City Council

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING Monday, December 8, 2025 IDAHO FALLS City Council Chambers City Clerk's Office 680 Park Avenue, Idaho Falls, ID 83402 3:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend. However, the agenda for this meeting does not include on opportunity for public interaction. Limited seating will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. This meeting will be livestreamed at https://www.idahofallsidaho.aov/429/Live-Stre am. This meeting may be cancelled or recessed to a later time in accordance with law. If you need communication aids or other physical accommodation to participate in or occes5 this meeting, please contact Emily Geisler, City Clerk, at (208) 612-8414 or Lisa Farris, ADA Coordinator, at (208) 612-8323 prior to the meeting. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION Times listed in parentheses are only estimates. Call to Order and Roll Call Human Resources,Police Update: Workday (ERP) Implementation of City Salary Schedules (30) Action: Council Direction to Staff (or take other appropriate action) CommunityDevelopment Presentation: Annual Department Focus Report (60) Services Action: Council Direction to Staff (or take other appropriate action) Mayor, City Council Mayor and Council Reports; Calendars; Announcements; Events; Reports; Updates; Concerns; Questions; Discussion; Proclamations; Notes or Minutes from Boards and Commissions (10) Action: Council Direction to Staff (or take other appropriate action) Executive Session Called pursuant to Idaho Code Section 74-206(l)(f) to communicate with legal counsel for the public agency to discuss the legal ramifications of and legal options for pending litigation, or controversies not yet being litigated but imminently likely to be litigated. The mere presence of legal counsel at an executive session does not satisfy this requirement. Also being called pursuant to Idaho Code Section 74-206(l)(b) to consider the evaluation, dismissal or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, or public school student. Council will not reconvene after the Executive Session. Dated the 5'^ day of December 2025 P. 0. Box 50220 - 308 Constitution Way - Idaho Falls, Idaho 83405 - (208) 612-8415 - Internet Homepage Address: www.idahofailsidaho.gov  PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING November 3rd, 2025 Recreation Center 12:00 Noon Members in Attendance: M. Hill, J. Walker, N. Birch, C. White, B. Combo, B. Lee, B. Nitschke, P. Holm, B. Stevens, L. Burtenshaw, J. Francis, R. Buchan Members Not in Attendance: T. Hersh, T. Hobson Call to Order B. Combo called the meeting to order at 12:03pm. Approval of Minutes B. Stevens moved to approve the October 6th meeting minutes. C. White seconded. All were in favor. Director’s Report – P. Holm P. Holm reported the following: Scooter Update: • P. Holm spoke with the operations manager from Bird Scooters and requested the scooters be placed end to end along the greenbelt pathways to keep them out of the way of other pathway users. Designated parking spots and possible use of geofencing though heavily trafficked areas to lower speeds, were also discussed. Director Report • P. Holm spoke about Trident Security who have been working for the Parks and Recreation Department patrolling certain park areas. Their focus recently has been on the river walk and Tautphaus Park. P. Holm noted that vandalism in these areas has been decreasing, but that the use of the security company will be decreased due to the high costs. • He reported on his meeting with consultants from Bonham Wills & Associates regarding the naming rights for Melaleuca Field, and that the company will be providing the Parks & Recreation Department with a report regarding naming rights opportunities for our other park facilities. Idaho Falls Community Reentry Center Introduction • Two members of the Idaho Falls Community Reentry Center introduced themselves to the commission and spoke about the center’s mission including:  changing lives through education, job training, support, building independence, contributing to society, mentoring and inspiring others in the center. This center prepares and assists people formerly imprisoned before they return to society. They have developed a volunteer program whose members have been volunteering extensively for the Parks and Recreation Department since July. The center will continue to assist the Parks and Recreation Department, while also looking for other volunteer opportunities elsewhere in the community. Historic Park Survey – Caitlyn Long • Caitlyn Long with the Idaho Falls Community Development Services Department, gave the commissioners a presentation explaining the Historic Preservation Commission, its history, what they do, and upcoming preservation projects that will involve intensive surveys on select properties including city parks. The surveys are used to evaluate buildings and properties for their eligibility into historic registers. Commission Reports Golf Advisory – T. Hersh (absent) Shade Tree - M. Hill M. Hill reported the following: • The Shade Tree held their last meeting of the year at the end of October. • They have an application from a citizen to be on the Shade Tree Committee. This applicant is highly qualified and will be interviewed soon. They still have one additional opening on the committee. • He reported on some private property on Hill Rd whose owners hired a local arborist to prune the trees. Sadly, the arborist overly pruned them, and now they are not expected to survive. • The Shade Tree Committee has been having an ongoing discussion to bring back the tree identification plaques that were placed on a section of trees before a former Parks and Recreation Director had them removed. The Shade Tree Committee would like to bring these tree identification plaques back for a “tree walk” section of a park area. The committee will be working on cost effective ideas to make that happen. Bonneville County – J. Walker J. Walker reported the following: • The Expansion of Iona Rd between 45th and Ammon Rd. There will be further expansion next year which will move the project closer to connecting with the bike/walk pathway. • The County is working on a mountain biking recreation area near the Blacktail/Ririe Reservoir. This area will eventually have rock climbing opportunities and campsites accessible only by bicycle. Next spring the Forest  Service will have volunteers start the pathway cutting. J. Walker will bring photos of the area to a future meeting. School District 91 – N. Birch N. Birch reported the following: • Hillcrest High School won their first title in volleyball. • Idaho Falls High School and Skyline High School took first place in cross country. • The volleyball tournament at the Mountain American Center the last weekend of October was well attended. He reported how beneficial the Mountain American Center is as a sport venue for tournaments. School District 93 – T. Hobson (absent) National Trends on Aging – C. White C. White reported on the following trends among older adults: • Seniors and Outdoor Recreation. The level of participation ranges from beginner to active to very active. Programs are being tailored to accommodate the different needs. Sports Tourism – B. Combo/B. Lee No report Park Conditions and Needs – B. Nitschke B. Nitschke reported the following: • He was in Freeman Park when the volunteers from the Idaho Community Reentry Center were working. He is a big fan of volunteering in general and specifically because it benefits not only the parks but also the volunteers and the community. • He expressed concerns about the conduct of the extensive pruning of the vegetation along the river in Freeman Park. It needs to be done carefully to protect sensitive and important plants like milk weed, to maintain a barrier for bank erosion, and to provide suitable habitat for the native insects, birds and fish. • He asked about the pile of picnic tables he saw while visiting Reinhart Park. P. Holm said it was caused by vandals. • He also witnessed two e-bikes leaving the pathway and going up the hill in Freeman Park. As e-bikes get more powerful and the tires get bigger with more aggressive tread, he fears it is only a matter of time before the hillsides become scarred and rutted like what has happened on another stretch of the green way. Adjournment at 1:35pm. Next meeting – December 1, 2025 Recorded by: Tracy Sessions, Executive Assistant Parks & Recreation Dept.  GOLF ADVISORY BOARD MEETING WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2025 4:00 P.M. RECREATION CENTER Members in Attendance: K. Dayley, B. Bugger, B. McGiff, L. Mollberg, C. Utley, T. Deane, J. Ozmun, T. Hersh, S. Priebe, F. Sica, K. Kavran, S. Thomsen, M. Spraktes, J. Graham, D. Stanfield, J. Cole, T. Hersh Members Absent: P. Holm, A. Brewster, M. Dimick, J. Landon CALL TO ORDER F. Sica called the meeting to order at 4:01 pm. APPROVAL OF MINUTES S. Thomsen motioned to approve the April 2nd minutes. B. Bugger seconded. All in favor. DIRECTOR – P. Holm (absent) MANAGER OF GOLF OPERATIONS – K. Kavran K. Kavran reported on the following: • He reviewed the golf revenue through the end of May. The revenue was up in almost every category. Green fees, punch passes, season passes, etc. • Renee Buchan, the Marketing Coordinator for Parks and Recreation, has been helping the golf courses with signs and bulletins. She has been very helpful. • They have implemented a new “walk on” policy, with A-frame signs explaining the walk- on rules to early birds. Limiting golfers in the morning will improve the experience for other golfers and improve the safety for maintenance workers. • The golf courses have a new answering service. When you call each golf course, you will get a menu and can push #1 to reach the pro shop. Many golf questions are answered with the answering service, lessoning the calls coming into the pro shop. • Dave Smith, our range ball sponsor, has advised the courses, that this will be his last year sponsoring the balls as he is selling his company.  • K. Kavran discussed conversations in recent meetings with City Finance, where it was recommended that the golf courses do everything possible to stay in the black this fall. K. Kavran suggested to the golf board that perhaps we should consider selling golf passes as early as October 1st. One idea would be to sell them on a tier system similar to a system some ski resorts use, where the pass is less expensive the earlier it is purchased, and goes up in price as the beginning of the season nears. • He wants the Golf Board to form a Tee Time Committee and a Tournament & Leagues Committee to try and come up with some ideas to resolve some of the issues we are having in both. He will have each board member pick a number at the end of the meeting which will indicate with committee that member will sit on. • He passed out a survey that will be emailed out to all the golfers in our system and linked on the web page. He asked the board members to review it before it is sent out on the 27th. ASSOCIATION REPORTS Women’s Association – J. Ozmun J. Ozmun reported on the following: • The league has 108 members signed up. • They held the Club Championship on June 3rd & 4th at Sage Lakes. • The Pinecrest Club Championship will be held July 8th & 9th. • They held a fundraiser at the Men’s Opener. Working Women’s Association – Ashlie Brewster (absent) Men’s Association – M. Dimick (absent) Senior Association – S. Priebe S. Priebe reported on the following: • They have 110 members, and they get an average of 80 out playing each week. • S. Priebe asked S. Thomsen when the signups would be available for the Fairwinds tournament. He was advised that they will start July 3rd. • There’s been a conflict with the senior league slightly overlapping another league so they will move the league start time to 7:30 pm. Junior Association – F. Sica F. Sica reported on the following: • At the first Junior’s etiquette meeting they had 70 members, and T. Reinke instructed. At the second meeting they had 160 kids which F. Sica instructed.  • The junior league plays on Mondays and when they finish, they take off their hats and shake hands. F. Sica is also happy with the members’ parents who walk with their kids through the course. • He is slightly concerned with some of the children being a little too young. He suggested we consider raising the minimum age for the program to 9 yrs old. STAFF REPORTS Pinecrest Pro – Sean Thomsen S. Thomsen reported on the following: • The course has increased its revenue over this time last year, and have sold 5,620 more rounds compared to last year this time. Revenue is up $105,000 compared to last year. • They are busy with tee times and walk-ons. They have their first walk-ons at 5:30 am. They had approximately 370 golfers booked on the course for the entire day the previous Friday, which is the maximum the course can handle. • He says the golfers are very happy with the condition of the golf course. • The pavilion wall was installed and looks great. • He’s considering new carpet and lights in the clubhouse. • All the tournaments held thus far have been a success. Pinecrest Superintendent – M. Spraktes M. Spraktes reported on the following: • He has a great maintenance crew this year. • They’ve been working on projects and there’s a few more extensive ones they’d like to do, but it’s hard when the course is this busy with players. • He found an issue with the irrigation system surge protectors and has been informed it’s better to remove them. This is improving the performance of the system. • They installed the pavilion wall. • He will be working with the other course superintendents to coordinate a schedule to get the employees to watch the safety videos. • Two of his maintenance workers have been injured on the job this season. Sand Creek Pro – J. Graham J. Graham reported on the following: • He discussed the great condition of the course, and the great job the superintendent does. They don’t get a lot of complaints. • They pro shop has had two club fittings, five company events, and three major tournaments thus far.  • Like the other courses, Sand Creek is very busy every day. Sand Creek Superintendent – D. Stanfield D. Stanfield reported on the following: • He’s working on an issue with a sprinkler at hole #8 not shutting off. It’s not communicating with the clock. • His new mowers came in. He has been struggling with keeping the blades sharpened. Unfortunately, there’s only one guy who sharpens blades for all the three courses and the entire Parks and Recreation Department. • They are working on some dry spot issues on the course. The dry spots aren’t caused by lack of water, but instead bad soil conditions. They will be adding soil amendments to improve the condition. • D. Stanfield asked the board what they thought about turning the pond on #3 into a bunker? He explained that due to the canal water levels, the pond has low water levels and is a marshy mess. The Sage Lakes Pro – K. Kavran K. Kavran reported on the following: • Sage Lakes had three tournaments in May including the Hispanic tournament, Men’s Opener, and the IGA State 4-ball. He said about 80% of the attendees for the latter tournament were from out of town. • He hired six new employees for the pro shop, so training has been busy. • He mentioned what a great job his assistant Cory Payne is doing. • Pro shop sales are down slightly this season, which he blames on the loss of Tyson Bowen, who was a great salesman. Luckily, Tyson has sent business to the pro shop, when his current employer doesn’t carry the clubs or items a shopper is looking for. Sage Lakes Superintendent – J. Landon (absent) – reported by M. Spraktes M. Spraktes reported on the following: • C. Kinsman has been renovating bunker edges. • They had the usual irrigation issues, and the pump blew out Monday. • The course itself has improved 70 to 80% in the last two years. Meeting adjourned at 5:50 pm. Next meeting will be held November 19th, 2025 Recorded by: Tracy Sessions, Administrative Assistant, Parks & Recreation