Belgrade City Council

CITY OF BELGRADE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES COUNCIL CHAMBERS December 2nd, 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, Kristine Menicucci, Erin Bell, and Renae Mattimoe. City staff in attendance were City Manager Neil Cardwell, Assistant City Manager Greg Tryon, City Attorney Kyla Murray, City Clerk Camille Gregory, Executive Assistant Dana Jambor, Executive Finance Director Charity VanKirk, Chief of Police Dustin Lensing, Municipal Court Judge Chris Gregory, Director of Community Development Jason Karp, Chief Building Official Lucas Sobeck, Director of Human Resources Becky Wilbert, Director of Economic Development Katharine King, City Engineer Joe Hauck, Director of Parks and Recreation Steve Klotz, and Fire Chief Jay Wittwer. Others in attendance were Brian Sprenger, Loise Mutugi, and Joseph Wanjohi. PUBLIC FORUM Mayor Nelson called for public comment. Joseph Wanjohi, residing at 1013 Beeker ln., asked to speak about his interaction with the Belgrade Police Department. Wanjohi stated he wanted the Council to be aware of an experience he had with local police on Thanksgiving Day. He stated that he believed that this interaction was unfair and based on bias. However, he noted that he was raising this issue in hope that it would lead to improvements and that it would encourage local leaders to work to make the community a safe and inclusive place. He noted there were trainings for police to address this issue. There being no one else in the audience, the public forum was closed. DISCUSSION AGENDA Discuss and Consider Airport Presentation Yellowstone Bozeman Airport President Sprenger stood and gave a brief PowerPoint presentation on how the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport works. The presentation included discussion of ongoing projects and projects for the future. Page 1 of 4  Mayor Nelson asked whether the northern runway being shorter could impact what kinds of airplanes might land there. He asked what size aircraft can that runway handle and wondered if the airport could lengthen that runway to accommodate other planes. Sprenger answered that the northern runway will handle any traffic or planes the airport currently utilizes. He noted the only exception may be a weight restriction for take- offs on that runway during hot summer days. He also said the airport could lengthen that runway, but that it would have to be a future project. Mayor Nelson called three times for public comment. There was none. PUBLIC HEARING Discuss and Consider Second Reading of Ordinance No. 2024- 8 Animal Licensing Update City Manager Cardwell noted this discussion was in reference to ordinance amendments that have already been discussed at previous meetings. He confirmed that nothing had been changed in the ordinance since the first reading and that there were no additional comments from staff. Council Member Simon asked who would determine whether an animal is being properly cared for. Cardwell answered that the process will stay the same as it always has. If a report is submitted, typically, Code Enforcement will be the first involved. If there appears to be a potential animal cruelty issue, the police will get involved. From there, the Judge or a jury may end up being the final say on whether the animal is being properly cared for, if the matter gets that far. Mayor Nelson asked what happens to the dogs that are at large and not registered. In response, Cardwell cited Belgrade City Ordinance § 4- 6- 5, which addresses the Dog at Large process. He noted that there are no changes or amendments to that part of the City Code. ACTION: Council Member Simon moved to open the public forum. Council Member Mattimoe Seconded the Motion. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Nelson called three times for public comment. There was none. ACTION: Council Member Mattimoe moved to close the public forum. Council Member Simon seconded the Motion. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. ACTION: Council Member Simon moved to adopt second reading of Ordinance 2024- 8, amending the animal code to allow for voluntary animal registration, striking the requirement for dog licenses, revising kennel license requirements, and adding animal care and treatment requirements. Council Member Mattimoe seconded the motion. Mayor Nelson called for a vote. All voted aye, motion carried unanimously. Page 2 of 4 REPORTS Mayor Nelson had nothing to report. City Attorney Murray had nothing to report. City Manager Cardwell turned his time over Assistant City Manager Tryon. Tryon briefly introduced the New Community Library Director, Alina Prunean. He then invited Prunean to speak about herself. Library Director Prunean stated she was born and raised in Southern California and came to Belgrade after spending some time in libraries in Southeast Florida. She said she is very interested in history and academic preservation. City Manager Cardwell then asked the Council to approve a workshop for December 9th, 2024, at 6 p.m. That meeting will be to discuss Belgrade' s water storage. The workshop will be for discussion only. No decisions will be made at the workshop. The Council approved. FOR YOUR INFORMATION Council Member Guffey had nothing to report. Council Member Meis mentioned that the Truck Village will be at the Speedway on Friday, December 6th, 2024, and the Christmas Convoy will start at 6 p.m. on December 7th, 2024. Council Member Simon asked what the big concrete building behind Bridger Orthopedic was. Director of Community Development Karp advised that it is Ferguson Plumbing Supplies. Council Member Minicucci stated she hopes the Water Quality Board will meet this Thursday, December 5th, 2024. Council Member Bell reported that she helped serve the Thanksgiving dinner at the Senior Center to get a better idea of what goes on there. She also learned that the Belgrade Senior Center is serving a number of people from other communities, because our senior center has more of the community feel they seek. Council Member Mattimoe mentioned that the Regional Parks Board meeting for the 5th has been canceled due to a lack of items. ADJOURN Council Member Simon moved to adjourn. Mattimoe Seconded the Motion. Page 3 of 4  Mayor Nelson called for a vote. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7: 57 pm. 1 C/Z// 1,77/ Russell C. Nelson, Mayor Attest: i L Camill` r gory, Ci C1er t Page 4 of 4