Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.
The Twin Falls City Council convened on Monday, June 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM in the Council Chambers. Mayor Jason Brown presided with Council Members Christopher Reid, Nathan Murray, Cherie Vollmer, Grayson Stone, and Ruth Pierce present; Vice Mayor Craig Hawkins was absent. The meeting addressed a range of topics including consent items, special event permits, zoning amendments, library funding, and a detailed update from the Parks and Recreation Department. The council approved several measures and later adjourned to an executive session to discuss legal matters.
The council voted 6-0 to approve the consent calendar, which included the June 15, 2026 meeting minutes, accounts payable, travel requests, several alcohol licenses, and numerous special event permits. A discrepancy was noted between the agenda and the minutes: the agenda listed a special event permit for “Movie in the Park” as item 3f, but the approved minutes list the “12th Annual Commemorative Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Motorcycle Ride and BBQ” at that position, with no mention of the Movie in the Park permit.
Urban Renewal Agency (URA) Board Appointments: URA Director Shawn Barigar requested the confirmation of Austin Hatch and Ryan Jund to the URA Board of Commissioners and the reappointment of Eric Smallwood for a second term. The selection committee had unanimously recommended the candidates from a pool of five applicants. Council Member Ruth Pierce called the interview pool “great.” The motion passed 6-0.
In-N-Out Burger Grand Opening Permit: Police Chief Matthew Hicks presented the special event application for the In-N-Out grand opening, required because the event is expected to exceed 500 people on site. The opening date has not been determined, but the application covers the entire month of August. The Chief stated his department is “pretty comfortable” with the traffic plan but acknowledged the challenges of the location. Council Member Grayson Stone expressed discomfort approving the permit without a specific date, citing staffing concerns. The motion passed 5-1, with Council Member Stone voting against.
Library ADA Bathroom Project Fund Reallocation: Library Director Tara Bartley reported that the ADA bathroom project was completed $82,548 under its $250,000 budget. She requested to reallocate the surplus to two projects: a full technology upgrade for staff and public computers, and an expansion of the building’s access control system to include badging on five entry doors and two Idaho Room doors. The motion passed 6-0.
Idaho Advanced Energy Consortium Interest Form: Economic Development Director Shawn Barigar requested authorization to submit a non-binding municipal interest and readiness form to the Idaho Advanced Energy Consortium to explore opportunities related to advanced energy, including small modular nuclear reactors. Council Member Ruth Pierce expressed strong support, citing her familiarity with the nuclear industry from growing up in Eastern Idaho. The motion passed 6-0.
Zoning Title Amendment (Ordinance O-2026-006): Senior City Planner Will Klaver presented a final reading of an ordinance correcting grammatical errors and misalignments found in the zoning code following its January 2026 rewrite. The council dispensed with the reading rules and adopted the ordinance 6-0.
Term Limits Waiver Process (Ordinance O-2026-007): City Manager Travis Rothweiler requested adoption of an ordinance creating a Council-approved waiver process for term limits on advisory boards and commissions. The ordinance was prompted by the impending term limit of a key Arts Commission member. Council Member Nathan Murray asked about criteria to prevent boards from becoming insular, and Council Member Grayson Stone commended the “may waive” language as an important check and balance. The city manager highlighted that the process still requires mayoral appointment and council confirmation. The ordinance was approved 6-0.
Parks and Recreation Department Update: Parks Superintendent Chance Munns and Director Wendy Davis presented a comprehensive update on department projects and statistics. Key highlights included:
Announcements: City Manager Rothweiler announced the annual budget will be presented on July 6, 2026, with public hearings every Monday until adoption. Police Chief Hicks announced the Twin Falls Police Department achieved a 100% re-accreditation rating from the Idaho Chiefs of Police Association, maintaining its status as a leading department in the state.
Agency of the City of Twin Falls Board of Commissioners has a total of seven members. We have two vacancies that will be created on the board on July 1st after the terms of Dan Burzee and Jan Rogers are completed. The agency sent out a call for candidates to fill the vacancies. We received five applications. At the conclusion of those interviews, the selection committee unanimously recommended that Austin Hatch and Ryan Jund be advanced to the mayor for appointment and confirmed by the council. Those terms would run from July 1st to June 30th of 2029. Eric Smallwood was previously appointed in November of 2022 to finish Alex Cabal's three-year term and was then appointed to his first three-year term in July of twenty twenty-three. That too expires uh the end of this month, and he is very active on the board and interested in being appointed to his second three-year term. Um I think either of the candidates are here, but I can just give you a quick snapshot of them. Uh Austin Hatch has actually uh retired and uh previously worked in the uh steel fabrication and construction industries, and then Ryan Jund is the chief information officer at the College of Southern Idaho. Um, longtime resident in the community, and uh both were very uh well spoken, had done their homework, uh, knew a bit more about the Urban Renewal Agency, and uh would certainly advance those requests to you. Okay. Thank you, Sean. I appreciate that. Appreciate the the work that's gone into it. What are council's wishes? Jason. Yes. Um, I just wanted to mention that I we had great interviews, and I was very impressed with actually all the candidates. So we do have some backups for potentially other commissions if possible. But if it's okay, I'd like to make the motion. I move we confirm the appointment of Austin Hatch and Ryan Jun to the Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Twin Falls Board of Commissioners, and reappoint Eric Smallwood for a second term. Sherry Volmer. I'll second. Kev, a motion and a second to confirm the appointment of Austin Hatch and Ryan Junn to the urban renewal agency of the City of Twin Falls Board of Commissioners and to reappoint Eric Smallwood for a second term. Any further discussion. Ruth Pierce, yes, Chris Reed. Yes, Jason Brown, yes, Sherry Vilmer. Yes. Grayson Stone. Yes. And Nathan Murray. Yes. Okay, motion carries six to zero. Thank you very much for those that help uh bring that forward. Excuse me.