MINUTES TOWN COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY MAY 14, 2024 AT HOT SPRINGS CITY HALL

109 MAIN ST, HOT SPRINGS MT 59845

MEETING WAS ALSO HELD VIA ZOOM

AGENDA

CALL TO ORDER By Mayor Woods at 7:02 p.m.

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

Also present: Steven Sheffield, Mary Whitsett, Gretel Stoudt, Sandra Sitzmann, Sam Carr, Cody Scott, Mike Geddes, Jane Putz, Eric Larson, Leslie Haugen, Renea Keough, Breck Smith, Brad Pride, Michele Bangen, Peg Winebrenner, Steve from Aflac, Bob Jackson, Delta Jackson, Scott Vollmer, Ladonna Vollmer, Maura Williams, Cameron Martin, Loretta Abbott, Kelly Hegg, Scott Blangeres, Sue Perry, Jim Arestad, Jerry Kontos, Crystal Graham, Mary Patterson via Zoom

MINUTES Smith/Carr 4-0 pass

CLAIMS Smith/Weatherly 4-0 pass

REPORTS

MAYOR Woods reported the town is still working with the engineers on the subdivision review. Budget is coming up and we will begin working on the budget. Woods reported that Robyn Largent resigned as Chief of Police. He resigned two weeks ago. The town began advertising for a new chief the Monday after he resigned. The county has stepped up and offered to help train our officer Cameron Martin. We also have one of our part time officers that is going to work with Martin. Woods read the email Largent sent regarding his resignation. There was discussion on police turnover and the possibility of working with the county. Woods explained we have spoken with the county and looked at some options with them. He explained the common issues for our officers is housing and lower pay than other larger agencies.

PUBLIC WORKS has been working on stop signs, the one-way street signs, potholes and graveling the right of ways.

FIRE DEPT has had a structure fire and a couple of minor car crashes

POLICE There was no police report presented

CLERK Gray reported she had attended clerks institute and had some concerns about the Town’s facebook page. It has temporarily been paused while she gets some questions answered. She also reported we are still having a lot of people calling and coming in to city hall to report police issues. Gray also explained the turnover at dispatch.

LIBRARY report presented by Peg Winebrenner

ZONING COMPLIANCE Questions on fences and a house in Mountain View Addition

PUBLIC COMMENT FOR EACH AGENDA ITEM WILL BE ALLOWED

OLD BUSINESS -none

NEW BUSINESS

ELECT TOWN COUNCIL PRESIDENT Welker nominated Ed Weatherly for council president. Welker/Carr 3-0 pass Weatherly abstained

AFLAC Steve from Aflac gave a presentation on AFLAC and recommended the council to pay for Aflac for the employees as an incentive to work for the Town. He estimated

$30 for the accident plan for one individual. Council will consider feasibility during budget process. Discussion only- no action

CITE PAY CONTRACT Cite pay is the for receiving court payments. There is no cost to the town, the fee is charged to the cardholder. Smith/Carr 4-0 pass

HOMESTEADERS DAY OPEN CONTAINER Last year there was some question as to who was responsible for blocking the streets. This year it has been specifically requested that the town be responsible for putting up and removing barriers. Weatherly/Smith 4-0 pass

CHIEF OF POLICE RESIGNATION Smith/Carr 4-0 pass

INTERIM CHIEF OF POLICE Dan Linder has been a fill in officer for the town for a couple of years. Woods stated he would like to make him the interim chief while we are going through the hiring process for Chief of Police. Because it is a department head position it needs to be ratified by council. Pay will be the same as Largent was. Smith/Weatherly 4-0 pass

SOPHIA SPRINGS VARIANCE REQUEST Mary Patterson is requesting permission to put up an 8ft privacy fence along the Sophia Springs property on Wall St. The ordinance only allows for 6ft. There was discussion from the public with concerns about blocking the view for people across the street. Michele Bangen owns a fence company and explained the 8 ft fence from across the street wouldn’t block the view. Motion to approve variance Smith/Carr 4-0 pass

LOCAL GOVERNMENT REVIEW Discussion only on local government review

PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS

Woods asked for public comment on non-agenda items – there was none

Adjourn 8:24 p.m.

Smith/Carr 4-0 pass