Miles City Council adopts public records policy, approves union contracts and annexation first reading

The Miles City Council met Oct. 14 in Miles City and, in a series of unanimous votes, adopted a new public records request policy, approved two revised collective bargaining agreements and advanced an annexation ordinance on first reading.

Mayor Dwayne Andrews called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., and roll call showed Councilmember Brant Kassner absent. After routine approvals, the council opened and closed a public hearing on Resolution No. 4644 (Public Records Request Policy) with no public comment and then adopted the resolution on its second reading following a motion by Councilmember Sherwood McKay and a second from Councilmember Don Simpson.

Human Resources Officer Mara Lovett told the council that changing non‑union step increases to employees' anniversary dates would align non‑union employees with union practice. "All of the union employees are already set up to change on their anniversary date so this makes it uniform across the board," Lovett said. The council approved Resolution No. 4647 implementing that change.

The council also approved two revised collective bargaining agreements. Resolution No. 4648 authorizes a revised contract with Local No. 283‑A; Human Resources Officer Lovett identified negotiation participants as union representative Hannah Nash, union president Carl Raymond, three union members, Mayor Andrews, Clerk Mary Rowe, Director Malenovsky and Director Speelmon. Resolution No. 4649 approves a revised agreement with AFSCME Local No. 283‑B; Lovett said participants included Hannah Nash, union president Leif Davis, union members, Mayor Andrews, Clerk Rowe, Police Chief Doug Colombik, Captain Sloan and Dispatch Director Lyne Anderson. Clerk Mary Rowe noted that contract changes are tracked in the meeting packet for both agreements. Both resolutions passed with all members present voting yea.

On first reading the council approved Ordinance No. 1399, amending the city code to revise the legal description of the corporate limits to reflect annexation of all lots on the Plat of Last Chance Subdivision, including streets and rights‑of‑way. The motion was made by Councilmember Ed Pulecio and seconded by Councilmember Don Simpson and carried unanimously; further readings or an ordinance adoption vote are required for final approval.

The council also authorized adding mechanical inspection services to the Building Department. Inspector Martinsen described the item as authorization to move forward; City Attorney Rice recommended also adding the fuel gas code. Rice said an ordinance reflecting those code additions will be presented at the next meeting. Councilmember Rick Huber noted Inspector Martinsen had briefed councilmembers in advance.

On a financial item, Interim Fire Chief Ed Kanduch had requested moving a matured $1,000,000 certificate of deposit into the city's short term investment pool (STIP) where Fire Department bond funds are currently held. Clerk Mary Rowe confirmed the agenda language had been misunderstood and Mayor Andrews amended the agenda wording to "move the $1,000,000 to the STIP account." The council approved the transfer.

Councilmember Rick Huber moved, and Councilmember Sherwood McKay seconded, approval of the September claims; the motion passed. The council also rescheduled the Nov. 11, 2025 meeting (Veterans Day) to Monday, Nov. 10, 2025 at 6 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 6:23 p.m.

Votes at a glance: - Resolution No. 4644 (Public Records Request Policy): moved by Sherwood McKay, seconded by Don Simpson; vote — Pulecio, Huber, Thomason, Simpson, McKay, Scott, Bartholomew: yea; adopted. - Ordinance No. 1399 (Annexation — first reading): moved by Ed Pulecio, seconded by Don Simpson; vote — Pulecio, Huber, Thomason, Simpson, McKay, Scott, Bartholomew: yea; first reading approved. - Resolution No. 4647 (Non‑union wage-step timing): moved by Sherwood McKay, seconded by Brooke Bartholomew; vote — unanimous; adopted. - Resolution No. 4648 (Collective bargaining, Local No. 283‑A): moved by Brooke Bartholomew, seconded by Ed Pulecio; vote — unanimous; adopted. - Resolution No. 4649 (Collective bargaining, AFSCME Local No. 283‑B): moved by Sherwood McKay, seconded by Rick Huber; vote — unanimous; adopted. - Approval to add mechanical inspection service: moved by Rick Huber, seconded by Kevin Thomason; vote — unanimous; approved. Ordinance to follow. - Move $1,000,000 CD to STIP (Fire Department funds): moved by Rick Huber, seconded by Don Simpson; vote — unanimous; approved. - Approve September claims: moved by Rick Huber, seconded by Sherwood McKay; vote — unanimous; approved. - Reschedule Nov. meeting to Nov. 10, 2025 at 6 p.m.: moved by Sherwood McKay, seconded by Brooke Bartholomew; vote — unanimous; approved.

Next steps: Ordinance No. 1399 will require further readings before final adoption; an ordinance to add the fuel gas and mechanical codes to the Building Department will be introduced at the next meeting. Dispatch Director Lyne Anderson intends to apply for an approximate $98,000 state 911 equipment grant to support three radio consoles.