Butte Silverbow Council of Commissioners Meeting - November 19, 2025

The Butte Silverbow Council of Commissioners convened its regular meeting on November 19, 2025, with one commissioner absent. The session featured public comments regarding water usage at a local golf course and commendation for a job agreement, followed by routine approvals, bid openings for Public Works equipment, public hearings on safety equipment and park grants, and a detailed presentation by the Parks and Recreation Director on recent operations and future projects.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from the November 5, 2025 meeting by voice vote (10-0).
• Approved the general consent agenda (Communications 1-27, items 1-4 of committee reports), excluding two items segregated for further discussion (2025-560 and 2025-570) by voice vote (10-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Speaker (2000 Roberts Avenue): A member of the public addressed Chair Thatcher, expressing curiosity about the annual water consumption of the Highland View Golf Course to verify claims of green lawns during drought seasons. The speaker also commended the city for signing an agreement with the Anaconda job courts.
• Speaker (Sarah Bordoon, 1127 Waxhaw Street): Appeared via statement to note that her agenda item had been incorrectly scheduled; she apologized for not being able to speak on her TED board takeaways that evening but confirmed she will attend the next meeting on November 25.

Discussion Items

• Bid Openings (Communications 500, 536, 537, 538): Public Works Director Neary presented bids for the Silver Lake Industrial Water System, a skip loader, a single-axle dump truck, and a wheel loader. Commission members questioned the bid differences between multiple quotes from the same vendors (e.g., Trans Source). Commissioner Callahan inquired about the suitability of dump trucks for muddy water leak repairs and noted the current models lack spill prevention. Commissioner Anderson asked about the difference between two Mac truck bids. Positions: Commissioner Shea and the council unanimously moved to refer all bid packages back to Public Works for review and recommendation, deferring the final award decision.
• Public Hearing - Gas Masks (Communication 519): Sheriff Ed Lester presented on a $7,000 donation from Town Pump to replace 16-20-year-old tactical masks. Positions: The speaker expressed support for stockpiling new equipment. Commissioner Anderson noted current masks are functional but outdated in filtration.
• Public Hearing - DNRC Grants (Communication 535): Public Works Budget Manager Angie Mullikin proposed a public hearing on $150,000 in unanticipated grants (two $75,000 grants) for Father Sheehan Park remedial investigation and site planning. Positions: One speaker (2000 Roberts Avenue) expressed a general position of support for making parks better.
• Parks and Recreation Presentation (Communication 545): Director Sean Fredericson reported on annual operations for parks, Ridgewaters, and Highland View Golf Course. He addressed water usage questions by stating golf course irrigation is supplied by wells and reclaimed water, not potable sources. He outlined future projects including stormwater improvements, pool water features, and tennis court replacements due to floodplain instability. Positions: Commissioner Fisher expressed support for the investments but raised concerns about false rumors regarding ball field relocation at Father Sheehan and requested clarification on Little League registration. Director Fredericson stated a clear position that there are no plans to relocate ball fields or remove facilities, emphasizing that stormwater ponds would be positioned to protect fields. Commissioner Healy expressed concern about the permanent removal of the tennis court due to flood risks; the Director confirmed a position to not repair the court due to instability but noted a search for a replacement location. Commissioner Callahan expressed strong opposition to the locking of the Big M access gate, arguing it violates past council agreements and restricts public access, while Director Fredericson maintained a position prioritizing safety due to prior incidents and lack of fencing. The Director later expressed a position of regret regarding the delay in restoring the Marcus Statute at Park Street following a misunderstanding with construction crews.
• Basin Creek Caretaker's House (Communication 560): Historic Preservation Officer Kate McCourt requested authorization for a survey to plan repairs. Positions: Commissioner Fisher expressed strong opposition, arguing the county has spent over $500,000 with no visible progress and should either fully fund repairs to finish the project or demolish it. Commissioner Callahan expressed support for the project, arguing that a caretaker housed in the building would prevent vandalism and that the current condition is due to lack of occupancy. Commissioners O'Leary and Shee expressed a position that the project should be completed to avoid waste of grants, though O'Leary suggested budget planning for completion. The motion to concur in place on file passed (9-1).
• Sale of 305 West Mercury Street (Communication 570): Community Development Director Karen Burns requested approval to sell the building to Jeff Riggs and Keith Waring for $450,000 based on an RFP. Positions: Commissioner O'Leary expressed opposition to the sale, arguing the price is below market value (citing comparable sales at $11-$52/sq ft), that the building is an underperforming enterprise fund, and that retaining it with market-rate rents would be more effective. Commissioner Callahan expressed a position of concern regarding the use of taxpayer money to repair the building rather than investing in other areas but supported the RFP process. Commissioner Fisher expressed uncertainty, citing constituent concerns about the lack of an independent appraisal and the low sale price, but acknowledged the building's enterprise fund status. Commissioner Boyle expressed a position in favor of the sale to honor the prior RFP process and avoid stonewalling the transaction. Commissioner Mankins expressed a position of conflict, citing past RFP failures and a desire for more clarity on terms. The motion to deny the sale resulted in a tie (5-5), which was resolved by the chair's tie-breaking vote against the motion. A subsequent motion to hold the item in abeyance passed (9-1).

Key Outcomes

• Bids Accepted for Review: Four Public Works bid packages were referred back to the department for further review and recommendation before any award is made.
• Public Hearings Closed: Held regarding the $7,000 gas mask donation and $150,000 DNRC grants for Father Sheehan Park; no direct votes occurred during the hearing phase as authorization will follow later in the process or via separate motions.
• Basin Creek House: Motion to place the request on file and proceed with the survey passed 9-1. Commissioner Fisher cast the sole nay vote.
• 305 West Mercury Street Sale: The motion to deny the sale failed 5-5 (Chair cast the tie-breaking nay vote). A motion to hold the item in abeyance passed 9-1, pausing the sale consideration.
• Tennis Courts: Director Fredericson confirmed the decision to remove the tennis court at Father Sheehan Park due to floodplain instability, with no current plans to replace them on-site pending funding and location acquisition.
• Meeting Adjournment: The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.

Note: The transcript indicates a date discrepancy where the meeting is called to order on November 19, 2025, but the agenda mentions a future meeting on November 20, 2025, for the public comment of Sarah Bordoon. The summary reflects the actions taken on the date of the meeting described.