January 15, 2026 – Council Minutes

MINUTES                                                 

RIGBY CITY COUNCIL

THURSDAY JANUARY 15^TH, 2025

7:00 PM

Mayor Datwyler called the meeting to order.

The Pledge of Allegiance was given by Councilman Wilder.

The prayer by Mayor Datwyler.

ROLL CALL ATTENDANCE:

Councilman Mike Wilder                         Present

Councilman Alex Espinosa                     Present

Councilman Timothy Howe                     Present

Councilman Reed Stone                         Present

Councilwoman Tonya Hillman                Present

ALSO PRESENT-

City Attorney, Sam Angell

Director Of Public Works, Mitch Bradley

Police Chief, Allen Fullmer

Planning and Zoning, Ione Hansen

Library Director, Brittney Fielding

WWTP Supervisor, Scott Humpherys

Public comment–

Action Item – CONSENT AGENDA

The following business items may be approved by one motion and a vote.  If any one member of the Council so desires, any matter listed can be moved to a separate agenda item. 

1. Council Minutes – December 18^th, 2025    

Councilman Howe made the motion to Approve the Minutes as Written for December 18^th, seconded by Councilman Stone. Councilman Wilder Abstained.

• Accounts Payable- January 2025

Councilman Espinosa made the motion to Approve the Bills as Stated, seconded by Councilwoman Hillman.

roll call vote:

Councilman Mike Wilder –             Yes

Councilwoman Tonya Hillman –    Yes

Councilman Alex Espinosa –         Yes              

Councilman Reed Stone –             Yes

Councilman Timothy Howe –         Yes                   

Recognition of Outgoing Councilmember

Mayor Datwyler thanked Councilman Mike Wilder for his service to the City and presented him with a recognition plaque.

Mayor Datwyler also thanked Councilwoman Harrison for her service and noted she could not attend.

ACTION ITEM: Swearing in New Mayor

Mayor Datwyler administered the Oath of Office to Nichole Weight. Upon completion of the oath, Mayor Weight assumed her seat.

ACTION ITEM:Swearing in New Councilmembers

Mayor Weight administered the Oath of Office to Councilman Alex Espinosa. Following the oath, Councilman Espinosa took his seat.

Mayor Weight administered the Oath of Office to Councilwoman Allen. Following the oath, Councilwoman Allen took her seat.

ACTION ITEM:Award IT Services Contract / Approve IT Services Renewal

Councilman Stone stated that, in accordance with Idaho Code, the City is required to select the lowest responsible bid. He invited Mike Barnes from Nuvek to come forward.

Mr. Barnes introduced himself and his technician, Dan, who is a Rigby resident. Mr. Barnes explained that Nuvek currently provides IT services for the City of Blackfoot and consulting services for the City of Pocatello. He noted that he is Scayta Certified.

Councilman Stone briefly outlined his background in industrial control systems security with INL and in cybersecurity to establish a common technical understanding for the discussion.

Mr. Barnes described Nuvek’s “White Glove Service” model, explaining that each client is assigned a dedicated technical team that becomes familiar with the client’s systems in detail. Their goal is to be proactive, noting that Nuvek benefits when clients experience fewer issues. Dan will serve as the primary technician for the City of Rigby, and the Clerk will have his direct contact information for support needs.

They discussed after‑hours rates and service requirements, as well as Beam backup options. Mr. Barnes stated that Nuvek has always operated as an IT management company, unlike many IT providers that began as printer‑based businesses. A significant portion of their clientele consists of medical and dental offices. He also noted that Nuvek typically uses Dell equipment and maintains contracts to procure appropriate hardware for the organizations they serve.

 Councilman Stone made the motion to Approve I.T Contract with Nuvek, seconded by Councilman Howe.

Motion Passed.

ACTION ITEM:Fibercom Proposal for Citywide Fiber Installation and Review of Financing Options

Paul Sorensen, Community Liaison for Fibercom, introduced Tyler Smith, Director of Outside Plant. Mr. Sorensen stated that Fibercom would like to request permission to bring high‑speed, affordable internet service into the City at no cost to the City. He noted that Fibercom has already expanded service into several cities to the north and is currently working in Blackfoot. Their intention is to operate as a third‑party service provider.

Mr. Sorensen provided the Council with a sample agreement and an informational flyer. He explained that Fibercom covers the full cost of installation and ongoing maintenance. Residents may choose to sign up individually, and the service would not create a monopoly; Fibercom is open to other providers operating in the area.

Regarding construction concerns, Mr. Smith described the methods used to minimize road and property impacts. Fibercom uses trenching in open areas, stitch‑boring under homes and landscaped areas, and directional boring to cross under roadways. If any damage occurs to City roads, Fibercom is responsible for repairs. He added that the project would be completed in a focused, single‑phase effort rather than spread out over an extended period.

Tabled

ACTION ITEM: Consideration and Approval to Pursue Grant and Loan Opportunities for Citywide Water Meter Installation

Mr. Bradley explained that the City needs to move toward water metering. He noted that the proposal has been declined by the Council in the past; however, the City is unable to qualify for many infrastructure grants without a metered system. As a result, the City must either raise water rates to fund necessary infrastructure improvements or pursue grants to install meters, which would then allow the City to apply for additional infrastructure grants in the future.

Mr. Bradley also stated that the City currently cannot identify water leaks unless they surface above ground. With a metered system, staff would be able to pinpoint where water loss is occurring and determine whether the City is losing water. He further explained that the City lacks adequate water storage capacity, which is a major infrastructure need. The required storage improvements would be extremely costly without grant funding. He noted that if two fires occurred simultaneously, the City would not have sufficient water pressure to respond to both due to the current storage limitations.

Councilman Espinosa made the motion to Approve for Mr. Bradley to pursue for grants and loan opportunity for citywide meter installation, seconded by Councilwoman Allen.

All in favor say aye.

Motion Passed.

Councilman Kevin Bradshaw arrived at 7:58p.m.

Upon his arrival, Mayor Weight administered the Oath of Office. Councilman Bradshaw took his seat.

ACTION ITEM:Elect Council President

Mayor Weight recommended Councilman Howe to serve as Council President.

Councilwoman Hillman made the motion to Appoint Councilman Howe to Councilman President, seconded by Councilman Stone.

Motion Passed.

ACTION ITEM:Council Liaison Assignments

Mayor Weight assigned Council Liaisons as follows:

-Councilman Howe – Finance and Library

-Councilman Espinosa – Police and Public Works

Councilman Bradshaw – Planning & Zoning and the Museum

Councilwoman Allen – Airport and Rodeo

Councilwoman Hillman – Parks & Rec

Councilman Stone – I.T. and Senior Center

Action Item- Adjournment

 Councilman Stone made the motion to Adjournment, seconded by Councilman Espinosa.

All in favor say aye.

APPROVED__________________________________

                       Nichole Weight, Mayor

Attest__________________________

            Kiesha Keller, City Clerk

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