City Commission Meeting

Livingston City Commission Agenda October 7, 2025 — 5:30 PM City – County Complex, Community Room https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86520886981?pwd=1AJYvhN38oTEgEqj1nWpUcLrHEQTJF.1 Meeting ID: 865 2088 6981 Passcode: 545898 1. Call to Order 5:32 PM Chair Schwarz called the meeting to order 2. Roll Call  Chair Schwarz  Vice Chair Nootz  Commissioner Kahle  Commissioner Lyons – Virtual  Commissioner Willich City Staff Present  City Manager Grant Gager  Policy Analyst Greg Anthony  Chief of Police Wayne Hard  Public Works Director Shannon Holmes  Chief of Fire and Rescue Josh Chabalowski  Fire and Rescue Blake Roehl  Fire and Rescue Meghan Viegut  Fire and Rescue Zale Filce  Fire and Rescue Scot Shank  Fire and Rescue Scot Olsen   Building Inspector Brad Haefs  WRF Superintendent Trace Tidwell  WRF Operator J Taylor  WRF Operator Nathan McClure 3. Public Comment Individuals are reminded that public comments should be limited to item over which the City Commission has supervision, control jurisdiction, or advisory power (MCA 2-3-202) Public comment was offered by:  Leslie Fiegel expressed concerns about consent item E and street closure that will occur during the July 2nd parade of 2026. She read some data she found about bulb outs in other areas where they were being removed.  Linda Tang presented a petition for the Parks Master Plan.  Lindie Gibson expressed concern about the bulb outs and was upset about a woman being fine for sleeping their vehicle.  Barbara Britt expressed concern about the survey. She also expressed concern about the parking lot suggested at the gazebo and parking in general at Sacagawea Park.  Linda Maher expressed relief when the bulb outs went away. She also helped with the petition for the Parks Master Plan and the folks she spoke with were not aware of the survey. She wondered how much the input was being looked at.  Jay Keifer expressed concern about street closures for events.  Patricia Grabow brought the original deeds for a couple of our parks and discussed the deeds and how the lang should be used based on what was in the original paperwork.  Rebecca Bird wondered about better sound equipment for the Community Room. She expressed concern about communication with our older population. The City Manager stated the schedule attached to consent item E is a preliminary schedule, and he assured the community that the parade would not be interrupted because of this project. Vice Chair Nootz clarified the City staff and engineers didn’t make the Parks Master Plan. It was built by a consulting firm with the public. She also clarified that this Commission works really hard to save trees and there is no one looking to get rid of tress on the Commission or City staff. She advised if community members have questions to try and direct them to the City Manager, and advised that the Commission does not direct staff. Commission Kahle also stated they will get in a lot of trouble if the Commission directs staff, and reminded that their only employee is the City Manager.  Vice Chair Nootz expressed discomfort about comments made regarding City staff and transparency, and stated things have been more transparent than they ever have been. Chair Schwarz clarified that with the Parks Master Plan it can be adopted, but it doesn’t mean it is set in stone. He stated that anything related to that will go through public process. Commissioner Kahle reminded that the Parks Master Plan is still in process and has not yet come before the Commission for discussion. Chair Schwarz asked about the FOIA request. The City Manager stated this has been taken care of. He also stated that the event for Donkey Days was great and he also very sure the 6th Street Block Party did not receive a $6500 bill for their event. Chair Schwarz remined that there is a permitting process for events. The City Manager thanked Becky Bird for her comments and understands the challenges that come with reaching all community members. He hopes more folks sign up for the City Newsletter, and also gave his phone for folks to reach him as well 406-223-4475. 4. Consent Items A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM SEPTEMBER 16, 2025, REGULAR MEETING PG.4 B. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS PAID 9/11/25 - 10/1/25 PG.60 C. JUDGES MONTH REPORT AUGUST 2025 PG.79 D. PURCHASE ORDER 20224 FOR 2 DUMP TRUCKS PG.81 E. AGREEMENT 20225 WITH TD&H PG.87 F. APPROVAL OF THREE CITY-COUNTY INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT (COMPACT) CHAPTERS PG.109 G. PURCHASE ORDER 20226 WITH RESSLER MOTORS FOR A TRUCK PG.121 Vice Chair Nootz pulled consent item F. Vice Chair Nootz motioned to approve consent items A-E & G, seconded by Commissioner Kahle. Unanimously approved. Vice Chair Nootz asked for a really brief update on consent item F. The City Manager stated this item is the approval of 3 chapters of the City County Compact. The compact governs a number of interactions that the City and County primarily in the provision of service or operation of certain facilities. Chapter zero and one were approved a year ago, and have recently done the GIS service chapter. Tonight, for the review are the Law Enforcement Mutual  Assistance, IT Service, and Dispatch Services. He stated IT and Dispatch service operate fairly similarly in that we have shared employees. Each entity responsible for employment is responsible for developing a budget for the services and for the department. The non- host entity provides reimbursement of 50% of the budgeted cost for each entity to operate. In the law enforcement section, it provides that certain circumstances Livingston Police may go outside of our jurisdiction, outside of City limits to support the Park County Sheriff’s Office, and in times of need the Park County Sheriff’s Office may support Livingston Police Department. There is a mechanism to provide funding in case of a large event in either jurisdiction. Vice Chair Nootz asked since this is an agreement between 2 legislative bodies, but it’s carried out by 2 executive bodies, so she wondered how should the Commission expect to receive updates on this if there are changes made. The City Manager stated the last version of this agreement expired in 2012, so we’ve been operating without an agreement. If there is a change in these agreements they would come back before the Commission. He stated he does not have the power to modify contracts of this nature. He will include operations with Park County into his updates that he brings before the Commission as well. Vice Chair Nootz motioned to approve Consent Item F, seconded by Commissioner Kahle. Unanimously approved. 5. Proclamations A. A PROCLAMATION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LIVINGSTON, MONTANA, DECLARING OCTOBER 2025 AS FIRE PREVENTION MONTH IN LIVINGSTON, MONTANA. PG.126 Chair Schwarz read the proclamation. The City Manager stated the number of firefighters has increased from 16 to 20 since last year, and that was due to the recommendation that was adopted by the City Commission to increase the staffing in the Livingston Fire and Rescue Department to account for the increase in calls. He thanked the City Commission for the additional resources to LFR. Commissioner Willich acknowledged we have the busiest single station in the state, and the most advanced EMS in the state, which he expressed was awesome. Commissioner Kahle thanked the department and thanked them for their hard work. Vice Chair Nootz expressed that it was great that they are so trained beyond anybody else, and thanked them for their hard work saving lives. B. A PROCLAMATION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LIVINGSTON, MONTANA, DECLARING OCTOBER 5-11 2025 AS CODE ENFORCEMENT APPREICATION WEEK IN LIVINGSTON, MONTANA. PG.128  Chair Schwarz read the proclamation. The City Manager stated that their service is invaluable to the community. He acknowledged Brad who does City building inspections and thanked him for his hard work. Chair Schwarz recognized it’s a thankless job at times, and thanked them for all their hard work. Vice Chair Nootz expressed she is grateful that there are 3 people in the department to thank because it is something the community was asking for from the City for a long time was consistent code enforcement. She thanked them for their hard work. Building Inspector Brad Haefs complimented Helen and Darci for keeping things up in record time and they are exemplary. 6. Scheduled Public Comment 7. Action Items A. RESOLUTION 5177: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LIVINGSTON, MONTANA, OF ITS INTENT TO AMEND THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025, BY MAKING APPRPRIATION ADJUSTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $33,689 AND REVENUE ADJUSTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,034. PG.130 The City Manager stated this item is an intent to amend the budge for the recently closed FY 24/25. There were 5 changes that show on the items staff report. Commissioner Lyons stated on page 131 that the FY needs updated. Commissioner Kahle motioned to approve this resolution, seconded by Commissioner Lyons. Unanimously approved. B. UPDATE ON WATER RECLAMATION FACILITY REPAIRS PG.135 The City Manager stated they have previously discussed an issue that arose at the WRF almost a year ago. The team at WRF worked to bring basin 2 back into use. Shortly after the first catastrophic failure they noticed the second basin was likely to suffer the same fate. They were prepared to have the team come in August to do the repairs on the second basin, it actually failed in July. He introduced WRF Superintendent Trac Tidwell to give a presentation. WRF Superintendent Trace Tidwell gave a brief presentation. Vice Chair Nootz expressed that they have been working on this for over a year in crisis mode and how great it is that nobody’s service has changed in the City. Vice Chair Nootz motioned for a 10-minute break, seconded by Commissioner Kahle. Unanimously approved.  C. CITY MANAGER UPDATE ON GROWTH POLICY IMPLEMENTATION PG.137 The City Manager gave a presentation on the Growth Policy. Commissioner Lyons stated he is excited to see the implementation of the Zoning Code Update. Commissioner Kahle expressed that it is great to see the amount of implementation that has been done. She thanked the City Manager and staff for moving it forward. Vice Chair Nootz recalled what steps were take to get the Growth Policy to where it is now. She expressed how great it is to see where it is now and so many things are in progress and being worked on. She thanked the City Manager and staff for working on all of it. Pubic Comment was offered by:  Becky Bird expressed how impressive the Growth Policy document is and she feels it is comprehensive. She stated that the presentation tonight really helped bring it all together so she understands the plan.  Linda Maher asked if the public was involved in the implementation of this. Vice Chair Nootz stated that when City Manager Gager started the Commission made it clear that the Growth Policy was a high priority for them. He put together a work plan and it broke down 4 priorities based on the public and Commission. She also stated the most strategies came through Commission documents and the City Manager has made a lot of this process public. The City Manager stated there have been a number of public processes embedded in the work that he just presented. He gave example of the Parks Master Plan started 8 months ago and they had another in-person meeting on August 12th, and there will be future public meeting as it’s adopted. Vice Chair Nootz stated there have been a lot more public meetings brought to the community to support the need for transparency into how the Executive Branch makes decisions.  Patricia Grabow recalled doing something like this in another community she lived. 8. City Manager Comment The City Manager stated he appreciates the ability to update the Commission and public on progress and implementing these documents, and thanked them for their hard work. 9. City Commission Comments Commissioner Willich stated it was a great meeting. Commissioner Lyons thanked everyone for a great meeting and stated that September was 3 degrees above normal. He appreciates seeing updates and implementations of the Growth Policy. Commissioner Kahle thanked the City Manager for the update on the Growth Policy. Vice Chair Nootz asked if there were updates for downtown and snow removal. The City Manager stated we have a new Street Superintendent, Patrick Stewart, and the Streets team will be able to handle plowing among many other things with their new Superintendent and full team. Chair Schwarz thanked the public for their engagement. 10. Adjournment 9:50 PM Commissioner Lyons motioned for adjournment, seconded by Commissioner Kahle. Unanimously approved. Calendar of Events Supplemental Material Notice  Public Comment: The public can speak about an item on the agenda during discussion of that item by coming up to the table or podium, signing-in, and then waiting to be recognized by the Chairman. Individuals are reminded that public comments should be limited to items over which the City Commission has supervision, control, jurisdiction, or advisory power (MCA 2-3-202).  Meeting Recording: An audio and/or video recording of the meeting, or any portion thereof, may be purchased by contacting the City Administration. The City does not warrant the audio and/or video recording as to content, quality, or clarity.  Special Accommodation: If you need special accommodations to attend or participate in our meeting, please contact the Fire Department at least 24 hours in advance of the specific meeting you are planning on attending.