The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

At the recent city council meeting I was informed that a business has closed its doors to full-time operation. I received the following information from a letter from Mountain View CO-OP'S Nate Fairbanks: "Effective October 1, 2023 Mountain View Co-op has made the decision to transition the Big Sandy location from a full-time operation to a season Agronomy operations facility. I was to assure you that our priority is still to provide you with the products and services that you've become accustomed to."

"With our recent acquisition of a Havre facility, and Big Sandy's proximity to Fort Benton, we will continue to have a sales presence in the area with Jacob Botts and Issac Salcido from our Fort Benton locations and Arleen Rice and Paige Raty from the Havre location. We will also continue to have fertilizer available in Big Sandy for the spring and fall seeding seasons. Cal Hankins and the Fort Benton agronomy team will also be available to help with getting top dressing and other services accommodated. believe we can continue to provide excellent service in the Big Sandy area while reducing costs."

The Big Sandy town's Budget is available for review

Sarah Strissell from Bearpaw Development, Chuck Williams, Gary Johnson, and Luke LaLiberty from KLJ were present on the phone. There were no other guests present except myself.

Sarah reported on the Brownfield grant. This is a grant that will help tear down the old hotel on main street. There have been issues because the hasn't been enough staff to keep up with things with the bi-partisan infrastructure bill. She mentioned a new EPA clean-up grant application for the building will be sent forward.

KLJ discussion was finalizing paperwork for the last grant and visiting about the new water project.

It was noticed that 406 Ag has not responded with the results of the test of soil at the water waste site.

The new pool committee is waiting on the results of the last round of grants but has been visiting with engineers.

New Business Resolution 2024-15 approved the wage increase for city employees.

There were previously some concerns mentioned about the skate park, but no one showed up to the meeting to express anything further. There is a new sign up so everyone can read the rules concerning the use of the skate park. The old sign was unreadable because of the weather during the last few years

It was mentioned that Rotary is consider-ing an ice skating park for the winter.

Under Old Business the Animal Ordiance was once again discussed. In other small communities, they all have a compliance officer. Big Sandy does not have a compliance officer and the Sheriff's officers do not have authority to enforce city ordinances.

Steve Gannon has not returne phone calls concerning legal representation for the town of Big Sandy concerning the Community Decay ordiance

November 9th is the next city council meeting