City Council met in regular session on January 20, 2026, at 6:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Lester:
Councilmembers present:
Wyatt Perry
Jared Andrew
Dylan Canaday
Gabe Forsmann
Cody Edwards
Councilmember absent: Amy Farris
City employees present: City Administrator Kennedy, Chief Newman, Attorney Jessup and Public Works Director Mager.
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the Council minutes of January 20th were approved as presented by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Perry. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
VISITORS: Carletta Allen was present to request a streetlight at the Pine Street and Highway 95 intersection. She has lived here for 45 years but in Cottonwood. When dark, it’s hard to see Pine Street when turning left from Cottonwood. Mayor Lester stated the closest pole is on the hill by Anderson Aeromotive which is roughly 80’-100’ away. If a light is installed there, he wasn’t sure how much it would help the intersection. It would be about $10,000 for Avista to put in a new pole and he’s not sure where to put it, as most of the area is driveway. Councilor Perry asked if there were reflectors marking Pine Street. Public Works Director Mager stated yes. As far as location for a new pole, you can’t put it by the stop sign or parking lot as there is fiber optic and we don’t own the right of way, as a large portion of the area is state right of way. You’d have to put it in the park and avoid the sewer line to the building and then the pole wouldn’t be at the intersection. Councilor Perry stated he’s experienced the same issue in the dark, but in this case, it is not feasible with the power lines so far away. At the last meeting, the city denied a request for the city to pay for a streetlight. Mayor Lester asked if the state has anything else they can use to mark the intersection. Mager stated there are not that many options for reflectors that work well. Drivers will cut corners and they seem to run over them a lot. The crew does what they can to keep it marked with reflectors.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: The following committee reports were presented.
• CITY ADMINISTRATOR: City hall has been working to provide support for Snowhaven as they prepared to open. We’ve been working on calendar year end with W2 and 1099s and continue to work with the public daily to answer questions and provide information. They are preparing for the auditors coming next week.
• PUBLIC WORKS: Public Works Director Mager stated he visited with Jeramie Zimmerman with high school softball and their contractor doesn’t want to come into the park until at least May 15th. Mager told Zimmerman to talk to the Lions and Youth baseball so they know the status of the project. With the good weather, public works worked on their punch list. They worked at the red barn on the drainage ditch, culvert and fence, including along the hay field. The railroad ties from Lions Park were shipped off with Simmons Sanitation. They worked at the concrete reservoirs to work on the open ditch, culvert and gate. At the well they uncovered the swing check which has been buried for years. Pumptech hopes to come back in mid-February to March to get Spencer well running. They worked on the fountain at Heritage square and Eric Jones has been working with the fiber optic crew. They have done tons of patching. The previously hired WWTP operator quit before he started, as Kamiah matched his offer.
• CLEARWATER WELL UPDATE: Public Works Director Mager stated Pumptech was onsite to set the motor when we had the bad winds in December, but they had to leave since there was nothing they could do. The electrician still had to wire the motor. Pumptech was going to set the lateral set but since they were gone, the electrician set it by how he was trained. It shoved the pump into the column and jammed everything. When Pumptech came back to get the nut loose, a wrench popped off and injured one of their employees. The project is at a standstill until mid-February when Pumptech returns. The pump will now need to come out of the water. The pump motor will be sent off to anelectrician to review and the pump will be replaced. Councilor Edwards asked who was liable. Mager stated it is between the general and their subs.
• POLICE REPORT: The department had 88 calls for service and 26 reports taken for November 2025 and 106 calls for service and 33 reports taken for December 2025. They have been working on their year-end UCR reports. One of the F150 was taken to ERS and is stripped of equipment. Once the new equipment is ordered and ready for pick up, they’ll bring the next F150 to ERS.
CONSENT AGENDA: On motion by Councilor Andrews, seconded by Councilor Perry to accept the consent agenda as presented.
1. Approve the applications submitted by the following businesses for liquor license, wine and/or beer license by the drink and/or by the package, pending State approval.
• Blewett Investments LLC d/b/a Brickhouse
• Camas Lanes LLC d/b/a Camas Lanes
• Idaho County Veterans Assn Inc d/b/a Idaho County Veterans Outreach & Community Center
• Riggins Whitewater Market, Inc. d/b/a Cash & Carry Foods
• CHS Inc d/b/a CHS Primeland
• Cloninger’s Inc d/b/a Cloninger’s Marketplace
• The Crafty Hideaway LLC d/b/a The Crafty Hideaway
• Allen Enterprises LLC d/b/a Crema Cafe
• Malhi & Bal LLC d/b/a Depot Express
• Family Dollar Inc d/b/a Family Dollar #32040
• Grangeville Depot LLC d/b/a Grangeville Depot
• BPOE #1825 Inc. d/b/a Grangeville Elks Lodge #1825
• Sunrise Espresso LLC d/b/a The Hilltop
• LightenUp! LLC d/b/a Jungle Gym’s Indoor Play Center & Cafe
• J Perez LLC d/b/a Melting Pot Café
• Par Hawaii LLC d/b/a nomnom
• Cerecero Corporation d/b/a Palenque Mexican Restaurant
• Grangeville Pizza Factory Inc d/b/a Pizza Factory
• Rae Brothers Sporting Goods, Inc d/b/a Rae Brothers Sporting Goods
• Simmons Endeavors LLC d/b/a The Range Cigar Lounge
• The Rib Guy and Gal LLC d/b/a The Rib Guy & Gal
• JBEBERT LLC d/b/a Seasons Restaurant
• J Perez LLC d/b/a The Trails Restaurant & Lounge
• LeMargee LLC d/b/a Triangle Tavern
2. Accept the Fire Minutes of November 10th and 24th and December 8th, 2025
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Andrews, Canaday, Edwards, Forsmann, Perry NO: none. ABSTAIN: none. The motion passed.
BILLS: The bills in total amount of $623,682.33 (Financials $523,669.15 December Payroll $100,013.18) were approved and ordered paid out of their respective funds, on motion by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Perry. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
SNOWHAVEN LODGE EXPANSION: Manager Joel Wasem has been going to Snowhaven for 25 plus years. He would like the Council to consider an alternative construction plan that builds out toward the hill rather than the rear of the building. The current lodge doesn’t have enough capacity, they are out of space for seating and gear racks, carpet is worn and needs replaced, windows have vapor, porch is in tough condition, bathrooms are not ADA and there is no room for future expansion. With the current proposal the new sewer will need to be torn out. His proposal would address these issues and allow for future expansion on the backside of the building. Wasem’s presentation outlined the pros and cons of both proposals.
City Administrator Kennedy reached out to Morris Arnzen and he said they could review this new idea to see if it was feasible, so the Council would know for sure. When talking to architect Rhonda Wemhoff, commercial costs are normally $300-$400 per square foot. The city originally looked at expanding two stories on the hill side and the estimated costs were over a million
dollars. The project had to be cut back as the city didn’t have the funds. Currently Snowhaven has $480,931.14 in cash and investments, of which $333,608.70 are ARPA funds. The project contract is for $360,000 so $26,391.30 will come out of Snowhaven investment accounts, which leaves a balance of $120,931.14. After review, if the council moves forward with Wasem’s proposal, the city will incur additional architect and contractor costs.
Councilor Andrews had no objections to working with Arnzen Construction to determine if it was possible. Councilor Forsmann stated maybe the addition could be built in stages like the original building. Councilor Canaday felt the city should do due diligence to make sure the best decision is made. Mayor Lester agreed the building is congested, rental shop is a madhouse and the upstairs has no room. He was in favor of having Morris Arnzen and Rhonda Wemhoff review it to see if it will work. Public Works Director Mager stated the new sewer was installed as a temporary line to be able to operate for the current year only. It was never meant to be the permanent line. Councilor Edwards felt it was worth looking into. On motion by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Andrews to move forward with a meeting with the contractor and architect. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
P&Z APPOINTMENT: Mayor Lester explained Mike Cook decided to call it quits after serving on Planning and Zoning since March 2002. Mayor Lester appointed Elijah Rauzi to a 3-year P&Z term to expire 1/19/29. On motion by Councilor Perry, second by Councilor Canaday to confirm the mayor’s appointment of Elijah Rauzi to 3-year Planning and Zoning term. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Andrews, Canaday, Edwards, Forsmann, NO: none. ABSTAIN: none. The motion passed.
EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK CHANGE: City Administrator Kennedy explained one of the Snowhaven seasonal benefits listed as employee discounts needed to be changed, as the mark-up on retail merchandise is not high enough to cover the discount. The revised discount should read as follows:
Snowhaven seasonal employees and Ski Patrol may purchase Smith Sport Optics Inc. items as a special order at cost plus 10% plus freight plus sales tax for their personal use. No in stock items may be purchased at a discount.
On motion by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Perry to amend the Employee Handbook to include the revision to Employee Discounts under Snowhaven Benefits. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
POLICE LEASE TO OWN VEHICLE: This is the third police vehicle and it is a lease to own and replaces Mike’s vehicle. On motion by Councilor Andrews, second by Councilor Canaday to approve signing the lease documents with TheBancorp for the police lease to own vehicle. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Andrews, Canaday, Edwards, Forsmann, NO: none. ABSTAIN: none. The motion passed.
KLEIN AND WATERSHED BLOW DOWN UPDATE: Mayor Lester stated the Klein property has about 79 down trees. Northwest Management flew the watershed with a drone and counted about 320 trees down. The archery range has a few downed trees. They are trying to get a logger tied down and contract created. Hopefully we’ll have an update next meeting. Councilor Edwards asked if we are proposing dealing with only the down trees or other logging on the property? Mayor Lester stated nothing is planned probably for at least 15 years as we logged more recently. We may also need them to take out a few trees by the towers as last fall Davis Communications had one fall on their guy wires.
ITEMS TO NOTE: Attorney Jessup stated Idaho county commissioners are considering a vehicle registration tax for the county; part of the tax may be shared with the city for road maintenance. If they proceed it would be placed on the ballot.
The meeting adjourned at 7:22 P.M.
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Wes Lester – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
