MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROUNDUP HELD ON AUGUST 3, 2021 AT 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS AND GOTO MEETING.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Jones. Clerk/Treasurer Lanter conducted roll call with council members, Erickson, Vivirito, Liggett, Long, Toombs, and Fisher present. Absent Carlson & Griffith. Also, present were Assistant Clerk Mann, Director Sibley and Attorney Brooks by video.
Moved by Liggett, seconded by Toombs to approve the minutes of the July 20, 2021 meeting. All-in favor, Motion carried.
Moved by Long, seconded by Toombs to approve the agenda adding Law Enforcement Committee. All-in-favor, motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Theresa Doumitt-Gave an update on the Kiosk project. Received a $17,000.00 Grant from AARP for benches and picnic tables. Must be completed by December 31, 2021.
John Racki, 201 3rd St W.- Why aren’t minutes posted on the website? They are on the website per Clerk Lanter.
Visitors:
• Joe Stahl- Representing the Kilby Butte Colony and no-one else. Gave a handout to the council given to him by Deadman’s Basin. He is asking the council for some of the water rights from shares not being used by the city. Needs help to water his corn and alfalfa due to the drought. We have enough water for 10 days, after that, we will suffer. Currently, the city has estimated 400 acres ft of unused shares, I will take it all.
• Bill Bergin-Due to the severe drought, we are having trouble producing feed, which will be a hardship on all our neighbors. Whatever you deem is right, I will accept. Toombs suggest giving Joe 200 and Bill 100.
• Troy Evans-Very wise and Important to give to the colony, they have hay for the community.
Approaching tough subjects is difficult, it’s how we say it. Two points I have this evening. Quality Water, word on the street is the issue has been conquered. We must find a way to boost the local economy so people can afford utilities. #Highfive. There is a lack of professionalism within our local government. #Hiccup. Many are protecting self-interest. #Hiccup. Cassie Mann witnessed a conversation between myself and Compliance Officer Bruce Hoiland in Hoiland’s office, where he called me a liar. Professionalism relates to public servants or elected officials. A public servant shall serve the people. If they breach public’s trust, they may be severely reprimanded or removed. The special meeting held July 1,2021; I question why Chief Salthe did not take a more aggressive stance. I speculate he calculated a political backlash. He was justified to place a ban on fireworks. Both Hoiland and the special meeting dismiss public safety.
MOVED BY TOOMBS, SECONDED BY LIGGETT TO APPROVE TO LEASE 300 ACRES FEET OF DEADMANS BASIN CONTRACT WATER TO KILBY BUTTE COLONY AND 100 ACRES FEET TO BERGIN. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
New Business: Moved by Fisher, seconded by Toombs to approve the 2nd Reading of Ordinance #475 covering, Curb, Gutters, Sidewalks, Streets, Storm drains, and Sanitary sewers, adding Alleys and repealing Ordinance #463A.
Mayor Jones: Met with Sheriff Lesnik for about an hour in his office to discuss the cares act funding. He wants me to attend the Commissioners meeting as his guest to try to bring reconciliation between these two entities. Toombs and Fisher will also attend. There is a breach both ways. Let’s re-visit the interlocal agreement next Spring.
Deer Management Plan- Continue with the hunt again this year.
I Need a volunteer to attend the next RCP meeting August 12th noon @ the Ambulance Barn. Toombs, Vivirito and Long will try to pop in.
Randy Hafer, old central school project. Sent an email, plans have not changed, will need another permit. Secured funds for the project.
Attorney Brooks: Will pick a day and time to make trip to Roundup to discuss Zoning Ordinance with the Mayor. Should do the first reading in September.
Correspondence: Tanya Lanter reported- Received an e-mail from Norma Zolnikov regarding keeping the pool open although it has a leak.
Council Discussion/Future Agenda Items: Report out from Council Committee Meetings-
• Old Playground Equipment: Mayor received an e-mail from Bruce saying he talked to Kilby Butte Colony asking for the old playground equipment, Sue Olson wants it too. Toombs asked if we had a date for the new equipment. Sibley said the date keeps getting changed. Toombs wants to wait to see if the old equipment is salvageable, council is good with that.
• Parks/Pool Discussion: Mayor-Things have got to change, it’s worse this year than any other. Fisher-issues have been going on for years. He asked the council if they knew the city had a lawsuit against them from an old case from 10 years ago. Sibley- The lawsuit was last year and the Insurance Company settled. Fisher- We need an adult as manager, we need to consider a Parks and Recreation Department but that takes money. We need to take a serious look at this before opening next year. Toombs- We need a work session to discuss just pool and park. Council agrees. Sibley- Pool had a leak and it took 2 weeks before we found the problems. We were losing 900 gallons an hour, we have it down to 300 gallons an hour. Still not good. We have spent $3000.00 more on chemicals this year. Because of the leak, chemicals are going down the drain. literally. Leaks are around lights which we may need to hire a welder to fix. The seam at the bottom of the pool is also leaking. We plan on painting the bottom next year. We will spend $1300.00 more on chemicals if left open. Fisher asked if it will affect the ground around the pool. Sibley doesn’t think it’s an issue. Mayor Jones asked each Council member what they recommend. Vivirito-I feel it’s a safety issue if we don’t leave it open, kids will go to the river, leave open. Liggett-open as long as it doesn’t get worse. Erickson-open. Long- open. Toombs-open. Fisher-open.
• Finance Committee: Report given by Long-Discussed the presentation by AMKO on bonds. Tanya did research, we aren’t interested in it right now. Recommend not moving forward with it. Lanter will notify him.
• Law Enforcement Committee: Fisher- Gary Thomas who was City Director for 35 years, would like to see the amount given to the Sheriff’s Office, cut from $100,000.00 a year to $50,000.00. City residents pay double on taxes. Law enforcement is expensive to operate. Mayor doesn’t think it a good idea, should leave things as is.
Clerk/Treasurer Lanter: Budget-Mills went down a $1.00. Tree Board wants $5,000.00 more added to their budget, council needs to decide if they are raising it at next meeting.
Director Sibley: Working on streets.
MOVED BY TOOMBS, SECONDED BY FISHER TO APPROVE RESOLUTION # 1143
A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND ADOPTING LONG TERM MAINTAINENCE OF THE PUBLIC RESTROOM FACILITIES CONSTRUCTED ON REAL PROPERTY CURRENTLY LEASED TO THE CITY OF ROUNDUP (TENANT) BY MUSSELSHELL COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY (LANDLORD) THROUGH A LEASE AGREEMENT DATED DECEMBER 27, 2018. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
Claims were read as follows:
City Payroll $66,936.15
Montana Oasis $7,049.05 Per Diem $400.00
Morrison-Maierle $3,480.00
AT & T $30.74
Municode $861.00
American Welding $35.88
Northwest Energy $13,417.84
Big Sky Linen $342.32
Northwest Pipe $3,028.71
Brooks, Brent $900.00
Normont $9,160.79
Building Codes Bureau $31.00
O’Reilly Auto Parts $321.69
DPC Industries $1,150.06
Paddock Heating $585.00
Electric Service Shop $243.47
Picchioni’s IGA $340.77
Energy Labs $511.00
Pitmey Bowes $159.15
Granger $49.08
Poo-Pouri $1,000.00
Great West Eng. $8,093.50
Roundup Hardware $454.99
International Institute Clk $175.00
Roundup Record $72.60
MMCT & FOA $50.00
Silvertip Propane $1,184.54
Mastercard $221.02
State Industrial $378.00
McCleary’s Dist. $3,645.10
USA Blue Book $650.08
Mid-Rivers $521.86
Utilities Underground $40.80
Montana League $689.68
Van Dykes $8.79
Montana Municipal $13,791.50
MMIA $18,905.00 Moved by Toombs, seconded by Vivirito to approve Claims for the preceding month and draw warrants on the treasury for the same. All in favor. Motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Troy Evans-On the Interlocal Agreement, there is a continued issue with city and county, if either party breaches a contract, it’s null and void. A lot of leeway given because of being a small community. Law is black and white; community doesn’t follow black and white. Wouldn’t it be great if the county and city got along? Time to work on professionalism.
John Racki- I can’t find the City Council minutes on the website. Wouldn’t it be easier if you had a menu on the website to find them easier? Lanter showed Mr. Racki how to find the minutes.
Joe Stahl- Will the City be excavating the old playground equipment? Yes, per Sibley. Joe Stahl offered to help remove it.
Moved by Toombs seconded by Liggett to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm.
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