T.F. Welcomes Public Comment at City Fair

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KLIX) – Economic development, city planning, body-worn police cameras, and transportation issues were just some of the things residents could learn and comment about at a public event hosted by the city of Twin Falls on Wednesday afternoon.

The City Fair – basically an open house to answer questions from the public and update residents on topical issues – was held at the temporary City Hall in downtown, where staff members and elected officials were on hand to talk to residents.

“It’s a chance for public input and for us to be a little more casual,” Mayor Shawn Barigar told News Radio 1310 at the event, “a little less intimidating.”

The city held a fair last year at the Banner building – site of the future City Hall – at the same time a downtown concert was held and saw few people show up. This year it held the event earlier in the afternoon. Again, not many people turned out for the event, but those who did were able to learn about issues currently facing the city.

Ross Peterson, right, with Gridworks depicts transportation scenarios on a map during the City Fair on Wednesday, as Twin Falls Councilwoman Nikki Boyd, left, and City Manager Travis Rothweiler look on. (Photo by Andrew Weeks)

One of them is transportation.

Ross Peterson, a representative of Gridworks, was there with a city map and colored string to highlight public transportation scenarios that staff members or residents could create to see possible mass transit options as Twin Falls grows into an urbanized community.

There are “a lot of tradeoffs and policies” that have to happen before that time arrives, he said, but Twin Falls could be nearer to mass transit options by the early 2020s.

The city also is completing a comprehensive plan, said Zoning and Development Manager Rene’e Johnson, which currently is available in draft form online. She said she’d like to see a public comment meeting in September before the package is finalized. Until then, residents can view the draft online or come to the city offices.

Police officers also were on hand to talk about the police department’s decision to implement body-worn cameras, a program that will take effect sometime in August.

Barigar said the city hosts several similar public events throughout the year, and will likely continue to hold the City Fair on an annual basis.