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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 05.16.1989Minutes of the City Council of Laurel May 16, 1989 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 May 16, 1989. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Ron Marshall Bob Graham Chuck Rodgers L.D. Collins Chuck Dickerson Norman Orr Bruce Teeters COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Donna Kilpatrick INVOCATION: Invocation was given by Reverend Holt. MINUTES: Motion by Alderman Rodgers to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of May 2, 1989, as presented, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 7--0. CORRESPONDENCE: Received a letter from C.H. Lutey, District Traffic Engineer from the Montana Department of Highways, in response to a letter sent to him regarding U.S. Highway 212 south of Laurel. Received a letter from Sophie Ruff regarding her utility bill. The Public Utilities Committee reviewed this complaint at their May 8th committee meeting. Received the April minutes and activity report from the Air Pollution Control Board. Received a letter from the Montana Department of Military Affairs regarding "Pause for the Pledge" on National Flag Day, June 14, 1989. Received a letter from the Montana Department of Highways regarding the City of Laurel~s state gas tax allocation for fiscal year 1990. Laurel should receive $ 99,156.00~ approximately $ 145.00 more than last year. Received a letter from the Montana International Trade Commission regarding the proposed 300-600 million dollar project for the Corette Plant in Billings. Motion by Alderman Dickerson to support the MITC proposal by drawing up a resolution to be presented at the next council meeting, seconded by Alderman Graham. Motion carried 7--0. CITY CLERK & CITY TREASURER'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: The City Clerk and City Treasurer's financial statements for the month of April were presented. Motion by Alderman Orr that the City Clerk and City Treasurer's financial statements for the month of April~ 1989~ be approved, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. Motion carried 7--0. LAUREL JAYCEES JULY 3RD STREET DANCE: LaNaya Gonzales stated that the Jaycees are planning to hold the dance in the vacant Jan's IGA parking lot at 5th and Main. As an alternative site they would like the fenced area of the Ramsey building parking lot but the building has been sold~ according to Jack Martin. Jack stated he would give the proposal to the new owner to see if it is agreeable and LaNaya stated that if this site is used the Jaycees would ask the city's assistance to remove the scrap metal and lumber from the area. i Discussion followed concerning the advantages of the Ramsey site. It was stated the six foot wire fence will make it much harder for juveniles to sneak in and it could be easily patrolled by officers on duty. Mike Atkinson, Police Captain, stated he would rather see it at the Ramsey building. age2 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Council Meeting of May 16, 1989 Jim Seaton and Bill Caton, representing the Sheriff's Reserve, stated they would guarantee six people fully equipped with radios to be present that night. They said if possible they would like to bring as many as ten people. This will be a combined effort between the Laurel Police Reserve and the Sheriff's Reserve and they will work out the details with the police department regarding the procedures to follow should a minor be caught drinking. It was questioned whether the Jaycees plan on stamping hands as people enter the dance and LaNaya stated they are planning to do it. This way individuals of a questionable age would be carded at the gate and a stamped hand would be required to purchase beer. Mike Penne of the Laurel Police Reserve stated he will have six officers at the street dance and four at the teenage dance in Thomson Park. In the past the officers patrolled outside the fence and near the gate, only going inside if there was a disturbance. It was suggested that it would be helpful if an officer would stroll through the crowd to make the uniform visible. LaNaya stated that she has rented ten porta-pots for the dance and this is two more than they had last year. STREET CLOSURE FOR CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAYS: Lucky Seibert, Chairman of the Laurel Retail Trades Committee, stated that on June 17, 1989 they are participating in "Good Neighbors Day" which will consist of a western chuck wagon and also some type of father-child or family competition. They are doing this to create some excitement for the centennial and to bring some retail business into the downtown area. He stated there has been discussion about holding the grand openings for Rebels and Ricci~s Food Farm on the same day and if this happens there could be quite a volume of people in the downtown area. The Retail Trades Committee would like to close 1st Street from 1st Avenue to 2nd Avenue between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to better accommodate the people and activities. Motion by Alderman Dickerson to close 1st Street from 1st Avenue to 2nd Avenue from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 17, 1989, seconded by Alderman Marshall. Motion carried 7--0. PARADE ROUTE: Lucky Seibert also spoke on behalf of the Steering Committee concerning the parade route for the July 1st parade. He stated that there will be several very large vehicles in the parade this year so they would like to keep the turns to a minimum. They would also like to see specific areas along the streets denoted as no parking areas so as to accommodate the turning of these larger entries in the parade. More discussion followed regarding different aspects of the parade. On behalf of the Steering Committee, Darrell McGillen advised the council to have Lucky go back to the Steering Committee and get all the details of the parade worked out and have it on a map and then present it to the council for approval at the next meeting. RESOLUTIONS FOR FIRE DISTRICT CONTRACTS AND AIRPORT AUTHORITY: These items have been postponed until the June HOME OCCUPATIONS: None 6th council meeting. COMMITTEE REPORTS: --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of May 2, 1989 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderman Teeters to enter the Budget/Finance minutes of May 2, 1989, into the record, seconded by Marshall. Motion carried 7--0. Committee Alderman Page 3 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Council Meeting of May 16, 1989 --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of May 3, 1989 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderman Teeters to enter the Budget/Finance Committee minutes of May 3, 1989, into the record, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 7--0. --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of May 9, 1989 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderman Teeters to enter the Budget/Finance minutes of May 9, 1989, into the record, seconded by Marshall. Motion carried 7--0. Committee Alderman --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of May 10, 1989 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderman Teeters to enter the Budget/Finance minutes of May 10, 1989, into the record, seconded by Dickerson. Motion carried 7--0. Committee Alderman --City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of May 2, 1989 were presented. Motion by Alderman Dickerson to enter the City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of May 2, 1989, into the record, seconded by Alderman Collins. Motion carried 7--0. --City-County Planning Board minutes of May 11, 1989 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderman Collins to enter the Board minutes of May 11, 1989, into the record, Rodgers. Motion carried 7--0. City-County seconded by Planning Alderman Joe Bradley stated that Chip Watts was at the Planning Board concerning the $ 25 fee charged for moving trailer houses town. He does not feel this is a justifiable expense. Joe this item will be discussed further at their next meeting. meeting through stated Joe also stated that Velda Thomas has not been present at a Planning Board meeting for a year due to health problems and he stated a letter needs to be sent to her asking her to resign if she is not able to attend. --Parks Committee minutes of May 12, 1989 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderman Dickerson to enter the Parks Committee minutes of May 12, 1989, into the record, seconded by Alderman Collins. Motion carried 7--0. --Public Utilities Committee minutes of May 8, 1989 were presented and reviewed. Discussion followed regarding Fred Winter's apartments. Motion by Alderman Collins to enter the Public Utilities Committee minutes of May 8, 1989, into the record, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. Motion carried 7--0. --Street and Alley Committee minutes of May 8, 1989 were presented and reviewed. Discussion followed regarding the upgrading of West Beartooth Drive. Jim Flisrand stated he did a cost estimate of doing a water truck roll application on the street which would run approximately $ 2,200.00 and include labor, material and equipment rental. More discussion followed regarding the amount of traffic and the speed at which they travel, the grade of the road, the fact that there is only one house on the road and the possibility of a special improvements district which council members felt would never pass due to the fact that the majority landowner does not want an SID. Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Page 4 Council Meeting of May 16, 1989 Jim stated the problem is not a bad base on the road but rather the grade and traffic on it. Ne said the city has never approached it with the water truck roll application and he feels this would work better than what has previously been done but he said with time we would be right back where we are now. If the construction project would take place, Jim said it is not a waste because it is a necessary step if chip seal or asphalt were ever to be considered. In response to a question, Jim stated this should get us through the summer months. Motion by Alderman Teeters to repair West Beartooth Drive for approximately $ 2,200.00, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. There being a division of the house, a roll call vote was taken and Aldermen Graham and Orr voted~ "NO." Motion carried 5--2. Motion by Alderman Collins to enter the Street and Alley Committee minutes of May 8, 1989, into the record~ seconded by Alderman Rodgers. Motion carried 7--0. Chuck Rodgers asked that the police patrol this area more after it is fixed to cut down on the rate of speed. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Tom Kern is a sky diver with the Big Sky Parachute Club and they have been asked to do a demonstration jump on July 1st at about 3:30 p.m.~ landing in the football field. Me stated that according to FFA regulations they are required to obtain written permission from the landowner where they want to land and also they cannot open their parachutes over a congested area. They will open them to the side and then guide them to the ball field. They will be using cool smoke grenades attached to their feet so they are visible to the crowd. Sandy Stevenson stated there will be an area in Thomson Park marked off for various horse events and the council could grant the sky divers permission to land there, if for some reason they could not use the ball field. Motion by Alderman Dickerson to give the Mayor authorization to give Big Sky Parachute Club written permission to land in Thomson Park, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 7--0. PROCLAMATION - NATIONAL POPPY DAY: The Mayor proclaimed Friday, Auxiliary National Poppy Day. May 26th, 1989 as American Legion There will be a special council meeting on Tuesday, May 23rd at 7:00 p.m. to award the bid for the 911 equipment. Cal Cumin stated he would like to draft a letter for the council to support the expansion of the Stillwater Mining Project. He stated that when a hearing is held, those who are against it are usually the only ones who show up and that is why he would like this letter of support. Cal went on to say that the biggest problem for industrial deyelopment in this area is the S02 problem. The Steering Committee, of which Laurel is a part of, has determined a way to fund a base line study of the air pollution problem in the Yellowstone Valley. They would then hope to set up a computer modeling program so when a corporation comes in it can be determined at that time, what impact it would have on this area. Chuck Dickerson inquired whether anything has been done concerning the Centennial Flag. The Mayor stated he has spoken to Mr. Bayne and no club or organization is willing to take on the responsibility for making a flag for the city. Mr. Bayne did say he has a flag that was flown at shows which represented Montana when it became a part of the Union as the 43rd state. He said they will present this to the city. Pages Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Council Meeting of May 16, 1989 Sandy Stevenson spoke concerning the grant awarded the City of Laurel by the Yellowstone County 89ers. The Centennial Steering Committee applied for $ 10~000.00 and received $ 500.00 which they feel is very unfair. Sandy requested the Council to submit a letter supporting an application to the 89ers in care of Jim Ziegler, County Auditor. The letter would request a more reasonable distribution of money based on the activities planned by the applicants. Motion by Alderman Graham that the Mayor write a letter supporting the Centennial Steering Committee's grant application, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 7--0. Jim Flisrand stated there is an old bookcase at the museum that the library did not want when they moved. The museum does not want the bookcase either but it is still on the city's inventory. Jim suggested that the city donate it to the museum so they can use it for payment or in trade for some other piece of furniture they need. Motion by Alderman Dickerson that the bookcase has no value to the city and it will be donated to the museum~ seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 7--0. It was questioned whether anything has been done concerning the signs Laurel Museum, Inc. wanted to put in Firemen~s Park. Jim Flisrand stated the people from the museum never got back to him regarding this matter. Ron Marshall asked if there has been any action by Equipment Finders. Jim stated there have been no requests to his office regarding a building permit and he has had no commitments from them regarding whether or not they will make the June 1st deadline. Cindy Simons spoke on behalf of thanking the Council for looking Drive. her husband Jim and Mike Bird in into the road problem on Beartooth Polly VanNice asked whether the about the Yellowstone River Boat not. city has been informally contacted Float and it was stated they have Bob Gauthier stated that he plans to run for the position of Mayor for another term and he will file before the next council meeting. There time, being no further business to come before the Council at this the meeting was adjourned at 8:38 p.m. Donald L. Hackmann, City Clerk Approved by The Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, this 6th day of June, 1989. b Gauthier, Mayor ATTEST: Donald L. Hackmann~ City Clerk