HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Head Meetings Minutes 12.15.2009MINUTES
DEPARTMENT HEAD MEETING
DECEMBER 15, 2009 3:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PRESENT: Bill Sheridan Mary Embleton Rick Musson
Christina Kracher Kurt Markegard Derek Yeager
Nancy Schmidt James Caniglia
Council Agenda - December 15, 2009
Scheduled Matters:
• Confirmation of Appointments:
o Police Officer: Anthony Contreraz
¦ Swearing in ceremony
a Laurel Urban Renewal Agency
Bruce McGee to a 4-year term ending 12/31/2013
o Police Commission
¦ Mike Michunovich to a 3-year term ending 12/31/2012
• Ordinance No. 009-11: Ordinance amending Section 2.68.100 of the Laurel Municipal Code,
amending the procedure to modify the City Judge's salary. Second reading.
• Resolution No. R09-135: A resolution of the City Council authorizing the Mayor to sign an
agreement with American Medical Response to establish protocol and procedures for
interception and transportation of ambulance patients.
• Resolution No. R09-136: A resolution approving Amendment No. 1 to the previously adopted
Task Order No. 10, approving an increase in the construction administration portion of the 2009
street maintenance project.
• Resolution No. R09-137: Budget amendment resolution amending revenues, appropriations and
reserves for various funds for fiscal year 2010.
There was no discussion regarding the council agenda.
Rick asked if the January 1"t payday would be on December 31 st and Mary stated that it would.
Draft Council Workshou Agenda - December 29, 2009
General items
Clerk/Treasurer:
• Resolution -Wage increases for city judge and elected officials
Mary explained that the second reading of the ordinance regarding the judge's salary is on tonight's
council agenda and it would be effective on January 15th. The resolution for increases for the judge and
elected officials will be presented at the workshop on December 29th so the increases can be included
for the pay period on January 15th.
• Resolution - Memorandum of Understanding with Beartooth RC&D
Mary stated that the resolution will go forward if Carla Lawrence, Beartooth RC&D, sends the MOU
for the December 29th council workshop.
Department Head Meeting Minutes of December 15, 2009
• Resolution No. R09-132: A resolution approving Amendment Number One (1) to Task Order
12 to provide a final payment for water and wastewater rate studies performed by Morrison-
Maierle, Inc. (Tabled 12/01/2009)
Mary stated that this resolution should be listed under the CAO on the workshop agenda. Morrison-
Maierle has not yet responded to the city's request for information regarding this amendment.
Chief Administrative Officer:
• Resolution - RFP for health insurance benefits
Bill stated that work is needed and the RFP will go forward.
Executive Review:
There are no items for discussion.
Department Reports:
Clerk/Treasurer
Mary finished posting year-end adjustments and has requested Norm Klein's assistance to finish the
year-end report.
Fire /Ambulance
• Preparations for new fire station
Derek stated that decisions regarding the fire station need to be made in January in order to prepare for
the school election in May. Information regarding cost and size is already available. If CHS wins its
tax appeal, school taxes will increase for property owners.
Rick asked if another round of grants is available. Derek stated that there is speculation about
additional grants, but he does not think the city would receive a grant.
Library
• Roof replacement
Nancy stated that Leonard will remove snow from the roof tomorrow and make sure the roof is not
leaking. Mark at MMIA requested quotes for replacement of the asphalt shingles from the two bidders.
• Status of City of Laurel's website
Nancy posted the Budget/Finance and Emergency Services Committee agendas on the website. She
will start working with individual departments next. There was discussion regarding posting pictures on
the website. The schedule of fees and charges will also be posted on the site.
Police Department
Rick mentioned that the new officer will be sworn in tonight and will take the physical test in Helena on
Thursday.
City Planner
• Various grants
James stated that the contractor for the historic research grant is in Laurel this week to finish the
research work.
Bill and James will meet with Rimrock Stages to work out the details for the transit system. A
recommendation with high and low end costs will be presented to the council at the December 291n
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Department Head Meeting Minutes of December 15, 2009
council workshop. Vehicle delivery is scheduled in January. There was discussion regarding the cost to
go to Billings and the suggestion to keep it a free service to avoid administration charges.
Public Works Department
• Construction of a storage building
Kurt stated that utility lines need to be located prior to a decision regarding placement of the building.
• Status of water distribution upgrade
The project has stalled because of the cold weather. The pumps are scheduled for delivery this month.
• Status of Main Street from 1 S` to 8t' Avenues
Chad Hanson prepared a letter for the city to send to Tim Casey.
• SE 4t' Street
Kurt has heard people say that the city will repave SE 4t' Street next spring. Storm connections need to
be completed prior to paving the street.
• Report on progress with South Laurel Business SID
Sam Stokke has not paid yet.
• Status of Wastewater Plant upgrade
Kurt stated that the cold weather has shut down the water line project for now, but work could continue
in 20 to 30 degree weather. The contractor has not asked for a Suspend Work Order but has requested
weather days.
Kurt stated that Jeff Ashley of Morrison-Maierle will give an update on activated sludge on Tuesday,
December 29 h, in the morning.
• Ditch mitigation ARRA grant project - 7t' Street
Kurt explained concerns that Cenex has regarding if the project would cause storm water to discharge
into the irrigation canal farther downstream There was discussion. Kurt will ask legal counsel to draft
a letter stating that the city is responsible for the project. Kurt stated the need for a citywide storm
water district.
Kurt spoke regarding today's meeting with Neptune and the problems with the magnets in the new
water meters. The city paid $1.5 million for the water meters and has had to replace parts in 66 meters
so far. Neptune provides the repair parts at no charge, but the city incurs costs to have Kelly prepare the
work orders and to have the crew repair the meters. There was discussion. Legal counsel will write a
letter to Johnson Controls regarding this issue.
City Attorney
There was no discussion.
Mayor Olson
There was no discussion.
Chief Administrative Officer
• Schedule of Fees and Charges
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Department Head Meeting Minutes of December 15, 2009
Since no further changes were presented, Bill will go forward with this.
• Impact Fees
There was no discussion.
a City's lease of railroad property on Main Street for various uses
Derek is looking at leasing property on East Main for the fire station as the leases and ownership issues
are too complicated on West Main.
• Bus Transit System
There was no further discussion.
Other
Kurt stated that Harry Whalen will be available on Tuesday, December 22d, to meet with staff and
elected officials prior to the public hearing on the water rates.
The meeting adjourned at 3:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
&_jU? OZb-4,
Cindy Allen
Council Secretary
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