PUBLIC HEARING JULY 6th, 2026 AT HOT SPRINGS CITY HALL
109 MAIN ST, HOT SPRINGS MT 59845
ALSO HELD VIA ZOOM
Hearing open by Mayor Woods at 7:00 p.m.
Present: Weatherly, Smith, Carr, Welker, Woods, Gray
Also present: Emmitt Tucker, Cody Scott, Eric Larson, Steven Sheffield, Shawn Visintin, Josh Davis, Shanna Cammenzind- Weatherly
RESOLUTION # 2027-01R RESOLUTION FOR SETTING THE PAY RATES
EMPLOYEES/CONTRACT WORKERS FOR THE 2026-2027 BUDGET YEAR- Woods read the resolution and pay rates. Council discussed prior pay rates. There was discussion on the library budget and pay rates. Gray explained the library rates were not being raised at this time, they were just increased a couple of months ago. He asked if there was any public comments or questions. There were none.
Hearing closed at 7:09 p.m.
MINUTES TOWN COUNCIL MEETING JULY 6th, 2026, AT HOT SPRINGS CITY HALL 109 MAIN ST, HOT SPRINGS MT 59845 ALSO HELD VIA ZOOM
CALL TO ORDER By Mayor Woods at 7:10 p.m.
ROLL CALL Weatherly, Smith, Carr, Welker, Woods, Gray
Also present: Emmitt Tucker, Cody Scott, Eric Larson, Steven Sheffield, Shawn Visintin, Josh Davis, Shanna Cammenzind- Weatherly
MINUTES Smith/Carr 4-0 pass
CLAIMS New pump that was approved a few months ago has been ordered and paid for $21,308. NW Display is for the fireworks show, Gambles bill has rodeo grounds fence panels on it. Weatherly/Carr 4-0 pass
FINANCIALS
REPORTS
MAYOR – Budget meeting, sidewalk meetings open house, Fire department put on the first fireworks show. Woods reported receiving good feedback and a desire to make it an annual event.
PUBLIC WORKS- has been mowing, doing town cleanup, painting, pothole patching, pressure washing hydrants and cycling valves.
FIRE DEPT – a few car crashes -one fatal, one grass fire and one fireworks fire in the back of a pickup truck.
POLICE Chief Larson – one arrest during Homesteaders Days celebration. There were problems with juveniles which resulted n the arrest and curfew being strictly enforced, Chief did an ice cream with a cop event and had ice cream with some of the kids in town. There has been some misinformation presented on social media, the police department is looking into creating an information page for facebook that will be information only. Larson also commented that of all the fireworks events he has been to, this one in Hot Springs was one of the best he has ever seen. He congratulated Officer Visintin on his hard work resulting in an arrest on a felony incest case. Visintin explained the case was consuming our resources with 100 + man hours, and our resources that we have made available to the department such as IDI core software proved to be very helpful and other
agencies were impressed with the work our department has done on this case. This is a very important case.
CLERK There have been a lot of bear problems reported. Some have been relocated and some have had to be put down. Gray reminded everyone there is no open burning, permits are not available at this time for open burning. We have had several concerns about dogs running loose, there will be a preliminary budget hearing at 6pm prior to the next council meeting. Visintin has been meeting with kids and some parents at the football field on the 3rd Tuesday at 5:30 pm for touch football.
LIBRARY – Starla was unable to attend. Woods presented library report.
ZONING COMPLIANCE not much at the moment, just a few questions on fences
PARKS AND REC BOARD We will be asking for letters of interest to fill vacancies on the parks and rec board
PUBLIC COMMENT FOR EACH AGENDA ITEM WILL BE ALLOWED
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTION # 2027-01R :RESOLUTION FOR SETTING THE PAY RATES
EMPLOYEES/CONTRACT WORKERS FOR THE 2026-2027 BUDGET YEAR
Smith/Weatherly 4-0 pass
SEWER LAGOON PROJECT UPDATE Woods gave update on lagoon project -75% design- there has been some discussion on the options for sludge removal and where the sludge will be place, removal of some of the dirt under the liner, a titration and monitor system, and Woods explained that the blower pipes that are currently above ground will be under ground. There is also planning for a mixer for the weir for mixing chlorine
SIDEWALK PROJECT UPDATE Woods gave update on sidewalk project- open house attendance was ok -approximately 20 people. Sidewalks will be on grade. Woods talked to Camas Market owner about plan with the sidewalk next to her building. The existing sidewalk will remain in place. Project is in final planning stages and they are hoping to have it ready to go to bid in September or October
PUBLIC COMMENT NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Gray has received a request from a large group to use the park and set up a tent in October. Council will be reviewing a park and public use Ordinance and permit at next council meeting.
Gray also explained that Mark has reported yellow spots in the park grass due to farmers market setting up in the same places every weekend and asked that they change things up to keep the lawn nice
Welker asked about the wood chipper. Gray stated Mark had actually mentioned trying to use it later this summer. She also expressed her disappointment in public works mowing her right of way when she was trying to harvest some of the flowers growing there.
ADJOURN Smith/Carr 4-0 pass 7:52 p.m.
