HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 12.19.1995Minutes of the City Council of Laurel
December 19, 1995
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, was
held in the Council Chambers and called to order by Mayor Chuck Rodgers at 7:00
p.m., on December 19, 1995.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Gay Easton
Bob Graham
John Minch
Lonnie Kellogg
Ron Marshall
Donna Kilpatrick
Albert Ehrlick
Chuck Dickerson
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None
INVOCATION: Invocation was given by Police Captain Musson.
MINUTES:
Motion by Alderman Marshall to approve the minutes of the regular
of December 5, 1995 as presented, seconded by Alderman Minch. Motion
8--0.
meeting
carried
CORRESPONDENCE:
Received a memo from Fred Alley regarding a Yellowstone Historic Preservation
Board vacancy representing the City of Laurel.
Received a letter from the Montana Department of Transportation regarding
revised Montana Department of Transportation standards for public sidewalk and
curb ramps for handicapped accessibility.
Received a letter from the Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality
Division, regarding compliance monitoring inspection MPDES permit MT-0020311 at
the wastewater treatment plant.
Received the agenda for the December 15th meeting of the Tradeport Authority.
Received the activity report for November from the Yellowstone County Air
Pollution Control Board.
Received a memo from the Montana League of Cities and Towns regarding a
quarterly Environmental Quality meeting on December 15th, in Helena.
Received a newsletter from the Montana Municipal Insurance Authority.
CITY CLERK'S AND CITY TREASURER'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
The City Clerk's and City Treasurer's financial statements for the month of
November were presented.
Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick that the City Clerk's and City
financial statements for the month of November, 1995, be approved,
Alderman Ehrlick. Motion carried 8--0.
seconded by
APPROVING A BUY-SELL/EASEMENT WITH CENEX FOR A PORTION OF RUSSELL PARK:
RESOLUTION NO. 995-55
A RESOLUTION APPROVING ANAGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE CITY OF LAUREL AND CENEX, FOR EASEMENT
AND PURCHASE OF PROPERTY
Jim Flisrand presented the status on a buy-sell/easement agreement with Cenex
for a portion of Russell Park. He referred to the proposed agreement for the
transfer of property that is attached to the resolution which indicates that the
City of Laurel is granting an easement to Cenex for their pipeline. The property
can be sold after requirements are met to sell park property. There may have to
be a vote of the public for the sale of the property.
The agreement shows a proposed payment of $3,000.00 by Cenex to be used in the
city's parks regardless of whether the property is transferred or an easement
granted. The city has not requested any official evaluation of the property. The
size of the property has determined that $3,000.00 is the approximate cost, but
Cenex has not agreed to this amount yet. The resolution authorizes the mayor to
execute the agreement on behalf of the city. Jim and Joe Leckie will work out
the details with Cenex.
Alderman Dickerson questioned the completion of the blanks
referring to the period of years the easement shall remain
date that Cenex agrees to make payment to the City.
on the agreement
in effect and the
Minutes of the City Council of Laurel
Page 2
Council Meeting of December 19, 1995
Jim noted that the city will meet with Cenex to finalize the agreement. He
stated the dates don't have to be completed before the resolution is approved by
the council.
Joe Leckie stated that the easement is for only a specific number of years in
case the city is prohibited from transferring the property. This would allow
Cenex the right to use the property.
Motion by Alderman Marshal] that Resolution No. R95-55 be passed and
adopted, seconded by Alderman Graham. Motion carried 8--0.
COMMITTEES:
--Budget/Finance Committee minutes of December 5, 1995 were presented and
reviewed.
Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to enter the Budget/Finance
minutes of December 5, 1995, into the record, seconded by Alderman
Motion carried 8--0.
Committee
Marshall.
--City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of December 5, 1995 were
presented.
Motion by Alderman Dickerson to enter the City Council committee of the
Whole minutes of December 5, 1995, into the record, seconded by Alderman Minch.
Motion carried 8--0.
--City-County Planning Board minutes of December 14, 1995 were presented.
HOME OCCUPATION - MICHAEL TIMMONS
Michael Timmons of 2617 Atchison, Laurel, has applied for a home occupation for
wireless security systems and home automation systems. He will sell computer
programs to control the uses of appliances and sprinkler systems along with
wireless security systems. The equipment consists of working models and he will
give demonstrations in homes. There will be no inventory at his home or
additional traffic coming to his residence. He would like to build the business
in order to open a shop in the downtown area in the future.
Motion by Alderman Marshall to grant Michael Timmons a home occupation,
seconded by Alderman Graham. Motion carried 8--0.
HOME OCCUPATION - TAMI GALLEGOS
Tami Gallegos of 1109 Locomotive Circle, Laurel, has applied for a home
occupation for a welcome wagon type of bridal service. The work will be done
outside of her home. She will present those interested in the program with gift
certificates and money saving ideas in planning for weddings and receptions.
There will be no additional traffic at her residence. She will use her home
strictly for her bookkeeping.
Motion by Alderman Dickerson to grant Tami Gallegos a home occupation,
seconded by Alderman Minch. Motion carried 8--0.
Motion by Alderman
minutes of December 14,
Motion carried 8--0.
Dickerson to enter the City-County Planning Board
1995, into the record, seconded by Alderman Graham.
--Public Utility Committee minutes of December 11, 1995 were presented and
reviewed.
Motion by Alderman Dickerson to enter the Public Utility Committee
of December 11, 1995, into the record, seconded by Alderman Marshall.
carried 8--0.
minutes
Motion
COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE:
Street and Alley Committee
Alderman Dickerson recommended that at the next Street and Alley Committee
meeting in January, there be discussion regarding the property that Red Murray
has indicated he wants to transfer to the city and make a recommendation
regarding the footbridge.
Alderman Graham - Reservoir
Alderman Graham thanked everyone who has helped him in the last eight years as
an alderman, including the mayor, members of the city council, and office staff.
He wished the new council members the best of luck.
Minutes of the City Council of Laurel
Page 3
Council Meeting of December 19, 1995
Alderman Graham commented that his family has made an offer to the city for
property for a reservoir. They have been letting this drift until his term of
alderman is up so there would be no conflict of interest. He has suggested that
everyone involved such as Jim, the fire chief, Andy Loebe, Dave Michael, and all
the aldermen go and look at the site. Jim can establish the time and date for
this. Mayor Rodgers thanked Bob.
Park Committee
Alderwoman Kilpatrick announced that the next Park Committee meeting will be
Thursday, January 11, 1996.
on
Outgoing Aldermen
Dave Michael thanked all the outgoing aldermen for their years of service to the
City of Laurel. Alderman Ehrlick served as Alderman for Ward 1 then served as
Mayor and returned as Alderman for Ward 1. Alderman Kellogg served Ward 1 and is
leaving after serving Ward 4. Alderman Graham has served two terms in Ward 2.
Treasure's office
Mayor Rogers asked Vickie Metzger, City Treasurer, if she would like
concerns she may have regarding moving the treasurer's office.
to discuss
Vickie stated her concerns were expressed in a letter to him and a follow up
letter by Don Hackmann and who would know better about the people working with
financial records, traffic areas, noise level and distractions in City Hall,
than Don and myself.
In referring to the letter from Mayor Rodgers, she expressed that financial
officers and administration usually do not help out in answering phones. There
were other items mentioned that she would have to think about before responding.
Vickie feels that the people who work in the office know best, as far as
security goes. Her current office was specifically made on agreement between the
mayor, herself and Dave Michael. Donna Kilpatrick was also involved with the
discussion. Vickie says she feels more secure in her office then she would be in
the open area after the move and says the noise level would be impossible to
work with.
The mayor told Vickie that he disagreed with her on several points.
She told the mayor that he does not work in the office and doesn't know. Vickie
also told the mayor that he has only been in her office 4 or 5 times during the
past 2 1/2 years and he doesn't know what she does and has not watched the
traffic in her office. She said he can see Cheryll answer the phones, use the
base radio, do payroll, or wait on customers, but he has never been over to her
office to watch what goes on there.
Mayor Rodgers stated that he has been in several times and has not found her in
the office and a back door being open in the area.
He told her, as far as noise level, the treasurer's desk had been in the same
area with the other office staff in past years.
Discussion between the mayor and treasurer regarding annual salary increases.
The mayor said that it was his understanding that it was for a token of
appreciation for helping out in city offices and Vickie said it was her
understanding that it was a cost of living increase. Mayor Rodgers said that he
can't see an elected official getting a cost of living increase when no other
elected official does. When people run for an elected office, they know what they
are to be paid and it should stay that way.
He would like to see these moves made to benefit everyone by the first of the
year with minimal expense. There was further discussion regarding temporary
walls and security in the east wing and also the security of financial records.
APPOINTMENTS: None
MAYOR'S COMMENTS:
Mayor Rodgers presented certificates for service of recognition to the outgoing
aldermen. They have been outstanding council members with their service to the
community. Alderman Graham has given 8 years of service, Alderman Kellogg 10
years of service, and Alderman Ehrlick 12 1/2 years of service to the City of
Laurel.
There being no further business to come
meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
before the Council
at this time, the
Minutes of the City Council of Laurel
Page 4
Council Meeting of December 19, 1995
Approved by the Mayor and passed by the City council of the City of
Montana, this 2nd day of January, 1996.
Attest:
Donald L. Hackmann, City Clerk
Charles Rodgers,(May/r
Laurel,