Manhattan City Commission Work Session - February 5, 2026

The Manhattan City Commission held a work session on February 5, 2026, at 6:50 PM. The meeting focused on two main agenda items: a discussion of Samsara fleet management software and a review of the Home Rehabilitation and Repair Assistance Program (RAP) along with a proposed Home Exterior Improvement Grant (HEIG). All four commissioners (McCullough, Fox, Morrison, and Monlinel) were present, constituting a quorum.

Discussion Items

Samsara Fleet Management Software

• Brian Johnson, Director of Public Works and City Engineer, introduced the item, explaining that the current Verizon GPS tracking system is outdated and underperforming. The Samsara system offers real-time diagnostics, video dash cameras, asset tracking, and a public-facing snow map, addressing goals of transparency, fiscal responsibility, and safety.
• Matt Lima and Tom Burns from Samsara presented a 10-month pilot involving 16 vehicles. They highlighted data showing $2,100 in wasted idling costs in a single week (with 16 vehicles), 26 recorded “panic button” presses during spring cleanup that reduced phone calls, and a 3x return on investment based on avoided accidents.
• The system costs $160,000 per year under a three-year contract, locked in for that term. Commissioners expressed concern about a prior 46.5% price increase from the previous year but were assured the three-year deal prevents further increases. Commissioner McCullough suggested exploring a five-year contract for a lower rate.
• Commissioners expressed support for the system, noting its proven use by local trucking companies and potential for efficiency and safety improvements. No formal vote was taken; staff will bring a formal contract back in February.

Home Rehabilitation and Repair Assistance Program (RAP) & Home Exterior Improvement Grant (HEIG)

• Stephanie Peterson, Director of Planning and Development, presented the RAP program, which began in 2025 with $100,000 in workforce housing sales tax funds. The program provides reimbursements for critical home repairs (up to $20,000 for comprehensive repairs, $5,000 for manufactured homes, and emergency repairs). Admin costs are capped at 15%.
• Proposed changes for 2026 include increasing the manufactured home repair cap from $2,500 to $5,000, removing a mortgage requirement for projects over $20,000 (shifting to a five-year retention period), and adjusting reporting deadlines.
• Josh Brewer, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity (the sole RFP respondent in 2025), reported that the $100,000 stabilized $1,462,360 in real estate value and generated about $9,000 in annual tax revenue for the city. However, average project costs exceeded category caps (e.g., $7,000 for emergency repairs vs. $5,000 cap), causing Habitat to cover the gap with private funds. He advocated for right-sizing caps.
• The proposed HEIG would provide up to $5,000 per property for exterior improvements (e.g., paint, siding) without income limits, targeting homes under a certain appraised value (e.g., $215,000) built before 1990. Commissioner Fox expressed concern about using city funds for homeowners who could afford the work, and Commissioner Morrison questioned the administrative burden of income verification. Staff noted that property value and age serve as proxy for need.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Three residents—Kim Baldwin, Jerry Hunter, and Tiffany Bishop—spoke in support of the RAP program, describing how it enabled critical repairs (roof, siding, wheelchair-accessible doors, deck) they could not otherwise afford. They highlighted the program’s impact on safety and neighborhood aesthetics.
• Cody, Habitat’s construction manager, noted that the $2,500 cap on accessibility modifications limited work on one project, and he supported expanding caps to $20,000 for comprehensive repairs.
• Donna Shank Hamlin encouraged the commission to keep the original intent of workforce housing sales tax in mind, and suggested that employer matching could be explored for the HEIG.

Key Outcomes

• Samsara Software: Consensus among commissioners to move forward; staff will return with a formal contract for approval.
• RAP Program: Commissioners generally supported continuation with proposed modifications, though questions remained about income limits (120% AMI) and property value. No formal action was taken; staff will incorporate feedback for future consideration.
• HEIG: Mixed feedback; commissioners expressed interest but raised concerns about income eligibility and cost. No decision was made.
• Fiscal Context: As of end of 2025, the workforce housing sales tax account had collected approximately $2.3 million and committed/expended about $2.74 million (due to multi-year project commitments).