Jessica Ely

The Council approved several zone permits, reviewed an alley vacation request, and discussed updates regarding the golf course budget and maintenance projects, including the purchase of sprinkler heads and the postponement of carpet replacement. Additionally, the Council adopted proclamations for Fair Housing Month and the Week of the Young Child, conducted the first reading of an ordinance regarding parcel zone affirmation, reviewed the new airport manager's contract, approved a planning and development contract, and discussed zoning map updates in relation to the comprehensive plan.

The board discussed a Custer County alley vacation appeal and reviewed zoning permit applications, including the approval of a shed project and the reaffirmation of a parcel's zoning designation. The council engaged a planning consultant to discuss potential updates to the comprehensive plan, zoning ordinances, and zoning maps, highlighting the need for a gap analysis. Additionally, the meeting included an operational update from the Custer County Sheriff's Office, the approval of an auditing firm for the FY2025 audit, and a discussion regarding water conservation ordinances in light of potential drought conditions.

Key discussions during the meeting included action on a request from Thompson Creek Mining Co. regarding a multi-zone parcel change on Valley Avenue and a review of a Letter of Support for the North Custer Hospital District. The council approved an accounting adjustment for Cash Receipting/Utility Billing for FY25. A proposal from the Wetherbees to acquire property at 110 Redbird Lane was given a 30-day period for negotiation before further options are explored. Approval was granted for a Main Street road closure application for a Car Show event. The selection process for the fiscal year 2025 auditor services was discussed, with bids expected at the next meeting. Significant edits to the Employee Handbook were approved, including changes to compensatory time caps and vacation accrual language. A need to update the City's Comprehensive Plan, last fully updated in 2001, was discussed, with next steps involving outreach to J-U-B Engineering and tabling further review until Councilor Peterson is available for a zone map review session. Finally, the zoning amendment request for the Thompson Creek Mine land parcel to designate the entire 5.38-acre property as Residential B was unanimously approved, and the Letter of Support for the North Custer Hospital District, intended for equipment acquisition, was reviewed.

The meeting addressed several key items, including a report from the Challis City-County Sheriff's Office detailing deputy training, an open patrol position, the approval of an e-citation system, and a reduction in jail capacity. A proposal for a designated bike/OHV recreation area at the rodeo grounds was discussed, with a site visit to the airport authority scheduled for March 13th to confirm alignment with the master plan. The council finalized the Altura Loan for the water system project, reducing the final amount and voting to roll accrued interest into the loan while applying excess user-fee revenue toward principal for early payoff. Policy reviews for the Employee Handbook were conducted, focusing on changes to comp-time caps and vacation accrual language, with final approval deferred to the next meeting. Council unanimously adopted Water Source Protection Ordinance #523-2 and adopted Ordinance #524 after waiving readings. A Local Option Tax election for a 4% lodging tax was set for May 19, 2026, with funds earmarked for parks, infrastructure, and emergencies. Finally, approval was granted for a Chamber camping event at Blue Mountain Pond in August 2026.

The primary discussion involved a public hearing concerning the Centerra Park Subdivision. Following the hearing, post-hearing commentary addressed construction hours, where the construction manager proposed hours of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., which received agreement from an expressing individual.