HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works Committee Minutes 02.13.2012 MINUTES
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 13, 2012 5:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Mark Mace Chuck Rodgers
Tom Nelson Mary Carter
Dan Koch Norm Orr
Emelie Eaton Scot Stokes (6:00)
OTHERS PRESENT: Kelly Rhoads Kurt Markegard (5:52)
Kat Stokes
Public Input: None
Montana Public Works Standards:
Kurt stated that right now the public works department is using the 2003 edition of the Montana Public
Works Standards book. The city just acquired the newest version, which is the 2010 edition. There are
modifications that the City of Billings adopted and Kurt stated that the City of Laurel should think about
adopting the same modifications. Kurt explained that it would make it easier on contractors who work in
Billings and Laurel to have the same modifications. There is a link on the City of Billings' website with a
list of the modifications that have been adopted. Kurt will review Billings' modifications and bring some
suggestions to the next meeting for the committee to consider taking forward to the council. The City of
Laurel's book of standards for public works improvements was revised in 2002 and may need to be
updated.
Other:
Kurt had a meeting at Riverside Park with the Army Corps of Engineers today. He mentioned that they
were 55 minutes late for the meeting. He stated that they have denied our permit to rebuild the levee. He
said the reasoning behind this is the city has no proof that the levee ever existed, and that the river intake
is working, so there is no problem. The levee is listed in Helena and shows that the levee exited and FWP
show that there was also a dike. Kurt gave the Army Corps report regarding the intake. Kurt said they
were not going to accept the petition with 140 signatures on it that the city collected though the water
department and the public works department. Kurt mentioned that the EPA stepped in and told the Army
Corps that we needed an additional 10 days. Kurt stated that ice jams caused slush to cover the intake and
so the water intake was minimal. He said that the city had to shut down CHS for about four hours from
using raw water and switch them to treated water until they could get the slush away from the intakes.
Kurt stated that FEMA was only going to give the city $4000.00 for the flood damage from last spring.
He was told that the reason is that the city did not have standard flood insurance. Kurt called MMIA and
asked what kind of insurance the city has as far as flood insurance and needed information on standard
flood insurance. He should find out more by the next public works meeting.
Kurt explained that the city has been busy cleaning the Russian olive trees out of the storm ditch off of
Yard Office Road. He estimated that the ditch has not been cleaned for about 20 years.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Respec ily submitted,
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Utility ring Clerk