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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Workshop Minutes 11.30.2010 MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP NOVEMBER 30, 2010 6:30 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS A Council Workshop was held in the Council Chambers and called to order by Mayor Ken Olson at 6:30 p.m. on November 30, 2010. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: _x Emelie Eaton _x_ Doug Poehls _x_ Kate Hart _x_ Mark Mace _x Chuck Rodgers _x_ Chuck Dickerson _x Tom Nelson _x Norm Stamper OTHERS PRESENT: Sam Painter Kurt Markegard James Caniglia Public Input (three - minute limit): Citizens may address the Council regarding any item of City business not on the agenda. The duration for an individual speaking under Public Input is limited to three minutes. While all comments are welcome, the Council will not take action on any item not on the agenda. There was no public input. General items: • Appointments: o ADA Coordinator: Gary Colley Mayor Olson stated that the appointment would be on the December 7 council agenda. Planning: • Tractor Supply plat James Caniglia stated that the plat is for the Italian Ditch, which had to be moved before Tractor Supply could put up the building. The quitclaim deed provides the city with the right -of -way needed to maintain the Italian Ditch. James stated that the resolution would approve the move of the ditch to the city's right -of -way standards. There was a question regarding possible liability at the ditch. Sam explained that the city is accepting the right to access the ditch for maintenance. It is a private road and easement, so anyone driving on it would be trespassing. The city would not be accepting a huge liability and would not have a duty to put up a barrier fence because it is an open obvious ditch. There is no public right -of -way to enter the ditch. Kurt stated the ditch was originally constructed in 1909, when the city was incorporated. The ditch used to come right through the Caboose Saloon. There were easements going through the railroad, Council Workshop Minutes of November 30, 2010 but no easements were filed from then on. This will allow the city to have deeded right -of -way to maintain and construct the city's storm water system. The City's PER for storm water identified the need to address situations with the Italian Ditch and to limit flows from the Italian Ditch into the City of Laurel to alleviate the flooding that used to happen by Curt's Saloon. There was discussion regarding whether the city's specifications have been met for the ditch project. Kurt explained that burlap and straw mats were placed on the ditch banks to provide vegetation to prevent bank erosion. The Department of Environmental Quality requires the erosion analysis as part of the permitting process when more than one acre is disturbed. Kurt stated that the irrigators actually get more water than before. An 18 -inch head gate was installed. The Tractor Supply parcel is the city's only access at this time. If another property owner decides to do any land changes, the city would ask for the same consideration for right -of -way. Executive Review: • Council Retreat Mayor Olson stated that the available dates are Saturday, January 29 or Saturday, February 12` There was discussion regarding the dates. The council agreed to schedule the retreat on the date that works best for Kate. • Council issues: o Discussion regarding enclosing ditches in Laurel (Emelie Eaton) Emelie received several comments during the summer and fall regarding the ditches being dangerous, kids getting in the ditches, weeds growing on the banks, and mosquitoes growing along the banks. She does not know what would be involved with enclosing the ditches or if the city has had any discussion about it. Doug stated concern for public safety, especially by the Laurel Middle School. Norm stated his concern with the open ditches on Alder and the ditch along Seventh Street by the middle school. He understood that CHS would not participate in any enclosures after some prior discussions. Mayor Olson stated that cost was the issue when he approached Cenex regarding partnering with the city. There was discussion regarding properties impacted by the ditch, the weeds along the ditch bank, the cost to enclose the ditches, and the storm water study developed by ME &A. Kurt stated that city ordinance stipulates that the adjoining right -of -way is the adjoining property owner's responsibility. With irrigation ditches, it is tricky when dealing with irrigation rights and irrigation users. State statutes give clear direction that cities and municipalities should not interfere with irrigation, whether it is for annexation or a farmer's ability to raise crops, and the ditch companies have their by -laws. Kurt stated the need to continue a good working relationship with the principal parties and their representative. Kurt read the following analysis from page 64 of the City's Storm Water Preliminary Engineering Report: "Irrigation ditches running parallel to Alder Avenue swell during large participation events and can overtop their banks and cause localized flooding in the residential neighborhood along the street. The 2 Council Workshop Minutes of November 30, 2010 flooding can be prevented by either increasing the capacity of the irrigation ditches or limiting the flow through the ditches. The ditches run through the front yards of residents along Alder Avenue from Seventh Street right -of -way to Fourth Street. This is a very little room in existing right -of -way to increase the size of the ditches. This alternative is therefore not considered viable and will not be retained for the Alternative Analysis. The ditches flowing through the residential neighborhood run intermittently through open channels and culverts at intersecting streets and driveways. Completely piping the irrigation flows through the neighborhood would eliminate the open channel sections and the associated flooding. This alternative will be considered in the Alternative Analysis. The western irrigation ditch extends past the Seventh Street right -of -way to its head at the Big Ditch. This is an area of concentrated growth in the community, bordering the new middle school under construction and several subdivisions being developed. Flooding in this area, similar to the existing flooding in the developed residential areas, may be possible in the future. Therefore, a second alternative would be discussed that includes piping the entire length of both ditches." There was further discussion regarding the recently completed project on Washington Avenue and Alder Avenue, the storm water flows, cleaning the irrigation ditches, and the need for a storm water plan. o Status of culvert cleaning (Chuck Dickerson) The city will continue cleaning culverts next spring. Other items • Resolution — Change Order No. 1 to Task Order No. 10 with Great West Engineering Mayor Olson explained that Change Order No. 1 is for the contract with Blacktop, Inc., for the 2010 Street Maintenance Project. Because the project was delayed two days due to inclement weather, the contractor has requested two additional days to complete the work. Kurt spoke regarding the benefits of crack sealing in the fall, the need for a winter shutdown for the project, the areas in Cherry Hills, Murray Heights and Village Subdivision that will be addressed in the spring, and future areas of street reconstruction. Review of draft council agenda for December 7, 2010 • Ordinance No. 010 -04: An ordinance amending Section 12.08.070 of the Laurel Municipal Code titled "Curb Cut Lengths" located at Chapter 12 of the Laurel Municipal Code. Second reading. The second reading of Ordinance No. 010 -04 will be on the December 7 council agenda. Attendance at the December 7, 2010 council meeting Emelie Eaton will be unable to attend the council meeting. Announcements The joint meeting of the City of Laurel and the County Commissioners is scheduled on Thursday, December 9 at 5:00 p.m. Mayor Olson, the eight Laurel City Council members, Kurt Markegard and James Caniglia plan to attend. Laurel's agenda items include: signage on Buffalo Trail, East Railroad and West Railroad; fireworks; DMV agreement; library funding; hands -free cell phones; and the Riverside Park levee. 3 Council Workshop Minutes of November 30, 2010 There was discussion regarding the sidewalk under the underpass, as the snow has not been removed for pedestrians to walk. Kurt explained that, when the State plows the underpass, the snow goes into the sidewalk area. The city crew shovels that area, but the amount of snow received recently has kept the crew busy plowing and sanding the city's streets. The State usually comes back in to clean the sidewalk, but that has not been done so far and Kurt will call the State tomorrow. When Kurt and Mayor Olson meet with Stefan Streeter next week, they will discuss having the city plow the underpass with compensation to the city. The concrete that is falling off the bridge will also be discussed. The City of Laurel received an invitation from RiverStone Health to attend an open house at the new RiverStone Health building at 123 South 27 Street on Friday, December 3` from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Mayor Olson stated that Joan Carr, from the Salvation Army in Billings, asked him if the council would be willing to choose a block of time to ring the bell at the Christmas Kettle at the Laurel Wal- Mart. The council workshop adjourned at 7:38 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Cindy Allen Council Secretary NOTE: This meeting is open to the public. This meeting is for information and discussion of the Council for the listed workshop agenda items. 4