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Residents raise park, traffic and infrastructure concerns; council outlines follow-up steps
Summary
Council members relayed resident concerns about playground upgrades, promised tennis courts, concrete barriers causing traffic issues, and water‑meter aesthetics. Staff said the Traffic Commission and developer park contributions will be involved and that some closures reduced traffic by about 50 percent; follow‑up actions were requested.
Council Member Sid Hamberlin relayed several concerns from resident Carolyn Olsen at the March 5 meeting, including requests to upgrade Tie Breaker Park with new play equipment and swings, completion of tennis courts promised between White Pines and the Montessori School, removal of concrete barriers behind the Edwards Theater that residents say cause traffic conflicts, more parks in new developments, and questions about the appearance of water meters.
Staff responses: City Administrator Micah Austin and City Planner Cindy Donovan said they did not believe a formal promise for tennis courts is on record but would review past agreements. Austin noted Urban Renewal is typically used for below‑ground infrastructure and currently has payment obligations, limiting available funds, while Donovan said developer park contributions are expected for the area in question. Mayor Brian Powell agreed the concrete barriers should be changed and said the Traffic Commission handles those decisions. City Engineer Morgan Stewart said staff are waiting for one‑year traffic data before making further changes.
Nicole, an Ammon resident who called in via Zoom, described close calls when vehicles park on the road behind the theater and asked why the barriers were placed; Austin said the Traffic Commission's prior study noted about 4,000 cars per day on the route, 70 percent not from the neighborhood, and that the one‑way/closure compromise reduced traffic roughly by 50 percent. The Traffic Commission will discuss the neighborhood on April 8; the commission meets the second Wednesday of the month at 9:00 a.m.
Other community items: Council Member Heidi Boyle raised concerns about trash pickup; Finance Director Jennifer Belfield said cleanup usually coincides with Earth Week and MYAC plans activities. Council President Scott Wessel relayed a complaint about a missing 15 mph posted sign at the Nightway and Eagle roundabout; staff said a non‑regulatory sign can be added but that it is not a formal regulatory speed sign. City Attorney Scott Hall advised the council that ICRMP increased the deductible for law‑enforcement claims from $10,000 to $50,000 per claim, which affects the sheriff contract costs. City Administrator Micah Austin said Kade Marquez of Greater Idaho Falls Transit will attend the next work session and the council requested rider numbers, annual city costs, and contingency costs if matching funding ends.
Next steps: staff will review prior park agreements, refer traffic and barrier concerns to the Traffic Commission for the April 8 agenda, and provide follow‑up information on funding options and any recorded promises regarding recreational facilities.
