June 3, 2025
Those Present: Greg Kunz, Trenton Morrell, Marty Nate, Mayor Steve Waechtler, Maintenance Supervisor Shane Clark, Maintenance Hadley Wright, Addison Ochsenbein of Sunrise Engineering, Deputy Zack Freeman, Coy Smith
Meeting called to order: 7:00 pm Invocation: Mayor Waechtler
The council entertained a motion from Councilor Greg Kunz to approve the published agenda and was seconded by Councilor Trenton Morrell. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
The minutes from May 6, 2025, were read aloud by Clerk Smith. Councilor Marty Nate made the motion to accept the minutes as read and Councilor Trenton Morrell seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council. Discussion on the minutes, Councilor Greg Kunz followed up with Kelly Bartschi about the expansion of the cemetery. He said in the agreement that his family gets 4 plots in the new part and he would like to keep farming it to keep the weeds down. The crew voiced they don’t want big ruts in there from the pivot and so we will just fence it off and maintain it with the rest of the cemetery. The Mayor reported on the luncheon with Simplot. There was 3 people from Simplot, himself, his wife Mary and Clerk Smith were in attendance. The luncheon went well and discussed some things. They will continue to help with the fireworks and the new playground equipment. They will also look into the parking problems in front of the school and church and try to come up with a solution for the carpoolers.
Police Report: Deputy Zack Freeman came to the council representing the Sheriff’s Department to give a report for the month of May. They worked 59.75 hours, made 172 contacts resulting in 20 traffic stops, 6 citations, 11 written warnings and 13 verbal warnings. He asked what coverage is needed for Twin Creeks. The Mayor said it might not happen because one family is burnt out and no time or help. He said to plan on the fireworks for July 19th and a breakfast. We put a post on Facebook saying the celebration could be canceled this year if more aren’t willing to help keep it going and 2 people reached out about helping but haven’t followed up. Councilor Marty Nate said she would reach out to Miles Cook or Morgan Kidd to see about catering dinner with the fireworks. Councilor Greg Kunz expressed there aren’t enough citations being issued to help pay for our contract with the Sheriff’s Department. The Deputy explained that everyone has their own parameters for issuing citations. Mayor asked for a report on why people are being pulled over and what results in a warning vs a ticket to understand more of their parameters. The Deputy said he would follow up with the Sheriff.
Connections Bank Service is a mobile banking service and would like to come and introduce themselves to the council and our community. It will be tabled until the next meeting as they will not be able to attend tonight’s meeting.
Addison Ochsenbein of Sunrise Engineering came before the council to discuss more on the transportation plan study. He reported that the funding is rolling and not much more to update on at this time. Councilor Trenton Morrell made the motion to continue with the study and was seconded by Councilor Marty Nate. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
The Impact Area Map was discussed and the council would like to include the railroad right of way as well as the sewer ponds and cemetery. Lynette will follow up with Mitch Poulsen at the county to include the changes.
The Easement Agreement with the Whitaker’s was presented and the council reviewed the Map of Exhibit B showing where they would like the snow placed each winter when plowed. It will be 50 ft to the West for snow placement. All were in agreement and Lynette will follow up with the Whitaker’s to get signatures and get it recorded with the County.
Twin Creeks Celebration budget was reviewed and there has been $7,500.00 budgeted for the fireworks.
Councilor Marty Nate reported that she didn’t get the grants she applied for on the crosswalk. Councilor Trenton Morrell said he would follow up with the State to see about getting the crosswalk implemented on the highway and find out what else we need to do there. She also reported that she priced bricks to finish out the Veteran’s Memorial and they are $61.00 per brick. The council approved for her to proceed and get that coming to complete. She also reported that she will do Movies in the Park again this summer and the drop off from the highway to the Post Office ledge was discussed and follow up with DeLoy Kunz to see what can be done for the approach onto 2nd Street and the highway from the Post Office.
Councilor Greg Kunz mentioned that there is a lot of Dyers Wode along the railroad right of way and the County is advertising for youth to get bags to cut it down and can get paid for it. Lynette will share to the City Facebook page to see if we can get some help there.
Maintenance Report: Hadley Wright gave their report for the month of May and stated that he and Shane have mowed the park and cemetery, planted grass on the grave sites, taken chlorine to the water system, checked the spring, trimmed the trees along Stringtown and fixed a water leak by Travis Stoddard’s on Stringtown.
Office Report: There are 25 delinquent water and sewer accounts for the month of May. Lynette reported that there are new hours in the afternoons at the Post Office starting the middle of this month and that she will be gone a lot during this month for activities with her kids at High School State Finals in Pocatello and her son, Coy, qualified for the National Jr. High School Finals Rodeo in Des Moines, Iowa, later this month as well. Coy Smith came before the council to request a donation to help him get to Iowa. The council expressed that in doing so, he will be representing the community along with himself and will need to come back and report at the next meeting. Councilor Trenton Morrell made the motion to donate $500.00 and Councilor Marty Nate seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
The chair entertained a motion from Councilor Greg Kunz for the council to approve checks and vouchers for the month of May 2025 in the amount of $19,199.71 in the general fund, $40,306.09 in the water fund, and $58,276.25 in the sewer fund, with all funds totaling $117,782.05. Councilor Marty Nate seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
The chair entertained a motion from Councilor Greg Kunz that council adjourns from the June 2025 council meeting at 8:45 pm. Councilor Marty Nate seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
Respectfully submitted,
Lynette Smith,
City Clerk-Treasurer