MINUTES TOWN COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY JANUARY 3, 2023 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 pm

ROLL CALL Present: Smith, Aldridge, Graham (zoom), Woods, Gray   Absent: Weatherly

Also Present: Steven Sheffield, Nisca Warthen, Ron Smerzgalski, Scott Vollmer, Ladonna Volmer, Jerry Kontos, Brad Pride, Beck Smith, Scott Blangers, Jason Moore, Heather Kauffman, Mary Whitsett

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: December and December special meeting  Smith/Aldridge 3-0 pass

PRESENTATION OF CLAIMS: Aldridge/Smith 3-0 pass

REPORTS 

MAYOR –  Woods reported that Camas Creek has finished most of the water project. They will come back in the spring to finish up the final portion. We had a special meeting last month to approve the blower project with use of ARPA funds and local funds.

PUBLIC WORKS has been plowing snow and sanding the streets and hills. We had several water breaks due to the cold requiring shutoffs.

FIRE DEPT – nothing much going on for the fire department. We had a few slide offs.

POLICE – report provided by Pfleger presented by Woods. We will continue to advertise for another officer

CLERK Gray informed everyone that there would be a presentation on Suicide provided by Frederick Lee on the 8^th at 1:00pm

LIBRARY – Nisca Warthen provided the library report

ZONING COMPLIANCE -nothing new to report

OLD BUSINESS 

ABATEMENT – 315 NORTH RD – Woods recommended tabling this issue until March due to weather interfering with clean up efforts  Motion to Table by Smith, second by Aldridge 3-0 pass

NEW BUSINESS 

CLOSING ADJUSTMENTS FY22 ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT – closing adjustments recommended by Magda Nelson Aldridge/Smith 3-0 pass

FY22 ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT approve FY22 AFR Aldridge/Graham 3-0 pass

DRAW WATER PROJECT – there is no draw request, clerk forgot to remove from agenda

LEASE FOR HOT SPRINGS TELEPHONE COMPANY- CITY PROPERTY Discussion regarding previous lease. In the past the phone company paid $880 per year. They put up a fence around the property in lieu of the $880 per year for 10 years and now that 10 years is up.  Motion by Smith to renew the lease at $1000 per year second by Aldridge 3-0 pass

LEASE FOR SHOOTING RANGE the original agreement with the shooting range was for the shooting club to lease the shooting range. They would provide the insurance and do the upkeep on the property. The group has gotten smaller and less active and the town has had to the mowing, trash clean up and upkeep on the shooting range. Woods questioned whether they continue with the $1 per year or do they need to up the cost of the lease to help cover expenses the town incur.  Kontos was present and stated he has

started to see more people wanting to use the shooting range again. He recommends the lease be $100 per year. Motion to lease the shooting range to the shooting club for $100 per year Smith/Aldridge 3-0 pass

RESIGNATION UTILITY CLERK – Letter from Jerry Kontos was read by Mayor Woods. Jerry has worked for the town for almost 10 years. Smith thanks him for his service. Aldridge stated he has always been very helpful. Motion to accept resignation.

Aldridge/Smith 3-0 pass

APPROVE PURCHASE OF PLOW TRUCK – 2017 Ford ¾ ton with a new V plow purchased from Rehbein Ford,  Motion to approve purchase of the plow truck Aldridge/Graham 3-0 pass

PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS 

Breck Smith asked if it would be possible to extend the alley at the South end of Arlee to Spring Street, Woods explained that the city crew had been working on alleys before the weather turned bad and they will look at this in the spring. He asked Mr. Smith to remind us.

Jason Moore – wants to get Heart and Soul started again in Hot Springs. He explained that they had gotten through phase 1 with the last coach and now they have a new coach. They have some more agencies involved now including MT Community Foundation and the Tribe. There will be a wellness event in August. Heather Kauffman stated they are working on a USDA farm to school grant.

ADJOURN 7:54 pm  Smith/Aldridge