Genola council approves rezoning, hires building inspector, reinstates code enforcement; approves contracts for mental-health services and park work

Genola Town Council took a series of administrative and policy actions during a recent meeting, approving a rezoning request and an amendment to the town’s conditional-use rules, hiring a contract building inspector, reinstating a code-enforcement officer and authorizing multiple contracts and purchases.

The council approved a zone change request (ordinance 2025-03) for property owned by Eric Hazlett on Hillside Drive and approved amendments to the town’s conditional-use ordinance (ordinance 2025-02). The council also voted to hire Staley & Associates as the town’s building inspector, approved a contract with mental-health provider Dr. Tia White to serve first responders and their families, and reinstated Manny Escoto as the town’s code-enforcement officer under the same monthly arrangement used previously.

Why it matters: the votes set how Genola will handle development reviews, code enforcement and a variety of routine town services over the coming year. The hires and contracts affect first-responder support, permitting workflow and the town’s ability to follow up on complaints and development projects.

Key outcomes and supporting details

Votes at a glance - Approval of Jan. 15 minutes: Motion carried. Mover: Grant Lundberg; second: Taylor Rosslyn. (Approved.) - Approval of monthly expenditures: $36,733.27 approved. (Approved.) - Ordinance 2025‑03 (zone change for property owned by Eric Hazlett, 5.95 acres on Hillside Drive): Motion carried; one abstention recorded. Mover: Grant Lundberg; second: Taylor Robinson. (Approved; abstention not specified.) - Ordinance 2025‑02 (amendment to the conditional-use ordinance): Motion carried. Mover: Grant Lundberg; second: Gary Caselick. (Approved.) - Contract with Dr. Tia White for mental-health services to first responders and families: Motion carried; attorney reviewed contract; 60‑day termination clause included. (Approved; mover not specified in transcript; second: Grant Lundberg.) - Selection of Staley & Associates as town building inspector: Motion carried. Mover: Neil Brown; second: Hale Ross. (Approved.) - Reinstatement of code-enforcement officer Manny Escoto on prior terms ($500/month fee referenced in discussion): Motion carried. Mover: Grant Lundberg; second: not specified. (Approved.) - Approval to add forms to the town website via the existing ExpressBillPay service (contracted service already used for water payments): Motion carried. (Approved.) - Acceptance of Whitlock bid for tree trimming/removal and authorization to purchase new picnic tables for parks (impact-fee funds): Motion carried. (Approved.) - Renewal of arena/rodeo contract with the roping club for 2025: Motion carried. (Approved.)

What the council discussed but did not finalize - Fire marshal appointment: Council discussed appointing a fire marshal (candidate named Ace Caudle) to represent the fire department on the Development Review Committee and to perform commercial fire inspections. Council members agreed to check statutory/ordinance requirements and to place appointment on a future agenda after confirming the candidate’s willingness and any code changes. - Ranked‑choice voting (resolution 2025‑03): council members debated whether to opt into the state pilot for ranked-choice voting; discussion was extensive and the council deferred a final decision pending a cost estimate from the county and further public information. - Fire truck purchase schedule and county grant: staff reported the chassis delivery pushed to July 2025 with the cabin chassis payment of $258,290 due in June 2025 to stay in the current fiscal year; a county grant of $50,000 intended for fire equipment was discussed and staff will finalize the interlocal paperwork.

Details and clarifications from the meeting - The Hazlett property targeted for rezoning is roughly 5.95 acres on the northern part of town and lacks irrigation; the planning commission recommended approval. - The mental-health-provider contract reviewed by the town attorney includes a 60‑day termination clause and was characterized by staff as “simplistic” and ready for signing. - Code-enforcement discussion noted the town previously paid $500 per month to Manny Escoto; his approach is described as investigative first (seek voluntary compliance), then referral to the town attorney if needed. Council members emphasized the difference between code enforcement (ordinance violations) and criminal enforcement by the sheriff’s office. - Website forms options: town staff presented a cost comparison between the existing TownWeb/TownLab forms (additional cost cited as approximately $2,100 to add needed forms) and ExpressBillPay (a $500 setup fee with unlimited forms and integration with the town’s Polaris accounting system). The council approved using ExpressBillPay. - Park work: Whitlock’s bid was recommended for tree trimming/removal in the south park and to supply new picnic tables; impact‑fee funds were identified as the source.

Meeting context and next steps The council moved a mix of development, public-safety and administrative items forward in one meeting. Several items will return for follow-up: a formal appointment for the fire marshal pending confirmation and any needed ordinance language; final paperwork for the county grant; and more detailed cost information about implementing ranked‑choice voting from the county elections office.

Ending note: council members also set planning steps for a town celebration volunteer meeting and renewed a year-long roping-club agreement; an Eagle Scout presentation scheduled for the meeting did not attend and will be rescheduled.