HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Head Meetings Minutes 05.19.2009MINUTES
DEPARTMENT BEAD MEETING
MAY 19, 2009 3:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PRESENT: Mayor Ken Olson
Sam Painter
James Caniglia
Mary Embleton
Kurt Markegard
Nancy Schmidt
Rick Musson
Jan Faught
Derek Yeager
Council A enda - May 19, 2009
Public Hearin.
• Ordinance No. 009-06: An ordinance amending Chapter 17.48.090 of the Laurel Municipal
Code modifying zoning exemptions for establishments serving alcohol. (First reading --
05/05/2009)
Mayor Olson will ask James to present the issue to the council at tonight's public hearing.
Scheduled Matters:
• Confirmation of Appointments: None.
• Resolution No. R09-54: A resolution of the City Council to adopt the 2009 Wastewater
Facilities Plan Update.
• Resolution No. R09-55: A resolution accepting the bid and authorizing the Mayor to sign a
contract with Hardrives Construction, Inc. for the City of Laurel's street maintenance project.
• Resolution No. R09-56: A resolution approving a Small Service Contract between the City of
Laurel and Jim's Electric providing for the replacement of the windings on the high service
pump motors for the Water Treatment Plant.
• Resolution No. R09-57: A resolution approving a change order to the contract with Castlerock
Excavating for fire hydrant replacement and authorizing the Mayor to execute the attached
change order on the City's behalf.
• Resolution No. R09-58: A resolution to authorize the Mayor to sign an agreement with Laurel
Public Schools, District 7 and 7-70, continuing the School Resource Officer (SRO) Program for
the Laurel Middle School.
• Resolution No. R09-59: A resolution to authorize the Mayor to sign an agreement with Laurel
Public Schools, District 7 and 7-70, continuing the School Resource Officer (SRO) Program for
the Laurel High School.
• Resolution No. R09-60: Resolution 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.
Mayor Olson stated that the County Commissioners requested that the council delay the vote on the
annexation resolution for two weeks to allow the property owners, the City of Laurel, and the County
Commissioners to meet on this issue. If the council does not want to delay the vote, Mayor Olson will
give staff an opportunity to speak. The issues include how the process got to this point, the statute
regarding contiguous land, and providing relief for the property owners of 2057 East Maryland Lane.
At today's District Meeting of the League of Cities and Towns, Mary received information regarding
SB-57, which clarified RSID issues. She will contact Alec Hansen regarding this.
Department Head Meeting Minutes of May 19, 2009
• Resolution No. R09-61: A resolution of the City Council adopting the restructure of the Health
Insurance Committee.
Draft Council Workshop Agenda - May 26, 2009
Morrison-Maierle: Sewer Rate Stud
The presentation will include an update on the WWTP project.
Public Works D artment:
• Resolution -- Small Service Contract with Jares Fence to install fence around the playground at
Nutting Park
Kurt stated that a resolution may not be needed. The original quote was $5,600 for a 5-foot high fence,
but Kurt asked for a new quote for a 4-foot high fence. The second quote should be under $5,000, so a
resolution would not be needed. There was discussion regarding the donations received for this park
project.
Clerk/Treasurer:
• Resolution - Budget amendment for the TIFD Fund
Mary stated that the South Laurel storm water project is almost completed. The city loaned the TIF
Fund $1.4 million for the project, and a budget amendment is needed.
Fire Department:
• Resolutions - Fire District contracts
Derek stated that he received the signed fire contracts from the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch. The
resolution and contract will be on the May 26`' council workshop agenda.
Chief Administrative Officer:
• Staffing proposal
Mayor Olson, Kurt, Mary, and Bill will review the proposal.
Executive Review:
• Appointments:
o Public Works Committee - Chuck Dickerson (replace Norm Stamper)
Mayor Olson stated that Chuck Dickerson will be appointed to replace Norm Stamper on the Public
Works Committee.
• Special Events Permit - 401 of July event
Kurt received the special events permit application from the Chamber of Commerce. The application
needs to include the parade and all of the 4 of July events.
Rick mentioned that the 4'h of July Committee will meet on June 181h at 7:00 p.m.
• Council Issues:
o Tree Board hosting tree event in Laurel (Emelie Eaton)
a Street Maintenance Plan (Mark Mace)
Other items:
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Department Head Meeting Minutes of May 19, 2009
James added an item to the council workshop agenda. The Planning Board recommended changing
LMC 17.48.090 regarding allowing auction houses, without livestock, by special review in the Central
Business District. There was discussion regarding this proposal, the need for five-day-a-week
businesses versus having empty buildings, the old Laurel Ford building, accumulation of junk in the
alley, options for regulations for auction houses, storage of hazardous materials, and items that would
not be accepted in the city's garbage containers.
Kurt explained a situation with a water line that the School District uses to water the soccer field. The
contractors cannot find the water line, which was fed through the existing football field. The school has
requested permission to relocate the line from the existing valve, which would then go through city-
owned property in Thomson Park. There was a lengthy discussion. Sam stated that the issue needed a
close look. It was decided that further discussion and review of the public works standards was needed
following the department head meeting.
Jan asked that the appointment of an ambulance attendant be added to the council workshop agenda.
Jan will submit a letter to Mayor Olson.
Department Reports:
Ambulance Service
Jan explained that the three ambulances are being serviced this week.
Clerk/Treasurer
• Health Insurance Committee
Mary stated that the council will act on this tonight.
Mary stated that Cathy Gabrian recently met with Two Medicine regarding an upcoming wellness
program. Information will be distributed to employees with Friday's paychecks. Employees need to
sign up for the volunteer program during the enrollment period next week. Mary asked department
heads to post the posters in their departments.
Jan asked if volunteers could participate. Mary suggested that Jan contact Pete Shatwell at Two
Medicine regarding this question.
• Budget
Mary is almost finished with the library's budget and has prepared two scenarios for the requests for
additional hours and another part-time employee.
Mary received the final rates from MMIA for the workers' comp, liability, property, and health
insurance plans. The unemployment rate dropped, so changes will be needed on the salary budget
worksheets.
Mary attended the League District meeting this morning in Billings. She explained several legislative
items that were discussed at the meeting and mentioned that the local option tax failed.
Fire Department
• Preparations for new fire station - plans being reviewed - financing
Derek is still working on the grant for the fire station. The grant should open next week.
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Department Head Meeting Minutes of May 19, 2009
Derek mentioned that the fire districts have not been valued since 2004, and new structures have been
built since then.
Derek, Jan, and the ambulance crew have discussed ideas for the new building. Derek has also
reviewed the comprehensive plan with the police department. Mayor Olson asked about placing the
mill levy on the general ballot this fall. Derek stated that a mail-in ballot seems to be a fairly popular
choice. There was discussion regarding including the architectural plans in the FEMA Grant. Derek
stated that the plans and purchase of the land could be included in the grant. Mary suggested that state
planning grants might be available for the plans.
Library
Nancy stated that a meeting is scheduled next week with Bill Cochran, from the Parmly Billings
Library.
Police Department
Rick stated that the B-Pad testing for the relief dispatcher position was being done and interviews will
be done soon. Rick will submit a name for Mayor Olson's consideration in early June.
Rick will be on vacation from May 21St through May 30th.
Rick applied for one additional officer through the COPS Grant, and the result should be available in
late August or early September.
City Planner
Various grants for "Laurel Dump Cleanup"
James stated that the city applied for a grant, but the grant has not yet been awarded. Another grant
requiring a match is available.
James is working on a program to help senior citizens get their homes more energy efficient.
Public Works D artment
• Status of street plan
Kurt stated that the contract with Hardrives Construction is on tonight's council agenda. The notice to
proceed will be signed soon.
• Status of Water Plant upgrade
Kurt stated that the contract with Jim's Electric to rewind the pumps is on tonight's council agenda.
The pump will be installed in June.
• Alder Avenue
Kurt received two quotes for grinding the millings that the city currently has available, in case millings
are not available from the State.
0 Status of Main Street from 1" to 8 h Avenues
Kurt stated that no further work has been done.
• 1" Avenue South and SE 4`h Street
Kurt stated that MDT is not happy with one of the valves in this project. The city's work is done for the
storm water project.
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Department Head Meeting Minutes of May 19, 2009
• Report on progress with South Laurel Business SID
Kurt is working on this.
• Potential 6th Street SID project
There was discussion regarding declaring 6th Street as an arterial street.
• Status of Wastewater Plant upgrade
Kurt stated that the PER is on tonight's council agenda for approval, which will fulfill one of the
conditions for the grant. Mary sent copies of several documents to Michelle Marsh at the DEQ last
week. The final design document must be submitted to the DEQ by the end of June.
Kurt talked to Terry Steinmetzel regarding the land for the lift stations. Don Meyers has the option not
to be bought out until November. The closing should be completed soon.
• Solid waste truck purchase
There was no discussion.
Hiring temporary employees
Kurt has been interviewing for the temporary positions and will submit job offer letters to Mayor Olson
soon. A sign-up time will be scheduled for all of the temporary employees. Since June 5th is the last
day of school, the pool could open on June 6th.
City Attorney
There was no discussion.
Ma or Olson
• City calendar
Mayor Olson, Nancy, and Jim Huertas will meet on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. to discuss the city's
website.
• Laurel City Voice
There was no discussion.
Chief Administrative Officer
120-day moratorium on water resale rates
Mayor Olson asked regarding the timeframe for the 120-day moratorium, which Mary thinks ends the
first part of July. It was stated that Morrison-Maierle should work on this. Mary suggested inviting
Harry Whalen to next week's meeting with Carl Anderson. Mayor Olson stated that work needs to be
done on this issue soon.
Kurt spoke regarding a voice mail received from Tim Casey last Friday. Kurt forwarded the message to
Bill Sheridan's voice mail.
Schedule of Fees and Charges
There was no discussion.
• City of Laurel's web site
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Department Head Meeting Minutes of May 19, 2009
There was no further discussion.
• City's lease of Railroad property on Main Street for various uses
There was no discussion.
Other
Kurt mentioned that sweeping will begin in the CBD next week. There was discussion regarding the
need for signage providing options for residents to park on the streets during sweeping hours. A notice
regarding sweeping will be included in this edition of the Laurel City Voice.
The meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Allen
Council Secretary
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