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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 10.19.1999 MINUT! S OF THE CITY COU'NCIL OF LAUREL October 19, 1999 A regular meeting of the City Cotmcil of the City of Laurel, Montana, was held in the Council Chambers and called to order by President Gay Easton at 7:00 p.m. on October 19, 1999. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Dirk Kroll Ken Olson Gay Easton COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Bill Staudinger Gary Temple Miles Walton Norman Orr Bud Johnson President Easton asked the council to observe a moment of silent prayer for Mayor Rodger's recovery and in behalf of the family of Miranda Fermer. MINUTES: Motion by Alderman Kroll to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of October 5, 1999, as presented, seconded by Alderman Olson. Motion carried 7-0. CORRESPONDENCE: a. Air Pollution Control Board: Agenda for October 12, 1999 meeting; Activity Report for September 1999. b. Misty Ruttenbur: Letter of October 7, 1999 to Steve Klotz. CONSENT ITEMS: a. Clerk/Treasurer Financial Statements for the month of September. b. Committee Reports. --Emergency Services Committee minutes of September 27, 1999 were presented. --Public Works Committee minutes of October 4, 1999 were presented. --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of October 4, 1999 were presented. --City Cotmcil Committee of the Whole minutes of October 5, 1999 were presented. e. Resolution No. R99-46: A resolution approving Change Order No. 7 to the Water Treatment Plant contract to install a water pressure closing valve. RESOLUTION NO. R99-46 A RESOLUTION APPROVING CHANGE ORDER NO. 7 TO THE WATER TREATMENT PLANT CONTRACT TO INSTALL A WATER PRESSURE CLOSING VALVE. The president asked if there was any separation of consent items. There was none. Motion by Alderman Johnson to approve the consent items as presented, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 7-0. SCHEDULED MATTERS: a. Confirmation of Appointments. Council Minutes of October 19, 1999 Ambulance Reserve Attendant: In Mayor Rodger's absence, President Gay Easton appointed Russ Kepferle as an Ambulance Reserve Attendant. Motion by Alderman Walton to confirm the appointment of Russ Kepferle as an Ambulance Reserve Attendant, seconded by Alderman Olson. Motion carried 7-0. b, Misty Ruttenbur, 424 Elm Avenue: Ordinances regarding cleaning streets, alleys and sidewalks. Misty Ruttenbur stated that she felt some of the city codes are unreasonable. On October 6th, she received a letter from the City of Laurel regarding the removal of weeds in the alley and the open storage of a clothes dryer and tree limbs placed in the alley of her property. The letter gave notice that the items needed to be removed within ten days or a $500 fine would be assessed for each day of continued violation. Misty said that removal of the weeds should be the city's responsibility because the alley is city property. She mowed in the alley four times this summer, and a lawmower blade was destroyed each time from garbage, rocks, broken glass and bottles. Misty has picked up garbage off the street and cleaned out the street gutters numerous times. When she spoke with Steve Klotz about the letter, he informed her that city residents are responsible for cleaning the alley behind their property and the sidewalks to the middle of the street. She questioned what the City of Laurel is responsible for if residents of Laurel are responsible for the alley and street by their home. Homeowners are responsible for snow removal on their sidewalks, but she does not think that the City of Laurel has removed snow from the city streets as much as necessary. If the homeowners are fined for violations, the city should be expected to do their part by removing the snow and by taking care of the streets. During her discussion with Mr. Klotz, Misty stated that last year the City of Laurel had collected garbage with a special truck during an Alley Clean-Up Week. She said that the tree limbs that are stacked in her alley were ready for that pick up schedule, and she felt that the letter was unnecessarily harassing when the Alley Clean-Up Week is scheduled soon. Steve Klotz was unaware of the Alley Clean-Up Week at the time the letter was sent, but he later called Misty to inform her that she was correct. Misty Ruttenbnr wrote a letter to Steve Klotz in response to the letter she received. After Misty began to read part of the letter to the council, Alderman Temple asked President Easton regarding the point of order since the council had previously received copies of the letter for their review. Misty did not finish reading the letter, but she commented that a $500 fine per day is extremely stiff for something that she considers to be a city responsibility. She stated that this pan of the code is unfair because the alley is not her property, and she has made an honest effort to keep the weeds down. President Easton said that it is not the intent of the City of Laurel to pick on her personally. According to Steve Klotz, letters have been sent to over one hundred residents. Our ordinances are similar to ordinances in cities throughout the country, and we are trying to clean up the town. Discussion on this subject will be on the next Public Works Committee Agenda on Monday, November 8th, and President Easton invited Misty Ruttenbur to attend that meeting. Gay stated that the city would stand behind the inspector, but that residents have a right to state their concerns. c. John Eisen: West Billings Planning Report. John Eisen, of JGA Architects-Engineers-Planners in Billings, presented an overview of the West Billings Master Plan. Public meetings that have been held since December 1998 have been well attended by the public. The study area of this plan extends from the Yellowstone River to the Rimrocks and from Shiloh Road to 72nd Street West. Mr. Eisen stated that there is presently no plan in place. One of the main concems for development of this area is that the quality of the groundwater is deteriorating. The State Bureau of Mines is undertaking an in-depth research investigation project to determine the groundwater situation. The groundwater is an artificial system that is recharged by flood irrigation, Council Minutes of October 19, 1999 seepage out of ditches, and some natural groundwater. It is a fragile system and is not being recharged as quickly or as much as it used to be. There is less water available, and the water is not always very good. Mr. Eisen presented some of the planning themes and preliminary goals for the master plan. Four main themes have been discussed regarding this plan: 1) achieve smart growth; 2) land utilization; 3) community character; 4) open space, waterways, and scenic resources. Growth is acknowledged as inevitable and "smart growth" is desired. In order to achieve "smart growth," it would be wise to conserve land and natural resources by limiting sprawl through compact development and infill development. Future large lot subdivisions that rely on well and septic systems should be eliminated within the area of this master plan. The provision of public water and sanitary sewer services into West Billings is considered the key factor to achieving a reasonable urban development pattem for expanding the Billings community. There is a desire for a plan for a mix of land uses that locates stores, housing, schools, and recreation within walking distance or a very short drive of each other in compact neighborhoods with pedestrian-oriented streets. Consistent, effective, and predictable growth management mechanisms are necessary to effectively phase growth. Discussion regarding land utilization is important. The local gravel industry is acknowledged to be important to the Billings economy. The conflicts between gravel extraction and residential development must be resolved. Because of many factors, agriculture has become a marginal commercial enterprise in West Billings and will generally be phased out over tinge with changes of land ownership. Community character is also an important factor. The Billings area should expand as an urban area, not as a rural community outside of Billings. Shiloh Road is a significant new community entryway corridor and should have special design standards and development requirements. The impacts of growth such as sprawl, crowding, the "same as every other town" chain store design is causing undesirable changes in conununity character. Community acceptance of more compact, mixed-use development requires compatibility between buildings and effective buffering between land uses, to ensure privacy, safety, and visual compatibility. Sensitivity to the size, character, and location of signs, the elimination of billboards in West Billings, and the location of utility components are important to the definition of community character. The effective use of landscaping to separate and buffer streets, sidewalks, bikeways, buildings, and parking lots significantly enhances the commmaity environment and quality of life. Open. space, waterways and scenic resources that are strategically located or environmentally important should be reserved for Use as parks and pathways for walking and bicycles. Whenever possible, parks should be acquired and developed as joint-use facilities in conjunction with schools. A linear open space concept that incorporates identified floodways should be obtained and developed as land is subdivided. The Yellowstone River and its riparian environment should be preserved as a community, regional and national resource. Scenic and unique community natural resources, such as the rimrocks and vistas of the Yellowstone River Valley, should be protected from encroachment and disruption by tall buildings, communication towers, insensitive site development and inappropriate building location. The Yellowstone County Commissioners want direction regarding the development of the West Billings area. The key issue is the need to extend the public water and sewer system into this area, thereby reducing the number of wells and septic systems needed. The council, Mr. Eisen and Cat Cumin discussed the need for the City of Laurel to be involved in the planning effort for this area. CaI suggested that the best means of participation would be through the City-County Meetings that are being held regularly. The next scheduled meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 27th at 5:30 p.m. in the MetraPark Board Room. Alderman Johnson thanked John Eisen for his presentation about the West Billings Master Plan. President Gay Easton thanked Mr. Eisen for his presentation, thanked Alderman Johnson for inviting him, and encouraged the council to participate in the joint effort between the City of Laurel, City of Billings and Yellowstone County. ~ 3 Council Minutes of October 19, 1999 Ordinance No. O99-26: Ordinance amending the Judge's salary. First reading. ORDINANCE NO. O99-26 ORDINANCE AMENDING THE JUDGE'S SALARY. Motion by Alderman Orr to approve Ordinance No. O99-26, seconded by Aldem~an Johnson. A roll call vote was taken on the motion to approve Ordinance No. 099-26. All seven aldermen present voted aye. Motion carried 7-0. The public hearing and second reading for Ordinance No. 099-26 will be held at the council meeting on November 2, 1999. tINSCHEDULED MATTERS: Alderman Olson thanked Misty Ruttenbur for attending the meeting to present her concerns to the council. He stated that, when residents attend and present their concerns to the council, it shows that there are people who care about the city. Cal Cumin stated that the CTEP Program accepts project applications only at certain times each year. The applications for the Billings area are due in November. The proper advertising was done, and only one application was received. Debbie Ricci and the Laurel Revitalization League presented an application for the landscaping project at the interstate interchange. CaI stated that the South Pond sidewalk project might be a priority and an appropriate use for the money. We are in the second year of a six-year program, and the monies can be held for three years before we have to apply for it and spend it. Cal recommended that the council should not spend any of the money this year but should wait until next year to submit an application. If the cotmcil desired to submit an application now, a public hearing would need to be scheduled. The council took no action on the matter. There being no further business to come before the council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 8:22 p.m. Cind~reta~D,~ Approved by the Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, this 2nd day of November, 1999. Charles G. Rodgers, Mayor~ Attest: Mary K. ~leton, Clerk-TreasUrer 4