Post Falls Urban Renewal Commission elects officers, approves downtown OPA and directs $84,643 reimbursement

POST FALLS, Idaho — The Post Falls Urban Renewal Commission on Jan. 28 elected its 2026 officers, approved a downtown owner participation agreement and an addendum to an existing agreement, and directed staff to prepare an order to reimburse $84,643.08 to a minor-project participant.

Commissioners reappointed Commissioner Crosby as treasurer and elected Commissioner Fleischman as chair for the coming year; a vice-chair position was also filled by vote. The commission made the appointments at the start of the meeting under the process required by its bylaws to select a chair, vice chair and treasurer each January.

The commission approved the consent calendar, including monthly payables of $10,633.66, bank account balances totaling $4,530,805.09 and accrued interest of $10,401.27. Director Joseph Johns said the transfers and monthly payables were reviewed by Treasurer Crosby and processed by staff.

In unfinished business, the commission voted to approve an owner participation agreement (OPA) placing a project into the Downtown Urban Renewal District. Staff said the project's exhibits identify the legal description, proposed improvements and city-required work tied to the City Center parking plan, which is integrated into the district plan. Staff will file the executed OPA with the county recorder and move forward with the project.

The commission also approved a first addendum to an existing OPA with North Idaho Healthcare Holdings LLC. Director Johns told commissioners that on Dec. 16 the Post Falls City Council approved Ordinance 1547 amending the Post Falls Technology District plan to support commercial or industrial development in the revenue allocation area; the addendum aligns the OPA with those amendments.

On a separate unfinished-business item, staff presented a reimbursement recommendation based on an independent review from Welch Comer. Welch Comer estimated a reasonable reimbursement amount of $84,643.08 for city-required costs tied to a minor project at 209 E. Railroad Avenue. Johns said the reimbursement would be drawn from the downtown minor-projects fund, which can grow to a $250,000 maximum through utilization of up to 15% of the annual tax increment; staff reported roughly $135,000 currently available in that fund. Commissioners directed Councilor Briteson to draft an order approving the specified amount for consideration at the next meeting.

In new business, commissioners authorized the newly elected 2026 officers as signers for all financial transactions and granted Executive Director Joseph Johns access to account balances and month-end statements for internal funds management. The motion passed on a roll-call vote.

In a staff update, Johns reported that Jerry Dicker of Beyond Green informed the agency that Super 1 Foods has signed to occupy a 50,000–60,000-square-foot building in the shopping-center portion of the Post Falls Technology URD and that construction is expected to begin this spring. "Jerry Dicker reported the completed signing of their first major tenant occupant, Super 1 Foods," Johns said.

Commissioners also noted they have distributed annual conflict-of-interest disclosure forms to be sent to Mayor Westlund and the City Council. The meeting adjourned after brief commissioner and chair remarks thanking new members and encouraging continued focus on local economic development.