1 00:03:02,400 --> 00:03:04,000 going to go ahead and call this August 2 00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:07,760 17th, 2026 meeting of the Whitefish City 3 00:03:07,760 --> 00:03:09,760 Council to order. Thanks everyone for 4 00:03:09,760 --> 00:03:12,400 attending in person. We also have some 5 00:03:12,400 --> 00:03:15,440 folks joining remotely via Zoom, 6 00:03:15,440 --> 00:03:18,400 including Councelor Kalabiano, who is on 7 00:03:18,400 --> 00:03:21,120 fire duty. and thank you for joining us 8 00:03:21,120 --> 00:03:23,519 tonight. Uh just be remotely I 9 00:03:23,519 --> 00:03:25,440 appreciate it. We will start with our 10 00:03:25,440 --> 00:03:27,760 pledge of allegiance and Mike Copel. Do 11 00:03:27,760 --> 00:03:45,750 you mind leading us? 12 00:03:45,760 --> 00:03:51,910 liberty for all. 13 00:03:51,920 --> 00:03:53,519 » Thank you, Mike. We'll move on to 14 00:03:53,519 --> 00:03:55,360 communications from the public. We do 15 00:03:55,360 --> 00:03:59,120 have our FY27 budget on the agenda for 16 00:03:59,120 --> 00:04:00,959 this evening, which is advertised as a 17 00:04:00,959 --> 00:04:02,560 public hearing in addition to the tax 18 00:04:02,560 --> 00:04:05,280 levy and assessments, which we will take 19 00:04:05,280 --> 00:04:07,760 as one public hearing if that's okay 20 00:04:07,760 --> 00:04:10,080 with our city manager. Um, otherwise, 21 00:04:10,080 --> 00:04:11,360 anything you'd like to bring to the 22 00:04:11,360 --> 00:04:12,879 attention of the council that's either 23 00:04:12,879 --> 00:04:15,200 on the agenda or otherwise, and now 24 00:04:15,200 --> 00:04:17,199 would be your opportunity. Name 25 00:04:17,199 --> 00:04:23,830 addressed for the record, please. Toby, 26 00:04:23,840 --> 00:04:27,120 » I just have a request of you 27 00:04:27,120 --> 00:04:30,560 and that is to request of the middle 28 00:04:30,560 --> 00:04:34,479 school perhaps a uh 29 00:04:34,479 --> 00:04:36,880 educational moment for the students 30 00:04:36,880 --> 00:04:40,479 there regarding riding bicycles 31 00:04:40,479 --> 00:04:43,600 and pedestrians especially electric or 32 00:04:43,600 --> 00:04:46,320 motorized bikes and things like that. 33 00:04:46,320 --> 00:04:47,840 You know, it's summertime and the kids 34 00:04:47,840 --> 00:04:49,759 are off and they're just crazy going 35 00:04:49,759 --> 00:04:52,240 everywhere. And I've seen kids ride 36 00:04:52,240 --> 00:04:54,720 electric bicycles right down the 37 00:04:54,720 --> 00:04:58,160 sidewalk. I mean, in town, not on 38 00:04:58,160 --> 00:05:00,320 Central Avenue, but I have seen it on 39 00:05:00,320 --> 00:05:03,040 other avenues. And uh it might be 40 00:05:03,040 --> 00:05:05,600 something that the city should ask the 41 00:05:05,600 --> 00:05:07,600 middle school to either draw up a paper 42 00:05:07,600 --> 00:05:11,199 on regulations and proper conduct on a 43 00:05:11,199 --> 00:05:12,800 bicycle 44 00:05:12,800 --> 00:05:16,240 in within the city. That's all. 45 00:05:16,240 --> 00:05:18,560 Thank you, Toby. 46 00:05:18,560 --> 00:05:22,550 Ma'am, 47 00:05:22,560 --> 00:05:24,720 » hello. My name is Marcela Williams and 48 00:05:24,720 --> 00:05:26,960 I'm a resident here in Whitefish 49 00:05:26,960 --> 00:05:29,919 and I'm also raising young adults who I 50 00:05:29,919 --> 00:05:31,360 would really like to be able to move 51 00:05:31,360 --> 00:05:34,160 back here one day. Uh, and I am asking 52 00:05:34,160 --> 00:05:36,960 that we allocate $250,000 53 00:05:36,960 --> 00:05:39,360 uh of our resort tax towards Habitat for 54 00:05:39,360 --> 00:05:41,840 Humanity. Um, they have a proven track 55 00:05:41,840 --> 00:05:45,440 record of success here in the valley. uh 56 00:05:45,440 --> 00:05:47,759 not just in Whitefish but also in uh Sea 57 00:05:47,759 --> 00:05:50,800 Falls as well as Kalispell and they have 58 00:05:50,800 --> 00:05:52,800 their foot on the gas here right now as 59 00:05:52,800 --> 00:05:54,720 we speak breaking ground tomorrow which 60 00:05:54,720 --> 00:05:57,199 is super exciting and I know that 61 00:05:57,199 --> 00:06:00,720 there's room for expansion right there. 62 00:06:00,720 --> 00:06:02,400 So I would just like to put it out there 63 00:06:02,400 --> 00:06:04,880 that housing is one of the biggest 64 00:06:04,880 --> 00:06:07,680 problems that we have in the valley. Uh, 65 00:06:07,680 --> 00:06:10,639 and uh, we have to be able to support 66 00:06:10,639 --> 00:06:12,560 our teachers and our first responders 67 00:06:12,560 --> 00:06:15,759 and and and people that really want to 68 00:06:15,759 --> 00:06:18,240 live and work here, including food and 69 00:06:18,240 --> 00:06:19,680 beverage as well. And I know that 70 00:06:19,680 --> 00:06:21,600 restaurants suffered all summer because 71 00:06:21,600 --> 00:06:24,080 they couldn't find people to work. And 72 00:06:24,080 --> 00:06:25,600 the number one reason why is because 73 00:06:25,600 --> 00:06:28,319 they didn't have housing. So, not only 74 00:06:28,319 --> 00:06:31,120 do we um reduce risk of injury because 75 00:06:31,120 --> 00:06:32,720 they're not having to travel as far, but 76 00:06:32,720 --> 00:06:35,759 we also um work to keep people in the 77 00:06:35,759 --> 00:06:38,240 valley that want to live and work here. 78 00:06:38,240 --> 00:06:40,240 So, I'm just asking that you consider 79 00:06:40,240 --> 00:06:43,039 allocating another 250,000. They could 80 00:06:43,039 --> 00:06:45,440 put it to use right away and build at 81 00:06:45,440 --> 00:06:47,840 least two more homes, which that's two 82 00:06:47,840 --> 00:06:49,919 more families. That's children that 83 00:06:49,919 --> 00:06:52,479 would grow up here and and they would 84 00:06:52,479 --> 00:06:54,080 really thrive right here in this 85 00:06:54,080 --> 00:06:56,560 community. So, please consider it and 86 00:06:56,560 --> 00:06:59,919 thank you very much. 87 00:06:59,919 --> 00:07:03,589 >> Thanks, Miss Williams. 88 00:07:03,599 --> 00:07:04,400 » Jamie. 89 00:07:04,400 --> 00:07:06,400 >> Hello. I'm Jamie Goen. I too am a 90 00:07:06,400 --> 00:07:09,120 resident of Whitefish and I would like 91 00:07:09,120 --> 00:07:11,120 to say that everything Marcelo Williams 92 00:07:11,120 --> 00:07:14,479 just said verbatim ditto. Speaking as an 93 00:07:14,479 --> 00:07:17,680 employer, uh, this has been very real 94 00:07:17,680 --> 00:07:19,199 and 95 00:07:19,199 --> 00:07:21,360 seeing housing go up and is very 96 00:07:21,360 --> 00:07:23,039 exciting and I think the town is very 97 00:07:23,039 --> 00:07:25,840 excited. I'm really excited that we got 98 00:07:25,840 --> 00:07:28,400 your blessing last for the last year's 99 00:07:28,400 --> 00:07:30,800 uh allocation to build on White Fish 100 00:07:30,800 --> 00:07:32,880 Avenue which is breaking ground tomorrow 101 00:07:32,880 --> 00:07:35,520 in a meaningful way. And so just wanted 102 00:07:35,520 --> 00:07:37,120 to say thanks. This is really really 103 00:07:37,120 --> 00:07:39,039 great. I've really enjoyed this 104 00:07:39,039 --> 00:07:41,039 experience working with you guys. The 105 00:07:41,039 --> 00:07:42,479 other only other thing I'd like to bring 106 00:07:42,479 --> 00:07:44,639 up is along Edgewood Avenue uh at the 107 00:07:44,639 --> 00:07:48,560 stop signs of Dakota and Iowa uh the 108 00:07:48,560 --> 00:07:51,120 grasses are very tall and sometimes the 109 00:07:51,120 --> 00:07:53,280 people are very short and They're 110 00:07:53,280 --> 00:07:55,440 walking and then they're about to 111 00:07:55,440 --> 00:07:58,080 they're on the crosswalk. I worry 112 00:07:58,080 --> 00:07:59,840 because a lot of people don't really 113 00:07:59,840 --> 00:08:02,080 stop. They just kind of touch and roll. 114 00:08:02,080 --> 00:08:05,120 So, just as a public safety concern, I'd 115 00:08:05,120 --> 00:08:06,960 just love to see some of those hedges 116 00:08:06,960 --> 00:08:08,800 cut back a little ways so that as people 117 00:08:08,800 --> 00:08:11,599 are walking, we see them in time to stop 118 00:08:11,599 --> 00:08:13,680 before they hit the crosswalk. Thank you 119 00:08:13,680 --> 00:08:14,319 very much. 120 00:08:14,319 --> 00:08:16,319 >> Thank you, Jamie. 121 00:08:16,319 --> 00:08:21,029 Alan. 122 00:08:21,039 --> 00:08:23,280 Hi, I'm Alan Went. I'm an engineer with 123 00:08:23,280 --> 00:08:26,000 AE2S here in support of the water master 124 00:08:26,000 --> 00:08:28,720 plan tonight. Um, I'm responsible for 125 00:08:28,720 --> 00:08:30,720 the plan and I just wanted to talk a 126 00:08:30,720 --> 00:08:32,719 little bit about the process we went 127 00:08:32,719 --> 00:08:35,279 through. Um, there were a number of 128 00:08:35,279 --> 00:08:37,440 alternatives that we considered. Not all 129 00:08:37,440 --> 00:08:39,760 of them made it. Uh, the numbers 130 00:08:39,760 --> 00:08:42,800 actually got quite large and daunting 131 00:08:42,800 --> 00:08:44,640 once you start looking at the cost of a 132 00:08:44,640 --> 00:08:46,720 lot of these public infrastructure type 133 00:08:46,720 --> 00:08:50,480 product projects. Um, there are number 134 00:08:50,480 --> 00:08:52,560 of projects that are right on the cusp 135 00:08:52,560 --> 00:08:54,560 and and didn't make it, but I'm sure 136 00:08:54,560 --> 00:08:58,240 they'll be on it in coming years. I will 137 00:08:58,240 --> 00:09:01,200 be available throughout this meeting 138 00:09:01,200 --> 00:09:02,720 should you guys have any questions for 139 00:09:02,720 --> 00:09:04,000 me. 140 00:09:04,000 --> 00:09:06,320 >> Thank you, Alan. Appreciate it. We'll 141 00:09:06,320 --> 00:09:08,880 address you if needed during the budget 142 00:09:08,880 --> 00:09:10,560 deliberations. Cameron 143 00:09:10,560 --> 00:09:13,200 >> Cameron Blake, 825 Lexan Trail in 144 00:09:13,200 --> 00:09:15,680 Whitefish. And I'm also here to support 145 00:09:15,680 --> 00:09:17,839 Habitat for Humanity's request for the 146 00:09:17,839 --> 00:09:20,959 250,000 for two more homes on White Fish 147 00:09:20,959 --> 00:09:23,920 Avenue. Um the we're actually digging 148 00:09:23,920 --> 00:09:26,560 for the foundation tomorrow. So, sorry 149 00:09:26,560 --> 00:09:28,320 we broke ground, but the foundation is 150 00:09:28,320 --> 00:09:30,160 starting to go excavation for the 151 00:09:30,160 --> 00:09:32,880 foundation is going in. Um I think Jamie 152 00:09:32,880 --> 00:09:34,399 and Marcela have covered a lot of the 153 00:09:34,399 --> 00:09:36,080 needs and you guys know this, but 154 00:09:36,080 --> 00:09:37,920 Habitat, I mean, it's a tangible, it's a 155 00:09:37,920 --> 00:09:39,440 fraction of what's needed, but it's a 156 00:09:39,440 --> 00:09:42,080 tangible start. Um the four homes if we 157 00:09:42,080 --> 00:09:44,160 improve the two more will be in place 158 00:09:44,160 --> 00:09:46,480 families in them by middle of next year 159 00:09:46,480 --> 00:09:49,360 which is starting to solve the problem. 160 00:09:49,360 --> 00:09:51,600 A long way to go. Uh I just wanted to 161 00:09:51,600 --> 00:09:53,120 add that we're seeing incredible 162 00:09:53,120 --> 00:09:54,560 community support. As you guys know, the 163 00:09:54,560 --> 00:09:56,240 Great Fish Challenge is underway and 164 00:09:56,240 --> 00:09:58,800 Habitat's been um we're over 100,000 165 00:09:58,800 --> 00:10:00,560 raised from the community and 140 166 00:10:00,560 --> 00:10:02,240 donors. So there's widespread community 167 00:10:02,240 --> 00:10:04,480 support for what we're doing um and have 168 00:10:04,480 --> 00:10:06,880 incredible momentum as they commented. I 169 00:10:06,880 --> 00:10:09,200 want to make a suggestion that I know on 170 00:10:09,200 --> 00:10:10,640 White Fish Avenue we're still waiting 171 00:10:10,640 --> 00:10:12,320 for permits and I guess we can excavate 172 00:10:12,320 --> 00:10:14,399 without permits so we're moving forward 173 00:10:14,399 --> 00:10:16,720 but it's a everything has really slowed 174 00:10:16,720 --> 00:10:18,880 down is my understanding with permitting 175 00:10:18,880 --> 00:10:20,399 and if there's any way the city could 176 00:10:20,399 --> 00:10:23,200 prioritize permitting for affordable 177 00:10:23,200 --> 00:10:24,880 ownership housing I think that would 178 00:10:24,880 --> 00:10:27,680 help to speed up what's solving the 179 00:10:27,680 --> 00:10:29,360 problem a bit you know even if it's a 180 00:10:29,360 --> 00:10:31,120 month or two here or there. So, I don't 181 00:10:31,120 --> 00:10:32,720 know if there's anything that can be 182 00:10:32,720 --> 00:10:34,560 done there, but that's a suggestion 183 00:10:34,560 --> 00:10:38,160 towards a solution. Thank you. 184 00:10:38,160 --> 00:10:40,320 >> Thank you, Cameron. Further public 185 00:10:40,320 --> 00:10:45,430 comment, Richard, 186 00:10:45,440 --> 00:10:47,680 » mayor, counselors, Richard Iner, 104th 187 00:10:47,680 --> 00:10:50,640 Street. I just want to thank um Dana and 188 00:10:50,640 --> 00:10:53,279 whoever else might have been involved in 189 00:10:53,279 --> 00:10:55,760 extending the public comment period for 190 00:10:55,760 --> 00:11:00,079 the CWP draft. uh two weeks was really 191 00:11:00,079 --> 00:11:02,480 short and hard to meet and thanks for 192 00:11:02,480 --> 00:11:04,240 extending that a week and I think 193 00:11:04,240 --> 00:11:09,760 hopefully that you got more comments and better information. Um but what I'm 194 00:11:09,760 --> 00:11:12,000 also interested in is what are the next 195 00:11:12,000 --> 00:11:14,000 steps and what are the timelines for 196 00:11:14,000 --> 00:11:17,200 those next steps in the next part of the 197 00:11:17,200 --> 00:11:20,079 CWP. I also want to say that I support 198 00:11:20,079 --> 00:11:23,519 Habitat's request for that $250,000. 199 00:11:23,519 --> 00:11:26,240 They're they're right at they're out of 200 00:11:26,240 --> 00:11:28,720 the gate and down the track and we 201 00:11:28,720 --> 00:11:30,800 should do everything we can to keep them 202 00:11:30,800 --> 00:11:34,160 going at full speed. Thank you. 203 00:11:34,160 --> 00:11:36,320 >> Thank you, Richard. 204 00:11:36,320 --> 00:11:47,590 >> Further public comment this evening. 205 00:11:47,600 --> 00:11:49,200 » Hello, 206 00:11:49,200 --> 00:11:51,680 I'm Carolyn Pitman. I live at One Tides 207 00:11:51,680 --> 00:11:55,040 Way Whitefish. I came into Whitefish 49 208 00:11:55,040 --> 00:11:57,920 years ago this week. And it's been my 209 00:11:57,920 --> 00:12:00,560 privilege to work here, live here, and 210 00:12:00,560 --> 00:12:03,040 raise my family here. And many of you 211 00:12:03,040 --> 00:12:05,519 are doing the same thing. I think that 212 00:12:05,519 --> 00:12:08,000 we have an opportunity now to offer that 213 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:10,560 same privilege to other people, people 214 00:12:10,560 --> 00:12:13,360 who can live here and work here. And we 215 00:12:13,360 --> 00:12:14,959 can do that through Habitat for 216 00:12:14,959 --> 00:12:17,680 Humanity. We have the opportunity to 217 00:12:17,680 --> 00:12:20,639 purchase another lot for two more homes. 218 00:12:20,639 --> 00:12:23,519 This makes four. It seems small, but 219 00:12:23,519 --> 00:12:26,240 there is an energy and an enthusiasm 220 00:12:26,240 --> 00:12:28,800 about this project and this endeavor 221 00:12:28,800 --> 00:12:32,240 that reminds me of the many, many 222 00:12:32,240 --> 00:12:34,160 projects that have been successful in 223 00:12:34,160 --> 00:12:37,440 this community. So, I urge you to buy 224 00:12:37,440 --> 00:12:42,870 the lot. Thank you. 225 00:12:42,880 --> 00:12:49,350 » Thank you, Carolyn. 226 00:12:49,360 --> 00:12:52,079 » Hello, Matthew. 227 00:12:52,079 --> 00:12:57,910 resil 228 00:12:57,920 --> 00:13:01,120 management plan. Um, this plan 229 00:13:01,120 --> 00:13:02,880 recommends Scott and telemetry 230 00:13:02,880 --> 00:13:05,360 improvements at Grass Mountain facility 231 00:13:05,360 --> 00:13:08,000 because real-time monitoring would allow 232 00:13:08,000 --> 00:13:10,000 city staff to manage those facilities 233 00:13:10,000 --> 00:13:12,639 more efficiently and respond to problems 234 00:13:12,639 --> 00:13:14,560 quickly. at Grass Mountain. The plan 235 00:13:14,560 --> 00:13:17,200 specifically notes currently staff have 236 00:13:17,200 --> 00:13:19,680 to travel to the facility and manually 237 00:13:19,680 --> 00:13:21,600 check that equipment and record 238 00:13:21,600 --> 00:13:23,920 operation conditions. I would encourage 239 00:13:23,920 --> 00:13:26,079 the council to please apply that same 240 00:13:26,079 --> 00:13:29,920 standard to Haskell Basin. In fact, the 241 00:13:29,920 --> 00:13:32,320 need is arguably greater at second and 242 00:13:32,320 --> 00:13:34,240 third creek diversions. These facilities 243 00:13:34,240 --> 00:13:36,959 are miles into the backcountry 244 00:13:36,959 --> 00:13:38,639 mountains. During the winter, they 245 00:13:38,639 --> 00:13:41,120 require over snow travel on unmaintained 246 00:13:41,120 --> 00:13:44,079 roads. consumes staff time and also 247 00:13:44,079 --> 00:13:46,800 introduces city staff to very real 248 00:13:46,800 --> 00:13:49,120 safety considerations. Uh I've done 249 00:13:49,120 --> 00:13:50,720 backcountry snow survey work with the 250 00:13:50,720 --> 00:13:53,440 USDA. I'm quite familiar with tracked 251 00:13:53,440 --> 00:13:55,600 vehicles in backcountry settings and 252 00:13:55,600 --> 00:13:58,800 those risks. Uh the telemetry would 253 00:13:58,800 --> 00:14:00,639 eliminate the need for staff to inspect 254 00:14:00,639 --> 00:14:03,120 and maintain these facilities. It would 255 00:14:03,120 --> 00:14:05,199 not, but it would eliminate the 256 00:14:05,199 --> 00:14:07,440 unnecessary trips if they're going up on 257 00:14:07,440 --> 00:14:09,120 a monthly basis to check on these 258 00:14:09,120 --> 00:14:11,279 facilities through the winter months in 259 00:14:11,279 --> 00:14:13,199 particular. But throughout the year, 260 00:14:13,199 --> 00:14:15,279 there's an opportunity there to be more 261 00:14:15,279 --> 00:14:17,839 responsive to current conditions. 262 00:14:17,839 --> 00:14:21,199 Um, these real time monitoring flows 263 00:14:21,199 --> 00:14:23,839 would allow the city 264 00:14:23,839 --> 00:14:26,720 uh how to actually know how much water 265 00:14:26,720 --> 00:14:28,639 is being diverted currently and how much 266 00:14:28,639 --> 00:14:30,880 remains in those streams. The 267 00:14:30,880 --> 00:14:33,199 information the draft 268 00:14:33,199 --> 00:14:35,279 reports acknowledges that there's not 269 00:14:35,279 --> 00:14:37,360 well documented understanding of what 270 00:14:37,360 --> 00:14:39,199 actually flows in those creeks and what 271 00:14:39,199 --> 00:14:41,440 we're what we're drawing out of those. 272 00:14:41,440 --> 00:14:44,000 This approach would also directly be 273 00:14:44,000 --> 00:14:45,519 consistent with the city's climate 274 00:14:45,519 --> 00:14:48,240 action plan which calls for protecting 275 00:14:48,240 --> 00:14:50,320 those municipal wersheds and maintaining 276 00:14:50,320 --> 00:14:53,519 strong monitoring programs to manage and 277 00:14:53,519 --> 00:14:56,160 adapt to changing climate conditions. 278 00:14:56,160 --> 00:14:58,320 The draft already recognizes the value 279 00:14:58,320 --> 00:15:01,440 of modern remote monitoring elsewhere in 280 00:15:01,440 --> 00:15:04,000 the city's water system. I'm asking the 281 00:15:04,000 --> 00:15:06,079 council to apply that same standard to 282 00:15:06,079 --> 00:15:10,079 Haskell and those tributaries ensuring 283 00:15:10,079 --> 00:15:12,320 telemetry and real time flow monitoring 284 00:15:12,320 --> 00:15:14,959 at second and third creek diversions are 285 00:15:14,959 --> 00:15:16,720 included in the water facility 286 00:15:16,720 --> 00:15:19,600 management plan. Thank you. 287 00:15:19,600 --> 00:15:21,360 >> Thank you, Matthew. I should have 288 00:15:21,360 --> 00:15:23,360 indicated that that is scheduled for a 289 00:15:23,360 --> 00:15:25,360 public hearing, but we'll take your 290 00:15:25,360 --> 00:15:27,040 comments on the record during 291 00:15:27,040 --> 00:15:29,839 communications. So, thank you very much. 292 00:15:29,839 --> 00:15:32,880 Any further comments from the public? 293 00:15:32,880 --> 00:15:37,670 Any volunteer board reports, 294 00:15:37,680 --> 00:15:41,509 sir. 295 00:15:41,519 --> 00:15:44,399 » Evening, Ryan Walther. I'm the chair of 296 00:15:44,399 --> 00:15:48,240 the climate action plan committee. Um, 297 00:15:48,240 --> 00:15:51,040 thank you for uh 298 00:15:51,040 --> 00:15:54,079 commissioning the drafting of the CWP. 299 00:15:54,079 --> 00:15:56,880 It is a very important document. I think 300 00:15:56,880 --> 00:15:59,839 you know anybody tracking the news 301 00:15:59,839 --> 00:16:05,360 um can see how catastrophic a fire could be to the culture, the community, 302 00:16:05,360 --> 00:16:10,399 the economy here. Um I echo Richard's 303 00:16:10,399 --> 00:16:13,440 comments on extending and gratitude for 304 00:16:13,440 --> 00:16:17,360 extending the comment period. Um, 305 00:16:17,360 --> 00:16:20,160 I think the 306 00:16:20,160 --> 00:16:24,320 uh the process from now um is to 307 00:16:24,320 --> 00:16:26,639 incorporate comments, review how those 308 00:16:26,639 --> 00:16:28,800 comments have been incorporated 309 00:16:28,800 --> 00:16:31,120 um and to share with the public once 310 00:16:31,120 --> 00:16:33,360 again. I look forward to that and so 311 00:16:33,360 --> 00:16:36,160 does the rest of the committee. Um, I 312 00:16:36,160 --> 00:16:39,600 think there was a bit of news recently 313 00:16:39,600 --> 00:16:42,720 um from Sanders County that showed that 314 00:16:42,720 --> 00:16:45,680 um the BNSF train caused a small fire 315 00:16:45,680 --> 00:16:49,279 there which was thankfully put out. Um, 316 00:16:49,279 --> 00:16:52,079 I think that goes to show the importance 317 00:16:52,079 --> 00:16:55,600 of uh crossing our tees and dotting our 318 00:16:55,600 --> 00:16:58,880 eyes on this report. Uh, and again, 319 00:16:58,880 --> 00:17:02,480 thanks for your attention to that issue. 320 00:17:02,480 --> 00:17:06,079 and I look forward to reviewing the next 321 00:17:06,079 --> 00:17:09,199 version. Thanks. 322 00:17:09,199 --> 00:17:11,360 >> Thank you, Ryan, and for your service on 323 00:17:11,360 --> 00:17:13,280 the committee. 324 00:17:13,280 --> 00:17:15,280 Further volunteer board reports from the 325 00:17:15,280 --> 00:17:17,199 audience. 326 00:17:17,199 --> 00:17:21,990 Michelle, anyone online? That be 327 00:17:22,000 --> 00:17:23,839 council 328 00:17:23,839 --> 00:17:26,880 Frank? I have one uh an update from the 329 00:17:26,880 --> 00:17:29,120 park board and something I think is 330 00:17:29,120 --> 00:17:32,480 incredibly important for this group as 331 00:17:32,480 --> 00:17:35,360 well as um all the public. There's been 332 00:17:35,360 --> 00:17:39,039 a request uh for a proposal for a stage, 333 00:17:39,039 --> 00:17:42,160 a permanent stage of some size at depot 334 00:17:42,160 --> 00:17:46,400 park. Um and given the history of the 335 00:17:46,400 --> 00:17:48,320 formation of that park and how we put it 336 00:17:48,320 --> 00:17:51,280 together, um the parkboard fence since 337 00:17:51,280 --> 00:17:53,840 there's been a pretty significant uh 338 00:17:53,840 --> 00:17:56,080 press for it, there is some public 339 00:17:56,080 --> 00:17:58,400 support for it. We've decided to take it 340 00:17:58,400 --> 00:18:02,000 under or the parkour is uh directed uh 341 00:18:02,000 --> 00:18:04,799 that we do an actual 342 00:18:04,799 --> 00:18:07,200 scientific survey of the public to see 343 00:18:07,200 --> 00:18:08,960 if we can't figure out what we should 344 00:18:08,960 --> 00:18:10,799 really be doing, whether we should even 345 00:18:10,799 --> 00:18:14,640 be considering. um putting a permanent 346 00:18:14,640 --> 00:18:18,720 park uh stage structure in the park. Um 347 00:18:18,720 --> 00:18:25,600 there's going to be a uh uh community engagement u meeting September 348 00:18:25,600 --> 00:18:29,440 16th at 6 o'clock uh at city hall. Um 349 00:18:29,440 --> 00:18:32,320 and I encourage any and all of us to 350 00:18:32,320 --> 00:18:35,919 attend um and see what what's being said 351 00:18:35,919 --> 00:18:37,679 because it's I think it's it's a 352 00:18:37,679 --> 00:18:41,679 significant enough uh request and to how 353 00:18:41,679 --> 00:18:45,039 the park is being operated now 354 00:18:45,039 --> 00:18:46,559 that I think we really ought to be 355 00:18:46,559 --> 00:18:48,880 paying attention. 356 00:18:48,880 --> 00:18:51,280 Thank you. 357 00:18:51,280 --> 00:18:54,880 >> My only comment to that, if I may, is I 358 00:18:54,880 --> 00:18:56,799 think the time has come for us to 359 00:18:56,799 --> 00:18:58,880 consider a permanent band stand and I 360 00:18:58,880 --> 00:19:00,880 think it's all about 361 00:19:00,880 --> 00:19:03,440 scale in relation to the park because 362 00:19:03,440 --> 00:19:06,240 there's enough demand for that and like 363 00:19:06,240 --> 00:19:09,120 our trails etc. We either manage it or 364 00:19:09,120 --> 00:19:12,640 we don't. I think it's time to manage 365 00:19:12,640 --> 00:19:14,320 live music in the park, which I think 366 00:19:14,320 --> 00:19:16,880 would be a significant benefit to this 367 00:19:16,880 --> 00:19:18,559 community. I think the public comments 368 00:19:18,559 --> 00:19:21,200 going to come out resoundingly in favor. 369 00:19:21,200 --> 00:19:23,440 With that said, 370 00:19:23,440 --> 00:19:24,880 >> and that's the reason we're doing it. 371 00:19:24,880 --> 00:19:26,640 Thank you. 372 00:19:26,640 --> 00:19:28,320 >> Further volunteer board reports. 373 00:19:28,320 --> 00:19:30,240 Rebecca, 374 00:19:30,240 --> 00:19:32,400 >> yeah, just the climate action committee 375 00:19:32,400 --> 00:19:35,039 met. Um Ryan mentioned that we reviewed 376 00:19:35,039 --> 00:19:37,840 the wildfire plan. 377 00:19:37,840 --> 00:19:39,440 There's some feedback that it was a 378 00:19:39,440 --> 00:19:43,520 little bit to read and not very user 379 00:19:43,520 --> 00:19:48,559 friendly and so sorry but um so we're 380 00:19:48,559 --> 00:19:51,120 anxious about the next stage of what 381 00:19:51,120 --> 00:19:52,640 happened. So maybe at the end of the 382 00:19:52,640 --> 00:19:55,679 meeting we could talk about that. Um but 383 00:19:55,679 --> 00:19:57,679 Richard showed up and talked about fire 384 00:19:57,679 --> 00:20:02,240 again and presented another um plan from 385 00:20:02,240 --> 00:20:04,400 the North Fork which was really helpful. 386 00:20:04,400 --> 00:20:07,200 Um, and then there was a tour of the 387 00:20:07,200 --> 00:20:10,320 sustainability center and then the the 388 00:20:10,320 --> 00:20:12,160 teacher that runs that came to the 389 00:20:12,160 --> 00:20:14,160 meeting and talked about how the 390 00:20:14,160 --> 00:20:16,799 community might be more supportive in 391 00:20:16,799 --> 00:20:19,760 using that center um to produce more 392 00:20:19,760 --> 00:20:26,400 food. Um, and we're still working on the 393 00:20:26,400 --> 00:20:29,280 I don't know what the modeling using a 394 00:20:29,280 --> 00:20:32,240 lot of math um on whether or not we met 395 00:20:32,240 --> 00:20:35,760 our goals of reducing our carbon 396 00:20:35,760 --> 00:20:39,120 footprint by 26%. So that will be coming 397 00:20:39,120 --> 00:20:42,080 in the future. 398 00:20:42,080 --> 00:20:44,799 >> Thanks Rebecca. Any additional volunteer 399 00:20:44,799 --> 00:20:48,320 board reports from the council? 400 00:20:48,320 --> 00:20:50,159 Not seeing any. You have the consent 401 00:20:50,159 --> 00:20:52,640 agenda enclosed in the packet from the 402 00:20:52,640 --> 00:20:56,159 August 3rd, 2026 special as well as as 403 00:20:56,159 --> 00:20:57,840 well as regular meeting. I would 404 00:20:57,840 --> 00:21:00,159 entertain a motion. 405 00:21:00,159 --> 00:21:01,200 >> Rebecca, 406 00:21:01,200 --> 00:21:03,039 >> make a motion to approve the consent 407 00:21:03,039 --> 00:21:05,039 agenda without change. 408 00:21:05,039 --> 00:21:07,120 >> Is there a second? Second. Seconded by 409 00:21:07,120 --> 00:21:10,640 councelor Sweeney. Further discussion? 410 00:21:10,640 --> 00:21:13,600 Showing of hands in favor, please. That 411 00:21:13,600 --> 00:21:16,400 motion does carry unanimously, 412 00:21:16,400 --> 00:21:18,000 Michelle. Which brings us on to our 413 00:21:18,000 --> 00:21:19,520 first 414 00:21:19,520 --> 00:21:21,520 public hearing. Actually, if it's okay 415 00:21:21,520 --> 00:21:24,640 with our city manager, Dana, we do have 416 00:21:24,640 --> 00:21:28,640 the FY26 budget amendments. Would you 417 00:21:28,640 --> 00:21:31,200 like to take those as individual 418 00:21:31,200 --> 00:21:33,840 hearings or kind of group those along 419 00:21:33,840 --> 00:21:37,360 with the budget tax levying assessments? 420 00:21:37,360 --> 00:21:39,760 >> So, I would um recommend holding a 421 00:21:39,760 --> 00:21:41,679 public hearing for the fiscal year 26 422 00:21:41,679 --> 00:21:43,360 budget amendments and then a separate 423 00:21:43,360 --> 00:21:45,039 public hearing for the fiscal year 27 424 00:21:45,039 --> 00:21:46,960 budget amendments. Um, and that would 425 00:21:46,960 --> 00:21:48,480 include all the resolutions under each 426 00:21:48,480 --> 00:21:49,280 of those items. 427 00:21:49,280 --> 00:21:51,039 >> Okay. 428 00:21:51,039 --> 00:21:53,760 With that said, we did advertise for a 429 00:21:53,760 --> 00:21:57,679 public hearing on resolution 26-22 430 00:21:57,679 --> 00:22:00,880 amending the 2026 fiscal year annual 431 00:22:00,880 --> 00:22:04,080 budget to increase appropriations in 432 00:22:04,080 --> 00:22:06,799 three funds of the city. And we will 433 00:22:06,799 --> 00:22:09,840 take public comment on this item now. 434 00:22:09,840 --> 00:22:13,280 Any public comments? 435 00:22:13,280 --> 00:22:21,909 Anyone online? Michelle, 436 00:22:21,919 --> 00:22:23,679 » for those of you who are attending 437 00:22:23,679 --> 00:22:26,000 online, would you if you would like to 438 00:22:26,000 --> 00:22:27,679 speak towards the amendments for the 439 00:22:27,679 --> 00:22:36,149 FY26 budget, please raise your hand. 440 00:22:36,159 --> 00:22:37,360 I think we're good. 441 00:22:37,360 --> 00:22:38,880 >> Thanks, Michelle. I'll turn it back to 442 00:22:38,880 --> 00:22:48,950 the council for a motion or discussion. 443 00:22:48,960 --> 00:22:52,799 I move to um approve resolution number 444 00:22:52,799 --> 00:22:55,679 26-22, 445 00:22:55,679 --> 00:22:58,559 a resolution amending the 2026 fiscal 446 00:22:58,559 --> 00:23:00,159 year annual budget to increase 447 00:23:00,159 --> 00:23:02,880 appropriations in three funds of the 448 00:23:02,880 --> 00:23:05,520 city. Do you want me to read them? 449 00:23:05,520 --> 00:23:06,159 >> No. 450 00:23:06,159 --> 00:23:08,480 >> Record. Okay. 451 00:23:08,480 --> 00:23:11,760 Sorry, we're trying to get out of here. 452 00:23:11,760 --> 00:23:14,080 I deserve a second to the motion 453 00:23:14,080 --> 00:23:16,080 seconded by councelor Cornell. Further 454 00:23:16,080 --> 00:23:20,880 discussion Jeppy any comments? 455 00:23:20,880 --> 00:23:22,559 All those in favor please raise your 456 00:23:22,559 --> 00:23:26,080 hand. Those opposed like sign and that 457 00:23:26,080 --> 00:23:28,640 motion does carry unanimously 458 00:23:28,640 --> 00:23:32,159 which brings us on to resolution 26-23 459 00:23:32,159 --> 00:23:34,880 which we did advertise for a public 460 00:23:34,880 --> 00:23:36,880 hearing and public comment tonight 461 00:23:36,880 --> 00:23:39,039 ordering the transfer of excess amounts 462 00:23:39,039 --> 00:23:41,520 in the special improvement district 463 00:23:41,520 --> 00:23:45,520 number 166 fund and the SID revolving 464 00:23:45,520 --> 00:23:46,640 fund. 465 00:23:46,640 --> 00:23:50,630 >> Dana, anything to add? 466 00:23:50,640 --> 00:23:52,640 » Laney? 467 00:23:52,640 --> 00:23:53,840 >> Sure. 468 00:23:53,840 --> 00:23:57,280 Hello council and mayor. Um yes, for 469 00:23:57,280 --> 00:24:01,360 this particular resolution um um let's 470 00:24:01,360 --> 00:24:03,520 see I had to cut out some of my 471 00:24:03,520 --> 00:24:06,559 presentation here. Um the resolution to 472 00:24:06,559 --> 00:24:09,280 increase appropriations of resolution 473 00:24:09,280 --> 00:24:13,600 2623 orders transfers out of the SID 166 474 00:24:13,600 --> 00:24:16,880 bond debt fund to close out the fund and 475 00:24:16,880 --> 00:24:19,679 out of the revolving bond fund to reduce 476 00:24:19,679 --> 00:24:22,640 cash reserves to appropriate levels. 477 00:24:22,640 --> 00:24:25,360 staff recommends approval of this 478 00:24:25,360 --> 00:24:27,120 resolution. 479 00:24:27,120 --> 00:24:29,679 >> Thank you, Laney. We will take public 480 00:24:29,679 --> 00:24:32,799 comment at this point. Any comments from 481 00:24:32,799 --> 00:24:39,669 the public on this hearing? Richard, 482 00:24:39,679 --> 00:24:44,870 » just a quick question. Does that have 483 00:24:44,880 --> 00:24:46,559 street 484 00:24:46,559 --> 00:24:49,679 and does this have any impact on whether 485 00:24:49,679 --> 00:24:53,679 or not we can squeeze um the request 486 00:24:53,679 --> 00:24:58,240 from Habitat uh for uh additional funds 487 00:24:58,240 --> 00:25:01,200 or would it affect how we can ask for 488 00:25:01,200 --> 00:25:03,440 additional funds for the proposed 489 00:25:03,440 --> 00:25:09,110 project that you'll hear about later in 490 00:25:09,120 --> 00:25:12,559 » does either one of the SID 166 or the 491 00:25:12,559 --> 00:25:14,320 revolving fund have those kinds of 492 00:25:14,320 --> 00:25:17,600 monies in them that could be used. So um 493 00:25:17,600 --> 00:25:19,360 what is proposed here and and what will 494 00:25:19,360 --> 00:25:21,840 occur for fiscal year 26 is moving funds 495 00:25:21,840 --> 00:25:24,799 from SID 166 fund which is a special 496 00:25:24,799 --> 00:25:26,880 improvement district for JP road that 497 00:25:26,880 --> 00:25:28,799 has been the bond has been paid in full 498 00:25:28,799 --> 00:25:30,080 that has been moved to the revolving 499 00:25:30,080 --> 00:25:31,679 fund which then placed the revolving 500 00:25:31,679 --> 00:25:34,559 fund into a higher amount in that fund 501 00:25:34,559 --> 00:25:36,640 than legally allowed by state law which 502 00:25:36,640 --> 00:25:38,880 is up to 10% of the current outstanding 503 00:25:38,880 --> 00:25:42,880 principle. that amount um we retained 504 00:25:42,880 --> 00:25:44,640 the amount contributed in the revolving 505 00:25:44,640 --> 00:25:47,440 fund for SID 166 which is our only SID 506 00:25:47,440 --> 00:25:48,720 outstanding which is the parking 507 00:25:48,720 --> 00:25:51,600 structure and so that that amount of 508 00:25:51,600 --> 00:25:52,880 funds was actually transferred to the 509 00:25:52,880 --> 00:25:54,640 general fund and is already represented 510 00:25:54,640 --> 00:25:56,799 as cash in your fiscal year 27 budget 511 00:25:56,799 --> 00:25:59,039 that we'll review shortly. Thank you, 512 00:25:59,039 --> 00:25:59,520 Dana. 513 00:25:59,520 --> 00:26:03,039 >> Have no effect on the projects that you 514 00:26:03,039 --> 00:26:04,880 >> Thanks, Richard. Michelle, anyone online 515 00:26:04,880 --> 00:26:09,350 wishing to provide public comment? 516 00:26:09,360 --> 00:26:11,039 » Those of you who are online, if you'd 517 00:26:11,039 --> 00:26:13,840 like to speak towards the resolution 518 00:26:13,840 --> 00:26:17,039 regarding SID 166 funds, please raise 519 00:26:17,039 --> 00:26:23,909 your hand. 520 00:26:23,919 --> 00:26:25,039 » I think we're good. 521 00:26:25,039 --> 00:26:26,880 >> Thank you, Michelle. I would entertain a 522 00:26:26,880 --> 00:26:30,960 motion, please. Resolution 26-23. 523 00:26:30,960 --> 00:26:31,760 Frank, 524 00:26:31,760 --> 00:26:34,640 >> I'll move to approve resolution uh 525 00:26:34,640 --> 00:26:37,360 26-23, a resolution ordering the 526 00:26:37,360 --> 00:26:40,000 transfer of excess amounts in the 527 00:26:40,000 --> 00:26:42,640 special improvement district 166 fund 528 00:26:42,640 --> 00:26:45,440 and the SID revolving fund. Is there a 529 00:26:45,440 --> 00:26:47,279 second to the motion? 530 00:26:47,279 --> 00:26:49,600 >> Seconded by councelor Davis. Further 531 00:26:49,600 --> 00:26:53,039 discussion, Jeppi. 532 00:26:53,039 --> 00:26:54,720 All those in favor of the motion, please 533 00:26:54,720 --> 00:26:57,440 raise your hand. and those opposed like 534 00:26:57,440 --> 00:26:59,600 sign and that motion does carry 535 00:26:59,600 --> 00:27:03,360 unanimously. Thanks Dana and Laney. Uh 536 00:27:03,360 --> 00:27:07,679 we will move on to our FY27 budget tax 537 00:27:07,679 --> 00:27:10,720 levy and assessments public hearing. I 538 00:27:10,720 --> 00:27:13,200 will entertain one 539 00:27:13,200 --> 00:27:16,000 uh staff presentation on resolutions 540 00:27:16,000 --> 00:27:18,640 26-24 541 00:27:18,640 --> 00:27:22,000 through 26-33 542 00:27:22,000 --> 00:27:25,120 if that's okay with the council. And we 543 00:27:25,120 --> 00:27:29,200 will entertain one motion for the actual 544 00:27:29,200 --> 00:27:32,080 budget and then one motion for 545 00:27:32,080 --> 00:27:35,360 resolutions 26-25 546 00:27:35,360 --> 00:27:38,559 through 33 of final adoption of the 547 00:27:38,559 --> 00:27:41,520 budget. Dana, 548 00:27:41,520 --> 00:27:43,279 >> good evening, mayor and city council. 549 00:27:43,279 --> 00:27:45,279 It's my pleasure to present um the 550 00:27:45,279 --> 00:27:47,840 proposed final fiscal year 2027 budget 551 00:27:47,840 --> 00:27:50,159 for your consideration. We've had four 552 00:27:50,159 --> 00:27:51,919 work sessions and a public hearing to 553 00:27:51,919 --> 00:27:55,039 adopt the preliminary budget tonight. um 554 00:27:55,039 --> 00:27:56,720 because we've had so much work done, I'm 555 00:27:56,720 --> 00:27:59,120 going to focus on the the updates that 556 00:27:59,120 --> 00:28:00,720 we've had since your most rec recent 557 00:28:00,720 --> 00:28:02,799 work session and then some of the risk 558 00:28:02,799 --> 00:28:05,520 and just policy overall um impacts that 559 00:28:05,520 --> 00:28:08,320 we have in the budget. So, just as a 560 00:28:08,320 --> 00:28:10,880 reminder, the state uh tax changes that 561 00:28:10,880 --> 00:28:12,960 occurred with Senate Bill 542 and House 562 00:28:12,960 --> 00:28:15,919 Bill 231 um introduced a graduated 563 00:28:15,919 --> 00:28:19,279 residential rate for property taxes in 564 00:28:19,279 --> 00:28:22,720 fiscal year 26. A homestead distinction 565 00:28:22,720 --> 00:28:25,279 is in effect for primary residents in 566 00:28:25,279 --> 00:28:28,159 fiscal year 27. There is a lawsuit 567 00:28:28,159 --> 00:28:30,720 challenging those changes. Um and so we 568 00:28:30,720 --> 00:28:34,080 will continue to monitor that. 569 00:28:34,080 --> 00:28:37,039 Future legislation may also restrict or 570 00:28:37,039 --> 00:28:38,960 eliminate the use of carry forward mills 571 00:28:38,960 --> 00:28:40,880 as we have seen similar bills in the 572 00:28:40,880 --> 00:28:43,520 past and just in this last session the 573 00:28:43,520 --> 00:28:45,200 legislature limited the amount of newly 574 00:28:45,200 --> 00:28:48,159 taxable value cities receive. Um, in 575 00:28:48,159 --> 00:28:50,000 response to this risk and reducing 576 00:28:50,000 --> 00:28:52,000 exposure, the proposed budget in the 577 00:28:52,000 --> 00:28:54,480 council packet prudently captures an 578 00:28:54,480 --> 00:28:58,240 additional five mills. We will monitor 579 00:28:58,240 --> 00:29:00,799 um both of uh the implementation and 580 00:29:00,799 --> 00:29:03,200 litigation around Senate Bill 542 and 581 00:29:03,200 --> 00:29:05,279 House Bill 231 582 00:29:05,279 --> 00:29:07,120 just to see, you know, how our municipal 583 00:29:07,120 --> 00:29:09,039 budget authority will proceed in the 584 00:29:09,039 --> 00:29:11,600 future. We do in our budget for fiscal 585 00:29:11,600 --> 00:29:13,919 year 27 have funds for a lobbyist to 586 00:29:13,919 --> 00:29:15,600 support staff and the city council in 587 00:29:15,600 --> 00:29:16,799 those efforts during the next 588 00:29:16,799 --> 00:29:20,960 legislative session starting in January. 589 00:29:20,960 --> 00:29:23,360 And on to the revenue side of things. 590 00:29:23,360 --> 00:29:25,840 Late um on Monday, August 3rd, the city 591 00:29:25,840 --> 00:29:27,520 received its taxable value from the 592 00:29:27,520 --> 00:29:29,679 department of revenue. Our certified 593 00:29:29,679 --> 00:29:32,559 taxable value rose 16 a.5% which was 594 00:29:32,559 --> 00:29:34,320 driven largely by the state level 595 00:29:34,320 --> 00:29:36,159 changes affecting non- primary 596 00:29:36,159 --> 00:29:38,480 residences. Newly taxable property 597 00:29:38,480 --> 00:29:41,360 accounted for about 2% of that increase. 598 00:29:41,360 --> 00:29:45,520 The net mill levy increase of 6.81 mills 599 00:29:45,520 --> 00:29:47,360 fund market level pay and restore 600 00:29:47,360 --> 00:29:49,600 structural balance without tapping into 601 00:29:49,600 --> 00:29:52,559 reserves for ongoing operations. As 602 00:29:52,559 --> 00:29:54,320 proposed, the city will use about 603 00:29:54,320 --> 00:29:56,320 2,32,000 604 00:29:56,320 --> 00:29:58,640 of reserves for one-time projects in 605 00:29:58,640 --> 00:30:00,799 property tax supported funds. That 606 00:30:00,799 --> 00:30:03,840 includes 918,000 for the depot park town 607 00:30:03,840 --> 00:30:07,520 homes project, about uh $1.1 million for 608 00:30:07,520 --> 00:30:11,430 capital projects. 609 00:30:11,440 --> 00:30:14,240 Residential property tax impacts um 610 00:30:14,240 --> 00:30:19,360 include about a 7 $7.76 611 00:30:19,360 --> 00:30:23,679 um annual increase for a 1 million.01 612 00:30:23,679 --> 00:30:27,200 um I guess $1 million home um that is a 613 00:30:27,200 --> 00:30:29,440 primary residence. And so that is less 614 00:30:29,440 --> 00:30:32,640 than a 1% increase. A the same property 615 00:30:32,640 --> 00:30:34,320 if it's a second home or a short-term 616 00:30:34,320 --> 00:30:37,200 rental would be facing a $615 617 00:30:37,200 --> 00:30:40,240 increase per year or for the year. To 618 00:30:40,240 --> 00:30:41,919 put into perspective though the state 619 00:30:41,919 --> 00:30:44,640 changes. If the taxable values were 620 00:30:44,640 --> 00:30:46,720 still based on the fiscal year 26 tax 621 00:30:46,720 --> 00:30:49,200 rates and um there was no homestead 622 00:30:49,200 --> 00:30:51,440 exemption, a home valued at that $1 623 00:30:51,440 --> 00:30:54,640 million would see a 6.4% increase or 624 00:30:54,640 --> 00:30:57,600 about $5166. 625 00:30:57,600 --> 00:31:00,240 So that shows for that second home the 626 00:31:00,240 --> 00:31:02,799 change um is so significant because of 627 00:31:02,799 --> 00:31:05,200 the way that they've done the tax rates 628 00:31:05,200 --> 00:31:07,279 at the state level. Our maintenance 629 00:31:07,279 --> 00:31:09,200 assessments were adjusted based on the 630 00:31:09,200 --> 00:31:11,039 needs of each fund while ensuring 631 00:31:11,039 --> 00:31:12,720 adequate fund balance. So our storm 632 00:31:12,720 --> 00:31:14,480 water assessment is being reduced by 633 00:31:14,480 --> 00:31:17,200 20%. Residential lighting is being 634 00:31:17,200 --> 00:31:19,840 reduced by 5%. Commercial lighting will 635 00:31:19,840 --> 00:31:22,080 be reduced by 10%. The parks and 636 00:31:22,080 --> 00:31:24,880 greenway assessment will increase 3% and 637 00:31:24,880 --> 00:31:26,799 the streets ma street maintenance 638 00:31:26,799 --> 00:31:28,399 assessment will remain flat from the 639 00:31:28,399 --> 00:31:30,399 prior year. 640 00:31:30,399 --> 00:31:32,559 We have a lot of capital projects within 641 00:31:32,559 --> 00:31:34,080 the budget this year and we're 642 00:31:34,080 --> 00:31:36,399 continuing to utilize cash that we have 643 00:31:36,399 --> 00:31:38,799 on hand and grants. Some of our more 644 00:31:38,799 --> 00:31:40,559 significant capital investments are 645 00:31:40,559 --> 00:31:43,919 utilizing SRF or intercap loan programs 646 00:31:43,919 --> 00:31:46,159 and it's uh with a reasonable you know 647 00:31:46,159 --> 00:31:49,760 time time of debt to asset ratio uh 648 00:31:49,760 --> 00:31:52,320 asset life ratio 649 00:31:52,320 --> 00:31:54,159 debt um our debt profile remains 650 00:31:54,159 --> 00:31:56,559 manageable no general obligation debt. 651 00:31:56,559 --> 00:31:58,799 Our primary outstanding obligations are 652 00:31:58,799 --> 00:32:02,159 water and wastewater SRF loans and our 653 00:32:02,159 --> 00:32:04,720 uh special improvement district 167 or 654 00:32:04,720 --> 00:32:07,440 downtown parking structure. 655 00:32:07,440 --> 00:32:09,440 The um added mills provide tax revenue 656 00:32:09,440 --> 00:32:12,640 to support two new inner cap loans. Um 657 00:32:12,640 --> 00:32:14,960 one is for the ice den roof replacement 658 00:32:14,960 --> 00:32:17,440 which um that is in the budget but we 659 00:32:17,440 --> 00:32:18,960 will seek council direction on how to 660 00:32:18,960 --> 00:32:20,960 proceed with that in the future and then 661 00:32:20,960 --> 00:32:22,960 also for the uh fire department's ladder 662 00:32:22,960 --> 00:32:25,679 truck which has been on order um and is 663 00:32:25,679 --> 00:32:28,799 expected in fiscal year I think 28 or 664 00:32:28,799 --> 00:32:30,399 29. 665 00:32:30,399 --> 00:32:32,240 But at least we have the the revenue to 666 00:32:32,240 --> 00:32:36,240 support that loan um when uh it is uh 667 00:32:36,240 --> 00:32:39,440 arrives. Um the fiscal year budget it 668 00:32:39,440 --> 00:32:41,360 successfully has all city positions 669 00:32:41,360 --> 00:32:43,519 reaching market rates that were um 670 00:32:43,519 --> 00:32:46,159 identified in the 2024 wage market rate 671 00:32:46,159 --> 00:32:48,799 study. Um the standard adjustment is a 672 00:32:48,799 --> 00:32:51,279 4% increase with a 2% cost of living 673 00:32:51,279 --> 00:32:54,159 adjustment and a 2% step. Health 674 00:32:54,159 --> 00:32:57,360 benefits um premiums increased 5%. The 675 00:32:57,360 --> 00:32:59,440 city will be covering about 81% of total 676 00:32:59,440 --> 00:33:01,600 premiums. It helps moderate the employee 677 00:33:01,600 --> 00:33:03,919 impact, but also is is a cost to the 678 00:33:03,919 --> 00:33:05,679 city. 679 00:33:05,679 --> 00:33:09,039 New positions are added in the budget um 680 00:33:09,039 --> 00:33:10,799 including some positions that have moved 681 00:33:10,799 --> 00:33:13,600 from part-time to full-time, and that 682 00:33:13,600 --> 00:33:15,840 includes a city a second city mechanic, 683 00:33:15,840 --> 00:33:18,240 a weekend park maintenance tech, a court 684 00:33:18,240 --> 00:33:22,159 clerk, an assistant library director. 685 00:33:22,159 --> 00:33:24,159 These uh positions mitigate service 686 00:33:24,159 --> 00:33:26,240 bottlenecks, reduce outsourcing and 687 00:33:26,240 --> 00:33:29,600 improve our continuity. 688 00:33:29,600 --> 00:33:32,720 Utilities um for water and wastewater um 689 00:33:32,720 --> 00:33:35,519 there are rate um adjustments considered 690 00:33:35,519 --> 00:33:37,840 in the budget. Um but um there has not 691 00:33:37,840 --> 00:33:40,000 been a decision on what those will be. 692 00:33:40,000 --> 00:33:42,240 Um it is likely that we'll see um 693 00:33:42,240 --> 00:33:43,919 anywhere from a one and a half to two 694 00:33:43,919 --> 00:33:46,240 and a half or 3% increase. Um but that 695 00:33:46,240 --> 00:33:48,720 will be done over uh or that would be a 696 00:33:48,720 --> 00:33:50,000 discussion that we'll have later this 697 00:33:50,000 --> 00:33:54,159 fall. solid waste is contracted um with 698 00:33:54,159 --> 00:33:56,720 uh Republic Services and with that 699 00:33:56,720 --> 00:34:01,519 contract comes a 3.25% annual increase. 700 00:34:01,519 --> 00:34:04,720 So the property tax supported uh funds 701 00:34:04,720 --> 00:34:06,799 um have an ending fund balance projected 702 00:34:06,799 --> 00:34:12,240 at $6.14 million. It's about 30.77% 703 00:34:12,240 --> 00:34:14,560 of total expenditures. It is slightly 704 00:34:14,560 --> 00:34:18,320 above the 20 to 25% targeted range. Um, 705 00:34:18,320 --> 00:34:21,599 but that is 5% lower than the prior 706 00:34:21,599 --> 00:34:23,599 year. 707 00:34:23,599 --> 00:34:25,839 So in short, the fiscal year 27 budget 708 00:34:25,839 --> 00:34:27,440 keeps Whitefish on a solid financial 709 00:34:27,440 --> 00:34:29,280 footing. The city is positioned to 710 00:34:29,280 --> 00:34:30,879 maintain core services, invest 711 00:34:30,879 --> 00:34:32,399 strategically in infrastructure, and 712 00:34:32,399 --> 00:34:34,960 respond to evolving community needs 713 00:34:34,960 --> 00:34:36,720 while upholding long-term financial 714 00:34:36,720 --> 00:34:38,480 sustainability. With our strong 715 00:34:38,480 --> 00:34:40,240 reserves, targeted staffing 716 00:34:40,240 --> 00:34:42,240 enhancements, and focused capital 717 00:34:42,240 --> 00:34:44,000 planning, the city can continue to 718 00:34:44,000 --> 00:34:45,520 deliver high-quality services to 719 00:34:45,520 --> 00:34:48,480 residents and businesses regardless of 720 00:34:48,480 --> 00:34:50,639 market fluctuations. As always, I'm 721 00:34:50,639 --> 00:34:52,320 grateful for the contributions from our 722 00:34:52,320 --> 00:34:54,000 department director, staff, and the city 723 00:34:54,000 --> 00:34:55,919 council. This year's budget has been a 724 00:34:55,919 --> 00:34:57,359 team effort with thoughtful review, 725 00:34:57,359 --> 00:34:59,440 questions, and guidance. I am happy to 726 00:34:59,440 --> 00:35:01,920 answer any questions you may have. 727 00:35:01,920 --> 00:35:03,920 >> Thank you, Dana. on your staff report. 728 00:35:03,920 --> 00:35:06,720 Any questions for our city manager on 729 00:35:06,720 --> 00:35:13,750 the FY27 budget? 730 00:35:13,760 --> 00:35:15,920 Steve, 731 00:35:15,920 --> 00:35:19,680 um Dana, uh can you just repeat what you 732 00:35:19,680 --> 00:35:21,680 said for me? I think I think I got this 733 00:35:21,680 --> 00:35:26,240 clear. You said that um if we had if if 734 00:35:26,240 --> 00:35:28,240 they hadn't changed if House Bill 231 735 00:35:28,240 --> 00:35:31,359 hadn't passed where they revised the the 736 00:35:31,359 --> 00:35:35,200 um tax rates uh for second homeowners, 737 00:35:35,200 --> 00:35:37,119 the average person the average million 738 00:35:37,119 --> 00:35:38,640 dollar home in Whitefish, which is about 739 00:35:38,640 --> 00:35:43,760 average um would have gone up 6.17%. 740 00:35:43,760 --> 00:35:44,720 >> Would have gone up [clears throat] 741 00:35:44,720 --> 00:35:47,440 excuse me um 6.45% 742 00:35:47,440 --> 00:35:49,200 >> 6.45% 743 00:35:49,200 --> 00:35:53,599 >> about $51. But because of the changes, 744 00:35:53,599 --> 00:35:56,079 we're able to hold dur under this 745 00:35:56,079 --> 00:35:59,760 budget, we're able to hold that at less 746 00:35:59,760 --> 00:36:00,800 than 1% 747 00:36:00,800 --> 00:36:06,240 >> less than 1% at $7.76 748 00:36:06,240 --> 00:36:08,079 for the year for a primary resident 749 00:36:08,079 --> 00:36:10,400 >> as part of the city tax portion of your 750 00:36:10,400 --> 00:36:11,680 >> just the city tax portion. Correct. 751 00:36:11,680 --> 00:36:14,880 >> Okay. So that's like 55 cents a month or 752 00:36:14,880 --> 00:36:16,000 something 753 00:36:16,000 --> 00:36:19,119 >> for a million dollar home. Okay. Um and 754 00:36:19,119 --> 00:36:20,640 so thanks for that analysis. because I 755 00:36:20,640 --> 00:36:22,800 didn't I wasn't quite aware that it was 756 00:36:22,800 --> 00:36:27,680 that big of a difference. That's a huge difference. Um 757 00:36:27,680 --> 00:36:30,320 and and you also mentioned that we are 758 00:36:30,320 --> 00:36:32,079 going to have all of our employees will 759 00:36:32,079 --> 00:36:34,880 be up to 100% of the regional average 760 00:36:34,880 --> 00:36:36,960 that that we came up with that we 761 00:36:36,960 --> 00:36:39,200 learned about during our wage study. 762 00:36:39,200 --> 00:36:39,599 >> Correct. 763 00:36:39,599 --> 00:36:42,400 >> Under this budget. And that and then all 764 00:36:42,400 --> 00:36:45,200 employees will get a 2% 765 00:36:45,200 --> 00:36:47,920 increase plus a 2% step as well. 766 00:36:47,920 --> 00:36:48,400 >> Correct. 767 00:36:48,400 --> 00:36:50,800 >> Okay. So that's a roughly a 4% increase 768 00:36:50,800 --> 00:36:52,480 for everybody plus the other ones that 769 00:36:52,480 --> 00:36:54,000 are coming up to 770 00:36:54,000 --> 00:36:55,920 >> correct. Some are already at 100% and 771 00:36:55,920 --> 00:36:57,839 then some will will include an increase 772 00:36:57,839 --> 00:36:59,839 up to like 5% additional. 773 00:36:59,839 --> 00:37:02,720 >> So we're doing pretty good by our for 774 00:37:02,720 --> 00:37:04,800 our employees at this point. 775 00:37:04,800 --> 00:37:05,440 >> Absolutely. 776 00:37:05,440 --> 00:37:10,000 >> Okay. Um and then we still have 30.7% in 777 00:37:10,000 --> 00:37:13,200 the reserves or our reserves at 30 our 778 00:37:13,200 --> 00:37:15,920 reserves will be at 30.7% under this 779 00:37:15,920 --> 00:37:16,800 budget. 780 00:37:16,800 --> 00:37:17,440 >> Correct. 781 00:37:17,440 --> 00:37:21,040 >> Okay. Um, good. Uh, and but that's down 782 00:37:21,040 --> 00:37:24,800 from 35% in the last fiscal year. 783 00:37:24,800 --> 00:37:25,760 >> That is correct. 784 00:37:25,760 --> 00:37:28,640 >> Okay. So, we're spending down 5% 785 00:37:28,640 --> 00:37:30,400 of our reserves. 786 00:37:30,400 --> 00:37:31,599 >> Yeah. It's kind of a function of 787 00:37:31,599 --> 00:37:33,040 expenditures, too. So, as your 788 00:37:33,040 --> 00:37:35,920 expenditures go up, um the the the 789 00:37:35,920 --> 00:37:37,680 calculation of what you need in reserves 790 00:37:37,680 --> 00:37:40,320 also changes. So, um, we are spending 791 00:37:40,320 --> 00:37:43,359 down, uh, from what our beginning fund 792 00:37:43,359 --> 00:37:45,040 balance is for the year, about $2 793 00:37:45,040 --> 00:37:47,839 million, um, for those, uh, capital 794 00:37:47,839 --> 00:37:49,599 projects and the depot park town homes. 795 00:37:49,599 --> 00:37:51,359 We are not spending down for operations 796 00:37:51,359 --> 00:37:54,560 under this, um, proposed budget, uh, 797 00:37:54,560 --> 00:37:56,079 which is the first time in quite a few 798 00:37:56,079 --> 00:37:57,920 years. Um, but we are spending down for 799 00:37:57,920 --> 00:37:58,880 capital projects. 800 00:37:58,880 --> 00:38:00,560 >> Okay. So, it's not something that would 801 00:38:00,560 --> 00:38:02,480 be a recurring cost because that's not a 802 00:38:02,480 --> 00:38:04,720 good use of our reserve funs. Correct. 803 00:38:04,720 --> 00:38:08,480 >> Most are not reoccurring or they're within your control. It's not 804 00:38:08,480 --> 00:38:10,240 like a position that you would have to 805 00:38:10,240 --> 00:38:12,000 lay off. Um, you know, some of the ones 806 00:38:12,000 --> 00:38:14,000 that are in there for capital that I 807 00:38:14,000 --> 00:38:15,839 think of might that could be recurring 808 00:38:15,839 --> 00:38:18,320 are like a patrol ve vehicle. We do 809 00:38:18,320 --> 00:38:20,720 replace one every year. Um, we do have 810 00:38:20,720 --> 00:38:21,839 some parks equipment, you know, that 811 00:38:21,839 --> 00:38:24,640 you're replacing every year or five. You 812 00:38:24,640 --> 00:38:25,680 know, it could it depends on their 813 00:38:25,680 --> 00:38:27,599 replacement schedule. So, some of them 814 00:38:27,599 --> 00:38:29,359 are recurring, but the the majority of 815 00:38:29,359 --> 00:38:31,599 those costs are not reoccurring costs. 816 00:38:31,599 --> 00:38:33,920 >> Okay. So we're not spending down the 817 00:38:33,920 --> 00:38:37,839 reserves on things that would be that we 818 00:38:37,839 --> 00:38:39,839 continually spend down reserves on. 819 00:38:39,839 --> 00:38:40,960 That's I guess that's my question. 820 00:38:40,960 --> 00:38:43,280 >> It's improved significantly. Yes. Yes. 821 00:38:43,280 --> 00:38:45,200 Yeah. It's just the capital items where 822 00:38:45,200 --> 00:38:48,160 you know it but operational supplies and 823 00:38:48,160 --> 00:38:50,560 um personnel services those are fully 824 00:38:50,560 --> 00:38:52,320 covered under this budget. 825 00:38:52,320 --> 00:38:55,280 >> Okay. Great. Thank you. Um and then I I 826 00:38:55,280 --> 00:38:57,680 do have a couple questions. I'm I'm just 827 00:38:57,680 --> 00:38:59,440 confused about this this whole issue 828 00:38:59,440 --> 00:39:02,400 with the state 829 00:39:02,400 --> 00:39:05,440 um possibly limiting our ability to levy 830 00:39:05,440 --> 00:39:09,520 carryover mills in the future. Um have 831 00:39:09,520 --> 00:39:11,040 they and my understanding is that 832 00:39:11,040 --> 00:39:12,480 they've tried to pass bills like this, 833 00:39:12,480 --> 00:39:14,079 but they've never made it out of 834 00:39:14,079 --> 00:39:15,760 committee or they've died somewhere 835 00:39:15,760 --> 00:39:17,520 along the way. Is that correct? 836 00:39:17,520 --> 00:39:18,800 >> You know, I think the league's done a 837 00:39:18,800 --> 00:39:20,560 good job of trying to make sure that we 838 00:39:20,560 --> 00:39:22,320 retain that right to our carryover 839 00:39:22,320 --> 00:39:25,280 mills. Um but just like with taxable 840 00:39:25,280 --> 00:39:27,359 value, we were this last session, you 841 00:39:27,359 --> 00:39:29,520 know, they started at 50%. you'd only 842 00:39:29,520 --> 00:39:32,640 get 50%. Um, lot of lobbying, got that 843 00:39:32,640 --> 00:39:34,480 to 75%. 844 00:39:34,480 --> 00:39:37,280 My my biggest concern is the the county 845 00:39:37,280 --> 00:39:39,280 came out and said, "We're levying our 846 00:39:39,280 --> 00:39:40,560 carryover mills because of the 847 00:39:40,560 --> 00:39:42,640 uncertainty." Um, I think other 848 00:39:42,640 --> 00:39:44,560 communities likely are as well. And my 849 00:39:44,560 --> 00:39:46,400 concern is once they see that, they're 850 00:39:46,400 --> 00:39:48,960 going to eliminate what's remaining. 851 00:39:48,960 --> 00:39:52,320 >> Okay. And but they they could go back if 852 00:39:52,320 --> 00:39:54,320 they wanted to and say, "Well, actually, 853 00:39:54,320 --> 00:39:56,800 we're going to reindex where you were 854 00:39:56,800 --> 00:39:58,560 and we're going to reindex it to the 855 00:39:58,560 --> 00:40:00,880 beginning of fiscal year 26 when you 856 00:40:00,880 --> 00:40:03,119 when pe when the county hadn't and we 857 00:40:03,119 --> 00:40:04,960 hadn't levied any extra mills, couldn't 858 00:40:04,960 --> 00:40:07,359 they?" 859 00:40:07,359 --> 00:40:09,599 >> Most of the tax laws are not retroactive 860 00:40:09,599 --> 00:40:11,520 because it would have impacts to uh 861 00:40:11,520 --> 00:40:14,240 property taxpayers. So typically the tax 862 00:40:14,240 --> 00:40:16,240 bills are forwardlooking, 863 00:40:16,240 --> 00:40:18,000 >> but we're talking about the Montana 864 00:40:18,000 --> 00:40:20,160 state legislature in Helena. Correct. 865 00:40:20,160 --> 00:40:22,240 >> Correct. Yes. But the Department of 866 00:40:22,240 --> 00:40:24,880 Revenue, you know, has a a big job on 867 00:40:24,880 --> 00:40:26,240 their hands. So it it would depend on 868 00:40:26,240 --> 00:40:29,119 the legislation. Um but I would see, you 869 00:40:29,119 --> 00:40:30,640 know, they've done it for a voted levy. 870 00:40:30,640 --> 00:40:33,040 So our voted levy last year, we had to 871 00:40:33,040 --> 00:40:35,920 change from a 24 voted levy. The voters 872 00:40:35,920 --> 00:40:39,200 of Whitefish said 24 mills for our fire 873 00:40:39,200 --> 00:40:40,960 department. and and the state did change 874 00:40:40,960 --> 00:40:43,200 that and said sure you can keep the 24 875 00:40:43,200 --> 00:40:44,880 mills but you have to adjust to the 876 00:40:44,880 --> 00:40:47,920 prior year revenue collection and then 877 00:40:47,920 --> 00:40:49,760 you're you're based on taxable value or 878 00:40:49,760 --> 00:40:51,040 you can change to dollar value 879 00:40:51,040 --> 00:40:53,520 assessment and then go up with our 880 00:40:53,520 --> 00:40:56,160 calculation for 1510420. So there's some 881 00:40:56,160 --> 00:40:57,599 stuff that's retroactive and and they 882 00:40:57,599 --> 00:41:00,720 aren't even necessarily I guess in that 883 00:41:00,720 --> 00:41:02,560 specific legislation I felt that they 884 00:41:02,560 --> 00:41:04,240 weren't even letting the voters have a 885 00:41:04,240 --> 00:41:05,760 decision because they had already made 886 00:41:05,760 --> 00:41:07,040 that decision here locally. 887 00:41:07,040 --> 00:41:10,160 >> Right. So I mean they they I mean, my 888 00:41:10,160 --> 00:41:12,960 concern is that if we do this and we, 889 00:41:12,960 --> 00:41:14,960 you know, we add these extra mills, 890 00:41:14,960 --> 00:41:16,640 we're adding five mills, correct? 891 00:41:16,640 --> 00:41:18,000 According to 892 00:41:18,000 --> 00:41:18,560 >> what's in the 893 00:41:18,560 --> 00:41:20,079 >> from what from what the original 894 00:41:20,079 --> 00:41:21,599 proposed budget was. 895 00:41:21,599 --> 00:41:22,160 >> Correct. 896 00:41:22,160 --> 00:41:23,839 >> We're adding an extra five mills to try 897 00:41:23,839 --> 00:41:26,160 to capture some of that money. 898 00:41:26,160 --> 00:41:26,800 >> Correct. 899 00:41:26,800 --> 00:41:30,240 >> Um, but the concern and and there's been 900 00:41:30,240 --> 00:41:32,480 a lot of hand ringing about this um on 901 00:41:32,480 --> 00:41:34,079 the city council about what do we do 902 00:41:34,079 --> 00:41:38,560 about this? Um, but it just seems that 903 00:41:38,560 --> 00:41:40,319 no matter what we do, they're going to 904 00:41:40,319 --> 00:41:43,119 paint a bullseye around us anyway. Um, 905 00:41:43,119 --> 00:41:46,000 and if we if we start to if we do go 906 00:41:46,000 --> 00:41:48,800 back and levy these extra mills and we 907 00:41:48,800 --> 00:41:51,119 go increase it from five to 10 or even 908 00:41:51,119 --> 00:41:53,200 all the way to we have what 21 mills we 909 00:41:53,200 --> 00:41:56,640 could levy 21 point something roughly. 910 00:41:56,640 --> 00:41:58,160 >> Yeah. Yeah. Well, I think we'll with the 911 00:41:58,160 --> 00:41:59,359 five mills. Um, 912 00:41:59,359 --> 00:42:01,359 >> but it just seems to me that they would 913 00:42:01,359 --> 00:42:03,440 that I mean, 914 00:42:03,440 --> 00:42:05,680 >> does it seem it just seems to me anyway 915 00:42:05,680 --> 00:42:07,440 and I'll and then I'll ask you one more 916 00:42:07,440 --> 00:42:08,880 question, I'll be done, but it just 917 00:42:08,880 --> 00:42:11,040 seems to me that if we do that, you 918 00:42:11,040 --> 00:42:12,160 know, that's going to draw their 919 00:42:12,160 --> 00:42:15,119 attention even more than um than us 920 00:42:15,119 --> 00:42:17,280 actually doing right by our city 921 00:42:17,280 --> 00:42:19,040 residents for years and years and not 922 00:42:19,040 --> 00:42:22,160 raising taxes. Uh, and this this five 923 00:42:22,160 --> 00:42:25,680 mills is just to me it seems as if it's, 924 00:42:25,680 --> 00:42:30,319 you know, $7 a year. Um the the last 925 00:42:30,319 --> 00:42:32,560 question I have though is that if they 926 00:42:32,560 --> 00:42:34,480 do if they do pass a law that says we 927 00:42:34,480 --> 00:42:36,160 can't 928 00:42:36,160 --> 00:42:39,040 um that we can't levy those uh carryover 929 00:42:39,040 --> 00:42:40,720 mills. 930 00:42:40,720 --> 00:42:42,480 Do those laws take effect immediately 931 00:42:42,480 --> 00:42:44,240 and then we're we can't do anything for 932 00:42:44,240 --> 00:42:45,520 our next budget year because I mean 933 00:42:45,520 --> 00:42:47,920 they're not going to meet until January 934 00:42:47,920 --> 00:42:51,200 of 2027 and then they only meet for four 935 00:42:51,200 --> 00:42:53,359 months and in the meantime we'll be 936 00:42:53,359 --> 00:42:55,520 preparing a new budget with the 937 00:42:55,520 --> 00:42:57,359 possibility of saying oh looks like they 938 00:42:57,359 --> 00:42:59,119 tried to take away our mills now we 939 00:42:59,119 --> 00:43:02,240 should go in and levy them rather than 940 00:43:02,240 --> 00:43:03,200 >> so they could make 941 00:43:03,200 --> 00:43:04,720 >> Could we do a budget amendment? What are 942 00:43:04,720 --> 00:43:05,520 our options? 943 00:43:05,520 --> 00:43:07,280 >> Yeah. So for next fiscal year, they can 944 00:43:07,280 --> 00:43:09,040 make their bill bill bills effective 945 00:43:09,040 --> 00:43:11,200 upon signing. Um they can be effective 946 00:43:11,200 --> 00:43:12,960 immediately. Typically a bill is 947 00:43:12,960 --> 00:43:15,520 effective October one, but um for tax 948 00:43:15,520 --> 00:43:17,760 bills, they they can make them 949 00:43:17,760 --> 00:43:19,359 immediately effective. So if you if you 950 00:43:19,359 --> 00:43:22,640 recall the the 2025 legislation that 951 00:43:22,640 --> 00:43:25,119 came out about the tax rates were for 952 00:43:25,119 --> 00:43:27,599 fiscal year 26. So they adopted them, 953 00:43:27,599 --> 00:43:30,480 you know, by May of 2025 and that was 954 00:43:30,480 --> 00:43:33,440 effective for our budget that fall. So, 955 00:43:33,440 --> 00:43:35,119 or summer, I guess for kind of summer, 956 00:43:35,119 --> 00:43:38,480 but yeah, they they can do that. They can make it effective so that 957 00:43:38,480 --> 00:43:40,560 because we don't pass our budgets till 958 00:43:40,560 --> 00:43:42,079 August. We don't get taxable value till 959 00:43:42,079 --> 00:43:44,319 August. They could do changes. 960 00:43:44,319 --> 00:43:46,800 >> Okay. Could we do a budget amendment and 961 00:43:46,800 --> 00:43:48,000 levy? 962 00:43:48,000 --> 00:43:50,240 >> Not on the tax levy side because we have 963 00:43:50,240 --> 00:43:52,800 to have those to the county u by the 1st 964 00:43:52,800 --> 00:43:54,640 of September. So, we couldn't go back 965 00:43:54,640 --> 00:43:57,040 and levy for this fiscal year budget. 966 00:43:57,040 --> 00:43:59,520 >> Okay. Thank you. That's all I have. 967 00:43:59,520 --> 00:44:02,160 >> Thank you, Steve. Rebecca. 968 00:44:02,160 --> 00:44:04,560 >> Yep. Um Dana, could you just take a 969 00:44:04,560 --> 00:44:07,280 minute to explain how when the tiff 970 00:44:07,280 --> 00:44:15,280 expired, we then um normally the those 971 00:44:15,280 --> 00:44:18,800 um okay taxes would go into the general 972 00:44:18,800 --> 00:44:21,599 fund, but um at the time the city 973 00:44:21,599 --> 00:44:25,359 manager advised the council to eliminate 974 00:44:25,359 --> 00:44:28,880 10 mills. And so we it's actually 975 00:44:28,880 --> 00:44:31,760 legally what we're capable of taxing, 976 00:44:31,760 --> 00:44:33,839 but he felt like we were in a financial 977 00:44:33,839 --> 00:44:35,440 situation at the time where we didn't 978 00:44:35,440 --> 00:44:38,640 need those 10 mills. Um but could you 979 00:44:38,640 --> 00:44:40,800 explain that history because I think 980 00:44:40,800 --> 00:44:43,680 it's kind of pertinent to right now. 981 00:44:43,680 --> 00:44:48,640 Yeah. So um in um 2023 982 00:44:48,640 --> 00:44:51,599 uh 2021 983 00:44:51,599 --> 00:44:54,560 um our tiff value so with a tax 984 00:44:54,560 --> 00:44:56,480 increment financing district the 985 00:44:56,480 --> 00:44:58,079 increment, the amount that grows from 986 00:44:58,079 --> 00:45:00,319 the base value, you know, until that sun 987 00:45:00,319 --> 00:45:02,800 sets, that increment, that that growth 988 00:45:02,800 --> 00:45:04,640 goes into a special fund at the city and 989 00:45:04,640 --> 00:45:07,040 it's to be invested in that district. 990 00:45:07,040 --> 00:45:08,640 Ours was a pretty large district and 991 00:45:08,640 --> 00:45:10,880 included downtown, um, included the 992 00:45:10,880 --> 00:45:12,400 schools where we provided funding for 993 00:45:12,400 --> 00:45:15,839 that. When that sun sets, um, the amount 994 00:45:15,839 --> 00:45:18,319 of value there goes back to all the 995 00:45:18,319 --> 00:45:20,240 taxing jurisdictions. So the county gets 996 00:45:20,240 --> 00:45:22,720 newly taxable, the school and the city 997 00:45:22,720 --> 00:45:24,400 got newly taxable value. And our newly 998 00:45:24,400 --> 00:45:28,400 taxable that year was $13 million. 999 00:45:28,400 --> 00:45:30,079 Just in comparison, this year's newly 1000 00:45:30,079 --> 00:45:34,160 taxable value is 2.1 million. So big big 1001 00:45:34,160 --> 00:45:36,800 new taxable value coming in. had we 1002 00:45:36,800 --> 00:45:39,200 levied the full amount of our mills just 1003 00:45:39,200 --> 00:45:41,839 to absor to to recapture all of that 1004 00:45:41,839 --> 00:45:44,319 newly taxable would not have provided a 1005 00:45:44,319 --> 00:45:46,720 tax increase to anybody because it's 1006 00:45:46,720 --> 00:45:48,880 simply that those properties in that 1007 00:45:48,880 --> 00:45:51,760 district those mills just go back to our 1008 00:45:51,760 --> 00:45:54,319 general fund. Um so we no longer have 1009 00:45:54,319 --> 00:45:56,720 the tiff funds but that year when we 1010 00:45:56,720 --> 00:45:59,200 reduced mills by 10 mills it did reduce 1011 00:45:59,200 --> 00:46:00,960 the city's total revenue that can be 1012 00:46:00,960 --> 00:46:03,839 invested um in the city. Often we used 1013 00:46:03,839 --> 00:46:06,240 tax increment there was some personal in 1014 00:46:06,240 --> 00:46:08,400 there. But, um, it was fairly minor. I 1015 00:46:08,400 --> 00:46:10,800 think it was like $400,000. A lot of 1016 00:46:10,800 --> 00:46:12,240 those funds were used though to like 1017 00:46:12,240 --> 00:46:16,560 redevelop um downtown um helping with um 1018 00:46:16,560 --> 00:46:19,599 the bike uh pathway in front of um the 1019 00:46:19,599 --> 00:46:21,280 fire brand helping with some of the 1020 00:46:21,280 --> 00:46:23,280 projects in town as well. So, so we did 1021 00:46:23,280 --> 00:46:25,040 provide a tax decrease that year 1022 00:46:25,040 --> 00:46:27,839 actually. Um and I was city manager at 1023 00:46:27,839 --> 00:46:29,119 the time, but it was the former city 1024 00:46:29,119 --> 00:46:30,880 manager that made that suggestion. And 1025 00:46:30,880 --> 00:46:32,480 that's fine. And I I I think at that 1026 00:46:32,480 --> 00:46:34,079 time we were in a different place in 1027 00:46:34,079 --> 00:46:37,040 time with COVID and uncertainty in the 1028 00:46:37,040 --> 00:46:39,200 market. And so I think it was a sound 1029 00:46:39,200 --> 00:46:41,359 decision. Uh but I do think you know 1030 00:46:41,359 --> 00:46:43,680 when we look at our tax bill history for 1031 00:46:43,680 --> 00:46:48,800 the city from 2019 to 2026 1032 00:46:48,800 --> 00:46:53,839 our average growth is 2.5%. We have not 1033 00:46:53,839 --> 00:46:55,680 had significant increases. That doesn't 1034 00:46:55,680 --> 00:46:59,200 mean that um home values haven't 1035 00:46:59,200 --> 00:47:01,040 changed. you know, the values of the 1036 00:47:01,040 --> 00:47:02,480 homes have gone up. So, those those 1037 00:47:02,480 --> 00:47:04,560 values are up, but overall, it's an 1038 00:47:04,560 --> 00:47:06,319 average of 2.5. For that million-dollar 1039 00:47:06,319 --> 00:47:08,640 home, for an example, it was a 2.5% 1040 00:47:08,640 --> 00:47:11,920 average over those years, 1041 00:47:11,920 --> 00:47:14,079 which was far less than the other 1042 00:47:14,079 --> 00:47:15,680 jurisdictions like the county and the 1043 00:47:15,680 --> 00:47:17,040 state and the schools, which were 1044 00:47:17,040 --> 00:47:22,560 averaging closer to that six uh to 7%. 1045 00:47:22,560 --> 00:47:25,680 And the risk to not raising or 1046 00:47:25,680 --> 00:47:28,160 reclaiming the mills or using the mills 1047 00:47:28,160 --> 00:47:30,960 that are legally allowed for us to use 1048 00:47:30,960 --> 00:47:33,920 to take care of the city is that we 1049 00:47:33,920 --> 00:47:37,680 would have to limit growth or building 1050 00:47:37,680 --> 00:47:40,160 things like a second fire hall or 1051 00:47:40,160 --> 00:47:42,960 something, right? You'd have less you'd 1052 00:47:42,960 --> 00:47:45,920 have more constraint about managing big 1053 00:47:45,920 --> 00:47:49,200 projects. So yeah, so as like so as I I 1054 00:47:49,200 --> 00:47:51,359 just mentioned earlier with the five 1055 00:47:51,359 --> 00:47:53,760 added mills, we're still spending down 1056 00:47:53,760 --> 00:47:57,680 our reserves. Um of that the 918,000 for 1057 00:47:57,680 --> 00:47:59,280 depot park town homes like that we 1058 00:47:59,280 --> 00:48:00,640 already knew we were doing. That was 1059 00:48:00,640 --> 00:48:04,880 COVID um uh well state uh and local 1060 00:48:04,880 --> 00:48:08,400 fiscal fiscal recovery funds. ARPA I'll 1061 00:48:08,400 --> 00:48:09,920 just say that this is during the the 1062 00:48:09,920 --> 00:48:11,839 COVID era where we had a significant 1063 00:48:11,839 --> 00:48:13,359 about $2 million come in from the 1064 00:48:13,359 --> 00:48:15,200 federal government. So, we had already 1065 00:48:15,200 --> 00:48:16,400 identified that spend down, but that 1066 00:48:16,400 --> 00:48:18,560 still leaves about a million dollars of 1067 00:48:18,560 --> 00:48:20,640 spend down for capital. And as I 1068 00:48:20,640 --> 00:48:22,079 mentioned earlier, some of those 1069 00:48:22,079 --> 00:48:25,440 projects are reoccurring projects. And 1070 00:48:25,440 --> 00:48:28,000 so, by levying the 10 mills, you would 1071 00:48:28,000 --> 00:48:30,480 reduce that spend down of reserves. If, 1072 00:48:30,480 --> 00:48:31,680 excuse me, if you went from the five 1073 00:48:31,680 --> 00:48:35,359 added to 10 added, um you would spend 1074 00:48:35,359 --> 00:48:38,400 down about $1.4 million. That would 1075 00:48:38,400 --> 00:48:40,720 leave us with about 33.81% 1076 00:48:40,720 --> 00:48:44,480 in reserves. Um and then you know you 1077 00:48:44,480 --> 00:48:46,240 could look at in the future years this 1078 00:48:46,240 --> 00:48:48,400 year you know it would still leave a 1079 00:48:48,400 --> 00:48:50,240 spendown of capital for us of about 1080 00:48:50,240 --> 00:48:53,599 $57,000 but in the future years you 1081 00:48:53,599 --> 00:48:55,599 could use it for capital like our patrol 1082 00:48:55,599 --> 00:48:57,359 vehicles or fire apparatus or parks 1083 00:48:57,359 --> 00:48:59,440 equipment that does get um replaced 1084 00:48:59,440 --> 00:49:01,920 frequently. Um or you could utilize 1085 00:49:01,920 --> 00:49:04,240 those funds to supplement workforce 1086 00:49:04,240 --> 00:49:06,880 needs um as we grow such as adding 1087 00:49:06,880 --> 00:49:08,559 firefighters for that second station. 1088 00:49:08,559 --> 00:49:10,240 You could add a few and go out for the 1089 00:49:10,240 --> 00:49:12,480 public safety levy with a smaller dollar 1090 00:49:12,480 --> 00:49:14,800 amount. Um, you could look at adding the 1091 00:49:14,800 --> 00:49:16,319 community risk reduction coordinator 1092 00:49:16,319 --> 00:49:17,599 that was requested by the fire 1093 00:49:17,599 --> 00:49:19,200 department that I did not include in the 1094 00:49:19,200 --> 00:49:20,960 budget. Um, and that was presented to 1095 00:49:20,960 --> 00:49:22,480 you during the work session. You know, 1096 00:49:22,480 --> 00:49:24,400 we have a part-time IT position that 1097 00:49:24,400 --> 00:49:26,319 could go to full-time. We have other 1098 00:49:26,319 --> 00:49:27,839 department positions that have been 1099 00:49:27,839 --> 00:49:30,720 requested or or probably would have been 1100 00:49:30,720 --> 00:49:32,480 requested if it wasn't for my direction 1101 00:49:32,480 --> 00:49:35,200 to them to department heads that keep 1102 00:49:35,200 --> 00:49:37,599 your budgets flat as possible like 1103 00:49:37,599 --> 00:49:39,200 minimal increases. And that's been the 1104 00:49:39,200 --> 00:49:40,800 statement to department heads for the 1105 00:49:40,800 --> 00:49:43,680 past five years at least. And so what 1106 00:49:43,680 --> 00:49:45,920 would we see in a perfect world? I don't 1107 00:49:45,920 --> 00:49:48,079 know. They just have the direction from 1108 00:49:48,079 --> 00:49:49,760 me to keep stuff low. So if you had 1109 00:49:49,760 --> 00:49:52,880 those fund those funds available, you've 1110 00:49:52,880 --> 00:49:55,440 recaptured it. The cost would be for a 1111 00:49:55,440 --> 00:49:57,920 million-dollar home about $53 for the 1112 00:49:57,920 --> 00:50:00,960 year. Um a 6.62% 1113 00:50:00,960 --> 00:50:02,720 increase which for that's a primary 1114 00:50:02,720 --> 00:50:06,319 residence which is pretty close to what 1115 00:50:06,319 --> 00:50:09,280 would have happened um with the five 1116 00:50:09,280 --> 00:50:12,319 mills if the tax rates hadn't changed if 1117 00:50:12,319 --> 00:50:14,640 you remember the 6.45%. 1118 00:50:14,640 --> 00:50:17,040 Um a second home would see you know a 1119 00:50:17,040 --> 00:50:20,319 larger increase at $711 but again the 1120 00:50:20,319 --> 00:50:22,240 majority of that is the state tax rate 1121 00:50:22,240 --> 00:50:25,119 changes too. Um, and so because it would 1122 00:50:25,119 --> 00:50:27,760 have been a $100 with a 10 mil increase 1123 00:50:27,760 --> 00:50:31,119 um for the for the year um or 12.55% 1124 00:50:31,119 --> 00:50:32,559 increase. So I hope I answered your 1125 00:50:32,559 --> 00:50:34,240 question. I kind of went off on a spiel. 1126 00:50:34,240 --> 00:50:37,359 >> Yeah, I just I just wanted to have um 1127 00:50:37,359 --> 00:50:39,599 some history and then also some 1128 00:50:39,599 --> 00:50:41,920 rationale going forward. Thank you. 1129 00:50:41,920 --> 00:50:43,920 >> Thanks, Rebecca. Additional questions 1130 00:50:43,920 --> 00:50:48,790 for our city manager 1131 00:50:48,800 --> 00:50:50,079 Jeppe. Anything? 1132 00:50:50,079 --> 00:50:54,319 >> Yes. Yes, sure. I was giving priority to 1133 00:50:54,319 --> 00:50:57,680 the people in the flesh. Uh Dana, we've 1134 00:50:57,680 --> 00:51:00,079 been working a lot on this budget. I'd 1135 00:51:00,079 --> 00:51:03,200 like for you to help me uh for the 1136 00:51:03,200 --> 00:51:06,079 public public record to check a couple 1137 00:51:06,079 --> 00:51:07,760 of numbers and then I have a couple of 1138 00:51:07,760 --> 00:51:12,000 questions. Uh, am I correct that if I go 1139 00:51:12,000 --> 00:51:14,240 through the budget, this year we're 1140 00:51:14,240 --> 00:51:17,440 looking at a property tax revenue total 1141 00:51:17,440 --> 00:51:22,640 increase of 31 and a bit percent. 1142 00:51:22,640 --> 00:51:24,720 >> That is correct. Under the the budget 1143 00:51:24,720 --> 00:51:27,200 that is in the packet. Yes. Correct. 1144 00:51:27,200 --> 00:51:29,119 >> And and is it correct that we have 1145 00:51:29,119 --> 00:51:31,440 additional property tax revenue of 1146 00:51:31,440 --> 00:51:33,760 around 1.750 1147 00:51:33,760 --> 00:51:36,870 million? 1148 00:51:36,880 --> 00:51:39,359 So yes, the resort tax well the resort 1149 00:51:39,359 --> 00:51:40,960 tax are you talking about resort tax 1150 00:51:40,960 --> 00:51:42,160 relief? 1151 00:51:42,160 --> 00:51:44,079 >> No, property tax revenue. 1152 00:51:44,079 --> 00:51:47,440 >> Oh yes. Yes, correct. That's 1.743 1153 00:51:47,440 --> 00:51:49,119 additional. 1154 00:51:49,119 --> 00:51:51,760 >> Now despite what we think about what the 1155 00:51:51,760 --> 00:51:54,800 state is doing to us, uh is it correct 1156 00:51:54,800 --> 00:51:57,760 that we had a certified taxable value 1157 00:51:57,760 --> 00:52:01,119 increase of around 16.5%. 1158 00:52:01,119 --> 00:52:02,880 >> Yes, that's correct. 1159 00:52:02,880 --> 00:52:05,359 And is it correct that because of those 1160 00:52:05,359 --> 00:52:08,400 bills passed in Helena, we are quote 1161 00:52:08,400 --> 00:52:12,480 unquote saving around five mills that we 1162 00:52:12,480 --> 00:52:15,040 would have to charge to what I call the 1163 00:52:15,040 --> 00:52:20,710 residents versus the non-residents. 1164 00:52:20,720 --> 00:52:22,559 » Could you ask that again? I wasn't quite 1165 00:52:22,559 --> 00:52:25,440 following on that one. because of the 1166 00:52:25,440 --> 00:52:29,119 different tax rates. Am I correct that 1167 00:52:29,119 --> 00:52:32,400 we moved or the the state moved around 1168 00:52:32,400 --> 00:52:35,599 five mills worth of value from the uh 1169 00:52:35,599 --> 00:52:39,520 primary owners to the non- primary 1170 00:52:39,520 --> 00:52:40,559 owners? 1171 00:52:40,559 --> 00:52:42,720 >> I see what you're saying. Yes. Um yes, 1172 00:52:42,720 --> 00:52:44,640 based on the the primary residence being 1173 00:52:44,640 --> 00:52:46,960 a $7.76 1174 00:52:46,960 --> 00:52:49,280 increase versus the 615. Yes. Yes, 1175 00:52:49,280 --> 00:52:51,040 that's correct. They shifted it to 1176 00:52:51,040 --> 00:52:52,559 second homeowners. 1177 00:52:52,559 --> 00:52:54,079 >> Perfect. Now let's look at what the 1178 00:52:54,079 --> 00:52:56,640 property the resort tax is doing. The 1179 00:52:56,640 --> 00:52:58,960 gross city levy that we're looking at 1180 00:52:58,960 --> 00:53:01,680 right now it's around 80 and a bit 1181 00:53:01,680 --> 00:53:05,119 mills. Correct. 1182 00:53:05,119 --> 00:53:07,119 >> So the number of the total number of 1183 00:53:07,119 --> 00:53:11,119 mills levy levied is 60.12 1184 00:53:11,119 --> 00:53:12,240 mills. 1185 00:53:12,240 --> 00:53:15,520 >> Now there are 20 uh uh that are rebated 1186 00:53:15,520 --> 00:53:19,359 from the um resort tax. Am I correct? 1187 00:53:19,359 --> 00:53:21,119 >> Correct. Yes. Without resort tax it 1188 00:53:21,119 --> 00:53:24,559 would be yes. It' be 80.2. 1189 00:53:24,559 --> 00:53:28,079 >> Perfect. Thank you. And and the revenue 1190 00:53:28,079 --> 00:53:30,079 that comes from those five meals that 1191 00:53:30,079 --> 00:53:33,280 we're debating that we pretty much all 1192 00:53:33,280 --> 00:53:35,680 are accepting to be in the budget, it's 1193 00:53:35,680 --> 00:53:38,160 around $66,000. 1194 00:53:38,160 --> 00:53:38,480 Right. 1195 00:53:38,480 --> 00:53:41,920 >> Correct. Yes. Correct. 1196 00:53:41,920 --> 00:53:43,760 >> Perfect. I'm almost done now. I have a 1197 00:53:43,760 --> 00:53:51,270 couple questions and then I'm done. 1198 00:53:51,280 --> 00:53:55,200 Uh it it it I read that the beginning 1199 00:53:55,200 --> 00:53:59,599 fund balances came in around 5 million 1200 00:53:59,599 --> 00:54:03,599 higher than what we expected. 1201 00:54:03,599 --> 00:54:05,599 >> No. Well, that might have been like the 1202 00:54:05,599 --> 00:54:09,040 preliminary projections. Um but the the 1203 00:54:09,040 --> 00:54:10,960 beginning fund balance for our property 1204 00:54:10,960 --> 00:54:15,760 tax supported funds is 8.17 million. Um 1205 00:54:15,760 --> 00:54:19,520 we anticipated ending fiscal year 26 1206 00:54:19,520 --> 00:54:21,280 with 1207 00:54:21,280 --> 00:54:24,000 uh 6.15 1208 00:54:24,000 --> 00:54:26,559 million. So we did have additional 1209 00:54:26,559 --> 00:54:30,000 beginning fund balance um over what was 1210 00:54:30,000 --> 00:54:35,040 projected. Um that was 1211 00:54:35,040 --> 00:54:36,640 let me see I got to see what I'm looking 1212 00:54:36,640 --> 00:54:38,720 at here. Um that was mostly when you 1213 00:54:38,720 --> 00:54:42,319 look at uh you know the the $2 million 1214 00:54:42,319 --> 00:54:44,720 you look at what was spent on uh depot 1215 00:54:44,720 --> 00:54:46,079 park town homes what we're carrying over 1216 00:54:46,079 --> 00:54:47,839 that's about a million of that dollar 1217 00:54:47,839 --> 00:54:49,680 difference because you know we're going 1218 00:54:49,680 --> 00:54:51,040 to anticipate spending that down again 1219 00:54:51,040 --> 00:54:53,119 this year. Um but we just didn't utilize 1220 00:54:53,119 --> 00:54:55,680 all the funds in fiscal year 26. Um and 1221 00:54:55,680 --> 00:54:57,440 then there were some other ones uh you 1222 00:54:57,440 --> 00:55:01,119 know department savings but also um uh 1223 00:55:01,119 --> 00:55:03,440 we had additional revenue over what we 1224 00:55:03,440 --> 00:55:05,280 had projected in some of the categories 1225 00:55:05,280 --> 00:55:07,520 and then some lower than expected as 1226 00:55:07,520 --> 00:55:10,319 well. So it yeah it's a net of ending 1227 00:55:10,319 --> 00:55:15,440 the year fiscal year 26 um with 8.17 1228 00:55:15,440 --> 00:55:18,319 uh but we had projected the 6.15 again 1229 00:55:18,319 --> 00:55:19,760 take a million off that because that was 1230 00:55:19,760 --> 00:55:22,400 the depot park town homes. 1231 00:55:22,400 --> 00:55:25,520 >> So thank you. So I was incorrect reading 1232 00:55:25,520 --> 00:55:27,520 five million. So if it was 2 million 1233 00:55:27,520 --> 00:55:29,920 difference meaning we started we will 1234 00:55:29,920 --> 00:55:32,160 start the year with two million quote 1235 00:55:32,160 --> 00:55:33,920 unquote more than we thought we were 1236 00:55:33,920 --> 00:55:36,000 going to have previously. And I 1237 00:55:36,000 --> 00:55:39,599 understand 1 million comes and goes. Uh 1238 00:55:39,599 --> 00:55:44,160 2 million I is around uh three and a 1239 00:55:44,160 --> 00:55:47,760 half mills. Am I correct or I'm saying 1240 00:55:47,760 --> 00:55:51,920 it wrong? So a million dollar is closer 1241 00:55:51,920 --> 00:55:55,599 to like seven maybe it'sund seven or 1242 00:55:55,599 --> 00:55:58,480 eight 121,000 times or a million divided 1243 00:55:58,480 --> 00:56:00,799 by 121,000 1244 00:56:00,799 --> 00:56:04,400 >> right so what I where I was going was is 1245 00:56:04,400 --> 00:56:08,160 that we are starting with around eight 1246 00:56:08,160 --> 00:56:12,000 meals for 1 million or 16 meals for two 1247 00:56:12,000 --> 00:56:15,200 million uh ahead of the curve than we 1248 00:56:15,200 --> 00:56:17,599 thought before. 1249 00:56:17,599 --> 00:56:19,040 >> Correct. And I, you know, I talk about 1250 00:56:19,040 --> 00:56:20,559 Depot Park Town Homes. There are a 1251 00:56:20,559 --> 00:56:22,160 couple other projects that have carried 1252 00:56:22,160 --> 00:56:24,319 forward that we did not spend last year 1253 00:56:24,319 --> 00:56:26,240 that were gonna that was budgeted to be 1254 00:56:26,240 --> 00:56:27,920 spent and will be carried forward. 1255 00:56:27,920 --> 00:56:32,160 $150,000 for White Fish Yards, uh the to 1256 00:56:32,160 --> 00:56:35,760 Sky Park Bridge Trail. Um you have the 1257 00:56:35,760 --> 00:56:37,280 Riverbend Path, that's smaller, about 1258 00:56:37,280 --> 00:56:40,079 $25,000. Um so there have been some 1259 00:56:40,079 --> 00:56:41,520 carryover projects that weren't 1260 00:56:41,520 --> 00:56:43,119 completed in fiscal year 26, but are 1261 00:56:43,119 --> 00:56:45,920 carry forward. So those costs just carry 1262 00:56:45,920 --> 00:56:47,839 forward as well. 1263 00:56:47,839 --> 00:56:49,599 Okay, thank you very much. Thank you, 1264 00:56:49,599 --> 00:56:51,680 mayor, for letting me speak so long with 1265 00:56:51,680 --> 00:56:52,480 Dana. 1266 00:56:52,480 --> 00:56:54,640 >> Thank you, Jeppi. Further questions for 1267 00:56:54,640 --> 00:56:58,000 our city manager, Andy. 1268 00:56:58,000 --> 00:57:00,079 >> Dana, if you could just describe for us 1269 00:57:00,079 --> 00:57:01,200 a little bit because you are the 1270 00:57:01,200 --> 00:57:02,640 gatekeeper of the budget and everything 1271 00:57:02,640 --> 00:57:04,240 filters up to you and then you provide 1272 00:57:04,240 --> 00:57:06,079 that filter for what ultimately ends up 1273 00:57:06,079 --> 00:57:08,000 in either on our screen or in our book 1274 00:57:08,000 --> 00:57:10,559 that we get. And 1275 00:57:10,559 --> 00:57:12,240 I know that a lot of things get called 1276 00:57:12,240 --> 00:57:14,880 out in that process and I just wondering 1277 00:57:14,880 --> 00:57:16,720 if you could tell us a few of the things 1278 00:57:16,720 --> 00:57:19,119 that we are not funding in this budget 1279 00:57:19,119 --> 00:57:20,960 that were department requests. 1280 00:57:20,960 --> 00:57:23,200 >> Yeah. So that's that's a good question. 1281 00:57:23,200 --> 00:57:25,520 So as I mentioned like the the one that 1282 00:57:25,520 --> 00:57:28,799 stands out from a from a workforce uh 1283 00:57:28,799 --> 00:57:30,799 first we'll go into that the community 1284 00:57:30,799 --> 00:57:33,680 uh risk reduction specialist. Um I see 1285 00:57:33,680 --> 00:57:35,440 very important value in that position. 1286 00:57:35,440 --> 00:57:38,799 we're wrapping up our CWPP. Um, that's 1287 00:57:38,799 --> 00:57:40,559 going to take a huge implementation 1288 00:57:40,559 --> 00:57:42,400 effort that our current fire department 1289 00:57:42,400 --> 00:57:44,319 staff just do not have the capacity to 1290 00:57:44,319 --> 00:57:47,680 do. And so when I see that project come 1291 00:57:47,680 --> 00:57:49,680 forward, I think it's a very important 1292 00:57:49,680 --> 00:57:53,599 position. That said, budget's tight. I'm 1293 00:57:53,599 --> 00:57:55,440 not asking the council for another 1294 00:57:55,440 --> 00:57:57,040 position. I, you know, I prioritize and 1295 00:57:57,040 --> 00:57:58,480 I've had like the mechanics been asked 1296 00:57:58,480 --> 00:58:00,559 for for probably three years and it and 1297 00:58:00,559 --> 00:58:02,160 I'm I'm putting the department heads at 1298 00:58:02,160 --> 00:58:03,280 notice like, yeah, you can request 1299 00:58:03,280 --> 00:58:04,400 something, but it's not necessarily 1300 00:58:04,400 --> 00:58:06,319 getting filled. So, um I'm sure there 1301 00:58:06,319 --> 00:58:07,920 are other positions that might be 1302 00:58:07,920 --> 00:58:10,160 necessary um or you know will be coming 1303 00:58:10,160 --> 00:58:12,880 up in the future. Um but so from a a 1304 00:58:12,880 --> 00:58:15,680 workforce perspective, there's that. Um 1305 00:58:15,680 --> 00:58:18,079 from capital perspective, uh the police 1306 00:58:18,079 --> 00:58:19,760 department needs another patrol vehicle. 1307 00:58:19,760 --> 00:58:21,359 We're putting one in the budget. They 1308 00:58:21,359 --> 00:58:23,200 actually need two. Our our police 1309 00:58:23,200 --> 00:58:25,599 vehicles are running all day, you know, 1310 00:58:25,599 --> 00:58:28,240 every day. And so they rack up a lot of 1311 00:58:28,240 --> 00:58:31,359 miles. And then, you know, you look at 1312 00:58:31,359 --> 00:58:34,000 um I'm trying to think of other ones off 1313 00:58:34,000 --> 00:58:36,799 the top of my head. Um just because of 1314 00:58:36,799 --> 00:58:40,559 the direction that I've provided them 1315 00:58:40,559 --> 00:58:43,920 to minimize their budget increases, 1316 00:58:43,920 --> 00:58:46,799 I think I haven't even seen what is out 1317 00:58:46,799 --> 00:58:49,119 there that they could actually utilize. 1318 00:58:49,119 --> 00:58:50,880 Um parks and wreck, we need to replace 1319 00:58:50,880 --> 00:58:52,640 the tree grates downtown. Whose 1320 00:58:52,640 --> 00:58:54,640 responsibility is that? Um where are we 1321 00:58:54,640 --> 00:58:55,760 going to find the funding for that? 1322 00:58:55,760 --> 00:58:58,799 That's one that has just come up. and um 1323 00:58:58,799 --> 00:59:01,280 benches and downtown garbage cans come 1324 00:59:01,280 --> 00:59:03,280 out of our uh general fund. Those things 1325 00:59:03,280 --> 00:59:05,359 are not in this budget that um are 1326 00:59:05,359 --> 00:59:07,200 projects that we see value for the 1327 00:59:07,200 --> 00:59:09,280 community. Um finishing up that bear 1328 00:59:09,280 --> 00:59:11,599 resistant garbage containers from 1329 00:59:11,599 --> 00:59:13,599 basically I think it's Second South um 1330 00:59:13,599 --> 00:59:15,359 on Central Avenue to again, you know, 1331 00:59:15,359 --> 00:59:17,119 inform the public that we live with 1332 00:59:17,119 --> 00:59:18,319 bears. It's really important to have 1333 00:59:18,319 --> 00:59:20,160 those garbage containers. Those are just 1334 00:59:20,160 --> 00:59:21,520 all these different projects that we've 1335 00:59:21,520 --> 00:59:25,520 just cut because they might be um 1336 00:59:25,520 --> 00:59:28,319 we can wait a little longer. vehicle um 1337 00:59:28,319 --> 00:59:29,520 till next year, but we're going to have 1338 00:59:29,520 --> 00:59:31,200 another one in next year's budget is 1339 00:59:31,200 --> 00:59:32,720 realistically what it's going to happen. 1340 00:59:32,720 --> 00:59:34,960 Um and then you know the garbage cans 1341 00:59:34,960 --> 00:59:37,119 just they are what they are. So those 1342 00:59:37,119 --> 00:59:38,480 are those are some of the projects, but 1343 00:59:38,480 --> 00:59:40,079 again I I think there's more out there. 1344 00:59:40,079 --> 00:59:41,440 You also can look at our capital 1345 00:59:41,440 --> 00:59:42,960 improvement plan. Quite honestly, if you 1346 00:59:42,960 --> 00:59:44,640 look at the capital improvement plan for 1347 00:59:44,640 --> 00:59:48,319 our um police, fire, and parks, there 1348 00:59:48,319 --> 00:59:50,160 are significant capital projects that 1349 00:59:50,160 --> 00:59:52,160 have been pushed out in years simply due 1350 00:59:52,160 --> 00:59:55,430 to funding. 1351 00:59:55,440 --> 00:59:57,599 » Thank you. 1352 00:59:57,599 --> 01:00:01,119 Additional questions from the council. 1353 01:00:01,119 --> 01:00:03,440 We did advertise for a public hearing 1354 01:00:03,440 --> 01:00:05,920 and I will take public comments on 1355 01:00:05,920 --> 01:00:09,599 resolution 26-24 1356 01:00:09,599 --> 01:00:13,280 which is our FY27 budget taxi 1357 01:00:13,280 --> 01:00:16,240 excuse me tax levy and assessments which 1358 01:00:16,240 --> 01:00:20,400 includes resolution 26-24 1359 01:00:20,400 --> 01:00:25,520 I believe through resolution 26-33. 1360 01:00:25,520 --> 01:00:28,559 Any public comment this evening? 1361 01:00:28,559 --> 01:00:33,829 Mike. 1362 01:00:33,839 --> 01:00:36,640 » Good evening. Michael Hine, 612 Luffer, 1363 01:00:36,640 --> 01:00:39,359 Whitefish. I don't have a strong feeling 1364 01:00:39,359 --> 01:00:41,520 about the coming debate between five and 1365 01:00:41,520 --> 01:00:44,400 10 mills and what's going to happen, but 1366 01:00:44,400 --> 01:00:47,280 I would say that 1367 01:00:47,280 --> 01:00:49,839 the reserves that the city's holding are 1368 01:00:49,839 --> 01:00:52,240 quite high, even by standards of small 1369 01:00:52,240 --> 01:00:55,280 cities. Most small cities have a higher 1370 01:00:55,280 --> 01:00:59,680 reserve recommended percentage because 1371 01:00:59,680 --> 01:01:03,599 borrowing costs are higher. It's more uh 1372 01:01:03,599 --> 01:01:06,079 prone to we have wildfire risk. We have 1373 01:01:06,079 --> 01:01:07,440 something that could catastrophic 1374 01:01:07,440 --> 01:01:09,839 problems. Um but the big one is usually 1375 01:01:09,839 --> 01:01:12,400 revenue variance and Whitefish as a 1376 01:01:12,400 --> 01:01:14,240 resort community doesn't really have a 1377 01:01:14,240 --> 01:01:18,160 lot as much revenue variance at least in 1378 01:01:18,160 --> 01:01:23,520 one year um than other towns. So, one of 1379 01:01:23,520 --> 01:01:25,839 the three pillars of needing more 1380 01:01:25,839 --> 01:01:27,920 reserves for small cities might not 1381 01:01:27,920 --> 01:01:30,000 apply to us. Just something to consider 1382 01:01:30,000 --> 01:01:32,240 when we're talking about having 30% or 1383 01:01:32,240 --> 01:01:36,720 35% reserves. Um, how much we need is 1384 01:01:36,720 --> 01:01:39,440 probably as important as what projects 1385 01:01:39,440 --> 01:01:42,160 are being funded this year versus next 1386 01:01:42,160 --> 01:01:45,359 year. Um Dana makes a good point about 1387 01:01:45,359 --> 01:01:47,839 looking at the capital improvement plan 1388 01:01:47,839 --> 01:01:51,520 and trying to look at a timeline beyond 1389 01:01:51,520 --> 01:01:54,240 fiscal year 27 and how what it's going 1390 01:01:54,240 --> 01:01:57,440 to look like in 27 or 28. Um obviously 1391 01:01:57,440 --> 01:01:59,680 you have the risk management of what the 1392 01:01:59,680 --> 01:02:04,160 state's going to do with the um possibly 1393 01:02:04,160 --> 01:02:06,960 banning carryovers that failed last 1394 01:02:06,960 --> 01:02:09,599 legislative session pretty quickly. So 1395 01:02:09,599 --> 01:02:12,640 it may not be an imminent risk. Um, it 1396 01:02:12,640 --> 01:02:14,400 needs to be taken into account. Again, I 1397 01:02:14,400 --> 01:02:17,440 don't have a I'm not voting. So, you're 1398 01:02:17,440 --> 01:02:20,559 voting, but that's that's all I got. 1399 01:02:20,559 --> 01:02:22,240 Thanks. 1400 01:02:22,240 --> 01:02:31,750 >> Thank you, Michael. Ed, 1401 01:02:31,760 --> 01:02:34,640 » good evening. Ed Liser, 1355 Lion 1402 01:02:34,640 --> 01:02:38,240 Mountain Drive. Um, I wanted I I picked 1403 01:02:38,240 --> 01:02:42,079 up on something Dana said about um 1404 01:02:42,079 --> 01:02:47,280 hiring somebody to execute the CWPP 1405 01:02:47,280 --> 01:02:51,920 and having gone over that um thoroughly. 1406 01:02:51,920 --> 01:02:57,119 Um how we implement that is going to 1407 01:02:57,119 --> 01:02:58,640 require 1408 01:02:58,640 --> 01:03:01,440 somebody somebody that we don't have 1409 01:03:01,440 --> 01:03:05,040 right now. And you know, this is the 1410 01:03:05,040 --> 01:03:07,520 time of the year when, you know, we 1411 01:03:07,520 --> 01:03:11,599 think about Spokane and all those other 1412 01:03:11,599 --> 01:03:16,000 uh places that are um being affected by 1413 01:03:16,000 --> 01:03:21,359 wildfire and we are vulnerable. I'm I'm 1414 01:03:21,359 --> 01:03:23,760 telling you, as a fire behavior analyst 1415 01:03:23,760 --> 01:03:28,160 who spent a good portion of my career, 1416 01:03:28,160 --> 01:03:31,039 um that CWP 1417 01:03:31,039 --> 01:03:35,520 has got it right and we need somebody to 1418 01:03:35,520 --> 01:03:38,319 execute that. We don't have that right 1419 01:03:38,319 --> 01:03:42,480 now and we're just hanging out. So, I 1420 01:03:42,480 --> 01:03:46,960 would strongly encourage the uh council 1421 01:03:46,960 --> 01:03:51,039 to consider a position that takes charge 1422 01:03:51,039 --> 01:03:54,559 of that. Thank you. 1423 01:03:54,559 --> 01:03:57,200 >> Thank you, Ed. Further public comment 1424 01:03:57,200 --> 01:03:59,680 this evening? 1425 01:03:59,680 --> 01:04:02,880 Michelle, anyone online? 1426 01:04:02,880 --> 01:04:04,799 For those of you who are online, if you 1427 01:04:04,799 --> 01:04:07,039 would like to speak towards the FY27 1428 01:04:07,039 --> 01:04:16,630 budget, please raise your hand. 1429 01:04:16,640 --> 01:04:18,079 I think we're good. 1430 01:04:18,079 --> 01:04:19,599 >> Thank you, Michelle. I would turn it 1431 01:04:19,599 --> 01:04:21,280 back to the council, close the public 1432 01:04:21,280 --> 01:04:27,829 hearing, and entertain a motion, please. 1433 01:04:27,839 --> 01:04:33,839 » Steve, make a motion to um approve 1434 01:04:33,839 --> 01:04:36,319 resolutions 26-24 1435 01:04:36,319 --> 01:04:40,160 through 26-33. Is that an okay? motion 1436 01:04:40,160 --> 01:04:43,359 to make. Uh those are the 1437 01:04:43,359 --> 01:04:46,000 um resolution accepting and approving 1438 01:04:46,000 --> 01:04:47,920 municipal budget city of White Fish for 1439 01:04:47,920 --> 01:04:49,680 the 2027 fiscal year. 1440 01:04:49,680 --> 01:04:51,119 >> Thank you, Steve. Is there a second to 1441 01:04:51,119 --> 01:04:52,559 the motion? 1442 01:04:52,559 --> 01:04:54,559 >> Seconded by councelor Davis. Further 1443 01:04:54,559 --> 01:04:56,720 discussion. 1444 01:04:56,720 --> 01:04:57,200 >> Steve. 1445 01:04:57,200 --> 01:04:59,520 >> Yeah, I'll just I'll speak to my motion 1446 01:04:59,520 --> 01:05:01,039 first. 1447 01:05:01,039 --> 01:05:06,079 Um, I I know there's been a lot of uh 1448 01:05:06,079 --> 01:05:07,920 disagreement over what we should do with 1449 01:05:07,920 --> 01:05:10,960 the carryover mills. Um, 1450 01:05:10,960 --> 01:05:12,640 and I just want to bring up a couple 1451 01:05:12,640 --> 01:05:15,039 points uh that I think are relevant. 1452 01:05:15,039 --> 01:05:17,839 Number one, in the matter of about a 1453 01:05:17,839 --> 01:05:19,760 week and a half, we went from cutting 1454 01:05:19,760 --> 01:05:22,160 things from the budget to realizing we 1455 01:05:22,160 --> 01:05:24,799 have a surplus to then talking about 1456 01:05:24,799 --> 01:05:29,119 raising taxes on the order of $90 a year 1457 01:05:29,119 --> 01:05:31,119 from where we were with our preliminary 1458 01:05:31,119 --> 01:05:33,039 budget, which is what we thought we were 1459 01:05:33,039 --> 01:05:34,160 going to have to cut a couple things 1460 01:05:34,160 --> 01:05:38,799 from to um when we got our our tax 1461 01:05:38,799 --> 01:05:49,680 valuation. Um talking talking about the 10 mil raise. So, I I think that the five mil raise is it's a compromise. 1462 01:05:49,680 --> 01:05:51,440 It's a middle ground. It keeps taxes 1463 01:05:51,440 --> 01:05:53,039 flat. 1464 01:05:53,039 --> 01:05:55,200 Um, if we look at what's going on in 1465 01:05:55,200 --> 01:05:58,480 this country, you know, everything is 1466 01:05:58,480 --> 01:06:01,039 up. Groceries are up 6%, health care, 1467 01:06:01,039 --> 01:06:02,799 depending on where you work, is up to 1468 01:06:02,799 --> 01:06:05,839 10%. And just in the city of Whitefish, 1469 01:06:05,839 --> 01:06:10,559 I think um Dana said it's up 5%. 1470 01:06:10,559 --> 01:06:13,839 Uh gas is up 10% anywhere from six to 1471 01:06:13,839 --> 01:06:17,599 10%. Utilities are up 20%. 1472 01:06:17,599 --> 01:06:19,599 We have mandatory increases in our trash 1473 01:06:19,599 --> 01:06:23,760 and water 3% 3 and a.5%. 1474 01:06:23,760 --> 01:06:26,160 And we have an opportunity to keep taxes 1475 01:06:26,160 --> 01:06:28,079 level with the current budget as it's 1476 01:06:28,079 --> 01:06:30,559 presented. And I think that um I think 1477 01:06:30,559 --> 01:06:33,839 that is is a fair uh I think that's fair 1478 01:06:33,839 --> 01:06:37,119 to the people of of Whitefish. On a 1479 01:06:37,119 --> 01:06:38,960 bigger picture because I because I try 1480 01:06:38,960 --> 01:06:43,520 to see things 10,000 or 30,000 feet 1481 01:06:43,520 --> 01:06:46,160 by increasing taxes more. I mean, we're 1482 01:06:46,160 --> 01:06:47,599 already increasing them from where we 1483 01:06:47,599 --> 01:06:49,039 were from our with our preliminary 1484 01:06:49,039 --> 01:06:51,680 budget, which would have been a tax a 1485 01:06:51,680 --> 01:06:56,319 tax decrease again. Um, by by increasing 1486 01:06:56,319 --> 01:06:58,000 taxes, 1487 01:06:58,000 --> 01:07:01,039 we are saying to the people of Whitefish 1488 01:07:01,039 --> 01:07:04,079 that the failures of the people in 1489 01:07:04,079 --> 01:07:08,480 Helena to um to take care of all the 1490 01:07:08,480 --> 01:07:10,079 other things that are not your property 1491 01:07:10,079 --> 01:07:13,119 taxes, the failure of the people at the 1492 01:07:13,119 --> 01:07:14,960 national level, including our 1493 01:07:14,960 --> 01:07:18,079 representatives in Washington DC, 1494 01:07:18,079 --> 01:07:21,200 to keep your to keep your cost of living 1495 01:07:21,200 --> 01:07:22,799 low. 1496 01:07:22,799 --> 01:07:24,400 We're come we're going to have to we're 1497 01:07:24,400 --> 01:07:26,559 coming at looking at this from the 1498 01:07:26,559 --> 01:07:28,559 perspective of okay, we're going to put 1499 01:07:28,559 --> 01:07:30,960 it on you as local residents on your 1500 01:07:30,960 --> 01:07:33,440 property taxes because 1501 01:07:33,440 --> 01:07:35,280 uh because we can't take we haven't 1502 01:07:35,280 --> 01:07:36,640 we've done a terrible job with 1503 01:07:36,640 --> 01:07:38,400 everything else. You know, if we didn't 1504 01:07:38,400 --> 01:07:40,240 if we weren't talking about, you know, 1505 01:07:40,240 --> 01:07:41,839 the rising cost of health care, 1506 01:07:41,839 --> 01:07:44,640 groceries, gasoline, utilities, all of 1507 01:07:44,640 --> 01:07:46,480 those things, it would be a much more 1508 01:07:46,480 --> 01:07:49,280 palatable situation to say, okay, yeah, 1509 01:07:49,280 --> 01:07:51,599 we need to do this now. There are there 1510 01:07:51,599 --> 01:07:54,319 are some possibly unfunded things from 1511 01:07:54,319 --> 01:07:56,720 our that that come up uh during the 1512 01:07:56,720 --> 01:07:59,599 budget discussions Dana has. Uh my big 1513 01:07:59,599 --> 01:08:01,920 question is okay, if those are real 1514 01:08:01,920 --> 01:08:03,440 priorities, 1515 01:08:03,440 --> 01:08:04,720 why aren't they in the budget in the 1516 01:08:04,720 --> 01:08:06,240 first place? Why haven't we been talking 1517 01:08:06,240 --> 01:08:09,839 about this from the beginning? So, um, 1518 01:08:09,839 --> 01:08:13,839 so I think ultimately this the five mil 1519 01:08:13,839 --> 01:08:16,560 increase is a is a middle ground that 1520 01:08:16,560 --> 01:08:18,799 keeps taxes, your property taxes from 1521 01:08:18,799 --> 01:08:21,040 the city flat 1522 01:08:21,040 --> 01:08:23,839 for this year and we'll have to wait and 1523 01:08:23,839 --> 01:08:26,000 see what Helena does next year and I 1524 01:08:26,000 --> 01:08:27,759 think we will be able to accommodate 1525 01:08:27,759 --> 01:08:31,040 that um because people across the state 1526 01:08:31,040 --> 01:08:35,120 seem seem they're able to manage it. So, 1527 01:08:35,120 --> 01:08:36,400 uh, that's what I have to say about my 1528 01:08:36,400 --> 01:08:38,480 motion. Thank you, Steve. Further 1529 01:08:38,480 --> 01:08:40,799 discussion, Rebecca? 1530 01:08:40,799 --> 01:08:43,600 >> Yeah. Um, just point of clarification. 1531 01:08:43,600 --> 01:08:46,960 If I wanted to vote for the 10 mil 1532 01:08:46,960 --> 01:08:51,440 increase, do we um just vote no on this 1533 01:08:51,440 --> 01:08:52,799 motion and then come back? 1534 01:08:52,799 --> 01:08:55,120 >> There's a motion on the table for the 5% 1535 01:08:55,120 --> 01:08:57,679 mil carryover retention. And if that 1536 01:08:57,679 --> 01:09:00,640 motion fails, then I would reconsider a 1537 01:09:00,640 --> 01:09:03,040 second motion for 1538 01:09:03,040 --> 01:09:03,679 >> Okay. 1539 01:09:03,679 --> 01:09:04,640 >> discretion. 1540 01:09:04,640 --> 01:09:07,359 >> Um, and I would like to speak to Steve's 1541 01:09:07,359 --> 01:09:11,359 concern about um the cost to taxpayers. 1542 01:09:11,359 --> 01:09:16,799 Um it I think it's actually $53 per year 1543 01:09:16,799 --> 01:09:18,799 for a million dollar home, isn't it, 1544 01:09:18,799 --> 01:09:20,319 Dana? 1545 01:09:20,319 --> 01:09:22,719 >> For the 10 mills. Yes. For 10 mills 1546 01:09:22,719 --> 01:09:23,759 versus $7. 1547 01:09:23,759 --> 01:09:25,440 >> But from the from the preliminary 1548 01:09:25,440 --> 01:09:25,759 budget, 1549 01:09:25,759 --> 01:09:28,080 >> Rebecca has the seat. 1550 01:09:28,080 --> 01:09:29,679 >> But yeah, he was referencing the 1551 01:09:29,679 --> 01:09:32,480 preliminary budget which was um higher 1552 01:09:32,480 --> 01:09:34,000 at just the preliminary budget without 1553 01:09:34,000 --> 01:09:35,120 added mills 1554 01:09:35,120 --> 01:09:36,640 >> and that was because we didn't have our 1555 01:09:36,640 --> 01:09:37,839 taxable value 1556 01:09:37,839 --> 01:09:40,640 >> and and I do agree that it's 1557 01:09:40,640 --> 01:09:44,000 accumulative. We are living in very very 1558 01:09:44,000 --> 01:09:48,080 expensive times. But um I feel like it's 1559 01:09:48,080 --> 01:09:50,000 imperative that we deal with our fire 1560 01:09:50,000 --> 01:09:54,239 risk and if this is one way to possibly 1561 01:09:54,239 --> 01:09:57,280 fund the firefighters that we need and 1562 01:09:57,280 --> 01:09:59,280 we can actually build a second fire 1563 01:09:59,280 --> 01:10:03,199 station in two to three years um and get 1564 01:10:03,199 --> 01:10:05,280 what like what Ed said an expert to 1565 01:10:05,280 --> 01:10:07,520 manage our fire risk. I think it's worth 1566 01:10:07,520 --> 01:10:11,600 it um to increase the taxes in a year 1567 01:10:11,600 --> 01:10:13,840 where our taxable value came back higher 1568 01:10:13,840 --> 01:10:16,560 than we expected. 1569 01:10:16,560 --> 01:10:21,669 >> Thanks, Rebecca. Further comments? Ben? 1570 01:10:21,679 --> 01:10:23,360 » So, I've been First of all, I would 1571 01:10:23,360 --> 01:10:25,280 start by thanking staff. I know this 1572 01:10:25,280 --> 01:10:27,360 budget is a tremendous amount of work. 1573 01:10:27,360 --> 01:10:29,520 Um there's a million decisions that go 1574 01:10:29,520 --> 01:10:32,560 into this and I know this is a difficult 1575 01:10:32,560 --> 01:10:36,800 budget year but um I think the the 1576 01:10:36,800 --> 01:10:40,320 revenues the reserves the finances of 1577 01:10:40,320 --> 01:10:41,920 the city are very strong and I think 1578 01:10:41,920 --> 01:10:45,280 that um that is largely not largely it 1579 01:10:45,280 --> 01:10:47,679 is due to careful fiscal management over 1580 01:10:47,679 --> 01:10:49,280 a very long period of time and I greatly 1581 01:10:49,280 --> 01:10:50,719 appreciate all the efforts that go into 1582 01:10:50,719 --> 01:10:51,920 that and I want to start with that 1583 01:10:51,920 --> 01:10:53,520 first. 1584 01:10:53,520 --> 01:10:56,880 Um I I would make a comment on the the 1585 01:10:56,880 --> 01:10:58,080 that we've had over the last couple 1586 01:10:58,080 --> 01:11:00,320 weeks regarding a carry the concept of 1587 01:11:00,320 --> 01:11:02,640 carryover mills. 1588 01:11:02,640 --> 01:11:04,159 Um, I've been thinking about this pretty 1589 01:11:04,159 --> 01:11:07,120 hard and and um 1590 01:11:07,120 --> 01:11:10,080 I guess for me it it has some some 1591 01:11:10,080 --> 01:11:12,400 parallels to when a couple months ago we 1592 01:11:12,400 --> 01:11:16,000 voted on ambulance fees and in the in 1593 01:11:16,000 --> 01:11:18,080 the sense that there's two sides of the 1594 01:11:18,080 --> 01:11:20,000 ar a carryover mill there's two sides of 1595 01:11:20,000 --> 01:11:22,239 an argument. One is is a is a principal 1596 01:11:22,239 --> 01:11:24,800 argument which says 1597 01:11:24,800 --> 01:11:27,040 that a carryover mill when we come in at 1598 01:11:27,040 --> 01:11:28,719 the end of a budget and add a carryover 1599 01:11:28,719 --> 01:11:30,640 mill or add a mill in at the end, it 1600 01:11:30,640 --> 01:11:33,360 basically says we're we're taxing 1601 01:11:33,360 --> 01:11:35,520 raising tax revenue for citizens that we 1602 01:11:35,520 --> 01:11:42,159 don't have an identified need for. And I think I think that's true and I have a 1603 01:11:42,159 --> 01:11:44,159 hard time a very hard time with that 1604 01:11:44,159 --> 01:11:46,560 personally. Um but the other side of the 1605 01:11:46,560 --> 01:11:48,080 argument which is also very good is the 1606 01:11:48,080 --> 01:11:51,120 fact that we are 1607 01:11:51,120 --> 01:11:52,400 we live in the world we live in and 1608 01:11:52,400 --> 01:11:54,080 we're creatures of the state and we have 1609 01:11:54,080 --> 01:11:55,840 a game to play with our budgeting in the 1610 01:11:55,840 --> 01:11:59,440 state and um 1611 01:11:59,440 --> 01:12:01,679 you know the state may or may not remove 1612 01:12:01,679 --> 01:12:03,520 carryover mills which might reduce our 1613 01:12:03,520 --> 01:12:05,199 taxing authority going forward. So 1614 01:12:05,199 --> 01:12:06,719 there's there's an argument to be made 1615 01:12:06,719 --> 01:12:10,239 that we should tax more now to be able 1616 01:12:10,239 --> 01:12:12,719 to have revenues in the future. Now, 1617 01:12:12,719 --> 01:12:15,920 what is before us is the um the five mil 1618 01:12:15,920 --> 01:12:17,760 additional version of it. And I would 1619 01:12:17,760 --> 01:12:20,239 point out that 1620 01:12:20,239 --> 01:12:23,040 in my brain, I'm I quite honestly I'm a 1621 01:12:23,040 --> 01:12:24,560 very principal person. I sort of came 1622 01:12:24,560 --> 01:12:26,480 into this discussion feeling like we 1623 01:12:26,480 --> 01:12:28,800 should approve without the additional 1624 01:12:28,800 --> 01:12:31,920 mills. Um as on general principle, I 1625 01:12:31,920 --> 01:12:34,000 just have a very hard time with it. But 1626 01:12:34,000 --> 01:12:36,239 I do recognize the situation we're in. I 1627 01:12:36,239 --> 01:12:38,320 think the the version that is here feels 1628 01:12:38,320 --> 01:12:41,440 like a compromise to me. We have um five 1629 01:12:41,440 --> 01:12:44,159 additional mills every year. I would 1630 01:12:44,159 --> 01:12:45,679 point out that that does raise enough 1631 01:12:45,679 --> 01:12:47,120 funds to pay for basically everything 1632 01:12:47,120 --> 01:12:49,520 Dana just brought up um including the 1633 01:12:49,520 --> 01:12:53,120 wildfire um staff member um and then 1634 01:12:53,120 --> 01:12:56,080 some. And um and I think I would 1635 01:12:56,080 --> 01:12:59,120 personally have a very hard time very 1636 01:12:59,120 --> 01:13:01,280 hard time approving a budget with with 1637 01:13:01,280 --> 01:13:04,000 even more mills in that. Um and so I 1638 01:13:04,000 --> 01:13:05,199 think that I'm going to support what's 1639 01:13:05,199 --> 01:13:07,840 here. Um, I don't think these decisions 1640 01:13:07,840 --> 01:13:09,679 are make or break for the city in any 1641 01:13:09,679 --> 01:13:11,600 the magnitude of them in any way, shape, 1642 01:13:11,600 --> 01:13:13,280 or form. I totally understand both sides 1643 01:13:13,280 --> 01:13:15,679 of this argument, but I think for me, 1644 01:13:15,679 --> 01:13:19,040 um, the principle of it is is as far as 1645 01:13:19,040 --> 01:13:21,199 I can go and so um, I'm going to support 1646 01:13:21,199 --> 01:13:23,280 the current motion and, uh, and I'll be 1647 01:13:23,280 --> 01:13:24,719 happy with how we end up here. So, 1648 01:13:24,719 --> 01:13:25,120 thanks. 1649 01:13:25,120 --> 01:13:28,320 >> Thank you, Ben. Andy, 1650 01:13:28,320 --> 01:13:29,840 >> well, I think you guys all know what I'm 1651 01:13:29,840 --> 01:13:31,840 going to say. [laughter] 1652 01:13:31,840 --> 01:13:34,080 Um, I find 10 mills, quite frankly, a 1653 01:13:34,080 --> 01:13:35,600 compromised position knowing that we've 1654 01:13:35,600 --> 01:13:38,640 got 21.7 laying on the table right now. 1655 01:13:38,640 --> 01:13:40,960 Um, there's a part of me that says we 1656 01:13:40,960 --> 01:13:42,800 should grab all 21, but I realize that's 1657 01:13:42,800 --> 01:13:44,640 not realistic. 1658 01:13:44,640 --> 01:13:47,199 Um, as far as identified needs, I think 1659 01:13:47,199 --> 01:13:50,400 we have many of them. We had 20 hours in 1660 01:13:50,400 --> 01:13:51,760 this community since the first of the 1661 01:13:51,760 --> 01:13:53,920 year when we had no emergency services 1662 01:13:53,920 --> 01:13:56,960 coverage. 208 hours, that's eight days 1663 01:13:56,960 --> 01:13:58,480 basically. 1664 01:13:58,480 --> 01:14:00,400 And at five carryover mills pickup, 1665 01:14:00,400 --> 01:14:02,080 we're not hiring another firefighter for 1666 01:14:02,080 --> 01:14:04,640 that. We know that even at a minimum, 1667 01:14:04,640 --> 01:14:06,239 we're looking at nine firefighters to 1668 01:14:06,239 --> 01:14:08,960 hire to staff a second station, which we 1669 01:14:08,960 --> 01:14:12,159 have three plans before us that tell us 1670 01:14:12,159 --> 01:14:14,320 that that needs to happen. We've had 1671 01:14:14,320 --> 01:14:18,159 that for a long time. And I just 1672 01:14:18,159 --> 01:14:19,920 know what it's like in this community 1673 01:14:19,920 --> 01:14:21,679 and having been through budgets when 1674 01:14:21,679 --> 01:14:25,440 we've had slowdowns, which you guys 1675 01:14:25,440 --> 01:14:28,560 haven't. You've not seen that budget and 1676 01:14:28,560 --> 01:14:31,120 those budgets gets difficult. Rebecca 1677 01:14:31,120 --> 01:14:33,040 has. Yeah. 1678 01:14:33,040 --> 01:14:36,480 >> And those and those budgets are very difficult because suddenly we're 1679 01:14:36,480 --> 01:14:38,159 not generating 1680 01:14:38,159 --> 01:14:40,480 subdivision 1681 01:14:40,480 --> 01:14:42,400 application fees and building permit 1682 01:14:42,400 --> 01:14:44,640 application fees. And we still have a 1683 01:14:44,640 --> 01:14:45,760 planning department with people that 1684 01:14:45,760 --> 01:14:48,000 need to get a paycheck and they're 1685 01:14:48,000 --> 01:14:50,159 losing money every month. And that's 1686 01:14:50,159 --> 01:14:51,440 coming out of the general fund. That's 1687 01:14:51,440 --> 01:14:53,280 where those dollars come from. And when 1688 01:14:53,280 --> 01:14:54,960 we can build reserves, I think that's a 1689 01:14:54,960 --> 01:14:57,520 really really good thing for us to do. 1690 01:14:57,520 --> 01:14:59,360 Regarded carryover mills, I agree with 1691 01:14:59,360 --> 01:15:01,199 Steve's argument in part that we kind of 1692 01:15:01,199 --> 01:15:02,719 don't know what the state's going to do. 1693 01:15:02,719 --> 01:15:06,000 And part of raising is we're dealing 1694 01:15:06,000 --> 01:15:08,400 with county government and federal 1695 01:15:08,400 --> 01:15:10,640 government and state government that 1696 01:15:10,640 --> 01:15:13,600 can't find themselves in a brightly lit 1697 01:15:13,600 --> 01:15:15,120 room with a flashlight a lot of times 1698 01:15:15,120 --> 01:15:19,040 when it comes to fiscal matters. But I 1699 01:15:19,040 --> 01:15:21,440 can't justify making a statement by only 1700 01:15:21,440 --> 01:15:24,560 raising five mills 1701 01:15:24,560 --> 01:15:27,600 because they're inept. I have to look at 1702 01:15:27,600 --> 01:15:30,640 what makes it good for this community. I 1703 01:15:30,640 --> 01:15:33,600 have to know that I'm looking forward 1704 01:15:33,600 --> 01:15:35,679 and I'm seeing what our capital needs 1705 01:15:35,679 --> 01:15:36,880 are going to be and they're going to be 1706 01:15:36,880 --> 01:15:39,280 there. And one of the things I also look 1707 01:15:39,280 --> 01:15:42,080 at is we've had well let's take the 10 1708 01:15:42,080 --> 01:15:44,000 mills for example 1709 01:15:44,000 --> 01:15:46,800 since 2022 over a six-year period of 1710 01:15:46,800 --> 01:15:50,000 time even going up 10 mills this time 1711 01:15:50,000 --> 01:15:52,080 the total increase on a home in the $1 1712 01:15:52,080 --> 01:15:54,000 million category in this community has 1713 01:15:54,000 --> 01:15:55,840 been $114. 1714 01:15:55,840 --> 01:15:58,800 That's with levying additional 10 mills 1715 01:15:58,800 --> 01:16:01,520 in this budget. That's not very much 1716 01:16:01,520 --> 01:16:04,400 money. And why is that? Because we've 1717 01:16:04,400 --> 01:16:06,560 kept taxes flat. We've kept taxes flat. 1718 01:16:06,560 --> 01:16:08,719 We've kept taxes 1719 01:16:08,719 --> 01:16:11,199 flat. And what that does in the word 1720 01:16:11,199 --> 01:16:13,840 defer is essentially kick the can down 1721 01:16:13,840 --> 01:16:15,600 the road. And all we're doing is we're 1722 01:16:15,600 --> 01:16:17,760 making future councils and we're making 1723 01:16:17,760 --> 01:16:19,679 future department heads and future 1724 01:16:19,679 --> 01:16:21,760 cities manager 1725 01:16:21,760 --> 01:16:23,520 their job much more difficult in the 1726 01:16:23,520 --> 01:16:26,960 future by not having a secured source of 1727 01:16:26,960 --> 01:16:30,080 revenue. And I don't feel that having to 1728 01:16:30,080 --> 01:16:33,679 go out for voted levies to run this city 1729 01:16:33,679 --> 01:16:35,840 is ever going to serve the members of 1730 01:16:35,840 --> 01:16:37,760 this community in any way, shape, or 1731 01:16:37,760 --> 01:16:40,159 form. I think that's wrought with 1732 01:16:40,159 --> 01:16:42,719 trouble. I think it's something that 1733 01:16:42,719 --> 01:16:44,719 maybe works once, maybe doesn't work 1734 01:16:44,719 --> 01:16:46,719 again. What if suddenly we don't pass 1735 01:16:46,719 --> 01:16:49,120 our fire department levy 1736 01:16:49,120 --> 01:16:50,719 and half our firefighters go away and 1737 01:16:50,719 --> 01:16:52,080 we've got an empty station north of the 1738 01:16:52,080 --> 01:16:55,040 vioduct? That didn't serve our community 1739 01:16:55,040 --> 01:16:57,520 very well in my opinion. I guess I mean 1740 01:16:57,520 --> 01:16:59,760 and I understand the keeping flat and 1741 01:16:59,760 --> 01:17:02,080 I've voted for that for the last five 1742 01:17:02,080 --> 01:17:04,239 budgets in a row. I mean I've been with 1743 01:17:04,239 --> 01:17:06,960 everybody on that. But the other thing 1744 01:17:06,960 --> 01:17:08,640 I've learned over all the times I've 1745 01:17:08,640 --> 01:17:11,360 been through budgets is when you have an 1746 01:17:11,360 --> 01:17:14,000 opportunity to increase revenues, build 1747 01:17:14,000 --> 01:17:16,400 reserves, and it has minimal impact on 1748 01:17:16,400 --> 01:17:18,880 the taxpayers, that's the best times to 1749 01:17:18,880 --> 01:17:21,199 do it. We have been very very good 1750 01:17:21,199 --> 01:17:24,719 fiscal stewards when times are tough to 1751 01:17:24,719 --> 01:17:26,640 take as much out of the budget as we can 1752 01:17:26,640 --> 01:17:30,640 and make things as palatable and as less 1753 01:17:30,640 --> 01:17:33,440 painful as we possibly can for people. 1754 01:17:33,440 --> 01:17:35,280 So I just can't support the five mills 1755 01:17:35,280 --> 01:17:38,560 and I think like I say I find 10 to be a 1756 01:17:38,560 --> 01:17:41,120 compromise. So 1757 01:17:41,120 --> 01:17:43,920 >> thank you Andy. Further comments? There 1758 01:17:43,920 --> 01:17:45,679 is a motion on the table to 1759 01:17:45,679 --> 01:17:47,040 >> Mayor, may I? 1760 01:17:47,040 --> 01:17:48,880 >> Oh, just happy. I'm sorry. 1761 01:17:48,880 --> 01:17:51,280 >> That's okay. I was uh waiting for 1762 01:17:51,280 --> 01:17:54,080 councelor Sweeney to say his piece, but 1763 01:17:54,080 --> 01:17:57,600 that's okay. Uh first of all, I want to 1764 01:17:57,600 --> 01:18:00,080 thank Dana Laney and all of the staff, 1765 01:18:00,080 --> 01:18:02,480 the tremendous amount of work that went 1766 01:18:02,480 --> 01:18:04,719 into producing this budget. So, I 1767 01:18:04,719 --> 01:18:06,880 resonate what the councelor Davis has 1768 01:18:06,880 --> 01:18:09,679 said to that to that point, producing 1769 01:18:09,679 --> 01:18:13,360 not only a budget, but also to keep the 1770 01:18:13,360 --> 01:18:17,120 city uh financially healthy along the 1771 01:18:17,120 --> 01:18:20,719 years. For the record, I'm comfortable 1772 01:18:20,719 --> 01:18:23,840 supporting the five mill compromise of 1773 01:18:23,840 --> 01:18:26,640 this budget. I still have reservations 1774 01:18:26,640 --> 01:18:28,560 about collecting 1775 01:18:28,560 --> 01:18:31,840 uh additional taxes today primarily out 1776 01:18:31,840 --> 01:18:34,320 of concern that future legislation might 1777 01:18:34,320 --> 01:18:37,120 restrict the city's flexibility. 1778 01:18:37,120 --> 01:18:40,159 For that reason, I will not support if 1779 01:18:40,159 --> 01:18:43,280 there is a a new motion later. I will 1780 01:18:43,280 --> 01:18:46,000 not support the 10 meals or anything 1781 01:18:46,000 --> 01:18:48,560 more than five meals. That's a 1782 01:18:48,560 --> 01:18:52,159 compromise that I can support uh within 1783 01:18:52,159 --> 01:18:55,679 this council. Finally, I I believe that 1784 01:18:55,679 --> 01:19:00,159 taxing authority is not really a use it 1785 01:19:00,159 --> 01:19:02,880 or lose it coupon. If we don't need the 1786 01:19:02,880 --> 01:19:05,440 money today, we should not collect it 1787 01:19:05,440 --> 01:19:09,120 from the taxpayers today. Thank you. 1788 01:19:09,120 --> 01:19:11,600 >> Thank you, Jeppi. Further comments from 1789 01:19:11,600 --> 01:19:14,480 the council. There is a motion again on 1790 01:19:14,480 --> 01:19:17,679 the table. Motion by councelor Cornell, 1791 01:19:17,679 --> 01:19:21,040 seconded by councelor Davis to adopt the 1792 01:19:21,040 --> 01:19:25,360 budget as presented in addition to 1793 01:19:25,360 --> 01:19:28,080 resolutions 25-33 1794 01:19:28,080 --> 01:19:31,040 which are our assessments and tax 1795 01:19:31,040 --> 01:19:32,560 levies. 1796 01:19:32,560 --> 01:19:34,159 All those in favor please raise your 1797 01:19:34,159 --> 01:19:36,880 hand. 1798 01:19:36,880 --> 01:19:39,679 All those opposed like sign. 1799 01:19:39,679 --> 01:19:42,560 And we have councelor Cornell Calabiano 1800 01:19:42,560 --> 01:19:45,360 and Davis voting in favor. Councilors 1801 01:19:45,360 --> 01:19:47,360 Sweeney, Fury, and Norton voting in 1802 01:19:47,360 --> 01:19:48,640 opposition, and I'm going to go ahead 1803 01:19:48,640 --> 01:19:51,920 and vote against the motion. 1804 01:19:51,920 --> 01:19:53,520 With that said, I would entertain a 1805 01:19:53,520 --> 01:19:56,000 second motion. 1806 01:19:56,000 --> 01:19:58,080 >> Andy, Mr. Mayor, I would make a motion 1807 01:19:58,080 --> 01:20:00,320 that we approve the fiscal year 27 1808 01:20:00,320 --> 01:20:02,880 budget, and we would do that adopting 1809 01:20:02,880 --> 01:20:05,120 alternative number three as presented to 1810 01:20:05,120 --> 01:20:08,000 us a week ago, this past Thursday, 1811 01:20:08,000 --> 01:20:10,880 and that includes capturing 10 of our 1812 01:20:10,880 --> 01:20:12,159 carryover mills. 1813 01:20:12,159 --> 01:20:13,920 >> Is there a second to the motion? 1814 01:20:13,920 --> 01:20:15,679 Seconded by councelor Norton. Further 1815 01:20:15,679 --> 01:20:18,400 discussion. 1816 01:20:18,400 --> 01:20:20,000 All those in favor, please raise your 1817 01:20:20,000 --> 01:20:24,000 hand. Those opposed like sign. 1818 01:20:24,000 --> 01:20:25,840 And I will vote in favor of the motion. 1819 01:20:25,840 --> 01:20:28,400 And that motion does uh pass on a 1820 01:20:28,400 --> 01:20:30,719 majority vote of the city council. We're 1821 01:20:30,719 --> 01:20:32,640 going to go ahead and take a five minute 1822 01:20:32,640 --> 01:20:34,239 break 1823 01:20:34,239 --> 01:20:37,199 and we'll reconvene at about 1824 01:20:37,199 --> 01:20:39,440 I can't see the clock but about 8:30 I 1825 01:20:39,440 --> 01:20:41,440 think. So thanks everyone. 1826 01:20:41,440 --> 01:20:43,760 >> Do you need do you need glasses? I've 1827 01:20:43,760 --> 01:31:18,310 got him. 1828 01:31:18,320 --> 01:31:19,600 I'm going to go ahead and call this 1829 01:31:19,600 --> 01:31:21,679 meeting back to order if folks don't 1830 01:31:21,679 --> 01:31:24,239 mind taking their seats. 1831 01:31:24,239 --> 01:31:26,159 And Jeppi, you're still with us. Thank 1832 01:31:26,159 --> 01:31:28,960 you. We'll move on to consideration to 1833 01:31:28,960 --> 01:31:30,639 adopt the water master plan and 1834 01:31:30,639 --> 01:31:33,440 wastewater master plan. We'll start with 1835 01:31:33,440 --> 01:31:36,639 resolution 26-34. 1836 01:31:36,639 --> 01:31:38,639 And Craig, if you don't mind, can I take 1837 01:31:38,639 --> 01:31:41,920 one staff report and public hearing on 1838 01:31:41,920 --> 01:31:43,679 both resolutions? 1839 01:31:43,679 --> 01:31:45,679 >> That would be excellent. 1840 01:31:45,679 --> 01:31:47,360 >> In fact, I'm sorry, Craig. 1841 01:31:47,360 --> 01:31:48,800 >> I was going to say I wrote it as one 1842 01:31:48,800 --> 01:31:49,679 staff report. 1843 01:31:49,679 --> 01:31:51,600 >> Okay. With individual. We have one staff 1844 01:31:51,600 --> 01:31:53,679 report and closed in the packet which 1845 01:31:53,679 --> 01:31:56,639 will be for resolution 26-34 which I 1846 01:31:56,639 --> 01:31:59,920 just stated as well as adopting the 2026 1847 01:31:59,920 --> 01:32:02,719 city of Whitefish wastewater and storm 1848 01:32:02,719 --> 01:32:04,880 water master plan. And I'll turn it over 1849 01:32:04,880 --> 01:32:07,040 to our public works director, Greg 1850 01:32:07,040 --> 01:32:08,560 Workman. Thanks Greg. 1851 01:32:08,560 --> 01:32:11,040 >> Uh thank you and good evening. Um I'll 1852 01:32:11,040 --> 01:32:13,280 also note that Lizzy's here, our deputy 1853 01:32:13,280 --> 01:32:15,520 public works director and Allan who's 1854 01:32:15,520 --> 01:32:16,960 introduced himself already. So, if 1855 01:32:16,960 --> 01:32:18,880 there's questions I can't answer or 1856 01:32:18,880 --> 01:32:20,880 comments that um they would like to 1857 01:32:20,880 --> 01:32:23,679 address, I just um ask that they have 1858 01:32:23,679 --> 01:32:27,520 the floor if possible. Uh so, I I did do 1859 01:32:27,520 --> 01:32:29,760 a staff report for both resolutions. I'm 1860 01:32:29,760 --> 01:32:32,719 going to um minimize this because you 1861 01:32:32,719 --> 01:32:35,920 have quite a few pages of actual plan in 1862 01:32:35,920 --> 01:32:39,040 your packet. Um and I can see a number 1863 01:32:39,040 --> 01:32:40,960 of uh public that likely want to 1864 01:32:40,960 --> 01:32:43,520 comment. So, um I'll give you the 1865 01:32:43,520 --> 01:32:45,920 cliffnotes version of my staff report. 1866 01:32:45,920 --> 01:32:47,520 Uh the city is committed to providing 1867 01:32:47,520 --> 01:32:48,960 the people of Whitefish with safe, 1868 01:32:48,960 --> 01:32:50,639 dependable, and affordable water and 1869 01:32:50,639 --> 01:32:54,000 sewer services now and into the future. 1870 01:32:54,000 --> 01:32:55,840 To ensure that commitment is met and to 1871 01:32:55,840 --> 01:32:57,679 provide relevant information for the 1872 01:32:57,679 --> 01:33:00,239 city's recently adopted growth policy, 1873 01:33:00,239 --> 01:33:01,520 the public works department has 1874 01:33:01,520 --> 01:33:04,320 completed the 2026 water master plan and 1875 01:33:04,320 --> 01:33:06,719 the 2026 wastewater and storm water 1876 01:33:06,719 --> 01:33:08,480 master plan. 1877 01:33:08,480 --> 01:33:10,560 Uh the water master plan is intended to 1878 01:33:10,560 --> 01:33:12,719 serve as the city's strategic blueprint 1879 01:33:12,719 --> 01:33:14,400 for managing its public water system 1880 01:33:14,400 --> 01:33:17,120 over the next 20 years. Uh it's broken 1881 01:33:17,120 --> 01:33:18,480 into several sections with 1882 01:33:18,480 --> 01:33:21,040 recommendations. Uh water supply and 1883 01:33:21,040 --> 01:33:24,320 treatment is the first. Uh there are 1884 01:33:24,320 --> 01:33:28,080 four major recommendations uh including 1885 01:33:28,080 --> 01:33:30,159 the increased usage of Whitefish Lake 1886 01:33:30,159 --> 01:33:33,679 water uh for our supply. uh skated 1887 01:33:33,679 --> 01:33:35,520 controlled actuated valve installation 1888 01:33:35,520 --> 01:33:37,600 to manage consumption from Haskell 1889 01:33:37,600 --> 01:33:40,560 Creek. Uh continued investigation into 1890 01:33:40,560 --> 01:33:42,480 potential groundwater or other water 1891 01:33:42,480 --> 01:33:45,440 supply sources that will affect um or 1892 01:33:45,440 --> 01:33:48,320 less affected by climate factors and 1893 01:33:48,320 --> 01:33:50,000 taking continuing to take steps to 1894 01:33:50,000 --> 01:33:53,280 reduce water usage through conservation. 1895 01:33:53,280 --> 01:33:56,560 Um, in the water storage section, um, 1896 01:33:56,560 --> 01:33:59,360 there are, uh, five individual 1897 01:33:59,360 --> 01:34:00,880 recommendations, 1898 01:34:00,880 --> 01:34:02,159 uh, including the completion of the 1899 01:34:02,159 --> 01:34:04,239 South White Fish water capacity project, 1900 01:34:04,239 --> 01:34:06,080 which I will say is is well underway 1901 01:34:06,080 --> 01:34:09,199 with, um, the construction of the new 1902 01:34:09,199 --> 01:34:11,920 milliong tank and the water man in 18th 1903 01:34:11,920 --> 01:34:14,560 Street. Um, investigation of potential 1904 01:34:14,560 --> 01:34:16,480 leakage from the raw water reservoir at 1905 01:34:16,480 --> 01:34:18,960 the water plant. investigating valve 1906 01:34:18,960 --> 01:34:21,199 closures throughout uh the transmission 1907 01:34:21,199 --> 01:34:23,920 mains, electrical and instrument and 1908 01:34:23,920 --> 01:34:26,400 control uh improvements at the upper and 1909 01:34:26,400 --> 01:34:28,880 lower grouse tanks and the mountain 1910 01:34:28,880 --> 01:34:32,480 booster stations and tanks uh to allow 1911 01:34:32,480 --> 01:34:34,960 remote monitoring and control. Uh 1912 01:34:34,960 --> 01:34:37,199 there's also a system on distribution 1913 01:34:37,199 --> 01:34:39,040 system analysis 1914 01:34:39,040 --> 01:34:40,639 um which includes the reconstruction of 1915 01:34:40,639 --> 01:34:42,719 the Sunrest booster station 1916 01:34:42,719 --> 01:34:46,480 investigation of Wait a second. 1917 01:34:46,480 --> 01:34:48,080 Sorry, I think I duplicated some of 1918 01:34:48,080 --> 01:34:50,960 that. Um so the last section was um 1919 01:34:50,960 --> 01:34:54,000 water storage and distribution analysis 1920 01:34:54,000 --> 01:34:56,159 um which also includes the continuation 1921 01:34:56,159 --> 01:34:59,440 of our annual pipe replacement program. 1922 01:34:59,440 --> 01:35:01,440 Uh the wastewater and storm water master 1923 01:35:01,440 --> 01:35:04,639 plan um has a detailed overview of the 1924 01:35:04,639 --> 01:35:06,800 wastewater system 1925 01:35:06,800 --> 01:35:08,560 uh as well as the wastewater treatment 1926 01:35:08,560 --> 01:35:10,080 plant. I'm not going to go into all of 1927 01:35:10,080 --> 01:35:11,760 those re recommendations, but there are 1928 01:35:11,760 --> 01:35:14,400 seven recommendations for um the 1929 01:35:14,400 --> 01:35:16,719 wastewater treatment plant, three 1930 01:35:16,719 --> 01:35:18,239 recommendations on the wastewater 1931 01:35:18,239 --> 01:35:20,800 collection system, 1932 01:35:20,800 --> 01:35:23,520 um and four uh lift station capital 1933 01:35:23,520 --> 01:35:25,520 improvement projects. 1934 01:35:25,520 --> 01:35:28,239 Uh and finally, the storm water system. 1935 01:35:28,239 --> 01:35:32,159 um plan is part of that wastewater plan 1936 01:35:32,159 --> 01:35:34,480 uh which includes two key projects and 1937 01:35:34,480 --> 01:35:36,639 two additional recommendations. 1938 01:35:36,639 --> 01:35:38,560 I'm happy to go into more detail on any 1939 01:35:38,560 --> 01:35:40,639 of that, but ultimately it is the 1940 01:35:40,639 --> 01:35:42,000 recommendation of the public works 1941 01:35:42,000 --> 01:35:43,440 department that we hold a public hearing 1942 01:35:43,440 --> 01:35:45,280 to consider the two resolutions you just 1943 01:35:45,280 --> 01:35:48,400 mentioned, which I believe were 2634 and 1944 01:35:48,400 --> 01:35:50,560 35. 1945 01:35:50,560 --> 01:35:52,719 >> Thank you, Craig. Any questions for our 1946 01:35:52,719 --> 01:35:55,360 public works director or deputy director 1947 01:35:55,360 --> 01:36:00,709 or Alan Went who's here from AE2s? 1948 01:36:00,719 --> 01:36:02,880 Rebecca. 1949 01:36:02,880 --> 01:36:05,840 >> Yeah, Craig. Um, I'm just going through 1950 01:36:05,840 --> 01:36:10,800 the sheet that you left us about the um 1951 01:36:10,800 --> 01:36:15,600 the the public comments that we got and 1952 01:36:15,600 --> 01:36:18,719 um could you just explain 1953 01:36:18,719 --> 01:36:23,120 I guess I'm a little confused about the 1954 01:36:23,120 --> 01:36:25,760 is it called an actuator 1955 01:36:25,760 --> 01:36:28,080 valve and that would be placed at the 1956 01:36:28,080 --> 01:36:31,679 intake versus telemetry because people 1957 01:36:31,679 --> 01:36:35,280 that that would like us to monitor the 1958 01:36:35,280 --> 01:36:37,040 discharge from Second and Third Creek 1959 01:36:37,040 --> 01:36:40,000 would prefer telemetry so it's more 1960 01:36:40,000 --> 01:36:43,760 accurate. But how far away would the te 1961 01:36:43,760 --> 01:36:47,520 telemetry placement be from where these 1962 01:36:47,520 --> 01:36:51,280 actuator valves are placed? 1963 01:36:51,280 --> 01:36:54,639 >> Um so the the the remote telemetry 1964 01:36:54,639 --> 01:36:57,119 project that's recommended um through 1965 01:36:57,119 --> 01:36:58,480 the public comment that we received 1966 01:36:58,480 --> 01:37:00,560 would be at the intakes themselves. So 1967 01:37:00,560 --> 01:37:03,040 up in the watershed at second and third 1968 01:37:03,040 --> 01:37:06,480 creeks um the actuated valve that we are 1969 01:37:06,480 --> 01:37:08,480 proposing and is a recommendation from 1970 01:37:08,480 --> 01:37:10,800 the master plan would be at the plant 1971 01:37:10,800 --> 01:37:13,840 itself at the essentially at the hydro 1972 01:37:13,840 --> 01:37:17,760 plant um just at the influent to the raw 1973 01:37:17,760 --> 01:37:20,800 water reservoir. So it would still use 1974 01:37:20,800 --> 01:37:23,119 um instrument and controls to run that 1975 01:37:23,119 --> 01:37:26,400 actuated valve u based on the level in 1976 01:37:26,400 --> 01:37:28,639 the raw water pond, but it wouldn't 1977 01:37:28,639 --> 01:37:32,080 require um the power source, the remote 1978 01:37:32,080 --> 01:37:36,000 telemetry and um the the valving up at 1979 01:37:36,000 --> 01:37:38,159 the intakes themselves. 1980 01:37:38,159 --> 01:37:41,040 >> How how far away is that te telemetry 1981 01:37:41,040 --> 01:37:44,400 site from where the reservoir is? 1982 01:37:44,400 --> 01:37:46,480 >> Uh like a long 1983 01:37:46,480 --> 01:37:48,320 >> feet. I don't know. It's It's over a 1984 01:37:48,320 --> 01:37:49,119 mile. 1985 01:37:49,119 --> 01:37:53,360 >> Oh, it's over a mile. Okay. And then um 1986 01:37:53,360 --> 01:37:56,960 the other thing that they said is that 1987 01:37:56,960 --> 01:37:59,360 there's a presumption that we're wasting 1988 01:37:59,360 --> 01:38:03,679 at least 30% of the water. Um but do we 1989 01:38:03,679 --> 01:38:06,880 at some point need to start accumulating 1990 01:38:06,880 --> 01:38:10,320 that data to see how much we are 1991 01:38:10,320 --> 01:38:13,679 actually spilling and letting go to 1992 01:38:13,679 --> 01:38:14,159 back? 1993 01:38:14,159 --> 01:38:15,679 >> We do have that data. Okay. 1994 01:38:15,679 --> 01:38:18,639 >> Um that that 30% is based on an annual 1995 01:38:18,639 --> 01:38:20,800 average. And so we spill a considerable 1996 01:38:20,800 --> 01:38:23,360 amount of water um during the higher 1997 01:38:23,360 --> 01:38:25,360 precipitation and higher runoff times of 1998 01:38:25,360 --> 01:38:29,119 the year. Um we don't spill much if any 1999 01:38:29,119 --> 01:38:31,679 water from the reservoir during you know 2000 01:38:31,679 --> 01:38:34,000 these low flow times. 2001 01:38:34,000 --> 01:38:37,199 >> Okay. And then um 2002 01:38:37,199 --> 01:38:41,119 you're recommending that the 2026 2003 01:38:41,119 --> 01:38:45,520 um water master plan 2004 01:38:45,520 --> 01:38:47,679 what that we actually evaluate how the 2005 01:38:47,679 --> 01:38:50,560 reservoir is leaking but you don't have 2006 01:38:50,560 --> 01:38:53,679 any plans for that currently. Correct. 2007 01:38:53,679 --> 01:38:56,880 >> Uh we don't have 2008 01:38:56,880 --> 01:39:00,239 we have money for it in the fiscal um 27 2009 01:39:00,239 --> 01:39:02,719 budget. Uh but we don't have anybody 2010 01:39:02,719 --> 01:39:04,719 lined up to do the actual tracer test. 2011 01:39:04,719 --> 01:39:05,760 Correct. 2012 01:39:05,760 --> 01:39:09,679 >> All right. And uh 2013 01:39:09,679 --> 01:39:13,280 the possibility of the wells having 2014 01:39:13,280 --> 01:39:17,440 ground groundwater support around the 2015 01:39:17,440 --> 01:39:19,600 reservoir. Is that the idea is that you 2016 01:39:19,600 --> 01:39:22,480 would use groundwater to supplement the 2017 01:39:22,480 --> 01:39:26,159 reservoir? Um, I guess I'd rather that 2018 01:39:26,159 --> 01:39:28,719 come up in public comment so the the 2019 01:39:28,719 --> 01:39:32,320 individual making that request could explain that. 2020 01:39:32,320 --> 01:39:34,800 >> Okay. And then the I guess this is just 2021 01:39:34,800 --> 01:39:37,520 a general question that I don't know is 2022 01:39:37,520 --> 01:39:40,719 when there's a lot lot in there about 2023 01:39:40,719 --> 01:39:43,280 what our water rights and the golf 2024 01:39:43,280 --> 01:39:46,800 courses water rights. Um, but what I 2025 01:39:46,800 --> 01:39:50,239 don't know is if we use up all the 2026 01:39:50,239 --> 01:39:52,400 water, even if we have the water rights 2027 01:39:52,400 --> 01:39:56,800 to do that, causing damage downstream 2028 01:39:56,800 --> 01:39:58,639 where there are actually dry creek 2029 01:39:58,639 --> 01:40:01,840 breads that harm someone else's 2030 01:40:01,840 --> 01:40:06,480 property, are we liable in some way? 2031 01:40:06,480 --> 01:40:08,400 >> I don't know that I can answer that. I 2032 01:40:08,400 --> 01:40:11,280 mean, we have we have a right to take 2033 01:40:11,280 --> 01:40:14,400 the water from the state of Montana. Um, 2034 01:40:14,400 --> 01:40:16,320 I don't know that the water rights speak 2035 01:40:16,320 --> 01:40:18,080 specifically towards downgrade 2036 01:40:18,080 --> 01:40:21,440 degradation or downstream degradation. 2037 01:40:21,440 --> 01:40:23,679 >> Does our attorney have any comment on 2038 01:40:23,679 --> 01:40:25,280 that? 2039 01:40:25,280 --> 01:40:28,800 >> I don't. Okay. All right. Thank you. 2040 01:40:28,800 --> 01:40:29,760 That's all for now. 2041 01:40:29,760 --> 01:40:32,000 >> We're we're a junior water right holder. 2042 01:40:32,000 --> 01:40:35,199 Um, the former Vorman Ranch is the 2043 01:40:35,199 --> 01:40:37,760 senior water right holder for that 2044 01:40:37,760 --> 01:40:40,400 basin. So unless there's a a call that's 2045 01:40:40,400 --> 01:40:44,320 made by the senior water right user 2046 01:40:44,320 --> 01:40:47,600 which I believe is Johnny Shocky now um 2047 01:40:47,600 --> 01:40:49,280 no 2048 01:40:49,280 --> 01:40:51,280 in answer to your question. 2049 01:40:51,280 --> 01:40:53,760 >> So John are you mayor Mofeld are you 2050 01:40:53,760 --> 01:40:56,560 saying that whoever has a senior right 2051 01:40:56,560 --> 01:40:59,840 unless they create an issue and require 2052 01:40:59,840 --> 01:41:02,480 us to change our water consumption that 2053 01:41:02,480 --> 01:41:06,320 nothing is legally um li we're not 2054 01:41:06,320 --> 01:41:08,000 liable in any way. Was that 2055 01:41:08,000 --> 01:41:09,360 >> that's correct because I think public 2056 01:41:09,360 --> 01:41:11,199 works has done an adequate job of 2057 01:41:11,199 --> 01:41:14,159 monitoring the inflow rates to 2058 01:41:14,159 --> 01:41:16,880 demonstrate that we're meeting our water 2059 01:41:16,880 --> 01:41:20,880 right permit and our claims on both 2060 01:41:20,880 --> 01:41:23,679 Second and Third Creek. So unless that 2061 01:41:23,679 --> 01:41:27,119 were to be exceeded, there is no valid 2062 01:41:27,119 --> 01:41:30,159 claim or complaint to be made. 2063 01:41:30,159 --> 01:41:35,040 >> Sure. Additional questions for Craig? 2064 01:41:35,040 --> 01:41:37,040 Not seeing any. We did advertise for a 2065 01:41:37,040 --> 01:41:38,880 public hearing on what will be both 2066 01:41:38,880 --> 01:41:42,000 resolutions 26- 2067 01:41:42,000 --> 01:41:45,280 34 as well as 35. 2068 01:41:45,280 --> 01:41:47,119 Any public comment this evening? And I 2069 01:41:47,119 --> 01:41:48,960 will limit public comment this evening 2070 01:41:48,960 --> 01:41:51,440 to three minutes in the spirit of 2071 01:41:51,440 --> 01:41:53,199 running an efficient meeting. We've had 2072 01:41:53,199 --> 01:41:56,239 a long week here as counselor. So please 2073 01:41:56,239 --> 01:42:04,470 respect the three minute rule. John, 2074 01:42:04,480 --> 01:42:07,520 » I'll try my best to keep it under three 2075 01:42:07,520 --> 01:42:09,520 minutes. Um, first of all, um, here on 2076 01:42:09,520 --> 01:42:11,280 behalf of the Haskell Bas and Watershed 2077 01:42:11,280 --> 01:42:12,800 Council, 2078 01:42:12,800 --> 01:42:16,639 you know that we are supporters of the 2079 01:42:16,639 --> 01:42:20,080 um the radio telemetry system and we 2080 01:42:20,080 --> 01:42:21,600 believe that's something that the city 2081 01:42:21,600 --> 01:42:23,840 should be pursuing. I've got hearing 2082 01:42:23,840 --> 01:42:25,920 aids on tonight. They were not working 2083 01:42:25,920 --> 01:42:27,920 so I missed an awful lot of what Craig 2084 01:42:27,920 --> 01:42:30,719 said. So I may say something that that 2085 01:42:30,719 --> 01:42:34,719 is has already been corrected and if so 2086 01:42:34,719 --> 01:42:37,679 I'm I apologize for that. When I was 2087 01:42:37,679 --> 01:42:41,280 last involved uh a few weeks ago at a 2088 01:42:41,280 --> 01:42:43,440 budget meeting, there was discussion 2089 01:42:43,440 --> 01:42:48,000 about the cost of a telemetry system and I think the council decided they 2090 01:42:48,000 --> 01:42:49,840 didn't have good solid information on 2091 01:42:49,840 --> 01:42:53,920 that. And I believe the decision was to 2092 01:42:53,920 --> 01:42:58,639 um leave $100,000 in the water budget 2093 01:42:58,639 --> 01:43:01,119 for the purpose of kind of fleshing out 2094 01:43:01,119 --> 01:43:02,960 what it was truly going to cost, the 2095 01:43:02,960 --> 01:43:06,400 full cost of a telemetry system. Is that 2096 01:43:06,400 --> 01:43:11,280 seem correct to you folks, 2097 01:43:11,280 --> 01:43:12,320 >> Craig? 2098 01:43:12,320 --> 01:43:15,199 >> Uh there was money council directed us 2099 01:43:15,199 --> 01:43:18,320 to put money in the fiscal 27 budget to 2100 01:43:18,320 --> 01:43:20,800 further analyze the telemetry system 2101 01:43:20,800 --> 01:43:22,159 $50,000 2102 01:43:22,159 --> 01:43:23,360 >> and it is in there. 2103 01:43:23,360 --> 01:43:24,159 >> Thank you. 2104 01:43:24,159 --> 01:43:28,639 >> Okay, that thank you. Um 2105 01:43:28,639 --> 01:43:30,320 and I noticed it was in the budget so 2106 01:43:30,320 --> 01:43:35,119 that's great. Right now, the master plan 2107 01:43:35,119 --> 01:43:37,840 analyzes whether or not a telemetry 2108 01:43:37,840 --> 01:43:40,320 system would be appropriate and then I 2109 01:43:40,320 --> 01:43:42,960 believe decides no, it's not going to be 2110 01:43:42,960 --> 01:43:44,960 appropriate. So, right now, I think the 2111 01:43:44,960 --> 01:43:48,880 master plan says no to that. And it 2112 01:43:48,880 --> 01:43:51,679 sounds like if if you budgeted 2113 01:43:51,679 --> 01:43:55,280 potentially $100,000 to investigate 2114 01:43:55,280 --> 01:43:57,600 um further, it would be good to rewrite 2115 01:43:57,600 --> 01:44:01,199 that portion of the report simply to 2116 01:44:01,199 --> 01:44:03,840 show that that the city hasn't closed 2117 01:44:03,840 --> 01:44:06,000 the door on the telemetry system that 2118 01:44:06,000 --> 01:44:07,600 it's going to be investigated over the 2119 01:44:07,600 --> 01:44:10,239 next fiscal year. 2120 01:44:10,239 --> 01:44:11,760 But that would take a change to the 2121 01:44:11,760 --> 01:44:14,239 actual language of the of the master 2122 01:44:14,239 --> 01:44:19,030 plan. 2123 01:44:19,040 --> 01:44:22,229 Um, 2124 01:44:22,239 --> 01:44:25,119 considering the number of minutes, I um 2125 01:44:25,119 --> 01:44:30,470 I'll race through a few things that um 2126 01:44:30,480 --> 01:44:37,440 I had wanted to say something about the community's dedication to to clean 2127 01:44:37,440 --> 01:44:41,280 water and healthy water systems and 2128 01:44:41,280 --> 01:44:44,239 productive lakes and rivers and streams. 2129 01:44:44,239 --> 01:44:46,400 When I moved to town, I learned right 2130 01:44:46,400 --> 01:44:48,639 away that this community really cared 2131 01:44:48,639 --> 01:44:52,159 about water quality. And having lived 2132 01:44:52,159 --> 01:44:54,480 here now 32 years, I've heard it over 2133 01:44:54,480 --> 01:44:56,719 and over and over that the community 2134 01:44:56,719 --> 01:45:00,239 really cares. Um, I was worked with the 2135 01:45:00,239 --> 01:45:02,719 city for 15 years and attended 15 years 2136 01:45:02,719 --> 01:45:04,960 worth of council meetings and I heard it 2137 01:45:04,960 --> 01:45:07,119 there from council members and mayors 2138 01:45:07,119 --> 01:45:10,719 and audience and staff. And so I I I 2139 01:45:10,719 --> 01:45:14,880 want to believe that. And um the new 2140 01:45:14,880 --> 01:45:16,719 community plan that you adopted just 2141 01:45:16,719 --> 01:45:18,320 recently 2142 01:45:18,320 --> 01:45:21,040 says basically that it says this is at 2143 01:45:21,040 --> 01:45:23,440 the intro. We will demonstrate 2144 01:45:23,440 --> 01:45:25,600 environmental stewardship and maintain 2145 01:45:25,600 --> 01:45:28,480 and improve our natural resources. 2146 01:45:28,480 --> 01:45:30,880 Whitefish is defined by its natural 2147 01:45:30,880 --> 01:45:34,000 environment. It had a water quality goal 2148 01:45:34,000 --> 01:45:36,320 of number two and that was maintain and 2149 01:45:36,320 --> 01:45:38,400 improve water quality of the Whitefish 2150 01:45:38,400 --> 01:45:40,639 area's lakes, rivers, groundwater, and 2151 01:45:40,639 --> 01:45:42,320 streams. 2152 01:45:42,320 --> 01:45:44,159 During the visioning process, a 2153 01:45:44,159 --> 01:45:46,719 community overwhelmingly responded. The 2154 01:45:46,719 --> 01:45:48,719 top three most important features to 2155 01:45:48,719 --> 01:45:50,880 protect were the White Fish River, White 2156 01:45:50,880 --> 01:45:53,840 Fish Lake, and overall water quality. 2157 01:45:53,840 --> 01:45:58,159 And I guess that to me is is the most 2158 01:45:58,159 --> 01:46:00,800 important thing for me to say tonight. 2159 01:46:00,800 --> 01:46:03,280 I'm hoping that sentiment is still alive 2160 01:46:03,280 --> 01:46:07,040 and well. Um, it's obvious and I think 2161 01:46:07,040 --> 01:46:10,159 the evidence is obvious that that Second 2162 01:46:10,159 --> 01:46:11,920 Creek and Third Creek are being 2163 01:46:11,920 --> 01:46:15,520 dewatered um a lot sometimes for months 2164 01:46:15,520 --> 01:46:18,719 at a time. Um, 2165 01:46:18,719 --> 01:46:21,280 that's not that's just not consistent 2166 01:46:21,280 --> 01:46:24,080 with a community and a a city council or 2167 01:46:24,080 --> 01:46:26,800 a city entity that that believes 2168 01:46:26,800 --> 01:46:29,119 strongly in maintaining uh water 2169 01:46:29,119 --> 01:46:33,679 quality. If Um, you've got to have water quality. And if there's no 2170 01:46:33,679 --> 01:46:36,320 water in those creeks, um, we can't even 2171 01:46:36,320 --> 01:46:39,520 talk about water quality. So, I'm hoping 2172 01:46:39,520 --> 01:46:44,239 that that sentiment remains and that you 2173 01:46:44,239 --> 01:46:46,800 will continue to look long and hard and 2174 01:46:46,800 --> 01:46:49,360 we will present to you long and hard um 2175 01:46:49,360 --> 01:46:52,480 further facts about why we really need 2176 01:46:52,480 --> 01:46:55,920 the telemetry system and then we need to 2177 01:46:55,920 --> 01:46:58,320 um make sure that second and third creek 2178 01:46:58,320 --> 01:47:01,280 receive adequate water. So, I think my 2179 01:47:01,280 --> 01:47:03,440 three minutes were long past up. Thank 2180 01:47:03,440 --> 01:47:03,840 you. 2181 01:47:03,840 --> 01:47:06,480 >> Thank you, John. Appreciate it. Who's 2182 01:47:06,480 --> 01:47:12,149 next? Samantha. 2183 01:47:12,159 --> 01:47:14,080 » Good evening, honorable mayor and 2184 01:47:14,080 --> 01:47:15,920 council members. My name is Samantha 2185 01:47:15,920 --> 01:47:17,600 Tapenbeck. I'm the resource 2186 01:47:17,600 --> 01:47:19,199 conservationist for Flathead 2187 01:47:19,199 --> 01:47:21,520 Conservation District. Flathead 2188 01:47:21,520 --> 01:47:23,040 conservation district has been the 2189 01:47:23,040 --> 01:47:25,920 administrative sponsor of the Haskell 2190 01:47:25,920 --> 01:47:28,000 Basin Watershed Council since it was 2191 01:47:28,000 --> 01:47:30,639 formed in 2000. 2192 01:47:30,639 --> 01:47:33,119 Flathead CD submitted a letter of 2193 01:47:33,119 --> 01:47:36,159 support of the Haskell Basin Watershed 2194 01:47:36,159 --> 01:47:38,960 Council's report summarizing their 2195 01:47:38,960 --> 01:47:41,280 concerns and recommendations to the 2196 01:47:41,280 --> 01:47:43,360 city. I believe you all have that letter 2197 01:47:43,360 --> 01:47:45,760 with their report. I'm here today just 2198 01:47:45,760 --> 01:47:48,960 to reiterate that support and urge you 2199 01:47:48,960 --> 01:47:51,840 to consider this opportunity to advance 2200 01:47:51,840 --> 01:47:54,719 the stewardship of Haskell Basin wershed 2201 01:47:54,719 --> 01:47:56,639 through proactive management of the 2202 01:47:56,639 --> 01:47:59,440 municipal water system. We ask that the 2203 01:47:59,440 --> 01:48:01,600 council consider adopting the following 2204 01:48:01,600 --> 01:48:04,400 management priorities into this 20-year 2205 01:48:04,400 --> 01:48:07,360 water master plan to work towards 2206 01:48:07,360 --> 01:48:09,920 maximizing efficiency and conserving 2207 01:48:09,920 --> 01:48:13,760 water use in existing infrastructure of 2208 01:48:13,760 --> 01:48:15,840 the municipal water system to minimize 2209 01:48:15,840 --> 01:48:18,880 impacts to the creek and a commitment to 2210 01:48:18,880 --> 01:48:21,040 being responsive to uncertain climate 2211 01:48:21,040 --> 01:48:24,000 conditions by building in resiliency to 2212 01:48:24,000 --> 01:48:26,320 the existing infrastructure. 2213 01:48:26,320 --> 01:48:28,080 Flathead Conservation District supports 2214 01:48:28,080 --> 01:48:30,000 the Haskell Basin Watershed Council's 2215 01:48:30,000 --> 01:48:32,239 position that greater efficiency and 2216 01:48:32,239 --> 01:48:34,480 more responsive management of the 2217 01:48:34,480 --> 01:48:36,800 resource could be accomplished with 2218 01:48:36,800 --> 01:48:39,440 installation of a remote radio telemetry 2219 01:48:39,440 --> 01:48:42,639 system for real-time monitoring of 2220 01:48:42,639 --> 01:48:44,719 conditions and adjustments at the 2221 01:48:44,719 --> 01:48:47,760 diversions on second and third creek 2222 01:48:47,760 --> 01:48:50,400 creeks. Uh thank you for the opportunity 2223 01:48:50,400 --> 01:48:51,920 to comment and I'll make myself 2224 01:48:51,920 --> 01:48:54,719 available for questions if helpful. 2225 01:48:54,719 --> 01:48:56,719 >> Thanks Samantha. Appreciate you coming 2226 01:48:56,719 --> 01:49:07,990 tonight, Mike. 2227 01:49:08,000 --> 01:49:10,320 Mayor, city council, Mike Copel, 2228 01:49:10,320 --> 01:49:11,520 director of the White Fish Lake 2229 01:49:11,520 --> 01:49:13,760 Institute. We submitted written comments 2230 01:49:13,760 --> 01:49:16,159 for your review. I just want to touch 2231 01:49:16,159 --> 01:49:19,920 upon two main points tonight. Uh, number 2232 01:49:19,920 --> 01:49:22,000 one is that this is a really good 2233 01:49:22,000 --> 01:49:23,840 engineering report. In fact, your 2234 01:49:23,840 --> 01:49:27,360 engineering team of Craig, Lizzy, Allan 2235 01:49:27,360 --> 01:49:33,040 are awesome uh for this community and we value that. The problem is this 2236 01:49:33,040 --> 01:49:35,760 is an engineering report whereas this is 2237 01:49:35,760 --> 01:49:38,960 a joint engineering and natural resource 2238 01:49:38,960 --> 01:49:41,920 management uh scenario, right? So, we 2239 01:49:41,920 --> 01:49:44,080 can't just look at the engineering fixes 2240 01:49:44,080 --> 01:49:46,080 without addressing the natural resource 2241 01:49:46,080 --> 01:49:48,400 concerns. So you pull out a thread in 2242 01:49:48,400 --> 01:49:50,400 the engineering realm and and you're 2243 01:49:50,400 --> 01:49:52,480 going to start to unravel other things 2244 01:49:52,480 --> 01:49:54,080 and I think you heard that through some 2245 01:49:54,080 --> 01:49:57,679 of the written comment. So for me this 2246 01:49:57,679 --> 01:50:01,679 is a plan for the next 20 years right 2247 01:50:01,679 --> 01:50:05,199 and so I fall back on what's the worst 2248 01:50:05,199 --> 01:50:07,760 case scenario so the most important 2249 01:50:07,760 --> 01:50:11,119 service that we provide to residents is 2250 01:50:11,119 --> 01:50:14,159 municipal drinking water right so does 2251 01:50:14,159 --> 01:50:16,480 this plan adequate adequately address 2252 01:50:16,480 --> 01:50:19,760 the whatifs right the plausible whatifs 2253 01:50:19,760 --> 01:50:23,679 and so I itemized in my response to you 2254 01:50:23,679 --> 01:50:25,920 a couple of them number One is a 2255 01:50:25,920 --> 01:50:28,159 catastrophic fire up second and third 2256 01:50:28,159 --> 01:50:30,800 creek, right? Which is reasonable, 2257 01:50:30,800 --> 01:50:33,199 feasible in in my mind, especially here 2258 01:50:33,199 --> 01:50:35,119 in Ed and and we all know what happened 2259 01:50:35,119 --> 01:50:37,520 in Spokane this year. And when that 2260 01:50:37,520 --> 01:50:39,760 happens, we can get hydrophobic soils, 2261 01:50:39,760 --> 01:50:42,320 we can get increased uh water yield, 2262 01:50:42,320 --> 01:50:44,480 sediment delivery, basically taking 2263 01:50:44,480 --> 01:50:46,080 those intake diversion structures 2264 01:50:46,080 --> 01:50:47,600 offline. 2265 01:50:47,600 --> 01:50:50,800 uh post that um there might be a taste 2266 01:50:50,800 --> 01:50:53,119 and odor issue making the water 2267 01:50:53,119 --> 01:50:56,480 unpalatable for municipal consumption. 2268 01:50:56,480 --> 01:51:00,560 Right. The other thing is um you know 2269 01:51:00,560 --> 01:51:03,040 we're doing our darn it darnest to keep 2270 01:51:03,040 --> 01:51:05,199 zebra and quaga muscles out of Whitefish 2271 01:51:05,199 --> 01:51:07,840 Lake, a very aggressive uh watercraft 2272 01:51:07,840 --> 01:51:09,679 inspection program. Thanks to you all 2273 01:51:09,679 --> 01:51:11,520 and Maria and Carla for doing a great 2274 01:51:11,520 --> 01:51:14,639 job on the ground. Um but there's no 2275 01:51:14,639 --> 01:51:17,920 guarantees, right? So what happens then? 2276 01:51:17,920 --> 01:51:20,719 So we could get uh zebra muscles 2277 01:51:20,719 --> 01:51:22,320 colonizing the water intake pipe 2278 01:51:22,320 --> 01:51:25,280 partially or totally oluding that pipe. 2279 01:51:25,280 --> 01:51:27,280 Their microscopic life form can get 2280 01:51:27,280 --> 01:51:29,360 sucked up to the water treatment plant 2281 01:51:29,360 --> 01:51:32,560 for which they could then colonize 2282 01:51:32,560 --> 01:51:35,840 infrastructure there. So I guess what 2283 01:51:35,840 --> 01:51:38,800 I'm saying is this plan falls short in 2284 01:51:38,800 --> 01:51:43,119 terms of the long-term game, right? So 2285 01:51:43,119 --> 01:51:46,000 we need to consider certain mitigation 2286 01:51:46,000 --> 01:51:49,679 strategies because if something happens 2287 01:51:49,679 --> 01:51:52,080 between now and within the next 20 2288 01:51:52,080 --> 01:51:54,800 years, you know, what management options 2289 01:51:54,800 --> 01:51:58,480 will you have to use as tools to 2290 01:51:58,480 --> 01:52:00,159 continue providing service to the 2291 01:52:00,159 --> 01:52:03,119 residents of Whitefish? So, uh, you 2292 01:52:03,119 --> 01:52:04,080 know, there's a couple things I 2293 01:52:04,080 --> 01:52:05,920 suggested. You know, Craig alluded to 2294 01:52:05,920 --> 01:52:08,480 the the groundwater wells, so I think 2295 01:52:08,480 --> 01:52:10,719 that that was that was me, right? So 2296 01:52:10,719 --> 01:52:12,480 I've advocated for potential deep 2297 01:52:12,480 --> 01:52:15,119 groundwater wells uh near the water 2298 01:52:15,119 --> 01:52:18,159 intake uh diversion structures right so 2299 01:52:18,159 --> 01:52:20,639 that water can be incorporated uh and 2300 01:52:20,639 --> 01:52:23,920 blended upstream right of the hydro 2301 01:52:23,920 --> 01:52:26,080 plant. So there'd be some cost recovery 2302 01:52:26,080 --> 01:52:28,320 in using that water. Number one there's 2303 01:52:28,320 --> 01:52:30,000 known chemistry. There are some 2304 01:52:30,000 --> 01:52:32,960 chemistry concerns with hardness and 2305 01:52:32,960 --> 01:52:36,000 other things and concerns with lead 2306 01:52:36,000 --> 01:52:38,639 dissolution in our infrastructure. Well, 2307 01:52:38,639 --> 01:52:40,000 the next 20 years we should also be 2308 01:52:40,000 --> 01:52:41,360 working very hard to get rid of that 2309 01:52:41,360 --> 01:52:45,520 lead infrastructure, right? So, um I 2310 01:52:45,520 --> 01:52:47,760 guess the moral of the story is if deep 2311 01:52:47,760 --> 01:52:50,560 groundwater wells uphill of the water 2312 01:52:50,560 --> 01:52:52,239 treatment plant aren't feasible from an 2313 01:52:52,239 --> 01:52:54,480 engineering perspective, show me what 2314 01:52:54,480 --> 01:52:57,199 third water source is feasible for the 2315 01:52:57,199 --> 01:52:59,360 city. And we need to itemize that now 2316 01:52:59,360 --> 01:53:01,679 and work towards it with a tangible plan 2317 01:53:01,679 --> 01:53:04,639 rather than have a 20-year plan and then 2318 01:53:04,639 --> 01:53:08,000 be here in 20 years with, you know, um 2319 01:53:08,000 --> 01:53:11,760 not attaining that goal. So um it's a 2320 01:53:11,760 --> 01:53:13,280 great engineering plan. Again, great 2321 01:53:13,280 --> 01:53:14,800 people have worked on this. I'm just 2322 01:53:14,800 --> 01:53:17,920 saying let's pause. Let's go back to the 2323 01:53:17,920 --> 01:53:21,280 table. And again, this is a a 2324 01:53:21,280 --> 01:53:23,119 combination engineering and natural 2325 01:53:23,119 --> 01:53:25,599 resource issue. So let's address it that 2326 01:53:25,599 --> 01:53:27,440 way. So thank you. 2327 01:53:27,440 --> 01:53:29,280 >> Thank you, Mike. 2328 01:53:29,280 --> 01:53:34,310 Additional public comments. 2329 01:53:34,320 --> 01:53:37,119 Deputy 2330 01:53:37,119 --> 01:53:42,709 always 2331 01:53:42,719 --> 01:53:45,599 » honorable honorable mayor and council 2332 01:53:45,599 --> 01:53:48,000 Richard Iner 104th Street Whitefish 2333 01:53:48,000 --> 01:53:51,679 Montana. Uh let me begin by saying 2334 01:53:51,679 --> 01:53:53,280 Samantha I really appreciate your 2335 01:53:53,280 --> 01:53:56,639 comments. I think you um hit the nail on 2336 01:53:56,639 --> 01:53:58,960 the head as it were. Uh couple of 2337 01:53:58,960 --> 01:54:03,280 things. Uh, one is, uh, we have the 2338 01:54:03,280 --> 01:54:05,840 technology, we have I sounded like in 2339 01:54:05,840 --> 01:54:09,520 the budget the money to, um, put a 2340 01:54:09,520 --> 01:54:12,639 impermeable mat in the reservoir and get 2341 01:54:12,639 --> 01:54:16,080 rid of or eliminate that leakage, uh, in 2342 01:54:16,080 --> 01:54:18,719 our reservoir. And so, uh, if there's 2343 01:54:18,719 --> 01:54:20,480 money, we should spend it on that and 2344 01:54:20,480 --> 01:54:24,080 get that job done. Two, uh, remote 2345 01:54:24,080 --> 01:54:26,960 telemetry, uh, is a pro proven 2346 01:54:26,960 --> 01:54:28,800 technology. We've been discussing it 2347 01:54:28,800 --> 01:54:31,119 with regards to Haskell Basin for quite 2348 01:54:31,119 --> 01:54:34,080 some time and uh I think now is the time 2349 01:54:34,080 --> 01:54:41,280 to initiate that uh program. Um the 2350 01:54:41,280 --> 01:54:44,560 third point is 2351 01:54:44,560 --> 01:54:46,800 do we have the 2352 01:54:46,800 --> 01:54:48,800 right 2353 01:54:48,800 --> 01:54:51,520 I don't know how else to phrase it to 2354 01:54:51,520 --> 01:54:53,280 dewater 2355 01:54:53,280 --> 01:54:58,080 streams and in essence destroy 2356 01:54:58,080 --> 01:55:01,520 the repairarian habitat including the 2357 01:55:01,520 --> 01:55:04,320 cutthroat trout that might live in it. 2358 01:55:04,320 --> 01:55:08,320 Um and I I think that it is uh important 2359 01:55:08,320 --> 01:55:11,679 that we keep stream flow uh in second 2360 01:55:11,679 --> 01:55:13,840 and third 2361 01:55:13,840 --> 01:55:18,239 creeks and a telemetry system would go a 2362 01:55:18,239 --> 01:55:20,080 long ways towards getting that done. 2363 01:55:20,080 --> 01:55:22,480 Number four, uh as I said, we've been 2364 01:55:22,480 --> 01:55:24,960 talking about this for a long long time. 2365 01:55:24,960 --> 01:55:29,119 I think it's time now 15 years and now 2366 01:55:29,119 --> 01:55:32,400 is the time to stop stop talking and um 2367 01:55:32,400 --> 01:55:36,320 start acting. Thank you. 2368 01:55:36,320 --> 01:55:43,510 >> Thank you, Richard. Ed, 2369 01:55:43,520 --> 01:55:49,750 » if you don't mind, Alan, after Ed 2370 01:55:49,760 --> 01:55:53,599 Liser, 1355 Lion Mountain Drive. Um, I 2371 01:55:53,599 --> 01:55:55,920 don't speak here very often and to do it 2372 01:55:55,920 --> 01:55:59,520 twice in one night is unprecedented, but 2373 01:55:59,520 --> 01:56:02,400 this is an issue that I feel very 2374 01:56:02,400 --> 01:56:05,520 strongly about. And I think um I' I'd 2375 01:56:05,520 --> 01:56:08,320 like to basically reiterate u some of 2376 01:56:08,320 --> 01:56:11,840 what's been said already. And I think I 2377 01:56:11,840 --> 01:56:13,679 would take Richard's comment right at 2378 01:56:13,679 --> 01:56:16,639 the end very seriously. Do we have the 2379 01:56:16,639 --> 01:56:23,280 right to alter an ecosystem? 2380 01:56:23,280 --> 01:56:26,480 You know, I appreciate the comments that 2381 01:56:26,480 --> 01:56:28,080 and the hearing that you had on the 2382 01:56:28,080 --> 01:56:31,280 budget and it it makes me appreciate the 2383 01:56:31,280 --> 01:56:35,280 challenge and that you have trying to 2384 01:56:35,280 --> 01:56:39,599 fiscally manage this very important 2385 01:56:39,599 --> 01:56:42,320 resource that you know and for the for 2386 01:56:42,320 --> 01:56:45,119 the good of the public. But 2387 01:56:45,119 --> 01:56:50,639 um there's a cost to living here and I I 2388 01:56:50,639 --> 01:56:54,159 strongly believe that we have to pay the 2389 01:56:54,159 --> 01:56:58,159 price and if it costs us more to take 2390 01:56:58,159 --> 01:57:01,440 care of our ecosystem, our aquatic 2391 01:57:01,440 --> 01:57:05,440 resource, that's got to be our highest 2392 01:57:05,440 --> 01:57:07,119 priority 2393 01:57:07,119 --> 01:57:11,119 and it's the cost of living here. So, 2394 01:57:11,119 --> 01:57:13,520 um, again, I want to reiterate what's 2395 01:57:13,520 --> 01:57:16,719 been said. I support the 2396 01:57:16,719 --> 01:57:20,400 concept of the telemetry, um, system. I 2397 01:57:20,400 --> 01:57:24,320 hope you'll seriously consider that um, 2398 01:57:24,320 --> 01:57:27,520 in the review of the master plan. Thank 2399 01:57:27,520 --> 01:57:33,430 you so much. 2400 01:57:33,440 --> 01:57:36,080 » Thank you, Ed Allen. 2401 01:57:36,080 --> 01:57:37,599 >> Thanks again for letting me speak before 2402 01:57:37,599 --> 01:57:40,080 you. Um I just want to touch a few bases 2403 01:57:40,080 --> 01:57:43,840 here. Um I am the design engineer for 2404 01:57:43,840 --> 01:57:45,920 this this report and we work very 2405 01:57:45,920 --> 01:57:47,840 closely with the city in a in a kind of 2406 01:57:47,840 --> 01:57:49,840 a tight box. But I want to talk about 2407 01:57:49,840 --> 01:57:51,760 the water master plan itself. We talk 2408 01:57:51,760 --> 01:57:54,000 about a 20-year planning horizon. Those 2409 01:57:54,000 --> 01:57:56,800 elements are not set in stone for 20 2410 01:57:56,800 --> 01:57:59,199 years. Uh every year the city will come 2411 01:57:59,199 --> 01:58:01,199 back and they'll look at the CIPs and 2412 01:58:01,199 --> 01:58:03,280 decide is this appropriate this year and 2413 01:58:03,280 --> 01:58:05,119 they might move up and down in order of 2414 01:58:05,119 --> 01:58:07,360 importance or if something comes up they 2415 01:58:07,360 --> 01:58:09,520 may add one or or they could come along 2416 01:58:09,520 --> 01:58:10,960 and they could say we need to do an 2417 01:58:10,960 --> 01:58:13,440 update uh to this plan in two years or 2418 01:58:13,440 --> 01:58:15,599 four years. Usually you see your 2419 01:58:15,599 --> 01:58:17,679 municipalities update them every five 2420 01:58:17,679 --> 01:58:20,400 years. So it's not set in stone. It's 2421 01:58:20,400 --> 01:58:22,560 actually a living document. Uh we typ 2422 01:58:22,560 --> 01:58:24,560 typically call it draft because they're 2423 01:58:24,560 --> 01:58:27,920 never finalized. Um that said, moving 2424 01:58:27,920 --> 01:58:30,560 on, I think people need to understand 2425 01:58:30,560 --> 01:58:32,960 the cost of 2426 01:58:32,960 --> 01:58:37,119 using less Haskell Creek water. Uh 2427 01:58:37,119 --> 01:58:39,520 you're going to lose 2428 01:58:39,520 --> 01:58:42,560 uh revenue from the hydro plant. If 2429 01:58:42,560 --> 01:58:44,080 you've got to pump it back up the hill, 2430 01:58:44,080 --> 01:58:46,719 you've got to pay those charges. Uh the 2431 01:58:46,719 --> 01:58:48,560 lake water, while very good quality, is 2432 01:58:48,560 --> 01:58:50,880 not pristine quality like Haskell. 2433 01:58:50,880 --> 01:58:52,480 You're going to have to treat harder, 2434 01:58:52,480 --> 01:58:54,800 use more chemicals. The water's warmer, 2435 01:58:54,800 --> 01:58:56,080 the reactions 2436 01:58:56,080 --> 01:58:58,000 require more chemicals yet. You're going 2437 01:58:58,000 --> 01:59:00,400 to have more backwash. A lot of cost 2438 01:59:00,400 --> 01:59:02,320 associated with those and I don't think 2439 01:59:02,320 --> 01:59:05,440 people realize what that's going to be. 2440 01:59:05,440 --> 01:59:09,199 Um, and I would love for there to be all 2441 01:59:09,199 --> 01:59:12,480 the water in Haskell Creek forever, but 2442 01:59:12,480 --> 01:59:13,760 I think the city's going to have some 2443 01:59:13,760 --> 01:59:15,440 difficult choices and and it 2444 01:59:15,440 --> 01:59:16,880 unfortunately is going to come down to 2445 01:59:16,880 --> 01:59:19,199 an economic analysis. 2446 01:59:19,199 --> 01:59:22,639 Do you have the the economic fortitude 2447 01:59:22,639 --> 01:59:26,080 to uh quit using Haskell Creek water or 2448 01:59:26,080 --> 01:59:29,360 use less Haskell Creek water. Um, and 2449 01:59:29,360 --> 01:59:31,760 you know, the initial numbers I'm 2450 01:59:31,760 --> 01:59:33,679 looking at aren't very promising for the 2451 01:59:33,679 --> 01:59:35,360 city. It's going to be a tough pill to 2452 01:59:35,360 --> 01:59:38,159 swallow. Um, a few other things to talk 2453 01:59:38,159 --> 01:59:41,280 about here. Uh, wells. Wells are a 2454 01:59:41,280 --> 01:59:42,480 little bit risky. There's no guarantee 2455 01:59:42,480 --> 01:59:44,000 that you're going to get any kind of a 2456 01:59:44,000 --> 01:59:45,199 yield out of them if you want. You can 2457 01:59:45,199 --> 01:59:46,639 ask a big amount of water that they've 2458 01:59:46,639 --> 01:59:48,320 drilled a couple of dry holes in the 2459 01:59:48,320 --> 01:59:52,159 last 10 years. Um, but if you could, um, 2460 01:59:52,159 --> 01:59:53,679 that's an excellent source and you've 2461 01:59:53,679 --> 01:59:55,599 got it above the treatment plant. So 2462 01:59:55,599 --> 01:59:57,760 hopefully you're not pumping far. There 2463 01:59:57,760 --> 01:59:59,679 are water chemistry issues whether you 2464 01:59:59,679 --> 02:00:02,960 use it for potable water and and you'd 2465 02:00:02,960 --> 02:00:04,880 have to add on or build a separate 2466 02:00:04,880 --> 02:00:06,560 treatment plant before you blend it with 2467 02:00:06,560 --> 02:00:09,440 your existing surface water. Um or 2468 02:00:09,440 --> 02:00:11,679 potentially you could use it to augment 2469 02:00:11,679 --> 02:00:14,560 Haskell Creek itself. Um that has some 2470 02:00:14,560 --> 02:00:16,480 inherent advantages and disadvantages. 2471 02:00:16,480 --> 02:00:18,800 You got a water chemistry issue again. 2472 02:00:18,800 --> 02:00:21,440 Um but it is cold water and could help 2473 02:00:21,440 --> 02:00:23,360 offset the warming of of the creek 2474 02:00:23,360 --> 02:00:25,440 itself. 2475 02:00:25,440 --> 02:00:28,639 Uh, I do want to acknowledge the the 2476 02:00:28,639 --> 02:00:31,280 fantastic work that Haskell Basin 2477 02:00:31,280 --> 02:00:33,360 Commission has done, the conservation 2478 02:00:33,360 --> 02:00:35,520 district has done through the years with 2479 02:00:35,520 --> 02:00:38,719 Haskell Creek. When I was a kid, it it 2480 02:00:38,719 --> 02:00:42,320 was a cow pond from one end to the other 2481 02:00:42,320 --> 02:00:44,560 through Borman's and they've done an 2482 02:00:44,560 --> 02:00:47,040 outstanding job of revitating, 2483 02:00:47,040 --> 02:00:51,520 reforesting. Um, so this is this is a 2484 02:00:51,520 --> 02:00:54,400 tough decision. Um, I've been tasked 2485 02:00:54,400 --> 02:00:55,840 looking at it only from an engineering 2486 02:00:55,840 --> 02:00:58,400 standpoint, but 2487 02:00:58,400 --> 02:01:00,159 here we are. This is where the sausage 2488 02:01:00,159 --> 02:01:02,000 gets made. 2489 02:01:02,000 --> 02:01:03,280 So, thank you. 2490 02:01:03,280 --> 02:01:04,800 >> Thank you, Alan. Appreciate you 2491 02:01:04,800 --> 02:01:07,440 attending this evening. Further public 2492 02:01:07,440 --> 02:01:09,119 comments? 2493 02:01:09,119 --> 02:01:14,709 Michelle, anyone online? 2494 02:01:14,719 --> 02:01:16,239 » For those of you who are online, if 2495 02:01:16,239 --> 02:01:17,840 you'd like to speak towards either the 2496 02:01:17,840 --> 02:01:20,080 water master plan or the wastewater and 2497 02:01:20,080 --> 02:01:22,320 storm water master plan, please raise 2498 02:01:22,320 --> 02:01:28,870 your hand. 2499 02:01:28,880 --> 02:01:29,840 We're good. 2500 02:01:29,840 --> 02:01:31,440 >> Go ahead and close the public hearing 2501 02:01:31,440 --> 02:01:33,119 and I'll start with comments from the 2502 02:01:33,119 --> 02:01:36,080 council. I'll start with Jeppi since he 2503 02:01:36,080 --> 02:01:38,159 is joining us remotely. Any comments, 2504 02:01:38,159 --> 02:01:39,199 Jeppy? 2505 02:01:39,199 --> 02:01:42,080 >> Uh, mayor, I do not have a comment, but 2506 02:01:42,080 --> 02:01:44,239 I know that we asked questions ahead of 2507 02:01:44,239 --> 02:01:46,639 time to the staff. Can I ask a question 2508 02:01:46,639 --> 02:01:49,360 to Craig after listening to the public 2509 02:01:49,360 --> 02:01:50,400 comments? 2510 02:01:50,400 --> 02:01:54,080 >> Of course. All right, Craig. Uh, I don't 2511 02:01:54,080 --> 02:01:56,400 want to go into the weeds. All I want to 2512 02:01:56,400 --> 02:02:00,000 understand high level is and I use terms 2513 02:02:00,000 --> 02:02:03,760 that I heard or read in your packet. Uh, 2514 02:02:03,760 --> 02:02:07,599 on one hand your plan which is a plan 2515 02:02:07,599 --> 02:02:10,000 and I agree with the people who say it's 2516 02:02:10,000 --> 02:02:13,679 not cast in marble and it's just a high 2517 02:02:13,679 --> 02:02:16,080 level plan and then different decisions 2518 02:02:16,080 --> 02:02:19,040 will be made at different stages. The 2519 02:02:19,040 --> 02:02:22,560 actuator uh valve at the hydrop plant 2520 02:02:22,560 --> 02:02:25,520 regulates how much total water reaches 2521 02:02:25,520 --> 02:02:28,560 the plant but it doesn't tell us how 2522 02:02:28,560 --> 02:02:30,719 much water remains in second and third 2523 02:02:30,719 --> 02:02:35,199 creek or uh allow us to remotely adjust 2524 02:02:35,199 --> 02:02:38,159 those individual diversions where on the 2525 02:02:38,159 --> 02:02:41,520 other side this telemetry proposal would 2526 02:02:41,520 --> 02:02:46,400 uh do that. Am I correct or is and and 2527 02:02:46,400 --> 02:02:50,480 what what is it that makes your approach 2528 02:02:50,480 --> 02:02:52,960 comfortable for yourself and and the 2529 02:02:52,960 --> 02:02:56,550 staff in the city? 2530 02:02:56,560 --> 02:02:58,159 » Yeah, I think you've explained it 2531 02:02:58,159 --> 02:03:00,639 correctly, Jeppe. Um the intent with the 2532 02:03:00,639 --> 02:03:03,920 actuated valve at the water plant would 2533 02:03:03,920 --> 02:03:06,880 be to slow down the water coming from 2534 02:03:06,880 --> 02:03:09,920 second and third creeks and back it up 2535 02:03:09,920 --> 02:03:12,159 into first creek. So it wouldn't the 2536 02:03:12,159 --> 02:03:14,880 water would still be diverted at second 2537 02:03:14,880 --> 02:03:16,560 and third creeks, but it would remain in 2538 02:03:16,560 --> 02:03:18,719 the main stem of Haskell Creek by 2539 02:03:18,719 --> 02:03:22,400 backing it up into First Creek. Um I I 2540 02:03:22,400 --> 02:03:24,719 will say that over the past several 2541 02:03:24,719 --> 02:03:27,920 years, we have continued to allow water 2542 02:03:27,920 --> 02:03:30,960 to overflow at Second and Third Creek. 2543 02:03:30,960 --> 02:03:32,800 Even though you go up there and you look 2544 02:03:32,800 --> 02:03:34,880 at those creeks and they may look dry, 2545 02:03:34,880 --> 02:03:37,119 that water is going underground 2546 02:03:37,119 --> 02:03:39,760 somewhere after the diversions. we are 2547 02:03:39,760 --> 02:03:41,280 spilling water and so we're not taking 2548 02:03:41,280 --> 02:03:43,280 100% of the water from second and third 2549 02:03:43,280 --> 02:03:46,000 creek. Um but the intent of the actuated 2550 02:03:46,000 --> 02:03:48,000 valve would be would essentially 2551 02:03:48,000 --> 02:03:50,880 accomplish the same goal as the remote 2552 02:03:50,880 --> 02:03:53,440 telemetry and the the gate valves at 2553 02:03:53,440 --> 02:03:54,800 second and third creek. It's just that 2554 02:03:54,800 --> 02:03:57,280 it would back up the water into first 2555 02:03:57,280 --> 02:04:00,560 creek and then meet up with um with the 2556 02:04:00,560 --> 02:04:03,199 main stem of Haskell 2557 02:04:03,199 --> 02:04:05,840 shortly thereafter. Um, I will say, 2558 02:04:05,840 --> 02:04:07,440 Rebecca, in answer to your question 2559 02:04:07,440 --> 02:04:09,760 earlier, I did a just a quick GIS 2560 02:04:09,760 --> 02:04:12,480 measurement. Um, the intake for Third 2561 02:04:12,480 --> 02:04:14,239 Creek is just over two miles from the 2562 02:04:14,239 --> 02:04:17,119 water plant. Um, it would likely the 2563 02:04:17,119 --> 02:04:19,440 signal would likely have to take a 2564 02:04:19,440 --> 02:04:21,199 slightly different route. So, I would 2565 02:04:21,199 --> 02:04:24,080 estimate between two and three miles of 2566 02:04:24,080 --> 02:04:28,080 um of distance in that remote telemetry. 2567 02:04:28,080 --> 02:04:32,560 >> Thank you, Greg. So, so are you saying 2568 02:04:32,560 --> 02:04:36,159 that the telemetry solution would 2569 02:04:36,159 --> 02:04:39,599 address the issue so to speak at its 2570 02:04:39,599 --> 02:04:41,920 head versus at the feet? I'm I'm 2571 02:04:41,920 --> 02:04:45,840 paraphrasing, but there are technical 2572 02:04:45,840 --> 02:04:48,719 challenges and costs that I don't know 2573 02:04:48,719 --> 02:04:50,719 they quantified because when you 2574 02:04:50,719 --> 02:04:52,320 prepared the report, you were not 2575 02:04:52,320 --> 02:04:55,360 comparing two solutions that would make 2576 02:04:55,360 --> 02:04:59,040 it not desirable versus what we are 2577 02:04:59,040 --> 02:05:02,870 proposing. 2578 02:05:02,880 --> 02:05:05,040 » Yeah, I I guess so. I don't know if it's 2579 02:05:05,040 --> 02:05:07,280 necessarily a head versus feet. I mean, 2580 02:05:07,280 --> 02:05:12,000 we we're essentially keeping the water 2581 02:05:12,000 --> 02:05:14,400 that we're not using, you know, to 2582 02:05:14,400 --> 02:05:16,239 prevent it from spilling over at the raw 2583 02:05:16,239 --> 02:05:20,080 water reservoir at the plant in Haskell 2584 02:05:20,080 --> 02:05:22,400 Creek. It's just that it it wouldn't all 2585 02:05:22,400 --> 02:05:24,159 come out of second and third creeks. It 2586 02:05:24,159 --> 02:05:29,669 would go back to First Creek. 2587 02:05:29,679 --> 02:05:33,599 O okay and uh and the other solution the 2588 02:05:33,599 --> 02:05:37,679 remote solution will change that as a a 2589 02:05:37,679 --> 02:05:40,719 structural change. Correct. So we're 2590 02:05:40,719 --> 02:05:44,480 making a choice of where to divert or 2591 02:05:44,480 --> 02:05:46,800 keep the water. It's not just a techn 2592 02:05:46,800 --> 02:05:49,119 technological choice. Am I understanding 2593 02:05:49,119 --> 02:05:50,000 correctly? That 2594 02:05:50,000 --> 02:05:53,119 >> that's a fair statement. Yes. 2595 02:05:53,119 --> 02:05:55,280 >> Okay. Thank you. 2596 02:05:55,280 --> 02:05:57,679 >> Thanks Jeppi. We'll start with Ben and 2597 02:05:57,679 --> 02:05:59,599 then Rebecca. 2598 02:05:59,599 --> 02:06:01,599 I do have also one or two questions if I 2599 02:06:01,599 --> 02:06:04,719 could. Um, 2600 02:06:04,719 --> 02:06:06,639 and sorry if I'm a bit of a layman in 2601 02:06:06,639 --> 02:06:08,960 this topic, but make sure my 2602 02:06:08,960 --> 02:06:10,320 understanding is correct. We have three 2603 02:06:10,320 --> 02:06:12,719 creeks, one, two, and three. They all 2604 02:06:12,719 --> 02:06:14,560 join together into the main stem 2605 02:06:14,560 --> 02:06:17,199 whenever we would call that 2606 02:06:17,199 --> 02:06:21,040 creek. Thank you. And then um 2607 02:06:21,040 --> 02:06:23,199 so when we talk about dewater like but 2608 02:06:23,199 --> 02:06:25,679 the first creek we don't use. So there's 2609 02:06:25,679 --> 02:06:27,280 always water coming through through 2610 02:06:27,280 --> 02:06:30,639 first grade essentially. So when so when 2611 02:06:30,639 --> 02:06:33,360 we're talking about dewatering 2612 02:06:33,360 --> 02:06:35,040 what we're actually talking about is the 2613 02:06:35,040 --> 02:06:38,320 distance from the intake to Haskell 2614 02:06:38,320 --> 02:06:40,880 Creek itself that that little stretch. 2615 02:06:40,880 --> 02:06:43,040 It's not Haskell Creek doesn't get 2616 02:06:43,040 --> 02:06:46,159 dewatered because Correct. Yeah. There's 2617 02:06:46,159 --> 02:06:49,360 actually I believe six creeks that feed 2618 02:06:49,360 --> 02:06:52,079 the main stem of Haskell Creek. The city 2619 02:06:52,079 --> 02:06:54,560 has water rights to first, second, and 2620 02:06:54,560 --> 02:06:55,599 third. 2621 02:06:55,599 --> 02:06:57,360 >> We don't use any of the water rights 2622 02:06:57,360 --> 02:06:59,599 from first, and we don't have any water 2623 02:06:59,599 --> 02:07:02,800 rights in fourth through six. 2624 02:07:02,800 --> 02:07:04,320 >> Okay. So, we're really talking about 2625 02:07:04,320 --> 02:07:08,239 that stretch of creek between the intake 2626 02:07:08,239 --> 02:07:10,719 and where it joins into the main stem 2627 02:07:10,719 --> 02:07:12,400 >> for second and third. Correct. 2628 02:07:12,400 --> 02:07:15,440 >> And so, I I pulled up the map which is 2629 02:07:15,440 --> 02:07:17,520 actually in the packet 2630 02:07:17,520 --> 02:07:21,360 on page 264 cares. 2631 02:07:21,360 --> 02:07:22,960 But it looks to me like the intakes are 2632 02:07:22,960 --> 02:07:24,639 actually pretty close to the main stem 2633 02:07:24,639 --> 02:07:27,119 or they're down which would make sense, 2634 02:07:27,119 --> 02:07:29,199 right? So we're not actually talking 2635 02:07:29,199 --> 02:07:32,400 about a lot of 2636 02:07:32,400 --> 02:07:34,239 here. Am I understanding this correctly? 2637 02:07:34,239 --> 02:07:46,550 Okay. 2638 02:07:46,560 --> 02:07:47,920 » Okay. 2639 02:07:47,920 --> 02:07:49,360 Unless I've said something wrong, we can 2640 02:07:49,360 --> 02:07:52,880 move forward then. Okay. Um, and then my 2641 02:07:52,880 --> 02:07:55,119 second question is, ironically, when 2642 02:07:55,119 --> 02:07:57,280 Mike was up here, 2643 02:07:57,280 --> 02:07:58,639 well, when I was going through this plan 2644 02:07:58,639 --> 02:08:01,840 earlier, I made my own note a comment 2645 02:08:01,840 --> 02:08:03,920 that is exactly what Mike's comments 2646 02:08:03,920 --> 02:08:06,400 were, which is, should we further 2647 02:08:06,400 --> 02:08:08,639 explore groundwater to diversify 2648 02:08:08,639 --> 02:08:10,159 ourselves in the event of a wire to 2649 02:08:10,159 --> 02:08:13,440 fire? Um, I'm just curious what your 2650 02:08:13,440 --> 02:08:15,599 thoughts are on that, Craig, if you 2651 02:08:15,599 --> 02:08:18,800 would. Yes, we should and that is a 2652 02:08:18,800 --> 02:08:20,239 recommendation in the report. 2653 02:08:20,239 --> 02:08:23,350 >> Okay. 2654 02:08:23,360 --> 02:08:25,679 So, whatever steps are necessary. 2655 02:08:25,679 --> 02:08:28,480 >> Yeah, I mean it it won't be um an 2656 02:08:28,480 --> 02:08:30,400 inexpensive alternative and there is 2657 02:08:30,400 --> 02:08:32,639 risk uh to mixing groundwater with 2658 02:08:32,639 --> 02:08:35,199 surface water. Um Allan mentioned 2659 02:08:35,199 --> 02:08:38,079 briefly the opportunity perhaps to have 2660 02:08:38,079 --> 02:08:40,639 a well at the intake that pumps directly 2661 02:08:40,639 --> 02:08:44,159 into the creek um to add flow and 2662 02:08:44,159 --> 02:08:46,960 preserve habitat. But that in and of 2663 02:08:46,960 --> 02:08:49,760 itself would also take research and you 2664 02:08:49,760 --> 02:08:51,760 know chemical analysis to make sure that 2665 02:08:51,760 --> 02:08:54,480 groundwater in Haskell Creek isn't going 2666 02:08:54,480 --> 02:08:56,560 to have an adverse you know effect on 2667 02:08:56,560 --> 02:09:00,800 the habitat. Um but I do think it is 2668 02:09:00,800 --> 02:09:03,199 it's worth continued exploration. 2669 02:09:03,199 --> 02:09:04,400 >> Sure. 2670 02:09:04,400 --> 02:09:05,599 >> And what would you think the next steps 2671 02:09:05,599 --> 02:09:08,159 would be in that in that regard? 2672 02:09:08,159 --> 02:09:10,960 Uh, I'm most likely probably drilling 2673 02:09:10,960 --> 02:09:13,920 some um, you know, some test wells to 2674 02:09:13,920 --> 02:09:15,119 see what we could find. 2675 02:09:15,119 --> 02:09:17,119 >> Okay. And that's on the city's radar to 2676 02:09:17,119 --> 02:09:18,560 do in the future. 2677 02:09:18,560 --> 02:09:21,280 >> Um, it's not in the CIP right now, but 2678 02:09:21,280 --> 02:09:23,199 it's something that, you know, based on 2679 02:09:23,199 --> 02:09:25,360 the feedback we've had from this report, 2680 02:09:25,360 --> 02:09:27,679 um, I think we should consider. 2681 02:09:27,679 --> 02:09:29,679 >> I think we should, too. 2682 02:09:29,679 --> 02:09:30,400 >> Thank you. 2683 02:09:30,400 --> 02:09:33,119 >> Thanks, ma'am. Rebecca, 2684 02:09:33,119 --> 02:09:37,840 >> um, could could you comment on Barnes. 2685 02:09:37,840 --> 02:09:40,719 Um 2686 02:09:40,719 --> 02:09:45,760 she's saying there was a CRE Cat 2687 02:09:45,760 --> 02:09:48,639 um climate resilience evaluation and 2688 02:09:48,639 --> 02:09:51,760 awareness tool that she didn't think was 2689 02:09:51,760 --> 02:09:56,000 included in this and um but it it was 2690 02:09:56,000 --> 02:09:58,400 about how climate action would affect 2691 02:09:58,400 --> 02:10:01,280 our water systems, I guess, and the 2692 02:10:01,280 --> 02:10:04,000 financial consequences of a changing 2693 02:10:04,000 --> 02:10:07,280 climate. And I just wondered if 2694 02:10:07,280 --> 02:10:09,520 how we would add that if this got 2695 02:10:09,520 --> 02:10:12,639 adopted tonight. 2696 02:10:12,639 --> 02:10:15,199 >> Um yeah, so we did that climate 2697 02:10:15,199 --> 02:10:18,400 resiliency study um through money uh 2698 02:10:18,400 --> 02:10:21,280 that was provided by EPA back in I think 2699 02:10:21,280 --> 02:10:23,040 2022. 2700 02:10:23,040 --> 02:10:27,679 >> Um that report had three main findings. 2701 02:10:27,679 --> 02:10:32,159 Um, one was the remote telemetry. Um, 2702 02:10:32,159 --> 02:10:34,480 we're, you know, somehow monitoring flow 2703 02:10:34,480 --> 02:10:37,360 from Haskell that's in this master plan. 2704 02:10:37,360 --> 02:10:40,719 Um, one I believe was the increased 2705 02:10:40,719 --> 02:10:42,480 water storage which is in this master 2706 02:10:42,480 --> 02:10:45,520 plan. And then there was a third um I'm 2707 02:10:45,520 --> 02:10:47,520 sorry, one was the emergency wild uh 2708 02:10:47,520 --> 02:10:49,199 fire response plan which we're working 2709 02:10:49,199 --> 02:10:51,520 on. And then there was a third which was 2710 02:10:51,520 --> 02:10:53,920 fireproofing a building up at the the 2711 02:10:53,920 --> 02:10:56,320 water plant. um which is a fairly 2712 02:10:56,320 --> 02:10:59,119 minimal project. It was estimated about 2713 02:10:59,119 --> 02:11:02,880 $3,000 back in 2022. Um we haven't 2714 02:11:02,880 --> 02:11:04,560 completed that yet, but it's typically 2715 02:11:04,560 --> 02:11:06,480 not something you'd see in a a plan of 2716 02:11:06,480 --> 02:11:08,719 this scale. It's essentially taking a 2717 02:11:08,719 --> 02:11:11,920 building that houses existing controls 2718 02:11:11,920 --> 02:11:14,400 and switching it from a a woodframe 2719 02:11:14,400 --> 02:11:17,679 building to a cinder block building. 2720 02:11:17,679 --> 02:11:19,679 >> So kind of minor in scale. Okay. 2721 02:11:19,679 --> 02:11:20,159 >> Okay. So, 2722 02:11:20,159 --> 02:11:22,159 >> it wouldn't take much to reference this 2723 02:11:22,159 --> 02:11:24,880 plan um this 22 climate resiliency 2724 02:11:24,880 --> 02:11:28,400 evaluation and awareness tool. Um but I 2725 02:11:28,400 --> 02:11:30,719 can tell you that the recommendations 2726 02:11:30,719 --> 02:11:32,880 from that plan are incorporated into the 2727 02:11:32,880 --> 02:11:35,360 2026 master plan. 2728 02:11:35,360 --> 02:11:38,880 >> So, I called Paul McKenzie today just to 2729 02:11:38,880 --> 02:11:43,360 see how how he felt about um since he's 2730 02:11:43,360 --> 02:11:46,159 on the Haskell Commission if it would 2731 02:11:46,159 --> 02:11:48,960 affect their management of the property 2732 02:11:48,960 --> 02:11:51,760 at all. And he said this has been going 2733 02:11:51,760 --> 02:11:55,679 on such a long time that the creek beds 2734 02:11:55,679 --> 02:11:58,239 are dry a lot of the time anyways. And 2735 02:11:58,239 --> 02:12:00,800 so I'm just wondering 2736 02:12:00,800 --> 02:12:03,760 why have we not actually addressed this 2737 02:12:03,760 --> 02:12:06,960 over the last 15 years if it if it 2738 02:12:06,960 --> 02:12:09,679 perpetually was brought up like what's 2739 02:12:09,679 --> 02:12:12,400 been going on? Like is it just that we 2740 02:12:12,400 --> 02:12:15,040 have such a strong need to provide water 2741 02:12:15,040 --> 02:12:17,280 that we don't that we're prioritizing 2742 02:12:17,280 --> 02:12:21,520 that versus this complaint that we're 2743 02:12:21,520 --> 02:12:24,560 dewatering downstream 2744 02:12:24,560 --> 02:12:28,239 and it doesn't seem to affect us as a 2745 02:12:28,239 --> 02:12:29,760 city 2746 02:12:29,760 --> 02:12:31,199 like it's a big complex 2747 02:12:31,199 --> 02:12:34,960 >> like I'm sorry 2748 02:12:34,960 --> 02:12:37,199 >> like I said before for the last several 2749 02:12:37,199 --> 02:12:38,880 years you know at the request of the 2750 02:12:38,880 --> 02:12:40,159 Haskell Basin 2751 02:12:40,159 --> 02:12:42,800 watershed council. We we have not been 2752 02:12:42,800 --> 02:12:44,960 drying those creeks up. We have been 2753 02:12:44,960 --> 02:12:46,960 spilling water at second and third creek 2754 02:12:46,960 --> 02:12:49,280 and not taking any water from first 2755 02:12:49,280 --> 02:12:52,400 creek. So if there are observed dry beds 2756 02:12:52,400 --> 02:12:54,639 up there, I think it's because that 2757 02:12:54,639 --> 02:12:59,910 water is going underground. 2758 02:12:59,920 --> 02:13:02,800 So it's awkward because they're all 2759 02:13:02,800 --> 02:13:06,320 recommending that we do more and and 2760 02:13:06,320 --> 02:13:10,079 you're basically saying no. And so, but 2761 02:13:10,079 --> 02:13:12,159 so far this plan is that we're going to 2762 02:13:12,159 --> 02:13:15,599 do the actuator valves to start and then 2763 02:13:15,599 --> 02:13:17,360 if that doesn't work, we might go to 2764 02:13:17,360 --> 02:13:20,079 telemetry later. 2765 02:13:20,079 --> 02:13:22,000 Is that a possibility? 2766 02:13:22,000 --> 02:13:23,679 >> Yeah. The way that the plan reads, it 2767 02:13:23,679 --> 02:13:26,000 recommends we proceed with the actuated 2768 02:13:26,000 --> 02:13:29,599 valve at the plant prior to 2769 02:13:29,599 --> 02:13:32,000 um proceeding with with remote 2770 02:13:32,000 --> 02:13:34,480 telemetry. Uh that said, we have 2771 02:13:34,480 --> 02:13:37,599 direction from council to continue to 2772 02:13:37,599 --> 02:13:39,599 evaluate the remote telemetry and come 2773 02:13:39,599 --> 02:13:42,159 up with a a more accurate cost estimate. 2774 02:13:42,159 --> 02:13:44,480 So we will continue to do that. 2775 02:13:44,480 --> 02:13:47,760 >> Okay. So we will have we'll have reports 2776 02:13:47,760 --> 02:13:49,360 about whether or not that's going to 2777 02:13:49,360 --> 02:13:52,079 work and about the drilling and of wells 2778 02:13:52,079 --> 02:13:54,719 and things like that in the future. So, 2779 02:13:54,719 --> 02:13:56,719 I'm I'm bringing this up publicly 2780 02:13:56,719 --> 02:14:00,480 because the public is here and concerned 2781 02:14:00,480 --> 02:14:02,400 and so I just want them to know that we 2782 02:14:02,400 --> 02:14:05,520 are like aware and that we will have 2783 02:14:05,520 --> 02:14:08,960 followup on what they're saying. Is that 2784 02:14:08,960 --> 02:14:10,159 right? 2785 02:14:10,159 --> 02:14:12,079 >> Okay. 2786 02:14:12,079 --> 02:14:13,119 Thank you. 2787 02:14:13,119 --> 02:14:18,629 >> I would entertain a motion. 2788 02:14:18,639 --> 02:14:21,199 » Mr. Mayor, I move to approve the plan as 2789 02:14:21,199 --> 02:14:24,639 presented. Would that be for resolutions 2790 02:14:24,639 --> 02:14:28,639 26,34 and 35? 2791 02:14:28,639 --> 02:14:29,920 >> Affirmative. 2792 02:14:29,920 --> 02:14:32,079 >> Is there a second to the motion? 2793 02:14:32,079 --> 02:14:34,079 >> Seconded by councelor Davis. Further 2794 02:14:34,079 --> 02:14:36,400 discussion. 2795 02:14:36,400 --> 02:14:41,119 >> Yes. Uh Mr. Mayor, as I said, um this is 2796 02:14:41,119 --> 02:14:46,159 not a plan that is cast in marble and uh 2797 02:14:46,159 --> 02:14:51,280 I I'm okay. I'm I'm um satisfied with 2798 02:14:51,280 --> 02:14:54,639 the current presentation. 2799 02:14:54,639 --> 02:14:56,239 Um 2800 02:14:56,239 --> 02:14:58,400 we can adopt this master plan tonight 2801 02:14:58,400 --> 02:15:01,360 and we can still direct direct the staff 2802 02:15:01,360 --> 02:15:04,639 to in the coming months or year evaluate 2803 02:15:04,639 --> 02:15:08,639 telemetry versus as an additional 2804 02:15:08,639 --> 02:15:12,000 feature. and and you know remote 2805 02:15:12,000 --> 02:15:14,560 communications with satellite 2806 02:15:14,560 --> 02:15:17,760 infrastructure might become much more 2807 02:15:17,760 --> 02:15:19,679 approachable and affordable as 2808 02:15:19,679 --> 02:15:22,320 technology moves forward. So I wouldn't 2809 02:15:22,320 --> 02:15:25,360 be too concerned of what the status quo 2810 02:15:25,360 --> 02:15:28,480 is tonight. 2811 02:15:28,480 --> 02:15:32,880 >> Thank you Jeppi. Further comments 2812 02:15:32,880 --> 02:15:34,400 all those in favor please raise your 2813 02:15:34,400 --> 02:15:37,280 hand. Those opposed like sign and that 2814 02:15:37,280 --> 02:15:39,520 motion does carry unanimously. Thanks 2815 02:15:39,520 --> 02:15:42,320 very much Craig. Thanks folks for coming 2816 02:15:42,320 --> 02:15:44,239 out tonight to provide comments. We'll 2817 02:15:44,239 --> 02:15:46,480 move on to item seven which is 2818 02:15:46,480 --> 02:15:48,719 communications from our finance director 2819 02:15:48,719 --> 02:15:51,920 regarding the 20 2820 02:15:51,920 --> 02:15:54,639 27 through FY31 2821 02:15:54,639 --> 02:15:56,960 CIP. Laney, 2822 02:15:56,960 --> 02:16:00,800 >> good evening again council and mayor. Um 2823 02:16:00,800 --> 02:16:02,560 we are presenting here the five-year 2824 02:16:02,560 --> 02:16:04,560 capital improvements plan also referred 2825 02:16:04,560 --> 02:16:08,800 to as the CIP for fiscal years 27 2027 2826 02:16:08,800 --> 02:16:12,400 through 2031. This plan document 2827 02:16:12,400 --> 02:16:14,480 planning document identifies needed 2828 02:16:14,480 --> 02:16:17,280 investments in capital facilities and 2829 02:16:17,280 --> 02:16:19,119 equipment that will be maintained by the 2830 02:16:19,119 --> 02:16:21,520 city of Whitefish over the next five 2831 02:16:21,520 --> 02:16:23,440 years for our current and increasing 2832 02:16:23,440 --> 02:16:25,599 population in addition to its 2833 02:16:25,599 --> 02:16:30,239 significant uh seasonal uh population. 2834 02:16:30,239 --> 02:16:32,479 This document outlines the uses of the 2835 02:16:32,479 --> 02:16:34,399 program in such things as planning for 2836 02:16:34,399 --> 02:16:36,639 facilities and infrastructure to 2837 02:16:36,639 --> 02:16:39,040 maintain adequate levels of service and 2838 02:16:39,040 --> 02:16:41,840 to accommodate new growth. The state of 2839 02:16:41,840 --> 02:16:43,359 Montana requires that a capital 2840 02:16:43,359 --> 02:16:45,280 improvement plan be updated every 5 2841 02:16:45,280 --> 02:16:47,599 years. However, the city of Whitefish 2842 02:16:47,599 --> 02:16:50,080 updates the plan annually to ensure 2843 02:16:50,080 --> 02:16:51,519 proper planning for changing 2844 02:16:51,519 --> 02:16:53,359 circumstances. 2845 02:16:53,359 --> 02:16:55,519 Each year, department directors identify 2846 02:16:55,519 --> 02:16:58,000 capital purchases or projects that are 2847 02:16:58,000 --> 02:16:59,920 needed to maintain current levels of 2848 02:16:59,920 --> 02:17:02,000 service or achieve expanded levels of 2849 02:17:02,000 --> 02:17:04,000 service that would accommodate 2850 02:17:04,000 --> 02:17:07,359 anticipated growth. Other steps of the 2851 02:17:07,359 --> 02:17:08,880 process in developing the capital 2852 02:17:08,880 --> 02:17:11,280 improvement plan are outlined on page 2853 02:17:11,280 --> 02:17:15,200 three of the CIP uh which I believe is 2854 02:17:15,200 --> 02:17:19,280 page 667 in your um in your packet with 2855 02:17:19,280 --> 02:17:21,280 the annual outcome of projects 2856 02:17:21,280 --> 02:17:23,120 identified and included in the final 2857 02:17:23,120 --> 02:17:26,160 budget adopted each year. While the 2858 02:17:26,160 --> 02:17:27,840 capital improvement plan document 2859 02:17:27,840 --> 02:17:30,080 encompasses a five-year period, we 2860 02:17:30,080 --> 02:17:32,000 provide details of the planned capital 2861 02:17:32,000 --> 02:17:35,200 expenditures for fiscal year 2027 with 2862 02:17:35,200 --> 02:17:37,840 each within each department. 2863 02:17:37,840 --> 02:17:41,679 Um page 668 of the packet 2864 02:17:41,679 --> 02:17:44,639 um which is page four of the document 2865 02:17:44,639 --> 02:17:47,760 reflects an anticipated five-year outlay 2866 02:17:47,760 --> 02:17:53,030 of 55,568,881. 2867 02:17:53,040 --> 02:17:55,359 Capital purchases may be paid for from a 2868 02:17:55,359 --> 02:17:57,599 variety of funding sources which can 2869 02:17:57,599 --> 02:18:00,639 include grants, impact fees or donations 2870 02:18:00,639 --> 02:18:03,599 or resort tax imposing restrictions for 2871 02:18:03,599 --> 02:18:06,319 which some projects must meet cert uh 2872 02:18:06,319 --> 02:18:08,479 certain requirements. 2873 02:18:08,479 --> 02:18:10,800 Page five of the CIP lists the types of 2874 02:18:10,800 --> 02:18:13,040 funding sources that are utilized when 2875 02:18:13,040 --> 02:18:14,960 appropriate by the city of Whitefish for 2876 02:18:14,960 --> 02:18:17,280 capital purchases. 2877 02:18:17,280 --> 02:18:19,359 When needed, the city council considers 2878 02:18:19,359 --> 02:18:21,840 proposed increases for both water and 2879 02:18:21,840 --> 02:18:23,760 wastewater utility rates to ensure 2880 02:18:23,760 --> 02:18:25,840 proper funding of necessary capital 2881 02:18:25,840 --> 02:18:27,599 improvements for the water and 2882 02:18:27,599 --> 02:18:30,160 wastewater utilities. 2883 02:18:30,160 --> 02:18:31,920 With the completion of the South Water 2884 02:18:31,920 --> 02:18:34,000 Storage and production project, which 2885 02:18:34,000 --> 02:18:36,000 has already begun and is expected to be 2886 02:18:36,000 --> 02:18:39,599 completed by the end of fiscal year 28, 2887 02:18:39,599 --> 02:18:42,960 um future rate increases may be required 2888 02:18:42,960 --> 02:18:45,599 to cover the debt service that will be 2889 02:18:45,599 --> 02:18:48,240 associated with this project. 2890 02:18:48,240 --> 02:18:50,800 Beginning in February of 2025, the 2891 02:18:50,800 --> 02:18:52,719 dedication of resort tax dollars was 2892 02:18:52,719 --> 02:18:54,880 reallocated according to a vote that 2893 02:18:54,880 --> 02:18:56,639 went to the electorate in November of 2894 02:18:56,639 --> 02:18:58,160 2023. 2895 02:18:58,160 --> 02:18:59,200 48% [snorts] 2896 02:18:59,200 --> 02:19:01,439 of the 3% reserve tax can be used to 2897 02:19:01,439 --> 02:19:03,679 repair, maintain, and improve streets, 2898 02:19:03,679 --> 02:19:06,160 storm sewers, underground utilities, 2899 02:19:06,160 --> 02:19:09,120 sidewalks, and curbs, and gutters. 2900 02:19:09,120 --> 02:19:12,160 10% of the 3% can be used for 2901 02:19:12,160 --> 02:19:13,840 improvements and maintenance of bicycle 2902 02:19:13,840 --> 02:19:15,920 and pedestrian paths, and other park 2903 02:19:15,920 --> 02:19:18,160 acquisitions, capital improvements, and 2904 02:19:18,160 --> 02:19:20,880 equipment. This reallocation allows for 2905 02:19:20,880 --> 02:19:22,719 additional funding for streets, parks, 2906 02:19:22,719 --> 02:19:24,880 and paths projects and could be 2907 02:19:24,880 --> 02:19:26,960 leveraged to obtain additional sources 2908 02:19:26,960 --> 02:19:29,840 of funding. With the annual revision of 2909 02:19:29,840 --> 02:19:31,280 the capital improvement plan, the 2910 02:19:31,280 --> 02:19:33,679 progress made toward the completion of 2911 02:19:33,679 --> 02:19:36,240 identified projects is monitored. Each 2912 02:19:36,240 --> 02:19:38,080 year, staff review the projects that 2913 02:19:38,080 --> 02:19:40,319 were accomplished, consider any changes 2914 02:19:40,319 --> 02:19:42,800 in circumstances or economic factors, 2915 02:19:42,800 --> 02:19:46,319 and make necessary updates to the plan. 2916 02:19:46,319 --> 02:19:49,520 On pages 8 through 11 of the CIP, a 2917 02:19:49,520 --> 02:19:51,600 general five-year overview of proposed 2918 02:19:51,600 --> 02:19:53,520 projects and capital purchases by 2919 02:19:53,520 --> 02:19:55,760 department is provided and funding 2920 02:19:55,760 --> 02:19:58,080 sources are identified in the gray lines 2921 02:19:58,080 --> 02:20:02,080 at the end of each departmental listing. 2922 02:20:02,080 --> 02:20:03,920 All items listed in this summary under 2923 02:20:03,920 --> 02:20:06,960 the column titled fiscal year 2027 are 2924 02:20:06,960 --> 02:20:09,920 listed in detail by department in pages 2925 02:20:09,920 --> 02:20:13,200 14 through 40. We list each purchase or 2926 02:20:13,200 --> 02:20:15,280 project and the pertinent details 2927 02:20:15,280 --> 02:20:17,600 including description, total project 2928 02:20:17,600 --> 02:20:20,479 cost, anticipated useful life, project 2929 02:20:20,479 --> 02:20:23,200 type, and funding source or sources. The 2930 02:20:23,200 --> 02:20:25,359 details are provided only for projects 2931 02:20:25,359 --> 02:20:27,040 slated to be purchased or carried 2932 02:20:27,040 --> 02:20:31,040 forward or begin in fiscal year 27. 2933 02:20:31,040 --> 02:20:33,680 Prior years prior year or year's 2934 02:20:33,680 --> 02:20:36,080 expenditures for projects are reflected 2935 02:20:36,080 --> 02:20:38,880 where applicable as well as anticipated 2936 02:20:38,880 --> 02:20:41,280 costs for the current fiscal year and 2937 02:20:41,280 --> 02:20:42,960 into the next four years of this 2938 02:20:42,960 --> 02:20:45,680 five-year plan. This comprehensive 2939 02:20:45,680 --> 02:20:47,680 capital improvement plan is intended to 2940 02:20:47,680 --> 02:20:50,240 reflect projects and purpose purchases 2941 02:20:50,240 --> 02:20:52,800 considered with intention by department 2942 02:20:52,800 --> 02:20:55,120 directors to be a priority for fiscal 2943 02:20:55,120 --> 02:20:58,000 year 27 and spanning the next five 2944 02:20:58,000 --> 02:21:00,560 years. and staff recommend adoption of 2945 02:21:00,560 --> 02:21:03,439 this fiscal year 27 to fiscal year 31 2946 02:21:03,439 --> 02:21:05,840 capital improvement plan. 2947 02:21:05,840 --> 02:21:07,680 Happy to field any questions or 2948 02:21:07,680 --> 02:21:08,640 feedback. 2949 02:21:08,640 --> 02:21:11,439 >> Thanks Laney. Any questions for Laney or 2950 02:21:11,439 --> 02:21:12,720 >> May may I 2951 02:21:12,720 --> 02:21:13,840 >> Jeppi? 2952 02:21:13,840 --> 02:21:18,640 >> Yes. Boy, lots of work on the numbers. 2953 02:21:18,640 --> 02:21:21,680 Good. Uh Laney, first of all, thank you. 2954 02:21:21,680 --> 02:21:24,640 Very good report. Uh I'd like to put a 2955 02:21:24,640 --> 02:21:26,240 couple of questions on the record and 2956 02:21:26,240 --> 02:21:28,640 then a couple of clarifications. 2957 02:21:28,640 --> 02:21:32,640 So uh let's uh let's confirm adopting 2958 02:21:32,640 --> 02:21:35,840 the CIB tonight. It's it's an action for 2959 02:21:35,840 --> 02:21:38,240 planning purposes. Am I correct that it 2960 02:21:38,240 --> 02:21:42,000 does not appropriate money or constitute 2961 02:21:42,000 --> 02:21:44,240 uh final approval of each individual 2962 02:21:44,240 --> 02:21:46,479 project? Am I correct? 2963 02:21:46,479 --> 02:21:48,479 >> That's correct. The budget is your 2964 02:21:48,479 --> 02:21:50,640 document for approving appropriations 2965 02:21:50,640 --> 02:21:53,600 and the CIP is your planning document. 2966 02:21:53,600 --> 02:21:58,479 >> Perfect. Thank you. Now I in in the plan 2967 02:21:58,479 --> 02:22:02,399 uh how are the project ranked? Say that 2968 02:22:02,399 --> 02:22:05,439 the some revenue or some grant funding 2969 02:22:05,439 --> 02:22:08,479 comes short or below expectation. How do 2970 02:22:08,479 --> 02:22:11,840 we decide what gets defaed uh or or 2971 02:22:11,840 --> 02:22:17,030 prioritized? 2972 02:22:17,040 --> 02:22:18,720 Yeah, I think I'm going to say that you 2973 02:22:18,720 --> 02:22:20,399 know the recommendations come from the 2974 02:22:20,399 --> 02:22:23,680 departmental staff first um and then in 2975 02:22:23,680 --> 02:22:27,120 the process of doing the budget um that 2976 02:22:27,120 --> 02:22:31,280 is like that will then incorporate um uh 2977 02:22:31,280 --> 02:22:35,680 city manager approval and um and you 2978 02:22:35,680 --> 02:22:38,160 know discussion and then it goes before 2979 02:22:38,160 --> 02:22:40,720 the city council. 2980 02:22:40,720 --> 02:22:43,280 So, so the the plan doesn't have a 2981 02:22:43,280 --> 02:22:47,760 guideline criteria set for uh 2982 02:22:47,760 --> 02:22:51,600 prioritizing projects um if the funds 2983 02:22:51,600 --> 02:22:54,160 are not available or if we need to get 2984 02:22:54,160 --> 02:22:57,600 into more debt or increase taxes. 2985 02:22:57,600 --> 02:22:59,200 Yeah, that's I think the nature of the 2986 02:22:59,200 --> 02:23:02,319 five-year plan means we can um 2987 02:23:02,319 --> 02:23:04,080 accommodate, 2988 02:23:04,080 --> 02:23:07,439 you know, economic factors and decide 2989 02:23:07,439 --> 02:23:10,399 where um you know, which year we're 2990 02:23:10,399 --> 02:23:12,000 going to we're going to be able to 2991 02:23:12,000 --> 02:23:13,280 address. 2992 02:23:13,280 --> 02:23:14,880 >> Okay. 2993 02:23:14,880 --> 02:23:16,720 >> Thank you. Which brings me to my next 2994 02:23:16,720 --> 02:23:20,560 question. uh in this plan right now that 2995 02:23:20,560 --> 02:23:24,160 it's very detailed as you said is there 2996 02:23:24,160 --> 02:23:28,640 any project that today has no identified 2997 02:23:28,640 --> 02:23:32,240 funding sources and would might require 2998 02:23:32,240 --> 02:23:38,640 additional taxes debt or rate increases as well 2999 02:23:38,640 --> 02:23:40,720 >> I'd say that every project that we have 3000 02:23:40,720 --> 02:23:43,439 has a is earmarked with a particular 3001 02:23:43,439 --> 02:23:46,800 funding source um or or combination 3002 02:23:46,800 --> 02:23:49,840 thereof of so um in some cases we're 3003 02:23:49,840 --> 02:23:52,080 using like landwater conservation grant 3004 02:23:52,080 --> 02:23:55,040 monies and then we um sometimes 3005 02:23:55,040 --> 02:23:57,760 subsidize the project with resort tax 3006 02:23:57,760 --> 02:23:59,600 dollars if it's an a resort tax 3007 02:23:59,600 --> 02:24:03,040 applicable project. So it just um but 3008 02:24:03,040 --> 02:24:05,840 everything that is in the fisc year 27 3009 02:24:05,840 --> 02:24:10,160 component of the CIP um is funded. 3010 02:24:10,160 --> 02:24:11,840 >> Okay. Thank you. And I have one last 3011 02:24:11,840 --> 02:24:14,479 question. Um, 3012 02:24:14,479 --> 02:24:18,479 since tonight the council approved a 3013 02:24:18,479 --> 02:24:21,920 substantially higher tax levy, does that 3014 02:24:21,920 --> 02:24:24,880 approval uh, which you did not have 3015 02:24:24,880 --> 02:24:27,760 because the proposed budget had a plus 3016 02:24:27,760 --> 02:24:30,399 five meals carryover and we captured 3017 02:24:30,399 --> 02:24:33,359 plus 10 mills carryover. And if I make 3018 02:24:33,359 --> 02:24:36,399 my math correctly, uh, we have increased 3019 02:24:36,399 --> 02:24:42,160 the tax revenue from 31.8% 8% to 42.3% 3020 02:24:42,160 --> 02:24:46,240 with that vote. Does that affect the CIP 3021 02:24:46,240 --> 02:24:48,960 plan in a better way because now we have 3022 02:24:48,960 --> 02:24:52,160 more revenue and where? 3023 02:24:52,160 --> 02:24:53,760 >> No, not really. It's not going to change 3024 02:24:53,760 --> 02:24:57,680 your um the plan. Um I think that it 3025 02:24:57,680 --> 02:24:59,280 gives you latitude to make other 3026 02:24:59,280 --> 02:25:01,280 decisions. 3027 02:25:01,280 --> 02:25:01,760 >> Thank you. 3028 02:25:01,760 --> 02:25:03,200 >> Throughout the course of the fiscal 3029 02:25:03,200 --> 02:25:04,240 year. Do I have 3030 02:25:04,240 --> 02:25:08,399 >> Thank you. 3031 02:25:08,399 --> 02:25:11,280 >> Any questions for Laney or staff for 3032 02:25:11,280 --> 02:25:13,520 that matter? 3033 02:25:13,520 --> 02:25:15,840 >> Please. 3034 02:25:15,840 --> 02:25:21,120 >> I move I move to uh 3035 02:25:21,120 --> 02:25:26,240 I'm sorry. Adopt the fiscal year 27 f to 3036 02:25:26,240 --> 02:25:29,680 fisc year 31 capital improvement program 3037 02:25:29,680 --> 02:25:32,560 as presented by our wonderful finance 3038 02:25:32,560 --> 02:25:33,520 director. 3039 02:25:33,520 --> 02:25:36,000 >> Second. Seconded by councelor Sweeney. 3040 02:25:36,000 --> 02:25:38,479 Further discussion. All those in favor, 3041 02:25:38,479 --> 02:25:41,040 please raise your hand. Those opposed 3042 02:25:41,040 --> 02:25:43,040 like S. That motion does carry 3043 02:25:43,040 --> 02:25:45,760 unanimously. Thanks very much, Laney. I 3044 02:25:45,760 --> 02:25:48,640 know you work very diligently on the on 3045 02:25:48,640 --> 02:25:50,640 the plan. It's much appreciated. You 3046 02:25:50,640 --> 02:25:52,479 have Dana's report and close with the 3047 02:25:52,479 --> 02:25:54,640 packet. Any questions for our city 3048 02:25:54,640 --> 02:25:56,160 manager? 3049 02:25:56,160 --> 02:25:58,479 Dana, anything additional to report on? 3050 02:25:58,479 --> 02:26:00,160 >> I do. I have a couple things. Um, I'll 3051 02:26:00,160 --> 02:26:02,240 keep them brief. Just first a reminder, 3052 02:26:02,240 --> 02:26:04,160 next meeting is on a Tuesday, September 3053 02:26:04,160 --> 02:26:07,760 8th, due to the um Labor Day holiday. Um 3054 02:26:07,760 --> 02:26:10,080 let's talk about the CWPP for a second. 3055 02:26:10,080 --> 02:26:15,359 Um the um agreement with SWCA um was a 3056 02:26:15,359 --> 02:26:17,600 contract for $87,000. 3057 02:26:17,600 --> 02:26:19,280 We extended the comment period. The 3058 02:26:19,280 --> 02:26:20,800 comment period on the draft plan is 3059 02:26:20,800 --> 02:26:22,560 closed. They're now incorporating the 3060 02:26:22,560 --> 02:26:25,120 comments um certain comments where they 3061 02:26:25,120 --> 02:26:28,319 see um applicable um into the draft 3062 02:26:28,319 --> 02:26:30,240 plan. Our intent will be to bring that 3063 02:26:30,240 --> 02:26:32,560 to city council at a work session to 3064 02:26:32,560 --> 02:26:35,520 review um and then eventually to a 3065 02:26:35,520 --> 02:26:38,240 public hearing for adoption. 3066 02:26:38,240 --> 02:26:40,720 The work session was not in that $87,000 3067 02:26:40,720 --> 02:26:42,319 contract. That's why I brought that up. 3068 02:26:42,319 --> 02:26:45,200 So um I am asking council if you're okay 3069 02:26:45,200 --> 02:26:48,319 for me signing a contract amendment. Um 3070 02:26:48,319 --> 02:26:50,640 the total cost um because we had 3071 02:26:50,640 --> 02:26:53,520 feedback on the difficult the difficult 3072 02:26:53,520 --> 02:26:55,920 readability of the plan. It's very 3073 02:26:55,920 --> 02:26:57,680 technical. There's a lot of pages. 3074 02:26:57,680 --> 02:26:59,680 because it's a very large document. Um, 3075 02:26:59,680 --> 02:27:02,399 with updating the executive summary u 3076 02:27:02,399 --> 02:27:04,160 with the revisions from the comments, 3077 02:27:04,160 --> 02:27:06,720 but really creating a homeowner guidance 3078 02:27:06,720 --> 02:27:08,080 document because I think that was kind 3079 02:27:08,080 --> 02:27:09,840 of some of the feedback we got. So, 3080 02:27:09,840 --> 02:27:12,080 that' be a standalone part of the 3081 02:27:12,080 --> 02:27:13,760 document. It pulls out basically the 3082 02:27:13,760 --> 02:27:17,280 homeowner uh to-dos. Um, and then 3083 02:27:17,280 --> 02:27:18,960 participation in the work session. Um, 3084 02:27:18,960 --> 02:27:21,520 we'd be looking at about $10,000 3085 02:27:21,520 --> 02:27:23,760 additional added to their contract. 3086 02:27:23,760 --> 02:27:25,680 They've also offered developing a 3087 02:27:25,680 --> 02:27:27,680 project hub website. It would be hosted 3088 02:27:27,680 --> 02:27:29,120 on our website, but they could go 3089 02:27:29,120 --> 02:27:30,399 through that development of that 3090 02:27:30,399 --> 02:27:34,800 website. That's an additional 80 $8,578. 3091 02:27:34,800 --> 02:27:37,200 So, a total budget amendment for that 3092 02:27:37,200 --> 02:27:39,359 project or project amendment of 3093 02:27:39,359 --> 02:27:43,270 $18,883.60. 3094 02:27:43,280 --> 02:27:45,520 In general, I'm absolutely comfortable 3095 02:27:45,520 --> 02:27:47,200 with the council work session, the 3096 02:27:47,200 --> 02:27:49,120 guidance document, um the executive 3097 02:27:49,120 --> 02:27:52,960 summary change, uh to better serve the 3098 02:27:52,960 --> 02:27:54,800 public based on the public comment. I'm 3099 02:27:54,800 --> 02:27:57,760 not sure about the project hub site yet, 3100 02:27:57,760 --> 02:28:00,080 but if you guys are interested in that, 3101 02:28:00,080 --> 02:28:02,960 um I just want to get some feedback on 3102 02:28:02,960 --> 02:28:05,280 you on that. Uh usually I I can amend 3103 02:28:05,280 --> 02:28:07,359 contracts within 10%. This would be a 3104 02:28:07,359 --> 02:28:11,670 little bit higher than that. 3105 02:28:11,680 --> 02:28:14,399 » Yeah, I I think it's necessary. I think 3106 02:28:14,399 --> 02:28:18,640 it it is very well comprehensive but it 3107 02:28:18,640 --> 02:28:21,120 was hard to read and I think it won't be 3108 02:28:21,120 --> 02:28:24,160 as user friendly unless we do that kind 3109 02:28:24,160 --> 02:28:27,280 of a outreach and um make it somewhat 3110 02:28:27,280 --> 02:28:31,040 simpler to for people to actually 3111 02:28:31,040 --> 02:28:38,389 utilize. So, I'm in favor. 3112 02:28:38,399 --> 02:28:40,560 » Showing of hands 3113 02:28:40,560 --> 02:28:42,080 and we'll hold off on the web 3114 02:28:42,080 --> 02:28:44,399 development until perhaps the work 3115 02:28:44,399 --> 02:28:45,840 session. 3116 02:28:45,840 --> 02:28:48,479 >> Okay, that sounds great. Um, and then 3117 02:28:48,479 --> 02:28:52,080 also on CWPP um and growth policy. Um, 3118 02:28:52,080 --> 02:28:53,760 thanks to Allan. I had sent him a link 3119 02:28:53,760 --> 02:28:56,240 to a grant that I saw that came up. Um, 3120 02:28:56,240 --> 02:28:57,840 he only had like a week maybe to get it 3121 02:28:57,840 --> 02:29:01,040 done. We were successful in um getting 3122 02:29:01,040 --> 02:29:02,960 uh being selected to participate with 3123 02:29:02,960 --> 02:29:05,520 the SEPAW uh program. It's the community 3124 02:29:05,520 --> 02:29:08,160 planning assistance for wildfire 3125 02:29:08,160 --> 02:29:10,080 uh program. It's one year of technical 3126 02:29:10,080 --> 02:29:12,000 assistance. They will be completing an 3127 02:29:12,000 --> 02:29:14,319 audit of our land use um our current 3128 02:29:14,319 --> 02:29:16,240 policies, our capacity and development 3129 02:29:16,240 --> 02:29:18,160 code. Um they really help with land use 3130 02:29:18,160 --> 02:29:20,399 planning. So just excited to have them. 3131 02:29:20,399 --> 02:29:22,000 It's grant funded through the US Forest 3132 02:29:22,000 --> 02:29:23,520 Service, but that's going to really help 3133 02:29:23,520 --> 02:29:24,880 support our consultants when we go 3134 02:29:24,880 --> 02:29:26,800 through the zoning updates, the big 3135 02:29:26,800 --> 02:29:28,240 zoning updates for the growth policy, 3136 02:29:28,240 --> 02:29:30,640 and we'll be able to uh, you know, check 3137 02:29:30,640 --> 02:29:32,319 off one of the recommendations within 3138 02:29:32,319 --> 02:29:34,960 the CW BP right now. So, that's 3139 02:29:34,960 --> 02:29:36,720 exciting. They've helped um a lot of 3140 02:29:36,720 --> 02:29:38,399 communities in Colorado, Hawaii, 3141 02:29:38,399 --> 02:29:40,720 Missoula County, and Big Sky locally. 3142 02:29:40,720 --> 02:29:44,240 So, um, last update I have is the, uh, 3143 02:29:44,240 --> 02:29:46,399 North White Fish Lake Community Fire 3144 02:29:46,399 --> 02:29:47,920 Association. 3145 02:29:47,920 --> 02:29:49,600 um if you recall, they're the group that 3146 02:29:49,600 --> 02:29:52,160 we're working with to apply for the DNRC 3147 02:29:52,160 --> 02:29:54,880 easement. Um I anticipate bringing anou 3148 02:29:54,880 --> 02:29:56,800 update forward to council within the 3149 02:29:56,800 --> 02:30:00,240 next um month or so. Uh we worked with 3150 02:30:00,240 --> 02:30:02,319 DNRC. I think we have a path forward. I 3151 02:30:02,319 --> 02:30:05,200 was at a meeting on Saturday um at their 3152 02:30:05,200 --> 02:30:07,200 house where they brought in um residents 3153 02:30:07,200 --> 02:30:09,920 from Rest Haven, from um Iron Horse were 3154 02:30:09,920 --> 02:30:11,840 there to really and even just their 3155 02:30:11,840 --> 02:30:13,200 surrounding neighborhood to try to see 3156 02:30:13,200 --> 02:30:16,000 how this location and working together 3157 02:30:16,000 --> 02:30:18,080 with Iron Horse could help really uh 3158 02:30:18,080 --> 02:30:21,359 create a good fire network. And so, um 3159 02:30:21,359 --> 02:30:22,880 it was all very positive at that 3160 02:30:22,880 --> 02:30:24,160 meeting, but I just want to let you know 3161 02:30:24,160 --> 02:30:25,760 you'll see that update come forward and 3162 02:30:25,760 --> 02:30:28,160 they're getting prepared to uh for us to 3163 02:30:28,160 --> 02:30:29,840 help them with that application process 3164 02:30:29,840 --> 02:30:33,600 here soon. Um, I think that's all I have 3165 02:30:33,600 --> 02:30:34,880 for tonight. 3166 02:30:34,880 --> 02:30:37,040 >> Thank you, Dana. 3167 02:30:37,040 --> 02:30:40,399 On that note, we will move on to item 3168 02:30:40,399 --> 02:30:42,800 8C, 3169 02:30:42,800 --> 02:30:44,880 which is consideration of a request from 3170 02:30:44,880 --> 02:30:50,080 Habitat to for tax fund to purchase 1974 3171 02:30:50,080 --> 02:30:53,680 and 1982 Whitefish Avenue to construct 3172 02:30:53,680 --> 02:30:56,479 two town homes. Dana. 3173 02:30:56,479 --> 02:30:58,399 >> All right. You have my staff report in 3174 02:30:58,399 --> 02:31:00,000 the packet. I'm not going to cover 3175 02:31:00,000 --> 02:31:03,280 everything in that. Um, as you know, uh, 3176 02:31:03,280 --> 02:31:05,760 earlier this year, we approved or the 3177 02:31:05,760 --> 02:31:08,240 city council approved $250,000 to 3178 02:31:08,240 --> 02:31:10,560 support the purchase of, I believe it 3179 02:31:10,560 --> 02:31:13,120 was 1966 3180 02:31:13,120 --> 02:31:15,040 and something else, uh, the neighboring 3181 02:31:15,040 --> 02:31:17,200 property. Um, they have broken ground on 3182 02:31:17,200 --> 02:31:18,960 that project and we did contribute our 3183 02:31:18,960 --> 02:31:20,479 funds to that. They now have the 3184 02:31:20,479 --> 02:31:22,319 opportunity to purchase the lot right 3185 02:31:22,319 --> 02:31:25,760 next door. Um, it is a little bit larger 3186 02:31:25,760 --> 02:31:28,240 lot. Um so it will provide two town 3187 02:31:28,240 --> 02:31:31,359 homes but also um park park space for 3188 02:31:31,359 --> 02:31:33,200 those four town homes. What would be 3189 02:31:33,200 --> 02:31:35,840 four town homes? Um they still have the 3190 02:31:35,840 --> 02:31:38,640 same um requirements within the 3191 02:31:38,640 --> 02:31:41,040 agreement that's been drafted to require 3192 02:31:41,040 --> 02:31:43,359 restriction of ownership um with incomes 3193 02:31:43,359 --> 02:31:46,560 at or below 80% area median income. Um 3194 02:31:46,560 --> 02:31:48,720 two-year completion of the project. 3195 02:31:48,720 --> 02:31:51,520 Annual progress reports from Habitat. um 3196 02:31:51,520 --> 02:31:53,520 the shared appreciation allowing the 3197 02:31:53,520 --> 02:31:56,319 homeowner to um capture 25% of the 3198 02:31:56,319 --> 02:31:58,240 appreciated value at the time of sale 3199 02:31:58,240 --> 02:32:00,880 and the city's ability to audit the 3200 02:32:00,880 --> 02:32:04,960 financial records of the project. Um 3201 02:32:04,960 --> 02:32:07,120 they have reviewed the agreement as well 3202 02:32:07,120 --> 02:32:09,439 and um are prepared to sign with your 3203 02:32:09,439 --> 02:32:13,040 approval. The fiscal year 2027 3204 02:32:13,040 --> 02:32:15,920 um resort tax budget does have 3205 02:32:15,920 --> 02:32:18,160 appropriations available for this type 3206 02:32:18,160 --> 02:32:20,640 of project. Um, we have yet to create 3207 02:32:20,640 --> 02:32:23,040 our grant program or committee. That is 3208 02:32:23,040 --> 02:32:24,479 in the works. So, that is why I'm 3209 02:32:24,479 --> 02:32:27,680 bringing this forward today. Um, when 3210 02:32:27,680 --> 02:32:30,399 you account for other committed funds 3211 02:32:30,399 --> 02:32:35,359 already, we do have um $814,000 3212 02:32:35,359 --> 02:32:38,000 available for pro programs and projects 3213 02:32:38,000 --> 02:32:41,359 for uh fiscal year 27. And so, the 3214 02:32:41,359 --> 02:32:44,560 $250,000 is easily uh fit within the 3215 02:32:44,560 --> 02:32:47,920 current budget. We support uh this staff 3216 02:32:47,920 --> 02:32:50,880 supports this request um for the city to 3217 02:32:50,880 --> 02:32:53,040 purchase the lots at 1974 and 1982 3218 02:32:53,040 --> 02:32:55,920 Whitefish Avenue and we recommend city 3219 02:32:55,920 --> 02:32:58,640 council approve such request. 3220 02:32:58,640 --> 02:33:00,160 >> Great project. I would entertain a 3221 02:33:00,160 --> 02:33:01,040 motion, please. 3222 02:33:01,040 --> 02:33:03,680 >> I would move that we uh award the grant 3223 02:33:03,680 --> 02:33:06,880 or the request to purchase those two 3224 02:33:06,880 --> 02:33:09,680 lots for $250,000 to Habitat for 3225 02:33:09,680 --> 02:33:10,240 Humanity. 3226 02:33:10,240 --> 02:33:12,000 >> Is there 3227 02:33:12,000 --> 02:33:14,640 seconded by councelor Calabiano? further 3228 02:33:14,640 --> 02:33:17,910 discussion. 3229 02:33:17,920 --> 02:33:20,800 » I just wanted to say thank you to Mr. 3230 02:33:20,800 --> 02:33:25,120 Brett Campbell because he gave us the um 3231 02:33:25,120 --> 02:33:28,479 the law at a discount so made it 3232 02:33:28,479 --> 02:33:30,000 possible. 3233 02:33:30,000 --> 02:33:31,600 >> Thanks, Rebecca. Ben, 3234 02:33:31,600 --> 02:33:33,439 >> I just wanted to say that I've said this 3235 02:33:33,439 --> 02:33:35,200 before, so I won't belabor the point, 3236 02:33:35,200 --> 02:33:37,680 but th this model that we're seeing here 3237 02:33:37,680 --> 02:33:39,200 where 3238 02:33:39,200 --> 02:33:42,960 we're using some of our municipal funds 3239 02:33:42,960 --> 02:33:46,160 combined with other grants, 2% 3240 02:33:46,160 --> 02:33:48,800 mortgages, volunteer labor, other 3241 02:33:48,800 --> 02:33:52,640 nonprofits participating in this process 3242 02:33:52,640 --> 02:33:55,439 really provides, in my opinion, a very 3243 02:33:55,439 --> 02:33:57,040 strong value for the use of our 3244 02:33:57,040 --> 02:33:58,399 affordable housing dollars. In my 3245 02:33:58,399 --> 02:34:00,800 opinion, I think this is exactly what 3246 02:34:00,800 --> 02:34:03,200 the citizens were expecting when they 3247 02:34:03,200 --> 02:34:06,080 authorized um this affordable housing 3248 02:34:06,080 --> 02:34:08,319 fund. So, um I appreciate that you're 3249 02:34:08,319 --> 02:34:09,760 here and that you stuck around, Mary 3250 02:34:09,760 --> 02:34:11,840 Beth, through uh our our budget 3251 02:34:11,840 --> 02:34:13,200 discussion. I'm sure that was 3252 02:34:13,200 --> 02:34:16,399 enlightening. Um and in the event, um I 3253 02:34:16,399 --> 02:34:17,760 appreciate the work you're doing and 3254 02:34:17,760 --> 02:34:20,399 please uh please proceed. Thank you. 3255 02:34:20,399 --> 02:34:22,080 >> Thanks, Mary Beth. All those in favor of 3256 02:34:22,080 --> 02:34:23,600 the motion, please raise your hand. 3257 02:34:23,600 --> 02:34:25,280 opposed 3258 02:34:25,280 --> 02:34:27,680 likes on and that is unanimous. 3259 02:34:27,680 --> 02:34:29,760 Michelle, you do. Thank you, Mary Beth, 3260 02:34:29,760 --> 02:34:31,920 very much. Uh, we do have a letter 3261 02:34:31,920 --> 02:34:34,080 enclosed in the packet from Shane 3262 02:34:34,080 --> 02:34:36,240 regarding motorized vehicles on public 3263 02:34:36,240 --> 02:34:39,200 pathways. Any comments on that letter? I 3264 02:34:39,200 --> 02:34:44,230 think we've seen these comments before. 3265 02:34:44,240 --> 02:34:47,600 » So, one of the garbage cans might have 3266 02:34:47,600 --> 02:34:50,800 gotten hit by an electric bike. Maria, 3267 02:34:50,800 --> 02:34:53,840 do you know about that or Bridger? It 3268 02:34:53,840 --> 02:34:56,560 was at the foot bridge and it got taken 3269 02:34:56,560 --> 02:34:59,439 down for repairs and I thought maybe you 3270 02:34:59,439 --> 02:35:02,560 had just taken it and I so I called to 3271 02:35:02,560 --> 02:35:06,240 say we need it and Jenny said that um 3272 02:35:06,240 --> 02:35:08,479 that it was possibly hit by an electric 3273 02:35:08,479 --> 02:35:12,479 bike and so uh I just wonder are we 3274 02:35:12,479 --> 02:35:14,960 doing any is there anything else we can 3275 02:35:14,960 --> 02:35:17,840 do to keep people safe on the trails? 3276 02:35:17,840 --> 02:35:21,040 Um, I just don't know if we should like 3277 02:35:21,040 --> 02:35:24,080 he's calling for signage. Um, he says 3278 02:35:24,080 --> 02:35:26,720 it's very difficult to enforce it, but 3279 02:35:26,720 --> 02:35:28,720 is there anything else that you guys 3280 02:35:28,720 --> 02:35:31,600 have thought about making people more 3281 02:35:31,600 --> 02:35:33,280 compliant and not hitting our garbage 3282 02:35:33,280 --> 02:35:43,270 cans? 3283 02:35:43,280 --> 02:35:47,439 Um, you know, I I think as we the first 3284 02:35:47,439 --> 02:35:50,399 level enforcement of our ordinance and 3285 02:35:50,399 --> 02:35:54,000 state laws regarding electric devices, I 3286 02:35:54,000 --> 02:35:57,200 guess we'll say, um, is education and 3287 02:35:57,200 --> 02:35:59,120 that's where we're at now. So, the 3288 02:35:59,120 --> 02:36:00,880 police department has made a valiant 3289 02:36:00,880 --> 02:36:02,240 effort and I think it's been successful 3290 02:36:02,240 --> 02:36:05,439 with electric motorcycles. 3291 02:36:05,439 --> 02:36:07,200 uh when you deal with bicycles and 3292 02:36:07,200 --> 02:36:09,040 electric assist bicycles, it's a little 3293 02:36:09,040 --> 02:36:11,120 bit more difficult. I think the law 3294 02:36:11,120 --> 02:36:13,520 referenced electric scooters is clear 3295 02:36:13,520 --> 02:36:16,880 and as we gear up enforcement of those, 3296 02:36:16,880 --> 02:36:18,080 determining whether or not they're 3297 02:36:18,080 --> 02:36:20,720 self-propelled or electrically 3298 02:36:20,720 --> 02:36:24,560 powered um is going to be 3299 02:36:24,560 --> 02:36:26,000 some learning curve in that, but I think 3300 02:36:26,000 --> 02:36:28,479 that'll be fairly easy to enforce. But I 3301 02:36:28,479 --> 02:36:30,720 think as we move forward um and I think 3302 02:36:30,720 --> 02:36:32,479 the legislation will take this up again, 3303 02:36:32,479 --> 02:36:34,000 especially with classifying electric 3304 02:36:34,000 --> 02:36:36,560 bicycles hopefully um in that next 3305 02:36:36,560 --> 02:36:38,000 legislation, but I think our current 3306 02:36:38,000 --> 02:36:40,000 ordinance covers that. State law covers 3307 02:36:40,000 --> 02:36:41,760 that and we'll continue to work with 3308 02:36:41,760 --> 02:36:44,000 parks and wreck. Um I was not aware of 3309 02:36:44,000 --> 02:36:45,520 the trash can being hit. I don't think 3310 02:36:45,520 --> 02:36:47,359 that was reported uh to the police 3311 02:36:47,359 --> 02:36:49,840 department, but um if you see trouble 3312 02:36:49,840 --> 02:36:53,520 areas or places that we could point our 3313 02:36:53,520 --> 02:37:00,389 enforcement to, that would be helpful. 3314 02:37:00,399 --> 02:37:02,720 Just one thing quickly. Is it possible 3315 02:37:02,720 --> 02:37:04,960 to push uh the idea of signage off to 3316 02:37:04,960 --> 02:37:07,120 the bike ped committee because I don't 3317 02:37:07,120 --> 02:37:09,040 think that's a bad idea to have speed 3318 02:37:09,040 --> 02:37:11,439 limits and other types of signs that are 3319 02:37:11,439 --> 02:37:13,920 a little more visible. 3320 02:37:13,920 --> 02:37:15,359 Is that something you guys could take up 3321 02:37:15,359 --> 02:37:19,439 at Bike Ped? Uh we do have a wayfinding 3322 02:37:19,439 --> 02:37:22,880 um plan and bike path sign plan and we 3323 02:37:22,880 --> 02:37:24,880 parks and recreation manages that and we 3324 02:37:24,880 --> 02:37:26,319 do review it with bike pad. 3325 02:37:26,319 --> 02:37:28,800 >> Okay. Thank you. Thanks Maria. We're 3326 02:37:28,800 --> 02:37:30,800 going to move on to adjournment. We'll 3327 02:37:30,800 --> 02:37:34,080 start with councelor comments. Jeppi, 3328 02:37:34,080 --> 02:37:37,280 thanks for joining us remotely and be 3329 02:37:37,280 --> 02:37:38,960 safe out there. Any comments this 3330 02:37:38,960 --> 02:37:39,920 evening? 3331 02:37:39,920 --> 02:37:43,280 >> Yes. Uh my pleasure and uh thank you for 3332 02:37:43,280 --> 02:37:45,680 this technology on the regular meeting 3333 02:37:45,680 --> 02:37:48,640 is amazing that apart from being in a 3334 02:37:48,640 --> 02:37:51,359 dark room I feel almost like I'm there. 3335 02:37:51,359 --> 02:37:54,000 So I appreciate the technicians who make 3336 02:37:54,000 --> 02:37:58,240 this possible. Um, before we adjourn, I 3337 02:37:58,240 --> 02:38:01,200 just wanted to encourage everyone to 3338 02:38:01,200 --> 02:38:04,080 join us on September 11 at 11:00 a.m. at 3339 02:38:04,080 --> 02:38:06,399 the Emergency Services Center for the 3340 02:38:06,399 --> 02:38:09,760 unveiling of phase one of our 9 911 3341 02:38:09,760 --> 02:38:12,720 memorial. I'm sure we all read Dana's 3342 02:38:12,720 --> 02:38:15,920 report and that's the top paragraph in 3343 02:38:15,920 --> 02:38:18,479 that report in the future events. It's 3344 02:38:18,479 --> 02:38:21,200 important that we continue to remember 3345 02:38:21,200 --> 02:38:23,600 those we lost, honored the first 3346 02:38:23,600 --> 02:38:26,399 responders who ran towards danger and 3347 02:38:26,399 --> 02:38:29,120 not away from it, and make sure that a 3348 02:38:29,120 --> 02:38:32,319 new generation understands what that day 3349 02:38:32,319 --> 02:38:35,520 meant for our country, for our country. 3350 02:38:35,520 --> 02:38:37,760 I hope to see many members of our 3351 02:38:37,760 --> 02:38:40,000 community there and in the future 3352 02:38:40,000 --> 02:38:44,000 supporting those uh um actions. Thank 3353 02:38:44,000 --> 02:38:45,200 you. 3354 02:38:45,200 --> 02:38:48,399 >> Thank you, Jeppi. Steve, 3355 02:38:48,399 --> 02:38:50,479 >> thanks Mayor. Yeah, thanks Jeppe. I will 3356 02:38:50,479 --> 02:38:51,680 not be able to attend. I will be 3357 02:38:51,680 --> 02:38:53,520 actually in school teaching uh students 3358 02:38:53,520 --> 02:38:57,840 who were born in um 2012 about September 3359 02:38:57,840 --> 02:39:01,840 11th. Um just one quick question for uh 3360 02:39:01,840 --> 02:39:05,680 for Craig. North Carol 3361 02:39:05,680 --> 02:39:08,479 uh the weeds are pretty much out of 3362 02:39:08,479 --> 02:39:10,800 control there. Is anybody has that been 3363 02:39:10,800 --> 02:39:13,830 addressed? 3364 02:39:13,840 --> 02:39:16,720 Are you talking about in behind white 3365 02:39:16,720 --> 02:39:17,760 fish yards or 3366 02:39:17,760 --> 02:39:21,439 >> Yeah, behind their the weeds the that 3367 02:39:21,439 --> 02:39:23,280 whole hillside is covered in noxious 3368 02:39:23,280 --> 02:39:24,080 weeds. 3369 02:39:24,080 --> 02:39:25,760 >> Okay. So, 3370 02:39:25,760 --> 02:39:28,640 >> yeah, I think that really becomes a code 3371 02:39:28,640 --> 02:39:30,800 enforcement issue, but we can we can 3372 02:39:30,800 --> 02:39:33,040 work with that property owner. I 3373 02:39:33,040 --> 02:39:34,399 actually don't know who the property 3374 02:39:34,399 --> 02:39:35,200 owner is currently. 3375 02:39:35,200 --> 02:39:36,399 >> I don't think anybody does at the 3376 02:39:36,399 --> 02:39:37,840 current time, but 3377 02:39:37,840 --> 02:39:39,520 >> I just wanted to bring it up because I 3378 02:39:39,520 --> 02:39:42,000 ride through there regularly and it's pretty bad. 3379 02:39:42,000 --> 02:39:45,680 >> Okay. Uh, thank you. Um, that's all I 3380 02:39:45,680 --> 02:39:46,960 have tonight. Thanks. 3381 02:39:46,960 --> 02:39:49,680 >> Thanks, Steve. Frank, 3382 02:39:49,680 --> 02:39:52,800 I just want to give a a big shout out to 3383 02:39:52,800 --> 02:39:55,280 the Wave and Carrie Jacobs in particular 3384 02:39:55,280 --> 02:39:57,280 who runs the swimming program at at the 3385 02:39:57,280 --> 02:40:00,479 Wave. She put on or has for the past 3386 02:40:00,479 --> 02:40:02,880 five or seven years put on the swim the 3387 02:40:02,880 --> 02:40:05,520 fish activity which was supposedly two 3388 02:40:05,520 --> 02:40:09,200 weeks ago, Saturday when or or Sunday, 3389 02:40:09,200 --> 02:40:11,200 whenever it was. We unfortunately were 3390 02:40:11,200 --> 02:40:13,840 unable to hold the activity or the race 3391 02:40:13,840 --> 02:40:16,560 per se because of the air quality was so 3392 02:40:16,560 --> 02:40:19,520 bad uh that we weren't authorized to do 3393 02:40:19,520 --> 02:40:23,520 that. Um but uh since the volunteers 3394 02:40:23,520 --> 02:40:27,200 were there and the buoys were set um the 3395 02:40:27,200 --> 02:40:29,120 public was allowed to take advantage of 3396 02:40:29,120 --> 02:40:31,520 that uh set course and if they wanted to 3397 02:40:31,520 --> 02:40:33,760 swim they could and we did and it was a 3398 02:40:33,760 --> 02:40:35,520 great success and everybody had a great 3399 02:40:35,520 --> 02:40:37,680 time. So, I just like to again 3400 02:40:37,680 --> 02:40:39,760 acknowledge what a great work she's done 3401 02:40:39,760 --> 02:40:42,160 and what the wave has done for those 3402 02:40:42,160 --> 02:40:44,479 kinds of activities. It's it's a great 3403 02:40:44,479 --> 02:40:47,920 thing for our community. So, thanks. 3404 02:40:47,920 --> 02:40:50,240 >> Thanks, Frank. Ben, 3405 02:40:50,240 --> 02:40:52,479 um I would start by congratulating Mayor 3406 02:40:52,479 --> 02:40:55,760 Meld for uh exercising a very rare vote 3407 02:40:55,760 --> 02:40:57,920 up here. 3408 02:40:57,920 --> 02:41:00,960 Um but uh work on your right arm 3409 02:41:00,960 --> 02:41:03,520 strength. But anyway, um no, that was a 3410 02:41:03,520 --> 02:41:04,960 healthy discussion. And I just wanted to 3411 02:41:04,960 --> 02:41:07,680 thank you all for it. I I uh it's a good 3412 02:41:07,680 --> 02:41:09,760 one to have and I I appreciate the 3413 02:41:09,760 --> 02:41:12,560 differences of opinion and glad we can 3414 02:41:12,560 --> 02:41:15,840 um constructively work towards the best 3415 02:41:15,840 --> 02:41:18,800 answer at least for the majority. So um 3416 02:41:18,800 --> 02:41:21,439 all good and um and I and I and I do 3417 02:41:21,439 --> 02:41:24,000 mean the budget was well done. So um 3418 02:41:24,000 --> 02:41:26,880 thank you staff. Um I did on the budget 3419 02:41:26,880 --> 02:41:29,600 I would also make the comment that um 3420 02:41:29,600 --> 02:41:32,800 one of these days I would love to think 3421 02:41:32,800 --> 02:41:36,399 about how we present the budget. So like 3422 02:41:36,399 --> 02:41:38,000 I've said this before and I apologize 3423 02:41:38,000 --> 02:41:39,200 saying again but maybe now that we're 3424 02:41:39,200 --> 02:41:40,720 done with it we can we have more 3425 02:41:40,720 --> 02:41:42,399 downtime we can work on it one day where 3426 02:41:42,399 --> 02:41:44,640 we actually like how it's presented like 3427 02:41:44,640 --> 02:41:46,240 especially historically like how we 3428 02:41:46,240 --> 02:41:47,760 measure ourselves and how we measure the 3429 02:41:47,760 --> 02:41:50,479 budget over time um I think could be 3430 02:41:50,479 --> 02:41:52,319 improved. I'd love to help work on that 3431 02:41:52,319 --> 02:41:55,439 if I could. Um 3432 02:41:55,439 --> 02:41:59,439 my second comment would be um I I 3433 02:41:59,439 --> 02:42:01,680 at some point or tell me where or how to 3434 02:42:01,680 --> 02:42:04,000 follow up on the exploratory wells for 3435 02:42:04,000 --> 02:42:06,319 water wildfire resilience. I I do think 3436 02:42:06,319 --> 02:42:10,240 that the risk of of us losing our drinking 3437 02:42:10,240 --> 02:42:12,319 water in Haskell Creek is real in my 3438 02:42:12,319 --> 02:42:14,160 opinion for at least some period of time 3439 02:42:14,160 --> 02:42:17,520 and so um I think it would behoove us to 3440 02:42:17,520 --> 02:42:20,960 you know advance that concept forward if 3441 02:42:20,960 --> 02:42:22,640 it makes sense and if everybody agrees. 3442 02:42:22,640 --> 02:42:24,160 So, 3443 02:42:24,160 --> 02:42:26,000 um, and then the last comment I had is 3444 02:42:26,000 --> 02:42:27,680 just on the the deed restrictions with 3445 02:42:27,680 --> 02:42:29,359 Habitat. I I did send you an email, 3446 02:42:29,359 --> 02:42:31,920 Dana. Um, I honestly I know you 3447 02:42:31,920 --> 02:42:33,439 responded to me today and I didn't get a 3448 02:42:33,439 --> 02:42:35,120 chance to read it, but I think in 3449 02:42:35,120 --> 02:42:37,200 general, if you could help help us make 3450 02:42:37,200 --> 02:42:40,000 sure that um as we're providing these 3451 02:42:40,000 --> 02:42:42,640 funds to to Habitat 3452 02:42:42,640 --> 02:42:45,359 um and the land trust that we're covered 3453 02:42:45,359 --> 02:42:46,720 in the event that either one of those 3454 02:42:46,720 --> 02:42:48,720 organizations were to fail for some 3455 02:42:48,720 --> 02:42:50,640 reason and if if that we don't lose our 3456 02:42:50,640 --> 02:42:53,040 affordable housing stock. So, however, 3457 02:42:53,040 --> 02:42:54,319 um, if you could just help us make sure 3458 02:42:54,319 --> 02:42:56,560 that that happens, I appreciate that. 3459 02:42:56,560 --> 02:42:57,600 That's all my com. 3460 02:42:57,600 --> 02:43:00,000 >> Thank you, Ben. Rebecca, 3461 02:43:00,000 --> 02:43:01,439 >> no comment. 3462 02:43:01,439 --> 02:43:03,439 >> Thank you, Rebecca. Andy, 3463 02:43:03,439 --> 02:43:05,520 >> quickly again, thanks to staff and 3464 02:43:05,520 --> 02:43:07,840 everybody up here after going through 3465 02:43:07,840 --> 02:43:09,840 yet another budget season and think it's 3466 02:43:09,840 --> 02:43:11,280 only seven and a half months before we 3467 02:43:11,280 --> 02:43:14,560 get to start again. So, there 3468 02:43:14,560 --> 02:43:16,240 >> um, quick shout out to Lizzie and Craig 3469 02:43:16,240 --> 02:43:18,399 for being 83% of the capital improvement 3470 02:43:18,399 --> 02:43:21,280 budget. I think that's [laughter] 3471 02:43:21,280 --> 02:43:24,800 thinks that that's worthy a note. Um, 3472 02:43:24,800 --> 02:43:27,040 quick question for Craig. I've had a 3473 02:43:27,040 --> 02:43:28,880 couple of people call me and ask about 3474 02:43:28,880 --> 02:43:30,880 the exterior 3475 02:43:30,880 --> 02:43:34,880 H2O insurance, waterline insurance, a 3476 02:43:34,880 --> 02:43:36,800 letter that we all received. And first 3477 02:43:36,800 --> 02:43:38,560 one was, is this a scam? And I said, no, 3478 02:43:38,560 --> 02:43:41,280 it's not a scam. But just quickly for 3479 02:43:41,280 --> 02:43:43,040 everybody that might still be listening 3480 02:43:43,040 --> 02:43:46,399 or read the minutes, just a quick 3481 02:43:46,399 --> 02:43:48,399 explanation. 3482 02:43:48,399 --> 02:43:50,640 >> It was pretty good. People were like, 3483 02:43:50,640 --> 02:43:53,120 "What? What do I do this? Do I not? Do 3484 02:43:53,120 --> 02:43:53,439 I?" 3485 02:43:53,439 --> 02:43:56,080 >> Although I I will say that the initial 3486 02:43:56,080 --> 02:43:59,600 launch has not been very smooth. That's 3487 02:43:59,600 --> 02:44:00,240 what I was. 3488 02:44:00,240 --> 02:44:02,560 >> There's been complaints that on their 3489 02:44:02,560 --> 02:44:04,800 website 59937 3490 02:44:04,800 --> 02:44:07,680 is not an area they service. We've had 3491 02:44:07,680 --> 02:44:10,000 complaints that in order to answer 3492 02:44:10,000 --> 02:44:13,279 questions, they want email addresses and 3493 02:44:13,279 --> 02:44:16,080 credit card numbers. Um, I've relayed 3494 02:44:16,080 --> 02:44:18,160 all of this to our main um, 3495 02:44:18,160 --> 02:44:20,240 correspondent at home serve and I 3496 02:44:20,240 --> 02:44:23,279 haven't had any response from him. Um, I 3497 02:44:23,279 --> 02:44:25,760 will say that I believe MMIA endorsed 3498 02:44:25,760 --> 02:44:28,720 this. No, the League of Cities, excuse 3499 02:44:28,720 --> 02:44:31,520 me. Um, National League of Cities 3500 02:44:31,520 --> 02:44:35,040 endorsed um, this insurance company. And 3501 02:44:35,040 --> 02:44:38,160 so, um, we're still in the learning 3502 02:44:38,160 --> 02:44:40,960 phase, but it is my understanding that 3503 02:44:40,960 --> 02:44:44,720 for 70ome dollars a year, they will 3504 02:44:44,720 --> 02:44:47,680 ensure your water service from where the 3505 02:44:47,680 --> 02:44:49,760 city's responsibility stops at the curb 3506 02:44:49,760 --> 02:44:53,200 stop to your house. 3507 02:44:53,200 --> 02:44:56,880 >> Up to $12,000. 3508 02:44:56,880 --> 02:45:00,870 >> Sorry, that was small print. [laughter] 3509 02:45:00,880 --> 02:45:04,000 of eligible costs probably would be my 3510 02:45:04,000 --> 02:45:06,560 guess. [laughter] 3511 02:45:06,560 --> 02:45:08,479 >> There's a little copy of it. Um, other 3512 02:45:08,479 --> 02:45:10,240 than that, just happy be safe out there 3513 02:45:10,240 --> 02:45:12,240 and up there and we look forward to 3514 02:45:12,240 --> 02:45:13,760 seeing you back here warming your chair 3515 02:45:13,760 --> 02:45:16,640 up soon. 3516 02:45:16,640 --> 02:45:19,840 >> Thanks, Andy. Um, just wanted to give a 3517 02:45:19,840 --> 02:45:21,920 shout out to my niece and nephew. 3518 02:45:21,920 --> 02:45:24,720 They're both off to college this week to 3519 02:45:24,720 --> 02:45:26,800 MSU and the University of Hawaii, but it 3520 02:45:26,800 --> 02:45:29,680 was their birthdays this week. I'm super 3521 02:45:29,680 --> 02:45:34,240 proud of them and love them a ton and my 3522 02:45:34,240 --> 02:45:36,399 brother and his wife have done an 3523 02:45:36,399 --> 02:45:38,160 incredible job raising them. So, 3524 02:45:38,160 --> 02:45:40,960 congrats to them as well. On that note, 3525 02:45:40,960 --> 02:45:42,560 Allan, thanks for coming tonight and 3526 02:45:42,560 --> 02:45:44,560 your work on the water and wastewater 3527 02:45:44,560 --> 02:45:47,840 sewer plans, etc., etc. Appreciate your 3528 02:45:47,840 --> 02:45:49,760 input as always, and that was an 3529 02:45:49,760 --> 02:45:52,560 excellent report. It's a it's a good 3530 02:45:52,560 --> 02:45:54,880 resource to have at our hands. Other 3531 02:45:54,880 --> 02:45:57,120 than that, staff, thank you. On that 3532 02:45:57,120 --> 02:45:59,840 note, we will be adjourned. We'll see 3533 02:45:59,840 --> 02:46:02,319 you September 8th, which is a Tuesday. 3534 02:46:02,319 --> 02:46:05,319 Thanks.