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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 10.18.1988Minutes of the City Council of Laurel October 18, 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 7:00 p.m., on October 18, 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: Invocation was given by Alderman Collins. The Mayor acknowledged Grace Edwards, Yellowstone County Commissioner, who was in the audience. Without any objection from the Council, Comments from the Audience was moved up on the agenda to right after minutes and correspondence. MINUTES: Motion by Alderman Dickerson regular meeting of October 4, 1988, Collins. Motion carried 8--0. to approve the minutes of the as presented, seconded by Alderman CORRESPONDENCE: Received the October newsletter from the Montana Municipal Insurance Authority. Received the September activity report from the Yellowstone County Air Pollution Control Board. Received a letter from Yellowstone County Sheriff, Mike Schafer, regarding a Montana Board of Crime Control grant received by Yellowstone County. Mr. Schafer is requesting the City of Laurel to contribute their proportional share of matching funds in the amount of $ 1,158.42. Received a letter of resignation from Ernie Davis, Maintenance Director, effective October 20, 1988. Motion by Alderman Orr to accept the resignation of Ernie Davis, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. Motion carried 8--0. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Don Gudgell, representative for the LUFSA, spoke regarding the contract. The trustees felt they would not be able to raise the $ 28,300.00 to cover the contract and therefore could not sign the contract. They are hoping however, to reach some kind of agreement closer to the data base that the LUFSA worked up. They met with County Commissioners Edwards and McKay to try to find a solution to this that would be agreeable to both parties. Grace Edwards stated that there is no way they can go out into the LUFSA area and raise the contract amount without raising the assessments so high that they are no longer fair and equitable. The cost set by the LUFSA is comparable to the assessments in other fire service areas within Yellowstone County. Grace stated that if every taxpayer within LUFSA paid their assessment, they could bring in at the most $ 19,200.00. Grace went on to say the County experiences a 9% delinquency and protest rate and this is considered when figuring the budget. They are confident they can bring in approximately $ 18,000.00 with hopefully a little cushion to put in reserve. Page2 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Council Meeting of October 18, 1988 She went on to say that it would be unrealistic for the residents of LUFSA to expect the same level of service that the residents within the city limits receive due to the distance involved and the unfamiliarity of the area. They are asking for the level of service that the volunteer fire department can provide to them for $ 18,000.00. Jim Kraft made the Council aware of three things that can happen in regards to LUFSA. The first is that LUFSA can petition to dissolve. Secondly, the fire service area can remain intact but not receive any service and the final option is that people living adjacent to Fire District #7 can petition for annexation into Fire District #7. Jim said there is a lot of iniquity between the Fire Districts and LUFSA and he feels there may be a mass annexation by people who really want coverage. Discussion followed regarding whether it is feasible to enter into a contract for the remaining eight months of the year at a cost of approximately $ 19,536.00. This would give LUFSA eight months of fire protection and also time for everyone to work together to reach a contract that can be agreed upon. Joe Bradley stated that it would be a one year contract from July 1st to June 30th but we are already four months into it and the $ 19,536.00 would cover the next eight months. Jim Kraft stated there is a time crunch because of the mailing of the taxes. The assessor can hand write in the amounts for LUFSA only until October 25th or 26th so a decision must be made by then. It was stated by Grace Edwards that the Board of Trustees have full control over the operations of LUFSA and they will be the ones who enter into a contract. Don Gudgell and Dick Blee spoke in reference to language within the contract that they would like to see changed. Joe stated that a new contract would need to be written for just one year to get us through till June 30th and other changes can then be worked on for an extended contract. Chuck Rodgers stated that the Laurel Fire Department has put a lot of work into setting up this fire service area and he reviewed what has been done by the fire department in regards to this. At this point, Wally McGee was angry that some of the County representatives left the Council meeting and he voiced his views concerning County government and also the sewer rate increase. CITY CLERK & CITY TREASURER'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: The City Clerk and City Treasurer's financial statements for the month of September were presented. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick that the City Clerk and City Treasurer's financial statements for the month of September, 1988, be approved, seconded by Alderman Collins. Motion carried 8--0. SENIOR HELPING RANDS PROGRAM: Agnes Crow gave a report and a slide presentation on the Senior Helping Hands program. She stated the program was started 11 years ago and Laurel currently contributes $250.00 a year to this program. Agnes introduced Barbara Rieser, a helping aide in Laurel who cares for 8 to i0 people a week. SEWER RATE INCREASE: This being the time and place advertised, a public hearing was held. PROPONENTS: Bob Gauthier stated this rate increase is necessary primarily to pay off a bond issue that was used to fund the new sewer plant. The plant Page 3 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Council Meeting of October 18, 1988 was put into operation in 1985 and it required one additional man on staff. The plant is run during peak hours only but, under HKM's advisement, may eventually become a 24 hour a day operation if the population of Laurel warrants it. A computer system is now used to monitor the plant and if there is a problem it will alarm Dave or Jim by phone. Bob stated the costs are kept to a minimum and the rate increase is only 15% over what HKM recommended the rate be in 1985. The bond issue has been paid out of a reserve fund, with hopes that the economy of Laurel will improve but it hasn't and this can no longer be done. Dave Michael distributed information to the audience on the proposed increase. Dave gave a breakdown of the expenses and revenue of the plant. He explained the expenses outweigh the revenue because of a decrease in customers which results in a drop in consumption and the cost of operating the sewer plant has increased approximately 23% over the last three fiscal years. The bond debt will run $ 79,450.00 this year and in the past this has been paid out of reserves but Dave said the reserves are running out. He also stated that a new sewer lift station was constructed on East Main Street at a cost of $ 37,742.00. Dave stated the Budget/Finance Committee has recommended a rate increase of 6% which would generate approximately $ 23,250.00 in additional revenue to run the plant which is no longer under warranty. Keith Thompson stated he does not feel this increase is excessive. He said he has spent time looking at the city budget and he feels Laurel is a well managed city and the increase is necessary. OPPONENTS: Wally McGee, 706 Washington, stated he feels the rates are too high in comparison to what he pays for his residence in Livingston. Marvin Clark, 520 West Maryland, stated he is wanting more knowledge of the budget process so he can understand the reason for this increase. Re also feels there is grant money available and he questioned whether Laurel is applying for this money. Bob Gauthier briefly explained different types of grants that are available and what they are to be used for and stated that the city is attempting to get grant money but that it is becoming very difficult because of all the cutbacks around the state and also the federal government. Marvin was also protesting the increase on behalf of the older people in our community who are on fixed incomes. Motion by Alderman Dickerson to close the public hearing, seconded by Alderman Graham. Motion carried 8--0. RESOLUTION NO. 2370 RAISING CITY SEWER RATES AND CHARGES SO AS TO INCREASE TOTAL ANNUAL REVENUES NOT TO EXCEED 6% Motion by Alderman Dickerson that Resolution No. 2370 be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Graham. More discussion followed regarding expenses, availability of grants to help meet the budget and ways to further cut the budget. Joe Bradley inquired whether the proper notices have been given and Don Hackmann, City Clerk, stated that the newspaper ads have been published and a notice went out with all utility bills. At this time the question was called for and there being a division of the house a roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Teeters, Rodgers, Dickerson, Orr, Graham and Alderwoman Kilpatrick all voted, "YES." Aldermen Collins and Wood voted, "NO." Motion carried 6--2. Page 4 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Council Meeting of October 18, 1988 FOUR HOUR PARKING: ORDINANCE NO. 940 (first reading) ADDING SECTION 10.68.036 TO THE LAUREL MUNICIPAL CODE ESTABLISHING FOUR (4) HOUR PARKING LIMITS IN THE CITY PARKING LOT Motion by Alderman Dickerson that Ordinance No. 940 (first reading) be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Orr. A roll call vote was taken and all aldermen voted, "YES" except Aldermen Teeters, Rodgers and Wood who voted, "NO." Motion carried 5--3. ORDINANCE NO. 941 (first reading} AMENDING SECTION 10.68.030 OF THE LAUREL MUNICIPAL CODE TO DELETE TWO (2) HOUR PARKING LIMITATION IN THE CITY PARKING LOT Motion by Alderman Dickerson that Ordinance No. 941 (first reading} be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Orr. A roll call vote was taken and motion carried 6--2 with Aldermen Wood and Rodgers voting, "NO." RESOLUTION TRANSFERRING FUNDS FROM SID #96 BSF TO SID REVOLVING FUND: RESOLUTION NO. 2371 BEING A RESOLUTION TRANSFERRING CERTAIN FUNDS OF THE CITY OF LAUREL, MONTANA Motion by Alderman Dickerson that Resolution No. 2371 be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Graham. Motion carried 8--0. COMMITTEE REPORTS: --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of October 18. 1988 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to enter the Budget/Finance Committee minutes of October 18, 1988, into the record, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8--0. --City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of October 4, 1988 were presented. Motion by Alderman Dickerson to enter the City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of October 4, 1988, into the record~ seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8--0. --City-County Planning Board minutes of October 8, 1988 were presented. HOME OCCUPATIONS: Curtis Doherty~ 512 Pennsylvania Avenue, would like to start Family Computer Center, where all sales would be done outside his home and there would be no storage, inventory or showroom in his home. Motion by Alderman Dickerson to accept the Planning Board's recommendation and grant a Home Occupation to Curtis Doherty, seconded by Alderwoman Kilpatrick. There being a division of the house a roll call vote was taken and motion carried 7--1 with Alderman Rodgers voting, "NO." Lynn Nordahl, 1110 6th Avenue, stated he would like to start a' home delivery service for "Pride of the Valley" products that he purchases from Lucky Seibert. There would be no traffic coming to his home and no extra garbage. Page5 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Council Meeting of October 18, 1988 Motion by Alderman Dickerson to accept the Planning Board's recommendation to grant a home occupation to Lynn Nordahl, seconded by Alderman Teeters. Motion carried 7--1 with Alderman Wood voting, "NO." Don and Mary Ann Johnson, 523 Elm, were not present at the meeting but had requested to have a limited kennel to allow them to breed and sell Chinese Sharpai dogs. Motion by Alderman Dickerson to accept the Planning Board's recommendation which denied Don and Mary Ann Johnson a home occupation, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8--0. Motion by Alderman Collins to enter the Board minutes of October 8, 1988, into the Alderman Dickerson. Motion carried 8--0. City-County Planning record, seconded by --License Committee minutes of October 17, 1988 were presented and reviewed. ROSIN CONSTRUCTION Motion by Alderman Graham to grant Rosin Construction license, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8--0. a city NORDAHL MARKETING Motion by Alderman Graham to license, seconded by Alderman Orr. Collins voting, "NO." grant Nordahl Marketing a city Motion carried 7--1 with Alderman FAMILY COMPUTER CENTER Motion by Alderman Graham to grant Family Computer Center a city license, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 7--1 with Alderman Collins voting, "NO." Discussion followed and Joe Bradley explained the purpose of the License Committee and what a Home Occupation entails in order to clear up confusion over points that were brought up. Motion by Alderman Collins to enter the License Committee minutes of October 17, 1988, into the record, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8--0. --Public Utilities Committee minutes of October 11. 1988 presented and reviewed. were Motion by Alderman Collins to enter the Public Utilities Committee minutes of October 11. 1988, into the record, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8--0. FURTHER COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Don Gudgell stated that the trustees of LUFSA met outside the Council room and are agreeable to the short term contract. Joe Bradley stated the Council members will have a couple days to think about it and a decision will be made in the coming week. Grace Edwards stated that in all her dealings with Laurel, she agrees with the comment that Laurel is a very well managed city. She did say in response to Wally McGee, that she feels his allegations are very paranoid and false in regard to County services. Marvin Clark commented that there is a high level of pollution in the area of the school bus barn because of the amount of time the buses are left running to warm up. Bob Graham, a school bus driver, responded by saying the school received a letter from the Air Pollution Control Board stating they cannot do this any longer. Bob said the buses should not be running for more than a few minutes before leaving. Page6 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Council Meeting of October 18, 1988 L.D. Collins, chairman of the County Air Pollution Control Board, clarified that the letter requested that they no longer warm up the buses that are parked next to the fence which borders the property owners' yards, but rather pull them into the middle of the parking lot to warm up. MAYOR'S COMMENTS: The Mayor proclaimed October 24th through the no to Drugs" week. 30th as Red Ribbon "Say L.D. Collins requested permission to leave the State. Motion b.v Alderman Rodgers to grant L.D. Collins permission to leave the State, seconded by Alderwoman Kilpatrick. Motion carried 8--0. Chuck Dickerson stated that two years ago handicapped regulations were discussed and it was decided to have handicapped parking in front of City Hall and a sign was to be erected and the curb was to be painted. Me inquired as to why it has not been done yet. Jim Flisrand stated it has not been done because of the unsafe conditions due to the slope of the concrete. Jim stated it is best to remove the concrete and make a standard wheelchair area which is a flat surface. It was also mentioned that two spaces will be designated handicapped parking in the city parking lot next to the alley. There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at~q~0~ p.m. Approved by The Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City Laurel, Montana, this 1st day of November, 1988. of ATTEST: Donald L. Hackmann, City Clerk