MINUTES PUBLIC HEARING AUGUST 5, 2025

AT HOT SPRINGS CITY HALL

109 MAIN ST, HOT SPRINGS MT 59845

Public hearing open at 6:30 P.M.

Present: Weatherly, Welker, Carr, Smith, Woods, Gray

Also present: Katelyn Myton, Mariah Myton, Shanna Camenzind, Tony Tinacci, Cody Scott, Sam Carr, Justin Ludeman, Jim Arestad, Mary Whitsett, Renee Keough, Leslie Haugen, Steven Sheffield, Scott Vollmer, Ladonna Vollmer, Scott Blangerers, Starla Rice

A public hearing was held to discuss the preliminary budget for Fiscal Year 2026.

Mayor Woods explained taxable valuation and how mills are determined. He read through and explained the Revenue budget. Whitsett asked about the sewer line replacement project and asked if the town was still paying for that. Woods explained we have a loan we pay for that project. Whitsett asked what DNRC funding covers. Woods stated there is a wide umbrella that falls under DNRC grants such as fire, sewer etc. Woods asked if there were any other questions regarding the revenue budget, there were none.

Woods read through and explained the expenditure budget. The Police Department expenditures for computer network and webs will need to be increased to $8800 due to ADSi, Secure warrant and other programs the police department is using. Also, add $70,000 for generator for water department. Woods discussed some ongoing communications with the Tribe and EPA regarding ammonia in the sewer discharge and what expenses we may see from that.

Rodeo grounds received a grant for $75,000 this will need to be added into the revenue and expenditure accounts.

Welker asked about the increase in hours for the utility clerk and wanted clarification on what he would be doing. Woods explained in the past there was a court clerk, which we no longer have and Amy has taken on that role. The utility clerks before Tony had increased hours to pick up some of the day to day office work of the clerk. When Tony was hired, Stacy was still working part time. Tony has started learning new tasks and needs to be working more hours to keep things from falling behind.

Welker asked about the dog park and recommended a public meeting to get more input. Keough asked if the meeting could be held in a different location because the fire hall smelled bad.

Woods stated he would look into scheduling a meeting for more discussion. Woods asked if there were any other questions regarding the budget. There were none.

Public hearing closed 740 p.m.

MINUTES TOWN COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 5, 2025 FOLLOWING PUBLIC HEARING AT HOT SPRINGS CITY HALL 109 MAIN ST, HOT SPRINGS MT 59845

ALSO HELD VIA ZOOM

CALL TO ORDER By Mayor Woods at 7:41 p.m.

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

Also present: Katelyn Myton, Mariah Myton, Shanna Camenzind, Tony Tinacci, Cody Scott, Sam Carr, Justin Ludeman, Jim Arestad, Mary Whitsett, Renee Keough, Leslie Haugen, Steven Sheffield, Scott Vollmer, Ladonna Vollmer, Scott Blangerers

MINUTES Smith/Carr 4-0 pass

CLAIMS Smith/Carr 4-0 pass

FINANCIALS Weatherly/Smith 4-0 pass

REPORTS

MAYOR Woods reported on the Blower Project. The contractors and the town had completed a walk through inspection, Woods and Gray participated in a meeting with the funding agency and are working on a few change orders with the project to use up the funds. There has been a lot of activity in the office. The DUI task force meetings happen once per quarter, Our officers attended quarterly meetings. Training can be paid for with DUI task force funds. Woods was reviewing minutes and discovered that at the October and January meetings there was discussion at the DUI task force meeting about abolishing Hot Springs PD. All officers and Mayor Woods attended the April meeting. Hot Springs Chief of police was then notified by the Chairman that he and the vice chair and the commissioners had decided one of the Hot Springs officers would no longer be allowed to attend meetings. Woods contacted commissioners and county attorney regarding open meeting laws, educated himself on the bylaws of the DUI task force and attended the next meeting. He also contacted county commissioners and had a meeting with them regarding DUI task force. Woods stated the task force has done a lot of great things for Hot Springs including purchasing equipment and providing funding for training for our officers. It is a great thing, it’s just not quite being run correctly. Commissioners are looking into the situation.

PUBLIC WORKS has been working on streets, the park, trimming trees

FIRE DEPT Over 20 calls last month. There were 3 grass fires within the city limits. Woods stressed the importance of mowing lawns and keeping weeds trimmed. Hot Springs biggest fire so far was at Namchak Ranch at over 600 acres. We received assistance from Polson Rural Fire Department and Tribal fire.

POLICE Reort presented by Ludeman. He announced he had graduated from academy and Passed! Ladonna Vollmer indicated she had noticed a lot less crimes showing up in the Sheriff department section of the Sanders County ledger. She commended the hard work our officers are doing. Woods explained that Larson is really responsive when someone calls with a complaint. Woods also reported there has been a lot of positive reactions to Larson on his police bike. Mariah Myton asked for a police schedule and it was explained that the schedule varies and is not shared so people don’t know when there is no coverage.

CLERK Gray reminded everyone agenda requests are required to be submitted by noon on the Tuesday prior to council meeting week. This gives us time to investigate the request and allow for legal posting requirements. Gray also reminded people that requests for police must go through dispatch whether they are emergency or non emergency requests. They will then be routed to the proper authority.

LIBRARY Report presented by Starla Rice

ZONING COMPLIANCE One request by Allen Lamb for a fence. It will be on the next meeting agenda.

PARKS AND REC – New Shed over well.

PUBLIC COMMENT FOR EACH AGENDA ITEM WILL BE ALLOWED

OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

FISCAL YEAR 2026 PRELIMINARY BUDGET -Smith/Carr 4-0 pass

PURCHASE OF POLICE VEHICLE- Last year the town put $60,000 in the budget to purchase a new patrol vehicle. They did not find one to purchase. They have found a used vehicle for $20,000 that will come fully equipped and ready to go with the exception of the radar. Woods explained that he was on the fence whether they buy a new on or a used one with everything in it. If they buy the used one, it leave funds for any repairs they may need to do to it or any of the ones we already have. Motion to buy used vehicle from Mineral County for $20,000 Welker/Carr 4-0 pass

LUDEMAN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT Smith/Carr 4-0 pass

DRAW REQUEST BLOWER PROJECT- Stillwater has completed the blower project at the lagoon. Great company to work with, no problems, in and out as scheduled and left the place clean and nice like they found it. Woods is discussing with engineer, contractor and funding agency about the possibility of using the remaining funds on related projects before the ARPA funds expire and can no longer be used. Weatherly/Welker 4-0 pass

SHOOTING RANGE LEASE Smith/ Carr 4-0 pass

FERGUSON PROPERTY DIVISION PLAT Sue has presented the town with a plat division for dividing her property off Jaques Rd in half. Survey plans submitted. Lots meet the zoning requirements. Smith/Welker 4-0 pass

MORRISON MAIERLE OWNER ENGINEER AGREEMENT Smith/Weatherly 4-0 pass

GIS CONTRACT Gray explained we received the ipad and initial set up due to grant funds. Continuing access requires contract and payment of $500 annually. Weatherly/Carr 4-0 pass

PUBLIC COMMENT NON-AGENDA ITEMS

Welker asked Blangeres if he had looked into the AirBnb issues discussed at previous meetings. Blangeres stated he would set up a meeting to follow up with Air bnb rules.

Vollmer asked if there had been many reports of bears in town. Woods explained he hadn’t heard of any lately.

Welker announced the Spay/Nueter clinic meeting for the following day.

Welker announced there would be EED food being given away in the park on Sundays 2-4pm.

ADJOURN 8:48 p.m. Smith/Carr 4-0 pass