Belgrade City Council

CITY OF BELGRADE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES COUNCIL CHAMBERS April 21St, 2025 7: 00 pm This meeting was open to the public and attended in person. Deputy Mayor Mike Meis called the meeting to order. Council Members in attendance were Jason Guffey, Jim Simon, Kristine Menicucci, Erin Bell, and Renae Mattimoe. City staff in attendance were City Manager Neil Cardwell, City Attorney Kyla Murray, City Clerk Camille Gregory, Executive Assistant Dana Jambor, Executive Finance Director Charity VanKirk, Chief of Police Dustin Lensing, Executive Consultant Jason Karp, Chief Building Official Lucas Sobeck, Director of Internal Services and Human Resources Becky Wilbert, Director of Community and Economic Development Katharine King, City Engineer Joe Hauck, Public Works Director Camaree Uljua, Senior Planner Brad Stein, and Fire Chief Jay Wittwer. Others in attendance were Patrick Mclaughlin, Don Davis, Anika Hanisch, and Kieley Parker. ACTION: Council Member Mattimoe moved to excuse Mayor Nelson. Council Member Simon seconded the Motion. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC FORUM Deputy Mayor Meis called for public comment. Don Davis, residing in the Las Campanas neighborhood, raised concern about the left turn signals at some stoplights in town. He also expressed concern about the citations for snow removal, suggested that the speed limits be lowered on several streets, and suggested raising the fines for speed limit violations in these areas. Deputy Mayor Meis called two more times for public comment. There being none, the Public Forum was closed. Discuss Mayor' s Proclamation of Arbor Day Deputy Mayor Meis proclaimed April 25th, 2025, as Arbor Day in Belgrade. Deputy Mayor Meis called three times for public comment. There was none. Page 1 of 7 PUBLIC HEARING Discuss and Consider Ordinance 2025- 5 An Ordinance Establishing a Master Fee Schedule for the City of Belgrade City Attorney Murray explained that this is the second reading of the Ordinance. The Ordinance was first brought forth to the Council on April 1st, 2025. Murray stated the purpose of the Ordinance is to house fees in a localized fund/ area for all to access. She said the intent is also to establish an annual resolution for bringing the fees to the Council for updates. ACTION: Council Member Simon moved to open the Public Hearing. Council Member Mattimoe seconded the Motion. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. Deputy Mayor Meis called three times for public comment. There was none. ACTION: Council Member Menicucci moved to finalize adoption of Ordinance 2025- 5 An Ordinance Establishing a Master Fee Schedule for the City of Belgrade in Title 1 Chapter 8 by adding Section 11 to Finance. Council Member Guffey seconded the Motion. Deputy Mayor Meis called for a vote. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. Discuss and Consider Ordinance No. 2025- 3 Amending the Parking Ordinance in Title 5, Chapter 5 of the Belgrade City Code City Manager Cardwell explained that if this second reading of the Ordinance is adopted, it would update several items in the City' s parking code, which was last modified approximately two ( 2) years ago. Cardwell began by stating he wanted to touch on a few issues which were raised in the Public Forum, such as traffic signals and speed limits. He noted the State of Montana maintains all traffic lights in the state and sets the speed limits on state roads. Cardwell further noted all but one traffic light on Alaska Road is controlled and maintained by the Montana Department of Transportation ( MDT herein). Cardwell advised the public that the best way for them to submit feedback or concerns regarding speed limits, traffic signals, or other similar issues is to go online to MDT' s website. Regarding snow removal, Cardwell offered that the City is looking into snow routes or enacting an ordinance that would enforce parking on certain sides of the road on alternating days of the week during the winter. However, there' s been an issue with tow truck availability to move vehicles that would violate such an ordinance, which complicates the improvement of snow removal. Page 2 of 7  Cardwell then went over the updates to the parking ordinance which are being raised in this agenda item. He noted that this update includes stronger language prohibiting the storage of trailers in the right- of-way. He further noted that the update includes language to prohibit parking in front of mailboxes, that it would increase the citation for violations from $ 20 to $ 40, and that it would increase fees from $ 100 to $ 175 for storage of a trailer in city parking lots. Police Chief Lensing commented that both law/ code enforcement and the public have had issues interpreting the current language of Belgrade' s parking ordinances. He hopes this new language will help alleviate any confusion. ACTION: Council Member Mattimoe moved to open the Public Hearing. Council Member Menicucci seconded the Motion. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. Deputy Mayor Meis called for public comment. Kieley Parker, residing at 2317 Sturnella Lane, expressed her support for the proposed updates in the Ordinance. Anika Hanisch, residing in the Las Campanas neighborhood, expressed her concern about the changes that the Ordinance makes to parking rules. She stated she has a condition that affects her mobility, making it tough for her to load and unload her trailer expeditiously. John Haskin, residing on Montana Street, asked if the Ordinance would require that he remove an old logo from his van which advertises a company no longer in service. Haskin also asked whether guests staying at his home would be cited for parking their work vehicle or RV in his yard. Finally, he asked whether the Ordinance would ban him from parking his trailer in front of his house. Deputy Mayor Meis called two more times for public comment. There was none. ACTION: Council Member Mattimoe moved to close the Public Hearing. Council Member Menicucci seconded the Motion. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. ACTION: Council Member Menicucci moved to adopt Ordinance# 2025- 3 Amending Title 5, Chapter 4 of the Belgrade City Code as presented. Council Member Mattimoe seconded the Motion. Cardwell clarified that there is nothing in the Ordinance that prohibits citizens from advertising on a parked vehicle. The modified language is specifically regarding RV motor homes, etc. Cardwell also mentioned that there seemed to be a little confusion about the right-of-way and said the staff is working on public education regarding this issue. He suggested looking up and down the roads to see where the fire hydrants are located. Cardwell noted that you are in the right- of-way if you are parking between the hydrant and the street. Page 3 of 7  Cardwell went on to clarify the definition He noted the of" expeditious loading." expeditious loading" language in the Ordinance is meant to help the police determine whether a vehicle is actively being used for work or recreational purposes, as opposed to being left/ parked for extended periods of time. He then explained that boats and other larger pieces of equipment are restricted in the Ordinance because they can cause a nuisance when left/ stored in the right- of-way. He noted that an example of this is in the winter, when these boats and pieces of equipment get buried under the snow and create barriers that make snow plowing significantly more difficult. Cardwell noted that the Ordinance' s primary intent is to promote the public using the right- of-way for its intended purposes, rather than using it for storage of personal property. Deputy Mayor Meis called for a vote. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. Discuss and Consider Ordinance No. 2025- 4 an Ordinance Amending the Speed Limits in Title 5, Chapter 2 of the Belgrade City Code City Manager Carwell advised that the City' s current speed limit ordinances are from the 1980' s. He also advised that, as the City has begun planning for the voter- approved land exchange with the Belgrade School District, it has become clear that some of the speed limits and speed ordinance languages need to be cleaned up. Cardwell said the City' s staff have discussed this matter at length, and the consensus was that we need to scrap the old ordinance and write a newer simplified one. The intention of the new speed limit ordinance is to match those ordinances/ limits being used in a majority of Montana' s larger/ growing communities. In researching this matter, Cardwell noted the key takeaway was that the City has no authority to regulate the speeds on state roads. This includes busy roads which the public is concerned about, such as: Frontage, Jackrabbit, Dry Creek, etc. Cardwell noted that it is the Montana Department of Transportation that controls speeds in those areas. Cardwell advised that the City can only regulate speeds on city roads. If passed, the Ordinance will change how Belgrade' s school zones work. It will allow the City to work with the School District to ensure there are appropriate school zones for each of the different types of schools. For example, Cardwell advised that the School District would like school zones to start and end earlier, and the Ordinance allows for such. Cardwell also noted that if the Ordinance passes, its language will allow the City to enforce certain speed limits/ zones that are currently unenforceable. An example of this is speed limits/ zones for parks. Deputy Mayor Meis stated he believes the flashing lights that can be operated with a button from the pedestrian crosswalks may be effective as well. Page 4 of 7  Council Member Mattimoe asked for clarification on the Ordinance' s language where it states the general speed limit is 25 m.p. h. and the maximum limit is 35 m.p. h. on all streets. Cardwell explained that the " general speed" language means the speed limit is 25 m. p. h. on any city road, unless there is a sign stating otherwise. He noted that the " maximum speed limit" means that no city road can receive a speed limit higher than 35 m.p.h. ACTION: Council Member Mattimoe moved to open the Public Hearing. Council Member Simon seconded the Motion. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. Deputy Mayor Meis called three times for public comment. There was none. ACTION: Council Member Mattimoe moved to close the Public Hearing. Council Member Menicucci seconded the Motion. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. ACTION: Council Member Mattimoe moved to adopt Ordinance 2025- 4 Amending Title 5 Chapter 2 of the Belgrade City Code. Council Member Menicucci seconded the Motion. Council Member Simon asked what it would cost the City to put up all new speed limit signs if the City were to change the speed limit to 20 m. p.h. Carwell answered that re- doing all of those signs, in the event that the City made such a change, might cost the City hundreds of thousands of dollars. Deputy Mayor Meis called for a vote. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. DISCUSSION AGENDA Discuss and Consider Resolution 2025- 11 A Resolution Setting Public Hearing on Master Fee Schedule City Attorney Murray began by thanking all of those involved in helping get the fees together for the Master Fee Schedule. Murray then explained that this is a resolution of intent to establish an annual resolution 19tH to update the Master Fee Schedule. The Resolution will also set a Public Hearing for May 2025. Deputy Mayor Meis called three times for public comment. There was none. ACTION: Council Member Menicucci moved to approve Resolution 2025- 11 A Resolution Setting a Public Hearing to Consider Master Fee Schedule to be adopted and updated annually by City Council. Council Member Simon seconded the Motion. Page 5 of 7  Deputy Mayor Meis called for a vote. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. REPORTS Deputy Mayor Meis thanked the public for coming and giving their feedback tonight. He then reported that the Council had recently attended the annual Belgrade City Council Retreat, where they received valuable information from staff. Meis stated he thought it was time well spent. City Attorney Murray had nothing to report. City Manager Cardwell announced that the City has officially closed on the purchase of the former gravel pit on Frontage Road. He noted this property will primarily be used for the water storage project. However, the property is very large, so it could be used for other purposes as well. Cardwell also mentioned that the Community Development Department will be bringing a resolution of intent to annex that property at the next meeting. Cardwell then advised that a meeting was held with the School District to review the interlocal agreements involved with the land exchange. He advised that closing is scheduled for late May. He also clarified that there is a deed restriction on the parkland involved in the exchange. Cardwell made it clear that neither party is allowed to sell the parkland involved in the exchange for ten ( 10) years from the date of the election, unless the parkland is sold for park use only. Cardwell directed the public to the City' s website and Facebook for Earth Day and City Clean up announcements. He also mentioned that the City is close to announcing the opening of reservations for the big community room in the new library. FOR YOUR INFORMATION Council Member Mattimoe had nothing to report. Council Member Bell reported that the Senior Center decided to hold their Bingo Fundraiser at the library, and that the proceeds from that fundraiser would go towards making up the Center' s recent loss of funding. She also mentioned that the Senior Center served 24, 026 Meals on Wheels in February and March. Council Member Menicucci reported that at least 90 people were at the Senior Center for their Easter dinner. She was very happy to see so many people there. Council Member Simon had nothing to report. Council Member Guffey had nothing to report Deputy Mayor Meis then asked if the City is still bringing an item to discuss establishing a monthly council workshop. Page 6 of 7  Cardwell confirmed that one will be brought to the next meeting. ADJOURN Council Member Mattimoe moved to adjourn. Council Member Simon seconded the Motion. Deputy Mayor Meis called for a vote. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8: 04 pm. I / Russell C. Nelson, Mayor Attest: Cain'ille' Gregory, Cit Cle Page 7 of 7