Public Works Committee

City of Sidney, MT Public Works Committee Meeting January 28, 2026 5:30 PM 115 2nd Street SE |Sidney, MT 59270 Committee 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 Public Works Committee was called to order at 5:30pm. 2. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was stated by all present. 3. Committee Members Present DiFonzo, Christensen, Larson, Harris 4. Correction or Approval of Minutes Nothing. 5. Visitors None. 6. Monthly Reports a. December 2025 Public Works Report PWD Hintz presented the December 2025 Public Works Report and a yearly detailed report on the cost for the paving, sweeping and solid waste departments. Clerk/Treasurer Chamberlin clarified the reports PWD Hintz provided show only direct costs and do not include costs such as insurance, employee liabilities, supplies and purchased services and therefore do not reflect actual budget costs. Mr. Harris asked if for the paving PWD Hintz can say roughly how many lineal feet or blocks the tonnage covers and PWD Hintz stated he does not track this way but the work completed was Public Works Committee Meeting January 28, 2026 Page 1 of 3  approximately 9-11 blocks and a couple alleys. Mr. Harris further inquired into the process and details of the paving reporting. 7. New Business a. Public Works CIP Polices and Goals Clerk/Treasurer Chamberlin presented and reviewed the current Public Works CIP accounts and example policies and financial goals. She stated ultimately they are looking for guidance on how the policies should be handled, if the polices are left vague as they are provided, they can be utilized more broadly but by keeping them vague, it opens up the ability to use the funds outside the bounds of what the Council intends them to be used or budgeted for. In discussion Alderman DiFonzo stated keeping flexibility is important so projects and expenses can be funded that may not fall into one of those category but need or should use those savings. Mr. Harris asked if so many accounts are needed or if the solution would be to have one large CIP that could be utilized for functions within that department, he stated that would then free up issues with projects coming in over budget but still moving forward. This would also ease budgeting and make things simpler. Clerk/Treasurer Chamberlin stated the p[remise for having the separate funds for different "topics" within the departments was to ensure those items were funded, but by combining them into one large departmental savings, it could open opportunity. The other committee members agreed that this is something that could be a good opportunity. Clerk/Treasurer Chamberlin stated her question would be legally if the City could combine these or if they would need to be spent down, but she will inquire with the auditor and report back to the February Public Works Committee Meeting. It was the general consensus of the Public Works Committee that Clerk/Treasurer Chamberlin look into the legality and logistics of combining the CIP accounts by department and report back at the February meeting. b. Garbage Assessment Code Review/Update The Public Safety Committee started to review the garbage codes and how assessments should be assessed. Options being reviewed include could/how to asses by can and pickup or update current code to define current language to better understand what rate of garbage the businesses would be at. Items discussed included how to assess by can and pickup for properties who share cans in the alley's, especially those in the commercial districts. How to continue to address the increase in county residents bringing garbage in and dropping in city cans, especially if the county will not be opening their outer drop location. Clerk/Treasurer Chamberlin and PWD Hintz will continue to solicit for example resolutions from other communities to provide examples at the February meeting. 8. Unfinished Business Nothing. 9. Comments and Questions from the Committee Public Works Committee Meeting January 28, 2026 Page 2 of 3  The Public Works Committee set their meetings for the 3rd Wednesday at 5:30pm for the rest of 2025. Mr. Harris stated everyone joins committees and gets involved with an agenda and he would like to make his clear from the beginning, which is that he feels the community is deteriorating. He stated when people come to Sidney, it is his hope that it is "bright and shiny" and the city needs to address things such as streets, sidewalks and many other things and that he understands the question is how do we pay for it. He stated it is self-serving as he will need someone to take over his business eventually when he retires, as he does not want to see it close and 30 more jobs be gone. He stated first impressions mean a lot and gave credit to the Chamber for all they have been doing and stated people know how he feels about RED. He stated he is not afraid to ask questions or throw out ideas. Alderwoman Christensen stated she appreciates his questions as they make everyone think and thanked him for his participation.. Alderman DiFonzo stated that is the purpose of the having the community member on the committees. 10. Adjournment at 6:49pm. Public Works Committee Meeting January 28, 2026 Page 3 of 3