Laurel City Council Meeting: October 13, 2026

The Laurel City Council convened on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 6:30 PM. The meeting included routine approvals, several professional service contracts, a repeal of the city's court of record status, and a closely debated resolution authorizing the city to participate as amicus curiae in Laurel Cared v. State of Montana. Councilmember McKay rebuked a state committee's allegations regarding a mental health facility moratorium. Public comments included strong support for the DEA task force and CHS mutual aid agreements, as well as criticism of the City Administrator's contract.

Consent Calendar

• Meeting minutes from September 22 and September 24, 2026 were approved (7-0).
• The consent calendar was approved, including the payroll register totaling $330,405.04 and Clerk/Treasurer financial statements for September 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Audience Participation: Elizabeth Gill criticized the City Administrator's contract as violating the city charter's two-year limit and questioned the disparity in benefit coverage between the CAO and first responders.
• R26-89/90 (InControls Cybersecurity): Jacob Trainer supported the intent to secure municipal systems but urged the council to regularly demand proof of value from the contractor, noting that technology costs are rapidly changing.
• R26-92 (CHS Mutual Aid): Laura Kirschman expressed support for the agreement, citing CHS's financial contributions and training with the fire department.
• R26-93 (DEA Task Force): Multiple speakers voiced support. Zach Helm highlighted the benefits of a local officer with task force connections for drug prevention. Laura Kirschman stressed proactive prevention and the value of federal forfeiture funds for equipment. Sergeant Jackson Booth, the officer designated for the task force, affirmed his commitment to the community. Fire Chief Hopper supported the partnership, emphasizing officer safety on calls.
• R26-94 (Court of Record): Judge Myes argued against becoming a court of record, citing $12,000 in annual software costs, the extreme rarity of trials de novo, and the potential to inhibit honest testimony from defendants. A letter from City Prosecutor Nick Owens supported the repeal, favoring the current community-focused court model.
• R26-97 (Amicus Curiae): Laura Kirschman urged approval to protect city authority over land use and infrastructure. Elizabeth Gill (Laurel CARED board member) supported the proactive step. Liz Forster, attorney for Laurel CARED, offered to answer questions on the litigation.

Discussion Items

• Ex Parte Communication: Councilmember McKay read an email she sent to the Long-Range Planning Interim Budget Committee, expressing deep personal offense at their allegations of discrimination against the city and condemning their lack of accountability and research.
• R26-88 (Askin Construction): Public Works explained the $16,000 contract to clear sediment from a water intake that has never been dug out, which is needed for optimal winter operability.
• R26-96 (Street Reconstruction): An unplanned waterline replacement on West 7th Street was needed after an over-100-year-old pipe failed during construction.
• R26-97 Debate: Council Vice President Closey questioned acting on an issue outside city jurisdiction. City Attorney Ryan Addis clarified that the amicus brief specifically addresses the city's interest in the environmental assessment without intervening as a party. The Mayor and Addis discussed the costs (significant attorney fees) and risks of becoming a target, but noted the state has already signaled its positions against the city. The resolution's language requiring court permission was explained.
• Mayor Updates: The Mayor entered the city's formal response to the state's Long-Range Planning Interim Budget Committee into the record.

Key Outcomes

• R26-86 through R26-96: All resolutions passed unanimously (7-0), including contracts for engineering, water intake clearing, cybersecurity, mutual aid, a temporary driver position, a grant acceptance, and a street paving change order.
• R26-94 (Court of Record Repeal): Passed (7-0). Resolution R25-76, which made Laurel a court of record, was officially repealed.
• R26-97 (Amicus Curiae): Passed (6-1). Council Vice President Closey cast the sole dissenting vote. The city is authorized to seek permission to file an amicus brief in Laurel Cared v. State of Montana.
• Next Steps: Council Vice President Closey requested a columbarium discussion be added to the next workshop agenda. The quarterly city cemetery meeting was announced for the following Tuesday.