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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 01.02.1991Minutes of the City Council of Laurel -r January 2, 1991 n 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 Bob Gauthier at 7:00 p.m., on January 2, 1991. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Norman Orr Lonnie Kellogg Donna Kilpatrick Bob Graham L.D. Collins Ron Marshall Chuck Rodgers Bruce Teeters COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Nane INVOCATION: Invocation was given by Alderman Collins. MINUTES: Motion by Alderman Rodgers to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of December 18, 1990, as presented, seconded by Alderman Collins. Motion carried 8--0. CORRESPONDENCE: None CLAIMS: Claims for the month of December were reviewed by the Budget/Finance Committee and recommended that they be paid. Motion by Alderwoman kiluatrick to approve all claims in the amount of ~ 2L1,179.87 for the month of December, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8--0. BIDS ON REFUSE HAULING TRUCK: The bids were opened at a Garbage Committee meeting on December 11, 1990. A recommendation was made to the City Council on December 18th and after a lengthy discussion it was referred bark to the Garbage Committee for another recommendation at the January 2nd meeting. bfotion by Alderman Graham to reject all bids on the refuse hauling truck, seconded by Alderman Collins. Motion carried 8--0. CERTIFICATE OF SURVEY #1055 - GROSHELLE POND: Jim Worthington explained that the reason this item has come up is because the county has title t.o t.his property and they want to know if the City of Laurel is interested in taking it over. The pond is located west of town by the interstate on-ramp and north of the interstate itself. The pond caas created when gravel coas taken from the land for use in building the interstate. After construction was finished, the pond was given to the Rod and u"un Club for their own use. Due to the fact that the club has not paid recent taxes on the property, it was put up for tax sale and Yellowstone County has taken over ownership of it. Jim stated that the city is being offered clear title to the praperty caith no costs or expenses involved. The original plat from 1966 showed a right of way access strip 25 feet wide which has n ever been utilized. As far as the city is concerned, Jim stated it could possibly be used for future development or for storm drainage retention when the city develops to the west. Jim stated that Mrs. Groshelle contacted him and she was in favor of the city taking over the pond. She hopes this will eliminate a lot of unwanted hunters in that. area who have damaged their property. Bob Graham feels the city needs to have the foresi-ght to accept this property now with regard Lo future expansion of the city. Motion b~ Alderman Graham that the city accept the offer of taking over Groshelle Pond, seconded by Alderman Teeters. bfotion carried 8--0. ABATEMENT PROCEEDINGS - MERCHANT GARAGES: Jim A~orthington submitted a letter for council's approval regarding abatement proceeding on the Merchant garages and storage building, but the letter has not been sent. In researching it, Joe Bradley found that, th P, letter ml]Ct }le CPn t. t.n all nantiAC of intnroc+ :~ i-itlo Page 2 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Council Meeting of January 2, 1991 Motion by Alderman Teeters to approve the letter to P1r. Martin informing him of abatement proceeding in regard to the Merchant garages and storage building, seconded by Alderman Graham. Motion carried 8--0. SOUTH POND - SCUBA DIVING: ORDINANCE NO. 980 (second readings AMENDING SECTION 1.6.02.0`LO OF THE LAUREL MUNICIPAL CODE, TO ALLOW SCUBA DIVING IN SOUTH POND BY CERTIFIED DINERS UNDER SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES This being a second reading, a public hearing was held. PROPONENTS: Jennifer Lehnert-Feldhaus spoke in favor allowing scuba diving at South Pond because she said it is very difficult to find a place to dive in this area. After reading the ordinance, she feels it is acceptable, but she would like to see a few details added such as how long the permit is good for, whether it is good for both day and night diving and whether it would be good for year around diving'. Jennifer also suggested that the permit be posted in the diver's vehicle window, so if someone sees the flag or bubbles, all they have to do is ' check the vehicle window for the permit. Bob Graham expressed concern that if the city- opens the pond up for diving, others are going to want to swim, snorkel or boat on the pond also. Jennifer said she doesn't feel this will be a problem because diving is a very non-obvious sport. The most people will see, is a diver rigging up and dumping out the side of a boat and the chance of children seeing this are not very great because she does not anticipate a great usage of this pond. L.D. Collins stated that this would also give our Search and Rescue group a place to practice. More discussion followed and Jennifer and Cal Cumin stressed how much training is required before a person can become certified. To get the certification, a person must also have an open water dive and Cal said he had to drive to White Sulphur Springs for this when there is a pond right here in Laurel. They both feel the pond would be utilized more by instructors with classes than by individuals fur recreational purposes. It was clarified that the pond is not in the city limits, but it is city owned, controlled by the Park Board, zoned public and is maintained by the city. ' Motion by Alderman Orr to close the public hearing, seconded by Alderman Graham. Motion carried 8--0. Motion by Alderman Rodgers that Ordinance No. 980 !second reading) be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Collins. A roll call vote was taken and Aldermen Marshall, Graham and Teeters voted, "N0." Aldermen Orr, Kellogg, Collins, Rodgers and Alderwoman Kilpatrick voted, "YES." Motion carried 5--3. RESOLUTION TO CREATE A CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND FOR A COMPUTER: RESOLUTION NO. 2506 A RESOLUTION TO CREATE A CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND FOR THE PURPOSE OF PURCHASING A COMPUTER Motion b~• Alderman Marshall that Resolution No. 2506 be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Orr. The Mayor and Don Hackmann explained the reason for wanting to set up this fund for the purchase of a new computer. The Budget./Finance Committee minutes of December 18th were reviewed and attached to them is an explanation with projected figures regarding the savings in maintenance costs that would eventually pay for a new computer system. Page 3 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Council Meeting of January 2, 1991 A vote was taken on the motion. Motion carried 8--0. RESOLUTION TRANSFERRING FUNDS TO CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND - FIRE 7.'RUCK: RESOLUTION NO. 2507 BEING A RESOLUTION TRANSFERRING CERTAIN FUNDS OF THE CITY' OF LAUREL, MONTANA Motion by Alderwoman kil~tricle that. Resolution No. 2507 be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8--0. RESOLUTION TRANSFERRING FUNDS TO CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND - AMBULANCE: RESOLUTION NO. 2508 BEING A RESOLUTION TRANSFERRING CERTAIN FUNDS OF THE CITY OF LAUREL, MONTANA Motion by Alderman Marshall that Resolution No. 2508 be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Teeters. Motion carried 8--0. Discussion followed and it was stated that this is just a start. By setting up a capital projects fund, people are more willing' to donate. It really helps a grant application when they see funds already set aside by the city, which proves the city is willing to participate. RESOLUTION TRANSFERRING FUNDS TO CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND - COMPUTER: RESOLUTION NO. 2509 BEING A RESOLUTION TRANSFERRING CERTAIN FUNDS OF THE CITY OF LAUREL, MONTANA Motion by Alderman Collins that Resolution No. 2509 be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8--0. COMMITTEE REPORTS: --Ambulance Committee minutes of December 20, 1990 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderman Teeters to enter the Ambulance Committee minutes of December 20, 1990, into the record, seconded by Alderman Marshall. Motion carried 8--0. --Budget Finance Committee minutes of December 18, 1990 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderwoman Iiilpatri.ck to enter the Budget/Finance Committee minutes of December 18, 1990, .into the record, seconded 6y ' Alderman Teeters. Motion carried 8--0. --Cemetery Board minutes of December 18, 1990 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderman Orr to enter the Cemetery Board minutes of December 18, 1990, into the record, seconded by Alderman Teeters. Motion carried 8--0. --City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of December 18, 1990 were presented. Motion by Alderman Graham to enter the City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of December 18, 1990, into the record, seconded by Alderman Collins. Motion carried 8--0. --Garbage Committee minutes of December 27, 1990 were presented and reviewed. Dennis Johnston, District Manager of B.F.I., presented a proposal to the council to haul the transfer site containers. He feels he can. do it more efficiently than the city can and he would provide all the necessary insurance and bonding if awarded this contract. Page ~l Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Council Meeting of January 2, 1991 Jim Worthington and Dave Michael will present a cost comparison at the next council meeting. Bob Graham stated the committee minutes need to be amended to read as follows: 4. Rear axle DS 402P Eaton or Rockwell 5. Front axle EFA 19F3 Eaton or Rockwell 10. Cascade Model PS-'L 26 or Force Magnum Roll-off Without any objections from the council, the minutes were corrected. Motion bs Alderman Graham to enter the Garbage Committee minutes of December 27, 1990, into the record, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8--0. The Garbage Committee will meet on Tuesday, January 29th at 5:30 p.m. --Parks Committee minutes of December `27, 1990 were presented and reviewed. Motion ~ Alderwoman KilUatriek to enter the Parks Committee minutes of December 2r, 1990, into the record, seconded by Alderman Collins. Motion carried 8--0. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Joe Bradley inquired whether the city is interested in the William's Agency property. This was brought up several months ago at a council meeting and it was felt this would be ideal property for Fire Department expansion in the future but it was stated there are no funds to purchase it now. Joe said the owners would like to sell it but they want to give the city first chance to buy it before listing it with a real estate agency. The listing price will be $ 79,000.00 but she is willing to negotiate this. Jim Worthington stated that the William's property is on the far east side of the block. It includes the building which housed William's Agency and the old two story house to the north of it. The property between the F.A.P. complex and the William's property is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Arden. Jim inspected the agency building and found it to be a sound building, capable of being used for some time ,yet. The upper level is a two bedroom apartment. Jim was unable to inspect the house because it is being used for storage, but the owners felt it would need to be demolished. Bob Graham suggested that the city get a commercial appraisal. Joe Bradley agreed that this would be a good idea but the question is, can the city come up with the money to buy it. The Mayor stated that. the ' budget process does not allow us to make a purchase such as this, until after July 1st. Joe felt that if the city is interested, you need to let the A~illiam's know. You could then get an appraisal within 10 days and make an offer to them, with the stipulation that no deal could be closed or purchase price paid until after July 1, 1991. The Mayor stated that the Fire Department is fast running out of space to house any additional equipment. He also said that the bond issue for the F.A.P. complex will not be paid off until 1995. It was agreed that Joe will write a letter to the owners, informing them that the city is interested in the property and he will contact a commercial appraiser to appraise the property for a fee of less than $ 500.00. MAYOR'S COMMENTS: The Mayor appointed 'T'im Elsenpeter as an ambulance at.t.endant., effective January 1, 1991. Pale 5 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Council Meeting of January 2, 1991 Motion bs Alderman Orr to confirm the May°or's appointment of Tim Elsenpeter as an ambulance attendant, seconded by Alderman Collins. Plotion carried 8--0. The Piayor appointed Elaine Sochor as Assistant Ambulance Director. effective January 1, 1991. Motion by.Alderman Teeters to confirm the Mayor's appointment of Elaine Sochor as Assistant Ambulance Director, seconded by Alderman Marshall. Motion carried 8--0. Bruce Teeters stated that Fred's 1'V continues to have quite a number of discarded TV's in front of his store. Discussion followed regarding whether these TV's are used for parts or if they are just junk. Joe Bradley said he will check into this. SALE OE SCRAP EQUIPMENT TO EMPLOYEES: The Engineer's Office accepted sealed informal bids for the sale of scrap equipment. Motion by Alderman Marshall to accept the bids from employees for scrap equipment, seconded by Alderman Teeters. Motion carried 8--0. There being no further business to come before the roixncil, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. -,~z ...~v~,-._, _ Donald L. Hackmann, City Clerk Approved by the Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, this 15th day of January, 1991. ~~ 6~ u..~'J-- Bo Gauthier, Mayor ATTEST: ~Z~. Donald L. Hackmann, City Clerk