Gallatin County commissioners award ~$988K chip‑seal contract, advance two speed ordinances and clear multiple land‑use items

The Gallatin County Commission on March 10 approved a slate of routine and land‑use actions, awarding a nearly $988,000 road maintenance contract, advancing two traffic ordinances on first reading and approving multiple planning items.

County engineer Levi Ewan recommended awarding the annual chip‑sealing and pavement‑marking contract to Pavement Maintenance Services Inc., the low bidder, for $987,797.89. "We received six bids a few weeks ago for annual chip sealing ... we'd like to recommend the low bid for payment maintenance services in the amount of $987,797.89," Ewan said. Commissioners approved the recommendation by voice vote 2‑0.

The commission also held first readings of two ordinances to reduce speed limits to 25 miles per hour: one for Sunset Boulevard and a second establishing a 25 mph school speed zone near Pass Creek School on Rocky Mountain Road. Deputy County Attorney Leanne Certain read key provisions of the Sunset Boulevard ordinance, saying, "It shall be unlawful for any person to drive at a speed exceeding 25 miles per hour on Sunset Boulevard." The Rocky Mountain Road ordinance was amended in concept during first reading to extend the south boundary to approximately 600 feet south of the Pass Creek Road intersection, reflecting a request from school‑district stakeholders. Both ordinances are scheduled for second reading March 31; each ordinance is to take effect 30 days after second reading and once appropriate signage is posted.

On land‑use matters the commission adopted resolution 2026‑018 to abandon portions of County Roads 291 and 345 after staff and the viewing committee determined the ways were not constructed as county roads and affected landowners had recorded a Forest Service trail easement. A member of the public urged the commission to grant the petition, noting it represented years of negotiation to secure private property rights and improved public trail access.

The commission approved a family‑transfer exemption for Martin and Turin Albini to create a 2.15‑acre parcel for their son Ivan at 4313 Linney Road. Senior planner Ed Stein and applicant Turin Albini described longstanding agricultural use, water service and plans to pursue septic and building permits in coming years; commissioners found the application met the county's exemption criteria and voted 2‑0 to approve.

Conservation staff reviewed an amendment to the King FWD conservation easement to add about 200 acres north of the ranch near Manhattan. Colin Cooney, stewardship director for Montana Land Reliance, said the change adds land to an existing easement and does not require county open‑lands funding. Commissioners praised the easement's wildlife‑habitat and connectivity benefits.

Planning staff presented and the commission adopted several planning actions: updates to the Manhattan City‑County planning board bylaws, a memorandum of understanding clarifying review procedures with the Town of Manhattan, and a zoning text amendment (ZTA) for the Middle Cottonwood district aligning local rules with changes in state law governing accessory dwelling units. The ZTA passed as resolution 2026‑016.

Finally, the county approved an amended improvements agreement, partial release of financial security, and an extension for Creekside Meadows major subdivision. Planner Christopher Scott and engineer Liam Durkin said most revegetation is complete and that remaining trail construction is intended to be finished during ongoing development; the commission approved a time extension to May 15, 2027, and accepted a replacement letter of credit at 150 percent of the remaining improvement value.

Votes at a glance

• Consent agenda: approved (voice vote).
• Chip‑sealing contract (Pavement Maintenance Services Inc.), $987,797.89: approved 2‑0.
• Sunset Boulevard ordinance (first reading; resolution 2026‑001): approved 2‑0; second reading March 31; effective 30 days after second reading and signage posted.
• Rocky Mountain Road school zone ordinance (first reading; ordinance 2026‑002), amended to extend south boundary to ~600 feet: approved 2‑0; second reading March 31; effective 30 days after second reading and signage posted.
• Road abandonment petition 865 (resolution 2026‑018): approved 2‑0.
• Family transfer exemption, Albini (4313 Linney Road): approved 2‑0.
• King FWD conservation easement amendment (add ~200 acres): informational hearing/review; no county funds requested.
• Manhattan planning board bylaws: adopted 2‑0.
• MOU with Town of Manhattan: adopted 2‑0.
• Middle Cottonwood ZTA (resolution 2026‑016): approved 2‑0.
• Creekside Meadows improvements agreement, partial release and extension to 05/15/2027: approved 2‑0.

What happens next

Most adopted motions were routine approvals and first readings. Both speed‑limit ordinances return for second reading March 31; if approved a second time each will take effect 30 days after that reading and once signage is posted. Items continued to or scheduled for the March 31 meeting were noted on the record (for example, Ultimate Landscape Repair LLC's use‑interpretation was continued to March 31).