City Council Draws Large Crowd In regards to City Hall Gym Usage

There was standing room only as the residents of Phillips County filled the City Hall conference room for the April 9th meeting. A majority of those in attendance came to either state their opinion or concern about the resolution the City Council proposed limited use of the City Hall gym, except for sporting events.

Following the opening regime of the Council, the floor was opened for comments, Mayor Demarais said, "We will receive comments regarding Resolution 1346, a Resolution approving the revised gymnasium lease and fees - To lease the Malta City Hall Gymnasium only for sporting events or events that do not require a tarp to be placed on the gymnasium floor. It's the public's turn to speak, in orderly fashion. Who ever wants to speak, let's do it."

The open comment time lasted one hour with testimony from city residents and county residents.

Shane Carnahan, representing the Phillips County Motor Sports, wasted no time in getting into the line-up (or starting line) to address the matter at hand. He inquired first as to the capacity of the Event Center. He stated that when the Fire Marshall was in town, they discussed it, he inquired as to the number of people that could be in it and was told "you would be lucky to put 140 people in that building...legal. We had 220 people at our banquet...you can't put 220 in that building from a legal standpoint. Also, we did spend a few thousand dollars to help put in the sound system and this is the gym and it is really the only viable building for us to hold our banquet."

"I understand we are trying to preserve this gym floor as it is very costly to replace, maintain and re-do but to restrict it to sporting events, it is really inconvenient for us as a drag strip and I believe it would be an inconvenience for this community as a whole. There's a lot of people who kind of rely on the gym."

Nancy Ereaux read a letter from the Stewardship Alliance, who was having their meeting tonight and could not attend. Author of the letter was Angel DeVries, on behalf of the Stewardship, adding that Ag Day would potentially cease to exist if they were not partnered within such close proximity and strategically with the Malta Fire Department. The letter asked the Council to reconsider the resolution.

Ereaux then stated she was also there on behalf of herself with the CattleWomen, and reminded the audience that the building was put in place to serve the community.

Julie Snellman spoke as a downtown business owner (Art's Furniture) to reiterate the message from the previous speakers; she did not have the same amount of traffic last year as she did this year and felt it was due to the difference in the location of the displays being held at the Event Center last year and the firemen grilling at the fire station.

Taylor French, President of the CattleWomen who were co-hosts of the recent Ag Day in March at the gym addressed the group, as well. "...I am against the amendment. I am not from Malta or a small town, but I recognize and appreciate that rural communities rely on volunteerism and leadership of its members to keep the community vibrant and invigorated and sustainable. There are a lot of individuals and groups in this community that are involved in groups of all different varieties, which offers a diverse range of opportunities for our residents. I would like to see City Hall as the symbolic center of the City and be a location where community members of Malta and all of Phillips County to gather and share in events of all varieties and thereby encourage and support the involvement of our residents." She acknowledged that the Event Center works for many of their events and events of others, and they should be directed there; however, for the needs of Ag Day it does not work. She cited remarks from vendors being pleased to have it back at the City Hall, she received overwhelming positive responses to keeping it there, and attendance was higher and noise was lower. "The sense of community was stronger. The fire department reported cooking a record number of hamburgers this year."

Ag Day has been celebrated since 1982 and celebrates our agricultural roots and an important part of Phillips County identity. French added, "If we want to keep Malta thriving , City leadership needs to encourage and support it's diverse organizations..."

Valid and sound points were expressed by those attending the meeting, it showed the Council that not only does agriculture mean a lot to them, agriculture and the City Hall have been a blend of productive events. There were those that recalled the City Hall hosting the bull sales years ago, and yes, the Pavilion was later built for agricultural related activities. That point being made, the point was also mentioned there is only one stove at the pavilion and not enough floor space for the necessary displays.

The attendees inquired as to what has been done as far as searching for answers for the thinning wooden gym floor and no one could provide an answer.

Mayor Demarais shared, "What this comes down to is the gym floor is wearing out. We're looking at major dollars to replace it. Would you guys be willing to take a major increase in fees to start putting money away to pay for the new floor?"

When asked what the "major increase is, what are you looking at?", Demarais responded, "They are saying $300,000, I think that is a little high. That's a major amount of dollars."

Demarais stated, "...the floor is worn out. We also have two other things wearing out...the water tank and the lagoon. We have major money coming up."

An individual asked, "...if it's okay for basketball, why isn't it okay for other events?" After a quiet pause, Demarais responded, "That is a good question." It was stated there are three other gyms in town.

Many in the audience stated there would be support for a fund raiser for fixing the floor.

There wasn't anyone who didn't share in the concerns for the aging floor. "Grants that used to come with strings, now come with log chains." and a sizeable project of this nature would probably require matching funds.

With the remarks taken into consideration, the Council voted to table the vote on the resolution. Council member Bonnie Wiederrick made a motion to table the subject, which was seconded by Council member Bill Hicks, motion passed.

Moving forward, the previous minutes, agenda, payroll and claims were approved unanimously.

Jim Truelove, PWD, reported the 816 Cat has been pulled from use. The crew had pulled the differential and found metal in the oil, it is hospital bound at T&E in Billings. It will be a month before he can get an estimate on repairs.

The crew had a dig on the north side, it was repaired.

He plans to have the parks open and operating this week. The Veterans Park opening will be delayed.

The crew started patching today and will keep at it until the patch is gone.

The claim for the City pool chemicals were presented with the other claims. The chemicals alone cost around $18,000. He is getting a high grade paint to apply as well.

Truelove said he will be removing the "donations" box from Trafton Park. Truelove has a new one at the City shop.

One item that was placed on hold was whether to place the grass canisters this year. There was frustration as to the ones using the canisters. The purpose and intent of the grass canisters was to provide a means for which town people can dispose of their grass and clippings. The City crew reports people backing up to the canisters in their pickups and using the bins. When told the canisters are for people who have no means to get their grass and leaves to the City dump, workers have had people respond that they don't want to go to the dump with their vehicle.

The Crew also reported misuse of the containers, ie: junk and logs were being thrown in them. The City will make a decision whether to continue the canister placement or not. Cooperation from the few that ruin it for those who need it could easily be a deciding factor.

Councilperson Wiederrick stated she had been reading complaints on Facebook about the potholes and she noted that an invoice for hot patch had been submitted for $2,000 and the shipping was $1,000.

City Clerk Lorie Bond reminded the group of the Public Hearing on April 17 at 6 p.m.

Compliance Officer John Wright reported of the five letters he had sent, four were now in compliance. Individuals living in the City Park beyond the time allowed have now moved. Demarais urged him to check out Trafton Park where a bunch of unlicensed vehicles are accumulating.

The Law Enforcement report was provided by Sheriff Jerry Lytle. He handed out informational sheets with the history of his office for the past three months. Malta had 61.4% of the crimes; there were 17 arrests; 179 traffic stops; and his officers participated in 192 hours of training. His office sponsored a search warrant class last week.

Lytle was asked how his office was sitting for staff; he said the Probation Officer did not work out and he had to let him go; Deputy Taylor Matthews had resigned and a previous officer, Jesse Niehoff, had returned and joined the staff. The office is still one short and still looking.

Lytle said the canine officer "has paid off pretty well, (in that they) got a pretty substantial bust in the City limits of Malta. "I have no sympathy for drug dealers, so the more of them we take off the streets...but they are like a snake...you take a head off of one and three more pop up." He accredited the Tri-Agency Drug Task Force for their assistance in the success of matters.

Demarais inquired about the item of truancy on Lytle's report; and he responded, yes, truancy is an issue. One of the issues is with parents who "home school" but fail to keep up on the lessons and testing and the schools will ask for assistance.

Parks and Rec Sally Wright provided her report of classes that had just been completed and some that were coming up. The office teamed up with 4-H Clubs and there will be a Clean-up Day on April 22nd.

Under open comment time, Dennis Bebee spoke regarding 9th Avenue and the mess that is down there. He stated that Truelove and Demarais had been to look at the situation and they felt progress was being made.

Under new business, the Hi-Line Future Foundation was represented by Ashley Stuart, and she gave an update on the group. The members of HLFF had raised over $90,000 through fundraisers. The City Pool was their first focus.

She provided what steps and measures had been taken and what improvements had made. Stuart said the group was looking for direction. She said they are realistic and know the new pool will not happen, what is the plan? They have $38,000 in funds and would like to know.

Demarais and Truelove said they estimate the pool leaks 5,000 gallons a day. Figuring it was build in the 60's, Demarais said, "...the pool is 64 years old, what we are doing is putting lipstick on a pig. I hate to say that, but we are...we are throwing money away." The pool has passed inspection and will be open when pool personnel is filled. The concern of the group that the State will shut down the pool, as they did with Glasgow. An option discussed was a Splash Pool (which only costs $300,000).

Stuart said the City said in 2018 they were putting aside ($325,000) for the pool. Demarais said "I don't know what happened, if there was. I don't know if we budgeted the money and we didn't have the cash discount. I do remember the City said we don't know what we're going to do, that's a lot of money...do we want to put it into the pool? But the budget was chopped. And I am still baffled. Lorie, where did that $325,000 go?"

Bond responded, "It was said that we would budget $300,000 for the pool that year, next year it was budgeted to "unexpected expenses". So budgets change."

When asked by the HLRR what they should do with the money, the Mayor said it was their money and that was their decision.

Wiederrick said, "It seems like the money we have set aside for the pool goes to maintenance of the pool. The $18,000 is a drop in the bucket of what it is going to cost us to do this; the pool manager expense...we just keep kicking a dead horse. The money we have goes toward maintenance, pool manager, life guards, training...even if we had $400,000 it would take $250,000 to get the pool going. I guess we're taking a hit in the shorts losing 5,000 gallons a day"

Demarais said, "I am for the pool, don't get me wrong. I wish we could put a figure on what we are going to spent. We have two major projects coming up, as you heard, and we're gunna hit the people a little bit. I know one will be $10 to $12 a month and that is just for the sewer. The water we don't know."

"It's gunna get real ugly here, people are not going to be happy about a rate raise but we have to do it, unfortunately."

The City is in need of a pool manager, spread the word, tell your friends, and contact the City Hall.

On the agenda was the summer lawn care, Bryan Benton had the lone application. His bid was $14,420, an increase of $600 from last year. Wiederrick made a motion to accept the bid, Councilperson Rummel seconded the motion; motion was 3-0 with Councilperson Hicks abstaining.

The Council approved the bid from Bruco Gymnasium in the amount of $3,276 for finishing and cleaning up the floors of the gym and dance room. Motion and second by Hicks and Pankratz.

Fire Chief Josh Newman provided a quick update on the fire department aspect of things, stating he would be providing a letter of support to the engineers for the funding of the water project. He stated that he has the capability to shut down all water in the City if he had to. This is a concern if there should be a fire. He encouraged the fire men as well other individuals in the community, to send letters of support.

He reported that "it's been a slow two months; the department is doing training and keeping up to speed." He touched on Ag Day, stating "it was an amazing turn out for us - fantastic! The department was able to show the public the new fire truck they built with 100% donated funds. They loved that!"

He said he was able to pick up a new 3000 gallon tender; it will receive some maintenance and be ready for summer.

Marilyn Taylor inquired as to any progress on getting the sewer line project on 191 North, and Demarais said it will be a slow process.

The next meeting will Tuesday, April 23rd at 5 p.m.