TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
February 6, 2018
7:00 p.m. Hot Springs Senior Center
101 Main Street
CALL TO ORDER BY MAYOR WOODS AT 7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL: SMITH, STELTER, WHITSETT, NEARY, WOODS ALL PRESENT.
ALSO PRESENT: Clerk Gray, Officer Smith, Steven Sheffield, Frances DeForrest, Deanne Hazelton, Janell Clarke, Dick Adams, Jason Moore, Deanna Peters, Charlie Ferguson, David Max, Bob Woods, Jeannine Woods, Linda Landrum
APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 5, 2018 MINUTES : Stelter questions whether he can motion or vote to approve minutes of a meeting that he did not attend or that occurred prior to his appointment. Smith motions to approve minutes, Neary seconds. Neary expresses changes still to be made Smith – yes Neary, Whitsett – no, Stelter –abstains 1-2 motion to approve minutes for the December meeting fails.
APPROVAL OF JANUARY 2, 2018 MINUTES
Stelter makes motion to approve minutes with changes, Smith Seconds,
Stelter,Smith – yes Neary Whitsett – no Mayor Woods -yes to break tie. 3/2 Pass
APPROVAL OF JANUARY 8, 2018 MINUTES
Smith motion to approve minutes with changes, Stelter seconds 4/0 pass
FINANCIAL REPORTS
Stelter/ Whitsett to approve financial report 4/0 pass
PRESENTATION OF CLAIMS
Smith/ Stelter to approve claims 4/0 pass
REPORTS
MAYOR- at the next meeting three will be a presentation on a plan for use of the new gas tax money
PUBLIC WORKS-Busy with plowing, Beau has been doing a lot of work at the sewer lagoons and lift station due to trouble with the blowers and chlorination system, plowing expenses this year are high due to equipment repairs and fuel expense moving snow, Mark has been adjusting his hours so he can be working nights and weekends
FIRE DEPT: Mayor Woods reports there have been a couple of slide-ins, fire at the school and that the State Fire trainer was here to do extrication training. The fire department has a few new trainees. The ambulance is very short staffed.
POLICE-written report submitted read by Officer Smith
COUNCIL:
There was discussion about issues in that past that have not been resolved including trees in the town right of way, the planning board, encroachment on town property, and law enforcement collaboration with the county. Neary asked for a call to action and will be requesting a written report from the mayor. Neary spoke on subject of encroachments on the public right-of-way not approved by council, but done by property owners anyway. Neary also questioned previous actions taken by planning board members that by-passed council, and wanted to know why information he sought about HSPD coordination with Sheriff’s department has not been made available. Citing local ordinance, he called for a detailed report from the mayor on current status of these matters.
CLERK : clerks institute is coming up in May
LIBRARY- written report submitted and read by Linda Landrum
ZONING COMPLIANCE OFFICER- Mr. Willing to withdraw request for a year
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE- Leslee Smith gave verbal report-finishing community calendar, looking for someone to take over, will be donating $500 to Missoula Children’s Theater
ARTIST SOCIETY -Leslee Smith gave verbal report artist society will be sponsoring Missoula Children’s Theater, Play will be March 5th, Chinese New year parade Feb 16th, followed by lunch at Senior center and doggy dress up show at the Barber shop.
COMMUNICATIONS/PUBLIC COMMENT AGENDA ITEMS
Janell Clarke stated with all of the questions with the minutes, public would like to be able to see the minutes. Clerk explained that the draft of the minutes is posted on the window at town hall and on the town website.
Deana Peters reported that the Chamber of Commerce has an ad playing on the radio
OLD BUSINESS
UPDATE ON WATER PROJECT:
Mayor Woods discussed loss of TSEP funding and current status of project. Town will proceed to be shovel ready.
UPDATE ON WASTEWATER PROJECT:
Mayor Woods reported this has gone out to bid , prebid meeting February 14, and bid opening February 27th. Meetings are open to the public.
NEW BUSINESS
COUNCIL PERSON ABSENCE: PAUL STELTER WILL BE OUT OF TOWN
Smith/Neary 3/0 pass Stelter will be here for March meeting. Stelter abstained.
MARK SCHWITTAY APPROVAL AS A RESERVE OFFICER: Mayor Woods explained that Schwittay would need to submit an application to the police commission.
Town will be accepting letter of interest to be appointed to the police commission to replace Paul Stelter.
ADDITION OF STOP SIGNS ON DEMERS AND THIRD AVE N PER CITIZENS REQUEST
Stelter/ Neary to place stop signs at the intersection of Demers and 3rd Ave N 4/0 pass
BANDITO WEEKEND- OPEN CONTAINER WAIVER
Smith/Whitsett to approve request for open container waiver 4/0 pass
ENCROACHMENT REQUEST: Michael Willing property had previously been surveyed incorrectly and fence was put up with one section approx. 1 foot on town property.
Stelter/ Whitsett to approve encroachment permit 4/0 Pass
MONTANA CO-OP PRESENTATION & REQUEST FOR LETTER OF SUPPORT
Slide show presentation by Jason Moore of Heart and Soul program followed by question and answer period Stelter/Neary to approve providing a letter of support 4/0 Pass
STRUCTURE OF MINUTES
Council discussion on structure of minutes; what was discussed and voted on would be included but not what was actually said. No vote
COMMUNICATIONS/PUBLIC COMMENT NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Janell Clarke- permaculture retreat will be same weekend as Banditos
Deana Peters- Thank you to city workers for snow removal
ADJOURN
9:25 p.m. Neary/Smith 4/0 pass
