Roundup Record Tribune & Winnett Times -

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROUNDUP HELD

ON MAY 10, 2022 AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS AND GOTO MEETING.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Jones. Clerk/ Treasurer Lanter conducted roll call with council members, Long, Liggett, Vivirito, Erickson, Carlson, McCleary, Toombs and Fisher present. Also, present was, Director Sibley, and Assistant Clerk Mann. Attorney Brooks was present by video.

Moved by Carlson seconded by Liggett to approve the minutes of the April 19, 2022 meeting. All in favor. Motion carried.

Moved by Carlson seconded by Liggett to approve agenda, All in favor. Motion carried.

Public Comment: Theresa Doumitt gave her quarterly report for RCP (Roundup Community Partners) Twelve of the sixteen benches have been delivered. City crew worked as an amazing team installing them. Two tables and three benches are being stored until kiosk project is finished.

Red Ribbon cutting June 17th @ 10:00am for several new businesses.

Mayor Jones - Signal Peak meeting - Funded turf project. Approved $20,000.00 to Golf Course, didn’t get funding for lights. Mayor will send a thank you to Signal Peak. Met new CEO.

SMDC (Snowy Mountain Development Corporation) Annual meeting is in June.

Went to conference in Bozeman last week. Clerks, Mayors and Attorneys had different workshops. Learned why people are moving to small cities and towns. Dan Clark with the Local Government Center MSU Billings, spoke about Governmental Review and Self-Governing Powers. Would like to invite Mr. Clark to speak in-front of the Council sometime in August. Cost is $500.00 plus expenses. Toombs says “Just do it” and we will notice it up. Council is good with it.

Attorney Brooks - Mr. & Mrs. Banister are the new owners of the hole left from burnt buildings. Sent a letter politely asking them to work with Bruce to come into compliance by filling the hole. They expressed concerns about Wier Building not being stable, stability isn’t in the codes. Can send another letter stating everyone is treated the same, reinforcing what code says. Took pictures while there Monday night and would be happy to meet with them to discuss. Willing to put any suggestions the council may have into next letter.

Attended Annual Conference held beginning of the month of May. Always good to network and solve common issues.

Good meeting with County Commissioners yesterday.

Marijuana Ordinance will have to be updated. Will look at PowerPoint and come back with suggestions. Sheriff had good suggestions to add.

Toombs - If you haven’t already, there isn’t a need to send a letter to John Rae for the Wier building, there was a crew onsite, looks better. John Rae complied, received a response from him, Per Mayor Jones. Will send a copy of the letter to Attorney Brooks.

Unfinished Business:

• Court Services Interlocal Agreement-Received an email from Judge Marking. Waiting for county to respond to draft.

Council Discussion/Future Agenda Items: Report out from Council Committee Meetings:

• Compliance Officer Hoiland request for additional funding in his budget - Mayor Jones - Bruce is asking for $17,000.00 more to be added to his budget to have hole filled. There are pros and cons. City can pay for cleanup and put a lien on the property but may take a long time to collect or not see funds if it falls through the cracks. What are the Councils thoughts?

Fisher - Where would we get this money from?

Tanya - Good question.

Toombs - Can we use the city dump trucks and can you get a cost on dirt?

Lon - Maybe in the winter time. Not sure what the plan is for the hole but someone is looking into hooking up to water and sewer.

Toombs - Lets table this, see what Brent does.

McCleary - Wait.

Carlson - I agree, let’s wait.

Long - Wait.

Vivirito - Yes, let’s wait.

Erickson - Wait.

Infrastructure Committee Discussion:

Kiosk: Liggett - Great project for town. Good location. I agree, the lot is an eye sore. The grants are contingent on location. Concerns about parking issues and safety. We agree on back in diagonal parking, impinge on lot another 5 feet. Recommend approval.

Mayor Jones - It was made a designated truck route in 1995.

Carlson - Trucks are only getting longer. Will it be completely out of truck route?

Doumitt - Yes.

Carlson - We have enough distractions at that intersection, is this going to add to it? We need signage to inform back in parking and stripping. Good with back in parking.

Erickson - I don’t like the diagonal parking.

Fisher - I like the idea, much safer, taking 5 feet off will make a difference.

McCleary - Good with it.

Long - Need signage.

Vivirito - Turn an eye sore around. All for back in diagonal parking.

Will put as action item on next agenda.

Law Enforcement Interlocal Agreement: Mayor Jones did a quick review of the meeting with the Commissioners. Brent working on wording and cleanup to send to county, deadline is June 30th.

• Zoning discussion on the East side to extend light industrial-Director Sibley showed the council on zoning map of areas to consider changing to light industrial. Someone is interested in opening a meat packing plant. Mayor Jones, wants it sent to the Planning Board before we proceed. She will make a phone call to see what we need.

Director Sibley: Someone interested in opening a feed store & warehouse where the old V-1 Propane is. There is no water or sewer, has a well and septic, should be grandfathered in. Mayor wants the Infrastructure Committee to look at it.

Cassie - The potential buyer was notified of a lien the city has on the property for weed cleanup.

Great West is working on design and cost for cement placed at stage area for wheelchairs.

Vivirito - Where are we at with the pool leak?

Lon - Waiting for a call from our pool person. The lights around the inside of the pool leak, I’d like to do away with them. Pool needs painted this year.

Mayor Jones - The county asked for a copy of the pool budget, said they would like to help with pool costs.

Toombs - Would Northwestern Energy put lights in and possibly change lights around the tennis courts just to get by?

Mayor Jones - Signal Peak liked the idea of lights if we possibly had a match.

Fisher - Where are we at with the bathrooms? Should be done by the 4th of July per Sibley.

Mayor Jones - Baseball fields were approved for score boards BY Signal Peak.

Council Action Item:

MOVED BY LIGGETT, SECONDED BY VIVRITO TO APPROVE A WAGE INCREASE FOR ALL EMPLOYESS OF $2.06 BEGINNING IN JULY 2022. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.

Public Comment:

Bill Trent 515 1st St. W. - How much of a raise?

MOVED BY TOOMBS, SECONDED BY CARLSON TO APPROVE A PAY RAISE FOR ATTORNEY BROOKS OF $100.00 MORE A MONTH. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.

Public Comment:

Theresa Doumitt - Would like to thank the council for support and moving forward with the kiosk.

Claims were read as follows:

City Payroll $50,542.97

Lanter $207.09

City Per Diem $375.00

Lawson Product’s $292.75

360 Office Solutions. $74.68

MT DEQ $100.00

AT&T $29.95

Mastercard $2,048.10

American Welding $37.14

McCleary Dist. $6,029.10

Big Sky Linen $316.90

Midrivers $971.96

Brooks, Brent $900.00

Municode $58.30

Car Quest $288.08

O’Reilly Auto Parts $250.01

City Petty Cash $59.15

Roundup Hardware $1,184.59

DPC Industries $40.00

Roundup Record Tribune $523.60

Dian’s Jewelry $19.00

Safeguard $656.44

Energy Labs $716.25

The Good Earth $630.25

First Security Bank $47.22

Utilities Underground $60.06

Florin’s Service $3,304.50

Van Dykes $21.98

Great West Engineering $4,319.50 Northwest Pipe $7,542.53

Integrated Ag Services $1,382.00 Northwest Energy $12,005.87

JW Synthetic Grass $59,850.00

Jones, Sandra $207.09

Total $104,549.09

MOVED BY TOOMBS, SECONDED BY FISHER TO APPROVE CLAIMS FOR THE PRECEDING MONTH AND DRAW WARRANTS ON THE TREASURY FOR THE SAME. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.

Fisher - Would like an update on the central school.

Theresa Doumitt - Went back to the designing stage. Getting project back in budget. Promising news but Randy can’t share it just yet.

Bill Teason from Billings. Looking at the Wier building to purchase, will have about four businesses on lower floor. Would like diagonal parking on Main Street. Purchase is contingent to hole being filled.

Public Comment: No comment.

MOVED BY CARLSON SECONDED BY LIGGETT TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. MOTION CARRIED.

THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:08 P.M.

MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC MEETING WITH BOTH OF THE GOVERNING BODIES OF THE CITY OF ROUNDUP AND MUSSELSHELL COUNTY. SHERIFF LESNIK WITH THE MUSSELSHELL COUNTY

SHERIFF’S OFFICE ALSO PARTICIPATED. HELD ON MAY 9, 2022 AT 6;00PM. AT THE MUSSELSHELL COUNTY COMMONS/SENIOR CENTER.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Jones. Clerk/Treasurer Lanter conducted roll call with council members Long, Liggett, Vivirito, Carlson, McCleary, Toombs, and Fisher present. Also present were, Commissioners Goffena, Turley, Pancratz, Attorney Brooks, Assistant Clerk Mann and Deputy Clerk & Recorder Hagstrom. Absent was Erickson.

Agenda Approved.

Public Comment: No Public Comments.

Mayor Jones and Commissioner Goffena took turns reading the requested edits to each clause in the current draft in the Interlocal Agreement for Law Enforcement Services.

Section 1)

PURPOSE OF AGREEMENT:

a. Capitalize state on the third line. Mayor Jones -

Everyone good with the amendment? All agree, Yea.

b. All agree, Yea.

c. All agree, Yea.

d. All agree, Yea.

Section 2)

EFFECT OF AGREEMENT ON PRIOR AGREEMENTS:

All agree, Yea.

Section 3)

DURATION OF AGREEMENT:

Change three years to two in first, second, and third line, also, second paragraph in section 3. Change June 30, 2025 to June 30, 2024 in second line. Change third fiscal year to two fiscal year on fourth line. All agree, Sheriff Lesnik wants to table until rest of agreement is done and entertain a termination process.

Section 4)

EMPLOYMENT STATUS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT

OFFICERS: All agree, Yea.

Section 5)

COMPENSATION:

Lesnik - Very simple, cost is going up. I provided a spreadsheet of other cities and they pay more; we have to have an increase annually. Pay more or receive less services.

Vivirito - County numbers of people going up. Shortfall is in County budget. We pay County and City taxes.

Goffena - We are hoping not to Mill, but if we have to, we will. Liggett - I will reserve my comment for now.

Long - Would like a shorter term, and to re-negotiate more often.

McCleary - No comment at this time.

Toombs - I’m not against the Sheriff’s office, the city is strapped. To pay the Sheriff more money, one of four things will happen, 1) Close the pool 2) close the Golf Course, 3) Lay someone off, 4) Support County wide mill levy. Mill levees have not gone up, they have gone down.

Fisher - I’m stuck in the middle; I use to be in the Sheriff’s position. It’s been a struggle to take care of both the city and county. We can’t keep going the way we are. Would like to commit to some sort of percentage but have no idea where the money would come from, would have to close something. Goffena - County is in same situation. We have the COVID money. New budget should be interesting. What about city mills?

Mayor Jones - We cannot mill for law enforcement.

Pancratz - We need to come up with an agreement that the city can live with.

Turley - I agree with what Bob just said, subject to CI121 passing.

Lesnik - There is not an empty house left in town, population increased. There is more people to serve in town. We have had the same budget for 8 years.

Liggett - There are good points on both sides. Cost is going up, revenue isn’t. Let’s revisit every two years, we need to pay our fair share. Let’s first see what happens with CI121. Mayor Jones - Is worried about CI121 freezing property taxes, unknown variable, it happened in the 80’s.

Long - Makes more sense to visit more often.

Carlson - Calls from city, are they State law or City Ordinance enforced?

Lesnik - Most are State Law.

McCleary - I agree with Dave and Dolly.

Lesnik - I see no headway, intent was to move forward.

Mayor Jones - I’m not comfortable kicking the can. We need some incentive from the city. We can’t do without Law enforcement.

Mayor Jones - Intent to increase:

Vivirito - Compromise every 3 yrs., kick in 2% increase.

Liggett - 2yrs with a 2% increase and re-negotiate. Help sponsor a mill is a high priority.

Long - Not hung up on compensation, increase it and reduce duration to 2 yrs.

Carlson - Agree

McCleary - 2%, 2 yrs.

Toombs - Not a problem with 2%, but I want to know where the fine money for the city is going. I think it’s supposed to come back to the city. It’s $35,000.00 to $50,000.00 a year, we can use that to increase sheriff’s office budget.

Pancratz - We don’t know where that money goes.

Turley - We will have to check into it, it’s not going into the general fund but can go into my kick back fund.

Attorney Brooks - Statue says it goes into the general fund.

Fisher - I’m good with 2% with court fine money to be determined.

Consensus: 2years, 2% increase contingent on CI121.

Section 6)

MONTHLY AND QUARTLERLY REPORTING

REQUIREMENTS:

a. All agree after agreeing the city will receive written monthly activity report for both City and County. Yea.

b. All agree, Yea.

c. All agree, Yea.

Section 7)

DISPOSITION OF ACQUIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT PROPERTY: All Agree, Yea.

Section 8)

ENFORCEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF AGREEMENT: All agree, Yea.

Section 9)

PROPERTY FORFEITURES: All agree, Yea.

Section 10)

INDEMNIFATION: All agree, Yea.

Section 11)

CONSTRUCTION: All agree, Yea.

Section 12)

AMENDMENTS: All agree, Yea.

Section 13)

SEVERABILITY: Change Contractor to County and add MCSO. All agree, Yea

Section 14)

AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE: All agree, Yea.

Pancratz would like a Section 15 - Termination process - Transition time/plan; 120-day grace time. 1 year to terminate.

Sheriff Lesnik said he could never see that happen, but would like it included.

Long - Reasons and causes for termination? Attorney Brooks will come up with something and add for review.

Commissioners said they would help with up-keep of pool. Mayor Jones will send a copy to the County of the budget for pool.

Public Comment: Bonadee Hagstrom - $100,000.00 out of an $800,000.00 budget is nothing for city to pay. The negativity is ridiculous.

Lesnik - This is the first time there is no screaming when bringing a City Council and County Commissioners together.

County wants to help the city.

Adjourned the meeting at 7:32 p.m.