Twin Falls City Council Meeting - February 23, 2026

The Twin Falls City Council met on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 5:00 PM in the City Council Chambers. Mayor Jason Brown presided, with Vice Mayor Craig Hawkins and Council Members Ruth Pierce, Christopher Reid, Nathan Murray, Cherie Vollmer (excused), and Grayson Stone (present by phone). The meeting covered recognition of water/wastewater operator licenses, a presentation on swimming pool deregulation, and several action items including funding for airport well repair, purchase of a street sweeper, demolition funds, and an annexation ordinance. The council also entered executive session for legal consultation.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the February 9, 2026, City Council minutes.
• Approved Accounts Payable for February 5-18, 2026.
• Approved February 18, 2026, Travel Requests.
• Approved Special Event Permits for: Falls2Falls, FLUD Glow in the Dark 5K Fundraiser, Over the Falls Climbing Competition, Engage in Education Community Picnic, St. Patty's Day Parade, and St. Patty's Day Festival.
• Approved Final Plat for City Pool on Locust Subdivision (2 lots on ~20 acres) on behalf of the City.
• Approved Final Plat for Mason Subdivision (2 lots on ~1.5 acres) on behalf of Kurt Mason.
• Accepted public right-of-way.
• Approved quitclaim of a vacated alley portion to adjacent property owner.
• Approved quitclaim of Magic Road Right of Way in Perrine Point Subdivision to Tres Gringos, LLC.
• Approved Final Plat for Little Creek Subdivision (8 lots on 2.81 acres at 900-1000 Block of Creekside Way) on behalf of Gary Wolverton.
• The Consent Calendar was approved in a 5-0 roll call vote (Council Member Vollmer excused).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public provided input during the General Public Input period.

Discussion Items

• Recognition of Water and Wastewater Operator Licenses: Public Works Director Josh Baird and Wastewater Superintendent Doug Gonzales presented certificates to operators who achieved new license levels. Recognized individuals included: Jeff Molina (Class 1 water treatment), Drew Foster (Class 1 water treatment), Salvador Granados (Class 1 water distribution), Russell Thompson (Class 3 water distribution), Juan Puente (Class 4 wastewater), Lawrence McFarling (Class 4 wastewater), and Chris Watson (Class 2 wastewater). City Manager Travis Rothweiler also announced the upcoming retirements of Doug Gonzales and Elmer Freeman, thanking them for their decades of service.
• 2025 Legislative Deregulation of Public Swimming Pools: Josh Jensen (Environmental Health Director, South Central Public Health District) explained that as of July 1, 2025, state IDAPA rules for public swimming pools were repealed, eliminating permitting and inspection requirements. He presented options for the city to adopt a local ordinance and partner with the health district via a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) funded by annual permit fees. Council members discussed concerns about disease transmission, chemical safety, and pool clarity. Council Member Reid requested that planning, zoning, and parks and recreation staff be involved. The council agreed to move forward with the process, directing staff to work with the health district to draft an ordinance and bring it back for public input. Other cities (Hailey, Gooding, Wendell, Shoshone, Filer, Buhl) are pursuing similar measures.
• Airport Farm Irrigation Well Repair: Airport Director Matt Barnes requested $50,000 from Airport Reserve Funds to repair the irrigation well serving 222 acres of city-owned farmland leased to Messner Farms. The lease requires the lessee to pay 15% of repair costs (up to $6,000). The FAA-approved airport layout plan designates the land for non-aeronautical use. After discussion, the council approved the request (6-0).
• Purchase of 2026 Freightliner Sweeper: Street Superintendent Mark Thomson and operator Zach Hausner presented a request to purchase a 2026 Freightliner truck with a mechanical broom sweeper at a cost of $375,133.62 using a Sourcewell cooperative purchasing agreement, and to authorize the Public Works Director to execute the contract. The existing sweeper (purchased in 2019) has exceeded its useful life and will be auctioned. Delivery is expected within 90-120 days. Approved 6-0.
• Demolition of Priebe Hatchery: Parks and Recreation Director Wendy Davis requested $57,300 in contingency funds for demolition, removal, permitting, and mitigation of the Priebe Hatchery building. A prior $39,000 allocation had been used in 2024 but was insufficient. The new funds account for compliance with the SWIP plan. Approved 6-0.
• Annexation Ordinance O-2026-003: Senior City Planner William Klaver presented the ordinance to annex property at the southwest corner of Blue Lakes Boulevard South and Orchard Drive. The Planning & Zoning Commission recommended zoning of Town Neighborhood 2 on the south and west portions and Community Market with a ZDA (Zoning Development Agreement) on the northeast, which allows a gas station as a permitted use and forage units as a special use permit. The council voted 6-0 to dispense with the rules and place the ordinance on third and final reading, then adopted it 6-0. The mayor was directed to sign the ordinance before a notary due to the ZDA.

Key Outcomes

• Approved all Consent Calendar items (5-0).
• Recognized water/wastewater operators for license achievements.
• Directed staff to collaborate with South Central Public Health District to draft a local swimming pool ordinance (consensus, no vote required).
• Approved $50,000 from Airport Reserve Funds for well repair (6-0).
• Approved purchase of 2026 Freightliner sweeper for $375,133.62 via Sourcewell (6-0).
• Approved $57,300 in contingency funds for Priebe Hatchery demolition (6-0).
• Adopted Ordinance O-2026-003 for annexation of property at Blue Lakes Blvd S and Orchard Drive (6-0).
• Adjourned to executive session at 5:44 PM to discuss pending litigation under Idaho Code § 74-206(1)(f) (6-0). The regular meeting concluded at 6:15 PM.