Lewiston council approves zoning changes, labor contract, transit grants and street contract in single meeting

Lewiston City Council on a regularly scheduled meeting approved several ordinances, contracts and grants, taking votes that included zoning code changes for preschools and tiny houses, ratification of the city’s firefighter collective bargaining agreement, acceptance of Federal Transit Administration certifications and a grant to buy two buses, and award of a street reconstruction contract.

The council approved the first reading of Ordinance 49-44 to add definitions for “preschool facility” and “school” and to allow preschools by right in the same zones where K–12 schools are permitted, rather than requiring a conditional-use permit. Assistant planner Katie Hollingshead told the council the amendment “would reduce complexities because you would no longer have to go through that conditional use permit process,” and noted preschools would be required to meet the same special-condition criteria as schools, including mailed notice to property owners within 330 feet of a proposed site. The motion for first reading was made by Council President Kleberg and seconded by Councilor Schroeder and carried on voice vote.

Also on zoning, the council approved the first reading of Ordinance 49-47 to amend the city’s definition of dwelling to include “tiny houses” (400 square feet or smaller) within the definition of single-family dwellings and to amend the recreational vehicle definition to include park models (399 square feet or smaller). Assistant planner Katie Hollingshead said the change aligns city code with recent changes in Idaho code and would allow a tiny house on a single residential lot where single-family dwellings are permitted. The motion passed on a voice vote.

On labor, the council approved a collective bargaining agreement between the City of Lewiston and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 1773 covering 10/01/2024–09/30/2027 and authorized the mayor to sign the agreement. Human Resources Director Nikki Provence noted a non-substantive typographical correction in the appendix. The motion to approve the agreement was made by Councilor Schroeder, seconded by Council President Kleberg, and carried on a recorded voice vote.

On transit, the council approved the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) fiscal-year 2025 certifications and assurances, documents the city must submit to maintain eligibility for federal formula funding. Suzanne (senior transit manager) told the council that without the signed certifications the city would not be able to receive its 5307 allocation and that the city has worked with the FTA since 2003. The council also approved a separate FTA 5339 statewide grant agreement (agreement no. 2579LT as referenced in the packet) with the Idaho Transportation Department for $284,240 to purchase two light-duty buses. Transit staff said the two buses to be replaced are 2009 models with roughly 259,000 and more than 300,000 miles; staff noted a typical lead time of about 12–15 months to receive new buses and that the local match will be covered by depreciation set aside in the fleet budget.

Public works action: the council awarded IFB IP-25-016 (Fifth Street reconstruction, Second Avenue to Seventh Avenue) to Knight River Corporation (Mountain West) in the amount of $565,000 and authorized the mayor to execute the contract. Public Works Director Dustin Johnson told the council the project involves milling and reconstruction over a section with an old macadam subbase and that the low bid came roughly $122,000 below the engineer’s estimate. He also said ADA improvements required by mill-and-overlay or greater work will be addressed where applicable.

Other approvals included a resolution authorizing an agreement for GIS support and services with the Lewis-Clark Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization, and the council combined and adopted Ordinance 49-45 (amending city code sections related to the mailing of public hearing notices) by title after waiving full third reading. The council also approved items on the consent agenda and made a council liaison appointment (Councilor Wright to the Public Works Advisory Board and Commission).

Quotes in this summary come from staff and council during the meeting: Katie Hollingshead on preschools and permitting, Suzanne on the FTA certifications and funding, Dustin Johnson on pavement preservation and the Fifth Street project, and officers recording motions and votes.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance 49-44 (first reading): allow preschools by right in same zones as schools; motion by Council President Kleberg; second by Councilor Schroeder; carried by voice vote. - Ordinance 49-47 (first reading): add tiny houses to single-family dwelling definition; motion to approve first reading carried by voice vote. - Collective bargaining agreement: City of Lewiston and IAFF Local 1773 for 10/01/2024–09/30/2027; motion by Councilor Schroeder; second by Council President Kleberg; carried by recorded voice vote. - Resolution approving FTA fiscal-year 2025 certifications and assurances (required to receive 5307 funds): carried by recorded voice vote. - FTA 5339 grant agreement (agreement no. 2579LT) with Idaho Transportation Department for $284,240 to purchase two light-duty buses: motion to approve carried by recorded voice vote. - IFB IP-25-016 Fifth Street reconstruction (Second to Seventh Avenue): award to Knight River Corporation (Mountain West) for $565,000; motion carried by recorded voice vote. - Resolution for GIS support/services with Lewis-Clark Valley MPO: carried by voice vote. - Ordinance 49-45 (mailing of public hearing notices): second and third readings combined and adopted; motion to waive third reading and adopt carried by voice vote.

What the council did not decide tonight: the zoning changes for preschools and tiny homes passed first readings; additional public-notice, permit or implementation steps remain before particular projects would be built or opened. The transit bus purchase requires separate procurement and delivery timelines; staff said delivery is typically 12–15 months after ordering.

For more detail, staff and council remarks are recorded in the meeting transcript and the official ordinance/resolution documents and contracts available from the City Clerk’s office. Ending notes: the meeting packet and staff reports contain the specific ordinance language, grant agreement numbers, and contract documents for the items summarized above.