Mayor Ruch ran the Sept. 15 meeting, which followed a workshop on the city’s area of impact and impact fees with the Association of Idaho Cities.
What the council decided
- Fiscal Year 2025 audit accepted. Alpine Summit CPA reported positive ending balances in every fund and no findings.
- Excavator purchase declined. The council voted not to buy a 2024 excavator; a new tractor with implements was mentioned as a better investment.
- 30 more MiNET radio nodes for water meters — up to $4,000. Public Works expects these to be the last needed for the meter replacements, bought now before prices rise again.
- The Sept. 1 minutes and the August/September bills were approved.
Public hearing: City Park restroom grant
The engineering firm reported the new ADA-accessible modular restroom building had arrived and been placed, with the project about 60–70% complete and expected to wrap up by the end of September. Heaters that were missing are being added before a final walk-through. No changes were made to the scope or budget; the schedule slipped because of manufacturing time.
Also discussed
- Kratom: Kootenai County Coroner Dr. Duke Johnson urged cities to act on kratom, which is sold over the counter in convenience stores and vape shops. He said nine states have outlawed it and 15 more have restrictions.
- Water use: 12,398,710 gallons in August, plus 770,912 gallons from the coin-operated hauling station. Public Works flushed hydrants to keep the system healthy.
- Mountainview Cemetery: the new fence is installed.
- City Hall: water flooded the basement; staff are working with the city’s insurer on next steps.
Source: approved minutes of the Sept. 15, 2026 meeting (PDF).