Belgrade City Council

BELGRADE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES COUNCIL CHAMBERS Friday, December 17, 2021 Special Meeting 2: 00 PM This meeting was open to the public and attended via Zoom video platform. Mayor Russell C. Nelson called the meeting to order. Council Members in attendance were Brad Cooper, Mike Meis, Jim Simon, Kristine Menicucci, Jim Doyle and Ken Smith. City staff in attendance were City Manager Neil Cardwell, City Attorney Rick Ramler, City Clerk Susan Caldwell and Judge Andy Breuner. Others in attendance were: Judge Wanda Drusch PUBLIC FORUM Mayor Nelson called three times for public comment. There being none, public forum was closed. DISCUSSION AGENDA Consider Appointment of Wanda Drusch as Interim City Court Judge for City of Belgrade City Manager Cardwell noted that Judge Breuner was moving on to serve at the District Court level at the end of the month. This necessitated a special meeting to consider appointment of an Interim Judge for Belgrade. He recommended appointment of Wanda Drusch in this capacity which would allow the Belgrade Court to continue to operate while recruitment efforts could be accomplished. Judge Andy Breuner spoke in support of appointing Judge Wanda Drusch as Belgrade' s Interim Judge. He noted that she was actively serving in this capacity for the towns of Manhattan and Three Forks. Her appointment would also enable use and coordination of services provided by the existing substitute judges being utilized for Belgrade. Mayor Nelson congratulated Breuner on his appointment as the 4th District Judge and thanked him for his service to Belgrade. Mayor Nelson recommended appointment of Judge Wanda Drusch to serve as Interim Judge for Belgrade City Court. City Manager Cardwell discussed the expectations of Judge Drusch, noting her intention and ability to reappoint the substitute judges under her direction. This would allow Drusch' s time to be minimal while meeting the requirements of the Montana Courts. This would allow her to continue Page 1 of 2 to fulfil her commitments to Manhattan and Three Forks. The term was tentatively expected to last about two months. ACTION: Council Member Simon moved to appoint Judge Wanda Drusch to serve as Interim Judge for the City of Belgrade and authorize the City Manager to enter into a professional services agreement. Council Member Meis seconded the motion. All voted aye, motion carried unanimously. Roll Call vote. ADJOURN Council Member Smith moved to adjourn the meet' at 2: 10pm. Russell C. Nelson, Mayor Attest - Susan Caldwell, City Clerk Page 2 of 2