HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommittee of the Whole Minutes 08.21.2001 MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
AUGUST 21, 2001 6:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairman Chuck Rodgers
Lauren Van Roekel
Ken Olson
Gay Easton
Bill Staudinger
Gary Temple
Mark Mace
Daniel Dart
Bud Johnson
OTI-I~RS PRESENT:
Matt Erekson
Steve Klotz
Mary Emble_ton
DukeNieskens
Mike Zuhoski
Terry Ruff
Jan Faught
Ma~ Embleton presented a summary of the budget. This has been a challenging budget year with the
legislation that was passed, making it difficult to put together a working budget to balance the cost of
providing service with the amount of revenue we are allowed to collect.
The Budg~ Message included lib 124, which changed the revenue flow of the city. The bill eliminated
several types of revenues and was replaced with an entitlement that should increase by 3% each year.
Mary anticipates that HB 124 will be a benefit to the city in the long mn because of the guaranteed
increase. The city's mill value changed from $6,063 to $6,067.
I-IB 409 allows the city to levy additional mills to help fund the rising costs of health insurance. This bill
will be used to raise an additional 21.43 mills for health insurance this year.
Ma~ gave a further explanation of the various funds and the projects for them. The Enterprise Funds
should be run as a business with self-supporting rates. The CIP should help address the need for more
frequent but smaller rate increases in order to keep up with costs.
Governor Martz is scheduled to be in Laurel for "Capitol For a Day" on August 22ha. Terry Ruff
mentioned that Governor Martz would dedicate Firefighters' Memorial Park at the Fire Hall on
Wednesday at 4:00 p.m.
Steve Klotz reported that the berm was completed in the south channel last week. Work began on
Thursday at 1:00 p.m. and finished at 2:00 p.m. on Friday. Costs for the project were estimated to be
$15,000 to $20,000, but actual costs were about $10,500.
The river level in Billings was at a 75-year low this week, and the lowest level in recorded history is
expected on Monday, the 27t~.
Jim Kraft is working to get a FEMA Grant reallocation for the City of Laurel for a study on avenues to
correct the intake problem.
Information on water conservation will be published in the Laurel Outlook. Jim Stevens is addressing the
nuisance vehicle problem by starting on the east end of town. Another newsletter might be sent out this
fall. Smokey questioned ifa fall clean-up week is scheduled.
City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of August 21, 2001
Duke Nieskens presented a short video of the sewer line repair on Railroad and South Juniper.
Matt Erekson and Judge Kerr are being sued by a defendant because a speeding case was not dismissed.
The $111,000 lawsuit has been turned over to the MMIA.
Gary Temple presented Mayor Rodgers with new American and Montana flags and asked that they be
displayed on Wednesday during the Governor's visit. Gary Temple, Conrad Burns' office, and Governor
Martz's office provided the flags. Smokey offered to turn the old flags over to the VFW for a proper flag-
burning ceremony.
The meeting adjourned at 7:01 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Allen
Council Secretary