MINUTES TOWN COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 2, 2026
HOT SPRINGS CITY HALL 109 MAIN ST, HOT SPRINGS MT 59845
CALL TO ORDER by Mayor Woods at 7:00 pm
ROLL CALL Smith, Weatherly, Carr, Woods, Gray
Absent Welker due to election official duties
Also present: Emmitt Tucker, Cody Scott, Tony Tinacci, Eric Larson, Steven Sheffield, Judy Norgaard, Brenna Schaible, Justin Ludeman, Shawn Visintin, Michael Miller, Starla Rice, Ron Szmergalski, Shanna Cammenzind-Weatherly
MINUTES – Smith/Carr 3-0 pass
CLAIMS Smith/Carr 3-0 pass
FINANCIALS March financial presented Weatherly/Carr 3-0 pass
REPORTS
MAYOR Woods reported he is still working with the Tribe on the skate park. They have a couple other project ahead of ours and will hopefully be working on it by the end of September. Auditor letter was provided to each council member and the Mayor. Mayor Woods explained clerk is working with auditor to complete the audit. This takes up a lot of the Amys time in the office. Woods has started working on the budget.
PUBLIC WORKS- hired one full time guy for public works fill-n, this guy did not work out. We have now hired two guys to fill in. One is part time to start because of his other job, the other guy will only be here for a couple of months and will then go back to college. Public works has been working on weeds, culverts, mowing and getting the town ready for Homesteaders Days. Mike is still finishing up chlorination and will begin agitating the pipes and flushing hydrants soon.
FIRE DEPT- had one lightening fire. Amy and Tony have been working on a few grants for the fire department. Woods had a meeting with the Namchak resort people to discuss fire and ambulance roll and response.
POLICE report provided by Chief Larson. Larson explained some issues with parking in right of ways. He also explained that he had gotten several calls regarding concerns about minors drinking during Homesteaders. MIP laws will be strictly enforced. Woods shared that the police bike already has over 100 miles on it and that is has been a good addition to the police department.
CLERK Gray has been contacted by FWP about the bears in town. They have identified several problem areas where trash is not being secured and pet food is being left outside. These are attractants to bears. There is also at least one individual feeding deer in town. It is illegal to feed or supplement wildlife.
LIBRARY Starla presented library report. She also reported that the CERT class was postponed due to low registration.
ZONING COMPLIANCE no new requests, just questions about new construction
PUBLIC COMMENT FOR EACH AGENDA ITEM WILL BE ALLOWED
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
DISCUSS PARK AND PUBLIC SPACE ORDINANCE AND PARK USE PERMIT- There are concerns about people sleeping or using public spaces and no ordinances or regulations regarding this. Gray had created some sample ordinances and permit for public property use. This is just a discussion to start the process. More discussion to be had.
FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS EVENT Woods explained that Tony and Amy applied for a grant through Town Pump for 250 years 4th of July celebration and the Town was awarded $4000 for fireworks. We have created a request for the fire department to do an event at the Rodeo grounds for the Fourth July. The written request explained that Fire Chief would be in charge of all events, coordination, and management of the fireworks display. Woods explained the town would like to light of fireworks, give out free hot dogs, watermelon and drinks. Motion to approve permission request to approve the community event of fireworks at the rodeo grounds for the Fourth of July Smith/Weatherly 3-0 pass
SCHEDULE BUDGET PLANNING MEETING Woods will develop budget ideas and present to the public and obtain public input. Weatherly explained he would like to see a better playground budgeted for. Meeting set for June 23rd at 6pm.
PUBLIC COMMENT NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Gray reported Open house for sidewalks will be June 17, 2026 from 4pm-6pm.
ADJOURN Carr/Smith 3-0 pass 7:39 p.m.
