Post Falls City Council Meeting – May 6, 2026: Annexations, Public Works, and Budget Approvals
Post Falls City Council Meeting – May 6, 2026
The Post Falls City Council met on May 6, 2026, for a regular meeting lasting over three hours. Key actions included approval of three annexations (North Chase Place, Fisher Lift Station, and Public Works site), authorization of the full Public Works Operations Center design including a fleet shop, and multiple construction contracts for police parking, sewer repairs, and chip sealing. Council also heard a public comment on drag racing in a city park and received an informational update on traffic control changes at Hope Avenue and Cecil Road.
Ceremonies & Announcements
- North Idaho SAUSA Program: Shoshone County Prosecutor Benjamin Allen introduced Julia Zimney as the first Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for North Idaho, dedicated to combating drug trafficking along the I-90 and US-95 corridors. The program is fully funded for three years, with anticipated local cost savings of roughly $2.5 million per year.
- Humanitarian Award: Post Falls Police Department presented the Humanitarian Award to Trey Buster for performing CPR on an adult male who suffered a heart attack near Falls Park on 4th Street. The victim, Richard, survived and credited Buster’s rapid actions.
- Kootenai County Fire & Rescue Temporary Levy: Fire Chief presented a two-year temporary levy override measure on the ballot. The tax impact is $37.77 per $100,000 of assessed value (approx. $12–$16/month for the average homeowner). The levy is needed due to rising call volumes (9,500 calls in 2025 vs. 4,000 ten years ago), staffing pressures, inflation, and a 3% cap on budget growth.
Appointment
- Dana Repin to Parks and Recreation Commission: Council confirmed the appointment on a 5–0 vote. Repin has 30 years of public service in planning and park planning.
Consent Calendar
All items approved unanimously (5–0):
- Minutes from April 14, 2026 City Council Workshop
- Payables from April 22 through May 6, 2026
- February Cash and Investments
- Donation of city vehicles to K-Tech (vehicles slated for disposal)
- Park Naming Policy – updated to broaden the definition of "exceptional community service" by making the enumerated list non-exclusive and adding "other similar activities showing sustained community service"
- Foxtail 13th Edition Construction Improvement Agreement
- Gaul Annexation Reasoned Decision (ANX-25-1)
- Pray Medical Zone Change Reasoned Decision (ZC-25-2)
Public Comments & Testimony
- John Wright (resident of 355 West Waterside) reported increasing frequency of burnout sessions and drag racing in the parking lot of Camille Park, often occurring at odd hours with hundreds of cars. He suggested installing speed humps to deter the behavior and also asked the council to consider moving the citizen issues portion earlier in the agenda. Council thanked him and indicated follow-up with police and parks departments.
Discussion Items
- Public Works Operations Center Scope Modifications: Public Works Director John Beechum reviewed the history and need for a new facility to relocate streets, fleet, and water operations from the water reclamation facility to a 15-acre site recently annexed. The "starter facility" option (approx. $8 million bid) was deemed inadequate because it would leave operations split between sites. Council consensus favored the "full meal deal"—a facility including a fleet shop and road access from both Pleasant View and Corbin Road. Total estimated cost: $18.7 million (including design, construction, furniture, etc.). Funding sources include general fund, water/wastewater capital, and a $2.5 million facilities fund balance. Council directed staff to proceed with full design and to amend the architect’s contract accordingly.
- Police Department Parking Lot Improvements: Three related contracts were discussed: (1) Construction award to Interstate Concrete and Asphalt for $801,147 (including $50K contingency) – budgeted through public safety impact fees; (2) Construction management services amendment with HMH Engineers for $86,601 (including contingency); (3) Vehicle access gates from Solid Rock Gate and Supply for $67,000. All were approved unanimously. The project will secure additional parking for police vehicles and public spaces, and includes future building pad area.
- Pole Line & Highway 41 Gravity Sewer Replacement: Two items: Construction contract award to Gritty Lands Development for $637,457 (with 10% contingency) and construction management services amendment with Ardura Engineers for $129,734 (with 10% contingency). The sewer replacement corrects a low point causing surcharging and risk of backups; includes repair of a blockage in a parallel force main and adjustment of three manhole covers to prevent snowplow damage. Council expressed concern about potential liability for the manhole issues (recently paved by others) and asked staff to investigate recovery options. Both items passed unanimously.
- 2025 Transportation Master Plan: Council approved the plan on a 5–0 vote. Councilor Luca praised crash mitigation proposals and multimodal pathway focus, but questioned lack of long-term connectivity to the south side of the river (cost and lack of interest cited as barriers).
Key Outcomes
- North Chase Place Annexation (ANX-25-8) – Approved unanimously with R1 zoning. The 5-acre county island will be developed into ~20 single-family lots, extending Coleman Street to Fisher Avenue and improving pedestrian connectivity. Public comment from Frank Pratt (HOA of adjacent development) raised concerns about use of an emergency access easement; staff clarified it is a public easement and would be addressed during subdivision platting.
- Fisher Lift Station Annexation (ANX-26-1) – Approved unanimously with R1 zoning for 0.51 acres to relocate the lift station, ensuring adequate sewer service for area growth.
- Public Works Annexation (ANX-26-2) – Approved unanimously with Industrial zoning for 16.04 acres to site a future public works facility and park. Utility infrastructure (sewer) not yet available; interim septic may be used.
- 2026 Chip Seal Contract – Awarded to American Road Maintenance for $523,903 (including contingency). Budget was $630,000; council noted potential for additional work due to lower bid and directed staff to explore adding more lane miles.
- Northeast Quadrant Sanitary Sewer Study Update – Approved professional services agreement with JUB Engineers for $126,400 to update the 2018 study, verifying capacity and growth impacts in the rapidly growing northeast area. Results will be incorporated into the forthcoming wastewater master plan.
- Traffic Control at Hope Avenue & Cecil Road– Informational only. City Engineer Robert Paulis reported that all-way stop signs will be installed due to a series of collisions (5 in 12 months, one serious injury). The intersection does not meet volume warrants but collision history warrants the change. Warning signs and orange flagging will be used. Staff will monitor effectiveness; a traffic signal may be needed in 5–10 years.
- Executive Session – Council entered executive session (Idaho Code 74-206A) for approximately 45 minutes; no action taken during the session.
Meeting Transcript
All right, call the meeting to order. And begin with the invocation and then the pledge. Almighty God, send down upon those who hold office in this city the spirit of wisdom, compassion, and justice. Grant that with steadfast purpose we may faithfully serve our community, seeking the common good, protecting the vulnerable, and promoting the well-being and harmony of all who dwell here. Amen. Pledge. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. All right, all members are present with the exception of Councillor Plew, who is excused tonight. Ceremonies and announcements. I'll read the mayor announcements first. Cameleon Park and Postfall and Falls Park will be closed May 11 through May 13 in coordination with the Vista. The closure is needed for helicopter supported work related to dam safety improvements. And the city of Post Falls is excited to host this year's Postfalls Festival Parade. Local businesses, organizations, and community groups are encouraged to apply. This year's theme, America 250, celebrates 250 years of American independence. Bring your creativity and community spirit. Apply online at postfalls.gov/slash parade. First up for ceremonies is the North Idaho Special Assistant U.S. Attorney. Thank you, Mr. Mayor and Council and staff. Uh my name is Benjamin Allen. I'm the elected prosecuting attorney in Shoshone County, and I'm here to give you all just a very brief update on the North Idaho SAUSA position. As some of you may recall, this position coming to North Idaho is roughly two years in the making. There was a lot of time, effort, and work that went into facilitating the network and collaboration of local partners that was necessary in order to get this program up off the ground. After all of that time, effort and work, we are finally in a position to get this program up off the ground, and the U.S. Attorney's Office, in collaboration with my office, who serves as the host agency for this position, has facilitated the hiring of the first ever North Idaho SAFSA. And she is here in attendance tonight. So I want to just take a moment to introduce you all to Miss Julia Zimney. Julia is uh your North Idaho South S. So what that means for you all is we have a dedicated federal prosecuting attorney here in North Idaho, whose primary focus is simply to address and place an emphasis on combating drug trafficking that's coming through the I-90 corridor in South Down 95. Uh that emphasis is designed to identify drug traffickers who are moving drugs through and into our area in order to remove them both from our communities and from the network of criminal and drug distribution that contributes to those drugs moving back into our communities from larger metropolitan areas. If you all have any questions about the status of the program, uh what Ms. Zimney has been up to as your federal SAUSA, and or if you have questions about uh quarterly updates. It is anticipated that each of our local partners will be receiving quarterly updates from Ms. Zimney as the program continues. And as a reminder, this program has been fully funded for at least three years. So that should provide us with enough data and information to identify the end result in just the magnitude or level of impact that this position is having on our communities. If uh similar jurisdictions or SALSA placements are any indicator, it is estimated that the local cost savings to taxpayers by taking cases from the state level and shifting them to the federal level should result in a windfall of roughly 2.5 million dollars a year. So uh it's pretty big deal financially for our local communities. We're excited to have Ms. SINY on board, and we're excited for our partnership with the City of Post Falls and the other local partners that are helping to make this happen. Thank you. Thank you. You'd you're welcome to come say hello if you'd like to. Thank you, Mayor Westlin. Uh yes, my name is Julia Zimney. I am the new Special Assistant United States attorney that's been selected for this position. I am so grateful to the City of Post Falls and to the other communities that um wanted to contribute to this cause.
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