Stevensville council adopts traffic code amendment and several local measures; minutes approved with one abstention

The Stevensville Town Council on Nov. 14 adopted multiple routine and safety-related measures, approved minutes from an October meeting and took administrative actions to alter upcoming meeting dates and event permits.

Ordinance amendment: The council unanimously voted to adopt additions to Ordinance No. 135 (Stevensville Traffic Code, Section 1006100) that clarify enforcement and allow future amendments by resolution. Council member Brown moved the adoption and Council member Nance seconded; Councilors Brown, Nelson, Burger and Swift voted “Aye,” and the motion passed 4-0.

Traffic control changes: The council approved three localized traffic control changes to improve safety near the school zone and Main Street. - Placement of a 15-mile-per-hour sign at the corner of Bend and East Third and Railroad Avenue: Motion by Council member Nelson, second by Council member Smith; vote recorded as Smith Aye, Brown Aye, Nelson Aye, Herbert Aye; motion passed 4-0. - Replacement of a yield sign with a stop sign at the corner of Bend and East Third Street and Railroad Avenue: Motion by Council member Brown, second by Council member Nelson; discussion focused on morning traffic near the school and pedestrian safety; motion passed 4-0.

Administrative approvals and schedule changes: - Special event permit for the annual Country Christmas celebration (parade, Main Street closures, stage and fire pits): Motion by Council member Smith, second by Council member Barker; motion passed 4-0. Council members discussed parade staging, route adjustments made in prior years, and the placement of pits and stage. - Suspension of council rules to cancel the Nov. 28 meeting in observance of Thanksgiving and to authorize claims to be paid on cycle: Motion by Council member Barker; motion passed 4-0 (roll call recorded as Aye by the councilors present). - Suspension of council rules to cancel the Dec. 26 meeting in observance of Christmas and to authorize claims to be paid on cycle: Motion by Council member Smith, second by Council member Barker; motion passed 4-0.

Minutes and claims: A motion to approve the minutes from the Oct. 24, 2024, town council meeting was moved by Council member Barker and seconded by Council member Nelson; roll call recorded Councilor Nelson “Aye” and Councilor Smith “Aye,” and the mayor announced the motion “passes 3 to 1, 1 abstaining.” The biweekly claims for claim numbers 19314 through 19365 were moved by Council member Smith and discussed at length by councilors and staff; the transcript records detailed discussion of multiple line items but does not record a roll-call tally in the provided excerpt.

No other ordinance-level items or budget appropriations were adopted during the Nov. 14 meeting beyond the traffic code amendment and the signed traffic-control changes described above.