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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works Committee Minutes 05.07.2001 MINUTES PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MONDAY, MAY 7, 2001 5:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Gay Easton Gary Temple Don Meats ' Mark Mace John Oakes OTHERS PRESENT: Larry McCann Darrell McGillen Rob Harris Will Guenthner Motion by Ga~ Temple to approve the Public Works Committee minutes of April 9, 2001, seconded by Dan Meats. Motion carded. Darrell McGillen - FAP Park Darrell informed the committee of a project being developed by the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department. Jay Williarnson had the idea to erect a firefighters memorial to honor fallen and retired Montana ftrefighters and forest service individuals who have completed their obligation to the company, the city and state that they served. The Fire Department has hired an engineering architect to design a memorial and the landscaping. Funding for the project will be provided by the local department, as well as state and federal grants. The main objective of the project is to honor the 6,000 to 8,000 firefighters who have served in Montana. Another objective is to create a tourist attraction for the City of Laurel. The LVFD requested the city to designate the park area near the FAP building as the location for this project. Since the park site is close to the Fire and Police Departments, it would be easy to maintain and secure. The site is centrally located in the city and would cause tourists to stop in downtown Laurel. The city parking lot would provide the necessary parking space. Darrell explained how the City of Laurel acquired this property. The City got a first right of denial on the property before the Williams family placed it on the market. Soon after, the property was put up for sale, and the fair price of $40,000 was agreed on by both parties. The LVFD provided funds for the purchase from its capital projects money. The LVFD has felt an obligation and commitment to the property since the purchase and would like to use the property to develop the memorial park. The LVFD requested giving the park the name of Firefighters' Memorial Park. The architectural designs will be ready in about two weeks. The department is trying to expedite the process and requested approval from this committee and the city council. The governor is scheduled to be in Laurel during Aviation Week next week, and the department has asked Governor Martz to make a presentation dedicating Laurel as the site for the Public Works Comminee minutes of May 7, 2001 Firefighters' Memorial. The LVFD has contacted our state and U.S. senators and representatives regarding support for this project. One of the main attractions of the memorial will be a 20 by 30-foot American flag flown on an eighty-foot flagpole, which would be noticeable from the interstate and surrounding areas. Darrell requested that the Public Works Committee give permission to rename and dedicate this piece of property as Firefighters' Memorial Park. There was discussion regarding needed expansion of the FAP building. Darrell did not think that expansion would hinder this project since the triangular shape of the property is such that setback requirements would not allow much development in this particular area. John Oakes asked if property owners had been notified. Darrell stated that they have not been notified, but proper procedures would be followed. Motion by Garg Temple to designate the FAP property as Firefighters' Memorial Park, seconded by Mark Mace. Motion carded. Swimmin~ nool Steve Klotz is contacting the two pool businesses in Billings regarding a contractor to finish grouting the swimming pool. Painting of the pool is scheduled for the end of May. Weeds - cut and tax The Public Works Department needs to run an ad in the Laurel Outlook to inform property owners that weeds and grass are to be cut to the proper length within ten days or the city will send someone to do the job at a fee per hour. Larry suggested a $35 per hour fee. After discussion by the committee, it was agreed that $35 per hour was not high enough to encourage property owners to do their own work or to cover the costs for the city to do the work. The committee agreed that $75 per hour would be an adequate fee. Motion by Mark Mace to publish a notice regarding cutting weeds and the $75 per hour fee if the city does the work, seconded by Gary Temple. Motion carded. Larry stated that the fee would be placed on the property owner's taxes if it were not collected. Unscheduled business Laurel Little League Laurel Little League contacted Lany regarding the ball field at Thomson Park. Billings Little League has given some extra baseball diamond dirt mix to the Laurel organization. However, the Laurel Little League asked the city to haul the dirt to Laurel and to install the dirt in the ball field. Larry told them that it would not be possible for the City of Laurel to do so. 2 Public Works Conumttee minutes of May 7, 2001 Some operational items need to be addressed with the Little League organization so they understand the maintenance schedule for the park, as well as other specifics. There is concern that the concession stand has become a private business within the city park. There was also discussion regarding the bleachers and the liability involved. Larry will consult the city attorney about these concerns. Gay mentioned that Marvin Carter was involved with the organizations in the past and would be familiar with the past procedures and agreements. Mark stated that a representative from the Legion and Little League organizations should be required to give a yearly report outlining their planned activities and revenues and expenditures. Gay suggested requiring a yearly agreement with the organizations. Abandoned and unlicensed vehicles Gary mentioned a complaint received from a resident about abandoned vehicles. The question of enforcement by the Public Works Department or the Police Department is an issue. Present ordinance requires such vehicles to be covered, Larry stated that the ordinance process should address this issue. The committee had a lengthy discussion on this subject. Home occupation John Oakes questioned regarding a business that is run out of a home in his neighborhood. Thomae Lumber Paul Thomae has not yet done the required work at his business, but he did get the code and cost information from the Public Works Department. June 1~t is the deadline for completion of the ramp. The meeting adjourned at 5:49 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Cindy Allen Council Secretary 3