[{"_1":2,"_115":-5,"_116":-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",[32,75,85,95,105],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6537719,"mediaKeyId","3446740-b8ce506eb8939314258ad6ac988fb9ad","parentId",3446740,"title","Votes at a glance: Lewiston council approves equipment purchases, property sales and traffic changes","audioSeconds",206,"startMs",2870000,"endMs",3076000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3446740-b8ce506eb8939314258ad6ac988fb9ad&start=2870&end=3076","thumbnailUrl","https://d352y6ypj4mjo3.cloudfront.net/AudioPlaceholder.png","articleUrl","/articles/6537719/Utah/Votes-at-a-glance-Lewiston-council-approves-equipment-purchases-property-sales-and-traffic-changes","mediaUrl","author","Lewiston Lewiston City Council","date","2025-05-20T19:30:00Z","article","The Lewiston City Council recorded multiple formal votes at its May 20 meeting. This summary lists each motion, outcome, and key details so residents can quickly see what the council approved.

Votes and outcomes
- Atkinson Sound purchase (permanent rodeo sound system): Motion to purchase a permanent outdoor sound system from Atkinson Sound for $24,018. Roll-call unanimous (Fizz: Yes; John: Yes; Ned: Yes; Brooke: Yes; Jana: Yes). Outcome: approved. City staff said the amplifier and receiver would be stored in the city office for use by event organizers.

- Interlocal agreement for 2025 municipal election (Resolution 25-02): Motion to approve resolution 25-02 accepting an interlocal agreement with Cache County to administer the 2025 municipal elections. Outcome: unanimous approval.

- Appointment to Events Council: Motion and second to appoint Kim Beckstead to the Lewiston Events Council. Outcome: unanimous approval.

- Sale of two parcels: Motion to list Parcel 090210053 for $135,000 and Parcel 090060203 for $35,000 per acre. Roll-call unanimous (Fizz: Yes; John: Yes; Ned: Yes; Brooke: Yes; Jana: Yes). Outcome: approved.

- Purchase of new park mower (Bad Boy brand): Motion and second to purchase a Bad Boy mower (replacement for aging Exmark equipment). Roll-call unanimous. Council instructed staff to obtain an exact quote and finalize purchase.

- Declare old popcorn popper surplus and accept sealed bids: Motion to declare the old popcorn machine surplus and accept sealed bids through June 30 (close of office hours); bids to be opened July 1. Outcome: unanimous approval.

- Traffic-safety changes: Motion and second to make the intersections at 1600 South/Main Street and 1600 South/1600 West four-way stops (with stop-ahead signage). Outcome: unanimous approval.

Other notes
- The council also discussed but did not finalize a long-term engineering services contract; staff said JUB has provided years of service and grant-writing assistance but the city will continue to evaluate options.
- Several of these votes were unanimous; the cell-tower lease termination vote (see separate item) was 3-2.

Why this matters
These votes affect event infrastructure, public safety (traffic controls), city property and equipment and the administration of upcoming elections. Residents who use the rodeo grounds, attend events or live near the affected intersections will see operational changes as staff implements council direction.","mediaType","Audio","parentTitle","City Council Meeting / Public Hearing - 05.20.25 Recorded City Council Meeting-Audio","oneSentenceSummary","At its May 20 meeting Lewiston's council approved a series of motions including a $24,018 purchase of a permanent sound system for the rodeo grounds, authorization to sell two city parcels, purchase of a park mower, interlocal agreement for elections and traffic-safety changes.","taxTitle","Lewiston, Cache County, Utah","taxId",80035,"location","Utah","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":50,"_51":82,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":83,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":84,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6537724,"Lewiston agrees to begin general-plan update with Bear River Association of Governments",382,1606000,1988000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3446740-b8ce506eb8939314258ad6ac988fb9ad&start=1606&end=1988","/articles/6537724/Utah/Lewiston-agrees-to-begin-general-plan-update-with-Bear-River-Association-of-Governments","Lewiston officials told the council on May 20 that they plan to begin a general-plan update using technical assistance from the Bear River Association of Governments (BRAG). The council indicated it will move forward with BRAG's services and staff said they will begin the contracting and scoping steps.

Why this matters: the general plan guides land use, transportation and affordable-housing policy. An updated plan helps the city meet statutory planning requirements, set priorities for zoning and make funding applications.

Presentation summary and council decision
- Russ Price, the council's BRAG contact, told the council BRAG maintains a program that can support smaller municipalities and that BRAG receives state funding in the range of $150,000 annually for planning assistance to local governments.
- Price estimated a typical full master-plan update could cost roughly $50,000 to $70,000, depending on how much work the city performs in-house; he estimated 8 to 12 months as a typical project timeline. Required elements for Lewiston include land-use planning, transportation and affordable-housing analysis. BRAG staff offered templates and public-input support, and said planners typically craft tailored resident surveys.
- Council members said they intend to proceed with BRAG and staff will begin coordination for scope and schedule.

Public-input and next steps
- Price said the process normally includes data collection, analysis, visioning and drafting and that public outreach (surveys and hearings) is integral to the plan. Councilmembers asked about state influence; Price said planners react to data and statutory requirements rather than \"central planning\" from the state.
- Staff (Abel) will follow up with BRAG on scope, costs and an initial timeline; the mayor said staff will start engagement for the project immediately.

Clarifying details and deliverables
- BRAG noted it can rotate assistance among jurisdictions and that two regionally assigned planners are available. Price said BRAG is not the only available contractor but that BRAG was a preferred, lower-cost option for the council.
- The council's decision was framed as starting the planning process with BRAG rather than a binding long-term contract.

Speakers quoted in this article spoke at the May 20 meeting; this report does not add or speculate beyond their statements.","After a presentation from the Bear River Association of Governments, the Lewiston council agreed to use BRAG for an update of the city's general plan; staff and BRAG estimated costs, timeline and the public-input process.",{"_33":86,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":87,"_41":88,"_43":89,"_45":90,"_47":91,"_49":50,"_51":92,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":93,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":94,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6537728,"Resident alleges ethics violations; council and mayor point complainants to Utah ethics commission",4406,306000,4712000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3446740-b8ce506eb8939314258ad6ac988fb9ad&start=306&end=4712","/articles/6537728/Utah/Resident-alleges-ethics-violations-council-and-mayor-point-complainants-to-Utah-ethics-commission","A Lewiston resident raised a series of ethics-related allegations at the city council meeting on May 20, saying the city had failed to enforce conflict-of-interest disclosure rules, had approved a lot-line adjustment benefiting an undisclosed LLC controlled by an elected official without proper public notice, and had used personal email accounts for city business.

The council did not open an investigation. City officials explained that Utah law assigns investigatory authority to state entities and, where appropriate, law enforcement. A city staff member read a prepared statement that summarized the legal path: complaints alleging public-official ethical violations should be filed with the Utah Political Subdivisions Ethics Commission; criminal allegations should be reported to law enforcement.

What was alleged
- The speaker, Roy Hall, said he had documented instances where required conflict-of-interest disclosures were not filed, a lot-line adjustment benefiting an official's private LLC received inadequate public notice and led to later ordinance changes making the property buildable, and certain city business had been conducted via personal email accounts. He said he had submitted public-record requests to support his statements.

City response and next steps
- Council staff and the mayor said the council does not have authority to investigate criminal or ethics violations. The city attorney (Seth Tate) and County representative (David Erickson) were referenced in the staff statement about the appropriate filing path.
- City staff provided written contact information for the Utah Political Subdivisions Ethics Commission at the meeting sign-in table and urged anyone with allegations to file a complaint with that commission or with local law enforcement if a criminal violation is suspected.

Why this matters
Allegations of undisclosed financial interests, failures of public notice and the use of personal accounts for government business implicate state ethics and open-meeting statutes. The council's statement explains the procedural path for residents to secure an outside review; the city emphasized it lacks investigatory authority under state law in these cases.

Speakers and documents referenced in this report are drawn from the public comment and the city's read statement during the meeting. This article does not assert the truth of the allegations; it reports the accusation and the official guidance presented to the public.","A resident publicly accused Lewiston officials of undisclosed conflicts, improper notices and use of private emails; council members and staff said the city lacks investigatory authority and instructed residents to file complaints with the Utah Political Subdivisions Ethics Commission or law enforcement where appropriate.",{"_33":96,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":97,"_41":98,"_43":99,"_45":100,"_47":101,"_49":50,"_51":102,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":103,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":104,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6537733,"Lewiston council votes 3-2 to terminate city cell-tower lease; termination fee minimal",366,2172000,2538000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3446740-b8ce506eb8939314258ad6ac988fb9ad&start=2172&end=2538","/articles/6537733/Utah/Lewiston-council-votes-3-2-to-terminate-city-cell-tower-lease-termination-fee-minimal","The Lewiston City Council voted 3-2 on May 20 to terminate a city lease with a cellular provider that would have placed a new tower on a city-owned parcel near town. Council members voted to sign a termination agreement and return it to the company with a small termination payment.

Why this matters: Residents had objected to the proposed tower because of its proximity to the school and concerns about aesthetics and health. Council members discussed public sentiment and the prospect that a private landowner could host a tower elsewhere. Terminating the city's lease removes the proposed facility from city property but does not prevent a provider from locating a tower elsewhere in the area.

What the council approved
- Motion to terminate the cell-tower lease and execute the termination agreement. Roll-call: Fizz: Yes; John: Yes; Ned: Yes; Brooke: No; Jana: No. Tally: 3-2. Outcome: motion passed.
- Staff said the termination paperwork will be returned to the company with an approximately $10 payment to conclude the agreement.

Discussion highlights
- Multiple residents addressed the council during public comment urging the city not to locate a tower near school property. Simone Holyoke asked the council to communicate with the school district and explore alternative sites such as the business park. Judy Smith asked whether the new tower would be additional or a relocation; staff confirmed it was an additional tower.
- A councilmember described polling about the proposal: in an informal, non-random outreach to 32 acquaintances, 16 supported the tower in the proposed location and nine opposed it (three citing health concerns); the councilmember said he would vote against keeping the tower on city property if the termination option was available.
- Several councilmembers said they expected a provider could place equipment on private property if the city ended its lease; discussion focused on whether city-owned land should be used for that purpose.

Clarifying details
- Lease terms discussed in the meeting: the leased site was described as roughly 40 by 40 feet; the company was paying $1,400 per month with increases at renewal periods. The termination payment discussed at the meeting was described as about $10.

Implementation
Staff was directed to sign and return the termination agreement with the payment and finalize the administrative steps to end the lease.

Speakers and attributions in this report are limited to persons who spoke to this topic at the meeting.","Following citizen opposition to a proposed new tower near the school, Lewiston's council voted 3-2 to accept a termination agreement on a cell-tower lease; staff will return paperwork with an approximately $10 payment to end the lease.",{"_33":106,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":107,"_41":108,"_43":109,"_45":110,"_47":111,"_49":50,"_51":112,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":113,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":114,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6537737,"Lewiston council approves preliminary 2026 budget, increases FY25 capital for fire extrication gear",4142,605000,4747000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3446740-b8ce506eb8939314258ad6ac988fb9ad&start=605&end=4747","/articles/6537737/Utah/Lewiston-council-approves-preliminary-2026-budget-increases-FY25-capital-for-fire-extrication-gear","The Lewiston City Council on May 20 unanimously approved the city's preliminary general-fund budget for fiscal year 2026 and a $20,000 adjustment to the FY25 capital projects budget to purchase extrication equipment for the fire department.

The action followed an open public hearing on both matters. Mayor Jeff Hall opened the hearing and staff answered questions about the two items and the city's overall finances. Council then voted 5-0 to increase FY25 capital by $20,000 to cover extrication equipment not awarded through a grant and to adopt the preliminary FY26 general-fund budget of $1,630,000.

Why this matters: the FY25 adjustment will allow the fire department to buy battery-powered extrication tools (\"jaws of life\") now rather than waiting for grant funding. The preliminary budget sets revenue and spending targets for the next fiscal year and drives department planning and public notices ahead of final adoption.

Key details and context
- The council recorded the FY26 general fund total as $1,630,000. Staff explained approximate revenue sources: about $450,000 in property tax, $420,000 in sales tax, roughly $170,000 in Class C road funds, and about $180,000 in garbage receipts. Those figures were described in the meeting as approximations and included in staff's summary of the proposed budget.
- The fire-department purchase was described as about $27,000 in equipment costs; the budget adjustment moves $20,000 within the capital account and the department will pursue additional grants.
- Council and staff discussed a $10,000 line in next year's proposed budget for a new server to support a multi-month records-digitization effort. Mayor Hall said staff plans to scan current records and work backward, and city staff will pilot a temporary hire to support scanning under the mayor's direction.

Public comment and related items
- Several members of the public used the hearing to raise other concerns. Gary Larson asked the council to study dust-control treatments (emulsion/slurry) for an unpaved local road and urged the city to update its Class C road mileage to ensure maximum formula allocations. A resident asked about unused vehicles on city right-of-way and urged enforcement. These were public comments; no formal action was taken on those items at the hearing.

Formal actions recorded
- Increase FY25 capital projects budget by $20,000 for fire-department extrication equipment. Roll-call: Fizz: Yes; John: Yes; Ned: Yes; Brooke: Yes; Jana: Yes. Outcome: approved.
- Approve preliminary FY26 general-fund budget of $1,630,000. Roll-call: Fizz: Yes; John: Yes; Ned: Yes; Brooke: Yes; Jana: Yes. Outcome: approved.

What's next
Staff will continue grant applications for additional extrication equipment and will proceed with the records-digitization planning described in the meeting. The preliminary budget will be posted as required and returned to council for final adoption at the statutory time.","After a public hearing, the Lewiston City Council unanimously approved a $1.63 million preliminary general fund budget for fiscal year 2026 and a $20,000 FY25 capital adjustment to buy extrication equipment for the fire department. Council also placed $10,000 for a new server in next year's budget to support digital records work.","actionData","errors"]

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Votes at a glance: Lewiston council approves equipment purchases, property sales and traffic changes

Lewiston agrees to begin general-plan update with Bear River Association of Governments

Resident alleges ethics violations; council and mayor point complainants to Utah ethics commission

Lewiston council votes 3-2 to terminate city cell-tower lease; termination fee minimal

Lewiston council approves preliminary 2026 budget, increases FY25 capital for fire extrication gear