Belgrade City Council

CITY OF BELGRADE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES COUNCIL CHAMBERS July 21st, 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 Assistant City Manager Greg Tryon, City Attorney Kyla Murray, City Clerk Camille Gregory, Executive Assistant Dana Jambor, Chief of Police Dustin Lensing, Municipal Court Judge Chris Gregory, Executive Consultant Jason Karp, Chief Building Official Lucas Sobeck, Director of Human Resources Becky Wilbert, Director of Community and Economic Development Katharine King, Senior Planner Brad Stein, Planner 1 Hayden Caligiuri, City Engineer Joe Hauck, Public Works Director Camaree Uljua, Manager of Information Technology Justin Clevidence, Library Director Alina Prunean, and Fire Chief Jay Wittwer. Others in attendance were VFW Commander Wendy Silvera, Bruce Sorensen, VFW Post Service Officer Jim Matter Sr., VFW Post Adjutant& Quartermaster Jim Matter Jr., Nick Sorensen, Fred Hass, Derrick Munson, Mike Hansen, Brandon Lavinder, Andrew Young, Chad Davis, Mike Devries, and VFW Trustee Don Houghton. PUBLIC FORUM Mayor Nelson called for public comment. Bruce Sorenson, on behalf of Peace Lutheran Church, expressed his belief that the Church should be reclassified as non- residential to relieve it from the wastewater charge. Andrew Young, on behalf of the Peace Lutheran Church, asked the Council to reconsider the water charges to the Church, as they are on a fixed income and believe the current charges are excessive. Nick Sorenson, on behalf of the Peace Lutheran Church, pointed out that the money spent on water could have funded supplies for 57 children in Africa. Fred Hass, on behalf of Peace Lutheran Church, also asked the Council to reconsider how the Church is charged for water and wastewater. Derick Munson, on behalf of Peace Lutheran church, echoed the previous comments about how the Church is charged for water and wastewater averaging. Page 1 of 7  Brandon Lavender, on behalf of Peace Lutheran Church, asked the Council to consider revising the ordinance that prohibits wells within city limits. He believed this would allow tax- exempt properties exceeding one acre to drill irrigation wells. Mayor Nelson called two more times for public comment. There being none, the Public Forum was closed. CONSENT AGENDA Consider First Reading of Ordinance 2025- 7 for Zone Map Amendment of 184 Baileys Way. ACTION: Council Member Meis moved to approve the Consent Agenda as submitted. Council Member Mattimoe seconded the Motion. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. DISCUSSION AGENDA Discuss and Consider Mayor' s Proclamation of VFW Day Mayor Nelson proclaimed August 1, 2025, as VFW Day in recognition of the service, dedication, and contributions of Veterans of Foreign Wars. He specifically wanted to thank VFW Post 12112, the fastest- growing post in the state of Montana. Wendy Silvera, Commander of the VFW, mentioned that this year marks the 125th anniversary of the VFW and thanked the Council for reading the proclamation. Mayor Nelson called three times for public comment. There was none. Discuss and Consider Issuance of Notice of Award of Contract for WO 25- 02 2025 Pavement Preservation Project to CK May Excavating, Inc Public Works Director Uljua explained that this project proposes the installation of a 0. 15- foot plant mix surfacing overlay in the numerical neighborhood. Uljua noted the bid opening for this project was held on June 20, 2025. There were six responsive bids received. She advised that the Public Works Department recommends awarding the project to CK May Excavation, who had the lowest apparent bid in the amount of$ 447, 678. 50. Uljua stated this project will be fully funded by the state' s fuel tax revenue. She also noted that if the Council approves this measure, the Public Works Department will work expeditiously to initiate the contract. Mayor Nelson called three times for public comment. There was none. ACTION: Council Member Meis moved to authorize the City Manager to sign the Notice of Award, associated contract documents, and change orders, once received, for WO Page 2of7 25- 02 2025 Pavement Preservation Project, awarded to CK May Excavating, Inc. Council Member Simon seconded the Motion. Mayor Nelson called for a vote. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. Discuss and Consider Resolution 2025- 21, a Resolution of Intention to Create Special Improvement Lighting Maintenance District( SILMD) No. 2601 ( West Post- Phases 3 & 4) Public Works Director Uljua explained that the City has already completed this type of project in Phases 1 & 2 of the West Post Subdivision. When doing that, the City always knew they would need to come back to do the same in the subsequent phases of West Post, as well as in other developments. Uljua noted that if the Council chooses to adopt this resolution, notices of the passage of intent will be mailed to the owners of the affected lots, and a notice will be published in the next issue of the Belgrade News. Council Member Guffey asked what would happen if there was not enough money to fund the lighting district. Uljua advised that, if that were to happen, the district cost would need to be covered by the general fund instead. However, if that were to happen the City would have to come to the Council to request that the assessment be adjusted in future years. Mayor Nelson called three times for public comment. There was none. ACTION: Council Member Mattimoe moved to adopt Resolution 2025- 21, a Resolution of Intention to Create Special Improvement Lighting Maintenance District SILMD) No. 2601 ( West Post- Phases 3 & 4) of the City of Belgrade, and upon adoption of a public hearing will be scheduled for August 18, 2025. Council Member Guffey seconded the Motion. Mayor Nelson called for a vote. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. Discuss and Consider Preliminary Plat Approval for the Ashton Meadows Estates Tract 3 Major Subdivision City Planner 1 Caligiuri explained that this property is adjacent to Ashton Meadows and is comprised of 128 units, consisting of 20 four- plex lots and 16 three- plex lots. One condition of the project was that the developer be required to dedicate 1. 16 acres of park land. Caligiuri noted that the park land requirement is being met with a portion of the 16. 6 acres dedicated by Aston Meadows. With all other requirements having been met, it is recommended that preliminary plat approval be granted. Mayor Nelson called three times for public comment. There was none. Page 3 of 7  Council Member Meis inquired about the location of potential driveways in the development. Matt Cotter, from Caddis Engineering, spoke on behalf of the Applicant. Cotter offered that the Applicant had not yet considered driveway locations. However, it will be something that needs to be coordinated as the utility plans are developed. ACTION: Council Member Meis moved to grant Preliminary Plat Approval for the Ashton Meadows Estates Tract 3 Major Subdivision, finding that the subdivision complies with the Montana Subdivision and Platting Act, Belgrade Subdivision Regulations, and Belgrade Growth Policy. Council Member Mattimoe seconded the Motion. Mayor Nelson called for a vote. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. Discuss and Consider Preliminary Plat Approval of the Ashton Meadows Estates Tract 4 North) Major Subdivision Planner Caligiuri explained that this property is also located adjacent to the Ashton Meadows subdivision. It is comprised of 128 units, consisting of 23 four-plex and 12 three- plex buildings. Like the previous item, one of the conditions of this item' s approval was that the developer must dedicate 2. 29 acres of park land. Caligiuri noted, again, that the park land requirement is being met with a portion of the 16. 6 acres dedicated by Aston Meadows. With all other requirements having been met, it is recommended that preliminary plat approval be granted. Mike Devries, the Applicant, explained that both Tract 3 and Tract 4 are R4 zoning. He said they decided to go with R3 because the Weaver lift station was adequate for 180 units on each tract, and there would be less septic load. He said that they are waiting for the pipe for Main West to be delivered. Devries estimated that the supplies should arrive within three weeks. Mayor Nelson called three times for public comment. There was none. ACTION: Council Member Meis moved to grant Preliminary Plat Approval for the Ashton Meadows Estates Tract 4 Major Subdivision, finding that the subdivision complies with the Montana Subdivision and Platting Act, Belgrade Subdivision Regulations, and Belgrade Growth Policy. Council Member Mattimoe seconded the Motion. Mayor Nelson called for a vote. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. Page 4of7 Discuss and Consider Resolution No. 2025- 19 to Establish an Interim Planning Commission to Implement the Montana Land Use Planning Act( MLUPA) Executive Consultant Karp explained that, in an ongoing effort to implement the Montana Land Use Planning Act( MLUPA), the City needs to create a planning commission. This proposed commission will eventually replace the City Planning Board and the Board of Adjustment. Karp further explained that the City is recommending that we begin by instituting an interim planning commission. The hope would be that this interim commission could then be made into a permanent commission in May of 2026, once all of the necessary steps have been taken. Karp noted that the interim commission needs a minimum of three( 3) members. Karp asked the City' s three current representatives on the City/ County Planning Board( Ali Vasarella, Sandy Lee, and Mike Meis) to also serve on the interim planning commission. All three agreed. Finally, Karp advised that the commission would make recommendations on the future land use plan to bring to the Council. Mayor Nelson asked if this commission would replace the Board of Adjustments. Karp explained that the interim commission will not replace the Board of Adjustments until it transitions into a permanent commission. Mayor Nelson called three times for public comment. There was none. ACTION: Council Member Simon moved to adopt Resolution No. 2025- 19 to establish an Interim Planning Commission and appoint the current City residents on the Belgrade City- County Planning Board, Sandy Lee, Mike Meis, and Ali Vasarella, to be the members of the Interim Planning Commission. Council Member Mattimoe seconded the Motion. Mayor Nelson called for a vote. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. Discuss and Consider Resolution of Intent 2025- 20 to Create Street Maintenance Forestry Fee City Attorney Murray explained that this resolution affirms the City Council' s intent to assess an annual fee across all city parcels to support the maintenance, removal, and replacement of City trees in the public right- of-way. Murray noted that the total assessed across the City is $ 200,000. This amount reflects the street tree maintenance fee of$ 39. 82 per parcel, based on 5, 022 city parcels. The numbers are based upon Gallatin County GIS. Murray also mentioned that many cities in Montana have similar fees for forestry. Council Member Simon asked why this is different from the street maintenance fee. Murray explained that this is a separate fee that was not included in the street fees. Page 5 of 7  Mayor Nelson called three times for public comment. There was none. ACTION: Council Member Mattimoe moved to adopt a Resolution of Intent to levy and assess the cost of maintaining City forestry services and to set a public hearing for August 4, 2025. Council Member Bell seconded the Motion. Mayor Nelson called for a vote. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. REPORTS Mayor Nelson reported that he would be absent from the August 4, 2025, meeting. He called on Deputy Mayor Meis to sit in his place. City Attorney Murray had nothing to report. Assistant City Manager Tryon had nothing to report FOR YOUR INFORMATION Council Member Mattimoe had nothing to report Council Member Bell reported that Lisa Beedy is involved in developing recreation ideas, and a plant swap has been recommended. The first plant swap will take place on July 29, 2025, in Askin Park. Tryon added that there is an activities calendar on the Parks and Recreation Department' s webpage. Council Member Simon reported that he attended the latest Fire Board meeting. He noted the Board has scheduled a special meeting on July 28, 2025, at 6: 00 p. m. to put a levy on the November ballot. They also set a meeting for that same date, between 9: 30 a.m. to 2: 30 p.m. at the fire station, to include a Fire Board training course with Dan Clark. Lastly, he reported that he will be absent from the August 18t'' meeting. Council Member Meis suggested adding an item to the next workshop in order to discuss an update on the water storage project and a review of the water and sewer rates. Council Member Guffey also suggested adding a discussion item to the next workshop to address splash pad expansion. Council Member Menicucci had nothing to report. Mayor Nelson had nothing to report. Page 6 of 7 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 7: 59 pm. is 11 Russell Nelson, Mayor Attest:. Camille, Gregory, City ler Page 7 of 7