[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6563015,"mediaKeyId","3236371-7a3fd7d3daf6d71eaf2bb91a0c55bb66","parentId",3236371,"title","Commission reviews updated boards and commissions handbook; asks staff for clarifications and enforcement language","audioSeconds",1881,"startMs",5209000,"endMs",7090000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3236371-7a3fd7d3daf6d71eaf2bb91a0c55bb66&start=5209&end=7090","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3236371-7a3fd7d3daf6d71eaf2bb91a0c55bb66/thumbnail_5209000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6563015/Livingston-City/Park-County/Montana/Commission-reviews-updated-boards-and-commissions-handbook-asks-staff-for-clarifications-and-enforcement-language","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6563015-164acea6024443834f17f3f14e4b3ec4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771215031&Signature=f6HBAdOO-UbIHRSUIEtjDN9x2-sxifB3Rb1xqPQNbsFMfjqeq~kwS7sby51CVNqCNOwiRTJohuotnrEg-a2tNpXEAwAmhumYv9YsmrgsPV8dvQg9t1QtJW3tbX2o~fp8pJgyLXZRoJ185caxvEA~k5JUPiKgK0bnJS7abc~KNaHcYnZHqFYn2kI7XPY~4xjtUrTv6NFDMDCPxsRxlFN2J-JHvpTab2yyLTpI35rquOKwRCyTW0x~xhJdrVgj-mthnfsY9v1Mab7BhinXr0Olj2tuHxP9wgFgnejlN7mQwyPHGANT09AmlaE-qmVC7YV3r3WJbeim1hHItOdIe9dn4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Livingston, MT","date","2025-05-08T21:56:54Z","article","City staff presented a revised boards and commissions handbook on Tuesday intended to reflect recently adopted conflict‑of‑interest rules and to streamline outdated text. Commissioners generally praised the condensed draft but requested clarifications and stronger language on how boards and commissions interact with staff and the city commission.

City Manager Mister Gager said the draft integrates the city’s conflict‑of‑interest policy and includes a disclosure form modeled on the commission’s form. Commissioners raised several points: require disclosure forms as part of onboarding, an annual reminder to update disclosures, clearer prohibitions on boards directing staff or purporting to represent the city, and a defined grievance/enforcement path.

Vice Chair Nudsen and Commissioner Huggins asked staff to return with language that makes explicit boards and commissions do not have authority to direct assigned staff and that subcommittees and ad‑hoc groups must comply with Montana open‑meeting law. Huggins also asked staff to consider whether disclosure forms should be mandatory for new appointees before they participate and whether the form should be updated annually.

Commissioners asked staff to prepare bylaws for several boards that would reinforce these expectations. The commission asked staff to bring back a revised handbook that includes improved wording on staff relationships, the disclosure form rollout and grievance/discipline options drawn from the city commission’s existing code of conduct, with attention to differences between elected commissioners and appointed board members.

No final adoption occurred on Tuesday; staff will revise the handbook and return with bylaws and proposed enforcement language for further Commission consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025_05_06 City Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Staff presented a streamlined draft of the City of Livingston’s boards and commissions handbook to align with a recently adopted conflict‑of‑interest policy. Commissioners requested edits on language about board authority, disclosure forms and grievance/enforcement procedures and asked staff to return with revised draft and bylaws.","taxTitle","Livingston City, Park County, Montana","taxId",52298,"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},6563020,"Commission approves narrow variance for addition at 312 South Ninth Street",804,4409000,5213000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3236371-7a3fd7d3daf6d71eaf2bb91a0c55bb66&start=4409&end=5213","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3236371-7a3fd7d3daf6d71eaf2bb91a0c55bb66/thumbnail_4409000.jpg","/articles/6563020/Livingston-City/Park-County/Montana/Commission-approves-narrow-variance-for-addition-at-312-South-Ninth-Street","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6563020-deb9fd6cdd6c6f151271cbc21e8a3939/orig.mp4?Expires=1771215031&Signature=TBFeuqJDRZxNsuWVR9JZQkckIcF1qCBjIkWbFUAkcz9o4L5hzq-l6Hd7P1OMdbWQG8GMvMhQPMnJu5-YJk24klG8O4Om0h78YpNnXHlVVQx~bJ1Ye1OUDQNmWCaAqbgEqnWRGFKd6e4vZgpg9dOng-Hfjdcy-ipIseyMorKd0WKuWejDd5hsnKSPeKqOeuIkpvSxqEIbo0A0AJA1P8rSdykEbtFMltk7~UG9NhfhgJtjl5yE1zgh69ww0ba2S2VH9hZTWGi70jwUoRYhedAWE3StTN3uus4Mo7gi3IoLQxk0UeoZ6eR05gdifka-036VPAZtHUSMFd3dEdeefQWDGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Livingston City Commission voted Tuesday to grant a small setback variance to allow a 397‑square‑foot addition at 312 South Ninth Street. Planning staff recommended approval, and both adjacent neighbors told staff they had no objections.

Jennifer Severson, planning director, explained the property is legally nonconforming and that the existing house already encroaches into required side setbacks. She said the proposed addition is slightly narrower than the existing building and reduces the nonconformity in places. Severson recommended approval of a variance of 2 inches on the north side and 1 foot 7 inches on the south side to permit the addition.

Severson told commissioners the lot is constrained, that the existing home and an existing shade tree limit options to shift the addition, and that meeting the five‑foot side setback on both sides would make building code compliance for a stairwell impractical. She said both adjacent neighbors had expressed no concerns; one emailed staff to say she was “cool with the plan.”

Commissioner discussion noted the addition’s minimal encroachment and the prevalence of similar nonconforming homes in the neighborhood. A motion to approve the variance passed on a recorded roll call; the clerk announced the motion carried.","The commission granted a 2‑inch north and 1‑foot‑7‑inch south side setback variance to allow a 397‑square‑foot addition at 312 South Ninth Street; adjacent neighbors raised no objections.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6563024,"Residents urge opt‑out and health review for proposed ‘smart’ water meters; commission delays consent purchase",1402,77000,1479000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3236371-7a3fd7d3daf6d71eaf2bb91a0c55bb66&start=77&end=1479","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3236371-7a3fd7d3daf6d71eaf2bb91a0c55bb66/thumbnail_77000.jpg","/articles/6563024/Livingston-City/Park-County/Montana/Residents-urge-optout-and-health-review-for-proposed-smart-water-meters-commission-delays-consent-purchase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6563024-13231eb149a530301f6f4783e229a19c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771215031&Signature=TNw~prYfBB~EHG6Vhox76Cd-tSL~zA0w6d3n~E8383BqTXMDGlCr5DPeHi7J6sEGVKzML3WQNvMWNaNF5SPt2ZZ7had7eV3-v1Ygd21RJXJ2s6SPfuCyDLagmXb~Ot740Z-z39WgziAWx3nIcVxN0b43zmpIcC9a0PRgfeLp9CLZzM86Ddj5dH8Vmeskh1kRB6kQGtaOHOlWCCGXP0Cctfa0AQoaydIrksOX5V5NFf82rGHoepKHk5Gpn7kjUMfOfKrgh9Z3AUI2kMvfn1VzLEgJb85pehX5im8p-wsJKFyPOxKzamX9VGvUCWL0e5Gh7FZxZ~Vb89Iyl63NH5Ikjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents at Tuesday’s Livingston City Commission meeting urged the commission to delay a planned purchase of new two‑way “smart” water meters, citing health, privacy, battery disposal and billing concerns. Commissioners agreed to hold the consent item for staff to report back on technical details and opt‑out options.

Public commenters described symptoms they attributed to radio‑frequency exposure and cited studies and activist groups. Linda Marr said she was “concerned that you’re opening yourselves up for lawsuits” if the city moves ahead without further review. Anne Fuller said she would “refuse to have a smart meter put on my house.” Arlene Romer DeFeltreya cited municipal reporting of misread meters and called for more information on batteries and electrical harmonics.

City Manager Mister Gager told the commission the city is replacing aging metering infrastructure and that the current purchase order covers 250 meters as a start of a multi‑year program covering roughly 4,000 utility accounts. He described the technology as industry standard and said staff “would be happy to… investigate an opt‑out program” if the commission wants staff to do so.

Following public comment and discussion, commissioners agreed not to act on consent item E at Tuesday’s meeting and asked staff to return with a report that addresses public concerns, including options for an opt‑out program, battery type and replacement plans, and any liability or billing issues tied to AMI deployments.

Commissioners also asked staff to contact the Montana Department of Transportation about residents’ complaints regarding heavy‑vehicle jake brakes on Highway 89 near Park Street; city staff said that segment of right‑of‑way is managed by MDT and said the city would write a letter to MDT about signage and enforcement.

No formal purchase was completed for the meters at Tuesday’s meeting; the purchase order and consent item will return to the commission with the requested information.","Public commenters expressed health, privacy and billing concerns about proposed smart meters. City staff said the purchase order covers 250 of ~4,000 accounts and will return with more information and an opt‑out feasibility report; the commission delayed action on the consent item.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6563029,"Livingston officials praise wastewater team after mechanical failure, say effluent remained in permit",2268,2097000,4365000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3236371-7a3fd7d3daf6d71eaf2bb91a0c55bb66&start=2097&end=4365","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3236371-7a3fd7d3daf6d71eaf2bb91a0c55bb66/thumbnail_2097000.jpg","/articles/6563029/Livingston-City/Park-County/Montana/Livingston-officials-praise-wastewater-team-after-mechanical-failure-say-effluent-remained-in-permit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6563029-5566446b206e41fd2ed6c5ff8fcbd7a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771215032&Signature=bFJK9ApyytegC6wjA7ztcJbubrEJGlTEdmCpRNzStJMXGyBUvxtvmrsCTKffX-SJoqs3F9NoRq9bZowU93FMFR7RzPHMtk5GnzxUAue7zVYRvUBXjTTQmpFM2NF1ptYTG7wpapDqN4iyLjd3E7NhZWy0j9xCGmDgDvEpdR-LYOZ07GCIAbjpwB8lyxdDznK8rEFf4gbO6OTTLeM5nJcXJqyiaV1l~x~Z4Jy7M0kwUKkEfKt-Y9NsOywJku4u4EmETSHrI82LeBdTnJDn5uYLKg-PaGKwdZxb8qv~S7jBpb43PmXc6CzjZ8HCrpDm3n3Q1FC9fksnkSY8~ks0JqDAkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City officials on Tuesday heard a detailed account of an October 2024 mechanical failure at the Livingston Water Reclamation Facility and were told plant staff kept treated effluent within permit limits while restoring full operations.

The update, delivered by wastewater staff and city management, described a broken decanter arm and mixer that forced the plant into single‑basin operation, a labor‑intensive solids removal effort, supply and shipping delays for replacement parts, and steps taken to strengthen mounts and aeration piping. City officials said the plant’s effluent quality has improved since repairs and that staff purposefully seeded the basin with high‑quality sludge to restore biology before returning to normal operations.

The work mattered, officials said, because treated water from the plant discharges to the Yellowstone River downstream from other communities and must meet permit standards. City Manager Mister Gager told commissioners the operations team “kept our effluent that goes into our precious Yellowstone River within our permit this whole time,” and said he appreciated the crew’s work during a difficult period.

Trace Tidwell, the wastewater superintendent, described the failure and the recovery timeline to the commission. “The effluent quality has improved to better conditions than what we had when I first started working there,” Tidwell said, and outlined repairs: a new mixer arm rated to 240% of the force expected, replacement aeration membrane sections, and removal of accumulated grit and solids that had built up in the basins.

Tidwell said the initial failure left one basin out of service and required controlled “wasting” of solids through the plant’s normal solids‑handling process rather than trucking sludge away. He said crews accepted 44,000 gallons of seeded waste activated sludge from Bozeman to accelerate biological recovery and that operators had to manually calculate pumping and wasting rates while the plant ran on a single basin.

Staff described vendor and shipping problems: an early aeration pipe shipment did not match specifications and had to be returned; tariffs and long lead times added delays. Contractors AE2S Engineering and Anderson Construction assisted with inspections and mechanical repairs. Tidwell thanked other city staff who volunteered time on the recovery and said the plant is better organized for the next planned outage.

Commissioners asked operational questions about peak flows and automation. Tidwell said the plant’s design maximum daily flow is about 2.7 million gallons; during a prior flood event, infiltration and inflow nearly doubled inflow rates and forced much of the plant into manual mode. He said automation improvements since 2022 have strengthened the plant’s ability to respond to high flows.

Tidwell and Jay Taylor, who runs solids handling, described the physical labor of extracting grit and solids from the basin and credited temporary help from other departments and visiting engineers. Taylor and lab operator Nathan McClure were among staff recognized by the city manager for their sustained work during the incident.

Commissioners thanked the operations team for the multi‑day recovery, praised the improved effluent results and asked staff to continue reporting back on planned maintenance. Tidwell invited commissioners and residents to tour the plant; staff said public and school tours are regularly scheduled.

The commission did not take formal action on the update but directed staff to continue monitoring performance and to return with any capital improvement needs tied to recent failures.","City staff detailed an October mechanical failure at the Livingston Water Reclamation Facility, the multi‑week recovery and repairs, and steps taken to improve reliability and effluent quality.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission reviews updated boards and commissions handbook; asks staff for clarifications and enforcement language

Commission approves narrow variance for addition at 312 South Ninth Street

Residents urge opt‑out and health review for proposed ‘smart’ water meters; commission delays consent purchase

Livingston officials praise wastewater team after mechanical failure, say effluent remained in permit