Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 11.01.1994Minutes of the City Council of Laurel November 1, 1994 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 November 1, 1994. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Albert Ehrlick Bob Graham Lonnie Kellogg Donna Kilpatrick Gay Easton Chuck Dickerson Ron Marshall COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: John Minch INVOCATION: Invocation was given by Alderman Kellogg. MINOTES: Motion by Alderman Marshall to approve the minutes of the regular of October 18, 1994 as presented, seconded by Alderman Graham. Motion 7--0. meeting carried CORRESPONDENCE: Received the 1st quarter 1994-95 report from the Laurel Police Reserves. CLAIMS: Claims for the month of October were reviewed by the Budget/Finance Committee and recommended that they be paid. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to $ 276,491.66 for the month of October, Motion carried 7--0. approve all claims in the amount of 1994, seconded by Alderman Easton. ANNEXATION OF LAND - WILD, WILD, WEST FUN CENTER: A public hearing was held regarding the annexation of land north of 1-90, east of Equipment Finders and Fiberglass Structures and west of Hoffman's Greenhouse. The land is described as that portion of N 1/2 NW 1/4 Section 15, T-2S, R-214E, less E 25',.N of 1-90 R.O.W. PROPONENTS Charles Goldy, members. Architect, distributed a site and vicinity plan to council Albert Ehrlick asked if the water line will be tied into the one on Railroad Street? It was stated it would and Albert said this line belongs to the city. The railroad furnished the pipe but it is a city water line. The Mayor stated Albert is right and this is a 10" water line. Cal Cumin said that when this gets developed, all these details will be covered. Right now you are just looking at a large chunk of land that has services to it. Brad Anderson, one of the developers from Billings, put together a packet of pictures showing the conceptual idea of what they would like to do with this land. The preliminary design was developed by a firm out of Wisconsin for Phase I. The purpose of this meeting is to get the land annexed and they feel it is their responsibility to inform the council of their short and long term plans. They would like to take this 50 acre tract of land and break it into smaller tracts to sell off. They would keep the large portion on the west which is 20 acres. Adjacent to this land to the east, they would like to bring in someone who would put in a campground on approximately 20 acres. The next 5 acres to the east of that would be another recreational facility. The remaining § acres, to the far east, would be divided into two tracts to accommodate two budget motels. Brad stated that on their 20 acres, Phase I would be for a family fun center that would include miniature golf, a go-kart facility, bank shot basketball, and a large entertainment building with about 6,000 square feet. This building would have room for parties, a concession area, arcade area and rest room facilities. Brad said Phase I of the project is being done by himself and his partner, Jon Dehler. They will be the only parties involved in the basic development. They will look for investors in the development of additional areas, according to what they want in the covenant. They want the entire project to tie together Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Page 2 Council Meeting of November 1, 1994 Brad said they would like to work through the winter, getting things planned out in th® first stage, which would include all the approval processes. In the spring they would like to do some initial dirt work, foundations and maybe the initial building. The following spring they would like to finish the project and have it ready for the spring of 1996. Brad said they cannot speculate when they will have the covenants and requirements for the adjacent areas but they hope one motel would be in by then. Brad said they need the full summer months to make their project work. Ron Marshall said the only adverse reaction he has received is in regard to the intersection at South First Avenue and Railroad Street. If things go as planned, he can see a tight bottleneck in this area. In response to the comment, Brad said this has been brought up but he doesn't have an answer and it will have to be looked into. He did say there are three ways to approach the property. On the positive side, Brad said this will bring more people into the community. In regard to a question, Brad said the water slide would be part of the second phase and it would be located north of Phase I. They hope to develop this the year after Phase I is open. The problem with coming out initially with the water park is that it is definitely a seasonal facility. They want to develop a foundation of stable business before coming out with the water park. Brad said they feel the whole project will benefit everyone. They have already had three different parties interested in the motels because they realize they would be at capacity all summer long because of the recreation park. Brad said he has been contacted by KOA International regarding the campground. Brad said they also see a lot of growth going on in Red Lodge and Laurel is the gateway to Red Lodge, both in the summer and winter. oPPONeNTS Terry Krum, 1311 East Railroad Street, stated he has lived in the area of the proposed development for 40 years. With the projected 250 units in the campground, he is concerned about traffic on Railroad Street. Re has sat at the intersection by the underpass for five minutes and knows it can be difficult to get onto First Avenue. With the approach on South Fourth Street, you have the Cenex refinery traffic and the interstate traffic. Terry stated there is a trucking firm located on Railroad Street and they run about 30-70 trucks a day. If they increase production, they will be running 70-90 trucks a day and you have to consider that you will be mixing campers and hotel patrons with heavy truck traffic. Convoy and Chemtron Rail Plant are also located on this street and produce additional traffic. Terry said that industry is located all around this proposed area. If you plan this recreational area in the middle of it all, you may be jeopardizing the industry of the area. Motion by Alderman Kellogg to close the public hearing, seconded by Alderman Marshall. Motion carried 7--0. In regard to a question, Gal Cumin stated that when this property is subdivided, they will have to address the issues such as traffic and transportation. Lonnie questioned whether this would be a detriment to the development? With the heavy traffic on Railroad Street~ he can foresee a traffic light at the intersection~ which would be expensive. In regard to a question whether this would stop or hold up development~ Cal Cumin said that is a decision the developers would have to make. We~ as the city, cannot make decision for the benefit of the developer~ we have to look out for the city. When we evaluate this project and compare what is there with what it is going to impact, they have to offset their impact. The city does not subsidize development, rather we cooperate with them. Cal said the issues will be brought up and addressed during the subdivision process. The only thing being considered tonight is the annexation of this piece of property. Terry said he understands what Cal is saying, but he feels it is like putting the cart before the horse. Cal clarified that all you are doing tonight is approving the annexation of this raw land. You are not aDDrovina this conaant. ~h~ mat~] ,nvkh4n~ ~1:~ MinuteS of the City Council of Laurel Page 3 Council Meeting of November 1, 1994 Cai stated that if it is annexed to the city, it will automatically R-7500 and they will have to rezone it as part of their process. become In regard to a question of whether this would affect the industrial areas around it, Cal said it might affect the zoning but not visa versa. RESOLUTION NO. R94-50 RESOLUTION OF ANNEXATION OF THAT PORTION OF N 1/2 OF NW 1/4 SECTION 15, T-2S~ E-21E, LESS E 25' N OF 1-90 Motion by Alderman Kello~ that Resolution No. R94-50 be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Graham. Cal stated that this land has to be surveyed and the survey has to be filed for record before you complete this annexation process. Before this goes to the County Clerk and Recorder for filing and acknowledgement, there is a Certificate of Survey filed at this site. A vote was taken on the motion. Motion carried 7--0. ADOPT COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATING PLAN: RESOLUTION NO. R94-51 A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE YELLOWSTONE COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATING PLAN Motion by Alderman Dickerson that Resolution No. R94-51 be passed and adopted~ seconded by Alderman Ehrlick. Motion carried 7--0. AHENDING GENERAL BUSINESS LICENSE FEES: ORDINANCE NO. 094-23 (second reading) AMENDING SECTION 5.08.010 OF THE LAUREL MUNICIPAL CODE, GENERAL BUSINESS LICENSE FEES Public Hearing: No comments. Motion b~ Alderman Kello~ to close the public hearing, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. Motion carried 7--0. Motion bY Alderman Ehrlick that Ordinance No. 094-23 (second reading) be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Easton. Ordinance No. 094-23 states that the city license fee for all businesses of whatever kind or nature shall be sixty dollars per year except as may be specifically provided for in certain types of business licenses in this code. Bob Graham asked the council to look at the License Committee minutes of October ZTth. At the meetings Bob proposed that there be a set fee of $ 100.00 for a business license, regardless of whether you operate one business or several. Bob explained that this would benefit the business person who operates several businesses but it would be more expensive for the person who operates only one business. Three business people were in attendance at the committee meeting and two were in favor of the increased fee and one was against it. Although only three were represented at the meeting, Bob said there were other strong comments against his proposal. It was the consensus of the committee to adopt the $ 60.00 fee as stated in the ordinance. A roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Marshall~ Graham and Alderwoman Kilpatrick voted, "NO". Aldermen Dickerson, Kellogg~ Easton and Ehrlick voted, "YES". Motion carried 4--3. FIRE INSPECTION FOR BUSINESSES: ORDINANCE NO. 094-24 (second reading) AMENDING SECTION 5.04.061 OF THE LAUREL MUNICIPAL CODE, FIRE INSPECTION FOR BUSINESSES Public Hearing: No comments. Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Page 4 Council Meeting of November 1, 1994 Motion by Alderman Dickerson that Ordinance No. 094-24 (second reading) be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderwoman Kilpatrick. A roll call vote was taken and all aldermen voted, "YES". Motion carried 7--0. ESTABLISH FIRE INSPECTION FEE: RESOLUTION NO. R94-52 ESTABLISHING A FEE FOR FIRE INSPECTION Motion by Alderman Dickerson that Resolution No. R94-52 be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Marshall. Motion carried 7--0. COMMITTEE REPORTS: --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of October 18, reviewed. 1994 were presented and Motion bY Alderwoman Kilpatrick to enter the Budget/Finance minutes of October 18, 1994, into the record, seconded by Alderman Motion carried 7--0. Committee Marshall. --City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of October 18, 1994 were presented. Motion by Alderma~ Marshall to enter the City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of October 18, 1994, into the record, seconded by Alderman Graham. Motion carried 7--0. --Laurel Airvort Authority minutes of September 27, 1994 were presented. Motion by Alderman Kellogg September 27, 1994, into the carried 7--0. to enter the Laurel Airport Authority minutes of record, seconded by Alderman Ehrlick. Motion --License Committee minutes of October 27, 1994 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderman Graham to enter the License Committee minutes of October 27, 1994, into the record, seconded by Alderman Ehrlick. Motion carried 7--0. --Parks Committee minutes of October 27, 1994 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to enter the Parks Committee minutes of October 27, 1994, into the record, seconded by Alderman Ehrlick. Chuck Dickerson stated that with the transient problem in Firemen's Park, he is wondering whether we would be contributing to the problem by constructing a gazebo in the park. This issue was discussed at the committee meeting and they did not come up with a solution to the problem. Lonnie stated that we cannot let a small segment of society take away from the good of the whole. Gay stated that this is one reason he feels it should be constructed so it is movable. During the summer it can be closer to the highway and in the winter months it could be moved to the back, away from the transients. The Mayor stated the sprinkler system is now being installed in Firemen~s Park and the bushes have been removed from behind the log cabin. A vote was taken on the motion. Motion carried 7--0. --Police Committee minutes of October 27, 1994 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderman Marshall to enter the Police Committee minutes of October 27, 1994, into the record, seconded by Alderman Graham. Motion carried 7--0. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: In regard to the transient problem in Firemen's Park, Terry Krum asked if the city has ever considered putting a fence up behind Firemen's Park to keep the transient's out? The Mayor stated that this has been discussed, but Three Forks did this and the area became a 'tent city' for transients. Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Page 5 Council Meeting of November 1, 1994 Chuck Dickerson reported that a Steering Committee has been formed, composed of five people, for the Murray Heights Subdivision 2nd Filing. They have hired an engineering consultant out of Billings to start the project of having an SID created for curbs, gutters and streets. They would like to request that the engineer and members of the committee meet with the Street and Alley Committee on Thursday, November 17th. Chuck requested that the meeting be changed to 6:30 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. to accommodate the engineer and Steering Committee members. Chuck also requested permission for the Steering Committee, engineer and residents of this area to be able to use the council chambers when needed for meetings. Chuck said he would take responsibility for opening and closing the building. The Mayor said he sees no problem with this as long as Chuck checks to make sure there are no other meetings scheduled. Donna commented that the Parks Committee is back to meeting just once a month on the fourth Thursday. MAYOR'S COMMENTS: The Mayor mentioned that Neva Hall has been hired to replace Cathy Gabrian as accounts clerk/computer operator. The Mayor commented that projects in town are moving along since Jim Flisrand has come on line. Montana Avenue has been widened to a full width street between llth and 12th Streets. Chuck said we are hoping to get South §th Street done as well. The drying beds should be pretty well complete by the end of the month. There being no further business to come before the council at this time, meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Donald L. Hackmann, City Clerk the Approved by the Mayor and passed by the council of the city of Laurel, Montana, this 15th day of November, 1994. Charles Rodgers,~Mayc~ ATTEST: onald L. Hackmann, City Clerk