HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommittee of the Whole Minutes 09.05.2000 MINUTES
CITY COUNC1L COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
SEPTEMBER 5, 2000 6:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairman Chuck Rodgers
Lauren Van Roekel
Ken Olson
Gay Easton
Bill Staudinger
Gary Temple
Mark Mace
Daniel Dart
Bud Johnson
OTHERS PRESENT:
V. Joe Leckie (6:40 p.m.)
Larry McCann
Mary Embleton
Cai Cumin
Mike Zuhoski
Jim Stevens
Jan Faught
Fire Chief Jim Stevens informed the council regarding the department's involvement with the fires in
Montana. On August 19th, a structure engine and a four-man crew were sent to assist in the efforts of
saving structures. On September 1*t, a relief crew was sent and the first crew returned home. On
Monday, the 4th, the Valley Complex fire was demobilized and one hundred pieces of apparatus were sent
back. Our engine crew went into the DNRC in Missoula today to get reassigned. However, they were not
reassigned and were demobilized and sent back home. At this time, all of our crews and equipment have
returned. Assistant Chief Harris turned in the paperwork to the DNRC in Billings for southern lands, and
we are still on a dispatch list for structure protection for this year.
Chief Stevens stated that the crew worked twelve to fourteen hour days for fourteen consecutive days to
protect structures. The crew was well received, and they deserve a pat on the back.
Ken Olson expressed pride in the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department for their participation in the fire
suppression in Montana.
Bud Johnson thanked the families and their employers for allowing the volunteers to participate in the fire
suppression efforts.
Jim plans to write thank you letters to the firemen, their families, and their employers. He will also write
thank you letters to the retired firemen who were available to provide needed fire protection coverage in
our area.
Lauren Van Roekel asked regarding support for the Red Lodge fire. lim stated that the department was
called at midnight on Monday, August 28th. At that time, the south winds were strong and Carbon County
was concerned about losing the City of Red Lodge. The Carbon County Commissioners requested mutual
aid with the Yellowstone County Commissioners. It was requested that we send a structure engine, but
one was not available. We offered them a ladder truck and a brush truck, but they requested two brush
trucks. Brush 1, Brush 4 and a five-man crew were sent and arrived at 6:00 p.m. that evening to assist
with fire suppression in that area.
Jan Faught informed the council that Care 2 was called out on September 2na to assist in transporting
patients back to the hospital in Red Lodge. Care 2 assisted in the efforts from 9:00 am. to 6:00 p.m. on
Saturday.
Larry McCann stated that Bill Feller would return to work on Wednesday, September 6th, after three
months of sick leave.
Larry is still working with the Corps of Engineers and is waiting for a report from the Department of
Environmental Quality. That report will probably lay the tone for whatever responses we receive to the
bend way weir project. Most regulating agencies are against the bend way weirs and want other
alternatives to be considered. A public hearing may be required.
Fifteen per cent of the money received from the recent declaration of disaster in the State of Montana will
go for projects that are not necessarily fire related. This is the same money that we applied for two years
ago from FEMA. Larry has already started the process to make application for the money.
Bud Johnson related questions regarding whether our present water intake situation is the result of another
weir installation and questioned whether or not an impact statement is necessary. Our application was put
in before the Corps of Engineers was sued for the weir installation. A weir above us has had an impact on
our situation, and people below us claim that they have been impacted by our actions in the river. Some
of the regulators are hinting that the Corp will say that impact surveys have to be done, and those surveys
are expensive. The Corp's original recommendations included spur dikes, bend way weirs, and a second
intake. The bend way weirs were chosen because of the lower cost involved. Conrad Burns placed the
City of Laurel's water intake on Congress' budget, but the money would come out of the Corps' pocket.
Mike Zuhoski stated that the chief is attending a Crime Stoppers Convention. Officer Damjanovich took
a job with the City of Billings last week. City bids for the position are being accepted through
Wednesday.
Ken Olson thanked Jan and the ambulance attendants for their efforts in assisting the needs in Red Lodge.
Gay Easton expressed concern regarding the water intake situation.
Bill Staudinger expressed concern regarding tall weeds in the city.
Gary Temple informed the council of a recent complaint regarding a policeman and a citizen's civil
rights. Gary expressed his concern regarding the incident. Dan Dart stated that the citizen also contacted
him regarding the situation.
Mary Embleton stated that early registration for the Montana League of Cities and Towns Conference is
due this week. She reserved some rooms and would like to send the registrations offby Friday.
Mayor Rodgers thanked the emergency services for their dedication and willingness to assist with the
needs of the communities throughout the state.
Mayor Rodgers stated that the Oversight Committee would investigate the comments and concerns
expressed by Gary and Dan.
The meeting adjourned at 6:53 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy ~ t~g~'
City Council Secretary