City Council Meets, Four Apply For Vacant Seat

On Tuesday, January 14, the Malta City Council held its first meeting of the 2025 calendar year, with Mayor John Demarais opening the meeting with the pledge to the flag. In attendance at the meeting were Darren Demarais, Mark Knudsen, Kayla Warren, Marilyn Taylor, PWD Jim Truelove, John Wright (Compliance Officer), Sheriff Jerry Lytle, Sara Warren, and Abby Bain who joined the council members, David Rummel, Laura Pankratz and Bonnie Wiederrick. Also present was Lorie Bond, City Clerk.

The mayor opened the meeting for public comment, any items that were not on the agenda. Kari Hould inquired about the council considering starting their meetings a bit later than the 5 p.m. time, stating that the council had heard previously at meetings that were attended by large crowds, that the 5 p.m. often hinders someone attending the meetings due to just getting off work, etc.; the council said they would discuss it.

Hould also shared that Fr. Felix Nayak will become a U.S. Citizen on Thursday the 16th and that there would be a reception recognizing his commitment on Sunday, Jan. 19th about 11:30 and invited the council, should they choose, to help in welcoming him to the U.S. formally.

Demarais then shared of the loss of council member, Bill Hicks, who had passed away in December and said, “For eight years, that guy that sat there filled that seat, he was a wise man, he didn’t say much – but when he spoke you listened. I for one, am going to miss Bill.” He then called for a moment of silence in memory and honor of him.

Rummel moved to accept the minutes from the last meeting, seconded by Pankratz, motion passed. Wiederrick moved to accept the agenda for the meeting and Pankratz followed with a second, and this motion passed. Rummel moved to accept the payment of claims as presented, seconded by Pankratz, which was passed.

PWD Truelove provided a report on the city crew happenings and update. The first shipment of 96 gallon and 300 gallon garbage’s are in.

The crew has been sanding as needed and the blades have been out. He stated the public should know that not every street is sanded, only the high traffic areas and certain routes, such as bus routes, hospital and ER, etc.

Work will begin soon on the drains so they are functional when the weather breaks and the runoff starts.

The crews will be working in Hill Crest storage tanks to put a new pump in. It should not affect the residents in that area.

Clerk Bond stated the contents of the council member packets. She inquired if the council intends to rent the pasture on city property for grazing or let it rest as was the vote last year. It was the consensus to rest it another year, due to the drought conditions.

Compliance Officer John Wright stated he has had four lawn letters, three campers parked on city streets, one broken down and abandoned and two junk vehicles letters that have taken care of. He still has a vehicle he is attempting to find and contact, the resident is in Dodson. He is still making efforts to contact one homeowner with junk and junk vehicles in the back yard.

Demarais stated he was impressed with the improvement that one landowner had made since Wright had made contact regarding junk and vehicles.

Pankratz inquired about a residence that has a wire panel fence that has a dog that runs up to the fence. She asked if it was going to be a wooden fence. The landowner was present and said, “It is a wire fence that John approved.” It was asked if that wasn’t the residence that Demarais had remarked about several months ago ~ that it was not in compliance and needed to be changed. Demarais said he “…I could have said that, I don’t remember.”

She said she was concerned about the kids coming up to the fence when walking to school. The landowner responded, “He’s a lovable dog, believe it or not.” She stated she just thought that a wooden fence would be better with a dog that goes out to meet you like he does.” To which the owner responded, “…if you are willing to donate…just so you know it’s not cheap.” She answered that she knew, and already has her wooden fence up.

Demarais said that Wright would be spraying the lawns this summer in place of TruGreen, and the city is looking for a pickup that can haul the spray tank. They looked at one today, the whole underneath is shot, so they are still looking. An ATV was discussed and appears to not be what is needed; the crew will continue to look.

There were no reports on or from the landfill, safety or fire chief.

Sheriff Lytle spoke on the law enforcement department, he opened with passing out sheets with quarterly statistics regarding calls, crimes, arrests, traffic stops and training the members of his office have attended or been included in.

From October 1 to December 31, 2024 there were a total of 887 calls for service. The City of Malta had 475 calls that represented 53.5% of the total calls, the City of Dodson had 48, and the City of Saco had 42.

He stated there has been an increase on sexual assault on children, and he wasn’t sure why. Another increase noted was the assault on minors. Various charges included cruelty to animals, criminal possession of dangerous drugs, criminal possession drug paraphernalia, privacy in communication, sexual abuse of children for possession of child pornography. The South Phillips County area had a report of criminal possession of dangerous drugs, criminal possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal child endangerment, criminal distribution of dangerous drugs or/near school property, criminal possession dangerous drugs with intent to distribute, and tampering with evidence.

Lytle said, “…pretty much everything under the sun is going on.”

He added, “We did quite a bit on traffic stops, we did get bunch of drugs off the streets last quarter, so that’s kind of nice. I like to get that stuff off street, I like putting it in my evidence room! It is nice to get it off the streets.”

“For some reason people don’t like to stop at the little octangular signs that say ‘STOP’ – they been hammering Fifth Avenue pretty hard so people are starting to stop there.”

Wiederrick asked about how the office feels when officers do their work, write tickets and then the courts don’t do anything with them. Lytle said there are times when the courts are lenient and sometimes when they throw them in jail.

Lytle reported his office personnel had participated in 32 hours of training in various locations; the subjects covered were advanced coroner training and crime scene investigation.

As of now there are still two positions within the Sheriff’s office to be filled. He announced that he was impressed with the newly hired Deputy Sheriff Jordan Arthur, with three months of employment, that he asked Jordan to be his Undersheriff. Jordan was sworn into office on January 15, 2025.

The topic of funding was addressed, the local Sheriff’s office is running a mill levy for the financing of the department. He said the mill levy will be a make it or break it item. He is uncertain what will happen on the mill levy; he plans to have a town hall meeting and have a question and answer format so people can see or ask questions.

Lytle said, “Years ago about 30% of the county’s revenue was from gas and now is down to 5%. I am hoping we can get the mill levy passed because I don't know…it worries me if it fails. I don’t know what will happen to the Sheriff’s office if it fails.” He said that at least three or four other sheriff’s offices are looking at a mill levy, as well.

Discussion was about how long it has been since City Judge Gayle Stahl gave a report to the City; it was suggested she come and give one at a meeting. With over 50% of the cases being from Malta, the question of whether there should be more revenue coming into the city coffers.

Lytle stated that due to a search warrant and drug bust recently made, as soon as District Court closes the case, he will have a check for $27,000 to give to the city. The individual “finally got caught” and is facing federal charges as well, so it will take a while.

Kayla Warren spoke as representative of the swimming pool group; she stated the brick sales are coming along. The group has been working with Sara Warren and working on grants; they are doing a taco feed at the basketball game on the 24th. They are still waiting for quotes from the contractor on the coping and the pump.

Under new business, Demarais announced the four candidates who had applied for the vacant position held by Hicks, including Mark Knudsen, Darren Demarais, Kayla Warren and Jerry Roberts. The position has to be filled by the 28th of January, a meeting for interviews of the four candidates was set for Jan. 24th at 5 p.m., at which time the council members will ask questions of the potential members and gather input on the interest the candidates have in the city government. The public is invited to come and sit in on the interviews.

Item 2 on the agenda was a request by the Phillips County Hospital Requesting Use of the Event Center as an Evacuation Site. Wiederrick moved to allow the request, it was followed by a second by Pankratz, and motion passed.

When item 3 was discussed, Sara Warren and Abby Bain were present for the presentation on behalf of the Malta Trails and upcoming plans and grant applications. Warren spoke about Milk River Bridge possibly being declared as a historical site in the National Registry. She shared some of the items that would need addressing and ideas the committee has come up with. Also discussed was the benefits of having it placed on the Registry.

Council members then approved the one year Committee Appointments for the upcoming year. The Committees include Zoning Administrator, Assistant Zoning Administrator, Bear Paw Development, Judith River Foundation, Phillips County Transit Board, PhillCo Board, Trafton Park Arena Committee, Planning Board/Board of Adjustments, Phillips Conservation Board, Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Chief, and City Judge. Also individuals were appointed for two years to the Planning Board/Board of Adjustments. The names of the committee members is available at the City Office. Rummel made a motion to accept the designated appointments, seconded by Wiederrick, motion passed.

Item 5 was Draw 2 – SRF Loan – EC Pilot Study – Manganese Removal – Preliminary Design. The draw is for $5,444, which is $4,284 for engineering cost and $1,160 for administrative costs. Rummel moved to approve the Draw, seconded by Pankratz, and this motion passed.

Addressed as Item 6 on the agenda was Great West Engineering- Task Order 11 – Jetter Trailer Equipment Bidding Services. Wiederrick moved to approve the process and Rummel seconded the motion; motion passed.

Pankratz shared with the group and idea of working on putting together what is called a “WAY SIGN” that many communities are activating. It is a sign to assist visitors in locating various places around town, including the City Hall, Sheriff’s Office, hospital, library, schools, football field, etc.; this concept was well received and Truelove stated he would check with Marcus Green, head of the highway department to discuss the idea and options.

Rummel mentioned the wrestling at the Event Center and urged everyone to stop by and see the wrestlers in action. There are 70-80 very ACTIVE youth putting their all into the sport.

There being no further business to come before the council, Wiederrick moved to adjourn and Pankratz seconded the motion, motion passed.

The following dates to remember are the meeting on Jan. 24th at 5 p.m. to interview council member candidates and the next regular meeting of the council will be Tuesday, January 28th at 5 p.m.