Public Meetings - Butte Silver Bow, Montana

The Finance and Budget Committee of Butte-Silver Bow met on October 16, 2025, to review the expenditure list and approve budget transfers. Chair Thatcher presided, with Commissioners O'Neal, O'Leary, Walker, and Shay present; Commissioner Boyle was absent and excused. Consent Calendar - Expenditure List Approval: The committee reviewed and unanimously approved the expenditure list as of Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in the amount of $2,175,976.19. A motion was made, seconded, and passed by voice vote. Discussion Items - Claim 2759 (Page 57): HDR Engineering Fees for ESR Montana Craft Malt – Director Hasler explained this is a TIFID grant to Montana Craft Malt to assist with pretreatment compliance costs for their effluent discharge to Metro. - Claim 2678 (Page 82): Edwards Asphalt Purchase – The purchase of 304 tons of asphalt for water line replacement in the Edwards area, contracted as part of Hollow's annual tonnage bid. - Claim 2906 (Page 23): Sheriff Travel Advance – Bryce Foley – A $778.90 travel advance for training in Helena. Director Hasler detailed the breakdown: $80 for meals over 4 days, 164 miles mileage at $0.70/mile ($114.80), and 4 nights lodging at $130 plus tax ($576). The advance will be reconciled upon return. - Claim 2899 (Page 65): Hazardous Materials Technical Training ($19,650.50) – Grant-funded (FEMA HMEP program) for on-site refresher training in specialized hazmat equipment for fire department personnel; no match required. - Claim 2829 (Page 89): Solids Handling Construction ($364,108) – Upgrade to screw presses at Metro's solids handling facility under ARPA, intended to improve efficiency and reduce O&M costs. - Claim 2840 (Page 89): ACI Payments – Double-Paid Taxes – Payments made via the ITAX online system where individuals and mortgage companies both paid taxes, resulting in overpayment. Refunds are sent to the payment processor ACI when e-checks fail or when taxes cannot be collected after 30-day notice. Director Hasler and Deputy Miss Baker Patrick clarified the process. - Budget Transfer: Printer Replacement – A transfer for unanticipated expenses to replace a non-repairable printer in David Gary's office, funded partially from community enrichment and partially from weed department allocations. Key Outcomes - The expenditure list was approved unanimously. - No additional motions or votes occurred; the meeting was adjourned.

The Butte Silver Bow Council of Commissioners meeting was called to order on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, but is recorded as having taken place on October 9, 2025, per official timestamp. Roll call recorded 1 presiding, 9 present, and 2 absent (Commissioners O'Leary and Anderson excused). The meeting included prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and handling of several communications without public comment. Consent Calendar - Communication 2025-249 (Patty and Chris Salmonson request to purchase a portion of land adjacent to 17 Telomore Street) was held in abeyance pending the land sales committee meeting on October 14, 2025. - Communication 2546 was placed on file by motion. The vote was 10 in favor, 0 opposed. - Communication 2025-471 (Mark Neary, Public Works Director, requesting bid opening for Silver Lake Inner Industrial Water System Improvement Project) was held in abeyance pending the October 22, 2025 bid opening. - Communication 2025-472 (Amy Steinman, DEQ Waste Management and Remediation Division Administrator, requesting authorization for a presentation on Blacktail Creek project and Montana Pole Superfund site updates) was held in abeyance in anticipation of the October 22, 2025 presentation. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were made on agenda items or on any public matter not on the agenda. Key Outcomes - Motion to Adjourn: A motion was made and seconded to adjourn. The motion passed by voice vote (all in favor).

The Judiciary Committee met in a regular session on October 9, 2025 (noting a date discrepancy with the transcript, which states the meeting was called to order on October 8, 2025). The primary focus was a draft ordinance to regulate medical and recreational marijuana in Butte-Silver Bow County. Commissioners Michelle Shea (Chair), Hattie Thatcher, Callahan, Minkins, and Healy were present; Commissioner Anderson was absent. Discussion Items - Communication 2025-310 – Draft Marijuana Ordinance - County Attorney Matt Enruth presented a draft ordinance for the regulation of the sale and distribution of medical and recreational marijuana. Key provisions include: - Distance restrictions: 500 feet radius (compared to state law's same-street, door-to-door requirement), including outbuildings (e.g., the welding shop at Butte High School). - Signage and advertising: The ordinance would allow tighter local controls than current state law. - Cap on dispensaries: Maximum of 10 licenses countywide. Current number of active dispensaries was left blank pending verification (one may have recently closed). Existing dispensaries would be grandfathered, but relocation, change of ownership, or expansion beyond the current footprint would require a new application and an available slot. - Single license limit: No person or business may hold more than one dispensary license; this will be extended to cultivation facilities. - Inspections and enforcement: The county would have authority to inspect, audit, and investigate; refusal would be grounds for suspension or revocation. - Penalties: A civil ordinance with fines (flat daily rate or escalating structure still under consideration). - Commissioners asked questions: - Commissioner Shea inquired about the rationale for the cap of 10. County Attorney Enruth explained it was based on a rough comparison to liquor licenses and the example of Ronan (1 per 10,000 people), and that 10 felt like a solid number given Butte's geography. Shea suggested a formula tied to population that could adjust automatically. Enruth noted that a formula or a periodic review clause could be added. - Commissioner Callahan asked about enforcement jurisdiction, recalling past issues with the health department lacking staff. Enruth clarified that while the Department of Public Health and Human Services still oversees marijuana licensing, local ordinances allow the county to enforce its own rules, and the Attorney General's office can assist upon request. Key Outcomes - Motion to Hold in Abeyance: A motion was made and seconded to hold Communication 2025-310 in abeyance for two weeks to allow commissioners to review the draft and submit comments. The motion passed unanimously. - Claims Approved: Two claims were approved without discussion: - John Panich: $400 bond refund for 1354 Evans Avenue. - CNW Investments LLC: $8,922.58 refund on redemption of a tax assignment parcel. - Adjournment: The meeting adjourned following a motion.

The Public Works Committee of Butte Silver Bow held a meeting on October 8, 2025, at 6:30 PM. Chair Josh O'Neill presided, with members present including Dan Callahan, Bill Boyle, Russell Leary, and Trudy Healy. Mark Neary, the Public Works Director, provided updates on several items. The meeting focused on two key communications: a walking tunnel under Harrison Avenue and roadside trash enforcement. Consent Calendar - None. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were made. Discussion Items Walking Tunnel Update (Communication 2025-4544) - Commissioner Michelle Shea requested a status update on the walking tunnel underneath Harrison Avenue near Dickey's Barbecue. Mark Neary reported that the committee is waiting for a traffic study from the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) to determine if the existing crosswalk provides safe passage for pedestrians. He noted that the culvert is now full of water and not functional as a pedestrian route, and that MDT had installed a crosswalk with a refuge island during the Harrison Avenue project. Chairman O'Neill added that traffic has increased significantly, and the local electrician indicated that waiting for the light to turn red yields a faster green than pressing the pedestrian button. The committee agreed that the path forward depends on MDT's study results. - The committee voted to place the communication in suspense until Mr. Neary receives MDT's study findings. The motion, made by Commissioner Callahan and seconded by Commissioner Shea, passed unanimously. Roadside Trash and Covered Load Requirements (Communication 2025-297) - Commissioner Russ O'Leary raised concerns about roadside trash and enforcement of the covered load requirement for vehicles heading to the landfill. Mark Neary reported that he had obtained permission from MDT to post signs on Iron Street, as it is on state right-of-way, but noted that an encroachment permit would be needed. He expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of signs, noting that enforcement by Sheriff's deputies and the Highway Patrol is crucial. Commissioner Callahan suggested placing one sign on Iron Street and one on Santa Claus Road to ensure drivers are aware of the law, and recommended that warnings be accompanied by tickets. The committee also discussed using local media to raise public awareness. - The committee decided to hold the communication for one more week to gather more input, moving to keep it on the docket. The motion passed unanimously. Key Outcomes - Communication 2025-4544 (walking tunnel) was placed in suspense pending MDT's traffic study results. - Communication 2025-297 (roadside trash) was held for further discussion at the next committee meeting.

The Finance and Budget Committee of Butte Silver Bow met on October 8, 2025, to review and approve the expenditure list and several budget transfers. The meeting was called to order after waiting for a quorum. Present were Commissioners Thatcher, Boyle, Walker, and Shea; Commissioners O'Neill and O'Leary were absent. Consent Calendar - The committee reviewed and unanimously approved the expenditure list for October 8, 2025, in the amount of $1,118,593.04. The motion passed 4-0. Discussion Items - Budget Transfers: Three budget transfers were presented without discussion: - $1,400 for the health department, moving funds from operating supplies to publicity, dues, and subscriptions to cover required advertising for the WIC program. - $369 for the health department to cover the cost of a blood analyzer machine for the environmental health RN, funded through the lead grant. - $850 for the Urban Renewal Agency (URA) to address costs associated with operating supplies that exceeded the budgeted amount. Key Outcomes - The expenditure list was approved unanimously (4-0). - The three budget transfers were accepted without objection, and the meeting was adjourned following a motion.

The City-County of Butte-Silver Bow Personnel Committee met on October 8, 2025, with all three commissioners present (Chairman Michelle Shea, Commissioner Jim Fisher, Commissioner Bill Boyle) and HR Director Beth Worm in attendance. The sole agenda item was Communication 2025-477, requesting consideration of proposed amendments to the city/county Personnel Policy and Procedure Manual. The committee voted unanimously to refer the amendments to the full council for approval. Discussion Items - Communication 2025-477 – HR Director Beth Worm presented proposed amendments to several policies in the Personnel Policy and Procedure Manual. Two policies – the Safety and Health Policy Manual and Policy 143 (Communications and Media) – were inadvertently omitted from the agenda’s list but were included in the attachment packet. Chairman Shea asked for a friendly amendment to add them, which Commissioner Fisher made and was accepted by the committee. - Director Worm provided a high-level overview: most changes were clean-up revisions to policies not reviewed for years, plus two entirely new policies – a Social Media Policy and a Communications and Media Policy – to align with modern practices. Commissioners noted the updates appeared to be routine modernization, streamlining language, and improving clarity. - Commissioner Fisher requested any additional pertinent changes. Director Worm offered to re-forward the email with all attachments for commissioners to review further before the full council meeting. Key Outcomes - Motion – Commissioner Fisher moved to refer Communication 2025-477 to the full council for approval, seconded by Commissioner Boyle. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote (3 ayes, no opposed). - The committee directed that the clerical omission of the Safety and Health Policy Manual and Policy 143 from the agenda list be noted and corrected when the matter goes to the full council. - The meeting was adjourned after the vote.

The commission convened to review fire district mapping progress, hear legal guidance on ballot proposal limits, discuss public survey results and next steps, and identify additional research needed on key topics such as number of commissioners, forensic auditing, and fire service structures. The meeting included public comments, approval of prior minutes, and a motion to close the public survey by October 31, 2025. Public Comments & Testimony - Mr. Badrab (2601 Grand Avenue) questioned the purpose of the commission's op-eds and suggested issuing news releases after each meeting to better inform the public. - John Reardon (1107 Iowa Avenue) expressed strong support for the study commission's work, advocated for the proposed replacement government system, and stressed the need for increased public transparency and participation. - Mr. Badrab (second comment) raised a point of procedure regarding public comment rules, citing Montana law and Butte-Silver Bow precedent. He requested that the commission place a discussion of public comment procedures on the next agenda to clarify when the public may participate in discussions on agenda items. Discussion Items - Fire District Mapping Update: GIS is reviewing prior fire district mapping data from the retired Dan, meeting weekly with Lee Sullivan (firefighter/paramedic). There are 92 council descriptions to verify, and mapping data may be incomplete or inaccurate. Commissioner Chad Silk suggested involving a volunteer firefighter in the Thursday GIS meetings to help ensure accuracy. - County Attorney Matt Enruth – Ballot Proposal Limits: Mr. Enruth presented a memorandum explaining that, under current Montana law (MCA 7-3-151, 7-3-192), the commission may submit only three ballot questions to voters, each with no more than two sub-options (alternatives). He noted that the 2006 study commission placed seven issues on the ballot, but the law may have changed. A complete new charter could be drafted, but the procedural requirements for presenting it to voters remain unclear. Commissioner Cindy Purdue Dolan and others emphasized the need for legal clarity on whether seven questions were permissible in 2006 and why the limit now appears to be three. - Public Survey & Outreach: Dr. Shana Adams reported that about 338 survey responses have been collected (goal: 375 for statistical significance). The commission voted (7-1, with Dolan opposed) to close the survey on October 31, 2025, with two weeks for review, then begin drafting a preliminary report due by end of November. Additional surveys were discussed to gauge public opinion on specific topics after receiving legal guidance. - Op-Ed Strategy: Commissioner Matt Stappen proposed focusing the next op-ed on encouraging public participation and explaining the survey, rather than identifying top issues, pending clarity on ballot limits. The commission agreed. - Community Councils, Forensic Audit, and Other Research Needs: Discussion on community councils was deferred until legal guidance is received. Commissioners raised the need for presentations or data on: a forensic audit (vs. current independent audit), the Anaconda fire department model, the sheriff-coroner position, number of commissioners based on population (Dan Clark from MSU), MĀKO research on commissioner salaries, and the city manager system (Tim Burton, Andy Hunthausen). The chair directed staff to reach out to these contacts and schedule presentations, with Commissioner Dan Denehee volunteering to contact Tim Burton. - Commissioner Chad Silk’s Potential Conflict: Commissioner Silk asked to discuss concerns raised in public letters about his dual role as a career firefighter and study commission member. Commissioner Ben Thielen and Matt Stappen expressed confidence in his impartiality. The item was deferred to the next meeting’s agenda. Key Outcomes - Motion passed: Close the public survey on October 31, 2025, with results to be reviewed over two weeks before drafting the preliminary report (vote: 7-1, with Dolan opposed). - Direction to staff: Contact speakers and gather data on forensic auditing, Anaconda fire/sheriff-coroner models, commissioner structures in other counties, and city manager examples. Schedule these presentations for upcoming meetings. - Deferral: Discussion of community councils and detailed charter amendment options held until the County Attorney provides a definitive opinion on the number of permissible ballot questions and the feasibility of drafting a new charter. - Next meeting: Scheduled for October 20, 2025; the commission will consider adjusting the meeting frequency (weekly vs. biweekly) to meet the November preliminary report deadline. - Public Input: The commission acknowledged the need to clarify public comment procedures and will consider placing that item on a future agenda.

The Butte Silver Bow Council of Commissioners held a regular meeting on October 2, 2025, with 10 members present and 2 excused. The meeting included a public hearing on the Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) work plan and budget, discussion of a response to the Montana Department of Corrections' request for information (RFI) on a potential women's prison, and approval of several resolutions and ordinances. Consent Calendar - Approved the consent agenda (items A1-4 and B1-13) with two items segregated (Communications 2025-473 and 2025-475) by a vote of 10-0. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public spoke during the public hearing on the TBID work plan and budget or during the public comment period for non-agenda items. Discussion Items - Public Hearing on TBID Work Plan and Budget: Kelly Hazlet, TBID executive secretary, presented the work plan and budget. The public hearing was opened and closed with no proponents or opponents speaking. Commissioners discussed the need for grant training on room count calculations. - Communication 2025-473 – Response to DOC RFI on Women's Prison: Chief Executive Gallagher requested authorization to respond to the Montana Department of Corrections' RFI regarding a possible women's prison in Butte. Extensive discussion ensued: - Commissioner Morgan supported responding with factual data, noting that non-response could allow the state to fill in blanks. - Commissioner O'Leary expressed concern about the lack of communication from the DOC and the potential loss of Highlands College if the prison were built on that site. - Commissioner Callahan highlighted the economic development potential of the $250 million project and suggested that the community should keep its foot in the door. - Commissioner O'Neill noted that responding does not mean the community wants the prison, and that the community should be vocal if it opposes it. - Commissioner Healy pointed out that many positive developments are already occurring in Butte. - Commissioner Fisher emphasized the need for the commission to review the RFI thoroughly before responding. - Sheriff Lesser, invited to speak, raised concerns about staffing impacts at the local detention center and potential housing pressures from inmates' families and workers. - Commissioner Anderson opposed the prison and proposed including a letter with the RFI response reiterating the commission's unanswered questions from earlier correspondence. This letter could not be attached to the online RFI, but the commission agreed to resend the letter separately. - The motion to respond to the RFI passed 8-2. - Communication 2025-475 – Junk Motor Vehicle Graveyard Grant: Commissioner Healy expressed appreciation for the community enrichment director's work and the $70,333 grant. The motion to concur passed 10-0. Key Outcomes - Public Hearing on TBID: Closed without opposition; the TBID budget and work plan proceeded to the next steps. - Response to DOC RFI Approved: The commission voted 8-2 to authorize Chief Executive Gallagher to respond to the RFI on the women's prison, with the understanding that the response would be factual and data-driven, and that the commission's previous letter of questions would be resent. - Consent Agenda Approved: 10-0, with two items segregated. - Resolution 2025-58 (Clark Park Playground Equipment): Approved 10-0 on final reading. - Council Bill 2025-03 / Ordinance 2025-03: Approved 10-0 on final reading. - Emergency Suspension of Rules for Four Resolutions: Approved 10-0, allowing advanced passage of: - Resolution 2025-59 (Lighting Special Improvement District assessments) - Resolution 2025-60 (Fire hydrant rental SID assessments) - Resolution 2025-61 (Solid Waste Special District boundary change for Home State Metals 2 subdivision) - Resolution 2025-62 (TBID assessment for FY2026) - All four resolutions passed 10-0 on final reading. - Meeting adjourned after a motion and second.

The Finance and Budget Committee met on October 2, 2025 (the meeting began at 7 p.m. on October 1 local time) to review the expenditure list and discuss several claims. The meeting was called to order by Chairwoman Thatcher. Discussion Items - The committee reviewed the expenditure list as of October 1, 2025, totaling $509,939.30. - Commissioner Walker questioned a $15,500 fee on page 7793 (claim 2281) for attorney fees related to arbitration over a grievance filed by the operators union regarding an employee termination. The total arbitration cost was $30,000, split with the union. - Commissioner Blacker noted a $1,000 claim for toilet paper for the jail, which is at full capacity with over 115 inmates. - Commissioner O'Neill inquired about a claim for 10,000 gallons of unleaded fuel (page 86, claim 2408), questioning if it was a one-time purchase. The response indicated that the county has two 10,000-gallon tanks at the shop (unleaded and diesel) and buys in bulk for discounts. - Commissioner O'Leary asked about a claim (number 2318, page 37) for fiber internet service for the emergency center, clarifying it is a monthly charge. Key Outcomes - The committee voted to approve the expenditure list of $509,939.30. The motion passed unanimously. - No budget transfers were discussed. - The meeting adjourned without further business.