The Idaho Falls Redevelopment Agency on Jan. 16 unanimously approved a request for qualifications to establish an on‑call list of professional land surveying firms, ratified two task orders to study a proposed boundary change to the River Commons urban renewal district, and confirmed a $19,000 reimbursement to a developer for planning costs.

Agency staff presented the request for qualifications, which the packet describes as a qualifications‑based process to prequalify land surveyors for on‑call assignments such as preparing legal descriptions and boundary maps for new or amended urban renewal project areas. Megan, Redevelopment Agency staff, told commissioners, “what you have in your packet is a proposed request for qualifications for professional land surveying services.” The RFQ notes the statute permits on‑call agreements for up to five years and includes a sample on‑call agreement and a legal notice for publication. The board voted to approve the RFQ and directed staff to publish with a response deadline timed to allow selection at the February meeting.

The board next approved two related task orders authorizing consultant Brad Kramer of Perspective Planning and Consulting to prepare study work tied to a proposed change to the River Commons district boundary. Megan said the work follows a December presentation by Ball Ventures / Snake River Landing representatives about removing certain parcels from the existing River Commons district and combining them with adjacent parcels to form a proposed new district.

Task order No. 7 authorizes a supplemental economic feasibility study to assess revenue projections and the financial impact of de‑annexing specified parcels from the River Commons district. Megan said the consultant’s scope is to determine “what is left” in the existing district and the effect of removing the parcels on revenue allocation through the life of the district. The agency approved task order No. 7; the packet lists the consultant cost for that scope at $8,000.

Task order No. 8 authorizes an eligibility report for the proposed new revenue allocation area adjacent to River Commons. Megan said an eligibility study would assess whether conditions in the geographic area meet the legal standard for an urban renewal project and that the eligibility finding would be subject to city council approval before planning proceeds; the packet estimates that scope at about $7,000. Brad Kramer told the board he is available to perform the work and that he had no conflict concerns; he said, “I am available to do the work and look forward to doing it.” Both task orders were approved unanimously.

The board also approved a confirmation of agency reimbursement number 2 for the Anderson Bush project area. Megan explained that two related multifamily projects (Tailwater VF4 and Tailwater VF9) had advanced planning costs under owner participation agreements; the developer submitted documentation and the agency’s review resulted in a reimbursable amount of $19,000 that the board confirmed. Megan noted there is roughly a $5,000 difference between the developer’s submitted costs and later totals; she said the plan is for River Commons to be made whole on that delta before reimbursing under the owner participation agreement. The confirmation of reimbursement was approved unanimously.

Other routine actions: the board approved the Dec. 19, 2024 meeting minutes and the agency expenditures and finance report for Jan. 16; both motions passed by voice vote. Megan reported staff is tracking legislation in Boise but had no substantive update at this meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of Dec. 19, 2024 meeting minutes — outcome: approved (voice vote, unanimous).
- Approval of expenditures and finance report (Jan. 16, 2025) — outcome: approved (voice vote, unanimous).
- Approval of RFQ for on‑call professional land surveying services — outcome: approved (voice vote, unanimous). Note: RFQ materials call for publication and anticipate selecting an on‑call list at the February meeting; statute cited in packet allows up to five‑year on‑call agreements.
- Task order No. 7 — authorize Brad Kramer to prepare a supplemental economic feasibility study for a first amendment to the River Commons urban renewal plan (de‑annex certain parcels from the revenue allocation area) — outcome: approved (voice vote, unanimous). Consultant cost listed: $8,000.
- Task order No. 8 — authorize Brad Kramer to prepare an eligibility report for a proposed new revenue allocation area adjacent to the River Commons district — outcome: approved (voice vote, unanimous). Estimated consultant cost listed: $7,000.
- Confirmation of agency reimbursement No. 2 (Tailwater VF4/VF9; Anderson Bush project area) — outcome: approved (voice vote, unanimous). Reimbursable amount confirmed: $19,000; packet notes a roughly $5,000 difference to be addressed in accounting.

Why it matters

The RFQ creates a “short list” of surveyors the agency can faster deploy to prepare legal descriptions and maps that are required for creating, amending or de‑annexing urban renewal areas. The studies and reimbursement approvals tie to a pending change in the River Commons district boundary that could shift tax increment revenues and enable a proposed new adjacent urban renewal area tied to private development (Ball Ventures / Snake River Landing). The eligibility study will need a city council finding before the agency can proceed with plan development.

What’s next

Staff intends to publish the RFQ with a submission window aimed at permitting selection at the Feb. 20 meeting. The supplemental feasibility study and the eligibility report will proceed under the approved task orders; the packet anticipates completing the eligibility study and, contingent on city council action, beginning plan drafting during the calendar year. The agency’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Feb. 20.