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

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.