HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommittee of the Whole Minutes 10.03.2000 MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
OCTOBER 3, 2000 6:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MEMBERS PRESENT:
OTHERS PRESENT:
Chairman Chuck Rodgers
Lauren Van Roekel
Ken Olson
Gay Easton
Bill Staudinger
V. Joe Leckie
Larry McCann
Mary Embleton
Gary Temple
Mark Mace
Daniel Dart
Mike Zuhoski
Jim Stevens
Jan Faught (6:38 p.m.)
Jim Green presented information regarding the possibility of Amtrak service to Laurel.
Petitions are being circulated in an effort to get Amtrak officials to come out for a meeting
regarding service. The Office of Conrad Bums is attempting to get this meeting scheduled
by the end of October. The petitions would also be used to approach the state legislature in
January and the Department of Transportation regarding the Amtrak service. For the first
time in twenty years, the Montana DOT has begun to update the passenger rail plan. Mr.
Green stated that the DOT is updating something from nothing. The vice-president of
Amtrak is currently attempting to regain the contracts for the U.S. Mail service. A firm in
Washington, D.C., has been commissioned to study the feasibility of having Amtrak in
Montana. The proposed Amtrak route would be from Denver to Spokane to the
Laurel/Billings area. There was discussion regarding a shuttle service between Laurel and
Billings, the need for a depot, and the involvement that the Laurel Revitalization League
could have in this development. The cotmcil agreed that this is an opportunity with great
potential for the City of Laurel. Mr. Green stated that an appeal for funds by a new non-
profit organization would be started soon. Gary Temple recommended that the council
pass a resolution of support for the Amtrak service. Smokey Staudinger will be circulating
the petition in Laurel.
Larry McCann stated that Roy Williams recently asked MRL to donate a main line engine
for Firemen's Park. Mr. Williams received permission from the Chamber of Commerce,
but he neglected to get permission from the council and a resolution would be necessary.
Ken Olson asked regarding the possibility of getting a steam locomotive.
Gary recently noticed several code violations in the northwest part of Laurel. Larry will
have the inspectors check again.
Ken thanked the council for the opportunity to serve on the Montana League of Cities and
Towns Legislative Committee. Twelve entities were represented at the recent meeting and
about twenty resolutions were presented. These resolutions will be presented at the League
of Cities and Towns meeting on October 11-13, and the resolutions that are adopted by the
League will be taken to the legislature. Ken gave copies of the resolutions to the council.
Smokey mentioned that there is still a problem with parked cars in the parks where the
sprinkler system was installed. One problem area is on the west end of the football field.
Mayor Rodgers said that the Police Department would address the problem more closely.
The meeting adjourned at 6:54 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
City Council Secretary