HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Head Meetings Minutes 07.13.2010MINUTES
DEPARTMENT HEAD MEETING
JULY 13, 2010 3:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PRESENT: Mayor Ken Olson James Caniglia Jason Wells
Bill Sheridan Kurt Markegard Brent Peters
Sam Painter Nancy Schmidt Jan Faught
Shirley Ewan
Council Workshop Aaenda — July 13, 2010
General items:
• Appointments:
o Laurel Library Board: Dixie Feller to fill a term ending June 30, 2013
o Laurel Ambulance Service: Dee Miller and Ted Rose
Jan asked that the ambulance appointments be removed from the agenda.
Public Works:
• Discussion regarding potholes
Kurt explained that the 2010 street maintenance project will continue from last year's project. The
street maintenance fund receives about $500,000 each year, and the proposal is to use $400,000 this
year. Chad Hanson prepared the documents and the streets and quantities need to be determined. The
project will be presented at the July 27h council workshop and should go out to bid soon.
Mayor asked regarding the joint projects with the County. The last information Kurt received was that
the projects were scheduled for the end of July.
• Update on proposed SID for SE 4"' Street
Bill and Kurt met with the property owners on July 8t'. One property owner needs to complete water
and sewer tie-ins on his partial lot, and the locations have been identified.
Sam stated that the updated information needs to be sent to Dorsey & Whitney. Chad Hanson is waiting
for the County to update the ownership information. The Engagement Letter with Dorsey & Whitney
and the resolution of intent will be on the July 27th council workshop agenda. There was a brief
discussion regarding the method of assessment for the SID.
Shirley stated that a budget needs to be set up for the SID.
Cemetery Commission:
• Cemetery sprinkler system — Roger Perkins
Kurt explained that a quote was received for $67,000 for the sprinkler system and $5,000 for design and
specs for the sprinkler system. Installation of a sprinkler system hinges on whether 3-phase power will
be installed and available at the cemetery, and the FAA is reviewing some issues regarding the airport.
The Cemetery Commission requested $90,000 in the next budget for the sprinkler system. The $81,000
in last year's CIP budget will be reallocated to the new budget. There was discussion about reallocating
CIP funds for Kiwanis Park to the cemetery.
Planning:
Department Head Meeting Minutes of July 13, 2010
• Energy Efficiency Block Grant
James has not received the contract.
• Medical marijuana — business license ordinance
James will present the draft ordinance for council discussion.
• Discussion — Drug/Alcohol Policy for transit bus drivers
James prepared the policy today and a resolution is needed. There was discussion regarding the
possibility of conflicts with the policy in the Implementation Guide. The Drug and Alcohol Policy
applies to anyone involved with safety for the bus transit program. St. Vincent's does FTA and DOT
testing and could be used for this random testing.
• Resolution — Conveyance of quit claim deed of cemetery land to Yellowstone County
The city agreed to give an acre of cemetery land to the County in exchange for land the city received.
The County wants this completed by the end of July. Sam will prepare the documents.
Executive Review:
• Discussion — Water rates/failure to provide notice to MCC
The options will be presented to the council tonight. The options are to wait to see what happens or to
schedule another rate hearing. Sam received a request for documents from the MCC.
• Discussion — Proposal from Yellowstone Bank
The city asked Yellowstone Bank to reconsider their proposal. No response has been received from the
bank as of today.
• Discussion — Resolution No. RI 0-77: Job description for Chief -Emergency Medical Services
The Emergency Services Committee recommended changing the title and taking out the requirement for
a paramedic.
• Council issues:
o Asphalt Supply (Chuck Dickerson)
Mayor Olson and Bill spoke to MRL two weeks ago regarding leasing property across from the Owl
Cafe. At that time, they also discussed the status of the asphalt plant and the concerns with the toxic
substances in the tanks. MRL indicated that they are working on it.
Other items
There was no discussion.
Department Reports:
Clerk/Treasurer
Shirley asked the department heads to schedule meetings to review their budgets.
Fire
Brent asked Sam if he had received the draft ordinance regarding open burning. Brent stated that the
ordinance needs to be changed or the current "no open burning" ordinance needs to be enforced.
Ambulance
Department Head Meeting Minutes of July 13, 2010
Jan questioned why a crew member that has been on military LOA needs to be reinstated to payroll.
There was discussion. Jan will fill out the paperwork as requested by payroll.
Jan stated that MMIA is waiting for the police report regarding the damage to Care 3. She has not
gotten an estimate for repairs yet.
Jan asked regarding her vacation requests. She sent Bill an e-mail about covering the positions.
Jan and Bill will meet at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday to discuss doctors for the medical director position.
Library
• Status of City of Laurel's website
Nancy thanked Kurt for fixing the sprinklers at the library.
There was discussion regarding posting minutes and agendas on the website. Agendas are posted before
and removed after the date of meetings.
Police Department
Jason stated that the resignation of Tony Contreraz created an opening, which was posted internally
until 5:00 p.m. on Monday. The police department sent 119 letters to people listed on the testing
consortium. Applicants have until 5:00 p.m. on July 30th to return an application. Jason briefly
explained the interview, testing and hiring process. There was discussion regarding POST certification.
City Planner
• Various grants
James submitted the final reimbursement of $3,000 for the Historic Preservation Grant. This fund can
be closed out.
James applied for a Transportation Safety Plan Assistance Grant from the State of Montana a few
months ago for redesign and engineering work on South First Avenue. The State did not accept his
proposal, but wants to do a new transportation plan for the City of Laurel. The last transportation plan
was done in 1978. James stated that the grant has a 50/50 match and it would be difficult to estimate the
costs. The city could request additional match funds from the County. There was discussion. Mayor
Olson asked if MDT would be willing to give a presentation to before the council considers this. MDT
will be contacted about giving the presentation to Mayor Olson, James, and Bill.
• Historic Register
There was no discussion.
• Medical marijuana issue
There was no further discussion.
Public Works Department
• Construction of a storage building
The site has been cleared and Kurt is waiting for budget approval.
• Status of Main Street from 1 st to 8th Avenues (Dorsey & Whitney)
o CTEP / billing property owners
Construction has started and invoices should start coming in a month.
Department Head Meeting Minutes of July 13, 2010
• SE 4`h Street — Meeting with property owners on July 8th
o Storm water
o Leveling course
o Center turn lane / parking
o Street lights
o Flat work
o SID
The meeting with the property owners was held on July 8`h. The $208,000 project will include a
leveling course and mill and overlay after the utility connections have been done.
• Status of Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade
Kurt stated that the lift stations would be shut down at 8:00 p.m. tonight to clear the sewer lines.
Mayor Olson, Kurt, Bill, and Chad Hanson will meet regarding the wastewater rate proposal.
Kurt stated that the punch list needs to be completed for the head works.
Kurt stated that the dispatchers need some training, as the lift stations will be on auto -dialers now. The
auto -dialers will call the police department first, the water treatment plant second, and Kurt's house if
there was no response from the first two. The lift stations should be online by Wednesday morning.
• Water line across the bridge
Kurt stated that a well cannot be drilled according to DEQ regulations. There was discussion regarding
this water line, replacement of the lines on Third Avenue, the remaining SRF funding from the WTP
project, and the possibility of adding these projects into the next phase of the major project.
• Cemetery update
A Cemetery Commission meeting is scheduled on Monday, July 19`h, for discussion regarding benches.
Sod was laid and a new flag pole was installed at the cemetery today.
• Neptune water meters
Sam and Kurt will meet to prepare an agreement with Northwest Pipe.
• Cast iron pipe
Kurt stated that this is ready for bid.
Kurt stated the need for fencing at the water treatment plant, as there was a vehicle in the irrigation
canal last Saturday. There was $280,000 in the CIP for a security system at the water plant.
The bank is eroding at Riverside Park and the Army Corps of Engineers will be here during the second
week of August. Kurt explained the grant for a feasibility study, the city's match, and the need to get
other entities involved to protect their interests.
The Montana League of Cities and Towns Conference is scheduled on October 6`h through 8`h in Butte.
Hotel reservations need to be made for those that plan to attend.
City Attorney
There was no discussion.
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Department Head Meeting Minutes of July 13, 2010
Mayor Olson
• City's lease of railroad property on Main Street for various uses
There was no further discussion.
Since he cannot attend the council workshop in August, Mayor Olson will comment regarding fireworks
at tonight's council meeting. He stated that the fireworks issue needs to be discussed because of the
escalation of the type of fireworks being used.
Sam stated that Officer Guy gave him a list of calls regarding fireworks over the 4t' of July. There was
discussion regarding the number of people in Laurel during the 0, the number of officers on duty, and
the man hours required for certain calls. Sam requested a list of all fireworks complaints, and Jason will
ask Susan to provide that information prior to the August I Wh council workshop. Brent gave Sam a
copy of the fireworks policy in the City of Billings.
Chief Administrative Officer
• Discussion — SID process for streets where new water lines were installed
The letter will be sent out to the property owners.
• Recycling program
Bill stated that a recycling program is needed.
Other
Kurt mentioned that Big Sky State Games requested use of the parking lane on First Avenue from East
6t' Street north out of town. No barricades or street closures were requested.
Shirley asked if Yellowstone County could be asked to spray at Riverside Park, but the County does not
spray for mosquitoes.
The meeting adjourned at 4:32 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Allen
Council Secretary