HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Head Meetings Minutes 05.10.2011 MINUTES
DEPARTMENT HEAD MEETING
MAY 10, 2011 3:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PRESENT: Mayor Ken Olson Heidi Jensen Rick Musson
Sam Painter Kurt Markegard Brent Peters
Shirley Ewan Nancy Schmidt Jan Faught
Council Workshop Agenda - May 10, 2011
General items:
• Appointments
o Laurel Ambulance Service: Alycia Roberts
o Laurel Airport Authority: Alfred Koelzer to fill a term ending June 30, 2015
Executive Review:
• Resolution - Zoning variance for storage units at 215 South Fourth Street (PH - May 17, 2011)
The public hearing and the resolution will be on the May 17 council agenda.
• Resolution - Allocate LURA funds for downtown sidewalk improvement project
Funding for the downtown sidewalk project will come from the TIFD, CTEP and MDT. There was
discussion regarding the cost information, which Heidi will e-mail to Sam. When the final cost has
been determined and the State approves the project, there will be a resolution with the final figures.
• Discussion - CAO contract
Mayor Olson will ask the council to consider a three -year contract instead of a two -year contract. A
background check is being done on a candidate.
• Report on discussion with Mayor Tom Hanel, City Administrator Tina Volek and Public Works
Director Dave Mumford
Mayor Olson, Kurt, and Doug Poehls recently met with the Billings officials for discussion regarding
water issues. Mayor Olson will update the council at tonight's meeting.
• Council Issues:
o Fencing over the generator at Murray Park (Chuck Dickerson)
Kurt stated that chain link fencing would be installed to deflect the balls.
o Contracts for Riverside Park (Chuck Rodgers)
There was discussion regarding the contracts with the various clubs, the issues with open range and
indoor shooting, the contact people for the clubs, liability issues, and maintenance at the park.
o Emergency Services Committee discussion regarding the effect of allowing fireworks on
homeowners' insurance (Emelie Eaton)
Since fireworks are allowed in Montana, the insurance rates should not be affected. There was
discussion regarding the fireworks ordinance, the meaning of "public property", the original intent to
allow fireworks in the streets, the probability of continued enforcement issues, and the city's liability if
fireworks are allowed on public property.
Department Head Meeting Minutes of May 10, 2011
o Update on discussion with Yellowstone County regarding differences in speed limits on
East Railroad Street (Emelie Eaton) and possible need for speed limit signs by Wal -Mart
(Chuck Dickerson)
There was discussion regarding the county's traffic study, the State's paving project on East Railroad
Street, installation of city limit signs, enforcement issues on county /city portions of East Main Street,
and annexation of East Railroad after the paving project is completed. Mayor Olson asked Rick for a
letter of recommendation to MDT regarding the sections of East Main Street that should be annexed
into the city for enforcement reasons.
Other items
• Resolution — Agreement with High Plains Architects for Professional Services for the Laurel
Renewal Agency
• Resolution — Memorandum of Understanding with Local 316
The resolutions will be added to tonight's council workshop agenda.
Review of draft council agenda for May 17, 2011
• Public Hearing: Zone change variance from Residential Limited Multi- Family to Community
Commercial at 215 South 4 Street, Laurel, Montana
• Ordinance No. 011 -06: An ordinance amending Chapter 8.16 titled "Fireworks" located at Title
8 of the Laurel Municipal Code. (First reading — 04/05/2011; PH — 05/03/2011; Second reading —
05/17/2011)
Department Reports:
Clerk/Treasurer
There was no discussion.
Fire
• ISO Report
The department is working on the ISO issues.
Ambulance
The ambulance crew is ready for Aviation and Technology Week.
Library
• Update on construction project
The construction project has been completed.
Police Department
Rick mentioned that Susan Canape's son, Craig, has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and will
be in ICU for a couple weeks.
City Planner
The TAC meeting will be held tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. to approve the coordination plan.
Public Works Department
• Neptune water meters
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Department Head Meeting Minutes of May 10, 2011
There was discussion regarding the water meters. Sam will prepare a letter to Neptune stating the city's
position.
• Update on project by Catholic Church
The project is going forward.
Court
There was no discussion.
City Attorney
• Personnel Implementation & Instruction Guide
• Personnel Policy Manual
Sam is working on the manuals.
Mayor Olson
• Surplus auction
There was discussion about the need for a surplus auction. Department heads should submit lists of
surplus items to Shirley by June 1 The council would need to declare the items as surplus prior to
scheduling an auction.
Other
Gary spoke regarding the need to prepare Riverside Park and the water plant for possible flooding.
There was discussion. Kurt mentioned that the city has 200 sandbags but needs to order more sandbags
from the county. Mayor Olson will inform the council tonight.
The meeting adjourned at 4:08 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Allen
Council Secretary
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