Council Talks Streets, Sidewalks, Other Community Concerns

From where residents park their vehicles to the condition of sidewalks and streets, several everyday issues around Culbertson were part of the conversation when the Town Council met Monday, Aug. 10.

Parking was one of the larger topics of the evening. Council members discussed adding street sweeping and snow removal schedules to the town’s parking rules. If adopted, residents would need to move their vehicles from certain streets and avenues during scheduled cleaning or snow removal.

The council would like to keep the town’s 15-day parking limit rather than shortening it to five days.

Abandoned vehicles have also become a concern on Sixth Avenue East and Seventh Avenue East north of U.S Highway 2. The council plans to ask the sheriff’s office for help addressing the vehicles. A letter and copy of the town’s parking ordinance will also be sent to Hi-Line Sales and Service.

Sidewalks were another topic that could eventually affect property owners around town. Council members would like property owners to continue being responsible for the sidewalks next to their property, while the town would like to take responsibility for curbs and gutters. The council plans to look into options that could help with sidewalk improvements, including the possibility of creating a special improvement district like ones Culbertson has used in the past.

Residents also had an opportunity to bring their own neighborhood concerns to the council.

David Nickoloff and Gabe Stuber spoke about water trucks using the town’s coin-operated water station late at night. While they acknowledge the station is available around the clock, they said trucks could be more considerate of nearby residents by keeping noise down during overnight hours.

The two also asked what is would take to have their street paved.

Traffic along U.S. Highway 2 was another concern. They asked whether the town could work with the state to see if the 35-mph speed zone could be extended farther outside Culbertson.

The council also approved new regulations covering where shipping containers can be placed and used within town limits.

The sheriff’s report for the month included 57 calls for service, one arrest and 13 citations. The citations covered several traffic-related violations, including stop signs, seat belt, vehicle lighting, driver’s licenses and child restraint violations.

At Big Sky Field, the town will move forward with an upgrade to the Fuel Master System used for aviation fuel. The current equipment and software are no longer supported, making an upgrade necessary to keep the system operating.

Council members also approved releasing the town’s 2004 Ford F-150 to the insurance company after it was considered a total loss.

A few property improvements received the green light Monday. The council approved plans for a fence and a shed for Darrold Wol and a shed for Gordon Oelkers. A request from Christine Falcon will come back before the council next month after additional information is gathered.

The council also approved donating a 2027 season pool pass to the Roosevelt Memorial Hospital Foundation for its annual event in October.

Town finances were discussed during the meeting and budget hearing. Clerk/ treasurer Terri Hofman reported Culbertson has earned just over $23,000 in interest so far this year from town accounts and certificates of deposit.

The town will be required to complete a federal audit this year after spending approximately $30,000 more in federal funds than the amount that triggers the additional audit requirement.

Council members approved several housekeeping changes to the town’s budget and accounts. They also talked about creating a separate account for money set aside for future projects. Before deciding, however, the council wants more information about how that money could be used.

One piece of unfinished business is the town’s property tax levy for the upcoming year. The council will hold a special meeting after receding updated tax information and reviewing changes to the way the levy is calculated.

The evening’s discussions ranged from budgets and ordinances to sidewalks, water trucks and abandoned vehicles — the kinds of issues that may seem small on paper but can make a noticeable di rence in the day-today life of a community.

The meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m.

The Culbertson Town Council will meet again on Monday, Sept. 14, at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall.