Superintendent Suta read the following letter into the minutes and presented a plaque to the City.

February 5, 2008

Jim Suta, City Supt.

City of Cut Bank

221 West Main

Cut Bank, MT 59427

Re: Phase 1 and Phase 2 Water System Improvements

Dear Jim,

Last fall Cut Bank’s Phase 1 and Phase 2 Water System Improvements projects were nominated for an Engineering Excellence Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Montana. We at Morrison-Maierle are very pleased to inform you that Cut Bank’s project received the top award in the Water and Wastewater category. Please accept this plaque as recognition of this award and untold efforts required to make this project a success.

As specifically pointed out in the nomination, the City had the foresight to recognize the increasing problem with a seasonally limited water supply. The City then took the prudent steps to address this situation. You and several others are to be congratulated for staying the course from project inception and planning to final design and construction. We at Morrison-Maierle are proud to have been associated with Cut Bank in the implementation of this project.

To the City of Cut Bank and all involved with these two projects – JOB WELL DONE!

Sincerely,

Craig L. Nowak, P. E.

Project Manager

Cc: Joni Stewart, Mayor; City Council Members; Marion Culleton, Past Mayor

Councilperson Shock moved to approve the consent agenda consisting of the February 4, 2008 City Council Minutes, February 11, 2008 City Council Minutes, February 7, 2008 Payroll in the amount of $50,765.84 and the January 2008 Financial Reports. Councilperson Brotnov seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Councilperson Shock moved to affirm the following list of volunteer fire department members as of February 2, 2008: Barry Aikins, Pat Anderson, Dean Berkram, Jeff Billman, Aaron Brown, Josh Czech, Cody Fetters, Pete Fey, Tim Freed, Bob Jacobson, Al Hillius, Mark Kropp, Greg Larson, Jimmy Littrell, Dave Losing, Pat Murphy, John Nanini, Scott Racki, Dayne Peterson, Mike Pyette, Dan Raemaeker, Doug Vermulm and Scott Ziebarth. Councilperson Brotnov seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0.

Councilperson McCauley moved to affirm the promotion of Dan Dezort from Class 4 to Class 3 as of January 22, 2008. Councilperson Shock seconded the motion. Superintendent Suta said Dan has completed his first year on the crew and is doing a good job. The call to vote was 4-0 in favor of the promotion.

The Council Members and City Superintendent reviewed the cost estimates for a new ¾ ton pickup. Estimates were received from Northern Chrysler and Bell Chevrolet. Bell Chevrolet submitted the cost of a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD. City Superintendent Suta noted the Cut Bank Airport Authority had offered $3,500.00 for the old water distribution pickup. Northern Chrysler submitted the cost for a 2008 Dodge Ram 2500. After some discussion on the merits of each vehicle, Councilperson Shock moved to purchase the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado. Councilperson McCauley seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0.

Due to severe weather conditions, Chief Abbott submitted a mileage request for a trip to the Montana Executive Leadership School in Helena from late January. Mayor Stewart had given permission for Chief Abbott to use his personal 4-wheel drive. The mileage would be paid at the rate for use of a personal vehicle. Councilperson Shock made a motion to approve the payment of $120.05 to Chief Abbott. Councilperson Brotnov seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

Due to severe weather conditions, Chief Abbott submitted a mileage request for a trip to a POST Hearing in Helena on February 13, 2008. Mayor Stewart had given permission for Chief Abbott to use his personal 4-wheel drive. The mileage would be paid at the rate for use of a personal vehicle. The severe weather required Chief Abbott to turn around at Great Falls and return to Cut Bank. Councilperson McCauley made a motion to approve the payment of $58.80 to Chief Abbott. Councilperson Shock seconded the motion which passed 4-0.

Clerk-Treasurer Filban noted to the Council, tickets were available to the Governor’s Prayer Breakfast on March 8, 2008 should anyone wish to attend.

Clerk-Treasurer Filban read the following letter into the minutes from the Montana Historical Society:

February 8, 2008

Mayor Joni Stewart and Cut Bank City Council

221 West Main

Cut Bank, MT 59427

Dear Mayor and Council Members,

We are pleased to inform you that the Cut Bank Municipal Airport and Army Air Force Base, Cut Bank, MT was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 29, 2008.

The National Register is the nation’s official list of historic properties worthy of preservation. Listing in the National Register is an honor that provides wider recognition of a property’s historic values, and assists in preserving Montana’s heritage. Certain benefits are available to the owner of National Register properties through the Montana Historic Preservation Office. These benefits include economic tax incentives for the rehabilitation of commercial or residential rental historic properties, very limited grant funding (when made available by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior), and technical assistance provided by the Preservation Office Staff.

Montana properties listed in the National Register also qualify for our Historic Places Sign Program. Owners of listed properties receive financial assistance for the production of signs to identify NRHP properties.

We thank you for your interest in Montana’s heritage, and hope you will join us in supporting the protection and preservation of Montana’s historic places. If you have questions about the National Register program or are in need of technical preservation assistance, please do not hesitate to call upon us.

Sincerely,

Kate Hampton, Coordinator

National Register of Historic Places

Clerk-Treasurer Filban read the following letter into the minutes from Mayor Stewart:

February 15, 2008

Councilperson Alice Brotnov

317 Sixth Avenue SE

Cut Bank, MT 59427

Dear Alice:

On behalf of the City of Cut Bank, I would like to state our appreciation for your years of service as a Councilperson. Your dedication and devotion to improving the City have not gone unnoticed.

From a personal standpoint, I have always relied on you for providing feedback and a great perspective on all the many issues we have dealt with over the past two year. Your support through the last two years has helped me be not just a better Mayor, but a better person. You will be great missed.

Once again, thank you for all you have done to make Cut Bank a better place to live!

Sincerely,

Joni Stewart, Mayor

Council President J. W. Eaton presented Councilperson Brotnov a plaque of recognition and appreciation. This was Councilperson Brotnov’s last City Council meeting.

Councilperson Eaton updated the Council on the Northern Montana Refuse District’s business. Councilperson Eaton reported the tonnage for Cut Bank has decreased from prior years which are due to the recycling efforts of the community. He also reported the District will be going to two meetings a month. Overall, Councilperson Eaton said the District has improved and updated their procedures and financial reporting and the future looks very good for the District.

Councilperson McCauley brought forth a situation regarding the freeze up of water lines on the 300 block of Fourth Avenue SE last week. Councilperson McCauley had been contacted about the lack of informing the residents of the emergency water shut off. Councilperson McCauley said he would like to see a policy about informing the public regarding emergency water shuts. City Superintendent Suta said this water break was reported to him at 11:30 PM. Due to the late hour, the line was pinched off until daybreak. The crew was working on the problem first thing the next morning. Superintendent Suta said the problem was located on a personal service line into one residence. The water main line was immediately turned back on. After the adjournment of this meeting, Superintendent Suta, Police Chief Abbott and Councilperson Eaton will sit down and put together a policy.