A PUBLIC HEARING WAS HELD ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2022 AT HOT SPRINGS CITY HALL 109 MAIN ST, HOT SPRINGS MT 59845 , ALSO HELD VIA ZOOM
Called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Mayor Woods
Present: Aldridge, Graham, Smith, Weatherly, Woods, Gray
Also Present: Candy Faroni, Peg Winebrenner, Scott Vollmer, Ladonna Vollmer, Kele Odekirk, Steven Sheffield, Grant Skinner, Breck Smith, Val Sidmore
RESOLUTION 2023-03R- A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF HOT SPRINGS, MONTANA, ESTABLISHING A FEE SCHEDULE FOR DOCUMENTS PROVIDED TO THE PUBLIC- Resolution was read aloud by Mayor Woods. Woods explained the need for the resolution for fees. We have had several requests for documents, it is time consuming and there is an expense to fill the requests. Scott asked if this is for historical documents. Woods explained it was for any records requests, historical or current. Woods asked if there was any other public comment or questions, there was none.
RESOLUTION 2023-04R -A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF HOT SPRINGS, MONTANA, ESTABLISHING A FEE SCHEDULE FOR THE SALE OF BULK WATER SUPPLIED TO THE PUBLIC – Resolution was read aloud by Mayor Woods. Woods discussed that we have a water meter to meter the number of gallons used. He asked if there was any council discussion or public comment. There was none.
Public Hearing closed at 7:14 pm
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY DECEMBER 6, 2022 MEETING WAS HELD AT HOT SPRINGS CITY HALL,109 MAIN ST, HOT SPRINGS MT 59845
MEETING WAS ALSO HELD VIA ZOOM
CALL TO ORDER AT 7:14 P.M. BY MAYOR WOODS
ROLL CALL Present: Aldridge, Graham, Smith, Weatherly, Woods, Gray
Also Present: Candy Faroni, Peg Winebrenner, Scott Vollmer, Ladonna Vollmer, Kele Odekirk, Steven Sheffield, Grant Skinner, Breck Smith, Val Sidmore
Candy Faroni from Valley Bank was attending via zoom to discuss banking options. Discussion for this Agenda item was moved to the beginning of the meeting to accommodate her schedule. Faroni explained intrafi program. The program is designed to protect funds not covered by FDIC. Currently, Valley Bank pledges securities to cover the funds exceeding FDIC coverage. This program will protect those funds and provide better interest rates. Smith asked which accounts could be transferred. Woods explained that we would be able to transfer all of the accounts and it will put the money all back into one bank instead of three different banks.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Smith/Aldridge 4-0 pass
PRESENTATION OF CLAIMS- Smith/Aldridge 4-0 pass
FINANCIAL REPORTS Financial reports for September and October presented. Budget provided as of 10/31/22 Weatherly asked what the Special Account is on the financial reports, Gray explained that all draw request funds are direct deposited into this account. Woods explained that it makes it easier to track the grant money by using this account.
Motion to approve claims Aldridge/Graham 4-0 pass
REPORTS
MAYOR- This month has been busy for Mayor Woods. We have been trying to finish up the water project. On the first of the month everything was finished up. Then we were presented with a damage claim for $101,000 from Camas Creek. We sat down with the engineer and the owner of the company and asked for more details regarding the claim. We explained that some things were done wrong and maybe the town should have stepped in a little sooner to take over. We have to be careful getting involved because it then becomes the towns liability. Towards the end we shut the project down, chlorinated ourselves and got the system to pass. It was shut down for five weeks. We had liquidated damages as well but we really had no actual damages. We were able to come to an agreement with Camas Creek. There would be no liquidated damages, they are paid for the full contract amount, the $101,000 claim they have goes away. This will be discussed in the Draw request. We spend several days working through all of the numbers with the engineers.
We have also had some issues getting the ARPA funds. We had applied for the funds and earmarked it for the sewer. It was all rolled into the lagoon project. The problem is that it had to be fully funded and at this time we do not have the funds to commit. In order for us to get the $135,000 we had to have all of the $4 million committed. We had to quickly change the project to just the blower portion of the project. We will be able to use the ARPA money and local funds to pay for this blower project.
PUBLIC WORKS- busy plowing snow, finishing up a few projects and putting in a few sewer lines
FIRE DEPT- We have had several car crashes, it has been busy
POLICE- Provided by Chief Pfleger, presented by Mayor Woods. Woods also explained that we are still looking for another officer.
CLERK- Gray reminded everyone that there is another town council meeting tomorrow night because we had a couple of last minute things come up that we didn’t get posted in time for this meeting.
LIBRARY- Presented by Peg Winebrenner
ZONING COMPLIANCE- nothing new this month
OLD BUSINESS
ABATEMENT – 315 NORTH RD- Aldridge stated she had driven by and it still looks like there is a lot to do. Woods repeated the dates that Kele had provided claiming he would complete some of the projects, and asked Kele if he had met these deadlines. Kele stated that he is running behind. Aldridge asked about the fence and said it still looks like it needs the trellis. Smith stated the fence looks the same and is still not 6 feet high. Kele insisted it is 6 feet high and that it doesn’t look like it because the property is lower than the road. Smith stated there were still big gaps in the fence line. The fence isn’t complete and there is a lot of items in front of the fence. We need a better definition of what the fence should look like. Grant Skinner stated he drives by daily and has seen quite a bit of progress. Woods recommended tabling the issue for one more meeting. We can discuss it again after we have some photos in front of us. Tabled until next regular meeting Smith/Aldridge 4-0 pass
NEW BUSINESS
DRAW REQUEST WATER PROJECT- Final pay to Viking paint, Camas Creek final pay to date,we are holding the funds for the remainder of the work to be completed in the Spring for Camas Creek. This Draw request will close out most of the water project.
Smith/Weatherly 4-0 pass
RESOLUTION 2023-03R- A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF HOT SPRINGS, MONTANA, ESTABLISHING A FEE SCHEDULE FOR DOCUMENTS PROVIDED TO THE PUBLIC- Smith/Aldridge 4-0 pass
Motion to Table Aldridge/Graham 4-0 pass
CDARS/ICS-INTRAFI NETWORK DEPOSITS– TRANSFER OF CDS AND BANK FUNDS-
Aldridge/Weatherly 4-0 pass
LIBRARY EMPLOYEE BONUSES- Starla $500, Martha $200, Jessie $100, Nina $50 as approved by library board Smith/Aldridge 4-0 pass
PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Scott Vollmer stated that he appreciates the snow plow, they are doing a good job.
Woods- We are looking into getting another plow truck.
Executive session 8:17-8:48
Adjourn 8:49 Aldridge/Graham 4-0 pass
Town of Hot Springs, Montana 