[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6663225,"mediaKeyId","2391383-22d59892579342112b30de15a9b70c62","parentId",2391383,"title","Meridian council debates which north–south corridor to elevate in ACHD priority list","audioSeconds",2513,"startMs",221000,"endMs",2734000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391383-22d59892579342112b30de15a9b70c62&start=221&end=2734","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391383-22d59892579342112b30de15a9b70c62/thumbnail_221000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6663225/Meridian/Ada-County/Idaho/Meridian-council-debates-which-northsouth-corridor-to-elevate-in-ACHD-priority-list","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663225-ac724c9850db071dd6d2c868d158d9c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179333&Signature=LeE9wn2SenfQmHuyhTyn9Xzm8yRXVimGpStD~NUeQACYIK12hnhzotPJPG5BZ04FLOxhkc-5ck3A54miyxyp7zVh7H1lCZ-UtFN8SewjgJ3~QVwwkFo1XAAtDeZjetVoq8E6Z2jaBwAXndz3Aou12EghRmVS9fdMyeYOESi0rwxj~tyyXYa89ezpy72YedHVnIEvhydmZtXAgNegCEIKP1P~lzRxZRhgGAngqoPZob~-~jDUo5lwzRYcZhA5hJrVbrW3nwEYS2nu8KYO5EvyAL-u2HoDLZJsaDtkDkWKScMQPFhrCoYbGMR~xr-lVoZVaARL9G3V3FFbQS9ER~rJdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Meridian","date","2025-02-26T02:08:27.59Z","article","Meridian City Council members spent more than an hour on Feb. 25 reviewing the city’s draft 2025 roadway, intersection and community program priorities for submission to the Ada County Highway District (ACHD).

City transportation staff said the Transportation Commission and a prioritization subcommittee prepared the draft lists and used last year’s rankings plus ACHD scoring and a level‑of‑service map to focus on the “top 3, 5, 10” projects. Heather (city transportation staff) reminded council the finalized list must be submitted to ACHD by March 19.

Why it matters: ACHD uses city priorities to schedule design, right‑of‑way purchase and construction; moving a project into the top 10–15 increases the chance it will be advanced or receive earlier funding. Council members said getting a single north–south corridor programmed through to Chinden would help relieve chronic bottlenecks in northern Meridian.

Council debate focused on two corridors: Meridian Road north of McMillan and Locust Grove north toward Chinden. Councilman Schrader called the packet “the most comprehensive” the council has received but asked why Locust Grove north of McMillan did not appear among the top ranked projects. Heather said the subcommittee limited its focus to the projects most likely to be addressed in the next five years, which left some northern segments lower on the consolidated list.

Several council members urged linkage of mile segments so a corridor could be advanced end‑to‑end. Councilman Overton and others suggested moving contiguous segments (for example, the two mile segments currently at ranks 12 and 15) together into the top 15 so the corridor would reach Chinden and not leave gaps. Councilman Taylor said his preference would be to prioritize Meridian Road because of recent and approved development north of McMillan; Councilman Overton said he favored Locust Grove because ACHD’s level‑of‑service data shows larger failures there.

ACHD staff joined the discussion. Krista Anselman, planning supervisor at ACHD, told council the correct list placement depends on the treatment requested: “If you’re asking for a full signalized intersection or full buildout, I could see it going on the roads and intersections list. But if it’s an interim treatment, that makes more sense for community programs.” She recommended clarity from council on the desired ultimate treatment when advising ACHD.

The Venable/Ustick intersection next to the planned community center drew focused comments. City staff and Aaron (city staff) said ACHD has determined the intersection meets warrants for signalization and staff expects ACHD would lean toward a signal (though a roundabout has not been fully ruled out). Aaron told council the developer and city are discussing a cooperative development agreement that could let the signal be built in coordination with the community center. Council members urged the city to elevate that intersection in the priority list so timing can align with the community center development.

Linder Road overpass also came up repeatedly. Staff and ACHD told council that until projects are “shovel ready” they prefer the city keep them high on the priority list so ACHD does not infer the project is no longer a priority. Staff said phase 1 near the Overland intersection has a bid opening and notice to proceed this spring; the full overpass and extension up to Franklin remains later in the planning horizon. City staff, citing ACHD, said right‑of‑way acquisition for the full Linder corridor could require roughly $20 million and may be staged over many years.

Council feedback and next steps: Staff asked council for guidance so it can return an updated transmittal. Several council members suggested specific edits: move one corridor’s contiguous mile segments into the top 15 (either Meridian or Locust Grove); raise Venable/Ustick into the top 10 to align with the community center schedule; and leave projects that are already under construction high on the list so ACHD does not get mixed signals. Council agreed to schedule another discussion and possible action on March 11 so staff can revise the draft and collect additional ACHD feedback.

No formal vote was taken on the priority list in the Feb. 25 work session; staff will prepare an updated list reflecting council direction for future deliberation.

Ending: Staff will return to council with a revised ACHD transmittal and recommended list, and council asked staff to seek ACHD input on feasibility of moved items before the March 19 submittal deadline.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Meridian City Council - 2/25/25","oneSentenceSummary","Meridian City Council members spent more than an hour on Feb. 25 reviewing the city’s draft 2025 roadway, intersection and community program priorities for submission to the Ada County Highway District (ACHD).","taxTitle","Meridian, Ada County, Idaho","taxId",2628,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6663214,"Votes at a glance: Meridian council actions on Feb. 25",580,6393000,6973000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391383-22d59892579342112b30de15a9b70c62&start=6393&end=6973","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391383-22d59892579342112b30de15a9b70c62/thumbnail_6393000.jpg","/articles/6663214/Meridian/Ada-County/Idaho/Votes-at-a-glance-Meridian-council-actions-on-Feb-25","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663214-e4c7af8f7d8ad6ecdc656efd31f291a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179333&Signature=i9uOuZFSxulyQj3cTArp82iG-MZd6W8lpS9iYOXO6fFCDbHdCal9x0g0pZdDFWwsIsUkV2Pj5HaAxDJAPxpVUE1rwBeem~sKH-SiUifWYyaavRAdlO00cCAMQ9C5GhcLt5UgeKTcJntfMiorQrxlGEOwSolE2iIt7WBv6Cps~vRL1dyYNd5u2rSa9A3Dw4Jhlz0KJp7zUmPHoTQlwLxAXmhEnb6NrVGo5i42ncbfMGoKuVcWHhkx0Z8TAjziJd1VbuokjVOzCYW3ByktFKo3eGueDW91fFaf7uxIZkPBKPIZXFz4to5edRYZPWUhGn7BGaytH3JHK4eWetj0VppiUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","This summary lists formal actions recorded during Meridian’s Feb. 25 meetings and the recorded outcomes.

Resolution 25‑2502 — Appointment to Meridian Arts Commission
- Action: Adopted resolution appointing Jimmy Smith to Seat 4 of the Meridian Arts Commission.
- Motion: Councilman Schraner moved to approve; second recorded. (Motion carried.)
- Vote: Recorded as unanimous; no ayes/nays recorded in opposition in the public minutes.

TECC‑2025‑0001 — Pura Vida Ridge (time extension request)
- Subject: Request for a two‑year extension of a previously approved preliminary plat and planned unit development for a 26.34‑acre site on the south side of East Lake Hazel Road (planning file TECC‑2025‑0001). The applicant sought additional time to finalize phase‑1 final plat engineering as well as to complete associated infrastructure work and meet floodplain/drainage coordination with ACHD.
- Staff recommendation: Approve with a condition requiring the planned 7‑foot sidewalk along East Lake Hazel to be widened to 10 feet in the street buffer (staff confirmed the 10‑foot sidewalk had already been installed in the field and the applicant agreed to the condition).
- Motion: Councilman Schraner moved to approve the time extension consistent with staff recommendations, including the 10‑foot sidewalk and fire department vegetation/maintenance standards; second recorded.
- Vote: Roll call recorded all council members voting in the affirmative; motion carried unanimously.

SHP‑2025‑0001 — Chicken Bucket short plat
- Subject: Short plat to subdivide an existing 1.15‑acre commercial parcel at 667 S. Main Street into two commercial lots for ownership purposes; no change in uses or tenants proposed.
- Staff recommendation: Approve with conditions; applicant agreed to conditions and requested clarifications which staff addressed.
- Motion: Councilman McCaffner moved to approve the short plat; second recorded.
- Vote: Motion carried unanimously on roll call.

Other procedural actions
- The council adopted the work session and evening meeting agendas by motion early in the work session; consent agenda items were approved and signed as presented.
- The council added an executive session at the end of the evening meeting under Idaho Code 74‑206(1)(b).","At its Feb. 25 meetings the Meridian City Council approved an appointment to the Arts Commission and granted two land‑use approvals: a two‑year time extension for the Pura Vida Ridge preliminary plat and planned unit development, and a short plat for the Chicken Bucket property. All actions passed unanimously during the meetings.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6663217,"Council reviews updated parks comprehensive financial plan; Settlers Park community center scheduled to open in FY28",2566,3684000,6250000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391383-22d59892579342112b30de15a9b70c62&start=3684&end=6250","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391383-22d59892579342112b30de15a9b70c62/thumbnail_3684000.jpg","/articles/6663217/Meridian/Ada-County/Idaho/Council-reviews-updated-parks-comprehensive-financial-plan-Settlers-Park-community-center-scheduled-to-open-in-FY28","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663217-0d721470f08be1e37a3fcf33fedc3007/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179333&Signature=iqrfpRpJ5suiy69LvCHmoTEKyTk25P3vbznqdrzupyuIEkcTjC820swMPInaHMoRW3OF184B2RfhfXIds72aoypkGOtZoUF5M-eBqbAMiEQsiozFHMZ16Bu1mgri0jnx63W2QlDvth8z2s0OfK-lYOSk7rAz-A64G~wFQ7Jyv2siAj1SWKGYKkfNvj-g09zQRwFVvELfbyttGSLenHnOfWRqiq4oNKyzC5wiI1u2jlTzZYFawkAE5flwQmNbNDPaM-KgmyCvijz3aDUGiOgtZ4XZ4b8aT11Ms7lgwPsOQkQRudEdBrsxd31c1dTypyT~9LXodtJ8U0rxedSxsbOvhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parks staff presented an updated Comprehensive Financial Plan (CFP) to the Meridian City Council on Feb. 25, outlining timing, phasing and staffing for a multi‑year parks and recreation buildout.

Key items and timing: Steve (parks staff) told council the community center at Settlers Park is in design and construction is scheduled for 2026–27 with an expected opening in fiscal year 2028. The associated park expansion (about 11 acres) was shown as a related but separately budgeted project; the expansion includes additional parking, a dog park and open play areas that would support the NYB complex. Staff separated capital costs from operating costs in the CFP so the city budgets operating staff and supplies only in the years the facilities open.

Staffing and operations: The presentation proposed a phased staffing model for the community center. At opening in 2028 the city would convert existing positions into two promotions (a facility manager and a classes-and-camps coordinator) and then add staff in subsequent years if demand warrants. Steve emphasized the city’s preference for phased hires to avoid funding positions before facilities open.

Other parks and timeline changes: Steve presented updated schedules for several other projects: Discovery Park Phase 3 remains on the previously programmed timeline (design in 2028; construction 2029); Graycliff (site/build partner timing) was moved later in the CFP because developer timing slowed; the Fields District Community Park was split into two phases and pushed roughly one to two years later than previously programmed. West Meridian Regional Park stayed on its existing higher‑year timeline linked to utility availability. Margaret Aldape Park (a proposed Boise River park) was moved from 2030 to 2033 in the CFP but staff told council the city remains committed to the project and will revisit timing annually.

Funding sources and implementation notes: Staff said construction is primarily funded by impact fees; staff also noted the city plans early right‑of‑way acquisitions on large corridors such as the Linder project to reduce later schedule risk. For one project that was originally scheduled for 2026, staff said an LOI was approved in January and that staff expect to present a purchase action in April. Steve said many CFP items shift annually as development patterns and utility availability change.

Council response and next steps: Council members praised the separation of capital and operating costs and the phased staffing approach. Several members asked staff to return with specific budget requests for FY26 where necessary. Steve told council staff will bring forward any time‑sensitive purchase items (for example the Fields District site) in the coming weeks.

Ending: The CFP remains a planning document that will be updated annually; council asked staff to return with FY26 budget requests and any time‑sensitive purchase actions in the next two months.","Parks staff presented changes to the city’s Comprehensive Financial Plan (CFP), moving several park projects and phasing staffing tied to openings. The Settlers Park community center is on schedule for construction and a planned FY28 opening; staff separated construction and operations in the CFP and proposed phased staffing.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6663221,"Council endorses low‑cost pedestrian fixes while MIPS team scopes bigger safety projects",780,2856000,3636000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391383-22d59892579342112b30de15a9b70c62&start=2856&end=3636","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391383-22d59892579342112b30de15a9b70c62/thumbnail_2856000.jpg","/articles/6663221/Meridian/Ada-County/Idaho/Council-endorses-lowcost-pedestrian-fixes-while-MIPS-team-scopes-bigger-safety-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663221-0bd0193cb8a2ba6e89eca5597062691b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179333&Signature=ouUckaAP-FXhGSIF0o5MaPKV0PAWSd5x2r7GZrg4bNHAXpD9SFK48iXaMZDgfwTLRGkijAZoWipCDumJSlvbbb50YUwAy~upddkwPQEvIfDE-EyQ92jBddassLqIuuqdvFMX0zU9Dj3g7t51paRNCdutGKN0A9MseNCF0UXeiSmgtCSq3Z5eB49wyWrMZGBatP8nZVUBIvgfTNkiJBnEKEQd5PG38PJ84kR14IU0629-JQ6KNv5fhSnj2C~i0W4MOvrbydgnXFTlS2uiOglKMWWgtGSoN-kV9cCyEvFbHFmCjf3PGKBI4D6tkzACIiPpinkigKIovdJi9aBeEgUCqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City transportation staff and members of the Meridian pedestrian safety task force asked the City Council on Feb. 25 to fund a set of lower‑cost pedestrian improvements this spring and to continue scoping larger treatments with partner agencies.

What staff proposed: Heather told council the FY25 budget included $500,000 to support implementation of the task force’s safety recommendations. The staff packet identified a near‑term package of 13 high‑visibility thermoplastic crosswalks (near existing pedestrian hybrid beacons and other crossings) with an estimated cost of about $52,000 that would include material, traffic control and installation. Staff also proposed two concrete projects—pedestrian ramp improvements at Linder and Turtle Creek and sidewalk repairs at Meridian and Autumn Park Lane—estimated together at roughly $50,000.

Council reaction and next steps: Council members generally supported taking the lower‑cost items forward this spring so Meridian can show immediate progress while staff and ACHD scope larger corridor and signal projects. Councilman Overton, who previously led the task force, said many of the crosswalks on the list did not meet ACHD’s original thresholds but were identified by the city as locations where pedestrian travel, school routes and recent development warrant marking.

Maintenance and jurisdiction: Heather said ACHD agreed to assume maintenance after the city installs the thermoplastic markings. Councilman Kavanagh and others raised intersections on state‑owned corridors, noting coordination is sometimes required to repaint state highway crosswalks; staff said the primary impediment to recent painting was seasonal weather and crew availability.

Costs and use of funds: With the recommended crosswalk and concrete ramp projects, staff estimated roughly $102,000 of the $500,000 would be used immediately, leaving about $400,000 available to apply toward larger scoping, accessible ramps and signalized crossing work in partnership with ACHD and the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD).

Ending: Council asked staff to proceed with the immediately actionable crosswalks and ramp repairs this spring, continue coordination with ACHD/ITD on larger projects, and return with refined scopes and cost estimates for the remaining MIPS recommendations.","Meridian staff and the Multimodal Intersection/Pedestrian Safety (MIPS) task force proposed a package of short‑term pedestrian improvements using $500,000 approved in the FY25 budget: 13 thermoplastic crosswalks (~$52,000), two sidewalk/ramp repairs (roughly $50,000), and further scoping of larger projects with ACHD and ITD.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Meridian council debates which north–south corridor to elevate in ACHD priority list

Votes at a glance: Meridian council actions on Feb. 25

Council reviews updated parks comprehensive financial plan; Settlers Park community center scheduled to open in FY28

Council endorses low‑cost pedestrian fixes while MIPS team scopes bigger safety projects