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

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 The letters asked that the trespass be rescinded and that the mayor allow political opponents access to town hall and public meetings.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.