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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 07.18.2000MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF lAUREL July 18, 2000 A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, was held in the Council Chambers and called to order by Council President Gay Easton at 7:00 p.m. on July 18, 2000. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Lauren Van Roekel Gary Temple Ken Olson Mark Mace Gay Easton Bud Johnson Bill Staudinger COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None Council President Easton asked the council to observe a moment of silence in behalf of the family of Miranda Fenner. MINUTES: Motion by Alderman Temple to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of July 5, 2000, as presented, seconded by Alderman Staudinger. Motion carried 6-0. CORRESPONDENCE: a. Air Pollution Control Board: Minutes of June 13, 2000 and Activity Report for the month of June 2000. b. Invitation for Grand Opening at Laurel Chamber of Commerce Visitor Information Center on July 27, 2000. President Easton mentioned that the Grand Opening at the Laurel Chamber of Commerce Visitor Information Center has been changed to Friday, July 28th, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. CONSENT ITEMS: a. Clerk/Treasurer Financial Statements for the month of June 2000. b. Receiving the Committee Reports into the Record. --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of July 5, 2000 were presented. --City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of July 5, 2000 were presented. --City-County Planning Board minutes of July 6, 2000 were presented. --Public Works Committee minutes of July 10, 2000 were presented. c. Resolution No. R00-43: Being a resolution transferring certain insurance funds of the City of Laurel, Montana. RESOLUTION NO. R00-43 BEING A RESOLUTION TRANSFERRING CERTAIN INSURANCE FUNDS OF THE CITY OF LAUREL, MONTANA. 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 Olson. Motion carried 6-0. SCHEDULED MATTERS: C I~ Council Minutes of July 18, 2000 a. Confirmation of Appointments. Ward 3 Councilman Joe Leckie stated that the appointment to the Ward 3 council seat is a council decision that needed to be made within thirty days of the vacancy of June 15"'. The appointed individual would serve until the next general city election in 2001. Three letters were received from residents who were interested in the council seat that was vacated by Alderman Orr. The applicants, Daniel Dart, Terrance Keller and Jeffrey Shelton, attended the council meeting and were asked to address the council. Daniel Dart stated that he has always had an interest in serving as a public advocate while creating legislation and public policy. Governor Racicot appointed Mr. Dart to serve on the Private Lands, Public Wildlife Council last year. He stated that economic development is a huge concern for many business owners, and he has ideas that would help revitalize and encourage economic growth in Laurel. He has had experience in creating and adhering to a fiscal budget, and he acknowledged that fiscal concerns strain a city's limited operating budget. Several of Mr. Dart's family members have been involved in public service, and he feels that it is his civic duty to become involved in this community by serving on the city council. Mr. Dart thanked the council for their consideration of him as a councilman. Terrance Keller, a business owner, has lived in Laurel for seventeen years. Mr. Keller, a concerned citizen, is interested in the well -being of the community and desires to help bring about the positive changes that this community needs. Jeffrey Shelton has been a Laurel resident for eight years. Being an active businessman in the community and an active member of the Laurel Lions Club, he has daily contact with the residents of Laurel and would have opportunity to hear their concerns. Mr. Shelton stated that the only way to affect change anywhere is through your community, and he would like to contribute to the community through service on the Laurel City Council. Jeff stated that it is one thing to live in a community and it is another thing to be a member of the community. One of the ways to do that is to take an active part in the local government and to serve the members of our ward. Mr. Shelton thanked the council for their time. President Easton asked if there were any nominations for the vacant council seat. Motion by Alderman Johnson to nominate Daniel Dart for the council seat, seconded by Alderman Olson. Motion by Alderman Temple to nominate Jeffrey Shelton for the council seat, seconded by Alderman Staudinger. President Easton asked if there were any other nominations. President Easton closed the nominations. Alderman Temple stated that it is very nice to have three candidates for this position. President Easton asked for a vote by raise of hands. Aldermen Olson, Mace and Johnson voted for Daniel Dart. Aldermen Staudinger, Van Roekel and Temple voted for Jeffrey Shelton. Being a tie, President Easton voiced the deciding vote for Daniel Dart. Motion by Alderman Johnson to appoint Daniel Dart to serve the remainder of the Ward 3 council term, expiring January 2002, which was vacated by Norman Orr, seconded by Alderman Mace. Motion carried 6 -0. b. The board recommends to the City Council that they advertise the recommendation of the Planning Board regarding the Saddleback Ridge Estates Subdivision zone change and schedule and advertise a public hearing thereon before the City Council. Cal Cumin stated that the recommendation of the Planning Board to approve the zone change needed to be included in the advertising for the public hearing. 2 (.y�2 Council Minutes of July 18, 2000 Motion by Alderman Johnson to schedule and advertise a public hearing for the Saddleback Ridge Estates Subdivision zone change, seconded by Alderman Staudinger. Motion carried 6-0. Annexation request: Riggie Schweigert - Lots 7, 8, and 9 at 6th Street West and 8th Avenue (north of West Elementary School). Riggie Schweigert did not attend the council meeting. The council needs to grant permission for the applicant to apply to the Planning Board for annexation of less than a city block. Motion by Alderman Johnson to grant permission for Riggie Schweigert to make application to the Planning Board for annexation of less than a city block, seconded by Alderman Staudinger. Motion carried 6-0. d. Log Cabin Project update - Roy Williams. The Log Cabin Project update was rescheduled for the August 1, 2000, council meeting. UNSCHEDULED MATTERS: a. Projects. Larry McCann stated that the 5th Avenue Project was completed and the street was opened today. Second Street behind the FAP building is scheduled to open on Wednesday, July 19th. b. Resolution for Water User's Service Insurance Program. Motion by Alderman Mace to place consideration of a resolution for the Laurel Water User's Service Insurance Program on the agenda~ seconded by Alderman Staudinger. Motion carried 6-0. Motion by Alderman Mace to direct the Public Works Department to prepare a resolution to establish the Laurel Water User's Insurance Program, seconded by Alderman Temple. Alderman Mace stated that this program has been tried and tested in the City of Billings. The program would collect $1.00 per month, or $12.00 per year, from each Laurel water user and would alleviate some of the expense incurred for water valve repair done for residents in the public right- of-way. The costs to replace the service line from the public right-of-way to the property would remain the property owner's responsibility and would not be covered by the program. Approximately thirty curb box repairs are done by the city each year, but that figure does not include service lines that are repaired by private companies. A vote was taken on the motion. Motion carried 6-0. c. Swimming Pool. Alderman Olson expressed appreciation for the opportunity to inspect the pool during the pre- council meeting. He stated that the task force would have a tremendous job to develop a plan for the pool. Larry McCann stated that there is another crack and leak in the floor of the pool. There are lineal cracks running the length of the wall because of the moisture that is absorbed by the cement wall. The company that proposed the $38,000 cost to sandblast the pool recently contacted Larry. The company cannot guarantee that the $38,000 figure would complete the work required to repair the pool. Larry is looking forward to having the joint committee work on the pool project. He stated that Steve Klotz has done an excellent job of monitoring the pool this summer. Larry informed the council of the age factors involved with the present filter system and the piping system. The yearly expense to operate the pool is approximately $40,000, but the revenues fall far short of that figure. The availability of the pool does; however, promote safety through the community by providing the opportunity for children to swim with lifeguards in a controlled environment, lowering the incidences of swimming in ditches or ponds. Council Minutes of July 18, 2000 The council discussed the fact that the size of the pool project would take a considerable length of time, necessitating the repairs of the present pool until the project is completed. Alderman Johnson stated that the pool usually loses priority during the yearly budget process. d. Mark Mace - surgery. Alderman Olson mentioned that Alderman Mace would be having knee surgery on Wednesday, July 19th and wished him a quick recovery. e. Shop mechanic. Alderman Easton mentioned that the shop mechanic is in the hospital with back and neck problems. There being no further business to come before the council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 7:43 p.m. Cin~Secretary Approved by the Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, this 1~ day of August, 2000. Attest: M~ry K.~mb eton, Cler -Treasurer Charles G. Rodgers, Mayo{ y 4