Belgrade City Council

CITY OF BELGRADE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES COUNCIL CHAMBERS August 18th, 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, 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, Executive Consultant Jason Karp, Chief Building Official Lucas Sobeck, Director of Human Resources Becky Wilbert, Director of Community and Economic Development Katharine King, Manager of Information Technology Justin Clevidence, and Fire Chief Jay Wittwer. Others in attendance were Anthony Stratarem, Renee Varner, Mickey Lessly, Sara Orchard, Toni Carden, Leonard Carden, Karen Hannegan, Mary Valenzuela, Bryon Ward, Stephen McAdams, and Kris Ortmeier. ACTION: Council Member Meis moved to excuse Council Member Simon. Council Member Mattimoe seconded the Motion. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC FORUM Mayor Nelson called three times for public comment. There being none, the Public Forum was closed. PUBLIC HEARING Discuss and Consider Conditional Use Permit Renee' s Dog Spa Major Home-Based Business Executive Consultant Karp explained that Renee' s Dog Spa would be located at 603 Meadow Circle and that there is an allowance in the zoning ordinance for a home- based business. However, major home- based businesses that would bring in extra traffic or customers to the site are required to go through a conditional use permit ( CUP) process. Karp noted that this business is the kind that requires the CUP process, which is why the matter is before Council. Karp noted that the Planning Department had met all notice requirements, and the Petitioner had submitted their application for the CUP. The Planning Board' s recommendation was to deny the application due to the impact the business would have on the neighborhood, as expressed by the neighbors who live in the area. He also noted that the public comments have been posted on the City' s website for public viewing. Page 1 of 8  The Petitioner( Renee Varner) spoke in defense of her application while also expressing frustration with her neighbors and the situation. She stated she believed her business did not drastically impact traffic in the neighborhood and her application was valid. However, Varner then expressed that she has decided to sell the home in question, stating she no longer wanted the permit while stating her lack of interest in pursuing the matter further. ACTION: Council Member Mattimoe moved to open the Public Hearing. Council Member Guffey seconded the Motion. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Nelson called for public comment. Leonard Carden, residing at 608 Meadow Circle, handed the Council a picture of an explicit lawn decoration he had seen in the Petitioner' s yard. He then explained why he is opposing the permit. Sara Orchard, residing at 607 Meadow Circle, spoke in opposition to the permit. Toni Carden, residing at 608 Meadow Circle, spoke in opposition to the permit. Brian Ward, residing at 601 Meadow Circle, spoke in support of the permit. Ward noted that he and his wife have not noticed a substantial increase in traffic as a result of the Petitioner' s business, despite claims of such from other neighbors. Mary Valensuela, residing at 601 Meadow Circle, spoke in support of the permit. Kris Ortmeier, residing at 840 Quail Run Rd. in Bozeman, also spoke in favor of the permit. She noted she has been a client of the Petitioner' s for over seven years and asked the Council to consider granting the permit. Mayor Nelson called two more times for public comment. There was none. ACTION: Council Member Mattimoe moved to close the Public Hearing. Council Member Guffey seconded the Motion. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. ACTION: Council Member Menicucci moved to approve the Conditional Use Permit request by Renee Varner & Kevin Hannegan for a " Major" Home- Based Business to operate a dog grooming business out of a portion of the house. Council Member Mattimoe seconded the Motion. Council briefly discussed its views on the permit. Mayor Nelson called for a roll call vote. Motion failed 4- 1. Council Members Voting " Aye": Mattimoe. Page 2 of 8  Council Members Voting " No": Guffey, Meis, Menicucci, Bell. Council Members Absent: Simon. Discuss and Consider Resolution 2025- 23, a Resolution Creating Special Improvement Lighting Maintenance District ( SILMD) No. 2601 ( West Post- Phases 3 & 4) Executive Director of Financial Services VanKirk spoke on behalf of the Public Works Director. VanKirk explained that on July 21, 2025, the Council approved a resolution of intent to create the lighting district in question, which the City would maintain, and the Council is now considering the actual resolution. ACTION: Council Member Mattimoe moved to open the Public Hearing. Council Member Menicucci 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 Hearing. Council Member Guffey seconded the Motion. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. ACTION: Council Member Meis moved to adopt Resolution 2025- 23, a Resolution Creating Special Improvement Lighting Maintenance District( SILMD) No. 2601 ( West Post- Phases 3 & 4) of the City of Belgrade, Montana. Council Member Bell seconded the Motion. Council Member Mattimoe asked how many properties the district would impact. Cardwell stated it would be 350 properties. Mayor Nelson called for a vote. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. DISCUSSION AGENDA Discuss and Consider the Mayor' s Appointment to the City/ County Planning Board Mayor Nelson appointed, confirmed, and recommended the following: City/ County Planning Board Appoint Matthew Anderson Mayor Nelson called three times for public comment. There was none. ACTION: Council Member Mattimoe moved to adopt the Mayor' s appointment of Matthew Anderson to the Belgrade City/County Planning Board. Council Member Menicucci seconded the Motion. Mayor Nelson called for a vote. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. Page 3 of 8 Discuss and Consider Resolution 2025- 24 to Cancel Uncontested 2025 Elections for all Council Wards and Mayor City Manager Cardwell explained that the Gallatin County Elections Office notified the City Clerk that only one applicant had filed for each open City Council and Mayor seat. There were also no write- ins filed before the deadline. Because of this, the Council must decide whether to continue holding the elections with just one candidate for each office or cancel the election and elect the candidates who filed by acclamation. Cardwell noted that canceling the elections will reduce the costs to the City by reducing the number of ballot styles for each ward. Doing so would also save the elections office time and make the ballot easier to read. Cardwell also clarified that canceling uncontested elections would not remove the proposed change to the term for the Belgrade Mayor position, which will remain a question on the ballot regardless of the decision on this measure. Lastly, Cardwell mentioned that Council Member Meis was the only candidate for Belgrade Mayor this election cycle. That means Meis will be stepping into the role of Mayor and his current Ward 1 seat on the Council will be vacated. Cardwell advised that the Council will have a 60-day appointment process to fill that seat. That 60- day window is set to open on January 1, 2026. However, nothing prohibits starting the appointment process before January 1. Mayor Nelson called three times for public comment. There was none. ACTION: Council Member Mattimoe moved to adopt Resolution 2025-24, Canceling the November 4, 2025, Uncontested Elections for Belgrade City Council Wards 1, 2 ( Full Term), 2 ( Unexpired Term), 3, and Mayor. Council Member Bell seconded the Motion. The Council discussed the impacts of canceling the election and agreed that a press release should be issued to educate the citizens. Mayor Nelson called for a vote. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. Discuss and Consider Calling for a Public Hearing on the Amendment to the FY2025 Budget and Adoption of the FY2026 Final Budget for September 2, 2025 Executive Director of Financial Services VanKirk explained that Council adopted the Preliminary Budget at the June 16, 2025, meeting. The current item before Council will set a public hearing on September 2, 2025, for the amendment of the FY25 budget and to adopt the Final Budget for FY26. Mayor Nelson called three times for public comment. There was none. Page 4 of 8  ACTION: Council Member Mattimoe moved to set a public hearing on September 2, 2025, for the amendment to the FY2025 budget and adoption of the Final FY2026 Budget. Council Member Guffey seconded the Motion. Mayor Nelson called for a vote. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. Discuss and Consider Resolution 2025- 26 Approving the FY2026 Budget of the Belgrade Regional Parks, Trails, and Recreation District Executive Director of Financial Services VanKirk explained that the budget has been presented to the Parks Board, noting a 9% increase in its anticipated revenue. The District will transfer funds to the general fund, which will then fund support services. The Parks Board will hold a public hearing for the adoption of its final budget on September 4, 2025. Mayor Nelson called three times for public comment. There was none. ACTION: Council Member Menicucci moved to approve the Fiscal Year 2026 Parks & Recreation Budget. Council Member Mattimoe seconded the Motion. Mayor Nelson called for a vote. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. There was a roll call vote. Motion carried 5- 0. Council members voting " aye": Guffey, Meis, Menicucci, Bell, Mattimoe. Council Members voting " no": none. Council members Absent: Simon. Discuss and Consider Resolution 2025-27 Establishing the Method of Levying the Public Safety Mill Levy Executive Director of Financial Services VanKirk reminded the Council that they have previously been advised of the changes that the State Legislature has made to the levy rules for cities in Montana. She also reminded that these changes left Belgrade with several options which the City must choose from. VanKirk then explained that it is the Belgrade City staff' s recommendation that the City choose the option that converts the levy to a dollar amount using 2025 dollars in 2026. Mayors Nelson called three times for public comment. There was none. ACTION: Council Member Meis moved to approve adopt Resolution 2025-27 transitioning the Public Safety Mill Levy to a dollar- based mill levy to the total ad valorem tax revenue assessment in Fiscal Year 2025 and thereafter subject to the provisions of MCA 15- 10- 420( 1)( a). Council Member Mattimoe seconded the Motion. Page 5of8  Mattimoe urged Belgrade citizens to review the recorded workshop meeting from August 11, 2025, to gain a better understanding of why the Council approved converting to dollar amounts. Mayor Nelson called for a vote. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. Discuss and Consider Resolution 2025- 28 Establishing the Method of Levying the Library Operations Mill Levy Executive Director of Financial Services VanKirk explained that this item is essentially the same as the previous item on this agenda. The only difference is this item is specific to the Library' s operations. VanKirk advised the staff, again, recommends converting to dollar amounts using 2025 dollars in 2026. Mayor Nelson called three times for public comment. There was none. ACTION: Council Member Mattimoe moved to adopt Resolution 2025- 28, transitioning the Library Operations Mill Levy to a dollar- based mill levy to the total ad valorem tax revenue assessment in Fiscal Year 2025 and thereafter, subject to the provisions of MCA 15- 10- 420( 1)( a). Council Member Guffey seconded the Motion. Mayor Nelson called for a vote. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. Discuss and Consider Resolution 2025- 29 Relating to Water System Revenue Bonds and Authorizing the Issuance and Private Negotiated Sale Thereof Executive Director of Financial Services VanKirk explained that this resolution authorizes the City to issue $ 20,000,000 of debt. Originally, the City was going to issue $ 30, 000, 000. However, the City had to scale that request back due to its debt capacity. VanKirk explained that staff are exploring other options to make up the difference. The proposal suggests that the City can pursue an additional issuance of$ 20, 000, 000 in 2029 when it re- does the rate study. Mayor Nelson called three times for public comment. There was none. ACTION: Council Member Menicucci moved to adopt Resolution 2025- 29 relating Water System Revenue Bonds and Authorizing the Issuance and Private Negotiated Sale Thereof. Council Member Mattimoe seconded the Motion. Mayor Nelson called for a vote. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. Page 6 of 8 REPORTS Mayor Nelson reported that the Health Board' s meeting, set for August 27, 2025, had been cancelled. He then asked about the Council' s first meeting in September landing on a Tuesday. Cardwell explained that the Council' s first meeting in September will be on a Tuesday due to the Labor Day holiday. City Attorney Murray had nothing to report. City Manager Cardwell reported that, unfortunately, the splash pad had to shut down due to vandalism that caused significant damage to the pump. The Parks Department is looking at what it would take to bring the pad back online this summer, but it could be costly to bring it back online again this summer. Cardwell advised that, given the late point of the season already, it is unlikely the City will be able to get the pad back online this season. Cardwell also mentioned that one of the lift stations recently went offline, also due to suspected vandalism. He noted the Public Works Department had found several cut-up t-shirt rags flushed and entangled in the pump. He advised that the cost to repair those pumps is in the tens of thousands of dollars. Cardwell urged the public to report any vandalism they see to the Police Department via the non-emergency line. FOR YOUR INFORMATION Council Member Guffey had nothing to report. Council Member Meis reported that the UTD meeting will be on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. Council Member Menicucci reported that the Water Quality Board met and discussed their current funding issues. Council Member Bell reported that the Senior Center Board met and discussed having a volunteer come to the Senior Center to assist with navigating the property tax rebate process. Senior Center Manager Lisa Beedy also discussed informing people of the pros and cons of a split payment system. Council Member Mattimoe attended the Parks Board meeting, where they reviewed the budget and also discussed how many people used social media to monitor the splash pad' s status. She noted the Board suggested installing a live feed camera that would allow citizens to check the status of the splash park in real time before they make a trip to the pad. Page 7 of 8 ADJOURN Council Member Menicucci 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: 11 p.m. Russell Nelson, Mayor Camille Gregory, eitY 94k c; J i Page 8 of 8