MINUTES FOR NOVEMBER 2, 2021 PUBLIC HEARING

Called to order at 7:00 pm by Mayor Woods

Present- Woods, Smith, Graham, Weatherly  Absent- Stelter

Also Present- Amy Gray, Steven Sheffield, Ron Smerzgalski, Starla Rice, James Arestad, Riscell Hill, Kia Chapman, Dottie Palmer

RESOLUTION #2022-05R A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF HOT SPRINGS TOWN COUNCIL TO INCREASE THE WATER/SEWER CONNECTION FEE-  Woods read this resolution aloud and asked for public comment. James Arestad spoke and asked why there was a need a to charge for connecting people to water and sewer system. Woods explained the expense related to digging and connecting to the main line, the equipment and supplies needed and the time the city crew would spend doing the connection. Arestad expressed that he felt this was included in the Town’s budget and should not be an additional charge to the citizens. He stated the employees would be working the hours anyways and we have already budgeted to pay them for the time they are working. Gray explained that the budget is based on a best guess of revenue that would be received and we anticipate receiving revenue from water and sewer connections. So we actually budget to receive money from water and sewer connections when we budget how we are going to pay our employee wages. Woods explained that the employees in Town Hall spend a lot of time determining cost for connections fees each time someone wants to know how much it will cost to connect and often times have to answer the same questions multiple times. They spend a lot of time trying to find pricing and then it changes. If we set the rate to include all fees for the meter pit, sewer saddle or other parts, then when someone calls we can just give them the set rate and they know what to expect and we aren’t trying to come up with prices each time someone comes in. The fee for a new water connection shall be $3500.00 for a connection within 100 feet of an existing water main and an additional $20 per foot thereafter, and that the fee for a new sewer connection shall be $2500.00 for a connection within 20 feet of an existing sewer main and an addition $30 per foot thereafter.

FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO 2022-01

AN ORDINANCE TO ALLOW GOLF CARTS ON STREETS WITHIN THE TOWN OF HOT SPRINGS- Read aloud by Mayor Woods, Called for council discussion and public comment. Arestad asked about an insurance requirement.  What if they crash into something?  Woods explained that it would be just like mopeds or scooters are now. Insurance is not required, however if they crashed into something such as a parked car, there would be probably be liability just as there is with scooters or bicycles or any time someone causes damage to someone else’s property. Smith stated that she has been seeing an ATV speeding around town and people have complained to the police about it. Woods asked if there was any other public comment. There was none. 

Public hearing end at 7:45 pm

MINUTES FOR NOVEMBER 2, 2021 TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
HOT SPRINGS TOWN HALL  109 MAIN ST, HOT SPRINGS, MT 59845 And VIA ZOOM

CALL TO ORDER- by Mayor Woods at 7:45 pm

ROLL CALL Woods, Smith, Graham, Weatherly  Absent- Stelter

Also Present- Amy Gray, Steven Sheffield, Ron Smerzgalski, Starla Rice, James Arestad, Riscell Hill, Kia Chapman, Dottie Palmer

MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING Smith/Weatherly 3-0 pass

PRESENTATION OF CLAIMS Smith/Graham  3-0 pass

FINANCIAL REPORTS Motion to approve financial reports for July and August made by Smith second by Graham 3-0 pass

REPORTS

MAYOR- Engineers are working on the water project. We are getting a game plan together for a PER for sewer and we are trying to get a grant to pay for the PER. This next PER will focus more on the lagoons. We have been doing ok with maintenance but are patching more and more and the sludge is starting to build up. This is a good time to try to get some funds that are available for infrastructure. 

PUBLIC WORKS- Bridge deck on Demers has a small hole. The county has been notified and will be making plans to repair or replace the bridge deck. PW has been working on the chlorine building. There are several new water and sewer connections that need to be put in. The siding on the shop is done. They continue to work on alleys and patching potholes are getting things ready for winter. 

FIRE DEPT 1 car crash and 1 brush fire

POLICE report provided by Pfleger and presented by Woods

CLERK working with Magda on the AFR

LIBRARY Presented by Starla

ZONING COMPLIANCE- Harmony Hills 2 at the end of Jaques Rd- Annexing in 5 acres. Had wanted it included on this agenda, but the request came in too late. Will be next month. He plans to annex the property in and then subdivide

COMMUNICATIONS/PUBLIC COMMENT FOR EACH AGENDA ITEM WILL BE ALLOWED

NEW BUSINESS

RESOLUTION #2022-05R A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF HOT SPRINGS TOWN COUNCIL TO INCREASE THE WATER/SEWER CONNECTION FEE motion to approve made by Smith second by Graham 3-0 pass

Smith stated she thinks it is good we are getting an annexation. We can get some new people inside the city limits and provide them with water and sewer.

ORDINANCE NO 2022-01 AN ORDINANCE TO ALLOW GOLF CARTS ON STREETS WITHIN THE TOWN OF HOT SPRINGS Motion to approve Ordinance made by Graham second by Smith 3-0 pass

PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS – Woods called for non agenda items, there was none 

ADJOURN

Graham/Smith  3-0pass   8:50pm

Dated this _________________Day of ________________________

Attest_______________________                 Signed____________________________