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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Workshop Minutes 04.04.2023MINUTES CITY OF LAUREL CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP TUESDAY, APRIL 04, 2023 A Council Workshop was held in Council Chambers and called to order by Mayor Dave Waggoner at 6:29 p.m. on April 4, 2023. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: _x_ Emelie Eaton x Heidi Sparks _x_ Michelle Mize (@6:31 p.m.) _x_ Richard Herr x Casey Wheeler x Iry Wilke x Richard Klose x_ Jodi Mackay OTHERS PRESENT: Michele Braukmann, Civil City Attorney Brittney Moorman, Administrative Assistant Public Input: There were none. General Items Executive Review 1. Resolution - Resolution Adopting Amendments To The Personnel Policy Manual For The City Of Laurel Through the insurance renewal process, additional changes needed to be made. The MMIA identifies changes that need to be made while reviewing various City's personnel policy manuals. There will be ongoing amendments to the manuals as various issues crop up. It is a living, breathing document. It was questioned if open carry was allowed. It was clarified that the courtroom is the only space open carry is not allowed, and the open carry laws dictate where civilians are allowed to open carry. 2. Resolution - A Resolution Of The City Council Authorizing Participation In The Montana Board Of Investments Of Short -Term Investment Pool And Authorizing The Execution And Delivery Of Documents Related Thereto. It was questioned what STIP was and why the City needed it. Mayor Waggoner stated he sent the Clerk/Treasurer home due to the weather. Motion by Council Member Wilke to move this resolution to the next Workshop agenda, seconded by Council Member Herr. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All eight council members present voted aye. Motion carried 8-0. 3. Resolution - A Resolution Of The City Council To Submit The Question To The Electorate Authorizing The City To Impose A New Mill Levy For The City Of Laurel Emergency Response Services Of A New 50.06 Mills To Fund Ems Services, Including Staffing, Volunteer Compensation, Training, And Ancillary Operations It was questioned if this is how the mill would be worded on the ballot, and it was clarified that this was correct. The mill would allow for 2 to 3 additional employees and an increase in wages for the existing employees to be consistent with the market average. It would also allow a boost to the volunteer pay and Medical Director. This ask will be the most conservative but reasonable ask in moving forward. It was questioned if there was a fee associated with transporting to Billings. It was clarified that transports are billed; however, insurance does not cover all the costs. It was questioned if this is a permanent mill levy or if it will sunset. Staff went back and forth on this issue. Ultimately, sunsetting could cause a future workforce reduction if an additional mill levy does not pass. The City is exploring the option of structuring as a district process. Staff is working on providing significant education on what this mill will cover. That education will include real numbers of what this mill will provide. Staff are looking at different avenues to inform the public. It was questioned why the City struggles to grow or get new business. It was clarified that the goal is to grow, but the school will also need to grow if we do. It was clarified that the school gets approximately 75% of its taxes from MRL, CHS, and NWE, and the City does not receive taxes from those entities as they are in the County and pay County taxes. 4. Ordinance - An Ordinance Amending Section 2.72.020 (Composition) Of The Laurel Municipal Code Related To Membership In The Laurel City -County Planning Board. This ordinance is to clean up the composition of the City/County Planning Board to match the interlocal agreement between the City and the County. Council Issues Park Board's next meeting is Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. Other Items The southside should have water by 7:00 p.m. tonight. The Contractor ran into problems. They are currently working on the east end of S. 4`h Street and have Russel Park dug up. They pulled a core for the Splash Park, and the compaction wasn't correct. Staff are going to be rolling it again to get the correct compaction. Yellowstone Bank and Western Security Bank have donated significantly to the Splash Park. Mayor Waggoner signed for Phase 2 to receive a discount when ordering Phase 1 and 2 together. Both phases will be done this year. At Rotary, a group of people are working to build trails and would like to build a trail that connects with Billings. They will be working with Park Board. Attendance at Upcoming Council Meeting All Council Members present will be in attendance at next week's meeting. Announcements The council workshop adjourned at 7:18 p.m. Brittney Moorman Administrative As NOTE: This meeting is open to the public. This meeting is for information and discussion of the Council for the listed workshop agenda items.