City of Soda Springs City Council 5/7

Caribou Field Archers

A 5 year lease for Lot 21 in the Industrial Park (very S lot against the railroad tracks,  3.5 acres) was approved for use by the Caribou Field Archers.  They would like to build a 50 by 70 structure for indoor archery use, though they would also like to establish an outdoor range.  They want to start the lease as soon as possible.  

The facility will follow the guidelines from the NFAA (National Field Archery Association).  They will be shooting to the east.  One of the reasons they would like to lease this lot is because of safety issues.    

The lease was approved, and the project will begin to move forward.

Irvin Christensen—Skatepark

Members of the Masonic Lodge and the Eastern Star organization have been in discussion with representatives of the skate park in Soda Springs.  As a result of some of the new equipment having been recently installed at the location by the city, the groups will meet to discuss what other needs may be remaining.

Swear in Officer Tyler Overy

New officer Tyler Overy was sworn in during the meeting.  Overy came over from the jail/sheriff, and then went through post.  He should be on the road by himself in December after the relevant requirements are met.

Chief of Police Cejay Golightly welcomed Overy to the department officially, and expressed a great deal of optimism about what Overy would add to the department going forward.  

Kim Mendehall—Code Enforcement

Mendenhall wanted to know who does the assessment of code violations with regard to concern over some properties in town that may be in violation of code.  Mayor Robinson asked whether she had spoken to any members of the police dept.  

Chief Golightly explained that he works with Chelsey Davids in the city office, who identifies target properties.  Golightly stated that what they can see from the road is sometimes different than the pictures that are sent in to the department with complaints.  They will work to identify the nature of the issue.  

Attorney Tom Smith reviews the violation letters before they go out.  If there is no compliance, eventually the prosecutor will have to intervene.  

Another issue raised in the discussion was kennel licenses for animals, which are required for animals above a certain number.   

Mendenhall asked what the PD wants from the neighbors in order to file complaints.  

Mayor Robinson suggested that the next steps are to work with the chief directly and keep the PD informed.  Golightly clarified that they need actionable evidence to issue citations.  

Soda Springs Hero—Jess McMurray

Retiring Soda Springs High School Principal Jess McMurray was named “Soda Springs Super Hero” by the City.  McMurray stated that he had been in the education field for 37 years total, 32 years in Soda.   

“It’s time for the next chapter,” McMurray said.  In addition to his role as principal, McMurray was a coach for 10 years while teaching.  He was also responsible for grants resulting in at least $1.2 million in funding for the school.   McMurray also played a fundamental role in creating the HS baseball program.

Mayor Robinson spoke about his own memories of McMurray, and referenced the many students who had expressed their appreciation.

“It was more than a job, your calling in life,” Robinson said.

In addition, McMurray served on the city’s Planning and Zoning committee.  “I want to thank you for doing that.  You have made Soda Springs a better place to live, you and your wife (Robin) both.  You’d better not be leaving permanently.  We hope you come back and visit, whatever you decide to do,” the mayor said.

Melissa Ayers—donations for softball G14U

Melissa Ayers asked what it would cost to restore the ballfield at the park.  Justin Hansen suggested at least $1K.  

A motion to give $750 from city funds to the softball team softball in exchange for bleacher painting was approved.  

Alan Skinner

Report on Main street asphalt.  The contractor is working on doing some testing to decide what their response will be.  At the next meeting they should make a decision on whatever happens with it next.  

Trail system--Ledger Creek trail.  3 of the main trails have been surveyed and are ready to be worked on.  One issue is the issue of horse pasture that is leased, and an agreement will need to be made with the user.    

Ord 713 CMC Re class

A zoning reclassification was made to allow the Caribou Medical Center to locate a digital sign at the corner of the highway to inform drivers of the hospital’s location and services.

Donation FOP 

In continuing a discussion from the last meeting, the city discussed the funding and placement of a vending machine at the park, requested by the Friends of the Park.  

The Friends had asked for permission to locate the machine, as well as some funds to help with its installation, after which the machine would be stocked and monitored by the group.  The idea is to fill the machine with products that would be used by patrons of the park, especially the playground area, and sold to defray operating expenses for the park facilities.

Rather than donate funds directly, the city decided that it would provide the labor for installing a cage for the machine to make it vandalism and theft-proof.

The machine itself has been purchased and will be installed sometime in the future, after which it will be stocked with snacks, sunscreen, water, and other useful items.

Ordinances regarding curfew and beyond parental control

The city’s current curfew rules were discussed.  At present, curfew for minors goes into effect at 11 p.m on weekdays, and later on weekends.  The department is interested in making curfew a blanket midnight for the entire week for consistency and ease of enforcement.  He noted, however, that the city does not see a lot of curfew violations.

Department Heads 

SSPD

The department just finished a fentanyl awareness grant.  At SSHS, they did a Cinco de Mayo food event with an awareness walk.  Students were given the chance to try Drunk goggles and car driving.

Golightly reported that 40+ court cases from the city had come across on a busy day last week.

The newly sworn in K-9 officer was reported to be responsible for 5-6 fines in a week. 

A grant will begin on May 18 for “click it or ticket.”

Ongoing complaints about turn in to Maverik were discussed, as well as the sheriff’s office.  Lines should be painted as part of the new highway project set to begin in May of 2026.  “We can’t force ITD to paint the lines any quicker,” it was noted.  Because the highway is a state road, the city’s ability to address issues on it is limited.

Justin Hansen

County Cleanup week is June 2-7.  7-7 mon through Fri.  9-4 Sat.  

The power outage from two weeks ago was mostly the result of a branch on a transformer.  Hansen debriefed the city council on the power outage, and the council discussed tree trimmers.  Hansen says that the contract for the tree trimmer is a good value.

#5 Power Plant is back on.  The person who rebuilt #4 did it.  “It’s going to be a bit of a bill to get him here, but well worth it.”

“We’re out sweeping.  We’re out patching.  Doing as much as we can with the time we have,” Hansen said.  

Hansen noted that there had been some damage issues with cars at city locations.  “There are limits to what people should be doing in our parks.  We made some adjustments to keep people from driving from where they shouldn’t be.  Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should.  The parks aren’t meant to be parking lots on the grass.”

Hansen stated that on the bridge at Hooper (the covered one), the center pier is starting to crumble apart, and one more year might be all there is.  Western Wood Structures provided a bid for replacement.  Covered treated wood and uncovered.  Materials $65k-75k. uncovered $45-55k.

President Hart said that “I am working on a capital forecast budget.  We can walk through what our balances and obligations are. 

Hansen updates the city on the geyser.  It was recently featured on Local News 8, where Hansen explained the problem with the mechanism.  “The valve is not shutting off all the way.  It is going off, it’s just not shutting all the way down, but we do have a plan for it.”

Dan Squires

Assisted the county on a grass fire.  The department recently sent one worker to fire investigation class.

Since the new Fill Station was opened, 27K+ gallons have been distributed.  Most people are glad we did it, Squires said.  “It’s definitely getting used.”

“We’ve have 7 leaks in 11 months on Mountain View.  It’s that time of year—we’ve had a lot of leaks. “

The fire hydrant was run into at the middle school again.  

Squires reported that the recently acquired camera for examining the city’s water and sewer system was working very well.

The clarifiers at the treatment plant are in the process of being addressed.  

Hope Hansen

Hansen reported on the library’s Dia de los ninos day event.  They had a pinata, Mexican hat dance, crafts, food, cotton candy.  

Summer reading registration started this week.

All the siding has been replaced on the library.  A few more fixes to do.

A concrete pad will be put in before summer reading.

The cotton candy machine will be for rent for people to use.  “I think it would be appropriate for the city council to try out the cotton candy maker,” Councilmember Carpenter noted.

Recreation

A Job description has been sent out, and the mayor will be doing interviews this week.  The Foundation has agreed to help to get through this time.

Andrea Haderlie

Clerk Haderlie stated that the candidacy filing deadline for the upcoming election is  August 18-29. 

City Councilmember and also elementary school principal Rod Worthington observed that “It’s national teacher appreciation week.  It’s a great time to thank a teacher.  Give them a hug and a cookie.”