City Council Has Full Agenda

Tuesday, November 8th, the council board (who had exercised their right to vote) forgathered in the City Chambers and began the meeting with the pledge to the Flag. The public in attendance were Josh Newman, Doug and Bonny Ost.

PWD Jim Truelove informed the council of a completed dig that would be an insurance matter. The Trafton Park restroom had been closed; now the Rest Stop restrooms are closed. He had hoped to leave them open for hunters, however, the pending freezing weather altered that plan. Also, he provided a statement on the velocity of the recent winds that relocated large garbage containers, some even ending up in the cemetery.

Council member, David Rummel, shared that the "Welcome to Malta" sign which was unaccounted for at the last meeting, had been located. The issue at present time is where to erect it. Between construction and getting it in place, another sign was implanted in the space. The sign matter will be addressed in more seasonally accommodating weather.

The landfill hours have started at the landfill; the trucks have been busy with leaf removal and disposal.

Volunteer Fire Chief Josh Newman was present to inform the council of the recent training his crew had completed. Part of the training was in the special burn trailer that had been brought in for the experience. Josh complimented his crew on the excellent job they had done stating that the Glasgow authorities that put on the training were impressed with how well they had done.

Josh shared that with the recent fire at Randy's Machine Shop, it just happened that a fireman was driving by when the welding on a fuel tank exploded and caused a fire. An employee at Randy's is deaf and mute, and it was fortunate the crew was quickly called and the fire was extinguished.

With heater use now happening, homeowners are urged to use caution, Josh stated. He announced two new firemen were now on board, and his firehouse has welcomed Les Jones and Trey Shores. They will be needing the fireman attire and hardware to complete their new venture. *A quick side note, from last week's issue: in case of a fire, Farmers and Ranchers will now be short-staffed!

Josh gave an update on equipment; they are in need of funds to purchase the SCBA gear. They have secured a grant writer who is working on funds for the apparatus' (at a cost of $6,550 each) and he is hoping to get the money to be able to put the gear on a rotation cycle for aging out. With donations from events, such as the burger fry, they have been able to order the industrial strength monkey wrenches and other items of lower costs than the SCBA's.

One of the big concerns up and coming is the event that an electrical car catches on fire and is going to explode; standard methods of extinguishing do not work. The only option for that particular type of fire is to dig a hole and bury it.

There were no representatives of either the Law Enforcement departments present to give updates.

Under reports for the Event Center, Councilmember Bonnie Wiederrick said the craft bizarre held last weekend went well, "I loved it – it didn't feel as crowded," and "they were excited about the kitchen and pleased with the big overhead door to bring stuff it."

She also stated that Laura Pankratz had donated an 8'x12' flag; it had grommets for hanging vertically and Glenda from the office had taken it home and added grommets for displaying horizontally. Now a POW/MIA flag and a Montana flag can be added to the wall.

The sound system was discussed, Councilmember Bill Hicks stated the EMT meeting last week showed the need for the system; it is being worked on.

A family has rented the facility to accommodate their family gathering for Thanksgiving.

The Trafton Lift is still in the works, they are waiting on NWE at this point. There was a serendipitous discussion on the "ribbon-cutting" ceremony when the project is officially complete.

Under new business, the security system at the Event Center was discussed. PWD Truelove stated the front and back doors would have coverage, as well as the kitchen and utility area; there will be 360 degrees of coverage. The access will be by plastic cards similar to those used by motels; if a card is not returned it can be deactivated. The entire system can accommodate 16 cameras.

Additional new business was the 1943 siren that is set to sound each evening at 6 p.m. and whether it is even needed any longer. The discussion confirmed the need: the example was the fire at the former high school in 1995 and the urgency to get firefighters onboard as soon as possible. The system runs about $18,000.

Doug and Bonny Ost were at the meeting applying for acceptance of the plat of land that is sold and will be the site of the Dollar General Store up beside the former "Promises" business. Doug stated the buyers had planned to pour concrete this fall and open in May.

The dog situation was discussed; those watching the sheriff's log did not see any action taking place. Jim Truelove stated once owners are ticketed the matter is out of the hands of the City. Licensing has gone up and calls are being handled. By law, if a dog is trespassing, an owner can use necessary force to stop aggression and protect the family and pets as needed. Frustration was expressed about dogs barking all night. The next council meeting is on Nov. 22nd at 5 p.m.