HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Head Meetings Minutes 02.02.2010MINUTES
DEPARTMENT HEAD MEETING
FEBRUARY 2, 2010 3:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PRESENT: Mayor Ken Olson Mary Embleton Rick Musson
Bill Sheridan Kurt Markegard Derek Yeager
Sam Painter Nancy Schmidt
Council Agenda - February 2. 2010
Scheduled Matters:
• Confirmation of Appointments: None.
• Resolution No. R10-14: A resolution of the City Council accepting a Right-of-Way Easement
from James Horton for the West Main Street Project.
Kurt stated this is simply a correction for Lot 10A.
• Resolution No. R10-15: A resolution approving the attached Task Order No. 15 authorizing
Great West Engineering for the design and installation of a new metal roof on the Laurel Public
Library.
Bill will address this issue if council has any questions.
• Resolution No. R10-16: A resolution of intent to adopt an official Schedule of Fees and Charges
for the City of Laurel, repealing all previous resolutions that set fees or charges that conflict with
the schedule attached hereto upon its effective date.
The public hearing will be on March 2na
Mayor Olson will announce at the beginning of the meeting, the need to add Resolution No. R10-17 to
the agenda. This resolution is to terminate the contract with Morrison Maierle for Phase 2A2 of the
Wastewater Project. Council will need to make a motion to add it to the agenda, which requires a
unanimous vote. If so, it will become item "e" under Scheduled Matters.
Draft Council Workshop Agenda - February 9. 2010
General items:
Public Works Department:
• Eighth Avenue Project update
Kurt will inform the council that the city has submitted the required DEQ permits for this project.
• Seventh Street Ditch Mitigation Project update
Great West has prepared a bid packet which will be advertised soon.
• Discussion - Request from Jack Roma to purchase right-of-way from the City of Laurel
Kurt recommends that the city should not allow private roads on public property. He will contact
MMIA for their comments. During discussion, it was stated that the city could sell land for a road to
Mr. Roma, but this would set precedence. In 1993, a petition to abandon 5th Ave (on the southern
border of Roma's property) was denied by the council, but council then allowed the adjoining
Department Head Meeting Minutes of February 2, 2010
landowners to landscape the street right-of-way. Now, if this street is developed, the trees and other
landscaping would have to be removed.
• West Main Street easements
Kurt reported that Tim Casey want $5,000 for his easement. Kurt will contact MDT to ask for
information on values of easements. The city may also consider a "prescriptive" easement. Staff also
needs to complete the paperwork on two other property owners: Phyllis Wasson and Pamela Coleman.
Bill stated that there had been discussion regarding extending water and sewer to the south side of West
Main Street. Great West has already designed this, and it may need to go to bid of over $50,000. Staff
will get quotes and proceed from there.
Clerk/Treasurer:
• Resolution - Agreement with Dorsey & Whitney for bond counsel services
An agreement is needed to issue the refunding bonds.
• Resolution - Refunding 1997 Water Revenue Bonds
These are the oldest bonds the city has and interest rates are 4.9 to 5.15%. By refinancing with SRF, the
interest rate will drop to 2.75% for the remaining years resulting in a savings of over $89,000.
Chief Administrative Officer:
• Resolution - Employee Health Insurance
The city received three responses to the RFP, but only one is being considered. Blue Cross/Blue Shield
reps and MMIA reps will meet with the Insurance Committee this week, along with the consultant.
• SE 4`h SID for Street Improvements
Kurt set up a meeting with property owners this Friday at 9:00 a.m. at Laurel Ford.
Executive Review:
• Resolution - Accepting DNRC Tree Grant
The city was awarded a $12,000 grant to trim 10 trees at Riverside Park and to plant 16 new trees at
Laurel Lions Park (South Pond). The Laurel Lions Club will donate irrigation pipe and labor, and this
can count as match. There should be enough donations to keep the contributions to a minimum in
meeting the $12,000 required match.
• Recognition of Guard and Reserves
Mayor Olson asked department heads to submit names of staff to him as soon as possible.
• Council Issues:
o CPR training for staff (Chuck Dickerson)
Derek will respond to this, and will try to schedule training sessions. Discussion followed regarding
purchase of AED's and placing them in city buildings, and maybe in police cars.
Department Reports:
Clerk/Treasurer
Mary reported that Cindy's new granddaughter arrived today.
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Department Head Meeting Minutes of February 2, 2010
The audit is scheduled for next week, so Mary asked Department Heads to be available to meet with the
auditors.
Mary asked about the request to use Riverside Park for the Peaks to Prairie race in April. She asked
about a possible Park Use Permit, and shared information she received from Kate, Mark, and Norm
regarding Park Board statements on the issue. Lengthy discussion followed including revisions to the
permit application form, and review of Ordinance #007-03. This may be discussed on Saturday at the
council retreat.
Fire /Ambulance
• Preparations for new fire station
• Location for fire station
Derek will discuss a consolidated fire district at the council retreat on Saturday.
Library
• Roof replacement
Nancy had no update on the roof replacement.
• Status of City of Laurel's website
Nancy has been working on the calendar and links, and she will be able to have all meetings on this
calendar when completed.
Police Department
Rick reported that they have been looking at shooting simulators, and have demonstration scheduled for
Thursday. He has been getting several quotes. Funding will come from CIP via the JAG grant, and
from Police Training funds.
Rick has also been gathering quotes for a new police vehicle, and will be presenting them to Bill by the
end of the week.
City Planner
• Various grants
James was not at this meeting, but will be back next week, and has set up a meeting Thursday with
Beartooth RC&D to assist a new business owner.
Public Works Department
Kurt will not be able to attend next week's meeting as he will be in Helena attending an asphalt
workshop.
• Construction of a storage building
Staff is still waiting for quotes for a building and covered walkway between the new and old buildings.
• Status of water project
New pumps at the water plant are scheduled to be installed this month, and the electrical is also being
worked on at the plant. The generator building at Murray Park is finished.
• Status of Main Street from 1St to 8th Avenues (need 2 property owners' approval)
There was no further discussion.
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Department Head Meeting Minutes of February 2, 2010
• SE 4d' Street
As previously discussed, there is a meeting with property owners scheduled for this Friday.
• Report on progress with South Laurel Business SID
Great West has inspected the sidewalk project on the west side of 1" Ave. S. and found that it was
constructed differently from the plans and specs. Approaches were widened and other additional work
was done. The project was designed to MDT standards. A meeting will be held with MDT to
determine who made the changes. No further payments will be made to MDT until this is resolved.
• Status of Wastewater Plant upgrade
ESI plans to resume work on February 22nd
• Ditch mitigation ARRA grant project - 7d' Street
Sam needs to review the bid packet prepared by Great West.
• Water fill station
Great West will review plans sent by Lockwood to determine cost estimates to build a new station.
Kurt mentioned that Tim Reiter may need surgery which means he may be out on sick leave/FMLA.
Public Works needs to draft an MOU with Yellowstone County for work to be done on Alder and Fir
Avenues this construction season.
City Attorney
Sam has moved into the office on the northwest side of the council chambers.
Sam asked for discussion regarding proposed new regulations for bulk water stations. Lengthy
discussion followed, including the need for the city to build a new bulk water station vs. allowing only
private businesses to build the stations and provide the service.
Mayor Olson
The new owners of the old JC Penney store on the corner of 1" Ave. and W. 1" St. would like to
remodel the building into a movie theater. They would like to know if the city can assist them with
water and/or sewer line improvements. Mayor Olson asked if there is a 4-inch line to this building.
Kurt will research.
Chief Administrative Officer
• Schedule of Fees and Charges
Bill stated that these are on tonight's agenda, and the process is going forward.
• Impact Fees
Bill is still working on this issue.
• City's lease of railroad property on Main Street for various uses
Bill and Mayor Olson need to meet with railroad officials to proceed with obtaining a lease.
• Bus Transit System
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Department Head Meeting Minutes of February 2, 2010
City star contacted folks in Helena, and more meetings are scheduled. Mayor Olson asked if other
cities have been contacted yet. James will report on this when he returns.
Other
None.
The meeting adjourned at 4:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary rK.mbleton
City Clerk/Treasurer
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