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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial City Council Minutes 09.03.1980 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel September 3, 1980 A Special meeting of the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, was held in the Council Chambers and called to order by Mayor Larry D. Herman, at 7:05 p.m., on September 3, 1980, for the purpose of a hearing on garbage rates for people that have requested one or paid their bill under protest. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Albert Ehrlick Harold Burns Duane Behm Donald Meyers Bill Brennan Susan Carter Ervin Metzger Terry Fink JAN STINGLEY - LAUREL SUPERETTE (NOW JAN'S IGA) -- Last year I wasn't aware what our garbage rate was when we went into the store. When we got our tax statement last year, I thought it was pretty low. And really, I felt you were justified in a.raise. But, not that kind of a raise. We do approximately half as much as Thriftway and maybe less than a third of what Safeway does, and we are right up there in the ballpark with them. I have been quoted $540.00 a year to pick my garbage up by a private car- rier. I have checked with stores in Billings approximately our size and they are paying around $600.00 a year. So I feel that there is room to negotiate. Then you are charging.us for our laundry and the city water meter, the gas and the power are all on the same one, as the store. No more garbage than we take out of the laundry, ~I feel like it is unfair -- it goes to the same containers. That!s basically my complaint -- I can get it done for $1,000 a year cheaper. MAYOR HERMAN -- What did~you find when you surveyed that, Duane? DUANE BEHM -- On the survey, Jan does have 4 containers, which~services the grocery store and the laundry. ~I think our original fee we had estab- lished on the container charge was about $2~120. When we used the relative use table, he fell into Class iOD -- $1,500 for the superette. The laundry was set at $120, so his total bill for the two businesses was $1,620. I will have to say that the committee felt that we were trying to establish the rates based on service and use, basically by the container or the number of containers required to take care of a businessman. The original rate for Safeways was up over $2,500. They had 5 containers and they were able to pull 2 of them and get by with just the 3, and we adjusted their rate accordingly. JAN STINGLEY -- People that live on that alley use the container also. We also have a lot of garbage from people who drive up and dump into the con- tainers. There is one day a week that we really need our containers, and that is Our freight day. The problem with those containers is putting meat boxes in the round container. You can fill one up right away if you are not breaking them all down, but we can do that. I just feel that it's unreasonable when I can have it done so much cheaper. DUANE BEHM -- Was that quote, if I may ask, from Big Sky? JAN STINGLEY -- D & F Sanitation. That's the one who takes care of my former partner in Lockwood. He ~oes a iot more business than I do, and he is billed $50 a month. Gorham Park IGA is also billed the same amount. MAYOR HERMAN -- Are they in the county? JAN STINGLEY -- Clint is in Lockwood, but Gorham Park is in the City. ~--R-~N M T--~R -- Is that 6 days a week pickup? JAN STINGLE¥ -- It's picked up 5 days. ERVIN METZGER -- I am interested in that rate, because that's the same they charge the Golf Course for twice a week pickup. MAYOR HERMAN -- The reason I ask is that if they are in the City, they are also paying a City assessment too. There is a dump charge assessed which gives them the right to go to the dump. page 2 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel SUE CARTER -- Duane, what did they pay last year? DUANE BEHM -- $22B.B5 which includes $42 for the laundry. MAYOR HERMAN -- Any suggestions from the Council? DUANE BEHM -- We have all the food related stores in user Class 10, which starts at Level A of 10 units which is $600; Level B is 15 units, which is $900; Level C is 20 with $1~200; Level D is what the store is classed at now with 25 units at $1,500. MAYOR HERMAN -- Maybe we should treat it as all one business. DUANE BEHM -- I do think they have more volume than the Speedy Marts and Kwik Way which are in Class 10-A at $600. MAYOR HERMAN -- Any suggestions from the Council? Do you have any suggestions, Peggy, from 'sitting on the committee? QUESTION -- What does Jan think is a fair figure? MAYOR HERMAN -- What could you live with, Jan? JAN STINGLEY -- I think $900 would be fair and that is more than I would have to pay if I had it picked up by a private hauler. Motion by Alderman Behm to consider Jan's IGA and Laurel Speed Queen Laundry as one business and put them in Class 10B at $900 a year, seconded by Alderman Ehrlick. Carried. KWIK WAY - DOUG JENKINS -~ Kwik Way Stores, whether they are in Billings~ Laurel, Bozeman, or w~e'rever, are pretty much the same operation. All I have to fall back on is to compare the garbage rates with the stores in other towns. On four stores in Billings the garbage rate was from $124 to $216 a year. The three.stores.in Bozeman each pay $24.05 a month for a private carrier to pick up garbage 3 to 4.~mes a week. When the Laurel rate came through, it was quite a shock to us because it is double the amount we are used to paying. There was more discussion from Albert Ehrlick, Mayor Herman, Duane Behm and Doug Jenkins about the Billings landfill costs and comparing garbage charges with stores in other cities. MAYOR HERMAN -- What's the feeling of the committee in discussing grocery stores as to what a minimum should be? DUANE BEHM -- I think the eommittee's position was in the rates. More discussion regarding numbers of containers and a comparison with the Speedy Mart stores. Motion by Alderman Metzger that Kwik Way remain the same rate as Speedy Mart, which is Class iO-A at $600 a year, seconded by Alderman Behm. Carried. RAPID TIRE~ INC. -- ED HORNING -- not present. Mr. Horning was notified, but no one appeared on his behalf. DUANE BEHM -- I would like to comment that he is in user Class 3-A at $180 a year and his old rate was $150.75. Motion by Alderman Behm to leave Rapid Tire in its present class of B-A at $180 a year as originally set, seconded by Alderman Ehrlick. Carried. EPISCOPAL CHURCH -- GORDON DECKER -- Our rate is $120 a year, is that correct? DUANE BEHM -- yes. GORDON DECKER -- There is one barrel there by the church. It's the only barrell on the block. It includes 2 homes and 5 apartments, I think. We page 3 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel don't use that barrell except for a few times a year. We put on a supper maybe twice a year -- spring and fall. DUANE BEHM -- What about the lawn clippings? GORDON DECKER -- They go behind the barrel, spread out over the ground that we don't use. DUANE BEHM -- I'll inform the CounciI that the old rate was $64.34. The rate increase just about doubled it. Duane also reviewed the current charges to the other churches. Motion by Alderman Ehrliek to reduee the Episcopal Church down to Class 1-A at $60.00 a year, seconded by Alderwoman Carter. Carried with Alderman Metzger and Alderman Behm voting "no." CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH - REVEREND WILH~.LM -- I am not here so much to protest, more or less for information and ~ have received some already. When we mow the lawn, the clippings are put on a truck and hauled out. We only have 2 main dinners a year. Our harvest dinner has been eliminated, at least for the present. The chili supper is the only scheduled dinner for the year. On the basis of usage, we are real low. We could get by with once a week pickup or once every two weeks. I can honestly say that there isn't much waste that goes into the barrel. When we have had dinners, people take home most of the scraps for their hogs. I do realize that you need money to operate the garbage system, but in view of what I have said, I hope you will consider an adjustment. More discussion between the Council and Reverend Wilhelm. Motion b.y Alderman Brennan to adjust the rate for the Congregational Church to Class 1-B.at $120'a year, seconded by Alderwoman Carter. Carried, with Alderman Behm voting "no." ELITE BEAUTY SHOP - JUDY WILLIAMS -- not present. Motion by Alderman Metzger to leave the Elite Beauty Shop at the minimum of $60 a year, seconded by Alderman Ehrlick. Carried. WESTERN DRUG - CARL -- I have had all my cardboard recycled and because of that my usage is very low. I would like the Council to review my rate and adjust my classification. ALBERT EHRLICK -- I think that should come before Dick. MAYOR HERMAN -- I will direct Dick Metzger to study that and make a recom- mendation back to the Council on your rate, based on your usage from January to August and reduction in usage for the remainder of the year. There was no objection from the Council. ABC TV - BYRON GUENTHNER -- Am I in the same class as the Gambles Store? DUANE BEHM -- yes. BYRON GUENTHNER ~- Gambles is a furniture and hardware store and they also handle TV's an~ appliances. On that basis I feel I should have a different rate. ALBERT EHRLICK --We had originalIy set him up at $240 and now it's $360. I don't understand. MAYOR HERMAN -- What.wou~dyo~_be satisfied with? BYRON GUENTNNER -- Whatever is fair. page Minutes of the City Council of Laurel DUANE BEHM -- Mr. Mayor, I have him listed in Class ~-A. I think maybe there has been a typing error. Motion by Alderman Behm to change his level to ~-A $240, as the com- mittee originally had it, seconded by Alderman Ehrlick. Carried. CABOOSE BAR - LES MASSAD -- not present. ALBERT EHRLICK -- I think the survey showed that the barrel was full pretty regular. DUANE BEHM -- Every day. Motion by Alderman Metzger to leave his rate at $540 a year, Class 6-B, as originally set, seconded by Alderman Brennan. Carried. BOARD OF TRADE BAR - HAROLD DITTRICH -- not present. Motion by Alderman Ehr. lick to leave in Class 6-A at $B60 a year as originally set, which is the minimum for bars, seconded by Alderwoman Carter. Carried. HAROLD'S BEER MUG - HAROLD BENDER -- not present. DUANE BEHM -- He is at Level 3-A at $180 a year and - his old rate was Motion by Alderman Behm to leave Harold's Beer Mug in Level 3-A at $180 a year, seconded ~-~-~-~erman Metzger. Carried. FRED'S TV - FRED WINTERS ~- not present. DUANE BEHM .- He is in Level 1-A at $60.00 a year and was $106.65. his old assessment Motion by Alderman Behm to leave Fred's TV in Class 1-A at $60 a year, seconded by Alderman Ehrlick. Carried. DUANE BEHM -- His old assessment was when he had appliance sales and service and now he is only a TV repair. MAYOR HERMAN -- He also had a protest on his apartment rate. DUANE BEHM ~- The apartments have been taken care of previously by the Council. COAST TO COAST STORE -- no one appeared on behalf of Coast to Coast. DUANE BEHM -- They are in Level 6-A~ the same as other hardware stores. Motion by Alderman Metzger that they remain in Class 6-A at $360 a year, seconded by Alderman Brennan. Carried. LAUREL PUBLIC SCHOOLS . BOB SINGLETON -- not present. DUANE BEHM -- The old assessment totaled $1,524 and the new rates total $1,800. MAYOR HERMAN -- His main objection was being charged for garbage during the summer when school is not in session. DUANE BEHM -- They have 7 containers. There are special considerations made for the school. A truck goes over there at certain times of the day so it won't interfere with lunch break, recess, etc. -- a special trip. During the summer they do haul garbage to the landfill from the school grounds, roofing materials, etc. Their rate increase is about $276 over last year. Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Motion bY Alderman Metzger to leave the schools in the same class as originally set at $1,800 a year, seconded by Alderman Ehrlick. Carried. WELCOME TRAVELERS MOTEL - MARLYS GREFF -- not present. DUAN~~-~ -- They are in ~-~ 3-A at $180 a year and their past assessment was $146.51. Motion by Alderman Behm to leave them in Level 3-A at $180 a year, seconded by Alderman Metzger. Carried. MAYOR HERMAN -- We should look at the motel rate next year, because some of them rent out rooms by the month, so maybe they should be treated the same as an apartment. LAUREL CO-OP ASSOCIATION - DAVID RUFF -- not present. DUANE BEHM .- Their rate was based on the number of containers they had originally and they still have them. I talked with Dick Metzger this after- noon and told him to contact the manager and make them some kind of arrange- ment that we did with Ramsey Lumber. If he can get by with one container, 6 times a week pickup, we would adjust his rate accordingly. That would reduce it down to $540 which is still double the amount of most of the other service stations. Motion by Alderman Behm to turn this over to the Maintenance Director, Dick Metzger, for his rev'iew' and study and to make the appropriate adjust- ment if necessary, seconded by Alderman Ehrlick. Carried. There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at,p.m. Dona L. Hackmann, City ~ Approved by the Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, this 7th day of October, 1980. ATTEST: