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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Twin Falls City Council Meeting Summary - April 27, 2026

City Council — Monday, April 27, 2026

BodyTwin Falls, Idaho

SessionCity Council

DateMonday, April 27, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

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Speaker 1

0:20

Okay, we'll go ahead and call the uh city council meeting for Twin Falls for April twenty-seventh, twenty twenty six to order.

Unassigned speaker

0:30

Speaker 1

0:30

will confirm that we have all seven council members in chamber tonight, and our first item is the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:36

All though all those that would like to join me, please stand.

Speaker 2

0:41

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

0:46

To the Republic for a wish of stands.

0:51

Indivisible with liberty and justice for

Unassigned speaker

0:54

all.

Speaker 1

0:56

Thank you.

0:58

We do have a proclamation tonight,

Unassigned speaker

1:00

and

Speaker 1

1:00

I'll go ahead and read

Unassigned speaker

1:02

that.

Speaker 1

1:04

Sexual assault awareness week and denim day, April twenty twenty six.

1:10

Whereas sexual assault is a serious public safety and public health issue that affects people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds, and has lasting impacts on victims, families, and the community.

1:24

And whereas Sexual Assault Awareness Month is observed each April to promote public education, encourage prevention strategies, and support survivors through coordinated community action.

1:36

And whereas Sexual Assault Awareness Week is observed during April to focus com focus community attention

Unassigned speaker

1:44

Speaker 1

1:45

prevention, awareness, and survivor support through education and encouragement.

Unassigned speaker

1:51

And

Speaker 1

1:51

whereas Denham Day, recognized on April twenty ninth, twenty twenty six, is a visible victim-centered awareness effort that rejects harmful myths about sexual violence and affirms that responsibility for sexual assault always rests with the perpetrator, and whereas supporting survivors requires a trauma informed, victim-centered approach that prioritize prior prioritizes dignity, safety, and access to services and resources.

2:23

And whereas the city recognizes the importance of coordinated community response and a collaboration among local government, law enforcement, prosecutors, health care providers, and community-based advocates to strengthen prevention, support reporting, and advance survivor healing.

2:42

And whereas the City of Twin Falls recognizes and appreciates the local partners who support survivors and strengthen our response to sexual violence, including St.

2:52

Luke's Hospital for conducting local sexual assault exams, the Twin Falls County Prosecutor's Office for prosecuting sexual assault cases and holding offenders responsible, and voices against violence for providing community advocacy and survivor support.

3:11

Therefore, I Jason Brown, Mayor of the City of Twin Falls, do hereby proclaim April twenty-seventh, twenty twenty six as sexual assault awareness week, including denim day on April twenty-ninth, twenty twenty six.

3:24

And I encourage residents, city staff, local businesses, and community partners to participate in awareness and prevent prevention efforts and to support survivors in our community.

3:36

The week of week of May 4th through the seventh.

3:43

Okay, who's who's gonna who's coming down to receive this?

Unassigned speaker

3:47

Perfect, okay.

Unassigned speaker

5:02

Okay,

Speaker 1

5:02

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

5:07

What are council's wishes?

Speaker 3

5:09

Move to approve.

Speaker 1

5:10

Have a first.

5:11

Do I have a second?

5:12

Second.

5:14

I have a first to and a second to approve the consent calendar.

5:18

Any other discussion by the council?

5:20

Rachel roll call vote.

Speaker 4

5:22

Ruth Pierce.

Speaker 1

5:23

Yes.

Speaker 4

5:24

Chris Reed.

Speaker 1

5:24

Yes.

Speaker 4

5:25

Craig Hawkins?

5:26

Yes.

5:26

Jason Brown.

5:27

Yes.

5:27

Sherry Vulmer.

5:28

Yes.

5:28

Grayson Stone.

Speaker 1

5:29

Yes.

Speaker 4

5:30

And Nathan Murray.

Speaker 1

5:31

Yes.

Unassigned speaker

5:32

Okay.

Speaker 1

5:32

Motion carries seven to zero.

5:34

Thank

Unassigned speaker

5:35

you.

Unassigned speaker

5:36

The

Speaker 1

5:36

next item is items of consideration.

5:38

Our first uh action or our first item is a request to ratify staff action and authorize the application of

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Public Safety███████████████████████23%

Budget Equity Analysis█████████████████████21%

Zoning And Land Use█████████████████████21%

Public Transportation████████████████16%

Procedural█████████████13%

Fire Safety███3%

Election Procedures███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Twin Falls City Council Meeting Summary - April 27, 2026

The Twin Falls City Council met on Monday, April 27, 2026, at 5:00 PM with all seven council members present. Mayor Jason Brown presided. The meeting covered the proclamation of Sexual Assault Awareness Week, consent calendar approvals, operational items including a fire truck lease adjustment, airport janitorial services, hazardous material grant acceptance, authorization to apply for a COPS grant, and the confirmation of policy board appointments. The council also held a public hearing and approved a zoning overlay, and moved into executive session.

Proclamations

Mayor Brown read and presented a proclamation declaring April 27, 2026, as Sexual Assault Awareness Week in Twin Falls, including Denim Day on April 29, 2026. The proclamation recognized local partners including St. Luke's Hospital, the Twin Falls County Prosecutor's Office, and Voices Against Violence.

Consent Calendar

Approved the minutes of the April 20, 2026, City Council meeting.
Approved Accounts Payable for April 16-22, 2026.
Approved the February & March 2026 Wells Fargo Credit Card Summary.
Approved an Alcohol License for Hong Kong of Twin Falls.
Accepted a bench donation from Wanda Gustafson in memory of Kathryn and Dale Tankersley.
Motion by Council Member Reid, seconded by Council Member Hawkins. Approved 7-0.

Discussion Items

Fire Truck Lease Interest Revenue: Chief Financial Officer Breanna Howard requested ratification of staff action to apply $114,342.40 in accrued interest revenue toward the lease principal for the Pierce PUC Enforcer Pumper, generating approximately $15,728 in savings. City Manager Travis Rothweiler commended the action as a 'windfall' from the city's investment strategy. Motion by Council Member Stone, seconded by Council Member Vollmer. Approved 7-0.
Airport Janitorial Services: Airport Manager Matt Barnes requested approval to reallocate approximately $38,000 from a vacant part-time Airport Custodian position to fund a janitorial professional services contract, at an estimated cost of $300 per cleaning, twice per week. Council Member Murray inquired about the permanence of the change; Barnes confirmed it is included in the fiscal year 2027 budget proposal. Motion by Council Member Pierce, seconded by Council Member Reid. Approved 7-0.
Hazardous Material Response Grant: Battalion Chief Corey Beam requested approval to accept and expend up to $500,885.71 in state-appropriated legislative funds for state-approved hazardous material response equipment through a reimbursement model. Motion by Council Member Pierce, seconded by Council Member Stone. Approved 7-0.
COPS Grant Application: Police Chief Matthew Hicks and Captain Brent Wright requested authorization to apply for the federal COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) grant. The request outlines applying for funding for four additional officers. Discussion included staffing challenges highlighted by data from the 2025 annual report: a resident population of 56,000 with 1.4 officers per 1,000 (dropping to 0.8 with the influx population), 43,425 calls for service with only 40 deployable patrol officers, and significant overtime costs ($118,000 for patrol year-to-date). Council Members expressed support, noting the department's successful history of receiving the grant in all prior applications (three grants totaling 10 officers). The grant application does not obligate the city to accept funds if awarded. Motion by Council Member Reid, seconded by Council Member Hawkins. Approved 7-0.
Magic Valley MPO Appointments: City Manager Rothweiler requested the confirmation of Mayor Jason Brown and Clark Kauffman to serve staggered three-year terms on the Magic Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (MVMPO) policy board. Council Member Pierce voiced her support, having worked with both appointees. Motion by Council Member Pierce, seconded by Council Member Murray. Approved 7-0.

Public Hearing

Zoning District Change: The council held a public hearing for a request by Mark Jones on behalf of owner Carolyn Matsuoka to add a Professional Office Overlay to the property located at 2111 Addison Ave E (currently zoned TN-1, Town Neighborhood). City Planner Kelli Ebersole presented staff findings, noting the property is on an arterial road adjacent to existing overlay and commercial properties and is consistent with the comprehensive plan's neighborhood commercial designation. The Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval on March 10, 2026. Applicant stated the overlay would allow the widow owner to sell the property at its highest and best use. No public testimony was offered. Council Member Vollmer stated the change 'makes sense' given the surrounding context. Motion by Council Member Reid, seconded by Council Member Stone. Approved 7-0.

Key Outcomes

Ratified the application of $114,342.40 in interest to a fire truck lease principal (7-0).
Authorized reallocation of airport custodial funds to a janitorial services contract (7-0).
Authorized accepting and utilizing $500,885.71 in hazardous material response grant funds (7-0).
Authorized applying for the COPS grant for up to four officers (7-0).
Confirmed reappointments of Jason Brown and Clark Kauffman to the MVMPO policy board (7-0).
Approved a Professional Office Overlay zoning change for 2111 Addison Ave E (7-0).
Moved into Executive Session at 5:45 PM to discuss personnel, real property, and pending litigation pursuant to Idaho Code § 74-206(1)(b)(c)(f). The meeting did not reconvene in open session.

Announcements

Council Member Pierce announced that early voting opened on April 27, 2026, encouraging citizens to vote.
Council Member Hawkins announced that Council Member Pierce received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Twin Falls Chamber of Commerce.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, we'll go ahead and call the uh city council meeting for Twin Falls for April twenty-seventh, twenty twenty six to order. I will confirm that we have all seven council members in chamber tonight, and our first item is the Pledge of Allegiance. All though all those that would like to join me, please stand. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. To the Republic for a wish of stands. Indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. We do have a proclamation tonight, and I'll go ahead and read that. Sexual assault awareness week and denim day, April twenty twenty six. Whereas sexual assault is a serious public safety and public health issue that affects people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds, and has lasting impacts on victims, families, and the community. And whereas Sexual Assault Awareness Month is observed each April to promote public education, encourage prevention strategies, and support survivors through coordinated community action. And whereas Sexual Assault Awareness Week is observed during April to focus com focus community attention on prevention, awareness, and survivor support through education and encouragement. And whereas Denham Day, recognized on April twenty ninth, twenty twenty six, is a visible victim-centered awareness effort that rejects harmful myths about sexual violence and affirms that responsibility for sexual assault always rests with the perpetrator, and whereas supporting survivors requires a trauma informed, victim-centered approach that prioritize prior prioritizes dignity, safety, and access to services and resources. And whereas the city recognizes the importance of coordinated community response and a collaboration among local government, law enforcement, prosecutors, health care providers, and community-based advocates to strengthen prevention, support reporting, and advance survivor healing. And whereas the City of Twin Falls recognizes and appreciates the local partners who support survivors and strengthen our response to sexual violence, including St. Luke's Hospital for conducting local sexual assault exams, the Twin Falls County Prosecutor's Office for prosecuting sexual assault cases and holding offenders responsible, and voices against violence for providing community advocacy and survivor support. Therefore, I Jason Brown, Mayor of the City of Twin Falls, do hereby proclaim April twenty-seventh, twenty twenty six as sexual assault awareness week, including denim day on April twenty-ninth, twenty twenty six. And I encourage residents, city staff, local businesses, and community partners to participate in awareness and prevent prevention efforts and to support survivors in our community. The week of week of May 4th through the seventh. Okay, who's who's gonna who's coming down to receive this? Perfect, okay. Okay, we'll move on to our next item of business, and that is the consent calendar. What are council's wishes? Move to approve. Have a first. Do I have a second? Second. I have a first to and a second to approve the consent calendar. Any other discussion by the council? Rachel roll call vote. Ruth Pierce. Yes. Chris Reed. Yes. Craig Hawkins? Yes. Jason Brown. Yes. Sherry Vulmer. Yes. Grayson Stone.

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Twin Falls City Council Meeting Summary - April 27, 2026

Proclamations

Mayor Brown read and presented a proclamation declaring April 27, 2026, as Sexual Assault Awareness Week in Twin Falls, including Denim Day on April 29, 2026. The proclamation recognized local partners including St. Luke's Hospital, the Twin Falls County Prosecutor's Office, and Voices Against Violence.

Consent Calendar

Approved the minutes of the April 20, 2026, City Council meeting.

Approved Accounts Payable for April 16-22, 2026.

Approved the February & March 2026 Wells Fargo Credit Card Summary.

Approved an Alcohol License for Hong Kong of Twin Falls.

Accepted a bench donation from Wanda Gustafson in memory of Kathryn and Dale Tankersley.

Motion by Council Member Reid, seconded by Council Member Hawkins. Approved 7-0.

Discussion Items

Fire Truck Lease Interest Revenue: Chief Financial Officer Breanna Howard requested ratification of staff action to apply $114,342.40 in accrued interest revenue toward the lease principal for the Pierce PUC Enforcer Pumper, generating approximately $15,728 in savings. City Manager Travis Rothweiler commended the action as a 'windfall' from the city's investment strategy. Motion by Council Member Stone, seconded by Council Member Vollmer. Approved 7-0.

Airport Janitorial Services: Airport Manager Matt Barnes requested approval to reallocate approximately $38,000 from a vacant part-time Airport Custodian position to fund a janitorial professional services contract, at an estimated cost of $300 per cleaning, twice per week. Council Member Murray inquired about the permanence of the change; Barnes confirmed it is included in the fiscal year 2027 budget proposal. Motion by Council Member Pierce, seconded by Council Member Reid. Approved 7-0.

Hazardous Material Response Grant: Battalion Chief Corey Beam requested approval to accept and expend up to $500,885.71 in state-appropriated legislative funds for state-approved hazardous material response equipment through a reimbursement model. Motion by Council Member Pierce, seconded by Council Member Stone. Approved 7-0.

COPS Grant Application: Police Chief Matthew Hicks and Captain Brent Wright requested authorization to apply for the federal COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) grant. The request outlines applying for funding for four additional officers. Discussion included staffing challenges highlighted by data from the 2025 annual report: a resident population of 56,000 with 1.4 officers per 1,000 (dropping to 0.8 with the influx population), 43,425 calls for service with only 40 deployable patrol officers, and significant overtime costs ($118,000 for patrol year-to-date). Council Members expressed support, noting the department's successful history of receiving the grant in all prior applications (three grants totaling 10 officers). The grant application does not obligate the city to accept funds if awarded. Motion by Council Member Reid, seconded by Council Member Hawkins. Approved 7-0.

Magic Valley MPO Appointments: City Manager Rothweiler requested the confirmation of Mayor Jason Brown and Clark Kauffman to serve staggered three-year terms on the Magic Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (MVMPO) policy board. Council Member Pierce voiced her support, having worked with both appointees. Motion by Council Member Pierce, seconded by Council Member Murray. Approved 7-0.

Public Hearing

Zoning District Change: The council held a public hearing for a request by Mark Jones on behalf of owner Carolyn Matsuoka to add a Professional Office Overlay to the property located at 2111 Addison Ave E (currently zoned TN-1, Town Neighborhood). City Planner Kelli Ebersole presented staff findings, noting the property is on an arterial road adjacent to existing overlay and commercial properties and is consistent with the comprehensive plan's neighborhood commercial designation. The Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval on March 10, 2026. Applicant stated the overlay would allow the widow owner to sell the property at its highest and best use. No public testimony was offered. Council Member Vollmer stated the change 'makes sense' given the surrounding context. Motion by Council Member Reid, seconded by Council Member Stone. Approved 7-0.

Key Outcomes

Ratified the application of $114,342.40 in interest to a fire truck lease principal (7-0).

Authorized reallocation of airport custodial funds to a janitorial services contract (7-0).

Authorized accepting and utilizing $500,885.71 in hazardous material response grant funds (7-0).

Authorized applying for the COPS grant for up to four officers (7-0).

Confirmed reappointments of Jason Brown and Clark Kauffman to the MVMPO policy board (7-0).

Approved a Professional Office Overlay zoning change for 2111 Addison Ave E (7-0).

Moved into Executive Session at 5:45 PM to discuss personnel, real property, and pending litigation pursuant to Idaho Code § 74-206(1)(b)(c)(f). The meeting did not reconvene in open session.

Announcements

Council Member Pierce announced that early voting opened on April 27, 2026, encouraging citizens to vote.

Council Member Hawkins announced that Council Member Pierce received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Twin Falls Chamber of Commerce.

Meeting Transcript