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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works Committee Minutes 09.11.2000 MINUTES PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 11, 2000 7:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Gay Easton Gary Temple Bill Staudinger Mark Mace OTHERS PRESENT: Larry McCann Laura Dietz Jeanette Koch Laura Dietz: Driveway approach at 1101 Cherry Hill.~ This unscheduled matter was considered at the beginning of the meeting. Laura Dietz and her husband are building a house at 1101 Cherry Hills Drive and the closing date is set for the end of September. They have built a three-car garage, but city ordinance only allows for a two-car driveway approach. Since the curb is a rollover curb, they would prefer to have their driveway approach the same width as the three-car garage. Larry explained that the ordinance should not be changed, but they could apply for a variance and seek council approval for the three-car driveway approach. Motion by Gary_ Temple to grant a variance, subject to the approval of the City Council, as so stated in the ordinance, seconded by Bill Staudinger. Motion carried. Speed bump on Beartooth Drive The resident that requested the speed bump on Beartooth Drive was not present at the meeting. Larry explained that the speed bump would be located on Beartooth off 12th Street. The negative aspects of installing a speed bump need to be considered. These include increased noise and quick stops when approaching and increased speeds when leaving the speed bump. Water and sewer lines on 8th Avenue The 8th Avenue Project is still in the design stage. The Montana Department of Transportation has confirmed that they will replace the storm sewer lines but will not replace water and sewer lines unless they are in conflict with the street. They want the City of Laurel to hire an engineer to determine where the conflicts are located. Engineering, Inc., is the state's contract engineer for the 8th Avenue Project. Larry asked them to quote a price to determine the conflicts and des~n it for future flows. The quote for the engineering for the water and sewer lines from 9 Street to Main Street on 8th Avenue was $15,984. Since this amount was not budgeted, it would come out of the water reserves. Conflicts would be found in areas where the soil could not be compacted without deep excavation below the lines. Larry estimated a cost of $400,000 to replace the water and sewer lines on 8th Avenue. Since the soils on 8th Avenue are bad and deep excavation would be required to install a base in the street, Larry hopes that 60 to 70% conflict would result from the design issue. The 8th Avenue Project is set for 2003, but the $400,000 needed for the water and sewer lines would set it back to about 2010. Gay stated that we need to proceed with the study, and Mark stated that the road would not last another ten years. Larry mentioned that the Department of Transportation informed him that urban money could not be used for water and sewer lines. Gay suggested getting a legal opinion regarding this. Motion by Gary_ Temple to have the engineering study completed with $15,984 from the reserves, seconded by Bill Staudinger. Motion carried. Gay stated that this recommendation would be presented to the city council. Thomae - Abandon alley on 7m Street Paul Thomae, who was not present at the meeting, requested alley vacation at 8th Avenue and 7th Street. Montana Power Company and Montana-Dakota Utilities require no easements at this location, and Larry did not anticipate any reason for the city to need this alley. If the easement were granted, it would become the driveway area of the two fourplexes that Mr. Thomae plans to build. Gary stated that the issue regarding Mr. Thomae's responsibility for the condition of the street by his local business is connected to this request. Gay disagreed and stated that these are two separate issues. Further discussion followed. Motion by Gary Temple to approve the request for alley vacation at 8th Avenue and 7th Street, at a cost of $2,300 for the alley footage, seconded by Bill Staudinger. Motion carried, with Gary Temple voting no. Sewer rates Larry McCann distributed information regarding the history of sewer rate increases within the city. The 2000-2001 Final Budget included a projected 15% increase in rates in order to balance the budget. However, this 15% increase does not allow for scheduled maintenance and/or system repairs. Reserves, system development and interest monies have been used to balance past budgets. This has depleted monies that should be available for maintenance and repair, as well as the reserves necessary to replace major items and complete upgrades of the plant. Replacement and depreciation reserves are $95,110.86. Reserves monies are set aside to replace major items and to offset costs of upgrades to the system. System development funds are collected from individuals that tap into the system. This fund should he used for upgrades in 2 pipe sizes when developers need to extend the collection lines. System development monies are $86,350.60. Interest is earned from the reserve and system development funds, and this money should be going back into the fund that earned it. The plant, which is now seventeen years old, will require an upgrade in the very near future in order to comply with regulations and to handle higher flows caused by growth of the cry. The proposed budget included $231,800 for normal maintenance of the plant and distribution system, but this amount was cut in order to balance the budget. The budget did not include the estimated $150,000 necessary to replace the lines on South 1 st Avenue. Larry stated that, in order for the sewer revenue to become solvent and to maintain the system, a 58% rate increase is needed. The 58% increase would not recover losses in reserve accounts and would not include inflation costs. The committee discussed the situation at length. Public notification and a public hearing would be necessary. Motion by Gary Temple to recommend a 58% sewer rate increase to the council effective in the year 2000, with a 10% increase in subsequent years of 2001-2007, seconded by Mark Mace. The committee had further discussion on the matter. Motion carried, with Bill Staudinger voting no. Water line replacement - Hazel Avenue Larry stated that the crew started the water line replacement project on Hazel Avenue today, and the project should he completed by Wednesday or Thursday. The line has been repaired six times in the last two months. Because of this project, only one person will be reading meters this week. Unscheduled matters FEMA Flood Program Steve Klotz will be asking citizens to serve on a flood mitigation planning effort. CRies must now have a flood mitigation plan in place before getting loans and grants from FEMA. Motor home in Firemen's Park Gary stated that a motor home was parked in Firemen's Park during the Sunflower Jamboree. Larry will take steps to prevent this from reoccurring. Permanent inspectors during street proiects Janet Johnson recently questioned why a permanent inspector was not present during the street projects that were completed behind the FAP Building and at 5th Avenue. Larry stated that the 3 compaction requirements were met and necessary inspections were done, but the city does not have the money to hire a permanent inspector for these projects. Casa Linda proiect Mark questioned the status of the cttrb and gutter replacement project for the Casa Linda residents. Larry stated that the city does not have the money for this project. The committee discussed the 10% administrative cost and 7% interest that could be applied to this project. Motion by Mark Mace to have a meeting with the Casa Linda residents to discuss the 7% interest charge, the 10% administrative cost, and the completion of the project as planned, seconded by Gary Temple. Motion carded. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Cindy Allen Council Secretary