HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Workshop Packet 05.06.2025
AGENDA
CITY OF LAUREL
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
TUESDAY, MAY 06, 2025
6:30 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Public Input: Citizens may address the Council regarding any item of City business that is not on tonight’s 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. Because of the Rules that govern public meetings, Council is not
permitted to speak in response to any issue raised that is a non-Agenda item. The Mayor may provide factual information in
response, with the intention that the matter may be addressed at a later meeting. In addition, City Council may request that a
particular non-Agenda item be placed on an upcoming Agenda, for consideration. Citizens should not construe Council’s
“silence” on an issue as an opinion, one way or the other, regarding that non-Agenda matter. Council simply cannot debate
an item that is not on the Agenda, and therefore, they must simply listen to the feedback given during public input. If a
citizen would like to speak or comment regarding an item that is on tonight’s agenda, we ask that you wait until the agenda
item is presented to the Council by the Mayor and the public is asked to comment by the Mayor.
Be advised, if a discussion item has an upcoming public hearing, we would request members of the public to reserve your
comments until the public hearing. At the public hearing, the City Council will establish an official record that will include
all of your comments, testimony, and written evidence.
General Items
1. Poppy Day Proclamation
2. Municipal Summit 2025
Executive Review
3. Public Works: Resolution - A Resolution Of Intent To Increase The City Of Laurel’s Water
And Wastewater Rates And Charges To Become Effective On July 10, 2025, And Setting A
Date And Time For A Public Rate Hearing.
Council Issues
4. Boards/Committees/Commissions Recommendation Process Discussion
5. Document Center Training
Other Items
Attendance at Upcoming Council Meeting
Announcements
The City makes reasonable accommodations for any known disability that may interfere with a person’s ability to participate
in this meeting. Persons needing accommodation must notify the City Clerk’s Office to make needed arrangements. To make
your request known, please call 406-628-7431, Ext. 5100, or write to City Clerk, PO Box 10, Laurel, MT 59044, or present
your request at City Hall, 115 West First Street, Laurel, Montana.
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File Attachments for Item:
1. Poppy Day Proclamation
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Poppy Proclamation
WHEREAS, America is the land of freedom, preserved and protected willingly and
freely by citizen soldiers;
WHEREAS, Millions who have answered the call to arms have died on the field of
battle;
WHEREAS, A nation at peace must be reminded of the price of war and the debt owed
to those who have died in war;
WHEREAS, The red poppy has been designated as a symbol of sacrifice of lives in all
wars; and
WHEREAS, The American Legion Auxiliary has pledged to remind America annually
of this debt through the distribution of the memorial flower;
THEREFORE, I, Dave Waggoner of the City of Laurel, County of Yellowstone,
Montana, do hereby proclaim this 23rd day of May 2025, as POPPY DAY
and ask that all citizens pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate
sacrifice in the name of freedom by wearing the Memorial Poppy on this
day.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the
official seal of City of Laurel, Montana this 13th day of May 2025.
CITY OF LAUREL
_______________________
Dave Waggoner, Mayor
Attest:
__________________________
Kelly Strecker, Clerk/Treasurer
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File Attachments for Item:
2. Municipal Summit 2025
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File Attachments for Item:
3. Public Works: Resolution - A Resolution Of Intent To Increase The City Of Laurel’s Water
And Wastewater Rates And Charges To Become Effective On July 10, 2025, And Setting A
Date And Time For A Public Rate Hearing.
6
R25-__ Approve Water and Wastewater Rate Changes and Set Public Hearing
RESOLUTION NO. R25-__
A RESOLUTION OF INTENT TO INCREASE THE CITY OF LAUREL’S
WATER AND WASTEWATER RATES AND CHARGES TO BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON JULY 10, 2025 AND SETTING A DATE
AND TIME FOR A PUBLIC RATE HEARING.
WHEREAS, the current water and wastewater rates and charges in effect at the present
time are not adequate to provide revenues with which to defray the increased costs of operation,
maintenance, and capital of the City’s water and wastewater distribution facilities and systems;
WHEREAS, the provision of the water and wastewater systems and facilities is
essential to the preservation of the public’s health and welfare;
WHEREAS, the new rates, must before taking effect, be approved by the City Council
after advertising and conducting a public rate hearing pursuant to the City’s Charter at Article
I, Section 1.03(2) and MCA Section 69-7-111;
WHEREAS, current budgetary requirements with respect to the operation of sai d
facilities in addition to on-going and future projects require the proposed rates to become
effective on or about July 10, 2025, to enable the City to proceed as expeditiously as possible
to accomplish the objectives herein above recited; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to its Charter and Montana law, the City Council has determined
that a public rate hearing must be advertised and held to gather documents, testimony, and other
evidence regarding the proposed increases in water and wastewater rates and charges.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LAUREL, MONTANA:
1. That the City Council considers it both advisable and necessary to increase the
municipal water and wastewater rates and charges for all users and proposes to
increase the rates and charges as specifically contained on the rate and charge
schedule marked “Exhibit A” that is attached hereto and hereby incorporated
into this Resolution by reference.
2. That a public rate hearing shall be held on June 24, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the
City Council Chambers, at City Hall, Laurel, Montana, for the purpose of
gathering and receiving testimony, input, and comments from all interested or
affected users, citizens, persons, associations, corporations and/or companies.
3. Notice of the public rate hearing shall be published once a week for three
consecutive weeks in the Yellowstone County News, a newspaper that conforms
to the requirements of MCA § 7-1-4127, and the first such publication shall not
7
R25-__ Approve Water and Wastewater Rate Changes and Set Public Hearing
be more than twenty-eight (28) days prior to the hearing and the last publication
shall be not less than three (3) days prior to the hearing, in a form substantially
similar to the Notice of Public Hearing marked and attached hereto as “Exhibit
A”.
4. Additionally, the notice of the public rate hearing shall be mailed at least seven
(7) days and not more than thirty (30) days prior to the hearing to all persons
who are served by the City’s utilities. The notice shall contain an estimate of
the amount the customer’s average monthly bill will increase.
Introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council on the _____ day of
___________________, 2025 by Council Member ______.
PASSED and APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Laurel on the _____ day
of ___________________, 2025.
APPROVED by the Mayor on the _____ day of ___________________, 2025.
CITY OF LAUREL
___________________________
Dave Waggoner, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
Kelly Strecker, Clerk-Treasurer
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________
Michele L. Braukmann, Civil City Attorney
8
City of Laurel’s Proposed Water and Wastewater Utility Service
Rates and Charges and
Notice of Public Rate Hearing
OFFICIAL NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Laurel City Council will hold a public hearing on June 24, 2025, at
6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall regarding proposed municipal water and wastewater rate increases. The
Clerk/Treasurer will receive protests or objections, if any, in writing before the Council meeting up to and including the
City Council meeting of June 24, 2025.
The City of Laurel is proposing an increase in water and wastewater rates to ensure the long -term reliability, safety, and
sustainability of its utility services. Prior to last year’s increase in the consumption of water and sewer volumetric usage
rates, the City had not had rate increases since 2015. The cost of maintaining and operating the City’s water and
wastewater systems has significantly increased. Rising energy prices, labor costs, and the need for upgraded equipment
have strained the current revenue levels.
Additionally, much of Laurel’s water and wastewater infrastructure is aging and in need of critical repairs and
replacements. This includes water lines, sewer mains, and the City’s only water reservoir which was installed in 1968.
To continue delivering potable water to our citizens, a new water reservoir is urgently needed. It is essential for the City
of Laurel to deliver clean water and manage wastewater effectively. Without increased funding, the City is restricted to
taking care of infrastructure needs or plan for future growth.
The City is proposing to modify the existing water rates as follows:
Based upon the average monthly usage by user from 2022 to 2024, the rate structure is estimated to increase the monthly
water charge by the following amounts, based upon water meter size.
Water Rate Structure
Wat
er
Met
er
Size
Existing
Rate
Existing
Capital
Surchar
ge
FY 25-
26
Propose
d Base
Rate
FY 25-26
Propose
d Capital
Surcharg
e
FY 26-27
Propose
d Base
Rate
FY 26-27
Propose
d Capital
Surcharg
e
FY 27-
28
Propose
d Base
Rate
FY 27-28
Propose
d Capital
Surcharg
e
FY 28-29
Propose
d Base
Rate
FY 28-29
Propose
d Capital
Surchar
ge
FY 29-
30
Propose
d Base
Rate
FY 29-30
Propose
d Capital
Surcharg
e
16% 16% 16% 16% 16% 16% 4% 4% 4% 4%
3/4" $24.61
$8.00
$28.55 $9.28
$33.12 $10.76
$38.42
$12.48
$39.96
$12.98
$41.56
$13.50
1" $41.79
$14.32
$48.48 $16.61
$56.24
$19.27
$65.24
$22.35
$67.85
$23.24
$70.56
424.17
1.25
"
$63.33 $22.24
$73.46 $25.80
$85.21
$29.93
$98.84
$34.72 $102.79
$36.11
$106.90
$37.55
1.5"
$89.86
$32.00
$104.24
$37.12
$120.92
$43.06
$140.27
$49.95 $145.88
$51.95
$151.72
$54.03
2"
$158.16
$57.12 $183.47 $66.26 $212.83
$76.86
$246.88
$89.16 $256.76
$92.73
$267.03
$96.44
3"
$350.86
$128.00
$407.00
$148.48
$472.12
$172.24
$547.66
$199.80 $569.57
$207.79
$592.35
$216.10
4"
$624.26
$228.56
$724.14
$265.13
$840.00 $307.55
$974.40
$356.76 $1013.38
$371.03
$1,053.9
2 $385.87
6"
$1,401.1
7
$514.32
$1,625.3
6
$596.61
$1,885.42 $692.07
$2,187.0
9
$802.80
$2,274.5
7
$834.91
$2,365.5
5
$868.31
10"
$3,869.5
8
$1,422.2
4
$4,488.7
1
$1,649.80
$5,206.90
$1,913.77
$6,040.0
0
$2,219.97
$6,281.6
0
$2,308.7
7
$6,532.8
6
$2,401.12
Volume Rate, $ per 1,000 gallons
Threshold
Existing
Rate FY 25-26 FY 26-27 FY 27-28 FY 28-29 FY 29-30
Residential 16% 16% 4% 4%
0-1,000 gal $2.17
$2.17
$2.52
$2.92
$3.04
$3.16
1.001-5,000 gal $2.17 $2.17 $2.52 $2.92 $3.04 $3.16
5,001-10,000 gal $2.71 $2.71 $3.14 $3.64 $3.79
$3.94
10,001-20,000 gal
$3.26
$3.26
$3.78
$4.38
$4.56
$4.74
Over 20,000 gal
$4.34
$4.34
$5.03
$5.83
$6.06
$6.30
Commercial
First 1,000 gal $3.27
$3.27
$3.79
$4.40
$4.58
$4.76
Over 1,000 gal
$3.27
$3.27
$3.79
$4.40
$4.58
$4.76
Industrial
First 1,000 gal $4.02 $4.02 $4.66 $5.41 $5.63 $5.86
Over 1,000 gal $4.02 $4.02 $4.66 $5.41 $5.63 $5.86
9
The City is proposing to modify the existing wastewater rates as follows:
Based upon the average monthly usage by user from 2022 to 2024, the rate structure is estimated to increase the
monthly water charge by the following amounts, based upon water meter size.
Wastewater Rate Structure
Wat
er
Met
er
Size
Existing
Rate
Existing
Capital
Surchar
ge
FY 25-
26
Propose
d Base
Rate
FY 25-26
Proposed
Capital
Surcharg
e
FY 26-27
Propose
d Base
Rate
FY 26-27
Propose
d Capital
Surcharg
e
FY 27-
28
Propose
d Base
Rate
FY 27-28
Propose
d Capital
Surcharg
e
FY 28-29
Propose
d Base
Rate
FY 28-29
Propose
d Capital
Surchar
ge
FY 29-
30
Propose
d Base
Rate
FY 29-30
Propose
d Capital
Surcharg
e
0% 0% 9% 9% 9% 9% 9% 9% 5% 5%
3/4" $19.24 $10.00
$19.24
$10.00
$20.97
$10.90
$22.86
$11.88
$24.92
$12.95
$26.17
$13.60
1" $34.44 $17.90
$34.44 $17.90
$37.54
$19.51
$40.92
$21.27
$44.60
$23.18
$46.83
$24.34
1.25
"
$53.49
$27.80
$53.49 $27.80
$58.30
$30.30
$63.55
$33.03 $69.27
$36.00 $72.73
$37.80
1.5"
$76.96
$40.00 $76.96 $40.00 $83.89
$43.60 $91.44
$47.52 $99.67
$51.80
$104.65
$54.39
2"
$137.37
$71.40
$137.37 $71.40 $149.79
$77.83 $163.21
$84.83 $177.90
$92.46
$186.80
$97.08
3"
$307.84
$160.00
$307.84 $160.00
$335.55
$174.40
$365.75
$190.10 $398.67
$207.21
$418.60
$217.57
4"
$549.69
$285.70
$549.69 $285.70
$599.16 $311.41
$653.08
$339.44 $711.86
$369.99 $747.45 $388.49
6"
$1236.94
$642.90
$1236.94 $642.80
$1348.26
$700.76
$1469.60
$763.83 $1601.86
$832.57
$1681.95
$874.20
Volume Rate, $ per 1,000 gallons
Billable Water
Volume
Existing
Rate FY 25-26 FY 26-27 FY 27-28 FY 28-29 FY 29-30
9% 9% 9% 5%
(1) $8.45
$8.45
$9.21 $10.04
$10.94
$11.49
(1) Based on water use average from October through April.
The increase for the water and wastewater base rates, volume rates, and the capital improvement surcharge will be
raised annually on July 10th of each year through FY 2029-2030.
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File Attachments for Item:
5. Document Center Training
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