Pocatello council approves series of grants, contracts and purchases including trail, airport and equipment projects

The Pocatello City Council approved a package of grants, agreements and purchases on Jan. 16, authorizing staff to submit grant applications, accept awards if received, and execute contracts and purchase agreements subject to legal review.

Items approved include a certified local government grant application to the Idaho State Historic Preservation Office for $13,000 with an in-kind match of $13,000 to update the east-side downtown historic district and re-list it on the National Register of Historic Places; grant applications to the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation for the Simplot River Access trailhead ($35,000 with a required 20% match of $7,000) and a 2026 Recreational Trail Program application for Upper City Creek Trailhead improvements ($68,000 request with a $17,000 match, total project cost $85,000); and a Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHSIP) application for signalization at High Line and Flandreau ($166,000 request; total project cost $1,798,000; local match $132,000 funded from fund 70).

The council also approved amendments No. 6 and No. 7 to an owner–engineer agreement for Water Pollution Control Phase 1 improvements with Keller Associates, increasing the agreement by $87,315 to cover additional management and design for a maintenance building, electrical upgrades and an arc flash study. The council approved a piggyback purchase of a 2025 Ford F-550 chassis for $72,046 and a custom-built wildland engine in the amount of $185,909.70 (including change orders up to 10%), with funding reserved in fund 78. A task order for sewer flow monitoring supporting the collection system master plan was approved for $101,090 (change orders up to 5%), and a professional services work order for airport pavement maintenance design bidding and construction administration with Aurora was approved not to exceed $288,165.65, contingent on grant awards and funded through federal/state/airport funds.

All motions on these items were seconded and passed on roll call. Several motions included added language clarifying funding sources; for the Upper City Creek Trailhead application, staff confirmed donated match funds in addition to the general fund contribution. Council members moved and seconded individual items; roll calls recorded unanimous approval on the listed items.

Votes at a glance

- Agenda item 8: Idaho State Historic Preservation Office certified local government grant application — motion approved (request $13,000; in-kind match $13,000). - Agenda item 9: Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation Simplot River Access grant application — motion approved (request $35,000; 20% match $7,000). - Agenda item 10: IDPR 2026 Recreational Trail Program (Upper City Creek Trailhead) — motion approved (request $68,000; 20% match $17,000; total project $85,000). Motion amended to reflect additional match donations. - Agenda item 11: LHTAC 2025 LHSIP application (High Line/Flandreau signalization) — motion approved (request $166,000; total project $1,798,000; local match $132,000). - Agenda item 13: Engineering services agreement amendments for WPC Phase 1 improvements (Keller Associates) — motion approved (increase $87,315). - Agenda item 14: Piggyback bid acceptance and wildland engine purchase — motion approved (chassis $72,046; engine $185,909.70 including up to 10% change orders). - Agenda item 15: On-call services task order No. 4, sewer flow monitoring — motion approved ($101,090; change orders up to 5%). - Agenda item 16: Professional services work order — airport pavement maintenance (Aurora) — motion approved (not to exceed $288,165.65; contingent on grants; funded with AIP/state grant/PFC funds).

Council members who moved items varied by agenda item; staff confirmed funding sources and contingencies where noted.