OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Belgrade City Council Meeting - July 6, 2026

City Council & Boards — Monday, July 6, 2026
BodyBelgrade, Montana
SessionCity Council & Boards
DateMonday, July 6, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

All right, we will call the meeting to order.

0:03

We'll begin with the pledge.

0:07

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.

0:25

Roll call, please.

0:27

Jason Guffin?

0:28

Here.

0:29

Matthew McHe.

0:30

Here.

0:31

Jim Simon.

0:32

Here.

0:37

Renee Manima?

0:38

Here.

0:39

Christine Muncushi?

0:40

Here.

0:40

Arabel.

0:41

Here.

0:46

We're here if you like it or not.

0:54

We will start off with public forum.

0:56

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

1:01

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

1:08

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

1:13

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

1:19

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

1:25

Please limit your comments to three minutes.

1:28

First call for public forum.

1:33

My name is Randy Mills.

1:35

I live on the corner of Spooner and Owl Drive at 419 Owl Drive.

1:40

And I'm here for an ask, and it's concerning parking on Spooner Road.

1:46

And my concern is from April to the middle of July when we were playing baseball.

1:56

The streets that dump into Spooner Road, Henry, Helen, Pearl, and Owl Drive.

2:04

The cars park past the corner of the road, so they squeeze that.

2:09

So sometimes you only have access for one vehicle to squeeze by them and to turn onto Spooner Road, but by the time you're turning, you're halfway onto Sperno Road before you can even see if there's oncoming traffic.

2:23

So my ask of the city council is if they would put no parking from here to corner signs on those streets, Henry, Helen, Pearl, and Al.

2:40

And that's all I have.

2:42

Thank you.

2:43

Thank you.

2:50

Second call for public comment.

2:59

Good evening.

3:00

My name is Kevin McNeilis.

3:02

I live at 214 Bluegrass Drive.

3:06

I'm representing Horseshoe Meadows.

3:10

Our HOA is not opposed to the Can I stop you for a second?

3:15

Is this an item that we're going to be discussing on the agenda this evening?

3:18

I'm sorry.

3:19

Is this pertaining to an item that we will be discussing later on the agenda this evening?

3:23

I don't know.

3:25

I believe it is.

3:27

Thank you.

3:28

I thought that was a public comment.

3:30

Yeah, it will be during public hearing 4.1.

3:33

Thanks.

3:39

Third and final call for public forum.

3:43

Hearing none, we will close the public forum and move on to our consent agenda.

3:48

Ums mayor.

3:50

Sorry.

3:50

Can I get a motion to excuse Mayor Meese?

3:55

To excuse.

3:57

Yeah.

3:59

Oh, we'll have.

4:00

Can I get a motion to excuse the mayor?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████25%
Urban Renewal█████████████████████████25%
Budget Equity Analysis████████████████████20%
Parks and Recreation███████7%
Water And Wastewater Management████4%
Community Engagement████4%
Personnel Matters███3%
Fiscal Sustainability███3%
Affordable Housing███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Belgrade City Council Meeting - July 6, 2026

The Belgrade City Council met on July 6, 2026, with Deputy Mayor presiding due to Mayor Meese's absence. The meeting covered a unanimous consent agenda, multiple public hearings, and discussions on zoning, budget adoption, subdivision extensions, annexation, and board appointments. Key decisions included approving a zone map amendment for the McMillan property, adopting the preliminary FY27 budget, granting a one-year preliminary plat extension for the Stone Creek subdivision, and establishing a permanent Planning Commission.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved consent agenda as presented (unanimous).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Randy Mills (419 Owl Drive) requested no-parking signs on Henry, Helen, Pearl, and Owl Drive to improve sightlines at Spooner Road intersections during baseball season. No council action was taken; comment was received.
  • Kevin McNeilis (Horseshoe Meadows HOA) spoke during the public hearing for the McMillan zone map amendment (Item 4.1). He expressed support for the development but asked for consideration to preserve the rural character of the adjacent horse properties. He noted he had submitted written comments and planned to meet with city staff.

Discussion Items

  • Zone Map Amendment – McMillan Property (4.1): Brad Stein, Senior Planner, presented a request from RC Properties LLC to zone the McMillan property (between South Alaska Road and Jackrabbit Lane, north of McMillan Lane) as Mixed Residential District upon annexation. The first reading was approved unanimously, with a final hearing set for July 20, 2026. The Planning Board had previously voted unanimously in favor.
  • Interim Zoning Ordinance 2026-6 (4.2): A temporary one-year measure to replace references to the Planning Board with the Planning Commission in the zoning ordinance, as allowed under the Montana Land Use Planning Act (MLUPA). Approved unanimously.
  • Master Fee Schedule FY27 (4.3): Resolution 2026-10 adopting the master fee schedule with an effective date of August 1, 2026. Approved unanimously.
  • Preliminary FY27 Budget (4.4): Resolution 2026-15 adopting the preliminary budget. Finance Director Charity presented detailed revenue and expenditure projections. Key points: 32% of revenue from taxes ($9.1M preliminary), 55% of expenditures for personnel, $1.1M increase in salary and benefits including one new FTE (chief civil attorney), $104M in long-term debt, and a 10.11% estimated unrestricted fund balance. The budget will be finalized after certified values are received in August. Approved by roll call (all ayes).
  • Stone Creek Preliminary Plat Extension: Developer John Rosa and his representative requested a three-year extension for the preliminary plat (originally approved May 2023). They cited delays due to DNRC place-of-use approvals and water storage issues, and noted they had invested heavily in infrastructure (lift station, force main). Staff recommended a one-year extension to allow annual review. Council approved the one-year extension (unanimous).
  • Annexation of McMillan Property (Resolution 2026-13): Approved the annexation and annexation agreement, which requires the developer to install infrastructure, convey water rights, and comply with city standards. Council noted that the new MLUPA rules allow automatic place-of-use changes upon annexation. Approved unanimously.
  • Permanent Planning Commission (Resolution 2026-12): Established a permanent five-member Planning Commission to replace the interim commission and the former City-County Planning Board, as required by MLUPA. Approved unanimously.
  • Mayor's Recommendations for Appointments: Appointed Matthew Anderson (term to July 6, 2026) and Matthew Collingwood (term to July 6, 2028) to the Planning Commission, and reappointed Whitney Lonsdale to the Gallatin County City Board of Health (term to June 30, 2029). Approved unanimously.
  • Parks, Trails & Recreation District FY27 Budget (Resolution 2026-11): Approved the budget, which includes a debt service payment for a $6M bond, recreational programming (including fireworks display), shade structures, a dump trailer, an ATV, and CIP projects (phase 2 bike park, volleyball court, splash pad study). The budget will be recalculated after certified values. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Zone map amendment (McMillan): Approved on first reading; final hearing July 20, 2026.
  • Interim zoning ordinance: Approved.
  • Master fee schedule: Adopted; effective August 1, 2026.
  • Preliminary FY27 budget: Adopted; final budget to follow in September.
  • Stone Creek plat extension: Approved for one year (to June 26, 2027).
  • McMillan annexation: Approved.
  • Permanent Planning Commission: Established.
  • Appointments: Approved as recommended.
  • Parks district budget: Adopted.

Meeting Transcript

All right, we will call the meeting to order. We'll begin with 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 Guffin? Here. Matthew McHe. Here. Jim Simon. Here. Renee Manima? Here. Christine Muncushi? Here. Arabel. Here. We're here if you like it or not. We will start off with public forum. Before starting your comments, please state your name and address in an audible tone of voice for the record. This is the 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 upon to qu 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. First call for public forum. My name is Randy Mills. I live on the corner of Spooner and Owl Drive at 419 Owl Drive. And I'm here for an ask, and it's concerning parking on Spooner Road. And my concern is from April to the middle of July when we were playing baseball. The streets that dump into Spooner Road, Henry, Helen, Pearl, and Owl Drive. The cars park past the corner of the road, so they squeeze that. So sometimes you only have access for one vehicle to squeeze by them and to turn onto Spooner Road, but by the time you're turning, you're halfway onto Sperno Road before you can even see if there's oncoming traffic. So my ask of the city council is if they would put no parking from here to corner signs on those streets, Henry, Helen, Pearl, and Al. And that's all I have. Thank you. Thank you. Second call for public comment. Good evening. My name is Kevin McNeilis. I live at 214 Bluegrass Drive. I'm representing Horseshoe Meadows. Our HOA is not opposed to the Can I stop you for a second? Is this an item that we're going to be discussing on the agenda this evening? I'm sorry. Is this pertaining to an item that we will be discussing later on the agenda this evening? I don't know. I believe it is. Thank you. I thought that was a public comment. Yeah, it will be during public hearing 4.1.

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