MINUTES TOWN COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY August 6, 2024

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 7:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL Weatherly, Smith, Welker, Carr, Woods, Gray

Also present: Cameron Martin, Tony Tinacci, Cody Scott, Sam Carr, Mary Whitsett, Stephen Sheffield, Michele Bangen, Diane Green, Ladonna Volmer via zoom: Jessica Swearingen, Eric Larson, Ron Szmergalski

MINUTES Smith/Welker 4-0 pass

CLAIMS Smith/Carr 4-0 pass Woods explained Spring Street Autocare claim includes purchase of sweeper attachment and auger attachment for skidsteer

FINANCIALS Smith/Weatherly June financials 4-0 pass

REPORTS

MAYOR Woods explained the progress of the wastewater blower project. We have an advertisement in the paper as of today and it has gone out to bid. Mayor Woods has been working on cleaning up the budget, and discussing some things with the commissioners that have been coming down from other county departments. Mayor Woods reported that he and Chief Larson attended a tribal council meeting and introduced the Chief to them. Larson has been working with Tribal police on a few things.

PUBLIC WORKS Fire hydrant got hit and had to be fixed. Mike is replacing some test stations that have been damaged and will also be installing concrete pillars to help protect them from being damaged again. Public works is cleaning up the edges after the new pavement was put down and graveling the right of ways. The paving crew will be back in a few weeks to chip seal. The big sweeper has some mechanical issues, they will be trying out the new sweeper attachment with the bucket to clean up along the curbs.

FIRE DEPT 5 grass fires in district on tribal lands. 4 car crashes, one requiring extrication. A lot of these incidents have been at the far ends of our district

POLICE Officer Martin presented the police report emphasizing that the Chief and him have been discussing the dog issues in town and will be addressing loose dogs more aggressively. Both Martin and Larson expressed the need for community involvement in solving crimes and keeping our town safe. Welker had questions about response times after placing a call to dispatch indicating she had called several weeks ago and had not yet received a response. Woods stated these are the things they are working to improve and will look into the issue.

CLERK Gray reported Certified valuation forms came in today and she will work on budget revenues, There will be a budget amendment on the next agenda, and Officer Martin is going to academy and has signed a contract. The contract will be presented to the council at the next meeting.

LIBRARY Woods presented library report

ZONING COMPLIANCE Woods reported that he and Gray have been really busy working on the RJ Demers subdivision. Fire Department received a request for review of a minor subdivision on Old Hot Springs Rd. This was also sent to the town for review. Any subdivision within one mile of town has to be presented to the town for comment. There is a house being built on 1st Ave N and we assisting with floodplain permitting. A property owner on Orchard is requesting permission to install culverts and manholes along the ditch to allow for off street parking. This will be done at their expense.

PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Weatherly reported on Parks and Rec. stating they will have all of their meetings on the last Thursday of each month with the exception of August. August will be the 3rd Thursday due to Fair. The board elected officers, they are working on fundraising ideas. They are going to have a movie in the park with donations to help fund the splash deck and pickleball court. Trish Johnson was at the meeting and they are discussing grant opportunities that may be available for the park.

PUBLIC COMMENT FOR EACH AGENDA ITEM WILL BE ALLOWED

OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

DISCUSSION MARIJUANA BUSINESS ORDINANCE – There was discussion on regulations for a dispensary license in the Town limits. Woods discussed ideas he has found in other towns ordinances including limiting the number of dispensaries, allowing dispensaries only in certain zoning such as central business district. Welker stated she felt it was important to have a limit of at least two or three to allow for competition. She also stated she liked the idea of keeping it in central business district. Smith expressed interest in taxing the dispensary with local tax. Woods explained Gray, Chief Larson and the Town Attorney, Loren Fitzpatrick would be meeting tomorrow to discuss the ordinance further and determine legal requirements for the ordinance. A written ordinance will be presented to the council at the next meeting

PUBLIC COMMENT NON-AGENDA ITEMS

Whitsett asked if local government study was still in her taxes each year. Woods explained it is no longer in her taxes. The reason it still shows up in our books is because of people who are finally paying some old taxes from when the Local Government Review had passed years ago.

Welker discussed the spay and neuter clinic and the possibility of scheduling it for October. She will be looking into this.

Vollmer asked about the cost to use electricity in the park. Weatherly stated they will discuss fee schedule at the next parks and rec meeting in August.

Vollmer asked if the Local Government Review passed, Woods explained it did not.

Woods asked if there was anymore public comment, there was none.

ADJOURN 8:05 p.m. Smith/Weatherly 4-0 pass

Dated this ______ day of ______________, 2024

Attest___________________ Signed ___________________________