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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 02.07.1995Minutes of the City Council of Laurel February 7, 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 7, 1995. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: John Minch Bob Graham Lonnie Kellogg Albert Ehrlick Gay Easton Chuck Dickerson Ron Marshall COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Donna Kilpatrick INVOCATION: Invocation was given by Alderman Kellogg. MINUTES: Motion by Alderman Dickerson to approve the minutes of the regular of January 17, 1995 as presented, seconded by Alderman Minch. Motion 7--0. meeting carried CORRESPONDENCE: Received a "thank you" from the Laurel Senior Citizens for the handicap signs put up at the center. Received a Risk Management Bulletin from MMIA regarding liability claims. Received a report from the Laurel Police Reserves for the 2nd quarter 1994-95. CLAIMS: Claims for the month of January were reviewed by the Budget/Finance Committee and recommended that they be paid. Motion $ 419,273.92 carried 7--0. by Alderman Marshall to approve all for the month of January, seconded by claims in the amount of Alderman Ehrlick. Motion LYNETTE PERKINS - HERBSTFEST Lynette Perkins asked permission for the Herbstfest Committee to display a plaque in the council chambers. The plaque would list board members that have served more than one year on the Herbstfest Committee. The plaque would have the Herbstfest logo and name plates for each member with the year they served. Motion by Alderman Ehrlick to grant permission for the Herbstfest Committee to display a plaque in the council chambers, seconded by Alderman Graham. Motion carried 7--0. DOUBLE-TREE, INC. - WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT PROJECT Barbara Campbell mentioned that on January 18th a public meeting regarding the water plant renovation was held. The first course of action was for the Water Plant Renovation Steering Committee to meet and make a recommendation to the council. Option ~1 was the desired alternative, which provides construction activities that will make necessary improvements to the Water Treatment Plant, construct the new water main, and provide for the temporary water storage while the water tank is undergoing painting and repairs. The probable cost is estimated at $3,200,000.00. Motion by Alderman Kellogg for the City of Laurel to proceed with Option #1, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. Discussion: Alderman Graham was disappointed in the turn out of the public meeting. He feels Option #2 is no longer an option because if the citizens or fire department personnel are not concerned enough about the water pressure in regards to a fire hazard, than why should the city be. He feels there is a need for the reservoir and that it is not just a wish list item. He is opposed to Option #1 and feels Option #2 is no longer an issue. In Option #1, renovation of the old reservoir is an injustice to the city of Laurel and its taxpayers. It was mentioned there are two ways to supply water. One of the concerns for not resurrecting the old reservoir was that there would not be enough water pressure and water present for fighting fires. We supply water to our lines in two ways, through our reservoir and through the pumps. If there is any way for improving the current reservoir, without resurrecting the old reservoir, the people of Laurel could save two hundred thousand dollars. The concern is to save the Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Page 2 Council Meeting of February 7, 1995 The city can supply the system through the.pumps but this brings up a concern about if the pumps go out. This is already a concern since the west side is already being supplied by pumps. The reservoir has no bearing on that because that is not where the pressure comes from. He feels the city could use the reservoir as a storage basin to keep the pumps going. This may be the answer if the pressure can be kept up for the short time that the reservoir will be down and save the city two hundred thousand dollars. It was stated that the last time the old reservoir was used for storage, it was to be a period of not less than thirty days and not more that sixty days. It ended up being down at least four to five months. The system could not have been maintained with only pumps, the reservoir was needed. Alderman Graham said it was mentioned that this every fifteen years and the city would be spending for something used every fifteen years. would have to be done about two hundred thousand dollars Alderman Easton noted that the reservoir can also be used as additional storage. There would have to be some other form of temporary storage. For instance, if there would be a large city fire, the pumps wouldn't be enough. At this time, a vote was taken on the motion to proceed with Option #1. Motion carried 6--1, with Alderman Graham voting "No". Barbara Campbell spoke on proceeding with the project. We need to get final estimation of the project cost. The engineers costs need to be looked at in conjunction with a number of professional contracts that need to be prepared. These would be engineering contracts, a bond council, a financial advisor that does the official statement for the bond sale, and the services of Double-Tree for coordinating things with the Public Service Commission. RESOLUTION NO. R95-2 A RESOLUTION SPECIFYING WATER RATE AND WATER REGULATION MODIFICATIONS TO BECOME EFFECTIVE UPON PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION APPROVAL AND DIRECTING APPLICATION TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION FOR APPROVAL THEREOF Motion by Alderman Dickerson that Resolution No R95-2 be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Kellogg. Motion carried 7--0. Exhibit A shows the preliminary rate increases. A question regarding whether it was necessary to pass the resolution without the information in the resolution? Barbara Campbell would prefer to get started with the petition work now. Exhibit A would be attached and presented to the council at a later date. Joe Leckie stated Exhibit A should be attached to the Resolution. Barbara stated it would not be a problem for her to attach Exhibit A now, but when it changes she will need to present the amendment of Exhibit A to the council for approval. Alderman Dickerson asked if it can be preliminary rate schedule can be amended agreeable with Barbara. stated in the resolution that the subject to council approval? This was With the consensus of the council, Alderman Dickerson withdrew his motion and Alderman Kellogg withdrew his second. Motion by Alderman Dickerson to amend the language of the Resolution No. R95-2 to read that the preliminary rate schedule can be subject to council approval, seconded by Alderman Kellogg. Motion proposed amended carried Motion by Alderman Dickerson that the Resolution No. R95-2 be passed and adopted as amended, seconded by Alderman Kellogg. Motion carried ?--0. Barbara stated that when the Resolution is amended it would be sent to the city for Mayor Rodgers to sign and Don Hackmann to attest. RESOLUTION NO. R96-3 BEING A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN ALL APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTS FOR THE WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT Motion by Alderman Graham that Resolution No. R95-3 be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Marshall. Motion carried 7--0. Page 3 Council Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Meeting of February 7, 1995 RESOLUTION NO. R95-4 DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO MAKE DECLARATIONS OF OFFICIAL INTENT AND ALLOCATIONS WITH RESPECT TO REIMBURSEMENTS OF TEMPORARY ADVANCES MADE FOR CAPITAL EXPENDITURES TO BE MADE FROM SUBSEQUENT BORROWINGS Motion by Alderman Dickerson that Resolution No. R95-4 be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Marshall. Motion carried 7--0. Barbara Campbell explained the professional contracts. There is a contract for Double-Tree's services, a contract for bond council services, a contract for financial advisor services, and an engineering contract. Barbara suggested some bond council firms. It was agreed that these firms send letters of interest and Joe Leckie will review and recommend one at the next council meeting. Mayor Rodgers suggested that the council be advised on any contracts. The financial advisor services would be handled in the same manner. Laurel Housing Project Barbara Campbell stated it was a disappointment that the application for the housing project did not get funded. The application will have to be resubmitted because this program is very competitive. This was known when the application was made, but she would like to encourage the council not to give up. The Department of Commerce will send comments on the application, these will be reviewed and the original committee will resubmit the application in September. This can be resubmitted at no charge and she feels this needs to be continued. The council feels the city should continue with the housing project. CAPITAL PROJECTS - FIRE DEPT: RESOLUTION NO. R95-5 BEING A RESOLUTION TRANSFERRING CERTAIN FUNDS OF THE CITY OF LAUREL, MONTANA Motion by Alderman Dickerson that Resolution No. R95-5 be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Graham. Motion carried 7--0. CAPITAL PROJECTS - COMPUTER EQUIPMENT: RESOLUTION NO. R95-6 BEING A RESOLUTION TRANSFERRING CERTAIN FUNDS OF THE CITY OF LAUREL, MONTANA Motion by Alderman Marshall that Resolution No. R95-6 be adopted, seconded by Alderman Minch. Motion carried 7--0. passed and MID YEAR BUDGET TRANSFERS: RESOLUTION NO. R95-7 BEING A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING BUDGET TRANSFERS OR REVISIONS Motion by Alderman Dickerson that Resolution No. R95-7 be adopted, seconded by Alderman Ehrlick. Motion carried 7--0. passed and COMMITTEE MINUTES: --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of January 17, reviewed. 1995 were presented and Motion by Alderman Graham to enter the Budget/Finance Committee minutes of January 17, 1995 into the record, seconded by Alderman Ehrlick. Motion carried 7--0. --City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of January 17, 1995 were presented and reviewed. Alderman Marshall asked if Fred Winters had been contacted reaardin~ the Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Page 4 Council Meeting of February 7, 1995 little. Some people drop off items for him to strip for parts because they don't want to take it to the dump site. Fred stated he would try to keep it cleaned up. Motion by Alderman Marshall to enter the City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of January 17, 1995 into the record, seconded by Alderman Kellogg. Motion carries 7--0. --Laurel Airport Authority minutes of January 24, 1995 were presented. Motion by Alderman Graham to enter the Laurel Airport Authority minutes of January 24, 1995 into the record, seconded by Alderman Ehrlick. Motion carried 7--0. Mayor Rodgers commented that when the new air strip is looked into, the city will need to consider the air pattern in regards to where the reservoir will be located. The location of the strip may have a bearing on the reservoir. Cal Cumin stated that regardless of where it is, it will fall into the pattern and needs to be reviewed by the City/County Planning Board because it is in the airport area. --Laurel Government Review Commission minutes of December 27, 1994 and January 24, 1995 were presented. Motion by Alderman Marshall to enter the Commission minutes of December 27, 1994 and January seconded by Alderman Ehrlick. Motion carried 7--0. Laurel Government Review 24, 1995 into the record, --Park Committee minutes of January 26, 1995 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderman Easton to enter the Park Committee minutes into the record, seconded by Alderman Kellogg. Motion carried 7--0. Alderman Minch stated his concern in having the service road on the north side of the swimming pool which may be a hazard to the children in the pool area. Jim Flisrand mentioned the service road in Thomson Park would be only for service trucks, when they stock the concession stand. The concern is that it could be dangerous if the delivery is done during the time the children are in the area. --Public Utilities Committee minutes of January 9, reviewed. 1995 were presented and Motion by Alderman Marshall to enter the Public Utilities Committee minutes of January 9, 1995 into the record, seconded by Alderman Ehrlick. There was discussion regarding L. D. Collins' request to tie his auction building into the railroad sewer at the BN crew headquarters. Alderman Kellogg mentioned that at a past council meeting, a Laurel resident requested permission to attach the sewer line from a garage in the back yard to his house because he could not get to the street. At that time, his request was turned down because they did not feel it was in the best interest of the city to tie on another building to a sewer line. Alderman Kellogg feels the city would be setting a precedent that may not be beneficial to the city. Alderman Kellogg asked Jim if there was a main line in which L. D. Collins could tie in to? Jim says there is possibly a main line running behind his building running east and west behind Conoco. If that is the case, it would be the logical place to tie in. If there is not a line behind there, but starts at Conoco and goes west, then the other option he is looking at is to tie into the main line that runs south and directly east of the crew quarters and depot. L. D. and Jim have not been able to meet and go out to look at the situation and they do not have a detailed map of the railroad sewer lines. The main line running from the crew quarters is a private line owned by the railroad. L. D. Collins has an agreement with the railroad to tie on to this line. These are his two options~ and the main sewer lines are owned by the railroad. It is difficult to get into a public line at that location. Jim will continue a field study to determine where those lines are located. The committee gave approval to tie into the main line, which is on railroad property. Alderman Dickerson asked if it is the city's concern where L. D. Collins hooks up if the sewer lines are owned by the railroad. Jim Flisrand said the main concern is to make sure there is a proper meterin~ system, either on his water Page 5 Council Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Meeting of February 7, 1995 Alderman Graham pointed out there may not be a precedent here because the city is allowing L. D. Collins to tap into a main line that already crosses the property and which ties into the crew quarters. The city is allowing L.D. Collins to tie into the main line, not the crew quarters line. In the case in which the resident's request was denied, he wanted to tie into the same service line as the house. A vote was taken on the motion. Motion carried 7--0. --Street & Alley Committee minutes of January 9, 1995 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderman Ehrlick to enter the Street & Alley Committee minutes of January 9, 1995 into the record, seconded by Alderman Marshall. Motion carried -- Special Street & Alley Committee minutes of February 2, 1995 were presented and reviewed. This was a special meeting regarding the Wasson plat. The mortgage company sent the Wasson plat back to the city with signatures. Cai Cumin and Joe Leckie have reviewed it. The Street & Alley Committee approved to proceed with review of the plat, and if changes from the original agreement develop, they should be brought before the Street and Alley Committee. Motion by Alderman Graham to approve the agreement for the Wasson plat, seconded by Alderman Ehrlick. Jim Flisrand gave an update on the agreement. The original agreement with Wasson was signed April, 1994. The city received a signed plat indicating he wanted to review the agreement before signing it. He found there was a change in paragraph four of the original agreement. The change was made and the agreement reads that the city will install sidewalk, curb, and gutter on the south side of South 5th Street along Lot 2, Block 2. The city will put gravel and cushion on South 5th Street and the north 108.56 feet of Woodland, beginning at South 5th Street. Lot owners of Lot 1, Block 1 and Lot 2, Block 2 will be required to install curb, gutter, and sidewalk on South 5th Street and also on Woodland at the time construction begins, improvements shall be done prior to having water and sewer service turned on to any dwelling units on each lot, however this agreement shall not prevent the construction of water and sewer service lines to such dwellings. They will also be required to pave their portion of South 5th Street and Woodland Ave. A vote was taken on the motion. Motion carried 7--0. Motion by Alderman Ehrlick to enter the Special Street & Alley Committee minutes of February 2, 1995 into the record, seconded by Alderman Graham. Motion carried 7--0. COMMENTS FROM TEE AUDIENCE: Alderman Dickerson asked that in the Dates To Remember, there be a Street and Alley Committee meeting for February 16, 1995 at 6:00 p.m. The engineer for the SID in Murray Heights has comments to present to the committee prior the next council meeting on February 21, 1995. APPOINTMENTS: Mayor Rodgers appointed David Michael as Assistant DPW for a two year term. Motion by Alderman Ehrlick to confirm the appointment of David Michael as Assistant DPW for a two year term. Motion died for lack of a second. Alderman Minch said that he would abstain from voting. The Council suggested that this appointment go through the Personnel Committee and have a recommendation brought back to the council. Alderman Dickerson thought it may be advisable to have Jim Flisrand attend the Personnel Committee meeting. It was suggested by Alderman Graham that it be left up to Jim if he would attend the Personnel Committee meeting. MAYOR'S COMMENTS: Chuck mentioned that the city has been notified of a lawsuit filed by Peggy Schram. The city notified the Inml]rmn~m ~nm~mnv An~ MMIA ~ ~ +bm+ ~h~ ~ Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Page 6 Council Meeting of February 7, 1995 There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m. Donald L. Hackmann, City Clerk Approved Montana, by the Mayor and passed this 21st day of February, by the City Council of the City of Laurel, 1995. Charles Rodgers, Attest: Donald L. Hackmann, City Clerk