HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works Committee Minutes 02.09.2009MINUTES
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 9, 2009 5:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairman Mark Mace
Dave Siljestrom (5:45 p.m.)
Emelie Eaton
Norman Orr
Bill Kampfer
Chuck Rodgers
Troy Kelsey
MEMBERS ABSENT
OTHERS PRESENT:
Norman Stamper
Kurt Markegard
Kelly Rhoads
MINUTES:
Motion by Public Works Committee Member Eaton to approve the minutes of the regular meeting
of January 12`h, 2009 seconded by Committee Member Rodgers. There was no public comment or
committee discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All six committee members present vote aye.
Motion carried 6-0.
Public In ut: None
Introduction of new Committee Member Bill Kam fer:
Mark Mace introduced new committee member Bill Kampfer.
Water Plant Filter Replacement Update:
Kurt explained what was going on at the water plant. The system was only operating at about 50
percent. The filter media, a new pump, and new under drains will be installed. The city is applying for
a TSEP grant that will help defer these expenses. Materials are arriving and under drains should be
replaced in a couple of weeks. This project must be completed by March 31 ". There should not be any
water restrictions this summer. Kurt stated that with one filter replaced, we are running almost up to
capacity at about 40 percent for the water plant capacity.
New swivels on the filter agitators need to be replaced; the ones that we are using are old and are from
about the 60's. Kurt stated that they are the original ones and they need to be replaced. Kurt stated
that this is phase one of this project. Mark asked Kurt to schedule a time within the next couple of
weeks to tour the water plant. All members of the committee agreed to tour the water plant.
Wastewater Plant Information and Pro ress:
Kurt stated that in 2007 the City of Laurel was awarded a TSEP grant in the amount of $750,000. This
grant is going to be used to replace the lift stations and work at the wastewater plant upgrades. Kurt
explained that Morrison-Maierle is surveying the wastewater plant property.
Dave Siljestrom asked Kurt if the wastewater plant uses charcoal or just coal to operate the water
plant. Kurt said charcoal.
Waterline to Riverside Park:
Kurt stated that the waterline going across the bridge to Riverside Park had frozen up, due to the cold
temperatures we had. About 12 to 14 years ago, the city put the line in that included heat tape and a
controller that was to send a signal to the water plant if the heat tape failed. The controller did not
send an alarm signal to the water treatment plant, and therefore the line froze.
Kurt stated that the line is totally frozen, and there are cracks in the pipe. We do not know where the
cracks are because the line is insulated. Kurt said that it is about $6,000.00 to replace the heat tape.
Kurt stated that the pipe is open on one end to let the water drain out once it begins to thaw. Kurt
stated that the 90° pipe is damaged and will be replaced. He did not know if the whole line would
need to be replaced, and said it all depended on how much was damaged. Kurt suggested that we let
nature take its course and let it thaw by itself, just in case the heat tape will not work.
Kurt explained to the committee that the line is used to service the buildings at Riverside Park and for
irrigation. Kurt suggested drilling a well and a chlorination unit so the city can provide potable water
to the park. Chuck asked Kurt if he knew anything about the old well. Kurt explained that the well is
gone, but the cement pad is still there. He was not sure if the piping was clear or if it was full of rocks,
due to kids being in the area and to prevent accidents. Kurt stated that the DNRC will have to approve
anything over 35 gallons per minute. Kurt has been working with Fish, Wildlife, and Parks and other
groups that continually use the park to put decent restrooms in at the park. Emelie asked what the cost
would be to put in new restrooms. Kurt said he was not sure, but he would get quotes when the time
came.
Emergency Snow Removal Routes:
Kurt stated that there are not any emergency snow routes in the Laurel Municipal Code book. He did
locate a declaration of snow emergency in the Rules and Regulations Governing Utility Services. This
book was adopted by ordinance in 2002, but can be changed by resolution. (See attached ordinances
and resolution). There is not any clarification of designated streets for emergency snow removal and
to assure the regular flow of traffic. There are a lot of items in the Rules and Regulations book that are
not finished, such as signage and who can call out for emergency snow removal. Kurt stated that this
does need to be changed, but the city is in need of new equipment, such as trucks, snow plows and the
manpower to provide snow removal along snow routes. He mentioned that the city trucks are not in
good condition. Mark stated that we need to get this emergency snow route established soon, and that
it can not wait until October. Mark suggested that the committee read up on the snow route and figure
out what should be done.
OTHER:
Mark suggested that the next agenda include discussion about the intersection of 5`" Avenue and Main
Street.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
Res fully submitted,
?hwdL---
Ke ly s
Utility ' ling Clerk
ORDINANCE NO. 002-35
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC WORKS,
REPLACING SECTIONS 13.04.010 THROUGH 13.12370 OF THE
LAUREL MUNICIPAL CODE.
BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, that said council
desires to hereby adopt these "Rules and Regulations Governing Utility Services and Streets for
the City of Laurel, Montana", including amended rates, charges, and fees, a copy of which is
appended hereto, as of the following date; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, that
these "Rules and Regulations Governing Utility Services and Streets for the City of Laurel,
Montana" shall replace previous Sections 13.04.010 through 13.12.370 of the Laurel Municipal
Code. All previous water, sewer, and street ordinances, resolutions, references, and rate
schedules, and sections of the Laurel Municipal Code, whether in whole or in part, in conflict
herewith are hereby repealed.
This ordinance shall become effective thirty (30) days after final passage by the City
Council and approved by the Mayor.
Introduced and passed on first reading at a regular meeting of the City Council on
September 17, 2002, by Alderman Oakes
PASSED and ADOPTED by the Laurel City Council on second reading this 15th day
of October 2002, upon motion of Alderman Easton
APPROVED BY THE MAYOR this 15th day of_October _, 2002.
E. J g Jr.rr
ATTEST:
Mary bleton, Clerk-Treasurer
AS TO
City Attorney
RESOLUTION NO. R03-63
A RESOLUTION UPDATING THE RULES AND REGULATIONS
GOVERNING UTILITY SERVICES AND STREETS
IN THE CITY OF LAUREL.
WHEREAS, the City of Laurel adopted Rules and Regulations Governing Utility
Services and Streets; and
WHEREAS, Section 7, Obstructions and Encroachments, did not contain language
to address local variations on clear vision for intersections; and
WHEREAS, Section 7, Obstructions and Encroachments, did not contain language
on tree height clearance above sidewalks and streets; and
WHEREAS, Section 9, Obstructions and Encroachments 9.1, contained language
that was not clear.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
Laurel, Montana,
That the Council adopts the changes, as attached, for the Rules and Regulations
Governing Utility Services and Streets in the City of Laurel.
Introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council on July 1, 2003, by Alderman
Olson
PASSED and APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Laurel this 1' day of
July, 2003.
APPROVED by the Mayor this Ist day of July, 2003.
OF LAUREL
E. Jonson. Jr
ATTEST:
Mary K. leton, Clerk-Treasurer
Approved as to form:
ark Anderson, Ci Attorney
Division 2 - Streets
7 OBSTRUCTIONS AND ENCROACHMENTS
7.12 Clear Vision Triangle
7.12.1 Alleys: A clear vision triangle shall measure ten (10) feet into the lot and twenty
(20) feet parallel to the street as measured from the property line corner. Any
fence, wall, signs, plant material or other material shall provide an unobstructed
cross-visibility at a level between 3 feet and 8 feet above street surface elevation.
Trees having over eight (8) feet of clear trunk as measured from the surface
elevation with limbs and foliage trimmed in such a manner as not to extend into
the cross-visibility area and complying with section 7.2.3 are permitted in the
clear vision triangle.
7.12.2 Commercial Zoned Driveway Approaches: A clear vision triangle shall measure
ten (10) feet into the lot and twenty (20) feet parallel to the street as measured
from the property line corner. Any fence, wall, signs, plant material or other
material shall provide an unobstructed cross-visibility at a level between 3 feet
and 8 feet above street surface elevation. Trees having over eight (8) feet of clear
trunk as measured from the surface elevation with limbs and foliage trimmed in
such a manner as not to extend into the cross-visibility area and complying with
section 7.2.3 are permitted in the clear vision triangle.
7.12.3 Controlled Intersections (stop sign or traffic signal): A clear vision triangle shall
measure twenty-five (25) feet in both directions as measured from the property
line comer. Any fence, wall, signs, plant material or other material shall provide
an unobstructed cross-visibility at a level between 3 feet and 8 feet above street
surface elevation. Trees having over eight (8) feet of clear trunk as measured from
the surface elevation with limbs and foliage trimmed in such a manner as not to
extend into the cross-visibility area and complying with section 7.2.3 are
permitted in the clear vision triangle.
7.12.4 Uncontrolled Intersections: A clear vision triangle shall measure one hundred ten
010) feet in both directions as measured from the intersection of the centerlines
in the adjoining street intersection. Any fence, wall, signs, plant material or other
material shall provide an unobstructed cross-visibility at a level between 3 feet
and 8 feet above street surface elevation. Trees having over eight (8) feet of clear
trunk as measured from the surface elevation with limbs and foliage trimmed in
such a manner as not to extend into the crossMsibility area and complying with
section 7.2.3 are permitted in the clear vision triangle.
7.12.5 Vehicles shall not be perked in the public right-of way so as to obstruct the line of
site created by the clear vision triangle. In the Central Business District vehicles
shall not be parked in the public right-0f--way so as to obstruct the maximum
symmetrical line of site resulting from the allowable zero building setback from
the property line or as per Montana Department of Transportation standards
where applicable-
7.12.6 The portion of the city zoned and commercially occupied as Central Business
District is exempt from the requirements of sections 7.12.1, 7.12.2, 7.12.3, and
7.12.4.
Division 2 - Streets
7 OBSTRUCTIONS AND ENCROACHMENT'S
7.1 ENCUMBERING OR OBSTRUCTING STREETS
[insert]
7.2.3 Any tree, bush, or other vegetation located in or above, or projecting into the
public right-of-way, shall be maintained by the property owner as per section 9.5
so as to not to constitute a public nuisance.
7.2.3.1 Trees shall not be located in the designated sidewalk portion of the street
right-of-way. No portion of any tree shall be maintained below eleven
(11) feet above the designated sidewalk portion of the public right-of-way.
7.2.3.2 Trees shall not be located in the designated street portion of the street
right-of-way. No portion of any tree shall be maintained below fourteen
(14) feet above the designated street portion of the public right-of-way.
Division 2 - Streets
9BOULEVARDS
9.1 ADJOINING OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY
It shall be the duty of the owners and tenants of any premises adjoining the
public right-of-way to maintain the
boulevard section within the limits of the right-of-way, including trees, in front
of and adjoining their premises in safe and substantial condition.
9.2 CLEAR VISION TRIANGLE
Delete section 9.2 [9.2.1, 9.2.2, 9.2.31
Renumber section 9, Boulevards
ORDINANCE NO. 006-11
AN ORDINANCE MODIFYING ORDINANCE NO. 002--.M TO PROVIDE THE CITY
COUNCIL AUTHORITY TO ADOPT FUTURE TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO THE
PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED "RULES AND REGULA'T'IONS GOVERNING UTILITY
SERVICES AND STREETS FOR THE CITY OF LAUREL, MONTANA", TO CLARIFY
THAT A COPY OF THE CURRENT RULES SHALL BE AVAILABLE AT EITHER
THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK AND/OR PUBLIC WORKS' DEPARTMENT
AND TO TECHNICALLY AMEND THE CURRENT VERSION OF THE UTILITY
RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE CITY OF LAUREL.
WHEREAS, the City Council previously adopted the "Rules And Regulations Governing
Utility Services And Streets For The City Of Laurel, Montana" through Ordinance 002-35
replacing Sections 13.04.010 through 13.12.370 of the Laurel Municipal Code; and,
WHEREAS, the "Rules And Regulations Governing Utility Services And Streets For The
City Of Laurel, Montana" requires technical updates and/or changes from time to time and the
Council has determined that utilizing the Ordinance Process has become cumbersome and too
time consuming for technical updates and/or changes that are time sensitive but have little or no
significant impact on the public; and
WHEREAS, the City Council also determined that the previously adopted Ordinance did
not specify where an updated and current version of the "Rules and Regulations Governing
Utility Services And Streets For The City Of Laurel, Montana" would be maintained and
available to the public; and
WHEREAS, minor technical changes are currently needed to coordinate and simplify the
billing process as the City's effut to convert fiom old water meters to new water meters
Program.
BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, that after final
adoption ofthis Ordinance, the "Rules and Regulations Governing Utility Services and Streets
for the City of Laurel, Montana" may be technically amended, raodified or changed by the City
of Laurel City Council, through future Council Resolution; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the City Council o f the City of Laurel, Montana, that
this Ordinance shall be codified at Title 13 of the Laurel Municipal Code to provide notice that
the a current and updated version of the "Rules and Regulations Governing Utility Services and
Streets for the City of Laurel, Mor>tana" shall be maintained and available to members of the
public at the (mice of the City Cleric and/or the Public Works Department at City Hall; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the "Rules and Regulations Governing Utility
Services and Streets for the City of Laurel, Montana" is hereby amended as follows:
006.11: Public works and Utilities Rules A RgV&Sms amend tech by rcmAufm
S RATES, CHARGES, AND FEES - GENERAL
8.1 GENERAL
All rates, charges, and fees for municipal utility service shall be adopted by the City Council by
rerolrtion as such may be lawfully changed from time to time. In addition, MCA 69-7-201
Provides that rate increases 11 adopted by the City Comm, Further, in accordance with the
provisions of MCA 7-13-4305, no person shall be permitted to use or enjoy the benefit of the
municipal utility system unless they pay the full and established rate for said service.
8.2 MONTHLY METERED WATER CHARGES
Shall be modified as:
Any monthly metered water charges adopted by the City Council, or as such may be lawfully
changed from time to time, shall apply to all customers that have either direct or indirect water
service connections with the municipal water system.
The monthly metered water charge shall be based upon the volume of water, in 100 wA4s-40
whielis registered monthly on the municipal water meter serving a customer. Monthly metered
water charges are due and payable as set forth in Section 7.2.
Water hauled from fire hydrants will be metered and the charge will be based upon the 409
mom eubis volume charge for municipal services refierenced in Section 9.
8.3 MINIMUM MONTHLY WATER CHARGES
The minimum monthly charges shall be based on the size of municipal water meter used to serve
a customes. Minimum monthly water charges are due and payable as set forth in Section 7.2.
8.4 MONTHLY VOLUME WASTEWATER CHARGES
Any monthly volume wastewater charges adopted by the City Council, or as such may be
lawfully changed from time to time, shall apply to all users that have building sewers connected
with the ma:micipal wastewater system.
The monthly vohune wastewater charges for commercial and public school accounts shall be
billed based upon the volume of water used monthly, which shall be determined by taking the
total number- of wAie " Yo me ofwater registered monthly on the municipal water meter or
such other approved utility meter that serves the account in question.
The monthly volume of wastewater charges for domestic accounts and public buildings shall be
billed based upon the avarage volume ofwater used monthly, which sha11 be determined by
taking the total volume Of water registered monthly on the municipal water
meta, or such other approved utility meter that saves the account in question, for the months of
November, December, January, February, March, and April and dividing such total by 6 (Nov -
April, 6 months).
Monthly volume wastewater charges are due and payable as set forth in Section 7.2.
This ordinance shall become effective thirty (30) days after final passage by the City
Council and approved by the Mayor.
Introduced and passed on first reading at a regular meeting of the City Council on
October 3 2006, by Alderpersoa Stamper
PASSED and ADOPTED by the Laurel City Council on second reading this 21st day
of November 2006, upon motion ofAlderperson Pritzier
APPROVED BY THE MAYOR this 21st day of November 2006.
CITY OF LAUREL
ATTEST:
Mary Teton, Clerk-Treaqur+ern
FORM:
Elk River Law OfTice, P.L.L.P.
*Wh . , Mayor
00&11: Public Works and Utiliew Pima & Regulatiam amend tech by resolution