Lewiston City Council Work Session - 10/5/2026

The City of Lewiston Council’s October 5, 2026 work session included discussion of major infrastructure and operating-cost initiatives. Public Works outlined the Brighton Avenue Phase 1 project (Fourth to Seventh), estimated at $14–15 million including right-of-way acquisition. The city has about $7.5 million in its arterial reconstruction program and the Brighton urban renewal area has about $2.5 million available, with roughly $600,000 added annually. Right-of-way acquisition is expected to begin in the current fiscal year after required federal documentation is complete; construction timing depends on acquisitions and state transportation funding. Council members discussed extending or coordinating project phases, beginning Phase 2 design, and exploring bonding, but took no action or vote on a funding plan. Staff also discussed investigating whether purchasing power directly from Bonneville could reduce wastewater treatment plant electricity costs by an estimated $50,000 per month. Eligibility, utility arrangements, infrastructure, and consulting costs remain unresolved; staff will provide cost information and a council member will seek a consultant estimate, with no contract or authorization approved.

The police chief reported that the city plans not to renew its current Flock license-plate-reader agreement and is evaluating other vendors, including Axon. The existing system costs about $32,500 annually for the combined camera and related services, with seven fixed cameras costing about $3,000 each per year; no replacement vendor or purchase was selected. A county-city presentation described efforts to help residents form rural fire districts, including a public education meeting scheduled for October 28; district formation would be citizen-led and proceed through petitions and a ballot, with no city spending decision reported. The council approved Joseph “Joe” Merck’s appointment to a four-year term on the Urban Renewal Agency. No other procurement awards or spending motions were identified.