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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 04.03.2001 MINUTF. S OF THF. CITY COUNCIL OF LAURF. L April 3, 2001 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 7:02 p.m. on April 3, 2001. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Lauren Van Roekel Ken Olson Gay Easton Bill Staudinger None Gary Temple Mark Mace Daniel Dart Bud Johnson Mayor Rodgers asked the council to observe a moment of silence in behalf of the family of Miranda Fenner. MINUTES: Motion by Alderman Staudinger to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of March 20, 2001, as presented, seconded by Alderman Olson. Motion carried 8-0. CORRESPONDENCE: a. James and Julie Taylor: Letter of March 7, 2001, requesting annexation of Lot 4, Block 4, Mathis Subdivision. b. Montana Department of Commerce HOME Program: Memo regarding proposed HOME changes for 2001. c. Ramona Matrix, City-County Planning Department: Memo of March 28, 2001, regarding meetings to discuss the West Billings Neighborhood Plan. d. Charlotte Y. Martin Foundation: Letter of March 16, 2001, regarding approval for the Grant for Creation Through Cooperation; Mayor Chuck Rodgers' letter of thanks of March 28; 2001. CONSENT ITEMS: a. Claims for the month of March 2001 in the amount of $145,001.48. A complete listing of the claims and their amounts is on file in the Clerk-Treasurer's Office. b. Receiving the Committee Reports into the Record. --BudgeffFinance Committee minutes of March 5, 2001 were presented. --City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of March 20, 2001 were presented. --Emergency Services Committee minutes of March 26, 2001 were presented. --Laurel Airport Authority minutes of January 22, 2001 were presented. --Surplus Items Auction minutes of March 6, 2001 were presented. c. Resolutions. 1) Resolution No. R01-12: Transfer ownership of a 1970 dump truck Serial #CE530P150232 to the Laurel Airport Authority. RESOLUTION NO. R01-12 Council Minutes of April 3, 2001 TRANSFER OWNERSHIP OF A 1970 DUMP TRUCK SERIAL #CE530P150232 TO THE LAUREL AIRPORT AUTHORITY. 2) Resolution No. R01-i3: Authorizing the Mayor to sign contracts on pool rehabilitation. RESOLUTION NO. R01-13 AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN CONTRACTS ON POOL REHABILITATION. The mayor asked if there was any separation of consent items. There was none. Motion by Alderman Johnson to approve the consent items as presented, seconded by Alderman Temple. Motion carried 8-0. SCHEDULED MATTERS: a. Confirmation of Appointments. Ambulance Reserve Attendant: Mayor Rodgers appointed Matt Wagner as an Ambulance Reserve Attendant for the Laurel Volunteer Ambulance. Motion by Alderman Johnson to confirm the appointment of Matt Wagner as an Ambulance Reserve Attendant for the Laurel Volunteer Ambulance, seconded by Alderman Staudinger. Motion carried 8-0. Board of Appeals: Mayor Rodgers reappointed Ollie Olson to a two-year term, expiring April 6, 2003, on the Board of Appeals. Motion by Alderman Johnson to confirm the reappointment of Ollie Olson to a two-year term, expiring April 6, 2003, on the Board of Appeals, seconded by Alderman Dart. Motion carried 8-0. Laurel Volunteer Fire Department Officers for 2001-2002: Mayor Rodgers read a letter submitted by Fire Chief Jim Stevens, and a copy of the letter is attached to these minutes. Mayor Rodgers appointed the new officers for the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department for 2001-2002: Terry Ruff as Fire Chief; Rob Harris as 1~t Assistant Chief; Steve Wegner as 2nd Assistant Chief; Scott Wilm as 3rd Assistant Chief; Kent Kulesa as Training Officer; Gary Colley as Fire Marshall; Brent Peters as Fire Prevention Officer; Mike Zuhoski as Safety Officer. Motion by Alderman Olson to confirm the appointments of the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department Officers for 2001-2002, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Motion carried 8-0. Mayor Rodgers thanked Jim Stevens for an outstanding job as Fire Chief and stated that Jim's leadership would be greatly missed. b. Appr.o.val of request to apply for annexation: Lot 4, Block 4, Mathis Subdivision 2~d Filing - James and Julie Taylor. Motion by Alderman Johnson to grant approval of James and Julie Taylor's request to apply for annexation of Lot 4, Block 4, Mathis Subdivision 2na Filing, seconded by Alderman Staudinger. Motion carded 8-0. c. Discussion: Town meeting on the sidewalk replacement issue. Council Minutes of April 3, 2001 Alderman Johnson asked for an overall view of the meeting. Larry McCann stated that ail property owners within the sidewalk replacement program received notice of the meeting. Larry thought that there was good feedback at the meeting. One individual questioned whether a citywide revolving fund could be created for various improvements within the city. Further investigation is necessary to determine if this is possible. Steve Klotz and Larry will begin marking the sidewalks and trees that need to be replaced or removed, and they will explain further details to the property owners as opportunities arise during that process. Alderman Johnson asked for further clarification regarding ownership and responsibilities for sidewaiks and streets. Sidewalks, curbs and gutters, and streets are in the public right-of-way and are considered to be public properties that belong to the citizens of the City of Laurel. By ordinance, the property owner is responsible to maintain the sidewalk, curb and gutter, boulevard, trees, and streets in front of this dedicated public right-of-way. Mayor Rodgers asked Larry to make an effort to explain to residents why the sidewalks and trees are being marked. Steve and Larry plan to leave an explanation letter that would include a contact name at each residence. Property owners could hire their own contractor to replace their sidewalk and remove trees. However, Dorsey Whitney, the bond underwriter, stated that a strict time limit would be placed on individuais who chose tO do the project themselves. The council discussed the cost estimates for the project. The estimates for each property were included in the notices sent regarding the town meeting. The estimates were high, as encouraged by the bond counsel, in order to ensure that the project costs would be covered by the first estimates. There was discussion regarding further education for property owners about this project. Alderman Mace explained the proper process for repairs within the city: first, the sidewaiks need to be repaired; second, curbs and gutters need to be replaced; third, sewer and water lines need to be upgraded and replaced; fourth, street repairs should be the last to' be repaired in order to prevent further street damage. Larry McCann clarified the rationale used to determine the first area for the SID. The area was chosen because it is a high visibility location, it is a high usage area, and it is a centralized location from which to expand the speciai improvement district. Since this is their first project, Larry and Steve agreed that a three~bl0ck area would be a feasible one. Two processes are available for the mechanics of funding for this project. First, a petitioned SID would require 51% approvai by the property owners within the area. Second, the council could make it a forced project without approval from the property owners. A property owner could pay off the costs for the project at any time within the twelve-year period. Any unpaid costs would be applied to each property owner's taxes on a yearly basis over the twelve- year period. CBDG grant money might be available for some low-income residents. Mayor Rodgers thanked Larry McCann for his work on this project. d. Discussion: Draft agreement with the school district for the soccer field. Larry displayed the edited version of the soccer field plan to the council. The soccer field is the first phase of the project, and the goal is to be finished with construction before the beginning of the 2001 fall soccer season. The restrooms and concession stand will be built at the corner of 8th Street and Fir. Construction of the restrooms is possible because of the $20,000 grant money received as a result of Alderman Olson' s efforts. Alderman Olson reviewed the draft agreement with the school district. This agreement includes only the area of the soccer field. The YMCA is actively seeking an agreement to allow development of a YMCA Complex on the land to the north of this area. Alderman Olson stated that maintenance of the park would be given to those entities after completion of the entire project. Council Minutes of April 3, 2001 Alderman Olson asked Matt Erekson regarding this contract. A resolution authorizing the mayor to sign the agreement with the school district would be necessary, and Matt needs to review the contract. Motion by Alderman Olson to have Matt Erekson prepare a resolution to address the issues regarding the Soccer field agreement for presentation at the next council meeting, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Motion carried 8-0. Alderman Olson thanked Superintendent Al McMilan for his hard work and persistence to make the soccer field agreement a reality. Mayor Rodgers commended Alderman Olson for his efforts with the soccer field. Mayor Rodgers stated that it is an inspiration to see that something can be done within the community through cooperation with the school, and he stated that similar cooperation regarding the swimming pool would be necessary to make that project progress. Alderman Johnson recognized and thanked Alderman Ols0n for his personal efforts to send letters requesting grant money for the soccer field project. A $20,000 grant for the restrooms was awarded as a result of Alderman Olson's efforts. UNSCHEDULED MATTERS: Fire Chief Terry Ruff. Mayor Rodgers introduced Terry Ruff as the new Fire Chie£ b. Assistant Public Works Director position. Alderman Easton stated that information regarding the Assistant Public Works Director was distributed to the council, but the item was not placed on this agenda. There was discussion regarding the need for this position. Alderman Van Roekel asked if the position needed to be posted or advertised. Mayor Rodgers stated that a qualified employee within the city could be hired for this position without outside advertising, and Steve Klotz meets the required qualifications. Alderman Van Roekel stated that he was not questioning qualifications or character of the employee, but his concern was about the need to advertise for the position. The Assistant Public Works Director item will be on the April 17th Council agenda. c. Sidewalk SID information. Because of some confusion regarding the process, Mary Embleton explained the following specific steps that are necessary to create a special improvement district: a resolution of intent to create the SID; notification in writing to all property owners affected by the SID; set a public hearing date; publish notification of the public hearing date three times. After the public hearing, the council would chose whether or not to continue with the project. If more than 50 percent of the property owners protest the SID, the project could not continue. However, if the council chose to order the project with a forced bond issue, the process would be shortened. The council discussed the need to determine direction On this issue for Dorsey Whitney in order for preparation of the proper resolution. The resolution of intent for a special improvement district would be different from the resolution of intent for a council ordered bond issue. Larry McCann explained the process again. Dan Simms, of Dorsey Whitney, told Larry today that the council needed to decide by next week whether there would be a forced bond issue or a special improvement district in this area. Either way would require a resolution of intent. After the council passed the proper resolution, every property owner would be notified and a public hearing date would be set. If the S1D is chosen and 51 percent of the property owners protest the SID, the city could not pass another SID on that property for six months. With a forced bond issue, a hearing process would still be required. After receiving written or verbal protests, the council would then decide whether it wanted to proceed with the project. Dorsey Whitney would prepare the bond resolution, which would become part of the bond document for review by any purchaser of the bonds. Council Minutes of April 3, 2001 Since there was some confusion on the issue, Alderman Johnson asked that the decision on the SID be delayed and placed on the April 17t~ council agenda for further discussion and final direction. Alderman Mace stated that he preferred waiting to make a decision until after Larry and Steve had completed marking the sidewalks and trees that need to be replaced or removed. However, since the council will not meet before next week when .Dorsey Whitney needs direction on the issue, preparation of the resolution of intent will be delayed. Nathan Tubergen will meet with Larry McCann, Mary Embleton, Steve Klotz and Matt Erekson on April 13th to review procedures, regulations and policy regarding bonds. Mayor Rodgers stated that the SID issue would be on the April 17th agenda for further discussion and council direction. There being no further business to come before the council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 8:02 p.m. Cind~retary Approved by the Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, this 17th day of April, 2001. Charles G. Rodgers-, Mayor Attest: Mary K./g.~nbleton, Clerk~Treasurer'~