Twin Falls City Council Meeting – January 12, 2026

The Twin Falls City Council met at 5:00 PM on Monday, January 12, 2026, in Council Chambers at 203 Main Avenue East, Twin Falls, Idaho. Mayor Jason Brown presided with all seven council members present: Vice Mayor Craig Hawkins and Council Members Ruth Pierce, Christopher Reid, Grayson Stone, Cherie Vollmer, and Nathan Murray. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation. The agenda listed Pastor David Graham for the invocation, but the transcript states Pastor Graham was away and Pastor Paul Thompson delivered the prayer; the minutes thank Pastor Thomson.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the consent calendar 7-0 on a motion by Council Member Pierce, seconded by Council Member Stone. It included: approval of the January 5, 2026 City Council minutes; approval of accounts payable for January 1-8, 2026; and approval of December 10, 2025 travel requests.

Items of Consideration

• Austin Allen, a Water Department employee and City Retreat Committee member, presented a check for $2,621.00 from the City Retreat Committee to the Twin Falls School District. He thanked council and leadership, raffle contributors, and the retreat committee for supporting the fundraiser.
• Eva, a Twin Falls School District representative, accepted the check and thanked city employees. She said the district identifies more than 400 children each year who meet the federal definition of homelessness. Funds go to the district’s angel fund, managed by homeless and at-risk coordinator Jenny Herzlog, to fill gaps for families. Eva gave the example of a family with two parents working, including one working multiple jobs, and two high-school athletes; the fund bought team spirit wear so the students could participate without stigma.
• Vice Mayor Hawkins thanked the retreat committee and praised the event’s organization.
• Parks and Recreation Director Wendy Davis presented Mayor Brown’s recommendation to appoint Catherine Walworth to fill a partial term on the Public Art Commission. Davis explained that Camille Berriger resigned last fall, the city received two qualified applicants, and an interview committee including Council Member Hawkins recommended Walworth, who recently returned to Twin Falls after living away. Davis noted the appointment crossed mayoral terms and that both the current and previous mayors supported it.
• The council approved Walworth’s appointment 7-0 on a motion by Council Member Pierce, seconded by Vice Mayor Hawkins, with no further discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mike Leon, a visitor from Antioch, California, said he is planning to make Twin Falls his next home and first visited in 1974 to watch Evel Knievel’s jump. He asked how the city handles noise-abatement complaints and party enforcement, saying his hometown grew from about 48,000 to 62,000 residents over 20 years. Mayor Brown advised him to contact the City Manager’s Office so staff could provide accurate information.

Advisory Board Report & Announcements

• City Manager Travis Rothweiler announced that city offices will be closed Monday, January 19, 2026, and the next City Council meeting will be held Tuesday, January 20, 2026. The written minutes list the holiday as January 19, 2025, which appears to be a typo for 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar approved 7-0.
• Catherine Walworth appointed to the Public Art Commission 7-0.
• $2,621.00 presented to the Twin Falls School District.
• No action was taken on the public comment question.
• The meeting adjourned at 5:18 PM.