Idaho Falls redevelopment agency authorizes transfer of Willow Creek feasibility work to consultant Brad Kramer

The Idaho Falls Redevelopment Agency on Jan. 15 unanimously approved Task Order No. 14 to authorize consultant Brad Kramer to prepare the eligibility report and the economic feasibility study for the proposed Willow Creek Urban Renewal District.

Megan, the agency's legal advisor, told commissioners that original contractor Renee McGee requested the transfer of scope to Kramer and that Kramer had already begun work after speaking with the developer. "She indicated that she would like to transfer that scope of work to Mr. Kramer," Megan said during the meeting. Kramer told the board "there is a draft report in your packet" and described it as "very unfinished and very unpolished" but said he had started the analysis and needed additional information from the developer.

Commissioner (S6) moved to approve the transfer and the motion was seconded; the agency voted to approve the task order. The board heard that Kramer's estimate for the economic feasibility study is about $10,000. The motion authorizes Kramer to complete the eligibility/economic feasibility work under his existing contract framework.

Board members pressed Kramer on technical issues that could affect cost and eligibility, including basalt and rock conditions, potential blasting, and whether foundation work would be reimbursable. Kramer noted that some items originally assumed in earlier studies ' such as blasting for roads/utilities ' may not have been included for building foundations and that he was verifying the developer's assumptions.

Agency staff said the Willow Creek eligibility study requires no formal vote today beyond authorizing the task order and that Kramer will return with a finalized report and supporting materials at a future meeting. The board did not set separate funding beyond the task order authorization at this session.