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Record of Proceedings

Belgrade City Council Regular Meeting - December 1, 2025

City Council & Boards — Monday, December 1, 2025
BodyBelgrade, Montana
SessionCity Council & Boards
DateMonday, December 1, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:06

I'd like to call this meeting to order and welcome you here this evening and I'd like to call on the judge to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance, please.

0:16

If 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.

0:32

Thank you.

0:33

Roll call.

0:34

Jason Guffy.

0:35

Here.

0:36

Michael Nees.

0:37

Here.

0:38

Jim Simon.

0:39

Here.

0:40

Russell Nelson?

0:41

Here.

0:41

Christina Cutti.

0:43

Here.

0:43

Aaron Bell?

0:44

Here.

0:44

Renee Mademo.

0:46

Here.

0:46

Thank you.

0:49

Next item on our agenda is the public forum.

0:52

Before starting your comments, please state your name and address in an audible tone of voice for the record.

0:57

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

1:06

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

1:11

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

1:17

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

1:23

Please limit your comments to three minutes.

1:26

So with that, first call for public forum.

1:32

Second call for public forum.

1:37

Third and final call for public forum.

1:42

With no interest in the public forum, we'll close the public forum.

1:45

We'll move to our consent agenda.

1:47

There are two items on the consent agenda.

1:52

They are consider a motion to approve uh the manager's negotiation with BNSF to participate in the cost of the demolition of the former Belgrade Lounge.

2:02

And the next item is the consider approval of the 2026 payroll holiday calendar.

2:08

Are there any questions of those two items?

2:10

If not, we'd seek a motion to approve the consent agenda, please.

2:15

I would move to approve the consent agenda as submitted.

2:21

I'll second.

2:22

Moved by Councilmember Menicucci, seconded by Councilmember Matimo.

2:26

Is there any discussion?

2:28

Is there any discussion?

2:31

Is there any discussion?

2:33

There being none, those in favor of the motion, please signify by saying aye.

2:36

Aye.

2:37

Those opposed, same sign.

2:39

Motion carries unanimously.

2:42

Next, we'll move on into our discussion agenda.

2:45

The first item there is to discuss and consider MSU Local Government Center presentation and contribution request.

2:54

Thank you, Mayor.

2:55

So tonight we have uh the MSU Local Government Center led by Mr.

3:00

Dan Clark.

3:01

I think all of us know him very well.

3:03

Um they are gonna hear to present uh some ideas and a request that they have to the city council and some programs that the local government center is is working on.

3:13

Mr.

3:13

Clark.

3:15

Thank you, Mr.

3:15

Uh Mr.

3:16

Mayor, Mr.

3:17

Cardwell, uh Council members, thank you for the opportunity to visit with you today.

3:22

Um at the local government center, many of you know who we are and what we do, but uh as a reminder, we work with uh cities and counties and special districts around the state of Montana.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Land Use Planning█████████████████████████████████████████████45%
Procedural█████████████████17%
Affordable Housing███████████11%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████7%
Public Engagement█████5%
Community Engagement████4%
Personnel Matters████4%
Transportation Safety██2%
Public Works██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Belgrade City Council Regular Meeting - December 1, 2025

The Belgrade City Council met on December 1, 2025, for its regular meeting. The council addressed a consent agenda, several discussion items including a zoning text amendment for a new master plan community district, approval of a conditional use permit for a casino, appointments to fill a council vacancy and boards, and adoption of the 2026 meeting calendar. Mayor Russell Nelson presided over his final business meeting, with Deputy Mayor Michael Meese handling the ward one appointment at the mayor's direction.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the consent agenda unanimously, which included: (1) authorization for the city manager to negotiate with BNSF to participate in the cost of demolishing the former Belgrade Lounge, and (2) approval of the 2026 payroll holiday calendar.

Discussion Items

  • MSU Local Government Center Presentation and Contribution Request: Dan Clark presented on the center's work and requested financial support to restructure operations. Councilmember Neil Cardwell endorsed the center's value. The council unanimously approved a $5,000 contribution as budgeted.
  • Appointment to Ward 1 Council Seat: Deputy Mayor Meese recommended Matt McGee to fill the vacancy created by Mayor-elect Meese's upcoming departure. McGee introduced himself, citing his background and desire to serve. The council unanimously appointed McGee.
  • Conditional Use Permit for Town Pump Casino: Brad Stein (senior planner) presented the request for a casino at 6505 Jackrabbit Lane (former Flying J). The planning board had recommended approval 3-1, with the dissenting vote citing too many casinos. Kevin May (applicant engineer) confirmed the facility would have 20 gaming machines and no restaurant beyond a deli. No public comment was heard. The council approved the permit 5-1.
  • Final Plat Approval for West Post Phase Three: Planner Emily Martinez presented the final plat for four lots along the eastern side of the development. Matt Exton (Morrison Maierle) represented the applicant. No public comment. Approved unanimously.
  • First Reading of Ordinance 2025-12 – Zoning Text Amendment for Master Planning Community (MP) District: Brad Stein and the applicant team (Todd Waller, Venture West Development; Chris Fernandez, land planner) presented a comprehensive proposal to create a new zoning district allowing smaller lots, reduced parking, and diverse housing types. The district is designed to address the "missing middle" housing gap, with lot sizes as small as 1,500 square feet for detached units and 1,000 square feet for attached units. The city manager noted the district would be an option for future development, not solely for the applicant's project. Councilmembers discussed setbacks, parking requirements (including state preemption), alley design, and snow removal. The applicant agreed to amend the use table to make religious assembly a permitted use rather than conditional. No public comment. The council unanimously approved the first reading and set a public hearing for January 5, 2026.
  • Design-Build Agreement for Belgrade Justice Center: City Manager Cardwell reported that Hazelden Hennabery Eddy (HHE) was selected from seven responses to provide design-build services for the renovation of the former HEC elementary school. The council authorized the city manager, with city attorney approval, to finalize the contract within the budgeted $1.5 million. No public comment. Approved unanimously.
  • 2026 Board and Committee Appointments: The council discussed and approved appointments for 2026, with changes including Councilmember Matimo as deputy mayor, Councilmember Simon to the interim planning commission and city-county planning board, and Matt McGee to the PCC planning coordinating committee. Approved unanimously.
  • Mayor's Appointments to Board of Adjustment: Two candidates, Karen Reichert and Tegan Guffey, were appointed unanimously.
  • 2026 Meeting Calendar: The council adopted Option Two, which maintains the current schedule of moving the meeting date when it conflicts with the NCAA Final Four basketball tournament. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Appointments: Matt McGee appointed to Ward 1 council seat (effective January 1, 2026); Karen Reichert and Tegan Guffey appointed to the Board of Adjustment; annual board and committee assignments adopted.
  • Ordinance 2025-12: First reading approved; public hearing set for January 5, 2026.
  • Conditional Use Permit: Town Pump casino approved (5-1).
  • Contract Authorization: City manager authorized to finalize design-build agreement with HHE for the Justice Center.
  • Calendar: 2026 meeting schedule adopted with final four adjustment retained.

Reports and Announcements

  • City Manager Cardwell introduced two new employees: Whitney Burms (Communications Manager) and Jordan Green (Director of Parks, Trails, and Recreation).
  • Mayor Nelson delivered farewell remarks, thanking council and staff for their collaboration and dedication to the city.
  • Meeting adjourned at approximately 9:30 PM.

Meeting Transcript

I'd like to call this meeting to order and welcome you here this evening and I'd like to call on the judge to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance, please. If 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 Guffy. Here. Michael Nees. Here. Jim Simon. Here. Russell Nelson? Here. Christina Cutti. Here. Aaron Bell? Here. Renee Mademo. Here. Thank you. Next item on our agenda is the public forum. Before starting your comments, please state your name and address in an audible tone of voice for the record. This is a 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 agenda item for comments pertaining to that item. Please note that 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. Please limit your comments to three minutes. So with that, first call for public forum. Second call for public forum. Third and final call for public forum. With no interest in the public forum, we'll close the public forum. We'll move to our consent agenda. There are two items on the consent agenda. They are consider a motion to approve uh the manager's negotiation with BNSF to participate in the cost of the demolition of the former Belgrade Lounge. And the next item is the consider approval of the 2026 payroll holiday calendar. Are there any questions of those two items? If not, we'd seek a motion to approve the consent agenda, please. I would move to approve the consent agenda as submitted. I'll second. Moved by Councilmember Menicucci, seconded by Councilmember Matimo. 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, we'll move on into our discussion agenda. The first item there is to discuss and consider MSU Local Government Center presentation and contribution request. Thank you, Mayor. So tonight we have uh the MSU Local Government Center led by Mr.

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