MINUTES PUBLIC HEARING TUESDAY JUNE 4, 2024

Meeting was held at Hot Springs Town Hall 109 Main St Hot Springs, MT 59845

Meeting was also held via zoom

Open public hearing at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor woods.

Present: Jennifer Carr, Susan Tootie Welker, Ed Weatherly, Leslee Smith, Randy Woods, Amy Gray

Also Present: Steven Sheffield, Cody Scott, Samantha Carr, Tony Tinacci, Mike Geddes, Eric Larson, Peg Winebrenner, Scott and Ladonna Vollmer

A public hearing was held to discuss formal annexation of property owned by the Town of Hot Springs referred to as the city pit Legal Description: S03, T21 N, R24 W, PLAT HS N2NWSE 4.45 AC and the rodeo grounds Legal Description: S03, T21 N, R24 W, C.O.S. 3558, ACRES 8.15, AMD LOT 1

Woods read the resolutions aloud and explained the need to annex the property. The property is owned by the town and is now adjacent to other properties within town limits. Previously the properties were disconnected from the town. Welker asked if this put the town on the hook to pay for the rodeo. Woods explained the town already owns the rodeo grounds and is responsible for the property, but not the rodeo event and annexing the property would not change that. He explained the Rodeo committee purchased bucking chutes to improve the property.

Woods asked for any further public comment, there was none.

Public Hearing closed 7:12 p.m.

MINUTES TOWN COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY JUNE 4, 2024. The regular town council meeting was held immediately following the public hearing

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

MEETING WAS ALSO BE HELD VIA ZOOM

Present: Jennifer Carr, Susan Tootie Welker, Ed Weatherly, Leslee Smith, Randy Woods, Amy Gray

Also Present: Steven Sheffield, Cody Scott, Samantha Carr, Tony Tinacci, Mike Geddes, Eric Larson, Peg Winebrenner, Scott and Ladonna Vollmer

CALL TO ORDER By Mayor Woods at 7:12 p.m.

ROLL CALL Present: Jennifer Carr, Susan Tootie Welker, Ed Weatherly, Leslee Smith, Randy Woods, Amy Gray

Also Present: Steven Sheffield, Cody Scott, Samantha Carr, Tony Tinacci, Mike Geddes, Eric Larson, Peg Winebrenner, Scott and Ladonna Vollmer, Scott Blangeres via zoom

MINUTES Smith/Weatherly 4-0 pass

CLAIMS Weatherly asked about gloves for $149.99 Gray explained it was for a case of 10 boxes of 100 gloves. Weatherly asked about the sewer tool. Woods explained the tool is a cable tool for sewer. 1 ¼ inch goes into the machine. It is designed for doing 8 inch pipe. There is also hydrant paint, paint and screws for the rodeo grounds on the claim. Marc- degreaser for sewer and foaming root killer for sewer lines. Henson Trucking was for gravel along the fence at the pit. Spring Street Autocare for tires for the durapatcher.

Smith/Carr 4-0 pass

FINANCIALS March financials are corrected with the appropriate lines for the Intrafi transfers. April financials were provided as well. Weatherly/Smith 4-0 pass

REPORTS

MAYOR Woods explained City Hall and the Mayor have been extremely busy. He has spent a lot of time in the office reviewing applications and doing interviews for chief of

police. The county has decided to take control of the dump over from the garbage district. The garbage district hired Jerry Kontos to audit all of the units in Hot Springs District to make sure everyone is paying a fair share. Woods stated the commissioners are talking about the need for raising rates.

406 Engineering has finally submitted a final application.

PUBLIC WORKS worked on street early in the month. Town clean up is the 3rd Thursday of the month. They have also been helping at the rodeo grounds, painting bleachers and putting on new boards. After homesteaders they will start tree trimming, mowing right of ways and filling potholes.

FIRE DEPT – Structure fire at trailer park on Hwy 28, Camas Rd fire, training and getting ready for wildland season.

POLICE – Linder and Martin are handling the calls right now with the help of the county

CLERK – Gray reported the fire department received a donation and a thank you card from a man Randy drove up in the woods to rescue after he got stuck in the snow. It is time to work on the budget and the audit. Welker asked if we would have a budget committee, Wood stated we had not the past few years. Amy, the Mayor and the department heads put it together and pass it to the council to review. Then it will be discussed at a preliminary budget hearing and a final budget hearing

LIBRARY report presented by Peg Winebrenner

ZONING COMPLIANCE several questions on water and sewer line placement and lot divisions. Welker asked about property on Arlee and 2nd s because there are several campers that appear to be lived in. Woods explained we have been made aware and we are watching that.

PUBLIC COMMENT FOR EACH AGENDA ITEM WILL BE ALLOWED

OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

Smith/Welker 4-0 pass

Smith/Carr 4-0 pass

BLACK MOUNTAIN SOFTWARE FOR AUTOPAY PROGRAM Woods explained he had spent time listening to a presentation with Tony and Amy. This would allow customers the option to set up autopay or one time payments. They can look at their account, view past and current bills, and we have the option to sent emails and text messages to customers as needed. $1200 per year plus $9.95 monthly compliance fee. There was discussion about fees for card use and ACH transactions. The fees are paid for

by the customer not the town. Tinacci explained he received multiple requests per day for autopay Welker/Carr 4-0 pass

RATIFY HIRE OF CHIEF OF POLICE Woods explained we will not be doing this tonight. He just finished interviews and follow up calls. There were 14 applicants, he interviewed 10 of them. He asked everyone the same questions and a couple of applicants expressed interest in doing bike patrol, and he was looking for answers involving public interactions and working with the schools and kids. Woods explained he has reached out to Eric Larson from Charlo and offered him the position. He is here tonight, and will answer some questions and tell you about himself. Woods cautioned that we are technically still in the hiring process so the council would need to remember that while asking questions. Ladonna Vollmer asked what POST certified means. Woods explained it was a law enforcement certification that stands for Peace Officer Standards Training. Woods introduced Eric Larson. Eric introduced himself. 25 years retired from the Bay area, school resource officer, bike certified. There was discussion with council members and the public about his work history and why he wanted to be chief. Larson explained that when you do things you love it’s a passion. He has a lot of passion and energy and wants to get a positive image of police out there to kids. He discussed internet security and safety for kids and drug task force. No action taken

ZONING MAP AND ZONING CHANGES Scott Blangeres attended via zoom. He is the chairperson for the zoning commission. He stated the zoning commission had met and are recommending approval of the 2024 zoning changes.

Motion to approve zoning map and zoning changes Weatherly/Carr 4-0 pass

FY24 ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT CONTRACT – MAGDA NELSON Smith/Carr 4-0 pass

PUBLIC COMMENT NON-AGENDA ITEMS

Woods asked if there were any non agenda items

Ladonna Vollmer asked about power in the park. Weatherly stated the power was installed and ready to use. There needs to be some sort of fee to use it to cover the monthly cost of having the meter in the park. There needs to be a meeting to discuss rates for use and a fee schedule set.

Welker asked about the dog park. Woods explained the lot that we would like to use is actually owned by the county so the town will need to reach out to the county to see if we can get an MOU with the county before we fence it.

Scott Vollmer expressed appreciation for the one way traffic on Main Street and says he feels it is an improvement. Woods stated we haven’t had anyone come in to city hall with any complaints about it.

Scott Vollmer asked when the paving project would occur. Woods explained we are tentatively starting in Mid July.

Woods asked for any other public comments. There were none.

ADJOURN

9:00 p.m.

Smith/Welker 4-0 pass

Dated this ______ day of ______________, 2024

Attest___________________ Signed ___________________________