City Council Meets In Regular Session

The Glasgow City Council met in regular session on Oct. 21, and a number of resolutions were introduced and offered for adoption by Mayor Rod Karst to the rest of the City Council members that were present, Doug Nistler, Lisa Koski and Brian Austin. Council member Dan Carr attended via cell phone while council members Stan Ozark and Butch Heitman were absent.

After approving consent agenda items, the first resolution introduced and offered for adoption was Resolution No. 3183 – A Resolution Establishing A Special Revenue Fund for the Skate Park. This resolution states that the Glasgow City Council desires to establish a new special revenue fund for the specific purpose of care, maintenance and end of life costs associated with the new skate park. The City of Glasgow will receive equal funds from Siding 45 and the City of Glasgow, so the City Council wants to track the funds separately while also having the funds available for the care, maintenance and end of life costs. The special revenue fund called “Skate Park Fund” would be established and all revenues and expenditures would be solely used for this project fund.

Council member Koski moved for the adoption, while the motion was seconded by Council member Austin. The resolution was unanimously adopted by those Council members in attendance.

The next resolution discussed was Resolution No. 3184 – A Resolution Establishing Budgetary Authority In The Skate Park Fund For The Receipt Of Monies Received From Siding 45 And The City Of Glasgow And Expenditure Of Monies On The Care, Maintenance And End Of Life Costs. This resolution states the City of Glasgow will receive equal funds in the amount of $2,500 from Siding 45 and the City of Glasgow and in this process, no provisions were made to the City’s Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget for the inclusion of these funds, however it is necessary to amend the City’s budget to include the funds in its books and records for the current fiscal year.

As a result, the resolution states the City Council of the City of Glasgow, that the City Council approves the sum of $2,500 of funds received from Siding 45 and $2,500 from the City of Glasgow, with the expenditures totaling $5,000. The resolution also directs the City Clerk-Treasurer to make the necessary entires into the books and records of the City of Glasgow for the General Fund Budget appropriation for the Fiscal Year 2024-2025.

Council member Austin moved for the adoption of Resolution No. 3184, while the motion was seconded by Council member Koski. The resolution was unanimously adopted by those Council members in attendance.

Also on the agenda was the approval of the collective bargaining agreement between the City of Glasgow and the Glasgow Police Department for a two-year period, 2024 to 2026. Council member Koski made the motion to approve while the motion was seconded by Council member Carr and carried unanimously.

The collective bargaining agreement included changes such as each association member will receive a $.09 longevity increase on July 1, 2024. If an association member elects to receive pay in-lieu of insurance benefits, the City of Glasgow will pay $900 per month as approved by City Council on Oct. 21, to the member. During the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 portion of the contract, members may choose a medical benefit option of a Healthcare Savings Account (HSA). By July 1 2024, and July 1, 2025, of the contract year, the employer shall contribute $3,000 to each participating member’s designated HSA. During the duration of the contract, if the City’s health insurance plan rate increases above $900, the Collective Bargaining Agreement may request in writing, that this portion of the contract be reopened for negotiations and the remainder of the contract remains in place.

Changes were also made to the shift differential wages, stating members assigned and working said shifts shall be paid an additional $2.25 per hour, effective during the contract from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026.

Educational wage increases were also approved if officers receive a Supervisory Certificate, which includes having an Advanced Certificate Intermediate Certificate and a Basic Certificate, 32 hours of POST training in management courses and must be a first line supervisor with one year of experience. and a command certificate. Educational wage increases were also approved for officers receiving the Command Certificate, which includes having a Supervisory Certificate, completing 160 hour minimum of Post approved management, supervisory or leadership training and must be in mid-management level supervisor for at least one year.

As a way to better maintain the trees in the city and the downtown area, Madelyn House has been in conversation with the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) regarding how they can help. House explained the DNRC would assist in choosing which trees would work in the sidewalks and also provide opportunities for grant funding. The city currently has a beautification committee, however in order to best utilize all of the resources available, it would be best to change the name of the beautification committee to the beautification and tree committee. According to City Clerk Stacey Amundson, a resolution would have be completed, and within the resolution the board members as well as term limits would be established. Council member Nistler then suggested this committee should be in charge of choosing the Yard of the Week during the summer.

The City Attorney Lee Pekovitch also stated to the council she had spoken with Montana Municipal Interlocal Authority (MMIA) about the sidewalk at the Rundle. She had Code Compliance Officer Rod Dees spray paint the lifted areas to provide people with extra notice that there is issues with the sidewalk. She suggested the council have this item on the next agenda for them to take action and direct them to fix the sidewalk.

After committee reports, department head reports and public comment, the meeting was adjourned at 5:35 p.m.

Regular Glasgow City Council meetings are held the first and third Mondays of the month at 5 p.m., in the Council Chambers, located inside of the Glasgow Civic Center, 319 3rd St. S. Glasgow. The November meetings are scheduled for Monday, Nov. 4, and Monday, Nov. 18.