April 23, 2024, - The City Council meeting began with ICOPA President, Chief Basterrechea from Meridian Police Department, presenting the City of Mountain Home with accreditations. This is a huge honor to have for the Police Department, Chief Basterrechea stated that MHPD, “Passed with flying colors, you guys picked the right guy for the job.” He, of course was talking about Chief Thompson and the countless efforts and hours Chief and his team has put into the department to ensure this goal was achieved.

This also brings great news for the taxpayers of the city, because it means a discount with ICRMP.

The outburst

If you hadn’t heard yet, on Tuesday, Feb. 13th, Mountain Home had what might some call the wildest city council meeting, in a hot minute. There were two public hearings followed by public comment. All of which, were addressed by Karen Halligan.

The City Council meeting took place at City Hall this past Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. All council members and the mayor were present. This was a meeting that was filled with tension to say the least. Especially amongst varying council members and the mayor.

Near the end of the meeting, as one of the last items on the agenda, Council Member Wirkkala wanted to discuss the possibility of moving all public comments. This would move them from the end of meetings to the beginning of meetings moving forward so that people of the public could air their grievances before council voted.

Planning and Zoning meeting Tuesday was brief. There was no public hearing this week and there were only three action items: findings of fact - Vacation - Aleks Yanchuck, Living Develpments LLC (PZ-23-91), findings of fact - Preliminary Plat - Aleks Yanchuck, Living Develpments LLC (PZ-23-85), findings of fact - annexation - Zack Simmons, CBRE (PZ-23-84). All three were passed.

There were no department heads to report or update. Brenda Ellis was announced as the new Senior City Planner.

The discussion to review city ordinances was moved to the next meeting, which will take place Jan. 31, 2024 at 5:30pm in council chambers at City Hall.

1.9.24 - During the January 9th Council meeting, Councilmen Bundy and Green were thanked by the Mayor and fellow Council members for their dedication to the City of Mountain Home. Mayor Sykes was then sworn in for his third term, and Jenny Wirkkala and Scott Harjo were sworn into the City Council. After the new members had taken their positions at the Chamber’s front, the Council voted for Daniel Brennan to be the President of the Council.

The Planning and Zoning meeting was held on January 2, 2024 in council chambers. Once a quorum was established, and the minutes from the previous meeting were approved, a new member was introduced, Rob McCormic. Also present were commision members Kristopher Wallaert, William Roeder, and Cristina Drake. A vote was then taken to establish that Wallaert would be Chairperson and Roeder would be Vice Chairperson.

The first action item and public hearing was a request made by Aleks Yanchuck and Living Developments LLC to Vacate a portion of Garrett’s Addition subdivision, of approximately two acres containing lots thirty-seven and thirty-eight, on the corner of NW Foster and NW Bradford, the motion was brought forward and passed.

The County Commissioner meeting was held on January 5, 2024 in the basement Commissioner Chambers. A quorum was established and the meeting began at 9am. The first item on the agenda was the administrative meeting containing departmental issues, public comment, indigent matters, old business/correspondence, HR matters/employee payroll changes resolutions, and a remodel of Forest Service Building. During employee payroll changes, a motion was made and approved to give Christopher Adams, from IT, a raise that had been negotiated at the time of his contract.

The action items are as follows: approval of expenses - approved, approval of bi-weekly payroll for December 29, 2023 and general payroll for December 29, 2023 - approved, approval of minutes for December 22, 2023 minutes - approved, certificates of residencey - approved, establishment of election precincts for 2023 - approved, casualty loss application via Josh Dison - approved.

The Mountain Home School District held their March meeting on the evening of the 21st. The meeting began with statements from a representative of the Mountain Home Education Association. Following the representative, the board members approved the provided consent agenda which included a policy item listed under “deletion” regarding policy pertaining to transgender students. Details surrounding the policy being deleted were not made clear in the meeting.

On Tuesday, November 28th, members of the Mountain Home Community Development team hosted a master transportation plan open house to provide members of the public to provide input on the city’s future transportation development plans. The team provided printed maps of the city, and allowed patrons to highlight problem areas for traffic and transportation needs. They also provided links and access to a master transportation plan survey. The team was also available to answer questions and provide insight for all those in attendance. If you are a resident of Mountain Home who wishes to take the survey and provide further input to the city’s development team as they consider the future of transportation within the city, you can access the survey at the following web address through Friday, March 10th.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2G2TTK7