Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 07.02.2002 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF LAUREL July 2, 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 7:15 p.m. on July 2, 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 Oakes to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of June 18, 2002, as presented, seconded by Alderman Dart. Motion carried 8-0. PUBLIC H~ARING: Intent to vacate public right of way (alley), located west of i2th Avenue between 9~ Street and Maryland, alley runs 116.63 feet on north side of Lot 14, Willow Creek Subdivision. 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. CORRESPONDENCE: None. CONSENT ITEMS: · Claims for the month of June 2002 totaling $399,258.28. A complete listing of the claims and their amounts is on file in the Clerk-Treasurer's Office. · Approval of Payroll Register for PPE 6/9/02 totaling $110,505.97. · Receiving the Committee Reports into the Record. --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of June 3, 2002 were presented. --City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of JUne 18, 2002 were presented. --Emergency Services Committee minutes of June 24, 2002 were presented. --Council Work Session Budget Presentations by Department Heads of June 5, 2002 were presented. · Resolution No. R02-40: A resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign an agreement with the Montana Department of Transportation for street cleaning on the primary road system in Laurel. The mayor asked if there was any separati0n of consent items. There was none. Motion by Alderman Olson to approve the consent items as presented, seconded by Alderman Poehls. Motion carded 8-0. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS (ONE-MINUTE LIMIT): None. SCHEDULED MATTERS: Council Minutes of July 2, 2002 · Confirmation of Appointments. Police Reserves: Mayor Johnson appointed Jason Grover and Jeremy Tafelmeyer to the Police Reserves. City-County Planning Board: Mayor Johnson reappointed Steve O'Neil to a two-year term on the City-County Planning Board as the City representative by Mayor appointment. Mayor Johnson reappointed Ed Thurner to a two-year term on the City-County Planning Board as the City representative by Council appointment. Motion by Alderman Mears to approve the appointments of Jason Grover and Jeremy Tafelmeyer to the Police Reserves, and Steve O'Neil and Ed Thumer to the City-County Planning Board, seconded by Alderman Mace. Motion carried 8-0. Yellowstone Conservation District Board: Mayor Johnson appointed Gay Easton to a three-year term on the Yellowstone Conservation District Board. The appointment is made jointly with the City of Billings, the Town of Broadview, and the City of Laurel. Motion by Alderman Mears to approve the appointment of Gay Easton to the Yellowstone Conservation District Board, seconded by Alderman Mace. Motion carried 8-0. Insurance Committee: Mayor Johnson stated that Alderman Poehls has consented to serve as the third council member on the Insurance Committee. · Distribution of 2002-2003 Preliminary Budget. Mayor Johnson stated that the Preliminary Budget was distributed to the council prior to the meeting. Some changes will be made, but the budget is close to what will be presented for council approval. Alderman Poehls questioned the amount for the Parks and Pool budget. In 2001-2002, the budgeted amount was $145,862, and the 2002-2003 budgeted amount is $233,081. The difference might account for part of the $168,923.00 shortfall between revenues and appropriations. Mayor Johnson will check with the clerk-treasurer regarding this question. Alderman Olson stated that the amount originally requested for the Parks and Pool budget was about $153,000, so the $233,081 figure could be a typographical error. Mayor Johnson asked the council to note any other questions regarding the 2002-2003 Preliminary Budget. Alderman Olson stated that this is the first time the council has received the budget document this early. The council will now have an opportunity to thoroughly examine the budget before its approval on August 6th. He thanked the administration for the work onthe project. Alderman Mace mentioned that the City of Billings adopted its budget on July 1~t, and the City of Laurel is not far behind this year. Once the CIP is in place and is being used, the budget process will be easier. Mayor Johnson stated that the budget process has been difficult. The budget is balanced, but no monies will be spent for capital, vehicles, or equipment. However, the city cannot continue to do so. Mayor Johnson suggested that the council schedule another Saturday work session with the Local Government Center to facilitate a council work plan. This would provide the ability to set the priorities and the directions for the next budget process. Discussion regarding this work session will be placed on the next council workshop agenda. Council Minutes of July 2, 2002 Mayor Johnson stated that Montana Municipal Insurance Authority (MMIA) would make a presentation on liability issues to the staffin the afternoon on Tuesday, July 9t~. MMIA is scheduled to present liability and background information at the council workshop at 7:00 p.m. that evening. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA: None. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (THREE-MINUTE LIMIT): None. COUNCIL DISCUSSION: Alderman Dart stated that a public hearing regarding the 9:00 p.m. siren would be scheduled for the next Emergency Services Committee. He encouraged the public to attend and be heard at this public hearing. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 22nd, at 5:30 p.m. After council discussion, it was agreed to schedule the Emergency Services Committee meeting at 5:30 p.m. and the public hearing on the 9:00 p.m. siren at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 22nd. Mayor Johnson stated that the Emergency Services Committee would consider the 9:00 p.m. siren issue at the AugUst 26th meeting and present a recommendation after that meeting. (Due to various scheduling conflicts, the committee meeting and public hearing has been set for Monday, July 29t~. Advertisements for the public hearing will be placed in the Laurel Outlook.) Alderman Mace mentioned that about twenty-five employees attended the Insurance Meeting at the Laurel Library recently. The meeting made the public aware that the City of Laurel encounters a difficult situation to receive quotes because of the number of employees and the insurance history. Alderman Mace stated that city meetings have been more open in the past year and more information is available to the public. He also thanked the library stafffor having the meeting at the library. Mayor Johnson stated that a colored insert would be placed in the July 24th issue of the Laurel Outlook. An ad will be placed in the newspaper prior to that date to inform the public that the insert will be coming. A newsletter that was not released will be used as the basis for the insert. Any information for the insert is due to the council secretary by Friday, July 12t~. Alderman Van Roekel questioned if extra inserts would be available at other locations since everyone does not receive the newspaper. Extras will be available but the placement has not yet been determined. Alderman Van Roekel mentioned that the special legislative session would address a $45 million shortfall. He encouraged the council to visit with the legislators whenever possible. Alderman Olson wished everyone a safe 4~ of July. He stated that it was great to see two more individuals added to the police reserve roster, and he encouraged other people to join. Mayor Johnson mentioned the commitment that is required of the fire department, police reserves, and ambulance volunteers. He encouraged everyone to thank these volunteers for their sacrifice to serve the public. Mayor Johnson thanked the council for their representation at the recent Joint City-County Meeting in Billings. Informative discussions regarding fireworks and a mail ballot were presented at the meeting. UNSCHEDULED MATTERS: There being no further business to come before the council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. Cindy Allefi,J Secretary Approved by the Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montanal this 16t~ day of July, 2002. Council Minutes of July 2, 2002 ,o,~E.,o~,~r.,~¥oF- Attest: 'ry Kfmbleton, Clerk-Treasurer 4