MINUTES TOWN COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY OCTOBER 7, 2025

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

MEETING ALSO HELD VIA ZOOM

CALL TO ORDER By Mayor Woods at 7:00 p.m.

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

Also Present: Annie Kendrot, Jimmy Wray, Ramona Casias, Mark DeCouteau, Cody Scott, Tony Tinacci, Eric Larson, Shawn Visintin, Justin Ludeman, Mary Whitsett, Scott Vollmer, Ladonna Vollmer, Noah Durheim, Shanna Camenzind, Brandon Couture, Mike Geddes, Yuriy Kotenko, Benjamin Woods, Starla Rice via zoom

MINUTES Smith/Carr 4-0 pass

CLAIMS discussion on left over arpa grant funds- Woods explained the blower project came in under budget and we are trying to use up the funds on related sewer projects including heaters at the lift station and a sewer camera, that can be added and approved by Arpa administrator for use of funds. Smith/Weatherly 4-0 pass

FINANCIALS The council was presented June, July, August and September financial reports Smith/Weatherly 4-0 pass

REPORTS

MAYOR Woods reported that the County contacted him and they are working on a community wildfire protection plan. The next meeting is scheduled for November. Woods has requested a public meeting in Hot Springs to include the Town in the process. The meeting will be advertised so the citizens can attend and give input. He also requested that the Tribe be involved.

PUBLIC WORKS has been doing street work and working on some storm water issues, cleaning culverts and a ditch. They found a culvert that was completely buried in dirt. Water department has been very busy digging. There were 4 water/sewer removals, a water line relocate is in progress, and he is working on a new water connection on the hill. They are also getting equipment and supplies ready for winter.

FIRE DEPT Multiple car crashes, animal strikes and fires. The last grass fire was mid September. The largest fires this year were in our area. Fire department has been working more and more with Tribal fire. Woods stated they are a great bunch to work with.

POLICE Report was presented by Chief Larson. Larson explained he was asked to look at Heather Tifft disappearance. He reached out to DOJ and the investigation is being looked into again.

Tribal FWP Couture presented information on the large number of deer dying in and around town. They suspect it is EHD that is killing the deer. This is a disease similar to Blue tongue and is very fatal for deer. He explained there is no risk to humans , no risk of cross contamination, explaining that when the deer dies the disease dies. Hot Springs has had over one hundred deer die and has had the most reported deaths in this area.

Woods reported that Chief Larson has been looking into unfinished cases and getting those completed and cleaned up. Welker brought up comments on facebook regarding Visintin. Woods explained that Visintin is a POST certified officer and a great asset to us. He has assisted the Chief in over 60 unfinished cases, he is very knowledgeable on the legal side of things and is heading up the reserve officer program.

CLERK Gray explained there may be a need to change the December Town council meeting date due to her and the Mayor being absent. It will be on the Agenda at the

November meeting. The November meeting is not being rescheduled since the election is all mail in ballot.

LIBRARY report presented by Starla. Woods asked if there was a start date for the siding project. Starla said she did not know.

ZONING COMPLIANCE Woods is working on projects already approved. There have been a few property line issues. Woods explained the importance of finding your property pins before building or putting up fences. There is a property in the county that is considering annexing into Town that may be a future agenda item.

PARKS AND REC nothing to report

PUBLIC COMMENT FOR EACH AGENDA ITEM WILL BE ALLOWED

OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

ATTORNEY CONTRACT, PAY RATE The town attorney has discussed that he will be leaving his position. He will stay until we find a replacement so we will advertise to replace him. He stated his reason for leaving was that his heart wasn’t into it and the town needs someone who will do a better job for them. Woods explained that in order to attract applicants we need to increase pay for the attorney. At this time it is $1000 per month and he recommends increasing it to $1500 per month. Motion to approve increasing attorney contract amount to $1500 for new hire Smith/Carr 4-0 pass

Ladonna Vollmer asked how increasing the attorney pay during the year affects the budget. Woods explained that we budget for things like this, extra funds for court trials and unexpected expenses so the budget should be sufficient as is.

PAY APP STILLWATER ELECTRIC –$8656.29 to Stillwater electric Smith/Welker 4-0 pass

VARIANCE REQUEST FOR FENCE – CASIAS 313 Michel Street. Casias is requesting a variance allowing her to have an 8 foot fence with two foot pillars at the bottom for a total of 10 feet. Casias explained the neighbors house is on a hill right behind her house and can look down into her windows and yards. There have been some law enforcement issues with the neighbor and she is asking for the fence for safety and privacy. Officer Visintin confirmed criminal activity and agrees the request is warranted. Annie Kendrot is the owner of the neighboring property and stated she had no objection to the fence. Smith/Carr 4-0 pass

REQUEST TO PLANT TREE IN RIGHT OF WAY – GEDDES – Woods read a request from Mike Geddes to plant a tree in the town right of way in front of his cabin on A Street. Woods explained that he had asked the town attorney, Fitzpatrick, about the request who responded that the town should not approve anything in the right of way. Geddes explained that because his cabin sits so close to the property line, that if he puts the tree on his property it will grow into his eave. Geddes explained the old trees that got cut down were too big. He will be planting an aspen. Motion to approve request to plant tree Welker/Smith 4-0 pass

PUBLIC COMMENT NON-AGENDA ITEMS

Mayor Woods asked for any non agenda items.

Deana Peters announced a fundraiser for the food bank for October 11th

Whitsett sated she was unhappy about a previous 8 foot fence variance

Gray stated the abatement on Odekirk property would take place after the 16th

Woods read a letter praising Chief Larson that he received from a resident

ADJOURN 8:17 p.m. Smith/Welker 4-0 pass