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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 05.21.1996Minutes of the City Council of Laurel May 21, 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 Rodgers at 7:00 p.m., on May 21, 1996. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Gay Easton Bud Johnson John Minch Dirk Kroll Ron Marshall Chuck Dickerson Donna Kilpatrick COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Miles Walton INVOCATION: Invocation was given by Alderman Johnson. MINUTES: Motion by Alderman Dickerson to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of May 7, 1996, as presented, seconded by Alderman Minch. Motion carried 7--0. CORRESPONDENCE: Received a letter from Cal Cumin, Planning Director, regarding the Planning Board's recommendation for off-street parking requirements for Stahl Cabinets. Received a letter from Cal Cumin, Board's recommendation regarding a day care center in Montana Meadows. Planning Director, special review for regarding the Steve and Holly Planning Frank's Received a "Position Paper" regarding Legislative issues from the Montana League of Cities and Towns. Received the minutes of April 25, 1996 from the Yellowstone City-County Board of Health. Received the May 17, 1996 agenda from the Montana Tradeport Authority Board. Received the May 14, 1996 agenda and other information from the Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board. Received the March minutes and activity report from the Yellowstone County Air Pollution Control Board. CITY CLERK'S AND CITY TREASURER'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: The City Clerk's and City Treasurer's financial statements for the month of April were presented. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick that the City Clerk's and City financial statements for the month of April, 1996, be approved, Alderman Kroll. Motion carried 7--0. seconded by SENIOR HELPING HANDS: Ardell Kruithoff, representing the Senior Helping Hands, a homemaker and home health aide servicel gave an overview of the program. It is a private non-profit organization that provides assistance to those who need help to remain independent in their homes. Services provided are nursing care, personal care, light housekeeping, meal preparation, and shopping. The program averages three hundred clients per year and provides an average of eleven thousand hours of service per year. People that are eligible are at least sixty years of age and are not eligible for public assistance. The service is provided to help keep people in their homes, in a safe and comfortable manner, that is consistent with their life style. The majority of clients need help with homemaking chores~ grocery shopping, and help with personal care. The services allow the elderly to maintain their dignity, their health and sense of community. Many of them look forward to the services so they are presentable when visiting the Laurel Senior Center and going out into the community. Meals on Wheels are provided to many that are never seen because they are home bound. The home bound also need assistance in maintaining their physical appearance and homes. Many of the elderly have no family in the community or have out lived other family members. It is very difficult and costly to get into a nursing home. During the fiscal year 1994-95, the program provided 158 hours of homemaking and home health aide care to Laurel clients and forty nursing visits. Nursing visits are about 1 1/2 hours each. They are done by visits instead of total hours. The cost of serving the eight clients in Laurel came to $4,310.00. The $400.00 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Page 2 Council Meeting of May 21, 1996 Clients contribute to the program by a cost share basis according to their income. Services are also funded by state, county and federal money. The program is a member of United Way. The state and federal governments are cutting funds provided for home service care for seniors. The program is looking for outside funding sources to continue the services they provide. Ardell stated that the Board of Directors for Senior Helping Hands appreciates the faithfulness of the City of Laurel in supporting their senior population. They are honored that the program is a part of the city's budget and hopes that the city will continue to support it. She said they would be delighted if the city could increase their budget to provide for the services needed in Laurel. Mayor Rodgers stated that the city is looking to increase the budget for the coming fiscal year. He noted the program is doing an outstanding job. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CIRCUS: Shannon Abelseth, representing the Chamber of Commerce, is asking permission from the City Council to have a circus in Laurel on July 21, 1996. He had a copy of the Certificate of Insurance from the circus and a letter of permission from Tom Spriglet, Laurel schools, to use the lot north of the Post Office. They chose this lot because of parking in the school parking lot and parking along the curb, adjacent to the lot. The circus is smaller than the one the chamber brought to town two years ago, when it was located on South Washington. This will be a one ring circus. The chamber would like to sell three shows to run in the afternoon and evening hours. A business license will be purchased, as requested when the circus was in town in the past. The chamber will get in contact with Dartell McGillen to use a fire hydrant for water. A water meter can be set on the fire hydrant to determine the usage of water and the chamber will cover the cost of the water. They will provide porta-potties and request use of one of the city's large garbage containers. Alderwoman Kilpatrick asked if the chamber has checked with residents in the area where the circus will be held? When the circus was proposed to be held in this area in the past, there were complaints from the residents. Shannon stated they have not checked with residents. It would be a one day circus instead of an overnight circus. The circus would come in the morning to set-up and leave after the last performance in the evening. There are two shows for sure, one at 2:00 p.m. and one at 5:00 p.m. and a third would be held at 7:00 p.m. if needed. Alderwoman Kilpatrick didn't feel the residents would complain if the circus did not stay overnight. Mike Atkinson, Chief of Police, stated there were no problems with traffic control two years ago when it was located on South Washington. Shannon stated the chamber had the police reserves help with the traffic control at the intersections and the chamber flagged the parking lots. They would do this again. Shannon stated that the City of Laurel will receive a Certificate of Insurance from the circus. It will be mailed to Don Hackmann. Motion by Alderman Dickerson to grant the Chamber of Commerce permission to hold a circus on July 21, 1996, with the same stipulations as two years ago when the circus was in town; a business license is required, to charge the Chamber of Commerce for the metered water but not to charge them for the use of a garbage dumpster, and that the chamber provide porta-potties, seconded by Alderman Marshall. Motion carried 7--0. HOME OCCUPATION - SAM ROBERTUS: Sam Robertus, 907 2nd Avenue, has applied for a home occupation to operate a lawn maintenance and underground sprinkler maintenance and repair business. He will be using his truck to operate the business. He stated there will be no business or service done directly at his home and no customer traffic to the home. The equipment entails a couple of push mowers, a weed eater, a blower, and a few items for sprinkler maintenance and winterizing. Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Page 3 Council Meeting of May 21, 1996 Motion by Alderman Dickerson to accept the Planning Board's recommendation to grant a home occupation to Sam Robertus to operate a lawn maintenance and underground sprinkler maintenance and repair business, seconded by Alderwoman Kilpatrick. Motion carried 7--0. Jim Flisrand stated that in this type of business there have been concerns that people in the lawn care business are taking the cut grass back to their area and filling all the containers. They are required to dispose of it at the container site and will be charged as a licensed contractor. Each resident has the option of disposing the cut grass clippings from his property in the container adjacent to his property. Any large truck loads will have to be taken to the container site. LAND USE VARIANCE - STAHL CABINETS: Dale Stahl, Stahl Cabinets, is requesting a land use variance to allow a parking lot to have twelve parking spaces instead of twenty. They would not be using twenty parking spaces that are required by the city code. The City-County Planning Board has recommended to grant the land use variance and allow twelve parking spaces instead of twenty. Cal Cumin is planning to prepare changes to the ordinance for manufactured facilities, to be reviewed and presented to the council. Motion by Alderman Dickerson to accept the Planning Board's recommendation to grant a land use variance and allow twelve parking spaces instead of twenty, seconded by Alderman Minch. Jim Flisrand commented that the city ordinance requires one parking space for every 400 square feet, for a total of twenty spaces. In this situation, the business would be more of a manufacturing facility and a large warehouse. The required spaces would be a lot for the actual occupancy of people and parked cars. He feels that the city needs to look into the requirements regarding the type of business, to reduce the amount of parking spaces. Cal explained in the City-County Planning Board minutes that the city might want to look at the ordinance regarding parking requirements for manufacturing facilities. He is planning to prepare changes to the ordinance for review by the Planning Board and present them to the council. Cal also stated in the minutes that after looking at the codes and general categories of codes, our ordinance is quite restrictive. Cal mentioned that he would be willing to modify the code and bring it back before the board to reflect a less required amount of parking spaces for this type of facility. Jim feels there is no problem for twelve parking spaces for this type of business. A vote was taken on the motion. Motion carried 7--0. DAY CARE CENTER - MONTANA MEADOWS: Steve and Holly Frank were present to request approval for a day care center in Montana Meadows. A special review of Steve and Holly Frank's request for a day care center was conducted at the Planning Board meeting of May 9, 1996. They presented a drawing of the new proposed ingress-egress to the site that was 100 feet off of Sietz Ronan on North Ramshorn, location of the main building and play area, and a landscape plan. The requirements of the City-County Planning Board have been met. Motion by Alderman Dickerson to accept the City-County Planning Board's recommendation regarding the special review for Steve and Holly Frank's day care center in Montana Meadows, seconded by Alderman Marshall. Motion carried 7--0. COMMITTEE REPORTS: --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of May 6, 1996, May 7, 1996, May 8, 1996, May 13, 1996, May 14, 1996, and May 20, 1996 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderwoman KilDatrick to enter the Budget/Finance Committee minutes of May 6, 1996, May 7, 1996, May 8, 1996, May 13, 1996, May 14, 1996, and May 20, 1996, into the record, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Motion carried 7--0° --City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of May 7, 1996 were presented. Motion by Alderman Dickerson to enter the City Council Committee of the Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Page 4 Council Meeting of May 21, 1996 --City-County Planning Board minutes of May 91 1996 were presented and reviewed, Motion by Alderman Dickerson to enter the City-County Planning Board minutes of May 9, 1996, into the record, seconded by Alderman Easton. Moticn carried 7--0. --Lands-Parking-Public Buildings Committee minutes of May 8, 1996 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderman Marshall to enter the minutes of May 8, 1996, into the record, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Discussion regarding the archways in the Council Chambers being closed off and installing a door on the south wall. Also discussed was getting estimates to paint and repair the outside of the City Hall building. Jim stated he hasn't met with the contractors to get estimates. It was mentioned that the outside should be preserved before work is done on the inside. It was suggested using youth community service workers to do some preparation work. A vote was taken on the motion. Motion carried 7--0. --Laurel Local Government Review Commission minutes of May 5, 1996 and May 13, 1996 were presented. These minutes are for informational purposes only. Motion by Alderman Marshall to enter the Laurel Local Government Review Commission minutes of May 5, 1996 and May 13, 1996, into the record, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. Motion carried 7--0. --Park Committee minutes of May 9, 1996 were presented and reviewed. Lonnie Kellogg, representing the Lion's Club, stated that the club is sponsoring the project for building up the South Pond area. He is requesting the council's approval to apply for CTEP funds of approximately $35,000.00. They will get a grant writer for the project and Jim Flisrand will do the engineering on the project. A final budget will then be taken to the City-County Planning Board and brought before the City Council. They will apply for the grant after the final budget is approved. Lonnie mentioned that the CTEP funds require matching funds of 13%. Jim has appropriated $3,500.00 to start the fund for the matching funds. They can also be in-kind services. The Lion's Club will take on any part of the project that will not fit into the CTEP program. Motion by Alderman Dickerson to grant permission to apply for CTEP funds in the amount of $35,000.00 to the Lion's Club, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Alderwoman Kilpatrick stated the Park Committee discussed proceeding with the plan but didn't consider any amount. Jim agreed there wasn't much discussion on the amount but said it had been mentioned the approximate cost may be around thirty or thirty-five thousand. The figure of $35,000.00 was an estimate from the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Lonnie explained the project to them, and the estimate was based on their project at Lake Elmo. Jim stated there are currently funds in the Park Development fund and some proposed for next year. The funds are not tied to this program. If it is determined that the $3,500.00 in the Park Development fund does not go to this program, then as Lonnie has indicated, the Lion's Club would cover any cost of the project that are needed. Jim said that this is one option to use the funds in the Park Development fund. It would be up to the decision of the Park Committee, Budget/Finance, or City Council. He stated the city sponsors the CTEP Program and would be responsible for a percentage, if the grant is approved. The city would cover the percentage amount or work with the Lion's Club to cover any costs that are needed. Alderman Dickerson stated that as service groups are recruited to help renovate and improve areas, the council will need to consider that these groups may not have all the funds and may come forward to ask the city for assistance. It is an opportunity to get organizations involved and an opportunity to get improvements completed. He suggested that the council consider budgeting funds to help with projects. Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Page 5 Council Meeting of May 21, 1996 Motion by Alderman Dickerson to enter the Park Committee minutes of May 9, 1996, into the record, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Motion carried 7--0. --Street & Alley/Garbage Committee minutes of May 17, 1996 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderman Easton to enter the Street & Alley/Garbage Committee minutes of May 17, 1996, into the record, seconded by Alderman Marshall. Discussion regarding the replacement of 90 gallon cans with 300 gallon cans on Casa Linda Circle. It was decided that three of the 90 gallon cans could remain in Casa Linda Circle with the city's aid in the placement of the cans and observe the pickup of such cans with the truck driver. A vote was taken on the motion. Motion carried 7--0. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Mayor Rodgers requested permission to leave the city from June 1, 1996 to June 19, 1996. Motion by Alderman Marshall to grant Mayor Rodgers permission to leave the city from June 1, 1996 to June 19, 1996, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Motion carried 7--0. Alderman Minch stated he may not be at the City Council meetings next month. He is helping with girls softball every night and weekends. He will be in town and can be contacted if the council needs him. Rocky Fork Free Trappers Association Tom Metzger, Rocky Fork Free Trappers Association, requested permission to participate in the July 4th Parade as they have in the past four years. Their plans for the parade are the same, a historic demonstration. They will need to apply with the Chamber of Commerce to be in the parade. They don't plan to be in the park this year, as they did last year, with the Christmas to Remember. Mike Atkinson stated he saw no problems with discharge of black powder firearms during the Fourth of July parade only. Motion by Alderman Dickerson to allow the Rocky Fork Free Trappers Association to discharge black powder firearms during the Fourth of July Parade, seconded by Alderman Marshall. Motion carried 7--0. MAYOR'S COMMENTS: Mayor Rodgets stated that eight new Laurel Police Reserves graduated from the instructional training course. The course is being used as a model and is recognized throughout the State of Montana as training for police reserves. There being no further business to come before the council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 8:00. p.m. Donald L. Hackmann, City Clerk Approved by the Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, this 4th day of June, 1996. nald L. H~ckmann, City lerk