Nampa City Council Meeting - December 2, 2025

This meeting of the Nampa City Council on December 2, 2025, included a major decision on the conveyance of the Ford Idaho Center to the College of Western Idaho (CWI), approval of parks and recreation fee increases with a senior discount adjustment, several zoning and annexation ordinances, and other routine business. The meeting opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and roll call (all six council members present).

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda with an amendment to pull item 1-2 (dispensing with three-reading rule for ordinances) for separate discussion. After a motion to keep item 1-2 intact, it passed 4-2 (Rodriguez and Haverfield opposed).
• Subsequent unanimous approvals for: confirmation of Heidi Track to the Library Board, reallocation of $64,000 for wastewater upgrades and award to JCN Contractors ($698,000), task order with Jacobs Engineering ($147,103), change order with ITD for Highway 55 ($170,452), and police union contract.
• The Centennial Golf Course irrigation system contract ($3,819,759) was postponed to allow staff to obtain unit pricing for rock removal.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mati Ramos was recognized for receiving the Ohtli Award from the Mexican government for her work with the Idaho Hispanic Foundation. She expressed gratitude and emphasized community service.
• No public forum comments were made.

Discussion Items

Parks and Recreation Fee Increases

• Staff Presentation: Jennifer Ayala presented proposed fee increases (5% rec center memberships, 9-12% day passes; 3% golf memberships, ~10% day passes; no cemetery increase; youth sports 11-12.5%). The golf commission supported the rates.
• Public Testimony:
  • Marty Aubrey requested a reduced trail fee for single-rider golf carts, noting they cause less damage than standard carts.
  • Meldon Ragsdale supported Aubrey's comments and urged consideration of seniors on fixed incomes.
  • Randy Aldridge questioned the golf course manager position, suggesting it was unnecessary and that the city should avoid bleeding senior residents.
• Staff Response: Cody Swander acknowledged the single-rider cart fee idea and noted the manager position was justified. Jennifer Ayala clarified the golf courses are not-for-profit; surpluses fund capital projects.
• Council Deliberation: Councilman Griffin proposed reducing senior fee increases (golf from 3% to 2%, rec center from 5% to 4%). After discussion, a motion to approve fees with that modification passed 4-2.

Vacation of Utility Easement (2218 Jody Ave)

• Applicant: Wendy Mosier and Chris Adams requested vacation of a one-foot encroachment into an eight-foot utility easement for an already-built ADU. No utilities were affected. Staff recommended approval.
• No public testimony. Council unanimously approved the vacation.

Variance for Parking and Lot Size (1716 2nd St S)

• Applicant: Rick Holden sought a variance to convert a garage and basement into four units on a 5,662 sq ft lot with zero on-site parking in an RMH zone. The property was originally a duplex; unauthorized conversion occurred.
• Staff Recommendation: Denial, as the criteria for variance (practical difficulty, extraordinary site circumstances) were not met. Fire and engineering departments raised life safety and right-of-way concerns.
• No public testimony. Council voted unanimously to deny the variance, with a condition requiring a demo permit and inspections to restore compliance.

Ford Idaho Center Conveyance to CWI

• Staff Report: Clay Long and Preston Carter outlined the legal framework, process, and financial history. The city has incurred average annual losses of $1.152M since 2006; a preliminary FY25 profit of $32,000 was noted, but $825K in planned capital work was not completed. The proposed conveyance is without monetary consideration but includes non-monetary benefits.
• Public Testimony (33 speakers):
  • Supporters: Nicole Bradshaw (CWI Board vice chair), Ashley Smith (CWI), Mike Pena (CWI Foundation), Andrew Luther (OVG), Paul Haven, Margie Potter, Glynnis Calhoun, Chris Troxel, Sherry Boardman (Horse Park Foundation), Robin Knight (veterinarian), Mitch Manetti (Nampa Chamber), Tammy Conobear, Jay Snyder, Ivan Castillo, Mark Mitchell, Curtis Homer, Steve Tester (Snake River Stampede), Nick Miller (CWI). Key points: CWI can fund improvements, preserve events, expand workforce training, and maintain public access. The Horse Park Foundation and Snake River Stampede signed agreements supporting the transfer.
  • Opponents: Victor Miller, Jill Hallows, David LeRoy, Patty Evans, Stuart Heineman, Debbie Bartlow, David Taney, Linda Steele, Hubert Osborne, Doris Phillips, Kenny Roten (some expressed opposition). Key points: property is not underutilized; OVG offered $8M investment; lack of transparency; citizens should vote; concerns about tax increases or tuition; legal questions about