Ronan City Council met last Monday, June 22, instead of its usual Wednesday date.

During the public comment, Lake County Deputy Chris Clary told the council Lake County Sheriff’s Office had heard nothing from the Ronan Police Department regarding a meeting about the county’s issue with what they claim is too many calls from Ronan and the city’s responsibility to pay for those calls.

“We’re willing to meet,” Clary said. “If there is any progress, let us know.”

Council members assured Clary they are working on the issue.

Later in the meeting, the council discussed information city clerk Kaylene Melton passed out regarding the Ronan Police Department and its budget.

Council member Lindsay Meyer shared information from Lake County regarding how much Ronan residents pay for the sheriff’s department as opposed to county residents who don’t live in town.

“In Ronan we pay 70% of what county people pay, and then we have to pay for city and county also,” she said, adding there is still no documentation of the hours Lake County deputies provided coverage within the city limits.

In other police business, Ronan Police Chief Rob Jacobson asked the council to approve submission of a COPS hiring grant from the Department of Justice to aid in hiring an additional officer in July.

The council discussed the $125,000 grant, which would cover up to 75% of an officer's approved entry-level salary and fringe benefits over a three-year period, capped at a maximum of $125,000 per position. The city would have to provide a minimum 25% match.

Council member Julie Moore moved to approve the submission, and council passed the motion.

Street dance complaints

The meeting moved on to a request by 2nd Chance Saloon and the Pheasant Lounge to approve an open container permit and street closure between First and Second Avenues in front of the two businesses for the Pioneer Days celebration and a street dance from 12 p.m. July 31 to 3 p.m. Aug. 1.

Business owner Karen Joslin, who owns Mama’s Bakery, and George Victor, who owns the business where the Ronan Cafe is located, spoke to the council regarding the annual event.

“We’ve had so many problems with that street dance,” Joslin said.

In 2024, she reported that portable toilets were pushed up against her bakery’s wall and someone backed up against the wall and defecated on it. There have also been people parking in front of their businesses so they couldn’t access them.

Victor said the cafe staff had dealt with foul language, intimidation, attitude, and a male bumping Victor’s daughter with his chest. Joslin and Victor also complained that they can’t access their businesses from the rear because a “couple of dumpsters are blocking the alley.”

“We’d like to see an end of the street parties in Ronan,” Joslin said.

However, Pioneer Days committee member Justine Welker told the council, “The street dance is a tradition of the town.”

An employee from the 2nd Chance Saloon said she asked the council after last year’s Pioneer Days celebration if there were any problems and was told no one complained.

Dan Miller, Ronan director of public works, said he is investigating the dumpster situation.

Ultimately, the council approved the open container permit and street closure.

The Pioneer Days committee requested a closure of Main Street between Second and Third Ave. for a wheelchair race from 3-7 p.m. Aug. 1.

The 2nd Chance also asked council to approve a request to ignite fireworks on city property at the Adams Street parking lot, the gravel area across the street from the Ronan Fire Department, for an Independence Day Bash July 2 from 9-11 p.m.

After much discussion among council members, the city clerk and city attorney Ben Anciaux, Meyer moved to approve the request providing the 2nd Chance provides proof of insurance before the event and a written letter absolving the city of any liability and reports that Ronan fire Chief Chris Adler has approved the event.

The bar is also required to submit a diagram of the blocked-off area and assurance that there will be security at the event. The motion passed.

Cost of housing has gone up 121%

Grant guru Zen Parry of Trepademics presented an overview and update of startup

conditions for the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and Montana Coal Endowment Project grants which have been awarded.

Parry also updated the council on the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development loan process and application, and presented updates to the city on the Ronan Growth Policy and Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) documents, including recent progress, key priorities and next steps.

She compared 2008 Ronan data with 2025 data. One startling fact was that the cost of housing had gone up 121 percent.

The American Community Survey says Ronan has 2,000 people, Parry said, so that’s the figure she used. She said demographics show Native American population in Ronan is 33%, white population is 46%, and the remainder is a mix. The percentage of people over 64 years of age is 34%.

Her goal is to provide “a really solid roadmap to refer to when you’re going to spend money for roads, wastewater …”

The USDA Rural Development loan application “was a ton of work,” she said. “But we did a good job and we have a good chance of it being awarded.”

She also said that if the city secures the loan, “there is a 75% chance of forgiveness.”

Parry promised to return soon with the polished final copies.

Miller asked the council to approve and authorize Mayor Ryan Corum to sign Resolution 2026-05 to allow annexation of the sewer lagoon property. Council approved Miller’s request.

The next meeting will be held July 15 at 6 p.m. at Ronan City Hall.