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City Council Meeting

February 17, 2026 · Columbia Falls, MT
Source: Meeting minutes 2026-02-17 (PDF, 6 pp)
Retrieved April 14, 2026 from www.cityofcolumbiafalls.org ↗
Confidence: 99%
High

Attendees

Councilor King (Councilor)
Councilor Piper (Councilor)
Councilor Price (Councilor)
Councilor Robinson (Councilor)
Councilor Stob (Councilor)
Mayor Barnhart (Mayor)
City Manager Hanks (City Manager)
City Clerk Staaland (City Clerk)
City Attorney Breck (City Attorney)
City Finance Director Farrell (Finance Director)
Police Chief Stephens (Police Chief)
Public Works Director Bates (Public Works Director)
Councilor Semok (Councilor)
✓ Present: 13/13

Decisions

#1

APPROVED

#2

APPROVED

#3

APPROVED

#4

APPROVED

#5

APPROVED

Agenda Items

#1

Approval of Agenda

Approval of the meeting agenda

#2

Consent Agenda

Approval of various claims and minutes

#3

Hillside Geotechnical Investigation

Presentation of geotechnical investigation findings

#4

FY26 Mid-Year Budget Update

Mid-year budget update presentation

#5

River's Edge Park Fishing Pier Accessibility Project Contract Award

Award of contract for fishing pier project

#6

Garnier Heights Preliminary Plat Extension Request

Request for extension of preliminary plat approval

Public Comments

4 speakers
Anne Higgins · Topic: Update on previous council meeting items

Requested update on police department policies and expressed need for public transit service

Elizabeth McBride · Topic: ICE actions and resolution

Expressed disagreement with previous statements and urged council not to consider resolution

Roger Hopkins · Topic: Government Study Commission

Reported on commission's discussions and recommended public vote on self-governing powers

Bug · Topic: Proposal for police department policies

Emphasized request is for accountability and adherence to existing regulations, not sanctuary city designation