[{"_1":2,"_108":-5,"_109":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6479458,"mediaKeyId","5693683-5c92e6ca487f5515f5605345c078255f","parentId",5693683,"title","Votes at a glance: Stevensville council actions Aug. 28, 2025","audioSeconds",436,"startMs",1557000,"endMs",1993000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5693683-5c92e6ca487f5515f5605345c078255f&start=1557&end=1993","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5693683-5c92e6ca487f5515f5605345c078255f/thumbnail_1557000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6479458/Stevensville/Ravalli-County/Montana/Votes-at-a-glance-Stevensville-council-actions-Aug-28-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479458-6fca5fc8146bcbacfbd84ce9b694575b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770397644&Signature=P56-aO4SCroNHqbj1M-UkXbgYbQiSsM~C8C3ME7vlBicpxXifOzZiYVNn8vdAlbyQ0u43aWvsetbjHUjqqFp7gdN-wXnfZZapcwyFj2viDTS78cJCgUiH309SQeNMCAe6JFoQrXFcJI4vSVfBok7FzKDKWkyAlqoUIs3cEiI9kYqdadCBMiTaM441oNFLe36aWgQUgEvUOGZvmeu8N1nO~tJGg55ZmlSlwzf5mD74y~gyjhlcX2tUqWn0ejB2Qqmiamc1~Hj4rlI7A~bcgOqqE-N9MkupzcB1cesBc4x-Tr~YR0silRtps1h8ceaPovG8Nvi2xFA88vC4Kc4HOjf8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Stevensville, MT","date","2025-08-29T00:27:45Z","article","Key motions and outcomes recorded at the Stevensville Town Council meeting on Aug. 28, 2025.

- Approval of meeting minutes (July 10, 2025): Motion to approve passed (4–0).
- Approval of budget workshop minutes (Aug. 7, 2025): Motion to approve passed (4–0).
- Approval of biweekly claims (claims #19872–19890): Motion to approve passed (vote recorded as passed in meeting; specific tally not specified in the transcript excerpt).
- Motion to suspend council rules and move new business item (approval of prosecuting attorney contract) up the agenda: Motion passed (vote recorded as passed in meeting; specific tally not specified in excerpt).
- Approval of the prosecuting attorney contract: Motion passed, recorded as 3–2.
- Motion to table resolution 5-73 (budget amendments for FY 2024–25): Motion moved and seconded; outcome recorded as tabled (vote tallies ambiguous in transcript excerpt).
- Motion to table resolution 5-74 (adopting FY 2025–26 budget and wages/salaries): Motion moved and seconded; outcome recorded as tabled pending republication of public notice.

Ending: Several tabling motions were procedural responses to a publication issue; the council directed staff to republish the public notice and return items after statutory notice requirements are met.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","TOWN COUNCIL MEETING 08/28/2025","oneSentenceSummary","A quick list of formal motions and outcomes recorded at the Aug. 28 Stevensville Town Council meeting.","taxTitle","Stevensville, Ravalli County, Montana","taxId",65907,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6479463,"Public commenters say trespass order blocks Stevensville mayoral candidate and urge stricter meeting decorum",116,65000,181000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5693683-5c92e6ca487f5515f5605345c078255f&start=65&end=181","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5693683-5c92e6ca487f5515f5605345c078255f/thumbnail_65000.jpg","/articles/6479463/Stevensville/Ravalli-County/Montana/Public-commenters-say-trespass-order-blocks-Stevensville-mayoral-candidate-and-urge-stricter-meeting-decorum","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479463-139a57b25b4310cb6484c2f72f90524f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770396454&Signature=oiZojMZoK7wjqMGz1LYjJsPJX8F11lcH43mNRwb6jAMdPNoY6iXiQC-zrv78msPqom56fBCOvEfo3FXIf6IBtKDOhi~C5O81JfwwuHHmev~TA3guan67HfVC2os8kYAQ5v82k2pV9QEI1NWFr~-VDnTcD-0Xe29WSMh1CquMVIW3iFF5G3SSCl7pTmr0Ni5RWY955V9P0gBK8e3toZN3QqFDLZ9vbXxXq6939T2pPaLpeFGrZBj9Nj3uU953Ubo~PNBkZuNpuOqyxWp0O0MSHy-zz8tz6AgXGj2-4bPioxaUihrBBza3MzhyqePy1200U5BCQBfxmlzRHxAzMxLHyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several members of the public used the Aug. 28 Stevensville council meeting to raise two related concerns: that a trespass order prevents a mayoral candidate, Jim Cruz, from accessing town hall and public records, and that staff and unrecognized speakers have been speaking at council meetings without formal recognition.

A resident identifying their address as 305 Sixth Street told the council that under Robert’s Rules of Order and the town council’s rules, employees must ask the mayor for permission to answer a council member’s question and should not interject without recognition. The speaker said that town employees have been answering council questions without the mayor’s recognition.

Sharon (G., 225 Valley View Street) said she had reviewed a letter from Jim Cruz and described her understanding that Cruz had been served a trespass notice that prevented him from entering town hall to review public documents. Sharon cited Montana’s “right to know” language (Article 2, part 2, section 9 as read in her remarks) and said the trespass prevented Cruz from exercising his right to examine public documents and from attending council meetings. The transcript records Sharon’s description of Cruz’s attempt to view a council resolution about records-request procedures; she said the town clerk told him the records request had been forwarded to the town attorney for review and that the clerk required the town attorney’s permission before allowing in-person inspection.

Mark Pope, speaking as a citizen at Cruz’s request, read two letters from Jim Cruz addressed to Mayor Michaelson and the council. The letters argued the mayor misread or misapplied town resolutions 5-43 and 5-44 when describing charges for equipment and operator use, and they criticized the mayor’s conduct in council meetings. The letters asked that the trespass be rescinded and that the mayor allow political opponents access to town hall and public meetings. Mayor Michaelson responded in part, saying he did not believe he had misled the council and that the town provides equipment and operating personnel as a service to citizens.

Mark Pope urged the mayor to cancel the trespass. Council members did not vote on any motion to rescind the trespass during the meeting.

Several speakers also read or cited portions of the town’s council rules and emphasized that the council chair (the mayor) must recognize staff or gallery speakers before they address the body, and that supplemental materials submitted close to a meeting should be disclosed in advance to allow public review.

Ending: The council did not take formal action to reverse the trespass order at the Aug. 28 meeting. Multiple public commenters asked for clearer adherence to council rules about recognition and for transparency in records and supplemental materials.","Multiple residents told the Stevensville council that a trespass order prevents mayoral candidate Jim Cruz from accessing town hall records and attending meetings; commenters also urged adherence to Robert’s Rules and council rules regarding staff remarks during meetings.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6479468,"Stevensville council approves prosecuting attorney contract after debate over travel pay and substitutes",0,1968000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5693683-5c92e6ca487f5515f5605345c078255f&start=1968&end=1968","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5693683-5c92e6ca487f5515f5605345c078255f/thumbnail_1968000.jpg","/articles/6479468/Stevensville/Ravalli-County/Montana/Stevensville-council-approves-prosecuting-attorney-contract-after-debate-over-travel-pay-and-substitutes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479468-e4a298bc338bb209e61606d98f264ede/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436003&Signature=HdiFWeCxg41CqhRTJO7l4UHb1HjmJjpLs-rmK8Ri4Mc3uNEjDNEKzQ9lXeRqAeAs80-aoGv3XSk-GTKWxSLxazvD-NOTZNDXZda7mSdmI4PdTi8nzvXRAUWJQB2GBuVv4OCYytkpF4eUJa5EftELtwvW46uHf6pevS-N8vYbrx3SvLbadGZqGKHkfAklgFO1f7yRIsVl6a2orsXKeRQkxi9BYTUAhiOzBeU7qYsf3iI60g0Qj0DXaVJG4YhFy2pVeRsOrtnWmAWJUi3V1jbLRoSUyt2jXAxLHBZ6kGZeyA0GdtUQ4t4urMEQlencjqyKsL0UT14YQA8a98u-gpY1tA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Stevensville Town Council approved a contract for the town’s prosecuting attorney on Aug. 28 after a split council vote and discussion about travel reimbursement and who may serve as substitutes.

Council member Smith moved to approve the contract and Council member Bragg seconded. The council discussed two provisions in the draft contract: (1) a $45-per-hour travel/time reimbursement and (2) language that allows the contractor to subcontract or supply a substitute attorney and paralegal. Several council members said the town should retain the right to review and approve any substitute attorney or paralegal because the town will pay those costs.

At the meeting Kiki (Kiki) Smithers, who identified herself as the prosecuting attorney candidate, told the council she was open to either a mileage reimbursement or the hourly travel rate. Smithers said she had spoken with deputy county attorney Amanda Smith, who had agreed to serve as an occasional substitute attorney, and that a county paralegal, Christian Downey, was available to serve as a paralegal. Smithers said both potential substitutes had relevant experience.

A member of the public and some councilors urged replacing the $45 hourly travel allowance with a mileage reimbursement at the Montana Association of Counties recommended rate (about $0.70 per mile, as cited by a commenter). Council member Smithers said she did not object to the change.

After discussion, the council approved the contract by a 3–2 vote. Several council members asked staff to obtain CVs or other credentials for any substitute attorney and paralegal who would be assigned to town work and said the council should retain the ability to review and approve those persons because the town may be responsible for paying their fees.

Ending: The contract was approved with council direction that staff obtain additional information about identified substitutes and paralegal arrangements for the town’s records and review.

","The council approved a contract with the town’s prosecuting attorney after debating travel reimbursement, substitute counsel and paralegal oversight; final vote was 3–2.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":90,"_43":101,"_45":101,"_47":102,"_49":103,"_51":104,"_53":105,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":106,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":107,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6479473,"Stevensville council tables budget after public-notice error; wastewater SCADA purchase delayed",2406000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5693683-5c92e6ca487f5515f5605345c078255f&start=2406&end=2406","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5693683-5c92e6ca487f5515f5605345c078255f/thumbnail_2406000.jpg","/articles/6479473/Stevensville/Ravalli-County/Montana/Stevensville-council-tables-budget-after-public-notice-error-wastewater-SCADA-purchase-delayed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479473-7f943574a9c2feb410fdadc95ac8c7ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436003&Signature=PgmFoxFqYnUu5wjgzH9O2tO3pUIV1ubWUU2RO7iYVAtS4TfI-TYkoFajrSYumGd4Jt8jWJJeklR9ornJAPEVGV-1~M2uFkMdtX2Cw9hZKX1DCw3Hk4F1YitA0eRkqVFcDV3KKwykNuF7MxCB1kvuGtA0jCiw3y2t0ux1G3u5UhVvwYmF5Q5vNmn~cGJwkHpzazU9j2uTjreGpK7NJowvwoAs7NsC6Lh-JBMrVLds10p9bis5fSx91h07boTPwu6XKoYVOMl3~I-2rwefTybU2synEeSCDEpfNBcb75Sz12C146cej~VscQJh2kt69ZACd4ho46R5BXpdsLZtDYnmFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Stevensville Town Council on Aug. 28 voted to table two budget measures after staff discovered the paper of record did not run the council’s required second legal notice for the preliminary budget.

The council’s action came during the public hearing on the preliminary budget for fiscal year 2025–26 after a clerical error in the meeting packet and inconsistent newspaper publication raised concerns about meeting statutory notice requirements. Mayor Michaelson presided over the hearing and town clerk Janelle confirmed the packet’s mislabeling of the budget year as a clerical mistake. Janelle also presented confirmation emails showing the notice had been submitted to the Bitterroot Star but councilors and members of the public said the paper’s printed copy available at the meeting did not include the August 13 notice.

Town clerk Janelle read Montana Code Annotated 7-1-4127 aloud for the record, which allows a municipality to be considered to have met publication requirements if the municipality submitted the required information on time and posted the notice in three public places and on its website. Janelle said the town had posted the notice online and in public locations; the clerk also said she received confirmation from the newspaper that it had scheduled the legal notice for Aug. 13 and Aug. 27.

Council members and staff disagreed about whether the legal-notice technicality required re-publication and a rescheduled hearing. Council member Burke expressed concern about meeting state deadlines, and council member Brown warned that the town could be subject to legal challenge if publication requirements were not met. Public works staff warned the council that approval of the budget affects a near-term purchase for the wastewater treatment plant’s SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) computer and server; staff reported repeated reboots of the current system and said they could not order the replacement gear until the budget is approved and a related procurement is authorized.

Faced with the uncertainty, the council voted to table: resolution 5-73 (budget amendments for fiscal year 2024–25) and resolution 5-74 (adoption of the fiscal year 2025–26 budget and wages and salaries). Both items were moved, seconded and placed on the table so staff could reissue the required public notice in the paper and ensure statutory timing. Council discussion noted the town may call a special meeting to handle urgent procurement steps if the publication and statutory timing permit.

The council clerk also read a written notice from the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation closing out a 2023 grant for Water Leak Repairs and System Improvements for $1,087,173; town staff said the DNRC file shows the project’s final report was accepted and reimbursements completed.

The council did not adopt the preliminary budget on Aug. 28; it directed staff to republish the legal notice and to return with the budget items after publication requirements are satisfied.

Ending: The council set no new hearing date during the Aug. 28 meeting; staff said they would resubmit the legal notice to the Bitterroot Star and post required notices on the town website and in public places, then return the budget items for council action after the statutory notice period was met.","The Stevensville Town Council postponed passage of its fiscal 2025–26 budget and amendments after staff discovered a public-notice publication error; council members said the delay could slow a planned purchase for the wastewater SCADA system.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Stevensville council actions Aug. 28, 2025

Public commenters say trespass order blocks Stevensville mayoral candidate and urge stricter meeting decorum

Stevensville council approves prosecuting attorney contract after debate over travel pay and substitutes

Stevensville council tables budget after public-notice error; wastewater SCADA purchase delayed