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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 04.15.1997Minutes of the City Council of Laurel April 15, 1997 held p.m., on April 16, 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 7:02 COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Gay Easton Bud Johnson Norman Orr Miles Walton Gary Temple Dirk Kroll Donna Kilpatrick William Staudinger Invocation was given by Alderman Johnson. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: INVOCATION: MINUTES: approve the minutes of the regular seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to meeting of April 1, 1997, as presented, carried 8--0. CORRESPONDENCE: Received a copy of a letter to Curtis Italian Ditch culvert. Received a letter from the Montana Department railroad crossing signs and pavement markings. Riemann from Town Pump regarding the of Transportation regarding Received a copy of a letter to Larry Thomas from Duane Winslow, Election Administrator, regarding two petitions that were submitted on March 24, 1997. Received a membership bulletin Received the March minutes and Pollution Control Board. from the Montana League of Cities and Towns. activity report from the Yellowstone County Air CITY CLERK'S AND CITY TREASURER'S FINANCIAL STATEMENT: Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick that the City Clerk's and City Treasurer's financial statements for the month of March, 1997, be approved, seconded by Alderman Orr. Alderman Walton questioned that when the firemen's budget was gone over, there was no payment received from Fire District #7. Don reported that payment has been received in April. Mayor Rodgets stated there had been no statements sent for the second half of 1995-1996 at that time. The statements were sent approximately two weeks ago. Alderman Johnson questioned who's responsibility it was to send the statements? Mayor Rodgets replied it is the City Treasurer's responsibility to do the collections. Alderman Walton questioned if there is a check and balance on if the statements get sent. Mayor Rodgets stated that this is normally done when going over the budget. A vote was taken on the motion. Motion carried 8--0. Received a copy of a letter to Duane Winslow, Election Administrator, from V. Joe Leckie, City Attorney, regarding a ballot statement and transition provision regarding Ordinance No. 097-2, City Treasurer's position. Received a Risk Management Bulletin from MMIA regarding parks and playground inspections. Received Received 1997. a notice from MMIA regarding a Risk Management Workshop. Received a letter from the Federal Emergency Management Agency regarding the five-year map update. Received a memo from the Montana Department of Commerce regarding the Montana HOME Program workshop. a letter from the West Elementary School PTA Western Days on April 18, Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Page 2 Council Meeting of April 15, 1.997 DOUBLE TREE, INC. - UPDATE ON HOUSING REHABILITATION: Julie Jones, Double Tree, Inc., presented a report on the Laurel Housing Rehabilitation. The HPG and CDBG projects are moving along as scheduled, and she still plans to close the rehabilitation program on June 30, 1997. The Home investment first draw for HOME people inquire about Partnership Program Grant project is just beginning. The funds is scheduled for May 1, 1997. They have had three the project and hope to have more in the next few months. WEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PTA - WESTERN DAYS: Candi L. Cerovski, representing West Elementary School PTA, asked the city council for permission to hold a major fund raiser, Western Days, on April 1997. The event runs from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Don Courts from Red Lodge will bring a horsedrawn wagon as one of the rides. The route for the horsedrawn wagon will begin at West School and run east on 5th Street to 6th Avenue, continue north to 7th Street, then go west to 8th Avenue, and back south to West School. Sergeant Mike Zuhoski stated there were no complaints or problems last year with the horsedrawn wagon. Motion by Alderman Johnson to grant West Elementary School PTA permission for a Western Days fund raiser on April 18, 1997 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and to allow a horsedrawn wagon as one of the rides, as shown on the map that was presented to the council, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8--0. CANYON CREEK RIDGE SUBDIVISION - PRELIMINARY PLAT: Motion by Alderman Staudin~er to table the Canyon Creek Ridge preliminary plat until the May 6, 1997 council meeting, seconded by Kilpatrick. Motion carried 8--0. Subdivision Alderwoman DELAYING THE DATE FOR WATER RATE INCREASE: RESOLUTION NO. R97-15 A RESOLUTION DELAYING THE DATE WHEN THE CITY WILL IMPLEMENT THE WATER RATES AS APPROVED IN R97-11 Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick that Resolution No. R97-15 be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Motion carried 8--0. Alderman Kroll questioned why there was not a specific date mentioned when delaying the date to implement the water rates? Joe Leckie, City Attorney, replied there is no specific time as to when the bonds will be issued. The water rate increase will be implemented when the bonds used to finance the water system improvements are issued or other appropriate financing is available. COMMITTEE REPORTS: --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of April 1, 1997 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderwoman minutes of April 1, 1997, carried 8--0. Kilpatrick to enter the Budget/Finance Committee into the record, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion --Cemetery Board minutes of April 2, 1997 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderman Orr to enter the Cemetery Board minutes of April 2, 1997, into the record, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Motion carried 8--0. --City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of April 1, 1997 were presented. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to enter the City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of April 1, 1997, into the record, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Motion carried 8--0. --City County Planning Board minutes of April 10, 1997 were presented. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to enter the City County Planning Board minutes of April 10, 1997, into the record, seconded by Aldermarx Johnson. Motion carried 8--0. Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Page 3 Council Meeting of April 15, 1997 --Laurel Airport Authority minutes of March 25, 1997 were presented. Motion by Alderman Orr to enter the Laurel Airport March 25, 1997, into the record, seconded by Alderman carried 8--0. Authority minutes of Staudinger. Motion --Park Committee minutes of April 10, 1997 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to approve the recommendation of the Park Committee that the swimming prices remain the same as in 'the past, a booklet of 20 swim tickets for $10.00 and $1.00 per individual swiml seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8--0. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to enter the Park Committee minutes of April 10, 1997, into the record, seconded by Alderman Staudinger, Motion carried 8--0. --Police Committee minutes of April 3, 1997 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderman Kroll to enter the Police Committee minutes of April 1997, into the record, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8--0. --Public Utilities Committee minutes of April 14, 1997 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderman Orr to enter April 14, 1997, into the record, carried 8--0. the Public Utilities Committee minutes of seconded by Alderman Staudinger. Motion COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Jean Stablefelt, representing the Laurel Herbsfest, asked the council's permission to have a Herbslest parade on September 28I 1997. The parade will start at Woods' Powr Grip and go east to Sid's Place. Mike Zuhoski, Police Sergeant, stated that beginning at East Main where the four lane narrows into two lane, the highway is under state jurisdiction and this section of the route would bare to be cleared through the highway patrol. Motion by Alderman Staudinger to approve the Herbsfest Parade within the city's jurisdiction, seconded by Alderman Walton. Motion carried 8--0. Jim Stevens, Fire Chief, reported that the city's The fire department plans to get it equipped and two weeks. new fire truck has arrived. into service within the next William Staudinger asked permission to leave the state April 16, 1997 through April 28, 1997. Motion by Alderman Johnson to grant William Staudinger permission to leave the state from April 16, 1997 through April 28, 1997, seconded by Alderman Walton. Motion carried 8--0. Discussion regarding the alderman publicly asking permission to leave the city/state. This has been a concern in the past and again it is suggested that there be another way to request permission before leaving, due to vandalism. Joe Leckie, City Attorney, will look into changing the policy to possibly written permission and bring ideas back to the council. Jim Flisrand announced that demolition of Martin's garages has started. Two garages are done and the rest should all be finished by the end of this week. Jim announced that April 26th will be the Bright and Beautiful Clean-up celebration in Firemen's Park. He encourages everyone to participate in picking up waste within the city. The council members will again challenge the school distr:i. ct in collecting waste and sorting it. Jim is asking for volunteers for the challenge. Jim announced a Street and Alley Committee meeting on Tuesday, April 22, 1997 at 5:30 p.m. Mike Zuhoski, Police Sergeant, presented a police activity report for April 1, 1997 to April 14, 1997. Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Page 4 Council Meeting of April 15, 1997 Mayor Rodgers announced that Jeff Doty, police officer, police department, effective April 28~ 1997. has resigned from the Motion by Alderman Kroll to accept Jeff Doty's resignation, effective April 1997, seconded by Alderman Walton. Motion carried 8--0. Jim announced that the city is putting out a fact sheet to all the city water users. It basically identifies the water bill, what the possible rate increase would be, and separates the sewer and garbage fees so it is not confusing to anyone, Jim announced that the contractor has started the fire/pole building at the shop. It has been a slow process because of weather, contractors being busy, etc. Alderwoman Kilpatrick asked Jim about the new phone system for city hall? Jim stated that he has received three estimates. The Public Land, Parking, & Building Committee has approved to moved ahead with the project. Other major issues took priority in using the money available, such as getting the final bid results on the demolition. Alderman Walton questioned if the city is at a stand still with Mr. Martin's property? Joe Leckie stated the city is set for trial in May. APPOINTMENTS: Mayor Rodgers appointed Danielle Keirle as a police officer, effective April 1997, with a one year probation. Danielle will be replacing Bryan Fischer. The Laurel Police Commission interviewed 12 candidates on November 5th & 6th, 1996. Danielle was number four on the hiring list. The police department has since hired the number one (Travis Pitts) and number two (Patrick Kennedy) candidates from the list. The third candidate declined the posjtion. Motion by Alderman Kroll to hire Danielle Keirle as a police officer, effective April 15, 1997, with a one year probation, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8--0. Alderman Johnson feels there should be a more formalized process~ such as the required time lengths used in the interviewing and hiring process. Alderman Kroll stated he also feels the hiring process needs to be formatized and that there needs to be some sort of guidelines or policy. He noted that, after looking at the city procedure manuall it is pretty vague on how to hire and who is informed, etc. He feels the council needs to be more informed of new employees, as they are the last to approve the appointment of a new employee. Mike Zuhoski stated that the hiring for police officers is regulated by state law. The hiring and firing procedure goes through the Police Commission. There being no further business to come before the council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 7:48 p.m. Donald L. Hackmann, City Clerk Approved by the Mayor and passed by the City Counc. il of the City of Laurel, Montana, this 6th day of May, 1997. Charles Rodg~~ Donald L. Hackmann, City Clerk