Mayor Emmet D. Embody called the meeting of the Cut Bank City Council to order at 6:32 PM, Monday, August 16, 2010. The following council members answered roll call: Tim Curtiss, Kelly Solberg, Tom Shock and William McCauley. City Superintendent Jim Suta, City Clerk-Treasurer Diana Filban, Chief of Police Jeff Kraft and City Attorney Robert Smith were also present. All present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Councilperson McCauley wished to address a quiet zone request from a citizen. Mayor Embody wanted to address the issue of weeds.

Councilperson McCauley made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda consisting of the August 2 and August 9, 2010 City Council minutes and the August 5, 2010 payroll in the amount of $64,590.00. The motion carried 4-0.

Councilperson McCauley made the motion to approve the City Superintendent’s report. Councilperson Shock made the second motion. The motion carried 4-0.

Councilperson Solberg made the motion to approve the Chief of Police’s report. Councilperson Shock made the second motion. The motion carried 4-0.

Councilperson McCauley made the motion to approve the City Superintendent’s report. Councilperson Shock made the second motion. The motion carried 4-0.

Councilperson Solberg made the motion to approve the Chief of Police’s report. Councilperson Shock made the second motion. The motion carried 4-0.

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Councilperson McCauley stated he had received a note from a citizen regarding a quiet zone for Cut Bank and the trains that come through the City. Mayor Embody, Councilperson Shock and Councilperson McCauley all spoke of the financial and liability constraints that could be put on the City of Cut Bank and it was not feasible at this time.

Mayor Embody addressed the issue of weeds and how long it takes to get from the reporting process to the actual clean up of a problem area. Superintendent Suta said he would look into having a shorter period for the property owners to clean up their area before the City goes in and does the work.

Councilperson Shock reported on a Cut Bank Development Corporation meeting he had attended. The Energy Efficiency Grant will be going forward at the Glacier County Annex. Councilperson Shock also stated the go ahead from BN has been received to paint the passenger building. A safety person will have to present when the side facing the tracks is painted and BN will pay for that.

Councilperson McCauley stated he had been to the Cut Bank Development Corporation meeting at noon today. With the recent exit of Jeri Lee Wilkerson at the Cut Bank Development Corporation, it was decided to discuss the possibility of merging this organization with the Chamber of Commerce at a future meeting.

Mayor Embody did not close the meeting at this time because there would be no action regarding the executive matter this evening only discussion. The current litigation between the City and Art Rooney, a former Police Captain was discussed. An Executive Session will be held at a special City Council meeting on August 19, 2010 at 5:30 PM for the Council to make a decision on how they would like to proceed with this case.

Councilperson Shock reported on a conversation he had with Alec Hansen from the Montana League of Cities and Towns. Councilperson Shock discussed the current problem the City is having trying to balance the General Fund and the impact the Police Department has on the budget. There was no definite plan or recommendation on how to solve the problem other than cutting the budget or going into the reserve money the fund has.

The Council and Mayor discussed the expenditure budget in detail. It was decided to meet on August 19, 2010 at 5:30 PM to approve a preliminary budget.

There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilperson Shock moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 PM. Councilperson Curtiss made the second motion. The motion carried 4-0.