The Caldwell City Council convened on August 19, 2024, for its regular meeting, beginning with a prayer led by Reverend Kathy Bilderbach from the Evergreen Mennonite Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. All council members were present, and no conflicts of interest were declared.

During the audience participation segment, Martha Roszak addressed the council regarding parking meters in downtown Caldwell. She represented several local businesses advocating for the removal of parking meters on Blaine and Kimball streets, suggesting they be replaced with public parking signs similar to those on 9th and Cleveland. Roszak presented a petition signed by local business owners and residents, emphasizing the negative impact of parking meters on customer access and local commerce. She encouraged the council to consider public sentiment on this issue, noting a special city council meeting scheduled for August 26 to discuss parking meters in detail.

City officials also provided updates on the proposed amphitheater project, which aims to enhance Caldwell's status as a tourism destination. Director of Aviation Scott Swanson reported on the feasibility of alternate sites for the amphitheater, including the Caldwell Event Center area and a proposed site by Lexor Companies. He highlighted ongoing discussions with stakeholders and the need to address challenges such as floodplain considerations. A formal request from Lexor is expected in September, which will include a site plan and development agreement.

The council unanimously approved the consent calendar without amendments and moved on to old business, where they discussed a reimbursable agreement with Envision Construction for stormwater projects at the airport, with a budget not to exceed $400,000. This funding will be sourced from the street fund, reallocating resources from a postponed project to address urgent stormwater needs.

The meeting underscored the council's commitment to addressing community concerns and advancing infrastructure projects aimed at boosting local economic development.