Butte Silver Bow Council Meeting: April 15, 2026

The Butte Silver Bow Council of Commissioners held a regular meeting on April 15, 2026, with 11 commissioners present and one absence (Commissioner Shea). The meeting included bid openings, multiple presentations from recipients of economic development mill levy grants, consent agenda approvals, and several resolutions. Key topics included veteran honors, park improvements, downtown beautification, grant funding for public safety and infrastructure, and a report on uncollectible business development center receivables.

Presentations: Economic Development Mill Levy Grant Recipients (2024–2025)

• Kate Woods (Butte Amateur Hockey Association) reported using $18,000 of a $20,000 grant to install 23 new windows at the Butte Community Ice Center, with 16 installed before winter. The association hosts 105 youth players, 160+ adult members, and attracts over 1,200 kids and families from out of town. The association will not seek new funding this cycle due to board transition.
• Chrissy Kriskowski (The Body Shop, formerly Copper City Strength and Conditioning) reported using a $5,500 grant for specialized rubber flooring. The gym now has 118 members, 37 drop-in visitors from out of state, and averages over 800 check-ins per month. It also serves as an incubator for personal trainers, with one new entrepreneur already onboarded.
• George Everett (Montana Folk Festival and Uptown Tree Project) reported on two grants. For the Folk Festival, $11,000 was used for security, with total security spending of $13,500. The festival reports no criminal incidents on-site. For the tree project, $15,000 funded 26 new trees on entryway streets (Montana, Maine, Front, Iron); the tree survival rate is about 90%, with one tree lost to a car strike. Watering is done via truck because the sprinkler system on Montana Street is non-functional.
• Brendan McDonough (Montana Gaelic Cultural Society / Montana Irish Festival) reported using a $7,500 grant for performer lodging at the Finland Hotel, covering about half of the $16,000 lodging expense. The all-volunteer committee has completed 21 festivals. This year, four international groups (three bands from Ireland, one stateside) are booked. Weather continues to be a challenge; Friday attendance was light due to 25°F temperatures, but Saturday was warm and successful.
• Daniel Hogan (Clardan LLC / Walkerville Grocery Project) reported using a $2,500 grant to pay a foreman. The project has received about $175,000 in grant funding over eight years (since 2017) and 12,000 hours of volunteer labor. Completed work includes installing six gothic church windows, five double-hung windows, fitting new doors, painting, tile, oak flooring, and framing a kitchen, bathroom, and coffee area. Electrical and plumbing are underway. The project aims to provide a grocery store, deli, and coffee roaster in Walkerville.
• Greg McDonald (Helsinki Bike Rally) reported using a grant to fund a one-day motorcycle rally that raised money for Brock Shepherd's service dogs (one dog purchased at $5,000 each), Northwest Little League, and Colt Anderson's Foundation. The rally is now fully self-funded and expanding to three days in 2026. McDonald stated they are not requesting funds this year.
• Ron Davis (Advantage Butte) reported that an $11,500 grant generated $675,000 in economic impact: $325,000 from the Big Sky volleyball tournament (11 teams, 7 from out of state) and $350,000 from the Southern B volleyball tournament. Advantage Butte, founded in 2004, has brought over $55 million into Butte through sports events. The organization is volunteer-run and funded by 21 businesses ($500 each) and the TBID. Davis noted a current bank balance of $4,192 against committed expenditures of $61,217, with additional outstanding commitments of $69,455.
• Zach Hamner (Nomad Stepping In) reported using a $3,000 grant for a mini chopper restoration project, completed with a raffle awarding the bike to a local family. Two unauthorized withdrawals totaling $1,400 were identified; $822 of organizational funds were taken as well. Financial access has been restricted. The project deliverables were completed.

Bid Openings

• Communication 2026-163: Proposals for FY2025–2026 economic development mill levy funds were opened. Twelve bids were received totaling $91,920. The matter was referred to the Economic Development Committee. (Motion: Morgan; 11-0 vote)
• Communication 2026-165: One bid from TCS Northwest LLC for improvements to Belmont Water Tower Park was opened. Base bid: $205,396.80; add alternates: $47,352; total: $252,748.80. The engineer's estimate was $253,136. The project includes a walking path, benches, landscaping, and stormwater improvements. The matter was referred to the Community Development Department. (Motion: Morgan; 11-0 vote)

Consent Agenda

• The consent agenda (Committee Reports A1–4, Communications B1–26) was approved with the exclusion of items 5, 10, 13, 16, 17, 18, and 25. (Motion: Morgan; 11-0 vote)

Segregated Consent Items

• Item 5 (Comm. 2026-183): Grant agreement with Montana SHPO for $6,000 (no match required). Concurred and placed on file. (Motion: Fisher; 11-0 vote)
• Item 10 (Comm. 2026-188): Authorization to apply for a grant for flash and sound suppressors for the tactical team; no match required. Concurred and placed on file. (Motion: Gerbrand; 11-0 vote)
• Item 13 (Comm. 2026-191): Agreement with D.L. Adams Associates for design of a new sound system for the Civic Center ($42,000). Commissioner Fisher expressed concern over "etc." in travel costs; County Attorney Enruth confirmed it covers all travel costs. Concurred and placed on file. (Motion: Fisher; 11-0 vote)
• Item 16 (Comm. 2026-194): Amendment to parking meter agreement to correct a typo in the company name (Municipal Parking Services LLC). Concurred and placed on file as amended. (Motion: O'Leary; 11-0 vote)
• Item 17 (Comm. 2026-195): Agreement with Montana DOJ NRD for Basin Creek Park rehabilitation and a free meter replacement program (total $751,515; $16,050 match from Butte Silver Bow). Commissioner Fisher noted the segregation was to inform the public on Tax Day. Concurred and placed on file. (Motion: Fisher; 11-0 vote)
• Item 18 (Comm. 2026-196): Change order with Markovich Construction for ADA improvements at the Chelsea Bailey Animal Shelter ($27,380 addition to original $197,000 contract). Concurred and placed on file. (Motion: Fisher; 11-0 vote)
• Item 25 (Comm. 2026-203): Write-off of $17,661.28 in uncollectible receivables from the Business Development Center. After discussion about collectibility and the need to close out the fund, the motion passed 9-2 (Yay: Morgan, Fisher, Walker, O'Neill, Callahan, Thatcher, Boyle, O'Leary, Gerbrand; Nay: Healy, Mankins).

Communications to be Read and Acted Upon

• Communication 2026-181 (Commissioner Mankins): Cleanup event in District 9 with four dumpster locations. Referred to Committee of the Whole. (Motion: Mankins; 11-0 vote)

Resolutions

• Resolution 2026-17: Budget amendment appropriating unanticipated revenue from a Bridger Care Foundation grant. Passed final reading. (Motion: Morgan; 11-0 vote)
• Resolution 2026-19: Budget amendment appropriating unanticipated revenue from a contract amendment for the HIV prevention program. Passed final reading. (Motion: Morgan; 11-0 vote)
• Resolution 2026-20: Appointment of a special deputy county attorney to assist with the prosecution of State v. Adriana Atchinson. Suspension of rules granted; passed final reading. (Motion: Morgan; 11-0 vote)

Public Comments (Non-Agenda)

• One speaker (2000 Roberts Avenue) noted the front doors of the building were locked, forcing entry through the ADA entrance, and requested an explanation.

Meeting Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned following a motion and second.