Belgrade City Council

CITY OF BELGRADE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES COUNCIL CHAMBERS January 21, 2025 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 via Zoom, 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, Public Works Director Camaree Uljua, Library Director Alina Prunean, Fire Chief Jay Wittwer, and Senior Planner Brad Stien. No others were present. PUBLIC FORUM Mayor Nelson called three times for public comment. There being none, the Public Forum was closed. CONSENT AGENDA Consider Approval of a reduction of the Financial Guarantee for Jackrabbit Crossing Subdivision commensurate with work that has been completed; Consider Approval of a reduction of the Financial Guarantee for West Post Subdivision commensurate with work that has been completed; Consider Approval of a reduction of the Financial Guarantee for Yellow Iron Subdivision commensurate with work that has been completed; Consider Approval of an Improvements Agreement and Financial Guarantee for MSRP LLC and Embry Enterprises, Inc. 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. Page 1 of 5 DISCUSSION AGENDA Discuss and Consider Res. No. 2025- 2 A Resolution of Intent to Rename Jackrabbit Lane to North Jackrabbit Lane Senior Planner Stien explained that they are proposing renaming this area in order to improve safety and navigation for postal deliveries and emergency services. He noted that upgrading the necessary signage and posts will cost approximately $ 15, 000. Assistant City Manager Tryon stated that during his time with the Central Valley Fire Department, he had experienced instances where it was not clear which direction on Jackrabbit they should take during a call. He noted that this name change would help with that kind of confusion. Mayor Nelson called three times for public comment. There was none. ACTION: Council Member Mattimoe moved to approve Resolution No. 2025- 2 the Resolution of Intent to Rename Jackrabbit Lane to North Jackrabbit Lane from Main Street to Rizzo Lane within the City of Belgrade and set the date for final adoption for March 17, 2025. Council Member Meis seconded the Motion. Mayor Nelson called for a vote. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. Discuss and Consider Issuance of Notice of Award of Contract for WO 24- 07 Cameron Ave. Improvements project to CK May Excavating, Inc City Engineer Hauck explained that the WO 24- 07 Cameron Ave. Improvements project is part of the SLIPA project, a Department of Commerce managed bill that allocates money to each municipality. He noted a bid opening for this project was held on November 26, 2024. There were six bids submitted. He advised that CK May Excavating Inc. was the lowest bid offered, with their bid coming within 11% of the engineer' s estimate. Hauck also noted the City of Belgrade has worked with CK May Excavating Inc. in the past and that they have a good reputation. Hauck advised the scheduled start date for this project is May 26, 2025. He said it should be completed within 40 days. Mayor Nelson called three times for public comment. There was none. ACTION: Council Member Simon moved to authorize the City Manager to sign the Notice of Award and associated contract documents, once received, for WO 24- 07 Cameron Ave Improvements project to CK May Excavating, Inc. Council Member Mattimoe seconded the Motion. Mayor Nelson called for a vote. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. Page 2 of 5 Discuss and Consider Resolution 2025- 01, A Resolution of Intention to Create Special Improvement Lighting Maintenance District ( SILMD) No. 2600 ( West Post- Phases 1 & 2 and East Frank Road) of the City of Belgrade, Montana Director of Public Works Uljua explained that this resolution includes all of the lighting improvements installed during Phases 1 and 2 of the West Post subdivision. The lighting will meet modern roadway design standards and be the first Lighting District the City will fully manage. Uljua also mentioned that, upon adopting this resolution, the affected property owners will be mailed a notice of the resolution' s passage. The notice will also be published in the Belgrade newspaper. Uljua stated that the lighting that is currently in place will be all of the lighting that is required. Mayor Nelson called three times for public comment. There was none. ACTION: Council Member Meis moved to adopt Resolution 2025- 01, a Resolution of Intention to Create Special Improvement Lighting Maintenance District( SILMD) No. 2600 West Post - Phases 1 & 2 and East Frank Road) of the City of Belgrade, Montana, and set a date for a public hearing for February 18, 2025. Council Member Simon seconded the Motion. Mayor Nelson called for a vote. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. Discuss Economic Development Update Director of Economic Development King gave a brief PowerPoint presentation explaining the Economic Development Department' s purpose and goals. City Manager Cardwell thanked King for accepting her role with the City. He noted that in her short time with the City, she has been able to jump in and accomplish a lot. Mayor Nelson called three times for public comment. There was none. Discuss and Consider Mayor Appointment to the Gallatin Local Water Quality District Board Mayor Nelson announced that he had chosen Alan English for reappointment to the Gallatin Local Water Quality Board. Mayor Nelson and Council Member Menicucci both noted that English, as a hydrologist, brings a lot of valuable knowledge to the Water Quality Board. Mayor Nelson called three times for public comment. There was none. ACTION: Council Member Menicucci moved to appoint Alan English to the Gallatin Local Water Quality Board. Council Member Simon seconded the Motion. Page 3 of 5  Mayor Nelson called for a vote. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. REPORTS 3rd Mayor Nelson Reported he would be absent for the Feb meeting and called on Council Member Meis to run that meeting in his stead. Council Member Meis agreed. The Mayor also reported that he testified in Helena against SB94. He further advised that he will testify tomorrow, January 22, 2025, against SB 117. City Attorney Murray had nothing to report. City Manager Cardwell reported that the old library building will be closed for the entire month of February, in order for staff to move everything into the new library building. He advised there is no hard date for the opening of the new library, but they are hoping it will be open by the end of March. Cardwell also commented on this year' s legislative session, stating he understands that tax fatigue is very real. Cardwell directed citizens to the MSU Local Government Center, where they have compiled Belgrade' s budget data and compared it to every city in Montana. Lastly, Cardwell mentioned that recruitment for the position of IT Director is currently underway and ongoing. FOR YOUR INFORMATION Council Member Mattimoe reported that the Parks Board met and is very close to completing the Parks Master Plan. She also mentioned that the Board voted to dedicate part of a park in the Hensen subdivision to be a dog park. Council Member Bell reported that she attended the Senior Board meeting, where Manager Lisa Beedy presented data on the number of meals served last year and the attendance of their fitness services. The Board also discussed the possibility of changing membership fees in order to cover increasing costs. Council Member Simon reported he attended the Fire Board meeting, where they discussed the traffic control issue in front of the station. The Board decided to move forward with the construction of an alerting sign, as the road striping was not proving to be as effective as they had hoped. He noted the Board also had a brief discussion on an interlocal agreement between the Fire Department and the City. Council Member Meis attended the Urban Transportation District Board meeting, where Sunshine verbally accepted the Director position. He also mentioned that the Planning Coordination Committee discussed ways to help educate the community on how agriculturally based this valley still is. Page 4 of 5  Council Member Guffey had nothing to report Council Member Menicucci had nothing to report. Mayor Nelson asked for an update on the Cruiser roundabout. Cardwell stated that news on that subject would be coming soon. ADJOURN Council Member Simon moved to adjourn. Council Member Mattimoe seconded the Motion. Mayor Nelson called for a vote. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8: 04 pm. a.,,,,,,„) 1 Russell C. Nelson, Mayor Attest: 04,m1, 6 Camille. GGegory, City ' lerk tib: r 4 Page 5 of 5