Public Meetings - Butte Silver Bow, Montana

The Butte-Silverbow Zoning Board of Adjustment met on October 15, 2026, to consider three conditional use permit applications. All applications were approved unanimously with staff-recommended conditions. The meeting also included the introduction of two new board members and updates from the planning director on recent subdivision activity and upcoming public hearings. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public spoke in favor or opposition for any of the three agenda items. Discussion Items - Conditional Use Permit 26-20 (1240 Dewey Boulevard): Staff presented a proposal to construct an entry vestibule and add off-street parking to an existing professional office space in an R2 (two-family residential) zone. The existing commercial use is grandfathered. The applicant's representative, Christy Dixon of Copper Mountain Dental, attended but had limited knowledge; the applicant was out of town. Board members noted the project met the comprehensive plan and expressed support, with emphasis on including staff's conditions of approval. The motion passed unanimously. - Conditional Use Permit 26-21 (1333 Kaw Avenue): Staff presented a proposal to locate a distillery with accessory outdoor seating and entertainment in a CM (commercial and light industrial) zone, adjacent to residential zones. The applicant, Mike Craddock, and representative Glenn Straws expressed support, noting they were amenable to staff's conditions including a 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. operating hour limit for outdoor seating and screening along the southern property line. Board members highlighted the area's growth and synergy with a recently approved restaurant. The motion passed unanimously. - Conditional Use Permit 26-23 (Northwest Energy Communication Tower): Staff presented a proposal to install a 90-foot self-supporting lattice tower on a 27.84-acre parcel zoned R1S (one-family suburban residential) to support Northwest Energy's private communication network. The site already contains a utility building. Representative Roy Ishkane of Northwestern Energy stated the tower would augment internal communications for reliable energy service. Board members noted the height was appropriate and the location was compatible with nearby industrial and utility uses. Staff clarified that a landscape buffer condition was not required. The motion passed unanimously. Key Outcomes - CUP 26-20: Approved unanimously with staff's conditions of approval (building permits, occupancy limits, business license, etc.). The applicant will be notified and must agree to conditions; if not, a subsequent meeting may be scheduled. - CUP 26-21: Approved unanimously with staff's conditions including screening, hours of operation (10 a.m. – 8 p.m.), and waste discharge approval. - CUP 26-23: Approved unanimously with staff's conditions including stormwater compliance, building permits, and FAA/FCC approvals. Director's Announcements - Planning Director Crane introduced new board members Luke McCorney and Steve Nichols. - A public hearing before the planning board on October 29, 2026, will consider recommendation of the draft zoning ordinance to the Council of Commissioners. - Recent subdivision activity includes a 66-lot major subdivision approved on Four Mile and Warren Avenue, a 10-lot major subdivision (Buffalo Estates Phase 2) near Continental Drive, a two-lot minor subdivision, and a six-lot major subdivision under review. - The SARDA festival and event funding program opened October 15, 2026, for events in 2027, with applications due November 22, 2026.

The Butte-Silver Bow Council of Commissioners Committee of the Whole met on 2026-10-15 in a session that included three staff presentations, public comment on a proposed data center moratorium and transportation safety, and a series of communications actions. All votes taken during the meeting were 10-0. No agenda or minutes were provided for this summary. Public Comments & Testimony - Evan Barrett, 807 West Silver Street, commented on Communication 2026-435 and Bill No. 3 concerning a data center moratorium. He expressed support for the moratorium, noted that 5,000 people signed petitions, and urged the council to be transparent and participatory rather than rushing the process. - Logan Warner, 5100 South Warren trailer 25, expressed strong support for a comprehensive transportation safety plan, describing inconsistent sidewalks, bike lanes, and road shoulders that force cyclists into traffic. - A public commenter said residents were upset that a Butte data center appeared to be coming, citing nine jobs listed at the Job Service, and argued the city had missed a transparency obligation; she provided copies of the job postings. - Alison Anderson, District 9, echoed support for public involvement in the data center moratorium, saying she collected petition signatures at the Folk Fest and fewer than a handful of people declined to sign. She also raised safety concerns about children riding e-bikes and scooters on Harrison Avenue and supported a chicken ordinance with reasonable rules. Presentation: NRDP Update – Communication 2026-482 - Brian Barkowiak, accompanied by Chief Legal Counsel Catherine, presented the Natural Resource Damage Program update on the Silver Lake water release, Butte Area 1 finances, Blacktail Creek remediation, and consent decree compliance. - The presentation reported over $100 million in NRD settlement funds spent in Butte, a Butte Area 1 fund balance of $5.575 million at the end of fiscal year 2026, and approximately $23 million in the Blacktail Creek settlement account from a $20.5 million settlement, with about half expected to return to restoration. - Project updates included fish passage over the Butte-Silver Bow sewer line, relocation of the Butte Country Club irrigation pond off Blacktail Creek with a fish screen, Parrot waste removal site maintenance, Basin Creek Park restoration planning, and water meter program progress: 13 new installs, 39 completed applications, and 4 plumbing upgrades. - Commissioners asked about agricultural water use from the Silver Lake release, the sequencing of Blacktail Creek remediation, NRD funding for the Country Club project, and low streamflows. Chief Executive Gallagher thanked NRDP for improved communication and partnership. Presentation: Butte Family YMCA Annual Report – Communication 2026-483 - Stephanie Feist, YMCA CEO, presented the annual report and asked for continued support under the 2017 amended agreement, including the annual $42,000 payment. - She reported at least 1,500 outside swimmers using the aquatic center, roughly $400,000 per year in sliding-scale subsidies, nearly $500,000 in pool repairs since late 2022, with about $309,425 of that excluding two boilers covered by a foundation grant, matching funds, and donations, and approximately 600 showers provided through the Y and partner organizations. - Council discussion clarified that the annual payment is already in the budget and would be brought forward as a separate communication for approval; the presentation communication was placed on file 10-0. Presentation: Chicken and Barking Dog Ordinances – Communication 2026-494 - Lynette Hogarth, Animal Services Manager, presented survey results on a proposed chicken ordinance. Of 630 respondents, most did not currently keep chickens but a large portion wanted to; strong support existed for hens on smaller lots, 4-6 hens, rooster prohibition, no permit or registration, and complaint-driven inspections. Concerns included odor, rodents, noise, and loose animals. - Hogarth also described plans to replace the barking dog ordinance with a nuisance dog ordinance and to implement the GovWell complaint and licensing system by January 1. She raised enforcement challenges, including chicken identification, shelter capacity, and chickens at large. - Commissioner Callahan suggested moving the barking dog ordinance forward quickly; Hogarth responded that the ordinances interact with other code chapters and need county attorney review. Communications and Administrative Actions - Placed on file, all by 10-0 votes: Communications 2026-447, 2026-461, 2026-463, 2026-482, 2026-483, 2026-492, 2026-494, and 2026-502. The library solar panel bid opening had not occurred due to lack of proof of publication, and the Residential Metal Abatement Program contract was not used. - Held in abeyance: Communication 2026-384, 2026-410, 2026-454, 2026-486, 2026-491, 2026-496, 2026-497, and Petition 2601. - Chair Morgan clarified that the Council of Commissioners was not the deciding factor in the closure of the Back Nine restaurant and had no role in contract negotiations. Key Outcomes - All motions passed 10-0. - The YMCA annual $42,000 payment will be processed through a separate communication for approval at a future regular council meeting. - The SCJ Alliance comprehensive transportation safety plan communication was placed on file after being referred to Committee of the Whole so the public could review attachments that had been inadvertently omitted. - The Washoe Road speed limit sign was approved through the public works committee, with a parking commission meeting scheduled for October 20 at 3:00 p.m. at the archives. - The sheriff's office was gathering information in response to Communication 2026-491 on jail meal oversight and food service options.

Note on Date Discrepancy: The transcript indicates the meeting was called to order on October 14, 2026, but the provided official timestamp is 2026-10-15 00:57:03+00:00, suggesting the meeting continued past midnight. The date used below follows the official timestamp. The Judiciary Committee of the Butte-Silver Bow Council of Commissioners met on October 15, 2026, to consider claims, several communications, resolutions, and a proposed interim zoning ordinance. Chairwoman Shea presided, with Commissioners Thatcher, Callahan, Mankins, Healy, and Gerbrand present. The meeting included public comment and multiple votes, with most items either held in abeyance or advanced to final reading or the Committee of the Whole. Consent Calendar - Claims Approval: A motion to approve the claims as presented passed unanimously. Claims included a tax assignment redemption of $1,000, a refund of $456 to Caitlin Warren, a $38.50 overpayment refund to Pacific Source, and a $245 reimbursement to Anna Nugent for screen damage during attic remediation. Public Comments & Testimony - Denise Kelly (406 People First): Ms. Kelly presented a packet of signatures collected over the summer, urging the council to understand community expectations regarding data centers. She expressed strong opposition to limiting any moratorium to "hyperscale" data centers only, stating that the language should simply read "data centers." She offered to be part of the solution and answer questions. Discussion Items - Communication 2026-435 (Data Center Moratorium Request): Commissioner Michelle Shea requested concurrence to direct the county attorney to prepare a temporary moratorium on data center development approvals. The committee agreed to hold this item in abeyance because a related ordinance was on the agenda. Motion passed. - Communication 2026-236 (Chicken Ordinance Amendment): Savannah Johnston proposed creating a tiered system to protect large lot owners while allowing smaller urban lots to keep up to four hens. The committee held the item in abeyance pending a presentation from Animal Services Manager Hogarth in two weeks. Motion passed. - Communication 2026-278 (Animal Noise/Nuisance Barking): Thea McCurdy requested improvements to the animal ordinance focusing on nuisance dog barking. The committee held the item in abeyance for the same reason as the chicken ordinance. Motion passed. - Resolution 2026-54 (Recall): This item was removed from the agenda as it had been disposed of at a prior special meeting. - Resolution 2026-63 (Real Property Transfer to Silverbow Rail Park): Discussion revealed a typographical error in the referenced municipal code section. The committee amended line 8, replacing “3.12.050” with “3.28.10,” and moved the resolution to final reading as amended. Motion passed. - Resolution 2026-64 (Quarry Meadows Major Subdivision Conditional Approval): Having already held a public hearing and presentation, the committee moved the resolution to final reading. Motion passed. - Council Bill 2026-03 (Interim Zoning Ordinance – Hyperscale Data Center Moratorium): Chairwoman Shea recommended moving the ordinance to the Committee of the Whole to improve public participation (microphone and seating issues). Commissioner Thatcher supported the move and asked Denise Kelly to forward her packet to all commissioners beforehand. The committee voted to refer the ordinance to the Committee of the Whole. Motion passed. Key Outcomes - All claims approved unanimously. - Communications 2026-435, 2026-236, and 2026-278 were held in abeyance (no deadlines set, pending further information). - Resolution 2026-63 amended and moved to final reading (passed). - Resolution 2026-64 moved to final reading (passed). - Council Bill 2026-03 referred to the Committee of the Whole for further discussion. - Meeting adjourned.

财务与预算委员会会议重新召开，并确认已具备法定人数，于 2026 年 10 月 15 日举行。出席委员有 Thatcher、Walker 和 Shea；Mankins 委员列席。O'Neill、Boyle 和 O'Leary 委员缺席并请假。会议包括了支出清单的批准和一项预算转移的审议。 同意日历 - 支出清单：委员会一致批准了支出清单。投票前未提出任何问题，所有出席成员均口头赞成；动议通过。 讨论项目 - 预算转移：委员会审议了该预算转移；主席询问是否有任何问题，未有人发言。其后无动议、无表决，Hasser 主任受到致谢。 关键结果 - 支出清单获批。 - 预算转移已审议，但无正式表决。 - 由于无其他事务，会议休会。

The finance and budget committee meeting was called to order on October 15, 2026, but no quorum was present. The presiding official announced that the meeting could not proceed until at least one more commissioner arrived, and indicated that the meeting would be reconvened once a quorum was achieved. Key Outcomes - No formal business was conducted because a quorum was not present. - The meeting was paused pending the arrival of an additional commissioner.

On Monday, October 12, 2026, the Butte Silver Bowl Council of Commissioners held a special meeting to reconsider and amend Resolution 2026-54, which corrects language in the Business Improvement District (BID) assessment table. Nine commissioners were present, three were excused. The meeting focused on legal clarity and procedural compliance after public concerns raised by Robert Edwards. Public Comments & Testimony - Robert Edwards (78 East Park Street) stated he supports the concept of a Business Improvement District but raised serious concerns about procedural compliance. He pointed out missing resolutions: (1) the original resolution 2461 only declared an intention to create the BID, not the actual creation; (2) no annual resolution levying assessments for 2025 was found, and none for 2026 was before the council. He cited Montana Code Annotated 7-12-1132, subsections 4 and 5, requiring annual levy resolutions. He requested that the resolution be reconsidered and voted on after thorough legal review. Discussion Items - Motion to Reconsider Resolution 2026-54 – Commissioner Shea moved to reconsider, noting she was on the prevailing side. The motion passed unanimously (9-0). - Legal Analysis of Amendment – County Attorney Ann Ruth provided a memo confirming that changing the assessment table from “tax assessed value” to “market value” is a language correction. She explained that property tax bills label the assessed value as market value, and the BID board used that number. She acknowledged that while the change is legally defensible under the liberal construction doctrine from a Montana Supreme Court case (Calispell), it has not been specifically challenged and remains open to legal challenge. - Commissioner Comments – Commissioner Gerbrand noted that the assessment method (classification criteria under MCA 7-12-1132(2)(f)) supports using market value as “other measurable criteria.” Commissioner Fisher asked for a condensed legal opinion. Commissioner O’Leary inquired about the 10-year duration of the BID and whether the change affects it; County Attorney Ann Ruth clarified the amendment only corrects language, not the calculation method. - County Attorney on Edwards’ Concerns – Ann Ruth addressed Mr. Edwards’ concerns about the original resolution: she stated that while the 2024 resolution used “intent” language, the attachments (boundaries, assessment method) effectively created the BID, and subsequent actions (e.g., establishing the BID board in April 2025) support that. However, she conceded the language is open to interpretation. Key Outcomes - Resolution 2026-54 Passed (9-0) – The council voted unanimously to place the resolution on final reading and pass it as amended, correcting the assessment table language from “tax assessed value” to “market value.” - Meeting Adjourned – The council moved to adjourn without further discussion.

A meeting of the Butte Silver Bow city government was scheduled for 2026-10-12 at 23:07:10 UTC. However, the provided source material contained no agenda, no minutes, and no raw transcription. As a result, no meeting proceedings, discussions, decisions, or public comments can be summarized. Note - The agenda and minutes were both marked as unavailable, and the transcription field was empty. - No specific agenda items, speakers, positions, votes, or outcomes were recorded in the source material.

The Butte-Silver Bow Study Commission met on October 5, 2026, with Commissioners Lori, Cindy Perdue Dolan, Stepens, Cindy Shaw, Mr. Silk, and Chair Dan present. Mary McCormick, Ben Thieland, and Ray Lynn were excused. The meeting covered routine approvals, updates on public outreach, planning for a formal recommendations document for the Council of Commissioners, and pre-election advertising. Consent Calendar - Minutes Approved: The commission approved the minutes from the September 14, 2026 meeting, following a motion and second. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were offered on or off the agenda. Discussion Items - Correspondence & Outreach: Staff member Shannon reported no correspondence. Commissioner Matt and Mr. Silk appeared on the KBOW Party Line program but received no public questions. Commissioners Cindy Shaw and the Chair are scheduled to speak at the Exchange Club the next day. - List of Recommendations: Commissioner Cindy Shaw asked about the timeline for finalizing the commission's recommendations for the Council of Commissioners. The Chair confirmed the plan is to wait until after the upcoming election, as the commission will remain seated for 60 to 90 days. Staff member Shana compiled a comprehensive list of issues and concerns raised over the previous 18 months that did not make the ballot. The group agreed to finalize the list post-election, narrow it to a prioritized set (such as a "top 10"), and request a spot on a Council agenda to present the findings in person for dialogue, rather than just sending an email. Commissioner Stepens noted that the final document should be officially signed and filed with the state, and praised the thorough work on the initial list. - Full-Page Advertisement: The commission discussed a proposal for a full-page informational ad in the Montana Standard newspaper. The ad will summarize ballot items and direct voters to the commission's website, final report, and voter education guide. The remaining budget was confirmed as sufficient by staff. A motion was made and passed to approve the ad for publication right before the general election. - Radio Ads: Commissioner Cindy Shaw proposed purchasing ads on KBOW radio to reciprocate their extensive pro-bono support. The Chair explained that KBOW's Ron has insisted on providing the airtime for free as a public service and declined payment. The commission agreed to respect his wishes and discuss showing appreciation later. Key Outcomes - Minutes Approved: The minutes from September 14, 2026 were approved. - Advertisement Approved: A full-page ad in the Montana Standard was approved for publication right before the general election. - Next Meeting Scheduled: The commission will meet again on October 26, 2026, to provide a public forum for questions and continued voter education before the election.