MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2026 AT HOT SPRINGS TOWN HALL 109 MAIN ST, HOT SPRINGS, MT
PUBLIC HEARING OPEN AT 7:01 P.M.
PRESENT: WELKER, WEATHERLY, SMITH, CARR, WOODS, GRAY
Also present: Mark Commetti, Judy Norgaard, Brenna Schaible, Scott Vollmer, Ladonna Vollmer, Gordon Peyeneers, Cody Scott, Tony Tinacci, Yuriy Kotenko, Kon Shiva, Sandra Sitzman, Michele Bangen, Steven Sheffield, Josh Davis, Eric Larson, Justin Ludeman, Shanna Weatherly, Shawn Visintin.
A PUBLIC HEARING WAS HELD TO DISCUSS RESOLUTION NO. 2026-07R -A RESOLUTION OF INTENT TO ABANDON A PORTION OF A PUBLIC STREET LOCATED WITHIN THE TOWN OF HOT SPRINGS, MONTANA; SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING; AND DIRECTING NOTICE TO BE GIVEN – Woods read and explained the Resolution of intent to abandon the portion of the Central Ave from the East side of A Street to the East Side of B Street. He explained where the property was located and that the Tribe would like to use the property to build a skate park in partnership with a private donor. Peyeneers asked for clarification on location. A map was provided and the location was clarified. Woods asked if there was any other public comment. There was none.
Public comment was also heard to consider Resolution 2026-06R the petition for abandonment of the following described public alley: Legal Description of Alley to be Vacated:25’ alley between Pineville 2nd ADD-HOT Springs, S04, T21 N, R24 W, Block 019, Lots 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 AND Richards Add-Hot Springs, S04, T21 N, R24 W, Block C, Lot 18The purpose of the hearing was to determine whether the above-described alley is no longer necessary for public use and whether abandonment serves the public interest.Woods explained the resolution and a map was used to identify where the alley is located. Woods asked if there was any public comment. There was none.
Public hearing closed 7:12 p.m.
MINUTES OF TOWN COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 7, 2026
MEETING WAS HELD AT HOT SPRINGS CITY HALL 109 MAIN ST, HOT SPRINGS MT 59845. MEETING WAS ALSO HELD VIA ZOOM
CALL TO ORDER by Mayor Woods at 7:12 p.m.
ROLL CALL PRESENT: WELKER, WEATHERLY, SMITH, CARR, WOODS, GRAY
Also present: Mark Commetti, Judy Norgaard, Brenna Schaible, Scott Vollmer, Ladonna Vollmer, Gordon Peyeneers, Cody Scott, Tony Tinacci, Yuriy Kotenko, Kon Shiva, Sandra Sitzman, Michele Bangen, Steven Sheffield, Josh Davis, Eric Larson, Justin Ludeman, Shanna Weatherly, Shawn Visintin.
MINUTES Weatherly/Carr 4-0 pass
CLAIMS Woods explained the Spring Street Autocare claim -there was a fire truck with rotted plumbing that had to be replaced as well as a pump that had to be replaced. The Gambles claim includes more asphalt for pot hole patching. Weatherly/Carr 4-0 pass
FINANCIALS February financials were provided at March meeting. March financials were not yet available.
REPORTS
MAYOR reported there had been some complaints on the town employees using the senior center parking lot. The town is no longer parking town employee vehicles in that lot. Parking at Louie’s-a few years ago Brad came to a meeting asking if angle parking would be ok, there was never any follow up but people were parking angle parking for the past few years which has become a problem. Town discussed with Louie’s owner and it has been transitioned to parallel parking. Tootie requested some yellow painting on the corner at Spring Street by the Post Office- Woods
explained the city crew will be painting lines this summer. Sidewalk project start up has been moved up and they are working on design now. They are looking to go to bid in late fall and start project next spring. There will be an open house in May, late afternoon into the evening. It will be informal and people will be able to come in and asked questions.
There has been storm water problems, creek has been high. Town went out and shot a bunch of elevations and found the creek water is actually higher than some yards. We are looking into some solutions to the flooding this summer. We are also hoping to work with the tribe to clean trees from the middle of the creek.
Woods stated he had attended planning meeting for Homesteaders.
PUBLIC WORKS-are working on pot holes, ditches and trying to keep the creek and water ways clear. Dan started mowing today.
FIRE DEPT Slow until today. Structure fire today. A barn and some animals were lost. It was an accidental fire that had burned a couple of days ago but the wind kicked it up today. The heat and fire gets down deep in the ground but there were still embers into the duff in the ground. He explained that this is why we are strict with burning rules and education. Fire department has been doing a lot of trainings. We just had joint training with the ambulance on confined space rescue and we have several other trainings coming up. We have also done multiple truck repairs.
POLICE – Larson presented report. He explained the spray painting has started up again and that the police is looking to aggressively educating kids and parents and enforce curfew rules. The school has approached the police to help with a truancy policy to help enforce truancy rules. Larson also attended DUI task force meeting. Woods stated a case from last year was finally complete with 6 mos. Suspended jail sentence and $3500 in restitution. Woods also shared the Town had been awarded a $4600 grant from the Mason Moore foundation for some police equipment.
CLERK Gray explained she will be gone to Clerk’s Institute during the May town council meeting but will try to attend via zoom.
LIBRARY- Presented by Starla Rice
ZONING COMPLIANCE Well drilling being done, request for alley abandonment, A lot of landowners questioning what they can build. There are several properties in town changing hands and new owners have a lot of questions regarding zoning and finding pins. There are structures that have been built across property lines. Tootie asked questions about 8 foot fences. This will be discussed when we do that portion of the ordinance review.
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Gray announced the town has been awarded a $1000 grant to purchase new picnic tables for the park or to repair the fence. Weatherly found some picnic tables for sale in Plains he will check into.
PUBLIC COMMENT FOR EACH AGENDA ITEM WILL BE ALLOWED
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-06R: A RESOLUTION TO ABANDON A 25 FOOT PORTION OF A PUBLIC ALLEY BETWEEN PINEVILLE 2ND ADD- HOT SPRINGS, S04, T21 N, R24 W, BLOCK 019, LOTS 7,8,9,10,11,12 AND RICHARDS ADD- HOTSPRINGS, S04, T21 N, R24 W, BLOCK C, LOT 18 LOCATED WITHIN THE TOWN OF HOT SPRINGS, MONTANA-
Smith/Welker 4-0 pass
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-07R – A RESOLUTION OF INTENT TO ABANDON A PORTION OF A PUBLIC STREET LOCATED WITHIN THE TOWN OF HOT SPRINGS, MONTANA; SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING; AND DIRECTING NOTICE TO BE GIVEN.
Smith/Carr 4-0 pass
REQUEST TO COMBINE LOTS AT 315 NORTH RD -Welker/Weatherly 4-0 pass
LIBRARY PAY RAISES Woods expressed concerns about increasing wages in the middle of a fiscal year and questioned if they were using cash reserves to fund the pay increases. Rice explained they did plan for the raise when they submitted the library budget last year. They were waiting to see what they would receive for tax revenue before implementing the raises. Rice state she, the board and Gray have been working very hard to manage the library budget and be fiscally responsible. Welker asked if this has been discussed previously to which Rice replied yes. Welker/Smtih 4-0 pass
FARMERS MARKET SCHEDULE, INSURANCE AND OTHER INFORMATION -Commetti explained the farmers market would be covered by the Grange insurance this year with the Town named as additional insured. Last year the market was 930am-1pm He also explained it would be renamed as Summer Market and they would have a winter market at the grange. He also explained they would likely be on Wall Street for Homesteaders Days.
PUBLIC COMMENT NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Volmer expressed concerns about a broken board crossing the creek across the alley behind his house. Woods stated public works would remove them.
Schaible discussed the problem with vehicle access to the Montana bar during Homesteaders. Gray explained the problems that occurred last year with vehicles accessing the no parking area and blocking emergency vehicles and first responders. She also expressed concerns for car show safety.
Norgaard asked if it would be possible to get vote regarding flower pots on Main Street before next council meeting. Woods explained it would require a special meeting. Tootie asked what the time frame was and Judy stated they needed to know within the next couple of weeks. Woods asked the council if they had any questions or concerns about it. Smith asked if MVP was going to allow the planters to be attached to the power poles. Norgaard explained they are still working on obtaining permission. Carr asked if they would be anchored so the wind wouldn’t bring them down. Norgaard stated they are stable and heavy.
Bangen gave an update on dirt work at the rodeo grounds. They are hoping to get some more donations and are trying to have the dirt work done for this year’s rodeo.
Vollmer asked if there were any new developments with the subdivision. Woods explained we haven’t heard from them in several months and nothing new is happening.
ADJOURN 8:16 p.m. Smith/Welker 4-0 pass
