Minutes – City Council Meeting 8/18/2025
City of Minidoka Special Council Meeting
City Hall, 402 Cherry Street, Minidoka, Idaho
Monday, August 18, 2025
6:00 P.M.
Mayor: Julie Peterson.
Council Present: Mark Cartwright, Jim Cook, Bulmaro Paz, Bridgett Frost.
Employees Present: Paul Ross. Cindy Hruza – not in attendance, not excused.
Welcome & Prayer
Meeting conducted by Mayor Julie Peterson who welcomed everyone to the meeting, at 6:08 pm, and led those present in prayer.
Discuss / Consider Open Meeting Law Requirements.
City Attorney Paul Ross reviewed open meeting laws in Idaho Code with those present. Statutes reviewed include 74-201, 74-204, 74-206, and 74-208. Also reviewed other types of violations, including serial meetings or how outside deliberations between council members can violation open meeting laws.
Discuss / Consider – Curing Open Meeting Violations for Council Meeting held August 11, 2025 – ACTION ITEM
Councilman Cook started out the discussion indicating that he called the meeting under direction of the Clerk on August 11. He knew it was wrong and still permitted it to go forward. He rescinded his approval shortly after the meeting. He apologized for his actions. Mayor was not present for the meeting and indicated she found out after the meeting had concluded. Councilman Cartwright also found out afterward. Councilwoman Frost indicated she was called into the meeting and had immediately reached out to legal counsel regarding the meeting and recorded it based upon that advice. She shared her text messages related to discussions that started with the Clerk on the Friday before.
Motion by Mark Cartwright to recognize and cure the open meeting violation on August 11, 2025. Second by Jim Cook. Roll-call vote: Mark Cartwright – Aye; Jim Cook – Aye; Bulmaro Paz – Aye; Bridgett Frost – Aye.
Executive Session – Pursuant to Idaho Code 74-206(1)(b) To consider the evaluation, dismissal or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, or public school student. – ACTION ITEM
After discussion, no action taken.
Discuss / Consider Removal of Mayor – ACTION ITEM
City Attorney Paul Ross reviewed individuals who are elected and only removed pursuant to 34-1701. It would be inappropriate for a Council to attempt to remove a Mayor by vote as there is no such authority.
After discussion, no action taken.
Discuss / Consider Removal of Attorney – ACTION ITEM
City Attorney Paul Ross reviewed Idaho Code 50-204 and 50-206 regarding appointed officers and their removal from office.
After discussion, Motion by Mark Cartwright to Decline Removing the City Attorney. Second by Bridgett Frost. Roll-call vote: Mark Cartwright – Aye; Jim Cook – Aye; Bulmaro Paz – Aye; Bridgett Frost – Aye.
Discuss / Consider Removal of Clerk – ACTION ITEM
Mayor presented some of the history between her and the Clerk. Discussion included working hours, hanging notices/agendas, accounting, bookkeeping, audits, grants, hydrants, city parks, watering, lost money, DEQ and other reporting requirements, garbage, document retention, and other items.
Mayor requested removal of the Clerk pursuant to 50-206. Motion by Mark Cartwright to Remove City Clerk. Second by Bridgett Frost. Roll-call vote: Mark Cartwright – Aye; Jim Cook – Aye; Bulmaro Paz – Aye; Bridgett Frost – Aye.
Comments from the Public: This time is designated for members of the public to address their city officials. Comments related to any Public Hearing(s) and land use items should be made during the public hearing for those specific items(s). Individuals will be limited to a maximum of three (3) minutes.
Many were in attendance and freely offered their comments throughout all the meeting.
Motion to Adjourn – ACTION ITEM
Motion by Bridgett Frost to adjourn the meeting at 8:38 pm. Second by Mark Cartwright. All in favor.