HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works Committee Minutes 08.10.2009MINUTES
CITY OF LAUREL
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
AUGUST 10, 2009
5:30 P.M.
Members Present: Chairman Mark Mace
Chuck Dickerson Dave Siljestrom
Emelie Eaton Chuck Rodgers
Staff Present: Public Works Director, Kurt Markegard
Public Comments: None
The meeting was called to order at 5:35 p.m. July minutes were approved as written.
Discussion Topic: Public water resale
Kurt wanted to advise the committee and council on a problem he sees with commercial water meters
reselling water to users outside the City of Laurel boundaries. Kurt feels as though, due to the base
rate and the cubic foot rate which is charged to all city residents the same amount, businesses could
resell the water to out-of-town homeowners for a higher price and cause so much water to be diverted
this way that the system could have a problem paying for itself over a long period of time.
Kurt also feels that there are several issues with the quality of water that is finally given to outside
sources that the City of Laurel cannot guarantee the safety and condition of the water when it finally
reaches its destination and how long that happens. Kurt would like the committee to look at the
safeguards that the City Attorney has mentioned to try to gain a handle on an issue that has never been
addressed and others who would want to exploit the system as it is structured. The committee will
look at and advise Kurt through e-mail their opinions of what they would feel would be appropriate to
do to eliminate the continued issue.
One possible option the City has is too revert back to a delivery system which could cause fewer
customers to demand the product, thereby making it less profitable to any one business venture.
Discussion Topic: Hardrives Asphalt work continued
Kurt wanted to inform the committee of the repairs of streets in Laurel by Hardrives Asphalt to do a
large portion of West Railroad Street where the potholes were so large near Schessler Concrete.
Discussion Tonic: Riverside Contract with the State of Montana for overlav of East Main Street
Kurt did remind the state that a plug in the storm drain system near Alder Avenue was causing the
rain to back up and threaten some businesses such as Mabel's. Kurt made a call to the contractor
directly as time was of a premium to get the problems solved. The State of Montana should be
reminded that a contact person needs to be involved with the scope of the work and its conditions as
thework progresses through town and not leave it up to the local agency to figure out. The contractor
is getting paid to make the condition safe for the citizens regardless of the weather conditions.
Discussion Topic: Review of Fees and Charges
Kurt wanted the committee to look at the last fee schedule, which was adopted in 2008, to see if some
items should be adjusted based on what some staff members have said should be more equitable for
the staff to justify. Based on Kurt's experience, some charges are low, based on the time it takes to
follow through with the staff s time and effort.
Kurt asked the committee to follow up with an e-mail or discuss it at the next meeting for any changes
the committee feels it would support with a recommendation to the City Council.
Chuck Dickerson left early at 6:45 p.m and the meeting was adjourned at 7:03 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Mace