City Council Regular Meeting 2-17-26

City of Sidney, MT City Council Regular Meeting 2-17-26 February 17, 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 Mayor Norby called the regular meeting of the Sidney City Council to order at 6:30pm. 2. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was stated by all present. 3. Aldermen Present Buxbaum, Kauffman, and DiFonzo. Via zoom: Christensen, Rasmussen, and Larson. 4. Correction or Approval of Minutes a. February 2nd, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes Motion was made to approve. Motion made by Alderwoman Buxbaum, Seconded by Alderman DiFonzo. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson b. February 2nd, 2026 Closed Meeting Minutes 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 5. Visitors City Council Regular Meeting 2-17-26 February 17, 2026 Page 1 of 5  Tom Kalil (City Attorney, via Zoom), James Falcon (Sidney Herald, via Zoom), Jordan Mayer (Interstate Engineering), Evelyn Gonzalez, Asle Everett, Shane Goergen, Axyl Braun, and Aiyana Kirn. 6. Public Hearing Nothing. 7. Mayor Norby a. Update Nothing. b. Appoint to the Conservation Board-Heather Luinstra Motion was made to appoint Heather Luinstra to the Conservation Board. Motion made by Alderman Kauffman, Seconded by Alderwoman Buxbaum. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson 8. Committee Meeting Work a. Call for a Special Committee-Review RFQ's On-Call Professional Engineering, Planning and Grant Writing/Administration Services Monday, February 23rd at 5:30pm Alderwoman Christensen, Alderman DiFonzo, and Alderman Kauffler will meet as a special committee to review RFQ's On-Call Professional Engineering, Planning, and Grant Writing/Administration Services. b. Budget and Finance: TBID Fee Alderman DiFonzo presented an overview of the Budget and Finance Committee meeting from February 10th. During the committee meeting there was discussion of collecting an administration fee of 6% of the TBID receivables as stated in city code. City staff collects the quarterly reports from the eight participating hotels, creates the invoices, receives the payments, and issues the payment to the TBID, along with attending TBID monthly meetings. Motion was made to approve the City of Sidney collecting 6% of the TBID receivables. Motion made by Alderman DiFonzo, Seconded by Alderwoman Buxbaum. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson c. Budget and Finance: City Hall Updates Alderman DiFonzo stated that the Budget and Finance Committee February 10th meeting discussed a few non-ADA compliant areas of City Hall, including an automatic door for the city City Council Regular Meeting 2-17-26 February 17, 2026 Page 2 of 5  council chambers, kick plates below the front counter, and removing the automatic door closures on the public bathrooms. The City has excess funds from the 2024 remodel left to cover the costs of these changes to become ADA compliant. Motion was made to approve solicitation of work orders for City Hall ADA Compliant updates. 9. Alderman Requests and Committee Reports Budget and Finance – Chairman Christensen – DiFonzo, Buxbaum, Skinner Public Safety – Chairman DiFonzo – Rasmussen, Kauffman, Creek Public Works – Chairman Christensen – Larson, Christensen, Harris Nothing. 10. Unfinished Business Nothing. 11. New Business Nothing. 12. City Planner Nothing. 13. City Attorney a. Update Nothing. b. Resolution No. 3968- Ratification of Growth Policy as Approved by Richland County City Attorney Kalil presented Resolution No. 3968- Ratification of Growth Policy as Approved by Richland County. Motion was made to approve Resolution No. 3968- Ratification of Growth Policy as Approved by Richland County. Motion made by Alderman DiFonzo, Seconded by Alderwoman Larson. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson 14. Chief of Police a. Update Chief Kraft was happy to announce a new patrol officer was sworn in for duty on Monday and that interviews held last week for patrol officers went well pending back ground checks. City Council Regular Meeting 2-17-26 February 17, 2026 Page 3 of 5 15. Public Works Director a. Update PW Director Hintz stated that public works staff have been busy cleaning and purging at the city shop and work done to the offices and restroom are almost complete. He also stated the public works staff is ready to come to work early tomorrow morning for snow removal and garbage collection with the storm blowing in. b. B&B Work Order #5-Veteran's Park Pavilion $40,408.00 PW Director Hintz presented B&B Work Order #5-Veteran's Park Pavilion $40,408.00 which is budgeted for in the parks general fund. This is a work order to replace two fascia boards that are deteriorating and to pressure wash and stain the remaining boards. The work order also includes coating the exterior CMU with anti graffiti material. Alderman DiFonzo asked it the Veteran Park restrooms are in good condition currently or needing some updates. PW Director Hintz replied that the restrooms were remodeled four or five years ago and in good condition, Alderman Kauffman asked if the anti graffiti material has been tested to work. PW Director Hintz stated that material has been used at Richland County Fair buildings and works well. Motion was made to approve B&B Work Order #5-Veteran's Park Pavilion $40,408.00. Motion made by Alderwoman Buxbaum, Seconded by Alderman Kauffman. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson c. B&B Work Order #6-Shop Doors $14,030.0 PW Director Hintz presented B&B Work Order #6-Shop Doors $14,030.00. This work order is budgeted for on the SLIPA project for replacing doors at the city shop. Alderman Kauffman asked if the work order is for $14,030.00 or for $21,978.00 as both estimates are in the agenda packet for review. The documents were reviewed again and the correct work order is for $21,978.00, which is the $14,030 work order plus labor and material for a door on the west side of the city shop and adding a closure to the northeast exterior door at the city shop. Motion was made to approve B&B Work Order #6-Shop Doors $21,978.00 Motion made by Alderman DiFonzo, Seconded by Alderwoman Buxbaum. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson d. B&B Work Order #7-WWTP AC & Heater $7,640.00 PW Director Hintz presented B&B Work Order #7-WWTP AC & Heater $7,640.00 that is budgeted for in the wastewater fund. This work order is to install a hotel style air conditioner/heater unit at the Wastewater treatment plant in the electric room. This room has a louvered vent currently and gets warm in the summer heat. The work will replace the louvered vent and place the hotel style air conditioner/heater in its place. City Council Regular Meeting 2-17-26 February 17, 2026 Page 4 of 5  Motion was made to approve B&B Work Order #7-WWTP AC & Heater $7,640.00. Motion made by Alderwoman Buxbaum, Seconded by Alderwoman Christensen. 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 Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Schmierer stated to the council that a trio of tours is scheduled for Friday, March 13th for them, special committee members, and city hall office staff. The tours would start at 1:00pm on the 13th to tour the water treatment plant, the wastewater plant, and the city shop to get a better understanding of the city departments. 18. Consent Agenda Motion was made to approve the claims and building permits. Motion made by Alderman Kauffman, Seconded by Alderwoman Larson. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson a. Claims to be approved: $144,728.16 Intermediary Claims: b. Building Permits to be approved: RC2026-22, RC2026-23, and 2026-30 19. Adjournment a. Closed Executive Session-200,000 Gallon Tank Litigation A Closed Executive Session was held regarding the 200,000 Gallon Tank Litigation from 6:56pm to 7:24pm. 20. Adjournment at 7:24pm. City Council Regular Meeting 2-17-26 February 17, 2026 Page 5 of 5