Nampa City Council Meeting – October 7, 2025

This meeting, held on October 7, 2025, began at approximately 5:00 p.m. and extended past 10:30 p.m. The council approved the consent agenda, multiple action items, and a proclamation. The central focus was a public hearing on the future of the Ford Idaho Center, culminating in a 4-2 vote to convey the property to the College of Western Idaho (CWI). The meeting also included staff recognitions, a public forum, and the adoption of several annexation ordinances.

Consent Calendar

• Approved as presented, including routine approvals for prior meeting minutes, claims, and other standard items.

Public Comments & Testimony

Public Forum

• Hubert Osborne (4199 E. Switzerway, Nampa) questioned the council's use of executive sessions and transparency. The mayor and legal counsel responded that the city follows state statute for executive sessions.
• David Ferdinand (2419 W. Heron Loop, Nampa) thanked the council for providing a forum for public input on the Ford Idaho Center.

Public Hearing on Ford Idaho Center

• Gordon Jones (President, CWI): Expressed support for conveyance, noting CWI would preserve community events like the Snake River Stampede and Horse Park activities, and leverage the facility for academic expansion.
• Jim Reims (Chair, CWI Board of Trustees): Adopted a neutral stance, stating CWI supports whichever decision the council makes.
• Denise Aberley Canada (Provost, CWI): Highlighted academic opportunities (e.g., internships, event management) without requiring major remodeling.
• Mike Pena (President, CWI Foundation): Emphasized fundraising capabilities and potential for public-private partnerships, such as long-term land leases, to generate revenue.
• Victor Miller (Meridian resident, former Wall Street media analyst): Urged the council to pause and conduct a thorough financial analysis, noting that major entertainment firms (AEG, Live Nation, Legends) were not directly solicited for interest.
• Curtis Homer (Former council member, retired police chief, stampede supporter): Recounted the history of the Ford Idaho Center and expressed confidence that CWI would honor the rodeo agreement.
• Sherry Boardman (President, Idaho Horse Park Foundation): Voiced cautious support for conveyance, emphasizing the need for long-term guarantees for horse park events. She noted a 10-year commitment from CWI but expressed concern about the future beyond that.
• Mitch Manetti (Nampa Chamber of Commerce): Encouraged a decision tonight, stating that uncertainty is dividing the community. He supported conveyance to CWI.
• Jill Hallows (Nampa resident): Requested more time for an independent, side-by-side financial comparison of all options, arguing the process felt rushed.
• Debbie Bartlow (Nampa resident): Asserted that the council had not truly listened to the public and that the decision should be postponed until after the November election.
• David Ferdinand (Nampa resident): Called for a thorough analysis of the economic impact of each option.
• Stuart Heidman (Nampa resident): Opposed conveyance, noting that Canyon County voters twice rejected CWI tax increases. He advocated for retaining city ownership.
• Noreen Nunes (Nampa resident): Questioned the short 30-day solicitation window and the $75 million minimum sale price, and suggested a public vote.
• Gary Bartlow (Nampa resident): Proposed creating a citizens committee and exploring a joint venture with CWI instead of conveyance.
• Jeff Agenbroad (Snake River Stampede): Stated the stampede board supports conveyance to CWI as the most financially sustainable option, noting the city had informed them it could no longer fund deferred maintenance.
• Arlene Hacker (Nampa resident): Supported conveyance, citing the importance of preserving the horse park and potential equine education programs.
• Cheryl Beamer (Nampa resident): Opposed conveyance, arguing the decision should be delayed until after the election. She read portions of an email from Councilmember Natalie Jangula, which became a point of contention.
• Lynette Hill (Nampa resident): Read the full email from Councilmember Jangula to Cheryl Beamer, criticizing its tone.
• Doris Phillips (Nampa resident): Requested more time and an independent appraisal before making a decision.
• Ivan Castillo (CWI foundation volunteer): Supported conveyance, stating that retaining a non-cash-flowing asset is not good investment and that CWI has the vision to enhance the facility.
• Lily Guthrie (CWI student): Spoke in favor of conveyance, highlighting opportunities for work-study and debt-free education.
• Cheryl Higley (Nampa resident): Opposed conveyance, citing conditional contract language, financial contradictions, and alleged discussions about a land purchase near the Boise River. The mayor and legal counsel disputed the land purchase claim.
• Patty Evans (Nampa resident): Asked about the freed-up funds if the property is conveyed and expressed concern about CWI's potential influence.
• Nick Miller (CWI VP of Strategy & Operations): Clarified that the 10-year horse park guarantee was at the foundation's request and noted that six of eight Idaho higher education institutions own similar facilities.
• David Taney (Nampa resident): Also reported receiving an insulting email from Councilmember Jangula. He urged tabling the decision until after the election.
• Mark Mitchell (Nampa resident): Supported conveyance, arguing the city cannot afford deferred maintenance and that competition from other venues will worsen the financial outlook.
• Stacy Goodrich (Nampa resident): Opposed selling or conveying, suggesting better marketing and renovations could increase revenue.
• Bill Eilett (Boise resident, CWI foundation volunteer): Supported conveyance, stating that the facility's burden should be spread across the larger region served by CWI.

Discussion Items

Staff Report on Ford Idaho Center

• Clay Long (Chief of Staff) presented the history, feasibility, and public engagement process. Key financial data: the city has contributed $22.3 million in operational support over 20 years, with annual losses ranging from $90,000 to $2.845 million. Deferred maintenance is estimated at $2 million per year. Options presented: retain, sell (minimum $75 million), or convey to CWI. The solicitation of interest yielded no qualified buyers.
• Doug Racine (Finance Director) noted that retaining the facility would require new revenue sources (tax increases or cuts to other services) to cover an estimated $2 million annual capital need.
• Preston Rutter (City Attorney) reviewed the legal authority under Idaho Code Title 50, emphasizing the council's broad discretion and a 2023 Idaho Supreme Court decision affirming that cities have vast authority in property decisions. He stated that the city has followed all procedural requirements.

Key Outcomes

• Approved action items 5-1 through 5-5:
  • 5-1: Authorized $205,000 for right-of-way acquisition on 11th Avenue (unanimous).
  • 5-2: Approved a $675,000 task order with Jacobs Engineering for the Carcher constructed wetlands (unanimous).
  • 5-3: Approved the FY25 audit engagement letter with Eide Bailly for $105,060 (unanimous).
  • 5-4: Allocated $108,711.75 in opioid settlement funds to four sub-recipients (unanimous).
  • 5-5: Approved the Canyon County prosecution contract for $900,000 (4-1, with Councilman Rodriguez opposed).
• Proclamation: Declared October 2025 as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
• Public Hearing on Ford Idaho Center: After extensive testimony and council discussion, Councilman Bills made a motion to convey the property to CWI, seconded by Councilman Reynolds. The motion passed 4-2:
  • Yes: Bills, Reynolds, Griffin, Jangula
  • No: Rodriguez, Haverfield
• Unfinished Business: Approved three annexation and zoning ordinances (10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4) under suspension of rules, all unanimous.
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned after completing all agenda items.