Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 08.06.1996Minutes of the City Council of Laurel August 6, 1996 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 August 6, 1996. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Gay Easton Bud Johnson Miles Walton Ron Marshall Dirk Kroll Donna Kilpatrick COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: John Minch INVOCATION: Invocation was given by Alderwoman Kilpatrick. MINUTES: Motion by Alderman Marshall to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of July 16, 1996, as presented, seconded by Alderman Easton. Motion carried CORRESPONDENCE: Received a letter from Tom Kilpatrick regarding paving the vacant lot that once was the Movie Haus. Received a letter from Wood's Power-Grip, Inc. regarding the hauling of garbage to the container site. Received a letter from Ruby Hanson regarding the proposed zone changes that place manufactured homes in designated areas. CLAIMS: Claims for the month of July were reviewed by the Budget/Finance Committee and recommended that they be paid. Motion b.v Alderwoman Kilpatrick to approve the claims in the amount of $491,229.09 for the month of July, seconded by Alderman Kroll. Motion carried 6--0. CITY CLERK'S & CITY TREASURER'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: The City Clerk's & City Treasurer's financial statements for the month of June were presented. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick that the City Clerk's and City Treasurer's financial statements for the month of June, 1996, be approved, seconded by Alderman Kroll. Motion carried 6--0. APPOINT REPLACEMENT - ALDERMAN DICKERSON: Don Hackmann, City Clerk, received two letters of interest for the vacancy created when Alderman Dickerson resigned from Ward 3. A letter was received from Norman OfF and Jim Woodman. Norman err was present at the council meeting. Mr. OFF commented that he had previously been a councilman for eight years and is ready to come back. He is familiar with the way the system works. Motion by Alderman Marshall to appoint Norman err to fill the vacancy for Alderman in Ward 3, seconded by Alderman Walton. Motion carried 6--0. OPEN SID #11O BOND BIDS: This being the time and place advertised, the bond bid received was opened. One bid was received from Yellowstone Bank. AWARDING SID #110 BOND BIDS: RESOLUTION NO. R96-32 A RESOLUTION RECEIVING BIDS, ACCEPTING AND ANARDING SALE OF BONDS FOR SPECIAL INPBO~rE- MENT DISTRICT NO. 110. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick that Resolution No. R96-32 be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Kroll. Notion carried 6--0. Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Page 2 Council Meeting of August 6, 1996 AWARDING SID $110 CONSTRUCTION BID: RESOLUTION NO. R96-33 A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING AND AWARDING CONTRACTS FOR T~E CONSTRUCTION IN SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 110 Motion by Alderman Marshall that Resolution No. R96-33 be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Kroll. Motion carried 6--0. ENCROACHMENT PERMIT - CABOOSE SALOON: Jim Flisrand stated that Mr. rink has not picked up an application for an encroachment permit. Mr rink was told this is a requirement for the bronze statue of a moose to remain on public right-of-way. Motion by Alderman Marshall to direct Joe Leckie, City Attorney, to prepare a letter for the chief of police to send to Mr. rink instructing him to purchase an encroachment permit or the moose is in violation by being located on public right-of-way, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Motion carried 6--0. APPROVING CONTRACT - RICHARD LARSEN: RESOLUTION NO. R96-34 A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LAUREL AND RICHARD LARSEN ASSOCIATES, RELATING TO CONSULTING SERVICES AND TRAINING Motion by Alderwoman Kilnatrick that Resolution No. R96-34 be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Motion carried 6--0. PUBLIC HEARING - 1996-97 PRELIMINARY BUDGET & TAX RESOLUTIONS: This being the time and place advertised a public hearing was held on the preliminary budget. Alderman Johnson stated that in preparing the budget there were concerns and comments that the city clerk's office and some of the staff are performing some functions of the treasurer's office. He mentioned that he is concerned that the city has a proper budget. These costs are not being reflected in the budget and there is no allocation of these costs back to the treasurer's budget. He is wondering, if the city clerk's office has the time to perform these additional functions, then is it possible that the city has an office that is over staffed. If this is the situation, does the city need to look at possibly changing the treasurer's situation from a full time to a part time position or possibly taking a look at combining the two as a number of other cities have done, across the state. He feels there are some possibilities that exist and the city may want to look at some of those, with regard as to how it is being handled in the budget. Alderman Walton stated that there has been mention both in the paper and people expressing concerns to him with the city treasurer's office. He said he has looked and cannot find the exact duties that the treasurer is to perform. All he can see is that the treasurer is an elected official and that she sets her own pace. He agrees with the concerns that Alderman Johnson spoke of regarding the treasurer's budget. Others may be infringing on that budget by using their time as well. Re suggests looking at how much time is being spent by her and by others in doing that job. The job might be done more efficiently by combining it in a City Clerk-Treasurer position. When the city looks at every nickel, dime, and quarter to try and get everyone what they want, this may be the place to keep a better eye on. Alderman Kroll mentioned a concern with duplicating services of the city treasurer and city clerk. He stated the city tries to keep the budget balanced by watching every penny through their scarce resources and it seems as if the city treasurer and city clerk are doing the same kind of work in keeping the books. He suggested finding a way to combine the work and save money. Mayor Rodgers referred this concern to the Budget/Finance Committee for review and asked them to bring a recommendation back to the council. Alderman Walton thanked the Budget/Finance Committee for all the time they spent working on the budget. Re could see all the hard work they did from reading the committee minutes. Page 3 Council Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Meeting of August 6, 1996 Alderwoman Kilpatrick included a special thanks to Don for all the time spent in putting the facts and figures together. Re spent many extra hours, along with Jim, due to preparing the street maintenance tax resolutions. Don Mackmann mentioned changes from the first document that came out, due to the mill levy increase. Re adjusted all the taxes for the mill levy fund and in discussion with the Mayor, they increased the building budget from ten to forty thousand for the fire department and the public works building project that is planned. The other change is, in case the city needs to clean up the property at the Merchant Apartments, they put twenty-five thousand in the council's budget. This clean up will eventually be put on the property owner's taxes. Mayor Rodgets and Don explained that the mill levy increased because of all the building going on in Laurel, including the new Ford dealership and Pelican building a health center. It increased 9.2 percent over last year, which is higher than 1986. Therefore, the mills are now set at 90 mills for those funds that come under 1-105. A bond issue does not come under 1-105. Mayor Rodgers stated that the decision to go with the building is due to the city having a lot of new equipment that is exposed to the weather conditions and to vandalism. The city is planning ahead for possible demolition cleanup for the Merchant Apartments. These are both one time items. Alderman Kroll commented that during the Budget/Finance Committee they put much thought into the increase in the sewer rate. An increase was needed in order to balance the budget. Reserve funds were also used in order to balance it. Motion by Alderwoman Kilvatrick to close the public hearing, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Motion carried 6--0. Don Hackmann announced that there will be a special council meeting on Monday, August 12, 1996 at 7:00 p.m. to adopt the final budget. Mayor Rodgets thanked all and to all the staff and together. the council members for their input into the budget supervisors. He commented that everyone worked well RESOLUTION NO. R96-35 BEING A RESOLUTION LEVYING AND ASSESSING A SPECIAL TAX AGAINST CERTAIN PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF LAUREL, MONTANA, FOR WATER METER AND CURBBOX REPAIR Motion by Alderman Johnson that Resolution No. R96-35 be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderwoman Kilpatrick. Motion carried 6--0. APPROVING MISCELLANEOUS WATER/SEWER/GARBAGE TAX RESOLUTIONS: RESOLUTION NO. R96-36 BEING A RESOLUTION LEVYING AND ASSESSING A SPECIAL TAX AGAINST CERTAIN PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF LAUREL FOR ANY UNPAID SEWER CHARGES Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick that Resolution No. R96-36 be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Kroll. Motion carried 6--0. RESOLUTION NO, R96-37 BEING A RESOLUTION LEVYING AND ASSESSING A SPECIAL TAX AGAINST CERTAIN PROPERTY DESIGNATED AS GAllRAGE DISTRICTS IN THE CITY OF LAUREL, HONTANA, FOR THE REROVAL OF GARBAGE AND REFUSE Motion by Alderman Kroll that Resolution No. R96-37 be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderwoman Kilpatrick. Motion Carried 6--0° SEWER RATE INCREASE: RESOLUTION NO. R96-38 BEING A RESOLUTION SPECIFYING A PERMANENT SEWER RATE TO BECOME EFFECTIVE TEN (I0) DAYS AFTER BEING FILED WITH MUNICIPAL CLERK AND REVISED RATE SCHEDULE FILED WITH THE PUBLIC SERVICE COHNISSION Minutes of the City Council of Laurel page 4 Council Meeting of August 6, 1996 COblMITTEE REPORTS: --Board of Adjustment minutes of July 9, 1996 were presented. Motion by Alderman Marshall to enter the Board of Adjustment minutes of July 9, 1996, into the record, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Motion carried --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of July 16, 1996 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to enter the Budget/Finance Committee minutes of July 16, 1996, into the record, seconded by Alderman Walton. Motion carried 6--0. --City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of July 16, 1996 were presented. Motion by Alderman Kroll to enter the City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of July 16, 1996, into the record, seconded by Alderwoman Kilpatrick. Motion carried 6--0. --City-County Planning Board minutes of July 11, 1996 were presented. Cal Cumin mention that there is an error in the minutes. The public hearing for the proposed zoning changes will be held on August 20, 1996 at the city council meeting instead of August 6, 1996. Motion by Alderwoman KilDatrick to enter the City-County Planning Hoard minutes of July 11, 1996, into the record, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Motion carried 6--0. --Laurel Local Government Review Commission minutes of July 15~ 1996 and July 29, 1996 were presented. These minutes are for informational purposes only. Motion by Alderman Marshall to enter the Laurel Local Government Review Commission minutes of July 15, 1996 and July 29, 1996, into the record, seconded by Alderwoman Kilpatrick. Motion carried 6--0. --Parks Committee minutes of July 25, 1996 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to enter the Parks Committee minutes of July 25, 1996, into the record, seconded by Alderman Easton. Motion carried 6--0. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: None APPOINTMENTS: None MAYOR ' S COMMENTS: Mayor Rogers commented on all the volunteers in the Laurel community. One group to be recognized is the Police Reserve. There are eighteen reserves and they put in 2,888 hours last year. Me said that this is outstanding, if the city had to replace this volunteer help and figure it into the budget, it would be a lot. Mayer Rogers expressed his appreciation for the Police Reserve and thanked the Police Department for working with them. Alderwoman Kilpatrick suggested sending a letter of thanks to the Police Reserve for all their time and hard work. 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 the City of Laurel, Montana, this 20th day of August~ 1996. /_~ts: