The Powell City Council on an omnibus vote approved the appointment of a city attorney and a municipal judge, authorized a final plat for Cottonwood Village Subdivision Phase 2, extended an engineering agreement with HDR through 2026, approved a conflict-of-interest waiver related to a school work-shadow program, and accepted bills and claims totaling $101,056.76.

Council members first moved to approve the minutes from Dec. 16, 2024, and then approved bills and claims in the amount of $101,056.76. The council then performed oaths of office for Mayor Russell and councilmembers David Habibian, Floyd Young and Troy Bray.

On mayoral appointments, the council moved and seconded to appoint "Copenhagen Kitchen" as city attorney and to authorize the associated contract and signatures; the council carried the motion. The council next approved a contract appointment for municipal judge Brett Allred and authorized signatures; Allred was identified in discussion as having been the judge since 2017.

Developer Chad Hall addressed the council during the final plat item. "My name is Chad Hall. I'm the owner of Cognizant Vision and Haul Construction," he said, and told the council the Cottonwood Village plat had passed the development review committee and planning and zoning and that temporary cul-de-sacs were platted for future extension. The council moved and seconded to approve the final plat for Cottonwood Village Subdivision Phase 2 and authorized all necessary signatures; the motion carried.

The council approved a waiver of conflict of interest between the school district and the city for a work-shadow program and authorized signatures. The council also approved an amendment and extension to the HDR engineering agreement, described by a staff presenter as a retainer used by the electric department for substation relay and recloser settings. Zack (staff) said the agreement covers engineering services and that "it's through 2026." The council moved and seconded to approve the HDR amendment and extension and authorized signatures; legal reviewed the agreement, and the motion carried.

All motions reported in the meeting were adopted by voice votes indicated by the clerk's procedure of "All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carried." The meeting adjourned after the listed items.

Votes at a glance:
- Approval of minutes (Dec. 16, 2024): moved and seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Bills and claims, $101,056.76: moved and seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Appointment of city attorney and contract ("Copenhagen Kitchen"): moved and seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Municipal judge contract with Brett Allred: moved and seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Final plat: Cottonwood Village Subdivision Phase 2: moved and seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Conflict-of-interest waiver with school district (work-shadow program): moved and seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote).
- HDR engineering agreement amendment and extension (through 2026): moved and seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote).

Why it matters: The approvals authorize city legal representation and judicial services, permit development to proceed for a residential subdivision, and continue outside engineering support for the city electric substation. The conflict waiver clears a procedural barrier for a school-related work-shadow placement.

What the council did not specify in the meeting record: roll-call vote tallies and the mover/second names for many motions were not provided in the transcript, and specific contract dollar amounts (city attorney contract, municipal judge contract, HDR contract amendment) were not stated on the record.