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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 06.17.1997Minutes of the City Council of Laurel June 17, 199Y held p.m., on June 17, 1997. A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, was in the Council Chambers and called to order by Mayor Chuck Rodgets at 7:00 Gary Temple Bud Johnson Norman Orr Dirk Kroll COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Gay Easton Donna Kilpatrick William Staudin~er COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Miles Walton INVOCATION: invocation was given by Alderman Kroll. MINUTES: Motion by Alderman Kro_l_l_ to approve the minutes June 3, 1997, as presented, seconded by Alderman CORRESPONDENCE: of the regular meeting of Staudinger. Motion carried Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to grant a home occupation to Sue VanVranken to have a vacuum cleaner and air filter business in her home, subject to no traffic or customers coming to the home, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion customer's home by her husband and one keep a few vacuum cleaners in stock at home one or two limes a week to pick up salesman that is working for them. They their home. The salesman comes to their stock, depending on the sales. Motion by Alderwoman KilDatrick to enter the City-County Planning Board minutes of June 16, 1997, into the record, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Motion carried 7--0. Home Occupation - Sue VanVranken Sue VanVranken, 2704 Lackawanna, applied for a home occupation to have a vacuum cleaner and air filter business in her home. The sales are done in the' Received a copy of a letter to Duane Winslow, Election Administrator, from Joe Leckie, City Attorney, regarding proposed initiative limiting the size of the Laurel Water Improvement Project. Received a list of people protesting any commercial interest being allowed to move %1 on the old north school lot on 1st Avenue. Received a Risk Management Bulletin from Montana Municipal Insurance Authority. Received an agenda and memo from the Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board. Received the May minutes and activity report from the Air Pollution Control Board. CITY CLERK'S & CITY TREASURER'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: The City Clerk's and City Treasurer's financial statements for the month of May were presented. Motion by Alderwoman Kil~atrick that the City Clerk's and City Treasurer's financial statements for the month of May, 1997, be approved, seconded by Alderman Kroll. Motion carried 7--0. APPROVE SWIMMING POOL WAGES: Alderwoman Kilpatrick referred to the Park Committee minutes of June 12, 1997. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to approval the following wages for the swimming pool personnel for the 1997 and 1998 seasons. In 1997 the wages will be; manager, $6.75; assistant manager, $6.25; head lifeguard, $5.50; returning lifeguards and new lifeguards, $5.00. In 1998 the wages will be, manager, $7.15; assistant manager, $6.65; head lifeguard, $5.90; returnin~ lifeguards, $5.40, and new lifeguards, $5.15, seconded by Alderman Easton. Motion carried 7--0. COMMUNITY HOPE - AMENDED AGREEMENT: The Community Hope amended agreement will be on the agenda for July 1, 1997. COMMITTEE REPORTS: --City-County Planning Board minutes of June 16, 1997, were presented. Page 2 Council Meeting of June 17, 1997 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Motion by Alderman Johnson to put the Cherry Hill Subdivision, preliminary plat, 2nd filing, amended and the special review, Ward Subdivision, personal care home on the agenda for July 1, 1997, seconded by Alderman Temple. Motion carried 7--0. --Dudget/Finance Committee minutes of June 3, 1997 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to enter the Budget/Finance Committee minutes of June 3, 1997, into the record, seconded by Alderman Staudinger. Motion carried 7--0. --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of June 10, 1997 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to enter the Budget/Finance Committee minutes of June 10, 1997, into the record, seconded by Alderman Kroll. Motion carried 7--0. --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of June 11, 1997 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderman Easton to enter the Budget/Finance Committee minutes of June 11, 1997, into the record, seconded by Alderman Staudinger. Motion carried --City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of June 3, 1997 were presented. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to enter the City Council Committee of the Whole of June 3, 1997, into the record, seconded by Alderman Easton. Motion carried 7--0. --Park Committee minutes of June 12, 1997 were presented. Motioa by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to enter the Park Committee minutes of June 12, 1997, into the record, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 7--0. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to grant the Laurel Lions Club permission to have a fishing derby at South Pond on July 19, 1997 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., subject to having proof of insurance, seconded by Alderman Staudinger. Motion carried 7--0. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Matt Hoppel, Laurel Police Officer, spoke in support of Captain Rick Musson and Sergeant Mike Zuhoski. Matt stated he has lived in Laurel all his life and that. he and all the officers give 200 percent of themselves to the department. He said he would not be where he is today if it was not for the leadership of Rick Musson and Mike Zuhoski in the department. He wants to continue to give 200 percent of himself, but said if the city council decides to go outside the department to hire for the chief's position, it is going to destroy himself arid other officers in the department. He hopes the council will take this into consideration. He stated he has nothing against anyone outside the department. He wants to make Laurel a better city by being a police officer here. He wants to live and raise his family in Laurel. He also wants to better himself in this city and he knows if he cannot do this, then he will have to go somewhere else. He hopes this will help the council in making a decision. Michelle Steffans, Police Dispatcher, stated she is upset by the city going outside the department to hire a police chief. She said the department has been asked their opinions, asked to write letters, and have had meetings. She stated the department has been through a lot the last two years. The last several months the department has pulled together by working as a team to make a real good department. It is because of Captain Musson and Sergeant Zuhoski that ~he department has overcome some huge obstacles. Michelle heard that a member of the Police Commission was speaking out of turn, saying the city hired ontside and that the captain and sergeant tied for third, etc. The department had people calling ~hem at work, so they heard it second hand. She said she does not feel Captain Musson and Sergeant Zuhoski have been treated fairly. She feels the council holds the police department at a certain standard and if there is a complaint made, the department is held responsible for it. She wonders if the council holds themselves at the same standard. She said they all know who this person is on tihe Police Commission that she is talking about and asked if he has any business being on the Police Commission? If she was going outs]de her job and talking, it would be grounds for termination. Michelle stated she does not think it is fair, it has been hurtful and has caused bad feelings. Mj. chelle said the department asked for a year to overcome the obstacles within Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Page 3 Council Meeting of june 17, 1997 APPOINTMENTS: Folice Chief: Mayor Rodgets stated the Police Commission followed the applicant and selected Alan Hovious from Billings. same process with each Mayor Rodgers appointed Alan Hovious as Police Chief, with a one year probation (effective July 1, 1997). Motion by Alderman Johnson to confirm the appomntment of Alan Hovious as Police Chief, with a one year probation, seconded by Alderwoman Kilpatrick. Alderman Kroll asked for discussion. He replied that the police department has gone though a rough time the last six months and this is when the Police Committee started to look into problems within the department. A plan of action was put together and some of the issues have been addressed. During that time, the police chief resigned. He stated that Captain Musson and Sergeant Zuhoski have done a fine job in keeping the department together, and said he would give them that much. He feels the city still needs to go outside to hire a police chief. He also feels the city needs :fresh ideas and needs a fresh man in the position. He realizes if the appointment is approved, it will be rough the first year or so. Alderman Kroll summarized by saying that the last couple of months have been difficult in trying to help the department work. He addressed the Mayor, and said he thinks the council should look outside and have someone with new ideas come in to see if anything different will help. He addressed the Mayorl againl and said he hopes the council does approve the appointment. Alderwoman Kilpatrick commented on the qualification that was adopted a couple of years ago by the council, for the position of police chief. The qualification required five years experience as a supervisor. She stated that some applicants, including the two from Laurel did not meet the five year qualification requirement. She feels meeting the qualification is very important. Alderwoman Kilpatrick said both applicants from Laurel are wonderful officers and have a lot going for them and may someday be Chief of Police. However~ she thinks they need a few more years working in a supervisory position. She thanked them for doing a good job. A vote was taken on the motion to approve the appointment of Alan Hovious as Police Chief. Motion carried 7--0. Alan Hovious was introduced by Mayor Rodgers. Air Pollution Control Boardl Mayor Rodgets re-appointed L. D. Collins to the Air Pollution Control Board. has served on the board for eight to ten years and is currently chairman of board. He the Motion by Alderman Johnson to confirm the re-appointment of L. D. Collins to the Air Pollution Control Board, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried MAYOR'S COMMENTS: Mayor Rodgets announced that a candidate is needed to fill the appointment to the Yellowstone Conservation District Board. Mayor Rodgets thanked everyone that participated and helped with the flood Laurel had. There might have been more damage then there was if not for all bhe help with sandbagging and traffic control. Mayor Rodgers said Carl should be thanked for all the work he has done prevent flooding in Riverside Park. The park has a historical value. Alderwoman Kilpatrick suggested a letter of appreciation be written to Carl. Mayor Rodgets thanked all the high school kids that helped fill sandbags. to Mayor Rodgers appreciated the comments and personnel showed toward their command officers. police chief was a difficult one. support the police department He stated the decision of a new Cal Cumin -Clarification on council action: Cal Cumin asked for clarification on how the council acts as far as which actions are going to take place on the agenda at the following meeting or act on at the existing meeting. Mayor Rogers suggested a special meetin~ to discuss Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Page 4 Council Meeting of June 17, 1997 It was mentioned that there should be one policy, if one item is placed on the agenda, then all items should be. The city clerk needs to be notified of all agenda items by 3:00 p.m. on Friday, prior to the council meeting. The agenda is posted for the public's beliefit showing what. action will be taken by the council. Cal asked if an item has to be placed on the agenda by a councilman or could he have contacted Don FridaF afternoon to have the items put on the agenda? Alderman Johnson stated it had been suggested in the past by Alderman Easton that the council needs to do a study and possibly change some ways in which things are done and handled. He feels the council needs to be serious about doing this in the near future° A committee was established in the past to look into this issue. There being no further business to come before the council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 7:37 p.m. Donald L. Hackmann, City Clerk Approved by the Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, this 1st day of July, 1997. Donald L. Hackmann, City Clerk Charles Rodgers,~