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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 01.21.1997Minutes of the City Council of Laurel January 21, 1997 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 Chuck Rodgets at 7:00 p.m., on January 21, 1997. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: INVOCATION: MINUTES: Motion Gay Easton Dirk Kroll Donna Kilpatrick Ron Marshall Bud Johnson Miles Walton William Staudinger Norman Orr Invocation was given by Alderwoman Kilpatrick. by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to meeting of January 7, 1997, as presented, carried 5--0. CORRESPONDENCE: Received a letter driveways. Received a letter Hall could be Received an Facility. Received an agenda and officer's report from Preservation Board. Received the December minutes and activity report Board. Received a newsletter from the MMIA. Mayor Rodgets stated that when letters are received specific person who will respond to them or contact the CITY CLERK'S AND CITY TREASURER'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: approve the minutes of the regular seconded by Alderman Kroll. Motion from Robert O. Reed regarding snow plowin~ in from Bernie Hedrick, Court Services Worker, asking designated as a "smoke free" building. information sheet regarding the Yellowstone County the Yellowstone garage if City Detention Historic from the Air Pollution Control they are referred to a concerned person. The City Clerk's and City Treasurer's financial statements for the month of December were presented. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick that the City Clerk's and City Treasurer's financial statements for the month of December, 1996, be approved, seconded by Alderman Walton. Motion carried 5--0. AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF FEDERAL SURPLUS PROPERTY: RESOLUTION NO. R97-2 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF FEDERAL SURPLUS PROPERTY (UPDATE OF AUTHORIZED SIGNATURES) Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick that Resolution No. R97-2 be passed and adopted~ seconded by Alderman Easton. Alderman Walton questioned what happens when there is a change in the listing of authorized agents, for instance when the city hires a new police chief? The Resolution reads that the certified copy of the Resolution shall be submitted to the State of Montana, Property and Supply Bureau and the same shall remain in effect until written notice is given to the Property and Supply Bureau to change or rescind said Resolution. A vote was taken on the motion. Motion carried 5--0. Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Page 2 Council Meeting of January 21, 1997 AMENDING SECTION 1.16.020 FOUR WARD DIVISION: ORDINANCE NO. 097-1 (second reading) AMENDING SECTION 1.16.020 OF THE LAUREL MUNICIPAL CODE, FOUR WARD DIVISION Public Bearing: No comments. Motion by Alderman Kroll to close the public hearing, Walton. Motion carried 5--0. Motion by Alderman Kroll that Ordinance No. 097-1 passed and adopted, seconded by Alderwoman Kilpatrick. seconded by Alderman (second reading! be A roll call vote was taken and all aldermen present voted, "YES". Motion carried 5--0. COMMITTEE REPORTS: --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of January 7, 1997 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderwoman KilDatrick to enter the Budget/Finance Committee minutes of January 7, 1997, into the record, seconded by Alderman Staudinger. Motion carried 5--0. --City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of January 7, 1997 were presented. Motion by Alderman Easton to enter the City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of January 7, 1997, into the record, seconded by Alderwoman Kilpatrick. Motion carried 5--0. --Laurel Airport Authority minutes of November 257 Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to enter minutes of November 25, 1996, into the record, Motion carried 5--0. --Public Utilities Committee minutes of January reviewed. 1996 were presented. the Laurel Airport Authority seconded by Alderman Kroll. 13, 1997 were presented and The committee took action on a request from Mr. Johnson, 2621 Topeka Drive, for relief on a water and sewer bill, due to a water leak. The check valve after the water meter froze and ruptured. The water leaked underneath the trailer and into the ground. Motion by Alderman Walton to approve the recommendation of the Public Utilities Committee that Mr. Johnson's sewer bill be reduced to the average sewer bill, due to a water leak, seconded by Alderman Staudinger. Motion carried 5--0. Goodwill Program Attached to the minutes are general guidelines for the Goodwill Program. Also there was a letter from the Montana Municipal Insurance Authority and their experience with Goodwill Programs. The committee has looked into the larger cities that have adopted policies to assist citizens who incur damage from a sewer backup. The committee made a motion to recommend the council not approve the Goodwill Program and the motion carried. Alderman Walton stated the committee started looking into a Goodwill Program about a year ago. They presented the idea to the council and were asked to put a program together. He feels it should be the decision of the council whether to go with a Goodwill Program. He stated that at the meeting with Bob Worthington, it was determined that the Goodwill Program has been more accepted in the last couple of years. Cities were suspicious that the program would lead into other areas, such as flood damage, etc. The program can be written to just specify sewer back up. He stated that MMIA is more receptive of the Goodwill Program for cities the size of Laurel then they were when it was discussed last spring. Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Page 3 Council Meeting of January 21, 1997 Miles also felt the council should consider making the Goodwill Program retroactive, grandfather a period of time in the pastl or start it from this time forward. This was discussed because of the sewer backup experienced by Mrs. Kerr. The Goodwill Program came to light because of her efforts to get assistance for the damage created by sewer backup. It has been discussed to grandfather the program back to the time of sewer backup damage to Mrs. Kerr's residence. Miles stated that MMIA does not feel that the Goodwill Program would put the city's insurance into jeopardy. All claims must still go through the insurance claims adjustor and be denied first. The program would not be for the total loss due to sewer backupl but just for the actual cost of clean up after invoices are presented, It has been discussed that approximately five hundred dollars would be a ceiling put on the amount paid. Bob Worthington's letter reads that in excess of 21% of the Liability Program's claims are for damage resulting from sewer backups. Basically, the city is making a political statement that the city is helping this person in a disaster because it could happen to anybody. This disaster is indiscriminate, unlike other disasters such as floods or water backup where there are insinuating circumstances such as the ground was to low, etc. This cannot be foreseen with sewer backup, if in fact it is denied by the insurance company. It was also discussed that the city would have an informational sheet to hand out to the home owner at the time the problem is investigated. MMIA would present this sheet listing all options and responsibilities. It is important that the city has a sheet of facts so there are not any verbal opinions voiced to alter or confuse the liability issue. The city can adopt this as the city's policy for sewer backups. The council recommended that the Public Utilities Committee prepare a proposal for a Goodwill Program and present it at the next council meeting. Cenex'$ request for a 14 inch tie-in to the City's water system Jim Flisrand presented a list of review, regarding Cenex's request. Committee minutes for a consultant prior to any approval of tie-in. issues that were identified through a staff It was recommended in the Public Utilities review of the low service pumping operation, Alderman Walton stated that at the time of the request, they thought there may be no problems. However, when research was done on possible problems, many problems were found that may be represented. Cenex's request for a 14 inch tap with a 4000 gal/min pump exceeds what the water plant can regularly put out now. Currently the city can treat 3400 gal/min on a regular basis. An additional low service pump is available, however it doesn't work with consistency. The intake pier is in shallow water and during winter usage the city has a make-shift suction line laid into the river due to the intake not being adequate. The volume during the winter months is questionable. The city needs ideas of where they may be in the future as to the intake pier or suction line. He said they need a better idea of what Cenex's needs are and how the city can best serve them and serve Laurel now and in the future. Alderman Walton suggested that council members look at the list of issues that need to be identified and consider the recommendation from the committee for a consultant. Motion by Alderman Walton to enter the Public Utilities Committee of January 13, 19971 into the record, seconded by Alderman Easton. carried 5--0. minutes Motion --Street/Alley & Garbage Committee minutes of January 16, 1997 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderman Easton to minutes of January 16, 1997, into Motion carried 5--0. enter the Street/Alley & Garbage Committee the record, seconded by Alderman Staudinger. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Alderman Walton announced a Public Utilities Committee meeting on January 1997 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. There is also one scheduled on January 28, 1997 at 7:00 p.m. to review the water rate increase. Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Page 4 Council Meeting of January 21, 1997 MAYOR'S COMMENTS: Mayor Rodgets mentioned that he received letters from the Boy Scouts who are working toward the Citizen and Community Badge. Their future sites for the community of Laurel include a new heated swimming pool and their concern for the city streets and parks. There being no further business to come before the council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 7:32 p.m. Donald L. Hackmann, City Clerk Approved by the Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City of Laurell Montana, this 4th day of February, 1997. Donald Hackmann,~ity Clerk