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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial City Council Minutes 09.05.20231 September 5 2023 A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, was held in the Council Chambers and called to order by Mayor Dave Waggoner at 8:05 p.m. on September 5, 2023. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT OTHER STAFF PRESENT: Emelie Eaton Heidi Sparks Michelle Mize Richard Herr Casey Wheeler Iry Wilke Richard Klose Jodi Mackay None Michele, Braukmann, Civil City Attorney Brittney Harakal, Council Administrative Assistant Kelly Strecker, Clerk/Treasurer Stan Langve, Police Chief Kurt Markegard, Planning Director Mayor Waggoner led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. MINUTES: None. CORRESPONDENCE: None. COUNCIL DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS: None. a Public Nearing: Budget and Tax Resolution for Fiscal Year 23-24. Mayor Waggoner opened the public hearing and asked Staff to present the item. Kelly Strecker, Clerk/Treasurer, briefly reviewed the attached budget message. Mayor Waggoner opened the floor for public comment and stated that copies of the rules governing the public hearing were posted in the council chambers. Mayor Waggoner asked three (3) times if there were any proponents. There were none. Mayor Waggoner asked three (3) times if there were any opponents. There were none. Mayor Waggoner stated that he would not have Staff respond to questions as there were none. Council questioned if the roof repair was part of the Library Fund. It was clarified that the roof repair was budgeted in the General Fund. The City received several quotes. Donahue lowered their bid to be able to do the work. Council questioned if the City Judge was also receiving a raise. It was clarified that the Judge's wage is based on a matrix set by resolution. The matrix does include a raise. A Council Member requested that the Judge also receive the 4% raise like other elected officials received and asked that the matrix structure be revised moving forward. A Council Member noted that the pay scale is set for the term of office and should not be revised until the next election cycle. Mayor Waggoner stated that he chose not to receive a raise this year as he did not want to do this job for the money. He reminded the Council that the Judge is a part-time Judge just like he is a part-time Mayor. She is compensated as a part-time Judge. Civil Attorney Braukmann clarified that she can create a resolution if Council indicates what they want to see brought forward. The Judge has almost outgrown the established matrix. M, Council Minutes of September 5, 2023 It was further questioned what percentage increase the matrix included, if it is on par with what others are receiving, and if the Judge had made a formal request. The Judge's compensation is consistent with comparable non -attorney elected Judges within the State. The Judge's wage will. be brought forward on the next Workshop Council questioned if there was any additional room in the Court budget to accommodate an increase to the Judge's wage. It was clarified that Court is part of the General Fund, and a budget amendment would only be needed if the General Fund as a whole overspent. A Council Member noted they did not receive their budget book until they walked into tonight's meeting. It was clarified that budget books were available in Council boxes last Friday. Council asked for clarification on the mills the Laurel Airport Authority receives from the City. It was clarified that we are required to give them their mills. Council noted that there was $25,000 budgeted in the City Hall budget; it was questioned if that was for the Court remodel project. It was clarified that it was for the remodel project. Council questioned what purchases from donations with the Fire budget meant. It was clarified that the budgeted amount for donations had been received. Council noted that there seemed to be a significant percentage increase in the City Shop OT budget. It was clarified that last year, they spent $3; this year, they are budgeting $100. Council questioned all the resolutions they vote on annually. It was clarified that those are the assessments the City places on the tax rolls. They do not go into the General Fund. Those assessments are used to pay the bills associated with each assessment. Council questioned who determines how much each of those assessments is. It was clarified that they look at the previous year's expenses and estimate what is needed for this year's expenses. Street Maintenance is assessed by the square footage of the lot and capped at $1600. The City needs to look if the cap is something they would like to do away with. Sidewalks done in an SID are assessed. by frontage. Sidewalks done through the replacement program simply finance the replacement through their taxes. Council questioned whether they still receive a light district assessment if they do not have lighting in their area. It was clarified that you do not receive a light district assessment if you are not within one block of a street light. Council questioned how the delinquent water/sewer/garbage assessments are determined. It was clarified that at the beginning of July, a letter is sent out giving unpaid water/sewer/garbage charges to be paid within 30 days, or alien will be placed on their taxes. We do not place alien on the next owner if a property is sold. CONSENT ITEMS: None. REPORTS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: None. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (THREE-MINUTE LIMIT): None. Resolution No. R23-55: A resolution approving and adopting the Final Budget for the City of Laurel for the fiscal year 2023-2024. Motion by Council Member Sparks to approve Resolution No. R23-55, seconded by Council Member Wilke. 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. Council Minutes of September 5, 2023 Resolution No. R23-56: A resolution levying taxes for general and specific purposes for the City of Laurel, Montana, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023. Motion by Council Member Herr to approve Resolution No. R23-56, seconded by Council Member Wilke. 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. Resolution No. R23-57: A resolution levying and assessing all of the property embraced within Special Improvement Lighting District No. 2 of the City of Laurel, Montana, for the entire cost of maintenance and electrical current for the fiscal year 2023-2024. Motion by Council Member Wilke to approve Resolution No. R23-57, seconded by Council Member Sparks. 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. Resolution No. R23-58: A resolution levying and assessing all of the property embraced within Special Improvement Lighting District No. 3 of the City of Laurel, Montana, for the entire cost of maintenance and electrical current for the fiscal year 2023-2024. Motion by Council Member Mackay to approve Resolution No. R23-58, seconded by Council Member Wilke. 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. Resolution No. R23-59: A resolution levying and assessing all of the property embraced within Street Sweeping District No. 1 of the City of Laurel, Montana, for the purpose of the sweeping of streets in the downtown or Business District for the fiscal year 2023-2024. Motion by Council Member Klose to approve Resolution No. R23-59, seconded by Council Member Wilke. 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. g Resolution No. R23-60: A resolution levying and assessing the cost of street maintenance and/or improvements for Street Maintenance District No. 1 that constitutes all streets and alleys embraced within the City of Laurel, Montana, for fiscal year 2023-2024. Motion by Council Member Wheeler to approve Resolution No. R23-60, seconded by Council Member Wilke. There was no public comment. Council asked for clarification on when the discussion on the cap could take place. It was clarified at any Council Workshop. 8-0. A vote was taken on the motion. All eight council members present voted aye. Motion carried Resolution No. R23-61: A resolution levying and assessing the cost of street improvements for Special Improvement District No. 113 within the City of Laurel, Montana, for fiscal year 2023-2024. Motion by Council Member Mize to approve Resolution No. R23-61, seconded by Council Member Wilke. 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. Resolution No. R23-62: A resolution levying and assessing the cost of sidewalk improvements for Special Improvement District No. 115 within the City of Laurel, Montana, for fiscal year 2023-2024. Motion by Council Member Eaton to approve Resolution No. R23-62, seconded by Council Member Wilke. 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. Resolution I No. R23-63: A resolution levying and assessing the cost of sidewalk improvements for Special Improvement District No. 116 within the City of Laurel, Montana, for fiscal year 2023-2024. Council Minutes of September 5, 2023 Motion by Council Member Sparks to approve Resolution No. R23-63, seconded by Council Member Wilke. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All eight council members present voted ave. Motion carried 8-0. Resolution No. R23-64: A resolution levying and assessing the cost of sidewalk improvements for Special Improvement District No. 117 within the City of Laurel, Montana, for fiscal year 2023-2024. Motion by Council Member Herr to approve Resolution No. R23-64, seconded by Council Member Wilke. 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. Resolution No. R23-65: A resolution levying and assessing the cost of sidewalk improvements for Special Improvement District No. 118 within the City of Laurel, Montana, for fiscal year 2023-2024. Motion by Council Member Wilke to approve Resolution No. R23-65, seconded by Council Member Sparks. 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. Resolution No. R23-66: A resolution levying and assessing the cost of sidewalk improvements for Special Improvement District No. 119 within the City of Laurel, Montana, for fiscal year 2023-2024. Motion by Council. Member Mackay to approve Resolution No. R23-66, seconded by Council Member Wilke. 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. Resolution No. R23-67: A resolution levying and assessing the annual cost of sidewalk improvements for residential properties pursuant to the City's Residential Sidewalk Replacement Program within the City of Laurel, Montana, for fiscal year 2023-2024. Motion by Council Member Klose to approve Resolution No. R23-67, seconded by Council Member Wilke. 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. * Resolution No. R23-68: A resolution Ievying and assessing a special tax against certain property in the City of Laurel for delinquent water charges. Motion by Council Member Wheeler to approve Resolution No. R23-68, seconded by Council Member Wilke. 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. Resolution No. R23-69: A resolution levying and assessing a special tax against certain property in the City of Laurel for delinquent sewer charges. Motion by Council Member Mize to approve Resolution No. R23-69, seconded by Council Member Wilke. 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. * Resolution No. R23-70: A resolution levying and assessing a special tax against certain property designated as garbage districts in the City of Laurel, Montana, for the removal of garbage and refuse. Motion by Council Member Eaton to approve Resolution No. R23-70, seconded by Council Member Wilke. 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. Resolution No. R23-71: A Resolution Of The City Council Authorizing The Mayor To Approve An Independent Contractor Service Contract With Donahue Roofing And Siding, LLC. Mayor Waggoner stated that the City is trying to get insurance to cover the roof replacement. 4 Council Minutes of September 5, 2023 Motion by Council Member Sparks to approve Resolution No. R23-71., seconded by Council Member Wilke. 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. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA: None. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS (ONE -MINUTE LIMIT): None. COUNCIL DISCUSSION: 9/11 Ceremony on September 11, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the Montana State Firemen's Memorial. Park Board will meet this Thursday, September 7, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. MAYOR UPDATES: Fall Festival is this weekend, Saturday September 9, 2023. There was another vandalism at one of the City's parks. Chief Langve is pursuing all leads. This vandalism is very similar to the previous. The cost of repairs is beginning to add up. There is a cash reward. Chief Langve is working with a high-tech camera company to be able to visualize our parks better. Work will begin next week on the splash park. It will be the largest in the State. The City is looking at the cost to add additional lighting and cameras to protect this asset. UNSCHEDULED MATTERS: None. Motion by Council Member Herr to adjourn the council meeting, seconded by Council Member Wilke. 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. There being no further business to come before the council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 9:22 p.m. Approved by the Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, this 26`x' day of September 2023. Dave Waggoner, Mayor Attest: 461'treck ,, �Ierlk/Treasurer �J