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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommittee of the Whole Minutes 01.17.1995 MINUTES 40 CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE JANUARY 17, 1995 6:30 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman- Chuck Rodgers Ron Marshall Gay Easton Albert Ehrlick Donna Kilpatrick Bob Graham John Minch Lonnie Kellogg OTHERS PRESENT: V. Joe Leckie Jim Flisrand Mike Atkinson Don Hackmann Cal Cumin Bob Graham reported that when he was in Helena recently, he visited with Pat Potts and also the Water Quality Bureau people. Bob has given his comments in detail to Jim, Dave, and the Mayor. Bob said that he was surprised to find the cooperation with Pat. At first he received a rather cool reception, but they did have a good meeting. The main thing that Bob got out of the meeting was that Pat Potts was upset with Laurel, originally to start with because often we were told not to dump in our landfill, and we continued to do so. She made quite an issue of that, more than Jim or Dave thought she should have. Maybe she was simply trying to justify her position. Another issue she made, which Bob also heard from the Water Quality Bureau, is that the state doesn't think too highly of Laurel, Montana. We have a reputation in Helena of being rather hard nosed about the way we do things and not listening to the state. Bob got that impression everywhere he went. He talked to 5 or 6 people and they all mentioned the same thing. Albert said he had heard that also, but can't see where they get it. He doesn't think the City gives them a bad time. They say that we have a tendency to do things in laurel and then when it turns out to be the wrong thing, we get mad at it when we get caught. But, Bob couldn't think of anything that we have done that fits into the category, at least during the past 7 years that he has been on the council. Albert said that this could have come from years ago with a water problem when Larry Herman was Mayor. We almost lost our water because Larry would not budge. He made sure everybody at the state was involved before we put a channel in the river so we could get water again at the Water Plant. f ' V`i Bob told the state that we were a little upset because we could never get anyone down here to see our dump site. Pat Potts needs to come to Billings and visit their dump site, and she will stop by here to look at ours sometime in the near future. Ron Marshall reported that he had a complaint about Fred Winter's mess at West Main and 5th Avenue. Chuck said that he will talk to Fred. Donna said that she had a call from a lady who lives on the east end of town regarding semi-trucks using Cottonwood Avenue. They park over by the Union Hall and today they went into the trailer court. Every time this happens she calls the Police Department and they make her feel that it isn't really important. The police officers are off doing something else. Mike said that the lady has called several times and it is a matter of catching them there. We have written a lot of parking tickets in that area. Mike will check on this further. John mentioned that Celeste Davis' place needs to be cleaned up. Apparently she is back in town. Jim distributed and reviewed a Public Works update of 1-17-95. Chuck mentioned that Ken Haag had asked that Jim attend a meeting in Helena regarding solid waste. Hepatitis shots will be given around the 1st of February, 1st of March and around the first of July. (there are 55 people on the list to receive them) Cal Cumin asked if there were any questions regarding the two home occupations mentioned in the City-County Planning Board minutes. The taxidermy is more of a hobby. Another home occupation request is by Denise Klotthor, a student. She is doing this as a school project. The Certificate of Survey has been filed for the Brad Andersen property. (C.S.#2830) Discussion regarding the certificate of survey for the Wasson property. Cal mentioned that there is a new National Guard Armory proposed for West Billings. This is a $12 million dollar facility that was started in 1993. The land was tax deed land sold to the state for $85,000 for construction in 1995. They are ready to go to construction, but the state is now saying that they do not want to pay the utilities on this facility in the amount of about $42,000 per year. Cal wants everyone to contact their legislative representatives to support this project. The National Guard dumps about 3 million dollars a year into the economy in Yellowstone County. Cal went on to say that this facility is going to be built somewhere. If we don't want it, they will build it in Wyoming or some other area. The meeting was adjourned at 6:54 p.m. Respectfully submitted, P-d-? Don Hackmann, City Clerk 9 FROM: Jim Flisrand, Director of Public Works 0 TO: Mayor and City Council DATE: January 17, 1995 SUBJECT: Public Works-- UPDATE STREET & ALLEY 1. Continued pothole patching 2. Equipment maintenance. 3. Winter maintenance continuing as required. 4. Assisting other divisions within the Public Works Department. 5. Begin crack sealing program on all asphalt streets that warrant this operation. PARKS & RECREATION 1. Continuing to work on the ice pond, when weather permits. 2. Winter maintenance continuing as required. 3. Trimming trees in downtown area. 4. Fabricating concrete picnic table to discourage vandalism. WATER & SEWER 1. Continuing meter replacement and testing program. 2. Plants continuing with normal treatment and maintenance activities. 3. Double Tree, Morrison/Maierle CSSA and staff will. be presenting a report on the Water System Improvement Project for the public meeting scheduled for Jan. 18, 1995 at 7:00 p.m., City Hall. SOLID WASTE 1. Proceeding with collection and container site operation as required. 2. Continuing to work with consultants to resolve our situation concerning the old landfill. January 10th communities met with Bob Robinson, Director of Health to voice our concerns with current practices. Robinson agreed to our proposed submittal (enclosed). memo will be coming from his office adopting appeal process, process meetings and joint training. ADMINISTRATION 1. Building activity continuing with plan review and misc. inspections. 2. Continue work with each division on scheduling of work, coordination and individual responsibilities. 3. Continuing to work with Department of Labor and Industry on resolving their points of concern following their inspection earlier this year. Montana League of Cities and Towns January 10, 1995 0 The following proposal, submitted to the Department of Health and Environmental Sciences by the Montana League of Cities and Towns, is intended to correct problems in the enforcement of water quality, drinking water and solid waste management programs that have been identified.in recent years. APPEALS ADVISORY COMMITTEE An advisory committee 'would be established by rule to consider appeals of enforcement decisions. Regulated public agencies would have the right to appeal enforcement decisions to this com- mittee. Committee findings could then reviewed by the Board of Health, which would have the authority to make final decision. The committee will meet quarterly and will be comprised as fol- lows: a. a member appointed by the League of Cities and Towns b. a member appointed by the Association of Counties c. a representative of the Department of Health d. a member of the Legislature agreed to by the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate e. a civil engineer appointed by the Montana Technical Council PROCESS MEETINGS The League of Cities also recommends that the semi-annual Process Meetings be conducted to allow the management of the department and representatives of cities, towns, counties and special dis- tricts to discuss enforcement policies Arid compliance issues. The purpose of these meetings would' be to exchange information and to encourage cooperation between the department and the agen- cies that it regulates. JOINT TRAINING PROGRAMS This proposal also recommends that the department conduct joint training programs for its staff and systems operators to promote a better understanding of rules, regulations and procedures. The programs could eliminate much of the confusion over the interpre- tation of rules that diminishes the efficiency of the existing regulatory system. l ? P.O. Box 1704 • Helena, Montana 59624 • Telephone (406) 442-8768