Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 02.21.1995Minutes of the City Council of Laurel February 21, 1995 A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Laurel. Montana, was held in the Council Chambers and called to order by Mayor Charles Rodgers at 7:00 p.m., on February 21, 1995. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: John Minch Bob Graham Lonnie Kellogg Donna Kilpatrick Albert Ehriick Chuck Dickerson Ron Marshall COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Gay Easton INVOCATION: Invocation was given by Reverend Mangum. MINUTES: Motion by Alderman Marshall to approve the minutes of the regular of February 7, 1995 as presented, seconded by Alderman Ehrlick. Motion 7--0. meeting carried CORRESPONDENCE: See Mayor's Comments CITY CLERK'S & CITY TREASURER'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: The City Clerk's and City Treasurer's financial statements for the month of January, 1995 were presented. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick that the City Clerk's and City Treasurer's financial statements for the month of January, 1995, be approved, seconded by Alderman Graham. Motion carried 7--0. ANNUAL REVIEW OF GREYHOUND BUS DEPOT: Mike Atkinson indicated the police department has not had any complaints on the buses double parking. It was asked if there is an agreement that the buses were allowed to park illegally? Chief Atkinson stated it was decided, if the police department received a lot of complaints, than he would bring these back to the council. This is the reason for this annual review. The Laurel Taxi Service is asking, if the buses are allowed to park illegally, that his taxi cab should be able to also. In doing business, it is sometimes more convenient for his customers. Delivery trucks also use double parking when doing business. It was suggested that the council pass an ordinance allowing delivery trucks, buses and taxi cabs to double park while doing business. This could also include special transportation. Mayor Rodgers suggested that a committee look at this and bring back a recommendation to the council. A committee needs to consider all those involved before making judgement on one. It was decided that the Greyhound Bus Depot can continue as it has done in the past, until the committee has looked at the situation. Mayor Rodgers referred this to the Street and Alley Committee in conjunction with the Police Committee, both working together to make sure a decision is made that will work for all. Keith Thompson representing the Greyhound Buses, states that the buses are parked less than three minutes. Ron Harper from Laurel Taxi Service, stated that the taxi only double parks when necessary. The flashers are used when it is double parked and may be double parked five to ten minutes. This is the time it takes to get a customer, mainly out of a bar. It would be a problem if the parking place was even a half a block away. Only on occasion is it necessary to double park at the time businesses are open. Mike Atkinson pointed out that the taxi service is less of a hazard on Main Street than delivery trucks. The taxi is a smaller vehicle and other drivers can see over and around it. He sees no problem, but doesn't want the police officers to overlook the double parking if it is a problem. Motion by Alderman Marshall to refer the double parking situation to the Street and Alley Committee and Police Committee, seconded by Alderman Ehrlick. Motion carried 7--0. Mayor Rodgers sees no problem with the Greyhound Bus continuing service as it has for the current time. He has asked the committees to notify Keith Thompson and Ron Harper so they can attend the meeting. Page 2 Council Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Meeting of February 21, 1995 COMMITTEE MINUTES: The Mayor commented that the mid-year Budget Review was presented at the pre-council meeting. --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of February 7, reviewed. 1995 were presented and Alderman Ehrlick asked why Mayor Rodgers said there compactors. the city needs a chain saw at the container site? are large tree limbs that cannot fit into the Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick minutes of February 7, 1995 into the Motion carried 7--0. to enter the Budget/Finance Committee record, seconded by Alderman Graham. --Building Committee minutes of February 17, 1995 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderman Ehrlick to authorize Jim Flisrand to proceed with the demolition of the buildings on the city owned Williams property, seconded by Alderman Kellogg. Motion carried 7--0. The Habitat for Humanity was discussed between Jim Flisrand, Joe Leckie and Cal Cumin and they agreed that the council needs to decide on the procedure of this project. Some cities waive building permit fees or planning review permit fees. This is not a federal government program. This is for communities where homes are needed for the low income citizens. There is no federal or state money in this project, but is all volunteer. Jim feels there needs to be discussion with the council so a decision can be made on what the city wants to do. If this is considered, other concerns in the community need to be looked at. Community Hope will be building in the near future, or low income housing may come in. Would the city also be required to waive building permit fees in these cases? Depending on construction, fees could be from $700 to $1200. Inspections would be another concern, in which it could take more time for inspections because all work is being done by volunteer help. So, besides waving the planning review fees, there is more time spent in the inspection. Cal Cumin stated this is a good project. The city needs to decide if they want to donate time to the project. There are not only costs being waived, but also what it costs for city employees to do the job. There are many areas to look at. When an inspection on a building that is built by volunteers is approved, this commits the city if there is a liability issue. The council needs to decide if it wants to donate and be a part of the project. The city may be setting a precedent here if a non-profit group or church wishes to build in the future. Motion by Alderman Kellogg to have Jim Flisrand, Cal Cumin, and Joe Leckie discuss and make a recommendation to the council. This would be put on the next council meeting agenda and the council can then make a decision, seconded by Alderman Ehrlick. Motion carried 7--0. Motion by Alderman Kellogg February 17, 1995 into the record, 7--0. to enter the Building Committee minutes of seconded by Alderman Minch. Motion carried --City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of February 7, 1995 were presented. Motion by Alderman Ehrlick to minutes of February 7, 19995 into Motion carried 7--0. enter the City Council Committee of the record, seconded by Alderman the Whole Marshall. --City-County Planning Board minutes of February 9, 1995 were presented. Alderman Marshall asked if the city has the digitized map? Cai Cumin says it hasn't been completed yet, but when it is it will be a big asset to the city. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to enter the City-County Planning Board minutes of February 9, 1995 into the record, seconded by Alderman Ehrlick. Motion carried 7--0. --Public Utilities Committee minutes of February 13, 1995 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderman Marshall to enter the Public Utilities Committee minutes of February 13, 1995 into the record, seconded by Alderman Minch. Motion carried 7--0. Minutes of the City Council of LaUrel Page 3 Council Meeting of February 21, 1995 DISCUSSION ON MR. NYSTAD WATER BILL: Comment by Alderman Ehrlick that there is a state law, if the landlord does not take care of a matter the renter can have a plumber come in and then bill the landlord. Joe Leckie agreed that Mr. Nystad could have repaired the running toilet and billed the landlord or deducted it from the rent. A vote was taken on the motion. Motion carried 7--0. COMMENTS: John Minch requested permission to leave the state from February 22nd thru February 26th. Motion by Alderman Ehrlick to grant permission for John Minch to leave the state, seconded by Alderwoman Kilpatrick. Motion carried 7--0. Donna Kilpatrick requested permission to leave the state from March 6th thru March 10th. Motion by Alderman Marshall to grant permission for Donna Kilpatrick to leave the state, seconded by Alderman Ehrlick. Motion carried 7--0. APPOINTMENTS: Mayor Rodgers stated Darlena Boyd has been hired as temporary dispatcher. Mayor Rodgers appointed Dave Michael as Assistant Director of Public Works for one year on probation with monthly evaluations. Alderman Graham called for a closed meeting, as requested by Dave Michael, to discuss the appointment. A closed meeting was held from 7:32 p.m. to 7:50 p.m. Alderman Minch was excused from the appointment. meeting and abstained from voting on the Motion by Alderman Marshall to confirm the appointment of Dave Michael, Assistant DPW for one year with probation and monthly evaluations, per recommendation from the Personnel Committee, seconded by Alderman Ehriick. Motion carried 6--0, with Alderman Minch abstaining. MAYORS COMMENTS: Mayor Rodgers reviewed a letter from Double-Tree, Inc. regarding the Water System Improvement Project. Mayor Rodgers received the consulting services agreement from Double-Tree, Inc. Mayor Rodgers received a letter from the Montana Department of Transportation regarding CTEP funding. He mentioned the project for sidewalks and handicapped access were approved. Jim Flisrand requested a Street and Alley Committee meeting. It was decided to have a combined Street and Alley Committee and Police Committee meeting on Thursday, February 23rd at 5:00 p.m. come before the Council at this time, the There being no further business to meeting was adjourned at 7:58 p.m. Approved by the Mayor and passed Montana, this 7th day of March, 1995. Attest: Donald L. Hackmann, City Clerk by the City Council of the City of Laurel,