Grace City Council Reports, April
This report is adapted from the official minutes recorded by Clerk Shelley Reeves. It has been edited for length and context, and is not itself the official record of
the meeting.
April 1
Kate Selvage from the Southeast Idaho Council of Governments (SICOG) directed the scheduled public hearing. She explained that the public hearing was to discuss finishing the wastewater treatment plant Community Development Block Grant. Selvage stated that the project has met substantial completion and punch list items are being finished by the contractor. The grant was for a total of $500,000.00, $454,309.00 has been spent to date with $691.00 remaining in engineering and $10,000.00 remaining in administration. There were no changes in scope during the project. Mayor Pristupa called for comments from the public and council, of which there were none. The hearing was then closed, and the regular meeting was called to order.
Area of Impact
Zoning Commission Member Cathy Rasmussen reported that after the zoning commission met with the county Planning and Zoning Commission, and after the County Planning and Zoning Commission met with the county attorney, the county commissioners decided not to make any changes to the area of impact map. They agreed to leave the boundaries where they are currently.
Permits
Superintendent Crookston presented the following setting permits that have been approved: #2026-03 - Diane Saxton - Shed #2026-04 - City of Grace - Generator #2026-05 - Corey Weekes - Chicken cooр #2026-06 - Talen Tibbits - Shed #2026-07 - Brandon Turner – Shed.
Mayor Pristupa reported that the contractors are working on back filling the canal and they are projecting that they will prepare for asphalt next week.
Park Project
Kate Selvage with SICOG went over the next steps for the park project. The first step is to form a team of citizens and/or council members to guide the process. Step two is to prioritize needs and whether the city wants to have the same company bid the playground equipment and sports court or get separate bids. Step three is to send out requests for proposals. Step four is to review and rank the proposals that the city receives. Step five is to negotiate and begin construction on the park. The first step was discussed whether the city council wanted to be the team or if they would like to invite community members to be a part. Councilmember Tillotson felt like there were people in the community that would like to be on the team and have some say in what happens with the park. The city council agreed to try to get a team together before the next meeting. Kole Younger from the Caribou County Rodeo Club asked for a donation for the club. Councilmember Lowe moved to approve a $500.00 donation, which passed.
De-Annexation
Jackie Barthlome approached the city council about de-annexing her property as well as the property of Ray Yamauchi, Kevin Smith, and Lee Wilkerson. She owns approximately 40 acres of land that she built a house on. Her reasons are that the city does not provide her with water and sewer and the county maintains the road that she lives on. There was a discussion on whether or not service could be brought to Mrs. Barthlome’s property. It was decided that it is possible to do, but it would be very difficult and expensive. Mrs. Barthlome has a well and septic system so she doesn’t need the water and sewer services at this time. Mrs. Barthlome asked the city council to tell her if they are willing to allow the de-annexation before she pursues it stating that she doesn’t want to pay for the mailing and publication if the city council is going to deny the request. The city council informed Mrs. Barthlome that they cannot make a decision until she goes through the proper process of a petition to de-annex and a public hearing before the zoning commission.
Misc
Mayor Pristupa read the proclamation declaring April 11-17, 2026, as the Week of the Young Child. Councilmember Toone moved to approve the proclamation.
Councilmember Lowe moved to approve a small animal permit for Corey & Jessica Weekes.
Superintendent Crookston reported that the representative from Huber has been working on the screw press. They have started signing of on the wastewater treatment plant project, except for the SCADA system still needs to be finished.
Colt Simmons and Shane Hamilton are in Boise at the Idaho Rural Water Association conference. There is a Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) water training on April 23 in Pocatello on lead copper and the Consumer Confidence Report. There will be a collection system inspection on April 8th with a representative from the DEQ. There were no deficiencies on the wastewater inspection.
Fire Chief Peck reported that engine 302, the LaFrantz truck, which is 50 years old,is dumping diesel into the crank case making it inoperable. The city is stillcovered by the other 2 pumper trucks. The city council asked Fire Chief Peck to get estimates of how much the repairs will cost then they can decide if it’s worth fixing or getting rid of. He also reported that the Chamber of Commerce has donated $300.00 to the fire department to purchase shirts or jackets.
Mayor Pristupa thanked Riley and Jake for giving a tour of the wastewater treatment plant to a church youth group. There was a discussion on hiring summer help. Clerk Reeves will put an advertisement online.
April 15
Permits
Superintendent Crookston presented the following permits that have been approved: #2026-09 Rhett Wilde - fence #2026-08 David Pristupa - temporary containers during construction #2026-06 - Larry Allen/Tallen Tibbitts – shed.
Bridge project update
They are scheduled to pave on April 23 & 24, then complete the final punch list and clean up the following week. The final payment will be ready on June 1st. There was a change order for an item that was listed on the bid, but didn’t get added into the final total. The amount is $6729.74. The city council discussed the change order but it wasn’t listed as an action item so no decision could be made. The change order will be discussed at the next meeting.
Brooks Jensen is concerned about how the road coming off the bridge affects his property. The change in elevation into his driveway is a roll over potential and he is concerned about the liability on him. The city council decided that they would go to Mr. Jensen’s house before the next meeting and look at what needs to be done.
Springs
Chris Banks with Conservation Basics and Scott Archibald with Sunrise Engineering spoke with the city council about ways to improve the springs. The number one concern now is the pipe that goes through the field. Superintendent Crookston offered to take them up to see the springs when the weather gets a little better and it isn’t so muddy up there .
Clerk Reeves read the Fair Housing Proclamation declaring April as fair housing month in the City of Grace. Councilmember Lowe moved to approve the Fair Housing Proclamation.
Park Project
The committee to work on the park project was discussed. The city council decided that they would like to get people from the community involved in the project. Councilmember Butikofer will serve as the city council member on the committee. The city council members had some ideas of some people they thought would be willing to help. The city council was asked to get the names (no more than 5) to Clerk Reeves by Friday so that she can send them to Kate Selvage with Southeast Idaho Council of Governments and Kate will start working with them on the next steps.
Zoning Amendment ordinance
Clerk Reeves read the ordinance to amend the zoning in certain areas of the city. Councilmember Tillotson moved to approve the ordinance. Councilmember Lowe seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken as follows: Councilmember Lowe - yea, Councilmember Tillotson - yea, Councilmember Toone - yea. Councilmember Butikofer abstained from voting. The roll call vote passed. The ordinance will be numbered 2026-1.
Misc
Clean-up week will be held June 1 - 5, 2026.
Councilmember Toone moved to hold the budget hearing on August 19, 2026.
Superintendent Crookston reported that the screw press is working correctly, and the wastewater treatment plant project is all signed off except for the SCADA upgrade. The collection system survey went well; he is working on a more detailed plan. The city needs to purchase more of the commercial 300 gallon cans. He has a bid for 10 cans for $3500-$4000. The new light poles have been delivered for the northwest and southwest corners of Center and Main. They will have to tear out the approaches to pour concrete to place the poles.
Tess Jorgensen rebuilt the volleyball court and provided a new volleyball net for her senior project.
Fire Chief Peck reported that Randy Lester didn’t have any time to work on engine 302 so he will have to take it to the city shop so that it is available if a mechanic can come look at it, since they wouldn’t be allowed to work on it in the fire station. Fire Chief Peck informed the council that he will be moving out of the city in June and that he had talked to Travis Krebs and Travis stated that he would be willing to take over as the fire chief. The city council will need to approve the appointment of a new fire chief and swear-in the new fire chief at a future meeting. The fire department will have a live training burn on April 25th in conjunction with the county fire department.
Mayor Pristupa attended the county commissioner’s meeting and spoke with them about paving Mingo Road. They told him that they would have to talk the Road and Bridge supervisor and that the city might be able to work something out to get that road paved. As far as the new subdivision is concerned there needs to be six families living on the road and currently there are only three.
