[{"_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",6587909,"mediaKeyId","5529319-cc1e0055787e72622db0b123112c1843","parentId",5529319,"title","Council appoints Jolene Cliff to Disability Advisory Commission","audioSeconds",89,"startMs",4527000,"endMs",4616000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5529319-cc1e0055787e72622db0b123112c1843&start=4527&end=4616","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5529319-cc1e0055787e72622db0b123112c1843/thumbnail_4527000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6587909/Lewiston-City/Nez-Perce-County/Idaho/Council-appoints-Jolene-Cliff-to-Disability-Advisory-Commission","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587909-c1f232c0051821723cb39dcad5fe3467/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187625&Signature=evxhhD0zKgPipR5zB7MvYbJR5BV5SwjJmX8pJwzOm8xGup--timv6hHG6hOCupiGJ3vDopfsVCko5lq0RMAFXYX8FABasCVXi4OFQbukjpcFBL8IzZbhwlnHHV2ODWIzjtbPdfsCPHXEsqQHT2r1KoVcvMjUqsX-TTXiY1anEafRncpBduGrsl~w~OYxYM8XICTa3CdVbkXqXqITq2yk4z2xqoE8El8t0V09UNti02xddBo7F9H9fK05HYSVEW6GDoYhB8S2hbVRzEPTmuSWgREQGnnqBILuSPi6OMxz5hcWeswHzc0BXl1yGiSEn0KL6mSjwTd5faSHvmPi3AX3iA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lewiston","date","2025-08-05T01:06:49.903Z","article","Lewiston — The City Council appointed Jolene Cliff to a three-year term on the Disability Advisory Commission during the Aug. 4 work session.

Mayor Johnson moved to appoint Cliff; Councilor Schroeder seconded the motion. The council voted in favor and the mayor thanked her for volunteering.

Why it matters: The Disability Advisory Commission advises the city on accessibility and disability-related matters; filling vacancies keeps the commission at full membership to review policies and advise staff.

Formal action: Motion to appoint Jolene Cliff to a three-year term on the Disability Advisory Commission was moved by the mayor and seconded by Councilor Schroeder and approved by voice vote.

Ending: Council welcomed the new appointee and thanked her for serving.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lewiston City Council Work Session - 8/4/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved appointment of Jolene Cliff to a three-year term on the Disability Advisory Commission.","taxTitle","Lewiston City, Nez Perce County, Idaho","taxId",37760,"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},6587914,"Council approves first reading to set mayor salary at $90,000, councilor pay adjusted; debate continues over city administrator",897,6867000,7764000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5529319-cc1e0055787e72622db0b123112c1843&start=6867&end=7764","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5529319-cc1e0055787e72622db0b123112c1843/thumbnail_6867000.jpg","/articles/6587914/Lewiston-City/Nez-Perce-County/Idaho/Council-approves-first-reading-to-set-mayor-salary-at-90000-councilor-pay-adjusted-debate-continues-over-city-administrator","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587914-8b1adfd599c8c10f4dcc40c48d6b3255/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187625&Signature=ZH3yKD5T9~fKFo8jYruuBCj53evf50bEQNSzcdkCOppOIx10~fLRZj1bRfw9B2xVLeAy98ayN5YPEnFeRn6ASCngiKW3lic~NeAQpGGLZgU-f0naz5Pp4Vrx5Tlh1r0wRB1OJvHq72NO4LHbDCj8UTEbjQT2jbrsFHwGcdam9ecdan-nTGiMlZydFC8I4q4fXUiKFdI2WuYrcrX2SDSQ09lUS1-aVYsa28ZFngO6k6lIlEJ66DSPNMRtl6DZ2BlNbxyAEz2rjESJljAnsFynB-v1-ygO-W7RHj9vRdtdIYbUrEEcJtGfb4-Kgq5leFe2ngnwI3Ttaknlga5r1O7CQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lewiston — The Lewiston City Council on Aug. 4 approved the first reading of Ordinance 49-53 to amend city code sections related to elected officials’ compensation, setting the mayor’s annual salary at $90,000, councilors’ pay at $720 per month and the council president’s pay at $800 per month.

The ordinance is a first reading; councilors may revisit or amend the ordinance in subsequent readings required by city code. Council President Clayberg moved the ordinance; Councilor Schroeder seconded the motion and the council voted in favor.

Council debate focused on whether the city should explore adding a city administrator position before raising elected-official pay. Councilor Spickelmeyer said he did not oppose study of a city administrator: “I’m not really, not sure I really support looking at a city administrator, but I would like us to take the time to officially look at it, see what it looks like, see what it would cost the city and if it would work.” Several councilors — including Klein, Forsman and Schroeder — said they preferred to keep the council and mayor pay at status quo while the city studies the administrator option or to delay larger changes until the next budget cycle.

Why it matters: The ordinance sets compensation for the next term of office and will apply to whoever holds the positions; state statute requires disclosure and local processes for setting council/ mayor compensation. Councilors said the debate is about the structure of city management, not individual incumbents.

Formal action: The first reading passed by council voice vote during the meeting. The ordinance will return for subsequent readings and final adoption per the city’s ordinance schedule.

Implementation note: Staff and councilors discussed how an added city administrator would be funded and whether a pay change for the mayor should be conditioned on hiring an administrator; council members noted budget timing and the need to include any administrator funding in the next fiscal budget if they choose that route.

Ending: The ordinance passed its first reading. Councilors asked staff to consider budget impacts and to return with additional information during the budget process and subsequent ordinance readings.","On first reading council approved Ordinance 49-53 to change compensation for the mayor and council positions; councilors debated study of a possible city administrator and whether pay changes should wait.",{"_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},6587919,"Lewiston council approves mutual-assistance agreement with Idaho Department of Lands for wildland firefighting",1723,4595000,6318000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5529319-cc1e0055787e72622db0b123112c1843&start=4595&end=6318","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5529319-cc1e0055787e72622db0b123112c1843/thumbnail_4595000.jpg","/articles/6587919/Lewiston-City/Nez-Perce-County/Idaho/Lewiston-council-approves-mutual-assistance-agreement-with-Idaho-Department-of-Lands-for-wildland-firefighting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587919-47a3ce6c57cd853f454051514fa53174/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187625&Signature=Fn9Fr6NHRiOLo7Qu2wXzaBPjCpnHsHd-Xkkx7hZUELVNKroXnxGuKRJplEToxNIykXWxKEikbSlLqGRoGhQALlZVc3YuUlgYwbgepImF7gEGwF0SITBAjRAnzi0v3O9~yktGj6gDSjxrJdu~WoIBVUsS89x3Gk9Gr1G7TQRZ0VZ8ei7FG-3j5p-Q4f~C4BxpEph5tZ50MS~o3gYzSTlrpTcrzQwD6DrSlsKyqo1rvmZz4dIesAMbm1tLKvCTEJj2SbcMuwehuIwBgDDTRz8IvCLPBkZ1VrQz5qJcTAzpyr~8tLOn6twt0NTadsPCJ8jfRLOfg4e-OtWBELltr4qYCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lewiston — The City Council approved Resolution 2025-25 on Aug. 4 to authorize a cooperative mutual-assistance agreement with the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL), a step city officials said will speed access to state wildfire resources and federal grant programs.

Fire Chief Greg Breitmeier described how the agreement would help the city secure aircraft and other wildland resources more quickly during fast-moving, wind-driven fires and reduce delays in requesting and receiving state and interagency assistance. He said, “We were able to get 2 ... helicopters that were right here in Lewiston. They were able to launch immediately and start doing bucket drops,” describing a recent incident where aircraft helped stop a fire from reaching houses.

Why it matters: City staff said the agreement clarifies reimbursement, training records access, federal excess equipment grant eligibility and pre-authorizes steps that reduce paperwork and response delay during incidents that threaten populated areas.

Council questions and concerns: Councilors pressed for operational details and financial limits. Several members, including Councilor Spickelmeyer, asked whether county partners have the capacity to support their own areas and whether Lewiston could be left as a primary responder. The chief said the agreement is with IDL and that staff will continue working with Nez Perce County to develop clear operational procedures and reimbursement expectations. Council members also noted an exhibit of maps referenced in the draft agreement was missing from the packet; they asked the clerk to include the IDL district maps and the city limits map as exhibits to the signed agreement.

Formal action: Councilor Wright moved to approve Resolution 2025-25; Councilor Schroeder seconded. The council recorded unanimous approval. Clerk recorded the ayes and the mayor was authorized to sign the agreement.

Implementation notes: Chief Breitmeier said the agreement provides the city access to IDL-managed systems for training records, to apply for federal excess equipment grants and to streamline reimbursement for hire during events. He described next steps that include winter-time work with Nez Perce County leaders to align operational procedures and to establish clear thresholds for when Lewiston will commit personnel and equipment under the agreement.

Ending: Council approved the resolution and asked staff to file the missing exhibit maps with the city clerk and return operational procedures and reimbursement clarifications to council as work is completed.","Council approved Resolution 2025-25 to enter a cooperative mutual-assistance agreement with the Idaho Department of Lands; chief described benefits including faster aircraft mobilization, grant access and training records; council asked for maps and operational guidelines before implementation.",{"_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},6587924,"Lewiston officials review narrow May bond loss, plan renewed campaign and outreach",3933,591000,4524000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5529319-cc1e0055787e72622db0b123112c1843&start=591&end=4524","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5529319-cc1e0055787e72622db0b123112c1843/thumbnail_591000.jpg","/articles/6587924/Lewiston-City/Nez-Perce-County/Idaho/Lewiston-officials-review-narrow-May-bond-loss-plan-renewed-campaign-and-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587924-6df92908ade662e0b9b4fe04cd6dc559/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187625&Signature=gKdER3H7raVSh0H1zSg0iy3WIrD1UZWwSeeKjAANDuXAH0tYEmly~zbpcmP-XuC3spG64yigGP6K~CDzfwRQsOAgFhuMq54~loRZDvmNvwQRw9Rj~ipfD~t7V8oLmKkwkstZLqIk4h9AhM3P6o4f53NdAWRZSV6jwdoH247Ss5Jz~~Wq-2FLznX0AQoeVbl55WTqNd18X~WdM1GfySY8ID7x9trIuunoElPnhd8tgypKaW~l4EiCdg8HrgzXS16Sgyy9qGgQbyceV5CmjnKDkURI0MI6T0OvFuc6W58Q8JRZByG90M4qGlPBdzHhd3BfFIgfmX9ZUFhnF50IphJykQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lewiston — City staff and their bond consultant reviewed results and lessons from the May Main Street bond election on Aug. 4 and recommended more time and targeted outreach before asking voters again.

Public Works Director Dustin Johnson told the Lewiston City Council that the May bond received almost 62% support but fell short of the two-thirds (66.7%) supermajority required. “We needed a super majority. We came about a 150 vote short,” Johnson said during the work session.

The council heard a summary from Christine Stoll of Clearwater Financial, who led the post-election survey and outreach review. Stoll said the city had high, concentrated support in many precincts but low overall turnout — about 18% in May — and that lower turnout and confusion about required disclosure language contributed to the shortfall. “You had 60 almost 62% in favor. You needed 66.7%,” Stoll said, summarizing the vote counts.

Why it matters: The Main Street package combines water, sewer and stormwater work with associated surface improvements downtown. The city faces near-term pipe failures and has limited ARPA and local funds; failing to complete the comprehensive project would mean repeated street digs and higher cumulative disruption and cost.

What the consultant reported: Stoll summarized the bond outreach effort — mailers, social posts, earned media and open houses — and the post-election survey (May 28–June 30). The survey drew 474 responses; respondents who reported receiving city communications were more likely to have voted yes. Key takeaways included:
- The bond drew about 61.9% support in May but needed 66.7%; the margin missed by roughly 150–154 votes.
- Turnout in May was about 18%; estimated November 2025 turnout is roughly 34%.
- Every precinct gave more than 50% support, but only some precincts exceeded the two-thirds threshold; the green precincts on Stoll’s maps would have pushed the city over the threshold earlier on election night.
- Voters who took the post-election survey most often said they needed clearer information about funding sources and how existing enterprise funds would be used; 34% of survey respondents listed concerns about roundabouts or traffic changes as a reason for not supporting the measure.

Council discussion and next steps: Councilors asked whether the city could simply resubmit the measure and whether more time for education would help. Several council members — including Councilors Spickelmeyer, Wright, Klein and Schroeder — said the campaign’s technical language and legally required disclosure text had created confusion and trust problems with some voters. Councilor Wright noted many respondents said they “didn’t feel informed enough to vote.”

Staff said there are several funding paths to consider. Director Johnson said state transportation participation from the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) could lower the city’s general-obligation bond ask and cited early conversations with ITD leaders about programming state funds for the portions of the project in state right-of-way. Johnson told the council that ITD had agreed to contribute to transportation components in its right-of-way and that programming could be worth roughly $4 million–$7 million toward the overall project, though formal inclusion in the state capital budget is still required.

The mayor and director Johnson told council members that staff may present reduced bond language and a resolution for council consideration in August. Johnson referenced a memo in the council packet showing staff could present ballot language at the Aug. 11 meeting; staff later said the August 18 or 25 meetings are alternatives if scheduling requires it.

Consultant recommendations: Stoll recommended continuing outreach, recruiting community ambassadors, using post-election survey questions as educational tools and focusing communication on how existing enterprise funds would pay debt service so voters understand tax impacts (or lack thereof). She also recommended seeking additional grant partners to reduce the bond size and targeting early and absentee voters who historically supported the measure more strongly.

Direction from council: Councilors generally supported returning the question to a higher-turnout election cycle (November) rather than waiting longer, provided staff have more time to clarify funding details and messaging. Council members asked staff to prepare bond language and budget analyses and return to council with a resolution and supporting materials in August for consideration of a November 2025 placement.

What’s next: Staff will work with bond counsel and Clearwater Financial to craft ballot language and an outreach plan and will present a resolution and materials in August for council action. If the council approves placement, the proposition could appear on the November ballot; staff also said they are continuing to use available ARPA dollars for other critical pipe work in the interim.

Ending: Councilors emphasized that better, clearer outreach and early engagement of voters — especially absentee and early voters — would be central if the bond returns to the ballot.","City staff and consultants reviewed the May Main Street bond vote results, post-election survey findings and outreach lessons; council signaled support for returning a reduced bond to the November ballot and staff will return with ballot language in August.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council appoints Jolene Cliff to Disability Advisory Commission

Council approves first reading to set mayor salary at $90,000, councilor pay adjusted; debate continues over city administrator

Lewiston council approves mutual-assistance agreement with Idaho Department of Lands for wildland firefighting

Lewiston officials review narrow May bond loss, plan renewed campaign and outreach