HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Workshop Minutes 03.26.2013 MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
MARCH 26, 2013 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 March 26, 2013.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
_x Emelie Eaton _x_ Doug Poehls
x Bruce McGee _x_ Mark Mace
x Scot Stokes _ Chuck Dickerson
Tom Nelson x Bill Mountsier
OTHERS PRESENT:
Heidi Jensen
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 no public input.
General items
There were none.
Executive Review:
• Resolution — MOU with Beartooth RC &D Economic Development District
Heidi Jensen explained that she asked that this item be removed from the agenda. She believes
discussion is needed with RC &D regarding the services they are providing for the citizens of Laurel
and what type of economic development they have pursued or achieved in the last two years. She has
not been involved in any of their projects and is concerned that the city continues to contribute to their
funds. At a later date, she will report back with any news from their director, Chris Mehus.
Mayor Olson asked Heidi to present some pictures of the Yellowstone River Ditch Diversion Project.
The pictures are attached to these council workshop minutes.
Heidi distributed pictures of the work being done on the Yellowstone River Ditch Diversion Project.
The first picture was taken in September 2012, the second picture is of the sediment on March 15
right before construction began, and the third slide is a picture of the first day of construction.
Heidi spoke regarding the removal process of the sediment and explained the fourteen slides. Slides 9
and 10 showed two different angles of the diversion ditch and that water is flowing. Slide 11 showed
that the water has reached the intake that has been high and dry for almost ten years. Slide 12 showed
the water on top of the intake as of today. Staff talked to Great West Engineering yesterday, and the
flow levels are the same as in August and September, which forced the city to put the rock weir and
the rock dike into the river then. It is opportunistic that the diversion ditch will hopefully be
Council Workshop Minutes of March 26, 2013
operational within the next week. Side 13 is a picture of the sediment that has been placed up at the
city's land across the street from the transfer site. The pile is over 10 feet high and an astronomical
amount of sediment has been taken up there. The project was scheduled to remove 5,100 cubic yards,
which is over 500 dump truck loads. WBI has had problems while working to remove a pipeline from
under the river as part of the city's south bank reconstruction project. WBI's piles and equipment are
within the right -of -way in Riverside Park. Heidi commented on the remarkable difference between
the first slide and later pictures of the project.
There was discussion regarding the rock weir that was placed in the river without authorization, the
amount of sediment in the river, and the WBI pipe removal project.
Heidi stated that the city will ask the Army Corps for an additional extension and dispensation to keep
the rock in the middle of the river and hope that some sediment will fill in the scour hole during the
spring runoff. Permission has not been granted to the city at this time, but Great West Engineering
firm does not think it would be in the city's best interest to remove it, even if the old intake is
operational, until the south bank is completely restored or a final project has been approved by the
Army Corps and FEMA. The weir could probably come out but Great West is concerned that the
water level will drop too low if the rock in the middle is removed.
A representative from Great West Engineering will give an update on the project on April 9 Great
West prepared and submitted a final presentation on the south bank restoration to FEMA. This
included the number of plants, rocks, grass, turf and native grass. Heidi hopes that the city's project
worksheet is being written and will be completed. FEMA is hopeful that some construction could be
done this fall. Heidi will give an update as soon as a project worksheet is received. The Army Corps
has not replied regarding the permanent solution, as they are extremely backlogged.
There was further discussion regarding the city's plans for the material that was removed from the
river. Heidi explained that one federal agency wants it used to rebuild the project and another federal
agency says it is not allowed in the floodplain. The city's site had to be preapproved by the Army
Corps through an application process to determine a site that was not in a floodplain, would not
damage property next to it, and was not on private property. The sediment cannot be sold and it
cannot be reused until after all of federal audits have been completed, which is a minimum of two
years. There are huge tree trunks in the sediment, so a separator would be needed to get the rock out
before it could be used.
There was discussion regarding the agencies. FEMA wants the city to use the sediment to restore the
bank so their costs of construction go down, but there is no explanation as to why the Army Corps
will not allow use of the sediment.
Doug suggested that the city tell FEMA and the Army Corps to resolve the issue and to provide a
definite answer from both agencies.
Heidi explained that the city enlisted congressional help to sort out the issues.
There was discussion regarding reuse of the rocks that were placed in the river for the weir and the
previous plan to use the rocks to armor the south bank. Since the south bank is in the floodplain, the
rocks cannot be placed there, but a recent plan is to use them to build a wall on the north side where
the sandbags are located at the water treatment plant. The city paid for the rock and will figure out
2
Council Workshop Minutes of March 26, 2013
how to reuse it and be in compliance. It is not likely that there will be a resolution to the issues before
high water this year.
• Council Issues:
o Lease Task Force update
o Signage at Riverside Park (Bill Mountsier)
Bill Mountsier stated that the council had copies of the notes from the Lease Task Force meeting.
Tom Nelson had asked him to mention the signage issue for the trap shoots at the park. The club
plans to chain off an area where people could have access and put up signs that no unauthorized
shooting is allowed. A duplicate sign of the rules, as posted in the clubhouse, will be posted at the
entry point, and members will watch to make sure no one circumvents the chained area. Bill thinks it
will work for the three or four shoots the club plans to hold.
Mayor Olson and Tom Nelson met with Attorney Sam Painter last week to discuss some of the issues
regarding the lease. The issues will be addressed at the next lease task force meeting.
Other items
There were none.
Review of draft council agenda for April 2, 2013
Mayor Olson stated that Great West Engineering will present an update of the wastewater treatment
plant project at the council meeting.
Attendance at the April 2, 2013 council meeting
All council members present will attend.
Announcements
Mark stated that the budget does not include enough funding to maintain the parks. The Park Board is
starting the process to place a park maintenance district on the ballot this fall.
Scot spoke regarding the court report versus the police report in the Laurel Outlook, as he noticed that
the court report is getting smaller and the police report is the same. Heidi will meet with the city
judge regarding the court budget tomorrow.
Emelie asked for an update regarding the Transportation Plan.
Heidi stated that the contract for MDT's $40,000 contribution to match the city's $40,000 funding
should be on the April 9 council workshop agenda. In a call from MDT today, the representative
asked if the city anticipated acceptance of MDT's $40,000 grant. If so, MDT would put the city on an
expedited review with the State and the city would not have to go out for an RFP for the
Transportation Plan, as MDT has a list of approved firms that cities are allowed to use.
Mayor Olson asked Heidi to update the council regarding the opportunity for green space, a parking
lot and bulk water.
Heidi explained that the city applied for a lease with MRL a few months ago for the property starting
at the old white building on Main Street (across from the Owl Cafe) and going east to across the street
from Emma's. The city asked MRL to grant the lease at a rate of the unimproved taxable value of the
3
Council Workshop Minutes of March 26, 2013
property for 99 years for a parking lot, some green space and a bulk water fill station. The lease
request has been denied. MRL plans to expand the track into that area and the fuel station is back on
the table. City staff is not in favor of having a bulk fueling station across the street from the
downtown area, as it would not increase growth or bring people downtown. Heidi and Mayor Olson
plan to do some investigation and to meet with MRL. MRL would not consider a narrower lease for
an additional six months until their project design is finalized. Heidi mentioned that this was going to
be one of LURA's first big aboveground projects to increase development in the TIF District, so it
was disappointing.
Mayor Olson stated that Laurel Aviation and Technology Week will not be held this year because of
the sequestration restraints on the budgets for the military to bring planes in and to have people travel.
They will send a letter to all of the supporters who donated money for this year's event. Laurel
Aviation and Technology Week will hopefully be rescheduled for 2015. During the first week in
May, they plan to hold a science, technology and engineering career day.
The council workshop adjourned at 7:02 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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.
4
Yellowstone River Ditch
Diversion Project
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