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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 04.01.1997 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel April 1, 1997 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 7:00 p.m., on April 1, 1997. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Gay Easton Norman Orr Bud Johnson Dirk Kroll Gary Temple Donna Kilpatrick Miles Walton William Staudinger COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None INVOCATION: Invocation was given by Alderwoman Kilpatrick. MINUTES: Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of March 18, 1997, as presented, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8 - -0. CORRESPONDENCE: Received a letter from the Department of Revenue, Liquor Division, regarding application for transfer of ownership of a Montana all - alcoholic beverage license to "Stake your Claim ". Received a letter from Silas and Roberta Clincher requesting annexation into the 1 City of Laurel. CLAIMS: Claims for the month of March were reviewed by the Budget /Finance Committee and recommended that they be paid. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to approve the claims in the amount of $270,752.70 for the month of March, seconded by Alderman Kroll. Motion carried 8 - -0. SILAS AND ROBERTA CLINCHER - ANNEXATION: Silas and Roberta Clincher own the property at 202 West 12th Street. They are requesting permission to annex less than one city block into the city. They are currently on city water and would like to connect to the city sewer system. The property directly west and south of them is in the city. At the last council meeting, permission was granted to Randy Swenson to apply for annexation of property directly east of them, which is less than one city block in size. Motion by Alderman Johnson to grant permission to proceed with annexation of less than one city block, seconded by Alderman Walton. Motion carried 8 - -0. AWARD /REJECT BID - DEMOLITION AND REMOVAL: Jim Flisrand referred to the Public Lands /Parking Committee minutes of March 26, 1997. Jim's Excavating Service, Inc., bid for the demolition and removal of two garage buildings and a trailer house behind Fibervision. The total bid for demolition and to remove debris of a six door garage building, a two door garage building and a trailer house was $6,810.00. At the council meeting of March 4, 1997, the council awarded the bid to Jim's Excavating Services, Inc. for demolition and removal of a garage at 301 First Avenue and a garage located behind Ricci's Thriftway. The city will initially fund the project and will be reimbursed by applying the cost to the owner's taxes. Motion by Alderman Johnson to accept the bid from Jim's Excavating Services, Inc., seconded by Alderman Staudinger. Motion carried 8 - -0. AWARD /REJECT SALE OF CITY OWNED LOTS - CHERRY HILLS: A copy of a letter was presented to the council regarding the Laurel Homebuyer Program. The letter was from Barbara Campbell, Double -Tree, Inc. written to Dave Parker, Home Program Manager, in Helena, MT. The letter read that the City of Laurel respectfully requests an alternative scenario be considered. The primary goal of the project, as presented in the HOME application, was to create needed building sites within the city in response to a defined shortage, which is viewed as an impediment to home ownership opportunities. f Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Page 2 Council Meeting of April 1, 1997 The City of Laurel HOME application cites a total commitment of local (city) match at $114,550.00. That amount includes the value of five lots estimated at $10,000 each or $50,000 and a portion of infrastructure costs related to those five lots projected at $64,550. The city proposed to construct infrastructure to a city owned subdivision creating 15 lots. Subsequent to notification of the HOME award it was determined that large concrete debris is buried in the area and needs to be excavated for installation of the water and sewer mains. The city equipment is not of sufficient size to complete the needed trenching. The City of Laurel is committed to fulfilling its obligation to the HOME Homebuyer Program and is requesting that the following alternative scenario be considered. The city has an opportunity to sell the Cherry Hills Subdivision to an adjacent land owner that intends to construct infrastructure to a total of 30 lots (including the 15 city lots). The city is prepared to set aside $50,000 in cash from the proceeds of the sale to be used for HOME eligible project activities. In addition, the city will commit two city owned lots in another area to the project ($20,000) and will commit to using city manpower and equipment for the replacement of lead water service lines to any homes that are rehabilitated with HOME funds ($10,000). This total value is estimated at a minimum of $80,000. Beyond this direct contribution, the purchaser of the city land has agreed to selling a number of lots at below market value to project participants. The primary benefit, the city realizes from this scenario, is expanding the number of lots from 15 to 30. Secondly, with a cash match the city may be able to participate in purchases of existing homes by project participants and thus expand the number of homebuyers that can be assisted through the project. The full value of infrastructure costs will be leveraged from the private source thus expanding the total project funding. Jim Flisrand stated that Dave Parker has verbally agreed to the proposal according to Double -Tree. Alderman Johnson mentioned the benefits upon completion of this project. There will be 30 home sites, the city will be out of the real estate business, and low to medium income people will benefit from more housing. Alderman Staudinger asked what the value of the homes is expected to be? Carl Rookhuizen stated they are targeting the value of the homes to be in the area of $85,000 to $90,000. The city has received a second bid from Carl Rookhuizen for the sale of the city owned lots in Cherry Hills for $52,500.00. Clarification continued on the proposal to the state. The city may sell the 15 lots in Cherry Hills to Carl Rookhuizen for $52,500.00. The proceeds of the sale will be used for HOME eligible project activities. The city will also give two city owned lots in another area of the city to the state. The city will commit to using city manpower and equipment for replacement of lead water service lines to any homes that are rehabilitated with HOME funds ($10,000). Alderman Walton expressed concern that the city's commitment of $10,000 for manpower and equipment to replace service lines as being a fair estimate and hopefully will not be substantially more. Jim said the typical cost of replacement from the street to home will range from $1,500 to $2,500. It would be reasonable, if the city did five homes. They anticipated five new homes from the lots in Cherry Hills and the balance to go for renovations of existing homes in the area. Jim expects an answer from Dave Parker, HOME Program Manager, regarding the request for the alternative scenario, in the next day or two. Joe Leckie, City Attorney, can see no problem of putting a contingent upon receipt of written and signed acceptance from Dave Parker. Motion by Alderman Johnson to accept Carl Rookhuizen's bid for $52,500.00 for sale of lots in Cherry Hills Subdivision, continent upon written confirmation from the state for approval of the alternative scenario, seconded by Alderwoman Kilpatrick. Motion carried 8 - -0. UNION CONTRACT - RETROACTIVE WAGE: Mayor Rogers read a letter of contract ratification from the union, AFSCME -Local #316, stating the union accepted the contract. Page 3 Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Council Meeting of April 1, 1997 Alderman Walton thanked both sides of the negotiating committee for their hard work. Alderman Johnson commented that he thought the meeting he attended on March 27, 1997 was very unique and speaks well of both sides. The actual people involved in the agreement did the final work and not someone from the outside. Alderman Kroll thanked Gay Easton, Donna Kilpatrick, Jim Flisrand, Andy Loebe for all the long hours they put into the negotiations. Mayor Rodgers expressed his appreciation for all that everyone did. He thanked Donnie Nelson for the opportunity to discuss issues. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to accept the letter of contract ratification and direct the mayor to sign the letter of acceptance, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Motion carried 8 - -0. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to approve the union contract for a three year term with an increase of wages of 36, 34, and 32 cents an hour per year for the years from July 1, 1997 to July 1, 1999 with the first year retroactive to July 1, 1996, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Motion carried 8 - -0. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to approve 36, 34, and 32 cents an hour per year from July 1, 1997 to July 1, 1999 for non union employees, which would included the director of public works, the maintenance superintendent, the city clerk, the police chief, the police captain, the police sergeant, the office staff, the court clerk, the librarian, the library staff, the janitors, and the city treasurer retroactive to July 1, 1996, seconded by Alderman Kroll. Motion carried 8 - -0. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES PLAN: RESOLUTION NO. R97 -13 A RESOLUTION ADOPTING AN AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES PLAN FOR THE CITY OF LAUREL, MONTANA Motion by Alderman Kroll that Resolution No. R97 -13 be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8 - -0. JOB DESCRIPTION OF COURT CLERK I: RESOLUTION NO. R97 -14 ADOPTING THE JOB DESCRIPTION OF COURT CLERK I Motion by Alderman Kroll that Resolution No. R97 -14 be passed and adopted, seconded by Alderman Orr. Motion carried 8 - -0. COMMITTEE REPORTS: - -Budget/Finance Committee minutes of March 18, 1997 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to enter the Budget /Finance Committee minutes of March 18, 1997, into the record, seconded by Alderman Staudinger. Motion carried 8 - -0. - -City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of March 18, 1997 were presented. Motion by Alderman Orr to enter the City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of March 18, 1997, into the record, seconded by Alderman Kroll. Motion carried 8 - -0. - - Fourth of July Committee minutes of March 31, 1997 were presented. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to enter the Fourth of July Committee minutes of March 31, 1997, into the record, seconded by Alderman Kroll. Motion carried 8 - -0. - -Park Committee minutes of March 27, 1997 were presented and reviewed. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to allow the baseball organization to hire a concession stand manager for the 1997 summer season, seconded by Alderman Staudinger. The concession stand manager is hired as a private contractor by the baseball organization. The manager is paid from the proceeds of the concession stand. Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Page 4 Council Meeting of April 1, 1997 Joe Leckie stated the city does not need to allow the organization to hire a concession stand manager, but only to allow them to sell concessions in Thomson Park. Alderwoman Kilpatrick withdrew her motion and Alderman Staudinger withdrew his seconded to the motion. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to allow the baseball organization to sell concessions in Thomson Park for the 1997 summer season, seconded by Alderman Staudinger. Motion carried 8 - -0. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to enter the Park Committee minutes of March 27, 1997, into the record, seconded by Alderman Staudinger. Motion carried 8 - -0. -- Public Lands /Parking Committee minutes of March 26, 1997 were presented and reviewed. Alderman Johnson made correction to the minutes to read Thursday evening as to the time Mr. Rookhuizen would submit another offer to the city on purchasing the lots in Cherry Hills Subdivision. Motion by Alderman Temple to enter the Public Lands /Parking Committee minutes of March 26, 1997, into the record with the necessary correction, seconded by Alderman Kroll. Motion carried 8 - -0. -- Public Utilities Committee minutes of March 10, 1997 were presented and reviewed. Ray Blohm, 310 Woodland, had broken pipes that resulted in a high water and sewer bill. The water did not go down the sewer. Motion by Alderman Orr to approve recommendation that Roy Blohm pay the total water bill and the city reduce the sewer bill to an average sewer rate, seconded by Alderman Walton. Motion carried 8 - -0. Clarence Herbert, 418 Idaho, had a leaking toilet that resulted in a high water and sewer bill. Motion by Alderman Orr to approve recommendation that Clarence Herbert pay the total water bill and the city reduce the sewer rate by 50 %, seconded by Alderman Staudinger. Motion carried 8 - -0. The past practice of the city is to always assess full water and sewer if it goes down the sewer. Jim Flisrand suggested that the city develop a policy of setting a dollar amount when reducing the sewer rate as a result of a leak. Alderman Walton said the committee will discuss this issue and bring it back to the council with a policy or plan. Motion by Alderman Orr to enter the Public Utilities Committee minutes of March 10, 1997, into the record, seconded by Alderman Easton. Motion carried 8 - -0. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Jim Stevens reported that the new fire truck will be ready for delivery in April. He said a couple of firemen went down to Casper, Wyoming to observe the progress on the truck. The department has accepted two new volunteer firemen, Todd Linder and Kent Kulesa. Bud Johnson recently retired from the department, so they will be looking for another volunteer to bring the total back up to 35 firemen. Jim Stevens thanked Bud for his commitment to the City of Laurel through the fire department and the time and effort that he has put into being a volunteer firemen. Mayor Rodgers and the council thanked Bud for all his years of volunteer service with the fire department. Motion by Alderman Orr to accept the new volunteer firemen, Todd Linder and Kent Kulesa to the department, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Motion carried 8 - -0. 6—*/ Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Page 5 Council Meeting of April 1, 1997 Alderman Kroll announced that he spoke to Bill Kennedy. Bill proposed that the commissioners would be glad to come to Laurel quarterly to discuss issues and exchange ideas with the city council and officials. APPOINTMENTS: Mayor Rodgers introduced Jim Stevens as the new fire chief effective April 1, 1997. Jim is willing and eager to fill the position and will do a good job. Darrell McGillen served as fire chief for the past fourteen years. Motion by Alderman Orr to approve Jim Stevens as the new fire chief, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Motion carried 8 - -0. Mayor Rogers announced that Terry Ruff was elected as 1st assistant fire chief, Steve Wegner as 2nd assistant fire chief, and Miles Walton as 3rd assistant fire chief. Motion by Alderman Staudinger to approve the election of Terry Ruff as 1st assistant fire chief, Steve Wegner as 2nd assistant fire chief, and Miles Walton as 3rd assistant fire chief, seconded by Alderwoman Kilpatrick. Motion carried 8 - -0. Mayor Rodgers appointed Larry McCann and Roy Williams to the Public Lands /Parking Committee, effective April 1997. Motion by Alderwoman Kilpatrick to accept the appointment of Larry McCann and Roy Williams to the Public Lands /Parking Committee, effective April 1997, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Motion carried 8 - -0. Mayor Rodgers appointed Al McMillen to the Street and Alley Committee, effective April 1997. Motion by Alderman Johnson to accept the appointment of Al McMillen to the Street and Alley Committee, effective April 1997, seconded by Alderman Staudinger. Motion carried 8 - -0. Mayor Rodgers appointed Pat Gubbins to the Yellowstone Historical Board. Motion by Alderman Kroll to accept the appointment of Pat Gubbins to the Yellowstone Historical Board, seconded by Alderwoman Kilpatrick. Motion carried 8 - -0. Mayor Rodgers asked Lorraine Craig, who was sitting in the audience, if she would like to serve on the Public Utilities Committee? She will attend the next meeting to observe and then she will decide. Mayor Rodgers announced that Mike Atkinson has submitted a new resignation date as of March 31, 1997. The police department gave him a farewell party and wished him good luck in the future. Mayor Rodgers made a request to the council that Mike be appointed to the police reserves. Mike is well qualified in all aspects of police training and bike patrol. His expertise would be beneficial to the reserves. Mike plans to stay in Laurel in the near future. Captain Rick Musson, spoke on Mike's behalf, stated that Mike is interested in bike patrolling. The department is extremely short handed and this would put another guy with experience on the street. The time he puts in would be donated time. His knowledge in answering calls would be an asset to the department. Motion by Alderman Easton to appoint Mike Atkinson to the police reserves, seconded by Alderman Staudinger. Motion carried 8 - -0. The council had originally accepted Mike Atkinson's resignation as police chief, effective June 31, 1997. Motion by Alderman Staudinger to accept Mike Atkinson's resignation as police chief, effective March 31, 1997, seconded by Alderwoman Kilpatrick. Motion carried 8 - -0. Mayor Rodgers announced that Rick Musson, Police Captain, distributed a police department activity report for the period from March 18, 1997 and April 1, 1997. Jim Flisrand distributed the Public Works Update on Street & Alley, Parks & Cemetery, Water & Sewer, Solid Waste, and Administration. Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Page 6 Council Meeting of April 1, 1997 There being no further business to come before the council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 8:13 p.m. Catherine Gabrian, Deputy City Clerk Approved by the Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, this 15th day of April, 1997. (.../Z/Z Charles Rodger , May r Attest: CL -eft--eQ Donald L. Hackmann, City Clerk