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Record of Proceedings

Belgrade City Council Meeting - January 20, 2026

City Council & Boards — Tuesday, January 20, 2026
BodyBelgrade, Montana
SessionCity Council & Boards
DateTuesday, January 20, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:50:57

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:03

All right, I'll like to welcome everybody here tonight and call the Belgrade City Council meeting to order.

0:10

If you would please rise, and I have council member McGee lead us in the pledge.

0:17

I put this to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

0:25

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

0:38

Jason Guffy?

0:39

Here.

0:39

Matthew McGee.

0:40

Here.

0:41

Jim Simon.

0:42

Here.

0:43

Michael Meese?

0:44

Here.

0:45

Christine Minicucci.

0:46

Here.

0:46

Aaron Bell.

0:47

Here.

0:48

Renee Mademoiselle.

0:49

Here.

0:49

Thank you.

0:53

All right.

0:54

Next on the agenda is public forum.

0:56

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

1:03

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

1:11

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

1:17

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

1:22

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

1:28

And please limit your comments to three minutes.

1:31

So first call for public comment.

1:36

Second call for public comment.

1:42

Third and final call for public comment.

1:46

Seeing none, I'll close the public forum and move on to the consent agenda.

1:58

Is there any go ahead?

2:00

I was going to say I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda as submitted.

2:07

I'll second.

2:08

All right.

2:08

Move by council member Simon, second by Deputy Mayor Matamo.

2:13

Is there any discussion?

2:16

Is there any discussion?

2:19

Is there any discussion?

2:21

All those in favor, say aye.

2:24

Aye.

2:24

All those opposed, same sign.

2:27

Passes unanimously.

2:30

All right.

2:31

Moving on to our public hearings.

2:34

So first up, we have discuss and consider zone tax amendment for a new zoning district called Master Plan Community.

2:43

Mr.

2:44

Stein.

2:48

Good evening, Brad Stein, Senior Planner here at the City of Belgrade.

2:52

So this is the second reading.

2:53

This is a zone text amendment that was applicant initiated.

2:57

The meats and potatoes of this zone text amendment, which would be citywide, but the application would be a request for a specific area right now.

3:06

In the future, anybody, if this was approved tonight, and it becomes effective, anybody could come in and ask for this, but this would still be a zone map amendment change or request through this city council.

3:20

So there would be two readings at a minimum to change any other district within the city for this zoning.

3:26

And so again, the meats and potatoes of this one, what they're requesting to do is to um make smaller size lots that would allow for attached and detached housing, and also to allow for a reduction in parking for the specific zoning district.

3:42

And I believe if you recall the state is kind of mandating down onto us that residential dwelling units of a certain size will only be permitted to have one space or a half a space, depending on the unit.

4:10

Does the council have any questions, technical questions for Mr.

4:15

Stein?

4:16

I do have one.

4:17

I think it's oh sorry.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Land Use Planning████████████████████20%
Procedural████████████████16%
Parks and Recreation███████████████15%
Transportation Safety███████████11%
Public Works███████7%
Affordable Housing█████5%
Urban Renewal█████5%
Community Engagement████4%
Public Engagement████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Belgrade City Council Meeting - January 20, 2026

The Belgrade City Council met on January 20, 2026, to consider multiple zoning amendments, contracts, and resolutions. All items were approved unanimously.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the consent agenda as submitted.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Linda Angeloni (address not stated) expressed concern about reduced parking requirements in the proposed Master Plan Community zoning, noting that most residents have at least one car and public transportation is limited.
  • Linda Angeloni also asked for clarification on the definition of "community living" zoning and where to find zoning information.

Discussion Items

  • Zone Text Amendment (Master Plan Community) – Second reading of Ordinance 2025-12 to create a new zoning district. The amendment allows smaller lots, attached/detached housing, and reduced parking. The planning board recommended 3-1. Council clarified that religious assembly would be permitted without a conditional use permit. Approved.
  • Zone Map Amendment (The Foundry) – First reading to rezone approximately 120 acres at Jackrabbit Lane and Cameron Bridge Road from various zonings to Master Plan Community. The development will be less dense than previous plans, with townhomes, cottages, and single-family homes. Planning board voted 4-0 to recommend approval. Second hearing set for February 2, 2026. Approved.
  • Zone Map Amendment (Copper Ranch) – First reading to rezone a portion of Yellowstone Crossing property to Community Living for a proposed 320-unit affordable housing development targeting 60% of AMI. The applicant, Inland Group, will partner with HRDC and Montana Board of Housing. Planning board voted 4-0 to recommend approval. Second hearing set for February 2, 2026. Approved.
  • Resolution 2026-1 (TIFF Advisory Committee) – Required by state law (SB 3) to establish a Tax Increment Financing Advisory Committee for the Belgrade Commercial Center Urban Renewal District. The committee will include a school district representative, a county representative, a council member, and two public members. Approved.
  • Mayfair Meadows Bike Pump Track – Contract with American Ramp Company for $299,999 (not to exceed) to construct an asphalt bike pump track at Mayfair Meadows Park. The project is the first phase of a larger park plan, funded by a $400,000 appropriation and grants. The track will be the only fully asphalt pump track in the region. Construction anticipated in late summer 2026. Approved.
  • East Madison Avenue Project – Professional services contract with Sandbell for engineering design of water/sewer replacement, roadway widening, and pedestrian improvements from Oregon to Broadway. The project is funded by a $1.3M Transportation Alternatives grant with a 13.42% local match. Total project cost estimated at $2.1M. Construction likely in 2027. Approved.
  • Cruiser Lane Reimbursement Agreement – Agreement to reimburse Rosa Construction up to $163,967.23 for 50% of roadway improvements on Cruiser Lane (half-road construction). The city will fund its share from street impact fees. Approved.

Key Outcomes

  • All seven action items were approved unanimously by the council.
  • The consent agenda was approved.
  • Second readings for the two zone map amendments (The Foundry and Copper Ranch) are scheduled for February 2, 2026.
  • City Manager reported on a successful trip to Washington D.C. advocating for transportation funding, including the Jackrabbit underpass and West Belgrade interchange.
  • Staff provided updates on the America 250 celebration planning, budget season, and the upcoming demolition of the old fertilizer tanks at the "Big Red" property.

Meeting Transcript

All right, I'll like to welcome everybody here tonight and call the Belgrade City Council meeting to order. If you would please rise, and I have council member McGee lead us in the pledge. I put this 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 Guffy? Here. Matthew McGee. Here. Jim Simon. Here. Michael Meese? Here. Christine Minicucci. Here. Aaron Bell. Here. Renee Mademoiselle. Here. Thank you. All right. Next on the agenda is public forum. So before starting your comments, please state your name and 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 is not already on the agenda. There will be an opportunity in conjunction with each agenda item to 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. And please limit your comments to three minutes. So first call for public comment. Second call for public comment. Third and final call for public comment. Seeing none, I'll close the public forum and move on to the consent agenda. Is there any go ahead? I was going to say I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda as submitted. I'll second. All right. Move by council member Simon, second by Deputy Mayor Matamo. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? All those in favor, say aye. Aye. All those opposed, same sign. Passes unanimously. All right. Moving on to our public hearings. So first up, we have discuss and consider zone tax amendment for a new zoning district called Master Plan Community. Mr. Stein. Good evening, Brad Stein, Senior Planner here at the City of Belgrade. So this is the second reading.

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