HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Head Meetings Minutes 02.23.2010MINUTES
DEPARTMENT HEAD MEETING
FEBRUARY 23, 2010 3:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PRESENT: Mayor Ken Olson (3:45 p.m.) Mary Embleton (3:47 p.m.) Rick Musson
Bill Sheridan Kurt Markegard Derek Yeager
Nancy Rohde Nancy Schmidt
Special Council Agenda - February 23, 2010
• Approve/Disapprove of Health Insurance Committee Recommendation
Bill stated that a special council meeting is scheduled tonight. The city received an extension from
MMIA.
Council Workshop Agenda - February 23, 2010
General items
None.
Public Works Department:
• Jack Roma's request for easement on city property
Kurt stated that the Public Works Department is not in favor of a road that is not built to Public Works
Standards. Jack Roma has other options to provide access to his property.
• Resolution - Right-of-way easement from Tim Casey - West Main Street Project
Tim and Terrie Casey signed the right-of-way easement and the city will pay them $5,000.
• Resolution - Change Order No. 5 for additional valves and wiring at the WTP
Kurt stated that a recently failed valve was replaced with the valve originally purchased for the project,
so another valve is needed. Wiring needs to be upsized for the larger high service pumps.
• Resolution - Task Order No. 17 - Bulk Water Station
The task order will authorize Great West to evaluate potential sites and configurations for a bulk water
station and to develop a cost estimate for construction.
Kurt explained water right issues that were discussed at the recent Montana Rural Water Conference.
The 1973 Montana Water Act specified that water rights are not solely exclusive if there is a change in
water usage. Water rights are to serve a jurisdictional area, and a water fill station would serve homes
outside the city limits. There was a lengthy discussion regarding the DEQ and the DNRC, junior water
rights, and the need for further information.
Fire Department:
• Discussion of intent to create a single fire district
Derek stated that the Emergency Services Committee met with representatives of the fire districts last
night. The committee wants to move forward with the single fire district.
At 3:22 p.m., Mayor Olson delayed the department head meeting until the Insurance Committee
meeting was finished. The department head meeting continued at 3:45 p.m.
Department Head Meeting Minutes of February 23, 2010
Derek stated that the next step is to prepare the proper documents, which include sample agreements, a
consolidation plan, and a draft resolution. A hearing will be scheduled to inform the public. The
Emergency Services Committee will meet again in March. The process would take about a year, and
funding from taxes would not be received until January 2012.
Chief Administrative Officer:
• Ordinance - Moratorium on medical marijuana - business inspections
Mayor Olson talked to Dr. Richardson recently. Bill will contact Detective Mark Long to schedule his
presentation at a special council workshop on March 23d.
• Report on Health Insurance Committee's progress
Bill stated that the committee is working toward a determination for the health insurance.
Executive Review:
• Yellowstone County Veterans' Cemetery - County Commissioners' request
Mayor Olson stated that the County Commissioners want reimbursement for the land that was not
included in the final purchase of the cemetery land.
• Discussion regarding Gay Easton walk bridge
Mayor Olson will ask the council to consider a funding source to complete the landscaping work at the
walk bridge.
• Letter to MDT regarding West Laurel Interchange
Mayor Olson stated that the first phase of the project does not include a road over the railroad to provide
access to the south side of Laurel. The letter states the city's position regarding this issue. A letter has
been drafted to Pat Kimmet at CHS Refinery asking him to consider sending a letter to MDT.
Other items
There were none.
Review of draft council agenda for March 2. 2010
• Public Hearing - Intent to adopt an official Schedule of Fees and Charges for the City of Laurel
A planning fee has been added to the schedule of fees and charges. Mary asked if planning fees need
approval by the city and the county. Mayor Olson stated that further review is needed with James.
• Statement of Support for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves (ESGR)
Derek stated that Jason Ness will probably be at guard training next week.
Bill will ask Mick DiFronzo to attend tonight's special council meeting to address concerns.
Department Reports:
Clerk/Treasurer
Mary distributed copies of a `Purchasing Cheat Sheet' she prepared at the mayor's request. Purchase
requisitions and claims will be returned to department heads if policy is not followed.
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Department Head Meeting Minutes of February 23, 2010
Mary stated that the property schedule is due Thursday morning. If department heads do not respond,
she will return it to MMIA with no changes. Kurt stated that Matt reviewed the values and he will get
the information to Mary.
Fire /Ambulance
• Preparations for new fire station
Derek stated that he is working on the fire district.
Library
• Roof replacement
Nancy would like to meet with the architect and Bill regarding the roof.
• Status of City of Laurel's website
Nancy saw an E-Gov link demo online last week. Nancy saw several good products, but she thinks they
are pricey and she might be able to find an open source instead.
Police Department
Rick submitted a grant for four car computers through the State of Montana. The 12% match for the
computers can be paid through 911 funds and the monthly service fees could be paid through 911
funding. Mary asked Rick to give her a full copy of the grant paperwork for the files.
City Planner
• Various grants
• Historic Register / Facade improvements
There was no discussion.
Public Works Department
• Construction of a storage building
Kurt stated that plans and specs are needed to RFP for the 40x60 building. There was discussion
regarding the building and having an architect draw up the plans.
• Status of Water Treatment Plant improvements
Kurt stated that the change order for the valve is on tonight's workshop agenda. MDU increased the
pressure from 4 psi to 8 psi to run the backup generator in Murray Park. MDU will send a receipt of
acknowledgement form for the mayor's signature soon.
• Status of Main Street from 1't to 8 h Avenues (need 2 property owners' approval)
Kurt plans to meet with Terry Fink soon. Kurt met with Chad regarding creation of the SID, method of
assessment, and sidewalk replacement.
• SE 4"' Street
o Storm water
Kurt is working on a storm water hookup with Steve Solberg.
o Leveling course
Chad revised the estimate for the milling from $250,000 to $200,000 and the city's contribution will be
$50,000. Assessments will be done by linear footage off the front of the business. Wal-Mart's
assessment will be 20 percent and Steve Solberg's will be 11 percent.
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Department Head Meeting Minutes of February 23, 2010
o Center turn lane / parking
o Street lights
NorthWestern Energy will be contacted regarding the street lights.
o Flat work
o SID
There was further discussion regarding connections to the storm water system and the need for a
moratorium on asphalt cuts after the leveling course is completed.
• Status of Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade
Kurt is working on the submittals for the lift stations. Century Construction will begin work on the
water line to the sewer plant on March 8th
• Ditch mitigation ARRA grant project - 7th Street
Kurt stated that the project is ready to go to bid. Mary worked with Chad Hansen to get the RFP ad in
the Laurel Outlook and The Billings Times. Chad also forwarded the information to the Builder's
Exchange. The award for the ditch project will be on the March 9th council workshop agenda. Bids will
be opened on March 15th at 1:00 p.m. and a recommendation will be presented to the council for
approval on March 16th. Mayor Olson asked Kurt to give a report on the ARRA ditch mitigation project
at tonight's council workshop.
• Water fill station
The task order is on tonight's council workshop agenda.
Kurt spoke regarding water rights information he received at the Montana Rural Water Conference.
Further discussion is needed.
Townsend has scheduled a Tree Board Retreat Program on March 20th. Scholarships of $150 are
available.
Kurt explained a movement in Montana to get mutual aid agreements between utilities in case of an
emergency or natural disaster. The Public Works Committee will discuss this on March 8th.
City Attorney
There was no discussion.
Mayor Olson
There was no discussion.
Chief Administrative Officer
• Discussion - SID process for streets where new water lines were installed
Bill stated that Pat Murtagh provided the step-by-step process needed for the creation of an SID.
• Schedule of Fees and Charges
There was no further discussion.
• Impact Fees
Bill is working on impact fees.
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Department Head Meeting Minutes of February 23, 2010
• City's lease of railroad property on Main Street for various uses
Mayor Olson and Bill will meet to determine a lease value.
Mayor Olson recently posed the idea of developing the property along the railroad to the Chamber of
Commerce and will present the idea to the Laurel Urban Renewal Agency soon. He wants to have
people on board before going to the railroad with a lease agreement.
• Bus Transit System / Meeting with Council on Aging
There was no discussion.
Other
Rick stated that the school district requested diagonal parking on Colorado Avenue by the
administration building. Rick does not recommend changing to diagonal parking.
Kurt recently spoke with the person who wrote the DEQ permit for the City of Laurel.
Mary spoke with Michelle Marsh regarding the timeline for the Phase 2A2 project. They are
reevaluating the priority of the approved projects, and Michelle said there would be an advantage if the
project was delayed to January 2011. Mayor Olson asked that a conference call be scheduled.
The meeting adjourned at 4:47 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Allen
Council Secretary
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PURCHASING CHEAT SHEET
IF construction or equipment more than $50,000
Staff must obtain at least 2 written, signed quotes from reputable contractors to determine
if more, or less, than $50,000.
THEN must use formal bidding procedure.*
IF construction or equipment less than $50,000, but more than $5,000
THEN Purchase Requisition approval by Budget/Finance required prior to placing the order.
Two or more quotes or documented attempts for quotes must be attached to PR.
After approval, then purchase order number issued at time of order not AFTER the invoice is
received. Two signatures are required.
Written contract prepared by city attorney may be deemed necessary, especially for professional
services.*
IF construction less than $5,000
THEN written contract prepared by city attorney, executed by the mayor, is required prior to
work being performed.*
IF goods or services less than $5,000
THEN a purchase order number must be issued at the time of the order, not AFTER the invoice
is received. Two signatures are required.*
*Reference City of Laurel Purchase and Procurement Policy, revised via Resolution No. R08-
128.