The Lewiston City Council voted 4‑0 on Aug. 19 to move forward with either selling or leasing a small city‑owned parcel behind 1 South Main to Cache Valley Bank to permit a drive‑through for a proposed branch.

Cache Valley Bank representative George Dainth told the council the bank has entered an agreement to buy the corner building currently owned by the Gibbons family and wants to add a single‑lane drive‑through at the back of the property. "We would like to put a small branch there," Dainth said, adding that modern banking typically requires only one lane for drive‑ups.

The council and bank representatives described the requested change as a reconnection of two previously separate legs of a city right of way, plus acquisition or long‑term leasing of an adjacent parcel the city holds in fee title, parcel 009‑024‑0003. Mayor (unnamed) said the city attorney described the rear area as "a mess" and urged cleanup. The mayor also emphasized emergency access: "our right of way is subordinate entirely to those kind of uses," he said, and Dainth said any sale or lease language would exempt the right of way for emergency service use.

Council members raised operational questions including snow removal, parking and lane width. Dainth said the bank would maintain the area it acquired and expected to provide two or three employee parking stalls behind the building while keeping a 12‑ to 14‑foot lane open for through traffic. Council discussion noted the parcel measures about 25 feet by 58 feet, and the mayor and council agreed to include a disclaimer at sale that there are "buried utilities known and unknown." Council members also said the bank will need to reach agreement with neighboring property owner John Dally, who uses the same right of way.

Councilmember (first name on record: Fizz) moved and a councilmember seconded the motion that the city commit to selling or leasing parcel 009‑024‑0003 to Cache Valley Bank. The council then conducted a roll‑call vote: Fizz — yes; Councilmember John — yes; Councilmember Ned Semper — yes; Councilmember Jana — yes. The motion carried 4‑0.

The council directed staff to have the parcel appraised before finalizing terms. Dainth said Cache Valley Bank would supply three appraiser names; Danny Hansen, identified as present from Lewiston/Smithfield, agreed to provide three appraiser names to the mayor for selection. The council also asked staff to place a proposed lease on next month’s agenda if a lease route is chosen.

Next steps noted at the meeting include ordering an appraisal, confirming the disposition mechanism (sale versus long‑term lease) after the appraisal, and drafting sale/lease terms that preserve emergency‑access rights, require the bank to maintain the area (including snow removal for the bank’s portion), and disclose buried utilities. The council said it expects the bank to proceed with exterior improvements and cleanup if the transaction is completed.