City Council

City of Sidney, MT City Council Regular Meeting 3-16-26 March 16, 2026 6:30 PM 115 2nd Street SE |Sidney, MT 59270 The City Council meetings are open to the public attending in person. If the public does not wish to participate in person, they are also invited to participate via a Zoom meeting or via phone: Meeting ID: 713 080 5898 Passcode: 4332809 Call: 1-346-248-7799 1. Call to Order The regular meeting of the Sidney City Council was called to order at 6:30pm. 2. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was stated by all present. 3. Aldermen Present Christensen, Buxbaum, Larson, Kauffman, Rasmussen and DiFonzo. 4. Correction or Approval of Minutes a. March 2nd, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes Motion was made to approve. Motion made by Alderman DiFonzo, Seconded by Alderwoman Rasmussen. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson 5. Visitors 6. Public Hearing Nothing. 7. Mayor Norby a. Update Nothing. City Council Regular Meeting 3-16-26 March 16, 2026 Page 1 of 6 8. Committee Meeting Work a. Budget and Finance Committee: FY24-25 Audit Meeting Alderwoman Christensen stated at the monthly budget and finance meeting held on March 10, they reviewed the fiscal year 2024-2025 audit. She praised the audit for being excellent with no findings, and thanked the city staff for their hard work. b. Budget and Finance Committee: Assistant Public Works Director Job Description Alderwoman Christensen presented the Public Works Director Job Description, with the Budget and Finance Committee recommending approval. Motion was made to approve. Motion made by Alderwoman Christensen, Seconded by Alderman DiFonzo. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson c. Budget and Finance Committee: Financial Policies: Financial Governance Framework Alderwoman Christensen presented the Financial Governance Framework Policy, with the Budget and Finance Committee recommending approval. Motion was made to approve. Motion made by Alderwoman Christensen, Seconded by Alderwoman Buxbaum. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson d. Budget and Finance Committee: Financial Policies: Procurement and Purchasing Policy Alderwoman Christensen presented the Procurement and Purchasing Policy, with the Budget and Finance Committee recommending approval. Motion was made to approve. Motion made by Alderwoman Christensen, Seconded by Alderwoman Larson. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson e. Budget and Finance Committee: Financial Policies: Contract Approval Authority Policy Alderwoman Christensen presented the Contract Approval Authority Policy, with the Budget and Finance Committee recommending approval. Motion was made to approve. City Council Regular Meeting 3-16-26 March 16, 2026 Page 2 of 6  Motion made by Alderwoman Christensen, Seconded by Alderman DiFonzo. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson f. Budget and Finance Committee: Financial Policies: Capital Asset & Equipment Purchase Policy Alderwoman Christensen presented the Capital Asset & Equipment Purchase Policy, with the Budget and Finance Committee recommending approval. Motion was made to approve. Motion made by Alderwoman Buxbaum, Seconded by Alderwoman Buxbaum. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson g. Budget and Finance Committee: Financial Policies: Budget Authorization & Expenditure Authorization Policy Alderwoman Christensen presented the Budget Authorization & Expenditure Authorization Policy, with the Budget and Finance Committee recommending approval. Motion was made to approve. Motion made by Alderwoman Christensen, Seconded by Alderwoman Larson. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson h. Budget and Finance Committee: Financial Policies: Vacancy Savings & Unbudgeted Expenditure Policy Alderwoman Christensen presented the Vacancy Savings & Unbudgeted Expenditure Policy, with the Budget and Finance Committee recommending approval. Motion was made to approve. Motion made by Alderwoman Christensen, Seconded by Alderman DiFonzo. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson i. Budget and Finance Committee: City Administrator Job Description Alderwoman Christensen presented the City Administrator Job Description, with the Budget and Finance Committee recommending approval. Motion was made to approve. Alderman DiFonzo stated the City will wait to codify this job description as others are for a year to ensure it is how it should be. City Council Regular Meeting 3-16-26 March 16, 2026 Page 3 of 6  Motion made by Alderwoman Christensen, Seconded by Alderwoman Buxbaum. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson 9. Alderman Requests and Committee Reports Budget and Finance – Chairman Christensen – DiFonzo, Buxbaum, Skinner Public Works – Chairman DiFonzo – Larson, Christensen, Harris Public Safety – Chairman Buxbaum – Rasmussen, Kauffman, Creek Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Larson, Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen and Alderman DiFonzo all expressed their satisfaction with the recent tours of city public works facilities and the staff for their knowledge and passion for their departments. All were very impressed. Alderman DiFonzo raised a concern about broken windows at the wastewater building, which a work order has been issued to take care of a a while ago. Public Works Director Hintz stated the windows have been ordered but have not arrived to be installed. Alderman DiFonzo and Alderwoman Rasmussen raised concerns with work orders not having a estimated end date could cause long delays or not being top priority and Clerk/Treasurer Chamberlin stated the current MSA does not have completion dates but they can inquire to add those to some of the work orders. 10. Unfinished Business Nothing. 11. New Business Nothing. 12. City Planner Nothing. 13. City Attorney a. Update City Attorney Kalil stated things are still going well for both civil and prosecution. b. Resolution #3969-Water System Revenue Bond Resolution for $8,825,000 (Water Tower Replacement Project) City Attorney Kalil read Resolution #3969-Water System Revenue Bond Resolution for $8,825,000 for Water Tower Replacement Project, out loud. Motion was made to approve. City Council Regular Meeting 3-16-26 March 16, 2026 Page 4 of 6  Motion made by Alderwoman Christensen, Seconded by Alderwoman Rasmussen. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson 14. Chief of Police a. Update Chief Kraft stated the SPD participated in a Law Enforcement Hiring Simulation with the Leadership Class last week, showing the practices and giving insight into the depth of the process and how hard it can be to fill positions. Chief Kraft stated they swore in a new officer, Jack Gonzales, just today and are excited to have him in the Department. 15. Public Works Director a. Update PWD Hintz stated City Attorney Kalil has approved the MDT agreements for the 22nd Ave Bike Path project, so they can be executed by Mayor Norby. He further stated B&B have started on the newest work orders at the shop for the bathroom and offices under the SLIPA grant. b. Pay Application #2 - North Park Tower Replacement; Phase 4b WRF -26638 Draw #1 of $429,568.00 PWD Hintz presented the Pay Application #2 for the North Park Tower Replacement; Phase 4b WRF -26638 Draw #1 of $429,568.00 and recommended approval. Motion was made to approve. Motion made by Alderwoman Rasmussen, Seconded by Alderman Kauffman. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson Voting Abstaining: Alderwoman Buxbaum 16. Fire Marshal/Building Inspector a. January and February 2026 Fire Run Report Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Schmierer presented the January and February 2026 Fire Run Reports on behalf of FM/BI Rasmussen. 17. City Clerk/Treasurer a. Update Nothing. City Council Regular Meeting 3-16-26 March 16, 2026 Page 5 of 6 18. Consent Agenda Motion was made to approve the claims and building permits. Motion made by Alderman Kauffman, Seconded by Alderwoman Christensen. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson a. Claims to be approved: $221,720.73 Intermediary Claims: b. Building Permits to be approved: 2026-32, 2026-33, 2026-37 19. Adjournment at 6:51pm. City Council Regular Meeting 3-16-26 March 16, 2026 Page 6 of 6