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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 03.05.2002 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF lAUREL March 5, 2002 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 Bud Johnson at 7:00 p.m. on March 5, 2002. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Lauren Van Roekel Doug Poehls Ken Olson Mark Mace Gay Easton Daniel Dart Dan Mears John Oakes COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None Mayor Johnson asked the council to observe a moment of silence. Mayor Johnson led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. MINUTES: Motion by Alderman Easton to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 19, 2002~ as presented, seconded by Alderman Olson. Motion carried 8-0. CORRESPONDENCE: a. U.S. Departmem of Agriculture: Letter of February 13, 2002 regarding "Understanding the Opportunities in Rural Montana" Workshop in Bozeman on March 28, 2002. b. Montana/Wyoming Association of Railroad Passengers - January 2002. c. Local Government Center: Letter of February 21, 2002 and registration brochures regarding the Elected Officials' Workshop to be held May 8-10 in Billings. d. Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services: Anthrax Threat Guide for Montana. PUBLIC ItEARINGS: a. Ordinance No. 002-6: Ordinance amending Chapter 2.08 of the Laurel Municipal Code relating to City Council proceedings. Mayor Johnson opened the public hearing. Mayor Johnson asked three times if there were any proponents. There were none. Mayor Johnson asked three times if there were any opponents. There were none. Mayor Johnson closed the public hearing b. Ordinance No. 002-7: Ordinance amending Chapter 2.12 of the Laurel Municipal Code relating to elective and appointive offices. Mayor Johnson opened the public hearing. Mayor Johnson asked three times if there were any proponents. There were none. Mayor Johnson asked three times if there were any opponents. There were none. Mayor Johnson closed the public hearing. c. Ordinance No. 002-8: Ordinance amending Chapter 2.60.160 of the Laurel Municipal Code relating to Police Commission decision - veto - modification. Council Minutes of March 5, 2002 Mayor Johnson opened the public hearing. Mayor Johnson asked three times if there were any proponents. There were none. Mayor Johnson asked three times if there were any opponents. There were none. Mayor Johnson closed the public hearing. d. Ordinance No. 002-9: Ordinance amending Chapter 2.60.170 of the Laurel Municipal Code relating to Police Commission decision - enforcement appeal. Mayor Johnson opened the public hearing. Mayor Johnson asked three times if there were any proponents. There were none. Mayor Johnson asked three times if there were any opponents. There were none. Mayor Johnson closed the public hearing. e. Ordinance No. O02-11: Ordinance amending Chapter 2.68.030 of the Laurel Municipal Code relating to jurisdiction. Mayor Johnson opened the public hearing. Mayor Johnson asked three times if there were any proponents. There were none. Mayor Johnson asked three times if there were any opponents. There were none. Mayor Johnson closed the public hearing. f. Ordinance No. O02-12: Ordinance amending Chapter 2.68.040 of the Laurel Municipal Code relating to exclusive jurisdiction. Mayor Johnson opened the public hearing. Mayor Johnson asked three times if there were any proponents. There were none. Mayor Johnson asked three times if there were any opponents. There were none. Mayor Johnson closed the public hearing. g. Ordinance No. O02-13: Ordinance amending Chapter 2.68.070 of the Laurel Municipal Code relating to civil actions - proceedings. Mayor Johnson opened the public hearing. Mayor Johnson asked three times if there were any proponents. There were none. Mayor Johnson asked three times if there were any opponents. There were none. Mayor Johnson dosed the public hearing. h. Ordinance No. O02-14: Ordinance amending Chapter 2~96.260 of the Laurel Municipal Code relating to retirement requirements. Mayor Johnson opened the public hearing, Mayor Johnson asked three times if there were any proponents. There were none. Mayor Johnson asked three times if there were any opponents. There were none. Mayor Johnson closed the public hearing. Council Minutes of March 5, 2002 CONSENT ITEMS: a. Claims for the month of February 2002 in the amount of $110,274.45. 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~ --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of February 4, 2002 were presented. --City Council Committee of the Whole minutes ofFehruary 19, 2002 were presented. --City-County Planning Board minutes &February 14, 2002 were presented. Resolution No. O02-16: Authorizing the Mayor to sign a proposal for professional consulting with Bruce McCandless of Best Management Consulting. The mayor asked if there was any separation of consent items. There was none. Motion by Alderman Olson to approve the consent items as presented seconded by Alderman Van Roekel. Motion carried 8-0~ COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS (ONE-MINUTE LIMIT): None. CEREMONIAL CALENDAR: MaYor Johnson read the following proclamation: WHEREAS, Tuesday, March 12, 2002, marks the 90th anniversary of Girl Scouts of the United States of America, founded by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912 in Savannah, Georgia; and, WHEREAS, throughout its long and distinguished history, Girls Scouts - the pre-eminent organizhtion for girls - has inspired millions of girls with the highest ideals of character, conduct, and patriotism; and, WHEREAS, Girl Scouting will lead businesses and communities to teach the girls the skills needed to take active roles in math, science and technology careers and to fulfill our country's economic needs; and, WHEREAS, through Girl Scouting, every girl, everywhere grows strong, gains self- confidence and skills for success, and learns her duty to the world around her; and, WHEREAS, through participation in Girls' Voices, a national community service project, every girl will learn to use her own voice to address an issue of concern to her and perhaps make a change for the better in her community; and, WHEREAS, some 50 million women have enjoyed the benefits of the Girl Scouts program, as an American tradition, for 90 years; NOW, THEREFORE, I, John E JohnsOn, Jr., by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of Laurel, Montana, do hereby proclaim the week of March 10-16 as Girl Scout Week. SCHEDULED MATTERS: a. Confirmation of Appointments. Mayor Johnson stated that Marvin Carter and Gay Easton (alternate) would continue to serve as representatives on the Rural Community Development Board. 3 Council Minutes of March 5, 2002 b. Don Meyers: HomeOccupation request. Don Meyers was unable to attend this council meeting. The item will be placed on the council agenda for March 19, 2002. Approval or denial of Home OccupatiOn request: 202 West Maryland - MDU Office - Don Meyers. Planning Board recommends denial. The item will be place on the council agenda for March 19, 2002. d. Laurel Volunteer Fire Department Year-End Report: Terry Ruff, Fire Chief. Fire Chief Terry Ruff distributed the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department 2001 Fire Incident Statistical Summary information. The department responded to a total of 163 incidents: 159 incidents were in Laurel, one incident was for mutual aid, and three incidents were out of district. The total estimated dollar loss per fire area included: $227,100 for the City of Laurel; $43,400 for Fire District #7; $500 for Fire District #5; $20,000 for Fire District #8; $65,300 for Laurel Urban Fire Service Area; and $0 for both the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch and the Airport Authority. Additional information was provided for percentage of incidents per fire area, average manpower per month, time of incidents and average manpower per call, and average response time for calls in each area. The total of 8,760 hours served at the department included 4,271 hours for fire service, 660 hours for fire prevention, 1,631 hours for training, and 720 hours for service hours. The council also received copies of the February 2002 Laurel Volunteer Fire Department Fire Prevention News, a newsletter that is produced by Brent Peters and the Fire Prevention Officers. Alderman Oakes asked regarding the costs and hours required by a full-time fire department. If the City of Laurel had to have a full-time fire department, the costs would be greatly increased. Alderman Olson commented that the newsletter was very informative, and he thanked the individuals that produced it. Mayor Johnson stated that the large amount of hours volunteered by the firemen demonstrated the high level of commitment to the community and the department. Mayor Johnson requested that the Fire Department distribute their newsletter to the council regularly as a communication link to the council. Mayor Johnson thanked Fire Chief Ruff for his presentation to the council. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA: NOne. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (THREE-MINUTE LIMIT): None. COUNCIL DISCUSSION: Alderman Olson mentioned that the work of the volunteers would be acknowledged during Volunteerism Week on April 22nd through 26th. Alderman Easton reported on the organizations on which he serves. The Council on Aging, which meets monthly, addresses needs for the aging, including transportation issues and Meals on Wheels. The council seeks to make the elderly aware of available opportunities for them and continues to review the needs and assessments of the aging. Alderman Easton stated that the Yellowstone Conservation Board reviews the needs assessment of the Yellowstone River in Yellowstone Park from the confluence of the Missouri River. This includes all aspects of projects on the river, including an assessment of Laurel's water intake. It addresses the accumulative imPact of the various uses of the river. This is the Corps of Engineers project with the Yellowstone Conservation Districts. In 2003, the three-year program will review the accumulative impact studyl Floodplain issues are also included in the Conservation Board. Alderman Easton also serves on the Beartooth RC&D. The Budget/Finance Committee recently discussed continuing the homebuyer's programs. Connie Onstad is scheduled make a presentation regarding the program at the council workshop on March 26~. 4 Council Minutes of March 5, 2002 Alderman Mears mentioned the eye-catching layout of the Fire Department's Newsletter. Mayor Johnson stated that several groups attended the Drug and Alcohol Task Force meeting in January and contributed to the discussion regarding involvement of the youth in the community. An architect gave a presentation regarding costs at the February 25th meeting of the Swim Pool Task Force. The task force is small in numbers but has some great ideas for the future. The City-County Health Board is engaged in community emergency planning. volunteered to serve on the Local Emergency Planning Committee in Billings. considering a name change for the Deering Clinic. Mark Mace has The Board is Alderman Oakes stated that the recent joint meeting and the council retreat were beneficial meetings. Alderman Dart apologized for the delay in submitting the minutes from the Emergency Services Committee meeting on February 25th. He requested someone to be responsible to take minutes at the meetings. Alderman Dart stated that the committee had a roundtable discussion regarding bloodbome and airborne pathOgens. Recognition of the potential for transmission of these two serious types of situations to our ambulance, fire and police personnel in Laurel was discussed. The committee will consider training, investment in equipment, and various things that could be done to protect our personnel. Alderman Mace stated that Gay Easton also serves on the Public Works Committee, and that the council and Ward 3 are blessed to have Gay give of his time and effort during the daytime hours to attend the meetings in which he is involved. Alderman Mace stated that the Insurance Committee recognizes the high costs of insurance and that the trend may continue. Alternative styles of insurance are being considered to find out what is available. Mr. McCandless will be a great asset during the union negotiations. Mary Embleton is compiling information and organizing meetings with the various companies. Alderman Poehls is involved in the YMCA. The national YMCA director was at the Billings YMCA recently to kick off their fund drive. The Laurel YMCA fundralser will be held at St. Anthony's in April, and he will have tickets available. The issue of whether to hire a manager at the skate park or to allow the youth to police the skate park themselves is being considered. Volunteers are needed to serve on the Laurel YMCA board. Ken Olson mentioned that a recent news broadcast recommended, for liability reasons, providing skateboards for youth instead of having them make their own skateboards. The YMCA is working on a grant with St. Vincent's or Deaconess where they would supply helmets and kneepads for the skateboarders. UNSCHEDULED MATTERS: Alderman Dart stated that Chris Bebe, a representative of the Montana Wildlife Federation, would present an overview of coal bed methane development as it pertains to wildlife and the environment at the Laurel Rod & Gun Club on Wednesday, March 06, 2002, at 7:00 p.m. There being no further business to come before the council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 7:43 p.m. Cindy Allen,CSecretary Approved by the Mayor and passed by the Cit, of March, 2002. Attest: Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, this 19th day ' E-J0~lson, Jr-,Ma~ Mary K Embleton, Clerk-TreasUrer 5