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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 11.21.1995Minutes of the City Council of Laurel November 21, 1995 A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, was held in the Council Chambers and called t~'order by Mayor Chuck Rodgers at 7:00 p.m., on November 21, 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 of November 7, 1995 as presented, 8--0. to approve the minutes of the regular seconded by Alderman Kellogg. Motion meeting carried Motion by Alderman Dickerson to approve the minutes of the special of November 14, 1995, as presented, seconded by Alderman Minch. Motion 8--0. meeting carried CORRESPONDENCE: Received a letter from the City of Billings informing us that the position on the Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board expires December 31, 1995. Rom Bushnell held the position but he no long lives in Laurel. If anyone is interested in serving on the board, applications can be picked up in the clerk's office. Received the agenda and activity report from the Air Pollution Control Board for October 1995. CITY CLERK'S AND CITY TREASURER'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: The City Clerk's and City Treasurer's financial statements for the month of October were presented. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick that the City Clerk's and City financial statements for the month of October, 1995, be approved, Alderman Ehrlick. Motion carried 8--0. seconded by LOCAL GOVERNMENT REVIEW COMMISSION: Alderman Marshall stated there will be a vacancy on the Local Government Review Commission. Bud Johnson was elected to the city council effective January 1, 1996 and will be resigning. Ken Olson is interested in filling the position. Ken is the only one that has shown an interest and there were no recommendations presented from the council. Motion by Alderman Marshall to nominate Ken Olson to the Local Review Commission, effective December 31, 1995 upon receiving Bud resignation, seconded by Alderman Kellogg. Motion carried 8--0. Alderman Dickerson mentioned there is a school at the end of November for members of the Local Government Review Commission. The committee may consider sending anyone that is interested. Steve Cosner stated the Government Review Commission has received e letter regarding the school. It will be held Thursday, November 30th and Friday, December 1st. Joe Bradley, Ken Olson, and Bud Johnson have expressed an interest in attending. SURVEY RESULTS - LOCAL GOVERNMENT REVIEW COMMISSION: Steve Cosner and Bud Johnson handed out survey results from the questionnaires that were mailed. It is not intended to be a scientific survey for a couple of reasons. The questionnaires were mailed with water bills, therefore, responses could have been received from non-city residents. There is also the possibility that one person could have filled out more then one questionnaire. The purpose of the survey was primarily to educate the public about the existence of the Government Review Commission and its review process. Secondly, the commission wanted to determine whether there was any significant public dissatisfaction existing with Laurel's current form of government. From the responses received, it appears that there is no significant dissatisfaction. Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Page 2 Council Meeting of November 21, 1995 The com~isslon sent out approximately 2,450 survey questionnaires and received 577 responses. A few responses were filled out on questionnaires that were published in the Outlook. There was approximately a 24% turnout. Not every respondent answered every question. The survey results showed a percentage for each question, calculated as a factor of the total responses to each question. Fifty-four percent of respondents were aware that there is an elected commission currently studying Laurel's form of government. Also, fifty-four percent were not aware that the results of this study will be placed on the ballot for approval or rejection, and it may change Laurel's form of government. A higher percentage showed that they are not aware a city charter would allow the city more options in providing local services. The majority of responses for rating the city departments were average or above. The fire department had the highest rating with the police department, ambulance~ and library having favorable responses. The rating on the streets was the lowest, showing dissatisfaction. Responses showed seventy-two percent were satisfied with representation given by the aldermen from the wards. They also preferred the current ward system as opposed to at-large elections. Ninety-five percent thought city elections should remain non-partisan. Fifty-five percent think the city government is doing a good job planning for the future. Consolidating services with other surrounding areas for cost efficiency showed the highest percentage in favor for building inspections and street maintenance. Following was emergency dispatch, then police, and last fire. Fifty percent feel their city taxes are about right forty-two percent responding that they are two high good value. for services received with and eight percent showing The survey results showed that sixty-nine percent think the position of city treasurer should be elected and thirty-one percent think it should be appointed. Mayor Rodgers commended the commission for doing an outstanding job. Alderman Marshall commended the clerk's office for the work they did in getting the survey mailed with the water bills. AUTHORIZING A BUDGET TRANSFER OR REVISION: RESOLUTION NO. R95-49 BEING A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A BUDGET TRANSFER OR REVISION Motion by Alderman Dickerson that Resolution No. R95-49 be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Minch. Motion carried 8--0. UTILITIES PLANT SUPERINTENDENT - DAVE MICHAEL: Jim Flisrand stated the intent is to divide the work duties to provide a more efficient process. The duties would be divided between the position of utilities plant superintendent and maintenance superintendent. Dave's duties as utilities plant superintendent would be related to the water and sewer plants. There will be a need for engineering and construction review at the water and sewer plants with the volume of work being done in the future. Motion by Alderman Marshall to appoint Dave Michael as the Utilities Plant Superintendent~ seconded by Alderman Graham. Mayor Rodgers commented that the job descriptions were reviewed and job descriptions were created for the utilities plant superintendent and maintenance superintendent. He feels that with the two positions, we can have a more efficient operation. Dave's expertise in the area of the water and sewer plants is going to be of great value to the city. A vote was taken on the motion. Motion carried 7--1, with Alderman Kellogg voting "No." The position for maintenance superintendent was posted in-house. The bids were to be in today, November 21st at §:00 p.m. Mayor Rodgers asked for volunteers to serve on a committee that would interview the applicants for maintenance sunerintendant. Thi~ cammitt,~ wa,,ld th~n ~ Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Page 3 Council Meeting of November 21, 1995 COMMITTEES: --Board of Adjustments minutes of November 14, 1995 were presented. Motion by Alderman Marshall to enter the Board of Adjustments minutes of November 14, 1995, into the record, seconded by Alderman Graham. Motion carried 8--0. --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of November 7, 1995 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to enter the Budget/Finance Committee minutes of November 7, 1995, into the record, seconded by Alderman Graham. Dave Michael looked over the bids from GE and consulted with Bob Gauthier. Bob recommended GE very highly. Dave noted that there will be a one year warranty from the date of installation. They have started and will proceed with the ordering. There is a representative from Billings that can come out and do the service work. The boards in the current been on line for 10 years. either Denver or Spokane. system are obsolete and hard If we needed a representative~ to get. The system has they had to come from A vote was taken on the motion. Motion carried 8--0. --Cemetery Committee minutes of November 15, 1995 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderman Ehrlick to November 15, 1995, into the record, carried 8--0. enter the Cemetery Committee minutes of seconded by Alderman Dickerson. Motion --City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of November 7, 1995 were presented. Motion by Alderman Dickerson to enter the City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of November 7~ 1995, into the record, seconded by Alderman Minch. Motion carried 8--0. --Local Government Review Commission minutes of November 9, 1995 were presented. These minutes are for informational purposes only. Motion by Alderman Marshall to enter the Local Government Review Commission minutes of November 9, 1995, into the record, seconded by Alderman Graham. Motion carried 8--0. --Police Committee minutes of November 9, 1995 were presented and reviewed. Mike Atkinson stated the fire marshal has looked at the holding room at the police station. He came up with three different ideas and Mike will get estimates and then meet with the committee. Motion by Alderman Marshall to enter the Police Committee minutes of November 9, 1995, into the record, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. Motion carried 8--0. --Public Utilities Committee minutes of November 13, 1995 were presented and reviewed. Dave Michael will check further regarding a letter he received from the State Water Quality Bureau assessing a $2.00 fee for each water service. Jim Flisrand has contacted the power company regarding the utility pole that sits on the east side of Third Avenue between Main Street and First Street. The pole is adjacent to Fibervision and presents a safety hazard. The power company replied they will check it out and get back with Jim. If he has not heard from them by next week, he will call them again. Jim stated the manhole cover between Woodland and Yellowstone Avenues on West Railroad Street has been repaired. Motion by Alderman Marshall to enter the Public Utilities Committee minutes of November 13, 1995, into the record, seconded by Alderman Ehrlick. Motion carried 8--0. --Street and A e Committee minutes of November 11, 1995 were oresented and Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Page 4 Council Meeting of November 21, 1995 Alderman Ehrlick mentioned that the CTEP monies are for the handicapped. Motion by Alderman Ehrlick to enter the Street and Alley Committee of November 11, 1995, into the record, seconded by Alderman Marshall. carried 8--0. minutes Motion COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Alderman Dickerson requested that council members and the Personnel Committee review the recommendations for combining certain committees that were passed out at the City Council of the Whole meeting. Alderman Minch requested permission to leave the state for four days, beginning Wednesday, November 22nd. Motion by Alderman Ehrlick to grant Alderman Minch permission to leave the state for four days, beginning Wednesday, November 22nd, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. Motion carried 8--0. Mayor Rodgers stated the refinery is laying pipeline and has contacted the city requesting permission to go across a piece of city property with the pipeline. This property is part of Russell Park that was divided by the interstate years ago. It is a parcel that isn't used anymore. The property lies next to the refinery and is the last piece that is holding them up. There was an oversight and Cenex thought the property belonged to them. Cenex would like the council's permission for an easement across the property for the pipeline. In discussion, it was mentioned that the city may choose to sell the property to Cenex. The property is dedicated as park land, therefore Cal Cumin stated the decision to sell the property would need to be voted on by the people of Laurel. Alderman Kellogg mentioned if the City allows Cenex an easement to the property, they would then have no need to purchase the property. He suggested reaching an agreement with Cenex for an easement and agree on a purchase price with the foresight that in the next general election the people can vote on it. Alderman Marshall stated that generally the policy is under the law of eminent domain, that they come across with a standard easement fee. Joe Leckie stated that as part of eminent domain power, they would have to pay fare compensation. Me is not sure if there is a standardized fee for easement rights for a pipeline or not. It may depend on what it did to the property. In regards to Alderman Kellogg's suggestion, Joe said the city could enter into a buy-sell agreement with Cenex with one of the contingences being that it would go to a vote and be approved by the public. The piece of property is a small triangle that is land locked, with no access to it. Cenex and the interstate border it and it is very minimal in size. It is city park and has to be handled that way. Jim Flisrand stated he needed a general consensus of contractors to continue with their project with an selling it, which would take time. the council to allow the easement or to consider Alderman Kellogg sees no problem in an easement, with the contingency of a buy-sell. If the buy-sell falls through, they still have the easement. Motion by Alderman Graham for the City of Laurel to allow Cenex an easement, with the contingency of a buy-sell to purchase that portion of Russell Park, seconded by Alderman Marshall. Motion carried 8--0. City Engineer's Update Jim Flisrand stated they have finished cleaning the inlets and culverts preparing for the winter months. The underpass was swept and they will do it again. The footings and walls have been poured for the solid waste site. Hopefully the city will have use of it this winter if the weather holds. The State Building Department wants to held a public hearing on the request for expansion of the building code jurisdiction. The date has been changed to Wednesday, January 10, 1996 at 7:00 p.m. Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Page 5 Council Meeting of November 21, 1995 APPOINTMENTS: Mayor Rodgers appointed Stacy Massine, John Meeks, and Joel Watson to the Laurel Police Auxiliary. Motion by Alderman Ehrlick to confirm the appointment of Stacy Massine, John Meeks, and Joel Watson to the Laurel Police Auxiliary, seconded by Alderman Marshall. Motion carried 8--0. Mayor Rodgers appointed Matt Hoppel as patrolman effective August 26, 1995. Motion by Alderman Marshall patrolman effective August 26, carried 8--0. to confirm the appointment of Matt Hoppel as 1995, seconded by Alderman Graham. Motion Mayor Rodgers appointed Mitch Connors as patrolman effective November 13, 1995. Motion by Alderman Ehrlick to confirm the appointment of Mitch Connors as patrolman effective November 13, 1995, seconded by Alderman Minch. Motion carried 8--0. MAYOR'S COMMENTS: Mayor Rodgers will present Jack Martin with a retirement plaque for 20 years with the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department. Me served as treasurer for many years and did an outstanding job. There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m. Catherine Oabrian, Deputy City Clerk the Approved by the Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, this 5th day of December, 1995. Charles Rodgers, Mayor Donald L. Hackmann, City Clerk