MINUTES FOR PUBLIC HEARING  TUESDAY MAY 2,

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

MEETING ALSO HELD VIA ZOOM

Public hearing called to order at 7:04 p.m. by Mayor Woods

Present: Weatherly, Smith, Aldridge, Graham, Woods, Gray via zoom, Mary Whitsett, Scott Vollmer, Ladonna Vollmer, Elias Patten, Matt Pavelich, Steven Sheffield, Deb Pier

A public hearing was held to discuss:

FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE # 17.31

AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF HOT SPRINGS, MONTANA, FOR CAMPER VEHICLE REGULATIONS- Ordinance was read aloud in its entirety by Woods. Woods explained that Campers are designed as temporary units and are not usually designed for long term housing. They do not support full size refrigerators, microwaves, etc. For events such as Homesteaders days or other rodeos and events there will be a special events waiver. Woods explained that Class A Zoning does not allow for 2 residential units on a tract of land so an RV could not be added as an additional living unit. Mobile homes can’t be more than 20years old-campers have different rules. Whitsett asked if people putting tiny homes have to have separate tracts of land. Woods explained that if they live in residential A, they can not have 2 units on the property. Graham asked about visitors with campers. Woods stated they would need to stop in to city hall to let us know if someone is staying for a couple of weeks. Woods asked if there were any other questions or comments. There were none.

Public hearing closed at 7:22 p.m.

MINUTES FOR TOWN COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY MAY 2, 2023

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

MEETING ALSO HELD VIA ZOOM

CALL TO ORDER By Mayor Woods at 7:22 p.m.

ROLL CALL Present: Weatherly, Smith, Aldridge, Graham, Woods, Gray via zoom, Mary Whitsett, Scott Vollmer, Ladonna Vollmer, Elias Patten, Matt Pavelich, Steven Sheffield, Deb Pier

APPROVAL OF MINUTES Smith/Weatherly 4-0 pass

PRESENTATION OF CLAIMS Gray explained that due to the timing of the end of the month and clerks institute out of town, she had not received all of the claims and had scheduled a special meeting for the following week to finish authorizing claims and financials. Woods explained ammunition had been ordered for the police department and logs have been created to track inventory. City court claims is to pay money to the court that is collected through paygov from credit card payments. Motion to approve the partial claim list as presented Smith/Aldridge 4-0 pass

Gray explained the need to approve changes to a March claim. The check written to Alexanders was written to Alexanders Contract Services, they have divided their company and the check needs to be written to Alexanders Meter Reading Solutions. While Gray was having a conversation with rep, he ended up dropping the repair price so we need to issue a new check for the lower amount.  Motion to approve new claim amount for Alexanders Meter Reading Services Smith/Aldridge 4-0 pass

FINANCIAL REPORTS will presented at the special town council meeting next week. Woods explained it would be a quick meeting open to the public at 6pm on May 9, 2023.

REPORTS

MAYOR- Mayor woods reported that the attorney was drafting a final letter to Mr. Odekirk regarding his abatement and that the city crew would start removing items. We are also sending out several other letters regarding ordinance violations and trash. Woods explained that he had been approached by the county commissioners about the town taking over the dump. It would be an enterprise fund for the town with its own revenue and expenditures and would operate on fees that are billed on tax bills. It would not use the general fund tax money to operate. It costs approximately $100 a ton for trucking and tipping. Every tax payer is supposed to pay a fee per residential unit. Woods ideas include a scale and a gate for large loads, and a method to ensure everyone has paid the fee for dumping. Weatherly asked if the City took over if there would be recycling. Woods said that is something we would have to look into. Woods also stated that he would like to see it kept cleaner, with a better fence to contain it, closing lids on the dumpsters, and better compressing efforts. The fees are approximately $10,000 per month. There should be approximately 1000 units paying the $160 per year. We would need an employee to work the site. Woods was just approached on the this in the week or two and had not had time to have a meeting or discuss more specifics with the commissioners. We would need to look into funding options for the need upgrades to run the facility. There are regulations that mandate the use of Republic Services for disposal within 60 miles. Ladonna Vollmer asked if it would be open more hours. Woods sated that would be worked out later. We have a lot of things to figure out first. He explained that the Commissioners had approached Republic Services about taking over the dump but hadn’t heard back from them. He expressed concern that if Republic Services took over the dump it would become much more expensive. He asked if the council was even interested in going any further with this. Graham expressed concern that if the dump fees went up people would start dumping stuff and leaving it lay around town. Weatherly stated years ago Hot Springs refuse was separated from the county and it worked really well for a long time. Council members expressed interest in continuing to look into the Town taking over the dump.

PUBLIC WORKS- has been working on streets and alleys. They are still waiting for treasure stated to get stuff heated up so we can get oil.

FIRE DEPT- a few grass fires already this year

POLICE- New officer Eli Patten was hired a few weeks ago. There are several things we are working out. Our new Chief of Police will be starting later in May. Woods explained that people will start seeing both of them on the streets and we will start seeing some things changing a bit. Eli has been her organizing things, getting the ammunition inventoried, cleaning vehicles and working on a few other things in the office while we figure out his training.

COUNCIL- Aldridge- bear proof cans are available for purchase at the Tribal Office in Polson. You have to provide proof of address and $20. One can per household is all that is allowed and you must pick up your own can. Grhama shared that the parks and rec board will be taking letters of interest to fill a board vacancy. Gray reminded them the meetings must be noticed and open to public. Weatherly is working on electrical permits for the park.

CLERK- Gray reminded everyone we are getting close to budget time

LIBRARY- report presented by Pavelich

ZONING COMPLIANCE-Woods reported we have been working with someone putting in a tiny house

PUBLIC COMMENT FOR EACH AGENDA ITEM WILL BE ALLOWED

NEW BUSINESS

FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE # 17.31- AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF HOT SPRINGS, MONTANA,FOR CAMPER VEHICLE REGULATIONS– Wood explained that he thought there would be a lot more people here with more questions because he had been fielding a lot questions from the public. He had planned to ask the board to table this but since nobody came, maybe he answered all of the questions. The council can decide if they want to vote or table this.  Motion to approve Aldridge/Graham 4-0 pass

RATIFY HIRING OF CHIEF OF POLICE Woods explained we received 12 applications for the chief of police position. Frederick Durham had everything Woods was looking for. He interviewed all of the applicants and Durham checked all the boxes for what we need. Gray explained that Durham has expressed a desire to have amore cooperative relationship with Sanders County and Plains and Thompson Falls police departments and he is very interested in working with the school to be more involved and to have a plan in place for emergencies at the school. Motion to ratify hiring Frederick Durham as Chief of Police Smith/Aldridge 4-0 pass

HOT SPRINGS TELEPHONE COMPANY LAND LEASE- Lawrence has approached us about a few changes to the lease we approved last month. He would like to expand the amount of ground included in the lease and raise the annual fee. Motion to approve Smith/Graham 4-0 pass

CHANGE THE DATE OF THE JULY TOWN COUNCIL MEETING – The first Tuesday in July is a holiday. The regular town council meeting will be moved to July 11, 2023 Weatherly/Graham 4-0 pass

PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS

Woods called for public comment on Non-agenda items

Pier- HS picklers update- Articles of incorporation are approved, bylaws are being printed, they are doing a fundraiser during Homesteader days, they are trying to promote the town

Ladonna Vollmer- there has been discussion with the Homesteaders Committee and the farmers Market will be using the space next to the park during Homesteaders days.

ADJOURN  8:40 Smith/Weatherly 4-0 pass