POST FALLS — A proposal to repeal the policy to limit mayoral proclamations “attempting to influence government policy and matters of a political or religious nature” was put on hold Tuesday. No reason was given for the delay.

The matter will go before the City Council on Feb. 17.

During the meeting, Brendon Anderson was denied as an appointee to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Councilors Aaron Plew and Jack Mosby voted in favor of Anderson while Samantha Steigleder, Joe Malloy and Marc Lucca cast dissenting votes. Councilor Nathan Ziegler was not present.

Lucca said he thought the motion for the appointment could be revisited, but said readiness was an issue at the moment for this particular case. 

Mayor Randy Westlund will need to find another candidate and bring them before council members.

City officials unanimously approved the purchase of a 4-ton asphalt hot box for the streets division.

“We have over 500 miles that we maintain of asphalt,” Public Works Maintenance Manager Ross Junkin said. 

The asphalt hot box keeps asphalt at the optimal temperature during transport and application and also more readily allows for reuse of materials rather than having to purchase more asphalt. 

$85,000 was set aside in the fiscal year 2026 budget to purchase the piece of equipment for the city from KM International. 

However, because of the Sourcewell cooperative purchasing agreement available to Idaho public entities, Junkin said the actual cost to the city would be under budget at $63,488.

City Councilor Samantha Steigleder applauded the savings for the city and pointed out this wasn't the only recent savings Post Falls Public Works Department has brought before City Council in the last year.

“It sounds like an overwhelmingly reasonable addition to the Post Falls fleet,” Steigleder said. 

The hot box functions as a miniature mobile asphalt plant and the 4-ton trailer is set to supplement the city’s other tools for asphalt patching: crack sealer, dura patcher and a large asphalt paver.  

“It’s designed to keep the asphalt hot all day long,” Junkin said. 

The asphalt hot box helps the streets division cut out the need to go back and forth from the site to obtain more asphalt after current supplies cool and harden. 

The hot box is on track to be delivered in time for the coming maintenance season, Junkin said. 

Public Works Maintenance Manager Ross Junkin explains the role the 4-ton asphalt hot box will serve for the Post Falls streets division.

Public Works Maintenance Manager Ross Junkin explains the role the 4-ton asphalt hot box will serve for the Post Falls streets division.