Belgrade City Council Meeting - November 17, 2025
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Belgrade City Council Meeting - November 17, 2025\n\nThe Belgrade City Council met on November 17, 2025, with Mayor Russell Nelson presiding. Councilmembers Jason Guffey, Michael Meese, Christine Manicucci, and Aaron Bell were present; Jim Simon and Renee Manimo were absent and excused. The meeting included a public forum, consent agenda approvals, public hearings on two annexations, and several bond-related resolutions. All votes were unanimous.\n\n### Public Forum\n- Belgrade Fire Chief Jay Whitwer (1303 Powers Boulevard) introduced the Central Valley Fire District’s accreditation process. He stated that the district is pursuing national accreditation through the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE). Chief Whitwer reported that a community-driven strategic plan has been completed and that the current phase involves a Community Risk Assessment Standards of Cover (CRESOC) analysis to match resource deployment to community risk. He noted that only about 340 fire departments worldwide are accredited, and the only one in Montana is Bozeman.\n- Rich Merrill, CPSE facilitator, explained that the accreditation process includes 254 performance indicators spanning governance, finance, human resources, and operations. He encouraged the council to keep the process on the front of their minds.\n\n### Consent Calendar\n- The council unanimously approved the consent agenda as submitted (motion by Councilmember Meese, seconded by Councilmember Manicucci). The agenda included two separate items and minutes, though specific details were not read.\n\n### Public Hearings\n#### Annexation of Ridgeview Elementary School (River Rock) – Resolution 2025-36\n- Senior Planner Stein presented the final annexation of property at 17 Green Bell Drive (Ridgeview School in the River Rock subdivision). The property has already been zoned to Educational Institutional District and is connected to River Rock Water and Sewer. Councilmember Guffey asked about a fail-safe if water/sewer service fails; the city manager stated the city would offer support. There was no public comment. The council unanimously adopted Resolution 2025-36 approving the annexation and annexation agreement.\n\n#### Annexation of Belgrade School District Bus Barn – Resolution 2025-37\n- Senior Planner Stein presented the annexation of 17063 Frontiers Road (the bus barn property), previously zoned to industrial. Councilmember Guffey asked about the advantage for the tax-exempt school district; City Manager Cardwell explained that annexation makes the Belgrade Police Department the primary responder for public safety purposes, resolving jurisdictional questions. There was no public comment. The council unanimously adopted Resolution 2025-37.\n\n### Discussion Items\n#### Resolution 2025-39 – Sewer System Revenue Bonds (Lagoon Rehabilitation)\n- Finance Director Charity presented a $1,460,440 loan from the DNRC Water Pollution Control State Revolving Loan Program. The bond consists of a $566,440 subordinate lien taxable Series 2025 A bond and an $894,000 Series 2025 B bond. The total project budget is $5.4 million, with 67% grant-funded, 27% loan, and 6% cash. There was no public comment. The council unanimously adopted the resolution.\n\n#### Resolution 2025-40 – Amending and Restating Prior Water Revenue Bond Resolutions\n- The finance director explained that as Belgrade has grown, it is no longer eligible for most DNRC bond programs and must use private market bonds. This resolution restates previous covenants (Resolutions 2009-18, 2010-3, 2014-5, and 2024-32) to allow additional debt secured by water system revenues. No public comment. The council approved via a roll-call vote (all ayes).\n\n#### Resolution 2025-41 – $20 Million Water System Revenue Bonds (Series 2025)\n- The finance director reported that the bond pricing closed at $20 million, with a premium of $977,000, resulting in total proceeds of $20,977,000. After delivery costs of ~$540,000 and $5.2 million already spent, remaining project funds are $15,172,000 (with an additional ~$200,000 in costs expected). City Manager Cardwell explained that premiums occur when multiple firms compete to purchase bonds, reducing rates to incentivize the city. No public comment. The council unanimously adopted the resolution via roll-call vote.\n\n### City Manager Reports\n- City Manager Cardwell noted that the water storage project is advancing; HDR should submit a preliminary engineering report by the end of November. Well 8 is online, and Well 9 is expected to produce 800–900 gallons per minute. On the wastewater side, rates have been set to fund future projects.\n- Cardwell requested two or three council volunteers to form a working committee to help develop a five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Councilmembers Meese, Menicucci, and Bell volunteered. A mid-December meeting will be scheduled with staff.\n- In personal remarks, Cardwell shared that his daughter received her driver’s license and thanked the community for its supportive programs.\n\n### FYI and Adjournment\n- Councilmembers reported upcoming events: the Senior Center’s Thanksgiving dinner (Friday), downtown holiday light park decorating (Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m.), and a volunteer sign-up at BelgradeMT.org.\n- Mayor Nelson noted he and Deputy Mayor Meese would be unavailable for a future county board of health meeting.\n- The meeting adjourned by unanimous consent.
Meeting Transcript
I'd like to welcome you all here tonight, and uh at this time I'd like to call on uh mayor elect Meese to lead us in the pledge, please. 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. Thank you. Roll call. Jason Guffey? Here, Michael Meese. Here Russell Nelson. Here. Christine Manicucci. Here. Aaron Bell. Here. Jim Simon and Renee Manimo are absent. Make a motion to excuse Councilmember Manimo and Simon. Move by Councilmember Menicucci, seconded by Councilmember Guffey. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? There being none. Those in favor of the motion, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed, same sign. Motion carries unanimously. Next on our agenda is our public forum. It's on every council agenda. Before starting your comments, please state your name, address, and an audible tone of voice for the record. This is time for individuals to comment on matters falling within the purview of the Belgrade City Council that are not already on the agenda. There will be an opportunity in conjunction with each uh agenda item for comments pertaining to that item. Please note that the council may not engage in discussion or response or respond to questions during this time. However, at the mayor's discretion, the city manager may be asked to provide clarification of existing policy. Please limit your comments to three minutes. So first call for public forum. First call. Second call for public forum. Good evening, Chief. Good evening. I'm Jay Whitwer. I live at 1303 Powers Boulevard here in Belgrade. A proud citizen of Belgrade. I'm also the fire chief for Central Valley Fire District, which provides your fire protection services for this community. This afternoon, I actually got a phone call from someone, a text message, and I thought, what a great opportunity to uh let the council know what we are going through at the fire district. It's something that definitely falls within your purview, and good to have a heads up on what's going on. As you know, uh recently we went through a strategic planning process. We had five of the city employees take part in that community focused strategic plan. And I'm grateful that they were able to come and take part in that strategic plan. Part of that strategic planning process is to go after what's called an accreditation. And so there's a national accreditation process, and it's really all about quality improvement for the fire service. So we are going through that this week. The text message that I got was from our facilitator, and he actually arrived sooner than I thought he would. And I thought this is a great opportunity for you to meet him, and he'll explain all just shortly, and he'll keep within the three minutes of uh just giving a good definition of what we're going to be going through and how it will benefit the community.
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