[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6627426,"mediaKeyId","2728020-4cc0ccd7e0bed3b42bee12881135722c","parentId",2728020,"title","Pocatello council approves transit grants, skate park donation, water projects and several procurement items","audioSeconds",230,"startMs",3820000,"endMs",4050000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2728020-4cc0ccd7e0bed3b42bee12881135722c&start=3820&end=4050","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2728020-4cc0ccd7e0bed3b42bee12881135722c/thumbnail_3820000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6627426/Pocatello-City/Bannock-County/Idaho/Pocatello-council-approves-transit-grants-skate-park-donation-water-projects-and-several-procurement-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6627426-b1b065d1f259578282f3faf486bc5d1f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200553&Signature=jIQWCSk~LJ70wrXqQwAiGDjkxfWDhG74nC3gNJ1F7ZBzHP~B2c~EAftswssuJjojZbZG3A0hSoMEjH-k1dUYxZOJ4PguKmU7~enqZd12cWgNLRF-3rVdOlrVsUWYBGoMNCq0hwjERgbkc1WtxWTkAoFxkTRiLKN7aTMrHYy7O-cld2OunmBDELejPnKkHYCIFuH0S48tdSBIOz8P6fkvUeqoZuGlt4KUpvlVy-fN5quvRQJmOpWjg-pHdU5ci3h8mCdDkxrzw5wniL0aU~GjOeKAHMAuAjL0vfNZmjRJlCRsZPJm-CHxx2ZEvOfcOK0Y1P73v612Q7~RQA13RVHnxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pocatello","date","2025-03-21T14:58:15.12Z","article","The Pocatello City Council on March 20 approved a package of grant certifications, donations and procurement actions affecting transit, parks and utility infrastructure.

Transit grants: The council approved the Fiscal Year 2025 operating and capital program of projects for public transit’s urban and rural services and authorized the mayor and city attorney to sign the associated grant certifications. The urban Federal Transit Administration (FTA 5307) grant amount was presented in the agenda materials as “1,445,305 hundred and $34” with a local share of $848,884; the rural Idaho Transportation Department grant (FTA 5311 or state rural grant) was listed at $791,395 with a local share of $347,893. The transit director was authorized to make necessary amendments to the grants, subject to legal review. (Staff note: the urban-grant figure appears garbled in the transcript; staff documentation should be consulted for the exact grant amount.)

Donation for Optimus Skate Park: The council accepted a $25,000 donation from the Southeast Idaho Skate Park Association to fund an additional skate-park feature (a stair set and entrance) at the new Optimus Skate Park. Representatives of the association thanked the council and invited members to the park groundbreaking.

Water and wastewater purchases and contracts: The council approved the purchase of a replacement Fairbanks submersible pump and motor and components for the McKinley Lift Station at a quoted equipment cost of $64,725.39, using budgeted WPC funds. The council accepted the low bid and awarded a $3,955,852 contract for the High Country Tank Replacement Project to MD Nursery & Landscaping, Inc., with funds available in the Water Department FY2025 budget; staff and the contractor expect construction to begin after the notice-to-proceed later in the season and the contract includes weather allowances. The council also approved Professional Services Task Order 7 Amendment 1 under the on‑call engineering services agreement with Keller Associates in the amount of $205,460 for services during construction on the High Country Tank Replacement Project.

Consent agenda and other routine items: The council approved a consent agenda covering claims and several planning appointments and subdivision decisions (items B–G). Council Member Cheatham requested that the minutes (consent item A) be considered separately; item A was subsequently approved in a separate vote with two no votes recorded (Cheatham and Bingham). The council also declared 12 bicycles in police storage surplus and approved donation to Bicycles for Recovery, subject to legal review, and confirmed several board appointments listed on the consent agenda.

Votes at a glance
- Consent agenda (items B–G): Approved (roll call recorded affirmatives).
- Consent agenda item A (minutes): Approved; recorded no votes by Cheatham and Bingham.
- Transit program of projects and grant certifications (Agenda item 7): Approved (motion by Council President Loehrke; second by Council Member Paulson).
- Optimus Skate Park donation acceptance, $25,000 (Agenda item 8): Approved (motion moved and seconded; representatives of the Skate Park Association addressed council).
- McKinley Lift Station pump purchase, $64,725.39 (Agenda item 9): Approved (motion carried).
- High Country Tank Replacement Project bid award, $3,955,852 (Agenda item 10): Approved (award to MD Nursery & Landscaping, Inc.).
- Professional services Task Order 7 Amendment 1 to Keller Associates, $205,460 (Agenda item 11): Approved.

Council votes were taken by roll call where recorded in the minutes; staff noted some background records (for other agenda items) were still being finalized or were on file with legal for review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pocatello City Council Meeting 03 20 25","oneSentenceSummary","At its March 20 meeting the Pocatello City Council approved Federal Transit Administration grant certifications and several budgeted water and public-works projects, accepted a $25,000 skate-park donation, and approved equipment purchases; the council also approved multiple consent items.","taxTitle","Pocatello City, Bannock County, Idaho","taxId",5619,"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},6627431,"Pocatello proclaims March as Senior Nutrition Program Month; local center reports rising meals served",254,351000,605000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2728020-4cc0ccd7e0bed3b42bee12881135722c&start=351&end=605","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2728020-4cc0ccd7e0bed3b42bee12881135722c/thumbnail_351000.jpg","/articles/6627431/Pocatello-City/Bannock-County/Idaho/Pocatello-proclaims-March-as-Senior-Nutrition-Program-Month-local-center-reports-rising-meals-served","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6627431-ce9d432add1dcc33f26db528c46b14c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200553&Signature=l07sEr9c4vb~l7sIQKHAaFp~pUqd-Zk6t73ewoZwYKhTRqY5htipbU1N1vWdlJNt8ps9U1MDm6AYtHbdLa~XPqxZ0jH-UbhCNOAasZG1Oa4RaEEjWnwK-MlXbY3RSoMZCtoBAsQHazPwpLEtnT2UBD0G3Wu1wzUjDHZ7h8Ga33VndStCFFxo4OU-TW1iSFRRkCjnsvaalgdL-IbsdylmbtV8CS0qkFjLeLnY5kyzFdrfcFTlIxBZiO09edaHfieaXy6ADJMjg6rLDkrKMtsFXsZo9vdkXNHMyZEc7rwn7qosIhzZIzBd~i1nIZQCKlQXUkeGbxInny~DzM3o3rfckQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pocatello City Council on March 20 proclaimed March as Senior Nutrition Program Month in Pocatello and heard brief remarks from a Senior Activity Center representative on rising meal service.

Council Member Paulson read the proclamation noting the national Senior Nutrition Program’s role in funding congregate and home-delivered meals for older Americans and urged residents to recognize the importance of senior nutrition services. Mayor Brian C. Blad’s proclamation designated March as Senior Nutrition Program Month in Pocatello.

Tara Contreras, who identified herself as representing the Senior Activity Center and its board of directors, thanked the council and invited members to share a meal at the center. Contreras gave the council service figures for the center: she said the center served 3,424 meals in the first quarter of 2024 and reported \"15% growth\" year-to-date for the first quarter of 2025, with an increase she described as 535 more meals over the same period last year. She described the center’s focus on nutritious menus approved by a dietitian and the importance of the social dining environment for members.

Contreras also urged support for Meals on Wheels, noting the program’s partnership with local services. The council accepted the proclamation; no formal vote was recorded for the proclamation reading.

Council members praised the center’s work and invited continued community support and volunteer involvement.","The City of Pocatello proclaimed March as Senior Nutrition Program Month and heard from Tara Contreras of the Senior Activity Center, who reported growth in meals served compared with the same period in 2024.",{"_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},6627435,"Pocatello council upholds denial of Ronald Johnson’s taxicab license after review of criminal history",2228,727000,2955000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2728020-4cc0ccd7e0bed3b42bee12881135722c&start=727&end=2955","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2728020-4cc0ccd7e0bed3b42bee12881135722c/thumbnail_727000.jpg","/articles/6627435/Pocatello-City/Bannock-County/Idaho/Pocatello-council-upholds-denial-of-Ronald-Johnsons-taxicab-license-after-review-of-criminal-history","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6627435-b41526aec99fb8e6c1a8ebf734746516/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200553&Signature=gS0PB3uW1jvrbEkiQtRvh55EicaV3Dvpq7Ul~m33QRMtHTqxowI82idN5Ru7wJUNBUxoXmaZyiMhokgmu~M-q1jQ69JPnqozlYTVSxCXB~pd7BASlB28A54eoUq7vBI2P5uT9StFqPM-1vrLypqt081H2PO0OQzZHPGSLSkoUhwh-2iA~~mXZ8NADBIr222uh7OzFeLghOCZhMuq9psC9tkxMW5S5aMF4TguQ4He83Uf3QrDRco7rE0tLDUfjCreh4VdyiSafBk4JzavWo1VHAyTbyjXoflBqSmYy8a0GgE3mGHjlOc3S2TqJqoKmAQYuuMpjguBKgMyJPGxsjVCYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pocatello City Council on March 20 upheld the Pocatello Police Department’s denial of a taxicab driver license for Ronald Johnson after hearing Johnson’s appeal and a staff presentation of his background check.

Mallory Bascom, Pocatello Police licensing, told the council her office denied Johnson’s application under City Code 5.56.0.05(e), which disqualifies applicants with felony convictions or crimes involving moral turpitude, violence, or controlled-substance offenses. Bascom summarized fingerprint returns and source records showing multiple felony convictions in Washington and Idaho for controlled-substance and theft offenses, convictions for obtaining controlled substances by deception, a probation violation, and instances where Johnson reportedly presented false names and held himself out as a federal or other law-enforcement officer while seeking prescriptions.

In his appeal presentation, Ronald Johnson described a long history of work as an off-duty fire and medical responder and as a private contractor training protection dogs. He told the council he has struggled with post-traumatic stress and past prescription opioid use following a 1996 injury and the later death of his son. Johnson said he has been sober from oxycodone for about eight years, participates in PTSD meetings and other treatments, and asked the council for a second chance.

Council members pressed Johnson on treatment history, the pattern of criminal charges across multiple states, and the specific background-check findings. Council Member Mangum said the recurring felony convictions and incidents in which Johnson impersonated law-enforcement officers were the central concerns; Council Member Mansfield and others said those issues made them uncomfortable approving a license given the city’s interest in public safety for taxi riders and drivers.

Council Member Mangum moved to deny the appeal (uphold the city’s denial); Council Member Mansfield seconded. The roll call recorded by the clerk showed the motion carried with affirmative votes by Mansfield, Cheatham, Ulrich, Nichols and Paulson (motion upheld). The council’s action therefore left the original licensing denial in place.

The council did not adopt any additional conditions or direction to staff beyond the denial. Bascom said fingerprint returns from additional jurisdictions were still pending at the time of the hearing and that the licensing decision had been based on the fingerprint-based search and the records she had received.

The council’s decision preserves the Police Department’s determination under the cited city code; there was no direction to reopen or modify the licensing standard. Johnson spoke last and thanked the council before the vote.","The Pocatello City Council on March 20 denied an appeal by Ronald Johnson seeking a taxicab driver license, citing multiple felony convictions and repeated instances of impersonating officers across jurisdictions, according to police licensing staff and council discussion.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Pocatello council approves transit grants, skate park donation, water projects and several procurement items

Pocatello proclaims March as Senior Nutrition Program Month; local center reports rising meals served

Pocatello council upholds denial of Ronald Johnson’s taxicab license after review of criminal history