Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 05.03.1988Minutes of the City Council of Laurel TUESDAY, HAY 3, 1988, 7:00 P.M. 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 3, 1988. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Chuck Dickerson Bob Graham L.D. Collins Ervin Wood Chuck Rodgers Norman Orr COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Donna Kilpatrick Bruce Teeters Motion by Alderman Collins to adjourn the meeting until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, 1988, seconded by Alderman Wood. Motion Carried 6--0. WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 1988, 7:00 P.M. The Council meeting re-convened with the following council members present: Ervin Wood Bob Graham Bruce Teeters Norman Orr Chuck Dickerson Chuck Rodgers L.D. Collins INVOCATION: Invocation given by Alderman Collins. MINUTES: Motion by Alderman Dickerson to approve regular meeting of April 19, 1988, as presented, Orr. Motion carried 7--0. the minutes of the seconded by Alderman CORRESPONDENCE: Received a legislative questionnaire from the Montana League of Cities and Towns. Received a memo from the Montana League of Cities and Towns regarding a survey that the Drought Disaster Advisory Committee would like completed. Received a memo from the Montana League of Cities and Towns regarding the District 11 meeting, May 17th at 10:00 a.m., City Library in Billings. CLAIMS: Claims for the month of April were reviewed by the Budget/Finance Committee and recommended that they be paid. Motion by Alderman Orr to approve all claims in the amount of $208,300.40 for the month of April, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. Motion carried 7--0. FRANK WILEY - REQUEST FOR WATER & SEWER ADJUSTMENT Frank Wiley stated he received a bill for $53.13 in December. Re called th~ water department and they sent a man over to check out the meter. He stated that once the meter was replaced his consumption decreased from 22 units to 15 then 10, 6, and 6 in consecutive months. He would like an adjustment on the one bill because he feels the meter was wrong. Mr. Wiley stated that when the serviceman took the cap off the meter and put the gauge on, the gauge kept going round and round. The serviceman then replaced the meter and when he put the gauge back on the meter, it did not move. Page 2 Council Minutes of the City Council of l.aurel Meeting of May 3, 1988 Bob Graham stated the Wiley's have appeared twice on this matter and an ad3ustment has been denied both times. The committee feels that if water is passing through a meter and that meter is later tested to be accurate, then the customer is responsible for the bill incurred. Secondly, the committee felt the Wiley's had a leak in their house, possibly in their toilet. Often times, when there is a blockage or leakage in the line, it can correct itself when the meter is exchanged do to the release of water pressure. Whatever was causing the blockage was released when there was no pressure to hold it in place. Mr Wiley stated that when he received the high hill, he checked out his whole house for leaks. He found no leaks, not even a little leak. He feels that even a little leak would not give him an additional 12 units of consumption. The serviceman wrote on the order that the meter was defective. L.D. Collins stated that the the serviceman had no way of knowing if that meter was defective or not until it was taken down to the shop and actually tested. When a meter is tested, it has three different readings due to the different levels of water flow it is tested at. This meter tested out at 98%, 99.5%, and 98% again. L.D. stated that this meter is a mechanical meter, not an electric one. There has to be water going through the meter or it will not turn. Mr. Wiley did not agree with the committee's reasoning. Ernie Davis then stated that he had asked the serviceman why he wrote that the meter was bad on the work order. The serviceman said that after he changed out the meter, Mr. Wiley stated that the meter had to be bad. Also, after changing out the meter and seeing the lack of water flow, the serviceman felt that possibly there was something wrong with the meter. Ernie stated that the meter test reading of 98% on both the high and low flow means that the City was only reading 98% of the water that Mr. Wiley was actually using. On medium flow, his reading was 99.5% so it was very close to accurate. Ernie asked the factory distributor of Badger Meters if they have ever had this problem before and he said no. The distributor said since it is a mechanical meter, it does require water flow to turn it. Motion by Alderman Rodgers to give Frank Wiley an adjustment of 10 units on his December 1987 utility bill, seconded by Alderman Orr. More discussion followed. At this time the question was called for, of the house, a roll call vote was taken. and Rodgers voted "YES." Aldermen Graham, all voted "NO." Motion defeated 4--3. and there being a division Aldermen Wood, Dickerson, Orr, Collins, and Teeters YELLOWSTONE RIVER BOAT FLOAT: Lloyd Shay and Ernie Weigel were at the meeting in reference to the Yellowstone River Boat Float which is to be held, July 8, 9, and 10, 1988. Ernie stated that this is the 25th year for the float and a corporation has been formed to keep the boat float active and organized. They are asking permission to land in Riverside Park as they have done in the past. Ernie stated that they are pushing safety and would like to see it be a family float rather than a wild party. Alan Crowe, Police Chief, stated that in the past the organizers have had the L~urel Police Reserve on hand and he would like to see it again this year. Ernie stated that if this is something that needs to be done, then they would contact the Reserve. He mentioned that the Minuteman Search & Rescue will be on hand also, at several different locations. ' Motion by Alderman Dickerson to grant the Yellowstone River Boat Float permission to land in Laurel, July 10th, 1988, pending notification of the Police Reserve, seconded by Alderman Wood. More discussion followed in reference to preventing disturbances that have occurred in the past. Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Page 3 Council Meeting of May 3, 1988 The Council asked that Ernie Weigel report back on June 21st, 1988, to let them know that all the plans have been completed. At this time the question was called for. Motion carried 7--0. MEL TIENSVOLD - 1986-87 AUDIT REPORT: Mel Tiensvold presented the 1986-87 audit report and reviewed the auditors' comments. Motion by Alderman Collins to accept the 1986-87 audit report, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. Motion carried 7--0. LANDFILL CONTRACT: The Garbage Committee minutes of April 25, 1988 were presented and reviewed at this time. Jim Flisrand said he contacted the State Department of Lands in Helena in reference to the landfill. The State leases this land to Laurel for the landfill and had previously told Jim that additional leases could be obtained, if needed. When Jim contacted the State today, he was told the State will no longer issue new leases for landfill purposes. The only way they will allow new land to be used for a landfill is if the entity purchases property and makes a trade with the State. The reason for this is the State does not want anymore liability in regard to landfills. Jim stated that we have a current lease which is good for the life of the landfill or until we choose to change it. The City can continue to use the landfill but, the problem is that the landfill will only be good for another one to two years. In reference to the motion made at the Garbage Committee meeting, Jim said the City needs to back up and look at all the possibilities. The contract with Mr. Johnston is written in such a way that the City simply cannot extend it for an additional year. It must go through the bid process. For this reason~ Jim is not in favor of approving the committee's recommendation. Me would like further study done on this and the results brought back to the Council. The Mayor and Bob Graham also agreed the committee needs to do a feasibility study to look at different alternatives. The Mayor stated this is a very complicated issued especially when you get into hazardous waste and insurance liability situations. Ernie Davis stated he did a work up of an alternative method which was distributed to each Council member. For $196,196.00 he feels the City could haul their own garbage to Billings. This could be done by using one of our existing trucks and purchasing an additional truck. His cost figure would include payment on the new truck and insurance. Ernie feels this could be done safely and economically at a savings of $20,741.00 a year, Another alternative Ernie had was that the City could build it's own transfer sight and hire and maintain it themselves. At this time~ he said we would have to take bids for the containers and for the transfer of the garbage to Billings, but his main concern is for the economy of Laurel. Right now the City spends $50,000.00 to help a contractor in Billings who buys all his fuel and supplies there and also maintains the dump with employees from Billings. None of this money goes back into the economy of Laurel. Ernie feels that the City could set up some kind of contract with an individual from the Laurel area and contract the transfer station work out. He would like to see this individual work on a salary plus salvage right basis, which would give him the incentive to sell and bring money back into Laurel~s economy from Billings. Motion by Alderman Dickerson to enter the Garbage minutes of April 25, 1988, into the record, seconded by Graham. Motion carried 7--0. Committee Alderman Minutes of the Cir Council of LaUrel Page 4 Y Council Meeting of May 3, 1988 RESOLUTION TO INCREASE A~BULANCE BASE RATES: RESOLUTION NO. 2332 RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING RATES FOR ATTENDANTS, SERVICES, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES OF THE VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE SERVICE Motion by Alderman Dickerson that Resolution No. 2332 be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Graham. Motion carried 7--0. FLOODPLAIN REGULATIONS: Jim Flisrand stated that in 1986 Laurel took over the floodplain regulations which the County has previously been doing. In 1987 there were some changes that came about from the state and Laurel was required to make these changes in their ordinance. The State sent Jim a model copy to go by and he drafted the City's copy of the ordinance which was then sent to the State. Jim said the State reviewed and approved this copy and the next step is for the Council to approve this copy as the official regulations for floodplain. ORDINANCE NO. 932 (first reading) AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 720 FLOODPLAIN REGULATIONS Motion by Alderman Dickerson that Ordinance No. 932 (first reading) be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Collins. Upon taking a roll call vote, all aldermen present voted, "YES." Motion carried 7--0. HOME OCCUPATIONS: None COMMITTEE REPORTS: --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of April and reviewed. 1988 were presented Motion by Alderman Orr to enter the Budget/Finance minutes of April 20, 1988, into the record, seconded by Dickerson. Motion carried 7--0. Committee Alderman --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of April 25, and reviewed. 1988 were presented Motion by Alderman Orr to enter the Budget/Finance minutes of April 25, 1988, into the record, seconded by Dickerson. Motion carried 7--0. Committee Alderman --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of April 26, and reviewed. 1988 were presented Motion by Alderman Orr to enter the Budget/Finance minutes of April 26, 1988, into the record, seconded by Dickerson. Motion carried 7--0. Committee Alderman --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of May 2, 1988 were presented and reviewed. Motzon by Alderman Orr to enter the Budget/Finance Committee minutes of May 2, 1988, into the record, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. Motion carried 7--0. --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of May 3, 1988 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderman Orr to enter the Budget/Finance minutes of May 3, 1988, into the record, seconded by Dickerson. Motion carried 7--0. Committee Alderman Page 5 Council Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Meeting of May 3, 1988 --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of May 4, 1988 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderman Orr to enter the Budget/Finance Committee minutes of May 4, 1988, into the record, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. Motion carried 7--0. The Mayor commented that the budget this year the committee and also the department heads to lack of revenue coming in. is very difficult for deal with due to the --Gemetery Committee minutes of April 21, 1988 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderman Orr to accept the committee's recommendation to advertise for the sale of the bobcat and open bids on June 7th, seconded by Alderman Rodgers. Motion carried 7--0. Motion by Alderman Orr to enter the Cemetery Committee minutes of April 21, 1988, into the record, seconded by Alderman Graham. Motion Carried ?--0. Discussion followed regarding the walking sprinkler system. --City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of April 19, 1988 were presented. Motion by Alderman Orr to enter the City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of April 19, 1988, into the record, seconded by Alderman Dickerson~ Motion carried ?--0. --License Committee minutes of April 25, 1988 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderman Graham to grant Precise Painting a business license, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 7--0. Motion by Alderman Graham to grant Aquarium Maintenance a business license, seconded by Alderman Rodgers. Motion carried 7--0. Motion by Alderman Collins to enter the License Committee minutes of April 25, 1988, into the record, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. Motion carried 7--0. --Street and Alley Committee minutes of April 21, 1988 were presented and reviewed. ANNUAL BID ON CONCRETE WORK: Bids were opened April 19th and recommendation. were referred to the committee for a Motion by Alderman Dickerson to accept Merle Cherry's bid for concrete work in the amount of $18,687.00, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 7--0. Discussion followed regarding street sweeping in front of the Owl Cafe. Motion by Alderman Collins to Committee minutes of April 21, 1988, Alderman Orr, Motion Carried 7--0. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: enter the Street and Alley into the record, seconded by Cal Cumin presented and reviewed a rough draft by' the Intergovernmental Relations Task Force of proposed legislation for the next legislative session. Polly VanNice stated that through her work she has access to newspapers from many communities and the problems Laurel is facing with the landfill are not unique. It was stated that Columbus is currently hauling their garbage to Billings and Red Lodge is considering it. Polly suggested that it may be beneficial to meet Page8 MinuteS of the City Council of Laurel Council Meeting of May 3, 1988 with these communities and get suggestions from them before we proceed in some action concerning the landfill. Alderman Collins asked for clarification in reference to the state land swap. Jim Flisrand said the State wanted land of equal valuation although the size and location will also be addressed. There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 8:47 p.m. Donald L. Hackmann, City Clerk Approved by The Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City Laurel, Montana, this 17th day of May, 1988. of ATTEST: Donald L. Hackmann, City Clerk