Butte Silver Bow Council of Commissioners Regular Meeting - October 15, 2025
Butte Silver Bow Council of Commissioners Regular Meeting - October 15, 2025
The Butte Silver Bow Council of Commissioners held its regular meeting on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 7:00 PM. Nine commissioners were present (Commissioners Anderson and Callahan excused; Chairman Morgan served as acting chief executive). The meeting covered consent agenda approvals, public comments, segregated communications, and emergency items. Key decisions included renaming a building, extending purchase agreements, accepting a fire department grant, and scheduling a coroner appointment.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes of the October 1, 2025 regular meeting (9-0).
- Approved the consent agenda (committee reports 1-5, communications 1-30) with the exclusion of items 1 (2025-484), 6 (2025-489), 7 (2025-490), 10 (2025-494), 11 (2025-495), 12 (2025-496), and 28 (2025-512) (9-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- A member of the public (address 2000 Roberts Avenue) questioned the odd amount ($545,454.54) in communication 2025-495 and raised concerns about communication 2025-485 (not specified).
- Larry Winstall (GNCDC member) requested time to update on repurchasing Silver Bow Park (item 12), but was informed public comment does not allow dialogue.
- Kelly Sullivan, representing the Butte Local Development Corporation, expressed support for extending the purchase and sale agreements with Sonata and Horizons Montana (communications 2025-489 and 2025-490), stating the extensions are imperative for due diligence.
Discussion Items
- Communication 2025-484 – Renaming Readiness Center: The council concurred with Chief Executive Gallagher's request to rename the former National Guard Readiness Center (old armory) to the Don Peoples Senior Complex in honor of former Chief Executive Don Peoples Sr., who led Butte through economic challenges in the 1980s. Mr. Cambich provided historical context, noting Peoples' role in saving Butte from collapse. Motion passed 9-0.
- Communication 2025-489 – Sonata Purchase Agreement Amendment: Economic Development Coordinator Kayla Lappin explained that the amendment extends the purchase and sale agreement with Sonata, a Norwegian company producing graphite for EV batteries, to June 30, 2026. Sonata has narrowed its U.S. expansion search to Butte. Commissioner Healy asked about public input; Ms. Lappin stated that a future land sale would bring the project back for public comment. Motion passed 9-0.
- Communication 2025-490 – Horizons Montana (SABE Data Center) Amendment: Ms. Lappin reported that the amendment extends the agreement to February 11, 2026, for due diligence. Discussion centered on water usage: the park's infrastructure can deliver up to seven million gallons per day per business; SABE's initial phase expects below three million gallons per day with a closed-loop recirculation system. Commissioner O'Leary expressed concern about leaving the county without water for future industrial uses and requested exact numbers. Commissioner Mankins echoed the need for precise figures. Motion passed 9-0.
- Communication 2025-495 – AFG Grant for SCBAs: Fire Chief Zach Osborne requested authorization to accept a $545,454.54 AFG grant for new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs), with a 10% local match. The odd amount was explained by Captain Matthew Dolble as resulting from the grant formula (requested $600,000 divided by 1.1). Commissioner O'Neill celebrated the grant as a win for both paid and volunteer firefighters. Motion passed 9-0.
- Communication 2025-494 – Public Hearing for Budget Amendment: Following approval of the grant, the council voted to hold this item in the committee of the whole pending a public hearing on November 5, 2025, to amend the FY2025-2026 fire department budget. Motion passed 9-0.
- Communication 2025-496 – Repurchase of Greeley School Ground (Silver Bow Park): Larry Winstall requested authorization to repurchase the property (now in private ownership). Since Mr. Winstall left the meeting, Commissioner O'Leary moved to note and file. Commissioner Fisher questioned whether the property is actually for sale. Motion passed 7-2.
- Communication 2025-512 – Clark Chateau SARTA Grant Application: Program Director Ilona Wilde requested authorization to apply for an $18,180 SARTA grant to paint exterior windows, fascia, and soffits. Director Hassler confirmed the grant falls under the historic preservation bucket of the 2006 allocation agreement and is a proper use. Commissioner Fisher noted that the communication is only a request to apply, not an award. Motion passed 9-0.
Key Outcomes
- Emergency Suspension – Body Worn Camera Grant: Authorized Butte Silver Bow to apply for the U.S. Department of Justice Body Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Grant Program and approved the $10,000 50% match. Motion passed 9-0.
- Emergency Suspension – Coroner Appointment: Approved communication 2025-516 to initiate the process to appoint a replacement coroner, effective November 8, 2025, following the retirement of Lori Durkin. The HR department will advertise the position, with interviews scheduled for the November 5, 2025 regular council meeting. Motion passed 9-0.
- Marine Corps Flag Raising: Authorized the Marine Corps League to raise the U.S. Marine Corps flag at the courthouse on November 10, 2025, commemorating the 250th anniversary. County attorney confirmed compliance with state law. Motion passed 9-0.
- Resolution 2025-64 Introduction: A resolution authorizing the transfer of two lots in Montana Connections Subdivision to Riley Global Solutions LLC was introduced for future action; no vote taken.
Other Business
- No public comment on non-agenda items.
- Meeting adjourned after all business.
Meeting Transcript
I'll bring the Butte Silver Bow Council of Commissioners regular meeting to order for Wednesday, October 15th. Can we please have a roll call? Ten present, two absent. Okay, please let the record reflect that Commissioner Anderson and Callahan are excused. So that we believe you guys, sir, amen. Before I move on to the next item on tonight's agenda, I just want to correct the record. There's nine present because I'm acting as chief executive because Chief Executive Gallagher is at the League of Cities and Towns Conference. So there will be nine voting members tonight. Please state your name and address for the record. Ready for us, 2000 Roberts Avenue. Um communication number two, number 2025 dash four eight five. Um then communication number twenty twenty-five dash four nine five, which is number eleven. Um that seems like an odd amount of money. Um and I'm curious if that's a misprint or if that's that fifty-four cents is definitely definitely correct. Um then communication number twenty-eight or number twenty twenty-five dash five one two. Um the uh Clark Chateau getting a uh upgrade using the Superfund Advisory and Redevelopment Trust Authority. Um I'm just curious how how I agree with that the Clark Chateau should receive that um that upgrade and and uh that money, but I'm just curious how you how that's um allowed. I I guess, you know, using a super fund um funding grant. Uh anyways, thank you. Okay, thank you. Uh please state your name and address for the record. Oh Larry, can I ask you to turn on the microphone on there's just a button on the bottom. Turn it on. There you go. Can you hear me now? Thank you. Uh my name is Larry Winstall. I put the uh repurchased uh Silver Boat Park on the agenda, and I'd just like some time to uh give an update and answer questions on it. Uh you had it under note and file. So last time I proposed this. Uh there was quite a bit of interest and a lot of questions. I'd just like some time for tonight. So during our our rules here, public comment, there's no dialogue back and forth. It's only your opportunity to speak on on any item on tonight's agenda. If the member of the commissioner wants to segregate that, they would be free to do that at a later time in the agenda. Okay. Any other member of the public that would like to speak on any items on tonight's agenda? Please state your name and address for the record. Good evening. I'm Kelly Sullivan, uh 1421 West Diamond Street. And I'm here tonight representing the Butte Local Development Corporation. Um, in regards to communications 2025, 489, and 490, requesting council authorization to have Chief Executive Gallagher sign an amendment to the purchase and sale agreements with Sonata and with Horizons Montana, which is the SABE data center. Uh you all know that we work very closely with Butte Silverbow's Community Development Department. Uh we think it's imperative that we go ahead and extend those agreements to those purchase and sale agreements to allow them to have time to complete all of their due diligence to bring these projects to fruition in Butte. Thank you. Thank you. Any other member of the public that would like to speak on any item on tonight's agenda. Okay. Seeing none, I would move on to the approval of the minutes for the October 1st, 2025 regular meeting. I'll make a motion to approve the minutes from October 1st, 2025, regular meeting.
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