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Record of Proceedings

Belgrade City Council Workshop - March 9, 2026: Project Updates and Department Reports

City Council & Boards — Monday, March 9, 2026
BodyBelgrade, Montana
SessionCity Council & Boards
DateMonday, March 9, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:05

I'll call the uh Belgrade City Council meeting to order and please rise and follow me in the pledge.

0:14

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

0:22

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

0:34

Jason Guffy.

0:35

Here.

0:36

Matthew McGee.

0:37

Here.

0:37

Jim Simon.

0:38

Here.

0:38

Mike Meese.

0:40

Here.

0:40

Chris Minicucci is absent.

0:42

Aaron Bell.

0:43

Here.

0:43

Renee Matabel.

0:45

Here.

0:46

I'll entertain a motion to excuse Councilmember Menicucci.

0:51

So moved.

0:52

Second.

0:52

Moved by Deputy May Matamo, second by Council Member Simon.

0:58

Is there any discussion?

1:00

All those in favor say aye.

1:02

Aye.

1:03

Aye.

1:03

All those opposed, same sign.

1:05

Passes unanimously.

1:07

All right.

1:08

Moving on to our discussion agenda.

1:10

We just have one item for discussing project updates by the city manager and various department heads.

1:18

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

1:20

So tonight uh as the agenda makes very easy.

1:24

We've got some updates on various projects that staff is uh pre kind of studied on to give you guys some updates.

1:32

But this is also a great time to dive in and ask questions to on some particular projects you might want to know more about.

1:39

If we don't have any of those answers tonight, um there'll be something that we can take back and probably bring to the retreat that will be upcoming and to be able to include those in the department's updates that we have on those fronts.

1:52

So I did, you know, like I was mentioning, joked about putting everybody's name in a hat and drawing from it, but uh we did have one of our staff members who wanted to go go first.

2:04

So if that's okay, like to have uh Mr.

2:06

Stein come up from community development and uh begin his update.

2:15

All right, good evening, Brad Stein, senior planner.

2:18

Um stepping in for Catherine King, the community and economic development director.

2:24

So uh on the planning side of house, we are kind of really ramping up the Malupa, the Montana Land Use Planning Act stuff.

2:31

Um we just had a workshop that I think was um uh open house March 4th, that went pretty well.

2:36

We probably had about 20 attendees, that was from four to seven here in this room.

2:42

Um our consultant with Cushing Terrell, Charles Torrell is um, he's been doing stakeholders and focus groups meetings, and those are going pretty well.

2:52

Um the idea of those meetings is just to try to really uh drill down to like members of the community and um other members around the community to get information from them just so that way we're reaching as many fingers out as we can to try to get as much um you know uh community input for the Malupa as part of our public participation plan.

3:16

Um we are hoping to bring that forward to you for a workshop next month, and then hopefully for an adoption uh May 4th for that actual plan.

3:27

We just recently did process two variances, one for a signed variance for the foundry, another for uh setback for set uh a single family home on a triangle-shaped lot that was on Southview and 10th Street.

3:42

Um still working on projects in the ETJ and in the city, things like common boundary relocations that we've been doing a lot of.

3:51

Um of them was actually just done over here for Neil Ganser at the Johns Manville site, formerly known as John Mansville, doing family transfers in the um still for the county final plates.

4:08

Um have probably amended conditions coming in for the foundry parts part of the PUD.

4:13

They're looking at amending their uh portions of the sign code of their own PUD sign code that's separate from the city that has relaxations that allows them to do some of that things, some of those things, plat extensions, and uh as you remember, we were working on the foundry um zone text amendment and zone map amendment.

4:32

The zone tech amendment is citywide now, so that um master plan community can be used by any developer who would come in and uh of course approved by you all.

4:42

Um the Copper Ranch, which is at affordable development over by the Yellowstone Airport Plaza that is coming in for a minor subdivision soon.

4:52

Um in that area, there's depot drive.

5:00

We are in the process of doing a name change for that road because there is a depot drive that is also down in four corners that's been there prior to the one that is here now.

5:07

The fact that there is um there's the personal warehouse where they're building those large warehouses that hasn't been CO'd yet, and then the coffee hut, so there's really only two years users on that road name, so that's why um we're intending to change that now.

5:23

And the proposed is to uh Copper Ranch Road on the economic side of things.

5:32

I'm probably not gonna touch on this too much.

5:34

I think Catherine would do a much better job, but we do own a grain bin now, and I think you're all aware of that.

5:39

I think staff's kind of excited about that because now we kind of control the destiny and the programming of that.

5:45

Um not to step on Canary's toes, but I think there's a portion of the land that may also fix a portion of the intersection in the future potentially, or some stormwater drainage there issues also.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Works█████████████████████████████████33%
Water And Wastewater Management█████████████13%
Transportation Safety█████████9%
Public Engagement█████████9%
Land Use Planning████████8%
Parks and Recreation███████7%
Public Safety██████6%
Procedural█████5%
Urban Forestry Management███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Belgrade City Council Workshop - March 9, 2026: Project Updates and Department Reports

The Belgrade City Council held a workshop on March 9, 2026, receiving comprehensive project updates from the city manager and various department heads. No formal actions were taken, but staff provided detailed status reports on infrastructure, parks, public safety, and planning initiatives.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Nicole Cardwell (1522 Bell Star) publicly thanked the city and library staff for partnering with the school district on the "Battle of the Books" reading competition. She reported that Belgrade third and fourth graders won the state trophy, marking the city's first-ever participation. She noted that she was asked to sit on the state advisory council, giving Belgrade a seat at the table.

Discussion Items

  • Community Development Update (Brad Stein, Senior Planner):

    • MLUPA (Montana Land Use Planning Act) open house held March 4 with about 20 attendees; stakeholder focus groups are ongoing. A workshop is expected next month, with adoption anticipated May 4.
    • Two variances processed: a sign variance for The Foundry and a setback variance for a home on Southview and 10th Street.
    • Common boundary relocations and plat extensions ongoing, including the Johns Manville site family transfer.
    • Foundry PUD sign code amendments and plat extensions in process; zone text amendment is now citywide.
    • Copper Ranch affordable housing development (near Yellowstone Airport Plaza) coming in for minor subdivision; Depot Drive proposed to be renamed Copper Ranch Road.
    • City now owns a grain bin, which staff is excited about for programming and potential intersection/stormwater fixes.
    • Economic development series well-attended; next one scheduled for March 18.
    • Permits: Residential: 240 total cases, 40 waiting for fee payment, 26 just received. Commercial non-residential: 14 total cases, 23 fees due, 9 more received. Fire sprinkler/alarm: 34. Residential permits are about 5% down compared to this time last year, but developers signal a surge in submissions.

  • Public Works Update (Camry Iulia, Director):

    • Cruiser Intersection Improvements (Dry Creek to Jackrabbit): 90% plans submitted to MDT. Right-of-way acquisition delayed on two tracts (airport authority and state trust lands) where roundabout will sit; airport process could take 6–12 months due to FAA review. Staff exploring splitting project into two phases: Cruiser corridor/Jackrabbit intersection first, roundabout later.
    • Cruiser Roadway Improvements (Bridger Heights developer cooperation): Council approved reimbursement agreement about 1–1.5 months ago. Developer likely starts construction in next month; work expected under 30 days. Will widen last 1,200 feet to Bollinger Lane.
    • Bollinger Lane widening: Prescott Ranch phases will require widening as development proceeds; phase three soon, phase four timeline unclear.
    • Companion Way: Nearly complete; waiting for lighting activation and signing. Signal functioning.
    • Cameron Avenue Improvements: Minor landscaping/tidy-up this spring.
    • East Madison Avenue (Oregon to Broadway): Contracted to Sandbell; preliminary engineering underway. Construction likely spring 2027 (hoped for fall 2026 but adjusting for MDT administration timelines).
    • Hoffman Street Sidewalks and Helen Hoffman projects: Received Transportation Commission authorization; negotiating grant agreement with MDT; RFQ expected early summer.
    • Jackrabbit School Crossings: Adding rectangular rapid flashing beacons at five crossings. Bid out late spring; installation during summer before school starts. Coordinating with school and crossing guards for training.
    • Henson Signing Project: All but two signs complete; utility conflicts on two.
    • Traffic Studies: Underway on 13th Street and Butler Creek Road corridors to assess intersection control and pedestrian safety. Hotspot: Cruiser and Butler Creek near Prescott Ranch park.
    • Traffic Calming Program: Proposed in FY27 budget; small spot treatments with nimble response.
    • State Street Alley Rehab: Alpine Surveying completed survey; new corner pins set except a few. Right-of-entry letters to affected landowners to set last pins. Alley work starts this summer; expected 3–5 years depending on funding.
    • Hometown Heroes Snow Removal Program: Launched but no snow this winter; ready for next year. Sign-up available.
    • Wastewater: Lagoon rehabilitation substantially complete; leak testing on pond 3 this spring (required by DEQ). WERF Phase 1.5 at plant will double liquids treatment capacity to 2 million gallons/day, add solids handling; design phase kickoff next week; construction wraps by end of 2028. Oxidation ditch repair: AECOM hired; bid out late spring; repair this summer.
    • Water: Well 9 drilling finished; well produced sand; driller believes it needs time to develop. Final design submitted to DEQ; electrical equipment ordered after approval; construction complete this summer. Water storage tank expansion: HDR Engineering completed preliminary engineering report. Well and transmission main design ongoing; tank design bid this spring but construction backlogged to 2027. Well construction starts late summer/fall 2026. Water rights change application: pre-application meeting Feb 24; addressing DNRC comments; resubmission within two weeks; hope for complete determination then 45-day technical analysis and 30-day public comment.
    • Lead Service Line Inventory: ~25% of service lines classified as unknown; city assumes they contain lead but believes fewer than 10 actually do. Meter replacements start in 30 days to physically verify service line material; potholing later in summer for remaining unknowns. Funding for replacements (if needed) has strings; city evaluating options.
    • Waterwise Program: Launches early summer; educational resource on water system, leak detection, sprinkler adjustment.
    • MDT Projects: I-90 Belgrade to Bozeman mill/pave this summer (night work); Riverside contracting. East Main Street overlay from Kennedy to near Airway (by MDT maintenance forces) this summer before July 1. Belgrade Intersection Improvements (Main & Broadway roundabout) construction in 2028; full closure considered for 1–2 month time savings; detour negotiations ongoing; city asked for compensation for road deterioration but no commitment. Belgrade Urban: 60% plans complete; construction 2030. I-90 Corridor Study (Three Forks to Bear Canyon) just kicked off; analyzing potential interchanges; looking 1 mile north/south of interstate.
    • Joint Open House: April 22 from 3:30–7:30 p.m. with MDT at this room.

  • Parks, Trails & Recreation Update (Jordan Green, Director):

    • Mayfair Meadows Bike Pump Track: Meetings with American Ramp Company; cost decreases may allow adding progressive bike ramp. Civil engineering drawings in progress; holding pattern awaiting designs.
    • Dog Park at Henson Park (Rizzo Lane): First draft site plan received; benefactor Bill Finager working on funding in memory of Brandy Crawford. Parks board approved requirements. Will be second dog park in town.
    • Splash Park: Preparing for 2026 season; painting features, replacing drain pan, fixing wastewater connection. Going out for RFP for future master plan/expansion.
    • Lions Park Improvements: Coordinating with Belgrade Youth Baseball and school district. Replacing foul poles (now PVC) on two northern fields; installing new irrigation zone at Smith Field after season. Scoreboard and signage projects; addressing dogs in field areas.
    • Playground Inspection: Heck & Quaw playground equipment inspected; Quaw in good shape; ordering missing parts.
    • Public Art Program: Working with artist-employee on low-cost, vandalism-proof art features for parks.
    • MSU Student Project: Survey and planning for formalizing trail connectivity between Menicucci Park and Lions Park; gathering public input for permitting and grants.
    • Recreation Schedule 2026: First event: Painting in the Park (at senior center) on April 13. "R Discover" series weekly with volunteers for rock hounding, tennis, arts, fly fishing, etc. Dancing in the Grass bands finalized. Belgrade Farmers Market: Gallatin Valley Farmers Market unable to continue; city taking over organization; vendor workshop scheduled.
    • Forestry: Joe Vadenberg started as first city forester March 1. Focus on tree guide, inventory, identifying problem trees, community outreach. Tree pruning class at Corbett Park on March 27. Arbor Day planting at Lewis and Clark Park (pending final) in coordination with Montana Urban and Community Forestry Association. Sunnyside Park planting plan prepared; tree replacement will consider visibility and noise buffering from I-90.
    • Tree City USA: Goal to achieve designation next year (Arbor Day).

  • City Manager Update (Neil Cardwell):

    • Belgrade Justice Center (former Heck Elementary): Asbestos abatement completed; more extensive than anticipated—about 85–90% of drywall removed (originally expected 60%). Building gutted to studs; 1988 section only remaining drywall. Interior layout: gym will be courtroom; stage demoed, walled off for sound buffer and storage. Court lobby and transaction window in former reception area. Secure office space across hall. Jury room and judge's office in two classrooms; they share a bathroom. Remaining building left as studs for future renovation. Police department wing will be in east side with minimal changes; evidence area, locker room (with showers) in classroom 6, weight room in classroom 5 (opening between). Total project cost $1.56 million (budget $1.6 million); likely to come down. No AC in police/judge areas except gym; window units will be used. Long-term: need three-phase power ($50,000 estimate from Northwestern Energy) for full HVAC. Parking lot not included; on-street parking for public; PD will use off-street parking. North playground may become parking lot; south playground likely permanent. House on property will not be used; hazardous material (lead paint) requires excavation.
    • Investment Portfolio: Finance (99%) working with Stiefel Finance to manage $20 million in bond proceeds for water project. Plan: treasury ladders for cash flow, remainder in treasury ladders; expected to net several hundred thousand dollars in investment returns.

Key Outcomes

  • Council unanimously excused Councilmember Chris Minicucci (moved by Deputy Mayor Matabel, seconded by Simon).
  • No formal votes or decisions; updates received for information.
  • Upcoming events: Joint MDT/City open house April 22; Council meeting canceled for next week.
  • Meeting adjourned.

Meeting Transcript

I'll call the uh Belgrade City Council meeting to order and 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 Guffy. Here. Matthew McGee. Here. Jim Simon. Here. Mike Meese. Here. Chris Minicucci is absent. Aaron Bell. Here. Renee Matabel. Here. I'll entertain a motion to excuse Councilmember Menicucci. So moved. Second. Moved by Deputy May Matamo, second by Council Member Simon. Is there any discussion? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. All those opposed, same sign. Passes unanimously. All right. Moving on to our discussion agenda. We just have one item for discussing project updates by the city manager and various department heads. Good evening, Mayor and Council. So tonight uh as the agenda makes very easy. We've got some updates on various projects that staff is uh pre kind of studied on to give you guys some updates. But this is also a great time to dive in and ask questions to on some particular projects you might want to know more about. If we don't have any of those answers tonight, um there'll be something that we can take back and probably bring to the retreat that will be upcoming and to be able to include those in the department's updates that we have on those fronts. So I did, you know, like I was mentioning, joked about putting everybody's name in a hat and drawing from it, but uh we did have one of our staff members who wanted to go go first. So if that's okay, like to have uh Mr. Stein come up from community development and uh begin his update. All right, good evening, Brad Stein, senior planner. Um stepping in for Catherine King, the community and economic development director. So uh on the planning side of house, we are kind of really ramping up the Malupa, the Montana Land Use Planning Act stuff. Um we just had a workshop that I think was um uh open house March 4th, that went pretty well. We probably had about 20 attendees, that was from four to seven here in this room. Um our consultant with Cushing Terrell, Charles Torrell is um, he's been doing stakeholders and focus groups meetings, and those are going pretty well. Um the idea of those meetings is just to try to really uh drill down to like members of the community and um other members around the community to get information from them just so that way we're reaching as many fingers out as we can to try to get as much um you know uh community input for the Malupa as part of our public participation plan. Um we are hoping to bring that forward to you for a workshop next month, and then hopefully for an adoption uh May 4th for that actual plan. We just recently did process two variances, one for a signed variance for the foundry, another for uh setback for set uh a single family home on a triangle-shaped lot that was on Southview and 10th Street. Um still working on projects in the ETJ and in the city, things like common boundary relocations that we've been doing a lot of. Um of them was actually just done over here for Neil Ganser at the Johns Manville site, formerly known as John Mansville, doing family transfers in the um still for the county final plates. Um have probably amended conditions coming in for the foundry parts part of the PUD. They're looking at amending their uh portions of the sign code of their own PUD sign code that's separate from the city that has relaxations that allows them to do some of that things, some of those things, plat extensions, and uh as you remember, we were working on the foundry um zone text amendment and zone map amendment.

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