Twin Falls City Council Meeting – January 26, 2026

The Twin Falls City Council met on Monday, January 26, 2026, at 5:00 PM in the City Council Chambers. Mayor Jason Brown presided; a quorum was present. Council Member Cherie Vollmer was absent, and Council Member Grayson Stone participated remotely. The council unanimously approved the consent calendar and two infrastructure funding requests from city reserves.

Consent Calendar

• Council Member Reid moved, and Council Member Pierce seconded, to approve the consent calendar as presented. The roll call vote passed 6-0.
• Approved items included: City Council minutes from January 20, 2026; Accounts Payable for January 15-21, 2026; January 21, 2026 travel requests; and special event permits for the Twin Falls Fireworks, the City of Twin Falls Recreation Track and Field Day, and the 100 Year Anniversary Tent Revival.

Discussion Items

• Wastewater Treatment Plant Airline Replacement: Environmental Manager Nathan Erickson requested $292,085 from wastewater reserve funds to replace the 16-inch main airline to aeration basins 1 and 2 at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The existing carbon steel line has repeatedly rusted and rotted due to heat and moisture from the blowers; this is the second time it has needed replacement. The recommended project would use stainless steel pipe installed above ground and includes a contract with Barnes Companies, Inc., $5,000 for engineering support, and a 15% contingency. Erickson reported that initial bids of $617,000 and $348,000 were rejected, and a second round of informal bidding produced bids of just over $358,000 and approximately $249,558; staff recommended the lower Barnes Companies bid. In response to Council Member Reid's question, Erickson said the stainless steel line should last much longer than the current pipe.
• HMI Remediation Street and Stormwater Improvements: Assistant Public Works Director Erin Steel requested up to $921,500 from water reserves to pay for street and stormwater improvements for the HMI remediation project. Steel explained that a substantial water main leak in June 2018 led to an agreement with HMI to complete repairs, which include street/stormwater work plus later slope stabilization, retaining walls, and other pieces still under design. The street and stormwater portion is ready to go out to bid. Council Member Murray asked whether this fully satisfied the remediation; Steel replied that it satisfies only a portion and she would return with additional requests.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the use of wastewater reserve funds for the airline replacement, not to exceed $292,085 (motion by Pierce, second by Reid; passed 6-0).
• Approved the use of up to $921,500 of water reserves for HMI street and stormwater improvements (motion by Reid, second by Pierce; passed 6-0). Note: although the agenda and staff request referred to "water reserves," the motion as read aloud by the Mayor referred to "wastewater reserves."
• No public input was offered, and no advisory board reports were given. The meeting adjourned at 5:12 PM.