Good evening.

It's July twenty first, twenty twenty-six.

This is the meeting of the Quarterlane City Council, which I will call to order.

The clerk will take the role.

Gabriel.

Miller.

Here.

Evans.

English.

Here.

Sheckler.

Wood.

Here.

Very well.

Next item is our invocation.

We have Matt Dean from the Berean Missionary Baptist Church.

Will everyone please rise?

Good evening.

Thank you for having me.

Let's pray.

Heavenly Father God, we love you, and we thank you for this opportunity that we're gathered here tonight.

My prayer tonight is that you will be honored in everything that is done here.

God, we know that since the founding of our nation, our leaders have called on prayer to help guide and direct them.

So tonight, as these council members and the mayor represent those that have elected them, God, we just ask that you are honored in everything that they do, God, and we'll give you all the honor and glory in our lives.

God, we thank you so much for Jesus and what he means to us and who he is to each one of us.

It's in his name we ask and pray.

Amen.

Thank you, Matt.

Councilmember Gabriel, will you give us a pledge?

I pledge relieved.

And to the Republic.

One nation under God.

With liberty and baby seated.

Item D, amendments to the agenda.

Does council have any amendments?

Seeing none, we're off to item E, which is a presentation of the North Idaho.

We'll find out what that means.

If uh Benjamin Allen, our Shoshone County prosecutor could come up as well as Julia Zimney.

Yes, this is an introduction.

You have to be here for your introduction.

Benjamin, welcome.

Uh thank you, Mayor and Council, and we appreciate you guys uh setting a few minutes into your agenda tonight for this.

Uh I'm standing before you because I have with me our first ever North Idaho SAUSA.

Uh it was a long journey.

This project has been years in the making.

And uh you as City Council members uh you know heard the pitch of community collaboration in order to bring this position here.

And the city of Cordelaine was one of those pioneer cities that jumped on board, identified this as a priority and saw the benefit that it could provide to our communities.

And as such, you are one of the original uh local partners.

As we have identified it in our founding documents.

Uh once we rolled out the SAUSA initiative, obviously administrative and procedural issues needed to be ironed out before we could even effectuate a hire.

And once we got to that point, we went out and we searched for somebody that was young, motivated, and had a heart for serving our communities.

And I feel fully confident that we found that in Miss Imney.

I want to give Ms.

Zimmy an opportunity to just spend uh a few seconds sharing with you a little bit about who she is, where she came from, and uh what she's been up to in this position.

I will caution the council though that based upon the nature of her work, she won't be able to discuss logistics or specifics about any particular cases she's working on at the moment, but she'll give you guys just a general overview of of what it's looked like from her position thus far.

So, Ms.

Imney.

Hello, everybody.

I am so excited to be here.

I've been looking forward to uh tonight for um since I started.

I know we've been trying to get this on the calendar.

Um I started back at the end of April, and uh it has been such an honor to be able to contribute to the Cordelane community.

I've been able to work with some very important individuals in the area who share the same mission uh that I do and that my office with the United States Attorney Office does as well.

Um, whether it's through working with prosecutors with Shoshone County or working with the prosecutors at the Cutney County prosecutor's office.

Uh I've been able to take an interest in state cases and adopt them federally, uh, thereby saving a lot of uh state tax dollars in the process, which I know was one of the big goals for introducing this position.

And I hope that the work that I do as the first Sousa in North Idaho contributes to uh future South's being introduced to this area as well.

Um as you know, we have the I-90 corridor that cuts straight from Washington through uh to Montana.

And um the reason that that is so important to have a SAUSA dedicated to this position and to prosecution of drugs on the federal level up here, is because then we're able to really hold those individuals accountable, whether they are introducing substances straight into the Cordelane community or uh just passing through the Idaho community as well.

We have no interest for them being here.

I uh have always wanted to be a prosecutor.

I went to Gonzaga University for undergrad and then went to law school at Gonzaga as well, uh, following my three older siblings for all Gonzaga grads as well.

So I've been, even though I grew up in Western Washington, I've been able to have connections and call the inland northwest home for a large portion of my life and for most of my adult life.

I started uh with the United States attorney's office here back when I was in law school.

I was an extern for my last semester at law school, uh which is when I uh developed my mentors who are the same mentors that I get to learn under today.

Um I then became a prosecutor in Spokane for about two years, prosecuting domestic violence, gross misdemeanor cases, and then jumped back over to the west side of Washington to be a felony prosecutor for King County, which as you can imagine.

I saw some very intense cases over there, but learned a lot about how drugs really should be being prosecuted and why we need to hold these individuals accountable.

I quickly realized that Court of Lane was now my home, and I came back just as soon as I left.

Um to be given the opportunity by Mr.

Allen here, who again shares the same mission that I have has been such an honor.

And um every single day, having been here since the end of April, that I have been able to serve in this position.

I continue to become more and more grateful with every passing day.

Um they've invested in a lot of uh trainings for me as well from the district of Idaho.

I'll be going to South Carolina next week for a specialized narcotics training.

Um on top of that, I've been juggling different cases.

I've been able to work on about 20 different uh narcotics-based cases, um, whether that be through investigations, working closely with uh our passionate law enforcement members who uh protect us every day.

Um it again has truly been an honor.

And uh I hope that I can come back to one of these meetings in the future and continue to share potentially more statistics about just how this position um is contributing to the community, whether that's in a statistic showing a decrease in the trafficking of drugs into our community and through our community, or whether it's for um uh showing how much money this position has saved in state tax dollars.

And I'm happy to answer any questions that anybody might have about my position as well.

Yes, of course.

Yes, um, Council Member English.

An acronym for tempting, but what does the SARSA stand for?

SOUSA stands for Special Assistant United States Attorney.

And it is uh differentiated from assistant United States attorney.

So the person in the back there, Bryce Ellsworth is an assistant United States attorney with our office who is joining us tonight.

He is my mentor because he was uh doing all of the drug cases for this area for what the past eight to ten years.

Um so he's very knowledgeable as to the federal law and how to investigate these.

Picking up from the context, so it's the drug-related nut trafficking, or does it sometimes kind of tie together or so the AUSAs in our office can prosecute any type of drug, but as a SAUSA special assistant United States Attorney, I am specifically dedicated to prosecuting drug crimes.

Okay, any other questions for Julia?

Very good.

Thank you for what you do.

And congratulations on your position.

Thank you.

And all of you for working with law enforcement and keeping those drugs out of our area.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Thank you, Benjamin.

Okay, we're moving on to the next item E, which is public comments.

I have a sign-up sheet here.

We'll start off with Matt Magnac.

Please come to the uh lectern.

Well, good evening, mayor, members of the council.

Uh, my name is Matt Macnack.

I live on Roosevelt Avenue next to Capones.

Um I'm speaking tonight first to extend a sincere thank you to the mayor.

Um he took some time to meet with me and my neighbor on our street last week.

Uh excuse me.

We looked at the parking situation on our street.

Um we kind of discussed how traffic funnels directly off the I-90 exit um to our street and into midtown, and we discussed some of the hardship created for us as well as the negative impact on our neighborhood since the resident parking signs were removed.

Um we appreciate the mayor recognizing um that the current setup is creating an unintended burden on our street, um, which runs counter to the city's long-standing goal of supporting commercial growth while protecting the surrounding residential neighborhoods.

Uh we were very encouraged to hear his support for a permanent resident parking solution similar to the one that exists under chapter um 10.22 already in the city code for foregrounds.

We understand that formal policy changes take time, but I just wanted to put our experience on the record tonight and just uh let you know that we're fully committed to working constructively with the city staff and the council to help restore safety access and balance to our block.

So that's it.

Thank you for time.

Thank you, Matt.

Next, I have Scott Ferguson.

Good evening, Mr.

Mayor.

City Council members.

Uh my name is Scott Ferguson.

I serve as the CEO at St.

Vincent DePaul, North Idaho.

And tonight I come bringing and bearing a giant thank you.

Uh thank you on behalf of our organization and the women and children that we serve.

I would like to thank you for your consideration and potential approval of use of the community block development grant to revive a much needed home space of a kitchen within our women and children transition home center.

This space serves roughly around 310 women and children per year as we find them going from emergency shelter to transitional shelter to permanent supportive housing.

This revamp and use of this funding allows not only uh the kitchen space, which is used to prepare so many meals, but to have life-giving conversations of self-sufficiency.

To remember that it's not what life hands you, but it's an opportunity to begin restructuring the pathway that you know you can believe yourself to be in.

And tonight I want to say thank you because this grant will allow us to improve the safety, accessibility, and functionality of a facility that serves some of the community's most vulnerable residents.

Every dollar invested helps create welcoming environments where families can focus on healing, securing employment, and transitioning into that permanent supportive housing that allows them to find that self-sufficiency.

So once again, on behalf of our organization, thank you for supporting so many in our community and with this investment supporting women and children who need it most.

Thank you very much.

Thank you, Scott.

That's all I have who signed up.

Does anyone else want to make public comment?

Okay, we'll move on to the next item, which is council announcements, G1.

Kenny.

Mr.

Mayor, thank you.

I just like to send a thank you to Michael Dominguez and welcome.

Glad to have our new seat administrator here for the first time, and we're glad to see you here.

Thank you.

Anything else?

More?

Okay.

I would also like to extend a welcome to Michael.

Thank you for being here.

Your first meeting uh regarding uh Mr.

McNak's discussion.

I had brought that up yesterday with our council president Amy.

And uh this is gonna be a tough one because uh it was a pilot program.

We definitely understand the need.

Um council is gonna have to decide if we want to reactivate that permanently, and then are there going to be other instances throughout the city where people are going to want to have restricted parking?

So it's gonna be a big discussion, but I think you do have a valid point.

And uh I especially appreciate that you brought up the city code regarding the kind of the approaching of a commercial area with a residential area.

There needs to be something there.

So I think you're spot on.

So we'll see, we'll see how that progresses, and I will keep you informed on what goes on.

And I do have an appointment this evening of Daniel Roop to the Urban Forestry Committee.

Uh Mr.

Mayor, yes.

I'd like to make a motion to confirm the appointment of Daniel Roop, the Urban Forestry Committee.

Second.

Motion and a second.

Any discussion?

Okay, all those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

We're off to the consent calendar, item H.

And our time is up.

Thank you very much.

Mr.

Mayor, I'll make a motion to approve the consent calendar as presented.

Second.

Motion and a second.

Any discussion on our consent calendar?

Roll call, please.

English.

Yes.

Wood.

Yes, Evans.

Yes.

Miller.

Hi.

Gabriel.

Yes.

Motion carries.

We're off to item number I1, other business.

This is alluded to by Mr.

Ferguson earlier.

This is resolution number 26058, approval of CDGB plan year 2025 grant funding for an authorizing staff to enter into a community development block grant award agreement with St.

Vincent DePaul, North Idaho, in the amount of $3,799.89 cents for public facilities improvements to its women's and children's emergency transition shelter.

We have Sherry Bedisher from our CDGB division.

Thank you, Mayor.

Council.

We're here tonight to seek your approval of the award of community development lot grant funds to St.

Vincent DePaul, North Idaho.

And the funds will be used to improve the kitchen at their women and children's transitional emergency shelter.

Just a little refresher on some of the eligible activities that we can use CDBG funds for.

Just a little refresher on some of the eligible activities that we can use CDBG funds for, a rehab of residential and non-residential structures, construction and improvements at public facilities, public service projects, acquisition of real property, and relocation and demolition.

This is not an all-inclusive list.

This is just some of the main ones that we tend to use.

That is to benefit low and moderate income persons, aid in the prevention of slum and blight, or meet an urgent need that isn't being met with other state or federal funding.

The activities must meet one of our annual action plan goals and consolidated plan goals and be a HUD-approved activity.

We also look at the capacity of city staff, capacity of our sub-recipient staff, the amount of the allocation, priorities, capacity, and experience.

So a lot goes into selecting the activities and the groups, the nonprofits that are going to going to carry them out.

Our consolidated planning goals for five years are maintain and increased housing stock, public facility and infrastructure projects, public services, homelessness assistance, and economic development.

This grant award would fit under the category of a public facility project.

This is our plan year 2025 budget.

And this project will be the last of those grant funds to be allocated.

We have previously, with council's approval, entered into an agreement with Heritage Place Apartments LLC for $100,000.

They replaced the electrical panels in their senior living apartments.

And that project's been completed.

So tonight we're looking to spend an additional $3,799.89s and award a grant funding agreement to St.

Vincent DePaul, North Idaho, to make some improvements at the kitchen in their women and children's emergency transitional shelter.

And we're seeking counsel to approve the award and authorize staff to execute the grant funding agreement.

And just to note, these funds are actually reallocated from our plan year 22 and 24 of some funds that weren't fully utilized by other groups.

Does council have any questions for Sherry?

Just to comment.

Thanks to our new press reporter, Ray.

I did see the photos in the paper today.

Desperately needed.

So I think you've made the right choice.

Thank you very much.

Any other questions or comments?

Look for council action.

Mr.

Mayor, I'll make a motion to approve resolution number 26-058 approving CDBG plan year 2025 grant funding for an authorization for staff to enter into a community development block grant.

Award agreement with St.

Vincent DePaul, North Idaho, in the amount of $3,799.89 cents for public facility improvements as its women and children's emergency transitional shelter.

Second.

Motion and a second.

Is there any discussion on the motion?

We'll take a roll call, please.

Would yes.

Evans.

Yes.

Miller.

Hi.

Gabriel.

Yes.

English.

Yes.

Motion carried.

Congratulations.

And thank you for what you do to our do with our community.

I appreciate it.

Thank you, Mayor.

We're up to our second item I2, resolution number 26059 approval of the police department to purchase 15 taser devices for an amount not to exceed $19,037 and 94 cents and six ballistic helmets in the amount not to exceed $9,497.70 cents, utilizing remaining personnel budget authority in the department's existing general fund appropriation.

Police Chief Yeager.

Well, good evening, Mayor and Council members.

Thank you for taking this time to hear this proposal.

As you know, our police department utilizes a lot of different uh technology and equipment to uh provide both safety to our community and to our police officers.

Uh the items that we're talking about tonight have been used by our police department for very many for many years.

Uh the taser device has gone through several different generations.

Um our police department currently uses both the X-26 and what's called the TASER 7.

Um, I'll just talk about the tasers for just a moment.

Um what we realize is that the X-26 has gone out of service support.

Uh they're a very dated device, and their efficacy is not uh as good as it should be.

And so over the years, as the just like any other technology, as the manufacturer came came out with new devices, we did purchase some of the taser sevens, but now they are to the Taser 10.

Uh the Taser 10 is a um amazing piece of equipment.

I have had the opportunity to actually utilize this device uh in training and to see what it is capable of.

Um the whole purpose of this device is to render a very hostile situation safe quickly so that we can avoid deadly force or you know uh large amounts of force when we're taking someone into custody.

So this is a natural move for us to um upgrade the tasers.

This would be happening over the years anyway.

Um the opportunity that's before us is when Taser provides a package for any device, uh they break that cost out over the years to make it manageable for the organization that's purchasing it.

And in this case, um over a five-year period, the the cost will be broken out over a five-year period.

What we're requesting at in this uh specific uh proposal is that we be allowed to pay that first year a year ahead, um, utilizing funding that is still remaining in our budget from this year.

Um and that helps us with the ongoing costs in the subsequent years when we know that the city may be um looking for opportunities to uh reduce the budget items.

The same thing, uh not the same thing, but a very similar thing is happening with our helmets.

Um our uh police officers and especially our SWAT team members are issued ballistic helmets.

Um those helmets are designed to protect them from hostile fire, uh gunfire.

And so the interesting thing about those is the ballistic protection, whether it's our body uh our body armor that we wear here or helmets, they all have about a five-year life.

The manufacturers will only guarantee them for five years to provide the level of protection that they're rated for.

So what we have been trying to do is these very expensive items indeed to be on a rotation schedule.

If we have a you know 15 to 17 people on our SWAT team, uh rotating those helmets or purchasing them at different intervals of five or six at a time helps us so that the large expense doesn't come at one time.

So uh that is what we're doing with this.

We're asking to um start this taser transition early with with some of these 15, start the helmet uh rotation early with these uh these six helmets, and then get us to a place where we're on a good rhythm for the future so that um we're managing our costs well and being responsible to the residents.

So uh we are asking to utilize current year money to purchase items that would have been purchased just next year, um, and that will help uh keep our budget request down for next year.

And with that, I'll stand for any questions.

Thank you, Chief.

Um would you like a volunteer to demonstrate the taser?

Well, I had heard, Mayor, that you were interested in that.

All right, let's do this.

Um are there any questions for the Chief Piki?

Chief, can you tell me if these uh tasers specifically are you adding to the number of taser tasers you have now or just upgrading the uh supply that you have?

Yeah, thank you.

Thank you for that.

Um in this case, we are just um replacing old models, ones that need to come off the line, so this is not an expansion of the program.

It's a replacement of devices that are have reached end of life.

Thank you.

Any other questions?

Yes, Christy.

Mr.

Mayor, I just make a motion.

It's imperative that officers have less lethal options.

And obviously ballistic helmets.

So I'd make a motion to approve the purchase of 15 laser devices in the amount not to exceed 19,037 and six ballistic helmets in the amount not to exceed 9,4970 for the police department, utilizing remaining personnel budget authority in the department's existing general fund appropriation.

Second.

And this is uh to clarify this is an approval of resolution 26059.

Yes, that's what I meant.

Very good.

Thank you.

Any discussion?

Yes, sir.

Quick question.

You know, with some of the old police cars, we can uh um do something, but I guess I'm guessing there is no aftermarket for some of those.

Uh no, unfortunately for these, they're not.

These these usually just go back to the manufacturer to be decommissioned.

There's actually no parts that are even serviceable for them.

Um so just a safe way to take them offline.

It's uh you're right.

Sometimes there is equipment that could be repurposed, um sold even to other organizations, uh, but we don't have any cost recovery on these.

Okay, thanks.

Any other discussion?

Roll call, please.

Evans, yes, Miller.

I'll English Wood, yes.

Motion is carried.

Our last item is a recess to our uh budget workshop.

Mr.

Mayor, I would uh make a motion to recess to July twenty-seventh, twenty twenty six for a bud budget workshop in the library c community room at noon.

Second.

Motion a second.

All those in favor?

Any opposed.

We are recessed.

Thank you all.