done this past year. This is an annual report tied to our Management Agreement with the City of
Idaho Falls.
Grants - We are working on a T-Mobile grant for the Welcome to Downtown sign to go across Broadway.
The maximum to apply for is $50,000 and we are applying for the maximum amount. We need to
include 5 letters of support for this grant request. Greg has submitted a letter, we are requesting that
the Board submit 3 more to Catherine. Catherine will also request a letter from Brad Cramer and Mayor
Rebecca Casper.
Light grant – A new solar light is being installed on Capital Ave at the Melaleuca lot that we manage and
we will be moving the second pay station from B Street to there. We have had several complaints about
the need for better lighting from the county and downtown employees leaving work after dark. We have
had a gentleman that is doing 100 hours of Community Service for us downtown weeding in the
evenings. It has been very helpful!
SpringBrew raised about $1200 – it was a very windy day and we saw a much smaller crowd than we
hoped we would. SummerBrew will be June 25. We will be working with Jeni from TEC for SummerBrew
as Krisi has officially retired as our event specialist.
On June 25,we will be hosting the merchant driven ‘Shop the Sidewalk’ sale day. We are encouraging
shops to put out signs, balloons and a table with sale items. We hope to bring people downtown from
the Farmer’s Market this Saturday and every Saturday. Customers park their vehicles in the downtown
are to go to the market, so they are walking back into the downtown until the market closes around 1
pm. A suggestion to work with the merchants and help them leverage the events like the Farmer’s
Market and Gallery Walks by having a morning, evening and even virtual training/info meeting is
something to explore.
We have created a private downtown merchant Facebook page that we are encouraging the merchants
to use to share information and allowing us to share information easily and quickly. Kevin asked if we
include Broadway shops in events and the communications and we always do – many are linked into the
Facebook page and already receive all of our email communications directed to downtown merchants.
Taste of Downtown – looking at possibly late August, but we still have the road closure difficulties and
will be working on the details of understanding what is needed to close the road for maximum safety.
Chip said he loves the event, but that it is hard to staff his restaurant and a booth for Taste of
Downtown. Some restaurants do not have the equipment to do an outdoor set up. Catherine said she
contacted 12 restaurants last year, felt like we needed a minimum of 9 to make it work and only 3
responded, so we had to cancel it. Kevin J asked if we could hold it on a Sunday as there are lots of new
people moving into the city and they are looking for more to do. Would staffing be less of an issue on
that day? Downtown restaurants that are open on Sunday are packed. Brandi said the response to the
ARTitorium being open on Sunday has been ok, not great. Chip asked about doing it in the winter inside
The Downtown Event Center? Brandi said you must figure out the absolute final date prior to the event
that you have to have a solid commitment from the restaurants so you can still advertise and promote
and organize. The Arts Council had their street party in 2019 and it was a very successful family friendly
event and would like to suggest that maybe we combine efforts and to kick off the new Season of Shows
at the Arts Council in combination with a Taste of Downtown. We will explore this some more.
Parking – Jake met with a photography business owner that offers high-end photography sessions on
Shoup Avenue. The session last for 4-6 at least hours. Customers are receiving parking tickets and it is
creating a poor experience for this business. It was decided that the business owner could ‘pre=pay’
their parking tickets. The owner of the business will connect with Catherine to devise the logistics to
execute this temporary solution. Brandi said this problem will be solved with having on-street meters
and pay to park.
Jim Pletscher has been helping us clean up some of the alleys and paint over graffiti. We are looking
into some grant money to help with safety in alleys with better lighting.
We have contracted with some businesses that have private lots to monitor them as a service. Banks
Gaffney Law office has 8 reserved spaces in the private lot on Shoup Avenue and there are signs clearly
posted that “if you park here, you will be towed”. That law office has hired a tow company during the
noon – 2 pm lunch rush to be present and watch for people to park in the spaces. When customers or
others do, they are immediately towed and charged $420 to get their vehicle back. Catherine spoke
with the building owner, and the law firm’s lease gives them every right to have vehicles towed out of
the spaces. Since they have hired this towing company, they no longer need us to monitor the parking
lot. We are hoping to help downtown employees understand the parking restrictions in that parking lot
to avoid being towed through a handful of emails and future social media posts on our private Facebook
group.
Construction update - The plan is to open the Park Avenue June 17. Knife River and the Public Works
team have been wonderful to work with on this massive project downtown. The intersection of
Yellowstone and Broadway is on hold until next year as the bids received were much higher than
anticipated.
Lisa Farris, CDBG Report/Façade Improvement Funds – We still have $15,000 façade grant money and
will be looking to Aug or Sept for the 2022 allotment. Have received several letters of support and the
deadline for them in June 12. Page Insurance is moving ahead with their project.
Christian Ashcraft, Economic Development Administrator – city report – GIFT city transportation is up
and running. Could we give info materials to IFDDC to distribute? Yes, Kade gave us materials and we
distributed. Christian is doing research on local improvement districts. This is a way to do an
improvement project in a specific area and then those businesses are ‘taxed’ to pay the city back.
Councilman Jim Francis – The city is now applying impact fees to new construction only. There is a
working group for proactive communication about the water tower construction with a plan for signs
and help for people to adapt to the parking implications from the library parking lot being restricted
with construction. The earliest the construction will begin for the water tower is this fall or next spring.
Chip said his understanding is that the library will be in charge of handling it like they did once before.
The city is also looking at doing an international community festival in the fall, maybe on the riverwalk,
to help our community understand the different cultures that all live here now.
Meeting was adjourned at 10:06am The next board meeting will be held July 12, 2022
Respectfully submitted - Jill Hansen, secretary and Mala Lyon
Idaho Falls Downtown Development Board Meeting held July 12, 2022, at 9:00am in the Arts Council
conference room. Those in attendance: Kevin Cutler, Cindy Napier, Chris Sheetz, Jill Hansen, Tasha
Taylor, Chip Langerak, Lisa Farris, Councilman Jim Francis. Staff –Mala Lyon
Chris Sheetz welcomed, and board was told that Emily has left the Idaho Falls Magazine and will no
longer be on our board.
Minutes of the June 7, 2022, meeting reviewed; Chip motioned to accept, Tasha seconded; Board
approved.
Financial report shows the profit from the Summerbrew and the BID funds of $25,500 from the city
were received yesterday and will show in next months report. Cindy motioned to accept; Jill seconded;
Board approved.
Director’s Report – Chip – reviewed the report that Catherine sent out –
Farmer’s Market: We are trying to get a meeting set up with the market board to help them with what
they need help with and what they know and don’t know concerning the road closure problems. We
met with the IFPD and IFFD and what they are requiring to have for a street closed for an event. They
want a secure barricade which would cost us $60,000 for our events and 3 times that for the Farmer’s
Market as every vehicle access has to be blocked, but someone could simply drive around a barricade
onto the grass of the greenbelt and drive in. The way it is now is a no and this no will be enforced next
year. The fire department requires a 12’ wide space to get their large truck in. We asked about parked
cars across the road, and they said no as if they need the vehicles moved quickly there could be
problems of getting the vehicle owner right there or the vehicle might not start. Money was donated by
the INL to the IFPD, and they purchased barricades, but we are not allowed to use them for a public
event. We have called Idaho Traffic Safety and they do not have any to rent. The Farmer’s Market has
expanded and improved by being on the greenbelt. They made 1.2 million last year which is double
from the year before and double again the year before that. Having it on the Memorial greenbelt is
what it was redesigned for, and it pulls people and tourists into the downtown. Other Farmer’s Markets
in surrounding towns plan theirs so it doesn’t conflict with ours. Most vendors have a job during the
week, and this is a side thing to make extra money. We have armed security every week at the Market.
Kevin said the goal of IFDDC is to be the support group to help people work with the city to be able to
hold events in the street, we do not want to take over any event just help facilitate. We are looking into
removable bollards that have a permanent footing in the ground and they are just placed and removed
as needed. Then there is the issue of where they will be stored and who will be tasked with bringing
them downtown, placing them out and removing them for each event. We are looking to see if there
are any grants available for this type of project. Or maybe we can get Idaho traffic Safety to see there is
a need for barricades that can be rented. Tasha said we love these events and don’t want them to move
away from the downtown or suck the charm out of them.
Taste of Downtown – the public wants this event, but the restaurants are still struggling to be staffed
and it is an expensive event for us to put on. Chris asked if we have thought of doing it where you go to
the actual restaurant with a purchased ticket that you present to get your sample? You could still have a
band and tents for people to mingle at. When this event was Taste of Idaho, we allowed restaurants
that were not downtown to participate, but now it is limited to just the downtown restaurants. What
about the restaurants across the river or on Cliff Street? Most of the businesses on Cliff are class ‘B’ BID
members and can participate but do not have a vote.
Draft of the revised budget – Catherine made some adjustments to what we thought the event income
would be which was less than we hoped, and snow removal costs were higher. These changes brought
the budget back into balance. We will review this again next month when Catherine is here.
Lisa - for 2022 $38,233.98 was approved by the city council, so we have $34,00 available for new
projects. Page Insurance is working on repairing the masonry on their building. Willowtree Gallery has
submitted a request, but they are just outside the BID boundaries, but they are a class ’B’ member of
the BID. We will need to have confirmation as to whether they can be included. Kevin stated that the
goal of the BID is to help offer services just like this and not just a collect funds program.
Councilman Jim Francis – he will talk to IFPD and Randy Fife about the road closure problems. The water
tower is 90% designed and the install will begin next spring. The BID reserve money at the city is
$109,589.63 and it does earn interest. Enforcement of parking in additional lots along Yellowstone by
the railroad tracks and others is being reviewed along with the budget by the city council. A community
cultural festival to promote unity is being planned for next year as we realized that there was not
enough time to pull one off this fall and we hope to have a winter celebration. The railroad behind the
library has been approved to be taken over by the city from the railroad.
Tasha asked when the over the street strings of lights can be reinstalled now that the construction is
finished? Councilman Jim Francis said he would ask to see if that is under the Parks and Rec. and how
soon they can get it done.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:52am The next board meeting will be held August 2, 2022
Respectfully submitted - Jill Hansen, secretary and Mala Lyon
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