nstitute is the first week of May.

LIBRARY Report presented by Peg Winebrenner

ZONING COMPLIANCE Woods reported that a lot of people are asking about zoning and what they can do on their property. Gray stated the Town has the go ahead for the abatement on Kele Odekirks property however the third lot that is part of the mess over there actually belongs to Tarom Odekirk. Amy is working with the attorney to get the abatement for Taroms section of the property.

PUBLIC COMMENT FOR EACH AGENDA ITEM WILL BE ALLOWED

OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

ELECT TOWN COUNCIL PRESIDENT – Woods explained that Leslee has been on the council longer than he has been the Mayor and she knows the ins and outs of town business. He expressed that it is nice to have a senior person who knows what is going on in the position of council president. He explained the council president will step in if the Mayor is unable or unavailable for any reason. Welker stated it could be valuable to have new people rotate in and out. Weatherly is absent from the meeting. Welker made a motion to table the issue until he could be present. Seconded by Carr 3-0 pass

SET DATE FOR MAY COUNCIL MEETING Woods explained Gray will be gone the first Tuesday of May to Clerks Institute. In the past the Town has done it both ways where the meeting has been rescheduled to the following week, or the meeting is held and Gray attends via zoom. Gray explained the council would have incomplete packets because of timing. Motion made to reschedule meeting to May 14th. Smith/Carr 3-0 pass

APPOINT ZONING COMMISSION MEMBERS Wood explained the role of the zoning commission. Zoning commission is comprised of 5 members. Woods stated he received 8 letters, he recommended Crystal Graham, Gerald Kontos, Susan Perry, Christopher Scott Blangeres, James Arestad to be appointed. Welker asked why Woods had not chosen Mike Geddes, to which he replied he chose these five. Motion made to appoint the commission the Mayor had chosen Carr/Smith 3-0 pass Woods explained the clerk will get in touch with everyone and let them know what they need to do next.

VARIANCE REQUEST 406 S. ARLEE Breck Smith present. He has property at 406 S Arlee that he was making plans to build on. The zoning changes he had requested were part of the changes that have been tabled from previous month. He is ready to move forward and has requested a variance to build additional affordable housing on his property. It was explained that there are already 3 small units on his property and one of them is in disrepair. He would like to be able to fix It or possibly tear it down but wants to keep housing available for people who need it. He is proposing two structures on the lot. Off Street parking available off the alley. He is also requesting to build up a retaining wall along the street because of the drop off. Breck is requesting a variance of the set

back rule in addition to building two more structures. Welker stated the zoning commission was just appointed and she didn’t want to do this while we are changing zoning. She also discussed the neighbor and that she felt he should discuss his plans for his property with the neighbor. Gray explained that approving a variance did not change the zoning classification of the property, just the use of the property. Leslee Smith stated when the initial zoning was done, people wanted residential A down there so it would become a slum lord situation. Breck insisted this is not his intention and he is working to beautify the property. Leslee explained she was on the fence at the moment and discussed the possibility of waiting to make a decision until all of the zoning changes were done. Woods explained that the property owner is asking for a variance. The council has always heard variance requests and made decisions on them. The council is holding up the property owner and his business by waiting to make a decision. The size of the lots was discussed. Carr explained the need for places for people to live. The school employees are having a hard time finding a place to live and they are losing employees at the nursing home due to lack of housing. Carr made a motion to allow the variance/ second by Smith 2-1 pass Welker opposed

RV LOTS TOWANDA GARDEN PROPERTY Risky Hill and Erin Flynn present. Woods read and explained the request to put two separate 7000 square foot lots with separate connections for short term RV use. Gray explained that when you have more than one RV on a lot, a state license is required but these will be completely separate lots so it would be on RV per lot. Smith asked how they would access the property because they have put a big long fence along it. Gray explained they had discussed this with her and they would likely have to adjust their fence line. Motion to approve plan for two RV lots Smith/Welker 3-0 pass

FARMERS MARKET IN THE PARK Mark Cometti discussed plans for farmer’s market in the park this year. Homesteaders weekend, the Farmer’s Market will relocate to the street. No action needed, information only.

FIRE SAFETY PRESENTATION Woods explained the need to clean up around the houses and properties to help protect homes from fire. Video presentation. No action taken, information only.

PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS

Welker – affordable connectivity program has been funded since 2021. Each individual is credited $75 for internet on the reservation. There are 200 people in Hot Springs who are going to lose this assistance when this program ends. There is a current bill to continue funding through the end of the year. Welker explained that she is working on a letter and provided a sheet for anyone who wanted to sign it to send with the letter.

Whitsett discussed the proposed zoning map changes and suggested sending certified letters to people. Woods explained that the clerk identified every individual property owner affected and send a certified letter to each of them.

Whitsett asked who is responsible for the porta potty in the park. Michele Bangen, owner of Uffda Porta Potty, was present. She explained the porta potty is cleaned every other Thursday through the year and in June it changes to weekly.

Breck Smith asked about the dinosaur in the park. He stated his kids always try to play on it even though it is flagged and barricaded. Woods explained that the head had come off and a certified welder had been contacted to repair it. Smith asked if the sharp edge could be protected so kids could still play on the structure without a head. Woods is going to reach out to the welder to see if he can just get it fixed.

Breck Smith asked when the town would begin paving projects. Woods said he is hoping to have things underway by July.

Wood asked if there were any other public comments. There were none.

ADJOURN

Carr/Welker adjourn 8:23 p.m.