Board wants input on parking

The  Aug. 17 Keystone  Town Board meeting  began unusually with trustee Casey McNulty refusing  to approve the claim for Royal Flush and the town portapotties, wanting to stay “consistent” with his opposition to extra porta potties  in town.

 

A discussion on employee parking took place as a result of the last meeting. 

 

There was a significant  amount of reduction of people who got permits this year than last year, according to trustee Sandi McLain.  She watched the parking closely and saw 10-20 spots open per day. McLain said the numbers are significant  enough  to warrant discussion.

 

Pennington  County  Sheriff Deputy Chris Plawman is either in favor of getting rid of employee  parking altogether or keeping it the same.

 

While he knows employee parking numbers were down this year due to more J1s (seasonal foreign workers) he feels if the town shrinks the number of spaces and more locals fill positions next year there will not be enough  spaces.

 

“If we do shrink it down and we do get more employees where do I direct them?” he asked.

 

President Rick Greene offered the idea of setting the number of spaces yearly by resolution. It is unclear how many spots there currently are.

 

McNulty asked to table the matter until September so businesses can have input.

 

“We want some business  owners to give us their input,” said McNulty. The matter will be discussed at the Sept. 21 meeting.

 

A cost analysis for expanding the state parking  lot was presented. All options would create 29 spots with  Option A costing at minimum $5707/spot  and option C being $15,498/parking spot, but overall the least  expensive.  The two options differ by hauling of blasted material. 

 

McLain opposed either option as not “fiscally  responsible,” although  she is in favor of expanding  parking options.

 

Trustee Bill Babcock  motioned to “abolish the whole thing,” however, McNulty wanted to keep all options on the table pushing the project down the line. 

 

The matter was tabled until Sept. 21. McNulty will form a committee to look at the matter further. 

 

Trustees suggested a best practice meeting with business owners. McLain said downtown is getting “pretty dirty” and that town ordinances requires businesses  to take care of their sites. Greene wanted businesses to think about  the image of the town and suggested a Zoom call with dates forthcoming.

 

There was discussion  about a trailer on Gold Street prompting McLain  to recommend the city contemplate a new nuisance ordinance that addresses safety issues with neighboring  houses. 

 

The board passed the second reading of the ordinance amending payment of business license fees. The fee will be determined  by a resolution which was not presented.

 

There were no bids for the Harney Street fencing project. 

 

According to superintendent of  public works Jerry Przybylski there were no responses. 

 

“If we’re gonna do this I suggest try getting them in March. No one would even respond to me,” he said.

 

Przybylski says the public  works  department  does not know how to install chain link.

 

Public works  was busy  fixing  the augers at  the lift station.

 

“We got it so it don’t kick out except 3:15 in the morning,” Przybylski said. 

 

The department also worked on fixing a water leak near Peggy’s  Place.  The department  requested funds for a $1,670 plasma cutter which was approved  by the board. 

 

The board approved a $250 donation for bringing the  Missoula Children’s Theater to the Hill City School District.

 

The next Keystone  Town  Board  meeting  takes place Sept. 7 at 6 p.m.