Pocatello council approves airport work order, utility easement for charter school and Highline Road task order

The Pocatello City Council approved a series of consent and action items including a professional services work order for an airport rescue firefighting vehicle, a perpetual utility easement for electrical service to Pocatello Community Charter School, and a task order for Highline Road improvements.

For the airport, the council authorized a work order for design, bidding, procurement and grant administration related to a new airport rescue firefighting truck in the amount stated in staff materials as $77,001.85; staff said the work will be funded approximately 90% by FAAIP grant funds, 5% by a state grant and remaining costs by budgeted airport passenger facility charge funds. Councilwoman Paulson moved the item and Councilwoman Swanson seconded; a roll call vote recorded councilmembers voting yes and the motion passed.

The council granted a perpetual public utility easement across city property to allow installation and maintenance of electrical services for Pocatello Community Charter School; Councilman Mangum moved the easement approval, Councilwoman Swanson seconded, and the council approved the motion on a roll call vote.

Council also considered Highline Road improvement phase 1 — El Rancho Boulevard intersection and signal improvements — task order number 1 with Keller Associates Inc. in the amount of $196,081. Staff said part of the task order cost will be covered with $117,000 (SLFRF/ARPA funds) and that an additional $2,000,000 in state funding has been previously received for the proposed development. Councilman Mangum moved to approve the Highline Road task order; councilmembers voiced support during discussion.

Council members expressed general support for the transportation project; Mangum said he was excited to see the project come to fruition after much discussion. The motions were approved by roll call votes.