HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Workshop Minutes 10.09.2012 MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
OCTOBER 9, 2012 6:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
A Council Workshop was held in the Council Chambers and called to order by Mayor Ken Olson at
6:30 p.m. on October 9, 2012.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
_x Emelie Eaton _x_ Doug Poehls
Bruce McGee _x_ Mark Mace
x Scot Stokes Chuck Dickerson
Tom Nelson x Bill Mountsier
OTHERS PRESENT:
Monica Plecker
Public Input (three - minute limit):
Citizens may address the Council regarding any item of City business not on the agenda. The duration for an individual
speaking under Public Input is limited to three minutes. While all comments are welcome, the Council will not take action
on any item not on the agenda.
There was none.
Executive Review:
• Resolution — Laurel Little League baseball field at Fir Field
Mayor Olson stated that the Laurel Little League has submitted a four -phased proposal to develop a
baseball field at Fir Field. The area described in the proposal is the northern portion of Ponderosa
Park. A resolution and lease have not been prepared yet, but a resolution to hold the City of Laurel
harmless for activities for this proposal will be prepared if the council allows the proposal to go
forward. Mayor Olson asked Mike Crowl to speak to the council.
Mike Crowl, the Little League President for the Laurel area, explained that there are a lot of smaller
fields for the younger players. In the big field at Thomson Park, with the Laurel Dodgers, sometimes
there are six teams playing there. A bigger area is needed for another practice field. Mike stated that
they see two or three scholarships for kids playing baseball come out of the Little League and going to
the Dodgers. There is a need for this field for the older kids because of the challenges of having six
teams trying to practice and play games. The area would be used for practices at first and eventually
made into a field. Little League would like to make it into a Junior's field.
Regarding parking issues, Mike stated that the area in front of the soccer field could be used for
parking. They have considered developing the area on the other side of the ditch and making a bridge
across. There is plenty of room facing towards the north, so there is a possibility they could also
come in along the side. With the current parking and the possibilities for additional parking, there
should be adequate parking for the proposed fields.
Council Workshop Minutes of October 9, 2012
Mayor Olson stated that the city attorney is preparing the resolution to reflect verbiage that would
hold the City of Laurel harmless during any Little League activities, including any work to prepare
the new field.
Mike mentioned that he and Mayor Olson have had several conversations this year to discuss changes
and proposals and to stay informed.
Doug likes the proposal, as it seems that this location is becoming a sports field area. There are some
other ideas for other property out there, and it all ties in together.
Mark stated that the Park Board reviewed Mr. Crowl's proposal and the members were in agreement
to recommend approval to the council based on the conditions of the lease.
Mayor Olson stated that a resolution would be on next week's council agenda.
• Resolution — Accept donation of flag pole at American Legion field
Mayor Olson asked the American Legion's representative to speak.
Max Long spoke on behalf of the American Legion. The American Legion has been trying to replace
the flag pole at the American Legion ball park in Thomson Park. Cenex donated the money needed to
buy a new 40 -foot flagpole. The American Legion will take care of the expense to have Ace Electric
install the flagpole, which Max thinks will be an asset to that area. The flagpole will not be lit at the
present time, but within the next year, the American Legion hopes to have lights installed. Until
lights are installed, they will fly the flag on special occasions and holidays. The American Legion
will remove the old flag pole, haul it away, and groom the ground. There will be no cost to the city.
Max explained the location of the new flagpole. In left field, there are two big light poles to light the
field and the new flagpole will be located right outside the ballpark between the two light poles.
There will not be any obstructions and it will be visible from most any area on First Avenue.
Mayor Olson stated his appreciation for the American Legion's efforts to beautify the park. He
commented that the proposed location for the flagpole is the best possible location as visibility will be
high from one of the most highly traveled streets in Laurel.
The resolution will be on the October 16 council agenda.
• Resolution — Letter of Engagement with Dorsey & Whitney for WWTP Upgrade Loan
Mayor Olson explained that the resolution covers Dorsey & Whitney's $15,000 fee to provide bond
counsel for the $5 million loan application for the wastewater treatment plant. The figure is derived
by the amount of the loan plus the anticipated cost of the work involved with processing the loan.
• Resolution — Cooperative Purchasing MOU, State Procurement Bureau
Mayor Olson explained the Memorandum of Understanding, which allows the City of Laurel to
procure assets through the Montana Cooperative Purchasing Program.
• Ordinance — Curfew
Mayor Olson stated that Chuck Dickerson originated the discussion. Chuck could not attend tonight
but asked to pull this item and leave the current curfew and park hours in place.
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Council Workshop Minutes of October 9, 2012
• Council Issues:
o Plaque at park land on West 12 Street (Chuck Dickerson)
Mayor Olson stated that the Public Works Department and the administration are aware of the need
for a plaque to acknowledge the Richmond's donation of the park land. This will be presented to the
council at the appropriate time in the future.
o Potholes on West 12 Street (Chuck Dickerson)
Mayor Olson stated that the potholes on West 12 Street are being addressed. Concerns regarding
potholes should be called in to the Public Works Department.
Other items
• Resolution — Final Plat for Ricci Minor Subdivision
Mayor Olson stated the planner's request to present the Ricci Final Plat.
Monica Plecker stated that the resolution is for the final plat of Ricci Minor Subdivision. The staff
report and the application for the final plat were also included, and Monica reviewed the findings.
Monica stated that the application is for the property located at 704 First Avenue. The property is
currently 2.066 acres and is zoned Community Commercial. The application requests that two lots be
created and they would be equal in size of 45,000 square feet. No zone changes or variances were
requested with the application. The application qualifies for expedited review, which means that the
city council is the only reviewing agency. The Planning Board did not review the application because
an expedited plat goes straight to the city council. The reasons include the fact that it is less than five
lots, there is no parkland or playground dedication included, no public improvements are being done,
and legal and physical access is provided, as well as DEQ signoff. The Planning Board did not need
to play a role.
The Subdivision Improvements Agreement (SIA) included as part of the application addresses future
development of water, sewer, and other infrastructure, which is implemented at the time of site
development. This application is just to split the lot. A Waiver of Protest has been signed for any
future special improvement districts planned for the area. The waiver of protest is actually only good
for twenty years. Recently, legislation changed so that a waiver of protest is no longer good in
perpetuity, so planning plays an extra key role in deciding what kind of improvements may be done.
The application materials have undergone review through staff departments, including the planning
department, public works and the city attorney. Staff suggested some changes to the preliminary
application, and those changes were implemented in the document presented tonight.
Mayor Olson asked the applicant to speak to the council.
Vince and Debbi Ricci own the property and would like to market the other half of the property but
cannot do so unless it is subdivided. Dax Simek, from Morrison - Maierle, is their representative and
has helped them through this process.
Doug commented that this has been expected since the council discussed the Ricci's project years ago
and the project was downsized. He thinks it is great, as more businesses are needed in Laurel and this
is great infill.
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Council Workshop Minutes of October 9, 2012
Mayor Olson stated that the council could ask any questions in the coming week and at the next
council meeting. He invited the applicants and their representative to attend next week's council
meeting.
Review of draft council agenda for October 16, 2012
• Intent of the City Council to extend the corporate boundaries of the City of Laurel by annexing
a parcel of City owned park land that is contiguous to the City limits, such annexation to
include all the adjacent and adjoining rights -of -way to the annexed property, in Yellowstone
County, Montana. (Resolution No. R12 -79)
The public hearing will be on October 16
• Ordinance No. 12 -06: An ordinance amending the requirements for home occupations as
provided in the Laurel Municipal Code at Chapter 17.52 of the Laurel Municipal Code. (First
reading — 09/18/2012)
The public hearing is scheduled on October 16
A resolution for the Laurel Little League's proposal will be added to the council agenda.
Attendance at the October 16, 2012 council meeting
Mark Mace will be unable to attend.
Announcements
Emelie thanked the city for allowing her to attend the League of Cities and Towns Conference in
Kalispell last week. She reported on the conference, including some discussion topics regarding TIF
Districts and new jobs in some cities.
Emelie requested that the council secretary provide a summary of the discussion regarding the East
Railroad Street speed limits. Emelie stated that she was the one who was approached by a railroad
employee with regard to the difference in the speed limits going east and going west, and she
remembers the whole matter starting out. Last week, the council voted on recommending the change
in the speed limit on East Railroad Street. There is a lapse in her memory as to when the shift in
focus occurred about making the speed limits uniform vs. changing the speed limit. She asked for a
summary with a timeline by the next council workshop.
Emelie asked for discussion on the next workshop agenda regarding whether or not the council could
ask the TIFD board (LURA) for funding to put sidewalks on East Railroad Street. She asked that
copies of the TIF District be distributed to the council at the next workshop.
Mayor Olson stated that CAO Heidi Jensen attended the League of Cities and Towns Conference in
Kalispell last week and is attending an ICMA Conference this week.
The lease task force will meet with the Rod and Gun Club representatives tomorrow at 6:30 p.m.
There was discussion regarding the Laurel Fire Department's successful Safety Day last weekend.
The dedication for the Habitat for Humanity house is scheduled on October 11 at 5:30 p.m.
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Council Workshop Minutes of October 9, 2012
The Laurel Rotary Club is sponsoring an event on Saturday, October 20 at 7:00 p.m. at the Laurel
High School Gym. The event is a fundraiser for the gym floor and will feature the Harlem
Ambassadors vs. the Laurel Alumni. Rotary members will have tickets available for sale prior to the
event. The Laurel Urban Renewal Agency (LURA) and an anonymous donor will match the funds
raised. Mayor Olson mentioned that he attended the meeting when LURA made the decision to
match the funds. Although the TIF District does not include any of the schools, this is one way
LURA can pay back to the schools since some of the increment captured by the TIFD is normal
school mills.
Doug recently attended a meeting at the Laurel Movie Haus and Riley Cooke gave seat holders the
same presentation he gave to the council. Riley is trying to figure out a way to keep the Movie Haus
viable with the need for $160,000. Doug and others volunteered to put in $100 a month for 15
months, and he was asked to challenge the council to do the same. One of the questions that came up
at the meeting was about using city funding. His response was that public funding cannot be used for
a private venture. Anyone interested can contact Doug or the Movie Haus, as Riley Cooke is trying to
get commitments before he goes to the bank.
Mayor Olson mentioned that the city participated in the expense for the new waterline for the Movie
Haus.
The council workshop adjourned at 7:22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
I C .. . 6 ; 1/ 1 v (22
Cindy Allen
Council Secretary
NOTE: This meeting is open to the public. This meeting is for information and discussion of the Council for the
listed workshop agenda items.
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To: Ken Olson, Jr. Mayor, City of Laurel
By: Mike Crowl, President, Laurel Little League Baseball
Date: September 17, 2012
Subject: Proposal to develop a baseball filed at Fir field
Laurel Little League proposes to install a baseball field north of the soccer field off Fir and East Maryland
in four phases. The first phase is to evaluate the field for use by cleaning up the weeds and checking the
area for possible use as a baseball field. This step will be conducted by Laurel Little League volunteers.
The second phase, if the area is determined for use as a baseball field, is to level and plant seed or add
sod. An infield will be laid out and a backstop will be added.
The third phase is to install a sprinkler system by using either city or well water. If well water is used an
electrical line will need to be incorporated into this phase of the proposal. Benches and a surrounding
fence will be installed. The fence may be temporary until Little League has the funding for permanent
fencing.
The fourth and final phase of this baseball field is to construct dugouts, bleachers and install electrical if
it hasn't been done already.
We anticipate this field to take two, maybe three years to complete for actual games to be played on it.
However, we feel it could be ready in Tess than a year for a practice field. All expenses and work will be
incurred by Laurel Little League and its volunteers and the City Of Laurel will be kept informed of our
progress.
I've enclosed drawings of the layout of the field and look forward to sitting down and discussing this
proposal with you. My phone number is 850 -1004.
Mike Crowl
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