City Council Regular Meeting 4-6-26

City of Sidney, MT City Council Regular Meeting 4-6-26 April 06, 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 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 16th, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes Motion was made to approve. Motion made by Alderwoman Rasmussen, Seconded by Alderman DiFonzo. In discussion, Alderwoman Larson stated section #8F has Alderwoman Buxbaum motioning and seconding. Clerk/Treasurer Chamberlin stated she will make that correction. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson 5. Visitors James Falcon (Sidney Herald), Jodi Wentz (Roundup), Kim Bright and Aubree Whiteman. 6. Public Hearing Nothing. City Council Regular Meeting 4-6-26 April 06, 2026 Page 1 of 6 7. Mayor Norby a. Update Nothing. b. Letter on Interim appointment and terms from Council President Alderwoman Christensen presented her letter on the interim appointment and terms and stated that she is still having concerns with the wages of the Clerk/Treasurer. Alderwoman Rasmussen and Alderwoman Larson agreed. Mayor Norby defended the wages presented for the Interim Clerk/Treasurer position and Alderwoman Rasmussen stated she also has concerns with the City Administrator wages. Motion was made to table both appointments for further review of the wages and terms. Motion made by Alderwoman Larson, Seconded by Alderwoman Buxbaum. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson Voting Nay: Alderman DiFonzo c. Approval of Appointment and Terms: Jessica Chamberlin as Interim City Administrator Tabled until the April 20th, 2026 City Council meeting. d. Approval of Appointment : Karmen Lange-Schmierer as Interim Clerk/Treasurer Tabled until the April 20th, 2026 City Council meeting. 8. Committee Meeting Work a. Public Works Committee: March 18th, 2026 Meeting Report/Update Alderman DiFonzo reported on the Public Works Committee, stating they are working on many items that are not ready for recommendation to the City Council. b. Public Works Committee: Public Works portion of Finance Policy-Capital Savings Alderman DiFonzo stated Clerk/Treasurer Chamberlin presented the updated Finance Policy for Capital Savings for the public works departments and the Public Works Committee is recommending approval. Motion was made to approve. Motion made by Alderman DiFonzo, Seconded by Alderwoman Christensen. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson c. Public Safety Committee: March 24th, 2026 Meeting Report/Update City Council Regular Meeting 4-6-26 April 06, 2026 Page 2 of 6  Alderwoman Buxbaum reported on the Public Safety Committee meeting. d. Public Safety Committee: Public Safety portion of Finance Policy-Capital Savings Alderwoman Buxbaum stated Clerk/Treasurer Chamberlin, Chief Kraft and FM/BI Rasmussen presented the updated Finance Policy for Capital Savings for the public safety departments and the Public Safety Committee is recommending approval. 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 e. Public Safety Committee: Nuisance Code Update (Ordinance 604) 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 Nothing. 10. Unfinished Business a. MSA Agreement Update for On-Call Engineering, Planning and Grant Writing/Administration Services Clerk/Treasurer Chamberlin stated the previous discussion surrounding the MSA's for this was City Attorney Kalil would draft an agreement for the City to use with all, but in communications with the awardees, they have their own agreements they would prefer to use. Clerk/Treasurer Chamberlin stated once she receives the agreements, City Attorney Kalil will review but asked if the Council would like to see them individually. It was the general consensus of the City Council that Mayor Norby can sign the agreements after City Attorney Kalil approves. 11. New Business a. Oath of Office: Jessica Chamberlin as Interim City Administrator and Karmen Lange-Schmierer as Interim Clerk/Treasurer Tabled until the April 20th, 2026 City Council meeting. b. Community Development Block Grant-First and Final Draw for the Growth Policy $40,000.00 Clerk/Treasurer Chamberlin presented the draw that is for the Downtown Master Plan grant for $40,000. Motion was made to approve. City Council Regular Meeting 4-6-26 April 06, 2026 Page 3 of 6  Motion made by Alderman DiFonzo, Seconded by Alderwoman Rasmussen. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson 12. City Planner Nothing. 13. Chief of Police a. Update Nothing. b. Reappoint Jamie Malsam-Police Commission (3-year term ending 4-30-29) 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 14. Public Works Director a. Update PWD Hintz stated the public hearing for the Salt Water Disposal previously discussed will be in front of the Board of Oil and Gas on Thursday April 9th and he plans to attend along with Richland County DES. b. Meadows Subdivision Drainage Project, Change Order #1 to the Western Municipal Contract- reduction of $65,308.14 Motion was made to approve. Motion made by Alderwoman Buxbaum, Seconded by Alderwoman Larson. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson 15. Fire Marshal/Building Inspector Nothing. 16. City Clerk/Treasurer a. Update Nothing. b. 2026 Pool Pass Cost City Council Regular Meeting 4-6-26 April 06, 2026 Page 4 of 6  Deputy C/T Schmierer presented what a rate increase for the 2026 pool pass's could look like, pointing out to the City Council with the numbers provided that increases in rates does not correlate to increase in revenue, and the last time a larger increase happened, revenue dropped substancially. The City Council reviewed and recommended looking at the small increase, but in stead of having 4 passes, 2 with lessons, to just have individual and family passes and an extra fee for anyone who is taking lessons. Motion was made to table the swim passes to review and update accordingly. Motion made by Alderwoman Rasmussen, Seconded by Alderwoman Christensen. In discussion, Alderman Kauffman asked if we charge for swim meets and Clerk/Treasurer Chamberlin stated not at this time. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson 17. City Attorney a. Executive Session: TBID Litigation Mayor Norby closed the meeting for executive session to discuss the TBID litigation at 7:07pm and reopened it to the public at 7:21pm. 18. City Attorney a. TBID Lawsuit Settlement City Attorney Kalil presented the terms of settlement in the TBID lawsuit, as agreed upon by both parties during mediation on March 30th, 2026. Motion was made to approve the settlement as presented. Motion made by Alderwoman Rasmussen, Seconded by Alderwoman Buxbaum. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson b. Update c. Ordinance No. 604-Updating the Nuisance Code (1st reading) City Attorney Kalil presented and read out loud Ordinance No. 604, updating the Nuisance Code, for 1st reading. He stated he has implemented the changes as requested from the Public Safety Committee. He stated the only section that he did not update was the need for a court order to enter the home in an emergency abatement. He stated court rulings in these specific circumstances who that a court order is not needed due to the emergent situation, rather the Nuisance Committee will meet and show findings of fact as to the emergency. He stated this is only used in the most drastic of circumstances and not used once in the last several years under the current code that has the same provisions. City Council Regular Meeting 4-6-26 April 06, 2026 Page 5 of 6  Motion was made to approve Ordinance 604 on its 1st reading. Motion made by Alderman Kauffman, Seconded by Alderwoman Larson. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson 19. Consent Agenda Motion was made to approve the claims and building permits. Motion made by Alderman Kauffman, Seconded by Alderwoman Rasmussen. Voting Yea: Alderman Kauffman, Alderwoman Rasmussen, Alderman DiFonzo, Alderwoman Buxbaum, Alderwoman Christensen, Alderwoman Larson a. Claims to be approved: $202,802.99 Intermediary Claims: $38,823.17 Interstate Engineering $37,695.29 USPS $1127.88 b. Building Permits to be approved: 2026-038, 2026-039, 2026-40, 2026-41, and 2026-42 20. Adjournment at 7:30pm. City Council Regular Meeting 4-6-26 April 06, 2026 Page 6 of 6