Belgrade City Council

CITY OF BELGRADE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES COUNCIL CHAMBERS April 1, 2024 7: 00 PM This meeting was open to the public and attended in person. Mayor Russell C. Nelson called the meeting to order. Council Members in attendance were Jason Guffey, Mike Meis, Jim Simon, Jim Doyle, and Renae Mattimoe. City staff in attendance were City Manager Neil Cardwell, Assistant City Manager Greg Tryon, City Attorney Rick Ramler, City Clerk Camille Gregory, Executive Assistant Dana Jambor, Executive Finance Director Charity VanKirk, Chief of Police Dustin Lensing, Director of Information Technology Ryan Curtis, Municipal Court Judge Chris Gregory, Director of Human Resources Becky Wilbert, Director of Parks and Recreation Steve Klotz, Public Works Director Camaree Uljua, Chief Building Official Lucas Sobek, Library Director Gale Bacon. Others in attendance were Sander Story, Matt Sador, Diane Roeber, Michael Ross, Judy Doyle, Karin Andersen. ACTION: Council Member Meis moved to excuse Council Member Menicucci. Council Member Simon seconded the motion. All voted aye, motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC FORUM Mayor Nelson called three times for public comment. There being none, the public forum was closed. CONSENT AGENDA Consider Approval of Council Minutes Drafts from: Council Meeting 3- 4- 24 & Council Retreat 3- 20- 24. ACTION: Council Member Simon moved to approve the consent agenda items as submitted. Council Member Mattimoe seconded the motion. All voted aye, motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC HEARING Cancelled - Discuss and Consider Regional Parks and Recreation Budget Amendment. City Manager Cardwell noted that this item was noticed in the paper before it was clarified that the Regional Parks Board will hold the public hearing on items such as this. Therefore, the Council' s discussion on this issue is not necessary at the moment. The matter will go to the County Commission next and then to the City Council. Page 1 of 3  DISCUSSION AGENDA Discuss Update From 45 Architecture on Library. City Manager Cardwell introduced Matt Sedor and Sander Story from 45 Architecture. Sedor and Story gave a brief PowerPoint presentation on the library project. As part of that presentation, they offered samples of the materials being used on the new library' s façade and elaborated on the design and art installments. Mayor Nelson asked about the delay to the library' s construction, due to a delay in the shipment of an electrical panel. Sedor explained that the panel had been ordered, but delays on products like that have become the new norm in construction. Because of the panel' s delivery delay, the new estimated opening of the library is Q1 of 2025. When asked if the unfortunate Baltimore bridge incident had caused any other kinds of delays, Sedor advised he was unaware of any delays to shipment of materials or supplies as a result of that accident. Mayor Nelson called for public comment. There was none. Discuss Staffing Plan Presentations. Director of Human Resources Wilbert noted that the Council had already been presented with staffing plans from each department head during the recent Council Retreat. She stated that this discussion/ presentation item was placed on the agenda to offer the Council a chance to ask questions or express public thoughts on those staffing plans. Mayor Nelson asked if Wilbert could go over the projected number of full- time staff required at the new library. Wilbert explained that no new staff should be necessary at the outset of the new building' s opening. She stated the current library staff should be enough to staff the building for the time being. Belgrade Library Director Bacon stood and explained that she will ask for one additional full-time library employee for the next budget cycle. She noted this employe would split time between two departments once the new building opens. She said there were no other new staffing requests at this time. City Manager Cardwell stated it is unlikely the City of Belgrade will approve any new staffing positions until after October, unless those new positions are tied to a known increase in revenue. The reason for this is the City does not have a final number for its budget. Cardwell also advised Council that the City Attorney position will become a full-time in- house position, soon. The intention of the City is to post the position in July, when current City Attorney Rick Ramler' s contract is up. Page 2 of 3  Ramler said it has been an honor to work with the City of Belgrade. Ramler also advised he will stay on part- time to help with the transition. Mayor Nelson called for public comment. There was none. REPORTS Mayor Nelson Ramler had nothing to report. City Attorney Ramler had nothing to report. City Manager Cardwell reminded the Council to reach out to the City Clerk about their input on what days to hold next year' s retreat. He then turned it over to HR Director Wilbert to make an announcement on the Earth Day Community Cleanup. from 9 am— Wilbert advised that the Earth Day Community Cleanup will be happening April 20, 2024, 12 pm. Citizens can stop by the Belgrade Library to volunteer and choose your clean- up location. Supplies will be provided. Cardwell also mentioned that the City is moving forward on recruitment for a new Economic Development position. FOR YOUR INFORMATION Council Member Mattimoe had nothing to report. Council Member Doyle mentioned that he may not be at the next meeting. Council Member Simon had nothing to report. Council Member Meis advised that the Urban Land Institute had sent out their report and he will forward it to the Council. Council Member Guffey had nothing to report. ADJOURN Council Member Simon moved to adjourn the meetin: . , 7: 33pm. Czji , ‘ Russell C. Nelson, Mayor Attest: f.;' avvy4 CamilleGory Cit , Cle Y Page 3 of 3