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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 11.03.1982held 7:03 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel November 3, 1982 A regular meeting of the City Councii of the City of Laurel, Montana, was in the Council Chambers and called to order by Mayor Albert Ehrliek at p.m., on November 3, COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: 1982. Lonnie Kellogg Marvin Carter Rob Harris Duane Behm COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Bill Brennan Susan Carter Bob Gauthier Donald Meyers MINUTES: Motion by Alderman Marvin Carter to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of October 19, 19'82'~ aS p'resented, seconded by Alderman Gauthier. Carried. CORRESPONDENCE: Received a thank you letter from Western Equipment Co. for purchasing the Bomag K-401 refuse compactor. CLAIMS: Statement of Items Released for payment for the month of October was presented for review and approval. Alderman Gauthier reported that the Budget/Finance Committee met at 4:30 p.m. today and recommended that the claims be paid. Motion by. Alderman. G.au~h. ie? that the claims for the month of October be approved for payment as presented, seconded by Alderman Kellogg. Carried. RAYMOND BONNELL - DIVERS TRAINING: I am with the Diving Flag in Laurel, and we are a diver training operation. We would like to ask the City Council to re- consider their decision on our use of the Laurel Pond. What we do is primarily train scuba divers and later in the year, especially during the winter, the closest suitable facility for aquatic body is Yellowtail Reservoir which is a 2½ hr. drive; and during the winter it is almost unreachable. The Laurel Pond, due to its visibility and close proximity to the area, is quite a convenient place to do our training. One of the things we would like you to consider is that we provide all of our own life saving services, CPR, insurance. The City of Laurel would be named as an additional insured with a hold harmless. Discussion. Motion by Alderwoman Sue Carter to refer this request to the Park and Recreation Committee for advisement, seconded by Alderman Harris. Carried. HKM - SEWER R~TE INCREASE: Mike Alberi presented a revised version of a report on Sewer Utilities Revenue Requirements and Rates for Laurel, Montana. They had met twice previously with the Budget/Finance Committee to review the preliminary draft. A three-phase rate increase was discussed. This increase is needed to cover debt service on the treatment plant improvements and the additional cost of O&M once the plant goes into operation. The charges that are proposed also include increases for existing operations to keep up with inflation and staffing require- ments. Comparison of revenues generated from existing and proposed rates utilizing similar flows was discussed. The major change that is proposed in this rate is the method by which the schools are charged. Mr. Alberi stated that they think it's only equitable, from looking at the use rate, that they be charged on a volume rate like everybody else. page Minutes of the City Council of Laurel The big change in this.proposed rate is the fact that HKM has included a surcharge for waste discharged to the sewer system that are in excess of that which could normally expect from residential or commercial type services. The rate for the Laurel-Worden Creamery was discussed. The majority of their rate is a surcharge based on organic strength and suspended solids going to the plant. It is based on an estimate of what the strength of his waste would be compared to other similar creameries. When this rate increase is enacted, it would only be fair if some actual sampling be done on his waste to establish what the actual strength is and apply to the formula that is pro- posed. The first rate increase would be to cover debt service. Since it is a federally mandated project, it is not a requirement to go before the Public Service Commission in order to implement this rate. There is a requirement to notify PSC~ Montana Consumer Council and publish notice to the service people and to hold a public hearing. The next two rate increases or a combined rate increase you're allowed to increase under present law (which may be changed this year in the legislature) but assuming it isn't, it is proposed that Laurel go ahead on this phase approach. The first year the increase would be about 12% and the second year approximately 6%. If in fact that legislation is not renewed, then it would have to go before the PSC. It could still be done in a phase approach, but it probably would be better to wait until the actual O&M expenses are incurred, then go for the whole increase at that time. These rates that are proposed are predicated on a $725,000.00 bond issue and the City contributing $610,000.00 from reserves established for capital improvements. Consideration has been made for interest accrued on the bonds after it is sold, during construction. Also interest on the $610,000.00 until it has to be spent during construction. The Laurel-Worden Creamery was discussed again. It was reported by Mike Alberi that there hasn't been any sampling done on their waste. Mr. Alberi mentioned that if this is the type of rate structure you want to implement, the next step would be for us and your engineering department to go visit the people and discuss the situation with them and tell them what is proposed and arrange to have some samples taken and test them in the City's lab. Discussion. It was mentioned that some sampling should have been done prior to this proposal. Discussion. Mike Alberi indicated that no action is required tonight, but they would like some direction if you're not happy with what we have here and want something else done. If you don't, we feel that this study will stand on its own merits. The next step is to verify what the Laurel-Worden Creamery strength actively is, before making this all public. Discussion regarding the time table and other methods of funding. It was suggested that when sampling is done on the creamery, that the BN should be checked also. page 3 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Discussed notices and a time table for a public hearing. Dates will be set either at the November 16t~ meeting or on December 7th. JOE BRADLEY - FLOOD PLAIN ORDINANCE: I have prepared an ordinance adopting the Yellowstone County ordinance as our flood plain ordinance. We adopt the Yellowstone County regulations by reference and attach it to our ordinance, have two readings and it will be effective in thirty days. ORDINANCE NO. 720 (first reading} FLOOD PLAIN REGULATIONS Motion by Alderman.. Kell.o. gg that Ordinance No. 720 be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Gauthier. Upon taking a roll call vote, all aldermen present voted, "Yes." Motion passed on first reading. A copy of the flood plain regulations is on file in the Clerk's office. MARVIN CARTER -~90.-,G.A~L.LO~. GARB.A~E CANS: Early this summer we talked about the 90-gallon garbage cans and we have a few around several places in town. At a committee meeting we had recommended to the CoUncil that in the future as these 90-gallon containers are broken or damaged that they be replaced with a 300- gallon container. I think that was passed by the Council. We now have had some inquiries about broken wheels and no parts to repair them. Ninety-gallon containers do cause a problem due to the fact that we are now changing arms so that we can dump them. Motion by Alderman Marvin Carter that from this day forward we use nothing less than a 300-'ga'l'to'n' 'c~nt'a~i'n'e'r,'.se~onded by Alderman Brennan. After a discus- sion the motion carried, with Alderman Harris voting~ "No." JIM SMIT.H..-. LIG.HTS FOR CHRISTMAS: Larry Peterson spoke on his behalf He wants to know if he can put white Christmas lights on the trees in his boulevard. There are several trees in front of his hardware store that he would like to decorate with Christmas lights. It was suggested that Jim check with Elsie Johnston because she is the one who put those trees there. Discussion. Motion by Alderman Marvin Carter that Jim Smith be given approval to have Christmas lights on the trees, after consulting with Elsie Johnston, seconded by Alderman Brennan. Carried with Alderman Kellogg voting, "No." COMMITTEE REPORTS: Investment Committee Peg Kamerzel presented the minutes of November 1, 1982. Motion by Alderman Kellogg to accept and approve the Investment Committee minutes of November l, 1982, seconded by Alderman Marvin Carter. Carried. P~Bl~ U~liti~ Committee Lonnie Kellogg presented and reviewed the minutes of October 26, 1982. The committee recommends that both bids for the standpipe be rejected, because of the time of the year and substitute paint and a required bid bond wasn't attached on one bid. Motion by Alderman Kellogg to accept and approve the Utilities Committee minutes of October 26, 1932, seconded by Alderman Harris. Carried. pa e4 MinUtes of the City Council of Laurel Motion by Alderman Marvin Carter to accept the Utilities Committee recom- mendation to reject both bids on the painting of the standpipe, seconded by Alderman Gauthier. Carried. Mr. Kellogg also presented the minutes of October lB, 19B2. Motion by Alderman Kellogg to accept and approve the Utilities Committee minutes of October 13, 1982, seconded by Alderman Harris. After discussion, the motion carried with Alderwoman Sue Carter voting, "No." Airport Authority Minutes The minutes of September 28th and October 25th were presented. Motion by Alderman Gauthier to enter into the record the Airport Authority minutes of September 28th amd October 25th, 1982, seconded by Alderman Brennan. Carried. Budget/Finance Commi.ttee Bob Gauthier presented a resolution for a budget transfer in the Revenue Sharing Fund from the Boom Truck to the Parks budget. RESOLUTION NO. 1946 BEING A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A BUDGET TRANSFER WITHIN THE GENERAL REVENUE SHARING FUND. Motion by Alderman Gauthier that Resolution No. 1946 be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderwoman Sue Carter. Carried. Bob Gauthier presented another resolution for the purpose of transferring money from the Storm Sewer Construction Cash Account to the Storm Sewer Bond Sinking Cash Account, pursuant to State law and a 1981-82 Audit recommendation. RESOLUTION NO. 1947 BEING A RESOLUTION TRANSFERRING CERTAIN FUNDS OF THE CITY OF LAUREL, MONTANA. Motion by Alderman Gauthier that Resolution No. 1947 be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Brennan. Carried. Bob Gauthier also reported on the Budget/Finance Committee meeting this afternoon (minutes will be submitted 11/16/82). The committee discussed a pro- cedure for capital outlay purchases and also roof insulation and circulation fans for the City Shop. Marvin Carter - Shop Doors Mr. Carter suggested that something should be done to shut the heaters off when the big doors are open -- a relay switch or some- thing. Discussion. Larry Peterson said that he would check into this and see what can be done. Rob Harris - Blocked Railroad Crossings Mr. Harris reported that he received a complaint regarding all of the crossings on the south side being blocked at the same time the other night for a rather long time. This poses a real problem for emergency services -- fire, ambulance and police. Discussion. The Mayor directed Mike Bloom to contact Mr. Thompson from Burlington Northern to try and resolve this problem. page 5 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Marvin Carter ~ Schwan Salesman Requested a report on the Schwan situation. Mike Bloom reported that when he came into town several days ago, he was arrested and posted a $50.00 bond and subsequently the same day purchased a City Transient license. Discussion. CITY CLERK'S REPORT ON DISTRIC~ "C" .MEE.TING: Don Hackmann reported on a meeting held in Wolf Point on October 22n'd, regarding the change from "bearer bonds" to "registered bonds," Governor Schwinden's proposal for a Block Grant program, and a study done by Wolf Point on opportunity costs, relating to availability charges for water, sewer, parks, and streets. A copy of their ordinance has been dis- tributed to the Council. Regarding the Block Grant program, the League of Cities and Towns would like recommendations on how this money should be divided among the cities and towns, so that they can take this recommendation to the legislature. There are three proposals on dividing the $4,B~0,000.00: population, population/valuation and 50/50, which is a combination of the first two. Discussion. Motion by Alderman Carter that we recommend the 50/50 method of distribution, seconded by Alderman Ke~l'og'~.'' Carried. MAYOR'S COMMENTS: Mayor Ehrlick had Joe Bradley review a resolution which he had prepared regarding comp time. Discussion. RESOLUTION NO. 19~B ESTABLISHING RULES FOR THE ACCRUAL, ACCUMULATION AND USE OF COMPENSATORY TIME OFF WORK BY CERTAIN CITY OFFICERS. Motion by Alderman Kellogg that Resolution No. 1948 be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Harris. After further discussion the motion carried. It was suggested that this resolution be effective on January 1, 1983. Discussion regarding past comp time for Sargeant Lenhardt. The Mayor and Joe Bradley indicated that he would like to be treated more or less like the other people when they retired. Marvin Carter said as long as it is understood that we will handle Sargeant Lenhardt when he retires and we will then give him some type of compensation for his comp time. Mike Bloom reported that Abbey Carpet has closed its doors, and they are investigating some major felony cases right now where he took $1,500.00 down payments from some people and now he is gone. There being no further business to ~me before the Council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m. Approved by the Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, this 16th day of November, 1982. ATTEST: Do~man~n,'~~-