HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Head Meetings Minutes 05.05.2009MINUTES
DEPARTMENT HEAD MEETING
MAY 5, 2009 3:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PRESENT: Mayor Ken Olson
Bill Sheridan
Sam Painter
James Caniglia
Kurt Markegard
Nancy Schmidt
Rick Musson
Jan Faught
Derek Yeager
Council Amends - May-5, 2009
Public Hearin .
• Intent by the City Council to annex the entire 60 feet street right-of-way adjacent to 2057 East
Maryland Lane that is contiguous to the City of Laurel and owned by Yellowstone County,
Montana. (Resolution No. R09-42)
James will introduce the issue to the council at the public hearing, and Kurt will also provide
information. Copies of two letters of opposition will be distributed to the council. There was
discussion. Sam stated that the public hearing is for the city's intention to annex half of the street,
which the city is doing for the property owner's benefit. If she objects, the city could decide not to go
forward with the annexation. The property owner knew what she was buying when she purchased the
property in the City of Laurel. Comments from staff at the public hearing should only address
annexation of the street. Sam stated that staff should not argue the de-annexation issue. If the city does
not annex this half of the street, the county will not release the property from the RSID.
Scheduled Matters:
• Confirmation of Appointments:
o Full-time Fire Chief: Derek Yeager
• 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.
• Resolution No. R09-50: A resolution approving the attached Task Order No. 11 authorizing
Great West Engineering to provide milling overlay design and surveying of Alder Avenue from
West 7t' Street to East Maryland Lane.
• Resolution No. R09-51: A resolution to annex the East Maryland Lane and Alder Avenue street
rights-of-way, both contiguous to the City of Laurel and currently owned by Yellowstone
County, Montana.
• Resolution No. R09-52: A resolution of the City Council accepting the bid and authorizing the
Mayor to sign a contract with Covert Cleaning Inc. for the City's janitorial services.
• Resolution No. R09-53: A resolution of the Laurel City Council approving the Laurel Cemetery
Expansion Master Plan.
• Ordinance No. 009-06: Ordinance amending Chapter 17.48.090 of the Laurel Municipal Code
modifying zoning exemptions for establishments serving alcohol. First reading.
• Motion to authorize Mayor's signature on DEQ Letter of Request, dated April 17, 2009,
retroactive to April 29, 2009.
Unscheduled Matters:
Mayor Olson stated that the resolution for MMIA Employee Benefits Program was removed from the
council agenda on April 21". The council will be asked to consider the resolution under unscheduled
Department Head Meeting Minutes of May 5, 2009
matters tonight. Mayor Olson stated that the city calendar will include a reminder in November to ask
the council for permission to hire an insurance consultant to provide advice for the RFP process prior to
March 1, 2010. The city needs to maintain the present health insurance policy so it is not held liable for
leaving the pool. Sam stated that the agreement specifies a deadline for the city to withdraw from a
specific MMIA program, and withdrawing from the plan at this point would not be worth the attorney's
fees.
Rick asked if Local 303 and Local 316 would be informed of this. Bill will contact Rick and Jason
Wells and Kurt and Don Nelson.
Draft Council Worksho A enda - May 12, 2009
Public Works D artment:
• Resolution - Adopting the 2009 Wastewater Facilities Plan
Kurt stated that the 2009 Wastewater Facilities Plan needs to be adopted to meet the SRF application
requirements.
• Resolution -- Accept street maintenance bid
Kurt stated that the bid opening is scheduled for tomorrow.
• Resolution - Small Services Contract with Jim's Electric to change the windings on the high
service pump motors for the water treatment system
Kurt stated that the item might be removed from the agenda, as direction is needed as to how the motors
will be removed, transported to the contractor's business, and then returned to the plant.
Kurt stated that John Rutt wants to ask the council for permission to pave the alley between his
businesses. There was discussion regarding other paved alleys, the need to follow public works
standards for paving, and an agreement deferring the maintenance to Rutts if the alley is paved. The
item will be added to the May 12th council workshop agenda.
Police Department:
• Resolutions - SRO Agreements with the School District
Rick stated that the school district wants to continue the SRO program. The agreements will include the
70/30 split, with the city paying 30 percent.
Planning:
• Resolution - Annexation of the street right-of-way adjacent to 2057 East Maryland Lane
The resolution of annexation will be presented at the council workshop.
Chief Administrative Officer:
There were no items at this time.
Executive Review:
There were no items at this time.
Kurt stated that the Tree Board met today. At tonight's council meeting, Emelie Eaton will present
information regarding the City of Laurel hosting a tree conference in October. Emelie will request
further discussion at the council workshop on May 12`h.
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Department Head Meeting Minutes of May 5, 2009
Kurt met with Terry Steinmetzel regarding the proposed property for the lift stations. A fair price of
$8,000 to $10,000 has been determined for the property. There was discussion regarding Terry
Steinmetzel's current contract for deed with Don Meyers, the need for Terry to purchase the property
and then sell to the City of Laurel, the appraisal of the property, and dedicating the property as a public
right-of-way. Kurt will get a copy of the contract and Sam will review it.
Bill stated that Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day will be celebrated in the month of May. There
may be some overtime costs for those events.
Bill stated that the 9ossibility of hiring permanent employees would be presented at the council
workshop on May 12 .
De artment Reports:
Ambulance Service
Jan stated that May 1 bt' is the date for the final test for the EMT class. Three people are interested in
volunteering for the ambulance service. The service currently has 21 volunteers, of which nine are
regulars.
Clerk/Treasurer
* Health Insurance Committee
Sam has not received replies from the unions regarding the committee. There was discussion regarding
council approval of the restructure of the committee. As the Personnel Implementation and Instruction
Guide is not quite ready for council approval, a resolution approving the restructure of the Insurance
and Benefit Committee will be presented to the council at the council workshop on May 12`h.
Bill will inform the council about hiring temporary employees at tonight's council meeting.
* Budget
Bill stated that departments are staying within the budget limits.
Fire Dwartment
* Preparations for new fire station - plans being reviewed - financing
Derek stated that the $210 million stimulus grant should come out by the end of May. There is a $5
million cap for each project, and no match is required as of this date. Derek has two tasks remaining to
complete the application. There was discussion regarding a comprehensive plan and hiring an engineer
to prepare the plans. The grant should be awarded in the fall of 2009.
Library
Nancy stated that over 3,000 items were circulated in April.
Nancy reported on the Montana Library Association Conference she recently attended.
Police Department
Rick stated that the kickoff breakfast for Aviation & Technology Week will be held tomorrow morning.
Rick will speak at 9:05 a.m. Aviation & Technology Week is scheduled for May 3-7, 2010. He
mentioned that Jack Bayne retired from his position, and Druann Kerns has taken the position. Other
people are needed to replace other individuals that have retired.
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Department Head Meeting Minutes of May 5, 2009
Rick stated that the 4th of July Committee will meet on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. The Chamber of
Commerce will handle the vendors and rent the port-a-pots in the park and help with cleanup in the
park. The city will provide barricades and solid waste services.
City Planner
• Various grants for "Laurel Dump Cleanup"
James submitted the DNRC grant last week and the money was supposed to be allocated that day. He
will contact the DNRC about the status of the grant.
James stated that a public meeting regarding bus transit 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. A
$30,000 grant would start on January 1st, and the city's match would be between $18,000 and $25,000.
This will be on a future council workshop agenda.
James stated that CHS Refinery applied for a zone change. There was a lengthy discussion regarding
the zone change request to heavy industrial, possible annexation of the property, the request for
extension of the existing water and sewer lines, the city's probable denial of the extension request, the
necessity for new water and sewer lines, and the need to schedule a meeting with Cenex.
Public Works D artment
• Status of street plan
Kurt stated that the bid opening is on Wednesday. Kurt stated that Harddrives, Knife River, G&G
Contractors and two other contractors might submit bids.
• Status of Water Plant upgrade
Kurt stated that the project is on hold until the pumps arrive this month.
• Alder Avenue
Great West Engineering will survey the street. The city will need to hire a contractor to spray
rejuvenator on the asphalt, and the city crew will do the rest of the project.
• Status of Main Street from l" to 8th Avenues
Kurt stated that the project is scheduled in 2010 and MDT has determined that it can work around the
easements on this project.
• 0 Avenue South and SE 4th Street
Kurt explained the issues with the flowable fill in 1' Avenue South. COP Construction is reevaluating
the situation. Kurt read the cost figures for an opinion of probable cost to repair SE 4th Street, an
estimated construction bid, and an SID. Bill stated that SE 4th Street was listed as a stimulus project.
Report on progress with South Laurel Business SID
Kurt will give the legal descriptions to Sam to prepare the agreements.
• Potential 6th Street SID project
There was no discussion.
• Status of Wastewater Plant upgrade
Kurt attending a meeting regarding the lift stations today.
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Department Head Meeting Minutes of May 5, 2009
0 Frozen water line to Riverside Park
Kurt stated that the water line is fixed and the water is on. He will contact the DEQ regarding a well
system to provide water year round at Riverside Park.
0 Solid waste truck purchase
Kurt is comparing the specs of two trucks.
• Hiring temporary employees
Kurt stated that Amber will return as the pool manager, and ten to twelve lifeguard applications have
been received. Two or three applications have been received for seasonal maintenance workers and two
applications have been received for the Riverside Park caretaker position.
Kurt will inform the council about the cleanup event in Laurel at tonight's council meeting.
City Attorney
There was no discussion.
Mayor Olson
• City calendar
There was no discussion.
• Laurel City Voice - Deadline for articles is May 8th
Mayor Olson stated that the deadline for articles is May 8th. He has given permission for Cindy to
garnish wages from department heads that do not submit articles on time.
Chief Administrative Officer
• Letter to Cenex regarding potable and fire flow water service improvement - changes
Bill is working on this letter.
• 120-day moratorium on water resale rates
Bill will contact Mr. Whalen at Rural Water.
Other
A meeting with MDT is scheduled on Tuesday, May 12th, at 8:00 am. regarding the 8th Avenue project.
The County Commissioners invited the council and department heads to a dinner meeting on Thursday,
May 14th, at 5:30 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 4:34 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Allen
Council Secretary
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