Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 12.06.1988Minutes of the City Council of Laurel December 6, 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 7:06 p.m., on December 6, 1988. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Chuck Dickerson Donna Kilpatrick Chuck Rodgers Norman Orr Bruce Teeters COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Ervin Wood L.D. Collins Bob Graham INVOCATION: Invocation was given by Reverend Pugh. MINUTES: Motion by Alderman Dickerson to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of November 15, 1988, as presented, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 5--0. CORRESPONDENCE: Received a memo from the MMIA regarding Loss Control seminars. One is scheduled in Billings on December 12th for Public Works and on December 13th for the Police Department. Received a memo from the Montana League of Cities and Towns regarding a district legislative meeting at noon, Monday, December 12th, in the first floor conference room of the Billings city library. Received the October newsletter from the Montana Municipal Insurance Authority. Received a letter from L.P. Hilliard of Cable TV regarding the renewal of their agreement which expires April 15, 1989. The letter was referred to the Budget/Finance Committee for a recommendation. CLAIMS: Claims for the month of November were reviewed by the Committee and recommended that they be paid. Budget/Finance Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to approve amount of $ 194,308.39 for the month of November, Orr. Motion carried 5--0. the claims in the seconded by Alderman SOUTRWORTH FENCE: Joe Bradley stated that the Southworth's presented their case at the last Council meeting but action was delayed so the Council members would have a chance to look at the area where the fence was placed. Motion by Alderman Rodgers to approve the placing of a fence in the public right-of-way, seconded by Alderman Orr. Discussion followed with Chuck Rodgers stating he felt part of this is the city's fault for not getting there in time and also that it should be the last fence allowed in the public right-of-way. He stated the Southworth's should understand that they are responsible if any liability should come about because of the fence. Joe Bradley stated the motion should include a part which requires the Southworth's to sign an agreement similar to the one the Assembly of God Church did when they extended their fence onto the public right-of-way. At this time the motion and the second to the motion were withdrawn. Motion by Alderman Rodgers to approve the placing of a fence in the public right-of-way, subject to the Southworth's signing an agreement protecting the city from liability and acknowledging that they may have to move the fence at any time, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 5--0. Page2 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Council Meeting of December 6, 1988 Jim Flisrand stated that the curb boxes are located in the public right-of-way and that if it is ever necessary for the crew to get at it, they would need to go inside the fence. KEN BOGAR - RURAL FIRE DISTRICT #7: Ken Bogar of Rural Fire District #7 questioned the Council as to why the assessment jumped from $ 21,000.00 in 1986 to $ 87,000.00 in 1988. The Mayor stated that he does not have the information before him to answer Ken's questions and he would like him to attend both the Fire Committee and the Budget/Finance meetings and he will show him how the figures were arrived at. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USE OF THE OLD LIBRARY BUILDING: RESOLUTION NO. 2373 PROVIDING FOR THE USE OF A PORTION OF THE OLD CITY LIBRARY BUILDING AS A MUSEUM. Joe Bradley read through and explained the resolution to the Council. Motion by Alderman Dickerson that Resolution No. 2373 be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Orr. Discussion followed and Joe Bradley explained that this is a commitment to reserve a portion of the building as a museum. The question of who will use it and where the museum would be placed in the building is reserved for future determination. The Mayor stated he has a real problem in regards to installing an elevator in the current City Hall building in order to make the Council Chambers and the Courtroom accessible to the handicapped as required by federal law. How can we consider trying to fund an elevator that will run approximately $ 30,000.00 to $ 50,000.00 when the budget was cut by 20% this year, six positions are being held open and there will be no raises for the next three years? The Mayor stated he has no problem with establishing a museum but the city's needs have to be addressed also. Cai Cumin stated that Mr. Goldy has donated more of his time to address questions concerning the structural uses of the library building. The Library Committee reports of November 22nd and the 29th were reviewed at this time. Donna Kilpatrick stated the committee was acting under pressure from people who wanted a decision and she feels the recommendation was made hastily. Chuck Rodgers feels Mr.Goldy did an excellent job in laying out the plans for the old library building but he still feels the ideal place for a museum is the log cabin in Firemen's Park. He is not opposed to the library building as a temporary residence to start the museum in as long as it could move to the log cabin within a few years. Cal Cumin Ipresented two proposed plans for the building as part of the Library minutes. He explained each plan includes three separate areas which would house the Court Chambers, Council Chambers, and a museum area and he went on to indicate which plan is preferred and the reasons for it. Bruce Teeters questioned whether there is enough room to hou'se a museum and he would like to see more study put into it before a decision is made. Page3 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Council Meeting of December 6, 1988 Joe Bradley advised the Council to approach it with the idea that if they pass this resolution tonight, then they are reserving the actual terms and conditions until later and if it is the Council's wish, he can write a lease effective just through July 4th of 1989, which would allow the interested people to show their memorabilia for the centennial celebration over the 4th of July. Sandy Stevenson stated the resolution would be fine for the Chamber of Commerce. They will be meeting tomorrow and they could form an ad hoc committee whose job it would be to form a trust. They would happily accept a one year lease just so they can get started in the centennial year. Keith Thompson stated he would be in favor of a museum in Laurel but he is concerned that it be a municipal museum and not just a conglomeration of things on a short term basis. At this time the question on the motion was called for. carried 4--1 with Alderwoman Kilpatrick voting, "NO." Motion AMENDMENT TO THE HOUSE IN TRANSIT ORDINANCE: This item was removed from the agenda until the next Council meeting. AMENDMENT TO THE KENNEL ORDINANCE: Joe Bradley stated the purpose of this ordinance is to bring our definition of kennel under the animal nuisance ordinance in line with our definition of kennel under the zoning ordinance. ORDiNANcE NO. 942 (first reading AMENDING SECTION 7.04.010 OF THE LAUREL MUNICIPAL CODE ADDING DEFINITIONS OF COMMERCIAL KENNEL AND NON-COMMERCIAL KENNEL. Motion by Alderman Rodgers that Ordinance No. 942 (first reading) be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Orr. A roll call vote was taken and all aldermen present voted, "YES." Motion carried 5--0. APPROVING A LEASE WITH MONTANA RAIL LINK: This is a resolution approving a building and the city park. The $ 1.00 to $ 12.00 per year. lease with Rail Link for the park lease payment has increased from RESOLUTION NO. 2374 A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN INDEFINITE TERM LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LAUREL AND MONTANA RAIL LINK, INC., A MONTANA CORPORATION, HEREINAFTER CALLED "RAILROAD", BURLINGTON NORTHERN RAILROAD COMPANY, A DELAWARE CORPORATION, HEREINAFTER CALLED "BN COMPANY", SAID AGREEMENT RELATING TO THE LEASE OF AN INFORMATION BUREAU BOOTH AND A CITY PARK. Motion by Alderman Dickerson that Resolution NO. 2374 be and adopted, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 5--0. FENCE PERMITS: ~ ORDINANCE NO. 9~2' (first reading) passed ESTABLISHING AND REQUIRING A PERMIT FOR CONSTRUCTION, ALTERATION, OR REPLACEMENT OF FENCES. Discussion followed regarding fees come up in the future. and different situations that may Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Page 4 Council Meeting of December 6, 1988 At this time Mayor Gauthier recognized Boy Scout Troop #400 under the direction of Bill Wood. The troop was present to observe the meeting and to fulfill a requirement for a merit badge. The Mayor thanked them for their presence. More discussion followed on Ordinance No. 943. Motion by Alderman Rodgers that Ordinance No. 943 (first reading) be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. A roll call vote was taken and all aldermen voted, "YES." Motion carried 5--0. ORDINANCE NO. 944 (first reading) PROVIDING FOR ENFORCEMENT OF FENCE PERMIT ORDINANCE. Motion by Alderman Dickerson that Ordinance No. 944 (first reading) be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Orr. A roll call vote was taken and all aldermen present voted, "YES." Motion carried 5--0. COMMITTEE REPORTS: --City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of November 15, were presented. 1988 Motion by Alderman Orr to enter the City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of November 15, 1988, into the record, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. Motion carried 5--0. --Library Building Committee minutes of November 22, 1988 were presented. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to enter the Library Building Committee minutes of November 22, 1988, into the record, seconded by Alderman Rodgers. Motion carried 5--0. --Library Building Committee presented. minutes of November 29, 1988 were Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to enter the Library Building Committee minutes of November 29, 1988, into the record, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. Motion carried 5-0. LIGHTS AT KIWANIS PARK: In response to a question, Montana Power the go ahead~ complete the job. Jim Flisrand stated that once he gives it will take approximately three weeks to Discussion followed regarding overhead and underground lighting and the different options available. Motion by Alderman Orr to accept Montana Power's proposal #3, seconded by Alderman Rodgers. After further discussion the motion and the second were withdrawn. This item was referred to the Street and Alley Committee for further study and recommendation. MAYOR'S COMMENTS: APPOINTMENT OF NEW FIREMAN: Darrell McGillen stated the fire department Teeters be appointed to the LVFD. recommended that Bruce The Mayor appointed Bruce Teeters to the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department. Motion by Alderman Orr to confirm the appointment of Bruce Teeters to the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. Motion carried 4--0 with Alderman Teeters abstaining. Pages Minutes of the City CoUncil of Laurel Council Meeting of December 6, 1988 The Mayor announced that there will not be a Christmas party this year, as it was not budgeted for. APPOINTMENT OF POLICE RESERVE OFFICERS: Alan Crowe stated that Mike Penne, Police Reserve officer, is requesting appointments of new members to the Police Reserve. Alan stated they currently have 11 members and they are authorized to have 25. Mike Penne recommended the following people be appointed to the Police Reserve: Larry Collins Mike Curshman Fred Ott Dan Koch Mark Kauffman The Mayor stated he will make the appointments at the next meeting after he has had time to review the applications. Jim Flisrand informed the Council that a few of the garbage cans in the business district will be adjusted to make the pickup route more feasible. Chuck Rodgers stated he spoke to Jim Flisrand in regards to having the snow removed from around the FAP complex each time it snows in order to prevent an ice build up. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Polli VanNice commented that a lot of the problems regarding building permits and violations of ordinances have to do with fences. She feels many people are ignorant to what is actually required by the city and she feels this could be improved by doing public relation work with the community. This in turn, could eliminate a lot of the time the Council spends in dealing with these problems. There being no further business to come before the Council at time, the meeting was adjourned at ~9 p.m. Donald L. Hackmann, City Clerk this Approved by The Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, this 20th day of December, 1988. Bob Gauthier, Mayor ATTEST: Donald L. Hackmann, City Clerk