HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Head Meetings Minutes 04.28.2009MINUTES
DEPARTMENT HEAD MEETING
APRIL 28, 2009 3:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PRESENT: Mayor Ken Olson Mary Embleton Rick Musson
Bill Sheridan Kurt Markegard Jan Faught
Sam Painter (3:10 p.m.) Nancy Schmidt Derek Yeager
James Caniglia
Council Workshop Aizenda -- ARM 28, 2009
Chris Rosenberg spoke regarding the citywide cleanup on May 2"d and 3rd, which has been combined
with the Bright n' Beautiful event. Bright n' Beautiful donated bags for the event, and grants were
obtained to provide food and beverages to the volunteers. Lunch will be served on Saturday and
Sunday. Gary and Chris sent out 175 courtesy notice violations to encourage residents to address
violations during this event. Ads were placed in the newspaper and on Cable Montana's community
channel and flyers have been posted around town. Volunteers will meet at Our Savior's Lutheran
Church on Saturday and Sunday at 8:00 a.m.
Public Works D artment:
• Resolution - Task order with Great West Engineering to provide milling overlay design and
surveying of Alder Avenue from West 70' Street to East Maryland Lane
Kurt stated that the task order is for survey work on Alder Avenue. MDT will provide millings from the
2002 Turn Lane Project that will be used on Alder Avenue. Kurt explained the process that will be used
for the project. The resolution is on tonight's council workshop agenda.
Planning:
• Resolution - Annex East Maryland Lane / Alder Avenue street rights-of-way
James stated that the street rights-of-way should have been annexed with the annexation of Iron Horse
Station Subdivision.
• Ordinance - New code regarding exemptions for establishments serving alcohol in the Central
Business District
James stated that the proposed ordinance would allow establishments to serve alcohol within 600 feet of
a church in the Central Business District.
• Resolution No. R09-43: A resolution of the City Council accepting a contract with Jecyn
Bremer and Sara Scott Adamson for the downtown Laurel Historic District inventory and
National Register nomination.
James and Sam revised the contract for presentation to the council tonight.
Mary asked if a recent letter regarding the Preserve America Grant affected this contract. James
explained that the letter requested further information regarding the city's centennial celebration.
James received information about a DNRC Grant to address the city dump at Riverside Park. No match
is required for the $25,000 grant. Once a plan is prepared, the city could apply for grants to take care of
the problem. James stated that $15,000 of the grant is for the PER and $10,000 is for investigation of
the contamination in the soils. Kurt has a CD of the EPA's assessment of the city dump. The grant is
Department Head Meeting Minutes of April 28, 2009
available on a first come, first served basis, and James would like to submit it on Wednesday. This will
be presented at tonight's council workshop.
Clerk/Treasurer:
• Resolution - Contract for Janitorial Services
Mary stated that one response was received to the RFP for janitorial services. Department heads met
yesterday to review the proposal and recommend approval. Laurel Carpet Cleaning will be finished on
Friday and turn in their keys. The new contractor will cost $300 more per month. The contract is for
one year with a three-year extension and includes a 30-day termination clause for either party.
• Quarterly Report
Mary will give a presentation of the quarterly report at tonight's council workshop. The cash positions
in the Water and Sewer Funds are less because of the TIFD storm water project.
Executive review:
• Resolution - Accepting Master Plan for the Laurel Cemetery
Mayor Olson will have Norm Stamper present this issue at tonight's council workshop.
• Health Insurance Committee restructure
Mayor Olson asked Bill, Mary, and Sam to meet following the department head meeting to discuss this
issue.
• Appointment - Full-time Fire Chief
The full-time fire chief appointment will be presented at tonight's council workshop.
Council Issues:
o Citywide Cleanup in Laurel (Emelie Eaton)
This was previously discussed.
o Financial plan for full-time paid fire chief and fire hall (Emelie Eaton)
Mayor Olson asked Mary to present the financial issues and Derek to speak regarding the fire hall at
tonight's council workshop.
Other items
Mayor Olson stated that the County Commissioners want to schedule a meeting with the City of Laurel
to discuss joint issues. These include City-County Planning Board funding, Library funding, fire
districts mill levy, and the cemetery. Department heads and council members will be invited to the
dinner. Mary suggested discussion regarding the TIFD shortage and Kurt suggested discussion
regarding the Laurel interchange.
Mary mentioned the letter received regarding the stimulus funding for the sewer project. The letter says
to take the steps necessary to meet the April 29`h deadline.
Mayor Olson will speak about the street maintenance program at tonight's council workshop. Mary
stated that, if there is a question as to spending more than $400,000 on the project, more money is
available. The owner (the city) could institute a change order to expand the project.
Mayor Olson mentioned the Planning Board's recommendation for denial of annexation of Riverside
Park. The council needs to review the information.
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Department Head Meeting Minutes of April 28, 2009
Department Regorts:
Ambulance Service
Jan and Bill discussed LDT's (long distance transports). Jan will check into the possibilities for Laurel.
Clerk/Treasurer
• Health Insurance Committee
Mary stated that MMIA wants to know if the City of Laurel plans to renew the health insurance plan. If
Laurel withdraws from the pool, it would force MMIA to reevaluate the rate structure. MMIA will send
a letter to the City of Laurel, and Mary will distribute it to the appropriate people. If the city is going to
shop, the RFP needs to be prepared soon. Sam received an RFP from Riverton, Wyoming, and will use
it to prepare one for Laurel.
• Budget
Mary is working on the budget.
Mary recently spoke with Taunya at Zee Creative about the city's website, and Mary explained the
issues. Taunya said that the website has been recreated into HTML so the admin login is not available.
Mary stated that the website needs to be addressed, as the city is wasting a valuable tool. Bill will
contact Jim Huertas to discuss the issue.
Mary will attend the 29th Annual Montana Municipal Institute for Clerks, Treasurers, and Finance
Officers in Billings next week.
Fire Department
• Preparations for new fire station --- plans being reviewed - financing
Derek explained the three options: stimulus funding, grant monies, and seeking a mill levy from the
public.
Librarv
Nancy will report on last week's conference at the DH meeting next week. She will be in Bozeman
next Thursday for training on the Director's Station.
Police Department
Rick stated that the SRO agreements would be on the May 12"t' council workshop. The agreements,
which are for 70/30 participation by the school and the city, are based on the actual money earned by
the officers.
Rick stated that the testing for the relief dispatcher position has been scheduled for May 11th. The
posting closes on Friday, and about 30 applications have been received.
City Planner
• Various grants for "Laurel Dump Cleanup"
This was already discussed.
James stated that a public meeting is scheduled in the council chambers on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.
The Billings Transit Advisory Board will meet on Thursday at 9:00 a.m.
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Department Head Meeting Minutes of April 28, 2009
Public Works Department
• Status of street plan
Kurt stated that there may be three potential bidders for the street maintenance project.
• Status of Water Plant upgrade
Kurt stated that the project is on hold until the motor arrives. Pat Murtagh has suggested rewinding the
motors, at a cost of $8,000 each. The contract will be on the May 12th council workshop agenda.
0 Alder Avenue
Kurt stated that the project is going forward.
• Status of Main Street from 1" to 8`" Avenues
Rod Nelson will get the plans to Kurt. Rod informed Kurt that the easements might not be needed.
• I't Avenue South and SE 4th Street
Kurt gave an update on the project. The asphalt was cut today and work is progressing. The 2002 Turn
Lane project will let in May. Kurt and Sam will prepare the agreements for the eight property owners to
pay the 15 percent match for the CTEP Grant.
0 Report on progress with South Laurel Business SID
Kurt stated that work needs to be done on the street. Tractor Supply Company submitted plans to move
the ditch, so there will be cuts in the street.
• Potential 6th Street SID project
There was no discussion.
• Status of Wastewater Plant upgrade
Kurt stated that the project is ongoing. Kurt and Tim have been discussing the discharge permit.
Frozen water line to Riverside Park
Kurt stated that the water line has been fixed and will be filled and tested on Wednesday.
• Solid waste truck purchase
Kurt is working on this.
• Hiring temporary employees
Kurt stated that a plan is in place and he will work with Mary for the funding. There will be an ad in the
newspaper on Wednesday.
Kurt will attend Cody Fire School on Friday through Sunday. Tim will take calls.
Kurt stated that the park bathrooms are open. Kurt will write Rick a letter requesting the police
department to unlock and lock the bathrooms at specific times.
City Attorney
There was no discussion.
Mayor Olson
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Department Head Meeting Minutes of April 28, 2009
• City calendar
Mayor Olson stated that the city calendar is going forward.
• Laurel City Voice - Deadline for articles is May 8th
Articles are due on May W4.
Chief Administrative Officer
• Letter to Cenex regarding potable and fire flow water service improvement - changes
Bill stated that the letter has been written.
120-day moratorium on water resale rates
Bill has not started working on this yet. There was a brief discussion.
Other
There were none.
The meeting adjourned at 4:07 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Allen
Council Secretary
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