HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Head Meetings Minutes 08.24.2010PRESENT: Bill Sheridan
Sam Painter
Shirley Ewan
MINUTES
DEPARTMENT HEAD MEETING
AUGUST 24, 2010 3:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
James Caniglia
Tim Reiter
Matt Wheeler
Draft Council Workshop Agenda — August 31, 2010
General items
City Court:
• Resolution — Accept grant for DUI Court
Rick Musson
Brent Peters
Jan Faught
Bresnan Communications:
• Resolution No. R10-91: A resolution to approve a non-exclusive Franchise Agreement between
the City of Laurel and Bresnan Communications, LLC, for installation, construction,
reconstruction, operation, and maintenance of a cable communications system within the City of
Laurel, Montana. (Postponed on August 170' to September 7, 2010 council agenda)
Sam explained that he tried to negotiate a franchise agreement with Cable Montana, but the company
refused to enter into a franchise agreement. The 5 percent franchise fee with Bresnan would be an
additional $2 to $4 per month. If the council decides to change the 5 percent fee, the ordinance and
agreement would have to be changed and all other cable companies would be charged the same fee.
The funds from the franchise fee would go into the General Fund and could be used for right-of-way
improvements.
Shirley stated that the franchise fee in Livingston generated about $54,000 per year and was paid on a
quarterly basis.
Sam stated that Bresnan wants to finalize the purchase of Cable Montana and start working in the city's
right-of-way. Sam suggested selling Bresnan an encroachment permit until the agreement is approved.
Police Department:
• Resolution — Drug Task Force Agreement
Rick explained that the agreement is presented for council approval every year. If the agreement is not
approved, the city would not receive any funds due to the city.
Public Works Department:
• Resolution — Engagement Letter with Dorsey & Whitney
• Resolution — Intent to create SID for SE 4t' Street
Dorsey & Whitney is preparing the resolutions.
Clerk/Treasurer:
• 2010-2011 Preliminary Budget
• 2010 Tax Resolutions
The draft resolutions will be presented at the council workshop.
Department Head Meeting Minutes of August 24, 2010
Executive Review:
• Resolution — Wage for fire chief
The resolution will be on the workshop agenda.
• Council issues:
o No left turn onto East Railroad from South First Avenue (Chuck Dickerson)
First Avenue South is a State road, so this is a State issue.
Other items
There were none.
Review of draft council agenda for September 7, 2010
• Public Hearings:
o Extension of the temporary moratorium on the opening, operation, and licensing of any
establishments that grow, sell, or distribute medical marijuana
There was a brief discussion regarding the medical marijuana issue. A Sub -Committee is drafting three
different options to present to the Legislature in 2011.
o Ordinance No. 010-03: An ordinance amending two sections of the Laurel Municipal
Code titled "Bonfire Prohibited" and "Smoking in hotel beds prohibited" located at
Chapter 8 of the Laurel Municipal Code. (First reading — 08/17/2010)
Brent explained that it is illegal to use the fire pits now, but the ordinance change would allow them in
the city.
o Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 2010-2011 for all City Budgets
The public hearing is scheduled on September 7`h.
Department Reports:
Fire
Brent stated that Gary Colley presented a proposed ordinance to legalize fireworks in the city limits at
the Emergency Services Committee meeting on Monday. There was discussion regarding legalizing
fireworks on July Yd and 4ch until midnight, enforcement issues with fireworks, the classes of fireworks,
and increasing the fines for offenders.
Brent stated that two fire trucks were at the Stump Gulch fire last weekend. The city should receive
Federal funds as payment for the department's services.
Brent asked Sam regarding interview questions for the fire department and a union question.
Brent researched the security issues at the FAP and it would cost $15,000 to $36,000 to address the
issues and expand the current system.
Ambulance
Jan stated that the call volume has increased and some crew members are available to fill more daytime
hours. There was discussion regarding the damage to the 1993 rig and the need to get an estimate done
for MMIA.
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Department Head Meeting Minutes of August 24, 2010
Library
• Status of City of Laurel's website
There was no discussion.
Police Department
Rick stated that the police department is busy. After B -Pad is completed next week, interviews will be
scheduled with the Police Commission, and the new officer should be hired in September.
City Planner
• Historic Register
James should hear from the Parks Department soon.
• Medical marijuana issue
There was no further discussion.
Public Works Department
• Status of Main Street from 1" to 8h Avenues (Dorsey & Whitney)
o CTEP / billing property owners
• SE 0 Street SID
The property owners have been contacted.
• Status of Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade (98% complete)
Tim stated that the first phase is complete. When the digester was down for cleaning, Stevens
Mechanical found that some pipes need to be replaced. Some of the coating is peeling off and needs to
be repainted.
Jares Fence gave a quote of $117,000 for security gates and fencing at the water plant. This does not
include security fencing at the reservoir.
• Water line across the bridge
There was discussion regarding the need for direction, the issues with Riverside Park, and the $1.2
million project at the old city dump.
• Neptune water meters
Matt stated that thirty-eight water meters had zero readings last month. The city is paid $17 to replace
each meter, but that does not cover the costs involved with this continuing issue. Matt will get an
updated list of water meter replacements to Sam.
• Cast iron pipe
Bill stated that Kurt received information regarding loan monies available for replacement of the cast
iron pipes and the water service line across the river. The information will be presented to the
Budget/Finance Committee.
City Attorney
Police union negotiations are scheduled for tomorrow.
Sam is working on the energy grant RFP, the fireworks issue, and other issues.
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Department Head Meeting Minutes of August 24, 2010
Clerk/Treasurer
Shirley is done with the budget. The resolutions for streets and lights need to be prepared. The
Budget/Finance Committee will discuss the budget changes at tonight's meeting. An administrative fee
will be charged to all funds.
Mayor Olson
• City's lease of railroad property on Main Street for various uses
There was no discussion.
Chief Administrative Officer
• Recycling program
There was no discussion.
Other
There were none.
The meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
a&U-1
Cindy Allen
Council Secretary
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