TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY JANUARY 7, 2026

HOT SPRINGS CITY HALL 109 MAIN ST, HOT SPRINGS MT 59845

MEETING 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: Tony Tinacci, Cody Scott, Sam Carr, Judy Norgaard, Brenna Schaible, Shanna Camenzind-Weatherly, Stephen Sheffield, Eric Larson, Josh Davis

MINUTES Smith/Weatherly Welker- edit minutes to include “Tribal” senior center for portion of minutes explaining blocked storm drain 4-0 pass

CLAIMS discussed cold pack asphalt purchased from Gambles. The town has purchased two different types in the past, Public Works Crew stated this type works better, easier to use and lasts longer. Smith/Carr 4-0 pass

FINANCIALS Smith/Carr 4-0 pass

REPORTS

MAYOR Woods reported on water problems on South side of town because of all of the rain. There is an area between 1st and 2nd S in which the water was overwhelming the ditches. He discussed flooding and the need for the storm drains along Michel Street. Eight trees fell during the wind storm in December. Two of the trees belonged to the Town, one was in the park and one on Wall Street. Both have been cleared by the town. He explained the liabilities and requirements for property owners to be responsible for the trees on their own property. There were a couple of vehicles damaged from fallen trees from private property. There were no reports of damaged houses. Lift station and Lagoons are handling the rain very well until a couple of days ago when a pump problem occurred at the lift station. A mounting bolt broke on pump 2. The town may need to start looking at the possibility of replacing the pumps. The Lagoon rehab project is in the design phase. Randy and Mike have been discussing with the engineers how to aerate the water. The new construction will also put the plumbing underground.

PUBLIC WORKS has been trying to keep roads safe will all of the freezing rain

FIRE DEPT responded to 2 car crashes, FD has only had a few calls, Ambulance has been busy.

POLICE Report presented by Chief Larson. He also shared now that the Town has more administrative permissions in ADSi he and the other officers have found more than 225 open cases from 2017. They are going to work to get these cases closed out, and they may be contacting individuals to see if there needs to be additional work or follow-up done with them. Weatherly asked how the PD can handle old incidents. Larson explained they need to contact him at the PD.

CLERK Gray reminded the public that dog, chicken and business licenses all expired on December 31st and need to be renewed.

LIBRARY Gray reported the siding job has been started on the library building

ZONING COMPLIANCE Hot Springs Telephone company questioned Mayor Woods about abandoning the alley behind the phone company, Gambles and Laundromat on Main Street. There is no driving surface there, just a hill that falls down to phone company property. They are discussing putting a retaining wall in to protect the house

and property. Woods has also answered questions about the variance for new building on 2nd Ave S.

PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD $2500 in donations to parks and rec, Weatherly stated the park needs a new picnic table because the tree fell on it

PUBLIC COMMENT FOR EACH AGENDA ITEM WILL BE ALLOWED

OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

MMIA WORKERS COMPENSATION PROGRAM TO BE REPLACED – Motion to move to State Fund for workers compensation for the town Smith/Weatherly 4-0 pass

ELECT COUNCIL PRESIDENT Motin made for Weatherly to remain as council president Smith/Welker 3-0 pass Weatherly abstain

CONFLICT OF INTEREST ACKNOWLEDGEMENT MAYOR WOODS – Welker questioned whether or not Amy needed to sign a conflict of interest form since she is a town employee and owns a business in town. Amy will seek information on this. Smtih/Welker 4-0 pass

CONFLICT OF INTEREST ACKNOWLEDGEMENT WEATHERLY

Smith/Carr 3-0 pass Weatherly abstain

PUBLIC COMMENT NON-AGENDA ITEMS

Welker asked about getting a new flag at town hall, Gray said she will replace it

Welker stated she was trying to organize another spay/neuter clinic and would be looking for funding

Norgaard mentioned the possibility of the Chamber donating to the spay/neuter clinic

Norgaard also asked about being on the agenda for biker weekend for February. Gray told her to send an email and remind her and she will send a request form

Smith asked if anyone knew when Chinese New Year would be. Answer was unknown

ADJOURN

7:45 p.m. Smith/Weatherly 4-0 pass