Commissioner Walker and Commissioner O'Leary if you could check in still.

Okay.

I'd like to call the Butte Silver Bowl Council of Commissioners regular meeting for Wednesday, April 15th, 2026 to order.

Clerk, could we please have roll call?

11 present, one absent.

Eleven present, one absence.

Please note that uh Commissioner Shea is absent from tonight's agenda.

Commissioner Walker, could you please leave us in the prayer and the pledge?

And two the republic for which the Sonation under uh this will just fall.

Next we'll move on to any public comment on any item on tonight's agenda.

If you'd like to come forward and speak on any item on tonight's agenda, please state your name, your address, and the item that you'd like to speak about.

Seeing none, we'll move on to the approval of the minutes on the April 1st, 2026 regular meeting.

Commissioner Morgan.

Thank you, Mr.

Chief Executive.

At this time I move to approve the April 1, 2026 regular meeting minutes.

We have a motion and a second to approve the April 1st, 2026 regular meeting minutes.

Is there anything on the question?

Could Commissioners vote?

We're gonna have to just won't be able to see it.

She'll just be able to address it.

So could could commissioners vote and she'll acknowledge if everyone has voted.

Yay, zero nay.

Eleven yay, zero nay motion passes.

Okay.

We don't have any items that are not addressed on tonight's agenda, so we'll move on to the chief executive's report.

Um we have a couple uh things that happened, both kind of affecting veterans today.

Um Lindsay all today um was acknowledged with uh governor's um veterans commendation award.

And uh so she was acknowledged for her service to the country, but also service to veterans in the community um with her uh service to the veterans court, her service in the Marine Corps League, um her service out to the um the uh veterans um center, the um the veterans clinic, her artwork that was um on the um the that is they use on the logo out at the veteran center and all the things that she does for uh for veterans in the community.

So um we won't and she also works in the courthouse in the chief executive's office.

So um we wanted to congratulate her and the and the governor and his wife came and gave her that uh um veterans commendation award.

So congratulations to her and well deserved for all the time and effort she per puts into the to the veterans and today she and tonight she was out filming um um one of Butte's own that was lost during World War II.

Um so it was Private Um Henry David Bordner that came home today that was lost um during the baton death march and so um he was identified um just uh short time ago and they brought his remains home to Butte.

And so he flew in this evening.

I wasn't able to be out there, but he about an hour ago he flew into Butte and they brought his remains to the Dugendolan mortuary and he'll be buried on Friday um with honors.

And so um two um things happen with veterans here in today, and so um we're proud to bring home um uh distinguished veteran and um and uh a proud Butte NATO.

So um I'm not gonna uh keep those going.

We have a lot of um things happening tonight with presentations and so we'll move forward um from on tonight's agenda.

So we'll um we'll move on to section one bid openings public hearings and or presentations.

We have a lot of um things happening tonight with presentations and so we'll move forward um from on tonight's agenda so we'll um we'll move on to section one bid openings public hearings and/or presentations the first one bid openings communication number 2026 um 163 Josh O'Neill Commissioner District 7 requesting council commissioners to call for proposals for a fiscal year 2025-2026 economic develop um development mill levy funds uh opening of the proposals will be April 15th, 2026.

We are going to have to hold this because of uh we do not have proof of publication on this.

We're gonna have to hold it for two weeks.

We will get that published.

We uh director Burns, could you come forward?

I think maybe we do have this.

Uh thank you, Mr.

Chief Executive.

We do have proof of publication, and it was submitted to um Barb Davies.

Oh, we do.

Oh County Attorney Andrew.

We do have proof of publication, it's right here.

So we do have proof of publication, so uh it looks like Mr.

O'Neill, we can open our bids tonight.

So that's good news.

We don't have to hold this for two weeks.

Council member O'Neill.

Thank you, Chief.

And thank you for making sure that was posted.

Appreciate it, Karen and Barb for all your hard work and help and that.

Um we have 12 bids, if you will, this year that just wanted to let everybody know monies that will be given out total 91,920.

Uh so I'll just get with it.

Um first proposal we have from the Butte Center of Performing Arts for 12,000.

But Center of Performing Arts for 12,000.

Next we have Montana Folk Festival for amount requested 15,000.

Montana Folk Festival, 15,000.

Next one, this is for Main Street Uptown.

Replace the uptown entryway, the trees in the uptown entryway streets.

Uh the proposal is 15,000.

Main Street Uptown Butte for 15,000.

Next one is Watson IT Solutions for 29,850.

Next we have the Montana Gaela Cultural Society for 10,000.

Next we have the uh the Butte Movement Studio for 15,000.

The Butte Movement Studio for 15,000.

Next, the world mining the world museum of mining for 10,000.

World Museum of Mining for 10,000.

Next one is the shaft.

Uh amount requested 47 out, excuse me, 4,700.

Again, the shaft for 4,700.

Um next, the prosperity training center, butte um request this for 9,000.

Uh the prosperity training center for 9,000.

Next one, advantage butte for 40,000.

Again, advantage butte for 40,000.

Um next one is the body shop inc for 4,750.

Again, the body shop in for 4,750.

And that concludes all the proposals we have.

Thank you, Commissioner O'Neill.

So and then we will bring this back by there.

So Commissioner Morgan.

Thank you, Mr.

Chief Executive.

I would refer these to the Economic Development or Development Committee and await for their response back.

We have a motion second to refer back to the economic development committee.

And for response back.

Do we take a vote on that?

Yeah.

And could Commissioners please vote?

Commissioner Fisher.

I was just going to question thank you, Chief Executive.

Could you send them to us, email them to us or somehow get us that information?

Thank you.

So the it's uh make sure we send those out to all the commissioners.

Okay.

Via email.

Okay.

Any other questions of commissioners?

Could Commissioners please vote?

And then just give me a nod once they've all okay.

Everyone has voted.

And would anyone like to change their vote?

Clerk, please record the vote.

11 yay, zero nay.

Okay.

Moving on to item number two.

Communication number 2026-165.

Karen Burns Community Development Director requests some council commissioners permission to schedule a bid opening for April 15, 2026 related to the improvements to the Belmont Water Tower Park.

County Attorney Inru, do we have proof of publication?

Chief Executive Gallagher, we have proof proof of publication.

Thank you, County Attorney Anrooth.

Director Burns, welcome.

Thank you, Mr.

Chief Executive, members of council.

We do have one bid for this project.

And I'll go ahead and slightly it's from TCS Northwest LLC out of Hall, Montana.

That's over my dear project.

Chief Executive Gallagher Commissioners, we have a bid bond and the amount of 10% of the overall bid.

Thank you, County Attorney Henruth.

Uh thank you.

Um the base bid amount for this project is 205,396 and 80 cents.

205,396 and 80 cents.

There were multiple ad alternates.

The total of the ad alternates, number 16 through 9 was 47,352 for a total bid amount of 252,007 and 80 cents.

252,748 80 cents.

So the original bid is 205,396.

The ad alt is 47,352 with zero cents, and altogether the bids all together would be 352,748 and 80 cents.

252,748 and 80 cents, correct.

Correct.

Thank you.

Commissioner Morgan.

Thank you, Mr.

Chief Executive.

I would just note that the estimate on this project came in at 253,1363.

Just so we know.

We have a motion to refer back to the community development department and wait for their response back.

Is there anything on the question?

Commissioner Fisher.

Thank you, Chief Executive.

Um we have any idea what's going to be done with these funds.

These are improvements that we made to the park that is above the Belmont Senior Citizen Center.

This is a project that we've been working on for multiple years.

And even when the East Butte RRE district was meeting frequently.

Um we had uh nominated this project as our number one project to finish in that district, and we are finally able to do that.

Um and so we are really excited about getting these improvements done.

Um it'll make the park more accessible to anyone to use.

Uh we'll create a very nice walking path around the park, and it'll also create um benches, landscaping.

Um this project was nominated as our number one project based on um the riprap and stormwater um along Shields Avenue.

I don't know if you remember those big big rocks and the dead trees that were stuck in them.

So we did partner with the reclamation department and some of their work in removing that ripraph and regrading the slope.

And we do have sprinkler systems within the park already, but it wasn't really doing a great job of beautifying that area.

And so we um put all of our funds that we had left in that district into this project, and we are finally at the place now where we can get it done.

And so we're really excited about it happening.

Um we've been partnering with public works as well in terms of laying out the um the benches and walkways.

We're going to be reusing a lot of our granite um pieces of granite that we've salvaged over the years, so we're gonna incorporate them into the landscaping there.

Um, and I think it'll be a really great addition to that side of town.

I do have renderings I could share to send to the council um in case you'd like to see those in terms of how we're it's gonna lay out.

But this has been a long haul to get this project to this point, so thank you.

Thank you, Director Burns.

Commissioner Fisher.

Thank you, Chief Executive.

Thank you, Karen.

I appreciate that.

Yeah, any information we could see that's uh showing the great works being done there would be great.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any other questions of commissioners?

Seeing none.

Could commissioners please vote.

And would anyone like to change their vote?

Clerk, please record the vote.

11 yay, zero nay.

11 years zero and a votion motion passes.

Moving on to presentations.

We have I believe two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight presentations tonight.

Um we have item number three, communication number 2026, 164, Josh O'Neill, Commissioner District 7, request and council commissioners schedule reports from recipients for fiscal year 2024-2025 economic development mill levy grants on April 8th, 2026, and April 15th, 2026.

A total of 17 organizations will be presenting over the dates listed, and we will have eight tonight.

Our first presentation we will have will be Zach Woods from Amateur Hockey.

Is Zach Woods with us today?

Welcome, Kate.

It's been a minute since I've been up here.

Chief Executive Gal Garabers Council.

Um, my name is Kate Woods, for those of you that don't know me.

Um, I'm here on behalf of the Butte Amateur Hockey Association.

I want to thank you all for the opportunity to speak here tonight, and thank you all for the um grant we received through the economic development Mill Levy.

The Butte Community Ice Center is home to the Butte Junior Irish youth hockey team, and um we had about 105 players in our organization last year.

The youth programs host numerous games, tournaments, and other events between September and April.

During our youth hockey games and tournaments, we see over 1200 kids plus their families, and most of the families are staying multiple nights in hotels and spending their money in Butte.

Aside from the youth hockey program, the Butte Community Ice Center is home to the Butte Irish, which is a junior Irish team.

Um, the Montana Tech Ordiggers men's hockey team, the Copper City Adult Hockey League, the Butte Figure Skating Club, and the Copper City Curling Club.

In addition to that, Montana Tech has announced a women's hockey team this year and is hoping to start that up in the fall.

Between all of those, there are over 160 members.

The Butte Amateur Hockey Association was awarded 200 or 20,000, if we wish.

We have used roughly 18,000 of that.

The awarded money went to installing new windows in the public facing streets of the Ice Center.

Um to start the project, we purchased 23 windows and are using those to replace.

We use those to replace the public facing.

Um Markovich Construction donated a crew for a period of consecutive number of weeks in the fall, and we were able to get 16 windows installed before winter hit.

During the winter, we were able to hire a contractor to fill the backside of the windows in the interior.

Um we needed to put insulation and sheetrock in, and we were able to get that done.

We also were able to have a sprinkler system installed outside, so we don't have brown grass, and hopefully it's not such an ISO.

Um we are currently getting quotes on siding for the exterior of the building.

Um we've been in contact with a couple of carpenters with the Carpenters Union here in Butte, and they mention different opportunities with um apprentices that they might be able to we might be able to use their abilities to kind of help us out there too.

Um I regret to not have a submittal here tonight for the new monies.

Um right now we're transitioning into a new board, and so we feel it's not responsible for us to ask for more money when we don't have a strategic plan in place.

And so uh we hope to submit in the next next round.

Do we have any questions?

Thank you, Ms.

Woods.

Uh any questions of commissioners.

Seeing none.

Well, thank you and thank you for the work that you've done.

Thank you all again.

All right.

Thank you.

Our next presentation is Tara Callan from Copper City Strength.

I believe that Chrissy Chris Chris Kowski.

I always goof up your last name.

I apologize, but welcome Chrissy.

Thank you.

Thank you, Chief Executive Gallagher and the Council of Commissioners.

My name is Chrissy Kriskowski, and I'm here representing the body shop, formerly known as Copper City Strength and Conditioning, located at 675 South Montana Street here in Uptown Butte.

My three business partners and co-owners, Tara Callahan, Cody Irwin, and Anthony Fields are also part of this team, but they cannot be here tonight due to competing work commitments and travel.

We are extremely grateful for the support and the trust this body has placed in us through the $5,500 economic development investment.

Tonight I want to share exactly how those funds were put to work and what they've meant for this community and for our business.

When most people think about what makes a great gym, they think about the equipment, the barbells, the dumbbells, the machines, and the equipment does matter.

But if you ask any serious gym owner what the most critical and most overlooked investment in a facility is, the answer is almost always the same.

It's the floor.

The 5500 and Mill Levy funds went directly toward that foundational asset.

Our floor endures constant equipment movement, heavy weights being dropped, and hundreds of foot traffic entries every single month.

It requires a specialized rubber flooring system, one that is durable, safe, and built to last for years under that kind of demand.

It has to be an easy to maintain and easy to clean, resistant to damage, and safe for our members and our guests day in and day out.

Without the right floor, we don't have a functional gym.

Without a functional gym, we don't have a business.

Today we are proud to stand before you with 118 members and counting.

Since opening, we've also welcomed 37 drop-in members from out of town.

These are travelers passing through or visiting Butte from places around Montana like Billings and Belgrade, but also from across the country as far as New Hampshire and New Mexico.

These are outside dollars coming in our community and being spent right here in Uptown Butte.

We are averaging over 800 individual check-ins per month.

That kind of consistent foot traffic has real economic ripple effects.

Members stop at local coffee shops, gas stations, restaurants, businesses before and after their workouts.

A thriving gym grounds a neighborhood, and we are proud to be doing that in Uptown Butte.

The body shop was built from the ground up in a previously underutilized space.

Our team completed the full renovation to transform that space into a fully operational 24-7 access strength and conditioning gym.

Bring a dormant space back into a productive community-serving use is one of the most direct forms of economic development a community can invest in, and that's exactly what your support help make happen.

The body shop was also designed from day one to not only be a gym and a fitness facility, but to be a business incubator for personal trainers and fitness professionals looking to grow and expand their own client base here in Butte.

In April, April, we welcomed our first personal trainer entrepreneur to the facility.

She reopened her client base at the body shop just last week, and we are proud to be the home for her growing business.

Within the next six months, we anticipate bringing on at least one additional personal trainer, creating yet another small business opportunity right here in our community.

This is out economic development in real time.

We're not just creating jobs, we are creating business owners.

We are giving entrepreneurs in this community a platform to build something of their own with the infrastructure and community already in place to support them.

The 5500 in Mill Levy Investment helped lay the foundation quite literally of the body shop.

It helped us grow uh open our doors, serve our community, grow and begin building something we believe will continue to grow and give back to Butte for many years to come.

We opened five months ago and have nearly doubled membership.

We're incubating new small businesses, we are activating an underutilized space in uptown Butte, and we are just getting started.

We are proud of what we built.

We are proud of the members that show up every day, and we are proud to be a locally owned business contributing to the economic and physical vitality of this community.

Thank you for your continued support, and I'm happy to answer any questions that you have.

Thank you.

Are there any questions of the commissioners?

Seeing none.

Thank you very much for what you do.

All right.

Moving on.

Um next is George River with the Folk Festival and Trees.

Welcome, Mr.

Evert.

Thank you very much, Commissioners and Chief Executive Gallagher.

And uh I am here to report on the two grants that we received last year from the economic mill levy.

Is this on?

Yes.

Yeah, great.

Uh the uh the two grants that we received, one was for the Montana Folk Festival.

We received 11,000 for security for the festival in 2025.

It was very effective.

Uh we had officers from the law enforcement division who did a great job and with by presenting a presence to the crowds and having a calming effect and really making it possible for people to relax, I think.

And it's a it's a different time, and so we're really concerned more and more about security, but uh also uh part of it was uh that's about half, and then the other half was uh for gatekeepers who are also security uh and uh nighttime, keeping an eye on the property.

So uh that was uh we we received 11,000 and we spent about 13 five on security last last summer.

Um and as far as I know um I haven't heard of any any kind of criminal statistics from the event as a result on the site.

Uh the sheriff has told me in the past that most of the uh activity happens below when the bars are open later on in the evening and their fist fites and things, but uh on the on the festival ends at 10 and 1030, and then people just go to the other parts of town.

So uh it's mostly a a day and early evening event.

Um the other grant was for our long-term project to plant trees on entryway streets in uptown Butte.

Uh we uh spent that on trees, on planting, on watering, and uh on uh things such as tree bags, which we have to put around.

You can see the trees we planted last year.

We planted 26 trees from that.

And uh they are um you can see the ones that are there with the tree but the green bags at the base, which is uh they're on for three years to make sure that they get water.

In fact, we had to water this February for the first time I ever I've ever heard of.

The extension service recommended that we water trees in February because it was so dry and the wind was uh they they said it's a threat to kill them.

So, but uh if you drive down Montana and other other locations, you'll see they're doing okay.

They're budding out, they're looking pretty good.

So I'd be happy to answer any questions about those projects if uh anybody would like to hit me up.

Thank you, Mr.

Everett.

Are there any questions?

Um Commissioner O'Leary.

Thank you, Mr.

Chief Executive.

Thanks, George, for all you do.

Uh only question is uh survival rate of the trees.

Any any idea how uh how well the trees have done?

Uh but uh sorry Commissioner O'Leary uh Mr.

Ebert.

Uh Chief Executive Gallagher uh Commissioner O'Leary.

The uh attrition rate we have uh in Butte is about 10%.

And uh last year though, I think just about every tree we planted is doing we had one that was hit by a car by U.S.

Bank.

You have an added on factor of people with cars close to the sidewalks which are not quite high enough to stop them, or there's no barricade.

The trees serve as a safety feature.

Uh and also uh the uh the late night pruning that happens when the bars close in in proximity to the entertainment zone.

Uh people are become landscapers at the middle of the night, they just decide this tree I could use a little here and a little here.

And so those they suffer, but they don't that that doesn't kill them.

But I'd say about 10 percent in general.

Uh we have to the what what we're working on right now is trees that were planted about 20 years ago that have passed, but m they don't necessarily uh have a life cycle where they die.

There are some that we planted 20 years ago, like uh if you look at Front Street, those trees were planted in our first go round, which I just little history, I'll just tell you this real quick.

This started when Don Alric, the chairman of the Council of Commissioners came to me and said, insisted if anybody remembers Don, you know what I'm talking about, insisted that we start planting trees.

And uh we'd done we did 200 that year, and we've tried every year to uh supplement or uh replace trees that are lost.

But 10 percent to answer your question.

Yeah.

Thank you, Mr.

Everett.

Any other questions?

Commissioner Mankins.

Uh thank you, uh Chief Executive Gallagher.

Uh thank you for the presentation.

Out of those 26, what do you can you just give us a little bit where they were planted at?

Commissioner Mankins, uh Mr.

Everett.

Uh Chief Executive Gallagher, uh, Commissioner Mankins, Council.

Uh those trees were planted uh by businesses uptown, but also the entryway of Montana and Maine.

So if you go you they're visible, like I said, with the green bags.

If you go down Montana, you can see them on the way to uh oh there's a coffee stand there, uh 600, 700 block.

And the 600 block where town pump is across the street from there, there's four they're right there.

Front Street, uh Iron Street, and uh mostly Montana, but also some on Maine.

Thank you.

Follow up Commissioner Mankins and then Commissioner Callan.

Uh thank you, Chief Executive Gallagher, and uh thank you for um what you do and continue to try to beautify those entryways uh um coming into Butte here.

So we appreciate your uh efforts for sure.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Commissioner Callahan.

Thank you, Chief Executive Gallagher.

Thank you, George.

I can't thank you enough for all the work you do.

I mean, your your hours are never ending between the festivals and the trees and putting on the farmers market and you're a busy man.

One of my questions is you know, years ago we did put a sprinkling system in on Montana Street for all those trees.

Do you know if we even use that?

Um Commissioner Callahan, um Mr.

Evert.

Uh Chief Executive Gallagher, uh Commissioner Callahan.

Uh I would refer that question to public works.

From what I understand, it happened uh the people who were I don't think they're even involved anymore.

It's not Mr.

Neary, but that it did not work.

And that's so what we do is we water from a truck still.

Uh a uh irrigation system would be wonderful, but it'd be very expensive at this point to put one in.

Uh and uh, you know, it's just one of those things that you look at the cost benefit.

Uh we get a great service from the crew that we have watering trees.

We don't rely on the county to do that.

They they told us they had other things they had to do in the parks, we understand.

But we've been able to engage uh the Petunia factory, and they they have a great crew that goes out, they water the hanging plants, which are also provided by the county, but uh um, but they also at the same time put water on the trees.

Thank you.

Uh follow up, Commissioner Callan.

Second question is you know, when uh MDT rebuilt Harrison Avenue, they also put a very nice watering system in for every one of those things.

Do you know if we're using those?

Uh Commissioner Callahan, Mr.

Evert.

Chief Executive Gallagher, Commissioner Gallaghan, uh Council members.

Um that's Harrison Avenue, and that's not part of your part.

Not my deal.

But uh, we were involved with the landscaping and the talking to MDT from when I was on the Urban Forestry Board, and uh the urban forester could probably answer that question, but I don't think that that's again it I don't think that's still those um I was just looking at a fountain on Galena that was installed a few years ago.

It's kind of what if you're trying to move water in Butte, you got some extreme extremes to deal with, and so you got wear and tear, and but I'm I'm just speculating.

I don't know if they're uh but they do water them.

Okay, thank you, Mr.

Irving.

Um, I can tell you that when those are put in and and you work with MDT, generally they they put them in and they pay for some of those amenities in the beginning and then they shut them off, and then they don't continue them.

Um, and so that is kind of what has happened to those on both on Montana and on Harrison Avenue.

Uh so that that's how those systems got shut off and not continued.

So any other questions of commissioners.

See none.

Thank you, Mr.

Everett, for all that you do here.

Again, thank you very much for the support.

It's been essential to making this a successful the folk festival and our efforts to to do things to beautify the uptown.

We greatly appreciate the support.

So thank you.

Next up, we have Brendan McDonough of the Montana Gay Lake Cultural Society.

Welcome, Mr.

McDonough.

Thank you, Chief Executive Gallagher and Commissioners.

Uh, my name is Brendan McDonough.

I'm with uh Honoree Rot Montana Irish Festival and the Montana Gaila Cultural Society.

Um we are very uh appreciative and thankful always uh for the support of this body.

Last year we were awarded $7500, which we spent on lodging at the Finland Hotel.

Um it covers just about half of the cost.

Uh normally our lodging expense, the house just our performers for the weekend is about sixteen thousand dollars.

It was a little more than sixteen thousand dollars last year.

So um it's a big help though, and uh it allows us to secure uh home home plate or home base for the the festival.

You know, it's a great location for us uptown, and uh we get a lot of great support from other hotels and businesses uh in the community.

Obviously, uh you know, without town pump, we wouldn't be able to even have a festival.

So uh thanks to those folks and who are also involved in lodging.

But the Finland is has been crucial for our event.

Um the 7500 dollars, you know, covering half of the lodging expense allows us to um pre-plan too.

So um, you know, we've put our request in uh this year.

We are an all-volunteer committee, so any funding and grant sources that we get go directly back into businesses, hopefully within Butte first, and then if we can't uh uh obtain the service um here, then we try to branch out, of course, keep it in Montana.

Um we have uh completed 21 festivals.

Uh it's grown and grown over the years in terms of um international attention and respect.

This year we were able to uh add another slot uh just based on some scheduling changes on our on our part, and uh we currently have four international groups with three bands out of Ireland booked for this uh upcoming uh festival this summer, and then one that's stateside.

So um big plans uh for this upcoming year, and um we should have some announcements pretty soon.

But again, all of these things that are free to the public and all of the effort that we put in on behalf of our committee would not go anywhere if it weren't for Butte Silver Bow and the business community in Butte, you just cannot have a self-sustaining free event to the public that draws people from all over without Butte Silverbow and the Parks Department and all your efforts from the chief executive's office to the council of commissioners, it's just absolutely vital, and I think that everybody around the area or in Montana especially is envious of the product that we're all able to put together in Butte, all of these events that um have so much support in pie-in and cohesive um you know collective partnerships that make these things possible and successful, and um we're very excited uh to keep moving forward, but um in our proposal uh that we did include for tonight we included our profit and loss statement, and um it wouldn't be a festival if it weren't for weather.

So last year we were dry, but uh Friday the festival is like 25 degrees.

It was like going to a track meeting the spring or a softball or a little league baseball game, it was absolutely freezing, so we had dry weather, but a very light Friday, and we had a very successful and warm Saturday, so it's usually our story.

I can answer any questions if anybody has any.

Thank you, Mr.

McDonough.

Is there any questions of any commissioners?

Seeing none.

Mr.

McDonough, thank you for everything you've done.

All right.

Moving on.

Um we don't have uh Ted Ackerman, so he wasn't here today.

So we're moving on to Dan Hogan with the Shar.

Dan LLC.

Welcome, Dan.

Hi everyone.

Uh Chief Executive, members of the council.

My name is Daniel Hogan.

I'm one half of Clardan LLC, which is the legal entity that has been working on the uh grocery store project up in Walkerville since 2017.

Uh I want to say thank you for the $2,500 award we received.

Um little background on the project.

We've been like I said, at it for uh since 2017.

Be ten years coming up here pretty soon.

Um we spent in that time about 175,000 mostly of uh very generously received uh grant money through the Superfund Advisory Redevelopment Trust Authority and several other local, state and federal uh agencies.

We've uh put in about 12,000 hours worth of labor.

Um that is mostly myself, Clark Grant, and our uh foreman Rodney Norman, uh, along with other uh really wonderful friends in our community.

But the uh money we received this last year went to uh Rodney Norman, who is criminally underpaid for everything that he does up there, and uh since receiving those funds, we have uh uh um basically managed to finish all of the windows on the uh ground level floor.

There's six beautiful uh uh gothic uh church windows and five double-hung square windows.

Um estimated about 40 hours into each of those, and that's after our friend Jay built the uh seals and frames out of uh poplar, you know, just a lot of finishing and painting and fitting.

Uh we have all uh I guess brand new to us stores, uh mostly that came to us from Butte C PR that have all been fitted uh with hardware and uh our closing and uh painted and look beautiful.

Uh some nice new tile, uh really nice new beautiful oak flooring, and uh just finished up painting all of the Waynes coating around the perimeter.

We've also framed the kitchen, bathroom, and uh coffee area on the first floor.

So things are uh coming together very nicely.

Electricians and plumbers are uh running all through the walls, and uh we are on our way to hopefully one day being able to sell some food out of the place.

Um be happy to entertain any questions if anybody has any.

Thank you, Mr.

Hogan.

Are there any questions of commissioners?

Commissioner Thatcher.

Thank you, Chief Executive Gallagher.

Just want to say thank you.

I think you guys are doing a great job.

I did read in the paper that there was a little snap flu at the state level, and I would just like to say that regardless of other people think that there that is a blighted community.

I think that you guys are doing a phenomenal job, and um it takes boots on the ground here to really see the value in our community sometimes, I think.

And um, I just want to say thank you for all of the all the work that you guys have done up there.

So thank you.

Thank you so much.

Yeah, thank you, Commissioner Um Thatcher.

And it's a disappointment that somebody would make those remarks about uh about the work that you guys have done and and about the community of Walkerville as well.

Any uh other uh Commissioner Gerbert?

Chief Executive Gallagher.

Um Mr.

Hogan, I just wanted to also say thank you for the tremendous work that Clardan is doing there.

Um you didn't mention it, but uh besides being a grocery store, you can have a deli there.

You have a cost coffee roaster, if if I'm not correct, a coffee shop.

Um Walkerville is experiencing growth.

Lots of young families are moving in there buying houses because they can't afford them anywhere else in the state.

Uh so it's really a great thing for Walkerville and uh Butte Silverbow.

Uh so thank you very much for your efforts.

Uh also the interior is just really a work of art.

Uh and if any of you want to go tour there, I think usually someone's there on Monday.

You should check it out.

It's just uh spectacular interior.

So thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner Gerbrand.

Any other questions or comments from commissioners?

Seeing none, thank you.

Oh, yeah, go ahead.

Uh if I may, Chief Executive, just add uh to echo what Butch said, I'd be more than happy, thrilled uh honestly to give any and all of you a tour uh at any time.

Yeah, we are there usually on Mondays, but uh get a hold of me if you ever want to see the inside of the building.

We love to show it off.

So thank you so much for the uh opportunity and the funds.

Thank you, Mr.

Hogan.

All right.

Moving on to Greg McDonald from Carper Canyon Harley Davidson.

Welcome, Mr.

McDonald.

If there's a button right down on the bottom, there you go.

Yep, one more time.

Pushy again.

There you go.

You got it.

Mr.

Technology.

Thanks for having me here tonight.

Um actually tonight I'm here not representing Carper Canyon Harley Davidson, but uh last June uh I approached the owners of the Helsinki to do a bike night.

We take some bikes up, do some giveaways, that type of thing, and they took me outside and showed me all the land they own.

And being crazy and old, I thought, wow, let's do a rally.

Uh let's do something.

Uh it's it's not an evil can evil days, it never will be, nothing like that.

Let's do something and let's raise some money for some veterans.

So in four and a half weeks, and with your generous contribution and that of others, we put together a one-day rally.

Uh our biggest uh uh donation went to Brock Shepherds out of uh Phillipsburg.

She takes one shepherd that she breathes for one veteran, puts them together for six months, and uh those dogs cost five thousand dollars a piece.

Uh we purchased one dog.

Uh we paid all of our expenses, paid all of our bills.

We also were able to give a little bit of money to Northwest Little League this year, and uh some money towards uh Colt Anderson's foundation.

As long as I'm around, it will always be veteran-centric.

Um this year we're moving to three days.

Uh your contribution last year helped us to do this.

In one year, after one year, we're fully self-funded with donations with sponsorship, and like this year, we are raffling off a motorcycle.

Uh we've already paid for the bike, and it's uh April, and we're giving it away in July.

Um again, all of the money will be again going to Brock Shepherd's, local veterans organizations, and this year.

Uh I talked to Tim Montana.

We're going to also help try to fund some rural EMS in the area.

So I'm just really here tonight to thank you all for last year.

You got us over the hump.

We're not asking for anything at all this year.

And we're just super, super grateful for what you did.

Three days this year, Friday night's gonna be a kids' night.

We're gonna have the uh shriners on their drift trikes.

Uh we're gonna have tons of games, uh, face painting, food, music.

Saturday we'll have the rally, uh, the rodeo, which is all it's kind of funny, it's old guys on slow motorcycles.

And it's great to see.

It's not a bunch of stunts and stuff, unless something goes wrong.

Uh, and then uh Sunday we're gonna do uh a poker run out to Wise River and end at the Wise River Club.

All the money from this, every single penny, we give away.

And we couldn't do it without you guys last year.

And I'm just super grateful to be here tonight, and I'm super glad to be home in view.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

McDonald.

Are there any questions of commissioners?

Seeing none, I want to thank you.

Uh anytime it's about veterans, and it that's dear to our heart, and and uh and when you say you put it all back into it.

That's uh that's really special, and so thanks for what you've done.

Thank you.

All right.

Moving on, uh next presentation is Jack Sural from Advantaged Butte, but is I think we have Ron Davis from Advantage Butte.

Welcome, Ron.

How do these things work?

I don't know.

Good evening.

Chief Executive Gallagher, distinguished members of the commission, thank you for taking time to listen to all these great projects that you have funded through economic development.

It's the work of people in our community taking the money that you give to turn it into more dollars in our community and create impact.

That's exactly what Advantage Butte has done since we started in 2004.

To date, using very conservative numbers given by the state chamber of commerce.

We have brought over 55 million dollars into Butte through economic development through sports.

This last year, counting the money that was given to us by this group, we brought in two over 2 million seventy-five thousand dollars in economic impact.

The eleven thousand five hundred dollars that was given to us by the committee.

10,000 of it went to host the Big Sky volleyball tournament for Montana Tech at the Butte Civic Center.

Paid for the cost of the Civic Center and for setup and for events there.

That event brought in 11 teams, seven of them from out of state.

You had teams from Mississippi, Washington, Oregon, you had Kentucky, Arizona, Texas, Indiana, and four Frontier Conference teams.

They played over three days at the Civic Center, a lot of youth, a lot of people attended, it was a great event.

The $10,000 was turned into $325,000 impact to the Butte community.

The $1,500 that was left was put in with the matching $1,500 from the businesses of Butte that funded Vantage Butte as well to pay for the hospitality room for the Southern B volleyball tournament also held at the Butte Civic Center.

That tournament brought in $350,000 which if you look at it your $11,500 through Advantage Butte was turned into $675 of economic impact into this community.

One of the things that we have done and I dropped some paperwork at everyone's uh seats here earlier this evening we put together exactly what Advantage Butte has been doing over the 24 25 25 26 years and we have since started working with the TBID and the TBID is helping fund if you look you'll see the monies that were given to us from the TBID and those given to us from this organization through the Butte Civil Economic Development.

Also we have 21 businesses that tax themselves and send 500 as members of Advantage Butte.

So 10,500 from businesses that understand the impact they get I had the pleasure of talking to uh Commissioner Mankins earlier this evening and I was really happy to smile and um be thrilled when he told me he couldn't get into a restaurant when the Frontier Conference basketball tournament and the state swim meet with 400 swimmers were at the YMCA and those tournaments all paid for with monies from Advantage Butte.

One of the big things for you for this year it's and something that we we are seeing more and more requests.

We got a request just um yesterday for $25,000 for new equipment for Little League.

Sadly we don't fund equipment but we're gonna help them find it so as of today for this year we have uh committed and we have committed and paid 61,217 we have commitments outstanding of sixty nine thousand four hundred and fifty five this is for 2526 and right now in our bank we have 4192 dollars so I'm here to ask for a loan from each and every one no I'm just joking.

But we do have to find the difference not all these we've committed to help these people we do have to go back and decide how much we can give in a lot of cases but uh we we put together this because a lot of people ask who all do you fund how do you fund and so we thought this report might help you understand what Advantage Butte does so thank you for your time we appreciate your support we look forward to your support in the future as we continue with a program that Ray Ewand and I started with the dream of economic development through sports and I think Butte has benefited from that dream.

So thank you for your time and I take any questions you may have thank you Mr.

Davis are there any questions of commissioners Commissioner Thatcher Thank you Chief Executive Gallagher again no questions I just hope that the entire community sees the value of Advantage Butte and what you guys truly do provide to our community on behalf of economic development and just getting people here and getting heads and beds and doing all of that so I just want to say thank you and I appreciate it.

Commissioner Thatcher thank you one quick note there everything at Advantage Butte is volunteer we have no staff I just happen to have uh a job that lets me have some free time I hope they fire me but I can't get fired sorry thanks are there any other Commissioner Mankins uh thank you chief executive gallagher and also those same sediments as uh commissioner thatcher um so much appreciative uh I've been coaching in Butte here for uh 21 years um and it has been a great since you've started this in 2005 I started coaching and it is just absolutely amazing what you've done um for different organizations and different sporting events that um like we have uh Mr.

Melvin in here with the Civic Center and how much it has just been uh just can't say enough how appreciative we are and the the vision that uh Mr.

Eulen had in yourself um from them so thank you um continue it uh we'll try to do as much as we possibly can moving forward so thank you thank you thank you thank you Commissioner Mankins thanks Commissioner Mankins well and I I'll add to that I I know that um you know being a part of that and being in coaching and then uh and just kind of being alongside of it and being at the advantage butte meetings and and nobody puts on tournaments like Butte and and that's a lot to do with advantage butte and and when people come they remember it they want to come back and that's because of the hospitality that the hospitality comes because that um you know um dollars are put into it and and are the investments made there and so it's the reinvestments made back and and people see that and it's it's made possible and all the people that are part of Advantage Button you've got a great team that does that so thank you for what you guys have done over the years and it it continues so thank you for what you've done thank you chief executive uh I do want to say one more thing because uh Commissioner Mancins rattled my cage for me uh it is a uh public private partnership our work with the Butte Civic Center Bill Melvin our work with Butte Central at the Moon Activity Center at Butte High School at their sports our work with Little League with softball with wrestling uh we fund the mining city duels are so many different sporting events so many different groups that we work with uh the YMCA special olympics they are funded as well through advantage but programs our goal is to guarantee no one loses money when they host an event in Butte so we can keep having events in butte so thank you again for your support thank you for your questions and we look forward to working with buttes of rebel along into the future thank you appreciate it all right moving on our last presentation tonight is Zach Hamner with Nomad stepping in welcome Mr.

Hamner thank you umad stepping in thank you guys for your grant of uh three thousand dollars nomad stepping in use the grant uh funding to complete a full restoration of a mini chopper um the project required mechanical labor parts replacement fabrication and finishing work the restoration was completed successfully amid all project objectives um we actually uh partnered with um can't remember their name off the top of my head at the moment um but they had a car show down at the depot and we partnered with them um did a raffle for the bike and uh a family here in butte actually received that bike um and uh they're extremely happy um the use of funds allowable grant funds were applied towards restoration work 2122 dollars of approved bookkeeping uh and an approved bookkeeping stipend to 300 representing 10 percent of the grant amount these expenditures directly supported the project's completion and administration requirements um during financial reconciliation two unauthorized withdrawals totaling 1400 were identified at the time of the uh of the withdrawals 578 and grant funds remained in the account the withdrawals exceeded the remaining grant balance resulting in eight hundred and twenty two dollars organizational funds being taken as well these disbursements were not authorized were not allowable under the grant did not contribute to the project uh the unauthorized withdrawals were flagged as unallowable segregated from the project expenses documented and financial access was restricted to prevent further unauthorized activities these issues did not impact the completion of the project deliverables um the mini chopper restoration was completed in full it uh resulted in the family receiving the uh the chopper um and I also have documentation as well as the photos of the family that received that shop um any questions that you guys may have all right thank you mr havner are there any questions of commissioners seeing none well I just thank you for your contribution to the community yeah thank you guys for giving us an opportunity to at least um you know try a proof of concept and and try and try and do something you know for the community all right all right and that ends our presentations for tonight so we will move on to section two consent agenda a one through four and b one through twenty six do we have any friendly amendments and or segregations commissioner healy I'd like to segregate 25 number 2026 dash two zero three that's item number 25 communication number 2026 dash two zero six commissioner fisher oh 2023 sorry I got to turn put my glasses on all right commissioner Fisher you have on thank you chief executive gallery being tax day today I'm gonna take advantage and segregate a few of these just for uh public information but I would like to segregate communication number five communication number five which is 26183 that's item number item number five communication number 2026 dash one eight three number thirteen number thirteen twenty six one ninety one correct number seventeen twenty six one ninety five and number eighteen twenty six one ninety six thank you number nineteen did you say number nine number eight

Number 13.

Number 13.

26191.

Oops.

Correct.

Number 17.

26195.

And number 18, 26196.

Thank you.

Number 19.

Did you say number 9?

Number 18?

Okay.

Okay, that's so those would be items number five.

Items number 13, items number 17, and numbers item number 18.

Commission Commissioner O'Leary.

Thank you, Mr.

Chief Executive.

I'd like to segregate number 16.

Uh communication number 2026-194.

That's item number 16.

Okay.

Commissioner Gerbrand.

Yes, Chief Executive.

I would like to segregate uh number 10.

Communication number 2026 188.

That's item number 10.

Okay.

Any other segregations or friendly amendments?

Seeing none.

Commissioner Morgan.

Thank you, Mr.

Chief Executive.

At this time I make a motion that we approve Section 2, the consent agenda, a the committee reports 1 through 4.

B, communications 1 through 26, with the exclusion of number 5, 2026-183, number 10, 2026-188, number 13, 26-191, number 16, 2026-194, number 17, 2026-195, number 18, 2026-196, and number 25, 2026-203.

We have a motion and a second to approve tonight's consent agenda.

Is there anything on the question?

Could Commissioners please vote?

Okay, and would anyone like to change their vote?

Clerk, please record the vote.

11 yay 0 nay.

11 years 0 nay motion passes.

Moving to item number 5, communication number 2026-183.

Cape McCourt Historic Preservation Officer requesting Council Commissioners.

Authorization to have Chief Executive Gallagher sign a grant agreement in the amount of $6,000 from the Montana State Historic Preservation Office Certified Local Government CLG program beginning May 1st, 2026, April 31st, 2027, 2026, 183 agreement.

Commissioner Fisher.

Thank you, Chief Executive Gallagher.

Reason I segregated this is um it didn't mention if there's any match or not.

Wondering if there's a match.

Thank you, Mr.

Chief Executive.

Uh Commissioner Finger Fisher, sorry, members of council.

There is no match requirement.

This is the funds that are designated for our community based on our certified local government status.

Thank you, Director Burns.

Commissioner Fisher.

Thank you, Director Burns.

Thank you, Chief Executive Gallery.

With that being said, I would make a motion that we concur in place on file.

Communication 2026 183.

We have a motion and a second to concur in place on file.

Communication number 26-183.

Could Commissioners please vote?

And would anyone like to change their vote?

Clerk, please record the vote.

11 Yay 0NA.

11A 09.

Motion passes.

Moving on to item number 10, communication number 2026-188.

Jessica LaPrause, Law Enforcement Budget Manager, requesting Council of Commissioners.

Authorization to apply for fiscal year 2025.

Chief Executive Gallagher and Sheriff.

How they will be used.

Can you give me that information?

Please.

Yes.

Commissioner Gerbrand, Sheriff Lesser.

Commissioner Gerbrand, Chief Executive Gallagher.

What this is, it's a combination of a suppressor, which suppresses the flash from the weapon being fired, as well as the noise.

And an upper portion, which actually will shorten the barrel by about four inches.

So the barrel will be shortened from about 16 inches currently from what these are all for our tactical team.

So this would be again suppressing the noise and the flash.

So the upper part will shorten the barrel by about four inches.

Then with the suppressor on the end of the barrel, again reducing the noise and the flash, it will re make the barrel back to where it currently is at 16 inches.

You can't add this suppressor to the end of the barrel and assign them to tactical officers because they're moving in confined spaces.

And so the bear the weapon itself is the same size, but it has flash and sound suppressant.

And eventually what we like to do is go to night vision as well for our tactical team.

So any time you fire a weapon and with night vision on, you blind yourself with the night vision because it's it's too big too bright of a flash.

So we want to suppress the flash and the noise and eventually go to night vision equipment at some point for operations in the dark.

Say, like the situation at Anaconda, where we had the manhunt, other tactical teams did have some night vision equipment and ability to operate in those low light conditions where we did not, and so eventually we're working for that.

But we're this is just the first part to get us to the noise suppression uh for ears during training and the flash suppression, and eventually we like to move to night vision for our tactical team as well so they can operate in uh dark.

Thank you.

Thank you, uh Sheriff Lester.

Um Commissioner Gerbrand, does that answer your question?

Yes, um, Chief Executive and Sheriff, thanks for the clarification.

Sounds to me like in the future as well as present and the noise suppression for practice, and uh and because it distorts your night vision that there's uh good reason for that.

And so I would move to concur in place on file.

Okay.

We have a motion and second to concur in place on file communication number 2026-188.

Is there anything on the question?

Commissioner O'Leary.

Thank you, Mr.

Chief Executive.

Just one more question for the sheriff.

Is there any match on this grant?

I don't see anything in there, but Commissioner O'Leary, Chief Executive Gallagher.

No, there is no match.

Thank you.

Okay, thank you, Sheriff Lester.

Could Commissioners please vote?

And would anyone like to change their vote?

Clerk, please record the vote.

11 yes are nay.

11 years, zero nay.

Motion passes.

Moving to item number 13, communication number 2026-191.

Bill Melvin, Civic Center Manager requesting council commissioners' authorization to have Chief Executive Gallagher sign an agreement with D.

L.

Adams associates for design specification and construction observation and bid documents for Butte Silver Butte Civic Center Sound System Agreement.

Commissioner Fisher.

Thank you, Chief Executive Gallagher.

The reason I segregated this is I have no problem with the 42,000 dollars for sound system.

I think it's a well uh needed thing for the civic center.

What I did have a problem with at the end of it, it says the 42,000, then it says extra fares will be extra cost will be airfare, car rental, meals, hotel, and then it said etc.

That exception word kind of means a lot to me at the end because it seems to me we're giving them an open end on airfare car meals and stuff.

So just had a question.

My computer is not working tonight, so I can't give much into it.

But it does say that in the context.

So Commissioner Fisher, um bring up um Civic Center Manager Melvin, if he would like to answer that question if he knows.

Mr.

Chief Executive, members of the council.

For the record, I'm Bill Melvin.

I reside at 9-11 Montrose.

I'm here in my capacity as a Civic Center Manager.

Um Commissioner Fisher.

Yes, it does say that.

If you look in the basic, um, it does cover the initial trips here.

What that's talking about is if we keep calling them back for other issues.

Now I have to be quite frank and honest with you.

I've never done a contract for sound system.

Our sound system is 26 years old and it's needed.

It took a long time to get this thing put together.

We did have it reviewed and with a lot of help from Public Works and Angie at Public Works really helped us out with the professional use agreement and such.

Um I'm hoping that we will be prudent with uh Butilberbose money for the oversight and make sure that we get every bang for our buck that we can.

But having never done one, I can't stand here and guarantee you we won't be calling them back, but it would be a last minute thing if we ever did call them back.

Thank you, Mr.

Melvin.

Commissioner Fisher.

Thank you, Bill.

Appreciate that.

And I I do agree that the sound system for 42,000 is good.

I guess my question would be more like to the accounting attorney when you have a contract and it says etc.

in there.

What does that hold us liable to at the end of the Commissioner Fisher?

Uh County Attorney Anruth.

Chief Executive Gallagher, Commissioner Fisher, based on that term, it opens it up to basically all of their travel costs.

So such as uh what Civic Center Manager uh Melvin stated is if these individuals have to come back for anything that's any that we're having issues with, it covers their travel costs.

I believe the etc would put in there to cover all travel costs.

I didn't hear you said like a car rental could be possible.

Um food obviously was in their hotel and air ferrow travel.

So I believe the et cetera will be to cover all travel costs.

Um follow-up, Commissioner Fisher.

Thank you, Chief Executive Gallagher.

Thank you, Bill Melvin.

I appreciate that.

Thank you, Chief Executive County Attorney Enrith.

So you think we're okay just leaving the acceptor clause in there, Commissioner Fisher, County Attorney Anruth.

Chief Executive Gallagher, Commissioner Fisher, I agree with uh Mr.

Melvin and G wrote or helped draft a good contract.

It's all solid.

Okay.

Commissioner Fisher, is that satisfy you?

Thank you, Chief Executive Gallagher.

This time I would make a motion that we concur in place on file.

Communication 2026 191.

Second.

We have a motion and a second to concur in place on file.

Communication number 2026-191.

And uh um final comment by uh Manager Mellon.

Mr.

Chief Executive, uh members of the council, Commissioner Fish Fisher, just so you know on question that this is just for the design stage of this project.

We do have a couple hundred thousand dollars carried over in our budget this year for the purchase and installation of new sound equipment.

So I don't I'm I'm sorry, I just didn't want you to think for 42 grand you're getting a new sound system.

You're not you can't even get a new car for that, Jim.

Come on.

So anyhow, thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Bill.

All right.

But we have we have a motion and a second to concur in place on file communication.

Um there any other questions?

Could Commissioners please vote?

Commissioner Boyd.

Oh, Commissioner Boyle.

Okay.

And would anyone like to change their vote?

Clerk, please record the vote.

11 yay, zero and nay.

Eleven Yayea, zero nay, motion basses.

Moving on to item number sixteen, communication number 2026-194.

Cindy Winston, community enrichment coordinator, requesting council commissioners.

Authorization to have Chief Executive Gallagher sign an amendment agreement between the municipal parking services, LLC, and Butte Silverbow for additional sticks to be installed.

Commissioner O'Larry.

Thank you, Mr.

Chief Executive.

Um, the reason I segregated this is at a conversation with um uh director Gary earlier, and the the name on the uh agreement is municipal parking services LLC.

The 2024 agreement is between Beatsville Road and Missile Municipal Parking Services Inc.

So I uh I believe that the way that we uh need to fix this is just to amend the contract um to read municipal parking services in and so I'll make a motion that we uh concurrent place on file uh as amended.

Second.

We have a motion and a second to concur in place on file as amended.

Correct.

Okay.

Commissioner Thatcher Um Thank you, Chief Executive Gallagher.

I don't think we can amend a contract, it's between two parties, and in order to amend a contract, we'd have to have the approval of the other party to do so, I would imagine.

So maybe County Attorney Enruth could weigh in on that.

Uh Commissioner Thatcher, County Attorney Anruth.

Chief Executive Gallagher, Commissioner Thatcher.

I have to direct a question to Commissioner O'Leary.

Okay, Chief Executive Gallagher, Commissioner O'Leary.

You're specifically my understanding is it's a typo, correct?

Commissioner okay.

County Attorney Enruth, Commissioner Larry.

Uh County Attorney Enrorth, uh, yes, essentially it's a typo.

I did talk to with um Director O'Gary earlier.

He said that they have already sent him back a an amended contract with the correct uh spelling.

So simply just amending it for the purpose of making sure that we can sign that agreement.

Okay.

Commissioner O'Larry, County Attorney Anruth.

Chief Executive Gallagher, Commissioner O'Larry, Commissioner Thatcher.

That was my understanding, Commissioner Thatcher, is it was a typo in the original contact contract.

We weren't amending any substantial terms.

We were simply making the contract reflect through an easier amendment at council uh what the company's actual name is.

Okay.

Thank you.

So okay.

So we do have a motion and second to um concur and place on file as amended.

And is there anything else on the question?

Seeing none.

Could Commissioners please vote?

Um I'm missing Commissioner Callahan, Commissioner Boyle, and Commissioner O'Leary.

Okay.

Okay.

And would anyone like to change their vote?

Clerk, please record the vote.

11 Yay Zero Nay.

Eleven Yay Zero and A.

Motion passes.

Moving on to item number 17, communication number 2026-195.

Sean Frederickson, Parks and Recreation Director requesting Council of Commissioners authorization to have Chief Executive Gallagher sign an agreement.

And task order number one with the Montana Department of Justice Natural Resource Stamage Program to rehabilitate Basin Crick Park and fund a free meter replacement program.

Commissioner Fisher.

Thank you, Chief Executive Gallagher.

Uh thank you, Sean.

Really no questions, just uh informing uh people listening out there, they're all asking this, but it's a seven it was a seven hundred and thirty-five thousand dollar grant, seven hundred and thirty-five thousand four hundred and sixty-five dollars.

There's a sixteen thousand fifty dollar match from Butte Silver Bow for a total of seven fifty-one five fifteen.

I think this is a good investment.

I appreciate what Mr.

Fredericson has done.

The reason for segregation is just to clarify this tax day and let people know where their money's going.

Thank you.

So at this time I would make a motion to uh place uh concurrent place on file communication 26195.

Thank you.

Thank you.

We have a motion and a second to concur in place on file communication number 2026-195.

Is there anything on the question?

Commissioner Morgan.

Thank you.

Uh Mr.

Chief Executive.

Fred, Mr.

Director.

It's been long, long time.

We've known each other.

It's it's Fred, not Frederickson.

Director Frederickson, I apologize.

Um this obviously has been a contract on the council for many years, and it seems like every time this comes before us, the number keeps dwindling on how many houses we have on the non-metered um houses.

So do we have any idea of what we're looking at?

I think it used to be a couple hundred houses.

But you what do you what are you showing right now that are still on non-metered lines?

Commissioner Morgan uh and uh director Frederickson.

Chief Executive Gallagher, uh Commissioner Morgan.

Uh at first I thought you were talking about houses at Basin Creek Park, and I uh so I was a little confused there.

Uh so just to clarify, we when we put together this communication, there will be another task coming to council, which will be task number two.

I'm sorry, it's a little can it was a little confusing.

Um and that will come in two weeks, and Zayn Gleason will be before this council to talk about the the free meter program.

Um we wanted to have two contracts with the NRD that are coming before your task task order, so we just kind of wanted to um keep you informed.

So I mean I think we probably could give you a fail for the number just to answer your question, but Zayn will be able to go into it.

To answer the question in the park one that doesn't have a meter and uh director neary.

Uh Chief Executive Gallagher, Commissioner Morgan.

We have 4,000 that are still unmetered out of 12.

Oh we have 8,000 metered so far.

Thank you, Director Nary.

There's a couple on there.

Okay.

All right.

So we do have a motion and second.

Uh is there anything any other questions of commissioners?

Seeing none, could commissioners please vote.

And would anyone like to change their vote?

Clerk, please record the vote.

11 yay zero nay.

Eleven Yay Zero and A motion passes.

Moving on to item number 18, communication number 2026-196.

John Sullivan, government buildings manager, requesting council of commissioners authorization to have Chief Executive Gallagher sign a change order with Markovich construction for ADA compliance and other related improvements to the Chelsea Bailey Animal Shelter.

Commissioner Fisher.

Thank you, Chief Executive Gallagher.

Thank you, Mr.

Sullivan.

No questions, just another point to get out to the public.

The original contract on this was 197,000.

The add on that we're asking for now is $27,380.

Makes that contract with $224,380.

I have no problem with it.

I think it's a good idea.

Just want to let everybody know if they're in tax land that how their money is being spent.

And a lot of this was donations, so it's not really tax money.

But with that being said, at this time we'd make a motion to concur in place on file 26196.

Thank you.

We have a motion and a second to concur in place on file communication number 26-196.

Is there anything on the question?

Seeing none.

Could Commissioners please vote?

Commissioner Morgan.

Commissioner Morgan, your second go.

And would anyone like to change their vote?

Clerk, please record the vote.

11, yay, 09.

11 yay, 09.

Motion passes.

Moving on to item number 25, communication number 2026-203.

Karen Burns Community Development Director requesting Council of Commissioners authorization to write off uncollectible receivables related to payments due to the business development center.

Commissioner Healy.

Oh, I just wanted to ask her.

Yeah, it's your you're the one who segregated this, so you got to Yeah.

I just wanted to um ask Director Burns if she could give us a breakdown of um who didn't pay.

I'm how much money total are we asking the public to um accept as a write-off.

And um, you know, who didn't pay and why they're able to not have to pay.

Okay.

So I was just confused because I didn't know.

Okay.

Karen Burns wasn't here.

Sure.

Okay.

Thank you.

So um Commissioner Haley, and so Director Hassler, I think you're here to answer.

Uh thank you, Chief Executive Gallagher.

Um, Commissioner Healy.

Uh Director Burns just ran downstairs.

She did um include a list with the communication.

It just wasn't um listed on the website.

Okay.

Uh she does have a piece of paper to pass out to everybody, but she was going to subtotal it by all of the tenants.

What was included was a total, I believe, at 17,661 dollars and a graph showing um why it was uncollectible.

I do believe one of the former tenants had passed away.

Um there's it it's on the handout, but she is coming back up with the information for you.

I just didn't want you to think that Shell has.

Thank you.

I was that's why I was confused.

I was just like, okay.

Um thank you, Director Hassler.

Commissioner Thatcher.

Uh thank you, Chief Executive Gallagher.

Commissioner Healy, I had this exact same question uh earlier today.

And so um I actually called Karen Burns or Director Burns.

She provided me with um the information earlier.

Um, so she is gonna pass it out, but we I think we're going to need to include it.

I remember a couple year or last year we had the same sort of issue with an ARCO write-off um with the BLDC.

So we're gonna need to put this on the record anyway.

So if council would indulge me for a moment, I'd just like to go through the list and the total amount for each.

If everyone's good with that.

Go ahead, Commissioner Thatcher.

I think that would be okay to read through.

All right.

The first one is a piece of healing in the amount of four hundred twenty-nine fifty.

But seven hundred fourteen seventy-five.

Chelsea howlett, six hundred seventy-six dollars.

Copper hearts and gentle hands, one thousand two hundred eighty-seven dollars.

Craig Hedball, 738.50.

Dan O'Neill, 525 dollars.

Daniel Danielle Bertram, 1,498 dollars.

Maggie Shooty, $2,682, Montana State Fund, $329.10, Montana Principal Property Management, uh $553, Terry Caldor, 143 dollars, White Buffalo Healing Lodge, $19.73, White Line Consulting, 1,583.

And first call for $329.85, all in the total amount of $17,661.28 cents.

Uh so I guess uh I think that maybe I would ask that we could enter um Director Hassler's, I mean, excuse me, Director Burns' sheet into the public record, um, since it it was inadvertently left off in the attachments.

Um but if everybody's good with that in those amounts, I'd like to make a motion to concur in place on file communication number 2026-203.

We have a motion and a second.

And Commissioner Fisher.

Thank you, Chief Executive Gallagher.

I can understand a lot of these, but like Montana State Fund and some of these, I mean, why would we be writing off a loan for Montana State Fund or some of these other people that are financially able to pay?

I mean, how far did we go to try to collect Montana State Fund?

I mean, if you can't collect money from Montana State Fund, you're not trying very hard.

And if you can't collect money from some of these people that are named on here, they're multi-wealthy people.

I mean, I can see a writing off a loan that they can't pay, but I see some stuff on here.

I didn't see it, but I heard just now some things on here that um just don't sit.

Well, I've got a few phone calls, people want to know who it was now that we know who it is.

They're gonna they're gonna want to know why.

You know, we got to pay in the state fund, everybody's got to pay into these things, but there's some here just don't add up.

So I'm questioned that little bit.

Thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner Fisher.

Uh any other questions of Commissioners?

Commissioner Thatcher.

Uh thank you, Chief Executive Gallagher.

Commissioner Fisher, I don't disagree.

Um maybe Director Hassler, though, could you just explain since this is sold the the process of why we have to to go through this and then um I guess what it would cost uh uh essentially in collections, uh what that would cost the county to go after you know some of this money.

Maybe if you could just touch on that.

I think we talked about it last time this happened, but if you could go through that.

Commissioner Thatcher, Director uh Hassler.

There you go.

Uh Chief Executive Gallagher, Commissioner Thatcher.

Um so the reason that we have to write off this debt is we have to close out the funds.

We've sold the asset.

Um we have to close out all of our liabilities, we have to take care of our liabilities, and we need to liquidate our assets.

And so this is one of our assets, our these receivables that are hanging out there.

Um I know that there's been considerable attempts to collect on these.

Um as far as the state fund, and I'm not involved in the collection, I can't answer that question.

Um Director Burns, I would assume that there she is.

Um but there are some that are absolutely uncollectible.

Um we were t advised by our independent auditor at New Lening Company that when the building was sold and we were unable to collect that this was the step to write off the bad debt to get that asset off of our books so we can close out the enterprise fund.

Thank you, Director Hassler.

I think uh now that Director Burns is back up here, I I think there was a question on uh a couple of the the people that are on this list of of I especially one that was on there was specific was Montana State Fund.

Um so um if we could Commissioner Fisher asked uh how come Montana State Fund.

So um excuse me for I was writing subtotals um Chief Executive Gallagher, Commissioner Fisher, members of council.

So there's a notation by the Montana State Fund balance, which is $329 and ten cents.

And Montana State Fund, that says it's an old system balance prior to our new accounting of how we handled things.

And so truly it could be a complete mistake, right?

It could be that they paid all their rent, it didn't get credited against the right receivable.

Um something happened, you know, in 2018 old system balance prior to 2018 is the note on that one.

So I do feel like it's safe to write it off.

Okay.

Thank you, Director Burns.

Any uh Commissioner Thatcher.

Uh thank you, Chief Executive Gallagher.

To that point, there is um one in the amount of four hundred fifty dollars next to Dan O'Neill that says old system balance, and there is something next to Montana Principal Property Management double double B construction that says uh detail showing what check numbers were applied to matching receivable, so just so everybody knows.

But um, like I said, I would ask that this gets entered into the record uh director Burns so that everybody can see this officially.

Thank you.

And do we want to hand those out?

Okay.

Sure, I can pass them out right now.

Okay.

Thank you, Director Burns.

Commissioner Larry.

Thank you, Chief Executive Gallagher.

Uh just one additional question regarding the the process.

So if if we write this amount off, does that preclude us from trying to collect on on this balance these balances in the future, or could they be sent to collections if we believe that there are some of them that may be collectible?

Commissioner O'Leary, Director Hassler.

Chief Executive Gallagher, Commissioner O'Leary.

If we send them to collection, then they remain on our books as a receivable, and then we're unable to close out the fund through the sale of the building.

Thank you, uh Director Hasler.

Follow up, Commissioner O'Leary.

Thank you, Chief Executive Gallagher.

So I guess my question is I am assuming that you're trying to close this uh fund out before the end of the fiscal year.

And is that correct?

Commissioner O'Leary, Director Hassler.

Chief Executive Gallagher, um Commissioner O'Leary.

Uh yes, that would be our hope is to have we need to record the sale of the building um and get that off of our assets.

Um otherwise this cash and related receivable is is just going to sit there.

Once we close out the sale of the building and wrap up the fund, it can be transferred for use elsewhere.

Um the longer that we leave it open, the longer the the money will sit there and be unusable.

Commissioner O'Leary.

Thank you, Chief of the Chief Executive Gallagher.

So I guess the the question is whether or not it's worth uh one last uh shot at and maybe trying to collect some of these if if there's any that are uh you know if we held this for a couple weeks and and gave everybody one last opportunity before we write it off.

I'm just thinking, you know, we just put everybody's name on the record, and uh of course if any of those people were out there listening and they uh say, hey, I want to make this right, uh us passing this through tonight doesn't give them an opportunity to do that.

So just wondering what your opinion on that is.

Commissioner O'Leary, Director Hassler.

Uh Chief Executive Gallagher, Commissioner O'Leary, I I do believe that considerable effort has been made um even prior to sale the sale of the building.

We wanted to try and get all of these receivables wrapped up prior to the sale um and have it be as clean as possible.

Um I'm not sure uh director Burns could you know speak more to you know if she believes the additional effort to collect.

Um if we do send it to collection, we only receive a portion of the proceeds back because they take their fee for um collecting on the the debt.

Um so it would it would be only a portion, I would say half or less that we would collect on these receivables.

Again, um I'm not sure.

I know that one of the tenants is deceased.

There's absolutely no chance of you know getting any money from that tenant or probably his dis his estate um and another tenant is incarcerated, so the chances of getting any money from that former tenant is probably not very high.

Um so I think that that cuts you know the the proceeds that we would receive back from a collection company um down even further.

Okay.

I'll let Commissioner or uh Director Um Burns speak to that and then I'll and then I'll go to Commissioner Haley.

Uh thank you, Mr.

Chief Executive members of council.

Just wanted to reiterate that we have been making attempts all along to collect on these.

Um there are some that have are in bankruptcy.

Um that we they moved into the building um one particular tenant um had never spent a day in their office, but never terminated their lease with us, so we continue to bill them for rent, and we never saw them again.

Um and we have tried, you know, multiple times to send letters.

Um we send emails, we make phone calls um to no avail.

So um, you know, I can't say that a collection agency would be more effective.

They might be.

They might get something, but I um you know, to reiterate with what Director Hassler said, you know, it would probably maybe if we got anything, it would be a portion.

So um just want you to know that we have definitely tried to collect on all of these.

Um we take it seriously.

So thank you.

Thank you, Director Burns.

Uh Commissioner Haley.

Thank you, Chief Executive.

Um, Director Burns, do you um know if any current tenants are on this delinquent list?

Uh Commissioner Healy, Director Burns.

Um excuse me, sorry.

I uh Commissioner Healy, Chief Executive Gallagher, members of council.

I don't believe there are any current tenants that are on that list.

Um uh Dan O'Neill, who's on that list, is no longer a tenant.

Um and so, and then Butcares is no longer a tenant.

So I don't believe there are any that are currently tenants.

Okay, thank you.

Are there any other uh Commissioner Thatcher?

Uh thank you, Chief Executive Gallagher.

And just for the record, I'd just like to make a point out I don't like you know throwing this stuff out on the record.

I I understand the there's humanity in this.

Um but for the sake of of our books, this is the motion that had to be made, and and it did have to be placed on public record.

So I just want to make that point clear.

Thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner Thatcher.

So we do have a motion and a second to concur and place on file.

We want to okay.

Would commissioners please vote?

Restate the motion to concur.

Yeah, it was to concur and place on file.

Yeah.

Okay.

So the motion was to concur and place and file.

Okay.

Everybody has voted.

So would anyone would anyone like to change their vote?

Clerk, please record the vote.

Nine, yay, to nay.

Nine yeah, to nay motion passes.

Okay.

Oh, on the question, Commissioner Fisher.

Do you want to record that?

I'd like to poll, see who the yay and nays were.

Thank you.

Yeah.

Could you please read the A and A's?

The YA's were Morgan, Fisher, Walker, O'Neal, Callahan, Thatcher, Boyle, O'Leary, and Gerbrand.

The nays were Healy and Mankins.

Okay.

Thank you.

Okay.

Moving on, we will move on to Section 4.

Am I correct?

Okay.

Section 4.

Communications to be read and acted upon.

We have one tonight.

Communication number.

I can't read.

Communication number 2026-181.

Eric Mankins Commissioner District No.

9, informing Council Commissioners and the public about the cleanup on District 9 event to encourage community participation and promote working together across District 9 to make a positive impact.

Commissioner Morgan.

Sorry Manckins.

Sorry.

Commissioner Mankins.

We got four different dumpsters throughout the um area.

Uh locations are on there.

Um we have Platinum XL, the boulevard behind the freeway, Hollow Construction, Greenwood, Acres, taking care of Williamsburg, Copper Mountain, uh school drop-off, and Beef Trail Road.

So we've got four different uh dumpsters that we have those locations.

Um we've had I've had plenty of um input and positive.

Uh it's nice to hear that this is going in a positive direction.

Um I've had uh four, five different uh organizations reach out already that have adopted that are not even from the district.

There's only maybe one or two that even live in the district, so that has been a positive thing with uh Butes in overall.

So I just wanted to continue just to have this, and if anybody would like to donate a street or a different uh area, it would be much appreciative that we can still partnership together.

I just want to remind everybody that this is something depending on how you feel about anything else.

This is a cleanup um and this is a positive thing for Butte.

So everybody in the district uh needs to or um needs to just get out there and have that opportunity.

Everybody wants this.

Um so stepping forward to spending my uh Saturday to uh give it back to our district and hopefully everybody takes advantage of that.

I know that there'll be some if you need something in particular or something done, you can always call me.

My numbers out there that you can pick something up if it's out in front of your house.

So uh again it's out there.

Um so thank you for putting this on, and I would like to just uh refer this to the committee of the whole we have a motion and a second to refer communication number 2026-181 to the committee of the whole commissioner Morgan.

Thank you, Mr.

Chief Executive.

I seconded that just uh Commissioner Mankins, because the reason you want it on committee of the whole is just to make it more of a public impact on keeping it on the agenda, is that correct?

Uh um thank you, Chief Executive Gallagher, and yes, uh Commissioner Morgan, that is exactly so thank you again for seconding that Commissioner Fisher, do you want do you want to ask question there?

Yeah.

Do you want to ask question there?

Thank you, Chief Executive Gallagher.

It was stated to be read and acted upon.

Commissioner Fisher, Commissioner Morgan.

Thank you, Mr.

Chief Executive.

So this section to be read and acted upon just simply places the communication so that there has a direct uh a direct communication or direct dialogue between this body and so without having to segregate it out of the out of the consent or the committee or the consent uh agenda.

So technically by making it read on by Commissioner Mankins and his motion that's acting upon it.

So it's to be read and acted upon.

So it's it's taking care of that section.

So we we have a we have a motion and second to refer this to the committee of the whole.

Is there anything on the question?

Could Commissioners please vote?

Okay.

And would anyone like to change their vote?

Clerk, please record the vote.

11 yay zero nay.

Eleven Yay Zero Nay motion passes.

Okay.

Moving on to section five resolution resolutions and ordinances ordinances introduced to the judiciary.

Please uh note those.

And moving on to section seven resolutions and ordinances for the suspension of the rules.

We have one resolution number 2026-20.

Clerk, could you please read the caption?

Did I did I excuse no idea?

Sorry.

Section six resolution ordinance for final reading.

Yes.

Um we have one resolution number 2026-17.

Clerk, please read the caption.

A resolution amending the budget during the fiscal year after conducting a public hearing at a regular scheduled meeting of the Council of Commissioners in accordance with section seven-six-406 MCA appropriating unanticipated revenue to the city county of built butte silver bow from receiving a grant from Bridger Care through samples through the samples foundation and providing for an effective date herein.

Commissioner Morgan.

Thank you, Mr.

Chief Executive.

I move to place council resolution number 2026-17 on final reading and plat and final reading pass having been deemed fully read at length.

I might be having a stroke today.

And would anyone like whoops?

I'm sorry.

Got to make sure I get a nod.

And would anyone like to change their vote?

Clerk, please record the vote.

11 yay, 0 nay.

11 yay, 0 nay.

Motion passes.

Moving on to item number two, resolution number 2026-19.

Clerk, please read the caption.

A resolution amending the budget during the fiscal year after conducting a public hearing at a regular scheduled meeting of the council of commissioners in accordance with section seven-six-406 MCA appropriating unanticipated revenue to the city county of Butte Silver Bow from receiving a contract amended for the HIV prevention program and providing for an effective date herein.

Commissioner Morgan.

Thank you, Mr.

Chief Executive.

At this time I make a motion that we uh place resolution 2026-19 on final reading and passed, having been deemed fully read at length.

We have a motion and second place and resolution number 2026-19 on final reading.

Is there anything on the question?

Could Commissioners please vote?

And would anyone like to change their vote?

Clerk, please record the vote.

11, yay, 0 nay.

11 yay, 0 nay motion passes.

Now moving on to section 7 resolution ordinances for the suspension of the rules.

Commissioner Morgan.

Thank you, Mr.

Chief Executive.

I move for the suspension of the rules for the purpose of passing council resolution 2026-20 by waiving subsection seven of Rule 36 of the rules and order of business of the Council of Commissioners, thereby having it considered for advanced passage without reference to the Judiciary Committee.

Is there anything on the question?

Could Commissioners please vote?

Commissioner Walker.

Okay.

And would anyone like to change their vote?

Clerk, please record the vote.

11 yay 0 nay.

11 yay, 0 nay.

Motion passes.

Now moving to resolution number 2026-20.

Clerk, please read the caption.

Whereas the Butte Silverbow County Attorney has requested prosecutal assistance in the case of state versus Adriana Atchinson, where and whereas it is desired and deemed appropriate that a special deputy county attorney be appointed to assist with the prosecution for at Fordmost case, and whereas Montana Code annotated 44411 authorizes and contemplates the that the training coordinator for the county attorney and the Bureau Chief of the Prosecution Service Bureau, together with the deputies within said bureau, act as the special counsel of the request of the county attorney and upon the approval of the board of the county commissioners, and whereas Montana Code annotated 2-15-5016 authorize the attorney general to provide assistance to the county attorneys in the discharge of his or her duties.

Commissioner Morgan.

Thank you, Mr.

Chief Executive.

I move to place council resolution 2026-20 on final reading and passed, having been deemed fully read at length.

We have a motion and a second place in resolution number 2026-20 on final reading.

Is there anything on the question?

Commissioner Fisher.

Thank you, Chief Executive Gallagher.

I guess the question would be do county attorney and Ruth the Are we privy to any information of why this is or what's going on?

Commissioner Fisher, County Attorney and Ruth.

Chief Executive Gallagher, Commissioner Fisher.

Yeah, it's not private.

Thank you, County Attorney Ann Ruth.

So we have a motion and a second.

Is there any other questions of commissioners?

Seeing none.

Could Commissioners please vote?

And would anyone like to change their vote?

Clerk, please record the vote.

11 yay zero nay.

Eleven Yayea zero nay.

Motion passes.

Next we'll move on to calendar and other meeting events.

Please note the dates and times of all the meetings and events.

And next we will move on to public comment and on matters that are not on tonight's agenda.

If you'd like to speak on any not on the agenda, please come forward, state your name, address, and what you would like to speak about.

Ready for us, 2000 Roberts Avenue.

So I didn't get a chance to speak about this last week.

Um the front doors of this building were locked.

Um I tried to uh gain access to the council of commissioners.

And I wanted to bring it up and be like, because you know mistakes happen sometimes.

I completely get it.

Um but I would like to know why that is.

We had to walk around to the ADA entrance, but yeah.

Again, mistakes happen, right?

Like it is what it is.

Um, but I'd like uh a comment about that in the future, explaining why they were.

I got some angry phone calls from some friends of mine in the community.

So thank you.

Is there any other public comment on any item that is not on the agenda tonight?

Seeing none, I would take a motion to adjourn.

We have a motion of second.

All