HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Workshop Minutes 11.02.2021MINUTES
CITY OF LAUREL
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 02, 2021
A Council Workshop was held in Council Chambers and called to order by Council President
Eaton at 6:30 p.m. on November 2, 2021.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
_x_ Emelie Eaton
_x_ Heidi Sparks
x Bruce McGee
x Richard Herr
x Scot Stokes
x Iry Wilke
x Richard Klose
Don Nelson
OTHERS PRESENT:
Nick Altonaga, Planning Director
Kurt Markegard, Public Works Director
Stan Langve, Police Chief
Bethany Langve, Clerk/Treasurer
Matt Smith, KLJ
Public Input:
Council President Eaton read into the record the attached public comment from Carol Blades of
1809 DeNittis Lane.
General Items
Executive Review
1. Resolution - A Resolution Of The City Council Approving A Memorandum Of
Understanding Between The City Of Laurel And Local Union Local 303, American
Federation Of State, County And Municipal Employees, AFSCME.
Stan Langve, Police Chief, stated as he was getting Code Enforcement Officer Sauter up and
running, he noticed the contract really didn't fit this situation. To move retirement systems, he
needed to retire for one day to move into the bid position. A new hire has a 1 -year probation. He
spoke with the City Attorney, who suggested that given the uniqueness of this situation, it is
unnecessary to need 365 days; 30 days would be sufficient. The language is for this one position
this one time and will not set a precedence in the future.
2. Resolution - A Resolution Authorizing A Lease Agreement Between The City Of
Laurel And Laurel American Legion Post # 123, For The Construction And Use Of City
Owned Property For A Parking Lot Near The City's Cemetery.
Council Member Klose stated that he is a Council Member and a member of the America Legion
Post #123. He will not be speaking or voting on this matter.
Ken Olson, 1702 Groshelle Boulevard, briefly described the parking situation up at the cemetery
when there is an event held at either cemetery. Many people park along the highway. This
parking lot would be used for either cemetery. It is critical for the citizens of Laurel.
Motion To Allow Council Member Sparks To Be Absent From The City Of Laurel For
More Than Ten Days. (LMC 2.12.060)
Council Member Sparks stated she would be out of the City for a few weeks. She would like
Council's pennission to go. She will only be missing two Council meetings due to November
having five Tuesdays.
Council Issues
4. Discussion on Disbanding LURA/Ceasing the LURA Grant Program
Recently Council had a presentation by Janet Cornish and Lanette Windmaker. During this
presentation, there was a discussion about the LURA grants and what LURA would do if there
were no grant programs. So this is a discussion about disbanding them and having Staff manage
the TIF District.
Leslie Atkins, 4100 McGirl Road in the Heights, I own the property of 217-221 W. Main Street
here in Laurel. I have a question, does that mean that our taxes go back down? Because I pay an
awful lot of extra taxes specifically to funds that LURA project. If that's going to be disbanded,
does that mean my taxes are going to go down?
It was clarified that any TIF District that is formed is not a raise in taxes. It is a rerouting of the
taxes. Rather than going into the General Fund, they go into a TIF District Fund.
Ms. Atkins, for the purpose of reuse in that district. With that, I would say my vote would be no.
I've used TIF District funds to fix some of my exterior building to make that a way better
building on the outside on the inside. And it's been a really wonderful program for me. And I
realize that things have been twisted a little bit, and some of those funds were put in the wrong
place, and people were allowed to use funds that weren't allowed to use funds. I understand that,
but I hope that the program doesn't go away. Because it's been a great benefit to me.
Peggy Miller, Laurel, I would say I would vote in favor of keeping the LURA. I think that it can
be reevaluated and restructured and rules and guidelines written a little bit better and different.
Also, some of the Council Members have indicated at times that they weren't really sure what
the LURA program was for. So again, I think it was maybe a matter of miscommunication and
rules and regulations not necessarily known to both the Committee and to the Council Members.
We have been recipients of it. We have been in Laurel for 40 -years and have property in town
and have put into the fund, and it has been a great resources. I think there are a lot of businesses
that can benefit from it. And more so it really helps the town and the structure in the refurbishing
and just the beautification. And so, I would encourage you to reevaluate this and keep the
program and again just work more on the guidelines and the rules and regulations.
Brandon Ellis, 221 W. Main Street, I own Dirty Paws of Montana, a small business. Being a new
business, too, I would support these LURA funds; it would help people like me revitalize
downtown and get small businesses up and going again. I understand some of the funds are
misused. But if we just follow how it's supposed to be used, I think it would be helpful to
revitalize the town. So me personally, if I had a vote, I would say keep LURA funding. Thank
you.
Ken Olson, 1702 Groshelle Boulevard, I have to admit I've been out of the loop for a while. But
the idea that this would even be considered kind of shakes me up a little bit. The amount of
improvements that this has brought to our community is really astounding. I can't say walking
from all the way west to all the way east on Main Street where there hasn't been a major
improvement. Partly due to the creation of the TIF District and the LURA Board. If there has
been a problem with the LURA Board, an oversight committee may be needed, a couple of
Council people and a couple of LURA people may open up that route of discussion between the
LURA and the Council so that there can be further understanding of exactly what goes on
between the LURA and the Council. The Council has the final say, but the LURA sure has a lot
of important information to get forward. I stand with every business owner of this community
who understands the importance of the LURA as it's been created. I certainly hope that you
would be keeping it the way that it is. Thank you.
Various Council Members voiced their opinions not to disband LURA but to rework the grant
program as it has helped many businesses downtown. Council also expressed their interest in
starting to offer low-interest loans as well.
Council asked if Janet and Lanette could be invited back to do joint training with Council and
LURA to help rework their programs. The Clerk/Treasurer will follow up on this request.
Discussion on Downtown Parking Study
Council President Eaton read into the record a public comment from Abbie Manley; see
attached.
Council President Eaton read into the record a public comment from Brandon Ellis; see attached.
KLJ has been asked to put together information regarding a parking study.
Matt Smith, KLJ, the project's scope will be to study the parking in the Central Business District.
They will then make recommendations that are ADA compliant.
It was clarified that the area being studied would be Alder Ave. to 8th Ave. This is an excellent
use for TIF dollars. The TIF would pay for a large portion of this study as the TIF District ends
at 5th Avenue.
Leslie Atkins, 4100 McGirl, I own property from 217-221 W. Main Street. Parking, folks, it
needed to be done a long time ago. A long, long time ago. I am really glad you guys are taking it
up now as an official item to discuss. It needs to be done. We are killing our small businesses. I
own, I got two small businesses in my building now and eleven residential apartments. We
simply do not have enough space. With the angled parking, it's perfect. And it works
wonderfully; nobody was hurt. So I am glad KLJ is addressing our parking issues in the City.
And I hope that the Council will stand up for that and stand up for our local businesses and
residents of our Central Business District. Thank you.
Brandon Ellis, 221 W. Main, I won Dirty Paws of Montana, one of the renters in Leslie's
building. I fully support downtown parking, not even just on 3rd—all of downtown. I've lived in
Laurel for about 15-16 years now. And I've always seen the parking downtown has been horrible
for quite a while now. And I know speaking with other business owners, they have tried to bring
it up, and it's kind of been brushed aside over the years. Hopefully, we can find a resolution and
get the studies done. That email you read is actually the email I sent to all of you guys. That is
just 200 signatures from Change.org that I didn't do any canvassing of town yet. But if I have to,
I can, but we really need to parking resolved down there, especially because I have a lot of
elderly and disabled customers. Being a dog groomer, I get some service dogs in there, and the
elderly customers really can't park there anymore. So for free, I have actually started offering
pick-up service for their dogs from the elderly communities because it's kind of dangerous
having to get in and out of their cars down on those streets right now. Thank you for getting it on
the agenda, and hopefully, we can keep working towards getting this resolution going. Thank
you.
Shannon Davis, I came here about a year ago. When we came here, my wife was blind. We have
two young boys. First time we wintered here, there was snow pretty much everywhere. It was
dangerous; it was icy, my wife was blind, she couldn't see her vision was on forward move. So
I'm really making you guys put this into play considering the parking down there for the
disabled. It means a lot and really how you guys follow through with it. Like I said with disabled
people, businesses suffering because of the lack of parking. My wife tripping and falling last
winter. That could have created a huge issue for the City, but we decided not to. Parking is vital;
what Ms. Atkins did was a godsend, and to have that taken away, especially for those that are
blind and those that can't walk, those that are in wheelchairs. I really hope you guys go through
with it. And then it would be beneficial for everybody including businesses. Thank you.
Brandon Ellis read a letter from Amanda Spring, 1015 1st Avenue; see attached.
6. Update On Clean -Up Efforts on Fir Avenue.
Council questioned the progress on the development on Fir Avenue.
Nick Altonaga, Planning Director, stated the developer Darrel Dyer is working with the owner of
the lots, Jim Cotter, as they are under contract. They are cleaning up the property as a condition
of annexation. Once the property is cleaned up, then they will move forward with annexation and
the development. County Code Enforcement has been contacted to start to deal with it.
7. Update on IronHorse Subdivision - Has Building Begun
Nick Altonaga, Planning Director, stated the developer has been building out the road. There
have been no requests for hooks up to develop the lots at this time.
Other Items
0 W. Railroad Update
Bethany Langve, Clerk/Treasurer, stated that the City Attorney is drafting a letter to the State. In
2019 the City received a letter asking the City to state its intentions. This letter would let the
State know the City will come up with the gap funding on the project. We are hoping to have this
letter drafted by the end of the week. The Council President will sign, and it will get sent off.
Right now, the States timeline is to begin the project in 2026. The State will dictate the timeline
of this project. The City received $860,191.92 in the first half of the ARPA funds. It is up to the
Council and Mayor what they would like to use these funds for. It can only be used for water and
sewer improvements and must be used by a specific date. Also, in HB 1, the State did award $1
million to the City. It was payment for the intake and will need to be used for the water system.
These monies will be held in a restricted account until the City is ready to use them. The auditors
are aware of these monies. The City can use it towards the new water reservoir as it is part of the
water system. The second half of ARPA funds will come in June 2022.
It was questioned if those monies could be used toward a new water storage facility.
Matt Smith, KLJ, stated they are currently working on a preliminary engineering report. They are
putting together final cost estimates for that report. They hope to have that report completed in
December. This report can be beneficial in applying for additional grant funding.
Bethany Langve, Clerk/Treasurer, stated she strongly recommends paying off the intake loan
with that million dollars. Water would only have one loan remaining. The others were paid off a
while ago.
® Resolution to remove Thomas C. Nelson from all banking institutions.
Bethany Langve, Clerk/Treasurer, stated next week Council would see a resolution removing
Mayor Nelson from all of our banking institutions. She needs a resolution from Council to be
able to do that.
• Mayor Vacancy
Council President Eaton briefly reviewed the attached memo from the City Attorney regarding
filling the Mayor's vacancy. This will be on next week's agenda.
There was a question on if the Council Member filling that role would then vacate their seat. The
answer to that is no. On January 3rd° they would revert to their role on Council. Council would
operate down one Council Member.
Review of Draft Council Agendas
8. Draft Council Agenda of November 9, 2021.
The resolution removing Mayor Nelson from all banking institutions and filling the Mayor's
vacancy will be on next week's agenda.
Attendance at Upcoming Council Meeting
Council Member Wilke will be absent from next week's meeting.
Announcements
Mayor Nelson's funeral will be held Friday, November 5th at 11:00 a.m.
A Council Member recently noticed the poor condition of the front of the building. They had
thought it was going to be fixed. It was clarified that this summer Council approved a small
service contract to fix the front of the building. The work is not scheduled to be done until March
or April 2022.
The next Park Board meeting is scheduled for November 4th at 5:30 p.m. in the Council
Conference Room.
Council offered their condolences to Mayor Nelson's family.
The council workshop adjourned at 7:24 p.m.
Respectfu fitted,
Brittney Moorman
Administrative Assistant
NOTE: This meeting is open to the public. This meeting is for information and discussion of the Council for
the listed workshop agenda items.
-Brittney Moorman
From: Carol Blades <cblades41 @gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, November 1, 2021 10:18 AM
To: Brittney Moorman
Subject: commendations for city council
Attachments: commendation for city council.docx
Hi Brittney,
Attached is a letter I would like you to share with each City Council member. I think you can easily forward it to each of
them but 1 do not know how. If you cannot forward it to each council member please let me know.
Carol Blades
"We cannot tell the precise moment when friendship is formed. As in filling a vessel drop by drop, there is at last a drop
which makes it run over; so in a series of kindnesses there is at last one which mbmoormanakes the heart run over."
I want to give two shout outs of appreciation to the Laurel City Counsel
for several recent events they were key in bringing to fruition. First,
after several years of collaboration with the Lions Club, a safe, lovely,
and user friendly paved path has been installed around South Pond, at
the Lion's Family Park. It is directly across the street from Laurel
Gardens and the Laurel Senior Center. This is a 'visionary' gift to
Seniors, walking is a key to good health and wellbeing, and an equally
valued gift to Laurel families. Mom's and Dad's could easily push a
stroller around this pond now, introducing even infants and toddlers to
fresh air, bird life and movement in the great outdoors. Wheel chairs,
walkers, all such devices could easily navigate this broad smooth
walkway.
Secondly, The Laurel City Counsel just tabled Northwestern Energy's
request to rezone land along the Yellowstone for installation of a gas
plant. They have basically said it is time for thoughtful input from
various points of view, this is a massive decision that needs a
substantial amount of community and statewide input. It is incredibly
refreshing to see a small town city council stand up to a major
corporation and pull in the reins on potentially disastrous plans. That is
how representative government of the people and for the people is
supposed to work.
Brittney Moorman
From: Abbie Manley <alfordsabitha@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 2, 2021 1:24 PM
To: Brittney Moorman
Good afternoon,
My name is Abbie Manley. I have been a resident of Laurel for about 20 years. I would like to add my input on our
continuing infrastructure issues. In particular I would like to speak on the parking issues down main street and 3rd Ave.
It is fact that the city is growing and this area in particular has become congested. I lived on this corner in the apparment
above Coburn Tax about 15 years ago and parking was an issue then. Now with the growth and restoration it has
become horrible to try to park over there. The diagonal parking alleviated part of the problem, however the city
reversed this. I understand that is the emergency services route. I would like an explanation why the city cannot simply
use 2nd ave?
Thank you for your time,
Abbie Manley
: �-
From: Brandon Ellis <brandonellis1326@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, November 1, 2021 3:40 PM
To: City Mayor; Ward 1A; Ward 1 B; Ward 2A; Ward 2B; Ward 3A; Ward 3B; Ward 4A; Ward
4B; Brittney Moorman; Bethany Langve; Laurel City Planner
Subject: I am sharing 'signatures of support for parking' with you.
Attachments: signatures of parking.pdf
This is the current list of signatures gained on Change.org of those who support working together to find solutions to
this problem of lack of downtown parking and also easy parking access downtown for the disabled and/or elderly. I am
sending you this as support for the workshop meeting on 11/2 discussing a possible parking/traffic study.
Name
City
State
Postal Codi Country
Signed On
Brandon Ellis
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Ellyn Williams
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Maria Custodio
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Abbie Manley
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Eric Calhoun
Laurel
MT
59944 US
########
Karisma Kaufman
Bozeman
MT
59718 US
########
Lorrie Krell
Billings
MT
59101 US
########
Justine Degele
Billings
MT
59102 US
########
Leslie Atkins
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Chad Degele
laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Cameron Degele
Billings
MT
59106 US
########
Jessica Cummings
Billings
MT
59105 US
########
Olivia Grimes
Billings
MT
59106 US
########
Peggy Forsberg
Billings
MT
59044 US
########
Nelson Bailey
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Shawn Bradshaw
Billings
MT
59102 US
########
Christopher Smith
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Marcia ketchem
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Tanya Freeman
Laurel
MT
59044-282, US
########
Shannon Williams
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Jaymegirl_2020 Isaacson
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
David Newton
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Ben Lyons
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Trisha Baker
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Katrina welch
Laurel
MT
98271 US
########
Pamela Wallace
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Mariah Bass
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Timothy Mark Smith
Laurel
MT
59o44 US
########
Dawn Kuper
Billings
MT
59105 US
########
Mykal Willoughby
Billings
MT
59101 US
########
Charles Robert
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Connie Dolman
Park City
MT
59063 US
########
Renee Melle
Billings
MT
59944 US
########
Lindsey Farnsworth
laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Franco Carlo
NY
US
########
JON INWOOD
Brooklyn
NY
11230 US
########
Greg Schreiner
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
David Ligon
Salinas
93907 US
########
Austin Ward
Corvallis
OR
97330 US
########
Sarah Kuhr
Billings
MT
59044 US
########
Becky Vandyke
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Shaynna Threefingers
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Ashley Winchell
Billings
MT
59102 US
########
Kathleen Linger
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Amanda Spring
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Karl Worthen
Laurel
MT
92782 US
########
Jennifer Schessler
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Harold Mesenbrink
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Dianne Boren
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Sydnie Bieber
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Ian Logan
Park City
MT
59063 US
########
Billielo Hutchinson
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Krystal Cocho
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Colton Salo
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Kirsten Cormier
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
V. Ardell Bessler
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Joseph Shaw
Billings
MT
59102 US
########
Heather Wilson
Billings
MT
59102 US
########
Denette Jacobson
Park City
MT
59063 US
########
Melissa Bautista
Billings
MT
59102 US
########
Alvina Hernandez Hernandez
Burlington
WY
82411 US
########
Miguel Hernandez
Billings
MT
59106 US
########
Krystal Maerling
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Danielle Bogunovich
Billings
MT
59105 US
########
F1uffy4 Memez
Fontana
92336 US
########
Debbie Huskinson
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Ken Miller
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Peggy Miller
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Christopher LeDuc
Billings
MT
59105 US
########
Carla Harmon
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Jaymi Van Rooyen
Billings
MT
59102 US
########
Jodie Drange
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Donna Godwin
Billings
MT
59101 US
########
madi achten
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Anne Heiser
Laurel
MT
590 US
########
Rachel Patterson
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Keith Carpenter
Billings
MT
59101 US
########
Larry Gibson
Billings
MT
59102 US
########
Jocelyn Krum
Billings
MT
59102 US
########
Casey Huskinson
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Sheila Roberts
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Claudine Farrar
Hardin
MT
59034 US
########
Adam Kaluba
Burleson
TX
76028 US
########
Joshua Lewis
Garland
75040 US
########
Shelly Yarbrough
Billings
MT
59102 US
########
Diane Kraft
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Pearl Spooner
Billings
MT
59105 US
########
Steve Lavely
Laur
MT
59044 US
########
Alicia Wold
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Jessica Smith
Absarokee
MT
US
########
Rhonda Miller
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Jesse Melvin
Billings
MT
59106 US
########
Miranda Helzer
Billings
MT
59102 US
########
Dionna Rudd
Dallas
30132 US
########
Rylee Johnson
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Natalia Souza
Alexandria
VA
22314 US
########
Carter Frank
Southbury
6488 US
########
Andrew Cummings
Billings
MT
59105 US
########
Joe Broere
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Sara Romero
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Jennifer Haq
Alexandria
MN
56308 US
########
Catherine Farnes
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Charity Watkins
Billings
MT
59102 US
########
daniella preudhomme
Miami
33187 US
########
dianne lievens
moving to Laurel soon
FL
32162 US
########
Rosa Broere
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Patty Knopp
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Becky Giudice
Worland
WY
82401 US
########
Shelley Wold
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Diane Oversen
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Dani Stringer
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
David Wegner
Chicago
IL
60612 US
########
Peggy LeBrun
Bozeman
MT
59718 US
########
Jeremy Lavold
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Patrick Trainor
Billings
MT
59102 US
########
Ashton Baggett
Brandon
39042 US
########
Karen Anderson
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Chris Green
Atlanta
30309 US
########
Dana Burgess
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Jeremiah Johnson
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Dianna Walker
Billings
MT
59102 US
########
Chelsey Stein
Billings
MT
US
########
davido draco
Irvington
7111 US
########
Kelly Hazen
Billings
MT
59102 US
########
Liam Miller
Helena
MT
59602 US
########
alyson early
Billings
MT
59106 US
########
Shanna Fredrickson
Billings
MT
59101 US
########
Chuck PLATT
Billings
MT
59102 US
########
Sara Wiggins
Forsyth
MT
59327 US
########
Stephanie Beal
Billings
MT
59102 US
########
Jason Wold
Billings
MT
59102 US
########
Kimberly Pinter
Detroit
MI
48234 US
########
Anna Anderson
Billings
MT
59102 US
########
Melissa Wood
Billings
MT
59102 US
########
Linda Lane
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Lori Mendenhall
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
michaella grauberger
billings
MT
59106 US
########
Cassandra Kelly
Billings
MT
59101 US
########
Scott Nagel
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Fran Bonogofsky
Billings
MT
59102 US
########
Darci Colbrese
Billings
MT
59102 US
########
Tracy Barndt
Billings
MT
59102 US
########
Sheya Askin
Syracuse
UT
84075 US
########
Deborah Allen
Billings
MT
59102 US
########
Joshua Haase
Minneapolis
58413 US
########
Sophia Arebalo
EI Paso
79936 US
########
Latasha Burns
US
########
Hunter Hensley
Cincinnati
48221 US
########
Richard Woodson
Port Clinton
43452 US
########
Nolan Krimpenfort
Mason
45040 US
########
Douglas Batista
Aurora
80013 US
########
Faith Jewett
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Akeish Douglas
Marietta
30008 US
########
Connie Phillips
Robins
IA
52328 US
########
Andre Gabriel jr
Charlotte
28215 US
########
Holee Miller
Denver
CO
80211 US
########
Patty Smith
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Amanda Anderson
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Dianne Flack
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Laura Moore
string:LAUREL
MT
59044 US
########
Desiree Irwin
Park city
MT
59063 US
########
Paige Farmer
Billings
MT
59102 US
########
Madalyn Ostwalt
Laurel
MT
59044 US
########
Rhoda Hoffman
Billings
MT
59105 US
########
Debbie Jensen
Billings
MT
59101 US
########
Jess Piper
LAUREL
MT
59044 US
########
Aubrey Rode
Billings
MT
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Amarra Kuiper
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Laurel
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59044 US
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Laurel
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Scott Snowden
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Amanda Spring
1015 151 Ave Apt 1
Laurel Mt 59044
702-468-6466
Passion4makeup86@gmail.corn
To whom it may concern,
My name is Amanda and I have lived in Laurel since 2013. 1 believe that downtown is way over do for
some major parking upgrades! We need to move forward with traffic and parking studies down town. In
20131 lived in an apartment downtown and parking was so hard to come by. I can't imagine what it's
like for some of our older community living and shopping down town. It's hard for businesses to draw in
customers, no one wants to fight for parking. 1 really hope the city puts this high on the list of priorities!
Thank you,
Amanda Spring
CITY HALL kv%0
115W. IST ST. %,ity Or' Laurel
MAYOR OFC.: 628-8456
PUB. WORKS: 628-4796
WATER OFC.: 628-7431 P.O. Box 10
COURT: 628-1964 Laurel, Montana 59044
FAX 628-2241
MEMORANDUM
To: City Council Members
From: Sam S. Painter, City Attorney
Date: November 1, 2021
Re: Succession Procedure Mayor Vacancy
Office of the City Attorney
In response to Mayor Nelson's passing, I am writing to advise you that there is a procedure to follow
under these circumstances to ensure the City's ability to govern, function and provide services. City
Ordinance ("LMC") and Montana law ("MCA") contain virtually identical provisions for the City Council
to follow to temporarily resolve the situation presented.
The LMC provides that an office is vacant if the death of the incumbent happens prior to the expiration
of his/her term. LMC 2.12.060. Upon such a vacancy, the City Council shall, by a majority vote of the
members, appoint a person within thirty days to hold the office until his/her successor is elected and
qualified. LMC 2.12.070.
Mayor Nelson's term was set to expire on the First Monday of January after the election or January 3,
2022. There are approximately sixty days remaining in Mayor Nelson's term that need to be filled. I
suggest the City Council consider filling the remainder of Mayor Nelson's Term with a present Council
Member who is willing to serve as Mayor until the Mayor elected in tomorrow's election is sworn into
office at the City Council Meeting on January 4, 2022.
If the City Council decides to fill the vacancy, it shall by a majority vote at the next regularly scheduled
meeting, appoint a Mayor. The next regular meeting is scheduled for November 9, 2021. 1 suggest the
City Council place an agenda item on next week's agenda entitled "Appointment of Mayor to fill
Vacancy." On November 9, 2021, the City Council can by nomination and majority vote, approve the
appointment of a Mayor to serve Mayor Nelson's remaining term.
,Since fy
Sam S. Painter