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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 10.03.1995Minutes of the City Council of Laurel October 37 1995 A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, was held in the Council Chamber's and called to order by Mayor Chuck Rodgers at 7:0[, p.m. on October 3, i995. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Gay Easton Bob Graham Lonnie Kellogg John Minch Ron Marshall Donna Kilnatrick Albert Ehrlick Chuck Dickerson COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None INVOCATION: Invocation was given by Alderman Kellogg. MINUTES: Motion by Alderman Marshall to approve the minutes of the regular of September 19, 1995 as presented, seconded by Alderwoman Kil~atrick. carried 8--0. meeting Motion CORRESPONDENCE: Received a letter from Bob Redding requestin~ that he be cousidered as a candidate to fill the vacancy on the Airport Authority Board. Received a letter from Mike Strong, Bill Kimpton, James R. Davis, Leroy Keilman, John O. Baber, Jack Bayne and Frank Wagner in support of Bob Redding as an appointment to the Airport Authority Board. Also received a letter from MGM Land Co. Received a petition signed by fifty-three people in support of Bob Redding as an appointment to the Airport Authority Board. Received a letter from Robert Spannagel requesting that he be considered for the Airport Authority Board. CLAIMS: Claims for the month of September were reviewed by the Budget/Finance Committee and recommended that they be paid. Motion by Alderwoman $257,986.53 for the month carried 8--0. Kilpatrick to of September, approve all claims in the amount of seconded by Alderman Ehrlick. Motion LAUREL UNDERPASS STORM DRAINAGE: Jim Flisrand gave an update on the underpass storm drainage. The State Highway Department and Cenex~ Inc. are working together to repair the underpass drain. They hired Morrison and Maierle as a consultant. Morriso, and Maierle prepared a booklet titled Laurel Underpass Storm Drainage Study and Report. The study and report covers and includes the following major tasks: evaluation of the existing system, environmental review, review of alternatives~ analyzing additional alternatives, and develop a recommended alternative. The final recommendation would be for an underpass lift station/force main with discharge into the city's 60" storm drain line on East Railroad Street. The city's concern is that the 60" storm drain line may not ]have sufficient capacity to carry the additional storm water. A storm water run-off analysis showed results from a drainage area that was broken down into three zones; residential district, commercial district, and the underpass drainage basin. Calculations for each zone was based on a design of 5 years. The projected maximum 5 year flow for just the residential and commercial districts is 110 cfs. The projected ma×Jmum flow with the underpass included is 113.6 cfs (cubic feet per' second). The 60" storm drain line has a maximum flow, found at 94% full, to be ]33 cfs. The depth of flow in the 60" pipe for the current calculated 110 cfs flow is approximately 44 inches. When the flow contributing to the storm drain system for the underpass area is included, the depth of the flow will increase by 1 1/8 inches. Morrison & Maierle, Inc. stated in the report that based on these calculations, they project that the additionaI storm water volume created by introducing the flow from the underpass area into the 60" diameter storm drain pipe will not have a significant impact on overall performance of the city's existing storm drain system. Jim explained the 60" storm drain pipe comes across Colorado, then across the tracks down East Railroad Street to Bernhardt Road and south to an open ditch Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Page 2 Council Meeting of October 3, 1995 Jim's intention tonight is to make the council aware of the storm drainage study. The consultants would like to have the city's views on the project and begin construction as soon as they can. The city will need to give them permission to tie into the 60" storm drain. Jim is satisfied with the work the consultants have done and it doesn't appear that it will significantly affect the downtown storm drain system, as referenced in their study. Alderman Dickerson asked about the situation that was previously addressed by using South 4th Street. Jim explained the option was not feasible because of the additional cost. It would have been approximately a half million dollars to prepare the underpass drain and to construct the storm sewer down South 4th Street. Drainage problems on South 1st Avenue will not be relieved until a storm sewer system is put in. The options for the South 4th storm sewer are either developing a storm sewer district for all the property owners associated with the area~ or the city trying to come up with the funds. It was felt it could not be considered at this time with the underpass project. Alderman Graham questioned an environmental issue regarding the water that comes into the underpass as being heavily polluted. He pointed out the o51 scum left on cars and the oil residue as the cars go throagh it for several blocks down the road. He questions the city's liability because the water will be dumped into the city's storm sewer and then the river. If an environmentalist questions the polluting of the Yellowstone River~ it will not be Cenex or the Highway Department at fault because it is the city's storm sewer dumping into the Yellowstone River. The city is allowing this and there are federal laws that state pollutants cannot be dumped into the river. Jim Flisrand commented that a lot of the drainage irt the underpass is coming from the city streets. The residue is a combination of things, not necessarily just oil. Vehicles don't spend any additional time in the underpass~ but is simply a situation where they ]pass through. The underpass is a low point~ so there is a collection of different things. If this is tested, it may be found not to be any worse than drainage from city streets. Alderman Graham suggested that the city get an independent agency~ not the state or Cenex~ to test the water a couple of times before the city allo~s it to be dumped into lts sewer system and cause liability to the City of Laurel. Alderman Marshall commented that it is his understanding that in the future the EPA will be having each municipality set up a treatment plant for storm sewer run off. He suggests the city know just what they are doing before we allow our system to be tapped into. Alderman Kellogg asked i.f the problem with the sand build-up will be addressed and how? It is currently fait that this is the reason the underpass is in the condition that it is because sand and gravel get washed down the drain. He is askine' if after this money is spent, will the line plug up again after a period of years? Jim explained the new construction will make it possible to jet rod and clean it. The line is broke at this time. The last time the line was cleaned~ the hose was lost in the line with other blockage already in it. They will be required to design into the new construction~ manholes or accesses at both ends so they can clean it periodically. If sand runs out of the gravity line with the high flow~ t]hen it would collect in tile bottom of the lift statien and also be cleaned periodically. Alderman Marshall asked if there was any idea of the volume of ground water bein~ pumped out? Jim replied Morrison & Maierle came up with an estimate and worked that into the f'i~ure for the study. They had difficulty, measuring the flow in the manholes. The manholes had six to eight feet of standing water in them due to the fanlty Alderwoman Kilpatrick asked Jim where the lift stations will be located? Jim explained there are a couple of locations. One Js east of the underpass and north of East Railroad Street. The other option is to have a lift station built underneath the sidewalk on 'the east side of the underpass. This would be a smaller collection point with pumps to pump it up to a manhole end then it would flow by gravity to the 60" storm drainage. This ~s preliminary enVineering at this time. Jim wi]l discuss these questions with the state and with Morrison & Maierle and present more information at the next council meeting. Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Page 3 Council Meeting of October 3, 1995 INTERIM FINANCING FOR LAUREL WATER PROJECT: Jim Flisrand commented that the interim financing will allow the city to begiu payiug the engineers for their costs. In February 1995, a resolution was passed for delegation of authority to make declarations of offic:ial intent and allocations with respect to reimbursements of temporary advances made for capital expenditures to be made from subsequent borrowings. There was also a declaration of official intent signed by the Mayor to allow the city to borrow up to $300~000.00 to make payments for the water project. Don Hackmann and himself looked at the budget and found it feasible to borrow $126~000.00 from the water budget reserves. Additional money that is needed before the bonds are sold would have to be borrowed through short term low interest loans that would be presented to local banks first, They have looked at short, term low interest loans for the entire amount~ however suggest that it would be beneficial to save interest by using $125,000.00 that is in the water budget reserve. Then~ if necessary they can borrow when needed after the first of the year. Jim has discussed this with D.A. Davidson, the financial advisor on the water project and be has concurred with this. The proceeds will be paid back to the water budget reserve when the bonds are sold. There will be a savings to the city due to the fact that there will be no interest on the ~125,000.00 borrowed from the water reserves. Jim explained the water budget reserve was set up for the reservoir. The city can borrow from the reserve date. capital improvements for and repay it at a Iater Don Hackmann commented that the Budget/Finance Committee has discussed this and agreed to borrow the $125,000.00 from the water budget reserve and as they need~ borrow from a bank after the first of the year. Jim stated that the advertisement for project bids is scheduled for April, award bids in May, and then begin selling bonds. Financing for the engineer's costs will be needed until approximately June. Motion by Alderman Marshall to allow the city to borrow $125,000.00 from the water budget reserve account to pay Morrison & Maierle for the engineering expenses~ seconded by Alderwoman Kilpatrick. Motion carried 8--0. COMMITTEE MINUTES: --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of September 19, reviewed. 1995 were presented and Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to enter the Budget/Finance Committee minutes of September 19, 1995, into the record, seconded by Alderman Marshall. Alderman Dickerson questioned the fact that 'the city had paicl for Mike Kirschenman's EMT course. He understood that an ambulance attendant was to pay for training classes and then be reimbursed by the city when the course was completed. Gay Ess'ton explained that Jn this situation an instructor came to Laurel to teach the course and didn't want any payment. The committee felt he should be paid and paid him $125,00 for ail the attendants. If the attendants would have gone to Billings for the course, they would have had to pay for the course and not be reimbursed if other circumstances occarred. Vote was taken on the motion. Motion carried 8--0. Motion byl Alderwoman Kilpatrick to approve the Budget/Finatnce Committee's recommendation not to charge Mike Kirschenman $62.50 for the EMT course due to circumstances at his job, seconded by Alderman Graham. Motion carried 8--0. --City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of September 19, 1995 were presented. Motion by Alderman Dickerson to enter the City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of September 19, 1995, into the record, seconded by Alderman Minch. Alderman Marshall asked if Rudy Groshelle has paid his water bill7 The Mayor mentioned that Rudy has pa~d his water bill, but Sonny O'Day has not. Sonny doesn't understand and bis water is turned off until the plumbing problem is fixed. Pa~e 4 Council Meeting of October $, 1995 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel --~rbage Committee minutes of September 25, 1995 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderman Ehrlick to enter the Garbage Committee minutes of September 28, 1995~ into the record, seconded by Alderman Minch. Jim Flisrand commented that two bids were received on the container site project. The committee hoped to Ret bids of $25~000.00 or less arid did accomplish this. This is a project that was started back in 1988 and after runnin~ into snags along the way, the conncil hopes to see it completed soon. Vote was taken on the motion. Motion carried 8--0. --Laurel Airport Authority minutes of Augnst 22, 1995 were ]presented. Motion by Alderman Kell~gj~ to enter the Laurel Airport Authority minutes of Augast 22, 1995, into the record, seconded by Alderman Ehrlick. Motion carried 8--0. --Park Committee minutes of September 28, 1995 were presented and reviewed. Mo~ion bx Alderwoman Kilpatrick to approve recommendation of the Park Committee that the maintenance of the sidewalks and trees which were planted in the Downtown Beautification Project by the Lanret Woman's Club are the responsibility of the property owners~ seconded by Alderman Ehrlick. Motion carried 8--0. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to enter the Park Committee minutes of September 28, 1995 into the record~ seconded by Alderman Easton. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Alderman Dickerson noted that the PubJ.ic Utilities Committee meetin~ has been changed to Monday, October 16, 19957 at 5:30 p.m. Alderman Dickerson recommended that the City Council meeting be changed from Tuesday? November 7th to Wednesday~ November 8th due to election day. Motion by Alderman Dickerson to change the City Council. meeting from Tuesday, November 7th to Wednesday, November 8th due to election day, seconded by Alderwoman Kilpatrick. Don Hackmann commented that city elections are not legal holidays, but state elections are legal, holidays. The City Council can transact business on November 7th. A vote was taken on the motion. There being a division of the house a roll call vote was 'taken. Albert Ehrlick, John Minch, Lonnie Kellogg, and Ron Marshall voted no. Donna Kilpatrick, Gay Easton, Chuck Dickerson~ and Bob Graham voted yes. A 'tie vote of 4-4. Mayor Rodgers broke the tie with a no vote. Motion failed. The City Council meeting will be held November 7, 1995 at 7:00 p.m. Alderman Graham requested permission to leave the state from October ilth through November 1st. Motion by Atderwoman Kilpatrick to grant Alderman Graham permission to leave the state from October llth through November lst~ seconded by Alderman Marshall. Motion carried 8--0. Alderwoman Kilpatrick requested permission to leave 'the state from October 17th through October 24th. Motion by Alderman Marshall to grant Alderwoman Kilpatrick permission to leave the state from October l?th throngh October 24th, seconded by Alderman Graham. Motion carried 8--0. Joe Leckie Represents Cit~ of Laurel on Micheile Herren Case: Mayor Rodgers mentioned Joe Leckie, City Attorney, would like City of Laurel on the Michelle Herren case. to represenL the Motion by Alderman Graham to allow Joe Leckie to represent the City of Laurel on the Michelle Herren case~ seconded by Alderman Minch. Joe commented that Michelle Herren pleaded guilty to charges of felony obstruction of justice. She will be sentenced later in October. She is the owner of the property on Birch Avenue where a hom:icide took place. Joe stated he would Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Page 5 Council Meeting of October 3, 1995 what the probation terms should be for Michelle Herren. He would like to relay information from the city in regards to the problems that we have had here and to make the recommendation that one of the conditions of the probation be that she not have any non-relatives staying over night at her house during the term of probation. He is also going to request that he be allowed to testify on behalf of the City of Laurel at the sentence hearing, if the .judge ~*llows him to. A vote was taken on the motion. Motion carried 8--0. Airport Authoritv~_1 Mayor Rodgers commented on the responses received regarding Bob Redding being appointed to the Airport Authority. He announced 'that at this time he will not make an appointment. Dick Clayton is reconsidering withdrawing his resignation, Mayor Rodgers is asking the council members to go out and visit with members on the Airport Authority and members of the Hanger Association and see if they have any questions. It was suggested that the board be increased to a seven member board from the existing five member board. The Airport Authority is sometimes having meetings with only three members present. There being no further business to c. ome before the Council at this time, meeting was adjourned at 7:48 p.m. the Donald L. Hackmann, City Clerk Approved by the Mayor and passed by the City Council of the C, zE~ of Laurel, Montana, this 17th day of October, 1995. Attest: Donald L. ~ackmann, City C. lerk Charles godgers, Ma.~or ~