By Michael Howell
The Hamilton City Council made a few decisions about employment contracts at its last meeting on September 7. The Council confirmed the appointment of Clayton Moore as a probationary police officer, approved the reappointment of Karen Mahar as City Attorney for a two-year term, and authorized the Mayor to extend the current contract with prosecuting attorney Meredith Merth who works about 15 hours a week.
The Council approved renting the community room once a week (either on a Friday or a Saturday) from October through May to the Bitterroot Dancers. After some discussion about issues concerning the possibility of disturbing the neighborhood, clean up responsibilities and parking, the reservations were approved on a 4 to 1 vote with Councilor Joe Petrusaitis dissenting. The dance club will pay $80 per night for the use of the facility.
The Council also approved a lease for the ground at 111-A Taulman Lane with AT&T for a cell tower. City Attorney Karen Mahar called dealing with the company a “vortex of bureaucracy.” She added a termination clause to the contract that would allow the City to end the contract if they found a better use for the property.
At the most recent Committee of the Whole meeting, it was agreed to move the issue of Ravalli County Bank’s request for a waiver of impact fees on a property it owns to consideration by the Council. It was also agreed to move a request for $55,000 in project funds for Phase III of the Fairgrounds Road reconstruction project at the corner of 3rd Street and Old Corvallis Road. The possible purchase of a roller was also moved to council for consideration.
Items kept in committee included potential approval of a request to use a private well on property within the city on River Bend Court instead of connecting to the city water system, and taking on the contract for maintenance of the landscape along the highway and in the median where Highway 93 enters Hamilton.