HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 06.04.1985 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel
June 4, 1985
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 Albert Ehrlick. at 7:03 p.m., on
June 4~ 1985.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Lonnie Kellogg Chuck Dickerson
Mel Krug Donald Meyers
Bill Brennan Bob Gauthier
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Marvin Carter Rob Harris
INVOCATION: Invocation given by Mai Krug.
i~INUTES: Motion.by Alderman Meyers to approve the minutes, of the regular meeting
of May 21, 1985, as presented, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. Carried.
CORRESPONDENCE: Received a thank you from John Floyd for giving him another chance
for a business license.
Received two memos from the League of Cities & Towns regarding a Worker's Compen-
sation Self Insurance program and the shortfall in the motor vehicle reimbursement
account due to a mistake in Senate Bill #142.
Received a synopsis, agenda, and update from the Northwest Power Planning Council.
Received a proposed 1985-86 budget from the Yellowstone County Air Pollution Control.
Laurel's share is $2,309.
Received a letter.from Paulette C. Van Nice, Chairperson of Laurel School District
#7 and ~7-70, regarding student enrollment and the consideration that needs to be
taken in future new developments and additions to the City and within the Laurel
School District.
Received a~letter from the West Grade School PTO regarding bicycle safety. This
was referred to the Police Committee,
Received a letter from Department of Commerce, Community Development Division,
regarding FY '86 County. Land Planning Fund projections; Effects of new law on
funding for FY '86; Cutback.in funds for FY '87--FY '93. A copy of.this letter
was g~ven to John Smith, Chairman of the Laurel-Yellowstone City-County Planning
Board, and to Cal Cumin, the City's Planning Consultant.
Received a copy of a letter written to Dee Braswell from David L. Dory, District
Conservationist, regarding the proposed Pine Grove Subdivision.
Received objections in moving the ditch at the proposed Pine Grove Subdivision
from five shareholders in the Clarks Fork Ditch Company.
Received a copy of Yellowstone County Sheriff's Department Contract Law Enforcement
program and operational plan for law enforcement services. No action was taken.
Received a letter of agreement for engineering services for the Laurel Water Dis-
tribution Study, Task II. This was referred to the Public Utilities Committee.
CLAIMS: Claims for the month of May, 1985, were reviewed by the Budget/Finance
Committee.
Motion by Alderman Brennan to pay the claims for the month of May, seconded
by Alderman Krug. Motion carried 6--0.
JIM KAERCHER~ HKM - PROGRESS REPORT ON WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT: Jim presented
a written report and also an °ra!~rep°vt was given.
PUBLIC HEARING - ZONE CNANGE TO HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL ON UNPLATTED AREA REMAINING
BETWEEN VILLAGE SUBDIVISION~i SECOND FILING"~ H.'IG.H'.W'A~ '#'i'.0.'~''MA'RYLAND LANE AND MILWAUKEE
ROAD {PLANNING BOARD RECOMMENDS APPRO'VAL.) This being the' ti~e ~nd place advertised,
a public hear'lng ~a's h'eld'. '
Proponents: None present.
Opponents: None present.
Public hearing closed.
ORDINANCE NO. 809 (first reading)
DESIGNATING HC ZONE AND CHANGING THE LAUREL ZONING MAP.
Motion .b.y Alderman Meyers that Ordinance No. 809 (first reading) be passed
and adopted, seconded 'by Alderman Dickerson. Upon taking a roll call vote, the
following aldermen answered:
Kellogg NO
Gauthier NO
Meyers YES
Motion carried 4--2.
BID OPENING - GAS AND OIL:
bids were received:
Laurel
Krug YES
Brennan YES
Dickerson YES
This being the time and place advertised,
Conoco Bulk
regular gasoline 1.0015
diesel fuel .883
15W-40 3.47/gal.
the following
page 2
Minutes of the City Council of Laurel
BID OPENING ASPHALT PRODUCTS: This being the
following 'b'i'd' ~a's '~e~eived' f~om Cenex Refinery,
145 Tons MC-250/800 cutback asphalt
il0 Tons CRS-2 emulsified asphalt
time and place advertised, the
Laurel, MT.:
$185.00/Ton FOB refinery
155.00/Ton FOB refinery
all materials shall meet applicable MDON asphalt specifications.
Motion by .A.lderman Krug to accept Cenex Refinery's bid for asphalt products,
secon'ded by'Alderman M'eYers. Motion carried 6--0.
BID OPENING INSURANCE: This being the time and place advertised, all bids
received were opened. The bids were from Williams Agency, Olivia Lee, agent;
Mutual of Omaha, Walt Menello, agent; Business Plans Associates, Marie Deonier,
agent; Employee Benefit Plans, LTD, Thomas Heald, agent. Due to the many options
in the insurance plans, all bids were referred to the Insurance Committee for review
at a meeting on Tuesday, June llth at 4:B0 p.m., and to make a recommendation at
the June 18th, 1985, Council meeting.
PUBLIC.HEARING - SWE.E.PING DISTRICT .PU.RCHASE OF A NEW. S,WEEPER: This being the time
and place advertised, a public hearing was held.
Proponents: None
Opponents: None
Brent Twichel on behalf of the Chamber and most of the members on Main Street are
the people paying for the sweeper, asked if there was going to be an increase or
any charges whatsoeVer. The answer was, "NO."
Discussion on if the City will be abie to purchase a sweeper at this price - by
the amount of money we have in the fund.
Public hearing closed.
More discussion on the sweeper regarding going out for bids.
ORDINANCE NO. 806 (SECOND READING}:
ORDINANCE NO. 806 (second reading)
DESIGNATING RMH ZONE AND CHANGING THE LAUREL ZONING MAP.
(PINE GROVE SUBDIVISION)
Motion by Alderm.an Meyers that Ordinance No. 806 {second reading) be passed
and adopted, seconded by Alderman Dickerson.
Louie Day spoke in opposition of the zone change. Cenex position on Pine Grove
Subdivision: The_area that is to be subdivided is not adjacent to Cenex property;
however, we believe it is only wise to inform the public that there are inherent
disadvantages to living close to an industriai site such as the refinery.
The Cenex Refinery meets all State and Federal standards for air and water pollution.
While meeting the.air pollution standards, there are still quantities of stack gases
that contain sulfur compounds. Living directly downstream of the refinery puts the
Pine Grove property in the prevailing direction of the winds blowing from the south-
west and in line with the refinery. This does not create any health hazards as far
as concentration of sulfur compounds in the air but it does create disagreeable odors
at times when the air is not moving the gases out of the area. People buying property
in this area should be made aware of this.
Refineries are also not immune to such things as spills, explosions and tank fires.
Experience at Cenex has been good in these categories and has proven to be a safe
plant to work in over the years. This does not eliminate the possibility of some
Laurel Servicenter regular gasoline 1.00B
diesel #2 .881
15W-40 3.85/gal.
These two bids were referred to the Street & Alley Committee.
BID OPENING - ROAD MATERIAL: This being the time and place advertised, the
following bids were received:
Long Construction
2500 cu. yds. 1/2" road material $8.55 $21,B75.00
3000 cu. yds. 3/4" road material 8.55 .25,6.50.00
4000 cu. yds. 3/8'! stone chips 12.06 48,240.00
600 cu. yds. B" max. pit run ?.12 4,2?2.00
Bid bond attached.
William Krug &Sons.
2500 cu. yds. 1/2" road material 5.25 1B,125.00
BO00 cu. yds. ~/4" road material 5.00 15,000.00
4000 cu. yds. 3/8'! stone chips 5.00 20,000.00
600 cu. yds. 3" max. pit run 4.?5 2,850.00
Bid bond attached.
Motio.n by Atde.rman Meyers to accept William Krug's bid on road material,
sec°nde'd bY '~!derm~n KF'ug· Motion carried 6--0.
page 3 Minutes of the City CoUncil of Laurel
type of disaster occurring, whether it be caused by lightning, sabotage or faiIure
of equipment. Here again, the people buying property close to the refinery should
be aware of these possibilities even though past history has not indicated any
cause for alarm.
Cenex has always been a responsible part of the community and we intend to remain
so. However, we believe this responsibility also includes informing the public of
any possibilities that could involve their safety even if this possibility might be
remote.
Roger Briggs also spoke in opposition of the zone change: It is my opinion that
the Council's reasoned response to the requested Pine Grove "residential mobile home"
zoning should be in the negative. This opinion is based on three reasons I hope
you will consider or reconsider.
First is Laurel's census history and popui~tion probability. The 1960 census was
4,601 which went down to 4,454 in 1970. The optimism of the 70!s brought growth,
but to a figure far less.than estimates and expectations. It is probably that the
number is slipping down ~gain at this time. As population relates to housing, it
seems the growth to "new Laurel!' has.created quite a number of empty homes in the
shuffle, and certainly the Council has allowed for adequate numbers of building
sites for expansion.
Is it logical now to encourage Pine Grove toward opening 294 building sites,
representing housing for population growth comparable to Laurel's 25 year total
increase, in one concentrated location?
Second, in accepting a zone change there is an implied willingness to take the
next step of accepting the Pine Grove development. The signal you give implies
willingness of the pubiic to accept the obIigations of maintenance of all the
services to the development including maintenance of nearly 2 miles of 60 foot
streets, nearly 2 acres of park, and the Yellowstone County and State obligation
for increased maintenance to over 3 miles of roads from Laurel city limits to the
development.
in that the public's obligations for 294 building sites start before the tax base
includes houses, wouldn't the zone change encouragement of Pine Grove developers
be a presumptuous Council action?
Third is the Pine Grove geography. Given the existing.location of heavy industry
and of the interstate highway, Pine Grove can only be a satellite to Laurel at
best. Giving it all the optimism of its developers, its geographic destiny would
be "Pine Grove Beyond the Rust Belt." No fault of anyone, that's just the way it is.
These three seem compelling reasons to refuse the requested zone change and are the
basis of my opposition.
Alderman Meyers stated the Council should also take into consideration the letter
received from the school that was read in correspondence. Also from the ditch
company.
Alderman Kellogg added we have a copy of a letter from the Department of Agriculture
stating this land should probably remain an agricultural pPoduction, also the school
can only increase 120 students and 294 units will definitely bring more than 120
students. The ditch company has a problem with it, may infer that the City may have
the responsibility of cleaning the ditch or maintaining it afterward which could be
an additional expense.
A roll call vote was taken with the following aldermen answer-
Question called for.
ing:
Brennan
Krug
Kellogg
NO Meyers NO
NO Gauthier NO
NO Dickerson NO
Motion was defeated 6--0.
ORDINANCE NO. 807 (SECOND READING):
ORDINANCE NO. 807 (second reading)
PROHIBITING THE OPERATION OF MOTOR vEHICLES IN CITY PARKS.
Motion by Alderman Meyers that Ordinance No. 807 (second reading) be passed
and adopted, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. Upon taking a roll call vote, all
aldermen present voted, "YES." Motion carried 6--0.
ORDINANCE NO. 808 (SECOND READING):
ORDINANCE NO. 808 (second reading)
GARAGE SALE SIGNS PROHIBITED ON CERTAIN STREETS ADDING
SECTION 9.20.065 TO THE LAUREL MUNICIPAL CODE°
Motio. n by Alderman Dickerson that Ordinance No. 808 (second reading) be
tabled until June 18, 1985, seconded by Alderman Meyers. Motion carried 6--0 .
APPOINT GRANT COMMITTEE: The Mayor appointed the following people to the Grant
Committee: Mar'yin. Carter, Jim Flisrand, Don Hackmann, Sharon Herman, Pat Johnson
and Vern Halvorson.
Minutes of the City Council of Laurel
page 4
Motion by Alderman Krug to con£irm the Mayor's appointments, seconded by Alder-
man Dickerson. Motion carried 6--0.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
--Budget/Finance Committee minutes of June 4, 1985, were presented and reviewed.
Motion by Alderman Gauthier to enter into the record the Budget/Finance Com-
mittee minutes of June.4, 1985, seconded by Alderman Brennan. Motion carried 6--0.
--Budget/Finance Committee minutes of May 28, 1985, were presented and reviewed.
Motion by Alderman Gauthier to enter into the record the Budget/Finance Com,
mittee minutes of May 28, 1985, seconded by Alderman Brennan. Motion carried 6--0.
--Grants Committee minutes o£ MaY 28, 1985, were presented and reviewed.
Motion by Alderman Meyers to enter into the record the Grants Committee minutes
of May.28, !985. seconded by Alderman Krug. Motion carried 6--0.
--License Committe.e. minutes of June 3~ 1985, were presented and reviewed.
Motion by Alderman Meyers to issue Jamison Masonry & Concrete a City license,
seconded 'by' Alde'rman BrYn'nan. Motion carried 6--0.
Motion by Alderman Meyers to issue Pizza Hut a construction license, seconded
by Alderman Krug. Motion carried 6--0.
Motion by Alderman Meyers to issue NEGU, Inc. office a City license after fire
inspection, seconded by Alderman Krug. Motion carried 6--0.
Motion by Alderman Meyers to issue Laurel Refrigeration a City license,
seconded by Alderman Krug. Motion carried 6--0.
Motion by Alderman Meyers to issue Dot's Lil' Orbit Donuts a City license after
she shows her health license, seconded by Alderman Brennan. Motion carried 6--0.
Discussion on delivery permits, how much to charger and who to charge.
Discussion on requiring bonds for electricians, plumbers, roofers and contractors.
Motion by Alderman Meyers to enter into the record the License Committee minutes
of June 3, 1985, seconded by Alderman Krug. Motion carried 6--0.
--Park Committee minutes of June 3, 1985, were presented and reviewed.
Motion by Alderman Brennan to enter into the record the Park Committee minutes
of June 3', 1'9'85, seconded b'y Alderman Krug. Motion carried 6--0.
--Airport Authority minutes of March 26, 1985, April 23, 1985, and May 27, 1985, were
presented and reviewed.
Motion by Alderman Kellogg to enter into the record the Airport Authority minutes
of March 26~ April 23 and May 27, 1985, seconded by Alderman Meyers. Motion carried
--Ambulance Committee rePresented by Alderman Kellogg.
Motion by A~.d.erman Kellogg to hire Norma Larson as an ambulance attendant,
seconded by Alderman Meyers. Motion carried 6--0.
--Public Utilities Committee Alderman Kellogg stated Terry Fink has asked him to bring
up a subject before the Council. When he added on his carwash, he ran the sewer line
(and this is in his words) as the City told him, and it ran down the boulevard and
was to connect at the alley, because at that time there was no sewer in the street.
We put the sewer in the street last year. Now his sewer line runs across the
property where Pizza Hut is going to be located; Pizza Hut will drain their surface
water underneath the ground with gravel. It will be right on top of his sewer line.
That means Terry will have to move his sewer line. This is sort of a. Council decision.
Terry says he was told to put it there. When he has to move it he would like to
share the cost with the City. He.will pay the plumber, do the digging if the City
will furnish the backfill and repave the street. It amounts to 10 ft. by 3 ft.
section.
Jim Flisrand stated the City approved his installation of the service line in the
boulevard which was 4 ft. wide, and the City does inspect all taps. The tap, I
presume, was inspected and OKd. The City never has and never will verify property
lines, so the alignment of that was totally up to the property owner and the con-
tractor. I don't feel we should pay for it.
Joe Bradley Not knowing exactly what was told to Terry, I don't think the Council
wants to accept any liability for somebody laying their sewer line in the wrong
place, or maybe misinstalling it; That's not what we inspect.
Ernie Davis The possible cost to the City would be $125 - figure $45 road material
and $80 for asphalt, maximum.
Don Meyers asked Joe Bradley if we do this do we assume the liability of this?
Joe Bradley I don't think so. We could write a letter saying that we don't accept
any liability. We don't think we were wrong, but to avoid an argument we'll pay
this minimal amount. I think we should set a precedence. We just don't want people
page S Minutes of the City Council of Laurel
from now on when we do an inspection, we don't want a misunderstanding of what
we're inspecting.
Motion by Alderman Kellogg that
from the street to the tap, seconded
answered:
Dickerson NO
Gauthier NO
Meyers NO
Motion was defeated 4--2.
the City furnish the gravel and blacktop
by Alderman Brennan. The following aldermen
Kellogg YES
Krug NO
Brennan YES
--Alderman Krug brought up a letter from Alan Crowe regarding East 6th Street and
Elm, which has recently been opened as a through street and no stop signs.
Discussion on 2-way or 47~ay stop signs.
Motion by Alderman Krug to put a 4-way stop sign at Elm and East 6th Street,
seconded by Alderman Dickerson. Motion carried 5--1 with Alderman Kellogg voting,
"NO."
--Garbage Committee presented the following ordinance:
ORDINANCE NO. 810 (first reading)
AMENDING SECTION 8.16.020, OF THE LAUREL MUNICIPAL CODE,
TO PROVIDE FOR THE SETTING OF GARBAGE FEES FOR NON-CITY
RESIDENTS BY RESOLUTION.
Motion by Alderman Meyers that Ordinance No. 810 (first reading) be passed
and adopted, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. Upon taking a roll call vote, all
aldermen present voted, "YES." Motion carried 6--0.
--Joe Bradle.x presented a resolution for re¢odification of the City codes.
RESOLUTION NO. 2136
REPEALING RESOLUTION NO. 2111 AND PROVIDING AUTHORIZATION
TO THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE CONTRACT FOR
CODIFICATION OF CITY CODES.
Motion .by A.lderma.n Kellogg that Resolution No. 2136 be passed and adopted,
seconded by Alderman Brennan. Motion carried 6--0.
COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE:
Question asked about Airport Authority's budget - who controls it? Answer: It
has budgeting power of its own, but the City levies 2 mills for it.
COMMENTS FROM ALDERMEN AND DEPARTMENT HEADS:
Ernie Davis stated Phil Curry will run the first class for CPR tomorrow.
Jim Flisrand stated he was approached by the Jaycees. They would like to put up
a 3 ft. high fence at Riverside Park on the road that is adjaoent to their building.
The fence would be made of railroad ties, buried in the ground and cemented in.
The reason being they would like to keep traffic off the grass and perhaps at a
later date put up some playground equipment out to the east of the horseshoe pits.
This was referred to the Park Committee.
MAYOR'S COMMENTS: The Mayor appointed Joe Bradley and Jim CopenhaYer to the
Laurel-Yellowstone City-County Planning Board effective July 1, 1985, for a period
of two years.
Motion by Alderman Krug to confirm the Mayor's appointments of Joe Bradley
and Jim Copenhaver to the Laurel-Yellowstone City-County Planning Board, seconded
by Alderman Brennan. Motion carried 6--0.
There being no further business to
meeting was adjourned at 9:01 p.m.
Approved by the Mayor and passed
this 18th day of June~ 1985.
come before the Council at this time, the
ona L. Nackmann, City Cler
by the City Council of the City of Laurel,
A-i%~Ft EhrIicM, ~M~ySr ' -
Montana,