MINUTES FOR PUBLIC HEARING HELD TUESDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2023

AT HOT SPRINGS CITY HALL

109 MAIN ST, HOT SPRINGS MT 59845

MEETING WAS ALSO AVAILABLE VIA ZOOM

Public Hearing open at 7:03 pm. By Mayor Woods

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

Also Present: Steven Sheffield, Rube Wrightsman, Mary Whitsett, Ladonna Vollmer, Scott Vollmer

RESOLUTION 2023-05R: A RESOLUTION REQUESTING DISTRIBUTION OF BRIDGE AND ROAD SAFETY AND ACCOUNTABILITY PROGRAM FUNDS FOR 2023 – Mayor Woods read the resolution aloud and explained where the funds come from and what they can be used for. These funds have a 5% match. Gray explained there must be an ordinance each year to allow the town to apply for the funds. The funds are tracked and must have a project associated with them. Annual reports have to be completed in order to track progress.

FIRST READING OF FLOOD PLAIN ORDINANCE- REVIEW OF CHANGES- Woods explained the flood plain ordinance. FEMA provides the information and formatting for the ordinance. The town has had a flood plain ordinance for years. This is an update required by FEMA.

Woods asked if there were any questions or comments. There were none

Hearing closed: 7:23 p.m.

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2023

AT HOT SPRINGS CITY HALL

109 MAIN ST, HOT SPRINGS MT 59845

MEETING ALSO HELD VIA ZOOM

CALL TO ORDER By Mayor Woods at 7:23 p.m.

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

Also Present: Steven Sheffield, Rube Wrightsman, Mary Whitsett, Ladonna Vollmer, Scott Vollmer

APPROVAL OF MINUTES Smith/ Weatherly 4-0 pass

PRESENTATION OF CLAIMS Smith/Aldridge 4-0 pass

Discussion of claims- Water school expenses for Mike and Amy, Industrial Process is for Devon coming to help with the control panels. We were getting low levels after the power outage. We didn’t get the phone alarms because of the change to 10 digit dialing so we had to reprogram and fix all of that and we are good to go now. We have a claim from Candace Blake for reimbursement to RotoRooter guy. Her house was the only one on that line having trouble so she called the guy. He came and met with Mike. He helped Mike and together they determined there was a something going on with the city line. We are not completely sure of the issue but it is working now and will be dug up as soon as the weather is better.

FINANCIAL REPORTS Financials for November and December presented. Budget also presented to council. Weatherly/Aldridge 4-0 pass

Aldridge asked what the check for firemans relief is for. Woods explained the town received funds for the firemans retirement payment and it gets passed to the fire retirement. There is a set amount that has to be made available by the town at all times to support it. There are 6 or 7 guys that receive $20 per month.

REPORTS

MAYOR- Woods stated January was busy. The weather kept everyone busy.  We had some water and sewer glitches. We had several complaints on the streets but just from the same person. Woods said he felt the crew had done a really good job and had several people comment to him that the streets were great. The crew is really good about coming back after they plow to move the snow piles after the event. We had a complaint in city hall which has been addressed and due to town policy and state codes it is dealt with. We had the sewer line reimbursement and will continue to work on that line until we figure out the issue. We will probably be digging it up soon.

PUBLIC WORKS– durapatcher is warming so they can start working on some potholes around town that are getting really bad. We have ordered more gravel and fill material. We have a residence getting flooded from 2 sides on Wall and 2^nd North. This will be a priority to do some work near the street. A water line break a couple of years ago sank her yard.

Homesteaders rodeo committee discussed some things that need to be done at the rodeo grounds. Some things to look at include updating power for vendors, addressing parking areas, the arena is getting age and some of the posts are getting bad, so they are looking at steel fencing to replace the old fencing.  Woods addressed the farmers market and the need for them to come up with a plan early regarding Homesteaders weekend.

FIRE DEPT- there weren’t many calls for the fire department this month

POLICE- report provided by Pfleger presented by Woods.

CLERK-Gray told the Council that Woods had attended the legislative session to present our case for funding the sewer lagoon project. Mike attended the hazard mitigation plan meeting. Amy and Stacy will be attending clerks institute in May. Mike and Amy will be attending water school in March. Woods added that when he attended the legislative hearing, there were several towns the size of Hot Springs looking for water and sewer money. He noted that almost all of the towns that presented before him have a combined water and sewer base rates near $100.

LIBRARY- report presented by Rube Wrightsman

ZONING COMPLIANCE- Follow up-Sunrise Condos are purchasing the property adjacent to the back side of the buildings. Their sewer line actually falls on this property. The owner is selling them ½ of a lot. There was a tiny house brought in the other day on the South side of town. She had gone through the zoning compliance application process and we will be checking to make sure it has been followed.

PUBLIC COMMENT FOR EACH AGENDA ITEM WILL BE ALLOWED

OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

APPROVE FIRST READING FLOOD PLAIN ORDINANCE- REVIEW OF CHANGES – Smith/Aldridge 4-0 pass

RESOLUTION 2023-05R: A RESOLUTION REQUESTING DISTRIBUTION OF BRIDGE AND ROAD SAFETY AND ACCOUNTABILITY PROGRAM FUNDS FOR 2023 Smith/Weatherly 4-0 pass

APPROVE HIRE OF PART TIME OFFICE ETHAN HARVEY- His is a deputy for Sanders County and will taking a few shifts a month to help with our shortage. We are still advertising for a full time patrol officer. Aldridge/Smith 4-0 pass

OPEN CONTAINER-BANDITOS WEEKEND – FERGIES– Open container area will be immediately in front of Fergies Pub in their parking area. Weatherly/Aldridge 4-0 pass

PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS

Woods called for public comment on non agenda items

Whitsett- Spoke with republic services about bear resistant containers and found out they have a limited number of them available. Gray explained there had been a lady from the Tribe that called and would be asking to be on the agenda to discuss bears in March or April.

Gray- 2022 Water CCR is available online or at city hall.

 ADJOURN- Aldridge/Weatherly 4-0 pass