Harrison council hires Vernon & Weeks as city attorney, leases copier; rejects pickup purchase

Mayor Wanda Irish opened the Harrison City Council meeting Feb. 12 at 6:00 p.m. at the Harrison Senior Center. The council approved several administrative items and took votes on equipment and licensing decisions affecting city operations.

The council voted 4–2 to approve Vernon & Weeks as the city attorney after discussion about potential conflicts of interest. Joe Cornell moved to approve the engagement contingent on the attorney confirming she has no current conflicts related to city matters; Josephine Prophet seconded. Charlie Shutt and John Gray voted no.

The decision matters because the city relies on outside counsel for litigation and contract advice. Council members pressed for a written engagement letter and an explicit conflict-of-interest confirmation before finalizing the contract.

Councilmembers debated a proposal to purchase a used 2013 Ford F-150 for the Public Works Department. Will Butler moved to approve the purchase, citing operational needs, but the motion failed 1–5; only Debbie Lockhart voted in favor. Council discussion noted the city owns six trucks, three of which are inoperable, and members discussed selling the nonfunctional units and investing in repairs for the remaining fleet.

On equipment leasing, Mayor Wanda Irish told the council the copier lease expires at the end of March 2025 and that parts for the existing model will soon be discontinued; leasing a new machine would include toner, parts and service calls. Joe Cornell moved to lease a new copier; the motion passed on roll call.

The council approved a 2025 liquor license for Harrison Haus Ventures LLC after confirming required materials; other applicants (Social Sip and Gateway Marina) had not submitted information and were not approved at this meeting.

Procedurally, the council set a continuation public hearing on the Stonegate Development Agreement, Phase II, for March 12 at 5:00 p.m. The Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) item was tabled so staff can arrange a workshop with the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council representative to answer council questions.

During consent-calendar discussion, Councilmember Charlie Shutt said the January minutes should reflect that Susan Weeks of Vernon & Weeks served as the mayor’s personal attorney in 2017. Mayor Wanda Irish disputed the accuracy of that statement and suggested addressing the matter in executive session; Joe Cornell said he had asked the mayor about Weeks and that she had clarified she was not her attorney. The transcript records the exchange but does not show an executive session outcome on that point.

Mayor Wanda Irish also reported the city received a $250,000 grant for sidewalk improvements; she said Jesse Herndon with HMH Engineering will provide further details. City Clerk Miriah Pfeiffer said she also applied for a sidewalks grant. The meeting agenda listed an executive session under Idaho Statutes 74-206(f) to consult with legal counsel about imminent litigation, but the transcript does not record whether the council entered that session. The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

Votes at a glance: - Consent calendar (approval of bills and Jan. 8 minutes as amended): Approved (unanimous recorded roll call). - Set Stonegate Development Agreement public hearing for March 12, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.: Approved (motion by Josephine Prophet). - Table TAP item pending workshop: Approved (motion by Will Butler). - Approve Vernon & Weeks as city attorney: Approved (4 yes, 2 no; motion by Joe Cornell). - Purchase 2013 Ford F-150 for Public Works: Failed (1 yes, 5 no; motion by Will Butler). - Lease a new copier: Approved (motion by Joe Cornell). - Approve liquor license for Harrison Haus Ventures LLC: Approved (motion by Joe Cornell).

The council announced committee meeting dates for administration, public works and economic development and listed an executive-session agenda item related to legal counsel. A continuation hearing on Stonegate is scheduled March 12 at 5:00 p.m.; the council did not record further action on the executive-session item in the transcript.