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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 04.06.1999 MINIJTES OF THE CITY COIJNCIL OF LAIJREL April 6, 1999 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 Chuck Rodgers at 7:00 p.m. on April 6, 1999. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Dirk Kroll Ken Olson Gay Easton Bill Staudinger COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None Gary Temple Miles Walton Norman Orr Bud Johnson Mayor Rodgers asked the council to observe a moment of silence in behalf of Miranda Feuner and her family. MINUTES: Motion by Alderman Kroll to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of March 16, 1999, as presented, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Motion carried 8-0. CORRESPONDENCE: a. James Stevens, Fire Chief: Letter regarding new Fire Department officers. b. M.M.I.A. Spring 1999 Bulletin: Property Insurance. c. Montana League of Cities and Towns March 17, 1999 Legislative Bulletin. d. Montana League of Cities and Towns Fax: House Bill 91, Extra Territorial Building Code Jurisdiction, and House Bill 393, Local Option Tax~s. e. Yellowstone County Commissioners, City of Billings, City of Laurel, School District #2 Agenda for March 25, 1999joint meeting. f. Montana League of Cities and Towns April 1, 1999 Legislative Bulletin. CONSENT ITEMS: a. Claims for the month of March in the amount of $550,709.18. b. Committee Reports. --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of March 16, 1999 were presented. --City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of March 16, 1999 were presented. --Laurel Airport Anthofitv minutes of February 23, 1999 were presented. --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of March 29, 1999 were presented. --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of March 30, 1999 were presented. c. Resolutions. 1) Resolution No. R99-10: Resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign Change Order No. 5 for the Water Treatment Plant. RESOLUTION NO. R99-10 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN CHANGE ORDER NO. 5 FOR THE WATER TREATMENT PLANT. 2) Resolution No. R99-11: Resolution to mill and pave First Avenue from the north side of Main Street to the end of the water line project, and mill and pave First Street from First Avenue west to Third Avenue, at a maximum cost of $53,160. Council Minutes of April 6, 1999 RESOLUTION NO. R99-11 A RESOLUTION TO MILL AND PAVE FIRST AVENUE FROM THE NORTH SIDE OF MAIN STREET TO THE END OF THE WATER LINE PROJECT, AND MILL AND PAVE FIRST STREET FROM FIRST AVENUE WEST TO THIRD AVENUE, AT A MINIMUM COST OF $53,160. 3) Resolution No. R99~12: Resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign an agreement with the Corps of Engineers for a Section 22 Grant for $78,300, the City's responsibility being $39,150, for a study to determine a solution at the water intake. RESOLUTION NO. R99-12 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS FOR A SECTION 22 GRANT FOR $78,300, THE CITY'S RESPONSIBILITY BEING $39,150, FOR A STUDY TO DETERMINE A SOLUTION AT THE WATER INTAKE. 4) Resolution No. R99-13: Resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign an agreement with the State of Montana and Montana Rail Link to install crossing arms at First Avenue and South Fourth and lights at the east crossing on Railroad Street. RESOLUTION NO. R99-13 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF MONTANA AND MONTANA RAIL LINK TO INSTALL CROSSING ARMS AT FIRST AVENUE AND SOUTH FOURTH AND LIGHTS AT THE EAST CROSSING ON RAILROAD STREET. The mayor asked if there was any separation of consent items. Alderman Easton separated item 5.c.2) out of the consent agenda. This item became item q. under scheduled matters. Motion by Alderman Johnson to approve the consent items, seconded by Alderman Temple. Motion carried 8-0. SCHEDULED MATTERS: a. Confirmation of Appointments. Board of Artpeals. Mayor Rodgers appointed Ollie Olson, 202 Third Avenue, to the Board of Appeals for a two-year term, effective April 6, 1999. Motion by Alderman Johnson to confirm the appointment of Ollie Olson to the Board Of Appeals for a two-year term, effective April 6, 1999, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8- 0. Laurel Volunteer Fire Department Officers for 1999-2000. Mayor Rodgers appointed Jim Stevens as Fire Chief, Terry Ruff as 1st Assistant Chief, Steve Wegner as 2nd Assistant Chief, Rob Harris as 3rd Assistant Chief, Matt Hoppel as Training Officer, Gary Colley as Fire Marshall, Todd Linder as Fire Prevention Officer and Miles Walton as Safety Officer. Motion by Alderman Kroll to confirm the appointments of Jim Stevens as Fire Chief, Terry Ruff as 1 st Assistant Chief, Steve Wegner as 2na Assistant Chief, Rob Harris as 3rd Assistant Chief, Matt Hoppel as Training Officer, Gary Colley as Fire Marshall, Todd Linder as Fire Prevention Officer, and Miles Walton as Safety Officer, seconded by Alderman Staudinger. Motion carried 8-0. Council Minutes of April 6, 1999 b. Award/reject street sweeper bid. Motion by Alderman Johnson to approve the bid from Boyle Equipment Company, Denver, Colorado, for $115,980.00 with a $1,500.00 trade allowance for a net bid of $113,480.00 for a New Current Model 1999 4-Wheel Vacuum Sweeper, seconded by Alderman Easton. Motion carried 8-0. Motion to remove Resolution No. R99-5 from the table. (Tabled 2/16/99) Resolution No. R99-5: A resolution approving that the name Laurel Lions Family Park be given to South Pond with some recognition on tbe sign for the Laurel Rod and Gun Club as the original pumhaser of the park. RESOLUTION NO. R99-5 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THAT THE NAME LAUREL LIONS FAMILY PARK BE GIVEN TO SOUTH POND WITH SOME RECOGNITION ON THE SIGN FOR THE LAUREL ROD AND GUN CLUB AS THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER OF THE PARK. No action was taken. Tom Kaiserski: RC&D - Technical Assistance Grant and DEQ Grant for wastewater plan/leverage money for downtown development. Cal Cumin introduced Tom Kaiserski, an economic development coordinator with the Beartooth RC&D in Joliet. Laurel is a participant in the RC&D program and that is taken out of the Planning Board budget. Tom has been very active in the downtown planning program and has done a considerable amount of grant research and development coordination. Tom Kaiserski distributed a handout to the councilmen. Tom recently assisted the downtown organization in completing a $5,000 grant application from U.S. West, and the decision has not yet been made. The Laurel Downtown Revitalization Association has identified about forty projects, with ten considered as priority projects. The group has identified entryway landscaping as one of their priority projects. In considering this project, some potential funding opportunities need to be identified to assist with the cost of the project. Mr. Kaiserski presented the CDBG Technical Assistance Grant as a possibility. This program is available through the Montana Department of Commerce. The CDBG Technical Assistance Grants have a $10,000 ceiling, with a one-to-one match required, and the deadline for application is April 30th. Tom stated that, if the landscaping designing project were combined with an infrastructure study, it would have a better chance of being funded by CDBG. The City of Laurel could use funds it is planning to spend on a sewer plm~ to leverage CDBG funds that could provide a boost to the efforts of the downtown group. When Mr. Kaiserski talked with the CDBG people about the eligibility of trying to find a landscape design project, they indicated that that project would be eligible. There would be a better chance of being funded if it were tied into some infrastructure project. So he began to look at combining the infrastructure and landscape design projects. Since the cost for a complete sewer plan project would be approximately $90,000, he suggested submitting an application to CDBG that would include a combination of a Phase I sewer plan ($30,000) and the landscape design ($10,000). The possible funding scenario could be: $10,000 from CDBG; $10,000 from the DEQ; and $20,000 matching funds from the City of Laurel. The DEQ also has a small grant available, which would require matching funds from the city. Mr. Kaiserski stated that RC&D would be willing to provide proposal writing assistance to apply for these two grant programs. The CDBG application is due April 30th, and the DEQ grant application should be made by the middle of May. If funded, the City of Laurel would administer the CDBG and could appoint a committee to work with the Laurel Downtown Revitalization Association. The downtown group, along with the council committee, would determine the scope of the work for the landscape designer. The city would administer the DEQ grant and would be required to contract for engineering services to complete the Phase I sewer plan. Tom explained that one of the projects being considered by the downtown group would be raised median landscaping at the interchange on Highway 212. Tom presented a sample budget of the Council Minutes of April 6, 1999 costs of a conceptual idea for the landscaping projects. The estimated design costs of the project, including contract administration, would be about $7,600. Some additional landscape design work could also be done at other locations with the $10,000 available from the grant. Tom suggested that the $10,000 would be used for some significant design work, providing detailed plans and specifications. Mr. Kaiserski emphasized that this is just the planning effort, and other monies would need to be found for the construction of the improvement projects. The cost estimate for the interchange improvement was about $50,000, and there are funding sources available for such projects. The DEQ grant requires a brief application, and it would be used to offset the sewer facility planning effort. Tom reminded the council that these are proposed funding sources, and there is no guarantee that funding will be approved after application is made. Gary Temple asked if the study has addressed the question of who owns and will maintain the landscaping. Tom stated that this has not been addressed, and Cal Cumin suggested that the downtown group would probably maintain the area. There was discussion about the underpass and the problems regarding ownership and maintenance. Gary stressed that this question needs to be answered before the project begins. Cal said that a specific landscape project has not been selected, and the details of maintenance will be addressed before the project is begun. Since the application being made now is only for funds for the design of the improvements, the ownership and maintenance questions can be addressed before beginning the project. Gary Temple mentioned that some members of the downtown group are not interested in having another set of plans to frame on the wall. They want to have a step-by-step process to provide some direction for their projects. They do not want to just fund a study without being able to see the necessary remaining steps. Bud Johnson said that, in order for anything to take place, someone has to prepare a plan. He does not know how we will make progress if we say that we are not interested in a plan. Gary explained that they want to know the specific maintenance and ownership perimeters in the planning process. Bud said that he has confidence in the experience of the planners, and this direction from them is what is needed to get this program started. Bud emphasized that every question cannot be answered at the present time, but there is no money available to begin the planning process. We need to apply for the planning money, and the other issues will be addressed as the plam~ing process progresses. Ken Olson asked if the grant application had to be specific to a certain landscape area. Cal explained that the application is made to the state with a concept of what you want to do with the money. The actual scope of work for the designer would not be developed until after the funds are received. The council would appoint a committee to work with the downtown group to develop that scope of work for the designer that would be based on the initial proposal that was sent to Helena, but it would not be "set in stone." The application would be for funding to do some landscaping design work and there would be flexibility within the perimeters to change the project. It would be improper to do something completely unrelated to landscaping with the money. Cat explained that Tom is rolling grants into more than just one, and is stretching the same dollars twice. Cat did something similar with the grant for the trails at South Pond. Ken Olson questioned if the CDBG and DEQ programs would understand that some of the money would be going to the sewer plan and not to the landscape design. Tom said that both of the progrants require dollar-for-dollar matching money, so the $20,000 of grant money would be matched with $20,000 of local money. Some of the funding from the grant dollars will be used for the design project, and the other funds will go for the sewer design. Tom sent a copy of this scenario to Helena. Bud asked if the content of the plan starts to take place after the money is received. Tom explained that he is asking the city if they are interested in sponsoring an application to the CDBG program. RC&D would provide the grant writing for the CDBG and help with the DEQ grant application at no cost to the city, since dues have been paid. Funds in the DEQ program are limited, and it requires that an executed engineering contract be signed before application is made. The commitment to fund money is not necessary at the present time in order for the city to sponsor the application to CDBG. However, funds will not be released by CDBG until a finn commitment is made. Council Minutes of April 6, 1999 Motion by Alderman Johnson to support the efforts to apply for the CDBG and DEQ grants, seconded by Alderman Olson. Motion carried 8-0. e. Ordinance No. O99-12: Amending Chapter 15.04 of the Laurel Municipal Code - Board of Appeals. First reading. ORDINANCE NO. O99-12 AMENDING CHAPTER 15.04 OF THE LAUREL MUNICIPAL CODE. Motion by Alderman Temple to approve Ordinance No. O99-12, seconded by Alderman Walton. A roll call vote was taken on the motion to approve Ordinance No. O99-12. All eight aldermen present voted aye. Motion carried 8-0. The second reading and public hearing will be held at the council meeting on April 20, 1999. f. Ordinance No. 099-13: Amending Chapter 15.10 of the Laurel Municipal Code - Display of Address Numbers. First reading. ORDINANCE NO. O99-13 AMENDING CHAPTER 15.10 OF THE LAUREL MUNICIPAL CODE. Motion by Alderman Walton to approve Ordinance No. O99-13, seconded by Alderman Orr. Dirk Kroll asked Larry McCann how this ordinance is being enforced. Larry said that the Fire Code requires address numbers, and this ordinance provides a description of the number size required. Mayor Rodgers asked Joe Leckie if the wording in the ordinance should be changed from city engineer to Public Works Director and/or city engineer. Bud suggested specifying the Public Works Department in the ordinance, since there is no longer a city engineer. Motion by Alderman Johnson to amend Alderman Walton's original motion to approve Ordinance No. 099-13 with the stipulation that it specifies the Public Works Department instead of the city engineer, seconded by Alderman Olson. The motion to amend the ordinance carried 8-0. A roll call vote was taken on Ordinance No. O99-13, as amended. All eight aldermen present voted aye. Motion carried 8-0. The second reading and public hearing will be held at the council meeting on April 20, 1999. g. Ordinance No. O99-14: Amending Chapter 15.14 of the Laurel Municipal Code - Fence Permits. First reading. ORDINANCE NO. O99-14 AMENDING CHAPTER 15.14 OF THE LAUREL MUNICIPAL CODE. Motion bv Alderman Orr to approve Ordinance No. O99-14, seconded by Alderman Johnson. A roll call vote was taken on the motion to approve Ordinance No. O99-14. All eight aldermen present voted aye. Motion carried 8-0. The second reading and public hearing will be held at the council meeting on April 20, 1999. h. Ordinance No. O99-15: Amending Title 15 of the Laurel Municipal Code, to adopt the Uniform Code for Building Conservation, 1997 Edition. First reading. ORDINANCE NO. O99-15 AMENDING TITLE 15 OF THE LAUREL MUNICIPAL CODE, TO ADOPT THE UNIFORM CODE FOR BUILDING CONSERVATION, 1997 EDITION. Council Minutes of April 6, 1999 Motion by AIderrnan Johnson to approve Ordinance No. O99-15, seconded by Alderman Staudinger. A roll call vote was taken on the motion to approve Ordinance No. O99-15. All eight aldermen present voted aye. Motion carried 8-0. The second reading and public hearing will be held at the council meeting on April 20, 1999. i. Ordinance No. O99-16: Amending Title 15 of the Laurel Municipal Code. to adopt the Uniform Mechanical Code 1997 Edition. First reading. ORDINANCE NO. O99-16 AMENDING TITLE 15 OF THE LAUREL MUNICIPAL CODE, TO ADOPT THE UNIFORM MECHANICAL CODE 1997 EDITION. Motion bv Alderman Staudin~er to approve Ordinance No. O99-16, seconded by Alderman Easton. A roll call vote was taken on the motion to approve Ordinm~ce No. O99-16. All eight aldermen present voted aye. Motion carded 8-0. The second reading and public hearing will be held at the council meeting on April 20, 1999. j. Ordinance No. O99-17: Amending Title 15 of the Laurel Municipal Code, to adopt the National Electrical Code 1999 Edition. First reading. ORDINANCE NO. O99-17 AMENDING TITLE 15 OF THE LAUREL MUNICIPAL CODE, TO ADOPT THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE 1999 EDITION. Motion by Alderman Easton to approve Ordinance No. O99-17, seconded by Alderman Olson. A roll call vote was taken on the motion to approve Ordinance No. O99-17. All eight aldermen present voted aye. Motion carried 8-0. The second reading and public hearing will be held at the council meeting on April 20, I999. k. Ordinance No. O99-18: Amending Chapter 15.28 of the Laurel Municipal Code, to adopt the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings Code 1997 Edition. First reading. ORDINANCE NO. O99-18 AMENDING CHAPTER 15.28 OF THE LAUREL MUNICIPAL CODE, TO ADOPT THE ABATEMENT OF DANGEROUS BUILDINGS CODE 1997 EDITION. Motion by Alderman Olson to approve Ordinance No. O99-18, seconded by Alderman Kroll. A roll call vote was taken on the motion to approve Ordinance No. O99-18. All eight aldermen present voted aye. Motion carried 8-0. The second reading and public hearing will be held at the council meeting on April 20, 1999. 1. Ordinance No. O99-19: Amending Chapter 15.32 of the Laurel Municipal Code - Part II, Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards. First reading. ORDINANCE NO. O99-19 AMENDING CHAPTER 15.32 OF THE LAUREL MUNICIPAL CODE. Motion by Alderman Kroll to approve Ordinance No. O99-19, seconded by Alderman Temple. A roll call vote was taken on the motion to approve Ordinance No. O99-19. All eight aldem~en present voted aye. Motion carried 8-0. The second reading and public hearing will be held at the council meeting on April 20, 1999. Council Minutes of April 6, 1999 m. Ordinance No. 099-20: Amending Chapter 15.44 of the Laurel Municipal Code - Trailer Courts. First reading. ORDINANCE NO. 099-20 AMENDING CHAPTER 15.44 OF THE LAUREL MUNICIPAL CODE. Motion bv Alderman Temple to approve Ordinance No. 099-20, seconded by Alderman Walton. A roll call vote was taken on the motion to approve Ordinance No. 099-20. All eight aldermen present voted aye. Motion carried 8-0. The second reading and public hearing will be held at the council meeting on April 20, 1999. n. Ordinance No. O99-21: Amending Chapter 15.48 of the Laurel Municipal Code - Floodplain Regulations. First reading. ORDINANCE NO. O99-21 AMENDING CBAPTER 15.48 OF THE LAUREL MUNICIPAL CODE. Motion by Alderman Walton to approve Ordinance No. 099-21, seconded by Alderman Orr. A roll call vote was taken on the motion to approve Ordinance No. O99-21. All eight aldermen present voted aye. Motion carried 8-0. The second reading and public hearing will be held at the council meeting on April 20, 1999. o. Ordinance No. 099-22: Amending Table 17.16.010 of the Laurel Municipal Code. First reading. ORDINANCE NO. 099-22 ANIENDING TABLE 17.16.010 OF THE LAUREL MUNICIPAL CODE. Motion by Alderman Orr to approve Ordinance No. 099-22, seconded by Alderman Johnson. A roll call vote was taken on the motion to approve Ordinance No. 099-22. All eight aldermen present voted aye. Motion carried 8-0. The second reading and public heating will be held at the council meeting on April 20, 1999. p. Ordinance No. 099-23: Amending Table 17.16.020 of the Laurel Municipal Code. First reading. ORDINANCE NO. O99-23 AMENDING TABLE 17.16.020 OF THE LAUREL MUNICIPAL CODE. Motion by Alderman Johnson to approve Ordinance No. 099-23, seconded by Alderman Staudinger. A roll call vote was taken on the motion to approve Ordinance No. 099-23. All eight aldermen present voted aye. Motion carried 8-0. The second reading and public hearing will be held at the council meeting on April 20, 1999. q. Resolution No. R99-11: Resolution to mill and pave First Avenue from the north side of Main Street to the end of the water line project, and mill and pave First Street from First Avenue west to Third Avenue, at a maxima cost of $53,160. RESOLUTION NO. R99-11 A RESOLUTION TO MILL AND PAVE FIRST AVENUE FROM THE NORTH SIDE OF MAIN STREET TO THE END OF THE WATER LINE PROJECT, AND MILL AND PAVE FIRST STREET FROM FIRST AVENUE WEST TO THIRD AVENUE, AT A MINIMUM COST OF $53,160. This item was separated out of the consent agenda for further discussion. Council Minutes of April 6, i999 Alderman Easton explained that the milling to be done is tailending off what the Highway Department is going to do on the overlay. Larry has been communicating with Mr. Bronson, who is undecided and unsure whether or not they will participate in their part and what the actual costs may be. This may have an effect on the total amount. The meeting with the Highway Department is scheduled for April 21st, the day after the next council meeting. Larry explained that JTL's appraiser figured that our cost would be $53,160, without the Highway Department participating on First Avenue, which is their road. Larry said that might be too late to tie it on to the eveflay project. Since it would cost about $1,200 to bring in a milling machine and another $1,200 to return it, Larry was attempting to save the city from paying those costs. The overlay would include First Avenue from Main to the center of the block in front of Ricci's grocery store, and First Street from First Avenue West to Third Avenue. This is not just a chip seal, but would include milling and paving. If the Highway Department does participate, the city's costs will be lower. Larry proposed that the Highway Department be responsible for two-thirds of First Avenue and the city be responsible for the remaining one-third. The cost for the milling and paving of the portion of First Avenue would be $27,440. Miles Walton suggested that a special council meeting could be held after the meeting with the Highway Department to consider the effects of their decision. The overlay project is scheduled to begin on April 15th, beginning at the Yellowstone River Bridge and continuing into Laurel. The project will move quickly. Gay explained that the resolution could be adopted as read, but he wanted to make sure that the council understood the details involved. Motion by Alderman Johnson to approve Resolution No. R99-11, seconded by Alderman err. Motion carried 8-0. Miles Walton thanked Gay Easton for separating the item in order to bring the discussion before the council. UNSCHEDULED MATTERS: Mayor Rodgers informed the council that the Fire Department is considering some contracts with the Fire Districts. Mayor Rodgers read the following proclamation: "NOW THEREFORE, I, Charles Rodgers, Mayor of the City of Laurel, do hereby proclaim the month of April as Keep America Beautiful month and May 1 as the Great American Cleanup Day, and I ask all Laurel and Yellowstone County citizens to work together to preserve the natural beauty of our community, net only during the month of April, but throughout the year!" Mayor Rodgers welcomed County Commissioner Jim Reno to the council meeting. Ken Olson asked if an alley cleanup has been scheduled for Laurel, and Larry said that it has been scheduled during the month of May. Mayor Rodgers asked the council if they had any suggestions to fill the vacancies on the Board of Health, the Historical Preservation Board and the Conservation Board. If there are none, he will direct the clerk-treasurer to advertise for the positions. There being no further business to come before the council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 7:59 p.m. Cindy~en, Secretary Council Minutes of April 6, 1999 Approved by the Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, this 20th day of April, 1999. Attest: Ma~~K~bleton, Clerk-Treasurer 9