TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JULY 1, 2025

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

CALL TO ORDER By Mayor Woods at 7:00 p.m.

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

Also present: Shanna Camenzind, Steven Sheffield, Eric Larson, Linda Larson, Michele Bangen, Mary Whitsett, Cody Scott, Sam Carr, Tony Tinacci, Mike Dolson, Ron Szmergalski, Justin Ludeman, David Kunzelman, Shawn Visintin, Starla Rice

MINUTES Smith/Carr 4-0 pass

CLAIMS Weatherly/Welker 4-0 pass discussion about parade candy expenditure, secure warrant

FINANCIALS Smith/Carr 4-0 pass

REPORTS

MAYOR Woods reported on the sewer lagoon blower project. The project is near completion, new blower, 3 new pumps, new levers and lighting. There will be a change order for a fan in on e of the buildings. There may be a little bit of project money left over and there is a possibility that could be used to do some work at the lift station if Arpa allows it. Training and Inspection was done today on completed work. Stillwater Electric out of Kalispell did the work. They showed up, did the job, left things clean and there were no problems.

Woods also reported that Justin is still at the academy, Larson had to take some time off so Woods brought in a fill in officer, POST certified in Montana, David Kunzelman to work some temporary fill in shifts. Justin will be done at the academy on July 18th.

PUBLIC WORKS has been doing a lot of weeding and clean up. They installed dog waste station at the park that was provided by Dallas Pothoff as a donation to the park. He has offered to purchase a second unit for the other entrance to the park. Public works has also been painting curbs and crosswalks and a lot of mowing.

Skate park- Mike Dolson is present as a representative from CSKT. The Tribe came to Hot Springs and looked at potential sites. The would like to consider the area at the South End of A Street that goes down behind the library towards the high school track. The idea is to do an urban skate park that would lead down to some bowls. There was more discussion on skate park plans. Jeff Ament from Pearl Jam is 50% partner for funding for the skate park projects with the tribe. The council discussed insurance and liability issues for the park. More research needs to be done to determine if the ground can be leased to the tribe or if it needed to be given to them. No action taken, discussion only.

FIRE DEPT- 2 fire, haystack fire today. Gray reminded there is no open burning allowed in town

POLICE Woods acknowledged 1 year anniversary for hire date of Chief Larson. Larson stated It has been a great year with a lot of progress in the community. Larson also discussed the challenges the Hot Springs Officers have been facing because the county jail has been refusing criminals for detention. Woods

explained they stopped taking anyone except for violent crimes citing staffing issues at the jail. Welker expressed that even back in 1995 it was a problem for the jail to house criminals. Larson talked about the reserve officers. He explained they had to spend approximately $1500 of their own gear to be part of the reserve program and has saved approximately $2500 in investigative time assisting with cases in the PD.

LIBRARY report presented by Starla

PARKS AND REC Weatherly reported that he was approached by Petra Stone and that they would like to donate a functional bbq for the park. Gray contacted Weatherly about the power in the park because there was a group that wanted to use it. They decided on a fee of $10. Gray stated council will need to look at the schedule of fees in the near future for possible updates and to set fees for using the park electricity. Weatherly requested the desk that has been used to cover the well in the park be replaced with something else.

ZONING COMPLIANCE – People arguing about property lines, advised them to get surveys. Welker asked if there had been anything more happening with the subdivision, Woods stated the town has not heard from the developers for several months. They have a few things they have to do before they can move forward.

PUBLIC COMMENT FOR EACH AGENDA ITEM WILL BE ALLOWED

OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

AGWEST RODEO GROUNDS GRANT- Michele Bangen had worked on a grant for upgrades to the rodeo ground. Woods thanked her for her time and efforts and was happy to report that the town had been awarded $75,000 for upgrades to the rodeo grounds. Michele explained the plans that had been submitted for the grant including dirt work and a welded arena. Dick Anderson has offered to do labor on the dirt work for free and there are a couple of welders who have volunteered to help with the arena. Motion to accept the grant Smith/Weatherly 4-0 pass

RURAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT AND LOAN PACKAGE FOR WASTE

WATER LAGOON PROJECT Motion to accept grant loan package

Smith/Welker 4-0 pass

TOWN ATTORNEY CONTRACT RENEWAL Smith/Carr 4-0 pass

LIBRARY TRUSTEE APPOINTMENT Library board has recommended Deborah Gage as library trustee. Motion to Ratify Mayors appointment of Deborah Gage Smith/Carr 4-0 pass

PUBLIC COMMENT NON-AGENDA ITEMS

Welker has been in contact with Essential Eats Distribution and will be working to collect and distribute free food. She had also received 4 boxes of books. She is anticipating this will be a regularly occurring thing.

Welker also shared that ARC for animals in Arlee is closing down. She is still working on a Spay Nueter clinic for September.

ADJOURN 7:53 Carr/Smith 4-0 pass