Nampa City Council Meeting - April 16, 2026

The Nampa City Council held a work session on April 16, 2026, covering four major topics: food truck licensing requirements, development-related traffic impact studies, airport hangar insurance and assessments, and the Purdom Drain trunk sewer project. Staff provided presentations and council members gave direction for next steps on each item. No formal votes were taken except to adjourn the meeting.

Discussion Items

Food Truck Licensing Requirements

• Mark Steuer, Senior Director of Development Services, provided an update on the current code for mobile food vendors (food trucks), noting that regulations have been under discussion for three years. The current code requires temporary use permits, solicitors licenses, and health permits, but enforcement has been inconsistent. Staff visited 17 operating food trucks; only a handful had all required permits. The city is not currently enforcing overnight parking restrictions.
• Councilman Bills expressed concern that food trucks operating without full permits create inequity with brick-and-mortar restaurants that invest heavily in permits and infrastructure. He supported moving forward with the previously drafted mobile food vendor license ordinance and eliminating overnight setups.
• Councilman Sebastian urged balance, noting that food trucks often serve as stepping stones for new businesses and that overly burdensome regulation could stifle entrepreneurship. He supported a complaint-driven enforcement model and longer hours of operation (similar to Caldwell's 2 a.m.).
• Council agreed to dust off the 2023-2024 ordinance amendments (including mobile food court provisions) and bring them back for adoption. The city clerk noted that a public hearing may not be required for the license ordinance (Title V), but the planning and zoning component (Title 10) may require one. Council president suggested proceeding to get the items on the agenda quickly.

Development-Related Traffic Impact Studies

• Danny Badger, City Engineer, explained the city's traffic impact study (TIS) policy, adopted in 2023. Studies are required for developments generating over 100 peak-hour vehicle trips or 1,000 daily trips. Studies are reviewed by the city engineer, a consultant, and the traffic division manager.
• Council discussed the need to address "enclave" properties (unannexed parcels) that create gaps in road infrastructure. Councilman Bills advocated for a proactive approach to acquire right-of-way and close gaps using impact fees or city funds.
• Crystal Craig, Transportation Director, noted that a Transportation Master Plan update is underway, expected to take about two years. A scope for the plan will be presented to council in May.
• Councilman Rodriguez suggested that all developments should require a TIS and questioned whether accident data used in studies is reliable given low police enforcement numbers. Staff clarified that accident data comes from police reports, not traffic citations.
• Council expressed interest in mandatory annexation of enclaves to ensure continuity of roads and sidewalks, though state law requires a planning process.

Airport Hangar Insurance and Assessment

• Lindsay Johnson, Airport Superintendent, reported on a recent hangar fire that prompted a review of insurance requirements for city-owned hangar tenants. Options include requiring aircraft insurance or renters insurance. The city cannot provide hangar keepers' insurance under state law.
• Council supported requiring tenants to carry insurance and incorporating it into rental agreements rather than just airport rules.
• A hangar assessment completed by JGT Architecture identified $2.1 million in short-term and long-term repairs for city-owned hangars. Two hangars (450 and 540) require over $1 million in repairs each and have a negative return on investment.
• Councilman Bills recommended demolishing those two hangars and releasing the land for private development via land leases. Council concurred.

Purdom Drain Trunk Sewer Project

• Chris Boaz, Capital and Grants Manager, presented a detailed funding plan for the Purdom Drain project, which spans three years and involves multiple funding sources: sewer impact fees, water renewal fund, development services fund, latecomer fees, and a proposed $7.5 million loan from the General Government fund. The total cost is approximately $40 million.
• Doug Racine presented a revenue analysis showing that once the area is developed (estimated 1,700 acres, 7,039 dwelling units), the city could see an increase in taxable value of nearly $3 billion, generating $6.17 million annually in property taxes. The project is projected to break even in 7 years (with impact fees) or 14 years (without), and generate $102 million in net cumulative revenue over 30 years.
• Council discussed structuring the General Government contribution as a loan to be repaid via a Purdom Drain specific area fee (like the earlier Middleton trunk fee). No formal action was taken; the presentation was for information, and a future action item will be brought forward.

Key Outcomes

• Council directed staff to revive the previously drafted food truck ordinance amendments and bring them back for adoption as soon as possible.
• Staff will prepare a summary of the impact of new state legislation on mandatory annexations and return to council within 60-90 days.
• The airport will update rental agreements to require tenant insurance and will develop a plan to demolish hangars 450 and 540, then lease the land for private development.
• The Purdom Drain funding plan and revenue analysis were received; council indicated support for using a General Government loan and implementing a developer fee to repay it. A formal action item will be presented at a future meeting.