HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommittee of the Whole Minutes 06.04.2002 MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF TIlE WHOLE
JUNE 4, 2002 6:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CIlAMBERS
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Bud Johnson
Lauren Van Roekel Doug Poehls (6:41 p.m.)
Ken Olson Mark Mace
Gay Easton Daniel Dart
Dan Meats John Oakes
OTHERS PRESENT: Matt Erekson
The council discussion was moved from the council meeting to this meeting.
Lauren Van Roekel stated that a schedule of events is available for the 4th of July activities at Grace Bible
Church's property on East Maryland.
Lauren mentioned that it would be helpful to have a handout that specified what garbage should be put in
the containers and the alleys.
Ken Olson commented regarding the General Fund and stated that a preliminary budget has been
produced. The General Fund has been stabilized into a workable document, but many sacrifices were
made in order to do so. The stabilization has allowed us to move into the next fiscal year, but many
needed projects cannot be funded through the General Fund. The department heads will present their
General Fund budgets to the council on Wednesday, June 5th. The philosophy of how to allocate and
appropriate money is being addressed. The budgets for the Enterprise Funds will be presented at a later
date. Ken stated the need to find a common goal, a method to accomplish the goal, and a means of
educating everyone involved. Ken stressed that the budget, though stabilized, would not allow the City of
Laurel to accomplish everything that needs to be done. Our flexibility for the continuation and growing
of this community is being hampered. The Budget/Finance Committee worked to stabilize the
expenditures against the appropriations, but there is no room for extra expenditures.
Gay Easton spent the day reviewing riprapping and flooding damage on the river.
Gay thanked the crew that prepared the breakfast on Saturday.
Dan Mears attended the plane crash reenactment at the Billings airport recently. He suggested that the
City of Laurel should consider scheduling a similar training session to coordinate communications
between the various responders involved.
Bud thanked everyone who participated in the breakfast on Saturday, especially Ken, Gay, and Mark for
their work.
The City-County Health Department is considering placing an issue on the November ballot.
Bud distributed draft copies of a proposed Internet and E-mail Policy for the City of Laurel. The issue
will be discussed at the next council workshop meeting.
City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of June 4, 2002
The council workshop on Tuesday, June 11th, will begin at 6:30 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., Interstate Engineering
will present information regarding railroad grade separation issues. The issues will also be discussed with
the department heads on the same day.
Three draft proposals regarding changing the closing time for council agenda items will be presented for
discussion at the next council workshop.
John Oakes recently gave some garbage and refuse information for a new garbage ordinance to Larry and
Mart.
Dan Dart stated the need for the council to have a roundtable discussion with the local state legislators to
determine how they could benefit the City of Laurel.
Doug Poehls stated that the YMCA Board would present its future direction at an appreciation dinner on
Saturday. The YMCA has discussed approaching a cooperative effort between the City of Laurel, the
YMCA, and the school district.
Doug will attend a City-County Planning Board training session on Tuesday.
The Laurel Airport Open House is scheduled for Saturday, June 8th. Activities are planned throughout the
day, and the dedication is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Allen
Council Secretary