Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 07.21.1998MINIJTES OF THE CITY COIJNCIL OF LAIIRI L July 21, 1998 A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, was held in the Council Chambers and called to order by Mayor Chuck Rodgers at 7:00 p.m. on July 21, 1998. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Dirk Kroll Gary Temple Ken Olson Norman Orr Gay Easton Bud Johnson Bill Staudinger COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Miles Walton MINUTES: Motion by Alderman Kroll to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of July 7, 1998, as presented, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Motion carried. CONSENT ITEMS: Correspondence: Air Pollution Control Minutes - July 9, 1998 Landfill Users Sununit Agenda - July 7, 1998 Yellowstone County Election Administrator The mayor asked if there was any separation of consent items. There was none. Motion by Alderman Johnson to approve the consent items as presented, seconded by Alderman Kroll. Motion carried. S C HEDULED MATTERS: a. Confim~ation of Appointments. Board of Adiustment: Mayor Rodgers re-appointed Johnny Goodman to the Board of Adjustment for a term of three years, expiring June 30, 2001. Motion by Alderman Kroll to confkrm the re-appointment of Johnny Goodman to the Board of Adjustment, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Motion carried. b. Committee Reports. --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of July 7, 1998 were presented. --City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of July 7, 1998 were presented. --City-County Planning Board minutes of July 9, 1998 were presented. --Fourth of July Committee minutes of July 9, 1998 were presented. --Parks Committee minutes of July 9, 1998 were presented. Motion by Aldem~an Temple to enter the committee minutes into the record, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Motion carried. c. Home Occupation: Shari Hatten - Daycare for four. Postponed until August 4, 1998. Gary Temple asked if we could start keeping a record of the home occupations. Don Hackmann said that some of them only last for a short time and others last for years. Some home occupations are Council Minutes of July 21, 1998 outside the city limits, but are in the City-County Planning Board jurisdiction, which does not require a city business license. Gary suggested listing those that are tied to the business licenses. Mayor Rodgers said that we would research this. d. Public Hearing on the 1998-99 Preliminary Budget and Tax Resolutions. This being the time and place advertised, a public hearing was held. Mayor Rodgers gave an overview of the budget for fiscal year 1998-99. This year's budget reflects a mill levy of 95 mills compared to the 100 mills in last year's budget. He stated that M05 still plays havoc with the budget process. This was placed upon us by the state in 1986, capping us with 65 mills in the General Fund. Over the last twelve years, the value of our mills has increased and our total mills have decreased. We started out at 106 and are now down to 95. Keno and poker are playing an important part in the General Fund. The people of Laurel spent close to three million dollars last year. Five percent goes to the state, and we receive ten percent, which is about $290,000.00. This money goes into the General Fund to help the police force and other emergency services. The cemetery and parks budgets reflect the summer help, state mandates, handicap accessibility improvements, trimming trees, adding a sprinkler system, and renovating streets and curbs and gutters in the cemetery. These improvements have been needed for many years. The three-year COPS Grant is almost finished and now we will have to pick up the total cost. The Laurel police officers are requesting a change from the PERS retirement system to the PORS retirement system at an additional cost of approximately $18,000 a year, which is included in the 1998-99 budget. There are no changes in animal control and parking. To maintain and support this office, future duties may be changed. The Water Fund budget reflects the operating budget and planned construction involving the plant, reservoir, and transmission lines. The new construction is a result of Federal EPA guidelines, State Water Quality Bureau requirements, and local operating needs. The State Revolving Fund (SRF) funding has been awarded at a four pement interest rate. The revenue bonds for the Sewer Plant will be paid off in August 2003. The Solid Waste Budget reflects the operation of the container site as well as collection and disposal of all area waste. Additional garbage cans are budgeted to gradually convert the garbage collection system to once-a-week pickup to keep the costs down. We will eventually need to increase the rates. We had state mandates from 1992-1994 on the closure of the landfill, and this cost the City of Laurel $108,000. A new sweeper will be purchased during this budget year with rates possibly increasing next year to cover rising operating costs. The mayor mentioned that the Grants have helped about 23 families in the City of Laurel. The HOME Grant is making it possible for several families to purchase homes with minimal downpayments. The Street Department budget includes a new street sweeper and a tractor. The Cemetery budget includes more curb and gutter replacement and possible land acquisition. The Ambulance budget reflects an increase in the base rate and other associated fees. The City-County Planning Board budget reflects an increase in planning review fees. There were no comments from the audience. Motion by Alderman Orr to close the public hearing on the 1998-99 Preliminary Budget and Tax Resolutions, seconded by Alderman Staudinger. Motion carried. Counci| Minutes of July 91, 1998 e. Resolution authorizing budget transfers for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1998. RESOLUTION NO. R98-41 BEING A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A BUDGET TRANSFER OR REVISION. Motion by Alderman Kroll that Resolution No. R98-41 be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried. f. Resolution authorizing mayor to sign contract with Morrison-Maierle for development ofpolicy manual on streets, water and sewer. RESOLUTION NO. R98-42 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE CONTRACT WITH MORRISON-MAIERLE, INC., SAID AGREEMENT RELATING TO DEVELOPMENT OF A POLICY MANUAL ON STREETS, WATER AND SEWER. Motion by Alderman Orr that Resolution No. R98-42 be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Staudinger. Motion carried. Set public hearing for Little Dude Ranchettes zone change. Planning Board reconm~ends denial. Mayor Rodgers said that this request would be sent back to the Planning Board because there was no written report. Set public hearing on Sturman zone change - 1009 U.S. Highway 10. Planning Board recommends approval, Motion by Alderman Kroll to set the public hearing on the Sturman zone change for August 18, 1998, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried. UNSCHEDULED MATTERS: Gary questioned whether there needed to be more discussion regarding the ditch problem. Joe Leckie said that the problem has been addressed and it would be premature to do anything else at the present time. (There was discussion in the City Council Committee of the Whole.) Them being no further business to come before the council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 7:19 p.m. Cindy Alle~,,~ecretary Approved by the Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, this 4th day of August, 1998. Charles Rodgers, Mayor Attest: Donald L. Hackmann, Clerk-Treasurer