City Council

City of Sidney, MT City Council Regular Meeting 4/20/26 April 20, 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. April 6th, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes 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 b. April 6th, 2026 Executive Meeting Minutes Motion was made to approve. Motion made by Alderwoman Buxbaum, Seconded by Alderwoman Rasmussen. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson 5. Visitors City Council Regular Meeting 4/20/26 April 20, 2026 Page 1 of 6  James Falcon (Sidney Herald), Aiyana Kirn, Brayden Reuter, Kimberly Bright, Deedra Erickson, Brady Collins, Izzy Baisch, Jody Wells (The Roundup), Amara Iverson, Audrey O, Axyl Braun, Jeff Mead, Kalen Price, Trevor Bower, Tom Kalil (City Attorney, via Zoom). 6. Public Hearing Nothing. 7. Mayor Norby a. Update Nothing. 8. Committee Meeting Work a. Budget and Finance Committee 4/14/26: Update and Report Alderwoman Christensen discussed the minutes from the Budget and Finance Committee meeting with the council. b. Budget and Finance Committee 4/14/26: Budget Policy-Payroll and Compensation Motion was made to approve the Budget Policy-Payroll. Motion made by Alderwoman Christensen, Seconded by Alderwoman Buxbaum. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson Motion was made to approve compensation and the pay scale range. Motion made by Alderwoman Christensen, Seconded by Alderman DiFonzo. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson The Committee opted to not approve the 2026-2027 payroll yet due to the need to align with the COLA amount. A potential 6% health insurance increase was discussed and will also be revisited in May. c. Budget and Finance Committee 4/14/26: Website/Meetings Application ADA Accessibility and Update The Committee recommended upgrading the online system to a new company and making the website ADA compliant, with a total cost of $19,222.40 for the first year and $17,220.40 annually thereafter. Motion was made to approve. City Council Regular Meeting 4/20/26 April 20, 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 d. Public Works Committee 4/15/26: Update and Report The Public Works Committee discussed the issues that the Sidney Chamber is facing regarding their sewer line and what direction they are going to go to find a solution. Garbage pick-up issues were also discussed, including the need for more receptacles and addressing the amount of grease that is dumped into the sewer lines. The water tower replacement project was also mentioned. The ball fields in North Park will not be impacted. e. Public Works Committee 4/15/26: Public Right-of-Way permitting will start enforcing requirement of contractors being licensed and bonded No action was taken, but it is something that needs to be addressed. 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 raised a question about an ordinance regarding kratom due to a local incident. Alderman Kaufman requested staff to work with Forrest Sanderson on a two-mile jurisdictional area surrounding the city limits. Alderwoman DiFonzo inquired about information regarding saltwater disposal. 10. Unfinished Business a. Approval of Appointment: Jessica Chamberlin as Interim City Administrator (tabled 4/6/26) Motion was made to un-table. Motion made by Alderwoman Christensen, Seconded by Alderwoman Buxbaum. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson Motion was made to approve Jessica Chamberlin as Interim City Administrator. City Council Regular Meeting 4/20/26 April 20, 2026 Page 3 of 6  Motion made by Alderwoman Christensen, Seconded by Alderman DiFonzo. In discussion Alderwoman Rasmussen raised a concern about the wage amounts. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson b. Approval of Appointment : Karmen Lange-Schmierer as Interim Clerk/Treasurer (tabled 4/6/26) Motion was made to un-table. Motion made by Alderwoman Christensen, Seconded by Alderwoman Larson. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson Voting Nay: Alderwoman Rasmussen Motion was made to approve Karmen Lange-Schmierer as Interim Clerk/Treasurer. Motion made by Alderwoman Christensen, Seconded by Alderwoman Buxbaum. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson Voting Nay: Alderwoman Rasmussen c. Oath of Office: Jessica Chamberlin as Interim City Administrator and Karmen Lange-Schmierer as Interim Clerk/Treasurer Jessica Chamberlin as Interim City Administrator and Karmen Lange-Schmierer as Interim Clerk/Treasurer took the Oath of Office. d. 2026 Pool Pass Cost (tabled 4/6/26) Motion made to un-table. Motion made by Alderwoman Christensen, Seconded by Alderwoman Larson. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson The Council discussed options for increasing pool pass fees, opting for a slight increase in the full pass fee and adding a fee for lessons. Motion made to approve the pool pass cost slight increase. Motion made by Alderwoman Buxbaum, Seconded by Alderwoman Rasmussen. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson 11. New Business a. Delinquent TBID: Candlewood Inn (3 Quarters for $12,094.62) City Council Regular Meeting 4/20/26 April 20, 2026 Page 4 of 6  The council discussed the delinquent TBID payment from the Candlewood Inn. Motion was made to let Kalil Law Firm draft a letter of delinquency to the Candlewood Inn. Motion made by Alderwoman Rasmussen, Seconded by Alderwoman Larson. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson Alderwoman Buxbaum questioned if the balance could be taken care of through a different form of payment, such as a direct deposit account. Clerk/Treasurer Chamberlin further explained that she could look into it, however if that was not an option, the payment could potentially be posted on property taxes. 12. City Planner Nothing. 13. City Attorney a. Update The city attorney provided an update on the advanced lining tank issue and mentioned that there is no court this week as there is judge's school. b. Ordinance No. 604-Updating the Nuisance Code (2nd reading) Motion was made to approve Ordinance 640, updating the Nuisance Code for its second and final reading. Motion made by Alderman Kauffman, Seconded by Alderman DiFonzo. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson 14. Chief of Police a. Update Nothing. 15. Public Works Director a. Update PWD Hintz stated road oil has been ordered for street patching, there are contractors here to install fence, for pre-construction this week at the North Park Water Tower Replacement project and work is progressing on the SLIPA project at the City Shop and is expected to me complete in a few weeks. City Council Regular Meeting 4/20/26 April 20, 2026 Page 5 of 6  b. NPWTR Phase 2 Draw #2 for $196,618 (Western Municipal Pay App #2 for $69,127.49 and #3 for $127,490.77) Motion made to approve NPWTR Phase 2 Draw #2 for $196,618 (Western Municipal Pay App #2 for $69,127.49 and #3 for $127,490.77). Motion made by Alderwoman Rasmussen, Seconded by Alderman Kauffman. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson 16. Fire Marshal/Building Inspector Nothing. 17. City Clerk/Treasurer a. Update Clerk/ Treasurer Chamberlin provided an update on the SRF bond for the water tower phase 2, stating closing will be this week, and a complaint about derogatory remarks drawn on park rocks. 18. Consent Agenda Motion was made to approve the claims and building permits. Motion made by Alderman Kauffman, Seconded by Alderman DiFonzo. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson a. Claims to be approved: $145,048.23 Intermediary Claims: Lower Yellowstone Irrigation $250.00 b. Building Permits to be approved : RC2026-25, RC2026-27, RC2026-29, City 2026-43 and 2026-44 19. Adjournment Meeting was adjourned at 7:00pm. City Council Regular Meeting 4/20/26 April 20, 2026 Page 6 of 6