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Record of Proceedings

Belgrade City Council Meeting November 3, 2025: Fire Code Adoption, Police Update, and City Reports

City Council & Boards — Monday, November 3, 2025
BodyBelgrade, Montana
SessionCity Council & Boards
DateMonday, November 3, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:05

I'd like to thank everybody here tonight and I'll call to order our November 3rd council meeting.

0:13

If you please rise and follow me in the pledge.

0:19

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

0:27

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:38

Roll call, please.

0:40

Jason Goffie.

0:41

Here.

0:42

Jim Simon.

0:43

Here.

0:43

Michael Mees.

0:44

Here.

0:45

Arabelle.

0:45

Here.

0:46

Renee Mademoiselle.

0:47

Here.

0:47

Ann Nelson and Minikucci are absent.

0:54

Look for a motion to excuse Mayor Nelson.

0:58

So moved.

1:00

All right.

1:01

It was moved by Councilmember Menacucci.

1:08

Moved by Councilmember Matimo.

1:10

Second by Councilmember Simon.

1:13

Is there any discussion?

1:15

All those in favor say aye.

1:19

All those opposed, same sign.

1:22

Passes unanimously.

1:25

And then is Chris online?

1:31

Or is she out too?

1:35

Okay.

1:35

Um look for a motion to excuse Councilmember Minacucci.

1:42

Go ahead, Jim.

1:43

So moved.

1:44

Second.

1:45

All right.

1:45

Moved by Councilmember Simon.

1:47

Second by Councilmember Matimo.

1:49

Is there any discussion?

1:51

All those in favor say aye.

1:54

Aye.

1:54

Aye.

1:55

All those opposed, same sign.

1:58

Passes unanimously.

2:01

All right, moving on to public forum.

2:03

So before starting your comments, please state your name and address and audible tone of voice for the record.

2:10

This is the time for individuals to comment on matters falling within the purview of Belgrade City Council that are not already on the agenda.

2:18

There will be an opportunity in conjunction with each agenda item for comments pertaining to that item.

2:24

Please note the council may not engage in discussion or respond to questions during this time.

2:29

However, at the mayor's discretion, the city manager may be asked to provide clarification on existing policy.

2:36

And please limit your comments to three minutes.

2:40

So first call for public comment.

2:46

Second call for public comment.

2:51

Third and final call for public comment.

2:56

Seeing none, I'll close the public hearing.

3:02

Excuse me, and move on to public hearings.

3:08

So we have tonight discuss and consider final adoption of ordinance 2025-11, repealing and replacing Title VI, adopting the International Fire Code, establishing the city manager as the city fire official, fire marshal position, and updating associated code sections after notice and public hearing.

3:30

Good evening.

3:33

Yes, we're back here today for the public hearing on the fire code update.

3:37

I would note again that there's no changes made with respect to fireworks.

3:48

Establishing the city manager as our administrative official, the city fire official for that uh fire code, and updating the associated code sections that applied to that.

3:58

So my understanding is that we have not received any public comment regarding the updates to the fire code.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety████████████████████████████████████████████44%
Code Enforcement██████████████████18%
Procedural███████████████15%
Urban Renewal████████████12%
Water And Wastewater Management█████5%
Public Engagement███3%
Education Funding███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Belgrade City Council Meeting - November 3, 2025

The Belgrade City Council met on November 3, 2025, for a regular meeting. The council approved the consent calendar excusing absent members, held a public hearing on Ordinance 2025-11 adopting the International Fire Code, and received reports on a recent police incident, city projects, and administrative updates. All actions were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

  • Motion to excuse Mayor Nelson (absent) and Councilmember Minakucci (absent) passed unanimously after roll call.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jay Whitwer, Belgrade citizen and fire chief of Central Valley Fire District, expressed disappointment with the city's decision to adopt its own fire code but offered continued partnership and the expertise of Central Valley's fire prevention bureau.
  • A second citizen, also a taxpayer, voiced concern about duplicating services already provided by Central Valley Fire District, noting that city residents already pay fire district taxes.

Discussion Items

  • Ordinance 2025-11 – Adoption of International Fire Code: City Manager explained that state law mandates the city be the fire code authority within municipal boundaries, and that contracting out is not permitted. The ordinance updates a fire code from 1983, establishes the city manager as the city fire official (no new positions created), and aligns with state requirements. The council had previously discussed and published notice, and no written public comments were received.
  • Police Incident Update: Police Chief Lensing reported on a critical incident where an officer was injured in the line of duty. He thanked the council, city staff, and partner agencies (Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Bozeman Police, Central Valley Fire, Montana DOJ, Highway Patrol) for overwhelming support. The officer is recovering; two officers are on administrative leave due to the investigation, causing a staffing crunch. Bozeman Police provided backup on the night of the incident, and officers are volunteering overtime.
  • Vehicle-Pedestrian Incident: A young child was struck by a bicycle near the middle school that day; the child will recover. School resource officers and patrol responded. The city will review procedures.
  • City Manager Reports:
    • The RFPQ for the Belgrade Justice Center design-build contract received seven responses; four firms interviewed, and a top candidate selected. A contract is expected by year-end.
    • The grain elevator purchase: BNSF has agreed to release the current owner from lease after demolition of tanks and environmental cleanup. The city will close on the property for the urban renewal district, and development interest has been expressed.
    • Two new employees started: a customer service representative in finance and a systems administrator in IT.
    • A flashing beacon on Spooner Road near the middle school was damaged beyond repair and will be replaced with a modern rapid-flash beacon. A standard crosswalk sign will be placed in the interim.
    • Belgrade High School will host the largest speech and debate tournament in Montana on Dec 5-6, 2025, needing over 300 judges. City staff are encouraged to volunteer during work hours (up to 4 hours paid).

Key Outcomes

  • Ordinance 2025-11 was finally adopted unanimously (moved by Councilmember Simon, seconded by Councilmember Matimo).
  • The police chief’s update was received; staffing challenges will be managed with overtime and mutual aid.
  • The city manager will continue work on the Justice Center contract and grain elevator closing.
  • Councilmember Simon inquired about the water tank project; the city manager stated an update will be provided in December after further analysis.
  • The meeting adjourned unanimously.

Meeting Transcript

I'd like to thank everybody here tonight and I'll call to order our November 3rd council meeting. If you please rise and follow me in the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Roll call, please. Jason Goffie. Here. Jim Simon. Here. Michael Mees. Here. Arabelle. Here. Renee Mademoiselle. Here. Ann Nelson and Minikucci are absent. Look for a motion to excuse Mayor Nelson. So moved. All right. It was moved by Councilmember Menacucci. Moved by Councilmember Matimo. Second by Councilmember Simon. Is there any discussion? All those in favor say aye. All those opposed, same sign. Passes unanimously. And then is Chris online? Or is she out too? Okay. Um look for a motion to excuse Councilmember Minacucci. Go ahead, Jim. So moved. Second. All right. Moved by Councilmember Simon. Second by Councilmember Matimo. Is there any discussion? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. All those opposed, same sign. Passes unanimously. All right, moving on to public forum. So before starting your comments, please state your name and address and audible tone of voice for the record. This is the time for individuals to comment on matters falling within the purview of Belgrade City Council that are not already on the agenda. There will be an opportunity in conjunction with each agenda item for comments pertaining to that item. Please note the council may not engage in discussion or respond to questions during this time. However, at the mayor's discretion, the city manager may be asked to provide clarification on existing policy. And please limit your comments to three minutes. So first call for public comment.

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