Soda Springs City Council April 1

Nilsson Recognition

Mayor Paul Gritton announced an award of valor for Soda Springs firefighter Brandon Nilsson.  He stated,  “Throughout my time in SS, one thing I have come to appreciate is the  volunteers we have in our community, and the things they do.  There are volunteers at this table and in this room.  I know that a number of them have heard me say I appreciate them, and their making this the great place that it is.  

With that said, our volunteers sometimes go way above and beyond what might be asked of them.  I recently learned about an incident that occurred out at the reservoir…

I learned that one of our city firemen was present and participated in the rescue of one of the victims that was very near drowning.  And that was in my opinion way above and beyond.  He put himself at great personal risk, and he needs to be recognized for valor above and beyond.

I’m not sure why Mr. Nilsson thought he was summoned to this meeting, but I’m sure he has it figured out by now,” Mayor Gritton laughed.

A plaque recognizing Nilsson’s valor was presented.  “It is an honor to recognize your outstanding valor and dedication to your community,” the plaque began.  “Your actions and valor exemplify the character, values, and conduct held in high esteem by the community, the city of Soda Springs, and the SS Volunteer Fire Department.  The service, sacrifice, and dedication you provide to the citizens of the city of Soda Springs, though often unrecognized, are deeply appreciated.”

Nilsson was congratulated and applauded by those in attendance.

In other topics, new cameras are all functioning. They are at City Park, restrooms, Kelly Park, Ball diamonds, parking lots, Enders inside and back and side of bldg., water system, etc.  They are on the same system now, so they can be more easily monitored.  The resolution is also much higher than it used to be, which should be helpful in the future.

Project Updates

The city is hopeful that they should have info by next week the cost of sewer line replacements for those affected by the Highway 30 construction.  The average cost is estimated to be something like $3K-3.5K, though that is entirely linked to the footage involved.  Some will be up to 90 feet and some are much shorter.

Bids for elements of the 2nd S project have been approved. 

Boring under the RR tracks on S 2nd E will begin in the second half of April.  

Proposals are out for an energy efficiency and conservation grant.  This would go toward a study of the city’s substations, transformers, etc.  They will be looking for places to add efficiency to the system, as well as predict future growth’s effect on the system.

The silica sand is about 75% delivered for the trails.  They will start with the parking area, and move outward down the trails.  

Mayor Gritton thanked County Commissioner Bryce Somsen, who was in attendance, for the county’s help on the project.  There will be a couple trails open by the end of next week on the upper part.  The lower part will be done later, after some final authorization and coordination with other agencies is complete.

There were a number of questions about whether the trail parts will connect.  Due to some property and land restrictions, some of the final design remains to be completed. 

“We’re going to try to keep that tempo up.  The county’s cooperation has been tremendous,”Mayor Gritton said.

Director Dan Squires announced that the city has hired a new recreation director.  “I think she’ll be a very good fit,” Squires said.  The name was not official as of the meeting.

The alternative route for the 4th of July has been singed off by ITD (see accompanying story.)

Jeff Young—Parks

The city will be sweeping next week, and getting their old sweeper back Wed.  They found an alternate one, since parts are not being made for the one they have.

Bathrooms have been opened.  “We’re just getting ready for all the summer stuff,” Young said.

City Cleanup is scheduled for June 1 through June 6.  This corresponds with free landfill week, and the city follows suit.  A separate “Cardinal Clean up Day” is scheduled for April 23 from 2-4.

Hope Hansen—Library

Last Thursday the librarians attended a training in Idaho Falls.  

The downstairs bathroom repair has been started.  There was a longstanding leak behind the wall, and has been fixed by a plumber. 

Upstairs, all the windows are in.  They still need to build the shelves. 

There is a community read on April 14 at 6pm at the Library.  The featured book is “Anxious Generation,” which deals with parenting in the digital age. The Community Schools program initiated this.  There are five copies, which are all checked out. Ashley Wright from the CMC will be leading the discussion.

Celeste Billman

Celeste Billman, who has served as the Recreation Director in the past, has been filling in while the new director search was underway.  She was thanked for her efforts, and expressed some amount of satisfaction to be returning to her Deputy Clerk position.

Women’s VB starts soon and runs every Thursday. 

Baseball, T-ball, etc registration open now.  If there are enough to have teams, they’ll start in May.  Grace, Bancroft, Bear Lake and Marsh Valley are all involved.

Billman will help with Slam and Jam, so the new director will not be overwhelmed.  

A Conditional Use Permit to put a shipping container at Kelly Park for the hockey rink storage needs to be approved by the council, after it goes through planning and zoning for recommendation.  

Street Sweeper

Director Squires clarified that the current sweeper is a 2011, and has been very difficult to maintain.  The streets funds balance may be used for the purchase of a new one.  The old one is worth $10-15K in trade.  Squires said that should keep it and just keep it going as long as it will, then auction it.  “Sweepers lead a pretty tough life,” he said.  It wouldn’t be out of this year’s budget, and it wouldn’t get here until November.  

Jeff Young noted that they get called out a lot to do things you wouldn’t think.  

The purchase of a sweeper from within the budget was approved.  

2026-5 Resolution for Financial Policies 

There are stipulations that need to be in place.  The city needs a financial policy, the utility disconnect policy, and to adopt 2026-7 procurement purchasing policy.

The plan needs to be adopted at the next meeting.   

The utility turn off policy was discussed.  The vacation rates are set in the fee schedule from Nov to March.