Hamilton public meetings in 2025

Committee Of The Whole Cow

The Committee of the Whole will discuss the Montana DEQ Clean Truck, Bus & Airport Equipment Program to replace aging dump trucks. It will also consider whether to change the regular council meeting time and will discuss the Holiday Homes matter. Public comment is accepted before the meeting.

• Discussion of Montana DEQ Clean Truck, Bus & Airport Equipment Program to replace 1998 International 4700 and 1985 Ford dump trucks
• Consideration of changing the regular council meeting time
• Discussion of Holiday Homes

Committee Of The Whole Cow

The Hamilton Committee of the Whole will discuss three items: the Technology (IT) Administrator/Technician position, a weed discussion, and a warming shelter. The meeting also includes public comment and approval of September 9, 2025 minutes. No votes or decisions are indicated on the agenda.

• More information on the Technology (IT) Administrator/Technician position
• Weed discussion (topic unspecified)
• Warming shelter discussion
• Approval of minutes from September 9, 2025
• Public comment period

The Committee approved the September 9, 2025 minutes unanimously. Councilor West moved, and Councilor Mitchell seconded, a referral of the draft IT Administrator/Technician job description to the full Council for further action. City Attorney Karen Mahar was tasked with contacting the railroad about weed growth and will keep the weed‑control issue in the Committee. No formal action was taken on the warming shelter issue.

• Approved September 9, 2025 minutes unanimously
• Referred IT Administrator/Technician job description to Council (motion passed)
• Attorney Mahar to contact railroad regarding weed issue; item remains in Committee
• No formal action on warming shelter; Council to discuss in winter

Committee Of The Whole Cow

The Committee of the Whole will meet to review a tree removal request and a position description for an IT Administrator/Technician. The body will also discuss recruitment for the Economic Vitality Board and a Halloween decorating contest.

• Tree removal request at NW corner of S 5th St. and Ravalli St.
• Information Technology (IT) Administrator/Technician position description
• Economic Vitality Board Member Recruitment
• Halloween Decorating Contest discussion

The Committee approved the August 26, 2025 meeting minutes unanimously. Councilor West moved, and the council approved sending the IT Administrator/Technician job description and requested cost information to the City Council. Councilor Mitchell moved, and the council approved appointing Councilor Ernst as chair of the Economic Vitality Board.

• Approved August 26, 2025 minutes (unanimous)
• Approved sending IT job description to Council with additional information (unanimous)
• Approved appointment of Councilor Ernst as Economic Vitality Board chair (unanimous)

Committee Of The Whole Cow

The Committee of the Whole will meet to discuss vandalism at the skatepark and review a council priorities spreadsheet. The body will also review a 2021 fireworks survey and discuss a new fireworks survey.

• Discussion of skatepark vandalism
• Review of Council Priorities Spreadsheet
• Review of 2021 fireworks survey
• Discussion of new fireworks survey

The Committee of the Whole approved the August 12, 2025 minutes after a street‑to‑sidewalk correction, with all members voting in favor. Councilors discussed closing the skatepark and bandshell because of vandalism and considered adding security cameras and a larger police presence, but no formal action on closures was taken. They agreed to develop a community fireworks survey to address safety concerns. The council priorities spreadsheet was presented and will be reviewed every two weeks.

• Approved August 12, 2025 minutes (unanimous)

Committee Of The Whole Cow

The Committee of the Whole will consider a review of the 2021 fireworks survey and discuss a new fireworks survey. It will also review a proposed social media policy for city employees. Additionally, the committee will discuss the community ice rink project. The meeting will conclude with public comment and approval of July 22 minutes.

• Review of 2021 fireworks survey and discussion of a new fireworks survey
• Review of proposed Social Media Policy for City employees
• Discussion of the Community Ice Rink project

The committee unanimously approved the July 22, 2025 minutes. The fireworks survey item was tabled until Councilor Bielski could attend. Members voted to send the new Social Media Policy to City Council for approval. A show of hands approved moving forward with the proposed community ice rink.

• Approved July 22, 2025 minutes (unanimous)
• Fireworks survey item tabled (no vote)
• Sent Social Media Policy to City Council for approval (unanimous)
• Approved moving forward on community ice rink project (show of hands)

Committee Of The Whole Cow

The Committee of the Whole will consider several topics. Members will discuss suspending annexation and zoning application fees for properties adjacent to the city that can connect to water and sewer. They will also review the proposed composition and duties of a new Hamilton Economic Vitality Advisory Committee. Additional discussions include the city’s deer and rabbit populations with a wildlife biologist and a proposed fireworks ordinance.

• Discussion on suspending annexation and zoning application fees for adjacent properties able to connect to water and sewer
• Discussion of proposed Hamilton Economic Vitality Advisory Committee composition and duties
• Discussion of city deer and rabbit populations with Rebecca Mowry, FWP Wildlife Biologist
• Fireworks Ordinance

The Committee approved the minutes from June 24, 2025. A unanimous motion sent a resolution to suspend annexation and zoning application fees for adjacent properties to the Council, with an annual review. The Economic Vitality Advisory Committee resolution, amended to change County Commissioner representation, was also moved to the Council. Discussions on deer management and the fireworks ordinance were kept in committee for further study.

• Approved June 24 minutes (unanimous)
• Sent resolution suspending annexation and zoning fees to Council (unanimous)
• Sent Economic Vitality Advisory Committee resolution with amendment to Council
• Deer population management discussion kept in committee
• Fireworks ordinance discussion kept in committee

Committee Of The Whole Cow

The Committee of the Whole will approve the minutes from the June 10, 2025 meeting. It will discuss revised position descriptions for part-time volunteers of the Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department. The council will consider stop‑sign requests and an update to the city’s stop‑sign policy. Additional items include an update to council procedures with the City Attorney and City Clerk and a proposal to create a committee to monitor federal budget changes that may affect Hamilton.

• Revised position descriptions for part-time Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department staffing
• Review of stop-sign requests and update to city stop-sign policy
• Update to council procedures with City Attorney and City Clerk
• Proposal to create a committee to monitor federal budget changes affecting Hamilton

The Committee approved the June 10, 2025 minutes after correcting Councilor Mitchell’s name. It also approved a motion to move the revised part‑time fire‑chief, assistant chief and captain position descriptions to the full Council for approval. Discussions on stop‑sign requests, council procedure updates, and creating an economic advisory board were noted but no formal actions were taken.

• Approved June 10, 2025 minutes with name correction (unanimous)
• Approved motion to refer fire‑chief staffing changes to Council (unanimous)

Committee Of The Whole Cow

The Committee of the Whole will approve the minutes from the May 13, 2025 meeting. It will receive an update on 2024 windstorm cleanup costs and consider a possible 2 mill emergency tax levy to qualify for state disaster funding. The committee will review a proposed rebate recovery agreement for wastewater connections tied to the RCEDA/TEDD sewer main extension project, which includes the Ravalli County Airport. It will also discuss rules for electric bikes, scooters, and electric motocross‑style bikes on Hamilton’s streets, sidewalks, and trails.

• Possible 2 mill emergency tax levy to fund 2024 windstorm cleanup and seek state disaster aid
• Proposed rebate recovery agreement for wastewater connections under the RCEDA/TEDD sewer main extension project, including Ravalli County Airport
• Discussion of regulations for electric bikes, scooters, and electric motocross‑style bikes on streets, sidewalks, and trails
• Approval of minutes from the May 13, 2025 Committee of the Whole meeting
• Public comment period for residents

The committee approved the May 13, 2025 minutes. Councilors voted to send the 2‑mill emergency tax levy for windstorm cleanup to the full council for a vote. They also voted to send a wastewater rebate agreement to the council. A motion to change the ordinance on e‑bikes, scooters and electric motorcycles in parks and on sidewalks was discussed but no vote was recorded.

• Approved May 13, 2025 minutes (unanimous)
• Approved motion to forward 2‑mill emergency levy proposal to full council (unanimous)
• Approved motion to forward wastewater rebate agreement to council (unanimous)

Committee Of The Whole Cow

The Committee of the Whole will approve the minutes from the April 8, 2025 meeting. Councilors will discuss the Historic Town Hall‑Library co‑location project, which has an estimated cost of $21.5 million. They will also consider the Old Firehall siren and a draft support letter for the Trapper Creek Job Corps.

• Historic Town Hall‑Library co‑location project – estimated cost $21.5 million
• Old Firehall siren discussion
• Draft Trapper Creek Job Corps support letter discussion
• Approval of minutes from April 8, 2025
• Public comment period

The council approved the April 8, 2025 minutes. It adopted a resolution memorializing the partnership with the Bitterroot Public Library to redevelop the historic Town Hall into a combined City Hall‑Library. The council also approved drafting a letter supporting Trapper Creek Job Corps for the next council meeting.

• Approved April 8, 2025 minutes (unanimous)
• Approved resolution to memorialize partnership with Bitterroot Public Library for City Hall‑Library project (unanimous)
• Approved drafting a support letter for Trapper Creek Job Corps (unanimous)

Committee Of The Whole Cow

This Committee of the Whole meeting includes discussion of a proposal from the Bitterroot Red Sox to sell beer at games, tree removals, and fireworks fundraising. Additionally, the committee will discuss drafting a resolution regarding staff reductions at the U.S. Forest Service and other federal agencies. Public comment will be taken and minutes from March 25, 2025, are to be approved.

• Proposal from Bitterroot Red Sox to sell beer at games
• Tree removals
• Fireworks fundraising
• Discuss drafting a resolution regarding staff reductions at the U.S. Forest Service and other federal agencies

The Committee approved the March 25, 2025 minutes with no opposition. Councilors voted unanimously to forward the Bitterroot Red Sox beer‑garden agreement to the full Council for approval. They also voted unanimously to forward the request to remove a Norway maple at 300 N 4th St and three cottonwoods near 601 N 6th St to the Council for approval. Other items such as fireworks fundraising and a draft resolution on federal staff reductions were discussed but not formally decided.

• Approved March 25, 2025 minutes (unanimous)
• Motion to send Bitterroot Red Sox beer‑garden agreement to Council approved unanimously
• Motion to send tree removal request (300 N 4th St maple and cottonwoods near 601 N 6th St) to Council approved unanimously

Committee Of The Whole Cow

The Committee of the Whole will review draft correspondence to federal officials and discuss how potential federal layoffs may impact the City of Hamilton. The body will also address tree removal at a specific city location.

• Tree removal at 400 N 3rd Street
• Discussion of potential federal layoff impacts
• Review of draft correspondence to federal officials

The committee approved the March 12 minutes with a correction to a public‑comment name. Members unanimously approved a motion to send the hazardous‑tree removal request at Pine and 4th Streets to the full Council for approval. The council also agreed to add suggested information to two draft letters and forward those letters to the Council for approval. No other substantive actions were taken.

• Approved March 12 minutes with correction to public‑comment name
• Approved motion to send tree removal request at Pine & 4th Streets to Council
• Agreed to add information to draft letters and move them to Council for approval

Committee Of The Whole Cow

The Committee of the Whole will meet on March 12 at Hamilton Middle School to discuss the impacts of potential federal layoffs. The meeting will be held in a hybrid format with in-person and remote options.

• Discussion of impacts of potential federal layoffs on the City of Hamilton
• Approval of minutes from February 25, 2025

Committee Of The Whole Cow

The Committee of the Whole will discuss the Parks, Cemetery and Urban Forestry Department report, including tree removal, and hold a discussion on how potential federal layoffs could affect the City of Hamilton. They will also approve minutes from the February 11, 2025 meeting.

• Approval of minutes from February 11, 2025
• Parks, Cemetery and Urban Forestry Department report/update
• Discussion of tree removal
• Discussion of impacts of potential federal layoffs on the City of Hamilton

Committee Of The Whole Cow

The Committee of the Whole will meet to approve minutes from January 28, 2025. The session includes updates on the 2025 Police Department report and the fireworks funding campaign.

• Police Department Update/Report for 2025
• Update on Fireworks Funding Campaign

Committee Of The Whole Cow

The Hamilton Committee of the Whole will discuss a planning department update and a report on fireworks fundraising efforts. Members will also review a tracking spreadsheet for past and future agenda items. No binding votes or ordinances are scheduled.

• Planning Department Update
• Report on Fundraising Efforts and Future Ideas for Fireworks Funding
• Review and Discuss Committee of the Whole Agenda Tracking Spreadsheet

Committee Of The Whole Cow

The Committee of the Whole will discuss setting council goals for 2025 and tracking future agenda items. The meeting also includes public comment and approval of prior minutes. No concrete decisions or financial actions are on the agenda.

• Discussion of Council Goals for 2025
• Tracking of Committee of the Whole agenda items and future considerations
• Approval of minutes from November 26, 2024