Bancroft City Council -Monday, February 9, 2026

Regular City Council Meeting

This report is adapted from the official minutes, recorded by City Clerk Debbie Swensen.  It is not the official report itself, as it has been edited for length, context, and order.  

Sicog

SICOG’s Amanda Collins congratulated the city for receiving the $250k park grant and explained that the next step is for the city to form a planning committee of approximately 3-5 people. CP Vawser would like to have people from the community join the committee. Council asked if the pickleball court would include a basketball court. Collins explained that a multi-function court is possible and change orders within reason can take place during the planning process. Collins noted that the price of concrete has come down some and may allow lor some additional upgrades.

Collins informed council that the city’s engineers will not be involved in this project. SICOG will be preparing the bid documents once the committee has reached the terms and conditions they want listed.

Collins suggested the city be ready to start having meetings around the end of February.

She has been working with the clerk on a several other grants including a shop grant for repairs, the sewer grant, and LIID street lanterns. The street lights and shop repairs grants are both Davis Bacon projects and the city should have an answer by the end of March.

Sewer Grant Application

Collins informed council that the sewer grant application has been submitted. She wants council to be aware that the state only has 1 million dollars to disburse throughout the entire state and they have received a billion dollars in application needs. She stated the city probably will not get funding lor the sewer project this year but will be moving up on the ranking list. Collins explained that there is a chance of the city having to do a judicial confirmation and start the bond process depending on DEQ determination.

SICOG will continue to spearhead the process and follow the legal guidelines in updating the public on changes. She stated that any contractors that bid the job will be required to have an Idaho Public Works License and registered in the Federal System. In the event they do not have those credentials, SICOG will help them to obtain the required licensing and get registered. SICOG will calculate the Davis-Bacon wages beforehand.

Mayor Perry would like to meet with the city's engineers regarding the sewer ponds to see if the city has any options as far as possibly consolidating two other ponds, using one for overflow and the other pond for a reserve.

Water Tank Cleaning

Mayor Perry informed council that he reviewed the flash drive containing the most recent robotic water tank cleaning. The diver and robotic system did a great job reporting on the condition of the tank as they cleaned. The city was given a few preventative recommendations. Overall, the tank was in great shape.  The tank needs to be cleaned again this summer to stay on schedule.

Mayor Perry has talked to the vendor about possibly cleaning the tank again this June but wanted to contact a few more vendors for price comparisons.

Fire Chief

Mayor Perry announced that he will be appointing Bob Snow as the new Fire Chief in March. Mayor Perry stated that Bob is highly trained and has numerous certifications regarding emergency, fire and safety. Bob would like to donate his time to help the Fire Department get trained and restaffed following the fires. Bob is willing to write grants for needed improvements. Mayor Perry and Cm, Parsons will be meeting with Bob in the next few days to go over Fire Department staff and inventory. Bob would like to attend city meetings for a few months. Mayor Perry informed council that the auditor and attorney are giving the green light to make this a paid position but Bob wants to volunteer for now.

Code Review-Title 10 & 6 (Vehicles, Nuisance & Zoning Regulations)

Council requested the attorney attend the meeting via phone to answer questions about an issue from the previous meetings related to various ordinances.

The background is that as a resident, Mike Ackerman (who is now a sitting councilmember) had filed a complaint related to ordinance enforcement.  The legal factors involved in the situation were unclear to the council, given the unusual nature of the complaint’s origin. 

CP Vawser asked the attorney whether the councilmember who filed a personal complaint and initiated the code review and changes should recuse himself from this topic. The city attorney advised that the council member should not participate in any action taken by city council regarding his complaint. The attorney advised council that state statutes do not prevent the council member from participating in the discussion or changes to codes unless the council member himself stands to benefit financially. It was determined that the council member will not benefit financially from the proposed code changes.

CM Ackerman agreed to recuse himself if the council decides to take action on his complaint.

Council members informed CM Ackerman that his complaint was addressed in previous meetings and they did not wish to revisit the original decision, but they would be willing to review the codes in concern.

CM Vawser asked the attorney if the mayor has the right to limit council member comments. The city attorney advised that concerns from council members should be heard and aired out, but the mayor is tasked with the responsibility to convene orderly meetings with the jurisdiction to restrict comments.

CM Ackerman passed out a copy of the codes relating to parking regulations and violations.  He stated that the semi-truck in question is parking on city streets outside of the truck route.  He also stated that the city needs to have a separate planning and zoning committee and noted that planning and zoning commission was given back to the city council in 2022.

Previous council member Eric Christensen stated that it is a good idea to have a planning and zoning committee because they are a fresh set of eyes with new perspective, but they should listen to what the majority of the town wants. He also commented that it's not about what one person wants, it's about the whole town and issues should be general not personal. Mr. Christensen stated that it can't be personal when it is political and that is why previous zoning committee members got frustrated and the city couldn't keep an active committee.

Cm, Ackerman stated that parking restrictions are not going to be the last reason why the city needs a planning and zoning committee.

Mayor Perry asked council to think about what happens to a road when residents on both sides of the street park large items like campers and trailers on them. The roads become very narrow and if the city allows one person to do this, they have to allow everyone. Mayor Perry stated that the road in front of his house is very beat up. Resident Eric Christensen stated that the roads are all different in this town and some areas don't have the same right of ways due to culverts, canals, and other miscellaneous things.  Christensen stated that this situation is not about parking on the streets because this resident is parking in the right of way. Resident Taralee Christensen stated that the resident is parking on a graveled area in his right of way, not on the road. Taralee Christensen expressed that people who chose to live here in the country should have a few rights without being micro-managed. 

CM Ackerman stated that the problem here is not just the width of the semi-truck but also the width of the utility and box trailer behind it, making the street look like a parking lot. Taralee stated that other people in the past have parked their semis in town including his relative so he could get home to his family.  Christensen stated that we have to make provisions and be more tolerant because we chose to live in the country and not the city.

Resident White stated that inclement weather creates road issues and deep ruts unless they have a good road base. The resident that owns the semi-truck stated that her husband parks on gravel and crushed lava rock he had delivered to their right of way.  Resident Eric Christensen explained that the city measures from the center of the road out to determine right of ways and placement of sidewalks and most of the streets have built up over time except Main Street and Canal street, which were rehabbed and paved.

Council had a lengthy discussion on rights of small town vs. large cities.

The city attorney stated that anything under land use, including Title 10, which is zoning regulations would require a hearing due to being part of LUPA. Title 6, being motor vehicles and traffic, is arguably a police powers discussion that could be changed by a vote but due to making so many changes the attorney advised the city to include this in a public hearing session lor public discussion.

CM Ackerman asked whether the definitions have any pull or is it just the codes. The attorney stated that if the city is going to change the definitions under code 10-1-4 related to zoning that requires a public hearing.

CM Ackerman stated that Title l0 under home occupations gives limitations on vehicles and asked how many residents have running vehicles with over six wheels in residential zones. CM Parsons stated that his new work truck may have over six wheels and he has to park it in the right of way. 

CM Mike Ackerman will give council a copy of Burley's code to review.

Mayor Perry would like council to review the printed codes and revisit the topic.

CM Parsons stated he would like to see the council put Mike’s complaint to rest.

CM Michael Ackerman suggested the city table the code review and do nothing against the complaint at this time. CM Parsons informed CM Ackerman that he is of the opinion that his complaint has gone into four or five different scenarios. CM Ackerman stated that he is willing to dismiss the complaint but would like to further review the codes relating to parking and violations so the city has something enforceable in the codes.

After much discussion, the decision was to drop the formal complaint made by CM Ackerman and revisit the codes at the March council meeting.

6 Intermountain Gas (10-year) Contract Renewal

The representative from Intermountain Gas Company presented a renewal contract.

The previous contract was a forty-year contract. Council does not want to renew for such a long term.

Council agreed that a ten-year contract would be a better term for the city.

The city will continue to receive an annual franchise payment from Intermountain Gas.

The city attorney has reviewed the contract and sees no issues with the city renewing for l0 yrs.

Cp, Vawser made a motion to renew the contract with Intermountain Gas Co. for 10 years, which passed 4-0.

Memorial Park Control Panel repairs

Mayor Perry informed council that Watt's Up Electric has been doing a great job repairing the burnt wires etc in the control panel of the well at Memorial Park. Mayor Perry also asked Watt's Up to look at the generator due to overheating and causing issues when the power goes out. Ventilation seems to be the issue due to poor airflow in the building. One option for better airflow is building a lean-to on the existing building and then adding a fan system with a thermostat. Watt's electric suggested running a cable to the fan underground so the city can fence off the building for security and safety. Mayor Perry will discuss the options further when Watt's up comes back to finish a job in a few days.

Generator at Potter Shop

Council discussed repairing the big generator that has been stored in the Potter Shop. CM Parsons stated that this generator belongs to the Fire Department’s, but due to long term non-use the Fire Department will most likely let the city get it running and use it for a backup.

Council discussed the importance of having a reliable backup generator and discussed the situation during the recent house fires that could have been way worse. Maintenance will pull the generator to the front of the shop to be assessed.  Council discussed hiring a contractor to replace the business window in the city hall to ensure it is properly working.

CP Vawser made a motion to purchase and install the window up to $2,500 for cost and labor.

Street Lights LED

Rocky Mountain Power contacted the city with concerns about the decision to install 4k cobra street lights. The rep explained that 4k Cobras and very bright and usually not installed in residential areas. Most cities only use this light around businesses for added security. Council discussed changing the contract and going with 3k Cobras due to most cities using them for residential lighting.

CM Mike Ackerman wants to make sure the city installs the new lights soon to save money on the return. Clerk Swensen reminded council that Rocky Mountain Power will honor the saving discounts on the contract while the city waits to hear back about the energy savings grant.

Council Reports

CP, Jessica Vawser did some research on the resident with the flooded basement and found out that the incident was caused due to the city accidentally leaving a water valve open or possibly having a faulty valve. Mayor Perry stated that he is not sure about this, but if the city puts a lock on all water when residents request a shut off or do not pay the bill this wouldn't be a question or happen. 

CP Vawser would like council to go in the lower-level basement after the meeting and see some of the things that are stored there. Council needs to decide what needs to be kept and thrown out. CM Vawser stated that we may possibly need to build additional shelving for files.

CP Vawser would like maintenance to start patching pot holes around town. Maintenance stated that it is difficult to fill potholes this time of year.

CP Vawser is concerned about the condition of Airport and Gilbert Road. The county has helped with grading the roads in the past.

CM Parsons explained to new council that the road was damaged last summer by a farmer's helper and they have sent the city a compensation check for the damages. The money was used to apply mag chloride to the road. The county came in and bladed the road but the soft spots are still an issue and there are a lot of potholes forming again. The goal was to get the road more compact so il would be ready to chip seal later this year. CM Parsons suggested that a member of the council reach out to the county again and see if they would come blade the road.

Mayor Perry will contact the county regarding the blading and see what they suggest.

CP Vawser would like to get locks on the doors at potter shop before the Airbnb's get busy.

Mayor Perry stated that keys were made lor the man door and they have secured the doors from the inside.

CP Vawser asked why the sewer alarm hasn't been going off recently. Maintenance stated that there haven't been any issues causing the alarms to go off.

CM Mike Ackeman would like to get more community involvement and set up a historical commission.  He stated that it would be nice to have the city’s input to conserve the hotel and the city hall.

CM Jessica Thuman asked when the school will be doing their "Cowboys in Action" project. Council advised that it's usually closer to the end of the school year. Staff and council will start putting together a list of projects for the students. Jessica will start looking for a park committee. Council discussed several residents that may be willing to serve on the committee.

CM Thurman asked about the process of forming a planning and zoning committee and if they

would need to be sworn in. Clerk Swensen advised that this process requires a public hearing and then the members would need to be sworn in.

CM Thurman asked if she could plan a fun summer event and suggested having a boot scoot boogie dance. Cm, Mike Ackerman stated that he recently purchased big speakers that would rock the town. Council agreed to let CM Thurman start planning the summer event.

Council thanked maintenance for cleaning the streets and commended them on how nice they look.  

Maintenance Page asked what council has decided to do about a maintenance truck.  Mayor Perry informed council that the insurance company has settled on $2,300 for truck damages. CM Parsons stated that the truck may need a new front end, but has not seen it in person yet.  He suggested the city get the truck running and ready to sell. The city could sell a few other pieces of equipment that are not being used to help fund a truck. Mayor Perry informed council that the truck is not street legal right now and needs repairs or replaced.

Cm, Parsons volunteered to do the repairs needed to get the truck sold. Cm, Parsons will get a list of parts to order and may have some parts to donate.

CP Vawser made a motion to have CM Parsons fix the city maintenance truck to save funds.