Twin Falls City Council Meeting - November 17, 2025

The Twin Falls City Council met on Monday, November 17, 2025, at 5:00 PM in the Council Chambers. Mayor Ruth Pierce presided with six members present (Councilman Grayson Stone excused). The meeting included a proclamation, consent calendar, staff presentations, multiple action items, advisory reports, and a public hearing. Nearly all votes were unanimous (6-0), with one abstention on the animal shelter contract.

Proclamations

• Native American Heritage Recognition Month: Mayor Pierce read and presented a proclamation declaring November as National American Indian Heritage Month. Lorraine Jordan of the Daughters of the American Revolution (Twin Falls chapter) accepted on behalf of the chapter and highlighted educational efforts on Native American contributions.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (6-0) by motion of Council Member Hawkins, seconded by Council Member Vollmer. Items included:
  • Approval of November 3, 2025 City Council minutes.
  • Accounts payable for Oct 30–Nov 5, 2025.
  • Airport ground lease termination and new lease agreements with Reeder Flying Service, Reeder Airport Properties, and Reeder Jet Center.
  • Assignment of ground lease from Estate of Gary Wolverton Sr. to Gary Wolverton Jr.
  • Improvement Agreement for Two Creeks No. 1 at the Preserve public infrastructure.
  • Acceptance of public right-of-way.
  • Authorization for payment of FY2026 Traveler's Insurance premium.

Discussion Items

• MVMPO & Long-Range Planning Update: Nathan Jerke, Executive Director of the Magic Valley MPO, presented on formation history, the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) for 2050, growth forecasts, and project lists. He announced three public outreach meetings (Nov 18–20) and encouraged online participation. No action was taken.
• Well #5 Project – Water Reserves & Construction Contract: Staff Engineer Trenton Essex requested authorization to use $2,980,000 from Water Reserves and award the construction contract to Suburban Construction for $2,395,826, with Option A (base bid, chain-link fence) recommended over Option B (rock-style fence). Council member questions focused on fencing. Motion by Vice Mayor Brown, seconded by Council Member Reid, approved unanimously (6-0).
• Animal Shelter Expansion – Negotiations with Starr Corp: Assistant City Manager Mandi Thompson requested authorization to enter negotiations with Starr Corp for CM/GC services. The expansion includes a cat colony, surgical suite, and separate kennel building. Thompson reported nine responses to an RFQ; Starr Corp ranked first after interviews. Motion by Council Member Reid, seconded by Council Member Vollmer, passed 5-0-1 (Council Member Cutler abstained).
• Twin Falls Golf Club – Concession Agreement: Parks and Recreation Director Wendy Davis requested approval of a seven-year concession agreement (with a five-year renewal option) with Travis Hofland Golf, LLC to operate and manage the golf club, starting January 2026. Davis noted the agreement followed negotiations authorized on October 13, 2025. Travis Hofland thanked the council. Motion by Council Member Vollmer, seconded by Vice Mayor Brown, approved unanimously (6-0).
• Ordinance 2025-026 – Duty to Identify to Law Enforcement: Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Nicole Swafford presented an ordinance amending City Code 6-2-7 to require suspects to provide name and date of birth upon reasonable suspicion of a law violation. Discussion included definitions of reasonable suspicion and that verbal identification satisfies the requirement. The council dispensed with rules and placed the ordinance on third and final reading by title only, then adopted it (both votes 6-0). Lieutenants from police available for questions.
• Ordinance 2025-027 – Public Parks Code Amendment: Parks Director Davis requested adoption of an ordinance amending City Code Title 8, Chapter 3 regarding public parks. The ordinance had been previously reviewed on October 27. Council dispensed with rules and placed it on third and final reading, then adopted it (both votes 6-0).

Advisory Board Reports & Announcements

• Mayor Pierce announced that the city received a grant of nearly $24,000 from the C Graves Foundation for four sets of rapid flashing beacons to be installed at Hanson Street and 2nd Avenue, near the location of a fatal pedestrian accident in 2024. She thanked city staff for the presentation.
• City Manager Rothweiler announced two strategic planning listening sessions on December 11, 2025: 2:30–4:30 PM at the College of Southern Idaho and 6:00–8:00 PM at the First Federal Community Room.
• Mayor Pierce reminded the public of the Annual Festival of Lights Parade on December 5, 2025.

Public Hearing

• Vacate Platted Waterline Easement – Sun West Subdivision No. 2: Planning & Zoning Director Jonathan Spendlove presented a request to vacate a waterline easement at 1594 Sun West Way on behalf of MW Idaho Properties LLC (applicant). The water line had been relocated to accommodate a future Tractor Supply Co. store. Applicant representative Gerald Martins spoke in favor. Public hearing opened at 5:52 PM and closed at 5:53 PM with no public testimony. Motion by Vice Mayor Brown, seconded by Council Member Vollmer, approved unanimously (6-0).

Key Outcomes

• All action items were approved, with the following votes:
  • Consent Calendar: 6-0.
  • Well #5 project (water reserves & contract): 6-0.
  • Animal shelter CM/GC negotiations: 5-0-1 (Cutler abstained).
  • Golf club concession agreement: 6-0.
  • Ordinance 2025-026 (duty to identify): Adopted 6-0.
  • Ordinance 2025-027 (public parks): Adopted 6-0.
  • Easement vacation: 6-0.
• No general public input was received.
• Meeting adjourned at approximately 6:00 PM.