Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 06.07.1988Minutes of the City Council of Laurel June 7, 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 7:02 p.m., on June 7, 1988. 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: MINUTES: Invocation was given by Alderman Collins. Motion by Alderman Dickerson regular meeting of May 17, 1988, as Collins. Motion carried 8--0. to approve the minutes of the presented, seconded by Alderman CORRESPONDENCE: Received a letter from Mary Jo Devener regarding Jerold Cantrell's barbed wire fence. This letter was referred to the City Attorney. Joe commented that the police are looking at it. They have started a file and as soon as it is ready they will bring the report over to me. We have told him before that we will prosecute him if he is doing that kind of thing. Received a memo from the Montana Department of Highways regarding the allocation of State Gas Tax revenue for fiscal year 1988-89. Laurel will receive $ 99,011.00. Received a newsletter from the Montana Municipal Insurance Authority, dated May 1988. Received a bulletin from the Montana League of Cities and Towns regarding a survey of leading candidates for Governor. Received a copy of a memo to the Montana School Boards Association from the Laurel School District Board of Trustees regarding a recommendation that a bomb threat be changed from a misdemeanor to a felony. CLAIMS: Claims for the month of March were reviewed by the Budget/Finance Committee and recommended that they be paid. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick amount of $ 244,081.20 for the month Wood. Motion carried 8--0. to approve all claims in the of May, seconded by Alderman BOB WORTHINGTON - INSURANCE COORDINATOR WITH THE MMIA: Bob handed out some reading material including changes to the insurance policy which will be effective July 1, 1988. He also gave a report on the workmen's compensation and liability insurance programs. LAUREL JAYCEES - STREET DANCE & PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Dennis Eaton, President of the Jaycees, requested permission to hold a street dance on July 2nd at Jan's parking lot at 5th and Main. The dance would be held from 8:00 - 1:30 a.m. He stated the parking lot would be fenced, there will be portable toilets available, and the Jaycees are hiring security people from Billings to patrol the ~ area within the fence in an effort to cut down on the underage drinking. The Laurel Police Reserve will patrol outside the fence. Dennis also asked permission for the Jaycees to hold a breakfast on the morning of July 4th at Firemen's Park. Motion by Alderman Dickerson to grant the Laurel Jaycees permission for a street dance on July 2nd at the parking lot at 5th Page2 Minutes of the city Council Council Meeting of June 7, 1988 of Laurel and Main and a pancake seconded by Alderman Orr. BID OPENINGS - PORTA PATCRER & BACKHOE: This being the time and place advertised, opened and read aloud. No bids were received for the porta patcher. Three bids were received for the sale of the Bobcat Backhoe. Edward T Copps Construction 743 Clark Avenue Billings, MT 59102 Bid $ 2,500.00 Ken D. Miller P.O. Box 186 Laurel, MT 59044 Bid $ 4,010.00 R. H. Amadon Box 85 Park City, MT 59063 Bid $ 4,265.00 The bids were referred to the Cemetery Committee for a at the next Council meeting. LIBRARY BUILDING PERMIT: breakfast on July 4th at Firemen's Park, Motion Carried 8--0. the bids received were recommendation Peg Arnold, Librarian, requested permission from the Council to waive the building permit fee for the new library. Motion by Alderman Dickerson to waive the building permit fee for the new library, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8--0. FIRE PROTECTION - AIRPORT AUTHORITY: RESOLUTION NO. 2336 A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LAUREL AND LAUREL AIRPORT AUTHORITY, SAID AGREEMENT RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION. Discussion followed regarding all of the property not being on the tax roles. Darrell McGillen, Fire Chief, stated this is the same taxable valuation as last year. He requested an updated printout from the County two different times and both reports reflected last year's valuation. He then spoke to the assessor's office and was told they do not have the computer time to get the current valuations now. Due to this fact, Darrell left the taxable valuation as it was last year. Motion by Alderman Orr that Resolution No. 2336 be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Collins. Motion carried 8--0. 1987-88 AUDIT PROPOSAL: The City received a 1987-88 audit proposal from Mel Tiensvold, C.P.A. in the amount of $ 8,500.00. The propopal was referred to the Budget/Finance Committee for a recommendation at the next Council meeting. EXPANDING LIGHT DISTRICT %2: RESOLUTION NO. 2337 CALLING FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE QUESTION WHETHER TO CHANGE THE BOUNDARIES OF, AND ESTABLISH NEW STREET LIGHTS IN LIGHTING DISTRICT NO. Page3 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Council Meeting of June 7, 1988 Jim Flisrand stated the City can add to an existing light district one time each year without going through the public hearing process but, he would like to get input from the public to see what kind of area they are talking about and then go ahead with it. Jim stated there is conversation right now about expanding the light district to include llth Street and all of Laurmac Subdivision. A public hearing will be held on Tuesday June 21st at 7:00 p.m. in the council chambers. The notice will be published one time in the Outlook on June 15th. Motion by Alderman Dickerson that Resolution No. 2337 be passed and adopted with the public hearing to be held Tuesday, June 21st at 7:00 p.m., seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8--0. HOME OCCUPATIONS: None COMMITTEE REPORTS: --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of June 6, 1988 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to enter the Budget/Finance Committee minutes of June 6~ 1988, into the record, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. Motion carried 8--0. --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of June 7, 1988 were presented and reviewed. Discussion followed regarding driver training classes for ambulance drivers. Chuck Dickerson requested more information on this by the next Council meeting. There was also discussion regarding liquid alum and the equipment expense. The Mayor stated that liquid alum is substantially cheaper than chemical alum and much safer to use, therefore the city is converting the equipment over. After the equipment is paid for, which will be three years, the alum can be bought by the ton and the savings will be about $ 90.00 a ton. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick Committee minutes of June 7, 1988, Alderman Orr. Motion Carried 8--0. to enter the Budget/Finance into the record, seconded by --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of May 17, 1988 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick Committee minutes of May 17, 1988, Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8--0. to enter the Budget/Finance into the record, seconded by --Bud~Finance Committee minutes of May 24, 1988 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick Committee minutes of May 24, 1988, Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8--0. to enter the Budget/Finance into the record, seconded by --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of May 27, 1988 were presented and reviewed. MotionS_y_ Alderwoman Kilpatrick to enter the Budget/Finance Committee minutes of May 27, 1988, into the record, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. Motion Carried 8--0. --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of May 31, 1988 were presented and reviewed. Motion_~3_ Alderwoman Kilpatrick to enter the Budget/Finance Committee minutes of May 31, 1988, into the record, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. Motion carried 8--0. P ge4 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Council Meeting of June 7, 1988 --City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of May 17, 1988 were presented. Motion by Alderman Dickerson to enter the City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of May 17, 1988, into the record, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8--0. --License Committee minutes of May 6, 1988 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderman Teeters to grant the library contractors and subcontractors a city license. They are as follows: Langlas, Inc. Western Valley Electric Midwest Heating Whitmyer Plumbing Scott Hill Masonry Tetschner Construction Pulver Roofing Granite Door Omega Painting The motion was seconded by Alderman Dickerson. Motion carried 8--0. Motion by Alderman Graham to accept the committee's recommendation to grant J & M Auto Parts a business license, pending a fire inspection, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. Motion carried 8--0. Motion by Alderman Dickerson to accept the committee's recommendation to grant The Masters Miniature Golf a business license, seconded by Alderman Collins. Motion carried 8--0. Motion by Alderman Collins to enter the License Committee minutes of June 6, 1988, into the record, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. Motion carried 8--0. --Parks Committee minutes of May 26, 1988 were presented and reviewed. Jim Flisrand stated that the American Legion is wanting to construct a broadcast booth in Thompson Park. Last year they asked permission to place it above the concession stand, but Jim checked into it and the roof of the concession stand was not built to support that kind of weight. Now the Legion would like to build a block structure on the south side of the concession stand which would be approximately 8'x 8'x 15'. This would give them storage on the bottom part and a broadcast booth on the top. The building would be painted to match the other buildings in the park, it would have a steel door on it and the staircase would be inside. Jim stated the Legion does not have specific plans as of yet. Joe Bradley suggested that the Council delay a decision until some type of plans are received. The Mayor stated that on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. the Legion has offered to show the Council and anyone else who is interested, what they would like to do concerning this. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to enter the Parks minutes into the record with the exception of the third seconded by Alderman Dickerson. Motion carried 8--0. Committee paragraph, --Street and Alley Committee minutes of May 19, 1988 were presented and reviewed. Motzon by Alderman Collins to enter the Street and Alley Committee minutes of May 19, 1988, into the record, seconded by Alderman Rodgers. Motion carried 8--0. : COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: DEVENER COMPLAINT AGAINST CANTRELL Mary Jo Devener stated she had come before the Council several ago regarding Jerold Cantrell's proposal to de-annex part of Hills Subdivision. She not want that to happen. months Cherry recalled that the Council told her they did At that time there was a barbed wire fence Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Page 5 Council Meeting of June 7, 1988 there and Cantrell proposed to build a new six strand barbed wire fence with railroad ties at the corners. Mary Jo stated that in the time since the Council told Cantrell he can not take the land out of the city limits, he has built a new barbed wire fence and is running cattle on the land. She stated that at previous meetings it was stated that cattle and barbed wire fences are not allowed in the city limits. Mary Jo stated that her husband and a neighbor both went to the police station to sign a complaint four weeks ago and nothing has been done about it. She would like to know why he is allowed to break the law. Joe Bradley stated the most the City can do is charge Cantrell, he could plead not guilty and it would go to trial which could take two or three months. Joe stated the City does not have the facilities to round up his cattle and store them on City property and we will not go take down his fence. Mary Jo understood this but she wanted to know if Cantrell has been charged yet. Joe said he had not but he will take care of it. HORSESHOE PITS - KIWANIS PARK Bruce Teeters said he had received a complaint about the horseshoe pits at Kiwanis Park. The pits are not being used and the grass is very high. This area needs to be mowed by hand because the tractor cannot get through the gate. The Mayor stated that a couple years ago the Kiwanis Club asked permission to put in this horseshoe pit with the agreement that they would take care of it but, since that time, the club has disbanded. Bob stated that the City is trying to keep it mowed but it is not done until the rest of the park is finished. Jim Flisrand said a couple people have approached him and stated they are trying to get a club organized again and that they are still interested in keeping the pits. EQUIPMENT FINDERS COMPLAINT Ervin Wood asked Joe Bradley to speak in regards to the Equipment Finders complaint. Joe stated that Laurel does not require a permanent building to be erected in order to issue a business license. He stated that Equipment Finders can run their business out of a tent or the back of a pickup if they want and they are not violating any city ordinances. Joe said some cities do require that a permanent building be put up and it might be helpful to look at what other cities do have. Joe said one concern with Equipment Finders was whether they had to have bathrooms. Jim Flisrand checked on this and found that restrooms are only required in the food industry or if you have employees. Equipment Finders does not have any employees, it is run by the owners. Joe said the one violation Cal Cumin was able to find was the fact that if they are using a mobile home down there as their office, then that is not allowed. Mobile homes are very restrictive and have to be in a zoned mobile home area. Joe told the Erickson's that and they are trying to get the mobile home moved off there because they do not want to sell it anyway. Joe said this situation brings up the question of whether the Council wants to look at requiring a business building for people with a business license. WEED CONTROL Jim Flisrand asked Joe Bradley for guidelines in handling thel weed problem this year. Joe stated that the City has to give the property owner ten days notice for the nuisance. In the past the City went out and mowed the weeds and billed the property owner on the taxes. If the City is short the manpower to do this the other alternative is to ticket the property owner and fine them for each day the nuisance continues and they are responsible for cutting their weeds. Page 6 Council Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Meeting of gune 7, 1988 Jim asked Joe if he wants to handle this as a permanent policy for everyone whether it be a single residence or the larger lots. Joe stated the problem will be with the larger lots owned by people such as bankers. He felt the City should let these people know of the change in policy first. Inform them that we will not be able to mow the weeds and put it on the taxes and that they are responsible for doing it or they will be ticketed for each day that the nuisance continues. CPR TRAINING Chuck Dickerson asked Ernie Davis where the City stands as far as obtaining CPR training. Ernie stated he spoke to Pat Metzger and the person Pat had in mind to give the class was not interested in doing it and Phil Curry has given up his instructors certificate. Jim Flisrand stated the lifeguards have to be certified and the City will be setting up classes for this with Red Cross instructors and if possible, maybe something can be coordinated with that class. Chuck said he felt it was very important to stay on top of this. STOP SIGNS Bob Graham asked Jim Flisrand for an update on the two intersections at 6th and 9th Street and 5th and Maryland. Jim stated the engineering study is almost complete and he will present his findings at a later meeting. JULY 4th FIREWORKS DISPLAY Darrell McGillen, Fire Chief, asked the Council for permission to hold the fireworks display within the city limits. Discussion followed on the liability insurance coverage and Darrell also stated that children will not be allowed to ride on the fire trucks when tickets are being sold. Motion by Alderman Dickerson to grant the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department permission to hold a fireworks display within the city limits on July 4th~ seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8--0. There is a date change on the Board of Adjustments meeting from Tuesdays June 14th to Thursday, June 16th. Darrell McGillen requested permission for the Volunteer Department to use Thompson Park on July 4th for a barbecue. Fire Motion by Alderman Dickerson to grant the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department permission to use Thompson Park for a barbecue on July 4th, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8--0. MAYOR'S COMMENTS: The Mayor reminded everyone that the American Legion will meet with interested people at Thompson Park on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Donald L. Hackmann, City Clerk Approved by The Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City Laurels Montana, this 21st day of Junes 1988. of ATTEST: Donald L. Hackmann, City Clerk