City Council met in special session on August 31, 2026, at 7:00 A.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Lester:
Councilmembers present:
Wyatt Perry
Dylan Canaday
Amy Farris
Cody Edwards
Gabe Forsmann
Jared Andrews
City employees present: City Administrator Kennedy.
PURPOSE OF MEETING – SNOWHAVEN SHOP ADDITION: The meeting was called to order to discuss and decide if the council wanted to move forward with Alternate #1 – the 22’x25’ shop addition, on the Snowhaven project for an additional $68,712. Mayor Lester explained the open area in front of the Snowhaven shop was originally intended to have a roof, but that funding for the roof fell through. The concrete footings and walls for that area has already been poured and is ready for doors; however, there is currently no way to get equipment into the area to clear snow, so it will remain completely open unless the Council moves forward with the addition. Lester stated Alternate #1, in the amount of $68,712, would frame in and roof the new section, install a concrete floor with a drain, provide at least one light and one or two outlets, and add new doors on both the new addition and the existing shop area. The bid does not include interior sheeting or insulation, or any concrete outside the building.
Mayor Lester also reported a related bid of $11,316 to relocate and adjust an electrical transformer/switch box located near the ski patrol building, which is required to meet electrical code. This change was approved after discussion he had with Public Works Director Mager and Administrator Kennedy. This cost will be paid out of Snowhaven’s investment fund.
FUNDING DISCUSSION: Kennedy reviewed the impact on Snowhaven’s investment fund. After the approximately $26,000 already spent on the tubing hill power project and the $11,316 electrical bid, approximately $104,000 remains in investments. Kennedy recommended keeping at least $80,000 in reserve, noting that much of Snowhaven’s maintenance, such as groomer repairs and annual lift certifications, is contracted and must be paid for as it comes up. This would allow up to $22,000 to be drawn from investments toward the shop addition.
For the remaining amount, approximately $48,000, Kennedy recommended borrowing from the timber fund. Mayor Lester noted Snowhaven borrowed a similar amount, approximately $45,000, from the timber fund when the tubing hill was built and repaid it over five years. Timber Fund has a current balance of approximately $472,000. Councilor Andrews stated he would prefer to preserve Snowhaven’s investment funds as a reserve for a poor snow year or unexpected mechanical issues and instead borrow from the timber fund and repay it over time. Councilor Perry asked what we use the timber funds for. Mayor Lester stated it is water revenue from the timber fund but we’ve used it to lend money to other funds previously. He explained that funds borrowed from the timber fund are repaid at the same interest rate the fund would otherwise earn, and that if Snowhaven was unable to make a scheduled repayment, the loan term would simply be extended. Councilor Edwards asked about the location of the meter on the back wall. Mayor Lester stated the meter currently mounted on the shop wall will be relocated as part of this work to the exterior wall. Councilors Andrews and Farris both felt the entire $68,000 should be borrowed from the timber fund. The Council also wanted to see what the cost would be to finish the shop addition rather than only dry it in. Kennedy will ask Morris Arnzen to provide that number, if possible, for the next meeting.
On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Andrews to accept Alternate 1 for the shop storage enclosure and to pull funds from the timber fund in the amount of $68,712 as a loan. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Farris, Andrews, Canaday, Edwards, Forsmann, Perry. NO: none. RECUSED: none. The motion passed. It was questioned if the council needed to set the terms of the loan, but after discussion, it was stated the terms can be set once we have a final loan number.
The meeting adjourned at 7:16 A.M.
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Wes Lester – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
