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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 03.01.1988Minutes of the City Council of Laurel March 1, 1988 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 7:05 p.m., on March 1, i988. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Ervin Wood Donna Kilpatrick Chuck Rodgers L.D. Collins Chuck Dickerson Bob Graham Bruce Teeters Norman Orr COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None INVOCATION: Invocation given by Alderman Collins. Minutes: Motion by Alderman Dickerson to approve the minutes of the ~egular meeting of February 16, 1988, as presented, seconded by Alderman Orr. Carried 8--0. CORRESPONDENCE: Received the February newsletter from the Montana Municipal Insurance Authority. CLAIMS: Claims for the month of February, 1988, were reviewed by the Budget/ Finance Committee and recommended that they be paid. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to approve the claims in the amount of $ 230,799.40 for the month of February, 1988, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8--0. CITY COURT: ORDINANCE NO. 931 (second reading) AMENDING SECTIONS 2.16.010, 2~16~030, 2.16.040, 2.16.050 2.16.060, 2.16.070, 2.16.080, 2.16.090 OF THE LAUREL MUNICIPAL CODE, TO CONFORM THE CITY ORDINANCES TO STATE STATUTE AS TO JURISDICTION OF THE CITY COURT, QUALIFICATIONS OF THE CITY JUDGE AND PROCEDURES OF THE CITY COURT Public hearing- no comment. Motion by Alderman Dickerson to close the public hearing, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8--0. Motion by Alderman Dickerson that Ordinance No. 931 (second reading) be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Orr. Upon taking a roll call ~ote, all aldermen present voted "Yes." Motion carried 8--0. GREYHOUND BUS DEPOT: A motion was made at the September 15, 1987 Council meeting to review the location of the Greyhound Bus depot after six months. Keith Thompson, Laurel agent for Greyhound, stated they are providing a good service for the people of Laurel and reports show that the bus traffic is up considerably over the past months. He feels the increase is due to the convenient location and the fact that people can wait inside a building for the bus. They also provide convenient delivery for the businesses who ship on the bus. Mayor Gauthier and Police Chief Crowe both stated they have received no complaints with the location on First Avenue between Main and First Streets. Minutes of the City Council of Laurel page 2 Council meeting of March 1, 1988 Motion by Alderman Collins to allow the bus depot to remain on First Avenue between Main and First Streets and to review it on an annual basis, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. Motion carried 8--0. HOME OCCUPATION: None. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Airport Authority Committee minutes for several meetings were presented. Motion by Alderman Collins to enter the Airport Authority minutes of June 1st and 23rd, July 6th, 14th and 28th, August 25th, September 29th, October 27th, December 22, 1987, and January 26th, 1988, into the record, seconded by Alderman Rodgers. Motion carried 8--0. Budget/Finance Committee minutes of March 1, 1988 were presented and reviewed. Discussion followed regarding the circuits at the City shop, the computer printer, the hepatitis shots, and the City's policy on sending flowers. ~otion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to enter the Budget/Finance Committee minutes of March 1, 1988, into the record, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. Motion carried 8--0. City County Planning Board minutes of December 10, 1987 and February 11, 1988 were presented. Motion by Alderman Collins to enter the City County Planning Board minutes of December 10, 1987 and February 11, 1988, into the record, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. Motion carried 8--0. Fire Committee minutes of February 29, 1988, regarding fire districts, were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderman Rodgers to enter the first portion of the minutes of February 29, 1988, regarding fire districts, into the record, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. Motion carried 8--0. Fire Committee minutes of February 29, 1988, regarding fire service areas, were presented and reviewed. Darrell McGillen stated the Fire Department would like the Council's approval to re-inact the Fire Truck Committee. The Committee would be composed of firemen and the purpose would be to get new specifi- cations on a fire truck that the Committee can present to the Council to go out for bid on. Motion by Alderman Dickerson to authorize the Fire Department to form a Committee to draw up specifications for a fire truck, seconded by Alderwoman Kilpatrick. Motion carried 8--0. Darrell McGillen gave an update on what is happening in regards to the proposed fire service area. At the February 2nd meeting he presented a map of the area the firemen felt they could handle. The people within this area have gotten together and petitioned the area. They needed 30 signatures and received 86. They presented this petition to the County Commissioners with "intent to form a fire service area." Darrell stated this is the first step in the approval process. It now goes to the clerk and Recorder's Office for verification and it will eventually come back to the Council for final approval. p ,e3 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Council meeting of March 1, 1988 This process may take from 90-150 days to be finalized. During the interim period, starting April 1st, many people could be without coverage. Darrell stated the fire department has authority to cover them during this interim period if the Commissioners have drawn up a resolution of intent to form a fire service area. Don Gudgell, representative for the fire service area, stated the Clerk and Recorders office is really bogged down with petitions from many different areas and they're lacking the manpower to handle them efficiently. Motion by Alderman Rodgers to enter the second part of the minutes of February 29, 1988, regarding the fire service area, into the record, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8--0. Parks and Recreation Committee minutes of February 25, 1988, were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to enter the Parks and Recreation Committee minutes of February 25, 1988, into the record, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8--0. Street and Alley Committee minutes of February 18, 1988, were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderman Collins to enter the Street and Alley Committee minutes of February 18, 1988, into the record, seconded by Alderman Rodgers. Motion carried 8--0. OFF STREET PARKING SPACES: RESOLUTION NO. 2527 APPROVING AGREEMENT WITH PALACE BAR AND LANES FOR OFF-STREET PARKING SPACES Joe Bradley reviewed this Resolution and agreement with the Council. Motion by Alderman Dickerson that Resolution No. 2327 be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Collins. Motion carried 8--0. CODIFICATION UPDATE: Joe Bradley Stated that the Book Publishing Company in Seattle has been waiting for the changes that need to be made before publishing the City's codes. Due to the fact that the City secretary was not able to do the typing changes, Joe instructed the company to go ahead and publish the codes in December and the changes will be made in the suppl'e~ent, iThe company estimates they would have the first draft of the codes by May. This item is to be put on the agenda for May, at which time the City should have the first draft. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Polly VanNice spoke regarding the interim financing for the fire service area. She was concerned about whether financing would be available by ~pril 1st when the interim period starts. Chuck Rodgers stated this could be a problem but they hope the County can process it sooner than expected. Also, the Fire Committee is willing to meet whenever necessary to discuss the financing. Polly also asked whether the City could legally assess a fee in an area which hasn't officially been created. The Mayor stated the City currently has a billing system established for times when the City responds to people who are not covered in a fire district. It was asked whether this process could be used during the interim period. Darrell stated it's possible but in his own opinion he does page 4 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Council meeting of March 1, 1988 Wot want to see it done this way. He stated that the service is still provided and yet they would only be paying if something happens. Darrell feels that this service is worth something and he would like to see a contract drawn up between the fire department and the proposed fire service area. It was also stated that the moneY for operating expenses during this interim period would come out of reserves until the taxes are collected in November. MAYOR'S COMMENTS: Mayor Gauthier appointed Bob Graham as chairman of the Garbage Committee. The Mayor requested that the City Council Committee of the Whole stay after the Council meeting for a few minutes and there would also be a Personnel Committee meeting after that. RIVERSIDE PARK LEASES: Jim Flisrand stated the lease situation at Riverside Park has not been resolved. The Horseshoe Club and the Search and Rescue do not want to buy liability insurance. Joe explained a way that this matter could be handled. The Horseshoe Club's lease could state that no insurance is necessary if they post signs stating individuals can throw at their own risk and also if they get waivers from their own club members. Joe said there is a state law which declares that if a club allows for the public to use their facilities at no charge, then they are not liable for anything that happens. In reference to meets, Jim said he has spoken to the state secretary for the National Horseshoe Club and there is a special events insurance which is required by the organization. The way it is handled is that each participant in a meet is required to pay a dollar fee which covers them with this insurance. The Search and Rescue is the second club which does not want to purchase insurance. They are currently using an old house in Riverside Park to store their equipment and they would also like to hold their meetings there also. Joe stated the Council can 'direct them, in their lease, to use the building for storage only and also that the club assume all damage and risk to their equipment. Without any objections, Joe and Jim will draw up the leases this way and they will be voted on at a later date. Jim stated there are a few items in various departments within the City that he would like to get rid of. These are items that are of no use to the City and he would like the Council's direction as to how to get rid of these items. It was suggested that the City approach the school district and see if we could join their annual auction. Jim will check into this possibility. Cal stated he would like to have the Mayor sign a letter supporting the Shiloh interchange. Motion by Alderman Graham to authorize letter in support of the Shiloh interchange, Dickerson. Motion carried 8--0. the Mayor to sign a seconded by Alderman Cal would also like an individual from Laurel designated to represent Laurel in this matter. Chuck Dickerson is interested and he will let Cal know by March 2nd. Cal stated the County Commissioners passed a tax incentive resolution for new and expanding businesses in Yellowstone County. He said if you know of anyone who is interested, have them contact the County or himself to pursue it. pages Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Council meeting of March 1, 1988 Joe asked the Council to reconsider Ordinance No. 931 and explained that the word "filing" is not clear under Section 2.16.080. Motion by Alderman Dickerson to reconsider Ordinance No. 931 (second filing), seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8--0. Motion by Alderman Dickerson to amend Ordinance No. 931, Section 2.16.080, to replacing "upon filing" with "prior to filing the oath of office with the County Clerk", seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8--0. At this time a vote was taken on the original motion as amended. Upon taking a roll call vote all aldermen present voted, "Yes." Motion carried 8--0. Bruce Teeters asked what had been done concerning the Ruben Schreiner water line break. Ernie stated he turned in a claim on February 17th and Don mailed it to the insurance carrier on the same day. The City has not received any response to the claim yet. Chuck Dickerson inquired as to whether the employees who work at the shop will be taking cpR classes again. Ernie stated the person who gave the class in past years is no longer an instructor. Discussion followed and Jim stated he would look into the cost and feasibility of setting up a class or of possibly including these people with the class that is given for the lifeguards in the spring. There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 8:12 p.m. 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 March, 1988. Bob Gauthier, Mayor Donald L. Hackmann, City Clerk