HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 07.01.1986Minutes of the City Council of Laurel
July 1, 1986
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 July 1, 1986.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Ervin Wood Chuck Dickerson
Donna Kilpatrick Donald Meyers
Mel Krug Rob Harris
L. D. Collins Norman Orr
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: none
INVOCATION: Invocation given by Alderman Krug.
MINUTES: Motion by Alderman Meyers to approve the minutes of the regular
meeting of June 17, 1986, as presented, seconded by Alderman Orr. Carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Received a thank you note from Carol Wood for flowers sent to her by the
Mayor and City Council.
Received a letter from Mrs. JoAnne Ross, 7907 Hillcrest Road, protesting
paying more for a seasonal swimming pass than the City residents.
Received the June newsletter from the MLCT Insurance Trust.
Received a report from the Laurel Reserve and Auxiliary Police.
Received a request for $2,000 of Federal Revenue Sharing money from the
Senior Helping Hands Program.
Received a letter from Scott H. S~anaway of Herndon, Harper & Munro,
forwarding copies of a letter dated June 27, 1986, from Asphalt Supply.
Received a report from Ed Wadington, President of Energy and Environmental
Measurement Corporation, regarding Asphalt Supply.
GARAGE SALES:
Garage sale fee and permits was moved up on the agenda, after correspondence.
Chuck Dickerson said that on June 12th the License Committee met, and it was
brought before the committee by Mr. Collins that there was the possibility of
perpetual garage sales in the City of Laurel. It was recommended by Mr. Collins
at the time that a fee and permit be required to have a garage sale. The
committee recommended bringing it before the Council. On June 17th, acting
as Chairman of the License Committee, I brought before the Council the proposal
to have an ordinance created to charge a $5.00 fee and require a permit for
garage sales. It was passed 4--3 to have an ordinance drawn up. On June 26th
the Police Committee met and discussed the $5.00 fee and permit. Due to a lack
of manpower on the police department and a lack of funds in the police depart-
ment budgetto bring the Dog Warden on an extra 8 hours, which it would take
to enforce this fee and make sure the permits were posted, a motion was made
by Chief Alan Crowe and seconded by Norman Orr that the matter be dropped.
Carried 3--0.
So, as the Chairman of the Police Committee, it was recommended to Joe Bradley
and we recommend to the Council that the $5.00 fee and permit be dropped and
no ordinance created.
Motion by Alderman Dickerson to accept the Police Committees' recommen-
dation that an ordinance for a $5.00 fee and garage sale permit not be created,
seconded by Alderman Meyers. Motion carried 7--1 with Alderman Wood voting,
"NO."
Dan Lowell commented that when something like this comes up the Council should
take a look and see that it~s~ not in the best interest of the person proposing
it. Mr. Collins should not have ever brought this up because it is in his
best interest. He should also have refrained from any kind of voting.
ASPHALT SUPPLY
RESOLUTION NO. 2180 (tabled i/21/86)
REVOLKING ASPHALT SUPPLY COMPANY'S CITY
BUSINESS LICENSE.
Motion by Alderman Harris to remove Resolution No. 2180 from the table,
seconded by Alderman Krug. Motion carried 8--0.
Scott Stanaway, from the law firm of Herndon, Harper & Munro, appeared before
the City Council on behalf of Asphalt Supply.
He spoke in opposition to revoking Asphalt Supply's business license.
First, I would just like to briefly state what has been happening over the
last few months and what steps have been taken to remedy the situation over
there. We have always taken a position of cooperation and we still hope to
do that.
page 2 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel
When the committee first began meeting, there were four main issues that
we were looking at:
1. safety of the plant
2. health hazard of the plant
3. quietness and truck traffic from the plant
4. odor of the plant
the safety issue
I believe you all received minutes from our committee meetings over the last
months. If you had a chance to glance over those minutes, you probably noticed
that those were the main issues which were addressed.
We had the State Deputy Fire Marshall, Tom Selleck, come out to the plant
and give a thorough inspection. He found two violations: first, they wanted
a loading rod to be grounded - that was complied with; second, vents on
some naptha tanks - that also was complied with. In fact in his letter of
March 17, 1986, he states, "the asphalt plant has made a real effort in improving
their facility making necessary corrections to comply with the codes of Montana."
So, as far as the safety hazard, it is completely up to code as far as the Fire
Marshall has determined.
health hazard
We don't have any evidence that there is any health hazard from the plant.
quietness of the plant
A couple of things have been done by the plant to remedy that problem: First,
we sent letters to all the carriers (all the truckers that carry the asphalt
material in and out of the plant) requesting them to be considerate of the
property owners rights and to try and keep the noise down. Those letters were
sent on April 7th and they are continuously sent out with the statements that
go to the hauler.
Second, we had to move a power pole by one of the gates. There was a problem
with the trucks turning around and encroaching on some Laurel resident's
property. We had the power company come out and move the pole, at our
expense, in order for the trucks to come around without running over anyone's
property.
As far as making sure that those truckers don't do that, we are trying to
remedy that situation by letting them know that there is a problem and to
be considerate of the residents' rights.
odor problem
The plant has done a few things to remedy that problem: First, a charcoal
filter£nq system w~ cons~r~lcted~ second, a downward extension of the stack
was cons~ru~t~d~ Th~ te~hni~aiiti~s 0f what that does is explained in the
letter which you have. Basically what it does, rather than having the steam
go up and have the emissions go out in the atmosphere, it goes through a
system of elbow pipes where the steam condenses and collects in a tank which
collects the water. So rather than steam rising up out of the tank, more of
the steam goes down through the system, the odors come out in the water rather
than in the steam out of the stack.
Finally, the most important thing and which is probably the issue that will
be mostly discussed tonight, is the independent engineer's report. Joe Bradley
and the committee contacted an independent engineer out of Tucson, AZ, who
made the report which you have before you. Basically, what it recommends
is what is called a bench test. I am not a chemical engineer. Just to try
and make it simple, and you may want to ask Steve Duganz some specific questions,
but basically what the bench test is, is they are going to set out a st~elam
system whereby they can tell how much of the odor is being collected by a carbon
collection system. Ed Wadington, the engineer, stated that the cost of that
would be $1,000 to $1,500 and Asphalt Supply is willing to pay that whole cost.
I spoke with him today and I told him we wanted him to come out as soon as he
could, to do that test. He said that he thinks that he can get here in a
week to two weeks, get all set up and do the test. It will take several days
to do the testing itself and a few days to get the report out. He said, at
the most it would be four weeks, at the least, two to three weeks. In light
of that we are on the verge of getting an answer to the problem, by this
chemical engineer. Consequently I would like to request the Council to con-
sider tabling this motion for four more weeks. Until the independent tests
come back so we can solve the problem because i think we are on the verge.
In light of that, I guess it comes down to whether the City has a right, given
the facts, where we have no safety violations, according to the fire inspector,
we conform with zoning requirements, we have no scientifically proven health
hazards, given all these facts, the issue comes down to whether or not the
City has the right to revoke the bus~ness license to shut down the plant.
That eventually has to be litigated. It is as simple as that.
page. Minutes of the City Council of Laurel
Rob Harris I understand through the meetings of the committee that this
engineering was brought up before the committee six months ago. At that
time Asphalt Supply did not want any part of it, even though at that point
the City of Laurel was willing to share the cost of the engineer. Now
you-'re saying we are on the verge of having something. We could have had
everything finished by now if that would have happened six months ago.
Scott Stanawa¥ Let's just take a look at the minutes, because they do
specifically address that. The first meeting of the committee was February
12th and at that time, and I quote "Joe Bradley will check on the possibility
of hiring an independent chemical engineering firm." The next meeting was
March 19th. Joe Bradley reported that he had no success in locating a local
chemical engineering firm to analyze the plant's operation. We did say, since
we were going to end up paying all of the cost that resulted from that engineer-
ing firm that we did not feel that we should have to pay for the engineer to
come up here. Subsequently, we have agreed to that cost.
Chuck Dickerson Why so much later? Why a month before this was supposed to
come before the Council? Why, all of a sudden Asphalt Supply says, "Okay,
yes, let's do it."?
Scott Stanaway We were at a stalemate. The purpose of the committee was to
try and cooperate and make some progress. The minutes say each time Joe
Bradley will check on a chemical engineer to evaluate the problem.
Donna Kilpatrick At the March meeting you said that it would not be negotiable.
Scott Stanaway I said at this time.
Chuck Dickerson So, why should Mr. Bradley continue to find an engineer if
it was not going to be negotiable?
Scott Stanaway We were looking at a number of areas. One of the areas we
were looking at, can the plant move? Our position was we will move if the
City wants to pay the cost to relocate. The position of the City was that
the City Council probably wouldn't go for that and'won't give any funds to
relocate. But yet we went out and we did look for relocation of the plant -
looked at plant sites. The same thing was going on about this issue of our
engineer. We said that we would not at that time go for paying the cost.
Because we had to pay for all of the other costs that had resulted and yet,
we were in the~same position on relocating. But we did something about it.
We went out and tried to find something. Ail I can say is that the committee
was at a stalemate. I can blame it on Joe for stalling and for me not saying
before on June 3rd. I said, Scott asked about checking with Ed Wadington.
Joe said that he would try contacting Ed Wadington again.
Chuck Dickerson But in January the other attorney that was representing
Asphalt Supply at the time stood before this Council and said that Asphalt
Supply would do whatever it takes to prove to this Council and to the City
of Laurel that they are worthy in continuing business in the City. When it
was requested at that time, in February, to get an engineer, it was refused.
However, he stood here and said that they would do whatever it took.
Scott Stanaway It wasn't refused. All we said was that we were not willing
to pay the cost at this time. In fact, the minutes did not reflect that.
There was a quote of me which says "not negotiable." So I guess, is there
another line where I said not negotiable at this time. That's my word against
what you want to believe, but I can truthfully say that at that time it was
not negotiable. We felt that we were going to have to pay all of the cost
from the result of the engineer's tests. So why should we have to pay the
beginning cost? It took until June for the heads to crash and for us to
back down and say okay we'll pay -- and we did. So I guess now the issue
is the test results can be in 3--4 weeks.
The litigation question has to go to court. Joe has agreed to stipulate to
an injunction. Pending the outcome of that litigation means that the plant
will remain in operation until the court decides. We are looking at the
situation. Okay we give them four more weeks to get the test results or we
say to heck with it we'll let the court decide. In the meantime for the
next 2 or 3 years however long it sits in court the plant continues to
operate without any more testing being done.
Chuck Dickerson Is that the situation, Joe?
Joe Bradley I think it would be very likely that the plant would be allowed
to operate anyway while the case was being proceeded through the courts.
They could suffer some severe economic damages if they were shut down and
then it turned out that we shouldn't have shut them down in the Judge's
decision. So I think it would be reasonable for the City in any litigation
to allow them to continue while the suit progressed through the court.
Don Meyers So, four more weeks isn't going to make any difference.
Joe Bradley I have a question, Scott. This bench testing now is just pre-
page 4 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel
liminary to deciding what actual control system would be installed.
Scott Stanaway Right.
Joe Bradley Are you willing to state here that whatever the results of that
test, whichever control system it indicates, Asphalt Supply will be installing
it?
Scott Stanaway I guess I~ can't answer that because I don't know. I am
reading from the report from the engineer and he says that operating costs
for the carbon absorbers and scrubber are dependent on the results of the
bench tests. So I guess I have to say that it depends on what those results
are. He may find out that we have to put in an incinerating system that
would be so costly that it would be better moving. No, I can't say that
because it all depends on the tests.
Mel Krug I would like to go along with what Chuck said. Rod Hartman stood
here and said that Asphalt Supply would do whatever it took, and you're
saying they didn't want to pay any costs. But yet the ball was in their
park. He stood right there where you're standing and said Asphalt Supply
would do whatever it took to prove that they were worthy to do business
here. Then you turn around and say the cost wasn't negotiable. It seems
to me like they would be willing to find someone without leaving it up to
Joe alone to find someone to prove their worthiness. The company didn't
even know what the cost was, let alone negotiate the cost. That doesn't
make sense to me.
Scott Stanaway The committee had different people doing different things.
One of those things was a chemical engineer and that was one thing that Joe
took on from the beginning. I don't want to put the blame on Joe, but look
at it this way. Say that we get our engineer and he says do this and it
doesn't work. Then we are in the situation where the Council comes back
and says sure you hired this engineer that you wanted and it doesn't work
and you've been snowing us all along. So this way it was an independent
engineer and no, we didn't go out and try to find an engineer.
Don Meyers That's exactly what came up at the last Council meeting. That
you wanted to make sure that we picked the engineer and they didn't pick
the engineer so there wouldn't be any ties.
Mel Krug That didn't have any bearing that they couldn't have gone out and
looked for one.
Don Meyers Why would we want to take their engineer, we were plum against
it at the last Council meeting.
Mel Krug They could have looked for an independent one.
Don Meyers That's fine but still it was brought up right here. You were
the one who was talking about it but said we don't want that. We want to
pick the engineer. We want to make sure it wasn't a biased opinion.
Me! Krug That still didn't stop them from locating one and we could have
noted yes or no to accept that engineer. That's what I am saying right now.
Don Meyers Well I think that the four weeks that they are asking for --
this Council right here put them in business in the first place.
Mel Krug Not all of this council.
Chuck Dickerson They didn't either.
Don Meyers I was not a member of this Council, but there's members here
that did put them in the business. They spent probably $800,000 down there.
We went this far. I don't know what liability you think the City has in
this but in the end the City is going to be hanging.
Rob Harris Either way.
Don Meyers Either way. But I think that we went this far that four weeks
like they said is not going to matter. That plant is going to operate for
the next 2 or 3 years, because it's going to be tied up in court. If it
comes back and the court rules in their favor we are going to be stuck with
it anyway.
Rob Harris Yes, but, Don, the whole thing about this four weeks is that,
and I was the one who made the motion to extend for six months, and I took
a lot of grief and rift from a lot of people because of that. They were
given six months to do this. The engineering was brought up six months ago.
At that time it was not even negotiable and now they are asking for four
more weeks. It doe~n~'t~make sense to bring it u~ two weeks before it was
to come before the Council. To, Okay, now we will get an engineer. That
is why we did the six month deal. We tabled it for six months. You had
six months to get everything straightened out, and it hasn't been done.
Now you wait two weeks before it comes up before the Council and you are
asking for four more weeks.
Minutes of the City Council of Laurel
Scott Stanawa¥ We didn't sit for six months.
Rob Harris This Council
Scott Stanawa¥ The committee looked at numerous areas and that was one of
the areas and Asphalt Supply did not want to go out and put their nose on an
engineer who would be subject to having the Council say, well he is brown
nosing for Asphalt Supply. We'll get an independent engineer. But I guess
the real issue is that you have two options. Either go with the four weeks
and maybe get a solution or revoke the license. It ends up in litigation.
The plant continues to operate without any more independent testing. Nothing
happens for 2 or 3 years. Then who knows. But then, you know, the plant has
been operating for 3 more years. You suffer all the expense of the litigation.
The whole thing. I guess that boils down to the option of four more weeks
or three years.
Chuck Dickerson Where do you keep coming up with this figure of three years?
Is that a set figure?
Scott Stanawa¥ That's just from the time of filing suit to the time when
the other ~ide has time to answer. It depends on what court you are in.
Trials are backed up in Yellowstone County. I went to a preliminary trial
in the last two weeks, and they are not even setting trials until 1987.
The courts are just back logged, so that is part of the problem. Second of
all, when you are in a big law suit like this, you have to have experts. The
City will hire their experts and we will hire our experts and they go look
at the plant and do all these things. The experts have to have time to make
their The main thing is just the trial system. You have what they call
discovery where we ask you everything under the sun: who your experts are going
to be, all these type of things. I don't know, Joe, I guess you could say.
Isn't three years a ballpark figure?
Joe Bradley Oh, I don't know. It would be hard to estimate, but I would
guess more than a year anyway. It would be hard to say.
Chuck Dickerson Two other questions I would like to ask him, then I'll drop
it: (1) Rob just said that it was agreed upon for six months. You just said
that it wasn't. It was the committee. The other attorney, Rod Hartman~ stood
here and said, when the motion was made for six months, he felt that it would
be sufficient; (2) Don't you think at the time when it was suggested that an
independent engineer be brought in, that had you not stated that it was not
negotiable that an effort would have been made by both the City and you, to
have gotten an engineer that could have been here by March or April. To me
when you say it's not negotiable, it's just like a union saying we don't want
to talk about it. Our mind is made up and that is it. You didn't say not
negotiable to the fact that you weren't going to go out and get an engineer.
To me, you just meant that it was flat not negotiable. And it is awfuli?strange
where an attorney stands up before the Council in January and says we will do
enything - we will do anything. And by being not negotiable, to me, that's
not anything.
Scott Stanawa¥ Well, let me just reiterate. The quote that appears in your
minutes -- we didn't have a court reporter taking down everything to exactly
what I said, and I said it was not negotiable at this point and it wasn't.
I have stacks and stacks here of things that I have done. Calling around to
realtors, calling around to the gravel pit out here, going out to Mossmain.
We just didn't sit on our laurels. We put in the system at the plant. We
put in the grounding system. Y~ur point is well taken. I know what you are
saying. But what another attorney stood here and said, I can't, you know.
I wasn't here.
Chuck Dickerson But that is what the Council went on - the good faith of
that attorney standing here in January representing Asphalt Supply. We went
on his word. Now we turn around and go on your word saying four weeks. Come
back in four weeks. There is another attorney standing here saying, well we
need three more weeks. How do we know that's not going to happen?
Scott Stanawa¥ I guess we have to look at it as - we thought it would take
six months and it didn't. I am sure he said it in good faith and it just
comes up that it didn't get it done in six months.
Bob Gauthier Joe, do you have any comments?
Joe Bradley I won't accept any of the blame for the delay on this engineer.
When Scott said it wasn't negotiable it became a low priority item for me,
and the minutes do say that I was going to continue checking on it. But it
was just for the purpose of completing our minutes, to get the cost and,
frankly, we had planned to use that against the company if it ever comes to
litigation to show that they wouldn't participate in this cost when it was
so low. On June 3rd, I believe that is the meeting when Asphalt Supply
changed their mind and Scott said we will share in the cost, we acted on it
right away. We got him and got him down here as quick as we could. If that
page 6 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel
was a misunderstanding on Scott's part, I guess I can't help tha~. But when
they said that it was not negotiable, it wasn't really important. I didn't
feel and I don't think the rest of the committee felt that it should be the
City's responsibility to show Asphalt Supply how to operate its plant. They
should share in the cost or we're going to drop it. Other than that and
putting that point aside, I think, and this is my legal advice, that it's
to the City's best interest to give Asphalt Supply the opportunity to make
these tests. Now, it's your decision but that is what I prefer to see. If
it is going to be four weeks, we would have to ask Scott today to say that
we have definite results in four weeks here before the Council the first
meeting in August. They would have to tell us what they plan to do at that
time. Which of those systems they are going to implement? Which of those
control systems are they going to install? If none, and they decide the
cost doesn't warrant it, then that's the time you could vote on this resolu-
tion.
Rob Harris Joe, even if we vote not to allow the four week extension to
do the tests, wouldn't it be in your best interest to go ahead and do the
test anyway?
Joe Bradley They certainly could, yes.
Rob Harris They are going to operate anyway.
Joe Bradley I would hope that even during the pendency of any litigation
that they would continue to try and clean up the plant. If they could show
us or the judge at any time during the court suit that it was operating fine
without complaints, anything we are doing could be dropped at that time.
Ervin Wood This letter that we have from the engineer - just the engineer
he's talking about - the way I interpret that letter, regardless what they
come up with it may not take the smell out of the air and do what it's
supposed to do.
Joe Bradley That's true. The engineer won't say that it will be 100%
effective at all times. The most expensive system obviously would be the
best system, but that decision is Asphalt Supply's. They can decide whether
they are going to move or install a trapping system or whatever they are
going to do. That's not the Council's decision. The engineer can't promise
them. We don't want him to mislead Asphalt Supply. Let them make the test
if that's what they want, if the Council will grant an extension. At that
time if they want to install a system, that's fine. But you are not putting
your stamp of approval on any system. You are just looking for some action,
and if that system doesn't help then you still have the right to revoke their
license. They have to make that decision. Is it worth the risk to put it
in? Will it help? Will we still have the problems even down the road?
Chuck Dickerson Joe, can we make the suggestion tonight that if we don't
have any results in four weeks that the City can revoke their license at
that time?
Joe Bradley Certainly.
Chuck Dickerson I mean, instead of waiting for four weeks and then having
it come before the Council and then at that time revoke the license.
Joe Bradley You mean some kind of respective revocation? It will be revoked
in four weeks unless. I would prefer if you just voted on it at that time.
I think that would be best.
Donna Kilpatrick I would like to say that I took these minutes and the day
that you said it was non-negotiable we were all shocked. I remember it so
well, and I wrote that down. If you would have said at this time, that
would have opened up a whole new avenue. We would have been really excited
and you didn't say that, Scott. You said it's not negotiable, and Joe said
be sure to get that down. And I got it down.
Scott Stanaway I remember that. He said make sure you say that - that it's
not negotiable. I remember him specifically saying that. I guess I should
have said wait a minute.
Bob Gauthier Steve, do you have any comment about the engineer's report?
Steve Duganz Just a couple of things for clarification which may or may not
help you to make up your mind. I took my own notes on February 12th because
I didn't know Donna was going to. I did note on that day that I asked Jim
Fletcher, who was financial officer at that time, that when he went back to
Denver, perhaps he could call around either to people in the asphalt business
or just look in the yellow pages under consulting engineers and get an idea
of what it would cost to get someone up here. I think it's kind of obvious
that he didn't do that.
Ed Wadington was brought up, probably, to my suggestion and the reason being
he is the only one I know. To my knowledge there are no other air pollution
page7 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel
engineers in Billings, Montana, because there is not enough of a problem.
I can give you a very brief history of him. His first job was out of the
University of Iowa for a health department in Iowa. He then had the job I
currently have for several years. Then he went to ITT Ranier, Port Angeles,
Washington, where he traveled around the world for about 5 or 6 years as the
head of a stack sampling team testing every conceivable type of industry.
He wanted to get back to Montana. He worked for Cenex over here for 2 or
3 years. He then went to work for the State Air Quality Bureau for a few
years before he formed his own company. He moved to Tucson two years ago
and he still has an office here in Billings. He is honest and he is very
capable. What he stated I fully believe in. I don~t think he is going to
pull any punches. Scott just gave me a copy of the letter and it's the first
time I have seen it. But, essentially, he told me the same thing. He said
that incineration would be the most expensive and there is no question in
his mind that would solve all the problems. However, it would be expensive
to operate. He said scrubbers would be the next best possibility. That
would not be 100% but it would be pretty good. But then you have a waste-
water problem there. They are also expensive and besides that they are
temperamental. You've got to have somebody really trained to operate
scrubbers because when they go down they go down all together. Then you
have nothing.
The third, and he said he is not absolutely positive himself that carbon
absorbtion would work, but he thinks it will, and it's a matter of this
bench test finding out just how much carbon would be needed for the volume
they pull through there. He said he is quite sure but he is not absolutely
positive how much that will do. If it were to work it would be pretty fool
proof. The only thing that would be needed is when the carbon wears out,
it would have to be replaced. I guess the easiest way to explain that to
you is you get their water pik carbon filters that take odor out of air
and water. It's the same principle. This thing would probably work. But
again, even as Ed said, there is no guarantee. He thinks that would be the
best reasonable alternative - is the carbon filter.
Chuck Dickerson You speak about volume through these charcoal filters.
Say it is set up for a certain volume. What's to say that the volume won't
increase at a later date to where these filters could be out of date and
not doing what they are supposed to be doing. Say two years down the road
they start pushing a larger volume through there and you have the same
problem again because those charcoal filters won't handle that volume.
Steve Duqanz That's exactly what would happen, but he would -- right now the
mist eliminator is rated as 1,500 cubic feet per minute. I am not sure what
the other one is doing -- but he would take them when they are operating at
full load and see if that is the highest their flow would ever get. If that
flow would ever increase then they would have to add more pollution control
equipment. What it would do is design it for the maximum use as they are
at this point. If they would ever increase or expand then that wouldn't work.
Chuck Dickerson So you would have to have a guarantee that they wouldn't
increase the volume once this system was set up.
Steve Duganz Or they would have to expand the control system also.
Ervin Wood Scott, in your closing remarks you asked whether the City had
the right to revoke Asphalt Supply's license. This brings a question to my
mind. Does Asphalt Supply have the right to continue making life miserable
for the people in Ward One?
Scott Stanawa¥ And that is the issue that when -- what I meant when I said
do they have a right to revoke the license. I guess I should have said do
they have a right to shut down the plant - to declare them a nuisance.
Essentially the only one that can sign that is the court. What is a nuisance
can only be decided, in the end, by the court or the jury.
Ervin Wood Would this go to a court of law or a court of equity?
Scott Stanawa¥ I should know that from my first year of law school.
Ervin Wood What I am getting at is it wouldn't go to a jury trial. It
would go to a District Judge, right?
Scott Stanaway If a party requests a jury they have a right to a jury trial.
Joe Bradley I think the odor problem is the most serious problem that's left
down there. You should note that some progress has been made in the past six
months. The first most severe problem that the committee addressed was whether
there was any fire hazard down there. That's what we wanted to act on first.
We didn't want anything blown up or anybody getting killed down there. We've
had several fire calls in the past. For the first month or so we did have
the inspection. The State Fire Marshal made two suggestions. Apparently
Asphalt Supply corrected those. The State Fire Marshal went back and let
us know that he approved of what they had done.
page8 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel
So that's one of the grounds in the original resolution that really doesn't
exist any more. If you are going to pass this resolution you should delete,
I think, paragraph No. 3 because that fire hazard probably has been taken
care of.
Rob Harris I don't want to argue that point and I know that it's been given
a clean bill of health from the State Fire Marshal. But never the less, the
fire department went and inspected that operation some weeks ago and even
though they have a relatively clean bill of health for a fire hazard, the
hazard still exists.
Joe Bradley This is flammable materials close to a residential area.
Rob Harris This is a flammable operation.
Joe Bradley Yes, it is. But unfortunately we can't point
or fire code that they are violating right now.
regulation,
to do that.
to any State law,
We won't be able
Scott Stanaway In fact it's zoned commercial.
Joe Bradley So I don't know if we have that grounds right now. That ground
No. 3 was that they were in violation of fire codes. I don't think we can
say that now because they have had a determination from a State expert that
they're not.
Rob Harris In violation of codes.
Joe Bradley Yes.
Rob Harris That's correct.
Joe Bradley Obviously one of their problems earlier was people who apparently
were not trained to run the plant. I don't know if they have solved that
problem or not. Have you had any fire calls lately? I don't know if you
have. Whether it's a fire hazard or not I suppose it's debatable, but we
can't point to any codes they are in violation of.
Rob Harris There is still capabilities of 20,000 gallons of storage of
naptha, or at least 10,000 gallons.
Joe Bradley Unfortunately the second most serious problem was the odor. The
third was the noise and the traffic problems. I believe Asphalt Supply has
taken some steps there. As far as the noise goes they say that they can't
do any more. They say that these drivers belong to somebody else. They come
and they really can't control them. They have sent letters and they have
done as much as they can. But that problem hasn't been solved. Because the
residents are still complaining. The fourth one is the traffic. This would
only effect the residents, I think, just across the street from the plant.
The way the trucks pull in and out. Various suggestions were made to Asphalt
Supply about widening their gate, or re-routing traffic to avoid that. I
think the only thing they have done is move a pole and apparently that hasn't
solved the problem. One of the members of the committee, Glenda Kaufmann,
reported that they are still driving up over the curb and kind of blocking
the streets when they come in and out of the plant. I think we have addressed
the fire hazard as much as we can in regard to the codes. The noise and
traffic they have taken some steps - they haven't been solved fully. And the
odor problem appears to be as bad as it ever was. That's where it stands.
Don Meyers Has it ever been determined, Joe, if that property is in the City
limits?
Joe Bradley I believe it is, yes. Although I guess I couldn't point you to
anything that definitely states that.
Chuck Dickerson Joe~ didn't you make a comment a while back that you could
even notice the odor up at your place and there has been some people down on
the east end that started to notice it now.
Joe Bradley I haven't received any calls, Chuck. Nobody has called and said
I can smell the plant.
Chuck Dickerson No, but I am saying if I am not mistaken, didn't you recall
saying that you kind of noticed it here a couple of weeks ago? And I think
a couple of people down on the east end said they could tell it down there.
Joe Bradley Yes, that's true. I did notice the smell of the plant on two
occasions during the past six weeks or so. Just on two occasions when the
wind was blowing north.
Don Meyers Can you tell the difference between the plant and the refinery?
Joe Bradley I think so because when you do drive by the plant you can smell
the same odor.
Chuck Dickerson So it's just not the people on the south.
Joe Bradley No, the odor is apparently more widespread. The noise and the
page9 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel
traffic, of course, would be limited to the residents right there.
Don Meyers Mr. Duganz, has ~hat ddor ever been Droved to be harmful?
Steve Duqanz No. The odor that is there is Drimarilv hydrocarbon of various
sources. It's just vaporizing asphalt. A little over a week ago, an indi-
vidual by the name of Bill Hooper with the State Department of Health, came
through and stayed in the plant itself. He didn't go out of the plant, and
measured here and there and got a bunch of hydrocarbons. The thing with
hydrocarbons, there used to be an EPA standard for hydrocarbons and it was
finally dropped, and the State doesn't have one either because it's essen-
tially unenforceable. Because there are so many sources and so many types
of hydrocarbons. But to answer your question, to my knowledge the type of
odor coming off has never been proven harmful because there are no standards
for hydrocarbons. Nuisance, yes.
Motion by Alderman Meyers to table Resolution No. 2180 for four more
weeks.
Motion dies due to the lack of a second.
Scott Stanaway What we have it boiled down to is whether the City has a
right to shut down a plant that is complying with State standards, is com-
plying with all fire codes, that has been granted a permit to do business
in the City, has complied with all the zoning requirements, and the truck
route is a commercially zoned area. Given these facts, does the City have
a right to shut them down? And that is something that will eventually, if
this motion is not passed, will have to be decided by the court. In the
meantime, as Joe said, there will be an injunction and the plant will con-
tinue operating just as it is. We are so close -- just four weeks. I hate
to see it ....
Chuck Dickerson You know what's so frustrating, Scott. It could have been
a lot closer, and could have been right on top of it tonight.
Scott Stanaway I wish we could have been.
Chuck Dickerson We could have if we could have got this done back in March.
Scott Stanaway I wish it could have been but we have the chance to do it
now. I guess that is what it boils down to.
I appreciate your attention.
Doug Poehls - 119 Yellowstone, Laurel He had his say about Asphalt Supply.
But I have been meaning to say something about the residents who live down-
wind from Asphalt Supply or right around it, even country people north of
that smell.
You are right. Asphalt Supply has some rights, but we have some rights, too.
We have to live with another four weeks of me coming home from work, and we
have to close the windows to eat because it smells so bad. Or being on vaca-
tion and coming home and your house smells like hot asphalt mix. Granted
they've tried ~o solve some problems but with very elementary solutions-to
the problems. He said a letter was sent Out to the truck companies saying
would you please do this. I deal with truck companies all the time. You
can demand them to do certain things. If you tell them, you do this or you
won't haul for us. They took very elementary solutions to a very complex
problem and all they are doing is putting us off to the end of the season
again. Putting us off until the end of July and then they'll say well this
is so and they never said that. They will comply with the engineer's recom-
mendation of a control system. He never said that. He said he can't say
that. Obviously he's a representative of Asphalt Supply and he doesn't make
those decisions. But Asphalt Supply bbviousl¥ hasn't told him that whatever
the engineer says they will put in some sort of a control. So what's going
to happen? So the engineer says yes you need some controls and Asphalt
Supply says well we need another three or four weeks to see what kind of
system we want in. End of season, they shut down and we have the same
problem again next year.
Chuck Dickerson Just for the record, is there anyone here from Asphalt
Supply tonight? I think the record should show that there was no executive
present from Asphalt Supply that could answer certain legalities that were
brought forward tonight.
Scott Stanaway This afternoon Jim Fletcher, who is the representative from
Asphalt Supply, had his plan~ reservation and was to arrive at 4:30. After
speaking with my associate, Rod Hartman, after reading the engineer's report
which outlined the time frame to install the bench testing system, came to
the conclusion that Mr. Fletcher's presence here tonight would not be
necessary. He gave me the authority to tell you that we would pay for the
cost of the bench testing. I guess we were optimistic that in light of
either having four weeks to solve the problem or have the smell continue
until the court decides that the City Council would in fact decide to grant
page lO Minutes of the City Council of Laurel
the four weeks and that is why Mr. Fletcher is not here.
Chuck Dickerson Scott, do you know if by any chance why Mr. Fletcher did
not take Mr. Duganz's recommendation, when he got back to his home office,
as far as calling some engineers to find out what the cost would be?
Scott Stanaway I do not know if in fact he did or not. I do not know.
Donna Kilpatrick presented and read aloud an Asphalt Supply Committee report
as follows:
Asphalt Supply Committee report to the Council July 1, 1986.
We had seven meetings from Feb. 12 until June 25. One meeting was cancelled
because Asphalt Supply had nothing to report.
Our primary concerns were: fire hazard, odor/air pollution, emissions on
homes in the area, and traffic/noise/widening exit for loading-unloading
trucks, and updating building permits for any additions/modifications to
the plant.
The fire hazard was eliminated when the company satisfied the fire marshal's
request for a collapsible lid on the naptha tank. The fire marshal ruled
that the plant met all fire codes and that the naptha tank could be stored
500 feet from a residential area if it was not portable.
A letter was sent by Asphalt Supply asking drivers to be quiet and not turn
radios up during the nighttime hours. We had also asked that the trucks not
idle their motors.
We asked that BN be contacted for leasing land in the Mossmain Industrial
sites. And as of the June 25 meeting, the company had received the forms
for applying for a lease.
We had hoped early on in the meetings (Feb. 12) that we could share costs
of getting a chemical engineer to evaluate the odor problems. However,
Asphalt Supply did not wish to participate in the cost sharing and the idea
was dropped. Last month, the company agreed to pay half the costs and last
Tuesday, a chemical engineer was hired. His report is included in your
communications.
Building permits had not been updated as of the June 25 meeting.
In conclusion, the company did take steps to address the fire hazard problems
and to move a power pole that was to aid the trucks in entering and exiting
the plant without crossing over neighbors boulevards, etc. But residents in
that area report the moving of the power pole did not remedy the problem.
Complaints are being received daily on odors, traffic and noise.
Ervin Wood On an issue of this importance, I would like to call for a
division of the house vote.
Bob Gauthier Any problems with that, Joe?
Joe Bradley I don't think so, no. I would suggest that you consider deleting
that paragraph 3. The way it's worded may not apply. Also, there was the
continuing problem of the building permits. They still haven't updated their
building permits. We have been requesting Asphalt Supply to do that for
months and months.
Scott Stanaway (talking to Jim Flisrand) We spoke with you Friday on that
and as I understand it, we thought we had it all done and then we wanted
updated figures. I mean it's not like we haven't done anything. He has
been working on it, isn't that correct?
Jim Flisrand This last week, yes.
Scott Stanaway Didn't Andy come and talk to you a couple of months ago?
Jim Flisrand No, he talked to my secretary. We didn't seem to get together -
no appointment was ever made. He was asked to come back with drawings and
nothing was brought back to the office.
Joe Bradley So anyway what my point was that you could also consider perhaps
amending to add a ground that Asphalt Supply has not complied with City
building permit requirements. If you think that's appropriate, that's your
decision. Building permit requirements regarding to their original permit
for opening the plant and in regards to the addition of tanks since then
and other modifications that have been made.
Don Meyers How come there was never a stop work ever put on it for not
having a building permit?
Joe Bradley They had an original permit.
Don Meyers How come they were not given a stop work like anybody else who
doesn't have a building permit?
Joe Bradley They had an original permit to open the plant.
page ll Minutes of the City Council of Laurel
Don Meyers Yes, but they continue to do something and they weren't stopped.
How come they weren't stopped?
Joe Bradley I don't know if we even knew they were putting those tanks up.
Don Meyers Well, before you make a decision I think you should think ---
I mean I think of the people on south side, but I am also thinking about the
liability of the City. Not everybody on this Council, but it was through
this Council that they were permitted to go into business. Nobody seems to
listen to the City Attorney's recommendation to give them four more weeks.
I think you ought to think about it.
Peg Kamerzel What Don just said now, they were given the permission and/or
license to go into business as an asphalt rubberizing plant. That is exactly
what the application reads. I took the application. That is not what they're
doing.
Don Meyers We have engineers here that should be checking on these things
too.
Chuck Dickerson We just got this engineer a couple of years ago and this has
been going on for the last couple of years.
Don Meyers I am not putting the blame on Jim, but the City has some liability
of that, too, Chuck.
Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to remove item No. 3, page 2, from
Resolution No. 2180 and add Joe's comments regarding building permits as
follows: that Asphalt Supply has filed to comply with city building permit
ordinances and to pay the proper fees for the original building permit that
they were issued and for other construction and installation of additional
tanks they have undertaken at the plant since they opened up, seconded by
Alderman Krug.
Discussion.
Scott Stanaway Jim Fletcher and I were in Jim's office last Friday and we
were under the impression that all of the building permits were taken care
of and all we needed was to give you a map and show measurements and every-
thing. And only, didn't he talk to you and told you to have a map. And
then isn't it true that between Friday and somethinq happened and you wanted
more figures. And that is something we thought we had complied with your
request until yesterday.
Jim Flisrand I might add that the request was made back in January and February
to get the building permits in and just last Friday they came into the office
and requested what was necessary for the permits. I indicated that drawings
are necessary for any improvements, additions to any construction whatever it
might be. The suggestion by Fletcher was that they submit a drawing of the
original and what they have now and let it go at that. Submit your drawings
and I will consider it. Due to the fact that I have to look over the permits,
have to decide whether or not they are allowed or not and prior to submittal
to save you some time I tried to detail the drawings more so in a telephone
conversation with one of your people. The point is, I was trying to save
time for you people, so that you could get it in, in a detailed manner, so
that it~ wonld be acceptable right away.
Donna Kilpatrick Do you have the drawings?
Jim Flisrand I have nothing, no.
Joe Bradley So this amendment to add then would be that Asphalt Supply has
failed to comply with city building permit ordinances and to pay the proper
fees for the original building permit that they were issued and for other
construction they have undertaken at the plant since they opened up.
Mel Kruq I got one question. I would like to ask Joe in regards to what
Don said about the City!s liability with Asphalt Supply. What would be the
greater of that or the liability the City could suffer from all the residents
taking a law suit against the City?
Joe Bradley I don't know. Obviously we're being pressed by both sides. They
would like action right now. It is likely, even if I did not agree to a
temporary injunction on this, it is likely the judge would grant them one
anyway and it would run for the rest of this summer anyway. I don't see
how we can stop that. The odds are that they would be allowed to run. That's
the rules of injunctions. That the status quo - what's in effect, stays in
effect until the judge decides. So that's down the road. As for the immediate
question do you want to do this now? I really don't think it's that big an
issue. Obviously they could bring suit against the City and they could bring
suit against Asphalt Supply. Whether they would win, I am not prepared to
say whether they could win or not.
Mel Kruq My question was as far as liability. Say we figure dollars and
cents. One could be just as great as the other.
page 12
Joe Bradley
Question was
carried 8--0.
Minutes of the City Council of Laurel
Oh, that's possible, yes.
called for on the amendment to Resolution No. 2180. Motion
RESOLUTION NO. 2180
REVOKING ASPHALT SUPPLY COMPANY'S CITY
Question was called for on Resolution No. 2180,
Division of the house:
Alderman Dickerson YES
Alderman Orr YES
Alderman Meyers NO
Alderman Wood YES
Motion carried 7--1.
BUSINESS LICENSE
as amended.
Alderman Harris YES
Alderwoman Kilpatrick YES
Alderman Krug YES
Alderman Collins YES
Joe Bradley Just so the Council knows, I will formally notify Asphalt
Supply that the resolution was passed and the next step would be theirs.
Don Meyers When can you shut them down now?
Joe Bradley When can I?
Don Meyers You can't go over and shut them down tomorrow?
Joe Bradley I think we have to give them some notice that it's been passed
and give them some time to close down and file their suit. If they file
their suit the delay enforcement is that if it's unlawful then, of course,
it would be time for this injunction. I presume they are going to do that
as soon as possible.
At this time there was a 12-minute recess.
PUBLIC HEARING - WATER RATE INCREASE:
This being the time and place advertised, a public hearing was held.
Proponents
Dave Michael, City of Laurel Public Utilities Director, presented a letter
dated June 12, 1986, written to the Mayor and Council regarding the proposed
water rate increase and expressing the need for an increase.
Opponents
Lois Hansen, 320 1st Avenue I don't have a thing one way or another. I just
want to find out about the 73¢ per month increase for a single family. That
is for water only?
Bob Gauthier responded with a yes.
Lois Hansen said that means then that it will be another $1.50, approximately,
for the sewer, which means that the increase will go to $2.25 instead of the
73¢.
Dave Michael said that the sewer rate will not go up. This is just water.
Lois Hansen The sewer rate is generated to the water. If I pay $10.00 for
water I am going to pay $20 for sewer. So, therefore, if you raise the water
rate, it is automatic that the sewer will go up, too.
It was explained by several people that the sewer charge is based on water
consumption, not on the price, and that there is no sewer rate increase at
this time.
Joan Hapeman, 512 Idaho questioned the deficit from last year and that the
new proposed increase will not completely cover that amount -- saying the
City will operate at a loss again.
Bob Gauthier responded by saying that we will either operate at a loss or
cut expenses.
Dave Michael explained that we have utilized some of our reserves, but we
can't continue to do that.
Joan Hapeman wanted to know if the improvements have been made at the treat-
ment plant.
Dave Michael said that this is for future improvements. The new system fee
would be used for settling basins, pumps, future expansion, etc.
Don Meyers said that the original thought on this new system development fee
was instead of going back to the original people for more money that when
a new development comes in they're going to pay their own way. It will kind
of take the burden off Of the rest of the people who have already paid for
the system.
Cindy Fox We operate the standpipe at 11 South 9th. Is the water rate
going to go up for the standpipe?
Dave Michael indicated that her rate would go up to 61¢ per
100 cubic feet also.
page Minutes of the City Council of Laurel
Dan Lowell What I would like to find out is, according to the Laurel Outlook,
it said that one of the reasons for this increase is the consumption. Bur-
lington Northern's consumption is down, so we have to have a rate increase
to bring the revenue up to take care of what they are not using. But yet,
when more people come in to town we have to pay more for water because the
town is growing more. Would somebody clear it up why it doesn't balance
out somewhere.
Don Meyers That's why we are going to the system development fee. That
money will be set aside to take care of what the City had to put out before.
Everytime you keep adding subdivisions up above, we're blowing out lines
down below because they can't handle the load -- like we did on 6th Avenue.
All that replacement in there. That's a major concern and that's why we
went with the system development fee.
Motion by Alderman Dickerson to close the public hearing, seconded by
Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8--0.
RESOLUTION NO. 2218
RAISING CITY WATER RATES AND CHARGES SO AS TO INCREASE
TOTAL REVENUES NOT TO EXCEED 12%.
Motion by Don Meyers that Resolution No. 2218 be passed and adopted,
seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8--0.
PUBLIC HEARING - GARBAGE RATE INCREASE:
Proponents
Dave Michael presented a report on the proposed garbage rate increase.
Jim Flisrand reviewed some of the figures on the report.
Opponents
Joan Hapeman, 512 Idaho wanted to know why we are operating at a deficit.
The Mayor said that we have not had a rate increase in solid waste for about
five years. We need a new garbage truck and the compactor at the landfill
is extremely costly to operate at this time. We either have to get a new
compactor or look at a transfer station. The assumption at this time is
that we will run the landfill. If we can save some cost at a later time
we will try to do so.
Discussion regarding repair costs for the collection and landfill equipment.
This year it will probably run about $30,000.
The cat at the landfill, which supplements the operation of the ~Dmpactor,
is no longer in service.
Discussion regarding looking at the alternatives of hauling the garbage to
Billings and possibly a transfer station. Currently our lease at the landfill
does not allow that flexibility. We have applied with the State, but they
have not granted us permission to try anything else with the landfill.
They will not allow us to do it with our current landfill. We have applied
to the State for a lease north of our present landfill to see if we could
try a transfer station there if that could possibly reduce the cost. But
at this time we have to assume that we are going to operate the landfill.
Lois Hansen, 320 1st Avenue asked if we have considered leasing the garbage
operation to someone else.
The Mayor said, "Yes, we have." At this time it looks like the cost would
be approximately the same as what we are running now. There wouldn't be
any savings, presently.
But, that doesn't mean that in the future it would not be. Prior to buying
all of this equipment, we do plan at looking at these options.
Don Meyers said that if we would contract with someone new, 5 vears down
the road the price could go way up. We have looked into this, also a
transfer site, hauling it to Billings ourselves, which may turn out to
something w~ ~ould do. But at the present time our equipment is not set
up to haul to Billings.
u~tion by Alderman Harris to close the public hearing, seconded by
Alderman Meyers. Motion carried 8--0.
A resolution will be presented at the July 15, 1986, regular Council meeting.
PUBLIC HERARING - ANNEXATION OF BLOCKS 1 & 2 OF MORRIS SUBDIVISION (CITY
PARK ON WASHINGTON AVENUE):
This being the time and place a~vertised, a public hearing was held.
Opponents none present
Motion by Alderman Meyers to close the public hearing, seconded by
Alderman Dickerson. Motion carried 8--0.
page 14
Minutes of the City Council of Laurel
ORDINANCE OF ANNEXATION NO. 887 first reading)
EXTENDING THE BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY OF LAUREL, MONTANA,
TO INCLUDE BLOCK I AND 2, OF MORRIS SUBDIVISION, YELLOW-
STONE COUNTY, MONTANA.
Motion by Alderman Dickerson that Ordinance No. 887, first reading, be
passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Orr. Upon taking a roll call vote,
all aldermen present voted, "YES." Motion carried 8--0.
BID OPENING - GARBAGE TRUCK:
This being the time and place advertised all bids received were opened and
read aloud. Two bids were received.
(1) Johnson Distributing
Gt. Falls, MT. Bid Bond attached
Brand Name: Wayne Engineering Model: Curbtender Capacity: 25 cy
Truck: 1987 White WX-42 GVW: 39,320
Cash Price: $89,437.00
Monthly Payments: $2,842.40
Annual Payments: $32,554.98
Interest Rate: 9.5%
(2) Billings Truck Center
827 2nd Ave. No.
Billings, MT. Bid Bond attached
Brand Name: Heil F-7000 Model: F-7000 Capacity: 24 cy
Truck: White WX-42 GVW:~ 39,320
Cash Price: $93,877.00
Monthly Payments: First $2,877.00; Balance $2,852.05
Annual Payments: First $2,877.00 - 3 annual payments of $35,315.64
Interest Rate: 8.0%
The bids were referred to the Garbage Committee for review and a recommendation.
BID OPENING - QUICK ATTACK FIRE TRUCK:
This being the time and place advertised, all bids received were opened and
read aloud. Two bids were received.
(1) Becker Fire Equipment Co.
1717 E. Yellowstone Bid Bond attached
Casper, WY 82601 Cashier's Check in the amount of $3,450.00
Truck: 1986 Ford GVW: 11,000
Total Price: $33,903.00
Alternate Bid
Total Price: $34,500.00
(2) O'Donnell Fire Service & Equipment Co.
2405 2nd Ave. No. Bid Bond attached
Billings, MT Cashier's Check in the amount of $3,693.00
Truck: 1985 GMC 4x4 (demo) GVW: 11,000
Total Price: $36,931.00
Optional Bid
Furnish one GE Lo Ben 2 channel scanner radio or approved equal.
$1,276.00 Brand Name: General Electric Model: Ranger BN9B01
The bids were referred to the Fire Committee for review and a recommendation.
ORDINANCE NO. 881 (tabled 6/3/86)
Motion by Alderman Kruq to remove Ordinance No. 881 from the table,
seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8--0.
Motion by Alderman Dickerson to amend the legal description to conform
with the Certificate of Survey description, seconded by Alderman Meyers.
Motion carried 8--0.
ORDINANCE OF ANNEXATION NO. 881 (first reading)
EXTENDING THE BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY OF LAUREL, MONTANA,
TO INCLUDE TRACT A OF CERTIFICATE OF SURVEY #2385,
YELLOWSTONE COUNTY, MONTANA.
Motion by Alderman Dickerson that Ordinance No. 881 (first reading),~ as
amended, be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Meyers. Upon taking a
roll call vote, all aldermen pre~nt voted, "YES." Motion carried 8--0.
ORDINANCE OF ANNEXATION - AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 879 (BAPTIST CHURCH
ANNEXATION:
ORDINANCE OF ANNEXATION NO. 879-A (second reading)
EXTENDING THE BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY OF LAUREL, MONTANA,
TO INCLUDE TRACT lA OF CERTIFICATE OF SURVEY NO. 1894,
TRACT i~AMENDED, SITUATED IN THE S½ SE~ NE~ SECTION 8,
T2S, R24E, PMM, YELLOWSTONE COUNTY, MONTANA, AND REPEALING
ORDINANCE NO. 879 DUE TO A CLERICAL ERROR IN LEGAL DESCRIP-
TION.
Minutes of the City Council of Laurel
Public Hearing - no comments
Motion by Alderman Dickerson that Ordinance No. 879-A (second reading)
be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Meyers. Upon taking a roll call
vote, all aldermen present voted, "YES." Motion carried 8--0.
HOME OCCUPATIONS:
ORDINANCE NO. 886 (second reading)
AMENDING SECTION 17.44.010 (B) (2) OF THE LAUREL
MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING HOME OCCUPATIONS.
Public Hearing - no comments
Motion by Aldesman2 Dickerson that Ordinance No. 886 (second reading)
be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Meyers. Upon taking a roll call
vote, all aldermen present voted, "YES." Motion carried 8--0.
WAGE INCREASE FOR NON-UNION EMPLOYEES:
Mayor Gauthier In the preliminary budget of this year we have put in there
the salary and wage increase for non-union employees. They are not part of
the negotiating unit. What we used for the preliminary budget figures was
the same as what was in the Union Contract, ~'hich is 39¢ an hour wage increase
and a $10.00 per month increase in health insurance benefits.
Motion by Alderman Meyers to approve and adopt the salary and wage in-
crease effective July 1, 1986, for non-union employees in the amount of 39¢
per hour and $10.00 per month in health insurance benefits for those who are
eligible, seconded by Alderman Harris. Motion carried 8--0.
JUDGE'S SALARY AND CLERK OF COURT:
The judge's salary is set by ordinance. He has asked for a $2,000 a year
increase. Discussion regarding current salary, hours worked and last time
the judge's salary was increased. (approximately 6 years ago)
An ordinance will be prepared and presented at the July 15th Council meeting
regarding the judge's salary.
He has also requested a full-time Clerk of Court.
Motion by Alderman Meyers to deny the request for a full-time Clerk of
Court, seconded by Alderman Krug.
The judge asked that the work hours be doubled from 15 hours a week to 30
hours a week for the Clerk of Court.
Alderman Krug withdrew his second and Alderman Meyers withdrew his motion.
An ordinance will be prepared and presented at the July 15th Council meeting
regarding work hours for the Clerk of Court.
APPOINTMENTS:
The Fire Department has recommended that Joe Davis be appointed as a volunteer
fireman.
Motion by Alderman Orr to confirm the recommendation and appoint Joe
Davis to the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department, seconded by Alderman Dickerson.
Motion carried 8--0.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
--Asphalt Supply Committee report of July 1, 1986.
Motion by Alderman Dickerson to enter the Asphalt Supply Committee report
to the Council dated July 1, 1986, into the record, seconded by Alderman Orr.
Motion carried 8--0.
--City Council Committee as a Whole minutes of June 17, 1986, were presented.
Motion by Alderman Krug to enter the City Council Committee as a Whole
minutes of June 17, 1986, into the record, seconded by Alderman Meyers. Motion
carried 8--0.
--Asphalt Supply Review Committee minutes of June 25, 1986, were presented and
reviewed.
Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to enter the Asphalt Supply Review Committee
minutes of June 25, 1986, into the record, seconded by Alderman Harris. Motion
carried 8--0.
--Garbage Committee mirutes of June 27, 1986, were presented and reviewed.
Pit at Landfill
Motion by Alderman Meyers to authorize Dave Bublitz to dig a pit at the
landfill in the amount of 65¢Jcu. yd., seconded by Alderman Krug. Motion
carried 8--0.
Change of Work Hours
Don Meyers said that they would like a change of hours when employees go to
page 16 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel
work at the landfill and for the driver who picks up the business district
to 6:00 a.m. The reason is that it is a lot easier on the Bomag to run when
it's cooler and by picking up garbage in the business district at an earlier
time it was felt that maybe there wouldn't be as many problems with delivery
trucks in the alley.
Motion by Alderman Meyers to authorize the landfill personnel and the
driver who picks up garbage in the business district to start work at 6:00
a.m., upon agreement with the Union, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. Motion
carried 8--0.
Motion by Alderman Meyers to enter the Garbage Committee minutes of
June 27, 1986, into the record, seconded by Alderman Krug. Motion carried
8--0.
--Park Committee minutes of June 23, 1986, were presented and reviewed.
Pony Ring (not in committee minutes)
Donna Kilpatrick said that we have had a request from a lady who would like
to put a pony ring in Thompson Park on the 4th of July.
Discussion regarding liability insurance.
Motion by Alderman Meyers to authorize the pony ring at Thompson Park
for the 4th of July only, providing she shows proof of liability insurance
coverage, seconded by Alderman Krug. Motion carried 8--0.
Motion by Alderman Meyers to enter the Park Committee minutes of
June 23, 1986, into the record, seconded by Alderman Harris. Motion carried
8--0.
--Police Committee minutes of June 26, 1986, were presented and reviewed.
Motion by Alderman Dickerson to enter the Police Committee minutes of
June 26, 1986, into the record, seconded by Alderman Harris. Motion carried
8--0.
The Police Committee meeting scheduled for July 3rd has been cancelled. Next
meeting is scheduled for August 7th.
--Board of Adjustment minutes of June 10, 1986, were presented.
Motion by Alderman Meyers to enter the Board of Adjustment minutes of
June 10, 1986, into the record, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried
8--0.
--City-County Planning Board minutes of June 12, 1986, were presented and
reviewed.
Discussion regarding off-street parking for new buildings or additions to
buildings. It has been suggested that $1,000 cash be donated in lieu of
a requirement for a 10x20 parking space. This would require an ordinance
change.
Motion by Alderman Meyers to accept the Planning Board's proposal,
seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8--0.
Discussion regarding the necessity to have 6 votes on the Planning Board to
make a recommendation.
Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to enter the City-County Planning Board
minutes of June 12, 1986, into the record, seconded by Alderman Krug. Motion
carried 8--0.
--Airport Authority minutes for the past several months were presented.
Motion by Alderman Collins to enter the Airport Authority minutes of
June 25, 1985, July 18, 1985, July 23, 1985, August 5, 1985, August 27, 1985,
October 9, 1985, January 14, 1986, February 25, 1986, March 25, 1986, May 9,
1986, and June 2, 1986, into the record, seconded by Alderman Krug. Motion
carried 8--0.
Public Utilities Committee meeting scheduled for July 7th was moved to
August 4tho
Garbage Committee will meet July 14th at 5 p.m.
POLICE RESERVE:
Alan Crowe reported that Eric Adams, Animal Control Officer, has applied for
and has been tentatively accepted to enter the City's Reserve Police program.
Alan recommended that he be appointed to the Police Reserve & Auxiliary.
The Mayor appointed Eric Adams to the Laurel Police Reserve & Auxiliary.
Motion by Alderman Meyers to confirm the Mayor's appointment of Eric
Adams to the Laurel Police Reserve & Auxiliary, seconded by Alderman Dickerson.
Motion carried 8--0.
Ambulance Committee meeting scheduled for July 8th has been cancelled. Next
Page 17 Minutes of the CitY Council of Laurel
meeting is scheduled for August 12th.
PURCHASE ORDERS:
The City Clerk reported that when you start working on your July purchase
orders, leave the account number off at this time. Due to the computer
conversion, the account numbers will change somewhat and you will be getting
a report as soon as it is available.
COUNCIL MEETING:
The Mayor announced that there will be a special Council meeting on July 8th
at 5:00 p.m., to approve the June claims.
The Budget/Finance Committee will meet at 4:30 p.m. that same day.
L. D. Collins requested permission to leave the State.
Motion by Alderman Dickerson to grant permission for L. D. Collins to
leave the State, seconded by Alderman Harris. Motion carried 8--0.
Cal Cumin reported the Yellowstone County Commissioners are holding a public
hearing tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. regarding the expansion of the Laurel City-
County Planning Board area.
MAYOR'S COMMENTS:
The Mayor reported that we had an employee in the Clerk's office terminated.
Instead of advertising, we took the applications which were used when we
filled Celia's position about 3 months ago.
The Mayor appointed Naomi Bacon to replace Teresa Gremmer.
Motion by Alderman Krug to confirm the Mayor's appointment of Naomi Bacon
effective July 14, 1986, seconded by Alderman Meyers. Motion carried 8--0.
The Mayor reported that Steve Duganz wanted him to make a comment regarding
the county continuing to pursue their nuisance action against Asphalt Supply
and he will contact them tomorrow.
The Mayor also reported that Don Nelson will be moving from Riverside Park on
July 15th. It was decided to advertise next week for his replacement.
Therei<.being..no!.further~b~siness to come before the Council at this time, the
meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
Donald L. Hackmann, City Clerk
Approved by the Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City of Laurel,
Montana, this 15th day of July, 1986.