Glasgow City Council Meets In Regular Session:

The Glasgow City Council met in regular session on Nov. 6 in the Council Chambers located inside of the Glasgow Civic Center. Regular business was discussed including approving payment of claims in the amount of $312,249.38; payment of Valley Court Apartment claims in the amount of $2,979.04; and the minutes for the Oct. 16, regular council meeting.

The Council provided an update to the possibility of building a skatepark on city property. Throughout previous City Council meetings, the Siding 45 Skatepark committee has proposed and provided information regarding their desire to place the future skatepark within Bundy Park, located behind Irle School. The Council had previously toured the portion of Bundy Park the committee would like to build the skatepark on, has heard information from the committee throughout a series of previous City Council meetings as well as heard public comments at previous City Council meetings for and against the proposed location.

The City Council is now requesting residents of the city of Glasgow to submit letters of support or opposition for the skatepark to be placed at this location. Letters can be sent to the Glasgow City Clerk’s Office, 319 3rd Street South, Glasgow, MT 59230. All letters must be received by Wednesday, Nov. 29, 12 p.m., to be included in the council packet for the Dec. 4 City Council meeting so the council members have the opportunity to review all letters prior to the regular meeting that evening at 5 p.m. The public will also have the opportunity to talk during public comment on any agenda item at that meeting.

The City Council has not officially provided the go-ahead for the skatepark to be built on the desired portion of Bundy Park, as they want public input first before making a final decision.

Glasgow Mayor Rod Karst also reported the Hospital Review Committee met to further discuss Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Nick Dirkes’ proposal he made to the council on Oct. 16. The proposal presented was for the hospital to purchase a portion of Hoyt Park, approximately 1.181 acres or 51,464 square feet of land. In preparation of the proposal, an appraisal was completed on the land, and upon review of the appraisal, additional research on the sale of public land and other discussions, FMDH offered $450,000 for the purchase of the property. The additional property would be used to add to their existing building with the possibility of expanding parking for the medical facility.

During the Hospital Review Committee’s recent meeting, Director of Public Works Paul Skubinna stated it would be preferred not to abandon the street between Hoyt Park and the hospital, which would be a possibility with the initial proposal presented, as a result of the utilities that run underneath the road. It was also stated the initial amount of $450,000 offered to the city by FMDH is not set in stone so the total amount for the land is still being determined and attorneys on both sides are reviewing previous resolutions as well as the proposal before a final decision is made. The Hospital Committee is set to meet again after further information is obtained by the attorneys. As of press time, no meeting date has been set to reconvene.

The Glasgow City Council meets the first and third Monday of every month, 5 p.m., in the Council Chambers located inside of the Glasgow Civic Center. Agendas are posted on The Glasgow Courier Facebook page, http://www.glasgowcourier.com, when made available.