HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 04.03.2012 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF LAUREL
April 3, 2012
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, was held in the
Council Chambers and called to order by Mayor Ken Olson at 6:30 p.m. on April 3, 2012.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Emelie Eaton Doug Poehls
Bruce McGee (6:37) Mark Mace
Scot Stokes Chuck Dickerson
Tom Nelson Norm Stamper
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHER STAFF PRESENT: None
Mayor Olson led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
Mayor Olson asked the council to observe a moment of silence.
MINUTES:
Motion by Council Member Eaton to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of April 3,
2012, as presented, seconded by Council Member Poehls. There was no public comment or council
discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All seven council members present voted aye. Motion
carried 7 -0.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Kathleen L. Armstrong, Board Chairman, HYPB: Letter of March 2, 2012, requesting appointment
of Darrell Aaby to the Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board for the City of Laurel's
appointment.
Mayor Olson stated that Mr. Aaby has not yet filed a letter with the clerk, so the appointment will be
on the next workshop agenda.
PUBLIC HEARING: None.
CONSENT ITEMS:
• Claims for the month of March 2012 in the amount of $172,317.46.
A complete listing of the claims and their amounts is on file in the Clerk- Treasurer's Office.
• Approval of Payroll Register for PPE 03/18/2012 totaling $164,028.64.
• Receiving the Committee Reports into the Record.
-- Budget/Finance Committee minutes of March 20, 2012 were presented.
-- Cemetery Commission minutes of March 19, 2012 were presented.
-- Council Workshop minutes of March 27, 2012 were presented.
The mayor asked if there was any separation of consent items. There was none.
Motion by Council Member Mace to approve the consent items as presented, seconded by
Council Member Dickerson. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken
on the motion. All eight council members present voted aye. Motion carried 8 -0.
CEREMONIAL CALENDAR: None.
Council Minutes of April 3, 2012
REPORTS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: None.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (THREE- MINUTE LIMIT): None.
SCHEDULED MATTERS:
• Confirmation of Appointments.
• Ordinance No. 012 -02: An ordinance amending Chapter 8.12 titled "Nuisances"
located at Title 8 of the Laurel Municipal Code. First reading.
Motion by Council Member Poehls to adopt Ordinance No. 012 -02, seconded by Council
Member Eaton. There was no public comment or council discussion. A roll call vote was taken on
the motion. All eight council members present voted aye. Motion carried 8 -0.
The public hearing of Ordinance No. 012 -02 will be on the April 17 council agenda.
• Resolution No. R12 -19: Resolution approving an Interlocal Agreement providing for
the City of Laurel Police Department's participation in the Montana Law Enforcement
Testing Consortium.
Motion by Council Member Dickerson to approve Resolution No. R12 -19, seconded by
Council Member Eaton. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on
the motion. All eight council members present voted aye. Motion carried 8 -0.
._. • Resolution No. R12 -20: A resolution approving the attached Task Order No. 24
authorizing Great West Engineering to prepare plans and specifications for
construction of a sanitary sewer main extension located at the intersection of East 11
Street and Montana Avenue.
Motion by Council Member Stokes to approve Resolution No. R12 -20, seconded by Council
Member Poehls. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the
motion. All eight council members present voted aye. Motion carried 8 -0.
• Resolution No. R12 -21: A resolution of the City Council accepting the donation of trees
and a drip system from the Lions Club.
Motion by Council Member Stamper to approve Resolution No. R12 -21, seconded by
Council Member Nelson. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on
the motion. All eight council members present voted aye. Motion carried 8 -0.
• Resolution No. R12 -22: A resolution of the City Council accepting a donation of a
chain link fence enclosing the batting cage at Thomson Park.
Motion by Council Member Nelson to approve Resolution No. R12 -22, seconded by Council
Member McGee. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the
motion. All eight council members present voted aye. Motion carried 8 -0.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA: None.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS (ONE- MINUTE LIMIT): None.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION:
• Review of Monthly Reports: Police, Fire, Ambulance, and Code Enforcement: None.
Council Member Dickerson stated that a neighbor asked if he could use his edger to address the
weeds in the curb and gutter at Murray Park. Council Member Dickerson asked if there would be
any recourse if someone did that, as the weeds are stopping the water flow down the curb and gutter.
He asked if the appropriate department could be asked to look at the issue.
Mayor Olson stated that the issue would be reviewed and an answer would be available soon.
2
Council Minutes of April 3, 2012
Council Member Nelson stated that Friday, April 20 is the deadline to register for the Elected
Officials Workshop in May.
Mayor Olson spoke regarding a letter from CAO Heidi Jensen that provided a chronological update
regarding the FEMA funding for the intake and levee restoration project. He stated that a lot of time
has been spent in conference calls, but the time - consuming process requires a lot of waiting to see
what other agencies are going to do. In about two weeks, the Army Corps should submit the
decision on the permitting. After the final permitting decision has been made, FEMA will be
available for funding if the permit was granted. A meeting is scheduled tomorrow with EPA
Director Jim Martin, and he will identify their position regarding their letter to the Army Corps and
their findings for the city's request to get into the river. Last Thursday, the city received the PER
Great West prepared to present to the Army Corps and FEMA. A copy of the PER was given to
Senator Baucus when Commissioner Kennedy talked to him, another copy will be given to Jim
Martin tomorrow, a third copy is available for review in the Mayor's office.
Council Member Mace stated his observation that nothing seems to happen, and he wonders how
hurricane and tornado victims get through the process when it is so confusing. The city has its ducks
in a row, but there is no information or contact. It amazes him that the organization's name is
FEMA.
Mayor Olson stated that it is frustrating not to get answers quickly. He appreciated the Laurel
Outlook's response to put out information quickly when it was available for them. That was
extremely important and the city was told that the article in the Outlook was the primary reason more
attention is being given to the issues. He hopes more information is available by next week.
Commissioner Ostlund recently spoke with Mayor Olson and two council members about putting in
an emergency order for restoration of the levee and then put out a qualification standard and pick a
contractor to do the work. Mayor Olson then contacted the city's legal counsel to ensure that the
city would have the proper legal backing if the city decided to declare an emergency. The city
attorney is working on that, noting that the funding through FEMA would have to follow under State
regulations. If needed, a special council meeting will be called and posted.
There was discussion regarding the recent event to raise funds for veterans to go to Washington, DC.
Mayor Olson stated that Mayor Hanel asked him to express appreciation to the council members that
worked at the event. Funds were raised for about 90 veterans to make the flight to Washington, DC
to see the memorial and the flight has been scheduled for June 15
UNSCHEDULED MATTERS: None.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion by Council Member Eaton to adjourn the council meeting, seconded by Council
Member Dickerson. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the
motion. All eight council members present voted aye. Motion carried 8 -0.
There being no further business to come before the council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at
6:56 p.m.
Cindy Alldri, Council Secretary
Approved by the Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, this 17 day
of April, 2012.
•
. Kenneth E. Olson, Jr., r
Attest:
ff
Shirley Ewan, Clerk/Treasurer
3