HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Head Meetings Minutes 10.12.2010 MINUTES
DEPARTMENT HEAD MEETING
OCTOBER 12, 2010 3:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PRESENT: Mayor Ken Olson Rick Musson
Bill Sheridan Kurt Markegard Brent Peters
Sam Painter Shirley Ewan Jan Faught
Council Agenda — October 12, 2010
Scheduled Matters:
• Confirmation of Appointments:
o Park Board: Hazel Storck to a term ending December 31, 2010
o Laurel Fire Department: Ali Guenthner, Don Ebright, Cole Perrigo, Zack Winchell
• Ward 4 Council Vacancy.
• Resolution No. R10 -112: A resolution of the City Council approving a Technical Assistance Grant
Program proposed by the Laurel Urban Renewal Agency.
• Resolution No. R10 -114: A resolution awarding the bid and authorizing the Mayor to sign a
contract with Williams Civil Division to replace cast iron water lines on 3r Avenue from 7 Street
to 9 Street and 7 Street from 3 Avenue to 5 Avenue for the City of Laurel's water line
project.
Resolution No. R10 -114 was approved at a special council meeting on October 8
• Resolution No. R10 -115: A resolution accepting the bid and authorizing the Mayor to sign a
contract with Rain Proof Roofing for roof repairs at the City's Water Plant and Sewer Plant.
• Letter of Support for the Montana League of Cities and Towns 2010 Resolutions.
Council Workshop Agenda — October 12, 2010
General items:
• Appointments:
o Laurel Police Department: Jeffrey Childers
Rick will introduce Jeffrey Childers.
o Laurel Ambulance Service: LaVonne Mothershead
Jan stated that the appointment should be rescheduled for the October 26 council workshop agenda.
CHS Refinery:
• Resolution — Request for abandonment and replacement of sewer line
Kurt stated that Brandon Gauthier has not returned his call. The city has not received the easement
documents yet.
City Planner:
• Resolution — Facade Improvement Grant
• Resolution — Agreement with Blair Unlimited, Inc. for advertising on buses and benches
Bill will present the two resolutions since James is out of town.
Public Works Department:
• 2010 Urban Forestry Excellence Award
Department Head Meeting Minutes of October 12, 2010
• Resolution — Amendment No. 1 to Task Order No. 16 with Great West Engineering for the Elm
Lift Station
Kurt stated that the amendment is for the problem at the Elm Lift Station. Kurt will present the issue at
tonight's council meeting.
• Resolution — Engagement Letter with Dorsey & Whitney
• Resolution — Intent to create SID for SE 4 Street
Kurt will work on getting the agreements signed this week. The owner of the windmill business has put
the building up for sale.
• Report on silos
Kurt explained the possibility of demolishing the silos and installing a turn lane on South First Avenue to
East Railroad Street in order to have a better controlled intersection. The turn lane would move traffic out
of the main lane and allow better traffic flow. LURA got a cost estimate to tear down the silos, which
have not been used in eight to ten years. Mayor Olson stated the need to get this done before the State
repaves East Railroad Street in 2011. Kurt spoke regarding having a 4 -way or 3 -way stop at this
intersection.
Executive Review:
• Resolution — Sale and Purchase Agreement with Yellowstone Bank
Mayor Olson stated that the agreement requires $20,000 down and $45,000 at 3.75 percent interest for 20
years.
• Council Issues:
o Guidelines for Hearing of Individuals and Delegations at Meetings (Norm Stamper)
Mayor Olson will suggest that a task force should review the information and make a recommendation to
the council.
• Litigation update
Mayor Olson stated that Sam would update the council regarding current litigation of the baseball incident
during an executive session tonight. Only elected officials will be allowed in the council chambers and no
minutes will be taken.
Other items
Mayor Olson stated that a council decision regarding the water rates must be made next week.
Department Reports:
Clerk/Treasurer
Bill asked Shirley if she received the requested ambulance pay increases. Shirley needs time to review
the information, and Jan is willing to meet with Shirley and Cathy.
Shirley spoke regarding MMIA's regional training scheduled in Big Timber on December 15 and she
will forward the information to the department heads. Mayor Olson plans to attend the training.
A meeting is scheduled on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. with Matt Holben (USDA Rural Development), Bob
O'Dea, Mayor Olson, Shirley, and James. Shirley mentioned that, at the League meeting last week, it was
stated that USDA money is available for ambulance barns. Mayor Olson stated that Laurel's median
income is at $31,000, which is above the $29,000 level required for the USDA grants.
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Department Head Meeting Minutes of October 12, 2010
Fire
Brent stated that the Fire Prevention Open House was successful on Saturday. Fifteen agencies were
represented with displays and presentations. There was discussion regarding the event.
The fire department responded to three major structure fires in one week. There was discussion regarding
one firefighter that lost a day of pay at the refinery after injuring himself during a fire call. Brent asked if
the city could do something about that. Shirley will contact MMIA to see if anything can be done.
Brent asked Jan to provide HIPAA training during a fire department training session on Wednesday,
October 27 He also asked Sam to provide a class about the responsibility and sensitivity of giving out
information. Mayor Olson mentioned that John Cummings, MMIA, is a HR specialist and could provide
the training.
Brent asked Sam regarding the probationary firefighters' program.
Ambulance
• Space considerations
Jan stated that several people have expressed thanks for the event on Saturday.
Jan stated that John Ungaretti, Healthcare Billing, will be in Laurel on Thursday and would like to meet
with Jan, Bill and Mayor Olson. Jan said that the Medicare billing problems were solved recently. Bill
asked Jan to notify Cathy Gabrian about the meeting. Jan will let everyone know the time of the meeting.
Jan told Brent that the HIPAA video addresses legal issues.
Jan is trying to get the department back to a workable department, as it was successful in the past.
Library
There was no discussion.
Police Department
• Hiring process
Rick will present Jeff Childers to the council at tonight's workshop. The appointment and swearing -in
ceremony will be on the October 19 council agenda. Rick will ask Judge Kerr to swear in the new
officer.
City Planner
There was no discussion.
Public Works Department
• SE 4 Street SID
Kurt will get the agreements signed on Wednesday.
• Water line across the bridge
Kurt stated that the plans and specs were delivered today. The cost of $5,000 for a second conduit heat
tape seems reasonable.
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Department Head Meeting Minutes of October 12, 2010
• Neptune water meters
Randy and Kurt, from Northwest Pipe, will meet with the city on Thursday at 10:00 a.m.
• Cast iron pipe
Kurt stated that work is still being done on this.
The pre - construction meeting on the water main will be held soon. Kurt will inform EMS regarding the
project. Michelle Marsh wants to be included in any meetings.
Kurt stated that the street maintenance project started today. The contractor started on East Second Street
today and did a 3 / -inch skin lift on the street.
Kurt mentioned that the manufacturer notified the city that a part was incorrectly installed in the head
works. Kurt e- mailed Stephanie Seymanski regarding this issue, which was the manufacturer's mistake.
Great West Engineering will provide micro -paver training next week in Billings. Kurt will let the council
secretary know the exact days he will attend the training.
City Attorney
Sam stated that the one bid received for the Energy Efficiency Grant was higher than the grant monies.
The bidder has agreed to meet with James and Sam on Friday, October 15 at 10:00 a.m. at Elk River
Law Office to negotiate the bid down. If that is not successful, the city could reject the bid and contact
independent window companies for the project.
Mayor Olson
There was no discussion.
Chief Administrative Officer
Bill asked regarding the Riverside Park custodian. Kurt will interview the individual soon.
Bill mentioned the intern program at Rocky. He will present the information to the Budget/Finance
Committee next week.
Bill met with the owners of the Trading Post about selling the property. The owners want the city to help
provide chain and locks on the parking lot, which would not be appropriate for the city to do.
Mayor Olson, Chuck Rodgers, Bill and Kurt will meet regarding the cemetery on Thursday, October 14
The date and time will be confirmed with Chuck Rodgers.
Other
There was none.
The meeting adjourned at 3:57 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Alien
Council Secretary
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