Belgrade City Council

BELGRADE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Zoom Video Platform February 16, 2021 7: 00 PM This meeting was open to the public and attended via the Zoom video conference platform. Mayor Nelson called the meeting to order at 7: 00pm and noted that a number of council members were running late or not yet present which caused a lack of a quorum. Mayor Nelson called a recess until 7: 30pm at which time roll call would be taken to continue the meeting. At 7: 30pm Mayor Russell Nelson called the meeting back to order. Other Council Members in attendance were: Brad Cooper, Mike Meis, Jim Simon and Kris Menicucci. City staff in attendance were: City Manager Ted Barkley, City Clerk Sue Caldwell, City Attorney Rick Ramler, Planning Director Jason Karp, Accounting Tech Kris Norby, City Engineer Tom Eastwood and Finance Director Diane Eagleson. Others in attendance were: Renae Harris, Justin Houser, Matthew Hubbard, Gabe Kreis, Eric Reinhardt, Betsy Schanno, Diana Setterberg, Ali Vasarella and Patrick Lonergan. ACTION: Council Member Cooper moved to excuse Council Members Smith and Doyle. Council Member Simon seconded the motion. All voted aye, motion carried unanimously. APPROVE MINUTES ACTION: Council Member Meis moved to approve Council meeting minutes for February 1, 2021. Council Member Menicucci seconded the motion. All voted aye, motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC FORUM Mayor Nelson opened the public forum and called 3 times for public comment. There was none and the public forum was closed. PUBLIC HEARING Affordable Housing Project in Belgrade— Gallatin Trails Belgrade 60 LLC Betsy Schanno, representing the Gallatin Trails Belgrade 60 LLC group, noted they were filing a request to be granted tax- exempt status for an existing Section 42 low income apartment complex located in Belgrade. City Manager Barkley noted that this complex was also known as the Farmhouse Apartments. This public hearing was being held as a way for this group to gather public input and to give the general public this forum for comments as part of their application process. Page 1 of 6  Discussion followed about changes in ownership of the property. Schanno confirmed that the ownership was staying the same and that current owners had been operating the property since 2017. Schanno said tax exemption would allow them to put those funds toward property improvements and upkeep. It would not translate into profit. Tax exemption would enable them to keep this complex operating under the Section 42 Affordable Housing Program, which would come up for renewal in the year 2030. She noted that the Montana State Board of Housing monitors rental rates and the owners file annual reports with other agencies such as HUD. 7: 40 Council Member Jim Doyle signed into the meeting. City Manager Barkley noted that the only action involved at this time was to hold the public hearing. There were additional steps in the process before this property owner could achieve tax exempt status. Mayor Nelson opened the public hearing and called for public comment. Gabe Kreis, Belgrade resident, asked why this type of housing was needed and why should they be granted tax exempt status since the housing market is booming. Barkley said it had to do with the lower income rental rates. The tax exemption would assist the owners to be able to keep the below- market cost housing for those who qualify. Schanno confirmed that these apartments were for workforce individuals in our area making approximately 50 to 60% of the median income levels. Barkley noted that the Council was not being asked to make a decision on the tax status. We were simply providing a way for the public input and comments. Renae Harris, Belgrade resident, asked how many families were currently housed in this apartment complex. Schanno confirmed there were 60 units at full capacity. Discussion followed about the average amount of taxes related to this property each year. Schanno said since 2017 it was around $ 15, 000 per year. Mayor Nelson called a third time for public comment. There was none and the public hearing was closed. City Manager Barkley noted that the City of Belgrade did not have a specific housing program, but maintained partnerships, mainly with Human Resource Development Council ( HRDC). Demand for affordable housing exceeds the supply so if the $ 15, 000 in taxes was compared to the cost of providing 60 units of low- income housing, it was very much worth it. The benefit of this type of housing was significant. PUBLIC HEARING Consider Resolution 2021- 7 to Create a Lighting District No. 2443 for Ryen Glenn Phase 8 Planning Director Karp noted that the resolution of intent to form this lighting district had been approved by Council on January 19, 2021 and this was the next step in the process. Page 2 of 6  Mayor Nelson opened the public hearing and called for public comment. There was no comment and the public hearing was closed. Council Member Meis stated he would abstain from voting on the lighting district items due to his employment with North Western Energy. ACTION: Council Member Menicucci moved to approve Resolution 2021- 7 Creating Special Improvement Lighting District No. 2443 for Ryen Glenn Subdivision Phase 8. Council Member Doyle seconded the motion. All voted aye, motion carried unanimously. Council Member Meis abstained from the vote. PUBLIC HEARING Consider Resolution 2021- 8 to Create a Lighting District No. 2444 for Prescott Ranch Phase 1 Planning Director Karp noted that the resolution of intent to form this lighting district had been approved by Council on January 19, 2021 and this was the next step in the process. Mayor Nelson opened the public hearing and called for public comment. There was no comment and the public hearing was closed. ACTION: Council Member Simon moved to approve Resolution 2021- 8 Creating a Special Improvement Lighting District No. 2444 for all subphases of Prescott Ranch Subdivision Phase 1. Council Member Menicucci seconded the motion. All voted aye, motion carried unanimously. Council Member Meis abstained from the vote. REPORTS Mayor' s Report - Mayor Nelson had nothing to report. City Attorney' s Report— the City Attorney had nothing to report. City Manager' s Report City Manager Barkley reported that almost all of the residents near the High School had been contact regarding a possible parking district so he hoped to have a recommendation for Council to consider on March 15th Barkley reported that a draft of the Airport Agreement was prepared and would be brought of Council for review in March. Barkley reported on plans to review another business stabilization loan later this week. Barkley noted that progress was being made on the Wastewater Treatment Plant despite the challenges presented by recent weather. Barkley reported that a link had been sent to Council members so they could review the Draft Growth Policy for the County and that could also have a printed copy if they so desired. Page 3 of 6 DISCUSSION AGENDA Consider Resolution 2021- 9 regarding the Gallatin County Hazard Mitigation and Community Wildfire Protection Plan for City of Belgrade Patrick Lonergan, Chief of Emergency Management& Fire for Gallatin County, discussed the Resolution to adopt the 2020 draft plan for the City of Belgrade. He noted that this new draft would combine 2 older documents into one plan. He explained that this plan identified risks and ways to minimize or mitigate impacts of those types of incidents. It is not binding, but it is a guide. It is also required to be in place to be eligible for federal types of funding. He gave the example of how we fund emergency generators and such. City Manager Barkley noted that a link was sent to council members to review the draft. It was a large document. He recommended approval of the resolution. Mayor Nelson called for public comment. There was none. ACTION: Council Member Menicucci moved to approve Resolution 2021- 9, approving the Gallatin County Hazard Mitigation and Community Wildfire Protection Plan for City of Belgrade. Council Member Meis seconded the motion. All voted aye, motion carried unanimously. Consider Contract with Communication & Management Services, LLC ( CMS ) for a Compensation and Classification Study City Manager Barkley noted efforts to review City staff positions and pay rates according to the market in our area for local government. It has been a challenge. He noted that we have used CMS for various consulting projects and they were also recommended and used by Montana League of Cities and Towns. Barkley felt this was important to do before the leadership changed toward the end of this year. Mayor Nelson called for public comment. There was none. ACTION: Council Member Simon moved to approve the contract with CMS to provide a Compensation and Classification Study at an estimated cost of$ 15, 500 and authorize the City Manager to sign related contract documents. Council Member Cooper seconded the motion. All voted aye, motion carried unanimously. Consider a Contract with Prothman for City Manager Recruitment and Selection Services City Manager Barkley noted this was the same executive recruitment firm the City had used in the past and had good success. This company was very familiar with the region and with the City of Belgrade. Barkley noted that the rates were in line with other such services. He noted the actual process would start in April. He discussed options for interviewing in view of the pandemic, and that Prothman had a thorough backgrounding process. Mayor Nelson called for public comment. There was none. Page 4 of 6  ACTION: Council Member Meis moved to approve the contract with Prothman to provide recruitment services for the position of City Manager with a base cost of$ 18, 500 plus expenses, and authorize the current City Manager to sign required documents. Council Member Simon seconded the motion. All voted aye, motion carried unanimously. CONSENT AGENDA Payroll January 2021 Warrants Payable for January 2021 ACTION: Council Member Cooper moved to approve the consent agenda items. Council Member Menicucci seconded the motion. All voted aye, motion carried unanimously. FOR YOUR INFORMATION Mayor Nelson reminded Council members that he would appreciate it if they could let either himself or the City Clerk or the City Manager know if they thought they might be late or not able to attend the Council meeting so they could work things out in view of the quorum requirement. Council Member Menicucci reported that the Gallatin Local Water Quality District Board was changing leadership, so they would be working with the County and current board members to choose a new leader. It was a surprise, but it would be good to get settled. It was not regulatory, but it was very important for our water quality and for growth, very necessary service. She noted that this board worked with all the entities in regard to protecting water quality. Council Member Meis reported on attending the Fire Board meeting. He noted that a Bill on fire authority did not get out of committee, failed by one vote, so it would probably be brought back again in two years. Barkley noted that it was the Regional Fire Services Bill. It seemed to be moving along, but it failed in committee which was frustrating to all those involved. Council Member Meis also reported on the Fireworks Bill which made it out of committee, opening up looser regulations about what fireworks could be sold. He was not sure where that bill was sitting right now. Barkley noted that he had not looked up any recent status on the various bills, but he would report back to Council. Meis noted that almost all of the first responders at the Fire District have gotten their second round of COVID shots and they were experiencing a lot more reactions with the second shot as a general rule. Mayor Nelson noted that the stronger reaction was to be expected and was a sign that the shot was producing a natural immunological reaction. Meis reported that the Fire Chief would be drafting a letter to Council requesting support for funding toward the cost of radio equipment. Barkley said it would be on an agenda for March. Meis reported on the Planning Coordination Committee ( PCC) and he wanted to gauge interest to get elected officials from the County, Bozeman and Belgrade for a round table discussion on projects and issues. He asked if that was something that our Council would like to participate in, perhaps in June or August. If so, Meis asked if during the day or evening was better. Meis would convey their input so they could start suggesting possible dates. Barkley asked if this round table was to include governing bodies as a whole or were they just looking for a representative from each group? Meis said they wanted a majority present and the public Page 5 of 6 included. Barkley felt that it would be a good opportunity to have a seat at that broad table. The Council members said they were interested in participating. Council Member Cooper had nothing to report. Barkley reported on a concern that Cooper had brought up at a previous meeting regarding a pile of dirt that was left on the street near Cooper' s neighborhood. The person who had obtained the permit was not the property owner, and the permit had expired just a few weeks ago. Since the builder was no longer in the picture, the property owner was contacted, but they were unsure of the status so City staff was working through it to get it resolved. Council Member Simon noted at the Park Board Meeting there was a request for more lighting around the ice skate rink across from City Hall. They thought better lighting would encourage more use. Simon asked if that was an area targeted in the extra street lighting project? Barkley said it could be added. Meis said he had looked at it and they thought they could add light on one of the existing poles, and then an extra pole could be installed. Council Member Simon noted that when traveling westbound making a left turn, the lights can take a long time to turn. Barkley noted that MDT had recently adjusted the timing on those lights but he would inquire. Simon noted that people in traffic this past Saturday were tired of waiting and traffic was backing up down to the interstate so they were making illegal left turns just to get it going. Barkley said he would check with MDT. Council Member Doyle had nothing to report Planning Director Karp asked Council to be sure and review the Downtown Plan that had been provided to them via a link online. He also noted that they could obtain a printed copy through the City Clerk upon request. Mayor Nelson stated that the venue for the next council meeting would be reviewed again based on current circumstances. ADJOURN Council Member Simon moved to adjourn the meeting at 8: 30pm. 1 Russell C. Nelson, Mayor Attest Susan Caldwell, City Clerk Page 6 of 6