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Home My WebLink AboutCity Council Minutes 05.03.2013 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF LAUREL March 5, 2013 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 Ken Olson at 6:30 p.m. on March 5, 2013. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Emelie Eaton Doug Poehls Bruce McGee Mark Mace Scot Stokes Bill Mountsier Tom Nelson COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Chuck Dickerson OTHER STAFF PRESENT: None Mayor Olson led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Mayor Olson asked the council tc observe a moment of silence. MINUTES: Motion by Council Member Poehls to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 19, 2013, as presented, seconded by Council Member Mace. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All seven council members present voted aye. Motion carried 7 -0. CORRESPONDENCE: Laurel Chamber of Commerce: Minutes of January 17, 2013; Agenda for February 21, 2013. PUBLIC HEARING: None. CONSENT ITEMS: • Claims for the month of February 2013 in the amount of $278,484.65. A complete listing of the claims and their amounts is on file in the Clerk- Treasurer's Office. • Approval of Payroll Register for PPE 02/17/2013 totaling $164,511.00. • Receiving the Committee Reports into the Record. -- Budget/Finance Committee minutes of February 19, 2013 were presented. - -Park Board minutes of February 7, 2013 were presented. - - Cemetery Commission minutes of February 21, 2013 were presented. - - Council Workshop minutes of February 26, 2013 were presented. The mayor asked if there was any separation of consent items. There was none. Motion by Council Member Mace to approve the consent items as presented, seconded by Council Member Poehls. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All seven council members present voted aye. Motion carried 7 -0. CEREMONIAL CALENDAR: None. REPORTS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: None. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (THREE - MINUTE LIMIT): Council Minutes of March 5, 2013 _ Scott Snowden, 912 1 Avenue, spoke regarding the proposed ban on constrictor snakes. He asked the council not to revise the existing city code to ban constricting snakes that are not already prohibited by the State of Montana. He wants to maintain his right and the right of other reptile keepers within the city to responsibly and legally maintain constricting snakes as pets for generations to come. Andrew Sutton, 1108 Sunhaven Drive, stated that, before they left their home for this meeting, they looked at the Laurel Outlook and saw nothing about reptiles or anything bad about reptiles. Mayor Olson stated that the issue will be presented with the dog ordinance at the next workshop on March 12 at 6:30 p.m. Comments will be welcome at that time. SCHEDULED MATTERS: • Confirmation of Appointments. Laurel Airport Authority: Mayor Olson appointed Kyle Albers to the Laurel Airport Authority for a term ending June 30, 2013. Motion by Council Member Eaton to approve the Mayor's appointment of Kyle Albers to the Laurel Airport Authority for a term ending June 30, 2013, seconded by Council Member McGee. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All seven council members present voted aye. Motion carried 7 -0. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA: None. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS (ONE- MINUTE LIMIT): None. COUNCIL DISCUSSION: • Review of Monthly Reports: Police, Fire, Ambulance, and Code Enforcement: None. Council Member Nelson stated that the next Lease Task Force meeting is scheduled on Monday, March 18 at 5:30 p.m. at city hall. Council Member McGee requested an update regarding the police union negotiations. Mayor Olson stated that mediation is scheduled on March 20 Council Member McGee asked about the status of the speed limit on East Railroad Street. Mayor Olson explained that the city council's recommendation was forwarded to MDT for a decision. The council will be informed when information is available. Council Member Eaton spoke regarding the number of emails she received about the proposed ban of constrictor reptiles and suggested that there will be a lively discussion at the next workshop. Mayor Olson was scheduled to attend the Executive Forum this week in Helena but cancelled that opportunity. CAO Heidi Jensen is representing the City of Laurel at the Executive Forum. Council Member Mace asked for an update on the Code Enforcement/Building Inspector /Safety Officer position vacancy. Mayor Olson stated that four applications have been submitted so far. Applications close on Wednesday, March 13 UNSCHEDULED MATTERS: None. ADJOURNMENT: 2 Council Minutes of March 5, 2013 Motion by Council Member Mountsier to adjourn the council meeting, seconded by Council Member Eaton. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the — motion. All seven council members present voted aye. Motion carried 7 -0. There being no further business to come before the council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 6:46 p.m. Cindy AllCouncil Secretary � Y Approved by the Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, this 19 day of March, 2013. i Ke zeth E. Olson, Jr., ,,) yor Attest: -- L L ( ) �) Shirley Ewan, C1- rk/Treasurer 3 Laurel Elected Officials and Emergency Services Committee members, Thank you for your time and consideration. I am a husband, a father, a tax payer, an active member of my church, a reptile hobbyist, and a law - abiding American citizen. All of my pets comply with and do not appear on the State of Montana list of prohibited species, MT ADC 12.6.2215. The vast majority of non - venomous snakes kill their prey by constriction and the vast majority of those snakes are completely harmless. Banning constricting snakes within city limits would force me to either: a) get rid of a portion of my pets that I consider as being part of my family, b) sell my house and relocating to a reptile friendly community, or c) keep my animals and risk being punished as a criminal. I personally don't like any of these options. I enjoy living here and would love to continue to raise my family here and to be an active member of our community. I received my first reptile when I was a 5 year old recovering from cancer. We rented a small apartment and were only allowed to have pets that were in contained cages. Reptiles met that description and my passion for them was ignited. My wife and I have a daughter and have instilled in her a love and respect.for animals of all kinds, including constricting snakes, since a early age. Friends frequently bring their children over to play and hold our snakes and lizards. I want to ensure that these same children will have the right to legally own snakes and other reptile within city limits when then they get older. Please, do not ban them. The popularity of reptiles has skyrocketed over the past few decades, appearing in over 15,000 Montana households. The reptile industry creates over $1,400,000,000 in annual revenue for U.S. small businesses, generating over $4,000,000 annually for Montana businesses and breeders alone. Laurel reptile keepers spend money on their reptiles here in Laurel as well. I personally buy aspen bedding at Tractor Supply and various items at both Wal -Mart and Ace Hardware and I know others do as well. Banning snakes and reptiles would not only affect the responsible owners, it will impact businesses as well. Reptiles make fantastic pets. The vast majority of them can be housed in a 40 gallon or less terrarium and their nutritional requirements are relatively straight forward, many only needing to be fed once a week. The constricting snakes that are not on the already existing banned species list strictly eat rodents. They pose no threat td household pets or children. They don't make noise, defecate outdoors, or create any other form of public nuisance. The extreme climate of Montana will not allow exotic reptiles to live if they were to escape. Please, do not ban them. I sincerely and humbly request that you do not revise the existing city code to ban constricting snakes that are not already prohibited by the state of Montana. I want to maintain my right and the right of other reptile keepers within the city to responsibly and legally maintain constricting snakes as pets for generations to come. - _ 1 Scott F. Snowden L ill' MAR 5 2013 ' �� 912 1 Ave, Laurel MT 59044 CHHY OF LAL! 'L • Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks :: Prohibited Species Page 1 of 3 Prohibited Species Prohibited species are live, exotic wildlife species, subspecies, or hybrid of that species, including viable embryos or gametes, that may not be possessed, sold, purchased, exchanged, or transported in Montana, except as provided in MCA 87 -5 -709 6 or ARM 12.6.2220 Amphibians 1 Crustaceans 1 Fish 1 Mammals 1 Mollusks 1 Reptiles Amphibians Frogs Species Name Date Reference Classified African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) 5/2005 ARM 12.6.2215 North American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) 5/2005 ARM 12.6.2215 Crustaceans Species Name Date Reference Classified Rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) 5/2005 ARM 12.6.2215 Fish Species Name Date Reference Classified Bighead carp (Hypophthalmic nobilis) 5/2005 ARM 12.6.2215 Black carp (Mytopharyngodon piceus) 5/2005 ARM 12.6.2215 Eurasian Ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernuus) 5/2005 ARM 12.6.2215 Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) 5/2005 ARM 12.6.2215 Round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) 5/2005 ARM 12.6.2215 Silver carp ( Hypophthalmic molitrix) 5/2005 ARM 12.6.2215 Snakehead fish (29 species in the Genus Channa 5/2005 ARM 12.6.2215 and Parachanna) Tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) 1/2004 MCA 87 -5 -711 Walking catfish (Clarias batachus) 11/2006 ARM 12.6.2215 White perch (Morone americana) 8/2007 ARM 12.6.2215 Zander - European pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) 11/2006 ARM 12.6.2215 TOP 3/2/2013 http : / /fwp.mt.gov /fishAndWildlife /licenses /prohibited.html • Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks :: Prohibited Species Page 2 of 3 Mammals Species Name Date Reference Classified Addax (Addax nasomaculatus) 1/1999 ARM 12.6.1540 Apes (Pongidae family) 8/2007 ARM 12.6.1540 Axis deer (Axis axis) 1/1999 ARM 12.6.1540 Barbary sheep or Auoudad (Ammotragus lervia) 1 /1999 ARM 12.6.1540 Bats (Sub order microchioptera) 1/1999 ARM 12.6.1540 Brushed - tailed possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) 11/2006 ARM 12.6.2215 Chamois (Rudicapra sp.) 1/1999 ARM 12.6.1540 Collared peccary (javelina) (Tayassu tajacu) 1/1999 ARM 12.6.1540 Exotic goats and Ibexes 1/1999 ARM 12.6.1540 (All species in the genus Capra except domestic goats, Capra hircus) - Foxes (Vulpes sp.) 10/1981 MCA 50.23.102 Gibbons (primates in the family Hylobatidae) ' 8/2007 ARM 12.6.1540 Hyena (Hyaenidaefamily) 12/2010 ARM 12.6.2215 Mouflon sheep (Ovis musimon) 1/1999 ARM 12.6.1540 New World Primates (Cebidae family) 11/2006 ARM 12.6.2215 Nutria (Myocastor coypus) 5/2005 ARM 12.6.2215 Old World Monkeys (Cercopithecidaefamily) 8/2007 ARM 12.6.2215 Oryx and Gemsbok (Oryx besia, Oryx dammah, 1/1999 ARM 12.6.1540 Oryx gazetla, Oryx leucoryx) Raccons (Procyon sp.) 10/1981 MCA 50.23.102 Reedbucks (Redunca sp.) 1/1999 ARM 12.6.1540 Red deer (Cervus elaphus) 1/1999 ARM 12.6.1540 Roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus and Capreolus 1/1999 ARM 12.6.1540 pygarus) Rusa deer (Cervus timorensis) 1/1999 ARM 12.6.1540 Russian boar, European boar, and hybrids thereof 1/1999 ARM 12.6.1540 (Sus scrofa scrofa) Sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) 1/1999 ARM 12.6.1540 Short- tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica) 11/2006 ARM 12.6.2215 Sika deer (Cervus nippon) 1/1999 ARM 12.6.1540 Skunks (Genus Spilogale, Conepatus, and 10/1981 MCA 50 -23 -102 Methitis) Small spotted Genet (Genetta genetta) 10/2008 ARM 12.6.2215 3/2/2013 http : / /fwp.mt.gov /fishAndWildlife /licenses /prohibited.html • Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks :: Prohibited Species Page 3 of 3 Species Name Date Reference Classified Southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans) 11/2006 ARM 12.6.2215 Tahr (Hemitragus sp.) 1/1999 ARM 12.6.1540 Virginia opossum or North American Opossum ; 11/2006 ARM 12.6.2215 (Didephis virginiana) ISLE Mollusks Species Name Date Reference Classified New Zealand mudsnail (Potamopyrgus 5/2005 ARM 12.6.1540 antipodarum) Quagga mussel (Dreissena bugensis) 8/2007 ARM 12.6.1540 Zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) ' 5/2005 ARM 12.6.1540 IQP Reptiles Species Name Date Reference Classified African rock python (Python sebae) ! 8/2007 ARM 12.6.2215 Alligatoridae family 8/2007 ARM 12.6.2215 Amethystine python (Morelia amethistina) 8/2007 ARM 12.6.2215 Boomslang (Dispholidus tyypus) 5/2005 ARM 12.6.2215 Burrowing asps (AR species in the family 5/2005 ARM 12.6.2215 Atractaspidae) Elapidae Family (231 species) 5/2005 ARM 12.6.2215 Crocodylidae family 8/2007 ARM 12.6.2215 Green Anaconda (Eunecfes marinus) 8/2007 ARM 12.6.2215 Indian python - including the Burmese python 8/2007 ARM 12.6.2215 (Python molurus) Pit vipers and true vipers 5/2005 ARM 12.6.2215 (All species in the family Viperidae except species indigenous to Montana) Reticulated python (Python reticulatus) 8/2007 ARM 12.6.2215 IQe 3/2/2013 http : / /fwp.mt.gov /fishAndWildlife /licenses /prohibited.html