Belgrade City Council

CITY OF BELGRADE COUNCIL WORKSHOP MINUTES COUNCIL CHAMBERS June 9th, 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, Erin Bell, and Renae Mattimoe. City staff in attendance were City Manager Neil Cardwell, City Clerk Camille Gregory, Executive Assistant Dana Jambor, Municipal Court Judge Chris Gregory, Chief Building Official Lucas Sobeck, Director of Community and Economic Development Katharine King, Manager of Information Technology Justin Clevidence, City Engineer Joe Hauck, Public Works Director Camaree Uljua, and Executive Consultant Jason Karp. Others in attendance were none. DISCUSSION AGENDA Discuss Upcoming Water Reclamation Facility Improvements and Projects Director of Public Works Uljua stated that the Lagoon Rehab Project was the result of the construction of our wastewater treatment facility. The Department of Environmental Quality DEQ herein) has raised concerns about the quality of liners in the cells of the lagoon, which they are convinced are leaking. DEQ also believed that some of the cells were unnecessary, specifically Cell # 2. Uljua explained that this project will clean out Cell# 2 and decommission it. However, it will also leave the depression in the ground for potential future use. She warned that the community will likely experience an unpleasant odor for some time as a result of this clean out, as it has been nearly 20 years since Cell# 2 was last cleaned. However, this is the cell that needs to be completely dredged and cleaned. Uljua then explained that the wastewater treatment plant has discharged a waste- activated sludge into Cell # 1. This is because the City doesn' t have a solids handling facility. The hope is this part of the project will dredge material out of Cell # 1 to buy the city time to construct a solids handling facility. While they are already working on Cell # 1, they will also do an inspection and leak test on the liner in that cell to satisfy DEQ's requirements. Finally, Uljua advised that Cell# 3 is referred to as the" polishing pond" because it only holds treated water. Thus, when Cell# 3 is dewatered, it should be a non- issue. Uljua then mentioned that on Thursday, June 12, 2025, the City will advertise for the Water Resource Recovery Facility( WRRF) Phase 1. 5 Project. This would add two million Page 1 of 4 gallons of wastewater capacity and hopefully repurpose Cell# 2 into a biolac facility. The project will also add a solids handling facility, which will eliminate the need to put waste sludge into a pond that will need to be dredged again. Uljua advised the cost of Phase 1. 5 was accounted for in the rate study already conducted. She then assured the Council that there would be direct public outreach to the neighborhoods most affected by this project, as well as social media and news outreach. Uljua then advised the Council that our wastewater treatment plant has two treatment trains. However, only one is being utilized because it was discovered that there were leaks in the Oxidation Ditch # walls of 1. She explained that it was difficult to find a company capable and willing to repair the ditch. Therefore, an emergency fund authorization was required to hire a firm to repair Ditch# 1 as quickly as possible. She warned that not fixing the cracks would have jeopardized the lagoon project. Discuss Broadway at Main Upcoming Improvements Director Uljua provided the Council with a handout of intersection alternatives analysis for the Main St. and Broadway intersection. Ultimately, it was decided that the best traffic control option for the location was a miniature roundabout. The mini roundabout option, which had been run through many traffic models, was proven to be effective. An accelerated timeline for this project is being developed, with construction to start in 2027. This timeline is meant to avoid overlapping this project with the Jackrabbit Underpass Project. However, Uljua warned this would coincide with the construction of the Cruiser and Dry Creek roundabout. Discuss Amending City Code to Address the Ongoing Road Obstructions and Other Impediments Caused by Construction City Manager Cardwell explained that there is a growing issue with construction crews leaving their debris and materials in the middle of the roads and right-of-way areas in Belgrade, causing obstruction and traffic issues. Cardwell then gave suggestions for how the City might better manage the impediments that construction creates in the right- of-way ( ROW), impacting parking. Cardwell pointed to how Bozeman managed the ROW during the renovation construction on the new U.S. Bank. He noted that their process helped avoid blocking a busy street or taking up parking with construction equipment and materials. Cardwell noted that one way to mitigate these construction debris/ equipment issues is to expand the ROW permit. He explained that expanding the ROW use permit would effectively require the developer or contractor to apply for a permit to store in the ROW. In the application they would have to designate a space to store their equipment and materials. Page 2 of 4  Cardwell advised that such a permit process would help Code Enforcement know if a trailer is parked in the proper area for construction use. The ROW use permit would also apply to contractors involved in small home remodels. Discuss various department updates and project updates from Council Director of Public Works Uljua explained that the Lift Station Project, located at the corner of Collins and Weaver Road, has been divided into three construction phases by the developers. The project will begin with Schedule 3 and work its way backward, beginning with the forced main section that runs from Bolinger Road to the plant. Uljua noted that the Bolinger section had a final walkthrough by the city engineer and staff on May 30, 2025. While there remains a punch list of work that still must be done, the section has been hydrostatically tested to make sure it is watertight. Uljua also advised that the contractor on this project, CK May, has approached the City about Schedule 2, noting there have been some plan changes to alter several vaults. Once approved for Schedule 2, the contractor will install the force main from Bolinger Rd. to the lift station. Uljua then explained that a " vault" is a large, concrete structure surrounding the pipes at high points in the system. This acts as an air relief valve, allowing gas to escape from the force main, relieving pressure. Uljua then updated the Council regarding the ROW acquisitions negotiations, which have not yet started due to a pickup survey needing to be done first. She explained that this survey is necessary because the Jackrabbit and Cruiser intersection was not originally included in the scope of the Cruiser/Dry Creek intersection project, The additional survey is necessary to examine the impacts of adding that intersection. She is hoping to get the results soon. Uljua also announced that the City is ready to Commission Well # 8 tomorrow, and it rated at 1, 050 gallons per minute. She also noted that Well #9 should be operational this fall. Cardwell then advised that the Parks Department is working on the Parks Capital Improvements Project. He explained that staff had been discussing how they could make some project recommendations for the Parks Board to prioritize, and three proposals came to mind for the splash pad. Cardwell explained that the splash pad sees approximately 50 children using it during peak hours. However, the equipment at the splash pad is designed for a maximum of 15 children at one time. He explained that the overuse requires the City to drain the 3, 000 gallons of water from the system every morning, clean out the debris, and then refill the 3, 000 gallons because the system can' t keep up on its own. Page 3 of 4  One proposal to avoid this lengthy daily process is to double the size of the splash pad, replacing the current system with a larger one that would properly accommodate the number of citizens who utilize it. The second proposal is to construct a pool similar to the one in Bogart Park in Bozeman. However, with that comes additional components that would need to be implemented, such as new policies, lifeguards, a POS system, fees, etc. The third proposal would focus capital dollars towards acquiring 80 acres of land near the wastewater treatment facility. This land would be intended for a long-term community park project. That project would be in conjunction with the City' s promise to the community to replace the ball fields in Lions Park if, in the future, the Belgrade School District exercises its option to build a school on that lot. Cardwell mentioned the Legislature might be convinced to help the City acquire that 80 acres. Mayor Nelson asked about the gardens he noticed in Menicucci Park. Cardwell explained that the School District' s Agriculture Department wanted to provide some agricultural courses for the students through FFA and asked the City for permission to use some of the land in Menicucci Park. The City and Airport both agreed. The School District has been preparing the land for the course by acquiring water rights and installing a water spigot. Mayor Nelson announced that on Monday, June 23, 2025, at 5: 00 p. m., there would be an unveiling at West Post, located at Alaska and Frontage Road, for the " Reach for the Sky" statue. PUBLIC FORUM Mayor Nelson called three times for public comment. There being none, the Public Forum was closed. 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: 01 p. m. d" dadhSill Russell C. Nelson, Mayor Attest: Camille iregorj+ Ci Cle Page 4 of 4