City Council Regular Meeting 3-2-26

City of Sidney, MT City Council Regular Meeting 3-2-26 March 02, 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 DiFonzo and Larson. Via Zoom: Christensen, Buxbaum, Kauffman, and Rasmussen. 4. Correction or Approval of Minutes a. February 17th, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes Motion was made to approve. Motion made by Alderman DiFonzo, Seconded by Alderwoman Larson. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson b. February 17th, 2026 Closed Executive Meeting Minutes Motion was made to approve. Motion made by Alderwoman Christensen, Seconded by Alderwoman Rasmussen. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson 5. Visitors Tom Kalil (City Attorney, via Zoom), Jordan Mayor (Interstate Engineering), Daxton Brower, Aaron Filler, Brayden Reuter, Aubree Whiteman, Aiyanna Kirn, Axyl Braun, Paul O., Kaylynn G., Brady City Council Regular Meeting 3-2-26 March 02, 2026 Page 1 of 5  Collins, Miguel Trevino, Evelyn Gonzalez, Rylan Johnson, James Falcon (Sidney Herald, via Zoom), and Kelsey Hart (via Zoom). 6. Public Hearing Nothing. 7. Mayor Norby a. Update Nothing. 8. Committee Meeting Work a. Public Works Committee-Report Alderwoman Buxbaum presented an overview of the Public Works Committee meeting from February 18th, topics included considering consolidating some park CIPs and evaluating garbage assessments. b. Budget and Finance Committee 2-23-26: MSA's for RFQ's on On-Call Engineering, Planning and Grant Writing/Administration Alderwoman Christensen presented an overview from the Budget and Finance Committee meeting from February 23rd. The Committee reviewed four RFQ submittals from Morrison Maierle, Triple Tree/Peaks Planning, Interstate Engineering, and SDI Architects. The purpose of each RFQ was to have one or more Master Service Agreements on the shelf to be ready should the city have need. The Council will review the provided RFQ's to determine which firm is most qualified and offer them a task order for that item, which will then determine the cost. Motion was made to approve all four RFQs. Motion made by Alderwoman Christensen, Seconded by Alderman DiFonzo. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson c. Public Safety Committee: Report Alderwoman Buxbaum stated that the February 24th Public Safety Committee meeting tabled until the March meeting two agenda items, the Police and Fire CIP accounts policies and goals and the Nuisance code updates. 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 City Council Regular Meeting 3-2-26 March 02, 2026 Page 2 of 5  Nothing. 10. Unfinished Business Nothing. 11. New Business a. Downtown Master Plan Approval Public Works Director Hintz read aloud the conclusion from the planning process for the Downtown Master Plan. After completion of the research, public engagement, and plan development phases, the Downtown Master Plan Steering Committee has reviewed the final document in its entirety and recommends approval as presented. The Steering Committee believes the plan accurately reflects community input, aligns with Sidney's long-term economic and infrastructure goals, and provides a practical framework for implementation. Accordingly, the Steering Committee formally recommends that the Sidney City Council adopt the Downtown Master Plan as an addendum to the Richland County-Sidney-Fairview Growth Policy, thereby integrating the downtown vision into the City's broader policy framework and guiding future investment and development decisions within the downtown district. Motion was made to approve. Motion made by Alderwoman Larson, Seconded by Alderman DiFonzo. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson 12. City Planner 13. City Attorney a. Update Nothing. 14. Chief of Police a. Update Nothing. 15. Public Works Director a. Update Public Works Director Hintz stated that the public works crew has had a busy few months, working on finding and returning garbage dumpsters from the many winter wind storms, trimming trees in public right of ways, removing the grass clippings from the past season to be ready for spring clean up, and conducting inventory on streets for repair. City Council Regular Meeting 3-2-26 March 02, 2026 Page 3 of 5  b. B&B Work Order #8 for Bathroom and Entry at Shop (SLIPA Grant) $86,762.79 PWD Hintz presented the B&B Work Order #8 for Bathroom and Entry at Shop (SLIPA Grant) for $86,762.79. Motion was made to approve. Motion made by Alderwoman Larson, Seconded by Alderwoman Rasmussen. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson c. B&B Work Order #9 for Office and Locker at Shop (SLIPA Grant) $142,482.88 PWD Hintz presented the B&B Work Order #9 for Office and Locker at Shop (SLIPA Grant) for $142,482.88. Motion was made to approve. Motion made by Alderwoman Larson, Seconded by Alderwoman Christensen. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson d. MDT TA 22nd Ave Bike Path-Agreements PWD Hintz presented the MDT TA 22nd Ave Bike Path-Agreements. PWD Hintz stated that after council approval the next step will be soliciting for and selecting a contractor and that construction will begin in 2027 at the earliest. Alderman DiFonzo asked when and how the City secures street lighting for the path. PWD Hintz stated that a portion of the path will be in MDUs service area and that the remaining portion will be in Lower Yellowstone REAs service area. PWD Hintz will follow up with both utility companies on the area they serve and ensure lighting is planned as the project moves forward. Motion was made to approve the MDT TA 22nd Ave Bike Path-Agreements contingent on City Attorney Kalil review. Motion made by Alderman DiFonzo, Seconded by Alderwoman Larson. 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 City Council Regular Meeting 3-2-26 March 02, 2026 Page 4 of 5  Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Schmierer stated that the City has hired a new Utility Clerk, Anissa Bengochea, and that audit work will conclude this week. b. Local Government Review Meeting and Public Hearing 3-5-26 Public Hearing on the Change of Form of Government-Mayor/Council vs City Manager/Council Mayor Norby stated the Local Government Review Meeting and Public Hearing will be this Thursday, March 5th at 5:30pm. 18. Consent Agenda Motion was made to approve the claims and building permit. 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: $91,728.00 Intermediary Claims: $10,053.31 Red Hot Fire Extinguishers $722.50 USA Bluebook $8,202.46 USPS $1,128.35 b. Building Permits to be approved: 2026-031 19. Adjournment at 6:48pm. City Council Regular Meeting 3-2-26 March 02, 2026 Page 5 of 5