MINUTES FOR PUBLIC HEARING  HELD TUESDAY APRIL 4, 2023 AT HOT SPRINGS CITY HALL, 109 MAIN ST, HOT SPRINGS MT 59845

MEETING WAS ALSO HELD VIA ZOOM

Meeting ID: 854 3507 0306

Passcode: 761710

Hearing opened at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Woods

Present: Ed Weatherly, Leslee Smith, Cayla Aldridge, Crystal Graham, Randy Woods, Amy Gray

Also Present: Steven Sheffield, Ron Szmergalski, John Carlbom, Tony Tinacci, Cody Scott, Gary Stanberry, Mike Smith, Jim Arestad, Ben Campbell, Anna Campbell, Charlene Disel, CR Liesinger, Lisa Parker, Tootie Welker, Mary Whitsett, Tracy Scott

A public hearing was held to discuss:

FINAL READING OF FLOOD PLAIN ORDINANCE- REVIEW OF CHANGES

Woods explained the Flood Palin ordinance had a federal regulation change so we had to change our ordinance to meet the requirements. He explained that this was the third and final reading of the ordinance and asked if there were any questions or comments. There were none.

SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE # 17.31 AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF HOT SPRINGS, MONTANA, FOR CAMPER VEHICLE REGULATIONS: Woods explained that we do have an ordinance that addresses RVs but it is very vague. This ordinance changes that one and adds to it. The previous ordinance didn’t address a lot of problems. Arestad questioned the reason for the ordinance and questioned the need for a second hookup. He stated he thought two people in a house and one person in a camper would still be using less water than some people in their houses. Woods asked for clarification and asked Arestad if he was wanting to put an RV in his back yard and let someone live in it? Arestad explained that the way this ordinance would work would make it so there is too much expense involved. Woods explained that plumbing and electrical in an RV is not designed for permanent living. He also explained that when you put an RV in your back yard, you now have two living units and you need to be billed accordingly which means two water bills and two sewer bills. What happens and is happening in areas around us is that you see transient populations pulling in multiple RVs and do not have proper hookups for water, sewer or electric. We find a camper with the waste water running on the ground or units that are not putting enough water down our system for our system to work properly. Residential A does not allow for multi family dwellings and once you start adding RVs as living units you have multi family units which is a violation of the current the zoning regulations. Gray explained that when you have property in Residential A, you can’t have multiple homes on the property whether they are campers, houses, tiny houses or mobile homes. There can only be one living unit. Woods asked if there were any other comments, there were none.  Woods reminded everyone that there will be another public hearing on this issue next month.

Public hearing closed 7:14 p.m.

MINUTES FOR TOWN COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY APRIL 4, 2023 MEETING WAS HELD IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING PUBLIC HEARING AT HOT SPRINGS CITY HALL, 109 MAIN ST, HOT SPRINGS MT 59845

MEETING WASALSO HELD VIA ZOOM

CALL TO ORDER By Mayor Woods at 7:15 p.m.

ROLL CALL Present: Ed Weatherly, Leslee Smith, Cayla Aldridge, Crystal Graham, Randy Woods, Amy Gray

Also Present: Steven Sheffield, Ron Szmergalski, John Carlbom, Tony Tinacci, Cody Scott, Gary Stanberry, Mike Smith, Jim Arestad, Ben Campbell, Anna Campbell, Charlene Disel, CR Liesinger, Lisa Parker, Tootie Welker, Mary Whitsett, Tracy Scott

APPROVAL OF MINUTES Smith/Aldridge 4-0 pass

PRESENTATION OF CLAIMS Discussed claims for Hotel for Mike and Amy in Great Falls for water school, Alexanders for meter maintenance and to purchase a new meter gun so we have two good guns.  Smith/Weatherly 4-0 pass

FINANCIAL REPORTS January and February financials Aldridge/ Graham 4-0 pass

REPORTS

MAYOR-We have been slammed in City Hall. We are working on zoning compliance stuff, completing police interviews, we ended up with 12 applicants for the chief position and interviewed all of them. We ended up with a short list to review and have it narrowed down to two guys.  We received several really good applications with a lot of experience. We were also looking for someone with experience with grants. We have th final walk through tomorrow with Camas Creek. The engineers will show them what still needs to be completed including paving and few other things.

PUBLIC WORKS- Public works have been fixing a few potholes, getting rid of snow run off and we now out of oil and waiting for more oil to do more work on the streets. We are waiting on Treasure State to fire back up so we can get oil.

FIRE DEPT Burning season is open. We had a guy today lose two sheds. He was burning in a barrel and it got away from him because of the wind. You can’t be burning in this wind. We responded to a small fire Saturday. The guy went home for awhile and the wind kicked up and it ended up burning about 20 acres. The grass coming out of winter is very dry.

POLICE  Gary has been extremely busy. Report not provided due to personnel changes

CLERK Gray reminded everyone that if there is an emergency whether it is a fire, a medical emergency or you need a police officer that you must call 911.  Walking into town hall to report these things is not appropriate. You need to contact dispatch. Woods agreed stating he often has people call his station to report fires or car crashes. These need to be called in to 911. It delays help when you don’t just call 911. All agencies have to be dispatched to emergencies.

LIBRARY Report was provided by library staff. Woods declined to read it as it was very lengthy. The report is available to view on request.

ZONING COMPLIANCE Woods explained he had received a zoning compliance application. After reviewing it he had some questions for the homeowner and will discuss more with him. The engineers are in the process of surveying the property at the rodeo grounds.

PUBLIC COMMENT FOR EACH AGENDA ITEM WILL BE ALLOWED

OLD BUSINESS

ABATEMENT ALDEN-ODEKIRK PROPERTY-

Woods- we have tables this issue through the winder to give the property owner time to get things cleaned up. He has had extra time and appears to have brought in even more stuff. It is getting worse. Woods stated he recommends they begin the abatement process. Aldridge- what happens if we clean it up and he does it again. Woods explained there would still be in abatement process. The owner is responsible for actual cost and equipment fee. The property owner will be responsible for all costs.

Motion to abate  Smith/Graham  Weatherly stated he is on the fence on the issue and wondered about other property in town. Woods explained we are working on other issues in town. 3-1 pass  Weatherly votes nay

NEW BUSINESS

BEAR CONFLICT PRESENTATION: RYAN WILBUR- PEOPLE WITH CARNIVORES, PADEN ALEXANDER- CSKT WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST, AND STEPHANIE LINDEMANN Video presentations provided information on bear issues throughout the past few years. They explained bear conflict categories and issues and provided ideas and resources to prevent or minimize bear conflicts. Bear proof trash cans can be obtained by calling 406-883-2888.  To report bear incidents call the bear hotline 406-275-2774.  Ryan Wilbur provided a presentation on bear conflict. He will be here at the library during homesteaders with more information and to answer questions. Whitsett explained the challenge of using electric fences to keep bears off your property because town ordinance prohibits electric fences as perimeter fences. Alternative ways to use electric fences were discussed. Welker would like to see an ordinance to force bars to lock up their trash.  Woods explained an ordinance would need to apply to everyone. People need to just do it instead of making us create an ordinance. Gray- public works spend a lot of time picking up other peoples trash and we need to be charging people who don’t keep their trash secure from bears.

FINAL READING FLOOD PLAIN ORDINANCE- REVIEW OF CHANGES Aldridge/Graham  4-0 pass

SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE # 17.31- AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF HOT SPRINGS, MONTANA,FOR CAMPER VEHICLE REGULATIONS Graham/ Weatherly 4-0 pass

RATIFY HIRING OF CHIEF OF POLICE Woods explained thathe was still deciding and talking to some of them again. We are not ready to do this yet.  No discussion, no vote

HIRE FULL TIME POLICE OFFICER Woods informed council that Elias Patten has accepted a position as a full time officer for Hot Springs. He will be starting in the next couple of weeks.

PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS  Woods asked if there were any non agenda items, there were none.                                                          

   ADJOURN  8:33 pm Graham/Aldridge 4-0 pass