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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Twin Falls City Council Meeting - April 20, 2026

City Council — Monday, April 20, 2026

BodyTwin Falls, Idaho

SessionCity Council

DateMonday, April 20, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

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Transcript — Verbatim

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Speaker 1

0:25

Okay, we'll go ahead and call the Twin Falls City Council meeting for April 20th, 2026 to order.

0:33

I will confirm that we have six members in the chambers, and Councilman Stone is excused.

0:40

All those that would like to and are able to stand, please join in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Unassigned speaker

0:49

I

Speaker 2

0:49

put the allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

Unassigned speaker

0:54

To

Speaker 2

0:54

the Republic for which is one nation.

Speaker 1

1:06

Thank you.

1:08

We do have a proclamation tonight in honor of Arbor Day, and so I'll go ahead and read that proclamation.

1:16

Arbor Day Proclamation, whereas in 1872, J.

1:21

Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees, and whereas this holiday called Arbor Day was first observed with the planting of more than a one more than a million trees in Nebraska, and whereas Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world, and whereas trees can reduce the erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and water, cut heating and cooling cost, moderate the temperature, clean the air, produce oxygen, and provide habitat for wildlife.

1:57

And whereas trees are a renewable resource, giving us paper, wood for our homes, fuel for our fires, and countless other wood products.

2:09

And whereas trees in our city increase property value, enhance the economic vitality of business, businesses, business areas, and a beautiful beautify our community, and whereas trees, wherever they are planted, are a source of joy and renewal.

2:27

Therefore, I Jason Brown, mayor of the city of Twin Falls, do hereby proclaim Friday, April 24th, 2026 as Arbor

Unassigned speaker

2:36

Day

Speaker 1

2:37

in the city of Twin Falls, and I urge all citizens to celebrate Arbor Day and to support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands.

2:45

And further, I urge all citizens to plant plant trees to gladden the hearts and promote the well-being of this and future generations.

2:54

And I think chance is going to receive

Unassigned speaker

2:57

them.

Speaker 3

3:36

Julia Sterling Morton wrote,

Unassigned speaker

3:38

other

Speaker 3

3:38

holidays repose upon the past.

Unassigned speaker

3:44

As

Speaker 3

3:44

an American journalist and Nebraska Territory Secretary, in 1872, Mr.

3:49

Morton proposed a tree planting holiday that resulted in over a million trees planted in the state.

3:55

By 1920, more than 45 trees were per states.

3:59

Sorry, were participating.

4:03

States observe the annual tree planting holiday known as Arbor Day.

4:14

That list is extensive, but still many see trees as nuisance

Unassigned speaker

4:20

that

Speaker 3

4:21

cause cracks in walkways, clog water lines, and disrupt other services.

4:25

What is not explained in those short proclamation statements is that trees, especially street trees of appropriate species and with sufficient planter volume, slow and reduce stormwater runoff, therefore reducing infrastructure costs of increasing capacity.

4:42

Trees lining streets can also slow asphalt binder breakdown, therefore reducing cracks.

4:49

For these reasons and all those listed in the proclamation, trees are and should be valued, inventoried, and maintained just as other city infrastructure is.

5:08

Meeting all four standards of recognition.

5:12

Those standards include number one, maintaining a tree board,

Unassigned speaker

5:16

which

Speaker 3

5:16

we do through the Parks and Recreation Commission, implementing a tree care ordinance, demonstrating a per capita spending of tree care for urban forestry, as well as celebrating and observing Arbor Day.

Unassigned speaker

5:30

This

Speaker 3

5:30

year, the Parks and Recreation Department requests that the City of Twin Falls Arbor Day be celebrated on the 24th this coming Friday.

5:38

On this date, trees will be planted at the newly remodeled and expanded city pool in conjunction with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Unassigned speaker

5:46

We

Speaker 3

5:46

invite city council members, parks and recreation commission members, and everyone in this room or anyone listening to join us from three

Unassigned speaker

5:56

at

Speaker 3

5:56

three o'clock, we'll be planting some trees, and four o'clock is a ribbon cutting for the pool.

6:01

Thank you for your consideration.

6:03

And once again for the um recognizing and celebrating Harbor Day.

6:07

Thanks, Chance.

Speaker 1

6:14

Okay, we'll move on to our next item of business, and that is the consent calendar.

6:18

What are council's wishes?

Speaker 4

6:20

Move to approve.

Speaker 1

6:21

Have a motion to approve the consent calendar by Councilman Reed.

6:24

Do I have a second?

6:25

Second.

6:27

Second by Councilwoman Pierce.

6:29

Is there any discussion on the consent calendar?

6:32

Okay.

6:33

Rachel Roll Call vote.

Speaker 5

6:35

Nathan Murray.

Speaker 1

6:37

Yes.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Transportation Safety████████████████████████████28%

Emergency Management██████████████████18%

Procedural█████████████████17%

Fire Safety███████████████15%

Public Transportation███████████████15%

Parks and Recreation████4%

Public Safety██2%

Budget Equity Analysis█1%

Summary of Proceedings

Twin Falls City Council Meeting - April 20, 2026

The Twin Falls City Council met on Monday, April 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM in City Hall. Six members were present (Mayor Jason Brown, Vice Mayor Craig Hawkins, Council Members Ruth Pierce, Christopher Reid, Nathan Murray, Cherie Vollmer); Council Member Grayson Stone was excused. The meeting adjourned at 6:15 PM. Key actions included approvals for an emergency operations plan, adoption of an amended ordinance on transient merchants, and recognition of fire department promotions.

Proclamations

Arbor Day Proclamation: Mayor Brown read and presented the proclamation declaring Friday, April 24, 2026, as Arbor Day in Twin Falls. The Parks and Recreation Department will celebrate by planting trees at the newly remodeled city pool at 3:00 PM, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the pool at 4:00 PM.

Consent Calendar

Approved unanimously (6-0):
- City Council minutes for April 6 and April 13, 2026.
- Accounts payable for April 9-15, 2026.
- Airport lease agreement with SkyWest Airlines, authorizing the Mayor to sign.
- Termination of an easement at 324 Ostrander St.

Fire Department Promotions

Fire Chief Mitchell Brooks presented promotions with ceremonial pinning of rank badges:
- Battalion Chief Joell Miller (promoted March 23, 2026)
- Captains Andy Stephenson and Kody Lewin (promoted March 27 and April 23, 2026, respectively)
- Driver/Operators Joe Renaldi and Lane Barker (promoted March 23 and April 23, 2026, respectively)
Chief Brooks noted these promotions were driven by a retirement and the need to fill leadership roles, and he expressed full confidence in each individual’s ability to serve the community.

Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) Negotiations

Presentation: Courtney Cunningham (CSO III) and Erin Steel (Assistant Public Works Director) explained that the City’s emergency management parallel team has identified the need for a comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and a City Hall Emergency Action Plan. An RFP received 15 proposals from across the nation; the team interviewed and ranked the top five firms.
Top-ranked firm (HDR) priced at over $140,000 but excelled in grant assistance (over $500 million in grants won nationally). The second-ranked firm (Tamarack) is at the $100,000 budget.
Two motions approved unanimously (6-0 each):
1. Use of contingency funds: Authorized $40,000 from the contingency fund (remaining balance ~$178,000) for negotiations, bringing total available to $140,000 (previous $100,000 from council-directed capital plus new $40,000).
2. Authorize contract negotiations: Staff may negotiate with the top five ranked firms, starting with the top-ranked firm and moving to the second if needed, not to exceed $140,000 total.

Ordinance Amendment – Transient Merchants, Vendors, Peddlers, and Solicitors

Police Captain Brent Wright presented the amended Chapter 14 Ordinance No. 0-2026-004. The amendment addresses FBI feedback that the term “other entity” was too vague. The language was changed to “other business entity formed under or recognized by Idaho state law,” and language about “whether as an owner, agent, consignee, or employee” was removed.
The ordinance was placed on third and final reading by title only (motion 6-0) and then adopted (motion 6-0). The City will resubmit the ordinance to the FBI for final approval.

Magic Valley MPO Long-Range Plan Update

Nathan Jerke, Executive Director of the Magic Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (MVMPO), presented Vision 2050: Connecting the Magic Valley, the 20-year Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). The plan is in a month-long public comment period.
Key data:
- Over 300 people provided input through six open houses and online surveys.
- Top community priorities: safety (number one), traffic congestion improvements, safer walking/biking facilities, improved lighting, and transit expansion.
- Crash data (2019-2023): 7,700 crashes in the MPO area including 45 fatalities and more than 300 serious injuries; 100 crashes involved pedestrians/bicyclists with 5 fatalities and 28 serious injuries.
- 80% of traffic starts and ends within the MPO boundary; 90% is small vehicle traffic.
- Currently 8 intersections operate below Level of Service D; by 2050 without improvements, this could grow to over 20.
- Sidewalk gaps: 65 miles; bicycle network gaps: 77 miles.
- Transit (Ride TFT): ~64,000 rides, 82,000 passengers annually; 52% are discounted (elderly/disabled); only 2 of 8 vans are ADA-compliant.
- Projected 37% growth in dwellings and 38% growth in jobs over 25 years (1.8% population growth per year).
Project identification: 196 total projects identified, broken into three categories:
- Committed (~$78M): already funded projects (seal coats, maintenance).
- Recommended (~$160M): 82 high-priority projects (42 intersections, 11 roadway, 9 bicycle, 11 pedestrian, 9 safe routes to school).
- Illustrative (~$136M): 93 mid/low-priority projects, mostly bicycle/pedestrian, with unmet funding needs.
Twin Falls-specific recommended projects focus on major route intersections, pedestrian improvements near schools, and several planned studies (downtown circulation, regional pathways, transit strategic plan, truck access plan, congestion management).
Council Member Murray asked about a “foundational” project; Jerke identified the Blue Lakes/Pole Line intersection area as a critical gateway, noting that the area has filled quickly since alternate route construction.

Public Comments

Maria Hernandez, a Twin Falls native, spoke in general public input. She thanked former co-workers Officer John Barsness and Officer Cindy Robertson of Boise Airport Police for encouraging her career transition from TSA screener to juvenile detention officer, which increased her hourly wage from $5.50 to $8.75. She urged others to follow their dreams.

Advisory Reports & Announcements

Vice Mayor Craig Hawkins reminded that the District AIC meeting is Thursday at 9:00 AM at the Hilton Garden Inn.
Deputy City Manager Mitch Humble announced the retirement of Battalion Chief Schmitz (celebration Friday at 2:00 PM at the training center) and the grand opening of the city pool (tree planting at 3:00 PM, ribbon cutting at 4:00 PM).

Key Outcomes

All consent calendar items approved (6-0).
Arbor Day proclamation read and presented.
Fire department promotions recognized ceremonially.
Use of $40,000 contingency funds for EOP negotiations approved (6-0).
Authorization to negotiate with top five firms for EOP development approved (6-0).
Ordinance No. 0-2026-004 (amended transient merchant code) adopted after third reading (6-0).
Magic Valley MPO Vision 2050 plan presented; public comment period ongoing (closing date not specified).
Meeting adjourned at 6:15 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, we'll go ahead and call the Twin Falls City Council meeting for April 20th, 2026 to order. I will confirm that we have six members in the chambers, and Councilman Stone is excused. All those that would like to and are able to stand, please join in the Pledge of Allegiance. I put the allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. To the Republic for which is one nation. Thank you. We do have a proclamation tonight in honor of Arbor Day, and so I'll go ahead and read that proclamation. Arbor Day Proclamation, whereas in 1872, J. Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees, and whereas this holiday called Arbor Day was first observed with the planting of more than a one more than a million trees in Nebraska, and whereas Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world, and whereas trees can reduce the erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and water, cut heating and cooling cost, moderate the temperature, clean the air, produce oxygen, and provide habitat for wildlife. And whereas trees are a renewable resource, giving us paper, wood for our homes, fuel for our fires, and countless other wood products. And whereas trees in our city increase property value, enhance the economic vitality of business, businesses, business areas, and a beautiful beautify our community, and whereas trees, wherever they are planted, are a source of joy and renewal. Therefore, I Jason Brown, mayor of the city of Twin Falls, do hereby proclaim Friday, April 24th, 2026 as Arbor Day in the city of Twin Falls, and I urge all citizens to celebrate Arbor Day and to support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands. And further, I urge all citizens to plant plant trees to gladden the hearts and promote the well-being of this and future generations. And I think chance is going to receive them. Julia Sterling Morton wrote, other holidays repose upon the past. As an American journalist and Nebraska Territory Secretary, in 1872, Mr. Morton proposed a tree planting holiday that resulted in over a million trees planted in the state. By 1920, more than 45 trees were per states. Sorry, were participating. States observe the annual tree planting holiday known as Arbor Day. That list is extensive, but still many see trees as nuisance that cause cracks in walkways, clog water lines, and disrupt other services. What is not explained in those short proclamation statements is that trees, especially street trees of appropriate species and with sufficient planter volume, slow and reduce stormwater runoff, therefore reducing infrastructure costs of increasing capacity. Trees lining streets can also slow asphalt binder breakdown, therefore reducing cracks. For these reasons and all those listed in the proclamation, trees are and should be valued, inventoried, and maintained just as other city infrastructure is. Meeting all four standards of recognition. Those standards include number one, maintaining a tree board, which we do through the Parks and Recreation Commission, implementing a tree care ordinance, demonstrating a per capita spending of tree care for urban forestry, as well as celebrating and observing Arbor Day. This year, the Parks and Recreation Department requests that the City of Twin Falls Arbor Day be celebrated on the 24th this coming Friday. On this date, trees will be planted at the newly remodeled and expanded city pool in conjunction with a ribbon cutting ceremony. We invite city council members, parks and recreation commission members, and everyone in this room or anyone listening to join us from three at three o'clock, we'll be planting some trees, and four o'clock is a ribbon cutting for the pool. Thank you for your consideration. And once again for the um recognizing and celebrating Harbor Day. Thanks, Chance. Okay, we'll move on to our next item of business, and that is the consent calendar. What are council's wishes?

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