City to Purchase the Old National Guard Armory

During the City Council meeting on Tuesday, June 22, the Malta City Council gave the go-ahead to put in motion the acquisition of the old National Guard Armory with a unanimous vote.

Mayor Demarais told the council that there is ARPA money, or "Covid money" that will be available to the city for the purchase of buildings that can become the new city emergency building if and when it would be needed.

Demarais said, "I think this building would be a win/win for the city."

Councilperson Weiderrick added, "I think it could be a great venue for weddings and banquets. And it would save the old gym floor."

Public Works Director, Jim Truelove said, "Once the council agrees to pursue the purchase of the building, it would be given to the city on a no lease agreement."

Meaning that the red-tape and the figuring out of the "Covid money" will be figured out when it can be, but the city will take control of the building soon after the council agrees to buy it.

There was a question from the public asking what if the "Covid money" wasn't available. 

Mayor Demarais answered, "Then we will buy it. We have the funds on hand to purchase it. We would prefer not to, but if need be, we can. This is an important opportunity for the city and we need to make it happen."

During the department reports, PWD Truelove said that the pool is running smoothly. It has been busy every day. City Pool Manager, Kelly Cederberg is doing a great job. 

Truelove reported that the new stair set for the pool would be here the first of next week and that the city crew would get them put in as soon as possible.

Truelove said that Cederberg would like to give a big shout-out to the Hi-Line Future Foundation for supplying the pool locker rooms with lockers for the patrons' items and for the deck chairs alongside the pool.

Truelove went on to report that the city crew has a few more things to pick up around town from the city-wide clean-up, and that there was more picked up this year than last year.

He said that the sweeper is still out cleaning the streets and that the city crew will have one dig soon on Millionaire Road.

It was also reported that the city is set to start sending out letters for overgrown yards that need to be mowed.

City Clerk/Treasurer Lorie Bond handed out to the council the current check register, the current shut-off list, and the revenue and expenditures, actual vs. budget report.

Bond also told the council that the city had been informed that there would be no need for a primary this year.

Parks and Rec. Director Sally Wright reported to the council on recent past activities. 

Wright said that the first golf camp had 24 kids for the two-day camp and that 3 of those kids had signed up again for the upcoming second camp.

She reported that there were 41 runners at the color fun run held the weekend of the car show.

A dance clinic was held on June 14-16 and that summer HIITs classes were scheduled by popular demand.

Wright then informed the council on upcoming events saying that there would be a soccer camp from June 28-30 and that the second golf camp would be held on the 28th and 29th with 18 kids signed up for that.

Wright then told the council that the Parks and Rec. crew are continuing to clean up at all of the city parks. The beach volleyball court is ready to go and that they have been dragging and watering the infields at the ballparks.

She then handed the council the Parks and Rec. financial report for the year so far.

The council then went on to address new business.

At the beginning of the meeting, the council held a public hearing for discussion on a resolution to amend the sewer and water budget. There was no public discussion at that time. During the new business, the resolution was discussed by the council. Bond informed the council that this was an amendment to the budget due to the fact that the council was very cautious when they set the sewer and water budget for the year, and due to unforeseen expenses, the city has gone over the budget and more money is needed to be approved. The money is available and would not result in any hikes in the rates.

The council approved the resolution by unanimous vote.

Another resolution was next on the agenda for affirming active participation in the Bear Paw. Economic Development group. This consists of two payments a year of $3,125 each. This also passed by unanimous vote.

The council then unanimously voted to pursue the variance needed to build a new bathroom in Trafton Park. This would be to replace the one that was run into. It would have to be ADA  approved and the cost would be covered by insurance. 

The next city council meeting will be on July 13, at 5:00 p.m. at Malta's City Hall.