Belgrade City Council

CITY OF BELGRADE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES COUNCIL CHAMBERS September 19, 2022 7: 00 PM This meeting was open to the public and attended in person and via Zoom video platform. Deputy Mayor Mike Meis called the meeting to order. Council Members in attendance were Martha Sellers, Jim Simon, Kristine Menicucci, Jim Doyle and Renae Mattimoe. City staff in attendance were City Manager Neil Cardwell, City Clerk Susan Caldwell, Executive Assistant Dana Jambor, Finance Director Charity Wilson, Community Development Director Jason Karp, Public Works Director Steve Klotz, City Court Judge Chris Gregory, Police Chief Dustin Lensing, Fire Chief Greg Tryon. City staff in attendance via zoom was City Attorney Jorden Ramler. Others in attendance were Ed Roe, Vivian Crouse, Amanda Fay, Judy Doyle, Jessi McCloud, Tracy Menuez, Emily Decker. Others in attendance via zoom were Jeremy May and Gail Miller. ACTION: Council Member Menicucci moved to excuse Mayor Nelson. Council Member Simon seconded the motion. All voted aye, motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC FORUM Deputy Mayor Meis called three times for public comment. There being none, public forum was closed. CONSENT AGENDA Tower Lease Agreement— Dish Wireless Network Amended Plat for Donjo Minor Subdivision Letter of Support for HRDC - HOME Grant for Colorado Apartments Improvement Project Letter of Support for MDT Railroad Crossing Elimination( RCE) Grant Funding application Council Meeting Minutes: 9/ 6/ 2022 and 9/ 9/ 2022 ACTION: Council Member Menicucci moved to approve all Consent Agenda items as submitted. Council Member Mattimoe seconded the motion. All voted aye, motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC HEARING Consider Ordinance 2022- 14 ( second reading) Zone Text Amendment to allow Autobodv Services in Business Park ( BP) District Page 1 of 4  Community Development Director Karp reviewed the request to add autobody services as a conditional use in the Business Park ( BP) zone which would allow this type of request to be reviewed on a case- by- case basis. One concern was how storage would be handled for vehicles under various states of repair outside the building so it would need to be addressed under the conditions of approval. Karp noted that the Planning Board had voted 7 to 1 in favor of approval. Council inquired about the rules on how many autos were allowed and for how long. Karp noted this could be included in the conditions. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) would regulate how the shops would process oil and other waste byproducts produced in working on the vehicles. Deputy Mayor Meis opened the public hearing and called for public comment. There was none and the public hearing was closed. ACTION: Council Member Menicucci moved to approve Ordinance 2022- 14 upon second reading after public hearing to adopt the Zone Text Amendment to list autobody shops as a permitted conditional use in the Business Park District ( BP) as proposed by the applicant. Council Member Doyle seconded the motion. All voted aye, motion carried unanimously. DISCUSSION AGENDA Discuss update on Parks and Recreation District Planning City Manager Cardwell discussed efforts to create a special district that would align with the school district boundaries. He noted that they were making good progress and had engaged with Gallatin County which resulted in the County Commission voting to waive a conflict of interest. This was needed because the County and City of Belgrade were using the same attorney group for this function. With the waiver in place, the Dorsey Whitney group could work on establishing the district rules and drawing up the agreement. Cardwell noted that City of Belgrade would take on the task of drawing up the language and take it to the County for their approval. The goal was to place an initiative to create a special district on a special ballot for May of 2023. Cardwell noted more information would be provided as they worked through the details such as how the governing board would be structured. He noted various meetings he had attended with community groups. The concept of a special district was well received by the Aquatic Center along with others who desired to see more trails, recreational leagues, and forming a Park and Recreation Department. Cardwell planned to initiate an outreach effort to the community by which they could give input on wants and needs, along with the cost perspectives. Cardwell noted his discussions with the firm that was used for procuring bonds for the Library project and how this could relate to this new project. He noted that an amount up to $ 50M would be less than 50 mills. He noted that Public Works Director Klotz had been working with DNRC in securing just over 30 acres north of the Wastewater Reclamation Plant. Cardwell noted there were 80 additional acres of land directly north of that and it was open for bid. He felt that this location would be an excellent place to begin a park master plan. It was a good location for an aquatics and recreational park complex. Cardwell noted that DNRC could not hold the property for Page 2 of 4 us, but he wanted to work on acquiring the property if the Council was agreeable. The current appraisal was at $ 65, 000 per acre which would expire in May 2023. The reappraisal could be higher or lower so that would affect the overall cost. Discussion followed about purchasing the land without having the bond in place. Cardwell noted that since the Council had already voted to support a bond issue, there were options on how it could be structured. Council was amenable to staff pursuing purchase of the 80- acre parcel and obtaining cost information. They also asked how soon the community outreach sessions could begin. Cardwell noted his goal to start before the holiday season. Deputy Mayor Meis called for public comment. Jessi McCloud and Amanda Fay, representing Belgrade Aquatics, spoke about their work with pool consultant Counsilman Hunsaker. They noted his training that would help with the concept design, programming, fee structures, best use of space, and other related activities that could be supported by the proposed complex. Staffing and maintenance were also important aspects. They noted that this consulting group had worked on many pool designs specifically in Montana. They looked forward to hearing more from the community in the outreach sessions. Public Works Director Klotz reviewed the Park and Recreation Department' s role in managing such a complex from the City' s perspective. It would be a stretch under the current budget. He noted that many areas designated as parkland in the City have remained undeveloped for many years because there was an insufficient revenue stream. He felt that a park maintenance district would help with planning, implementation and development of parks. Growth would increase the use of parks. Maintenance needs would also increase and require higher levels to maintain quality. Klotz noted how vital our parks were as people considered whether to make Belgrade their home. They were also attractive to businesses. The recreation component would be a great addition to add enjoyment and health benefits particularly to the youth. Adult recreational leagues were another underserved opportunity in our area. REPORTS Deputy Mayor Meis reported on a very successful Fall Festival. He thanked all the entities and volunteers and felt it was a beautiful day. City Attorney Jorden Ramler had nothing to report. City Manager Cardwell reported on the hiring of Becky Wilbert as Belgrade' s Human Resources Director. A native of Belgrade, she had worked with the City of Bozeman for a time and then moved on to the private sector before coming back to Belgrade. He looked forward to introducing her to council very soon. Cardwell reported that a City staff picnic had been enjoyed the weekend before Fall Festival. He noted over 100 staff and their family members had been able to attend. The weather and the Page 3 of 4 atmosphere was good. He thanked Gale Bacon and Dustin Lensing for their efforts to organize the event. He felt it was an important step in maintaining and improving culture. He commented on organizing a Christmas party as well. FOR YOUR INFORMATION Council Member Mattimoe welcomed the Girl Scout troop who were observing the meeting via zoom. Council Member Doyle had nothing to report. Council Member Menicucci announced she will be a grandmother soon with the happy event expected by the end of January. Council Member Simon reported on attending the recent Fire Board meeting which included budget adjustments. He inquired about the campers and trailers park along Northern Pacific. Karp noted that Montana Rail Link personnel were performing maintenance for rails and they had obtained camping permits issued by City. They would probably be done by mid- October. They were camped on railroad property and they were very cooperative. Council Member Sellers thank everyone for their efforts for Fall Festival. She felt everyone was very positive and it was a great atmosphere. ADJOURN Council Member Simon moved to adjourn the meeting at 7: 40 pm. 7( 4 Russell C. Nelson, Mayor Attest:- 0, - Susan Caldwell, City Clerk Page 4 of 4