Belgrade City Council

CITY OF BELGRADE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES COUNCIL CHAMBERS— COMMUNITY ROOM October 6th, 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, 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, City Engineer Joe Hauck, Public Works Director Camaree Uljua, and Fire Chief Jay Wittwer. Others in attendance were Stephen McAdams, Vivian Crouse, and Garrett Grimm. PUBLIC FORUM Mayor Nelson called three times for public comment. There being none, the Public Forum was closed. CONSENT AGENDA Consider Approval of Council Minute Draft( S): 7. 7. 25 & 7. 21. 25 ACTION: Council Member Meis moved to approve the Consent Agenda as submitted. Council Member Mattimoe seconded the Motion. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC HEARING Discuss and Consider Final Adoption of Resolution No. 2025- 8, Amending the Belgrade City Code to Clarify the Delegation of Administrative Authority of the City Manager City Manager Cardwell noted that the Council preliminarily adopted these changes to the Ordinance at the September 8t" Council Meeting. The proposed change( s) will add two sections that help clarify the following two points.... 1. It is the City Manager' s role to appoint appropriate city staff to open positions outlined in the City Code; and Page 1 of 4  2. The City Manager has authority to address civil litigation, as legal situations arise, within the statutory parameters allowed by state law and the City Charter. ACTION: Council Member Mattimoe moved to open the Public Hearing. Council Member Simon 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 Simon seconded the Motion. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. ACTION: Council Member Mattimoe moved to adopt Ordinance No. 2025- 8 Amending Title 1, Chapters 1 and 5 of the Belgrade City Code to clarify the delegation of administrative authority and to establish civil litigation and settlement authority for the City Manager after holding a public hearing on October 6, 2025. Council Member Menicucci seconded the Motion. Mayor Nelson called for a vote. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. DISCUSSION AGENDA Discuss and Consider First Reading of Ordinance 2025- 11, an Ordinance Updating City Fire Code City Attorney Murray explained that the City of Belgrade' s Title 6 ( Fire Regulations) predates the adoption of the City Manager- Council form of government. It also predates the City' s annexation into the Central Valley Fire Department' s ( CVFD) jurisdiction. She advised that Montana law authorizes the City to adopt whole sections of administrative codes by reference, including the most recently adopted International Fire Code ( IFC). Murray further explained that the IFC allows a city to designate the City Manager, as the chief administrative official, to be the City Fire Official. The Fire Official can designate a City Fire Marshal ( in this case Chief Building Official Lucas Sobeck) to administer and enforce the IFC and local fire regulations. Murray advised that the ordinance being proposed here allows the City Council to repeal outdated provisions of the Fire Regulations. This would streamline fire code administration, permitting, and enforcement by adopting the IFC. Murray also noted the section on fireworks will remain unchanged. Mayor Nelson called for three times for public comment. There was none. ACTION: Council Member Menicucci moved to preliminarily adopt Ordinance No. 2025- 11, repealing and replacing Title 6, adopting the International Fire Code, establishing the City Manager as the City Fire Official, Fire Marshal position, and updating associated Page 2 of 4 code sections, and set for public hearing on November 3, 2025. Council Member Mattimoe seconded the Motion. Mayor Nelson called for a vote. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. REPORTS Mayor Nelson asked for an update on the timing of the Dry Creek/ Cruiser and Main/Broadway roundabouts. Public Works Director Uljua explained that the City is currently engaged in the right- of- way- acquisition phase of the Dry Creek/ Cruiser project. They are 60% complete with the plan and are awaiting feedback to bring it to 90%. Uljua stated she hopes that construction on that project will begin in 2026. Uljua added that the Main/ Broadway project is also at 60% and they are awaiting feedback on that as well. Uljua confirmed that both roundabouts should be done in 2027, before the Jackrabbit overpass project starts in 2028. City Attorney Murray had nothing to report. City Manager Cardwell reported that the kickoff meeting to establish a new EMS Delivery Board took place on October 3, 2025. The Board will potentially be in the Gallatin Valley area. Those at the meeting decided the Board will hold monthly meetings. They will discuss the interlocal agreement and bylaws at their next meeting. Cardwell also announced that Jordan Green has accepted the Parks Director position and will be starting on December 1, 2025. Green was previously the Deer Lodge City Administrator and brings extensive knowledge of Montana law and funding options. Next, Cardwell noted that the City has obtained a bond rating of" Investment Grade," which is the rating required to issue the debt needed to construct the Water Storage Expansion. Lastly, the City has submitted a rough design of its vision for the 80- acre DNRC land as the Community Master Park, which includes a wetland component. The hope is that the DNRC will like the design and allow the City to resubmit for another appraisal of the land. Cardwell added that one of the benefits of having the wetlands component is that the wastewater fund could be partially used to fund the 80- acre purchase. This would reduce the funds needed from the Parks Division and free up funds to build the park. FOR YOUR INFORMATION Council Member Guffey had nothing to report. Council Member Meis stated he had previously emailed the Council about the proposed bus routes and encouraged everyone to take a look and provide feedback at: Page 3 of 4  www. steeringstreamlinebus. com Meis also mentioned that he will need someone to cover for him on the Planning Board and the Interim Planning Commission. Lastly, Meis reported that he had been nominated as the third Vice President of the Executive Board of the League of Cities and Towns. Council Member Simon asked about the Christmas Convoy. Cardwell answered that the Christmas Convoy permit for December 6, 2025, was received. Council Member Menicucci reported that she attended the local Water Quality Board' s latest meeting, where the Director is ensuring that the Board is involved and that there is now financial transparency. She also noted that the area near West Post is making Belgrade look like a nice place to be. Council Member Bell reported that the new transport van was delivered to the Senior Center. Council Member Mattimoe reported that the Parks Board' s October meeting was cancelled due to a lack of items to discuss. ADJOURN Council Member Mattimoe moved to adjourn. Council Member Simon seconded the Motion. Mayor Nelson called for a vote. All voted aye, Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7: 31 p. m. d' 14 Russell Nelson, Mayor Attest:" atiailleGregory, Ci Cler Page 4 of 4