Idaho Falls council approves consent agenda and several contracts including firefighter turnout purchase and wastewater design agreement

The Idaho Falls City Council approved its consent agenda and several department proposals during its meeting, including purchases and agreements for municipal services, public safety equipment, a public-works radar-sign project, and professional services for wastewater treatment planning.

Consent agenda: The council approved a 10-item consent agenda that included the treasurer’s report for December 2024; awards of bids for multiple city waterline and well projects (Bid No. 011 — Broadvex addition waterline improvements 2025; Bid No. 012 — multiple city water project materials; Bid No. 013 — Well No. 3 elevated water line material; Bid No. 010 — Anderson project materials); plans, specifications and a low bid award to HK Contractors for the 49 South and Holmes Avenue intersection waterline (award amount stated in the packet as $115,982); Idaho Falls Power purchases for transformer pads and ground sleeves ($123,490.59); and approval of licensing reports and meeting minutes. The clerk called the roll and the motion carried.

Final plat: The council voted to accept and approve the final plat for CCW Express Bridal (first amended) and to approve the related statement of relevant criteria and standards; the mayor, city engineer and city clerk were authorized to sign the recorded plat documents.

Firefighter turnout purchase: The council approved purchasing firefighter turnout gear under a Sourcewell cooperative contract (010424-LIO) from C Western Firefighting Equipment for a total of $152,431.36. Municipal Services Director Pam Alexander and Fire Deputy Chief Bradford described the department’s equipment rotation: the city maintains a two-set standard so firefighters can change out contaminated gear, and the department replaces sets on a planned cycle with an expected 10-year service life per set. Council discussion noted price increases for protective equipment in recent years; the motion carried.

Surplus police vehicles: The council approved sale of six surplus law-enforcement vehicles (model years 2011, 2013 and 2015 as listed in staff materials) to the College of Eastern Idaho for a total of $13,000. Police staff said the College of Eastern Idaho is establishing a regional peace-officer training academy and will use some vehicles for emergency vehicle operations training (EVOC) and precision immobilization technique (PIT) practice; the sale was described as bringing the academy closer to operation.

Radar speed-sign project (ITD): The council approved a state-local agreement and resolution with the Idaho Transportation Department to move forward with a radar speed sign project. The project was described as approximately a $400,000 construction program, with a city match of roughly 7.34% (about $29,100) and construction funding available in 2028; an initial design installment of roughly $2,000 was noted to begin design work. Public Works Director Chris Ferguson said the signs will be placed on arterial approaches where speed drops (typically to 35 mph) and that staff will analyze data and partner with police on siting.

Wastewater professional services agreement: The council approved a professional services agreement with Stantec Consulting (not to exceed $652,630) to design a Clean‑B upgrade identified in the city’s wastewater facility plan and to perform a secondary treatment evaluation. Staff said the Clean‑B design is estimated to take about 12 months with about 12 months of construction thereafter; the secondary-treatment evaluation work is expected to take roughly 24 months and will calibrate models to flow changes from an upcoming dewatering project.

All motions described above passed by voice or roll-call vote as recorded by the city clerk during the meeting.