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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Workshop Minutes 06.07.2022MINUTES CITY OF LAURE CITY COUNCIL WORT TUESDAY, JUNE 07, A Council Workshop was held in Council Chambers and at 6:30 p.m. on June 7, 2022. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: x Emelie Eaton x Michelle Mize _ Vacant x Richard Klose OTHERS PRESENT: Kurt Markegard, Pu Michele Braukmanr Juliane Lore, City P Kelly Strecker, Acti Stan Langve, Police Ryan Welsh, KLJ Mckenzie Butcher, ] Public Input: Ken Olson, 1702 Groshelle Drive, invited Council to attej memorial service this Saturday at noon. Four firefighters' thanked Council and the Mayor for blocking the streets di OP to order by Mayor Dave Waggoner _x_ Heidi Sparks x Richard Herr x Iry Wilke x Bill Mountsier lic Works Director Civil Attorney Clerk/Treasurer the Montana Firemen's Memorial tines will be added to the wall. He n2 the service. K. Dan Koch, 320 Colorado Ave., stated he had brought issues with the handicapped parking lot near the stadium before Council for the last six years. It needs better signs, and it needs to be painted. General Items 1. Appointment of Casey Wheeler to the Vacant Ward 3 Seat. Casey Wheeler, 1310 Beartooth Drive, briefly introduced I limself to Council. It was questioned if there was a conflict of interest in apj works for the City. It was clarified that it would not be a Chuck Dickerson, 501 W. 13th Street, stated he also wrote seat. He has spent 20 years on Council and another four w has known Mr. Wheeler for many years and does give his Wheeler be chosen, he would look forward to helping him Mr. Wheeler, given his father of interest. a letter of interest for the open Council )rking for the City. He stated that he support to him, and should Mr. as well. 2. Appointment of Josh Featherly to the Laurel Department. Stan Langve, Police Chief, stated Mr. Featherly would be moving here on June 91h° so he is unable to be present this evening. He will be at next week s Council meeting should there be any questions. It was questioned how new officers are trained if they are Department. It was clarified that they have the same FTO the full 12 -week program, they do a 2 -week equivalency 1 Montana -specific laws; they have a year to obtain that cei 3. Appointment of Kurt Markegard as Building There were no questions on this appointment. 4. Appointment of Kelly Strecker to There were no questions on this appointment. Motion to allow Council Member Mize to be ab than ten days. (LMC 2.12.060) a lateral move from another however, instead of needing This program covers all from the City of Laurel for more Council Member Mize stated she would be taking a road trip for a family reunion. Executive Review 6. Resolution - A Resolution Of The City Council 4uthorizing The Mayor To Execute An Extension Of The Prosecutor Attorney Contracty And Between The City Of Laurel And Lore Law Firm, P.L.L.C. Ms. Lore briefly reviewed her work with the City over they last two years. It was questioned if Ms. Lore were to get the appointment how would she handle the tension staff between the Court and herself. Ms. Lore clarified that she has worked through those issues with Court staff. There has been continual improvement, end they are working very collegially. There have been a few issues that the Civil Attorney and Union needed to hash out. 7. Resolution - A Resolution Awarding The Bid. All Contract And Related Documents For The Replacement. Kurt Markegard, Public Works Director, briefly explainer SED basins drain into the wet well, which was not include basins. This project is to replace the old parts. Not all the part of the process of getting the mud out of the SED basil Authorizing The Mayor To Execute ect Known As The WTP Lift Well to Council what a lift well is. The 1 in the reconstruction of the SED later is leaving the wet well. This is s and pumping it into the ponds. McKenzie Butcher, KLJ, stated there were two bids. recommending awarding the bid to the contractor. It was questioned how this project would be funded. It pay for this project. was the low bidder. She is clarified that the Water Fund would It was questioned how the bids compared to the engineer'o estimate. The engineer's estimate was $900,030, but this project requires work within five feet oan existing building and dewatering. Some items were educated guesses. 8. Resolution - A Resolution Of The City Council uthorizing The Mayor To Execute The Agreement For Provision Of Fire Services B And Between The City Of Laurel And The Laurel Airport Authority There was no discussion. 9. Resolution - A Resolution Of The City Council uthorizing The Mayor To Execute The Agreement For Provision Of Fire Services B And Between The City Of Laurel And Yellowstone Boys And Girls Ranch There was no discussion. 10. Resolution - Resolution Of The City Council Ap Review For S2 Properties, Llc, D/B/A Your Pie, Consumption Of Beer And Wine On -Premises, At 102 South 1 st Avenue, City Of Laurel, MT. Kurt Markegard, Public Works Director, stated a public needed a special review due to the alcohol sales. Parker Swenson, 4116 Corbin Drive, stated he has i opening Your Pie here and believe it will be a good at next week's public hearing. ing An Application For Special iorizing The Sale And n An Existing Structure Located would be next week. They with his father. They look forward to i to Laurel. He will be in attendance 11. Resolution - Resolution Of The City Of Laurel C ty Council Granting A Variance From The City's Zoning Regulations To Allow The Property Owner To Construct An Addition On The Home At 319 3rd Avenue, La el Mt, Which Shortens The Twenty - Foot Setback To A Six -Foot Setback Kurt Markegard, Public Works Director, stated next matter. The applicant will be present. It was questioned if the permit or variance comes first. It before a permit can be issued. there will be a public hearing on the clarified that a variance is needed It was questioned where the addition would be added to the home. It was clarified that a drawing was submitted with Council's packet. The addition would be in the backyard of the property. 12. Resolution - Resolution Authorizing The Mayor To Reinstate An Encroachment Permit For Newkirk Real Estate -Montana, LLC, D/B/A lfhomae Lumber. The previous permit has expired. The permit is to allow f loading and unloading on the street. If damage is done to the street, the applicant will be required to fix the street. That street was built to withstand the loads. It was questioned why this permit expires after five years. It was further questioned why it could not be permanent. The Civil Attorney would need to clari that. Council Issues 13. Garbage Capital Improvements/Rates Council was given the attached handout comparing reven es to expenditures for Solid Waste. The City has not done a rate increase since 2015. The City residents currently pay $14/month. County residents are paying $35/month to various private disposal companies. City residents can produce as much trash as they choose. They also have free use of the container site. The City is required to maintain a reserve of 1.5 times that of expense . Staff will work on determining the rate needed to keep Solid Waste healthy. It was questioned if the container site should remain free to residents or if a flat fee should be established. It was clarified that is an option that can bee plored. Other Items Attendance at Upcoming Council Meeting All Council Members present will be at next week's Announcements The campground is open and taking reservations. The council workshop adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Brittney Moi Administrati NOTE: This meeting is open to the public. This meeting is for information and discussion of the Council for the listed workshop agenda items. "-POLICE `' ,gpARTME/yT. May 3, 2022 $0 215 W. 1' Street Laurel, Mt. 59044 To whom it may concern, Chief of Police I write this letter supporting retention of Ju: Laurel's Prosecuting Attorney. The Proseci in the Criminal Justice System. They carry successfully prosecute those who break the the victims of crime. In my 22 years as a Law Enforcement Offic have worked with all the attorneys that have Office for the City. I would like to share son is a high turnover in that position. Most, if n volume of cases presented to them for prose the case load and worked hard. They genera before the experience they gain allows them position. Some have taken the position with handling a much smaller case load, and it is properly prosecute all the cases that have co conversation I had with a former City Atton have been a few that I have had little faith ir properly prosecute a criminal case. One prac was too effectively wipe the desk clean of b; and understand that cases need to be triaged system, and that even small delays in the prc cases can jeopardize the "Speedy Trial "reqs supported Prosecutors Office staffed with pr possess a strong work ethic would mitigate t level of service that the citizens of Laurel sb -8737 • Fax 406-628-4641 J Langve e Lore as the City of 's Office is acritical role heavy burden of proof to � and to bring justice for ;r for the City of Laurel, I . Filed through the Prosecutors e of my observations. There �t all, were surprised by the ution. A few have taken up y stay for a short time :o move to a more desirable he idea that they would be iot worth their time to .ie before them (an actual -y). Unfortunately, there regarding their ability to ;ice that was not uncommon A logged cases. I recognize n the Criminal Justice 3ecution of misdemeanor irement. A stable, properly ►fessional individuals that its issue and provide the Auld expect and deserve. Juliane Lore is one of the top Criminal Prosecutors that the City of Laurel has had in decades. Captain Pitts routinely works with the City Prosecutors Office through discovery requests and shares that sentiment as well. The rank -and -file officers of the Lau often expressed gratitude to have such an in` willing to prosecute. My observations are th,- knowledge and experience to the office_ and f the criminal process. She has open lines of cl officers of the Laurel Police Department and she prosecutes. Juliane has taken steps to prc the system. She has participated in trial prep. was unheard of in my career as an officer. Tl Attorneys that I would routinely bring the pr the case to court at the time of trial as they w Julian Lore works many more hours than sI. The case load for the Laurel Police Departmi continue to grow expediently and that direct] the Prosecutors Office. This is not only an in to court but an increase in cases that are sent warrants. Juliane as been exceptional in spec requests. The biggest and possibly most deft: Juliane Lore is her heart and passion for her personally invested in the idea of Justice, ani and has shown a vested interest in the succe,� of Laurel. rel Police Department have Elved prosecutor who is t Juliane brought her agerly educated herself to immunication with the victims of the crimes that fessionalize and streamline ration with officers which .ere were several past City )secuting attorney a copy of ,re not even that prepared. e is fairly compensated for. ,nt has been and will y increases the case load of ,rease in arrests that are sent over for review and / or i of processing these Ling attribute I can assign to work. She is truly and l takes her cases to heart, and betterment of the City A properly supported and staffed legal depa ment, criminal or civil, is critical for the success of the City of Laurel. his. is especially signified now, given the unprecedent growth occurring in and around Laurel. Stanley J Langve Chief of Police Solid Waste Revenue Vrs Expenses Year Revenue Expenses Difference 18-19 898,387 869,001 29,386 19-20 908,145 748,254 159,891 20-21 935,072 955,491 -20,419 3 year net gain or loss 168,858 FAP loan is paid off which equals more revenue loss per year Dump Fees to the City of Billings Landfill Year _Charges Increase year over year 18-19 1541028 19-20 179,996 25,968 20-21 1 194,555 14,559 total increase in 3 years 401527